tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70665550463965180482024-03-13T08:22:44.323-04:00Nice PumpkinsFall is here!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger216125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-66945348953840851412009-12-09T15:22:00.000-05:002009-12-09T15:22:48.868-05:00My Favorite Things Part 1 (Just Call Me Oprah)Well, Oprah without all the money and all. As you read in my last post I lack in the shopping gene (well outside of groceries), and I can be pretty cheap with myself. However, I do have a a few items that I come to just fall in love with madly, and some I have spent a little money on (or got as a gift, that counts, right).<br />
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So without further ado, here is My Favorite Things, in case you haven't completed your shopping yet, and you are so pathetic that you would look to me for holiday present advice.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/Sx_9lYIl2fI/AAAAAAAABk0/PGekY0sF6zo/s1600-h/purse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/Sx_9lYIl2fI/AAAAAAAABk0/PGekY0sF6zo/s400/purse.JPG" /></a><br />
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<strong>1.) Butler Bag by Jen Groover</strong> <br />
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I originally talked about my fascination about this bag a year or two ago on this blog before I even owned one. I saw it, knew it was perfect for me. Since I never want anything my husband was thrilled to have something easy to buy me for my birthday. It was as simple black bag with the organizer of all organizers inside. It was love at first site. That was over a year ago and we are still in love. I do have to admit I did switch to another bag for a little. One of those typical bags where everything just gets throw in the bottom of it. But that lasted about two weeks before it drove me crazy and I went back to my Butler Bag.<br />
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The inside of my hybrid Butler Bag contain 6 small compartments and one large compartments. You can fit several things in each of the small comparts. I have one that has my Iphone, Ipod and headphones in it. Another that holds 4 tubes of lipstick/gloss, a compact and a container of hand sanitizer. The large compartment is great for all sorts of things. I have a compact umbrella and hairbrush in it, but I have room for more, like a water bottle, scarf, lint roller etc. There is even room on both sides of the organizer for flat items, like paperwork, full sized notebook, that great novel you are reading or the latest grocery store circular. There is a zippered change purse and the bag is sturdy and fashionable.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SyAAwLD5x2I/AAAAAAAABlE/9A_HIpxOSsc/s1600-h/inside+purse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SyAAwLD5x2I/AAAAAAAABlE/9A_HIpxOSsc/s320/inside+purse.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The greatest compliments I have gotten on this bag, for real, have been from security people. When I have had to open my purse at the airport, concert, tv show, etc., I get the toughest men and women ready to scrutize the contents until I open it up and they all go soft and say "Oh wow, that is the coolest thing I have ever seen". I'm not kidding. It has happened just twice last week.<br />
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I love my Butler Bag and hope Santa (hint hint) gets me another one in a different color this year. Please check out Jen's site. They are worth the price and are cheaper than those fancy foo foo bags all the girls carry in the mall.<br />
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<a href="http://www.butlerbag.com/">Butler Bag by Jen Groover</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SyACPrfD_vI/AAAAAAAABlM/Jww9UtfmrYo/s1600-h/iphone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SyACPrfD_vI/AAAAAAAABlM/Jww9UtfmrYo/s320/iphone.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>2.) Iphone</strong><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My husband is an Apple junkie. If its made by Apple he wants it. He stood outside the Apple store in line when the Iphone first came out. He was on it 24/7, he raved, raved, raved about it. I held my ground and kept my cheap old phone saying I didn't need all that fancy stuff, I just need to make a phone call now and then. I even called him Paris Hilton when he would text and basically sit glued to the phone where we went.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">About a year later my phone really started to die on me and I knew I had to get a new one. My husband insisted I get an Iphone and promised me I would love it. I gave in and he drove me right down to the Apple store. I walked a little bit later with a brand new Iphone 3G (didn't need the 3GS). I must say the Apple employees are quick and wonderful with your purchases.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At first I just played with what came on the phone and it took me a while to get the hang of it, but I still was convinced I would get overly into it like my husband. Once I found the App store that all came to an end. I was addicted. I loved sorting through the applications I could get for free and purchase that would make my life easier. Some I didn't like and erased shortly after getting them, but some have become things I can't live without.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Its an amazing phone and I'm sure you heard people whoop and holler all about it, but it really is worth it. Its my daily organizer, financial planner, internet, e-mail, Ipod, camera, tape recorder, radio, file cabinet, game center, cookbook, map finder, and card store all into one, plus more. The only thing I am hoping is that Santa brings me a car charger for it, as I tend to burn the little monster into the ground over the course of the day.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So yes, I love my Iphone. I'm not ashamed to say so. I highly recommend.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone?mco=OTY2ODQyMQ">Apple Iphone</a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SyAGuFZ4noI/AAAAAAAABlU/-KFnPr3PmD4/s1600-h/coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SyAGuFZ4noI/AAAAAAAABlU/-KFnPr3PmD4/s400/coffee.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>3.) Hamilton Beach BrewStation <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got my love of drinking coffee from my grandmom. When I was a teenager I would sleep over her house in the summers and she would make me breakfast. She would always have instant coffee with her meal. I loved the smell of it from the beginning. At first she let me have a sip now and then and as I got older she would let me have a cup now and then. It wasn't again until I was in my mid twenties that my love of coffee came back. But the only place I liked to drink it was at a diner. They have great coffee, don't know why.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My mother in law was the first person I knew who had the Hamilton Beach BrewStation. I loved the look of it, the lack of glass carafe, and the coffee pouring out of dispenser, all hot when you need it. I told her how awesome I thought this was. A few months later guess what I got for Christmas from her? You got it. I still have that same BrewStation a few years later. And I love it. I am the only one in my house who drinks coffee but it still gets a good use just from me and when I have company over. It works as good as the day I got it. Its easy to use, easy to clean and looks good on the counter.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The picture above is the the version I have but Hamilton Beach makes all sorts of versions of BrewStations now. I highly recommend for the coffee lover in your life.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/brewstation-coffeemakers-brewstation-12-cup-coffeemaker-with-timer.html">Hamilton Beach BrewStation</a><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-46886323890718539962009-12-03T10:04:00.000-05:002009-12-03T10:04:33.246-05:00You Ever Feel Inadequate As A Real Woman?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SxfTVLWUikI/AAAAAAAABks/2eG3skGp9sw/s1600-h/shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SxfTVLWUikI/AAAAAAAABks/2eG3skGp9sw/s320/shoes.jpg" /></a><br />
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Over the course of my 37 years of life, I've noticed that I lack in a few areas where women are either supposed to excel in or just go batty for.<br />
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And lately I have had the pleasure in meeting some great new friends who really bring these inperfections to my persona up to the light.<br />
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1.) I don't like shoes. I mean I see ones that look cute. I see them on other people and think they are cute. But I really only think of one thing when I see shoes, BLISTERS. New shoes hurt and in my opinion they hurt enough to make me not like them, and not want to buy them. I am probably one of the only women I know who rarely gives a glance when passing by the window of a shoe store. I love Sex And The City, but I ain't wearin' the shoes. I buy a pair of shoes, and wear them until my toes are peaking out the holes. What you see above is the type of shoe I wear all the time. I do have a collection of shoes in my closet that look great but I have banned them from my feet cause they just freakin' hurt. But I hate to be barefoot so I really can't win here.<br />
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2.) I can't accessorize. <br />
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I own 3 belts. A black belt that is basically falling apart, came free with a pair of pants and has holes I made in it to fit my various sizes my waist has been. A green belt that again came with an outfit and another black one with rhinestones on it that my husband actually picked out for me at a fancy store in AC. That is my fancy belt and only comes out on special occasions. That is it.<br />
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Scarves. My husband had to get me into wearing scarves. Most women just gravitate towards what the hot trend is and then seek out what they need to make it work. Not me, I have my husband. He says "You should buy some scarves and wear them like all the girls are wearing them now." He then proceeded to pick some out of me and made me buy them. He also looked at me with such disgust and disappointment as a woman when I went to wear one one night and had no clue how to wear it. I actually looked on the internet to see how you were supposed to wear one of these. I still only know one way to wear a scarf. The others were just too complicated.<br />
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3.) Hair. I hate going to get my hair cut. I do love a good cut the next morning when you get to try it yourself for the first time. But I completely despise sitting in the chair and engaging in that fake conversation with the stylist who really could give a crap about what you doing this weekend but feels the need to ask. I had an amazing stylist about 10 years ago who not only did great hair but would be pretty engrossed in conversations with the stylist next to her while she did my hair. So we barely had to talk, she did great hair and then she went and quit the salon to stay home with her kids. If I could I would seek her out and hire her privately, but I'm poor. Because of this I wait long periods before I give in to get my hair cut. The last time I went was in July, yes, JULY.<br />
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What spawned this was the conversations I was privy to with these great, fabulous new friends on a day trip to NYC this week. They were discussing great moisturizers and face creams. Brands that I never heard of. I realized that I use whatever is cheap or whatever I get for free at CVS. They make me aspire to be more of a woman or at least try to get my hair cut once a season.<br />
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I'm working on it. To be continued...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-4667229409447432292009-11-27T13:01:00.000-05:002009-11-27T13:01:36.698-05:00CVS Deal November 27th: Black Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SxASgkegGzI/AAAAAAAABkk/aQe045o8gh8/s1600/IMG_2054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SxASgkegGzI/AAAAAAAABkk/aQe045o8gh8/s400/IMG_2054.JPG" /></a><br />
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I remember last year I made a killing of deals at CVS on Black Friday. This year it wasn't too bad, but could have been better. And I did need body wash, so that is always a good find.<br />
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1 Schick Quatro $9.99<br />
1 Vaseline Sheer Infusion $7.99<br />
1 St. Ives body wash $3.99<br />
2 Bic Soleil razors $6.99 each<br />
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Total $35.95<br />
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Coupons<br />
(1) $1.00 off Schick Quattro<br />
(1) $1.00 off Vaseline lotion<br />
(1) $1.00 off St. Ives body wash<br />
(2) $2.00 off Bic Soleil Razors<br />
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ECB's Used $23.95<br />
OOP $4.95 + tax<br />
ECB's Earned $28.99<br />
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Made some extra ECB's. One of my ECB's didn't work, and that is why I had a $4.95 oop cost. But still not bad. Hopefully they keep good sales running for the next few weeks.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-19099681479559459702009-11-15T15:32:00.000-05:002009-11-15T15:32:52.966-05:00ShopRite Deals November 15th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SwBjvfMNzII/AAAAAAAABkU/AuMhVBgoQBY/s1600-h/IMG_2050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SwBjvfMNzII/AAAAAAAABkU/AuMhVBgoQBY/s400/IMG_2050.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have been pretty well stocked up on some things for a while. So I just hit ShopRite to take advantage of some sales and the basics.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>ShopRite</b><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 Friendly's ice cream $1.88 each<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Salad dressing $1.99<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Real Goodness milk $3.69 - $1.00 q = $2.69<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4 Texas Toast croutons $1.00 each - $1.00 off 2 q's = .50 each<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3 College Inn broths 3 for $2.00 - $1.00 off three = .33 each<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 Mrs. Smith pie $1.99 - $1.00 q = .99<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 Hefty trash bags $2.24<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3 Philadelphia cream cheeses .99 each - $1.00 off three = .66 each<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 Quaker life cereals $1.99 each<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 pk of tomatoes $3.99<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 head of lettuce $1.99<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 Gillette shaving cream $1.99 - $1.00 q = .99<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 LA Looks gel $1.24 - $1.00 q = .24 each<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 Reynolds wrap $2.49 - $1.00 q = $1.24<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Total spent $31.20<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-65627801504008384622009-11-15T15:23:00.001-05:002009-11-15T15:24:50.025-05:00CVS Deal November 15th: Getting BetterHey I said I was getting back in the game on my blog, but then I put it off again for a bit. What the heck.<br />
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Well here we go. Back to CVS. Not bad deals this week, considering the last few weeks they have been absolutely dreadful.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SwBihVzCIrI/AAAAAAAABkM/K2oR9O2TGok/s1600-h/IMG_2049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SwBihVzCIrI/AAAAAAAABkM/K2oR9O2TGok/s400/IMG_2049.JPG" /></a><br />
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1 Scope Outlast $3.49<br />
2 Glade Sense & Sprays $6.00 each = $12.00<br />
1 4 pk Duracell batteries $2.99<br />
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Total $18.48<br />
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Coupons<br />
(1) $1.00 off Scope<br />
(2) $4.00 off Glade Sense & Sprays<br />
(1) $1.00 off Duracell<br />
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ECB's used $8.00<br />
Total oop $1.77<br />
ECB's earned $7.00<br />
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Not a money maker, but I have found lately that not alot of the deals are. But still good to stock up on some things. I am hoping the deals get better as the holidays get closer.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-23890700429317662122009-10-16T16:06:00.000-04:002009-10-16T16:06:45.175-04:00Call Off The Search Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/StjR8Jty1fI/AAAAAAAABkE/drOgbDX1xZU/s1600-h/pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/StjR8Jty1fI/AAAAAAAABkE/drOgbDX1xZU/s400/pumpkin.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
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</div>I'm back, I'm alive and ready to post. <br />
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I took an unexpected leave of absence from the blog when alot of stuff was going on in our lives. Been through alot, learned alot. But everything is good, and ready to get Nice Pumpkins back rolling again.<br />
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I did learn through my hiatus that my stockpile was a godsend. There were many times I could get to or didn't feel like shopping and I had my storage to use. Unfortunately it took a little hit from that, and now I definitely need to replenish some things.<br />
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As for the finances well.......and I have to be honest.......they took a hit too. I wasn't so good with the credit cards and the emergency fund when my stress increased. But all you can do is get back on the horse and continue the journey (how cheesy).<br />
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So I now continue with the shopping, the couponing, CVS, the deals and back to the debit paying and savings plan. Stay tuned... Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-60155644574645654282009-06-07T15:09:00.005-04:002009-06-09T09:14:41.504-04:00Grocery Shopping In Budget<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SiwQjznKPrI/AAAAAAAABjY/79st8tA4S74/s1600-h/IMG_2030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344665065117859506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SiwQjznKPrI/AAAAAAAABjY/79st8tA4S74/s400/IMG_2030.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I went to SuperFresh on Saturday because they were having triple coupons. Been a while since I've been to one of those. And this one didn't work out too bad. I also got some meats, as we needed to stock up.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">SuperFresh</span><br /><br />2 boxes New York bread products $3.70 - .50 q tripled = $2.20 each<br />1 pack steaks $4.15<br />1 Weight Watchers cream cheese $2.59 - .75 q's = .34<br />2 pks chicken thighs $2.50 and $1.59<br />1 Blue Bunny ice cream $2.99 - .75 q's = .74<br />4 Newman's Own dressing $2.50 - .75 q's = .25 each<br />4 Tabasco sauce $1.89 - .75 q's = Free plus overage<br />1 Febreeze $2.50 - .75 q's = .25<br />1 Marzetti cole slaw dressing $2.99 - .75 q's = .74<br />1 Milk Way Bar = Free with coupon<br />1 Mr. Clean magic eraser $2.50 - $1.50 = $1.00<br />1 Oscar Mayer franks = Free with coupon<br />1 Velveeta cup $1.39 - .55 q's = FREE<br />4 McCormick spices $2.29 - .75 q's = .04 each<br /><br />Total spent $20.45<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SiwQqVHyjzI/AAAAAAAABjg/T3B0OcpL0YQ/s1600-h/IMG_2037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344665177192304434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SiwQqVHyjzI/AAAAAAAABjg/T3B0OcpL0YQ/s400/IMG_2037.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Off to Vercchio's, the produce market, and then to ShopRite to finish up the deals.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Vercchio's</span><br />2 bags of tomatoes<br />3 bags of bananas<br />1 bag of apples<br />1 bag of Romaine lettuce<br />1/2 lb of swiss cheese<br />1/2 lb of corned beef<br />1 loaf of rye bread<br /><br />Total $20.00 <p><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">ShopRite</span><br />3 Land O Lakes lite butter $1.99 - $1.00 q's = .99<br />1 Land O Lakes Fresh Butter Spread .99 - .55 q's = FREE<br />4 boxes of Carolina rice .99 - .50 q's = FREE<br />3 Ocean Spray juices $2.77 - .55 = $1.77<br /><br />Total $9.44<br /><br /><br />Total spent $49.89.</p><p>Gayle, who has a great website call <a href="http://grocerycartchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/03/gcc-shopping-round-up.html">The Grocery Cart Challenge</a>, was the original inspiration to me to try a budget with my grocery shopping. Please check out her site, to see how she does it and how some others who also have decided to try her challenge.</p><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-19689948991397378572009-05-31T13:57:00.003-04:002009-06-01T19:40:58.380-04:00CVS Deal May 31st: Thanks To Thrify Mama<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SiLFS78pOvI/AAAAAAAABjQ/XFklUFmBO74/s1600-h/IMG_2027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SiLFS78pOvI/AAAAAAAABjQ/XFklUFmBO74/s400/IMG_2027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342049037135198962" border="0" /></a><br />I actually wasn't going to go to CVS this weekend because there were no good ECB deals. But then I went to a favorite site of mine <a href="http://thethriftymama.com/">The Thrifty Mama</a>, where she posted that Clairol Natural Instincts haircolor was on sale for only $3.99 and there are $4.00 q's out there from an April RedPlum. I have been wanting to cover up the greys (yikes) for quite a while. I bought three boxes. Two of a nice honey brown color and one of a more striking red. I tried the honey brown today and I really really like it. So thank you so much Thrifty Mama.<br /><br />3 boxes of Clairol haircolor $3.99<br />2 cans Campbell's tomato soup $1.00<br /><br />Coupons<br />(3) $4.00 off any Clairol haircolor<br /><br />Total oop $1.84<br />ECB's used NONE<br />ECB's earned ZERO<br /><br />But I got free haircolor. So it was worth it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-28508068989784928082009-05-31T13:47:00.005-04:002009-06-02T11:10:29.146-04:00Grocery Shopping In Budget<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SiLCw3N77mI/AAAAAAAABjI/piqaTYKqdYo/s1600-h/IMG_2023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342046252726742626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SiLCw3N77mI/AAAAAAAABjI/piqaTYKqdYo/s400/IMG_2023.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Got to ShopRite nice and early today to get the super cheap trashbags and plates. Good thing I did. Got there around 8:30am and they only had four boxes of the trash bags left.<br /><br />ShopRite<br /><br />1 Rotisserie chicken $3.99<br />2 boxes Blue Bunny ice cream sandwiches $1.99 - $1.00 q's = .99 each<br />2 Tree Ripe OJ's $1.77 each<br />3 Eggland's best eggs $1.77 - .35 q's = $1.07 each<br />4 sets of Chinet casual plates $1.24 - $1.00 q's = .24 each set<br />3 Hefty trash bags $1.24 - $1.00 q's = .24 each<br />2 Hefty one zip bags $1.67 - $1.00 off 2 q's = $1.07 each<br />1 ShopRite aluminum foil $1.49<br />3 2000 Flushes $1.49 - $1.00 q's = .49 each<br />2 bags Goodlife dry cat food $4.99 - $3.00 q's = $1.99 each<br />3 ShopRite American cheese singles $1.49 each<br />2 Dannon Light N' Fit 6 pks $1.49 -.75 q's = .49 each<br />2 Light Silk soy milks $1.99 - $1.00 q's = .99 each<br />1 Kotex tampons $2.49 - $1.00 q's = $1.49<br />1/2 lb roast beef $4.15<br />1/2 lb Swiss cheese $2.64 (for the man's lunch on school days)<br /><br />Total $41.86<br /><br />Gayle, who has a great website call <a href="http://grocerycartchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/03/gcc-shopping-round-up.html">The Grocery Cart Challenge</a>, was the original inspiration to me to try a budget with my grocery shopping. Please check out her site, to see how she does it and how some others who also have decided to try her challenge.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-34954249858626947062009-05-28T10:36:00.004-04:002009-05-28T10:43:40.231-04:00RATS!!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/Sh6hruGIDlI/AAAAAAAABjA/ORrESI-KbdI/s1600-h/newspaper%20twn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340883980588158546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/Sh6hruGIDlI/AAAAAAAABjA/ORrESI-KbdI/s400/newspaper%2520twn.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I ran into my mom in ShopRite last week. She had just come from The Dollar Tree next door and gave me the bad news. The sign on the store said that The Dollar Tree would no longer be selling the Philadelphia Inquirer, our major newspaper. I was shocked and was hoping it was just that one Dollar Tree. I stopped in another one near my house the next day, and saw that there newspaper bin was nowhere to be found. I also checked on the internet and found others in this whole area were told the same thing. The Inquirer recently filed for bankruptcy. So I guess they couldn't afford to give them away for a buck.<p></div><div> </div><div>So that is the end to that money saving tip. Having to only pay $4.00 for four Sunday or early Saturday papers with all the good coupons is gone. I have been told that some Walmart's sell the Saturday edition at a discount, so I will check it out. If not, its back to my old way of paying $7.00 for four of them at Wawa. Still not terrible considering all the money you save with the coupons, but still stings.</div><div> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-29171061696785323482009-05-24T10:39:00.004-04:002009-05-24T10:47:57.290-04:00CVS Deal May 24th: Starting From Scratch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/Shlc_zlEg6I/AAAAAAAABi4/QS7BbjIs6CQ/s1600-h/IMG_2015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/Shlc_zlEg6I/AAAAAAAABi4/QS7BbjIs6CQ/s400/IMG_2015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339401084471640994" border="0" /></a><br />Because we took a few weeks off from shopping and lived off our stockpile, the last of my ECB's were going to expire. So my husband needed a few things and I let him use the last of them up to keep his out of pocket low.<br /><br />So now here we are back to the beginning, no ECB's and having to build them back up from scratch. The great thing is holiday weekend's are the best time to build them back up. CVS tends to have lots of great Free after ECB deals on holiday weekends. So I picked several items I had coupons for, had to pay way more than I usually do out of pocket. But now I will be back in the swing of paying very little in the future.<br /><br />1 Revlon nail polish $3.99<br />1 Playtex Sport tampons $3.99<br />2 boxes Band Aids $2.99 each<br />1 Clearasil face wash $3.99<br /><br />Coupons<br />(1) $1.00 off any Revlon product<br />(1) $1.00 off any Playtex Sport<br />(2) $1.00 off any Band Aid product<br />(1) $1.00 off any Clearasil product<br /><br />Total oop $13.65<br />Total ECB's earned $13.99Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-80370955407071505992009-05-22T08:02:00.007-04:002009-05-22T08:16:52.390-04:00Grocery Shopping In Budget<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/ShaUnWyYIHI/AAAAAAAABiw/5Uinw69uhUs/s1600-h/Food+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338617812146987122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/ShaUnWyYIHI/AAAAAAAABiw/5Uinw69uhUs/s400/Food+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Hey back again. Trying to get back in the swing of things. Had some things to take care of so I was really happy to have our stockpile to live on for about two weeks. But now it is time to get back in the grocery game.</div><br /><div></div><div>My husband I went to ShopRite last night to avoid the holiday crowds this weekend and we didn't do pretty bad for our first time back out. I let him pick some stuff out for BBQ'ing this weekend. Sorry the picture is darker, it was later in the evening so the lighting was off. <p></p></div><div></div><div><strong>ShopRite <p></strong></p></div><div></div><div>1 Friendly's ice cream $1.99</div><div>5 boxes of Purina Kitten Chow $2.19 each - Free Kitten Chow coupons = FREE</div><div>3 Kraft BBQ sauces .89 each - $1.00 q's = FREE with overage</div><div>1 Hunt's ketchup $1.00 with Free Hunt's ketchup coupon = FREE</div><div>1 Friendship Priobiotic cottage cheese $1.64 - $1.00 q = .64</div><div>2 Penn Maid sour creams $1.00 each - $1.00 off 2 q = .50 each</div><div>2 Johnsonville Brats $1.99 each - $1.00 off 2 q = $1.49 each</div><div>6 Yoplait Whips yogurts .41 each</div><div>4 Bar S packs of hot dogs $1.00 each - $1.00 off 2 q's = .50 each</div><div>5 McCormick grilling seasoning packs 5 for $4.00 - .50 q's = FREE</div><div>1 soy sauce $2.29</div><div>1 rotisserie chicken $5.99</div><div>2 Hormel Chili masters $2.64 - $1.00 q's = $1.64 each</div><div>1 French's mustard $1.89 - .50 q's = .89 </div><div>2 packs of ribs (let the husband pick these out for BBQ'ing) $21.19 total</div><div>4 jars pasta sauce $1.00 each</div><div>2 bags of rice from Walmart $1.19 each <p></p></div><div></div><div>Total spent $53.31 </div><div> Just a pinch over budget. But not bad for my first week back in the game and for taking the man along. He doesn't like to buy cheap meats.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-65211009748106374992009-05-20T08:49:00.004-04:002009-05-20T09:03:00.564-04:00I Gotta Stand Up For One Of My Shows<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/ShP_MKWtWLI/AAAAAAAABio/gKmu_gaoZV0/s1600-h/earl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337890567767283890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/ShP_MKWtWLI/AAAAAAAABio/gKmu_gaoZV0/s400/earl.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Sorry I haven't been posting lately. More on that later.</div><br /><div></div><div>But I just found out last night that one of my favorite shows My Name Is Earl has been cancelled by NBC. Its ridiculous, as its a fantastic show with one of the best characters ever on television, Joy Turner. There is talks that maybe ABC or Fox could pick it up like they did with Scrubs, but who knows if that will happen.</div><br /><div></div><div>What can you do? Write NBC and if you belong to Twitter please follow @<a href="http://twitter.com/EarlTwitition">EarlTwitition</a> save the show!</div><div> </div><div>SAVE EARL!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-33267718228428061332009-05-04T16:11:00.004-04:002009-05-04T16:17:45.477-04:00Review: Quaker Quakes<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/Sf9MyPd0ZVI/AAAAAAAABig/KZ5yiUOrGRY/s1600-h/quakes.sflb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332064909858727250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 387px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/Sf9MyPd0ZVI/AAAAAAAABig/KZ5yiUOrGRY/s400/quakes.sflb.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div>As you can see from my previous grocery list that I got 5 bags of Quaker Quakes free at Acme. So I couldn't resist giving the ranch flavor a try this weekend. <p></p></div><div></div><div>Quaker Quakes are just small flavored rice cakes. But the taste of the ranch is outstanding. I liken it to a healthier version of the Cool Ranch Dorito, which I haven't let myself have in years. I have no self control. So needless to say I burned through the bag of Quakes just as quickly. But I felt a little better since they have less fat and calories. It made what usually is a boring and ordinary rice cake a heck of alot better. I have yet to try the other flavors I bought, caramel, chocolate and cheese. Oh and the man liked them too. That is quite a compliment coming from a man who doesn't like the healthier version of anything.</div><br /><div></div><div>These would make a great bowl filler for your next party or game if you have someone who is looking for a slightly healthier snack than potato chips or cheese curls.</div><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-49250632860199695212009-05-02T12:56:00.010-04:002009-05-05T06:11:30.951-04:00Grocery Shopping In Budget<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/Sfx7a2C4zeI/AAAAAAAABiQ/0T3SzEl_ILY/s1600-h/IMG_1936.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331271760014265826" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/Sfx7a2C4zeI/AAAAAAAABiQ/0T3SzEl_ILY/s400/IMG_1936.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Decided to go out on Saturday, even though it was miserable and raining and get a few things. I needed litter so I had to stop at Acme, something I rarely do.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Acme</span><br /><br />5 bags of Quaker rice cakes $1.00 each - $1.00 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">q's</span> = Free<br /><br />Total = Zero<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">SuperFresh</span> was having a sale I had never seen before, they will double up to 5 $1.00 coupons per visit. So that means $2.00 off an item. I used that to get some cheap frozen veggies we needed.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">SuperFresh</span></span><br />10 Hanover frozen vegetable bags 2 for $3.00 = $1.00 off 2 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">q's</span> doubled = .50 each<br />3 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">pks</span> of ground chicken $1.49 each (manager's special)<br />1 pk of 4 beef eye round steaks $3.15 (manager's special)<br />1 pk of beef chuck roast $2.91<br />1 pk of chicken legs $1.37<br /><br />Total$16.90<br /><br />Then I had to hit the product market. I had deprived my husband long enough of oranges. He loves them. I also got some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">lunchmeat</span>, as my man started school last week and he needs something to eat for the two days he is there way past dinner.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Vercchio's</span></span><br />3 bags of oranges<br />1 bag of potatoes<br />1/2 lb of ham<br />1/2 lb of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">American</span> cheese<br />1 bag of celery hearts<br /><br />Total $12.14<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/Sf3HnjKktZI/AAAAAAAABiY/TMagleDq9QA/s1600-h/IMG_1940.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331637016144950674" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/Sf3HnjKktZI/AAAAAAAABiY/TMagleDq9QA/s400/IMG_1940.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Stopped at ShopRite on Sunday to use up the last of our budget.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">ShopRite</span></span><br />4 bags of rice $1.00 each<br />4 cans of Spot Shot $1.99 - .55 q's = .99 each<br />1 Frigo string cheese $3.49<br />2 Taylor pork rolls $1.49 each<br />1 Turkey Hill ice cream $2.74 - $1.00 q = $1.74<br />2 boxes of pancake mix $1.49 each<br />1 Cascade rinse FREE with coupon in mail<br /><br />Total $19.30<br /><br />Total budget $48.34. Under budget is good.<br /><br />Gayle, who has a great website call <a href="http://grocerycartchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/03/gcc-shopping-round-up.html">The Grocery Cart Challenge</a>, was the original inspiration to me to try a budget with my grocery shopping. Please check out her site, to see how she does it and how some others who also have decided to try her challenge.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-22909288471356748032009-04-30T10:57:00.005-04:002009-04-30T11:19:03.721-04:00I Can't Live Without You<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SfnApg5GgnI/AAAAAAAABiI/3V-HztHIP94/s1600-h/dryer.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330503453406298738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 307px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SfnApg5GgnI/AAAAAAAABiI/3V-HztHIP94/s400/dryer.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>My dryer is getting fixed as we speak. Belt was shot and needed new ball bearings, which was exactly what went wrong with my mom's dryer, and we have the same model. We have both had our dryers for years, so they are well beyond warranty. Total cost for repairs and labor $160.00 which is still cheaper than a new dryer. And I had set that money aside in our budget with our last paycheck, so we didn't have to touch the emergency fund.</div><br /><div></div><div>I have to admit. I cannot live without the dryer. Yes, we have dramatically cut down our use of it in the past 6 months, but to go at least two to three weeks without it at all was not fun. For towels, it is a must. My towels came out like rocks hanging on the line down the basement, even with fabric softener added to the rinse water. I cannot hang a clothesline outside for many reasons. My mom actually washed and dried our towels twice for us. Thanks mom.</div><br /><div></div><div>This past weekend our toilet overflowed sending water all over the bathroom floor and then seeping some into the basement. We had to use every sweet smelling towel my poor mom just cleaned for us to sop up the water. I didn't want to make her wash all these wet towels again, so I did washed them myself and hung them all on the line. It took days for them to dry and when done we had fabric bricks.</div><br /><div></div><div>As for the regular clothes, we only throw them in the dryer for 5 minutes when they first come out of the washer to get the wrinkles out, and then I throw them in another 5 minutes when they are all line dry the next day just to soften them up. And believe me I noticed a difference these last few weeks in not getting to do it. They felt much harder, had more wrinkles.</div><br /><div></div><div>We are still living without a dishwasher. And that hasn't been too bad at all. The dishes still come out clean by hand. But my dryer, I need it. Case closed. Welcome back friend.</div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-7126346523465715712009-04-29T11:00:00.005-04:002009-04-29T11:05:28.075-04:00Being An Animal Lover<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SfhsmJmUsSI/AAAAAAAABiA/jeY9Xw1o7go/s1600-h/cats.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330129561660469538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 291px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SfhsmJmUsSI/AAAAAAAABiA/jeY9Xw1o7go/s400/cats.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Being the owner of 7 pets and a former animal rescuer and shelter volunteer, it is well known amongst most of my friends and colleagues that I like my furry creatures.However that doesn't stop some of them from doing things about animals or saying things about animals that makes me lose my mind, pull out my hair, or bite my tongue until it bleeds.Let me give you some examples. This might give you a clue on what not to say to an animal lover. </div><br /><div></div><div><strong>What you shouldn't do</strong></div><br /><div>1.) A picture of a dead deer that someone hunted hanging over their desk is not awesome to me. A picture of a dead deer that your sister sent you with a funny sign over it is still not funny.<br /><br />2.) Telling me how you are getting your cat declawed even though I gave you 800 other options to do instead is not a wise move. If you are going to do it anyway, just don’t tell me you did it. And don’t tell me not to judge you if you do it anyway. You tell me, I will judge.<br /><br />3.) #2 also applies to buying from a pet store or add in the paper instead of a shelter, getting your dogs ears or tail cropped, giving it up to a shelter cause it peed on your rug, or putting it to sleep because you don’t want to spend the money to get it medical attention. If you don’t want to hear a peep out of me, never tell me it happened.<br /><br />4.) Start off a sentence with “I know you love animals, but…” is never a good again. Again “Silence is Golden”.<br /><br />5.) Don’t come to me or send me info on an animal you found that you need to find a home for and threaten me with “if I don’t find a home for it in 5 days, I am taking it to the shelter”. Emotional blackmail does not make you my friend.<br /><br />6.) Don’t tell me animal horror stories, or a bad report you saw on the news. I see plenty of them myself. In that case, misery doesn’t want any more company.<br /><br /><strong>What you should do</strong><br /><br />1.) Treat my love of pets with respect. You don’t have to feel the same way or understand why I do. But respect my opinion.<br /><br />2.) Feel free to come to me for suggestions on helping you with finding a pet in a shelter or rescue.<br /><br />3.) Ask me advice on dealing with pets behavior. I’m not an expert, but with 7 cats I got a pretty good handle on what they do. If I don’t know the answer, I will find it out from someone for you.<br /><br />4.) Know that getting a pet is a responsibility you should honor for the rest of its life. It is not a “starter child”<br /><br />5.) Adopting one from a shelter or rescue does require some paperwork, some money and some checking into your background. Don’t expect the shelter or rescue to bend over backwards for you and just give you a pet if you say Boo and hand them money. They want to find the best home for the animal they have been taking care of for weeks or months. You have to prove you are a good owner and have a good home. If you are not approve, don't bad mouth shelters and rescues in general. You may have just not been the right fit for that dog, that shelter or that rescue. There are others.</div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-3854191383307380452009-04-28T12:19:00.003-04:002009-04-28T12:31:13.353-04:00My Head - An Update<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SfcvMbAN26I/AAAAAAAABh4/hM5i0Og0p2M/s1600-h/cartoon-man-headache.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329780574469872546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SfcvMbAN26I/AAAAAAAABh4/hM5i0Og0p2M/s400/cartoon-man-headache.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div>Since we last talked there has been some progress with my headaches. Once I got my new glasses they have started going down, but are not gone. They don't come with as much intensity anymore, and the sides of my head and eyes don't burn anymore. But I still get tightness in my scalp and the back of my head and my ears hurt alot when I get them. I also have had almost 3/4's of a day or two without any pain. So having the decrease has really helped in me dealing with them every day and has really helped with being at work. So maybe its getting better on its on, but its still awfully slow. Its been over a month.</div><br /><div></div><div>I go today for an MRI. Its just a precautionary thing my neurologist wants to start off with. Oh yes I went to a neurologist. So we will see what he thinks.</div><br /><div></div><div>The medications my general practice doctor gave me two weeks ago for the headaches so messed up my system. I will never take that stuff again. </div><br /><div></div><div>My husband swears I am going to fall asleep in the MRI machine. I can sleep pretty easily. But I don't think that will be happening with all of the banging noises and technician talking to me.</div><br /><div></div><div>Keep you updated.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-4397584388108225292009-04-26T14:39:00.004-04:002009-04-27T10:48:16.235-04:00CVS Deal April 26th: Not A Fan Of This<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SfSrhdG18II/AAAAAAAABhw/vFPynrh60bU/s1600-h/IMG_1930.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329072850323501186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SfSrhdG18II/AAAAAAAABhw/vFPynrh60bU/s400/IMG_1930.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I do have a bone to pick with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">CVS</span>. This week Band Aid bandages were on sale. The ad says Band Aids on sale starting at $1.00.<br /><br />So lots of people I know went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">CVS</span> today with their $1.00 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">q's</span> in hand looking for free Band Aids. No one, not even one person I have seen on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">internet</span> has found a package of Band Aids at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">CVS</span> cheaper than $3.49, not even the trial sizes.<br /><br />Now I know it says starting at $1.00, but that should at least mean at least something does actually start at that price. Its misleading, annoying and in my opinion a little bit of a trick to get you in the store to get them anyway. It has happened with other products before and I'm sure it will again.<br /><br />So I was skeptical of this Band Aid and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Neosporin</span> prices advertised. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Neosporin</span> was no where near the prices it said it would start at either. So I came up with two deals this week. One with those products included and one without. And of course I didn't do the one with them. I was very glad I had a backup, even though it didn't earn me <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">alot</span> of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">ECB's</span>.<br /><br />1 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Garnier</span> hair spray $2.99<br />(I am so overloaded with shampoos right now, gonna stick with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">stylers</span> for a while)<br /><br />1 Schick Intuition razor $8.99 (big fan of these, if you read my earlier review)<br /><br />Total $11.98<br /><br />Coupons<br />(1) $1.00 off any <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Garnier</span><br />(1) $4.00 off any Schick<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">ECB's</span> used $5.00<br />Total <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">oop</span> $2.47<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">ECB's</span> earned $6.00<br /><br />So I earned a dollar, whoopee, and I spent a little more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">oop</span> than my old under a dollar average. But it was good to have a backup, cause the deals don't always pan out the way you see them in the ad.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-87024564090417693612009-04-25T08:36:00.007-04:002009-04-27T10:47:43.699-04:00Grocery Shopping In Budget<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SfMD7Uin5NI/AAAAAAAABhg/gW_NF1La6ZU/s1600-h/IMG_1921.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328607101770523858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SfMD7Uin5NI/AAAAAAAABhg/gW_NF1La6ZU/s400/IMG_1921.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Back in the saddle again kids and you can't get a better week than this. I paid zero for groceries, yes zero for everything you see on this page. Wednesday was Administrative Professional's day. And yes, I am an administrative professional, or whatever they are calling me this year. My company always does nice things for us for this day and I was pleasantly surprised to see that they were still doing it this year, even with the economy.<br /><br />They gave us flowers, actually African Violets in a basket, a $50.00 Amex gift card and they took us out to lunch.<br /><br />So I decided to use my gift card for my groceries this week, for a zero out of pocked total. Awesome.<br /><br />I decided to go to ShopRite Friday night to pick up some of the sales I missed last weekend when we were out celebrating out anniversary. I knew that some of my deals may not pan out, since I was going 5 days after they started and they might be out of some stuff by then. I also made a boo boo in two items that cost me a few dollars.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">ShopRite Trip #1</span><br /><br />1 bag of Combo's FREE (won this coupon on their website contest)<br />1 bag of Marcal napkins $1.49 - $1.00 q = .49<br />1 8th Continent Soymilk $2.99 - $1.00 q = $1.99<br />1 box of Eggo Waffles $1.33 - .75q (I only had one left) = .33<br />1 Edy's ice cream $2.74<br />4 Great Lakes cheese .88 each<br />8 Breyers YoCrunch yogurts .50 each -.50 off four q's = .25 each<br />2 Reynolds aluminum foil $2.99 - .50 q's = $1.99<br />1 bag of Tyson chicken strips $3.99 (not pictured, they were out of rotisserie chickens by the time I got there and the dog needed chicken in her food, so I was forced to get them)<br />2 Ortega box of tacos $3.00 - .75 off two q's = $1.00 each<br />3 Suave shampoos .66 each - $1.75 off three q's = .07 each !!!<br />1 bottle of olive oil $2.99<br /><br />2 bags of Dole blueberries $4.99 each - .75 q's = $3.99 - this is the part I messed up. I grabbed the wrong bags. The 16 oz bags were supposed to be $2.99 each - .75 q's= would have been only $1.99 each and you got a $2.00 catalina back on your next order. I still got the catalina cause I still bought Dole fruit, but I spent more on the fruit than I should have. You live and learn.<br /><br />Total put on Amex GC $30.87<br /><br />$19.13 left to spend and a $2.00 catalina to use.<br /><br />Back to ShopRite on Sunday for their new weekly deals and to use up what is left of my gift card. <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SfR6rSLXdQI/AAAAAAAABho/TcZgaTF4V-g/s1600-h/IMG_1931.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329019143118615810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SfR6rSLXdQI/AAAAAAAABho/TcZgaTF4V-g/s400/IMG_1931.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br />ShopRite Trip #2</span><br />2 gallons of OJ $1.99 each<br />1 Breyers $1.99 (customer appreciation coupon)<br />2 Poppy's pierogies .99 each<br />2 Melitta coffees $1.99 - $1.00 q's = .99 each<br />2 Friendship sour creams $1.29 - $1.00 off 2 q's = .79 each<br />2 Bagelfuls $2.39 - $1.00 q's = $1.39<br />1 pack of Mission burrito shells<br /><br />Total put on Amex gift card $15.62<br /><br />So technically my budget was $46.49. But I spent NOTHING!</p><p>Gayle, who has a great website call <a href="http://grocerycartchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/03/gcc-shopping-round-up.html">The Grocery Cart Challenge</a>, was the original inspiration to me to try a budget with my grocery shopping. Please check out her site, to see how she does it and how some others who also have decided to try her challenge.</p><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-20577971920996398932009-04-25T08:20:00.006-04:002009-04-25T08:54:54.114-04:00What To Do Today?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SfMBxgFH3pI/AAAAAAAABhY/iHjSNkLL1YE/s1600-h/IMG_1924.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SfMBxgFH3pI/AAAAAAAABhY/iHjSNkLL1YE/s400/IMG_1924.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328604734046068370" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I explain the picture in # 4. Well its supposed to be in the 80's today and absolutely gorgeous. My husband has to work at 11am and then he has to cover the Flyer's playoff game at 3pm. So its just me and my day. I really don't have to clean the house, as we did that Thursday night because of the TV crew coming over.<br /><br />1.) I dropped the dog off at the groomer's at 7:30am. She should be done and smelling good by 9:30am.<br /><br />2.) There is a craft show/car show in the town over starting at 9am. I could buzz my dad and see if he wants to go. He loves to walk around those things.<br /><br />3.) I do have to exercise at some point and should probably do that before it gets hot. Yes, in the 80's is hot for me.<br /><br />4.) I need to change some light bulbs outside. Seems they all decided to blow at exactly the same time and going in my yard at night has become a "Who can see in the dark" sport. The light near my back door, as you can see in the picture above, has become a home for a bird to have her babies. I have noticed this happening over the past week and she has built quite a nest. I haven't actually seen the bird or any babies yet. She seems to do her best work while I am at work. I really need this light to see down my back stairs but I don't have the heart to tear down her work just for that. So I will just change the other bulbs for now.<br /><br />5.) I should probably clean off my patio and give the patio furniture and grill a good scrubbing. I do have a love for hosing things off. I could play outside all day with a power washer if I had one. I love them. I once borrowed my dad's old washer and I must have been out there for hours. Its a great way to clean things without using any elbow grease.<br /><br />6.) I put aside some money to get my dryer fixed. I really need to have it back. My towels come out like rocks without it and I feel bad dragging them over my mom's house to dry for me. I will call the repair man today and see when he can come out.<br /><br />I wish I had audio on here, so you could hear the snoring contest between my husband and my one persian cat. She is giving him a good run for his money.<br /><br />So we shall see where the day takes us. I love days like this.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-10152220413128494972009-04-24T07:59:00.007-04:002009-04-24T08:09:03.028-04:00My House Is A Star<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SfGrhkSRozI/AAAAAAAABhQ/KIHOsAxIxFc/s1600-h/dining+room.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328228427320369970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 291px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SfGrhkSRozI/AAAAAAAABhQ/KIHOsAxIxFc/s400/dining+room.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>A local TV news crew is coming to my house today to interview my parents and brother for a health story. My brother asked to borrow my house as I have a nice big room for the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">interview</span> and my house is, shall I say, less crowded and little neater than my parents house.</div><br /><div>I have spent the evening cleaning, and made sure everything is in its place. Please don't let my husband or pets muck it up before they come. I told my mom to give it a once over when she gets there. The picture above is how it looked about 5 years ago, we have painted over my beloved checkered wall since (long story) but its not too far off in the same design.</div><br /><div>I told my dad before I left. "Don't <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">embarrass</span> the family." Oh boy.</div><br /><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-59076349209341812182009-04-21T15:34:00.006-04:002009-04-21T15:47:17.028-04:00Time To Get Back On Track<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/Se4iOBld02I/AAAAAAAABhI/iuz-N03x0LE/s1600-h/road.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327233033564967778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/Se4iOBld02I/AAAAAAAABhI/iuz-N03x0LE/s400/road.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>With using a portion of our emergency fund, putting some money aside for our little anniversary excursion (which was fun) and all the doctors stuff with my head in this past few weeks, I feel off track with our whole financial budget world and I don't like it.</div><br /><div></div><div>I am looking forward to getting back on track. However I do have a couple of extra things I have to add to our budget in the next few weeks. I have a pet that needs to go to the vet, a dog that needs to be groomed, a dryer that desperately needs to be repaired and my husband is going back to school so a portion of that needs to be paid. </div><br /><div></div><div>I want to get our emergency fund back up to where it was and above. I want to keep up on the credit card snowballs as much as I can with putting more into the emergency fund. I want to get back to my normal grocery shopping and our normal budget amounts without all the extras. I want to get back to making weekly menus and building back up my ECB's with CVS.<p></div><div> </div><div>Hopefully when I get paid this Friday it seems a little more like old times.</div><br /><div></div><div>Patience my child. Patience.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-31004475634150060162009-04-19T17:16:00.004-04:002009-04-19T17:23:33.246-04:00CVS Deal April 19th: No Coupons<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SeuVO-ldi2I/AAAAAAAABhA/t_xWH13wJsw/s1600-h/IMG_1911.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SeuVO-ldi2I/AAAAAAAABhA/t_xWH13wJsw/s400/IMG_1911.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326515068846574434" border="0" /></a><br />Now I didn't do any grocery shopping today, but I did hit CVS. I had no coupons to take with me for this deal, as there wasn't one for the shaving cream and the only one out there for the Pantene was a printable and I don't have a printer at home. But I did hear later that even people that did print it out had trouble with it.<br /><br />So I did use up a bit of ECB's but I really wanted the Tresemme shampoo. They are huge bottles. Soon I will have to build back up my ECB's. There was also a great deal on Bayer crystals, but they were no where to be found at my local store.<br /><br />3 bottles of Tresemme $10.00<br />1 edge shaving cream $2.89<br /><br />No coupons used.<br /><br />ECB's used $12.48<br />Total oop .41<br />ECB's earned $7.89Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066555046396518048.post-76227679935214733762009-04-18T20:19:00.009-04:002009-04-18T20:31:04.819-04:00No Grocery Shopping This WeekWe spent a lovely day and a half in Philly for our anniversary. So I decided to skip our grocery shopping this week and use that money for our little trip. We had plenty in our stockpile that we will be just fine until next week.<br /><br />A few quick pictures of our great time in a city we both love and are lucky to live 5 minutes from.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SepwYTZ1WKI/AAAAAAAABg4/D82-mE4k5S4/s1600-h/IMG_1893.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SepwYTZ1WKI/AAAAAAAABg4/D82-mE4k5S4/s400/IMG_1893.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326193072146831522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SepwUL44WyI/AAAAAAAABgw/BxXgQ1q-8T8/s1600-h/IMG_1894.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SepwUL44WyI/AAAAAAAABgw/BxXgQ1q-8T8/s400/IMG_1894.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326193001410091810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SepwO9z9IFI/AAAAAAAABgo/vddlYy5Nyhs/s1600-h/IMG_1896.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SepwO9z9IFI/AAAAAAAABgo/vddlYy5Nyhs/s400/IMG_1896.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326192911731990610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SepwHyjRQII/AAAAAAAABgg/Z0mYUpTMxvA/s1600-h/IMG_1898.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBDx-NRMQj4/SepwHyjRQII/AAAAAAAABgg/Z0mYUpTMxvA/s400/IMG_1898.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326192788450132098" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0