Frugal Friday File 2017, week 39...

Successes:
1.  Trying to figure out packing for upcoming trip.  Needed a pill organizer designed to carry more than 2 weeks of med doses as we will be gone slightly over that.  I found a 1-month organizer that was awesome, but it cost $15+; instead I bought a 1 week morning/evening organizer for 88¢.  Since I only take meds once a day, the morning/evening organizer can be used by me for two weeks, and I will take my current 1-week organizer as well, and I will be covered for our entire stay.

2.  I wanted to take a couple of decks of cards to play canasta during evenings in the cabin.  Everywhere I looked locally only had decks of one design.  I wanted two designs to make it easier to separate the decks if we weren't playing 2-deck games.  I looked on amazon, as well as zazzle and some other sites.  I happened to be in Wal-Mart the other day, and thought I would check again.  Finally found two decks of different designs!  $3 at Wal-Mart instead of $5 online.

3.  Also taking a jigsaw puzzle with us.  We will only be staying in each location for two to three days, and a puzzle probably will not be finished in that time, so I've been looking for a portable puzzle work surface.  The ones that I thought would work the best were anywhere from $60 to $120!  (I wasn't interested in the roll-up mats since we will be packing and unpacking the car repeatedly and figured it would get crushed or lose pieces.)  I bought two pieces of foam core board for $5 with a 40% off coupon, covered one side with a rubber shelf liner (bought for $9 at Wal-Mart as opposed to the $16 I saw it for on amazon) so puzzle pieces won't slip or slide.  We will use one piece of foam core to assemble the puzzle on, and when it's time to move it, I will lay the second piece on top making a puzzle sandwich, and tape the edges.  This can go on the floor of the cargo hold in the car and things can be set on top of it without damaging it (and if it is damaged, it won't be a great loss).  I did buy some stackable sorting trays, so we won't have to be constantly re sorting the loose puzzle pieces into color families.  I will update you after the vacation on how this whole setup works out.

4.  I have a book on my challenge that is really looooong.  I have reserved the audio version at the library so we can listen to it during our road trip.  Free entertainment.

5.  But before vacation, I have the quilt retreat.  

• I'm taking my 40-year-old sewing machine.  
• I'm taking only projects for which I already have supplies on hand.  
• We are receiving a free night at the retreat facility as a courtesy due to a malfunction of their air conditioning last time we stayed there.  
• We are cooking in crews...each crew is responsible for only one meal during our 4-day stay...and my sole responsibility is to make a dessert for one dinner, buy some breads and condiments, help out in the kitchen during that meal, and split the cost of the rest of the meal (we will save our receipts, add them up, and split among the crew members).  Pretty easy, and much less expensive than eating out or having it catered.  

Frugal From the Kitchen This Week:  I didn't feel great this week, and couldn't make myself cook.  Since I was home alone for most of the week, I didn't eat very well.
Saturday:  *barbecue
Sunday:  cereal
Monday:  *soup & salad out with a friend
Tuesday:  popcorn
Wednesday:  egg on toast
Thursday:  *Tex-Mex
Friday:  oven fried chicken drumsticks, seasoned rice, veg

(*not-frugal takeout or dinner out)