Quick Lamp Update

Okay, I finished the lamp with the trim.  And I am also showing you the pair of lamps that I did for the master bedroom.  The bases and shades were 75% off at Target.  The fabric (which was not as good for this project--too flimsy) was 30% off at Hobby Lobby.  I didn't have to paint the bases, and I already had the spray adhesive.  So, I think around 20.00 total for the pair of lamps.  Total.  For a pair of lamps.  Oh, and as you can see the orange lamp bases are painted ivory for those of you who asked.

Now these lamps would not work in the home of a perfectionist.  They are defintely flawed.  But I am very excited about the cute little touch they will add to our "cottage" style bedroom at the rental house.  Yay for lamps on the cheap!!!

Five Minute Friday: Deep Breath

It's Friday.  Where did the week go?  It was just Monday, and I was posting my thankful list.  But anyway, it's Friday, and I just love Gypsy Mama and her blog and especially these five minutes on Friday to just write it out.  Will you join me?  And her?  And all the others writing for five minutes on Friday?

Today's Topic:  Deep Breath

Here I go...

Deep Breath.

Because it's 10:33 pm on Friday night, and I haven't stopped all day long.  Breathing deep into the fact that finally the kids are sound asleep, and the house is quiet and I can breathe for just one second. 

Deep Breath.

As I stare at the grocery list before me on the kitchen table.  Coupons scattered all around, and I punch the numbers into the calculator one more time in hopes that a math miracle has occurred, and I feel overwhelmed by this not-so-small task of feeding this family while sticking to the budget.  Deep breath.  Because he has promised to provide, and that might just mean giving up my idea of the perfect breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as he opens my eyes to my full pantry and fridge, and he reminds me of the Israelite's manna.  "And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD," (Deut. 8:3, ESV)

Deep Breath.

As John kicks his leg in frustration at the nurse, wanting that blood pressure cuff off his leg, and we just need to be cleared for operation.  But his typical anger is making that blood pressure soar too high for an all-clear.  Deep breath.  And I ask the nurse for a cracker, and John holds it in hand and he is good, as is his blood pressure, and we all breath deep with relief, as the nurse and I both let out a relieved laugh. 

Deep breath.

On a Friday night spent at three different grocery stores, a far cry from the Friday nights of the early years of dating.  John is crying, and Ada is dancing down the aisle, oblivious to the three other customers trying to get their shopping done, and the prescription eye drops will be another 30 minutes.  Deep breath, and Scott will take the kids to the car, and I can enjoy ten minutes of peace on this Friday night in Target.

Deep breath.

On this afternoon when the dishes and the laundry and the toys are piled high because of a morning spent at the doctor's office, but there is still much to do and never enough time to do it.  Deep breath, as I hear that all familiar lie that I am inadequate as their mother, his wife, the homemaker.  Deep breath, as I am reminded that I am home not to have the perfect house but to walk and talk the gospel with these children when we sit and when we rise and when we lie down again.  And that can happen in the midst of messy; in fact, that's probably the ideal place to talk of the gospel.

Deep breath.

And I remember, "Rejoice in the Lord, always.  Again, I will say Rejoice...the Lord is at hand," (Phil. 4:4-5, ESV).

Deep breath.

Killing time in Target, while waiting on John's eye drop prescription.  John was thrilled about the situation;)

You Know How I love a Good Deal?

Well, today might be the best deal yet!!  (Who knows, there have been so many.  Thank you, Lord!!!)

Let me start at the beginning--as if I would start anywhere else and actually spare you a few details.  This morning as I was getting Ada dressed, I was frustrated by the fact that all of her winter clothes seem to be too small.  Her stomach and ankles seem to be showing a lot lately.  Desperate for something to put on her, I began to search through last year's box of 2T clothes, where I came up with a shirt that would be long enough to cover her stomach, though the sleeves were a little short, and I announced to the kiddos that we were headed to Target where I was praying (literally) that we would find some serious deals.  Target has been known to mark things down to as low as a dollar, and I was hoping we might find something like that. 

We didn't.  The sales weren't that great, and I didn't really love the items that were on sale (and still more than I wanted to pay for Target quality clothing).  I decided to skip buying anything there, and we headed home.

(Ada in Target saying, "I'm a rockstar!!!"  She says this all the time, but I am not sure where she heard it)

And sleepy John-John, wanting to get OUT. OF. THERE.

In the same shopping center as Target, we have a Belk, which I never ever go in.  But as I passed the store, feeling discouraged by our lack of purchases and the fact that Ada still had no clothes that fit, a voice in my head "suggested" that I try Belk.  (A voice?  Perhaps God directing my steps?  I think so).  So, in we went, and we hit the jack pot.  Let me show you.

18.54 is what I spent.  115.67 is what I saved!!!!!!

Crazy, right?



All of the winter stuff is on clearance, plus another 40% off the clearance price.  I loaded up on J. Kahki cotton dresses in size 4T so that Ada can wear them next year too.  I plan to just roll the sleeves this winter.  (I hated to buy something she couldn't wear next year this late in the season).  I am tempted to go back because the deals are so good, and they had some cute Christmas themed dresses and shirts.  I would love to get a few of those for next year (I passed on those because, obviously, they aren't a need right now). 

Look at our "loot"

(Ada loves the dresses because they are very "twirly")

Originally 22.00, each of these dresses cost only 2.99!!!  Again, crazy!!!  And the shirts, originally 15.00, were less than 2.00 each.

And there is the story of what happened when I half-heartedly wandered into Belk this morning.

Zulily

I have blogged and blogged and blogged about swagbucks, which I still love.  Swagbucks continues to fund most of Ada's gifts and many of my book purchases.

Well, I now have another site that I love almost as much as swagbucks.  Do ya'll know about zulily?  It's a site for moms that provides daily deals on great items.  And by deals, I mean up to 75% off of really great stuff.  Often smocked dresses or melissa and doug toys or squeaky shoes, and the list goes on and on.  It's great for those of us on a budget.  I am a clearance shopper, which goes all the way back to my high school days.  And Zulily is the ultimate clearance rack!!

So...if you aren't already a member of Zulily, sign up through me (and if you happen to buy something, I will get some credit).  You will get daily e-mails telling you what is currently in the Zulily store.  I really do love it.  Try it out.  Oh, and signing up is free, of course.

Happy Thanksgiving, Favorite Bargain Site, and the Iron Bowl

I know, I know...the title is rather random, but those are the things I want to talk about in this post.

Let's start with Thanksgiving. 

We are at Scott's parents' house right now, actually missing Thanksgiving dinner with my family.  I was with my family earlier in the week, though, and I will travel (without Scott) to their house tomorrow to watch the Iron Bowl (more on that in a minute).

I am thankful for so much of course--God, Jesus, THE GOSPEL, you know the obvious ones--and the other obvious ones, family and friends and being at home with my kiddos.  A HUGE thank you, Lord for that one!!  I am thankful for all of us being healthy and safe and free to make choices about education and church and how we worship and spend our money and things like that.  There is so much that I am thankful for--I could go on and on and on. 

I am also thankful for many trivial things--coupons and Charlotte Russe jeans that are affordable and cute.  I am thankful (not so trivial to me) that I have been able to nurse John for 9 whole months with no glitches.  I am thankful for Sonic happy hour (.86 diet coke!!) and Target diapers, which I LOVE.  They are the only diapers that keep John from soaking through his diaper and clothes in the night.  I am thankful for our house.  Sometimes I am not thankful for it, which is an entire post in itself and not something I am ready to let loose on the blog about, but overall, I am thankful for comfort and safety and space and a place to call our own.  I am thankful for Netflix and Hulu and all the other things that make it easy to not have cable, despite my love for television:)  I am thankful for the library.  I love the fact that I can read almost anything I want for free.  Okay, I could go on and on and on...you get the idea.

Another thing that I am thankful for is blogging and the world that has opened to me as a result of blogs.  I have saved so much money because of blogs.  It's how I started couponing, after all.  It is also how I often find out about things, like Swagbucks, and Zulily.  I love Zulily because it allows me to purchase QUALITY items for as much as 75% off.  You simply create an account (for free), and you receive e-mails for current sales going on.  For example, right now kids crocs are 65% off.  There have also been weeks when they carry brands such as Petit Ami or Castles and Crowns at major mark downs.  Check it out here!!

And finally, the last thing I want to talk about--The Iron Bowl tomorrow.  I have to be honest, I am not even looking forward to it.  Too much is at stake, I am too nervous, and I don't even understand why it matters so much.  That is what I just said to Scott.  We were talking about the game, and I said, It matters so much, and I don't even know why!!!"  Obviously, I know that it doesn't really matter, in the grand scheme of things, but it matters enough that I know I won't enjoy the game, and I will simply be glad when its over.  It's not even a fun rivalry to me--it's just too big.

And those are the things I wanted to talk about.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!!

Christmas Gift Ideas

I was at Target tonight returning some boots,  (I have the hardest time finding boots that are the right height for my short legs.  Especially at a price I can afford...okay, back to the subject at hand), and I decided to check out the Halloween clearance section.  I was hoping to find some fall decorations marked waaaay down.  Well, things were 50% off, but I know that Target will go lower than that, so I am holding out.  Anyway, the Halloween costumes are also marked 50% off.  It took some searching through what appeared to be junk, but I did find a little pink princess costume for Ada for 3.50!!!  I am sticking that in the closet, and marking it off the Christmas gift list.  The true Disney princess costumes were still more than I wanted to spend, but I predict the price will go even lower, and I hope to buy a few more costumes for Ada and for other gifts--little girl birthday parties, etc. etc.  Just throwing it out there for any other moms of little girls who love to dress up as much as Ada does!!!

Thank you, Target

We made a quick trip to Target this morning, as soon as the doors were open.  I wanted to get there and back before John's morning nap.

Why was I in such a hurry to get to Target?  Here is why...

I wanted to stock up on play clothes for next summer!!  You can't beat 1.00.  I mean, really.

I also got John a few items, not pictured.  Things were a bit jumbled on shelves, so I plan to go back tonight to do some more searching through the piles.  I had John, crying, on one hip, and Ada in the buggy pleading to get out (I said no), so I was in a bit of a hurry.

And for no reason, here are a few pictures of the two stinkers.  John is starting to sit up on his own, though he usually falls over on his stomach after a few minutes, and he is trying his hardest to crawl.  He gets on his hands and knees and rocks back and forth as hard as he can.  He can move his legs, but he hasn't figured out how to move his arms to actually move himself forward.  Any day now, I predict.

I have decided no more baby food for us--I HATE IT.  It ends up all over me and John and the kitchen floor and who knows what else.  So...I bought one of those munchkin mesh feeding things--you know what I am talking about?  And from now on, only real solid food for John.  He will be happier, I will be happier, and he will be eating real food.  It's a win-win.  It's the perfect contraption for chunks of sweet potato and avocado and other fruits. 

We are gearing up for our beach trip next week, so I need to run and make a dent in the mountain of laundry that has collected upstairs.

I hope to be back later today or tomorrow to tell you about something exciting that is happening over at Scott's blog.  Stay tuned.

Another Monday, Another Week of Meals

This is the nitty gritty of motherhood. 

The scouring the pantry and the fridge to see what I have on hand.  The lists of items needed, and the flipping of cook book pages and internet searches to see what I can do with what I have.  These people need to eat, and I would like for them to eat well. 

To top it all off, there is that boring little thing we call the budget.  Always the budget.  So, I pour over my favorite websites.  What is on sale this week?  What coupons do I have?  How can I make it all come together to feed my family, provide nutrition and comfort all at the same time?  And how can I stay sane in the process. 

There is much to think about, you see.  Scott will have bible study on Tuesday night, so I need something simple.  He won't be around to help with baths or cleaning up the kitchen.  Frozen pizza it is.  And if we do frozen pizza on Tuesday, well I would like something good and homey for Wednesday to make up for it.  So here we go.  This is what I came up with.

Tonight--pork roast, oven roasted potatoes, green beans  (potatoes on sale, pork roast on sale, green beans in the freezer)
Tuesday--frozen pizza, salad (pizza in the freezer, salad on sale)
Wednesday--chicken fried steak (cubed steak in the freezer), mashed potatoes, lima beans
Thursday--AUBURN!!!  Hopefully we will be eating Big Blue Bagel or something equally wonderful
Friday--chicken tetrazzini, salad, bread (chicken in the freezer, other ingredients in the pantry)

and then I will start the process all over again.  You see, when I gave up teaching for this new job of motherhood, cook was in the job description.  Along with dishwasher and toilet scrubber.  It's not always glamorous folks, but somebody has to take care of these little chickadees, and I am it. 

And of course, we will eat eggs for breakfast with whole grain toast and butter.  We like to eat real butter around here.  And probably peanut butter and jelly for lunch.  Or a turkey sandwich with a side of strawberries.  And to break it up, maybe a black bean quesadilla in the middle of the week.  I can only eat so much peanut butter, you know.  What will be on your table this week?

Need some inspiration?  Head over here for lots and lots and lots of meal ideas.

It's a Good Week for Coupons

I didn't make it to church this morning. I woke up not feeling normal, but I made it as far as the shower, where I got very sick. Sorry if that is way too much information. Scott and Ada, who were already dressed for church, were out picking up newspapers for me as I was sick in the shower. When they got back to pick me up, I sent them on without me, and I lay down on the couch. While there, I began to look through today's coupons.

Here's the deal. If you haven't started couponing yet, this week would be a great week to start. Kroger is having a mega sales event, where if you buy ten participating items, you automatically get 5.00 off with your Kroger plus card. This equals lots of cheap groceries after coupons.

What am I most excited about? Just using coupons from today's paper, so even if you have no coupons saved from past weeks, you can get Nabisco crackers (I will be buying wheat thins and whole wheat ritz) for .69 a box, French's mustard for .59 a bottle, and Kraft cheese for .49!!! I am stocking up on cheese. That's an amazing price!!

If you do have coupons from past weeks you can get Electrasol dishwashing tabs for .50 a box (find a 2.50 coupon in the 1/3 Smart Source) and Quaker granola bars for .99 (RP 1/3).

And with no coupons, you can still get great sales prices--goldfish for .88 a pack, Philadelphia cream cheese for .99, Mott's Apple Juice for 1.49 a bottle (I am happy when I can get it for less than 2.00 a bottle), and Tombstone Pizza for 2.50 a pizza (combine this with Fresh Express BOGO salad from Publix, and you have a complete meal).

And this is just a sampling of the deals to be found at Kroger this week. I am so excited.

I did a major grocery shop yesterday, where I spent about 140.00, but came home with 270.00 worth of groceries. I am focusing on stocking my fridge, freezer, and pantry before John is born, and I am definitely taking advantage of the Kroger sales this week to stock up even more.

Anyway, I don't blog about couponing as much as I used to because there are so many sites devoted just to couponing, and I would rather point readers to those sites, but I thought this week was worth mentioning. If you are still hesitating to start, and you have a Kroger near you, this is the week to buy the papers and cut the coupons.

And for more deals at both Kroger and Publix (and other stores too, including Wal-Mart) check out couponmom.com or southernsavers.com, my go-to sales and coupon sources each week.

Menu Plan Monday

I haven't done menu plan Monday in a while, but I have realized that it is a great way for me to remember what I have planned for the week. I forget what I am supposed to cook for dinner one night? I simply turn to my blog. Plus Scott likes to see it in writing, online.

And, it's fun to link up with every other blogger out there who is also trying to maintain some semblance of order and nutrition and budgeting in their weekly lives.

Anyway, here is our week

Sunday night--we had frozen pizza

Monday night--chicken pot pie, broccoli

Tuesday night--bean soup, cornbread

Wednesday--Kate ("Cake" as Ada calls her) will be here, so I think we might go eat Mexican just to get out of the house, plus I have a BOGO coupon, so you know. Or we may eat Mexican for lunch and then do whatever for dinner--don't panic, Scott, we can talk about this:)

Thursday--the ever faithful spaghetti dinner. We do this almost every week. Ada loves spaghetti, and I use whole grain noodles (that I get for mostly free) and sauce that I get for less than 1.00, and I add some broccoli on the side, and Ada gets a nutritious meal that she will actually eat.

Friday night--probably frozen pizza again as we prepare to leave home for the week.

Scott has the entire week of Christmas off--can you believe it? He normally works all the way up to Christmas day, traveling to Alabama when he gets off work on Christmas Eve, missing the Christmas Eve service and usually whatever yummy meal Mom has planned. Is it Prime Rib Roast again, mom? But this week, we are leaving Saturday morning and spending several days with Scott's family. Then on Christmas Eve morning we are traveling to Scottsboro to have Christmas with my family. All of that to say, that this week I am trying to clean out the fridge and pantry a bit.

For breakfast we will eat the usual eggs, peanut butter toast, yogurt, etc. etc.

And Lunch will be sandwiches, bananas, tangerines, applesauce and maybe mac and cheese one day for a treat.

I am also planning to make buckeyes. I have all of the ingredients, but I need to buy some wax paper. I have done no Christmas baking whatsoever, and buckeyes happen to be what I am craving, so I think I will make those tonight. We'll see if I actually get to it.

So there you have it...the ever glamorous Moore family menu;)

Let the Christmas Shopping Begin

This morning in my pajamas, I picked up these items for Ada's Christmas.All of the above items were completely free to me, thanks to swagbucks. If you want to join me in free amazon shopping, sign up for swagbucks here. I love swagbucks because it has saved our family tons of money.

I still want to buy a few more books, a baby doll and accessories, and an art easel and art supplies. I plan to wait and see if there are any after Thanksgiving baby doll deals, and we have a gift card to Ikea where I will purchase the easel. I hope to keep the money spent on Ada's Christmas under 50.00, and I think it is very possible.

I still want to get Ellie's old doll house from Ann (if it's still available). If it's not, I might scratch some of the above gifts and purchase a doll house off of Amazon.

Moms who have kids a step above Ada, what have been your preschoolers favorite toys? I always feel like it's a gamble. Will she play with what I buy or will it be a waste? I just never know. Last year, I spent about 5.00 each on a toy toaster and microwave, and those have been the biggest hits of all. I never would have guessed. They were spur of the moment deals I found during the morning after Thanksgiving craze, and I threw them in the cart.

Anyway...I am happy to get a jump on Christmas shopping when Halloween has even happened. Woo-hoo!!

Getting Back to the Routine

I am feeling more and more pregnant these days. For whatever reason, I have started getting very sick every single morning. I am so tired of this morning ritual, that today, I grabbed a bag, sat down in front of the computer to carry on with my morning, and I just paused every once in a while to get sick. I don't feel nauseous; I just all of sudden know that I am going to be sick. I will take this over that first trimester nausea for sure!! The only problem is, my back and ribs are so sore from going through the process every day. I think I am going to stop the prenatal for a while and return to folic acid and Flintstones to see if that will do the trick.

Yesterday in Auburn, I was also reminded of my pregnancy when I became so drowsy I could hardly stand it. I told mom and my sisters that I wasn't sure how I was going to drive back to Atlanta. I was a bit panicked to be honest with you. I felt like I had been drugged. Mom made the suggestion that I take a quick nap at Kate's house while they ran some errands with Ada in tow, and I was so relieved. The second my head hit Kate's pillow I fell fast asleep. I think I only slept for maybe 30 minutes, but I felt great afterwards. Thank you, mom, for knowing just what I needed.

I think I must have worn myself out this week. Mom and I worked so hard, but I feel so good about everything. The house is in really good shape, and I am now able to feel really excited about John's arrival rather than stressed. Plus, I am more able to enjoy this fall weather and the anticipation of Thanksgiving and Christmas knowing that things are in order. Of course, there is still much to do--paint, furniture, etc. etc., but Ann sent two boxes full of little boy clothes, and I know that it will all get done. A few weeks ago, I wasn't so sure.

In the mean time, the normal routines of life are carrying on. You know, couponing and such. After our morning photo session (more on that later), I took a nap while Ada slept, and then the whole family headed out to Publix and Kroger. It was a successful day. My goal was to stay under 60.00, and I did it. Woo-hoo!!!

Here's my list.

And here are the numbers.

Spent: 57.09

Saved: 73.95

So...131.04 worth of groceries for 57.09. I'll take it!!

Now Ada is in bed, football is on tv, and I have a stack of coupons waiting to be organized. What a glamorous life I live;)

I'll leave you with this image--a little piece of fall from our house to yours.

Kitchen Update

Good Morning, ya'll. We are having a lazy morning around our house, and I am thankful for it. Ada is busy watching cartoons and drawing with a pen. Drawing with a pen is a little "treat" that I pull out to buy myself a few minutes. In this case, I was hoping for a few uninterrupted computer minutes before the day gets going.

This past Friday I finally ordered Ada's kitchen off of Amazon using a combination of birthday money, swagbucks, and an Amazon discount code. Between the code and the swagbucks, I thought I was getting 90.00 off!!!!! I was thrilled because the kitchen only cost 40.00 out of pocket, so I planned to use the extra birthday money to buy Ada two good pairs of fall shoes.

Well...I got an e-mail yesterday telling me that the Amazon code was a mistake, and my order was cancelled. Bummer. Scott and I are now waiting for about 25.00 worth of swagbucks to go through, and then I will order again. I should still have some left over birthday money for at least one good pair of shoes.

I don't usually invest in shoes because we tend to misplace them (I am probably one of the most scatterbrained people in all the land), but I think Ada needs a quality pair. She is constantly running and wearing her shoes out, so I need to step it up and buy some nice ones that will last all season.

Give us a week or two and the kitchen should finally be on its way. I can't wait because I think Ada is going to love it.

Remember, you can get in on all the swagbucks fun by clicking here (and you'll be helping me out in the process!!)

Provision and this week's menu (a rather random post, I suppose)

I often feel a bit crazy for making the decision to stay at home with Ada rather than work. Not because I don't see the importance of being at home with Ada, and not even because I think that working would be so fulfilling and fun (I am not that naive, I promise), but because it seems like such a simple way to add some money to the ever tightening budget.

Just yesterday on the way to church, as Scott and I discussed lunch options, money being the deciding factor, I looked at him and said, "Am I crazy for staying at home, am I?" and I really meant it. I needed some confirmation. He quickly confirmed that, no, I am right where I am supposed to be, and I trust his affirmation as the leader of our family.

Just when I begin to wonder if we are not making the wisest decision regarding our family and our finances, God reminds me that he will provide. And, he has. Over and over and over.

This month it seems that our income is needed everywhere but in our checking account. Do you know what I mean? There are, of course, bills to pay, and there is that little thing called a mortgage. But those are the constants. This month we also had a root canal and Ada's birthday and car tags and leftover car troubles and the list could go on and on and on. (By the way, I am very thankful that here in the south, Labor Day does not mean fall weather, simply because Ada's wardrobe isn't ready for that.)

But on top of all of the extras that are asking our money to stretch and stretch and stretch, there is a little thing that I am learning about called coupon overage, and it is really helping us out this month.

Let me tell you about my grocery trip on Saturday. I was quite excited.

Here is what I bought at Publix

1 deli sandwich (Scott was hungry for lunch) 2.50
Arnold Whole Grain Bread BOGO 1.85
1 carton of blueberries 2.00
1 pack of Hormel bacon 3.00
Cottonelle Aloe and E toilet paper, 6 pack 3.99
-.50 off Aloe and E mnfctr (equals 2.99 for 6 pack)
1 bag of baking potatoes 1.99
4 packs of Knorr sides .74 each
-2 .60 off two Knorr sides mnfctr coupons (equals .44 each pack)
4 bottles of Sundown Folic Acid 3.79 each
2 bottles of Sundown Vitamin D 2.99 each
-3 6.00 off two Sundown Vitamins Publix coupons
-3 5.00 off two Sundown Vitamins mnfctr coupons (equals Free +++++)
1 box of Splenda packets 2.59
1 box of Orville Redenbacher popcorn BOGO 2.45
-.60 off Orville popcorn mnfctr coupon (equals 1.85 for box of popcorn)
1 carton of eggs 1.29
1 pack of Italian Sausage 2.00
4 packs of Cover Girl powder puffs 2.49
-4 2.00 off Cover Girl store coupon
-2 2.50 off Cover Girl mnfctr coupon (equals free ++++)

total before coupons and sales=76.66
total after coupons and sale=11.85!!!

thank you, overage!!!

So, I went back today, and things didn't go quite as well

Here is what I bought

1/2 gallon of milk 1.79
1 big box of Huggies size 5 19.99
-3.00 Publix coupon
-1.50 man. coupon (= 15.49)
Kleenex Cottonelle Aloe & E 6 pack=2.99
-1.00 off Cottonelle man. coupon (=1.99)
2 Cover Girl eye shadows 2.99 each
-2 2.00 off Cover Girl Publix coupon
-1 2.50 off 2 Cover Girl items man. coupon (= free ++++)
Baked Cheetos 100 calorie packs 2.00
1 Sundown Vitamin D 2.99
1 Sundown Vitamin A 3.29
-6.00 off 2 Sundown Vitamin Publix coupon
-5.00 off 2 Sundown Vitamin man. coupon (= free ++++)

total before sales and coupons=43.67
total after sales and coupons=19.67

Really, I was hoping for a lower total today, and I should have bought more items to produce overage in order to lower the total, but you live and learn, right? Still, I am thankful for 31.52 as my grocery total when the budget is 100.00 a week. That is money saved, ya'll, and that is what we need this month, more than most months even.

So, what will we be eating this week based on the purchases above and my stocked pantry, fridge, and freezer?

Sunday night= homemade waffles and bacon
Monday night=sausage and potatoes italiano, broccoli, bread
Tuesday night=spaghetti, bread, green beans
Wednesday night=Chicken and rice in the crockpot, broccoli, bread
Thursday night=lasagna, veggie, bread
Friday=frozen pizza

Lunches=hummus and triscuits, ham sandwiches, PB & J, fruit, leftovers
Breakfast=yogurt and granola, eggs, peanut butter toast
snacks=yogurt, fruit

for more menu ideas, check out Organizing Junkie.

Tackling Kroger

Yesterday instead of our usual library trip, Ada and I decided to head to Kroger to stock up on meat for the next few weeks. I was feeling good, was showered, had eaten breakfast, had my list and coupons, and we were ready. So we pull into the parking lot, find our spot, and all of a sudden I am violently ill. Luckily I have a very messy car, so there was a leftover Sonic bag to quickly grab. So there we sat, me sick and Ada crying in her car seat, saying, "all done, Mommy, all done." I think it scares her when I get sick. The worst part was that there was a poor older women loading her car with groceries right next to me. At one point we made eye contact as I got sick. I felt so bad that she was having to witness that.

I was not to be deterred however. Once I knew my body was through getting sick, I gathered my strength, my list, and Ada, and into Kroger we went. I laughed at myself because just when I am feeling energized and not so pregnant, my body reminds me that I am not even through with first trimester yet.

But, we made it through the rest of the grocery shop uneventfully, and Ada even cooperated once she got her free balloon. Here are the numbers.

2 4 packs of Dannon Activia
1/2 lb Boars Head honey maple chicken
4 packs of Tyson split chicken breast
2 packs of Kroger bacon (BOGO + coupon)
4 cases of Diet Coke
1 carton of eggs (on sale for .59!!!)
and I forgot to buy strawberries and the ground turkey (thanks for the tip, Bethany!!!), so we will probably have to go back today.

I spent 30.15
I saved 32.18

But my fridge is good and stocked with meat for the next few weeks. It will make for some low numbers during the next few grocery shops.

And by the way, last night's "chicken pot pie" meal was a huge hit with everyone, and it was super easy.

Here is the recipe

Chicken Pot Pie Ingredients:

About a cup of pre-cooked diced chicken breast (I used cooked chicken from my freezer, leftover from the rotisserie chickens I bought last week)
1 tsp butter, margarine or olive oil
1 medium onion-chopped
2 cans of cream of chicken soup
Bag of frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, etc…)
1 boiled egg -chopped (optional--I did not use)
1 -2 tsp. Tarragon (I did not add this)
salt and pepper to taste
1 box refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts are in each box)
Saute the onion in the butter until translucent

Directions:

Add all other ingredients (except crusts) and cook until the veggies are heated and no longer frozen (approx. 5 minutes)
Place one pie crust in your pie plate (press to the sides of the pie plate leaving the top hanging over the edge of the pie plate)
Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust.
Top with the second crust and press the two pie crust edges together
Use a fork to make a few air holes in the top crust.
Bake at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes (or until top crust is nice and golden)

We all had seconds, and there are leftovers for lunch today. This will be something I make again and again. So easy, so good.

Here is where I got the recipe.

Still Couponing, Still feeling like a newbie

I really feel like I am starting the whole couponing thing over. I am clipping and sorting and matching, but I am missing out on lots of deals because of the weeks that I just couldn't find the strength to care.

But...a miracle has happened over the past week, and I feel like a new person. I am re energized, and nausea, what's that? Thank you, Lord. I have never appreciated feeling normal so much in my life. And I am still two weeks away from second trimester. It truly is a gift from the Lord.

However, with the nausea gone, my appetite has arrived full force, and I have gained my first pound of the pregnancy. If nothing else, I am thankful that the sickness stopped the scale from rising before now. With Ada, I gained ten pounds!!!! first trimester, so things are looking much better this time around. I am channeling all of this new found energy by walking and jogging on a nearby, very shaded, walking trail. I will exercise and not feel so yuck with this second pregnancy. I am determined. (and by jogging, I mean so slowly that a normal person could walk beside me, but jogging I am)

Anyway...I really logged on to tell you about how I am doing with the coupons and the meal planning. Just to keep myself accountable and excited about the deal finding.

Dinner this week looks like this

Monday--"cheater" chicken pie, broccoli
Tuesday--Cheeseburger Pie, a veggie from the local farmer's market (I will buy on Tuesday)
Wednesday--chicken salad sandwiches, fruit, chips
Thursday--jambalaya, black beans
Friday--frozen pizza, salad

And of course the usuals for breakfast, snacks, lunches--eggs, blueberries, strawberries, peanut butter toast, turkey sandwiches, etc. etc. etc. and the always Ada favorite, Activia yogurt

So here is the how the grocery trips went

I started at Kroger where they are having the buy 10, save 5.00 sale. I can't remember all of the price/coupon details, but here is what I bought

2 juicy juice
4 carolina pride smoked sausage
1 box of rice krispies (for rice krispy treats!! my favorite!!)
1 box of fruit loops
4 Tombstone frozen pizzas (for 2.50 each. you can't beat a meal that feeds the whole family for 2.50!!!)
1 bag of marshmallows
1 pack of blueberries
1 loaf of Sara Lee honey wheat bread
5 bottles of Loreal Pro-vive shampoo (1.00 each after coupon)
4 bottles of Loreal kids shampoo (.75 each after coupon)
4 bottles of Garnier Fructis shampoo (1.00 each after coupon--my stockpile of shampoo was non-existent, and now it is re-stocked!!)

total spent=41.97
total saved=52.74

And today I went to Publix

2 New York brand frozen breadsticks
2 Quaker chewy granola bars
4 packs of Women's quattro disposable razors (16 razors total!! It was a great deal)
4 cans of Bush's black beans
Publix frozen pie shells
New York brand croutons
2 bags of goldfish (free b/c they were on sale BOGO, and I had a BOGO coupon)
3 boxes of crayola crayons (.33 each!!)
2 bags of Cape Cod potato chips
1 bottle of flintstone gummies
Publix frozen peas and carrots
1 gallon of Publix milk (on sale for 2.00, and I had a coupon for 1.00 off, so I paid 1.00 for a gallon of milk!!!!)
1 lb of ground beef

total=38.04
total saved=42.10

so far this week I bought 174.85 worth of groceries for 80.00

my friend Bethany blows my numbers out of the water, but I am happy with these numbers while I am getting back on track. What I have learned from Bethany (and Tutti for that matter) is to concentrate on overage and that really gets your numbers low, but I will talk more about that as I figure it out myself.

I still plan to go back to Kroger for a few more items, mainly Tyson split chicken breasts. They are on sale for .99/lb, and I have 4 1.00 off fresh Tyson chicken coupons. I am hoping that combined with a store coupon will equal free chicken. I'll let you know.

Headed to CVS

Well, I am going to CVS today, still trying to get back into the swing of things. I do feel remnants of normalcy returning to my life, and I am thankful. I think that I will look back on this summer, and it will be a fog in my mind because I have spent most of it just "getting by."

But with phenigran in my system and many first trimester weeks behind me, I am attempting to get our budget back on track.

Last week I spent 30.00 out of pocket at CVS to give myself a jump start, and as a result I have 12.00 in ECBs to spend.

Here is my plan

Lots of school supplies because our church collects school supplies in the fall for local children

2 notebooks @ .99 each
3 packs of pens @ .99 each
2 pairs of scissors @ 2.99 each
2 things of glue @ .99 each

12.91 total
-12.00 ECBs
=.91 oop (plus tax)

I will get back 12.00 in ECBs

then I am going to buy

1 Gillette Fusion Razor @ 7.99-3.00 coupon=4.99
1 bottle of Gain detergent @ 6.00
4 boxes of Electrasol Power dishwashing tabs @ 3.99 -4 2.50 coupons=1.49 each

total=16.95
-12.00 ECBs
=4.95 OOP

and I should walk away with 6.00 in ECBs from the Gain and the razor.

Attempting to coupon again

It has been weeks since I've looked at a coupon. Since I've even attempted to plan a meal. Since I have saved any money at all. Instead, our budget has suffered through first trimester with me, and we are starting to feel the effects. It's bad, ya'll.

Scott has been gracious to me as I have been oh so sick (for good reason, since it equals a healthy baby growing away), and luckily some tutoring money is still coming in to compensate. We would prefer, however, for that extra money to be going towards the debt snowball, so I am trying to plan some meals this week based on sales and coupons. I feel like a newbie.

Here is my plan

spaghetti, pork chops and rice in the crockpot, Stouffer's lasagna, frozen pizza, and another stouffer's frozen meal, and I am going to buy some baked potatoes to fall back on.

I am also planning on buying two rotisserie chickens from Publix because they are on sale and I have a coupon. I think I will take that chicken off the bone and freeze it to use later in casseroles. That way I don't have to deal with the raw meat. Too much for me to stomach right now, you know?

Okay, lunches will be roast beef sandwiches (it's what I have craved lately), peanut butter and banana sandwiches (another craving), and good old pb & J. I am also purchasing blueberries and watermelon for a "side dish" at lunch. Ada will most likely eat leftovers from dinner because I am always trying to get a significant meal in her. She's not a big eater, hence her tiny size.

I am going to buy a few snack items to use as fillers throughout the day when the nausea hits--packaged peanut butter and crackers and cereal bars of some sort.

On Ada's menu are eggs for breakfast and Activia yogurt. The blueberries are also for her, and we will have whole grain bread with lunch. We have to keep things moving;)

I am sure that ya'll are not interested in my grocery list, but it helps me to plan the grocery trip, so thanks for letting me share it with the world. Now I am off to match coupons. Happy saving, everyone!

Exhausted

Well, we saw him (him representing her and him here, in a pre-feminism way), all curled up and happy as a lark inside my uterus. It sort of made me laugh seeing the little blob of a baby without a care in the world. He is certainly not worried about how sick I am. It also made me get a bit choked up because there was that heart pumping away, evidence of this life inside me. It's nothing short of a miracle.

Scott was with me at this appointment, and he gets so fidgety in situations like that--waiting situations, feminine situations. So, there we sat--me lying on the table, sick as a dog, and him in the chair, waiting on the midwife to make her entrance. Well, as I lay with my eyes shut praying that I wouldn't get sick, I hear Scott get up and begin to fiddle. Next thing I know, he is pulling out plastic gloves--to try on? I'm not sure. I, not so patiently, requested that he sit back down and to please not touch anything. I just knew the midwife was going to walk in to find me asleep on the table and Scott with plastic gloves on both hands. It would be so awkward.

After much pleading, Scott stuck the glove in his pocket.

The midwife did give me a prescription for phenigran (sp?) to get me through until I can refill the zofran. She said that most moms are sicker with the second one, and she thinks it's from lack of rest. Maybe so. The phenigran will guarantee that I rest, I suppose. She was really nice and calmed my fears about my baby's lack of nutrition. When I do choke down a meal it usually involves a McDonald's hamburger or saltines with peanut butter. She also told me to set aside the pre-natal for now and to take two flintstone vitamins and a folic acid every day. She really was the most calming woman. I was thankful.

After that was over, Scott and I headed to Atlantic Station, our old stomping ground, to eat dinner and stroll around a bit. I was so happy and relieved to eat my very favorite salad from CPK, knowing that the baby was getting a bit of nutrition on this night. It was so yummy. The CPK cobb, minus the eggs. Yum. It hit the spot.

Then the night got even better.

With a full tummy, I felt less sick, so we headed into West Elm, and there we found this quilt that I have had my eye on forever.

It was marked down from 150.00 to 27.00!!!!!!!!! Please be shocked with me. And the euro shams were marked down from 30.00 each to 9.99 each!!!! So, what should have been a 210.00 purchase was about 50.00!!!!!!!! I am so excited and motivated to keep my bed made and room clean. I am so thankful. Honestly, it felt like a God thing to stumble upon this deal.

So, it's been a great day. I am absolutely worn out, though. And I am dying to see Ada tomorrow. If I think about it too much, I get emotional, so I just can't think about it. This is the longest I have been away from her, and it has been wonderful to rest, but I need that little girl in my life!!

p.s. thanks for the sweet belly comments. Ya'll may be singing a different tune later in the game;)

I need a diaper deal

Do any of you know of a good diaper deal going on right now? Preferably on Huggies?

I normally have quite the stockpile of diapers, built up when prices were low and coupons were high, but in the midst of my first trimester stupor, our grocery budget is suffering quite the blow. And lo and behold, I find myself nearly out of diapers. It is painful to think of paying full price. Can you help me? I have searched the blogs, but I am seeing nothing. Am I missing something?

Ada needs the diapers because she has yet to actually use the toilet, though she loves to sit on it, and I am not in the mood to dig in my heels with the potty training. We will save that for the energy that comes with second trimester.