out and about all by my lonesome...

 This fine morning, I decided to go try on some dresses at Kohl's.  Off I went, all by myself.  I drove the backroads.  It wasn't all too long ago I was piloting that Big Van, filled with small children. Back then, we didn't just stop at places willy-nilly, with all the unbuckling and buckling back in, you had to really need something to go somewhere.   This fine morning however, I got to stop wherever I wanted.   I also may have pointed out cows and trains and the prison to absolutely no one as I drove past.  

First, Kohl's.  Of course I spent $46.something, less then four dollars less than the amount needed to get ten dollars Kohl's cash, that's the story of my life, A Day Late And A Dollar Short is today's chapter.  I bought two rolls of wrapping paper, Christmas, marked down then 30% off, I can use it for birthdays I think.  One is solid green, one has little StarWars characters.  exciting, I know.  Then, I found a dress I love.  It's not dressy enough for the weddings, but it has pockets, it fits nicely, and it was only $14!  So shh, I bought it in two more different colors...the solid green one might just work for Jon's wedding in October.  The others will be good for wedding showers, ect.  

Ollies was next, because I got a 15% off coupon in the mail.  It's a discount store with way too many good things, I had to avoid falling into the Yum Yum Trap, with all the chips and candies and cookies and garbageio in general.  I did buy cheddar cheese popcorn, one bag of Christmas Reese's, some springy flower shaped marshmallows because they used natural dyes and the kids will love them, and some pork rinds...salt and vinegar:). I bought a nice wood tray for less than five dollars, a box of Honey Nut Cheerios for Camille, and a bag of Mallo cups for her for Valentine's Day.  

Then, the thrift store.  I bought one Melissa and Doug house with different keys to open different doors, and one Land's End jacket for Anya or Elise.  There were so many toys but I am trying not to buy toys unless they are really good ones...there was Bitty Baby from American Girls, but I didn't NEED it, thought to leave it for some little girl to get excited about, or some mom to buy and resell ha.

Then...Aldi.  By the time I got into Aldi I wasn't much in a walking mood, but in I went.  Strawberries, a cauliflower pizza, cilantro and a big of onions, and a plan to make chicken street tacos on Sunday if anyone comes over.  Of course I had to walk all the way back for some fresh salsa, but I got colored peppers, sour cream, and a few different shredded cheeses.  I got fresh green beans for our Valentine's dinner, stocked up on flour and sugar (would you believe we ran out of both this week, took two different trips to Dollar General?), brown sugar,  bacon, cream, seltzer, apples, red potatoes...I also bought a gift for the grandkids, instead of buying them all Valentine's junk, I bought the Aldi cash register.  So much for fewer toys, I got it for them to play with here, because surprise, their parents don't want more toys either.

Then...a drive- through hot Americano for the cold and windy ride home...the wind is absolutely HOWLING out there right now.  More snow is coming, it's like toys, we have tons but we need more.  Lake effect, so who knows if we'll get three inches or a foot.  But whatever we get, it'll blow all across the roads with this wind.  There is also a salt shortage, so they road crews are only salting where it really needs it, intersections and hills ect.  

This fine evening, I am going to make stir fry for dinner.  I will use the Aldi stir fry cheat kit, which is frozen veggies and a little pouch of sauce.  I have to cut up the chicken,  add a bit of salt, pepper, corn starch, and fry it up in avocado oil.  There is cauliflower rice with peppers and onions in it from Costco, I'll get some of that out, and make a little bit of rice for Miss Camille.  I had better get moving, but shh, I don't want to.  Old Kitty is purring on the arm of my chair, I have my warm slippers on, and I'm still sipping that Americano.  Life is good.  Getting up to make dinner doesn't sound fun, but I won't mind once I get moving.

Paul asked if I was excited about Valentine's Day.  Well, I said, I bought steaks.  He seemed happy about that.  What's better than pan seared strip steak with salt and pepper and some rosemary and butter, a red potato, and some fresh green beans?  nothing.  Nothing is better.  Except maybe my chicken pot pie, or Riley's.  

So have a good evening, and if you're anywhere near here, don't get too buried in the snow.  If you're in Florida, I hate you.  :). Not really.  Thinking about sun on my skin brings such a longing though, I have forgotten what it feels like, but I remember that I like it ha.  Oh, we had to cancel our best and favorite campsite we had reserved for the weekend of Abigail's wedding, but I reserved it for the week after now.  Hopefully Paul will not be working or traveling.  Camping in June, sounds good, didn't want to have to wait until July!  Just thinking about camping in our little camper makes me so happy!  I cant't wait!  Anyway, have a good evening, enjoy this gift of life that we have been given!