Thursday, August 20, 2009

I am so tired tonight. I am ready to say that we have had enough summer already. While I love my children and love having them home, I need a break already.

Monday my mother in law paid us a visit and took the kids school shopping. Her generosity is appreciated, as she bought the kids expensive clothes I would never agree to. I have to remind myself that it brings her joy to give them so much. I found myself a little embarrassed by her extravagance (my daughter got 9 shirts alone).

Tuesday I finally fulfilled the years long promise to take the kids to Noah's Ark in Wisconsin Dells. It was a great day. However, my two oldest fought constantly, by 8:00 pm I had enough. I punished them by making them clean the house top to bottom, inside and out, yesterday. They did a great job, I think they got the point. That has not stopped them from bickering a little bit today.

Today the kids were free to join the world again so there were kids here all day. They had a good time and left me alone for the most part. Of course, having children around that are not yours can prove to be exhausting, which I am right now. I better build up my strength though, both of my girls are having friends sleep over tomorrow night.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Post card update, 6 cards came today. We got 3 from Brazil, 1 from England, 1 from Michigan and 1 from Spain. Total is 93 cards received so far. Three weeks until the end of this project, looks like 100 cards will attainable.

Dinner tonight was an easy pasta dinner made with basil and tomatoes from our garden. The pasta came from the discount rack at our local grocery store. A quick, simple, cheap and healthy dinner. What could be better.

Tomorrow we are taking that much feared trip to Wisconsin Dells to go to the world's biggest water park, Noah's Ark. I feel excitement and fear this evening knowing what lies ahead tomorrow. Lines, children, heat and impatience. I think it will be a really fun day and I look forward to the time I get to spend with the kids.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Postcard update since my last post, we are at 87 cards. The kids received one yesterday from Bangkok Thailand. Again, from someone I do not know, the word is getting out about our project.

Now, on to the grocery bill. So far for this month, I have spent $124.00. The benefits of the garden and the CSA have finally paid off!! We are overflowing with produce. Tonight my husband harvested potatoes, onions, shallots, tomatoes and broccoli. That is for tonight only. We have watermelon and cantaloupe from the CSA to cover our fruit for the week. We have pounds of peppers, tomatoes, carrots, beans and zucchini for the week. Along with this bounty we have a huge bag of flour and rice. Not to mentions pounds of garbanzo, kidney and black beans. Our meals have been extremely simple, but so tasty and healthy. My kids have not complained and our budget is so happy. I really feel like we are doing something good for us and the planet.

Tonight my husband made an Indian dish made of garbanzo beans, tomatoes, garlic and onions. He made rice to put the beans on and homemade bread. Very frugal. So often, he inspires me to try something new, I almost always like what he has made.

Tomorrow we go school shopping with my mother in law. She is very generous to help with the school clothes, with 3 kids it can be expensive. Every little bit helps.

Off to watch Mad Men now. Have a good night.