Review of The Millionaire Next Door

The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a fascinating book! The authors spent a lot of time researching millionaires and studying their lifestyles and habits. The bottom line I gleaned from it is to be frugal, don't live beyond your means. Instead of trying to live a perceived lifestyle of the "rich" invest, be content, and accumulate wealth. A lot of time was spent on emphasizing the benefits of not buying flashy, expensive cars or other expensive "toys".

Millionaires are those that take the time to plan out their financial goals, make good budgets, and invest wisely.

There wasn't a lot of time spent on the habit of giving in this book, which was disappointing. I know that one of my goals of becoming wealthy is to be able to give away and help others with my cash.

Definitely a good book to read and glean insights from.

View all my reviews

Big News!!

If I had to count on my fingers, a post with the title of Big News would be any of the following: a move, a new job, building a house, buying a yacht, or a new baby.  I should make you all try to figure out what the big news is, but since a lot of people already know, it wouldn't be much fun.

So.  Prepare yourself. 

Brianna and I are having a BABY!  Yup, you read that correctly.  In mid-April we will be the proud parents of a bouncing baby!  We won't know the sex for awhile, but we do intend on finding out.

Brianna has started nesting.  She has already been scouring Kijiji for deals on used baby items.  Right after we found out, she discovered a full nursery set for a little under half price!  We made the trip to Red Deer and fit it all into our Caliber!  I was quite pleased and surprised that it all fit.  Advantages to having a hatchback.  Once we know if it's a boy or a girl, she'll be able to put her plans into action!

We told our parents right away.  It just happened that her parents were celebrating their anniversary the same day we found out.  We told them that night out at the lake and they were surprised and quite happy!  Then we told my parents over video chat.  I really wish we had recorded that, because their faces were priceless!  Then we worked our way out and have told the Facebook world.

It's quite exciting!  I've always wanted to be a Dad and I have a special place in my heart for kids, so now that I'm going to have one of my own, it makes me burst with joy!  Brianna is especially excited! This is something she has dreamed and asked for, for a long time.  She can't wait to meet our little Peanut!

We will be happy if it's a boy or a girl or even a Klingon, but our friends are almost all thinking it's a girl.  What do you think?  My desire is split, but I wouldn't mind having a little girl to take on daddy dates.

How to love your wife

We all know the story:  Husband comes in after work, turns on the tv and starts to veg.  Wife comes in and starts to talk.  Husband grunts, wife wants to know what is going on in his life, husband grunts and turns up the tv.  Wife gets mad and starts yelling and eventually leaves.  (I think I just described every sitcom out there).

Men, this is not a good thing.  If your wife does not feel loved, listened to, and a part of you, she will be lonely and feel like you don't care.  This leads to dysfunction and an unhappy marriage.  Take the initiative and be involved in your wife's life. 

Here are a few practical ways to love your wife:

• Spend time with her.  Set aside the computer, the football game, the puttering in the yard, the video games and take the time to engage with her.  One of the things my wife appreciates is when I show her love by being available for her when she gets home.  I try to do chores or something not computer related when I know she's coming home soon.  
  
• Do little things for her.  Putting away dishes, doing a load of laundry, or any various chores speaks a lot to your wife.  Even the act of opening a door will show her that you love her and care for her.
  
• Be romantic.  Don't turn off that part of you just because you're married.  Bringing home a bouquet of flowers for no particular reason makes your wife feel special.  Say "I love you" and "you're beautiful" and mean it.  Again, make your wife feel special.  Don't do it in a selfish manner, but put her before yourself.
  
  
• Remember, she's made of spaghetti, following topics one right after another.  I know that can be difficult and by remembering that, you can switch boxes better.  Let her know that she's moving too fast or that you need to switch boxes before she starts talking.
  
• I know that as men we have been taught to be closed in our emotions and not let anyone in.  Guys, that's one of the surest ways to drive your wife away!  Learn how to let your walls down and let your wife see your feelings and your deepest desires.  She will respond in a myriad of ways to that intimacy and your marriage will be stronger for that.
  
• Be the leader and the protector of your marriage. 
  
• Be willing to admit your faults and be willing to work on your marriage.  Everyone can learn to love more, and you're no exception. 
  
• Take time to grow in God.  Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your life and pull you closer to Him.  Be disciplined in your reading of the Word, even if you don't like reading.  It is the best way to learn how to live your life in love and respect.
  
• Pray together.  Make a habit of going to bed and praying over each other before you go to sleep.
  
• Read marriage books and learn more ways to love your wife.  Ask the elders you know who have good, strong, and Godly marriages about what they have done.  

I know there are a lot more ways and methods to build a strong marriage.  Be open and loving to your wife and you will see yourself change and then you'll see change in her. 

Have you tried any of these ideas?  How did they work?  What other things do you do to love your wife?

JC Starts a Bucket List

A number of people have been talking about bucket lists (or I should say I've seen a few people talking about it over the last few years and I watched part of that movie with Morgan Freeman).

The concept intrigues me.  Do I go for the lifetime goals or do I make short term goals?  Do they have to be serious or silly or odd or what?

Being the geek that I am, I googled it.  Seems that a bucket list should be things that are somewhat challenging and mean something.  They can be serious, or silly; short or long.  Some people categorize them, others just write them as they come.

That said, I've decided to start a bucket list!

JC's First 10 Bucket List Items!

1. See Niagara Falls
2. Sky Dive at least once
3. Read the Bible through in one sitting
4. Climb the Washington Monument
5. Shoot a Moose (and eat it)
6. Eat snake
7. Visit Scotland again.
8. Celebrate my 10th Anniversary in Hawaii
9. Become a father
10. Catch a fish from a boat
11. Become debt free

I'm sure I will add to these over time and I welcome your encouragement as my life progresses.

What would you put on your bucket list?  Do you have one?  Have you started checking off items?

Content and thankful

I'm sitting in my living room, feeling very content.  There's sun shining through the window, the temperature is actually warm, and my wife is reading a book in the chaise.  Life is good right now.

Our weather is slowly getting better.  We had snow a little bit last week, but this week is supposed to be warm enough for rain.  That will be a nice change.  We're starting to get stuff together for a garden.  Started zucchini, lettuce, chives, basil, oregano, thyme, morning glory, and sweet peas.  We'll be planting carrots a bit later outside.  Going to be nice to have some veggies growing.

I spent the morning at church.  We have a daily corporate prayer time and it has greatly helped my growth with God and is a great part of the day.  After that Pastor and I went for coffee and had some good conversation.  I love our church and the relationships that I'm building.

After lunch I went over to my father-in-laws and did some sawing.  I'm in the middle of a project that I'll reveal later.  It was a lot of fun to be able to use the table saw and work with wood.

Life is pretty good right now. 

Thank You, Lord for this day, for the favor you give us, and the blessings showered upon us.  Thank You for our house and the ability to make it our home.  Thank You.  Amen.

How about you?  What's God doing in your life that You're thankful for?  Meet us in the comments!

When Chaos Comes Knocking

First off I must apologize for not writing more on this blog.  Life got in the way there for awhile.  We are back and will be posting more often.

Second, to discuss what happened I need a time machine...  What?  No time machines handy?  I guess you'll have to put up with me telling the story of a spewing toilet and the turmoil it caused.

Third - Just so that I have a nice three point introduction, here is the story:

The Story

It starts innocently enough.  An article I had written had just been published on The Christian Dollar When Plans Don't Work Out.  I had talked about when chaos strikes and your plans are changed or thrown out the window, turn to God and remember His Plan for you never gets thwarted. 

It's interesting how things happen to test what God has been talking to us about.

That day I walked to church for prayer and walked back, nice weather, and a good time.  I open my door and descend into our basement.  What do I discover but a pool of water about a 1/4 in deep at my entryway.  Oh boy....  Turns out that the toilet line out to the main sewer had been blocked and every time my neighbor's laundry drained, I got a flood.

After calling the landlady and getting the neighbor to stop washing clothes, I attempted to clean up.  Yeah, not having a wet vac really slowed the process down.  Then the clean up guys came and told me that the bacteria in the sewer water was dangerous and that they needed to remove the floors and sanitize.  Oh.  So you mean I need to move all my stuff out and allow you access.

Thus started a marathon packing!  We slept at my in-laws (Shout out to Richard and Julie!  You guys are a blessing!), packed up our stuff, and then moved it all into a friend's garage (Shout out to Dennis and Laura!  Thank you so very much!) with the help of some guys from church (Thanks to Darryl, Kyle, Glenn, Troy, and Devon!  You guys rock!).  From that Tuesday to the afternoon of that Sunday, we packed, moved, and cleaned.  My wife and her mother did a great job cleaning everything except the floors!

Let's take a moment and talk about how I had to deal with my ways of thinking.  I'll be honest, we both had moments where we wanted to worry and be annoyed that we were having to move.  It was tempting to think we'd be stuck staying with Brianna's parents for a long period of time, that our stuff would like hanging out in a garage, that we wouldn't find a new place, and if we did, we wouldn't be able to afford it.

However, both of us knew that God does care about us and does have plans for us.  We had to rest in God's hands, let Him be the center of our lives, and have faith that a new place would be found.  After all, we had been thinking about moving before all this happened and had started asking God for a new place for the same amount of money.  We knew that it'd take a miracle to get a place like what we wanted.  And our expectations were met...

In our searching, we had a couple leads that fell through. Then we heard about this Coop housing and that there was a two bedroom available.

Get this, that Tuesday night, a week from when I discovered the flood, we visited with the couple who makes the membership agreements.  We looked at the place and it matched everything we were asking for.  Even the ability to paint and to have a garden.  We signed the papers and got the keys.  By Saturday we were all moved in.

We've been painting and getting settled this last week.  It's almost to the point where we can feel at home.

Best thing:  Same amount of money for almost twice the space. 

Chaos came knocking.  We had to remember that God brings order.  We rested in Him.  Now we are blessed with a great place and a reminder to be focused on Him!

Meet us in the comments and tell us about what God's been doing in your lives. 

Video Blog

Made this the other day on my way to the church.  Not a lot of content, but it's a good first video blog.

February is a Month Of Celebrating!

I always knew February was a special month, but until I got married, I really didn't appreciate it as much as I do now.  I mean, we all know that it's the only month to start with an "F" and it's a funny sounding word to say.  It's full of holidays:  Groundhog's Day (which is only notable because Bill Murray got stuck in it), President's Day (Yes, for those who didn't know, Washington and Lincoln were both born in February, but they get to share a holiday), and it's the only month that has a Leap Day in it!  All in all, February is a special month.

What's that?  I forgot the most important holiday?  Oh, that's right, I was born on the 1st.  No?  Not that one?  hmmmmmm....  Oh, right Valentine's Day, the day that singles like to hate and couples like to enjoy.  For me, as the previous post talks about, I like it because I got the best answer to the best question on that day in 2011.  I think I'll let Brianna talk about how we celebrated it this year, though.

I forgot something else?  No, actually I didn't forget it.  The 18th of February is another one of my favorite days because it was the day my wife came into the world.  It took awhile for us to find each other, but she has improved my life and I'm sure she's improved the world. 

Oh, I must go!  We have a birthday dinner to prepare!

Why is February special for you?

Persevering through the Desert

I've been trying to be productive the last couple of days, trying to use my computer as a tool and not as a time waster or brain sucker.  Thus I've been reading articles and working on my Inbox.  I took Gmail's claim that you never had to delete a message again.  Yeah, that might not have been a good idea.  4000+ emails takes a long time to work through. 

However, it felt like I was in a time machine, digging back into my past. I saw emails that made me think about that stage on my journey.  I thought about how sometimes I would get stuck, sometimes in circumstances, sometimes emotionally, and sometimes spiritually.  There was a period of time where I wasn't moving forward and was just spinning my tires.  I needed something to change.

Through a lot of prayer and thought, I came to the decision that God wanted me to put my faith out and take a risk.  I quit my job in Eugene, OR, and took a three and a half week road trip halfway across the US.  I used this trip to listen and try to follow what God wanted for me.  It started on the coast, figuring out that He wanted me to drive south and it continued across California, to Arizona, through Kansas and finally wrapped up in Missouri. 

I had many adventures on that trip, but there was one day that I want to share.

I was on my way from the Grand Canyon, headed up towards Colorado.  Right around Red Mesa, I was zipping along and saw a painted sign "Revival --->".  I smiled, thought that was cool and continued.  About a mile or so down the road, I realized " Oh, God, you want me to follow that sign!"  I turned around and headed back. 

Now this is in the middle of Arizona desert.  Red dirt and mesas all around.  The road was not paved and wasn't the nicest road in the world.   My assumption was that this would be in a hall or something like that, about a mile down the road.  Yeah, not so lucky.  About 3 miles I came upon a calf roping arena and yes, there were people roping calves.  I stopped and asked where this revival thing was. I got vague directions that really didn't help.

Back in the car I go and I start thinking.  My gas gauge was getting low and I was yet to see anymore signs.  I was starting to wonder about turning around and going back to the highway.  Then, I realized that this was a God moment.  Through out my life I've been willing to obey God, but my tendencies have been to only go so far and then either camp out there or turn back.  I liked my comfort zones and to push past them hurt.  Even in obedience to God, breaking those comfort walls, hurt.  But I realized this was a time to break that habit in my life.  This was the time to PERSEVERE and move forward.  God said and I needed to obey.

It wasn't 5 minutes and I see a sign.  Then, I see another sign and arrive at my destination.  The revival was on this personal property and turned out to be in Navajo!!  However, I was blessed and I got to bless others there.  They gave me a place to sleep and I left early the next morning.

I look back on this event in my life and I try to remember that when God gives us something to do, then we need to do it!  We need to push past the uncomfortableness.  We need to climb that mountain (My friend, Geno, just wrote a post about persevering in his hiking journey which inspired this post).

When I come to the areas in my life that are tough, I can get caught up in my wants at the time, but I have to persevere through   God does come through and I have seen His Hand time and time again in my journey.

What do you have to persevere through? 

Six Months of Marriage - Six Months of Blogging

It's our 6 month anniversary today.  Hard to believe that it's been exactly 6 months since we stood at that altar and began our marriage!    We've been through so much since then, that in one way it seems like we just got married, but in another it's like we've been together our entire lives!

So here's a bit of a review of our six months and what we shared on this blog:

• First was the honeymoon    and the fun we had in Canmore.  I still smile when I think of sitting in front of the smelly soap shop waiting for Bree to come out.
• Then we finished an engagement bookh that we greatly enjoyed, and have used principles from ever since.  
• One of the big steps we took was making our budget. It's been a journey, and eventually we'll talk a bit more about keeping to that budget and the journey we've been on since that first spreadsheet.

• September ended up with us starting to get settled into a routine.

• Then this American was introduced to Canadian Thanksgiving. 
• Brianna posted about her learning curve as a wife and her view of how God created her husband (definitely worth a read!)
• We discussed how reading has become difficult and movies easier to assimilate..
• Our third month anniversary was celebrated with Neptune Chicken 
• I wrote about how to make your wife happy - which still seems to apply now. 
• A question about our faith haunted Brianna.  
• Then we prepared for Christmas and recorded a Christmas message 
• Our 2012 started out with Brianna talking about what makes a great marriage asking a question that we still need feedback on.
• We had some frigid days and stayed home to play games. 
• And finally, Brianna shares a way that she saves money.

All in all, I think it's been a good 6 months!  I look forward to learning and growing with my wife over the next 6 months, the next year, and the next 50 years.  God has been really good to us!

When Distractions Get Louder Than God

If you're like me, you've heard a lot about "being still" and listening to God.  And if you're like me, you puzzle over how to do that.  I often sit in service, during a quiet time, or during worship, trying to center my thoughts on God.  Does that happen?  Not as often as I like.  I'll think about the need to talk to someone after church, or what we're having for dinner, or a project that I need to work on.  I catch myself over and over again with wandering thoughts.

Is it possible to think on God and seek Him first?

Yes.  It takes discipline and training to do that. 

³ For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. ⁵ We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, ⁶ being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
2nd Corinthians 10:3-6 ESV

Our minds are under constant attack from several sides.   Our culture is full of distractions that take our eyes off of God and onto material and perishable things.  Think about it, how much time do we spend on the computer?  How much time is spent checking statuses, watching youtube videos about the Star Wars Kid, playing games, or even just watching TV?  I've heard that the average American spends 35 hours a week watching TV.  Can I just say "Wow!"

Beyond the obvious "we need to spend more time with God" I want to emphasize the discipline of training your mind.   Our minds naturally go to the easiest things to think about.  A habit is formed and our brain likes going that direction because it's easy.  It's easy to think about that game level you're working on, or the problem at work, or your daughter's latest drama.  It's not so easy to put our minds on God, on His Glory, on His Majesty, on the Awesome God we love and serve.  It's a battle and we need to spend more time in that battle.  Don't be mediocre.

How do we change our habits?  How do we discipline ourselves to put the priority where it needs to be?

We make choices.  We choose the good things and discard the mediocre and lukewarm habits.  Yeah, it's not something that is easy.  Changing habits is hard, but the end result is a stronger and more vibrant walk with God. 

I'm not saying all entertainment is bad, but when anything, whether movies, spouses, money, or books become bigger than God, then we have to seriously examine our lives.  Entertainment can be a good thing to have, but in moderation.

Our Action Steps

Brianna and I have recently been convicted that we spend too much time focused on trivial things.  We decided that to start our minds on better tracks, that we needed to trim some of the time wasters we fill our lives with. I recently wrote about What Place Does Our Computer Hold and that started us thinking about where our priorities should be.  Thus for the month of February we're avoiding watching movies or TV shows, taking a break from Facebook and spending more time with God and with each other. 

It's only been three days, but we're already feeling more connected with God and our minds seem to be working better. 

Yes, we're still using the computer, but it's limited to being a tool. 

The voices are loud and they can drown out God's voice.  Remove the voices and you can hear Him more.

Meet us in the comments and tell us how you deal with the distractions in this world.  How often do you check in with God?

What Place Does The Computer Hold?

I like computers.  I have a Facebook account, a Twitter feed, and a blog.  I like watching YouTube videos and occasionally chatting.  Yes, I even check my email every hour or less.  I play games and even get close to winning them.

Yet I have started to realize something about my time on the computer.  My computer doesn't talk to me.  It doesn't listen to my dreams.  It doesn't respond to a hug.  It doesn't confide its secrets and desires in me.

The worst thing this computer does is become a time waster.  I was recently reminded of this when we got home the other night.  I immediately turned the computer on and checked my Facebook, my email, and started a game.  Meanwhile, my wife was wanting my help with some chores, and time with me.

It also can suck my time away from pursuing God.  This makes it an idol.  Seeking God has to be our first priority in life, not seeking the high score in the latest Facebook game.

Now I'm not saying get rid of the computer or never spend time on it.  Obviously I'm using it right now.  There are many good things about the computer and many good ways to use it as a tool.  Just don't let it become your god. Find that balance in your life.

For example:  I made a commitment to my wife that I wouldn't use the computer during the evening unless we agreed on it.  It's a way that I get to say to my wife that I value her and that she's more important than any electric box. 

Where does the computer fall in your priorities?  What actions do you need to take to make a change in your life?

3 Things to Do on a Cold Day

It got cold yesterday, so very cold.  My wife decided she didn't want to drive out to work in -38 degrees C.  Thus we ended up with a day off.

What do you do on a cold day when you're stuck inside?

• Play Scrabble.  I started out with VASSAL and ended up with QUIZ.  It was fun to play a board game with my wife.  Next on the game play list:  Canasta!
• Read a book and take a nap.  I had been up early, so I ended up on the couch, reading, and then nodded off to sleep.  Something special about dozing off and waking up to hear my wife puttering in the kitchen.
• Have a Dr. Who Marathon!!  We're almost at the end of Season 2 and are quite enjoying the weird humor of The Doctor.  Who knew that Ghosts were metal people pushing through from another Earth?

Most of all, we just enjoyed talking and being in each other's presence.

What do you do on a cold or snow day?  What occupies your time?

Looking back on 2011's good things

My friend Lisa posted on her blog about seeing miracles in 2011.  That made me think about 2011 and the various things that have happened this last year.

• The biggest is my marriage to Brianna.  We're at our 5 months of marriage mark and I'm so very happy to have this lady as my wife.  She is a support and an encourager for me.
• I'm also involved in the church, teaching Sunday school for the 1st through 5th grade.  Loving these kids and the opportunity to speak into their lives.
• We are incredibly blessed!  Our apartment is completely outfitted, and we recently realized that we really don't need anything (beyond the groceries, of course).  We are content with what we have.  Kind of a strange place to be at the beginning of our marriage, but a good place.
• We have started paying off debt.  We just got the first $1000 emergency fund saved up and starting to make extra payments to the credit cards.  It is definitely a blessing to see God's hand in providing for us!
• My family grew by marriage and I became an instant uncle!  Gabe is such a blessing and I love that little boy so much!  Looking forward to watching him grow and learn.

And now we have a new year to look forward to.  God is working in our lives and it's going to be so much fun to see how it all works out!

How about your look at 2011?  What good things happened last year?

2 Weeks Bachelor Menu

My brother is a bachelor and was wanting some help on planning meals.  I am a recovered bachelor *smirks* and decided to put together a menu that might work for him.  After doing so, I thought it might be helpful for others out there.  Feel free to tweak this to your likes and dislikes.

(For a detailed month-long menu Click Here )

First Week

Sunday

Chicken and veggies

• Put 4 or 5 of those frozen chicken breasts in a crockpot (thawed)
• put in about a cup or so of chicken broth
• Season with herbs (we use Italian Seasoning and Paprika)
• Cook on low for 6 hours or so.
• Steam or microwave (use that pampered chef black container) some carrots, peas, beans, or corn (frozen package)

Now you have leftover chicken to use.

MondayQuesadilla

• Cut up a chicken breast into small pieces.  
• Take a tortilla (Whole wheat if possible), place meat on it, take grated cheese (can be any type of cheese that you want) and dump it on. You can cut up any veggies and other meats to add to it.  Another tortilla is placed on top and you can either microwave it, or cook it in the oven at 400.

TuesdaySpaghetti - Pretty easy

• Brown up some hamburger and onions or olives or garlic.  Add some ground sausage if you want.  Make sauce with the recipe on the spice package and add the meat stuff to it.  
• Let simmer for ten minutes at least.  
• Cook some noodles and you have a meal. 

Take the leftover sauce and freeze in one serving containers.  Makes a wonderful quick meal.

WednesdayLeftover chicken  -

• You can heat up a breast, some veggies and there you go.  
• You can cut up into small pieces, add to lettuce or spinach and other raw veggies, and some Ceasar dressing and you have a Ceasar salad. 
• Wraps are a good thing too.

Thursday

This is a bit more prep, and we haven't tried it yet.

Tasty Meatball

• 2 bread slices made into crumbs (toast and then crush)
• 1/3 Cup Finely chopped green onion (and I learned that you can use all the leaves...)
• 2 tbsp of Milk
• 3/4 tsp of dried parsley
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1/2 tsp powder)
• 1 tsp Seasoned Salt
• 1/2 tsp Hot Pepper Sauce (I'm sure you can omit this ingredient if you want)
• 1/8 tsp Pepper

Combine all 8 ingredients in large bowl.
Add ground beef.  Mix well.  Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls.  Arrange on greased baking sheet with sides.  Bake in 400 degree F oven for about 15 minutes until fully cooked, and internal temperatur of beef reaches 160 degrees F.  Makes about 18 meatballs.

You can get a jar of alfredo sauce and serve with noodles.  Or use some of the spaghetti Sauce.

Friday
Pot Roast

I usually got a round roast at Winco.  Make sure you can either cut it into two pieces for your crockpot or it's small enough for it. Oh, and cut the fat off.
You can sear it in a frypan to seal the juices in or just throw it in.  I cut small holes in and stick garlic cloves in.  Put about a half the height of the roast of beef broth.  Cut up some potatoes into small pieces, same with carrots. 

Cook in Crockpot for at least 8 hours at low.  I used to do roasts for 24 hours. You do need to check for liquid level every so often.  Just add a little water as needed.

SaturdayPizza!!!

Sunday

French Dip

• Package of Au Jus in water, heat
• Hoagie bun or some other type of bun.  
• Slice your leftover beef really thin. 
• Place on bun. 
• Dip in juice. 
• Eat.

Monday

Spaghetti from freezer.

TuesdayChicken wraps

WednesdayChicken Pot Pie

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-pot-pie-ix/detail.aspx

Haven't tried this, but it sounds good.


Pie Crust (similar to Great Grandma Bean's)


http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pie-crust-iv/detail.aspx

ThursdayLeftovers

FridayChicken on Rice
You can cook the chicken in the crockpot or the oven.  Use whatever spices you want.
Rice is 1 part rice to 2 parts water.  1cup of uncooked rice makes a huge amount.  You need to watch it, 'cause it is easy to scorch.  Steam some veggies and there you go.

Saturday

Steak and potatoesFry or grill your nice steak.  Cook a big potato in the oven wrapped in foil.  Steam some veggies.

-------
Hope that works.  Feel free to experiment and move things around.  Ask questions if you need to.  If you don't eat something within 3 days, stick in freezer and try to eat it in the next couple months.

Grocery List. 

2 packages of frozen chicken breasts

Frozen veggies

Bag of brown rice

Round Roast

Steak

Ground Beef

Garlic bulb

Garlic powder

Italian Seasoning

Basil

Thyme

Dried minced onion is good to have on hand for crockpot stuff

Package of carrots

Celery - if you use it

Spinach or lettuce or both

Onion (Walla Walla's are the mildest)

Bag of potatoes (we get the red skins)

tortillas (whole wheat)

Hoagie buns

Au Jus Packages

Spaghetti packages

Alfredo sauce - prego or ragu

Tomato sauce - 4 or so cans...  Check the package

Spaghetti noodles

Fetticini noodles for meatballs

Hot sauce ??