January 2008 – Page 2

Thifty Tea Set

Posted on January 23, 2008 by Carol — 2 Comments ↓

While I was out running errands yesterday I decided to hit the thrift store. Now, to date I have not had good luck at this particular shop, but it seems as though my luck has changed. I found this pretty tea set, and it was half-off to boot! It only cost me $4. The silver tray underneat it? $1.50. I also picked up a couple books for the boys, a Rubick’s Cube that Noah insisted on keeping (sigh…), a screen printing set for Drew, and a silver oyster shell catch-all with faux pearls and rhinestones.

All “hard goods” were 50% off, so I really got lucky. Who knows what I might have found if I had been able to really take my time and look around? I used to go to thrift shops all the time and a couple years ago I started to not have any luck at them, so hopefully it’s turning around. I’m really looking forward to flea market season. I’ve also been really inspired by this blog, Homespun Living. She really has a knack for putting things together.

Let’s see, what else… We had a great time this weekend when my brother and my sister-in-law visited! We hadn’t seen them since the wedding in November — hard to believe. We exchanged belated Christmas gifts, drank some yummy wine, ate some yummy food and just caught up with each other. Good stuff.

And today Noah and I are going to see Lisanne, Meredith & Lucas! It’s been even longer since I saw them! August? September? Too long, at any rate. Maybe we’ll discuss wine of the month clubs, seeing as how we both reviewed them not too long ago! Well, I should probably start getting myself organized. I have dishes to do, and I still have to get Noah dressed before we head out. Have a great day!

CVS Deals – Week of 1/20

Posted on January 22, 2008 by Carol — 6 Comments ↓

I have so much to catch up on, but I thought that while it all is still fresh in my mind I’d write about the killer CVS deals I got this week! I did not go last week. The only thing that was tempting was the Intuition razor that was on sale (not even that great a deal), because I wanted to get one to pack for vacation in 12 days (yay!). But I never got around to it and it’s just as well — at Sam’s on Sunday they were giving them away! Obviously they want you to buy the refills, but this will suit me just fine for my needs.

Anyway, on to CVS. I am getting the hang of this for sure, and I found out that my two local CVSs allow me to stack $/$$ coupons, so that really works out in my favor. Basically their policy is that as long as the computer allows them to go through they will accept them. Last night’s haul:

2 Tide detergent @ $4.99 each
1 Bounty paper towels 8-pack @ $6.49
2 Puffs Plus tisse @ $.99 each
2 Soy Joy @ $1 each
2 CVS toothbrush @ $2.99 each
2 M&M packages $3.49 (B1G1)

Used:
$5/30 CVS coupon
$4/20 CVS coupon
$1 off Bounty coupon
B1G1 Soy Joy coupon ($1)

Applied $8 in ECB

Total w/ tax: $13.95
Got back $13.98 in ECB
Wahoo! Three cents profit, LOL!
According to the reciept, my savings was $34.57

Then, I went back today. Yesterday I had to get prices on a couple items so I could figure out my best shopping scenario:

1 Bic Soleil razor @ $6.29
1 Bic Soleil razor @ $3.14 (B1, G1 50% off)
2 M&M packages @ $3.49 (B1G1)
1 Maybelline lipstick @ $6.691 Maybelline Great Lash mascara – free (B1G1)
1 Soy Joy @ $1 (had to buy 4 to get my ECBs)

Used
$4/$20 CVS coupon
$3/$15 CVS coupon
$2/$10 CVS coupon
$2 off Maybelline lip product coupon
(2) $2 off Bic Soleil razor coupons

Applied $5.98 in ECB

My total should have been $.37 but for some reason the register decided to zero it out for me and the cashier was happy to oblige, so I payed nothing out of pocket and got back $7 in ECBs. According to the reciept, my savings was $32.70. The only bummer is that I bought the wrong color lipstick! Noah was starting to get really unhappy while I was picking out a color so I took one from a display without check the actual product and of course it is not the color I thought it was, but I am sure I can find someone who will want it.

Obviously I’m super pleased with the deals this week. I may or may not go back for the Speed Stick deorderant. It’s not a brand Drew usually uses, but it is free… I guess I’ll see if I have the time. I’m telling you, this CVS shopping is addicting, LOL!

Winter Doldrums Dishcloth Swap: Weekly Topic #1

Posted on January 19, 2008 by Carol — No Comments ↓

Each week, there is a new blog topic up for participants in the Winter Doldrums Swap, and here is the first one:

Weekly Topic: Dishrag. Dishcloth. Face cloth. I’ve seen folks get all fired up in forums when someone refers to their knit or crochet creation as a dishrag, as that’s somehow offensive to them! When you’re working on yours, what do you call them? Also, is there a difference between a dishrag and a dishcloth? How bout a facecloth? Are they all really the same thing?

I don’t take any offense to the term “dishrag” for those that I have knitted. I kind of see it as a homey expression, something my grandmother might say. I usually say “dishcloth” for the cloths I use to wash dishes and “washcloth” for those I use to wash my face/body. Interestingly enough I grew up saying “facecloth” and I really don’t know where or when “washcloth” took its place!

Pretty New Sake Set!

Posted on January 19, 2008 by Carol — 1 Comment ↓

First, thanks for your comments on Thursday’s post. I feel kind of ridiculous now. In the grand scheme of things, my problems weren’t so bad. Guess I was just feeling crabby. Yesterday, however, was a *great* day, totally making up for it! We got a bit of snow and freezing rain the night before so the school called for a two hour delay, which was great for us. We had a leisurely morning. I made cinnamon rolls. Jake got some extra play time. And by the time we went out to wait for the bus it was sunny and relatively warm! I got a lot of cleaning done and I also made pizza dough from scratch for the first time. My brother sent me a great recipe and the dough was perfect! My mid-afternoon I had last night’s dinner (BBQ chicken and bacon pizza and salad) prepped and in the fridge so I just threw the pizza in the oven when Drew got home.

It was also a good mail day. I got a suprise postcard from my friend Angie in New Zealand! Plus, I got the rebate for the printer I bought on Black Friday (which I totally forgot about!), and I got the sake set I won on Ebay! One of my wine-related goals this year is to learn about sake. I felt like I really needed a sake set to have the full experience, but I didn’t want to break the bank either. I fell in love with this one, won the Ebay auction, and I feel like I got a good deal. I was the high bidder at $7.49. I looked around online to see if I could find it for sale anywhere. Pearl River (in NYC) has just the cups, and they are priced at $2.50 a piece, so I am pretty pleased! I can’t wait to use it!

Today I am working and it is pretty dull, so I am trying to catch up on blogs. Tomorrow my brother and sister-in-law are coming down to visit, so that will be fun. And then on Monday we’re all off, so that will be nice. Hope you are having a great weekend!

Oxygen Concentrators & Oxygen Therapy

Posted on January 19, 2008 by Carol — No Comments ↓

The other day I overhead someone talking about oxygen therapy. I really had no idea what it was so naturally I turned to the trusty Internet and looked it up. Apparently, oxygen therapy is based on the idea that all human cells require sufficient levels of oxygen to function properly. That makes sense. Also, according to the article I read, oxygen therapy can improve concentration and memory and also help with sleeping problems. The therapy is usually delivered as a gas via an oxygen source such as a cylinder or oxygen concentrator and can be short-term or long-term. Interesting, eh?

Go Away Winter

Posted on January 19, 2008 by Carol — No Comments ↓

I know, I know. I have a long wait until spring. At least the snow has melted a bit. The other night when I got home from work, much to my surprise I could actually see out outdoor lighting again! It was nice to have that soft, gentle glow of the solar lights welcoming me home. Just about two months until spring starts… let the countdown begin!

SoyJoy Qs Up For Grabs

Posted on January 18, 2008 by Carol — 2 Comments ↓

I have two SoyJoy coupons (B1G1 and B3G1) that I am not going to use, but if anyone wants them, I’ll be happy to pass them on. CVS has a deal this month: buy 4 SoyJoy bars for $4 and get $4 in ECB (ExtraCare Bucks). Limit 5 offers. So you could use the coupons and actually make $2. The reason I don’t want them is because D. tried one of the bars last week (had a coupon for a free bar), and he didn’t really care for them so I really can’t justify buying something I’m not going to use (even if I do basically get *paid* to purchase it). If you like them, or want to try them, leave a comment and I will get in touch with you.

Things I Am Unhappy About Today

Posted on January 17, 2008 by Carol — 4 Comments ↓

1) The fact that I have to wash every piece of bedding (down comforter, bedspread, blankets, sheets, and mattress pad) because when we went to bed last night at 10:30, I laid down and curled up with the blankets, only to take in the odor of cat pee. Maggie must have gotten stuck in our room with the door closed, or else just generally upstairs (there is a door at the top of the stairs to close off the upstairs) and decided that my side of the bed was a great place to take a leak.

2) The fact that MetLife is making us get a photo inspection for the Corolla, even though we bought it brand-new! So today I have to head over to the place in Red Hook, and have that done.

3) The fact that it is 13 degrees out. ‘Nuff said.

4) The fact that as I was washing dishes, Noah came up and started patting my butt while saying “oink, oink, oink.” Yeah. Way to make me feel good. Guess I won’t be shopping for sexy corsets anytime soon! (Not like I’d be wearing a corset anyway! LOL…)

Sigh… Let’s hope the day gets better!

Favorite Funny Movies

Posted on January 16, 2008 by Carol — 1 Comment ↓

Not like we have any shortage of movies to watch, but a trend I’ve noticed is that when we’re buying movies (Blockbuster sometimes has really great deals on their pre-viewed DVDs), I always gravitate towards dramas and really serious movies. However, at night after the kids are in bed and we’re both tired from long days, I just don’t have the brain capacity to pay attention to a drama. Nine times out of ten I want a goofy, funny, silly comedy. The kind that makes you laugh so hard you wish you were wearing adult pads because you feel like you’re going to pee from laughing so hard. I’ve recently found a couple sites that offer codes to get free movies at Redbox locations (they have one at my S&S), so if you have any recommendations, I’m all ears!

Works For Me Wednesday: Grocery Shopping Tip

Posted on January 16, 2008 by Carol — 4 Comments ↓

I just read this tip in a magazine recently (of course, I can’t remember which one), and I’ve been testing it out. Although I always go shopping armed with a list, I am an awfully impulsive shopper. When I see a new or interesting product, I always want to try it out, and as you can imagine all those little extras can really add on to the total at the end of the trip. So here’s what you do. Put any tempting item that isn’t on your list in the small, upper section of your shopping cart (assuming you don’t have a small child sitting there, of course). At the end of your trip, assess all of these potential impulse purchases and allow yourself to get one of them. This way, you don’t feel like you’re depriving yourself, but you’re not going overboard either. So far, I find that it works for me!