Awaiting...

Just a quick note:  I am now only waiting to hear from UT Arlington's School of Nursing as to my acceptance into the RN-BSN program.  Please, please! let me in!!!!!  I need to get into a NP program before they make it a DNP!!!

Phew *shrug shoulders*, I can breathe I sigh of relief.  We spent 9 days wondering if Josh had bone metastases to his pelvis and lower rib cage.  Now, understanding he is only 36, you must also understand his history and current health-risks.  He has had GI issues all his life, is a pack a day smoker, moderate drinker (like most of society), family history of cancers and a bit overweight.  So he legitimately has risk factors.  But by the grace of God, his bone scan came back negative :)  Whether or not this moves him to make a few lifestyle changes is up to him.  I hope so, but a nagging wife accomplishes nothing. He is still suffering from some gallbladder vs "I don't know what" issues that he would like a "cure" for (without making lifestyle changes), so we just keep moving forward...
I took Keara for another horse lesson today and she had a BLAST!  This time was Western Saddle, barrel racing style.  I think we will definitely stick with Hannah for as long as we can (she will be a freshman in college this year).  She is great with Keara and lets her progress at her own pace.  Keara was ready to "run" with the horse, even corralled some steer during her lesson :) 
Poor Ian.  The "great" KIA is without AC and will cost roughly $1200 to repair.  That's about $200 over the KBB value.  So....NO.  But does he complain about it, nope.  He just puts the windows down and heads off to work.  He is a phenomenal kid!!!  I am so proud of him!!
Sometimes I think about friends from my past.  I wonder how God is working in their life and how their families are.  Some I can check up on by email, others I choose to keep wondering.  No point in going back with certain people, just keep moving forward confident in my decisions.  Christine, I think, doesn't keep in much contact due to the emotional turmoil of lost pregnancies and no children while I have 4.  I can totally understand and we do talk on rare occasion.  She knows I love her :)
I'm looking forward to church Sunday.  I feel like I have been so overwhelmed with summer that I have lost contact with my lord and scripture.  It's the quiet times I remember this, and there have been very few of those lately.  I'm going to shut this down, soak in the tub, read some scripture and go to bed. Early for a change. 

Just a Monday

I can't get over how fast this summer is going by!  There is less than 2 weeks until July!!  Right now we are just counting down the days until we leave for Rochester.  The kids are so excited and how fun it is going to be; a road trip with Nana.  That puts 3 generations of girls together :)  If only Grandma was still around, she would love it. 
We didn't do much for father's day.  We don't tend to really "celebrate" the Hallmark holidays.  We try to put each other first in our everyday lives and purposfully acknowledge our appreciation for each other daily.  Josh did pick Mooyah's for dinner Saturday, probably because the girls would be excited, and they did make him cards.  Me, I like to give him a personal card/note because a store-bought card never says everything it should.
I'm taking Keara to a horseriding lesson Friday.  Western riding this time.  I don't think it will matter for her as long as she is on a horse.  This young girl who is going to instruct her was recommended by a friend at work.  She is very reasonably priced and they have all the supplies Keara would need, including helmets!!  So even though it's a bit of a drive, it all works out better.  And cheaper.
I am picking up my neice tomorrow after work, Katie is 10, and she is going to spend a couple nights with us.  She is an only child and really enjoys the girls.  She is so well behaved and mannered!  I love having her around :)  We will spend some time swimming, hanging out and maybe a movie?  Just relax and enjoy the time.
I'd like this week to be over with.  There are a few things going on, and once they are past I can breathe a little easier.  I know, part of me wants to talk about it, but I really must wait. Sorry for the mystery.  And NO, it has nothing to do with pregnancy.
Must go and clip coupons now!!

Stoked!!

Sometimes I just tickle myself :)  I got a little excited this week after my long, 3 hour grocery shopping trip.  First, I saved 61% at Tom Thumb...yea me!!  Let me tell you though; the gentleman checking me out was drooling at the thought of nailing me with the coupon policy.  Shame on him! He actually went back, dug in the bags, to make sure I purchased said items. Really?? I found out that they "revisited" the policy about 2 months ago and made a few changes, one which screwed up my plans or I would have saved more. 
     Tom Thumb now does not accept a coupon for a "free" item.  With a BOGO sale, you can only count the paid item as a coupon transaction.  So what that meant for me was the 6 bottles of Classico Spaghetti sauce I purchased was only going to net me $1.32/bottle when I would have paid $0.99/bottle.  Not a huge loss, but a loss none the less.  So please be sure to frequently check your store policies.  You can do that from the store website.  On a funny side note, he did accept my coupons for Ken's Dressing and Tyson Ready Made Chicken; both were BOGO and I had a coupon for the "free" one (snicker, snicker)...
     So here is how I did: For all 3 stores (Tom Thumb, Alberston's and Kroger) the grand total was $304.25.  With reward savings and coupons I paid $149.96.  Not bad!!  I saved just over 50% which is always my goal.  I got:
6 boxes of Frosted mini-wheat's (strawberry and chocolate..no blueberry left)
6 bottles of Classico Sauce (Alfredo, too)
2 bottles of Ken's dressing (THA best!)
3 packages of Huggies Diapers (only had 3 coupons!!)
3 containers of Huggies baby wipes @ $0.49 each!!!!
9 Pringles
4 Cheeze-its (no coupon, but $1.75 each)
2 Pepperidge farm frozen cakes ($1.49 each)
4 Dananino yogurt packs
6 bags of M&M's. (OK, not needed but at $1.24 for the big bag...come on!)
4 Mrs. Dash (some for my mom, coupon was going to expire and they were finally on sale)
10 packs of Kool-aid (not healthy, but .10 each)
4 12-packs of Sprite/Coke (only paid for 2)
2 bags of potato chips (FREE!!)
And of course my fresh fruit, dairy, bread, Ashlynn's pasta, Drano and meat that I need.
So all in all, a good trip. 
 Let's just say I told Josh I need more room to put "the end of the world supply".  Closet is getting cramped.

AND I found a website to update you on the yearly insert send outs; www.sundaycouponpreview.com

*sigh*

Sometimes life gets far to busy.  Sometimes it seems to fly by, yet I feel as if I have been nothing short of lazy.  I’m not a fan of lazy, I like to get things gone and then spend time relaxing.  What I have tried really hard to do is just enjoy life. 

The kids are out for summer, so I’m focusing on soaking in all the time I can with them.  I’m purposefully planning on spending 2 hours, 3 days a week at the pool.  We go from about 9:30-11:30 so that we aren’t out in the heat of the day.  The kids are loving it!!  Abby is swimming under water and jumping in (all the way under!), Keara is starting to swim under water and Ashlynn just loves to be in the pool!  It’s a good workout and makes for a long nap for Ashlynn after lunch J

Ian is working at La Hacienda still and really enjoys it.  He’s getting a few more shifts now that school is out, and spends the rest of his time with friends.  I still can’t believe he’s going to be a senior this year, man…how time flies.  Next thing I know it will be the girls.  I could not be more proud of him.  He makes such great choices, does well in school and has the best of leadership qualities.  He will go far, that I know.

Plans are set for our road trip to NY next month.  The girls can not wait to see Sophie and Sydney; their cousins.  We will be spending 6 days with Dad and Pat, celebrate my cousins HS graduation and I’ll get a night or two with my awesome SIL and friends out on the town.  My mom is riding along on the trip; I know she worries about me.  I was going to drive it myself since Josh can’t go and Ian wants to stay and continue to work out for soccer.  I’m determined one way or another, I’ve made the drive before and would love the challenge.  Now I will have a driving buddy J  I love Rochester in the summer!  I plan on taking Abby and Keara to the beach one day and  maybe to Sea breeze another. I’m craving a Schaeler’s burger and Abbott’s frozen custard!!!!  Ooh, and a good Friday night fish fry.  Yummy! Lot’s of good times with lot’s of family, that’s the best part. It’s been 3 years since we’ve been back (minus my whirlwind 3 day trip in November).

I’m awaiting my appeal process to UT Arlington’s Financial Aid department.  I guess that my grades in 1995 when I transferred out are now an issue in my ability to qualify for the aid I have been approved for.  We’ll see what happens.  I’m not backing out the program just yet, I’ll wait and see.  If I have to wait or look into another program, so be it.  God will keep it all in perspective for me.

There’s a lot of things on my mind, some directly affecting my family, but I will postpone discussing them.  Once there is more to talk about, I will.  I pray, I pray some more.  I turn all my issues and concerns over to Christ and let Him handle it.  I’m so grateful for my God.  So thankful to have salvation; thankful that I have been randsomed.  My life is blessed.  I do not yearn for more.  I will always yearn to be better; to be as much in Christ as possible. 

 

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 1 Peter 3:15-16

 

In Him, Forever Blessed...

    Jenny

 

 

Coupons, Coupons and More Coupons!

Well, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that the TLC show Extreme Couponing didn’t get my blood flowing and it is the reason I got back into utilizing coupons for my grocery shopping. But I learned about coupons like most girls, from mom J   

I’ve had a number of friends who have shown interest in how I “do it” so I figured this is the best place to lay out my game plan.  If you’re looking to spend only $10 a week or save 90% then you’ll be disappointed.  My goal each week is to save about 50-60% (more if I can) and have a small stockpile of frequently used items.  Please know, there are items I buy that are not on sale, out of need; milk, eggs, bread, fresh fruit/veggies, meat ( I stock up on good sales) or if there is something that is just needed and I don’t have a coupon.  I have a $250/wk budget but have been able to cut that to $175 or less and have a stock of items!   

                You’ll notice after about 6 weeks that sales cycle.  It will also take you at least this long to notice you are beginning to stock up on items.  The first 6 weeks are spent getting used to the process and you may feel like you are buying things you will never use.  Trust me, if you have a family you will.         

1.       I start by buying 2-3 papers each Sunday.  If you look at the upper left corner, it will tell you the amount of coupon value inside.  $500 is my mark…Less than that I only buy 2, more than that I buy 3-4.

 I spend about 2 hours clipping all the coupons and organizing them.  If you separate each of the coupon packs and collate them, it is much easier to clip and organize.  However you want to organize, find what system works best for you. I also look for expired ones as I’m organizing.  

2.       My ads come on Tuesday, so on Tuesday night I try to just “glance” over the ads.  I know my coupons and a number of items will stand out to me that I know I have a coupon for. 

3.       On Wednesday I sit down with the Ads and my coupons.  This is the time consuming part, up to 3 hours.  I start with one Ad, and go through by department; grocery, perishable, frozen, home items, hygiene and repeat for each store ad. This way I have only a small group of coupons in front of me at one given time.  This is the key to the whole savings process: 

Each item I purchase must be on sale AND have a coupon!! 

4.       Once I have all the sale items/coupons paired up I make a specific list for each store.  That way, I don’t get sidetracked.  I write the sale price and coupon discount along with bringing the Ad with me.  I’ve had items that are marked higher in the store than in the ad, but the store will correct it for the advertised place.

5.       I do take my coupons with me, sometimes I find a good sale item that wasn’t advertised. I shop on Thursday or early Friday morning.  I refuse to shop over the weekend, everyone else is.  Monday and Tuesday are good if you choose to wait until after the Friday pay-day as the shelves are restocked.

6.       Start with 1 store. I do Kroger, Tom Thumb and Albertson’s (they are all close) but it can be overwhelming at first.  Also, be aware that Kroger’s e-coupons do not double and can NOT be combined with paper coupons (link your card online and you can use them) 

Well, that’s about it!  It seems like a lot, but once you get the routine down, then you start to appreciate the savings and look forward to “beating” last weeks goal!   Rest assured, your SO may think you’re nuts.  Josh can’t figure out why we have 15 boxes of cereal, but at $1 a box why not?  Plus, with 4 kids (yea, Ashlynn eats cereal) we go through about 5 boxes a week.  

In Him, Forever Blessed...

    Jenny