The celebration continues...

Evan turned 13 today. Jamie always tries to make each birthday special from morning till bedtime for the boys. But this year we made this one even a little more special since it was a milestone birthday. He got a new video game he had been wanting and also an MP3. He was tickled with both. I made him a giant cookie pie and got some vanilla ice cream per his request. And he always asks for sparkling grape juice, LOL! We even got out the fancy glasses, LOL! He started the morning with a special birthday breakfast from McDonald's consisting of a steak, egg, and cheese bagel and a Frappe'. Tonight we'll be taking him to Red Robin to use his free burger coupon. I hope you had a very special birthday buddy! I love you so much!!!

Happy 13th Birthday Evan! (June 30, 1996)

Thirteen years ago today...on a Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m...I met my beautiful first born son. You came into the world very quiet and very blue...weighing in at 7 pounds 5 ounces and measuring 19 inches long.
We were terrified when you first arrived. You weren't breathing too well on your own. You were immediately given oxygen and whisked away for observation.
Without ever even getting to hold my precious boy, they informed daddy and I that you would need to be transferred to the NICU at Butterworth Hospital (Spectrum) in Grand Rapids.
All of the nurses at Holland Hospital were very kind, and then the ambulance drivers and EMT came in to get you. One EMT was a christian and he talked with us and prayed with us and even gave us his home phone number. The EMT took a Polaroid picture of you to give to daddy and me. A picture of you is not what I wanted after waiting nine long months while you grew and then going through eight long hours of labor.
You remained in the NICU for almost two weeks receiving oxygen, tube feedings, numerous tests, and constant monitoring.We visited you everyday and I cried every time I had to leave. I prayed for you 24/7 and felt if I caught myself not praying for you at any time during the day, that I was failing you. Not knowing if you were going to live or die was excruciating. I felt like I had very little knowledge of what was going on. I have only seen your dad cry one time in all the nearly 17 years I've known him...and that was the day you were born and we were scared for your life.
I remember the day I called to check on you first thing one morning before we went up to visit...and the nurse answered and told me, "Uh...Evan James...um...hang on one moment...we can't find him..." WHAT?!?! Can't find him??? Turns out, you had "graduated" into the "intermediate" care of the NICU...you were no longer high risk. You remained there a few more days and then the day finally came when we got to bring our precious baby boy home.
I can't believe we are celebrating your thirteenth birthday today. How did my precious little bundle grow up so quick? How is it your feet are bigger than mine? How is it you are nearly taller than me and I'm almost looking up to you? Your voice is getting deeper and you are getting so handsome.
I remember all your favorites that we've gone through...Veggie Tales and Bible Man, Power Rangers and Hot Wheels, you still love Lego's and Star Wars!
I am so proud of you.
Your teachers have always bragged on you, both in school and at church.
I am so proud and thrilled at how much you love Royal Rangers and all your accomplishments in there.
It excites me that your interests are so diverse. From camping, to growing plants and flowers, to caring for unwanted animals, to cooking, to cross country/track, to lacrosse.
I love being your mom.
You bring meaning to my life.
Continue to serve Jesus and commit your life to Him always. Always ask for direction from Him.
I love you more than you will ever know.
Forever and always...
Mom

PowWow

This post is a little out of order, but Evan went to Royal Ranger Pow Wow this past week. He had a great time.

The picture above is the patch he received for going. It was full of activities...swimming, boating, shooting, FCF Village (which he is hoping to join soon).

He came home a bit sunburnt and with a few bug bites...but mostly dirty! LOL! Guess that's to be expected with boys and camping though.

He had a great time and told me he is thinking of getting water baptized...but isn't sure if he wants to do it at church or next time Rangers have a campout and do it in a lake. I told him to think about it and just let us know. Sounds like it was a time of not only fun but spiritual growth too. I'm so thankful for the dedicated leaders at our church and that our boys are involved in such a wonderful program.

My baby's gettin' ready to turn 13...

Today we celebrated Evan's 13th birthday with geeg and papa. His birthday is actually on Tuesday, but we had our little celebration with them today. They came over for dinner. Evan chose the menu. We had a Mexican feast. I made homemade burritos, tacos, and chili-cheese dip. For dessert I made a chocolate cream pie. Ev opened his gifts after dinner. Geeg and papa got him a model airplane he had been wanting, and also a new jacket and some sweatpants for cross country and track. We played a round of Farkle later and had a good visit. Tuesday he gets celebration number two on his actual birthday. We'll be taking him out for dinner and I'll be making another dessert and he'll get his gift from us. I don't think he reads my blog, but I better not say what it is...because I'm sure he's trying to think of every place he can that I might slip up and tell what he's getting! LOL! Happy birthday sweet Evie!

Payment for a job well done!

The boys got their first paycheck!
They have been delivering the Advance Newspaper for two weeks now and this week was their first paycheck.
You can tell by the pictures they are just tickled pink! (Or maybe I should say green...all that cold hard cash! LOL!)
They are doing a great job and we are so proud of them!

What a busy day of shopping!

This was one crazy busy day of shopping. Not only did I have three stops to make...the fact that I had refrigerated or frozen items at each stop and the fact that it was 85 degrees made it crazy! The boys and I were running like mad in and out of stores! LOL!

Meijer was our first stop and I was so pleased with myself this week. I get so excited when I see how much I spent versus how much I saved. It really makes me sit back and think about all the money I was wasting for all those years before I know "how to do this". I used to consistently spend $100.00-130.00 a week on groceries. Now I am consistently spending about $35.00-60.00. It just floors me.

This week at Meijer...I spent $35.97. I saved $42.63. And I did this WITHOUT the help of SavingsAngel!!! I cancelled my membership last month and this is the first month of doing "it" on my own. I can't believe how much I've learned and that I'm actually succeeding on my own! That alone is saving me $19.95 a month!!! SavingsAngel is a wonderful service...it makes looking at the sale ads and gathering coupons SO much easier and faster than doing it alone. But with the drop in my income this summer, I really needed to cut back in some areas and this was one area I felt I had learned enough on to try it on my own. And so far, IT'S WORKING!

Target also had a great deal on Eggo Bake Shope products. They had them on sale for $1.50 and I had a $1.00 off coupon, making them 50 cents! Can't beat that! Yay!

Had to grab a few items at WalMart as usual. Nothing huge to brag on...but if I really need something and it's not on sale or I don't have a coupon...and it's a necessity...it comes from WalMart because you just can't beat their everyday low prices.

Until next time...happy saving!

Old Navy days...

What a day of bargain hunting!

Today I started off my day getting up early and heading out to the doorbuster sale at Old Navy to get my hands on some of those $2.00 tanks. I also had a 15% off coupon to add with it so I got them for $1.70 a piece! There was only about 25 people there when I arrived and only maybe 15 more trickled in after me. We did rush the door as they unlocked it though! LOL! But they were all arranged on tables by size and there was lots of styles to choose from. I went straight to my size table and grabbed five and headed straight to the check-out line. The employees were organized, patient, and friendly. I was very impressed with the trip! Not at all like what people had been warning me about when the flip flop deal was going on.

Well...I went back later...LOL!

I decided to use my "50% off a $100.00 purchase" coupon. Imagine!!! $100.00 worth of clothes for $50.00!!! My plan was to get the boys some school clothes. But not knowing how much they would grow over the summer made me think it probably would be wise to wait. They hit these crazy growing spurts and they'll grow 2-3 inches all at once! But I did get them both a few things. Nate needed a new backpack for school. He had been telling me he wanted a messenger bag style this year. Well, as luck would have it...we found a navy blue guys messenger bag for $29.50...we picked it up...but little did we know...we got to the register and it was 1/2 price...$14.75!!! Woohoo! He also ended up with a cool Star Wars t-shirt. They had their flag tees on sale for half price as well ($2.50) so both of the boys got one of those. Evan needed some new shorts so we picked up two pair of denim shorts for $10.00 a piece. Then I got to have a little fun. I ended up with 2 cute empire waist tops (one white, one orange), a peach layering cami, two braided neck tanks (one yellow, one blue), and a pink pair of flip flops!

All in all...we got $135.00 worth of merchandise for $54.33. We "thought" we had everything tallied up to be $100.00 when we got to the register...but because there were so many items on sale...we got to keep running back and grabbing more merchandise! LOL! It was great!

I had a bad experience with Old Navy many years ago and vowed never to go back. But after today...I am now a fan again. What a day!

YAY! I got one!!!

Ok, so I keep hearing about these great promos that Old Navy does where you go to their site and click to find the hidden coupons. I heard there was $75.00 off a $100.00 purchase, $50.00 off a $100.00 purchase, $30.00 off a $100.00 purchase, and then lots of 10% off, 15% off coupons. Well everytime I've ever gone to the site during one of these promos, I'm too late and everything is gone. Well I got the heads up on Deal Seeking Mom this time that they were about to run another one. So here I sat...glued to my computer...chatting with the other moms...while we all kept "refreshing" the Old Navy site hoping to catch the new ad. We chatted Thursday night...nothing. Chatted all day Friday...nothing. FINALLY...I hit refresh and it says "LOADING". YES!!! I couldn't believe my eyes! I caught it just as they were updating! I started clicking like mad because those things go quick! I got a $50.00 off a $100.00 purchase! YES! I was jumping up and down! As cheap as their clothes are, think of all the clothes I can get for the boys and me! Yay! $100.00 worth of clothes for $50.00!!!

Also...just a heads up...tomorrow is $2.00 tank top day!!! I'm headed out right when they open! It will probably be mad...but I'm going to attempt it because I also have a 15% off coupon to add to it! Tanks for $1.70! I'll let ya know how I fare! LOL!

A quick trip to Meijer...

Had a pretty decent trip to Meijer today.
My goal is always to save as much as I spend...or more if I can!
Today everything I bought was on sale...plus I had a coupon for every item as well.
(Well, except for the lemon and the ground beef! LOL!)
I spent $35.80.
I saved $32.28.
Not a bad trip!
I am so pleased with my progress since the beginning of the year.
I was spending around $130.00 a week on groceries.
Now...after learning all the ins and outs of couponing and such...
The MOST I've ever spent was $60.00...and that's HIGH.
It's generally always in the $30.00 to $40.00 range.
I am so grateful to all the bloggers, sites, and friends who have been teaching and helping me!
Thank-you all you money saving, frugal, thrifty, penny pinching, couponing mommas!
You rock!

I love my family!

Ok...so I've been in a reflective mood lately. Not my usual silly, couponing, crazy writings.

Anywho...

Just wanted to take a minute to say how grateful I am for everything I have been blessed with.

I would never have dreamed how amazing my life would have turned out.

It's not perfect by any means.

But I have a great hubby.

Two awesome sons.

An adorable cat.

A nice home.

A great school district for my kids.

A wonderful home church.

A dependable car.

A job that pays the bills.

Things aren't perfect.

Money is tight.

The boys fight.

Hubby and I argue.

I have to scoop the cat's litter box. LOL!

Things need repairs or replacing.

That's life.

But who would have thought I'd have met such a great guy.

One who refuses to ask for directions and questions mine (even though I have a good sense of direction).

One who is always running late (but thinks it's me and the boys that cause it).

One who takes over when I am cooking (be my guest).

We are so different.

I love dressing up.

He'd live in sweats (and pretty much does).

I love trying new ma and pa restaurants and cafes.

He loves chain/franchise restaurants that are tried and true.

I'm not a sports nut.

He is.

We're so different.

But so alike.

In all the things that matter.

Parenting.

Morals.
Ethics.

Beliefs.

He would do anything for me and the boys...and does.

Anything to make our life better than the one he had growing up.

I thank God for him.

And those boys...oh those boys...

I never thought I would love having boys so much!

I always thought I'd want at least one little girl.

But I think even if someone said I could "HAVE" one more child of my choice...I think I'd pick another boy!

We have so much fun.

They are so wonderful.

They are well-behaved, respectful, caring, kind, hard-working, empathetic.

That's what everyone tells me.

Yes...at home they fight, mouth off, leave their toys out, have messy rooms, eat too much junk, etc.

But we are a family.

And I wouldn't trade my life with anyone for anything!!!

I love saving more than I spend!

Yesterday was a pretty decent trip to Walgreens...although I must say I was a bit disappointed that they were out of the Schick razors...gonna go back later this week when the truck comes in and check again. Maybe in the meantime I'll run to the other Walgreens as well!

Anywho...

Got hubby one of those Gillette Fusion Power Razors (regular $11.49) on sale for $9.49. Well with that I had a $4.00 off coupon taking it down to $5.49...but it also came with a $2.50 Register Reward...so technically I got it for $2.99!!! Yay me!!! Along with that, they were giving away free shave gel with it! Double yay!

They also happened to have hubby's very favorite deoderant on sale...regular $2.99 but with the Walgreens coupon it was 98 cents...well I just happened to have a coupon for Save $1.00 on two...so I got them for 48 cents! Yay again!

I also picked up the Saint Yves body wash for $2.99 because it came with a $3.00 Register Reward...so that's FREE plus a penny!

My tally was:

Spent $14.21

Saved $14.90

I love those kinds of saving/spending totals...saving as much as you spend!

What a rush!

What a great deal on the new Off Clip-On!

So I have always HATED the idea of spraying/rubbing chemicals all over my body to keep the mosquitos away.

It's not like I'm some big "naturalist" or "green" person. But the thought of placing chemicals strong enough to kill bugs all over my skin just doesn't sit well with me. Well once I saw these Off Clip-On Fans, I was very intrigued. The only thing, they are anywhere from $8.00 to $10.00 a piece!!! If I were to buy one for each of my family members that would be nearly $40.00!!! So I put if off.

Well, then someone shared a link with me (forgive me for forgetting who it was because I would thank you and hug you right now) for a Buy 1, Get 1 Free and I was able to print TWO! So I was already excited about that, thinking that I could at least get one for all four of us and only pay 50% of what it would have cost me.

But then...I also came across a $2.00 off coupon, a $1.00 off coupon, and a 55 cents off coupon for ANY Off repellant!

So now...off to first of all find the best deal. This came at WalMart where they are selling them for $8.94. So I grabbed four of them.

Now...using the two Buy 1, Get 1 Free coupons, plus the other coupons totaling $3.55...instead of paying $35.76...I was able to only pay $14.33.

In other words, instead of paying $8.94 a piece...I only paid $3.58!!!

How awesome is that!?!?!

Pretty darn great!

I love it when I know the store coupon policy better than their own employees!

So, I go to Target today with some of the awesome coupons my fellow "coupon sista" Diane has shared with us all...

I had two $1.00 off coupons for Vaseline Intensive Care lotions (didn't specify size or say it couldn't be used on trial size).

I had two $1.00 off coupons for Nexcare Bandages (didn't specify the count or say it couldn't be used on trial size).

I also had a $3.00 off ANY three Johnson's products (again, no specifications).

So the cashier rings up my items, and it's time to scan the coupons. Naturally the coupons start "beeping" and not going through because she's trying to scan it for $1.00 when it only costs 97 cents.

She promptly turns to me and say, "I can't take this it's for more than the price of the item."

I politely said, "Oh sure you can...all you have to do it just take off the price charged for the item...I understand you don't give overages."

All I hear is a big loud SIGH on her part.

LOLOLOLOL!

I love it!

So she calls another employee over...he studies the coupons and tells me he doesn't think they can take these coupons on trial size items.

I politely said, "Oh sure you can. You just take off the amount of the item, no overage. There's no specifications on size. It's your store policy."

So I get a loud SIGH from him and he promply calls over the customer service manager.

LOLOLOLOL!

She comes over and explains to both of them EXACTLY what I just told them both!!!

LOLOLOLOL!

I'm standing there just about to bust a gut laughing at them...but I don't. I'm completely composed and polite.

She finishes ringing me through and gives me an irritated and gruff "Have a nice day" and moves on to the next customer.

LOLOLOLOL!

It still just amazes me that stores don't completely and thoroughly train their cashiers on store policy when it comes to coupons. I mean really, HOW HARD IS IT?

Used to, it would bother me that I was holding up a line and causing a problem, but now it doesn't. I figure if they can't train their people properly, it's not my fault, now is it!

LOLOLOLOL!

So anyway...

I ended up with 2 FREE lotions, 2 FREE packs of bandages, 3 FREE soaps!!!

AMAZING!!!

$6.97 worth of merchandise for...yep you guessed it...FREE!!!

Kreative Blogger Award

I would first like to thank Sandra from http://orcalady.blogspot.com/ for nominating me for the Kreative Blogger Award! You're a sweetie! But I too am still new at this and feel mine is so simple! LOL! But thank-you anyway for thinking of me!

But I would like to follow the steps and do the same for others!

Here are the rules of this Award:

(1) Thank the person who nominated you for this award.

(2) Copy the logo and place it on your blog.

(3) Link to the person who nominated you for this award.

(4) Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.

(5) Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.

(6) Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.

(7) Leave a comment on each of the blogs, letting them know they have been nominated.To follow the rules of this award, I am choosing the following blogs to receive this award...
http://momsbabypooh-fromthehundredacrewoods.blogspot.com/
http://www.thoughtsofthatmom.com/
http://diane-anderson.blogspot.com/
http://boveefamily.blogspot.com/
http://homeiswhereourstorystarts.blogspot.com/
http://tobynandzoe.blogspot.com/
http://heartilygraced.blogspot.com/
My 7 interesting things...or not...LOL...
1. I was born in Memphis, Tennessee...at the same hospital Elvis died at! LOL! Serious!
2. Although extremely conservative, I was brave enough to get my nose pierced last year!
3. I would love to put two pink streaks in my hair!
4. I have two "CDA" credentials..."Child Development Associate" and "Certified Dental Assistant".
5. I love, love, love cats and if I didn't have to work full-time, such long hours...I'd love to volunteer at the humane society.
6. I love lobster and crab legs...I hate clams and scallops.
7. I love pretty much any genre of music!

Ok, so I was a stinker...

So I went back to K-Mart for their double coupon days today.

This was my second trip because they limit you to only 10 per day. Well I ended up with 20 yesterday because Jamie went with me and took a cart through. So technically, this could be considered my third trip.

Anyway...

I had another great trip.

But first I have to tell you about a little funny.

Since they limit you to 10 coupons, you kindof have to pick and choose what are the best bargains, what you really want, and what they have alot of in case you decide to come back. It's quite a chore.

So anyway...

Yesterday, I had my cart full of my 10 things...but I was having a hard time deciding between a couple things because I had reached my 10 item limit. So I decided to put back the Big Soleil Razors because I have quite an abundance of razors in my stockpile at home and I got something else I really needed instead.

Well, today...

I went back to make another round. I was hoping they'd still have some of those razors because they are my very favorite and I like to nab them when they have a terrific sale. They are regular $5.49 and I was going to be able to get them for $1.49 with my coupon.

So I went to the razor aisle. Well, just as I suspected...as popular as they are...they were all gone. I was a little disappointed.

That is when I remembered what I did yesterday!!! LOL!!!

Ok...so I was a little naughty...but who HASN'T done this?!?!

When I decided to put the razors back yesterday in order to get something else instead...I was on the complete other side of the store and time was running short...so yes...naughty me laid them on a shelf with some cat treats. LOL!

Well...I thought today...what are the chances those razors are still there?

Sure enough!!! LOL!

They were there!!! LOL!

I got my razors today for $1.49!!!

I can't believe they were still there! LOL!

Yes, I was naughty...I didn't put them back where they belong...but hey, I got them today! LOL!

My final tally for today was:

$40.29 worth of merchandise for $8.83

Not bad!

Double coupons at K-Mart!

Yes, it's time once again for double coupons at K-Mart!!! YAY!!!

These trips are always so much fun...but so time consuming.

It's always best to leave the kids and hubby at home.

Although, I must say I broke both of those rules today by taking hubby and one of my sons.

This was all in the plan though. K-Mart is only letting you redeem 10 coupons at a time...so I gathered 20 of the best deals and had my hubby go though another lane with those. Nate was incredibly well-behaved during my shopping spree, as Jamie took him around the store looking at bikes and toys.

My final tally for the day was...

$77.21 worth of merchandise for $16.19!!!

I am getting better and better at this! Couponing takes time. It's a learning curve. There are mistakes along the way. But sticking with it is the key. You soon learn all the tricks of the trade and have a home filled with supplies for a fraction of what all your friends and family are paying! It is definitely worth it!!!

Great day for bargains at Target and WalMart!

Again...

thanks to Diane and Deal Seeking Mom...I got some incredible deals at Target today. I was pointed in the direction of these Glade candles in the cute little tins. Regular $2.99 a piece. They were on sale for $1.67. Well attatched to each was a coupon for $1.50 off, making them 17 cents!!! I was able to grab ELEVEN of them!!! I am planning on using some myself, but thinking they would be great additions to little gift baskets as well for friends or family members!!!

I was also able to get some FREE Degree deoderant. Regular $2.34...I added a Target coupon for $1.50 off and also a manufacturer's coupon for $1.00 off making them free. I grabbed two.

They also carry these handy little three packs of Crystal Light...the kind you add to your water bottle. They only run 99 cents so I used a $1.00 off coupon and got them for FREE. I got three of them!

I got $40.54 worth of merchandise for $1.96!!!

I think I finally topped my best shopping trip ever today! LOL!

Next came my trip to WalMart. I got alot of good deals there. Some of my favorites were:

Velveeta Shells & Cheese...regular $1.98...on roll-back for $1.50...with a coupon for $1.00 off, I got them for 50 cents! Nabbed three.

Taco Bell Taco Kit...regular $1.98...$1.00 off coupon...got it for 98 cents.

Glade Soy Candle...regular $5.47...$4.00 off coupon...got it for $1.47.

Kotex liners...regular $1.00...use a $1.50 off coupon on two...get them for 25 cents each.

Borden Cheese Sensations...regular $1.88...use a $1.00 off coupon...get it for 88 cents.

Bandaids...regular $1.74...use a $1.00 coupon...get them for 74 cents.

Wishbone Ranch Spritz...regular $1.94...use a $1.00 coupon...get it for 94 cents.

Those were some of my favorites.

My final tallies there were:

$36.31 worth of merchandise for $20.26...not bad...saved $16.05.

Forget scrapbooking, forget stamping, forget knitting...COUPONING IS MY NEW HOBBY!

Check out my new bargain blowdryer!

Ignore the flattening iron...but see that darling little pink blowdryer?

It was regular $19.99 at Walgreens. They had it on a MegaSaver price for $12.99. They are doing a $10.00 Register Reward with it...so I technically got it for $2.99!!!

I have to thank Diane for this one! I would have never known about the MegaSaver! I would've totally passed this amazing offer by! Thanks Diane!!!

The boys are loving their new Ranger groups!

Tonight was Rangers for the boys. They both moved into their new groups this week. Nate is now a Discovery Ranger. Evan is now an Expedition Ranger.

Nate says, "My new commanders are Commander Bruce and Commander...I forgot the tall guy's name..." So for now he is "Commander Tall Guy". LOL! He said he had fun. Did a Bible Study, played dodgeball, talked about the fishing merit they're going to earn. He was fitted for his new vest and Commander Barb is going to get his patches sewn on and he'll get that next week.

Evan said he had a great time too. He came out with SEVEN badges tonight! He actually got moved up to the older boys group a year early. He's technically supposed to have another year of Adventure Rangers, but because there are so few eighth graders, they decided to move the more advanced eighth graders up with the older boys and let the other eighth graders who still have more to learn stay with the younger boys in their current Adventure Rangers. They are talking about getting him into FCF which he is TOTALLY excited about! Ev had a great time tonight. The older boys canvassed the neighborhoods near the church going door to door passing out flyers and inviting people to "Kids Games" which is coming up soon. They were rewarded for their hard work with cookies and pop...which Ev loved. He'll be getting his new vest soon and is excited about that.

Before the boys got out...we talked with Commander Barb, the Senior Commander's wife for a bit...she had nothing but the best to say about our boys. I was so proud. She had so much good to say and so much pride in her face and voice as she spoke of them. I was bursting with pride as a parent. When we were talking about Evan and telling her how we hate how kids have to choose between youth group and Rangers at a certain age, I think she almost got a little worried. LOL! We assured her the boys both absolutely LOVE Rangers and will be with them till the end! LOL! I was telling her how my dad was a commander years ago and she said, "Oh good, so Rangers is in the blood...they're not going anywhere, huh?" LOL! I am so grateful for our dedicated leaders in our program.

"Mom, did you take Paxil?"

So Nate comes to me the other day telling me his chest is hurting.
He says, "Mom, did you take Paxil? That commercial on tv says if you took Paxil your child could have a heart defect. I think I have a heart defect."
LOL!
And for the record...
No, I did not take Paxil.
LOL!

Those boys love that cat so much!

This is the

"couch" that Nate made for Oreo. LOL!

Nate is always creating some kind of

"furniture" for that silly cat.

The funny thing is...Oreo always uses whatever it is Nate makes for him!

First Nate found a cardboard box and cut off the top flaps and the front of the box itself. Then he decorated it and we put Oreo's blanket in it. I told Nate not to be disappointed if Oreo didn't sleep in it because he always curls up on the couch or the chair. Well I'll be doggone if that cat doesn't sleep in that "bed" every single night since Nate made it! He's had it for probably six months and he sleeps in it EVERY night!

Now...

Nate has fashioned a couch for him. He used some cardboard and glued some construction paper to it...fancied it up all nice. Well, Oreo wasn't too taken with it at first. But I had been knitting some panels for an afghan and Nate convinced me to give him one as a "throw blanket" for Oreo's couch. Well sure enough...Nate laid it on the "couch" and guided Oreo over to it...and as you can see by the picture...Oreo fell fast asleep on his "couch" and took a couple hour nap. LOL! Good 'ol Natee...maybe he'll be some kind of furniture designer when he grows up! LOL!

Introducing your new newspaper carrier...

Evan James!!!

Yep...he finally got his route!

His name has been on the waiting list for nearly three long years.

He is so excited to have a "job" now.

We are happy for him too.

Now he can pay back all that money he owes us! LOL!

It's just a weekly paper...and it's just our subdivision.

But it's enough to teach him some responsibility and learn about managing his money.

I think he's going to even let Nate "work" for him! LOL!

This should be interesting...

Savings this week...

This week at Target...
Got an awesome deal on Dry Idea deoderant. They have it on sale for $2.49...used a $2.00 coupon and got it for 49 cents! I picked up three!

This week at Walgreens...
I nabbed two of their Colorsilk haircolor which is regular $3.99, but on sale for Buy 1, Get 1 Free!
They also had the famous Ecotrin aspirin deal going. On sale for $2.00, use a $2.00 coupon and you get it for Free! But that's not all...you also get $2.00 back in RegisterRewards! Woohoo!

WalMart had some great deals too...
I had two coupons for $1.00 off Kraft BBQ Sauce...well, they only run 98 cents at WalMart, so I got them FREE!
Velveeta Shells and Cheese are $1.50 and I had a coupon for $1.50 off two...so purchasing two boxes gets them down to 75 cents a piece! I later discovered I had two more coupons for $1.00 off ONE...so I'm going back to get two more for 50 cents each!
Bar S hotdogs are 88 cents and there is a $1.00 off two coupon out there so that brings them down to 38 cents a pack!
Got some Coppertone Sunscreen (stick and keychain)...both ran $3.97...used a $3.00 off coupon on both and got them for 97 cents each!

At Meijer this week...
Got some Cutter Insect First Aid (regular $3.49) on sale for $3.14 and used a $2.00 coupon taking it down to $1.14.
CapriSun...regular $1.98, used a $1.00 coupon and nabbed it for 98 cents!
Ken's Salad Dressing...regular $2.69 on sale for $1.50...use a $1.00 coupon and get it for 50 cents!

Those were just some of my favs...there were alot of other great steals as well.
Here were my tallies this week...

Target: Spent $22.85...Saved $20.85
Walgreens: Spent $8.97...Saved $18.44
WalMart: Spent $16.94...Saved $14.36
Meijer: Spent $46.90...Saved $39.40

A good week I'd say!

Evan made the newspaper!

We received our weekly edition of the MyZeeland newspaper yesterday. It's just a little small-town newspaper with bits and pieces of usually "yesterday's news".

Well, we opened it up, and there was an article and a full two page spread of photos from the Memorial Day Parade here in Zeeland.

Well who's picture do you think appeared big and bold?

Yup! Evan!

There he was marching right along with Cityside's band playig his trumpet!

Needless to say, we were very proud!!!