Little Bit of Savings, Flowers and Hockey

I've mentioned many times how hard it has been for me to give up regular trips to Whole Foods.  I get so excited when I'm able to make a trip there.  So imagine how happy I was to get to pick up all of the loot in the picture below for only $23.  I combined sales prices with 25.00 in coupons.  I carried home a bounty of healthy, natural products that I use and need on a daily basis. Normally it's impossible to completely fill two large totes bags at Whole Foods for $23 but I did it! This silly little hobby of mine is so much fun.  I guess some people knit, others garden.  I coupon.  Lol.

Yesterday was a great day.  It kicked off a five day long weekend. A very busy workday was made very, very special with this delivery.  Shown here at work on my desk and also at home.  They smell so fragrant and they are more beautiful today than they were yesterday.  Just spectacular.

I was able to spend some time with the sender of the roses.  Here is the sports recap of my night with a slight glimpse of my favorite flower gifter.

WGME Video Sports Recap 2/12/14

What We Do When We Love Someone

I thought a moment before deciding to do this post.  I didn't want it to come off sounding like I'm a martyr and all "Oh look at all I do".  Instead I'm focusing on the facts here.  I do a lot for Lou.  I do go out of my way and beyond what many people might feel is necessary and appropriate.  But I love him so how do you draw the line?  You do what you can, for as long as you can and for as long as it makes sense.

Several years ago old age descended on Lou in a major way.  He went from having minor ailments to serious chronic conditions that could be managed but never reversed.  He was diagnosed first with hyperthyroid disease.  This made him insanely hungry.  He wanted food all of the time and still lost weight to the point where he is literally just skin and bones.  I don't know what glue holds him together most days.  When he first began asking for food constantly I resisted.  I tried to keep him to a decent schedule.  It became clear that was not going to work for him.  So, I decided to simply feed him as much as he wants, whenever he wants.  When he began to need frequent meals throughout the night I bought an automatic feeder that kept him happy through the night and also allows me the occasional night away.  It has literally been a life saver for both of us.

Lou was also diagnosed with kidney disease as most older cats are.  It makes him extremely thirsty and he pees a lot.  It's not healthy for him not to have access to ample fresh water.  He used to jump up onto the bathroom sink to drink.  When he was no longer able to jump I bought him a water fountain.  It satisfies his need for fresh water.  He drinks a ton which is the healthiest thing that he can do to keep his kidneys functioning well for as long as possible.  One of the side effects of thyroid and kidney disease is high blood pressure.  That manifests itself as blood in Lou's urine.  The picture below might seem rather graphic but it is the reality of our life.  For 18 years he never had even one accident outside of the litter box.  He now has an inability to completely squat when he pees and the result is blood soaked urine everywhere.  Luckily these dog pads come to the rescue and for the time being they completely solve our litter box issues.

The most recent small change in our house is that Lou can't climb onto either the chair or sofa in the living room.  I was picking him up but I know he missed getting in the chair during the day.  An easy fix was adding these stairs in between the two  It isn't the best decorating touch but it accomplishes that Lou maintains a bit of independence .  Plus, he looks so peaceful asleep in the chair now that he can reach it again.

I feel very fortunate that each obstacle that we have faced has come along with a manageable solution.  As long as he is happy and enjoying life I will do what I can to make sure he stays that way.

A Lot Of Orange

My team at work is undertaking a 4-6 week project to get the business office's cash posting up to date.  This means I am now doing two jobs and supervising two distinctly different teams in two different job functions.  My team is the orange team.  The process for flowing work in and out is dependant on orange folders.  Each folder contains a bank deposiit that needs to make it's way across the organization to have a variety of money posted.

At the end of Monday my cubicle looked quite orange:

By Tuesday morning the orange was spreading:

By Wednesday every surface was covered including the floor and including parts unable to be captured in this photo.  The good news is my little group of orange posted about $4 million in one week.  But why oh why couldn't I have been given the color purple?

Some Of the Best Things In Life Are Cheap Or Free

Here's my steal of the week.  I have been saying for months that I need a new set of sheets.  I have two sets.  One is relatively new and really nice but the other set is ancient and not the nicest color. I managed to snag a $69.99 set of sheets for $23.52.    They are Fieldcrest Luxury 500 thread count Egyptian cotton and they are super soft.  I can't wait to wash them and get them on the bed.
Here's the breakdown of my savings:
Sheet Set 69.99
minus -10.00 off a $50 home purchase Target coupon
minus -35.00 Save 50% Target Cartwheel Deal
minus - 1.47 Target Red Card Savings         
Total $23.52 for a Queen Set!

I am also super excited that I have 12 of these coupons on the way to me.  I spent .96 cents for them and they will save me $18.00 on countless items at Shaw's.  I also think it's funny that getting them was sorta of like trying to score Bon Jovi tickets in 1989.  These coupons sold out in less than 5 minutes.  I am not the only freak out there!

Here's an update four weeks into the 52 week money challenge.  I have stashed $109 into the jar which puts me just slightly above the average amount I should be saving to stay on track and not end up with a bunch of high dollar weeks right around the holidays at the end of the year.  I am LOVING this jar idea.  I love seeing the bills piled up!

And on one final note of the best things in life being cheap or free...$20 for a concert ticket and for that I got 5 hours of entertainment, got better acquainted with some friends, heard some of my favorite songs live, and have a fantastic story of chasing down a rock star!

52 Week Money Challenge

Last year this was making the rounds on Pintrest and I considered doing it. The concept is that you save the amount of money for the corresponding week.  In week one you save $1 and in week 52 you save $52.  At the end of the year you have accumulated $1,378.   However, I had just started a totally new budget for myself and I was already overwhelmed at the thought of managing my money in any way so I didn't need to throw in another complication.  Plus, I absolutely knew that week 32 (or some other double digit week) would come along and I would not have the money, I would get depressed and dig out whatever money had accumulated in the jar and head to the mall.  

This year is a different story.  I have been successfully managing a realistic budget for the past year.  I still struggle to have enough money for all that I want but most weeks I do have enough money for all that I need.   I decided to try it out with one twist.  Each week I choose how much money to put in the jar and cross that off the list.  So, once I deposit $5 it's done.  That way when there's a really horrible week I can deposit only a couple dollars and still be on track.  It reminds me a bit of playing Yahtzee.  It's always tempting to use your chance or ones on a crappy roll but you know that there will be a roll later on where you will wish you has the chance or ones to cross off.  Same concept here.  I will need to really think if it's truly a tough week before I cross of that $1 week.  

Here is my jar.  It isn't pretty and nothing is really sticking on that well but I hope it will serve its purpose.

Happy New Year!

My Portland Hotspots

I feel so fortunate to live in a city that is so vibrant and full of fun places that are unique and special.  I am even more fortunate that I can easily walk to all of them and normally have a partner in crime two steps ahead of me checking places out and giving them the thumbs up.  I then tag along to see what all the fuss is about. I normally learn that there is good reason for the fuss.  Here are a few of my current favorite food and beverage places in Portland.

First Fave: North Point

This little gem is tucked away on Silver Street. As you walk up you are drawn in by the amazing decorations, inviting summer patio and the chalkboard that always has a witty saying. Once inside things get even better.  It has a long bar and you can be sure that the bartender will be friendly and that at least one of the owners will be by to chat.  The drinks are impressive, the food a nice compliment to the drinks and even the bathroom is a place you might want to spend a bit of time! The pear martini is a signature but the beer and wine lists are also splendid.

Next Fave: Local 188 and Sonny's

Two distinct places but same owner so I have lumped Local 188 and Sonny's together.  They both have amazing atmospheres, great drinks and yummy food.  I adore the yam fries at Sonny's and even though I get a wee bit embarrassed at the size of the plate I always manage to take care of most of the plate.  Both places have fantastic infused vodkas. Local 188 is a great, easy location with fun seating areas, great bartenders (theme anyone) and just as fun for a loud get together as it is for a quiet dinner for two.

Here are a couple of beverages from Local 188:

Another Fave: Zapoteca

I first went to Zapoteca during Restaurant week and their special menu had a wonderful vegan option that was basically one of the best meals I've ever had.  Combine that with fantastic drinks and I was sold.  Turns out they have a full vegetarian/vegan menu available all of the time.  

Here is the menu from restaurant week,  I has the veggie tacos with arugula.  OMG yum.

And here is their fantastic margarita:

I could name many, many other places but for now these are my top spots.  There are a couple of newer places that I'm anxious to try out though.  One is MJs Wine Bar.  I have a Living Social deal to use on food and drink.  The other place is Outliers which is just down the street from me and looks amazing!

Christmas Eve Food

I love pulling a meal together and having my parents over for good food and company on Christmas Eve.  This year I didn't have time off and only left work a few hours early so it made for a crazed afternoon but everything came off without a hitch and a good night was had by all.  And I did it with only two glasses of white wine and 2 glasses of sparking prosecco.  

I made a vegan lasagna.  I put the sauce together on Sunday so that it had a couple of days for the flavors to develop and I admit it smelled and tasted really yummy!

Here is the finished product:

I always make a big salad with festive pomegranate seed garnish:

I also made way too many cookies!

These are peppermint chocolate chip:

And here are pumpkin oatmeal chip cookies:

At one point my kitchen looked like a tornado ripped through.  This is just one small corner of the disaster scene:

But here is the table all set and ready to filled with wine and food!