Result from the grocery store

I just wanted to say that somehow I spent $10 less than I thought I would at the grocery store (which made the difference between a couple dollars over budget and a bit under budget - I had reasoned that it was okay anyway since I was getting something on sale that I love and will eat next week anyway). Even after realizing that I would have to buy more cheese (which was not planned at all), I decided to reduce the amount of one thing I got (for Josh) and eliminate the treat for myself since I was on the fence about it anyway. I'm sure that I can spend less in the future, but I got exactly what I wanted, only got those things, and managed to easily be under budget. Oh, and I got free bread from the bakery thanks to a coupon I got the last time I was in the store. I don't remember the last time I had bakery bread (it may have been never). Go me!

Meal Planning

Wow, I have been pretty horrendous about posting. Things have been insanely busy this month and it's not really slowing down. One of (many) saving graces of this month has been learning to make casseroles without a recipe. I made two this month and I much preferred the second, which has ground turkey (browned first and then with taco seasoning added), 1/4 bag frozen spinach, 1 cup rice, black-eyed peas, and some edamame with a layer of colby jack cheese on top. One hour in the oven at 300 degrees. It turned out pretty awesome.

I'm also making another attempt at meal planning. And this time, I did it according to the sales at the grocery store this week and made the grocery list and kept it at budget. I'm pretty happy with it. I got the inspiration from OrgJunkie and her Menu Plan Monday. So here's my menu plan for this week:

Monday: leftovers and party food for dessert (I help with youth group at church and we're having a going away party for two of the kids who are moving to FL at the end of the week)
Tuesday: London Broil with Mushrooms and green beans
Wednesday: Mahi Mahi with rice
Thursday: turkey franks (something to try), baked potatoes (w cheese), and summer squash
Friday: leftovers
Weekend is always up in the air, and I usually have extra leftovers and such. So no planning for that.



I have not tried either of these recipes before, but I have almost all of the ingredients already and I'm trying to use what I have before I move in 3 weeks. So I'm keeping my shopping to a minimum. I am also trying to increase the amount of fruit in my diet, so I'm buying some with the knowledge that if I don't finish it I can bring it to youth group on Monday night next week in a fruit salad. But I'm limiting how much I get so I have a chance at being able to finish it on my own. And if it's not enough, then I can add more next week.

Sick Days

So I got sick on Wednesday on the way home from work. All of a sudden I was dizzy and uncomfortable. And I had a fever and a cough by the time I was home. I continued to feel worse and add symptoms over the next 24 hours. I stayed home until Friday morning when I went to the doctor. And I got a flu test. And now I'm not allowed to leave the apartment or have guests over until the results come back. So hopefully it's negative. Especially since now Josh is sick. He's been so good to me, and now he's sick. So I gave him meds to deal with the cough and the fever and sent him to bed. Hopefully he feels better soon.

Meanwhile, my fever seems to have broken as of today. :)

I don't get sick often. Actually, the last time I had a temperature over 99 was probably more than a decade ago. And I don't remember being sick much as a kid.

Also of interest: my amazing dad turned 60 on Thursday, and my beautiful mom's birthday is tomorrow (she calls it her un-birthday).

Youth Group

Josh and I have begun volunteering at the youth group at our church. We haven't split the group into middle school and high school yet because there haven't been enough older kids yet (there are 3 I think from They only have two leaders right now, and sometimes only one can make it. So we are sorely needed just to have a couple more sets of hands and eyes. So far it's been really interesting.

Josh has already been able to help deal with the rowdy boys: they can't stop talking but they do participate and seem to want to talk about everything. They also ask a lot of questions. They're a handful but they're also a lot of fun. I'm starting to memorize names (I have 5 memorized so far). They are really growing on me and I looked forward to seeing them all day yesterday.

I've been doing recon on the girls. They have a lack of interest and don't want to be involved at all. Last night they all said they didn't want to play the game outside with the boys. The only thing I could think of was "Whoever doesn't play gets to sit and talk to me for the duration of the game." I don't know if that's what got them to play, but they all played. I had work clothes on, so I was a referee/boundary person for the game. Next week I need to make sure that I have sneakers and stuff to run around in. Because I think I've realized that I have to get engaged myself and encourage the girls from that standpoint.

I also think I need to separate the girls from the boys for a little bit. I'm thinking one night we should split them and lead them separately. That way, the girls can't avoid paying attention and answering and such. I'm going to draw them out. I'm also going to help teach them about respect.

I get the feeling that Josh and I may be leading a group on our own before too much longer, since we're going to split the group into two groups soon. I think it'll be interesting.

Over the weekend, my friends and I also went to NYC for lunch and the Forbes Museum. Despite the rain, it was nice to get out of the usual weekend and do something different and fun. I didn't take any pictures, but perhaps next time.

Birthday surprise

I have pulled off one of the best surprises ever with the help of friends. My beautiful friend's birthday was yesterday. She's been feeling really down lately missing her best friend who lives out of state (although she's planning to move here later this summer). So we secretly flew in her friend (who is also friends with us) on Thursday night. We had planned to go over and bring dinner. We picked up presents on the way as well so that we could present them and make it all work perfectly. And it all went off without a hitch. She had no idea and the look on her face was priceless. I'm so proud of my friends - it was a group effort to make this possible and we got to make an amazing person feel exceptionally special. Which she is. :)

That's about all that's going on here. I've been tied up in business trips and working out logistics for my friend's birthday. Tonight we're going to rent Night at the Museum and then head out to the theatre to see Battle for the Smithsonian. I'm pretty excited about it. And church tomorrow. And all of this can be done with our lovely friend who's in town for the weekend, making it sweeter all around.

This last weekend was particularly hard for me. Friday morning my maternal grandmother's sister died. Aunt Millie was an amazing person, and I wish I had gotten more time with her. And more time for Josh to get to know her. God blessed us with the chance to visit her in early March when I had a business trip in her tiny little town. I'm so glad he was able to meet the person who came up with the peanut butter fudge recipe that we both love and Josh has memorized. I'm glad that she was healthy enough that we both remember her as spunky. I'm glad that her death was quick and that she didn't suffer much.

I didn't know her as well as I would have liked. I actually had just begun to talk to her on the phone every few months and let her get to know the adult I grew into instead of the child I was. I am exceptionally disappointed that I was not able to go to the viewing or funeral due to a business trip (we couldn't move it since it was already the weekend when I got the dates and times for the viewing and funeral). I am, however, glad that my mother was able to make the trip out and say her goodbyes. She really needed it.

Yesterday was also the 10-year anniversary of my cousin's sudden and accidental death. He was eight years older than me and lived several states away, so I didn't know him that well. It still grieves me that I will never get to know him better. I still cherish the memories I am fortunate enough to have of him.

Needless to say, this business trip to Ohio has been hard on me. I'm attempting to make up for it by doing all kinds of awesome things. I finished up work a little early and went to an aquarium in Kentucky. And tomorrow afternoon after putting in some hours from the hotel, I plan to visit COSI. And then I return home. I had a good time this afternoon and hope that tomorrow will be at least as fun.

But when it comes down to it, I wish for nothing more than the chance to be with my family. I will likely spend a bit of time with my grandparents this week. I know my grandmother needs me. And I need her.

Memorial Day

I found out today that Josh watches military-esque movies and history shows for Memorial Day every year. To learn more about the people who risked their lives and died for America. I hadn't really thought about doing that before, but I liked the idea when I heard it. Josh decided to go with something easy for me to get into since we started a movie in the evening. We went with The Rocketeer since it deals with patriotism and aviation and such between WWI and WWII. Yes, it's a bit of a stretch, but it's one of my favorite movies. And next year I'll be more likely to vote for a stronger theme since I'll be prepared for it.

I have also finally groomed my plants. I pulled off anything dead and Josh cut the basil plant where it died. So hopefully today's rain will help them grow. I do need to get my other plant to drain better though. I'm thinking of getting another ceramic pot and transplanting it so it will drain properly. It's relaxing to work on my plants, even if it isn't a proper garden and just some potted plants. I really enjoy it. I hope to someday have a full vegetable garden which will partially sustain my family and myself.

Today I started a new client near the beach. However, the weather is awful and therefore I decided not to take a walk on the beach. Tomorrow is supposed to be the same, so I'm thinking of getting warm clothes and going anyway. Today I was definitely not prepared. It's cold enough today that I'm thinking chili is a good idea, and I typically only have it in winter. Man, I wish it would warm up again.