Brown Eyes is Seven

Brown Eyes had his 7th birthday today. We had a late dinner celebration. Brown Eyes had a soccer practice, followed by a scrimmage for Green Eyes. We had homemade macaroni and cheese with couple of vegetables. It was followed by brownies and ice cream. The brownies were one of the frozen Duncan Hines that I bought at Homeland on Saturday. Brown Eyes had requested breakfast and the evening meal today.

Photoshop Anyone?

I am considering trying Photoshop. Does anyone use this or something similar? Please let me know your opinions. Thanks.

What a Wonderful Weekend

For most of my family, this is where and how we spent our weekend. Brown Eyes came home with a stomach bug on Thursday. My turn came during Green Eyes soccer game on Saturday. I hate getting sick in public places, worst is when everyone knows me!

Before getting sick yesterday, I did some Homeland shopping. Unfortunately, I can't remember what coupons matched up with what. Shopping was during the early stages of feeling bad.

I did this in two transaction, but will list as one.

6 rolls of Grands biscuits, on sale for $1 each

--used two 50 cents off of three, which doubled to $1 off of three

1 Package of Cottonelle toilet paper for $5.33

--used a coupon for 50 cents off, which doubled to $1 off

2 bottles of Dawn Plus Hand Renewal for $1.89

--used two $1 off coupons, which each double to $1.89 (they only double to cost)

2 six packs of Iams canned dog food for $6.54 each

--used two coupons for $1 off each, which doubled to $2 off each

2 loaves of Homeland bread for $1.39 each

--used two coupons for $2 off store brand of bread when you buy a Rice Crispy treat

6 boxes of Betty Crocker Chicken Helper for 1.50

--used 2 coupons for 75 cents off three boxes, which doubled to $1.50 for each coupon

6 cans of Chef Boyardee mini raviolis for $1.00 each

--used two coupons for 35 cents off of three cans, which doubled to 70 cents for each coupon

2 Boxes Green Giant Healthy Weight boxes of vegetables for $1.87 each

--used two 25 cents off each box coupon, which doubled to 50 cents off each

1 jar of Peter Pan peanut butter for 1.99

--used a coupon for $1 off, which doubled to $1.99

2 packages of the bigger Juicy Juice boxes for lunch boxes for $2.49

--used two coupons for $1 off, which doubled to $2 off each

2 Glade Carpet and Room Cleaners for $2.29 each

-used 2 $1 off coupons, which doubled to $2 off each

2 packages of Farmland turkey deli meat for $2.99,

--used two coupons for $1 off each, which doulbed to $2 off each

2 cans of French's Fried Onions for $2.09

--used two coupons for &5 cents off each, which doubled to $1.50 off each

4 boxes of Nutri Grain bars for $2.50 each

--used two coupons for $1 off of two boxes, which doubled to $2 off for each coupon

2 cans of Homel chicken breast for $1 each

--used two coupons for 35 cents off, which doubled to 70 cents off each can

2 packages of Betty Crocker Garlic Instant potatoes for $1.00 each

--used two coupons for 40 cent off, which doubled to 80 cents off

2 bottles of original Dawn soap for $1.00 each

--used two coupons for 50 cents off each, which doubled to $1 off each

4 cans of Hunts tomatoes for 99 cents each

--used two coupons for 40 cents off two cans, which doubled to 80 cents off two cans

4 boxes of Kellogg's yogos for $2.50 each

--used two coupons for $1 off two, which doubled to $2 off for each coupon (I know this isn't a terrific deal, but I need to send snacks to school)

4 boxes of Kellogg's Rice Krispy treats for $2.39 each

--used two coupons for $1 off of two multipacks, which double to $2 off for each coupon (Again, not a great deal, but I need to send snacks)

4 boxes of Poptarts for $1.99

--used two coupons for xx off of two boxes, which doubled, but I can't remember the value

3 boxes of Philsbury cake mixes for $1 each

2 bags of Green Giant vegetables for $2.69 each

--used two coupons for $1 off, which doubled to $2 off each bag

4 single servings of Spam for $1 each

--used two coupons for 40 cents off of 2, which doubled to 80 cents off of two (My children will donate these to a food pantry at church)

2 packages of Farmland Smoked Sausage for $3.69

--used two coupons for $1 off each, which doubled to $2 off each

1 box of Tennesee Pride sausage biscuits for $2.50

--used one 55 cents off coupon, which double to $1.10 off

1 one box Tennesse Pride fully cooked sausage links for $2.50

--used one coupon for $1 off, which doubled to $2 off

2 packages of frozen Duncan Hines Brownies for $3.39

--used two coupons for $1 off each, which doubled to $2 off each

2 boxes of Tyson appetizers for $3.85 each

--used coupons, which doubled (can't remember the amounts)

1 box Wanchai Ferry Dinner Kit for $4.69

--used one coupon for $1 off, which doubled to $2 off

2 boxes of black pepper for $2 each

I saved $40.77 in store sales. My coupon savings were $79.78. Homeland was offering a no tax day yesterday, so I paid no taxes, which saved me another $15.40.

In all I spent $101.26. It is alot of money, but I felt like I had bought a ton of groceries. I would have spent much more at Walmart. Adding the numbers together, I paid $101.26 for $237.21 worth of groceries!!

Brown Eye's Soccer Game

These are the pictures I took at Brown Eyes soccer game tonight. They beat the Tulsa Nationals 9-0. I think I got better pictures than at Green Eye's game yesterday because it was later in the day. The camera still hit processing............................. several times on me tonight. I really need to learn how to use it. It is funny to look at the pictures, because it looks like Brown Eyes is just standing holding the ball. In reality he kicked it. You can tell by the first two pictures just how fast he was moving.

Another Walgreen's trip

I went to Walgreen's this afternoon. Here is what I purchased in two transactions:

4 Glade plugin warmers at $1.99 each

--used two Buy One, Get One Free coupons

--used two $1 off one coupons

--will submit for a $1 rebate on each

4 Reach ultra toothbrushes at $2.50 each

--received $ 5 Register Rewards

4 Bags of Brach's candy corn at $1.00 each

-no discounts, just needed to fill the pumpkin jar

2 Crest ProHealth mouthwashes at $4.49 each

--used two 75 cents off one coupons

--received two Register Rewards for $4.50 each

I also used a $10 Register Reward that I got a couple of weeks ago on the cleaning products

My total before coupons was: $30.94

After the coupons I spent $17.06, and earned $4 plus the 10% in rebates and $14 in Register Rewards.

Busy Saturday

Green Eyes had a soccer game today. He is in the white stopping a potential goal by the other team. His team played a good, but hot and hard game.

Tonight we went to watch a TU (University of Tulsa) football game. That was where I went to college my first two years. I think the boys enjoyed watching it. Both of these games made me think about creating a piece of heaven. I realized that by keeping my comments to myself, it made the rest of my family much calmer. I need to remember that lot of eyes are watching my actions. Just because other fans are vocal, I don't have to be to be a good fan! Plus, it probably helps keep my blood pressure way down!

New look for my site

Huge hugs and thanks to Trina at Fabulously Fugalicious for redoing my blog site. She is fantastic!!!!!!

Just a quick note about the inspiration for the subtitle "creating a little slice of heaven around me." We had a visiting priest from Haiti on Sunday. He talked about how bad the conditions are where he is. He really encouraged us to try to create a little piece of heaven around us, so that others can see Jesus through our actions. It has really made me think about how I am treating others. How I respond to my family, to co-workers, to friends, and to strangers. It is making me think about how I react when I am stressed, rushed, or just going about my day.

I am normally a driver that calls people jerks when they pass me or cut me off in traffic. Our priest challenged us several months ago to not make these assumptions about others. They could be in a hurry. My oldest son usually rides in the front seat with me. On one occasion on the highway, someone pulled in front of me. I had to swerve lanes to miss hitting him. I commented aloud "What a jerk! He needs to learn to drive!" Green Eyes said "Mom, he must be in a well deserved hurry". Those were the exact words the priest had said months earlier. Those words repeated by my son, really hit my heart.

The title is a reminder that I need to work hard to create a little piece of heaven for the around and watching me. I am not perfect, but I need to try to be kinder to all! I have lots of little and big eyes that watch me everyday. I asked my Sunday School kids last week what they had learned from one person and who that person was. Blue eyes told me he had learned to be kind from his mother. Thus, I need to work harder to meet this challenge.

Again, thanks, Trina, for the fabulous new look!!

Just our normal routines

I have not done any shopping since my last post. I have not done any great couponing. Since I have gone back to work, it doesn't seem like I have the time anymore.

I have found that my daily routines that I had while being a SAHM, are helping me make this transition easier. I have to have my meal planning done early and shop on the weekends. Last night I began marinating dinner for tonight. I put it in the crockpot before the kiddos went to school and I went to work. It was ready after the boys' piano and soccer practice. I also ran the vaccum and have done three loads of laundry. I have also sat down to work on the work that I brought home.

I am only doing the routines to keep things picked up and cleaned. I am not doing any organizing or decluttering. I really need to do some after moving. But I am listening to Flylady and only trying one step at a time. I am maintaining and keeping things running as smoothly as possible. I will work on the decluttering and organizing as I get adjusted to our new schedules.

Oh, What Fun I Had!

No pictures today. I need to charge my camera battery, and I haven't done it yet. Last week, I did multiple trips to Walgreen's to load up on the cleaning products deals. Today I had $35 in Register Rewards to spend!! Here is how I did.

2-12 packs of Sprite $3 each
2-12 packs of Coke $3 each
6 Powerade at $1.19 sale price
-used coupon out of weekly sales flyer to make them 79 cents each
4 Softsoap hand soaps at $2.99
- used Super Coupon out of weekly sales ad for $2 off each
-used four 35 cents off each coupons
4 tubes Colgate Max Fresh toothpaste at $2.99
-used Super Coupon from weekly sales flyer for $2 off each
-used one $1 off each coupon
-used three 75 cents off each coupon
4 Glade scented oil candle refills at $1.99 each
-used two Buy one, get one free coupons
-will get $1 plus 10% back on each in a Walgreen's rebate
My total before the coupons was $57.10
I also used $25.15 in Register Reward from the Cleaning supply deals last week.
It left a balance of $2.98, which I used my Walgreen's giftcard from last month's rebates to pay.

It felt fabulous to walk out with all this and not pay one penny!!!!
According to the receipt I also saved $17.70 in sales prices.
I should also get $4.40 added to my giftcard at the end of the month.
Loved this deal!!!!!

Ready for Spring Cleaning

I had two transactions at Walgreens after church today. I was planning on getting a $10 Register Reward on each transaction, but the machines were not working. The manager instead put it on a gift card for me to use later. Here is what I purchased and what coupons I used:

3 bottles of Shout for $2.49 each

--used three 75 cents off coupons

3 bottles of Windex at $2.49 each

--used three 75 cents off coupons

3 Scrubbing Bubbes wipes at $2.49 each

--used three$1 off coupons

3 Scrubbing Bubbles cleaners at $2.49 each

--used three 75 cents off coupons

2 Scrubbing Bubbles shower foams at $3.79 each

--used two $1.00 off coupons

3 Glade fabric and air freshners at $2.99 each

--used three $1.50 off each manufacturer coupons

--used three $1 off Walgreen's Easy Saver coupons

3 Oust air freshners at $2.99 each

--used three $1 off Walgreen's Easy Saver coupons

--used one buy one, get one free coupon

--used on $2 off of 2 coupons

3 packages of purse size kleenexes, used as a filler for the coupon count at 29 cents each

Total Before coupons and sales : $80.16

After coupons and sales (out of my pocket): $33.11

The gift card I got in place of the Register Rewards: $21.70

So I got 20 bottles of stuff and 3 packages of kleenexes for $11.41!

Walgreen's

I have had a busy week. I ended up working Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I took a new job on Thursday. I am excited about the work that is in ahead of me. It will be quite an undertaking to get things up and running.

I went with Green Eyes to Bartlesville last night. He was to have a soccer game there today, but it was canceled. The best part was that we stayed with my parents and got to visit with them for about 16 hours!!!

I went to Walgreen's tonight and this is what I purchased:
2 bottles of Pantene beautiful lengths shampoo
2 botttles of Pantene beautiful lenghts conditioner
3 bottles of Pantene Expressions conditioner
1 bottle of Pantene Expressions shampoo
2 bottles of Pantene mousse
1 bottle of Pantene gel
1 bottle of Pantene hairspray
2 bottles of Pantene smoother
2 Revlon nail polishes
2 gallons of milk
1 dozen eggs

I spent $3.61 and will get another $21.54 in rebates. I am glad all the time on couponing pays for itself!!!

Quite Monday

Not much going on today. I am very tired tonight. I think it will be an early evening. I did get to catch up on my Big Brother shows tonight. We were without an upstairs air condition since Thursday. They came to work on it today. We needed a new compressor. It is all great now. They boys are back to sleeping upstairs. I got behind on my shows while they were sleeping in the family room at night. One big vice of mine is that TV show. I am sadly addicted.

For the last 4 years or so, I have kept a home warranty on our home. I got one when we purchased this home, too. It paid for itself today. It may seem pricey, but ours has always paid for itself. Plus, I swear it is a marriage saver. If hubby can't fix it, and it is worth the deductible to me; it gets fixed for $55.

I did no couponing today. A friend told me she was mad at me today. I had failed to tell her how addicting couponing is. For me it is much worse than scrapbooking.

Target Stockpiling

I went to Target today. I purchased :
12 boxes of poptarts (12 count) for $2.25 each
used 12 Target printables for 50 cents off each box
used 1 Manufacturer poptart coupon for $1 off two boxes ( I had already used my other manu. coupons)
received 3 $5 gift cards (Purchase 4, get a $5 Target gift card)

8 boxes of Rice Krispy treats (8 count boxes) for $2.25 each
used 4 Manufacturer rice krispy treat coupons for $1 off 2 boxes
received 2 $5 gift cards (Purchase 4, get a $5 Target gift card)

1 package of Juicy Juice apple juice boxes(kids take in lunch boxes) for $1.75
used 1 Manufacturer printable coupon for $1 off 1

1 package Buitoni fettucini for $1.84
used 1 Target printable for $1 off any Buitoni pasta
used 1 Manufacturer printable for $1 off any Buitoni product

My Total was $36.00 and I received $25 in Target gift cards.
Not bad for $11.00