How to keep your sanity and remember the eggs

So last week I mentioned that I had some great grocery shopping tips that I would share. As you know I love to write lists, it is like a little slice of heaven for me. But this should work well for you non ocd minded folk out there, in fact it may even be more efficient for you b/c you won't be killing a forest with the number of times that you rewrite your list.

First of all, I do my grocery shopping once a month, and when I am really good I can make it stretch to about 5 weeks. I know, I heard the collective gasp, but it really is worth it. You see I plan a meal for each night (I factor in a couple take-out/restaurant nights and I also throw in some lazy night meals [grilled cheese & tomato soup, blts, frozen pizza, etc.] for when we just don't want to cook). When I am planning the meals I write down all the ingredients that I don't have on hand. Then I try to plan multiple meals that involve some of the same ingredients. I also scan the store flyer to see if there is any great sales that I could plan meals around. This allows me to a) buy in bulk, b) spend less time in the store & c) save money. For example; maybe Jewel is having a sale on Red Peppers, I will make Stuffed Peppers one night, Stir fry another night and maybe Fiery fettuccine w/ red pepper sauce. And b/c I am planning my meals for a month we won't be having 3 red pepper meals right in a row.

Once I have written down all the meals, I will write up the actual shopping list. I sort the list by store departments so that I don't have to weave back and forth while I'm there, this saves me time and it helps me to not forget anything (we've all done that, "oh, I need to go back to produce and get a cucumber" but then you never get there). I write down each item, the quantity I need and a brand name if I have a preference.

When I get to the store I shop for all the non perishable or general grocery items first. These items are often heaviest so I don't run the risk of my can of black beans smashing my head of lettuce. And for you germaphobes out there, if you shop for you frozen items and meats last they are out of the refrigeration for less time. Plus if they are at the top of the cart they will be touching fewer other items (but always wrap your meat packages in a produce bag or something b/c sometimes they do leak!).

Shopping less often and with a very specific list helps to reduce the impulse buys that I really struggle with. Lets say I am going to spend $15 on last minute crap that I don't need every time I go to the store, I will spend $60 a month if I shop each week but only $15 if I shop once a month. Couple that with the savings from buying in bulk and you are looking at a drastically lower grocery bill.

Don't forget to comparison shop either, if you are able to shop in bulk be sure to check the prices at the warehouse stores (Sam's Club, Costco, etc.) sometimes you can save a bundle, especially on paper products but other times you walk away with a huge bill and way more than you will ever reasonable use. I find that if I mix generic brands in as much as possible when I shop at my neighborhood store I don't really save any money going to Sam's Club.

Be sure to check the butcher counter and the deli counter b/c sometimes they have sales on meat that doesn't apply to the prepackaged version of the same thing. Sara Lee ham is often cheaper at our deli counter than it is in the lunchmeat section of the store.

Never shop while hungry. This sets you up for major binging. When you are hungry everything looks delicious, even foods that you never cook and probably don't own a recipe for! If you must head to the store hungry, go straight to the deli counter and get a little container of pasta salad or something to stave of the growls for the duration of your trip. This will prove to be invaluable for those of us who are prone to salivating over every single item we see. Mmmm, Cocoa Puffs, OOOOOHHH, Bacon wrapped filets, yummmm Spam (?!). You get the idea.

Once at the checkout counter, definately use the reusable bags if you can. They hold more than the traditional plastic, are better for the environment and have great handles that will save your back. I always request that they bag all the parishable items together and seperate from the non parishables. When you have little ones it is nice to be able to quickly grab the "must put away" items first and come back for the rest when you have more time. This has been a life saver on more than one occassion, especially since we have to haul our groceries up a flight of stairs!

So whether or not you shop once a week or once a month, these tips should help save your mind and your wallet. Josh still does not understand my shopping habits but he certainly doesn't complain when I check my receipt and realize that I saved over $50! It's also nice to only have to head to the store once every 4 or 5 weeks. It really frees up my time to do other things like hang out with my family, catch up on Project Runway and Flipping Out, oh and to clean my house!

I really need to work on the cleaning thing, my house rarely looks very messy but upon closer inspection you will see that I have not mopped my floors in over two years (Swiffer doesn't count), my carpets are begging to be shampooed and forget about washing my windows! Maybe I will start working on this. I'll make a list!

Trucks, Trash and Slim Jim Hot Dogs

So we went to the Lake County Fair last night so that Jack could see the Monster Truck Demo. That kid really has an obsession! He loves anything truck and tractor related, even a boring old trailer is thrilling to him. He can take any conversation or game back to trucks. Somehow we always end up digging and dumping!! It is really funny to watch him watch something like Monster Trucks. He just sits in silence for a while, expressionless. At first it is hard to tell if he is even enjoying it. But the second there is any silence, he explodes in a furry of re-enactments, claps, cheers and Holy Cow's. He will stand on bleachers and use any extremity necessary to recreate the vehicle acurately; if that means one arm is a row of cars and the other hand coupled with the rest of his body is the giant truck running it over then so be it. We really get a kick out of his excitement, he is just so passionate and because of that he has really learned a lot. You can just see his little brain clicking away, trying to figure out how you drive this one and what sound that one makes. Jack can name just about any piece of machinery and if he is feeling cooperative he will even tell you how you drive them and what their differences are!! He is such a riot, I feel like we should book Jay Leno- his good looks and goofy grin would certainly win everyone over!

So, the Lake County Fair... it really hasn't changed much over the years. The same people in the same clothes go every year occassionally adding another limb to the family tree. The same rides with the same attendants return to push riders to the brink of nausea. The same 4-H members brings the same tired pigs. And the same vendors bring the same food, no really my hotdog may have been from the very same batch they brought last year. It was food poisoning covering in ketchup wrapped in a cold bun. I took one bite and couldn't even swallow that, it tasted like a spoiled Slim Jim. Dis.Gus.Ting! We spent almost $60 to go to our local fair for an hour and a half and we didn't even ride anything! Our horrific, inedible dinner cost us $30 then we had to get corn on the cob just to get rid of the taste in our mouths. It was pretty bad. But we did get a kick out of walking around and reliving some of the memories from our childhood. At many of the stands the prizes had not changed since I was a kid. If I were to knock down the plastic milk bottles I would still have my pick between a felt cover Mr. Big framed poster or a Jesus mirror. What a selection I tell you, two sets of people who were both very influential in my life. You really can never have too much long hair although I think the men of the 80's could have taught our Lord a little bit about AquaNet. A little hairspray never kept anyone from walking on water as far as I know.

Speaking of hair, Josh got a "Mohawk! Mohawk!" chant from some Carni's so I may have to rethink my analysis of his hair. But mine still looks fab! All in all we had a good time at the fair and Jack just loved it, the trucks, the french fries, the corn on the cob, everything. So we should probably put our judgements aside because we may just be a little more trashy than we like to admit!

I truly am Fabulous!

So, as I explained here, I have been determined to find a jogging stroller and also a double stroller. I really wanted one that encompassed both features but I do have priorities, and I am sorry but spending $400+ for a freaking stroller does not rank high on my list. BUT! I have been looking online, both for used and for cheaper versions. I found 2 double joggers for around $180. That was still more than I wanted to spend so I decided to wait. However, today I went to Baby Depot during my lunch break and found a great jogging stroller (a single but really nice) and side by side double stroller. And, the best part... I am super shopper extraordinaire!! I got both strollers for $100ish. The double was marked down to $39. But the only one that they had left was the floor model. Now mind you, this floor model was still in great condition and not missing any parts, but I am a savy shopper. After a whole explanation to the sales clerk about the wear and tear that occurs with a floor model they agreed to give it to me for 10% off (that 10% off of a stroller already marked down from over $100 to $39!!). That is right, I got a new double stroller for less than I could find a beat up used one. Then! Then, I look into the jogging strollers and find one with all the same features as the pricey ones with the exception of a kids snack tray on front (but can you imagine how fast that sippy cup and those Cherrios would fly out while jogging?!) for $59 bucks!! Holy freakin' cow! I am a shopping mastermind!

I am so stoked to use the jogging stroller. I even got an armband and new earphones for my Ipod so that I will officially be the trendiest, cutest, most in shape mom in my neighborhood! Really I swear! I worked out for like an hour or so last night and it felt great (except that I won't work out that close to bedtime anymore because I could not wind down afterwards, my brain was going a mile a minute). I used the Gazelle for a while, and yes I do have a baseball cap with a crimped blond ponytail a la Tony Little, then I did some cardio and yoga. It was so motivating. Now if only I could figure out how to get my coordination back I would be all set. I had to stop multiple times because I was moving my feet and hands all wrong and getting completely off balance. It was interesting but still GREAT! Have I said great enough yet?

I plan to get up right away this weekend and go for a jog in the morning. Also, I think I will use the Gazelle right away when I get home during the week. Josh doesn't get home until almost 6:30 and then he likes to shower anyway so that gives me over a half an hour to work out. Assuming Jack leaves me in peace, yeah right but a girl can dream. Maybe my excitement will rub off on Josh and he will use the Ipod for more than just playing games in bed. I'll try to bribe him with Led Zepplin downloads!

On a totally unrelated note, Dani and Mom and I are going to see Sex and the City tonight and I am super excited! Although, I am just not the same viewer that I was when it was on the air. Back then I loved the fashion and the shoes and thought their lives were relatively realistic. Now... all I can think of is how I couldn't wear that because my bra strap would show or my Spanks would be too uncomfortable. I still love the shoes, but their lives, yeah right! On what planet could they function the way they do? I mean really, Miranda has a kid yet somehow she is still out multiple times a week with the girls at clubs or fancy restaurants in super cute clothes and into the wee hours. Do you know how much a babysitter costs these days? And you need reservations like years in advance to get into some of those places in New York. They are not exactly boozin' it up and then hitting the all night Chinese joint. But I will continue to live vicariously through them and be all "woe is me" about my life and the lack of trendy sushi bars in Libertyville. However, I know there is a wedding in the movie and I am sure that mine was better. I mean, how do you top a drunk chick getting arrested for beating the staff and peeing on the front lawn? It really was a lavish, elegant and sophisticated soiree!

Anyhoo, I must go back to work now so I don't get fired and then I'd really be in the crapper! Enjoy your weekends everybody!

Let Go and Let God

I am not feeling particularly witty today. I got a cold last night and it is kicking my ass. My nose feels like I took sandpaper to it and my head feels like an overstuffed sausage. Oy. I could crawl into bed right now and stay there until Monday. I am also really out of it, distracted and fuzzy. Thankfully we are having steak fajitas tonight for dinner which is something that Josh can easily help me with.

But there is no rest for the weary, I need to do dishes and laundry too. My day is never done. It drives me crazy because Josh does not understand why I need him to do what I ask at the very moment that I ask it. Inevitably he will procrastinate and so while I am doing my share of the chores I am dwelling on what he is NOT doing and then I end up doing it myself out of fear that it just won't get done.

I hate having a messy house and some part of ours is always messy. I clean up Jacks toys multiple times a night and very rarely leave them out at the end of the night. But there is always a closet or corner that seems to collect all the crap that I am just too exhausted to deal with and eventually it will get so overwhelming that I have to spend most of a weekend just trying to rectify my laziness. Take my closet for example, I have been able to keep up on washing all of our laundry but by the time I am done with the rest of the crap that I have to cram into an evening (remember, I spent 8 hours of my day handling the work of 50 agents) I am too tired to tackle putting it away. So it piles up and Josh & I wear semi wrinkled clothes for a while until it gets so ridiculous that I have to put it all away at once instead of a little at a time. Or until it is all dirty and we start all over!

I know that it doesn't really make sense but right now I can only organize/fix one aspect of my life at a time and I am struggling to do even that. We are making strides with getting back on top of our bills and debt and hopefully our tax return will make big improvements but it is all just so stressful. I wish that I could win the lottery, pay someone to fix everything, then take a long vacation. Oh the things I would do if we won the lotto... I would not be one of those people who bought extravagant things and never worked again, instead preferring to dwindle their money away. Instead, I would continue to work, even just part time, I would buy a new car for both myself and Josh (nothing fancy just practical) I would buy a nice house that we could expand our family in and be comfortable for a long time, I would invest a lot and I would also donate to AIDS awareness/research, Cancer research/treatment and March of Dimes. I know, I have this all figured out. I even know what parts of the country we would buy property in based upon areas that are growing and improving and the property values there. I would also set aside money for Jackson and any additional children (I wouldn't tell them that nor would I just give it to them but it would be there if they needed help and would be theirs when I go). Trust me, I am very aware that I have thought more about how to spend my imaginary money than I have thought about how to better allocate the money I have now. But it helps me get through the tough times to think about life being easier some day.

So, now that I have just depressed and overwhelmed everyone reading this... but in all honesty things are looking up. Josh and I have hardly argued lately, Jackson seems to be listening a little bit better and every day we are working towards improving our lives. Whether it be applying for assistance or health insurance, paying a past due bill or simply going to church. We are making strides and that is the important part. Everybody struggles sometimes and the key is to not dwell in the trenches but to start digging and find a way out. I have faith that God has not forgotten about us, I know this because I speak with him often, and he only dishes out what we can handle. All the hardships that I have experienced in my life have made me the person that I am and I am grateful for that. When I need help or I feel like my life has become unmanageable I just turn it over to Him. And with that I am going to call it a day. I still have a half hour of work ahead of me.