Yes...saving money IS more fun than Spending money!!! . besides I need to work on a new skill and I've already mastered how to SPEND money:):)
This weekend I started my journey on couponing...now I'm JUST beginning but I'm SO excited I just had to share the deals I got already:
Friday night:
SAFEWAY... did you know safeway has 72 hr sales?
I got 2 2lb blocks of Tillamook cheddar cheese 3.99 each
18 eggs for 1.49
2 classico pasta sauce for $4.00
( get two boxes of pasta FREE)
total was $14.06
SAVED $14.08
Today
Wallgreens:
Buy 2 packs of pull-ups for $18.
used 2 manufacturer coupons for $2ea
used 2 wallgreens coupsons for $2ea
total: $10. (only $5 each)
plus I got a Register REward (RR) for $4 to be used on my next purchase.
I walked out of the store and came back in:):)
they have Arm and hammer laundry detergent on sale buy 1 get 1 free:)
2 bottles of laundry detergent (32 loads each) 6.99
$4 RR
Total : $2.99!!!!!!!!!!!!! pretty darn sweet for 64 loads of laundry.
Fred Meyer
I also got 5 boxes of cereal (and good size boxes at that) for $9 :) that is $1.80 a box!!
3 gallons of milk for $5.28
I got some more stuff but i'm tired of writing.
I feel really HAPPY! I feel like I am doing something great for our family.
My patriarichal blessing tells me specifically that I need to be "FRUGAL" and I feel like this is one great way to do that.
A few of the cashiers were a little less than excited when they saw me pull out my coupons but I was VERY polite and made sure that I said thank you more than once before I was done:):)
Here are a few websites to get you started if you want to save money too:
http://www.redplum.com/
www.smartsource.com
www.coupons.com
www.coupontom.com
www.savewithlouise.com
http://hip2save.com
http://athriftymom.com/
http://www.frugallivingnw.com/
have fun!!! and thanks to Alyssa and Katie H for inspiring me to get on this!!!!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Can't. shut. off. my. brain...
Ugh...it's almost 1am and I'm still up. It might be b/c I had a 90min nap today and went to bed at 9pm last night but I think it has more to do with the fact that My brain is buzzing!
I have a million thoughts on my mind and I just need to dump them somewhere...I couldn't keep Steve up any longer..he was a good sport and listened to me ramble for a while.
I have a new goal of writing more posts and not just putting up pictures anyway..so here goes...
1. Megan. She is turning 5 next week. what the heck? 5?! seriously? how and when did I get a 5yr old. sigh...she missed the cut off for kindergarten and I was planning on testing her in but changed my mind b/c I really wanted to prevent her and Erika from being 4yrs apart in school. I feel good about that decision...but now I'm wondering if I should have enrolled her in preschool. all her friends have started Kindergarten OR are in preschool. It would not only give me a chance to have some alone time with Erika but it would allow megan to get out and use her brain more. I think I want to throw my T.V out.
It's stressing me out. I feel like a bad mom...like maybe i'm holding her back?
if I CAN find a preschool to take her still...I don't even have a way to get her there b/c we only have one car and steve takes it to work.........why is everything always so complicated?
2. My business. At first I planned to work less next year. take some summer off, be at home on the weekends more. Then we got our first phone call about paying back student loans. yikes!
I am super duper excited to tell ya all that I am going to CT in January to take makeup lessons with my favorite makeup artist www.naomimartinez.com
I have loved her work for years and the best part about it all is that she is going to work with me on my time. She says she can help me get my makeups down to 20min instead of the 45min it takes me now. Not only would this give me more free time but it would allow me to split my saturdays up next year and fit more weddings in so we can pay back those loans faster.
I have SO many things and questions about the logisitics of how i'm going to work all this out though..it is seriously keeping me up at night....
3. I miss my family like crazy. I spoke to my oldest sister the other night on the computer. we both agreed that we feel like we hardly know each other anymore.
I cried looking at picture of my two sisters together at my aunt/uncles 50th wedding anniversary that I missed b/c I was working:(. I never get up to see my sisters b/c it is a 9hr trip and i'm not too keen about doing that with 2 little girls by myself:( plus again,we only have one car, etc....
I haven't seen my neices and nephews is almost a year...or my sisters and it breaks my heart.
I love our life here in the U.S but there has to be a way to see my family more.
Work and all those things are really just a means to an end to me...don't get me wrong, I LOVE my work, I LOVE doing makeup...but the real motivation in doing it all is so I can have the means to create a life where there are no barriers to seeing my parents and sisters anymore.
I want a house. A house where my sisters can come STAY with me. I hate that we live in a tiny apartment and there's no where for them to come with their kids. it sucks!
Everything in life that brings me happiness has to do with my family.
4.The moosh. Oh the moosh. she is such a little darling. A FIESTY little darling...but that is what I love about her. unpredictable, fiery, loud, FUNNY, sweet, snuggly little mooshy.
She loves babies so much! I mean SO much. she seems to have a natural instinct around them. I feel like she should have a younger sibling..but that is a whole other issue. That is a HUGE decision for Steve and I and we go back and forth on it ALL the time. we can't really make any decisions until we know if we'll be staying here or not. I really wish we knew about the status of his visa now....but we have to wait til spring. So many things hang in the balance until we know those things.
well..those are just a few things on my mind. thanks for letting me vent...I feel like a weight has been lifted...a little.
I love my life...it's a great life and I'm so blessed...I just hope i'm doing a good enough job.
that could be number 5. aaah...the guilt I am always feeling over wondering if i'm doing ANY thing good enough....Does anyone else feel like this all the time??
I really need to be more organized in pretty much EVERY facet of my life .......I think that would help.
well...it's now past 1am. I have a HUGE wedding tomorrow (blessings) so I better get my butt to bed. someone hit me over the head! lol
good night.
I have a million thoughts on my mind and I just need to dump them somewhere...I couldn't keep Steve up any longer..he was a good sport and listened to me ramble for a while.
I have a new goal of writing more posts and not just putting up pictures anyway..so here goes...
1. Megan. She is turning 5 next week. what the heck? 5?! seriously? how and when did I get a 5yr old. sigh...she missed the cut off for kindergarten and I was planning on testing her in but changed my mind b/c I really wanted to prevent her and Erika from being 4yrs apart in school. I feel good about that decision...but now I'm wondering if I should have enrolled her in preschool. all her friends have started Kindergarten OR are in preschool. It would not only give me a chance to have some alone time with Erika but it would allow megan to get out and use her brain more. I think I want to throw my T.V out.
It's stressing me out. I feel like a bad mom...like maybe i'm holding her back?
if I CAN find a preschool to take her still...I don't even have a way to get her there b/c we only have one car and steve takes it to work.........why is everything always so complicated?
2. My business. At first I planned to work less next year. take some summer off, be at home on the weekends more. Then we got our first phone call about paying back student loans. yikes!
I am super duper excited to tell ya all that I am going to CT in January to take makeup lessons with my favorite makeup artist www.naomimartinez.com
I have loved her work for years and the best part about it all is that she is going to work with me on my time. She says she can help me get my makeups down to 20min instead of the 45min it takes me now. Not only would this give me more free time but it would allow me to split my saturdays up next year and fit more weddings in so we can pay back those loans faster.
I have SO many things and questions about the logisitics of how i'm going to work all this out though..it is seriously keeping me up at night....
3. I miss my family like crazy. I spoke to my oldest sister the other night on the computer. we both agreed that we feel like we hardly know each other anymore.
I cried looking at picture of my two sisters together at my aunt/uncles 50th wedding anniversary that I missed b/c I was working:(. I never get up to see my sisters b/c it is a 9hr trip and i'm not too keen about doing that with 2 little girls by myself:( plus again,we only have one car, etc....
I haven't seen my neices and nephews is almost a year...or my sisters and it breaks my heart.
I love our life here in the U.S but there has to be a way to see my family more.
Work and all those things are really just a means to an end to me...don't get me wrong, I LOVE my work, I LOVE doing makeup...but the real motivation in doing it all is so I can have the means to create a life where there are no barriers to seeing my parents and sisters anymore.
I want a house. A house where my sisters can come STAY with me. I hate that we live in a tiny apartment and there's no where for them to come with their kids. it sucks!
Everything in life that brings me happiness has to do with my family.
4.The moosh. Oh the moosh. she is such a little darling. A FIESTY little darling...but that is what I love about her. unpredictable, fiery, loud, FUNNY, sweet, snuggly little mooshy.
She loves babies so much! I mean SO much. she seems to have a natural instinct around them. I feel like she should have a younger sibling..but that is a whole other issue. That is a HUGE decision for Steve and I and we go back and forth on it ALL the time. we can't really make any decisions until we know if we'll be staying here or not. I really wish we knew about the status of his visa now....but we have to wait til spring. So many things hang in the balance until we know those things.
well..those are just a few things on my mind. thanks for letting me vent...I feel like a weight has been lifted...a little.
I love my life...it's a great life and I'm so blessed...I just hope i'm doing a good enough job.
that could be number 5. aaah...the guilt I am always feeling over wondering if i'm doing ANY thing good enough....Does anyone else feel like this all the time??
I really need to be more organized in pretty much EVERY facet of my life .......I think that would help.
well...it's now past 1am. I have a HUGE wedding tomorrow (blessings) so I better get my butt to bed. someone hit me over the head! lol
good night.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
worth reading...
of all the stupid, mindless, unimportant crap we come across in our media each day....
here is something worth reading and watching:
click below:
Zack Arias Blog
Steve introduced me to this guys blog. he's definitely worth following. if you want to be humbled, uplifted and inspired, check it out.
read the post in full and watch the video. if you want MORE back ground on the post go to the post from the day before this one.
incredible.
and if you can...buy some virtual soap from Derrick....I think he deserves it.
here is something worth reading and watching:
click below:
Zack Arias Blog
Steve introduced me to this guys blog. he's definitely worth following. if you want to be humbled, uplifted and inspired, check it out.
read the post in full and watch the video. if you want MORE back ground on the post go to the post from the day before this one.
incredible.
and if you can...buy some virtual soap from Derrick....I think he deserves it.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
I promised I wouldn't steal his post.....
So PLEASE go read and comment here;
http://wagnerdidit.blogspot.com
it was the funnest day we've ever had. Loved it!!
http://wagnerdidit.blogspot.com
it was the funnest day we've ever had. Loved it!!
for more...see the link above...
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Surprise!
I have this friend. Her name is Lyndsey....
She is always smiling, full of optimism and Joy. A great example and ALWAYS willing to help out others. The kind of person that you just feel good to be around.
We all love her!!
Unfortunately....we missed her birthday when she was in Canada on July 1st.
We knew we would plan something for when she returned because she MORE than deserves a party, but time just kept flying by.
Thankfully Lacey used her sneakiness to plan a fun dessert party at Papa Haydn's for her on Thursday!
Lacey used the excuse that she needed to pick up a text book from down town that Aaron bought off Craigs list...despite Lyndsey's many questions and stupor, Lacey pulled it off!!! she arrived at Papa Haydn's to find us all waiting for her! and BOY was she surprised!!!
I was glad I could play a small part by pulling off my own sneakiness.
We knew Lynds would appreciate looking extra dolled up that night but how could we tell her to make sure she looks great if she was only going to pick up a book? SO....I told her I really needed to practice some new makeup techniques and asked her if she wouldn't mind if I did her makeup on Thursday afternoon. She agreed and so I went over during nap time to do it.
Little did she know that I planned to use all the makeup on her face that I had bought to give her for her birthday that night:) it was fun....she liked it ( I hope ) and she looked Dang hot!! lol
Anyway...I know you're all dying to see pics...so here ya go!
She was so surprised and overwhelmed she kept yelling "You Jerks!!" but then didn't even remember saying it afteward!! lol...it was quite hilarious
finally smiling for me after she gained her composure....
opening up her new makeup...
Nachelle, Becki, Holly
Julie, Sabrina, Moi
Lacey, Lynds, Val
Me, Lynds, Val...we thought it was cute that us 3 blonde girls all ended up wearing white shirts an baby blue jeans! too cute..
the Whole gang
Glad you had Fun Lynds and way to go Lace...you were too funny with how you pulled this off, I wish I could have been a fly on the wall of your truck on your way down town, good times, good times.....
Happy Birthday Girlfriend!
Glad you had Fun Lynds and way to go Lace...you were too funny with how you pulled this off, I wish I could have been a fly on the wall of your truck on your way down town, good times, good times.....
Happy Birthday Girlfriend!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Is there such thing as a polite thief???
Maybe.
today we went to the river with the girls. we only had 30min so we locked up our car and headed down...it was SO much fun...the girls LOVED it...there was a wading pool area and Megan and Erika were seriously in heaven! I really want to go back on thursday.
Well...we got back up to the car and lo and behold...broken glass everywhere! they smashed our window..i guess in hopes of finding something? did they not get an idea from the 3 slurpee cups and 2 carseats that we were not the type of family to have anything valuable they would want?. ugh.
the POLITE part was that they smashed the corner window beside erikas back seat window...we were thankful they didn't smash the big window. Thanks guys!;)
anyway...we sat there picking glass out of erika's carseat before we could load up and go home.
Steve's solution: Castrate them!
This is his solution for EVERY crime mind you...he's a LITTLE harsh I tell him...but when the crime is fresh, there is no convincing him otherwise lol.
nothing like an adventurous day.
p.s we've lost count how many times our car has been broken into and stolen since we've been married....it's like we have a thief magnet on our car....or perhaps its the "Toyota" decal?....hmm.
today we went to the river with the girls. we only had 30min so we locked up our car and headed down...it was SO much fun...the girls LOVED it...there was a wading pool area and Megan and Erika were seriously in heaven! I really want to go back on thursday.
Well...we got back up to the car and lo and behold...broken glass everywhere! they smashed our window..i guess in hopes of finding something? did they not get an idea from the 3 slurpee cups and 2 carseats that we were not the type of family to have anything valuable they would want?. ugh.
the POLITE part was that they smashed the corner window beside erikas back seat window...we were thankful they didn't smash the big window. Thanks guys!;)
anyway...we sat there picking glass out of erika's carseat before we could load up and go home.
Steve's solution: Castrate them!
This is his solution for EVERY crime mind you...he's a LITTLE harsh I tell him...but when the crime is fresh, there is no convincing him otherwise lol.
nothing like an adventurous day.
p.s we've lost count how many times our car has been broken into and stolen since we've been married....it's like we have a thief magnet on our car....or perhaps its the "Toyota" decal?....hmm.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Half Marathon: Check!
So today was the big day. I thought since i'm terrible at writing in my journal I should try to document the experience and my feelings here.
I have always loved running. When I was 6 my mom put me in a track club and I loved it! I love the race more than anything. There is this adrenaline that is just thrilling. I'm very competitive with myself so I really enjoy the race itself....more than the training. I haven't run since high school but for some reason always had on my life goals to run a marathon some day. ( half or full).
Anyway...I ran very lightly last summer (2mile runs a few nights a week) and then found some wonderfully experienced girls (Sabrina and Valerie) in february to motivate me to start running again. Me and My friend Natalie started running with them and it has been so much fun! I've really come to love these girls and appreciate their friendship and support SO much! They totally belive in me and are ALWAYS encouraging me which means A LOT to me! thank you ladies!!xo
anyway, after our 12K run on May 9th, we decided we wanted to do the Sauvie Island half marathon together (in 6wks time!). So...we started training. these girls are so great! they totally get my butt out of bed 3 times a week at 6am to run and I love it!
Anyway....long introduction. So today was race day. In my training I had 5 long runs: 6 miles, 7, 8, 9, and 10miles. one each week. I was nervous about running 13 as I'd never done it before! My goal was to try to run it at a steady 9min mile pace and finish in 2hrs. I was scared though b/c I just didn't know what my body would do past 10miles........
My problem is, when that buzzer goes off and the race is on, I just can't control myself.....My adrenaline kicks in and i'm off! I kept looking at my garmin forerunner and I was running at a 7:45-8:30pace......(too fast to keep up for 13miles i thought!) by mile 5 I got a burst of energy and ran that mile at a 7:46pace,but by mile 7 I was questioning whether I had pushed myself too hard and if I was going to burn out by mile 10.....I was pushing and pushing but too afraid to go that extra mile b/c I didn't know how long I could keep it up for. at mile 9, a group of 4 women passed me. my pace was at about 8:30 but I just didn't feel like I could go ANY faster....I was scared but decided to test my limits and see what I was made of, so to speak. Risking that I might burn out, i pushed a bit harder and got down to about a 8:15mile. by mile 10, my legs started to go numb. My feet were blistering and I was nervous.....
"You can't quit, you're NOT a quitter!" I told myself over and over. "this is the hardest thing I've ever done" i said to myself, only to hear myself respond back, " no it's not! you birthed a 10lb baby naturally, you can do this Nicole!" (LOL). A few times I actually had this weirdchill run through my body that gave me goose bumps and had to hold back tears. I knew I was pushing myself harder than I knew my body was capable of and I was SO tired. I just wanted to stop and walk.
I have run 4miles before at a 7:45 pace but running at a fast pace (for me) for 13 miles is a totally different story!!
by mile 11 and 12 I had to start running with my arms. It's hard to explain but I had to really pump my arms to keep my momentum going and to keep my legs moving b/c I just could'nt feel the muscles in my legs anymore or control them. I dropped to a 8:45mile for miles 12 and 13 but I didn't quit and I was REALLY working to stay below a 9min mile at that point.
when I was about a quarter mile from the finish I saw Steve and Megan and Erika, Megan's eyes were big as saucers and I waved and yelled out "Hi baby!!" as I rounded the corner to the finish.
I saw the time and somehow sprinted those last 50feet! I thought my legs were going to give out after I crossed the finish line...but they didn't!
My goal was 2hrs, UNDER 2hrs, even if just by a second. My actual finishing time was:
1hr 49min 24sec
My average pace was 8:21
I placed 109th out of 1162 women!
and I placed 29th out of 236 women in my age group (30-34yrs old).
I certainly exceeded my own expectations and yet within 10min was already wishing I could have done it faster! that is the competitive side of me. I always want to beat my last time:)
I know, however that I pushed as hard as I could at that time those last 2 miles. I really don't think my body could have gone any faster. I feel optimistic though....my goal is to eventually be able to run that at a steady 7:30 or 7:45 pace and I think if i train, some time in the next few years I can accomplish it:)
I'm glad that I took a risk. There was a big chance that by pushing myself that hard I WOULD burn out, but I did it and when my body WANTED to burn out, I just wouldn't let it. I'm learning as I get older that I really can do anything I put my mind to. The human spirit is a very powerful thing. I did pray while I was running too I should mention:) and I prayed before my race and I know the Lord helped me accomplish my goals.
It feels good to check a life goal off my list but I'm not done with running yet:) The race will keep calling me back for more:)
I STILL don't have that yearning to run a full marathon. running 26miles? hmm.....MAYBE in a few more years and after a few more half's we'll SEE. No promises Val!!;) haha.
Here are pictures from the race: (our computer is broken so I don't have a calibrated monitor and have no idea how the color will look on your end, so sorry!)
Here I come:)
I see my family...what a relief!
waving at Megan
sprinting to the finish!!
Valerie, me and Sabrina. WE missed you Natalie!!!
*Natalie injured her knee and couldn't run. we were so sad!
With our medals for completing the race
I love you girls!!!
Lee, Valerie and baby Jackson
Kevin, Sabrina and baby Kaleb
Me and my girls
Me and my best friend in the whole world!
* can I also say Thank you to my wonderful husband for always getting up early and trecking 2 little girls by himself to these races...it is NOT an easy job, I love you Steve!
I have always loved running. When I was 6 my mom put me in a track club and I loved it! I love the race more than anything. There is this adrenaline that is just thrilling. I'm very competitive with myself so I really enjoy the race itself....more than the training. I haven't run since high school but for some reason always had on my life goals to run a marathon some day. ( half or full).
Anyway...I ran very lightly last summer (2mile runs a few nights a week) and then found some wonderfully experienced girls (Sabrina and Valerie) in february to motivate me to start running again. Me and My friend Natalie started running with them and it has been so much fun! I've really come to love these girls and appreciate their friendship and support SO much! They totally belive in me and are ALWAYS encouraging me which means A LOT to me! thank you ladies!!xo
anyway, after our 12K run on May 9th, we decided we wanted to do the Sauvie Island half marathon together (in 6wks time!). So...we started training. these girls are so great! they totally get my butt out of bed 3 times a week at 6am to run and I love it!
Anyway....long introduction. So today was race day. In my training I had 5 long runs: 6 miles, 7, 8, 9, and 10miles. one each week. I was nervous about running 13 as I'd never done it before! My goal was to try to run it at a steady 9min mile pace and finish in 2hrs. I was scared though b/c I just didn't know what my body would do past 10miles........
My problem is, when that buzzer goes off and the race is on, I just can't control myself.....My adrenaline kicks in and i'm off! I kept looking at my garmin forerunner and I was running at a 7:45-8:30pace......(too fast to keep up for 13miles i thought!) by mile 5 I got a burst of energy and ran that mile at a 7:46pace,but by mile 7 I was questioning whether I had pushed myself too hard and if I was going to burn out by mile 10.....I was pushing and pushing but too afraid to go that extra mile b/c I didn't know how long I could keep it up for. at mile 9, a group of 4 women passed me. my pace was at about 8:30 but I just didn't feel like I could go ANY faster....I was scared but decided to test my limits and see what I was made of, so to speak. Risking that I might burn out, i pushed a bit harder and got down to about a 8:15mile. by mile 10, my legs started to go numb. My feet were blistering and I was nervous.....
"You can't quit, you're NOT a quitter!" I told myself over and over. "this is the hardest thing I've ever done" i said to myself, only to hear myself respond back, " no it's not! you birthed a 10lb baby naturally, you can do this Nicole!" (LOL). A few times I actually had this weirdchill run through my body that gave me goose bumps and had to hold back tears. I knew I was pushing myself harder than I knew my body was capable of and I was SO tired. I just wanted to stop and walk.
I have run 4miles before at a 7:45 pace but running at a fast pace (for me) for 13 miles is a totally different story!!
by mile 11 and 12 I had to start running with my arms. It's hard to explain but I had to really pump my arms to keep my momentum going and to keep my legs moving b/c I just could'nt feel the muscles in my legs anymore or control them. I dropped to a 8:45mile for miles 12 and 13 but I didn't quit and I was REALLY working to stay below a 9min mile at that point.
when I was about a quarter mile from the finish I saw Steve and Megan and Erika, Megan's eyes were big as saucers and I waved and yelled out "Hi baby!!" as I rounded the corner to the finish.
I saw the time and somehow sprinted those last 50feet! I thought my legs were going to give out after I crossed the finish line...but they didn't!
My goal was 2hrs, UNDER 2hrs, even if just by a second. My actual finishing time was:
1hr 49min 24sec
My average pace was 8:21
I placed 109th out of 1162 women!
and I placed 29th out of 236 women in my age group (30-34yrs old).
I certainly exceeded my own expectations and yet within 10min was already wishing I could have done it faster! that is the competitive side of me. I always want to beat my last time:)
I know, however that I pushed as hard as I could at that time those last 2 miles. I really don't think my body could have gone any faster. I feel optimistic though....my goal is to eventually be able to run that at a steady 7:30 or 7:45 pace and I think if i train, some time in the next few years I can accomplish it:)
I'm glad that I took a risk. There was a big chance that by pushing myself that hard I WOULD burn out, but I did it and when my body WANTED to burn out, I just wouldn't let it. I'm learning as I get older that I really can do anything I put my mind to. The human spirit is a very powerful thing. I did pray while I was running too I should mention:) and I prayed before my race and I know the Lord helped me accomplish my goals.
It feels good to check a life goal off my list but I'm not done with running yet:) The race will keep calling me back for more:)
I STILL don't have that yearning to run a full marathon. running 26miles? hmm.....MAYBE in a few more years and after a few more half's we'll SEE. No promises Val!!;) haha.
Here are pictures from the race: (our computer is broken so I don't have a calibrated monitor and have no idea how the color will look on your end, so sorry!)
Here I come:)
I see my family...what a relief!
waving at Megan
sprinting to the finish!!
Valerie, me and Sabrina. WE missed you Natalie!!!
*Natalie injured her knee and couldn't run. we were so sad!
With our medals for completing the race
I love you girls!!!
Lee, Valerie and baby Jackson
Kevin, Sabrina and baby Kaleb
Me and my girls
Me and my best friend in the whole world!
* can I also say Thank you to my wonderful husband for always getting up early and trecking 2 little girls by himself to these races...it is NOT an easy job, I love you Steve!
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