Riding bikes and orange smoothies...

Yay! Spring is finally here in Reno! Actually tomorrow is supposed to be a high of 80 degrees! I guess that is really summer. :) We got our girls a trampoline for Christmas and we got it assembled yesterday. Yay! It brought me back to my childhood days jumping on the trampoline on summer days and nights. Lying on your back looking at the stars in the sky. Oh yeah...the one night where we went to jump on the trampoline at 2am with the neighbor girls and we got in trouble. LOL!!!

I started making sweet tea again...there is nothing better than a glass of sweet tea on a warm day. :) I also could smell my neighbor grilling out the other day...mmm! You can hear the birds singing...the smell of spring in the morning air.

At lunch, we took a break from school and walked down to an empty lot near our house. The girls practiced riding their bikes that they got at Christmas. Lots of bumps and scrapes...but we are getting there! The day is beautiful - not a cloud in the sky and in the 70's. When we got home, I made Orange Julius smoothies. The girls think they are like milkshakes. :)

Here is the recipe:

Orange Julius Smoothies

1 (6oz can) frozen orange juice concentrate

1 cup milk

1 cup water

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

10 ice cubes

Put all ingredients in blender, adding ice last. Process until smooth. Pour into glasses and enjoy!

***You can change or add to this as you would like...I am thinking of adding vanilla ice cream next time and making it like an Orange Creamsicle Pop! Mmm!

BOGO Free...My Scenario!

I just got back from a short shopping excursion and I wanted to say that I tried one of BOGO questions/answer scenarios that I posted earlier...and it worked!! Yay! It really helped to know the information in that post.

This is what I did...

CVS has Clean & Clear Body Wash on sale this week. Originally - $6.29. On sale - $2.99.

I bought 4 body washes and used these coupons:

2 - $2.00 off 1 Clean & Clear products (You may have received a $1.00/1 coupon in this week's paper. I printed these coupons off the internet and used them instead - doubling my savings!!)

2 - BOGO Free - Clean & Clear product

I checked the numbers on the bar code like my previous post states. The numbers were "01" so I knew that I could use another coupon on the "FREE" product!

My final price was 2 - $.99 or $.50 for 4 body washes! These will be great for my girls. :)

I also found Carefree Liners on sale. Originally $4.39. On sale - $.87. I used 2 - $.50 MFR coupons from this week's paper. Final price: $.37 each!

I was excited to share my newfound information. :) Couponing can be very confusing. I hope this information can help you too! Don't give up!

Couponing: BOGO Questions and Answers

I recently came across this information on a couponing website and wanted to share it with you. I printed this off and am going to keep it in my coupon binder with my store policies. :)

BOGO Sales and Coupons Questions Answered

Question: Can I use a $1.00 off coupon with a BOGO coupon?

Answer: Yes and no.

This question has 2 answers because there are certain things you need to look for to determine if you can use another coupon along with a BOGO coupon. You first need to determine if the BOGO coupon attaches to 1 of the 2 products you are buying. Numbers in the 10th and 11th place of the barcode represent the dollar amount of the coupon. The only numbers you need to know are when there is a BOGO coupon.

X XXXXX XXX 14 X

BOGO's (Buy One Get One Free) are either coded with a "14", "01" or "00". Here are what the codes mean:

---If the numbers are "00" or "01" - Then the coupon only attaches to the product you are getting for free and another coupon can be used against the other product.

---If the numbers are "14" - The coupon attaches to both products and you can not use another coupon. Any additional coupons used will beep.

Question: I have a $1.00/2 products, can I use that with a BOGO coupon?

Answer: No.

If you have determined, by checking the barcode as in the example above, that you can use an additional coupon with your BOGO coupon, then you will ONLY be able to use a $X/1 coupon. You can NOT use a $X/2 coupon. The BOGO coupon attaches to one of the products and the $X/1 attaches to the other.

Question: Can I use a BOGO coupon with a BOGO sale?

Answer: Yes, if your store allows it.

Stores like Rite Aid, Walgreens and CVS allows you to use a BOGO coupon on a BOGO sale getting 2 items for free!! This works because the store promotion is for you to buy a product and they are giving you another one for free. The manufacter is offering the same thing with a coupon. So, the item that you are paying for at the store now becomes free after the BOGO coupon and the BOGO sale. You only need to purchase 2 products.

For your local stores, make sure to check the coupon policy. If they do not address it in their written policy, check with customer service.

Question: Can I use 2 - $1.00 off coupons with a BOGO sale?

Answer: Yes, if your store allows it.

Recipe: Creamy Fruit Salad

Spring is coming! Here is a fruit salad that uses canned fruit that you most likely have in your pantry. It is a snap to prepare and my daughter said..."This is the best dessert you ever made, Mommy!" :) It is yummy! You can change up the fruit any way you like - I added fresh strawberries and it was yummy! Creamy Fruit Salad 1 can (11 oz) mandarin oranges, drained 1 can (8 1/4oz) sliced peaches, drained 1 can (8 oz) pineapple chunks, drained 1 cup miniature marshmallows 4 oz. cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup plain yogurt 1/4 cup sugar In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, yogurt and sugar until smooth. Add to the drained fruit. Toss to coat. Refrigerate for 15 min. ***I added a lot more fruit than this recipe calls for and the dressing was plenty for all! Feel free to double the fruit in this recipe but not the dressing part.***

Homeless...

I have a very sweet and wonderful story to share.

Recently, when our guest speaker, Bro. Chris Tefft, was in town speaking for our youth rally...my husband took him shopping to a sporting goods store. A young man in his 30's who worked at the store approached them and asked if he could help them. The young man noticed they were dressed the same - all of our youth men staff had the same outfit. He asked about it. My husband told them that our church had just hosted a youth rally and Bro. Tefft, who was from the Chicagoland area - was here to speak for our church. The young man - Warren - told them that he was originally from Chicago. Can you see where this is going? :)

Long story short - Warren's family attends First Baptist Church in Hammond, IN - the same church that Bro. Tefft attends. In fact, his family attends the Reformer's Unanimous Program at their church in which Bro. Tefft is in charge of!! Bro. Tefft knew Warren's family and they were able to talk with Warren for awhile.

Warren lives and attends church in Fernley, NV and works in Reno. What is that saying..."It's a small world!!" Imagine flying over 2,000 miles away...going shopping at one certain store...running into one certain employee...who used to be from the same area you are from...and you end up knowing his family and attending church together!

You would probably say...Wow. That is pretty neat. :)

My husband gave Warren one of his cards.

Fast forward...3 weeks later.

My husband received an e-mail from Warren. One day, Warren was eating lunch at McDonald's and saw a couple homeless men begging on the street. His heart was tender and bought them a sandwich from McDonald's. He stopped to talk to them and asked their needs. One of them needed a backpack. Warren was burdened to help these men and e-mailed many Christian friends he knew - my husband being one of them.

My husband responded saying that he had a new backpack that he had never used and would love to donate it for this cause. They arranged to meet on Saturday evening. My husband bought some things to put in the backpack such as water bottles, emergency blankets, etc. He met Warren and they went to the area under the I80 overpass where many of the homeless people stay. They gave the homeless men the items that Warren had gathered for them. They talked with them and were friends to these men. My husband said that he could smell the alcohol on their breath and see that their eyes were glazed over.

But to my husband and Warren - it did not matter. What a wonderful thing to be a part of - to help someone with no agenda. Just doing something...for someone...with the love of Christ.

I imagine that was maybe a little like Christ's ministry on earth. Helping the down and out. Helping the ones possessed with devils. Helping the prostitutes on the streets. Helping the worst of sinners. With no agenda. Amazing, isn't it?

Let the love of Christ flow through you to others! It is an amazing journey! :)

Lovin' My Deals!

Last week, I got this deal at Walgreens.

Almay eyeliner - $5.49. $2.00 off Walgreens coupon in the Spring Beauty Guide. $5.00 Register Reward. FREE eyeliner and $1.51 MONEYMAKER!

The Airwick products were on sale - BOGO Free. I used 2 - $4.00 off MFR coupons. These are originally $9.99 each. I got them for $1.00 each!! Just in time for spring time and fresh home scents! :)

Walgreens today:

Garnier Fructis Products: 2 Hair Spray and 1 Shampoo and 1 Conditioner - Originally $3.99 each. On sale: 4/$14. 4-$1.00 MFR coupons. $4.00 Register Rewards. Final price: 4 for $6.00 or $1.50 each!! I really like Garnier products so I am willing to pay over $1.00 for these products. Usually I try for $1.00 or under. :) (My sister said I am getting so bad that if they aren't free or I am not making money off of them...then I won't get them. LOL!)

Colgate Total toothpaste: Originally $3.99 each. On sale: 2/$6.00. 1-$1.50 MFR coupon. $4.00 Register Rewards. Final price: $.50 for 2 tubes of toothpaste!!!

Rimmel Lipstick: Originally$5.29 each. On sale: 50% off all Rimmel products. 4-$2.00 MFR coupons. Final price: $.64 each for 4 tubes of lipstick!!!

Dove Men's Care Deoderant: Originally $3.99 each. On sale: 4/$15. 4-$2.00 MFR coupons. $5.00 Register Rewards. Final price: $2.00 for 4 deoderants or $.50 each!!!

I printed off the **high dollar value** - $2.00 off 1 product - coupons off the internet quite awhile ago! I was antsy to use them and get a great deal. I waited...and waited...and waited! And finally it paid off and I was able to get the Dove Men's Deoderant and the Rimmel Cosmetics Deal today and was VERY SATISFIED!!! I believe that is a big key in couponing. Learning when to wait for the best deal. It is hard but the longer you coupon, you will eventually be able to score the best deals out there!!

I keep track of the "Printable" internet coupons that become available and print them off as soon as they become available. Some coupons may only be available for printing for a day or even hours. It becomes worth it when you are able to print these**high dollar value** coupons. One of the main sites I use to print is coupons.com which is found at the side of my blog. I however get many more other places. Facebook is a great place to score coupons too!

At CVS...it seems to be a rather slow week. I am going to review the ad again and my coupons and see if I come across anything else. I did get:

Colgate Toothbrushes: Originally $4.99 each. On sale: $2.99. 2-$1.00 MFR coupon. $2.00 Extra Bucks. Final price: 2 FREE toothbrushes!!!

Random...

So this is a random picture post! By the time things are quiet in the house and I would be able to blog...my hubby usually has the computer. So I am far behind on my blogging as of late! So I thought I would try to catch up tonight...with the old laptop.
Grrrr! It has many issues. :)

We had a Ladies Activity for our church ladies to hear the Reno Chamber Orchestra on last Saturday evening. This is a picture of the stage after the concert.

Our two oldest - Addie and Autumn.

Summer!

This is my new phone - the EVO Shift -that my hubby got me for my birthday! I got the white cover and earpiece with the birthday money from my parents.

My birthday flowers from our church ladies! Sorry it is sideways! :)

Aaahhhhh...deals. And more deals. I will try to remember what they were...
Dove Chocolate bars - 3 for $.24!! Buy 4 boxes of the cereal bars and get 2 gallons of milk free! All 6 items were around $1.60 each. Special K cereal was $1.77. Fruit and yogurt kind. :)

Pasta was all $.49 each! I like using lots of pasta - the whole grains are healthy and they really stretch a meal! I think the diapers (100 ct) and wipes were $13.00.

Huggies Pure and Natural were $4.99. Folgers - $4.99. Crest mouthwash - $.99. Dawn dish soap - $.49. Glide floss - FREE!
My favorite deal for this trip was the cleaning supplies!!
Four Tilex Mold and Mildew
Two Clorox wipes
Two 409 Kitchen Cleaners
All were $.75 each!!!! Woot woot!

Tena and Always pads - Both FREE! Men's Vitamins - $3.50. Dove Bars - $.23.

Almay Eye Makeup Remover, Eyeliner and Mascara. Three packages of Huggies Diapers.
Six items - $2.60 each!!! That is awesome for a pack of diapers. Let me tell you, the diaper stock is growing in my house! :) I used the Peanut Butter MM's and Blistex (since my daughter ate mine - my Blistex that is, not my MM's!! :) as fillers. When you shop at Walgreens, you can only use one coupon per item. In order to redeem your Register Rewards, you add in a filler. The Peanut Butter MM's are my favorite and only $.49! :)

This was a good one...the Crest toothpaste and Glide floss was $.24 each. The Colgate toothpaste was $.54. Listerine Kid's Rinse (my kids love this!) - $1.19. Irish Spring body wash - $.50. Dial Men's Nutriskin Lotion (Yummy!!) - $.99!! Irish Spring deoderants - FREE!!

Well, that's about it! :)

Recipe: Gumbo Joes

Gumbo Joes

Here is a yummy sloppy joe recipe!

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 can chicken gumbo soup, drained slightly
1 can tomato sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
fresh garlic and chopped onion
Seasonings - I use salt, pepper, red pepper, garlic powder, etc.
Large squirt of mustard (After you add it, taste it. Add a squirt more if you like.)

Brown the ground beef. Drain. Add all the other ingredients. Heat through and enjoy!

Staying Afloat...

These days...I am just trying to stay afloat! That is how it is in the ocean of life, isn't it? Well, my life is really just a little pond! LOL!

Most days I never get accomplished nearly half of what I would like. That's OK, though. I am staying afloat and that is what matters. :) And even though you may just be floating...as long as you are going in the right direction...you can cheer! Hooray! It may take me a little bit longer to get there but I will.

So don't give up if you are going a slower pace than others. Some days, I "swim" and boy, what a great day! Other days, I float.

Things going on lately...

Our baby Summer turned 6 months old! Boo hoo! She is such a sweet little thing and we just love her to pieces! She is now up to 14 lbs. and 24 inches long.

Autumn is ready to lose her first tooth. She is doing very well in her reading that she has moved up to Group #1!

Addie is just a good kid all around. She does a lot for me around the house.

Sierra...well, she is a crazy 3 yr. old. She is still a little munchkin at 28 lbs. and 35 inches tall. I told her she has a lot of growing to do before our Disney trip in the fall! :) Lately, she says her best friend is Uncle Adam. LOL! She definitely keeps you on your toes.

Only 31 more days of school left! Woo hoo!

The church has been going so well! God is so good! We had a ladies activity to hear the Reno Chamber Orchestra last Saturday evening. It was a lot of fun. Afterwards, we went to Denny's for some more food and fellowship! :)

Of course, I am still avidly doing couponing!!! I love it! It is a challenge that definitely pays off! I will have to share some recent deals and pictures soon!

Spring has NOT arrived here in the Sierras!! We have had snow almost every day and chilly temperatures. Gray, cloudy skies! Boo! Another storm is coming in this afternoon through tomorrow. So...I will light my candles (by the way, don't burn candles while grading papers - or you might end up like me and burn a hole in your daughter's test!!! LOL!!! I about died laughing while Addie stood there mortified!!!)...perhaps bake some banana bread...clip some coupons and not worry about the gray skies! :)

And I will try to blog more often! :) Love you all!

34

34. I joked with my husband that I am almost halfway to 4o. Yikes! He jokingly said...Honey, you have been halfway to 40 for a long time! Very funny, dear!

Yep. Today was my birthday. My hubby took me out for a nice birthday date to Texas Roadhouse...mmm...steak, baked potato, caesar salad, hot rolls with cinnamon butter washed down with lots of sweet tea! Oh yes...and my favorite appetizer - the bloomin' onion!

He also got me a new phone - the EVO Shift. LOVE it! I have always been one of those people who just takes the free phones they offer...nah, I don't need all that extra stuff. LOL! Well, I got this phone and I love it!

A week before my birthday, I saw a purchase that had been made at Best Buy on our bank account. "Honey, what was that for?" "I don't know, babe. Maybe insurance?" LOL!

Then he showed our oldest daughter my present. One day, I was having issues with my phone and I said, "Ugh! I need a new phone!" Addie says..."Hmm, Daddy! What are we gonna do about this?" LOL!

Then I received a call. "Hi! Can I speak to Eric?" "Yes, can I ask who's calling?" "Sure. This is ______ from Best Buy. I just wanted to make sure he's not having any problems with his new phone." "Hey, honey! ______ is calling and wants to make sure your new phone is working out OK." LOL!

Poor guy! He tried anyways! He did great though! :)

The ladies of our church also treated me so well...and surprised me with flowers, a card, cake and a certificate to a salon!

I got an awesome purse and jewelry in the mail from my MIL! I got money from my parents and FIL. :)

So all in all...34 is pretty good. :)

Couponing Fun :)

Revlon mascara, two Colgate toothbrushes and Colgate toothpaste - FREE!!

Softsoap bodywash - $1.00 each.

Pantene shampoo and Herbashine hair color - FREE!!

Pedia Care - Infant Drops - $.49 each. Children's - $.74 each.

Dawn dish soap - $.49. Coffee-mate Creamer - $.74 each.

FREE Cheez-It samples! Yumm! One of my favorite snacks. :)

Tights - $2.00. PJ's - $3.00. Nail polish - $.74. Christmas dresses - $3.00.

Two Reach floss - FREE!

20 oz. Pepsi and 2 - Kellogg's cereal cups - FREE!
Dove chocolate eggs - $1.00 each!

Pledge dusting spray and Pledge multi-surface spray and Glade candles - $1.16 each!

Clairol hair color - $.49 each. Pedia Care - $.74 each.

Today at CVS - I got all of the above items in the last two pictures - minus the Pedia Care (Walgreens)...I used my Extra Bucks (rewards that I have earned at CVS) to pay for it and made $3.80 in Extra Bucks for my next shopping trip. That is couponing, my friends! :)

"I Am Loved"

Well, I did warn you that I was busy and probably wouldn't be posting...well, to tell you the truth...I have had time to post but didn't feel like it. My spirits were down this week...and there it goes again...I just couldn't shake it. Yes, even Christians feel this way sometimes. I felt this sadness in my heart due to circumstances I couldn't control. It hurts so deeply that I can literally "feel" the heaviness in my heart.

Today started out the same way. I decided to listen to some uplifting Christian music on my EVO as I did the dishes. I am normally not a music person...I prefer the choice of "silence". LOL! Perhaps that is because I have four girls and silence is not normal in our house. :) As I worked and listened to the words of each song...the heaviness of my heart was lifted! Songs about the love of God...wow! One song that I sang as a teen came across my EVO...the words are...

I said, "If you knew, you wouldn't want me;

My scars are hidden by the face I wear."

He said, "My child, my scars go deeper;

It was love for you that put them there."

I am loved, I am loved,

I can risk loving you;

For the One who knows me best loves me most.

I am loved, I am loved;

Won't you please take my hand?

We are free to love each other,

We are loved.

Forgiven, I repeat it,

I'm forgiven;

And clean before my Lord I freely stand.

Forgiven, I can dare forgive my brother'

Forgiven, I reach out to take your hand.

-Bill Gaither

Today, I am reminded that God loves us so very much!!! And more importantly, I am reminded that God loves me so very much!!!

And I love that my God took the time today...to minister to my hurting heart...to reach down and encourage me like only He can. :)

March...

Well...it has been a week already since I posted on my blog! Busy times!

Can you believe it is March? March is one of my least favorite months. It is still winter trying to be spring. I have melting, sloppy snow all over my yard...creating a lovely mess. :) It can be 20 - 60 degrees in the same day. Sigh. On the bright side...it is my birthday month. :)

Thursday, Friday and Saturday...I attended the California Baptist Ladies Conference at Hopewell Baptist Church in Napa, CA. Our church had four ladies attend this year - myself (and Summer-our 5 month old), Shannon Traynor, Sandy Powell and Pam McFarlin. I was very excited to have Sandy and Pam - it was their first time to a ladies conference!

We left Thursday morning with the weather not cooperating so we had to chain up going over the pass. For those of you who do not know what that means - to cross over the Sierra Nevada mountains - we drive I80. You will then be crossing over Donner Summit and often, you will meet lots of snow at the top! :) So here, we have to put chains or cables on our tires (for traction) in these areas. It took us around 5 hours to get to Napa.

We stayed at a Comfort Inn in Fairfield, CA. The conference was Thursday evening, Friday and Saturday morning. We were able to hear many wonderful lady speakers speaking on different subjects relating to women. They also had singing and very funny skits. We ate way too much as well! LOL!

On the way home, we were able to stop in Sacramento to see a lady friend of Shannon's - Marilyn. Marilyn has cancer and does not have much time left here on this earth. Praise God she is saved. She is a wonderful, sweet lady. It was a blessing to be able to visit her as part of our trip.

When I got back, I caught up on my couponing. LOL! :) I also did grades for the girls' fourth grading period and re-enrolled them for next year's school year. Addie will be in 3rd, Autumn in 1st and Sierra in K-4. Whew! I also paid bills, did laundry, did more laundry :), and will now prepare for our Teen Rally this Saturday! Please pray for this rally...it is our first one for our church of 8 months and we are excited to see what God will do with the teens of Reno. Bro. Chris Tefft will be our guest preacher for Saturday and Sunday. So I still have lots to do in preparation...make gift basket...hotel check-in...wash and vacuum van...shopping for rally food (UGH! :)...the list goes on! :)

So if you don't hear from me...you will know why. LOL! Have a wonderful day!