Happy Birthday "Grandpa Bob," as we now call him. He was my stepdad from when I was about 1 year-old, until he died in January, 1999, from complications due to a heart transplant. Today is his birthday and he would have been 69 years old today. I miss him. He had so many good qualities and he made me feel important. I can remember whenever he had any errand to run, he'd ask me to go with him "across town," as he would call it. I knew he loved me because he vocalized it every single day. He would ask me if he'd given me a hug yet that day--then hug me again, just to make sure. :o) He was a simple man, didn't require much to make him happy. His favorite type of restaurant were those hole-in-the-wall places that had specials such as chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes. I remember his encouragement to me--there was nothing that I couldn't do. He made me feel empowered. He loved me and I miss that. On his birthday, my siblings & I reflect on his life and usually prepare some of his favorite foods, which include: hotdogs (with butter & mustard, naturally), dr pepper & diet dr pepper (once he became diabetic), and his birthday cake: Spice cake. Today I made a spice cake and it smells wonderful. I hope that Bob knows how much he means to me, even though he is gone. You don't forget those who made you feel worthwhile and important, even beautiful. :o)
Well, we have a goal to go to OK this december for hopefully 1-2 weeks. (fingers crossed) But our finances are not going so well, with 3 of us in school, so I'm going to cut my food budget in HALF. Instead of $200 every 2 weeks, we're going to widdle it to $100 every 2 weeks. Hopefully we can do that and then we should have enough to go visit family this december. One of our main financial costs right now is gasoline. Since I'm going to school everyday, that's increasing our gasoline bill by a LOT. I hope this one change in our budget will allocate for us to have enough in savings for december. To quote my husband we'll be eating on a diet of "beans & rice" until then.
You may have noticed that I've changed my blog template + I have added some new "features" on the side. Today I have included the recipe I made for the above mentioned spice cake. Then I have included a Bollywood fix of videos followed by my new quiz for this week. I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend.
6 comments:
He looks like a kind, wonderful man. I'm so glad you had him in your life, AND that he had you in his.
Love, Kathey
Hey Bob!! Happy b-day!!
So...Texas is in your plans to, right?
We'll do our best, Philip, right now we're trying to be able to afford the trip PERIOD.
How dare you identify me...I am trying to remain anonymous...
Maybe we can meet halfway..How about, Metropolis, IL?
Philip
Way to go, Jill!
We lived off beans, rice, spaghetti, oatmeal, potatoes and a few other low-cost food items for about the first 3-4 years of our marriage. That and a lot of patience and discipline is how we've been able to pay cash for all our major purchases.
If you make two different weekly menus and alternate them during the month and really stick to your budget and menu, it's amazing how much time and energy and money you save. It's also a great way to not be so stressed about money. Sure the food gets a bit old after a while, but spices work wonders! And, aren't there like 101 ways to cook a potato? I'm not sure what foods would work out for your diet, but if you want recipes for the ones that do, I have a few good ones. I'm also willing to help you out on doing the menu stuff it you want. Good luck!
Aww, what a sweet tribute.
I like your blog changes.
Ohhhh, it looks like I need Shannon too! Shannon help me too! I need help with an inexpensive menu!!
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