Walgreens this week!

It was a good week for Register Rewards at Walgreens this week! With the ones I had saved up from last week, plus all those I received this week...I had quite the savings! I did two transactions this week so I could use most of my Register Rewards. First transaction included...

Dove Shampoo...regular $4.49...on sale for $4.00...get a $4.00 RR...AND use a $2.00 coupon...FREE PLUS $2.00!!!

Tums...on sale for $3.99...use a $1.00 coupon...get a $1.00 RR...pay only $1.99.

Coffee Mate...on sale for $1.50...use a 75 cent coupon...pay just 75 cents.

Vitamin Water...on sale for $1.39...used my FREE facebook coupon and got it for FREE.

Walgreens One Daily Vitamins...on sale for $3.00...get s $3.00 RR...FREE.

Halls cough drops...use a W coupon and get them for 99 cents...use a $1.00 man. coupon...FREE!

Reese's Dark candy bar...on sale for 39 cents...used a 55 cent coupon...FREE.

After all was said and done...
My tally was...
Spent: $10.40
Saved: $15.08


Second transaction...


Dove Conditioner...regular $4.49...on sale for $4.00...get $4.00 RR...FREE. (There must have been some kind of glitch this week because I was able to use my previous $4.00 RR AND ALSO GET MY SECOND REGISTER REWARD! THIS RARELY HAPPENS!)

Walgreens paper plates...on sale for 89 cents...grabbed three this week.

I also picked up some goodies for the boys Easter baskets since I had lots of Register Rewards to use.

My tally was:
Spent: 56 cents
Saved: $15.32
NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT!

This is what I deal with...

Each day, as I try to browse through my facebook...
Here he is...

As I try to catch up with friends...

Here he comes...

As I sift through e-mails...

He climbs...

Ok...now THIS is getting ridiculous Mr. Oreo!

I know you love me...and I love you...

But please buddy...

This is really pushing it.

Laugh Lines Are NOT Funny...

Found this picture...and thought it says it all...at least for me.

Dying...no biggie...I know where I'm going.

But while I'm here on earth...let's just say, I'm not too thrilled about aging.

Call it vanity...call it what you will.

But I hate it.

They say "age brings wisdom"...
I'd rather be the silly dumbe blonde I am now.

They say they're called "laugh lines"...
I don't need reminders of the happy times in my life.

I will totally fight it to the end.
If it means using wrinkle creams, coloring my hair, and killing myself on the treadmill...
I will do my best to defy becoming frumpy.

I don't have much to work with...
But I'm certainly not going to let what's left go to pot.

Seeing pictures from my high school and college days...
Brings back fond memories...
But it also brings a little sadness for me.
I see the high school and college kids now...
And I realize just how old I am.
This June will be TWENTY years...TWENTY years ago that I graduated!
And when I see those old photos...
I see how young we were.
And I see where I am now.

I am in a good place in life...a great place.
I have a nice home, a great husband, two awesome sons, a precious kitty...
And I love all that...
But sometimes...
I just need to be "ME" again.
Sometimes I feel I am wife and mom 24/7 (which comes with the job), but I sometimes miss "MELODY".
I think this is why I love reconnecting on facebook with old friends.
Because I can just be "MELODY".
I'm not wife.
I'm not mom.
I'm not caretaker.
I'm just "MELODY".

I don't think this is a bad thing.
I think most people can identify with this.
And if you say you don't...I have to question your honesty, LOL!
I think EVERYONE needs to just be THEMSELF occasionally.

Being mom, dad, caregiver, homemaker, sister, brother, etc...is great!
But sometimes...you just need to be YOU.
You need to just hang with friends.

Lately, I have been throwing myself into books and movies.
Most of you know...I've become another Twilight addict, LOL!
But I think it's good for EVERYONE to have outside interests.
Stay current.
Be it through books, music, movies, etc.


I just don't want to become that old, frumpy mom.
I want to have fun.
But I promise...
Not too much...

I won't embarrass you Ev and Nate!

It's Easter/Spring at my house!

Well, it is officially spring at our house. The snowmen have been buried...far, far, far away. Out came the spring and Easter decorations. We have things everywhere! There are bunnies peeking around our picture frames...

There are chickies sitting on the shelves...

And we are counting the days down, till the Easter bunny visits our house!

We are ready! Welcome Spring!

Even our front door greets visitors with springtime and Easter! There are wreaths, window clings, and more!

We decorated our Easter egg tree, got out our bunny dishes, and set out springtime candles and warmers!

All the Easter baskets are ready and waiting to be filled!

We have flowers and butterflies...

There are tulips and more baskets...

Bunnies, chicks, and baskets adorn the desk too!

And I was just reminded by a friend...my Easter flag!...I forgot to hang out my Easter flag! We'll tackle that tomorrow...and take pictures of the bunnies on our pine tree too!

Welcome Spring! We've missed you!

All dressed up with nowhere to go...

I'm sorry...

I mean seriously...

I just can't help it!!!

Oreo is my boy.

He's my baby.

My third son.

LOL!

I've always said that this "tuxedo kitty" needs a bow tie.

So...

I dug out an old tiger print bow tie that I had from an old Halloween costume...

And I put it on him.

Yes...I think I humiliated him. LOL!

Cats are not fond of being "made up".

You can "dress up" and "decorate" dogs...put 'em in dresses, t-shirts, and more.

But a cat...not so much! LOL!

But alas...he put up with me and my "get up" for just a couple pictures.

Thanks Oreo...momma loves ya!

Oh be careful little mouth what you say...

"Oh be careful little mouth what you say...oh be careful little mouth what you say...for the Father up above is looking down in love...oh be careful little mouth what you say."

Isn't that how the old children's song goes?

Seriously...I think it's time some of us start adhering to that old childhood song. The Bible says:
James 1:26 (New International Version)

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

I have grown sad...discouraged.
I know we are all just human.
But shouldn't those believers in positions of leadership, mentoring, teaching be held accountable somewhat for what they say?

The more I have been in contact with people lately...many from my past...I have become upset at the lack of spiritual maturity they show sometimes.

Much of it happens right on Facebook.
I know that's a place of social networking...a place where you can be yourself with your friends.
But I wonder sometimes if people forget just "who" they are friends with at times.
When they are "letting it all hang out"...they may forget the position they're in when they make certain remarks, comments, etc.

I'm not saying those in positions of leadership are any "better" than anyone else...not saying they don't make mistakes...I'm saying we ALL need to be conscientious...as christians...we need to ALWAYS watch what we say...around everyone.

As a believer...people...believers and non-believers alike...are always watching...waiting...for us to "mess up".

Yes...we will make mistakes...that's why there's forgiveness. But...we need to try our best...to always honor God...in word and action...so that we are always pleasing Him.

Lord, help me to be that example...the one You want me to be...to others.

Savings At Walgreens...

I wasn't expecting too much this week at Walgreens because I had a good week last week...it seems it's always an "off one week/on one week" most of the time. But I was pleasantly surprised that they had yet another good week! Yay!
Here were my treasures this week...

Shick Quatro Razors...regular $8.79...on sale for $6.99...used a W coupon for $2.00 off...and a man. coupon for $4.00 off...paid 99 cents! Woohoo!

Snickers candy bars...regular 89 cents...on sale for 49 cents...used a 50 cents off two coupon...24 cents each!

Planters Trail Mix...regular $2.39...on sale for $1.50...used a W coupon for $1.00 off two...and a man. coupon on each for $1.50...I actually MADE $1.00 on this one!

Oscar Mayer Bacon...on sale for two for $6.00...got a $1.00 RR...and used a $1.50 man. coupon on each...like paying $1.00 each with the RR!!!

Colgate Max Fresh...regular $2.99...$2.00 RR...and a $1.00 man. coupon...made a penny!

I also picked up a few others things because I had $13.00 in Register Rewards from two weeks ago.

My tally was:

Spent: $15.14

Saved: $42.49

Saving The World

Me: "Natee, I love you."
Nate: "Thanks, I know...but I'm saving the world right now mom."

"Mom, I LOVE it! We HAVE to go!"

So when there's anything FREE on my couponing and money-saving blogs...I generally take advantage of it if it even remotely interests me.
Well a couple weeks ago, they had a Walt Disney World vacation planning packet and dvd you could send away for.
Today it arrived in the mail...and instantly Nate was intrigued.
"Can we watch it now?"
"Please mom, please!"
"Can I watch it while I eat my pizza?"
"Please mom!"
When Nate gets his eyes set on something...you're gonna hear about it until...well, until he's happy.
So we spread out a giant beach towel and let him and Evan eat in the living room and watch the dvd.
Oh boy.
We're in trouble now.
Nate is hooked.
"Dad, how much does it cost to go to Disney?"
"Is it more than our Mackinac trips?"
"They have wicked roller coasters there!"
"That looks SO fun!"
"Mom I LOVE it! We HAVE to go!"
"At least once mom...we HAVE to!"
LOL...silly boy.
We have always talked about going to Disney World. But both of us have agreed that we want to go when the boys are not only old enough to enjoy everything, but also old enough to REMEMBER how special it is. When you spend that kind of money on a vacation, you don't want it to be something they forget.
So...
We keep talking.
And...hopefully...
Sooner than later...
It will at least be in the planning stages.
We'll see!

The Unveiling!...New Glasses...FINALLY!

Well, here they are. I got my new specs! It's been many a moons since I've had fun new frames. Like...we're probably talking...since Nate was TWO or YOUNGER! Now, before you jump on me...I do have my eyes examined regularly. But I tend to wear my contacts as much as possible and never did order new glasses all these years because my prescription never changed. But Sears Optical had a great "Two-fer" deal as I call it, going on...so I got some! This first pair is more a deep brown (actually called "olive") and has the cutest little silver "loop" and rhinestone on the ears! Very diva-ish! LOL! I love it!

I really like them. They're very comfy and sturdy. I haven't had plastic frames in ages. So tired of the wire rims. I felt like a little old granny in my old wire rims. I am loving these.

I am not having a very good hair or make-up day...it's a work day so forgive the lame-o hair and make-up. And I have green on (YUCK!) because it's St. Patty's Day. Green looks awful on me. But you get the picture.

This is the second pair. They are a bit larger and the ear pieces are wider. They are like a swirl of pink/brown. Very interesting pattern. They are a softer color.

Personally I think they look horrid with this puke green I'm wearing today...but yesterday I wore them with a long sleeve brown tee and they complimented that really nice. Sorry...I know I sound vain...but...well, I am. LOL! I'm totally loving having some fun frames to wear during the week. I rarely wear my contacts during the week because I am a night owl and stay up so late that my eyes are tired and dry in the morning, thus they don't cooperate w/ my eyes. So it's nice to have something fun and comfy to put on. Like I said, excuse the bad hair, pale make-up, and nasty green shirt...I'm sure they'll look better when "I" actually look better, LOL! But I just wanted to share for now. LOL!