Who says Walgreens is expensive?

Ok, I'll admit it...I did.

I always thought Walgreens was expensive and over-priced and I NEVER shopped there.

Well...let's face it...they ARE over-priced if you just walk in off the street and pick up any old thing and pay full price.

They're ridiculously expensive.

But...

Last year, I discovered their sale ads, store coupons, and Register Rewards!!!

Now...

I am a HUGE fan of Walgreens!

In fact, I practically MAKE money off them every time I go in there.

For example...
This week...

Visine...on sale for $3.99...$1.00 RR...$2.00 man. coupon...paid 99 cents.

Sensodyne/Pronamel Children's Toothpaste...regular $3.49...used a store coupon for $2.00 off...man. coupon for $1.00 off...paid 49 cents!

Ritz snack packs...regular $1.99...on sale for 99 cents...used a $1.00 off two man. coupon...and got them for 49 cents each.

Glade Frangrance Collection candles...on sale for $2.50...used a $3.00 off two man. coupon and paid just $1.00 each.

Those were my top picks.

My tally was...

Spent: $7.88

Saved: $19.38

HOW INCREDIBLY COOL IS THAT?!?!

Random silliness with the cat...

So today, Oreo was all frisky and being a stinker...and of course he goes right to Jamie when that's the case. He knows he can always get some good playtime in with "daddy".

Well Jamie was busy and trying to get some things done in the kitchen and says to Oreo, "Oh, feeling naughty? Why don't you go play in the Christmas tree...OH!...there IS NO Christmas tree! Hahahaha!"

LOLOLOLOL!

Guess ya had to be there...it was just one of those moments...it just struck me funny. And of course Oreo was all miffed that he didn't get his attention and playtime right when HE wanted it, LOL!

Realizations in life...

With age...

I have come to realize...

That I will never be the size I was when I was twenty one and got married. Though some days when I look at my wedding pictures and remember purchasing that size seven dress...and it was TOO BIG...and had to be taken in, in multiple places...I see it...and want to cry because I am no longer that size...I also realize that nearly seventeen years later, two babies later...I've only gone up one size...I don't look half as bad as I could. And though I'm terribly hard on myself for every pound I've gained over these past seventeen years, I have realized that REAL women have curves...and I'm grateful I have a husband who knows and appreciates that too.

I have also realized...

That is takes a L-O-N-G time for some of us to develop our self-esteem and confidence. It is just now, that I am learning to accept a compliment from someone and know that they truly do mean it and it's ok for me to feel good about that.

I have also realized...

Age brings wisdom and knowlege...in many ways. I am learning simple (and maybe superficial things to some people) like how to look better as I age (taking care of my skin, hair color, "trying" to limit junk, "trying" to exercise). Finding the right clothing for my body (not what looks good on a teenage girl who's never carried a child). How to play up what you've got (no, we'll never look like a model, but finding our best asset and playing it up goes a long way!).

I've also realized...

Accepting what I've got is key...I am blessed beyond measure. My home, car, family, friends, job...truely blessed.

I just need to remind myself of these things...when I get depressed...because...in reality...life is good!

No...life is great!!!

Farewell 2009...Happy 2010!!!

As we say farewell to 2009, I just want to say thank-you to all of the people in my life...for being people in my life.

I am so grateful for all of those who are a part of my life...either on a daily basis face to face...or to those I only have communication with via the internet.

Thank-you for being in my life.

You shape who I am.

Every single one of you...in your own way...whether you know it or not.

We all play a part in each other's life.

And I am grateful for EACH and EVERY one of you!

I am especially grateful for ALL of those whom I have gotten back into touch with via Facebook. I look forward each day to connecting with each of you. I work from home...long hours...and LOVE the connection I have with ALL of you! You mean so much to me.

I love you all.

I pray we have the best year ever!

Happy 2010!!!

Melody

Hot Beef Dip

This is a yummy dip that we make frequently for get-togethers or during the holidays. It comes courtesy of my friend Jenna.

Hot Beef Dip

8 oz. cream cheese

1 can/jar olives (black or green...your choice)

1 small onion

1/4 cup milk

1/8 tsp pepper

1 package chipped beef, chopped (such as Buddig)

With food chopper chop onion, olives, and beef. Mix together with other ingredients and bake at 350 until bubbly. Serve with crackers.

Keeping up with the Jones'...

This is my home.
I love my home.
It's not always as big as I'd like it to be. With two growing boys, and a daycare licensed for as many as twelve children...it can be cramped at times.
But I love my home. I love my location. And I feel so blessed to have my home.
When we first bought this home over nine years ago, I had a dream that I was going to move into a cute little yellow house. Sure enough, we got our cute little yellow house!
We put our home up for sale twice over the last couple years, hoping to possibly get into something bigger...but with the market the way it is...nothing happened. I can't say I'm totally disappointed. There are so many things I love about my home, and so many memories have been made here. This is the only home Nate has ever known! He was born two months after we moved here. And Evan was only four years old, so most of my boys memories have been made here in this home.
Something most of my friends know about me, is that I love watching HGTV. A couple of my favorite shows are House Hunters, Property Virgins, and My First Place. I love venturing through houses with people and seeing what's out there all over the country.
Something that I have been noticing lately though, is the "it's not good enough" attitude that so many people have.
As I watch these people stroll through these homes, their famous line is, "It needs some updating."
Ok...it's only human nature to want the best and newest out there.
But let's step back and take a look for a moment.
Is it functional?
Yes.
In most cases, these people who have their noses so high in the air are wanting to make changes that REALLY (in my honest opinion) don't HAVE to be made!
It just seems they look down their nose because the kitchen doesn't have stainless steal appliances (neither does mine). There's no granite counter tops (none in my kitchen either). There isn't tile on the floor (laminates here).
Sheesh! I guess I better get to work! I must have one of the worst outdated kitchens out there!
But...
I sit here and think...
Is it functional?
Yes.
My stove, refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher all work. They're only around ten years old. They get the job done. They're in decent shape. What's wrong with that? Yes, there's a tiny knick in the paint on my stove. Yes, I found a little crack in the plastic vent of my microwave. They're dated. But should I go out and spend thousands of dollars to "update" my kitchen when everything works just fine? Just so I can have the up-to-date stainless steal appliances? Sure, I'd love them...they're attractive. Do I NEED them? No. Would that be a SMART financial decision. No.
My floors aren't REAL hard wood...they're laminate. Would I like tile? Yes. My counters aren't granite. Would I like that? Yes. Should I drain my account to remodel my kitchen? No. I don't think that would be smart. Everything works...it gets the job done. It's clean. And I think I maintain an attractively decorated kitchen.
The carpet...worn.
The guest bathroom...could be updated.
The walls...could use a fresh coat of paint.
Sure...there are things I could do.
Some...yes, I will.
In time.
As finances allow it.
I guess what irks me though, is these people who go through these homes and so much is "cosmetic". Things they can "live with" until they choose to update...but heaven forbid they live with wallpaper on the walls till they have the money to update. They turn down homes because it's not "updated" to their liking.
Sometimes I look at other people's homes...and I'll admit...the little green monster will come out (jealousy).
I'll think, "Oh I wish our house was bigger. Oh I wish my kitchen was like theirs. Oh for a big soaking tub in my bathroom." And so on.
But you know what...
My home is functional.
My home is clean.
My home is cute (in my opinion...I try).
And I am SO incredibly blessed to have it!
Forgive me, but as I look at so many people losing their homes due to the economy, and the actual homeless people out there...I just wanna smack the people who have their nose so high in the air thinking these homes are below them on these shows. Sheesh.
Will I continue to watch HGTV? Yes. I love it. I will continue to dream, get ideas, and be entertained.
But I just wish everyone could be more thankful for what they have and dream of what they can DO in the future with their home.
Don't try to keep up with the Jones'...it's not worth it.
God has blessed us with so much.
It's almost a smack in His face when we keep wanting more, more, more. It's as if we're telling Him, what He's given us isn't enough.
Be thankful.
He is so good to us.

Yes, I really am still couponing...just neglecting to blog about it, LOL!

Yes...I'm still couponing...but with the holidays...I have been neglecting to blog about all my savings. And I have to admit...along with the holidays...my savings weren't as great as I'd have liked them to be. I still couponed and got some really great deals. But you know how it is, there are always extra items at the grocery store you need for holiday cooking that you may not have a coupon for. There's always another gift you have to buy. But...I am back on track! Look out 2010 because here I come, armed with coupons!


I had a great day of shopping today. First off we started at Meijer.
Some of my really awesome deals were:


I Can't Believe It's Not Butter...regular $2.19...on sale for $1.39...used a $1.00 coupon...paid 39 cents. I was able to snag THREE of those!


Bagel Bites...regular $2.19...on sale for $2.00...used a $1.00 coupon...paid $1.00.


Charmin Ultra 12 pack...regular $7.46...on sale for $5.99...used a $1.00 coupon...paid $4.99.


Sargento Cheese...regular $2.49...on sale for $2.00...used a 55 cent coupon...paid $1.45.


Jimmy Dean Sausage...regular $3.99...on sale for $2.19...used a $1.00 coupon...paid $1.19.


Nestle Cookie Dough...regular $2.50...on sale for $1.99...used a $1.00 man. coupon on each (got 2)...stacked w/ a Meijer Meal Box coupon of Save $1.00 on two...and paid 49 cents each.


Those were the best of the best.
My tally was:
Spent: $39.52
Saved: $31.78
I love when I'm that close to saving as much as I spend!!!


Walgreens:

Cascade Dishwashing Soap...regular $5.49...on sale for $3.99...used a $1.00 on two coupon...paid $3.49.

Tuf Paper Towels...regular 79 cents...used a Walgreens coupon and got them for 50 cents each.

Walgreens honey...regular $7.49...on sale for $3.99...got two of those!

LaCross Eyebrow trimmers...regular $2.99...on sale Buy 1 Get 1 Free...PLUS I used a Buy 1 Get 1 Free coupon...SOOOOOO...I got BOTH FOR FREE!!!

My totals were:
Spent: $16.68
Saved: $17.56
I love MAKING money off the stores!


Target...

Chunky Soups were on sale for $1.50...I used a $1.50 off three coupon...so I only paid $1.00 a can...which I think is good for Chunky soups.

Puffs...on sale for $4.49...used a $1.00 coupon...paid $3.49.

My totals:
Spent: $6.76
Saved: $3.06

Christmas Day '09

We had a great Christmas Day. I think the boys loved all their gifts. I surprised the fam with matching Detroit Tigers Crocs, LOL! Couldn't resist this picture!

The boys were thrilled with their PlayStation 3. They've been enjoying the two new games Santa left with it today.

And they always look forward to their stocking stuffers. There's always plenty of goodies to be had in there. We had a lasagna and garlic bread Christmas dinner. We wanted something a little different so we enjoyed an Italian feast. I'm looking forward to munching on all the left-over goodies like cheeseball and artichoke dip later tonight, LOL! We hope you and yours had a very blessed holiday!

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

Christmas Eve '09

We hosted Christmas Eve at our house this year. After much cleaning and cooking...it was finally time to relax. We had a great time. Just posting a few of the many pictures (the rest are on my facebook). We had a major feast between myself, Jess, and mom's cooking and baking. Hot wings, cocktail weenies, meatballs, pizza rolls, chicken nuggets, spinach dip, artichoke dip, cheeseball, potato skins, chex mix, holiday wreaths, magic cookie bars, thin mints, peppermint bark, snickerdoodles, chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter balls, and much more. Here's a shot of mom and all the grandkids decorating their own personal trees. She and dad brought little trees, ornaments, and lights for all the grandkids to decorate and keep their own tree for their room.

Here's a shot of mom and dad opening one of their gifts from us. I think/hope everyone liked what they got. If not...oh well, LOL! Just kidding. It's always fun exchanging gifts with the fam.

Just me being silly...LOL!

I thought this was cute and snapped a picture...Nate and Logan playing video games together.

Mom, Raegan, and Jess hammin' it up while we played farkle. We had a really nice evening together. Good food, fun, and family!

Nate's Gingerbread House

When Nate gets his mind set on something...you're gonna hear about it till...forever. Well, the other day, he wanted to make a gingerbread house out of graham crackers. I really wasn't in the mood for the mess, but I stopped and thought, "What is the harm? It will make my baby happy. And we have all this extra candy STILL sitting around from Halloween he can decorate it with."

So, we drug everything out. I just so happened to have extra frosting sitting in the frig from our sugar cookies, so I let him use that. We dug out a bunch of candy from the Halloween bowl that no one likes or wants to eat, LOL. (I don't know why it hasn't been thrown away yet, but it came in handy!) So he gooped and gobbed his frosting on and then decorated it to his liking.

I was so happy I let him do it. Something so simple really makes a little guy's day. He was thrilled at his 30 minutes of creativity. And we had fun together. :)