Pool fun...

Went to the pool the other night...and I think in the nine years we've lived here, this was only the second time I've taken pictures of the boys! LOL! So here they are!

The boys love having a neighborhood pool. I enjoy pools, but I am not one who enjoys parading around in public in my swimsuit. I know everyone else in the world does it...but I have always had issues with parading around half naked, LOL! Guess I'm not that comfortable struttin' my stuff! LOL!

But the boys love it, so we always take them down several times a week. I usually bring a book or magazine, but most of the time Jam and I just end up chatting.

Happy summer!!!

Chances are...

Chances are...
If you catch me early in the morning, I will be obsessing about my hair...

Chances are...
If you catch me later in the day, I will be obsessing about my hair...

Chances are...
If you visited at 12:30am, I'd still be up and wide awake...

Chances are...
If you walk into Evan's room, there's a good chance it will look like a tornado hit it...(sorry Ev, just statin' the facts)

Chances are...
If you walk into Nate's room, it will be neat as a pin...

Chances are...
If you walked in at lunchtime in the summer, the boys would be chowing on Michaelina's...

Chances are...
If the boys are home, there's a good bet that cat will be curled up on one of their laps asleep...

Chances are...
If you see me on the weekend, I will look totally different than I do through the week...

Chances are...
If we are going anywhere, my hubby will be the last out the door, yet somehow say it was us that made him late, LOL...

Chances are...
If there is a coupon available, it is in my possession...

Chances are...
You will NEVER see me without make-up...

Chances are...
In the summer evenings, you will catch me outside watering and weeding my flowers...

Now it's your turn...begin each sentence with "Chances are..." and have fun with it!

Savings for today...

I did my grocery shopping for the week today...and I have to say, although I spent more than I have in MONTHS since I've been couponing...I got A TON for my money and totally stocked up on some staples.
At Family Fare, I managed to snag more General Mills cereal for 99 cents a box. Got two boxes of Golden Grahams on sale for $1.49 each and I had a coupon for $1.00 off two...thus the 99 cents! I haven't (and won't) paid over a dollar for name brand cereal since I started couponing months ago. And we're talking NAME BRAND cereal.
They had Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls on sale for 99 cents and I had a coupon for 75 cents off three, thus taking them down to 74 cents a piece!
Suave Shampoo/conditioner was on sale for 99 cents and I have a coupon for $1.00 off two so I snagged those for 49 cents each.
Rice-A-Roni was on sale for 99 cents a box and I had a coupon for $1.00 off three so I got those for 66 cents a box.
My final tally there was:
I spent: $21.52
I saved: $26.28
Awesome!
At Meijer...I had a good trip as well!
Some of my highlights included...Sally Hansen nail polish. It was on sale for 40% off. I bought one regular $4.64...but paid $2.51 for it...used a 50 cent off coupon making it $2.01. Now along with that I paired a Buy 1, Get 1 Free coupon so I got another nail polish regular $4.19 for FREE. In all, I got $8.83 worth of nail polish for $2.01...or right around a dollar a piece! Very cool! Time for a mani/pedi!!!
One of the best deals was Downey...regular $4.49...on sale for $3.79...I had a $3.00 off catalina coupon making it 79 cents!!! Woohoo!!!
They had Ball Park Franks on sale for $1.25 a pack (which in itself is a good deal) but I had a $1.00 coupon off two making them 75 cents each!
Those were my top picks.
In all, my tally was:
Spent: $70.24
Saved: $59.68
As I said, this was one of my highest grocery bills in a LONG time...but I came home with a boat-load of staples!
Until next time...Happy couponing!

Great deals at Walgreen's and Target today!

I had two really great shopping trips today!

First off, at Walgreens...I only bought gum and razors but they were really great bargains!

I got four Mentos packs of gum...regular $1.69...with a Walgreens coupon for 99 cents each...and I had a 55 cents off coupon for each taking them down to 44 cents a piece!

Then I picked up those Bic Comfort 3 razors that were on sale for $2.99 along with my $2.00 off coupon making them just 99 cents!

My tally there came to:

Amount spent $2.93

Amount saved: $8.50

Then I headed over to Target. I really hit some great bargains on Kashi products. I had tried to get some coupons online but for some reason they wouldn't print, so I contacted the company and they sent me TWO COUPONS FOR ANY KASHI ITEM FOR FREE!!! So I got a box of crackers, regular $3.54 and some breakfast bars, regular $3.99 for FREE!!!

Then I printed four of the Target Kashi coupons for $1.00 off any Kashi cereal...and since it didn't specify size, I was able to get four of the single serve bowls of cereal, regular $1.00 for FREE!!! I picked up a few other bargains using coupons as well.

My tally there came to:

Amount spent: $3.41

Amount saved: $15.53

I just love these kinds of trips!

Cheesey Kielbasa Bake

So, it looks like today we are trying yet another new recipe! I am loving this! This is the way we have discovered some of our favorite recipes of all time...just by trying out new things! Over the years we have found some really awesome recipes...many just in the newspaper...Jamie is good at scouting out those! LOL! We've discovered Chicken Squares (everyone asks for that recipe when I make it!), Taco Casserole (another favorite), and many more! Well here is the recipe for the one we're trying tonight! I hope to inspire you just as so many of you have inspired me!
Chesey Kielbasa Bake
12 oz. uncooked elbow macaroni
2 lbs. kielbasa or smoked sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
2 medium zucchini, quartered and sliced
2 medium carrots, grated
1 garlic glove, minced
1 jar (26 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 carton (15 oz.) ricotta cheese
2 c. (8 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese
2 c. (8 oz.) shredded mozerella cheese
2 green onions, chopped
Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain, and set aside. In a large skillet, brawn sausage in oil over medium heat. Add the onions, zucchini, carrots and garlic; cook and stir for 5-6 minutes or until crisp-tender. Stir in spaghetti sauce and tomatoes. Brings to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
In each of two greased 13X9 baking dishes layer a fourth of the macaroni and meat sauce. Combine the egg and ricotta cheese; spoon a fourth over sauce. Sprinkle with a fourth of the cheddar and mozerellaa cheeses. Repeats layers. Top with green onions.
Cover and bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Uncover; bake 15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Serve one casserole. Cool second casserole; cover and freeze for up to 2 months.
To use frozen casserole: Thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Remove for 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until heated through.

This week at a glance...

Well, it's been a rather busy week.

Work is always busy.

Tuesday the boys both had doctor appointments. Nate weighed 68 pounds and was just under five feet tall. Dr. Hoekman told him he could stand to "put some meat on his bones"...LOL! She suggested we start buying whole milk again for him just to boost his caloric intake. He's just growing up so fast and is so active that he's having a hard time keeping up his weight. Jam and I got him some of those Carnation Instant Breakfast drinks as well since he loves chocolate milk and we're having him drink one of those WITH his breakfast to boost his calories too. He had asked me if he'd have to get any shots and I told him I thought he was all caught up. Turns out, they have added a second dost to the chicken pox shot and he never got it...so when she told him he needed a booster, he looks at me like, "What the..." LOL!

Evan weighed 100 pounds even and is 5 feet 5 inches tall. She told him he could gain a few pounds too but she wasn't really as concerned with him because he's not as far "off" on the charts as Nate...he's keeping up fairly decent. He needed two shots...got his menengitis and tetanus shots. And she checked his back (his scoliosis)...which was the main reason for us going. She decided to have us do an x-ray that day at the office and is supposed to call us back once she does some checking on the current recommendations based on the degree of his curve. She told me that they are not jumping as quick with aggressive treatment because research has shown that many of the people that have worn braces, the braces have not really done much good for them anyway. So they are doing alot more monitoring before treatment based on the degree of the curve. So she's supposed to get back with us after she reads the x-rays. We appreciate all the prayers thus far and ask for continued prayers for him! Thank-you!

Tuesday was Oreo Flower's birthday! Or shall we say "Gotcha Day"...the day we "got" him. He is now four years old and it has been two years that he has been a part of our family. Nate made him a tiara and he had a special birthday feast (moist food).

This week I have been inspired in the kitchen. Having grown tired of making the "same old, same old" for dinners...I've been going through my Quick Cooking magazines and bookmarking all the best looking recipes. If you've read my previous posts, you'll see two of the recipes we tried this week. Both were quite tasty, but I have to say the Chicago Style Pan Pizza was our favorite. Honestly...I think it has been one of the best recipes I've ever made! I thought it was absolutely delicious!

Nate has been in another creative mood...as you can tell by the pictures...he made Oreo a sleeping bag today. He put a little blanket in there for him. Funny thing was, Oreo crawled right in and took a nap! LOL! That cat seems to love anything Nate makes for him! He STILL sleeps in the bed Nate made him over a year ago! LOL!

Had one mishap this week...I discovered the LCD screen of my camera was not working...as Jamie examined it further, we discovered a crack along the whole front of the camera, looking as if it has been dropped. So far, no one has come forward. We have a case of the "not mes" and "ida knows". We can still take pictures through the view finder (the old fashion way) but I am hating it. Not being able to immediately see how your picture turned out is excruciating. I don't know how we survived all those years of "film cameras". Also, I can't delete because I can't see what I'm deleting. So, since it still takes pictures...we're using it. But we are keeping our eyes open for a great deal on cameras. This one is probably five years old or so and I've really put it through the ringer. So...until then...we're just dealing with it.

Well, tomorrow is Saturday and I'm looking forward to one of my favorite things...sleeping in.

Until next time...

Melly

Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza!

From our family to yours!

We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we have over the years!

Chicago Style Pan Pizza

1 loaf (1 pound) frozen bread dough

1 pound bulk Italian sausage

1 small package pepperoni

6 strips cooked crisp bacon, crumbled

1 small jar olives (green or black)

2 c. shredded mozerella cheese

1/2 pound sliced mushrooms

1 small onion, chopped

2 tsp. olive oil

1 can (28 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained

3/4 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. fennel seed, crushed

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. minced garlic

1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese

Press dough onto the bottom and up the sides of a greased 13X9X2 baking dish. In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Sprinkle sausage, bacon, and pepperoni over dough. Top with mozerella cheese.

In a skillet, saute mushrooms, olive, and onion in oil until onion is tender. Stir in the tomatoes, oregano, salt, fennel seed, minced garlic, and garlic powder. Spoon over mozerella cheese. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Meatball Tortellini

So, after getting tired of so many of our old "stand-by" meals...and looking through all my old "Quick Cooking" magazines...I came across this recipe and we're trying it tonight! I have it in my crockpot right now and it smells delicious! I took one little taste...and all I'll say is...YUM!
(I know, this comes after me complaining about my weight yesterday, LOL!)


Meatball Tortellini

1 pkg. (16 oz) frozen California blend vegetables, thawed
1 pkg. (14 oz) frozen cooked Italian meatballs, thawed
2 c. uncooked cheese or beef tortellini
2 cans (10 3/4 oz each) cream of mushroom soup
2 1/4 c. water
1 tsp Creole seasoning***

In a 3 qt. slow cooker, combine all of the above ingredients and mix well. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or until tender.

***The following spices may be substituted for Creole seasoning...1/2 tsp each paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of each cayenne pepper, dried thyme, and ground cumin.

Scales and calories and fat grams...oh my!!!

I'm not sure just when it exactly started.
It wasn't even after my children were born.
I left the hospital after Evan was born weighing one pound LESS than my pre-pregnancy weight!
With Nate it took me a good three or four months to get back down to my pre-pregnancy weight...but I was good with that. They always says it's harder the second time.
So when DID it begin?
When did my metabolism so drastically slow down?
When did I start packing on the pounds so easily?
When did I have to stop eating everything I wanted and as much as I wanted?
I am so tired of always thinking about everything I put in my mouth.
I'm so tired of always worrying, "Will these jeans still fit?" "Will these shorts still fit?"
I'm tired of always dreading trying on new clothes when I shop for fear that I may have went up a size.
I'm tired of always looking at box labels and package labels and wondering how many calories, carbs, and fat grams are in the food.
What I'm even MORE tired of...is OTHER PEOPLE telling me how many calories, carbs, and fat grams are in my food!!!
Did I ask you?
No.
If I want to know...I'll be happy to ask for your assistance.
Right now, I'd like to enjoy my 44 ounce Cherry Limeade from Sonic.
Right now, I'd like to enjoy my medium Frappe from McDonald's.
Right now, I don't want you to even ask how many pieces of pizza I had.
Right now, I don't really care if I ate more potato chips than I should have.
The sad thing is...I really do care. (I just don't need others pointing it out!)
I'm so tired of trying to have the perfect body. I've become a little obsessive. Not to the point of doing anything drastic...or much at ALL for that matter, LOL! But it's just ALWAYS on my mind!!!
I shouldn't be eating those potato chips, that pizza, that candy bar, that slushie, that frappe.
I love fruits and vegetables. I love chicken and fish.
And I have no problem eating any of it.
My problem lies with snacking on junk food.
And my other problem lies with hating exercise.
Honestly...it doesn't have to be all that bad. I really did enjoy going to Contours Express for those two years. I lost 12 pounds not even trying! The muscle really does burn fat and I was so toned up! But their hours are not very work and family friendly. And then there's the cost. I'd love to have a walking buddy. But don't even ask about that. Then there's my knees that flair up every time I start running and walking. That makes for discouragement too.
(sigh)
What's a girl to do?
According to my doctor and everything I've read...I'm TECHNICALLY not even over-weight for my height. I weigh exactly what I should (even though I'd really love to still take off 10 pounds). My problem is just my middle...my tummy...it's so squishy it's sickening.
If I could just dedicate myself to doing crunches like I should it would probably even take care of itself without even dieting. But then there's my shoulder/back problems.
(sigh)
Can't a girl get a break?
Society has put waaaaaaaay too much pressure on us to look like Victoria's Secret models. It's really hard on the self-esteem.
No one puts any pressure on me. No one.
It's all myself. Just me.
I have always wanted the perfect body.
But then again...why stop with the stomach...I hate my nose, back/shoulders, hair, and so many other things.
I need to just stop complaining and be grateful for what I do have.
Good health.
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
(1 Thessalonians 5:18).

A couple bargains this week...

Had a couple good trips already this week!
Went in to Staples on Sunday afternoon after hearing about their awesome school supply deals going on. First off, if you bring in their sale ad, you get $5.00 off any $20.00 purchase! Sounds good to me! Next we took advantage of the one cent copy paper! With the way I print coupons now, we go through that stuff like hotcakes! And I even conserve! I print as many coupons on a sheet, back and forth, up and down...every which way you can imagine! LOL! To get that deal, you have to do a rebate form...but they are always pretty quick with turn-around.
Next was the one penny packs of pencils. We got two of those.
Then they had Scotch tape, Sharpie highlighters, and Bic colored pens all for one dollar with a limit of two on those as well. I never knew they ran such great deals at Staples! That will be a new store on my list to check!

Next was Meijer.
Some of my best deals were:
Electrosol tablets...regular $4.09...on sale for $3.50...use a $2.50 coupon and pay $1.00!
Kraft dressing...regular $1.58...on sale for $1.50...use a $1.00 coupon and pay 50 cents!
Listerine...regular $3.77...on sale for $3.00...use a $2.00 coupon and pay $1.00!
Cheerios...regular $2.73...on sale for $2.00...use a $1.00 coupon and pay $1.00!
Those were my favorite deals of the week.
I did what I always try to do...save as much as I spend!!! Or at least close. I spent $35.86 and saved $30.17. What a deal!!!

A trip to the zoo

Saturday we went to the John Ball Zoo. We had a free family pass to use so we took advantage of it and had a nice time. It was a rather warm day but we loaded up with sunscreen and enjoyed our visit with the animals. It had been several years since any of us had been there. We also had a free pass to the stingray exhibit. So the boys got up close and personal with them. Evan touched/petted them...but Nate didn't have any desire to. I can't say as I blame him. LOL! After the zoo, we drove over to Sonic for lunch. Had some burgers, tots, and slushies. Then we took the boys over to Craig's Cruisers and let them play some video games there. We got home and I was pretty tired, but the first thing out of Jamie's mouth was, "Wanna take the boys down to the pool?" Uh, sure dear...can I at least set my stuff down and use the bathroom? So we took the boys down to the pool and let them swim for a while. It was a very busy day...but I think everyone had fun.

Mackinac Island

We had a wonderful trip to Mackinac Island this time. Great weather, great accomodations (Mission Point Resort), great food, great fun!!!

Although vacations are supposed to be relaxing (and it was...somewhat...LOL!) the boys kept us hopping with golf, the arcade, hiking, the fort, shopping, kite flying, and much more!

They both rocked it out in the arcade with Ev scoring first place twice on Deer Hunter and Nate racking up seven stuffed animals from the Skill Crane.

We bought them a nice kite and we all took turns flying it. It flew so easy and was beautiful to watch. The best thing was it flew nearly effortlessly...even novices like us were able to fly it!

We played a round of golf on their putting greens and enjoyed that. Of course dad won.

We spent the Fourth of July at Fort Mackinac. We went in all of the historical buildings. We enjoyed the annual bar-b-que picnic lunch put on the Grand Hotel as well. We had ribs, chicken, burgers, dogs, potato salad, pasta salad, corn on the cob, baked beans, chips, and a dessert table nearly a mile long with every sweet you could imagine!

We went up to Fort Holmes (the highest point on the island) for fireworks. NOT MY CHOICE! It was so dark and quite a trek up there. Jamie wanted to watch the fireworks from that view...and it was nice I must say seeing them from five different cities. But the trek back to the hotel was a bit scarey as I'm NOT a fan of the dark. But thankfully Jamie had requested a lantern from the front desk and we lit the way in the woods for not only our family but about fifty other folks as well, LOL!

We had a wonderful time and can't wait to go back.

There are more photos to view on my facebook profile for all of my facebook friends!

Enjoy!