Monday, November 30, 2009

TODAY'S DEAL

This is a picture of today's haul from Publix and CVS. Mom & I went out after dinner and putting Emma to bed. I have shopped with Mom the past 3 weeks, as I show her how to effectively shop at Publix, rather than "THINK" you are saving at Walmart.


I had already done my weekly shopping at Publix, and then found a few more coupons for items that were on sale, so I got a Cover Girl eye liner (2.79) and 2 Excedrin (2.00 each). I had two $2.00 Excedrin Q's AND one of the boxes had a $1 peelie Q, as well and I had a store $2 Cover Girl Q and a $1 Cover Girl manufacturer Q. This means that they would have paid me $1.21 (minus tax)to take the items home. I told Mom that I needed a "filler" item because they do not like having to hand you money! Instead we just added my stuff in with hers and the 'overage' was taken off of her total.
Then, off to CVS where I did 2 transactions. The first included all of the Gillette products ( Fusion razor, 2 body wash, 2 deodorant and 2 caramels and an Almond Joy ( the candy was all "filler" items-well, the Almond Joy was a peace offering to my dear hubby because I was gone for 2 hours!!). I had $16 in Gillette coupons, plus a $5 off a $30 purchase, plus $4 in extra care bucks from last week and this transaction cost me just over $9. When you bought $25 of Gillette they gave you $10 in extra care bucks to use on another transaction. I rolled them over onto the next one.

Transaction 2 was the Febreeze and Swiffer items: Swiffer starter kit, swiffer cloths, Febreeze spray, Fabric refresher & another of those caramel "filler" items- for a total of 20.00. I had the $10 in ECB, another $5 CVS coupon and $5.50 in manufacturer coupons. I paid .84 cents for this transaction!!!! PLUS, I walked away with $9 in extra care bucks to use for next weeks purchases!! (Buy $15 in Swiffer/Febreeze and get $5 ECB)

Previously I have not had good luck with this kind of shopping at CVS and usually find better deals and items still in stock at Walgreens, but today was DA' BOMB!! I LOVE CVS!!!! I LOVE EXTRA CARE BUCKS!!

Now, just a side note for those of you who are interested in learning "The Drugstore Game", as they call it- you need to have the same amount of items as you have coupons/ECBs, so that the computer doesn't squawk at you. That is why you need an occasional "filler" item or two. Look for the clearance section ( I found .25 cents stickers there once)or the individually wrapped candies or even the 10-20 cent holiday pencils or gift bags ( if they have them), as these make low cost "filler" items.

Also, make sure you scan your CVS card each and every time you walk into the store, as it loads any "paperless coupons" AND will print out some type of paper Q. That is how I got one of my $5 CVS coupons. You can occasionally take a simple 3-4 question quiz online and then get a $5 off $25 or $30 purchase coupon, as well. This is how I got the other $5 Q. Answered 3 questions on Medicare and got a printable $5 coupon. GOOD DEAL!!!!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Grammy & Gramps Visit 2009

Here we are meeting Gramps for the first time. (At least that she knows of) They had arrived long after Emma had gone to bed the night before, so they were eager to see her!

She was very cheerful and happy to see them and within a few minutes she had a hug for each of them. We had been praying for them and their safety for weeks and when she saw them, she folded her hands, as if to connect the dots of praying for this Grammy & Gramps, seeing their photo AND actually seeing them in person. Such a clever little girl!

Getting to know one another. Grammy helped Emma with her breakfast that morning. That first day we had some grocery shopping to do and we ate out at Red Lobster and had All You Can Eat Shrimp!! YUMMO!!!

Sunday was church. We have been attending a different church these past 7 months and LOVE IT, BUT... it was waaayy different than what Mum & Dad are used to or had been to at Hobe Sound. But, Mum enjoyed the entire experience!! After church we found a local veg/fruit market and took some pics. at their punkin patch.

Grammy & Gramps Lovejoy with Emma. She had a cute outfit to wear for this day, courtesy of cousin Halie. :)

Check out the size of that LEMON!!! YES!! A lemon!! Never have seen one that big before!!

Playing blocks with Gramps. As you know, she loves to play build 'em up and knock 'em down!! She just took Gramps heart and wrapped herself right around it!!

I made dinner one evening and invited my parents to eat with us. We had pasta, garlic knots, salad and... Mom brought dessert.

I LOVE the fact that we got to take pictures of Emma with BOTH of her Grandpas and BOTH of her Grandmas!

Daddy & Gramps designed the table and Gramps took it on as his weeks project. We had bought her the chairs at a yard sale back in the summer, but she needed a table. Now, it needs some paint... She LOVES sitting at it and playing with her toys there, as well.

This 10 days was like a vacation for Emma and I, as well. We did some shopping, ate out on the weekends, cooked at home thru the week, and on this day we spent the morning at the beach. Emma was ok until that first wave splashed her and then the sand shifted under her feet!! She screeched and cried!!

Then she settled down and had fun running around and collecting shells. She brought them home and has them on the porch and in her sandbox. She looks SOOO cute in her floppy hat and sunglasses!

I saw a crab skittering along several feet away and Dad went over to have a look, so I got a picture of it.

On this day we visited the park. Emma AND Gramps had such fun swinging, sliding, bouncing on the horses and climbing the different climbers. (we went shopping and found Mum some new clothes at Sears the day before. Her capris were different for her, but made her feel more comfortable with the heat.)

About 3 different times we visited the fountains. This pic. was from Indian Riverside Park. Emma was terrified when we first got there! The height of the spray was waaayy more than she was used to and the center one was enormous! After about 25 minutes, she finally settled in and had fun.

Here she is having a ball!

Halloween afternoon, we went to a local church's "Trunk or Treat" event. This is where the people of the church park their vehicle and use the rear end as their site. They decorate it in MANY varied ways!! This one is done up as "Daniel & the Lion's Den. (This family did Noah's ark last year and it was superb!!)

This one was a ship built around their trailer and it shot confetti from the cannon.

Stephanie and Halie went with us and Martin pulled them around in Emma's wagon. Here we have stopped in the shade to have a bite to eat. They were passing out bean burritos, popcorn, sno cones and hot dogs.

Here is Halie, the pink cowgirl. She had pink spurs, pink holster and hat.

I found Emma's ladybug costume for $3. It was her size and I never tried it on her before today.... OOPS!!! It just BARELY fit! With the hood pulled up, you can see it fitting snug around her head and neck. So, we put the hood up for pics. only! She has never really had candy and the one time she tried a lollipop, she did not care for it. Today she liked this chocolate tootsie pop tho!!! Don't get used to it, kiddo!! Mommy keeps the sugar and candy to an almost null level for Emma.

We ended the evening at Sonic, with Cherry Lime aids and 50 cent corn dogs. We had such a good time together!!

Their 2nd Sunday here, we went to Hobe Sound for church and lunch at Mom & Dad's. We got some nice pics. after church. Just wish we had someone to take the pic. for us so that ALL of us could be in the SAME one!


My parents, Pat & Phil getting dinner ready. Mum & Dad Lovejoy enjoyed eating Thanksgiving dinner with us 2 years ago, so we had a turkey dinner. Check out the beginnings of my Dad's beard!! First time EVER! He started it as a mustache -goatee, but Mom said "NO WAY! No Colonel Sanders! A full beard or nothing!"

The sun coming in the window messed up these pics, but I had to choose the better one. You can see Mom's decorated table and dining room and that Grandma D is there without Grandpa. (He had fallen and was very sore and couldn't move well)

Turkey, dressing, mashed taters & gravy, green bean casserole, biscuits, and more, but I can't remember it all!

After lunch and Emma's nap in Hobe Sound,we scurried home so that we could teach Mum & Dad how to play Corn Hole. We teamed up and played guys against girls. Who do you think won? Hmmmm.... not me!! I enjoy the game alot, but I have no consistency!
Auntie Sarah sent Emma this romper. We decided to use it as jammies. She looks cute in it, but when it was bedtime and the bones glowed in the dark -it kept her awake for about 45 minutes!! I was just about ready to go in and change her when she finally fell asleep!

Here is out 3rd visit to the fountains. Emma loves the water so much! I bought her swinsuit last year and the the water sandals this and they go together without planning it out.

Mike & Jean Lovejoy, A.K.A "Grammy & Gramps" at Tradition. We took pics. here last year, as well.

Taking the last few pictures before Emma's bedtime, the last evening of their visit.

We had forgotten to get a picture of Gramps building the table or of Emma and Gramps playing at it, so we took a group one. Emma is playing with Mega Blocks farm set from her cousins in England. She has kept it on that table ever since and plays with it daily! Daddy removed it to move the table at Thanksgiving and she had a cow! Carried it right back to the table and was trying to tell Daddy that he should not have moved it!
We had such a great time during their visit! Emma loves to point them out in her photo album and always folds her hands, still connecting those "dots". Now, I need to print some of these new photos and add them to her book.

Fingerpainting


The last time we tried this, she was not too sure about how that gooey stuff felt on her hands! But today she seemed to enjoy it much more! (October 11th)

She just painted all over her tray and had a blast! Later, I pressed a 12 inch pc. of paper over her work and made a print of it. Might use it for her scrapbook or for a card... Not sure.

This was definitely NOT her expression the previous time we painted! Such a happy girl! She has been asking for her paints lately, so I guess it is time to try it again!

Note to self" Don't paint just before naptime! She sucks her fingers when it is sleepy time and if there is paint on them, then there is paint in her mouth!! :)

Another Couponing Adventure


This photo means very little to most of you, but the information that goes along with it is better. I have signed up for quite a few "freebies" lately with the intent of getting coupons from the different companies. This past week or so I have received Dentek samples with a $1 coupon, $2 and several more $1 coupons for Pantene, Head & Shoulders samples and $1 coupons, Total Blueberry cereal BUT no coupon, and to top it all off.... I got my first SC Johnson $5 rebate check in the mail!! YEAH! I got 2 more of those coming any time now, as well!
Keep your eye out for samples from various places, but Wal mart.com continually has them! It is common for the sample to contain at least one coupon and often they have more than that. Coupons are money folks! Find them! Use them!!

Freebies4Mom.blogspot.com is a great blog to watch for her continual postings about free items, samples and deals.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Green Girly

Ok, these pics. begin the month of October. You can see the fall floral arrangement behind Emma.

Not sure just why she was giving this particular expression... Quite funny tho! Maybe a "Hurry up, Mommy. Let's go."


Is she ready to go or what??!!??!! Hurry up already! FOUNTAINS! FOUNTAINS! We want to go to the fountains! SPLISH! SPLASH!

Look at all of those teeth! She has 12 at this point. (As of today-real today, not October today... :) she has 14 and is trying desperately to cut 15 & 16).

Ok, we've got the swim bag and we are ready now! Fountains here we come!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Lickin' The Beaters

OK. Last posting for September: This was the 29th. I believe I was making Peanut Butter Blondies w/ Peanut Butter Frosting for dessert with Nana & Papaw. Gave Emma the beater and she loved it.

Gave her the 2nd one and she loved that more. She didn't want to give them up either!


YUMMY!! Yes, the entire thing fits in her mouth! Can you believe it? She is related to her Papaw tho, right?? :)

Swimming In September

Here we are at the end of September and it is still so hot! Plenty hot for swimming in your own backyard, that's for sure! I took these pics. specifically because I wanted to post them on FB for a friend in CO, who had 3-5 inches of snow already!!

We had been out in the yard doing gardening stuff and Emma decided it was time to cool off!! So, out comes the garden hose and off go the clothes... She loves to splish! splash! whether it is in the pool, the tub, the sink, the watering can, the rainwater bucket or the fountains. Doesn't discriminate. Water is just fun!


Having a blast!! Trying her best to convince me that she needs sand in the water... uhmmmm, NO.

ALL DONE!! I was pulling weeds and when I looked at her again, she was in the chair. "All done" was her response. She has learned from her cousin Halie about climbing in and out of the pool. You can see that by the grassy pool water! :)



Emma Rose-New Dress

Here we are at the end of September. Emma is wearing a lovely dress from "Uncle" Dave & his wife Mary (Daddy's best friend). We have friends in CO who are having snow at this time and here we are in sandals and sleeveless dress for church! Odd weather, huh? Florida is still warm this time of year, but this fall is unseasonably warm.
Someday I plan to do a scrapboo page or even a mini album called "The Many Face of ME". This is a good one for it!

Enjoying the leaves, the flowers and the weeds. She is very curious! They say it killed the cat, but it is also a good thing.


Daddy and his darling Emma Rose. She wasn't so happy to have to pose for pictures! She was more interested in the leaves and grass and the neighbors dog!

This is another one to add to the "Many Faces of ME" page...

Included this one, as it shows the gorgeous embroidery on the dress.


Mommy, can I PLEASE pet the "cat"??? PUH LEASE????


She loves animals. She calls the neighbour's dogs "cat" but, hey! at least she is distinguishing them as animals, not neccesarily as "cat". She wanted to get thru that fence and pet the doggy "cat" sooo badly!