[Another Stroke]

:grouphug:  :grouphug: :grouphug:  

[Can you help me work thru these feelings, or, Chris breaks down in the car]

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[Ideas for making meals go farther?]

What size pork and beef roasts do you buy when you stretch them like that, and how many people are you feeding?

 

 

There are 4 of us.  I usually buy about a 2lb roast.  The cost is a determining factor.  I usually set an amount I am willing to spend, if the roast is on sale then I get a little bigger one and if not, it will be a little smaller depending on the cost per pound.  If we are having a smaller roast then I up the veggies I cook with it, the same is true of the beef stew.

[Suggestions for freezable appetizers/finger foods?]

chicken wings, I cook mine ahead of time and season then the day of just pop them into a crockpot.

 

[Ideas for making meals go farther?]

When making tacos, I add black beans and corn to my ground beef.  One pound of ground beef can be stretched to 2 or 3 meals this way.  I serve tacos with refried beans.  Often for lunch I feed the children "magic pockets" its refried beans, cheese and a little of the taco meat.  Its the childrens' favorite meal. When I make a roast, I pull out half of the roast and most of the broth and turn that into beef stew.  We usually get 4 meals out of a roast this way.  Two of roast and veggies and two of stew. When I make a pork roast I do the same thing but the left over pork becomes pulled pork for sandwiches.  I use diced ham to season scrambled eggs.  If I have just a little bit of any meat left I freeze it in baggies and pull it out for potato bar night. 

 

 

[Duped by the narcissist in my life.]

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[So furious at neighbor - JAWM]

Can you let them out of your yard then call Animal control about dogs running free?

[What's for Christmas dinner?]

Appetizer bar for Christmas Eve with chicken wings, meatballs, pigs in the blanket, veggie tray, cheese tray, pinwheels, ham and cream cheese roll ups and some yummy dessert.  Christmas day is a big breakfast with breakfast casserole, muffins and fruit. 

[Vent - cancer, lack of information]

:grouphug:

[Board games that are suitable for the whole family?]

Not a board game but Set is our favorite card game. 

[PSA About Kohl's return policy]

I only buy things from them that I know I will not return, otherwise I shop elsewhere.  Their return policy is so stinky!

[Gift giving advice for a large family? Help!]

I like to do family gift baskets.  On year I gave games in a basket, another movies and treats, another cookie mixes and decorations.  I shop the clearance aisles all year and what I find is what I base the basket on (except the food baskets). I also pick up containers on clearance.  I can make nice baskets that are easy and very inexpensive. 

[We buried my father yesterday]

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[Dad of dd's soccer teammate killed yesterday.]

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[CPS just showed up...]

:grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:

[donating a car?]

I have donated a car to PBS and to the kidney foundation.  Both made it easy. 

[Netflix suggestions]

Miss Fishers Murder mysteries

Leverage

White Collar

Firefly

Warehouse 13

The Closer

 

I'm not sure which of these are on Netflix right now but all are series that I loved.

 

 

[UPDATE #3 Do I need to just let go of a relationship with my inlaws?]

:grouphug:  :grouphug:  If you are asking the question then you know the answer in your heart.

[Would you go?]

I would not.  The chances of reconciliation are slim to none, unless your sister is willing to also work at it.  Why ruin a perfectly lovely holiday?

[Complete this sentence. "If I had $200 to spend at Dillard's...]

Fiestaware!

[Random rant - holidays and divorce]

:hurray:  :hurray: So true!

[Just applied for a job for the first time in years...]

Good Luck!

[Surgery Tomorrow (Finally)]

:grouphug:  :grouphug:

[Really? Who didn't see THIS coming?]

:lurk5:

[Tricks for being *on time* when you have littles?]

To keep us on time we pack everything the night before.  Clothes are laid out and shoes always by the door.  My other secret to success is my magic van.  The magic van always has disposable plates, cups and silverware, a Rubbermaid container of snacks and juice boxes, seasonally appropriate change of clothes for each child as well as a set of inexpensive shoes, hair brush, nail clippers, hair ties, and when we have foster babies there are clean sippy cups, extra wipes and diapers.  If a kid spills something on the way out the door, they can change in the van while the other kids are getting strapped into car seats.  The "I need a drink or snack because without it I will die" is covered.  Its in the van, get in your car seat and you can have it.  If we use anything out of the van, then it is replaces as soon as we get home.  Replacing our supplies is the first priority when we return from anywhere.