Sunday, April 4
Saturday, April 3
Saving Money at the Grocery Store
I've been looking for ways to save money this year. We are priveleged enough to shop at the commissary at the Air Force base here in town and can save 20-30% on most items.
I've always been intrigued by the shopper that buys $100 in groceries and only pays a few dollars. I'm not sure if I'll ever get there but have been researching different systems to save money at the grocery store.
As I clip and save coupons I've been looking for better methods to store and find them because I've thrown away too many good ones lately that had expired.
Finally I decided to try a large zipper 3 ring binder and added blank pages from a photo album that never quite materialized! :)
The four "sleeves" on each page are a perfect size for coupons and they can be seen at a glance without removing.
Then I made a page for each category of coupons and added a tab to the outer edge.
I added a color coded list to the front of the binder. The header for each section matches the color and description on each tab. But this list will go a step further and list each item in that section for easy referreal.
The beauty of this system is to set it up for my own individual tastes and shopping habits. Some like to categorize by aisles in the grocery store or alphabetize by item. I prefer to separate by categories such as "Dairy", "Frozen", "Health and Beauty", etc.
The zipper binder protects my shopping list, unclipped coupon booklets, coupons, scissors and other misc. items. When open, the binder sits very nicely in the shopping cart and I can place coupons I want to use in a zippered pouch. When I reach the check out it is a simple process to gather them for the checker.
I've noticed a few stares and funny looks from other shoppers. But that's okay. I saved $26.80 on the last shopping trip and it was well worth it!
I've always been intrigued by the shopper that buys $100 in groceries and only pays a few dollars. I'm not sure if I'll ever get there but have been researching different systems to save money at the grocery store.
As I clip and save coupons I've been looking for better methods to store and find them because I've thrown away too many good ones lately that had expired.
Finally I decided to try a large zipper 3 ring binder and added blank pages from a photo album that never quite materialized! :)
The four "sleeves" on each page are a perfect size for coupons and they can be seen at a glance without removing.
Then I made a page for each category of coupons and added a tab to the outer edge.
I added a color coded list to the front of the binder. The header for each section matches the color and description on each tab. But this list will go a step further and list each item in that section for easy referreal.
The beauty of this system is to set it up for my own individual tastes and shopping habits. Some like to categorize by aisles in the grocery store or alphabetize by item. I prefer to separate by categories such as "Dairy", "Frozen", "Health and Beauty", etc.
The zipper binder protects my shopping list, unclipped coupon booklets, coupons, scissors and other misc. items. When open, the binder sits very nicely in the shopping cart and I can place coupons I want to use in a zippered pouch. When I reach the check out it is a simple process to gather them for the checker.
I've noticed a few stares and funny looks from other shoppers. But that's okay. I saved $26.80 on the last shopping trip and it was well worth it!
Thursday, March 11
Where do ideas come from?
The other day I was walking down the hall at work on my way to the fitness center. My favorite snack came to mind - cashews and chocolate chips. Yum! The next image was melting them together in the mircowave. Then I remembered a recipe I made at Christmas with crushed oreos, cream cheese and chocolate chips melted in the microwave.
This thought led to a writing idea. Should I write some articles about the challenges of living full time in an RV? My Christmas recipe was basically chosen because our RV oven does not bake evenly. So I don't even attempt to make cookies, etc. Instead I look for easy stovetop or microwave recipes.
There are quite a few life adjustments we've made since living fulltime in this RV. I may just start writing about them!
This thought led to a writing idea. Should I write some articles about the challenges of living full time in an RV? My Christmas recipe was basically chosen because our RV oven does not bake evenly. So I don't even attempt to make cookies, etc. Instead I look for easy stovetop or microwave recipes.
There are quite a few life adjustments we've made since living fulltime in this RV. I may just start writing about them!
Sunday, February 21
A Beautiful Memorial Service
My mother-in-law looked very nice and so at peace. It was a beautiful service.
The pastor was blessing. We all really liked him. He read numerous scriptures and he and his wife sang "The Old Rugged Cross", one of Mom's favorites.
The flowers were lovely and many people came to pay their respects. It was nice to see many relatives we haven't seen in years.
I was touched by the grandkids (Michelle's four children). The oldest, Nathan, really took care of his brother and sisters. They were all huddled together with his long arms around them and wept for the grandma they miss so much.
After the service we went to the Roadhouse for a meal. A covered pool table was loaded with food. I talked to quite a few relatives about the family tree I'm working on. Got lots of good information.
Later the kids came to the hotel to swim in the pool. Steve was sick (probably from the cigarette smoke at the Roadhouse) and stayed in our room. I enjoyed visiting with my sister-in-laws and all the kids.
The pastor was blessing. We all really liked him. He read numerous scriptures and he and his wife sang "The Old Rugged Cross", one of Mom's favorites.
The flowers were lovely and many people came to pay their respects. It was nice to see many relatives we haven't seen in years.
I was touched by the grandkids (Michelle's four children). The oldest, Nathan, really took care of his brother and sisters. They were all huddled together with his long arms around them and wept for the grandma they miss so much.
After the service we went to the Roadhouse for a meal. A covered pool table was loaded with food. I talked to quite a few relatives about the family tree I'm working on. Got lots of good information.
Later the kids came to the hotel to swim in the pool. Steve was sick (probably from the cigarette smoke at the Roadhouse) and stayed in our room. I enjoyed visiting with my sister-in-laws and all the kids.
Friday, February 19
Wisconsin
We made it to Wisconsin today for the memorial service on Saturday.
It was an 1100 mile trip! We planned to stop for the night but changed our minds when snow was forecast. So we took turns driving while the other slept. It was rough but better than getting caught in a snow storm.
We arrived around 8 am and were so blessed when the hotel let us check in early. We stayed at Barkers Inn on Barkers Island in the Lake Superior Bay. It was fun looking at the frozen lake and seeing the "shacks" used for ice fishing.
The room is decent and I really enjoyed the bathtub! :) (We only have a shower at home.)
More tomorrow!
It was an 1100 mile trip! We planned to stop for the night but changed our minds when snow was forecast. So we took turns driving while the other slept. It was rough but better than getting caught in a snow storm.
We arrived around 8 am and were so blessed when the hotel let us check in early. We stayed at Barkers Inn on Barkers Island in the Lake Superior Bay. It was fun looking at the frozen lake and seeing the "shacks" used for ice fishing.
The room is decent and I really enjoyed the bathtub! :) (We only have a shower at home.)
More tomorrow!
Tuesday, February 16
Audrey Christenson (Jul 27, 1936 - Feb 16, 2010)
My mother-in-law passed away last night. After being sick for years, it is a blessing for her to be at peace. But her family is grieving and really misses her!
I met her in November of 1977 when I was dating her son. Though many mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws don't get along, we sure did.
She was a caring mother and friend to many. She always had a compassionate heart toward others.
We miss you Mom and look forward to seeing you some day in heaven!
I met her in November of 1977 when I was dating her son. Though many mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws don't get along, we sure did.
She was a caring mother and friend to many. She always had a compassionate heart toward others.
We miss you Mom and look forward to seeing you some day in heaven!
Sunday, January 24
Relationships
Relationships. We all have them. Some that bring great joy and some that cause great pain.
Our pastor talked today about “the refining fire of relationships”.
John 13:20 “He was troubled in spirit over a relationship”? Jesus is speaking of His relationship with Judas Iscariot. (how have I never seen this scripture before???)
I’ve been in a few relationships that have troubled my spirit and caused extreme pain. And I’ve wondered why God allowed it. Though I’ve forgiven, the memories are still there.
Pastor Matt asked us to ponder this question. “How can God use the hurt/rejection/betrayal for His purposes in my life?”
This is my question to ponder this week.
Our pastor talked today about “the refining fire of relationships”.
John 13:20 “He was troubled in spirit over a relationship”? Jesus is speaking of His relationship with Judas Iscariot. (how have I never seen this scripture before???)
I’ve been in a few relationships that have troubled my spirit and caused extreme pain. And I’ve wondered why God allowed it. Though I’ve forgiven, the memories are still there.
Pastor Matt asked us to ponder this question. “How can God use the hurt/rejection/betrayal for His purposes in my life?”
This is my question to ponder this week.
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