Houseparty.com's *After Party's*

So in case you don't know what it is, Houseparty.com is a website that get's people to sign up to have party's for their sponsors... like Green Mountain Coffee (yumm), Keurig single brew coffee machine (love mine), and many, many more company's pay House Party to facilitate the signing of willing participants to push their products. You know the concept of tell 10 people and those people tell two people and those 2 people tell two people each and before you know it yo have a lot of personal advertising for minimal dollars.

Okay so cool concept, and for the *hosts* time and effort they get a little something free. I did the Green Mountain and Keurig party. I LOVE the coffee, love the coffee machine! Then I did a Splenda party, it was ok and I got to share a lot of Splenda with a lot of folks. They sent 10 boxes of Splenda, some long kool-aid spoons and paperback recipe books. Then for being the host I got a hardback drink recipe book, measuring spoons and cups. Cool right? Sure. Then I distributed their product to my friends and family...

The first virtual party that I that I had qualified for was South Beach Diet products. That was a virtual party where the guests go online and get good tips for eating better, getting more excersize and other helpful things like coupons for South Beach products.

I love Houseparty. I am waiting to be confirmed for a a couple of more parties now. You have to sign up for all the parties you would be interested in and then they pick from the pool and if you are the lucky one, you get to be the host of a fabulous party... I'll let you know how my next party goes...

Dylan in his new room...

little birdies leaving the nest...

I never knew it would be so hard when our children grow up and move out. My son is heading to college this Saturday. He actually moves in! He will really be on his own... kind of. Enough so that it is freaking me out! I just can't believe that he will be making all of his decisions on his own. What and when to eat, when to get up. Well with exception as to getting up and being to class on time... he only has class 3 days a week, that's a lot of time to fill in a different town. OMG! I can't handle this pressure. Will he have enough to eat? I know he will, but how do I stop worrying about it. (pause to shed a few tears) I'm so proud, but so sad. My baby is going off to become a man. I know all kids have to do it in some way or another. I even though he will be back on weekends, but his time will be spent with his girlfriend and church and... I have a feeling that "Mom can I have some money?" will be about the extent of time that we see him. *hmmm* Come to think about it, that's about when we see him now. *lol*

I didn't ask my Grandma the question but she answered it anyway... When my oldest daughter, now 25 was a teenager probably from 13 to 17, we would argue and fuss over the smallest or largest of things. My Nana said one time. "It is Nature's way of breaking the apron strings between Moms and their babies." Well then it made since but right when that baby is moving out it hurts! Just to know that I won't be able to protect him anymore. Mostly from peer pressure to do things that I don't want him to ever start doing in the first place. Just to know that it's everywhere and so dramatized... I guess the partying is what scares me the most! If he was going to a school that wasn't known for their partying ways I wouldn' t be so scared. He was going to be going to a very religious college where the tuition is more and the students are there for an exact purpose. However finanace usually win when it comes to big money vs affordability.

Even though it's not what we want for our kids, I can understand why so many parents are ok with their college children moving back home after college. They say because of the economy these days it's a new trend. I would be ok with it... For awhile that is.

But for now I still have the weekends that he will be home. How do I know, you ask? Because he still needs car insurance and a phone LOL

How do you know you are teaching them like the public schools?

I've been homeschooling my 2 youngest daughters since pre-k. K is 10 starting 5th grade and S is 7 (all most 8) starting 2nd grade. Through out the last 6 years (I can't believe we've been home schooling that long, still feels like we are beginners) I have been asked so many times, in so many different ways "How do you know you are teaching them what they need to know?" "How do you make sure that you are teaching them to what public schools are teaching?" "How do you know you are...?" I've all ways tried to explain in a way that people that aren't into homeschooling will understand and at the least accept. Sometimes it's not that easy though. My reasoning is that easy, but making my explanation come out of my mouth the way I want it to isn't all ways that easy. One time a few years back a pretty intimidating man asked me "What kind of curriculum and testing do you preform in order to adhere to state levels of education." First thing out of my mouth was "Uh Uh well we do educational things with curri curriculum. and stuff".... WHAT? What was I thinking? Uh we do educational things and stuff?!? I sounded like the biggest dork! I just walked off, I remember thinking to myself... self: that can't happen again. I have to figure out why I home school AND be able to put it into words. That was when I started not caring what strangers thought about us homeschooling, about us being out at the park in the middle of a school day or anything else that goes along with a day as a homeschooling family. That was when my answers got a lot more understandable. I quit trying to answer the dreaded questions about how I am making sure that I am *keeping up* with public schools and started answering with, I'm not worried about *keeping up* with the public school system. I'm more worried about the public schools not being able to keep up with families that home school. I've finally realized that I am not teaching at home to teach like a public school, I'm teaching to NOT be like a public school. I now answer with confidence that public schools only teach to test, whether it's the up coming standardized tests or the nine weeks tests or semester tests. That's what they learn, what will be on the tests. We learn about life, we learn about math percentages in cooking and shopping, to use proper grammar and manners in real life introductions when they meet someone for the first time, to holding the door for someone and if someone drops something picking it up for them is common sense and common courtesy. We read the plaques when we are at a park or the zoo. Reminds me of year before last, we were at the zoo. It happened to be the same day that a local public school had a field trip. The kids were so loud and so obnoxious that my two daughters asked if we could leave. Instead we just took off in a different direction. After we had got far enough away that the roudy kids couldn't be heard anymore, my (then 8 year old) said "Wow Mom those kids aren't here to learn anything, they are just here to get out of school and tear up the zoo." :-) Now the school kids weren't tearing up the zoo, but they were tossing trash down in the Rainforrest, knocking on the glass to the exhibits that clearly said "Do Not Tap on Glass", and yelling so loud that not only could they not hear their own teachers telling them to be quiet but we also couldn't hear each other reading the plaques. So I don't know. Some may say it was a fun field trip, that they work all day in school so they deserve to play, that if they want to learn at the zoo their parents can take them on their own. My kids and me did all of the above, we played on the playground before we went into the zoo, we had a nice picnic that we prepared at home (that started the conversasion and research session on the diffence beteen ice and dry ice) and we went to the zoo to learn something new.

All of the home-school children that I've met over the years have been more well spoken than their public schooled peers. Just as much if not more mature and well rounded individuals.

Homeschool and coupons...

I've been researching homeschool curriculum once again, we are yet to find the perfect fit. Some have to much busy work, some don't have enough, some are for on the pc and some are only written work... I want a perfect mix of religious and non, computer work and written work, some busy work but not alot. My kids seem to be the type that if they aren't doing at least a little *school work* then they don't think they are schooling LOL. Last year we did math involed it in experiments and cooking lessens we did history and geography added to research on the internet, a few months later I over hearing them tell someone at church that they don't do any work in school. HUH!!! LOL They keep that up and they'll get me arrested.... EVERYONE knows that they do in fact do work because they are so smart, social and well behaved... but still gotta teach them how to explain how they school lol.

Coupons, haven't done much lately. My double coupon store closed recently, so I haven't been able to just run down and grab a few freebies or really cheaps... *sniff* I am going to get back in the swing of saving but will have to drive extra miles to do so. Which I thought was bad until I realized that if we are planning on moving farther out in the country then I'd be driving futher anyway... so this will jsut be practice...

Fresh is fresher

From garden to pot... crock pot that is... I don't know why I only took a before picture of the chicken soup. When it was finished it was not only delicious but also a very beautiful chicken and dumplings. All the seasoning except for the sea salt and peppercorns were grown by me, that would be thyme, sage, oragano, garlic, (not in the soup was basil, bell peppers and a habenaro)

Slenda Party...

So last weekend was the Splenda get together and fun was had by all.

Pastor PJ was excited to get her Splenda packet

Fleetwood Mac

My Ticket :-)

Going in...

Lindsey B. ripping it up on his guitar!!!

Lindsey was giving that tar a work out, he didn't try to hide the fact that they are getting older, he actually made light of it by right in the middle of this set, he stops guitaring for a sec and olds his back, looks at the croud and does a Chubby Checker across the stage while pounding out the cords. They STILL Rock! The only thing about the group that hasn't changed since it formed in 1967 is the rhythm section of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. Let me tell you, they can still hold there own and them some! I can't put into words how much I love Fleetwood Mac (well this version of Fleetwood, minus Christie McVie, I know Fleetwood has been through so many rough times and so many members but NONE could hold a candle to Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie... that was and is Fleetwood Mac!!

Sorry this isn't better pic. no cameras were a loud in the BOK so *phone* it was... flashes everywhere... who knew so many phones came with falshes lol. Lindsey and Stevie took to the stage for their first song and I had chills. It was like old home week and Mama just wrapped her warm arms around me. (told you I love them lol)

She is still as beautiful, alluring and mysterious as she ever was. Her sweet, husky voice did not faulter. I wanted to be her in the 70's and 80's. when I saw her the first time, she was so messed up she actually took a break from the stage to smoke a doob and drink from a bottle, just off stage (but still in the light). She came back singing strong and rocking the house. Even when she was spinning and singing and fell off stage, she never missed a beat... *Stand back, stand back, in the middle of the (Stevie drops off center stage, pops back up on stage with some help from someone, probably security) and never quites singing!!!

I'm Pretty excited, it's all mst time for Summer Special Olympics...

Special Olympics Summer Games celebrates 40 years

Ashley Stockamp
Stillwater NewsPress

More than 4,000 athletes from across Oklahoma will convene May 13 to begin the celebration of the 40th annual Special Olympics Oklahoma summer games.

May 13-15 athletes will be in Stillwater competing in aquatics, athletics, bocce, bowling, golf, horseshoes, powerlifting, unified 3-on-3 basketball and unified softball. Stars of the Future and motor activities are also offered.

Opening ceremonies will begin May 13 at 7:30 p.m. The 2009 opening ceremonies theme is “HOMECOMING ... celebrating the 40th Anniversary of our 1st Homecoming.”

The law enforcement torch run will kick off the celebration with a parade of athletes, the carrying of the torch and rappelling into Gallagher Iba Arena. The parade will be led by the Charles Page High School Jazz Band, and a team of special needs cheerleaders will perform for the audience.

“It’s going to be like a big pep rally for opening ceremonies,” said Donna Ham, public relations director for Special Olympics Oklahoma.

The 2009 athlete of the year recognition and the Special Olympics Oath will be lead by Barry Switzer , Special Olympics head coach. Switzer has announced this award during opening ceremonies every year since 1973.

This year volunteers are especially needed for breakfast and dinner in the dorms, softball throw, track staging and openings ceremonies. Volunteers are welcome to show up the day of the event and cheer for the teams.

“If people just want to show up at the games they are more than welcome,” Ham said. “We can always use fans in the stands at softball, powerlifting and 3-on-3 basketball.”

For more information on the events and becoming a volunteer call 918-481-1234 or visit www.sook.org.

Lovin' My Green Mountain Coffee and Keurig Brewer...

One of the best things about Green Mountain Coffees is that they have a huge selection of Fair Trade and quite a fe organic blends. They are very *Green*... My new favorite blend mix is Fair Trade Rainforest Nut & Esspresso together first thing in the morning is a wake me up, pick me up, it's going to be a good day starter.

I'm going to be away from my brew for 3 days in May, I don't know how I'm going to handle not having my fresh brew at hand LOL... I may have to pack it!

Coupons, haven't spent many coupons this week or last. We have a nice healty stockpile going so now I'm' in the maintaining stage... Some call it cherry picking, whatever you want to call it, it is when all your spaces are full and you only have to buy things that are on sale and you have coupons for that equal FREE or really close.

I didn't make it out to some of the Earth Day sales yesterday, we had a nice Earth Day playing in the back yard. Walgreen's had a coupon on their webpage for 15% off or total order or 20% OFF Walgreen brand items plus you got a FREE reusuable bag... Can you believe I missed out?! lol oh well there's all ways next time...

SprIng is here, got up this morning and made a little fire.

I had the Green Mountain Coffee/Keurig Houseparty yesterday. It was so much fun, there were many friends and family that stopped by chat and have a cup of fresh, hot coffee, tea and/or hot cocoa. I'll post more pictures later.

Tips from The Coupon DIva

I watched this lady this morning on the Today Show... I love her answer to people that say they don't have time to clip coupons... "Then you haven't been broke enough baby"...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

It's all ways good to hear that big companies are trying to make a difference not only in our country but the whole world... Recently I was introduced to Green Mountain Brewers (coffee), their coffee is rich and full of flavor. It makes the coffee taste better knowing this...

I just looked to see what items I'll be receiving for the Green Mountain/Keurig Coffee party *whoot whoot*

1 box Regular Coffee Variety Sampler—22 K-Cups
1 box Decaf Variety Sampler—22 K-Cups
1 box Hot Cocoa—24 K-Cups
1 box Double Black Diamond Coffee—24 K-Cups
15 travel mugs
and more....

When you receive FREE things, it's all ways a good day!

Pick your coffee preference and brew you up a fresh cup!

Coffee Party

18 days until the Grand National Green Mountain Coffe and Keurig Party. The coffee is ordered, the cups ar clean, the napkins are in waiting... and I can't wait, I'm going to brew myself a cup of fresh, hot esppresso blend right now. (mental note: order more coffee :-)... again :-) It's delicious!

humm not very motivated lately...

It's ALL Ways a learning curve...

EVERYDAY in couponing is a learning experience! I used to use a little accordian coupon holder, now I use a full size Foray binder/attache/portfolio kind of thing. HOWEVER... If I could have learned *this* lesson first I would have sure appreciated it!! Keep your receipts organized from the begining! As you can see by the picture, I have a big pile of 3 months worth of receipts that I now what to itemize and add up... *sigh* I think I'll make that number 1 for now.

1. When you are ready and start saving, Organize your coupons from the start. Envelopes with the dates and even better the store they are from and the date. So I would have 4 envelopes for each month. One for Homeland (DOUBLE COUPONS!), one for Walgreens (You can stack 2 coupons here for XX savings), one for the other grocery stores I got to and... uhm I guess one for everywhere else. Khol's, Gas, Eating out... Is there anything else?

	UPDATED today 03/26/2009 at 3:51 pm... I've calculated 2 months, one store... and here are the totals... this store doubles coupons to $1.00. March 2009 $142.32 Manufacturer Coupons (inserts & internet printed) $76.80 Bonus Coupons (the coupons my store doubles) $205.75 One Card Saving (sales/savings you get w/ the store card) $424.86 TOTAL Saved (Coupons, store coups, 1 card sav) $404.78 Total Spent (excluding taxes that equaled $109.90) 50.60% TOTAL % SAVED $829.64 Would have paid no coupons, no bonus card and no sales.
	Febuary 2009 $335.28 Total $ Saved $380.08 Total Spent 45.33% Total % Saved $715.36 Would have paid January 2009 coming soon...

Adding up my savings...

OK so adding up the coupons & savings has turned out to be more than a one day job for this OCD personality. I was just going to add the the savings, figure the percent saved and leave it at that. No, I found out quickly yesterday that I needed to seperate them according to stores, then into months. I'm taking the tax out of the final equation (since I can't really control that!!) but I will keep a tax tally.

I have noticed that the last 2 pay checks there is more $$ left in the bank the day before payday... used to it may have been hit or miss. After groceries for a family of 5+ sometimes there may not have been a lot of black left on the bottom line. Now thanks to coupons, stockpiling and a bit of dedicated time our bottom line is growing!

I'm going now to add up my savings to date for Jan, Feb, & March.


So while you're waiting for my savings post, I thought I'd give you a peek into my pantry... It may look like over kill to some, but I support a family of 5+ on a budget and couponing and stockpiling has enabled me to meet my family's needs, exceed their wants and something new to us... put money in the bank AFTER groceries. Here's a couple of things to think about while you are looking at my stockpile. I didn't pay over a dollar for any of the vitamins, Excederin or other pain aid in the picture and about half were FREE! The laundry soap, about $1.25 a bottle! Toothpaste anywhere from .50 to FREE a tube. I don't know how much shampoo or conditioner is in the picture but I have many bottles FREE and a few .50 or less... When this picture was taken I was still in my first 12 weeks of stockpiling. This is 2 days, 2 trips to Walgreens each day for a combined total of about $80 out of pocket... The vitamins up front would cost that alone.

My New Single Cup Coffee Maker... it's a Keurig and I love it!!!
The Coffee is all so a great find, if you like full bodied, rich coffees, Green Mountain Coffee is for you! The have a very extensive line of Extra Bolds (my favorite is the espresso blend, tied for 2nd is the Kenya AA you see here and all so the Samatran.

UPDATED on 3/26/09 I forgot to mention yesterday that this coffee pot, the Keurig Elite, is the one that I recieved FREE. Deena, How did you do that, you ask? I signed up at a website called houseparty.com

. I got choosen to host a Coffe Party at my home, April 18, and because of that, I got the Keurig & some coffee FREE! I will also recieve a FREE party package closer to the Latte Day (That's what I'm calling my open house coffee party day). Not only did I recieve this awesome single cup brewer FREE, but it's the second coffee pot this year that I've recieved FREE. The other machine is a very nice coffee pot. I recieved it FREE from Gevalia This one you can get FREE too with the price of about $9.99+s&h that came out to be about $14, you get a $100 coffee pot, some awesomely rich coffee (think Starbucks not Folgers). Then after you recieve your coffee machine and coffee you are welcome to either keep your membership which is a direct delivery option for the coffee. Or you can cancel the membership no questions asked... It really is worth it. If you are an avid coffee drinker like hubby and me or you just like an occassional sip of joe, shouldn't it be the best possible drink?

Went to Mardel's today...

I bought 8 various curriculum books for the girls, 3 of which were on sale 1/2 price. Can't beat bargin shopping even when you're not planning on it. I paid for the books with my rebate card from T-mobile so no out of pocket money there... Fun Fun Fun! Then it was off to lunch T-mobile bought that, too. After I ate... went to WalM to get puppy pads, I couldn't get out of there fast enough, it's a weird place wally world. Oh yea, T-moblie bought them too. Stopped by Walg reens, even though I said I wasn't going to, but I had to spend my register coupon for my FREE bottle of Irish Spring bath wash... T-moblie paid my tax on that .32 and the card was done, it's served it's time, it treated me well, now I slide it through the shredder in remeberance of a nice FREE day, thanks to my phone provider :-).

Don't forget to send those rebates in, they are money in the bank. When we switched to T-mobile, we got two phones (Blackberry Curve for D & a Samsung Behold for me) FREE plus we got a $100 rebate card for EACH phone $$$. My new favorite word is *rebate*. The reason why I've never sent in rebates before totally escapes me! But I'm getting my March Walg reen's rebate form ready now, I think it will be around $30-$40.

Sales, Coupons, Rebates, Oh my! I *heart* a good deal!!!

Hummm...

I got the vacuum containers yesterday, ripped into them just like I said... Christmas every time I see the mail lady getting out of her mail-mobile or I hear UPS hurling down the street... opened the box, started unwrapping, they are just as neat as I thought they would be. I can hardly wait to get them washed and start storing *stuff* in them. My hopes are that I love them so much that I have to order more... would love to have a organized storage area with everything possible in airtight containers... well I'm on my way.

I went shopping yesterday, again. Bought some really good things, got even more really cheap or even better FREE!! At the grocery last night I saved $82.84 for a savings of 61%! I all ways get a huge jolt of excitement when my saved $$ is larger then my out of pocket$$ . At the drugstore yesterday, got 6 bottles of Garnier Shampoo & Conditioner FREE! A few more things that either came out free after coupons or will be FREE after the mail in rebate. I roughly figured up the rebates that 'm going to be mailing in, will get approximately $30 back, plus they give an extra 10% when you choose to get your rebate back on their store card... HECK yea, $3 is $3.

Yesterday while I was at the grocery checking out, the cashier started talking coupons with me and the cashier behind me... they were talking about what a good deal they were. They both said that they need to start *doing coupons*. Ask where I get the majority of mine, a few more seconds of small talk... and I became on the inside *lol* they started talking (nicely) about how some couponers come in with a bit of a mean attitude and get snooty with them if the register doesn't ring up the coupons like the customer thinks they should... They both said, a couple of regulars that come are so into the coupon deals that the coupon ladies confuse them trying to convince them the register should be doing something else... *LOL* They were both talking about it in a pretty light hearted manner... My cashier said that he understands the frustration that people trying to save money have, but he can only do so much between the register and his manager... You may be wondering, How the heck long was I in line? How much product did I have or how slow was the cashier? Well I had a cart all most full, the cashier wasn't slow at all, he was pretty efficient and talked to me a little. (Which is nice, sometimes I'm not sure if the cashier can talk or not.) The reason I was there so long, or what seemed long anyway, he's ringing up items, I'm sacking (I all ways do, better than just standing there), he starts ringing in coupons. This is what *started* the coupon discussion. He gets about half way through with the coups and the register freezes up and shuts down... *LOL* He calls a manager and we take ALL of my things over to another register and re-ring everything back up... Luckily I was his first coups of the day so he didn't have to sort through any... He apologized a few times, I told him NO problem, I didn't have anything to do (I didn't need to tell him I was going to two Wag reens and back here that evening LOL), I was also sure to tell him that the fact He didn't get upset and took it lightly made much less stressful. Speaking of customers... While all of this was going on... there was 2 assistant mgrs talking on the phone w/ the register peeps, unplugging things ect... 2 customers walk up and start yelping at the mgr (that is down on the floor under the register) that there is a case expired back there, what was the mgr going to do about it?! The mgr asked, "What is it? The man barked back "IT'S EXPIRED!"... I thought I was going to loose it, when I saw the mgr poke his head out from under the counter, upside down and look at that grouchy old man... it had to be one of the funniest expressions I have ever seen... they continued their conversation for a few seconds, the man walked off. The manager looked up at me and the cashier, with an exhausted look said "That guy is all ways getting up in my face, and I just can't take him right now. It's a big store, I can't take something off the shelf if I don't know what the product is that is expired!" he paused for a few, kept tinkering under the register, looked back out and said " and I still don't know."... I finally got finished, walked off thinking, boy I love my husband for giving me the opportunity to stay home with our children, home school, clip coupons, hang out at home, do laundry, heck even dishes... and I sure don't miss customer service!

Peace

<--- this is what I'm waiting for, I love to see UPS drive up... or the postal lady either one... It's like Christmas in March.

It's another subject but I can't believe it's been a year ago last month that I cut my toe. I dropped a chef's knife on my big toe, saw two doctors *err* that's another day. Took some messed up medicine, didn't wear a shoe or drive a car for a little over 6 months. Still can't bend the toe on it's own, but at least it's not numb or worse still hurting... well it does ache sometimes, not to much though. Considering that it throbbed for 7+ months, I'll take a few days of aching. Wow that's not that interesting, oh well, now you know. :-) Peace!

Monday is clip day, oh yea and I think I dreamed coupons...

So when I woke up this morning I had this weird feeling, like I had had an experience, or accomplished something (no not a full nights sleep), more like I have when I get a good buy or when I get home and start unloading the sacks of loot. Loot is what it feels like. I sometimes feel like I'm pulling one over on the store. THEN I remember that they are the ones that put the coupons out there and they are the ones that take them in Lu of the good ole $$. Then I feel all better and continue to shop and save. Anyway back to when I woke up and my euphoric start to the day. As I sat there for a couple of minutes, I remembered parts of my dream/s... I think that I dreamed COUPONS. That's kind of funny, if I don't think about it too long.

So yesterday I went to Wags (W algree ns) and got a really good deal, this week they have Blink Tears eye drops for FREE after the 8.00 register reward. The Blink is priced at 7.99, when you go to buy it, the register or rather the catalina (Catalina Category Marketing (CCM) rewards purchases of promoted products with “catalinas”, also known as “check-out coupons”. These offer incentives good on your next shopping trip to that retailer. There is usually a 4-week window on any given program/incentive promotion.), I just learned that term a couple of weeks ago... the catalina prints out a $8.00 coupon for your next visit! How cool is that?!

Then it was off to my local grocery store to use some $1 coupons, they all ways double them to a dollar... I Love them for that! There I saved 61% off my total! That's great but I want to get it up more... but I'll have to manage what I buy better, all ready I try to only buy things that are on sale & I have a coupon for. There a few things that you have to get but not many after you have been hard core couponing for a while and not a long while it only takes a few weeks to start building a stockpile and about 12 to have your stock nice an plump so then you just start cherry picking, another few terms that I've learned recently, *stockpile, cherry picking* stockpiling is obvilously building a stock of things you will use over the next 12+ weeks, cherry picking is once you have your stockpile where you want it, you only buy things weekly that you can't stock up on like produce, milk... all though I have also learned that you Can indeed stock up on dairy if you have a freezer milk, cheese and full fat yogurt all freeze well. The fat free yogurt freezes ok but after thaws it have a different texture to it. You may be able to fix it by giving it a good stir, but that I don't know. I'll have to try it next time I stock up on yogurt. It never stays around long enough to have a stock. Another thing that freezes well and I would have never guesses it is eggs... there's two ways you can freeze them, crack them, put them in ice trays, freeze, pop out and put in freezer bags (seal a meals are amazing gifts from above). This last week I read an article of a ladt that freezes them whole in the shell, she just makes sure to let them thaw in the fridge for 24 hours before you cook them up. This is all wonderful news to me, because my store have egglands best on sale this week & I have coupons... YEAHHH! They hardly ever have organic milk, produce or eggs on sale, I'm taking advantage of this one for sure.

I need to get busy doing some homeschooling with the kids... I was talking to my mom this morning and she asked me (in the middle of my *guess what good deals I got this weekend spill*) "Soooo what else have you been doing?" SO I suppose I really need to put the sissors down, step away from the coupons and get a little work accomplished :-). Right after I tell you one more thing... I so excited for the mail to run today. Last week I ordered my first coupons, I know, I know... but I couldn't help it, I needed to try it so I could tell you about it... right? LOL
The website is very easy to manuver around, you only pay a small handling fee, shipping costs (.50 I think it was) and then another small cost I think it was .50 also... So I paid a total of $18 (I think) for a face value of $115 and doubled at my store it'll be more like $230+... the way I figure it, if I take off the $18 it cost to get the coupons, and say I end up not using $22 dollars worth of the coupons they will still save me around $190 take or give a little... That's good cash to me.

.50 can buy a lot with coupons...

	Not the most organized that it's been but here is another little shelf that I keep, instant oatmeal, snacks and other such things on... I think I need a bigger shelf. By the way, all of the instant oatmeal was bought for .50 or less. Oh and there are the 6 cans of Pringles that I mentioned in a previous post, 3 were .15 and 3 were FREE.

You can use them too...

	Here's a little look into our stockpile. None of the cereal was bought for over $1.00 and most was either .50, .75, or FREE! Yep Free... Can't beat that price. I was talking to my mom today, sha said, "I would do that (clip coupons) but they don't have anything that we use." After a short thought I replied, "You don't use, toothpaste, shampoo, bath soap, laundry soap, toilet paper, deoderant, or trashbags...?" She gave a quiet giggle and said "Well yea I guess I do." LOL

What 61% savings looks like...

	This is 2 days and 3 trips to Wags... Total saving 61%... the pictue doesn't show the 6 packages of 6 roll Charm Ultra T-paper, or the 6 cans of Pringles (3 of which were FREE and 3 were .15 cents), or the two Gillete Gamer Shavers (that were both also FREE)., or the 2 boxes of band-aids and 2 rolls of 1st aid tape... yep also FREE!

Blogging?

I'm so confused. I posted yesterday and can't find it, sent some pictures from my phone, can't find them. I have no idea what I'm doing or if I have time to even start learning enough to write a blog that someone might want to stop and read... all the way through. LOL

	Flowers that came via UPS for my 2 daughters from their grandfather that lives in another state...

	El Tequila has nothing to do with home-schooling or coupons, but they sure are delicious! The guacamole is out of this world and made fresh daily. The salsa is just right not to hot, but has l ots of spice. *hmm I'm thinking it's time to go out to eat...