This summer has seen me very busy!! Thanks to our less than stellar financial circumstances, and the in ability of me being able to get a job due to lack of transportation I started couponing. No I am not "Extreme couponing" Sure I like getting stuff for free or really cheap, but there is no need for me to have a wall of paper products or scores of cleaning supplies that even my children wouldn't be able to use up in their lifetime. We do have a stockpile of cereal and some canned goods. Our freezer is full, but every item I bought I will use. The first rule of couponing is "just because you have a coupon for it doesn't mean you need it." I won't just buy a product because I have a coupon for it, and I still compare prices of all similar items. Yes I have used coupons to try new products, and to buy some splurges for my family. Between using coupons, shopping the ads, and going to different stores I save roughly $200 a month.
Thankfully my husband now has a new job. He is no longer a shift manager at a fast food joint, he is now a steel worker. This is a job he has done before, it's a pretty dirty job, but he takes pride in his work and is much happier. He works nights now, but I have my kitties to keep me company! Honestly I have adjusted better than I thought I would!
Our Baby Faelyn is now a year old! She has 8 teeth and is practicing standing on her own. She communicates more everyday!! I still think her first word is going to be "Doggie" Kiara, our oldest, is now in 2nd grade. We have been having some issues with her taking her Adderall for ADHD and she tends to not bring papers home from school. We are trying to be patient with her and teach her the importance of her medicine. Serenity started Kindergarten and just loves it! So far she has gotten green everyday which means she is staying out of trouble!
In June we took our first family vacation to Texas! The girls flew on a plane for the first time and they all did great! We stayed with my in-laws and went to the Robb family reunion. It was all so much fun! There is a big part of me that wants to move down there because Ben's family actually DOES things like play cards and have cookouts. My Mom isn't treating her depression so that among other reasons we don't get together with my family except for major holidays.
My best friend Mama Homesteader gave me a dehydrator so I have been playing around with that. So far I have dehydrated banana chips and blueberries. Next I am going to try strawberries then my basil and thyme. Plus apple picking season is here, so those too are on my list!
My husband still issues me cooking challenges which I greatly look forward to! My last one was Daube de Beouf Provencal (French beef stew) It didn't come out perfect, but the beef was so tender and the wine gave the sauce a delicious flavor. My next challenge it to make leg of lamb Mediterranean style! I will be posting all about it!
