Sunday, December 20, 2009

Online shopping

These last few weeks leading up to Christmas have been very busy for me...and I haven't been preparing for the holiday itself. I have been studying for grad finals, writing and grading papers, attending meetings, volunteering at the library, taking cycling classes, taking the dog to the park and doing everything but shopping for Christmas. So, when I did have a moment, I signed online. And did everything I could to save money. Before I viewed my cart, I googled coupon code and the store I was shopping at for some savings. Even a very obscure police officer site I ordered some items for Nate for, had a great coupon code. I usually end up at www.retailmenot.com, but a co-workers swears by www.gottadeal.com. Even if it saves you shipping, or covers tax, it's better than nothing, right? So, don't' forget to take a few extra seconds to save that holiday dough!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Snowed in

Wow, what a novel idea...staying home an entire day. I just finished up my grad classes for the semester, the program to write IEPs is offline for the weekend and I have been doing a decent job keeping up with the house cleaning. So, what do you do with an entire day to yourself? Well....I cleaned most of the house. I vacuumed up a lot of dog and cat hair. I washed, folded and put away four loads of laundry. I made two lovely pieces of jewelry for Christmas gifts. I got a head start on the library books I picked up for my extended Christmas break. I took Moose out in the snow to play. I did dishes. I put away piles of things that had been sitting around for months. I watched some silly Christmas movies. I shoveled the walk.
I definitely didn't eat very healthy. The neighbor baked cookies and brought them over. I sampled one of each variety. I ate lots of chocolate and candy and sweets today. And, of course, I didn't exercise. It's just one day, right?
What a day!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Refrigerator

What disappointment and anguish the refrigerator that came with our house has cost us. $500 and 6 months later, we still had a broken fridge. We had two separate companies come out and look it at least 4 times. At $500, we would have half of a new fridge that was the color we wanted. But sometimes, you get into something that you don't want to stop. But, this last time it broke, just two months after the last fix, I had had enough. I drove my behind to Lowe's and picked out a new fridge. I bought the extra 5-year $100 warranty because I know how these things work. Refrigerators are the number one repaired appliance according to the salesman at Sears. Lowe's delivered for free and carted out that terrible old fridge that I never want to think about again. My advice for repairs! Don't do them. And stay away from Miles Maytag. We paid them at least $400 of that $500 and still ended up with a broken fridge. They replaced the main control panel...which apparently was the last thing we would ever need to replace. Yeah right! So, as of Monday, I turned over a new leaf. I am in love with my new fridge. I didn't like the nearly $1,200 price tag, but it works. And it has a warranty. And it matches. Thank goodness for getting rid of that horrid mess of a GE Fridge. We are onto Whirpool!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Black Friday Bonanza continued

So, after my Wal-mart adventure, I drove over to the Target Complex to a parking lot crowded with cars. It looked like the auto auction. People were parking on the grass on top of the hill. Who even knew there was a hill there?
As I walked into the store, I headed for the clothes. There were a few items that I wanted to pick up. I saw people lined up snaking through the store. I assumed it was like Wal-mart and people were waiting for electronics like video game systems, big screen TVs and Blue-ray players. Little did I know that this line was really the line to check out. I took my time browsing the aisles, only to find the items that I wanted were gone or picked over. I grabbed a few items and walked around the store to find the end of the line. It was back in the pet supplies, but snaked through every other department at least once. It lead into lingerie at least twice. There were employees directing "traffic." Thank goodness I ended up in line behind a very pleasant mother and daughter team, who were also out on their first (and last) Black Friday expedition. We had so much fun watching each others carts in line while the other went off on an adventure looking for items. The mom found me two of the items I wanted that I thought were sold out on other racks. They helped me match items together for my gift giving. It was so fun. I even found out the daughter and I are both in grad school at Temple and have classes on the same night. It was a long line, and I probably ended up spending $75 more than I did when I entered the line. That was the strategy of the marketing department, I am sure. People are on a spending high and just keep throwing items in the cart. I saw it happen over and over again! Even items that weren't on sale were flying into carts. I even bought a few regular priced items. I am hoping that the items go on sale soon and I can get a price adjustment. Well, after I finally exited Target with $175 more on my credit card (but a $10 Target gift card for spending $100) I stopped at Boscovs where I picked up three items (two of which I will probably return) and thank goodness for NO lines. That was the end of my shopping. I made it back home before 10 a.m. and my hubby was still in bed. I snuggled up on the couch with the animated movie UP and slept away most of the rest of the day. But, I think it was worth it. Next year, I am not venturing out alone. I need a partner to keep me sane in all the madness!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Black Friday Bonanza

Never have I ever woken up before daylight to fight the crowds until Black Friday. Up until Friday, that would have been me. But alas, I gave in. I don't know if it was the joy and elation of having off work for several days in the a row without having to take a vacation day, or if it was the fact that my dog was up at 4:30 a.m. with a sick belly, but something made me go. I applied no makeup and left the house in a pajama-like outfit. I headed to the East York Wal-mart. There were a few I had in mind that I wanted to buy, but nothing that I was going to camp out for. I arrived at about 5:20 a.m to a parking lot that was overflowing. I parked all the way back behind Panera in the lost cart graveyard. I was smiling. It was a nice day. That is until I walked into Wal-mart and saw that lines a plenty. I was confused. Apparently the digital camera I had in the ad was one of those items that were highly sought after. I had to get a number. After I received number 110 out of 120, I had to wait in line for the camera. That seemed silly, since I already had the number, so I did a little shopping. I didn't find much, so I went back to the line. It had gotten a lot smaller. Yet, it still took me at least 45 minutes to get through. At least I had picked up a magazine before I entered the line again. I left with a $69 camera, an $8 memory card and a new pair of slippers to sooth my aching feet.
Then I went to Target, but more on that tomorrow!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Five second rule

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I hate to waste...ANYTHING. I dream about using every last ingredient in my overflowing pantry in some dish or dinner. As I use it, I get excited that it's dwindling down. I hate to throw things away. I recycle incessantly. Can, bottles, cardboard and paper. Even the food scraps go in the compost bin. I reuse EVERYTHING.
I also apply the five second rule to everything. I am clumsy. I can easily drop stuff on the floor and think it's a big waste (and a no-no) to throw it away. However, I drew the line the other day. I was packing my husband's lunch when a few potato chips fell on the floor. NO, I didn't pick them up and put them in his lunch. I know not everyone subscribes to my no-waste rule and shouldn't have to suffer. But, I did eat one. As I popped it in my mouth, I cringed. We have a big dog now (60 pounds), that sheds big black coarse hairs all over my house. And that hair really, really sticks to everything, including potato chips that have been on the floor for less than five seconds. I immediately ran to the trash can and spit out the chip, along with at least a half dozen dog hairs. YUCK! I don't vacuum daily, like I should, but I do vacuum as often as I can. Apparently, it doesn't matter. So, I guess the five second rule is null and void in my house from here on out.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Why I chose this job!

1. When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a psychologist, because I love to listen to people talk. But when I realized I like to talk more than I like to listen, I wanted to be a teacher.

2. Did you ever pursue that career?
After a little detour with a few road blocks, I am finally a teacher.

3. If you are not in that field, what changed?
I am finally in this field after a few years of maneuvering to make it work.

4. What is your current job?
I am learning support teacher at York County School of Technology. I teach English and reading.

5. What’s the best part of what you do?
I love the structure. I know what is expected of me and I have a very set schedule with freedom in between that schedule. But I think what I love the most are the students. I really enjoy seeing them try to learn and breaking through their bad habits.

6. Do you have plans to do something else down the road?
Maybe teach a different subject or level, but I never want to leave teaching.

7. How did you get your present job? If you are a stay at home mom, how long did you need to plan that move?
my husband and I made the decision for me to quit my full time job as a food writer to start my master's and certification in Special education. In the meantime, I would substitute teach. I ended up subbing in the school's ES class run by the IU. After 5 weeks of that, I was moved to work with the school's learning support staff as a long-term sub. And, I was hired full-time after not making any major mistakes!

8. Did your parents influence your choices of jobs over the years?
Not really. My mom always encouraged me to go to college, but never pushed me in any certain direction. I am sure her creativity has been passed onto me.

9. What advice would you give your children on careers?
You don't have to make 6 figures to be happy. Find something that you love to do and a schedule you can keep. Your job has to feel rewarding and it has to be bearable more than it is unbearable.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Shopping sorrows

I had an outdoor wedding to attend this weekend. It was rainy, it was cold and most people stayed at home in their sweats to watch a movie. I realized that the cotton dress that I had planned to wear wasn't going to cut it. I decided on an impromptu shopping trip after work on Thursday. The problem was, where could I go? I wanted to get home to spend time with Nate, but still hit up the store that would have the best selection. I started at Burlington Coat Factory, where I had luck earlier this year. Nothing looked right. The Calvin Klein sweater dresses were adorable on the racks, not so much so on my curvy figure. It showed off every angle. I ended up buying a pair of cute brown short boots...1980s style. With no luck on the dress, I headed to Ross, which was my first instinct. I loaded the cart with 18 items. No lie. There were so many cute dresses there. I couldn't decide what to wear, so I ended up spending $111 and taking it all home to Nate to help me decide what to wear. I ended up with a Calvin Klein pleated dress, a long sleeved brown and purple dress that will be great for work, four pairs of tights, a brown cardigan, a purple sweater cardigan and a purple Nine West purse. All of the items are interchangeable and great additions to the wardrobe. I ended up wearing the tan Calvin Klein dress with a brown cardigan, brown tights and knee-high brown boots. I was warm and I felt dressed for the season. I got many compliments on my outfit. I actually got some inspiration at a blog I follow...wardrobe911.com. Check it out if you are in a fashion slump.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

I tried Thai


Lately, Nate and I have been discussing eating at a Thai restaurant. But today was spent watching football, walking the dog and doing yard work. It was the perfect day to spend working outside and around the house. So, I decided to cook at home. Thai Chicken is what I came up with. Here is the recipe. Check it out. It's adapted from "Good Seasons Casual Entertaining," a gift from my sister a few Christmases ago.
Thai Chicken and Sesame Noodles
1 cup Asian Salad dressing, divided
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast halves cut into strips
2 tablespoons each peanut butter and honey
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (more if you like heat)
8 ounces thin spaghetti, cooked and drained
3/4 cup each grated carrot and sliced green onions
Pour 1/3 cup of the dressing over chicken in medium bowl; toss to coat. Cover. Refrigerate 1 hour to marinate. Drain; discard dressing.
Mix remaining 2/3 cup dressing, peanut butter, honey and pepper; set aside.
Cook chicken in a large skillet on medium-high heat about 8 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Mix chicken, spaghetti, carrots and onions in a large bowl; toss to coat. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

It's autumn

This morning as I rode my bike in the YMCA Sprint Triathlon, tears rolled out of the corners of my eyes. The cool breeze shot through my body and invigorated me! I LOVE THIS WEATHER. I love nothing more than to walk hand and hand with my husband at a fair or festival wearing jeans, sweatshirts and boots. I purposely dodge towards leaves when I run to crunch on them. The bills are low because you don't have to turn on the heat and the air conditioning is off. The windows are open and the nice crisp air filters in. It's just a beautiful time of year.
I am hoping the mild weather is motivation to get me back into my running routine, this time with my canine partner in toe. Moose is getting big. He loves to run and play and the vet said 5 months is the time he is allowed to start running. After he gets nuetered on Tuesday and has some time to heal, it off to the rail trail we go. I can't wait. I miss running. I need to get my cardiovascular system back into shape. And even though my blood pressure still tests low, I feel it slowly rising with every day I teach and learn the ropes of Special Education.
So here's to a happy fall filled with memories and motivation!

Monday, September 21, 2009

How do you eat an elephant?

...one bite at a time. I heard this wonderful analogy at a recent new teacher meeting. I am trying really, really hard not to freak out. I am trying to stay positive and remember why I left a laid-back writing career in the features department for the high-stress loveliness of special education, it's piles of paperwork and regulations.
I rarely have time or energy for the exercise that I love, and it makes me feel guilty. I feel pulled in many directions, and I just want to be good at everything. I feel like I am falling short at it all.
Yet, I try really hard to smile. I try really hard to be happy and jovial so that the people around me don't start to hate being around me. I want to be a good wife who keeps a clean house, dinner on the table and food in the fridge. Something always gets left out.
I am trying to prioritize. I look at what NEEDS to be done versus what I WANT to be done.
Just like with spending and saving money, I am learning to budget my time. If the hamper is full, the laundry doesn't have to be done. If we have no clean underwear...the laundry needs to be done. If the dog is eating trash and running around like a wild mut, he needs to go to the park, and I have to skip my bike ride.
I have given up reading. I make it through a paragraph and fall asleep. Instead, I choose books on CD that I can listen to in the car on the way to and from school and class.
Like my mom always says, it's a matter of positive thinking. If I think like is crazy and hectic, it will feel that way. If I can take life one bite at a time, it won't seem so big and overwhelming.
So, even as paperwork piles up and the calendar fills with meetings and projects...I will remember that it's about budgeting time and tackling the most important tasks first.
And hopefully, that way of thinking will keep me sane!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Just about me

I haven't posted in forever. I feel like I am consumed with school, and with little free time outside work, school and puppy play time, I am forgetting who I am. And, I don't even have kids yet. I must say though, my job combines what I like with a pay check. Today, I spent time helping students edit their creative writing, which was very therapeutic for me.
So, I decided to do a little creative writing about me in my blog tonight. Not only to help me rediscover what I love about me, but to do something else I love to do, write.

I love Sheetz iced coffee, filled Maple Donuts and pizza shops that serve their subs on homemade bread. I think I love sharing the stories of my athletic adventures of triathlons, half marathons and long bike rides just as much as I love participating in the events. There is no substitute for exercise. Even though my long runs and bike rides have been replaced with doggy walks filled with, "no" "head up" "don't eat that worm" and "what the hell is the matter with you today", I have hopes that some day soon I can pick the pace back up.

I love to shop, but have been trying to refrain from it. I am always on the hunt for the best bargain, which means I end up with a lot of nice things, without the nice price tag.

I love books. Volunteering at the library was the best move I ever made. I love to be surrounded by the dreams and adventures that the books hold. It brings back memories of when I used to volunteer with my mom at the library. When I step into the children's area, I am bombarded with a flood of moments. I feel so happy when I remember a book from my childhood. My mom made the best decision ever when she decided to read to me as much as she did. It created a fascination with books that I will never let go.


I love to be creative. Crafts are a great way to express my creativity and create something that I can give as a cherished gift or decorate my house with. Just like my athletic adventures, I like telling people I made it, just as much as I love making it.

Friday, September 4, 2009

So tired

I am constantly thinking about what I should be doing. I stay at work hours after I am supposed leave and have to fix a lot of mistakes because I am so new. I have 5 million things to do and not enough time to do them. I have 5 chapters to read for my master's classes and when I sit down to read, the dog starts beating up the cat. So, I put him in the crate to get some peace and quiet to read, and he barks out of control because, guess what? He has diarrhea again. It's a lovely way to spend your time, running the dog outside every few minutes to let him relieve himself. Poor dog. I wonder what a quiet life would be like. And I wonder how I will ever handle children. That is just unfathomable. I wonder if the black circles under my eyes will ever go away. Or if the extra pain in my stomach of nervousness will ever subside.
But click here to see my awesome dog, warn out from a long walk and an evening at the park with his puppy buddies and it's all worth it.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

I love teaching, but it takes a lot of time

I never thought I would stay past my 8 hours day and not be bothered by it. I actually don't mind sticking around school when everyone has left for the day and getting my paperwork done. "Paperwork?" you question. I know. Teachers aren't supposed to do paperwork. But special education teachers are buried in it.
I do mind that I miss time with my husband and dog, but they are understanding, thank goodness.
IEPs are time consuming. Having a caseload of students, calling parents and checking up on them is also time consuming. Not to mention that I teach, have duties and want to spend time with my students.
The thing is, I really love this job. I don't mind getting up early and going in to get work done. I enjoy looking for activities and plans to do with my students. I like hearing about their day and how they are doing. It's still the beginning of the year (well nearly two weeks in), but I am looking forward to an awesome school year!

Ask and you will recieve

I needed books for my classroom. SSR is a great way to get my readers to read independently. If I had planned ahead, I could have spent the summer hitting yard sales and thrift stores for 10- and 15-cent books. But, I didn't even think about it.
So, I sent out an e-mail, thinking that people like me like to purge their books and maybe they were getting rid of some I could use. And, my request was answered. My wonderful neighbor scoured the book sale her employer has and pulled out some great titles for me. And, a wonderful person donated $30 for me to go shopping for books that I would like for the classroom library. Unfortunately, I haven't had the time to shop. I plan on hitting up a few fall yard sales and thrift stores. I also plan to head to some of the used book stores. It saved me a ton of money by asking for help. Imagine if I had gone to Barnes and Noble to stock my classroom library. That would have costs a fortune!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Back to school so soon


I was supposed to get so much done this summer! And I've already been back to school for a week and I think I have gotten more done in that week than I did all summer. It seems that when you have a schedule it's easier to stick to. When I get home at 4 p.m., I feel like I have hours and hours of time to get stuff done.


I got really into beading again. I spent tons of money on beads at A.C. Moore and Michael's. I got matching colors in all different shapes and sizes with outfits in mind that I wanted to make them for. But then I hit a creative block. I had all beautiful beads, but no ideas. If I have a pattern, I am a whiz at beading. When I have to come up with own ideas, I never like what I do. I attached some photos of what I ended up making on my beading spree. Since school has been back in, I have been trying to make great use of my large collection of jewerly by wearing different stuff everyday that matches my outfits. After a summer of living in cotton shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops, I so ready to get back into nice clothes again and wear makeup and do my hair. What a relief.


Sunday, August 30, 2009

Just when I thought I could save money

I am a huge saver. I stress when I don't save every month. And every time Nate spends, I sigh. Did you have to spend that money? We could have saved it. It's silly really. But I never want to be in debt. I never want to put something on a credit card that I can't pay for that month. I think is has come from doing without time and time again.
I should have known when I left the newspaper that we wouldn't save. In fact, we would be taking money out of the savings. But it would eventually pay off in the end. Summers off!
Finally at the start of the 09-10 school year I am making nearly what I did when I left. And with the additional money I make freelancing for the newspaper and waitressing, I well surpass my newspaper salary.
Yet, we still won't save any money. We got rid of two cars that were in need of many repairs, but we added a new car payment since then. And I just bought a much needed laptop. Since I will be doing a lot of paperwork for school in the comfort of my own home, I didn't want to be confined to the PC. Unfortunately, I came one year too late to get a laptop. All the funds for classrooms for the future ran out and I am stuck laptopless.
Oh, and we have a dog. Last month, we spent nearly $300 on cat food, dog food, vet bills and other pet supplies. Wow. That is a lot.
I try to remember that I am in my late 20s and saving isn't really all that expected from someone my age. I mean, doesn't everyone think that my age group spends and spends and spends?
So, here is to hoping that maybe, just maybe, we will save some money in October!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Thirft store treasures

It's really no secret that I love to shop at thrift stores. There is nothing more thrilling than finding a great piece of clothing for a fraction of the cost. It allows me to shop without guilt. I am supporting a wonderful nonprofit as well as my shopping habit without breaking the bank. It's pure bliss.

Up until today, I never shopped there unless it was a Wednesday. It's because regular thrift store prices aren't cheap enough for me anymore, I need to go when it's 50-percent-off day. However, my sister-in-law, Hannah, came to visit me today and we stopped by. I found better deals than on 50-percent-off day. They had shorts, sweatshirts, sweatpants and long-sleeve sweaters for 99 cents. 99 cents!!!! A soda is more expensive than that. And, on top of it, blue tags were 50 percent off. I got the most beautiful purple pea coat from Gap for $3. I found a nice black cardigan for my teacher look for 99 cents and an awesome teal hoodie from Gap for 99 cents. My back-to-school shopping has been CHEAP!

If you are up that way, The Danskin Outlet on State Street in York is going out of business . Everything in the store is marked down. Hannah got a bathing suit for $4. I found great workout clothes for cheap. I am sad, really sad, that it is closing. That is where I purchased my triathlon suit for $15. If I would have ordered it, it would have been closer to $100. Most of my running clothes are from there and I will be sad to see it go. So, of course, I had to stock up a bit!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Insomnia

Oh how I loathe falling asleep at a decent hour only to wake up an hour later unable to return to my blessed slumber. It's been happening a lot lately. I lay there and think about how I should really cut my toenails. But the toenail scissors are downstairs, and I risk waking the dog to go get them. I think about how I would really like to lose 10 pounds, but never seem to stick to anything I try because I always have an excuse. I think about the book sitting beside my bed and how much I want to finish it. I think about the students returning to school in a week and how I am going to get them energized to start the school year off right. I wonder if my dress clothes still fit and if the 9th graders I have for Reading will be as good as the ones I had last year.
All of these wonderings are happening while I am supposed to be resting for a 60-mile bicycle ride tomorrow.
So, I get out of bed, sign onto Facebook and read status updates, look at photos and waste time. I check my e-mail over and over hoping something new and exciting will pop into it, even though it won't.
I toss and turn and try to get comfortable. I looked at old photo albums which makes me want to lose 10 pounds even more.
I turned on the TV for a few minutes, only to be disgusted at the lack of programming (despite my $75 a month satellite bill and hundreds of channels).
I have to get up at 6 a.m., drive to Lancaster and fight the heat to ride 60 miles. And, I can't sleep. The cruelty of it all!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Where has the summer gone?

I didn't make the cucumber soup yet. For some reason I can't get to the grocery store to get the sour cream. It's so hot today. I wanted to go swimming, but I feel to hot to do anything other than lay on my air contitioned room and read. When I took Moose to the vet today, the car seat burnt my legs.

This is how my summer went. My thoughts are all over the place. I have grand ideas and big plans, but I end up getting little done. I did find a summer to-do list I made during the school year and I hit almost every thing on it. But for having 10 days off, I didn't really accomplish all that much. I hope I can me more committed and organized during the school year. I certainly didn't keep up with this blog like I wanted to.

I did make tuna steak for dinner. It was yummy. I marinated 1 pound of tuna steaks(bought frozen at Giant) in this mixture:

1/4 cup vegetable oil, half of 1/3 cup of soy sauce, tablespoon of garlic, tablespoon of sesame oil, and teaspoon of ground ginger.

Then I broiled it on high for 15 minutes, turning it once and adding more marinade a few times through! Yum. I love, love, love tuna. I ate it with wasabi may (a mixture of wasabi powder and mayo) and pickled ginger.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Glorius garden treasures

I ventured out to the garden this morning and what I found was a jungle of green vines entangled among each other. The tomato and cucumber plants have taken over everything else in the garden. I think the green beans and zucchini are finally done producing, which gives me time to focus on the peppers that are dangling from the plants. The tomatoes are going to inundate me in a few days. With Nate keeping an eye on Moose, I had some time to tackle the over abundance of fruits and vegetables I have been collecting.
I blanched the green beans and froze them. I chopped up the hot yellow peppers and froze those, too. I gave away some cucumbers when I was at school for meetings, but still found more this morning. I am going to try this recipe from Real Simple for Chilled Cucumber Soup. I mean, a girl can only take so much cucumber salad.

Here it is:

3/4 cup sour cream
4 scallions, roughly chopped
2 jalapenos, seeded (which I happen to have a ton of growing in my garden)
1/2 cup fresh basil (another ingredient that has gone ape wild in my garden)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
3 pounds cucumbers, about 4 peeled, seeded and roughly chopped
Kosher salt and pepper

In a blender, puree sour cream, scallions, jalapenos, basil, lime juice, half the cucumbers, 1/4 cup water, 3/4 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add the remaining cucumbers and puree, adjusting the consistency with water as necessary, until smooth. Serve with baguette slices, thin slices of salami, feta and olives.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Recycling makes me crazy...in a good way

I don't know when it happened, but something touched my heart when it came to saving the earth. Maybe it's my fear of unwanted waste, but I HATE to see a plastic bottle go into the regular trash. SO many places I have worked don't recycle. I bag up my bottles and take them home. Today, I threw a soda bottle in the trash can at school. I felt sick to my stomach. I recycle EVERYTHING at home. Do you know if it's paper or cardboard or anything really that you could probably burn like paper, you can recycle it with the newspapers? I just added an extra trash can in the office to make it easier for me to collect unwanted papers and trash that I could recycle. I have a compost bin and that helps reduce our waste. We might throw out one trash bag a week, even though we pay for four bags a week.
I do every bit I can. I do vaguely remember Earth Day in 4th grade and how much I wanted to be someone that saved the earth. I think as I get older, it's more the fact that I see how beautifully blessed we are with farms and forests and other natural resources, that I really would like to save them!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Weird ways to save water

As homeowners and some renters know, water bills can be expensive. Ours went up $20 last quarter and I am not sure why. So, here are a few off the wall ways that I try to save water.

  • I empty the dehumidifier water into a bucket and water my plants with it. On these humid summer days, I dump it a lot. It's free water and it saves me from running the faucet to get fresh water for the plants.
  • I shower at the gym whenever I can. Come on! It makes sense. We pay $70 for a gym membership, I can at least use their water as often as possible!
Ok, those are only two weird ways I save water! Any other more practical ideas?

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Quilting progress

So, a few years ago I started accumulating dozens of T-shirts from races and events I participated in. A girl can only wear so many shirts, so I decided to make a quilt with them. I picked up a free pattern at JoAnn Fabrics back when I lived in York and started cutting the T-shirts each time that I cleaned out my drawer.
Well, all 26 T-shirt pieces are finally cut and this is what it will sort of look like, the basic layout. I think that was the easy part. Next, I have to cut all the binding, border and sashing to separate all the T-shirts and make it look more uniform. That, may also be fairly easy compared to sewing it all together. My aunt is coming for lunch one day next week. Maybe she can assist me. I just get so scared sewing on a 1/4 inch seam in a straight line that it won't all line up. I guess the more practice I get the better it will be.
Nate asked me if I starched the T-shirts to get them all so stiff, but it's fusible interfacing that you iron on to make it more stiff and easier to work with and sew. If I had to do it again, I would cut out all the right sizes for the interfacing, then match them up with T-shirts. I ended up with 3 pieces that I would have liked to use that didn't really fit into the pattern. I could have deviated from the pattern, but that is even more scary.
So, the next few weeks that I have left of summer will be spent cutting the other pieces...so hopefully I can post that next.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Proud of my dinners

I apologize ahead of time for my lack of photos. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I really mean to take photos. But, in the heat of the moment, dinner is done and we're hungry, and we eat. I've been trying to make new and different meals since I am home and have a little time to do my homework and dig through recipe books. One day this week, I made Parmesan-crusted chicken. I mixed bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and a mix of spices such as oregano, parsley and the like. I dipped the chicken in egg beaters and rolled it around in the mixture. I baked it for 20 minutes at 375 degrees. Meanwhile, I cut up three potatoes into wedges. I sprinkled them with a mixture of salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper and garlic powder and baked them for about 30 minutes at the same temperature. What a quick and easy dinner.

The next night, I made Cuban sandwiches. YUM! I had made some pork in the slow cooker earlier in the week, so I sliced the leftovers as thin as I could. I laid a hamburger bun open on the counter and spread one side with mayo and the other with mustard. I layered provolone (the recipe called for Swiss, but we don't really like that), cooked ham slices and the pork on the bun and a layer of dill pickle slices. I smashed it all together (recipe said 1-inch thick) and buttered both sides of the bun. I grilled each side about 3 minutes and voila, dinner was done. Nate asked for seconds and I thoroughly enjoyed my first.

And on another note, I found the problem with my flat cookies. I've been puzzled as to why my chocolate chip cookies have been thin, flat and crispy. Through advice from many sources (namely my mom, stepdad and mother-in-law) I added a little more flower and used shortening instead of butter. And, wouldn't you know it? It worked. I must have eaten 2 dozen cookies in the last two days. They remind me of my mom's!

And the zucchini is still cranking. I peeled and shredded up the ones I have and will freeze them in 2-3 cup bags so I have them to make zucchini bread and cake and muffins and all that this winter! Man I love not wasting and saving money!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

For the love of the library!

I volunteer at the library on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. I started as a way to stay busy in the summer and get me out of the house. Monday was my first day. I LOVED it. I checked books in and out, I shelved books, called patrons to let them know their books were in and a few other tasks the librarian needed me to do.
I forgot that the library has magazines you can take out. I have always loved Real Simple, but never took the time to subscribe. I already subscribe to at least four, maybe five magazines. So what a savings. I can check out the magazines they have read them in a few days and return them for someone else to read! It saves money. Volunteering also saves me the fine money I would have to pay! I am notorious for not being able to finish books on time.
I also get to see what all the kids are reading, the new books, etc. It also forces me be to up on my literature knowledge because as an English teacher, people think I know it all. I am really glad that I took this volunteering on. It's a relaxing way to spend Monday mornings!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Zucchini out the wazoo!

So the one zucchini plant I put in the garden is seriously on steroids. Being one that hates to waste, I have been trying to use it. I have basically been baking as much zucchini bread as I can. I will be trying to distribute it soon.

Here is the recipe:

Zucchini Bread

3 eggs
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup crushed pineapple
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups shredded zucchini
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder

Sift flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder together. Mix eggs, sugar, oil, vanilla, crushed pineapple, walnuts and zucchini together. Mix in dry ingredients. Grease and flour two loaf pans. Pour batter into pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour. Check with toothpick to see if done.


Here is another recipe I use. It's for Poorman's Crab Cakes. It doesn't taste like a crab cake, but it's really yummy. And fairly healthy. Nate actually liked it, which is rare!


Poorman's Crab Cakes

2 cups shredded zucchini
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
2 eggs, beaten
salt and pepper to taste.


Combine ingredients and shape into cakes. Fry in a skillet until golden brown.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Yay beans!

We have green beans! The garden is in full bloom. Well, sort of. Zucchini is definitely producing many fruits a day. Nate picked at least a quart of green beans last night for dinner. We also picked two cucumbers, which I used for cucumber salad. I really wish some tomatoes or peppers would show face. We had a really yummy dinner last night. I stopped at Giant for fresh a pound of fresh Catfish for about $5. I sprinkled some Cajun seasoning on it and cooked it in foil on the grill for about 20 minutes.
We sauted the green beans in olive oil, garlic and onion and covered them to help soften. And then because my potatoes were seriously rotten (I mean oozing white creamy goop), we had to opt for instant mashed potatoes.

Here is my recipe for Cucumber Salad if you need a use for ALL those veggies!

Cucumber Salad

1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
1 medium onion sliced into rings
1/2 cup vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Combine vinegar, sugar and salt and pepper. Pour the mixture over the cucumbers and onions. Chill for 24 hours before serving. YUM!

Monday, July 13, 2009

When stocking up doesn't save

For the second time in two years, I have had a printer bite the dust on me with no warning. The problem for me in both instances is that I stocked up on print cartridges (which aren't cheap) and now I am left with them. Printers are made so cheaply, it doesn't even pay to have them fixed. That is what the guy at Geek Squad has already told me not once, but twice! You think I would have learned the first time. But alas, I did not. Geek Squad guy told me to sell them on eBay, but I spent nearly $60 on three, and three are selling for $20 or less on eBay. Not even really worth the hassle. I wonder if churches are nonprofits would accept a donation like this. I mean, if they even have that kind of printer. I am learning to live by Nate's motto, "it is what it is," but it burns me up that I wasted the cost of half a printer on cartridges I can't even use.
I got a letter in the mail from Penn-Mar about them accepting used cartridges as donations. If none of my family or friends can use the ink, I might just see if they can accept it as a donation. We'll see how that goes!

Friday, July 10, 2009

Puppy parenthood


Has it really been nearly two weeks since I posted? I can't believe it. Since we picked up Moose, an 8-week-old German Shepherd Puppy, I've been following him around the house hoping to catch him in the act of peeing or pooping so that he becomes housebroken. That means I've skipped out on exercise, barely cleaned the house and didn't really do anything productive. It's rather disturbing, since I am used to being so active. I am sure before I know it, he will be housebroken and a joy to have.
I am a really impatient person, too, which makes it hard to stick to being consistent and not seeing immediate results. Hopefully, I can stick it out so Moose is a well behaved and socialized dog.

Monday, June 29, 2009

What a weekend

I didn't realize how tired I was until today. I had a very busy weekend.
I spent most of last week cleaning, painting and doing other errands and chores to prepare for our housewarming party. By Friday, it was time to dust, vacuum and wrao up all the other odds and ends that needed to be done. Then, I went to Cracker Barrel to work from 5 to 10 p.m.
I was up at 6 a.m. Saturday morning to drive the Honda to Lancaster and attend the 13th annual Refton Fire Co. auction. It's a family tradition. Nate scored some great garden tools for $1 a piece. I bought a cat carrier (a bigger one for my 20-plus-pound cat Toby) for $5, a box of household items for $2 and an antique chest for $30. It's a great place to get bargains.
Sunday morning I was up bright and early at 6 a.m. again to get ready for my triathlon. Having this be the second year that I participated, I didn't feel too nervous. It went pretty smoothly. I swam and did my transitions faster than last year but was a little slower on the run and the bike. One of the reasons the run could have been slow is because I did the entire 3.1 miles with my headband (that I forgot to put on my head to tame my pool and sweat soaked unruly hair) in my shoe. Nice. Overall, I was pleased with the results. I did motivate me to stick to a more strict traning regime for a triathlon coming up in September that I plan on participating in. I ended up finishing 65th out of 189 women, which even though my time was about 5 minutes slower, is a much better showing than my 66th out of 160 last year.
We got home at about 11 a.m. and started preparing the food for our housewarming party that started at 1 p.m. I chatted and showed the house a million times. It was so much fun to see my family and friend all at one time!
Now, it's recovery and clean up week. I also picked up some good library books. I'll also be eating leftovers for quite some time!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Sad news

I hate to break the sad news, but Simon is in kitty heaven.
I took him to the vet this morning. He was extra energetic, meowing and trying to get out of the cage with all the strength he could muster. It made me hope that he was feeling better. But a test for feline leukemia quickly came up positive and the vet recommended that I euthanize him. She said he probably had a herpes virus and severe skin problems from all the fleas and ticks he once had. She also said by the looks of his teeth, he was probably an older cat, maybe 7 to 10 years old.
But he was so brave. He let them pick him up and take his blood without as much as a peep. The vet said they sedated him to calm him to sleep so he wouldn't feel any pain. I couldn't help but feel so sad that I was carry his limp body out in a cardboard box. I tried to tell myself that this was just a stray cat that I only cared for for less than a week. But he really touched me and I couldn't help but shed a few tears. I know I did the right thing. He would have probably died sooner than later and suffered badly in the process. Even though it cost me $77 (definitely not a bargain), it was well worth it. I think he had a nice soft and peaceful place to sleep for that last week, even if it was my hot and stuffy garage. And he was just the dearest cat. He always looked forward to seeing me and having me rub his little fluffy head.
So thanks for all the support, can you tell I am a softy?

My week in review

Man, what a week. I told Nate I think I should start my own HGTV show. I would probably call it Nicki's mess ups and how she fixes them! In all honesty I spent the majority of the week painting, running to the store to get supplies, ripping up carpet and moving stuff around.
I feel like I ran a million and one errands. I lost my wallet (thank goodness the person who picked it up in the parking lot at Big Lots was honest, however she didn't turn it into the store. She was going to give it to me later...which could have been tricky because she looked at the address on my license and I have one of those yellow change cards. It's sort of a long story, but I got it back and hugged the woman like three times. Maybe another day I can tell that story.)
I am taking the cat, Simon, to the vet this morning. Not really in the bargain category because it's going to cost a pretty penny, but he is sick and I hope they can fix it. The SPCA said they would take him, but I don't have the heart to just leave him there. So, he is still looking for a home. He stopped eating this week, so I knew it was time to take action. Poor thing.
Well, after this crazy weekend, I will post house pictures. I made some great progress on the downstairs bathroom and upstairs office! Exciting stuff.

Monday, June 22, 2009

My latest summer project

I am calling him Simon. He is so sweet. He is currently living in my garage.
I was leaving my mom's house on Sunday when he came strutting down the driveway. He came right over when I called him. He is all skin and bones and a little dirty, but I am working on cleaning him up, getting him nuetered and ready for a home. The rescue shelter won't take him and he is a dear little thing. When I go out to visit him, he follows me around. I wish could keep him, but I already have two cats and a dog in the works. He sleeps a lot and is trying to stay hydrated. He doesn't eat much yet, but I hope he gets fatter soon. In between my massive cleaning spree today, I go visit him and check him out. Oh, and he can't meow. He tries. When he gets tired of my brushing him out, he growls a little or bats at the brush, but he is so friendly. Spread the word, Simon (or whatever you want to call him) needs a home!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

What I have been up to

I feel like I am running a million errands. My day Tuesday consisted of running all over York County gathering the materials that I needed to start on the bathroom. I visited three Wal-marts before I finally got the paint. I also picked up some hand towels, a soap dispenser and a few other items for the newly decorated bathroom. But, I was getting a little bit ahead of myself. It
took me all morning to get what I needed
BEFORE MIRROR

and when I finally got home, it was after 2 p.m. I started the bathroom. The drab white needed some color and I decided on a Bermuda-themed bathroom. Well, just something beachy, really. Not seashells and sand, but you know whites and blues. I chose tan for the wall, a neutral that would represent sand, but maybe later could be transformed into something else. I painted well past 8 p.m. This tiny bathroom needed a few coats. The craftsmanship wasn't perfection and there were a lot of little cracks to paint in. I also had to paint the door. I started with a layer of primer and I added a second on today. I also took down my old mirror and spray painted it white. I hope to have finished pictures up in a few days.
I thought having off would give me more time to get stuff done, but I feel like I added way too much to my to do list. I'll take it one step at a time.

BEFORE DOOR
BATHROOM BEFORE






Monday, June 15, 2009

So much to do

So here it finally is, summer. I sort of knew I would find myself with millions of ideas of projects to do and little motivation. I've been spending some time at Cracker Barrel serving, so I haven't been completely off.
I have totally enjoyed being able to go for a morning bike ride (I did 50 miles in two days) or run without the pressure to get home and ready for work or something else.
My first project is the downstairs bathroom. Nate and his brother installed a door. What a relief. That was something that I hoped to have done before our housewarming party. Now, I am charged with decorating it. I have this idea to do a Bermudian-inspired room with light, cool colors since the fixtures in the bathroom are white and I am not in the mood to do any demolition.
I looked around a little on the Internet. I am building the design around a watercolor we bought in Bermuda while on vacation. I found a white shelf, white stool and some colored bottles and a few other items in boxes and around the house that will go great. I was hoping to use leftover paint from other rooms in the house, but I am not sure that I have enough. We will see!
I am also looking for ideas to make the door fit in a little better. It looks a little cheap (probably because we got it at Restor York for $6), but it totally works. It's kind of like the fake wood. I am thinking about painting it. Thoughts?
Today, I also tried to clean up and patch the holes in the wall from removing the large cabinet in the bathroom that prevented the installation of a door.
I made some chili for dinner and Cannellini bean salad for a cool summer snack.
What a random day! Now I am off to Cracker Barrel for a fourth day in a row.

Here is the recipe for the bean salad from Better Crocker

2 (19 ounce) cans of Cannellini beans
1 medium tomato seeded and diced
1 red onion diced
1 medium red pepper diced
2 tablespoons fresh basil (*my first use from the garden this year)
1 tablespoon dried parsley
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix the ingredients together. Serve with lettuce.


**Hopefully a post to come on my adventures in gardening.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Outta here

Well, just as the school year is rounding out and I am supposed to be around more to blog, I am being whisked away to Bermuda on a cruise ship. I know, it's horrible. I am running around for last minute errands and trying to find some shorts that fit my curvy self and don't have a 6 inch gap in the back! Horrible, huh? I am packing and cleaning and ahh...how nice it will be to relax on a beach. I'll let you know how it goes! Hopefully I will have lots of time to brainstorm ideas for future blogs. Goodness knows I am coming home to the tasks of purchasing a car and a refrigerator and doing all my little home projects, not to mention training for the triathlon. Lots to write about.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Don't forget AAA for summer discounts


I just peeked at the list of summer discounts for AAA. Amy and I are taking advantage of the $33 price for Hersheypark tickets through the end of June valid on week days.

You can also go to Six Flags Great Adventure for $30 (that is a steal) or Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown for $30. With tickets more than $50 a pop, families can spend hundreds of dollars on admission. Not to mention souvenirs, food and other incidentals. And did you know you can get tickets to Regal Cinemas for $6.75 all the time? That sure beats the nearly $10 it costs at the door.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Ode to black beans

I am in love with black beans. I don't know when it started, but I can't stop eating them. I stock up on cans and cans of them at the grocery store. I eat them with rice, chicken, shredded pork and other dishes. If I can add beans to a pile of leftovers, I will. I LOVE black bean soup at Panera. I love black beans with my Mexican entrees. I just love, love, love them.
I should try to soak them, and make them that way. But it's always easier just to pop open a can.
Maybe I can find a good recipe for my own black bean soup.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

To work or not to work, that is the question

I know it's a terrible dilemma. My paycheck continues to come through the summer, but I don't have to work. I will be writing for the newspaper, but there is always Cracker Barrel, too. But lately, I have been so fed up with working there. My schedule is complicated, since Nate works some weekends and has off others. He doesn't want me to commit to weekends, but I don't want to work weekdays. I have dreams of running errands and doing things on my own when no one else is around.
I want to work on home projects and go to Roots in Lancaster. I want to got to Eastern Market on Fridays and go for long runs and bikes in the middle of the week. These are all activities that aren't possible when you work full time.
I don't want to commit to anything this summer, because once fall rolls around, I am enrolled in two masters' classes and am starting a very demanding job as a full time learning support teacher. It's exciting, but I think I need a break before all the chaos and excitment starts.
Who knows, maybe I will just sit down and talk to Cracker Barrel, then I can make a decision from there.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

When it's OK to waste

The last several batches of cookies I have made have failed to get plump. I know some people like flat, crunchy cookies, but I am not one of them. My mom makes the most killer chocolate chip cookies in the world. They are plump and lumpy and full of gooey goodness.
I consulted my mom on this problem. We decided it was probably the old baking soda I have been using, but I refused to throw it out. Not sure why. I am slightly obsessive compulsive about wasting. After making some white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies for a bake sale at school that were flat and crunchy, I have decided that enough is enough. I think it's OK to throw away the 33 cent box of baking soda (which I am sure is what I paid for it because it has the price sticker on it) and invest in a new box that will reincarnate my plump and lovely cookies. I know, it's scary to throw away food and baking ingredients when you are a frugal saver like me. But when it's just not doing the trick anymore, it's time! Phew, I feel better now.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

$1 coupon doubler at Giant

Did you happen to see the Sunday circular?
Maybe I am super psyched because I haven't gotten the Sunday paper in some time and I miss my circulars and coupons (typical York County resident).
There are 4 coupon doublers for $1 and plenty of $1 coupons in the circular to use them with. I always use them on shampoos and soaps since those items are not likely to expire before I can use them. Saving $2 on four items ends up saving you $8. And, if you need to stock up on sodas for summer picnics, now is the time to do it. It's $10 for four 12 packs of Pepsi products at Giant. That's $2.50 a 12-pack. And I don't know if you've seen regular prices lately, but they are $5 or more for a 12-pack. CRAZY!
Cutting and matching coupons and sales is a great activity to do while watching TV.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Lovely weekend

I am so proud of Nate! When he booked our room at the Yorktowne, he asked if they offered AAA discounts! I am rubbing off on him. It saved us at least $10.
There are so many little ways you can save a few bucks that can add up to a lot.
Although our weekend wasn't cheap overall, we did save a little bit by taking advantage of coupons and deals.
Our weekend started at Cobblestones, where we used a 15 percent off coupon that was on our baseball game tickets for the next day. That saved us several dollars. We had a lovely dinner complete with Sam Adams Cherry Wheat beer (YUM!). Then we headed back to the room to take a nap. The Louis C.K. show at the Strand was pretty good. He is very crude at times, but has a great message to give. We ended the night at the bar in the Yorktowne and ordered a pizza. The kind bartender hooked us up with the phone number for some pizza place I never heard of, but it was probably one of the only ones that delivered past 10:30 p.m.
Sunday we enjoyed brunch at Mezzogiorno in Central Market (which yes, is open and very busy on Sunday mornings.) I ordered the French toast special with berries and marscapone sauce. It came with a side of meat, which I didn't want, so Nate saved $2 by ordering his eggs and toast without meat and ate mine! That's team work.
We ended up at the Revs stadium to watch them play poorly and lose 6 to 1.
All totaled, I figure we saved at least $25 bucks with a few smart decisions. Hey, it's not much, but it's a tank of gas, right?

Friday, May 15, 2009

Staying close to home

I sort of celebrated my one year anniversary two weeks ago. We just had a light lunch and spent time with family. What I didn't know was that Nate planned a little mini vacation in York. I know, it's not far away or fancy, but the fact that he took the time to make plans really made my day. It's happening this weekend. After dinner at an undecided location, we are seeing a comedian at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center on Saturday night. Then, we are camping out at the Yorktowne Hotel and finishing off the day Sunday with a York Revolution game. Having moved out of York city a year ago (I can't even believe time flew so fast), I am excited to go back downtown and explore and take in the great sites and activities.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

My piggy bank is emptying

No matter how hard I try lately, saving money seems to be impossible. If it's not one thing, it's another. Our cars have been giving us little problems here and there. Nothing major, just oil changes, a/c charging and air compressor. The refrigerator needed to be repaired and then the lawn mower broke and we needed another one. There went another $300-plus. We started a garden and as happy and excited as I am to see it bloom, the treatment, wheel barrow and other instruments Nate said we needed added up to more than $100. Somehow I spent $179 at BJs a few weeks ago on only a few items. That is why those memberships are BAD. I don't want to complain, because we are so much better off than so many people. We are leaving on a cruise to Bermuda here in a few weeks and when we return, we will be getting a puppy. I have the summer off, which can't be beat. Sometimes I just wish saving were a little easier.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

You eat what?

The conversation started with a container of baby carrot sticks leftover from lunch.
I met some high school friends at Long's Park in Lancaster for a day of prayer event. Knowing that one of them hadn't eaten, I brought all I had -- the carrot sticks.
"Here ya go," I said. "I know it's not much, but all I had to dip it in was mustard, and I don't think too many people are keen on that?"
"Mustard?" the two ladies questioned.
"Yeah," I said, "it's really good. Gross sounding, but really good. And very low in calories."
"I like peanut butter on mine," one said.
"Peanut butter?" I asked with the same astonished expression on my face she just gave me.

That's how our food habits form. Those of us adventurous enough try our friends suggestions sometimes are able to pick up new and exciting food ideas. Mustard on carrots came from Nate, my husband. I didn't want to believe it was good, but now I love it. In college, my roommates ate ketchup on raw broccoli. That is one habit I did not pick up.

But isn't it cool how food ideas spread? I mean, America is the place were hundreds and thousands of food ideas converge. Some we adopt, some we do not.

I never had roasted vegetables until a former coworker invited me over for dinner. Now, that is my favorite way to eat vegetables.

I never had sushi until Amy took me to Blue Pacific for a spider roll. Now, I eat it all the time, raw and all.

Isn't it fun to remember where you first tried certain foods?

Friday, May 8, 2009

Saving on movies

It's like $10 to go to the movies. And that is just the price for an admission ticket.
I know some people can't wait to see the movies, but I can. If there is a preview of a movie I want to see, I usually forget. So, I type it in Netflix and save it for later. Netflix is $18 a month. Nate and I get a good mixture of movies and can never say there is nothing on TV.
I also love to use DVR. I look through to find more recent movies and record them for later watching. I did this with "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," "Bridge to Terebithia" and "The Notebook." Weekends on ABC Family are great for movies. Especially the cheesy girl movies staring Lindsay Lohan and Hilary Duff...my favorite lazy day movie.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Dinner on the quick

There is no challenge that I love more than opening the refrigerator and looking at what I have to pull together a meal. It's much easier when Nate is on night work. I will eat just about anything, so it's a tad easier. Last night, I pulled the last of the pork from my wedding (yes, I know that was more than a year ago, but it's still tastes fine and I haven't died yet) out of freezer. As it was defrosting in the micro, I cracked open a can of black beans. As soon as the pork was done, I warmed it in a pan with the beans and cooked some leftover rice in the micro. In about five minutes, I had a lovely little mixture of pork, beans and rice. I added some bruschetta for that cool, crisp, vegetable taste. YUM. It was a great fusion of flavors that was quick, cheap and used some leftovers.
I threw something similar in my lunch!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Refrigerator repair

Ah, the joys of being a homeowner. If there is one thing I don't know how to be frugal about, it's appliance repair. A few days ago, we noticed that our refrigerator and freezer were not keeping temperature the way it was supposed to, even when cranked the whole way to the nine setting. Then it was discovered that it was really just the tops of both sides that weren't working, and that the bottoms were doing OK.
Finally on Thursday I made a phone call to Miles Maytag Repair man. He was booked (apparently refrigerator repairs are a big business.) He wasn't able to come out until today. $163 later, our refrigerator is fixed. And do you know how much the part was? $20 or something...the rest labor. And he was at the house for about an hour, Nate said. You do the math.
Nice, huh?
I don't want to complain because at least we didn't have to buy a new fridge, but dang! That is a lot of money for an hour of work. At least we supported a local business in this tough economy.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Summer is motivation

When I walked outside yesterday, there were so many signs of summer. There was the hum of lawn mowers and weed whackers. As well as the muffled laughs of far off gatherings of friends and neighbors. There was the faint chirping of birds.
And I am not ready. Even though I have picked up my exercise routine to 4 to 6 days a week, I am still carrying more winter weight than I ever have. Is this a sign of what is to come? As I age, it's going to be harder and harder to keep off that unsightly cellulite. And it doesn't help that I totally love food.
I am debating joining Weight Watchers again. It's the only thing that really worked for me other than stress and breakups (which I don't really suffer from much anymore). In fact, I think I am so happy that I just eat more and more.
What worries me is that even though I lost 16 pounds last time I did Weight Watchers (which I have gained all and more back), I became kind of obsessed, carrying a lunchbox with me everywhere I went filled with "my food." I hope this time around, I can be more realistic and not expect a ridiculous drop..rather a healthy balance. Who knows? I think I will always suffer this terrible body image problem.
I've tried that whole "I exercise, so I am healthy thing," but it doesn't work when your pants don't fit.
We'll see...my biggest goal is just to be happy.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Woa...warm weather

I can't believe the temperatures. I am sitting here at my computer at 10:14 p.m. and I am sweating. Can this be? Nate asked, "What happened to Spring?" The weather has been a little wacky.
But I took advantage Saturday of the warm weather to grill. We are not big beef eaters, but have attempted steak before. Whatever crappy cut I chose last time was tough and disgusting. However, this time I splurged on 2 top cut sirloins (Buy one get one free at Giant). I wrapped some raw onions in foil and cooked them in the oven at 425 for 40 minutes. I also tossed some red potatoes in a garlic and herb seasoning and baked those in the oven. With about 20 minutes left on the side dishes, I fired up the grill. Over high heat, I cooked the sirloin for about 5-10 minutes, then cut the heat and let the steak sit in the grill until the sides were done.
It was amazing. I have always been afraid of ruining steaks, but this one turned out great. I think it helped that I put some aluminum foil on the grate before laying down the steak. I also added a little salt and pepper (per my dad's suggestion) to tenderize it!
Thank goodness I am no longer afraid of steak!

Friday, April 24, 2009

Grrr to technology

Technology companies know just how to get us. I happened to sneak into the electronics aisle at Wal-mart a few weeks ago to look for an adapter to play my 2GB iPod Nano (second generation, maybe first, I can't remember) in the car's tape player and I saw that they had an 8gb iPod Nano for $145.
WHAT?
I bought my original iPod in 2005. I want to say it cost me close to $200 or $300. It hold 500 songs. It was a splurge. I used my tax refund for it and loved having it. Recently though, I wanted be able to use my iPod for more than just running. So, I wanted to be able to do more organizing and categorizing to make it more useful. I didn't plan on buying an new iPod, but when I saw that the new one held 4 times more songs for half the price that I paid for the first one, I couldn't resist. I gave the old iPod to Nate. That way, he can plug his music into the Subaru instead of mine when he drives to work. He can also listen to what he wants in the kitchen.
I probably didn't need the new iPod, but it seemed like a good deal considering what I paid and got for the first one.
I over think a lot of purchases.
Now that I know I have a contracted position next year (yes, it's official), we are off to buy a new car. That, is going to be interesting!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

My sister is married!

I apologize for not posting since, can you believe it, April 6! Time flies so fast. I haven't had much time for crafting and what little I did was in a rush (such as mending the bridesmaid dress.) When I do cook, I only have energy to eat, not take photos and post.
Amy was so well organized with the wedding, that wasn't really what was taking up my time. It's school...and training for the triathlon again. I have picked up the running, biking and swimming bug again. I am signed up for 2 5ks, so that will get my rear in gear. Thanks to my cousin Wendy for this beautiful photo of Amy and I. She has always been so talented capturing Amy and I at our best. I can't wait to frame this photo. I tried to check them all out on Snapfish, but it was SO slow to upload and I don't have the patience. Tomorrrow is another day full of teaching "Animal Farm" and Reading classes to kids who are more ready for summer than I am! I won't be working much this summer...maybe a few nights here and there at Cracker Barrel, so I am hoping to have the blog flourish more this summer. Again, my apologies and I will try to keep it crankin'!

Monday, April 6, 2009

At-home Chinese cuisine

I had some time over the weekend to cook. I am pretty proud of the General Tso's with fried rice that I made on Saturday. Nate was pleased, too. Of course, no photo, because we ate it too fast and the leftovers don't do it justice.

Here is the recipe/process I used:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
1/2 cup corn starch
3 eggs, beaten
Canola, olive or some other healthy variety of oil
General Tso's glaze and sauce (available in the ethnic food aisle at Giant for the low price of $5)

Pour 1-2 inches of oil in a wok or skillet. Mix the corn starch and eggs. Coat the cubed chicken with the batter mixture and fry at a high temperature just until the chicken is cooked through. Drain it on a paper towel. Lower the heat of the pan and toss the chicken and sauce together in a pan until heated through.

For the rice, I purchased a fried rice seasoning packet (also probably available in the ethnic aisle at Giant.) Cook 3 cups of rice (brown or white) and cool. In a skillet, heat about 1-2 tablespoons oil. Add the rice and chopped onion or scallions. Add 2 tablespoons soy sauce and the seasoning packet. Stir fry for 1 minute. Push the rice aside and add 2 beaten eggs. Let them scramble and mix it into the rice. Add cooked peas or carrots and meat if desired.


It really didn't take that long and it was really tasty. Although I can say it wasn't a healthy choice, I bet it had much less calories in it than the store-bought kind. If you want to lower the calories, use egg beaters instead of eggs. No one (by that I mean Nate) will know the difference.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Crock pot quickies

As you can see by the rate at which I have been posting on this Web site (as often as sloths move), I have been very busy. Well, my evenings are free, I just spend them sprawled out on the couch recovering from a bike ride or a long day with hormonal teenage boys.
Anyway, Nate is on day work, which means I try to make dinner. My showing this week hasn't been too bad. Well, Mondays he fends for himself because I have class, so I guess I didn't make anything. Tuesday I poured some salsa in the bottom of the slow cooker put in two chicken breasts and covered it with salsa and voila, we had just about the most moist and tender chicken I have ever tasted. It was perfect. I served it over rice.
Tonight, I made Italian subs. Not hard, I guess.
I took a barbecue pork loin and two chicken breasts out of the freezer. I am going to attempt to make General Tso's chicken and fried rice tomorrow. Hopefully the pork loin thaws by Friday. It's more than two pounds. (We'll have lots of leftovers.)
Nate and I both feel like we are always eating the same thing. In cycles, of course. I go in spells.
I get adventurous sometimes. Last week, I made beef tips in the Crock pot with a mushroom onion sauce. I had leftover cream of mushroom soup that I used to make tuna noodle casserole that is still in the fridge waiting to be cooked. Maybe I will make that tomorrow if the chicken doesn't work out. But inevitably, we always fall back on the old standbys. Beef and vegetables in the Crock pot with onion soup mix, etc.
One tip I do have to send off is that adding wine to cooking (in place of water, broth, etc.) makes meat taste awesome. Same with lemon juice. I know! Who would have thought?

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Muffin mania

I really don't have an excuse as to why I haven't posted since March 16. Well, I did start the new job and all. It's been keeping me really busy during the day
and exhausted at night. Jen gave me a friendly reminder that my blog was quiet. When I made these muffins, I immediately got the camera. I needed something to take to a church social on Sunday. I have been wanting to try out my new Pampered Chef Muffin Stone (not pictured here), so I signed up for muffins. I have also been wanting to get rid of these orange-flavored craisins that I don't like to eat plain. Well, a quick look on the back of the bag and there I found this recipe for Citrus Burst Muffins:
2 cups flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 tablespoon salt, optional
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup oil
1 egg
1 cup Orange-Flavored Craisins (pictured)
1/2 teaspoon orange zest (which I didn't have)
1/3 cup chopped pecans
Sugar
Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease or a line a 12-cup muffin tin. Combine flour, both sugars, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, combine milk, orange juice, oil and egg. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients stirring just until dry ingredients are moist. Stir in orange flavored craisins and orange zest. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full of batter. Sprinkle tops with pecans and sugar. (If you look closely, I mixed up this step and mixed the pecans right into the matter. No harm, no foul.) Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool five minutes in muffin tin. Remove muffins to a wire rack and cool. Recipe says it makes 12 muffins, but I got closer to 20. Enjoy!

Monday, March 16, 2009

Side by side before and after
















The before


As I was uploading the photos back from a USB memory stick to my newly restored, higher RAM computer, I came across these photos of the dining room before. Like, really before. Click here or here to see it during and after the rennovations. Amazing. I will have to post photos of the living room, too. It only had lawn chairs in it :-)



Our home rennovations can hopefully continue now that my salary is back to normal and I won't have to work at Cracker Barrel so much, so I will have more time. There are so many choices. I would love to have the basement waterproofed and refinished. We've talked about new windows. We need a new garage roof. The bathroom downstairs still needs a door. We would love to tackle the kitchen or maybe a garden and some landscaping. I would have hate to see the "to do" list on a fixer-upper!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Bake me a cake


It was a busy week last week. So when I realized that I promised one of my students a cake for his birthday Wednesday, I paniced. It was Tuesday after work and I was tired. I didn't have energy to run to the store for a boxed mix. Little did I know that I would find that the recipe in the Betty Crocker Cookbook (of all places) for yellow cake was easier than driving to the store to buy the cake.


I mixed the cake (flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, milk, eggs, butter...items any self-respecting baker has) in a bowl and plopped it into a pan. While it cooked, I ate dinner and showered. I went to bible study while it cooled and when I returned, I mixed powdered sugar, butter and milk for the icing. Easy as....cake? Of course. And you should have seen the look on people's faces when I told them it was completely homemade....not even from a box. Priceless.


Actually...cheaper. I can't imagine those ingredients took any more time or money than a box of Betty Crocker and a tub of icing.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Cute little bugs


What a cute idea for a house-warming gift. These little bugs are creative, unique and adorable. I made these two as a trial, but am starting to get more creative to make more. All it takes is a little wire, a few beads and pliers and cutters. You can use all kinds of colors, shapes and sizes to make bees, dragonflies or butterflies. I got the idea from a library book.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Amy's shower


The secret crafts were for Amy's shower, which was a surprise. We rented a beautiful bed and breakfast, so I didn't want to go all out on decorations. I wanted something simple, that would make it unique for Amy. I decided on canning jars mainly because I was able to borrow them for free. I filled some of them with coffee beans and a vanilla votive and tied a simple real ribbon to the top. Amy loves coffee and the combination makes a heavenly smell. I also bought some teal candles and filled the jars with rocks and used a brown bow. I had most of these items at the house...I just had to buy the candles (33 cents each at Wal-Mart) and the ribbon, which was also on sale at Wal-Mart. I wanted to do one really cool centerpiece for Amy to keep. I had a blueish candle that was a gift, but NOTHING in my house is blue. I placed it in a clear vase ($4.99 at Christmas Tree Shoppes) on top of shiny teal rocks ($1 a bag at Christmas Tree Shoppes...LOVE that store) and tied a brown bow around the outside. My real craftiness came out in the beaded flower that I added to the outside for some pop. All it required was some wire and seed beads, which I also already had in the house.
I really enjoyed crafting these fun and inexpensive decorations. It's easy if you just take a little time, creativity and a peek around the house to see what is already there.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

It's official

I was offered a job for the rest of the school year! I am so excited. The best part about it is, I have a better shot at returning full-time next year, too. I will be teaching English learning support at York County School of Technology until June 3.
Apparently, I did a really great job in my first four weeks in the 12-week substitute position, enough to consider me for this position and one for next year. No more $95 a day!
I am so happy that I get to continue this teaching career and that it has been moving so fast for me. I really enjoy the kids and getting to know them and their learning styles!

Friday, March 6, 2009

My grammar is suffering

Since I left the newspaper 2 months ago, I can really feel my spelling and punctuation slipping. Actually, I can see it. I read my blogs and blush at the terrible mistakes I make. I spelled "by the way" "buy the way." YIKES!
When I teach, I write on the board a lot and find myself second guessing what I spell on the board. Just today I wrote affect and had to look at it twice before I knew I was right. I miss having the time to grab a dictionary and look it up before I spell it. I need to brush up on my old skills again.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Can't wait to show crafts

Monday was an unpaid snow day for me. I didn't realize how desperate I was to get my hands on some paper, scissors and cards. I spent the majority of the day crafting cute stuff. I can't wait to post photos.
I was amazed at what I could make with supplies I already had in my house. I found a great way to make a precious and unique housewarming gift and a beautiful decorative accent for candles. The ideas came from a library book (also free, by the way.) I know it's not nice to give you this little teaser, but I couldn't help it. I promise I will post them as soon as I have time to take the photos. I am getting better at that...you have to admit!

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Who says you can't have hot breakfast in a hurry?

I always struggle with what to eat in the morning.
It's usually a granola bar, some jelly toast or the occasional bowl of oatmeal. In just a few more minutes, I can have a hot and healthy breakfast pita like the one you see to the right. I cook my breakfast while I pack my lunch so I am not standing around idle, wasting time. So, I turn on the stove and while the pan heats up, I make a sandwich. Then, I pour in the egg beaters. While they warm up, I grab a few snacks and a drink and throw it into my lunch box. For this pita, I sprinkled real bacon bits and a bit of mozzarella cheese into the cooking eggs for added flavor. And of course, I added some ketchup. On a busy morning, I bet making this is quicker than waiting in the drive-thru at your favorite fast-food restaurant.