March Madness Controlled/No Spend Thread

[moneysquirrel]

Sorry. Double post

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 17 NS Days and 9 CS Days = 26 NS/CS Days

SES -- Thanks for the info. I booked my rooms for the Black Hills this afternoon. I did decide on the Holiday Inn -- Rushmore for the 30th and 1st. The trolley and the free shuttle to the airport clinched the deal. Also the rate is about $110 plus tax.

Tell KCGal that she is missed and we look forward to seeing her this summer as well.


sapphire -- Is your mom coming this year as well?

[reeneejune]

SES - Thanks for all the great information you're providing for this trip!

Black Hills Meetup - I emailed a few of you this afternoon about possibly sharing rooms on the trip. Sorry if I missed you, I have a hard time remembering who all is planning to go. If you're planning to go and would like to split room costs with someone, please let me know. My email is my screen name at hotmail.com. I can make the trip without splitting room costs, but why not save some money if we can?

[mizbear]

Well the boards ate my post earlier... it was something about asthma, the flu (not me- everyone around me), my to do list, and my NS to date- I have no clue what I said other than today was a NS...

[Honeylioness]

Just a quick "hello" and to let you know my Whistler quilt is not only on display at his museum here in Mass ... but we got a write up in the local paper

too cool.

www.metrowestdailynews.com/arts/x617855182/Check-It-Out-Local-quilters-transform-Whistlers-Mother?img=6

[ses]

Honey--That is so awesome!!! Your quilt and the article.

[sapphire12]

I've managed 4 NS/CS over the weekend. I went to the grocery store this morning to buy grapes and a banana, which was planned. The magazine wasn't planned.

moneysquirrel -- My mom is coming with me this year to the Black Hills. We will also probably be staying at the Holiday Inn on the last two nights.

honey -- the quilt is beautiful.

[sheilaincali]

Sapphire- they are finally fully on board. It's made such a huge difference. DH scours the grocery ads every week and we plan our meals around the sales. DS saves better than 50% of his allowance now and has started renting video games rather than buy them all. It's amazing the progress those two have made.

Honey: The quilt looks amazing! Plus I got to read the article and do that whole 'I know her" thing when I saw your name listed

[shanendoah]

Update: 10 of 12 NSD
The weekend was a spend, every single day, but it was all planned, so I can't really complain. Back on the wagon yesterday.
DH goes back to school tonight after 2 weeks off. My plan is to get back on the MOAN wagon, do some dishes, follow up on startsmart's challenge to bake something, and maybe even put away clothes. However, I also have a "new" library book at home, so we'll have to see.
I have some new licorice tea this morning, which I am liking quite a bit.

Honey: Love it!

[Deleted]

Mar 28, 2011 21:43:49 GMT -5 Honeylioness said:

Just a quick "hello" and to let you know my Whistler quilt is not only on display at his museum here in Mass ... but we got a write up in the local paper

too cool.

www.metrowestdailynews.com/arts/x617855182/Check-It-Out-Local-quilters-transform-Whistlers-Mother?img=6

Amazing, Honey, I wish I had your skills.

[mizbear]

Honey that is awesome!

[dakota4600]

Honey- How cool! So proud of you.

I'm hoping to be back in for April. I really need spring to get here. We had snow on Sunday that actually accumulated, it was gone by noon on Monday but still.

Update on Dakota dog- He is doing better. The new food seems to be helping a lot, no more throwing up or diarrhea. His shoulder and hip bones aren't jutting out anymore and you can only see the 3 ribs instead of all of them. So while he is still an old dog his steep decline has slowed to crawl.

We haven't been doing well on the NS front, I lost track of the days over spring break when we went out of town. This weekend DH & I went to Toyr R US and got mini-D his 3rd b-day present. We got him a red wagon. Then we have a few smaller gifts as well. "Mack" from the movie Cars. I also picked up some construction toys to use on his cake. I'm doing a 9X13 cake and making it construction scene. I bought some rock looking candy, I'll get some rootbeer barrel candies and crushed oreos and animal crackers, then some kind of stick cookie for logs.

[mizbear]

dakota- That cake sounds awesome!

[dianartemis]

Awesome Honey!
Update: 13/15 NSD, 17/15 NEO, 7/15 MOANs. I'm so close. Today will be a spend day, I'm out of dry kitty food (oopsy, I only have one cat that eats it now and that bag lasted 6 months).

I'm on Week 2, about to start Week 3 (tomorrow) of Dr. Amen's 10-Week Challenge. I hope I lose weight. I'm hormonal, pissy, and tired. While I've kept unhealthy foods to a minimum, I usually retain water this time of the month. Fingers crossed.

[Honeylioness]

Quilt - thanks for the kind words. I am always in a bit of shock when any of my quilts hang in public. And this time I will even be able to buy note cards of the quilt - to support the museum of course and not just to have in my brag book

Dakota - I like the idea of the construction cake. What about using Twix for logs? Also, look to see if you can buy plain chocolate wafers in the cookie aisle. That's what I use for "dirt" on my Peter Rabbit cakes. Easier and cheaper than using Oreos in my opinion. Just pop them into a strong zip lock back, press the air out, seal, and go at them with a rolling pin - makes great "dirt"

[sheilaincali]

Graham crackers make good sand too if you are looking for an alternative to animal crackers.

[dakota4600]

Honey- That is a good idea. I don't like Oreo's, but I do like the chocolate wafers!

Shelia- I know, but we have a ton of animal crackers and no graham crackers so I'm going to use what we have on hand.

Miz Bear- Thanks, I love to plan and make these cakes for DS, I'm definitely no Ace of Cakes, but I have fun. His first birthday was a dog cake. (A round cake decorated to look like a dogs face.) Last year was a train. That was A LOT Of work. It was 4 train cars made out of stacked cake and frosted. The ladies here gave me lots of help on how to get things to stay together and how to crumb coat. This year I let him decide between a fire truck (similar to the train from last year, but smaller) or a construction site. I am glad he decided on the construction site, it seems like it will be easier. Of course who knows what the cup cakes will be for his school party! (I'm leaning towards frosted with sprinkles, but I did buy smaller rock candy that I could use to top the cupcakes if he wants the construction theme at school too.)

[reeneejune]

Dakota - Ideas for sticks/logs/twigs: pretzel sticks, pretzel rods, pirouette cookies (I think Hickory Farms makes them, I've gotten them at Safeway in the past, they're a very thin cookie that is rolled into a tube while they're still hot. after they're cooled the center is filled with chocolate or a flavored filling. Come to think of it, I've gotten off brands of these at the dollar store.), black licorice. Or anything about the right size and shape covered in brown frosting or frosting plus cookie crumbs. I heart cake decorating!

[ses]

Dakota--you will be posting a photo of the completed cake when finished won't you.
Are you still going to be in the Black Hills with family this summer? You might want to consider a ride on the 1880's train from Hill City to Keystone. I think your DS (and DH) would really love it.

I am so glad I did my Food Stamp (SNAP) challenge in February. I learned to really pay attention and plan my grocery shopping. I was allowed $112 and I added $13 (for stocking up with really good sales) for a total of $125. I am continueing with this really very generous monthly amount. Since my monthly budget starts on the 25th of each month I can do my monthly shopping before the stores are mobbed on the first. Today I did my monthly shopping for April and only spent $81 and about $15 for pantry stock up and replacements. I still have plenty for a mid month trip for milk and perishables. I am getting better and better at this all the time.
Since wheat products are inflating so fast I got enough flour to last the rest of the year. Now to just fit it all in the freezer.
I really feel for the families with a limited grocery budget. I can't believe how fast things are rising, almost weekly, if not daily.

[mizbear]

dakota- I almost died laughing when you mentioned fire truck cake! When I was 14, we had moved and my parents had joined the volunteer fire dept where we were and I was anxiouly awaiting my 16th so I could a) join the fire dept and b) date the boy in the fire dept I had my eye on (he liked me too). My father went to the only grocery store where we lived with a bakery and bought me a fire truck cake- making it plain to them that this was for a fire dept bound teen- not a child- things had to be accurate.... it looked like a metro bus with ladders on the side and a light on top! It was horrible! Didn't taste very good either...
Never got my firetruck or my fireman either....

[dakota4600]

SES- Yes, I'll post a picture when I'm done. No we aren't going to the Black Hills this year. My DB's health issues put a stop to the family trip. DH, Mini-d & I will still take a trip, but are thinking about Colorado, because mini-d is too young to appreciate/remember Mt. Rushmore. So we'll wait until he is a little older and hit that area then. But I am definitely finding a train ride somewhere for them to do. You are right DH & DS would both love it.

Reenee- I was definitely thinking of pirouette cookies for the logs those are my favs. I was disappointed the the construction set I got didn't have a flat bed semi, to stack them on. Ever since I did the dog cake I've been looking for black licorice laces and haven't been able to find them. I can only find the Aussie black licorice. I probably could special order it from somewhere, but I've made do with black icing. The other thing I'm planning on is flattening either green gum drops or some other green candy and putting them on pretzel sticks for trees. I'll play with that a little and see how it looks. I have a great cupcake decorating book that gives all kinds of tricks for molding candy into different shapes. One suggestion that I want to try is to soften and roll out starburst, then cut out the shape you want.

MizBear- Too funny about the cake. I bought a book on kids cakes from Current and it has the plans for a fire truck in it.

[muttleynfelix]

Honey - Beautiful job!

We are back from our trip to 'Bama. My BFF had a beautiful wedding and we had a great time. The hotel was a little pricey, but a suite, so well worth it with a toddler who won't fall asleep with you in the room. We had a great playdate with a good friend from babycenter and her 13.5 month old (2 weeks younger than DS). Other than a hotel, I thought we did a good job not overspending on our trip. My parents did give us $100 spending money and I think that is just about exactly what we spent on meals and snacks. We are getting a refund for our taxes that will pick up the tab on the Hotel, my bridesmaid dress, gas, gifts, and make up the shortfall for only working part time for 5 weeks. But I'm back full time and my paycheck Friday will be the full amount. Hopefully it stays that way.

[mizbear]

dakota- If you have a natural or Amish foods market (or one of those big candy places) they may have black licorice laces there. Some green icings harden nicely for tree tops depending on the size you are going for.

muttley- Glad you had a good trip.

Still working on getting straight for inspection Thursday- my joints and muscles are killing me. I think later tonight I am going to soak in the tub for 15 and then have a glass of sweet red (I still haven't gotten to have either of the other glasses I planned on)

[reeneejune]

Dakota - doesn't twizzlers make a black licorice version of their red peel-apart candy? I swear I've had it... maybe it was grape and dark purple (more likely since I don't enjoy black licorice very much).

[startsmart]

MOANs today: mowing the lawn after a month when the grass is nearly a foot long. Next up is the back yard.

Today I also took pictures in my little garden and OMG I love them, amazing close ups of the tulips and daisies that are growing despite being drenched by the rain for a week. So pretty.

Picked up my taxes yesterday so I'll be writing some big checks before the month is up. Hopefully after my next paycheck hits.

SES - I'm stocking up on chicken this weekend. It's $2/pound for chicken breast strips (skinless, boneless and pre-frozen) and last time this deal came up I got 20 pounds which lasted for about 8 months. This time I'm going to open up the package and vacuum seal the meat so it doesn't get freezer burn but it's a perfect way to do protein in small batches.

still feel sick but I'm working through it. I think I would have slept better last night if a spider hadn't haunted me, crawling across my pillow, crawling up my arm. Eeek.

[ses]

Smartstart-- that is a terrific price on chicken strips! wish I could find such a deal. I love vacuuming food in small portions. I just wish the bags were more earth friendly, and not so expensive.

[shanendoah]

Update: 11 of 12 NSD
Two days to get my last NSD. I'm guessing it will be tomorrow, as today I need to try and get gas for the car. Fun!
Frustrated by our annual ant invasion. Its getting to me more this year than previous years. Mostly this morning I'm mad at myself because last night I opened a box of cereal (that I was so excited to have) and when I put it away, I thought, maybe it shouldn't go there, the ants will get it. And then I thought, they haven't been up in this area at all this year, it will be fine. Ummm, no. This morning I opened that cupboard to get my vitamins and ants were swarming all over my cereal. I'd had one bowl, and I had to throw it out. I knew better.
Last night I did get my MOAN in, but no dishes got done, no cookies got baked. After two weeks of DH not being in school, Junebug stressed out about him leaving last night. While I was exercising, she was knocking things over, trying to get stuff off the dining room table, anything she could to get my attention. When we went back to the room, she tried to crawl on my lap (works on the couch or in the recliner, not so much in my computer chair) and when she couldn't, she crated herself. She only crates herself when she's extremely stressed out. So off the computer I got, up on the bed where she could crawl up next to me. At which point we spent the next hour with me reminding her that I am not a pacifier (and her teeth are sharp). I figure by next week, she should be back in the routine of DH being out two nights, and hopefully I'll be more productive then.

startsmart: Love the pic on fb. I haven't done our taxes yet, not officially. I did a best guess run through before all the new forms were out, but I haven't sat down and done them for real. We should owe a little over $1k, which is less than half of what we saved for taxes, so that's good.

[mizbear]

Well, I feel like a truck hit me. Still getting ready for inspection tomorrow. I can't work for more than 20-30 minutes without having to sit or lay down and rest.
But I hit my goals for this month and will be increasing them for next month.

1S, 3CS, 26NS

I know it's easier for me to do NS because my DM and DGM pay for certain things in exchange for me doing things for them, but I actually cut most of those things from my budget when I bought the car back in August.

Speaking of budget- Warning DB rant ahead: DB and I had a big blowup and his ex and I are getting ready to have one too. Basically, I need time for me and I am not hired help. And I am tired of getting treated like it. We have had this discussion before and it is okay or 3 or 4 days and then I get dumped on again. I can't go out with friends, go on dates or anything- but they do... and guess who is watching their kids- and paying for everything??? They don't pay for anything or pay me...

[3catslady]

update; don't know where I am NSD/CSD wise.
I am on vacation this week. I need to get things caught up on e-xcel and otherwise.
Has any one heard from gldnluvly?

[sapphire12]

3cats -- Enjoy your much deserved vacation! I texted GLDN on Sunday. She has some cookies for you.