Project 365: Oct 11-13

Oct 11: Fable sleeping peacefully in her choice location: the sofa.  Its my favorite napping spot too - oh so comfy!

Oct 12: Went apple picking at Stribling Orchard in Markham, VA.  Had a fabulous time.  Sadly the only apples left for picking were at the TOPS of the trees - hence the need for the largest picker known to man.

Oct 13: A full day at home.  Apple print paintings with yesterdays apples.  Parachute time. Movie time. Etc.

Project 365: Oct 11-13

I think I'm up for the challenge.  Project 365: take one photo every day for one year.  So, thus it begins. Oct 11, 2009 until Oct 10, 2010 - I will post every few days or week with my pictures and perhaps a short description if needed. 

More bloom

Did another trip to bloom yesterday.  Their registers DO in fact give overage on coupons.  Everything doubled, even if the item started at just $1.09.  They will NOT give cash back though (I don't blame them!) So be sure you buy something to spend your overage on.  For example - I bought a gallon of milk on one of my trips!

Unfortunately my card reader for my camera is broken, so no pictures... but got some more things!
Kashi Waffles $1.39/box (found $1 off coupons off Kashi products at Giant a few weeks back)
MORE Angel toilet paper (.59 pack) - its really ugly TP though.  Only the pretty prints is on sale.  Looks like it belongs in my grandma's house!
3 Dove chocolate bars FREE
2 bags of hersheys kisses $1.59 each
2 bags of hersheys bliss - FREE plus overage.
2 snickers bars - FREE plus overage
Mr. Clean Magic Erasers - .47

Sadly my coupon for Oscar Meyer Bacon would not work, and they would not make it work, so I asked them to void the bacon off the order... which they did, but only one package... when I handed them 2 packages.  That was $3.13 I lost :( I thinking of going back today for the last day of the sale and wondering if I can bring that issue to customer service and if they will do anything about it.

Bloom reprise!

Went to Bloom again last night in the pouring rain.  Did two transactions - couldn't help myself!  All coupons are unexpired from the newspaper.  I don't usually print online coupons because I just don't (too much ink, too much time, and doing just the one thing works for me!)

Transaction #1:

After coupons:
2 Pillsbury brownie mixes - FREE
2 Ragu spaghetti sauce - .87 each
Oatmeal (no coupons, no sale, just needed it!) $3.05
4 boxes Uncle Bens rice - .05 each
Crisco oil - .29
Dial hypoallergenic soap, 3 bars - .70
bananas
Dove spray gel - free
Herbal essences gel - free
2 packs of starkist tuna - free
3 packs of bumblebee tuna - free
fresh express salad - .99 (no coupon, but on sale!)
Hersheys extra dark bar - free
2 Eggos bake shop - .35 each
2 Jolly Time popcorn - .35 each
Jello - .23 each

Transaction #2

2 pillsbury cookie dough packs - $1 each (hey big spender!)
3 toll house cookie dough packs - $1 each
Flour - 5 pounds - 1.99 (needed this! no coupon, no sale)
crisco oil - .29
2 Franks Hot sauce - FREE
2 bottles St Ives bodywash - .49 each
Aveeno lotion - 1.50
Johnson & Johnson lotion - .99
Clean and Clear lotion (this purchase rang up wrong :( debating taking it back) $4.99!
Coffee Mate creamers - .19 each
Dove Shampoo & Conditioner - .29 each

Totally worth getting soaked in the rain with Fable!

Just found my missing stack of coupons - headed back today :)

More Bag for your Buck at Bloom

Don't miss this!  Super Duper Double Coupons at Bloom until Sept 29!  All coupons up to $1.99 double.  20 coupons per visit.

All this for $15.04!!

This includes after coupons:
6 Activa - all free!
3 Dan Active - free!
6 Pop tarts for $.60/box
4 Angel Soft Toilet paper (4 rolls) - $.50 each
2 Clorox bleach - .19 each
4 Ragu - about .60 something each
2 Comet - free!
2 bags of pretzels - $.59 each
True North nut mix - $1.29
Charmin - $2.99

Morning Off!

So much blogging today!  Why?  Because Nanew was brave enough to take BOTH girls for the WHOLE morning!  That's right I'm free wheeling until 1:30pm-ish!

What a G-R-E-A-T thing after the week we've had!  Not to mention all the construction we've been up to putting in a closet on the  main level - lots of drywall, lots of dust!  So glad the dusty-ness is over!

Almost to the ER x3

We've made nearly 3 trips to the ER this week.  I say nearly because none of the 3 happened, however they did all ALMOST happen.  Which means this has been one killer of a week!  

Near ER trip #1: 

Suzy trips over dust pan, landing on an outstretched wrist.  Felt a big zing, Bob knew it wasn't good when some choice words came out of her mouth.  Decided to wait it out.  Still hurts, still waiting.

Near ER Trip #3:

Lucy fell while we were dancing around the living room, or maybe I tripped her or rolled on her... not sure, just know must screaming began.  And then I noticed her arm didn't move, couldn't move... First it seemed like her shoulder had been dislocated the way it was hanging, then she was pointing to her elbow.  Much tears, self imbolization of the arm (which we all know is amazing since Lucy can be still for a second!)  She even let us ice it (which she never allows), so we knew something was wrong.  I doped her up on Tylenol and we packed up to take her to the ER.  We were in the car GOING TO THE ER when we realized Lucy was faking her "broken" arm. She's preying on my fear of letting my kids wander around for days with broken limbs... probably stemming from my childhood.  I think she really did hurt herself, but maybe she liked the attention and let it keep going?  Can you do that at 21 months old?  Anyways, we figured out the roose when she buckled her own seatbelt - Lucy can't resist the temptation of a buckle!

Near ER trip #2: 

Something got into Fable with Lucy's help. Lucy found my antibiotic ear drops that I was taking (which I won't be any longer since there aren't any more). While the girls were upstairs with Bob and I was making dinner, Lucy very quickly was able to open the bottle, grab the dropper, and stick it RIGHT in Fable's eye. When Bob swooped in to grab the dropper and rescue her, Lucy spilled the whole thing in her eyes and all over her face. What a mess! Many tears from all parties involved.  I am feeling grateful to the people at poison control. Not so happy about the mass hysteria and 15 minutes of flushing out Fable's eyes. At least it seems we were spared another trip to the ER. What is going on around here?!?!?  

May the week soon be over and may we stay out of the ER - afterall we've already used up all our HSA money for the year. 

Safeway Gift Card Giveaway!

Check out Frugal in Virginia's safeway gift card giveaway!

We could really use this this week... our monthly budget is running on fumes, come on pay day!

I don't usually shop at Safeway as it is not the most convenient for us, and I've always found it more expensive than other stores... but I need to reinvestigate their "new lower prices" to see what that is all about.

Mommy brain or thyroid brain

Pretty sure I'm starting to loose it.  Just found the ice cream in the fridge - yes it was me that put it there. When I went to put it in the freezer, I found my scissors - in the freezer.  This could be mommy brain, but I'm afraid it could also signal another increase in my thyroid meds - thank you hoshimoto's.  Must remember to get bloodwork done tomorrow.

In need of a playdate

My eternal struggle to wean Lucy continues... we are SO much closer than ever before.  I think we won't spend any nights away until this is complete for fear of regression.  Vacation was great - but MAJOR regression in both nursing and sleeping through the night.  Totally sucked beans - lots of beans.

Who knew you could nurse 2 kids at once?  Not my favorite admission, but its my life none the less, and yes, it makes me INSANE some days to have my almost 2 year old still clamoring for time at my breast.  But now I am in a place where each time I nurse her I realize it could really be my very last time to nurse her, and while I'm totally ready to be done, I do feel like this special aspect of our relationship is drawing to a close, and for that I am a little sad.  But still - get off me child and go play!

Back to the playdate... hardest times for her (us) are the mornings.  Its way too ingrained in her brain that she nurses in the morning.  Sometimes I can distract her with something (ok, yes, I do use chocolate chips on occasion), but the best thing we can do is leave the house and have major distraction.  So - anyone up for a playdate?  a couple of warm days this week - maybe we could hit the Fairfax Corner Fountain or the park?  Really anything would be a welcome relief. 

This is where I just say "Help!" and hope someone responds who would equally enjoy a chance to get out of the house. 

First Strokes

Lots of thought going into this blog, and now too much thought into what the first post should be.  My sister summed it up by saying the first post is the hardest because its like the first strokes on a clean canvas. Agreed.  Instead of drafting some sort of visionary statement (which I've never been very good at) I'll just leave it at this.

Welcome.  Come along on our adventure in Our Little Red Wagon!