Here in New Jersey, we just got a heck of a blizzard!! And I would have totally taken a snow day today (via work closing down or me just taking the day- no way I was gonna try to make the hour commute in this weather!), if I didn't have this whole glorious week off! WOOT WOOT!!
So...I am trying to be at least a little bit productive every day. Even if it's just little things that aren't really important important, but are on my mind's "to do" list. So yesterday I:
- watched and cleared "Pieces of April" from my DVR. It was an ok movie, a bit slow in parts, but overall pretty good. Any movie with a happy ending is a-okay in my book. Though it hit a chord with me on the whole "family" concept.
- clipped coupons and went grocery shopping...in the blizzard. But, I saved ~$15 in just coupons, and total ~$35! And we got a ton of food!
- watched/cuddled through "Whip It." I was really excited about this movie. It was ok I guess... ya know, happy ending. But again, a bit slow in parts, and a little repetitive. the story was meant to follow her through all the falls and bruises as she works her way up in the world of roller derby, attempting to lead her team to glory; I was hoping it would give some more insight into the actual sport of roller derby, but it did not. But it was ok.
- Got lots of coupons. Sometimes I feel like couponing takes ahold of me- it's like a fight to get the best deals...and it amazes me how many are out there for the taking! And it's like a victory when you find a really great deal/coupon...can't really explain it. Guess it's just my inner dork shining through!
- Uploaded pics from my camera...from October (C's bday) through Christmas. And posted to FB.
- Lit the fireplace for the first time this season and watched the blizzard! Not on any "to do" list, but still fun!
And today:
- Did some laundry- bedding, placemats, and bath rugs. Now to fold the whites that were in the dryer (argh!), and put the sheets back on the bed. This may be my #1 least favorite chore. It's in close competition with vacuuming. C is very particular about his sheets. I could care less. And really, my only real qualm with vacuuming is getting the vacuum in and out of our very small coat closet.
- Scoured the stove, particularly the...burner covers? I don't know what they're called, but the steel/metal thingies under and around the ranges. Omg...they were gross. We tried to wash them in the dishwasher, but that didn't do anything whatsoever. So I scrubbed them down...took some time and work, but they are almost sparkling now!
- Cleaned our Brita. Which had been sitting on our counter for at least 3 days.
- Did the dishes, Part 1. Part 2 is waiting for me... (Did these 3 things while C was out shoveling. Love him!)
- Went to see "True Grit" with Jeff Bridges ("The Dude" from "The Big Lebowski"- so funny) and Matt Damon (very in character...awesome). I was a bit skeptical about going...I'm really not into Western style films, but we went on a double date with friends, and it was actually quite entertaining. Though I had some trouble understanding what Jeff Bridges was saying...he's so mumbly! But there were laugh out loud parts, and it was engaging, and like, not just a "shoot 'em out" film- there was a storyline that I got into and understood. I wasn't too fond of the ending...it just kinda...ended, with no real resolution, so to speak. Again, hard to explain. But apparently that's how Cohen Brothers movies end, as C explained to me. Overall, I would recommend though. Even though I wanted to see Little Fockers...hmph.
- Used our Crock Pot! We got a crock pot from C's parents for Christmas. I had requested it, because I hear that basically you throw ingredients in and it cooks it for you, and that's the kinda cooking I'm interested in! So we found a beef stew recipe online, and went at it. We set it before we left to the movies, and it was ready about 2 hrs after we got home. It was good, for our first time ever using one! (I keep saying "we"...really it was C who did all the prep- cutting veggies, cleaning meats, seasoning, etc.) So it was good, but definitely needed more seasoning. And more time in the crock pot (it was in for 6 hrs, but after we started eating it we reset it for an extra 1.5 hrs...the recipe said 5-8 hrs, but the veggies were a little crisper than we would've liked). And we have TONS of extras.we are only 2 people,...we have servings for at least 6.
So we're going to give some to his parents tomorrow and we have some for lunch, and then there's more which we don't know what to do with yet. That's not mentioning the extra veggies C cut- our new crock pot is only 5 qt., and I guess the recipe was for a bigger crock, because we had a ton of veggies that we had to take out just to make room for the meat! So we will probably make a stir fry with the extras in C's new-ish wok! Oh and P.S. C had to get his wok in NYC's Chinatown. No other wok would do (I suggested one from Macy's or JC Penny's...obviously that was not "authentic" enough).
I would include a list of things I hope to accomplish tomorrow, but I don't want to get ahead of myself. Planning would mean taking on the guilt of things I do not actually accomplish tomorrow, and I don't want any of that. Though I do hope to get a Swimming Monkey from Target. I mean, how cute is he??!
So for now, I'll just enjoy my belly full of stew (and beer!), the ending of the Saints/Falcons game (hey, I think the Saints just won! ....Not that it matters much, Eagles are already the NFC East Champions- woot woot!! Can't wait to see them tomorrow!), and enjoy our fireplace!
