Out with the old, in with the new!

This blog is done. May she rest in peace! Please visit over here! I look forward to seeing you at my new interwebby home!

What I've Been Up To Lately!

I made a pan of mint brownies in honor of St. Patrick's Day this afternoon. I got the idea here. However, my small town grocery store did not have the mint brownie mix OR the Andes Mints baking bits. I bought a package of double chocolate and a package of Andes Mints, unwrapped them all and broke them up, and baked according to package directions. I mixed a bit of yellow and blue food coloring in with a container of vanilla frosting to make the pretty pastel green frosting. We all have enjoyed them so far. I also made an Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie for dinner. It couldn't be easier to make, and it is definitely comfort food!

I've been working on personalizing this canvas tote bag that I purchased at Walmart for Jeremiah. This is what I painted on one side. (I know it looks like a child painted it - but I gave it my best shot. It's not like I'm going to expect my poor son to tote this to school or anything!)

And this is the other side. I still need a lot of practice, but at least it's something special I made just for him. It's going to be nice to have around to carry items for shorter trips as opposed to hauling around the gigantic diaper bag!

Last weekend we took a road trip and stumbled across a North American Bald Eagle feasting on a roadkill carcass on the side of the road. I grew up very close to a nesting site and have seen many eagles, but never right by the side of the road! I wish we could have gotten some better pictures but he didn't like us getting too close.

My new baby, CoCo. (That's my other new baby. my Jeep, in the background! Her name is Peep. Get it? Peep the Jeep? LOL) Devan and I have spent a lot of time discussing the hobbies that mean the most to us and have come to the conclusion that I just can't live without a horse in my life. The stable at which I do my riding is a wonderful place, and I can ride all year round because of the access to the indoor arena. So here is CoCo! Isn't she sassy in her pretty pink halter?

She's getting irritated with me now...she just wants to go back to her friends!

Joker, one of CoCo's paddock mates.

CoCo and her boyfriend, Gunnar.

Spring is such a horrible time of year for horses. We are waiting for the pastures to dry up some so the horses aren't stuck in the muddy paddocks for much longer.

CoCo and Gunnar, true love.



Tomorrow is a busy day for me. I have a medical terminology quiz in the morning and then a St. Patrick's Day parade that CoCo and I will be riding in during the evening. I'm very excited for that - I haven't ridden in a parade since I was a kid! I've been keeping very busy with my studies and with Jeremiah. Since the weather has been warming up, we've been outside every single day at the lake or the playground over at the school, or even just hanging out in the yard. I will get some pictures up soon.

This semester I am taking:

Health

Beginning Microsoft Word 2007

Medical Terminology I

Rhetoric & Composition II

Psychology Of Human Relations

The Living Constitution

So this schedule keeps me very busy! But after a meeting with my advisor, we've determined that I am scheduled to graduate next fall! I've been working so hard towards this goal, I can't wait for my dream to become reality.

Walgreens Deals!

2 Dr. Scholl's Massaging Gel Insoles @ $10.99 = $21.98

2 John Frieda Shampoo @ $5.99 = $11.98

2 Spiking Glue (for Devan's mohawk!) @ $5.99 = $11.98

2 Glade Sense & Spray @ $5.99 = $11.98

2 Pampers Baby Dry Diapers Jumbo Packs @ $10.00 = $20.00

1 Pampers Sensitive Wipes @ $2.00 = $2.00

Clearance package of dog toys = $2.99

Lysol Healthy Touch Hand Soap Dispenser = $14.99

2 Finest Natural Reservatrol @ $9.99 = $19.98

4 Life Saver Jelly Beans @ $2.00 = $8.00

2 Reese's Miniatures @ $2.50 = $5.00

2 Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs @ $2.50 = $5.00

3 Reach Floss @ $3.00 = $9.00

2 Clearance packages of children's activity wipes @ $0.87 = $1.74

Total Before Coupons = $146.62

Earned $12.50 in Register Rewards ($10 for Dr. Schools, $2.50 for diapers)

Total After Coupons = $36.12

You can find coupon matchups many places around the web, but my favorites are here and here.

I had two $10.00 off coupons for jumbo packs of Pampers from writing to the company to complain about some diapers I had tried. This made for a great deal, because they were on sale 2/$20 and earns a $2.50 Register Reward at Walgreens.

Also, I took advantage of BOGO sales - the spiky glue (a must-have for Devan's snazzy new hairdo) was BOGO, as was the Finest Natural Reservatrol. I also had $4 off coupons from Homemade Simple for the Sense & Sprays, so when paired with the $2 off coupon in the March Walgreen's coupon booklet, they were free.

I stocked up on Easter candy because of the coupons in that booklet. I have been planning for some time to purchase the massaging gel insoles for Devan's workboots. He is on his feet all day, so I wanted to see if they might make him more comfortable. Otherwise, this purchase never would have made the cut.

Show Us Your Life - A Typical Day

I'm participating in Show Us Your Life over at Kelly's Korner.

My day starts at about 6:20a.m. when Devan gets up for work. I am not a morning person, so it takes me til about 7:00a.m. when he leaves to actually get up. Jeremiah wakes up about that time, and then our day begins! After he is changed and dressed for the day (and his hair brushed, which is one of his favorite things to do!) we clean up the bedroom and go into the kitchen to make breakfast.

I usually make fruit and toast or yogurt for us during the week for breakfast. Sometimes I go all out and make pancakes or scrambled eggs, and sometimes cereal. We usually save our big breakfasts for weekends.

After breakfast I set Jeremiah up with his trucks and blocks while I get some housework and laundry done. I usually check email and see if I've missed any deals, possibly do a blog post, and check my college e-mail to see if there's anything I need to turn in that day. After that, I play with Jeremiah for most of the morning til Daddy comes home for lunch.

After lunch is naptime for Jeremiah, and homework time for me.

When Jeremiah wakes up from his nap, we have started playing outside now that the weather is warmer. We drag out some trucks and his four wheeler (just a ride on toy, for now!). Sometimes we put Ares on the leash and get out the wagon and go for a walk, and sometimes we just play in the yard. When the weather is bad, we have "structured" play - by "structured" I mean that I sit down and choose some toys and play with them together.

By this time it's time for Daddy to come home from work and get dinner started. I usually finish up homework and housework while Devan occupies Jeremiah and has some father-son time.

After dinner, Jeremiah has a bath and a story, and then off to bed. I do a lot of my heavier cleaning in the evening after Devan & Jeremiah have gone to bed. It's a lot easier that way, and I'm much more of a night owl anyway. If I have a paper to work on, then I sit out at the kitchen table and work on it in the calm of the evening.

And that's a typical day in my life!

Can't find cake stands? Make 'em!

Step 1: Find the cutest helper possible. Make sure he's drooling.

It helps if your helper is a ham and loves to have his picture taken. Then occupy your helper by surrounding him with toys and snacks and put your materials safely out of his reach.

I hit the motherload at the thrift shop this past weekend. I walked in and saw these plates on the shelf. I made a bee-line for them. They had navy blue ribbon wound through the holes, and they had been a decoration on someone's wall. The other items are candlesticks. I paid a little less than $10.00 for everything.

A little hot glue, and there you have it. Cake (and cupcake) stands. (I'm not the best photographer, that's why they look crooked!)

And there's a country-fresh project, all ready to hold a good old-fashioned pound cake, or a special cupcake, or a slice of German Chocolate cake with coconut-pecan frosting (my favorite!)

Day 3 of No Dining Out March Report

I dined out. When I headed off to bell choir rehearsal, I realized I was starving. I'm trying to cut out eating after 8:00p.m. as part of my diet and I realized I would be home much later than that to eat dinner. So I stopped at Subway and had a chicken, bacon and Ranch sub. Not good for the budget or the diet. (Hey, I didn't have any chips, so that counts for something, right?!?!?) According to the challenge, we're allowed to have one slip up, so that's what I'm counting my Subway as. And I did tell Devan about it, so I wasn't being sneaky! :-)

Day 2 of No Dining Out March

So far, so good. I'm making pork cutlets parmesan for dinner so we won't be going out tonight, either. I am loving this challenge! Granted, it's only day 2. Devan thinks it will be easy, because he could care less about going out to eat. It's going to be much harder for me.

For more info on the No Dining Out March challenge, visit Couponing to Disney. (Today readers are sharing yummy casserole recipes!)

Blast From The Past: The Calm Before The Monkey Party

The Prince's royal throne. I jazzed it up for him with another mini pennant banner and a balloon. I took him outside before his guests arrived so that he could check out the scenery at his party!

He thought the party hat tasted wonderful.

I found that monkey gift bag at our grocery store the morning of the party. I bought it more for the decor factor. We didn't intend to give him his birthday gift from us until his actual birthday. (We got him a children's tool bench and a few tools).

"A hat and a balloon? This is the best party ever..."

A note about the deck - my father in law and I sealed it earlier in the summer and apparently the product we used wasn't top quality - hence the torn-up looking deck!

Our Budget: Jeremiah's Clothing Budget

I have budgeted $150.00 per year for Jeremiah's clothing (at least, at this point in time). I am taking this as a challenge. One note, I am not counting the clothing I showed you earlier in the year, because he's got about 4 years until he can wear those things. That was an over-budget purchase.

This weekend I purchased:

• 2 pairs of shoes (1 pair of dress shoes for his Easter outfit, one pair of tennis shoes)
• 2 shorts/tank top sets
• 1 pair of sweatpants
• 1 hoodie
• 1 jersey tee
• 1 Chicago bears jersey
• 2 long sleeve shirts
• 1 pair of dark green cargo shorts
• 1 button up shirt
• 1 tee shirt
• 1 outfit - pants and button down shirt and vest

I paid $43.00 for all of these (all Children's Place and Old Navy labels!). I love our little children's consignment shop here in town. They have a rewards program that gives you a coupon on the bottom of your receipt called "Come Back Bucks". I earned $4.00 in Come Back Bucks for my next purchase.

I also stopped at The Children's Place at the mall on Friday and purchased 2 pairs of sunglasses (2 for $5.00) and a pair of flip-flops ($3.50). I paid $9.15 there. That was a bit expensive for accessories, but Jeremiah loves his sunglasses and looks adorable in them.

I'm going to keep track of the clothing budget on the sidebar of my blog, and see if I can do it for $150.00 per month.

Spent to date: $52.15

Left to spend: $97.85

ETA: If I find a good deal on something cute, I'm going to buy it. But to the best of my ability, I'm going to stick with the budget!

Day 1 of No Dining Out March

In keeping with my renewed spirit of frugality, I'm joining in the challenge at Couponing To Disney to not eat out during March. I know this will be a tough challenge, but I think it's a wonderful idea. I definitely think it's worth a try. Anyone want to join in? Head over to Couponing To Disney for more details!

Day 1: No dining out!