Get Your Shoppin' Shoes on...

Black Friday - The BIGGEST Shopping Day Of The YEAR!
I can hardly wait! To check out all of the latest sale Ads - check this out!

Wow, I see stuff at Staples and Target. I am upset I do not see much at WalMart. Maybe my children are getting out of the small toys...Now they want North Face Jackets and Nike Shock Tennis shoes.!$!$

Two of my friends always call on Thanksgiving night to see if we have a route mapped out! We leave in the wee hours but I am always home by 8AM so Husband can go to work. It is always crazy, but always fun!

Of course I will be at CVS getting all those freebies!
I sat down and pulled out all of my coupons for the following "freebies" after EBC bucks:

NANCY here is your de-coder: ECB is "Extra Care Buck" and wyb is "When You Buy" Just trying to be a blessing!!!
$6.99 ECB's wyb Bic Soleil Razor (1 razor, 2 cartridges & 1 shower holder) - LIMIT ONE per card
$5.69 ECB's wyb Johnson's Softlotion 11-14oz. - LIMIT ONE per card
$4.00 ECB's wyb Advil PM Caplet 20ct. or Liqui-gel 16ct. - LIMIT ONE per card
$3.99 ECB's wyb Softsoap Nutra-Oil Moisturising Body Wash 12oz. - LIMIT ONE per card
$3.79 ECB's wyb Excedrin 24ct. asstd. types- LIMIT ONE per card
$2.99 ECb's wyb Hershey's Chocolate : Extra Dark 5.1-5.2oz., antioxidant or whole bean 4.2oz. pouch - LIMIT ONE per card
$2.49 ECB's wyb Tylenol 10ct. - LIMIT ONE per card
$1.49 ECB's wyb Enviga Sparkling Green Tea single 12oz. can - LIMIT ONE per card
$5.99 ECB's wyb Garnier 100% Color - LIMIT TWO per card
$2.99 ECB's wyb Colgate Toothpaste (Total Advanced Clean plus Whitening 4.2oz. or Maxfresh Burst 4oz.) - LIMIT THREE per card
$1.79 ECB's wyb CVS/pharmacy Zipper Seal Food Storage Bags (storage 20ct. or 1-gal. Freezer 15ct.) - LIMIT THREE per card

With all of my coupons and EBC bucks I estimate I will spend $8.00 cash for all of that! No I do not color my hair, but I do use (or will if I have it) everything else. I plan on donating the hair color! If you send me your hair color number I'll donate it to you!

Happy sales hunting!

Meals and Deals

I have been baking this morning! My house smells so good. I made chocolate chip banana muffins, Lemon Poppyseed Bread, Green Beans and Artic Freeze Salad. Now I have a 7 pound turkey roasting that I got for $5.66! WOW! I love a bargain!

We are leaving tomorrow to go my my Aunt DiDi's house for a HUGE family reunion! They do this annually, but we have never been on Thanksgiving. I really cannot wait to see everyone. My girls were two the last time we saw everyone (they are almost nine).

I found some movie vouchers Husband brought home over the summer that expire the end of December. I have made an executive decision, Son will have a Movie party since we have 6 passes to use! That is simple and I do not have to worry about the house and all those boys!!! Now I need to see what is playing that 10-11 year-old will like.

Fortunately we have been very calm on the home front with very little drama! Sorry about not posting! I hope you have a very THANKful Turkey day! And most of all, a great SALE HUNTING FRIDAY! I will be out and about scooping up all the good deals!

Super Savings

One of my favorite stores is Big Lots. Check out this great coupon for 20% off your entire purchase!
Have Fun!

Several of my friends want to know how I find the best deals - the Internet! No, I am not sitting around with sales flyer's all over my house and coupons laying everywhere! I have a couple of sites that constantly give updates on the deals!

On Black Friday, Walgreens will have Tide Liquid Detergent 13-16 loads $1.99, limit 2. There was a .50 c/o in the P&G 11/4 insert.
There will also be a free Gillette Venus Breeze or Fusion Power Phantom Razor free after rebate, plus use a $2 coupon from the P&G 10/14 insert for $2 overage.
CoverGirl Outlast Lip Color will be $2.99 less a $1 Easy Saver c/o. Also use a $1 CoverGirl Lip c/o from 10/14 P&G insert. Final price .99. (NANCY DID YOU READ THIS??) Doors open at 7am. Prices good until 2 pm.

If you live by a Best Buy, they have computers and laptops for a great deal!

At Wal Greens this week this one jumped out. Combine a manufacturer c/o with the Easy Saver c/o for free hand sanitizer. We should all be able to get a nice supply of Purell. My Wal Greens was out, but she gave me a rain check for two of them! This is also a good item to donate to soldiers:
Purell Hand Sanitizer $2.99
- $2.50 Easy Saver c/o
- $1.50 c/o (S 11/18) or - $1.50 c/o (S 10/7) or - $1 c/o (S 9/23)
Final price at least FREE

I hope this helps you find great deals! If you see something good let me know! I love to save money!

Awareness

Let's Go Ladies.......today is the day - your other monthly reminder!

We Are Family

Guess what I did yesterday??? I met my sister and mother for lunch and coupon swapping!! We had so much fun. Who would have thought swapping coupons and sharing deals could be so much fun!

Of course our first objective was to decide on lunch. We thought we had a great deal on lunch until we read the fine print and the coupon was only valid at dinner. Can you guess where we ate...


I got to sit in the back with Sister's sweet baby. Oh he is so SWEET! Look at this little face. He rarely ever cries, just a small pout...
Okay maybe a big pouttie lip, but it still so sweet.
My Mama gave me an Ipod docking station! I can now listen to my new tunes in the kitchen! I love it! Thank you Mama!! That is Honey her baby helping me open it!



I had to have a conference with one of my third grade teachers last week about our falling reading grade. Well, that conference made all the difference in the world! I was told she was disorganized and did not pay attention. I was devastated! I am the most organized person I know and how did my child not get this gene? Well, I came home and organized her notebook and added "study-guide sleeves" to her notebook and labeled everything: Reading, Spelling, Social Studies... I explained how she needed to place the study guide INSIDE the pockets, not just inside her backpack. We had 6 test last week and she made 100% on every single one! I was so proud of her.

I tell you all this to explain why we spent 45 minutes in the Hallmark store last night so they could all three spend their money on a Webkin. Decisions, decisions, decisions...

It was painful watching them struggle to decide which one to get. The Reindeer is the pet of the month for December and they could not decide if it was worth it or not. If you have not seen these things, congratulations! They are the talk of our house.

Once they finish homework and anything else I need them to do I allow them to get on the computer and "play" with their animal. They have actually learned alot from these little guys. They have to earn money to buy food to feed them on the site as well as make sure they get enough rest or they get sick. I have actually devised a discipline system from the Webkins that works like a charm. In the morning after I wake them up I come downstairs and start the timer at 60 minutes. They have to get dressed, eat, pack up their backpack, shoes, teeth and coats. We then check the time and the remaining time is how long they get in the afternoon to play on the computer. I can also take 5 minutes away for fighting, not following directions... you catch on! Some days they only have 15 minutes, others they may have 30 or more. This system has worked great for a couple of weeks now! Do you have other motivations at your house? I'd love to hear about them!

Rite Aid Deals!

Do you have an Eckerds/RiteAid? They are now the same thing.

Look at these deals that are FREE! Once you get home enter your receipt online and submit for your check! It only takes 2 weeks max to get your money!!!

This week there are double rebates on some products, must be purchased 11/11 - 11/17. Here are the deals I found so far:

Nature Made Rx Essentials Daily Supplement Nutrients $9.98
-$4.99 Single Check Rebate
-$4.99 Bonus Single Check Rebate (only valid 11/11-11/17)
-$5 c/o (coupon was in S in the paper on 10/21) or $1 c/o (S#2 11/4)
Final price $5 PROFIT

Glade Scented Light Show Berry $7.99-$2 Single Check Rebate
-mail in rebate form up to $12.50 (Sunday's paper S 11/11)
Final price $2 PROFIT

Excedrin 50 ct $4.99-$2 c/o (S#2 11/11, S 10/21 or S#2 9/9)
-mail in rebate up to $4.99 (S#2 11/11, S 10/21 or S#2 9/9)
Final price up $2 PROFIT

Tums Antacid $3.29
-$1/2 c/o (S#2 10/7)
-$1 c/o Sugar Free or Smoothies (S#2 10/7)
-1 c/o Kids (S#2 11/11)
-TMF mail in offer (S#2 11/11)
Final price up to $1 PROFIT

Renuzit Pearl Scents Air Freshener $2.49
-$1.50 Single Check Rebate
-$1 c/o (S#2 11/11)
Final price .01 PROFIT

Mom's in Atlanta

For those of you with babies and in the Atlanta area here is a great new site for Atlanta Moms to get gently used itemd! Looks great! Too bad I am past that stage!!!!!

Ladies, We are Different

I received this as an email and know I have many "non-medical" friends out there that read and wanted to share this with you! Thanks to my good friend at Me and The Other Three for sharing!

I was aware that female heart attacks are different, but this is the best description I've ever read. You all take care out there!

Women and heart attacks (Myocardial infarction)

Did you know that women rarely have the same dramatic symptoms that men have when experiencing heart attack...you know, the sudden stabbing pain in the chest, the cold sweat, grabbing the chest & dropping to the floor that we see in the movies. Here is the story of one woman's experience with a heart attack.

'I had a completely unexpected heart attack at about 10:30 pm with NO prior exertion, NO prior emotional trauma that one would d suspect might've brought it on. I was sitting all snugly & warm on a cold evening, with my purring cat in my lap, reading an interesting story my friend had sent me, and actually thinking,'A-A-h, this is the life, all cozy and warm in my soft, cushy Lazy Boy with my feet propped up.' A moment later, I felt that awful sensation of indigestion, when you've been in a hurry and grabbed a bite of sandwich and washed it down with a dash of water, and that hurried bite seems to feel like you've swallowed a golf ball going down the esophagus in s low motion and it is most uncomfortable. You realize you shouldn't have gulped it down so fast and needed to chew it more thoroughly and this time drink a glass of water to hasten its progress down to the stomach. This was my initial sensation---the only trouble was that I hadn't taken a bite of anything since about 5:00 p.m.

'After that had seemed to subside, the next sensation was like little squeezing motions that seemed to be rac ing up my SPINE (hind-sight, it was probably my aorta spasming), gaining speed as they continued racing up and under my sternum (breast bone, where one presses rhythmically when administering CPR). This fascinating process continued on into my throat and branched out into both jaws.

'AHA!! NOW I stopped puzzling about what was happening--we all have read and/or heard about pain in the jaws being one of the signals of an MI happening, haven't we? I said aloud to myself and the cat, 'Dear God, I think I'm having a heart attack !' I lowered the foot rest, dumping the cat from my lap, started to take a step and fell on the floor instead. I thought to myself 'If this is a heart attack, I shouldn't be walking into the next room where the phone is or anywhere else...but, on the other hand, if I don't, nobody will know that I need help, and if I wait any longer I may not be able to get up in a moment.'

'I pulled myself up with the arms of the chair, walked slowly into the e next room and dialed the Paramedics... I told her I thought I was having a heart attack due to the pressure building under the sternum and radiating into my jaws. I didn't feel hysterical or afraid, just stating the facts. She said she was sending the Paramedics over immediately, asked if the front door was near to me, and if so, to unbolt the door and then lie down on the floor where they could see me when they came in.

'I then laid down on the floor as instructed and lost consciousness, as I don't remember the medics coming in, their examination, lifting me onto a gurney or getting me into their ambulance, or hearing the call they made to St. Jude ER on the way, but I did briefly awaken when we arrived and saw that the Cardiologist was already there in his surgical blues and cap, helping the medics pull my stretcher out of the ambulance. He was bending over me asking questions (probably something like 'Have you taken any medications?') but I couldn't make my mind interpret what he was saying, or form an answer, and nodded off again, not waking up until the Cardiologist and partner had already threaded the teeny angiogram balloon up my femoral artery into the aorta and into my heart where they installed 2 side by side stints to hold open my right coronary artery.

'I know it sounds like all my thinking and actions at home must have taken at least 20-3 0 minutes before calling the Paramedics, but actually it took perhaps 4-5 minutes before the call, and both the fire station and St. Jude are only minutes away from my home, and my Cardiologist was already to go to the OR in his scrubs and get going on restarting my heart (which had stopped somewhere between my arrival and the procedure) and installing the stints.

'Why have I written all of this to you with so much detail? Because I want all of you who are so important in my life to know what I learned first hand.'

1. Be aware that something very different is happening in your body not the usual men's symptoms, but inexplicable things happening (until my sternum and jaws got into the act ). It is said that many more women than men die of their first (and last) MI because they didn't know they were having one, and commonly mistake it as indigestion, take some Maalox or other anti-heartburn preparation, and go to bed, hoping they'll feel better in the morning when they wake up....which doesn't happen. My female friends, your symptoms might not be exactly like mine, so I advise you to call the Paramedics if ANYTHING is unpleasantly happening that you've not felt before. It is better to have a 'false alarm' visitation than to risk your life guessing what it might be!

2. Note that I said 'Call the Paramedics'. Ladies, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! Do NOT try to drive yourself to the ER--you're a hazard to others on the road, and so is your panicked husband who will be speeding and looking anxiously at what's happening with you instead of the road. Do NOT ca ll your doctor--he doesn't know where you live and if it's at night you won't reach him anyway, and if it's daytime, his assistants (or answering service) will tell you to call the Paramedics. He doesn't carry the equipment in his car that you need to be saved! The Paramedics do, mainly OXYGEN that you need ASAP. Your Dr. will be notified later

3. Don't assume it couldn't be a heart attack because you have a normal cholesterol count. Research has discovered that a cholesterol elevated reading is rarely the cause of an MI (unless it's unbelievably high, and/or accompanied by high blood pressure.) MI's are usually caused by long-term stress and inflammation in the body, which dumps all sorts of deadly hormones into your system to sludge things up in there. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive...

Be Careful What You Say

This is from petpeeving

Some people that work here had a going away party the other day for a woman that is leaving.

One of the supervisors called a Walmart and ordered the cake. He told them to write: “best wishes Suzanne” and underneath that write “we will miss you”. Here’s the cake that was delivered:




I just think that is sooooo funny!!!!

The GREAT!!!

This was a great game! They played Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Night!

They lost last night 4-2. They got 2ND place and a great trophy! Here is a picture from the Shoot-Out Monday night! Fortunately they did not have another tie! That was torture for the Mama!

Husband skipped out on the last part of the meeting yesterday and caught an earlier flight! He was at the fields for both of their 6 o'clock games! They were so happy to see their Daddy!

Savings NUT

Check out the BARGAINS from CVS!
Body soap, water, lighter, softsoap refill, cashews, tums, vitamin C, Colgate, 100 calorie packs and a few fall items that were 90% off!! The best part- between coupons and EBC Bucks I paid out $2.76 CASH! Man this is fun! Plus I earned $28 EBC Bucks for next week!



My RiteAid is very SLOOOWWWW about their change over from Eckerds, so yours may not have this deal. They are not going to carry Energizer batteries so they are 75% off! I bought 12 packs for $1.19 each! Too bad last night when Son won second place at the soccer playoffs my batteries went dead in my new camera and I did not have a pack. Sick!!! Oh I was mad at myself.

Ho Ho Ho

Are you starting to think about CHRISTmas? I found this great post and had to share! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Do you have a family tradition? I would love to hear about it!

Every year I try to make a meaningful CHRISTmas card. Some years it has turned out better than others. I already have the wording for this years card and I think I have decided on the picture. Now I need to put it all together. It's only November 9th!

This year we are going skiing before Christmas so I need to get moving! I am loosing several days this shopping season. I also want to decorate the house the week of Thanksgiving. We are going to my Aunt's and my Mother-In-Laws so I do not have to do a big lunch this year and can start earlier!!! Husband will be thrilled :)

You know how frugal and organized I am, I think I want to ask for a label maker this year. Just think of all the things I could label! Pantry, storage bins in the girls closet (that I have not organized yet...) That could be BIG fun!

What is on your CHRISTmas list?

Soccer Hero!!!!

We WON! The girls played first and they did great and then Brother played and was unbelievable! He stopped EVERYTHING! They did not score on him! His little smile in the car was priceless! He knew he did good!

Everyone plays again Thursday night at 6PM. Gotta love that! I do not know how I will split myself onto two fields but we'll figure it out! I may need to call on some Grandparents! hint hint!

I am going to Atlanta today for my big haircut! A little nervous about my new do. We plan to go to lunch afterwards. We have decided not to shop since our tall friend is in a boot with a broken foot. We figured we'd take one for the team and skip out! We will just be saving money, right?

I'm in a hurry to get children up from only 8 hours of sleep (they require 10+). I will post soccer pictures soon!

Monday Moments on Tuesday

Husband has gone to Disney World for a meeting with Ford! I found out he is staying on the resort...what was he thinking not taking us. The children will be so upset if they find out Mickey is tucking Daddy in at night!

I got this Sunday's paper! WOW! All the coupons, I was in heaven! If any of my dear friends are crazy enough to throw those valuable things out, please pass them my way! I am having a field day getting things for free or almost free!

Yesterday was spent SHOPPING! Sad when the highlight of my day is CVS and WalGreens! Anyway, the deals were wonderful! Sugar and Chocolate chips are on sale at Walgreens/stacked with a coupon is great for the CHRISTmas baking season! The children have really taken an interest in cooking so I think we will have BIG fun baking in the kitchen this year!

My son had his first playoff game last night. Yes, you guessed it-they won so they play again tonight. He is the goalie and of course they tied 2-2 and went into overtime. They played two 5 minute periods and no one scored so they went to a shoot out. AHHHHAHAHHAHAHHHHHHHHHH... That is too tense for this Drama Mama to be able to handle. They take their five best players and let them shoot against him. My poor baby. The tension was unreal. He only let two get by! He is so good!
Tonight the girls have their first game at 6pm and then Son plays at 7:30. It will be 9:30 when we get home. Pray for me tomorrow morning. My children require 10 hours+ sleep. I know it is not going to be pretty.

I walked with Apple-Dumplin yesterday and today! We walked hard and far today! She told me about her drama at the soccer field last night. Her daughter was barely on the field 10 minutes and her husband was UPSET she had not been given more playing time. He marched over to the coaches side with about 10 minutes left to play and started in on them.. she was mortified. She told him last night (and I quote) "Why do you have to act like the TRASH that we are." Oh I think that is hilarious. She is a hoot! You would love her. Needless to say their season is over (I'm jealous). ;)

I will post pictures tomorrow. I also want to share my savings this week. Here is a coupon for $3 off Post-it notes. I love those things!

This Weeks Savings

My dear "Tall Friend" is laid up with a broken foot. I thought I would give her some good reading material and also share it with you! I also have some of the deals for this week listed!

Here is the scoop on CVS.
Use this coupon for $2 off $10 or more!

Do you want to learn more about shopping for "free" at CVS? Read this great post!!

Here is the scoop on Rite Aid/Eckerds.

Here are the Publix Items!

20% off Children's Placehttp://beingfrugal.net

Print out a B1G1F coupon on Tropicana 20 oz, click here

This is my favorite site! I read this daily! She went on vacation last week and it about killed me - the audacity of her spending precious time with her family...

One Last site and this should do you for a while!

Christmas Present Idea

I want to make a few of these hard back books! They look great!

Angela at mommy bytes is giving away six HP Photo Books.

I also plan to decorate paint cans that were never used. You wrap a 12x12 piece of paper around them (one for top and coordinating one for the bottom half). Then you put ribbon around the middle - SUPER CUTE! Really fun for Teacher's gifts! If I finish ONE I'll post a picture!

The Children

This was a great Halloween! The girls were each puppy dogs and brother was a blast from the '70's!!


They were able to play in two Jumpies and a huge slide! They won as much candy as they collected at the Trunk or Treat! This mean Momma made them pick out 10 pieces to put in their "Candy-stash." Yes, I know about it. It is under their bed and I can't stand it (my OCD kicking in). They said I was mean for not letting them keep all of it.

Do you let your children have access to all that candy? Besides I did what every good mother did last night after they went to bed - I picked out my favorites!!!!!

Brother had a hard time deciding what he wanted to be. Last year he was Micheal Vick, but this year he felt too cool for any of that. I tried to convince him to be Micheal Vick again and let his sisters be his fighting dogs, but he didn't go for that!!!

Happy Halloween

Oh What BIG Fun!!!

We went to the church for a Trunk-or-Treat and for a Fall Festival all in one! The children and the adults had a blast! I did not get a whole lot of shots... I was to busy swinging my BLOND hair! The girls decided not to be Hannah Montana so SOMEBODY had to wear the wig...!

The model before you is sporting a lovely green polyester jacket and matching pants! The red lipstick makes the ensemble!
I am beside an Auburn cheerleader and a scarecrow and her "twin" another scarecrow!! These are my buddies from our HomeTeam! We saw a couple of our other members...but they were not in costume!! I think the adults had as much fun as the children did. When husband arrived I think he was a little shocked to see his bride blond! He kept telling everyone he was taking a blond home...

Organizing One Room At A Time

I am getting organized with Organized Junkie!
I am going to organize my storage pantry and my girls bedroom. I have a couple of clever ideas that I hope to pull off.

First I have to remember to take BEFORE pictures. I will keep you posted on my progress. I really should tackle our walk-in attic, but that is too much work!

If you decide to take the challenge let me know! I could use the motivation! You know how competitive I am! ;)

Rite Aid Deals!

I know I am crazy about saving money... I want to show you what I got for FREE!!! Actually I paid $2.43 in tax, but really it was free. Eckerds was bought out by Rite Aid and we have one on the other side of town! Rite Aid offers "Single-Check Rebates" that you process online - no mailing, copying, stamps, etc. All you have to do is enter the receipt number online.


Here is what I earned for free: two Oral B toothbrushes, Dream hair cream and shampoo(for my frizzy, can't stand this humidity, hair), an extension cord (that I needed for the lamps I moved when I played house yesterday), Contact solution for Husband and sandwich baggies for FREE...FREE...FREEEEEEE. I love this!

I am not sure which I love more, getting items for free or being able to post about them WITH A PICTURE!!!

Okay one more picture!! This is what Harley does when I let him out - Sunbathes. He will sit on the porch for hours watching the cars go by! He is not in a fence, chained up or even have an electric fence. Such a Simple Life!