Hi Carol!

Archive for June, 2010

Wonderful Wednesday began with a trip to Target – I wanted to use up my Target catalina for $5 off frozen food so took advantage of the Buy 3 Bertolli Frozen Meals ($5.89 ea, one was actually reduced to $5.08) and get a $5 gift card.  Also had 2 x $3 mfg Q’s and 2 x $1.50 Target Q’s so I paid around $2.86 for 3 after coupons and card.  My total bill today was $34.24 and I saved $87.36

My shoes from Metrostyle arrived today – 2 pairs for $9.66 shipped.  The first pair were salmon high heels with ankle strap 75% off and the others were dark blue velvet ballerina flats, both around 75% off.  I had a $15 promo credit so I paid about $3 over shipping.  I think I’ll wear the salmon ones to Matt’s graduation in September – I know, it’s all about Matt!!  I told Greg to keep em back for my birthday in August.  I also got my Crocs, 2 pairs for $13 shipped and Greg’s keeping them back for Christmas.

My sponsor Teri said she can’t come into town for the Convention, so I’m gonna miss her but I know she has a lot going on – it’s crept up on all of us.  Tomorrow our friends Perry and Lanelle are coming by at lunchtime – we met them at a meeting on our cruise last year.

I didn’t have to make goodies tonight as we had half a sticky lemon sheet cake Debbie made – hurray.  Well, it’s almost time for the meeting to start so I’ll say bye and catch ya tomorrow.

Fave Thursday Deals
Zarbee’s Children’s Cough Syrup – pay only $2 shipping:  http://zarbees.com/shop/c/1/main
Starbucks Treat Receipt: http://www.starbucks.com/blog/28139/hang-on-to-your-treat-receipt
Aeropostale has $5 T shirts:  just go to http://www.aeropostale.com

This morning, we found a message on the answering machine from Matt at the ungodly hour of 2am – “This is recruit Matthew Schipper; I arrived safely in San Diego; your next communication from me will be by postal mail in 2/3 weeks; love you, goodbye!”  There was a lot of noise going on in the background – I guess they herd the guys real quick thru the phones.  Poor babies, keeping them up til 2am when they’d been up since 4am.  Li’l Cec was asleep til after 9:30 and he was a little gem today, played happily – last night I was on the computer for 2 mins tops talking to Melody and when I got out to the kitchen, Cecil was sat at my desk with Hershey candy wrappers around him – he’d scoffed back 4 Hershey Bliss’s!!

I took him back around 2pm and found out I left his bottle behind so whizzed across to Family Dollar to get another one – just a buck!!  Went to Fed X on the way home to return my cute little kids size 6 flip flops – man I love Crocs, they make it so easy – all I had to do was fill out a form online, print out a return, package the teeny flip flops and take it to FedX – no charge.  hat’s service.  Came back, cut some coupons, caught up on email, watched a smidge of TV with my coffee and then we went out to eat at Fuddruckers with David – their burgers are soo good; then we took off to the mall. 

I got a deal at Bath and Body Works – I had a coupon for a free travel size anything in the store with a purchase (no limit); they had a lot of 75% off stuff, and I got a roll on Sensual Jasmine Vanilla Roll on (orig $10) for $2.50 and a 3 fl oz Sweet Pea fragrance mist ($5 value) for free.  I was amazed that 3oz qualified as a travel size.  I love these Bath and Body Works specials.  After I showed them both to Greg, he was so impressed, he got a mens manly spray cologne for $2.50 (orig $10).  While he had a Chinese Foot Massage, Dave and I went to American Eagle and they had a $5 T Shirt sale (orig $15) – they were really cool, and patriotic so got one each for Dave and Matt.

Nwo we’re about to watch a movie………………..

Fave Deals of the Day:
Bath and Body Works Free Travel Size with Any Purchase.  Print coupon here:  http://f.chtah.com/i/34/528207786/20100615_welcoupon.html
American Eagle $15 T shirts on sale for $5
Free HairTriggered Shampoo/Conditioner samples.  http://erik-prautsch.com/smoothsmooth_sample.php

On this Marvellous Monday, we had to be up at 4am to drive Matt to the Marines Recruiting Office and say goodbye to him for 13 weeks!!!  Yikes – that’s a long time!!  Life has changed for him and for us forever.  Unlike a lot of parents we talk to who can’t wait to get their kids out of the house, we enjoy them living at home – Melody’s been gone for a while and now we just have Dave who will most likely be here til he finishes up at UTSA in 2 years.  I have done better today than I thought I would – Thursday, Friday and Saturday were the worst.  Yesterday, he and Greg went up to Cabela’s to do some last minute “man” bonding and then we had a barbecue last night and that really took my mind off things.   His best mate’s parents, Jeff and Debbie, are his second mom and dad and they are a hoot – we never stopped laughing from the time they got to our house til the time they left; Li’l Cec kept us in stitches wearing Debbie’s sandals and we had a good time.

We watched a movie together, took one last walk and then he took off to spend a couple of hours with friends while Greg and I laid in bed remembering all the great trips and good times we’ve had with our son.  I was so glad I didn’t lose it when we said goodbye – who wants memories of a blubbering woman locked in their heads – I wiped away a few tears, smiled, gave him a note I’d written and we waved goodbye.   Greg’s having a real hard time (he’s major surprised at how he feels); every time he fussed at Matt, I told him not to make a big deal of it, cos he was really gonna miss him.

I felt like going back to bed when we got home but just had some quiet time instead and then took off to Target.  My bill was really low today $20 (details in Shopping Post) so I was super proud of myself; my groceries are definitely gonna cost less now Matt’s gone.   When I got home, I called a few travel agents trying to get a price range on going to the UK via Amsterdam but coming back thru Newark – as of now it’s $2,200 per person which is $1,000 more than booking a straightforward flight online but I’m still waiting for a couple of calls back.

Melody and li’l Cec came over for dinner, we had pork chops, mashed ranch potatoes, corn and snap peas and the leftover waldorf salad for dessert.  It was so weird and soooo quiet without Matt – the noise level when my 3 kids are together is deafening and you can’t get a word in but not so tonight.  Everyone was a little pensive but li’l Cec cheered us up.   Matt’s recruiter said they’d left San Antonio around 5pm  (much better than 7pm like we expected.

Wow, did it rain tonight – I was able to pull my plants in when it got too rough – I don’t want my petunia to lose all her flowers again like last time.  She’s more beautiful than ever tho’.  I planted two more tomato plants this morning so now we have 4 and the first one has a lot of tommies on it, so I hope the others will follow suit.  Well, I’d better check on li’l Cec.   Nighty night Matt……

Fave Deals of the Day
Free Charmin Toilet Roll Extender (for those chubby toilet rolls):
 http://www.charmin.com/en_US/toilet-paper-holder-roll.php
Free 8 x 10 Collage from Snapfish – Like ‘em on Facebook, click the Coupon tab – you’ll have to pay shipping but it’s only 99c
New July Coupon Booklet at Walgreens:  Match with manufacturer’s coupons and you can score some free deals.  Check here:
http://hip2save.com/2010/06/walgreens-free-dr-scholls-purina-one-more.html

My favorite coupon today was the $5 off $50 worth of Groceries on the back of a Target mailer – keep ‘em coming.

Luvs Diapers $6.99; $2 mfg Q, $1 Target Q
Scrubbing Bubbles Power Sprayer $6.99; $5 mfg Q
Crystal Light $1.97; $2 mfg Q
Dole Salad $1.49; $1 mfg Q
Wholly Guacamole $3.50; $1.50 mfg Q
Bullseye BBQ Sauce $1.25; $1 mfg Q
Heinz Ketchup $1
Hidden Valley Dressing $2.22; $1 mfg Q, $1 Target Q
Girards Dressing $2.59; $2 mfg Q
2 Nescafe Tasters Choice; $2 $1 mfg Q, 75c mfg Q
3 Starkist Tuna $2.46; B2G1 free (82c)
Apples $1.39
Salmon $1.99 (reduced from $7.99)
2 Snapple $2.50; BOBO free
Azteca Tortillas $1.25; $1 mfg Q
Milk $2.29
Yoplait yogurt 50c; 30c mfg Q
Ziploc Freezer Bags $2.69; $1 mfg Q, $1 Target Q
2 Boxes UP Facial Tissues $2.52
Gold Bond Foot Powder 97c; 75c mfg Q
2 Bags Tostitos $5; 2 x $1 mfg Q’s, 1 Target Q 
Salsa $3; FREE with 2 x Tostitos
TOTAL:  $20.55    SAVED $58.85

Sorry Guys – I’m offline today as it’s Matt’s last day at home.  We threw him a Bbq, lotsa fun, lotsa tears.

Said bye to li’l Cec early today as we had to go with Matt to the Recruiting Office to sign papers and find out the full scoop on his shipping out for basic training on Monday.   He has a gruelling 12/13 weeks ahead of him but he’s ready!!  His graduation ceremony will be on the 24th, so now we have to re-think our trip to England which we had planned for the beginning of September – Greg needs to be back for close to 2 weeks to catch up on work before we head out to San Diego.   I spent hours on the computer trying to find a good price on tickets – I was cross eyed by the time we went out to eat.

Went to Souper Salads for dinner and as always it was really good; we sat and talked about how much we were gonna miss Matt and how great it’ll be to travel out there to see him graduate (chokes up, swallows back tears……)  Went by Target to pick up burger and hot dog buns and other fixins for our little get together tomorrow and then came home and watched a movie – hoped we could watch it with Matt but he’s gone fishin’.

My rebate form went off to Olay today and this was how it panned out – my total out of pocket expense after coupons and 3 Target Gift Cards (for 3 transactions) was $8.38 for 8 Olay items (so just over $1 apiece).  But then I get a $20 rebate check!!  I am now covered for moisturizer, cleanser, cleansing cloths and night cream for a good while to come.

Fave Saturday deals:
Free Samples from Hourglass:  http://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/sampleafriend/
Target has Littlest Pet on sale for 74c.  At http://www.coupons.com you can print a Buy 1 Get 1 free coupon
If you have kiddos, you can head over here http://disney.go.com/charactercalls/bigkidcalls/ to get a call from Woody or Princess Tiana.  My kids would’ve gone nuts over this.

Have a blessed weekend.

Freebies etc. in my Mailbox This Week:

Free sample Buzz Away Extreme (we need that in our back yard – it’s brutal back there)
.5oz Burt’s Bees Toothpaste
2oz Olay Total Effects
Sample Dove Men Care Body/Facewash
Coupon for Free Bottle of Suave Shampoo or Conditioner
Coupon for Free Chinet Disposable Tableware plus $1 coupon
Make up bag from Paula’s Choice
4 piece Always pads

I know Fridays are fabulous for a lotta you guys as it’s the last day of work – I’m a stay at home mom, but I love Fridays, they just have a special “feel” about ‘em.  On my way to see Rachel this morning, I stopped at Target to get 3 more Olay items (total $21.87) toward my $20 refund – after coupons, I spent $11.87 and got a $5 Target gift card.  I know you’re wondering why I don’t just buy them all at once, well…. I have to think about exactly what items I need and I don’t want to overspend or underspend (cos I have to make it to $50).  So tomorrow I’ll get another three totalling $17 and I can send it in…..

I babysat for Abby this morning while Rachel went to the physical therapist – she must feel like a new woman now she can drive and actually get away from the house.  Abby was precious, despite the very visible stapling on her head – the good news is that, God willing, she won’t have to have another op til she’s 16 years old.  Rachel and I discussed travel arrangements etc. to the International ?? Convention that’s gonna be in town over the July 4th weekend – what a huge event, it’ll never happen again in our lifetime.  Rachel had volunteered to help – can you believe that girl, after all she’s been thru – but she realises that’s rather a stretch so hopefully she can go with Greg and I next Saturday; my sponsor Teri is planning on being in town too so should be lotsa fun.

Oh did I laugh at myself today!  I’d ordered some fuschia Wave flip flops from Crocs and as I excitedly opened my package, I stared in disbelief as I pulled out a tiny pair of flip flop;  I had inadvertently ordered a pair of kids Crocs in size 6/7 !  There’s no way I can stuff my feet into those little flip flops and – they had a little strap at the back – I’d have looked nerdy, even if I could.  As I said to my bloggin’ buddy Jenna at Bucktownbargains.com (check her site out, it’s great!) after I wrongly read one of her posts, ”when all else fails, follow the directions!!”  I may need to invest in a new pair o’ glasses.

My order from Smashbox came today too – Smashbox.com has a “Let’s Do Lunch” every Tuesdays from 9am-2pm pST when they have a giveaway with any purchase, which this week was a Fusion Soft Lights Face powder, a $30 value.  What makes this a great deal is that they also give you 2 or 3 free samples too.  I ordered a 2 in 1 Hybrid lip gloss for $10 (I would never pay $10 for a lip gloss normally, but it was worth it to get the face powder, and 3 samples.

Fave Friday Freebies/Deals:
Free Neilmed Nasal Drops (full size package) http://www.neilmed.com/usa/mailer_cvsnasadrops.php - I may’ve posted it before, but it’s worth mentioning again.
Snapple Mail in Rebate: http://gooddealmama.com/2010/06/25/snapple-free-after-rebate/
By 1 Get 2 free portraits at Picture People: http://www.picturepeople.com/babymoments/bmPotraits12Free.html  We’ve had many family portraits done there and they do terrific work – the family photo on the site is by Picture People.

I’m thankful today that we got our air conditioners serviced and spivved up – in San Antonio, life would be pretty miserable without a/c.   We got our windows cleaned for the first time in years (shameful!!) – our house is a very tall 2 story, and there’s no way we could go up there on a ladder so Javier very kindly offered to do ‘em and now I can see out.  Wow, I never knew it was so bright out there!!

We really needed new sheets and a week ago, I got an email from http://www.SmartBargains.com with a sale on 600 thread sheets for $39.99 shipped.  We paid a lot more than that for the last pair we bought and they were only 300 count.  They arrived in less than a week and they feel amazing – I just can’t wait to sleep in them tonight!!

Rachel texted, asking if I could go out and help tomorrow as she has physical therapy – she’s able to drive again, and I’m looking forward to meeting her for coffee again away from the house and I know she is too. 

Stopped at Target to buy a couple more Olay items so I can send off for my $20 rebate (buy $50 worth of Olay products to get rebate).  It sounds counterproductive to buy stuff so you can get a rebate, but if it’s something you will use in the future, it’s a god investment, and when you can use coupons and get gift cards back, it’s a real good deal. I am almost out of moisturizer, night cream and toner so I need to stock up!!  I bought two Olay Regenerist items a few weeks ago when Target had a special “buy 2 Olay items and get a $5 gift card” so I can use that receipt toward my rebate.   I can put two or three of the items up on Greg’s shelf in our closet to give me at Christmas – I do this with jewelry and another specials I find; the wonderful thing is that when Christmas/Birthday/Anniversary or whatever comes round, I have totally forgotten about the items and they are a complete surprise to me.  It’s also helpful for Greg so he doesn’t have to rack his brain trying to figure out what to give me .  Target has a lot of their Olay products on sale right now with a special of “Buy 3 Olay Items, get a $5 giftcard”. I’m not sure what my final out of pocket expenses will be after coupons but it won’t be bad as I’ll have 3 x $5 Target gift cards and the $20 refund.  I’ll keep you posted.  To print the refund form:  click here

After my Target stop, zoomed into Sun Harvest as we were out of a lot of veggies, and wouldn’t you know it I forgot to get lettuce; hopefully we won’t need any tomorrow; we’re having more of Matt’s Marvellous fish – red snapper probably.

My 3 Fave Deals of the Day
Rimmel Mascara  http://hip2save.com/2010/06/new-21-rimmel-coupon-walmart-deal.html
Sample of Avril Lavigne Cologne  http://avril-lavigne-perfumes.com/teaser.aspx
Sample of Nectavida  http://www.healingamerica.com/themes/main_pages/main_page55.asp

Off to Target again – yes, I’m there often and caught some good deals using coupons – 3 Old Spice Body washes (these had free minis attached) $3.53 plus I got a $5 Target gift card with purchase; Ziploc bags just 50c; and mfg Q; 2 Armor All products (for Matt) just $1.18.  Full details of today’s trip in Shopping post.

Matt met Greg and I for coffee at McDonalds – we’re counting down the days now til he leaves for the Marines on Monday; when we got home, he started on the front and back yard - I felt sorry for him cos it was sooo hot, but this is the last time he has to do it.  Greg has taken on the task but I’m not sure how long that will last, especially in San Antonio weather.

Had a pretty good turnout for our weekly meeting – 12 in all, including a new gal who seemed scared, poor thing.  We’ve all bin there – recovery is scary!!  I’m afraid I didn’t make any goodies for snacks but everyone loved the Pepperidge Farm Tim Tams – they remind me of Penguin bars we used to have when we were kids (in England).  Went for a walk with Bill and Shirley later.

My 2 free sample paints from Glidden came today in a darling little gift box – I hate to disturb them, they look so cute.  The colors I got were Pool Party and Sweet Baby Boy (made me think of li’l Cec) – I think I’ll use them to paint window boxes or something like that.  

My 3 fave Deals of the Day are:
No Nonsense Flip Flop sale $2.99  http://www.nononsense.com/on-sale.aspx?mc=Jun10FlipFlops50FB
Samples of Aveda Damage Remedy & Hand Cream  http://www.avedabday.com/magazine.php?mag_campaign=whealth2
Free Sample of Murad Eye Lift Illuminator  http://www.murad.com/shape2