Frugal In Florida

I pu this together on Thursday of last week, after my one hour massage and the pedicure and manicure that I finally went and had done. Thank God for gift certificates! Normally, I have no problem with planning the next week menu way ahead of time. But I didn't know what Hubby's schedule was, if he's traveling (he's not), etc. I just know it looks like I have a busy week so I figured I'd get it out of the way. For the time being, no days were assigned to the food, just winging it on that end at this moment! Bread, using this tried and true recipe along with some Minestrone Soup . If the bread turns out anywhere near as good as it sounds and is really all that easy, then I will buy the book! Planning on Wednesday Fried chicken thighs (not really fried, baked in the oven til crispy) served with some mashed garlicy potatoes and gravy (made a nice big opening in the garage freezer by doing this!) *did this and boy was it yummy!* Tuesday Chili Cheese Dogs - doe...

Oddly enough, as soon as they name her Tropical Storm Nicole instead of JUST Depression #16, they drop the Tropical Storm warnings for South Florida. Not that I'm complaining, trust me. I'm at work though, Sonny Boy is at school and well, things are just D. E. A. D. at the office. See, when a storm warning is issued, insurance companies immediately cease writing. Meaning, if you are in the process of buying a home, or refinancing, then forget it for the day. SO that's where I'm at. 2nd to the last day of the month and 3 closings have been put on hold from yesterday and today. Of course, I look outside and everything is green and luscious. I don't think it's even drizzling rain anymore ... but then again we do have the rest of the day to look forward to!

This is NOT a fun chore for me. It's almost disturbing.... So far, I've gotten th garage freezer "organized"... meaning all the fishy (bait) stuff is contained in to one LARGE ziploc bag and in a little tub (old pull out produce drawer from old refrigerator) so that in the event we ever do get hit with a storm and the power is out for an extended amount of time, that will be the first thing to pull out of freezers.  Yes, fish bait thaws FAST and will stink horrendeously if allowed to do so in a closed environment (freezer) and make everything else smell ... trust me, been there, done that. Also located 2 packages of top sirloin steaks. Think I will make it a point to get those out within the month of October and make some sirloin (or Triple Crown) burgers. Triple Crown is just 3 cuts of beef, sirloin, ribeye and one other that I just can't seem to think of at the moment. Veggies, tilapia, smoked sausage, grouper, roll sausage, chicken thighs, and a bunch of ...

I had a few things that I wanted to pick up tonight since it was the last day of the sale.  My original goal was to just do the taters and gravy but then there were a few other things (of course!) that I wanted to get: 6 bags of Steam N Mash taters, $3.99 each but b1g1f 6 jars gravy, $1.83 each 8 tombsone pizzas at $5.95 each, but used my rain check & did b1g1f Roll of bounty papertowel $2.03 2 bottles of downy fabric softner $5.99 each 2 EAS protein bars $1.25 each 3 bars of philly cream cheese $1.25 each 2 cheddar cheese blocks, $3.19 each 4 hebrew national franks $5.19 each but b1g1f Tide $8.79 2 orville red. popcorn kernels, $5.07 each, b1g1f Squishy white bread $1.33 (!!) 2 loaves whole wheat bread, $3.69 each b1g1f 4 thomas bagels (6 per pkg), $3.99 each, b1g1f And then I used some stellar coupons: Free roll Bounty 6 $1 off taters 2 $1 off gravy 2 b2g1 f taters (store coupon) 3 $2 off when you get gravy & taters (store coupon, realizing i could h...

Or, should I say, Menu Plan Wednesday?  I had my menu all set to go Sunday morning, but just running a wee bit behind this week in posting! Nothing exciting, still trying to clear out the freezers and with the hurricane season hitting peak time in Florida (October), I need to get a little more focused and get them organized too. Sunday - Pizza from take out (don't ask, was a little under from the previous 24 hour excursion) Monday - penne with a makeshift alfredo sauce (NOT a jar) Tuesday - grilled cheese (used Tillamook cheddar) with tomato soup Wednesday - looking forward to a baked tater bar for Survivor night Thursay - Chicken grilled with rice (chix from freezer) Friday - Friends are in town, hubby back from PA and I'm leaning towards chili cheese dogs! (hot dogs from freezer) Saturday - Steaks and veggies on grill (steaks from freezer) Not a single recipe to share as everything is pretty standard fare.  Luckily, this should remove a few more items from the ...

This time, I went on Tuesday instead of Thursday, only because I was just about out of milk. Had a detailed list but was using the american express as I'm trying to conserve my cash. I know, the best way to conserve cash is to NOT shop at all, but well ... you know how that is! 2 50 pks of Frito Lays chips $10.19 x 2 less 2 $2.50 coupons 3 dozen xtra large eggs $2.55 (cheaper than last time) black forest ham $7.54 honey roasted turkey $8.89 clif bars $19.89 crumbled bacon $9.49 cashew crunch $8.99 Mrs. Dash $4.49 5 lbs tomatoes $5.49 TP $17.99 less $2 coupon 2 lb mini peppers $4.29 (price has creeped up) half and half x 2 $1.45 fruit by the foot $9.99 less $2.50 coupon skim milk gallon $2.29 olive oil $9.99 2% milk x 2 $2.39 onions $5.79 string cheese $7.59 all total $145.38 Chips, fruit things, cashew crunch were not on my list so figure about $40 worth of spontaneous buys.

Yes, Day 4 was D.O.N.E. But so much for 5, 6, 7 and 8. I suppose it's time to START OVER. I am so bummed that I fell off the wagon So very quick. What's really sad is I felt better, I felt that my stomach was not as bloated looking, my legs and arms not quite as jiggly. But now, almost a week after my last workout, I feel it all came back. Ugggg. I still say there is something to say about PMS and working out. Seriously. So, yes, I'm going to pick it back up again and start it over from the VERY beginning. :( This does not make a happy person whatsoever.