Busy life - the winter update

Just some quick thoughts and happenings in the last few weeks. Work has been so crazy, this is the first time in a long time I have no desire to be there. I have worked at Mercy Home care on and off for the last 20 years - there was about a 6 year break in there where I had been laid off and then resigned, because they were reducing the # of people in the office at the time and I had went to 32 hours per week for health reasons, I was laid off because I was part time (now 32 hours per week is considered full time). Things in life happen for a reason though, I learned a lot when I was in different positions and I did meet my Tommy - so all is well. 

We have been working on implementing a new computer system for about a year now, and we will "go live" in March. Still have a lot of work to do. I do not think I would have made it through the last year except I work with such a great group of people and one in particular has been a huge help in this project. Without him I could have not made it through the stress.

My Crohn's disease is effected by all of this stress, so I have been put on a new pile of meds - I really do not like taking meds (as most people do not) and it has been a rough month. Away from work I have been busy at home, worked on things I was not able to complete during the holidays.

Baked some bread to stock the freezer (we do not eat that much bread really!)

Sewed 2 charity quilts for Quilts for Kids - a nationwide program that is sponsored by Downey - the kits were put together so nicely, and the fabric was nice quality. I really enjoyed doing this, but in the future I want to work on charity quilts that will stay in our area.

Quilt #2

My sweetie had a birthday last Sunday, on Saturday we decided to take a day trip to Monterey, it was nice, but we really do prefer the mountains and the quiet life! But once every 5-10 years we have to do these things to remind ourselves we like home better! Happy 62nd birthday Tommy!!

Our awesome view at lunch, (the view was better than the food though)

A super sweet friend surprised us with dinner on a Thursday night (when I was super tired) 

My new toy - I got a sale on a Neat desk scanner, makes keeping up with the paper in the house much simpler for me. Even though I did need my son to help get things set up for me, thanks Ry!

I am working on the Tyra paperwork reduction act of 2015 - that is my goal, to find the top of my desk!! 

Still praying for more rain in California, especially the central valley, but for today the grass is green and white windows are open in the cabin to "air it out" - Happy Day!

Food Storage challenge wrap up

For almost 4 weeks we challenged ourselves to a food storage challenge, I have to admit it was not easy. By the last week I did break down and buy some produce, so for 4 weeks our grand total of food spending (not counting a few meals out because we were working or out of town) we spent about $100. This bought apples, lettuce, some veggies, sodas (we could not make it without them), and one rotisserie chicken. Tom ended up working in Fresno all week, and we needed some things for him to take some food with him.

Things that were good for us using the food storage challenge:

1. Now when I do go to the grocery store I ask myself "can we eat this", I realized how many items that are non food item we I am putting in the grocery cart. These items add up, and it takes a hit on my food budget.
2. I am really going to think now about "do I NEED to go to the store" or is it just for something to do. I really am not a clothes buyer, or like to shop that much, but I do stop by the grocery store many more times than I NEED to, every time I walk in the store I will spend money, this is a great reminder for me.
3. We have A LOT of food that is getting outdated or will be outdating soon, I need to cook from food storage at least 2x per week ongoing to help the rotation of canned meats, and short shelf life items.
4. I enjoy making bread, and others around me like when I make bread also.
5. Tamales are a great break from routine meals for us and super simple to pull out of the freezer, I made a ton of them at Christmas and they blessed others and continue to bless us. I really like having them in the freezer for potlucks also.
6. I am pretty good at creating a meal out of what is on hand, this is a true gift and talent, Tom is not able to do this.
7. Having home canned meats in the pantry is awesome!
8. Homemade flour tortillas are better, been a while since I made them and now I am wondering why I stopped.
9. I was better mentally with finances all month because I did not go into stores and did not buy things I did not need. I worked on cleaning up financial paperwork, budget.

Things I did not like about the food storage challenge, things I learned or was reminded of:

1. We do not have enough canned fruits and veggies on hand.
2. I like fresh fruits and veg better - need to work on greenhouse and/or garden.
3. We drink sodas, I ended up not quitting - work has been super stressful and I did not give up my sodas.
4. My husband like to eat out too much, he did not participate in the food storage challenge as much as I did - and I will leave it at that!
5. When we had company it was harder to do the food storage challenge.

Would love to hear your comments about food storage and/or food storage challenges. How did you, or how do you think you would do?