Monday 7/13 Recap, day 1!!

What a wild start. I slept 7 hours between Friday morning and Monday night. That's total people. I did take 2 hours of that time Friday to myself but the rest was to accomplish various things on my to do list, take care of the kids, and work. Have to prove Scott was wrong though, just a rough start ;-) Got 8 hours Monday night though, a record in my world!!

So worked all night with a 45 minute nap at about 2:30. PT at 8am, AWESOME!! Hunter got some new sticks to try to learn to walk with to prepare him for crutches in the next month or so. Then set him up with Barney and off to my MFR/PT for my hips. Hit Rite Aid on the way home (returning most of it... long boring story), and thought about going to King Soopers (Kroger). But had to get Hunter for his Swallow Study. He ROCKED it. One of the only kids to ever go from Honey thick to no thickness. Just has to stop chugging like a frat boy :) Then to Walmart to complete the day. We "bought" in theory from our stockpile and "borrowed" from neighbors to make it through until I could shop for the challenge.

Menu:
Breakfast: Kids had boost drinks when getting up (from diaper bag). Ryanne ate at school and Hunter had toast with cheese and eggs with cheese and ketchup. And they both had some grapes. Scott and I had fried eggs and toast and coffee. [bought: bread, cheese, ketchup. borrowed: coffee, eggs from neighbor across the street, as well as a frying pan, baked toast in oven on rack, coffee pot "appliance" provided at non-fire-diggs).
Snack: Hunter attempted to re-eat his breakfast. And had some more grapes and the rest of his boost.
Lunch: Scott ate a leftover porkchop so I accounted for it under theory. He also had an apple the neighbors gave us. I "purchased" a Maruchan yakisoba and tried to share it with Hunter. Stinker won't eat!! I had some of the grapes we "purchased" and so did he. He had a box of raisins from the diaper bag. I'm not a horrible mom people, he always eats this crappy for me LOL
Snack: Hunter had some grapes at Children's Hospital as we waited for our results and sipped on the remainder of his juice box from the study. He was awarded a lollipop from the diaper bag as well.
Dinner: well, afer finally shopping Scott and I had shrimp and tomato pasta and the kids just had pasta with sauce (although they ate a lot of the shrimps!!). And we had iceburg lettuce salads with tomatoes and dressing and milk. I thought about taking a picture of dinner every night but didn't think of it until Wednesday so I'll start then :)

• Shrimp recipe:
  1 package Wacky Mac (or is really great with Spaghetti or Angelhair, if price works!!)
  2 cans tomatoes, seasoned if possible, (will save $$), drained
  1/2 medium onion, chopped
  5-6 cloves garlic, minced
  1/2 # shrimp (or more, just rationing)
  1 T fresh parseley (from neighbor's garden)
  1 T italian seasoning

Sautee shrimp, onions and garlic in some oil spray or 1T olive oil. When the onions are translucent and shrimp are done add tomatoes (and I love to add mushrooms or broccoli when I can). Add spices to taste and sautee for 5-10 more minutes, draining excess liquid if needed. Cook Pasta Al Dente and serve shrimp and tomato mixture over pasta. Sprinkle Parmesean cheese if available.

Monday's thoughts with the Fire Challenge:

• You have to cook in pots and presumably cut on cutting boards. We theoretically got 2 pots, 1 frying pan and a cutting board from my MIL. Hopefully tomorrow I'll add pictures of the utensil packs we would "buy" from the thrift store if given the real situation.
  Toothbrush/toothpaste. Ask your dentist for a sample in a pinch, they're always happy to help!
• Free household furnishing items are available to those really in need through various charities in major cities. If you needed a couch or something and really couldn't afford one, that's what they're there for. They're often called Furniture banks and here's a link to find one near you if you need something or have something to give!!! http://www.furniturebanks.org/
• Jammies. Have you ever tried to get kids by on one pair?? Geeeez!! And try telling them, no, you have one clean outfit, wear it!! If you lose everything, be prepared for a fight from the tots.
• Ask your friends and family. Most your older family have several older sets of dishes or that old set of pots and pans they haven't gotten rid of. Hey, for the price at the time, good way to get you off your feet.
• While budgeting weekly may be necessary for some, per the All You Challenge, consider monthly and stockpile budgeting. Things go on sale in cycles. For instance BBQ sauce will be on sale through July only most likely, or just into August. If you like BBQ year round, wouldn't it save you money to buy a bunch at 0.08 a bottle or FREE or BETTER THAN FREE?!?! With coupons, you can and I am of the mind you should. So I am budgeting food weekly and the rest of our items monthly because I think that's a more long-term mindset.
• Rushed? Make a sandwich. You'll save a lot vs. just running to McDonald's or wherever. Really, how hard is it to put bread, meat, cheese, condiments or veggies as you have available and can tolerate.... your waist and your wallet will thank you later.
  

Okay, I am sure there's more, but I can edit ;-) That's the meat of Monday!!