In Other News...

...I am going grocery shopping.  I know, I know!  I wasn't supposed to shop this month at all, but the wise Big Steve pointed out that, thought he knows my goal was to not shop in May, it makes more sense for me to get things I need when I can get them FREE or CHEAP!  And, I gotta say, he's right.

Harris Teeter is having Triples this week, which means they will triple any coupon up to $.99.  All of the coupons I'm using today are from Red Plum (RP) and Smart Source (SS) inserts from the week end paper with the only exception being a few coupons where I signed up to get free products (why don't YOU do that?) and they mailed them right over and the Athenos Yogurt Coupon can be found here (if you don't also have the B2G1 Free coupon, you'll still get 2 for free).

Here is my plan for the week so far.  My plans never go as planned.

Transaction #1 (today)

3 Frenchs Honey Mustard - FREE
1 Frenchs Worchester Sauce - FREE
3 Mahatma Rice - FREE
1 McCormick Garlic Powder - FREE
2 McCormick Inspirations - FREE
1  Smart Balance Pop Corn - FREE (so yum!)
1 Frenchs Spicy Brown Mustard - FREE
3 Dozen Egglands Best Eggs - $2.25
3 Luigi Italian Ice - $.50
8 Power Bars - $4.00
1 Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce - $1.24
Milk - $3.29
1 Earthbound Salad - $2.99 (received coupon in the mail)
1 Kraft Touch of Philly Shredded Cheese - FREE (received coupon in the mail)
1 Breakstones Cottage Doubles - FREE (received coupon in the mail)
1 Breakstones 4 pk Cottage Cheese - FREE (received coupon in the mail)

TOTAL: $14.27 + tax

Transaction #2:
2 Special K Crackers/Chips - $1.68
3 Nature Valley Granola Thins - $3.72
2 Texas Toast Croutons - $1.38
3 Bisquick Easy Pour - $3.00
4 Keebler Pie Crusts - $3.00
6 Totinos Pizza - $6.00
3 Eggo Waffles - $3.12 (if I can appropriately use this on regular waffles, they'll be much cheaper; not sure about the specifics of the coupon yet)
4 Yoplait Greek Yogurt - $1.40
3 Athenos Greek Yogurt - FREE

TOTAL: $23.30

Transaction #3:

3 Betty Crocker Super Moist Cake and 3 Betty Crocker Frosting - $3.48
3 Welches Juice - 5.22
1 Frenchs  Honey Dijon - $.99
6 Yoplait Greek Yogurt - $2.10
2 Desitin $4.48
3 Snuggle Dryer Sheets - $2.22
2 Fiber Plus Cereal - $4.58
2 Texast Toast Garlic Bread - $2.00
3 Athenos Greek Yogurt - FREE

TOTAL: $25.07
Transaction #4:
4 Swanson Chicken Breast Chunk $4.16
3 Texas Toast Garlic Bread - $3.00
2 Best Life Butter - $2.18
3 Welches Jelly - $1.50
1 Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce - $1.44
1 Smart Balance Cooking Spray - $.94
1 Smart Balance Peanut Butter - $.74
1 McCormick Crushed Red Pepper - $.24
2 Yoplait Greek Yogurt - $.70
1 Bisquick Easy Pour - $1.00
1 French Honey Mustard - FREE
1 Welches Juice - $1.74

TOTAL: $17.64

All of this is assuming my calculations are correct...which is rarely the case!  Often, though, it is less than what I'd anticipated because I always forget my VIC card coupons, so I'm quite looking forward to it!  Yes, I know that's a lot of mustard on there, but it's not overboard and there are so many recipes that use mustard.  Hopefully things don't fly off the shelves like they do during Super Doubles or I think I'll end up missing out on a few really good things :(.

Happy Couponing!

Big Plans.

I have very BIG PLANS for my life and my house when I start working part-time from home.  Not only will I be able to schedule my work around Little Steve's naps and self-play times, but I am also looking forward to more time doing things around my house.

I've been wanting to do my master bedroom and bathroom for a LONG time, but - as I frequently say - life has gotten in my way and these things have been put off.  You saw my poor excuse for a love nest during a confession; if you can believe it, it has gotten worse.  Last night, I decided to move (or have Big Steve move) my exercise bike from the living room to the bedroom.  I want to get Little Steve an indoor slide like he has at Mrs. L's house because he so loves slides.

I was working out last night in my bedroom that looks like  a confused teenager's room, and I came up with some great ideas and am looking forward to getting started this weekend.  Don't worry, you all will have a front row seat in turning my pubescent abode into a love cave.  It's going to take time...I am NOT a fan of things taking time, but I will be patient.

Stuff is getting moved, painted, and prettied up - deal with it, Big Steve.  I may even try to sneak in some girly colors when he's not looking...

Earthy walls?

{source}

I love orange...but on a smaller scale for Big Steve's sake.

{source}

Color Inspiration (think handmade pillows!)?

{source}

I also have plans for hiding stuff and making the room look super gorgeous!

But for now, I have to go get my wonderful braces tightened.  I am not a fan of this process, so I will reward myself with a free Strawberry Lemonade afterwards for having to endure such a thing.

Recipes tomorrow!

Confessions of a Real Life Mom.

Ohhhh, hey!

If you know me in real life, you know I get a bit 'preachy' about skin care.  SPF, moisturizing, washing, exfoliating...I am a skin freak.

Yesterday, Big Steven went for a run and 'discovered' a public school playground that's about a mile from our home.  I thought it would be a GREAT idea to go find it myself and grabbed Little Steven, water for the both of us, a snack for him, his sun hat, my cell, and went on my way!  I did not, however, apply sunscreen to myself.  Big mistake...I mean, BIG!  I am fair-skinned to an extreme.  My arm has gotten a bit toasted from my 45 minute drive home before, so this 2 mile (both ways) walk sans SPF was not a good idea.

Not only did I not find the park, but I had to take a contact out on the way home (stupid pollen!) and could literally feel my precious skin  burning.  It was horrible! 



{this doesn't really do the shoulder burn justice, but trust me, it's there}

Basically, I forget things.  I even forget about things that are REALLY important to me.  So, now I am in recovery mode - lots of Aloe/Vitamin E After Sun Lotion (that has the BEST smell ever), lots of water to help rehydrate my skin,  and SPF 100 until it goes away.  Think I'm kidding about the SPF 100?  I'm not.  That's what I use on Little Steve - he'll just have to share this week.

The good news is that I had a great work out  and I know now that the park was just out of sight for me and I'll try to find it again this weekend.

In other confessions, I suck at trying to be a runner.  I've tried out the walk/jog combo on walks with Little Steven multiple times and I just really don't like running.  I know how great it is for my body and I know that it's super heart healthy, but I don't like it.  I love to walk, though, so that's sufficient, right?

I'll keep trying, but I cannot promise I will like it!

Happy Monday!

I feel well enough this week to think about food - maybe a little too well because I'm pretty excited to get back into cooking.

I love the Spring and Summer seasons because Big Steven really enjoys cooking on the grill, which makes my job pretty easy a couple nights a week.

Tonight, we are having Peppered Steak on the grill w/ homestyle fries (cheater - Simply Potatoes) and steamed veggies.

Here are my options this week:

Chicken Alfredo Shells
Cheeseburger Crescents   Cheeseburger Pie
Sesame Beef w/ Rice
Easy Peasy Crock Pot Chicken & Dumplings
BBQ Chicken Pizza (STILL haven't made it)
Tri-Color Pasta & Sausage Bake
Crab Meat Roll Ups

I'm a bit skeptical of the Crab Meat Roll Ups, but it's worth a shot :).

I really want to bake this week, so I'll keep you posted on that.  I'm thinking something gooey....

Breakfast Casserole!

Last weekend, I was reading through my 'Taste of Home' Cook Book that was gifted from one of my favorite nurses, Hilde, and found a breakfast recipe that sounded delicious!  I made some slight changes to suit my tastes (typical!), but it turned out pretty yummy.

You Will Need:

8 Eggs
1 pkg Hashbrowns - thawed (20 oz)
8 slices Bacon - cooked and crumbled
2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
S & P to taste

Basically, you just throw all of these ingredients in a large bowl and mix it together.  That is one of the many reasons I love casseroles - they are easy and easy is so perfect for a lazy Saturday!

I baked mine at 350 for about 40 minutes.

ENJOY!

The Thursday Push!

Well, this is has been a ____ week.  There is not really an adjective to describe it; it's not been great, but I know many people have it worse.

Being sick all week has pretty much sucked the life out of me.  The little bit of life that I had left was emotionally drained, so I am not sure how I'm functioning today.

Let's just say that my life is about to endure a big time change.  I'm ready for it, but that doesn't mean it's going to be easy.  Eventually, when it doesn't feel too personal, I'll share the detes with my readers, but for now...The Thursday Push!

I've prayed a lot this week.  I've prayed for guidance, answers, love, and healing.  Last night, a quote kept running through my head over and over again:

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
- Eleanor Roosevelt

I've always loved this quote, but it especially hits home in my life right now.

When I have my 'moments,' as I call them, when I just want to cry forever, reality eventually does set in and I realize I can't spend the rest of my life crying.  Then I start thinking about why I'm crying.  Am I crying because I feel like it?  Or am I crying because someone pushed me to that level?  If it's the latter, I always remind myself that I've allowed that person to hurt me.

There is nothing wrong with crying - I do it all the time.  The problem lies in allowing someone else to have control over your happiness.

My current issue goes far beyond crying, unfortunately.  But this is a place for me to start. 

If someone can make you cry and not care that they've made you cry, do they really care about you to begin with?

If only I'd asked myself this question years ago.

One more day.

My Circle of Influence as Inspired by The Shine Project.

If you don't follow or read The Shine Project, I recommend it.  I am constantly looking for ways to improve myself and be a better person in order to fully enjoy life and give others joy; I am consistently amazed at Ashley's sincerity and love for others.

A couple of years ago (when I found out I was pregnant), I made a conscious decision - with the help of many years of prayer - to keep people closest to me that build me up and make me a better person. 

Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.
 - Proverbs 4:23

Since then, I've developed a few really great friendships and built on some old ones.  I don't think that anyone is innately 'bad,' but I do believe that some relationships bring us down for various different reasons; generally, it is two-sided.  I'm a pretty open book, but there are some details of my life that I keep private because I believe these things are only meant to be shared with a few.

These are the people that have the greatest influence on me and are rock-solid constants in my life:

{siblings: twin, hinny, and nenny}

{my beefs!: amanda w. (almost z!), whitney, amanda o.}



{the man.: big steven}

These people are the ones that I interact with most frequently; if I'm dealing with internal issues, work issues, baby issues, etc., I call these friends first.  Of course I always have my parents, but no one wants parents to worry, right?

After reading Ashley's most recent challenge, I was inspired to take a good look at all of my relationships (the ones here and the ones beyond these) and really ask myself if there is anyone who brings me down; I've been and still am struggling to find the true answers.  I think sometimes I convince myself that people have my best interest at heart because I want them to, but really examining their actions leaves my heart conflicted.

Recently I was told that I am 'too sensitive.'  It's okay that I was told that because everyone is entitled to their opinions, but it brought me back to a moment when I was told the same thing by someone different.  I decided when that someone spoke those words to me that I would never let these words define me negatively because my emotions are what make me a good friend, girlfriend, and mother.  The statement that I am too sensitive takes validity away from what I feel and feelings are always valid.  The problem with being told that I am 'too sensitive' is that I don't feel like I can share my true feelings with that person any longer.  This is heart breaking.

I suppose my point is that examining relationships is important.  If we just allow people in our hearts that break it, we will soon become hard-hearted in the same way.

"Happiness is not by chance, but by choice."

These words could not be more true.  We choose our actions and our reactions, we choose who we allow in our lives and who we don't.

Choose these things wisely.