Today at Stater Bros., I spent $11.93 and saved $13.18. Goldfish crackers were on sale for $.99, Farmland Bacon $2.99 + $1 coupon, and Mother's cookies 2 for $4.
At Albertsons, I spent $18.60 and saved $21.65. Campbells cream of mushroom & chicken soups were on sale 5 for $4 + $.25 coupon, Oreos $1.99, Dannon Light and Fit & Dannon kids $1.49 + 2 $1 coupons + $.55 coupon that was on the product(lucky me), and Wheat Thins $1.99. One cashier at Albertsons really loves my 4 year old son. He always takes the time to listen to what my son is telling him and today he even asked to see my son's toys.
By the way, today my Etsy shop is featured on By the Book Paper Blog. Please look at it and let me know what you think. Also, if you like her blog, please follow her. Thanks!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Friday Savings
Since it's not a dance competition weekend for us, I can post these savings on time.
On Thursday afternoon at Walgreens, I spent $8.68 and saved $7.65. Comet and gloves were on sale 2 for $1(us & charity), Method hand soap $2.99 + $2 register rewards(charity), Arm & Hammer deodorant $.99(charity), and Plackers Flossers(charity) $2 + $2 register rewards.
At CVS, I spent $7.48 and saved $15.80. Allegra was on sale for $6.99 + $6.99 extra bucks(charity), 3 pack Ivory soap $.97(charity), Colgate toothbrush $2.77 + $2 extra bucks(charity), Oral B floss $3.49 + $2.50 extra bucks(charity), VO5 $.77(charity), and Suave deodorant $1 + $.75 coupon(charity), I also had $10 in extra bucks to use to pay for my purchase from last time.
Today at Walmart, I spent $61.33 and had $2.50 in coupons. I also had a $10 gift card to use from my husband filling out a survey at work. $14 was non-grocery purchases, like school supplies, cleaning supplies, and personal items.
At Vons, I spent $18.83 and saved $27.87, which is 60%. Kleenex was on sale for $.99(us & charity), Kraft salad dressing $.99, Vanilla wafers and Chips Ahoy $1.99, Lucerne cream cheese $1, and yellow onions $.99/pound. I also had to buy whipping cream for a cornbread recipe, which unfortunately wasn't on sale.
At Ralphs, I spent $3.52 and saved $3.50. Michelina's was on sale for $.88, and cauliflower $.99/pound. My 4 year old was having fun hearing the squeaking noise his wet from the rain shoes made on the floor, and a lady stopped to talk to him about it. She said she has 4 grown kids, and she remembers those days.
On Thursday afternoon at Walgreens, I spent $8.68 and saved $7.65. Comet and gloves were on sale 2 for $1(us & charity), Method hand soap $2.99 + $2 register rewards(charity), Arm & Hammer deodorant $.99(charity), and Plackers Flossers(charity) $2 + $2 register rewards.
At CVS, I spent $7.48 and saved $15.80. Allegra was on sale for $6.99 + $6.99 extra bucks(charity), 3 pack Ivory soap $.97(charity), Colgate toothbrush $2.77 + $2 extra bucks(charity), Oral B floss $3.49 + $2.50 extra bucks(charity), VO5 $.77(charity), and Suave deodorant $1 + $.75 coupon(charity), I also had $10 in extra bucks to use to pay for my purchase from last time.
Today at Walmart, I spent $61.33 and had $2.50 in coupons. I also had a $10 gift card to use from my husband filling out a survey at work. $14 was non-grocery purchases, like school supplies, cleaning supplies, and personal items.
At Vons, I spent $18.83 and saved $27.87, which is 60%. Kleenex was on sale for $.99(us & charity), Kraft salad dressing $.99, Vanilla wafers and Chips Ahoy $1.99, Lucerne cream cheese $1, and yellow onions $.99/pound. I also had to buy whipping cream for a cornbread recipe, which unfortunately wasn't on sale.
At Ralphs, I spent $3.52 and saved $3.50. Michelina's was on sale for $.88, and cauliflower $.99/pound. My 4 year old was having fun hearing the squeaking noise his wet from the rain shoes made on the floor, and a lady stopped to talk to him about it. She said she has 4 grown kids, and she remembers those days.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Last Weekend's Dance Competition
In my post last Wednesday:"Dance Competitions", I mentioned how stressed out I was about my daughter's upcoming dance competition. Well, it turns out I wasn't stressed out enough! Things were even worse than I expected!
The first thing I mentioned I was stressed about was the hotel. The competition was running early the first day, which is a great thing, but that meant we were too early to check-in the hotel. So, we had to wait about 45 minutes before we could check in. Meanwhile, a dance dad came in and they let him check in right away! Luckily, this time I figured out how everything worked in the hotel, so that was good. The really awful thing that happened though, was at 4:00 in the morning I smelled smoke. I looked around and didn't see any fire, so I thought maybe someone down below was sneaking a cigarette. Well, a minute later, the fire alarm sounded! My daughter and I grabbed our glasses, my purse, and cell phone, and we headed down 5 flights of stairs to the lobby in our p.j.s and socks. I wondered why no one else was madly rushing down the stairs with us, but we kept going. When we got downstairs, there was no employee in sight, so I started loudly saying, "Hello, my fire alarm is going off." An employee appeared and asked us if we were next to room 519. I said yes, and she said he just called to say he burned his bagel in the microwave. There weren't any maintenance guys around, so if we wanted our fire alarm to shut off, I would have to unplug it myself! Of course I couldn't reach it, so I was just about to knock on Mr. 519's door, when he came out and offered to unplug our alarm. Of course, who could sleep after that, plus our room still smelled. I opened the window and turned on the fan, but it took awhile for the smell to go away.
The next stressor I mentioned was the GPS. It actually got us where we needed to go almost always. We saw a Wendys near the church we went to Sunday morning, so at lunch, we looked it up on the GPS. Well, we ended up at city hall, not Wendys! Apparently the Wendys we saw wasn't the one the GPS found and the one the GPS found, obviously didn't exist!
Next, I mentioned doing my daughter's hair and makeup and waiting for her tights order. I did her hair o.k., but her fake eyelashes were very hard to get on, and stay on. Every time I looked at her, another part of the eyelash was coming off, so I just stopped looking! The tights did come in time, and they fit!
Next, was the costumes. One arrived on Thursday and the other two on Friday. Luckily they fit, but at the competitions we found out some adjustments we needed to make. We had to pin the skirts on one costume, and a sash on another. Luckily, one costume was just right.
One thing I didn't mention as a stressor was the weather. Well, unfortunately, it was pouring! The second day I couldn't find parking, so I dropped my daughter off at the front so she could find someone to help me park. She never came back. So, I put my hazard lights on, turned off the car, and ran inside sobbing about parking and my disappearing daughter. One mom ran off to find my daughter, and another mom and the studio co-owner came out to park my car. That was very kind of them. On our way home, there were four accidents because of the rain! One time we even came to a complete stop on the freeway for about 15 minutes!
So, my daughter and I both decided we don't like competitions! We've invested a lot of money in it, so we need to have a family discussion this week about quitting or having my husband attend competitions with us. I will let you know what we decide.
The first thing I mentioned I was stressed about was the hotel. The competition was running early the first day, which is a great thing, but that meant we were too early to check-in the hotel. So, we had to wait about 45 minutes before we could check in. Meanwhile, a dance dad came in and they let him check in right away! Luckily, this time I figured out how everything worked in the hotel, so that was good. The really awful thing that happened though, was at 4:00 in the morning I smelled smoke. I looked around and didn't see any fire, so I thought maybe someone down below was sneaking a cigarette. Well, a minute later, the fire alarm sounded! My daughter and I grabbed our glasses, my purse, and cell phone, and we headed down 5 flights of stairs to the lobby in our p.j.s and socks. I wondered why no one else was madly rushing down the stairs with us, but we kept going. When we got downstairs, there was no employee in sight, so I started loudly saying, "Hello, my fire alarm is going off." An employee appeared and asked us if we were next to room 519. I said yes, and she said he just called to say he burned his bagel in the microwave. There weren't any maintenance guys around, so if we wanted our fire alarm to shut off, I would have to unplug it myself! Of course I couldn't reach it, so I was just about to knock on Mr. 519's door, when he came out and offered to unplug our alarm. Of course, who could sleep after that, plus our room still smelled. I opened the window and turned on the fan, but it took awhile for the smell to go away.
The next stressor I mentioned was the GPS. It actually got us where we needed to go almost always. We saw a Wendys near the church we went to Sunday morning, so at lunch, we looked it up on the GPS. Well, we ended up at city hall, not Wendys! Apparently the Wendys we saw wasn't the one the GPS found and the one the GPS found, obviously didn't exist!
Next, I mentioned doing my daughter's hair and makeup and waiting for her tights order. I did her hair o.k., but her fake eyelashes were very hard to get on, and stay on. Every time I looked at her, another part of the eyelash was coming off, so I just stopped looking! The tights did come in time, and they fit!
Next, was the costumes. One arrived on Thursday and the other two on Friday. Luckily they fit, but at the competitions we found out some adjustments we needed to make. We had to pin the skirts on one costume, and a sash on another. Luckily, one costume was just right.
One thing I didn't mention as a stressor was the weather. Well, unfortunately, it was pouring! The second day I couldn't find parking, so I dropped my daughter off at the front so she could find someone to help me park. She never came back. So, I put my hazard lights on, turned off the car, and ran inside sobbing about parking and my disappearing daughter. One mom ran off to find my daughter, and another mom and the studio co-owner came out to park my car. That was very kind of them. On our way home, there were four accidents because of the rain! One time we even came to a complete stop on the freeway for about 15 minutes!
So, my daughter and I both decided we don't like competitions! We've invested a lot of money in it, so we need to have a family discussion this week about quitting or having my husband attend competitions with us. I will let you know what we decide.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Friday and Monday Savings
It was another very busy dance competition weekend, so I'm combining both days of savings again. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have time to tell you all about this weekend - it was very eventful!
On Thursday afternoon at Walgreens, I spent $1.21 and saved $15.81. Tuf paper towels were on sale for $.50(charity), Dial hand soap $.99 + $.35 coupon(charity), Barbasol and Pure Silk shaving cream $.99(charity), toilet paper $.50(charity), and Orbit gum $.99. I also had $8 in register rewards to use from last time.
At CVS, I spent $1.57 and saved $22.90. The cashier told me I did a great job saving money! Dial Nutriskin lotion was on sale for $4.99 + $3 extra bucks + $1 coupon, Crest mouthwash $3.49 + $2.50 extra bucks + 2 + $1 coupons(us & charity), and Irish Spring body wash $2.99 + $2 extra bucks.
On Friday at Walmart, I spent $69.36 and used $1.25 in coupons. $25 of the total was not for groceries. One of the items was a stand up magnifying mirror(for my daughter to put on her dance makeup) for $18.67! I thought that was a lot of money, but they had another one for about $30!
At Vons, I spent $20.30 and saved $23.10, which is 53%. Country Crock margarine was on sale for $2.79, Bumblebee tuna $.50(us & charity), Fuji apples $.88/pound, Dole juice $1.99, Green Giant can vegetables $.49(us & charity), Danon kids yogurt $1.77 + 2 + $1 coupons, and Fritos/Cheetos $1.49.
At Ralphs, I spent $11.54 and saved $23.55. Pears were $.99/pound, brown onions $.50/pound, Ronzoni pasta $.49(charity), S&W tomatoes $.69(charity), Quaker rice cakes $.99 + $2 store coupon, and $.99 Lunchables. The cashier told me that was a great time to use my Quaker coupon.
Today at Stater Bros., I spent $10.41 and saved $12.51. Cuties were $2.99 + $.35 coupon, Top Ramen $.16(us & charity), green beans $1.50/pound, Oscar Meyer hot dogs $.99, Manwich $.99(us & charity), and Jell-O pudding $.79.
At Albertsons, I spent $2.51 and saved $4.96. Honey Nut Cheerios were on sale for $1.88 + $.55 coupon, and Budget Gourmet $.59.
On Thursday afternoon at Walgreens, I spent $1.21 and saved $15.81. Tuf paper towels were on sale for $.50(charity), Dial hand soap $.99 + $.35 coupon(charity), Barbasol and Pure Silk shaving cream $.99(charity), toilet paper $.50(charity), and Orbit gum $.99. I also had $8 in register rewards to use from last time.
At CVS, I spent $1.57 and saved $22.90. The cashier told me I did a great job saving money! Dial Nutriskin lotion was on sale for $4.99 + $3 extra bucks + $1 coupon, Crest mouthwash $3.49 + $2.50 extra bucks + 2 + $1 coupons(us & charity), and Irish Spring body wash $2.99 + $2 extra bucks.
On Friday at Walmart, I spent $69.36 and used $1.25 in coupons. $25 of the total was not for groceries. One of the items was a stand up magnifying mirror(for my daughter to put on her dance makeup) for $18.67! I thought that was a lot of money, but they had another one for about $30!
At Vons, I spent $20.30 and saved $23.10, which is 53%. Country Crock margarine was on sale for $2.79, Bumblebee tuna $.50(us & charity), Fuji apples $.88/pound, Dole juice $1.99, Green Giant can vegetables $.49(us & charity), Danon kids yogurt $1.77 + 2 + $1 coupons, and Fritos/Cheetos $1.49.
At Ralphs, I spent $11.54 and saved $23.55. Pears were $.99/pound, brown onions $.50/pound, Ronzoni pasta $.49(charity), S&W tomatoes $.69(charity), Quaker rice cakes $.99 + $2 store coupon, and $.99 Lunchables. The cashier told me that was a great time to use my Quaker coupon.
Today at Stater Bros., I spent $10.41 and saved $12.51. Cuties were $2.99 + $.35 coupon, Top Ramen $.16(us & charity), green beans $1.50/pound, Oscar Meyer hot dogs $.99, Manwich $.99(us & charity), and Jell-O pudding $.79.
At Albertsons, I spent $2.51 and saved $4.96. Honey Nut Cheerios were on sale for $1.88 + $.55 coupon, and Budget Gourmet $.59.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Dance Competitions
Do any of you have a daughter that participates in dance competitions? If you have any tips how to survive competition season, please let me know.
Dance competition season is so stressful! My daughter's first competition for this season is this weekend. Unfortunately we have to stay overnight and we will be gone for a couple of days. I will miss my husband and sons very much. We will be staying in a hotel with a refrigerator and a microwave, which is great for me, because I have a limited diet, so I can bring my own food for the first night. The problem is, I have a hard time figuring out how to use everything in the hotel room. I can never figure out how to set the alarm clock or how to adjust the temperature. We're also lucky if I can figure out how to turn on the lamps and the lights because the light switches are never where I expect them to be. I also have trouble figuring out how to turn on the shower. So, after we check-in and go to the room, we always try everything first and then call the front desk to have someone show us how to use everything else, much to my embarrassment. Also, the second day of dance, she doesn't have to be there until 5:00 p.m. and we have to check out of the hotel at 12, 2 if they give us a late check out, so we just spend the rest of the time in the lobby.
I also am no good at driving and figuring out directions. So, I have a GPS and a printout of directions from Yahoo, but even then, I'm lucky if I can find where I'm going. My GPS is always having to make a new route, because I always go the wrong way!
Unfortunately, I'm also no good at slicking my daughter's hair back in a part and putting it in a bun. I have trouble getting her makeup to look just right too - not too little, but also not so much so that she looks like a clown. Everything has to be just perfect or the teachers' will send you to another mom to have them fix it.
Another stressful thing is, we didn't know until late last week what tights and shoes she needed to wear for each dance. So, as I found out, I placed an order with the dance store online. I ordered at least 5 different times in the last two weeks. Since it's last minute, a few things are backordered. One of the tights is supposed to ship today, so I hope it gets here in time.
We also don't have her costumes yet! Costumes for 6 of the dances arrived at the studio yesterday, but none were hers. There are a total of 45 dances from our dance studio, so they better hurry up and finish the costumes soon. Some are supposed to arrive at the studio every day, so we anxiously check our email a million times a day to see if it's hers.
Well, I could list a ton more stressful things, like packing, but I'll stop for now. So, do any of you dance moms have any advice as to how to make it less stressful?
Dance competition season is so stressful! My daughter's first competition for this season is this weekend. Unfortunately we have to stay overnight and we will be gone for a couple of days. I will miss my husband and sons very much. We will be staying in a hotel with a refrigerator and a microwave, which is great for me, because I have a limited diet, so I can bring my own food for the first night. The problem is, I have a hard time figuring out how to use everything in the hotel room. I can never figure out how to set the alarm clock or how to adjust the temperature. We're also lucky if I can figure out how to turn on the lamps and the lights because the light switches are never where I expect them to be. I also have trouble figuring out how to turn on the shower. So, after we check-in and go to the room, we always try everything first and then call the front desk to have someone show us how to use everything else, much to my embarrassment. Also, the second day of dance, she doesn't have to be there until 5:00 p.m. and we have to check out of the hotel at 12, 2 if they give us a late check out, so we just spend the rest of the time in the lobby.
I also am no good at driving and figuring out directions. So, I have a GPS and a printout of directions from Yahoo, but even then, I'm lucky if I can find where I'm going. My GPS is always having to make a new route, because I always go the wrong way!
Unfortunately, I'm also no good at slicking my daughter's hair back in a part and putting it in a bun. I have trouble getting her makeup to look just right too - not too little, but also not so much so that she looks like a clown. Everything has to be just perfect or the teachers' will send you to another mom to have them fix it.
Another stressful thing is, we didn't know until late last week what tights and shoes she needed to wear for each dance. So, as I found out, I placed an order with the dance store online. I ordered at least 5 different times in the last two weeks. Since it's last minute, a few things are backordered. One of the tights is supposed to ship today, so I hope it gets here in time.
We also don't have her costumes yet! Costumes for 6 of the dances arrived at the studio yesterday, but none were hers. There are a total of 45 dances from our dance studio, so they better hurry up and finish the costumes soon. Some are supposed to arrive at the studio every day, so we anxiously check our email a million times a day to see if it's hers.
Well, I could list a ton more stressful things, like packing, but I'll stop for now. So, do any of you dance moms have any advice as to how to make it less stressful?
Monday, March 14, 2011
Friday and Monday Savings
We had such a busy weekend since my daughter had a dance show on Sunday, I wasn't able to post my Friday Savings, so I combined it with today's.
On Thursday afternoon at Walgreens, I spent $1.61 and saved $17.43. Lays Stax chips were on sale 5 for $5 and Softsoap Body Wash 2 for $7 + $5 in register rewards. I also had $11 in register rewards from last time to help pay for this trip.
At CVS, I spent $3.59 and saved $29.87. I had a coupon from the internet for a bag of free gummy worms, various General Mills cereal $1.77 + 3 $.55 coupons + $.75 coupon, Revlon nail polish $3.99 + $3 extra bucks + $1 coupon, and a rain check for Oral B Satin floss $3.29 + $3.29 in extra bucks which the cash register rounded up to $4. I also had $10.99 in extra bucks from last time to help pay for this trip.
On Friday at Walmart, I spent $55.87 and had $3.50 in coupons. I had to buy several sizes of safety pins and other supplies for dance, which was around $13.
At Vons, I spent $31.84 and saved $35.89. Doritos were 2 for $3, Barilla pasta $.88(us & charity), broccoli $.88/pound, buy one get one free Lucerne whipped cream, $2.49 Breyers, Welches refrigerated juice $1.77, and Lucerne ice cream $2.29. The one thing I don't like about Vons, is the sales don't always show on the computer screen, some of them don't show until you get your receipt. So, the whipped cream showed up on the screen as full price, and the cashier printed a receipt, and she thought it still showed it at full price, so she took $4.99 off my bill. Well, when I got the receipt and looked at over, as I always do before I leave the store, it did only charge me $4.99 for the whipped cream. So, I went to customer service to remedy it(because previously when I've gone back to the cashier, they tell me to go to customer service), but of course they told me to get in line and go back to the cashier so her drawer won't be short. I gave the $5 to the cashier, and she was irritated at me by now, so instead of ringing it up, she just threw the $5 in the drawer and gave me back a penny from something she had on the counter! So, she's still going to be off $5 in her drawer!
At Ralphs, I spent $2.90 and saved $9.60. Green grapes were on sale for $.88/pound and Hillshire Farms lunchmeat $1.99. I also had $3 I earned from last week to use to help pay for this trip.
Today, at Stater Bros., I spent $6.59 and saved $13.20. Doritos were 2 for $3, cabbage $.29/pound, and carrots $1.29 for 2 pounds. I also had to buy French bread for tonight's and tomorrow night's dinner, which wasn't on sale.
Albertsons didn't have any good sales items for me this week.
Fresh and Easy didn't have any sales either, but as always, their orange juice is only $1.99. I also bought chocolate covered pretzel pieces for $2.99 because my kids like them for a small treat.
On Thursday afternoon at Walgreens, I spent $1.61 and saved $17.43. Lays Stax chips were on sale 5 for $5 and Softsoap Body Wash 2 for $7 + $5 in register rewards. I also had $11 in register rewards from last time to help pay for this trip.
At CVS, I spent $3.59 and saved $29.87. I had a coupon from the internet for a bag of free gummy worms, various General Mills cereal $1.77 + 3 $.55 coupons + $.75 coupon, Revlon nail polish $3.99 + $3 extra bucks + $1 coupon, and a rain check for Oral B Satin floss $3.29 + $3.29 in extra bucks which the cash register rounded up to $4. I also had $10.99 in extra bucks from last time to help pay for this trip.
On Friday at Walmart, I spent $55.87 and had $3.50 in coupons. I had to buy several sizes of safety pins and other supplies for dance, which was around $13.
At Vons, I spent $31.84 and saved $35.89. Doritos were 2 for $3, Barilla pasta $.88(us & charity), broccoli $.88/pound, buy one get one free Lucerne whipped cream, $2.49 Breyers, Welches refrigerated juice $1.77, and Lucerne ice cream $2.29. The one thing I don't like about Vons, is the sales don't always show on the computer screen, some of them don't show until you get your receipt. So, the whipped cream showed up on the screen as full price, and the cashier printed a receipt, and she thought it still showed it at full price, so she took $4.99 off my bill. Well, when I got the receipt and looked at over, as I always do before I leave the store, it did only charge me $4.99 for the whipped cream. So, I went to customer service to remedy it(because previously when I've gone back to the cashier, they tell me to go to customer service), but of course they told me to get in line and go back to the cashier so her drawer won't be short. I gave the $5 to the cashier, and she was irritated at me by now, so instead of ringing it up, she just threw the $5 in the drawer and gave me back a penny from something she had on the counter! So, she's still going to be off $5 in her drawer!
At Ralphs, I spent $2.90 and saved $9.60. Green grapes were on sale for $.88/pound and Hillshire Farms lunchmeat $1.99. I also had $3 I earned from last week to use to help pay for this trip.
Today, at Stater Bros., I spent $6.59 and saved $13.20. Doritos were 2 for $3, cabbage $.29/pound, and carrots $1.29 for 2 pounds. I also had to buy French bread for tonight's and tomorrow night's dinner, which wasn't on sale.
Albertsons didn't have any good sales items for me this week.
Fresh and Easy didn't have any sales either, but as always, their orange juice is only $1.99. I also bought chocolate covered pretzel pieces for $2.99 because my kids like them for a small treat.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Place of Belonging Book Review
I received The Place of Belonging from Bring it on Communications in order to review it. It is written by Jayne Pearson Faulkner and published by Carmichael Publishing in 2010. Click here to be taken to their website, if you'd like to know more about them. After reading my review, if you would like to buy the book for yourself or to give to someone you know would enjoy reading it, the ISBN 10: 1-935265-45-8 or ISBN 13: 978-1-935265-45-0. You can buy it at amazon.com for $10 - $11.
The Place of Belonging is a memoir written from the perspective of a child growing up in Montana in the 1940's. At the beginning of the story, Janie lives with her mother and grandmother. Her mother meets a man, and they eventually get married and move to his farm. The rest of the story is about everything Janie feels as she goes through living with her grandma and visiting her mom on the weekends, to moving with her mom and new dad to the farm, to gaining a whole new family as her mom has more children.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It's a great insight into life in the 40's and the life of a child going through so many huge changes in her life. The author did an excellent job in capturing exactly what a child would think, feel, and see as she experienced these changes. As I read this book, I could picture everything that was going on in the story, and I couldn't wait to read it every night. I really liked that at the end, it shows a picture of the author with her family, so we can see who we read about. My 12 year old daughter loves to read, so I'm going to save this book for her to read for herself in a few years.
If you've ever read this book before, please let me know what you think about it. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it! I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as I did.
The Place of Belonging is a memoir written from the perspective of a child growing up in Montana in the 1940's. At the beginning of the story, Janie lives with her mother and grandmother. Her mother meets a man, and they eventually get married and move to his farm. The rest of the story is about everything Janie feels as she goes through living with her grandma and visiting her mom on the weekends, to moving with her mom and new dad to the farm, to gaining a whole new family as her mom has more children.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It's a great insight into life in the 40's and the life of a child going through so many huge changes in her life. The author did an excellent job in capturing exactly what a child would think, feel, and see as she experienced these changes. As I read this book, I could picture everything that was going on in the story, and I couldn't wait to read it every night. I really liked that at the end, it shows a picture of the author with her family, so we can see who we read about. My 12 year old daughter loves to read, so I'm going to save this book for her to read for herself in a few years.
If you've ever read this book before, please let me know what you think about it. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it! I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Ambrosia Apples
So, remember yesterday, one of the sales items I bought was Ambrosia apples, and I had never tried them before? Well, my 14 year old son and I just shared one, sliced, for a snack. It was delicious! The outside of the apple is a mix of red and yellow. It is very crisp and juicy, and was just the right combination of sweet and tart flavor. I'm so glad it was good, although even if it wasn't, we would've eaten it because I'm not going to waste anything. I will definitely buy these apples again, whenever they're on sale, of course. :)
Monday, March 7, 2011
Monday Savings
Today at Stater Bros., I spent $32.47 and saved $48.13. This week Stater Bros. had a lot of great sales. Betty crocker cake mix, potatoes, and helpers were all on sale for $.75 + $.75 + $.50 + $.75 coupons(us & charity), Progresso vegetable soup $.75 + $1 coupon(us & charity), Lunchables $.99, cauliflower $.89/pound, Hillshire Farms sausage $2.50, 3 lb. bag of Cuties $2.99 + $.35 coupon, Gatorade $.49, Quaker rice cakes $.99, and Dole juice $1.99.
At Albertsons, I spent $8.17 and saved $11.57. Starkist tuna was on sale for 3 for $.99(us & charity), Chips Ahoy 2 for $1.99, Ambrosia apples $.69/pound, and Keebler vienna fingers $1.99. We've never tried Ambrosia apples before, so I hope they taste good. Have any of you ever had them before?
At Albertsons, I spent $8.17 and saved $11.57. Starkist tuna was on sale for 3 for $.99(us & charity), Chips Ahoy 2 for $1.99, Ambrosia apples $.69/pound, and Keebler vienna fingers $1.99. We've never tried Ambrosia apples before, so I hope they taste good. Have any of you ever had them before?
Friday, March 4, 2011
Friday Savings
Yesterday at Walgreens, I spent $13.78 and saved $8.99. Baby Magic lotion was on sale for $3 + $3 in register rewards(charity), Colgate Total toothpaste $2.99 + $2.99 register rewards(charity), Naso-Gel Spray $4.99 + $4.99 register rewards + $1 coupon(charity), Motrin PM $3 + $3 register rewards + $1 coupon(charity), and Carefree liners $.99 + $.50 coupon(charity). If you noticed, everything I bought is going to charity. Also, everything I bought other than the Carefree(which cost $.49) technically is free because of the register rewards. I got another new cashier who didn't know how to use the store coupons and also the register reward items needed a price check. So, the manager had to come up and help. She was impressed with my great shopping! :)
Yesterday at CVS, I spent $9.23 and saved $13.87. Oral B Cross Action brush was on sale for $6 + $3 extra bucks + $3 coupon, VO5 $.77(charity), Softsoap Body Wash $2.99 + $2 extra bucks, and RevitaLens $5.99 + $5.99 extra bucks. I had to get a rain check for the Oral B satin floss. I also had $4.99 in extra bucks to use from last time.
Today at Walmart, I spent $85.07 and only had $1.50 in coupons. This week I had to buy a lot of things besides groceries. We needed bleach, I needed pads, my son needed socks, my other son needed lotion, and we needed a tablecloth. All of that was about $35. My son now needs men size socks. Well, unfortunately, they are more expensive. 10 kids' socks is the same price as 6 men's socks! My younger son needs to go back to using the Aveeno baby eczema lotion. The doctor said we could switch him to Eucerin, which is the only lotion I'm not allergic too, but after a couple of days, his eczema got much worse. So, now we're going back to the baby lotion and see if that helps. Is he going to have to use baby lotion his whole life?
Yesterday at CVS, I spent $9.23 and saved $13.87. Oral B Cross Action brush was on sale for $6 + $3 extra bucks + $3 coupon, VO5 $.77(charity), Softsoap Body Wash $2.99 + $2 extra bucks, and RevitaLens $5.99 + $5.99 extra bucks. I had to get a rain check for the Oral B satin floss. I also had $4.99 in extra bucks to use from last time.
Today at Walmart, I spent $85.07 and only had $1.50 in coupons. This week I had to buy a lot of things besides groceries. We needed bleach, I needed pads, my son needed socks, my other son needed lotion, and we needed a tablecloth. All of that was about $35. My son now needs men size socks. Well, unfortunately, they are more expensive. 10 kids' socks is the same price as 6 men's socks! My younger son needs to go back to using the Aveeno baby eczema lotion. The doctor said we could switch him to Eucerin, which is the only lotion I'm not allergic too, but after a couple of days, his eczema got much worse. So, now we're going back to the baby lotion and see if that helps. Is he going to have to use baby lotion his whole life?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The Rose Princess Book Review
I received The Rose Princess and the Special Gift from Bring it on Communications in order to review it. It is written by Mike de Vetter, illustrated by Travis Orams, and published by Fish Pond - a division of Deep Rivers Books. Here is their website if you'd like to read more books published by them: www.deepriverbooks.com. After reading my review, if you would like to buy the book for your own child, the ISBN 10: 1-935265-50-4 or ISBN 13: 978-1965265-50-4. You can buy it at amazon.com for under $10.
The Rose Princess and the Special Gift is a beautiful story about a gift the king left for his daughter. Inside the box is a hat, coins, and reading glasses. She puts the items in her bag and goes for a walk. Along the way, she meets three different people who happen to each need one of the gift items in her bag. She generously gives her gifts away. When she arrives home and sees her dad, the king, she cries because she's given away the gifts he gave her. He told her not to cry because she used the gifts wisely, and surprisingly, in walk the three people she gave the gifts to. The king is very pleased by his daughter's generosity and they all celebrate together with a special dinner.
My 4 year old son and I read this book together. I honestly don't have anything I disliked about the book. In fact, we both really enjoyed it and he keeps asking when I'm going to write about the book on the computer so he can have the book back! The illustrations are really nicely done, perfectly capturing the facial expressions of the characters. I also like how the three people the princess encounters are of three different races. The "moral" of the story is also great - about giving generously and how much it pleases the people you give to, your father(Heavenly or earthly), and yourself. My son said the book was wrong because it said she gave her gifts away, but really she just shared them, just like you're supposed to do. So, although he didn't get the "generous" concept exactly, he definitely understood the message of the book. He also said it is a "cool book."
I totally recommend this book to anyone with young boys or girls. I think it's good for kids 4 and up, maybe to about 10 years old.
The Rose Princess and the Special Gift is a beautiful story about a gift the king left for his daughter. Inside the box is a hat, coins, and reading glasses. She puts the items in her bag and goes for a walk. Along the way, she meets three different people who happen to each need one of the gift items in her bag. She generously gives her gifts away. When she arrives home and sees her dad, the king, she cries because she's given away the gifts he gave her. He told her not to cry because she used the gifts wisely, and surprisingly, in walk the three people she gave the gifts to. The king is very pleased by his daughter's generosity and they all celebrate together with a special dinner.
My 4 year old son and I read this book together. I honestly don't have anything I disliked about the book. In fact, we both really enjoyed it and he keeps asking when I'm going to write about the book on the computer so he can have the book back! The illustrations are really nicely done, perfectly capturing the facial expressions of the characters. I also like how the three people the princess encounters are of three different races. The "moral" of the story is also great - about giving generously and how much it pleases the people you give to, your father(Heavenly or earthly), and yourself. My son said the book was wrong because it said she gave her gifts away, but really she just shared them, just like you're supposed to do. So, although he didn't get the "generous" concept exactly, he definitely understood the message of the book. He also said it is a "cool book."
I totally recommend this book to anyone with young boys or girls. I think it's good for kids 4 and up, maybe to about 10 years old.
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