The "Not-So-Extreme" Couponer

Ok let me start off by saying that I scoffed at the idea when I first heard it!  I mean really? It just couldn't be worth my time...could it? Umm...wellll.........

I did see an episode of "Extreme Couponing" and thought well I can try.  I really would like to not have to get an extra job at the moment, but I will if I have to.  So I thought I would try the couponing thing.  There is a learning curve to this just like anything else.  So I started doing my research...

Somehow I ended up finding the "Krazy Coupon Lady"...

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/

This website is very easy for me to understand.  I took advice and started with CVS and Walgreen's.  They are very close to my house and a limited amount of information to learn to get started. One of the biggest things I have learned it to change my thinking about shopping. I don't shop for what I need immediately.  The goal is to have some of everything in "stock" at my house so to speak.  Now I am NOT going to start putting things in my guest bedroom where I can't walk or anything, but it is great knowing that I have extra shampoo/conditioner, body wash, etc, when I need those things rather than having to come up with $10 here and there to pick the items up! I must say that it was a little thrilling! I can totally understand how people end up buying things they don't even need! 

 

I finally got a printer at my house so that I can print out coupons at home.  So far I have bought Shampoo/Conditioner for $.79-$1.00, Lysol Wipes for $.75 a canister, hand soap for $.65 a bottle, Deo for $.65, toothpaste for $1.00 a tube (which I am told I can do better on) and a few freebies/moneymakers...contact solution FREE, I made $1.01 on Lotion, and Pens for Mom were FREE!  As for give aways I got Dad some Shampoo/Conditioner that he likes for $1.25 and I am on the lookout for other deals! 

 

I am branching out to Publix. I have heard that due to their Buy One Get One Free deals that they are a great place to coupon-PLUS they honor competitor coupons.  SO That will be coming up in future coupon reports...just how do I do with Publix and food items! 

 

WISH ME LUCK!

 

Terrific Tuesday!

Yes ladies and gents today is a Terrific Tuesday!  I am DOWN 2 lbs!!  That is 8 pounds in 2 weeks!  A new personal best!  I did call about a new gym today.  I have learned after the storm that I need the regulation of a gym.  I need to know that I am expected somewhere.  Although I won't have my personal trainer at this gym they do have BodyPump and Zumba classes. Oh and spinning-which I'm not sure I would like.  I have been to BodyPump classes before and loved them so I am pretty sure I would like Zumba, but a bicycle inside...not so sure it's for me.  I need things to be fun!

So I will keep you updated on that front.  Amy may join with me and start shedding a few pounds for the wedding.  She is getting so excited about the wedding-planning is in FULL swing and I am doing my best to field every question she throws at me!

TOMMORROW I am going to share some of my couponing experiences.  It has been a lot of fun and something that I really think I will continue!  Looking forward to it!

Here is your funny for the day!

EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT!

I have 2 VERY important NEWS Updates!

1st:
In case you haven't been in the know, my Mardi Gras co-horts Amy Ruddock and Michael Hall have gotten engaged!!!  They have picked out there rings and the wedding party.  The ring should be in in a few short weeks (pics to follow) and guess who is the "Old" Maid of Honor!???  That's right-yours truly-the 30 year old! 

2nd:
In case you haven't picked up or logged online to the Tuscaloosa News this morning I thought I would share the picture on the front page:

If you click on the picture it should take you to the article in the paper this morning. Unfortunately the paper doesn't mention me by name it could be because they were mesmerized by my beauty...or it could be because smelled so BAD because I had been in the bowels of the stadium waiting in line for HOURS in what felt like a sauna! 

Because this little event happened to be held ON THE FIELD that's right I checked another item off my list!  Throw a football on the field at Bryant Denny Stadium!  I will post the pictures tomorrow when I get a chance but I just had to share this news today! 

On a side note...

If you have met me you probably know I am not a faint-of-heart type of girl.  My term last night was I am "stocky".  I don't faint at the sight of blood, I love to do yard work or workout because I love to sweat and if there is water around I can play in I am there all day!  But yesterday after church, couponing (a blog post for another day) and the stadium waiting I just got so worn out that I literally almost fainted at dinner!  The sweet young waitress at the Tuscaloosa location of Mellow Mushroom was just so helpful!  I think I scared my friends to death-luckily for all of us I didn't pass out completely but came VERY close!  I rallied and we went on to have a great dinner and wedding talk!!  I love you guys-thanks for taking such great care of me-and I still promise that it won't happen again!!

Planking for Breast Cancer

Clink on the Ribbon for Breast Cancer Information

I was not sure how to title this post...."Planking" "These are the People Our Parents Warned Us About" or maybe just "See For Yourself"

No matter what the title I have to tell you that THESE are the people I work with.  One lady who happens to travel in a wheelchair named "Connie G" she is also known as my "Work Mom" and the other is Deborah.  The three of us make up the group known as "Larry, Mo and Curley" at work, which dates back to our time in Sign Language class. No matter what you call us, we all get along really well and you are about to get a glimpse into our work lives!

Remember a few days ago when I told you all about the Mailboxes and my friend with breast cancer?  That is Deborah.  She is one of the most wonderful people I have gotten to know since moving up here and she has had the best sense of humor about her breast cancer and treatments.  Until she realized that Connie is PAST DUE for her mamogram.  Well that just wouldn't do for Deborah after all she has been through, so like any good friend she has been pestering her about going to have one.

At work one of the best times is lunch time and it's not because of the food.  We all gather up at one long table where we talk, laugh and cut up.  We are even (trying) to grow tomatos out back!  It's a good group of people.  Today was the same kind of lunch day talking, laughing, and just enjoying being around each other when one gentleman who we refer to as "The Oscillator" asked us if we had heard about the game called "planking".  Now, for those of you not "in the know", planking is this silly game where you lay face down with your hands by your side in strange places or on strange things and have your picture taken.  I personally don't really get it, but it's all our lunch group needed to launch into a discussion. (Here is a description of planking from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planking_(fad)

After lunch was I was helping Connie with her couponing, I have been doing it about a month and she is trying to get started, and we were almost done when Deborah asked Connie if she had scheduled her mamogram.  Connie ruefully said she hadn't had a chance to make the appointment---with that Deborah jumped up and as she was running down the hall she said "I'm doing it, I'm planking your desk!"  Connie and I just looked at each other like HUH?!

When we quickly finished the coupons we went down to her office and this is what we found:


PLANKING for Breast Cancer!!!

Deborah was talking into the microphone I bought Connie a few months ago saying that she was "Planking for Breast Cancer" and that she wasn't moving until Connie made an appointment for a mamogram.  And I must tell you that is EXACTLY what happened.  She laid on Connie's desk for a good 7 minutes until Connie was off the phone with her doctor's office. 

Deborah's only words of wisdom after dismounting the desk were "Don't plank on a full stomach!!" 



A Day Late!

HI guys and gals! 

I am SO sorry to have forgotten about the Terrific Tuesdays yesterday!  I was so involved in getting the other things posted this week that I completely forgot about my regular posts! 

I am DOWNNNN   6 pounds!  Crazy I know but I have been working really hard!  I played a lot of golf this past weekend with my Mom and had a blast while sweating away on the course! 

I hate it when this happens!! Haha! I hope you all out there in cyber-land have a wonderful day! 

Dumplings!

Workin' HARD!

From SCRATCH nonetheless!!! I love my Grandmother.  Over the years she has done so much for me, made me clothes, Mardi Gras costumes, given me GREAT jewelry (real and the good costume stuff), and a ton of wisdom.  When I was creating my list for my 30 in 30 I thought about things I have wanted to learn to do and things I want to try...learning to make dumplings was almost a requirement for this list.  We had SO much fun in the process and got caught up everything going on in each others lives.  I also learned how to make Tomato Gravy and Chicken & Dressing!! 



Starting the cornbread for the dressing!





CORNBREAD!!!







Grandmother is starting the dumplings for me!





I've got DUMPLING talent!








Dropping them in!








Look at that masterpiece!!!







Last Dumpling....Then the whole pot went to Dad's office
and Dad and Neil polished them off!



Mailboxes

Well Hidey-Ho Neighbor and a Good Morning to you!

If you lived in my neighborhood and had a pretty mailbox I might tell you that your mailbox is a prayer for "so-and-so".  When I was in college I had Phi Mu sister who prayed for people at mailboxes when she walked.  I have put this technique to use and pray for people along my jogs at pretty mailboxes.  Plus I use the prayers similar to the ones we used when Neil was in the hospital.  We would pray specifically for Neil's lungs. So to explain....A co-worker of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer a few months ago.  I let her know that she technically has 2 mailboxes.  One for her AND one for her breast!  It is something that makes me feel like I have more of a purpose for my jogs.  Plus I feel guilty when I don't run because I feel like I haven't spent enough time with God that day.

It gives the saying "You've Got Mail" a whole new meaning for me!