Deals this Week

Here are a few deals this week:

Walgreens:

Chex Mix -$1.50 each when you buy 4, Receive 2,000 Balance Rewards - Use $.50 from SS 6/29 - Pay $.50 each

There are several school supplies for less than a dollar!  Check them out in the ad and use the included in ad coupon.

CVS:

Oral-B Cross Action Power Toothbrush - $5.99 - Buy 1 Receive $3 Extra Bucks - Use $2 from PG 7/27 -Pay $1

Buy 3 Ragu Pastas - $1.67 - Buy 3 receive $3 EB - Use $.60/2 from RP 7/27 - $1.41 for all 3

Rite Aid:

Crest Pro Health Rinse - $3.99 Receive $3 Up Rewards - $1 from coupons.com - FREE

Weekend Wrap Up

Is summer over yet??  Unless you are a teacher, I am not sure what the appeal is for the summer months in Louisiana.  To me it just means being hot and sticky in work clothes, limited time for the kids to play in the yard,  a daily weather check hoping for rain fall, and an excuse of why I can't exercise.  I understand that we have had a "mild" summer so far, but I don't have to like it.  Inside the walls of my house, I turn the air conditioner down low (which for me means 73), put on my sweats, light an apple strudle candle (fall smell), set the TV to ESPN and pretend like it is Fall!! It is where I live in my happy place.



In other news, RL had her tonsils removed on Thursday and they also put in her 3rd set of tubes!!  The recovery has had its ups and downs and we have 12 more days to go before we are released back to school.  This will be a looooooooong 12 days.  So far, one of the biggest struggle is food.  We did NOT face the scare of her not eating or drinking, she did not miss a beat in this area.  She is ALWAYS hungry, but we struggle with what she can eat and what tastes good to her.  I think her taste is a little off from the surgery.
















We got a ton of coupons in this weeks paper.  Deals tomorrow!!

Target!!!!

Go! Run! Rush! To target!!! 70% select toys!! Stock up! Its the way to shop!!

Jules

Cooking, what??

I have been totally blah lately when it comes to preparing a meal for my family.  I just don't want to do it.  I am drained of all things culinary and have had no motivation to even step foot in the kitchen.  I don't even want to fix a sandwich.  This is total rebellion.

I need an intervention, but right now I am too exhausted to accept one.  One day I will get back on track, but I am not sure when that day will be.

Can we talk about the coupon bummer in last Sunday's paper?!?! One page of Pantene coupons?? Really? Talk about kicking someone when they are down!!

Keep stalking Target.  You may see significant discounts this Thurs or next Thurs!!

Annie to remember....

I started off my week by attending a funeral for a friend just a week shy of 35.  She is the mother of 3 children, a wife, a sister, a daughter, and amazing friend.  It is heartbreaking....truly heartbreaking.

Annie is someone who came from a well off background, but could not care less about anything material.  She would love you and fight for you...anytime day or night.  She was ALWAYS the life of the party and ALWAYS the loudest one around.  She lived fast and hard and loved deep and with a realness that is unfortunately too fleeting these days.

Today I remember my friend Annie.  I commit myself to take her life and infuse her legacy into mine.  I will miss her voice and her energy and I will miss knowing she is there.  I will pray for her kids that are experiencing an immeasurable heartbreak of their own.

RIP, Annie.  I love you!

Stalking Target

I have not posted any deals this week because it is a bummer week.  I didn't see anything significant enough to warrant the time, therefore, we take a break this week!!!

I have instead spent my time stalking target.  At some point (hopefully soon), the summer items will start going on clearance.  You can watch those price tags drop from 30 to 50 to 70 to 90 percent off (mark downs usually made on thurs) ! Typically toys are included!!! Many targets across the nation have already dropped to 90 percent as their summer winds down.  Here in Louisiana, we are just getting started with summer.

I mistakenly processed information incorrectly when I saw a recent blog post stating that the clearance deals were happening NOW!!! I immediately felt panicked that I wasn't prepared and I had missed the "get there first" window.  Panic people.......true panic!!  It was a Sunday afternoon and my children had been in bed for an afternoon nap for about 30 minutes.  Daniel was off  kicking it with his buds and I had the house to myself.  A quite house with endless possibilities.  Then I saw it......."90% summer clearance at Target".  I saw pictures of other's grand deals and my heart starting pounding.  What do I do???? Daniel will be home in a couple of hours, I can go then.  Oh no this was not good enough, I.MUST.GO.NOW.

"Good morning, my little children, it is time to get up and get into the car.  GO! GO NOW!! No time for shoes, wipe those sleepy eyes, we must get out in the 100 degree weather and score some deals!!"

I followed the speed limit to the best of my ability to get to that red bullseye, threw my kids in the cart and rushed to the back of the store, stalking buggies to see if they were wiping the shelves.  And then it happened..........there was NO sale.  No red stickers on anything.  What the heck just happened here?!?!?

As you can probably predict, the children did NOT return to their previously scheduled nap and punished me the rest of the afternoon with whines and irritability that served as a reminder of my lack of patience in life.  Would I do it again? If I am being honest....probably so.

Soooooo.........we are still stalking and waiting on the sale.  PLEASE make all of this worth it!!!!

Hashbrowns

Today I want to highlight some homemade hashbrowns I whipped up a couple of weeks ago.

Taking a large potato, I used my pampered chef julienne slicer and made fun long thin slices. (After peeling with my pampered chef peeler)



I placed the slices in a skillet and added salt, pepper, and green peppers (add whatever you have)


I also wanted some eggs, so I used my pampered chef egg cooker and cooked two eggs (mixed with ham, onions, and pepper) in the microwave in 2 minutes!!


Now.....how great does this breakfast look?? So good!!


Jules

Deals this Week

Here are your deals this week!

Walgreens;

1 Gold Peak Tea - $1.49 Receive $1.49 Register Rewards (they were out at my location) - FREE

1 Mueller Kinesiology Pre-Cut Strips - $6.99 Receive $6.99 RR (I plan to donate this item) - FREE

2 Mitchum Deodorant - $2.99 Buy 2 Receive 2,000 Balance Rewards ($2.00) - Use 2 $2 off from SS 6/8 - FREE

CVS:

Metamucil Packet 10 ct - $2.99 - Use $1/1 from PG 7/6 - Receive $1.99 Extra Bucks (donate item) - FREE

Tampax Radiant - $4.49 - Receive $1 EB - Use $2/1 from PG 7/6 - $1.49 Final Price

Brookshires is BOGO this week!!!! I'll be looking for coupons to match up to get the best deals.  If you do not have a circular make sure to look online.  You should ALWAYS take advantage of this sale!!

Weekend Wrap

How was your 4th of July??



Mine was AH-MAZING.  Seriously, the absolutely best.  The weather was perfect, the people were perfect, the food was perfect, my children were....well really good, there was nothing I would change.



There is something about spending time with a old friend that is completely healing for the soul.  I feel refreshed in so many ways and the ickiness has dissolved.  Strangely we didn't take any more than one picture together.  I never think of taking any other pictures than of the kids.  Boo!

4th of July!

As we turn into this holiday weekend, I wanted to leave you with a few additional deals for the week to consider:

• Dollar General has Swiffer 360 for $3.  Combine with a $2/1 from coupons.com to make it $1!!

• Target mobile coupon available for $20 off a baby purchase of $100 or more.  Perfect to use if you are in need of a carseat, stroller, or any thing big!! Text Infant to 827438. (not valid until 7/6)

• Sale going on at Gap.com with up to 60% off through July 13th!

How do you plan to spend your holiday weekend??  I am so excited about mine!!!! Typically, I like to lay low and spend some extra time cleaning and organizing my house when I have days off.  I am such an exciting person, I know  Recently, I made a pledge to myself to try and get out a little more with my family.  It makes me anxious, but I'm trying.  It is hard for me to chill and relax without thinking of a million things I really "need" to be doing.  Are these things important? Nope!!  I realize this, but I am still a work in progress!

Soooo.......I was given the opportunity to go to Hot Spring and visit my BEST FRIEND EVER, Meredith!!! She and her family live in South Korea but are in town and will be visiting her parents in Hot Springs!! Unfortunately, RL has an ear infection and strep but we will not be stopped!!! Bring on the 4th!!!

Stuffed Jalapenos

I have been blessed lately with co-workers and friends who have shared the benefits of their gardens with me.  I want a garden SOOOOO bad, but I kill things. Like kill them to a rotting state. I hate to water, I don't understand the hours of the sun, random critters weird me out and so on and so on.  But yet, I REALLY REALLY want a garden.  D says that I can try one next year. Once I pull the trigger I have to focus on success and erase my expectations of failure.  Right now, I'm not ready.  I kill things.

I received a ton of jalapenos from a co-worker that I wanted to use up in a creative way.  Of course, I thought of cream cheese, bacon, and a grill.  Unfortunately, I didn't have any cream cheese or bacon so that was out.  However, I had shredded BBQ (I had made in the crockpot the day before), mushrooms, and parmesan cheese.  I could totally make something from this!!!

I cleaned out the jalapenos and placed in a dish with the oven on 425.  I roasted for about 10 minutes.




While the peppers were roasting, I sautéed the mushrooms.


Next, I stuffed with the chicken, added the mushrooms, and topped with the cheese.  Place back in the oven until the cheese is melted.









Everyone gave it a 10!!!! It was awesome and pretty healthy!! Plus low carb!!! Except for the BBQ sauce.

Deals this Week

There are a few nice FREE items this week, that I encourage you to pick up!!

WALGREENS:

Buy 1 Starbucks Refresher $1- Receive $1 Register Reward - FREE

(Can also use a $1 off coupon from starbucksrefreshers.com)

Buy 1 Crystal Light Drink Mix  or Country Time Lemonade $2 - Receive $2 RR - FREE

(Can you use $1 of from crystallight.com)

Buy 1 2 pack of Gum Toothbrushes $2.50 - Receive $2.50 RR - FREE




RITE AID:

Buy 1 3d Crest Whitening Toothpaste $2.99 - Use .50 from coupons.com and receive $2.99 Up Rewards - MONEYMAKER

Buy 2 Bayer Low Dose - Buy 1 get second 50% off - Buy 2 Receive $2.00 up rewards - use 2 $2/1 from RP 5/15 - MONEYMAKER


12 packs are also on sale for less than $3 a pack!!





**I an skipping CVS this week and just focusing on the two stops**

Monday Ickiness

Do you ever have days where you just feel icky?

There is really nothing that can explain it, no reason that jumps out, just a feeling of ickiness.  How do you even spell ickiness? Is it ickyness? Is it even a word, probably not.

Let me try and describe what I mean.  There are times that everything around you seems invalidated.  People seem to challenge your beliefs, say the wrong things at the wrong times ("wrong" because it is not what you wanted to hear), friendships appear to be fleeting, commitments seem less important, potential turns into "who cares", investments are pointless, your gaining weight while trying to loose, your brain is powered on 50% (generously), motivation is buried, people just aren't "getting it", and everything is just Icky!! Make sense?  Sound familiar to anyone?  Bueller? Bueller?

I am not sure where this mood originated.  My weekend was great with plenty of time with friends and family.  Then BOOM Monday morning..........Icky.

Let us rewind and focus on a few good times of the weekend.......

Friday - Landon and I went to the Miss LA pageant Prelims.  I loved loved loved getting to spend mommy daughter time with RL.  We dressed up, wore lots of makeup, and pranced on the scene pretending we were balancing diamond studded crowns.  We had so much fun and RL wanted to be on stage (with me by her side).







Saturday - My kids slept all day.  Someone was asleep at all times so I was able to focus some one on one time with RL and R and get alot of stuff done around the house.


Saturday night was my FIRST babysitter experience and a night out getting to know a friend.  Oh and ummmm......RL gave up her PACI!!! What! What!! Yep.......while the babysitter was there she decided the paci was "nasty" and didn't want it.  The next day she said "I like it sometimes, like right now I want it".  I was able to swoop in with a replacement prize and so far so good.  I am so glad I didn't push the battle because of her age.  She knew when she was ready.  I can promise you that she didn't receive any harm from keeping that paci  until 3 1/2 vs taking it away at 3 to the date.





Sunday afternoon we met Tinkerbell.  She was a little bit taller than I had expected.  Maybe size changes when you leave Neverland?







So............here is to making it out of Monday and in to Tuesday with a little bit more positive focus.  Pray for me as I try to sort through what I need to let go of, where my expectations need to change, and what I am not willinging to give up.   Pray that what I am not willinging to change is fueled by God's plan and not my own.