Happy Heart Day

I'm gonna wrap myself in paper

I'm gonna daub myself with glue

Stick some stamps on the top of my head

I'm gonna mail myself to you

I'm gonna tie me up with a little red string

I'm gonna tie blue ribbons too

I'm gonna climb up in my mailbox

I'm gonna mail myself to you

Now when you find me in your mailbox

Cut the string and let me out

Wash the glue right off of my tummy

Stick some bubblegum in my mouth

Take me out of my wrapping paper

Wash the stamps right off of my head

Pour me full of some ice cream sodies

Tuck me in to a nice warm bed!

Origami 101

So our awesome landlords, who are currently living in Japan, have sent us a couple of care packages. Each package is filled with fun treats and toys from Japan.

First we all sit around the table and share each of the fun Japanese treats in the package. Some are tasty some not so much but the fun part is trying. In each package has also been some origami.

The most recent package included a pack of origami paper for each boy. Planes for Christian and boats for Parker.

Christian picked a couple of jets to fold. Daddy helped him fold 2 perfect jets!


Parker had his eye on the pirate ship. Since Daddy was busy with Christian this was Mommy's job. Isn't it going to be neat?!

Mommy gets started. It's looking so good! She has to quit and help Ella for a while. Unfortunately for Parker Daddy doesn't read Japanese. Neither does Mommy but she was fairing much better than Daddy.


Somehow Daddy interpreted somewhere on here to crush the boat.

Origami gone terribly wrong!

Thank you Cheney's for a fun evening!

Provident

prov⋅i⋅dent 

–adjective
1.
having or showing foresight; providing carefully for the future.
2.
characterized by or proceeding from foresight: provident care.
3.
mindful in making provision .
4.
economical; frugal; thrifty.

So my good friend Kellie in Roy has asked me to co-author the Roy 31st Ward's new Provident Living blog. Of course I said, "Yes!" It's one of my favorite subjects! And now I think I am taking over the blog so I'm going to stop for today but I have a HUGE list of tips and things to add! Check it out here:

http://livingprovidently2.blogspot.com/

Another Shopping Victory!

Pillsbury Cinnabon Grands Cinnamon rolls x 2
Reg Price--$4.19 each(Do people really pay this?)
I Paid--$1.50 each

Albertson's Potato Rounds x 3
Reg Price--$2.99 each
I Paid--.97 each

Albertson's Crinkle Fries x 3
Reg Price--$2.99 each
I Paid--.97 each

Albertson's Reg cut Fries x 3
Reg Price--$2.99 each
I paid--.97 each

2 qt jug Simply Orange Juice
Reg Price--$4.49
I paid--$1.99

Totinos Pizza Rolls x 2
Reg Price--$2.39
I paid--$0.00!!!

2 qt jug Juicy Juice 100% Apple Juice
Reg Price--$4.59
I paid--$1.29

Suave Shampoo x 3
(which I do not use. Does it really matter what Brandon uses?)
Reg Price--$1.49
I paid--$.97

Suave Conditioner x 3
(Yes Brandon actually conditions)
Reg Price--$1.49
I paid--$.97


Total Regular price--$58.09 + sales tax

I Paid--$21.01 + sales tax

Meals for a month

We spend $300/month on Groceries. In 2007 it was $250 and the year before when Ella was born it was $200. Last month we spent less than $200 and since we have SOOOOO much we need to eat, like 47 boxes of cereal, and over 40lbs of meat in the freezer (I am really running out of space everywhere) the budget for this month is $150.

I plan my menu every month. Every month varies. I like to try new recipes and I like to make what I can from scratch. Each month includes at least 24 different dinners (I plan on dinner at moms every Sunday, one dinner out, and there's always leftovers), 24 lunches (some of these repeat), 5 homemade treats/desserts and breakfast at our house is usually cereal, toaster strudels, pancakes, waffles and toast. This list goes on the fridge and we cross off the meals as I decide to fix them. I write my shopping list based on what I need for each meal and do one big shopping trip per month because we live so far away from everything. $50-$75 of the grocery budget most months is used on our "stockpile" aka food storage which we use. I buy things that are on sale in bulk. I watch meat prices closely and buy my chicken breast and extra extra lean hamburger in bulk 10 - 20 lbs at a time and freeze. I buy all our cheese at Gossners for $2.75/pound or less! Once a week we buy any fresh foods as needed, milk, veggies, bread, eggs. . .

You know I love coupons. EVERY grocery shopping trip I save at least 60% off combing coupons and sale prices.

So since my sister was teasing me on Sunday (which is the reason for this post) here is this months menu:

1. Beef Tacos & Spanish rice
2. Chicken & Broccoli casserole
3. Cheesy ham and potatoes
4. BBQ Chicken Legs, baked potatoes, corn
5. Muffins, sausage, eggs
6. Crock pot beef stroganof
7. Chicken enchiladas
8. Baked ham, Au gratin potatoes, mixed veggies
9. Spaghetti & French bread
10. Bow-ties and shrimp Alfredo
11. Pancakes, bacon, eggs
12. Nat's Chicken rolls, parsley potatoes, green beans
13. Homemade personal pizza's (my kids favorite)
14. Italian Style Shepherd's pie
15. Tuna Casserole
16. Black bean and corn enchiladas
17. Chicken fajita casserole
18. Belgium waffles, sausage, eggs
19. Breakfast burritos
20. Homemade chicken pot pie
21. Whole roasted chicken with rosemary potatoes & baby veggie medley
22. Homemade chicken noodle soup
23. Lasagna
24. Meatloaf, rice, mixed veggies

A pilot and a normal person

Our doormat pretty much sums up our life. Case in point:

The other day Brandon is at FedEx and has a flight scheduled after work with a student. He calls me to get a phone number for the something, something, Logan airport, something, something. I have absolutely no clue what he was talking about. So he tells me to look in his airport and frequency manual. I am still thinking, "Huh?!!!" So I just start reading it to him over the phone,

"Logan Cache LGU 4454 feet 3NW LAP forty one degrees 47.26 feet north one hundred eleven degrees. . ."

I could feel the eyes rolling on the other end.

Finally I found the number he needed. Can you find it?

Look again it's here:

Reindeer Carrots

SHHHHHHHH!