2020 Words of the Year

I no longer do resolutions.  Instead I pick a word to guide me through the year.  This year I picked three.

Adapt.  Adjust.  Revise.

These words were stolen from Jack Lemmon.  They were the words he based his life on as he aged.  If they worked for him, I hope they will allow me to age gracefully.

But, actually they would work for anyone.

Stop beating your head against that brick wall.  Adjust your point of view.  Adapt your plan.  Revise your behavior.

Focus your energy on the positive instead of a futile fight against reality.

Greetings to All

Tis the season of goodwill to all.  Say those kind words.  Exchange the gift of time with one another.Be patient.  Be grateful.  And try to continue all this goodwill all year long.  When you fail, try again.   What a better world we could build in  a  year

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year you and your loved ones!

Meal Plan: December 1-15

Vegetarian:  curry potatoes and paneer cheese;  guacamole and refried beans; pasta bake

Low Meat:  lentil soup; chicken noodle soup; chili cheese tacos; leftover casserole; Cajun beans and rice; cheese and sausage Florentine bake;

Meat:  Indian butter chicken


Vegetarian:  3
Low Meat:  6
Meat:  1

A good month.

Our vacation accounts for the remaining meals.

Buying and Eating: December 1-15

Monthly Allocation:  $11.91x31= $369.21
Minus five days for a vacation = $309.66
Cushion  $1073.77

What We Ate:  lentil soup and grilled cheese sandwitch; Thanksgiving leftovers casserole; chili tacos; soup and cheese and crackers;  Cajun beans and rice; cheese and sausage Florentine bake with mozzarella bread; curry potatoes and paneer cheese, Brussels sprouts;  guacamole and refried beans with chips; Indian butter chicken with potatoes and vegetables;  pasta bake

What We Bought:

Bread Store:  bagels (3), dinner rolls,
oatmeal-whole wheat bread, cinnamon raisin English muffins  $5.65

Festival of Trees:  pizzelles$3.50

Tops:  Italian bread. $0.99

Save a Lot:  pectin for jelly  $1.49

Salvage in Kidron:  coffee (3), crackers (2), wheat germ, pectin (4), frosting (2), basil, green beans (4), ranch dressing, butter chicken sauce, risotto (2),         $20.15

Cheese shop in Kidron :   cheese ends and pieces (3.5#), Turkey bologna ring, Lebanon bologna  $19.96

Total for Groceries:  $51.74


Eating Out:
Breakfast with Pat. $18.66
Christmas lunch with friends  $8.00
Lunch in Akron  $2.99
Brunch in New York  $10.11
Lunch with O'Neill family  $36.84

Total Eating Out:  $76.60

Grand Total for Two Weeks:  $128.34

Remaining Allocation:  $181.32

Household and Personal Care: November

Household:

Wood Scratches repair pens (2)  $3.98  Aldi
Clear glass bowl  $3.00  Goodwill
Dawn  $0.99 Walgreen
Light bulbs  $6.36  Dollar General

Total:  $14.33

Frugal Things In November

1.  Free 8x 10 from CVS.

2.  10 free 5x7 from Walgreens

3.    Wax dipped pinecones for a winter centerpiece using foraged pinecones and reused candle wax.  Free!

4.    Free 8x10 from Walgreens.

5.  Thanksgiving using mainly stockpiled groceries, and with everything at rock bottom prices.

Meal Plan: November 16-30

Vegetarian:  fried potatoes and eggs; rarebit; bean nachos;  meatless meatloaf

Low Meat:  chicken pot pie;  chicken noodle soup and crackers;  lemon chicken with barley; pasta e fagiole; pasta and sausage bake; Thanksgiving leftovers casserole

Meat:  chicken salad sandwiches and chicken noodle soup; Thanksgiving

VEgetarian:  4

Low Meat:  6

Meat:  2

Buying and Eating: November 16-30

Remaining Allocation for Month:  $222.89  Cushion:  $1008.96


What We Ate:  fried potatoes and eggs; rarebit; chicken pot pie; chicken noodle soup and chicken salad sandwiches; meatless meatloaf, potatoes, cabbage;  chicken noodle soup; lemon chicken with barley; pasta e fagiole, Thanksgiving;pasta and sausage bake, with salad , carrots and homemade bread; Thanksgiving leftovers casserole

What We Bought:

Aldi:  butter (6), pie crusts, bakers Joy spray (6), molasses  $24.16
Giant Eagle:  yams (3#)  $:0.99
Aldi:  flour (2), Cranberries (2), pretzels. $17.19
Price Rite:  spaghetti sauce (3), sugar (20#), peanut butter, dry black eyed peas, cinnamon (2), while pork loin for making sausage (13#), avocados (2), limes (2), orange juice, large shrimp (2#)  $41.08



Total Groceries:  $83.42


Eating Out:
Hunting meals (4)  $39.30
Lunch in Akron  $7.78
Dinner with Rick and Kathleen $19.98
Lunch Mike and Rick  $7.70

Total Eating Out: $74.66

Grand Total for Two Weeks:  $158.08

Amount to Cushion:  $64.81

New Cushion Amount: $1073.77