Another Great Product

Here's another product review for you guys. I am hooked on my new digital camcorder that my wonderful hubby bought over the weekend. I have been using a very outdated camcorder that took the Hi-8 tapes (a dinosaur, I know). I got my old camera back in 2003, so it was about time to upgrade. A little past time, if you ask me. We are planning a trip for this summer, and we really wanted a camcorder that wasn't bulky and don't use those horrible Hi-8 tapes. I mean, they're so outdated my seven year old son had no idea what a tape was! Anyway, we needed something durable because we plan on using it when we go on our four-wheeler trip. So we were off to Best Buy, and this is what we decided on: the Kodak play>sport. It's shockproof, dustproof, and completely waterproof in up to 10' of water. I like that it's about the same size as my cell phone, which will come in handy when space, or holding on to the four wheeler, is an issue. We've been playing with it today, and we love it. Here's our new toy:

Is it flooding?

I've noticed the boys' appetites getting bigger and bigger. They usually hit growth spurts here and there, but never at the same time, and they don't last too long before they're eating like birds again. The last two weeks, with the exception of a day or two, they've eat like little pigs! I can't keep them full. Well, I know where it's going! They both got a few pairs of jeans from Santa for Christmas, and now they're getting short. Their play clothes are so short, they look like they're ready for a flood! I guess, even though I HATE shopping, it's time to "bite the bullet" as the saying goes, and go shop. The thing is, I don't know if I need to buy jeans or shorts! I mean, I'm definitely not complaining, because this weather is GOR-GEOUS gorgeous, but I want it to stay this beautiful. Summer will be here one day. It's coming, I just know it. One day...

Busy Bee

I'm the type that finds my favorite food at a restaurant and gets that same thing over and over again. I rarely try new things because I'm afraid that I won't like what I try and wish I had gotten "old faithful," whatever that may be at that particular restaurant. When it comes to decor, I'm the complete opposite. I am constantly wanting to paint, just to get a fresh background. I don't go all out and completely redo furniture, because I get attached to that, too. It takes a lot for me to let go of furniture, or anything for that matter, because I give everything sentimental value. It aggravates my husband to no end. He likes getting rid of everything. He'd rather throw something away than to clean it up. Not that he minds cleaning, he just don't see the need in having furniture that has no purpose. So far, we've put hardwood floors in the living room and hallway, and painted the kitchen, master bathroom, and the nursery twice.
I said all that to say that I have so many projects going right now: wainscoting in the second bathroom with a fresh coat of paint all over, repurpose Tucker's table and chairs, new furniture in the boys' bedroom, new artwork in the making for the bathroom, getting rid of all baby items (or at least all that I can stand to turn loose of), organizing and scaling down the amount of toys in the toy room, and getting items ready for my first try at a yard sale. All this on top of the normal day-to-day chores and bills, school plays and field trips, planning vacations, tax season, and the start of baseball season. This is a true example of a normal day in the life of a stay-at-home-mom. I think I stay busier now than I did when I worked!
Anyway, if I remembered to take "before" pictures, I'll try to post before/after pics. More than likely I forgot to do that, so I may just post "after" pics and leave the rest to your imagination, but believe me when I say, it was bad before.

Oh, my baby's not a baby anymore...

It's hitting me really hard lately how big my baby is getting. It seems like it happened over night! Ian brought home his report card this week with all A's and we couldn't be more proud. Not only that, but I've noticed him caring for Tucker a lot. Doing things like getting him a snack, finding him a toy, helping him clean up a mess that he didn't even help make, holding his hand to walk down steps, getting him paper towels (he needs a lot of those), and lots more. The best part of it all, nobody even asks him to do these things before he does them and he doesn't come back expecting praise or a pat on the back.

SIGH...

This is one proud momma, but sad at the same time. I've been able to be home with him since he was one year old, but even though I was here, he grew up so fast I feel like I missed most of it. Did I blink a really long time? Where did all the time go? We're so proud of him for how he's doing at school and at home.

Frustrated Couponer

My last trip to "that big supercenter" in my local town was successful, as far as savings is concerned, and was a success in lessons learned, as well. As I stated in an earlier post, I saved over $200 at a certain supercenter, but those savings also came with a priceless lesson: you'll most likely have the easiest, most enjoyable experience if you choose a checkout line that is NOT being occupied by an older woman. I'm not really sure why this rule is a fact, because you (or at least I) would think that a woman, mainly middle-aged or older, that normally would be the main grocery shopper in her household in my area, would want and even encourage saving money at the grocery store!! So when I read this rule, was told by a friend, and even a couple strangers in the store that also coupon, I didn't really take it seriously. Oh boy, I will now!!!

First of all, when I go shopping, it takes a really long time. I have to be organized, have my list of coupons, a list of items to buy and how many of each with regular price and sale price (for comp. purposes), and my huge binder that takes up the top part of the buggy. I'm constantly checking to be sure I'm buying the correct amount and size of each item. A normal trip for me is around 3 hours. A LONG time to be in one store!!

This particular trip was super annoying, because the checkout line I chose had a lady in her, ummm, let's say late 50's to early 60's, whom has never had a personality, good or bad, in the past, but has never bothered me. I'm not there to make friends, anyway. Just check me out and I'll be on my way. I'm busy, they're busy, and I understand that. I've been there. This woman did a price inquiry on every single item in my buggy before getting the comp. price from me and determining if she wanted to take my word on it! I know some people take advantage of the store's price-match guarantee, but their corporate policy clearly states that they won't question you and you don't have to bring the ad with you. Luckily, I brought them for my own reference, and had to show her nearly every ad for nearly every item's comp. price, for over six different store's ads! After calling the CSM several times, for permission to give me discounts, her manager even got aggravated and said, "just give it to her!" It took her over 1 1/2 hours to check me out! Add that to my already 3 hour shopping experience, and the fact that I had a 2-year-old with me, ready to eat when we got to the cashier, and you have some ill people!!

So, I can't stress enough: if and when you get ready to start this, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you pay attention to the cashier you are about to spend a lot of time with. I have my favorites already at my local store, and you will, too, whether intentionally or not.

Local Deals

I'll be completely honest with you. I could barely tell you what day we received our local Piggly Wiggly's weekly ad paper in the mail. I would either throw it away immediately (as in standing directly over the trash can as I was going through our mail from that day), or sit it on the counter for a while before throwing it away without ever opening it. I usually only saw the ad on the front cover, and even then only saw half of it, since it was folded in half to fit in the mailbox. I figured I was gonna have to have certain products at a certain time, regardless of price, so why should I keep up with the sales? I thought it was a waste of time. How much could you really save, anyway? Well, I have definitely eat my words!! I had to go get a few things at Piggly Wiggly tonight (I'll total up my savings and post it later).

There were a lot more sales going on in the store, as well, that are not in their sale paper. I stocked up on my canned goods while I was there. Piggly Wiggly brand creamed corn, whole kernel corn, cut green beans, and french style green beans were all $0.59 each. I thought that was a great deal. Some of the items, like the "name-brand" items, had coupons, so I took advantage of the sale price, then used the coupon on top of that to come out even cheaper.

The Hamburger Helper is normally (It is either $2.71 or $2.17 each, so I may be a few cents off) $2.71 each + 9 percent tax. I bought six boxes, which would've been $17.72 without any sales or coupons. I bought them for $0.99 each, used two "$0.75 off three boxes" coupons which brought my total, including tax, to $4.84 for six boxes!! That's only $0.81 per box, including tax! I saved $12.88 on Hamburger Helper alone!

Did you see that?

Well, my oldest had his eyes checked at school, and they suggested I take him to an optometrist for a re-evaluation, just as a precaution. I figured there was nothing to worry about, but went ahead with making the appointment. I mean, that's why we have the insurance, right? And if he does need glasses, how horrible would I feel for knowing and brushing it aside? Anyway, we went, they dilated his eyes, checked, and double-checked and luckily, found no problems. While I was making his appointment for this check, I decided since I've never had more than the eye chart test they give you with a sports physical, I might need to get checked as well. I mean, my eyes have always been good, never had any problems at all in that area, but what the heck? I'll go, let him tell me the same, and not have to go back. That's one less thing to be on my mind. So a few weeks after Ian was seen, I saw the same doctor (he's great, by the way). He did the routine check, dilated my eyes, and found out that I need glasses!!! I was so shocked! My eyes aren't bad at all, but one eye is far-sighted with an astigmatism and the other eye is near-sighted. On their on, neither would require the aid of glasses or contacts, but since they're completely opposite in problems, they're constantly "fighting" each other to focus, causing them to never be at rest. Therefore, I've been having slight headaches for a while now that have been blamed on just being tired or on sinuses. Now I know the real reason. I guess I'm glad I went, now. My headaches have nearly all gone, and I can definitely tell a difference when I wear my glasses. I don't have to wear them all the time, but I do need them when I drive, read, write, work on the computer, or just need my eyes to focus on something specific. Just around the house cleaning, playing with the boys, or out riding around, I don't have to have them, but the doctor did say he would suggest me getting contacts when I start back to work. We'll have to see about that. I don't know if I want to stick my eyes every day, twice a day or more. I may stick with the glasses, if they hold up to my abuse.

One final thought: Some of my favorite, most vivid and crisp shows that are in HD were awesome before... now they just plain ROCK!!! Can't wait for some of my fall favorites to come back on.

Second Trip as a "Couponer"

I'm still riding the couponing train! I went shopping for the second time since I started doing this, and did wind up spending a little more this time than last, mainly because I am currently attempting to stockpile items like laundry detergent, body wash, bar soap, shampoo, and other things that don't have to be replaced often. I can now say that I think I have enough of all those items to last me SEVERAL months, if not a year. Of course, if I come across a "killer-of-a-deal" I will not hesitate to add to my collection, if I can find room for it all.

That brings me to my next topic (don't worry, I'll share my savings in a minute). SHELVES!!!! I've GOT to have some shelves. My small pantry is overflowing, the cabinets under my kitchen sink and bathroom sink, as well as one of my linen cabinets, and shelf in the laundry room are busting at the seams, and I'm not done shopping! My medicine cabinet is well on it's way to needing reworked because I just added eight large bottles of NYQUIL to our stock. I've already bought the brackets; I just have to get the shelving boards and I'm ready to install. I'm sure I'll get right on that. (HA HA!)

Okay, so for the biggest deal I've gotten as a couponer...

Like I said, I did spend a little more this time (a little over $300 on this bill), but I saved a whopping $276.26!!! That's right, I SAVED almost as much as I spent. It's not a 100 percent savings like some you see on T.V., but I'll take it!! What would've cost me nearly $600 dollars only cost me a little over $300 is not that bad, in my opinion, but I won't be spending that much on a regular basis, or my "saving money" will wind up costing more upfront. I'm wondering how often I'll have to go shopping to keep my shelves stocked... Guess we'll see.

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages..."

I am (shhh, don't tell anybody this next part) 30 (cough to cover it up) years old. I had never witnessed "The Greatest Show on Earth" before last Friday, and let me tell you, it was WON-DER-FULLLLLL!!!! I had the most amazing time at the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus with the boys and Mom. I am a little on the frugile side (hear my husband laughing and then correcting me to "a lot on the frugile side?"), so when the tickets were gonna be $25 per person, even for my 2-year-old, I had a hard time letting go of that money, but I sure am glad I did! They don't call it "The Greatest Show on Earth" for no reason. I was in awe at the amount of talent those fearlessly amazing people have! Other than a short intermission, there was no stopping the show. With something constantly happening, there was never a dull moment. The boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves and of course had lots of stories, and a few souveniers to share with their Daddy when they got home.


I'll try to post pics later...