I'm Back In "Normal" Mode Now

The frog just won't turn into a prince, so, I am home and on my own again. It's a relief, really. I'm an old maid, I'm pretty stuck in my ways, and I'm probably a whole lot better off being at home by myself. Let's just say it was a wild Six Flags ride. It's fun while you're riding, but, when you get off, you are dizzy and sick.

I did some pretty serious coupon shopping today, but, the cat food brought my % way down. All the typical Memorial Day items were on a great sale at my store, add to that double coupons, and wham! I'm back in the game again.

I don't know what to do about the layout on this site. It seems to be permanently broken. That being said, here are my year-to-date totals.

Spent: $311.43
Cpns, etc.: $644.86
% Saved: 67%

The boyfriend turned out to be a no-go, but, I learned a few cooking tips from him. He takes a box of Suddenly Salad, adds some olive oil, mayo, and Caeser salad dressing, throw in some crab meat, and you've got a great dish.

I think I mentioned this already, but, he used 2 envies of the fake crab meat, added Italian bread crumbs and an egg, and made the most incredible crab cakes. Oh, yum!

He could probably make a gourmet meal out of Spam and crackers! I know I told you about the shrimp, mussels, penne pasta, and broccoli. Everything came right out of the freezer and was the easiest thing to make. He is a master at using the correct seasonings and spices to a dish. I guess the thing I'm going to miss most about the relationship is the great meals he made for me.

I wonder, could you do the same thing with an envie of tuna using an egg and bread crumbs, and still have something delicious? I don't think I have any Italian bread crumbs in the pantry, but, I process stale bread and keep it in the freezer for bread crumbs. What would you add to it to make it "Italian" bread crumbs? I'm thinking some oregano, but, I don't know what else to add. Parsley? Anybody got any ideas on how to turn my homemade bread crumbs into something spectacular?

The "empty egg cartons for eggs" deal is working out well. If you live near a flea market, especially something "out in the country", you might just be able to find a chicken farmer to trade with. So, you find someone with laying hens and you offer to trade. What's the worst thing that could happen? He/she might say no. You haven't lost a thing by asking. I guess you could find the same thing at a farmer's market, too. I really like bartering. You just have to think outside the box to be able to trade what you have, or what you can do, for something of value from another. In the current economy, I would think that there is a lot more bartering going on.

I have to brag a bit. I went to CVS Pharmacy today with $4 in ECB and a coupon for Old Spice body wash B1G1F. I got back $8 in ECB. Not bad! I've pretty much quit shopping at Walgreens. After they ended their rebate program, I just couldn't find enough things I needed or wanted to earn Register Rewards.

Well, I'm slipping way below what I wanted in % saved. I was really trying to stay at about 70-72% in savings, but, have dropped to 67% now. I know, I know, that is still pretty good, but, I think I can do better. I don't figure in the value of my free eggs. Maybe I could do that. Well, it doesn't matter. I know what I'm saving and that's the main thing.

Homework for all my readers. I need some summertime recipes for tuna. I'm awash in it and need to pump up my protein intake as well. When I'm not getting enough protein, my hair falls out. True. My nutritionist told me.