Spent a little time organizing today ...etc.

"Hello. My name is Wendy and I'm a pack-rat."
I just spent a good couple of hours purging expired coupon inserts - some dating back as far as September! My store used to take expired coupons and that's why I saved them. I used to be better about organizing though. Every month had their own huge manila envelope so I knew where to begin the hunt for a certain coupon. But alas... I hit a rut and just started throwing them all together -- well not even THAT good. Some were in the car, some were on the table, some were in the trunk with my ALDI box, and some were on the computer table.

Now everything is back together - by month, in envelopes and my recycle bin is FULL of outdated coupons! Whew!

How do I do my coupons?
I cut and paste the coupon database from http://www.couponmom.com/ into a spreadsheet. I can then do a sort for the coupon I need by brand name and I knew what date the insert is in. Typically a flawless idea - unless I used to coupon already -- or the coupon is expired.

Heading to the store --
I hate shopping on Saturdays - however, there are some great ONE DAY ONLY sales today... and now that I have my coupons organized I'll be going with about 20 of them instead of 1 or NONE like I have been doing lately.

Printing --
I printed more envelopes for me to use too. Long and shorts. I use the longs and write my grocery lists on them and store my coupons in there too.

** I heard a rumor that April 1st will be another FREE INK REFILL day at Walgreens. I took advantage of this last time they offered it. You had to wait for a couple of days for it (no one hour) but for free? I can wait.

Back to organizing --
If you could only see my kitchen table -- aka JUNK DRAWER and my computer desk! I guess I can brag because I organized one area... but I've got a LONG way to go!!!

March Budget

Snapshot of my budget with YNAB program

We made a couple of adjustments - mainly with the food budget for a little while. DH has decided to give up brunt of what was his blow money for the grocery budget. He's "getting it" now, I think.

Included also are allowances for an oil change and a hair cut for dh too.

Extra snowball money will be added to the Bank of America card. *notice all the empty spaces in the debt category?? ALL PAID OFF!!*

American Idol - Top 10 Girls

I don't know if it's because I was not feeling so well, but I was pretty bored with the whole show. While nobody really stood out for me, I didn't have any strong dislikes either. The truth of the matter ... I wouldn't buy any of these girl's albums at this point. Second truth be told -- the only AI female that I truly supported and bought her album was Kelly Clarkson!

Asia’h Epperson, “All by Myself” -- She's sick? I thought she was going to cry early on, but she pretty well smoked it in the end.
Brooke White, “You’re So Vain” -- Why does it seem like they are pushing this girl along? It wasn't BAD - but she wasn't mind blowing either.
Ramiele Malubay, “Don’t Leave Me This Way” -- adorable.
Carly Smithson, “Crazy on You” -- okay, this rocked. I still don't like her screaming face though. She looks like she's in pain.
Alexandrea Lushington, “If You Leave Me Now” -- I guess last week was a fluke. She was all over the place tonight. And then to make a comment that "I'm the underdog here." Awwee!
Kristy Lee Cook, “You’re No Good” -- Actually liked this best of the night I think. Not saying a whole lot though -- but between her and Carly as my faves of the evening.
Syesha Mercado, “Me and Mr. Jones” -- Didn't make my head snap like last week, but I'm still a fan.
Alaina Whitaker, “Hopelessly Devoted You” I loved Grease! One of my favorite movies -- but I always DREADED this part of the movie as I CANNOT stand this song!!! Her intro blew my mind because my ds is just like her -- down to the fresh fork thing! LOL
Kady Malloy, “Magic Man” -- If I close my eyes I like her. Her voice is nice -- I just can't get past the looks she gives. She just looks like she would be a diva (not in a good way)
Amanda Overmeyer, “Carry On My Wayward Son” -- I'm over her. This was just wrong. Tell her to change it up ... she changes it up a little bit ... and we beg her to go back. She's not really a good singer unless she's doing her Grace Slick/Janis Joplin voice. She can rock it .. no doubt about it -- but she can do that in a small club somewhere. She'd get to the chorus and I was tilting my head back and forth like it was a Barney tune.

Who I think will leave:
Amanda and Alexandrea

Our Weekly Menu

Well, with everyone in the house with a queazy stomach or worse - I have been saving a fortune in food costs and energy cooking dinner! Want to bet even without eating that I am the only one in this family that WON'T lose weight! LOL

Monday: BRAT DIET (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast)
Tuesday: BRAT DIET (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast)
Wednesday: BRAT DIET (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast)
Thursday: Game Plan is Pan Fried Ravioli (but we'll see who feels like eating)
Friday: Corned Beef and Cabbage ?? (have a feeling we might push this off til next week too)
Saturday: Greek Lemon Chicken Soup with homemade bread
Sunday: Boys on their own for dinner

I didn't post my menu for the last few weeks. Sorry about that. A lot of duplicates from thngs I have made before exccept I did try one of my new E-Mealz recipes from my last week menu list. I have never EVER tried a Tater Tot Casserole before. Just doesn't sound right to me... I dunno. Well I tried their recipe of putting tater tots in a 13x9 baking dish mixing cooked and crumbled ground beef with cream of mushroom soup and an envelope of taco seasoning together and pouring on top of the tater tots and covering with taco cheese and baking. (I made a double batch -- cooked for about an hour) and it tasted REALLY GOOD!

Here's a few meals off of my E-Mealz menu that I got this week.
I have the ANY STORE option.
(I just have to wait to get everyone WELL before I start this.)

Chinese Pot Roast (sounds good - doesn't it?)
Chicken & Cranberry Pan Sauce (oooo I can't wait to try this one!!)
Salsa Sirloin Salad
Ham & Cheese Crescent Roll Ups

I'll keep you updated on how more of these recipes turn out.

American Idol - Top 10 Guys

Who I liked:
David Archuleta, “Imagine” -- he is so joyful and humble! I love him.
David Cook, “All Right Now” -- awesome job. Learn when to keep your mouth shut, boy! His cockiness will be his demise.
David Hernandez, “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” --hated him last week..loved him this week!
Chikezie, “I Believe” -- He was totally into what he was singing tonight!
Michael Johns, “Go Your Own Way” - Believable and consistent.
Danny Noriega, “Superstar” -- I just love this kid's presence here! He's FUN!

Who I didn't like:
Jason Castro, “I Just Want To Be Your Everything” -- Was that intro a cry for "Lemme outa here!!!" or what? Singing is his thing...stardom isn't.
Jason Yeager, “Long Train Running” -- Shouldn't have made it past last week.
Luke Menard, “Killer Queen” -- I love Queen and although this was a wimped out version of Queen... All Hail Freddy Mercury! LOL
Robbie Carrico, “Hot Blooded” -- Rocker? Anybody who has to talk someone into believing they ARE something....ISN'T something. If you ARE -- everyone will know it! Put Robbie next to David Cook and you can see who the ROCKER is.

My vote for going home:
Jason & Jason