Saturday Schmatterings-Weekend Free

3 little mums to replace the dead trio. (I need to weed-again)

      

     Good morning. Today may be a perfect fall day if the weather gnomes are right-65 degrees and full on sun. I have nothing official on the calendar today or tomorrow so I guess a free to me weekend. I hope to actually accomplish something over the next two days. I just mixed up the PB Oatmeal Chocolate chip cookies that went over a treat last spring. The dough is chilling as I think cookies bake better with cold dough. I used flax seed egg and dairy free butter so my daughter  will eat them, and I intend to bake just enough for now, and freeze the rest in little scoops ready to take out over the next few weeks a little at a time. She has friends staying this weekend, heading to the Renaissance Festival today, but I think I'll drop off a dozen for them to have tonight. Shh-I have a key.

     I was planning on gong to one nephews football game but that got cancelled, but his younger brother has one as well. I'll go to that early this afternoon and make a stop at a Target just for looking around. I need nothing and do not plan to add more fall stuff, but I just like to see how thing are organized. Is it just me though, has Target gotten to be a bit on the higher price side for their odds and ends in homeware? I think I've seen sale prices at Macy's that are comparable, or even less. Still, I drive by at least three where his game is and it would be inconsiderate to not make a stop. I haven't been in one since August 19th, when we stopped to restock underwear and socks for the college kid. When I was working in my office, I was in Target at least once a week, even if only to pick up a snack, or a good wander for a stretch break. We are looking to buy a new set of flatware, so I can compare prices so a legitimate reason to stop. I'll also take a peek at what they have for tall and narrow bathroom cupboards. 

     One reason for going to my nephews game is to help my mood. At times I feel disconnected and isolated mentally beyond my immediate family. DH's family has their own little clique within  the extended unit, and I'm on the outside most of the time. I'm trying to stay engaged with others as that does help this feeling  fade. I'm excited to start up the book club meetings again for the same reason. I had two meet ups with friends that first week after  my kid moved back to college, and since then other than the Trivia peeps, I've not seen friends. Boo hoo-yeah, I know others have been much more isolated than I have.

     I got my groceries for the rest of September. You all know I like a good challenge. Well, after deciding to be honest to myself and  include all of DH's side shops and take and bake pizza, I had $48 left in my monthly budget to meet my under $300 target for the month. Some of you commented that my challenge was incredibly easy, you regularly feed yourself and one other for $50 a week. Others thought it was possible if I had a good stock pile. Well, I was somewhat in between. We definitely had food stores, but  not a good stock pile after the college kid helped herself to my pantry. I could easily make meals that would nourish us, but not necessarily what we wanted more. I wanted to split the difference-still have favorite foods some times, but also embrace humble eating. Long story short, my receipt yesterday after thinking through what we needed, and items that needed replacing, I spent $47.97! October is positioned to just be a regular month-not a splurge, but not a challenge. I did not do any meal challenges beyond the Dollar Tree $5 challenge in September. I still think it would be fund to shop with $9 cash, and then make three distinct meals. 

     I had a bunch of coupons for health and beauty items we normally buy so went over budget in the household, and H&B, technically, but I am stocked up on shampoo and conditioner, and two rounds of coloring my hair likely through the end of the year. This was also the month I had to stock up food for pup, so next month we will not need his massive bag of dry food, just the canned stuffed we give him on top of the dry. This was not a Sluggy worthy shop, but I did save $12.50 from the pre-coupon tally of $47. So my October challenge is to combine with September and see if for both months I can be under $150 in that category. I need some challenge to keep me disciplined. 

     That is enough schmatterings for now. I've a load of  laundry to switch out and folding to do, then bake two dozen of the cookies. I bought three little mums I want to pop into either my hanging basket or another planter base, but I'll keep them in their little pots. Whatever you do and however you spend your Saturday, I hope it is a good one.