Personal & Financial Crisis

To say we've had a financial crisis around here would be an understatement.  We started having septic issues a couple months ago and had our tank pumped.  Problem solved until 2 weeks later when the problem came back.  Fast forward 6 weeks to today, when we find out that our drain field has been ruined by a STUPID TREE (the only tree we have in our back yard, mind you) and now we have to get a $300 permit in order to get a new drain field put in (which will cost an additional $1,200 - $2,000).  When it rains it pours, right?  All I can say is God has kept us above water this long, he can surely bring us out of this storm.  I'm going to pray extra hard when I write out that next tithing check too :-)  So until further notice I will be taking a little break from blogging until things settle down around here.

About the personal crisis, if you have heard about Senate Bill 6 then you know what I mean.  Enough said.

Love you guys!

Piano Lessons

Laney has begged for literally years to take piano lessons.  I have always wanted to play myself, but have been unwilling to shell out the $50/month for her to get lessons once a week.  I stumbled across Zebra Keys a while back and am thinking about giving it a try.  So it looks like Laney will be starting piano lessons with me this week.  Eeeek!  I may try to learn some piano skills myself while I'm at it.

The Most Precious Gift

I have never understood why anyone would ask me to teach a class at church.  I don't know nearly enough about the Bible or the Book of Mormon to teach anything...espcially since some of the kids I am teaching know more than I do!  Well as I was finishing up my lesson last night I made the comment to Josh that I really did not like teaching the story of Abraham and Isaac.  I said I simply could not understand how anyone could even consider sacrificing their own child - even if Heavenly Father asked them to.  I have never liked the story of Abraham & Isaac, and I was really disliking the idea of teaching it today.  Then I watched the most amazing PowerPoint presentation (you can watch it here).  I cried so much after reading the comparisons between Abraham & Isaac and Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ.  What hit me hardest was that Heavenly Father was just like Abraham.  They both loved their sons more than their own life.  I understand this kind of love.  The only difference between Abraham and Heavenly Father is that Abraham was spared the task of sacrificing his only son.  Heavenly Father wasn't spared that torture.  He gave up his only son and sacrificed him for US.  What a blessing that is!  I feel so lucky to have been able to teach this lesson today.  I never understood the parallels between those two stories until now and I have so much respect and admiration for our Heavenly Father for offering his son as a sacrifice for us. 

Hotwheels Goodies

Become a fan of Hotwheels on Facebook here and there is a goodie coming out sometime this week.  We definitely need more tony cars around here!

Beautiful Saturday

I managed to accomplish so much yet so little today.  Laney & I went to a baby shower for Merinda, then I took ALL THREE KIDS to Dothan with me to do a little shopping at Old Navy (and use my 30% off coupon), then we came back and went to Primary Activity Day to top things off.  I didn't, however, clean house or attempt to tackle the mountain of laundry that creeps up on me every single week.  Does laundry multiply overnight?  I seriously think clothes are leaping out of the dressers and randomly showing up all over the place. 

Anyway, we went to Old Navy and managed to get a few new clothes (over $100 worth) for just under $70.  If you know me, then you know I wear my denim jacket like it's a life preserver - literally every other day.  So many tops nowadays are strappy, strapless, or sleeveless, so the denim jacket is my only option for wearing cute tops.  Anyway, I scored a new one of those in denim and white, a black boyfriend cardigan, plus a cute black maxi dress, an adorable shirt for Laney, and a must-have shirt for Ava (AKA Cookie Boo).

Free Pssst!

Go here and get a free sample of Pssst! Dry Shampoo.  This stuff is awesome...I'd love to keep a sample in my desk at work on those "greasy hair" days that we occasionally have :-)  Not that I do.  Just sayin.

Princess & The Frog DVD

I bought this for my kids on Tuesday, and they LOVE it!  I have to say I am not crazy about the voodoo/witch doctor parts, but we just skip past those.  Anyway, if you miss the "old school" animated movies that we grew up with, you will love this movie - it isn't computer animation like all the other Disney movies that have come out in the past few years.  There are a couple of ways to score a good deal on this DVD right now.

• CVS currently has the DVD priced at $19.99 with $3 ECB, so it's like paying $16.99
• Wal-Mart has the DVD priced at $19.97, Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack at $29.97
• Target has the DVD priced at $15.99

There are also a couple of different rebates floating around if you buy Band-Aids, Success Rice, or Frog Tape.  If you use coupons and send off for the rebates your DVD would be FREE!

There is a $5 coupon here for the DVD
There is a $10 coupon here for the DVD/Blu-Ray combo pack

Freebies from Wal-Mart

Click here to see the new list of freebies from Wal-Mart.  These are great to keep in your vacation travel kit, food storage, or even in the vehicle for emergencies (hey, you never know when you might need a sample of dog food on the road!).  These change often, so make sure you bookmark the WM website and check it often.

30% off Old Navy this weekend only

Click here to get a printable coupon for 30% off at Old Navy through 3/21.  This is a great opportunity to give back to the community since Old Navy will donate 5% of your purchase to the charity Feeding America.  Fall/Winter clothes should be going clearance by now, so we should be able to get some good deals.  The item of the week is the tube dress (looks great over leggings as a top or as a swimsuit cover up) - with the coupon they will be less than $6!

Mother's Day

Looking for a unique gift for your mom/grandmother/wife/daughter/sister this Mother's Day?  Visit my website for Heritage Makers, and create a storybook or photo project that is guaranteed to please.  Better yet, host a digital scrapbooking workshop and earn credits for free products!  This month's hostess gift is a photo collage bracelet or discounted storybook.  Guaranteed delivery if you order on or before 6 P.M. on April 22 (USPS/Ground); April 26 (Two Day); April 28 (Next Day).

I'm Back!

Yay!  I finally remembered my password, and can start blogging again.  I am sure this thrills my THREE followers to no end :-)  There are a lot of exciting deals and some super-exciting news coming soon...stay tuned.  And I promise not to forget my password this time!

Free Lipcare from CVS

This week CVS is running a sale for Extra Care cardholders - the Neosporin Lip Health is $5.95 and you get an automatic $2.95 in savings at the register; paired with this coupon you can get it for FREE!  each computer that you have access to will allow 2 coupons, so stock up if you can.  I have been wanting to try this for Laney, so we'll see how it works.

Goodies in Today's Mail

Today's mail was pretty good.  I got my TGI Friday's Stripes Card.  This entitles me to a free appetizer, a no-waiting pass (I don't have to wait in line to get a table!), and $8 back for every $100 I spend. 

I also got two free Huggies Pure & Natural diapers (I throw these in the center console of the truck) and a coupon for $3/1.  You can usually get these for $6/pack, so this is a pretty good coupon.

$99 John Deere Ride-On

Wal-Mart has the John Deere Farm Animals Hay Ride Ride-On by Peg Perego for just $99 and it ships free site to store.

Free Subscription to Weight Watchers Magazine

Go here and possibly score a free one year subscription to WW magazine.  I got mine, but they ask you questions about your profession - mine is education.  That may have affected me getting the reward, so answer the questions accordingly!  This definitely comes in handy since it's been approximately 2 years since I weighed below 120.  I'd like to see that number again soon!

Old Navy PJs for $5.60

Old Navy has a sale on PJs for the whole family for $7.  Use the code ONSAVE20 to save 20% (which makes them $5.60) and spend at least $50 to get free shipping.

Cheap Christmas DVDs

Head over here and use the pull down menu to go to the entertainment coupons.  Print the $3/1 coupons and get the Curious George Christmas DVD, The Grinch, Coraline, or Barbie Christmas Carol for potentially $2 each.  Tyler LOVES Curious George, and I love the Jim Carey version of The Grinch...I may be taking advantage of this deal soon.  I will check back and let you all know the pricing of these in our area.

Free Haircare for Facebookers

If you are a member of Facebook, you can go here to get a free sample of Living Proof haircare.

Snapfish BOGO Calendar & Free Flip Book

Now through 12/24 you can go to Snapfish and buy one calendar and get another one free.  You have to use the code RACHAELRAY, and by doing so you get a free photo flip book.  You create the calendar and add it to your cart with a quantity of 2.  Then use the code and within 48 hours of your order you will get a credit on your account for the free flip book.

VistaPrint Freebies

Right now you can go here and choose from the following freebies:  wall calendar, desk calendar, photo flip book, photo mug, photo notebook, photo totebag, photo magnet, holiday stamp, 140 address labels, 10 folded holiday note cards, or 250 business cards.
 
You do have to pay shipping, but it looks pretty reasonable.  I have a free return address rubber stamp that I got from them a few years ago and it is still going strong.

$1 Socks at Old Navy this Weekend

This Saturday only there will be a "Cozy Socks Saturday" event going on.  All of their cozy socks will be $1 (limit 5 per customer).  There is also a 30% one item coupon here that could come in handy.  Add these additional coupons for an even better deal!

Is Anyone Out There?? *cricket cricket*

Just wondering how many of you are actually reading the blog.  I sort of feel like I am blogging for myself...I hope that this is not the case!  I would like for you guys to post here if you read the blog and let me know how often you are checking in.  Thanks!

O, The Oprah Magazine for $5!

Go here to get your 1 year subscription to O, The Oprah Magazine.  This subscription has never been this low, so I would snag it now!

Goodies in Today's Mailbox

Today was a good mailbox day!  I got 7 coupons for free food from Zaxby's - I signed up on the Zaxby's website and they sent me a coupon for a free meal.  I also signed up all three of my kids and they sent each one of them a coupon for a free kids meal.  They also sent them all a coupon for a free cookie!

I also received two of the free calendars that I ordered from photoworks.  There was a promotion running a while back and I got the calendars for free (with free shipping).  I have to say, these calendars are EXCELLENT quality, and I am definitely going to use this company if I have to buy any photo gifts from now on.

I also got three magazines from the TEN magazine subscriptions that I have.  There is really no good reason to have so many magazine subscriptions, especially since I don't have time to read them!  Most of them end up getting donated to my classroom.  I have to be honest - I get 90% of my magazine subscriptions for free.  My personal limit for a magazine subscription is $5/year.  The only time I will break that rule is for All You.  It costs about $15/year and each issue has at least $100 worth of coupons in it...well worth the $15 you pay for a year's worth if you ask me.

Amazon Deal on Scene It DVD Games

Right now you can go here and get a variety of the Scene It games for $7.99.  I think the customer limit is 3, but if you get at least $25 worth of stuff to check out with then shipping is free.  Am I a nerd for really wanting the 80s Scene It game??

$5 (or less) Magazine Subscriptions

Best Deals Magazines currently has a promotion running for several magazines for less than $5/year.

ESPN is $3.28 (use code ESPN)
Woman's Day is $3.75 (use code WDAY)
Family Fun, Shape, or Family Circle is $4.69 - I have all three, and Family Fun is amazing!

Use code CYBER19 to get 19% off
Use code PXCJ1213 to get 15% off

*I am not sure if these codes stack, but if they do it is a heck of a deal!

Disney Blu-Ray Upgrade Program

Go here and read the instructions about how to send in your Disney DVDs in exhange for an $8 Blu-Ray coupon.  I haven't made the jump to Blu-Ray just yet...we have too much money invested in regular DVDs, and they look just fine to me!

$5 Hallmark Coupon Deals

These coupons are floating around in several magazines, but you can go here and print two (per computer).  I managed to get about 6 of these from magazines & printing and found some really good deals at my local Hallmark store in the mall.

Transaction #1:  I bought a paper doll board game that was orignially $15.99 with 40% off.  Used the coupon and got the game for $5 and some change.

Transaction #2:  I bought a book for Josh for $9.99.  Used the coupon and got it for $5 and some change.

Transaction #3:  I bought three of the 99 cent cards and the hardcover book (Snow Glad We're Friends).  The book is regularly $7.99, but you can get it for $2.99 when you buy 3 cards.  Used the coupon and paid $1 and some change.

G-Force DVD $4.99 at Target

Most of the new DVDs coming out at Target are priced at $19.99.  Right now you can print coupons here and here to get $10 and $5 off the new G-Force DVD at Target.  Potentially $4.99 after coupons.

Free Stuff at Bath & Body Works

Go here to get a coupon for a free travel-sized item at Bath & Body Works with any purchase.

Free/Nearly Free Batteries

Go to the Rayovac website here and type in the code 74016761 to get a coupon for $1 off a pack of Rayovac batteries.  The code has to be typed in (not copy/pasted), but you can print as many as you want.  These are currently priced at $0.97 at Wal-Mart and $1 at Target. 

Thanks, dealseekingmom!