****please don't forget****

Click on deals above to see the latest deals. I "share" several deals a day and most of them are time sensitive, so make a habit of checking them daily :)

Todays deals are mostly on prom dresses, running shoes, dishwasher detergent and a taco bell deal...there was an awesome peanut butter deal on amazon, but it expired already :)

Happy bargain hunting!

I have a lot of fun watching for deals so if there is something specific you are looking for let me know I would love to dig for you!

free jeans

I visited my favorite store the $100 store otherwise knows as Target last week. All the skinny jeans were $4.98. They had several colors and styles available in LOTS of sizes. This week there is a coupon on their website for $5 off women's denim. I don't claim to be a genius but I think that means free jeans (you have to pay tax though). Now if you can get out of the store without buying anything that is the real challenge...there are several other good coupons there, too and they have mobile coupons now, too which means no ink and paper to waste money on. That is a real deal :) Happy Shopping!

SSSC update

I spent over $700 on groceries last week.

It was a culmination of 15 plus hours of making a price book, using local ads and coupons and a lot of spreadsheets calculating costs of items down to the nearest teaspoon. I kid you not.

This is the post you have been waiting for. The update on the Sensible Sisters Supper Club.

You see, Friday night was our first club. Friday wasn't really a good day for me.
You may think that to drum up business I am going to be all nicey nicey and say good and wonderful things so that we can get even more amazing women to join the club. But, come on, you know me. I always say it like it is. I always share too much information. I am the girl you wish would duct tape her mouth every once in a while, maybe more often than that, just being honest.

Anyway...Friday. It all started with one of them saying, "Mom, my tummy hurts." In in middle of the day the superintendent drove my semi clean son home with a stank garbage bag full of clothes. The girls had it coming out of the other end. I am sure that is plenty of too much information for ya. I had to sanitize myself and get out of the house. It is a good thing I love Clorox so much.

So, we had this supper club planned and I had the roasters on at the church. The pork roast was roasting. The ovens were heating, the groceries were bought, the tables were organized. I showered, again, before heading over late in the afternoon.

The gals started arriving at 5 and after lots of visiting we were off to a late start but a start no less. The smart sister (not me) had job lists for everyone with times and places and even had scheduled us a small break later in the evening.

The buzz of the lights that I had heard all afternoon was completely drowned out by the laughing and gabbing of real women who were mixing and chopping and stirring and washing. It went really fast and some things surprised us like; how long it really takes to brown hamburger in roaster and how fast bread rises when the kitchen in full of 10 busy women. I even fought with a food processor for a moment or two, I just walked away from that one, I know my limits.

At 9:30 pm each women packed up in her basket one tray of enchiladas (seasoned ground beef with homemade taco seasoning, homemade tortillas topped with sour cream, cheese, and cream soup mix from scratch), one bag of pulled pork for sandwiches with a container of homemade barbecue sauce, a pan of Iowa pork chops (thick chops sliced open and stuffed with corn, bread crumb stuffing and apples), a large pan of calico beans (started with an overnight soaking of dry beans) to serve over whole grain rice, a chicken bistro dish (with tomatoes, mushrooms and onions) to serve over whole wheat linguine, a homemade tomato basil soup (that I honestly will probably add chicken to) a spicy sausage potato soup with tons of green kale, two whole wheat pizzas topped with cheese and/or pepperoni and a bag of whole wheat tortillas rolled out by hand (or rolling pin) for snacking.

The church (and most of us) smelled of onions, mushrooms and bacon for the next few hours. But it was sort of a medal of smell honor for all the hard work we put in.

I think everyone went home happy, hungry (next month we really are taking that break to eat), and ready for next month.

Scrambling and I am not talking eggs here people.

Every time I download photos I get a surprise. This was on my card from yesterday. Enjoy this chaotic still life of my table taken by, "not me, I didn't touch it, or it was probably one of the babies".
I took the girls out to the Colony Christmas play today. It was an adorable play called The Littlest Reindeer. Nora was enamored by the little boy who was dressed as Santa. She couldn't take her eyes off him and I saw her waving at him more than once. I managed to invite my neighbors and we had a nice little visit.

For some reason the alarm didn't go off this morning and both Ryan and I overslept. I missed my much needed morning workout session. (Yep, I broke into the cookies last night, again :)) He made it to the time clock with a minute to spare. It took me 25 minutes to set up my Wii fit and I did get about 30 minutes in but it just isn't the same as that 5:30 am social time :) I have been playing the "catch up but I really know I never will be caught up game" all day long, hence the Friday night last minute blog post...

The house is all decked out. I was all ready to photograph it in the 40 degree weather and then it snowed. We have a (mostly) buck this year, unless the rack decides not to light up and then she is a doe. I am happy with the result. I have ALWAYS been a white Christmas light kinda girl, but the kiddos do dig the colored lights. Merry Christmas from our house!

Ryan said he was hungry for grilled brats the other night and I snorted. Then I watched him bundle up and go outside. Here is the proof. Proof that man can multitask = scooping snow and grilling at the same time. Baked beans and brats on the table that night!

Yesterday the photo postage stamps came so I finally sent off the last of the Christmas cards. No letter this year just a photo and a handwritten greeting. My brain is too frazzled to put anything that is remotely comprehensible down on paper. I can't even spell crochet. That, coupled with my !@#$# wireless printer that doesn't print a single thing even though it is brimming with spendy ink cartridges, forced me to scrap together some postcards, some cards and a hundred business card size notes for family and friends. No fancy magnets this year. More PROOF of scatter brained mommy: I ordered my mother in law LAST year's calendar for Christmas this year. Yep, a total repeat. That's what I get for using the same company.

Hi, my name is Rani and I am addicted to yarn. I have totes of the stuff. I love the color, texture and the wonderment of just what that ball of yarn can become. I buy it on clearance, I buy it on sale, I buy it at thrift stores. I would probably buy some from the trunk of a shady car if the price was right :)

So for a few weeks now I have been destashing. I had my gift all ready for Kris last night. I met her for a bite to eat before we attended the Washington Pavillion's 'A Christmas Carol'. It was really fun and nice to stop for an hour and a half and just enjoy :)

Then, at the last minute I decided to add some more to it, the gift, are you still with me? This is exactly why I didn't write a letter this year... So last night after I downloaded the photos of the play for show and tell I put some final touches on some gifts. Can I just say that making a gift for someone is so much more joyful that clicking submit order? But today I finally put down the hook and had some fun making things. These "fun" projects have filled every bit of my "free" time the last week or so. I can't eat while I am working so I am thinking it is good on the health front as well.

I added the tassels and a few crocheted flowers to my destashing project of scarves, scarves and more scarves. Man I love that yarn. The middle ones are made from mohair this brand is Italian and I found it when thrifting in a small town in Texas. I bought 15 skeins of the stuff with the original labels. Aren't the colors fantastic? That was fun to stuff in my luggage for the ride home. It made a nice bed for the pecans I found at my Aunt Jenny's.

This was fun. I didn't have enough hands at home today for this project so I utilized my curtain rods in the living room and even the piano to help me make these funky "no sew" scarves. I have seen them at the craft shows for a pretty penny. I made mine from my stash and I have no idea what they cost but they were fun to make and actually more difficult for me than the crocheted ones. What does that say about my ability to "craft"? It was really fun picking colors and textures. I made one for myself in, any guesses? Yeppers, pink :)

Lastly, I had the kids try on Christmas outfits the other night and tried to snap a photo. We were short a pair of black dress shoes but then a friend called, perfect timing, and had some shoes in the right size for the girls. Ridiculously blessed, I tell ya...Capital B, Capital L, Capital...you know what I mean.

Just one short week until Baby Jesus' Birthday Bash!

where is the comfort and joy

I can't stand losing control and every year at about this time I lose it. big. time.

While everything around me boasts love and merriment I am screaming on the inside.

The numbers are crunching in my head and it is clear there is not enough to go around. There is never enough and for 11 months out of the year I have no problem with it. But something dark takes hold of me in this season and makes me WANT what is not needed. It is as if I am brainwashed. I know it and I try to prepare for it but every year I fail to fully ignore it.

It is foolish and brings me only feelings of guilt and shame. There are a stack of boxes in my storage area just waiting to remind me of my selfish and immature heart. The kids have the "I want" flu and it hits every December. I justify every gift with excuses and foolish reasons when I should just say no.

Meanwhile the world is spinning faster and faster. My house is a mish mosh of projects from sheet rock repair to painting to trim. The rooms are disheveled. There is five gallon buckets of paint and piles of tools and sandpaper. My husband and I compete for space every day in the kitchen. He needs to finish his projects and I need to cook/clean/bake/prepare. The kids are cranky and fighting. They are begging to put up the tree. Where would we put it? In the center of the room? I can't imagine adding to the chaos. The calendar is chock full of parties, recitals, programs, cookie exchanges and sub days. Tell me why we have to do EVERYTHING in four short weeks? WHY? None of it is about Jesus. I just want it all to be over and done.

Today Addi cut a chunk out of Nora's hair. A CHUNK about 4 inches long and 2 inches wide. The thing is, NO ONE NOTICED. I was at school all day. Dad was busy with projects. Maleah took out Nora's braids for a bath and with the braid came hair, a lot of it. Maleah was shocked and her face was priceless. I think she thought she had done it by taking the rubber band out. Addison announced that she cut Nora's hair with the scissors she found. We still don't know when or where it happened. But there it is, a spike of one inch long hair right on top of her head, just waiting to be photographed thousands of time in the next few weeks. Forgive me that, " it'll grow back" doesn't make me feel better.

At night as I stand in the hallway and point to their bedrooms I pray that I will have time tomorrow to tell them the story, to get out the nativity, to have a conversation with them about the reason for the season. Then, tomorrow comes and I am even more tired and even more lost and even more sad and the whole cycle just keeps me further and further away from the truth.


This is the time of the year when I am supposed to be joyful and at peace and anxious for celebration and all I can think of is what needs to be done, what I haven't checked off the list. It weighs on me and makes me crabby.

So much of what I feel comes from wanting control of things, my children, my home, my life. I know this. I feel the tug of temptation. I know it stems from the darkest of places. Why can't I just ignore it?

This therapy of mine (writing) seems like it doesn't do the trick anymore. I went through Monday without one thought of thankfulness this week. Sigh.

I am feeling pretty bad about myself today. Problem is my mood sets the tone of the house and my mood has got to get moving up. I pray that the next time I have the time to sit and plunk out some words they will be positive ones.

Frugal is as frugal does

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Nora rides the elliptical I recently found on craigslist!

Have you ever read The Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn?

I bought a copy of the book after a dear friend recommended it years ago. It is pretty radical stuff about saving money and raising a family. But, I liked it.

Anyway...in the book she talks about her neighbor or someone throwing away a half eaten apple AND that her attempts to dig it out of the trash to make a single serving of apple crisp horrified the onlookers. Or maybe she didn't do that but she just thought about it, I can't really remember.

For a couple of days now the girls have been begging for apples and eating one or two slices and not touching the rest. So, I being my insane frugal self, have been Ziploc bagging them with a squirt of lemon juice in the hopes of "re"using them. I do the same with the half eaten bananas, only those go right into the freezer for bread. Yep, I am frugal all right; cheap, white-trash, call it what you will...

Today, I noticed a plethora of apple slices in the fridge so I googled a recipe.

YUMMY! You have got to try this one. Easy and healthy. The brown sugar caramelizes a bit in the high temperature and what you end up with is a carmel topped, soft as silk, wheat apple muffin.....mmmmm heaven. She has lots of pretty pictures over on her site. I just have one :)

Smitten Kitchen posted the recipe and I made a few changes for myself...


Whole Wheat Apple Muffins
Adapted from King Arthur Flour

from Smitten...
These dark, crazy moist muffins will keep well for several days, and the brown sugar on top, should you not skimp on it like I did, adds a crunchy touch, perfect for those of you who know that the lid is the best part.

Yield: she said 18, I got 24
1 cup (4 ounces) whole wheat flour
1 cup (4 1/4 ounces) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 cup (1 stick, 4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature (I gave up trying to keep unsalted butter around and just used the regular ol' salted kind)

1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) granulated sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 tsp of flax seed (ground)

1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup (8 ounces) buttermilk or yogurt (I used 6 oz of vanilla flavored Yoplait and a bit of water to make up for the lack of liquid)

2 large apples, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped (my pieces were quite large)
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Grease and flour 24 muffin cups and set aside.

Mix together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, and set aside. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and add the granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of the brown sugar. Beat until fluffy. Add the egg and mix well; stop once to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.Mix in the buttermilk gently. (If you over-mix, the buttermilk will cause the mixture to curdle.) Stir in the dry ingredients and fold in the apple chunks.

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, sprinkling the remaining 1/4cup brown sugar on top. (YUMMY CARAMEL TOPPING) Bake for 10 minutes, turn the heat down to 400°F, and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool the muffins for 5 minutes in the tin, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

:)

too many deals, not enough nap time :)

Good deals today, people. No, not good, GREAT!

Check the deals tab for the best but I have to share the top three because they are too good to pass up!


DEAL NUMBER ONE:
Kohl’s currently has some great clearance deals available, with items discounted up to 80%! Plus, you can use coupon code NEW8874 to get an additional 10% off the already reduced prices, I have a Kohl’s charge card so I used coupon code JULYPYD to save 15%! …AND shipping is ONLY $0.99 per item! BUT if you spend $50 or more, then use coupon code cpmnfs50 to score FREE shipping! You don’t need a Kohl’s chard card to use this coupon code and it’s stackable with the 10% off NEW8874!!!!!! CHECK OUT the LADIES workout gear clearance...tank tops for $4 before discount and running shorts for less than $8 before discount. I even got Ry a pair of Avia's for less than $25!!!! Go, hurry and if you use ebates it's 4% cash back. New to ebates? Sign up with this link and get $5 when you make your first purchase!!!

DEAL NUMBER TWO:
I just bought 6 pieces of jewelry from Torrid for 10.54! I used coupon code BTDM710 to get $10 off any order of $10 or more! To get this promo code to work, first go here and sign up for free to become a DivaStyle Rewards member. Then start shopping and when you checkout use the coupon code ( BTDM710)! Shipping is a flat rate of $8. Got a couple of gifts checked off my list with that one! AND don't forget to go through ebates!

DEAL NUMBER THREE:
JCPenney is offering up a new $10 off your purchase of $10 or more coupon code! Just go on over JCPENNEY.COM to shop online and then type in code TEN2YOU at checkout. Even sweeter, today ONLY, shoes ship FREE! I just got Maleah some Nike flip flops for less than $3 shipped to my house! AND don't forget to go through ebates for cash back on every purchase!

Recap - week 2

I cheated.

I bought apple juice for the girls it was $1.97. Then I bought cilantro (66 cents) and avocados ($3). They were yummy. I am not perfect at this no grocery thing. But I try.

Sunday we had grilled pork chops at coach's house I brought veggies from the garden for the grill doused in olive oil and fresh basil and sage and a fruit salad made from my blueberries, pears, peaches and some leftover star marshmallows from the 4th. I have no idea what we had for lunch that day.

Monday - roast beef, potatoes, green beans, choice fresh fruit for lunch. The kids had dentist appointments we ate soft foods, whatever they could handle) and drinks for supper.

Tuesday - Big breakfast, eggs, bacon, hash browns, tuna for lunch, leftover roast beef sandwiches with gravy and potatoes for supper, apples and oranges.

Wednesday - ham and cheese sandwiches and apples, chicken fajitas, pico de gallo and guacamole for supper no fruit, I forgot, but we ate smore's :)

Thursday - eggs for breakfast, little Caesar's at Sertoma park for lunch, supper was at Scotland as we visited Grandma and Grandpa they grilled hot dogs and hamburgers for us

Friday - we didn't get home till late afternoon, we ate leftover chicken from the fajitas on corn tortillas in the oven with pico de gallo and cheese = I called them tostadas, Maleah called them pizza's then I checked my blogs and pioneer woman made a variation of it, too. You know what they say, great minds...

overdid

You know what July means to me?...strapped, spent, broke, overdrawn.

No matter how hard I try June ALWAYS kicks my butt when it comes to budgeting. Can't ever seem to make it last. Summer is expensive in this family.

So I have resolved that July will be NO GROCERY MONTH. I can only buy milk, eggs and bread and must live off my (frozen but plentiful) stockpile. I have done well this week, but I am already tired of defrosting. Last night was difficult because the kids were starving and I only had frozen, all beef, hot dogs that they wanted GRILLED. I cheated and nuked them first. Do you know how well really hungry kids eat? Well, I tell ya. I have never seen cleaner plates. Even with the 10 cent candies (I caved) and bought the babies at the ballgame.

No ordering out, stopping for supper when we are famished on the way home from a game or getting pizza. July will be home grilled meals and crock-pot suppers because it's too hot to turn on the oven. According to my freezer we will be eating a lot of pork :)

The only thing I think we will miss is the fruit and extra beverages, but the apple tree is coming along nicely and, although Nora may disagree, it will only be a few weeks until they are ripe enough to eat. That girl eats anything :)

Wish me luck will ya?

And any ham or sausage or pork roast recipes are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

move over ebay

I just came across this online auction site.

shopgoodwill.com

It's addicting, non-profit, and like the bargain basement of the internet!!!

Enter at your own risk!

Why I buy Huggies...couponers UNITE!

Once again the coupons have RESET for $3 off Huggies® Little Movers and Little Snugglers diapers just in time for weekend shopping: http://bit.ly/a0xHu0.

As an added bonus, the coupon for $2 off 2 Huggies® Wipes has also reset http://bit.ly/9PTW6i. Enjoy!

Hint! Hit the back arrow on your browser a couple of times to print two copies of each of the above coupons, it works with all bricks coupons. (*set your printer to black and white before you print)

Any other couponers out there? Coupons.com has a ton of high value coupons out there right now including;

$0.35/1 Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers 6.6-8 oz.(this is an extremely rare coupon)

$1.00 NABISCO on the purchase of any TWO (2) NABISCO Multi-Pack products

$1.00 Kellogg's® when you purchase any TWO packages of Kellogg's® Cereals (mmmm frosted flakes)

Buy ONE (1) get ONE (1) FREESnapple®(up to $1.99) ANY 16oz, 16.9oz or 17.5oz Snapple® Tea (who doesn't love snapple?)

$1.00 Nature Valley when you buy ONE BAG any flavor Nature Valley® Granola Nut Clusters

$3.00 HUGGIES® on Any ONE (1) HUGGIES® Little Movers or Little Snugglers Diapers
(YES THAT IS ANOTHER COUPON FOR DIAPERS, print 'em and weep! tears of joy that is...)

$2.00 REACH® on any TWO (2) REACH® Toothbrushes (FREE toothbrushes with this at the dollar store or Walmart!)

Just go look for yourself there are 20 pages of coupons I am sure you can find a coupon on a product you use.

Happy printing!

freecycled Mediterranean credenza

I really want to write a post about freecycling. In the past month we have received an upright freezer and this credenza. This beauty was sitting in a closet at the Horsebarn art gallery in Falls Park. We spent all morning digging out the trailer so we could haul her home. She is big and heavy, but I like her.
Someday I will write a great post about freecycle, but not today.

Ta Ta Turkey...

I make it no secret that I am cheap, er um, frugal. If you don't know that about me already then you don't know me much at all.

Leftovers are a staple here, so when I made a 16 pound turkey after Thanksgiving I knew we would be eating the bird for quite some time. We had turkey casserole three different ways, turkey breast hot sandwiches, turkey salad, and today we finished the last two cups of white and dark meat in turkey tortilla soup.

It felt great to use up corn and tomatoes from the pantry. It was a pretty cheap soup and the flavor hit the spot after all this traditional food, too. I fry up some homemade flour tortillas and cut them into chips for the top of the soup with a bit of cheese and it's delightful.

Turkey or Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes ( I used my own canned maters.)
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed chicken broth ( I used water with bouillion)
1 1/4 cups water
2 cup whole corn kernels, cooked (more garden goodies from the freezer)
1 (4 sounce) can chopped green chile peppers
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups cooked turkey or chicken whatever you have leftover...

tortilla chips
shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions
1.In a medium stock pot, heat oil over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic in oil until soft. Stir in chili powder, oregano, tomatoes, broth, and water. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
2.Stir in corn, chiles, beans, and turkey/chicken. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3.Ladle soup into individual serving bowls, and top with crushed tortilla chips and cheese.

MMM MMM, well you know the rest...

A dress mess, a concert and caught red handed...

or grey socked in this case...guess who was goofing off during the Christmas concert? I actually missed the concert the babies had a crazy high fever day and I couldn't sub or take them anywhere. Dad took these photos. It was short lived and they are much better now.
The dress mess: I had Maleah try on the three dresses in her closet and they were all too small. I went to Target, Jcpenny,Old Navy and Walmart and looked for dresses - NOTHING in her size or my price range...so I second handed a dress from a thrift store, it was awful. Three dollars for a wrinkled mess of dress with missing ribbons and bows. So I washed it, only to find out it was dry clean only. I had my miracle sis make some clips to hide the waistline, she made one for Maleah's hair to match. I tried to steam it to release the wrinkles and I melted the fancy fabric so I gave up. She wore shoes two sizes to big and had to stuff her toes with kleenex. Lord, help me I have THREE GIRLS!

It's me again, frugal momma.

It's been awhile since I posted any frugal (cheap) ideas and with the holidays coming up I thought I would just let everyone know about some new things I have been trying.

SWAGBUCKS I do most of my shopping online. It's normal for me to do several searches and research for the best prices. My sister told me about this new site that gives you 'bucks' for searching. It's called swagbucks and if you search through their site you can earn 'bucks' to purchase prizes, products, gift cards, etc.



At first I didn't know what to do, but now instead of using google I use swagbucks and I have already earned 2 amazon gift cards in less than a month!

So, if you use the Internet anyway, try swagbucks and get prizes for doing what you do normally!

HIPPOPOST I love getting mail. I found this really cool site called Hippopost that will let you upload a photo and send a message with it on a postcard for FREE. You can send several free EVERYDAY! Just log in at Hippopost.com to get started. I sent several the other night in just a few minutes. I know your friends and family will love getting mail. They sell advertising to pay for your card so there will be a small advertisement on the card, just so you know, but I got to pick from a couple of different ads when I sent mine.

EBATES Don't forget to use ebates for all your purchases. After you search with swagbucks to find the best deals, log into your ebates account to get cash back for online purchases at over 1000 stores. I have over $30 in cash coming this month. WAHOO! Read this post for more information on ebates.

ALICE Don't forget about Alice.com Who can pass up items you need delivered to your door for cheaper than you can get them at Walmart? Let me think, no 25 mile drive, no strapping kids in car seats, no pushing a germ infested cart through crowds of coughing, snotty people, no waiting in line at the checkout, no telling your kids don't touch, put it back...I think I'll stick with Alice.com. Shop the best deals tab to get the cheapest prices on their products. They have everything from coffee to diapers. All orders have FREE SHIPPING and everyone of my orders have been here within 3 days.

I gotta be honest. I hate shopping brick and mortar stores now, yep even the thrift stores are losing their sparkle. I LOVE the convenience of shopping online and getting great deals. If you need to purchase something or want some help using one of these sites. Just call me or email me and I would love to show you how. My husband just about purchased a new battery for his cell phone for $29 this morning. I almost fainted. In 6 minutes I found the EXACT one, brand new, online for 2.99 with 1.99 shipping. The company is reputable and has a good reputation and positive reviews. It's already in the mail, I got the shipping status update from the USPS.

Happy Shopping!

Sharing

Hey,

Check out my new side bar box with deals and steals. I read SEVERAL deal blogs and websites and every time I find a cool deal I add it to the box. So click on the link if you want to find out more information!

Good luck and happy bargain shopping!

Not gonna happen.

I felt bad for my sil the other day when she tried to photograph Addison. Addison was non-compliant, in a big way.

So when the school sent home the flyer for spring photos I jumped on the chance to get a professional shot of all the kiddos. This company has a family policy where the first two packages are full price and the rest are free! You know I am all about a good deal.

I even went to the $100 store yesterday to get the girls new onesies and spring colored shirts for the older kids. I splurged. I felt guilty.

So this morning I get up plenty early to get every one spiffy. Maleah is not feeling well, I take her temp. Well, I'll just take her for photos and she can come home and rest. The rest of the kids are all ready.

We get there. Maleah takes a photo, fever and all. Addison cries. Gavin takes a photo. Addison screams. Nora takes a photo, not smiling but not crying at least. Addison runs for the exit crying and screaming. As if the backdrop and the photographer are big scary monsters.

We try again for a shot with all the kiddos. Addison clings to her father for her dear life. We give in. We pack them all up and take them home. I feel defeated. Dad feels bad for me and tries to get a shot of Addi at home. This is what he gets.


Gavin goes to preschool. Nora goes in the jumper. Maleah goes to bed. Addison goes to bed. It is 8:45 am. I go crazy.

That is what I get for being cheap, I guess. Wonder if I learned my lesson or will I attempt this again next year?

Sheesh. I need chocolate.

where in the world is the cumin?

This morning as a made a shopping list I checked the spices for cumin. There was a thin layer of the yellowish powder in the tiny jar that just wouldn't add up to the two teaspoons necessary for my white chili.

I went about the morning. I quick soaked some navy beans. I made some dough for french loaves and did some laundry and dishes. I ran to the store and bought the cumin,or so I thought, and about 30 other things.

Soon the time came to assemble the chili. I chopped the onions the celery.I made some chicken broth from bouillon. I put the frozen sweet corn and the green chilies. I searched for the cumin. I didn't remember putting it away with the other groceries. Did it even make it to the checkout counter? It probably fell on the floor. Oh, well at least I have a small dusting to use. I went to the spice cabinet. No cumin. I looked on the counter, no cumin. I searched the laundry room, the bathroom the living room. No cumin, back to the spice cabinet. Can I substitute with curry? Nah. How about chili powder, not if I want white chili...

I opted for a few squirts of Tabasco sauce. Hope it tastes okay.

I can't for the life of me find that !@#$ cumin.

What a fiasco.

Why we had Chinese for afterschool snack...

That would make a good book title, don't you think? This post is for Karen, you better get your blankie ready...you are gonna need a whole night's sleep after this one...as if!

This is a true story, no one's names have been changed and I even left out my typical exaggeration because, believe it or not, I couldn't even make this stuff up.

I woke up this morning with good intentions. I hummed my morning song, learned years ago in church camp from Pastor Krueger and his lovely guitar...
"Good morning God,
Good morning God,
and not good god it's morning.
Good morning God,
Good morning God
Dear God it's a beautiful day, "

That is one moment in history I would return to in a second. Church camp rocked!
Anyway...

I went through the motions of morning like I usually do. Make the coffee, get out the cereal bowls, unload the dishwasher, change a diaper or two, lay out clothing and toothbrushes. Then I heard a sizzling sound...I forgot to put the carafe in the coffee maker! Hot coffee all over the counter top and dripping to the floor.

So, I get things cleaned up and sit down in THE CHAIR. That would be the nursing spot. Soon I hear a splash and a ting. Someone spilled their cereal. A very tiny voice floats from the kitchen, "I'll clean it up mommy, don't worry."

Get the first-grader out the door and switch nursing sides to see a visitor at the door. An uncle looking for dad's help. Dad is sleeping 'till noon, I say and decide that while I am up and the baby is screaming anyway I should make supper. So I cube a round steak and throw some of my garden canned 'maters and carrots and potatoes in for a stew. Baby is still screaming so we take a nursing break. Before long it's 11 am and I have to shower. Got to get to town for a !@#$ haircut that I scheduled BEFORE dad picked up the night shift. So I pump, wake up daddy, jump in the shower, put clean clothes on and head out the door with wet hair for the second time this week, hey at least people know I am clean!

Get to town, get the hair cut and come out to a FLAT TIRE! I am not kidding. Just another typical day in mommyville. So I drive real slow like across the street to HyVee gas. I pull up to the free air box and get my cold, no jacket or gloves, body out to get the hose. I undo the cap and push the thingy on the other thingy and hear a faint wheeze. Nothing happens. My new do is blowing in my face as I contemplate that the tire actually looks flatter now than before. I notice the attendant boy looking through the window at me, oh what I would give to be 9 months prego again. I get back in the car, speed dial the hubby and ask him what to do.

"Did you turn the compressor on?" WHAT? You have to do more than unscrew the lid and put the thingy on the thingy? HUH? Curse, curse, cursity, curse, curse... CURSE. I scan the car and find some huge black gloves. I put them on and venture out again in my damp clothes with my damp hair blowing in my face and no it doesn't feel like a Pantene commercial. I look at the FREE AIR box.

Down at the bottom right hand corner it has a round button and this word,

START.

Curse, curse, cursity, curse, curse... CURSE.

I fill the tire with air. I am starving and head to the Chinese counter for lunch. My kids love Chinese food, it is such a treat for us. I buy the family meal with an extra side of fried rice that costs me more than a whole box of brown rice. I cringe.

About an hour later...

We are sitting at the table at mowing down on Chinese food when my first-grader comes in and shouts, "RICE! Mom, you make the best after school snacks."

That beef stew will be even better tomorrow night for supper, don't you think?