tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58899618561745171262024-02-19T11:41:17.511-05:00For the Love of SewingStephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-75020197585333509922011-08-21T17:05:00.004-04:002011-08-21T17:11:04.232-04:00Jackpot!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">I looove to go garage sale-ing! I'm fortunate to live in an area that has many high end neighborhoods, and let me tell you, rich people have GREAT stuff! This is one of my best scores ever. The first stop at this sale I bought the khaki skirt (Ann Taylor), the red sweater (Van Heusen), the denim jacket (Coldwater Creek) and the two blue and white blouses (Liz Claiborne and Style & Co). After a little negotiating I paid $12 for all. Yes, $12 for these gorgeous, like-brand new clothes!<br />
It was only our third stop so I had to walk away from many other pieces. I have to pace my carefully allotted spending money, but boy did I love these clothes. What are the odds of finding clothes exactly my style and IN MY SIZE!!<br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbxGOAXN8tKzFbJPPQH9EgV4sDz4sdSGQRf2KjGeSuGZI9l6rQBeAKqPSAlyXLbD6I2r3U7_6MvkTSkpgIyMs_wqeB7gKoMutBJsGus2cH8qzcNz8f9qQesh3x6bNWHFhJYn9TNbkjqI/s1600/100_7179.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbxGOAXN8tKzFbJPPQH9EgV4sDz4sdSGQRf2KjGeSuGZI9l6rQBeAKqPSAlyXLbD6I2r3U7_6MvkTSkpgIyMs_wqeB7gKoMutBJsGus2cH8qzcNz8f9qQesh3x6bNWHFhJYn9TNbkjqI/s320/100_7179.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONkdTK3yrISln_yPMR07FnTgjIbRA8RmoYdYoz_kALQF24QwNJ3TkCeSz_2dygr5SHdXHYo4DrMd0oqg_f9Ake660s0i5GJpq2Zj8fEkxaVESpmjD9VCX1SoJvGE9qAspufq8a9ZiU6E/s1600/100_7181.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONkdTK3yrISln_yPMR07FnTgjIbRA8RmoYdYoz_kALQF24QwNJ3TkCeSz_2dygr5SHdXHYo4DrMd0oqg_f9Ake660s0i5GJpq2Zj8fEkxaVESpmjD9VCX1SoJvGE9qAspufq8a9ZiU6E/s320/100_7181.JPG" /></a> </div>Fast forward to on our way home. Flock Warden says "let's stop back at that sale where you found all those clothes you liked". Now I am not one to ever say no to a garage sale, but I was tired and only had $3 left. "No, I'm happy with what I got earlier and we're about out of money." You know what he does? (I adore this man for so many reasons, this is just one) He pulls out two five dollar bills that he has squirreled away in his wallet and tells me to go get some more of those beautiful clothes!<br />
Three embroidered skirts and the burgundy jacket later, I am one happy girl!<br />
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</div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-60015258172480018042011-08-06T19:46:00.000-04:002011-08-06T19:46:43.217-04:00Going, Going, GONE!I feel like I've just lost about 100 pounds! There's nothing like cleaning out to make a girl feel like she's got a good excuse to go (or keep) shopping. We had a <b>huge </b>garage sale a few weeks ago. We spent weeks unpacking boxes and boxes of stuff that head been packed away in our garage for the last three years. Hundreds of items were cleaned, and priced then brought out, placed on tables, tarps and anything else we could find. Signs were made, ads were placed and our hopes were high. After nearly four hours, we had made a fistful of money but had only sold about 1/10th of everything. <i>Lord, please don't make me have to pack this stuff up again</i>. We couldn't even get it all to Goodwill in one truckload! Prayers answered, a lovely lady from a local church asked if we would be willing to donate the leftovers and they would pick them up. Yes, yes, YES!! Turns out this is the church that has the absolute biggest and best sale every year (I go at least twice each year!), so let's hope I don't end up re-buying my own stuff!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9fI-JpU1sc-BIw287cCtiUijPAHAA5us-gC7Ku1G1yLW18sfT7ggDXaxZ5PPJyRWvpi9D5MEAu2TehheHrgxLnbrJ6Jq4vuMEbrAyRXx7lTwXI3XNQhjS6qx_7XeO6AVHeRxb_-3mnY/s1600/100_7148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9fI-JpU1sc-BIw287cCtiUijPAHAA5us-gC7Ku1G1yLW18sfT7ggDXaxZ5PPJyRWvpi9D5MEAu2TehheHrgxLnbrJ6Jq4vuMEbrAyRXx7lTwXI3XNQhjS6qx_7XeO6AVHeRxb_-3mnY/s320/100_7148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="main-title" itemprop="name" style="font-size: 22px; line-height: 30px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div id="product-details" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 50em;"></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-39366160999080573182011-06-27T19:11:00.000-04:002011-06-27T19:11:45.576-04:00Mother's Day, Father's Day and a Couple of New AdditionsSummer is HERE. We're on our lazy day, don't have to be anywhere schedule! I haven't sewn very much these last few weeks but I think I have a good excuse, or a couple of good excuses actually. I finished the coupon organizers for my mom and sister for Mother's Day and a few heat rice bags for the men in our family for Father's Day by the last day of school (my goal!) and that's been it.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As for my newest distractions, meet Olive and Lily. Olive came to us from my beloved nieces. Yes, the same ones who gave us Lila (see <i>If You Give Your Aunt a Goldfish </i>post.) Olive came out of the woods during the girls' horse lesson. Quite a miracle considering her dark coloring and the fact that she only weighed 13 ounces! The girls searched for a home for a few days until I saw that she was a black kitten. (I have a soft spot for all black animals, they have always been my best pets.) Well, I just had to have her! Needless to say she is the center of attention around here. There's nothing like a new baby in the house!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lily is another story. We were garage sale-ing a couple of Saturdays ago, on our way home, when we decided to follow one last sign. The nice family was already packing up for the day. Then I saw it...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">'Free bunny to good home. Cage, food, bedding all included'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Did you find a home for your bunny?" <i>Please say yes, please say yes...</i>I think you can see how that turned out! Lily now lives in our family room, gets fresh fruits and greens and has a built in playmate in Olive!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_JtzPZyl-HfXfD_TV_lui4ekyuYyMHAVaBf0y40nv50QnO46WxrZKvW1cMv6Xjxhql0_EqgMAakJlfL1pNiKQiHZl_KvXCmQBZI9pUIwAkTUHEGPqEtLA6_Ir3uJfBRnfTj6zYI9fk0/s1600/100_6998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_JtzPZyl-HfXfD_TV_lui4ekyuYyMHAVaBf0y40nv50QnO46WxrZKvW1cMv6Xjxhql0_EqgMAakJlfL1pNiKQiHZl_KvXCmQBZI9pUIwAkTUHEGPqEtLA6_Ir3uJfBRnfTj6zYI9fk0/s320/100_6998.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The menagerie grows again!</div><br />
<span id="goog_260552505"></span><span id="goog_260552506"></span>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-11812700452250308212011-04-21T16:30:00.000-04:002011-04-21T16:30:53.547-04:00Extreme Baking, Eating and Pretty Good Couponing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LFiRXw6EEjQh6KQ26srr5VUORzEo3WNzJapGmX4mj37_mlnb1nj60R5Hj2yTkNR2kxzhY17YnzLoVB5ooGP4CCPV5qANHi7W8AAZSyf5aF7bWb8ZepF7VqRVt1aR1uubMzNFwOuZLe4/s1600/100_6935.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LFiRXw6EEjQh6KQ26srr5VUORzEo3WNzJapGmX4mj37_mlnb1nj60R5Hj2yTkNR2kxzhY17YnzLoVB5ooGP4CCPV5qANHi7W8AAZSyf5aF7bWb8ZepF7VqRVt1aR1uubMzNFwOuZLe4/s320/100_6935.JPG" /></a><br />
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There's been a lot of buzzing lately about <a href="http://press.discovery.com/us/tlc/programs/extreme-couponing/">TLC's Extreme Couponing</a>, a show all about families who use hundreds of coupons to get groceries for mere pennies on the dollar. While I do enjoy the entertainment factor of this show, it's not very realistic for my family. My boys (Flock Warden included) would be <em>extremely </em>disappointed if I came home with 40 bottles of mustard and 110 bags of croutons for the week, even if I only spent $2.30! I am getting better at this couponing game, but not at the expense of our true passion around here, <strong>extreme eating</strong>! In the last ten days I have made a key lime pie, a tray of peanut butter cup brownies, two homemade pizzas and an apple pie. The key lime was not a huge hit. I used regular limes and it was very, well, lime-y. Fortunately our little flock of hens, a.k.a. 'the girls' had no objections at all, finishing a half of pie in less than 10 minutes. The tray of brownies on the other hand were a bigger success. Two teenage boys, one pan of fudgy brownies loaded with their favorite candy, you do the math. Gone in a day. Homemade white pizza with spinach was not a hit with the kids, they got their own plain cheese. Flock Warden and I on the other hand <em>really</em> liked it. Gone in one sitting. Extreme eating? I think so. Maybe TLC has a slot open for us?!Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-49221800393008019622011-03-16T10:59:00.004-04:002011-03-25T13:50:09.381-04:00If You Give Your Aunt A Goldfish....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7lFTRXV7adZa0SGupXeqCuANjCC8P71-CH5rjSxA276_wqUw32X4CKK5YqoqPgN61pvaCYFBfNLO_-7Ej1MyY0D5DsQDrlHPXtY7OxroIPzJ12OVRbEuLFFStB0FVR6NfogEOP_29ko/s1600/100_6896.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7lFTRXV7adZa0SGupXeqCuANjCC8P71-CH5rjSxA276_wqUw32X4CKK5YqoqPgN61pvaCYFBfNLO_-7Ej1MyY0D5DsQDrlHPXtY7OxroIPzJ12OVRbEuLFFStB0FVR6NfogEOP_29ko/s320/100_6896.JPG" /></a><br />
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If you give your aunt a goldfish she'll probably want a nice big fish tank to keep it in. Once she has the tank, she'll probably decide she wants a nice quiet filter for it. So she'll want to go to Petsmart to get a nice quiet filter. While she's there she'll probably see all the pretty plants and decorations and decide that a fish should have a nice home to live in too. So she'll probably talk your uncle into getting some of the pretty plants and decorations. When she talks to the nice people who work at Petsmart, she'll realize that a goldfish should have water conditioner, special food, fishy vitamins and whole array of other great things! After all this shopping, she's probably going to want a snack. She'll probably talk your uncle into stopping for ice cream. When she is finished with her ice cream she'll be all excited about getting home to decorate the fish tank. When she feels how cold and deep the water is, she'll probably just want to supervise while your uncle decorates the fish tank. When the tank is suitable for goldfish habitation, she'll move the goldfish in and watch intently to be sure the goldfish is happy.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioyqutdAZvLwLSGQtqCBhxJVodm9R3POWH_NNNfp4d3S0lr-f5SlL0GivMsSELxRnZ4VjcQxZYWruNjgIWzOOnMcxNqBfTFHkgOD0tdmNVhZxF_3nc4RRjd7mUu9ngeEQPGKcD3YdW0k/s1600/100_6902.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioyqutdAZvLwLSGQtqCBhxJVodm9R3POWH_NNNfp4d3S0lr-f5SlL0GivMsSELxRnZ4VjcQxZYWruNjgIWzOOnMcxNqBfTFHkgOD0tdmNVhZxF_3nc4RRjd7mUu9ngeEQPGKcD3YdW0k/s320/100_6902.JPG" /></a><br />
The next day, your aunt will probably think that having one little goldfish in such a big tank is really kind of silly. So she'll probably decide that the goldfish needs some friends....<br />
<br />
Meet Lila, the newest addition to the menagerie. Generously given to me by my beloved nieces, they have no idea the monster they've created!<br />
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**This post is a play on one of my favorite children's books, <em>If You Give A Mouse A Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff. </em>If you aren't familiar with it, I would highly recommend you get this book and read it to your favorite little people!Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-63017729072579936342011-03-04T12:59:00.004-05:002011-03-25T13:47:01.680-04:00Fabric Softener GIVEAWAY!<a href="http://www.purexinsiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/purex-crystals-hero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" l6="true" src="http://www.purexinsiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/purex-crystals-hero.jpg" width="320" /></a>The nice people at Purex have sent me a sample of their new fabric softener Purex Complete Crystals Softener. Completely different from anything I have used before, they are crystals! I am really impressed with the performance and that they are 92% natural. I did not know that most fabric softeners are oil based and leave a residue on your clothes. They can even make children's sleepwear less flame retardant! If you would like to give Purex Complete Crystals a try for FREE, visit Purex <a href="http://www.purex.com/MXTQEPZOXYOMU5669AXODMQMFIYLHZ">here</a> then come back and leave me a comment. I will give away coupons for a free bottle of softener to three lucky people on March 30!Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-42487846991954581832011-02-12T19:23:00.000-05:002011-02-12T19:23:44.871-05:00More of the Menagerie...meet Polly!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Just look at that face! Isn't she absolutely adorable? I can't explain why exactly, but I am just smitten with this little creature. Most nights I bring her into bed with me for a nice relaxing pet session and to tell her how cute she is. She lays down, stretches out and entertains the Flock Warden and I with her happy noises and an occasional yawn.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiuOIB4_rh2l6GE_inqm2yo1LoKFH-EVhUJo_YXuDcdXm9c1d1fbI1iZCZ8AtMdi63P7fSmxmOErZC7QiPCXiYgvYZ8FoM9fUzZvXf1-p0T-Ij8QtqbQTpI6kMJ695lcIOVF7uulRC2Y/s1600/Picture+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiuOIB4_rh2l6GE_inqm2yo1LoKFH-EVhUJo_YXuDcdXm9c1d1fbI1iZCZ8AtMdi63P7fSmxmOErZC7QiPCXiYgvYZ8FoM9fUzZvXf1-p0T-Ij8QtqbQTpI6kMJ695lcIOVF7uulRC2Y/s320/Picture+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">During the day while the house is quiet, Polly is happy to have the radio playing softly (we don't want her to be lonely while her human is at school!) but when she hears me coming up the stairs she starts her little <em>wheeking</em>. The books say it's because I'm the chuck wagon and the fruits and vegetables I bring are the cause of her joy, but I choose to believe it's reciprocated adoration! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSe8V7V_jQtP7pZIxCy3RJq1KWnrpnfcu2ePymnhroSo22C86HrpAJXN2D690iW71qV2zK9fGLj6J3Dh5ynrDJt_HmoyuL4yGBgcd9LuG-TpG34FQNKC6aY19X4OFT9OtVMz-fvNqnZMg/s1600/Picture+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-77589851498814666392011-02-04T18:27:00.001-05:002011-02-04T18:28:49.015-05:00Something Accomplished FINALLY!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaR1r0aRsNdIFSgneRKOHKjFxucqZjGxKbIg3gvXJ8klyPpcP_Hc56-Kq0Srdr36LX_1Yf2j0UPUahxUZ15dR3VKMgBKN1BP_UOopOypHbGUa6gKav-aHHsB0rZRYnaN1KhtipdJC2w_g/s1600/100_6866.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaR1r0aRsNdIFSgneRKOHKjFxucqZjGxKbIg3gvXJ8klyPpcP_Hc56-Kq0Srdr36LX_1Yf2j0UPUahxUZ15dR3VKMgBKN1BP_UOopOypHbGUa6gKav-aHHsB0rZRYnaN1KhtipdJC2w_g/s320/100_6866.JPG" /></a><br />
It's taken me five weeks, <em>yes five,</em> to complete these projects. I 've been in a creative slump I guess. Today I finally finished and listed these in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewingmenagerie">Etsy</a> shop. You would have thought I was giving birth! Broken needles, shredded thread, fusible web stuck on <strong><em>everything,</em></strong> cutting mistakes and a few minor injuries has made these projects downright painful!</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTcSvPKc1mwWKxLMkQvEcq7Wm8__T2D-HgjUsDcmjwsHqDwwXt2XBBEIz_PdSKqusQA_NnAgLayq85zrntQ0cKpwoEhzpUOUiKN1D8irc6WfOdZVhW6b8oQPm9JRa7a8fwqTTiD-Ypok/s1600/100_6867.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTcSvPKc1mwWKxLMkQvEcq7Wm8__T2D-HgjUsDcmjwsHqDwwXt2XBBEIz_PdSKqusQA_NnAgLayq85zrntQ0cKpwoEhzpUOUiKN1D8irc6WfOdZVhW6b8oQPm9JRa7a8fwqTTiD-Ypok/s320/100_6867.JPG" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovAdLjnzdAEB-zbV27WWIQT0wklBngjkVKLQhgevkpQ8avRcMIpj_ulq2L9atChEWs8ATWY4uorM6K5yXpDaWb1pzhR_6DVfVNhuxeUxg0lKsngUMq1cjJG1yeP7nDI0rqLFAfE2MHDI/s1600/100_6853.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovAdLjnzdAEB-zbV27WWIQT0wklBngjkVKLQhgevkpQ8avRcMIpj_ulq2L9atChEWs8ATWY4uorM6K5yXpDaWb1pzhR_6DVfVNhuxeUxg0lKsngUMq1cjJG1yeP7nDI0rqLFAfE2MHDI/s320/100_6853.JPG" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The best part was getting to Bedazzle stuff! It really is fun, and easy (I am always grateful for anything that's actually easy!) I'm looking around for more stuff to Bedazzle. I'm thinking headbands, bags and a denim jacket I saw lying around. Mmm, maybe I'm starting to get my sewing mojo back.</div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-46683411640700926472011-02-02T18:57:00.000-05:002011-02-02T18:57:02.725-05:00Couponing Part 2...The Drug Store<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qnFCJK_mK2G19qYB_Jhc55-Tynoh9WAbYV_CZ7lRuWBLwbSD0di2MvbSPSxAShlfdm0CqiKCeZH64Q8FBVXQwquOmMS979AWR0ivCY96cCUwwb_CAwsBgvwP8gDvn7wJ8qGVmTy1uck/s1600/Coupon_Clipping_Shoestring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qnFCJK_mK2G19qYB_Jhc55-Tynoh9WAbYV_CZ7lRuWBLwbSD0di2MvbSPSxAShlfdm0CqiKCeZH64Q8FBVXQwquOmMS979AWR0ivCY96cCUwwb_CAwsBgvwP8gDvn7wJ8qGVmTy1uck/s320/Coupon_Clipping_Shoestring.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Tuesday: I have delayed writing this post, hoping I would have some great story to tell about saving money at the drugstore. I think I might grow old waiting for that to happen. I know it's possible, just read what the ladies at <a href="http://wildforwags.com/">Wild for Wags</a> or <a href="http://iheartcvs.com/">I Heart CVS</a> have to say. I try really hard. I'm organized, I have a list, I have my coupons, I have read and memorized the scenarios these ladies offer, but I just can't seem to get right! Surly cashiers, beeping computers and empty shelves are just a few of my recent experiences. In theory, Extra Bucks and Register Rewards are like free money, but ONLY if you get it right! <br />
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Wednesday: Today I went to my local Walgreens with five items on my list and they were out of two. I was ready to chalk this up to my typical drugstore experience. I had a few other errands to run so I stopped at another Walgreens that was on my way. EUREKA!! I hit paydirt with this store! Orderly, everything in stock and a <em>pleasant </em>cashier! I spent a total of $12.47 for nearly $60 worth of stuff and I left with $10 in Register Rewards!! Woohoo! (I actually made $7 in the whole deal!) I will definitely drive the extra miles next time, it beats making two trips. <br />
So I guess it can be done. Here's what I've learned:<br />
<ul><li>Start small. Get only a few things that are on sale and/or you have coupons for, until you get the hang of Rewards/Bucks. Then learn to do the multi-transaction deals.</li>
<li>Know your prices. Drugstore prices can be high but they often have great sales. Paired with coupons and Rewards/Bucks you can save a bundle.</li>
<li>Know your store. My experience is that high traffic stores can't keep up the supply-demand thing.</li>
<li>Stack your coupons. The same principle applies here as it does in the grocery store. Stacking store coupons and manufacturer coupons = big bucks in savings!</li>
<li>Register Rewards (Walgreens) are manufacturer coupons that can be used in other stores. I've used them in Target and Publix, so hold on to them if you don't need anything else in the drugstore.</li>
</ul>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-2900232865153499172011-01-17T10:16:00.000-05:002011-01-17T10:16:02.261-05:00Money Saving Monday...Cleaning Up for Less<a href="http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/gomestic/2007/08/27/53633_6.jpg"><img height="127" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=407834207918&id=0ff9cf21b0c4a3a14735971cd1a9930a" width="200" /></a><br />
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Okay, I admit it. I'm cheap. It's true, I cannot bring myself to pay full price for anything or waste <em>anything. </em>I use coupons for just about everything, stalk items I want until the price is reduced and just generally count each and every penny as if it were my last. The flip side of this neurotic behavior is that I save a TON of money every year. Reducing the amount of cleaning products we buy not only saves us money, but keeps our homes free of unwanted chemicals and helps protect our environment. My mom is queen of dollar stretching (without the neurosis!) and we're always sharing ideas about how to make our dollars go farther. Recently we discussed using white vinegar for cleaning. I have always used it to clean my tile and wood floors, but there are a million other uses as well.<br />
<ul><li>Dilute 1/2 cup per half gallon of water for floors</li>
<li>Use in place of rinse agent in the dishwasher</li>
<li>Run through automatic coffee maker on brew, then run another brew cycle with water to remove hard water deposits</li>
<li>Mix with equal part of water for general cleaning/deodorizing </li>
<li>In a spray bottle, the half and half solution will help keep mildew and hard water stains out of your shower</li>
<li>Two tablespoons to a pint of water to clean fresh fruits and veggies.</li>
</ul>A few more ideas for stretching our cleaning supplies: <br />
<ul><li>Use half or a third of a dryer sheet and/or use it twice.</li>
<li>Buy 'select-a-size' paper towels. I love Bounty paper towels! I can use a half of a 'select-a-size' for almost any small job and I can reuse a towel for covering food in the microwave again and again. Bargain paper towels are no bargain if you go through a roll a week.</li>
<li>Reuse parchment paper, foil, ziplock bags and plastic wrap whenever possible. Sometimes a quick wipe is all you need to make these good as new again.</li>
</ul>These are just a few of the thing I do to save. What ideas do have for cleaning up for less?Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-61628405272863386212011-01-10T18:42:00.001-05:002011-01-10T18:45:32.737-05:00Some of the Menagerie...Meet Ranger!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Ranger is one of the smaller members of our family, although <i>he </i>doesn't think so. He was a gift from my beloved neighbor and friend. She had gone to get a puppy and Ranger was going to be left by himself. He<br />
hadn't been adopted yet (he was at that awkward puppy stage) so they just gave him to her! <br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Ranger has grown up with all big dogs, including our great dane and our german shepherd. He has no idea that he is small, NONE. He has no fear of any other animals with the exception of our matriarch chicken Rosie. He loves to eat, ride in the car, eat, play with our youngest, eat, play with the german shepherd, eat, chase chickens, oh and did I mention he loooooves to eat? </div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreB8-5KpJ-m4C1bjZgXND6lX_6wjSABl_8BpGhBdX1-IvjjE2e2sNU_0C_8AaV9wT5GmokvdfIGoy1x4cxRsoFfZViXCAsnNp9ewf5HPizaIlvn3mB3jAhrBPAkI3cch4SIGmNBMwbhs/s1600/Ranger.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreB8-5KpJ-m4C1bjZgXND6lX_6wjSABl_8BpGhBdX1-IvjjE2e2sNU_0C_8AaV9wT5GmokvdfIGoy1x4cxRsoFfZViXCAsnNp9ewf5HPizaIlvn3mB3jAhrBPAkI3cch4SIGmNBMwbhs/s320/Ranger.jpg" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjfhoz5S-BJEEbLlQ8Atju7t-M4YbcMlPgq7qED03xYQ62ka27zuywL6Mo_UyLWaRTPxZv9AmicW6J8Mj60F4M_6Tdqiuquv-iPOm0xi59gjBqP4UYkz7NXCIonyvsnnJwh9gI35Oly8/s1600/Rangers+haircut.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjfhoz5S-BJEEbLlQ8Atju7t-M4YbcMlPgq7qED03xYQ62ka27zuywL6Mo_UyLWaRTPxZv9AmicW6J8Mj60F4M_6Tdqiuquv-iPOm0xi59gjBqP4UYkz7NXCIonyvsnnJwh9gI35Oly8/s320/Rangers+haircut.jpg" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Before and after his summer haircut!</div><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWphDy6eFJoa6igzk8iIicMghi3990IBJMgewP-0npQZWtUldMWXxhXIfpWc8J2jaY_thu6LM5QU5TLHH2sxWUv0xFDpbIoQPJ5Lt0jCQap5GhJfB1vkTnX8pSPgYyp7D5lEao_qHkIE/s1600/Shaved+Ranger.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWphDy6eFJoa6igzk8iIicMghi3990IBJMgewP-0npQZWtUldMWXxhXIfpWc8J2jaY_thu6LM5QU5TLHH2sxWUv0xFDpbIoQPJ5Lt0jCQap5GhJfB1vkTnX8pSPgYyp7D5lEao_qHkIE/s320/Shaved+Ranger.jpg" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhg1pqwGC81uMV4ue2_oH0WM793GIi1DvPXnzejZORL_zw7Eo82C8LHOTH_D9VFC0DULHKEkR9Txzy0Uk3Ia-mDnR86F49oBdxFGSPG7hK3Mr43mL4QqfeHWob4E6LF5HX2ypEmV3KThc/s1600/Ranger+Driving.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhg1pqwGC81uMV4ue2_oH0WM793GIi1DvPXnzejZORL_zw7Eo82C8LHOTH_D9VFC0DULHKEkR9Txzy0Uk3Ia-mDnR86F49oBdxFGSPG7hK3Mr43mL4QqfeHWob4E6LF5HX2ypEmV3KThc/s320/Ranger+Driving.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">We don't really let him drive the boat, he hasn't passed the test yet!</div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-50163030622695391902011-01-04T18:18:00.001-05:002011-01-04T18:21:04.275-05:00Television Worth Watching<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><img height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-sVEk_tE-XbvayvglrrUo4qf4hr_wNA6N2DIIsk5rDnI9RV37JKKbN2fF_TGhnW7CNCYcIBdXlySUjluhqhS4yc-IYnDq-Ym3DFP-QctLbFUYbw4-JqVB74t4b1fI3fHgEf9fe-J31Y/s320/petkeeping.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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It seems today with our hundreds of channels on cable television that there is so little worth watching. When I actually find something enjoyable, I have to talk about it! Yesterday I recorded a new show on Hallmark Channel called <a href="http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/petkeepingwithmarcmorrone/home">Pet Keeping with Marc Morrone</a>. We watched one episode during half time of the Orange Bowl (this should give you an idea of who holds the remote around here!) I have seen Marc on Martha Stewart over the years and liked his natural connection with all kinds of animals. His pet ferret Splash receives more fan mail than he does. You gotta love a guy who's not afraid to admit that! I love that he is a shelter adoption advocate and that he lives with all kinds of pets of his own. This show is geared toward a younger audience but it is entertaining as well as educational. If you have your own menagerie, would like to or just love animals, this is thirty minutes you won't regret spending in front of the tube.Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-65805962472804998322010-12-15T10:13:00.002-05:002010-12-16T18:36:17.288-05:00Bewitched, Bewildered and Bedazzled!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"></div>About six months ago the Flock Warden and I were in bed watching <a href="http://www.diynetwork.com/creative-juice/show/index.html">Creative Juice</a> (well, I was watching he was reading something chicken or science related, I'm sure) and I saw them use a Bedazzler. "Will you look at that, I haven't seen one of those in 30 years!" I think his response was something like "uh huh". I'm going to look for one the next time I go garage sale-ing!" More 'uh huhs'. <br />
Fast forward a few months to the height of garage sale season. There were so many neighborhood sales that weekend that I had to actually choose which ones to go to--not enough hours in the day to cover them all, which I would normally try to do. The first sale I get out at, I see it. Still in the box, an original from 30 years ago (just look at the nails on the cover!) My heart starts beating faster. I immediately pick it up just in case someone else dreams of studding everything in their house. The nice owner comes over and tells me that she's had it forever thinks she used it maybe once. All the parts and pieces are intact. I hold my breath waiting for the price. A dollar she tells me, A DOLLAR!! <br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67kKUq1JS-IQGSHMrFKNqvuqLE7yXay2HGajpWdgRl8xd3S0K8joPOiVG8oDZE6i_ERdDmZne6pci8FVbZyvHxMLHzP3Aw2ds3ba-zJW8-Iu3R5ed8g_U6VvMQRinLnGNNaOMaaZ1hsY/s1600/100_6841.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67kKUq1JS-IQGSHMrFKNqvuqLE7yXay2HGajpWdgRl8xd3S0K8joPOiVG8oDZE6i_ERdDmZne6pci8FVbZyvHxMLHzP3Aw2ds3ba-zJW8-Iu3R5ed8g_U6VvMQRinLnGNNaOMaaZ1hsY/s320/100_6841.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxlhvVMqiRG6EzuV7d23KDuK5BQmoCOQn9XJBEzIq3RT4BAUjDFfaQLG-CJlzLk7jZTDIBGVtwOgi25_717lU3fk0yKr6YiG5SgGE9ap4DR_-SSjmYgbIcIoUYr-CfIp1x_rl1ye0_ag/s1600/100_6842.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxlhvVMqiRG6EzuV7d23KDuK5BQmoCOQn9XJBEzIq3RT4BAUjDFfaQLG-CJlzLk7jZTDIBGVtwOgi25_717lU3fk0yKr6YiG5SgGE9ap4DR_-SSjmYgbIcIoUYr-CfIp1x_rl1ye0_ag/s320/100_6842.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I come home and spend the next few weeks searching for the rhinestones and studs everywhere. I mention to my mom that I can't locate them anywhere. The next day she sends me the link to Joanns online with a whole assortment of stones and studs! How does she do that? The packages are about $6, but with a coupon or sale I know I can do better. So I wait. And wait. Now I'm stalking them online. The go on sale for $4. Perfect! I'll order them now. Checkout says $6 for shipping. NO WAY I am paying more for shipping than the actual stones! More stalking (and sulking) until Cyber Monday comes along. Surely they will have free shipping now. The stones are on sale for $3.19, a steal! Back to checkout, still $6! Now I'm getting crazy. Okay, I'll Google search for a coupon code. Sure enough <a href="http://www.couponcabin.com/">Coupon Cabin</a> has one for free shipping, and it works! Of course, at that price I had to buy two!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VLAota3VatZ3JFktNMp1p8NzKA2r1Epwy_GapOvrpHnBmA2x7b5QN8SE1unPEPsgKyMR_uZV_oYoR-mLdNJiwYSpqRq-u6gb88S7LU1T_8F-fElzw_BgzxAZwA3CfMfX6Deaf4Yjmqs/s1600/100_6843.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VLAota3VatZ3JFktNMp1p8NzKA2r1Epwy_GapOvrpHnBmA2x7b5QN8SE1unPEPsgKyMR_uZV_oYoR-mLdNJiwYSpqRq-u6gb88S7LU1T_8F-fElzw_BgzxAZwA3CfMfX6Deaf4Yjmqs/s320/100_6843.JPG" /></a><br />
Now I just have to decide what to Bedazzle first. Maybe the Flock Warden would like me to Bedazzle his name on that nice canvas fishing gear bag I gave him for his birthday. Hmm.</div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-21713858355848691362010-12-13T15:19:00.000-05:002010-12-13T15:19:04.327-05:00Bags, Beads and Blankies, Oh My!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Tis' the season to be busy! Trying to finish up all the WIPs and Christmas gifts I've started. I found the pattern for these little bags online and couldn't wait to make them. I've had these raincoat fabrics for about a year just waiting for the perfect project. The bags gave me a chance to make something girly with them, something I don't get to do very often around here living with three guys! Each measures about 5 by 9 inches and are both available in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewingmenagerie">Etsy</a> shop.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkMQayAD2RbrHy3O-SDHZL5J6SdR75xw6Mgpt0ZCplO2MBCcJ6WHPURY-_Gtud2Bqr_ZWGyt1vOph_b9ztmt-V4mf3qlZaE3zYQEjMvBN6H-KZGKoop-NRSr_Ix5lgbJhVxOE8NKlDLk/s1600/100_6794.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkMQayAD2RbrHy3O-SDHZL5J6SdR75xw6Mgpt0ZCplO2MBCcJ6WHPURY-_Gtud2Bqr_ZWGyt1vOph_b9ztmt-V4mf3qlZaE3zYQEjMvBN6H-KZGKoop-NRSr_Ix5lgbJhVxOE8NKlDLk/s320/100_6794.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLVwv0GNU_JEqBXDkXr7zJV86-E145Q-3TVAkz-vNLARtOoKtKnytz96Ew7y-PjgBqa5ti2xJxqTCGQ7Z30gcDktF-Wlex9ux-ZjwMZEdhyeeM74lNJvzmFDsi_m3L4HLyFOAuPqFzD4/s1600/100_6792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLVwv0GNU_JEqBXDkXr7zJV86-E145Q-3TVAkz-vNLARtOoKtKnytz96Ew7y-PjgBqa5ti2xJxqTCGQ7Z30gcDktF-Wlex9ux-ZjwMZEdhyeeM74lNJvzmFDsi_m3L4HLyFOAuPqFzD4/s320/100_6792.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I made these necklaces a while ago thinking I would actually wear them. Then I remembered that the dogs are generally not impressed by bling. I did try to feed them once in my high heels but my heel got caught in the deck, resulting in a moderate amount on cursing and a delay in the delivery from the chuck wagon. They were definitely <em>not </em>impressed. Hopefully a lucky lady with a little more glam in her life will give these pretties a new home. Also available in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewingmenagerie">Etsy</a> shop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZWFSjBbC2gnpn94eqhzIaWe3QtRuCDFS9iv13s8_Tu7QBZUu_FuIUlpBUFiQiawAGjBFfCqcB3NvFzj7KuOcQG-fhsFsFAfmlFnfx8ccpYwUrvtMwhsSGsEj0xPz2I5uFP2rLUaT89w/s1600/100_6808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZWFSjBbC2gnpn94eqhzIaWe3QtRuCDFS9iv13s8_Tu7QBZUu_FuIUlpBUFiQiawAGjBFfCqcB3NvFzj7KuOcQG-fhsFsFAfmlFnfx8ccpYwUrvtMwhsSGsEj0xPz2I5uFP2rLUaT89w/s320/100_6808.JPG" width="272" /></a></div>And lastly, flannel blankets for my favorite tiny people. I embroidered the back with their names, rounded the corners and tried out some stitches I never get to use. Super fun! <br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilS1cKDebZJzuua0mlgRnIQ5p3Y5y0DFrjFpSpsfUU2DpnAiunJ743TOJDvpAs9D9P4ku0hPNK4HdZ2G2ccQE4QWN4ZCDNVgsJnzUXUm4_GuiAJ6r8ZMiQveCypNRbbjpxWDxD2PtggGg/s1600/100_6838.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilS1cKDebZJzuua0mlgRnIQ5p3Y5y0DFrjFpSpsfUU2DpnAiunJ743TOJDvpAs9D9P4ku0hPNK4HdZ2G2ccQE4QWN4ZCDNVgsJnzUXUm4_GuiAJ6r8ZMiQveCypNRbbjpxWDxD2PtggGg/s320/100_6838.JPG" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZoZeSSsyy8ajHZR-jVwuFJaws7oA5ruGfB7fUJFsOov9kworrwipAp6gwOXcl-9jaQtl59cDYdxQ4qMH0SRZt5dPZzs8MkbL8Y5RpE5WL8hVkHnzOc7BAD3mE7v8IVZ_-O-Z0hFmfFc/s1600/100_6840.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZoZeSSsyy8ajHZR-jVwuFJaws7oA5ruGfB7fUJFsOov9kworrwipAp6gwOXcl-9jaQtl59cDYdxQ4qMH0SRZt5dPZzs8MkbL8Y5RpE5WL8hVkHnzOc7BAD3mE7v8IVZ_-O-Z0hFmfFc/s320/100_6840.JPG" width="320" /></a>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-3030825758084286182010-12-03T08:45:00.000-05:002010-12-03T08:45:08.192-05:00Couponing Part 1.5 The Grocery StoreI thought of a few more things worth mentioning about couponing:<br />
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Share what you have. Not going to use all of those 11 boxes of rice? Over your canned peas and jello cravings? Keep a bag or box in your pantry for items to donate. Here in Central Florida there are many food banks who are in need of groceries all year long.<br />
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Be a coupon fairy. If you decide not to purchase something you have a coupon for just leave your coupon on the shelf in front of the item. You'll make someones day!<br />
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Pass your coupons on. Military families can use coupons up to 6 months after they expire. You can find a list of addresses to send coupons to <a href="http://www.grocerysavingtips.com/expiredgrocerycoupons.htm">here</a>.Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-36624079993945742692010-12-02T14:28:00.002-05:002010-12-02T18:26:18.033-05:00Couponing Part 1 The Grocery Store<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:oLUEYxx97kxX5M:http://www.distinctivemarketing.net/images/reusable_shopping_bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:oLUEYxx97kxX5M:http://www.distinctivemarketing.net/images/reusable_shopping_bag.jpg" /></a></div>Like most people we have felt the effects of the economy in our home. Making ends meet is a constant challenge for us. We have cut back or cut out all non essentials. Having said that, I have to tell you that in our house we are <em>all about food!</em> I live with three guys who can put away a serious amount of groceries. We seldom eat out so that means I am making three meals a day for four people-who can eat A LOT. What's a mom to do? S-T-R-E-T-C-H those grocery dollars by couponing of course! I have always been careful, shopping sales and cutting coupons but today there are so many resources available that it's even easier to get more coupons and, thanks to the hard work of a few very smart women, to get the best possible deals (see my list of favorites to the right.) I save anywhere from $40 to $80 weekly, feeding my family of four for about $110 per week. So here's my routine for saving at the grocery store:<br />
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1. Keep a running list. As soon as you think of something you need, write it down. I keep mine in order of the aisles of my favorite store.<br />
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2. Plan your meals. I know this seems strange to a lot of people. You don't have to have a rigid schedule of what you're eating when but it helps if you have five or more meals planned out. You can ensure that you have all the ingredients you need and add any you don't to your list.<br />
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3. Get the Sunday paper. Those coupon inserts more than pay for the paper.<br />
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4. Find your favorite money saving blogs/websites and check them daily. It takes only a few minutes, and if there are really good coupons or offers out there they are often limited and you may miss out on the opportunity to print them if you don't do it right away.<br />
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5. TWO is the magic number. If you see a coupon online for an item you always buy or even think you would like to buy, print two. Usually you can use your browser's back button, but sometimes you have to go back to the original page, choose which coupons you want again and print a second time. Most manufacturers will only allow two prints. You will be thrilled when these items go on sale or, my particular favorite, BOGO (buy one get one free) and you have that extra coupon to double your savings.<br />
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6. Look everywhere for coupons! Up and down the aisles of the grocery store, store displays, the customer service counter and those little blinkie things. Remember TWO is the magic number (not twenty!). Even if you're not buying those items right then, chances are they will go on sale and you will be ready! I have even trained my crew to search them out, my youngest having spotted a $2 peelie on the air filter I was buying... I was delighted!<br />
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7. Know your stores policy on coupons. Ask your store manager if you have any doubts about a coupon <em>before </em>you get to the checkout. My Publix allows one store/competitor coupon and one manufacturer coupon per item. This is called <em>stacking</em>. The store gets reimbursed for manufacturer coupons but not for store/competitor coupons. My particular store will accept all grocery store coupons, Target, Whole Foods, Family Dollar and Dollar General coupons. Stacking these is how I save the most money. Be sure the item you buy is the exact same item as on the competitor coupon.<br />
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8. Buddy up. Find a friend who you can trade coupons with. A large family will have different grocery needs than a couple. I often ask my mom and sister for coupons they're not going to use, and I often save my coupons for them.<br />
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9. Inventory and know your "buy" price. Do a sweep inventory once a week adding to your list as needed. Knowing what you have saves you time and money in the store (so you don't end up with four bottles of A-1 sauce and no ketchup for a week!) My "buy" price is $1 or less. If I don't really need something right now but can get it for my "buy" price, then I go ahead and get it. This can be a sale or coupon item, but only non perishables that I know for sure we will use. Which brings us to the final...<br />
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10. Stockpile. When you have the opportunity to get things either super cheap or free, buy as many as you can. Teabags, mayonnaise, mustard and pasta/rice are a few of the items I have stockpiled. If you have ever had to pay nearly $5 for mayo, you can understand why this works.<br />
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If you are new to couponing I hope this helps! If you are a veteran, I hope you will share some of your wisdom. Maybe together we can come up with more ways to eat and live well for less!Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-54722744059489927082010-11-23T17:47:00.001-05:002010-11-24T09:12:27.574-05:00<img border="0" height="236" src="http://www.hellasmultimedia.com/webimages/thanksgiving/images/signs/ccdgivtha.gif" width="307" /><br />
I know at this time of year we all reflect on what we have to be thankful for. I am no different. I know that I am blessed beyond belief and I am grateful beyond measure. I try to never let a day go by without a prayer of thanksgiving. My wonderful family, a roof over our heads and food on our table are more than enough. After thinking about the past year I realized I am also grateful for little things that I take for granted most of time. So here's a small list. What's on your list this year?<br />
I am thankful:<br />
that broken bones, financial woes and weird stomach viruses are not forever, but that my wedding vows are.<br />
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that I have sticky little fingers in my life again, without the labor pains!<br />
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that I live where I never have to drive in snow or on ice.<br />
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that my mom makes the best Thanksgiving dinner. Ever. Period.<br />
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for furry and feathered hugs, and the non furry or feathered kind.<br />
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for my sewing machine, stand mixer and crock pot, in that order. <br />
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that I can ramble on about what I am grateful for, without censorship or fear and I am grateful for the soldiers who protect my right to do so.Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-50795458337280665152010-11-13T15:06:00.001-05:002010-11-13T15:09:35.078-05:00I'm sure there's a good explanation for this<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9P_UZAen9jBmQnD1R0FZPn9HDVfFuxUrR896bfNhQBV8jawwaJkVmjEr0xT7M6fg9xD9ehr6m50W8CSSDvtzYuCxyvf81hnsrCmlRPlxB03yI4mpo7RrpKcP67DdQ4etbS-4-CS63pRc/s1600/100_6780.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9P_UZAen9jBmQnD1R0FZPn9HDVfFuxUrR896bfNhQBV8jawwaJkVmjEr0xT7M6fg9xD9ehr6m50W8CSSDvtzYuCxyvf81hnsrCmlRPlxB03yI4mpo7RrpKcP67DdQ4etbS-4-CS63pRc/s320/100_6780.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is our egg bounty for today. Now, I can live with a day or two with only two eggs from our six chickens, but this is insubordination! What am I going to do with a one inch egg?!! You should know that Rosie, Decker, Hannah, Stella, Sophie and Chloe, aka 'the girls' are the <em>divas </em>of the chicken world. They are treated to fresh fruits and vegetables, greek yogurt, muffins, whole wheat bread (drizzled with olive oil) and a myriad of other treats in addition to their 'certain brand name' chicken food DAILY! The chicken warden keeps a thermometer in their coop, lest they become too hot or too cold. They are free to dust bathe wherever their little hearts desire and we even share whatever is growing in the garden! This is a working household and everyone has to do their part. Their part is laying some decent eggs! I think it might be time to have a flock staff meeting with the big pot and spoon...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHD-YVRJMYtpBanSqC66GEP2GYTtMPUyxQfjtq1qZRvlW3Ltlkqp4R1SgLNHj7nC1ax0k0-RUw-RPSweeg20De8MIVb7NtqBnH1xqDDhts85WUtL2kkMIW4GVplfpZkISdf1MoftJ7qY/s1600/100_6766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHD-YVRJMYtpBanSqC66GEP2GYTtMPUyxQfjtq1qZRvlW3Ltlkqp4R1SgLNHj7nC1ax0k0-RUw-RPSweeg20De8MIVb7NtqBnH1xqDDhts85WUtL2kkMIW4GVplfpZkISdf1MoftJ7qY/s320/100_6766.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-10184602640512263672010-11-07T08:37:00.007-05:002010-11-19T10:51:04.465-05:00Thinking About Christmas<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Been sewing up a storm these last few weeks! Preparing for our church bazaar, finishing up UFOs (unfinished objects) and making these adorable keychains. I made one for each of the girls in my family. They're fun because they will hold cash or gift cards as a gift and later they can carry their identification or credit card in the little pocket on the back. They were super fun to make. The embroidery machine does most of the work, stitch a little, cut a little and turn a few times. Like magic!! Available for sale for $10 each.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1234/5129767226_b2b85393af_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1234/5129767226_b2b85393af_m.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9MunlQZ7NcT5pXqvhpfnmdVuynUpnH-lLs-xmXhV4THhQbknGag8RlkW6nOOcXaOB5k2CxgLVsbw2o6y613512D31vc6TZdYWdT9LVRFu9ILvQftWHHhdwJ8M8z7gWKn5yE2x_yDH04/s1600/100_6738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9MunlQZ7NcT5pXqvhpfnmdVuynUpnH-lLs-xmXhV4THhQbknGag8RlkW6nOOcXaOB5k2CxgLVsbw2o6y613512D31vc6TZdYWdT9LVRFu9ILvQftWHHhdwJ8M8z7gWKn5yE2x_yDH04/s320/100_6738.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv-0brylspo6rnuCfITwGSgPj14Tr3O17uxNcUbRFm6nbUVyXQvbsxVqyd3jTFmrNTeyyFIw7ci6jG8tPvz5b5iAiEPz7TlXHZgd_ioBjJSX-4TYtOF3yn4i2K-qbPqq4LmTdrOGt8Oo/s1600/100_6739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv-0brylspo6rnuCfITwGSgPj14Tr3O17uxNcUbRFm6nbUVyXQvbsxVqyd3jTFmrNTeyyFIw7ci6jG8tPvz5b5iAiEPz7TlXHZgd_ioBjJSX-4TYtOF3yn4i2K-qbPqq4LmTdrOGt8Oo/s320/100_6739.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5889961856174517126.post-14799224688615163252010-10-26T20:42:00.004-04:002010-10-28T18:44:37.077-04:00WelcomeMy house is a chaotic jumble of kids, animals, noise and food! I have one refuge from all this - my sewing room! (you could count the bathroom - even the kids know not to knock on that door). I can go there, turn on my ancient VCR with a 50 cent garage sale movie, and work on whatever project I have going. I am not a professional by any stretch of the imagination but I can make some pretty creative stuff.<br />
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If you walked into my home the first thing that would come to you mind is "menagerie". We are fortunate enough to live on an acre of land north of Orlando that is on a wildlife corridor and backs up to a forest. Besides the resident dogs (3), cats (3), birds (2), and guinea pig (Polly) I volunteer at a wildlife rehab center and have also had raccoons, opossums, squirrels, bats and a variety of other critters as temporary residents around the house. My husband (a former city boy) thinks he is now a farmer and has a flock of chickens in the backyard with a decent size garden and requisite compost heap. Outside visitors include deer (that eat all our shrubs), turkeys, raccoons, armadillos, quail, hawks, snakes (ugh) frogs and some other creepy things I don't want to know about. Mix in the kids - that's a whole other story - and you see why I need to retreat to my sewing room!Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038443654630860120noreply@blogger.com0