Frugal Happenings 12/30

Happy Sunday.  Wow, here we are on the last weekend on the YEAR!  It seems like yesterday that we were talking about the start of 2018.  Geesh, I am just now getting used to writing 2018 and now I have to change!
I know I did not achieve all that I hoped in the year - but I do look forward to 2019 and to all the fun it may bring.

Weather has been up and down this week.  We had one day at almost 60*F and others in the 30's.  NY eve is to bring rain and storms and 50's.  I know many of you have experienced a lot of snow and really cold weather (and others have extreme heat) - but so far our winter has been uneventful.  I guess I shouldn't brag.

As fun as the holidays were, I am looking forward to being back to 'normal' - whatever that is!  No shopping, no baking, no rushing - just calm.  I got to see a lot of family I don't get to see real often, so that was just lovely.  The younger generation is always so busy and doing their own thing - us 'old' folks get last dibs!!!!

Here is a pic of myself (in red) with some of my great nieces and nephews and even a gr. gr. nephew and one 'in the oven' (girl kneeling is pregnant).  These are my brother's grandchildren.  They are such fun to be around and they make me (at 5'8") look short!!!!!

My frugal week:

• Salvaged some nice big pieces of really heavy gift wrapping that I will use again and saved tissue paper and pretty bags as well
• Shared lots of holiday buffet leftovers with our neighbor/friend and lots of sweets as well.  Needed all those sweets out of sight!
• Set up a new 'snack' pantry area
• Got all gifts and goodies put away and the main part of house straightened and cleaned
• Took all decorations down and have house back to normal
• Cut G's and my hair
• Cut the fronts off all the Christmas cards.  These will be used for lists and notes - I have plenty to use as gift cards from years past. (I also kept the backs of some cards that were mainly empty of script to use for lists.)
• Reworked and totally straightened the deep pantry that I have downstairs
• We are getting FREE premium channels on cable through Jan.1.  DVRing lots of shows for later
• Got a corned beef brisket out of freezer to thaw for our NY dinner
• Did NO after Christmas sale shopping - no need for anything
• Have my new calendar for 2019 all marked with birthdays and such and ready to put up
• All normal things - making tea, laundry in cold, using leftovers, made up new bottle of shampoo mix, etc.

Meals this past week:
Leftover sloppy Joes and cheesy potatoes  (froze balance of sloppy Joes for later)
Baked spaghetti (used up balance of BBQ meatballs in it)
Chicken and dumplings & mashed potatoes (G's request for Christmas)
Fried chicken, leftover dumplings and salad
Dirty rice with ground sausage and side of marinated veggies
Homemade pizza
Long John Silvers - I bad!!!!  (It tasted so good)

We munched on chips/dip, beef stick, cheese and crackers for snacks (and of course sweets)
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Have you survived all the holiday festivities?  Are you done with your celebrations?  Did you get any money saving gifts to use or shop for any deals?

I look forward to learning from and sharing with everyone in the coming year.  I am glad we are in this lifestyle together.  It is so much fun getting new ideas and 'meeting' new people from all over the world.
I pray that as this new year begins, that you and your family will have health, happiness and prosperity.  May all your wishes and dreams come true.

Blessings and HAPPY NEW YEAR from our humble home to yours.