just saw on t.v. FEEDTHEPIG.ORG..

Seems like a great frugal site on MONEY SAVING TIPS.. a lot of resources such as bringing your own coffee each day will save you over $1000 a year as many frugal site do state as one of the easier way to save money.

I have to say honestly for myself I'm very frugal and do these things; but for my son I do keep stopping to feed him and as much as he wants when we are OUT and ABOUT the 2.5 days I have him in the summer.

In the school year he is only gone Friday night to Sunday night. I did for a year pack his breakfast and lunch which cost from 15 to 20 a week on good bagels and cold cuts etc. He ate... and could not swallowed hot lunch. I have to say to me that is very important. The school bus leaves so early that he eats breakfast I pack for him too.

I know that breakfast is free for all.........and lunch is only 25 cents a day... so I could just spend 1.25 a week... but to me it was more frugal to spend the money on this. He eats the lunch I pack.. and that is a good thing.

Remember being Frugal is not about Deprivation. But for me to spend 1.80 for coffee is ridiculous when i grind my own beans and make better coffee. I can get a bag for $5.00 on sale..and that last a couple of weeks. (and I drink 2 cups a day of my own). Then in Al-anon coffee is free.. I just pay a $1.00 a meeting in the basket. Great Coffee most make. :)

And no deprivation.

I'm packing my own snack grain bars and 100% juice or 100% veggie beverage too now. I can get for 25 to 50 cent each on sale... and that saves me a lot of money when I'm out and about working. (along with a cup of coffee I bring my own to start the day).

Frugal Tips - CORD -Clean Out Refrigerate Day

My son is only here 3 nights a week in the summer instead of 5.

I have left overs from the days he was here and I cooked; plus extra food he brought home from his grandmother.

While he's been gone for 4 nights I practice CORD each day. It stands for Clean Out Refrigerate Day. (before food you prepared; gotten from eating out and bringing left overs home; etc spoils).

It is also fun because it saves time having to cook for just me.

This morning I had with my breakfast a corn muffin that I got when I went to Boston Market last Sunday evening with him. (I know eating out is unfrugal but it is summer). The corn muffin was hard as a rock so I soften in the microwave and ate with my fatfree pudding for breakfast.

I had chicken left over from when I went out and had that for dinner last night.

He brought up pizza last Sunday (4 slices) i ate one and froze the other 3 that his grandmother gave him (I know fattening but I lost weight and running around so much I don't want to lose more and I ate healthy broccoli too).

C.O.R.D. is good to do at least once a week. Even if it means each person in your family eats a little bit of everything..like a buffet style lunch or dinner. It saves money; and it is a shame to see food goes bad.

So between food I had prepared; organic zucchini; chicken; left over food from outtings and food he brought home I did NO COOKING.

For lunch I have to finished the macaroni and cheese I made him last Monday before it goes bad (I made with fat free milk and olive oil so not too unhealthy and I'll add some veggies too).

I had some with zucchini yesterday for lunch. (zucchini gone now).

The other day I picked up at Farmer's Market organic maple syrup and organic apple juice.. paid twice as much but I do try to incorporate a balance.

Remember throwing food out is like throwing $$$ away in your trash can. (and a shame too)

Sunday and Dick Tracy 1990 Film -Halt

It is 9:30 AM and I'm taking of me by having coffee and watching Television. A movie Dick Tracy that I've never seen but grew up reading in the daily newspaper and the bright color one on Sundays.

Self-Care means knowing I ran around alot; cleaned alot lately; explored alot; went to extra Al-Anon meeting all over and now I'm physically tired. I'm not going to worry about extra chores I can do or feeling I should be out and about enjoying the summer weather.

Relaxing.. reading blogs.... watching a movie I've never seen is good.. and drinking coffee and overeating a bit last night too...!!

Someone told me once watching a movie in the morning is the best time to watch one and she is right when I did that very Rarely.

HALT in Al-anon means if you are Hungry Angry Lonely Tired make sure you practice self-care. And that is what I'm doing. I do have a phone conference from NOON to 1:00 PM and work from 1:15 PM to 3:15 PM (a short gig) and than Al-Anon Sunday meeting. Resting now is good. :)

Enjoy your Sunday all!!! :) :)

Sat Morn 10:55 AM-All You Need is LOVE.

I took this shot yesterday, Friday, in Manhattan at the corner of 55th and Avenue of the Americas.. (6th Avenue).


Last night went to an OPEN AA... was seated and handed ice cream cake... they had a little party for one of the children's birthday. It is a PAC meeting (parent and children)... that I try to make when I can (down the block).

My Saturday Morning 9:30 AM is there too and I enjoyed it today as well.

Feeling tired.. and sad... but that is because the birds chirp too loudly each morning at 5 AM or so... whew... adorable sound but I am going to have to go to bed earlier (not midnight) to counter that effect). I don't like to wake until 7:00 AM. The sadness is because I'm feeling drained.. from lack of sleep.

I have work today for a couple of hours but feel like missing it due to lack of sleep. But will go and than rest up afterward. Eat a big lunch before I go too. (not just coffee as in meeting.. ) :)

Life is going great... today's topic was Change of Attitude. I'm having a great attitude.. and do take good care of me.

Enjoy your day!!

Work / Al-Anon / Train Musicians

Today I took this shot on the 57th 'R' Platform Train Stop.





I'm feeling comfortable now at the Manhattan Al-Anon at 74 Trinity Place.. went again today after I worked in Manhattan. I've been there now 6 times. :)






I have a wonderful male friend for months named A.L. He is such a great guy. We live too far to date. (he is too far in NJ) He is a psychologist. We are going to meet in Manhattan one day. I'm so blessed to have our phone conversations. I'm growing more and more..

ON another NOTE a friend of mine is going to museum with me next Friday... she and I agreed to not talk about men anymore. She is in an abusive relationship and I really don't want to hear about it. (and it is my opinion it is abusive.. but he makes her so sad and back and forth for over 4 years). It is her life... but I don't want to hear about it since I'm powerless to help her. And she has a great life; wonderful home; work; friends; health........ so she is still blessed.

Another male friends just calls to dump about his relationships too. I'm getting off the phone faster now. It is none of my business.

Once alright; twice alright; but in Al-Anon after 3 times it is OBSESSION if NO SOLUTIONS.

I'm still going on dates... but I don't share about them with friends anymore.. about what it means when he says this or that. I am 48 and I am old enough to know to GET OUT if I want to start complaining about a man. A good one will be there for me someday.. and Intelligent and all.

Life is still great with or without a man now that I'm focusing on the good in my life... .. someone told me that is when I'll meet HIM.. when I stopped worrying about meeting the one for Forever. (who knows.. ).

If I do vent about men it will be here and not with friends over the phone or in person. And than be cheerful and concentrate on all the positive things in my life.

I did not get to HIGHLINE park today.. I was too tired from staying up late talking to A.L until 11:15 PM and than cleaning more until MIDNIGHT. I also finally use the hand cranking washing machine and spin dryer.. good for the environment and good arm exercise.. :) The clothes came out GREAT..!!!!

Coffee and Blogging

I keep my coffee in the freezer.

I like buying 'beans'.

I grind in the grinder ..

and YAY......... very good fresh coffee. :)

I even read a couple of years ago coffee is a health food (if not overdone).

I read others Blogs... it is a nice way to start the day.. starting my day a bit late since yesterday was so much work and two Al-Anon meetings. :)

The Adult Child in Manhattan and than the Book Club one on Staten Island..

Two terrific ones in ONE DAY.......!! Lucky me. Life is truly full of Abundance.

When I read other Blogs.. Recovery Ones... I'm so happy for others progress and self-awareness..

And I have a favorite blog by someone that shoots wonderful photos of NYC... she had encouraged me to do the same thing.. just by her example.

Today is an easy work day... tomorrow a looooonger one.. but will make an OPEN AA at night that I did not go to last Friday since I was out with a friend.

I'm glad I'll be solo this weekend....no dates or plans with friends...

I want to fit in other summer explorations... between work and meetings..

I still get my moods.. but all people get moods... and some are based on PMS and triggers from my childhood. But I can being logical now and can be kind to myself and breathe easier now.

I can restart my day too. :)

I walk with more confidence now.. because I have God with me..............even if I'm still a spiritual Agnostic. My God is hard to define... it is just a Higher Power... the beauty of this world.. nature...and something is pretty special that this world is here.... !!!!!!!!

I'm an Optimistic .. and yet a Realistic... :) I'll hope for the best and prepare for the worst..

Stock up for the winter in case it is worse than the others...

Keep up with new type of work in case more of my freelance work disappears..

Eat properly .. because it makes sense to do so...

Exercise .. mainly walking miles and miles... to keep myself strong physically to be able to work and finish raising my last child .. only 13 until he is 22 and out of college. I had him late at life.. I'm already 48... and I want to stay healthy and fit.. and that means Al-Anon too and taking care of me in all manners.

Gates to Trinity..... of Wall Street 07-15-09

Breakfast with my son...
He is spending four nights in Brooklyn..
Work in Manhattan..
Al-Anon Adult Child Meeting at Trinity..
Work in Brooklyn
Al-Anon Book Club in Staten Island...
A Cozy home ... just a bit messy..
Solitude is peaceful.
Work reports to enter now.
Television on at the same time..
Home
Life is full of Abundance..
Working hard; Studying Life; Socializing; Blogging; photographing; reading blogs; cleaning; cooking; peaceful life..!! God give me a confidence to not Worry and live more and more in the presence. I can be brave now and take all as a learning experience; and an opportunity for growth. I can be full of God's Grace... and still not belong to any religious group.. God can still be a part of my spirituality...

Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday

What a great day...!!!

I had one easy fast job and was home all day so I would be here for my 13 year old son as he went in and out of the house. I gave him some money to play miniture golf and hit some baseballs with a friend at a nearby walkable batting cage.

I've been unfrugal when he is home since he is here only Sunday night until Wednesday mornings in the summers.. due to his baseball games etc in the next borough at his dad's place.

It works out GOOD for me.. I can work and not worry about him.. I work mainly Wednesdays thru Sunday. :)

I'm NOT lonely when he is gone. I'm taking longer in Manhattan to do jobs two days a week by playing Tourist too. I'm going to more Al-Anon meeting in my borough of NYC, Staten Island and the borough of Manhattan.

I was going on 1 to 3 dates a week; whether just coffee to meet someone new or dating someone for 3 weeks that I ended on Saturday.

I'm going on Wednesday night to the Al-Anon book reading Club too.

When I'm working Manhattan I'm stopping to tour inside churches and read signs on building (their history). No rushing to get home for him after school.

I'm listening to more phone meeting on speakers too. :)

This Friday when I go to Manhattan I'm going to tour the new HIGHLINE PARK.. that is up in the air .. used be a train station.

When my son is home being unfrugal with too many meals outside; and other odds and ends.. but ALL GOOD. We don't go away on a real vacation so spending on little local trips is good for both of us.

A friend wrote about some sadness. I reminded her she'll be fine and to keep the focus on putting herself first. God first than herself and not any relationship with any man. I knew over a year ago this man would disappoint her. And that is life. You can't play victim.. Life is full of abundance. You can choose to stay in a relationship or NOT... you can accept it or reject it; and just take what you like from it.

But I do notice once a woman starts complaining to friends.. (November will be 2 years they are dating) and the complaints started in May).. that the man is not listening and making the necessary changes.. easier for him to let her GO and find someone new.

It is not that I'm jaded.. but I've seen it countless time...... a man is happy with the company and all; but the woman wants more (and this couple are 55 and 63).. not young teens.. but same-old same-old.

Once a woman starts complaining it is going nowhere.. the man is sweet and all; but he won't work on the issues or complications .. probably has them in-place on purpose to avoid combining lives further.

I have to say I saw this over a year ago with them.. but not my place to say that to them. None of my business... but it is easier to see others than it is one own relationships at times.

I have to say I'm living in the REAL now.. I got out of one relationship after 5 weeks; did not go away on trip or Springsteen concert. I got out of another now in 3 weeks; not going to huge picnic and other stuff coming up..

I'm not dating just for Company and to go on trips or concerts.. but to have a relationship that is pure and loving and real. I'm not looking for fancy dinners (which are fun); or someone just to be physical intimate which is wonderful.. but the whole emtional intimate relationship .. a more God like endorse type.

I love my own company.. and I go places alone or with other friends and such. And my life is full with abundance. I do have things I must deal with.. new work challenges; and things to fix in the home.. and on and on.. But I'm happy.

I love my home; neighborhood; cleanliness and tidy homes; eating well; getting plenty of fresh air and exercise; enjoying my son's company and good grown ups in my life.

I had two good friends call today and the conversation was rewarding... and we did not talk about MEN.. I made it a point to talk about other things and encouraging that with single friends and the results are going well. :)

When I was dating someone for 3 weeks I did not even talk about him; I let this man make one mistake; 2 mistakes; and than 3 and than adeius. Little things that were not right to do. It was great to not complain to others; or analyze with friends what this means or that means; I have confidence in my own judgment now.

Life is good.

Prayers and love for all.

07-14-09 Tuesday PUSH MOWING-Good for the Environment

A Bird Named Goldilock- Clove Lake, Staten Island 7-13-09