Some Savings...And A Story

You all know how I feel about saving money! I really LOVE it! It's my "thing"! But, this week, I was feeling pretty cranky about the whole coupon thing. I hadn't been to the store in a few weeks, so it was taking a lot of time and brain cells to get this week's preparations done. Last night, I just quit and went to bed because my brain wasn't functioning and just couldn't organize anymore. This morning, I got up at 5 and finished, still not looking forward to whole shopping experience.

You see, for the sales this week, they would take $5 off for every 10 of the special sale items you purchase, meaning that I had to keep track of everything while I shopped. It is a real headache sometimes. Today was no exception.

I got to the store early, (to beat the snowbirds) and started in on it. About 1/2 way through my shopping, my pen (that I was keeping my 10 item tally with) ran out of ink. Did I have another pen in my purse? No. I was SO bugged! There was no amount of sucking or shaking that would make my pen write. Grrrr.. So I headed off to the office supply aisle to begrudgingly buy a pen.

Standing there in front of the pens were 2 men having a indepth discussion about pens. So, I reached around them, grabbed a "sale" pen and started to head off. One of the men asked if I wouldn't mind helping his friend find a pen. That's when I noticed that one of the men was very mentally handicapped, and he was helping his blind friend try to find pens. The blind man said he wanted a "Bic" pen, so I told him about a few there, then grabbed a bag of the "bulk" pens from the bottom, which were what he was looking for. They were SO happy to get the pens! They thanked me over and over!

After they walked off, I got emotional and started to tear up. Now, you may think I'm nuts, but I KNOW that my pen ran out of ink because Heavenly Father knew those men needed my help. And that I needed their help. Yes, I helped them find what they were looking for, but they helped me more. Right there in the aisle, I said a little prayer and repented for my crappy attitude and gave thanks for being sent to help the two friends.

I have so much to be grateful for. I need to quit getting so wrapped up in my day to day mess and look around me for all that I've been blessed with. Thank you Heavenly Father for sending me two angels in the grocery aisle!

And what more of a blessing do I need?? I saved 75% on my groceries today! The best I've ever done!

Big Plans...No Gas

I had big plans for this week. I really wanted to get my Christmas stuff all set up and done. But I don't know how that's gonna happen. I have so much going on and I really haven't been feeling that great. I know it's because I'm not getting enough nutrition. I've got to just buckle down and make myself take the vitamins. (They make me nauseous.) There is no way I'm going to be able to get through this holiday season with the energy, (or lack of) that I have now.

Today I'm heading out to the grocery stores with my coupons. Usually I'm really excited about it, but today I just feel anxious and overwhelmed. I've also got to finish getting stuff ready for our Ward "Swap Meet" on Thursday. My house is a mess with all the "going through stuff" I've been doing. I've got to get it done because the mess is making me nervous!

We have Young Women in Excellence coming up next week. I have a cute idea for the invites and handouts and I just need to get them done. My list for the week is growing and growing.

And...no school on Wednesday? Are you kidding?? Come on! I should be a good mom and plan something fun for that day. The zoo or something. But it probably won't happen.

Oye! I've got to get to the grocery store before all the "snowbirds" snap up my sales!

yawn....yawn

I have been so, so tired lately. Not normal tired, it's excessive tired. I can go back to sleep after everyone leaves for the day and sleep for sometimes 3-3 1/2 hours. And still wake up exhausted. At least I've made it back to the gym this week, after several weeks of having no time. I went this morning, but then came home and slept.

I have so much to do. But I can't seem to get any of it done. (Of course...it's hard to get things done when you're sleeping all the time!) Healthwise I have felt ok, except for the almost daily headaches, but you kind of just get used to them, I guess.

Wow...what a downer post! I'd better put on some Christmas music or something...

Bad Mama

I did not feel like being the mama today. I have been grouchy and bleh feeling, although I did make it to the gym. Miracle of miracles. But it about did me in.

I was hoping that when Dave got home, he would kick in and be the parent for awhile, but, alas, it didn't happen. So, I grouched through dinner and homework and right now, I'm counting down the minutes till 8pm....bedtime. (2 minutes, by the way.) Seriously, I don't know how much more Lego Star Wars I can take. The gun shooting is drilling into my brain.

Why does it always seem like Dave and I have bad days on the same day. Shouldn't we be able to tag team? But when we're both out of sorts, someone has to step up. I just really didn't want to.

Utah Trip, Part 2

Utah Trip, Part 1

Last month we were able to go to Utah for several days. It was so beautiful! All the leaves changing colors! I really miss seeing the seasons change! Here is the first group of shots from our trip! We spent a couple of days in the Manti area and were able to see some really fun things!

Halloween 09

My blog has seriously suffered at the hands of Facebook! I am going to commit to blogging one post a day for the entire month of November. Although, I'm starting on Nov. 2nd. Does that mean I've failed already?? Crap!

We had a really fun and busy Halloween! Last week we had Trunk or Treat at the Church, Kayden had a party at a friend's house, Trick or Treating on Saturday and a Family Party on Sunday. We partied till we're pooped!

Now...to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas...

The Bear's Rattlesnake Adventure!

The Bear stayed out at my mom and dad's this weekend. On Saturday morning, he and my mom went out on one of their walks.

As The Bear went over to the stick pile to grab a stick, he found a rattlesnake! They went back to the house to get the camera, but it was gone when they got back. (Ok...it was there, but when they had to go BACK to get the memory card for the camera...it was gone!) So, this morning they checked again! And it was in the SAME spot!

It's like "Where's Waldo"! Where is the snake?? Can you find it??

Ah-ha!! There it is!!

My dad says he thinks it's a Diamondback! It didn't seem to mind that The Bear and Grandma were there watching it and talking about it. It never even rattled at them!

I'm Canning!

I'm on a canning spree again! It goes in phases. Yesterday I canned 26 quarts of Beef Stew! Here's the recipe!

Today I'm doing chili! My first batch is bubbling away waiting to be canned as I type! I will post a pic when it gets all done!

Thanks to Holly over at "You Can Can" for the inspiration and recipes!

I kicked booty today!!

So, my percentage saved today was 68%!! WOOO HOOOO!! I love free stuff!!

Day 2 at NAU

So, after getting home from taking Clinton on Tuesday, he calls and tells me I need to go BACK on Thursday for a band parent meeting. I wasn't thrilled, but I went back, because that's what we do...right? Of course, The Bear woke up sick that morning, so I called him out from school and we make the trek together...back up the mountain!

It probably wasn't necessary that I was at that meeting...it lasted all of 20 minutes...but we did get to spend a little time with Clinton, so that was good. And The Bear had a good time gallivanting about in the beautiful 80 degree weather! It was GORGEOUS!!

Here's the band starting their first rehearsal!

Good times with The Bear and Louie the Lumberjack!

The Bear's "tough" lumberjack poses! lol

He LOVED rolling down the hill!

NAU or Bust!

We left early yesterday morning to move Clinton up to his dorm at NAU in Flagstaff! When we got there, we found out he was going to be on the 3rd floor...and there were NO ELEVATORS!! So...we trucked up and down those stairs taking in all his MANY boxes!

Here's the van...all loaded up!

Here's grandma...doing more than her fair share of work!

I can't believe how small the dorm room is! Did Clinton want our help in getting it set up? NO! We wanted to put things away and organize, but he wouldn't let us. I wonder if the things will ever get unpacked??

He did let us make the bed...but that's it!

We were sad to leave him, but he wasn't sad to stay! And then he was off to drum line auditions!

He texted me later that night to let me know that he not only made drum line, but he gets to play tenors (quads)! A pretty good achievement for a freshman! Congrats Clinton! We're proud of you!!

Back To School...

...One day late! I was so sick yesterday that I didn't even get out of bed! So, here's our 2nd day of school pic!

One Liners News

James flew home yesterday. We're all sad and blue!
Clinton starts NAU in 17 days. Aggghhhh!!!!!
Clinton's favorite relative just bought him a slammin' laptop. (nope..not me!)
We may be having company this weekend.
My house is a disaster area!!
I feel like I haven't seen my husband in DAYS!
We are supposed to be going to a family reunion next week.
We are BROKE and may not be able to go.
I hate dealing with money issues.
I have a headache and need to go back to bed for a minute.

Family Pics

Thanks Sharree, for taking our pictures!! And look....smiling boys!! WOO HOO!!