So the food stamp question I posted on facebook today REALLY took off. Dozens of comments, all wonderful, educated points of view from different parts of the world. Just a fantastic forum, and discussion, which ended with another passionate friend and I deciding we need to do something. Something along the lines of educating our little town about ways to provide for our families - storing food, saving money, all kinds of things.
I'm very excited. I never expected my original question to lead to doing good. How awesome is that? I am definitely finding in this discussion a challenge. A challenge to find recipes for families - NORMAL recipes - that are low cost, high benefit. And I'll post them. To help share, and teach.
So thank you to social media - for providing a venue for our little forum on social assistance. Maybe great things will come of this day!
Monday, May 14, 2012
living on a weekly grocery budget...
So watching a morning show today, they were discussing how a family of four on food stamps ONLY gets 124$/week for food. I have to say, that I am a little shocked that they feel that is not adequate for a family that size.
When I was working, I probably spent upwards of 80-90$ a week, because I was buying a few more convenience foods, and I think we wasted more because I wasn't as organized. And that was with two teenagers at home.
Now that I am a stay-at-home mother, and only have the teenage son at home, I spend anywhere from 40-50$ per week. And we eat WELL. I am a foodie, so we are eating full meals at night, which also provide leftovers for lunches. I am cooking from scratch, which makes a huge difference, something I can do because I am at home.
I shop carefully. I plan menus based on weekly specials. I buy what is on sale, and that determines my meals. When staples are on sale, I stock up, so I don't have to pay full price when I need them. I cook enough at meals to pack lunches the next day, saving us additional money. I clip coupons for our basics.
I couldn't imagine what amount of groceries 124$ would buy for a week. This week I did major stock up shopping, and only spent 140$. And that included two large bags of frozen chicken breasts, 4 bottles of salad dressing, etc., the staples that were on sale. It also included food for my son's birthday party (an 8$ industrial can of nacho cheese, 6$ industrial salsa, five bags of chips, two packages of oreos, and three 12 packs of soda.) Next week's shopping will consist of milk, eggs, and produce, maybe 15 or 20$. And probably the week after as well, with all that I purchased this week.
So I am going to spend close attention to what I spend. Make sure I'm not completely off base.
Weekly, we go through:
Milk - 3 gallons - 12$ (we don't got through quite 3... more like 2.5..)
Eggs - 1 dozen - $1.49
I will start to track costs per meal, etc., just to see. I'm really curious.
Tonight's dinner is 1.51 per person - so a family of four - would be about 6$ - for an amazing meal of meatball sub bake and salad. :-)
When I was working, I probably spent upwards of 80-90$ a week, because I was buying a few more convenience foods, and I think we wasted more because I wasn't as organized. And that was with two teenagers at home.
Now that I am a stay-at-home mother, and only have the teenage son at home, I spend anywhere from 40-50$ per week. And we eat WELL. I am a foodie, so we are eating full meals at night, which also provide leftovers for lunches. I am cooking from scratch, which makes a huge difference, something I can do because I am at home.
I shop carefully. I plan menus based on weekly specials. I buy what is on sale, and that determines my meals. When staples are on sale, I stock up, so I don't have to pay full price when I need them. I cook enough at meals to pack lunches the next day, saving us additional money. I clip coupons for our basics.
I couldn't imagine what amount of groceries 124$ would buy for a week. This week I did major stock up shopping, and only spent 140$. And that included two large bags of frozen chicken breasts, 4 bottles of salad dressing, etc., the staples that were on sale. It also included food for my son's birthday party (an 8$ industrial can of nacho cheese, 6$ industrial salsa, five bags of chips, two packages of oreos, and three 12 packs of soda.) Next week's shopping will consist of milk, eggs, and produce, maybe 15 or 20$. And probably the week after as well, with all that I purchased this week.
So I am going to spend close attention to what I spend. Make sure I'm not completely off base.
Weekly, we go through:
Milk - 3 gallons - 12$ (we don't got through quite 3... more like 2.5..)
Eggs - 1 dozen - $1.49
I will start to track costs per meal, etc., just to see. I'm really curious.
Tonight's dinner is 1.51 per person - so a family of four - would be about 6$ - for an amazing meal of meatball sub bake and salad. :-)
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
dirty hands....
Oh, HOW I LOVE GETTING MY HANDS DIRTY.
...And today was one of those days!
Still healing the broken rib, I can't do too much. But I have lots of flower beds, herb gardens, and borders that need initial weeding. So I pulled out my gloves and knee pad, and picked a bed. And then...
I GOT DIRTY.
Oh, how I love digging in the dirt, pulling weeds, taming perennials. With most of the spring flowers done (only paperwhites remain), and the early summer (Iris, peony) starting to show, and some bloom, it is a good time to dig in. We've had rain for the last three days, so the weeds came out easy, no straining needed.
I think I spent over an hour out there weeding, which is nothing compared to my normal, but a GREAT start getting back to life. I can feel the muscles in my chest a bit more, but nothing I can't tolerate, and I'm narcotic-free, so that is a good sign!
Just heard the forecast for tomorrow - another gorgeous day - so I'm hoping to finish that particular flower bed (my largest). Started with the hardest part today, so it's definitely a possibility!
Another one of my Blessings of my new life - I've got time to do a little gardening every day, enjoying every moment, instead of trying to fit it in after a ten hour day at work, angry that I have too much to do.
man i love getting dirty......
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
A letter to a most amazing woman
Six years ago tomorrow, you left this world, to begin your next life... your suffering ended, your pain subsided, and you found peace.
Know how much I still miss you mom, wish you were here to share my days. So much has happened since you've been gone, some good, some so hard. Many so amazing.
I think about you every day. I cry for you so often. Not because I'm sad, because I know that you are in a better place. But because I miss you. I only had you for 36 years. So much of my life I don't get to share with you. And for that, I cry. Selfish tears, I guess, but true.
I love you. I miss you. I always will. I look to the day when I get to see you again.
Love, your daughter
Know how much I still miss you mom, wish you were here to share my days. So much has happened since you've been gone, some good, some so hard. Many so amazing.
I think about you every day. I cry for you so often. Not because I'm sad, because I know that you are in a better place. But because I miss you. I only had you for 36 years. So much of my life I don't get to share with you. And for that, I cry. Selfish tears, I guess, but true.
I love you. I miss you. I always will. I look to the day when I get to see you again.
Love, your daughter
Sunday, May 6, 2012
A lesson on humility
I am not good at being "needy". I don't like having to ask for favors. I don't like being dependent on others. So being sick for 6 weeks, then having the car accident, has been a trial. One I am sure God has intended for me for a long time.
Today I had to find a ride for my son and I to our dentist appointment. I had lined up a couple of options without specific times, and when the times came up, it just didn't work. So I sucked it up, and put out an SOS - asking for a chauffeur. I instantly had three options. Just like that, three friends offering up their services to take my son and I. Without question.
When talking with the first responder, setting up times, I mentioned that asking for help is hard for me, and she simply answered, "It's hard to ask, but it shouldn't be."
What a perfect way to put it. We are all so willing to help others, and scoff at thank-you's. It's what we do. We take care of each other. So why is it so hard to be on the OTHER side of the questioning? Why does it feel awkward to ask for help back?
I know my friends. I know they would do anything for me, and I for them. And yet I feel strange asking. She said it perfectly. "It's hard to ask, but it shouldn't be."
We all need to learn that it's OK to lean on each other. We are meant to give AND take. That's how it works. That's how we roll.
So I learned a great lesson today, from an amazing lady, who tomorrow, will be my chauffeur. Can't wait to spend the time with her. Don't forget people.
"It's hard to ask, but it shouldn't be!"
Today I had to find a ride for my son and I to our dentist appointment. I had lined up a couple of options without specific times, and when the times came up, it just didn't work. So I sucked it up, and put out an SOS - asking for a chauffeur. I instantly had three options. Just like that, three friends offering up their services to take my son and I. Without question.
When talking with the first responder, setting up times, I mentioned that asking for help is hard for me, and she simply answered, "It's hard to ask, but it shouldn't be."
What a perfect way to put it. We are all so willing to help others, and scoff at thank-you's. It's what we do. We take care of each other. So why is it so hard to be on the OTHER side of the questioning? Why does it feel awkward to ask for help back?
I know my friends. I know they would do anything for me, and I for them. And yet I feel strange asking. She said it perfectly. "It's hard to ask, but it shouldn't be."
We all need to learn that it's OK to lean on each other. We are meant to give AND take. That's how it works. That's how we roll.
So I learned a great lesson today, from an amazing lady, who tomorrow, will be my chauffeur. Can't wait to spend the time with her. Don't forget people.
"It's hard to ask, but it shouldn't be!"
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Woman (+God) vs. Tree
Tuesday was one of those days when you KNOW that God has His hand on your shoulder, guiding you...
Driving home from a day of errands, I ended up behind someone driving OH SO SLOW. So I decided to take a completely out of the way detour, a road that has always been one of my favorites - over the bluff. A beautiful drive.
Just about to the bluff, I started to cough. I've been sick for about 6 weeks with this cough, and have had many episodes where the coughing causes me to pass out. Feeling this, I immediately started to slow.
The next thing I knew, I was staring at trees. It took me a few seconds to get my bearing, to understand what had happened. I was sitting in the middle of some trees, having gone off the road. I immediately began to cry.. I still really didn't understand the scope of what had happened. But I knew enough to find my cell phone and call for help.
Being in the middle of nowhere, my call woudln't go through. So I texted a friend, explaining that i needed help, and that I couldn't get through to 911. No sooner had I done that, when the emergency dispatch called me. I tried to explain what had happened, and she sent help.
I found my glasses, only to realize I was trapped in the front - trees blocking both doors. I put the seat back, climbed over, and got out the back door. As soon as I was out, a man driving by stopped to help. He waited with me for a bit - but I was actually ok - and I sent him on his way.
911 then called back. They couldn't find me. Was I really far off the road? No - they just need to keep going south. In the meantime, many others stopped to help me, but we waived them on. Help was on the way.
Once the EMTs got there, they stablized my neck and started asking tons of questions. Have to say - every one of the EMTs, the State trooper, and all of the ER staff were really amazing. I get why people put those letters of thanks in the paper. After a few hours in the ER, a CT scan, xrays, and lots of poking and prodding, the prognosis was ridiculously good. One broken rib, a contusionon my sternum, and lots of bruises and abrasions. That is it. I was so lucky.
After getting my meds, and cleaning out the car, my hubby and I drove past the accident scene. Seeing how small a space my car went through, missing the two larger trees, scared me. But also reassured me. There is no way that without God's hand on the steering wheel I could have come out so unharmed. The bark of the tree on the right side was ripped off. The tree on the left ripped off the mirror. I did hit both trees - the front right of the car was demolished - and the left side is smashed in, along with the driver's window. But I didn't hit head on. I basically slid in between the two.
Why did I leave the busy highway - and take the back road. (Think of crossing in front of traffic.... would have been devastating). And how did my car nestle itself in between the big trees? Only the hand of God. He must have greater things for me to do here on earth. He's not ready for me yet. And I am so thankful.
God is great.
Driving home from a day of errands, I ended up behind someone driving OH SO SLOW. So I decided to take a completely out of the way detour, a road that has always been one of my favorites - over the bluff. A beautiful drive.
Just about to the bluff, I started to cough. I've been sick for about 6 weeks with this cough, and have had many episodes where the coughing causes me to pass out. Feeling this, I immediately started to slow.
The next thing I knew, I was staring at trees. It took me a few seconds to get my bearing, to understand what had happened. I was sitting in the middle of some trees, having gone off the road. I immediately began to cry.. I still really didn't understand the scope of what had happened. But I knew enough to find my cell phone and call for help.
Being in the middle of nowhere, my call woudln't go through. So I texted a friend, explaining that i needed help, and that I couldn't get through to 911. No sooner had I done that, when the emergency dispatch called me. I tried to explain what had happened, and she sent help.
I found my glasses, only to realize I was trapped in the front - trees blocking both doors. I put the seat back, climbed over, and got out the back door. As soon as I was out, a man driving by stopped to help. He waited with me for a bit - but I was actually ok - and I sent him on his way.
911 then called back. They couldn't find me. Was I really far off the road? No - they just need to keep going south. In the meantime, many others stopped to help me, but we waived them on. Help was on the way.
Once the EMTs got there, they stablized my neck and started asking tons of questions. Have to say - every one of the EMTs, the State trooper, and all of the ER staff were really amazing. I get why people put those letters of thanks in the paper. After a few hours in the ER, a CT scan, xrays, and lots of poking and prodding, the prognosis was ridiculously good. One broken rib, a contusionon my sternum, and lots of bruises and abrasions. That is it. I was so lucky.
After getting my meds, and cleaning out the car, my hubby and I drove past the accident scene. Seeing how small a space my car went through, missing the two larger trees, scared me. But also reassured me. There is no way that without God's hand on the steering wheel I could have come out so unharmed. The bark of the tree on the right side was ripped off. The tree on the left ripped off the mirror. I did hit both trees - the front right of the car was demolished - and the left side is smashed in, along with the driver's window. But I didn't hit head on. I basically slid in between the two.
Why did I leave the busy highway - and take the back road. (Think of crossing in front of traffic.... would have been devastating). And how did my car nestle itself in between the big trees? Only the hand of God. He must have greater things for me to do here on earth. He's not ready for me yet. And I am so thankful.
God is great.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
"tech baby"
I've had a few topics I want to write about floating in my head, and now I'll have a little more time to write, so I'm digging in! Today - we will discuss my re-birth as a "tech baby".
Working in corporate America for 19 years, I came to adore my IT department. I was what they called a "high end" user - meaning they could typically talk me through any issues. But they were THERE to talk me through them. They were only four digits away. A simple call. And voila - they would fix my problems!
I AM the IT department now. And I am not a good IT department. This week I have been tested more than once, and it gave me a great reason to laugh at myself. Maybe it will give you a giggle too! So grab a cup of coffee or tea, or a glass of wine if you choose, and sit back to enjoy my humility at trying to weave my way through technology!
One of the jobs that I now have is as a consultant, which includes writing procedures and training manuals. Something I adore. I had been using a free trial of the Microsoft Office suite for the last two months, and this week it was time to purchase and download my copy. Easy, right?
Day one of the challenge. Tried to order. Screwed up. Tried a second time and it added a second copy. Tried and third time which ended up putting a fraud block on my credit card that took two phone calls to fix. breathe.
Day two of the challenge. Able to purchase the product - victory #1~ - and download. 1 hr. and 29 minutes to download. After it's complete, I open up word, and it tells me my trial has ended. Would you like to purchase? REALLY? Ugh. That first time I'd chosen to "save" the program, so I figured I should have chosen "run". Take two - 1 hr. 29 minutes to download. No problem. Download is finished, open up work and it tells me "your trial has ended, would you like to purchase?" WHAT?????? So the third option of course is to "run and save". Third time is the charm, right. 1 hr. 29 minutes to download. Go to open word and it says, YOU GUESSED IT, "your trial has ended, would you like to purchase?". AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH.
At this point, I was spent. I looked all over my files to find the "new" copy. Finally I opened the help menu (always a last effort for me - find it more confusing than helpful), where I find that when it asks me if I'd like to purchase, if I say yes, it will open a menu allowing me to enter my product key and configure my new program. ONE CLICK. I was ONE CLICK away. But the happy thing is - I have successfully downloaded and used my program. And I only wasted 4 1/2 hours doing it. oye.
But my tech week doesn't end there! My DD (a sophomore in college) has been encouraging me to join Twitter. For whatever reason, I decided this was the week. Set up my account, followed a couple of friends I found, even set them up so I could get mobile alerts to their tweets. NO SWEAT. Decided to check out who my friend was following, as she is much more "wired" than I, and from her site was able to follow some too - some TV shows, famous people, etc. Cool. Wasn't sure why I was doing this - but hey, it's Twitter. Everyone is doing it.
Saw the Weather Channel on there. COOL. Automatic weather alerts. I'm a storm freak - this would be right up my alley! So I turned on the mobile alerts - and headed into town. And then my phone started going off. About all kinds of things - someone's 30 year anniversary on TWC? And then people were tweeting on that tweet. All these congratulations tweets. Not a single one about the weather! And I wasn't at home - so I couldn't get them to stop! It was hours before I was home and could log on and turn OFF the mobile alerts. After DOZENS of messages. ugh.
Last night I was in the ER after an accident, and had my phone off. WOW. Filled up my inbox the minute I turned it on - with all of the non-essesntial tweet notifications. So I need to figure out what is important. What I care about.
Had a fun conversation with a friend last night - asking me if I was tweeting "daily words of wisdom" or if she would need to be on twitter to stay up with my life. I simply answered "I have no idea what to tweet".
I have to decide what my Twitter account will become. But I don't have time for it right now. To be honest, I'm kind of exhausted by the whole tech thing. I need a nap!
Working in corporate America for 19 years, I came to adore my IT department. I was what they called a "high end" user - meaning they could typically talk me through any issues. But they were THERE to talk me through them. They were only four digits away. A simple call. And voila - they would fix my problems!
I AM the IT department now. And I am not a good IT department. This week I have been tested more than once, and it gave me a great reason to laugh at myself. Maybe it will give you a giggle too! So grab a cup of coffee or tea, or a glass of wine if you choose, and sit back to enjoy my humility at trying to weave my way through technology!
One of the jobs that I now have is as a consultant, which includes writing procedures and training manuals. Something I adore. I had been using a free trial of the Microsoft Office suite for the last two months, and this week it was time to purchase and download my copy. Easy, right?
Day one of the challenge. Tried to order. Screwed up. Tried a second time and it added a second copy. Tried and third time which ended up putting a fraud block on my credit card that took two phone calls to fix. breathe.
Day two of the challenge. Able to purchase the product - victory #1~ - and download. 1 hr. and 29 minutes to download. After it's complete, I open up word, and it tells me my trial has ended. Would you like to purchase? REALLY? Ugh. That first time I'd chosen to "save" the program, so I figured I should have chosen "run". Take two - 1 hr. 29 minutes to download. No problem. Download is finished, open up work and it tells me "your trial has ended, would you like to purchase?" WHAT?????? So the third option of course is to "run and save". Third time is the charm, right. 1 hr. 29 minutes to download. Go to open word and it says, YOU GUESSED IT, "your trial has ended, would you like to purchase?". AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH.
At this point, I was spent. I looked all over my files to find the "new" copy. Finally I opened the help menu (always a last effort for me - find it more confusing than helpful), where I find that when it asks me if I'd like to purchase, if I say yes, it will open a menu allowing me to enter my product key and configure my new program. ONE CLICK. I was ONE CLICK away. But the happy thing is - I have successfully downloaded and used my program. And I only wasted 4 1/2 hours doing it. oye.
But my tech week doesn't end there! My DD (a sophomore in college) has been encouraging me to join Twitter. For whatever reason, I decided this was the week. Set up my account, followed a couple of friends I found, even set them up so I could get mobile alerts to their tweets. NO SWEAT. Decided to check out who my friend was following, as she is much more "wired" than I, and from her site was able to follow some too - some TV shows, famous people, etc. Cool. Wasn't sure why I was doing this - but hey, it's Twitter. Everyone is doing it.
Saw the Weather Channel on there. COOL. Automatic weather alerts. I'm a storm freak - this would be right up my alley! So I turned on the mobile alerts - and headed into town. And then my phone started going off. About all kinds of things - someone's 30 year anniversary on TWC? And then people were tweeting on that tweet. All these congratulations tweets. Not a single one about the weather! And I wasn't at home - so I couldn't get them to stop! It was hours before I was home and could log on and turn OFF the mobile alerts. After DOZENS of messages. ugh.
Last night I was in the ER after an accident, and had my phone off. WOW. Filled up my inbox the minute I turned it on - with all of the non-essesntial tweet notifications. So I need to figure out what is important. What I care about.
Had a fun conversation with a friend last night - asking me if I was tweeting "daily words of wisdom" or if she would need to be on twitter to stay up with my life. I simply answered "I have no idea what to tweet".
I have to decide what my Twitter account will become. But I don't have time for it right now. To be honest, I'm kind of exhausted by the whole tech thing. I need a nap!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)