Frugal Yet Fascinating

Happy Friday!

We've been enjoying barbecue pulled pork (courtesy of my successful experiment with the pressure cooker) and cole slaw sandwiches all week. I was on such a roll that night that I also made some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and I'm pretty sure the hubby thought he'd died and gone to heaven! Although he wasn't quite sure what to make of the sweet tea...that was a new experience for him.

I'm really starting to get into cooking at home instead of eating out. I've always enjoyed cooking.....I just don't get a thrill from the cleanup afterwards and I wish I had a larger kitchen to work in! In addition to the barbecue pulled pork and cole slaw sandwiches, I made spaghetti this week, and also some sausages with sauerkraut cooked in the crockpot that we had on potato rolls. I'm starting to get into the habit of packing my lunch for the next day when I'm cleaning up after dinner, so I'm very happy with my progress in that area too.

On the no spend front, I'm feeling guilty. I sort of fell off the bandwagon the last couple of days. I did invest in a dehydrator and a breadmaker, and I think those were worthwhile purchases, but I'm not sure I needed the Aero Garden (even if it was on sale) and I know for a fact that I didn't need any more clothes or makeup.

A lot of my spending (and eating, for that matter) happens when I'm under a lot of stress, particularly work-related stress, and I need to find a better way to deal with it. I had thought the exercise challenge would help me take a step in the right direction, and I'm sure I will get there, but this past week with getting out of work after 7 at night, then it takes me a good 45 minutes to an hour to get home, then dinner, then collapse....not sure where to fit the exercise time in there. I think the answer has to be less time devoted to work and more time devoted to taking care of me. There has to be more balance!

More balance.....yes, that's a good idea. I spent the last few years working full time and going to school full time. I got my degree in January and I thought things would slow down but it seems like I've just taken on more on the work side. It's as if I haven't learned how to slow down yet, and that's something I really want to work on.

That, and finishing the application to consolidate my bazillion dollars worth of student loans this weekend. (I'm glad I finally have my degree, but it should be criminal for it to cost as much as it did!)

Enjoy the weekend!