Ahhh, it's New Year's Eve...ALREADY!

Where has 2010 gone???  I know everyone says "time flies" but I sure seem to notice it more so now that my kids are both in school!

I have been thinking about the New Year and what changes I want to make, and I have taken this week to start getting those things prepared.  Most people make resolutions that don't last...I am going to make a few each month instead of a list at the beginning of the year that overwhelms me!  I don't want anything to feel like a "chore" otherwise I won't do it at all!

January's List is this...and may change! :)
1.  Loose the extra weight that I am still hanging on to (Eat healthier and get more Exercise)

• I should be able to conquer this goal in a couple of months.  I don't have much to loose!

2.  Get our financial life MORE organized!

• I have savings account that I have neglected, and I plan to use it!
• I set up 10 savings accounts yesterday (things like: Vacation, Auto Repair, Auto Replacement, Auto Registration, Vision expense, and of course our emergency fund that I call our RICH FUND)
• Set up a separate savings account for our business!  (This should help me to keep our $ straight and not have it all lumped together!)
• I am also faithfully taking a % from every check and dividing that up into emergency, taxes, liability insurance, and Retirement)  I plan to raise the % every month!  (We can't do a set amount being self-employed)  (Did you know you should be saving 40% of your income every month?)
• I'm going to try to split my check up into 2 different accounts so that a portion of my little check automatically goes into savings each week!
• Get tax stuff prepared and turned into our accountant by the first part of February!

3.  Spend more time with my kids!  I'm putting time on my schedule each day to spend some time doing something each kid wants with me each day!

4.  Organize and declutter one area each week!

That should do it for January!

Christmas Week Menu

It's that week already!  Time sure flies from the fun overnight Black Friday Shopping to Christmas morning!

Do you have your menu planned for the week?  I worked on it last night and I am trying to utilize the items I have in my pantry...sort of clean out some of the foods that I shouldn't be eating anyway!

Monday: Spaghetti and Salad
Tuesday: Breakfast Night (probably pancakes)
Wednesday: Tacos
Thursday: Big Salad and homemade rolls
Friday (Christmas Eve): Still sticking with our Pizza Friday and we are making Snowmen Pizza!
Saturday (Christmas Day): For breakfast we have Homemade Cinnamon Rolls, Waffles, and Morningstar Breakfast Links, for dinner we are heading to my Father-in-Laws.
Sunday: Left Overs or a Popcorn and Fruit Night

After all the goodies, I like to keep things simple and incorporate fruits and veggies!  Maybe I will make some hummus to dip some veggies in for snacks this week!


I'm linking up to:

Crayola Glow Explosion Spin Magic

Amazon has this great deal for the Crayola Item

It isn't $5.99 anymore, but $9.98 is still a great deal!  Plus you can submit for a $2 Rebate

Thanks! Couponing to Disney
Kristin also has the instructions to get FREE 2 day shipping for joining Amazon Mom
I think my son will enjoy this for Christmas.  I was looking for something really cool that he would enjoy.  I like the $7.98 price tag after the rebate!

Denver Groupon Today

Great Groupon today if you know someone who loves to play Paintball.

Paintball Groupon

$59 for Two People to play

Things to do in Denver during the Holidays

 Here is a great link for things to do during the Holidays!


http://www.denver.org/milehighholidays/holiday-events

Catching up with life is hard sometimes

We have had strep, croup, pink eye, and sinus infections in our house in the past month.  It seems like we just can't get rid of illnesses.  Hoping this is it for our family for the entire winter season...heck, we haven't even hit winter yet.

The hardest part about not being able to catch up is pulling an all nighter shopping with a great friend.  Had a blast, lots of laughs, and got a lot of my shopping completed!  I feel pretty good about being done with shopping in the next week...crossing my fingers I can find some deals this week and finish up. 

I already got my Christmas present...I am typing on my new laptop!  :)  Been waiting for a deal for about a year.  Hubby is happy with his streaming device and I love my laptop!  So much for Christmas surprises...but, I am okay with it, the kids are what make Christmas fun anyway.

Now I must wrap all the presents...but first I must make sure I have everything written down in my Christmas notebook. 

Let's hope for some great deals while I try to catch up with my life.

I believe there is a deal on The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Fantasia.  As soon as I verify that I am correct I will post.  I think you can get both movies for $17.97ish with coupons.

Glade Deal at Target this week

I hit Target today as I needed a few items and I thought I had better check out the Glade scented oil candles.  I LOVE the scent of the cinnamon Holiday candles...so that is what I bought!

I bought 5 for the Gift Card deal (buy 5 get a $5 gift card)
(3) scented oil refills
(2) Scented Oil Candle Holders
5 @ $2.50 each =$12.50
Use (1) $3/3 coupon HERE
Use (2) $1.00 off 1 Any Scented Oil Holder
Pay $8.50 get a $5 gift card...not free...but a pretty good deal, now I have a $5 gift card to do it again!  Then I will pay $3.50 and get a $5 gift card!

B1G1 Free Starbucks

No Coupon needed, just find a participating store and take your best friend out for coffee!  Try out their Holiday coffees!  Sounds like a good excuse for some girl time!

November 18-21st 

B1G1 Free Starbucks!

Great Driscoll Berry Coupon

$.50 off your next Driscoll Berry Purchase

Enjoy!

King Soopers 11/10-11/16

King is running the same deals as last week!  I was counting on this as I didn't get back to get more Annie's Mac and Cheese.  I have 20 boxes to donate to the school's food drive...and I have enough coupons to get more.

I picked up 24 boxes last week along with 2 toothbrushes, 2 boxes of Stove Top Stuffing, 4 boxes of Advil, 2 cans of Chunky Campbell's Soup, 6 cans of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup, and a tub of Dannon Vanilla Yogurt (to offset the effects of the antibiotics that dh is on).
Paid $3.04!!!

They have plenty in stock and I plan to get more for the food drive!  Look for the coupons in the produce section by the Optimal Wellness magazines...it's just a little booklet with the Annie's coupon on back.

I haven't looked over the other deals yet...I will post some more deals if they are to be had!

Getting Organized for Christmas

I am getting prepared for Christmas early this year, and thought that I would share some of the things that I am doing to get it done and not be stressed...along with saving $ on gifts!

Here is my list:
1.  I created a "Control Journal" of sorts to stay organized, here are a couple of good sites/references:

• Organized Home/Christmas
• Fly Lady Holiday Cruising

2.  Ordered and addressed my Christmas Cards...stamps and all!
3.  Today I plan to order the little gifts that I need to send in the mail.
4.  I am also doing Flylady's 27 Fling Boogie today as I do my blessing (this is where you gather up 27 things that are cluttering your home to donate, throw away, or recycle)
5.  Take 15 minutes a day to get some planning done.  Today I am getting my home projects list completed, and adding to my gift ideas list.
6.  Begin purchasing or planning for purchases.

• Black Friday Ad Scans  (Check here for Black Friday ads and plan out your purchases as soon as the ads come out)  There is also a message board for great ideas and sales plans.
• A Full Cup (I love this site for more deal ideas...check out the message boards, they are a plethora of great ideas).

7.  Plan a budget and stick to it!  I do this every year, and I am pretty successful at staying on budget!
8.  Create your menu for each week and for your holiday meals...this will keep you stress free!
9.  Have your kids go through their toys and get them to get rid of 27 things each week...that way they have room for the new toys they get at Christmas!
10.  Relax, enjoy, and remember all the blessings of your life!

Target Toy Printables

Check out all the new toy Coupons on Target's website.  Be on the look out for Manufacture coupons to go with them!  There will be some great deals to be had!


Target Toy Coupons

WOW...some great deals this week at Kings 11/3-11/9

Here are some of the great deals this week!

Part of the Buy 10 get $5 off
Playtex Living Gloves FREE with 10/3S
Colgate Toothpaste FREE with 10/24 and 10/31 S
Ricola Cough Drops FREE with 10/17 S
Hormel Chili $.34 each with 9/12 S2
Jello Pudding Boxes $.29 with 10/17S
Swanson Broth $.29 each with 9/26S
Carnation Evaporated Milk $.19 Each with 9/26S
Valley Fresh Steamers $.39 each with 10/3 or 9/12GM and shortcuts and cellfire loaded coupons
Activia Yogurt $.49 each with 10/10 S
Imagine Organic Vegetable/Chicken Broth $.99 with 10/17S


3lb Bag Onions $1.00
Pasta $.79
Green Beans $1.00 lb
Kroger Canned Vegetables 2/$1
Nestle Toll House Refrigerated Cookie Mix $.77 with 10/3RP
Early California Olives $1 (at 120th and 104th Stores)
Sara Lee Pies are 2/$4 I think the coupon on coupons.com for $.75 will work and make them $1 each

Ways to Save $ for/on Christmas

I have been sick...the kids have been sick.  So, lack of posting is what happens.

I thought we should get started thinking about Christmas...it is only 52 days away (thanks to my Whimsical Friend)

What do you do to save $ during the Holidays, what items to you like to stock up on...and what are your favorite traditions?

I love this time of year...it's when I know I can stock up on baking items for CHEAP, I can get some killer deals on toys and gifts...and it is just a wonderful time of year with all the holiday smells, things to do and most of all the time I get to spend with my friends and family.

So, I am going to start a list and we can add our ideas to it:

1.  Stock up on Baking items (keep your eyes peeled for coupons now)
2.  Look for toys to price match (I got a $75 toy last year for $7 by price matching and using manufacture and store coupons).
3.  Watch for coupons for toys (store and manufacture...and print them when you see them, they may disappear)
4.  Make a list of all the items you will need for baking and upcoming holiday events and watch for sales on the items.
5.  Make a Holiday plan (if you shop Black Friday...start your lists now)
6.  I like to follow a Black Friday site that updates me when the ads come out and I add items to my list that I want to get.
7.  Look for codes for your Christmas Card orders.  (Free Shipping, % off, etc.)
8.  Stay Organized and on top of the sales and coupons.
9.  Stash away what you can now for Holiday shopping so you won't use credit and have a bill after the holidays.
10.  Get a Visa Gift Card and add $ to it so you can shop for items instead of keeping it in an account or cash around...I am so going to do this one next year for groceries, etc.

School is almost out...add some ideas and I will add more as I think of them.

Potential Glade Deal at Target

If you were couponing last year you may have done this deal at Target.  I love Glade Scented Oil Candles...and scored some great deals on them last year.  I am hoping for more.  The holiday scents are WONDERFUL!

I worked out at least one deal that will end up being $5.39 OOP (this is with Tax) and get at $5 Target Gift Card!

Here is the deal:                                                                                       Math:
Buy 4 Glade Jar Candles                                                                         $11.96
Use (2) B1G1 Free Glade Jar Candles 9/26S                                          -$5.98
Also use (2) $1.50/2 Glade Jar Candles found on www.coupons.com      -$3.00
Buy (1) Glade Scented Oil Glass Candle Holder                                       $2.99
Use (1) $1/1 Glass Holder 10/3 S                                                            -$1.00
                                                                                         Total OOP  $4.97 plus tax

I hope for more coupons to come out...this would be a fabulous deal to roll gift cards into!

Target Deals...FREE Coffee Mate Creamer

This week Target has Stouffer's Family Size meals on sale for $6
I had printed out $1 off Stouffer's coupons...and now I can't remember for the life of me where I printed them from.
So, if you happen to have those coupons you pay $5 each and if you buy 2 then you get a FREE Pepperidge Farms Frozen bread.

I also picked up Band-Aids with the $3 off 3 coupon.  It made them $.82 each after the coupon.

Oh...the best FREE item this week is the Coffee-Mate Creamers that are on sale for $1.50
Use 2 of these coupons and get them both FREE!

Not much at Target for me lately...but these were a few good deals.  It also appears that there may be a great Glade deal going on...I need to work that one out!

70% Savings today at King Soopers

I bought the following today at King Soopers (sorry no pictures...I was running out of time today)
(2) Tide Laundry Detergents (make sure you load the Kings Ecoupon) $4.98 for both (had $2 off coupons)
(6) Oranges
(1) 3lb. Bag Organic Apples $2.99 bag
(1) 1/2 Gal Milk
(1) 1/2 Gal Chocolate Milk
(3) Dial Handsoap $1
(4) Suave Shampoo $1.45
(6) Kids Crest Toothpaste (free with coupons) $1
(4) Carbano Stain Removers (Clearance section for $1.19 each...amazing stuff)
(2) Dawn Dish Soap with Olay Renewal (Free with coupons) $1
(3) Athenos Hummus (free with coupons) $1
(2) Kroger Cheese 8oz.
(6) Tic Tac Mints ($.09 with coupons)
(10) Zone bars ($.19 with coupons...not on their $1 sale)
(1) Toothbrush for my daughter...got a rain check since they were out...maybe more coupons will come out?
Paid $33.96

This weeks King Soopers Freebies!

Kings has several Freebies this week...I have my list in hand and ready to hit the store tomorrow!

Dawn Dish Soap $1
9/26 PG

Crest Toothpaste $1
9/26 & 10/10 PG

Athenos Hummus
10/10 S

Those are the freebies I see here are a few more great deals:
Dial Hand Soap $1
10/10 RP
Eggs $.88 doz. 120th Ave and 104th Ave Stores only
Florida's Natural OJ $1.88 at 120th Ave and 104th Ave Stores only

Healthy Choice has a deal when you buy 10
$1.68
9/26S
9/12 RP

If you have enough coupons you can get these to $.56 each.


Happy Shopping!

Cottonelle, Nature Valley Granola Bars, Dannon Light Catalina Deals

These are Catalina Deals running at King Soopers for the rest of the month.  There may be more...but these are the ads that I got.

Cottonelle:
10/8-10/31/10
Buy (2) Get $2.00
Buy (3) or More Get $3.00
Off your Next Shopping Order


Nature Valley Granola Bars
10/4-10/31/10
Buy (3) Get $1.50
Buy (4) Get $2.50
Buy (5) Or More Get $3.50
Off your Next Shopping Order

Dannon Light & Fit 4 Packs
10/4-10/31/10
Buy (2) Get $1.00
Buy (3) Get $1.50
Buy (4) Or More Get $2.00

Off your Next Shopping Order

Watch for coupons and sales and remember these will roll to another sale of the same items!

Ohh...ohhh...ohhh...Sunflower Market opens near me tomorrow!!!

I am so excited that Sunflower Market is opening tomorrow near me!  They have some great deals on produce and I plan to get some!  I read they will be having some fun games, BBQ, a hay maze..etc.  I may take my son there for some fun...and veggies!

They even have great deals on organic produce!  I am excited!  I hope I can get a list made soon...but alas, there is homework and a book project to be done.

Did you all see the $2 Huggies Wipes coupon?

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the $2 Huggies coupon in yesterdays paper!  I don't have a baby anymore...but we still use wipes!  I use them to remove my eye make up.  LOL.  Must start collecting these babies!  Target puts them on sale and you can get them FREE!!!  YIPPEE..more FREE stuff!

New Rubbermaid containers

For my birthday I got some new Rubbermaid containers with locking lids.  I LOVE them.  They stack so well and don't tumble over when I open the door.  The plus I can actually close the darn door now.


This is how my cupboard look prior to new containers.

This is the after pic!

What a huge difference!

Albertson's Scores!

Here is my loot from Albertson's today (with a little guy waiting to get into it all).  I paid a total of $40.29 and I saved $152.21...an 80% savings!  Yeah me!

I got the following items:

(5) Chex Mix
(2) Gardettos Snack Mix
(4)  5lb. Bags Gold Medal Flour
(11) Nature Valley Granola Items (either bars, nut cluster, or the new squares)
(4) Cinnamon Toast Crunch
(2) Wheaties Fuel
(8) Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes (hello Christmas...I may make some cute gifts with these)
(5) Betty Crocker Muffin Mixes
(4) Bags Bugles
(4) Jett Puff Marshmallows
(5) Simply Cookie Dough
(2) Yoplait Splits
(2) pack of Disposable Foil Pans
(2) Soft Soap Hand Soaps (no coupons match up, just need some soap)

I was planning on getting the Yoplait Delight Yogurts, but they didn't have the lemon.

Most of these coupons came from coupons.com or couponbug.com
I did find coupons for them in the recent P&G inserts.  I don't have all the match ups at the moment, but if I get a chance I will do that later.

Target deals

I haven't shopped at Target in a while, but over at Stretching A Buck are some great deals listed!

I plan on picking up the Free Tide, First Aid Kits, Band-Aids
and the Glade Scented Oil Candles...I love them and I am out!  Need to restock if possible!

Waiting on my ads to arrive to make my grocery list.  In the meantime I am looking at the Target ad and coupons that are available.

Groupon today...42% off The Denver Post

If you need a subscription here is a deal today through Groupon.com

It is $17 for 13 weeks plus you get a $10 King Soopers Gift Card!

This isn't valid for current subscribers...how fair is that?

It's cold...brrrrrr!!!

Not liking the rainy weather today.  According to Mr. Weatherman it may freeze here tonight.  I am not wanting a freeze yet.  My tomatoes are still going strong, and it is suppose to warm up the rest of the week...so I am planning on covering my tomatoes, and possibly my jalepino plant...anyone want any parsley before I neglect to cover it up?

I need to get my grocery list planned out today...but I am ready a really, really, really good book that I just am having a hard time putting down.  If you have read any books in the series the The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo...then you understand.  I am on book #2 and it is even better than the first one!  So, if I am MIA it's because I can't stop reading...then I have moved on to the next book in the series.  LOL

Days like this just make me want to read...and it's nap time...guess I will get out my book, a blanket, and some tea!

Friday Mission

I'm off to get my car tidied up...my windshield is a mess.  Then get gas and a movie for movie night tonight instead of tomorrow night.  I have book club...and I need to make an appetizer.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Family Pictures Displayed

Since the day I knew we would be doing our family pictures, I have been dreaming...yes, this happens in my dreams) of how to display all our photos.  At first I was going to display them in the stairwell that goes upstairs...but I thought no one would ever see them, except me on my way to do laundry, or go to bed....or do more chores.

After I had a nice dream about it, I decided that the large wall in our living room would be a great place.  I have seen family motto walls all over blog land...and I wanted to do one also.  So, I picked out the words that meant the most to our family, and then started designing them in my Sure Cuts A Lot program.  I had these fonts all designed well before our photo shoot was done.  It took me quite some time as I wanted to fonts to "mean" something.  So, each font was carefully thought over as I searched through my 800 fonts for the perfect one for each word.  It took me a few weeks as I only had time to do a few fonts each day.

I had the 8x10 frames already so I worked with those to create my collage.  I just had to add the large frame in the middle that I picked up for 65% off at Michael's.  I picked up the J from Kohl's clearance for $3ish.

I actually had them up on the wall waiting for the prints...and here is my family motto collage wall.

My next problem areas is the stairwell to the basement.  I have this ledge that covers a jog in the framing...weird builders.  So, I wanted to display some frames there (I had some there before, but they didn't match and I just didn't like it) so I got (4) 5x7 black frames (with coupons) and painted the 8x10 frame in the middle that was once red.  I added the same large frame that is in the living room to create our family established wall.  My hubby thinks that I am crazy for adding all these words to our walls...but I like it, and it isn't permanent and we can change it whenever we like...and it's my birthday...so there!  LOL

It's really hard to take pictures from the stairs with a wall in the middle of this area...so here are a couple one from each set of stairs.  I think the wood may get painted white some day...but for now.

Update on Albertson's Oatmeal Deal

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my birthday...so what do I decide to do...get in on a great deal.  I went and did my weekly grocery shopping.  A great deal is like a cheap thrill...LOL!  At least the store don't tell you how old you are getting.  My hubby thought it would be funny to point out that I have only 8 more years until 40 and at that point I will have a 16 year old child!  I didn't find that too funny...I still have to get through the next 8 years!

UPDATE:
The Albertson's $3 off 5 coupon works in combination with the $1 off 1 Quaker Oatmeal coupon that I posted about HERE

If you have enough coupons you could walk out with all of your oatmeal FREE!  Unfortunately, I didn't order any extra of the oatmeal coupons and I don't know if I would get them in time, so I settled and got the following:

(8) Boxes of Quaker Oatmeal Squares
(5) Boxes of Quaker Instant Oatmeal
(2) Containers of Quaker Oats
I also picked up the Laughing Cow Light cheese slices (buy 1 get 2 free)
(2) Avacadoes
Green Onions
Total $21.42

It was a good birthday trip!  Sorry no picture...I am lazy today!  I'm off to play with my Cricut, and eat a Banana Blueberry Muffin...all diet rules are off today!

Great Deals at Albertson's this week 10/6-10/12

I am putting together a deal for Albertson's this week.  They are double, triple, quadrupling coupons this week...so you may score some deals!

Quaker is running a deal if you buy 5 you get $3 off with in ad coupon.

There are some quaker coupons that will combine...if you can use them with the in ad coupon.
$1 Quaker Oatmeal 9/12 RP
$.75/2 Quaker Granola Bars 9/19 RP
There is also a coupon in 9/26 S for Birds Eye Steamfresh veggies...and they are on sale for $1 this week.  The coupon is for $1/3, so not free, but a pretty good deal.

If you have enough coupons and this will work.  You can get Quaker Oatmeal FREE.
The granola bars will be $.50 each box, and if you have the Quaker Captain Crunch coupons still they would be FREE also!

Our Weekly Menu

Thursday: Haystacks (this it my hubby's favorite meal.  You layer chips, cheese, beans...usually pinto, salsa (homemade), guacamole, and lettuce.  Basically glorified nachos!  LOL


Friday: Pizza Friday (you can check out my pizza recipe here)


Saturday: What ever the hubby feeds the children...I have book club and am bringing Hot Parmesan Artichoke Dip.

Sunday: Leftovers or fend for yourself night.

Monday:Chicken/Bean and Cheese Enchiladas


Tuesday: BBQ Chicken and Brown Rice.  A veggie burger for the vegetarian

Wednesday: Turkey Dinner (layer turkey slices, sliced zuchinni, squash, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. Again a vegetarian protein for Thomas.

You can check out other Menu Ideas over at the Organized Junkie


Food Storage Tip of the Week: I hate throwing out food...so I have been finding ways to put life back into food that doesn't look so great...Here is a practical tip for you to try.  You can perk up wilted lettuce by adding vinegar or lemon juice in a bowl of water.  Add wilted leaves for a hour...they will perk right up.  Source: "The Penny Saving Helper."


Have a great day! 

Goodwill scores

Today is 50% off day at Goodwill.  I scored 4 pairs of pj's, 3 pairs of Children's Place pants, and 1 shirt for my son.  I also picked up a couple of cute ceramic pumpkins, 5 ceramic pots for the shelves in my bedroom, a Halloween costume for my daughter, a shirt for me, a couple of cute skirts and two shirts to go with the skirts for my daughter.  I got everything for about $30!  We are set for a while for clothing...except the socks that Jacob goes through like crazy...

Have a great weekend!

Today is car clean out day

Do you have a FREE vacuum car wash in your area.  There is one close to me and I love using it.  The vacuums are so nice...a lot less noisy, and more convenient that pulling out the shop vac every week.  The place I go to even has a mat cleaner...and FREE also!  I hear from my friend over at The Whimsical Princess that their washes aren't too bad either...$6 gets you a basic wash.  I don't wash my car all the time but that isn't a bad price.

I plan to get my car cleaned, gas in the tank, my purse cleaned out...and the mission of the day done.  Today that mission is (taken from my flylady daily e-mail)

Zone 1: Mission #1 Friday

Dear Friends:

Today is our only day in Zone 1. Today's mission is very simple!
Grab a broom and a vacuum cleaner. Set the timer! 5 minutes in each
area. Sweep the front porch and shake out the door mat. Next a
quick sweep or vacuum in the entrance area. Last dash around the
dining room with a broom or the vacuum. This is just a quick mission
that makes you feel so great. When there are no dust bunnies chasing
you or gritty floors your home just feels better! You do not have to
get overwhelmed by this. Do not move furniture around or get
sidetracked. Just a quick maintenance sweep and vacuum.

Congratulations on a job well done this week! We are always so proud
of you!!
 
What are your plans for today?
What are you cooking for dinner tonight?

Golf Date Night...on the cheap

Last weekend I planned a fun date night for Thomas and I.  We haven't been able to spend much quality time together because our business has been so darn busy and then when he gets home from working all day...I take off and go to my part time job for a few hours.

So, I got to thinking about something my husband would really enjoy...GOLF!  So, I sent him this invitation:

Now, when I gave him this he laughed.  I asked him what was so funny...he just laughed and said, he thought it was awesome!


Then I set up the Hole-In-One fun in the living room.  (Next time I think I will add some obstacles and other holes to putt at.  I used our putter thing that spits the ball back at you.

I used foam balls with golf tees to help the balls stand up (I also had to cut the bottom off to make it sit flat), then I glued each letter that I cut out with my Cricut to a skewer and stuck it into the foam ball.  Then I cut out the felt into putting greens and there is a sand trap there also.

I had some snacks for us before we were going to head out to play putt-putt...

but, we were both tired (I was starting to get a sore throat) and decided to see a movie instead.  We picked out our movie and headed out.  I packed my purse with snacks and made sure I had our movie coupons.  We enjoyed Inception and then came home for some more putt-putt practice.

I now have a tub started with our "future date night" ideas and I plan to add props to it so we can have "cheap date" nights at home.

This cost me about  $4.50 for the props, and then another $5 for his favorite "ginger beer" (he doesn't drink real beer).  The snacks I had at home.  The putt-putt would have only cost $7 because I had a coupon, but instead we saw a movie with coupons and that was $15.  So our date night cost a total of $24.50...a lot cheaper than going out to dinner and a movie!

I forgot...Use the Target Fresh Fruit Coupon!

On Targets website there is a coupon for $1 off any fresh produce.  I picked up a Free Avacado and $.13 bananas today using the coupons.  Just watch to make sure they take off the $1 as my coupon only removed $.46 and she had to adjust it.

Kraft Cheese at Target

Now that I have my weekly plan in place, I am working hard to get all my errand planning done on Tuesdays so that on Thursday I am ready to hit the stores while my kids are in school.  I have 2.5 hours to get it all done in...and today was my first success.  After 2 weeks of attempting to get it done...this week was it!

 I hit Target, The Bread Store, King Soopers, and Albertson's today in 2 hours without kids, and had enough time to get home and unload and scan my purchases (I scan for Homescan, and earn points for rewards).

I thought I would let you all know that Target has Kraft Cheese on sale for $2 and there were peelies on some of the cheese for $5 off any 5 Kraft participating cheese.  But, if you can't fine the peelies...you can print two of these puppies and get 10 7 or 8 oz. packages of cheese for $10!  Freeze it and use it later when cheese is not on sale!

Enjoy!

Family Pictures

My Weekly Plan...and our Menu!

I am cooking more healthy for my family for several reasons.  I LOVE Body For Life Recipes and I am following the diet and exercise plan.  I feel so much better, have a ton of energy, my brain is clear...and the best part is that my house has been clean, kids have fun activities to do, and I feel so much more relaxed!

Here is my weekly plan: I follow Fly Lady (check her out...she is AWESOME www.flylady.com)
Monday: Weekly Blessing (1 Hour of Cleaning)
Tuesday: Plan Day (I also water my plants this day)
Wednesday: Desk day (Bills/Budget, phone calls, appointments, estimates for our business, pull coupons, etc)
Thursday: Errand Day (Grocery Shop, and any other stops that I can make in 2.5 hours)
Friday: Car/Purse clean out day (I go to a free vacuum place and clean out my car every other Friday, and I fill up my tank while I am out...Clean out my purse and put away receipts that I didn't get done on desk day)

Each day I have a morning routine: Shower, get dressed, wipe down my sink and toilet, start laundry, make bed, take my medication (I have a low thyroid), empty dishwasher, feed dog and kids...then after all that I finally feed myself.  Then I check e-mail and may planner for any appointments.  I also pull out any meat or get my plan for dinner going).  I also do 15 minutes in each zone for the week.  So, for example this week is Living room/Family Room.  So, I have been doing short missions in both rooms.  Dust, declutter, vacuum furniture, etc.)  My life is less chaotic when I live like this and I have time to play...oh, and the hubby is happy that he always has clean clothes to wear!  :)

Here is our Menu for this week:
Wednesday: Baked Chicken Parmesean with Baby Spinach (spaghetti for Thomas...he is a vegetarian)
Thursday: Fish/Bean Tacos
Friday: It's homemade pizza night!
Saturday: Movie night with popcorn, fruit, nuts, etc.
Sunday: Chicken/Bean Fajitas
Monday: Spaghetti with Meatballs and Salad
Tuesday: Buffalo Burgers/Veggie Burgers, homemade french fries, veggie.
Wednesday: Leftovers

Tomorrow is my shopping day for all my needed items.  I don't need much, and I need to stock up on some more cereal.  How is it that last time I checked I had over 30 boxes, and now I have 6 in my stock pile???  I just don't get how my family can chow down on that much cereal???  I have a rain check for cereal at Albertson's so I am heading there tomorrow also!

Have a fabulous day!