Field Trips and more

I just noticed the last date that I posted. My gosh! Where has the time gone. I know that being busy can make the time fly by but I really feel like it has been a light year. We have been on a couple of field trips with our homeschool group and WOW...we really enjoyed them.

Instead of me being one with the camera, I decided to just be a kid and enjoy everything.

Alliance Dairy was great and now the kids know that there is not a cow standing in the fridge ready to hand out glasses of milk.

Ocali Days was really cool. I'm not that old but I can remember living in a time when we didn't have so much. Children really have no idea how fortunate they are these days. I think back though and I'm not so sure they are fortunate. Along with gadgets and "the future", come times that I'm not sure I want to be a part of. I really liked it when things were much simpler.

Blah and busy

I'm not sure how one can be blah and busy. But that is how I have been the past couple of days. I am so very, very sleepy during the day but at night it's a different story. It's like it gets dark and I'm ready to paint and sew and clean and cook and so much more. I take my vitamin in the am but I think it isn't in my blood stream until the sun goes down. Weird, I know.

A lovely lady, Ms. Angie, from church has given me lots and lots of material. She had a stroke and just isn't able to sew like she used to. The material is just beautiful and I have lots and lots of ideas about what I want to make. Yesterday, I worked on a project that Ms. Angie put in the bag of material. She had mentioned a vest that she had started but couldn't finish. I suggested that I take a look at it and see if I could finish it. Today I did just that. I finished the vest for her. I can hardly wait to see her and give her the vest. So I did get a little sewing done.

Speaking of a little sewing. When I went to the Parelli Ranch, I showed my butt. Literally! I am so thankful that my jeans didn't split until we were on the way home. I'm talking they split on the side of the back pocket so it all hung out! LOL I washed the jeans and was thinking of what to do with them. Patch them, throw them away or make something out of them. I came to the conclusion that I wanted to make an apron. I set my hands in motion and wa la...Yesterday I finished it. I used the bottom of one of the boys shirts that they are ruined to make the ruffle and the ties.

Pictures are coming so don't rush me. So what if it takes me a couple of months to post them here. You gotta have a good reason to come back.

And He Ask Me...

If I was a witch...

I'm not kiddin. The other night, my friend Linda and I were doing our coupon shopping at Publix and me and my big mouth my friendly self started a conversation with a total stranger. Yeah, I know...Don't talk to strangers!

Anyway...we were talking about being domestic and our rights and so on. This stranger said something about some employer in Texas asking his employees to give themselves a name that is easier to understand and learn English and blah, blah, blah...and wanting to know if I had saw it on CNN. I gave him my reply and then elaborated to let him know that I haven't watched tv since 1994. He cocked his head and said..."What are you, a witch? I thought I was gonna fall out! I'm not kiddin bout this. Of course me in my quick witted self came back to tell him, "No, I'm not a witch. I'm worshiping God and enjoying my family."

I guess I am really the weirdest weed in the garden.

Missed Church

Yeppers, last Sunday. I missed church! I actually had a wonderful time too. I was outside in the awesome sunshine enjoying beautiful oak trees that 5 of us couldn't all put our arms around. I was outside enjoying the beauty of what God has created and given us all to enjoy. I was outside with horses. Yes, horses! I actually spoke with Pat Parelli and was blessed to enjoy his teachings and some of students, both human and equine. I was blessed with an all day, relaxed atmosphere, tour of the Parelli Ranch.

See you all in church tomorrow.

The Bible

Today an odd question was ask by a dear friend. That question went kinda like this...
"How do you get away with teaching the bible?"
This question came about because today me and the boys were discussing our bible lesson and getting caught up. Kinda refreshing our minds from last week. Once we were all caught up and refreshed, I released the boys and sent them to lunch.
When the question was ask, I almost ask what exactly did my friend mean. Really now, what do you mean how do I get away with it. I get away with it because I live in the United States of America. I get away with it because this is a free country. I get away with it because God teaches us all of our core subjects. Language Arts, Math, History and Science.
Our conversation went on for a few minutes to discuss passing the GED and such. But I am still a little umm...how do I say it, confused.

And now I just have to ask you.

How do you get away with teaching the bible or from the bible?

I am...

Have you ever been so busy that you think you just passed yourself? I think I just did that but I'm not sure if I was coming or going.

I am...
reading, typing, teaching, learning, adding, subtracting, sewing, riding, driving, playing, signing, cooking, chatting, listening, grooming, laughing and so much more...

That is exactly why I am...
praying!

Burning the midnight oil

Once again I find myself sitting here in the wee hours. Ok, so they really aren't wee hours right now but it won't be long. I used to stay up til 2 and 3 am. In the past ummm...month, I have been really trying very hard to get into bed a little earlier. I just get more work done when everyone else is in bed. Yeah, the house is really quiet.

A couple of days ago, I ordered my much needed, very expensive printer cartridge. It arrived today! Needless to say, I am trying to run it empty. LOL

I gonna say goodnight to you now because if I stay up much longer, I really will be burning the midnight oil.
Night, night!

Couponing 101 - a tutorial - part 2

Ok, I told ya I was gonna get to it. Now I'm gettin to it. I sure hope that you have been learning the lingo.
Now on with Couponing 101 - a tutorial - part 2...

Since you are now savvy and can talk the talk, let's see if you can walk the walk.

I visit a couple of websites that I get info from. I visit them from time to time almost every day to get helpful hints. I'll be sharing the links to them here with you.

On Sunday our local newspaper has what is called "inserts" in them. These "inserts" can be anything from sale papers to advertisement to COUPONS. Yeah - you read it right - COUPONS.

You need to buy at least 4 newspapers on Sunday that have COUPONS in them. It's gonna cost you less than $10 but you will save so much more than that.

This is going to allow you to stock pile your coupons. I love to use coupons at Publix because you can stack the coupons. Here is an example...now you gotta remember this...

Every week Publix has BOGO
Use 2 coupons on both items

If you have a competitor coupon for the same item then you can also use 2 competitor coupons. That would give you 2 coupons per item.

Before you run off, let me see if I can break it down a little better.

Publix BOGO
Smithfield Bacon, 16oz @ $3.99
let's say that you have this...
-$2 off Smithfield Bacon printable

You would print 2 of those coupons (or more if you could), because you can use 2 coupons on them. You use a coupon for the one you buy and a coupon for the one you get free. You 2 coupons together is for $4 and the bacon cost $3.99 for 2 packs. Now you just got 2 packs of bacon free with 1 cent overage. Did you see FREE for 2 packs of bacon?!


It really is so much better explained over at this website...

Couponing 101 - a tutorial

Sometime back I mentioned something about a tutorial on couponing. I have been following several blogs and/or websites and I have been trained by the "One and only - Coupon Fairy".

I really have to forewarn you that I am not the best nor do I claim to be.

With that said: I have saved lots and lots of money on our grocery bill and you can too!

Step #1 - Learn the lingo. In order to know what couponers are talking about, you are going to need to know how to speak couponese. This should be enough to get you started.

$1/1 = One dollar off one item
$1/3 = One dollar off 3 items
B1G1 or BOGO or B1G1F = Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Blinkies = Coupon found near a product in the store usually from a “blinking” red box
IP = Internet Printable - a coupon you print off the internet
MFR = Manufacturer
MQ = Manufacturer coupon
OOP = Out Of Pocket
Peelie = Coupon that you peel off a package
Tear Pad = Pad of coupons found hanging from a store shelf or display
WYB = When You Buy

Extras you will see...
PG = Proctor & Gamble Sunday insert coupons
RP = Red Plum Sunday insert coupons
SS = Smart Source Sunday insert coupons
FLIP or FLIPS = Food Lion Internet Printable


Stay tuned...

Pssst

Pssst....Nut Clusters I love them!

Because I'm a Pssst...(secret agent), I was sent a free package of them. I was also sent 10 coupons to save $1.60 per bag. You can bet that I will be buying them to tote around in the car or to the barn. They really are yummy!

I almost cried

I get this way sometimes. I guess we all do. I was reading along on some of the blogs that I enjoy reading and I came across this...Evenings
Jenna says "I never want to take an evening for granted again."

Neither do I

Been gone way to long

I have been gone way to long! I blogged and blogged and thought that I'd be posting forever. It's kinda like I see the girls writing or saying "friends4ever". We all forget how life happens.

Yes, life has happened to me. I got busy, forgot about blogging and moved on. Now I'm slowing down and wanting to blog again.

Speaking of friends...I saw a friend at church the other day. I haven't seen her in - ok, a long time. I have been reading her blog and I (think) hope she has been reading mine. I had no idea that we both knew the same person. Yeah - blah, blah, blah.

Really good to see you and yours!

My Savings Today

I have a few grocery shopping trips that I need to post but I wanted to tell you about the trip I made today. I'll post pictures a little later. My savings was a little more than 50%. I feel really good when the total I pay is 50% or less of what I buy.

The total of my order before coupons was $217.50

Savings = $111.51

Grand Total = $105.99 = this is what I paid

One of the neatest things to me was the fact that I bought 3 Bottom Round Roast. Ok - actually I bought 1 and got 2 free. Albertsons had a coupon for buy 1 get 2 free and yes, Publix takes their competitors coupons. Awesome deal!

Tutorial

Note to self... post a coupon shopping tutorial with links.
Not only do I need it but so do you!

Thank you Lisa for all that you do!

ps - this is a few links for myself, so just ignore them for now...

http://www.publix.com/
http://www.organicgrocerydeals.com/forums/view.php?pg=coupon_generator
http://www.iheartpublix.com/?page_id=260
http://albertsonsmarket.com/contact/

www.coupons.com
www.redplum.com
www.couponwinner.com
www.couponmom.com
www.couponbug.com
www.hotcouponworld.com
www.couponclipper.com
www.smartsource.com
www.retailmenot.com
www.moneysavingmom.com

So Little Time

or The Count Down. I have a few more days before my surgery and I'm starting the countdown thing. Really, it's the kids that are doing the countdown. I'm just ready for the recovery. The docs office called today to let me know that there will be 2 surgeries done on my hand at the same time. Yeah - 2 (two). I had some test done to see if I have Carpal Tunnel and guess what...I have it. It isn't a bad case but shoot, why wait.

I'm a little worried now about the healing time and such. Why? Well I am teaching VBS the first week of August. I know that teaching isn't a big deal but...Crafts - me and the boys have lots of crafts to do that will be props. We want the kids to get a feel of what we are teaching not just listen to it. I really want the kids to get something out of the class. Today we started making some paper mache coconuts and some wood planks out cardboard and contact paper. The wood planks will be used to make cardboard boxes look like wood crates. Oh it looks awesome! Check out the Amazon Expedition

And just to remind you there is ... So Little Time.

Now...when was it

I get so darn busy sometimes that I just can't think straight. It seems like sometime back, I said I was going to get all of my coupon stuff put on here. I need it all here so I don't have to run all over the internet looking for it. Now I'm studying from my Teachers Guide, no, not coupons but Vacation Bible School. Yes, I'm teaching! I am so excited. Today I found my helper in church. This lady loves to laugh and so do I. Oh it's gonna be a blast.

Now...when was it. Oh yeah, almost a week ago I ask you all to stay tuned because links were coming to help you save some money. Well, maybe not really save but spend less and get more. Yeah! I like that.

Ok - check out the side bar for links that will help you get more and spend less. I'm updating them as I go to them and remember them. Eventually they will all be there.

The next level

As you may have noticed, I am becoming one of those people. Yeah - those really weirdo's that take coupon usage to the extreme. I have read and read and read some more about how people do that. How they walk out of the grocery store with some large dollar amount of groceries and only pay a few bucks. Well I'm gonna share it with you all. It will make it much easier for me to put things in some form of organization here and that way I can just keep coming here and read my own blog. Ha ha...
I gotta search all over the place to find the info and the links but you can come here and read it all. WOW - I finally got that out of my mouth. LOL

So - follow along and let's take coupons to the next level. The extreme level!

Frankenstein follow up

As of Monday of this week, my surgery is set for the 29th of this month. Now I have one more doctor appointment and that is to test for Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. Doc says that if surgery is needed for that then he will do them both the same day. I sure hope something can be done. I have almost quit crocheting and knitting because my fingers fall asleep. Bummer!

Now that you have your Frankenstein follow up - I'm off to tell you more.

Frankenstein test

Ok - not really...Frankenstein. Here's the low down...
The Finkelstein test can be quite painful for the person with De Quervain's tendinitis. Tenderness directly over the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist is a common finding with this test.

I have this...De Quervain's Tendinitis (De Quervain's Tendinosis)

Over the past, hmmm...maybe 4 months, I have been getting the corticosteroids injection. Those injections HURT. I am not joking! But, within 5 minutes the pain is gone and the thumb is as good as new. I was supposed to wear a splint but I haven't been doing that. A special fitted splint cost over $300 and that price is with insurance. Yeah, go figure! I bought a little cheapo and wore it a little while. It really looks like I may be wearing it all this month. My surgery is scheduled for June 30th. It's gonna be a long month for me. I guess that is better than being a Frankenstein. LOL

I have a pre-surgery appointment on the 8th. Not much more to tell about it.

I know, I know

I still have to post pictures. I haven't forgot! Today I had some errands to run. Yes, again! Last week I had to go here and go there and blah, blah, blah. This week is turning out the same way. Tomorrow...I'm taking it easy! Bible study in the am and a picnic with the boys at the springs and then swimming! Yeah!!!

I know, I know! I will get to it. I have a few extra pictures to share because today I stopped by Wal-Mart and I used over $40 worth of coupons. Thank you Lisa!

My second trip to Publix

When I first really started figuring out this coupon thing, I was able to buy Campbell's soup for 9 cents a can. I was just all wooohooo about it and had to post about it and brag about it and so on. I am to the point right now that I just want to clip coupons, print coupons and buy all this BOGO (buy one get one free) stuff and show off all the coupons that I printed and the minus sign on my register receipts. Yes, I am fully aware that was a run on sentence. LOL

My second trip to Publix...today. Yes, I went with Lisa. She helps me so much! I need to get all the info I can from her. I'm gonna jump out of the nest one day and do something better than 9 cent soup. LOL

I promise to show the proof later. I have the pictures to prove it and I intend to do just that.

Oh yeah! Today we had dinner on the grounds at church. We do that every 5th Sunday of the month. One of our friends said that they saved lots of money on the coupons too. They went on their own but they did a great job.

My first shopping trip was the best all around. Maybe because I saved the most money. Ha ha ha... But then again - maybe because me and the boys were so excited!

Yes, I'm planning another one!

The Proof

I promised to show you pictures from my shopping trip with Lisa yesterday. Well here they are!

My first coupon trip

My first coupon trip was today. Right now I am so amazed that this can be done. I am so amazed that you can actually buy $300 in products and only pay $1. It is not a joke! Oh sure...I've used coupons before. I've even saved $20 or a little more by using coupons on my purchases. That part was easy!

My wonderful, wonderful friend Lisa has shown me the light. Friends and neighbors - I'm here to tell ya...Shoppin at my house will never be the same again. Right now I'm really just in AWE. I have the receipt to show you all and I promise that I will take care of that tomorrow. Let me rest a bit and get rid of this 2 day headache and I'll get back with you. Just to give you a heads up, here is what I saved and what I spent...taken from the actual receipt...

Your Savings at Publix $230.94

Payment $1.07

I can now say OOP (out of pocket)!

Rain and thoughts

Rain

Rain and more rain! We have had rain since Monday. In other words - today (Thursday) is our 4th day of rain. And it's supposed to rain tomorrow.

I love it!

We all went back to the springs on the 14th. My sister was down and we all got together and made a picnic of it. It was lots of fun! I don't have a clue why I didn't take my camera but I didn't. The boys swam until they were water logged. Kids just like to do that! LOL

Ok - I've talked about the rain. Now I need to talk about some thoughts.

I was thinking today about blogging. I used to love to work on this blog. I still want to sit and times and tinker around with it. But really, I don't want to be tied to the computer again. I'm gardening and reading and teaching and laughing and playing and praying and on and on....

Don't worry, I'll be here from time to time.

What a life

I sure have to admit that I have an easy life. I go to bed latter than the rest of the gang because it's the only time the house is quiet. I'm not kiddin! LOL It seems like my kids just never shut up be quiet. I sleep late everyday.
You would think that living on a little teeny tiny farm that I would have to get up early and milk the cows and feed the chickens and on and on. To start with, we don't have a cow or any chickens. We do have 3 horses, 3 cats and 2 dogs. Of course the cats will scratch your eyes out if you don't feed them at the right time. And the dogs will bark until you can't hear yourself think if you don't turn them out of their kennels that they sleep in every night. Not to mention the damage that 3 huge horses can do in just a few minutes if they don't have their hay at the crack of dawn. Ok - I'm joking about the critters!

I really do sleep late every day. My boys are woke up by Superman. Once Superman wakes them up, he heads off to work. The boys do their chores and eat breakfast and then they sneak in and wake me up. Since the boys missed so many things that we all take for granted, I will let them crawl in bed with me in the mornings. After about 15 minutes of the covers being pulled this way and that way I have to say enough and run them out of the room. Now I take about 10 minutes to brush my teeth, make my bed and get dressed. I walk into the "classroom" and our day begins.

There are days when I just have to reward the boys with being done with school at lunch time. Summer is here now and I intend to keep their feet wrinkled from swimming. Yes we are still doing school but we are swimming too. We spend a few hours at the springs and then we head home to get dinner ready for Superman (and us).

I intend to take more pictures of the springs and our activities. I have lots to share now, I just gotta get em here.

What a life!

A Perfect Day

Today was just a perfect day. Warm Hot weather has struck us here in Florida. Oh, it's nothing like it's gonna get! Anyway...This is where we spent our day!


Blue Springs
Levy County

Fun Monday

Karisma over at Karismas Kids has talked me into it again. Ok - not really! ssshh don't tell her
What? I just knew you were going to ask. Well - Karisma is hosting "Fun Monday" this week.

She has even gotten more participants to join in.

Get a load of what she is asking of us...
Your task.........We all know our kids and pets are often a great source of amusement to us at the best of times. I want to hear a funny, silly or just downright cute story about your pets or your children. Have they ever done anything to totally embarrass you in public? Have they done something you thought was outrageous at the time, only to laugh at it later? Have they outwitted you in some devious way, only the way a kid can? Come on, out with it! Lets hear the juicy gossip! For those of you who are too lazy to write, how about posting some funny pictures instead! (Must be of your pets or offspring though!) Have fun with it!

The funny part is that my kids or pets have never embarrassed me. I know - imagine that! But I have come up with some ways that I just may have embarrassed them. When they were doing their silly little things, they had no idea that the pictures and the video that I would take could ever come back to haunt them. But you know what? None of them really read this, so - who cares!

Hold on and be prepared to giggle just a little.

So you have to understand that it just isn't possible for me to get embarrassed. Not living with this crazy gang. I mean look at this. I actually met him at the alter and married him. LOL

But gosh - our kids turned out normal. It's not like they look like the milk man or worse yet, the Easter Bunny!








The one time that I am glad that our preacher wasn't here was the one time that a teeny tiny spring decided to spring to the darkest corner under my husbands desk. I sent the youngest son in armed with a flashlight that is bright enough to land aircraft. He is wadded up under the desk and I ask him if he sees anything. He responds with an extreme serious voice. "Mom, the only thing I see under here is perverts."

He now knows that those are not perverts, they are just dust bunnies.

You are...

You are...

so not going to believe this! I won! I won! I won!

Giveaway of The Week !!!

I so love to follow Lisa's advice about getting products for next to nothing. Now that I can afford.

CVS for Newbies

We all know that I am really new to this whole shopping and getting things for almost free. Well I found out a little info about CVS that may help you. I was just browsing around and found it. Over at "i heart cvs" you can read more about it. Here is the link
i heart cvs
I think you will find some pretty neat info there if you are new to all this stuff like me.

I did it

I'm not joking! I did it! I am so excited. Oh, the boys - they are so ready to save, save, save...

Yesterday I had a few little things to do. I had to get the boys to the library because they have read everything in the house. No joke. My boys, yes, the same ones that HATE to read. Sssshhhh...don't tell anyone but I actually caught them all reading in the car yesterday.

After our little meeting on Saturday about saving and coupons and such, I have been thinking and discussing it with the boys and Superman. So...I thought that I would try it out while I was in the city. Here is what I did...

Campbell's soup regular price $1.39 a can.
I had a Walgreen's coupon for Campbell's soup $.59 a can.
I had a $1 off of 2 cans.

I paid 9 cents a can. Yes, $.09 a can.

Isn't that just AWESOME!

That is what the Coupon Queens call stacking. Stacking because I used 2 coupons on the same product.
Now get this. Some stores take their competitors coupons. Check with your local stores and see if they take other stores coupons.

I know it isn't like you have seen where some Coupon Queen goes in and buys $500 worth of stuff and pays only $.19 - but I'm getting there. Just one little step at a time!

Frugal and More

Frugal saves money. It really does. But there's more...

Saturday we had a little meeting at the church with one of our friends / sisters. I like the term sister better. Lisa over at her blog gave us some great info and advice. I have heard about people doing the coupon thing and coming out of the store with $500 worth of items and only paying $.19. I thought - Yeah, Right. Well I sure gotta say that Lisa has shown me the way!

Run on over there and do a little reading for yourself and see what you think. I'll try to let you know how I do from time to time.

Did you notice?

Did you notice? I mean - really...did you? I have made a few changes. Some time back the changes were kinda forced on me. I have to laugh about that part. The forced part. I was doing a little editing of the ole blog and I guess I edited way too much. Yeah - like things were just gone. Oh I was mad. I'm talking MAD! Not a cigarette anywhere (cause I was quittin) and I was MAD. Now that I'm over all that, I think I will work on this thing again. I won't post everyday but I sure will try to post more than what I have in the last year.

I have lots of pictures to show that I have been doing things. For example, today I helped one of the neighbor girls with an Earth Day project. (oh yeah - no pic of that) Anyway, I told them to save me all of their juice packs because I am addicted to that.

Gotta run for now. I have a few things to take care of. I have bible study in the morning and I don't wanna miss it like I did last week.

A Long Time

It has been so long since I have even checked on my blog. I look back over some of the post and think about where I have been and what I have been doing. It seems like I haven't been doing very much. But I have. You ever feel that way?

There have been days that I had to make myself get out of bed. There have been so many days that I have just lost track of them. I suppose I had no idea how my life would change when I made a few decisions. Yes - you all know by now about our adoption. That really was one of the largest life changing experiences that I have ever had. Until...

I quit smoking! I cannot believe how much I depended on those nasty cigarettes. A few diet cokes and a pack of cigarettes and I was set for the day. Oh yeah - I would snack here and snack there but sit down to a meal. I didn't have time! A smoke and a coke.

Not anymore. Now I have to eat. LOL
Anyway...Since I quit smoking, I gained weight. I have never been that big in my entire life! 150 pounds by the docs scale! I never, ever imagined that I would weigh that much. Not me! I knew I had to do something. And something I did...

I got mean! I'm not joking! Oh yeah - that was hormones. Yeah - the menopausal hormones. Horrible little things! But I am all fixed up now. I got me some hormones in a bottle! Yeppers, all fixed up now. LMBO

Lethargic? No, not at all. Just plain darn lazy! You couldn't melt and pour me out of the house. I think my dear husband must have thought that the aliens had taken the real me one night while he slept and replaced me with some, some, something... Something horrible! And then...

I remembered the doc had requested that I also take a multi-vitamin. Oh yeah, I was thinking...Pump me up with hormones and vitamins. I'll eat more than the boys and never see my size 5 jeans ever again. But...Spring is here and the aliens have returned me.

I'm walking at least 1 mile almost ever day, I'm eating better, I'm active again, I'm laughing again and I'm loosing weight. Size 5 jeans - look out cause I'm on the way!