I will have to admit at first when I checked out the ad for CVS this week, I was unimpressed. In fact, I even told Matt that I didn't think I would go to the store at all this week. So of course things change around here. I was checking out my stash and realized that we had about 8 rolls of toilet paper left. I remembered that P &G had an ECB deal this week. So I went back and re-looked at the sale. I am so glad I did. I have ended up going to CVS once on Sunday and back again on Monday. I am not sure you can repeat these transactions again for two reason. First I used Amanda's card for a deal on Monday that included a free candle. Secondly, quarterly ECB bucks printed this week, I earned 7 and Amanda's card 1.50. Third, I used several rain checks to purchase the Diet cokes and water, because we needed them at home. Finally, there is a glitch at the store so that I have been able to claim the P&G ECB twice. But I still wanted to share because it is COOL!
- 6 separate transactions
Total spent= 19.30
Total saved = 121.98 or 86%
Here is what I was able to purchase 2 scented candles,3 20 roll packs of toilet paper, 2 9 volt batteries, 1 Deodorant, 7 bags of candy, 2 bottles of nail polish, 2 boxes of panty shields,1 razor, 24 pack of water and 6 two liters of Diet Coke.
I enjoyed shopping this week!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
20 Years.....
20 Years... man at most points in my life that sounds like A LOT of time. Especially when thinking of my kids.
20 years... from now I will have an empty house or at least they all will be old enough to take care of themselves and I can pretend the house is empty.
20 years... Amanda still has another full year before reaching this point. I barely remember a time in my life when she was not around.
20 years....ago I was in high school. Wait it can not have been that long, maybe some one miscounted when they schedule our reunion. Even today, I still think that 20 years should feel longer.
So I did attend 2 parts of our 3 part 20 year reunion this weekend. I was able to catch up with most of the people I care to talk to between the Homecoming football game on Friday night and the family style picnic at the Park on Saturday. Some people were hard to recognize, some were much more enjoyable now than 20 years ago. But the thing that amazed me the most was that my 2 best friends from high school even as different as our lives have been we were together and it was a blast. Just a few difference neither Julie or Sherry are married nor have any kids. Both moved away from Lexington for extended periods of time. Julie still is in another state. But we are still us and we still laughed and enjoyed out time. I hope it doesn't take another ....20 years before we can spend time together again.
20 years... from now I will have an empty house or at least they all will be old enough to take care of themselves and I can pretend the house is empty.
20 years... Amanda still has another full year before reaching this point. I barely remember a time in my life when she was not around.
20 years....ago I was in high school. Wait it can not have been that long, maybe some one miscounted when they schedule our reunion. Even today, I still think that 20 years should feel longer.
So I did attend 2 parts of our 3 part 20 year reunion this weekend. I was able to catch up with most of the people I care to talk to between the Homecoming football game on Friday night and the family style picnic at the Park on Saturday. Some people were hard to recognize, some were much more enjoyable now than 20 years ago. But the thing that amazed me the most was that my 2 best friends from high school even as different as our lives have been we were together and it was a blast. Just a few difference neither Julie or Sherry are married nor have any kids. Both moved away from Lexington for extended periods of time. Julie still is in another state. But we are still us and we still laughed and enjoyed out time. I hope it doesn't take another ....20 years before we can spend time together again.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
News of the week...
First Kendall is doing excellent with potty training! We went and bought "big girl" panties on Friday. She wore for exactly 20 minutes and pooped. But today she did much better. She was in a pull up because of my fears for most of the day. She was dry from this morning though the flu shot and my class reunion at the park. So after nap we put on Elmo and she stayed dry all afternoon. I was so excited and pleased. I am debating about church tomorrow will probably do a pull up but on Monday I am thinking all day in panties.
Next we have installed both a ceiling fan and a shade for more privacy in our new bedroom. Except for furniture and some caulking it is now how we planned. Next weekend we are going to change out Haley's room floor. Hopefully this will do away with some of the awful smell :)>
Finally, we have not been grocery shopping at all this week. We did eat out on Friday at lunch but that has been it. We have only eaten 3 meals off our master list but Matt has enjoyed making several meals that were not on the list but he used items that were still here. I was even able to take a large bowl of slaw and baked beans from the freezer to my class reunion today with no extra cost! I am planning a post about that for Sunday!
Next we have installed both a ceiling fan and a shade for more privacy in our new bedroom. Except for furniture and some caulking it is now how we planned. Next weekend we are going to change out Haley's room floor. Hopefully this will do away with some of the awful smell :)>
Finally, we have not been grocery shopping at all this week. We did eat out on Friday at lunch but that has been it. We have only eaten 3 meals off our master list but Matt has enjoyed making several meals that were not on the list but he used items that were still here. I was even able to take a large bowl of slaw and baked beans from the freezer to my class reunion today with no extra cost! I am planning a post about that for Sunday!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
September in Review
I am actually looking forward to post this, except for the budget but I think "the challenge" will definitely help with that one.
Blogging- I just checked the number of post for the month and it was 18, counting this one. This is a improvement over the summer and almost close to my goal of 20 or 5 a week. I am also pleased that I have once again been posting deals and not just Menu Monday and Wordless Wednesday post. I am going to met my goal in October just to say it is possible. One of the biggest reason I am doing much better is that my work has settled in a pattern. I am actually starting to enjoy some time off and realize I don't have to work as much as possible :).
Reading my Bible- I am continuing to make strides in this area as well. I also am beginning to feel that I not only need to read a devotion but also spend some time just reading the Word, I am reading a devotion at least 3 times a week. The goal is for me to have a devotional time 5-6 times a week. Some have asked about prayer. I prayer several times a day. This is my conversation with God something I value and just like to keep private.
Preschool with Lily and Kendall- I am changing this to include both of the girls because I also want to be able to comment on where they are so I can look back in a year. Matt and I have finally worked out a system that I think is awesome. I am going to attempt to complete school with the girls at least once a week. I enjoy this time and really want to stay hands on in this area. I am also going to take some time each week and develop a lesson plan and pull together all the things needed for the week as far as school goes. This allows Matt to open a folder and have time to really teach the girls instead of trying figure out what to do. Lily is continuing with Reading. She is able to read some short sentences. She has mastered writing number the correct way and we are working on the concept of counting by 5s. Lily understands even numbers and counting by 2s. She continues to work through the workbooks we purchased and she is learning a verse a week at Club 254 at church. We are using this as practice for writing and review so she will be able to quote all 26 at the end of the year. Kendall is able to draw a circle and is working on recognizing colors and K in her name.
budget- We are finally on track in this area except for groceries. So we have decided to try and control expenses by eating out of the pantry. Matt and I develop a menu plan for 30 days with the hope of extending it until we travel to Michigan simply by buying Angel Food this month. We are going to purchase milk and sodas as needed but not ingredients for meals.
Overall, September has been a month of settling into a routine and getting back on track. I hope we are able to continue!
Blogging- I just checked the number of post for the month and it was 18, counting this one. This is a improvement over the summer and almost close to my goal of 20 or 5 a week. I am also pleased that I have once again been posting deals and not just Menu Monday and Wordless Wednesday post. I am going to met my goal in October just to say it is possible. One of the biggest reason I am doing much better is that my work has settled in a pattern. I am actually starting to enjoy some time off and realize I don't have to work as much as possible :).
Reading my Bible- I am continuing to make strides in this area as well. I also am beginning to feel that I not only need to read a devotion but also spend some time just reading the Word, I am reading a devotion at least 3 times a week. The goal is for me to have a devotional time 5-6 times a week. Some have asked about prayer. I prayer several times a day. This is my conversation with God something I value and just like to keep private.
Preschool with Lily and Kendall- I am changing this to include both of the girls because I also want to be able to comment on where they are so I can look back in a year. Matt and I have finally worked out a system that I think is awesome. I am going to attempt to complete school with the girls at least once a week. I enjoy this time and really want to stay hands on in this area. I am also going to take some time each week and develop a lesson plan and pull together all the things needed for the week as far as school goes. This allows Matt to open a folder and have time to really teach the girls instead of trying figure out what to do. Lily is continuing with Reading. She is able to read some short sentences. She has mastered writing number the correct way and we are working on the concept of counting by 5s. Lily understands even numbers and counting by 2s. She continues to work through the workbooks we purchased and she is learning a verse a week at Club 254 at church. We are using this as practice for writing and review so she will be able to quote all 26 at the end of the year. Kendall is able to draw a circle and is working on recognizing colors and K in her name.
budget- We are finally on track in this area except for groceries. So we have decided to try and control expenses by eating out of the pantry. Matt and I develop a menu plan for 30 days with the hope of extending it until we travel to Michigan simply by buying Angel Food this month. We are going to purchase milk and sodas as needed but not ingredients for meals.
Overall, September has been a month of settling into a routine and getting back on track. I hope we are able to continue!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wordless Wednesday
It has been hard for me to decide what to post about Remington and when. I have a long post that I want to write for myself floating in my head but this week I found these pictures on the computer that neither Amanda or I remembered. With all this heavy rain it is impossible not the think of him. My precious grandson angel..
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Randon Thoughts Tuesday
I love this idea especially this week, when I am trying to blog everyday and I have alot to say.
-Kendall is doing really well with potty training. She stays dry about half the day and is starting to realize she is wet.
- Lily was so excited last night when she was able to read a entire sentence by herself. Matt and her are completing a lesson for reading about 3 times a week with the goal of reading independently around Christmas
-I have been able to do "home school" 3 of the last 5 days. I have also been able to set up folders for Matt to use the other days.
-Reservation for both Birch Run and Claire have been made and paid for. So we are definitely going to MI for Thanksgiving.
- I have already started Christmas shopping and have finished about half.
-We are buying a ceiling fan tonight so hopefully we can go an entire week with using the central air.
-Kendall is doing really well with potty training. She stays dry about half the day and is starting to realize she is wet.
- Lily was so excited last night when she was able to read a entire sentence by herself. Matt and her are completing a lesson for reading about 3 times a week with the goal of reading independently around Christmas
-I have been able to do "home school" 3 of the last 5 days. I have also been able to set up folders for Matt to use the other days.
-Reservation for both Birch Run and Claire have been made and paid for. So we are definitely going to MI for Thanksgiving.
- I have already started Christmas shopping and have finished about half.
-We are buying a ceiling fan tonight so hopefully we can go an entire week with using the central air.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Monday Menu Post 9/27 the Challenge
So instead of the weekly menu post that I have been regular doing for the past year, today I am going to review our "challenge" for October. I hope to update the challenge at least weekly on Monday from now until we finish in either October or November.
After not being able to really control our grocery budget at all, I really wanted a change for October. Matt and I tossed around the idea and decided to "eat out of our pantry" for the month of October based on a monthly list of meals instead of a weekly plan. So we developed a list of 30 meals that we knew we had the ingredients for and starting today are going to eat off this list for dinners and try to avoid shopping for grocery for most of the month. In the end, ideally I would like to make a monthly menu plan, shop for the ingredients and add stuff from sales as they come. I really don't think that will happen but at least for the next 2 months I can challenge myself to not spend as much on groceries and free up some space!
Today, Matt decided not to use the list but made Sweet and Sour chicken. He used some of the ingredient that we already had to it will just extended the list into November, ultimately my goal is to limit grocery shopping until after our Thanksgiving trip. We can do this by buying Angel Food in both months and really trying to free up the freezer space and save money all at the same time. We have recently purchased alot of cereal and pop tarts that were on sale so breakfast except for milk will be covered. Lunches are all over the place with me eating at home 3 days, we did not include these in the plan but will start eating some of the extra food that is sitting around such as mac and cheese and fish sticks. I hope this at least helps with our budget!
After not being able to really control our grocery budget at all, I really wanted a change for October. Matt and I tossed around the idea and decided to "eat out of our pantry" for the month of October based on a monthly list of meals instead of a weekly plan. So we developed a list of 30 meals that we knew we had the ingredients for and starting today are going to eat off this list for dinners and try to avoid shopping for grocery for most of the month. In the end, ideally I would like to make a monthly menu plan, shop for the ingredients and add stuff from sales as they come. I really don't think that will happen but at least for the next 2 months I can challenge myself to not spend as much on groceries and free up some space!
Today, Matt decided not to use the list but made Sweet and Sour chicken. He used some of the ingredient that we already had to it will just extended the list into November, ultimately my goal is to limit grocery shopping until after our Thanksgiving trip. We can do this by buying Angel Food in both months and really trying to free up the freezer space and save money all at the same time. We have recently purchased alot of cereal and pop tarts that were on sale so breakfast except for milk will be covered. Lunches are all over the place with me eating at home 3 days, we did not include these in the plan but will start eating some of the extra food that is sitting around such as mac and cheese and fish sticks. I hope this at least helps with our budget!
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