Jessica's home

And she brought back stuff for the little ones...

Jacob

Jeremiah

Darcy

Not as planned but still good

I think my total was around $5.50 between the two transaction... my first one was .23 cents!!!

But my cotton swabs didn't print my $2 ecbs on the first transaction and on the second one my $1.50 colgate coupon wouldn't scan. The girl was new so I didn't push... and besides I know I've saved sooo much there that I can afford to let it go!
The razor alone would have cost $6.99 plus tax!
GO ME!

Oh and the Xtra detergent was BOGO but they only had one so she rang it up half price.

Planning

Here's what I'm planning for my trip today... see if you know a better way

Transaction #1
1 Bic Razor - $6.99
1 Bic Cartridges $6.99
1 Cottonelle TP $4.99
2 Box of Kleenex (BOGO)
2 Fig Newtons (BOGO)
1 Smart Rinse

subtotal $29.14
use 1 $4 off $20 bringing it to $25.14
use 4 $3 off $15 bringing it to $13.14
use $4.00 off razor - $9.14
use $2.00 razor refils $7.14
use .25 cents of TP - $6.89
use $1.oo off mouthwash $5.89
use $4.99 in ECB's
OOP .90 cents
EARN $8.49 in ECBS

Transaction 2
1 Right Guard Deodorant - $6.99
2 Xtra Detergents (BOGO) $2.99
1 Dove Body Wash - $5.29
1 Colgate Toothpaste - $1.77
1 Pack of Bandaids - $1.99

subtotal $19.03
use 2 $3 off $15 bringing it to $13.03
use $1 off coupon for deodorant = $12.03
use $1 off coupon for body wash = $11.03
use $1.50 off toothpaste = $9.53
use $8.49 in ECB's
OOP $1.04
EARN $9.99 ECB's!!!

Now I realize this is off some due to this is all BEFORE tax but its not going to be off by much! Let me know if you see another way to do it!!! Thanks!

I've created a MONSTER!!

My sister just called me... she was trying to plan out her trip to CVS. She wanted to buy sunscreen Saturday but I told her to wait until Sunday b/c the new deal would be out where she could get $10 in ECB's!!

My Girls

Girl Time

Out of the blue

Does anyone elses kids say random stuff out of the blue? We have a sandbox but its put up and there's no sand. Out of the blue today while eating lunch Darcy said "I wish I could play in my sand box but there's no sand." It was sooo pityful! I don't know where it came from... the sandbox has been put of for a while now and its out of sight.

Advice

We need to buy the boys new carseats but I'm not sure which kind. I love Darcy's Britax carseat but its too expensive to buy 2. I'm kinda thinking about something not so bulky but with plenty of protection and support.

I got a Britax through freecycle about a year or so ago. But its several years old and its probably been recalled! The foam padding underneath the fabric is nasty and broken.

My MIL bought an Evenflow carseat for us but the strap that comes up from between their legs isn't long enough and its always pinching them. It cannot be adjusted.

I need your opinions. What carseat do you have for your child? Pro's and Con's please :)

Spreading the Love

I made a special trip to my sister's today. I met my sister at her house and went to CVS. She's heard me talk about all the things I've been getting there. I tried to talk her through it over the phone but it was too overwhelming so off I went. I told her that if she could at least give up $20 we'd make it back. I can't remember everything she got but I'll give it a shot

transaction 1
1 pack of charmin
1 pack of paper towels
1 10 pack of batteries

I let her use some of my $4/$20 and $3/$15.
OOP was somewhere around $13.00

transaction 2
1 pack of pampers
1 palmolive dish soap
1 colgate toothpaste
2 huggies wipe holders
1 beach play thingy for Cody bugs.
1 pack of bandaids
there may have been more... can't remember
her total before coupons was either $48 or $58 but after all the coupons... which i should have printed more b/c I ran out.
OOP $9 something.
She still has $5 in ECB's to use next time! She was really impressed!!!

I had to do everything in my head while I was walking around. We had both of her kids with us. I think with all that said we did pretty good.

The manager there was EXTREMELY nice... I told him that my friends, Vicki, Crystal and Jamie all shopped there and he said "oh yeah they were just in here this morning! They got lots of stuff for very little money!!!!" My sister's eyes lit up. I think she's hooked!

FUN TIMES

Jacob is driving the rest of them around the yard.
I love that they play so well together!

WHOA!

This is one of the FEW times that they've slept in their bed. We have to go in there every night to turn of the light and this is how we found them. Cute huh. Jeremiah is in the orange shirt.m Jacob is on his back sleeping peaceful.

TRIPPIN at CVS

Here's what I scored tonight! They were out of Colgate toothpaste, Smartrinse, Toilet Paper and I grabbed the last Soy Joy bars but I think I still did pretty good!

Transaction #1
2 Basic Bounty Paper Towels
1 Duracell AA Power Pix batteries
1 Duracell AA reg batteries

OOP $1.90
I had ECB for $2 off Power Pix batteries from a previous transaction and 1 $5 off reg duracell batteries. I used some CVS coupons. I also had some ECB's going into the store.

Transaction #2
1 pack of Pampers
2 Colgate Toothbrushes
4 Soy Joy bars

OOP $1.12

I used 2 $1 off coupons for the toothbrushes and some other CVS coupons. Then I used some ECB's.

Transaction #3
1 Palmolive Dish Soap
1 Cascade Liguid Dishwasher gel
2 Rightguard deodorants
2 ALL laundry soaps
1 Dove deodorant
1 Sting Ease for insect bites

OOP $.63 cents

I had some small manf. coupons and a few CVS coupons. I also used ECB's used on previous purchase.

I still have ECB's to use on my next visit!!!!

I also picked up a flyer for next week. I got 2 because some ladies at church want me to show them how to do it. I'm still learning but whatever!

HOT!

We've had AC problems since we've bought the house. There are 2 units. One for upstairs and one for the downstairs. We've had problems with both. But lately our upstairs unit is dealing us fits. EVERY DAY we have to turn it off to let it thaw out and then hope that it will come back on. Last night it was extremely hot and I think thats why we've all woken up with coughing and congestion. When we laid down last night it said it was 92 degrees! Everyone was miserable! We recently switched out the light fixture in the boys room b/c the old one just didn't work! I wish I would have taken more time and gotten them a fan but I was just trying to find something cheap. The rest of us all have fans in our room except them. I would put a box fan in there if I thought they wouldn't lose a finger!

I LOVE FREE STUFF

I signed up for several free stuff today over at The "Cent" sible Sawyer.

One of the things I'm most excited about is the FREE toilet paper that will be shipped once a month!!! whooo hoooo! yeah baby! You should check it out!

Oh Me oh My!

i headed out around 1:30ish to go my grocery/cvs shopping. I got in my car and realized i left my coupon book and stash of cash for CVS. I went back inside and somehow still managed to forget my coupon book --- which hold my ECB's. So I get all the way to CVS and I'm about to gather my things and go inside when I realize I've left the most important thing/tool. I went inside anyways and picked up a sales paper b/c its easier to look at the real thing than the copy on the internet.

i went across the street to winn dixie. I went to grab their paper at the front of the store that has their coupon on in it but they were all out!!!! I pulled out my pen and paper and started to mark off things in the produce section... my pen wouldn't work!!!!!!! I ended up digging threw my purse and finding a old eye liner. I used that instead. I have to mark things off... my list is so long that i'd be lost if i didn't!!!

I felt like I was doing really well with my spending. i went to check out and i was floored... I went way over my normal budget and I thought I was actually going to come out less!!!!! I don't know what went wrong but something did! I still saved $44 with my card but geez... i thought i'd come out a lot lesser than what I did.

so now i'm home and i've just finished unloading and putting away my groceries... its always a nice feeling b/c for just a day or so we look like we're stocked with food! But man does it disappear so quickly! i think the gnomes eat our food in the middle of the night!

random

Jeremiah determined to go up the slide... its slippery!

Her shirt says I tried to be sweet but i got bored! LOL

Jacob loves to splash in the pool... better watch it or he'll get you!

my hand hurts

i'm addressing wedding invitations and I'd much rather be typing them... I write waaaay slow nowadays since everything is done on the computer.

i had to take a break... i've got lots more left to do. I've been putting it off but now I HAVE to get them done!!

LOOK!!

There's art place in Clanton called

Studio B.

Its like Sips N Strokes but a lot closer!!!

Check it out!

OUR NEXT FAMILY VACATION!

Is going to be

HERE!!!!

Maybe next summer?????

Check it out!!!

ts in Sevierville, TN.

Its a indoor/outdoor waterpark. FUN!!!!

Confused

Is a pashmina what Indian ladies wear around their heads? This site has them and I'm not sure what exactly they are for... its seems like thats what it is. What do you think?

WAIT I found this on Wkipedia

Pashmina refers to a type of cashmire wool and textiles made from it. The name comes from Pashmineh, made from Persian pashm (= "wool"). This wool comes from changthangi or pashmina goat—a special breed of goat indigenous to high altitudes of the Himalayes. The wool has been used for thousands of years to make high-quality shawls that also bear the same name.

Computer Stuff

I also found this site today that has new and used computer parts. They have all sorts of equiptment for different types of computers. So if your looking for used cisco parts or IBM they have it! You can rebuild a computer for as little as nothing with this site. They have a huge inventory and a great website to help you decide on what you need for your computer.

More coupons

I found a site with snapfish coupons!!! I don't know if you use their photo stuff or not but I've heard they're pretty darn good! I've gotten to where if I don't have a coupon then I don't want to buy it! I've gotten so used to using coupons that I feel like I'm cheating myself if I have to pay full price. I took my coupon book to church tonight to show some ladies... we had talked about CVS last week and they were very interesed to hear all about it. I didn't have time tonight b/c I ended helping with the 3 year old class.

REFI

The rates are still low so if you haven't already then you really need to look through the yellow pages at mortgage lenders and call someone. Granted your credit score has to be good and not many late payments can be on there. It can save you hundreds of dollars on your montly mortgage payment to look into it. You might even can do a cash out refi and pay off some debt... or put a pool in the backyard! You can do whatever you like with the money. You just need some equity in order to get cash out!

Have you seen

Have you seen those commercials on TV for the walk in tub? Its sounds really cool. I mean with my luck one of my kids would probably open the door while it was full to the top and flood our house!! But I think it would be really good for someone with problems getting up & down. I bet they hold a lot of water... they look pretty deep.

My hubby

He's really not good with directions. When we first started dating he was late one night when picking me up. I asked him why and he said he'd gotten lost... he wasn't lying!!! When we first moved down here he'd take Jessica with him when he went to the store b/c he couldn't remember the way home and she could! I really need to get him a gps tracking system. As much as he has to travel to different jobs I should have already gotten him one!

I've always

I've always wanted to throw a really big Halloween Party. We have the perfect back yard for it. I'd love to have a costume contest and some games for the kids to play.... like a carnival. We could bob for apples too! And a bonfire!!! A weenie roast and maybe even a hayride!!! It would be really cool... and some fun for everyone to do rather than going door to door. I could send out really cool halloween invitations. Maybe when the kids get older we can do that one year.

Pushing it

Believe it or not this is not something that I'd normally blog about... especially since my inlaws read this BUT......

If you are ever in the mood for some role play then you should check out this site for sexy costumes. They have everything under the sun you could imagine. I'm sure it would spice up anyonese dull sex life if their honey dressed up in one of these costumes and suprised you one night! LOL

New York, New York

My sister in law just got back from New York. Brooklyn to be exact. She brought us back some cool shirts from Coney Island. I remember when I went to New York while I was in Master's Commission and all the guys were buying Rolex watches from the street guys. Pretty funny! I bought some t-shirts from a guy with a duffel bag and when I washed the shirts then all the letters fell off!

Gotta have it!

These days with things so expensive its a must to have some sort of backup. Matthew and I both have some cheap life insurance that will help with funeral cost, paying off our mortgage and to give us time to get on our feet again when one of us goes to Heaven. My uncle passed away back in November and he didn't have anything.... or anyone other than my mom. I didn't realize how expensive a funeral could be. Its definitely something to think about if you don't have some sort of life insurance.

One day

I've been sewing with my friend Marilyn for a few weeks now. So far I've made 3 outfits for Darcy and I started on an apron. I need some curtains for my living room so maybe I'll make some one of these days. Its takes a lot of fabric and the kind you use isn't cheap. So I may just break down and buy some... at least that way I know they're going to look good.

I'm an idiot!!

NO AMENS PLEASE!

So most of you know (and some are with me on this) that I'm doing all that I can to save money. Well today I see a post where you can go to www.restaraunts.com and save 50% on gift certificates by using the promo code SIZZLING.

I should have paid closer attention!!!!

I was going to buy one in the amount of $25 for $5 at Seikisui... a Japanese/Sushi Bar. I changed my mind at the last minute and purchased the one for $50 for $10 b/c Matthew and I can run up a bill eating sushi.

Once I printed it out - AND after paying for it- I noticed it said for a minimum purchase of $100!

Had I bought the $25 one I would have only had a minimum purchase of $35. I can handle $35 for $100... we can't eat that much sushi!!!!

I'll guess we'll have to treat someone to dinner! LOL

SNACK!!!

My kids are constantly asking for snacks!
I'm tired of the same ole thing so I imagine they are as well.
What kind of snacks do you give your kids?
I need some ideas so help me out here!
They're eating chex mex in this picture.

CVS TRIPIN

My total OOP was less than $4.00... i still have close to $20 ecb's. Its nice to actually have some stored up instead of spending them all in one visit! I finally got the stinkin bandaids!!! Darcy swears she has to have a bandaid over every little scratch so we can definitely use em!

Our trip to the ER

I could keep him calm by taking pictures and then letting him see the picture. He was sooo tired!

Checking on the Garden

Jeremiah is checking on the garden.

Our Garden

Yes, I know we should weed it but its growing just fine at this point!
Its very small considering the amount of stuff packed in there. We're already thinking about what we're going to do next time.
We will definitely get a tiller and make is much bigger. But this was our first attempt and it was really a learning experience.
The kids love to water it and check on it.



I already have beans!


And Tomatos! All my tomato plants have at least 2 tomatos on them!

New to Us!

My cousin's daughter sent home some ride on toys to Darcy.
Darcy didn't have any trouble riding the bike with training wheels.
Its the first thing she ask to do in the morning!



Jeremiah tried to figure out the scooter

Jacob also gave it a try but one of the wheels is busted :(

YIPPIE!!

I was able to call this morning and get Matthew's test score.

He PASSED!

He made a 91!!!

BUT... I haven't told him yet. I want to do something special.

I need your help - I want to use the number 91 all day as much as I can. I've already called him and told him that I wish the pest control guy that came yesterday would have sprayed inside b/c I counted 91 sugar ants on the counter top.

His dad is going to call this afternoon and tell him that tbey caught 91 fish today.

When he calls me at lunch I'm going to tell him that when I took the kids upstairs for a nap that it was 91 degrees. ((our upstairs unit is broken so he'll believe it))

I also called his boss and asked him to do the same thing. I threatened him that if he told i'd.....

Let me know if you have any ideas for the number 91.

Neverending

I love being a homeowner... really I do. But I swear there's a neverending list of things to be done. When we were in the process of buying the house the AC upstairs was broken. We made it part of our contract to have it fixed. Well they rigged it instead of fixing it. We've had problems since day one. The AC freezes up. And now its gotten to the point where it pretty much is out of service 75% of the time. It used to freeze up outside but now its freezing up on the inside and then when it thaws out its dripping water! We need to get a new AC unit but my money tree stopped blooming.

LOOOONG NIGHT

Back from the ER. It was Jeremiah... he's okay. I'll fill in the details later.

night

Here's the details.
Jeremiah has had a yucky cough and in the last 2 days or so its gotten worse. I gave him a breathing treatment last night before bed. Around 10ish he woke up coughing. He couldn't catch his breath and he was gasping and gagging. He was pretty scared and he scared us big time. I tried to call Jessica's grandmother (she's a nurse at childrens and I call her all the time) but no answer. I was worried b/c he wouldn't calm down. We made the decision to head to the ER. Jessica's friends momma came to the house until my parents could get here. Matthew held him while I drove. He had calmed down by the time we got on the road but we decided to keep going just to make sure. The doctor said his lungs sounded fine but his ears looked red. They gave him some meds and sent us home with a prescription. He did not like being in the ER. He was tired. He would cry and then have a coughing fit again but they worked really fast to get us out of there. I'm sure the other patients were wishing we'd leave.

Gone Again

Jessica, at the last minute, was asked to join the Brock's on their vacation to Clearwater, Florida. They came over last night for dinner and on the way back home called to ask if Jessica could go. They're picking her up sometime this morning and will not be back until next Friday. All the Brocks are going... Mr & Mrs B, Amy & her fiance, and Michael & Heather. We were asked to go in the beginning but declined because at the time it was only a weekend trip and we would be packed full at his uncle & aunts house. The men folks were all going fishing and I'd be stuck in someone elses house with 3 toddlers. But since then the vacation grew into a week long trip at beach house but by the time that came about it was too late. Maybe next time.

Pray for my baby. She was gone most of the week to her other grandparents house... was only home for a day and now she's gone again. I miss her!

CVS

Today I had my list all planned out on exactly what I was going to buy. I should know by now that I need 'backups' but I don't plan for them. Some of the stuff I was going to buy was sold out so I had to do some last minute thinking while battling my migraine. I still did alright... didn't I? LOL I have yet to find bandaids. I wanted to get some Nivea shaving gels and smartrinse. I also couldn't find the Dove body wash thats in the paper for $3.99. They were out of the huggies wash too. But I think I did okay with what I got.

My in laws came over tonight and I got to share my cvs secrets with them. My sister in law was real impressed but they don't have CVS in New Mexico.

cracking up

i bought the magazine Reinventingbeauty at CVS... its an old one!!! most of the coupons have expired!!! oh well!

My CVS's trip today

I went in with my head pounding. I woke up this morning with major sinus pressure (new to me). I didn't 'feel' like going to CVS but I knew I needed to go. So I went.

Transaction #1 (really 2nd transaction)

2 boxes of Cheerios
1 box of cereal bars
1 folgers coffee

Originally I picked up the 1 wrong cereal so this actually was the 2nd transaction. I had already done the 2nd transaction when I realized I didn't get my 10 ecbs from the first one.

I spent $10.88 and earned $10 ECB's

Transaction #2 (really first)
1 Quattro Titanium Razor
1 Dove cream oil body wash

I spent $7.83

Transaction #3
2 Dove Shampoo's BOGO
2 Dove Conditioner's BOGO
1 Dove Body Wash
1 CVS Daily Face Wash
1 pack of Felttip pens

I spent $.01 ONE PENNY!!! I actually had too many coupons and she had to void one! LOVE IT!

Transaction #4
1 Pack of Huggies diapers
1 Bonine Kids (car sick prevention med)
1 Nivea for Men bodywash
1 Nivea for men face wash
1 Reinventing beauty magazine (it's full of coupons!)
1 roll of bounty paper towels.


I spent $2.03

I came home with $19 in ECB's!!!! This is the first time I left with ECB's. GO ME!!!

If you really wanna see a pro work the CVS thing you should visit The Centsible Sawyer

headin out

to run some errands... and stop by CVS for the weekly MUST HAVE's!!

BOGO on Dove Shampoo and Conditioner!!! gotta have it!

Cookie Monster

I've recently started buying cookies to keep at home.
Normally they eat crackers, pretzels, chex mix or vanilla waffers. Well now my little Jacob yanks at the cabinets all day long yelling "oookies!"

cookies are pretty costly and they don't last long at my house!