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Lazy Saturday

So last night was rainy, with lightning and thunder.  You would think that would make for a decent night's rest.  Wrong.  Both hubby and I slept restlessly.  Must have been the way the air was hanging.  We both couldn't seem to cool off no matter how much we cranked the A/C.  I normally sleep pretty warm anyway but last night I slept a little too warm.  Not even the air-filled comfort of our sleep number bed was enough to lure us into dreamland.  So needless to say, when I had to get up this morning to sing at a funeral and attend a cantor workshop, I was less than enthused.

However, as usual, when I got to church and saw the people and started singing and realizing 1) what a unique and wonderful ministry the funeral choir is to our church and 2) what a great group of people we have, all lack of sleep vanished and nobody knew the difference.  And I think my cup of coffee (though decaf) helped a little as well. 

The cantor's workshop was fun.  Basically I get to learn to play an entirely different mass setting (which I better start practicing soon because I'll be using it soon!), and a whole new set of Psalms.  I will have to sing them too, but once I can play them, I can sing them.  So that's the news in church-land.

Afterward, I grabbed a quick bite to eat, then came home only to greet my children briefly before they went down for their naps.  That was around 1:30.  It is now 5:30 and it is still quiet upstairs.  Could they both be going through growth spurts at the same time?  At ages 1 1/2 and 3 1/2, I suppose it is possible.  But I think I'm going to poke my head in their room soon to make sure they're still breathing.  HA...only about half joking there.  You know how mothers can worry. 

Greg is over at the neighbors helping her fix an electrical box which had a small fire and basically fried the components.  I expect that once I wake the kids, we will go for a walk or something while Greg works, then it will be time to start night time routines.  It has been nice to have this time to myself this afternoon, but now it's time to go be a mommy.  Good night, blog-land.

Kindle Fire

The new Kindle Fire is here!  It's an improvement on the old Kindle Fire in so many ways.  For the same $199 you paid for the over version, you get 16GB of storage instead of 8GB.  There is a 4G option available for $500 with a $50 a year data package.  Here's what Amazon has to say about the new Kindle:

"Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G isn't just the best tablet for the price, it's the best tablet. $499 now gets you a large-screen HD tablet with a stunning 8.9" display, exclusive Dolby audio, dual stereo speakers, the fastest Wi-Fi, ultra-fast 4G LTE wireless, plus our new unprecedented $49.99 one-year 4G data package. Customers save hundreds of dollars in the first year compared to other 4G tablets. Kindle Fire HD 8.9" is also available in a Wi-Fi only model for $299.

Kindle Fire HD is the world's most-advanced 7" tablet, with a stunning HD display, plus the same exclusive Dolby audio, dual stereo speakers, the fastest Wi-Fi, and 16 GB of storage. Kindle Fire HD is just $199."

My husband is definitely purchasing the Wi-Fi Kindle Fire and I hope some of you will consider purchasing it as well. It's a great device! I'm excited for Amazon with this big news!


LivingSocial deal

Hey readers!  This is one of those "really can't miss it" kinds of deals!  Head on over to LivingSocial to score a $10 egift card to Starbucks for only $5.  HURRY this one won't last! :-)  I love me some Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes. :-)

Good Movie

So my huband and I have been trying to branch out and watch a few new and different things on Netflix, something besides the usual Thomas the Tank Engine and Curious George (God bless 3 year olds).  We stumbled on this movie called Sarah's Choice.  Starring Rebecca St. James, a Christian artist.  Her character has to choose whether to have a baby or not in a world that seems to be pushing her to have an abortion.  She gets a Divine perspective from a woman who is her future self and ultimately has to make a very diffiult choice.  Check it out.  It's very good--make sure you have tissues.



Happy Saturday

So today hasn't been too exciting.  My two major accomplishments were making a chicken and rice casserole for the family, and getting some practice time in before mass tonight. 

I think it can be said, pretty fairly, that I am a church musician.   I am regularly asked to sub for the music director at church, and I readily oblige.  This weekend I get to play for 5:30 Saturday, 8am, 10am and noon mass on Sunday, and an 8:30am Labor Day mass on Monday.  The good news is, this means more money, and of course more experience and resume building, etc.  And I get to learn new music.  Like the music found in these books, for example:

 

 

That's about all that is happening in my life at the moment.  I want to post some more deals and whatnot, but admittedly, it can be exhausting looking for a good deal.  If you see something though, feel free to share it here!

Trip to the Mall

Hey readers.  It may seem like I am writing about nothing some days but I'm really going to try to post at least something every day.  I usually only get on my blog in the afternoon when the kids are napping, or at night after they go to bed and before I go to bed.  So needless to say there isn't a lot of time.  But today I want to tell you what we did this morning.

It was really a typical morning in our house.  We get up with the sun (around 8am), we eat breakfast, watch a few morning cartoons, go wild and crazy in the house, and then mommy decides that she HAS to get the kids OUT before they drive her CRAZY.  LOL so today's place of choice was the mall.  I know what you're thinking...the kids were crazy at home so you take them out to the mall and you think that is going to help?  Well you're right...they were just as crazy there.  First thing we did was eat lunch at Chick Fila (the only fast food chain that will forever have my loyalty).  There is a play area next to the food court (score), a Starbucks close by for mommy (double score), and a train that runs the entire length of the first floor that I can send my 3 year old running after.  The 16 month old would walk after it too, but she gets distracted too easily, so I usually just ride her in the stroller.  After chasing the train, we go in the puppy store and torment the puppies through the window (have you ever seen a small child play with a puppy?  Heart.  Melt.)  By that time it's just about naptime, so we load 'em up in the car, come home, and now the kids are sleeping.  Like angels.

That's life in the fast lane.  Not too terribly exciting...though I'm feeling a bit wound at the moment.  Must be that Pumpkin Spice Latte I had at Starbucks (YUM).  Time to go do something...laundry perhaps?  Hmm looks like I need to bring it in off the line before the post-hurricane-Isaac winds hit us here in SW Ohio.  Until next time, friends.

Daily Deals at Target

I love Target's daily deals page for a couple of reasons.  For one, shipping is always free on these deals (cha-ching!).  And second, who doesn't love a great product for cheap?  Today is "fashion Friday".  Check 'em out here: http://dailydeals.target.com/.  Bookmark the page for later!

Keurig Giveaway

I just entered this great giveaway for a Keurig.  Enter here: http://bit.ly/N10UmJ

Free Movie Offer

If you use disposable razors, here's a deal for you.  Buy two specially marked Schick razor packs, enter the codes online, and get a free movie ticket from Fandango worth up to $14.50.  Woo!  I think you can use it to see any movie, even though the promotion is for Spider Man.  Check it out HERE.

Good food

So I said the other day that I would post pics of our meals. I was especially proud of Sunday's dinner. 'Twas a super fancy homemade salad with greens, all kinds of peppers, mushrooms, almonds, craisins, cheese, and cut up baby carrots. Oh and a raspberry vinegarette dressing. Yum. Yesterday's lunch was fish and red taters, also tasty. I used Mrs. Dash Italian seasoning for both. Yum. It is so easy to cook at home. And cheaper, too. Just gotta get in the habit!

LivingSocial good deals

Here are two great deals I see on LivingSocial at the moment.  One is $15 for a one year subscription for a number of Disney Magazines.  Click HERE to grab this deal.  The other one is pay $25 for $50 worth of products at glutn-freely.com.  That's a 50% discount. :-)  Click HERE to snatch up that deal.  Both of these are too good to miss!  Happy deal seeking!

Slackin

OK so once again I am slacking on my blog posting.  You should know that I am in no way an "extreme couponer".  I do not have a stockpile, and I tend to only get the deals which I know we need or will use.  I have on occasion bought extra things for the purpose of donating or giving away, but for the most part I try to be a "practical couponer".  That being said, most of the time my coupons save me an average of 15-20% on trips to the store.  Not super impressive, but I'm usually not willing to make a bunch of extra trips for the purpose of getting something for "free".  In my eyes, after you do all that driving, with the price of gas, it's not very "free" after all. 

I also hope that in addition to sharing good deals with you all on this blog, that I can share a little bit about how we choose to live frugally.  For example, we did some shopping last weekend and stocked up on groceries.  Our goal is to keep from eating out for a whole week.  I plan to post pics of our meals, but will do that later.

If you have any comments/thoughts/suggestions, please feel free to contact me.  Happy saving!

Two Awesome Deal Stes

If you have kids, or if you just like cute stuff, then you gotta check out these two deal sites.  Zulily has kids Disney pajamas for $6.99 and up today.  There are a lot of other options as well.  Go to this link to join and check it out.  The other one is Totsy.  There's anything from clothes to toys to small appliances to accessories on these sites.  Go HERE to check out what's available on Totsy.  And I think you much for checking it out!

JCP Rewards Sweepstakes

If you're a JCPenney Rewards customer, log into your account and enter the sweepstakes.  You can win a $500 JCP gift card to help with back to school needs.  Wouldn't that be awesome?

Morning Shopping

I haven't been able to post much today, because I was sent on a morning shopping adventure.  Woo!  Best part of the trip?  Got at $40 dress at Penney's for just $15 thanks to a gift card I got for participating in a chat for JCP Insiders.  Woo!  Check out the map: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=205419503987450117730.0004c676aaf8b8eb1e05e.  I'll have to post pics of the dress.  I mean, if you're interested.  Are you interested?  :-)  Also stocked up on bread and other groceries.  Exhausting morning, but not bad since the hubby stayed home with the kids (score).  Add a stop to Chick Fil-A for lunch to refuel and I'd say it wasn't bad at all!  (go ahead, debate about Chick Fil-A...I dare you).

Diamond Candles

I just purchased this great deal from LivingSocial.  I've been hearing a lot about Diamond Candles from my fellow bloggers, and they seem to be a big deal.  I guess it is because they are made of soy, they smell good, and there is a diamond ring inside.  That ring could be worth anywhere from $10 to $5,000.  I don't know what I'd do if I got a ring worth $5K...maybe try to sell it?  But in any event, if you want to purchase a diamond candle for yourself, go to this link: https://www.livingsocial.com/deals/404170?ref=conf-jp&rpi=74516558.  Thanks!

Get Rewards for Watching TV

The App is called Viggle.  And if you have a Smartphone, you can get it.  If you watch TV, all you have to do is "check in" to whatever show you're watching and you get points.  Points can be redeemed for all kinds of awesome things like products and gift cards.  The app will "listen" to your TV and then find a match in their system.  You confirm the match and then you get points.  Easy!  Go to my link to sign up.  You don't want to miss this! http://join.viggle.com/clarsaxpiano

Discount Passes to CoCo Key Water Resort

Get out with your family on the cheap with these discount passes to CoCo Key! Only $20 for two full day passes. Details here: https://www.dealchicken.com/buynow/16125

Free Greeting Card

I have seen these offers often from thecardstore.com and it is back again. I didn't even know it was National Friendship Day, but if you want to say Hi to a friend with a cute card for cheap, this is the place to do it! Go to http://www.shop4freebies.com/offer/FREE-Personalized-Greeting-Card to find out how to score your FREE greeting card with free shipping. Offer expires August 5th so act fast!

Kroger Deal of the Day!

If you have a Kroger Plus card, you can load a daily deal to your account each day through August 11th. Go to http://www.softcoin.com/Sites/Kroger_CartBuster/Page/DealOfDayPage and select Kroger, then sign in to your account to load today's deal of the day. Best to do this in the morning, as the available coupons will dissapear quickly!

Revitalization!

Alrighty folks. I'm really new to this blogging stuff (overall) but as much as I love to write and as much as I love to coupon, I think it is time I paired the two. Lately I've been feeling like I need to find some kind of purpose in life, something that I am good at and that I love doing, outside of my music stuff and outside of being a mommy. I figure this is worth a shot. I know people who make a lot of money doing this, and I can say that I'm not aiming to do that (not right away, in any event), but I am aiming to just spread the word about local coupons and deals. I know many of you will enjoy these posts and I hope to keep them interesting and fun, and maybe even give you an insight into who I am, and what I do all day. I'm not a big talker, as a general rule, but that doesn't mean there isn't stuff going on inside my head at every moment! I want to show the world a little piece of me, a little piece of my life, and hopefully give them a good bargain in the process. Please "Like" my page, spread the word, and happy savings!