It’s been over a week (10 days to be exact) since I last posted. To be quite honest with you I just haven’t had the motivation to think about posts lately. But I thought today I might send you all an update and let you know what I have been up to.

I had hoped to have all my Christmas shopping over and done with by the 1st December. I’m not sure how I am going to go with that. So far I only have a few present for the kids. Unless I really pull my finger out and get a heap done next week I don’t like my chances of having it all done by Dec 1st. I do however have wrapping paper, so I can at least get it wrapped as I buy it, instead of saving it all up and having a mammoth gift wrapping session on Christmas Eve (I hate that!).

We have settled into the new house and it now feels like we have been here for years. I am excited to spend Christmas here. We have promised the kids that we will put up the Christmas tree and lights on the outside of the house this weekend, so that should get us all in the Christmas spirit.

Rob is still looking for a job, he is getting quite worried that he won’t have a job before Christmas. I don’t mind if he doesn’t though, I’d like him to be able to come to the kids end of year presentation days and things for a change.

With Rob out of work I have been trying to save money. I’ve been doing little things that have helped to save us money over the last month. I’ve stopped buying biscuits and have been baking cakes and biscuits for the kids to take to school. I’ve been making my own yoghurt and I’ve been watching the shops specials and stocking up when I see a good bargain. I know that there is much more that I could be doing but it’s a start

This week I am trying something new, not only am I planning my meals for the week, but I am going shopping today and will be doing as much meal prep as I possible can today to save me time during the week.

Monday – Barbecued Meatballs and Mash Potato and Steamed Vegetables

Tuesday – Crumbed Fish, Potato Wedges and Steamed Vegetables

Wednesday – Lasagna Casserole and Salad

Thursday – Pizza Chicken, Oriental Rice and Steamed Vegetables

Friday – Homemade Pizzas

Saturday – Take Away Night

Sunday – Dinner at Mum and Dads

Baking – Vanilla Cupcakes and Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Thanks to Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for hosting Menu Plan Monday. Go and check out more great menus!.

500g ground beef
1 can tomatoes
3 cans tomato sauce
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon oregano
8 to 12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
350g mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 180C. Spray a baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large pan, add tomatoes, tomato sauce, onion, green peppers, and oregano to browned meat. Simmer for 30 minutes.

Spoon 1/2 of the sauce into prepared pan. Arrange a layer of noodles over sauce; sprinkle with half the cheese. Repeat layers. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes.

Monday
Dinner – Family Meat Pie, potato wedges and steamed vegetables

Tuesday
Dinner – Feta and Bacon Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Wednesday
Dinner – Beef Mince and Pea Curry, Rice and pappadums

Thursday
Dinner – Honey Chicken and Fried Rice

Friday
Dinner – Cheesy Meatballs with Spaghetti

Saturday
Dinner – It’s easy night – probably cheese on toast!

Sunday
Dinner – Dinner at Mum and Dads

Extras
Chocolate Flecked Banana Cake

Chocolate Filled Crepes
Thanks to Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for hosting Menu Plan Monday. Go and check out more great menus!.

I was quietly sitting eating my breakfast this morning, checking my emails and in came my 4 eldest children and proceeded to pinch and punch me…….. boo hoo hoo what did I do to deserve this?. Oh that’s right it’s the 1st of November today…….. what horrible person made up that little rhyme???

Anyway happy November everyone

I have quite a few goals for this month:

- tidy up the garden out the back and plant some herbs, tomatoes and lettuce.

- tidy the front garden under my bedroom window

- start preparing for Christmas

- get back on track with our budget

- plan meals better

- spend less on groceries (including checking out some bulk food stores)

- drink less coke zero and drink more water

- eat less chocolate and eat more fruits and vegetables

No doubt I will come back and add more to this list. But they are the main things that I would like to achieve by the end of the month.