Quote by Cyril Connolly "Better to write for yourself and have no public than to write for the public and have no self"
Still spring cleaning.....
So during my Friday night of cleaning, I once again came to the realization that for two people, we have way too much stuff. So, I tried to talk Damon into some hardcore de-hoarding (my ADD kicking in), Damon quickly saw that I was wondering and lovingly said "focus". Back on track, one thing at a time, I'm spring cleaning in March, I'll officially name April de-hoarding month! I'm not entirely certain Damon was pleased with this declaration, as he knew full well it meant that he too would find himself with a to-do everyday.
Focus......
So we wanted to get our jobs done and done quick. We had plans of snuggling up on the couch with a glass of wine after dinner and watching a movie. So, I assigned Damon the job of pulling out the stove and refrigerator to vacuum and polish the floors behind them. Damon absolutely doesn't allow me to do this very often. He doesn't like it when things are "jostled", rightfully so with the fridge, it has an ice maker/water dispenser and anyone who despises plumbing as we do, knows that you don't F with plumbing when everything is in good working order! I could start a whole other blog about plumbing, that many of you would probably find far more entertaining than this (note the quote at the top of the page), simply because you wouldn't believe the shear amount of mishaps one couple could have with plumbing, especially when the couple truly knows what the hell their doing!
Sorry.... I'm focusing....
My task at hand, organizing my closet. This is something I should make myself do at least once a month. I have a very bad habit of everything that doesn't yet have a home, ending up on the floor of my closet. Shut up, I consider it my INBOX. Eventually, one little thing at a time, I find a permanent home for those items.
So I rushed to try to get this done quickly enough to call it quits for the evening, but I soon found myself starving and ready for dinner (the three or four glasses of wine didn't help) but I was nowhere near done. My motto to organization, you must cause chaos before you can truly get things organized. So, I basically pulled everything out of my closet, except for the clothes on the rack. I made myself several little piles all over the floor and began organizing and putting things in their proper places, managing to do a small amount of de-hoarding while I was at it. Then I got over it, put everything I hadn't gotten to yet back in the closet and came down for dinner.
We ate dinner and decided to just hang out in the kitchen and talked the night away and completely forgot about the movie.
Just for fun:
Weekly shopping trip: Bought $19.53 worth of stuff, but after coupons and sales: Spent only $10.53 out of pocket!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Friday, March 15th, 2013
More Spring cleaning, yea!!
No seriously, that's what we spent our Friday night doing. Each day I assign myself, and poor Damon too, a cleaning assignment. All those things that just don't get done unless your rich and have a maid; like taking the glass globes off of all your lights and cleaning them, cleaning the tops of your ceiling fan blades, and taking everything out of your fridge and going to town with the clorox wipes!
Damon somehow manages to get himself roped into every "great" idea I have, but that's why I love him!
Damon got cleaning all the windows and mirrors in the house and I got reorganizing our pantry (we added a newly built shelf on Thursday night).
Again, I don't know how we can handle all this fun we have on our Friday nights.......
Just for fun:
Weekly shopping trip: Bought $25.77 worth of stuff, but after coupons and sales: Spent only $2.75 out of pocket! No joking!! Why aren't you couponing yet??
No seriously, that's what we spent our Friday night doing. Each day I assign myself, and poor Damon too, a cleaning assignment. All those things that just don't get done unless your rich and have a maid; like taking the glass globes off of all your lights and cleaning them, cleaning the tops of your ceiling fan blades, and taking everything out of your fridge and going to town with the clorox wipes!
Damon somehow manages to get himself roped into every "great" idea I have, but that's why I love him!
Damon got cleaning all the windows and mirrors in the house and I got reorganizing our pantry (we added a newly built shelf on Thursday night).
Again, I don't know how we can handle all this fun we have on our Friday nights.......
Just for fun:
Weekly shopping trip: Bought $25.77 worth of stuff, but after coupons and sales: Spent only $2.75 out of pocket! No joking!! Why aren't you couponing yet??
Friday, March 8th, 2013
So, a lovely Friday Night in March, what else is there to do but finally take down the Christmas tree! I know, I know..... It's March, but if I had it my way, it would be Christmas every day!
Anyway, I decided that I was going to spend some time every day in March doing some type of Spring cleaning, so the tree had to go. It's always so much fun putting the tree up, deciding what colors you want to decorate with, using those sentimental ornaments you've had forever, being with your family and loved ones, it really is magical.
The sad part is taking it down, which is why I waited until almost the middle of March to do it. It's not only sad to come to terms with Christmas time being over, it somehow seems like a lot more work to make Christmas go away than it does to bring it to life. I have so many boxes full of Christmas ornaments, lights, garland, etc., all neatly organized and categorized mind you, but I have a crap load nonetheless!
Anyway, it wasn't a terribly exciting Friday night for us, but like I said before, it's Friday night, it's Winslow, enough said!
Just for fun:
Weekly shopping trip: Bought $52.10 worth of stuff, but after coupons and sales: Spent only $19.85 out of pocket!
Anyway, I decided that I was going to spend some time every day in March doing some type of Spring cleaning, so the tree had to go. It's always so much fun putting the tree up, deciding what colors you want to decorate with, using those sentimental ornaments you've had forever, being with your family and loved ones, it really is magical.
The sad part is taking it down, which is why I waited until almost the middle of March to do it. It's not only sad to come to terms with Christmas time being over, it somehow seems like a lot more work to make Christmas go away than it does to bring it to life. I have so many boxes full of Christmas ornaments, lights, garland, etc., all neatly organized and categorized mind you, but I have a crap load nonetheless!
Anyway, it wasn't a terribly exciting Friday night for us, but like I said before, it's Friday night, it's Winslow, enough said!
Just for fun:
Weekly shopping trip: Bought $52.10 worth of stuff, but after coupons and sales: Spent only $19.85 out of pocket!
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Friday, March 1st, 2013
So tomorrow is Damon's birthday and I have been so unbelievably busy at work, volunteering, and all the other fun stuff I get myself into, that I haven't had the chance to get ready for his birthday!
So, Damon and I have been famous for planning these special surprise weekend trips for each other on our birthdays or Valentine's Day, Christmas, etc.; we've done Eureka Springs, we've slept in an old-time train caboose, we've camped-out in the sleet and snow, we've done murder mystery dinners, we've stayed in haunted hotels, we've done a lot!
We are on a budget, so of course we're not taking off to New York City for his birthday, but that doesn't mean that you can't have a special day with your significant other on the cheap!
I remember reading an article, several months ago, that was basically a Northwest Arkansas "Bucket List". Considering that we are from Tulsa and haven't lived here for very long, I was sure there was a lot of stuff to see and do around here that we haven't been to yet. So, I sent Damon away to busy himself elsewhere, while I compiled my lists of things to do in the area. I made my own version of a "Bucket List", using various articles and recommendations from friends, and I presented Damon with a list of about 30 things to do and places to eat. Of course, this little hint came with a bottle of champagne and some fresh strawberries.
I know you didn't think I was going to just tell him where we were going, did you? Lol!
Since I was too busy to post this on Friday, I can tell you that we visited the Crystal Bridges Art Museum, the Walmart Visitors Center, ate at the Flying Fish, visited the Pinnacle gas station, that is more like a gourmet food store than a gas station, and we played some video games and went bowling at Fast Lanes. All firsts for us both!
Just for fun:
Weekly shopping trip: Bought $70.92 worth of stuff, but after coupons and sales: Spent only $45.17 out of pocket! On top of that, I can say that for the month of February, we saved $290.54, that's 30%, so why aren't you couponing????
So, Damon and I have been famous for planning these special surprise weekend trips for each other on our birthdays or Valentine's Day, Christmas, etc.; we've done Eureka Springs, we've slept in an old-time train caboose, we've camped-out in the sleet and snow, we've done murder mystery dinners, we've stayed in haunted hotels, we've done a lot!
We are on a budget, so of course we're not taking off to New York City for his birthday, but that doesn't mean that you can't have a special day with your significant other on the cheap!
I remember reading an article, several months ago, that was basically a Northwest Arkansas "Bucket List". Considering that we are from Tulsa and haven't lived here for very long, I was sure there was a lot of stuff to see and do around here that we haven't been to yet. So, I sent Damon away to busy himself elsewhere, while I compiled my lists of things to do in the area. I made my own version of a "Bucket List", using various articles and recommendations from friends, and I presented Damon with a list of about 30 things to do and places to eat. Of course, this little hint came with a bottle of champagne and some fresh strawberries.
I know you didn't think I was going to just tell him where we were going, did you? Lol!
Since I was too busy to post this on Friday, I can tell you that we visited the Crystal Bridges Art Museum, the Walmart Visitors Center, ate at the Flying Fish, visited the Pinnacle gas station, that is more like a gourmet food store than a gas station, and we played some video games and went bowling at Fast Lanes. All firsts for us both!
Just for fun:
Weekly shopping trip: Bought $70.92 worth of stuff, but after coupons and sales: Spent only $45.17 out of pocket! On top of that, I can say that for the month of February, we saved $290.54, that's 30%, so why aren't you couponing????
Friday, February 22, 2013
Friday, February 22nd, 2013
So it's another Friday Night in Winslow and we're off to Tulsa tomorrow!
So basically that means that we've just spent our Friday night running around the house like chickens with our heads cut off, getting ready for our trip!
I came home, we put away the groceries, made cupcakes and cookies for our families, packed, rested, packed some more, finished a load of laundry, reheated a pot of chili for dinner, ate, cleaned house, chatted with Damon over a glass of wine, let the dogs in to roam around the house and warm up, because it's freaking freezing outside, while we watched a little TV, and now, we're ready to pass out.
What can ya say... Friday Night in Winslow!
Just for fun:
Weekly shopping trip: Bought $87.95 worth of stuff, but after coupons and sales: Spent only $55.37 out of pocket! I'm telling you, smart shopping and clipping coupons makes a huge difference to your budget!
So basically that means that we've just spent our Friday night running around the house like chickens with our heads cut off, getting ready for our trip!
I came home, we put away the groceries, made cupcakes and cookies for our families, packed, rested, packed some more, finished a load of laundry, reheated a pot of chili for dinner, ate, cleaned house, chatted with Damon over a glass of wine, let the dogs in to roam around the house and warm up, because it's freaking freezing outside, while we watched a little TV, and now, we're ready to pass out.
What can ya say... Friday Night in Winslow!
Just for fun:
Weekly shopping trip: Bought $87.95 worth of stuff, but after coupons and sales: Spent only $55.37 out of pocket! I'm telling you, smart shopping and clipping coupons makes a huge difference to your budget!
Friday, February 16th, 2013
Friday I spent the night, along with Damon helping me, sorting through a slew of paperwork for the non-profit I volunteer at. Invoices to be paid, building the 2013 budget, collecting service statistics, trying to decipher all the governmental regulations, etc.
I don't know whether it's sad that I spent my entire Friday night doing this, or if it makes me a good person to devote a Friday night to a worthy cause?
I do know that I have a terrible habit of signing myself up for too many "to-do's", finding myself with no free time whatsoever. Now looking at this blog, I barely have time to actually write it on a Friday night. The difference is, writing is what I love, if I could work for a living doing just that, I'd be a very happy person. Instead, I end up having so much to do that I can't find time for what I love.
Now, that is sad.
Don't get me wrong, it's usually my own fault! I know that I already have zero time to do anything extra, but when I want to try something, or I get excited about something, and I just go for it. Then there are the times when someone says "hey, your good at that, why don't you do it", and my dumb ass goes and does it. Only problem is, usually what's being asked of me is just the tip of the iceberg, once I start doing it, it turns out to be way more than I bargained for. Being only slightly OCD, I don't want to do it half-assed, even if what was asked of me wasn't the whole story, I continue to jump in and give it my all anyway.
I guess I'm just saying that after this mountain of paperwork, and all of the other time and effort that has gone into my volunteering, I find myself feeling like "butter spread over too much bread". It's not a good feeling; feeling conflicted about what path you want to take yourself down is scary enough in itself.
Moral of my little rant...... Don't overlook the important things in life, trying to conquer the world. Find time to watch a sunset, have breakfast in bed, go for a walk, play with your dogs, spend time with your family and friends, and just "do you"! Take some "me" time and do something YOU really want to do, relax, and truly enjoy yourself once in a while!
Just for fun:
Weekly shopping trip: Bought $34.21 worth of stuff, but after coupons and sales: Spent only $18.73 out of pocket!
I don't know whether it's sad that I spent my entire Friday night doing this, or if it makes me a good person to devote a Friday night to a worthy cause?
I do know that I have a terrible habit of signing myself up for too many "to-do's", finding myself with no free time whatsoever. Now looking at this blog, I barely have time to actually write it on a Friday night. The difference is, writing is what I love, if I could work for a living doing just that, I'd be a very happy person. Instead, I end up having so much to do that I can't find time for what I love.
Now, that is sad.
Don't get me wrong, it's usually my own fault! I know that I already have zero time to do anything extra, but when I want to try something, or I get excited about something, and I just go for it. Then there are the times when someone says "hey, your good at that, why don't you do it", and my dumb ass goes and does it. Only problem is, usually what's being asked of me is just the tip of the iceberg, once I start doing it, it turns out to be way more than I bargained for. Being only slightly OCD, I don't want to do it half-assed, even if what was asked of me wasn't the whole story, I continue to jump in and give it my all anyway.
I guess I'm just saying that after this mountain of paperwork, and all of the other time and effort that has gone into my volunteering, I find myself feeling like "butter spread over too much bread". It's not a good feeling; feeling conflicted about what path you want to take yourself down is scary enough in itself.
Moral of my little rant...... Don't overlook the important things in life, trying to conquer the world. Find time to watch a sunset, have breakfast in bed, go for a walk, play with your dogs, spend time with your family and friends, and just "do you"! Take some "me" time and do something YOU really want to do, relax, and truly enjoy yourself once in a while!
Just for fun:
Weekly shopping trip: Bought $34.21 worth of stuff, but after coupons and sales: Spent only $18.73 out of pocket!
Friday, February 8, 2013
Friday, February 8th, 2013
So here we are again!
It's Friday Night in Winslow..... Because it's near the first of the month, that means it was our monthly Sam's shopping trip for Damon. He ran to town today to stock up on our ground beef, ground turkey, shredded cheese, and frozen chicken breast, along with some other things that are cheaper to buy in bulk from Sams versus other stores, things like home air filters, Ziploc bags, and Reynold's wrap. I say these things specifically because they are on the small list of items I have yet to figure-out how to get FREE or at least almost free using coupons and sales!
Anyway, this is Friday Night in Winslow, not Friday day... so let's move on!
So because of this once a month shopping trip, we were then left with putting all this stuff away and it's a chore. Don't get me wrong, putting things away after my weekly grocery shopping trip can be a pain in the rear at times too! It's just more fun because I bring home free or almost free stuff!!!
I know, I know, I'm starting to ramble..... Can anyone say ADD???
So, here is why putting away our Sam's stuff once a month is such a pain. we have 10 pounds of ground turkey meat, 10 pounds of hamburger meat, 12 pounds of boneless chicken breast, 5 pounds of crispy chicken tenders, and 5 pounds of shredded cheese, and what the hell to do with it all? We break out the quart size Ziploc freezer bags, the food scale, and a sharpie, and we start going to town! Damon of course is in charge of portioning the meats, I don't like getting my hands dirty on animal flesh. I do however assist him by getting out and opening the Ziploc bags, sometimes I even help him seal them up and label them with the date, but mostly I'm on cheese duty! I'd like to tell you, I can eye-ball the 1 pound portions of the cheese like nobodies business!
We separate everything into a 1 pound portion size, put that into a quart size freezer bag, mark the date on the bag (so we can rotate it through the freezer, using the oldest bags first), and throw it into the freezer until we need it! Damon (Mr. OCD) of course insists that I use the scale on the cheese, but I do that only after I have them perfectly separated by my good eye-ball!
Damon's work on all the meat takes him quite a bit longer than the cheese takes me, so while he is still weighing and bagging his meats, I decided I would sit down and write my little Friday Night in Winslow. When he's done, we'll get dinner started and then enjoy a movie snuggled up on the couch! What else is there to do in Winslow on a Friday night?
Just as an FYI to maybe help you save some money too, 90/10 Ground Beef at Sam's is only $3.48 per pound, Ground Turkey is only $2.75 per pound, and Frozen Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast is only $2.25 per pound. We eat a lot of each of those meats, so we usually buy a month's worth of meat, freeze it, and eat on it all month long. We easily save enough in a single month by shopping this way to pay for the annual Sam's membership fee, so 11 months out of the year we are saving a ton on our meats.
It's Friday Night in Winslow..... Because it's near the first of the month, that means it was our monthly Sam's shopping trip for Damon. He ran to town today to stock up on our ground beef, ground turkey, shredded cheese, and frozen chicken breast, along with some other things that are cheaper to buy in bulk from Sams versus other stores, things like home air filters, Ziploc bags, and Reynold's wrap. I say these things specifically because they are on the small list of items I have yet to figure-out how to get FREE or at least almost free using coupons and sales!
Anyway, this is Friday Night in Winslow, not Friday day... so let's move on!
So because of this once a month shopping trip, we were then left with putting all this stuff away and it's a chore. Don't get me wrong, putting things away after my weekly grocery shopping trip can be a pain in the rear at times too! It's just more fun because I bring home free or almost free stuff!!!
I know, I know, I'm starting to ramble..... Can anyone say ADD???
So, here is why putting away our Sam's stuff once a month is such a pain. we have 10 pounds of ground turkey meat, 10 pounds of hamburger meat, 12 pounds of boneless chicken breast, 5 pounds of crispy chicken tenders, and 5 pounds of shredded cheese, and what the hell to do with it all? We break out the quart size Ziploc freezer bags, the food scale, and a sharpie, and we start going to town! Damon of course is in charge of portioning the meats, I don't like getting my hands dirty on animal flesh. I do however assist him by getting out and opening the Ziploc bags, sometimes I even help him seal them up and label them with the date, but mostly I'm on cheese duty! I'd like to tell you, I can eye-ball the 1 pound portions of the cheese like nobodies business!
We separate everything into a 1 pound portion size, put that into a quart size freezer bag, mark the date on the bag (so we can rotate it through the freezer, using the oldest bags first), and throw it into the freezer until we need it! Damon (Mr. OCD) of course insists that I use the scale on the cheese, but I do that only after I have them perfectly separated by my good eye-ball!
Damon's work on all the meat takes him quite a bit longer than the cheese takes me, so while he is still weighing and bagging his meats, I decided I would sit down and write my little Friday Night in Winslow. When he's done, we'll get dinner started and then enjoy a movie snuggled up on the couch! What else is there to do in Winslow on a Friday night?
Just as an FYI to maybe help you save some money too, 90/10 Ground Beef at Sam's is only $3.48 per pound, Ground Turkey is only $2.75 per pound, and Frozen Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast is only $2.25 per pound. We eat a lot of each of those meats, so we usually buy a month's worth of meat, freeze it, and eat on it all month long. We easily save enough in a single month by shopping this way to pay for the annual Sam's membership fee, so 11 months out of the year we are saving a ton on our meats.
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