I was tagged by 2 of my friends: Casey and Carrie. Guess I can't put it off any longer!
Here we go....
The Rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you (Done. See above!)
2. Post the rules on your blog (Do I follow rules well or what?)
3. List 6 random things about yourself.
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.
I think I've done this recently (aha! I found it!), but I'm willing to do it again. You know I love to talk about me! (HA!)
1. I can't stand when things poke out of drawers. I have to make sure everything is tucked into the drawer or it drives me NUTS.
2. I like Liza Minnelli. I think I've shared this before, but growing up we had a (1978?) Caprice Classic Station Wagon (like this one, except ours was a peachy color with NO WOOD PANELING. I remember my mom having an issue with wood paneling... or maybe it was Dad.) Anyhoo, the musical selections for the 8-trak player in the car included Barry Manilow's Even Now (a classic), the Annie soundtrack, The Carpenters' Now and Then, Elvis Presley's Moody Blue and Liza's Liza With a Z. So I know those albums V*E*R*Y well. Liza is on my iPod now, and I love her. Always will.
3. I am a Webkinz addict. I try not to go a day without moving some smoothies (I love that "Smoothie Moves" game in the arcade!) I have 9 pets on my own account because my children got tired of me playing their games everyday.
4. If I'm on a road trip and spot a sign for Krystal Hamburgers, I have to stop. We had 2 Krystal restaurants in my area for a short time, but they were both recently converted to Dunkin' Donuts. There is a new one on Woodruff Road, but it's too far away for me to visit on a regular basis. Maybe I need to drive over to AC Moore today and get myself a sackful while I'm over that way....
5. I hate malt. Chocolate malts, malted milk balls... you can keep 'em. HATE THEM. Ick. Eating Whoppers is like chewing on chocolate covered chalk to me. Blech.
6. I think I have shared this before, but I'll say it again just in case. I cannot eat mustard on hamburgers. I only take mustard on my hot dogs. So if I'm prepping a cheeseburger for consumption, I take mayo (Duke's preferably), ketchup and relish (basically McDonald's "Secret Sauce"). If I'm eating a hot dog, I like mustard on the bottom (under the frank), then the weiner, then relish on top. I do like chili dogs, but if I'm having chili then it's no mustard on the bottom, then the weiner, then chili then mustard. Another note: where I live in South Carolina the hot dog chili is WEIRD. It's basically finely chopped (cooked) hamburger meat with some tomato sauce in it, but it's NOT like the chili you eat from a bowl. It is more like the taco meat you get at Taco Bell. Strange stuff. In Alabama we like sloppy chili dogs, with the kind of chili you can eat like soup. I always have to ask what the chili is like when I order chili dogs around here (unless it's a chain like Fuddrucker's or Sonic).
I know I'm s'posed to tag 6 people, but right now I can't think of 6 people I know who blog that haven't already done this exercise. I'll have to ponder that one.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Friday Fill-Ins (On Saturday)
Halloween is over, thank goodness. It's never, ever been my favorite holiday. My older kids aren't allowed to celebrate it at their school, which (as the room mom) is nice... one less party to plan. I'll have to download the pictures from last night and post some. I don't ever get to take pics of them doing the actual Trick or Treating, because I stay home and give out the candy. I got so much CHEAP (but good!) candy this year from the great deals and coupons that I was shoveling it into the kids' pumpkins when they came to the door last night. I didn't realize how much I had collected until I started opening bags. I think we have about half a basket of Baby Ruths left (I gave them out last because they're my favorites!)
Today my parents are going to suprise the kids with a visit. They called yesterday from Kingsport, TN and they're going to stop in on their way home. I can't wait to see the kids' faces when Mom and Dad come to the door! I've already put a chicken in the Crock Pot in anticipation of their arrival, and later I'll peel some potatoes to make homemade mashed spuds. Looking forward to a great evening (but first there's laundry and dishes... always laundry and dishes...)
I saw these on my friend Lee's blog. I think they're cool, so I'm copying them. I shoulda done them yesterday, but by the time I saw them I'd already posted twice, so I saved 'em for today.
1. My favorite food seasoning is The Melting Pot's Garlic Wine Seasoning. It's good on ANYTHING.
2. Silence is music to my ears.
3. Lucky is not a word I believe in. There's no luck. There's preparation and blessings. No luck involved. I don't believe in random occurrences.
4. My faith is something I take very seriously.
5. Many people won't vote on Tuesday, for whatever reason. It's shameful, really. They'll be the ones to complain the loudest when something goes wrong, though. One of my daughter's classmates said her mom isn't going to vote because she doesn't like either candidate. Poor excuse, in my opinion. There's always a write-in option or other parties to explore. Just because you don't think your guy is going to WIN is no reason to withhold your vote. The next time you take voting for granted, go watch Iron Jawed Angels. I'll never skip voting again.
6. Quinn's birthday present was the last thing I bought at the store. It's the Nerf N-Strike Vulcan EBF-25 Blaster and it shoots 3 darts a minute. I think I've lost my mind, because I know it's going to be a headache, but he's seen it on TV and talks about n-o-t-h-i-n-g else. My hubby worried that Quinn would have an unfair advantage against the other children, so he went by Target yesterday and bought another one for Aiden's birthday. Aiden's birthday isn't until January, so Quinn will have the upper hand for 2 1/2 months. In January, the war begins.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to church! I've missed 3 Saturdays in a row for different reasons, and I can feel it. I need church tonight. Tomorrow my plans include a lazy Sunday breakfast and time with my family and Sunday, I (also)want to get some more scrapbooking done. I took 3 boxes of pre-planned pages with me to last weekend's retreat, and I finished just one box (but that was 47 pages! Not bad!) I want to knock out the album I'm working on (our August Disney trip) because Lillian's box of photos is overflowing. The kids' albums are suffering for all the Disney albums I've been doing!
Today my parents are going to suprise the kids with a visit. They called yesterday from Kingsport, TN and they're going to stop in on their way home. I can't wait to see the kids' faces when Mom and Dad come to the door! I've already put a chicken in the Crock Pot in anticipation of their arrival, and later I'll peel some potatoes to make homemade mashed spuds. Looking forward to a great evening (but first there's laundry and dishes... always laundry and dishes...)
I saw these on my friend Lee's blog. I think they're cool, so I'm copying them. I shoulda done them yesterday, but by the time I saw them I'd already posted twice, so I saved 'em for today.
1. My favorite food seasoning is The Melting Pot's Garlic Wine Seasoning. It's good on ANYTHING.
2. Silence is music to my ears.
3. Lucky is not a word I believe in. There's no luck. There's preparation and blessings. No luck involved. I don't believe in random occurrences.
4. My faith is something I take very seriously.
5. Many people won't vote on Tuesday, for whatever reason. It's shameful, really. They'll be the ones to complain the loudest when something goes wrong, though. One of my daughter's classmates said her mom isn't going to vote because she doesn't like either candidate. Poor excuse, in my opinion. There's always a write-in option or other parties to explore. Just because you don't think your guy is going to WIN is no reason to withhold your vote. The next time you take voting for granted, go watch Iron Jawed Angels. I'll never skip voting again.
6. Quinn's birthday present was the last thing I bought at the store. It's the Nerf N-Strike Vulcan EBF-25 Blaster and it shoots 3 darts a minute. I think I've lost my mind, because I know it's going to be a headache, but he's seen it on TV and talks about n-o-t-h-i-n-g else. My hubby worried that Quinn would have an unfair advantage against the other children, so he went by Target yesterday and bought another one for Aiden's birthday. Aiden's birthday isn't until January, so Quinn will have the upper hand for 2 1/2 months. In January, the war begins.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to church! I've missed 3 Saturdays in a row for different reasons, and I can feel it. I need church tonight. Tomorrow my plans include a lazy Sunday breakfast and time with my family and Sunday, I (also)want to get some more scrapbooking done. I took 3 boxes of pre-planned pages with me to last weekend's retreat, and I finished just one box (but that was 47 pages! Not bad!) I want to knock out the album I'm working on (our August Disney trip) because Lillian's box of photos is overflowing. The kids' albums are suffering for all the Disney albums I've been doing!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Gimme Five Friday
Guilty as charged. I'm using a Meme from Becca's blog (I've never met Becca or even talked to her or e-mailed her, but I think we'd get along fabulously!) I'm using her Gimme Five from September 15th: Gimme Five of Your Favorite Breakfast Foods.
(1) Waffles. I love a homemade waffle that's crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. If it's not crisp on the outside the syrup just makes it too soggy (this is the reason Pancakes are not one of my favorite foods!) Save your whipped cream and strawberries, too. I like my waffles with butter and syrup.
(2) Cream Chipped Beef on toast. It doesn't have to be homemade. The frozen Stouffer's kind is fine. I've tried the canned kind, and it's a little salty. Ryan's has cream chipped beef on their breakfast bar, and I usually fill a plate with it. YUM-OH.
(3) "Juicy" Eggs with buttered toast. My grandmother used to make this for me when I would spend the night with her. We'd be up at the crack of dawn, feeding the squirrels and tending to the garden before it got too hot. Before we started the day, though, she'd fry up some Over Easy eggs (firm whites, runny yolks) and some toast with enough butter to make the center soggy (I can taste it right now!) Then we'd rip the toast into tiny pieces, smash up the eggs and throw the toast in so the yolk would cover it. That was a delicious breakfast! MaMa Dos always made hot chocolate with milk and cocoa powder, which I'd drink out of a dark brown McCoy mug that looked like it had hot chocolate oozing over the sides. LOVED those mugs. I saved some when we cleaned out her house after my PaPa Ed died. They're still packed up somewhere in the basement.
(4) Citrus French Toast. I had this everyday on my honeymoon. It was served at the Grand Floridian Cafe' in the Grand Floridian at Disney World. I'd order it with a side of strawberries and cream. I swear I gained 10 pounds on our honeymoon. We had the Grand Plan that included ALL meals. It was some good eatin'. I've never been able to find a good Citrus French toast recipe. I'm pretty sure the bread was Brioche, but I don't know how they made the citrus glaze that was poured over it. Last time we went to the Grand Floridian (in 2006) I noticed that GF Cafe no longer serves Citrus French toast. Bummer.
(5) Ham, Egg & Cheese Croissanwiches from Burger King. I cain't quit 'em. Not the best in the world for me, but every now and again I get a craving for them. My hubby knows that if he takes the kids to Burger King on his day off, he better walk back in the door with a Croissanwich!
Becca says:
This week the topic is sure to get our taste buds working overtime! You may have more than 5 for this specific meal, just pick from your faves to share try not to drool onto your keyboards!
(1) Waffles. I love a homemade waffle that's crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. If it's not crisp on the outside the syrup just makes it too soggy (this is the reason Pancakes are not one of my favorite foods!) Save your whipped cream and strawberries, too. I like my waffles with butter and syrup.
(2) Cream Chipped Beef on toast. It doesn't have to be homemade. The frozen Stouffer's kind is fine. I've tried the canned kind, and it's a little salty. Ryan's has cream chipped beef on their breakfast bar, and I usually fill a plate with it. YUM-OH.
(3) "Juicy" Eggs with buttered toast. My grandmother used to make this for me when I would spend the night with her. We'd be up at the crack of dawn, feeding the squirrels and tending to the garden before it got too hot. Before we started the day, though, she'd fry up some Over Easy eggs (firm whites, runny yolks) and some toast with enough butter to make the center soggy (I can taste it right now!) Then we'd rip the toast into tiny pieces, smash up the eggs and throw the toast in so the yolk would cover it. That was a delicious breakfast! MaMa Dos always made hot chocolate with milk and cocoa powder, which I'd drink out of a dark brown McCoy mug that looked like it had hot chocolate oozing over the sides. LOVED those mugs. I saved some when we cleaned out her house after my PaPa Ed died. They're still packed up somewhere in the basement.
(4) Citrus French Toast. I had this everyday on my honeymoon. It was served at the Grand Floridian Cafe' in the Grand Floridian at Disney World. I'd order it with a side of strawberries and cream. I swear I gained 10 pounds on our honeymoon. We had the Grand Plan that included ALL meals. It was some good eatin'. I've never been able to find a good Citrus French toast recipe. I'm pretty sure the bread was Brioche, but I don't know how they made the citrus glaze that was poured over it. Last time we went to the Grand Floridian (in 2006) I noticed that GF Cafe no longer serves Citrus French toast. Bummer.
(5) Ham, Egg & Cheese Croissanwiches from Burger King. I cain't quit 'em. Not the best in the world for me, but every now and again I get a craving for them. My hubby knows that if he takes the kids to Burger King on his day off, he better walk back in the door with a Croissanwich!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Hmmm...
I don't know if I agree with this assessment...
| What Your Cute Monster Says About You |
 You're comfortable with who you are - and your spirit truly shines through. You are free of inhibitions and hang ups. Because of this freedom, you tend to be very creative. Your inner demon is greed. You can't help but lust after wealth and shiny objects. People think you're cute because you are so lively. Your natural glow makes you charming. |
Monday, October 20, 2008
For Today, 10/20/08
Outside my Window... it's sunny but chilly... a mere 37 degrees this morning as I drove the kids to school. The leaves are changing and the dew is clinging to the grass. Gorgeous day!
I am thinking... that I'm really cozy sitting here on the couch between my two youngest children, snuggling them while I compute and they watch Nick Jr.
From the learning rooms... I'm so happy we started our newspaper delivery back up. I had missed keeping up with the local goings-on around here. I actually feel smarter after I finish reading the Sunday paper (and I missed the coupons and sale papers, too!)
I am thankful for... my health, my kids' health and my husband's health. I know I complain when someone is sick, but it's usually something minor that will run its course and be gone quickly. So far no one has had a major illness. We're so very blessed.
From the kitchen... I made an apple stuffed French toast this weekend. Actually, I made 4 (one for each of my son's 2nd grade teachers, one for my daughter's 5th grade teacher and one for us to enjoy.) I thought it was awesome, but the kids said it wasn't sweet enough. Oh, well. It used up some bread I had in the freezer (free leftovers from Panera) and some of the (many) apples the boys and I picked up at the orchard last week. I need to make some applesauce today to use up some more apples. I already peeled, sliced and froze some apples for future use. Lots of apples here!
I am reading... It's pitiful how high my stack of "I want to read these books!" is. I never have time to read anymore. I'd love to lay in a hammock all weekend with nothing but a cold drink and my stack of books. Actually, I could alternate between a hot bath and a hammock in a shady spot and just read, read, read...
I am hoping... that I can get some work done this afternoon after Quinn & Lillian go to Nana's (Quinn is out of school today because it's some sort of teacher workday or something... normally he goes to Nana's after school on Mondays, but today Lillian is joining him. I HAVE to get some things done!)
I am creating... clean laundry. Does that count as a creation?!? This Thursday I'm leaving for a weekend scrapbooking retreat. Lots of creating will be going on there!
I am hearing... Dora the Explorer, plus Quinn spelling every.word.he.sees on the TV. I'm glad he's curious, but sometimes I just want him to be quiet for a bit. He's spelling EVERYTHING or asking what certain letters spell.
Around the house... Three loads of laundry to be done. I have the dishes put away and the dishwasher reloaded. I need to wash Lillian's winter clothes (from a bin in the basement), clean out her old winter clothes to remove anything that no longer fits, then put the winter clothes on the bottom rack and the summer things up top so she'll quit reaching for shorts in this chilly weather. I just need the hubs to haul up the bin of size 5s because I'll hurt my back if I try to do that.
One of my favorite things... is being asked to help do stuff at my older kids' school. I need to learn how to say no, but right now I just love helping out up there. It's such a great place, and I want to do all I can to help however I can.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... tomorrow I'm working at the Book Fair at the older kids' school (once at 8:30 and again at 3 pm). During the morning tomorrow I'm helping assemble 80+ bags of dry soup mix for the school's "You Vote: We Cook" campaign. On election day we'll hand out bags of soup mix to any parent that shows us their "I Voted" sticker that they get when they vote. Tomorrow night we're having dinner with some friends we have lost touch with, so that should be fun. Wednesday brings another afternoon at the Book Fair, plus a 9 am meeting and a trip to ToysRUs to get a couple of things for the kids' Christmas gifts. I won't say what since Camryn checks my blog sometimes. Ha! Thursday I'll be off to my retreat after I drop off the kids at school, so hopefully I'll have everything packed and ready to go by then. I'll spend the weekend with my scrappin' buds, then return Sunday evening just in time to go to the Trunk or Treat at church.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Camryn and I had awesome front row seats at the Tour of Gymnastics Superstars that came to town on Saturday. We got some great photographs of our favorite "celebrities" (Nastia Liukin, Shawn Johnson and Jonathan Horton, plus Disney singing star Jordan Pruitt). Jonathan Horton even touched Camryn's hand! It was an awesome evening, and we both had a blast. We giggled like schoolgirls with crushes when the handsome guys came out (whew, there were some major hotties!) and squealed like kids when our favorite female athletes did their routines. Afterward we enjoyed appetizers and desserts at Fatz, where we had a fantastic waitress (named Beth!) who commented that for a mother and daughter we seemed to get along very well. We do, actually, and I have a great time when Camryn and I hang out together. She's such a cool kid!
Here's a picture of Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin starting the show:
I am thinking... that I'm really cozy sitting here on the couch between my two youngest children, snuggling them while I compute and they watch Nick Jr.
From the learning rooms... I'm so happy we started our newspaper delivery back up. I had missed keeping up with the local goings-on around here. I actually feel smarter after I finish reading the Sunday paper (and I missed the coupons and sale papers, too!)
I am thankful for... my health, my kids' health and my husband's health. I know I complain when someone is sick, but it's usually something minor that will run its course and be gone quickly. So far no one has had a major illness. We're so very blessed.
From the kitchen... I made an apple stuffed French toast this weekend. Actually, I made 4 (one for each of my son's 2nd grade teachers, one for my daughter's 5th grade teacher and one for us to enjoy.) I thought it was awesome, but the kids said it wasn't sweet enough. Oh, well. It used up some bread I had in the freezer (free leftovers from Panera) and some of the (many) apples the boys and I picked up at the orchard last week. I need to make some applesauce today to use up some more apples. I already peeled, sliced and froze some apples for future use. Lots of apples here!
I am reading... It's pitiful how high my stack of "I want to read these books!" is. I never have time to read anymore. I'd love to lay in a hammock all weekend with nothing but a cold drink and my stack of books. Actually, I could alternate between a hot bath and a hammock in a shady spot and just read, read, read...
I am hoping... that I can get some work done this afternoon after Quinn & Lillian go to Nana's (Quinn is out of school today because it's some sort of teacher workday or something... normally he goes to Nana's after school on Mondays, but today Lillian is joining him. I HAVE to get some things done!)
I am creating... clean laundry. Does that count as a creation?!? This Thursday I'm leaving for a weekend scrapbooking retreat. Lots of creating will be going on there!
I am hearing... Dora the Explorer, plus Quinn spelling every.word.he.sees on the TV. I'm glad he's curious, but sometimes I just want him to be quiet for a bit. He's spelling EVERYTHING or asking what certain letters spell.
Around the house... Three loads of laundry to be done. I have the dishes put away and the dishwasher reloaded. I need to wash Lillian's winter clothes (from a bin in the basement), clean out her old winter clothes to remove anything that no longer fits, then put the winter clothes on the bottom rack and the summer things up top so she'll quit reaching for shorts in this chilly weather. I just need the hubs to haul up the bin of size 5s because I'll hurt my back if I try to do that.
One of my favorite things... is being asked to help do stuff at my older kids' school. I need to learn how to say no, but right now I just love helping out up there. It's such a great place, and I want to do all I can to help however I can.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... tomorrow I'm working at the Book Fair at the older kids' school (once at 8:30 and again at 3 pm). During the morning tomorrow I'm helping assemble 80+ bags of dry soup mix for the school's "You Vote: We Cook" campaign. On election day we'll hand out bags of soup mix to any parent that shows us their "I Voted" sticker that they get when they vote. Tomorrow night we're having dinner with some friends we have lost touch with, so that should be fun. Wednesday brings another afternoon at the Book Fair, plus a 9 am meeting and a trip to ToysRUs to get a couple of things for the kids' Christmas gifts. I won't say what since Camryn checks my blog sometimes. Ha! Thursday I'll be off to my retreat after I drop off the kids at school, so hopefully I'll have everything packed and ready to go by then. I'll spend the weekend with my scrappin' buds, then return Sunday evening just in time to go to the Trunk or Treat at church.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Camryn and I had awesome front row seats at the Tour of Gymnastics Superstars that came to town on Saturday. We got some great photographs of our favorite "celebrities" (Nastia Liukin, Shawn Johnson and Jonathan Horton, plus Disney singing star Jordan Pruitt). Jonathan Horton even touched Camryn's hand! It was an awesome evening, and we both had a blast. We giggled like schoolgirls with crushes when the handsome guys came out (whew, there were some major hotties!) and squealed like kids when our favorite female athletes did their routines. Afterward we enjoyed appetizers and desserts at Fatz, where we had a fantastic waitress (named Beth!) who commented that for a mother and daughter we seemed to get along very well. We do, actually, and I have a great time when Camryn and I hang out together. She's such a cool kid!
Here's a picture of Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin starting the show:
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Pointless Questions
My daughter e-mailed me these. They made me giggle.
Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?
Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are flat?
Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they know there is not enough
Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?
Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in the word 'lisp'?
Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?
Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are flat?
Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they know there is not enough
Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?
Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in the word 'lisp'?
What is the speed of darkness?
Why is it that people say they 'slept like a baby' when babies wake up every two hours?
Are there specially reserved parking spaces for 'normal' people at the Special Olympics?
If the temperature is zero outside today and it's going to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold will it be?
Do married people live longer than single ones or does it only seem
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
Did you ever stop and wonder...... Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, 'I think I'll squeeze these pink dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?'
Who was the first person to say, 'See that chicken there... I'm gonna eat the next thing that comes outta it's bum.'
Why do toasters always have a setting so high that could burn the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
Why do people point to their wrist when asking for the time, but don't point to their rear when they ask where the bathroom is?
Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!
If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, then what is baby oil made from?
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
Why do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
(Stop singing and read on.......)
Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet Soup?
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
Does pushing the elevator button more than once make it arrive faster?
As if...
...today wasn't already busy enough...
Lillian and Camryn came into the house with the mail about half an hour ago. I was on the phone with a friend that I haven't talked to in awhile, so I didn't look at the mail until I hung up the phone. I saw a birthday party invitation for Lillian, so I opened it. The party is TODAY. It's currently 11:19 am and the party starts at NOON. The invitation wasn't addressed (just her name was on it) so I assume the neighbor just stuck it in the box late yesterday or early this morning. Good thing the girls checked the box, and that I keep "emergency" gifts on hand. Lillo's upstairs in the playroom picking out a princess dress to wear, and I called the parents to see if it's okay that Camryn chaperones Lillian to the party. I have a crazy lot of stuff to do today, so a party wasn't on my agenda. Usually I get a week or so notice for parties, but I've never gotten a couple of hours notice. Who does that?
Lillian and Camryn came into the house with the mail about half an hour ago. I was on the phone with a friend that I haven't talked to in awhile, so I didn't look at the mail until I hung up the phone. I saw a birthday party invitation for Lillian, so I opened it. The party is TODAY. It's currently 11:19 am and the party starts at NOON. The invitation wasn't addressed (just her name was on it) so I assume the neighbor just stuck it in the box late yesterday or early this morning. Good thing the girls checked the box, and that I keep "emergency" gifts on hand. Lillo's upstairs in the playroom picking out a princess dress to wear, and I called the parents to see if it's okay that Camryn chaperones Lillian to the party. I have a crazy lot of stuff to do today, so a party wasn't on my agenda. Usually I get a week or so notice for parties, but I've never gotten a couple of hours notice. Who does that?
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Wow, What a Week!
Life has gotten a lot busier lately. I don't know what it is, but it just seems like I'm always on the go. I need life to s-l-o-w down a bit. I feel like I haven't had enough time to breathe!
On Monday, Quinn was sick. That pushed the things on my to-do list to Tuesday (Aha, that might be where it started...) I still haven't caught up, but I'm paddling like crazy to get there. I helped Aiden get his animal research project finished up this week (which included helping him fill out a research questionnaire and making a trip to the library) and aided Camryn in studying for a huge science test she had. There's laundry coming out my ears (what's new there) and I had to get the house straightened up enough for the cleaning lady to clean today (so glad she comes every other week! I look forward to her visits, because the house always smells like pine scented Lysol after she leaves, the boys' bathroom no longer smells like pee and we have clean sheets on our beds!)
I have accomplished a ton this week, but I still have to:
In the middle of all of that I've been running around town shopping like a mad fool, trying to get all these good deals I've read about (aha #2!) I can't let the savings go to waste!
Today's trip was to Publix (after I left Quinn's class at the Pumpkin patch, my 2nd trip this week.. Aiden's class trip was cancelled last week due to rain, so he went yesterday instead. That's 2 pumpkin patches in 2 days... 4 bags of apples and 4 baby pumpkins, 2 hayless hayrides (thank goodness... aaah-choo!), plus lots of "pat the bunnies" and goats eating corn out of my hand... fun stuff!)
But back to Publix...
I found the Publix deals here. I tried to resist, but once I added it all up and determined what I needed and what I had coupons for, I couldn't resist. I ended up spending $58.99 (with tax), and here's what I got:
4 bags Baby Ruth miniatures ($2/bag after coupons)
5 bags Fast Fixins chicken products ($2/bag after coupons)
3 boxes Hamburger Helper ($2.25 for all 3)
7 boxes Frosted Mini Wheats cereal ($1/box after coupons)
2 boxes Apple Jacks ($1.15/box after coupons)
1 box Corn Pops ($1.15/box after coupons)
1 box Froot Loops ($1.15/box after coupons)
1 box Smart Balance Butter Blend sticks ($.80 after coupon)
1 box Farm Rich French Toast Sticks ($.90 after coupon)
1 canister Lysol wipes ($1.75 after coupon)
2 cans squirtable Cool Whip ($1.50 each after coupon)
2 packages Mott's Applesauce (6 pk) ($2.77 for both after coupon)
2 bottles Mott's Apple Juice ($1.50 each after coupon)
1 box Kashi frozen waffles (FREE after coupon)
4 boxes Uncle Ben's Rice ($2.66 for all 4 after coupons)
2 packages Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies ($1.50 each after coupons)
I also bought a large bag of marshmallows ($1.89), a bottle of lemon extract ($1.69) and a carton of whipping cream ($2.49) for a dessert I'm making tonight (something I got from Real Mom Kitchen. See the recipe below.)
I love getting deals. My kids go through those Mini Wheats, too (they like cereal in their lunchboxes, and I give it to them as a snack... without milk.) The register receipt said I'd saved over $96. I also got a raincheck for another 4 bags of candy (I have 2 more coupons, and they had no more bags!) With all the class parties, goodie bags and Trick or Treating coming up, that candy will be gone in no time. Can't beat that deal.
I also love going to Publix. I haven't shopped there in a LOOOOOONG time because it's just not close to the house, but I miss it. The store is clean, things are clearly marked (which helps when there is a lot of sale stuff to buy!) and the employees are SUPER DUPER friendly. I wish Publix was closer.
I'm about to head out the door to get Quinn and Lillian, then to Staples for more ink (printing all those coupons has used up my ink! Lucky for me it's cheap ink!) Then I'll head out to get the older 2 kids, help with homework and then start dinner. There's a lawyer coming to the house for us to sign papers (we refinanced our mortgage down to 5.1% and we have to close on that tonight) then MIL is coming for dinner. After that I need to start working on that Book Fair board (it's "due" tomorrow!)
On Monday, Quinn was sick. That pushed the things on my to-do list to Tuesday (Aha, that might be where it started...) I still haven't caught up, but I'm paddling like crazy to get there. I helped Aiden get his animal research project finished up this week (which included helping him fill out a research questionnaire and making a trip to the library) and aided Camryn in studying for a huge science test she had. There's laundry coming out my ears (what's new there) and I had to get the house straightened up enough for the cleaning lady to clean today (so glad she comes every other week! I look forward to her visits, because the house always smells like pine scented Lysol after she leaves, the boys' bathroom no longer smells like pee and we have clean sheets on our beds!)
I have accomplished a ton this week, but I still have to:
- make a board for the older kids' school book fair
- finish gathering/trimming/counting Campbell's labels to submit
- fill out some paperwork (it's a thick packet... I hate paperwork!)
- Call my GYN for my yearly appointment (got a reminder card this week)
- Get Lillian's size 5 winter clothes out of the basement, wash and hang them
- Clean out Lillian's winter clothes that are too small so I have room (and hangers!) for the "new" stuff
- Put together goodie boxes for next weekend's retreat
- Gather my secret pal stuff for my retreat
- Do all my power layouting for the retreat so I know what I'm taking and working on (though at this point it would seriously be nice just to go up there and sleep all weekend!)
- Pack for the retreat (I think my fellow retreaters would appreciate me being clothed...)
In the middle of all of that I've been running around town shopping like a mad fool, trying to get all these good deals I've read about (aha #2!) I can't let the savings go to waste!
Today's trip was to Publix (after I left Quinn's class at the Pumpkin patch, my 2nd trip this week.. Aiden's class trip was cancelled last week due to rain, so he went yesterday instead. That's 2 pumpkin patches in 2 days... 4 bags of apples and 4 baby pumpkins, 2 hayless hayrides (thank goodness... aaah-choo!), plus lots of "pat the bunnies" and goats eating corn out of my hand... fun stuff!)
But back to Publix...
I found the Publix deals here. I tried to resist, but once I added it all up and determined what I needed and what I had coupons for, I couldn't resist. I ended up spending $58.99 (with tax), and here's what I got:
4 bags Baby Ruth miniatures ($2/bag after coupons)
5 bags Fast Fixins chicken products ($2/bag after coupons)
3 boxes Hamburger Helper ($2.25 for all 3)
7 boxes Frosted Mini Wheats cereal ($1/box after coupons)
2 boxes Apple Jacks ($1.15/box after coupons)
1 box Corn Pops ($1.15/box after coupons)
1 box Froot Loops ($1.15/box after coupons)
1 box Smart Balance Butter Blend sticks ($.80 after coupon)
1 box Farm Rich French Toast Sticks ($.90 after coupon)
1 canister Lysol wipes ($1.75 after coupon)
2 cans squirtable Cool Whip ($1.50 each after coupon)
2 packages Mott's Applesauce (6 pk) ($2.77 for both after coupon)
2 bottles Mott's Apple Juice ($1.50 each after coupon)
1 box Kashi frozen waffles (FREE after coupon)
4 boxes Uncle Ben's Rice ($2.66 for all 4 after coupons)
2 packages Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies ($1.50 each after coupons)
I also bought a large bag of marshmallows ($1.89), a bottle of lemon extract ($1.69) and a carton of whipping cream ($2.49) for a dessert I'm making tonight (something I got from Real Mom Kitchen. See the recipe below.)
Marshmallow Graham Dessert
1 package (16 ounces) large marshmallows
2 cups milk
1-1/2 teaspoons lemon extract
1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained
2 cups whipping cream, whipped
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted
In a heavy saucepan over low heat, melt marshmallows and milk. Remove from the heat. Cool, stirring occasionally. Stir in extract. Fold in pineapple and whipped cream. Combine cracker crumbs and butter. Press 1-1/2 cups into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. pan. Spread with the pineapple mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining crumb mixture. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving. Yield: 12-16 servings.
I love getting deals. My kids go through those Mini Wheats, too (they like cereal in their lunchboxes, and I give it to them as a snack... without milk.) The register receipt said I'd saved over $96. I also got a raincheck for another 4 bags of candy (I have 2 more coupons, and they had no more bags!) With all the class parties, goodie bags and Trick or Treating coming up, that candy will be gone in no time. Can't beat that deal.
I also love going to Publix. I haven't shopped there in a LOOOOOONG time because it's just not close to the house, but I miss it. The store is clean, things are clearly marked (which helps when there is a lot of sale stuff to buy!) and the employees are SUPER DUPER friendly. I wish Publix was closer.
I'm about to head out the door to get Quinn and Lillian, then to Staples for more ink (printing all those coupons has used up my ink! Lucky for me it's cheap ink!) Then I'll head out to get the older 2 kids, help with homework and then start dinner. There's a lawyer coming to the house for us to sign papers (we refinanced our mortgage down to 5.1% and we have to close on that tonight) then MIL is coming for dinner. After that I need to start working on that Book Fair board (it's "due" tomorrow!)
Monday, October 13, 2008
For Today... 10/13
For Today...
Outside my Window... it's gorgeous and sunny and cool and the sky is a beautiful blue color.
I am thinking... that I have the best husband in the world. Quinn is home sick today with a stomach bug, so instead of picking Quinn up from school and going on their usual Monday Daddy Date, my sweet husband picked up the older children from school so I wouldn't have to. He's such a sweetheart.
From the learning rooms... I am learning how to be more frugal and get better deals. ; )
I am thankful for... stomach bugs that don't last for days (Quinn seems much better... he'll probably go back to school tomorrow!) I'm also thankful for a sweet daughter. Camryn was reading Proverbs 31 last week, and when she finished she told me that the woman in the passage reminded her so much of me. I was floored and humbled. To me the woman in that particular passage is just a superwoman. I strive to model myself after her, but never have I ever considered myself worthy of being (favorably) compared to her. I was touched that my daughter thinks of me that way.
From the kitchen... Tonight I'm trying a new recipe that I found underneath one of the may Campbell's labels I trimmed last week (I'm the Labels for Education coordinator for my older kids' school...lots of label cutting going on in my house lately!)
Glazed Pork Chops
2T cornstarch
1/2 c. water
1 T butter or
margarine
6 pork chops, 3/4" thick
1 can Campbell's French Onion
soup
2 T. packed brown sugar
Mix cornstarch and water. Melt butter in skillet. Add chops and cook until browned. Add soup and sugar. Heat to boil. Cover and cook over low heat 10 minutes, or until done. Remove chops and keep warm. Add cornstarch mixture. Cook and stir until mixture boils and thickens. Serve over chops.
I am reading... Google Reader. Lately that's my obsession and all I have time to read!
I am hoping... that I can get my to do list done this week.
I am creating... Quinn's scrapbook, plus looking for ideas for centerpieces. Got any ideas?
I am hearing... the older kids coming in the door, Little Bill on TV and Quinn playing Battalion Wars (think he feels better?!?)
Around the house... laundry left over from the weekend... I cleaned out the laundry room cabinets today and made room for some of my cheap finds from my shopping spree yesterday.
One of my favorite things... is opening the windows on cool fall days. It makes the house smell so good, and it lowers the electric bill.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... a meeting tomorrow, Fisher's Orchard with the boys (Aiden on Wednesday, Quinn on Thursday), take the kids for flu shots on Wednesday evening (Oh, Boy!), host a sleepover on Friday (a brother, sister and sister that my two older kids are friends with), and take Camryn to see the 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Champions on Saturday. I don't know who's more excited about seeing that: me or Camryn. We have front row seats! Sunday I plan on working on my Secret Sister gift and the goodie bag gifts for a scrapbooking retreat I'm going to next weekend. Hopefully I can get those things marked off my list before next Monday.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... (click the picture to go to a live Webcam shot.)
That's the view from Table Rock, which isn't too far from where we live. The leaves are changing, though not as spectacularly as past autumns. We had a long, dry summer, so the colors aren't as vivid this fall.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Money Saving Sunday
I blogged about my newfound love for Google Reader a couple of days ago, and in that post I included some of my newfound "frugal" blogs. The ladies that write these blogs are on top of things when it comes to getting stuff for free or nearly free, and I decided to join them in their quest to save money. I've always been a penny pincher (thanks, Mom!) but the authors of the blogs I read take frugality to new levels. I was inspired, so I'm going to chronicle my Money Saving Sunday for you. I didn't do too bad, actually!
I took Camryn (10) and Aiden (7) with me, because it's just more fun to find deals when you have company (plus, it's a great opportunity for them to learn how to save a buck, too!) I mapped out my journey, taking the most gas-saving route possible.
We started at CVS, where I got:
(2) Nature's Bounty Vitamins (which were B1G1 free; I had 2 coupons for $2 off each)
(1) 24-pack of Nestle Pure Life Water (on sale for $4.99; I had a coupon for $1 off)
(1) Swiffer sweeper starter kit
(1) Swiffer duster starter kit (had a coupon to get this free with purchase of the sweeper kit)
(4) All Small & Mighty concentrated detergents (they were B1G1 free and I had 4 coupons: 3 for $1 each and 1 for $.50)
I had $6 in Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) from a previous visit. My total before coupons and ECBs was $68.68. I only paid $25.32. Since I bought $10 worth of Swiffer products I got $5 in ECBs, plus $2 in ECBs for buying the vitamins, $1 ECB for buying the water and a $2 off $10 coupon for a future visit. That gave me $10 in ECBs! Those ECBs spend like money, so they're good on any future purchases. Remember that.
Our next stop was Bath & Body Works. B&BW is having a Columbus Day sale, which meant they had certain Wallflower scents on sale for $6 (regular price $12.50). I use those things all the time (because I'm a scent junkie and like the house to smell nice!) Before I left home I printed out 2 coupons to get free Scentports ($12.50 value) when you buy $15 worth of merchandise. I gave Camryn $20, a coupon, 3 of the $6 Wallflower refill boxes and one of the Scentports. She paid for her stuff and got the free Scentport. I bought 3 Wallflower refill boxes and got a free Scentport as well. We spent $36 and got $25 in free product. Not bad.
I had to gas up the van, so I popped into a rather new gas station and was pleasantly surprised to find the price to be $2.89 a gallon for regular unleaded. MUCH better than the almost $4 we were paying (due to shortages and hurricanes) a mere 2 weeks ago. It was the first time in a LONG time I've filled up the tank for under $50.
Walgreen's was the next place we stopped. They're currently offering a $10 Register Rebate (basically a coupon for $10 off your next shopping trip) when you buy 3 bottles of Children's Dimetapp medicine. The Dimetapp is currently on sale for $3.99 a bottle; I had 3 coupons for $2 off each bottle. I paid $10.47 for 3 bottles of cough & cold syrup (much needed at our house... we're completely out!) plus a bag of Airheads candy ($1.64 on clearance) and a package of Hershey's Special Dark candy bars ($2.14, also on clearance). The $10 coupon printed out and I stuck it above the visor in the car for use later. Remember that, too.
After leaving Walgreen's we hit another CVS. I picked up 2 bottles of fabric softener (not on sale, but I desperately needed it!) and a black Halloween wig for Camryn (not on sale either, but it was a decent price at $4.99 and it was necessary to complete her Cleopatra costume.) Total spent: $4.25 after the ECBs, plus I scored another $2 off $10 coupon for my next CVS trip. It's tucked safely away for a future visit.
We moved on to Target, where I spent way too much (I never get out of Target for less than $200! Is that sad?!?) I had tons of coupons for Target. This week they have 6-packs of Lever soap (hubby's new favorite) on sale for $3.79. I had printed 4 coupons for $1 each and had another for $.50 off, so I bought 5 packs (we're set for soap for awhile, huh?) Suave kids' shampoo is $1.69 this week, so I got one bottle and used my $1/1 coupon, making that shampoo a mere $.69. Hostess Snack Cakes (for lunch boxes, doncha know) are $3 each this week, and I had 2 coupons for $.75 off. Not bad. The best deal was the Archer Farms brand stuff... it's all 15% off this week, and Target has printable coupons out there. I scored some tropical juice for $1.08 each (I found these in clearance for $2.08 a bottle, and I had $1 off coupons), 2 cans of Honey Roasted Almonds ($2.89/can sale priced minus $.50 each with coupons), and 4 boxes of Archer Farms cookies ($2.11/box minus $.50 each with coupons). I also picked up 3 bottles of my favorite shampoo (Neutrogena 2 in 1 for dry scalp), which is $5.99/bottle. I had 3 coupons for $2 off each bottle, which is pretty good for a shampoo I use a lot. I also bought 2 games for Aiden's classroom (items from his teacher's wish list). I had coupons for those, too (and one game was even on sale! Score!) My total at Target was $167.54, but before coupons it was $191, so that's not a bad deal for stuff we need.
After Target we stopped for ice cream. My frequent buyer card was full, so we got a free cone. Cha-ching!
Bloom (a local grocery store) was next. They were offering triple coupons this weekend, so the place was a madhouse. I had been in there on Friday (twice, because they only let you triple 20 coupons at a time. I made one trip in, paid, put groceries in the car, went back in, paid, and left to go pick up the kids... I went back today because I had 14 more coupons to use!)
When we got to Bloom my frequent shopper card wouldn't work so we could get the self-scanner thing (a must at Bloom, because it's SO MUCH FUN to use and makes the trip much quicker!) I'm glad it didn't scan, because I noticed something going on while I was standing at customer service. Cashiers were handing out stickers with customers' receipts. I asked the CS rep what that was all about and she explained the Cook Happy program. When you spend $1000, you get free cookware. Now, $1000 sounds like a lot of cash, but over the course of several months that does add up. I know our monthly food budget is $600, so it wouldn't take me long to spend $1000 if I shopped at Bloom all the time. (Plus, they give a percentage of my purchases back to the kids' school.) Since I was in Bloom twice on Friday and didn't get my stickers, the CS rep was nice enough to look at my receipts and give me my Happy Points. Cool!
In three trips to Bloom this weekend I purchased a total of $221.36 worth of groceries and paid only $113.95 after store specials and coupons were deducted. That's a savings of $107.41! And no, I didn't buy stuff we won't ever use. I only bought stuff we use all the time (In fact, tonight we had the Angus ribeyes that I got on Friday, and we are stocked up on Campbell's soup. I see lots of soup -n- sandwich nights in our future! Yum-oh!)
We were tuckered out after Bloom, but as we were leaving I remembered I hadn't bought milk. I ran into (yet another) Walgreen's on the way home and bought 3 gallons of milk. I used my $10 off certificate that I'd earned buying the cough medicine, so I paid a whopping $1.37 for that milk.
When we got home and everything was put away, I put on a DVD that I'd gotten in the mail. The kids were supposed to watch it, then I fill out a survey and return the DVD. When they get the DVD back, they will send me a check for $7. That pays for the gas I spent running around today and then some!
All in all a very satisfying day. I don't know if I could do this running around every Sunday, but I feel like I accomplished a lot today.
I took Camryn (10) and Aiden (7) with me, because it's just more fun to find deals when you have company (plus, it's a great opportunity for them to learn how to save a buck, too!) I mapped out my journey, taking the most gas-saving route possible.
We started at CVS, where I got:
(2) Nature's Bounty Vitamins (which were B1G1 free; I had 2 coupons for $2 off each)
(1) 24-pack of Nestle Pure Life Water (on sale for $4.99; I had a coupon for $1 off)
(1) Swiffer sweeper starter kit
(1) Swiffer duster starter kit (had a coupon to get this free with purchase of the sweeper kit)
(4) All Small & Mighty concentrated detergents (they were B1G1 free and I had 4 coupons: 3 for $1 each and 1 for $.50)
I had $6 in Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) from a previous visit. My total before coupons and ECBs was $68.68. I only paid $25.32. Since I bought $10 worth of Swiffer products I got $5 in ECBs, plus $2 in ECBs for buying the vitamins, $1 ECB for buying the water and a $2 off $10 coupon for a future visit. That gave me $10 in ECBs! Those ECBs spend like money, so they're good on any future purchases. Remember that.
Our next stop was Bath & Body Works. B&BW is having a Columbus Day sale, which meant they had certain Wallflower scents on sale for $6 (regular price $12.50). I use those things all the time (because I'm a scent junkie and like the house to smell nice!) Before I left home I printed out 2 coupons to get free Scentports ($12.50 value) when you buy $15 worth of merchandise. I gave Camryn $20, a coupon, 3 of the $6 Wallflower refill boxes and one of the Scentports. She paid for her stuff and got the free Scentport. I bought 3 Wallflower refill boxes and got a free Scentport as well. We spent $36 and got $25 in free product. Not bad.
I had to gas up the van, so I popped into a rather new gas station and was pleasantly surprised to find the price to be $2.89 a gallon for regular unleaded. MUCH better than the almost $4 we were paying (due to shortages and hurricanes) a mere 2 weeks ago. It was the first time in a LONG time I've filled up the tank for under $50.
Walgreen's was the next place we stopped. They're currently offering a $10 Register Rebate (basically a coupon for $10 off your next shopping trip) when you buy 3 bottles of Children's Dimetapp medicine. The Dimetapp is currently on sale for $3.99 a bottle; I had 3 coupons for $2 off each bottle. I paid $10.47 for 3 bottles of cough & cold syrup (much needed at our house... we're completely out!) plus a bag of Airheads candy ($1.64 on clearance) and a package of Hershey's Special Dark candy bars ($2.14, also on clearance). The $10 coupon printed out and I stuck it above the visor in the car for use later. Remember that, too.
After leaving Walgreen's we hit another CVS. I picked up 2 bottles of fabric softener (not on sale, but I desperately needed it!) and a black Halloween wig for Camryn (not on sale either, but it was a decent price at $4.99 and it was necessary to complete her Cleopatra costume.) Total spent: $4.25 after the ECBs, plus I scored another $2 off $10 coupon for my next CVS trip. It's tucked safely away for a future visit.
We moved on to Target, where I spent way too much (I never get out of Target for less than $200! Is that sad?!?) I had tons of coupons for Target. This week they have 6-packs of Lever soap (hubby's new favorite) on sale for $3.79. I had printed 4 coupons for $1 each and had another for $.50 off, so I bought 5 packs (we're set for soap for awhile, huh?) Suave kids' shampoo is $1.69 this week, so I got one bottle and used my $1/1 coupon, making that shampoo a mere $.69. Hostess Snack Cakes (for lunch boxes, doncha know) are $3 each this week, and I had 2 coupons for $.75 off. Not bad. The best deal was the Archer Farms brand stuff... it's all 15% off this week, and Target has printable coupons out there. I scored some tropical juice for $1.08 each (I found these in clearance for $2.08 a bottle, and I had $1 off coupons), 2 cans of Honey Roasted Almonds ($2.89/can sale priced minus $.50 each with coupons), and 4 boxes of Archer Farms cookies ($2.11/box minus $.50 each with coupons). I also picked up 3 bottles of my favorite shampoo (Neutrogena 2 in 1 for dry scalp), which is $5.99/bottle. I had 3 coupons for $2 off each bottle, which is pretty good for a shampoo I use a lot. I also bought 2 games for Aiden's classroom (items from his teacher's wish list). I had coupons for those, too (and one game was even on sale! Score!) My total at Target was $167.54, but before coupons it was $191, so that's not a bad deal for stuff we need.
After Target we stopped for ice cream. My frequent buyer card was full, so we got a free cone. Cha-ching!
Bloom (a local grocery store) was next. They were offering triple coupons this weekend, so the place was a madhouse. I had been in there on Friday (twice, because they only let you triple 20 coupons at a time. I made one trip in, paid, put groceries in the car, went back in, paid, and left to go pick up the kids... I went back today because I had 14 more coupons to use!)
When we got to Bloom my frequent shopper card wouldn't work so we could get the self-scanner thing (a must at Bloom, because it's SO MUCH FUN to use and makes the trip much quicker!) I'm glad it didn't scan, because I noticed something going on while I was standing at customer service. Cashiers were handing out stickers with customers' receipts. I asked the CS rep what that was all about and she explained the Cook Happy program. When you spend $1000, you get free cookware. Now, $1000 sounds like a lot of cash, but over the course of several months that does add up. I know our monthly food budget is $600, so it wouldn't take me long to spend $1000 if I shopped at Bloom all the time. (Plus, they give a percentage of my purchases back to the kids' school.) Since I was in Bloom twice on Friday and didn't get my stickers, the CS rep was nice enough to look at my receipts and give me my Happy Points. Cool!
In three trips to Bloom this weekend I purchased a total of $221.36 worth of groceries and paid only $113.95 after store specials and coupons were deducted. That's a savings of $107.41! And no, I didn't buy stuff we won't ever use. I only bought stuff we use all the time (In fact, tonight we had the Angus ribeyes that I got on Friday, and we are stocked up on Campbell's soup. I see lots of soup -n- sandwich nights in our future! Yum-oh!)
We were tuckered out after Bloom, but as we were leaving I remembered I hadn't bought milk. I ran into (yet another) Walgreen's on the way home and bought 3 gallons of milk. I used my $10 off certificate that I'd earned buying the cough medicine, so I paid a whopping $1.37 for that milk.
When we got home and everything was put away, I put on a DVD that I'd gotten in the mail. The kids were supposed to watch it, then I fill out a survey and return the DVD. When they get the DVD back, they will send me a check for $7. That pays for the gas I spent running around today and then some!
All in all a very satisfying day. I don't know if I could do this running around every Sunday, but I feel like I accomplished a lot today.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
ABCs of Me
I think this is making the rounds. I saw it on several blogs, most recently my friend Carrie's. (On a side note, Carrie has the biggest, most infectious smile, doesn't she? One day I hope to meet her in person. I think we'd get along famously!)
♥A is for age: 35
♥B is for beverage of choice: iced tea with Splenda
♥C is for career right now: Mom and all that goes along with that, plus I'm a Longaberger consultant.
♥D is for your dog's name: Polly
♥E is for essential item you use everyday: my computer, my washing machine and my dishwasher... oh, and my car!
♥F is for favorite TV show: The Office, Pushing Daisies
♥G is for favorite game to watch: Auburn football, of course!
♥H is for Home town: Gardendale, Alabama
♥I is for instruments you play: I play a mean iPod. I can play piano a little bit.
♥J is for favorite juice: grape juice... Momma always said it would take away bad dreams ; )
♥K is for a favorite keepsake: the crocheted ornaments my grandmother made and the baby blanket she made for Camryn, plus the crocheted blankets my own mom made for each of my children
♥L is for last place you ate at: Arby's for lunch yesterday. I used a coupon!
♥M is for marriage: 12 1/2 years
♥N is for your name: Beth (middle name Allyson, which I LOVE. I always wished my parents had called me by both names all the time, not just when I was in trouble)
♥O is for overnight hospital stay: 4 times for 4 babies, plus an emergency ovary/tube removal in '93 and a brief surgery when I was 4.
♥P is for people you were with today: My hubby and children
♥Q is for what's your best quality: wit, I guess
♥R is for what are you currently reading: Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larson
♥S is for relationship status: Happily married to the hubby
♥T is for time you woke up today: My alarm goes off at 7:15, and I think I took about 5 minutes to get going today.
♥U is for the type of underwear you have on: Uh, really? It's clean and has no holes. That's enough info.
♥V is for vegetable you love: potatoes. I also love okra and zucchini
♥W is for worst habits: picking at my blemishes, interrupting people, talking while hubby is trying to watch TV (he HATES that... watching the debates together has been HARD!)
♥X is for x-rays you've had recently: I guess dental x-rays?
♥Y is for something yummy : I'm craving boiled oatmeal chocolate cookies right now, but it's humid outside and they never set up well in humidity
♥Z is for favorite zoo animal: I like watching the sea lions swim around in their tank. They look so graceful.
♥A is for age: 35
♥B is for beverage of choice: iced tea with Splenda
♥C is for career right now: Mom and all that goes along with that, plus I'm a Longaberger consultant.
♥D is for your dog's name: Polly
♥E is for essential item you use everyday: my computer, my washing machine and my dishwasher... oh, and my car!
♥F is for favorite TV show: The Office, Pushing Daisies
♥G is for favorite game to watch: Auburn football, of course!
♥H is for Home town: Gardendale, Alabama
♥I is for instruments you play: I play a mean iPod. I can play piano a little bit.
♥J is for favorite juice: grape juice... Momma always said it would take away bad dreams ; )
♥K is for a favorite keepsake: the crocheted ornaments my grandmother made and the baby blanket she made for Camryn, plus the crocheted blankets my own mom made for each of my children
♥L is for last place you ate at: Arby's for lunch yesterday. I used a coupon!
♥M is for marriage: 12 1/2 years
♥N is for your name: Beth (middle name Allyson, which I LOVE. I always wished my parents had called me by both names all the time, not just when I was in trouble)
♥O is for overnight hospital stay: 4 times for 4 babies, plus an emergency ovary/tube removal in '93 and a brief surgery when I was 4.
♥P is for people you were with today: My hubby and children
♥Q is for what's your best quality: wit, I guess
♥R is for what are you currently reading: Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larson
♥S is for relationship status: Happily married to the hubby
♥T is for time you woke up today: My alarm goes off at 7:15, and I think I took about 5 minutes to get going today.
♥U is for the type of underwear you have on: Uh, really? It's clean and has no holes. That's enough info.
♥V is for vegetable you love: potatoes. I also love okra and zucchini
♥W is for worst habits: picking at my blemishes, interrupting people, talking while hubby is trying to watch TV (he HATES that... watching the debates together has been HARD!)
♥X is for x-rays you've had recently: I guess dental x-rays?
♥Y is for something yummy : I'm craving boiled oatmeal chocolate cookies right now, but it's humid outside and they never set up well in humidity
♥Z is for favorite zoo animal: I like watching the sea lions swim around in their tank. They look so graceful.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Can You Imagine...
....being in a room with 5th, 6th and 7th graders when their PE teacher shows them this on a rainy day?
Now, I'm not making fun of Paul Eugene or his approach to fitness. Far from it. It's just all the WHOOO HOOO ing that makes me laugh out loud. And I'm 35. Imagine what it's like to see it in a room full of teens and pre-teens.
My daughter came home and tried to imitate what she did in PE today, and her rendition was almost funnier than Paul Eugene himself. I'd video her, but she'd kill me. That would be the end of my life for sure.
I cannot imagine the hilarity that went on in that room today. Oh, to be a fly on the wall.
Good times, good times.
Now, I'm not making fun of Paul Eugene or his approach to fitness. Far from it. It's just all the WHOOO HOOO ing that makes me laugh out loud. And I'm 35. Imagine what it's like to see it in a room full of teens and pre-teens.
My daughter came home and tried to imitate what she did in PE today, and her rendition was almost funnier than Paul Eugene himself. I'd video her, but she'd kill me. That would be the end of my life for sure.
I cannot imagine the hilarity that went on in that room today. Oh, to be a fly on the wall.
Good times, good times.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
I Heart Google Reader
It took me awhile to start using Google Reader, but now that I have, I LOVE it. Not only does it give me a "one stop shopping" approach to reading all the blogs I love, but it's also loaded me up on more blogs to enjoy and learn from. Here's a sampling of what Google Reader has suggested (and therefore I have added):
Make and Takes
It's billed as "Ideas and Crafty Tidbits for Home, Family & Fun" and I'd say that pretty much sums up the blog. I've seen some CUTE stuff on there, things that the kids and I could easily make together (even a couple of things I could incorporate into my scrapbooks!)
Just yesterday this cute craft (with instructions) was posted. I am going to file it with my Halloween/fall scrapbooking ideas and try it with brads. Really cute!
I also found Tip Junkie, which is a lot like Make and Takes. Cute ideas. I saw this cool Halloween snack idea that I want to try:
(That idea came from Kraft Foods, according to the blog owner...there are more adorable Halloween ideas over there, too.)
I found a great site for Target lovers like me (I know you'll love this one, too, Mom...) If you're a Target endcap cruiser like me, then you have to check out Attention Target Shoppers. I found a great Jensen iPod docking station for $17 by checking this blog. It was originally over $70. The blog owner also matches up the weekly Target specials with current coupons and printable coupons. Lots of good deals to be found (as if I NEEDED another reason to be in Target once a week...)
I found a handful of other blogs that help you live a more frugal life. Lots of them do the store flyer/coupon matching so you know how to get the best deals (they especially like to do that for CVS and Walgreen's.) They can be redundant, offering up the same deals, but I added 'em all to the reader just in case. Don't want to miss a bargain! Some of those blogs are BeCentsAble, Coupon Cravings, Freebies 4 Mom, Money Saving Mom, The "Cent"sible Sawyer, Mommy Making Money, JANE4girls $800 Annual Budget For A Family of 4 and MoneySavingMethods.com.
I previously mentioned that I've become addicted to giveaways. Reader found me more of those kinds of sites, too. So far no wins for me, but one day maybe I'll hit the jackpot. I've found a lot of amazing wares for sale (mostly through Etsy) by entering these contests. In fact, I am now the proud owner of a couple of cute Scrabble tiles (and a necklace on which to hang them) that I purchased from Mark & Stefani at HomeStudio.etsy.com. I bought the Joy tile and the Black Cherry Blossoms tile. Cute, no? There are several others I have my eye on as well (and they'd make super teacher gifts, wouldn't they?!? Go check them out!)
I almost forgot! The giveaway sites I visit are: Mama Loves Giveaways, The Giveaway, Bloggy Giveaways, PRIZE - A - TRON, I Love Give-A-Ways!!, and my favorite, Prizey (with its companion site, PRIZEYWinners).
I think I've mentioned it here before (a few hundred times)... I love to scrapbook. I try to do a little scrapping everyday, and that can lead me to feel like I'm stuck in a rut. I like to get fresh inspiration, so in addition to reading a couple of scrapbooking magazines (Creating Keepsakes and Simple Scrapbooks) I've also found a few good blogs to help me stay fresh. I like PHutch Sketches, How Much is Too Much?, My Sketch World, 2 Sketches 4 You, Gettin Sketchy, Got Sketch?, kellicrowe, O' Scrappy Day, Scraps of Life and SketchThis. BONUS: Some of these talented ladies have giveaways, because they're given the supplies by scrapbooking companies and they want to get the products into consumers' hands. You know how I love FREE stuff, right?
I also cover the news through 3 sites that report on local goings-on. One is the local paper, another is the local NBC affiliate, and the third is Palmetto Scoop. I like the Scoop because he leans a little right like I do and has a dry wit. I like his scoops. They make me feel smart and up to date... kind of like having current events Cliff's Notes.
If you don't use Google Reader, I highly suggest it. I will offer this bit of advice: don't feel like you have to go back to the beginning of a blog and read it from its inception. What I do is scroll back a couple of posts, get the most up-to-date info, and then click "Mark All As Read" so I don't get overwhelmed when I add a new blog. Then I just follow each blog one post at a time. I added a button to my Google toolbar that tells me when there are new posts added, and there is also a widget you can add to your Google homepage that will give you all of the newest titles from the blogs you follow.
Here's another warning: be careful, because Reader is addictive. It's like Internet Nicotine or Lays Potato Chips.
You can't read just one.
Make and Takes
It's billed as "Ideas and Crafty Tidbits for Home, Family & Fun" and I'd say that pretty much sums up the blog. I've seen some CUTE stuff on there, things that the kids and I could easily make together (even a couple of things I could incorporate into my scrapbooks!)
Just yesterday this cute craft (with instructions) was posted. I am going to file it with my Halloween/fall scrapbooking ideas and try it with brads. Really cute!
I also found Tip Junkie, which is a lot like Make and Takes. Cute ideas. I saw this cool Halloween snack idea that I want to try:
(That idea came from Kraft Foods, according to the blog owner...there are more adorable Halloween ideas over there, too.)
I found a great site for Target lovers like me (I know you'll love this one, too, Mom...) If you're a Target endcap cruiser like me, then you have to check out Attention Target Shoppers. I found a great Jensen iPod docking station for $17 by checking this blog. It was originally over $70. The blog owner also matches up the weekly Target specials with current coupons and printable coupons. Lots of good deals to be found (as if I NEEDED another reason to be in Target once a week...)
I found a handful of other blogs that help you live a more frugal life. Lots of them do the store flyer/coupon matching so you know how to get the best deals (they especially like to do that for CVS and Walgreen's.) They can be redundant, offering up the same deals, but I added 'em all to the reader just in case. Don't want to miss a bargain! Some of those blogs are BeCentsAble, Coupon Cravings, Freebies 4 Mom, Money Saving Mom, The "Cent"sible Sawyer, Mommy Making Money, JANE4girls $800 Annual Budget For A Family of 4 and MoneySavingMethods.com.
I previously mentioned that I've become addicted to giveaways. Reader found me more of those kinds of sites, too. So far no wins for me, but one day maybe I'll hit the jackpot. I've found a lot of amazing wares for sale (mostly through Etsy) by entering these contests. In fact, I am now the proud owner of a couple of cute Scrabble tiles (and a necklace on which to hang them) that I purchased from Mark & Stefani at HomeStudio.etsy.com. I bought the Joy tile and the Black Cherry Blossoms tile. Cute, no? There are several others I have my eye on as well (and they'd make super teacher gifts, wouldn't they?!? Go check them out!)
I almost forgot! The giveaway sites I visit are: Mama Loves Giveaways, The Giveaway, Bloggy Giveaways, PRIZE - A - TRON, I Love Give-A-Ways!!, and my favorite, Prizey (with its companion site, PRIZEYWinners).
I think I've mentioned it here before (a few hundred times)... I love to scrapbook. I try to do a little scrapping everyday, and that can lead me to feel like I'm stuck in a rut. I like to get fresh inspiration, so in addition to reading a couple of scrapbooking magazines (Creating Keepsakes and Simple Scrapbooks) I've also found a few good blogs to help me stay fresh. I like PHutch Sketches, How Much is Too Much?, My Sketch World, 2 Sketches 4 You, Gettin Sketchy, Got Sketch?, kellicrowe, O' Scrappy Day, Scraps of Life and SketchThis. BONUS: Some of these talented ladies have giveaways, because they're given the supplies by scrapbooking companies and they want to get the products into consumers' hands. You know how I love FREE stuff, right?
I also cover the news through 3 sites that report on local goings-on. One is the local paper, another is the local NBC affiliate, and the third is Palmetto Scoop. I like the Scoop because he leans a little right like I do and has a dry wit. I like his scoops. They make me feel smart and up to date... kind of like having current events Cliff's Notes.
If you don't use Google Reader, I highly suggest it. I will offer this bit of advice: don't feel like you have to go back to the beginning of a blog and read it from its inception. What I do is scroll back a couple of posts, get the most up-to-date info, and then click "Mark All As Read" so I don't get overwhelmed when I add a new blog. Then I just follow each blog one post at a time. I added a button to my Google toolbar that tells me when there are new posts added, and there is also a widget you can add to your Google homepage that will give you all of the newest titles from the blogs you follow.
Here's another warning: be careful, because Reader is addictive. It's like Internet Nicotine or Lays Potato Chips.
You can't read just one.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Today
Today my name is Rancho Grande, and Lillian wishes to be called Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich. I asked if I can just call her PB&J, and she nixed that idea. I must use the entire name when addressing her.
So my weekend went like this: take care of the sick hubby all day Saturday, leave for a brief trip to Target to buy supplies for Lillian's party, eat a bowl of spicy chili for dinner, wake up at 4:45 on Sunday morning and say hello again to that bowl of spicy chili. Fun.
So hubby and Camryn were in charge of Lillian's birthday party. I was confined to the bed. Hubby enlisted our children to clean the den, back porch, downstairs patio and playground area. Camryn baked the cupcakes and iced them. She planned the games, tried to play them with our young guests ("like herding cats" the hubby said) and took the pictures at the party. Camryn and her dad made an excellent team, and the party went very well (I watched the video). I'm so very grateful that I have such a wonderful husband. Most men would've cancelled the party, but my amazing guy trudged ahead. He even made me fruit salad and went out to Jersey Mike's to get me a sub when I felt like eating again last night. Whatta guy.
Feeling much better today. Surprisingly the house is pretty clean. Hubby finished washing all the sheets that I had in the laundry room, and the dishes in the dishwasher are clean. The den doesn't look like a tornado hit it (like I was expecting). He is a great guy. I can't complain.
I'm looking forward to a great week. Hubby is off from work tomorrow, which always makes for a good (relaxing) day. I think we'll go to Lowe's and get some planters and fall flora for the front porch. I get to go to the pumpkin patch with Aiden's class on Wednesday (and again next week with Quinn's class). Camryn and Aiden have just a half day of school on Friday, so I get to have a Mommy date with them before picking up Quinn & Lillian from school. I love Mommy dates.
Right now I'm concentrating on cleaning off my desk so I can get back to scrapbooking. I finished my Disney album (yea!) and need to get back to work on the kids' albums. I have piles of things on my desk, though, so those need to be purged and organized before I can concentrate on fun things. I can't be creative in the midst of chaos.
And that's all I have to say on this Monday. I hope you have a great week!
So my weekend went like this: take care of the sick hubby all day Saturday, leave for a brief trip to Target to buy supplies for Lillian's party, eat a bowl of spicy chili for dinner, wake up at 4:45 on Sunday morning and say hello again to that bowl of spicy chili. Fun.
So hubby and Camryn were in charge of Lillian's birthday party. I was confined to the bed. Hubby enlisted our children to clean the den, back porch, downstairs patio and playground area. Camryn baked the cupcakes and iced them. She planned the games, tried to play them with our young guests ("like herding cats" the hubby said) and took the pictures at the party. Camryn and her dad made an excellent team, and the party went very well (I watched the video). I'm so very grateful that I have such a wonderful husband. Most men would've cancelled the party, but my amazing guy trudged ahead. He even made me fruit salad and went out to Jersey Mike's to get me a sub when I felt like eating again last night. Whatta guy.
Feeling much better today. Surprisingly the house is pretty clean. Hubby finished washing all the sheets that I had in the laundry room, and the dishes in the dishwasher are clean. The den doesn't look like a tornado hit it (like I was expecting). He is a great guy. I can't complain.
I'm looking forward to a great week. Hubby is off from work tomorrow, which always makes for a good (relaxing) day. I think we'll go to Lowe's and get some planters and fall flora for the front porch. I get to go to the pumpkin patch with Aiden's class on Wednesday (and again next week with Quinn's class). Camryn and Aiden have just a half day of school on Friday, so I get to have a Mommy date with them before picking up Quinn & Lillian from school. I love Mommy dates.
Right now I'm concentrating on cleaning off my desk so I can get back to scrapbooking. I finished my Disney album (yea!) and need to get back to work on the kids' albums. I have piles of things on my desk, though, so those need to be purged and organized before I can concentrate on fun things. I can't be creative in the midst of chaos.
And that's all I have to say on this Monday. I hope you have a great week!
Friday, October 03, 2008
Simplicity
As I sit here listening to the House debate the bailout bill on C-SPAN, I'm struck by two thoughts. Maybe I'm blissfully naive, or maybe I'm just too simplistic, but it seems so clear to me how to fix this mess.
(1) Save money. Don't spend everything you have, and that will leave you with CASH reserves. If you stick to your budget and don't overspend, you won't NEED to borrow money and therefore the credit markets won't need saving.
(2) Will these companies really learn a lesson if the government fixes their problems? Seriously? How many times has that worked for people? You never learn if you don't have to learn hard lessons the hard way. If my kids do something wrong, I let them work it out. Forget your homework? Deal with the consequences. Hit your brother? Deal with the consequences. Sign a mortgage you cannot afford? Tough. I never put pen to the paper if I don't fully understand something. It's your fault that you can't pay for your house, because you chose to sign your name to something YOU DID NOT UNDERSTAND and therefore CANNOT AFFORD. Home ownership is not a God given right. You have to be able to PAY the PAYMENTS, Jack.
On the 3rd day of my freshman year at the University of Alabama, I got the overwhelming urge that I didn't need to be there anymore. I called my mom and she told me to come home. I went home and cried with her and talked to her and she made it very clear that if I wanted to quit UA, I had to take care of the withdrawal process on my own, as well as find a new school and get myself enrolled ASAP. She didn't do a lick of that for me, and I'm glad she didn't. I was scared stiff, but I am a stronger person because I bailed myself out. Anytime I wanted to quit something from that day on, I actually thought through the difficulty of removing myself from the situation vs. seeing it through. I LEARNED from having to take care of my own messes. I was 18. How old is Lehman Brothers? See what I mean?
Now, I know that there's a huge fear of the economy collapsing. But I think it would be a sort of financial cleansing. My mom's dad was a teenager when the stock market collapsed in 1929. Having to live through that time in our history made him a very frugal man. He was very careful with his money and eschewed borrowing money; I'd go out on a limb and say that the majority of the people from that generation were scared to death to lose it all because they remembered what it was like to have nothing. I think it would be a defining moment in our history to let the bailout bill fail again, letting the chips fall where they may. It would surely make us stronger as a country.
But that's just my two cents' worth.
(1) Save money. Don't spend everything you have, and that will leave you with CASH reserves. If you stick to your budget and don't overspend, you won't NEED to borrow money and therefore the credit markets won't need saving.
(2) Will these companies really learn a lesson if the government fixes their problems? Seriously? How many times has that worked for people? You never learn if you don't have to learn hard lessons the hard way. If my kids do something wrong, I let them work it out. Forget your homework? Deal with the consequences. Hit your brother? Deal with the consequences. Sign a mortgage you cannot afford? Tough. I never put pen to the paper if I don't fully understand something. It's your fault that you can't pay for your house, because you chose to sign your name to something YOU DID NOT UNDERSTAND and therefore CANNOT AFFORD. Home ownership is not a God given right. You have to be able to PAY the PAYMENTS, Jack.
On the 3rd day of my freshman year at the University of Alabama, I got the overwhelming urge that I didn't need to be there anymore. I called my mom and she told me to come home. I went home and cried with her and talked to her and she made it very clear that if I wanted to quit UA, I had to take care of the withdrawal process on my own, as well as find a new school and get myself enrolled ASAP. She didn't do a lick of that for me, and I'm glad she didn't. I was scared stiff, but I am a stronger person because I bailed myself out. Anytime I wanted to quit something from that day on, I actually thought through the difficulty of removing myself from the situation vs. seeing it through. I LEARNED from having to take care of my own messes. I was 18. How old is Lehman Brothers? See what I mean?
Now, I know that there's a huge fear of the economy collapsing. But I think it would be a sort of financial cleansing. My mom's dad was a teenager when the stock market collapsed in 1929. Having to live through that time in our history made him a very frugal man. He was very careful with his money and eschewed borrowing money; I'd go out on a limb and say that the majority of the people from that generation were scared to death to lose it all because they remembered what it was like to have nothing. I think it would be a defining moment in our history to let the bailout bill fail again, letting the chips fall where they may. It would surely make us stronger as a country.
But that's just my two cents' worth.
Day 3
Now entering day 3 of the stomach siege, but Lillian seems to be feeling better... she ate half a waffle and drank half a (single) bottle of apple Pedialyte before passing out in the middle of a Dora episode.
The bad news is that the hubs has it now. He's home from work today. He looks just like Lillian does, except he's laying in our bed asleep in front of HGTV.
I've been to CVS so many times in the past few days I think they might give me my own personal parking spot. I'm praying no one else gets this (and by no one else, you know I selfishly mean ME, right?)
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Free Edutainment!
I found the following here.
The Association of Children's Museums has partnered with ParentsConnect Local (GoCityKids) to offer children free admission when accompanied by a paying adult at participating children's museums as part of ParentsConnect Local's Deals & Steals program September 29-October 26, 2008. Nearly 130 museums are participating; please check the list below for a museum nearest you.
Alabama
Children's Hands-On Museum (Tuscaloosa)
EarlyWorks Children's Museum (Huntsville)
Arizona
Arizona Museum for Youth (Mesa)
Children's Museum of Phoenix
Tucson Children's Museum
California
Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito)
Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert (Rancho Mirage)
Children's Museum of the Sierra (Oakhurst)
Habitot Children's Museum (Berkeley)
Fairytale Town (Sacramento)
Fingerprints Youth Museum (Hemet)
Kern County Museum & Lori Brock Children's Discovery Center (Bakersfield)
KidZone Museum (Truckee)
The New Children's Museum (San Diego)
Paso Robles Children's Museum
Colorado
Buell Children's Museum (Pueblo)
Connecticut
The Children's Museum (West Hartford)
The Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut (Niantic)
Lutz Children's Museum (Manchester)
Stepping Stones Museum for Children (Norwalk, CT)
Florida
Great Explorations Children's Museum (St. Petersburg)
Explorations V Children's Museum (Lakeland)
Miami Children's Museum
My Jewish Discovery Place (Plantation)
Schoolhouse Children's Museum & Learning Center (Boynton Beach)
Georgia
Interactive Neighborhood for Kids
Illinois
Bronzeville Children's Museum (Chicago)
Chicago Children's Museum
Children's Discovery Museum (Normal)
Children's Museum of Illinois (Decatur)
Children's Neighborhood Museum (Round Lake)
The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn
Discovery Center Museum (Rockford)
DuPage Children's Museum (Naperville)
Exploration Station...a children's museum (Bourbonnais)
Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago (Glenview)
Orpheum Children's Science Museum (Champaign)
Wonder Works, A Children's Museum in Oak Park
Indiana
Children's Museum of Evansville
kidscommons, Columbus' Community Children's Museum
Iowa
The Iowa Children's Museum (Coralville)
Phelps Youth Pavilion (Waterloo)
Louisiana
Children's Museum of Acadiana (Lafayette)
Louisiana Children's Museum (New Orleans)
T.R.E.E. House Children's Museum (Alexandria)
Maine
Children's Museum of Maine (Portland)
Maine Discovery Museum (Bangor)
Maryland
Chesapeake Children's Museum (Annapolis)
Discovery Creek (Glen Echo)
The Children's Museum of Rose Hill Manor Park (Frederick)
Port Discovery Children's Museum (Baltimore)
Massachusetts
Children's Museum in Easton
Michigan
Curious Kids' Museum (St. Joseph)
Flint Children's Museum
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Great Lakes Children's Museum (Traverse City)
Impression 5 Science Center (Lansing)
Kids 'N' Stuff (Albion)
Minnesota
Duluth Children's Museum
Minnesota Children's Museum (St. Paul)
Mississippi
Lynn Meadows Discovery Center (Gulfport)
Missouri
The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum
Montana
The Children's Museum of Montana (Great Falls)
Nebraska
Lincoln Children's Museum
Omaha Children's Museum
Nevada
Lied Discovery Children's Museum (Las Vegas)
New Jersey
Liberty Science Center (Jersey City)
New York
Brooklyn Children's Museum
Children's Maritime Museum (Port Jefferson)
Children's Museum of the Arts (New York)
Explore & More Children's Museum (East Aurora)
Long Island Children's Museum (Garden City)
The Children's Museum at Saratoga
Staten Island Children's Museum
Strong National Museum of Play (Rochester)
North Carolina
The Children's Museum of Wilmington
Children's Museum of Winston-Salem
The Children's Playhouse (Boone)
Exploration Station (Lumberton)
Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art & ArtQuest (Greensboro)
Greensboro Children's Museum
KidSenses Children's InterACTIVE Museum (Rutherfordton)
Kidzu Children's Museum (Chapel Hill)
Marbles Kids Museum (Raleigh)
Museum of Life and Science (Durham)
North Dakota
The Children's Museum at Yunker Farm (Fargo)
Ohio
AHA! A Hands-On Adventure (Lancaster)
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery (Dayton)
Sunwatch Indian Village (Dayton)
Oregon
A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village (Salem)
Portland Children's Museum
Pennsylvania
Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
expERIEnce Children's Museum (Erie)
Hands-on House, Children's Museum of Lancaster
Puerto Rico
Museo del Nino Puerto Rico (Old San Juan)
South Carolina
Children's Museum of the Lowcountry (Charleston)
Children's Museum of South Carolina (Myrtle Beach)
EdVenture Children's Museum (Columbia)
The Sandbox - An Interactive Children's Museum (Hilton Head)
Tennessee
Creative Discovery Museum (Chattanooga)
The Children's Museum of Memphis
Texas
Austin Children's Museum
Children's Discovery Museum of the Golden Crescent (Victoria)
The Children's Museum of Houston
Discovery Science Place (Tyler)
Imaginarium of South Texas (Laredo)
Texoma Children's Museum (Denison)
Utah
Treehouse Museum (Ogden)
Virginia
Amazement Square (Lynchburg)
Children's Museum of Virginia (Portsmouth)
Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum (Winchester)
Virginia Discovery Museum (Charlottesville)
Washington
Children's Museum of Skagit County (Burlington)
Children's Museum of Tacoma
Children's Museum of Walla Walla
Hands On Children's Museum (Olympia)
Imagine Children's Museum (Everett)
KidsQuest Children's Museum (Bellevue)
Mobius Kids (Spokane)
Wisconsin
Betty Brinn Children's Museum (Milwaukee)
The Building for Kids, Inc. (Appleton)
Central Wisconsin Children's Museum (Stevens Point)
Children's Museum of Eau Claire
Children's Museum of La Crosse
Madison Children's Museum
Northwoods Children's Museum (Eagle River)
The Association of Children's Museums has partnered with ParentsConnect Local (GoCityKids) to offer children free admission when accompanied by a paying adult at participating children's museums as part of ParentsConnect Local's Deals & Steals program September 29-October 26, 2008. Nearly 130 museums are participating; please check the list below for a museum nearest you.
Alabama
Children's Hands-On Museum (Tuscaloosa)
EarlyWorks Children's Museum (Huntsville)
Arizona
Arizona Museum for Youth (Mesa)
Children's Museum of Phoenix
Tucson Children's Museum
California
Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito)
Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert (Rancho Mirage)
Children's Museum of the Sierra (Oakhurst)
Habitot Children's Museum (Berkeley)
Fairytale Town (Sacramento)
Fingerprints Youth Museum (Hemet)
Kern County Museum & Lori Brock Children's Discovery Center (Bakersfield)
KidZone Museum (Truckee)
The New Children's Museum (San Diego)
Paso Robles Children's Museum
Colorado
Buell Children's Museum (Pueblo)
Connecticut
The Children's Museum (West Hartford)
The Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut (Niantic)
Lutz Children's Museum (Manchester)
Stepping Stones Museum for Children (Norwalk, CT)
Florida
Great Explorations Children's Museum (St. Petersburg)
Explorations V Children's Museum (Lakeland)
Miami Children's Museum
My Jewish Discovery Place (Plantation)
Schoolhouse Children's Museum & Learning Center (Boynton Beach)
Georgia
Interactive Neighborhood for Kids
Illinois
Bronzeville Children's Museum (Chicago)
Chicago Children's Museum
Children's Discovery Museum (Normal)
Children's Museum of Illinois (Decatur)
Children's Neighborhood Museum (Round Lake)
The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn
Discovery Center Museum (Rockford)
DuPage Children's Museum (Naperville)
Exploration Station...a children's museum (Bourbonnais)
Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago (Glenview)
Orpheum Children's Science Museum (Champaign)
Wonder Works, A Children's Museum in Oak Park
Indiana
Children's Museum of Evansville
kidscommons, Columbus' Community Children's Museum
Iowa
The Iowa Children's Museum (Coralville)
Phelps Youth Pavilion (Waterloo)
Louisiana
Children's Museum of Acadiana (Lafayette)
Louisiana Children's Museum (New Orleans)
T.R.E.E. House Children's Museum (Alexandria)
Maine
Children's Museum of Maine (Portland)
Maine Discovery Museum (Bangor)
Maryland
Chesapeake Children's Museum (Annapolis)
Discovery Creek (Glen Echo)
The Children's Museum of Rose Hill Manor Park (Frederick)
Port Discovery Children's Museum (Baltimore)
Massachusetts
Children's Museum in Easton
Michigan
Curious Kids' Museum (St. Joseph)
Flint Children's Museum
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Great Lakes Children's Museum (Traverse City)
Impression 5 Science Center (Lansing)
Kids 'N' Stuff (Albion)
Minnesota
Duluth Children's Museum
Minnesota Children's Museum (St. Paul)
Mississippi
Lynn Meadows Discovery Center (Gulfport)
Missouri
The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum
Montana
The Children's Museum of Montana (Great Falls)
Nebraska
Lincoln Children's Museum
Omaha Children's Museum
Nevada
Lied Discovery Children's Museum (Las Vegas)
New Jersey
Liberty Science Center (Jersey City)
New York
Brooklyn Children's Museum
Children's Maritime Museum (Port Jefferson)
Children's Museum of the Arts (New York)
Explore & More Children's Museum (East Aurora)
Long Island Children's Museum (Garden City)
The Children's Museum at Saratoga
Staten Island Children's Museum
Strong National Museum of Play (Rochester)
North Carolina
The Children's Museum of Wilmington
Children's Museum of Winston-Salem
The Children's Playhouse (Boone)
Exploration Station (Lumberton)
Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art & ArtQuest (Greensboro)
Greensboro Children's Museum
KidSenses Children's InterACTIVE Museum (Rutherfordton)
Kidzu Children's Museum (Chapel Hill)
Marbles Kids Museum (Raleigh)
Museum of Life and Science (Durham)
North Dakota
The Children's Museum at Yunker Farm (Fargo)
Ohio
AHA! A Hands-On Adventure (Lancaster)
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery (Dayton)
Sunwatch Indian Village (Dayton)
Oregon
A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village (Salem)
Portland Children's Museum
Pennsylvania
Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
expERIEnce Children's Museum (Erie)
Hands-on House, Children's Museum of Lancaster
Puerto Rico
Museo del Nino Puerto Rico (Old San Juan)
South Carolina
Children's Museum of the Lowcountry (Charleston)
Children's Museum of South Carolina (Myrtle Beach)
EdVenture Children's Museum (Columbia)
The Sandbox - An Interactive Children's Museum (Hilton Head)
Tennessee
Creative Discovery Museum (Chattanooga)
The Children's Museum of Memphis
Texas
Austin Children's Museum
Children's Discovery Museum of the Golden Crescent (Victoria)
The Children's Museum of Houston
Discovery Science Place (Tyler)
Imaginarium of South Texas (Laredo)
Texoma Children's Museum (Denison)
Utah
Treehouse Museum (Ogden)
Virginia
Amazement Square (Lynchburg)
Children's Museum of Virginia (Portsmouth)
Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum (Winchester)
Virginia Discovery Museum (Charlottesville)
Washington
Children's Museum of Skagit County (Burlington)
Children's Museum of Tacoma
Children's Museum of Walla Walla
Hands On Children's Museum (Olympia)
Imagine Children's Museum (Everett)
KidsQuest Children's Museum (Bellevue)
Mobius Kids (Spokane)
Wisconsin
Betty Brinn Children's Museum (Milwaukee)
The Building for Kids, Inc. (Appleton)
Central Wisconsin Children's Museum (Stevens Point)
Children's Museum of Eau Claire
Children's Museum of La Crosse
Madison Children's Museum
Northwoods Children's Museum (Eagle River)
I've been tagged!
I was just tagged by my friends Lee and Cyn. They're so nice to think of me!
Here are the rules: Link to the person who tagged you.
List 6 quirks of yours.
Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same.
(1) I can't stand to see things hanging out of drawers or see drawers left slightly open. Same with cabinet doors. Everything must be shut and flush with the rest of the cabinet or chest (if it's a drawer).
(2) I can't stand the word TYLENOL. Just saying it conjures up thoughts of fever and nasty fake cherry liquid and Luden's cough drops.
I couldn't even bring myself to consider the name Tyler for a boy because it's too close to TYLENOL. ::SHIVERS::
(3) The shirts hanging in my closet are organized in ROYGBIV order. The same goes for my husband's side. I try to keep the pants grouped together (khakis, black, shorts, capris, etc.) but I'm not as particular about the trousers as I am the shirts.
(4) I hate filling out forms that want you to indicate your SEX instead of your GENDER. I'm always tempted to write "YES" in the blank instead of the required M or F.
(5) I am the only one allowed to fold my laundry. I'm very particular about how things are folded... like Martha picky. When I had my first child and my mother-in-law visited, she folded all my towels into squares. I like the tri-fold method for towel folding. I had to refold all of the towels after she left. Did it matter, really? The fold didn't make the towel unuseable, but it drove me BATTY to know they were folded wrong. The same goes with sheets. I'm almost the same way about loading the dishwasher, but other people are allowed to do that. That doesn't bother me as badly as the laundry thing does.
(6) I have to have mayonnaise on sandwiches that have meat on them. If the sandwich has cheese on it, then I can't have mustard on it (cheeseburgers are an exception to that rule..)
I tag:
Lita
Joanie
Carrie
Brandi
Casey
Sherry
Here are the rules: Link to the person who tagged you.
List 6 quirks of yours.
Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same.
(1) I can't stand to see things hanging out of drawers or see drawers left slightly open. Same with cabinet doors. Everything must be shut and flush with the rest of the cabinet or chest (if it's a drawer).
(2) I can't stand the word TYLENOL. Just saying it conjures up thoughts of fever and nasty fake cherry liquid and Luden's cough drops.
I couldn't even bring myself to consider the name Tyler for a boy because it's too close to TYLENOL. ::SHIVERS::
(3) The shirts hanging in my closet are organized in ROYGBIV order. The same goes for my husband's side. I try to keep the pants grouped together (khakis, black, shorts, capris, etc.) but I'm not as particular about the trousers as I am the shirts.
(4) I hate filling out forms that want you to indicate your SEX instead of your GENDER. I'm always tempted to write "YES" in the blank instead of the required M or F.
(5) I am the only one allowed to fold my laundry. I'm very particular about how things are folded... like Martha picky. When I had my first child and my mother-in-law visited, she folded all my towels into squares. I like the tri-fold method for towel folding. I had to refold all of the towels after she left. Did it matter, really? The fold didn't make the towel unuseable, but it drove me BATTY to know they were folded wrong. The same goes with sheets. I'm almost the same way about loading the dishwasher, but other people are allowed to do that. That doesn't bother me as badly as the laundry thing does.
(6) I have to have mayonnaise on sandwiches that have meat on them. If the sandwich has cheese on it, then I can't have mustard on it (cheeseburgers are an exception to that rule..)
I tag:
Lita
Joanie
Carrie
Brandi
Casey
Sherry
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
2 things
I'm home today with an ailing Lillian. She has a little tummy bug. I think she's more upset about missing school than she is about being sick. That's all she was concerned with last night as she was holding her head over the trash can. "I don't think I can go to school tomorrow! My friends will miss me! Who will Talley play with?!?!" Bless her heart. So we're vegging on the sofa, watching as much Dora as one 4 year-old can possibly stand. Ay, caramba!
Since I'm just sittin' on the couch, I'm perusing the internet and came across a new giveaway. I think I'm going to order the creativity wall decal. It's just so cool. Lots of other awesome things there, too. Go check out the site and then go enter to win your own wall art (they have cool laptop art, too!)
Happy hump day. Say a prayer for my Lillo if you will. She's always on the go, so being down for the count with a virus just bums her out.
Since I'm just sittin' on the couch, I'm perusing the internet and came across a new giveaway. I think I'm going to order the creativity wall decal. It's just so cool. Lots of other awesome things there, too. Go check out the site and then go enter to win your own wall art (they have cool laptop art, too!)
Happy hump day. Say a prayer for my Lillo if you will. She's always on the go, so being down for the count with a virus just bums her out.
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