Mother's Day Contest  

Posted by: Julie

I want to tell you about this great Mother's Day Contest Stacy is having at her blog
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~ MOTHER'S DAY CONTEST! ~
In honor of Mother's Day, I am running a contest until May 7th.
Here is what you can win:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160221003667&ssPageName=STRK:MESO:IT&ih=006#ebayphotohosting
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160221005302&ssPageName=STRK:MEUS:IT&ih=006#ebayphotohosting
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160221003650&ssPageName=STRK:MEUS:IT&ih=006#ebayphotohosting
ONE person will win ALL of the above books!
**********************************************************************************

This is SO awesome, Stacy! Everyone be sure to check out her site!

Wordless Wednesday  

Posted by: Julie in ,

My boys went outside to play yesterday and when I looked outside to check on them this is what I saw :-)

Crab-Stuffed Pea Pods  

Posted by: Julie in

By request, here is the recipe for....

Crab-Stuffed Pea Pods
(Taste of Home Magazine April/May 2008)

1 can (16 oz) crab meat, drained, flaked and cartilage removed
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon chili sauce or seafood cocktail sauce
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 drops hot pepper sauce
Dash pepper
16 fresh snow peas

In a small bowl, combine the crab, mayonnaise, chili sauce , salt, pepper sauce and pepper.
Place snow peas in a steamer basket; place in a small saucepan over 1 inch of water. Bring to a bowl and steam for 30 seconds or until softened. Drain and immediately place snow peas in ice water. Drain and pat dry.

With a sharp knife, split pea pods along the curved edges. Spoon 1 tablespoon of crab mixture into each. Refrigerate until serving.
Yield: 16 appetizers

Happy Birthday, Kenton!  

Posted by: Julie in


Today is my beloveds 37th birthday. I can't believe it. I met this wonderful man back when he was 19 years old. How has 18 years gone by already?
*
We had little family celebration tonight. I made Kenton's favorite dinner....fried cubed steak, macaroni and cheese, lima beans (not his fave but we needed a veggie), and homemade biscuits. We followed dinner with buttermilk pie and gifts.
*
Happy birthday, hon!
I love you!

Make It Yourself Monday  

Posted by: Julie in ,

Angie at Thrifty Florida Mama is hosting "Make It Yourself Monday" I thought I'd share our homemade Taco seasoning. We love to have tacos and several times I found I didn't have one of those taco seasoning packets on hand when I wanted to fix tacos for dinner. I decided to see if I could find a recipe to make my own seasoning. I always have these spices on hand so it's easy to whip up tacos whenever we want!

1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (we omit this due to little ones sensitive tongues)
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

In as small bowl, mix together all ingredients. Store in an air tight container. To use: add 3 tablespoons and 2/3 cup of water to 1 lb. cooked and drained ground beef. Simmer about 10 minutes.

Menu Plan Monday (Backwards)  

Posted by: Julie in


I'm lost on what to fix for dinner. I've got food, I just don't know what to fix, so I'm asking for your help. I'm going to tell you the meat I have in the freezer and I want to know what you would fix with it. Here are the types of meat I have in my freezer.

What would you fix with...

ground chicken?

chicken leg quarters?

ground beef?

chicken thighs?

pork chops?

ground turkey?

I can't wait to see all the great ideas you all have to share. Post your recipes too! If you want you can post in my comments or you can post on your blog. If you post on your blog, be sure to leave me a comment so I can find you ;-)

Get ready, get set, share those ideas!

Do you need ideas for your menu?
Visit Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday



Wedding Shower and Menu  

Posted by: Julie in ,


You are invited to a
wedding shower for Tara R.!
April 26, 2008 at 2:00 PM

My sister, Tara, is getting married in May. We had a wedding shower for her at my mother's house on Saturday. It was a really nice shower. She had some of her friends come, along with some of our family. Pictured above is "the bride to be" Tara, with one of her friends (forgive me for not putting your name but I know I'll mess up the spelling), mom who is holding my youngest, "D", and Nana, our grandmother. Tara was "showered" with lots of household items and we all had a really nice time.
*

The menu:

Oriential Chicken Salad

Sugared Peanuts

Deviled Eggs

Cupcakes

Hershey's Bliss Chocolate

No-Bones Chicken Wing Dip

Crab Stuffed Snow-Peas

Pineapple Cream Cheese Sandwiches

Pimento Cheese Sandwiches

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Chicken Nuggets

Fresh Fruit Tray

Sweet Tea

This is part of the food table. We had lots of yummy goodies. In this photo you can see that we had Oriental Chicken Salad, Sugared Peanuts, Deviled Eggs, cupcakes, Hershey's Bliss Chocolate, No-Bones Chicken Wing Dip, and Crab Stuffed Snow-Peas.


We also had Pineapple-Cream Cheese Sandwiches, Pimento Cheese Sandwiches, Chocolate Chip Cheese Cake Bars, Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, Chicken Nuggets and a Fresh Fruit Tray.


I had several requests for two of my recipes and I thought I would post them here.


CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESE CAKE BARS

1 pkg refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
1 (8oz) cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 oz mini-chocolate chips


Heat oven to 350*. Press cookie dough into a foil-lined 13 x 9 inch pan. Beat cream cheese, butter and cornstarch until creamy. Mix in the sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Add egg and vanilla then stir in 1/2 of the chocolate chips into the mixture. Pour evenly over the cookie dough and sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips. Bake 25 - 30 minutes. Let cool and cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.


NO-BONES CHICKEN WING DIP
(from Taste of Home April / May 2008)
1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese, softened
2 cups (16 oz) sour cream
1 cup blue cheese salad dressing
1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
2-1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 block (8oz) provolone cheese, shredded
Baby carrots, celery ribs and crackers

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, salad dressing, and buffalo wing sauce until blended. Stir in chicken and provolone cheese. Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350* for 25-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve warm with carrots, celery and crackers.

Looking for more menu ideas? Visit Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday

Sweet deal at Walmart  

Posted by: Julie in ,

The Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner are regularly $19.98 at Walmart. This week they have them priced at $12.00 each. A few weeks back there were $10 / 1 coupons. That makes the shower cleaners $2.00 each!

My dear hubby was out this morning and went by Walmart to pick these up for me. Isn't he a sweetie? I've already put one in my shower. It smells so good! I really dislike cleaning the shower so I sure hope this works like they say it does.

Total OOP: $8.00 + tax

Savings: $40.00!

Wedding Shower Today  

Posted by: Julie in

Today is my sisters wedding shower. It's going to be a lot of fun. Tomorrow I'll post pictures of the shower and the menu of the food we served. We are also having the Hershey Bliss House Party at the same time. I just love parties, don't you?

Upcoming Scrubbing Bubbles deal at Walmart  

Posted by: Julie in

I just got the April 27 ad for Walmart. The Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaners will have a roll-back price of $12 (Reg. $19.98) There were $10 off 1 coupons a few weeks ago. Pair that with the roll-back price and these will be $2.00 each!

CVS April 21,2008  

Posted by: Julie in ,

I decided to make a little CVS trip Monday night.
Here's what I got:

(4) Soft Soap Spa Body Wash - $5.49 each
(1) Speed Stick 24/7 - $3.99
(1) 100 count cotton balls - $1.69

I used (4) $1.00 / 1 coupons for the Soft Soaps
(1) $0.75 / 1 for the deodorant

I paid using $10.00 Extra Care Bucks

Total OOP: $13.95

Total Saved: $14.75

ECB's Earned: $25.95

I don't feel good  

Posted by: Julie in

My little buddy isn't feeling well today.
He's running a fever of 102* and he feels yucky!
Poor baby, it sinks to be sick :-(

Bi Lo Shopping Trip  

Posted by: Julie in ,



Bi Lo had a few goodies I wanted to get this week and I thought I'd share my savings.

(1) Good Seasoning Italian Dressind Mix (not on sale, just needed it) ($1.42)
(2) Chips Ahoy Cookies (BOGO $3.48 / 2)
(4) Hungry Jack Mashed Potatoes Pouch ($1.00 each - $0.35 Q doubled = $0.30 each)
(1) Dukes Mayo (not on sale, $2.49 - $0.40 Q doubled = $1.69)
(2) Chocolate Straws (BOGO $2.98 / 2 - $1.00 / 2 = $1.98 / 2 OR $0.95 each)
(1) Sara Lee bread ($1.79)
(1) Creme Cookies (for Hubby) ($2.00)
(2) Baglefuls ($2.00 each - $1.00 Q = $1.00 each)
(1) Ice Cream ($2.87)
(2) Chicken Strips ( BOGO $6.98 / 2 - $1.00 Q off each = $4.98 / 2 OR $2.40 /1)
(2) 5 lb bags of potatoes (BOGO $3.38 / 2)
(2) Tomatoes ($3.20 WOW! That's alot!)
(1) White Onion ($0.89)

Total OOP: $30.08

Total Savings: $30.61

Entered Blog Giveaway  

Posted by: Julie

Galye at The Grocery Cart Challenge is giving away the ingredients to make your own homemade laundry detergent. Oh would I love to win this one! I've read so much about making your own laundry detergent but I can't get the washing soda in my area :-( What a neat giveaway!

Super Savings Saturday~Food Lion~ Harris Teeter ~ CVS  

Posted by: Julie in , ,

I went to several store this week . I went to Food Lion twice, my local butcher, Harris Teeter and CVS. I'll start with trip #1 to Food Lion:

FOOD LION
They had several chicken items on sale and I thought I'd pick some up for the freezer. I bought:
2 pkgs. of chicken thighs for $0.71 per lb (these were supposed to be $0.68 per lb but I didn't find the mistake until I was home and it was only a $0.30 difference)

1 pkg of chicken leg quarters for $3.24

3 pkgs of hot dogs $0.88 each

Food Lion Wipes $1.49 - $1.50 coupon = FREE

My Total OOP was $13.00 with a $10.43 savings
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

LOCAL BUTCHERMy local butcher has been running a special and I decided to give it a try. I bought the Family Bundle and this is what I got:

(1) 5 lb package of chicken leg quarters
(1) 1 lb package of stew meat
(1) 2 lb package of ground beef
(1) 1 lb package of cubed steak
(1) 1.5 lb package of pork chops
(1) 1 lb breakfast sausage
(1) 12 oz package market bacon

This was $19.95

What do you think? Was this a good deal? Would it be worth doing again? I still haven't decided.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

FOOD LION
I made another trip to Food Lion this week and picked up a few more items. I can't find my receipt but I'll try to give a good account.

I got the bananas (don't remember the exact cost), apples ($0.99 per lb), lettuce ($0.99), donuts ($2.99) and FL wipes ($1.49)

I had two FL coupons to use. (1) for $1.50 off FL wipes and (1) for up to $4.99 any bakery item.
The cashier scanned in both and had to do an over ride because the prices didn't match exactly. She took off $1.50 for the wipes making them FREE and she took off the entire $4.99 off the donuts. That was an overage of $2.00! I am sure this was a fluke, but I'm not gonna complain about the savings!

Total OOP: $2.50!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

HARRIS TEETER
This is my Harris Teeter trip. They were running a Buy 2 Get 3 Free special on many items. This is what I got.
The trash bags - I bought 2 got 3 free - oop $9.98
The Del Monte Fruit - I bought 2 got 3 - oop $3.00
The strawberries were 4 / $5.00

Total OOP: $17.98
Total Savings: $34.43

My mom bought some items along with mine. She bought Pepsi's, HT coffee, and spring water. All together we spent $64.75 and saved $100.31
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

CVS
I picked up these items from CVS. I'm going to use them as end of the year teacher gifts for my kids teachers. Each gift (including bag) cost me $1.56 each. Here's what I did: CVS is having a special where if you buy 3 items of the Essence of Beauty line you get $5 in ECB's. My store had several of the body wash, hand wash, hand cream and lotion on sale 50% off. I made 2 transactions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Transaction #1:
(2) Essence of Beauty Hand Soap = $2.50 each
(2) Essence of Beauty Hand Cream = $2.50 each
(2) Essence of Beauty gift bag w/ tissue = $1.49 each
Total: $12.98
Paid with $10 ECB's from the baby deal last week
Total OOP $3.12 (includes sales tax)
Got back $10 in ECB's
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Transaction #2

(2) Essence of Beauty Hand Soap = $2.50 each
(2) Essence of Beauty Hand Cream = $2.50 each
(2) Essence of Beauty gift bag w/ tissue = $1.49 each
Total : $12.98
Paid with the $10 ECB's from Transaction #1
Total OOP $3.12 (includes sales tax)
Got back $10 in ECB's
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Not too bad, huh? $1.56 each for teacher gifts.
Frugal gift giving, PRICELESS!!

Visit Money Saving Mom for more Super Saving Saturday

Would you like a FREE $3.00 Coupon?  

Posted by: Julie


**These have all been taken.**


Thanks to BzzAgent.com I have 4 of these $3.00 off coupons for the Glade Flameless candle starter set. I will give these away to the first 4 people that leave me a comment.

Leave me your email so that I can contact you. I will not publish your email address.

Happy Birthday!  

Posted by: Julie in



Today is my 35th birthday. These are pictures of my dad, my mom and me on my 1st birthday long ago :-)

Good Deals? What do you think?  

Posted by: Julie in

A local butcher in our area has several meat specials. Here is the flyer and what is included.



I decided to give it a try. I bought the Family Bundle for $19.95 This is what I got:
(1) 5 lb package of chicken leg quarters
(1) 1 lb package of stew meat
(1) 2 lb package of ground beef
(1) 1 lb package of cubed steak
(1) 1.5 lb package of pork chops
(1) 1 lb breakfast sausage
(1) 12 oz package market bacon


So, what do you think? Was it a good deal? Is it worth doing again? I don't know. I'm still thinking about it. Let me know your opinion!

Thrifty Thursday  

Posted by: Julie in ,


Comical Coupon Cents hosts Thrifty Thursday. Pop over to see other thrifty ideas and savings and post your own. We love to see how everyone is saving money!
I made a trip to Food Lion this week and picked up a few items. I can't find my receipt but I'll try to give a good account.

I got the bananas (don't remember the exact cost), apples ($0.99 per lb), lettuce ($0.99), donuts ($2.99) and FL wipes ($1.49)

I had two FL coupons to use. (1) for $1.50 off FL wipes and (1) for up to $4.99 any bakery item.
The cashier scanned in both and had to do an over ride because the prices didn't match exactly. She took off $1.50 for the wipes making them FREE and she took off the entire $4.99 off the donuts. That was an overage of $2.00! I am sure this was a fluke, but I'm not gonna complain about the savings!

Total OOP: $2.50!

Wordless Wednesday  

Posted by: Julie in ,


So this Christmas I decided to raid my stockpile and give goodie bags to several members of my family. I put in razors, soap, shave gel, tooth paste, tooth brushes and shampoo and more.
My brother (pictured above) opened his goodie bag and laughed asking me, "What am I supposed to do with this?"
Guess I forgot he shaves his hair off, huh? LOL!!

How I Met My Beloved!  

Posted by: Julie in

I met my husband WAY back in 1990. June 2, 1990 to be exact. I really didn't mean for it to happen. One of my girlfriends and I were talking, as most teenage girls do, and another friend wanted to know what we were talking about. Not wanting to discuss it with this second friend I simply said, "Oh, Dawn is going to set me up with one of Shawn's friends." (Dawn being my friend and Shawn being her boyfriend.)

Well, would you believe she did? She set me up on a blind date! I was barely 17 years old and little did I know that I was getting ready to meet the man I would spend the rest of my life with.

The night of the blind date was upon me. It was June 2, 1990. My friend, her boyfriend and I arrived at the designated location to wait. And we waited and waited and waited. We waited 2 hours!!! Are you kidding me?

My date finally arrived for our big evening. He was wearing a gray tank top, blue and white shorts, muddy socks and Sebago shoes! HUH? He had been playing soft ball and stayed to play one more game and didn't have time to change. Softball…he was late because of softball!

Oh, but I was smitten with him! Even if he was a goofy dresser LOL! We went to Pizza Hut for dinner and just hung out the rest of the evening. Not a spectacular first date by any means, but it was our first date.

(This is a picture of us that first summer we dated in 1990)



We dated all that summer. After knowing me only 3 months, he decided to move out from home to move closer to me. He moved in with his friend that introduced us and at 19 he was on his own. He worked 2 jobs to make ends meet. We didn't go out on dates very often. I would visit him and he would visit me. We just didn't have tons of money for dating, but that was okay. We were together! We continued dating while I finished high school. He even took me to my Senior Prom!
(Prom pictures May 1991)

I knew we were going to be married. He knew we were going to be married. We both knew we were too young to be married so we both worked and dated and waited for us to get older. Remember that softball game that made him late for our first date? Well, it turned out to be softball that got us to the alter! Let me explain. We had been talking about getting married. One Friday night, he told me that if he hit a home run in the first game of his softball tournament the following morning, we would get married. I sort of forgot about it until the next afternoon while I was at work. His mother called me to tell me that Kenton had hit not only a home run but a GRAND SLAM! She was sure he was going to propose. I didn't believe it. I thought it was just a joke. About 10:00 that night, he came to my house, still dirty from playing ball. He handed me the softball he had hit the Grand Slam with. He had written on it and it said:

"The time has come

It's here at last

Now let's enjoy

and cherish the past

It's time to move on

to higher ground

Just keep reading

as the ball goes around

Room is running out

as you can see

So let me leave you with

Julie, will you marry me?"

As I read the words he pulled out my engagement ring and slipped it onto my finger. 14 months later we were married!

(Kenton 23 yrs and Julie 21 yrs)

August 20, 1994 We have been married 14 years now. I just can't believe it. We have been through some rough times. Almost 5 years ago my husbands father passed away. Kenton took over running the ice business. There were alot of debts involved. Things haven't been easy for us but we are so happy! We are so blessed!

Thursday I will turn 35 years old. I can't believe I've been with my love for 18 years. It still feels like we just met. Time is going too fast. I'm now the mother of his beautiful children. We have such a full life! Such a wonderful marriage.

Perfect? No!

Wonderful? YES!

A thousand times YES!

(Kenton and Julie with "A",

"J", "K" and "D" in March 2008)

Ben 10 House Party  

Posted by: Julie in

Today we hosted at Ben 10 House party!
The above picture is of the kids in some of the awesome face masks we were sent by Cartoon Network and HouseParty.com They boys were a little more into the aliens than the girls ;-P

The picture above is the kids without their masks! What a great looking bunch of kids! They had such fun! They played outside while waiting for everyone to arrive. Then we headed inside for the food! We had pizza bites, chips, party mix, pop corn, rice krispie treats and chocolate chips cookies. We washed it down with Pepsi, grape soda, orange soda, and Sprite.
The kids gathered around the TV to watch the new Ben 10 Alien Force movie while they had their snacks. After the movie, it was back outside for alien kick ball and jumping on the trampoline.
The day was brisk and windy but with bright sunshine! A great day for great fun!
Thanks Cartoon Network and HouseParty.com for a great time!

CVS Trip - Teacher Gifts  

Posted by: Julie in


I picked up these items today from CVS. I'm going to use them as end of the year teacher gifts for my kids teachers. Each gift (including bag) cost me $1.56 each. Here's what I did:
CVS is having a special where if you buy 3 items of the Essence of Beauty line you get $5 in ECB's. My store had several of the body wash, hand wash, hand cream and lotion on sale 50% off. I made 2 transactions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Transaction #1:
(2) Essence of Beauty Hand Soap = $2.50 each
(2) Essence of Beauty Hand Cream = $2.50 each
(2) Essence of Beauty gift bag w/ tissue = $1.49 each
Total: $12.98
Paid with $10 ECB's from the baby deal last week
Total OOP $3.12 (includes sales tax)
Got back $10 in ECB's
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Transaction #2
(2) Essence of Beauty Hand Soap = $2.50 each
(2) Essence of Beauty Hand Cream = $2.50 each
(2) Essence of Beauty gift bag w/ tissue = $1.49 each
Total : $12.98
Paid with the $10 ECB's from Transaction #1
Total OOP $3.12 (includes sales tax)
Got back $10 in ECB's
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Not too bad, huh? $1.56 each for teacher gifts.
Frugal gift giving, PRICELESS!!

Super Savings Saturday  

Posted by: Julie in ,


I had a slow spending week this week which is a savings in itself. :-)
*
I made a trip to CVS and purchased 1 pack of Huggies, 1 pack of Plushies wipes and CVS medicine. I used a few coupons and ECB's and paid $4.60 OOP.
I plan to go to CVS later today to get more diapers so I can finish up the deal to spend $25 and get $10 ECB's
*
My daughter needed shoes for a wedding that is coming up and I popped into Target on Thursday and found the perfect pair for $4.98!
*
Sorry, no pics this week :-(
I promise to do better next week. Foodlion and Harris Teeter have some promising deals and if I make my way to those stores I'll be sure to post about the deals!
*

Spring is here...  

Posted by: Julie in


at least for today. There is cooler weather in our forecast, but for today it's lovely! I will rejoice and be glad! The windows are open and I'm listening to the birds singing. In a bit, I'll be doing housework, but for now I'm enjoying the day.
*
Tomorrow brings a special treat for me. I'm having breakfast with a dear friend of mine, Kay. I took a job working for Dillard's department store in the men's fragrance department and Kay was my partner. That was WAY back in the early 90's before I was married. She has been a friend through the good and the bad. She was there when I was married. She's come to see me after every baby was born. She thrills for my successes and hurts for my sorrows.I can truly say that this is a very special woman and friend and I love her dearly! Yes, tomorrow is going to be a special day!
*
Well, as nice as it is sitting her chatting while the birds serenade me, I must get some work done. Later, I hope to do some yard work while it's pretty.
*
Wishing you all a joy filled day!

THRIFTY THURSDAY  

Posted by: Julie in , ,


I guess (if you are still around reading) you've seen my lack of posting on my frugal purchases. Why the lack of posts? Well, I've just not been buying anything. Can you get any more thrifty than that? LOL!

*

Our Ice company has hit a lull since we've been having cool, wet weather and, of course, that affects our finances. We've also had to pay out some VERY unexpected bills. One was replacing the windshield of our ice truck after kids threw a rock through it and Two was replacing a tire that blew out on the ice truck when DH was delivering ice this week.

*

We've just been eating out of the pantry for a while. I did go to CVS earlier this week and I got 1 pack of Huggies diapers, 1 pack of Plushies wipes and 1 CVS version of Tylenol. I paid $4.60 OOP and got back $3.99 for the medicine. I hope to get a few more items from CVS to build up to the $25 so I can get the ECB's.

*
My daughters need shoes for my sisters wedding that is coming up in May. I had my nearly 5 yr old with me today and we popped in Target and found a deal. The cutest white, Mary-Jane shoes with pretty little flowers across the strap for $4.49!!!! They were just her size and she loved them. We grabbed those bad boys in a hurry ;-)
*

Later I made a Walmart run to pick up sodas, syrup, cinnamon danish, and butter. I spent under $8.00 OOP.

*

We're hosting a Ben 10 party this Sunday and even those snack foods will come from the pantry. We're going to have pizza rolls, popcorn, and homemade chocolate chip cookies. Crazy combo, but the kids just want snacks and this is what my son requested.

*

It's been so nice knowing that we had everything we needed already at home and I didn't have to burden my DH with asking him for grocery money while things are tight.

*

COUPONING WORKS!

STOCKPILING WORKS!

Hershey's Bliss  

Posted by: Julie


The Hershey’s Bliss™ Chocolate Party is coming to your home
You are now confirmed as a party host. Let the bliss begin!
You and your party guests will indulge in a tasting of what promises to be the most deliciously blissful addition to the chocolate world in years.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How AWESOME is this?
*
We are hosting the CartoonNetworks "Ben 10" House Party this Sunday and now I find out we get to host the Hershey's Bliss House Party!
*
The Hershey Party just happens to be the same weekend of my sisters wedding shower. WOW! Shower gifts and Hershey's Chocolate...isn't she one lucky bride ;-)
*
Want to find out how YOU can host a House Party?
Click on the Hershey banner at the top of the page.

What to do with your stockpile?  

Posted by: Julie in

My kids came home from school with a note talking about the fifth grade community project. Our Salvation Army is in need of food, toiletries and school supplies. They are asking the students to bring in items to donate.

*

We raided the stock pile and came up with 2 bags full of stuff: shampoo, conditioner, shave gel, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes and more.

*

How nice to be able to donate these items!

I feel SO BLESSED to be with my family in our nice home with all of our needs met. We truly want for nothing.

*

Thank you to all the ladies that share your knowledge. Thank you for taking the time to teach others how to save money. I never would have been able to give so much if it weren't for couponing and learning from you all.

Crystal hosts Frugal Friday on her blog Biblical Womanhood. Stop by to see lots of tips and ideas for being frugal!

 

Posted by: Julie in

Remember this song from Barney?


"Oh Mister Sun, Sun,
Mister Golden Sun,
Please shine down on me
*
Oh Mister Sun, Sun,
Mister Golden Sun,
Hiding behind a tree...
*
These little children
Are asking you
To please come out
So we can play with you
*
Oh Mister Sun, Sun,
Mister Golden Sun,
Please shine down on me!"
******************************************
Well that's what I'm singing today.
I'm tired of cloudy, cold weather!
I want sun shining, birds singing, wind fluttering...
I want SPRING!!!
*
I find it so hard to be motivated to do things when it is dreary outside. I've not gotten much done today as I left right when the kids went to school. I had a breakfast mystery shop, then "D" had his doctors appointment. He's going to go for an evaluation at a speech therapist whenever they get an appointment scheduled.
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I got all the beds made this morning and I got supper started in the crockpot. That was done before we left. We got back just before 1:00pm and "D" was sleeping in the car. I moved him into his bed, then I had a bite to eat and that's all I've done.
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UGH! I don't like days like that. Well, the plan is to get motivated when I get back with the kids.
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What am I gonna do? I have no idea LOL!!
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Maybe we'll put on a Barney video and dance and sing the "Mister Sun" song and pretend that it's a "Bright, Sunshiny Day"
Actually, that sounds like a good idea!
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Hope you have a blessed, SUNNY day ;0P

Is it Monday already?  

Posted by: Julie in

I just can't believe it! Time goes by so fast. I've been so busy mystery shopping that my time on the computer to blog has decreased by quite a bit.
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I'm trying to sign up with as many companies as possible so that I can have more job opportunities to choose from. I would like to have a job about 3 times per week. This past week had had 8 and boy that was a lot! The jobs aren't hard and they don't take long to do, but I've got to work them into my schedule for household stuff, kids and school stuff, baby stuff and hubby stuff. I can't be a good homemaker if I'm not home ;-)
I found a company last night that has lots of options and opportunities and I think it's going to be a good thing.
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So what have I been doing today? Well, I've been working on my laundry for one thing. I've got one load in the dryer and one in the washing machine and when it's dry I'll be done.
I have also cleaned out my sons room. How do children make such a mess? LOL! I took an entire bag of trash out of their room! Now this is mostly from one boy. "D" the 2 year old only sleeps in that room. His toys and things are in the living room and my room. My 10 year old, "A" is the one that does most of the damage. The last time I cleaned his room I found a book bag full of trash. I mean stuff he pulled out of the trash can. Soda bottles, paper towel rolls, and would you believe a butter container with butter residue still in it? UGH!
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What was today's find?
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A cupcake with the icing licked off and tossed behind his dresser and a half eaten bag of chips hidden deep in his closet. Crazy boy! I know when he's older I'll look back and miss the days of cleaning up after him, but right now it drives me a little nuts! :-)
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My girls are no better. They don't have food in their room, but they do the "dash and stash" routine when it's clean up time. When I go through to do a deep clean, I find things stuffed everywhere. Really, how hard is it to put things where they go?
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If you ask me, pretty hard. See, I struggle with that, too. I will just put something down "for now" thinking I'll get back to it later. Well, "later" never comes and I find piles of stuff growing everywhere.
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I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, huh? ;oP
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I'll be gone a good bit of the day tomorrow. I have a breakfast mystery shop then my 2 year old "D" is off to see his doctor about his lack of speech.
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You see, my other children talked early and well. "A" was talking in complete sentences by 15 months. I don't say this to brag, rather to say that I know what it's like to have an early talker. My girls talked right on time, not too early, not too late. Well, "D" isn't talking. He won't even say "MAMA" or "DADA". I say he won't because I have heard him say it, he just chooses not to now.
He says about 5 words consistently and he doesn't put 2 words together yet. Anyway, we're going to the Dr. about it and will probably end up in speech therapy. I'm not trying to push him, I just don't want him to fall behind. I'm interested to see how tomorrow goes.
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Well, the dryer has called and it's time to switch the laundry.
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Hope everyone in blog world has a super day!

"J's" Birthday ~ March 30, 2008  

Posted by: Julie in

Here's my beautiful birthday girl!
8 years old already? I just can't believe it.


"D" really wanted a taste of that birthday cake! LOL!

It's the whole crew!

Rockin' out to Hannah Montana!

"I've just gotta sing in the show"

Happy birthday, "J".

Daddy and I are so proud of you. You are a beautiful, sweet, loving little lady. You have made the last 8 years of our life an adventure.

What a blessing you are to everyone around you.

We love you, Jessie-Belle!