Hi Carol!

Archive for October, 2010

I’m looking forward to  Li’l Cec and Melody coming by for Trick or Treating – Li’l Cec is gonna be Darth Vader and he has a Darth Vader bucket and pumpkin flashlight to carry round the neighborhood.  Dave is playing it “dirt Cheap” wearing his paintball helmet and airsoft gun – he’s 6’3″ so is gonna look funny knocking on people’s doors asking for candy. 

I thought it was Daylight Savings, so we put all the clocks back last night and enjoyed an extra hour in bed but when we got to church, the parking lot was full and no-one walking around so we thought “Uh-oh!!”  We only got half a sermon but it was good one – great, now we get another extra hour next weekend.  Sorry Pastor….

Had a loooong talk with Matt – he and his buddies got pizzas galore last night and stayed up late.  Tomorrow will be his last day at Camp Pendleton and then Tuesday he’s shipping out to North Carolina.  We’re so proud of that kid. 

Well, the trick-or-treaters are stampeding towards our front door, so it’s goodnight from me.  Happy Halloween

I had the urge to go to Target this morning and boy was I happy I did, they had Polo Men’s Fragrance marked down to $20 from $40 and gift pack of men’s Curve Cologne & cream marked down from $30 to $5.98.  Also picked up a couple of 2pack Olay body washes for just $2.48, which were just 48c after $2 mfg coupons.

Check out Coldwater Creek today as they are offering 30% off plus FREE shipping on all their Outlet section HERE American Eagle is offering FREE shipping HERE this weekend too.

When I go pick up Li’l Cec tonight, I’m gonna take his Darth Vader costume, Darth Vader candy bucket and pumpkin flashlight with me – got all these 75% off last year after Halloween.  Always pays to buy a year ahead.

I am hoping to get a call or text from Matt tonight as he’s officially done with MCT – oh man, have you heard Toby Keith’s “American Soldier”?  I just cry buckets every time I hear it – check it out on Youtube HERE or HERE; the second one was put together by a guy for his English class – great project!!

Fave Deals of the Day
If you’d like to try out new IDEAL sweetner, go HERE, sign up and you’ll receive 4 packets in the mail, plus a mini-pouch of brown and confectionery sweetner.
Bath & Body Works are offering a FREE Lip product with any purchase HERE. �
Go HERE for a FREE sample of Womanity fragrance by Thierry Mugler.  �
Go HERE  for details on a FREE Scary Face Pancake for kids 12 and under at IHOP.

Freebies in My Mailbox
Pack of Tissues
1lb Greeen Mountain Coffee and Coffee Mug
6 Mini Packs Johnsonville Deli Bites
Sinus Buster from JetNasal
Sample Occitane fragrancer
Pack Extra Dessert Delights Gum
Sample of Breathe Right Strips
2 Night Food Bars
LED UFO Light Key Chain – this is goin’ in Dave’s stocking at Xmas

I bet my son Matt is thankful that today is the last day of Marine Corps Training – the last 3 days have been gruelling.  And then he ships out to N. Carolina on Tuesday and I’m thankful then we can actually talk on the phone regularly and email.

I finally got round to cleaning up the back room – I have so many Christmas gifts back there for the entire family and especially lots of stuff for Cecil, not to mention all the Halloween candy.  My stash of sample sizes, freebies, body washes, creams etc. – the list is endless – grows daily; I don’t mind, but Hubby does.  So I got a new tote for Li’l Cec’s stuff and had a lot of fun looking thru all the Christmas stuff I have – I always buy a lot of gifts etc. after Christmas when they’re marked way down.

My free 1lb of delicious coffee came from Green Mountain today, along with blue coffee mug.  How cool is that – it smells wonderful – can’t wait to try it.

Fave Deals of the Day
I love my Neilmed Neti Pot – you can LIKE them on Facebook HEREand get a $3 coupon; you can also get a free NeilMed Nasal Rinse when you LIKE them HERE.
We love Ruby Tuesdays - GO HERE to print a Buy 1 Get 1 Free coupon.
Go HERE  for 2 free Samples of Dove Daily Treatment Conditioner & Dove Intensive Repair & Daily Moisture.
FREE Eat Better America Calendar HERE and FREE Betty Crocker Calendar HERE

What a Wonderful Wednesday – no lunchdate with Greg cos he was tied up with The Car!!!  Ahhhh I guess I finally find out what it’s like to have a hubby with a hobby!  Still, I did have a good time at Target this morning – found lots of T’s on sale for David, also got a pair of shorts and pair of jeans for Li’l Cec ($4 ea), only $2 ea after Target $2 Kids Denim coupon.  Got some skinny jeans for Mel marked down to $7.48, only $4.48 after Target $3 off adult denim!!

I was happy to see the Kraft $5 off 5 items has reset – you can print it HERE.  Right now, Target has Kraft shredded and block cheese for $2 each and paired with the Target $1 off 2 Kraft cheese items, this makes for a good deal.

Had to buy another orange tote for all my Halloween stuff – at least now I can put everything up in the attic since we had it “done”.  It was always far too hot up there to store decorations/clothes etc.  I dug out the Darth Vader outfit and “bucket” I bought Li’l Cec last year and found a little orange pumpkin flashlight I got him last year – he’s gonna love it.

We had a great meeting, albeit small – I had made a batch of Halloween cupcakes, using a spice cake mix, orange frosting and choccy sprinkles and only one or two got eaten.  So I called Debbie to see if she’d like some and found out Dalton is home from college so I know they’ll get eaten – I did keep back a few unfrosted ones and I’ll decorate them for Sunday.

There were some terrific deals today and these are my faves:
Yankee Candle coupon $10 off $25 HERE.  And $1 Tarts & Votives coupon HERE (normally $1.99).  We only have a couple of locations here in San Antonio and they are way West of town or East of town but Collin at Hip 2save.com said in her blog today that they will accept Yankee Candle coupons at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Staples, Ulta and Cracker Barrell – how convenient!!
LIKE Red Strike on Facebook, click on the “Red Strike Tab” and fill out the form to receive a coupon for a FREE “Shockingly Good” Red Strike Energy Drink.
Cut and paste this link http://www.startsampling.com/sm/toms101470  for a FREE sample of Tom’s of Maine Wicked Fresh toothpaste.

We watched Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr last night and I was not impressed!!  It was hard to follow and what’s with that Sherlock – unkempt, crazy, brawler.  No, I’ll stick with the “old” Sherlock, sort of dapper, on the ball, well dressed – Robert never even wore the right hat!! 

Great trip to Target today – Kraft cheese is on sale for $2, – block & grated so that makes for a great buy using $1 mfg Q’s and $1 for 2 Target Q’s.   Liquid coffeemate is only $1.50 this week and will be free if you have some of the $1.50 mfg Q’s – go to coffee-mate.com, sign up and you can print coupons from their site.  I saved $88.83 today – my final total was just $30.62 – I’m really liking the new 5% savings from the Target Red Card!

Melody and Li’l Cec came over for dinner – braised beef tonight with apple crisp for dessert; I put lots of cinnamon in it, and the house smelt wonderful.  Li’l Cec is staying overnight and he’s playing quietly while I write this blog – he is such a sweetie.  I signed up for the Athenos Yogurt Houseparty -  http://houseparty.com/. Last week, the Psst Chex Mix My Get Together crew sent me a big “Chex” bowl, 4 full size assorted Chex Mixes, plates, napkins and coupons to share with our friends – I have to take photos and just have fun.  Check ‘em out here:  http://pssst.generalmills.com/aboutmgt.php?SES=d1f3a473b85e7ebdb49cfbb411be936e 

Well, I’d better go check on Li’l Cec…..

Yesterday was so busy as we headed out early to UTSA for their Family Weekend Breakfast – as we were turning into UTSA, we were stopped as there was a marathon goin’ on and people running and walking across the intersection.  It didn’t take long to get backed along Loop 1604 – slightly poor planning I’d say when they have a big event starting.   We were finally able to turn around and take another route and by some miracle weren’t late. 

Greg and I went out to Jason’s for dinner last night and then stopped by Sear’s as I wanted to show him an orange/black plaid shirt I’d seen on Tuesday – they were on display, orig $36 but only $11.99 that day and he liked it!!  So, I gathered up 2 cute white shirts for me and he was able to use their $10 off $20 – we paid $12 for the three items.  After reading some comments that Sears often give customers hassle with their coupons, I’m pleased to report I had no trouble at all.

Greg needed automotive paraphernalia (what a surprise….) so he dropped me off at the mall as I wanted to check out Macy’s sale as I have a $10 off $30 but of the few things I saw I liked, they weren’t in my size.  But I was able to pick up a free sample of Paco Rabanne Milano for men from the Sephora counter at JCPenney. 

Finally to Target to pick up a few things and then home to await Li’l Cec who was spending the night – he’d been with Grandma and Grandpa all day so I expected him to be tired.  He wasn’t – just full of it, and so happy.  I had spent a lot of time that afternoon vacuuming his room and sewing up Big Doggie which he somehow managed to haul into his crib on Tuesday morning!!  That dog is 4 times his size, I don’t know how he did it, but he ripped Big Doggie’s neck and his stuffing was everywhere.

I had to wake Li’l Cec up out of a deep sleep at 8am this morning to go to church.  He was a little darling, never complained about his “rude awakening”, let me get him ready and we were out the door in no time.  He was thrilled to play in the nursery with the other 2/3 year olds and never gave me a backward glance and when I went to pick him up, he didn’t want to leave.  We took him for a walk this morning and he ran the whole way – I think he’s gonna take after Matt and be a good runner.

This afternoon Greg spent under the hood of the 57, missed his Sunday nap but he did take a break to talk to Matt who called this afternoon.  They had a shortened liberty today because some of the lads were found smoking.  He said the last week had been very hard but the next (and last thank goodness) is gonna be even harder as they do their final gruelling training, 9 mile hike, hiding out in foxholes etc. etc. and that from Tuesday-Friday, they will get virtually no sleep.  He’s anxious for his training to be over now.

Greg’s gonna be working on that car for who knows how long so Dave and I are heading out after dinner to use our Buy One Get One Free TCBY Pumpkin flavor.   Then later tonight we’re gonna settle down to watch Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr.  Hope y’all had a good weekend.

We got some Fabulous rain today – my new sago palms and mums were very thankful and so I hope were the newly planted seeds I put in a few days ago.  I love it when it rains – sounds odd I know, but here in South Texas we get a lot of sunshine and it is really beautiful when we get a downpour.   I had to drop Greg off at the garage to pick up The 57 Chevy so stopped by Melody’s to give her a great handy tool set Greg got her. I just called her and there was a ton of banging going on, so I said “What’s Cecil up to?” and she said “oh no, that’s not Cecil, that’s me”.  She’s been busy fixing and repairing a bunch of stuff in her apartment – I’m so proud of her.

Greg, Dave and I went to see the UTSA Orchestra perform The Planets last night and it was brill!!  Along with the fantastic music, they showed slides of all the different planets, and I learned a lot!!  We all agreed we liked Jupiter the best.  That was my first time to set foot on the UTSA campus and it is humongous – I don’t know how Dave doesn’t get lost there.  We’re back at UTSA again tomorrow morning for Family Weekend – should be fun.

My order from Lands’ End came – I absolutely love Lands’ End, the quality of their clothes etc. is excellent.  I got a seafoam/white striped polo shirt, sleeveless polka dot T, paisley turtle neck (my favorite) and long sleeved embroidered T – 4 items shipped for $13 – $3 each!!! 

I’m not sure if this is still available – No Nonsense was offering free socks for watching a video and answering a few questions here: http://benononsense.com/StepstoaBetterPlanet.aspx  You can never have too many pairs of socks – just ask my husband…

Well, I gotta run and wash my hair and then we’re off to our Friday night meeting – no Li’l Cec tonight as we have to leave pretty early tomorrow but I shall have him Saturday night instead.  He loves going to church with us and playing with the kids in his class.

Fave Deals of the Day
Old Navy has a One Day Wonder Sale tomorrow Saturday October 23rd 7am-9pm and they’re offering Performance Fleece Vests for only $5 (normally $9.50-$15) – Wow!  GO HERE for more details.�
GO HERE for a 7 day supply of Lancome Genefique Youth Activating Concentrate.
GO HERE for a FREE sample of Garnier Ultra-Lift Firming Moisturizer.

Freebies in My Mailbox
Full size Olay Sheer Moisture Ribbons Body Wash (smells divine)
Pampers Cruisers
Sample Nicorette Lozenges (I’ll put these in Melody’s stocking – no pressure there!) & $5 coupon
Sample Garnier Moisture Rescue Gel-Cream & $1 coupon
Sample Nivea Happy Sensation Body Lotion
Sample Nivea Touch of Happiness Body Wash
.75 fl oz StriVectin-SD Intensive Concentrate for Wrinkles
Sample Gas-X Prevention & $2 coupon
Cold-Eeze Cold Remedy
FREE Pringles Xtreme coupon
FREE Advil Coupon

I tried to plant some gladiola bulbs in my new “garden” area but I don’t think we’ve got enough soil so will have to get a lot more if I’m ever gonna grow anything there.  Mind you, the soil alone looks better than that patch looked before; worst case scenario, I can always put a lot of potted plants there.  I did, however, re-pot my hibiscus and put it in a prime position on the back patio, planted a large crysanthemum in the front yard next to one of our new sago palms.  Good news too, I spotted 2 teeny tommies growing on my long-dead tomato plant so hope that will really revive.  I didn’t inherit the green fingers and thumbs of my Mum and Nan unfortunately – hmm you could tell huh.

I had to make a quick stop at Sun Harvest after lunch and went by Bath & Body Works to use this coupon get a FREE lip item when you purchase any other item!  I picked up a $1 body lotion and got a $7 candy floss lip gloss FREE.  Mel will love it!!  Then as I was near ULTA, I decided to see if I could use their $5 off $10 coupon http://www.ultastoreads.com/wk36_coupon.gif I’m not familiar with ULTA so was super happy to find out they have tons of clearance items up to 80% off.  I got a 4 piece Healthy Hair Kit from Ken Paves (orig. $30) for $4.99, a bottle of Thymes Red Cherie Foaming Bath (orig $20 for $3.99) and a Cocoa Buttercream Frosting Lip Whip (orig $7 for $2.99).  These are all great Christmas gifts.

Tonight we’re off to UTSA to hear the orchestra perform Gustav Holst’s The Planets; we heard the orchestra perform when they backed Kansas back in September and they were off the charts.  We’re all super excited…..

Fave Deal of the Day
GO HERE to Walgreens Photo for a FREE 8 x 10 Collage Print.

I was wondering if I’d ever get out of my garage this morning – now that my van is parked on the other side, and Greg’s new 57 Belair is in there, I can’t manoeuver my way out very well.  God forbid I should hit that beauty or my van!!  Finally got to Target where I had quite an ordeal trying to get them to adjust their overcharge on my Kraft Light Dressings; they were clearly marked $1.52, but ringing up at $2.04 like all the others.  I had used a $1 mfg Q and the Target 50c Q and three dear ladies couldn’t figure out how to give me the 52c ea that was owed – I did my best to explain how to do it and did finally get my money but one lady was positive I was pulling a fast one!!

Apart from that, it was a very productive trip – got the Mossimo floral shirt in cream that Melody wanted for $4.48, Converse hoodie for Dave for $6.48, 50′s style shirt for Greg (so he can drive his 50′s style car!) $4.48, 2 C9 sports shirts for Matt $1.24 and $1.98 after $2.50 Target Q’s.  They have those lovely Glade Fragrance Collection Candles half off for $3.48 and I had 2 x $3 mfg Q’s so just 48c ea.  Hillshire Farm Cheese Sausages were reduced to 51c and I had 2 x 75c off 2 coupons.  Also got the Curel Lotion deal 2 @ $3.79 (use 2 x $2 mfg Q’s and 2 x $1 Target Q’s) and get a $5 giftcard – so 79c ea.  And to top it all, got 2 Leapfrog Books for Li’l Cec for $4.99 ea after $5 mfg Q.

I’ve gotta run as people are pouring into my kitchen  for a meeting.

I miss Marvellous Matt but we signed up for this – or I should say he signed us up for this when he joined the Marines.  My friend Rachel gave me a pep talk this morning when I complained that he wouldn’t be able to come home for Christmas like “they” had said he could.  She said “Welcome to the Marines – I don’t think they’re gonna care that you’re upset your baby boy can’t spend Christmas with you!”  And there you have it………….

Had a very good shopping trip to Target – saved $61, my TOTAL bill being $22.00 and that included a wrong charge of $4.99 for some Camembert cheese that was sposed to be only $2.50!  I finally got to use my $5 Kraft Cheese coupon – coupled with the Target coupons, this was a very sweet deal as were the Oscar Mayer Lunchables which are free after mfg and Target coupons.  I love those new Glade scented oil candles that come in a lovely “fall” glass dish; they’re on sale for $2.34 and after a B1G1 Free plus $1.50 mfg Q’s, they come out to 84c for 2.

Other goodies are spearmint Tic Tacs reduced to 69c which are free after 75c mfg Q from Smartsource insert, Combos $1.27, just 27c after $1 mfg Q, Hungryman Frozen meals $2.34, just 34c after $2 mfg Q, Kraft Dressing $2.04, just 54c after $1 mfg Q and 50c Target Q.

Lands End are offering 20% off thru tonight on their Fall Sale and Overstocks.  There are some really good deals in Overstocks already and with 20% off added in, you can score big.  The 20% off doesn’t apply to On The Counter and Not Quite Perfect Section.

I’m so in the mood for fall food so we’re having mock Thanksgiving tonight with turkey breast, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole etc.  We had pumpkin pie last week, didn’t want a repeat so I made a quick plum cobbler – just empty a can of plums into dish and sprinkle muffin mix over top, using a Betty Crocker Lemon Poppyseed muffin mix.

Yesterday we went downtown to a famous Mexican Restaurant, Mi Tierra to celebrate my niece Chloe’s 18th birthday.  It’s a really fun and pretty place and we had a really good time.  Li’l Cec was a li’l grumpy for a while but soon cheered up after he’d thrown every menu on the floor; I brought him a lunchables – I don’t think he had much of an appetite cos he never really finished it.  He did, however, enjoy Chloe’s Gooey Choccy cake.

After dinner, everyone went over to the Mexican Fiesta Mall and Li’l Cec and I walked around the Market Square area.  He entertained me and several other people dancing and running around and being positively cute!  We met up with Greg, Mel and Dave and went over to the Marketplace where they have lots of great little shops/booths etc.  They had groups of kids doing Mexican Folklore dancing and they were so good – Li’l Cec was mesmerised.  I was so impressed with a girl who was 10 or 11 who just stole the show – she was so animated and really good.  I went up to her afterwards and told her she was very good and I enjoyed her dancing – so did Li’l Cec!!

By the time we got home, answered phone calls, etc. it was 8:30 but we did get half way thru The Great Debaters with Denzel Washington; great movie – can’t wait for the second half.

Fave Deals of the Day
GO HERE  to print a coupon for free lip product with ANY purchase at Bath & Body Works; I usually buy a travel size item and they often have $1 items.�
GO HERE to print a terrific coupon from Picture People - they are offering a great deal thru the end of the month.  You can get 6 color portrait sheets 10×13 or smaller for only $9.  We’ll be heading over there soon to have a family portrait done – minus Matt of course but Greg said he can “frame” him in somehow.  Good, can’t have a family pic without one of my sons.