What a Helper!

My 2 year old loves to help me cook...so, I had to laugh when I came back from the other room and I found my Squash/Apple Casserole had gotten this addition!

What A Helper!

Blogging Goals 2011

With the New Year comes those famous resolutions. A time for us review, dream about size 8 jeans again and make goals about the changes we are going to make.

I must admit that my blog has not been a huge priority in my life this year. With this pregnancy came many challenges, including downright exhaustion! With exhaustion came laziness and well with laziness comes lack of motivation.

I do this blog because I like to help people save money and reach for financial freedom. I get VERY LITTLE money doing this and I do specify VERY LITTLE! So sometimes, it's the first thing I cross off when I am extremely busy with my life.

But it is a new year and I am excited to try to regain passion and enthusiasm for my work. I am going to attempt at making this my best blogging year yet. I want to create more opportunities for myself and for you. I want to teach you more and help you gain an even better understanding of living large without spending more. I am going to have you hold myself accountable but I also want you to realize that you are all part of this too. Please share comments, leave a great deal you found on my Facebook page, interact with each other and have this be a website you WANT to come to everyday!

Your comments renew my energy. They give what I am doing a purpose. They make me realize that you are watching, listening and most importantly reading what I write! Nobody likes to talk to the air, so please take a minute on comment on a post or send me an email. I would greatly appreciate the encouragement!

So, here are my 2011 Blogging Goals:

1. Meal Plan Monday EVERY week w/ links to cheap and great recipes I have tried!

2. Frugal Friday-a frugal tip to help you get inspired or take away a cost in your life!

3. Store 101 Posts- I am hoping to teach you more about the stores you are shopping at and how to use coupons at those stores.

4. Dedicate 1 hour per day to posting deals!

We are going to start there and see how it goes. I am hoping to maybe add more as the baby gets older and on a schedule. I think it will be easier than getting back into the size 8 jeans I keep dreaming about!

Happy 2011 Everyone! Wishing you all a year of great things!

This is my 500th Post!!! More Pics of My New Products!!

Here are a few of my most recent orders for my clipboards and notebooks. Let me know if you are interested in placing an order! These are great for so many events! The possibilities are endless!

For The Sports Fan

Many Colleges Available as well as local high schools! Great for coaches or the sports enthusiast! Keep the game schedule close or your picks handy!

Groovy Baby!

This was an order for a young lady and she told me she loved peace signs and lime green! I knew this paper was perfect the minute I saw it! You should have seen her face when I dropped it off!

Fun Notebook!

I would have loved to keep this for myself but the same young lady that got the cool clipboard also got this cool notebook! She said she loved neon colors and flowers and polka-dots! All notebooks come with personalized charm!

Pricing List:

Clipboards-One-Sided Clipboards $6.00 Two-Sided Clipboards $8.00

Personalization of Initial or Monogram-$1.00

Personalization of Name-$2.00

*Clipboards do have a sealant spray for protection.

Notebooks-$5.00 Large $2.00 Small

Free Initial Charm!!

Gift Set- Two Sided Clipboard and Lg. Notebook-$12.00

April Fool's Joke On My Son!

Here is the joke I played on my son this April Fool's! I put Jell-O Gelatin in his cup and had it set up with the straw already in it. It looked like Kool-Aid (His Fav!)...and well...you will see his reaction!
He didn't think it was very funny...he's a more serious child! LOL!

Thanks Jenny for the idea!

Happy Easter!

I just wanted to wish you all a Blessed Easter! I hope you are enjoying your families, spending time outside and giving thanks to God for this day!

Send Expired Coupon Overseas And Help Out Our Troops!

One of the questions that came up in a coupon class was where we could send our expired coupons overseas to help out our Military Families.

Please visit this website for more information. I loved all their information and their adoption status. This would be a wonderful project for a Mother's group, church group, etc.

Computer Has A Virus

Just wanted to let everyone know that my computer has gotten a virus and I am working on repairing it. If not, looks like a new computer for me...uugghh! I will still try to bring you deals if I can find another computer to use!

Customized Clipboards and Notebooks-My New Endeavor

Call Me Crazy...I guess I don't have enough to do...so, why not start another endeavor!!!
I am happy to showcase my new Customized and Personalized Clipboards and Notebooks...no name yet, but I will take suggestions!!
If you are interested in placing an order, please email me. I will ship anywhere for an additional charge.

These are the 2 sided clipboards available for $8.00. You can get initial or monogram added for $1.00 and a full name personalization for $2.00. Lots of themes available...just tell me what you want and I will try to make it happen!

This is called Flower Power w/ personalization.

This is called Teacher w/ tag personalization.

Black and White-one of my faves! This has Initial personalization using a silver charm (in ribbons). You can also tell me what colors of ribbons you would like as well!

These are the back sides of the 2 sided clipboards. The backs will have embellishments too (included in the price).

Customized Notebooks-Large size is $5.00 and Small size is $2.00. You can have a initial charm added for FREE!

Inside of Notebooks. These are great for shopping lists, feeding schedules, journals, diaries, kids scribbling pads, etc.

Gift Set-$12.00. Included is a 2 sided clipboard and a Lg. Notebook. Personalization available on both!

1 Sided Clipboard-$6.00. The back will be regular clipboard material. This picture shows a knot style ribbon-individual ribbons knotted instead of multiple ribbons tied. You can choose that style as well.

Boiling Eggs 101- Help Please!!

Okay, so I always have to call my mom whenever I boil eggs. It's like I forget every year how to do it. I think she has given me a different method every single time too! LOL!

I had to boil eggs yesterday for our dinner and so I called Dear Old Mom and this is what she told me to do-Put them in a pot and cover them with cold water. Then once it reaches boiling, let it boil for 3 minutes. Then turn off the heat, place lid on top and set timer for 8 minutes. Cover with cold water and rinse. Repeat if necessary to get cool.

Okay, so that's what I did...and the shells were horrible to peel off. Now, these were farm fresh brown eggs, so does that make a difference? The farmer said they are different and harder to peel, so I guess it's not just me!

With Easter fast approaching, I thought I would ask my readers for help!

So...my question is...How do you boil your eggs? Who has a fool-proof method that leaves your eggs dent free and gorgeous?!?!

Dirty Dozen- Consider Organic!

I have started trying to make my home a little greener and healthier for all of us. I have been reading more and more about chemicals in the home and in our food. I don't usually buy organic produce unless I can get a good deal on it, but I am going to start looking for organic items that fit into the "dirty dozen." These are fruits and vegetables that are most contaminated and suggested you buy organic.

12 Most Contaminated
■Peaches
■Apples
■Sweet Bell Peppers
■Celery
■Nectarines
■Strawberries
■Cherries
■Pears
■Grapes (Imported)
■Spinach
■Lettuce
■Potatoes


Also: Here are the items that are the least contaminated. I wouldn't buy organic for these items unless they are cheaper than the regular produce. I would still however, wash them well.

12 Least Contaminated
■Onions
■Avocado
■Sweet Corn (Frozen)
■Pineapples
■Mango
■Asparagus
■Sweet Peas (Frozen)
■Kiwi Fruit
■Bananas
■Cabbage
■Broccoli
■Papaya

Here is a downloadable wallet guide for easy reference!

I hope this information helps answer the question, "What Organic Items Should I Buy?"

*Information gathered with help from Organic.org.

To Clean or Not To Clean...That is the Question!?!

For Valentine's Day, my little Cooper got bathtub crayons...he loves to color and he loves to take baths, so what a better gift! Well, we didn't expect that everyone else in the house would love them as much too! Ever since Valentine's Day, Drew and I have been writing love notes back and forth to each other and Hunter draws pictures and love notes too! It's fun to read Kindergartners handwriting again and figure out the words like I use to for so many years teaching first grade! Anyway, now that the shower is completely filled with love notes and pictures, it breaks my heart that I am going to have to clean the shower this week! We will continue to write love notes and draw pictures, but I wish I could keep all of them! I am going to have to take a picture every week before I clean the shower I guess!

Oh, and Hunter has taken the crayons out of the bathtub and wrote us a note on the toilet and the sink...he knows he can't do that anymore, but it was kinda cute!

And Cooper, well he occasionally uses his crayons, but would much rather just splash in the tub...go figure!