Swiffer Coupon Booklet

Hey - here is a link to request a booklet of coupons for Swiffer products for a total of $27.00!! It says it takes six to eight weeks, so be patient.

She Eloped!

A friend of mine ran away to get married today. She actually left on Wednesday night. And if I remember right, she and her beau were to be married this evening, at sunset.

I laugh to think about it, running away to get married. Her parents know, and I know. Everyone else will find out when the newlyweds get back. She wanted something private and simple. I completely understand. Because that is what marriage is: nothing else matters except for you and your spouse. Who cares what anyone else says or does. Concentrate on eachother. It is from this moment on, you two together against the world. Join hands and go!

I am happy for her, excited for her. I know to some it doesn't mean a lot, especially for those who only live together. But, it is a big deal. It is a huge committment and despite all the drama and troubles that are so frequently whined about, it can be great.

I wish you the best, my friend. I can't wait for you to get back to see the ring he designed. I hope all your dreams of the past and those to come do come true, and, I hope that this week (and next, lucky you!!) are as relaxing and re-energizing as you have hoped.

Congratulations!

Click-To-Donate Charities

I am a firm believer in donating to charities and supporting certain causes. I have specific charities that I donate to on a monthly basis, some I donate to annually as the money is available. I do know, however, that sometimes money isn't there to donate but the heart still craves to give. So I did some research and found a few "Click-to-Donate" charities.

The first one I found is called Free Rice. It is sponsored through the UN World Food Program. It isn't as easy as your typical "click-to-donate", you have to find a word that correctly reflects the definition of the main word. For every word you get correct, the UN World Food Program will donate 20 grains of rice. Big deal, right? Yes, you're right. It is a big deal. Remember that rice doubles in size, and for those who have nothing, 20 grains means EVERYTHING. So pull out your thesaurus and start expanding your vocabulary!

These links below are actually a grouping from the same site. I've posted easy clicks on the side bar for you to click on - that way you won't have to search for this posting. I'm only posting a few that I hold close; by no means does this mean that I don't support the others.

Click here for an easy and free way to help fund mammograms for those in need at The Breast Cancer Site!

Click here for an easy and free way to help care for those in need at The Animal Rescue Site!

Click here for an easy and free way to help feed those in need at The Hunger Site!

Click here for an easy and free way to help children in need at The Child Health Site!

This link is to Care2. It is another website with a group of charities all centrally located. I like it because it has various charities you can "click-to-donate" but it also has ideas for you to consider on other ways you can help out.

I know that many people have the attitude and belief that they are only one and a tiny voice. But, as I have learned the hard way: one ant is connected to MANY and together they can destroy my kitchen. So band up! Together we can make a difference.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." The Way of Lao-tzu

Cheerios!!

Hey - here's a link for a free box of Cheerios, six $1.00 off coupons, and information on how to lower your cholesterol!!

Now, if only we could get some milk!

DD IS BACK!!

Friday night my mom brought DD back. I am so happy. I worried about her constantly, part of the "worry-wart-mother" in me. I know, deep down, somewhere I can barely reach, that she would be safe and happy. But still, she wasn't within my grasp and NO ONE can care for her the way I do. Right?

She looks good, a little darker, a little taller, I hope she had a great time, because now it's back to our boring, monotonous life. Well, at least until school starts.

Rebates

So, I've been pretty busy with life in general these past few weeks. But I have also been trying to figure out how my rebates work.

I obviously figured out Walgreens. It takes a few weeks, but you eventually get your gift card in the mail and you can always put that back to good use. This past month, I submitted for an $18.00 rebate from Walgreens. I bought the Pledge, that came with a duster, plus I used my BOGO coupon and got free Pledge Multi-purpose wipes (a $4.99 value), and I purchased Windex (and used my $.75 coupon) so that is a $2.00 rebate right there. And of course I bought the AirWick Ultra and Mini, which were on sale at $9.99 each. I used my $4.00 printable coupons which brought the price down to $5.99 each. And then I claimed my $3.00 rebate, each, and so I ended up getting them both at $2.99. Not too bad. I also bought DH the Dr. Scholl's inserts (x2) and $14.99 each, and of course I claimed my $10.00 rebate. I know, still expensive. But he wanted them for his work boots and when are you going to find a deal like that? Oh, I also bought my last Zyrtec (45 count) at $26.99, so now I can mail off that $10.00 rebate. (Which reminds me, I'm still waiting for my Clear Eyes rebate...that was $9.99. I will let you know when I get it.)

This month I also tried out the Rite-Aid Rebates. I bought the Venus Embrace Razor (-$2.00 coupon - $5.00 rebate = $4.99), the refills at $13.99 (-$2.00 coupon = 11.99), Crest Premium white Strips at $27.99 (already on sale from $34.99 - $5.00 coupon - $10.00 rebate = $12.99), and two Oral B Cross Action Power toothbrushes on sale at $5.99 each (- BOGO coupon -$4.00 rebate = $1.99), for a total of a $19.00 rebate. I basically went in, picked up $73.55 (with tax) worth of stuff, used my coupons and paid $57.89, and will still get back $19.00. Not too bad. Oh, Rite Aid Rebates come as a check, they don't offer gift cards, and they don't deduct for mailing. Plus, their site says you will get a check within two to three weeks.

I don't think I did too bad. Still working out some of my flaws but I'm getting better! How are YOU doing?

More Freebies!!

Okay - just a note: If you want something, you need to sign up for it quickly. I find my freebies by searching in my "free time", which means it's probably way after someone else found it. So if you find one that's expired, try the next one. Check back often because I'm trying to keep you coming back!!

Here's for a free tub of Huggies Wipes with Shea Butter.

Here your child can do a chart and get a free tooth brush.

Ah, that's it for this evening. I need to go to sleep...

"I Now Pronounce You..."

Over the weekend DH and I attended the wedding of an old military friend.

I was initially hesitant to go, our own relationship has had some cloudy days and I wasn't sure how I felt about the friend and what might happen at the wedding or the reception.

Despite my doubts, I purchased a nice dress and an outfit for DS. I helped DH pick out a nice pair of slacks, shirt, and tie. We packed our stuff and headed out to the coast.

We were surprised to find out that the wedding truly was on the beach, we had kind of tossed around the idea that maybe it was at some sort of gazebo off of the beach, but no, it was there, in the sand, a few feet from the water with the tide creeping in every second.

We met with old acquaintances and friends, some handshakes reminding of the bond we share from our military days, some just simple "civilian" handshakes, a gesture of assimilation but lacking emotion or character. (If you have ever served, you know what I mean.)

The ceremony was nice - a statement was made, vows were said, a prayer for the new couple and their future, and the introduction. Lots of laughing, lots of cheers.

The reception was at a great spanish-style restaurant. Good food and good company. I enjoyed myself and my family, minus my DD unfortunately.

To Rocio and Jaime - may you learn to grow together as individuals that make a great team. May you fight through the darkest moments and slowly cherish each and every breath, no matter how heated. Time passes incredibly quickly and if you never stop to look back, you will never know where you came from. Congratulations.

My Mail Box is Positively Producing!

So, I've been a little down, my DD is still with her grandparents and I'm having a horrible time adjusting. And, with new changes in the family life, I feel like all that I get in the mail is bills and more bills.

Saturday was a change. My Juicy Juice sippy cup came in, along with my sample of Tide with Dawn AND my rebate came in from Walgreens! Yay!

DH thinks I'm crazy. BUT, the other day he went shopping and actually used some of the coupons I had for a list of items I needed. He was pretty surprised at how much he saved and was excited to see how much more we could save.

No kidding. I'm surprised, too.

Freebies!!

Here are some more freebies that I have found.

This link is for a Beck's Wrench Bottle Opener - you have to be 21 to get the opener.

This is a link for a sample of Tide Total Care. It's from Wal-Mart so you literally have to jump on this one NOW!

Here's another free sample of Kotex Pads, Liners and Tampons. Hey, another purse stuffer! (No more scrounging for quarters for that machine in the ladies room - which, by the way, seems to be broken whenever I NEED it.)

Here is a free sample of Tampax Pearl Tampon with LeakGuard...another thing to throw in your purse for those just in case moments!

Do you have cable? On TNT there is a great show called Saving Grace. At first I thought it was a little iffy but I love a good show about women with cojones. If you know me, you're laughing and wondering what else I've added to my life. Anyway...TNT is giving away 85 t-shirts a day for Saving Grace! Click here to try and get a free one!! And if you don't get it the first time, keep coming back!

Here's one for a sample of Sani-Hands. Last weekend I went up north and met with my brother, his girlfriend and my mom. For every situation I had something in my purse to fix it: wipes, Lysol, Tide Stick, Oust Air Freshener, gum, Motrin, Tylenol, lollipops, anti-bacterial gel, even energy bars. By the time I left, my brother was calling me "Monk" for all of the wiping, geling and spraying I was doing. But, if you are a mom, you know that eventually everything makes it's way to the face, which leads to colds and other nasty things. So go ahead and laugh - but the kids are pretty healthy and I am no where near as neurotic/compulsive as Monk! (Miss you already!)

Here is an offer for a free sample of Pond's Facial Wipes. Throw that in your bag, too, especially for these hot days!

Here's for a free potty training DVD. With money as tight as it is, you want to try and get your baby into chonies as soon as possible!

Hope you find something you like!