It's Sunday night and time to start thinking about the week ahead. I've blogged a lot today. Congrats and thank you if you've kept up! It's okay if you haven't though, I understand. The past few weeks have been a bit crazy and I am learning from the craziness and setting a few goals for myself for the upcoming week.
1. My bedtime is no later than 10:00 p.m.
2. I will get up early enough to make sure everyone has time for a good breakfast.
3. I will spend at least 30 minutes per evening working on laundry or housework.
4. I will stay focused and work as diligently as possible at my job during the day, but when the work day is over, I will focus solely on my family.
5. I will pack Cadence's lunch every evening instead of during the morning.
I'll update again at the end of the week.
Our Trip to the Inn at Merridun
My mommy is making dinner right now so I thought I'd take a minute to tell you about the trip that she, Daddy and I went on this weekend. We drove up to Union and stayed at the Inn at Merridun. The Merridun is one of Mommy and Daddy's favorite places to visit and they've been there several times. They enjoy the amazing food that the innkeeper, Miss Peggy, prepares and they love getting away from it all and relaxing in the large rooms there.
When Mommy first told me we were going to the Merridun, she said that some people say that it is haunted. I was like, "Excuse me!?!"
Then I was like, "Ghosts!?!?!"
Then Mommy assured me that if we encountered any ghosts, they would be friendly and I had nothing to worry about. She also said that we'd be going shopping while we were there and I was like, "Oh! Well if that's the case, let's go!"
We arrived late on Friday night. Miss Peggy was waiting for us and served Mommy a big piece of lemon cake with whipped cream and raspberry sauce and Daddy and huge piece of chocolate coconut cake. Mommy and Daddy enjoyed their desserts before we headed off to bed. The next morning after Mommy and Daddy enjoyed a three course breakfast, we drove to Gaffney and hit up the outlets. I am the proud owner of several new onesies, rompers and a swim suit from Carter's. Daddy got a new pair of shoes from Timberland. Mommy got a new diaper bag from Coach. I'm not exactly sure why, but she was really excited about that bag.
So much so that she told me to post another picture of it. Whatevs...
When Mommy first told me we were going to the Merridun, she said that some people say that it is haunted. I was like, "Excuse me!?!"
Then I was like, "Ghosts!?!?!"
Then Mommy assured me that if we encountered any ghosts, they would be friendly and I had nothing to worry about. She also said that we'd be going shopping while we were there and I was like, "Oh! Well if that's the case, let's go!"
We arrived late on Friday night. Miss Peggy was waiting for us and served Mommy a big piece of lemon cake with whipped cream and raspberry sauce and Daddy and huge piece of chocolate coconut cake. Mommy and Daddy enjoyed their desserts before we headed off to bed. The next morning after Mommy and Daddy enjoyed a three course breakfast, we drove to Gaffney and hit up the outlets. I am the proud owner of several new onesies, rompers and a swim suit from Carter's. Daddy got a new pair of shoes from Timberland. Mommy got a new diaper bag from Coach. I'm not exactly sure why, but she was really excited about that bag.
So much so that she told me to post another picture of it. Whatevs...
Saturday night, Mommy and Daddy enjoyed a four course dinner of soup, salad, crab cakes with green beans and mashed potatoes and chocolate pecan pie while I slept. They had another three course breakfast this morning before we drove back home. We had a wonderful time this weekend shopping and just spending time hanging out at the Inn. I can't wait to come back!
My Couponing Journey
I have decided that I have two new hobbies: brewing beer with my wonderful hubby and extreme couponing. I have begun following an eight-week instructional guide on the blog Living Well, Spending Less. Today begins Week 2 and my first shopping assignment. I was to pick up three items using a combination of sales and coupons and should not pay more than 40% of the retail price for the items.
Round 1: My first trip wasn't so great. I did not have the correct coupon for the first item (Oscar Meyer basic lunch meat was on sale and I had a coupon for Deli Fresh lunch meat). I picked up my remaining two items and checked out. Publix accepts competitor coupons; however, the Publix closest to my house does not recognize Target as a competitor. *Sigh* so item #2 was a no go as well. In the end I only ended up reaching my goal of 60%+ savings on one item. I went home, determined to learn from the experience, and tried again.
Round 2: I chose my three items (Boca crumbles, NY Style bagel chips and Marie's dip) and found my coupons. I had to search a bit for the dip, but I found it. I went to check out and... success! Details below:
Boca x 2: $3.79 each before sale/coupon
$1.60 each after sale/coupon
NY Style Bagel crisps x 2: $2.69 each before sale/coupon
$0.60 each after sale/coupon
Marie's Lite Ranch dip: $3.49 before sale/coupon
$0.75 after sale/coupon
Choosing the items, locating the coupons and finding the items in the store was definitely time consuming. Hopefully, I'll get faster.
Round 1: My first trip wasn't so great. I did not have the correct coupon for the first item (Oscar Meyer basic lunch meat was on sale and I had a coupon for Deli Fresh lunch meat). I picked up my remaining two items and checked out. Publix accepts competitor coupons; however, the Publix closest to my house does not recognize Target as a competitor. *Sigh* so item #2 was a no go as well. In the end I only ended up reaching my goal of 60%+ savings on one item. I went home, determined to learn from the experience, and tried again.
Round 2: I chose my three items (Boca crumbles, NY Style bagel chips and Marie's dip) and found my coupons. I had to search a bit for the dip, but I found it. I went to check out and... success! Details below:
Boca x 2: $3.79 each before sale/coupon
$1.60 each after sale/coupon
NY Style Bagel crisps x 2: $2.69 each before sale/coupon
$0.60 each after sale/coupon
Marie's Lite Ranch dip: $3.49 before sale/coupon
$0.75 after sale/coupon
Choosing the items, locating the coupons and finding the items in the store was definitely time consuming. Hopefully, I'll get faster.
The Calm After the Storm
Last night we had a very violent thunderstorm. I was in the grocery store with the kids and the rain on the roof was deafening. One of the managers was kind enough to sit with them while I ran out in the storm to pull the van up to the entrance. The parking lot was a river and, although I ran as fast as I could to avoid the storm, I was soaked. My shoes and socks were drenched and you could have rung my jeans and shirt out like a wash cloth. The manager and a bag boy held umbrellas over us while I loaded the kids into the van as fast as I could. I ran quickly around the van, jumped in and drove home. I don't even think I thanked the manager and I do feel bad about that. Cadence and Gabriel thought the storm was fun and enjoyed seeing Mommy get drenched. I did not think it was so fun. The storm continued throughout the night and this morning the world had a "new" feeling about it. The trees were still dripping and there were puddles everywhere but the air felt fresh. It was a new beginning.
Yesterday's storm made me think of something that happened to me recently. Over the weekend I got caught up in my own "storm" with a mommy group that I have been a member of for the past year. It was stupid really, but it happened. Some of the members were kind enough to hold an umbrella over me while the rain pounded down around me. Others seemed to think the storm was fun and enjoyed seeing me get drenched. I did not think it was fun. The storm continued for a day or so but then I left the mommy group quickly so the storm would stop. I didn't think even think to thank them for their support over the last year or say goodbye and I do feel bad about that. It seems to have quieted for the most part and I hope it stays that way. I'm enjoying the fresh new air.
I'm hoping that I will now have more time to work on things that I've been neglecting. My poor house could use a makeover (or a grenade) and I really need to sort through the kids' clothes to get them ready for spring. Spring! With Spring comes more fun activities. I'm looking forward to my involvement with some charity events through my local paralegal organization. I also hope to go on a few family camping trips and start running again once I find a jogging stroller for Liam. Regardless of what I do, I plan on spending my time focusing on what really matters: my family and I.
Saturday Outside
I had been having a rather stressful day or two, so we decided to disconnect and take the kids out for a picnic yesterday afternoon. We packed peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for the kids and roast beef subs for Chris and I. We brought along the cupcakes that Cadence and I had made the night before along with some goldfish, strawberries, white cheddar popcorn and vitamin waters.
Liam chilled in his car seat while everyone ate. He seemed a tad disappointed that he wouldn't be sampling any of the tasty cupcakes.
After lunch, we let the kids play on the playground. We are very fortunate to have such an amazing park only a few miles from the house.
We were very happy to be joined by our friends Emily, Ryan and Mya. Miss Mya did a wonderful job of keeping up with the big kids on the playground.
William spent the majority of the afternoon curled up in his sling. This was my view for most of the day. I love this view.
After a day at the park we went home and set the fire pit up in the back yard. We cooked hot dogs and roasted marshmallows before sending the kids off to bed.
Liam chilled in his car seat while everyone ate. He seemed a tad disappointed that he wouldn't be sampling any of the tasty cupcakes.
After lunch, we let the kids play on the playground. We are very fortunate to have such an amazing park only a few miles from the house.
We were very happy to be joined by our friends Emily, Ryan and Mya. Miss Mya did a wonderful job of keeping up with the big kids on the playground.
William spent the majority of the afternoon curled up in his sling. This was my view for most of the day. I love this view.
After a day at the park we went home and set the fire pit up in the back yard. We cooked hot dogs and roasted marshmallows before sending the kids off to bed.
Family Pictures
Last Sunday we had our first family pictures taken since William was born. My very good friend Anna Goad owns Reflections Photography and is an amazing photographer. We spent a rather windy hour or so with Anna at Greer City Park and then went back to our house for a few additional pictures. I love how they turned out!
Here is a peak at the pictures that Anna took:
Here is a peak at the pictures that Anna took:
Awesome Deals
I didn't make it to this weekend's consignment sale. Partially because I spent a good deal of my consignment sale budget on new clothes for the kids. I know... That wasn't a very "crunchy" thing to do, but darn did I ever get a good deal!
The Children's Place put a lot of their clothes on sale for as low as $2.99 each. Add to that, their standard 20% off coupon code (which can be found on almost any coupon site) and the clothes were $2.39 each! I bought 2 pairs of pants, 2 sweaters and 4 shirts for $28.96 including $1.64 tax and $5.00 shipping. Of course I had to add up the retail price of the items I bought *drum roll*..... $92.00 and that didn't include tax or shipping. I feel like a shopping ninja!!
My second awesome find was much smaller and perhaps something you can get in on as well. This evening I had to run to CVS for some pacifiers for Liam. While I was leaving I passed the Coca Cola display. They were on sale 3 for $10. Not too shabby. However on top of the display was cardboard stand that had a pad of coupons attached to it for $1.50 off of a 12 pack of Diet Coke or Caffeine-Free Diet Coke. Don't mind if I do. I bought a pack of Caffeine-Free Diet Coke for $1.84. Woot!!!! That's $0.15 per can!!!! I went to the CVS on Batesville Road; however, I assume that other CVS stores have this going on as well.
The Children's Place put a lot of their clothes on sale for as low as $2.99 each. Add to that, their standard 20% off coupon code (which can be found on almost any coupon site) and the clothes were $2.39 each! I bought 2 pairs of pants, 2 sweaters and 4 shirts for $28.96 including $1.64 tax and $5.00 shipping. Of course I had to add up the retail price of the items I bought *drum roll*..... $92.00 and that didn't include tax or shipping. I feel like a shopping ninja!!
My second awesome find was much smaller and perhaps something you can get in on as well. This evening I had to run to CVS for some pacifiers for Liam. While I was leaving I passed the Coca Cola display. They were on sale 3 for $10. Not too shabby. However on top of the display was cardboard stand that had a pad of coupons attached to it for $1.50 off of a 12 pack of Diet Coke or Caffeine-Free Diet Coke. Don't mind if I do. I bought a pack of Caffeine-Free Diet Coke for $1.84. Woot!!!! That's $0.15 per can!!!! I went to the CVS on Batesville Road; however, I assume that other CVS stores have this going on as well.
