My thoughts

Longest Day

2010-06-21T22:34:00.004-04:00

Today was the longest day of the year. Happy Summer!To celebrate, I decided today was the day.It's been a little over a year and a half since my niece was diagnosed with Leukemia. She's on the upswing and doing well these days, but we knew early on that she was facing a variety of chemo treatments. It was a foregone conclusion that she would lose all her hair. I did a lot of research and looked

Three stores

2010-06-09T17:03:00.005-04:00

I know, I know. The vast majority of you are sick to death of my couponing adventures. For the two of you who aren't... I had a really good day.First, I went to Target.Edy's 1.5 quart ice cream are on sale for $2.50 ea and if you buy 5, you get a $5 gift card.I had two $1/2 Qs from the Parade magazine, two weeks ago, and a $1/1 Catalina.Subtotal: $9.65, making these $1.93 ea plus I had a GC to

Edy's ice cream

2010-05-23T17:31:00.003-04:00

Okay: here's your chance to replicate!In today's Parade magazine (N&O, locally), there is a coupon for $1/2 Edy's ice cream. If you get two papers, and head over to Food Lion, you can get the same deal I did yesterday. Just because you buy them at once doesn't mean you have to eat them at once, and I'm pretty sure this includes the low-sugar variety. This sale runs through the close of

HT Super Doubles

2010-05-22T19:30:00.002-04:00

For friends who have asked how I got $60 for $5.54 today...B1G1 Nature's Own Perfect Slice Premium Bread (24 oz.) $1.84$.75/1, 5/16 Insert ... -1.50 = 0.34Polaner sugar-free + fiber fruit spread $2.00$1.00/1 IP ... -2.00 = freeKC Masterpiece BBQ sauce $2.19$1.00/1 IP ... -2.00 = 0.19 ea (print 2 of these)Ortega refried beans $1.00$1.00/2, May 'All You'... -2.00 = freeYakisoba (Maruchan) noodles

Three more...

2010-05-16T21:52:00.007-04:00

I'm running a one-woman sweatshop out of my dining room and bedroom. I got halfway through this skirt before I ran out of thread, and had to dash over to The Scrap Exchange... (which, coincidentally -- or not -- is where I bought both the black plaid and the striped trim material months ago!)......where I found material to make this one......and then was so pleased with the results that I had to

Skirt pattern

2010-05-15T21:44:00.005-04:00

I finally found a skirt pattern I like, for the kids:http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/circle-skirt-from-an-old-sheetInstead of using additional material for the waistband, though, we used wide ribbon we had matched to a yard of material we found for $1 at a sale some time ago:The little one is quite happy.

Australian Actors

2010-05-07T15:02:00.005-04:00

Now that summer is here, my brain is free to ponder and my fingers are free to blog about frivolous notions.Today's is: Australians and US Television. I propose that the presence of one Australian actor will determine the success of a television show here in the US.Don't believe me? Look at this.1. House, MDSure, it has a new, zany medical condition every week and an appealing plot line (I mean,

Marriage

2010-05-03T20:25:00.002-04:00

I've been with my husband for going on twelve years now. I'm also finishing a semester course entitled 'Marriage and Families' as part of my university curriculum requirements. I think four of us in the class are or have been married, two or three are engaged, and the rest are singles. I also know about a dozen young women who are single or in on-again/off-again relationships and often

Methods of Persuasion

2010-04-20T22:44:00.002-04:00

Three methods of persuasion are: creating a need, appealing to social needs, and using loaded words or images. Marketing executives and advertising firms know this and use these methods in what has become a daily barrage via television, newspaper and magazines, internet, and radio. Often the target demographic does not even realize they are being manipulated into purchasing items. If we were

Teetering

2010-04-15T15:29:00.002-04:00

It's been a while since I've posted one of these, but it's a non-super coupon week at Harris Teeter and I still managed to save more than I spent. I recognize this is relative, because 'savings' are based on stores' non-sale prices, but I got out of the store for under $30:(2) Kix cereal, reg. 3.55, sale 2.00, (2) 75c Qs doubled = 1.00 for 2(2) BC pouch potatoes, reg. 1.24, sale 77c, (2) 40c Qs

Do you shop at KMart?

2010-04-03T09:17:00.002-04:00

I don't very often. I was the DD for some lady friends a while back and, since we're all married, they weren't ready to go home after a few drinks but didn't want to go anywhere they'd be embarrassed. Naturally, I took them to KMart. If you're going to be drunk in public, it might as well be in an establishment you don't mind being banned from for a few months. As it turns out, you can be 30+

Random Friday Musings

2010-03-19T10:34:00.002-04:00

- Thought I'd share a glaring example of my social ineptitude. Yesterday, at the store, I ran into a kind-of-friend neighbor-of-friend parent-of-my-child's-friend who I hadn't seen in some time. I tend to regard others more highly than I perceive them to regard me, so what should have been a 'hello!' became a handshake-psych!-awkward-half-hug. Gah.- Today is Hawaiian Shirt Day, and I talked

Movie choices

2010-03-04T19:26:00.002-05:00

After tomorrow at 2pm, I'll be on Spring Break... the perfect time to grab someone and go see a movie. In browsing the choices, this is what's offered:Already saw it:Avatar 3D Not interested:From Paris with LoveTooth FairyThe WolfmanNo clue what these are:Blood Done Sign My NameCop OutIt's ComplicatedThe Young Victoria Shutter IslandThe Blind SideEdge of DarknessThe Young VictoriaPossibly

Moss

2010-02-28T23:06:00.002-05:00

Once, when I was about seven years old --second grade-- I spent the weekend with my Grandmother for the first time. Up until this point, we had spent about three years of my life in Alaska, a year in Georgia, and another year in South Carolina. We were getting ready to move back to Alaska for a four-year tour. My Grandmother lived in a mobile home next to my uncle, down an old dirt road,

Pancake Day!

2010-02-22T22:56:00.003-05:00

Oh, yeah!Tomorrow, February 23rd, from 7am to 10pm, IHOP is hosting Pancake Day.Patrons are requested to make a contribution to Children's Miracle Network in lieu of the purchase price of a short-stack of pancakes.Our local IHOP is located a block from Costco.Hope to see you there!

local library

2010-02-22T21:48:00.003-05:00

We're anxiously awaiting the grand re-opening of our local branch library, which is undergoing renovations and is scheduled to be in use again this summer. It's right around the corner from the closest grocery store, but not along my usual travels. The kids get to see it every other week on our way to scout meetings, and they pop up in the back seat and crane their necks to see how much it has

Krogering 2-7

2010-02-07T21:21:00.002-05:00

Okay, so it's been a while since I posted one of my couponing trips. I surprised myself by coming out of the store tonight with 34 items for $38, especially when two of the four *non-participating items were milk. Here's the breakdown, after coupons and Mega event deductions (-30 cents per item when bought in multiples of ten, mix and match):*2 gallons milk at $2.88 ea2 Purex detergent, 32

BiPolar commenting

2010-01-27T16:33:00.002-05:00

So, recently, someone started 'sharing' with me in Google Reader. It took me a couple of days to respond, because I'm starting a new semester, so I'm bogged down with all kinds of mandatory reading (Scott Westerfeld's third book, 'Specials', calls to me from the nightstand, but is on hold as well) and haven't had time to read up on what the deal is. Like other aspects of my life, I decided to

History Channel

2010-01-25T14:55:00.002-05:00

A friend shared this link the other day, which I find hilarious.The hubbie doesn't watch a lot of television, but I'd guess what he does watch is split equally between SyFy and the History Channel. The science fiction, I'll watch; the history, not so much. Every now and then, though, he'll pipe up and draw my attention to the screen."I guess you'd be safe, then," he says. My eyes wander from

Krogering 1-24

2010-01-25T14:50:00.003-05:00

I could outline for you how I made two transactions at Kroger last night and saved about 74% off each, but I outlined it for a favorite blog of mine and got mentioned!Yes, I'm easily satisfied; all it takes is appearing on someone else's blog to make my day! :)If you're a fledgling couponer like me, it may be worthwhile to pop her blog into your Google Reader. She has the most straightforward

Chicken of chickens

2010-01-14T20:57:00.002-05:00

My town recently revised its code and now allows backyard chickens. HERE is an excellent example of why it's a wonderful thing. I'm glad about it, really.That said... I'm terrified of chickens. I'm kind of glad I don't have to worry about any of my immediate neighbors getting chickens.Scenario One:When I was about four years old, my parents took me some place that had a wooden walkway with

Girl Scout Cookies!

2010-01-09T12:06:00.000-05:00

The annual Girl Scout Cookie selling began at 9:00am this morning.I have agreed to serve as Cookie Mom for my elder child's troop. Let's hope my sanity holds through Spring.Go find a Girl Scout, wherever you are, and place your orders!!

Restaurant Review

2010-01-08T21:31:00.002-05:00

Never having traveled to the Mediterranean, I cannot say with certainty how authentic the fare is at Bergama on Hillsborough Road. (Local folks: It's right across from The Dog House.) However, the food is delicious, and the customer service is amazing. We went for dinner tonight, and two drinks and two large entrees cost under $30. DINNER MENU*We were promptly seated, our orders taken, and we

When I make it big

2010-01-08T17:53:00.002-05:00

Not that I sit around and think or plot about what I'll do with the major wads of cash I'll be raking in after I get my degrees or anything (insert canned laughter here)... but... if I ever make it big, I'm devoting a portion of my closet to a collection of Chuck Taylors.

Targeting

2010-01-04T15:33:00.002-05:00

With the kids back in school today and the hubbie off doing his thing, I have two -- count them -- two days to finish my winter organization before my classes start.The bathrooms are spotless. I decided I needed a new shower curtain, but a good one, so I scouted out an anti-mildew one with metal ring reinforcements at Target for $9.99. Since I was going, I looked through my aforementioned

Just in case you were wondering...

2009-12-31T22:13:00.010-05:00

...my existence is not strictly limited to couponing and school.We made Christmas cookies: pre-packaged Christmas trees; homemade chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons; partially-homemade chocolate chip coconut cream cheese bars...We made peg games for the kids...I made pirate cupcakes for my niece's birthday using prepackaged Fondant (okay, using a 50% off coupon for Michael's)...And putting away

Grocery trip 12/27

2009-12-27T19:58:00.002-05:00

I'm pleased with my couponing, and it seems now that not a week goes by without someone passing my name along to someone else who wants to know more about it. My first tip is: Join A Full Cup (it's free) so that you can access the coupon database. My second tip is: Look at Southern Savers for the Harris Teeter and Kroger matchups.My third tip is: Look at Hot Coupon World for the Lowe's Foods

Thrifty recipe III

2009-12-25T15:48:00.002-05:00

Modified Chicken Pot PieBy definition, a shepherd's pie contains beef or mutton, not poultry, but I like chicken pot pies and don't like pastry. Plus, when manufacturers offer paper and electronic coupons resulting in a 20-cent profit every time you buy their product, you end up with a pantry full of potatoes.I used:(3) 4.5-oz. cans Swanson chicken breast (free during the last HT triples)(1) 12-

'Tis the Season

2009-12-24T18:53:00.001-05:00

Regardless of which holiday(s) you celebrate, if any, here's hoping you're spending this last weekend of 2009 with friends and family, and taking it easy before we ring in 2010.

Open letter

2009-12-21T13:13:00.001-05:00

Dear Jay Z,I would buy your album just for 'Empire State of Mind' if only you didn't use the N word. :(

What's in your pantry?

2009-12-20T09:59:00.002-05:00

Prompted by comments from Lisa B., I gulped a bowl of coffee this morning and tackled the pantry. I reorganized everything and made a list of what I have stockpiled. I apparently need to serve my family 2,000 peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. Also, I'm in need of a recipe that uses the following ingredients:- barbecue sauce- pasta- salad dressing- instant potatoes- mustard- gritsI also -

2009-12-19T21:21:00.002-05:00

It turns out Lisa B. was on to something. In reviewing the recipes at Green Giant and Pillsbury, it seems the two are in cahoots! A good number of the recipes at one site will include ingredients from the other manufacturer. If I were particularly ambitious, I'd tread fearlessly into the internets and find proof of how the two are linked or affiliated... but what the hey. This is my winter

Thrifty recipe II

2009-12-18T19:20:00.003-05:00

Two of two: Yaki Mondu.I was disappointed to find there was not a recipe available on AllRecipes... so I put one there!The recipe yields 150 dumplings. It's up to you whether to serve them as appetizers (3-4 per person) or as a meal (10 per person). You do the math. Oh, wait... I already did. At ten dumplings per person, it works out to 67 cents per serving. :)

Thrifty recipe

2009-12-18T17:35:00.003-05:00

Once I had stockpiled some main ingredients earlier this year, I started looking for easy recipes that used what I could regularly find for a good price. One such recipe that went over big with my family was Calzones, which are amazingly easy to make if you have a bread machine.HERE is the link if you don't believe me... but when the ingredients are purchased using regularly available coupons,

New links

2009-12-14T09:33:00.003-05:00

Exams are over. Four of five grades are in (hanging onto that 4.0, baby!)... Everyone, breathe a sigh of relief. I've made it through another semester.This means I have a wee bit of time to pay attention to this much-neglected blog. Check out my pretty new side margins. More importantly, check out the updated links to blogs of folks I read. We are our influences; perhaps seeing some of the

Oh. My. Goodness.

2009-12-12T14:10:00.002-05:00

First and foremost, I apologize.I had no clue I even had regular readers, or that any of you were commenting.I thought I had transferred the email address attached to this blog. I accidentally opened my Thunderbird today and was surprised to find (1) my email account was functioning and (2) there were unpublished comments here. Thank you for your very kind responses to my ramblings, and I will

Grumbles and tips

2009-12-12T07:49:00.002-05:00

Okay, so those of you who know me personally know that I've been developing my couponing skills over the last six months or so. I've learned the pattern of newspaper coupons, what is a rare coupon, how to find a printable coupon for one I don't have, and the store policies and their sale dates. I've also learned how to spot what is and is not a good deal.So I was excited when I heard that one

New Skate Park

2009-11-07T16:43:00.003-05:00

Durham's Skate Park opened in Central Park today. It's located between the police substation and the pavilion (where the Farmers' Market is held). There was a good turnout...The rulesVideo quality is icky, but here's what I got today...andandandHope you enjoy! ...and hope to see lots of folks coming out to play. :)

$5 Footlong a myth

2009-10-31T09:12:00.004-04:00

We really don't dine out a lot. We might pick up subs once a month, and Ichiban every six weeks or so. I can't tell you the last time we ordered a pizza. Usually Subway is a pretty good deal, and we save it for days when we're really tight on time but need to pack in some kind of veggies. I'll usually swing by the one near the Q Shack and pick up three Spicy Italian subs, at $5 each. The

Krogering

2009-10-05T14:47:00.002-04:00

Here we go:(4) Aunt Jemima Pancakes, retail 2.79 ea, on sale for 1.49 ea less .50 (Mega item) less $1/2 = .49 ea(2) Edwards Pie Singles, retail 2.79 ea, on sale for 1.99 ea less .50 (Mega item) less $1/1 = .49 ea(2) Green Giant Steamers, retail 2.49 ea, on sale for 1.99 ea less .50 (Mega item) less .40 coupon less .40 (doubling) = .69 ea(1) Pepperidge Farm Texas Toast, retail 3.69 ea, on sale for

Triple EEE Triple Ahhh Triple EEE

2009-09-16T10:35:00.002-04:00

Triple Ah-hahaha-hahahahaHarris Teeter is running triple coupons up to 99c in face value this week, plus there's a General Mills sale for $5 off 15 items purchased (limited to one reward per purchase, but you can do them back to back in one visit), plus Totino's B2G3 deal and $3 off your next purchase WYB 5 Green Giant items.Here's my visit:5 Betty Crocker Warm Delights Brownies: 1.66 ea - 1.50

Twice in one day...

2009-09-13T22:00:00.002-04:00

I just got back from Harris Teeter. This wouldn't be embarrassing, except for the fact that I went Krogering just this afternoon. I think I might have a problem.However, FWIW, I saved about 57% off at both stores. Also, I had to go Teetering tonight because the cowjuice fiends in my house finished off a gallon in a day and a half. HT has theirs on sale for 1.97 this week, until Wednesday.The

Homesick

2009-09-11T23:39:00.002-04:00

It happens less and less as I get older, but sometimes I get terribly homesick. The problem is, I can't go home.No, I wasn't disowned or run out of town... not in the traditional sense.I'm an Army brat. I grew up on military bases, shopping at the PX and the Commissary. The bowling alley charged 75 cents a game and the movie theater ran movies a month behind schedule but for a dollar per

Drat.

2009-09-11T11:27:00.002-04:00

...so I missed breakfast this morning, and had a cup of Diet Dr. Pepper in lieu of coffee so I could get to my insanely early class in time.About half an hour ago, I got the start of one of those 'I haven't had sufficient caffeine' headaches, so I put the water on to boil. Here's the thought process while I was in the kitchen:I'm hungry, too. What's in the pantry? I could eat a granola bar.

I admit to couponing.

2009-08-26T10:55:00.002-04:00

Today I spent a little under $60 on $145' worth of groceries. Here's the breakdown:5.69 lbs of chicken breasts for 5.001.34 lbs of pears for 1.331.87 lbs of apples for 1.851.87 lbs of grapes for 1.651 loaf HT sandwich bread for 97c1 gallon HT 2% milk for 2.991 box HT brand popcorn for 1.471 box HT brand baking soda for 57c6pk Bounty paper towels for 5.88 (98c per roll)8pk Scott toilet tissue for

Not exactly homemade breadsticks

2009-08-09T14:56:00.003-04:00

I wanted breadsticks.I searched my favorite recipe site and came up with THIS.Not having the patience to make dough from scratch, I improvised. I had gotten four cans of Pillsbury french loaf bread last week on sale, so I popped one open and set to work. For others (like me) who have never taken a good look at this refrigerator dough, let me explain. It's not just a lump of dough stuffed in a

Boys

2009-08-07T12:44:00.003-04:00

I used to know what to do with boys. When I was a young teenager, I was the only babysitter for a family with two sons. When I first started working for them, the older boy was barely three and the younger was a couple of months old. Over a few years, I watched them grow, and really became attached to them. After two consecutive summers of being a full-time nanny for them, I imagined one day

The summer I told Time Warner farewell

2009-07-26T15:55:00.004-04:00

When we moved here, Time Warner had a good deal going with their phone-internet-cable package. It was under $100 a month, and the internet was fast and the cable was good. The phone was tolerable, but prone to go out every time it rained and then, just whenever it felt like it.Toward the end of our initial term with them, we upgraded to the DVR service, extending our rates for a bit but

Practical application of communism?

2009-06-24T10:25:00.002-04:00

I've always seen the merit in communism - in theory. You know, like Star Trek is vaguely communistic. Not like the USSR with folks standing in bread lines. More like: there's plenty to go around so why are there so many without?In a capitalist society, there aren't many opportunities in day-to-day life to exercise communism. There was the time I got a bonus when I was working for the lawyers,

Summer

2009-06-15T08:29:00.003-04:00

Folks have been bugging me about what we have planned for the kids this summer.Well, two days a week we borrow one of their cousins to play. Last Thursday was their first day out of school, so Wednesday I headed down to AC Moore and picked up four tee shirts and a tie dye kit (totally worth it with the 50% 0ff coupon!). After my sister left, we pre-washed the new shirts plus some things she

Shortest post ever

2009-06-08T21:54:00.000-04:00

The thought just occurred to me. There aren't multiple spammers; it's just one, and he's a Land Shark. He just tries different guises... instead of plumber and pizza delivery, it's "Online degrees now" and "Your friend tagged you in a photo" and "Someone changed your PayPal info". Dude. You're a freaking Land Shark. Go AWAY.

Sociopathic Behavior

2009-05-29T08:32:00.002-04:00

Inspired by a pal's blog, I thought I'd share some of my own bad behavior.The summer after my (original) freshman year of college, my sister found a place to rent about an hour away from me. Unlike my punk house situation, she actually stayed in a nice house (though the first part of her summer was spent in the hippie counterpart to the punk house). I don't think I ever met her roommates in

Star Trek

2009-05-24T20:45:00.003-04:00

The new Star Trek movie rocks. I mean, really rocks - especially if you're a fan of the original series. The casting kind of threw me a bit at first, because the actors aren't dead-ringers, but within ten minutes of appearing they each did their characters justice! I'm not going to post any major spoilers, but I was pleased with a couple of plot turns. Some of my favorite appearances were

H1N1 Virus, a/k/a das Swine Flu

2009-05-23T08:18:00.002-04:00

Two and three weeks ago, respectively, Durham Public Schools and my university sent out information by telephone and email regarding the signs and symptoms of Swine Flu, requesting that students stay home if they were ill and, basically, to wash your freaking hands.This info came across my inbox (okay, Facebook) this morning:http://durham.mync.com/site/Durham/news ... orange-co/