Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Day 206 of 365

Have been trying to relax after a very long weekend.  Got a bunch of laundry folded and supper cooked.  That's about all.  Oh and I ordered my new phone :)

Monday, May 30, 2011

Day 205 of 365

Had the best of intentions to post pics today. Then while making supper my leg met up with boiling water. NOT A GOOD MIX. Will try again tomorrow :(

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Day 204 of 365

I missed posting yesterday, but I intend to write about the experience of yesterday tomorrow. If there were one word to sum me up on all levels... exhausted!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Day 202 of 365

I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off all day.  I think I have managed to get everything into the car.  Snacks, camera, video camera, 5 hour energy, coupon binder (like I go anywhere without it), suitcase, Em's bag, makeup bag, beets, meds, guitar...think that should cover it for now.  I also colored my hair, showered, dressed to the shoes, PACKED...I am going to need a nap before we get to the FunDome.  Going to be a good weekend!  My oldest child is graduating!  I love you, baby!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Day 201 of 365

There are important milestones that come up in the lives of our children, that no matter how you get along with their other parent, whether you are best friends or mortal enemies, you put that aside so that your child is the focus of that day.  Birthdays, weddings, graduations etc.  These are the times when all of the focus needs to fall on that child, regardless of their age, so that they know that no matter what, they are more important than any disagreement.  Realizing this and being able to be in the same vicinity of the other parent in order to accomplish this goal, which should be a mutual one, may be no small task, however it is one that mature adults should be able to handle.  That being said, I cannot control anyone's behavior but my own.  I know the importance of these milestones, and I am more than capable of maintaining civility and as stress free an environment as possible.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Day 200 of 365

This morning I got to spend some quality time with my honey before he left for San Angelo.  Ms Lizzy graduated from 8th grade today.  Kyle graduates from high school on Saturday and Emily graduates from elementary on the 2nd.  Our kids are just growing up so fast!

I managed to twist my knee this morning so I've been hobbling around all afternoon and evening.  The UPS man showed up and he was already gone by the time I got to the door, but he left a HUGE box that had Kyle's present in it.  I woman-handled it into the house and after I finally got the box open, I was greeted with what could only be described as disneyland for rednecks.  There had to have been $15 in bubble wrap in that big box.  When Emmy got home, she was so excited, she put a bunch of it down on the floor and danced all over it.  Sometimes she is so easy to amuse LOL

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Day 199 of 365

I spent most of today elbow deep in beets.  Washing them, trimming them, boiling them, slicing them, packing them drowning them and sealing them.  My hands, fingers and nails are all red.  I look like I am bleeding profusely.  I have to hope the color will wash off before the weekend.  The good news is we have 12 pints and 5 quarts of spiced pickled beets put away.  They should serve us well :)

Monday, May 23, 2011

Day 198 of 365

Today's post will be about my Walmart and Walgreen's haul of the week.




Total price prior to any sale prices or coupons would have been $104.61.  After sales and coupons, we paid  $34.25 out of pocket and walked away with $19.50 in Register rewards.

That means we paid full price for this:


and got everything else in the picture for free.  This amounted to  getting the following free (sorry forgot to take a pic so I will just list it):
6 big bottles suave lotion
3 bottles tone body wash
4 packages hair elastics
2 cans women's shaving cream
2 20 ounce sodas
1 package carefree
2 boxes wylers drink pouches
1 bag trail mix
1 bag poppycock
and a calculator!

Then there was Walmart!  I had some good coupons so I managed to not only get all of the following TOTALLY FREE, but they essentially gave me $6.90 to take it all home.  I used the extra $6.90 to buy the sides and dessert for supper for this evening.

THESE WERE TOTALLY FREE!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Had a fun productive day with my other half. Got my Emmy girl home this evening. Hopefully she will be back to herself in a day or two.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Great day with my handsome honey!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Day 195 of 365

Had a great visit with my second cousin, Pam, and her son, my third cousin, Cameron.  Will have to plan another visit together, soon!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Day 194 of 365

Yesterday I wrote about Kyle graduating from high school.  Today I ordered his graduation present.  I made a promise to him four years ago that if he graduated top of his class, he would get a Martin guitar as his graduation present.  Despite the odds being stacked against him, he persevered and he will walk across the stage in a little over a week as the valedictorian of the Crane High School Class of 2011.  Being able to keep this promise to him means so much to me. 

I can't think of one thing that my son loves more than music.  He listens to it, he plays it, he quotes it.  He picks up an instrument for the first time and can play it before you know it.  The talent flows through that child, er man.  He plays beautifully.  He taught himself how to play guitar, among other instruments.  When I am blessed enough to hear him play guitar, it sends chills through me. 

I can't think of one person that deserves to get something that they really want more than Kyle.  He has worked so hard for as long as I can remember.  I couldn't be more proud of him. 

I love you, Kyle.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Day 193 of 365

This afternoon was a time of reflection.  I received my oldest son's graduation announcement in the mail today.  That sounds so awful.  I received it IN THE MAIL.  I should be there with him, watching the excitement mount as he prepares to enter "the real world."  The reality is that he has been in the real world for much longer than any 18 year old should have been.  I have hated having to be so far away from him the past year and a half.  Don't get me wrong, I love my life here with Jim and Emily.  I just wish we could all be together.  I don't see that ever happening again on a long term basis.  I miss Kyle and Zach very much.  I looked at the announcement and the tears started to flow.  My beautiful little man is now all grown up, graduating top of his class and about to go off to college.  Seems like just yesterday that he made the comment to me "just think mom, it's only 7 years until I go off to college".  Wasn't that just yesterday?  Wasn't he just about to hit his "growth spurt" and shoot up about a foot over that summer?  Wasn't he just having his first crush?  Wasn't he still more interested in scooters and roller blades than girls and working?  You hear it from your parents growing up but never believe them when they say that it will go by so fast and you will just wonder where the time has gone.  I love you, son.

Kyle 2004


Kyle 2011















In the blink of an eye...

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Day 192 of 365

I have had a very productive day, yet incredibly exhausting.  I just want to sit back on the couch, put my feet up and fall asleep early. 

Monday, May 16, 2011

Day 191 of 365

Today has been a busy busy day.  Got a ton of things done before I left the house this morning, then had to hit the tire store.  We had a flat over the weekend on a tire we purchased not so long ago.  They replaced that one at their expense and we needed 2 more new ones.  Got that taken care of, then headed to the Nissan dealer for an oil change.  Then came the good stuff!

Walgreen's run this week.  This is our haul:

Total price before on sale and coupons would have been $64.95.  After sales and coupons I paid $8.67 out of pockets and walked away with $15 in Register Rewards for next time!

It was like paying full price for these 2 items:





and getting these 18 for FREE:

2 bottles All laundry detergent, 8 bottles men's body wash, 2 deodorant, 2 boxes tissues and 4 packs of chocolate covered kettle corn (had coupons for everything except the popcorn which I just picked up for filler at .33 a bag.)


Then I went to CVS.  here was my total haul:



Total price before coupons and sales would have been $48.10.  After coupons and sale prices, I paid $13.34 out of pocket and got a coupon for a free coke product on my next visit.

It amounted to paying full price for these 4 items:




and getting these 8 items FREE:

3 Wisk detergent, 3 bottles coke zero and 3 candy bars.  Had coupons for everything from CVS.

 






Got back home and walked in the door to smell yummy rosemary garlic pork loin almost ready for supper tonight.  YUMMO!  Now to put away my haul, but uhm, after I play spades with my daddy :)

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Day 190 of 365

Another great day with my honey and angel girl. Love when that happens :)

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Day 189 of 365

Spent the morning lounging, then Bill came for a visit.  Worked on my coupons while we all visited.  Then we picked up a little and watched And The Band Played On and Pretty Woman.  Emily informed us that when she gets married, she wants her engagement ring to be one of those plastic spider rings.  Gotta love 'em when they are so darn cute!  Will remember this and tell her future husband :)

Friday, May 13, 2011

Day 188 of 365

Had a loverly evening!

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Day 187 of 365

Some days you are the windshield some days the bug.  Have a serious case of the don't want to's.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Day 186 of 365

Had a nice day out with my friend.  We got his errands done and I ran one.  Then we sat and visited.  Before I knew it, the day had gotten away from me.  Stopped off for another errand then headed home.  Spent the evening with my honey and angel girl, then played on pogo for a bit.  Right after this post I am going to grab honey by the hand and drag him to bed for some one on one time then some good rest.  Night y'all :)

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Day 185 of 365

Today, was by most accounts, a lazy day.  I wasn't feeling great for most of the day so it was good that I didn't have to do anything specific.  I did manage to fold some laundry and do a tiny bit of straightening up.  Tomorrow I am supposed to take a mini road trip with a friend to run a couple of errands.  Like I don't spend enough time on the road LOL.  It should be good to get some talk time in as they are about to go through some MAJOR changes.  Lord knows I have gone through enough of those over the years.  I am so thankful to have my sweetheart and know that he is so loving and nurturing.  Thank you, God, for blessing me with him.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Day 184 of 365

WHAT A DAY!  The alarm clock went off what felt like minutes, though was really 4 1/2 hours, after we crawled in bed.  I didn't want to get up at all.  Managed to crawl out of bed, get Emmy in the shower, make her lunch and Jim's lunch and got her out the door.  Then I took him to work, came home and called the Nissan Dealer to try and get Smokey Joe in for AC service since it wasn't working.  They told me I could come in 2 hours later so I put my face on, got my stuff together, made a couple of calls and got out the door.  3 hours and almost $1000 later I left the dealership with less money in our cruise fund but a cold car.  Since we spend so much time in our car, a working AC was not an option but a necessity.  I filled the car up (Sorry Kyle, had to sign away my first born to pay for filling the tank *sigh*) and picked up a few things then headed back to Marlin.  Came home and spent a little time with Emmy Lou then picked up honey from work.  Luckily supper was leftovers from the BBQ I cooked on Saturday, then I snuggled up on the couch with my honey.  Shortly after I hit publish post, I will be crawling into bed and hopefully sleeping very shortly thereafter.  Goodnight all :)

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Day 183 of 365

Had a near perfect Mother's Day.  Only way it could have been any better is if I could have spent it with Zach and my mom as well.  The AC going out on the car was a bummer as well, but I will call about that tomorrow.  I LOVED having Kyle here this weekend.  I sure miss that kid...er MAN!  Oh my gosh!  Enough or I will start crying again.  Happy Mother's Day all!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Day 182 of 365

Have had an amazing day with the kids and Jim.  Did some grocery shopping then cooked with the kids.  We played Bunco and Apples to Apples and watched Remember Me.  I couldn't have asked for a better day with the family :)  Thanks to all of you for making it special!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Day 181 of 365

We made it home safe and sound.  So glad to have Kyle with us this weekend.  It has been too long since we all got to spend time together.  Will miss Zach being here, but I hope he is having fun in Austin.  Love to all!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Day 180 of 365

Busy day.  Had to take Jim to see Mary for his checkup, then dropped him off at work.  Came home and before I got in the door, Daddy was calling and wanting some Daddy/Daughter time (for those of you that don't know this, Daddy and I play spades online together almost every day).  I had to cut him short so that I could make it to the school in time for Emmy's Cinco de Mayo program.  She was one of only 3 students that read their essays in front of the whole school. "What Cinco de Mayo means to me as an American"  She did a lovely job.  After school we headed to Walmart to drop off Jim's scripts.  Picked her up a few things she needed and waited almost 2 hours at the pharmacy.  Should have dropped it and picked it up later.  Picked him up at work and then headed home.  Supper and some straightening.  Before I knew what was going on, it was time for beddy bye.  Night night :)

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Day 179 of 365

Obama administration denies aid to wildfire ridden Texas

When there is a disaster someplace else, Texans dig deep and help every single time. We donate money, needed items, time and in many instances, we open the doors to our homes and welcome those in need (have we forgotten about Katrina already?) Now, when we need some help, we are denied? It will only be so long and there will be another revolution across this great Nation. Our citizens are getting tired of government deciding to help many other countries before it helps its own people.  Probably not a good idea to tick off the state that believes in our right to bear arms.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Day 178 of 365

Had a busy, tiring, productive day.  Tomorrow is an early release day so Em and I will head to Waco to get our hair trimmed and maybe pick up a few new outfits for the angel girl since summer is right around the corner.  Also need to turn my unibrow back into two neat eyebrows and make a payment on my ring :)  Hoping I get some rest tonight, as it is very much needed.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Day 177 of 365

Having an owie kind of night and really missing my boys.  Going to bed early. 

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Day 176 of 365

We made another Walgreen's run on our way to pick up the Emster earlier today.  Here was our complete haul:

 The total price before coupons and advertised savings would have been $242.61.  After sales and coupons we paid only $61.55 out of pocket and walked away with $20 in register rewards for next time.





It amounts to us paying full price for these 5 items (Proglide razor kits):



And getting these 51 items for free:
3 packs women's razors, 2 packs men's razors, 3 pantene shampoo, 3 pantene conditioner, 4 bottles men's body wash, 4 deodorant, allergy medicine, 2 cans nuts, 2 jars queso, 4 bags hershey's pieces, 3 bags flossers, a 4 pack of scissors, 1 tide to go pen, 1 travel beano (one guess which male member of our house this is for), 3 cans lysol, 2 cans Arizona tea, 1 bottle water, 1 nail clipper, 8 candy bars, mixing spoons and 1 greeting card!


Our coupon total was $120.71 and we will add that to our vacation fund!