Stretching to November

DH and I ran over to Cobornes Thursday night and stocked up on more of the good deals. I caved and bought some convenience foods, namely the Knorr rice sides because they were 10 for $9.00, and with that you got a free 2.5 pound bag of frozen chicken breasts. I'm not a fan of the sodium, but if served with a lean meat and vegetables, the overall meal is healthy. DD loves them, and we like to use the Spanish rice for taco and fajitas. We are right around $250 for October in the grocery department, and this inlcudes DH's ice cream and chip run. I refuse to count the massive bag of bite sized chocolate he bought though. Big deals were another six Kraft cheeses, another three boxes of cereal, canned tomatoes and chili beans, and we grabbed four more cans of tuna, as low as we see it go. We picked up Yoplait's for just $0.29, limit of 12. These will be eaten for breakfasts and lunches well before the end of the month. I almost feel like I should get more as I take yogurt just about every day for my lunch. 

We will need fresh fruit, bread, eggs, perhaps milk, and meat of some sort to round out meals for the month, but I know I will keep under $300, by shear will power. We should be positioned well to keep November in check, as several items will not be used before month end, plus the pantry was pretty full before this shop. This is good as I'll need extra funds, unless I can be very planful, for my contributions to Thanksgiving dinner. I need to think through some meal planning. Last night was hamburgers and sweet potato wedges, tonight will be a tuna hot dish with corn, sandwiches for lunch, and Sunday I'll do brunch with pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs and fruit. Sunday supper will probably be Italian herb crusted chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, squash, and salad. My big baking day yesterday resulted in three dozen chocolate chip cookies, four mini loaves of pumpkin bread, and a small apple crisp, which I'll serve when the mother in law is over for dinner. I popped it in the freezer and on Sunday will thaw and reheat so it will taste fresh baked. I alos froze two of the bread and half the cookies.

I'm trying to stretch the household, health and beauty budget out to November as well.  My big Target shop labor day weekend is still keeping us in paper supplies, shampoo, and deodorant.The one area might be dish washing liquid that may need some dollars. I like being stocked, but I haven't gone overboard to the point that things are cluttered and I don't know what I have. That is a good feeling, and more like how I used to manage my household when I had no choice but to be orderly with teenagers and a toddler. 

This weekend has been just what I needed. Nothing exciting, but I am enjoying being home wwith no agenda. I took pup for a long walk this morning and he is a bit spent now. We'll go for another long one before dinner tonight. We may be meeting friends for a drink tonight-depends on DH when he gets home. DD1 is going with friends to a haunted hay ride at the garden center up the highway, and the timing would work well for  us to have a little meet up between dropping her off and picking her up. I'm in a borrowed car still, but my  new phone came and I am back in modern times. I have another purged box and bag of clothes, but think I will stop on route home Monday rather than run a special errand.A friend who's parents still live in town is stopping by to pick up DS's college graduation robe, which I have no idea why we still have it. Her kids high school is putting on Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, like DD2 was in last spring, and she is on props and costumes and needs this for the Preachers robe. She's also borrowing a lot of things our school used and the back drop. I think it is next weekend; I might have to cross the state lines and go see it! 


This has been a post pretty much about nothing, so if you are still reading, thank you kindly. Sometimes downshifting everything, including the clock and calendar is needed more than a life of excitement. What can be better though than a weekend of good fresh air, home baked goods and cooking, drinks with family and friends, and a little blogging to friends? Enjoy what's left of your weekend, and comment below how you spent yours.