Black Coffee, Angels, and a Chair

I have coffee, but no creamer. I want creamer. I feel rather surly this morning after taking a Benadryll last night because my legs felt like a million bugs were crawling underneath the flesh. Nice. I do not know why they were so itchy. But it was very annoying. After rubbing all kinds of lotions and other remedies on them for two hours, and nothing working, I popped a Benadryll. It helped a little, but really just knocked me out. My legs are still rather itchy this morning. Grrrr...

As a spur of the moment idea (and 'cause that's just how fun I am), I took the boys over to the pool yesterday evening to swim with friends. That's when the itching started. hmmmm... Does anybody else ever get itchy swimming in a salt water pool? I've never done that before, but Silas does occasionally, but only after swimming in the salt water pools. Maybe I'll google it. When I'm not grouchy.

I found heavy whipping cream in my fridge, substituting for Coffeemate's Creme Brulee. Not an excellent substitute, but workable. I've been wanting to switch to black (for caloric reasons and to try and cut back on unnecessaries at the store), but I never want to switch to black when I wake up in the morning.

We've been cutting way back. I've been trying to make more stuff from scratch (soooo much cheaper) and not buy unnecessary, highly processed snack foods. We have been spending more on fruits and vegetables, but a lot less on the cracker, chip, and cookie aisle. Now if I could just relinquish my love of buying corndogs. I do not know why I like to have corndogs in my freezer. I do not like corndogs. All of my boys (including hubs) like corndogs, and it is my easy way out of a meal (or two) a week. I also had developed a VERY bad habit of not feeding my children before running errands and just pulling through a drive-through for a "bite". This can range from $8.00 (if I only order from the dollar menu with waters to drink) to $15.00 (if I go to Chik Fil-A) and, even though it is a cheap meal, it can (and has) hurt our skimpy purse. Going out to dinner is now a humongous treat, not just for the busies, but for me as well. We've also started doing something called Angel Food Ministries. This ministry is across the United States and is for everybody who wants to participate. There is no paperwork to fill out and no "appointment with a mean government worker who hates her job". They are usually through a church, but the service is non-denominational and non-profit. Basically, what you do is sign up for their food package, which is $30.00, and then, after purchasing the initial package, you can sign up for extra specials. This is the menu and specials for August:

August 2008

Download Menu
1.5 lb.
Ribeye Steaks (4 x 6 oz.)
5 lb.
Chicken Leg Quarters
28 oz.
Chicken Breast Nuggets
28 oz.
Salisbury Steak Dinner Entrée
32 oz.
Breaded Chicken Breast Filets
16 oz.
Smoked Sausage
16 oz.
California Blend Frozen Vegetables
16 oz.
Frozen Carrots
16 oz.
Frozen Chopped Spinach
10 ct.
Frozen Waffles
16 oz.
Bean Soup Mix
1 lb.
Rice
9 oz.
Instant Potatoes (14 servings)
15 oz.
Sliced Peaches
32 oz.
Borden Shelf Stable Milk

One Dozen Eggs

One Dessert Item


ALL THIS FOR THE LOW COST OF JUST $30
* includes applicable sales tax and administrative costs.

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** One or more specials available only with the purchase of a regular unit. **
AUGUST SPECIAL #1
7 lb. Family Assorted Grill Box - $20.00
(1.5 lb Baseball Cut Sirloin Filet (4 x 6 oz.) (Thick-Cut)
2 lbs Juicy Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
2 lbs St. Louis-Style Ribs
1.5 lb Hamburger Patties (4 x 6 oz.))


AUGUST SPECIAL #2
4.5 lb. Steak and Meat Combo - $20.00
(1.5 lb. New York Strips (2 x 12 oz.)
1.5 lb. Bacon-Wrapped Beef Filet (4 x 6 oz.)
1.5 lb. Bacon-Wrapped Pork Filet (4 x 6 oz.))


AUGUST SPECIAL #3
4.5 lb. Stuffed Chicken Breast Combo - $18.00
(1.5 lb. Cordon Bleu (4 x 6 oz.)
1.5 lb. Broccoli Cheese (4 x 6 oz.)
1.5 lb. Chicken Breast Kiev (4 x 6 oz.))


AUGUST SPECIAL #4
Fresh Fruit and Veggie Box - $18.00
(4 Red Delicious Apples
4 lb Bag of Oranges
1 Cello-wrapped Lettuce
1 Large Cabbage
6 Russet Potatoes
2 Cucumbers
1 Cantaloupe
1 Honeydew Melon)

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We plan, for August, to get the initial menu (you have to) and then get Specials #1 and #4. That's just under $70.00 for a ton of food! What I love about it, is that it is available to anyone who needs or wants to use it. What I don't like is the processed foods, but you really get a lot of fresh and frozen fruits and veggies and staples. You just have to sign up for it. You can look at the website to see what church near you participates and find out their sign-up dates.

Ah, on my second cup of coffee and, this time, it's black. Sssiipp. So gross. Back for the heavy cream.

Today will be a fun day. I'm taking the boys to the playground at eight to meet some friends (before it gets sweltering) and then to swim, then home and then to the Seminary Clothes Closet to see what's new there. Our red chair (my most favorite red chaise lounge) keeps breaking at the leg and I need to find some other kind of wing chair (or something) for my living room. The seminary provides the "Clothes Closet" (even though it's a lot more than just clothes) free to seminary families. That's great because the thrift stores in Jackson are not good. Or maybe they're okay, but Birmingham's are spectacular, super-amazing! (not exaggerating) Here's to a great chair (clink)!