LSU and lumps in my throat

Sophie watching the band come down the hill

Sean, Sophie and I went to the LSU/Kentucky game Sat. morning. It was great weather and overall a smooth operation. We walked up right before the band came down the hill. Sophie saw everything from her Dad's shoulders and was thoroughly impressed. LSU is so much sweeter in person than the flashy, smooth production you get on TV. She loved that it was a school, there were students and cheerleaders and "fast" football players and we walked around campus sharing our memories. I couldn't get rid of the knot in my stomach thinking about how soon she would join these kids at some campus somewhere. It makes me hold her a little closer and snuggle even when I don't have the time.

I might have been the only person there in black, I broke down and got a shirt while we were on campus

It's nice to have contact with the outside world

Here is my Dutch Baby that I made last week, I've linked to the recipe at Cook's Country. It was really tasty, a cross between a pancake and a popover. Cooking it was nicer than pancakes because I didn't have to stand over the griddle to make it but was able to get dressed while it cooked. Then we all ate together like the Cleavers, well sort of.

We've been busy but productive. I'm doing the Facebook page for Sophie's school and working on a good contact list of active parents. I've also been listing items on Ebay for friends, a win-win situation, they get rid of their clothes and we both make a little money. 

I have gone to my Birthday Club and my Book Club and seen friends which is so nice because staying at home all day with only the kids makes for a socially hypersensitive adult. Shortly after I had Sophie I remember getting my feelings hurt by the cashier at the grocery because she wasn't nice and she was my only contact with another adult (besides Sean) all day. That was in New Orleans and we did not know our neighbors, things have improved. There is such a nice network of support and friends here in Laurel, I would imagine that is the greatest benefit of living in a small town. Still the lingering effects of being alone with babies everyday makes you overly sensitive.  I go home and analyze what is said to me and what I said to others. I have so little time to do anything but I do think about these conversations while cleaning or singing or hopscotching. I'm hoping this social awkwardness will fade away when I enter the non baby phase of my life.

Don't you love Etsy?

Holy Moly are these cute or what?  Not a big fan of the ubiquitous giant bow but I DO need something to hold back Vivian's hair. The only thing is I might go into a panic if I lose something so darn cute.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/77767957/new-alli-the-crocodile-and-alligator

Why I stay home with the kids....

Things have gotten crazy since school started last week. I had no idea how relaxed we had gotten this summer until having a schedule for school whipped us back into shape. I'm trying to make a real breakfast every morning. So far we have had buttermilk waffles and oatmeal. Tomorrow we are having Dutch Baby which I can only imagine has some Northern? origin because I'm not at all familiar with it but it will include strawberries and whipped cream which makes anything good.


They only need a few books and then they fall asleep. AMAZING!



Sophie has school, Wes is adjusting to school and the babies are becoming their own people that probably need to have separate cribs but I know I'm not ready. They are such good companions at sleeptime, waving at me and saying 'night-night' (this has been unheard of in our home) bedtimes have always been disasters. Sean is so busy making artwork and selling it and also finding time to work. I think it's nice for all of them to know that I have everything covered at home. When they get home from work and school I'm ready to hear about their day, absorb it as my own and prepare them for the next day. I love my job, I sometimes forget this when I have a week like last week when I wanted to throw the manicotti off the deck and pull a full on Kramer vs. Kramer. I finally did leave and walk around CVS for an hour (there aren't many places to venture and I needed the A/C). I was still mad when I got home but I wasn't screaming. I needed to leave and remind myself why I stay home and what a special time it has been. I look forward to working outside the home when the kids are all in school but I can't imagine it will be half as fulfilling as the time I've spent shaping their lives.



Undercover Mystery Shopping Mother

I saw an ad for local mystery shoppers and signed up with Intellishop http://www.intelli-shop.com/evaluator-area/become-an-evaluator it was free and quick to do but I assumed we would not get much mystery shopping action in Laurel.  However, last week I got one at a local cell phone store (I had to go there anyway to reset my pin) and all I had to do was ask the clerk a question. Perhaps my giggle gave me away but I hoped by bringing the kids with me they would never assume I was actually trying to shop them. The hardest part was remembering her name while wrangling the kids (I'm terrible with names anyway). When I got home I filled out the review in about 10 minutes and I was paid $15 through Paypal. Right now this same company is offering to reimburse oil changes for certain American made cars at a local dealership.

 A friend told me about National Shopping Service, http://www.nationalshoppingservice.com/ Tonight we had pizza delivered for free on top of a $12 bonus. The kids thought it was fun to take pictures of a pizza before we could eat it. I was just excited because my self imposed $150 weekly grocery limit was made easier with free pizza (we also made a salad). Last week we got in under the $150 weekly limit ($134.91) which was nice to know it could be done.

Pricematching in Laurel 8/12 ending 8/16

Not a whole lot going on this week exciting. Even Kroger isn't amazing....
Milk 1/2 Gallon $1.66 Kroger
Coke 12pk cans 3/$9 CVS (ends Sat.)
Popcorn Indiana $2.50 CVS (ends Sat.)
Hilshire Farm Sausage $2.49 Sunflower
Ground Chuck $2.59/# Sunflower
Boneless Skinless Chicken $1.88/# Save Rite & $1.87/# Kroger
Bama Grape/Apple Jelly $1 Sunflower
Wishbone Salad Dressing $2 Piggly Wiggly
Ore Ida Potatos $2.50 Kroger
McKenzies Chub Corn $1 Corner Market
Blue Bell 1/2 gallon $4.48 Save Rite
Red/Green Grapes $1.38/# Save Rite
5# Red Potatos $3 Save Rite
5# Russet Potatos $2.99 Piggly Wiggly
Celery .98 Save Rite
Tomatos .99/# Kroger
Peaches/Plums $1.28/# Save Rite
Nectarines $1.29 Kroger
Strawberries $2 Kroger
Brocolli Crowns $1.49/# Piggly Wiggly
Green Beans $1.29/# Corner Market

No more wearing your brothers jeans....

I have had a few "bad mother" moments since the twins were born. One was not going to the awards ceremony when Sophie won the AR award for 1st grade. Another moment was realizing Sophie had worn her little brothers jeans to school (the knee marks were at her mid thigh). Soooo to prevent this from happening again and also to help us plan her daily outfits the night before (nice thought). We have divided her clothes with some fun dividers. We love our circle cutter that we used to make the universal birthday banner that we WILL use until the end of time. And we used the leftover letter stickers from same banner. So on our last day of summer we were crafty and it felt good. It feels much better than the look of disappointment I received on awards day....





The Birthday Banner that I copied off of Etsy and have used for everyone (I do add their name and birthday year)



To share or not to share your deals

I get so excited by pricematching or just getting a good deal that I assume everyone else does too, but evidently they don't.  Often I find myself talking to strangers at Walmart in line but maybe it should end there. Should I share my deal at the expense of looking like a kook? This weekend at Walmart in front of the milk I waited while a man grabbed 2 gallons of milk when I grabbed mine I mentioned that the milk was $3.19 at CVS he looked at me as if I was trying to sell him something. Like CVS had paid me to stand there. The more I said to explain the concept of price matching the more he and his wife exchanged this-lady-is-crazy looks until finally I found myself walking backwards towards my then screaming twins. Maybe I'll keep my deals to myself and maybe not everyone wants to save OVER $1 on milk???

Cooks Illustrated on a budget

I was concerned when I started using coupons that my dinners would slip and start including Hamburger Helper or casseroles with cans of soup or I would give in to the almost free Poptarts at Kroger.  This summer I did slip and gave in to the very cheap Pringles and Koolaid.  The kids were so excited every time we made Koolaid slushies that I'm considering slipping more often.  Now that school is back I'm determined to reign in the spending and control our schedule with a menu. For the last 4 years I have used Cooks Illustrated exclusively and just love their attention to detail. I only use Cooks Illustrated online and now have a binder full of their recipes.

My food spending goal for the six of us is $150 a week not sure if this can be done. I have a list of basic ingredients for most of my favorite recipes and have had a hard time finding them at a price that is stockpile worthy, (28oz canned tomatos have been the only exception).  I only buy meat on sale and pricematch my cheese and fruit. Mom gives me eggs from her chickens and our indulgent butter purchases are no longer since the dairy burned down. The meat variation is so dull usually switching from boneless chicken for 1/2 the week and ground meat for the 2nd half. I try to only buy for this menu and get a few snacks to fill in the gaps. I have the most commonly used fresh herbs in pots on the deck that I bring inside for the winter. We will see....Last week was $160 and I didn't feel deprived however we did eat out Friday night....

Can this be done? we shall see.

Pricematching in Laurel 8/3

This is my pricematching list (so incredibly dull but such is my life at times) from the stores in Laurel. The prices are valid until 8/9 except for non grocery stores which end 8/6, I put the list in order that I walk through Walmart from the back to the front of the store.
Milk $3.19 CVS
Coke 12 pk cans 4/$10 CVS (w/extra bucks)
Pepsi 12pk cans 3/$10 Dollar General & Kroger
Yoplait $.6 Kroger
Store Brand Shredded or chunk cheese 8ox 3 for $5 ($1.66) Sunflower
Ajax dish liquid 16oz. $.88 Family Dollar
Lays Chips $2.50 Save Rite
Wesson 48oz. $2.99 CVS
Gold Medal Flour 5# $2 CVS
Luxury Pasta 1# $.88 Save Rite
Hillshire Farm Lunch meat $3 Kroger
John Morrell Bacon $2.5 Kroger
Boneless Chicken breast $1.99 Corner Market
Ground Chuck $1.99 Corner Market
Jif/Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter $2.19 Sunflower
Community Coffee $4.99 Sunflower
Ore Ida Potatos $2.5 Kroger
Blue Bell 1/2 Gallon $3.99 Corner Market
Cucumber/Bell Pepper .50 Kroger
Green or Red Grapes $1.49 Corner Market
Broccoli Bunch $1.99 Piggly Wiggly
Plums $1.29 Kroger
Peaches $1.29 Sunflower
Strawberries $2 Save Rite
Cherries $1.98 Save Rite
Vidalia Onions $.78 Save Rite
Dole Bagged Salad (select varieties) $1.28 Save Rite

Kroger coupon policy

Not sure how I should have handled this. I had the Reach $1 coupon and tried to buy the floss for $.95. The cashier told me I couldn't use the coupon b/c it was worth more than the item. He called the manager and the manager agreed with the cashier. I didn't argue b/c well I don't want to argue but I don't know if they were right. Does anyone know the Laurel Kroger policy for this?

Stoneyfield out at Laurel Kroger

Just got back from Kroger and they only had 2 of the 6oz. yogurts left. They are a great price at Kroger!     In the ad they are buy 1 get 1 free and they are in the 10 for $10 sale. Cannot tell what mine rang up for, that receipt from Kroger is so hard to figure out. I got three yogurts to go along with the Stoneyfield coupon. The produce lady said they would get a shipment Monday, 'maybe' but by then Stoneyfield should let me print another coupon for the new month.

First year without a microwave

The microwave bothered me more than the opening for the stove being too big

About a year ago I threw out our microwave after it started making scary popping sounds.   I took it as a challenge to see if we could do without one for a little while.  I hated the way it looked in my kitchen, there was no way to make it not look like a big black box next to my lovely vintage stove. Now I have a spot for our R2D2 cookie jar.  But no microwave also meant no instant oatmeal, frozen pot pies or quick popcorn.  We had been using our popcorn maker to make popcorn anyway, melting the butter in the microwave but now I had to do it on the stove. The first time we did this the popcorn tasted better and then we realized the butter was NOT microwaved and it seemed to have a richer flavor.  I had read some articles about the food breaking down in the microwave and depleting the nutrients, not sure if this is really the case but it certainly seems to effect the flavor.

We use more pots now and I don't like the extra dishes. Also leftovers are warmed on the stove or in the toaster oven and I'm still challenged by reheating pasta without it sticking to the pot.  I was going to heat up some frozen vegetables the other day  in one of those steamer packets and it would take 20 minutes on the stove as opposed to 5 in the microwave. I mostly steam fresh vegetables now. If we had a microwave I would be tempted to pop something in quick that the kids would love but would make me feel guilty. Not having a microwave has allowed me to cook healthier, no cutting corners with meals and the kids know not to even ask for some things even though I know Sophie daydreams about having one of those easyMac containers of her own  I have taken the microwave off our things we need/want list and there is no going back, for now.....

Walgreen and CVS runs in Laurel--tell me about yours

My stockpile is getting a little ridiculous so I am trying to only get absolutely FREE items for awhile. We went yesterday during the crazy rain which meant the stores were pretty empty. What is with the people at walmart that will not walk into the rain?
Anyway, CVS had plenty of the papermate grip pens for $1.99 with $1.99 back in ECB's and I was finally able to use my Bengay $5 printable coupon (there were a couple left) the bengay cost $5.79 but i got $2 back in ECB's and I had spent $50 in beauty so i got $5 extrabucks at the coupon center. I like the way they keep up with what you have purchased and give you credit. We love that coupon center.

Walgreens had some school supplies I wanted and I needed to spend my rewards before they expired. Has anyone used their rewards at walmart? I used a catalina at walmart last week that I got from kroger but I haven't tried it with the walgreens rewards. There were plenty of scuuci's for 2 for $3 with $3 back (NO COUPON NEEDED) and Indicator toothbrushes for free with the $2 coupon for 2. For school supplies I bought the filler paper for .50 and the highlighters are .09 a piece but i bailed on them and bought the name brand for .69 a pack of 2 because i thought of the poor kids trying to highlight with crappy markers all so that I could save .30 a marker. So does that mean I'm not too frugal?  and of course the milk is $3.29 at walgreens for pricematching.
Now all i have left for back to school is paper products and kleenex is .99  at Kroger.

School supplies--12 GLUE STICKS?????

The options for school supply deals seem limitless but am I really going to drive to Toy'r'us for .93 construction paper? Instead Walmart pricematching has been great. I think so far Walmart has kept up with most of the deals. There is a deal at Office Depot for $1 ream of paper AFTER the mail-in refund. I think with the right cashier at Walmart this deal could be price matched. Has anyone tried? I had a cashier at Walmart yesterday that wouldn't look at my Ramey's ad that I had out but would only refer to her own ad to price match nectarines so she is not who I would use on the paper deal.  She also read the fine print (aloud) on the only coupon I was using....

Am I only going to buy Scotch brand double stick tape b/c Dollar Tree tape probably isn't as good and the teacher didn't specify. Depends on my mood...Someone texted me last night with a great coupon for $1 off scotch double stick tape at http://www.3m.com/brands/scotch/promos/201106_co/scotch_doublesided_coupon.pdf?WT.mc_ID=8121234-23094554 with endless printing ability and the cheapest she found it was for $2.79 at Walgreens which could be pricematched but I don't see it in their ad as proof.
We only need 2 rolls for K4 but I have heard of some classes needing 6 rolls and then 12 glue sticks I wondered if this wasn't a typo or some sick joke.

Sunday Newspaper Strategies or Print only what you need???

Which Sunday newspapers do you buy? Or do you not buy any and only print what you need?                     I just put a poll on the right side to get an idea.

I normally go to the boxes in front of walmart and get 2 or 3 Hattiesburg Americans (last week i did this and they had no inserts so i might go back to the more expensive Clarion Ledger).

This week there were several ladies waiting at the boxes and it still had the Sat. paper at 730am went at 830 and still no sunday paper for Jackson or Hattiesburg. I ended up buying the Jackson papers at Chevron. (they always call me "honey" or "sweetie" at the chevron near walmart each clerk is so nice)

Do you have a subscription for the Sunday paper? I would love for ONLY the Sunday paper to be on the lawn but I haven't found the subscription for just one day per week.

Do you have a deal with someone who doesn't use the coupons....I tried this but then she started using them I think my mistake was paying her for them and showing how they are really worth something....

Also the inserts this week.........I was not impressed but i wasn't disappointed until i compared them to the Times Picayune in New Orleans which had the SoftSoap coupon and several others we did not have.

TELL ME WHAT YOU DO, I WANT TO DO IT AND NOT THINK ABOUT IT!

Walgreens, Dickey's & Pretty Please

Ran into Walgreens when I was returning a Red Box (free with code DVDKROG at Kroger) they were out of the wide point Expo markers 6pk for  $2.99. Walmart has the 2pk for $1.47 so walgreens is the better deal but walmart is cheaper and St. John's doesn't specify the size of their pack.  On my quest for cheap double stick tape I came across the sale at Walgreens for $2.99 regularly $4.29 when combined with my $.50 coupon it's not so bad but a frugal friend said Dollar Tree sometimes has double stick tape but I don't get over there often. When Cody (my favorite cashier at Walgreens) was writing my raincheck I noticed a big stack of Flinstones vitamin grown chart packs with coupons. they were at the checkout closest to the front of the store.

THANKS to Christy for the heads up about the sale starting today at Pretty Please of up to 80% off! I hope to go by, they have such cute things.

I have yet to go to Dickies BBQ it's just not on my regular circuit but a reader told me yesterday that kids 12 and under eat free on Sundays with the purchase of an adult meal. Looks like you get 1 kids meal for every 1 adult meal.

btw FABRIC SOFTENER ROCKS! my laundry expert was correct, I no longer have smelly clothes. I have used All free and clear for years and I don't wear perfume so I was living on the edge of stink in this hot southern summer for too long. Also it made my house smell so good. I had heard somewhere that it was toxic and caused cancer which kept me away....but really I was having to throw away clothes...

Are you a Raising Cane's Caniac? Get a free combo

Just in case you haven't joined yet...Ask the cashier at Cane's for a Caniac Club card when you checkout and then register your card through their website and in a couple of days you get a FREE combo. I like their chicken but find them pricey so it's nice to have a freebie. They periodically send emails for other free things in the last month I've had free iced tea and on 7/27 they are giving away a free chicken strip. They put the deals on your card so you don't even have to print it out. Also we like their ice.....

CVS in Laurel had everything I needed except....

CVS had almost everything that was on my list. I brought all 4 kids and perservered. Hadn't been since last week when I left emptyhanded and frustrated because everything was out of stock. Today when I went they had:


Indicator toothbrushes for $.99 so I bought 2 with my $2 coupon making them FREE!!


Crest for $.99 and I had a $.75 coupon.


Clorox cleanup 2 for $5 and i printed $1 coupons for them online. So they were $1.50 a piece.

Pantene selection was pretty bare but i got a shampoo & conditioner for $.50 apiece after the sale price of $2.50 apiece and the coupon for $4 off of 2 from the paper a few weeks ago.


Downy was on sale for 3.99$ and I used a $1 coupon making it 2.99$. (I was assured by a friend and laundry expert that this is a good deal, never bought it before but my clothes smell)


Didn't get the Tide but they had some.


They didn't have any of the smaller Gillette shaving cream smaller size to go with the $1 coupon


The kids like to scan the card at the coupon center and there was one for $4 off purchase of $20 in grocery that expires in 2 weeks everything else expires in 2 days


Overall a good trip even though I waited until late in the week and didn't try it Saturday night or Sunday morning.

Don't understand why they don't have the sale paper in the store. My mom's CVS in Louisiana doesn't have the sale ad available in her store either so they couldn't write out a raincheck until she brought hers to the store.

School Supplies at Walmart in Laurel, MS

Just went to Walmart last night for a school supply run. Also just to get out of the house with the kids. It's always a special time to get school supplies. Had a list ready to price match but from what I could tell Walmart had matched the lowest price already. Except for the packs of Bic pens. I had a coupon for $1/2 bic stationary products and they are $.50 each at Target and $1 at walmart. Thereby making them free however I forgot and just used the coupon. This is a oversight that still haunts me a day later. The other mom's and I could not find wide ruled filler paper anywhere so I'll be back for that.
Anyway I did not buy the 2 rolls of double stick tape. I think it was $3.88? at walmart, there has to be a better price out there. I just found a $.50/1 coupon for it at www.scotchbrand.com that would make it less painful and there doesn't seem to be a limit to printing. I also held out on the watercolor paint tray. Looking for a good price match.
Lastly I had the Bengay $5 coupon ready to buy the $4.23 Bengay and make $.77 but it was all out. Can't tell if customers or the store clear the shelves when this happens. Will keep my eye out....

Superhero on patrol

This is our 3rd week of Superman cape wearing. Ian just loves to have a cape, hat, barette or towel on his head. If he turned around you would see he's wearing a little red barette of his sisters. The cape is from etsy and has batman on the other side. Great quality and just so much fun!

Couponing in Laurel, MS

First thought about blogging a few years ago and then had twins, now life is easier (the twins are 22 months) and I can breathe again. Would love to have somewhere that locals were able to tell each other about good deals, bad deals and no deals with coupons and just buying for your family. So I'm going to give it a try.