Loving Home

Last night we were under a tornado watch just south and west of us.  This morning we saw considerable damage to at least 8 businesses about five miles from us.  The storm went right over us but we were blessed with no damage this time.  One of the businesses damaged was my chiropractors office and the car wash that we go too.  A section of town had no power for about three to three and half hours including the restaurant that my son works at.  He lost four hours of work last night but at least he was safe.

After seeing the doctor this week I realized that I need to make a lot of changes.  We need to change the way we eat radically.  My blood glucose numbers are way too high and I need to be proactive to change that.  My problem is mainly snack foods.  I also need to work on portion control.  I will start weighing and measuring everything.  Also next week I will look into Sports Com to see what they offer swimming wise and exercise classes.  I have started walking more with Snowball everyday.  I need to start trying more like twice a day but once a day is better than I was doing.  I will write more later.  They are talking about tornadoes on the tv.

ok,  I have been postponing writing this because I am sure that I have gone over budget.  Just not thinking on my part.  Well here it is: March 21 Kroger:  tortillas and cheese $2.40 March 23 Kroger: 2 boxes Ritz crackers 3 12pk of soda something else that I can not read $15.78 March 27 Kroger: 2 bags tortilla chips 1 gallon skim milk 2 boxes Crystal Light  laughing cow cheese 3 boxes fruit and grain breakfast bars (for dh) Pam spray sunflower seeds 2 cans lite peaches 3 cans lite fruit cocktail 3 cans lite mandarin oranges bath tissue 2 cans spaghetti sauce 2 pks Extra gum hot dogs 2 pks sliced ham (marked down) 10 pks ground round (marked down) $63.58 March 28 Kroger: 1 large vanilla pudding 2 bags rice cakes 2 lemons 3lbs apples $7.40 Grand Total:  $90.00 leftover for month: $38.96 WOW !!!!!!  I thought I was over.  I am sure I have missed some receipts because I only have $22 and change in my grocery envelope.  Either way I have done better than I thought.

I have run to the store two more times since I last posted and I am trying to keep up with it so I am going to post here with it.  Publix 1 bag of spinach  (for school animals) 1 bag Lay's Kettle chips (dh asked for them) Total:  $5.50 Today at Publix I 6pk roll of Charmin 2 boxes Eggo Waffles (they were on a really good sale) Dawn dish soap I reusable bag (got for free after coupon) Total:  $9.51 Total spent so far in March:  $71.04 left for the month:  $128.96 I think I am doing well since it is the 12th of the month already.  I know the Eggo's were a splurge but I wanted something different for breakfast.

ok,  I was able to find a little bit more money in the budget for groceries so I have $200 instead of $146.  I did my first shop this morning. I got from Krogers: 4 12pk of caffiene free diet Pepsi kroger brand cherrios dish soap  dishwasher soap 2 boxes instant oatmeal 2 bags tortilla chips 2 boxes of popcorn 1 tub of low fat vanilla yogurt 1 pkg hot dogs romaine lettuce hearts green leaf lettuce  hot dog buns hamburger buns 1 loaf of bread 1 dozen eggs extra sugar free gum 1 green bell pepper mushrooms 2.39 lb of green grapes pkg of radishes 3 lb of apples 2.37 lb of bananas Total was :  $56.03 left for the month:  $143.97

Ok,  as I said in my last post Feb. has been a hard month for us.  I have decided that I need to set goals for March so I can get the bills paid. ~smile~ 1.  Groceries and eating out - we eat out way too much.  We need to limit eating out to pay days only. We look at this as our date night but truthfully we eat a lot of our meals with just the two of us now.  Ian is working nights and Rachel is still away at school.  Maybe we need to eliminate this until Rachel gets home at least.  Groceries is another issue.  I have a lot of food in the house and if I would take the time I could make it work.  I only have $146 budget for food for March.  That is for both categories.  I have to work hard to make it work better. 2.  Utilities - these were double what I was expecting except for water.  We need to do better with  wasteful use of our electric and gas.  Water stays about the same when Rachel is not home.  When she is home it increases about $10 a month.  I need to go around shutting off lig...

ok,  I can't believe that it is Feb. 28th already.  Where is the year going already.  I can't wait for the weather to make up its mind.  We have freezing ice on day and then by the weekend it is almost 70.  My trees are starting to bud and tonight we have a winter weather advisory.  See what I mean.  This month has been stressful financially.  We purchased a new car as ours was about to start costing us alot for a used car that was never right very soon after we bought it.  So we purchased a 2008 Kia Rondo.  I like it and it sits higher so it is easier for me to get in and out of.  Between that and our parent loan starting its payments this month it has been a juggling act.  Hopefully March will be better.