The Blog Continues!

I would like to keep in touch with you through this blog. I won't be talking about coupons and grocery deals too much. Rick is the shopper, chef, and all around meal planner here now.

I think I may have mentioned to you some weeks back that Rick was building an observation platform, or a deck, if you will, in my side yard. It is now complete. It stands about 9 feet high in front, but, due to the steep incline of my yard, sits on the ground in back. It's a big 12'X12' area. We have a dining table with 3 chairs, my hammock chair, a couple of sling chairs, a grill, and a deck box. We carpeted it, too. We really enjoy it in the evening and have our cocktails out there. The cats like it, too. They like to walk the bannister all around and look out over the street.

I've had a bit of a hard time in using coupons since Rick has been here. First of all, I have other responsibilities and can't spend hours clipping, sorting, filing, putting into the database on HCW and such things. Oh, how your priorities change when there is someone else in the house! Anyway, Rick is the type who can't be bothered with .50 off a jar of Ragu. That said, I got his attention a week or so ago. CVS had some P&G products on sale, plus, $10 ECB back when you spent $25 on select items. I bought 2 large packages of bath tissue and some batteries. I had something like $15 in ECB and coupons, used a free gift card for the balance, and received a $10 ECB. When I got home, he nearly flipped when he saw the rolls and rolls of paper. I explained the whole deal to him and he said, "You mean you got all this and didn't spend a penny?" Righto. Maybe I'm starting to get through to him.

The tomatoes are all gone now. The last few weeks, the bell peppers had been rotting on the vine. In all, though, I guess we gave away about 100 pounds after Dad died. Sometimes, when I think about the homeless population and how many people are going hungry, just in my city, it's almost overwhelming.

My paper didn't have any coupons in it today. I've noticed that it happens from time to time, but, my mother gets them in her paper. I think my carrier is stiffing me on the coupons!

I'm Discontinuing My Grocery Challenge

Since Rick has moved in, he does all the grocery shopping and cooking. I have little input in the process. It just doesn't seem fair to present to you my stockpile use or my coupon use when someone else is "in charge."

As of last month, I had only spent (and I include Rick's spending) a bit over $500 for all grocery and related items. I'm well within the $1,000 limit I imposed at the first of the year. I have recently given away about $1,000 of my stockpile to the rescue mission.

Thank you all for reading. Thanks especially for your thoughts and prayers while my dad was sick and the aftermath. I think I told you that Rick and I picked tomatoes for a month after my dad departed and donated them to homeless shelters. That is my tribute to Dad.

It's Hard Getting Back To "Normal"

I hope you understand that it is hard getting back to my normal routine. My step-mother doesn't drive and she has her brother to care for. He is no longer able to drive, so, I take them to the doctor 3-4 times a week. It leaves no time for blogging or coupon hunting or double couponing or anything.

Rick has been an enormous help to me. My dad did not approve of me living with someone with whom I am not married, but, one of the last things he said to me was that he was glad I wasn't lonely anymore. That's about all the acceptance I could hope for.

I did find a couple of Bi-Lo catalinas to share with you.

Green Giant boxed veggies:
Purchase between 9/6/10 and 10/3/10.
Buy 4, get $1.00 OYNO
Buy 6, get $2.00 OYNO
Buy 8 or more, get $3.00 OYNO.

Smart source has some Qs for the veggies. Waiting for a BOGOF at Bi-Lo to cash in.


Friskies brand wet cat food:
Purchase between 9/10/10 and 10/3/10.
Buy 12, get $1.00 OYNO
Buy 24, get $2.00 OYNO
Buy 36 or more, get $3.00 OYNO

We (Rick and I) agreed to use up more stockpile. We do pretty well some days, some days we graze at the grocery store. We have given over $1,000 to charity in the past few weeks. It feels good to give it away, although, to tell you the truth, I have some emotional attachments to some of the groceries! Weird, I know.

I don't have the year-to-date totals in front of me right now, but, I am well within my $1,000 goal for the year. I know I will make it. There's just too much stuff in the house to fail!

Again, thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. It is odd to me that I don't pick up the phone and see a call from my dad. I guess it will just take time to get over it. In my dad's memory, Rick and I pick his tomatoes once or twice a week and take them to the homeless shelter in town. I know he would not like to see them rot on the vine.

My Dad Passed This Week

Bill exited this mortal coil to enter eternity on Monday, August 16, 2010. He fought pancreatic cancer for over 18 months. He was only bedfast for 5 days before he died.

My boyfriend picked out a new dress for me, accessorized me, and even offered to do my makeup, but, that I thought I could do on my own! He really knows how to do everything except maybe brain surgery. He prepared a feast for the family for an "after funeral" meal. He's won over everyone in the family.

I've made Rick promise to try to use up more stockpile in the near future and stay out of the grocery store. He has agreed to use up my stuff. Really, he has to; he wants the stockpile out of the house. He has plans for the two rooms I use for it. I've really allowed the couponing and stockpiling to take over my life and I need to get some order back.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers while my dad was sick. I know the difference between friends and acquaintances. Anyone who prayed for my dad is my friend, even if I've never met you in person.

Missing In Action

I'm sorry that I have not posted in so long. I'm sure you have all lost interest by now. I've had major changes in my life, some good. I am now living with a man, something I haven't done in over 30 years. The great news? He's a chef! He can make a 7 course meal out of spam and crackers. We have feasted for the past week on all kinds of creations from sea scallops and shrimp. Needless to say, I'm not doing too much shopping anymore. He knows what he wants and goes for it. My dad is supplying us with endless tomatoes and bell peppers. Rick makes miracles even out of that.

My dad is not doing well. He is near the end, I suspect. He can no longer eat or tend to his tomatoes. We went to the flea market 2 Saturdays ago and he slept in the car for most of the day. I will miss him so much, but, what I really want for him is an easy transition from this life to the next. He will be 79 this Friday. His dad lived to be 99.

Life is a lot different here these days. I have been an "old maid" for many, many years and thought I would never let anyone into my life. Truth to tell, the compromises have been easier than I would have thought possible. Rick is really good to me and he has done a lot of needed things around the house that I had just become blind to. I'm happy to have him in my life.

I haven't been searching for any good deals to pass along to you for quite some time. I've let you down, I know. I would happily pass on Rick's recipes except that he doesn't use any and just makes things out of what is available. His dishes don't turn out exactly the same every time, but, they are always good. I'm just happy that all I have to do is wash the dishes.

Once we get into a routine around here and I'm able to get back into couponing and searching for deals, I will post more. Thank you for your kind attention and all the great comments I have received from many of you.

Surprise! The Frog Turned Into A Prince

The frog can cook like dammit. He has shown his true colors recently and I think he is a prince. Remember, I'm an old maid and don't care much for "the dance." That said, I think I'll stick with this one for a while. I talked to his mother today and she told me things that he has said about me that he hasn't shared with me. I think he might be a keeper.

Last week, he grilled a meatloaf that I am just now enjoying. He combined ketchup with orange marmalaide for the topping. I don't know what else he put in it, but, I'm telling you, it was fantastic! The man can make a 7 course meal with Spam and crackers.

I've got some salmon in the fridge that defrosted and I need to cook it in a day or two. I don't know much about that except to stick it in the oven. Any help? I was thinking of stuffing it with rice, but, I don't know how to do that. O.K. I admit it. I'm a dunce in the kitchen. It's great that I have my readers to help me along.

I think that on Monday, I will start calling the 800# on the packages in my house. If it worked for my friend, it should work for me, right? I can't believe that a newbie taught me that trick.

I'm The Recipient Of A Bounty Of Groceries

A friend moved this week and left all fridge food for me. My refrigerator and freezer are overflowing. If I dare enter a grocery store in the next 2-3 weeks, you all have my permission to beat me with a stick!

My dad is getting more frail, but, refuses to give up. He tends to his tomatoes every day. He's made a new top for his trailer, painted it, and installed it himself. That's in anticipation of selling tomatoes at the flea market this summer. What a guy!

I have a new pet. My friend couldn't take the dog to the new residence, so, I now have a miniature pincer. She's a sweet girl and minds well. Of course, you all know that I have almost a dozen cats. It's going to take a bit of time to work all this out.

A friend of mine told me something that, quite frankly, I'd never thought of. She said she went through the house, looking at various food and cleaning products, called the 800# on the package, and asked for coupons. She said that it worked about 90% of the time. She received high value and free coupons for several things. It's just so simple and I never thought of it! Worse, she didn't know a coupon from a camel until she met me and I introduced her to the concept of double coupons at Bi-Lo. I know I'm going to get comments from several of you telling me you already figured this out and where has Vicki been!