I'm Still Here!!!

Wow, has it really been almost 2 months since I last posted anything? Yikes! Much has been going on during that time frame, though my mind is a bit fuzzy on everything. I will try to post what I can on separate posts otherwise this would be super-duper long.


The reason for this post is that I have recently been introduced to CVS via a blog here & there (mostly here) and am quite excited about the possible savings options. Now that I'm getting a feel for how it works, I'm all giddy!


So here's what I got today...






3 for $10
1 - Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Shampoo (13 0z)
(originally $4.29, sale $3.34, saved 95¢)
1 - Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Conditioner (13 0z)
(originally $4.29, sale $3.33, saved 96¢)
1 - Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-in Conditioner (10.2 oz)
(originally $6.29, sale $3.33, saved $2.96)


3 for $10
1 - Lucky Charms (11.5 oz)
(originally $4.49, sale $3.34, saved $1.15)
1 - Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal Bars (6 bars)
(originally $3.99, sale $3.33, saved 66¢)
1 - Nature Valley Oats & Honey Granola Bars (12 bars)
(originally $4.19, sale $3.33, saved 86¢)


1 - Palmolive Oxy Plus (10 oz)
(originally $1.59, sale $1.49, saved 49¢)


1 - Dial for Men (3 bars)
(originally $2.79, sale $1.99, saved 80¢)


1 - Oral-B floss (55 yds)
(originally $3.99, sale $2.99, saved $1.00)


1 - Always Infinity Regular (18 ct)
(originally $5.99, sale N/A, saved $0.00)


1 - Aquafina water (20 oz)
(originally $1.49, sale N/A, saved $0.00)
[the kids were thirsty :-) ]


- Semi-totals
originally $43.39, sale $33.95, saved $9.44


Coupons used for ...
- Dial 35¢/1 (paper maybe? I don't remember)
- Lucky Charms 55¢/1 (printable)
- Nature Valley 60¢/1 (printable)
- Always Infinity $1/1 (coupon came with free sample)
- Extra Bucks from last week $4.99
Total coupon savings - $7.49


-Totals
originally $43.39, sale $33.95, coupons $7.49, spent $26.46, saved $16.93


Extra Bucks received from this transaction

- General Mills (includes Nature Valley) spend $10, get $5eb
- Maybeline (includes Garnier) spend $10, get $5eb
- Crest (includes Oral-B) buy 1, get $2eb
- Palmolive buy 1 get $1eb
- Always buy 1 get $2eb
Total - $15 eb to use on future purchases


Final
$26.46 spent
-$15.00 ebs received
$11.46 equivalent


Thank you, Hadias, for your wonderful posting!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Yesterday we got some snow which - from what I hear - is rare around here. We had a lot of fun in it. This is the sign coming on to base early afternoon. It snowed more later that evening.

Our house and yard was covered in snow when we came home.

Karah (on the left) & Vincent made snow angels first thing

Having a little romp in the snow with daddy. Vincent attempting to throw a snowball at me
(it wasn't a little powdery)
Karah taking her turn trying to get me with a snowball

While inside warming up, the kids & Penny look across the street at the ensuing snowball fight.

Penny loved the snow and kept wanting us to throw snowballs so she could catch/fetch/eat them.

I've been hit!

(by Brian)

What else was I to do but get him back? ;-)

We ended up on the ground and somehow got all tangled up with Penny's leash.

Today the snow started melting making it stick together better so the kids took advantage of it and decided to make a snowman. Here they are getting a good base.

Lift with your knees, not your back.

(Actually, I had to help them lift this one because they couldn't get it up themselves)
Here's the head

Vincent adding a personal touch - he couldn't have a bald snowman :-) Karah adding her personal touch - didn't want it to have cold hands :D
Voila! Snowman complete!

And in case you're wondering, we used a baby carrot for the nose, and some Rubik's cube pieces for the eyes and buttons.

Going Places

And where exactly am I going? Well, on Saturday morning I walked with Karah while she let others know that it's cookie time again!

She did very well considering only 15 people ordered anything. Her goal this year is to sell more than 1,000 boxes. (She's aiming for the Ipod shuffle) I know she would be happy with getting over 500 though. The past 2 years she has come within 30 of making the 500 mark. Cookie time is a fun time for the girls but it teaches them as well. They have goals individually, but also as a troop. They voted on going to Myrtle Beach, SC and after the math was done (they had to account for transportation, food, lodging, event expenses, etc) they learned they need to sell about 4,000 boxes as a troop. It will be nice for them to reach their goals and have that sense of achievement and to see their work pay off. Me - well, I love girl scout cookies but by the time cookie season is over I know I'll be happy to be done with it. (I'm usually the one with Karah standing the cookie booths 2 hrs at a time).

Just a week!

Well I am no longer on the front page at topmomma.com which is okay. It was fun while it lasted! Thanks for those that clicked!

Popping out for a min ...

I know I have been absent for a while, but don't worry - I shall soon return to the blogging world.

The reason for this post is that a few months ago I had signed up with a website and pretty much forgot about it until a recent email which said ...
Hey Momma!
You are now on the front page of TopMomma.com!!!! Time is of the essence, so make sure that you tell all your friends and readers ASAP to get the most clicks possible. Your referral url is: http://www.topmomma.com/mommas/referal/2126 So spread the word- and good luck!

There is no need to sign up or anything, but if you could click that way once it'd be great! (FYI - Currently my picture is on the front page but not sure how long it will stay up there)



I hope everyone has had a good holiday season!

See you next year!

A Break

Sorry for my absence ... things have risen up that must be taken care of.

I will be on a break for a while yet.

He's Back!!!

After almost 7 months, Brian is now back. He returned yesterday at noon, and we have been enjoying some wonderful family time since. We are off to go take care of somet things, and I will post more pictures later.

Creepy Crawlies

Children seem to be attracted to them. Or it could be the other way around. I don't remember being as interested in little creatures so much when I was younger - then again, my memory isn't always the greatest.

Last Saturday I was at my friend's house doing some planning for our girl scout troop. When we left, her neighbor was finishing up a yard sale. I was able to pick up "The Incredibles" for Gamecube for only $3, and while I did that Karah managed to pick up a little gecko. It was bright green, and it seemed to like her. Now, the kids know that bugs or similarly small creatures do not get to come in the vehicle with us, so imagine my surprise when I find out while I'm driving that it's in the truck with us. Thankfully, we only live a few blocks away, but it still made me nervous. When we got home and it got out, I took a picture of Karah holding it.

I love this picture!

Of course, once we got home and took the pictures, I told her she had to let it go. I was done with little creatures for the day - or so I thought. While they were out back playing, Vincent caught this little guy. He came to show it to me and I screamed when it jumped towards me. A sure sign of getting old, I think. Anyways, it was this teeny little frog, smaller than a quarter. And no, it's not dead in the first picture, though I wonder if it was trying to play that way so Vincent would leave it alone :-) Eventually it did hop into the grass and I told the kids to leave it alone. Finally, I was done with little critters for the day!

Cowabunga!

That's the word the kids were debating over earlier today as they played TMNT on their Gamecube. Vincent said it was "Calibunga" while Karah argued that it was "Califunga". After getting a few laughs out of it and sharing it with Brian via Yahoo messenger, I informed them of the correct way to say the word.



This past week was spent working on schoolwork in the morning and housework in the afternoon. The day is fast approaching when Brian will return home and we are so excited! We want everything to be perfect for his return. Though I've found that there's a lot involved to achieve perfect - *sigh* Good thing he's worth it :-)

As for my previous post about Karah, I think it was just a fluke. She never had anything after that day, and I think she was imagining it. *WHEW!* Still ended up having some of the talk with her, so when it really happens it shouldn't be so much of a shock.

Here are a couple pictures from this past week.

Karah & Vincent at Books-A-Million looking at an "I Spy" book

Vincent on Sunday selling popcorn for cub scouts.

Karah helping out at the popcorn table

Oh, for those that were wondering how many skittles really did fit into the little water bottle ...

the total is - 895

But she's only 9!

Today, my little girl told me that she had seen a little blood when she was in the bathroom. She said it was teeny, so I told her to let me know if it was still there the next time she went. Yes, it was and there was more of it. It seems like only yesterday she was this teeny little thing, and now she's growing up so fast! I hadn't planned on trying to explain these kinds of things to her for a couple more years yet. I didn't expound too much on it, just barely skimmed. For those of you that have had the talk with your daughter, got any advice?

Karah on the phone with daddy yesterday morning, sitting in her new chair.

She bought it last week with her allowance at the thrift store on base for only $5!

Vincent took a self-portrait when playing with the camera.

He's always had blue eyes, but they seem especially blue in this picture (at least to me).