Savings upsides but when it rains it pours

I am a newbie to coupon shopping only really been doing it about a month or so. I have done it off and on throughout my married life but nothing long term or really serious. Usually I just am happy to get the coupons off the shelf at the commissary while I am shopping. Well yesterday I went to the commissary for some basic staple items because the cabinets were getting bare. The commissary has some great savings overall on somethings. I know there are some food items that are actually cheaper to buy at a regular grocery store by the time I factor in the surcharge at the commissary and that we live in a no food sales tax state. My total before coupons was 233.76. I saved 37.90 in coupons Final bill was 195.86 for a 17% savings.

Some of the best coupon deals were...
Starbucks Ice Cream 2.00 off Price was 2.19 Final price $0.19
Quarto Razors $4.00 coupon price $5.00 Final Price $1.00
Eight O'clock Coffee $1.00 off 2 bags price $3.00 a bag final price 2.50 a bag Sorrento cheese sticks $3.00 off 2 packages price 2.99 each final price 2.98
Hebrew National Hot Dogs $1.00 off each price 2.00 Final price 1.00
Luigi's Frozen Italian Ice $.50 off price $1.25 Final Price $0.75 for 6 cups makes for a great treat for the kids on a hot summer day IF we ever get one.
1/3 of my items had a coupon. It was great to see the bill drop.

Now for the downer. I dropped my contact and while trying to find it I broke it. I can't really complain. I have had this pair for over 6 years. I wear gas permeable and when I went to the doctor last year he said they were still in good shape. But the bad part is I also broke my glasses around Christmas time and hadn't gotten them replaced yet. And this pair of glasses I had had since I lived in Chicago over 10 years ago. So all in all they have served me well and given me their money's worth, just bad timing.

Then to top it all off my desktop is on the fritz as well. It started out just not loading anything that was a Microsoft based ~ I.E, Office, Outlook etc. I could still get online through Firefox but that was all I could do. Well I have updated my anti-virus and I had no virus to be found. I backed up all my files, tried reinstalling windows, computer won't let me. I can't find out what is wrong with my crazy desktop. Now it won't even boot up other than in safe mode. So my bff/roommate is going to let me use her desktop that has been sitting in storage since she moved in. At some point I will end up getting a new computer. But right now we just can't afford it. Dh has his laptop and I will borrow the desktop from Nique. My desktop is at least 5 years old so again I can't complain too much just bad timing. When it rains it pours ya know.

But like our sermon last week I am trying to give it God and not have anxiety in this season. God will provide and answer all my needs and prayers in HIS time.

Rudeness disguised as helpfullness

Today Bekah was running a slight fever but didn't seem to be really sick so we went ahead and went out and about. Well bad mommy award. While driving she got sick. We happened to be about 1/2 block from a Wal-mart. Right place right time. So we pulled in and took her inside to get some clean clothes, wipes and get cleaned up. While we were rapidly walking around the CHILDREN's area with her in the cart discussing getting a blanket for her car seat or getting a new car seat (we sorta want an extra car seat for DH's car anyway), this woman says "you do know she's thrown up?" To which I replied, "Yeah we are getting things to get her cleaned up and taken care of" The lady rather rudely says, "looks to me like you are just shopping" Now mind you this whole time I am checking on Bekah and quietly talking to her and making sure she's ok. Some people just don't know when to mind their own business. Goodness. Bekah ended up getting sick 2 more times today. yeah I think it's official she don't feel so hot.

Doctor update

The x-rays showed a separated AC Joint, not to be confused with a dislocated shoulder. Not sure when that happened. That may not even be what's causing the shoulder pain. He thinks I have a case of bursitis. Gave me a corticosteroid shot today and told me to stay on anti-inflamatories for 3 weeks to ease the pain and come back. I feel much better today but want to make sure that the shoulder heals and I have no further issues.

We had an afternoon of sunshine today:) The kids got outside and ran around which was really nice for ALL of us. The rain is coming back but I think we may go to the children's museum to get out of the house.

singing in the rain

I can only sing in the rain for so many days. I need sun I seriously need sun. The weatherman tells me that tomorrow will be some sun. I hope he's right. We have had ALOT of rain this month.

Tomorrow I go to the ortho for a possible torn rotator cuff. Like most stubborn people, I have been putting off calling the doctor. About 6-7 weeks ago my shoulder started bothering me like I had slept on it funny. I would stretch and the pain would lessen for a day or two but then I would do something, throw a toy, reach for something or just move wrong and the pain would be back. My range of motion is limited and painful So finally yesterday I had had enough. I called my primary care and made the appointment for today. He gave me a referral to physical therapy and ortho. For once I love having civilian doctors attached to a major university hospital. Praying the right answers to take the pain away completely.

CVS savings

Recently I really have been trying to cut back on our family spending and saving some money every place I can. So when I see a good deal at CVS for things I would buy anyway with ECB (extra care bucks) I usually buy them. Today I went into CVS to get some staple things ~ 2 large bottles of shampoo, dh razors (had a coupon), female supplies and Reuben safe animal crackers. I saved $21.00 and spent a grand total of $12.59 plus received another $5.00 ECB as well as another $2.00 of any $10.00 CVS brand purchase.

A weekend of blessings

We had such a busy but blessing fulfilled weekend. God truly blessed me. This weekend was opening weekend for Southern New England Conference Campmeeting. Our guest speaker was Dr. Barry Black. He is a retired Navy Admiral, now the 62nd Chaplain of the Senate. He spoke to us about Supersizing our Faith and Not Worrying about what we don't have and what we do have. God takes care of us but He isn't a genie in a bottle to just give us what we want. God has a plan for my life and I need to be open to that plan. I can't wait to get the CD's from the weekend sermons.

Sunday evening was a Steve Green concert. Kristy you were missing from this concert. Steve Green showed pictures of his kids. Oh man where does time go. I remember seeing his kids as little kids now they are all grown up. How does that happen? He sang old favorites and new ones that are going to be favorites for years to come.

The kids loved having their own meetings to attend. It's fun to listen to them be so animated about God and Bible stories. It's absolutely precious listening to the girls at three years old singing Bible songs and saying memory verses. It reminds me of the AWESOME HUMBLING responsibility God has given me to raise Godly children. Only by His grace and power can we do this job.

Creative Mom Award

I got a sweet surprise this morning. A. Marie over at My Money Mission nominated me for this award. I so enjoy reading A. Marie's posts. She always has some great savings tip or inspiration to read. Stop by to read her sometime.




Here's the simple rules:
♥ Take your award and put the logo on your post.
♥Link the person who awarded you.Remember each recipient of the award should acknowledge the person who honored them and go to Mom's Special Diary to copy and paste the award.
♥Put your own blog title and link.
♥Nominate at least five deserving moms.

1. Kristy
2. Crystal
3. Sonja
4. Michelle
5. Happy House Wife

I love reading their blogs!!!

another episode of kids say the funniest things

Last night Anneliese was singing ~~ "sometimes I love my brothers, sometimes I love my brothers sometimes I love my brothers for 2 hours" I had to chuckle, she couldn't have been more honest. Then we pulled into a parking lot on the way to to the drive in and got "is this where we are going?" from all the boys. We told them yes. Anneliese says "I love it too much" The funniest part about the parking lot was it was just some random bank parking lot that we were using to turn around.

A taste of days gone by

In a day of technology and the "need" for the best sound and picture a long ago tradition is almost gone around the country. I remember going to see movies at the drive-in as a child and even as a newlywed. We have always enjoyed going. The older boys may have only gone to one I think.

Fortunately we have one about 30 miles from our house. So yesterday we made some hot dogs, air popped popcorn with olive oil and garlic YUM, grabbed some water, our lawn chairs and headed out. The kids had no idea, we told them we were going somewhere fun. We got there and the kids were still confused. The lot was nearly FULL. Brian got the strollers out to contain the girls. I got out the chairs and set them up and then Nique and I started getting the hot dogs ready. Once the movie started the boys got all giddy. We were able to see UP and NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM for $20.00. There are 3 adults and 7 kids. Doing the the math that's $1.00 per person per movie for new movies can't beat the deal.

The boys have already asked to go again. The girls didn't make it through the first movie. They were so cute falling asleep in their strollers cuddled up next to each other. The rain held out til the movie was over. During the second movie we got about 5-10 minutes of spitting sprinkles but not enough to get wet or pack it up.

Yard work and play

Yesterday Brian was mowing the yard with the riding mower. All the girls including Nique's girls got to ride the mower. Reuben took a ride as well. Brian allowed Leo to take the mower back down to the shed. Leo couldn't reach the brake but as soon as he stood up the motor shut off. The girls and Caleb were also playing with the soccer ball in the yard across the street. We then went to the playground where the girls have learned they can climb the slide and make "dinner" with the dirt and wood shavings. I love this age of discovery and fun. Here's the fun pic slideshow.

EYEBROWS

MY SON HAS EYEBROWS:) yes I am shouting!!! His eczema was so bad he had rubbed his eyebrows off. In the last 3 weeks, we have taken the soy and milk away from his diet, used some natural remedies to moisturize his skin. Tonight is proof it's working. He is still pinkish tint in the face and has some scabs but slowly but surely Reuben is improving.