http://janeryanart.com/index.html
Check out this artist's website. I found her work very inspiring and thought you might like to see too.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
A long day and some warm bread
After a long day it seemed fitting that I should relax with a nice cup of tea and a slice of warm Amish Friendship Bread that had cooled enough to be eaten. After all, I had gotten up early to go to the dentist that morning, put in eight hours at work, came home to help Rennie finish with dinner preparations, bake and separate the bread starters into new bags and then I went to the grocery store at 9:00pm. I had just gotten home from double coupon Wednesdays at Ukrops just before 10:00. My thanks to Ann for the coupon match-up and the bread starter.
I now interrupt today’s post for a brief commercial break…Ann a faithful Ukrops employee and shopper has really won me over to Ukrops now that they double coupons, have there CLP deals and pretty decent sales to boot. All of that combined with Ann sharing her match-up for the week on her blog http://annscrazyworld.blogspot.com/ has been wonderful for me since I really live within walking distance to Ukrops. Now if there was a nice sidewalk and a shopping buddy to help me schlep (sp?) all my bargains home I’d really walk to the grocery store. Check out her weekly deal match-ups, usually posted on Tuesday, if you like to shop Ukrops or if you want to save money but didn't think you could shopping at Ukrops, and now back to our story of the end to my day.
Rennie had helped put away most of the groceries and I was looking to the last few items. I had already flipped the bread out of the pans. One dirty pan was in the sink and the second was sitting on the front burner of the stove where Rennie had set it when he pulled it out of the oven to cool. I should have put both pans in the sink, but didn’t for some reason. Maybe I had thought it still needed to cool a bit more or I was just tired and not being logical or effiecient? I sliced off a piece of the bread and turned on the stove to warm some water for my tea. I then turned back to finish putting away my reusable grocery bags and checking over my receipt. A couple minutes and I started hearing a heat popping noise and an odd burning sort of smell. I thought that my new copper tea kettle must be getting broken in or something? I turned around to see the empty Pyrex loaf pan sitting on a red hot burner! All I could seem to say was “Oh no!” I said this several times as I tried to collect my thoughts quickly, turn off the burner, find a hot pad and move the hot loaf pan between the burners on the stove top. Of course my worried husband came into the kitchen after I was unable to tell him why I was saying “Oh no!” I met him walking into the kitchen as I was pushing him to get out of the kitchen. I said I thought that the pan might explode and to get out of the kitchen. I knew that Pyrex was not intended for use on a stovetop plus I had read those email forwards about Pyrex exploding when baking too. Sure enough not ten seconds or maybe it was even less than five seconds after I said my warning the pan exploded.
Fortunately, no one was hurt. Lesson one I learned is do not put anything on the stove burner unless it really belongs there. Lesson two I learned is double or triple check to make sure that you have turned on the correct burner. Lesson three is that email you read about the possibility of Pyrex exploding is very possible. I don’t believe I’ll be replacing my Pyrex loaf pan. Maybe lesson four should be don't try to bake past 9pm lest you're too tired and have a kitchen disaster.
So, after getting the cleanup completed I had to throw away one loaf of the bread because it was right next to the explosion and I didn't want to take that chance. Fortunately though I've got plenty of starter. I offered my hubby some bread, but he didn’t want any. Then he asked if I would now have my cup of tea. I said no and that I didn’t want it anymore. Oh well not such a relaxing end to my day.
I now interrupt today’s post for a brief commercial break…Ann a faithful Ukrops employee and shopper has really won me over to Ukrops now that they double coupons, have there CLP deals and pretty decent sales to boot. All of that combined with Ann sharing her match-up for the week on her blog http://annscrazyworld.blogspot.com/ has been wonderful for me since I really live within walking distance to Ukrops. Now if there was a nice sidewalk and a shopping buddy to help me schlep (sp?) all my bargains home I’d really walk to the grocery store. Check out her weekly deal match-ups, usually posted on Tuesday, if you like to shop Ukrops or if you want to save money but didn't think you could shopping at Ukrops, and now back to our story of the end to my day.
Rennie had helped put away most of the groceries and I was looking to the last few items. I had already flipped the bread out of the pans. One dirty pan was in the sink and the second was sitting on the front burner of the stove where Rennie had set it when he pulled it out of the oven to cool. I should have put both pans in the sink, but didn’t for some reason. Maybe I had thought it still needed to cool a bit more or I was just tired and not being logical or effiecient? I sliced off a piece of the bread and turned on the stove to warm some water for my tea. I then turned back to finish putting away my reusable grocery bags and checking over my receipt. A couple minutes and I started hearing a heat popping noise and an odd burning sort of smell. I thought that my new copper tea kettle must be getting broken in or something? I turned around to see the empty Pyrex loaf pan sitting on a red hot burner! All I could seem to say was “Oh no!” I said this several times as I tried to collect my thoughts quickly, turn off the burner, find a hot pad and move the hot loaf pan between the burners on the stove top. Of course my worried husband came into the kitchen after I was unable to tell him why I was saying “Oh no!” I met him walking into the kitchen as I was pushing him to get out of the kitchen. I said I thought that the pan might explode and to get out of the kitchen. I knew that Pyrex was not intended for use on a stovetop plus I had read those email forwards about Pyrex exploding when baking too. Sure enough not ten seconds or maybe it was even less than five seconds after I said my warning the pan exploded.
Fortunately, no one was hurt. Lesson one I learned is do not put anything on the stove burner unless it really belongs there. Lesson two I learned is double or triple check to make sure that you have turned on the correct burner. Lesson three is that email you read about the possibility of Pyrex exploding is very possible. I don’t believe I’ll be replacing my Pyrex loaf pan. Maybe lesson four should be don't try to bake past 9pm lest you're too tired and have a kitchen disaster.
So, after getting the cleanup completed I had to throw away one loaf of the bread because it was right next to the explosion and I didn't want to take that chance. Fortunately though I've got plenty of starter. I offered my hubby some bread, but he didn’t want any. Then he asked if I would now have my cup of tea. I said no and that I didn’t want it anymore. Oh well not such a relaxing end to my day.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Keep learning to save
Even though I've been doing the coupon thing for quite a while I'm still learning. Just like anything else you have to keep up with the changes. I love to share with my coupon buddies what I'm learning. After all that's how I even managed to get this far with the couponing bit.
What I learned this week.
Ukrops:
They will double coupons that are barcoded started with the number 5. Even if the coupon states not subject to double/triple. If it scans right the first time, then you should be fine.
The revised fuelperks format requiring a $50 purchase to earn a .05 discount/gallon is based on your out of pocket cost. (This is different from Kroger where you coupon value including the doubled amount counts towards your fuel savings).
Always scan your card at the Savings Spot for in-store same day savings. A couple of weeks ago I scored Bosc Pears for .49/lb.
Check out my friend Ann's blog http://annscrazyworld.blogspot.com/. She's been so kind to share her Ukrops coupon matchups. This has been helping me make it to Ukrops which I love since it's so close to my house that I could walk if there was a better pedestrian route--maybe someday. Wouldn't that be great if I could get some added excercise benefit, save on gas and save money on groceries too? I'll be the lady walking by the side of the road with my personal grocery tote, don't run me over please.
Kroger:
If you're getting ready for holiday baking or just bake regularly there is a catalina deal for Fleischman's yeast.
9/7/09 to 11/29/09 Buy any Fleischman's yeast strip and get .50 off a future order with coupon. But any Fleischman's yeast jar and $1.00 off a future order with coupon. I checked it out the other day and the yeast is either 1.56-1.59 for the 3 pack strip combine with .40/1 and that makes for some super cheap yeast. Net cost is max .29 after the catalina is accounted!!! What I don't yet know is if you can buy multiple packs all in one transaction or if you max out with a certain number of packets in your transaction. If it's like last year's deal there is no limit.
Any store:
ALWAYS no matter what take your entire coupon notebook where ever you go, at the least take keep it in the car so you can run back in. You don't want to kick yourself when you see a super deal that you know you have coupon for somewhere else. Last night when I went to Ukrops for double coupons I missed out on free Betty Crocker Whipped Frosting on sale for .99 each. I had just printed several .50/1 IP's earlier that evening. Oh well.
DON'T FORGET to make sure your get your bag credit. I seem to forget rather frequently and I am usually too done and/or too embarassed to ask for my .10, .15, .20, etc bag credit at the service desk.
Have you learned any tricks to the game lately? Please do share.
What I learned this week.
Ukrops:
They will double coupons that are barcoded started with the number 5. Even if the coupon states not subject to double/triple. If it scans right the first time, then you should be fine.
The revised fuelperks format requiring a $50 purchase to earn a .05 discount/gallon is based on your out of pocket cost. (This is different from Kroger where you coupon value including the doubled amount counts towards your fuel savings).
Always scan your card at the Savings Spot for in-store same day savings. A couple of weeks ago I scored Bosc Pears for .49/lb.
Check out my friend Ann's blog http://annscrazyworld.blogspot.com/. She's been so kind to share her Ukrops coupon matchups. This has been helping me make it to Ukrops which I love since it's so close to my house that I could walk if there was a better pedestrian route--maybe someday. Wouldn't that be great if I could get some added excercise benefit, save on gas and save money on groceries too? I'll be the lady walking by the side of the road with my personal grocery tote, don't run me over please.
Kroger:
If you're getting ready for holiday baking or just bake regularly there is a catalina deal for Fleischman's yeast.
9/7/09 to 11/29/09 Buy any Fleischman's yeast strip and get .50 off a future order with coupon. But any Fleischman's yeast jar and $1.00 off a future order with coupon. I checked it out the other day and the yeast is either 1.56-1.59 for the 3 pack strip combine with .40/1 and that makes for some super cheap yeast. Net cost is max .29 after the catalina is accounted!!! What I don't yet know is if you can buy multiple packs all in one transaction or if you max out with a certain number of packets in your transaction. If it's like last year's deal there is no limit.
Any store:
ALWAYS no matter what take your entire coupon notebook where ever you go, at the least take keep it in the car so you can run back in. You don't want to kick yourself when you see a super deal that you know you have coupon for somewhere else. Last night when I went to Ukrops for double coupons I missed out on free Betty Crocker Whipped Frosting on sale for .99 each. I had just printed several .50/1 IP's earlier that evening. Oh well.
DON'T FORGET to make sure your get your bag credit. I seem to forget rather frequently and I am usually too done and/or too embarassed to ask for my .10, .15, .20, etc bag credit at the service desk.
Have you learned any tricks to the game lately? Please do share.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Saturdays are the busiest day of my week
Rise and shine! It's Saturday and my sorely neglected house is demanding that I get up and get moving. Little does the house know it's just gonna have to wait a wee bit later in the afternoon before I get to cleaning things up.
So the agenda for today was run errands (translation get needed groceries and pick up a few freebies while I'm at it). So I left the house at 7:30 am, which is later than I hoped but I'm trying to stick to $25 a week food budget so I had to do my homework. When I left the house I already knew I probably wasn't going to make that but I'm not gonna kick myself because I did get good prices on items, including meat for my man. So after Walgreens, Kroger, Ukrops, Food Lion and one more Walgreens for good measure (although they were out stock too--I should've known), I pulled up to our lot and unloaded the grocery getter.
Here's the scoop:
Walgreens:
Transaction #1
Chapstick 2.99
Halls Refreshers 1.00-.75/1
Total OOP: 3.39 & $4.00 in RR (Register Rewards)
Transaction #2
Vaseline Sheer (whatever new expensive lotion) 6.99-3.00RR from Tran #1
Total OOP: 4.34 & 7.00 in RR
Transaction #3
Halls Refresher 1.00 - .75/1
Chapstick 2.99
Emergen C 3.49
Reese PB Lover .69 (I needed a filler since the Emergen C was actually on sale and I didn't know it until I was at the register. I hate being unprepared!)
-7RR from Tran #2
Total OOP .76 & $7.50 in RR
Transaction #4
Halls Refresher 1.00- 3.00RR from Tran 3
Vaseline Sheer (whatever new expensive lotion) 6.99 - 3.50RR from Tran 3
Total OOP 1.84 & $8.00 in RR
Walgreens Recap
Total Value of items purchased 28.49 (incl tax)
Total MC 1.50
Total RR 26.50
Total OOP 10.33
Net Savings $28.00 (including RR) (98%)
Thanks for inspiring me to get back in the game at Walgreens Miriam.
Kroger:
Pork Shoulder (.77/lb) 7.28 - $1/1 Pork Coupon (Thanks Sara!)
Kroger Value Hamburger Buns .88 - .55/2 Kroger buns
Kroger Value Hot Dog Buns .88
(2) Red Bell Peppers 2.00
(2) Orange Bell Peppers 2.00
(1) Yellow Bell Pepper 1.00
Pork Half Loin (1.77/lb) 7.17 - $1/1 Pork Coupon - gonna slice this into some chops
(2) Snuggle Exhilirations 3.89 - $3/1
Febreeze Naturals 5.99 - $4/1 & $3/1
Total OOP $20.50
Total Kroger Savings $22.80 (54%)
This time I got a bag credit. I don't know what to expect from Kroger with the bag credit anymore. At least I got it.
Ukrops:
(2) Gallons Skim Milk 2.49
(2) Barlett Pears .88/lb
-.10 Bag credit
Total OOP 6.00
Total Savings 1.43 (19%)
Food Lion:
Jalapenos .89
Hominy 1.89
FL Peanut Butter 1.50 - $1/1 FLIP
Mini Golden Oreos 2.49 - $1/1 FLIP
(6) SaniHands 15ct 1.00 - $1/1 (YAY FREEBIES!!!)
Holly Farms Chicken Thighs (.67/lb) 2.87
3lb bag Apples 2.00
Total OOP 9.67
Total Savings 16.60 (63%)
So I was only supposed to spend $25 on food and I ended up spending $34.39. I spent $12.11 on other sundries and HBA items. So I'm done shopping for the week. I've even got a meal plan to get me through to the next week. I'm not too regimented with the meal planning yet, so the day/order is subject to change.
Saturday - Blackeye Pea Supper Dish with mini french loaves (gonna try this from scratch)
Sunday - dinner with friends and/or leftovers
Monday - Chicken Posole
Tuesday - Pork Ribs with the my sis--I'm bringin Apple & Walnut Salad
Wednesday - Ham & Brown Beans with biscuits
Thursday - Chicken Posole
Friday - Ham & Brown Beans with biscuits
Saturday - Dinner with MIL
Sunday - Chicken Burgers & Potato Wedges
All that's done, so now it's time to start cleaning!!! Time's a wasting.
So the agenda for today was run errands (translation get needed groceries and pick up a few freebies while I'm at it). So I left the house at 7:30 am, which is later than I hoped but I'm trying to stick to $25 a week food budget so I had to do my homework. When I left the house I already knew I probably wasn't going to make that but I'm not gonna kick myself because I did get good prices on items, including meat for my man. So after Walgreens, Kroger, Ukrops, Food Lion and one more Walgreens for good measure (although they were out stock too--I should've known), I pulled up to our lot and unloaded the grocery getter.
Here's the scoop:
Walgreens:
Transaction #1
Chapstick 2.99
Halls Refreshers 1.00-.75/1
Total OOP: 3.39 & $4.00 in RR (Register Rewards)
Transaction #2
Vaseline Sheer (whatever new expensive lotion) 6.99-3.00RR from Tran #1
Total OOP: 4.34 & 7.00 in RR
Transaction #3
Halls Refresher 1.00 - .75/1
Chapstick 2.99
Emergen C 3.49
Reese PB Lover .69 (I needed a filler since the Emergen C was actually on sale and I didn't know it until I was at the register. I hate being unprepared!)
-7RR from Tran #2
Total OOP .76 & $7.50 in RR
Transaction #4
Halls Refresher 1.00- 3.00RR from Tran 3
Vaseline Sheer (whatever new expensive lotion) 6.99 - 3.50RR from Tran 3
Total OOP 1.84 & $8.00 in RR
Walgreens Recap
Total Value of items purchased 28.49 (incl tax)
Total MC 1.50
Total RR 26.50
Total OOP 10.33
Net Savings $28.00 (including RR) (98%)
Thanks for inspiring me to get back in the game at Walgreens Miriam.
Kroger:
Pork Shoulder (.77/lb) 7.28 - $1/1 Pork Coupon (Thanks Sara!)
Kroger Value Hamburger Buns .88 - .55/2 Kroger buns
Kroger Value Hot Dog Buns .88
(2) Red Bell Peppers 2.00
(2) Orange Bell Peppers 2.00
(1) Yellow Bell Pepper 1.00
Pork Half Loin (1.77/lb) 7.17 - $1/1 Pork Coupon - gonna slice this into some chops
(2) Snuggle Exhilirations 3.89 - $3/1
Febreeze Naturals 5.99 - $4/1 & $3/1
Total OOP $20.50
Total Kroger Savings $22.80 (54%)
This time I got a bag credit. I don't know what to expect from Kroger with the bag credit anymore. At least I got it.
Ukrops:
(2) Gallons Skim Milk 2.49
(2) Barlett Pears .88/lb
-.10 Bag credit
Total OOP 6.00
Total Savings 1.43 (19%)
Food Lion:
Jalapenos .89
Hominy 1.89
FL Peanut Butter 1.50 - $1/1 FLIP
Mini Golden Oreos 2.49 - $1/1 FLIP
(6) SaniHands 15ct 1.00 - $1/1 (YAY FREEBIES!!!)
Holly Farms Chicken Thighs (.67/lb) 2.87
3lb bag Apples 2.00
Total OOP 9.67
Total Savings 16.60 (63%)
So I was only supposed to spend $25 on food and I ended up spending $34.39. I spent $12.11 on other sundries and HBA items. So I'm done shopping for the week. I've even got a meal plan to get me through to the next week. I'm not too regimented with the meal planning yet, so the day/order is subject to change.
Saturday - Blackeye Pea Supper Dish with mini french loaves (gonna try this from scratch)
Sunday - dinner with friends and/or leftovers
Monday - Chicken Posole
Tuesday - Pork Ribs with the my sis--I'm bringin Apple & Walnut Salad
Wednesday - Ham & Brown Beans with biscuits
Thursday - Chicken Posole
Friday - Ham & Brown Beans with biscuits
Saturday - Dinner with MIL
Sunday - Chicken Burgers & Potato Wedges
All that's done, so now it's time to start cleaning!!! Time's a wasting.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Fall Football, I Mean Coupon Training and Game Schedule
Well, after trying to get back into the swing of things this week I have a confession. Not only did I totally blow the budget but I did not do a good job with the coupons. I spent almost $100 in one trip to Kroger! *gasp* That hasn't happened in so long I was shocked.
How could that happen to me you ask? Well it's been at least two months since I regularly snipped and organized my coupons. Coupons supplies have been depleted due to hit or miss newspaper purchases. Its been at least as long since I've regularly written a meal plan. Keep in my mind meal planning is more a list of ideas to prompt me on what I've got in the pantry and sometimes a suggestion about a day of the week to prepare it if I have schedule constraint. Works well enough so far, at least when I actually do it. Then while in the store I was not paying attention to details. I picked up wrong items, which not only cost more than the sale items, but they weren't participating items so I had to go to Customer Service. I called myself a dummy as I walked out of Kroger. I need to get my head in the game and keep it there. So I guess the next few weeks it might be a little rough getting back into top couponing shape but, I'm hoping it will get better. It's gonna take some work because with the economy being what it is everyone is looking for the deals more and it seems more competitive than it used to be when I really got into the coupon game about three years ago. That's okay I like a little competition anyway.
The consolation in all of this is that out of that $100 shopping trip some of that will actually go towards Christmas gifts so it's not a total negative reflection on loss of shopping skills. I also had a successful CVS trip-Free toothpaste, free toothpaste and razors (After ECB's). So next time I'm at CVS I will have minimal OOP (out of pocket) cost. I'd post a pic but it's not much to look at three free items. I also had a good trip to Target stocking up on the kitty litter deal this week. I'm loving that I keep getting $5 Target gift cards for buying kitty litter, that's the only positive I kind find about buying kitty litter so be excited with me okay! Everthing else about it stinks.
Good thing I've gotten the shopping out of the way early this week. Tomorrow I get to quilt. Maybe I can actually get some pics to share with you about my progress. I'm so looking forward to this project....I'll keep you posted.
How could that happen to me you ask? Well it's been at least two months since I regularly snipped and organized my coupons. Coupons supplies have been depleted due to hit or miss newspaper purchases. Its been at least as long since I've regularly written a meal plan. Keep in my mind meal planning is more a list of ideas to prompt me on what I've got in the pantry and sometimes a suggestion about a day of the week to prepare it if I have schedule constraint. Works well enough so far, at least when I actually do it. Then while in the store I was not paying attention to details. I picked up wrong items, which not only cost more than the sale items, but they weren't participating items so I had to go to Customer Service. I called myself a dummy as I walked out of Kroger. I need to get my head in the game and keep it there. So I guess the next few weeks it might be a little rough getting back into top couponing shape but, I'm hoping it will get better. It's gonna take some work because with the economy being what it is everyone is looking for the deals more and it seems more competitive than it used to be when I really got into the coupon game about three years ago. That's okay I like a little competition anyway.
The consolation in all of this is that out of that $100 shopping trip some of that will actually go towards Christmas gifts so it's not a total negative reflection on loss of shopping skills. I also had a successful CVS trip-Free toothpaste, free toothpaste and razors (After ECB's). So next time I'm at CVS I will have minimal OOP (out of pocket) cost. I'd post a pic but it's not much to look at three free items. I also had a good trip to Target stocking up on the kitty litter deal this week. I'm loving that I keep getting $5 Target gift cards for buying kitty litter, that's the only positive I kind find about buying kitty litter so be excited with me okay! Everthing else about it stinks.
Good thing I've gotten the shopping out of the way early this week. Tomorrow I get to quilt. Maybe I can actually get some pics to share with you about my progress. I'm so looking forward to this project....I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Photography slacker!
We just got back from a great weekend camping trip at Bear Creek Lake State Park. Fun with friends whilst enjoying the great outdoors.
We managed to survive our first rain. It came in the middle of the night--I'm not sure of the exact time as I try not to be too bogged down with keeping the time on vacations. I laid in my tent waiting for the drip on my head or through the sleeping bag and blankets but it never happened, thankfully. Thanks to Coleman and some waterproofing (ugly can with bright orange lid). The rain did get me to thinking that we really should always be ready for it. Next time for group camping I will make sure to bring shelter so we can escape from tents if necessary. It wasn't that bad though--this time.
Well, I promise it was fun but this slacker didn't even pull out her camera. Got to go fold up the now dry tent for storage until the next trip/
We managed to survive our first rain. It came in the middle of the night--I'm not sure of the exact time as I try not to be too bogged down with keeping the time on vacations. I laid in my tent waiting for the drip on my head or through the sleeping bag and blankets but it never happened, thankfully. Thanks to Coleman and some waterproofing (ugly can with bright orange lid). The rain did get me to thinking that we really should always be ready for it. Next time for group camping I will make sure to bring shelter so we can escape from tents if necessary. It wasn't that bad though--this time.
Well, I promise it was fun but this slacker didn't even pull out her camera. Got to go fold up the now dry tent for storage until the next trip/
Friday, August 21, 2009
Saving Strong!
Well as many of my friends know I love to save money. And I love to share with people in learning how to save money. I do that in large part by shopping the sales and clipping my coupons. I had to apologize to Rennie on Friday night, because it had taken me so incredibly long to get my stuff together for my first real grocery trip in a month. Yes, when I went on my blogging hiatus, that was not the only thing that got put on the backburner. Fortunately, my cupboards were well stocked and we could coast through that month without too much trouble. This is also the reason that I really needed to be organized and get as much as possible to restock (we were completely out of cereal)...but back to the story at hand, my time spent in preparation was not in vain.
I walked out of Kroger with all of this:
I walked out of Kroger with all of this:
And it only cost me $41.24!!!
Here's what I got:
5 Cocoa puffs
3 Total Cereal
2 Trix
3 Hellman's Light Mayo
2 Strabucks Frappuccino (total splurge but still cheaper than going to Starbucks)
2 Nature Valley Trail Mix Bars
2 Fiber One Cereal Bars
1 Lipton Tea
2 Breyers Ice Cream (such a small package these days, it's a shame)
1 Activia 4 pack
2 Mountain 2l
1 Pepsi 2l
1 Nature Valley Granola Snack Mix
2 Reynolds Baking Cups
1 Clabber Girl Baking Powder
1 loaf of multigrain bread
2 loaves sesame seed italian bread
1 demi loaf
1 4ct sesame seed bagels
1 Uncle Ben's Ready Rice (FREE)
2 Sargento String Cheese
2 6ct Klondike Bars
1 Smithfiels Bacon (FREE)
Total before sales & coupons was $135.96 for 70% savings. I was so excited and that doesn't even take into account the regular price on all that bread since it was marked down. Usually I bake my own sandwich bread, but I picked up a bunch of markdown breads since I needed italian bread for Sunday dinner. Whatever I don't use, I'll just chop up to throw in the freezer for stuffing mix.
I owe all of the awesome savings to these sources: Kroger Mega Sale, Sunday newspaper insert coupons, internet printable coupons, shortcuts.com, cellfire.com, Kroger direct mail coupons, hotcouponworld.com and Rennie (he would run to the other end of the store for me when I forgot something).
I'd love to hear what you were able to score. I'm also glad to help you learn to maximize your savings too, so let me know what you need help with and I'll do my best.
Hiatus from blogging...
Well, I was off to a good start with this blogging endeavor and then I had to put a lot of things on hold and get down to business on the 5th Annual White Elephant Gala. Whew! It has been such a busy month, but all the efforts paid off. Virginia Chapter ASID was able to bring in over $12,000 through the event. Half of that goes to the Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity. I am so proud of the crew that we had working to pull this together. What an incredible team! I hope to add some pics from the event, when I can get my hands on them.
Just in case you wondering what I picked up this year at the auction. I won a gift certificate to Keep Good Company (I'll show you what I got later once I get things up in the house), a four piece cordless tool set for my man (maybe he'll let me use it on occasion) and check out my new chair.
The chest you see in the background is from the 3rd Annual White Elephant when I got hooked on this event.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Tada!
Here is the foyer and....
here's the kitchen!
I LOVE IT! It finally feels like my kitchen. We still need a few things up on the walls but that's an easy fix. Enjoy the pictures. See the before kitchen in my previous post http://bowmanlot31.blogspot.com/2009/07/welcome-to-our-lot.html.Saturday, July 18, 2009
Everything All at Once
So I have yet to master the concept of changing just one thing at a time (that's probably why I find myself often overwhelmed)! Here are my recent changes and projects.
Painting the kitchen and foyer--in progress and should be on deadline for company arriving tomorrow after church.
Dealing with a few nagging excess pounds--due the current disarray in the kitchen I have not been as careful about what I've eaten the last 3 days and nor have we taken a walk once this week. We will have to recalibrate on Monday.
Starting a blog--I've wanted to do this for a long time! Why now when I should be at the grocery store or painting the kitchen and cleaning the house, I don't know.
Getting organized--I've written down a daily schedule with some basic for everyday. Also need to recalibrate on this one-since I've been mostly missing rather than hitting the target.
That's the update for today. Now seriously I've got some bargains to nab, painting to finish and cleaning to do! As usual I get no help from these two!
Painting the kitchen and foyer--in progress and should be on deadline for company arriving tomorrow after church.
Dealing with a few nagging excess pounds--due the current disarray in the kitchen I have not been as careful about what I've eaten the last 3 days and nor have we taken a walk once this week. We will have to recalibrate on Monday.
Starting a blog--I've wanted to do this for a long time! Why now when I should be at the grocery store or painting the kitchen and cleaning the house, I don't know.
Getting organized--I've written down a daily schedule with some basic for everyday. Also need to recalibrate on this one-since I've been mostly missing rather than hitting the target.
That's the update for today. Now seriously I've got some bargains to nab, painting to finish and cleaning to do! As usual I get no help from these two!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Crazy Project Timelines
I'm crazy, but my hubby still married me. He probably didn't realize what he was getting himself into though when he signed on for the job of 'til death do we part. Not my fault that he didn't require a full disclosure right? He saved some for me too, so I think that we're even. He said that I might have to get a new hubby when I decide to paint the kitchen cabinets, but I told him maybe my new hubby can just buy me new cabinets and that I was just trying to make the most of what I had and I wouldn't be doing that for a long time anyway.
There is nothing like having company as a motivator to make the next step on that project that is nagging to be finished! It's only been dropped in a pile in the corner of the room under the dust, cat hair and the mail that needs sorting for a few weeks or months as the case may be. (Side note we actually have been pretty good about the mail making it to it's designated location and sorting out the majority of the junk straight to the recylce pile--what a stress reliever.) The project at hand was/is to finish the painting from my inital move-in inspirations. Living room was the first one checked off the list and the guest bath followed shortly behind, but still needs some touch-up. We'll get to that eventually. After a few weeks off for camping and visiting with family we're back in the part-time paint business and the hallway got done quickly. We needed a good confidence builder and easy-to-get-back-into-project if you know what I mean. Back to the reality of peeling wallpaper, patching holes, sanding spackle, vaccuming dust and priming!!! We were up until the wee hours just to get the first coat of primer done and cleaned up. Can I say I love and hate oil based primers and paints. Good quality coverage and nasty messy cleanup. Thankfully Rennie took over the cleanup and I got to heat up some food. Why I didn't fix food before we started I don't know, bad call on my part.
So the timeline for kitchen and foyer painting project to be completed and not mention have a functional and clean kitchen for company on Sunday. Yes I said Sunday and today is Friday. My friends it is going to be a late night or couple of nights. Whatever it takes, I want it done. Wish us luck that we'll get it done, get a little bit of sleep and not be too cranky with each other in the process.
There is nothing like having company as a motivator to make the next step on that project that is nagging to be finished! It's only been dropped in a pile in the corner of the room under the dust, cat hair and the mail that needs sorting for a few weeks or months as the case may be. (Side note we actually have been pretty good about the mail making it to it's designated location and sorting out the majority of the junk straight to the recylce pile--what a stress reliever.) The project at hand was/is to finish the painting from my inital move-in inspirations. Living room was the first one checked off the list and the guest bath followed shortly behind, but still needs some touch-up. We'll get to that eventually. After a few weeks off for camping and visiting with family we're back in the part-time paint business and the hallway got done quickly. We needed a good confidence builder and easy-to-get-back-into-project if you know what I mean. Back to the reality of peeling wallpaper, patching holes, sanding spackle, vaccuming dust and priming!!! We were up until the wee hours just to get the first coat of primer done and cleaned up. Can I say I love and hate oil based primers and paints. Good quality coverage and nasty messy cleanup. Thankfully Rennie took over the cleanup and I got to heat up some food. Why I didn't fix food before we started I don't know, bad call on my part.
So the timeline for kitchen and foyer painting project to be completed and not mention have a functional and clean kitchen for company on Sunday. Yes I said Sunday and today is Friday. My friends it is going to be a late night or couple of nights. Whatever it takes, I want it done. Wish us luck that we'll get it done, get a little bit of sleep and not be too cranky with each other in the process.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Welcome to our lot!
Well Rennie doesn't know it but the Bowman household is hitting the blog roll. I love reading blogs and often feel inspired so I thought that I might give the blogging thing a try. No guarantees on which direction this might take. Stay tuned...
Why Bowman Lot 31? Well it's our name and our house lot number where we live. I imagine that where we live physically, mentally and spiritually will be the starting point for most of my blogging.
So what is going on at Bowman Lot 31? Well we're still moving in and around. It seems like it might still be going on for a while, but my goal is that we'll be done unpacking boxes by Labor Day. That means my MIL is moved downstairs and all our stuff is upstairs and unpacked. We're already mostly upstairs it's getting my MIL's stuff downstairs into the mother-in-law suite. The holdup is that we need to clean up all the construction dust down there. This is probably worst part (IMO) about the whole renovation process. There is dust absolutely everywhere in the downstairs.
We are having friends over on Sunday so the goal is to finish painting the kitchen and get it back in working order. From there this is the plan:
1. Clean the downstairs of the layer of dust.
2. Move MIL's boxes and remaining furniture down.
3. Put out kitchen essentials, bedding & bathroom for MIL (since we packed her stuff she won't even know where to start so I feel like the very least we should do is get her a little start).
4. Take before pictures in the guest bedroom and then remove the border and paint.
5. Furnish the guest bedroom.
Order to be determined
6. Tackle the office/craft room (currently the junk/box room).
7. Paint the master bedroom
8. Paint the master bathroom.
Now that's just the big stuff! There's lots of little stuff that I hope we can get done too.
Here is a before pic of the kitchen (sorry for the stuff) so that you can enjoy some after pictures when we're done.
Why Bowman Lot 31? Well it's our name and our house lot number where we live. I imagine that where we live physically, mentally and spiritually will be the starting point for most of my blogging.
So what is going on at Bowman Lot 31? Well we're still moving in and around. It seems like it might still be going on for a while, but my goal is that we'll be done unpacking boxes by Labor Day. That means my MIL is moved downstairs and all our stuff is upstairs and unpacked. We're already mostly upstairs it's getting my MIL's stuff downstairs into the mother-in-law suite. The holdup is that we need to clean up all the construction dust down there. This is probably worst part (IMO) about the whole renovation process. There is dust absolutely everywhere in the downstairs.
We are having friends over on Sunday so the goal is to finish painting the kitchen and get it back in working order. From there this is the plan:
1. Clean the downstairs of the layer of dust.
2. Move MIL's boxes and remaining furniture down.
3. Put out kitchen essentials, bedding & bathroom for MIL (since we packed her stuff she won't even know where to start so I feel like the very least we should do is get her a little start).
4. Take before pictures in the guest bedroom and then remove the border and paint.
5. Furnish the guest bedroom.
Order to be determined
6. Tackle the office/craft room (currently the junk/box room).
7. Paint the master bedroom
8. Paint the master bathroom.
Now that's just the big stuff! There's lots of little stuff that I hope we can get done too.
Here is a before pic of the kitchen (sorry for the stuff) so that you can enjoy some after pictures when we're done.
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