Bargain Shopping

My dollar doesn’t go as far as it used too so I’m looking for bargains all over. Spice shopping at the grocery store can give you a fright so I found it funny that CVS had spices for 99 cents. We also happened to go to the most dangerous store in the known universe (the dollar store = Dollar Tree) and found bottled roasted red peppers, bottled chopped garlic, bottled whole garlic, split top bread and hot dog buns for 99 cents. I know to most that might sound funny but I haven’t seen 99 scents bread in some time.

Penny Pinchers Unite

Moving to Virginia has been a blessing but also put a tight pinch on the budget. A sister in the ward let me know about The Grocery Game web site and after a month it started paying off. I got a charge out of going grocery shopping and walking out of the store having spent $69 and saved of $76. The Grocery Game deals with Sunday coupons but they do all the work in finding the sales and letting you know which coupons to use. So check it out and see if it could help your budget too.

Happy Halloween

The Church Halloween Party and chili cook off tonight had Russell in full party mode with eyes wide watching all the candy flowing into his bag. I made my crock pot chili almost as an after thought and it won 1st place. So to celebrated I'm posting the receipt. = )

Two Bowl Chili

(2) 16oz can chili beans + sauce
(2) 15oz can pinto bean (drain & rinse)
(1) 15oz can black bean (drain & rinse)
(½) 4oz can diced green chilies
(1) 8oz can tomato sauce
(1) 6oz can tomato paste
(1) 28oz can crushed tomatoes
(2lb) ground beef (browned w/ garlic + Mrs. Dash, drained)
(2) cloves garlic finely chopped
(1T) Mrs. Dash – original
spices
(3) beef bouillon cubs
(2T) dried dehydrated onions
(3t) chili powder
(½t) salt
(½t) ground cumin
(½t) ground red pepper
(½t) Cajun seasoning
(¼t) pepper
· Crock pot 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high.

Laughs

I’m watching for the first time the debates with new interest hopping that the best man wins but just for laughs I have two of the SNL skits that have made Scott and I chuckle. – for Babs
Gov. Palin and Senator Clinton address the nation
VP Debate Open: Palin vs. Biden

7 Weird Things- as tagged by EARL

1. I read cookbooks like other people read novels.

2. I try to wear sandals all year long.

3. Cookie Monster and Grover are my favorite monsters.

4. I watched so much food TV that my children have banned me most days from viewing it.

5. I have a strange effect on strangers and they come up and tell me the craziest things like we where old friends.

6. If you give me the phone when I’m sleeping in bed I can have a whole conversation that I wouldn’t remember.

7. I purposely have to stop my self from having the last word in conversations.

I tag: Rebecca, Amber, Andres, Carolyn and Lacey

Gearing Up For General Conference

LDS General Authorities Song

Today and whole family enjoyed a greasy spoon dinner and they had a children’s playground in the building. Scott wanted to teach Russell how to climb and have fun on the playground. So with Scott’s help and a lot on encouragement Russ made it up to the top of the enclosed play equipment. He kept complaining of monsters (one stupid children’s book and he learns a new fear). We kept encouraging him to play and go through the tube maze and slide down. Soon I hear, “Help me God.” “Help me God!” That was Russell’s first unscripted prayer. Scott shimmed up and saved Russ.

My Monkeys

Virginia

When we first met

who would have guessed we would live in Virginia?

Manassas, VA

What a difference just one year makes.

2007

2008

The moving in process it still on going and our spare bedroom is the box room. We have a dead line for cleaning it out. Finally I wore her down and my sister is coming to live with us in October. The big plus is I will have family here and a built in friend. We have a basement and two floors. Three bedrooms are at the top with a full bathroom. The main floor has the family room, dinning room, kitchen that is bigger then a galley, and a half bathroom. No more running up stairs and leaving the kids to their own devices. Now I can get assaulted through the door instead of wondering what lays in wait for me when I get back downstairs. Once we get the house in order I will take more pictures.

Mile Stones

Scott Graduated Highest Honors
Associate Computer Network Systems

Back to back birthdays Russ turning two, Scott’s old, and Josh one.

Our little alien and firefighter in training are
both growing like weed and doing well.

Happy Valentines Day

Albert Einstein Hair: You be the judge.

Fun With Food &

Russell's First Taco Night Dinner