Frugal Tips, please....

I would appreciate any readers to leave me a comment. I would like to know any frugal tips that you might share for these uncertain times. One of the things I am doing is hanging my clothes on the line, on a regular basis....it's therapy for me, really, tho.
I also try to reuse things as much as possible.
count your blessings...

Tuesday...

I gotta get my butt pried off this computer chair! LOL
I need to get over to MIL's house again today and do some more cleaning...ugh.
I spent another 3 1/2 hours there Monday...I got the utility room almost done *except the floor, need to have hubby help me pull out the washer and dryer to scrub under there*
I got the stovetop done and will do the oven today...UGH!
I also got part of the cupboards cleaned and wiped down with the dark scratch cover oil.
Oh, and I washed a load of rags for the rest of the cleaning with. Lots of little spiders that freak me out! It's such a cute little house, tho! I told hubby when we get old, we can move into it, when we can't take care of our yard and stuff anymore......happy thought, huh? wahhhhh!
The carpet cleaner guy will be there Thursday. I pity him.... I don't look forward to becoming *MORE* incontinent...dang water pills I take are giving me a taste of that! What we have to look forward to....aging. MIL refused to wear pads or protective panties....she was sooo stubborn about alot of stuff!

I can't believe our weather...it's hard to believe it's going to be October! I'm lovin' it tho! We still haven't had a freeze, so the flowers, trees and grass look beautiful!
count your blessings...
SherryBee

UNCONSCIOUS MUTTERINGS

1. Hearing :: Test


2. Aggression :: Anger


3. Charged :: Battery


4. Traveler :: Sore Butt


5. Hydrate :: Water


6. Detox :: Patches


7. Qualify :: For a Loan (!)


8. Prison :: Escape


9. Frontal :: Lobe


10. Pep talk :: Cheerleader

Have a great week!
count your blessings...

HOLY CRAP!!! I'm beat!

I wish I would have taken pictures of all the antique/furniture items that we did sell. I also have a few more pictures, but, I'm not sure how blogger does with the amount of space they give you for pictures in one post. Keep in mind, these antiques are the 'tail-end' of what she had at one time. She gave some away to family and 'gave' some away, by selling them WAY TOO CHEAP! She once sold a pickup load of antiques to a man for $800..including an original OLD spinning wheel and a most amazing secretary/dresser with glasses windows in the cupboard that had wood carved to look like rope......he kept wanting to know if she had more stuff to sell...grrrrr! Her boys were VERY unhappy with her about that. She thought if she paid $20 for something back in the day, that if she doubled her money, she was doing good....
These first 3 are things, that didn't sell.


















This beauty was the first thing to sell...I really wanted to keep it, but, decided it just wouldn't fit in and we really don't have the room.




















Isn't this AWESOME! It didn't sell....we are NOT going to 'give' this one away. It needs some work, but, it's gorgeous! We think it may be filled with horse hair.
















We had a great day Friday and got rid of ALOT of stuff! The weather was great for the sale, too. It was bittersweet, tho, seeing memories go out the door.... I need to find a quiet place to get these tears out...their building more every day.
We got home about 8 that night....beat! What a long day. We also have an older couple, here working on the power plant construction, for the same company as hubby, that are going to rent the house! What a blessing! They have their 5th wheel parked in the trailer park,directly behind her house. They don't want to winter in the trailer this year.
Saturday, we were right back at it. It was much slower, and we did end up with a few sprinkles and some wind. We ended up selling almost $1600. We left at 7, and went to the Steakhouse for a juicy hamburger. Another long day! Poor hubby was so tired! He thought about calling in sick today, but, he is such a trooper. He did go in and said it was pretty laid back..thank goodness!
Was I tired and sore when I got up this morning! I hung out two loads of laundry and then, went over to the house to clean. Dang! I was there for 4 1/2 hours and I worked on the bathroom.....icky-poo!...and the entire refrigerator. I felt so horrible about all of this. I just tried to think that if she had been like I really remembered her, that she wouldn't have let any of these things get like they were. All I can say is 'bless her heart'....
I pray when I am an old lady, that someone with a tender heart gets the job of going through my stuff..........wahhhhhhh, so sad!
I will head over again tomorrow and tackle the utility room, fold all the sheets that didn't sell *a HUGE pile of them...you have to see it to believe it* and maybe get started on the kitchen cupboards and stuff.

I talked to my cousin that lives in Albuquerque and she offered her house for mom and I to stay at when we hit ALBQ going and coming! AWESOME! She lives within 5 minutes of her mom, my aunt, too. PLUS, her youngest daughter is getting married the weekend before we get there, so, there will still be a few cousins there, plus, her dad, my mom's brother! Oh, this is going to be a wonderful trip for mom---and me! *wink*
k, I'm off of here and going to BED!
count your blessings!

...drats!

Well, it doesn't surprise me, but, it just makes me sad....they 'laid me off' at the scrapbook store. Dang, I'm gonna miss that fun lil job. I hope things pick up and they'll need me again. I was so bummed out yesterday when she told me...

I spent most of yesterday, and a bit today, delivering Avon and running around. I NEED to spend more days at home. I have several MAJOR cleaning projects I need to get done before it gets too cold. I want to really clean my sofa and loveseat and have the carpet professionally cleaned. I need to have my curtains dry cleaned and wash the sheers and clean those nasty mini blinds. *which is one of my MOST dreaded jobs....I would rather clean toilets than clean mini blinds*
It's been a bit breezy around here the past few days, but, it's still warm during the day, and no freeze yet. I hate the first day you see your beautiful outdoor flowers BLACK and dead!

I made ho-made *teehee* pizza for supper tonight. I've been doing SO much blog-hopping the past few nights, but, I stumbled on The Frugal Mom Blog and found this great recipe for pizza dough. I have a recipe for pizza dough that I've used for years *it's also great to make yeast rolls with*, but, my family never really cared for it as the pizza dough. The Frugal Mom Blogs dough recipe is GREAT!!! Try it!

Hubby and I are doing the "Estate Sale" at my MIL's house tomorrow and Saturday. I'll be so glad to get it over with! It sucks the life out of me when I go over there and deal with all of her 'stuff'...how sad...it overwhelms me. I found this cute lil doily in some of her things. I have it in a little vignette, with a pair of her old glasses, 2 of her thimbles and a really old metal pin cushion she used. I don't know if she crocheted this or not, but, I'd like to think she did... I brought home 2 boxes of crochet thread the other day...it sure made me feel better about MY stash. Then, I thought...hmmmm, maybe someone gave some of it to her, like I've gotten some of mine. Made me feel better about my stash...for a minute or two! LOL
Well, it's off to shower and to bed for me...I think it's gonna be a long day tomorrow.
count your blessings...*and pray for the USA*

SherryBee

...a day late

Well, I had intended to post yesterday, but, got SO stinkin' busy, that I never had time. Hubby works Sunday through Thursday, and #1 son was home, so, I tried to be 'Susie Homemaker' all afternoon. WHY do I do that??? I wear myself out!
I left the house about 1:30 to get a few things from the store for supper. When I got back I tore into #1 son's laundry for him *I think he knows mom will do it, but, that's OK* and got started in the kitchen! I made:
Chocolate Chunk Cookies *double batch with a bit of Peanut Butter added*
Apple Pie










Tamale Pie and jalapeno poppers










Yummy!

I know the apple pie wasn't really an appropriate dessert to follow Mexican food, but, I had to use up the apples.
Dang, I was BEAT by the time I got OUT of that kitchen at almost 8, after I made hubby's lunch and got the coffee pot ready.
Today, I've got lots of cleaning to get done. I also need to get out there and try to sell some of my AVON extras, for some spending money on the trip!
I'd like to share my Tamale Pie recipe with you, in case you'd like to try it. If you do, please let me know how you like it. This was a yahoo group share by Cathy, a military mom, that I've since lost contact with...
TAMALE PIE
---TIP: Read the instructions through FIRST! LOL---
Filling
1 1/2 lbs ground beef (I think I end up using more)
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
16 oz Enchilada Sauce (I use the 29 oz can of Old El Paso)
1 can whole kernel corn
1 cup sliced ripe olives
1 t. salt
Cook beef, onion and garlic in large pan until beef is browned, drain any extra grease, if needed. (I use a 5 qt, just so I have plenty of room)
Stir in enchilada sauce, corn, olives and salt. Set aside and let simmer while you make the crust part.

Crust
2 1/4 C. yellow corn meal
2 C. water
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 t. salt
1 can (4 oz.) diced green chiles (I use more)
---topping---
1/2 C. shredded cheddar cheese
sliced jalepenos (optional)

Preheat oven to 425F, grease 9 x 13 baking dish

Combine corn meal, water, evaporated milk and salt into medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 5-7 minutes or until thickened up. Stir in chiles. Spread a little more than half into your prepared baking pan/dish. Go up the sides a bit with it, also. Cover the remaining crust, so, it won't dry out while you add the filling. (I've found out that mine dries out anyway, so, I just add a little water/milk to get it a little more runny, so, I can spread it over the top.)

Once you have the bottom crust (and up the sides, don't forget!) in, bake that for about 10 minutes. (This is mostly to set it) Remove from the oven and spoon your filling into the corn meal crust. Spread the reserved corn meal mixture over the beef filling.

Bake for 15 - 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for an additional 5 - 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

I hope you enjoy this. Be sure to tweak it for your own tastes the next time!
count your blessings...
SherryBee

UNCONSCIOUS MUTTERERINGS

1. Heist :: Bank Job


2. Hack :: Computer Nerd


3. Dane :: Cook


4. Stings :: Bees


5. Monkey :: Zoo


6. Junkie :: Druggie


7. Pumped :: Jazzed


8. Brass :: Knuckles


9. Fight! :: Boxing


10. Vouch :: Stand up For

25 DAYS!!!

TURN my music player off and play this!
Ya gotta LOVE Elvis!

Got the Train Trip booked! WOO HOO!!!! Me, Mom and Aunt Mae are SOOO excited! My cute 80-year-old aunt told me this morning when I called her, that yesterday, she was SO excited to hear the news we would be coming, and she didn't have anyone to tell it to, that she got 'nervous'! hehehe She's already got a ton of things planned to do when we get there! Yep. We'll use up EVERY second of the 2 weeks!

On another note, I'm going to the ScraPink thing down at the scrapbook store from 2-10 tonight..don't know if I'll stay that long, but, my friend, Ruthie, is coming from Show Low...Oh, so exciting!

I'm a happy girl today...I feel like jumping up and down, like my lil Jeffrey would do when he was younger (it was a joke)...he'd jump up and down, clap his hands like a girl and say "cakes and pies, cakes and pies" What a goofball, I miss him! I did get to talk to him yesterday afternoon..he's so busy with classes and reserve stuff. #1 son came home for the weekend too. What a happy time....

count your blessings...

SherryBee

wanted to show off...

I just HAD to do it...then, to bed!
I took these today to send to Jeffrey. The walk to the front door smells just like honey....from the allysum. I just LOVE my yard. I feel sooooo blessed!
count your blessings...

UNCONSCIOUS MUTTERINGS

1. Cut the crap :: Knock it off
2. Scent :: Of a Woman
3. Vanishing :: Act
4. Wetness :: Diaper
5. Cheap :: Date
6. Badges :: Police
7. Puppy :: Breath
8. Problem solver :: costs money heheheh *where did that come from*
9. Gambling :: Vegas
10. Sophia :: Franny's grand-daughter

Holy Crap...I know I should be in bed! I'm headed there --- as soon as this magnet lets me go! I feel like that little boy on the Disney commercial!

"I'm too excited for bed!"

nighters!

count your blessings.....

going backwards....

I know! I know! I'm a TERRIBLE blogger, I admit it....
So, going backwards...

I made some DELICIOUS Chicken Tortilla Soup for supper tonight! Dang, I'm a good cooker! *that's what #1 son used to tell me* I don't have a recipe to post because it was a combination of several, with my own touch, I guess. If you want to try it, go to Old El Paso and type in Chicken Tortilla soup. I can't remember the other one I found...just do some improvising. I didn't even think to take a picture! HA! I told hubby I was so proud of myself for it turning out...seems I almost forgot how to cook these days....he agreed, said he really liked it, too!

I am happy...my mom and I are planning a trip back to Iowa (to see her sister, my Aunt Mae and other family), hopefully, mid October ON A TRAIN!!! Oh my! I was SHOCKED SHOCKED I tell you at the CHEAP fare...less than $500 for both of us to go from Winslow, AZ to Galesburg, Il *about 124 miles from Dubuque where we are going* I will call her back in the morning and see if she's decided for sure! She wanted to go back after all her surgery was over with and OK. She had a DR. appointment Thursday and he was real pleased with it, but, she will need to go back in November/December for a sonogram (?) of her veins. So, she should be able to enjoy the trip and I think she'll do fine on the 28 hour ride....we leave at 6:09 am and get there the following day at 12:10. Great timing! We may rent a car for the 2 weeks, which I'm glad for. There are so many places I want to see. I grew up in Cedar Falls *we moved to AZ in '67 when I was 12*.

Nothing really exciting has went on since my last post...just daily busy-ness. *can that be a new word? hehehe* I'm only working one day a week at the scrapbooking place, it's been so slow, that they went to their winter hours a week early. Martha, here's a couple pics of the store, that you asked me to post.
3 Scrappin Sisters




My mom and brother came up for a weekend a few weeks ago. That was a nice visit and I know mom was glad to get out of town--other than for a DOCTOR visit! LOL

Hubby and I have been doing alot of stuff over at MIL's house *well, it's ours now*. That is so overwhelming. I don't know how to describe it. I know we've let it go for way too long, but, I think it's because it's just so weird going through someone elses stuff...their whole life, actually. As I find things that have so many memories attached to them, it just makes my heart so heavy. I can't find words to describe it. I know hubby didn't really want to go over there much, since she left. I understand. A part of me is happy that I am the one going through her things. Sometimes, I find myself being 'tender' with her belongings, with the hopes that anyone that gets the job of disposing of my 'stuff' will have a tender heart and dear memories...I dunno. MIL and I had a 'bad' relationship, and that plays into this. I see where I was the best choice to get this 'job' and I try to do it the right way. Anyway.....we are to the point of pricing the antique items and we've brought home the things we want or the 'good stuff'. (If I live long enough to get alot of this stuff on eBay, it will be a miracle!) We will hopefully get that house rented soon, so, we don't have to keep making a payment on an empty house. The storage shed (it's pretty big) will have to gone through later on. The renters will not have access to that. We've already had a dozen people asking about renting it.
I come home just exhausted when I've been over there...a mental exhaustion, I guess.
ugh
---
I've thought about posting so many times, and get so darn busy *or tired* that I just keep putting it off. I will TRY to be better at posting.

count your blessings...

Sherrybee