Weekly goals

Number one on my goal this week should be staying cool. It's supposed to have highs in the 90's all week. Yuck. 

I'll be glad when fall gets here. Me and hot weather do not get along.

Here's the plan for the week:

Continue decluttering

Continue listing stuff for sale(I made $21 last week!)

Take guttering to salvage yard

Stay caught up with library books

Put laundry completely away

Tackle paper piles

Work some on basement, need to assemble shelving unit down there

Continue going to the Y to workout

I know it seems like a light list but the crew is leaving Friday and I plan to work on heavier projects while they are gone.

Menu Plan Monday

The hooligans leave Friday night to my mother in laws for a week, so I'm only going to plan 5 dinners this week and wing it the rest of the time, lol.

Breakfasts

Cold cereal

Eggs

Poptarts

all served with fruit

Dinners

Chicken wings with fries, green beans

 

Spaghetti with meatballs, salad

 

Beef fajitas, corn

 

Crockpot pork chops, mac and cheese, carrot sticks

 

Crockpot whole chicken, stuffing, brussel sprouts

Cake round up-first half of 2012

The first half of 2012 has only brought 2 birthdays but i couldn't leave Easter out making a special cake(I'd make more cakes but it's so hot right now but I'm going to have to suck it up and make something for Joseph's birthday Saturday)

Thing 1 was a challenge since she turned 15, but she does love Angry Birds so I managed to make one for her birthday

 Baby Girl wanted a pink bunny, but I wasn't up for dying coconut. She was happy with pink frosting underneath :)

Baby Girl insisted on a blue cake for her 5th birthday the day after her 4th,lol

So here it is, Cookie Monster

Menu Plan Monday

Hot, hot, hot. 

I hate the hot weather and trying to cook.

Blah.

I'm trying to utilize my crockpot and grill more to get me through but I'm hoping for some cool days for normal cooking. 

Here's the plan

Breakfasts

Poptarts

Cold cereal

Waffles

all served with fruit

Dinners

Dinner out Monday

Taco night

Crockpot pot roast, potatoes and carrots

Chili with cheese, onions, and fritoes

Cheeseburgers, fries, carrot sticks

Fried rice with shrimp

Leftovers/sandwiches

Weekly goals

I'm such a slacker. I didn't post any goals last week. I'll be so glad when summer school is over so I actually have more time in the day to get stuff done! Right now, I pretty much live in the truck. 

Here's the plan for the week:

Continue decluttering-this has really took a backseat lately and it shows!

Stay caught up with library books

Cut out coupons and organize

Work on our closet/room

List stuff for sale

Go sell aluminum cans

Have kids get caught up on yardwork

Drop off unused coupons to be mailed overseas

Organize stuff I brought over from storage better

Take stuff to thrift store

Get started on dining room

Think outside the box for storage

Counter space is a very rare thing in this house. 

Very.

And so is cabinet space. 

The price we pay for having a teeny house. 

Items I'm constantly moving are Joseph's thermoses. 

Constantly as in all.the.time.

I finally got fed up after them crashing to the floor 900 times one time fixing dinner. 

I got to thinking where I could I put them(well, one thought wasn't a very nice one, lol)

I got to thinking...I had a hook rack that I picked up for cheap. I had planned on redoing it but when you are desperate, you don't care about pretty.

A couple of screws later and voila! Out of my way. 

Yahoo! 

And easy for Joseph to find one if I happen not to make his lunch one morning(yea, right, lol)

Fast, cheap, and easy.

Pretty much sums me!

This is posted to Frugal Fridays, Works for Me Wednesday, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways

Booking it-May

May resulted in several books read. Thankfully. Of course, it helped the hooligans were gone a week. :)

 

Here's what I managed in May:

Fallen in Love

Clockwork Prince

License to Pawn

Sell Your Specialty Food

Sustainable Living for Dummies

The Maid

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

 

Not too shabby of a list. I FINALLY got to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo after months of trying. 

As always, I've added the books to my Amazon store to the right if you would like to check them out for yourself!

Disclaimer, it does contain affiliate links so I will receive a small compensation for your purchase!

Menu Plan Monday

Now it decides to get hot, blah!

Most of plans this week include crockpot and grilling. Definitely no oven!

Here's the plan;

Breakfasts

Cold cereal

Poptarts

Waffles(reheated from a double batch I made this weekend)

all served with fruit

Dinners

Cashew chicken with rice and green beans

Crockpot Italian Chicken breasts, grilled baby potatoes and carrots

Grilled chicken, grilled veggies

Beef stroganoff, brussell sprouts

Grilled pork chops, pasta salad, carrots

 Sandwiches, salads, carrot sticks

Leftovers

Get paid to recycle

I have to admit, I'm the world's worse when it comes to recycling. 

So ashamed.

I'll do good for a bit, then life gets in the way and I don't have time to take it to recycle center, so it piles up.

Then I just dump it all in the garbage.

Sigh.

One thing that I'm good about recycling is aluminum cans. 

Maybe because I get paid to take them in. 

My hauls are never huge because of lack of space around here. My current one was 6 Walmart sized bags and I made $3.

Not bad. 

Please note: I don't have to drive out of my way, there is a scrap metal yard not far from my house, on a road I travel multiple times a week. And time wise, it took maybe 10 minutes(it would have been less but Baby Girl was all questions our last trip and the workers were happy to answer :))

So we walked away with $3(and 2 suckers for Baby Girl)

$3 towards Thing 1's cheer fee.

Now if recycling everything was this easy(our largish city only has 2 centers, no where near where I live/go. Trash services charge extra for recycling pickup)

*Please note, I am BIG on reusing what I can...I try to use cardboard, cereal boxes, glass jars, etc in crafts or for other uses before I toss!

This is posted to Works for Me Wednesday, Frugal Fridays, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways

The Year of the Staycation, around the United States

Mid-Atlantic

Buffalo/Niagara Falls, New York :: Coupons, Deals and More Central New Jersey :: Philzendia (formerly Oh diane) Erie, Pennsylvania :: Growing Kids Ministry Harrisburg, Pennsylvania :: Family Balance Sheet

Midwest

Black Hills, South Dakota :: Little House Living Central Indiana :: In Good Cents Chicago, Illinois :: Chicagoland Homeschool Network Cincinnati, Ohio :: Savings Lifestyle Cincinnati Dayton, Ohio :: Savings Lifestyle Dayton Kansas City Area :: Kansas City Mamas Mansfield, Ohio :: The Traveling Praters Metro Detroit, Michigan :: Saving Dollars and Sense Mount Vernon, Ohio :: Living Better One Day at a Time North Central Indiana :: Parenting Miracles Oakland County, Michigan :: Bargain Shopper Mom Omaha, Nebraska :: Mom Endeavors Oshkosh, Wisconsin :: A Little Bit of This and That SE Minnesota :: Everyday Notions Springfield, Missouri :: Getting Freedom Springfield, Missouri :: I Think I can, I think I can St. Louis, Missouri :: Our Four Letter Words

South Central

Arlington, Texas :: Grocery Shop For FREE Dallas, Texas :: Surviving The Stores Grapevine, Texas :: My Crazy Savings Houston, Texas :: MomsTravelTales

South Atlantic

Baltimore, Maryland :: The Happy Housewife Charlottesville, Virginia :: How to Have it All Jacksonville, Florida :: Saving The Family Money Orlando, Florida :: Orlandos Best Deals Shenandoah Valley, Virginia :: Life Your Way St. Augustine, Florida :: Jypsie Visions Washington, DC :: Holy Spirit-led Homeschooling

Mountain

Arizona (all) :: Mom Endeavors Colorado Springs, Colorado :: Springs Bargains Denver, Colorado :: Denver Bargains Phoenix, Arizona :: Saving For Someday Tucson, Arizona :: Desert Chica Ramblings

Pacific

Portland, Oregon :: Frugal Living NW San Diego, California :: Life as MOM San Diego, California (The Eating Tour) :: Good Cheap Eats Seattle, Washington :: Queen Bee Coupons 2 Attached files| 154KB

The Year of the Staycation-Springfield, Missouri

 

Springfield has a ton of things to do to keep the kiddos entertained. A lot of stuff are free and some do charge a small fee. Whatever you like, there is usually something for everyone

Downtown:

Wednesday’s Noon at Founder’s Park, enjoy a show by local performers. Everything from local bands to the YES Troupe to the Springfield Ballet usually make an appearance at some point in the series. http://www.itsalldowntown.com/event/wednesday-noon-in-founders-park/  No charge

After you watch a performance at Founder’s Park, take a short walk and cool off in the fountains at Jordan Valley park, across from Hammons Field.

On Friday or Saturday night, check out a free movie under the stars at Founder’s Park. Friday night is Family night, Saturday Date night. Admission is free but you will need to pick up a ticket at Medicom offices or at Mediacom Ice Park. Bring your own snacks or a small selection is available for purchase. Movies begin at sundown.

The first Friday downtown is for art lover’s! Talk a stroll through several downtown vendors to check out local artists. Also enjoy street performers. Check out http://www.itsalldowntown.com/ for a list of venues. 

 

Fireworks at the Field, July 4 2012. Fireworks at Hammons Field return again this year!  Activities inside the field require a ticket, but watching the fireworks outside of it is free! Pack a blanket and pull up a patch of grass. Many vendors are participating this year, including free shuttle service proded by City Utilities. For more info, check out www.itsalldowntown.com/event/fireworks-at-the-field

For the Nature lovers

Springfield is blessed with many parks and 3 lakes close by. Slather on the sunscreen and head outside!

Springfield Nature Center is located in Southeast Springfield.It has 6 trails, both long and short, a Conservation building with displays, programs for the kiddos, a picnic area, restrooms, and more.

Springfield has 3 lakes within a short driving distance:Mcdaniel in Northwest Springfield, Fellows in Northeast, and Springfield Lake in Southeast Springfield. Grab your fishing poles and head out!

Springfield is home to many parks, each unique in what they offer...check out Nathaniel Greene for the Butterfly House, Japanese Stroll Gardens(small entrance fee), Botanical Center,  and Gray-Campbell farmstead...Sequita and Doling have caves..Fassnight has a creek...check them all out!

The Xeriscape garden is located on South National street, maintained by Master Gardeners, is a great place to check out native plant species!

The Rutledge Wilson Farm park is located in west Springfield. Walk the trails, check out farm life, view demos, play on a farm theme playground. Admission is free but fees do apply to special events.

If you are looking for a place to beat the heat, head to Bass Pro shop on South Campbell. No need to buy anything(unless you are tempted by the fudge, lol)! You can kill some time looking at several aquariums, including a turtle pond and an alligator! Check out their Family Fun Camp with activities each week!

Springfield is also home to several golf courses, including free ones! Don't forget tennis courts, soccer fields, handball courts, and baseball fields.

For the History buffs:

Check out Springfield History Museum www.springfieldhistorymuseum.org/home.htm. No fee but they do ask for a small donation.

Take a tour at the Railroad Historical Musuem, located at Grant Beach Park http://www.rrhistoricalmuseum.zoomshare.com/

 Take a stroll across the Jefferson Footbridge located on Historical Commercial Street. Go on a Saturday and enjoy the Farmer's Market while you are there! http://www.springfieldmo.org/things-to-do/cat/12/menu/121/client/65905 

For the art/reading buffs

Springfield Art Museum is located next to Phelp's Grove park. Admission is free but donations are welcome. Peruse the art in air conditioned comfort. Special displays include Watercolor USA, which runs June-August. 

The Springfield Greene county library system is one of the best in the state. It is free to check out items for Greene County residents. Thousands of books, DVDs,and  CD's are available to keep you busy through the summer. Check out one of their programs, from babies all the way up to adults. Teen nights keep the older ones entertained and away from the phrase "I'm bored" for a few hours anyways. Check out their awesome summer reading programs with 3 categories, child, teens, and adults. Use the coveted flip card for free treats and admissions around town!

The Creamery Arts center is located across from Hammons Field and offers a variety of programs.

 Here's a list of places that do charge a fee but with the price of gas, they might be cheaper than traveling:

Fantastic Caverns

Wild Animal Safari

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

Several pools around town

Askinosie Chocolate Factory

Dickerson Park Zoo

Discovery Center

Jump Mania 

Jumping Joeys

 Springfield Cardinals Baseball

Springfield Skatepark

Medicom Ice Rink

Missouri Sport's Hall of Fame 

Rollerskating at Skateland and Skateport

2 YMCA's

3 first run movie theaters including an IMAX, a small theater that shows independent movies(The Moxie) and the Palace, which shows discount movies($1 Tuesdays!) Don't forget to check out the first run movie sites, many offer free summer kid's movies!

And don't forget about the Ozark Empire Fair, every summer. This year the dates are July 27th-August 4th.  There is admission for entry, $6 for 13 and older, $2 for 6-12, and 5 and under are free.

Weekly goals

I made it through everything last week except buying Thing 1 a swimsuit, and working on my closet.

Hopefully, those will be checked off this week.

Ongoing

Declutter

Stay caught up with library books

Make it to the Y to workout

Weekly

Work on my closet

Find a safe place to store space heaters

Continue to list things for sale

Take Thing 1 to get a swimsuit

Work on the basement

Have the Things start in on their room, massive cleaning/decluttering

Wash bed stuff

File paperwork

Make Baby Girl appointment for her school shots

Take Thing 1 around to put some applications in

Write 2 articles for the Examiner 

Menu Plan Monday

Hopefully, this will be an easy week, cooking wise. The crew starts summer school so it's going to be nonstop running around town for me taking 3 kids, to 3 different schools, all at different times. 

Not to mention, I want to use up some stuff in the freezer :)

Here's the plan

Breakfasts

Eggs

Cold cereal

Oatmeal

all served with fruit

Dinners

Sloppy joe's, mac and cheese, green beans

Corn dogs, tater tots, carrots

Cashew chicken with rice, broccoli

Jambalaya with smoke sausage, corn

Grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup

Fried potatoes with sausage, brussel sprouts for the 3 that like them, salad for us other 2 :)

2012 Yearly Goals-May Update

1. Continue working on blogging. Blogging definitely fell by the wayside in May while I worked on cleaning out my Grandmother's storage unit, but hopefully, I'll get back on track

2. Explore income possibilities for myself. I'm not wanting to make a fortune, just some fun money. Still selling items. I have enough saved up for my half of Thing 1's cheer fee(she has to come up the other half). I also started saving aluminum cans again, took 6 walmart bags full a week ago and made $3.

3. Continue decluttering. Ongoing also.Who would have guessed that a 900 square foot house could hold so much, yikes!

4. Continue to learn new things: this is the year I take that cake decorating class. And learn to sew.  And dive into gardening. I haven't looked into one yet but since I have Thing 1's cheer fee covered, Im going to check local schedules for July

5. Read for 1 hour every day. This means a book, not blogs, magazines or newspapers. I get so far behind! Working on it! I got behind a bit the first half working on the storage unit, but I finished the month with a decent list of books read. 

6. Work with Thing 1 on driving. I can't believe I just typed that! My first born turns 15 in March and can get the coveted learner's permit.She's had her permit for almost 3 months now :) She's ventured into driving other vehicles now.

7. Work on my weight and health. We've already discussed it and we will be purchasing a membership to the local Y for the family. Still only going sporadic.

8. Save for an actual vacation. I don't know if we will take it this year, but I want us to start working towards that goal. Still haven't done this!

9. Purchase Silver Dollar City and White Water season passes. The crew are old enough to enjoy both of these places and we live close enough for weekend jaunts. Done, now waiting for a decent weekend to go to White Water. 

10. Become more 'homemade" on things(laundry soap, soap, cleaners, food, gifts, etc) Still making homemade laundry soap. I've made homemade jam, cleaned the bathroom with baking soda, and made my first ever batch of vegetable stock a couple days ago. 

11. Reduce unnecessary spending, save more, and pay down debts Still ongoing! We got the storage unit cleaned out, saving $35 a month and I redid our Netflix subscription, saving $5

12. Get more involved with the kids at school. It's easy to slide by on the bigger 2, but Baby Girl will start Kindergarten in the Fall and I want to support her(I worked full time with both of the Things :() School's out for the summer so we all get a break!