Now, through midnight March 3rd, 2010, you can choose ANY Baby Star tote for just $29.99! That's half of the current price!
I'm trying to convince my DH I need another one. ;)
28 February 2010
Killer Baby Star Tote Deal!
As you may know, I'm currently hosting a giveaway for a Baby Star Rock The Tote of your choice. If you're impatient waiting for the giveaway to end, thinking you might not be lucky, or just as in love with it as I am with mine, you're going to love the sale Baby Star is running for the next three days!
Now, through midnight March 3rd, 2010, you can choose ANY Baby Star tote for just $29.99! That's half of the current price!
I'm trying to convince my DH I need another one. ;)
Now, through midnight March 3rd, 2010, you can choose ANY Baby Star tote for just $29.99! That's half of the current price!
I'm trying to convince my DH I need another one. ;)
Menu Planning Monday - Funky Schedule
My DH's schedule is all over the place, so I guess this could change at any point. I've been craving chili again! I'm opening a big #10 can of diced tomatoes this week, so I'll be doing a few recipes with tomatoes.
Monday: Mexican Bake
Tuesday: recipe of the week
Wednesday: Slow Cooker Kickin' Chili
Thursday: Baked chicken, salad, Rosemary Pop Overs
Friday: homemade pizza night with lots of veggies
Saturday: BBQ Chicken Bake
Sunday: Taco night
Check out Organizing Junkie for other great Menu Plans!
Fred Meyer Deals 2/28 - 3/6 2010
The Tillamook cheese is a great deal - snag that up! Being as it's the last day of the month, a lot of printable coupons won't be resent until the 1st or 2nd. Check out sites such as coupons.com and General Mill's websites for printable coupons for the sale items then.
If you are playing along with my Food Storage Friday series, I recommend picking up the Freddy's Canned Tomatoes and Beans that are on sale this week.
See the entire circular online here or here's the food & home highlights with coupon matches if available:
Beef Rib Eye Steaks
$4.99 lb (family packs)
Broccoli Crowns or Cauliflower
$0.68 lb
Pantene Hair Care
$2.99 ($2.00 off 2 MC, $1.00 off 2 MC)
General Mills Cereals
$2.99 (assorted coupons out there)
Progresso Soups
4 for $5 ($0.25 off 1 MC, $1.00 off 4 MC, $1.00 off 3 MC, $0.50 off 2 MC)
Totino's Pizza
5 for $5
Betty Crocker Cake Mix
10 for $10
Betty Crocker Frosting
2 for $3 ($0.50 off 1 MC)
Pillsbury Toaster Strudels
$1.89 ($1.00 off printable here, $0.55 off 2 MC)
Totino's Pizza Rolls
$2.99
Pillsbury Savorings
$2.99
Pillsbury Cookies
2 for $5 ($0.55 off 2 MC)
Yoplait Smoothie
$2.79 ($1.00 off 1 MC)
Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt
2 for $4 ($1.00 off 1 printable here, $0.50 off 1 MC)
Yoplait Go-Gurt or Trix
2 for $4 ($0.40 off or $0.80 off 2 printable here)
Yoplait Delights
2 for $4 ($1.00 off printable here)
Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks
$1.79 ($0.50 off 2 MC, $0.50 off 2 printable here)
Nature Valley Granola, Fiber One or Chex Mix Bars
$1.89 ($0.50 off Chex Mix Bars printable here)
Chex Mix or Bugles
2 for $3 ($0.50 off Chex Mix printable here)
Duracell Alkaline Batteries
$1.99
Swiffer Refills
$6.99
Dawn Liquid Dish Detergent
$1.99
Pampers Jumbo Pack Diapers
$8.99 ($1.50 off MC)
Iams Dry Dog Food
$15.99 (15.5-17.5 lbs) ($1.00 off 1 MC)
Iams Dry Cat Food
$12.99 (7-8 lbs) ($1.00 off 1 MC)
Charmin Bath Tissue
$5.99 ($0.25 off MC)
Bounty 8 pk Paper Towels
$5.99 ($0.25 off MC)
Tide Laundry Detergent
$5.88 ($0.35 off 1 MC)
Downy or Bounce
$4.99 ($0.50 off Downy Sheets, $1.00 off Downy Liquid,
Febreeze Air Effects
2 for $5
Clairol Nice N Easy Hair Color or Root Touch Up
$4.99
Olay Regenerist or Total Effects Skin Care
$16.99
Olay Pro-X Skin Care
$37.99
Gilette, Old Spice, or Ivory Body Wash
2 for $7
Old Spice High Endurance or Secret Invisible Deodorant
$1.88
Always or Tampax
$5.49
Pampers Unscented Wipes Refill
$5.99 ($0.50 off MC)
Crest Pro Health Mouth Rins4e
$4.99 ($1.50 off 2 MC)
Prilosec OTC
$21.99 ($3.00 off MC)
John Frieda Hair Care
$4.99
Speed Stick Antiperspirant or Deodorant
$0.99 after in store MC
Head & Shoulders Hair Care
$3.99
Irish Spring 8 Bar Soap or Body Wash
$2.99 after in store MC
Soft Soap Body Wash or Liquid Refill
$2.99 after in store MC
Mach 3, Venus, Good News or Custom Plus Disposable Razors
$5.99
Nature's Bounty, Flexamin, or Osteo Bio-Flex
BOGOF (limit 4)
Kroger Bagged Candy
$0.99
Lucky Country Licorice
2 for $4
Colgate Toothpaste
$0.99 after in store MC
Alli Refill
$49.99
Covergirl Cosmetics
Save 10%
FM Coffee
$4.99
Lay's Baked or Sun Chips
$2.99
Tillamook Ice Cream
$3.99
FM Facial Tissue
5 for $5
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
$0.59
FM Cottage Cheese or Sour Cream
4 for $5
Pepsi 12 pk Cans or 6 Pk Bottles
4 for $16
Amy's Kitchen Bowls
2 for $6
Naturally Preferred Organic Berries
2 for $5
Kashi Pizza
2 for $10
Naturally Preferred Organic Vegetables
$1.29
Nature's Path Organic Waffles
2 for $4
Turtle Mountain Purely Decadent Dessert
2 for $7
Alexia Fries
2 for $4
Imagine Foods Rice or Soy Dream
3 for $5
Nature's Path Organic Cereal
2 for $6
Yogi Tea
2 for $6
Amy's Soup
2 for $4
Derma E
Save 25%
Source Naturals Wellness Supplements
Save 25%
Natrol Supplements
Save 25%
Organic Artisan Bread
$2.99
Private Selection Organic Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
$6.99 lb
Organic Fingerling Potatoes
2 for $5
Organic Blueberries
2 for $6 (6 oz)
Private Selection Organic Salad
2 for $5
Organic Navel Oranges
$0.98 lb
Texas Red Grapefruit
3 for $1
Cantaloupe
$0.48 lb
Hothouse English Cucumbers
5 for $5
Red Bell Peppers
5 for $5
Bulk Mushrooms
$2.48 lb
FM Salad Dressings
2 for $5
Del Monte Gold Pineapple
$2.99
Jazz or Pacific Rose Apples
$1.49 lb
Pork Loin Assorted Chops
$1.99 lb
Fresh Boneless Skinless Fryer Breasts
$2.48 lb (family packs)
Corned Beef Brisket
$1.59 lb
Fresh Extra Lean Ground Beef
$3.67 lb (3 lb flavor seal pack)
Fresh Fryer Drumsticks or Thighs
$1.19 lb (jumbo pack)
Wild Alaska Whole Sockeye Salmon
$3.99 lb
Jumbo E-Z Peel White Shrimp
$4.99 lb
Medium Cooked Shrimp
$4.99 lb
Wild Alaska Troll Caught King Salmon Fillet
$9.99 lb
Tillamook 2lb Medium Cheese
$3.99 w/ in ad coupon (limit 1)
Ricola Cough Drops
10 for $10 w/ in ad coupon (limit 10)
Depend or Poise
$10.99 w/ in ad coupon (limit 2)
FM 1/2 Gallon Milk or Orange Juice
4 for $5 w/ in ad coupon (limit 8)
FM XL Eggs or English Muffins
2 for $3 w/ in ad coupon (limit 6)
Darigold Butter
2 for $4 w/ in ad coupon (limit 4)
FM Canned Tomatoes or Beans
2 for $1 w/ in ad coupon (limit 10)
Oscar Meyer Deli Meat
2 for $5 w/ in ad coupon (limit 4)
Foster Farms Ground Turkey Breast
$3.99 w/ in ad coupon (limit 4)
Hershey's King Size Candy Bars
$0.88 w/ in ad coupon (limit 4)
Friskies Canned Cat Food
3 for $1 w/ in ad coupon (limit 24)
In the coming weeks you should see your Rewards start to arrive!
Unfamiliar with Fred Meyer's coupon policy? They allow you stack a Fred Meyer store coupon (FM coupons as I call them) with a manufacturer's coupon. They do not price match to any other store's sale prices, and they won't take other store's sale coupons. You can however use a manufacturer's coupons on any sale or clearance items, but they usually won't allow any overage if the coupon is more than the sale price (sometimes it slips through the cracks, but don't expect it every time). Our local Washington stores do not double any coupons. They do accept the printed internet coupons if they have a barcode (like bricks coupons or from Smart Source or coupons.com if you are unfamiliar with them) so if you are having problems with a clerk not wanting to accept your coupon and you are sure it's legit coupon, please ask to have a manager come on over to verify it.
This post is part of BeCentsAble's Grocery Gathering.
If you're interested in other grocery stores, please check out BeCentsable’s Grocery Gathering for an extensive list of grocery stores and blogs that cover the best deals!
27 February 2010
Blog Tour: Banquet's Thanks A Million
I was recently asked by MomCentral if I wanted to participate in Banquet's Thanks A Million blog tour.
I never really have dinner issues, my issue is usually lunch. I never quite know what to serve around here since sometimes lunch is closer to a real dinner time! I always keep on hand a bag of Banquet's frozen chicken patties as a quick lunch idea because of this. I can serve one with a bowl of soup, or chips, and it's an easy, quick meal.
Banquet has other frozen products, from pot pies to dinners, to even family size dinners. While I'm not a huge fan of frozen cooked meals, I always keep one or two on hand for those times when I just don't feel like cooking. Banquet's prices are much more frugal than other brands, and it certainly is a lot cheaper than ordering take out or going out to eat!
Trivia: Did you know the first Banquet product was a frozen meat pie, all the way back in 1953?
My contest loving folks will love this: Banquet is giving away more than $1 million worth of redeemable cash prizes this February through April as part of their "Thanks A Million" promotion. Beginning February 8, look for Banquet frozen dinner meals with the "Thanks a Million" logo on the box. Each of these specially-marked packages will contain a special game piece, either one of over 16,000 redeemable cash prizes worth anywhere from $10 to $100,000, or a Banquet coupon. I'm excited at just a coupon, but the chance to win a cash prize totally ROCKS! Can you imagine winning $100,000 from just a $1 frozen dinner? Your friends would never believe it! LOL
“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Banquet and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”
I never really have dinner issues, my issue is usually lunch. I never quite know what to serve around here since sometimes lunch is closer to a real dinner time! I always keep on hand a bag of Banquet's frozen chicken patties as a quick lunch idea because of this. I can serve one with a bowl of soup, or chips, and it's an easy, quick meal.
Banquet has other frozen products, from pot pies to dinners, to even family size dinners. While I'm not a huge fan of frozen cooked meals, I always keep one or two on hand for those times when I just don't feel like cooking. Banquet's prices are much more frugal than other brands, and it certainly is a lot cheaper than ordering take out or going out to eat!
Trivia: Did you know the first Banquet product was a frozen meat pie, all the way back in 1953?
My contest loving folks will love this: Banquet is giving away more than $1 million worth of redeemable cash prizes this February through April as part of their "Thanks A Million" promotion. Beginning February 8, look for Banquet frozen dinner meals with the "Thanks a Million" logo on the box. Each of these specially-marked packages will contain a special game piece, either one of over 16,000 redeemable cash prizes worth anywhere from $10 to $100,000, or a Banquet coupon. I'm excited at just a coupon, but the chance to win a cash prize totally ROCKS! Can you imagine winning $100,000 from just a $1 frozen dinner? Your friends would never believe it! LOL
“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Banquet and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”
The New SwagBucks
I have to admit, I was super hesitant upon hearing that changes were in store for Swagbucks when they would be celebrating their birthday this past week. Usually when a company like this does changes, it's not for the better - it usually means I'm not going to be paid, or the cash out rate just skyrocketed. On the big day, I logged on first thing (I try to check here and there on the front page since they randomly give away SwagBucks to a user every hour - or now half hour, and you have to claim them) and honestly, I cringed at the changes. Me no likey big numbers. In case you didn't know, instead of SwagBucks being worth 1, 2, 5, etc, they are now worth 10, 20, 50, etc.
Math was my worst subject for a reason, so more numbers make my number dyslexia go crazy.
After I got over that part, I read more into the "new" Swag system. Now, some perks are LESS than what one old SwagBuck would be, so that totally annoyed me. On the other hand, there are more opportunities for SwagBucks. If you're just using SB for a search engine, the changes don't really matter. I didn't see that any of the totals changed in the Swag Store, other than a zero added to the end of the "cost" price. It's still the same cost, regardless.
On the other hand, those promo codes you can find on the Swidget (located at the bottom of my blog) and other places, would be worth less... BUT they are offering more of them. So I suppose if you are diligent, and can check or pay attention, you won't be losing out - you'll actually be gaining. I'm not with it enough to check the codes, so I mostly rely on getting SwagBucks from my searching.
And let's be honest, it's not like Google gives you anything at all for using them as a search engine. I'm perfectly happy getting $5 or $10 towards my Amazon each month for just searching for stuff I would be normally, I don't know about you. That's a present or two each year that doesn't come out of our budget!
Here's a few things that I've noticed so far:
If you remember, it used to be every Thursday you could click through the Special offers page, and get a SwagBuck (this would be equivalent to 10 SwagBucks today) Now, you can go through it every day and get SwagBucks. Apparently, the number offered will vary, but today it's 3 as of this posting. If it stays around 3, and you remember to check every day, you're coming out ahead.
The Hourly random winner used to be for just 5 Swagbucks (50 today). Now, they are doing it more often - every half an hour as of this posting - it's currently worth 100 SwagBucks.
On the Special Offers page, there are walls of tasks. Check it when you have free time, because sometimes they will award you SwagBucks for just viewing videos that are on YouTube - I received 2 for watching the new Karate Kid trailer.
Link(s) included in this post are referral links.
Math was my worst subject for a reason, so more numbers make my number dyslexia go crazy.
After I got over that part, I read more into the "new" Swag system. Now, some perks are LESS than what one old SwagBuck would be, so that totally annoyed me. On the other hand, there are more opportunities for SwagBucks. If you're just using SB for a search engine, the changes don't really matter. I didn't see that any of the totals changed in the Swag Store, other than a zero added to the end of the "cost" price. It's still the same cost, regardless.
On the other hand, those promo codes you can find on the Swidget (located at the bottom of my blog) and other places, would be worth less... BUT they are offering more of them. So I suppose if you are diligent, and can check or pay attention, you won't be losing out - you'll actually be gaining. I'm not with it enough to check the codes, so I mostly rely on getting SwagBucks from my searching.
And let's be honest, it's not like Google gives you anything at all for using them as a search engine. I'm perfectly happy getting $5 or $10 towards my Amazon each month for just searching for stuff I would be normally, I don't know about you. That's a present or two each year that doesn't come out of our budget!
Here's a few things that I've noticed so far:
If you remember, it used to be every Thursday you could click through the Special offers page, and get a SwagBuck (this would be equivalent to 10 SwagBucks today) Now, you can go through it every day and get SwagBucks. Apparently, the number offered will vary, but today it's 3 as of this posting. If it stays around 3, and you remember to check every day, you're coming out ahead.
The Hourly random winner used to be for just 5 Swagbucks (50 today). Now, they are doing it more often - every half an hour as of this posting - it's currently worth 100 SwagBucks.
On the Special Offers page, there are walls of tasks. Check it when you have free time, because sometimes they will award you SwagBucks for just viewing videos that are on YouTube - I received 2 for watching the new Karate Kid trailer.
Link(s) included in this post are referral links.
26 February 2010
Shame On You, Bil-Jac!
I just received the latest newsletter from Bil Jac dog food, and I have to say I am pretty disgusted. In it was this tidbit:
(I've linked to the post on their website, so you can take a look at it.)
What Bil-Jac doesn't tell you about corn meal is that not only is it an even cheaper filler in commercial dog foods than rice - it also happens to be the one ingredient most dogs can be allergic to. It sounds to me like Bil-Jac is just trying to justify their ingredient list. If you're going to use corn in dog food, it should be Ground Whole Grain Corn - and honestly, corn is best left out of dog food. Brown rice is much better for dogs. Wheat isn't neccesary, and oatmeal is actually great for dogs, especially those with allergies. (Barley is actually the best grain)
When you look at the ingredients in commercial dog foods, you want the ingredients list to read *insert meat choice here* as your first ingredient. Just the meat. If it says by-products, it's not really meat - I won't get into what by-products are if you don't know, but let's just say if you won't eat it, why should your dog?
Food allergies in dogs are not "rare" - these companies are feeding you as a consumer a complete line of BULL. If your dog is chewing on their paws, licking, scratching, or show a lot of pink in their ears, they are having an allergic reaction to something.
Take it from someone who spent a small fortune trying to figure out allergies with a dog. You can even ask any vet - the number one pet allergy is usually food!
Did you know that corn meal is better for your dog than rice? Research shows that corn has the highest total antioxidant activity (more than double) compared to rice, wheat, or oats, and corn fed to dogs produces a lower glycemic index than certain carbohydrates, including rice.
According to research at Cornell University, slow cooking corn releases more nutrients and up to 900% more antioxidants. Furthermore, finely ground corn is 99% digestible for dogs! Find out more about corn and why it’s important for your best friend.
(I've linked to the post on their website, so you can take a look at it.)
What Bil-Jac doesn't tell you about corn meal is that not only is it an even cheaper filler in commercial dog foods than rice - it also happens to be the one ingredient most dogs can be allergic to. It sounds to me like Bil-Jac is just trying to justify their ingredient list. If you're going to use corn in dog food, it should be Ground Whole Grain Corn - and honestly, corn is best left out of dog food. Brown rice is much better for dogs. Wheat isn't neccesary, and oatmeal is actually great for dogs, especially those with allergies. (Barley is actually the best grain)
When you look at the ingredients in commercial dog foods, you want the ingredients list to read *insert meat choice here* as your first ingredient. Just the meat. If it says by-products, it's not really meat - I won't get into what by-products are if you don't know, but let's just say if you won't eat it, why should your dog?
Food allergies in dogs are not "rare" - these companies are feeding you as a consumer a complete line of BULL. If your dog is chewing on their paws, licking, scratching, or show a lot of pink in their ears, they are having an allergic reaction to something.
Take it from someone who spent a small fortune trying to figure out allergies with a dog. You can even ask any vet - the number one pet allergy is usually food!
DVD Review: Olivia Takes Ballet
My family was recently sent the newest Nickelodeon release, Olivia Takes Ballet to review.
Olivia Takes Ballet features 4 new to DVD episodes, or 8 stories from Nick Jr's popular TV series. Olivia, if you aren't familiar with her, is a pretty stubborn pink pig who believes she can do ANYTHING she puts her mind to. Her stories have a great message for kids. (Olivia's TV series is actually based on a series of books by Ian Falconer) Here's the episode list of stories contained in this DVD:
"Olivia Takes Ballet" and "Olivia and Her Ducklings", "Olivia Runs A Carnival" and "Olivia Explores The Attic", "Olivia and The Anniversary Surprise" and "Olivia the Pet Monitor", and "Olivia Goes Camping" and "Olivia Becomes A Vet"
I'm sure just looking at the episode titles you already know this was a perfect hit here! I like the pluckiness of Olivia, and the stories are just up our alley - ballet AND vet/animal stories? It's like a match made in heaven! :) I totally recommend borrowing a couple of the Olivia books from the library if you don't already own any, and then follow up with the DVD - your little girl(s) will love it!
There is one special feature contained on this DVD - Olivia's Fashion Show Featurette.
Olivia Takes Ballet hits the stores on March 2nd, 2010. It runs 95 minutes long (including the special feature), and is a full screen edition. (DH keeps telling me people care about this, I say it's a kids show, it doesn't matter? But alright! lol) It's not rated, but intended for the preschool set and a little older - about ages 2-6. If you're looking for an Easter basket stuffer, this is a great one to add in - there is obviously no bad language or violence in this DVD. The suggested retail price is $16.99 (Amazon link here)
I received a copy of this DVD to form my opinion on it. No other compensation was given, and any link(s) above are not referral links - they are there for your convenience. Yes, we really liked this DVD and chances are, it would have ended up in our DVD library regardless of this review.
Olivia Takes Ballet features 4 new to DVD episodes, or 8 stories from Nick Jr's popular TV series. Olivia, if you aren't familiar with her, is a pretty stubborn pink pig who believes she can do ANYTHING she puts her mind to. Her stories have a great message for kids. (Olivia's TV series is actually based on a series of books by Ian Falconer) Here's the episode list of stories contained in this DVD:
"Olivia Takes Ballet" and "Olivia and Her Ducklings", "Olivia Runs A Carnival" and "Olivia Explores The Attic", "Olivia and The Anniversary Surprise" and "Olivia the Pet Monitor", and "Olivia Goes Camping" and "Olivia Becomes A Vet"
I'm sure just looking at the episode titles you already know this was a perfect hit here! I like the pluckiness of Olivia, and the stories are just up our alley - ballet AND vet/animal stories? It's like a match made in heaven! :) I totally recommend borrowing a couple of the Olivia books from the library if you don't already own any, and then follow up with the DVD - your little girl(s) will love it!
There is one special feature contained on this DVD - Olivia's Fashion Show Featurette.
Olivia Takes Ballet hits the stores on March 2nd, 2010. It runs 95 minutes long (including the special feature), and is a full screen edition. (DH keeps telling me people care about this, I say it's a kids show, it doesn't matter? But alright! lol) It's not rated, but intended for the preschool set and a little older - about ages 2-6. If you're looking for an Easter basket stuffer, this is a great one to add in - there is obviously no bad language or violence in this DVD. The suggested retail price is $16.99 (Amazon link here)
I received a copy of this DVD to form my opinion on it. No other compensation was given, and any link(s) above are not referral links - they are there for your convenience. Yes, we really liked this DVD and chances are, it would have ended up in our DVD library regardless of this review.
Food Storage Friday - Inventory, Seedlings, & More
With rising prices, bad weather, unstable job environments, one of the best things we as women (or men) in charge of our homes can do, is work on our food storage to ensure our family will continue to eat well no matter what the circumstance is. It doesn't take a lot to organize your pantry and make a little room for extras, and with the help of coupons and sales, can be done very cheaply. Every Friday, I'd like to encourage you to join in with me to do one or two little things to add to or work with your food storage.
This week, I've got a few things for you to do.
Have you looked at what you've got in your pantry lately? I mean, really look. Probably if you menu plan, each time you look at what you've got to make the menu, you make a mental note... but if you don't, you might not realize what you're low on. Take a half an hour out of your day over the next week and take a look at what you've got. You might realize you have a ton of canned vegetables, but no spare fruit. You can make an inventory checklist, or just a mental note. I posted a great Basic Pantry Needs list last week - you can always cut and paste the items that YOU use and would like to stock into a spreadsheet file, and print several copies. Every so often, use this list to make an inventory and keep it near so you know what you are using. It's a great way to make sure what you are buying vs using. (For instance, you buy a lot of canned refried beans - the number instead of going down is climbing. You're not using this product and need to stop until you've gone through most of your stash, so the cans don't end up outdated!)
And while you're at it, it's great time to go through your fridge and your freezer! Toss the outdated things, and move the stuff you need to use ASAP to the front!
Planting season is upon us! It's time to start those seedlings! Even if you live in an apartment, you can still keep a small container garden. I even planted onions last year in a small windowsill planter outside, and they came out GREAT! If you need planters that are easy to move due to extreme sun, storms etc, I recommend the cat litter buckets - just scrub them well and plant those seedlings in them. If you don't have cats, asks friends with cats or ask on freecycle or craigslist - those of us with multiple cats are swarming in those buckets, trust me. (lol) If you're feeling super motivated, plant as much as you can afford to (space, money), and we'll do some canning together this summer! Canning is a great way to add to your food storage, and have organic food that you know where it came from. Plus, you have the satisfaction of knowing you grew it yourself - how cool is that? If you have kids, you can get themto do most of the work help you get that garden going! Honestly, it doesn't cost much to get a garden going. A few packets of seeds, a little bit of dirt. If you're doing planters, you can recycle that potting soil next year with some homemade compost mixed in. I haven't bought planting soil since the first year we moved in here.
And one more thing - I have a fun Food Storage project I'd like to work on with you over the next few weeks. If you have an abundance of cooking magazines with just a few recipes you like in them, get those ready! We're going to have fun. :)
Don't forget to add a few extras into your food storage this week! I recommend canned meats (tuna, salmon, chicken) or dry/canned beans. (Don't know how to cook with dry beans? See my How To Cook Dried Beans post.)
This week, I've got a few things for you to do.
Have you looked at what you've got in your pantry lately? I mean, really look. Probably if you menu plan, each time you look at what you've got to make the menu, you make a mental note... but if you don't, you might not realize what you're low on. Take a half an hour out of your day over the next week and take a look at what you've got. You might realize you have a ton of canned vegetables, but no spare fruit. You can make an inventory checklist, or just a mental note. I posted a great Basic Pantry Needs list last week - you can always cut and paste the items that YOU use and would like to stock into a spreadsheet file, and print several copies. Every so often, use this list to make an inventory and keep it near so you know what you are using. It's a great way to make sure what you are buying vs using. (For instance, you buy a lot of canned refried beans - the number instead of going down is climbing. You're not using this product and need to stop until you've gone through most of your stash, so the cans don't end up outdated!)
And while you're at it, it's great time to go through your fridge and your freezer! Toss the outdated things, and move the stuff you need to use ASAP to the front!
Planting season is upon us! It's time to start those seedlings! Even if you live in an apartment, you can still keep a small container garden. I even planted onions last year in a small windowsill planter outside, and they came out GREAT! If you need planters that are easy to move due to extreme sun, storms etc, I recommend the cat litter buckets - just scrub them well and plant those seedlings in them. If you don't have cats, asks friends with cats or ask on freecycle or craigslist - those of us with multiple cats are swarming in those buckets, trust me. (lol) If you're feeling super motivated, plant as much as you can afford to (space, money), and we'll do some canning together this summer! Canning is a great way to add to your food storage, and have organic food that you know where it came from. Plus, you have the satisfaction of knowing you grew it yourself - how cool is that? If you have kids, you can get them
And one more thing - I have a fun Food Storage project I'd like to work on with you over the next few weeks. If you have an abundance of cooking magazines with just a few recipes you like in them, get those ready! We're going to have fun. :)
Don't forget to add a few extras into your food storage this week! I recommend canned meats (tuna, salmon, chicken) or dry/canned beans. (Don't know how to cook with dry beans? See my How To Cook Dried Beans post.)
25 February 2010
PSA: Don't Be An Asterisk (Giveaway!)
I'm not really a huge sports fan, but I love me some hockey! (Go Leafs!) That's definitely the one thing I look forward to each Winter Olympics.
The The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Ad Council, along with the support of Olympic Team Sponsor Johnson & Johnson, have teamed up to raise awareness over the next 3 years about the national issue of illegal performance-enhancing drugs both within and outside of sport.
I actually had no idea how rampant this is in high school sports until a bust a few months ago... and I was stunned. It bugs me that our kids nowadays feel they need the extra boost to make it in sports... and off the field too. I "get" that it helps you perform better, but since every major sport from NFL on over to even the WWE test for steroid use, is it really worth losing that chance and being "outed" to the whole world? I wouldn't think so!
The campaign is called Don't Be An Asterisk, and they even have a cool website to go along with their TV, radio, print and Internet public service announcements. Over there they even have a section full of questions about steroids, so not only can your kids get the answers they might be looking for, parents can also zip on over and maybe get the answers to questions you might hear down the road from your kids. You can also visit the campaign Don't Be An * Facebook page. Here's some of the "official release":
Win it! One lucky reader will win a really cool Team USA Olympic photo album - look how neat-o it is:
It would be a really neat memento to put photos of your kids in sports in, wouldn't it? :) I'll make the question just as short (and easy!) to enter for you - tell me your favorite Olympic sport! Told ya easy peasy! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this campaign too - do you think it will hit home with teens? Do you remember steroids being a big problem when you were in school? Have your kids approached you about them?
As always, if you have completed the first entry above, you can also receive extra entries for:
-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway (leave the link or @psychotichouse me)
That's up to four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends March 6th, 2010 at 11:59 PST. US Only, sorry. :( Please leave your email address in your comment, or have it available in your profile so I can contact you if you've won. Winners drawn via Random.org.
Yep, I didn't receive anything for this post, but one reader will win the prize stated above and fulfilled by the sponsor.
The The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Ad Council, along with the support of Olympic Team Sponsor Johnson & Johnson, have teamed up to raise awareness over the next 3 years about the national issue of illegal performance-enhancing drugs both within and outside of sport.
I actually had no idea how rampant this is in high school sports until a bust a few months ago... and I was stunned. It bugs me that our kids nowadays feel they need the extra boost to make it in sports... and off the field too. I "get" that it helps you perform better, but since every major sport from NFL on over to even the WWE test for steroid use, is it really worth losing that chance and being "outed" to the whole world? I wouldn't think so!
The campaign is called Don't Be An Asterisk, and they even have a cool website to go along with their TV, radio, print and Internet public service announcements. Over there they even have a section full of questions about steroids, so not only can your kids get the answers they might be looking for, parents can also zip on over and maybe get the answers to questions you might hear down the road from your kids. You can also visit the campaign Don't Be An * Facebook page. Here's some of the "official release":
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Ad Council announced today the launch of a multi-year public awareness campaign focused on teen steroid use. The campaign is being funded by U.S. Olympic Team sponsor Johnson & Johnson, and it marks the first time the USOC and the Ad Council have joined forces to raise awareness about the national issue of illegal performance-enhancing drugs both within and outside of sport.
“We know athletes and individuals who choose to engage in the destructive behavior of illegal steroid use live in fear of being found out,” said USOC Chief Executive Officer Jim Scherr. “This initiative is geared to show teens and other age groups that illegal steroid use can only lead to a harmful and embarrassing end. Additionally, teens need to fully understand the dangerous health risks associated with steroids and other performance-enhancing substances."
Win it! One lucky reader will win a really cool Team USA Olympic photo album - look how neat-o it is:
It would be a really neat memento to put photos of your kids in sports in, wouldn't it? :) I'll make the question just as short (and easy!) to enter for you - tell me your favorite Olympic sport! Told ya easy peasy! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this campaign too - do you think it will hit home with teens? Do you remember steroids being a big problem when you were in school? Have your kids approached you about them?
As always, if you have completed the first entry above, you can also receive extra entries for:
-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway (leave the link or @psychotichouse me)
That's up to four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends March 6th, 2010 at 11:59 PST. US Only, sorry. :( Please leave your email address in your comment, or have it available in your profile so I can contact you if you've won. Winners drawn via Random.org.
Yep, I didn't receive anything for this post, but one reader will win the prize stated above and fulfilled by the sponsor.
Thrifty Thursday - Watering Those Plants
This week for my Thrifty Thursday post, I'd like to encourage you to save on your water costs this spring and summer.
Most people have gardens and potted flowers. This might be your first year with a container garden. During the warmer months, we have to water our plants sometimes twice a day, depending on the heat. The cost of the water used can add up! Even if you don't pay for your water, you may be trying to be a little more environmentally friendly. Here's a couple of ideas:
When you are waiting for the shower to warm up before climbing in, place a bucket under the spout and catch all that water. If you want, you can even plug the bathtub up and take a shower like that, then scoop up all the water to toss onto your lawn. (That's a bit much for me, honestly, I don't mind catching the cooler water, but I can't stand the water pooling around my feet!)
If you hand wash the dishes, save that basin water and water your plants or grass with it. The soap usually won't harm your plants. How about the pasta water you're draining? Drain it into a bucket, wait until it's cool, and then use it to water plants.
Place a bucket in a strategic point near your drain or even on the porch. I'm always amazed at how quickly a bucket fills up here! Two things when you are doing this: One, some states it's illegal to catch rainwater so be sure to check first (don't get me started here...) and two, be careful you don't let the water stand still for too long and create a mosquito haven!
If you use water bottles, and there's an inch or two left on the bottom... resist the urge to dump it straight down the drain! Water those plants instead!
Let's say you end up saving enough water these ways to water your plants once or twice a week. You're saving money, and if you have kids, it's a great way to teach them another way to recycle.
Most people have gardens and potted flowers. This might be your first year with a container garden. During the warmer months, we have to water our plants sometimes twice a day, depending on the heat. The cost of the water used can add up! Even if you don't pay for your water, you may be trying to be a little more environmentally friendly. Here's a couple of ideas:
When you are waiting for the shower to warm up before climbing in, place a bucket under the spout and catch all that water. If you want, you can even plug the bathtub up and take a shower like that, then scoop up all the water to toss onto your lawn. (That's a bit much for me, honestly, I don't mind catching the cooler water, but I can't stand the water pooling around my feet!)
If you hand wash the dishes, save that basin water and water your plants or grass with it. The soap usually won't harm your plants. How about the pasta water you're draining? Drain it into a bucket, wait until it's cool, and then use it to water plants.
Place a bucket in a strategic point near your drain or even on the porch. I'm always amazed at how quickly a bucket fills up here! Two things when you are doing this: One, some states it's illegal to catch rainwater so be sure to check first (don't get me started here...) and two, be careful you don't let the water stand still for too long and create a mosquito haven!
If you use water bottles, and there's an inch or two left on the bottom... resist the urge to dump it straight down the drain! Water those plants instead!
Let's say you end up saving enough water these ways to water your plants once or twice a week. You're saving money, and if you have kids, it's a great way to teach them another way to recycle.
How About Random Thursday Thoughts Instead?
OK, so I was waiting at 8:30 this morning for the Fed EX person to be by, since apparently I missed them yesterday and something needed signed for. Usually they have already been by before we are up for the day (keep in mind our different hours over here, folks), but nooo, today they come by at noon. That's 3 and a half hours of staying around the front part of the house so I don't miss them again.
All for a DVD. *pounds head*
Yes, I missed Random Tuesday Thoughts, so today it's Random Thursday Thoughts. Just a few letters different. You can pretend it's still Tuesday if that makes you feel better? I missed Thrift Store Tuesday too. I totally forgot it was Tuesday, I thought it was Monday all day long on Tuesday. And I didn't blog yesterday, either. Wow, I just know I am going to win Blogger of the Year over here...
Sigh. I'm sorry. I'm sure my zombie-like posts wouldn't have been a bowl of cherries to read, anyways. (But you still love me, right?) This momma needs a vacation, stat. Preferably someplace warm, and sunny!
Dear Neighbor, if your dog doesn't come out of my yard on his own after one whole minute of calling his name and trying to bribe him, he's not going to come out on his own. Take your dog to obedience school NOW, and be thankful I'm an animal lover, and not calling animal services on you.
It's a rotten little barking dog. Saturday I woke up with one nasty migraine, and it kept barking. And barking.
Why is it my rescued two can figure out quickly how to behave, and this one that I know they've had since we moved in here over two years ago can't? Oh yeah, lazy owners. And Captain has the worst case of doggy ADHD I've seen in a corgi, ever, and yet he still listens better than this dog.
Grrr!
I just had to get that out of my way. ;)
Sooo... what did we do yesterday? I made DH take down these rotten built in blinds in the front living room facing the streets. I hated the darn things. (We have almost floor to ceiling windows in the front there that take up 2/3rds of the wall) Not only did they annoy me because they were plastic and white - talk about a double whammy - they were broken anyways (from before we moved in), so they never actually opened and closed properly. Talk about an AMAZING difference! It only should make a couple of inches, if that, difference, but it feels like we gained a foot. Then the next part was trying to come up with a non-ghetto way of covering the windows so the whole street doesn't see us in our pjs watching TV.
I'm not sure we succeeded in making it completely non ghetto, but it works for now. And now I have an excuse to stalk Goodwill for curtains! :)
Now to only fix the rest of the room. LOL DH is taking a bit of vacation time next month for our anniversary, guess who's going to have one heck of a Fix It list? ;)
All for a DVD. *pounds head*
Yes, I missed Random Tuesday Thoughts, so today it's Random Thursday Thoughts. Just a few letters different. You can pretend it's still Tuesday if that makes you feel better? I missed Thrift Store Tuesday too. I totally forgot it was Tuesday, I thought it was Monday all day long on Tuesday. And I didn't blog yesterday, either. Wow, I just know I am going to win Blogger of the Year over here...
Sigh. I'm sorry. I'm sure my zombie-like posts wouldn't have been a bowl of cherries to read, anyways. (But you still love me, right?) This momma needs a vacation, stat. Preferably someplace warm, and sunny!
Dear Neighbor, if your dog doesn't come out of my yard on his own after one whole minute of calling his name and trying to bribe him, he's not going to come out on his own. Take your dog to obedience school NOW, and be thankful I'm an animal lover, and not calling animal services on you.
It's a rotten little barking dog. Saturday I woke up with one nasty migraine, and it kept barking. And barking.
Why is it my rescued two can figure out quickly how to behave, and this one that I know they've had since we moved in here over two years ago can't? Oh yeah, lazy owners. And Captain has the worst case of doggy ADHD I've seen in a corgi, ever, and yet he still listens better than this dog.
Grrr!
I just had to get that out of my way. ;)
Sooo... what did we do yesterday? I made DH take down these rotten built in blinds in the front living room facing the streets. I hated the darn things. (We have almost floor to ceiling windows in the front there that take up 2/3rds of the wall) Not only did they annoy me because they were plastic and white - talk about a double whammy - they were broken anyways (from before we moved in), so they never actually opened and closed properly. Talk about an AMAZING difference! It only should make a couple of inches, if that, difference, but it feels like we gained a foot. Then the next part was trying to come up with a non-ghetto way of covering the windows so the whole street doesn't see us in our pjs watching TV.
I'm not sure we succeeded in making it completely non ghetto, but it works for now. And now I have an excuse to stalk Goodwill for curtains! :)
Now to only fix the rest of the room. LOL DH is taking a bit of vacation time next month for our anniversary, guess who's going to have one heck of a Fix It list? ;)
23 February 2010
Car Shopping - Check This Out!
As some of you know, our car is a disaster and feels like it is on life support sometimes. I was checking out new models online, just getting a feel for if lightning strikes and we can actually afford a brand spanking new car - and look what I found! The Honda Element has an optional dog friendly package that includes:
Rear car kennel
Kennel organizer
Pet bed
Stowable ramp
Dog-pattern seat covers
All-season "Dog-Bone" floor mats
Spill-resistant water bowl
Electric fan
Tote bag
Dog Friendly emblems (3)
A leash, collar and dog tag
Bag dispenser
OK, I don't give two cents for the collar and leash stuff, but a stowable ramp? rear kennel? That's kind of cool! (OK, little things amuse me, I know it. lol)
Granted, any car we would be buy we could probably create our own dog friendly package for cheaper, but it still is nice to see car manufacturer's trying.
(And no, I wasn't asked to write about it, I just thought it was cool!)
Rear car kennel
Kennel organizer
Pet bed
Stowable ramp
Dog-pattern seat covers
All-season "Dog-Bone" floor mats
Spill-resistant water bowl
Electric fan
Tote bag
Dog Friendly emblems (3)
A leash, collar and dog tag
Bag dispenser
OK, I don't give two cents for the collar and leash stuff, but a stowable ramp? rear kennel? That's kind of cool! (OK, little things amuse me, I know it. lol)
Granted, any car we would be buy we could probably create our own dog friendly package for cheaper, but it still is nice to see car manufacturer's trying.
(And no, I wasn't asked to write about it, I just thought it was cool!)
CD Review: Celtic Woman Songs From The Heart (Giveaway!)
I was all excited when I found out I was going to get to review Celtic Woman's new CD, Songs From The Heart.
I love, love, LOOOOVVVEEE Celtic music, and anything with an Irish Flute makes me weak in the knees. If you're unfamiliar with Celtic Woman, it's actually a group of 5 female singers, all from Ireland. Their voices are incredible! (Yes, this Goth girl loves their music!) It's actually funny, because the day I found out my copy was on the way, DH came home from work saying he saw a commercial for the new CD on the TV and wanted to know if I had actually wishlisted it from Amazon.
Songs From The Heart actually features several "cover" songs, including Sting's "Fields of Gold", and of course, traditional Celtic songs. My favorite, by far, is their version of "Amazing Grace". It gives me goosebumps! Here's the complete track list:
1. Fields Of Gold
2. Amazing Grace
3. NÃl Sé'n Lá
4. My Lagan Love
5. When You Believe
6. The New Ground
7. Isle Of Hope, Isle Of Tears
8. The Coast Of Galiçia
9. Non C'è Più
10. The Moon's A Harsh Mistress
11. You'll Be In My Heart
12. Goodnight My Angel
13. Galway Bay
14. The Lost Rose Fantasia
15. O, America!
Songs From The Heart is available wherever music is sold. Amazon currently has it for $12.99 as of this posting.
Win it! I am very excited that I get to give one lucky reader a copy of the new Celtic Woman Songs from the Heart LIVE CONCERT DVD. I'm pretty jealous of the winner here! :) To enter, tell me what your favorite Celtic Woman song is, or what you think of the music. Do you love Celtic music like me?
As always, if you have completed the first entry above, you can also receive extra entries for:
-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway (leave the link or @psychotichouse me)
That's up to four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends March 6th, 2010 at 11:59 PST. US Only, sorry. :( Please leave your email address in your comment, or have it available in your profile so I can contact you if you've won. Winners drawn via Random.org.
I received a copy of this CD to review, and one reader will win the DVD mentioned above. All links included are for your convenience, they are not referral links.
I love, love, LOOOOVVVEEE Celtic music, and anything with an Irish Flute makes me weak in the knees. If you're unfamiliar with Celtic Woman, it's actually a group of 5 female singers, all from Ireland. Their voices are incredible! (Yes, this Goth girl loves their music!) It's actually funny, because the day I found out my copy was on the way, DH came home from work saying he saw a commercial for the new CD on the TV and wanted to know if I had actually wishlisted it from Amazon.
Songs From The Heart actually features several "cover" songs, including Sting's "Fields of Gold", and of course, traditional Celtic songs. My favorite, by far, is their version of "Amazing Grace". It gives me goosebumps! Here's the complete track list:
1. Fields Of Gold
2. Amazing Grace
3. NÃl Sé'n Lá
4. My Lagan Love
5. When You Believe
6. The New Ground
7. Isle Of Hope, Isle Of Tears
8. The Coast Of Galiçia
9. Non C'è Più
10. The Moon's A Harsh Mistress
11. You'll Be In My Heart
12. Goodnight My Angel
13. Galway Bay
14. The Lost Rose Fantasia
15. O, America!
Songs From The Heart is available wherever music is sold. Amazon currently has it for $12.99 as of this posting.
Win it! I am very excited that I get to give one lucky reader a copy of the new Celtic Woman Songs from the Heart LIVE CONCERT DVD. I'm pretty jealous of the winner here! :) To enter, tell me what your favorite Celtic Woman song is, or what you think of the music. Do you love Celtic music like me?
As always, if you have completed the first entry above, you can also receive extra entries for:
-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway (leave the link or @psychotichouse me)
That's up to four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends March 6th, 2010 at 11:59 PST. US Only, sorry. :( Please leave your email address in your comment, or have it available in your profile so I can contact you if you've won. Winners drawn via Random.org.
I received a copy of this CD to review, and one reader will win the DVD mentioned above. All links included are for your convenience, they are not referral links.
22 February 2010
21 February 2010
Menu Planning Monday - Chicken's On Sale Again...
Yep, can you tell? :)
Monday: eating at a friend's home
Tuesday: recipe of the week
Wednesday: Creamy Cheese Chicken
Thursday: Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
Friday: homemade pizza night with lots of veggies
Saturday: Pizza Soup
Sunday: slow cooked roasted chicken, salad, rolls
Check out Organizing Junkie for other great Menu Plans!
DVD Review: Leap Frog Math Adventure To The Moon
My family and I recently received a copy of the latest Leap Frog DVD, Math Adventure to the Moon to review.
In this latest mathematical installment from the Leap Frog folks, Tad and Lily get on a rocket ship into outer space to find the perfect collection of things for their math assignment.
This educational DVD teaches that math is every where - even in space! It teaches counting, sorting, and patterns, in a beginner's format, as this DVD is intended for ages 3 to 6. (3 and 4 year olds will probably enjoy it more than 5 and 6 year olds) It contains several special features, including: The Sorting Game where you can help Tad & Lily sort crystals, 4 sing along songs, and the Alphabet Song from the Let's Go To School DVD that was released last August. (See my review here. I love Leap Frog's products!)
Leap Frog's animated Math Adventure to the Moon runs just 36 minutes, making it good for short attention spans. It's full screen format, and Not Rated, but marked for ages 3 to 6 by Leap Frog. It will be available on February 23rd, 2010. It's suggested retail price is $14.98, but Amazon has it listed right now for just $9.99!
Here are some tips the folks over at Lionsgate and Leap Frog sent to me, you might like to try them too!
I received a copy of this DVD to write my opinion of it. The links included are not referral links, they are for your convenience. :)
In this latest mathematical installment from the Leap Frog folks, Tad and Lily get on a rocket ship into outer space to find the perfect collection of things for their math assignment.
This educational DVD teaches that math is every where - even in space! It teaches counting, sorting, and patterns, in a beginner's format, as this DVD is intended for ages 3 to 6. (3 and 4 year olds will probably enjoy it more than 5 and 6 year olds) It contains several special features, including: The Sorting Game where you can help Tad & Lily sort crystals, 4 sing along songs, and the Alphabet Song from the Let's Go To School DVD that was released last August. (See my review here. I love Leap Frog's products!)
Leap Frog's animated Math Adventure to the Moon runs just 36 minutes, making it good for short attention spans. It's full screen format, and Not Rated, but marked for ages 3 to 6 by Leap Frog. It will be available on February 23rd, 2010. It's suggested retail price is $14.98, but Amazon has it listed right now for just $9.99!
Here are some tips the folks over at Lionsgate and Leap Frog sent to me, you might like to try them too!
TIP #1: Math is everywhere!
Next time you're in a waiting room with your child, scan the room (or the magazines on the tables) for evidence of "math." Advise your child to find as much math as possible, and you can give clues if you need to. Numbers, patterns, shapes, categories, and measuring devices (e.g., ruler, scales), are just a few examples of some of the math you might see all around you!
TIP #2: Patterns and Codes are All Around Us!
Make patterns using standard household objects. For example line up repeated objects--sock, stuffed animal, sock, stuffed animal, and so on. Next, ask your child to continue the pattern to figure out the "secret code." You can vary the difficulty of the pattern to suit your child's ability--banana, banana, pear, banana, banana, pear. You can also make deliberate errors that your child needs to find--pear, apple, banana, pear, apple, banana, pear, pear, banana.
TIP #3: Play the Sorting Game!
Take a deck of cards, and discuss with your child all the ways you can sort the cards. They can be sorted by color (red versus black), suit (spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs), numbers (2's, 3's, etc.), royalty versus numbers (jacks, queens, and kings versus the numbers), odd versus even numbers, etc. Sky is the limit! You can play the sorting game with many collections of things around the house, such as socks and building blocks.
TIP #4: Since It’s the Weekend -- Make it a game night!
Playing number-related, age-appropriate board games, such as Chutes and Ladders, can help support many math-related skills. For an important twist, help your child practice saying each number he or she lands on and passes by with each roll of the dice. For example, if your child is on 23 and rolls a four, help him or her say "24, 25, 26, 27" instead of "1, 2, 3, 4." This way, your child can learn about order and magnitude (i.e., how large or small a number is in relation to other numbers).
I received a copy of this DVD to write my opinion of it. The links included are not referral links, they are for your convenience. :)
Spoiling Your Pet Winners!
Some pets are going to be happy when this prize arrives! lol And the winners of the Purina petcentric giveaway are:
Amanda G said...
I have 3 Dachshunds and a Mixed up boy who wouldn't mind sharing this.
They're my kids, my best friends, my saviours, my everything. They were all rescues, each special in their own way.
Merren said...
Humane Society Helps Injured War Soldiers is my fav story.
Congratulations! I'm sending you both emails and need to hear back from you in the next 48 hours! :)
20 February 2010
Review & Giveaway: Baby Star Rock The Tote!
I was recently able to choose a Baby Star Rock The Tote bag to review.
I really wanted to put this through the test. When you carry a diaper bag, messenger bag, purse, etc, we all know that if it isn't sturdy it will break, if the straps aren't cut right, it can hurt your arm, etc.
The really great thing about the Baby Star Rock the Tote bag is that it's not just limited to being a diaper bag. If you're worried about the label, just turn the bag around so the tag is facing inside. There's nothing about it that screams baby - large bag, yes, but that's the beauty of this bag. You can carry around ANYTHING! I even stuck my laptop in it one day out of desperation when we were going out, and while it was heavy of course, I could still carry around all the usual diaper bag stuff and that. So fear not if you are just about near the end of the diaper bag stage, you can get a lot of use out of this bag - even if just as a weekender tote.
Now I have the turquoise here in the photos, but it comes in other really great colors too. (They had metallic pink and a fun silver, but they were out of stock when I was able to choose mine, sniff sniff!) It's also lined in a fun matching color print.
The tote comes with a little BPA free plastic wipes case for on the go, and a matching changing pad as well. And for those of you without kids, we found a non-kid use for this one day at the park: when it's wet out, you can use it to sit on wet benches! So if you're a public transportation kind of gal, you might find this to come in handy, too. (Or just leave it at home or give it to your friends with kids. I get it, having waited so long to have the munchkin)
There are inner pockets as well a zippered compartment, so it's easy to keep anything you don't want to fall out in that area. Not that was ever really a problem - I never had anything really fall out no matter where I put this down. OK, once the whole bag tipped off the counter, but luckily it was a day where I had taken my camera and our DS out. That was my fault though for overstuffing the one pocket. See, you can fit a LOT of stuff in here:
It does have a magnetic closure, so you're not struggling to zip it close after a diaper change. (Kudos!) The only thing I can see is that depending on how much stuff you lug around in, it can get a little hard to find something. I've had to dig around at the store for my wallet several times because I was dense and didn't put it into the zippered area. It's also about 18" wide, and 15" high.
It's easy enough to clean and wipe down with a baby wipe if you do get it a little dirty. If you're not used to lugging around a diaper bag or a large purse already, it might take a day or two of outings to get used to it, but then you'll fall in love. Now it does retail for $60, which might make some people choke - but you will get a lot of use out of this sturdy diaper tote. It won't fall apart on you during the first 2 weeks like a cheaper bag might. You can haul around plenty of things in it - even if you have multiples.
So this Momma totally gives the Baby Star Rock the Tote two thumbs up!
Want a discount on your purchase? Use promo code star20 to get 20% off the retail price, good through December 31st, 2010! (US only) You can also sign up for their newsletter, because you'll find out cool things like - free US shipping for the month of February! (promo code: heart) They have weekly specials too.
Baby Star is also over on Twitter, or you can join their Facebook too!
Win it! The fabulous folks over at Baby Star are letting me give one lucky reader a Rock the Tote of their own! YAY! To enter, pop on over to Baby Star and tell me what else you'd love to have for your little one if it landed on your lap. Go on - have yourself a fun imaginary shopping spree! It relives stress! :)
As always, if you have completed the first entry above, you can also receive extra entries for:
-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Subscribing or following Baby Star's blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back to this post AND Baby Star
-Tweeting about this giveaway (leave the link or @psychotichouse me)
That's up to five (5) possible entries! Giveaway ends February 27th, 2010 at 11:59 PST. US Only, sorry. :( Please leave your email address in your comment, or have it available in your profile so I can contact you if you've won. Winners drawn via Random.org.
I received a Rock the Tote of my own from Baby Star to try out and put to the test - and test it I did! Your opinion may vary from mine. One reader will also win their own Rock the Tote, thanks to Baby Star.
I really wanted to put this through the test. When you carry a diaper bag, messenger bag, purse, etc, we all know that if it isn't sturdy it will break, if the straps aren't cut right, it can hurt your arm, etc.
The really great thing about the Baby Star Rock the Tote bag is that it's not just limited to being a diaper bag. If you're worried about the label, just turn the bag around so the tag is facing inside. There's nothing about it that screams baby - large bag, yes, but that's the beauty of this bag. You can carry around ANYTHING! I even stuck my laptop in it one day out of desperation when we were going out, and while it was heavy of course, I could still carry around all the usual diaper bag stuff and that. So fear not if you are just about near the end of the diaper bag stage, you can get a lot of use out of this bag - even if just as a weekender tote.
Now I have the turquoise here in the photos, but it comes in other really great colors too. (They had metallic pink and a fun silver, but they were out of stock when I was able to choose mine, sniff sniff!) It's also lined in a fun matching color print.
The tote comes with a little BPA free plastic wipes case for on the go, and a matching changing pad as well. And for those of you without kids, we found a non-kid use for this one day at the park: when it's wet out, you can use it to sit on wet benches! So if you're a public transportation kind of gal, you might find this to come in handy, too. (Or just leave it at home or give it to your friends with kids. I get it, having waited so long to have the munchkin)
There are inner pockets as well a zippered compartment, so it's easy to keep anything you don't want to fall out in that area. Not that was ever really a problem - I never had anything really fall out no matter where I put this down. OK, once the whole bag tipped off the counter, but luckily it was a day where I had taken my camera and our DS out. That was my fault though for overstuffing the one pocket. See, you can fit a LOT of stuff in here:
It does have a magnetic closure, so you're not struggling to zip it close after a diaper change. (Kudos!) The only thing I can see is that depending on how much stuff you lug around in, it can get a little hard to find something. I've had to dig around at the store for my wallet several times because I was dense and didn't put it into the zippered area. It's also about 18" wide, and 15" high.
It's easy enough to clean and wipe down with a baby wipe if you do get it a little dirty. If you're not used to lugging around a diaper bag or a large purse already, it might take a day or two of outings to get used to it, but then you'll fall in love. Now it does retail for $60, which might make some people choke - but you will get a lot of use out of this sturdy diaper tote. It won't fall apart on you during the first 2 weeks like a cheaper bag might. You can haul around plenty of things in it - even if you have multiples.
So this Momma totally gives the Baby Star Rock the Tote two thumbs up!
Want a discount on your purchase? Use promo code star20 to get 20% off the retail price, good through December 31st, 2010! (US only) You can also sign up for their newsletter, because you'll find out cool things like - free US shipping for the month of February! (promo code: heart) They have weekly specials too.
Baby Star is also over on Twitter, or you can join their Facebook too!
Win it! The fabulous folks over at Baby Star are letting me give one lucky reader a Rock the Tote of their own! YAY! To enter, pop on over to Baby Star and tell me what else you'd love to have for your little one if it landed on your lap. Go on - have yourself a fun imaginary shopping spree! It relives stress! :)
As always, if you have completed the first entry above, you can also receive extra entries for:
-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Subscribing or following Baby Star's blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back to this post AND Baby Star
-Tweeting about this giveaway (leave the link or @psychotichouse me)
That's up to five (5) possible entries! Giveaway ends February 27th, 2010 at 11:59 PST. US Only, sorry. :( Please leave your email address in your comment, or have it available in your profile so I can contact you if you've won. Winners drawn via Random.org.
I received a Rock the Tote of my own from Baby Star to try out and put to the test - and test it I did! Your opinion may vary from mine. One reader will also win their own Rock the Tote, thanks to Baby Star.
It's Love Your Pet Day!
No, I'm not making that up - it really is! Well, according to an email I received. I know, I didn't know either. And, according to the paperwork we managed to weasel when we got the corgis, it also happens to be their 6th birthday today!
So Happy Birthday to our "twins":
And of course, I have to show off some of the others around here! See my poor chair the other day... At least they were sleeping on the towel, sigh!
Can't forget my beloved bunny this time, can I?
Did I ever mention our going to rescue him was my first anniversary present from my DH? He's also the pet we've had the longest now. :( Their time with us is short - too short sometimes. Give your furry ones an extra treat or hug today.
Psst... if you haven't already, my petcentric giveaway ends tonight, you might want to enter for the pets in your life?
I know, the non pet people are rolling their eyes right now. lol
So Happy Birthday to our "twins":
And of course, I have to show off some of the others around here! See my poor chair the other day... At least they were sleeping on the towel, sigh!
Can't forget my beloved bunny this time, can I?
Did I ever mention our going to rescue him was my first anniversary present from my DH? He's also the pet we've had the longest now. :( Their time with us is short - too short sometimes. Give your furry ones an extra treat or hug today.
Psst... if you haven't already, my petcentric giveaway ends tonight, you might want to enter for the pets in your life?
I know, the non pet people are rolling their eyes right now. lol
19 February 2010
Gag Me!
Warning: I'm ranting. You may not agree with me.
Folks, it's not that I don't love Disney, but somehow, this seems way too wrong:
Disney Invites 'Goths' to the Party
I may call myself "goth", but when Disney starts using the term? I feel like an old school black & white movie vampire caught in the sunlight! (none of this "sparkle" junk for me! I blame the whole Hot Topic - Twilight craze for this one!)
I was looking forward to the new Alice in Wonderland movie - not so much now.
You know what leaves the worst taste in my mouth? The morons probably behind this campaign are the SAME people who tormented real "goths" in school.
This GOTH is not happy and won't be attending your "party". I will not buy a single piece of merchandise associated with this movie. In fact, I have a Doc Marten boot that would like to get very well acquainted with the PR marketing department(s) who came up with this offensive campaign idea....
Folks, it's not that I don't love Disney, but somehow, this seems way too wrong:
Disney Invites 'Goths' to the Party
I may call myself "goth", but when Disney starts using the term? I feel like an old school black & white movie vampire caught in the sunlight! (none of this "sparkle" junk for me! I blame the whole Hot Topic - Twilight craze for this one!)
I was looking forward to the new Alice in Wonderland movie - not so much now.
You know what leaves the worst taste in my mouth? The morons probably behind this campaign are the SAME people who tormented real "goths" in school.
This GOTH is not happy and won't be attending your "party". I will not buy a single piece of merchandise associated with this movie. In fact, I have a Doc Marten boot that would like to get very well acquainted with the PR marketing department(s) who came up with this offensive campaign idea....
Food Storage Friday - Pantry Basics
With rising prices, bad weather, unstable job environments, one of the best things we as women (or men) in charge of our homes can do, is work on our food storage to ensure our family will continue to eat well no matter what the circumstance is. It doesn't take a lot to organize your pantry and make a little room for extras, and with the help of coupons and sales, can be done very cheaply. Every Friday, I'd like to encourage you to join in with me to do one or two little things to add to or work with your food storage.
This week, I'm sharing with you a basic list of shelf stable items (well, shelf stable before opened on some items) to have in your food storage. Of course, your list may vary due to food allergies or personal preferences, but it's a good list to start off from. When working from this list, remember to watch your expiration dates as you are buying things, and remember to rotate new items purchased with the old. And remember, only buy foods your family will eat, otherwise it's a waste!
Dried Goods & Baking Needs:
Flour
Cornmeal
Granulated sugar
Confectioner sugar
Brown sugar
Honey
Baking soda
Baking powder
Yeast
Cornstarch
Unsweetened cocoa
Baking chocolate morsels
Raisins and other dried fruits
Shortening such as Crisco
Cooking Spray (like Pam)
Oatmeal
Instant Potatoes
Cereal
Crackers
Dried breadcrumbs
Dry Milk (for cooking)
Pasta
Rice *Brown, white, jasmine, etc
Barley
Dried beans *Kidney, Lentil, Split peas, etc
Olive Oil (or Coconut, etc)
Vegetable Oil
Vinegar
Iodized Salt
Pure vanilla
Almond &/or Orange flavoring
Cheat mixes *such corn muffin, pancakes, puddings, Jell-o etc though they can be easily made from items above, we all enjoy "cheating and quick meals some times
Canned Items & Condiments:
Whole & diced tomatoes
Tomato paste & puree
Tomato sauce
Alfredo Sauce
Chicken or beef broth
Condensed cream of mushroom & chicken soups
Canned soups
Canned fruits
Pie fillings
Worcestershire sauce
Soy sauce
Mustards & ketchup
Salad Dressings
Tuna and/or Salmon
Canned Chicken
Green beans
Peas
Asparagus
Kidney, chick,etc beans
Creamed & Whole Kernel corn
canned Spinach and/or other veggies like carrots
Evaporated milk
Peanut butter
Jams & Jellies
Pickles & Olives
Salsa
Mayonnaise &/or Miracle Whip
BBQ Sauce
Pancake or Maple syrup
Bouillon cubes
Hot sauce
Grated Parmesan cheese
Nuts such as peanuts, almonds
canned Mushrooms
Dried Herbs & Seasonings:
Taco seasonings
Parsley
Ground Cumin
Basil
Oregano
Rosemary
Bay Leaves (keep these in dry goods to keep out pests!)
Garlic Powder
Salts & Peppers
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Ginger
Curry
Montreal Steak Seasonings
Paprika
Onion Soup Mix
Don't forget to add in items such as snacks, Popcorn, granola bars, etc!
This week, I'm sharing with you a basic list of shelf stable items (well, shelf stable before opened on some items) to have in your food storage. Of course, your list may vary due to food allergies or personal preferences, but it's a good list to start off from. When working from this list, remember to watch your expiration dates as you are buying things, and remember to rotate new items purchased with the old. And remember, only buy foods your family will eat, otherwise it's a waste!
Dried Goods & Baking Needs:
Flour
Cornmeal
Granulated sugar
Confectioner sugar
Brown sugar
Honey
Baking soda
Baking powder
Yeast
Cornstarch
Unsweetened cocoa
Baking chocolate morsels
Raisins and other dried fruits
Shortening such as Crisco
Cooking Spray (like Pam)
Oatmeal
Instant Potatoes
Cereal
Crackers
Dried breadcrumbs
Dry Milk (for cooking)
Pasta
Rice *Brown, white, jasmine, etc
Barley
Dried beans *Kidney, Lentil, Split peas, etc
Olive Oil (or Coconut, etc)
Vegetable Oil
Vinegar
Iodized Salt
Pure vanilla
Almond &/or Orange flavoring
Cheat mixes *such corn muffin, pancakes, puddings, Jell-o etc though they can be easily made from items above, we all enjoy "cheating and quick meals some times
Canned Items & Condiments:
Whole & diced tomatoes
Tomato paste & puree
Tomato sauce
Alfredo Sauce
Chicken or beef broth
Condensed cream of mushroom & chicken soups
Canned soups
Canned fruits
Pie fillings
Worcestershire sauce
Soy sauce
Mustards & ketchup
Salad Dressings
Tuna and/or Salmon
Canned Chicken
Green beans
Peas
Asparagus
Kidney, chick,etc beans
Creamed & Whole Kernel corn
canned Spinach and/or other veggies like carrots
Evaporated milk
Peanut butter
Jams & Jellies
Pickles & Olives
Salsa
Mayonnaise &/or Miracle Whip
BBQ Sauce
Pancake or Maple syrup
Bouillon cubes
Hot sauce
Grated Parmesan cheese
Nuts such as peanuts, almonds
canned Mushrooms
Dried Herbs & Seasonings:
Taco seasonings
Parsley
Ground Cumin
Basil
Oregano
Rosemary
Bay Leaves (keep these in dry goods to keep out pests!)
Garlic Powder
Salts & Peppers
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Ginger
Curry
Montreal Steak Seasonings
Paprika
Onion Soup Mix
Don't forget to add in items such as snacks, Popcorn, granola bars, etc!
18 February 2010
What's Yours?
This is SO funny! I found this Career Color Quiz over at Harmony in Motion the other night. Basically you go through colors picking which ones you like and don't like.
Go on. You know you want to take it! We're waiting.
My degree is Medieval History. Research, much? :)
Go on. You know you want to take it! We're waiting.
My degree is Medieval History. Research, much? :)
Best Occupational Category
You're a RESEARCHER
Keywords
Independent, Self-Motivated, Reserved, Introspective, Analytical, and Curious
e investigative types gather information, analyze and interpret data, and inquire to uncover new facts. They have a strong scientific orientation, enjoy academic or research environments and prefer self-reliant jobs. Dislikes are group projects, selling, and repetitive activities.
RESEARCHER OCCUPATIONS
Suggested careers are College Professor, Physician, Psychologist, Pharmacist, Chemist, Marketing Research, Inventor, Sales Forecasting, Project Engineer, Dentist, Identifying Consumer Demand, Chiropractor, Dentist, Medical Technician, Optometrist, Research & Development Manager, Respiratory Therapist, Real Estate Appraiser, Chiropractor, Veterinarian, Geologist, Physicist, Science Teacher, Medical Technologist, and Author of Technical Books.
RESEARCHER WORKPLACES
Task-oriented careers where you can become absorbed in the job, be original and creative, and not conform to rigid company rules will work best for you. Unstructured organizations, for example, that allow you to sail your own ship are vital.
Suggested Researcher workplaces are universities and colleges, home office positions, medical facilities, computer-related industries, scientific foundations and think tanks, research firms, and design laboratories.
So A Girl Walks Into WalMart....
and gets all excited, because there, hidden in the middle of the sadly lacking newly renovated food area, is a new little Hispanic foods section. Granted, it's also sadly lacking (and overpriced), but hey - at least it's there!
I feel acknowledged!
Maybe I should send them my wishlist. ;)
Doesn't change the fact that the people who shop there are rude.... lol
I feel acknowledged!
Maybe I should send them my wishlist. ;)
Doesn't change the fact that the people who shop there are rude.... lol
DVD Giveaway: SouthLAnd Season 1
I was recently asked if I wanted to view an extended preview of TNT's "SouthLAnd" second season premiere. I'm waiting for it to arrive (woo hoo!) but in the meantime, one of you is going to be very lucky!
"SouthLAnd" will be airing on Tuesdays on TNT at 10 PM EST (check your local listings). Some of you may remember this show originally aired on NBC, but when they went to change their lineups, SouthLAnd fell by the wayside. :( Thanks to TNT, "SouthLAnd" will be able continue on! The season premiere will be March 2nd, and I'll tell you my thoughts next week. But for now....
Win it!I'm green with envy, because one lucky reader will win a copy of SouthLAnd Season 1 on DVD, thanks to TNT and YouCast! You lucky, lucky duck! To enter, tell me your favorite crime/law etc drama. (I'm sure you all know I'm a big fan of older CSI shows!)
As always, if you have completed the first entry above, you can also receive extra entries for:
-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway (leave the link or @psychotichouse me)
That's up to four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends February 27th, 2010 at 11:59 PST. US Only, sorry. :( Please leave your email address in your comment, or have it available in your profile so I can contact you if you've won. Winners drawn via Random.org.
"SouthLAnd" will be airing on Tuesdays on TNT at 10 PM EST (check your local listings). Some of you may remember this show originally aired on NBC, but when they went to change their lineups, SouthLAnd fell by the wayside. :( Thanks to TNT, "SouthLAnd" will be able continue on! The season premiere will be March 2nd, and I'll tell you my thoughts next week. But for now....
Win it!I'm green with envy, because one lucky reader will win a copy of SouthLAnd Season 1 on DVD, thanks to TNT and YouCast! You lucky, lucky duck! To enter, tell me your favorite crime/law etc drama. (I'm sure you all know I'm a big fan of older CSI shows!)
As always, if you have completed the first entry above, you can also receive extra entries for:
-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway (leave the link or @psychotichouse me)
That's up to four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends February 27th, 2010 at 11:59 PST. US Only, sorry. :( Please leave your email address in your comment, or have it available in your profile so I can contact you if you've won. Winners drawn via Random.org.
17 February 2010
If You're Wondering...
No, I didn't go AWOL and forget my blog. While we were at the park this morning enjoying the sunshine, apparently one of the cats must have gotten tangled in my laptop's cord, because we came home to it off the couch on the floor, and the cord was busted at the part where it goes back into my laptop (how's that for a run-on sentence lol) :( I need to get a new cord now :( In the meantime, I can still get it to sort of work to recharge, I just have to keep everything perfectly still on the counter.... and that is a real pain. :(
16 February 2010
Thrift Store Tuesday - Give Me Sales!
Welcome to another week of resale and thrift store shopping!
My question this week...
I confess... we often can't help ourselves. Sometimes I'll take something to donate just because I know they will give a percentage off or BOGOF coupon. I try to stick to satisfying my thrifting urges when I know there is a sale, like 99 cent tags on Monday for instance. Or we'll pick a thrift that we know has a little lower prices, which is what we did this past week:
DH found a VHS of an H.P. Lovecraft movie for $1, and I picked up two really thick little washcloths that looked brand new for 25 cents - one was pink, the other one white with stars. (And yes, we counted out change. lol)
So have you found anything good recently?
My question this week...
Do you still stop by thrift stores and resale shops even when you are short on cash?
I confess... we often can't help ourselves. Sometimes I'll take something to donate just because I know they will give a percentage off or BOGOF coupon. I try to stick to satisfying my thrifting urges when I know there is a sale, like 99 cent tags on Monday for instance. Or we'll pick a thrift that we know has a little lower prices, which is what we did this past week:
DH found a VHS of an H.P. Lovecraft movie for $1, and I picked up two really thick little washcloths that looked brand new for 25 cents - one was pink, the other one white with stars. (And yes, we counted out change. lol)
So have you found anything good recently?
Random Thoughts Tuesday - Slug Free
Hey! I won something! I actually won something! No, not a TV. lol But a Fiber One prize pack from Casey over at A Couch With A View. Whoo hoo!
No more slugs. At least for now. My house smelled like a giant vat of vinegar last week, but it seems to have worked. That and the batch of salt down the drain in the tub.
I've been working on a book review for almost a month now. It's official: I am becoming the slowest reader on the planet. The sad part is I won every reading contest as a kid! I lived for Summer reading programs! (It's a good book though, and I'm almost done!)
We had a trip to the mall planned for today, but DH was called in for an early shift. Phooey, but we need the cash, so oh well. We'll bundle up and take a trip to the park, and a trip to the doggy park so the corgis can blow off some steam.
Speaking of the dog park, is it so gosh darn hard for people to pick up after their dogs??? C'mon folks. And there's another thing - if your dog is out of your line of vision, you can't break up a fight. Or pick up poo. It's not free doggy day care!
The sun is glorious today. Well, it fades in and out, but it's still a wonderful site.
I crave Subway. It's their fault for having that $5 subs promo again! I hope some of my surveys pay up today. lol
15 February 2010
Review And Giveaway: Rubbermaid Drawer Organizer
Rubbermaid recently asked me if I wanted to participate in their Quick Organizational Challenge: The Junk Drawer.
Okay, this is where I admit, I haven't really touched what is known as our "junk drawer" in about, oh, 6 months. Yeah, since the Great Move Mess. Here is my completely embarrassing photo:
(See those new dividers DH put in there for me? They always tip over - grrr! He tried though, and that's what counts!) Yes, there are even Coke caps in there. Candles, hair clippies, twist ties, pens.... it's a mess. A complete and utter mess, and I have no excuse for it to be that bad. So I guess the folks over at Rubbermaid picked the perfect time to send me the Rubbermaid Drawer Organizer. It contains six pieces meant to help organize even the messiest of drawers... so I guess they picked the right blog! (LOL) The inside of the trays has some gripping. On the bottom side of these organizers are little no slip grips too, so you can uh, slam the drawer (lol) shut, and things won't go flying around in the drawer. I tried that once with another drawer when we lived in the apartment - I bought these cute little plastic baskets at the dollar store. Well, every time I opened the drawer, the trays would slide around. Once, one even tipped over. So I totally see value in the no slip grips on the Rubbermaid ones!
What I really LOVE about the Rubbermaid Drawer Organizer - you can move the pieces around to organize it as you wish. They all interlock together no matter what formation you use. If you want to split it between two different drawers (or more!), it's not a problem. Way cool huh? They are made of a sturdy product too, so no worries about it cracking easily. (All bets are off if you drop them a gazillion times, though) And you don't just have to use these in the kitchen folks - they are the right size for sewing supplies, bathroom drawers, so again, you can buy a different set for these areas, or split them up depending on the drawer sizes.
So I went to work at organizing this mess. Yes, I entered the codes in and dumped the caps. lol I keep twist ties because a lot of the bakery bags don't always have them, they use tape and then when you open the bags, they never close right again. I know, to some of you I'm weird. Deal, folks, deal. :) Here is the clean, organized drawer:
Miracles happen, right? lol Now I have no excuse for my drawer to ever look out of control again. lol For my fellow coupon lovers, they have a coupon you can print right now for $1.00 off any of their kitchen products.
Win it! One lucky reader will get to organize their drawers too - Rubbermaid will be sending you the same Drawer Organizer set as they sent me! (Well, not the same one, the same model, because I'm not dumping mine out to give you one... LOL) To enter, confess to me what area of your home needs some organizing help the most.
As always, if you have completed the first entry above, you can also receive extra entries for:
-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway (leave the link or @psychotichouse me)
That's up to four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends February 27th, 2010 at 11:59 PST. US Only, sorry. :( Please leave your email address in your comment, or have it available in your profile so I can contact you if you've won. Winners drawn via Random.org.
I received the Rubbermaid Drawer Organizer set above to play with and share what I thought of it. One reader will also win a set, fulfilled by Rubbermaid. I already use and love lots of Rubbermaid products in my home - your opinion may differ from mine, of course.
Okay, this is where I admit, I haven't really touched what is known as our "junk drawer" in about, oh, 6 months. Yeah, since the Great Move Mess. Here is my completely embarrassing photo:
(See those new dividers DH put in there for me? They always tip over - grrr! He tried though, and that's what counts!) Yes, there are even Coke caps in there. Candles, hair clippies, twist ties, pens.... it's a mess. A complete and utter mess, and I have no excuse for it to be that bad. So I guess the folks over at Rubbermaid picked the perfect time to send me the Rubbermaid Drawer Organizer. It contains six pieces meant to help organize even the messiest of drawers... so I guess they picked the right blog! (LOL) The inside of the trays has some gripping. On the bottom side of these organizers are little no slip grips too, so you can uh, slam the drawer (lol) shut, and things won't go flying around in the drawer. I tried that once with another drawer when we lived in the apartment - I bought these cute little plastic baskets at the dollar store. Well, every time I opened the drawer, the trays would slide around. Once, one even tipped over. So I totally see value in the no slip grips on the Rubbermaid ones!
What I really LOVE about the Rubbermaid Drawer Organizer - you can move the pieces around to organize it as you wish. They all interlock together no matter what formation you use. If you want to split it between two different drawers (or more!), it's not a problem. Way cool huh? They are made of a sturdy product too, so no worries about it cracking easily. (All bets are off if you drop them a gazillion times, though) And you don't just have to use these in the kitchen folks - they are the right size for sewing supplies, bathroom drawers, so again, you can buy a different set for these areas, or split them up depending on the drawer sizes.
So I went to work at organizing this mess. Yes, I entered the codes in and dumped the caps. lol I keep twist ties because a lot of the bakery bags don't always have them, they use tape and then when you open the bags, they never close right again. I know, to some of you I'm weird. Deal, folks, deal. :) Here is the clean, organized drawer:
Miracles happen, right? lol Now I have no excuse for my drawer to ever look out of control again. lol For my fellow coupon lovers, they have a coupon you can print right now for $1.00 off any of their kitchen products.
Win it! One lucky reader will get to organize their drawers too - Rubbermaid will be sending you the same Drawer Organizer set as they sent me! (Well, not the same one, the same model, because I'm not dumping mine out to give you one... LOL) To enter, confess to me what area of your home needs some organizing help the most.
As always, if you have completed the first entry above, you can also receive extra entries for:
-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway (leave the link or @psychotichouse me)
That's up to four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends February 27th, 2010 at 11:59 PST. US Only, sorry. :( Please leave your email address in your comment, or have it available in your profile so I can contact you if you've won. Winners drawn via Random.org.
I received the Rubbermaid Drawer Organizer set above to play with and share what I thought of it. One reader will also win a set, fulfilled by Rubbermaid. I already use and love lots of Rubbermaid products in my home - your opinion may differ from mine, of course.
I Covet: Zebra Tutu!
So I'm wasting a bit of time checking out everyone's blogs right now (I really don't want to do dishes, ok? You busted me. LOL) and I landed on KiddiesCorner Deals's blog. Look what she's giving away from Posh Little Tutu's:
Can you see my drool? Raise your hand if you think the munchkin neeeeds this! Seriously, you have to go peek at Posh Little Tutu if you have a girl. I have a list a mile long of wants!
Hmmm... hey wait, this qualifies as blogging for an extra entry post! I need some of that winning mojo that some of you super lucky folks have! Share, please! LOL
Can you see my drool? Raise your hand if you think the munchkin neeeeds this! Seriously, you have to go peek at Posh Little Tutu if you have a girl. I have a list a mile long of wants!
Hmmm... hey wait, this qualifies as blogging for an extra entry post! I need some of that winning mojo that some of you super lucky folks have! Share, please! LOL
Menu Planning Monday - Out Of The Pantry
I'm trying to only use what's in the house right now besides the salad this week. Let's see if we can do it! (I'm really going to have to stretch out the cheese, though)
Monday: taco night
Tuesday: recipe of the week
Wednesday: Semi Homemade Mac N Cheese, salad
Thursday: Breakfast for dinner - pancakes, eggs, & bacon
Friday: homemade pizza night with lots of veggies
Saturday: Spicy Beef Roll Ups
Sunday: slow cooked roasted chicken, salad, rolls
Check out Organizing Junkie for other great Menu Plans!
Okay.
This week WILL be good! *knock on wood* It's sunny out here, it's pay week (lol), and it WILL be good!
It will.
It will.
It will!
Who's with me? I see lots of good luck for us ALL this week!
(and send me all your links to contests with Tvs! LOL!!!)
It will.
It will.
It will!
Who's with me? I see lots of good luck for us ALL this week!
(and send me all your links to contests with Tvs! LOL!!!)
14 February 2010
Thank you for listening to me...
whine.
Seriously. I love y'all. Without this blog, I'd be pounding my head into the wall. Repeatedly.
In the last 48 hours... ok a little more than 48 hours, but less than 60, I swear:
The car, which we just had fixed last month - remember, it drained my checking account and I am still robbing Peter to pay Paul - is back to leaking.
The flooring in the bathroom is coming off throughout half the room, so now we are subjected to something that I think is wood, which wouldn't be so bad, except there is 1/2" gaping holes between those boards sticking out. This = dangerous for little toes and fingers. Geez, it's even dangerous for MY toes. Really, I'd love the excuse to get rid of the ugly brown tiles they had in there before me, but I'm sick of spending money on this house. (Hence, why we still have the broken faucet handle in the kitchen. lol)
With all these rain, my leaks were even worse. We can't even move around the living room for the most at the moment because of these annoying leaks, because most of our living room is windows. Who does that in Washington??? You save lots of windows for Florida, or least somewhere where you actually SEE sun on a regular basis. Here, all it does is let heat/ac escape. Gah! And since these leaks can't be smart enough to be in the middle of an area, where at least I could use a bucket - oh, nooo... it has to be up against the edges of the wall, so you can climb over the pile of wet towels. And the grandest of all leaks happens to be over by the washer. No, it can't be ABOVE the washer, so all I would have to do is leave it open... it has to be right in front of it, so if I close the door, I can't put a towel down, and it's ruining the (alcove) door. If I leave the door open, Mystery crams herself behind the dryer.
We came home to blood on the floor. You know, the trail. We haven't found the remains yet, either. I'm afraid. Very afraid.
I cleaned puke up this morning. Twice. And it wasn't munchkin puke, not that it's any better. It was a corgi who has eaten something I probably don't want to know about puke. Ewwww!
And the crowning moment: I had a serious retail breakdown. I'd like to think it was a justified break down. We were at Freddy's the other day, and found a large TV not only marked down, but 40% off the clearance price on top of that. I literally about fainted! This was better than Black Friday prices, only I didn't have to freeze my tush off in the cold and fight people who were even crazier than me.
For those rolling their eyes at me, our TV was/is a hand me down 26" early 90's reject that I swear if I drop it on someone's head even just from my deck, it's guaranteed to kill them. It bites. It's old. It's no fun for us, with our movies and games. Did I mention no universal remote will work with it, either? It's better than nothing, sure, but why kill our eyes when we're all going to need glasses, not just DH? Right? ;) (But ONLY at a killer deal)
Anyways, we brought that baby home, hooked her up, and enjoyed the wonders of Transformers on BluRay, where we could actually really enjoy BluRay. We watched a half an hour of Owa! (Dora, munchkin speak-ese), I did my Wii Fit and totally reveled in the glory of it, DH tried out Resistance (or one of those games, they all look alike to me lol) before he went to work, so what, around 5 hours of viewing time, maybe?
DH comes home, it doesn't turn on. We thought maybe it was just the remote batteries, so while I went searching for my newly recharged ones, DH tries to turn it on manually.
It doesn't turn on.
He resets the power strip. Nope, still doesn't work.
At this point, panic sets in with me and I thought oh my word, I'm being punished for buying this. It's totally not possible! I'm scrambling around, looking for the receipt and warranty stuff, freaking out. Of course, because we run on different times than normal people, the customer service for the TV is closed.
I made DH call Freddy's.
Freddy's says they are out of stock of any replacements, come back in and return it. So poor DH had to take it apart and repack it this morning.
He saluted the box.
It was nice while it lasted, our less than two days with a real TV. The first time in almost four years I could actually HEAR what was being said without having surround sound on. (which, the neighbor complained about last Summer, so no more surround sound here... sigh!)
Happy Valentine's to us. :( Poor DH, he was so depressed when he went to work today. He was like the dejected little boy, his visions of God of War 3 on the big screen completely crushed in an instant.
I know, I know, I shouldn't have spent the money in the first place, but I hate being responsible. I'm a spendaholic! I'm not good at not shopping! (and it really was the deal of the century)
I'd like to have one week, just one week, completely drama free.
Seriously. I love y'all. Without this blog, I'd be pounding my head into the wall. Repeatedly.
In the last 48 hours... ok a little more than 48 hours, but less than 60, I swear:
The car, which we just had fixed last month - remember, it drained my checking account and I am still robbing Peter to pay Paul - is back to leaking.
The flooring in the bathroom is coming off throughout half the room, so now we are subjected to something that I think is wood, which wouldn't be so bad, except there is 1/2" gaping holes between those boards sticking out. This = dangerous for little toes and fingers. Geez, it's even dangerous for MY toes. Really, I'd love the excuse to get rid of the ugly brown tiles they had in there before me, but I'm sick of spending money on this house. (Hence, why we still have the broken faucet handle in the kitchen. lol)
With all these rain, my leaks were even worse. We can't even move around the living room for the most at the moment because of these annoying leaks, because most of our living room is windows. Who does that in Washington??? You save lots of windows for Florida, or least somewhere where you actually SEE sun on a regular basis. Here, all it does is let heat/ac escape. Gah! And since these leaks can't be smart enough to be in the middle of an area, where at least I could use a bucket - oh, nooo... it has to be up against the edges of the wall, so you can climb over the pile of wet towels. And the grandest of all leaks happens to be over by the washer. No, it can't be ABOVE the washer, so all I would have to do is leave it open... it has to be right in front of it, so if I close the door, I can't put a towel down, and it's ruining the (alcove) door. If I leave the door open, Mystery crams herself behind the dryer.
We came home to blood on the floor. You know, the trail. We haven't found the remains yet, either. I'm afraid. Very afraid.
I cleaned puke up this morning. Twice. And it wasn't munchkin puke, not that it's any better. It was a corgi who has eaten something I probably don't want to know about puke. Ewwww!
And the crowning moment: I had a serious retail breakdown. I'd like to think it was a justified break down. We were at Freddy's the other day, and found a large TV not only marked down, but 40% off the clearance price on top of that. I literally about fainted! This was better than Black Friday prices, only I didn't have to freeze my tush off in the cold and fight people who were even crazier than me.
For those rolling their eyes at me, our TV was/is a hand me down 26" early 90's reject that I swear if I drop it on someone's head even just from my deck, it's guaranteed to kill them. It bites. It's old. It's no fun for us, with our movies and games. Did I mention no universal remote will work with it, either? It's better than nothing, sure, but why kill our eyes when we're all going to need glasses, not just DH? Right? ;) (But ONLY at a killer deal)
Anyways, we brought that baby home, hooked her up, and enjoyed the wonders of Transformers on BluRay, where we could actually really enjoy BluRay. We watched a half an hour of Owa! (Dora, munchkin speak-ese), I did my Wii Fit and totally reveled in the glory of it, DH tried out Resistance (or one of those games, they all look alike to me lol) before he went to work, so what, around 5 hours of viewing time, maybe?
DH comes home, it doesn't turn on. We thought maybe it was just the remote batteries, so while I went searching for my newly recharged ones, DH tries to turn it on manually.
It doesn't turn on.
He resets the power strip. Nope, still doesn't work.
At this point, panic sets in with me and I thought oh my word, I'm being punished for buying this. It's totally not possible! I'm scrambling around, looking for the receipt and warranty stuff, freaking out. Of course, because we run on different times than normal people, the customer service for the TV is closed.
I made DH call Freddy's.
Freddy's says they are out of stock of any replacements, come back in and return it. So poor DH had to take it apart and repack it this morning.
He saluted the box.
It was nice while it lasted, our less than two days with a real TV. The first time in almost four years I could actually HEAR what was being said without having surround sound on. (which, the neighbor complained about last Summer, so no more surround sound here... sigh!)
Happy Valentine's to us. :( Poor DH, he was so depressed when he went to work today. He was like the dejected little boy, his visions of God of War 3 on the big screen completely crushed in an instant.
I know, I know, I shouldn't have spent the money in the first place, but I hate being responsible. I'm a spendaholic! I'm not good at not shopping! (and it really was the deal of the century)
I'd like to have one week, just one week, completely drama free.
TV Show Review: Parenthood
I recently had the chance to view the pilot episode for NBC's new drama series, "Parenthood". It will air on March 2nd - a Tuesday - at 10 PM EST. It's an hour long show, and it's inspired by the movie Parenthood.
I was excited to view this new show, because one of my favorite actors, Peter Krause, is on the show. I always call him Casey, in reference to his character on "Sports Night", the first show I saw him in. Usually if he's in a show, I tend to like it. (Yes, I was a big Six Feet Under fan... c'mon, the humor was right up my alley! lol)
"Parenthood" is basically about one big huge family. You have the dad, who's into everything and not so good at minding his own business, and the mom, who tells him to mind his own business. ;) Then there's Adam (Peter's character) who in the pilot episode is trying to keep his family as normal as possible and struggles with his son who's not so normal; Sarah, a single mom who makes her kids move from Fresno to Berkley (DH says the daughter is totally ours when she's a teen. LOL I hope not. Well, the way she looks is fine, it's her attitude, good grief, she better not be like that!); Julia, who seems like the perfect career woman and her husband, who is a stay at home dad, and the youngest, Crosby, who seems to think he can live the college life forever.
I'm hoping the episodes will be available online on NBC after they air, so we can continue keeping up with the series. If it continues in the vein of the pilot show, "Parenthood" sounds like it will definitely be an addition to our DVD collection, because my husband and I certainly enjoyed it!
Right now, NBC is doing something really neat with this show - it's called The Parenthood Project and is a partnership between NBC and The Boys and Girls Clubs of America. For every entry submitted on NBC.com or Twitter, NBC will donate $20 to the Boys and Girls Family Strengthening Initiative, which provides resources to improve the lives of children, parents and the community. The Twitter entry is SUPER easy: All fans have to do to submit is to use the hashtag #parenthoodis, followed by their personal definition or explanation. Seriously, you can't get any easier than 20 seconds of your time in 140 characters or less to make a $20 donation, right?
I received an advance copy of the pilot episode to check out. All opinions are mine. Your viewing tastes may differ from mine.
I was excited to view this new show, because one of my favorite actors, Peter Krause, is on the show. I always call him Casey, in reference to his character on "Sports Night", the first show I saw him in. Usually if he's in a show, I tend to like it. (Yes, I was a big Six Feet Under fan... c'mon, the humor was right up my alley! lol)
"Parenthood" is basically about one big huge family. You have the dad, who's into everything and not so good at minding his own business, and the mom, who tells him to mind his own business. ;) Then there's Adam (Peter's character) who in the pilot episode is trying to keep his family as normal as possible and struggles with his son who's not so normal; Sarah, a single mom who makes her kids move from Fresno to Berkley (DH says the daughter is totally ours when she's a teen. LOL I hope not. Well, the way she looks is fine, it's her attitude, good grief, she better not be like that!); Julia, who seems like the perfect career woman and her husband, who is a stay at home dad, and the youngest, Crosby, who seems to think he can live the college life forever.
I'm hoping the episodes will be available online on NBC after they air, so we can continue keeping up with the series. If it continues in the vein of the pilot show, "Parenthood" sounds like it will definitely be an addition to our DVD collection, because my husband and I certainly enjoyed it!
Right now, NBC is doing something really neat with this show - it's called The Parenthood Project and is a partnership between NBC and The Boys and Girls Clubs of America. For every entry submitted on NBC.com or Twitter, NBC will donate $20 to the Boys and Girls Family Strengthening Initiative, which provides resources to improve the lives of children, parents and the community. The Twitter entry is SUPER easy: All fans have to do to submit is to use the hashtag #parenthoodis, followed by their personal definition or explanation. Seriously, you can't get any easier than 20 seconds of your time in 140 characters or less to make a $20 donation, right?
I received an advance copy of the pilot episode to check out. All opinions are mine. Your viewing tastes may differ from mine.
Random Charity News - Plus Free E-Book Download!
Rather than swamp your feed readers or fill up your inbox, I'm condensing a bunch of great things into one post that arrived in my inbox from different companies over the last few days!
Wendy's, who is always known for their help with different adoption and kids charities, causes near and dear to Dave's heart! - is partnering with Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and collecting donations from February 10th through the 28th to help out the thousands of Haitian children who lost their parents in the earthquake. You can make a donation in the restaurant in specially marked canisters, or you can even donate online if that's easier.
Several fashion designers are teaming up with Zappos.com in support of Fashion for Haiti. On February 16th, this exclusive t-shirt will be available for $25, and $16 of that will be donated to the Haiti Relief Fund! Visit Zappos to buy yours.
NY Times Best-Selling author and Today Show Contributor Dr. Ian Kerner created his newest e-book, “Nighttime Us 101,” available for free right now through the end of February on the new COUPLES PLACE site, presented by K-Y Brand, www.facebook.com/kycouples. If you need a last minute Valentine's Day greeting, you can find some there, too. And, if contests are your thing, you can also enter to win “America’s Next Top Couple”. See site for details, and good luck if you decide to enter! :)
If you've hung out here long enough, you know my love of Henson. My favorite green froggy, Kermit the Frog, and crew (ANIMAL! ANIMAL! lol Click around on the site to see him in a French maid costume, LOL!!) is trying to spread the volunteer spirit on the web in a fun program that rewards volunteerism with a pass for a day at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World. Click here to send a fun Muppets greeting to a friend (or to yourself even, so you and your kids can giggle through it). You'll be able to find out more about the program when you visit the site.
Wendy's, who is always known for their help with different adoption and kids charities, causes near and dear to Dave's heart! - is partnering with Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and collecting donations from February 10th through the 28th to help out the thousands of Haitian children who lost their parents in the earthquake. You can make a donation in the restaurant in specially marked canisters, or you can even donate online if that's easier.
Several fashion designers are teaming up with Zappos.com in support of Fashion for Haiti. On February 16th, this exclusive t-shirt will be available for $25, and $16 of that will be donated to the Haiti Relief Fund! Visit Zappos to buy yours.
NY Times Best-Selling author and Today Show Contributor Dr. Ian Kerner created his newest e-book, “Nighttime Us 101,” available for free right now through the end of February on the new COUPLES PLACE site, presented by K-Y Brand, www.facebook.com/kycouples. If you need a last minute Valentine's Day greeting, you can find some there, too. And, if contests are your thing, you can also enter to win “America’s Next Top Couple”. See site for details, and good luck if you decide to enter! :)
If you've hung out here long enough, you know my love of Henson. My favorite green froggy, Kermit the Frog, and crew (ANIMAL! ANIMAL! lol Click around on the site to see him in a French maid costume, LOL!!) is trying to spread the volunteer spirit on the web in a fun program that rewards volunteerism with a pass for a day at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World. Click here to send a fun Muppets greeting to a friend (or to yourself even, so you and your kids can giggle through it). You'll be able to find out more about the program when you visit the site.
Ziploc Deal At Weis Markets
Marcy over at The Frugal Kennedys found this great deal for those of you have a Weis Markets near you:
Purchase (3) Ziploc products (they are priced at $1.99) in one transaction and get a $2 Catalina register coupon towards your next purchase. Ends 2/20, so hurry in this week! Pair this with $0.55 off 1 MC or $1 off 2 MC (1/10 S). Then, submit for $5 SC Johnson Rebate. Final price is FREE after coupons and rebate!
Wondering what to do with all these Ziploc bags? I recommend portioning out meats and veggies ahead after preparing them, then freezing them for use later in the week or month. (Don't forget to remove as much air as possible) It saves a lot of time!
Purchase (3) Ziploc products (they are priced at $1.99) in one transaction and get a $2 Catalina register coupon towards your next purchase. Ends 2/20, so hurry in this week! Pair this with $0.55 off 1 MC or $1 off 2 MC (1/10 S). Then, submit for $5 SC Johnson Rebate. Final price is FREE after coupons and rebate!
Wondering what to do with all these Ziploc bags? I recommend portioning out meats and veggies ahead after preparing them, then freezing them for use later in the week or month. (Don't forget to remove as much air as possible) It saves a lot of time!
Snack Attack! Winners!
It sure seems like a snack attack with these two giveaways ending the same day, lol
The winner of the Dentyne giveaway is:
Sue said...
I don't know his work, but I love these!
Thanks for the giveaway.
And the (shortened) winners of the coupon for a free Popsicle product are:
Nicole said...
lfhpueblo said...
Brook said...
KPort207 said...
Miss Daphne said...
Sending y'all emails now! Remember, you have 48 hours to get back to me! :)
Fred Meyer Deals 2/14 - 2/20 2010
Gee, I couldn't guess Lent is to begin with all this seafood on sale this week. ;) Even if you don't observe, there will be some great deals over the next few weeks, so enjoy if you do eat it.
If you are on the hunt for electronics or home goods, stop by Freddy's on Presidents day early for door busters! All clothing and accessories are 60% off this week, and there are supposed to be some great tool deals too. You might want to plan ahead for Mother's Day or Father's Day?
If you are playing along with my Food Storage Friday series, I recommend stocking up on the canned tuna that is on sale.
See the entire circular online here or here's the food & home highlights with coupon matches if available:
Asparagus
$1.28 lb
Pork Loin Assorted Chops
$1.39 lb
Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap
10 for $10
Colgate Toothpaste or Plus Toothbrush
10 for $10
Garnier Nutrioniste Ultra Lift Pro Gravity Defying Cream
$9.99
L'Oreal Excellence Hair Color
2 for $9.98 after in store MC
Pantene or Head & Shoulders
$5.49 ($1.00 off 2 Pantene MC)
Edge or Skintimate Shave Gel
2 for $4
Dial Bar Soap, Liquid Refill, or Dial or Tone Body Wash
3 for $10 (limit 3)
Nature Made Vitamins
BOGOF (limit 4) ($1.00 off MC)
Bayer or Aleve
$7.49
One-A-Day Vitamins
$7.49 ($2.00 off MC)
Kroger Undergarments
$8.99
Doritos
2 for $5.00
Gatorade
10 for $10
Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Tuna
2 for $1.00
Pillsbury Cake Mix
$0.89
Star Olive Oil
$4.99
Tropicana Pure Premium Orange Juice
2 for $5
Seneca Applesauce Cups
3 for $5
Pepsi 12pk or 6 pk
2 for $8
Red Baron Classic Pizza
3 for $10 ($1.00 off 2 MC)
Shout Products
2 for $5 ($0.55 off MC)
Scrubbing Bubbles
2 for $5 (assorted MCs out there, printable coupons here)
Windex Products
2 for $5 ($1.00 off 2 MC, $1.00 off Multi Surface MC)
Beneful Dry Dog Food 15.5 lbs
$12.99
Stonyfield Yogurt
2 for $5 ($1.00 off 1 printable here)
Twizzlers or Whoppers
3 for $5
M&Ms
2 for $6
FM Peanut Butter or Preserves
$1.99
FM Frozen Snack Appetizers
2 for $9
FM Pickles
2 for $4
FM Canned Fruit
10 for $10
FM beef Jerky
2 for $5
FM 24 pk Bottles Water
2 for $5
Kashi Heart to Heart, Organic Promise Cereal or TLC Crackers
2 for $5
Twinlab Supplements
Save 25%
Nature's Way Standard Herbs
Save 25%
Annie Chun's Noodle or Soup Bowls or Rice
Save 25%
West-Soy Non Dairy Beverage
3 for $5
Nappa or Savoy Cabbage
$0.88 lb
Bok Choy
$0.88 lb
Medium Yellow Onions
3 lbs for $1
Bulk Carrots
3 lbs for $1
Private Selection Veggies
2 for $3
Large Navel Oranges
$0.58 lb
Private Selection Organic Salad
2 for $5
Roma Tomatoes
$0.98 lb
Pink Lady or Cameo Apples
$0.98 lb
Fresh Rock Cod Fillet
$4.99 lb
Colossal E-Z Peel White or Jumbo Cooked Prawns
$8.99 lb
Fresh Dungeness or King Crab Meat
$9.99 each
Northwest Shrimp Meat
$3.99 lb
Wild Mexican Colossal Prawns
$9.99 lb
Wild Alaska Halibut Fillet
$12.99 lb
Northwest Dover Sole Fillet
$3.99 lb
Beef Loin New York Steaks
$5.99 lb (family pack)
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 4lb Bag
$1.99 lb
Fresh Extra Lean Ground Beef
$3.67 lb (flavor seal 3 lb pack)
Beef Chuck Blade Cut Pot Roast
$1.99 lb
Wild Alaska Whole Sockeye Salmon
$3.99 lb
Jumbo E-Z Peel White Shrimp
$4.99 lb
Wild Jumbo Snow Crab
$4.99 lb
Bandon 2 lb Cheese Bricks
$3.99 w/ in ad coupon (limit 2)
FM Deluxe Ice Cream or Cool Classics Cups
5 for $10 w/ in ad coupon (limit 5)
Kivu Bulk Coffee
$4.99 lb w/ in ad coupon (limit 2 lbs)
FM Bagels or Philadelphia Cream Cheese Cups
2 for $3 w/ in ad coupon (limit 6)
Bounty Paper Towels
$6.49 w/ in ad coupon (limit 2)
Ricola Cough Drops
10 for $10 w/ in ad coupon (limit 10)
Kroger Ibruprofen
BOGOF w/ in ad coupon (limit 4)
FM 1/2 Gallon Milk or Orange Juice
4 for $5 w/ in ad coupon (limit 8)
FM Cereal or Granola Bars
3 for $5 w/ in ad coupon (limit 6)
Tree Top Apple Juice or Blends
3 for $5 w/ in ad coupon (limit 6)
Hot or Lean Pockets
6 for $10 w/ in ad coupon (limit 6)
Oscar Meyer Deli Meats or Hot Dogs
2 for $5 w/ in ad coupon (limit 4)
Corned Beef Brisket
$1.79 lb w/ in ad coupon (limit 3)
Altoids
$0.88 w/ in ad coupon (limit 3)
Purex Laundry Detergent or Fabric Softener
$1.99 w/ in ad coupon (limit 2) ($1.00 off 1 MC, $0.35 off 1 MC, $0.50 off 1 printable here must send to friend)
In the coming weeks you should see your Rewards start to arrive!
Unfamiliar with Fred Meyer's coupon policy? They allow you stack a Fred Meyer store coupon (FM coupons as I call them) with a manufacturer's coupon. They do not price match to any other store's sale prices, and they won't take other store's sale coupons. You can however use a manufacturer's coupons on any sale or clearance items, but they usually won't allow any overage if the coupon is more than the sale price (sometimes it slips through the cracks, but don't expect it every time). Our local Washington stores do not double any coupons. They do accept the printed internet coupons if they have a barcode (like bricks coupons or from Smart Source or coupons.com if you are unfamiliar with them) so if you are having problems with a clerk not wanting to accept your coupon and you are sure it's legit coupon, please ask to have a manager come on over to verify it.
This post is part of BeCentsAble's Grocery Gathering.
If you're interested in other grocery stores, please check out BeCentsable’s Grocery Gathering for an extensive list of grocery stores and blogs that cover the best deals!
Enough With The Bad Luck Already!
OK, 2010 is not shaping up to be any better than 2009 for us.
Either we're on a reality show and y'all are laughing at us, or we're really being thrown for loop after loop. I mean seriously? All this bad luck and bad vibes are just not possible! *grumble grumble*
I'll be back later with the Freddy's ad. I didn't forget you, promise.
Either we're on a reality show and y'all are laughing at us, or we're really being thrown for loop after loop. I mean seriously? All this bad luck and bad vibes are just not possible! *grumble grumble*
I'll be back later with the Freddy's ad. I didn't forget you, promise.
13 February 2010
Free Photo Leash From Snapfish
Shame on Shapfish for pulling the deal listed below. They waited until after their free shipping promo was over to let people know they would not be honoring the leash deal, instead, here's a free mug - but you get to pay the shipping. Boooo Snapfish! You don't deserve our business!
Head on over to Frugal, Freebies, and Deals for more information on this great deal!
For doggy parents, you can create a leash with the photo of your choice from Snapfish this weekend, and with the code FF&D is sharing, even your shipping is free! It's for new accounts only, so use your husband/SO's email if needed. ;) You'll be the talk of the dog park!
I hurriedly pulled out the Valentine's day outfit too and attempted to come up with a decent photo (notice the attempted LOL) to take advantage of the 20 free prints that came with uploading new photos too. This I did end up paying shipping & tax on, but hey, 20 prints and a new leash for $2.18 is still a great deal!
For doggy parents, you can create a leash with the photo of your choice from Snapfish this weekend, and with the code FF&D is sharing, even your shipping is free! It's for new accounts only, so use your husband/SO's email if needed. ;) You'll be the talk of the dog park!
I hurriedly pulled out the Valentine's day outfit too and attempted to come up with a decent photo (notice the attempted LOL) to take advantage of the 20 free prints that came with uploading new photos too. This I did end up paying shipping & tax on, but hey, 20 prints and a new leash for $2.18 is still a great deal!
12 February 2010
Who's Getting Totally Excited?
Have any Toy Story crazed kiddos? Have you started the countdown to Woody, Buzz & the gang's return in Toy Story 3 this summer?
If you hadn't heard, the newest trailer has been released yesterday and it's available for viewing on MySpace Trailer Park - you don't have to be a member to view it, it worked alright for me. (I wish I could post it here!) Anyways, if you are a geek like me, you will love this post over on Film talking about all the hidden Easter Eggs and references! There's a lot hidden in this new trailer!!
So I'm a little excited myself... ;)
If you hadn't heard, the newest trailer has been released yesterday and it's available for viewing on MySpace Trailer Park - you don't have to be a member to view it, it worked alright for me. (I wish I could post it here!) Anyways, if you are a geek like me, you will love this post over on Film talking about all the hidden Easter Eggs and references! There's a lot hidden in this new trailer!!
So I'm a little excited myself... ;)
Cute Bins At Dollar Tree!
Aren't these cute?
Granted, they aren't the best quality in the world so no overly heavy things in them, and I wish they came in different colors, but for $1 - you can't go wrong! Most of the time you are lucky to score similar bins near the $10 range!
This bin was 8"X8".They had different sizes too, so check your Dollar Tree if you're in need of some. I'm going to be using this one for some of our gaming accessories. (I know, it doesn't really match the red chairs, lol, but I was excited to not need a plastic box!) And of course.... if you hate the color that much, you can always use fabric scraps to recover them to match your decor!
Granted, they aren't the best quality in the world so no overly heavy things in them, and I wish they came in different colors, but for $1 - you can't go wrong! Most of the time you are lucky to score similar bins near the $10 range!
This bin was 8"X8".They had different sizes too, so check your Dollar Tree if you're in need of some. I'm going to be using this one for some of our gaming accessories. (I know, it doesn't really match the red chairs, lol, but I was excited to not need a plastic box!) And of course.... if you hate the color that much, you can always use fabric scraps to recover them to match your decor!
Giveaway (& Freebie!) : Domino's
It's Friday, and for us, that usually means pizza night! Granted, I usually make it myself from scratch, but it's always nice to order out too. We ordered from Domino's the other day during our Wii gaming tourney, and were able to try out the new crust (and my favorite, the yummy Buffalo Chicken Sub! Mmmm!) Have you checked out Domino's new crust yet? Apparently, Domino's new hand-tossed pizza just beat Papa John's in a national taste test on pepperoni pizza, sausage pizza and extra-cheese pizza. I haven't had Papa John's in a LONG time, so I can't compare the two, but I guess Domino's has done well! (It's funny the difference in all these big chain pizza crusts though!)
For those staying in for Valentine's Day (which I am going to gather is probably 95% of parents! lol), Domino's has cooked up a great freebie offer for us all! On February 14th, use promo code HUG at checkout when ordering online to receive FREE order of Chocolate Lava Crunch Cakes and be Domino's Valentine! ;) Yummy chocolate-y goodness!
OK, now that I've made myself hungry for dinner tonight (we're having pepperoni, bacon, and pineapple on our pizza tonight!), Domino's has something cookin' here on my blog for you too....
Win it! One lucky reader is going to win a $20 gift card from Domino's! You can celebrate a special occassion, save it for March Madness on the horizon, or do what we'd do - use it for family gaming tourney nights! To enter, tell me your favorite pizza toppings! Are you all about the ooey gooey cheeses? Meat lovers? Veggies galore? (I want some ideas! lol)
As always, if you have completed the first entry above, you can also receive extra entries for:
-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway (leave the link or @psychotichouse me)
That's up to four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends February 27th, 2010 at 11:59 PST. US Only, sorry. :( Please leave your email address in your comment, or have it available in your profile so I can contact you if you've won. Winners drawn via Random.org.
I didn't receive anything for this post, but Domino's will be sending one reader a $20 gift card.
For those staying in for Valentine's Day (which I am going to gather is probably 95% of parents! lol), Domino's has cooked up a great freebie offer for us all! On February 14th, use promo code HUG at checkout when ordering online to receive FREE order of Chocolate Lava Crunch Cakes and be Domino's Valentine! ;) Yummy chocolate-y goodness!
OK, now that I've made myself hungry for dinner tonight (we're having pepperoni, bacon, and pineapple on our pizza tonight!), Domino's has something cookin' here on my blog for you too....
Win it! One lucky reader is going to win a $20 gift card from Domino's! You can celebrate a special occassion, save it for March Madness on the horizon, or do what we'd do - use it for family gaming tourney nights! To enter, tell me your favorite pizza toppings! Are you all about the ooey gooey cheeses? Meat lovers? Veggies galore? (I want some ideas! lol)
As always, if you have completed the first entry above, you can also receive extra entries for:
-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway (leave the link or @psychotichouse me)
That's up to four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends February 27th, 2010 at 11:59 PST. US Only, sorry. :( Please leave your email address in your comment, or have it available in your profile so I can contact you if you've won. Winners drawn via Random.org.
I didn't receive anything for this post, but Domino's will be sending one reader a $20 gift card.
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