Yup that's the title, and well that probably sums up the entire post!
Week one of living lightly (ok in Lenten prep) and my new tip is indeed to make friends with your local butcher. (Glad I spell check cause that last word was actually a swear the way I wrote it first!)
I remember my parents going to speak with the butcher before shopping but myself I'm always shying away from the meat man in the back. It's not a wonder why. Fingers dripping in blood and rainboots up to their knees, not so appetizing when you are looking for um...good eats.
Well I've overcome some of my butcher fear. I'm learning to look past these short failings, including in the local Nob Hill butcher named Frank, who yes has red hot lips tattooed to his neck!
My first impression needless to say left me a little wary, but ahh, never judge a book by its cover.
When making a visit on Friday to the local meat section of Nob Hill I was on the hunt for the cheapest ground beef in town. A chub, thats right 10 lbs of beef. On sale it was 1.69 a lb. For Cali thats pretty good. Reg sale prices on Gr Beef 80 percent lean runs about 2.49 a lb. Adds up to a lot of savings when you buy bulk.
I looked pretty funny with my chub of beef slung over my right shoulder about as long as a rifle.
Looking through the rest of the meat section a second sale caught my eye for pork loin chops at about 1/3 of the regular cost if purchased again in chub style and free slicing was included.
Off I go for my first meet with the "Meat Man."
Frank let me know that his blades were dripping in bl.... no not blood, bleach, for the evening clean, I would need to wait a good 10 minites. No problem.
I came back to nicely sliced chops!
Frank then said, "look come with me, I'm going to show you around the meat section a bit. Sounds like you know how to look for a good deal, let me give you some hints."
Frank told me I should alway come to him first and he will tell me if a deal is really good or not, and if not, when he expects prices to drop. At this time rib eye in bulk was 67 dollars instead of the regular 100 dollars. MAN I WANT A FREEZER!
When I left Frank, full of joy at my big save, I looked back to wave goodbye and Frank smiled and said God Bless you Maam!
Made my day!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Living light for Lent - CHALLENGE
Catholic Alert. Lent begins in 1 week!
Lent is one of our favorite times; yes you can call us crazy!
Advent like lent should always be in our hearts, not just one season of the year. But being human we need to celebrate these things once in a while to bring us back to the points. Example Valentine’s Day. My husband treats me like its Valentines day nearly every day, but it was really nice to be able to firmly celebrate that day, have a nice meal together and take time to recommit ourselves.
Lent, the 40 days fast preceding Easter is a time for all to do what we like to call, Heart housecleaning. Hopefully it happens all year, but again, so grateful that there is a special time set aside to really remind us of this.
Every year we find ourselves getting a little more creative. Last year was by far our best Lenten observance yet, so this year might be in for some competition!
Last years goal was to focus less on the fasting and more on the increasing of our prayer life. From this naturally sprung a deeper desire to fast from unneeded things and to offer them to God with a grateful heart.
We will continue on those same lines this year but with an additional twist that matches the economic crisis we all find ourselves in.
We want to commit and to CHALLENGE you dear friend to a “Living Light for Lent” challenge.
What does this mean? Well there is some homework involved.
1-Living perfectly according to your budget. – YES you need to create one if it doesn’t exist!
2- Offering up each small financial sacrifice you make, (when you have a want, reflect if it’s a need, if its not, let it go) for one of the following intentions:
-The protection of every country from terrorist plots- I think its time to pull out some serious prayer.
-A peaceful end to the horrors of abortion.
-For those struggling with infertility – this is very close to our hearts and we storm heaven everyday for those family and friends trying to conceive, its one of the most painful sufferings.
So who is going to take up the challenge? I know we will probably get like 0 or 1 or 2 responses only but hey it’s worth a try. Comment even if you are a stranger.
RULES OF THE CHALLENGE
-You must have a working budget.
-Read Phil Lenehan’s guide to family Finance, or but the Economides book on America’s Cheapest Family. They help you make a budget as well.
-Have fun, being frugal for the sake of virtue and not just for the sake of being frugal, will actually be a heck of a lot of fun.
-You must comment back on your little frugal tips and successes
You have 1 week to prepare by reading on of the books. Start even if you haven’t fully read the books, just get that budget done!
Finally remember, Avoid debt, live below your means and become a thrifty shopper. Budgeting and being frugal isn’t for the poor and struggling, it’s for everyone. If you have enough money to go around, great, all the more is required to use it wisely. Also keep the big picture in mind, if you save a buck but spend hours of wasted time doing it, it wasn’t worth it. Time is a value, relationships a value, and proper use of money a value, pray for prudence to know what takes precedence in situations.
Weekly we’ll be posting our successes and failures as well as including little stories.
Lent is one of our favorite times; yes you can call us crazy!
Advent like lent should always be in our hearts, not just one season of the year. But being human we need to celebrate these things once in a while to bring us back to the points. Example Valentine’s Day. My husband treats me like its Valentines day nearly every day, but it was really nice to be able to firmly celebrate that day, have a nice meal together and take time to recommit ourselves.
Lent, the 40 days fast preceding Easter is a time for all to do what we like to call, Heart housecleaning. Hopefully it happens all year, but again, so grateful that there is a special time set aside to really remind us of this.
Every year we find ourselves getting a little more creative. Last year was by far our best Lenten observance yet, so this year might be in for some competition!
Last years goal was to focus less on the fasting and more on the increasing of our prayer life. From this naturally sprung a deeper desire to fast from unneeded things and to offer them to God with a grateful heart.
We will continue on those same lines this year but with an additional twist that matches the economic crisis we all find ourselves in.
We want to commit and to CHALLENGE you dear friend to a “Living Light for Lent” challenge.
What does this mean? Well there is some homework involved.
1-Living perfectly according to your budget. – YES you need to create one if it doesn’t exist!
2- Offering up each small financial sacrifice you make, (when you have a want, reflect if it’s a need, if its not, let it go) for one of the following intentions:
-The protection of every country from terrorist plots- I think its time to pull out some serious prayer.
-A peaceful end to the horrors of abortion.
-For those struggling with infertility – this is very close to our hearts and we storm heaven everyday for those family and friends trying to conceive, its one of the most painful sufferings.
So who is going to take up the challenge? I know we will probably get like 0 or 1 or 2 responses only but hey it’s worth a try. Comment even if you are a stranger.
RULES OF THE CHALLENGE
-You must have a working budget.
-Read Phil Lenehan’s guide to family Finance, or but the Economides book on America’s Cheapest Family. They help you make a budget as well.
-Have fun, being frugal for the sake of virtue and not just for the sake of being frugal, will actually be a heck of a lot of fun.
-You must comment back on your little frugal tips and successes
You have 1 week to prepare by reading on of the books. Start even if you haven’t fully read the books, just get that budget done!
Finally remember, Avoid debt, live below your means and become a thrifty shopper. Budgeting and being frugal isn’t for the poor and struggling, it’s for everyone. If you have enough money to go around, great, all the more is required to use it wisely. Also keep the big picture in mind, if you save a buck but spend hours of wasted time doing it, it wasn’t worth it. Time is a value, relationships a value, and proper use of money a value, pray for prudence to know what takes precedence in situations.
Weekly we’ll be posting our successes and failures as well as including little stories.
This little dude is proof that a little piece of fabric goes a long long way!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Mission
What is a mission?
More importantly what is a California Spanish Mission?
Because you know that’s where it’s really at…
There are 21 Spanish Missions in California. The first, Mission San Diego de Alcala was founded in 1769! The final mission was San Francisco Solano founded in 1823.
Rich and full of history, the missions have interested this little Canuck since I arrived here from the great white north.
The settling plans for the missions actually began way back in 1493! With Spain settling in Mexico many missions were under the control of the Jesuit order. In 1767 the New Spain mission system in Lower California was removed from the Jesuits and placed over to the Franciscans, namely the famed Junipero Serra, now blessed. (His body is buried in Carmel mission which we visit often.)
A unique thought came to our minds this year that while we are living in California we would really like to make a pilgrimage by visiting all, yes all of the Missions. We are doing it as a prayer asking God to bless our little family and with a few special intentions on our minds and hearts.
So I hope you enjoy the journey with us, from time to time we will be posting photos of each mission that we have visited. Maybe it looks more like fun then a pilgrimage! Who said you couldn’t have a bit of both right!
We have been to many of the Northern ones this month including these photos of San Juan Bautista taken last weekend.
Joseph wakes up every day saying “I’m off to the mission.”
More importantly what is a California Spanish Mission?
Because you know that’s where it’s really at…
There are 21 Spanish Missions in California. The first, Mission San Diego de Alcala was founded in 1769! The final mission was San Francisco Solano founded in 1823.
Rich and full of history, the missions have interested this little Canuck since I arrived here from the great white north.
The settling plans for the missions actually began way back in 1493! With Spain settling in Mexico many missions were under the control of the Jesuit order. In 1767 the New Spain mission system in Lower California was removed from the Jesuits and placed over to the Franciscans, namely the famed Junipero Serra, now blessed. (His body is buried in Carmel mission which we visit often.)
A unique thought came to our minds this year that while we are living in California we would really like to make a pilgrimage by visiting all, yes all of the Missions. We are doing it as a prayer asking God to bless our little family and with a few special intentions on our minds and hearts.
So I hope you enjoy the journey with us, from time to time we will be posting photos of each mission that we have visited. Maybe it looks more like fun then a pilgrimage! Who said you couldn’t have a bit of both right!
We have been to many of the Northern ones this month including these photos of San Juan Bautista taken last weekend.
Joseph wakes up every day saying “I’m off to the mission.”
Thursday, February 12, 2009
reality check
I saw this quote as a comment on a blog. I thought it very realistic.
If Satan can weedle his way into the the Twelve Apostles who were in the physical presence of Christ Himself, then he can weedle his way into anywhere.
Don't be surprised, just pray and be vigilant.
If Satan can weedle his way into the the Twelve Apostles who were in the physical presence of Christ Himself, then he can weedle his way into anywhere.
Don't be surprised, just pray and be vigilant.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Bad day thoughts
On a day like today I'm achy all over and I am starting to hate the word whiplash. Sometimes you just have a bad day and feel like a constant failure to your family and all around you, but then you look at cutie's like this and how can you not praise the Lord for all his wonderful wonderful works, despite ourselves!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Car accident
Well there you have it folks, my beloved car. Bye Bye baby:(
Doesn't really look too bad although it was quite a hit and sadly the car is a write off. I like to think it looks ok because hey, it was just one hot little car.
Doesn't really look too bad although it was quite a hit and sadly the car is a write off. I like to think it looks ok because hey, it was just one hot little car.
This car has value to me, I like to call it my St. Joseph car, or independence car. It was the first major purchase I made without any "earthly" male help, no boyfriend, no Dad or big brother. Now don't get me wrong, Dad and 2 great brothers would have helped me, but it was important to me to research, save and finalize this puppy on my own. Ok not on my own.
I felt very alone at that point in my life in 2002 when I bought this sweet prize. I just had a major breakup of a serious long term relationship (little did I know I was literally days away from meeting my now spouse and love of my life). When I went to purchase this beauty I really entrusted myself to the prayers and concerns of St. Joseph who I believe can help me out from heaven with his prayers. He being protecter and guardian of Jesus, I figure he can pull a thing or two off for me. There is something about a single girl having St Joseph watching out for her.
In that same month of February 2002 I purhased this car and made a special prayer pilgrimage to Mexico in which I entrusted my whole life to God through the care of St. Joseph. Within days after meeting Vincent through an introduction from his sister, we were both pretty certain that our prayers had been answered.
Again today as I plowed into a lady who sadly wasnt looking where she was going and pulled out into my lane from a parking lot while I was driving on a road 2 blocks from home, I sensed the presence of St. Joseph protecting me still in that car. I prayed in that moment that he would protect her as well and thankfully he did. I tried so hard to stop my car but there was just not enough space and time. Someday I will simply run out of space and time altogether, but today just wasn't my time.
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