It has been a while.

Wow, it has been a while since I last blogged. Sorry about that. Facebook seems to be the place to "hang out" nowadays so that is where I've been doing all my updates.
But, for anyone interested I'll try to do a short-ish update here.

Chris has been gone longer and longer at work each time he leaves. Right now his company is under a 3 YEAR contract with the military. For us as a family that basically means he is only home for literally a couple of days every couple of months. It's hard!

I'm still doing the etsy shop thing and try to get back in to scrapping, though I am finding that I enjoy making little albums better than making layouts. Maybe that is what I need to make my mom for Christmas this year. She is so very hard to shop for.

The boys are growing in to men faster than lightening. Actually, Alex is a man now. He will be 22 in March. Caleb will be 16 in 16 days!! Right now he is ALL about cars and especially his car. He wants to fix and improve everything he can on it. Most of his Christmas gifts this year revolve around mechanic tools and car guy stuff.

I guess that is all for now. I hope everyone had a relaxing Thanksgiving.

Now back to finish decorating the house for Christmas. =)

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It is getting closer...

Just about time to start thinking about those Christmas lists. I know most are probably scaling back this year what with the crappy economy right now. I just want to put it out there that if anyone on your list is a jewelry fiend, I hope you will come to my etsy shop and consider some things I have listed. I have layaway, I happily do reserves for two weeks, and if you are dying to have something I will negotiate.

Children and Babies

How can I put this without sounding heartless???

I'm not a mean person. I'm not a child hater or anything like that. But sometimes I feel like I live in a world where I am the only one who's heart doesn't skip a beat over a photograph of a baby, swoon over the freshly bathed smell of a newborn, or get weepy thinking about "your" child's first day of kindergarten.
I don't think it's cute when you catch your kid playing in makeup. I don't think it is awesome that your kid knows that 1+5=6 at the tender age of 2. And honestly, I really could not care less that you had a baby. Good for you, I guess, and I'm glad it is happy and healthy and all that. I just don't think it's the greatest thing to ever happen in the history of childbirth.
Again, not because I'm a mean, cold-hearted person. I'm really not. I'm just WAY past that point in my life. Truth be told I never once saw a baby and felt the urge to have more myself.

And before you start thinking I am talking about someone specific, I am not. I am talking in general. Life.
Every few months someone has a baby and everyone and their grandmother makes such a fuss. I would never be rude and say WHOOP DE DO! If you are happy then I am happy for you, silently, and that would be it.

I thought that when I reached 36 I would finally have friends that were finished having kids and moving on with the next phase of their lives. Women I could talk to about something other than what their kids did that was so darn cute.
Or how you have over extended all of your free time by signing your kids up for little league, ballet, and whatnot to the point that you are exhausted all. the. time!


I had my kids when I was 15 and 20. They are now 21 and (almost) 16. I can't relate to 2am breastfeeding, your kid biting another kid in preschool, your son farting out loud in church, or your daughter picking out the perfect dress for her 8th grade banquet.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I'm ready to "play" with the grown up mommies. Women who have their own identity. Women who's lives aren't 100% children's channels 24/7, and women who aren't dying to be grandmothers right away. Women in the middle is what I can relate to. Your kids can take care of themselves and you can make conversation on several topics that do not include kids. Am I really the only woman alive that is fulfilled by just being me? That doesn't need to have a baby or talk about kids all the time to feel justified? Aren't we about so much more than changing diapers? Isn't there a point in time between having young kids and before the grand babies come along that women enjoy? Is it really selfish to love that "free" time in your life to not be needed all. the. time?

OK, I am done talking about kids for the next few years. Let's talk shopping, marriage, hobbies, lets gossip, take a drive, make dinner reservations, go to a nightclub and act a fool. Anything!~ I know you are a mom, but what else are you? WHO else are you? Do you even know?

Ho Hum

Today has just been one of those slow, boring days for me. I have plenty I need to do but just not much of anything I want to do. I'm so behind on filing away my coupons that it's beyond ridiculous. When I do finally begin to put them away it is going to take several hours. I like having all my coupons with me when I shop, but I HATE the extra work that comes with the binder method. Some days I miss just dating the front of the inserts and tossing them in my box.

And the winner is...

We had 20 entries and the Random Number Generator picked entry # 10
Just Jen.
Just Jen said...

You already know that I love it so pick ME!! :)
I have to say that the word verification below says "boxit" which means box it up and send it to me ;)

Congratulations, Jen!!! I have your address. Watch your mail. :)

Thanks to everyone that entered.

A Quick Giveaway

Just because I'm in the mood. :) It's a large, no, LARGE pink crystal with two Coin pearl accents. 19.5" long, not including drop length of the pink crystal which is 1 3/4".

To enter just comment on this post. MAKE SURE I have a way to contact you if you are the winner. If I can't locate the winner I will pick a different #.

I'm going to let the random number generator pick the winner tomorrow night (Sunday Aug. 30th) some time between 9 and midnight EST.

OK. Ready, Set, GO!


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My Creations A new video for you to enjoy. :)

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Wondering where I've been?

I know you all must be "dying" to know why I haven't been updating as much lately. The truth is I've been uber busy! My etsy shop is doing well (YAY) and I've also joined Facebook and spending a lot of time there. Well, between laundry, dishes, dinners, and LIFE, that is.

Don't forget to check in at my other blog Hip to Clip as I try to keep you guys in the know about the best freebie deals to be had.

And now for some new listings. Yes, I know it's not time for Christmas stuff yet. But the listing in etsy go for 4 months. And since I wanted them out of the shop BEFORE Christmas, they had to be listed now.



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And the Winner of the July Giveaway Is...

The True Random Number Generator chose Ani!! With post #30.
Ani, I will be contacting you for your mailing address. Congratulations and I hope you will enjoy your winnings. =)

Deep Fried Macaroni and Cheese

I never had it before. Never made it before. That is until tonight.
I decided to give it a try and we like it. Like we need one more bad food to love. lol
Have you ever had deep fried macaroni?

The Shop

Have you been in my etsy shop lately? You should come see all the new stuff. Here's a sneak peek at some of my newest items.

Where have I been?!

Sorry I haven't posted lately. There just hasn't been much to tell. I've just been keeping busy making new stuff for my etsy shop and wishing Chris was here. He has been in New Orleans for a month now.

My youngest is ready to go test for his drivers permit and I really wish Chris could be here to take care of that. I just feel like it's one of those milestones where a young man needs his father. I feel like they are both missing out on a lot. I feel like I am missing out on a husband. But, I didn't blog to start spreading my loneliness around. It is what it is, ya know?

Speaking of the youngest...Caleb has been working with his uncle in his mechanic garage. He started going with him just to have something to do to pass time. He also loves to fix things. Next thing you know he is getting up every day at 5am to leave and making a little money doing small repairs. So now I spend my days missing Caleb too. It won't be long before he makes his own way in the world. It's a good thing and a sad thing all rolled in to one.

I guess that's all for now. It's Friday so I guess I will leave you with wishes for a nice weekend. =)

Made for eachother.

Made at two different times, months apart. Then I listed the earrings in my etsy shop yesterday and it hit me, these two pieces go great together! Both are made with peridot and blue apatite gemstones. How cool! Almost makes me rethink selling them. lol


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Pixie Blossoms

Named so because I couldn't think of anything else to call them! LOL
Blue and clear Swarovski crystal earrings made to look like flowers. Just listed in my etsy shop.

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Preeeety

Does anyone need a pair of sterling silver crystal quartz earrings? They will match anything and everything.
If so you can get them HERE. Just listed!

Decisions

EDIT: I decided to list them on Etsy.
I have all these beautiful novelty yarns/fibers that I've been holding on to for quite a while now. They were very popular in scrapbooking at one time and I joined a ton of fiber swaps to get this collection.
But now I find that they are taking up space rather than being loved and used, so I am trying to decide if I really want to mess with listing them on ebay or not. It's times like these I wish etsy got more traffic!

Repurposed from a sewing pattern.

I just made this this morning. Before it was a flower it was a McCall's dress pattern from 1990. As in a sewing pattern! How cool is that! It has over 30 layers of the dress pattern and I darkened the papers with liquid chalk ink. It also has been lightly stiffened to help it keep shape.
Ain't it purdy?! :) It's also for sale.

I need an assistant!

I love making stuff for my Etsy shop but I absolutely loathe all the time it takes to make great photos of the items, then all the photo editing and getting them to the proper size, write descriptions, file categories, and all that listing jazz.

Like now I have a dozen or so rag style stockings I need to get listed and a bunch of other Christmas themed items I've made over the past few months. (I want to list now so that they will expire just after Christmas).

Anyway, I put my creations away after I make them. So in order to list them I have to drag it all back out, set a stage, etc. It takes too many hours logged in front of the computer to get it all listed.

I wish I had an assistant to do the listings so that I could just enjoy being creative. lol

Words you can live by

I thought some of my bloggy friends might like these following statements. =)

*Man's way leads to a hopeless end--God's way leads to endless hope.

*A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.

*He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.

*In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma--but never let him be the period.

*Don't put a question mark where God puts a period.

*When praying, don't give God instructions, just report for duty.

*We don't change God's message-- His message changes us.

Don't Forget...

To enter my jewelry GIVEAWAY.

Winner drawn on July 31st.

Happy 4th and Ryan's Giveaway announcement.

Happy 4th of July, everyone!


Also, my friend Ryan

is having a great giveaway on his blog as well. These patriotic fabrics are just one of several lots he is offering. Hop over there and get yourself entered to win!

New Giveaway!!!!

One winner will get both sets! One is a pink Prehnite bracelet and earrings. The other is a light green Jade bracelet and earrings with freshwater pearls.

There are a few ways to enter and a few ways to be entered more than once.
Here's how:

1. Post here leaving a comment.
2. Tell me what your favorite item in my etsy shop is.
3. Post my giveaway on your blog, facebook, twitter, or other accounts and post the link(s) here.
4. Promote my etsy shop on your blog, facebook, or twitter. (Other than the giveaway announcement.)
5. Follow my blog.
6. Any purchases made in my etsy shop also receives an entry, though purchase is NOT necessary and does not increase your chances of winning.
7. If you already own some of my jewelry and link me to a picture of yourself wearing it you'll get an additional entry.
8. Send a friend to my shop and if they purchase something you'll get an additional entry. (You must let me know who you sent once they make a purchase, so that I know who to give credit to).

I will draw the winning name on July 31st, 2009.
*Make sure you leave your contact information so that I can notify you if you are the winner.*

Ready...Set..................GO! =)

Shop Talk

I need to raise about $200. Along with several other things I'm doing to raise the money I just now slashed prices in my Etsy shop. Yes, I'm taking huge losses but I gotta prioritize right now.

Solid sterling silver earrings. Reduced from $12.82 to $5


Or these gemstone pendants for only $6

If you know of someone that is looking for a birthday, anniversary, or any kind of gift to give please mention my etsy shop to them.

My new quilted rag bag.

These are the fabrics I used to make the rag bag out of. I like how happy the colors are. I am so bad to always chose neutral colors to be "safe", but I wanted to work outside of my comfort zone for a change. I love how it turned out.

Just a shot of the side and bottom. I made it rectangular just like the other one.

A close-up of the fabrics and stitching.

This is what the inside looks like.

Just thought I would share since I finally finished it. The handles on this one look like a butterfly when they come together. This one also has more "rag" edges than my first one did.
What'cha think?

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New coupon blog.

I started a new coupon blog called Hip to Clip. I thought it might be better to have the coupon deals all in one place. So if you're at all interested in my boring posts about freebies, cheap deals, and my occasional CVS deals, it would be great if you followed me on it.

I'd also be interested to learn about deals from others as well. It's impossible for one person to find them all. Collectively we could really get some good info.

On other bloggy news, I am feeling kind of under the weather tonight. I hope I am not coming down with anything. I want to go to WM tomorrow and get those pints of Starbucks ice cream so I really hope I feel a lot better by the time I wake up. I should probably drink some pine needle tea in the morning to boost my immune system. It couldn't hurt.

TTYL =)

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A post for myself.

All controversy aside, I was a huge fan of Michael Jackson growing up. His music got me through some rough pre-teen and teenage crap.

I begged and pleaded with my parents to get me tickets to go see him in concert when he came within 100 miles of my house.

It was 1984 and he came to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN.
The tickets were $50 a piece back then and our family was dirt poor. Still, somehow my parents scraped the money together and I was able to go. I saw him on August 9th, 1984 during his last of three appearances in Knoxville.

I remember to this day that I was dead center of the floor in row 3. I was 11 and a half years old and I enjoyed the concert immensely. Little did I know then that every other concert I would attend after that, (New Edition, The Jets, just to name a couple) would pale in comparison!

Like a lot of other fans I wallpapered my bedroom with his posters, bought every new song that came out, learned all the words to each and every one. I read every article about him that I could get my hands on. I was the typical die hard giddy girl fan.

After I met Chris I outgrew my obsession with the pop icon and got on with my life. I can't even tell you what happened to all my memorabilia. I suppose my mom threw it all away. Still I was saddened yesterday when I heard he passed away.

I was sad because it just didn't seem like it was his time. Sad because a piece of my childhood is gone forever. Sad for his children, his sisters, brothers, and his parents. Sad that his life ended so suddenly without any chance for a goodbye.

That is why I have chosen the following song to serve as my own personal way to pay my respects and remember the good times. In a way this song seems like a fitting way for him to say goodbye and for his fans to say goodbye to him as well.

You are not alone.

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Don't feel pressured to defend yourself.

I'm talking specifically about us hard-n-heavy couponers and stockpilers.

I read on a lot of message boards and other thrifty -deal seeking- blogs.
One thing that comes up again and again is the stockpiler, more often than not, seems to feel a need to justify why they bought so much of "X" product.

Like tonight, I was reading the blog of a friend that posted her loot of 100 boxes of pasta salad that she got for less than $4. Then goes on to say, "Relax they are not all for me. I'm only keeping a few and giving the rest to family and friends."

Same with the message borads. Poster will show a picture of her cupboard. Let's say she has 40 bottles of spaghetti sauce (for example). You know that a few replies down there will be someone that is bitter and jealous, and wants to crucify her over having so much of it. Here's the part where the original poster comes back and tries to defend themselves by saying they DO share with their parents, neighbors, etc.
It's enough to make any hard core couponer afraid to share their stock pictures for fear of being slapped on the writst about it.

Here's what I say. Any one else in their right mind wouldn't turn down free food, first of all. Secondly, if you were investigative enough to find the sale, then paid for the newspapers to get the coupons, or off ebay, or clipping service, or traded for the coupons, then drove on fuel that you paid for to get to the store...then I say you have nothing to apologize for. No reason to defend yourself!!

It's HARD work to keep all this coupon stuff straight. It takes time and a LOT of effort to find the best deals to keep our families fed. If you beat me to the store and take all 40 boxes of WHATEVER, then too bad for me! The early bird...

Chances are there's more than one of that store in town anyway. Maybe you'll luck up at the next one. If not then you have no one to be pissed at but yourself.

I just wish us couponers weren't made to feel like we have to justify buying in bulk. If a store has a great sale on some thing(s) my family uses and I can acquire the coupons to make the items free then you bet your sweet arse I'm gonna go get as much as I can. You don't need to know why I got so much, or tell me I am greedy, or ask me if I am really going to keep all that for myself?
My money, my coupons, my planning, my mileage on my car, MY BUSINESS!

Vent over.

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I am in such a good mood today!

Maybe it's because my hubs has been home for a week, (he's leaving soon- BOO!)
Maybe it is because of all the fantastic coupon deals that have surfaced lately.
Maybe it is because I got a couple etsy orders and my shop still has a teeny bit of a pulse left after all. I was about to pronounce it dead!
Most likely it is a combination of everything.

So anyway, I want to share a couple good coupon deals with my coupie buds out here in internet land...
Always Infinity 28, 32, or 36 ct. boxes are only .99/box at CVS right now after coupon.
Now read carefully. This is an unadvertised sale. When you get to CVS the Infinity shelf price still reads $10.79 (give or take depending on your area), but they scan for $4.99. Minus the $4/1 coupon from the previous P&G insert and you get them for only .99!
I have no personal need for these thanks to my precious little operation I had back when I was 21 so I am stocking up on them for my 14 yo. niece. Her mom doesn't coupon shop and typically buys here generics. Which she hates. lol I'm gonna be Aunt of the the year! =)

Starbucks Ice Cream for .58/pint.
If you like Starbucks ice cream and have the $2/1 coupons from this past weekends SmartSource inserts you can take those to Walmart and get each pint for .50-.58 each.
Some report that it is $2.50 at their stores while others report it is $2.58.
Either way .50/.58 is not a bad price. I plan to stock my deep freeze with a few pints for the summer. (IF my coupons ever get here from fee-bay!)

Need dental floss? It's...FREE!
There are $1/1 Reach dental floss coupons out now that do not expire until 5/30/2010. Yes, I said 2010. Walmart sells it for $1 a pack so, FREE!
If we had a free dental clinic around here I'd load up on this deal just to donate it.

So there you go. Grab your cheap pads, have a pint of Starbuck's ice cream and floss for free afterwards. LMBO

It's A Beautiful Life

If you could use a pick-me-up today...

• Beautiful Life by Fisher

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CVS 6/20/09

Over $112 in product for less than $2 cash. Plus I walked out with more ExtraBucks than I went in with!

The Dawn was free because I had a raincheck from when it was on sale for .99 (back in Sept. 08) and I got a $1 home mailer coupon for it last week. Put the two together, free Dawn Hand Renewal.
Also free after coupons were the Buddy Bars, St. Ives facial, and the 7 First Aid kits.

The 4 ThermaCare heat wraps were money makers, but best of all were the Soy Joy bars. We bought 40 of them and got back $20 more in ECBs than we paid with.

The Almay Pure Minerals face powder was $13.99 each and paid out $10 each in ECBs EACH, and I used a $2 coupon on each one. PLUS, I was able to use two $5/30 coupons that CVS emailed to me! (Separate transactions of course!)

After CVS Chris and I went to Walmart where we got over $90 worth of stuff (mostly food items) for only $28 and change. It was a fun night.

Hot!

Super HOT! Scorching hot! The weather, that is! I was trying to put on a little make-up before I head to CVS tonight and since there's no AC in my bathroom I was sweating it off faster than I could apply it. Forget about using any foundation today. Sheesh!

Won't somebody PLEASE turn the winter back on?? =(

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It was a simple, yet happy 21st.

So the 19th of June was our 21st wedding anniversary. We kept it very low key. We went shopping at a couple of our favorite places in Sevierville, TN. Had a nice dinner at Cracker Barrel (Chris's favorite resturant, not so much mine), then we went to Starbucks, and last we went and saw a movie before heading back home. I guess it was more of date night thing than an anniversary thing but, oh well. We enjoyed ourselves and that is what matters.

When we first arrived in Sevierville we were thinking we'd rent a cabin for the night. We had even packed our overnight bags and everything. Then we found out it was going to be around $180/night with taxes.
I told Chris that unless he really had his heart set on it I'd rather just see a movie and go back home.
One main reason why I didn't want to drop that much $ on the cabin was because it was already 8pm when we got to it. Checkout time is 11AM.

Maybe I've been couponing so long that I've turned into a real cheapskate, but $180 for 15 hours in a cabin, 8 hours or so spent sleeping...
That leaves only 7 hours awake and lets be real. You can only be "intimate" for so long before even that gets old. Or maybe that's just me. lol
So I figured we'd basically be paying $180 for 8 hours sleep and at least 4 hours of watching TV. And maybe an hour in the hot tub? Not worth it. Not right now.

After 6 long weeks...

After 6 long weeks my hubs is finally headed home!

Actually, make that almost 7 weeks when you factor in that it is an additional 5 day drive from CA to TN.

He's been all over CA, NV, WA and I'm ready to have him back here on the east coast where he belongs! HA. =)

We're going to go camping, just the two of us, for our 21st wedding anniversary. (Which is officially June 19th.)

He bought a bottle of wine and a smoked Salmon - somewhere out west- that we will dine on by the fire. Should be interesting since I only have alcohol once every couple of years and Chris NEVER drinks. lol But he promised me he would try to take at least one sip so I wouldn't be all alone. Come to think of it. For a guy that wants nothing to do with alcohol I'm not exactly sure why he even bothered buying it! lol

Rambling

Did you ever get so bored that you were looking for things to do, but nothing appealed to you?

I could do something crafty. I've got another rag quilt purse started. I could make these cute, cute thank you cards I've been meaning to get around to making.
Or, I could load the dishwasher. Where's the fun in that?
Doesn't seem to matter what I think of though. Nothing is tickling my fancy. If Chris were here I'd like to go on a drive with him just to enjoy the night air and look at the stars.

My letter to CVS corporate was published!

My letter to corporate was published! =) So I went to CVS tonight to do my deal same as I do every Saturday night. As soon as I stepped in the door I was greeted by the manager and another employee (Hey Brook!). They had a book in their hand and were asking me if I heard the news? They told me that a letter I had written to corporate was published in the spring 2009 CVS/Caremark Real Stories book. Brook opens the book to page 17 and sure enough there is just one of the many letters I had written in praise of my store. The manager was beaming and very appreciative. I think I scored some major points when he saw that letter, and I know it made him proud of all his employees as they all got a hearty "Way to go" from management. He talked to me for almost an hour and I think it really helped both of us get to know each other even better. So, write those letters to corporate PRAISING your nice CVS stores. It can make a world of difference. They let me keep a copy of the book. Here's a pic. of it and my letter.

Updated freebie and cheapie list.

More added!

If you know of other deals that are free or really cheap with coupon please let the rest of us know.

mq=manufacturer coupon
WM=WalMart
DG=Dollar General
FD=Family Dollar
Free or cheap

*Tabasco sauce FREE @ Walmart. Cost .98 - 1.00mq

*St. Ives trial size facial product FREE @ CVS. Cost 1.49- 1.50 mq

*AXE trial size body wash FREE @ WM. Cost .97-1.00mq

*Band Aid 30ct. box FREE @ DG. Cost 1.00- 1.00mq

*Band Aid 30ct. box .10 @ FD. Cost 1.10-1.00m

*Johnson's 2 oz. body lotion FREE @ WM. Cost .97 - 1.00 mq

*Johnson's Buddy Bars FREE @ WM. Cost .97 - 1.00mq

*Johnson's trial size first aid kits FREE @ CVS. Cost .99 - 1.00mq

*Angel Soft 4ct. pk. tp FREE @ Kroger. 1.00- .50mq (doubled) **Prices vary by region. My not- so- local Kroger sells them for 1.28

*Cottonelle 4ct. pk. tp @ WM. 1.00pk. X2 packs = 2.00 - .50/on 2 mq= 1.50 for both packs. (OR) - .75/2 mq= 1.25 for both packs, or precisly 62.5 cents per 4 roll pack!

*Eveready flashlights FREE @ DG. Cost 1.00 - 1.00 Energizer battery OR flashlight mq.
(Yes, you read that right. Energizer makes the Eveready flashlights.) I had no idea. Thanks to Lisa for the heads up on this one!

*Febreze Noticables kit .50 @ FD. Cost 4.50 - 4.00mq

*Febreze Noticables kit .75 @ DG. Cost 4.75 - 4.00mq

*Kotex Lightday pantyliners .25/pk @ WM or DG. Cost 1.00- .75mq

*Schick Disposable razors (10ct. + 2 bonus) FREE @ WM. Cost 1.97 - 2.00mq

*Glade Sense & Spray 1.00 @ WM. Cost 5.00 - 4.00mq

*Purina Kitten Chow (small bag) FREE @ WM. Cost 1.87 - free up to 2.19mq

*Glade Lasting Impressions 1.00 @ WM. Cost 5.00 - 4.00mq

*Air Wick I-Motion 1.00 @ WM. Cost 5.00 - 4.00mq

*Kraft salad dressing .08 @ WM. Cost 1.58 - 1.50mq

*Kraft BBQ sauce .23 @ WM. Cost .98 - .75mq

*Evercare lint rollers/refills FREE @ WM. Cost .97 - 1.00 printable mq.
(I found them at my store in the trial bins. 30 sheets to a roll.)

Coupon gurus...

I have heard through the grapevine that, per Walmart's coupon policy, they will accept register rewards from Walgreens.

Has anyone tried this?

I know I need to go ask my store's manager and I have printed out the coupon policy to take with me, but I was hoping to get some feedback from others that asked.

I've read a few other places where people were told they could, no problem. I hope that is the case for me. I've got over $100 in RR and while I could spend them at Wags I think I could make them go a lot father at WM.

Walmart's coupon redemption criteria states that coupons must:
Have a scanable barcode.
An expiration date.
Be a manufacturor coupon.
Clearly state where to send for compensation.

The Wags register rewards meet all these requirements, so I am hopeful.

It is just shy of 4AM

...and the sun will be up in about an hour.
Since I can not sleep I am seriously thinking of going back to Walgreens to see if they stocked any more money making meters. I mean, I'll give them .98 to give me back $10. Why not?

Afterward I could head over to Walmart too. I've collected quite a few printable coupons for freebies over the past couple of days.
Things like ice cream, A-1 sauces, Mac N Cheese, lint rollers, more razors, and I forget what else. I just know there is an envelope in my coupon binder that is now bulging and labeled [Walmart].

We're supposed to have some nasty thunderstorms today so maybe I could get in the shopping early before the storms come, and come home and sleep while it's raining. Sounds like a plan to me!

.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´★*¨¨*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆Kristie★*¨☆¨★*☆★*¨¨*☆

The most beautiful thing I've ever heard.

Emailed to me today from my hubby...


"I love you very much and will be praying for you."


I have such a wonderful husband! =)

What have YOU been up to?

It's been pretty quite on my end of the blog. A lot of the people I follow haven't updated in a while. Shame, shame! ;)
I know, school is out or almost out and you are gearing up for the summer, right?

I have no real summer plans myself. Except to try not to smother in the heat. Today was the hottest day so far and it's real hard not to hold up here in the computer room with the only source of air conditioning. Alas, I can't sit in here all day! lol

June 1st marks exactly one month since I've seen my dear hubby, Chris. We talk on the phone but only a minute here and there. Neither of us likes talking on the phone and part of his job is practically living on the phone. I guess by the time he gets around to me he's just exhausted. Can't say I blame him.

Does anyone remember when Kmart was giving back $25 on every $50 purchase? Well, I had went and bought a new bed set and got DS Alex a couple games for his birthday. Total was $100. That was back in March. About 3 weeks ago I got the 2- $25 gift cards in the mail. Still haven't decided how I want to spend them. Part of me really wants to use it towards a tent. Why, I don't know. I hate camping. Still, we don't have one and that just doesn't seem right. lol

So my shopping adventures have been most awesome. They'd be so much better if the hubs were here. Sorry. I just miss him. I don't mean to whine about it all the time.
I wish I could make everyone I know independantly wealthy. =)

What a day.

Today, well actually yesterday now. Anyway it was my 6 month Dr. visit for my thyroid blood-work and turns out my blood pressure was high. Too high. 140 over 102.
During my past few visits my Dr. told me it has been borderline high and that if it went any higher I would be put on blood pressure meds. Sigh. That is not something I wanted to hear.

So she writes me a script for the blood pressure meds. I stuck it in my pocket and drove to CVS to have it filled, albeit begrudgingly. I got up to the counter, reached in my pocket and the script was gone! Me and my favorite cashier searched high and low and never did find it. And the thing is, I had checked my pocket right as I stepped out of the car to make sure I still had it. So somewhere between walking in the door and approaching the counter is when it must've fallen out of my pocket. I guess someone picked it up or something. So now I gotta call my Dr. and get that little setback fixed. OY!

So what's new with me? Welcome to the world of high blood pressure. Yay. Just what I always wanted. =(

CVS May 23rd

Tonight's plan wasn't a big one because a lot of this weeks free and money maker items are for Sunday & Monday only, so I couldn't do them tonight (Saturday.)
I saved over $84. Broke even on ECBs spent vs. ECBs gained and paid only 1.92 cash OOP for everything pictured.
The Sobe Lifewater are BOGO this week and I had 4 BOGO coupons, making all 8 free. The OFF Clip Ons I had a BOGO coupon for and also $6 in coupons. My plan actually went into the negative so I had to grab the Palmolive and gum for fillers. lol
CVS finally mailed me a $/$$ coupon to use which helped - a lot!

8 Sobe Lifewaters
2 boxes Trail Mix Crunch cereal
2 ThermaCare heat wraps
2 Speed Stick deo.
2 OFF Clip-On repellents
2 Olay Ribbons body washes
1 Palmolive
1 gum
1 Colgate toothpaste
----------------------
All 21 items for 1.92
I'll keep and use everything except the toothpaste and maybe the deodorants, which I'll send to Chris's co=workers. =)
Going to give the Palmolive to my SIL Karen.
Chris wants the OFF for when he takes his boat on the lake and he likes having the ThermaCare wraps on hand.
Olay Ribbons body wash is my personal favorite because it lathers like nobodies business!
I doubt we'll have any of the Sobe's left by this time tomorrow!

Sulking

Am I the only poor sap with no Memorial weekend plans?
I guess I'm feeling sorry for myself again because Chris is stuck working in Phoenix, AZ and I'm stuck here in east TN. The last time I saw Chris was on May 1st. It's been a long month!

I tried to talk the boys into having a cookout or go on a picnic, but they're just not interested in doing anything. A picnic for one doesn't sound like much fun.

Enjoy your cookouts, campfires, and such. I'll still be here when the holiday weekend has passed. Sigh.

Farmers Market

I am determined to make it to the local farmers market in the morning- somehow!
I've been given orders by DH to go get water buffalo from one of the vendors there. Hubs wants to cook it on the grill.

Oh how I hate things that start and end early. Don't they know I've been trying to make it there for the past 3 Saturdays unsuccessfully? lol
Anyone want to come knock me unconscious tonight so I can sleep and get up at say, 7am???

Been shopping & saving again.

Since I am an insomniac by nature I've been doing my Walmart shopping in the wee AM hours. I love shopping during that time for a few reasons:
1.No crowds to fight.
2.Great parking.
3.Cashiers are always calm and in a better mood.
4.Me and my coupons don't hold up the line cause, there isn't one!
5. No lines means no one behind me grumbling and b!tching about me and my coupons. lol

But anyway, back to tonight's great deal. I got everything pictured for 10.21! That's a 90% savings y'all. Total before coupons was $100.70.
I didn't have coupons for the .50 cucumber and the 2.50 imitation crab meat. AND, this was the first time I ever got a cashier that gave me the overage on my coupons at Walmart. YAY!

I got:
20 bottles Kraft salad dressings
17 bags Purina Kitten Chow
12 -12pks. Schick razors
11 Johnson's lotions
1 cucumber
1 crab meat
------------
62 items total for barely over $10
I now have over 75 bags of the Purina Kitten Chow. Well over 150 packs of the 12 pack Schick razors. So many lotions I have lost count, and an embarrassing amount of salad dressing. But, I am not stingy. I have been and will continue to share with my family and friends as the need arises.
Just a couple days ago my best friend went home with a case of can chicken, 4 salad dressings, 6 Hunts spaghetti sauces, 4 cans corn, 4 cans green beans, one box instant potatoes, one box Velveeta shells & cheese, treats for her dogs and her cats, plus a lot of other things.

Yesterday I went and got a ton of Cottonelle! 122 packs to be exact. Between this pile and what I already had we now have enough tp to last us 2 years. And the "bad" thing is that I have enough of the coupons left to go back and get this much more. I bought the coupons from a seller on ebay that was really, really, REALLY reasonable. A steal IMO.


So, I am all set on TP, razors, BBQ sauces, animal food, treats, and salad dressings for the rest of the year. Now it's time to focus on my trash bag stockpile. And to my surprise there are $2/1 Hefty coupons floating around. Now to couple those with a sale. Anyone know of one?

Family O Bums and Door to Door Salesmen. GRR

Guys and gals, let me tell you about my Monday.
I woke up late this past Monday morning, went outside, and the weather was so beautiful that I decided to leave my front door open to let in the fresh air. I do that a lot because I live on a downhill slop, long driveway, and my house is in the woods. So, I figure I'm ok to leave the door open in the day time. Wrong!
Not five minutes later my older brother came in and was wanting to borrow $300 from me. He is 14 years older than me. No kids, and not married. I think he should be financially set by now. This wasn't the first time he came asking for cash. I had to turn him away because he is making too big of a habit of "sister ATM." Besides the fact that I don't have $300 laying around to give away! I love him but it makes me very uncomfortable to be asked for money like that. Ya know?

After my brother finally left I went to my bedroom to straighten up a bit and get ready for my day. I didn't even have my bra on yet, y'all!!! Then, all of a sudden Faith starts barking up a storm. I go to see what has her in a tizzy. There was a lady standing at my door yelling. This was not even ten minutes after my brother had left.
It was her, and in a van was a man, and two other younger guys come to try and sell me a Kirby vacuum!
With my door wide open I felt so trapped. I explained I wasn't in the market for a new vacuum, but of course they would not take no for an answer! They insisted on doing an in home demo.
So, they vacuumed my hardwood living room floor and polished it. They vacuumed, shampooed, and re-vacuumed my bedroom floor. Then had the nerve to get mad when it came time to haggle the price and I stood firm that I gave them fair warning. I am not buying anything. The older man was extremely forceful with me verbally. I even explained to him that the hubs hasn't been getting as much work as usual with the state of the economy and given the choice of making my car payments or payments on a vacuum, well...which would YOU choose? He wasn't hearing me. Finally I told him it does not matter what sales pitch you throw at me. You aren't going to change my mind, sir. Period. End of discussion. Sheesh! It took me over two HOURS to get those people out of my house!
That'll teach me to try to enjoy beautiful spring weather at my own home!

Kroger let me down!

UPDATE: So I called corporate and he didn't know why the coupons did not double. Long story short, he loaded $5 on to my Kroger card. It will probably be a while before I drive to that store again. I should've called before I left the parking lot! Then I could have went back in and got my other 18 packs! DOH!
----------------------------------------------------------
So I finally acquired enough of the .50/1 Angel Soft tp coupons (through trades, friends, and fee-bay) to justify the 80 mile round trip drive to my closest Kroger. It went horribly!

First thing was the price. I read that it was 1.00/pack. Got to the store and it was 1.28/pack. I thought ok, so .28/pack after the coupon is doubled. Still a decent deal.

I put 10 packs in my buggy (cause I was gonna break up the transactions), went through checkout and none of my coupons were doubled. I asked the cashier about it, she asked someone else and all he said was, "It's up to the register to double or not." "If it doesn't do it there's nothing we can do about it."
WTHeck???

So I paid 9.01 (after taxes) for 10 packs of TP that I drove far too far away to get. I am super bummed.

Can anyone tell me why the coupons did not double? I would appreciate all the help I can get. I just want to understand!

After that fiasco I crossed the street to go to Target where I grabbed a ton of the small Johnson's lotions, first aid kits, Buddy Bars, AXE body washes, sunscreens, etc. etc. (Anything I could get for free after coupon) just to try and justify driving all that way!! Totally and utterly pissed, I am.

Current Cheap and Freebie list.

UPDATED on May 20th with further info.

I've been meaning to compile this list for some time. "Problem" is, it keeps growing! lol
This list is good for when you need filler items, wanna stock up on certain items for free, or get items to donate.

Note that prices do vary by region. Depending on different stores in your area, you may be able to do even better. Like one of my friends that got her Kraft BBQ sauce completely free at a store local to her. I do not have that store here, so I am listing according to what I do have locally.

If you know of other deals that are free or really cheap with coupon please let the rest of us know.

mq=manufacturer coupon
WM=WalMart
DG=Dollar General
FD=Family Dollar
Free or cheap

*St. Ives trial size facial product FREE @ CVS. Cost 1.49- 1.50 mq

*AXE trial size body wash FREE @ WM. Cost .97-1.00mq

*Band Aid 30ct. box FREE @ DG. Cost 1.00- 1.00mq

*Band Aid 30ct. box .10 @ FD. Cost 1.10-1.00m

*Johnson's 2 oz. body lotion FREE @ WM. Cost .97 - 1.00 mq

*Johnson's Buddy Bars FREE @ WM. Cost .97 - 1.00mq

*Johnson's trial size first aid kits FREE @ CVS. Cost .99 - 1.00mq

*Angel Soft 4ct. pk. tp FREE @ Kroger. 1.00- .50mq (doubled)

*Cottonelle 4ct. pk. tp @ WM. 1.00pk. X2 packs = 2.00 - .50/on 2 mq= 1.50 for both packs. (OR) - .75/2 mq= 1.25 for both packs, or precisly 62.5 cents per 4 roll pack!

*Eveready flashlights FREE @ DG. Cost 1.00 - 1.00 Energizer battery OR flashlight mq.
(Yes, you read that right. Energizer makes the Eveready flashlights.) I had no idea. Thanks to Lisa for the heads up on this one!

*Febreze Noticables kit .50 @ FD. Cost 4.50 - 4.00mq

*Febreze Noticables kit .75 @ DG. Cost 4.75 - 4.00mq

*Kotex Lightday pantyliners .25/pk @ WM or DG. Cost 1.00- .75mq

*Schick Disposable razors (10ct. + 2 bonus) FREE @ WM. Cost 1.97 - 2.00mq

*Glade Sense & Spray 1.00 @ WM. Cost 5.00 - 4.00mq

*Purina Kitten Chow (small bag) FREE @ WM. Cost 1.87 - free up to 2.19mq

*Glade Lasting Impressions 1.00 @ WM. Cost 5.00 - 4.00mq

*Air Wick I-Motion 1.00 @ WM. Cost 5.00 - 4.00mq

*Kraft salad dressing .08 @ WM. Cost 1.58 - 1.50mq

*Kraft BBQ sauce .23 @ WM. Cost .98 - .75mq

*Evercare lint rollers/refills FREE @ WM. Cost .97 - 1.00 printable mq.
(I found them at my store in the trial bins. 30 sheets to a roll.)

*Bounty single roll paper towels FREE @ WM. Cost $1 - $1 coupon from the P&G promotional home mailer coupon pack attained from purchasing $50 worth of qualifying P&G products.

Free Shick Disposable Razors are back.

Remember a few months back when I blogged about these? They were the ones that have 10 to a pack + 2 bonus razors for $1.97 @ Walmart. The coupon that makes these free is back again! Save $2/1 pack Schick disposable razors, Exp. 6/21/09
They aren't the greatest razor- lets be honest, but for free they work ok if you only use them once or twice. If you are like me and can shave with just about anything then free is a great price to pay.
And remember you can donate these to shelters, and your local Red Cross chapter, as well as dozens of other charities that would love to take them off your hands.

If you want to get your hands on some of these to use or to donate you can get a set of 20 coupons on ebay right now for less than $2 with shipping INCLUDED!