Slept really well again last night. Two nights in a row! This is unusual for me. I bought Melatonin on the weekend. Seems to be doing something.

While rested I'm still going to get my vat of coffee to take to work. I'm also going to take a larger lunch than I did yesterday so the bright shiney signs of the drive through are not so alluring.

Todays plans include sending off some coupon trains, more on the insurance paperwork I have, a massage (scheduled) and getting the oil in my car changed.

I don't know what got into me tonight.

Oh hang on. Yes I do know what got into me.




Calories and spending that is not getting me to my goals. Sigh.

I think, now I am trying to analyse it is that I didn't eat enough at lunch, and I didn't have a snack in the afternoon. So I stopped on the way home and again for slice of pizza after I did my civic duty tonight. I was hungry.

I'll bring bigger lunch tomorrow and see what that does to my willpower.

*not sure where the kitty picture is from (which is what I see when I go to the all blogs page) but it is cute. Its is not the picture I see on my entry page, however its pre-coffee and the is no way I'm going to win the cat is determined*

Heading to work in a few minutes. It will be interesting to see what mess is left on my desk after a very busy few weeks of working on a panic project.

A few odds and ends on my personal agenda too. We vote today for municipal candidates. So I need to do that as there is a candidate or two I prefer and a couple that I don't want to win too!

The other odds and ends are buying stamps, and some deposits to make (didn't get done on the weekend). Nothing too difficult.

I'm not fully on my frugal game (sleeping in won, LOL) so its off to the Timmies for a cuppa and some breakfast - I do have a lunch so I'm not doing too badly.

I hope this won't apply to any of us.

Another saturday! Woo Hoo!

I have number of plans today most of them involve spending some money.

* slow wind up with coffee (I love just being able to relax). This part is free, woo hoo!

*sign up for the Missus Smarty Pants service. I need clothes, I want stuff that looks nice but these days I get into the clothing store and freeze. Hopefully a $10 investment will pay off into some better purchases.

*Lunch out with friends.

*Buy Christmas gifts for some people on my list. Stores I want to go to are in a power centre mall beside each other.

*Deposit 2 cheques.

*put together chili to cook in the slow cooker

*relax and maybe do some quilting.

A doable list. Now I'm off to catch up on my blog reading

I went into the grocery store today for one thing. A special on the last day of sale that I had coupons for. Of course it was no where to be found. One of the "meat guys" looked for me - even looked in the back. None! He went above and beyond.

I go to customer service to get a raincheck. The young lady at the desk was friendly and polite enough but seems their policy is that they have to call the department to see how many rain checks they are supposed to give you. I asked if I could get 4 on raincheck. That's not so greedy. But no she couldn't write me out one without checking.

The meat guy - likely the one who helped me said okay.

Did they know how tired I was? How I just wanted to get home? Do they realise how not fun it is to stand around while an employee of a huge chain decides to call to see if they can give you 2 or 3 or 4 as the number of items you are allowed to purchase with your raincheck? Do they have to make it this difficult to get a good deal?

The big project (our companies response to a request for proposal) that I've been working on got sent out today. So its done. It might come back - with questions and the like. Worst (or perhaps best case) we might actually sell it.

I'm totally wiped. A coworker had a huge project similar to mine due out today also, and she reminded me of the necessary way to deal with the completion of these sorts of projects.

We grabbed our boss and another coworker and headed out to for a late lunch. A few beers were consumed. I had some delicious chicken wings. And we were good - we did headed back to the office and made an appearance before we left for the day.

I have ton of stuff at work but that will wait for me until Monday. Not like any "work elves" are going to rush in this weekend and do it for me.

A lazy evening is planned - well what is left of it. Tomorrow is soon enough to sit down and make some preliminary decisions with respect to Christmas Shopping. My goal is to have most of it done by the beginning of December. I say this every year, LOL.

I hate when they call them BOGO (buy one get one) sales when they aren't.

I got this online ad in my email box.

Dumping the two cold cups of coffee at your desk into one cup so you can go to the microwave to heat it up.

True motivation was not frugalness. Rather the knowledge that there is no fresh hot coffee to be had in this building. The cafeteria closes at 5 and the vending machines dispense a beverage called coffee that really does not resemble any coffee you have ever had (other than perhaps from a vending machine at your place of employement or a hospital). My nuked reheated coffee is better than that stuff.

The real motivation was that I need to stay to work and if I leave I'm not coming back here tonight.

Lets not go into why I'm blogging rather than working, okay?

I've been blogging lately about my stresses at work. Change in management and new management philosophies have made work very difficult, and at times, too political. I'm in a job where the political mood of senior managmenet affects some of my day to day work. Because of that I can't totally hide from what is happening. Too bad. It would be nice to be able to just do my stuff and let it settle around me.

The last couple of weeks have seen a lot of changes at work. One of the things keeping me focussed, and not walking out the door, is the knowledge that my emergency fund is not where I want it to be to survive a period of unemployement.

I'm not likely to be fired, and my job is secure for the immediate future. Who can say what will happen 3 or 5 years down the road - no one is guaranteed lifetime employment these days.

The lesson in all of this. Having a better funded emergency fund would reduce my stress level. So, I better get really serious about that.

I'm down these days (can anyone tell? LOL). Though my boss had it worse than me today. He told me he almost walked out - rather than that he went to HR to talk to them about problems. My bosses boss is making all kinds of changes - most of which are to say how we have done stuff for years is wrong or not good enough. Very demoralizing for all of us.

On a happy front I was successful in my spending goals - bought only gas today. Didn't eat much during the day - way too much stress at work. Ate the main course part of my lunch a few minutes ago for supper. But having the food there, and having lots to eat and being able to snack on fruit was excellent for me - both health wise and monetarily.

I slept horribly last night. I think, even though I did go in to work yesterday to get caught up enough to be "totally behind" rather than "totally and hopelessly behind", that I have too much work to do! Duh eh?

I just had breakfast, and have my lunch to take to work (and a cuppa coffee for the drive!). My planned spending is a cup of coffee (I'll likely need another one at some point today) and a tank full of gas.

I did some pre-planning this weekend. I will eat better and healthier because of this and way cheaper than eating out (or buying a new wardrobe because I stress eat junk food all week)

I cooked up some pinto, tomato and barley casserole, so I have that for some lunches and am making southwest chicken (recipe below).

My lunch menu will look like this (I have a total of 5 of everything).

-pinto bean casserole or southwest chicken
-coleslaw with japenese ginger dressing
-apple
-pear
-plum
-vanilla yogurt pudding with mixed fruit

The pudding and the coleslaw are measured out already so I just have to grab and go. 3 of the main dishes are measured out and I just have to wait til the Southwest chicken cooks to have the rest ready.

A lot of food I know but I'm working long days so some will be for snacking. That will hopefully keep me away from the endless crap that is always floating around the office.

I also have the makings for chili but that will not end up getting done tonight. Probably will make it during the week and toss it into the rotation. And have enough of each to freeze so I'm ahead of the easy lunch and dinner things

Southwest Chicken

A package of chicken (6 pieces, I use boneless thighs, use whatever you have)
1 large jar salsa (16 oz)
1 can corn (11 -12 oz)
1 can black beans drained
1 3 oz can tomato paste (if desired)

Toss all in slow cooker and cook for 4-6 hours. I put the tinned stuff and salsa in the bottom of the crockpot and put the chicken on top. Sometimes I cut up the chicken first.

When serving garnish with chedder and sour cream to taste. I don't eat this on rice but it would be good that way I imagine.

After doing some cooking so I'd not be eating out all week to come, I did some very non frugal things.

A wonderful pedicure. My toes are now "berry dancer" pink and my feet are soft and happy.

That was followed by a great steak dinner. The place has no decor and you get your food at a counter on a tray but they make the best steaks and greek salad.

And then a walk to walk off the dinner.

There is nothing nicer than waking up after a good long sleep, and enjoying a cup (or more) of coffee and some of your favourite blogs.




When I blog out I'll move to checking the flyers for deals so I can plan an economical shopping run. Also on the agenda is tossing something easy into the slow cooker that will transform itself, almost like magic into wonderful meals for next week. That will give me a nice start for next week - nutritious delicious calorie sensible food to take to work!

Says something about my life doesn't it?

My plan was to work late tonight. My body and mind disagreed with that plan and decided that I needed a nothing night. I'm too tired to do anything and don't want to sleep now or I won't tonight. So I'm blogging.



I'll likely do some work at home tomorrow or go in for a few hours. Would be smarter to go in I think - so that tangible progress can be made. Work will be nuts next week. Totally nuts. It has been a while since it has been this crazy.

Had egg and chips for dinner, bought the chips, cooked the eggs. Very easy quick and filling. I need to do some cooking ahead this week too, so I eat properly next week. After this I'll likely go ebsurf an easy to raheat casserole or two for my lunches and dinners next week.

I want to thank everyone who gave me their two cents worth about the money I'm going to be getting.

You are all the best! When I get the money, I am going to move it to my ING account. With Christmas coming and a work schedule that is nuts, it will be at least January before I have a chance to think about it again.

I'm sure with how my life goes that once I have it parked some place that my logical side will emerge and I'll do what the majority has suggested and give myself time to decide what I want to do with it.

But dang it, my "wannahaveit" side is jonesing for that fancy sewing machine. Don't worry though, that side of me has been wanting that machine for a year. It is good at waiting - and frankly I don't have the time to properly research the purchase either.

I want something. I don't need it, i want it. It might be really really cool. It might be nifty. It might be pretty. Likely it is all of those things. It is bright and shiny and sexy.



So I walk out without buying it. I don't tell myself I can't buy it. Nope that would be being nasty to me. I just tell myself I'll buy it tomorrow. I don't feel deprived because I'm going to buy it tomorrow.

Usually when tomorrow comes I really can't care less about it. It isn't important enough to go back for. And when it is, it was worth buying.

This works very well for me. I make many fewer impulse purchases.

Today was a really long day at work. I made some progress yes, but at 8:30 tonight, while still at work I had to concede that I had to cancel my plans for this weekend.



I had planned to see my boyfriend, but I will instead have to work late tomorrow night, be in early on Monday and likely have to take some work home or go in (or stay most of friday evening - which is likely the best alternative now I think about it.

The good news. - Only spending today was on a coffee (and the lottery pool I'm in but that is planned spending). No darn way I want to be the only person left at the office if they win the lottery.

I'm not exactly happy about this. Having one that is. I'd prefer to have my Mom. Sigh.

Anyways, Dad called me tonight. Both my bother and I signed over our money from the will to my Dad so he'd not have to take a mortgage on the house. Long story, but Mom's will didn't reflect their current finances. We did the right thing rather than get all "entitlement oriented".

Anyways, while we did Dad is splitting the money from Mom's account between my brother and I. He is sending us a cheque each. That is very sweet of him.

What to do with it. To put it aside in case it is needed for for my Dad at some point - though he does have the house as an asset. Or invest? Or buy something? I would love a high end sewing machine. One that does everything including vacuum the sewing room afterwards. Bernina is my brand of choice They have some nice features for quilting.

That isn't sensible. I need money towards a car at some point and I could use it for retirement. But the dream is nice.

It follows my terrible Tuesday at work.

Actually got some time with my bosses so was able to get some direction for the project I'm working on. This is much needed as my project is actually due before the other one they are working on. Still I'm thinking this might not be a bad way to help manage my stress.



Planned spending today - breakfast. Unplanned, though not really unexpected - one coffee bought as much to give me a caffeine boost as to warm me up. I think the powers that be that run the heating system at work aren't. I was freezing today.

Have leftovers from dinner to make lunch tomorrow. So will have lunch for tomorrow. I'm weaning myself from Lean Cuisine so I have control over what I eat and so I'm eating healthier. And likely saving some money though on the priority list that is lower than health and control.