Frustrated

 I think has been almost a week since I have written anything..? It's hard to know where to start...

 We had a good time in Sekiu despite a few hang ups. The rain was off and on but well worth it for the huge agates we found. We made a funny memory..Vern and I running down Vista beach after we realized it was NOT going to stop monsooning anytime soon. We had on plenty of warm clothes and rain coats but it was pouring! My pants got so wet and heavy that I had to hold them up while "running"  to the truck while also barefoot and with pockets full of rocks! By the time we got to the truck we were soaked through 2 layers! Looks like my raincoat isn't so waterproof after all?! Thank you Chevrolet and Vern for providing me with a truck with seat warmers!

 Trevor was still fighting Bronchitis so he was not quite his perky self during our trip. As for me I got the stomach flu on Friday and have been throwing up everything I have eaten since. Today was day 7 . Vern has also come down with a tummy bug but his symptoms are different. We have barely worked this week and when we were at work,we probably shouldn't have been. Sooo for the first time in a LONG time,I am going to the Doctor tomorrow. In fact, I don't think I have ever been to urgent care for myself..? After many phone calls and unhelpful referrals I finally started to learn how to play the medical insurance game. They make it really inconvenient for sick people to find a Doctor,holy cow..I had no idea it was so complicated and corrupt! In the process of all my efforts I also made a follow up appointment with my new Doctor so I can begin to establish some type of medical records. (New Dr. won't see me for 1st time visit to address tummy issue,was told to go to urgent care,covered by insurance,then I can go to new Dr for follow up. Don't you just love insurance?!) I just hope they can figure it out. I don't know how many more days I can live on soup broth and water....

 Since we have been home I have also spent time on the phone with my 401k company. That was eye opener! I have never had anyone tell me that they are taking (a percentage of) my money and I can't have it back until I retire or quit my job!? STUPID! "Someday" when I have enough in my account they will "allow" me to take a loan on it and pay myself back...WHHHHAT?! I am so stupid for not learning more about it before I started investing...on the bright side my nest egg is safe. I will be so thankful when I am older but mannn,that was a reality slap in the face!

 While in the process of all of this 401k and medical insurance mess I also realized my driver's license is expired! SINCE JANUARY! "No worries" I thought "I will pay my late fee and renew on line." Half way through THAT process I was told I could not renew online because my license was more that 60 days expired. I have to go to the DMV. Seriously?! Why do all these companies take my money yet be so difficult when it comes to helping me in return?! Can't something just go right for a minute? Oh wait it just did..Clearblue Easy just confirmed that I'm not pregnant. Thank you God! I highly doubted I was but it's nice to have the peace of mind.

 I hope my next blog is full of happier news. This week has been a rough one. Things will get better,they have to :)

Another Weekend In Paradise

3 Days Away

We are headed off to the coast again. A relaxing 3 day weekend of camping in the rainforest and plenty of beach combing to celebrate Vern's birthday. This time it will be Vern and I and our 3 kids. Our first family vacation with the 5 of us and I am so excited! Chipper and Maxine just adore their big brother Trevor and I am also hoping Vern and Trevor have some much needed guy time. As for me,I just need to get outta here..see some new scenery. I need a few days of naps in the afternoon and hot showers in the rain. My feet and toes need the softening touch that only miles of barefoot beach combing can provide. I have promised myself I will bring out my Nikon and quit taking all my photos with my cell phone for a few days. Usually Spring gets me in the photography mood after a long drab winter but this year my mood has been as delayed as the warm weather.
 I will pack a huge duffle bag of sweatshirts and comfy pants,all my favorite things to wear,long socks and rain coat and boots. Matching or not,I really don't care. I might bring my blow dryer...for the dogs lol! But seriously,they get really wet and cold on the beach...;) Worse than that..I am hoping Maxine has enough outfits with matching hair accessories for 3 days. She has grown out of most of her baby clothes and her hair is so long I have to put it up every day so she can see. Besides,she just looks so cute :) A bag for me,a bag for the dogs,extra clothes for Trevor and extra sweatshirts for Vern (because they never pack enough)..and they wonder why women pack so much...ha ha

So if I don't find time to blog before we go,I hope you all have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend! :)

1st Test C+

I survived my grocery shopping adventure at Winco on Friday. I spent THREE HOURS there. I got all the deals I was hoping for and I few I didn't expect. I spent $213.00 on a grocery cart FULL of groceries. I had 5 store coupons and 20 manufacturer coupons and I saved a total of $24. Now,6 months ago if I had saved that much with coupons I would've felt like the Queen of the Coupon World. BUT,thanks to my new knowledge of this "new" trend and the extremes people go to.... I feel defeated. My savings wasn't 40%. I know I shouldn't feel disappointed,we needed a lot of groceries I had no coupon for and Winco's prices are MUCH lower that most stores...but still,I have worked so hard and I was hoping for bigger results. All in good time I suppose. A first lesson in couponing learned-even if you stick to the rules,groceries cost money. LOL! Until I can stock my pantry with enough goods to last me a few months I will have to buy some things as I need them and I won't always have a coupon. When my stockpiled pantry is complete I will be able to wait and buy things at their lowest price...or maybe even free!

This week I got 5 Sunday papers and it has taken me 2 evenings to cut and organize them all in my coupon binder. I continue to learn as much as I can and I keep my faith I will be able to turn this new "part time job" into a way of giving to others as well. Today I mailed coupons to Idaho! My friends there don't get many of the great manufacturer coupons I get here and I am happy to share any I don't use. Any of you reading this that would like coupons let me know. I have a ton for dog and cat food,asst OTC medications,snacks etc.

:)

Couponing 101: The Test

 I am pretty sure I have the cutest coupon helper in the world..



Tomorrow is the big day.

The day I venture out on my first large couponing adventure.

I have a pink Trapper Keeper full of coupons.
Almost every coupon I could get my hands on for the last 4 weeks.

The coupons are organized and categorized.
The lists are all printed,3 hole punched and filed in front.

So neatly in fact,
that I am still in amazement that I created it. 

I am headed to Winco.
Mostly because I have yet to check their everyday prices on the things I buy most.
So we will call it research.
I am pretty sure that Winco prices plus coupons will make for a fun trip.
Now that's what I call shopping!

My rules:
*Stick to the list
*Sales and coupons only. Patience pays off with sale prices elsewhere or at a later date!
* $20 allowance for "Pennies On The Dollar" purchases. (buying things not on the list because they are super cheap with a coupon AND in an attempt to create stockpile of my dreams he he)
*Check expiration dates.
*Keep a tally and stick to the budget.
*Check and double check coupons
*Make sure everything is scanned properly

Wish me luck!

Happily Ever After

When our relationship began,

it felt like we were just us two.

Then as time went on

A little family grew.

I added a dog,

You added a son,

Sometimes we wanted to scream,

Sometimes it was pretty fun.

Then an angel arrived.

A furry gift from above.

Our little girl Maxine,

Filled our house with so much love!

Here we are 3 years later,

And it is still just me and you.

Parents of 3 beautiful children,

And so happy our family grew.

A boy became a man,

A dog became a brother,

Maxine melted Daddy's heart,

As for me..

I became a Mother.

Sometimes life can feel like a fairy tale,

(I really like this chapter!)

I'll keep praying my family keeps living,

Happily ever after.

And A Few More..

Here's a few recipes I have found in magazines I am wanting to try. If you beat me to it,let me know what you think!

Thai Chicken Tacos

http://www.bhg.com/recipe/chicken/thai-chicken-tacos/

Thai Chicken Tacos Prep: 25 minutes

Marinate: 1 hour

Cook: 5 minutes

Ingredients

1 lime, halved

1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breasts or tenders, cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch pieces

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 large shallot, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp. fish sauce

2 tsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce

1/2 to 1 tsp. crushed red pepper

1/2 to 1 tsp. hot chili sauce (such as Sriracha)

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

16 corn tortillas, heated

1 recipe Cabbage Slaw

Directions

1. Juice one lime half (about 1 Tbsp.); cut remaining half in wedges. In bowl stir together chicken, cilantro, shallot, garlic, the 1 Tbsp. lime juice, fish sauce, soy sauce, pepper, and chili sauce. Cover; refrigerate 1 hour. In large skillet cook chicken mixture in hot oil over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked, stirring occasionally.



2. To serve, layer two tortillas. Top with chicken and Cabbage Slaw. Serve with remaining slaw and lime wedges. Makes 4 (2-taco) servings.



Cabbage Slaw: In a bowl toss together 2 cups shredded napa cabbage, 1/2 cup shredded carrot, 1/2 cup sliced green onions, 1/3 cup sliced radishes, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 1/4 cup coarsely chopped peanuts (optional). Add 1/4 cup rice vinegar; toss.



Nutrition Facts

Calories454, Total Fat (g)11, Saturated Fat (g)1, Monounsaturated Fat (g)5, Polyunsaturated Fat (g)4, Cholesterol (mg)66, Sodium (mg)596, Carbohydrate (g)55, Total Sugar (g)4, Fiber (g)9, Protein (g)34, Vitamin C (DV%)54, Calcium (DV%)17, Iron (DV%)18, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet


Watermelon Salad-
http://www.bhg.com/recipe/salads/watermelon-salad/

Watermelon Salad Prep: 25 minutes


Chill: 3 hours
Ingredients

2 envelopes unflavored gelatin

2 cups watermelon juice*

1-1/2 cups white grape juice

1 tsp. shredded lemon peel

1-1/2 cups assorted chopped fruit (such as peeled peaches, nectarines, pears, and/or green grapes)

1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

Mint leaves

Directions

1. in a medium saucepan sprinkle gelatin over watermelon juice. Allow to stand 5 minutes. Cook and stir until gelatin is dissolved. Stir in grape juice and lemon peel.



2. With a ladle or cup transfer half of the watermelon juice mixture to a 2-quart square baking dish. Cover and refrigerate about 1-1/2 hours, or until thickened to the texture of egg whites (keep remaining watermelon juice mixture at room temperature). Add fruit. Carefully spoon remaining watermelon juice over set mixture. Cover and refrigerate 1-1/2 hours more or until all layers are set.



3. Top with feta and mint leaves before serving. Makes 9 servings.



*Puree seeded watermelon chunks in blender; strain to remove any excess pulp.



Nutrition Facts

Calories92, Total Fat (g)1, Saturated Fat (g)1, Cholesterol (mg)5, Sodium (mg)68, Carbohydrate (g)18, Total Sugar (g)16, Fiber (g)1, Protein (g)3, Vitamin C (DV%)38, Calcium (DV%)4, Iron (DV%)2, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet



Potato Cauliflower Salad

http://www.bhg.com/recipe/salads/potato-cauliflower-salad/

Potato-Cauliflower Salad Prep: 25 minutes


Chill: 1 to 24 hours

Microwave: 13 minutes

Ingredients

12 small fingerling or round new potatoes scrubbed

1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-size pieces

1 small onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, sliced

1/3 cup sour cream chive dip

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

2 Tbsp. salad oil

1/4 to 1/3 cup blue cheese

1/4 cup fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley

2 slices bacon, crisp cooked and crumbled

4 crisp breadsticks, broken

Sea salt or salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

1. Arrange potatoes in a single layer in microwave on clean white paper towels. Microcook on 100 percent power (high) for 5 minutes. Turn potatoes, microcook until tender, about 3 minutes more.



2. Place cauliflower and 2 tablespoon water in a 1-1/2 qt. microwave safe casserole. Microcook on 100 percent power (high) for 5 minutes or until crisp tender, stirring once. Drain. Cool slightly.



3. In a large serving bowl combine potatoes, cauliflower, onion and celery. In a small bowl stir together sour cream dip, lemon juice, and salad oil; gently toss with potato mixture and fold in blue cheese. Chill up to 24 hours. Just before serving, top with parsley, bacon, breadsticks, sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Makes 8 to 10 servings.



Nutrition Facts

Calories152, Total Fat (g)7, Saturated Fat (g)2, Monounsaturated Fat (g)3, Polyunsaturated Fat (g)1, Cholesterol (mg)12, Sodium (mg)299, Carbohydrate (g)18, Total Sugar (g)3, Fiber (g)3, Protein (g)5, Vitamin C (DV%)74, Calcium (DV%)7, Iron (DV%)6, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet