Whew! I'm Back!

Let's pretend I've not been delinquent, shall we?

Great!

So, life's been hectic. With school, work, TAing, the pup, Hubster and everyoneunderthesun getting married, I feel like the last 2 months have flown. It's been good (with a smattering of holy cow how will I do all of this!) but I'm really looking forward to a bit of relative calm before...well, before whatever it is that comes next.



Some of you may know that the month of October was designated "No-Buy Month" in our house. I probably should have come up with a more descriptive name. Or at least a clever one.
But NBM it is. I've actually decided to make it 4 weeks so we can enjoy Halloween. And by enjoy I mean I came up with the PERFECT costume and I'll have to buy a few (but really not many) things. I'm not giving up the goods yet. Not telling you (all?) is my own personal way of forcing myself to post pictures in a week.

Anyway. Back to NBM. Obviously we need food, so we can do that within reason. Reason meaning not eating out or buying non-essentials at the grocery store. This part has been going well largely because of the time issues. I haven't had much time to cook so most of the time, Hubster is perfectly happy with the 735,322 cans of tuna in our house. Also, things like gas and metro fare are okay since I couldn't quit work or drop out of school this month. Although maybe if we do this again next year...


My transgressions are as follows:

• $2.50 buying Advil at the Smithsonian for DOUncle
• $8.25 ($3.00 after return) at Walmart - gloves, stockings, gum for Laurel's wedding (gloves were necessary, gum was not and the stockings are actually being returned)
• Chipotle dinner ~$15-20 - J.Mallory came over, we had no food in the house, I was EXHAUSTED...so Hubster bought us burrito babies.
• ~$55 was part of the hotel room (and bachelorette gift) for the lovely Mrs. Miner
• $A LOT for dinner with our neighbors. But it was 4 of us. And it was part of their wedding present/thanks for walking our dog sometimes/thanks for not hating us when our dog peed on your carpet, again, Dinner.
• $5.00 yesterday (aka: dayfromhellllllll) on muffin, banana, CLIF bar at school. This was certainly the most avoidable, but I was just at the end of my rope.

Upcoming transgressions:

• $35 x 2 for the Mackler charity 5K this coming Sunday (check it out: www.ScottMackler5k.com).
• $ for a lady's undergarmet. Doof the Dog decided that my bra was the perfect chew-toy and I need it for tomorrow's wedding. Not thrilled about this.

So, all in all, I think we have done pretty darn well. We made lunches and dinners (well, Diego didn't always, but this was more my challenge than his anyway). Brewed coffee at home. Didn't buy that random scone at the bakery. Didn't run out to get those gloves/pashminas/shoes I've been coveting.

With just under a week left to go, I think this has been an absolutely fabulous experience. It has really reminded me that I don't need to throw away money. We are fortunate to have enough to cover our needs and I know that in the future I will stop and ask myself if what I'm getting ready to buy is actually a need. Or even a strong want. Usually the answer is no.

But I am still going to get that pashmina. :) I won't deprive myself of everything.

p.s. The Blogger spell-check is kind of dumb. Just sayin'.

In Response

Thanks for the comments on my last blog. Though I peruse Google and the Internets for crockpot recipes, I mainly visit Crockpot365 (thanks to Jenna and Kiki who both pointed me in this direction). You should DEFINITELY check it out.

And, because it's Friday...

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

If Hubster weren't allergic to (and in HATE with) cats, THIS is the cat we would have.

Clearly.

Slowly Cooking. Cookin' Slow.

When I was young, I remember mom using the Crockpot at least once a week (or maybe my memory is deluded by...well, who knows what). I know she used it though. And - with the exception of hash and tomatos - I liked nearly everything my mom cooked.

Yesterday I made my first out-of-the-house-crockpot-on-all-day meal. Well, main course at least. I'm sure lots of you have heard about this blog. I luuuuuuvh it. I made this chicken recipe and it was FREAKIN' TASTY. Add in a little rice and brocollini (have you tried that yet? also fantastic). Badah Bing! Dinner. :)

The only downside was that Hubster didn't get home until 8:15 and I was starving by about 7:45. So I ate all by my lonesome. Well, with Wrendog...but he's not allowed near the table when we're eating.

Oh, and I must confess. I left work early because I was so nervous about having a cooking appliance on at home while I was gone. But I won't be such a nut-case next time. Promise.

Gabu, I know that you've busted out the crockpot...anyone else out there love theirs? What is your favorite recipe?