2-19-11

11:55am

Got up this morning and made
everyone some blueberry pancakes.

Then got started on lunch
and supper.
Boiled up a big pot of potatoes.
Peeled then cubed.
Took about 1/3rd of the potatoes
and mashed them up with a fork.

In another large pot I fried up
a pound of maple sausage with
a small chopped up onion.
I then added 1 can of chicken broth,
2 packets country gravy and 1 cup of
water.
I then stirred this soupy mix
into the cubed potatoes
and then stirred in the mashed
potatoes.

Optional: add broccoli
and cheese.

2/3rds a bag of potatoes $1.86
1 pound maple sausage $1.49
1 small onion .20 cents
2 packages country gravy mix $1.00
1 can chicken broth .49 cents

Total cost: $5.04
makes about 10 servings
@ .50 cents a serving.

-------------------------------------

We're sitting here discussing
possible vegetable & fruit shortages
this year with increases in prices.
This is due to the colder weather
in the Southern states & Mexico.

So now's the time to start planning
your garden and stocking up
on seeds if you didn't collect them
last year from your plants.

My garden area is now a parking place
for car(s). I have been talking about
doing container gardening in
5 gallon paint buckets,
this way I won't have to dig up
any of the yard.
Plus buckets you can move anywhere
you want unlike a garden once
planted.
Here's a picture to give you an idea
of what tomato container gardens
look like.

You could use any kind of pot for
container gardening from flower pots,
flower boxes, pails, hanging baskets and what not.

-------------------------------

3:00pm

Went out for a few.
One of the places we visited was called
Buybacks Entertainment
2600 East Dublin Granville Road,
Columbus, OH 43231
(614) 891-1265 ‎ .
I haven't visited this place
before because I thought it was
something we couldn't afford, I was wrong.
It's in Columbus Square Shopping Center.

DVD's were an average price of $3.99.

CD's were $1.00 but
buy 10 and they are only $5.00
or .50 cents each.
They have TONS!!

VHS movies were .49 cents or $1.00.
I think it was buy 2 get 1 free.

We got 2 Nintendo DS
and a Playstation 2
games for $1.99 each.
When you buy 2 you get 1 free.

They have what they call
a bargain section where you can
get things cheap.

More recent movies, games or CD's
do cost more!

This will be someplace I will
shop this year for Christmas
that's for sure!!

We found an Xbox cord in a mark
down box for .50 cents but
the guy gave it to us for free!

-----------------------------

5:30pm

Colored my hair again.
My last color was almost washed out.
It's a non permanent color,
washes out after 28 shampoos.

-----------------------------------

8:50pm

We just got done watching the movie
Unstoppable.
We rented it earlier from Blockbuster.
We wanted to go to the theater last
weekend but couldn't because of
Jonathan's cough.
Then when I checked the listings
this week, Friday was the last
showing for it in the theaters.
I checked the Blockbuster Express
website and it wasn't in one those
machines yet. But I was able to find
it in the actual store to rent.
$3.29 to rent til Tuesday.

This was a really good movie
for anyone looking to rent a movie!!
It kept me on the edge of my seat
the whole time!

A good movie for train enthusiasts
like my son.

My son now no longer wishes
to be a train conductor, LOL!!

Made our living room like a theater
with the lights off and the surround
sound up. Sounded awesome!!



------------------------------------

In tomorrow's coupon inserts I read
that there might be a coupon
for a free McDonalds
Fruit & Maple Oatmeal.

2-18-11

12:15PM

Me and mom went to a couple
more thrift stores today.

The first thrift store I found
a large bag full of Space Bags
for $4.99!!

4- Extra large
1- Jumbo
2- Large
3-Medium
These would have cost around $40!

Next store was Goodwill.
I spent $42 on everything
listed below including
clothing, food and tax!

I thought I was doing good to find
2 pair of pants at buy 1 get 1 free.
2 pairs cost $3.49

As I was browsing around
I saw an end shelf full of grocery items
that caught my eye.
I started going through stuff,
throwing things in my cart.
A worker brought over another cart
full and started putting those on
the shelf also.
I was grabbing stuff left and right, lol.
The worker brought out yet
another cart full of stuff and
just left it there for me to go through.
My cart was full!!

I never would have imagined doing
my grocery shopping in a thrift store today!

I asked if this was something
that they were going to start doing
and the lady told me this was more
than normal for some grocery items
that they get. She said it was all
donated from Target.
Nothing was outdated!!
Most still had a year or more
left before expiring!!

You should've seen the line
behind me when I was checking out, lol.
I had so much stuff to check out
that the line went to the back of
the store. The cashier asked me
if there was any food items left
on the shelves. There was plenty left.
I only took things I know we use.

So here goes with what I got at Goodwill.

7 boxes Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix
(this can be used like a Bisquick!)
.49 cents each
(this runs about $3.00 a box!)

2 Powerades
.49 cents each

1 Gatorade
.49 cents each

2 Four Cheese Hunts Spaghetti Sauce
.69 cents each

1 Garlic & Herb Hunts Spaghetti Sauce
.69 cents each

2 large cans Hunts petite tomatoes
.69 cents each

2 large cans diced tomatoes store brand
.69 cents each

1 small can Hunts diced tomatoes
.49 cents

1 tomato soup
.49 cents

7 cream of celery soup
.49 cents each

4 cans cream of chicken soup
.49 cents each

1 cream of mushroom soup
.49 cents

2 large cans Select Harves crab soup
.69 cents each

3 large cans Chunky broccoli & cheese soup
.69 cents each

1 large can Campbells Chicken Noodle soup
.69 cents

1 large can Progresso clam chowder soup
.69 cents

1 large can Select Harvest Sausage & vegetable soup
.69 cents

1 large can tomato soup
.69 cents

1 large can Bush's baked beans
.69 cents

1 Wolf no beans chili
.69 cents

3 macaroni & cheese microwave cups
.29 cents each

Noodle Express microwave meal
.49 cents

4 cans Archer Farms sugar free energy drink
.99 cents

1 box of Triscuits
.99 cents

1 Betty Crocker triple chunk brownie mix
.49 cents

2 cans chicken broth
.49 cents each

1 can sliced peaches
.49 cents

1 can tropical fruit
.49 cents

4 large cans Starkist tuna
.69 cents each

6 packages teriyaki beef jerky
.49 cents each
(I priced the beef jerky at Rite Aid
and it's normally $4.99 each!!!
So it's like I got it for 90% off!!)

1:00pm

Well I am tired, my back is broke
and I'm gonna take me a nap
before the weekend starts!
Then this evening work
on putting the groceries away.

---------------------------------

Mail Call

Today I got a free pack of
hearing aid batteries in the mail.
I gave them to my step-dad.

------------------------------------

I turned in some points from
one of my survey sites
to get a free 2 year subscription to
Cosmopolitan.

--------------------------------

4:30pm

Decided to give my hall closet
a $4.99 makeover with my Space Bags
I got today.
My closet is jammed packed
with blankets, bed linens
and extra curtains!
To the point you open up the
door, grab what you need,
then shut the door really
quick before something falls out!
Used 7 bags and still have
2 large and 1 jumbo left over.
My guess is that there is about
10 or so full sized comforters
and blankets in this closet
with everything else!

BEFORE

AFTER
Ahhh, I can open the closet
door once again without
fear of something falling out.
And I ended up with extra space!!
Woo Hoo!

-------------------------------

4:50pm

Well time to jump off here
and figure out what to have
for supper.
Also I need to chase a few kids
out of the yard that thought
it would be cool to bring
TWO Pit Bulls over, NOT!!

-----------------------------

9:30pm

I'm so proud of myself.
I made it 1 mile on the jogger
machine! It said I burned
almost 400 calories in 32 minutes.
Whew, time for a breather,
a little fan, some pop and a
towel for the boob sweat, lol!

-----------------------------

Full moon tonight.


------------------------------------

2-17-11

8:35am

Woo hoo, supposed to be
a high of 62 degrees today!!
Just might have to crack open
a few windows and let some fresh air in.
Time for everyone to get overly
excited about the weather
and get sick considering it is
still Winter!

I got a few Christmas items that were
in the yard brought in, lol.
Hey they were frozen in or on
the ground and I couldn't even move them.
I still have 2 things out there that
I hope the sun and a little warmth
will melt the ice on them so
I can put them away today.

This morning I'm gonna work
on cleaning carpets, doesn't
that sound like fun?
I know it's a waste of my time
to do because the yard is so muddy
but I do have company coming
in the near future so if it could
last for a couple days I'll be happy.
(carpet cleaner- free. Found in
vacated apartment still new in box!)

--------------------------

"like" Aunt Jemima on Facebook,
click on video and then get
access to get your free coupon
in 4-6 weeks.

--------------------------------

10:45am

Finally done with carpet cleaning
living & dining room & hallway.

--------------------------------

National Thrift Store Directory

------------------------------

Free Ocean Spray sample
on Facebook.
Receive in 6-8 weeks.

-----------------------------

Kendra-

I need 2 packs of size 1 diapers
to make the diaper cake.
Here's a deal on diapers
at Walgreens this week
along with wipes!

Check it out on Deal Seeking Mom!
Walgreens brand diapers are on sale this week B1G1, and they are really cheap if you combine them with the $2 coupon found in the Infant Care Booklet. The wipes are also on sale B1G1 and you should look for $2 peelies on packages of the wipes.

Be on the lookout for a new infant care booklet from Walgreens. You'll want to check for it at the beauty counter, but if it's not there, you may have to ask for it. Inside are some great coupons for diapers and other infant products.

------------------------------

Free Pepsi Max 2 liter
with Dorito purchase
printable coupon.

----------------------------

4:00pm

Stopped in Kroger to pick up some
pop, eggs & milk.
While there found these deals:
Silly Bands .25 cents each
I know these were originally $5-$6.00
at one time!
Hershey candy bars
(I got 2 reese's cups) .25 cents each.

We found that Kroger has
started making their own version
of Sun Chips. We got the cheddar
kind and they are really good!
They were $2.50 compared to
Sun Chips at almost $4.00 a bag.
Their flavors included something
like black bean & salsa
and cheddar.

They have Valentine's day items
marked down 50% off.
I didn't find anything of interest though.

The truck said it was 65 degrees out
and I'm ready to head to get my
electric blanket. My lower back, more like
to the left of my tail bone, is hurting
pretty good, kinda like spasming
at times.

2-16-11

Yesterday on channel 10 news:
A father walks into a BP gas station
to get a coffee and leaves his
7 year old in car. A man steals the
car with the boy in it while the dad
is inside store!

-------------------------------------------

11:30am

It sure makes one feel a little
better when trying to spruce up the place!
All it could take is putting up
new pictures and a little
rearranging of furniture
to give your place a new look.
I'm so ready for Spring is
why I wanted to give the place
a fresh look. And what else
ya gonna do when cooped
up indoors this time of year?

Today I hung up a few shelves
and gave the living room a few
splashes of black which pops
out from the yellow walls.

The walls look beige in the picture
but believe me they are yellow!
Shelves were free from an
eviction apartment.
Ornaments on shelves were
free as well. I found them on parts
of an old screen door and painted them black.
I liked the scroll work on them.
on them.
Living and dining room is still
a work in progress.

To balance out the black around
the couch I want to paint these
wooden stands black (not quite sure
what they are supposed to be use for.)
I use them on each sides of the couch
to put the surround speakers on.
Another freebie that was
dumpster dived.

This might be something I will
be on the hunt for that I think would
look pretty as wall decorations,
porch lanterns.
I want to find 2, paint them black
and use them to put battery
operated, flameless candles in.
May have to check habitat soon :0)

-------------------------------

1:15pm

Dollar General gave me a survey to do
asking what I thought about the
name Dollar General Market
for their new store that will
have a larger grocery section with
produce, refrigerated and frozen foods.
They also asked if I had another idea
for a name. Here's what I said...

Dollar General Express-
Like a convenience store
but with much more.
Not too big, not too small,
you don't have to super size
to get it all.

----------------------------

My honey found me another
ring today. This one was
under the stove and the last
one was under the fridge.
Too bad it's not real, lol.
It's cubic zirconia and sterling silver
according to the markings
on the inside of the ring.
It's an eternity ring meaning
the stones go all the way around
in a full circle.

----------------------------------------

I got the 2 tables spray painted
black that I use on both sides
of my couch for the surround speakers.

I also added a wreath.

2-15-11

9:55am

Guess what I've been doing this morning?


See the light we put in when
we moved in? Yeah I know
the rim is crooked at the moment
due to painting. This bath used
to have an old strip light with
very bright bulbs. We changed it
out with something that was taken
out of an apartment at Tony's work.
So a freebie update.
It was a cream color and I painted
it the gray color.
And ya know what?
It matches the light
above our kitchen sink so it
kind of goes with the flow.
The kitchen light came with the place.
Kitchen light

I just had an idea for a shower curtain
for the bathroom. I have some drapes
in the linen closet I'm currently not using
that I think would work well
with the paint color. And if the heavy
drapes don't work I have a set of
matching, same design, sheers
I could make into a shower curtain.
I'll have to think about this.
Plus I have a little bathroom stand
I want to repaint in a creamy white
that has scrolls and leaf work on it.
I think I picked this up for a buck or two
at a yard sale.

11:15am

I'm done painting for the day.
I still have 2.25 walls to do.
I don't like the mirror in the bathroom
and would like to replace it
with this mirror that I have.
It was also a freebie removed
during an apartment rehab.
It used to be gold and I repainted
it a creamy white.
I think it would look so much
better in there with all the white
molding, doors and wall cabinet.
It looks round but it's actually
an oval shape.

Also you don't know how bad I would
love to rip out that linen closet
and put in a small stackable
washer and dryer in it's place!
We have another linen closet
in the hallway.
I haven't been able to convince
Tony of it yet. First of all he doesn't
think there is enough room and second
he's not one for stackables
because they use them in the apartments
where he works and says they
are crap constantly breaking.
Now let's see if anyone notices
any more paint I put on the walls!
---------------------------------

4:20pm

Ok, I did have to paint one more thing
today so I could put my bathroom back
together. I needed this shelf done
because anything that was on it is
sitting on my bathroom floor, lol.


If I had a choice, I'd paint
the bathroom cabinet a
deep, rich chocolate color.
But I can't convince Tony in
making those changes.

Got too much to do around here, ahhh!
I think we'll end up having the leftover
spaghetti for supper since it's
already done up so that'll save some time.

---------------------------------

8:10pm

No one has yet to notice the
different colored paint in the bathroom, lol.

So tired and achy. But I guess
that's something to expect with
woman things. See told you it's always
something around here.
Gotta get this place in ship shape
and feel like I should be in bed
under the electric blanket.

My agenda for tomorrow-
wipe down couch, it's microfiber
so all I do is wipe it down with
a wet cloth and set the fan
in front of it to dry.
Then I'm gonna work on getting
the carpet cleaned in the
living & dining room and hallway.

I keep hearing a creaking sound
coming from under the couch
when we sit on it. This is crazy if
I have to send Value City out here
again to fix the boards.
What I want to know is why
the makers of sofas don't use
metal rods when constructing
it so the wood doesn't break over time.

----------------------------

I'm gonna try this home remedy tonight-

For bags and circles under your eyes
apply potato slices under your eye
for 15-20 minutes.
Mayo or an egg white works
good too.

2-14-11

Here's a video that shows you
a fast and easy way to peel potatoes.
Dawn Wells, aka Mary Ann from Gilligan's Island demonstrates her secret way to peel an Idaho Potato.
------------------------------------

Here is one of our favorite
healthy snacks, celery and peanut butter.
My favorite is apples with peanut butter.

Celery

Can Help

Reduce high blood pressure

Lower the risk of cancer

.

My next healthy snack I might try

is tuna mixed with fat free mayo

and relish,

filled celery sticks.

---------------------------------

12:45pm

Me and mom went thrift store
shopping this morning.

I didn't find hardly anything
I had on my list but did get
a few things.

I got Christopher 6 pairs of
BVD cotton boxer briefs.
These run $18 for a 3 pack at JC Penny!
($36 for 6 pairs!!)
I paid .99 cents each or $5.94 for 6!
A savings of $30.06.
And they look brand new!
The thrift store had them marked
$1.99 and marked them down 50%
to .99 cents each.
I got Jonathan a pair of
pants for .99 cents
He had a pair of pants
that had to go into the outgrown
pile yesterday that was too tight
around the waist so got him
a replacement pair.
And lastly I got myself
3 pairs of pants.

Some of my pants are looking
stained or raggedy so those
need to go out.

Pink tags were 50% off.
So those .99 cent pants
were only .50 cents each.
And I got another pair for $1.99.
So I spent $2.99 for 3 pairs.

I am also on the hunt for these
items. Not really a necessity so
will wait til I find them for cheap.

-Scale
-Shower curtain
-large clock for living room

--------------------------------

Day 4 since painting 2 walls in the
bathroom. No one has noticed
or said anything about it!
And if ya ask me I think
there's is a big enough difference
between the two wall colors.
-------------------------------

Supper

Spaghetti & Meatball Garlic Bread Pizza
(something I made up)
and
Spaghetti & Meatballs

Makes 2 meals
or 10 servings

1 pound of spaghetti - $1.00
1 pound sausage - $1.49
(mark down)
1/2 sleeve saltine crackers - .05 cents
make into crumbs (mark down)
1 egg - .15 cents
1 can 4 cheese spaghetti sauce - $1.00
1 loaf garlic bread - $2.00
2 cups Italian shredded cheese - $1.70
parmesan cheese - .25 cents


Mix sausage, cracker crumbs and
egg in bowl. Spoon half tablespoons
out and roll into balls. Place in skillet
and fry til browned.

Boil spaghetti in pot.
Drain and add a little butter
then the can of spaghetti sauce.
Stir to combine.

Cut garlic bread loaf into thirds.
Place the 6 pieces either in a
large casserole dish or on a cookie sheet.
Top all 6 pieces with about a cup
of the shredded cheese.
Using tongs, place some spaghetti on
top of cheese.
Sprinkle the top of the spaghetti
with remaining cup of cheese.
Cut 18 meatballs in half.
Place 6 halves on each tops of the
garlic bread pizza.
Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.

Bake 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Take remaining meatballs and
stir into spaghetti for a freezer meal.


Total cost to make: $7.64.
Makes 2 meals or 10 servings.
$3.82 a meal
@ .76 cents a serving.




------------------------------------------

My Valentine


This is what my honey got
me for Valentine's Day...

And he also gave me this ring.

He said he wanted to get me a ring
and low and behold today he finds
this under a refrigerator in
a vacant apartment!!

It's stamped 14K so it's white gold.
Don't know anything else about it.
It looks like little diamonds on the
bands and around middle stone.
I think the middle stone looks
like a blue topaz.

I have to rank this up there
as one of our top finds!!

Happy Valentine's Day to me :0)

-------------------------------------------

One of my Facebook friends from
high school told me tonight he's
coming to Columbus Thursday.
He was in my graduating class
and my next door neighbor back then.
I haven't seen him in about 22 or so years
since we graduated and he went into
the military over seas. He married
and has lived in Germany most
of this time.
While here he says he wants
to come visit.
Ahhh, time to get this place in shape!!

With the snow melting,
and a yard that had been recently dug up,
the kids got off the bus and left muddy
footprints from the front door
to their bedroom. Sooo I need to
carpet clean also.
Can't wait for warmer weather
to get this carpet out of here!!

-----------------------------

8:00pm

We're sitting here watching
Shawshank Redemption.
I probably would have never watched
this movie had it not been for friends
of ours that was in it.
At the moment it's on AMC
and just started at 8pm.
Here's a photo I took of the tv
of our friend Joe, who was in
the movie. We used to work with
him and Brad who was also
in Shawshank Redemption.

Joe is on the right side of the screen.
He also did commercials
like the one where he
sang the Tee Jays jingle.

2-13-11

I'm gonna try something different
with my coupons.
I'm finding it really difficult to
clip and organize coupons in
a binder. It's a lot of work and
very time consuming!
To the point I am finding
myself slacking with using coupons.

I really need to use coupons
at this point and time with all
the doctor bills that keep piling up!
We won't go there as it
is getting very depressing just thinking
about it!
So here is what I'm gonna start doing:

I got a bunch of 2 pocket folders
back when they went on sale
during back to school time.

Label a folder for:
-Red Plum
-Smart Source
-and whatever other inserts there may be.

Every week when you get your inserts
in The Bag or Dispatch
you'll want to put the date on the
front of each insert.
Like today I put 2-13-11 on the SmartSource inserts
with a black Sharpie marker on the top.

I'll then put these in chronological
order in the pockets of the designated
folder.

Each week when I search for the coupon
and sales match ups online I always
see a date and the kind of insert (like Red Plum)
that the coupon was found in.

This way I don't have to clip
every single coupon whether I use it or not.
Now I can just go to the correct insert
and cut out the coupon(s) that I need.

Here's an example:

If you see this coupon match up online-
Folgers Instant coffee classic roast or decaf 8 oz $4.99
Use the $0.25/1 coupon found in the 2/6 RP

This means to look in the coupon
insert that came out on February 6th
found in Red Plum (RP)

SmartSource is SS.

------------------------------

10:45am

I got out 2 boxes of Valentine's Day
cards that I got last year after Valentine's
Day on clearance.
They were regular $5.99 each x's 2 is $11.98.
I paid $1.25 each x's 2 is $2.50.
I saved $9.48 on both by shopping clearance!!
They each have little candy box
valentine's filled with sweet tart candies.

I did up 64 of them,
that included 4 teacher Valentines.
Then put the kid's names on them.
My fingers went numb after that!


---------------------------------

12:15pm

Made a couple dozen chocolate chip
cookies for a Valentine's Day
party at school.
What I did was bake up some
cookies from a mix.
Once baked, and still hot on the tray,
I pressed in two mini candy
canes into the shape of a heart.
This way the heat from the cookies
would melt part of the candy cane
making them stay in place.

Also got laundry started in between
baking sheets of cookies.
Everyone must of decided they all
wanted their jackets washed today
so there's an extra load.

12:45pm

Now we're debating as to whether or not
to take Jonathan to Urgent Care.
He still has this persistent cough
that hasn't gone away after 4 days.
Now is starting to get a runny nose.
Still no fever though.
I don't feel as though he needs
to see a doctor since he has no fever.
But the cough can sound horrible
at times making him vomit.
The Vicks on the feet only masks the
cough for the time being but does not
get rid of it.

-----------------------------------

4:30pm

Just returned from Urgent Care
and Kroger to get prescriptions.
Jonathan got prescriptions
for cough and something else
he has to take for the next 4-5 days
to clear out the congestion
and infection.
Doc said to keep him home tomorrow
but Jonathan doesn't want to miss
out on his Valentine's party.
I gave him his medicine now
so he will have had it in his system
for 17 hours by the time he goes
to school tomorrow.

Oh guess what the doctor's name was?

Dr. Valentine!!
I thought that was soo funny.

Well time to go work on supper
and spend the rest of the evening
doing laundry.

The kids loved the breakfast pizza casserole
I made yesterday and requested another
one this evening.
I'm gonna make this one a little
different though.
This is something I made up,
had no recipe for.

2 cans biscuits
2 pkgs country gravy
1 pound maple sausage
6 eggs
1 cup shredded cheese

Press biscuits into bottom
of a greased casserole dish.
Put in preheated 350 degree oven
for 7 minutes.
Make country gravy according
to package directions, set aside
for a couple minutes to thicken, then spoon
over top of biscuits once
they come out of oven.
Fry up sausage, drain & rinse.
(optional- I added about 1/4 cup
diced red bell peppers)
Return to burner and stir
in beaten eggs until eggs are done
then sprinkle over gravy.
Top with shredded cheese and bake
about 10 minutes til cheese
has melted.

2 cans biscuits $1.00
2 pkgs country gravy $1.00
1 pound maple sausage $1.49
6 eggs .90 cents
1 cup shredded cheese .87 cents

Total cost for meal $5.26
6 servings @ .87 cents a serving.

-------------------------------

Lego words & sentences.
Put letters and words on Legos
with stickers and have your child
link them together to make
words and sentences.



---------------------------

Make toy snakes from ties.

.















These would make cute door draft
stoppers. Or how about adding
some rice to the insides for
a warm microwave or chilled
wrap around the neck?