Craftsspot

This was a rocky ride, finally I am back to blogging. I am delighted to get back at it, since now I have more time, and I want to finally put in more time into ti, and come up with killer advice and interesting stuff!

Hey, not long ago I became an Avon rep, so right there there is a whole lot of things to talk about.

Avon is an interesting company to represent and I am still learning about it, one day at a time.

The first question when you think about Avon for me is – why overpay?

You can pretty much get the same exact stuff from Avon as from another other old cosmetic company, but 10 times cheaper, especially if you are a rep, and it only takes about 20 minutes a day to do work for Avon, and there will definitely be results.

I recommend to everyone, I think this is a great company to represent.

A revised sample coordinates the mod wallet.

I have been doing a lot of searches on Swagbucks lately, and I have to tell you, they give you very good results, and you can earn points for this. I have already redeemed 3 amazon cards for the points I earn. I really advise everyone to use their search system, and their various other ways to make money they have worked out – surveys, sweepstakes, swagbucks to earn while shopping online – they are gold, and easy to earn enough for a big payout fast. Consider joining them to make money for yourself! Seriously!

So here we go – foster parents idea. Like I said to my mother lately, I have been brought up not to try to buy a better car than my neighbor and show off, make my friends envious, etc. I have been brought up in the atmosphere of empathy to one another, collectivism, socialism, where things do not belong to a person, but to the group. I have also been playing around with an idea of adopting a child for a while now in my head. I thought that it is probably one of the most important things we can do in our time on earth – to nurture somebody who desperately needs it. My husband has been open about it in that he will think about it, but now he is warming up more to the idea of fostering a child rather than straight adopting one.

I think there are a lot of kids now that need a real home, where their parents are going to deeply care about them and attend to their needs. When a family gets one child their whole dynamics changes, but with each additional child it doesn’t seem to be getting that much different, since you still have to do the same chores for everybody.

I think that there are various life events that can make it too stressful, impossible for another family to appropriately care for their own child, be that poverty, job loss, drugs, inability to embrace the responsibilities that come with taking care of children. I do not blame the parents that lose that thread of being able to provide for their children to the best of our understanding of childcare, and I want to be there for them to help, as a foster parent on a daily basis.

Another interesting thing is that we have been donating money to the Foster Parents Plan for about 3-4 years now, and we have had two children that we have been supporting. The children send us little cards and crafts from time to time, and they are very thankful for what we have been doing for them, naturally. But for us, I feel, we are not forming a real bond with the children and the family we are helping just simply because they are very far away from us. It would have been a million times better if we could give them a helping hand across the street from us, or in our own home. I feel that the foster parents program that is available at the Youth center here in Montreal would be able to fulfill this void that we have experienced.

There are a few issues that we need to work out now, so that we can get to the point of applying to the program. We have to clean up the house from start to finish and make it really really clean, since there is a social worker visit, and then after we are accepted into the program, weekly or monthly social worker visits, for which the house has to still stay spotless. The other issue has to do with where we are at right now. My husband has just started his new job, we are running a family business, and he is planning to apply to a law school, so we might be actually moving in the next couple of months. This issue has to be all sorted out first before I can commit myself to even filling out the application form. There is a one year wait to get accepted into the program as well as to go through the application process. I am not sure if we are staying in Montreal next year – the time will show. For now I am going to file my application package into the drawer and start really cleaning up the house any moment I have to make sure anyway the house is either ready for the move and sale or for the fostering children. Even if we move, I will work on this fostering children idea, and see how we can make it work.

So, that is that, let me know in the comments what you think, maybe somebody already had some experience with the fostering. Adieu

Today on my blog is a loose ends day – I have to do my dues here and finish up the posts, that I have promised. I am going to explore the Russian language side of the blog, and get my mother’s recipes and info published today, some of it anyways, hopefully.

I have to write a post about the foster parents meeting and plan we are going to work on next – stay tuned, as always.

The shopping I have been doing the past two weeks has been very rewarding – I haven’t spent much money, maximized all my deals I knew of and was willing to use.

First receipt -

Saute sauce $2.99

Parmesan Saputo cheese 2X$2.75 less $1.00 coupon = $4.50 one left

Smoked ham $6.99

Ricotta cheese $4.49 have to figure out what to do with it

Madeleines $2.99 less $$1.50 = $1.49 (price reduced)

Thin bread $2.79

Green grapes $2.39 (on sale)

Chicken breasts $8.99+$10.47 (one still left)

Whole wheat bread $2.29

Hygrade hot dogs $2.99

Potatoes $3.99

Havarti cheese $3.86

Salmon portion cut $6.00

Cheddar cheese slices $5.05

Cucumber salad dressing $1.99

Tortillas $4.19

Romaine lettuce hearts $3.99

Clementines $3.99

Kraft salad dressing $1.09

Smoked ham $3.99 less $1.00 off coupon = $2.99

Bagels $2.49 less $1.25 rebate = $1.24 (price reduced)

Broccoli $1.99

Peanut butter $2.99

Chicken ground $5.50+$5.45

Beef shank $3.30 less $0.99 = $2.31 (price reduced)

Beef shank $2.66 less $0.80 = $1.86 (price reduced)

Post cereal $4.19 less $1.00 off = $3.19

Veal liver $5.20

Veal chops $8.76 less $2.63 = $6.13 (price reduced)

Veal chops $10.08 less $3.02 = $7.06 (price reduced)

Smoked bacon $3.99

Smoked ham $6.99 less $1.00 off coupon = $5.99

Purex detergent $6.99 less $3.50 off = $3.49 (price reduced)

Brown almonds $4.99

Returned bottles for $2.80 off

Total = $146.54

Shopping trip 2 -

Hallah bread $3.49

Chicken wings $4.97 (on sale)

Tortillas $2.99

Hot dog buns $1.00 (on sale)

Pork ribs $8.00

English muffins $2.29 less $1.15 discount = $1.14(reduced)

Olivieri fresh pasta $7.99

Imitation crab $1.00

Tilapia filet $5.82

Babybel mini cheese $11.99

Sesame bagels $1.79

So Nice soy milk $4.29 less $0.75 off coupon = $3.54

Cooked shrimp $4.99

Chicken legs $6.25 less $1.88 rebate off = $4.37 (reduced)

Naan Montreal pita $2.29 less $1.15 reduction = $1.14

Feta cheese $5.99 less 0.50 coupon off = $5.49

Asparagus $1.99

Broccoli $1.25

Pineapple $1.99

McIntosh Apples $4.49

Gnocchi Vita $1.99

Nescafe instant coffee $4.49

Olive oil Maestro $7.99

Eggs $3.39

Smoked ham $2.98 less $1.49 reduction = $1.49

Jumbo hot dogs $3.49×2 packs = $6.98

Cheddar cheese $5.08

Toilet paper 8 packs X $3.99 less 8 coupons each $1.00 off =$2

Kleenex 2 packs X $5.97 less 2 coupons each $1.00 off = $9.94

Cinnamon strudel $4.29

Peaches 3 $1.26

Bread snacks $2.49 less $0.50 off coupon = $1.99

Catelli pasta $1.66 less $0.75 off coupon = $0.91

Green peas $1.99

Grilled chicken $6.49

Took an additional $5.00 off the whole purchase

Total = $163.12, saved with coupons $17.50 – that’s probably my record for groceries tis year, n’est pas?

Shopping trip 3 – done by my husband, read, and you’ll see what I mean

Philadelphia cheese $5.99

Knorr and Lipton spaghetti 2X$0.99=$1.98

Mozzarella cheese $4.79

Apple juice 2 packs X$1.99 = $3.98

Chrysanthemes $5.99 (Ohhhhh, that’s nice – the flowers are outside our door now, they are red and really pretty)

Baguette $0.89

Kraft Peanut butter 2 packs X $3.49

Christie wheat thins $2.79

Adriatica bread $2.19

Plastic bags 2 = $0.20

Total $36.46

No discounts, only things on sale, which is semi-good, I guess

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Additions to my coupons stacks this week -

Burt’s Bees coupons to spread around $10 off

Toys R Us various toys coupons – don’t think I’ll use them, since with our finances our trips to this store are barely once a month or so

McDonalds coupons – will probably go this weekend for lunch or breakfast

Chirp magazine discount sign-up forms

Clover Leaf various Tuna coupons totaling $2.50 – don’t know if I’ll use these since we are not big into tuna, really

Loblaws/Maxi/Provigo coupons for $1.00 off Dial soap, 1$ off Clean and Clear products, $3 off Keri body lotion (that I definitely don’t need – I have a lifetime supply)

Save $1.00 off for canned meat products (I am scared of these products, is it for humans?)

High Liner frozen fish $1.00 off

Stouffer’s Lean Cuisine $1.00 off (I don’t eat these, but, hey, my husband does – I should buy him a pack)

$1.00 off Apollinaris mineral water

$1.50 off Van Houtte coffee (I still have that Melitta coffee lifetime supply from last year)

Wasa crackers coupons $1.00 off – these are also not that popular in our household, I think I haven’t bought them for a while now

20% off Home Outfitters till October 7th – don’t think I am going to use that either

again $2.00 off Royale Kleenex and toilet paper – I just bought a crazy number of these, I think I am good for now

$1.00 off Newman’s Own pasta sauce – I have never tried it, have you?

$1.00 off Tenderflake – these are great, especially for apple pies in a rush

$1.00 off Arm and Hammer laundry detergent

$0.50 off Barilla pasta – I am sure I’ll use these last two, probably on my next trip to the grocery store, hopefully these are on sale

Sears points coupons valid until October 15th – I might even use some this weekend, I think I have about $10 worth of points on my card already, go see what I need in their warehouse on Decarie

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Hey, have you heard that the Metro store has come up with a new points card? I wonder how many years it would take me to make about $10 back with that, I have a feeling a lot of years, I don’t think it will be very worth it, but hey, it is better than nothing.

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My vegetable delivery this week was -

Ground cherries, watermelon, 4 kiwis, brown mushrooms, celery, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, fingerling potatoes, zucchini (5). This is also what is left from my last week’s delivery still – watermelon, kiwis, garlic, cherry tomatoes, cabbage, radish. I have to make up my menu for the rest of the week based on these ingredients. Here we go

Thursday lunch – shrimp; chicken, pasta and celery broth; cheese quesadillas, leftovers

Thursday dinner – chicken breasts based with eggs and cheese; brussel sprouts with butter and fried leaks, barley boiled with Indian spices

Friday lunch – chicken breast sandwiches, leftovers, Greek salad

Friday dinner – whole chicken baked with beer bottle, boiled and baked potatoes, boiled peas

Saturday lunch – out

Saturday dinner – chicken leftovers, braised cabbage, cole slaw salad

to be continued

But I guess I might as well start. Yesterday night, and all day today it has been like a whirlwind, we have spend the whole night at the emerge hospital with my daughter with her earache – today I had to sleep in till 1 pm to get rid of the tiredness factor. I have been engaged in the revenge letter battle with who else, but my mother, who won’t stop driving me mad. She knows about our money trouble and she has recommended me a new program of MLM nature from Russia to spread around in Montreal. I tell her that medicinal nature food supplements all in Russian known only to Russians that have been living in Russia the last 5 years won’ be that popular in Canada, where the Russian community is not that large, plus a large chunk of them has left Russia almost before the revolution, just a joke, but even I myself Have left Russia already 8 years ago, and have no clue about this new company selling makeup lines and food supplement/medicinal agents at all. I don’t think I could ever move this kind of product.

I have to say that I have been shopping a lot, but have been staying away from the wasteful shopping, and it has been all very good on me. I still have the whole fridge full, I have enough to feed my family and an army at any given time, and I am staying way within my budget. Good job saving money, I suppose! I will have to make a posting about my shopping and meal plans tonight or tomorrow the latest.

My husband is going to be doing some contract work in the next little while, so I am going to be all alone in the house for the most part of the mornings anyways. Today I was supposed to have gone to SAAQ to get my driving learner’s permit, but I have slept in and really haven’t had much time. I think I have to pick another day this week and make it happen – I have seriously no choice, but I have to get it done.

So, starting tomorrow, I will not have a car at my disposal so I will have to do lots of lean smart shopping and walking, at least till the cold days start, after that the shopping will be confined only to the weekends.

I have been doing a bit of low-wage work for some online Russian companies, and it has been very healing to me, since I get to post on various forums about my knowledge of overall nature, for example, about life, women, children, cooking – all the things I like. It has been very rewarding, if not with the money, but definitely psychologically, since I get to socialize (sort of) with people who don’t know me, and I get to tell them everything about myself – it has been fun, really.

I have to make a few postings tomorrow probably about Burt’s Bees campaign, about some other campaigns associated with my Buzz agent stuff, and my reading I do periodically online about world events. I am often interested in the cases of missing children, it resonates in my heart with my own family, and I feel a lot of compassion towards these kids and families I hardly know, but I always wish I could help them find their babies taken away from them.

Another thing I have to write about is my experience with the foster parents program. This is the second foster parents program we are interested in, and getting involved with. The first one is the Foster Parents Plan support that we do through our company – we have two children from Honduras we support. Now we are inquiring about fostering children from Canada in our home here. We have about 2-3 rooms in the house that could work as/be converted into new bedrooms that could work out as a place for a teenager and a baby/toddler. The process is quite time-consuming and tedious, but that’s why I would like to make a post about it – tune in in a while, it is coming, I promise – it is pilining on my table right now, and I can’t wait to talk about it.

I have been thinking about finding a real job for myself, but now with picking up my daughter at 11-45 daily, except for Mondays when she just stays home with us – well, I just don’t know how that is even possible. I am going to see about getting a packer job, or spreading flyers job to see if that would bring in a lot of money or not at all. They advertise these jobs in the Russian newspapers here, but I have never about these jobs before, so maybe it is time to try it out. I am not ashamed of any job out there, as long as it is an honest trade, where all you do is do real work. I have so much on my plate right now, though, that I am not sure how it is even possible to juggle so much at the same time just for one person. But we’ll see….

1. Recycle envelopes – sometimes in your credit card bills you receive envelopes that are blank – well, you can use them whenever you need an envelope.

2. Buy grilled chicken at the grocery store whenever possible – it is a great money saver. While these chickens are a bit smaller than the ones that you can buy whole and prepare yourself, they take zero time to prep and cook, so it is a money and time saver at the same time – after the first few days of eating the chicken I always make my homemade stock with just the carcass of the chicken and roasted vegetables that I have on hand – then I keep it in the fridge for about 10 days and can make risotto, chicken soup, add to stews or add while cooking meat on the stove. The chicken and the broth both have a variety applications that are an integral part of your weekly cooking routine.

3. When trying to save money the key rule is to double your savings by using coupons on items already reduced in the store – that way you will definitely be getting a deal for yourself.

4. In a decent grocery store look for fast sale items – they might bare a red or orange ticket on them saying 30-50% off. This would be good to use for meat products. bare in mind that the store you are buying it from as to be trustworthy in terms of meat, because you have to make sure the meat is not already rotten that you are buying. Once you have secured a couple of fast-sale items in your grocery cart, make sure that you watch them being rung through at the register, because the cash-registers sometimes just don’t ring through these items automatically, and you have to watch over that.

5.

I have found a couple more recipes online today -

Zucchini cakes with mushroom ragout – http://www.bhg.com/recipe/vegetables/zucchini-cakes-with-mushroom-ragout/

Saucy beans and eggplant – http://www.bhg.com/recipe/beans/saucy-beans-and-eggplant/

Coconut curry chicken – http://www.bhg.com/recipe/chicken/coconut-chicken-curry/

Thai imitation crab salad – http://www.all-fish-seafood-recipes.com/index.cfm/recipe/Thai_Crab-Flavored_Pollock_Salad

Sounds like a really good and easy dill pickle recipe – will have to try some time, when I get my veggies delivery -

http://family.go.com/blog/catherinewman/the-world-s-best–and-easiest–dill-pickles-957273/

Generally, I really like this food blog – the pictures are amazing, the whole thing looks like someone is cooking in their own house, and you an feel the warmth and the love they are putting in their cooking – the website has nice salads, cooking with lots of greens, cooking with and for kids – what could be better than that. Mental note – check out the panna cotta recipe, salad recipes, vegetable soup http://family.go.com/blog/catherinewman/the-soup-of-1000-vegetables-857551/; oh where are my days of breadmaking? http://family.go.com/blog/catherinewman/fantastic-fearless-five-minute-bread-889536/

etc, etc, etc

So – news, I got my first hurdle done in the quest to obtain a driver’s license – I know I am too old for that, but I have to do it – it will make my life so much easier not to have to ask my husband to drive me everywhere. Now he has to teach me to drive though, in our nice car. Then all the millions of dollars we have to spend getting me a new car, paying for all the driving tests and courses, this will be interesting. First, our car insurance will go up. Did I tell you, I am trying to save money here, yeah, that is not going to happen.

I am so glad I made my meal planning yesterday, this is already so much easier today to construct my day when everything has been planning, and ready to go…..

We have again reached the point where we need to rethink our pantry, the way we buy and use foods, how and what we eat in order to save some money. I am happy we have most of the supplies already, like say, toothpaste, shampoo, creams and conditioners for the next little while. I am coming to an end of my laundry detergent stockpile, and I think this will take up a lot of money in the coming months. My food supply freezer and my pantry have a bit left, but I am not sure how long all this will last. We put another $2600 on our credit card this month, largely because of the activities our kids do, I think I have made an overview of these activities in one of my earlier posts.

I have found some work for me to do online – I take part in Russian online forums and make a few dollars here and there, mainly my salary is about $1 a week, based on the number of forum postings I make. It is very little money, and I could probably do something better with my time, but so far this is all I have found for me to do online, and the forums where I post, seem quite interesting to follow, and read…. so I will continue this for the next week, probably, we’ll see how interesting the forum postings will be.

Here is the food I still have left in my fridge and pantry to make for dinners in the coming week/weeks -

ham, yogurts, cabbage, eggplant

Frozen – veal to grill (will be for tonight’s dinner), 8 chicken breasts, crab meat, corn, veal liver

Pantry – potatoes, mashed potatoes (box), risotto rice, onions, falafel mix, Old El Paso Mexican rice

Tomorrow I am receiving my veggie package, so I will change my planning accordingly, depending on what I receive in my package.

Here is the breakdown day by day of the meals I can make with these ingredients -

Monday lunch – leftovers, quesadilla with chicken and cheese for the kid; dinner – grilled veal chops – it is such a nice day outsid today, I am sure this will turn out very well. I will also make some boxed mashed potatoes, and a cabbage slaw with carrots. Also, fresh carrots will be served

Tuesday – lunch – fried potatoes with onions and bacon, any vegg

Tuesday dinner – borscht, corn cakes, ham

Wednesday lunch – will be to go – bought somewhere

Wednesday dinner – fried eggplant, crab meat salad, borscht leftovers

Thursday lunch – sandwiches

Thursday dinner – veal liver pate (research recipe), Old El Paso mexican rice, some vegg

Friday lunch –  chicken breasts stir fry with veggies and fried rice

Friday dinner – chicken breasts baked with eggs and sour cream, vegg, pasta with cheese

Saturday – to be determined – we have a foster parents meeting, and are waiting for the message from our babysitter

Saturday dinner – whole chicken baked, pasta, broccoli

Sunday – lunch, dinner – not ready to plan yet.

So, this list will definitely help me to plan my week, since it will take me less time deciding every day what to make, and trying feverishly to prepare our lunches and dinners.

Today the kid is at home – she always is on Mondays, but doesn’t want to spend a lot of time with me, just playing on the computer, oh well, could be worse, I guess. I think I will get her outside now to draw on the floor with her crayons – a bit more fun activity for a nice fall afternoon.