Thursday, February 12, 2009

Inspector Gadget

We had the last of our inspections today for becoming licensed foster care parents. Coupled with the home study this week, getting some other forms in place, cleaning, and being a bit nervous about the inspectors coming to look around, I am beat. Once the health inspector left today, I just felt zapped of all energy. Tomorrow, we are fingerprinted. The "man" will know who we are now. :-P (I'm such a libertarian at heart!!) And that is the LAST step. So hopefully by Friday at 9 a.m. we will have completed all the necessary forms, inspections, medical check ups, home study, and giving the state of NH every detail of our lives - such as - what is your favorite feeling? Yep, NH knows my favorite feeling now. Its worth it though.

Anyway, I am excited. Another good thing, is our house has been extremely clean all week and is almost organized. Though, somehow I lost Lo's medical forms. I have searched high and low.....thankfully her vet faxed them through to the Health and Saftey guy ASAP.

We are praying for the future child(ren) that will come live in the Clegg household. We hope they come soon:)

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Run, Run, as fast as you can!

Loretta would like to run, run as fast as she can! But, sadly, I can only sustain a sprint for, eh, 1/10 a mile! But we went on a lovely run just a few minutes ago:) I wore....SHORTS! Its amazingly warm out - 52! Sweating never felt so good. I've kept up running this winter - but not as often as I would like - and as far as I would like - my lungs, I feel, freeze, running in 15 degrees. And I just don't sweat. Perhaps, I do sweat, and it just freezes immediately. Hmmm, that's a theory. I'm just beyond elated at the warm weather today.

I need to take a picture of my old Camry for those who asked still. I will. I promise!


I'm looking forward to running again tomorrow and in FL during winter vacation! Woohoo.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

In my neverending quest to save money (God knew we'd be church planters and made me thrifty since childhood), I am devising a new grocery plan for the month. I have to admit, I have been way slack on keeping up with grocery expenses and attempting to save extra.

So since we moved here, I've seen in the paper an ad for JD Foods. They always had super low looking prices for meat BUT only accepted cash and honestly I am a wimp at trying unfamiliar places. If it wasn't for our Nepali friends, I still would have not gone to the Asian Market. So here's my new plan and the outcome thus far for the month.

We get rent (in cash) on the 3rd. So after depositing most of it, I went over to JD's to check it out. Its in an industrial park and not-so-glamourous. Its like SAM's Club, but much less attractive. But does that really matter? A nice guy works there and he was very helpful.
So I got:
10 lbs of shredded cheddar cheese @ 1.69/lb
5 lbs sliced lunch cheese @ 1.99/lb
10 lbs chicken breasts @ 1.69/lb
5 lbs. potatoes @ 1.69
2 loaves of bread @ 3.00
5 lbs. ground beef @ 1.89/lb

Total tab: $58

I estimate it will be enough meat for the month and we won't be buying sliced cheese until June (expiration date)

Time spent repackaging everything so I can freeze it: 10 minutes

So for the rest of the month I will be buying: Apples, Bananas, Lettuce/Spinach, Carrots, Cilantro, Yogurt for Morgann, crackers, hummus, Cereal, Rich's snack cakes, & milk & probably a trip to the bread outlet. I'll do one trip down to Trader Joes (get: hummus, apples, bananas, ygurt, cereal, salmon, & crackers for Morgann, and sushi for Sarah and I to devour) in my fuel efficient old Toyota and spend about $50, and if possible just spend $50 more at the regular grocery store for the rest of the month getting perishables.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Frozen

Ok. I love snow. I really really do. Love it. I'm just a little cold...my toes are cold. My hands are cold. My face is cold. Brrrr. I could use some warm right about....now.

I did find some "Smart Wool" socks for a good price at the LL Bean outlet, that amazingly warm my feet. They are being washed now though:( If you (women) wear a size 6-8, you can fit into kid's socks and they are MUCH cheaper. Just a hint.

hot new ride

Okay. Not hot. Not new. But old and ugly. But for some reason, I love it - 1990 Toyota Camry with 128,000 miles (thats barely broken in for us!)

Rich's truck needs major work, so we've been a one car family since November. I suppose it saved us a bit on gas, but was becoming a pain to coordinate schedules. I'm sure it could have been done forever, but alas, we got a $400 old Camry. I think it rocks. I'm crazy! It needs a new quarter panel (eventually) and its set. West Side Manchester ride for sure!