Hi Carol!

Archive for September, 2010

Wow, last week this time we were in San Diego; can’t believe how time just flies by.  Made my usual Wednesday trip to Target this morning and picked up two pairs of shorts, one for Greg and one for David (just $4.98 on sale) and a darling little sundress for Melody just $6.24.  Dole mixed lettuce salads were on sale for $1.50 so they were free after 75c mfg Q and $1 Target Q – I need these for our fellowship meeting tonight.  There wasn’t much in clearance today but I did get a NYC eyebrow pencil for free (it was marked down to $1.24 and I had a $1 mfg Q) but it rang up at 43c and when the coupon went thru, it took 43c off – just wished they’d had more as they make terrific stocking stuffers for Melody, and my two nieces Elisha and Chloe.

Greg and I met Matt for coffee at McDonalds and then they took off to New Braunfels to go to a car show -  lots of Mustangs so Matt was very happy.  I finally got Matt to watch the first episode of Gavin & Stacy last night so we watched the second one this afternoon so hopefully now he’s hooked.  I wish we could get it on TV here, it’s hilarious.

We have our group fellowship here tonight and Courtney offered to cook the brisket – she just arrived so gotta finish up.  It’s bound to be good if Courtney cooked it, she’s a terrific cook.

Had a really Terrific Tuesday – Li’l Cec and I went over to North Star Mall with Matt.  He needed new jeans so made stops at American Eagle and Hollister (both of which were on sale – of course),  the Oakley store for new sunglasses and  had pretzels at Auntie Anne’s with BOGO free coupons.  Matt watched Li’l Cec while I took a look at the jewelry in Lane Bryant but unfortunately all the $2.99 items were gone.  I used my $14 off $15 coupon from Lane Bryant in San Diego – got some lovely citron drop earings $14.50, and some pink glass earings on sale for $2.99 that matched the $2.99 necklace I got there a few weeks ago – after the $15.00 coupon, my bill was only $2.82!!

We dropped off Li’l Cec and then went to McDonalds for lunch – well lunch for Matt and a McCafe for me; it’s hard to comprehend still that my son is home after been gone for 3 months.

Tonight we all went to Ruby Tuesday for my brother in law’s birthday – of course I had a BOGO coupon but my niece Chloe works there and gets 25% off so couldn’t use the coupon.  The bill was only $38 for the 5 of us so we can’t complain; Greg, Melody and I had the salad bar, Dave had a burger and Matt had barbecued chicken.  Laurie ordered a dessert which was huge and we all got to have bites of hers!!

After dinner, Matt took off to the gym, and Greg, Melody, Dave and I went next door to Ali Baba’s, a middle eastern import store and they sell all sorts of wonderful interesting foods.  We got olives as always, rosewater, mixed nuts, juice and Melody got naan bread and sheep cheese.  Li’l Cec was a star tonight, was so well behaved and happy but unfortunately, he tripped over the Naan bread and almost hurtled to the ground stepping out of the van but luckily he nit my soft shoe so his bump on the head wasn’t too serious!!

Matt came with me on my Marvellous shopping trip to Target – mainly to make sure I stocked up on Doritos, Pringles, salsa, queso, protein bars etc. etc.  I seemed to get done a lot quicker than normal today, probably cos I was looking forward to sitting down and talking to Matt over a Starbucks.  Oh joy!!

Best deals today were produce using the $1 Target Produce coupon – I really needed these as I had to stock up after been gone for several days.  Our Target has Gala apples and Roma tomatoes for 99c per lb this week so these were a steal.

Took Melody to the dentist – she needs a wisdom tooth pulled poor thing so that’s scheduled for Thursday and I was glad to see she could eat dinner, altho gingerly tonight.  Matt requested steaks, au gratin potatoes, corn, green beans and cherry pie so that’s what we had.  He was unusually quiet during dinner but I’ve learned that’s because when the recruits finally get to eat, they have to pack it away in a very very short time and no talking allowed!!  Wow, that’d be hard on our family cos we can all talk for England!!

Matt took Melody for a driving lesson – that test should be round the corner any day now and I watched li’l Cec and then he stayed overnight.  He was so sad when they went home yesterday cos he always thinks that when he comes to Nanny’s house, he’s staying the night; when Melody unbuckled his seat belt, he tried to put it back on so he could come back.   Greg and I tried desperately to talk Matt into watching Gavin and Stacy (the DVD we brought back from England) to no avail but I’m gonna button him down tomorrow.

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The weather’s been terrific in San Diego and it was beautiful blue skies and warm and breezy today for the Graduation Ceremony.

All the young Marines looked great on the parade deck in their dress blue deltas – Matt looked so handsome.  The band played better than ever and although the Marines had serious faces, you know they were beaming inside.  We have so enjoyed these 3 days on base, we love the patriotism, discipline, unity, form – Honor, Courage & Commitment.  It doesn’t get much better than that.

We left for the hotel so Matt could get into his civies, T shirt and jeans which hung off him; no worries, I’m sure he’ll put it all back on in the next few weeks.  He can’t wait to get back to the gym and really work out and put on some “mass”.  He tried on all his uniforms and of course we took photos of him in everyone of them (wipes away tears)….

As many of Matt’s fellow marines told him that In and Out Burger had the best burgers in the US, we made our way over there but have to tell ya that they don’t beat Whataburger.  We shoulda known that Texas would have the best!  Walked all round the bay, Seaport village and had a cappucino and then over to Coronado Island.

Took Matt to Horton Plaza Mall for dinner – Greg and I couldn’t resist the Mongolian BBq again and Matt had 2 big slices of Pizza and a large mango iced tea.  However, that barely hit the sides so he took off and came back with a large steak escape sandwich.

We wandered around the mall again and I really fancied a dark choccy truffle so popped into Godiva and was thrilled to find out I could get my truffle free if I signed up with Godiva Chocolate Rewards Club.  You get one free piece of chocolate per week and a free gift each month you spend $10.  I love it.l

Matt needed running shorts so stopped in at Macy’s and was able to use my 20% off coupon that arrived a few weeks ago.  I am so pleased that when we travel, I can still make good use of coupons and save money – except for England of course.

After a bit more driving around, we were totally exhausted and made our way back to the hotel for a decaf and to enjoy my truffle.   Matt was fast asleep by 9pm and so we turned in about 9:45pm too.

I’m so thankful today to be able to see my son after 3 loooong months; I’m thankful he made it thru with God’s help and is now officially a Marine altho graduation is not actually until tomorrow.

We were up bright n early, had a great breakfast and drove over to the base to join the 500 other families who were anxious to see their lads again.  I was already choked up before the young marines started running by in their green T’s and shorts so by the time I spotted my handsome son, I was in tears.  I wanted to run up and hug and kiss him but of course no chance of that – all the moms had been given strict orders on how to hug them when we’d meet them later.  He looked great, thinner of course but healthy.  All too soon, they ran off and we were herded to another area where we waited for them to come running back and face us and then they were gone again – it was all very emotional.

We were shown a video and informative talk etc. etc. and then we all walked over to the bleachers with strict instructions not to set foot on the Parade Ground which is Hallowed ground.  The band played and then all the young Marines marched out in their uniform, stood before us again for what seemed for ever on that same Hallowed ground where his grandpa had stood in 1943.  Finally we were given the order to go hug our son.  The smile on his face was worth the long wait and we hugged and kissed him but not too much……….

There were so many things we wanted to say and questions to ask and he had plenty of his own and I think over the next 6 hours we got it covered.  We were so blessed to have those 6 hours with him – we had a buffet lunch, he showed us all over the base, shopped and bought him his Marine ring and just talked and talked and talked (with hugs in between).

The difference in Matt is phenomenal.  He was always a terrific kid, very handsome, great personality but here was our boy, now a man, standing tall, with a confidence that could only come from having endured 3 months of the very best training in the world.  His gift to me was seeing him so happy.  I think that’s what all moms want for their kids – to be happy.  He’s fulfilling God’s purpose for him and his demeanor shows that he is right where he’s supposed to be.

When it was time for him to go, we watched him til he disappeared and then drove off sniffing and wiping tears and talking about how wonderful the day was.  Greg wanted to drive over to Fletcher Hills where he grew up and see the house he lived in, his school, and where his friends lived and then we came back to the hotel and watched Everybody Loves Raymond.  What a terrific day.

No difficulty getting up bright n early this morning as we’re off to San Diego to see our beloved son Matt graduate at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot – he’s done with basic training – oorah!!!  We flew out of San Antonio at 8:10am and landed in San Diego at a little after 9am – I love flying West but it’s not so much fun when you fly back and lose 2 hours.  Checked into our hotel which overlooked the base, very apropo and then set off exploring.

We went to Old Town first and remembered the two times we’d been here together before, first when we came with Mum and Keith in 1988 and Melody was just a baby and then again in 1998 on our month long trip around the States.  We drove over to the base and visited the Museum and tried desperately to get a glimpse of Matt but of course no Matt; next to Horton Plaza Mall and had Mongolian BBQ.  After dinner, we wandered around the Mall and I had some coupons with me so popped into Bath and Body Works, bought a hand sanitizer for David and carrier ($2 for both) and got a free 3oz Twilight bath and shower gel.  Found something for Melody for Christmas but daren’t mention what it is cos she might read this but it was one heck of a deal.

Walked around Seaport Village which looks unchanged from 1998 – we have such lovely memories of eating at a restaurant overlooking the bay with Mum and Keith all those years ago.  Finally we drove over to Coronado Island to see the beautiful Coronado Hotel which we’ve promised one day to stay at – when I can get a deal!!

I could barely keep my eyes open and was sound asleep – apparently – at 9:30pm (11:30 San Antonio time).

Our Marvellous appliance repairman Jim came by this morning to look at our fridge/freezer and found that Conn’s had left plastic covering the vents at the back when they brought it.  So we’re hoping now Jim removed that and gave the fridge/freezer the once over that all’s well – time will tell……..

I purposely zoomed past the meat counter, the fridges and freezers as I have strict orders not to pile any more food into ours.   I loved playing that Pace Salsa game online as I got 3 x $4 coupons so used 2 of them today to stock up on salsa and queso for Matt as he asked me to make sure I have plenty of salsa and chips in the house.  Wonka Choccy Bars are on sale for $1.99 and are free when you use a $1 mfg Q and stack it with a $1 Target Q.  Ball Park bun size franks are $2.04 and I used up the rest of my $2 coupons making them just 4c apiece.

Li’l Cec was in serious trouble this morning when he broke a window at the apartment with his toy hammer – that Li’l Cec………  He and Melody are coming over for dinner tonight and he’d better not try any of that nonsense around here!! 

Fashion Bug is offering 25% off online – code 776398505 – they have sandals/shoes from $3.98 and costume jewelry from $5; jewelry is also B1G1 free right now. 

My purse from Naturalizer arrived today – can you believe this was only $7 shipped after a $10 off $10 coupon I used a week or so ago.

Fave Deals of the Day
If you like avocados, you’ll love this: Go to The Amazing Avocado’s Facebook Page and Like them and you will be able to print a coupon for a Free Avocado.
Go Here for free Kotex samples.
 JCPenney is offering $10 off $10 coupon code, using promo code GO4TEN.  Go Here to shop at JCPenney online and enter your code at checkout.  They’re also offering free shipping on shoes.

We finally made it to church this Sunday (we never miss normally) after been gone on our anniversary weekend and then in England for 3 Sundays; Pastor Matt did a grand job as per usual.  Li’l Cec stayed overnight so had to wake him up earlier than normal so he could come to church with us; he loved playing with the other 2 year olds and didn’t want to leave.  He’ll be going to Moms Day Out soon. 

Now you rememeber my Freezer Story right – well yesterday we realized that the fridge/freezer in the kitchen wasn’t cooling properly and as it’s only just over year old, we stopped by Conn’s to see what they could do but they can’t send a repairman out until tomorrow.  So I called Jim, our trusted repairman and he couldn’t come out either today – well it is Sunday after all – but promised he’d be here first thing in the morning.  So deja vue, with the dry ice, coolers etc……….  I do not need this right before Greg and I go to see Matt in San Diego.  While we battled with the salesman at Conn’s, Cecil enjoyed running round opening all the fridges which he does constantly at home; he broke Melody’s fridge lock and that reminds me I need to pick up another one for her.

Greg spent hours helping Melody with her car today and now – hopefully- all the holes in the hoses are fixed and her car won’t lose all it’s water and antifreeze.  I think we’ll watch Dear John tonight, seems like a terrific movie.

Hope y’all had a good weekend.

I promised my Li’l Sis, Mel that I would post a Fabulous new photo of her as the one I put up for her birthday was an old one and she has lost soooo much weight.  Doesn’t she look terrific?  You go Girl!!!  The photos we took of our vacation turned out wonderfully – now Greg has to download the movies he and I both took while we there. 

I finally waded thru all my coupons, sorted and filed them this morning – phew that was some job!!  We’re off to see Kansas in concert tonight – Greg was a year behind them in high school and remembers when they performed in the school auditorium; he said it was pretty obvious they were going places back them.  We just saw them on TV a couple of weeks ago and they were as good ever so should be fun.  It’ll be hard to drag ourselves away from watching Gavin and Stacy, a British sitcom that is hilarious – my sister Jenny lent us 3 CD’s of their show while we were in England and we became addected.  We only have 3 more episodes to watch and then we’ll have to start all over again.  I hoped we could see them on TV here but I don’t think they have made it here yet.   Check ‘em out on youtube.

I have a lot of Freebies in my mailbox this week due to the fact that I was gone for a coupla weeks.  Here they are:
Neilmed Sinus Rinse
Redken Clean Spice 2-in-one sampoo/conditioner for men
Ronco Spaghetti
Kind Fruit & Nut Bar
Sample Pack of KotexPads/Tampons & $1 coupon
Sample Pack of Stayfree Pads & $1 coupon
Nature’s Bounty Your Life Adult Gummies & $1 coupon
Sample Brazenly Brunette Colorflage Shampoo/Conditioner & $1 coupon
Sample Breathe Right
Sample Miracle Foot Repair
Sample Biore Steam Activated Cleanser
Home Depot Coupons
Organize in Style from P & G
Booklet of coupons from P & G

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Go Here to get a free sample of Cold-EEze.

Li’l Cec stayed overnight and I always enjoy seeing his lovely happy face in the mornings – he’d bin full of it last nighit when it was time to go to bed, wanting to play with all the toys in his bedroom and playing the “light” game (where he stares into the bedside lamp and feigns blindness!)  He is especially enamoured with Snowdon, a big stuffed snowman I bought at Target a few years back.  As usual, he scoffed back a big plate of scrambled eggs and sausages but just poked around with his toast; soon he was off and running from the kitchen to the family room.  He was very helpful today “mopping” the floor with my Swiffer – he is going to be a real little gem when he’s old enough to really help me; my li’l sis Melanie used to come to stay with me when she was a kid and do lots of chores for me so I plan to train Li’l Cec the same way.

It was very hot, too hot to play outside so I took him to the mall which he loves, he always gets little samples here and there and enjoys looking into the shop windows.  I had a $15 off $15 coupon at Lane Bryant which I was very excited to use – can’t wear their clothes but I love their jewelry – got a terrific bracelet priced at $19.95 ($4.95 after the coupon) and a necklace orig. $29.95 reduced to $2.99.  The good news is I have another of these coupons that doesn’t expire til October so I shall be back again.  I also stopped by the Lancome counter at Dillards to pick up my free 10 day sample of foundation – that’ll be so handy to take on our trip to San Diego to see Matt graduate.

We made for the Food Court and Li’l Cec had a burger but kept getting down from his chair to “chat up” various women sat nearby – he is a real charmer.  When we went to the restroom tho, he made a run for it and if you happened to be in the Food Court at North Star Mall over the noon hour today, and saw a woman running frantically after a little kid in a Dinosaur T Shirt, that was me!!

I am still overwhelmed with coupons and I’m wondering if I’ll ever get there – I still haven’t started on the coups from the Sunday paper but I plan to do that first thing tomorrow.

Fave Deals of the Day:
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