Missing in Action... not really!

Hey Ya'll,
I haven't updated in FOREVER, but I'm not missing thankfully
(as my family might not be able to handle it),

Well it's the middle of the month and we are almost 100% packed
(AGAIN!) We are to be out of this house by October 1st! It's funny,
but I'm excited to move to a smaller house. Less sweeping, less dusting,
less places for things to get lost... you get my drift, right? SIMPLE! That's
how I want it for a while... simple living!

On Friday, Steve's step-brother is flying in for the weekend. He will help
to move all the heavy things. Then through out the rest of the month, we'll
move the other stuff. I sure hope they get a lot moved on Friday! (hint hint..
while I'm working!) I plan on taking a few days off work to get some stuff
moved and unpacked.

On Sat, we are having a little farewell party... farewell to this house that's been
in Steve's family for over 20 years. (his Dad built the house over 20 years ago)
We'll have a little cookout.. eat some ribs...drink some beer, Oh I mean soda!
(hehehe)
I'm going to dub this party as a birthday party for Jacob. Poor little guy! No
real birthday party this year. Just too much going on to throw a party for
a bunch of 6 year olds. I'll just have a special cake on Saturday for Jacob
and a couple gifts. He'll be happy. (as he sits beside me as I type. He is still
in his PJs and playing his DS lite, which he got as an early birthday gift from
us. He's been playing that thing all day... he just got a new game in the mail
yesterday from his Great Aunt Barb. (THANK YOU AUNT BARB!) He loves IT!
And so does his DAD!

Today I went shopping... ALONE! YEP.. just little ole me! AND IT WAS WONDERFUL!
I hit Walgreens, Winn Dixie and Walmart.
At Walgreens I spent 9.57, but saved 39.97. CRAZY!
(and I tried to pay with my gift card, but it was empty and I thought it
should have over $16.00 on there)
At Winn Dixie I spent 38.19, but saved 22.94.
Lastly, at Walmart I spent 72.20 but only saved 9.00 in coupons.
(I bought ribs, wings, brats and other things for the cookout next weekend)
A little over my budget, but you can't invite people for a party and NOT have food
and drinks, right!

Well, I'll stop for now.

Sweet Scents Batman, a super cool giveaway!

GO FAST to Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls for a very COOL
giveaway. Sweet Valley Candles and Gifts is the sponsor
of the giveaway.
If you win this giveaway you will get: Sweet Pea Linen / Room Spray,
8oz Tommy Girl Lotion, Citrus & Sage Candle, Herbal Goat Milk Soap!

Click HERE to enter! AND good luck! IF YOU win, please let me know!

I should be doing something else!

But I can't help myself!
I can't remember how I got to this site... but YUMMY!
TasteSpotting!
Here are a couple I would like to "taste"
Ricotta-and-Herb Stuffed Roma Tomatoes
Rosemary & Garlic Roasted potatoes
Miso-glazed wild salmon
BUT seriously.. I would love to try them all!

Oh, I just figured out where I found this site... from Valarie Lea
(another fun blog to read)

WiseBread

Have you ever been over to WiseBread? IF not, you must check it out!!!
It's a personal finance/frugal living site. Wonderful writers! Great useful information!

This article is one of my favorites... it includes a list of 100 Women Finance Blogs, some of which I visit weekly and some daily.

IT IS a must read!

How Many of Me?

Check this OUT

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 1 or fewer people with my name in the U.S.A. http://howmanyofme.com">How many have your name?

Thanks to Sweetwater Savings..

BIG THANKS to

SweetWater Savings

(click above and check her out)

For pointing me to http://www.mylivesignature.com/

where I was able to setup my signature for my blog. Sweet!

How do you like it?

How do you spell __________?

Another favorite thing.
MY Merriam-Webster's POCKET Dictionary!
I use this little thing almost everyday. I'm a horrible speller
and I'll blame that on the public school system in Fallston,
North Carolina. (However, I have become resourceful in my years)

It was actually a gift for Christmas from my MIL a few years
ago and I bet she has no idea how useful this thing has been! LOL!

For other blogger's Favorites... go check out Fiddledeedee!

Shops I Fancy at Etsy

Hi All,

Just virtually shopping this AM and found a few new Etsy shops I thought I'd share.

1- Gamiworks

The beautiful colors displayed in this shop caught my eye right away. This artist creates neat little objects using glass tiles and Japanese chiyogami (old-paper). There are thumb tacks sold in cute little embellished tins, beautiful pendant necklaces, and even a little pair of salt and pepper
shakers.

BeanPickleSprout.etsy.com

No images due to request from the Artist's shop, so you MUST go check this out for yourself.

This artist really makes me wish I could sew! There is a pot holder, YES, a pot holder that

caught my eye. Little bird... Amy Bulter fabric... TOO CUTE!

She also does a turtle shaped pot holder.. also ADORABLE!

AND precious onesies! GO check it OUT!

Jacob's First Day of Kindergarten

On Aug 11th, Jacob started his first day of school in Kindergarten. He is attending
Nora May Hutchens Elementary. (super nice school... and I'm so glad that's where
he is going!)
Lukas also started 3-year old Preschool at West Mobile Baptist Child Development Center.
This is the same place the boys had summer camp. Luke's teacher is Ms Brenda (I need to get a photo) and he adores her to bits!

Here's Jacob in his new Classroom with his teacher Mrs. Davis!

Happy BOY!

and we have a WINNER!

Ok Miss Cari K! You are my winner. I'm sure I have your address around here somewhere, but
if you could please email me, that would be great. I'll get the envelope of coupons out this week.

Congratulations!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Yep, it's my birthday! Yahoo! Yesterday my MIL took my whole family to the

water park in Gulf Shores, AL. We had a BLAST! Jacob, my oldest threw a big

ole' fit when it was time to go. Man, we had fun!

I'm sure we'll be going back there again.

As for today, I have NOTHING planned. Oh I'm sorry, I lied! I have one

little thing planned. We are meeting the family that will be buying our HOUSE! (the big ass one here in Alabama, that I don't want to clean) YEP, yesterday

Steve struck a deal with a lady that contacted us a couple months ago about buying the house. They've wanted the home for a while, but have some property they must sell before making the full purchase, so we are going to do a lease to buy. All in all, it works for us and this family...

TO say the least, I'M STOKED! Now that's the kind of birthday

present only one can dream about.

****COUPON GIVEAWAY****

A few weeks ago I won a package full of coupons from Marin over
at Frugonomics 101. Now, I'm going to pay it forward so to speak.

I'm putting together a big ole envelope of misc coupons... LOTS of
Grocery coupons (Including an extra $10.00 Kelloggs Rebate form)

Some of the coupons included:
$1/2 Kelloggs cereals
$1/2 Kelloggs Fruit snacks
$1/2 Grips products
(Four) .70 Kelloggs Corn-pops Chocolate Peanut Butter cereal
(Thirty) $2.00 off Store brand products -- with purchase of products
(this were in Winn Dixie at one point... It's matching Keebler and Kellogg products)
FOR example: Save $2.00 on Store brand bread when you purchase ONE Kelloggs
Yogos bites AND any one Kelloggs Rice Krispie Treats

Plus about 100 more misc coupons.

Just leave a comment telling me what you would do
if you had 5 hours of free time...
I mean.. NO work.. no children... no husbands... nothing.
What would you do with your time?

The winner will be announced on Friday August 8th before 5:00pm Central time.


GOOD LUCK!!!

Melissa

MUST Visit sites... if you're looking for good deals.

1. VERY detailed Target specials on this site.
http://attentiontargetshoppers.blogspot.com/

2. If you are new to CVSing.. this is the place to go
http://www.dealseekingmom.com/

3. This gal spills the beans about the Walgreen deals this week
http://gettingfreedom.blogspot.com/2008/08/whoopie.html
(just a little note...) I did stop into Walgreens today
I bought 4 boxes of Special K bars - 4/$10.00
and 2 bags of Much needed Doves Mini chocolates (yeah right!) 2/$6.00
I had 2 $1.00/2 coupons for the bars
and 2 $1.50 coupons for the bags of chocolates.
So my total was $12.44
but I got back $6.00 in Register rewards.
SO.. not bad... 6.44 is my total.

Which makes the Special K bar/boxes .75 each,
and the bags of chocolates 1.00 each.

There is also a deal that starts tomorrow -- buy 10 Kelloggs/Kraft products
get $10.00 rebate. All 10 must be on the same receipt.. I'm not sure I'll do this..
we'll see. I guess it will be worth it, if WAGs will give multiple $5.00 RR too. Hehehe.

What have you been up to?

Hey Ya'll

Little update from the Eschler's.

We are in the middle of trying to sell this house we inherited.
We've had lots of people looking but no offers as of yet. We have
2 more families coming today to take a look. We REALLY REALLY
want to sell this house. It's nice and all... but WAY too big. I know, I know,
poor me complaining about a big house. But seriously, how much room
does one really need?
This house is over 5000 Sq feet plus there is a 1800 sq foot workshop.
Here's the thing... First it's out in the country.. which is nice.. but quite
a drive from everything. Next... it take lots of time cleaning! And
also lots of time working on the yard... (for example, it took Steve over 5 hours
to cut the grass on a riding lawn mower.)
One other biggie for me is the lack of high speed internet. We do have satellite
service through Hughes, but when you are use to cable... you can really tell the
difference. ALSO with the satellite, I'm not able to work from home. That forces
me to rent an office closer to town... time away from home stinks when you are use to
working from home. (BTW, prior to moving to AL, I had been working from home
for over 7 years) With the price of gas.. you can see how this is not a positive, right?

ALSO, if we sell this house... we'll be able to pay off some debt... live closer to town...
I can work from home... I won't have to spend all day on Sat cleaning (oh yeah!)...Jacob
can ride the bus to and from school... (OH and that's another thing... I won't have to put
Jacob into after school care... cause he can just come home and be with me for the rest of the day
(which is a savings of $60 a week.. hello, that's a lot of $)

So, to all the powers that be... please help us sell this house!
Looking for some good vibes.. prayers.. or whatever suits your fancy... please send
them our way. Please? with a cherry on top?

Other stuff.
So we inherited this house (along with Steve's brothers)
but we've taken on the responsibility of cleaning out the workshop.. It is FULL
of stuff. Steve's father use to refinish antiques so there's a BUNCH of stuff
we are trying to sell. We've been trying to get rid of this stuff at the local flea
market and so far so good. We are getting rid of some.. but it may take
us a full year to get rid of it all.

I'm starting to learn that "Stuff" is way over rated!

My Favorite Things - (little late)

Sarah over at Fiddledeedee hosts a "My Favorite Things" post each Tuesday and here's mine
for the week of July 29.

REEF Leather Slap Sandals

THESE are the BEST flip-flops on the face of the planet.

(that I can kinda afford)

Last summers I took my boys to Dillars to get us all a pair of Crocs but I walked out with a pair of Mickey Mouse crocs for Jacob and these perfect flip-flops for me. BTW, they cost about $10.00 dollars than the crocs, but the comfort was so perfect; I JUST HAD TO HAVE THEM.

Still wearing them this summer and they are so comfortable.

I'm serious, the next time you see a REEFs display... look for THESE sandals

and try them on... You'll be hooked!

They are Reef Sandals and can be found here: PURE COMFORT!

Manic Monday's 10 Random Questions

1. What kind of shoes are you wearing? Tennis shoes (planned on walking today, but went out to lunch instead... not good! BUT my salad was yummy!)



2. Have you ever slapped someone? if so, tell me about it.

hmmmm, I don't think I have, or at least I don't remember doing it.



3. Do you use a daily face cream? If so what do you use? Right now I'm using Dove daily.

(but I really like Arbonne)



4. What's your favorite restaurant?

BoneFish Grill



5. What's you favorite thing to order at your favorite restaurant?

Crab Cakes and Bang Bang Shrimp



6. What would you order to drink at your favorite restaurant?

Nice glass of Merlot



7. Could you make that same favorite dish at home?

me? NO WAY!



8. What did you get in trouble for, when you were a kid?

Fighting with my brother (constantly) I was NOT nice!



9. What really gives you the creeps?

BUGS



10. Did you have a nickname in middle school or high school?

yep, Chicken Butt. Nice huh?





TAGGING these bloggers:
(if you don't want to post on your blog... just answer here
and share your blog link... thanks!)

1. Cents & Sensibility

2. Elizabeth

3. Denise

4. Nicole

5. ANYONE else who would like to answer!

HAPPY MONDAY!

Funny things they SAY

Just a quick update -- didn't want to forget to write this down.

Last week we were sitting at the dinner table and Jacob was pickin' at his
food and wouldn't eat.. (no surprise there!)
But I asked him why, and he says "Momma, I'm just a boy who wants to play!"
HE was so serious... it totally cracked me up.

THEN later that same night, Lukas hurt his hand on something (not sure what)
but he came crying to me saying "Momma, my uncles are bleeding!"
I said "Your what?"
Lukas "My Uncles"! "See!" (as he points to this knuckes, which by the way, were not bleeding)

Man, I love these guys!

SUNDAY FUN-DAY

BUT NOT FOR EVERYONE

Enamored with Etsy - July 23

So another round of cool little Etsy shops I adore!

1. 4QuiltsnMore

LOVIN' the pink and brown combo.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11324137
cute little quilt like purse
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11741677


2. MiaBeads (Eclectic Mix of Baubles & Beads by Mia!)

I'm looking for a locket and I really like this one:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13599993

Love these little glass flower ear rings
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=11076466

AND for my Chi-O sisters out there --
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_1&listing_id=11622032
(ok so it's not cardinal or straw, but dang, it's pretty!)

3. anthonydavidoliver
Small little shop, but very COOL wine racks.

I need to put this one on my wish list.

Ok, enough virtual shopping for today... Gotta get back to work.

Have fun!

Monday's Round of 10 VERY Random Questions

OK here's the deal. Each Monday, I'm going to post 10 very Random questions
and tag at least 5 people. Come on, join the fun!


1. What is the one Website you visit almost everyday? Google (gmail mostly)
2. Do you have a IM account? if so with whom? (IM=Instant Message) Way too many.. AOL, AIM, Oracle, Myspace, etc...
3. What grocery store do you shop at the most? Winn Dixie, but I don't like it.
4. What brand of Shampoo do you use the most? (or like the most?) Pantene
5. What Internet Browser do you use? IE
6. For editing Photos, what software do you use? Photoshop Elements
7. What are you paying in gas this week? $3.95/gallon
8. What are you going to be when you grow up? Retired
9. Do you subscribe to your local newspaper? what's the name? YES, Mobile Register
10. What's one of your favorite songs from the 70's? Another one Bites the Dust by Queen (hehe)

See, not your same ole Where have you worked, where have you lived, what's your favorite color... I'll try to make these questions just a little different. What do you say? Wanna Play?

Tagging:
Cheryl
Cami
Cari K
Lu
Lindsey
Holly
Deirdre
Nicole

Thanks!!!

Mel

Woohooo! I'm an "Oprah Spring Ahead Sweeps" winner

SO I must have gotten the box sometime yesterday but didn't notice it until
this AM on my front porch.
I had no idea! Such a great surprise at 6:30am on a Sunday, huh?

Anyway, I got a great box full of goodies.
An orange nylon bag (with a Oprah Tag) -- great for grocery shopping
A green Contessa grocery bag.
A full bottle of Dove Supreme Body Wash
A full bottle of Wishbone Bountifuls Dressing
Neutrogena Mineral Sheers foundation
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair
And a hand full of other samples (lotions, Almonds, flat earth chips, etc)

VERY COOL, huh?
I MUST thank Heather at Freebies 4 Mom as she is the wonderful person
who pointed me to the Oprah sweeps! Thanks Heather!!!

I better go enter some more sweeps! I'm feeling lucky! LOL!

Deals, Freebies, where do you buy your fresh veggies?

Just a couple sites I've looked over this week.

http://www.usedshoe.com/
Cool site.. they a couple good deals each week along
with a freebie link.

http://spoofee.com/
large site with many links... coupons, freebies, good finds.

http://sagemommy.com/Freebies.html
Another site with many links... great list of freebies.


SO, do you buy your fruits and veggies at the grocery? or at a local
market?
Not sure if you have a local market? Check here:
http://www.localharvest.org/

I found 2 local farmer's Markets in Mobile, AL.
Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to check out at least one
of them. I'd love to get some homegrown tomatoes, squash
and whatever else I can find.

Enamored with Etsy

Do you know about Etsy? If not, you've been missing out. Etsy.com is an addictive website that allows the public to buy and sell handmade items. I've been addicted for several months

now and If I could, I'd buy a whole bunch of cool stuff from a whole bunch of talented people/artists. I'm there almost daily... sometimes for an hour, sometimes just for

a few minutes. BUT within every visit I find a new "something" I fall in love with.

Please join me every Wednesday when I'll share a few of my favorite Etsy shops.

First on the list today:

Muddy Fingers Pottery (click here)

I tend to gravitate to hand thrown pottery that has been fired at high temps to

produce a unique and colorful piece. Muddyfingers has a unique shop that includes

vases, teapots, plates, pendants and more.

Check it out.

Next

Every Jot and Tittle

Cutest little stationery shop! They make cool journaling spots, tags, and other paper

embellishments.

Happy Shopping!!!

My Favorite Things - July 15th

Sarah over at Fiddledeedee hosts a "My Favorite Things" post each Tuesday and here's mine

for the week of July 15th.

ONE WORD

THICKERS

If you are not familar with the term "thickers" then you are NOT a scrapbooker!

These are one of my all time favorite scrapbooking items. They are manufactured by American Crafts and sold at most local Scrapbooking stores.

Thickers are letter and shaped stickers that are thicker than a normal sticker and are made from several different mediums. Thickers can be made from chipboard, foam, felt, vinyl and glitter.

These babies come in all sorts of fun and colorful fonts. They are great for embellishing your scrapbook page or adding a title.

What do you know about Plastic Bags?

I learned today ... I don't know as much as I need to know about
plastic bags and how they are harming our earth.

CHECK out this:
http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/MULTIMEDIA02/80505016w

JUST to reiterate a couple BIG points.....

1- It takes 12 million barrels of oil to produce the amount of plastic bags the US uses per year.It takes 12 million barrels of oil to produce the amount of plastic bags the US uses per year.

2- Plastic bags utilize nonrenewable resources, ultimately helping to drive up fuel prices.

3- A plastic shopping bag can take anywhere from 15 to 1000 years to decompose. In a compressed landfill, deprived of atmosphere to help them biodegrade, paper bags don't fare much better.

4. An estimated one million birds and 100,000 turtles and other sea animals die of starvation each year after ingesting discarded plastic bags which block their digestive tracks.

Couple places to get your bags... cause I know you want some now, RIGHT?

From The "Cent"sible Sawyer site:

With every $15 minimum donation to the National Park Foundation, they’ll send you an eco-friendly shopping bag and up to $20 in Unilever coupons! Go HERE
*Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. Offer ends August 16, 2008

Couple links:
1- http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bag-Cotton-Cloth-Grocery/dp/B000RF0X6O/ref=tag_tdp_sv_edpp_i

6 bags for 29.99

2- QwertyO's Shop (little produce bags)

3- Izznit's Shop (OH so stylin' bags made with Amy Butler fabric)

4- AND if you're looking for something super cheap... here ya go:
http://store.affordablestorageinc.com/servlet/-strse-410/Tote-Bag,-I-Help/Detail

OR you could always make your own!

Happy Shopping!

Melissa

OH YES! Publix is coming my way!!!

So today I read that Publix is putting up a couple stores in the county
right next to where I live. I AM DOING A HAPPY DANCE TODAY!
This is wonderful wonderful news! If they are building in Baldwin county
now, hopefully they will move into Mobile county next.
(so as soon as these stores are up and running... every time I go to the
beach... I'll surely be doing a Publix run!)

We have a friend that works as a store manager for Food World
(I think as a part of Bi Lo)
But he was saying that Food World will probably not last that much longer.

Maybe Pubix will buy out the Food World stores... oh yes! I'm lovin' it!

What's for Dinner?

Here are a few meals we've had this week:

Hotdogs, chips and cole slaw
Homemade Pizza
Marinated Pork Tenderloin, rice and broccoli
and for tonight...
Crockpot Cube Steak over Egg Noodles and a veggie (probably corn
since I have about 100 cans in the pantry)

Now I need to plan my menu for next week. I have a
few whole chickens in the freezer... any ideas?

New "Favorite Thing"

Sarah over at http://fiddledeedeeblog.blogspot.com/ does a "Favorite Things" post

every Tuesday and I thought I'd post one of my new finds....

Crystal Light On the Go -- IMMUNITY CHERRY POMEGRANATE

OH YUMMY!!!

I've never been a huge fan of Crystal Light, but I was sent a free sample

from Walmart last week and I LOVE THESE!!!

PLUS Winn Dixie has them on sale this week -- BOGO free... plus I had a

coupon that came with my free sample. NOW, you can't beat that with a stick!

The Cherry Pomegranate flavor is enhanced with Antioxidant Vitamins A, C

and E. This mix is advertised to help maintain a healthy Immune system.

Whatever is in there... sure tastes good!

There are other "enhanced" flavors which include Citrus Splash and Peach Mango

Green tea. (I plan to try them all!)

Just pour one packet of mix into a 16.9 oz bottle of water, shake and enjoy!

FRIDAY FUNNY

Thanks to Danielle from Scrapyard!

THE NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks.
Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes.
There is no fast food.

Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, and complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money.

In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week.
Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time--no emailing.

Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment.

He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Urgent Care.
He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a social function.

Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times.

The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.
The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, adorn himself with jewelry, wear STRONG uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails polished and eyebrows groomed.
During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.
They must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.

They will need to read a book to the kids each night and in the morning, feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:00 am.

A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size and doctor's name. Also the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear and what they want to be when they grow up.

The kids vote them off the island based on performance. The last man wins only if...he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.

If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years eventually earning the right To be called Mother!

After you get done laughing, send this to as many females as you think will get a kick out of it and as many men as you think can handle it. Just don't send it back to me.... I'm going to bed.

holey smokes

It's been a long time since I posted in this here Blogger!

Check out a few Freebies:



NEW YORK Dippin Sticks

http://www.marzetti.com/survey/


WARM DELIGHTS Mini's -- by Betty Crocker
(Oh, these are so yummy! If you are on a diet... just ignore)

http://www.startsampling.com/retail/kroger/

A few of my Favorite new sites/blogs

Elizabeth introduced me to this cool little blog for

ideas on saving money, freebies and such.


http://freebies4mom.blogspot.com/

Check it OUT!

Heather posts great ideas and deals everyday!


ONE that Heather mentions on her blog --
http://simplemom.net/
I just checked it out today and I really really like this one!!!
Nice, short and to the point entries about being a MOM!
(or just being a human, really!)
On Simple Mom she mentions a Jewlery giveaway...
super neat stuff -- http://lisaleonardonline.com/

I really really really want the Family Tree Necklace!

Here's a list of a few others that you might find interesting too!

http://www.becentsable.net/
Click on Grocery Gathering and then look through the list for a
grocery store new you. (includes places like Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens)

http://www.couponsinc.com/corp/source/cp_clientlist.asp
Contains a list of current Printable coupons.

http://moneysavingmom.blogspot.com/
http://moneysavingmom2.blogspot.com/
THE #2 is the same site... she had to create a new site because
of some "blogger" problems.

Anyway.. great site! I visit it almost everyday.

http://fiddledeedeeblog.blogspot.com/
Found this bouncing around blogs... she posts
great Publix deals... for example BOGO --combined with coupons.
FOr a full time working mom (like myself)--- Sarah is a life saver
for all the time she puts into sharing her finds! Thank you Sarah!

Here's the last one for now:
http://thecentsiblesawyer.blogspot.com/
Denise is the author at this blog plus she's a 2nd grade teacher.
She does a great job of sharing lots of sales at places other
than the grocery.
For example, she provides a link to some free music downloads
(Clint Black... I guess he's some famous country singer... Just kidding!
I know who he is... it's just not my thing)

Ok, I'm done..
Peace!

Melissa

Oh I will miss Publix!

So today I headed to Publix to pick up a few BOGO deals
and I think I'm going to miss that place after we move. Boohoo!
I think the only place to shop in AL is Winn-Dixie - poo!

Ya never know, I might be able to find some good deals there too.

Anyway, thanks to Sarah at http://fiddledeedeeblog.blogspot.com/
I was able to save a total of $29.16 today.
Spent only $25.88
I got
2 Bags of Lays Chips (BOGO free) = 3.79/2 -- $1.90 each
Gallon of Milk = 3.99
2 Jars of Vlasic pickles (BOGO free) = 2.69 Plus 2 $1.00 coupons = .69/2 -- .35 each
Box of Juice pouches = 1.67
Kraft cheddar stick snacks 3.99-2.00 coupon = 1.99
2 Bottles Kraft dressing (BOGO free) 2.69 plus a .75 coupon = 1.94/ -- .97 each
Bertolli Tomato Basil pouch 2.55 - $1.00 coupon = 1.55
Cooking spray - 2.49
2 Boxes of Uncle Ben's Rice (BOGO Free) 1.39 - plus a 1.00 coupon = .39/2 -- .20 each
Totino's pizza rolls 1.50 - .50 coupon = 1.00
Canned Pineapple = 1.15
Canned Pear slices = 1.17
2 bottles A-1 sauce (BOGO free) 3.85 plus two $1.00 coupons = 1.85/2 -- .93 each
2 packs of Keebler Cookies (BOGO free) 3.09 - 1.00 coupon = 2.09/2 -- 1.05 each

I'm pretty pleased!
Ok so I know I don't have anything here to make a meal.. but I was just stocking up for the
most part. Plus can you beat .20 for a box of Rice? (that your kids will actually eat!)

I also went to CVS this week...
spent all of my ECBs...
got 4 packs of soda/lemonade
Some free toothpaste and a new toothbrush
Free Tums -- plus I'll get 3.99 rebate in a few weeks.
Pack of Skittles for the boys
Large Pack of Pull ups
Bottle of wine
Shaving cream
Allergy med
Total out of pocket -- $4.29 -- AND that's only because I bought the wine! But it was good!

OH! OH! OH! so Yummy recipe!

Tonight is my 3rd time making this.. IT is SO yummy!
I ran across this recipe in Jan when I was searching for A Black Eyed Pea
recipe... the black eyed peas didn't fair so well, but this Lime Chicken is FAB!
I printed it out because the last time my parents had visited they left a jar
of Key Lime Juice... which was suppose to be used for Key Lime pie, but I'm not a
huge fair of Key Lime Pie, so I had to figure out something else to use the lime with..
and this is perfect! I'm using the last bit night... trying to empty the fridge before our move.
(and if you don't know about that.. tune in later)

Here's the source:
http://www.austin360.com/food_drink/content/food_drink/stories/2008/03/0326kittyskeepers9.html

Lime Chicken and Pasta Salad with Cilantro Pesto

4 boneless chicken breast halves

Marinade:
Juice of 2 limes
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. paprika
Salt
1 Tbsp. brown sugar


Cilantro pesto:
1 large bunch cilantro
2 heaping Tbsp. chopped walnuts
1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper
3 cloves garlic
3/4 cup olive oil
Salt to taste
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

4 to 8 oz. bow-tie pasta
Grilled tomato halves

Combine the lime juice, olive oil, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt and brown sugar in a glass bowl or casserole. Add the chicken, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 hours, turning once during that time.

To make pesto: Combine cilantro, walnuts, ground pepper, garlic, olive oil and salt in a food processor and process to a smooth paste. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.

Cook pasta to al dente stage. While pasta is cooking, grill or broil chicken until done, about 10 minutes. Slice into short strips.

Combine the warm pasta and warm chicken with the pesto. Toss until well coated. Serve with grilled tomato halves, if desired, and crusty bread. (This recipe could be made ahead and served cold.) Serves 4.
— Carol Johnson


Tonight I'm just doing the Chicken and serving a green salad.
I've also made the chicken and then used jared pesto to coat the
pasta... wasn't quite as good.. but quick and easy!

CVS is so Cool!

I know, kinda dorky. BUT with my new frugal plans, I've started CVSing!
You start with a CVS Extra Card ... scan the ads from the Sunday paper.
Match up sales with coupons and Bam! You can make some $ by just shopping!

This is what I did today.
I bought
1 Box Reeces Cookies $2.00
2 Bags Hershey's Bliss chocolates 2x4.29=$8.58
2 Glade Air Fresheners 2x.97 =$1.94
1 Barbasol shaving cream .97
1 Intuition Plus Razor $9.99
2 Hawaiian Tropic Lip Balm 2x1.99=$3.98

TOTAL OF $27.46
-----------------------------------------------------------------
coupons
.75 off Reeces Cookies
4.29 off for BOGO Hershey's Bliss
.97 off for BOGO Glade Air Fresh
4.00 off for Intuition Razor
4.00 off for Purchase of $20 at CVS
------------------------------------------------------------------
total coupons $14.01
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL after coupons $13.45
plus tax 1.23
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL out of Pocket $14.68


BUT here's the good Part!
I purchased things that give
back CVS bucks.

$5.00 ECB for purchasing $10.00 worth of Hershey's chocolate
$6.00 ECB for purchasing the Razor
$10.00 ECB for purchasing 2 Hawaiian Tropic products
=============
$21.00 ECB to spend the next time I go to CVS

SO the way I see it... I made $6.32 for shopping at CVS.

Frugal? (free iced coffee)

Are you frugal?

I always thought that living frugal was living like a cheap ass.
Well, I was wrong. Now, with my family's situation and our
economy the way it is, I've changed my way of spending $$.

I've joined a group that share frugal living ideas and I love it. Although I feel
some are very extreme, I have learn so much in the past few months.

I'll start sharing some of the info here if you care to check back.

First -- I'll start off with a FREE ICED COFFEE on May 15th!

check it out:

https://www.dunkindonuts.com/


Peace!

To be a mom...

This was sent to me this week and I thought I'd share...

To be a mom...
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions thatshe and her husband are thinking of "starting a family.

"We're taking a survey," she says half-joking.

"Do you think I should have a baby?"

"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.

"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more
spontaneous vacations."

But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her.
I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes.

I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal,
but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she
will forever be vulnerable.

I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking,
"What if that had been MY child?"
That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her.

That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything
could be worse than watching your child die.

I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub.

That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitation.

I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested
in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood.

She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an
important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell.

She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home,just to make sure her baby is all right.

I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine.
That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's
at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.

However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess her self constantly as a mother.

Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually
she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.

That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child.

That she would give up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.

I want her to know that a caesarian scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor.

My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child.

I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.

I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.

I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues,but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my children's future.

I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your childlearn to ride a bike.

I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time.

I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.

My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes.

You'll never regret it," I finally say.
Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.

May you always have in your arms the one who is in your heart...

Random photos -- from April

Jacob fell asleep the other night
leaning on our chair... Fast Asleep!











LEAVE ME ALONE, I'M WATCHING
MY MOOB-BEE !!!














This past week (4-24) Lukas had an ear infection and had to
take antibiotics which did not taste good. This is the attitude
he gave me on Tuesday while we were home together ... (both sick)




















I just found this random picture... Steve must have taken it..
BUT -- too cute! Lukas and Jacob both love to play with
Mommy and Daddy's shoes.

April 4th (I think)

On April 4th, Jacob graduated from VPK
(pre-K in Florida)

Here are a few photos from the event.
























They had graduation at a local civic center.
The 4 year old classes sang a few songs,
one in Spanish and one using sign language.
They were all so cute!

The teachers gave awards to each student along with their
certificate. The awards were labled with "Most Likely TO...."
Some were most likely to become Disney Artists, one was going to be a super hero, one a vet... etc... etc. We'll Jacob's award was "Most Likely to be well known for giving back to his community." NOW THAT'S SOMETHING TO BE PROUD ABOUT, HUH? It makes me feel wonderful that Jacob is thought of in this manner. His teachers are always praising him for helping out his classmates and around the classroom. I hope this is something he takes with him throughout his life. There's so much reward in helping others, and I hope he reaps those rewards 10 fold! Gosh, I'm so proud of him!

Scrap4Life - Week 2 - “Transparency”

So, I made it to Week 2 of the scrap contest
over at Scrap 4 Life.
This week the challenge is to to create a layout that has prominent use of some kind of clear element in the design—transparencies, ghost letters, acrylic items, ...

So here is my layout...
Used: Bazzill CS
OScraps Digital kit "In This Moment" by A Neal. (the teal graph paper was printed on a transparency)
The butterflies were created using a brush from http://dead-brushes.deviantart.com/ -- then printed on a transparency and cut out -- and adhered with staples.
Title letters are by Basic Grey -- colored with black sharpie.
Lace from Jo-Anns
Few pieces of PP -- KI Memories and Gin-x

So the photos are of Lukas
The top one was taken the day he was brought home from the hospital.. I think around 4 days old... March 05. The bottom one was taken recently.
So, whatcha think?

There's a LOT of great talent in this contest, so I wouldn't be surprised if I was bumped off this week. Either way.. it's made me happy to create 2 layouts that I really like. Plus Scrap 4 Life is a super friendly site... so it's all good!

Scrap4Life - Week 1 - Use Sparkle

So I recently registered at http://scrap4life.com/

They are having a 4 week contest and each week we are to complete the a challenge posted. This week it's all about using Sparkle...

SO this is what I came up with. Jacob at his first t-Ball game. Used scraps for my patterned paper (Daisy D's, MME, Sandy Lion), AC thickers for my title, rhinestones to form the star.. MM glitter on a chipboard strip by Lil Davis.. and few other little things.

I'll find out Monday if I continue to the next round.

more stuff

some stuff I'm been working on.

Where have you been?

Well I know I haven't blogged in FOREVER! I'm still here.

In the past month -- the following things have happened:
1- I had a kidney stone. Pure Hell! I'm serious, it hurt!
2- Steve wrecked my van... shhhhh, don't tell anyone.. he is embarrassed
(he backed up and hit a fire hydrant).
3- Applied to several Design Teams -- so far, no luck.
4- Started a Contest at Scrap4Life. (uploaded my first layout yesterday)
5- Received lots of yummy mail... stuff I ordered and stuff I won.
6- Started cutting coupons.. like a crazy woman.
7- Finished up one of four swaps I'm currently in (and are due at the end of March)
8- Watched my son play his first T-Ball Game.
9- Started hybrid scrapping and card making... fun stuff!
10- Hugged and Kissed my boys everyday! (all 3)