I know I have sucked at this blogging thing in the last little while. I am so addicted to the grocery savings and dumpster diving. Who knew this would be my thing??!!
I do have my 200th post coming up. This is number 196. So, I will be thinking of something worthy to put in the big number slot. And I'll try to fill up the numbers in between much more quickly than what I've been doing.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Safeways Rollover
Right now Safeways is doing a promotion where if you buy $30 of participating products (before coupons) that you will receive $10 off of your next order. So, I did that last week. Today I rolled it for the first time. I ended up getting all of this for $10.50 and then got another $10 off coupon for my next order. This could be addicting!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
My Husband's Big Deck
A couple of weeks ago I went over to my girlfriend, Julie's, for the first time. It was there that I saw a deck that I just had to have. I came home and told my husband and the sweet man that he is, he built me one that Easter weekend!!
Today we bought our very first patio set. And after I finished staining for a bazillion hours, we put everything just where we want it.
Isn't my husband the best?!!
Today we bought our very first patio set. And after I finished staining for a bazillion hours, we put everything just where we want it.
Isn't my husband the best?!!
Happy Earth Day
In honor of Earth Day we planted some fruits and veggies. We don't have a fence yet so we just potted them because the bunnies will eat them if we put them in the ground.
Each of the children got their own terracotta pot and painted them. What wonderful artistic designers they are!
After dinner we went out and put the soil and plants into the pot. The kids had lots of fun and Mom and Dad had lots of fun watching. We celebrated with big bowls of ice cream for dessert after. Yum! I think we'll do something special like this every Earth Day.
Each of the children got their own terracotta pot and painted them. What wonderful artistic designers they are!
After dinner we went out and put the soil and plants into the pot. The kids had lots of fun and Mom and Dad had lots of fun watching. We celebrated with big bowls of ice cream for dessert after. Yum! I think we'll do something special like this every Earth Day.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Rewards of Dumpster Diving
For all of you that laughed at me yesterday....
This should have cost me $46.21. Instead I only paid...drum roll please....$11.36.
The free items were the deodorant, all 3 spices, the Quaker snacks and the Halls. Veggies only cost me 30cents each.
Dumpster Diving is my new favorite sport!!
This should have cost me $46.21. Instead I only paid...drum roll please....$11.36.The free items were the deodorant, all 3 spices, the Quaker snacks and the Halls. Veggies only cost me 30cents each.
Dumpster Diving is my new favorite sport!!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Confessions of a Couponaholic
So, I've been looking for a coupon dealer. I refuse to buy more than one paper because it already bothers me that we don't even read the paper..just recycle it. Well, I came up with a great solution.
Hi. My name is Krista Clinton. And I am officially a garbage picker!! hahaha!!
I went to the recycle bins and got tons of coupons this morning. It was very embarassing and I refused to look around as I was rummaging...but I ended up with a whole stack of coupons! Yay me!
added comment: I went to big recycling bins outside of schools. Not people's personal bins on their driveways.
Hi. My name is Krista Clinton. And I am officially a garbage picker!! hahaha!!
I went to the recycle bins and got tons of coupons this morning. It was very embarassing and I refused to look around as I was rummaging...but I ended up with a whole stack of coupons! Yay me!
added comment: I went to big recycling bins outside of schools. Not people's personal bins on their driveways.
Friday, April 17, 2009
King Sooper Deals
Check out all of the food I got. It should have cost me $50 but instead only cost me $18.
The Suave deodorant was free with coupon. As was the Montreal Seasoning. Brownies were 50 cents each with coupon. Suave shampoo and conditioner were 38 cents each with coupon. Bread is Kroger wheat and was only 88 cents each. Steamfresh veggies only 18 cents with coupon. Hot dog buns were on sale for $1.25. Zucchini was 88 cents/pound. Bell peppers were 88 cents each. Tree Top applesauce was $1.15 each after coupon. Quaker snacks were free with coupon. Cheetoes were 88 cents on sale. Lawry's marinade was 38 cents each with coupon. Frosted Mini Wheats were 63 cents after coupon.
This is the most I've saved a King Soopers...a whopping 63%. Woo Hooo!!
The Suave deodorant was free with coupon. As was the Montreal Seasoning. Brownies were 50 cents each with coupon. Suave shampoo and conditioner were 38 cents each with coupon. Bread is Kroger wheat and was only 88 cents each. Steamfresh veggies only 18 cents with coupon. Hot dog buns were on sale for $1.25. Zucchini was 88 cents/pound. Bell peppers were 88 cents each. Tree Top applesauce was $1.15 each after coupon. Quaker snacks were free with coupon. Cheetoes were 88 cents on sale. Lawry's marinade was 38 cents each with coupon. Frosted Mini Wheats were 63 cents after coupon.This is the most I've saved a King Soopers...a whopping 63%. Woo Hooo!!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Readers...Meet My Sister....
This is from my beautiful sister Jennifer who got most of the funny genes.....
Morning,
So I drove to work this morning (instead of taking the bus) because I'm taking Melanie to her Dr's apt this afternoon. I was sitting at a red light in my car, almost at my office when this car drives through the opposite light to turn. The man inside the car looks at me and gives me a little smile, then runs RIGHT INTO the car in front of him!! hahaha now instead of looking sorry and all worried, he looks BACK to me and smiles again and just shrugs his shoulders!!! hahaha He hit hard enough that the two cars had to pull over and check things out. The other driver didn't look too happy! Made my day!! : ) hahahaha
wonder if he would have smiled if I got out of the car so he could see the size of my giant ass that goes with the blonde hair I'm sure he was smiling at!!!! baaahaaaaaa
xoxo
Morning,
So I drove to work this morning (instead of taking the bus) because I'm taking Melanie to her Dr's apt this afternoon. I was sitting at a red light in my car, almost at my office when this car drives through the opposite light to turn. The man inside the car looks at me and gives me a little smile, then runs RIGHT INTO the car in front of him!! hahaha now instead of looking sorry and all worried, he looks BACK to me and smiles again and just shrugs his shoulders!!! hahaha He hit hard enough that the two cars had to pull over and check things out. The other driver didn't look too happy! Made my day!! : ) hahahaha
wonder if he would have smiled if I got out of the car so he could see the size of my giant ass that goes with the blonde hair I'm sure he was smiling at!!!! baaahaaaaaa
xoxo
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Scholarship Award
I know there has been more family stuff on here than just my random thoughts lately. For those of you that prefer random thoughts...they'll be back soon.
But for now...I'm just so tickled pink with my Kaylee's accomplishment. I wrote a few week's back about Kaylee writing an essay and winning a $100 scholarship award for it. Well, tonight was the ceremony and here are the pics.
Kaylee had told everyone that I was going to have to drag her on stage if I wanted her up there. I'm very happy to say that she walked up on her own and did very well accepting her award while a synopsis of her essay was read.
Kaylee and her teacher. I can't say enough wonderful things about her third grade teacher and I am so proud for both her and Kaylee that Kaylee won this award.
Kaylee's teacher also brought flowers for her. Here they are cut and put into a vase on our dining table. So pretty!
And, of course, we had to end the night with a picture of Kaylee and her proud mama!
Way to go Kaylee...Mom and Dad couldn't be more proud of you! xo
Hershey's Chocolate Pound Cake
There have been some requests....
Preheat oven to 325.
2 sticks (1 cup) butter
2 cups of sugar
4 eggs
8 Hershey Bars (1.55oz each)
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup buttermilk (I use 1Tbsp vinegar and the rest milk instead)
2 and 1/2 cups of flour
1/8 tsp salt
Cream together the butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time.
Melt Hershey bars and add to mixture.
Add baking soda to milk.
Alternately add milk mixture and flour to the sugar mixture.
Grease a bundt pan and pour in batter.
Bake at 325 for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes (until a toothpick comes out clean).
Enjoy!!
Preheat oven to 325.
2 sticks (1 cup) butter
2 cups of sugar
4 eggs
8 Hershey Bars (1.55oz each)
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup buttermilk (I use 1Tbsp vinegar and the rest milk instead)
2 and 1/2 cups of flour
1/8 tsp salt
Cream together the butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time.
Melt Hershey bars and add to mixture.
Add baking soda to milk.
Alternately add milk mixture and flour to the sugar mixture.
Grease a bundt pan and pour in batter.
Bake at 325 for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes (until a toothpick comes out clean).
Enjoy!!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Hippity Hoppity Happy Easter!
I have never been so excited about Easter as I was this year. I looked forward to the Easter morning gifts, was soooo excited about going to church at our new church home and couldn't wait to stuff my face all afternoon long. All of this because my Savior died and rose again for me and my sins....thank you Jesus! Or as my sister says...Go God!
Here are the kids coming down the stairs. I decided to leave the gifts on the kitchen table this year so I wouldn't have to wait until all of the kids were asleep to put them out. Also, it gave me more control over when the kids got their gifts...last year James had ALL of his chocolate gone before he woke me up!
Jagger is always so happy to receive a gift! He was thrilled with his baseball bat and balls.
Here are the kids coming down the stairs. I decided to leave the gifts on the kitchen table this year so I wouldn't have to wait until all of the kids were asleep to put them out. Also, it gave me more control over when the kids got their gifts...last year James had ALL of his chocolate gone before he woke me up!
Jagger is always so happy to receive a gift! He was thrilled with his baseball bat and balls.
James and his loot...his spring toy was the dinosaur frisbee at the bottom.
Kaylee was thrilled because she got what she wanted...the ankle skipper.
Are you joking?? I can really have this chocolate now? Before my breakfast? (Funny thing...James was disappointed today, Monday, when I wouldn't let him have more chocolate before breakfast. He just thought this would be our new thing. Goofball!)
Right after our gifts we actually got a picture of our very own easter bunny in our backyard. Very nice of him to hop on by!
We have been struggling finding a church home. I won't bore you with the whole story right now though. In short, we have decided that we need to go back to Northern Hills because we know God called us there and we felt like we walked away from that calling because of our own fears. So, yesterday morning we made our first trip back there and I wanted to scream I AM HOME!! It was phenomenal. I cried for the first 15 minutes because I knew I was right where God wanted me to be. It was an awesome experience. We take the membership class on May 13th and then we will officially have a church home! Praise God!
Once we got home it was time to cook cook cook for our Easter dinner. It was the first holiday dinner that we've had without family or friends with us in a long time. It was such a lovely laid back afternoon.
Those of you that know me well know that I love to eat! This is my plate. That is ham, green bean casserole, gulliver's corn, candied yams, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberries and pineapple that was cooked with the ham. Ohhhh so goooood! Then I had apple pie AND cheesecake for dessert. Delicious!
I bought each of the children some spring jammies for Easter. As luck would have it, I found them all monkey jammies. Here they are making monkey faces before bed.
Jagger had a serious issue with his jammies. He hates the shirt because the monkey isn't centered. He kept pulling the shirt over. He actually screamed and cried for 45 minutes earlier in the day. He literally just put this shirt on for the pictures and then took it off to never be worn again. He loves the pants though. Children!! And to be so sad in a picture where James and Kaylee are smiling so nice!
We have been struggling finding a church home. I won't bore you with the whole story right now though. In short, we have decided that we need to go back to Northern Hills because we know God called us there and we felt like we walked away from that calling because of our own fears. So, yesterday morning we made our first trip back there and I wanted to scream I AM HOME!! It was phenomenal. I cried for the first 15 minutes because I knew I was right where God wanted me to be. It was an awesome experience. We take the membership class on May 13th and then we will officially have a church home! Praise God!
Once we got home it was time to cook cook cook for our Easter dinner. It was the first holiday dinner that we've had without family or friends with us in a long time. It was such a lovely laid back afternoon.
Those of you that know me well know that I love to eat! This is my plate. That is ham, green bean casserole, gulliver's corn, candied yams, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberries and pineapple that was cooked with the ham. Ohhhh so goooood! Then I had apple pie AND cheesecake for dessert. Delicious!
I bought each of the children some spring jammies for Easter. As luck would have it, I found them all monkey jammies. Here they are making monkey faces before bed.
Jagger had a serious issue with his jammies. He hates the shirt because the monkey isn't centered. He kept pulling the shirt over. He actually screamed and cried for 45 minutes earlier in the day. He literally just put this shirt on for the pictures and then took it off to never be worn again. He loves the pants though. Children!! And to be so sad in a picture where James and Kaylee are smiling so nice!
James' monkey face.....
Kaylee monkeying around with daddy.
What a perfect weekend we had. With James' party, friends over to play and help build a deck on Saturday afternoon (pics and blog on that later) and then such a blessed day yesterday. My heart is so full!
Kaylee monkeying around with daddy.
What a perfect weekend we had. With James' party, friends over to play and help build a deck on Saturday afternoon (pics and blog on that later) and then such a blessed day yesterday. My heart is so full!
Happy Easter everyone!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Party Time!
Today we had James' birthday party. His birthday is not until the 24th but this is the only weekend that Jimmy had off...and you can't have a birthday party without Daddy!!
James was allowed to invite 5 friends. We were going to go play at the park but it was too cold so we went to ChickFilA to have lunch and play in the playground. We watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and colored Mickey pictures until everyone arrived. Then off to ChickFilA we went. (HUGE THANKS to our friend, Tom, who joined us and helped with crowd control...5 friends plus our 3 made for 8 kiddos...nuts once you get them into ChickFilA!!) When we were done playing we headed home for cupcakes and presents and then it was time to go home.
What a fun time we all had...especially my James!
Make a wish!
Singing Happy Birthday to our James.
My idea of what a Mickey Mouse cupcake should look like. Yummy!!
James received lots of wonderful gifts including this fun puzzle from his friend Alexia. He was also blessed with a battleship game, a movie, kites and cars. What fun we will have this afternoon.
We still have a couple of weeks but I cannot believe that my James will be 6. Or that it has been 5 years since our adoption day. I will admit that it has not all been roses and that sometimes it feels as though it has been a lifetime...but I would not change one single memory if it meant not having my James. How blessed this family is!
James was allowed to invite 5 friends. We were going to go play at the park but it was too cold so we went to ChickFilA to have lunch and play in the playground. We watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and colored Mickey pictures until everyone arrived. Then off to ChickFilA we went. (HUGE THANKS to our friend, Tom, who joined us and helped with crowd control...5 friends plus our 3 made for 8 kiddos...nuts once you get them into ChickFilA!!) When we were done playing we headed home for cupcakes and presents and then it was time to go home.
What a fun time we all had...especially my James!
Make a wish!
Singing Happy Birthday to our James.
My idea of what a Mickey Mouse cupcake should look like. Yummy!!
James received lots of wonderful gifts including this fun puzzle from his friend Alexia. He was also blessed with a battleship game, a movie, kites and cars. What fun we will have this afternoon.
We still have a couple of weeks but I cannot believe that my James will be 6. Or that it has been 5 years since our adoption day. I will admit that it has not all been roses and that sometimes it feels as though it has been a lifetime...but I would not change one single memory if it meant not having my James. How blessed this family is!Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Chef Kaylee
Something else that has been going on around our house....Kaylee is becoming quite the little chef. She loves to cook...especially breakfast. She makes bacon, eggs, burritos....she amazes me with her culinary skills at 9 years old! I'm thinking we will be enrolling in cooking classes soon.
Here is a breakfast she made for me before church on Sunday. It is egg and cheese burritos...one of my favorite! Thanks K-bug!
Oh...and if we could just work on cleaning up after we cook......
Long Distance Baby Shower
My beautiful niece, Melanie, is pregnant with her first child, a little girl. These are the seasons in life when I find it hardest to be away from home. I want to be there to rub her big belly and lavish her with love and support during this exciting time in her life.
My sister threw a baby shower for her on Sunday. And I got to be there! Well, sort of.
My mom discovered Dell Video Chat and now all of us girls and my mom get to see each other while chatting regularly. My brilliant sister Jennifer decided she was going to set up the video chat during the baby shower and I got to be there for the opening of the presents and even chat with a few of the guests. How awesome is that?! I am so thrilled that I got to be a part of Melanie's special day! I have the most awesome family ever!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Patricia The Stripper
At the ladies retreat I roomed with my best friends, my in-laws and a girl from the Praise Team, Tammie.
Just before getting into the shower on Saturday night I asked Tricia, whose real name is Patricia, if she had ever heard the song Patricia the Stripper. She said no. At which point I broke out into song and dance complete with twirling my panties in the air (because I was holding my change of clothes for after my shower) and treated my friends to a horrible rendition of the song!
I then went into the bathroom, got naked and then realized I didn't have shampoo or conditioner with me. I came out to get some (with a very small cabin towel wrapped around me).
As I walked out, a new roomate that we had acquired earlier in the day, asked if she could use the restroom. So, I'm now locked out of the bathroom in my skimpy towel.
After I had gone in the bathroom, my SIL, Melissa, decided to find the song on her Blackberry and play it for everyone.
I'm now standing naked, in skimpy towel with a stripping song playing.
And of course, now our Praise Team friend has other members of the Praise Team come to visit and all the girls run over to let them hear the song. Then proceed to tell them that I've been singing and dancing for them.
And they look over to see me still naked, in skimpy towel and can only imagine what's been happening in our cabin!
Could this sequence of events gone any more wrong?!
Oh, what people must think of me!
Ok...so more about the song.
My mom and I used to dance to this song when I was a little girl. I did not have your normal let's sing ABCs mom. I love story telling songs and Chris De Burgh is a wonderful storyteller. The song can be found on his Spanish Trains cassette (do they even make it in CD??).
However, I found a hilarious video to go with the song on youtube. Here is the link. You may not want to play it for your kids....but possibly for your husbands.....hahaha!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_U5eYODDAk
Enjoy!
Just before getting into the shower on Saturday night I asked Tricia, whose real name is Patricia, if she had ever heard the song Patricia the Stripper. She said no. At which point I broke out into song and dance complete with twirling my panties in the air (because I was holding my change of clothes for after my shower) and treated my friends to a horrible rendition of the song!
I then went into the bathroom, got naked and then realized I didn't have shampoo or conditioner with me. I came out to get some (with a very small cabin towel wrapped around me).
As I walked out, a new roomate that we had acquired earlier in the day, asked if she could use the restroom. So, I'm now locked out of the bathroom in my skimpy towel.
After I had gone in the bathroom, my SIL, Melissa, decided to find the song on her Blackberry and play it for everyone.
I'm now standing naked, in skimpy towel with a stripping song playing.
And of course, now our Praise Team friend has other members of the Praise Team come to visit and all the girls run over to let them hear the song. Then proceed to tell them that I've been singing and dancing for them.
And they look over to see me still naked, in skimpy towel and can only imagine what's been happening in our cabin!
Could this sequence of events gone any more wrong?!
Oh, what people must think of me!
Ok...so more about the song.
My mom and I used to dance to this song when I was a little girl. I did not have your normal let's sing ABCs mom. I love story telling songs and Chris De Burgh is a wonderful storyteller. The song can be found on his Spanish Trains cassette (do they even make it in CD??).
However, I found a hilarious video to go with the song on youtube. Here is the link. You may not want to play it for your kids....but possibly for your husbands.....hahaha!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_U5eYODDAk
Enjoy!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Grocery Deals of the Weekend
So, I only went to one grocery store and I only spent $50...well, after my savings of $48.
My best deals, found at King Soopers:
Ball Park hot dogs on sale for 99cents Fri thru Sun only. I had a coupon for $1 off 2 packages. I bought 2 packages and got them for 50cents each! I have never found them for less than 2 for $5 before so that was very exciting! Sure wish I had extras of those coupons!
And Krogers Hot Dog Buns were on sale for 50cents. I made some turkey chili last night and it was one cheap hot dogs and chili night!
Tree Top Apple juice. Buy one for $3.79 then get one free as well as a dozen Krogers eggs for free. I had a coupon for $1 off 2 Tree Top Apple juices so I got 2 juices and a dozen eggs for $2.79. Not bad.
Dole fruit is $1 each. I had a coupon for 75cents off of 2 cans. King Soopers matches coupons up to a $1 so I got each can for only 50 cents.
Also, I happened to go over to the dented can section and found beanie hats and mittens on clearance. I bought three hats and two sets of mittens for 50cents each! With the way my kids lose those things..that was definitely priced right!
Ok, so those were my best deals. Would love to know what you found!
Don't forget, the coupon club will start this Monday night at my place at 6:30pm. I will have snacks for all and my friend, Kay, will be speaking to us and letting everyone know how to get started on their money saving journey! See you there!
My best deals, found at King Soopers:
Ball Park hot dogs on sale for 99cents Fri thru Sun only. I had a coupon for $1 off 2 packages. I bought 2 packages and got them for 50cents each! I have never found them for less than 2 for $5 before so that was very exciting! Sure wish I had extras of those coupons!
And Krogers Hot Dog Buns were on sale for 50cents. I made some turkey chili last night and it was one cheap hot dogs and chili night!
Tree Top Apple juice. Buy one for $3.79 then get one free as well as a dozen Krogers eggs for free. I had a coupon for $1 off 2 Tree Top Apple juices so I got 2 juices and a dozen eggs for $2.79. Not bad.
Dole fruit is $1 each. I had a coupon for 75cents off of 2 cans. King Soopers matches coupons up to a $1 so I got each can for only 50 cents.
Also, I happened to go over to the dented can section and found beanie hats and mittens on clearance. I bought three hats and two sets of mittens for 50cents each! With the way my kids lose those things..that was definitely priced right!
Ok, so those were my best deals. Would love to know what you found!
Don't forget, the coupon club will start this Monday night at my place at 6:30pm. I will have snacks for all and my friend, Kay, will be speaking to us and letting everyone know how to get started on their money saving journey! See you there!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Happy April Fools Day
I have so much catching up to do that the next few posts are going to be out of sequence, but I will get them all in at some point! Wait till you hear the stripping story!!
My kids were so into April Fool's this year. They were planning for days what they would do to trick us. Kaylee was the only one who put any action to her thoughts though.
You know the sprayer that is at the kitchen sink? Well, she put tape over where the water would come out so that the water would spray all over the place. Unfortunately for her, it was her daddy that turned it on and the pressure of the water blew the tape right off. But daddy decided payback was in order!
Jimmy put tape around the handle of the sprayer so that as soon as someone turned on the water the sprayer would spray at full force. He also aimed it perfectly for the person standing in front of the sink. Of course, he made Kaylee clean off her dinner dish.
And by the way, I had no idea that this was going on.
I heard the scream and turned around as Jimmy was jumping up to turn the water off. Kaylee was drenched! Hair, face, shirt....she was totally soaked! As was my kitchen floor! The water sprayed across the whole room. Kaylee was such a good sport and laughed her head off. She was very proud of her daddy's trick.
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