Today's Bargain

Determined to this year save money and live below budget, today I went grocery shopping armed with coupons and grocery lists for three different chains - just the specials please! Today's bargain was hamburger helper - six boxes for under $2.00! (99 cents a box, BOGO, plus $1.00 coupon off three.) Mi amour, hamburger helper.

Now I realize that I spent all day grocery shopping - the morning spent clipping and organizing coupons, scanning the online grocery ads, making lists for three different stores. Then making the trip to three stores, loading up the groceries, dragging them home and putting them away. Now, as I look at the full pantry shelves, I wonder what I'm stockpiling for. I mean, who really needs four boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios, or six boxes of Hamburger Helper? In this lifetime? So what was today's shopping really all about?

I have a theory. Shopping for groceries (a legitimate need) would allow me to get started right away with saving money. You know, I'm like that. I want to do something, I want to do it NOW. So ridiculous as it is, I spent $100 so I could get started with saving money. Madness.

Herd it Through the Grapevine

Old, but intriquing news:

Last March, "60 Minutes" traveled to the Central African Republic to report on research into the "secret language of elephants." Scientists are monitoring and recording the sound and behavior of rare forest elephants to try to piece together a dictionary.

Don't you wonder what the name of that dictionary will be???

Today's Weather

Winter has swept in with a high today in the 30's. Spent most of the day trying to stay warm. We have a nice little fire going in the woodburning stove and the family is snug in the "cottage". What could be more cozy?

Smile, It's a New Year

What better way to start the new year than with a new blog, resolving to share more of my self this year. My word for the year is Smile - setting the tone for 2010 to have more fun, play a little, and stop taking life so seriously. I hope to continue the journey begun last year of simplifying my life , finding joy and beauty in the every day, and being mindful of it all. For you, a smile, and a Happy New Year!