Ms. Frugal

With finals just a few days past, I’m already looking toward the future.  I’ve set myself up a nice job for the summer.  It requires secret clearance, so I can’t really talk about it on here.  It is going to be great for my future in the legal field though.  I’m pretty sure this is going to give me a world of opportunities.  I’m going to see the law at work from basically the very top spot in the land.  I know that I’m still new to this whole occupation, but I think this is going to really let me know whether or not this is what I want to do with the rest of my life.  When I think back to all those days when I counseled people, I knew that I wanted to make a difference on a larger scale.  This internship will get my name out there and let people know I am here to get the ball rolling on some changes.

1 tube (8 oz) refrigerated crescent rolls

2 cups crushed corn chips, divided

1.5 lbs ground beef

1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

1 envelope taco seasoning

1 cup (8 oz) sour cream

1 bag of shredded cheddar cheese

Grease a 13 x 9 pan

Unroll crescent dough (don’t separate), press into the bottom and sides of the pan

Seal seams

Sprinkle with one cup of chips; set aside

Brown ground beef and drain

Stir in tomato sauce and taco seasoning, bring to a boil

Reduce heat and simmer for five minutes

Spoon over chips, top with sour cream, cheese, and remaning chips

Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 25-20 minutes or until crust is a light brown

I love this university.  If you’d asked me that at the beginning of the morning before my final two finals, I would have told you that I hated this place.  But now with all of that torture behind me, I’m just enjoying the good times.  I found out that as a reward for successfully completing finals, the university has brought in 20 masseuses.  I just had a five minute massage and am waiting for my number to be called for another one.  I might just spend the rest of the day here.  I’ve been so tense and tired though, that I’m afraid I’ll either be in terrible pain while they work the knots out of my back or it will feel so good I’ll fall asleep on the table.

When I was an undergraduate, I always heard the rumor about the guy who went an entire month without ever having to pay for a meal.  He would go around to all the university events and just help himself to the food.  He dressed relatively well and no one ever questioned him.  Since I always have my pants suit on, I thought I would try this too.  At least for this week.  With the end of the semester here, there are lots of end of the year celebrations and graduation type gatherings.  I picked up some amazing sandwiches today and a great salad.  I also got two free pops, so all and all, a good day.

2/3 cup ranch salad dressing

2 cups crushed cornflakes

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon garlic powder

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

Pour salad dressing into a shallow bowl.  In another shallow bowl, combine the cornflake crumbs, Italian seasoning and garlic powder.  Dip chicken in dressing, then coat with crumb mix.

Place in a greased shallow baking pan.  Bake at 400 for 30-35 minutes or until juices run clear.

I have made a step toward helping the environment.  I bought two giant canvas bags from the store the other day.  Granted, between the two of them I spent $23, but I feel better about what I’m doing.  I never have to worry about getting all those plastic bags from the supermarket or when I just do regular shopping.  I also know that this thing is never going to tear on me or anything like that.  It is really nice to have that knowledge.  Not only can I carry my groceries, but I can carry my law books.  Which I’d better go back to studying…

It is finals weeks for law students.  Of course we’re drained, but there isn’t too much time for sleep.  I’ve found that so far this week, I only have four hours of sleep.  And most of those weren’t very restful.  I fell asleep on my books in the library and woke up with a stiff neck.  I walked around the study room in the hopes of waking myself up a bit by getting the blood flowing, but I received a much better treat.  Apparently, during finals weeks here, yeah finals last for two weeks, they have free Starbucks coffee in the library cafe every night.  Fourteen days of free Starbucks.  I am so happy and wired.

I’m still on the asparagus kick.  It is so good for you though.

4 small red potatoes, cut into small wedges

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 pound fresh asparagus, cut

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons minced chives

1/8 teaspoon salt

Dash of pepper

Place potatoes in a large saucepan; cover with water.  Bring to a boil; cook for 5-6 minutes or just until tender.

In a large skilled, bring 1/2 inch of water to a boil.  Add the asparagus ; cover and boil for 3 minutes.  Drain and immediately place the asparagus in ice water.  Drain and pat dry.  Cut into 1 inch pieces

Drain potatoes and place in a large bowl; add asparagus.  In a small bowl combine the mustard and lemon juice; whisk in oil until combined.  Add chives, salt, and pepper.  Pour over vegetables and toss to coat.  Serve warm.

Two of my friends recently bought pedometers.  They said that knowing how many miles they walk a day has really changed their life.  Despite how much time we all spend in the law library, they’ve been logging over nine miles a day.  I decided to buy myself a cheap one.  I don’t need something that monitors my heart rate, that can beam information to my computer, and can give me statistical breakdowns of my walking over the last six months.  I just need one that tells me how many miles a day I go.   The last two days I’ve averaged 7.5 miles.  I’m hoping to stay at that for the next two weeks and then add another two miles.  I really think being aware of how far you’re walking is a frugal way to get in shape.

I found out that in my role as President of the Law Student Association, I get the code to the copier.  This is going to help me save so much money.  I’ve easily spent $250 this semester just on copying things.  I think they need to give us a course packet and stop all this dime and quartering that they’re doing to us.  I’m not sure why we have to spend all the money on books if they hardly ever make us read them.  I’m sure that somewhere in the legal code there is some provision about making law students spend a lot of money so that we will continually sue people once we’ve earned our degrees.  I’ll do my best to break that trend.  Especially now since I don’t have to pay for copies anymore :)