The Fulton's

What are Your 5 Favorite Holiday Activities to do with Your Kids?"

2009-11-24T17:33:00.003-05:00

TwitterMoms asks What are Your 5 Favorite Holiday Activities to do with Your Kids?

1. Decorating the inside and outside of the house.

2. Making a gingerbread house.

3. Making holiday cookies.

4. Going to see the Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park

5. And of course opening presents Christmas morning and seeing their happy faces. What could be beter than that!!

Watch Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure Dec. 6 on NickelodeonFavorite Holiday Activities with Kids

Dora's Christmas Carol Adventuregreat free widgetsWidgetboxMore info

What is your Black Friday plan of attack this year?

2009-11-24T17:16:00.003-05:00

Target and TwitterMoms ask What is your Black Friday plan of attack this year?

I have been going Black Friday shopping every year since 2001. I love it! Now I have never gotten into the camping out the night before or fighting over some TV. I still do pretty well. My plan of attack is.

1. The ads are already on the internet. So I can game plan way in advance. I already know what stores I want to go to now.

2. Plan your schedule, which never used to be an issue until now. Some stores start at midnight on Thanksgiving!! It makes it a little easier to hit more than one store but also makes it harder due to "lack of sleep"

3. Divide and conquer. If you are shopping with a friend or family member, split up and cover more ground.

Free Mueller's Calendar

2009-11-16T18:58:00.000-05:00

Go HERE to get a free Mueller's calendar.

Free Betty Crocker Cookie Mix Recipe Booklet

2009-11-13T10:04:00.001-05:00

Here's yet another great text message freebie! Text BETTY to 467467 and you'll snag a FREE Betty Crocker Cookie Mix Recipe Booklet! Brought to you by ShopText
**Please keep in mind standard text messaging rates apply**

Free Stuff

2009-11-13T09:32:00.001-05:00

Here is some more free stuff to sign up for.

Go HERE to get your free sample of True Lemon.

And go HERE to get your free sample of Kotex

More free stuff and awesome coupon book

2009-11-08T20:18:00.002-05:00

Go here for a free sample of Jennifer Lopez's GLO perfume.

Home Made Simple's Refresh your Nest for Less book is available again. I have gotten this coupon book twice in the mail. The coupons are awesome! Go HERE to get your copy.

Free Nestle Carnation Holiday Recipe Guide

2009-11-06T16:40:00.001-05:00

I forgot to post this a while ago. I already got mine and it has some pretty good recipes, we tried the pepperoni pie already last Friday for movie night. It was good!!! Go HERE to get your free copy.

Shopper's Food Warehouse: Triple Coupons thru Nov 11th

2009-11-06T16:38:00.002-05:00

Go HERE for a coupon match up list. Wish I had a Shopper's close to me but I am posting this for my sister. Hope she gets to go.

More Free Stuff

2009-11-06T15:56:00.003-05:00

Get free sample of DenTek® Triple Clean Floss Picks, HERE.

Get a free sample of 2 Tampax Pearl Tampons, 1 Compak Pearl Tampon, 1 Always Infinity Maxi-Pad, 2 Always Pantiliners, and 1 Always Feminine Wipe from Being Girl.com, go HERE.

More Free Stuff

2009-11-04T09:35:00.002-05:00

Get a free copy of Rick Warren's The Purpose of Christmas.

Get a free sample of OB tampons.

Free Pristine Skin Care Samples

2009-11-03T19:38:00.001-05:00

Go HERE to request a sample of Pristine skin care.

What scent defines you??

2009-11-03T08:14:00.002-05:00

The folks at Downy and Twittermoms asked the question "If you could define yourself with a scent, what scent would represent you and why?"

This question is easy for me. My absolute favorite scent of ALL time is vanilla! I LOVE vanilla. I buy vanilla candles, vanilla perfume, vanilla lotion. I used to wear vanilla extract from The Body Shop. Everyone would always say I smelled like chocolate chip cookies.

Why do I love vanilla so much?? I don't know for sure. I am allergic to many flowery scents, so I tend to stick to food scents. I also guess if reminds me of baking with my mom when I was little too. I used to love to bake chocolate chip cookies from scratch with her.

Free Stuff

2009-11-02T17:53:00.002-05:00

Get a sample HERE of Garnier Nutrioniste Skin Renew Anti-Sun Damage from Walmart.

Get a sample of Folgers Gourmet Coffee from All You. You don't have to subscribe to the magazine to get it. Go HERE.

Michael Buble

2009-11-02T11:25:00.002-05:00

Please Vote for Me!!!

2009-11-01T16:23:00.001-05:00

I am trying to win a Flip Ultra Digital Camcorder from Classymommy. Vote for me here.

Are you a member of Swagbucks???

2009-11-01T16:15:00.002-05:00

If not go HERE. This website is awesome. You get paid digital dollars to search the internet. So instead of using google, do your search thru swagbucks website or their toolbar you can download (they use google's results anyway). I redeem my swagbucks for $5 Amazon gift cards. I am working on my 3rd gift card and I have only been a member for 2 months.

Free Sample of Nescafe Taster's Choice

2009-11-01T16:12:00.001-05:00

Go HERE to get your free sample of 5 single servings of Nescafe Taster's Choice instant coffee.

Free Breathe Right Strips

2009-11-01T15:35:00.001-05:00

Go HERE to get 2 free Breathe Right samples

The Children's Place Coupon

2009-10-25T10:39:00.001-04:00

Friend Makin Monday

2009-10-12T19:14:00.004-04:00

Another week of Friend Makin Monday!!! Go here to link up.

This week's questions is...

What are you going to be for Halloween?

I am not dressing up. I haven't done that in years but the kids are. My daughter wants to be Tinkerbell

My son is still undecided. He said maybe a bear?? We will see what we find.

MY HUSBAND IS HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-10-09T19:08:00.000-04:00

After 15 loooooooooooooooong months he is now home from Iraq. I am no longer a single parent or at least until the Army decided to take him again.

Free Sample of Oregon Chai

2009-10-05T17:15:00.001-04:00

Go HERE to get a free sample of The Orginial Chai Tea Latte Mix

Italian Beef & Pasta

2009-10-05T17:00:00.003-04:00

3 to 4 lbs. beef chuck roast
2 onions, chopped
13 1/4 oz. can sliced mushrooms
2 26 oz. marinara pasta sauce
2 T. zesty Italian salad dressing mix
16 oz. pkg. spaghetti, cooked

Combine all ingredients but spaghetti in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Slice beef and serve over cooked pasta.

Creamy Beef Stroganoff

2009-10-05T16:56:00.003-04:00

2 lbs stew beef, cubed
salt and pepper to taste
2 10 3/4 oz cans of cream of mushroom soup
3 T. Worcestershire sauce
3 oz. cream cheese, cubed
16 oz. sour cream
cooked rice or noodles

Place beef in slow cooker; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour soup over top; add Worcestershire sauce. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. 30 minutes prior, stir in cream cheese and sour cream. Serve over rice or noodles

Chicken Supreme

2009-10-05T16:51:00.002-04:00

2 1/2 os pkg. dried chipped beef
8 boneless skinless chicken breasts
8 slices of bacon
1/2 c. sour cream
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
10 3/4 oz. can of cream of mushroom
12 oz. pkg of pasta (cooked)

Arrange dried beef to cover the bottom and lower sides of a slow cooker. Wrap each piece of chicken with a slice of bacon and arrange on top of dried beef. In a small bowl, mix sour cream, flour and soup together. Pour over top of chicken. Cover and heat on low for 8 to 10 hours. Serve over cooked pasta.

3 Tips for Getting Dinner Ready in a Flash

2009-10-05T12:47:00.002-04:00

Samsung and Twitter Moms are teaming up to ask the question. What are your 3 tips for getting dinner ready in a flash?

Well here are mine.

1. Use a slow cooker or crock pot. I ABSOLUTELY love mine and use it quite often. I have 2, one oval and one circle. I tend to use the oval crock pot for meats and the circle crock pot for soups, dips etc. I have tons of crock pot recipe books.

2. Have a plan. I plan my dinner's off what I already have in my stockpile and what is on sale from the local store's sale flyers. If you don't plan your meals then it is hard to get dinner ready in a flash! You can also put your plan online at Organizing Junkie's blog and see everyone else's plan to get ideas for future use.

3. I always brown my ground beef when I buy it, then freeze it already cooked. Then it cuts preparation time down because you don't have to brown the ground beef. Of course if you had planned on making a meatloaf, you couldn't do this, but you could prepare the meat loaf then put in in the freezer. Then all you have to do is throw it in the oven to cook!

Friend Makin Monday

2009-10-05T12:44:00.004-04:00

It's Monday again, so that means it's Friend Makin Monday, go here to link up for this week's question.

This weeks question is:

What are your hobbies? What do you wish that you knew how to do?

What I ♥ to do:

1. Watching TV

2. Couponing

3. Shopping

4. Reading

5. Scrapbooking but I never get to do it anymore (even though this is what I do for a living!! LOL!)

What I wish I knew how to do:

1. How to knit

2. How to be patient!!

3. How to sew

Menu Planning Monday

2009-10-05T12:43:00.007-04:00

Go HERE to link up, if you want to participate.

Monday: Chicken Supreme (crock pot)

Tuesday: Breakfast for dinner (Bacon, Egg & Cheese sandwiches)

Wednesday: Creamy Beef Stroganoff (crock pot)

Thursday: Taco Night

Friday: Manwiches

Saturday: Italian Beef & Pasta (crock pot) THIS IS MY FAVORITE!!!!!!!

Sunday: Leftovers Buffet (We have our Dave Ramsey class at church, so I don't cook on Sundays right now)

Free Coffee Sample

2009-10-05T10:46:00.001-04:00

I won a Blog Award!!!

2009-10-02T19:22:00.010-04:00

Mellisa gave me this award from Getting All My Ducks in a Row.

The rules for the One Lovely Blog Award are:
Accept the award; post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

The blogs I chosen are.

Theta Mom
The Wife of bold
The Wannabe WAHM
The Queen of My House
The Penny Pinching Mama
The Misplaced Midwesterner
The Crazy Suburban Mom
The Buzz
One Chic Mommy
The Art of Being Mom
Thanks, Mail Carrier
Surrounded by Boys
Saving and Giving
2 Kids, 2 Dogs, 2 Tired
Mommy Has to Work

Free Samples

2009-10-02T16:17:00.003-04:00

Go HERE for a free sample of Garnier Fructis Triple Condition

Friend Makin Monday

2009-09-28T20:30:00.004-04:00

Go here to link up to participate.

This week's question is..

List a few things that you cannot live without....

I cannot live without

1. My family

2. My cell phone

3. My computer and internet!!!!!!!!

4. Facebook

5. My faith

6. My TV shows

7. Flip-flops

Free Samples

2009-09-28T20:14:00.002-04:00

For a Free Sample of Kerasal go HERE.

For a Free Sample of Soy Butter go HERE.

For a Free Recipe Book from Jiffy, go HERE.

For a Free sample of Playtex Sport go HERE courtesy of Wal-mart.

Need a Blog Banner, Button or Background??

2009-09-28T20:07:00.001-04:00

April over at April Showers has opened her waiting list again!!! Yeah!! My blog is in a desperate need of a bloggie makeover. So my name is on the waiting list. If you want to get on to go HERE.

Free Samples

2009-09-23T19:40:00.002-04:00

Get your free sample of Bell Rock Growers dog or cat treats HERE.

Get a free sample of Paradise Island Gourmet Popcorn HERE.

Friend Makin Monday

2009-09-21T20:22:00.003-04:00

I didn't get to participate last week. Things were just too hectic and I forgot, plus I didn't really feel well.

If you want to participate in Friend Makin Monday go HERE to link up.

This weeks questions is...

Do you use Craigslist?
What have your experiences been? Good or bad?
What was the best thing you've ever bought?
What was the best deal you ever sold?

Yes!! I LOVE craigslist. I have used craigslist to rent out my house, advertise my yard sales and shop for stuff I need. I have never sold anything on craigslist though. I have bought a headboard and rails for my son's bed and most recently a trampoline for the back yard. According to my kids that would probably be the best purchase I have made from craigslist. I HEART CRAIGSLIST!!!!!

Free Samples

2009-09-21T17:35:00.002-04:00

Get a free sample of Honey Nut Cheerios HERE.

Get a Free sample of Total's Blueberry Pomegrante Cereal HERE.

$50 Publix Gift Card Giveaway

2009-09-20T19:19:00.002-04:00

Go here to enter. Giveaway ends 9/21 at 11pm.

Free Sample of Dove Hair Care

2009-09-19T21:04:00.001-04:00

Go here for your free sample of Dove Heat Defense Therapy or Intense Damage Therapy.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs Review

2009-09-19T19:49:00.003-04:00

I took the kids to see this movie today. We were supposed to go to the Sensory Friendly version at 10am at our participating AMC cinema. Well that never happened. Little K had decided last night to get a Popsicle out of the freezer in the garage and left the freezer door open. I was feeling miserable, so I never went behind him to check and make sure he closed it. So on the way out the door I noticed all of my months and months of stockpiled meat was starting to thaw!!!

Needless to say after some hysterical tears and throwing away tons of meat, we made it to the regular viewing of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.

It was a pretty good movie. I think my kids & I have gotten spoiled by going to the Sensory Friendly version because it isn't as loud, the lights are up and we don't have to watch previews. Plus it is a lot cheaper!!! Back to the movie, I found myself laughing to a lot of the humor in the movie but my kids didn't quite get some of it. I think it was a little over their heads. My favorite part was when he made it snow ice cream!!

Plus they showed the preview of Where the Wild Things Are!! I want to see this but am not sure if I can convience the kids to go. Probably one of my most favorite books, hands down, but my kids hate this book. Low and behold this is the next Sensory Friendly film in October!!

Free Geo Trax DVD

2009-09-12T19:36:00.004-04:00

When I saw this I was so excited!!! My son LOVES Geo Trax and we already have one of their DVDs.

One DVD per household. You must be 18 years or older. Please allow 12-14 weeks for delivery.

Sorry!! Go HERE to enter.

How Addicted Are You??

2009-09-12T19:33:00.001-04:00

82%

LOL!!!

Free Chocolate Fridays

2009-09-11T12:45:00.000-04:00

It's Friday, and that means Free Chocolate from Mars.

Head over HERE and the first 500,000 people to register will receive a coupon for a free candy bar. They are running this promotion thru the end of September. You will receive your coupon in the mail in 4 to 6 weeks. Limit one coupon per email address per Friday and four coupons per household during the course of the offer.

YEAH! Free chocolate is always a good thing.

Value Shopping for Children

2009-09-11T08:30:00.004-04:00

Gap Outlet - Semi-Annual Baby Sale TwitterMoms Exclusive: Gap Outlet Semi-Annual Baby Sale Savings!

Gap Outlet Twitter Blidgetgreat free widgetsWidgetbox

This is a topic I love!!! It is so easy to not spend top dollar to buy nice clothes for yourself or your children. I am a name brand junkie but I NEVER pay full price. Here are my tips. Go Here and Here to read more.

1. I always shop the end of season's sales to purchase clothes. You do take the risk of them not fitting but to tell you the truth. I don't think I have ever had that problem. If this does happen then have a yard sale or sell them on Ebay. You will make your money back and maybe more.

2. Join the stores rewards program, if they have one. You will sometimes get coupons in the mail and advance notice of sales. Some even let you accumilate points to spend in the store.

3. Shop Outlets, for example the Gap Outlet. They have great good quality clothes for inexpensive prices.

4. Shop consignment stores, yard sales, craigslist, and Ebay for the name brands you like.

Friend Makin Monday

2009-09-07T12:52:00.004-04:00

I am going to participate this week too! Over on Amber's Blog, every Monday she host Friend Makin Monday. Go HERE to participate!

Todays question is....

What are some of your favorite things about Fall?

1. Leaves changing colors for sure!!!
2. Pumpkins Spice Lattes at Starbucks!!!
3. Halloween & Thanksgiving (Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday!!)
4. Boo at the Zoo (Halloween trick or treating at our local zoo)

Win Free Groceries for a Year

2009-09-06T19:01:00.002-04:00

from Ronzoni. Go HERE to enter. They make my absolute favorite pasta!!! Ends 10/13/2009. Good Luck!

CVS for 9/6

2009-09-06T16:45:00.000-04:00

Total before Sales & Coupons: $63.50
OOP: $23.67
Savings: 63%
ECB's Earned: $15

Still waiting for the Carefree Pantyliner's stock to be replenished so I can use my rain checks from the other week. I wonder if they will ever get them in, it would make my current ECB's be $22.58.

Old Navy Coupon

2009-09-05T15:21:00.002-04:00

Over at A Nut in a Nutshell (adorable blog name!) She is giving away 10 coupons to Old Navy. They are $45 off $100 purchase!!!

Go HERE to enter.

Too Funny for Words

2009-09-05T13:48:00.004-04:00

Go check out this site. I was laughing so hard!!! It definately made my day feel not so bad anymore.

The People of Walmart

Another giveaway

2009-09-04T19:57:00.006-04:00

Melissa over at Getting all my Ducks in a Row is doing a giveaway for a $30 gift certificate to an ETSY jewelry shop. If you want to enter the contest go HERE.

Here is the ETSY store BRAG ABOUT IT. They have super cute stuff. I love the double cup of love. I would love to win so I could get that with my kids names!!!

GE Appliance Giveaway

2009-09-04T17:26:00.012-04:00

Over on "Deal"icious Mom, there is a sweepskates to win a brand new GE appliance. You can enter once a day until November 15th when the sweepskates ends. Go HERE to enter and read more.

Kroger's Free Gas & Groceries

2009-09-04T17:02:00.004-04:00

Don't forget to enter Kroger's Free Gas & Groceries Sweepstakes going on now till September 11. You can spin the wheel once a day.

Free Samples

2009-09-03T17:12:00.002-04:00

Free sample of Exederm go HERE.
Free Sample of Bear Naked Snacks go HERE.
Free sample of Bruise Relief go HERE.
Free Scrubbing Bubbles Fall Cleanup Gift Pack go HERE.

11 down, 1 more to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-09-01T17:08:00.000-04:00

Or should I say 14 down, 1 more to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome to September!

Technorati Love

2009-09-01T11:24:00.001-04:00

http://www.crazysuburbanmom.com/
http://www.thetamom.com/

Groceries for 8/31

2009-08-31T17:10:00.004-04:00

Publix
Total Before Savings & Coupons: $126.64
OOP: $74.58
Savings: 41%

Bi-Lo
Total Before Savings & Coupons: $66.44
OOP: $36.52
Savings: 45%

Piggly Wiggly
Total Before Savings & Coupons: $38.73
OOP: $24.09
Savings: 38%
**Screwed up at Piggly Wiggly because I forgot how many Greenbacks I had and bought something I shouldn't have.

Total for the week: $135.19. More than I wanted to spend, but I am still building my stockpile.

Friend Making Monday

2009-08-31T12:46:00.004-04:00

I saw this over on Amber Filkins's blog. Thought it was cool, so I decided to give it a try. I am super nosey too about other peoples lives too!!!

1. Do you cook every night?

Most of the time I do. Sometimes I have no desire to and we eat out or make something simple like frozen pizza

2. What kind of laundry detergent do you use & why?

I was using Tide with Bleach powder but now that I am a 'frugal' shopper whatever is on sale.

3. Do you do laundry everyday or loads at a time?

I do loads at a time. Laundry day used to be Tuesdays, but now seem to be Fridays.

4. How often do you eat out every week?

I would say 1 to 2 times a week, sometimes more or sometimes not at all. I am trying not to eat out much anymore but can't refuse a coupon to one of our favorite restaurants.

5. Where do you usually eat out?

This has changed as of lately mostly because its just me and the kids. So McDonalds, Ci Ci's and Chick-fil-a. None of these are my favorite, they are my kids. My favorites is Outback, Red Robin and Texas Roadhouse.

6. What is your favorite retail store?

It was Wal-mart but I am starting to learn I spend more money when I shop there. So now I don't have a favorite.

7. What is your favorite thing to drink?

Ice Tea w/ Lemon & Stevia

8. Do you take vitamins? What kind?

Yes, I take One A Day ( I got them free from my Bayer rep) When they run out, probably whatever is on sale)

9. What percentage of the household chores do you do?

100%

10. Do your children do chores? (Or will they, did they, etc)

Still working on that one. Need to find a good chore chart. Anyone have a good suggestion???? Please comment w/ one.

11. Do you go to church?

Yes

12. Do you have a housework schedule?

No but I want one. I was keeping up with doing chore on certain days but it was all kept track of in my head. I would love to come up with a household book.

13. Do you keep a working budget?

I am in the process of doing this now. I am taking Dave Ramsey's FPU class. I am in week 2.

14. What do you do at night as a family?

Eat dinner, give baths, read stories, watch TV.

15. How do you prepare yourself for a new week?

I didn't know you could prepare yourself!!! Maybe that is why I am always overwhelmed.

16. What do your mornings look like?

Not pretty!!!! My kids hate waking up. So usually I force everything.

17. What time do you get up in the morning?

6:15 during the week and whenever on weekends.

18. What time do you go to bed at night?

Most of the time 10 to 10:30. Weekends 11 or sometimes later. Been known to stay up till 12 or later watching some good show.

19. How do you manage all of the paperwork that floods into your household? (bills, school work, magazines, ads etc)

Not well because I CAN'T stand clutter. I have been known to throw something or recycle something away because I can't stand seeing it sit there. I am trying to deal w/ my problem but its not easy.

20. How do you keep your house organized? (calendars, charts, etc)

This a work in progress. I have a place for my grocery list, magazines, each kid has a shelf for school papers, I use a mom's planner, my son's therapist have a spot to keep their stuff. I haven't figured out a way to organize my coupons yet. They are driving me crazy!!!

Menu Planning Monday

2009-08-31T09:09:00.004-04:00

This is my first Menu Plan Monday. Got the idea from Organizing Junkie's blog that I follow. I am trying to plan dinners of what is on sale this week to keep my budget low this week. It would be nice if I could aim for about the same as last week around $50. Not sure if I can meet that again, two weeks in a row. I want to always plan 5 meals then have a leftover buffet one night and pizza the other.

Monday

Ranch Chicken & rice

Tuesday

Sausage, Corn, & Potato skillet

Wednesday

Baked Ziti

Thursday

Leftover Buffet

Friday

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches & Tomato Soup

Saturday

Pizza

Sunday

Pork Roast, pototoes & carrots

CVS for 8/30

2009-08-30T16:40:00.000-04:00

Total Before Coupons/Sales: $77.98
OOP: $38.23
Savings: 51%

Guess I could have broken this down farther and spent less out of pocket but my mind wasn't working that day and I wanted to keep my ECBs for the next week. Still did pretty good though.

Free Fisher Price Precious Places DVD

2009-08-29T15:02:00.003-04:00

Head over to HERE to register to get your absolutely FREE DVD from Fisher Price. Shipping takes about 12 weeks. Click on "Order Your Free DVD" button towards the bottom and proceed to the checkout page. Hope your little girl enjoys!!

Pastisio (or Greek Lasagna)

2009-08-29T12:21:00.003-04:00

1 lb ground beef, browned
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
8 oz can tomato sauce
1 t. dried oregano
1 t. salt
1/2 t. cinnamon
2 c. elbow macaroni, uncooked and divided
1/4 c. butter
3 T. all-purpose flour
1/4 t. pepper
1/4 t. nutmeg
2 c. milk
2 eggs
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Combine beef, onion and garlic in skillet; heat until onion and garlic are tender. Stir in tomato sauce, oregano, salt and cinnamon; simmer for 5 minutes. Set aside. Spread one cup macaroni in a greased baking pan; cover with meat sauce. Top with remaining macaroni; set aside. Melt butter in a saucepan; whisk in flour, pepper and nutmeg until smooth. Gradually pour in milk; heat until thickened. Remove from heat; whisk in eggs and Parmesan cheese. Pour over macaroni; bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Applesauce Meatloaf Recipe

2009-08-29T12:11:00.003-04:00

This is my absolute favorite meatloaf recipe!! Delicious!!

1 lb ground beef
3/4 c. applesauce
1/2 c. bread crumbs
1 t. salt
1/4 t. seasoned salt
1/2 c. onion, chopped
2 eggs, beaten

1/4 c. ketchup
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/8 c. mustard

Mix the first 7 ingredients together; spoon into an ungreased loaf pan. Set aside. Combine final 3 remaining ingredients, ketchup, brown sugar and mustard; spread over meatloaf. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Thoughtful House on NBC Dateline

2009-08-28T16:57:00.003-04:00

on Sunday at 7pm EST. Set your DVR's to record or make sure you are able to watch. I know I will be watching.

To find out about Thoughtful House and Dr Wakefield go HERE

Part 2 Menu Planning Challenge

2009-08-27T19:22:00.001-04:00

Here is part 2 to the menu planning challenge over at the Happy Housewife. To find the challenge go HERE.

The 2nd part is to come up with 5 more meals to go along with your 15 dinners you already listed. And to come up with a list of side dishes to go along with those meals. Here are mine.

1. Bacon, Egg & Cheese Sandwiches
2. BBQ Pork Roast
3. Family Night Noodle Bake
4. Lemon Garlic Tacos
5. Baked Ziti

Side Dishes
1. Homemade Mac N Cheese
2. Baked Potatoes
3. Creamed Corn
4. French Fries
5. Mashed Potatoes
6. Some packaged noodles
7. Rice a Roni
8. Couscous
9. Green Bean Casserole
10. Salad

HUH???

2009-08-25T12:43:00.002-04:00

I went to my first college algebra class today. I don't remember a lot of what was "review" problems. It has been 17 years or more!!! So instead of struggling along or flunking out of this class, I decided to drop back one level in math to Intermediate Algebra. I am just not ready for college level algebra, I have forgotten too much! This means I won't get to take Calculus next semester, I will be taking College Algebra, then maybe taking Calculus over the summer. :(

This week's groceries

2009-08-25T12:30:00.001-04:00

I went a different route this week. Decided to pick Publix & Bi-Lo as my 2 grocery stores to shop. Wrote a list of what was on sale at both stores and gathered the appropriate coupons. I also wrote down what we were out of and needed at the store. I planned my menu and based some meals off what was on sale. So didn't even come close to exceding my budget of $100 for groceries this week. The total was $56.67!!! I can't believe that I bought groceries for this amount for a whole week and my car trunk was full!!!

Publix
Total Before Coupons & Sales: $83.56
Total OOP: $44.94
Savings: 46%

Bi-Lo
Total Before Coupons % Sales: $16.76
Total OOP: $11.73
Savings: 30%

Shopping for Today

2009-08-21T18:02:00.006-04:00

Went to the gym this morning, so in the way home I drove by Publix, Piggly Wiggly, and Food Lion. Decided to go ahead and shop these 3 stores that were on the way home for the sales I was interested in.

Publix
Total Before Coupons & Sales: $50.76
Total Out of Pocket: $28.92
Savings: 43%

Piggly Wiggly
Total Before Coupons & Sales: $30.15
Total Out of Pocket: $17.48
Savings: 42%

Food Lion
Total Before Coupons & Sales: $84.89
Total Out of Pocket: $48.74
Savings: 43%

Kroger
Total Before Coupons & Sales: $88.55
Total Out of Pocket: $45.82
Savings: 48%

TOTALS
Total Before Coupons & Sales: $254.35
Total Out of Pocket: $141.25
Savings: 45%

I was $41.25 over my goal. :(

First Day of School!

2009-08-20T16:53:00.003-04:00

It's the first day of school for the kids today. They both did fairly well with waking up and getting ready. They both made it there on time.

CVS $5 off $25 coupon

2009-08-20T12:36:00.000-04:00

There is a new $5 off $25 purchase coupon available for CVS. Head over HERE and watch a video about their Ready Fill program.

Extreme Couponing

2009-08-19T17:52:00.006-04:00

Due to the need to pay off some bills, I have decided to start extreme couponing. I was told this needs to become a necessity or a hobby for it to become successful. If you google couponing or extreme couponing, you get TONS of websites with useful information or not so useful. Here are some that I have been using.

www.southernsavers.com
www.cellfire.com
www.pgesaver.com
www.shortcuts.com
www.hotcouponworld.com
www.vocalpoint.com
www.coupons.com

Here is a blog that I read that is a good place to go when starting out.

I have decided to start a goal of spending only $100 a week for groceries eventually decreasing to maybe $75 a week. I am planning to start my shopping on Friday. So I will post my results then.

Crazy!!!

2009-08-19T16:49:00.003-04:00

I went to register for classes at Midlands Tech today. It was late registration day. I had previously tried to register on the last day of normal registration to be told that I couldn't get into MAT 130 Calculus because I didn't have the prerequisite. So I had to email the department head over the weekend to get into a different math class. So I got up to Midlands early today. It was a NIGHTMARE!! I was send out of the registration line 3 times because I didn't have something that I needed. So $1,000 and some change later, I am now registered for Fall semester that starts on August 24Th.

Part 1 Menu Planning Challenge

2009-08-18T19:00:00.004-04:00

Over on The Happy Housewife, there is a 3 part menu planning challenge. To read it go HERE. Challenge 1 is to make a list of 15 different dinner options. You can ask family members to give their favorites to help make your list. Giving that my husband is not here, I asked my 2 kids. Of course since they are 6 and 4 their reponses were vague. I got a lot of ice cream, candy, popsicles and you know that stuff you made the other day!

So here is the list I came up with.
1. One Pot Spaghetti
2. Tacos
3. Sloppy Joes
4. Applesauce Meat Loaf
5. Taco Soup
6. Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
7. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
8. Tater Tot Casserole
9. Pastitio or (Greek Lasagna)
10. Steak on the grill
11. Chicken sandwiches
12. Pizza
13. Pork Chops
14. Country Fried Steak
15. Pot Roast

I will post recipes for some of them when I get a chance.

Change of Plans

2009-08-17T16:41:00.002-04:00

I am going to Midlands Tech for 2 semesters instead of USC. I am going to take a Fiction class & College Algebra this semester and then Calculus next sememster. Then hopefully off to USC in the fall of next year. Not what I had antisipated but oh well.

Cute Picture

2009-08-15T18:09:00.002-04:00

I love this picture of Kyan. We opened presents at home after the party was over. I love this expression on his face!

Happy 4th to my Favorite Boy

2009-08-15T16:42:00.002-04:00

I can't believe that my baby is 4 today. Party went well. I will post pictures later once I get them downloaded to my computer. He had a blast and loved all his presents.

Loving my new lens

2009-08-13T17:13:00.000-04:00

I got a new lens for my camera off Ebay. I got a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

I LOVE this lens. I still have no idea what I am doing with it but my pictures are looking a lot better.

2009-08-11T13:45:00.001-04:00

Twitter Moms: The Influential Moms Network

Got Denied

2009-08-10T14:49:00.002-04:00

I have been trying to apply to USC since the beginning of summer to finally finish my last two years of my bachelor's degree. Well after complications with my transcripts, I finally got my letter in the mail on Saturday. I was denied!!! WHAT??? According to USC, I don't have a 3.0 or higher and I have never taken a college level Calculus class. I can understand not admitting me to the School of Business because of the Calculus class but to deny me from the school all together. Not sure where they are getting I don't have a 3.o or higher, according to my transcripts I have a 3.59.

Of course when I went up there today to talk with someone, NO ONE from admission is there until Wednesday. :(

2009-08-09T14:46:00.001-04:00

Watched The Secret Life of Bees on DVD last night. Pretty good movie. I had read the book by Sue Monk Kidd first. It did follow the book pretty well.

Watched a good movie last night

2009-08-08T21:29:00.002-04:00

I watched Bride Wars last night. Pretty cute movie.

Sensory Friendly Movies

2009-06-13T09:00:00.002-04:00

Taking the kids to the movies. This will be Kyan's first movie. Austism Society of America is doing Sensory Friendly Films w/ AMC theaters. We are going to see Disney Pixar's UP. It looks super cute.

This Week

2009-06-08T15:05:00.001-04:00

Busy week this week. Summer camp at church, ballet at the YMCA and gymnastics.

Family Connection at EdVenture

2009-06-07T21:10:00.001-04:00

Family Connection of South Carolina was offering free admission to EdVenture here in Columbia to childen with special needs and their families. They have a butterfly garden exhibit open. It was so much fun to see the kids reactions to the butterflies. Plus fun to play with my camera.

Last Day of School!!

2009-06-05T15:01:00.001-04:00

Now what????

Busy, Busy, Busy

2009-05-30T13:47:00.001-04:00

2 Birthday parties today. One of them at Chuckie Cheese's no less. Talk about a crazy day. I am waiting till tonight maybe a bottle of wine?

Zoo times 2

2009-05-21T14:25:00.003-04:00

Both kids had school field trips to the Zoo today. I decided to go with Kyan's class as a chaperone since I had just went on a field trip to Kroger with Nevaeh.

Kyan's IEP

2009-05-14T14:50:00.001-04:00

Kyan has done great his first year in preschool for kid's with autism. He will be going to ESY (Extended School Year) and will be in the same class next year. They are also talking that if he continues to do this well, he will be mainstreamed into regular kindergarten. Yeah Kyan!

Happy Anniversary!

2009-05-13T14:24:00.000-04:00

Wow it has been 9 years today that I married Trey. Of course celebrating it alone isn't much fun. Maybe next year for our 10th we can do something fun!

Mom & Daughter Fondue Night

2009-05-09T14:22:00.002-04:00

Nevaeh & I went to Mother/Daughter Fondue Night at the YMCA tonight. It was fun. We watched a movie "Ella Enchanted". Then she ditched me to play soccer with some other girls there. I took my camera put didn't take any pictures. :(

Yesterday

2009-05-03T14:10:00.002-04:00

Kyan did great! He was pretty scared at first and kept saying he wanted to go home. He really didn't like Mickey, Minnie, Goofy & Donald. He kept crying when they came out. But the rest of it he loved. Not so sure he liked the Tinkerbell part, wasn't his scene like it was Nevaeh's. I spent a small fortune!!

Today

2009-05-02T14:07:00.004-04:00

Taking the kids to see Disney on Ice Worlds of Fantasy. Little nervous taking Kyan to something like this. Nevaeh will do great, I am sure, but not sure how Kyan will react. Wish me luck!

Today

2009-04-25T14:05:00.001-04:00

Nevaeh's going to a birthday party at her old gymnastic's place, Carolina Gymnastics. Then I have an adult scavenger hunt with church. Never been on one of these, so it should be fun!

Great Website & Book!!

2009-04-20T14:02:00.001-04:00

I found an awesome website, Goodreads. And just finished reading an awesome book, The Shack by William P Young. It was a great book. It was hard at first to read because of what happens to his daughter. Having a young daughter made that part hard to read but once you got past that the rest was excellent.

Lake Carolina's Yard Sale Today

2009-04-18T13:58:00.000-04:00

I LOVE this yard sale. I never get to finish the whole thing. Jennifer came with me to look for some stuff for the baby. Busy day! Have Autism Family Fun day with Richland School District 2 and ABA therapy too!

Pictures from Easter and Family

2009-04-13T13:22:00.001-04:00

Here are some of my favorite pictures from over spring break and Easter.

Family

2009-04-09T13:15:00.002-04:00

My sister and her kids are coming in to celebrate Easter with me and the kids. It is so great! I don't want to celebrate Easter alone!

Dying Eggs w/ Friends

2009-04-06T13:16:00.001-04:00

Jennifer and Kameron came over today to dye easter eggs with us. Kameron absolutely loved it! He got a little crazy though and would throw the eggs into the dye cups!

Easter Egg Hunt at Church

2009-04-05T13:07:00.002-04:00

The kids got a chance to hunt for eggs again today at church. Nevaeh was the only girl in her group!

Hunting for Eggs at School

2009-04-03T13:01:00.002-04:00

I went to help out the teacher's at Kyan's school hide easter eggs for the kids. Kyan had a blast. Took longer for us to hide the eggs then it did for them to find them.

Spring Performance

2009-03-30T12:18:00.004-04:00

Nevaeh's spring performance was tonight at Richland Northeast High. I was playing with my new camera and have come to realize that I need a zoom lens. They are just super expensive. Anyone have any suggestions on a good zoom lens??? Her dress was a total last minute thing. I never have any time to get anything done. So I left about half hour early for the performance to head to Gymboree to get it. Yes, I realize I am a Gymboree addict!