Today at Stater Bros. I spent $41.84 and saved $39.88. Not bad. Even better was spending 39.96 at Ralphs and saving $55.42. Whoo hoo! I even got register coupons back for about $3.50 AND will get cash back from Ralphs for about $6.50 just on todays transactions. I’ll be off to Target later to get a few very cheap and/or free items.

A few of the sites helping me are:

• www.thegrocerygame.com
• www.hotcouponworld.com
• www.momsneedtoknow.com

Yeah, the couponing takes extra time, but since I’m a stay at home mom, I MAKE the time.  Cutting costs are part of my job.

Also, in these hard times many stores are accepting expired coupons.  My husband found a coupon for Harbor Freight that expired yesterday, and he called and spoke to the manager who said he would accept it as long as he brought it in.  (20% makes a difference!)  Also, many restaurants are doing the same (Pat & Oscars to name just one), so it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Anyone else want to share their ideas?

Just went grocery shopping… 

• Staters subtotal was $118.85, paid $64.31 (46%)
• Ralphs subtotal was $123.32, paid $51.19 (59%)

I even got a few freebies!

If you sign up, use my email as a referral:  jenefur at yahoo dot com

Also, another bloggy mom friend of mine has a lot of stores from back east on her blog, as well as CVS, Rite Aid & Walgreens where she breaks down the weekly savings & freebies.  Her site is http://www.momsneedtoknow.com/

That’s all – just trying to share the love when we all could use an extra few bucks in our checkbooks.

We put up our tree a few days ago… though I prefer a real one, we can’t afford one (AND I get all rashy if I touch a real one!)  We got this one 90% off at Target’s after Christmas clearance last year.  Whoo hoo! 

I didn’t buy one thing yesterday… not even from online.  This year’s Christmas will be slim pickings for us, but the kids will certainly not be at a loss for anything with all of the Grandparents around!  (Can you say Disney pass?) I’ll hit a few sales, but will mostly be making things this year.  A few years ago I posted about the fudge recipe I’ve been making for Christmas… it’s so easy!

Did any of you hit any sales yesterday?  What did you get?  Also did you hear about the poor WalMart worker who got trampled by the crowds and died as he tried to open the doors yesterday morning?  Despicable and very very sad.

I woke up to my daughter standing next to my bed telling me “Happy Thanksgiving!”  That was followed up by baby kisses a few minutes later when I picked Grant up out of his crib.  Happy Thanksgiving, indeed!

Today we’ll head out to my dad’s house and eat… here’s the menu…

Sparkling Cranberry Punch
Veggie Platter with Ranch Dip
Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery
Deviled Eggs (I’m going to make for the first time!)

Turkey
Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Broccoli & Cheese Sauce
Corn
Rolls

Pumpkin Pie
Apple Pie

Nothing too fancy, but good eats for sure!  Next year we’ll have another little blessing with us.

Thanksgiving 2007... just a few days away from giving birth to my own little turkey!

Hope everyone has a nice day.

I know I’m skipping over Thanksgiving entirely, but here is a little Christmas meme…

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? 

Either one, depending on the gift

2. Real tree or Artificial? 

I prefer real if I can afford it.  Probably no tree this year.

3. When do you put up the tree?

After Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? 

Around the first of the year.

5. Do you like eggnog?

Yes!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

Cabbage Patch Kid

7. Hardest person to buy for?

My dad & my father-in-law

8.Easiest person to buy for?  

My kids

9. Do you have a nativity scene? 

No

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? 

I only mail cards… and usually make them (but not this year… are you nuts?)

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? 

I can’t think of one I didn’t like

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? 

A Christmas Story, but I also love Elf.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

I try to shop throughout the year

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Of course.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? 

Most anything homemade is good to me!

16. Lights on the tree? 

Yes 

17. Favorite Christmas song?  

O Holy Night.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? 

We’ve never actually ‘travelled’.  We usually go to each parent’s house.  But this year planning on staying at home… too much running around!  Just want to enjoy the day with the kids at our house.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeers? 

Yes

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? 

I don’t even know what decorations I have!

21. Open presents on Christmas eve or morning? 

Both… we usually see extended family and friends both days.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? 

The lines at the stores.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?

I have an old angel from when I was a kid.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?  

Turkey or ham

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? 

I know I’m getting old… a food processor and a dustbuster!    But a gift cert for a massage or pedicure would be even better!

Apparently, ‘They melt in your mouth, not in your hands’ doesn’t apply to 3 year olds.

Last week (Wednesday), we bought a pumpkin from Fresh and Easy.  It is a new store out where I live and since they are building one right around the corner from my house, I thought I’d try one of the other locations and see how I liked it.  It was REALLY nice inside and the prices seemed pretty good.  The pumpkins were only $3 for any size, so we got a medium/large one and set off to Grandpa’s house to carve it.  This is what we came up with…

BEFORE

On Monday we went back to Grandpa’s house and this is what we found…

You bet your sweet bippy we went back to the store and showed them the photo and got my $3 back.  Didn’t give me much confidence in a store with a name such as theirs.  I will say the manager was very nice and suggested we send a comment to their corporate website, which is on my to do list.  I’ll probably still shop there once my location opens, but I might be a little leary about the fruits and veggies.

The whole family went up to Oak Glen to the apple orchards yesterday for a bit of fun.  We had apple donuts and a picnic next to the raspberry fields.  Then we mosy-d on down to the pumpkin farm and took advantage of the photo opportunities.  Good times, let me tell ya.

And, yes it’s been 16 days since my last blog.  I’ve found the wonders of Facebook and have been hopelessy addicted.

Last night, we dropped the kids off at grandpa’s house and went to Lucille’s Smokehouse for dinner.  All I have to say is YUM!  Andrew had his favorite… ribs!  I had my tri-tip and was in heaven.  Then we walked over to the theater and saw Tropic Thunder.  A little over the top, but very funny. 

And I have one question… what idiot parents thought it was a great idea to bring their 4 & 5 year old to see this movie?  Oh, that’s right, the people sitting next to us.  It’s totally rated R, with so much foul language and blood & guts.  I just don’t get some people.

I’ve been feeling really crappy lately.  Surprised?  I actually am.  With the last two pregnancies, I threw up every day.  But as soon as I did, I felt fine and could carry on with my day.  This time? Not so much.  I am nauseous all.day.long. 

The NP I saw last week told me to try keeping food in my stomach, which if you’ve seen any pictures of me, you’d think that would not be a problem.  I’m a big girl, it’s true.  But this is harder to do than you’d think.  Even with the constant eating, I still feel like I’ve been hit by an 18 wheeler.

I’ve had just a few cravings, if you could call them that.  Chinese food the other night.  Chocolate with almonds the week before.  When I was prego with Katie it was pineapple.  Yum.  With Grant, it was Sausage Cheese McMuffins (no egg… yuck) and frozen burritos.  I’m just hoping I won’t be one of those women who crave dirt and clay.  I think it’s called pica – some sort of iron deficiency.  Yowza!