10 on the 10th!

10 things I did today - taken from Life at 7000 feet

1. Dropped off twins at preschool, no speech class today due to FCAT testing at the schools.  The twins LOVE preschool.  I had to make them put their lunchboxes down to keep them from running out the door 15 minutes early!
   
   
   
   
2. Updated my blog with shopping information.  I really want my blog to include all ways that God helps us prospers, couponing seems to be the most prevalent though.
3. Updated information with our accountant for our upcoming 2009 tax return submission.  Praying for a good refund!
4. Dropped off juice pouches for oldest son's class.  With FCAT testing this week, they are having extra snack times.
5. Dropped off the movie we rented this weekend.  Very intense movie!  Also, very long.  Anyone want to guess what it was??
6. Baked some white chocolate, macadamia nut cookies!  One of my favorites!  Just had a craving for them and since no one is home to share with, they are all mine :)
7. Menu planned tonight's  meal.  Please share your recipes for pork chops!  I got such a great deal on them, we may be having them a lot over the next two weeks.
8. Caught up on the days' news.  I don't get many opportunities to watch the news, especially without interruption.
9. Picking up the twins later and I don't have to do the bike-pool today (yeah!). 
10. Making dinner to have with the family tonight and hoping to have hubby fill up my car with gas using the fuel perks savings from shopping.

What about you, what is your 10 on the 10th?

This Week's Groceries

This was an interesting shopping week.  I wasn't too impressed with the Publix sales this week, nor too much with CVS.  Surprisingly, I found myself in a Winn-Dixie store picking up a great bargain:  for about $14 I was able to purchase 2 Red Baron pizzas, Tostino's pizza rolls (10 ct), a Dole Iceberg salad kit, 1.5 qt Breyers Ice Cream and a 2-liter Pepsi!  Wow, right?  I also picked up some chicken breasts and pork chops (enough for about 7-8 meals) that were both B1G1 for about $20.  I picked up a few other things to bring my total to $50 before coupons so that I could benefit by the fuel perks program, so I will receive $0.05 off per gallon on my next fuel purchase!  I can tell that they are trying, but of course, their customer service does not compare to Publix!

The picture above is of my Publix shopping, where I spent $ 38.72 for $105.77 worth of groceries.  For a savings of 63%.  Not bad! 

The best part for me, is that I can tell the fruits of my labor.  I now have my freezers full again from when I began this adventure.  It gives me a feeling that I am well-stocked for my family and not skimping them out of anything.  I am running out of words to express how God is working in our finances! 

It truly is amazing!

An Honest Mechanic

Sound like an oxymoron?

We recently had some work done on one of our vehicles before taking a long weekend trip.  You know, the usual stuff:  oil change, alignment, fluid fill up, etc.  Shortly after we picked up the car, we noticed a funny noise.  It wasn't very loud and it wasn't all of the time, but it was definitely something new.  But, we were on our way out of town and didn't put much thought into it. 

Fast forward to the week after the trip.  The noise was still there, so we made plans to take it back to the shop to find out what was causing it.  The shop couldn't find anything wrong with it.  My husband went down to the shop and rode with the mechanic to make sure they heard the noise and they were then able to determine that our muffler was damaged.  Of course, our first thought was that it must have happened when they worked on it last time since the noise only started then, but we couldn't prove it.  So, we didn't say anything to them about the thought that they had caused the problem.  

A few days have passed since that last shop visit when today, my husband received a call from the mechanic.  He stated that he had done some checking and didn't realize there was an alignment done on the first shop visit.  He further checked with the specific mechanic that worked on the vehicle and was informed that they heard a noise when they were bringing the car down from the lift, but they thought it was something else on the car and that it was insignificant.  However, since this particular mechanic with whom we were dealing was able (on his own!) to determine that they caused the problem, they have ordered the replacement parts and are going to fix the problem at no cost to us!!

Yet another piece of proof that God is blessing our finances for our trust and obedience in Him!

Can you say, "Thank you Jesus"?

Memories

It was a beautiful weekend!  The weather was perfect for family time outdoors.  We were finally able to open the windows and get some fresh air inside as well.

I was standing next to my husband as he opened one of the windows.  He was immediately taken back to a childhood day when he was outside in his home town with his mother on a lawn chair getting some sun.  The smells in the air were so reminiscent for him that he didn't have all of the words to describe it, but you could certainly see it in his face.  He was thrilled with the memory.

My husband strives for our children to have wonderful childhood memories of outdoor fun and lifelong friendships as he has. 

Tell me about your memories...

What scents bring you back to childhood?

Big Cupcake

I made my first Big Cupcake last night...well, actually my daughter made it.  I just trimmed and iced it :D

We've been trying to get this thing made for some time, since I received the pan for Christmas.  Especially since I've been getting so many great deals on cake mix and icing.  I'm certainly NO cake decorator, but it was pretty easy to put the icing on.  I did have to trim the top of the cupcake bottom and the bottom of the dome top to make it fit together properly and I have learned that it will be best if I put icing between the top and bottom to help keep it together while slicing.

For my oldest son, who only likes chocolate cake with chocolate icing, this was a vanilla cake with chocolate icing.  Which he tried and didn't throw any of it away, so it must have been ok :)  I think next time I will try it with the insert and make some ice cream or pudding filling in it.   

Doesn't that sound delicious??

Blogtipping - March

I'm a little late on this month's blogtipping, but here goes.

1. I Heart Publix - Michelle - While this isn't technically a blog, I believe it started out that way and is now it's own website.  Not sure how you make that transition, but it's sounds pretty cool!  Michelle does a fabulous job of letting us know what is coming at Publix for their fantastic BOGO's and other sales and what coupons we can pair with those sales to make some great shopping trips.  I absolutely LOVE her spreadsheet that you can select the week's sale items and quantities, add your coupon amounts and print to take with you to the store!  Talk about a way to keep you on track!  The only room for improvement, which I believe Michelle is working on by moving to another server is that the site is sometimes slow because there is A LOT of content and a large following of users.  Keep up the great work Michelle!!
2. Want What You Have - Heather - In this blog, Heather really shares her soul with her readers.  Heather shares so much with us and I have only been reading her blog for a couple of weeks, but here are somethings I have found insightful:  Make a Home Management Guide (basically an operations manual for stay-at-home parents), A Daily Schedule for Stay-At-Home Moms, and The Savings Notebook.  Plus, this site is where I learned about the BlogHer network as well as Blog With Integrity.  The title of the blog says it all...want what you have...in this society so many of us are looking for greener pastures instead of just being in love with the life we have been so richly blessed with.  Heather, please keep it coming!
3. Life at 7000 Feet - Meredith - Now, this blog is written by the wife of Dirty Shame author John Blase.  Although I haven't spent a lot of time reading this blog (yet!), I am very interested in a segment John and Meredith are doing together called "Wedded Wednesday" where John and Meredith both answer the same question from a reader regarding marriage.  No topic seems to be off the table and I applaud them for that!  Thanks Meredith for keeping it real and respectful.  I can't wait to see what your kids will be blogging about one day!

Hope you can take a few minutes to visit these blogs and enjoy the reading.  Also, if you have a blog you would like me to review or even just take a look at, please send it my way.  Thanks for reading!

Finishing Up my Target Card Credit

Well, that money on my Target card was burning a whole in my pocket!!

I was able to make this trip to CVS today, spent a whopping $21.10 for $44.39 worth of items.  Here's what I bought:

• 4 valentine candy bags - clearanced
• 3 valentine items - clearanced
• 2 TGLee milk gallons
• 2 Clear Care contact solution kits
• Golden Oreos
• Oreo Cakesters
• Munchos chips

Since the Clear Care alone is $9.49 each, I basically paid for those two items and paid $2.12 for everything else (including tax)!

 God provides more than we could even imagine!

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, 

that there may be food in My house, 

and try Me now in this," 

says the Lord of hosts, 

"If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it."

Malachi 3:10

Target Shopping, YEAH!

Since I began this couponing adventure, I have tried to stay away from Target because I just can't seem to get out of there for under $100 and seem to walk away with little to nothing.  I have "made do" with some of my essentials in small packages I have been able to pick up from CVS or Publix when on sale.  However, due to some strange circumstances regarding my Target card, I ended up with a credit this month and had to make the most of it!  Since the money had already been alloted for Target, I believe God has blessed my willingness to control my finances as He sees fit by rewarding me with a trip to Target. 

So, here goes.  I walked into Target with a goal of not spending more than $100 and a fairly short list.  Here's what I walked out with:

• 4 Johnson's Buddies
• Glade Gel Warmer
• Clorox Wipes - 105 pk
• Energizer AA batteries - 16 pk
• Duracell Ultra Advantage AA batteries - 8 pk
• Dove Men's kit (includes a 1.8 oz body/face wash and dual sided shower tool)
• Gillette Men's Body/Face wash 12 oz
• Gillette deoderant
• Fusion single pack razor
• Noxzema 3ct disposable razors
• Herbal Essence hairspray
• Herbal Essence travel size hairspray
• Herbal Essence travel size shampoo
• Kotex 20 ct liners
• Refresh Plus eyedrops
• 2 Welch's 5 oz fruit snacks
• 2 wooden cars
• Pampers Extra Protection diapers 56 ct
• Pampers Easy Ups training pants 60 ct
• 5 Kellogg's Nutrigrain 8 ct boxes

PLUS:

• 2 $5 Target gift cards
• $30 coupon booklet from P&G (inlcuded in training pants pkg)
• 2 $5 breakfast coupon booklets (inlcuded in 2 of the Nutrigrain boxes)

I was able to purchase $142.83 worth of items all for $86.79, with the two Target gift cards, my net was $76.79!!!!!  For a savings of 54%!

A little over $10 of my savings was due to the use of a Target 10% off card, then $0.15 off for the use of "green bags."  The rest was the gift cards and $23.98 in coupons.

I felt so good about my savings, I treated myself and the boys to a pretzel and bag of popcorn, complete with a bottled water and two juice boxes :)

Maybe now I won't shy away from Target, but I will have to use some major self-control to keep me on track. 

Hope your Target experience is just as good!

Publix Savings This Week

Well, God blesses yet again (as if there was any doubt)!!  Just $0.73 over budget this week, but that was due to taxes, so we'll blame it on the government ;)  And, yes, for those of you with a keen eye, there are a few donuts missing from that box!!  We got hungry :D

• Betty Crocker Brownie Mix - $0.98 each
• General Mills cereal (Cookie Crisp and Chocolate Lucky Charms) - $1 each
• Juicy Juice 64 oz - $1.33 each
• Right Guard deoderant - $0.40 each
• Activia Yogurt - $0.38 per cup
• Egg Beaters  - $0.66 each
• Downy Fabric Softner 105 load (not pictured, forgot it in my car!) - $4.99

All-in-all, a good trip.  I spent $75.73 on $147.62 worth of groceries for a savings of 49%.  Not one of my best shopping trips, but certainly no where near what I was doing before this great couponing adventure began.  Stay tuned for a great TARGET shopping trip as well!

How 'bout you?  How are you doing on your shopping trips? 
I know at least one person who should be able to share (hint, hint)!

One of THOSE days

Yesterday was that for me.  Actually, I guess it all started the night before. 

My husband and I were having a perfectly pleasant conversation when he asked me would I get remarried if he _____.  (Yeah, I can't even type the word!)  I think I had a panic attack!!  Now, I just can't imagine life without him.  I know that we are not supposed to be so attached to things of this earth, but God did give him to me as my life partner.  And I am grateful everyday that He did.  He wouldn't just take him away from me...would He?  He knows I could not function without my love, my best friend, my mate.  Right?

Well, my husband swiftly changed the subject and we soon fell asleep.  I awoke the next morning...late...and spent our devotion time thinking about all the things I needed to get done in the next hour, not completely paying attention to his reading.  Then I was greeted by our older two children arguing about insignificant things, just to be 5-10 minutes late on everything I did until at least 10 AM.  I successfully took a chunk of skin out of my finger trying to weild the bike trailer, with twins in tow, through what was supposed to be an automatic door.  Of course, it wasn't working properly.  I cried myself through the parking lot.  When we arrived home to change over from the bike to the car, I had to go in to clean my hand and bandage it.  Finally, got everything ready to go just in time to hear one of the twins stating his need to go to the restroom.  Ok, unbuckle the car seat, remove the jacket, lead him into the restroom and for what?  He didn't even go.  Lead back to the car, save jacket for preschool parking lot, rebuckle.  Ok, off again.  Then, to arrive at preschool, late for the twins to be ushered off to the music room.  The teacher asked them twice how they were today with completely no response.  And that says it all.  Even my three year olds can't find the words to describe today...it was one of THOSE kind of days.

And, as I said, this was all before 10 AM.  Fun stuff.  Brings me back to that post about my table being wet.  Sometimes it is hard to realize:

This is the day the Lord has made; 

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 NKJV

Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity....

This was a prayer posted on my grandmother's refrigerator. 

 To accept the things I cannot change;


I remember it vividly.

The courage to change the things that I can;

A purple magnet with white lettering.


And the wisdom to know the difference.


Stuck onto a fridge with so many other things that I don't think I could force myself to remember even if I wanted to.


I don't know why this particular magnet sticks out to me.  My grandmother certainly wasn't a recovering alcoholic.  I don't know why this prayer means so much.  We weren't the type to pray rehearsed prayers.  The only rehearsed prayer I remember growing up was my grandfather's dinner blessing:  "Gracious Lord, remember us in mercy and grant us this blessing which we are about to receive.  We humbly ask in Your Name's sake.  Amen."  I can still see his face when my eyes should have been closed.  I can still hear his voice with all of the inflection of every word.  There was so much sincerity in those words from him.  He knew he was speaking to his Gracious Lord.  He knew the Lord heard him.  He knew that his meal would be blessed just for the asking.  He knew we all needed that mercy.  I can hear him counting because he needed the patience to give us the mercy we needed...1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 (emphasis his).  I hear his voice whenever I go across the "Dames Point" bridge saying that it is not the Dames Point bridge, it is the Napolean Bonaparte Broward bridge.  When I see a speed limit sign, I can hear him saying that is the maximum possible speed you should reach under the best possible conditions. 

It's funny what you remember that you never tried to remember and all of the things you try to remember that you just can't seem to.

What about you?  

What simple things do you remember?

More great shopping!

Well, another great shopping experience at Publix today.  Their stores are so clean and their staff is very friendly.  With the great prices, why would you shop anywhere else?

Top notes for today's trip:

• Spent $71.44 out of pocket (oop) and saved $108.27!  Savings of 60%!!
• Betty Crocker Muffin Mix - boxed - $0.80 each!
• Green Giant Canned Vegetables - $0.15 each!
• Progresso Soups - $0.32 each!
• Kraft Chunk Cheese 1-lb - $2.00 each!
• Yoplait Yogurt - $0.38 each!
• Purex 64 load and Purex Complete 3-in-1 sheets (24 pk) - $3.99 for both!!

Feel free to share how God is blessing you financially!

Is Your Table Wet?

A good friend asked me this question recently referring to the familiar verse in Psalm 23 (v. 5).  If your cup is running over, then your table must be wet, right?

It makes me think of so many things, but the first thing that comes to mind is that even our blessing require a little elbow grease!  God never promised us that things would be easy this side of glory.  When our cup runs over, we leave a little excess on the table that requires our attention.  When we handle it correctly, that excess spills out into the lives of others.  When we don't, it spills out into the lives of others!

How are you handling it?

God's Country

Ever visit a place and feel God's presence so much more than at home?  For me, that place is in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Whether standing on the top of Chimney Rock or tubing down a snowy hill or even just driving down an expressway with glorious mountains on either side of you, I am amazed at God's beautiful creation.

I guess the same could be said about the sandy beaches near my home, but there's something about being in such a drastically different place that allows your soul to speak and listen.  My soul is centered and the focus is clear:  God, husband, children.  A peace ensues that never wants to end.

So, the question is raised:  Can we carry this feeling on from vacation and into life?  If I lived in the mountains I don't know if I would feel the same about being there or if I would succomb to the day-to-day monotony.

Lord, teach me to find Your peace
no matter where my location.

Trusting Him

Some time ago, I made a decision to trust God with a new part of my life. Something I had never even considered I was keeping from Him until then. And, as they say, you can't "un-ring" that bell. Once you have realized what is going on, you cannot go back and presume to believe otherwise. Oh, you can pretend to believe otherwise, but you are only fooling yourself.

Of course, that decision wasn't made lightly and it brought with it so many things to ponder. And with all decisions, I was not the only one affected. Several months have passed and I am still making that decision on a daily basis. Not because I am uncommitted to the decision, but because the roaring lion is seeking me to devour. he is constantly placing stumbling blocks in my way because he was able to keep me doing nothing for so long. (see my previous Quotable Quotes post).

While I can't change the past, I will not carry with me guilt over the things I did without knowing they were wrong. That just gives him the upper hand. I can go forward in my walk with God knowing that my future holds more of His will than mine.

Enjoying the freedom of life in Christ 

when I surrender daily to Him.

The Battle Between Good and Evil Wages On

At least it was in my heart last night.

When I know to do good and do it not, it is sin.

When you're in a situation where the thing you want to do is not wrong, but the circumstances surrounding it make it wrong - the line between right and wrong gets smudged.

But only here on earth!

You see, to God, the line is so broad and deep that there is no such thing as a smudge.  There is only right or wrong.  No gray areas.  No time off for good behavior.  It's not the thought that counts.  No good end result with wrong steps to get there.  No.  Man looks on the outward appearance.  God looks on the heart.  "For with the heart man believes unto righteousness."  (Romans 10:10a)

Fortunately, God was with me and helped me to make the right decision.  Although it wasn't easy, I was able to find ways to turn my mind in another direction.  He used the words hidden in my heart to carry me through to the other side as He so often does.

And He said to me, 

"My grace is sufficient for you, 

My strength is made perfect in weakness."  

(2 Corinthians 12:9)

Quotable Quotes

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

-Edmund Burke

More Shopping

All of this for $25.75 at CVS and I received $2 in EB's!!  I actually purchased an Icy Hot Sleeve for only $1.24 and Valentine cards for about $1.50 each and I'm about half-way into receiving another $10 in EB's.  

God has truly blessed our new financial goals and is showing His approval in leaps and bounds! 

Really, it was only $19.65 out of pocket because I had a couple of gift cards with small balances and CVS is always great about using up those last few dollars.  Total savings on this receipt:  $60.74!!

Today's Shopping

Here's the photo from today's trip to Publix.  Lot's of great sale match-ups with coupons.  Totals today were $159.06 worth of groceries for $49.67!! 

• Knorr Sides for $0.17
• Pillsbury Toaster Strudels for $0.25 per pkg
• Contessa Meals (frozen) for $1.50 each
• Suave shampoo & conditioner for $0.50 each

Thank you Lord for your continued blessings!!

Blogtipping Day

I recently read an article that states the first day of each month is "Blogtipping Day."  This is a day where you pick three bloggers you know and give each of them three compliments and one tip.  Evidently, it's been around for a few years, but I just heard about it.

Here's a quick article you can read about blogtipping:  http://www.daviddalka.com/createvalue/2006/09/28/blogtipping-inventor-easton-ellsworth/

Well, I'm going to give it a try this month and maybe we'll make it a regular posting. 

3 Strand Romances - Michelle Rodgers.  I'll start with my sister Michelle's blog.  Michelle has a strong desire to be a published writer.  On her blog, she writes reviews of books, tells about her writing adventures and life in general.  She's even had the opportunity to interview a few authors.  Michelle is also a self-taught pianist and is very involved in music.  I enjoy reading her posts and my only tip would be to please write more on the blog.  Thanks Michelle, you have been invaluable in helping me get my blog going (and going again!)

Dirty Shame -  John Blase.  John's writing just grabs me and draws me into a whole new world.   John had a book published last year also, Touching Wonder .  So much warmth and feeling in his words.  John, thank you for not being judgmental.  I confuse easily, so my only tip here would be to add the date to your postings.  But, somehow, I think that is part of your charm.

Frugal Fun and Fortune - Meagan.  I have to acknowledge Meagan especially because this is where my couponing really started.  Meg was featured on our local news for her coupon savvy and even though I had seen other couponers, Meg is so down-to-earth and easy-going that she really made it sound like I could actually do it.  You can tell that she has a heart for God and a heart for others.  If at all possible, would we be able to print all of our coupons match-ups for this week's ad all at once??  That would be great!

Taking a tip from Meg, what about you?  Who will you be blogtipping today?