Hi Carol!

Archive for October, 2010

Poor Li’l Cec was not feeling so super in the night – he woke up at around 4am and I can’t figure out if he was feeling yukky or had a nightmare.  He was really hot but after I changed him and gave him a bottle, he settled down and slept til 9am.  When he got up, he was full of vim and vigor so who knows……………  He hardly ate any breakfast tho, just picked at his scrambled eggs and wouldn’t touch his toaster strudel – you know there’s something wrong when a kid won’t eat his toaster strudel.

I received a FedEx package this morning and Greg said “what are you doing ordering stuff online and paying priority or FedEx prices??”  I assured him I did nothing of the sort and was as stumped as him.  I didn’t recognise the Sender – Abbott Nutrition – imagine my surprise when I opened it to find 4 bottles of Myoplex Chocolate Cream!!  There was a letter inside asking me to please use this box to send back my EAS Peak bottles via FedEx as there was a recall, and would I please accept the Myoplex Choccy Creams for my inconvenience.  Now that’s a company who’s trying to make things right – WOW!!  What is even more amazing is that I received these EAS Peaks free as a promotion they had offered.  Matt’s gonna love those Choccy Creams – I’m gonna snaffle one for myself first.

So off I went to the FedEx office with Li’l Cec on the way to the mall and the transaction was taken care of in a matter of minutes.  I popped next door to the Post Office as I’d had a similar situation with Monterey Bay Clothing.  I love Monterey Bay, but they can be a bit pricey so don’t buy from them often and only when it’s an absolutely super deal like a gorgeous sweater I bought that was reduced to $9.99 and then I had another 30% off with free shipping.  Haven’t seen a deal like that there in a while.  Anyway, I’m drifting – they had sent me a $20 credit out of the blue and I’d ordered a pretty Chartreuse top $19.99 which meant I was only out of pocket cost of shipping.  Well, imagine my dismay when said top arrived – it was truly horrible!!!  It was huge (I ordered a Small), cheap looking and honestly, it looked like it had been used to mop the floor.  This was not the high standard Monterey Bay is known for.  So I wrote to them telling them of my dismay and a lovely lady named Janice wrote me back saying they were so sorry, to please send it back and they would cover shipping.  Thank goodness for that cos it would’ve been costly to spend shipping both ways and nothing to show for it.  I am so pleased when companies want to make things right and Monterey Bay’s stuff is Took Li’l Cec to the Mall to exchange the pair of FREE panties I got at Victoria Secret and got a much cuter pair, all stripey.  Mel will love them!!  Then picked up my Fashion Bug jewelry order from Lane Bryant – 4 items for $6 shipped.  As if that wasn’t enough, they also included a Free travel size of Caress Velvet Bliss bodywash in the bag!!  TOTALLY AMAZING.  Check out Fashion Bug online but I doubt they have many of their $1.98 items left – they were also offering Buy 1, Get 1 half off when I ordered.  I missed my free Bath & Body Works FREE  Secret Wonderland body lotion last week but had a Buy Any Item and get a travel size free coupon to use.  So bought a $1 Secret Wonderland lotion and got a  3oz Spray Cologne for FREE. 

Next stop was the Sephora counter with 2 coupons for free sample items – Lady Million cologne by Paco Rabanne and a Cindy Crawford Meaningful Beauty Masque.   So got out of the Mall with only spending $1!!!

Li’l Cec is the best kid to take shopping, he just loves it so much and is so well behaved.  I do have to watch out for him grabbing stuff when we go in stores but he is so patient and so happy.  On the way home, stopped at Arby’s to get a Buy 1 Get 1 Free Beef n Cheddar Sandwich – it was big but I didn’t expect it to be $3.69 (sorry but I’m used to getting fast food from McDonalds $1 menu.  I cut one in half for Li’l Cec and me and he just toyed around with his for a while so took the other one home for David.

We’re off to Souper Salads – keep an eye out for their 2 Buffets for $10 coupons.  We always drink water when we go out to eat so that’s a cheap meal for 2.  Then we went over to the Recovery Church to check it out.

I have had so many Fabulous Freebies in my mailbox this week – see them all below.  The weather’s been fabulous too, it’s actually cold when we go for our walk in the morning, I think it was about 50 this morning.  I love it – this is my fave time of the year – all the way thru Spring.

Date night got pushed aside this week for – wait for it – getting The Car, the Orange one.  Someone’s not too happy about that, we already switched it because of our friend Chris’s Recovery Church tomorrow night and now I get gipped again.  Hmmmmm – I think I need to order some things online to make up for this don’t you?

I’m looking forward to having Li’l Cec tonight – he always makes stuff more Fabulous; I have to figure out what I’m gonna do with him tomorrow.  Melody put so many photos of him on her Facebook Page and everyone is terrific – I especially love the one of him with a new Fancy Denim Diaper on his head.  He’s so smart, he’s wearing it like a backwards cap!!

Freebies in my Mailbox:
Bright Red Wristband from Mountain Dew
Kashi Chewy Trail Mix Bar & $1 coupon
Quaker Life Cinnomon Roll Raisin Pecan Soft Baked Nutrition Bar & $1 coupon
$1 Quaker Hearty Medleys Hot Cereal coupon
Clarins Rouge Prodige Sample Lipstick Palette w/ mini brush (I love this)
Sample Nivea Happy Sensation Body Lotion & $1 Coupon
Sample Nivea Touch of Happiness Body Wash
6 Nescafe Taster’s Choice Flavored Coffee Samples & $1 coupon
Sample Zantac
FREE coupon for RepHresh Brilliant Tampons ($6.99 value!!!)
     plus 2 x $2 coupons WOW
Sample Post-it Label Pads & 3 x $1 coupons
Sample Crest Toothpaste
Sample Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer, Overnight Repair Nightly Restoring Moisturizer & $1coupon
Sample Nature Made Chewable D3
2 FREE coupons for Triscuit Thin Crisps & Wheat Thins Crunch Stix
2 x $1.25 coupons for Triscuit Thin Crisps & Wheat Thins Stix
Sample Smartypants Gummy Vitamins & Skin Transfers
Sample Organyc Pad & $1 coupon
Sample Whisk Laundry Detergent

Did any of you see Monday night’s episode of How I Met Your Mother?  I laughed til I cried – Maury Povich showing up everywhere – that’s a great show!  That reminds me, it’s time to watch another episode of Gavin & Stacy.

I had plans to do so much today and I never got round to any of it – do you ever have days like that?   As my sis Mel says “Wass all that about?”  Speaking of whom, I think I’ll go call her (in England) and get back to you later.

Ok, back again – I had an email from Lisa Hoffman Skincare offering a Spa Facial Kit for just $5 ($17.95 value) and just $1 shipping. Go HERE to check it out. 

Greg’s been gone most of today looking at classic cars as he’s planning on getting on – the hottest one on his list is a 1957 Chevy (just like he had in high school).  This one is orange so I guess they’ll definitely see us coming.

Fave Deals of the Day:
Go HERE to request a FREE 3 month subscription to Redbook magazine
Go HERE for FREE samples of John Frieda shampoo (coupons too)
Go HERE and “Like” Extra gum on Facebook, click on “Dessert Day” request a FREE pack of Extra Dessert Delights gum – 3 flavors to choose from.
Go HERE and Like Diptyque and sign up for a FREE sample of Eau Duelle Fragrance – oooh can’t wait to try this.

When we went for our walk first thing this morning, we discovered a coral snake at the end of the driveway which I almost stepped on.  Luckily he was dead and looked like one of us had driven over him the night before.  Those things are deadly – what a blessing it was dead!!  I thought that very significant!!

There was a not so Wonderful person behind me in the checkout today – I had just started one transaction for Melody with 2 others to go, so turned to the guy behind me and said “You might want to try another checkout cos I have a lot of coupons and I’m going to be a long time”.  He scowled at me and said “I’m staying right here thank you very much!”  “Okayyyyy, we’ll see how that works for ya then”  I thought to myself.  Because of his stubborness, he missed the opportunity to go to a newly opened checkout and waited, and waited and waited, fuming (I thought I saw smoke coming out of his nostrils!!

I got some terrific deals tho – Reach floss 97c is free after $1 coupon HERE, Clean  & Clear Cleansing pads $2.74 free after $3 coupon (Smartsource Sunday paper insert), Airwick Room Sprays $2.11 – 11c after $2 coupon (Smartsource Sunday paper), Frebreze candles $4.24 – $1.24 after $3 coupon in October P&G coupon insert.  There was a lot of 75% off clearance in clothes so stocked up on goodies for Melody for Christmas and a couple of things for myself.  They have darling graphic tees for $3.24, Xhilaration lacy skirts for $4.24, Tanks for $2-$3.74 and I got a cute brown Merona blouse for $3.74 – I was delighted because I’ve been looking for the right color to go with a beige/brown floral skirt.

Greg and I had to stop by the bank to deposit money from the sale of Matt’s car and do a bit of other banking and Greg couldn’t stop fiddling with Facebook on his phone.  He is now officially addicted to Facebook.  This is the guy who would have nothing to do with Facebook for so long.  Course, it’s nice to keep in touch with Matt.

Had our weekly meeting tonight and we had quite a turnout – 13 people in all – and we had a lot of good sharing and laughs.  I skipped baking again as I got some delish oatmeal/raisin cookies at Target (using the Target $1 Bakery coupon of course).  I was surprised they tasted so good as sugar free can often be “not so good”. 

Fave Deals of the Day
Go HERE for FREE sample of Breathe Right Strips
Go HERE for coupon for 25% off at TGIFridays
Go HERE for a coupon for $10 off $20 or more in-store purchase at Office Depot

Li’l Cec made today a Terrific Tuesday – he was a gem today, lots of fun and happy as can be, except when he spilt his milk all over Pumpkin Teddy (a little bear wearing a Pumpkin sweater I got at Starbucks last year).  He went on a walk with Greg and I and was thrilled to bits when a horrible big dog started barking at him – the louder they bark and the fiercer they are, the better he likes them. 

There’s a terrific deal at WomanWithin.com today – they’re offering a $20 off of $50 and more using code WW48580. To make it even better, you can get FREE shipping and a FREE T shirt using code WWFBFREE at checkout!!

For any of you San Antonio residents out there, UTSA Orchestra is performing Gustav Holst’s The Planets on October 21 at 7:30 and it’s FREE.  Greg and I saw Kansas in concert a couple of weeks ago and they were accompanied by the UTSA Orchestra and they were dynamite so we are really looking forward to this event. 

I finally got my Neutrogena rebate – I thought it’d never get here but Mel’s still waiting on hers.

We’re leaving for dinner at Josephine Street Bar and Grill with a B1G1 coupon – we love this place; they have a huge tree growing on the inside of the restaurant.

Fave Deals of the Day:
Woman Within $20 off $50 coupon (see above)
Go HERE for a FREE sample of Vaseline Intensive Rescue lotion
Go HERE for a FREE sample of Emergen-C Vitamin drink mix

I missed posting yesterday because we decided to go downtown to the Riverwalk in the evening and take Li’l Cec with us – we had such a fun time and so did Li’l Cec.  He walked from  the street before the Alamo, along Alamo Plaza, all along the Riverwalk, thru Rivercenter Mall and back to where the van was parked two or three streets past the Alamo and never complained once.  He did, however, fall asleep half way home.  What a trooper.

We had a phone call from Matt who was on his way with his buddies on the bus to the “other side” – wherever that is – at Camp Pendleton.  He told us that it was much harder than basic trg which is hard to believe, but he said it’s much more physical and they keep them at it all day long.  At least he can eat as much as he wants now so he should pack on some pounds.  It was so good to talk to him and hear that he was OK; 2 more weeks to go and a day or two on leave in San Diego and then he’ll be off to North Carolina.

I had a marvellous shopping trip to Target, got several free items – Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Whole Grain Pasta 99c, free after $1 coupon (Facebook coupon), Idohoan mashed potatoes 99c, free after $1 coupon (Facebook coupon), Oscar Mayer Lunchables free after mfg Q and Target $1 on 2, and of course there’s my favorie $1 produce coupon – you do have to purchase $1 or more so a good idea if the item is less than $1 is to put 2 in a bag (i.e. green peppers).  You can get a $1.50 Coffeemate Q HERE and login or join up – this is just in time for the delicious fall flavors; I love the Pumpkin and Gingerbreadd – I wonder if they’re gonna come up with a new one.  I bought several bottles on clearance at the end of the season and froze them and I just thawed one out and it tastes great!!

I’d better get going as Melody and Li’l Cec will be here for dinner any moment now; we’ve got meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans with sun dried tomatoes and cauliflower cheese and I found a pumpkin pie at the back of the freezer – I am in the Fall mood!!

My Saturday was indeed super with Li’l Cec – I sort of got him wound up before bedtime last night playing in his room and he was up til 11:00 so I popped in there and told him it was time for night night.  He laughed and tried to play a bit but then lay down and I didn’t hear a peep from him til 9:30 this morning.  He was delightful as always, played outside for ages – I did however have to scold him for bashing my hibiscus (on purpose) and I explained again that flowers are special and you have to be gentle.  I also told him he was a good boy and good boys are obedient. He went back outside, played some more and left my flowers alone.

Took him to Fashion Bug – I finally found it, poked away where Vance Jackson Road meets IH10 – apparently it’s the only one in the San Antonio area.  By the way, FashionBug.com has some costume jewelry items on sale for $1.98 with B1G1 free as well so you can really score some good deals.  I keep an eye on them because they have had lots of shoes on sale for $3.98 a pair and they are really good quality.  Stopped by HEB and there were so many samples in the store, I didn’t need to get Li’l Cec any lunch.

We had a neighborhood garage sale today and it was huge – got a couple of things this morning, a couple of Christmas china plates, and Greg has his eye on a black 1948  Ford  Coupe on sale – looks like an old fashioned English Police car to me but who am I to say.  I was coming home from dropping off Li’l Cec and I noticed Debbie (Dalton’s mom) had a garage sale going – I was mortified as I know her garage sales are terrific, especially if Stephanie her daughter is involved.  I hopped out of the van and Debbie said “Oh Carol, you should’ve been here earlier, Stephanie had so many pretty things” and Stephanie added “yeah, they were just $1 and $2!!   How could I have missed a deal like this.  Anyway, I hurriedly looked thru the little bit that was left and found some tops for me and sundresses for Melody.  I told Debbie to be sure to call me the night before next time and I will have a Preview!

Greg and I went to Ruby Tuesdays (we seem to be going there a lot lately) on a 2 for 1 coupon and as always I had the salad bar ($7.99 for free) and Greg had the barbecued chicken $10.99; we always have water with our meals so that was a cheap night out.  Went by the Huebner Oaks Shopping Center to check out the advertised sale at Old Navy- I never saw any really good jacket deals that had been advertised but I did get a cute forest green stripe turtle neck for just $3 after the 40% off.

Stopped by Bath & Body Works to get a free Fekkai shampoo/conditioner sample but they had run out – I left it so late so hope I can get it tomorrow at another location – I promised to give it to Melody.  Strolled thru Ross Dress for Less but wasn’t impressed.  Then made our way to Target to stock up on some more produce using their $1 coupons.

American Eagle has free shipping now thru Monday and I’m trying to choose a polo for Matt; I’ve been looking for a good deal on shorts for David too.  Aeropostale has “Every Jean under $20″ and graphic T’s for $9.99 this weekend only.

Well time for Greg and I to sit down and watch The Green Zone and have a cappucino.  Have a great weekend.

What a Fabulous Friday – we sold Matt’s 1994 Integra.  The ad had barely gone up on Craig’s List and the phone started ringing; no-one seemed concerned about the problem with the locks or the need for a paint job.  Matt’ll be thrilled (and sad at the same time) to hear it’s gone but he’s not gonna need a car for maybe a year and it’s silly to let it sit outside collecting dust and wearing away.  I filmed it being driven away up the hill until it disappeared into the distance…… (I thought I heard Taps playing quietly in the background).

Well, sorry this is short and sweet but I have to run to a meeting and then go pick up Li’l Cec.

Fave Deals of the Day
Propel BIGI coupon HERE
Kohls  has a 15% off coupon – use code SAVE15MORE

I was thankful not to be whizzing around town today – well I did whizz around the upstairs, dusting, vacuuming and polishing the bedroom and landing and cleaning our bathroom.  I just love Swiffer and all their products – the Wet Mop System for kitchen/bathrooms and the Dry System for the hardwood floors.  Swiffer just makes it so easy.   My closet looks like a bomb dropped in there and I never got to it today but I will tomorrow.

My order from Aeropostale arrived yesterday with a hoodie for me and some goodies for Melody for Christmas but an item was missing – I was so disappointed as that’s the one she particularly wanted.  I called Aeropostale and was told they’d credit my account but I was very pleased to get an email today offering me a code for free shipping.  That’s a biggie cos shipping is usually $7.  I was ecstatic with the hoodie tho’ – it normally retails for $49.99 and I got it for $6.99 with the 30% off they were offering last week. 

I was also disappointed to get an email from EAS informing me that they had to recall the EAS Peak Product Beverages they sent me over a month ago.  Matt already drank one!!   If you have any of the EAS Peak Products, fill out the form here and they will send you a FedEx return label for you to send them back.

I had a Wonderful time at Target this morning, snapped up a few items from their 75% off clothing rack; they have cute Mossimo floral fitted shirts on sale for $4.98, graphic T’s for $2.48, lots of Merona socks and tights on sale ($2 coupon on Target.com).  There were also a lot of bargains in the men’s dept, so picked up a couple of C9 shirts $4.98 and T’s $2.48 for David and basketball shorts for $4.98 for Matt.  The shirts and shorts were a bargain as I have $2.50 C9 coupons hanging on containers of Tide detergent.

Greg and I went back at lunchtime and found some fantastic bargains in the Home Dept – bathroom mats as low as $2.48, sheet sets, comforters for $4.99, shower curtains $2, liners 98c!!  We needed a new kitchen mat and I found one that had GOURMET printed on it for $7.48, and also got a couple of bathroom rugs for $2.48. 

I am so excited as I finally got my FREE Smuckers Uncrustables!!!  I’ve bin trying every day and missed it every time. Go here: Smucker’s Uncrustables and they’re giving away 400 coupons every day and all you have to do is submit an organizational tip.  You can play again tomorrow Oct 7 at 6am EST.  Yikes, I’d have to get up before 5am!

Well, it’s Wednesday again, that means meeting night so better get going and clean the house and make some snacks – aha I just remembered, I have some cookies that I bought for Matt’s going away “do” that we never ate. 

Fave Deals of the Day
Go Here: to print a coupon for a free cookie at Quiznos (no purchase necessary)
Go Here: for a Free Halloween Portrait Collage at Sears.  The offer is valid thru October 31st, there’s no session fee or purchase necessary.  Wow!!  You know where I’ll be going with Li’l Cec in the next week or so.