I'm on a Publix/Couponing HIGH!

I know I haven't spoken of my couponing and sale seeking adventures, but I have been at it full force.  I recently have been visiting a site called Southern Savers.  It's similar to Coupon Mom, but Southern Saver included links to printable coupons that aren't in the weekly paper.  I have only used this site for my Publix shopping trips the past two weeks, but I'm quite impressed with myself.

Last week I spent about $52 and saved a little over $80--$130 dollars worth of groceries for $52!!!  Today, we (Keith, Knox and I) ventured out to Publix together.  I had a Rite Aid coupon for $5 a total purchase of $20, which Southern Savers said that Publix would honor (Publix honors "all" competitors coupons).  Thanks to Southern Savers and my collection of coupons, I had a hefty stack o' coupons in tow.  Plus Publix had fabulous deals for the current week, so I knew that I would have a great saving day.  So, today's grand total spent was $43.10 and, drum roll please, total amount saved was $102.62!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Can you believe it???  $145 worth of groceries for $43!!!  I did have to haggle the manager to accept my Rite Aid coupon.  I had a similar coupon for CVS--$5 of $30 purchase, but he said that it was for a pharmacy purchase, which is not the case.  I had to read the fine print to him.  I didn't push my luck with the CVS one, but I did with the Rite Aid.  He also said that they weren't competitors, but I asked if he accepted Walgreens coupons for things like aluminum foil.  He said yes, if they are local.  Guess he doesn't drive to work or venture out of the store, since there is a Walgreens across the street and a Rite Aid in the Publix parking lot.  Don't know how much more local you can get than that.  Oh well.

I just can't quit looking at my sales receipt!!!  I was so giddy when I came out of the store and couldn't wait to report my savings to Keith and Knox.  (No surprise that Knox got fussy, so he and Daddy headed out to the truck to wait on me.)  I know there are people out there who put me to shame with their grocery savings, but I am just so proud of myself and I know that I will continue to save more the longer I'm in this "grocery game."

Great Play Date

Knox and I were invited to have a play date over at Ada & Laura Beth's house today.  The kids played relatively well together, given their ages, but I think the play date might have been more for the benefit of the mommies.  :)  I guess everyone wins here!

There were no huge arguments between the two sweet little toddlers, but some slobber was exchanged in the sharing of sippy cups--at least no one is sick.  You can see in the pics that Ada loves Knox's green cup, and Knox the same for Ada's blue one.  So funny!  We had a wonderful time playing in general, and Knox only did his screech money impressionation (sp?) about four times, so that was great.  He played so well with Ada's toys, I guess since they are new to him.  They didn't try to take each other's toys but a few times.  The only "fight" they got in was when Knox scared Ada by knocking her down trying to give her hugs.  Sweet boy just doesn't know his own strength, especially when it comes to petite little Miss Ada!  :)

Thanks Ada and Laura Beth, for having us over!  We'll have to do that more often.  Knox was asleep before we hit the main road, and slept for 2 1/2 hours--unheard of in this household!

NEW "CREATIVE" BLOG!

I have decided it was time for a blog solely dedicated to the creative side of my life.  The blogs are categorized for the easiest sorting and viewing--from invites to embroidery and everything in between.  I have many samples that I want to share, and since I've recently started the blog, it will take some time to catch up so check back often!

www.greatdaygraphics.blogspot.com

Check it out and leave some love!  :)

Pics from Chick Up Too Late

Just wanted to share the pictures of the things I made for Sherry last night!  I love, love, love the last photo--my new current obsession of machine applique.  I also took some photos of my little seedlings and my little wild man in his Valentine's shirt his Ma Jack got him.  Notice the facial expression and the wording on the shirt are complete opposites--haha!  Anywho, hope everyone has a fabulous Valentine's Day tomorrow!

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Too late for this chicky

It is WAY past my bedtime, but I'm up making the cutest burp cloths for my sweet friend Sherry.  I'll have to take pictures tomorrow AM to post.  I know I wouldn't be able to sleep if I waited to do them tomorrow, so I'm biding my time doing a quick little post while my machine works away.

Speaking of embroidery machine, I'm getting several orders for burp cloths, bibs, onesies, etc. so I'm quite pumped about this new venture!  Plus I now think I'm addicted to it--especially appliqué which I just learned to do two days ago.  I'm going to have to invest in a few 18 month onesies so Knox can be a part of the action.  I'm also going to work on some designs geared toward the school down the road and let the neighbors kids be my billboards.  If anyone reading wants me to do any school related designs, or anything else for that matter, leave me a comment, give me a shout, however you can get in touch with me! ;)  I just turned the hand appliqué of the cupcake that I made for Kaylie, into a machine appliqué, for cutie Ben Smith.  His birthday isn't until May, but I am so thankful his momma, Amanda is on top of the ball, and gave me plenty of wiggle room with getting it completed--but I think I'll probably have it done by next week.  :)

Other than that, Knox has been entertaining us with claps when we request Pat-A-Cake.  He has also startedfoot stomps in excitement, accompanied with a large grin.  This and finger pointing have both started recently, and funny enough, the first finger pointing and foot stomping episode was for a bite of chocolate cake.  He is my child.  :)  No big plans for Valentines Day, possibly some landscaping work, and some home-grilled steaks.  Just some quality time with my men, and looking forward to Grammy & Grandaddy's visit next weekend.

I can hardly believe we're almost halfway through February--but I'm glad spring is almost here!  I'll have to post pics of my no-fail winter blues pick-me-up--my seedlings!  For the past few years I've started herbs and tomatoes from seed.  It's actually quite exciting to me to plant the seeds and watch them grow.  I run downstairs each day to see how much they grew over night.  This year I got this cute little greenhouse thing, actually it's a giant plastic box for about $7, and several packets of seeds for about $1 a pack.  I should have some parsley, cilantro, chives, mint, tomatoes, bell peppers, and rosemary this spring and summer.  In addition to beating the winter blahs, I'll have some home-grown groceries to help cut the grocery bill.  I plan on planting bean, squash/zucchini, and cucumber seeds to add to the bounty.  I'll have to keep you posted on how those go.

Mandy's Maternity Session

So, I had the best time doing my first photo session!  I was actually quite nervous beforehand, but it was such an amazing experience, and I'm glad I was able to do it with Mandy.  She was a great model, with a beautiful pregnant belly.  I think we were able to make the other feel more at ease and joked constantly.  

We're also both super excited because we've realized that we only live 7 minutes apart!  Take a look at a few of our end results...

I wanted to play on the phrase, "Barefoot & Pregnant," and I thought it turned out super cute!  Had to add this one, Mandy!

I monogrammed the onesie for Nolan--I want to take pictures of him IN it once he's born.

My Little Cotton Ball

Grammy & Grandaddy wanted pictures to accompany the previous post, regarding the "cotton ball."  So, here goes:

Random Happenings

Before I let you in on all the good stuff that will be happening this weekend, let me inform you of a few things that have taken place the past few days.

I found out that my "magic" machine, is in fact, NOT magic.  I guess I jinxed myself with the last post, and Knox has NOT slept well at all the past two days.  BOO!  Up at 5:30 the past two days and only an hour long nap today!  I'm grasping for straws here, but I guess it's still his poor little teeth.  About the only thing making him feel better, besides the frequent doses of Motrin, is watching WIggles DVDs over and over again.  I know I'm a horrible mother for letting him watch so much TV, but isn't it better that I keep what sanity I have left?

Speaking of sanity, baby number two is not in the plans for the immediate future, but hopefully in the next year or so.  With this in mind, I have already planned to collect ovulation and pregnancy tests with coupons and sales, since last time we tried to get pregnant we probably spent a pretty penny on those things.  So today I got a notification that I can get $5 a $20 total sale at Rite Aid.  Rite Aid is normally my last go-to store in regards to couponing and sales.  I got on www.couponmom.com to check out the deals for this week, since they are almost up.  I saw they had EPT test on sale and there was a current coupon.  Rite Aid also had some cereal, which we have none of.  I also remembered at the last minute that I had a gift card for $10 for spending $50 there during the month of December in qualifying products.  Once there, I knew my total before taxes would be a penny short so I grabbed two individual rolls of paper towels on sale.  I had coupons for them but not with me--boo.  Anywho,  I saved $20.50 in coupons/gift card alone--and only spent $1.39--YEP!  ONE DOLLAR and THIRTY NINE CENTS!  That was for a pack of two pregnancy tests that retail at $17.99 (they don't expire until December of 2010), two boxes of Smart Start Cereal and two rolls of Bounty!!!  Yay me!

Back to Knox for a second.  I bought a pair of official hair cutting scissors from Sally's Beauty Supply so I can start cutting Knox's hair at home.  His hair has already grown a baby mullet since mid-December.  I did pretty decent for my first time cutting a toddler's hair.  Keith kept him distracted in his high chair, but he still kept turning his head to see what the heck I was doing to him.  I cut his hair at all one length from his scalp, which isn't the best option for those of you tempting the thought of the same.  Because I didn't keep his hair longer on the top, his sweet blonde-white hair sticks straight out from the crown on his head!  At least the cotton ball look is cute on one-year-olds! :)

Looking at the upcoming weekend, I'm super excited and the tiniest nervous, but for a good reason.  Tomorrow will be my first paid photography session, with me behind the lense!  I'm so excited that Mandy Hyde has decided to let me document this time in her, and her husband's life.  Mandy is about 8 months pregnant with their first baby, and I'm doing a maternity photo shoot with her.  I have so many great ideas, I just hope they transfer through the lense.  I'm heading over to her house Saturday afternoon, with a reprise visit on Sunday afternoon so her hubs can get his mug captured too!  After the photo session with Mandy, she's following me to our house for a mini-potluck with Natalie and Kaylie (and Knox).  Us girls and kids are kicking Daddy out of the house for the night, but he's not complaining.  He's going to see a silly movie I'd prefer not to see--everybody wins!  The great thing is that I get to see where Mandy lives, since it's only about 5 minutes away--a friend that lives close!  AND Knox gets to love on his girlfriend, Kaylie.  He has ALWAYS loved that girl, and think she reciprocates!  Anywho, Sunday I think we're going to get back to church after a two week hiatus with 2/3 of us having colds.

Wish me luck tomorrow!  Hopefully this can blossom into something a little more!!!

Rediscovery of the "Magic" Machine

If you've been keeping up-to-date with the last few posts, you know we've had a doozie of the past few weeks.  This was extended into the weekend with me getting a cold for my birthday (which was an absolutely fabulous one, by the way!), and quickly followed to me sharing the bug with Knox.

Not only has Knox been sick with one thing or another the past few weeks, but he hasn't been sleeping well in the mornings.  Since, oh I don't know, November or December maybe, Knox not been able to sleep past 6:30 in the morning--though 6:00 was the norm.  We do the same routine each night, and he sleeps VERY soundly until 6:00ish and we'd let him kinda whine until 6:30, when we'd either put him in bed with us or get in the bed in his room.  That's when he thought the party was starting, since he was ready to roll around with the dogs and play.  Since the beginning of 2009, the 6ish became more of a 5:30ish--YUCK!  I know most of this was due to his teeth initially (which are huge bulges in that little mouth--all four one-year molars, too!)  Of course, we all know why he hasn't been able to sleep the past few weeks.  Nap time was very similar, in that he simply DID NOT sleep for longer than an hour and a half.  And that was once a day.

During most of Knox's first year, I kept his cool-mist humidifier on constantly.  The only reason we quit using it was for me to clean (it was NASTY!), and with my urge to unplug everything, we just never refilled it.  So, I decided to give it a whirl once more, just to see if it would help baby boy.  The first attempt was two nights ago, and I woke up yesterday absolutely freaked out--and rested.  It was 6:30 before I heard the first peep, and 7:00 before he was really whining.  Was it a fluke?  Maybe, maybe not.

We haven't been to the gym since Thursday, with Knox's second rash, then our colds.  We did manage to get out for a bit to get some errands done.  Even though he slept until almost 7am, he was conked out in the car by 10am.  When we got home, I changed his diaper and turned on all of his "necessities"--sound machine, fan, heater and now humidifier.  That boy slept for 3 hours and 20 minutes, until I went in to wake him up!

I was thrilled again this A.M. when I woke up at 6:30 on my own, habit now I guess, and I was freaked out again--no peep to be heard.  Knox didn't make his first peep until 7:15!!!!!!!!  WHOOOO HOOOO!!!!  Fluke, I think NOT!  So moral to this story of the "magic" machine, is that if you have a wee little one and don't have a cool mist humidifier--GET ONE!  (Too bad I can't get endorsement deals for this little blub. ;)