ShannonAlbert.com - June 2009

Few things going on at our house this week:

- Payton's high school selection. Our school district allows you to request the school you want to attend and then you find out where you're assigned based on availability. Our district is building a second high school that will be in use next school year so Payton had the choice of two schools. One is a 4A school (with about 400 students) and one is a 6A (with about 1500 students). She chose the smaller school and got it. The shrieks and screams in our house when she got the letter can't be properly conveyed via text. She made the decision purely on what she thought was best for her. Many of her friends preferred the other school and will be attending there next year. Now she's working on choosing her schedule. She was tested on her skills and her interests and is supposed to use that to help determine her courses. Seems like a lot for a 13 year old to be thinking about but this is where we are. In other news...when did we get old enough to have a high school aged child?

- I've been sick. Starting last Saturday, I wasn't feeling great. I worked half days most of the week and went to the doctor twice. Finally ended up with a diagnosis of tonsilitis with a prescription for antibiotics and steroids. Feeling so much better...finally!

- Twilight movie. If you haven't heard, this is the biggest thing since the Harry Potter series. Just booked our tickets for the midnight showing which is in 13 days. All but 1 theater was sold out. I can't wait to see the story that Payton's been obsessed with all year.

It's been said that President-elect Obama ran the most impressive campaign of the last 50 years or so and a huge part of that was his understanding of using web tactics to reach constituents.

Now he has launched his first site since being elected, Change.gov. As was customary during his campaign, there's a blog, video, feedback and general information. Brilliant marketer. Hopefully just as brilliant as a President.

CNN debuted hologram technology where they "beam" people into the studio. Awesome.

The comments posted on Kansas.com are mostly ignorant and very disheartening. My favorite:

God help us all.
A democratic president with a democratic congress. Hang on, the next couple years could get rocky!!!

As if the last several years haven't been? It can only get better, people!

Herbed Pork Roast

Crash Hot Potatoes

Corn

Apple slices

I've never really liked pork but letting this pork loin marinate all night in the spices made it so yummy. Love all of the flavors of the foods together. Yummy dinner.

Hundreds line up downtown for early voting

This site posts them as they become available. I like shopping on Black Friday but this year I think I'll be one of the crazies who's out REALLY early to see about getting some good deals.

http://bfads.net/

I'm not sure what has spurred Blake's sudden burst of consistent humor and new vocabulary but we are loving it.

to Andy while playing a game: Wow, you are impressive!

to me while going through the Halloween maze at my work: This part is SO horrifying!

Blake: Could you help me button my jeans?
Me: Sure.
Blake: Thanks. Actually, I have two things to thank you for. First, for helping me with my pants. Second, for getting my costume for me!

Blake: Can I eat these?
Me: No, they've been setting out all night.
Blake: But why? I want to.
Me: Because it's yucky to eat those after sitting out all night.
Blake: But I want to.
Me: Quit arguing with me. You just can't eat it.
Blake: I wouldn't call this arguing. More like a conversation.

Me: I'm going to hug you so hard, I'm going to end up squeezing you to death!
Blake: You know what would come out of me? White blood cells. And red blood cells. And farts.

regarding the school election: I'm voting for Obama...that's a woman, right?

I use the method of grocery shopping called "stockpiling" where I try to only buy when things are on sale and when they are, I buy lots of it. This means that sometimes I even get to skip weeks of grocery shopping (except for maybe fresh produce) because I have so many things on hand.

Today's grocery trip was a fairly expensive one because I primarily bought meat. It hasn't been on sale much since I started stockpiling again so I took advantage and got several pounds of ground chuck, a whole turkey, spiral-sliced ham, salmon, pork loins, etc. We often eat better when I'm stockpiling than when I'm not because I vary the foods I buy much more.

This week's grocery trip to Dillons cost me $178 but I saved $123 which is 42% savings.

I also shop at Walgreens and mostly end up getting hygiene items, medicines, cleaning supplies and a few food items.

This week's trip to Walgreens cost me $86 but I saved $90 which is 51% savings.

We are now fully stocked on meat, canned goods, frozen veggies, all kinds of soap, and many other things. Next week's trip should be much smaller, cheaper and easier.

Every week I usually have a deal that stands out above the rest and this week it was batteries. I bought probably 100 or so batteries and only paid 50% of normal price. We can never have too many batteries especially with Christmas not too far away!

Blake's class went to a dairy farm that has a pumpkin patch for their field trip. It happened to be a very cold and rainy day but they were able to go anyway. He brought back a pumpkin that hasn't left his side much. He sleeps with it, takes it in the car, puts it in his backpack, etc.

All pics taken by Blake.



Wearing a seatbelt. Of course.

3456. Down from over 6000 last month. Still sounds crazy but much better.