The budget's going well

 

For the past six weeks, I have been giving myself a biweekly budget.  Several days before I get paid, I gather up all of the financial obligations that I will have come out of that paycheck:  bills, groceries, gas, etc. and I create my budget around that. It helps me not only to see where my money will be going but also is helpful to look back at previous budgets and see where I am spending my money.  Overall, it's been working pretty well.

Each budget period, I have managed to stay within my budget.  I do take into account surprise expenses that either I have forgotten about or that just come up unexpectedly.  Only then can I take money out of my savings as I am trying to accrue my savings into something not quite so sad.  When that has happened and it's only been once so far, the next budget will include a "savings" line item and I will return that money to where I borrowed it from.  It works for me.

My biggest issue is dividing up my money within the budget.  Having a few budgets under my belt will help me with that.  Some weeks I give myself $150 for gas and I only spend $50.  Or I will give myself $75 for entertainment and I spend $120.  Overspending in one of my line items does not really bother me as long as I am staying under the grand total and so far that has been the case. For my next budget, which I will work on this coming week, I will look back at the previous ones and get a better sense of how to disburse my money this time. I think that will work.  

Either way, it's going well so far and I am proud of myself for finally sticking to some kind of financial goal!  I'm not saving for retirement because, let's face it, I will never be in a position to retire but it's nice to really focus in building something for when I need it. 

Recipe of the Week - Thai Shrimp Pasta

 I am always looking for new ways to make shrimp as it's one of my favorite foods.  I found this recipe in one of my Taste of Home cookbooks and decided to give it a try.  Mainly, I had all of the ingredients except for cilantro on hand at the time, so it was very budget friendly for me.  I had not cooked a Thai style dish before this and so that was another challenge for me.  I know it's not authentically Thai, but it was easy and I enjoyed it.  Definitely will make this one again.

Thai Shrimp Pasta

8 ounces thin flat rice noodles.  

1 Tbsp curry powder

1 lb uncooked shrimp

1 can light coconut milk

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro

Soak noodles according to package directions.  In a large skillet, toast curry powder until it's fragrant, 1-2 minutes.  Stir in shrimp, coconut milk, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer 5-6 minutes or until the shrimp turn pink.  Drain noodles.  Add noodles and cilantro to the pan and heat through. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Other breakfast options

 So far so good with eating breakfast every day.  And it's not always a huge, cooked breakfast.  Many days it is yogurt or toast with coffee.  I have cooked some good eggs, though.  I do love eggs!  But what I am trying to do is eat enough so that, during the week, I am full until lunchtime and don't snack during the morning.  It does not always work but it is getting better.  Speaking of, I need to incorporate healthier snacks to have on hand in case the urge strikes me!

I am trying to vary what I eat for breakfast each day so that I do not burn out on any one item.  The reminds me, I need to pull the mini bagels out of the freezer LOL I have several boxes of cereal that I got on sale awhile back that I need to start using....and not just for casserole toppings haha! I still do not like milk though, so it is always dry cereal.  And I am also trying to make myself eat more oatmeal.  I don't love it but I don't hate it.  I think I just prefer it in cookie form.  Still, I have it and so I need to eat it. 

I have enjoyed taking myself out to breakfast too.  But my rule of thumb there is that I have to be hungry to justify the expense.  Not that it's terribly expensive to eat breakfast out.  Money is money though and if I am going to spend it, I really want there to be a hunger.....literally.  

What are some things you like for breakfast?  I want to have more fresh fruit at breakfast.  A few weeks ago, I had the best cantaloupe that I have had in years.  I need to buy from farms for things like that I believe instead of just picking it up in the grocery store. I also would like to try my hand at cooking eggs different ways.  I do love my scrambled eggs, and they can be fixed up so many different ways.  BTW, toppings for scrambled eggs were not really something I grew up with but am loving it as an adult. Still, I would like to learn how to cook them other ways.  I do fry them, but that's still easy haha!

But, so far so good for this month's challenge! 

Going to the beach....hopefully

I am looking at planning a trip to the beach this fall.  Just a few days, mind you.  And by myself.  I have been looking at places to stay and trying to find something that is economical.  It's out there, I just have not found it yet. I have not been to the beach in about 4 years.  Going to the beach was such a part of my life when I was young.  Even though I do not swim, I do enjoy being near the water.  There is something so relaxing about hearing the waves crash on the shore.  I just love it.

When I was young, like pre-kindergarten, we would spend a week each summer at Kure Beach.  Someone from Monroe had a house there that we rented.  It was a great old house.  And it was old.  I remember that there were no closets, but each room had a wardrobe in it.  There weren't light fixtures but a bulb hanging from the ceiling.  Front and back screened in porches with swings.  I spent a lot of time on those swings.  There were two bedrooms downstairs and several bedrooms and the living areas upstairs.  I caught my first fish at Kure beach.  Mom and Dad loved to surf fish.  I actually caught two flounders at once with my plastic fishing pole made for kids.  That was pretty awesome.

That house eventually got sold and we tried other beaches.  Topsail, Ocean Isle, Holden Beach, the Outer Banks.  Each summer we would go.  I remember Mom planning meals weeks before and doing lots of grocery shopping for the trip.  We might have gone out one night for dinner, but Mom and Grandmother did most of the cooking.  That was also, especially in our younger days, one of the few times Bill and I got to have sodas daily.  They were the old Check Sodas that Mom would buy at Food Lion. But we went every year for so many years.  

I've been a few times as an adult and it has been fun.  I made several trips with Michael's family and made trips with friends.  It's just a place that I love to go to.  So, I hope to make it this year, even if it is by myself.  We shall see!

Playing cards

 Playing card games was a huge part of my upbringing.  Solitaire, hearts, spades, gin, war.  There were card games going on almost weekly in our home. For years, my parents belonged to a couples' bridge club and Mom belonged to a women's bridge club.  Grandmother belonged to one as well.  I never learned to play bridge but it's on my radar! Still, there were always card games going on it seems.

And because of that, we had many decks of cards.  I used to love to just look at them and the fun designs on the backs of the cards. I was always very careful in selecting which deck I was going to play with.  And then there were the decks that were worn and soft in the middle of the cards.  Still playable though. The sets were often in pairs, always complementary of each other. 

And I loved the vintage packaging they came in.  Some were in the faux velvet boxes where the drawer pulled out to reveal dual decks of cards.  Some had the plastic containers with the clear tops so that you could see the card designs.  They were fun and colorful! 

Somehow, I don't have too many of the old sets of cards we used.  I do have some but not many.  I guess I did not think about it at the time when households were broken up that these cards would be of sentimental value to me.  But I cherish the ones that I do have.  And if I see some fun cards out while shopping, I'm always tempted.  I haven't bought any but I'm always tempted LOL

Do you have any old decks of cards?  And if so, do you use them?  Or are you up for a game of gin?  Let me know!

10 Things to do in the Greensboro area

 Now that I am trying to get myself out of the house more, I am always looking for things to do in Greensboro that I haven't tried yet.  For this list, I tried to stick to things actually in Greensboro but did put a few things on the list that are not in town but close by.  I also had no intention of putting a restaurant on here but one popped up into my Facebook feed that I had never heard of and I have to try it.  Anyone want to go with me?  Just let me know!

1. Green Hill Cemetery

Before there were parks in our country, there were cemeteries and people often spent leisurely afternoons strolling through them.  I just think it would be interesting to look at the history that is there.

2. Piedmont Triad Farmer's Market

Located in Colfax, NC, I hate to admit that I have never been here before.  And it's a good way to support the local economy.

3. Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

Another historical site that would make for an interesting afternoon

4. Blandwood Museum

A historic mansion right downtown.  I have catered at this mansion years ago but have never been there as a tourist.  It's about time.

5. International Civil Rights Center & Museum

An important chapter in Greensboro history that I need to learn more about and this is the perfect place to do that.

6. Weatherspoon Art Museum

I've walked by this museum way too many times over the past 30 years to not finally get in there and take advantage of it!

7. Carolina Field of Honor

A beautiful section of Triad Park located just outside of Greensboro. 

8. Jazz at the O'Henry Hotel

Every Thursday night they have jazz at the O'Henry Hotel.  I love jazz and need to get out and support local artists. 

9. Church Street Cafe

I had never even heard of this burger joint until yesterday.  And it's been around for years.  Must try this!

10. North Carolina Pottery Center

Seagrove is known for its pottery and I think this would be a fun place to go and see the kinds of amazing works that the potters do.

Again, if you see anything that interests you, let me know.  I'd love to have someone to share these experiences with!

More Christmas Decorations

 I know that I have way too many Christmas decorations.  But you know?  They make me incredibly happy, so I am perfectly fine with that. And I am always on the lookout for something new.  Chances are new means new to me.  I love vintage decorations just like everything else in my life haha! I am now at the age where the contemporary decorations I grew up with are considered vintage.  I'm not exactly sure how I feel about that but it is what it is. 

I recently, like two days ago, bought some new to me Christmas decorations.  Let me start by saying that I collect pigs (among so many other things). I have always loved pigs.  I believe it goes back to having Charlotte's Web read to me in my first-grade class.  Thanks, Mrs. Gay! That was the teacher's assistant's name not a dig on myself haha.  Anyway, one Christmas probably in the early 90s, Mom bought me a Christmas pig for my birthday. I absolutely loved him and still have him and put him out every season. He is made by Tom Rubel.  There was an entire series of Christmas animals that he did.  I know that Mom got him at The Candlewick in the mall because that's where we first saw them. 

My Tom Rubel Christmas pig

I'd forgotten about the series of animals he created until two years ago.  One of my bosses at work loves giraffes like I love pigs.  When I was looking for a Christmas present for her, I found Tom Rubel's Christmas giraffe online and snatched it up.  After that, his pieces began to work their way into my eBay feed, and I started to take notice.  The next one I purchased for myself was one of his bears.  A cute bear with a wreath around his neck.  So anytime I see a good deal on one, I bid on it. Until this week, my bids had been unsuccessful.  

I found a set of them.  A partial set, anyway.  I figured if I got these it would be a good foundation to getting the entire set.  I bid and won.  I will get them this week and I am so excited.  Now, I need to start thinking about where to display them during the upcoming holiday season.  It's the little things like this that make my life joyful.

Ok, so now I'll have two pigs and two bears.  I'm fine with that haha!