Happy 600th post

Wow! I can NOT even believe it! My 600th post! When I first started this blog, I was doing a lot of challenges on various sites.

I participated in Tackle it Tuesday, Show & Tell Friday, Works for me Wednesday and a couple of others. I took on projects and than would share before and afters.

I have shared recipes and coupons. Menu plans and routines. Reviews and giveaways.

At times, having a blog is challenging. Trying to think of content that is helpful/interesting. Sharing thoughts and ideas and not really sure who is actually reading them.

However, I have learned a lot along the way. Like:

** I like to blog. It is a fun outlet. It doesn't matter how many people read this blog, it is for me. Its my little corner of the web. And I enjoy it.

**I still have a loooong way to go from being a "wannabe" to being where I want to be. I am still not very organized, or the best baker on the planet, or have a home worthy of Better Homes and Gardens BUT I am learning and growing. What else matters right?

** Don't keep up with the Joneses. I read way more blogs than I should...hmmm maybe that is the reason why I am still a "wannabe"... but in reading blogs, you see amazing photography, yummy food, immaculate closets, organized pantries, freezers chock full of healthy freezer meals, creative birthday parties, make your own...everything...it is very easy to compare myself/my blog to others. I am learning not too. It is not easy though!

**I like to see how far I have come. I like to look back through posts and see all the things that I have accomplished.

** I also, have a record of my life. As a wife, mother, couponer, baker, military family, my kids lives. The every day stuff.

**It takes time to blog. Some posts are fast and come easily. Others take a lot longer.

**I am not computer literate. At all.

So as I look ahead to my next 600 posts (and beyond! Channeling my inner Buzz Light Year) I have an idea of the changes I want to make. Of where I want to go. I hope you will stay on for the ride...and maybe bring a friend or two!

Scrubba-dub

We all know how much fun it is to clean the bathroom, right?

 The toothpaste smeared all over the counters and mirror. Yes you read that right. The mirror. Of course, the mirror. Please don't tell me that my children are the only ones who smear toothpaste every.where. Hair in the sink, dirty clothes on the floor (right next to the empty basket, of course)...and the best part? The toilet. "Nough said, right?

However gross it is, there is no way out of it. We have to clean the bathroom...or bathroomS. We have 4 in this house and that makes for a lot of...well...you get the picture.

When I had the opportunity to try out the new Soft Scrub Total cleaners, I jumped on the chance.

I decided to put the Soft Scrub Total Bathroom cleaner to the ultimate test, the most used bathroom in our house.

*****************************************************************************

OK for some reason, as I started this post, I ended there. I didn't go any further...not sure why. But between the time I wrote the first part of this post and now, something else happened...

It is called a 3 year old. Mason + Wild berry blue jello+water+ locked bathroom door =

YIKES!!!

However, I still had the Soft Scrub sitting in the bathroom and ...it cleaned up that mess! That crazy, nasty, jello-y  mess.

If that doesn't convince you to try it, than I don't know what will!

So, wanna try it? You know you do!  Hopefully you don't have to try it out on jello...

I have 2 coupons for a free Soft Scrub product! If we have to clean, we might as well do it with a free bottle right?

How can you get your hands on these coupons? Easy...

1. Leave me a comment saying you want in. That is it. Easy enough right? I will also be posting this on FB, so if you would like to enter in both places to get an extra chance...go for it (:

score!!!

I have been really bad about my couponing and saving money. Seriously.

 I know I need to get back on the ball and I think this was a good way to do it...

I had a $10 catalina at Vons and I only wanted to spend $5 out of my own pocket to get some deals.

I didn't quite get there, as I forgot one item and swapped out a different one, which made my total $7.xx. However I still had a nice 87% savings. Although I couldn't get it all in the picture I purchased, 1 chicken, 4 pkgs of Pillsbury cookie dough, 2 pkgs of Oreos, 2 Silk Fruit & Protein, 4 Progresso Recipe Starts (one is for a try me free, so I get the money back) 1 Luna protein bar.

Then I went over to Ralphs and stocked up on some of their Mega Event items. I spent less than $45 on all the items in the pictures. It was an awesome trip and I am starting to get my stockpile a little more stocked.

I still have a lot of work to do to get back into the game and really stock up and save BUT it was a good start (: How about you? Any good shopping trips this week?

A look back...

Tomorrow  a lot of us will  look back and remember where and what we were doing when the towers fell.

When our world was rocked by the events of 9/11. The devestation as well as the acts of bravery. Our nation coming together. The good along with the bad.

My day was a typical one. Up early, trying to have quiet time before my kids got up. My husband wasn't going to school that day and so he was also still asleep. I turned the tv on for background noise. When I realized that every channel had the same image.

I finally stopped and watched. I couldn't believe it and ran up to wake up my husband. We lay on our bed in utter shock.

My husband was home that day, instead of being at school. Why? He was headed to the US Navy recruiting office to enroll in the collegiate program. Suddenly his decision took on a whole new meaning.

I told him not to go. I was worried. He replied, "this is more reason to go."

Today my husband was promoted from Lt. to Lt. Commander. This is a very big promotion. He has worked hard and he deserves it.

9/11 isn't just a time for me to remember those events. It is also a time to reflect on our life in the military. The good along with the bad.

While I celebrate my husband, and his accomplishments, I also give myself a pat on the back. For nights alone. For celebrating birthdays, holidays and anniversaries spent alone. For holding kids while crying for their Dad. For being both Mom and Dad. For all the tears I held back. And for all those that I let flow. For homecomings.

May we never forget. Never forget the ones who gave their lives that day. Never forget the ones who are still fighting for our freedoms today. Never forget the families that give them support.

Never forget.

Back to School

Today was the day! My kids headed back today. I had zero reservations about my decision. It made life easier.

I spent yesterday prepping their gear, pulling out lunch bags and blowing off the dust, labeling, labeling and labeling. Oh Sharpies, we have a love/hate relationship.

After going walking with a friend, I came home and made muffins before waking up my kiddos.

Of course they were all dressed by 6:01 and than ran around like wild monkeys until it was time to go.

The two older kids are walking to school this year. Sniff, sniff. While it saves me time, I can't believe how old they are. Oh my babies. Now in 8th and 6th.


*8th grade * 13 years old*

*6th grade*11 years old*

Ben and I walked a very excited 2nd and 5th grader down to their school. They both waited very patiently to walk in the gate. Poor Mason wanted to go and play on the playground wasn't allowed. He wasn't a happy camper. He also was not happy to say goodbye to his best friend, Connor.

*5th grade*10 years old*

Then it was time to say goodbye to our 2nd grader. He was very happy to see friends from last year.

*2nd grade* 7 years old*

After saying our last goodbyes, Ben and I walked Mason down to Marie Callenders for a yummy breakfast...which he ate very little of. Oh well. All in all, it was a good start to the new school year!

*not old enough for school, but a cute 3 year old waiting for his pancakes*



 

Happy Homemaker Monday

Good Monday!!

We have a busy week, with activities and of course, the first day of school! I am looking forward to some quieter days & a bit more freedom. I am taking a few minutes this morning to just enjoy the quiet.

Weather in my neck of the woods: It is supposed to be a perfect 75* here today! Love it.

On my reading pile: Oh this is so embarrassing! I am still reading the same book I was last week! For a while, I was all engrossed. Now, with only a few chapters left...I have kind of just let it sit. I will have to pick it up again and finally finish it. The book? Her Dearly Beloved Husband.

On my tv:
Watching A Psych Marathon (:

On my menu for this week:
Monday: Labor Day bbq with our church
Tuesday: grilled steaks, baked potatoes, rolls (a belated birthday dinner)
Wednesday: Its the first day of school! I promised my 5th grader I would get McD's on the first day
Thursday: fettuchini alfredo
Friday: leftovers or pizza
Saturday: breakfast for dinner
Sunday: pot roast w/ potatoes and vegi's

On my to do list:
-organize my scrapbook area
-spend time updating my calender
-washing sheets & blankets and then remaking all beds

What I am creating: Nothing. Zip.Zilch. nada. However with all my free time once the kids go back to school (lol) I am really wanting to start scrapbooking again.

Homemaking tips: This week not only marks the first week of school, but also, making  lunches again. I have a drawer dedicated to all things lunch. Ziploc bags, but also all of my reusable bags, lunch notes & jokes, cookie(or in this case sandwich cutters), post its, fun napkins, hand sanitizing wipes...It makes getting lunches ready a lot easier...and more fun!

Looking around the house: My hubbys homework is set ont he couch, a few remnants of our family movie night, a basket of socks missing their mates. The quiet of the morning.

From the camera: My sweet son, has been making "lego guy movies". Taking tons of pictures and then playing them back really fast so it makes a movie. They really are fun to watch and I am impressed with his ingenuity. However, I found 239 pictures on my memory card!

On my prayer list: My kids as they head back to school

Devotionals/thoughts/scripture: "Don't judge me because I sin differently than you."

HindSight...

We all know that hind sight is 20/20 right?

 Well a little less than a month ago, was the day I found out that my stores would no longer be doubling coupons.

I decided to change things up and just stick with my military commissary for shopping, as they are cheaper than my stores. I shopped and had forgotten how cheap it was there. Win, win right? Ehhh, not so much.

Soooo...have you ever gone to a store/place that is inexpensive so you just.can't.help.yourself? Your cart just keeps filling with all those must haves? Like the dollar store. I always walk through the store saying, "oh I am going to grab __________ because it is only a dollar." Well 50 items at a dollar each is still $50, right?

This is me at the commissary. It is so cheap that I just throw everything in. I have found myself doing the, "I bought this just because I had a coupon for it."

Now comes the confession...I have spent more money at the commissary this past month  than I ever have. Crazy. Crazy. Crazy.  I haven't even been going in with a list, just walking up and down the aisles getting whatever good deals I could find. Oh it has been bad. Sooo bad.

I have much more self control at my other stores because I KNOW that their non-sale prices usually suck. Big time. I focus only on the good deals.

Once again, it is time to revamp my strategy. Reign it in. Back on budget. Getting the best deals. Not just shopping to shop...