Rant and Rave Tuesday #1

Since this is my blog and I can write whatever I want, I have decided that Tuesdays will be the day I get to complain, rant, rave, get on my soapbox, be bossy or just whine.  So my first Rant and Rave Tuesday installment is about the restaurant Olive Garden.

I have noticed commercials on tv for Olive Garden advertising two meals for $12.95, one meal for today and one meal for tomorrow.  Here it is:

I just think this is ridiculous.  I love to go out to eat but paying to eat my next meal out of Styrofoam just sound gross.  For a family of four, those two meals for today and tomorrow, not including drinks or tip, would be $51.80. (With drinks and tip would probably be $70.) 

Today I went to Kroger just to see what I would spend if I were going to make 2 Italian style meals.

Meal 1- Chicken Alfredo, salad, soup and ice cream
Chicken 3lb. - 5.31, Ragu Alfredo sauce 2 jars - 3.53, pasta - 1.38, salad with dressing, avocado and lettuce - $4, veggie soup for 2 days $2.25, ice cream $2.49 = $18.96
Meal 2 - Spaghetti with meatballs, salad, soup and garlic bread
Beef for meatballs - $2.79, pasta - $1.38, sauce - $1.77, salad $4, soup $2.25, bread - $1.78 = $13.97

That brings both meals to a total of $32.93.  I will even give another $5 for spices, an onion, butter, etc, just in case, bringing the grand total to $37.93.  I believe my 2nd meal includes things that Olive Garden does not provide like soup and salad.

I really wouldn't make pasta two nights in a row for my family so don't thing these two meals are common at my house.  The kids like variety and Bob really doesn't like pasta that much.  But I am confident we could create 2 excellent non-Olive Garden meals for $37.93 easily.

Bottom line:  I would rather cook 2 of my own meals for half the price than go to Olive Garden and overpay.

Working Girl

This week I was lucky enough to work Monday through Friday.  I am a teacher and I can't ever remember a day when I didn't like my chosen profession.  I have NEVER said, "I hate my job."  Working with kids gives me so much fulfillment.  They want to learn and share and grow.

I was teaching 2nd grade in the same classroom all week at the school where I used to teach.  I was next door to an old friend and ate lunch each day with some of my old teammates.  It was great!

One of the highlights of the week was the Veterens Day celebration this afternoon.  Any Veteren or active military personel with a child/grandchild/niece/nephew/etc at the school was invited to a very special ceremony.  The school choir say God Bless America and 2 other patriotic selections.  The Veterens were asked to stand while their branch of the military was called and then they paraded across the stage with their school age child and introduced themselves. It was very special. I remember Bob's dad even got to come to this celebration years ago when the girls were in elementary shcool.This annual event has always been a favorite with all the kids and teachers. If you click on the link below, you will see a report from 2006 when the mayor visited my classroom on Vet's Day!  (The funny thing is I didn't even know that picture existed until I googled "Sugar Grove Vets Day Greenwood"!)

http://www.greenwood.in.gov/egov/docs/1163538115648.htm

 

And now...The finished Kitchen!

Here it is!!  Our kitchen is done.  I still have to figure out how to cover the windows and our new table won't be finished for 12 more weeks, but really it is done.  We just love it!



Isn't that tv cool in the end of the island?

The chair area faces the tv in the island and is where the screened porch used to be.





This picture is a little dark but shows the cool lighting in the island and side cabinets.

This is the old desk!  It still holds desk-like stuff in the drawers.  They have dividers.

What do you think?

Kitchen- Photo Group #3- Construction

The pictures today of the kitchen show the transformation of the space.  This is probably a little boring but when you see the final result you will be shocked.  This work took place during the summer of 2011.  This gave us the opportunity to finish the space with tile, paint, cabinets and appliances slowly over the next 8 months.  We set up a makeshift kitchen in the dining room.  We had a gas grill in the garage, a fridge, microwave, electric skillet and griddle.  Of course we lived in Belgium during this time but did come home at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break and and then for good in July.

There is the wall between the kitchen and screened porch ready to to come down.  The porch has already  been closed in on the west wall.

Combining the two rooms.

Those big spaces in the wall will be windows.

New Kitchen window over the sink.

The new space it really big!

Look at all those lights!  Bob's brother is an electrician.

This is LEAH.  She and Jenn helped a lot but Leah made herself a tool belt to really get into the construction.  She is quite crafty!