$12.58 for a ton of School supplies at Staples for 2012 - 2013 school year - great deals!

This year, I've been keeping up with the school supply deals at Staples each week. Items for a penny? Well, it caught my eye, that's for sure!

Here's a run down of my purchases for this week....I had 4 separate transactions this time. My sweet boys and youngest girl were along, so we had 4 customers to do these deals. Hope it's helpful to someone...I know it's going to be such a blessing to us to get all these supplies for such a small amount!

This is all from the current ad that began yesterday.

TRANSACTION #1

4 BIC mechanical pencils - $.25 ea.                         $1.00

3 Roseart colored pencils - $1 ea.                           $3.00

4 Prang Assorted/White Chalk - $.25 ea.                $1.00

Subtotal of $5 to get the 1 cent items:

2 paperclip 100 pk ($.01 ea. w/$5 purchase)            $.02    (limit of 2)

10 2pkt. folders w/fasteners ($.01 ea. w/$5 purch.)   $.10    (limit of 10)

6 HomeSelect Pocket Tissues ($.01 ea. w/$5 purch.)  $.06    (limit of 6)

Subtotal of $5.18

Coupon in Sunday paper: $1 off purchase of 3 RoseArt items    -$1.00

Subtotal $4.18

Tax      $ .34

TOTAL    $4.52

TRANSACTION #2 - identical to #1  (I got the bundle of 2 Sun. papers so I had 2 of the RoseArt coupons)

TOTAL   $4.52



TRANSACTION #3

1 Ream Staples printer paper                                       $6.99  (met my $5 min. right there)

2 paperclip 100 pk ($.01 ea. w/$5 purchase)                 $.02    (limit of 2)

10 2pkt. folders w/fasteners ($.01 ea. w/$5 purch.)       $.10    (limit of 10)

6 HomeSelect Pocket Tissues ($.01 ea. w/$5 purch.)     $.06    (limit of 6)

Total w/tax:  $7.76
EasyRebate (you can do this online - super easy - get a check mailed, have it deposited into a paypal account, whatever.)  -$5.99
TOTAL after rebate:  $1.77


TRANSACTION $4 - identical to #3 (limit of 2 rebates per household, btw)

TOTAL after rebate: $1.77

GRAND TOTAL ALL 4 TRANSACTIONS AFTER REBATES:  $12.58

So, there you have it. Feel free to check my math, I didn't get enough sleep last night, LOL, and told a few friends about my deals with my before tax total ;)  Ah well.   Now, I just can't wait 'til next week's ad :)

Happy shopping!

If I'd caught the 2 BIC coupons in my papers, I'd have used those on the BIC mechanical pencil transactions (1 on each probably) and saved $2 additional - oh well! Hopefully next week something from BIC will be on sale, or at least before those coupons expire!

Where, oh where, have we been?

Well, here, of course. We're just busy :)

I just purchased our new flag shirts for this year's annual traditional picture and picnic and realized how long it's been since I've posted here on any regular basis. I miss it. It just seems I don't have long, quiet respites much these days to ponder life and post long ramblings about our happenings, complete with the requisite pictures I enjoy so much. Maybe that will change in the days to come...maybe it won't. Time will tell.

For now, know I *do* plan to at the very least update our photo at the top in about a week. Yes, Memorial Day is coming :)

Is anyone still out there?  We're here.

Busy week for us began this past Saturday morning.

Piano recital for the big girls.
Sunday services.
Monday evening - Mr. E's Cub Scout Pack Graduation - where have the past 2 years of Cubs gone?
Tuesday - super fabuloso exciting fun day planned - stay tuned.
Wednesday - birthday party for a sweet young friend.
Thursday - piano lessons and library outing
Friday - HOLIDAY WEEKEND COMMENCES!

Overheard...

Overheard just now - 4 children in den, 1 practicing piano in another room. The conversation turned to God and questions:

 Miss A: "Something I've always wanted to ask God is how he can see everything at the same time."
Mr. E:  "Well, don't bother writing a letter."
Mr. A:  "You can ask one day when you're dead. I mean, when you're in heaven." :)

Sayings...from the crew

• While Mr. A was working in one of his school books this morning which required scissors and cutting, Miss Baby came over to see what he was up to:
  Mr. A: "Stay back! This is not for babies! Baby Ladies, that is." :)

• Above the din of her siblings playing after lunch, Miss Baby is heard yelling: Autobots...roll out!! :)

Pick Me Up Bouquet - no flowers required!

Y'all have heard of the "pick-me-up bouquets" FTD, and other florists have available, right? Well, tonight, I received a "pick-me-up bouquet" that didn't involve flowers!

As I sat down to check schoolwork at the girls' table, I finished up one's work, then was feeling tired, thinking about how I'd like to go sit on the couch and rest, then my eyes fell on the table and a drawing...but the paper sticking out from under the edge was what really caught my eyes...it was titled "Christmas List for Others" and had a list of names down the left hand side..... Thank you Lord for that pick me up! I am so blessed!

Music to a Teacher-Mom's ears!

"Mama, I like doing schoolwork. It's fun!" - sayeth Mr. A - my sweet Kindergarten boy as he stands holding his new math book (Math U See Primer)  :)   Music to this Mama's ears!!

Couponing at CVS tonight - found Clearance items!

I went to CVS tonight to pick up a 2 pack bundle of the Sunday paper, and decided to look around a bit while I was there. I didn't plan to do any coupon deals while there, but just to see what all might be on sale, etc. before I went home and looked over the ad/paper.

I was glad to find some things on clearance that we could use though and picked up the following items:

CVS Super Advanced toothbrush - clearanced for $.69 (reg. price $2.77) 
CVS Children's Decongestant Nose Drops - clearanced for $1.17 (doesn't expire 'til 6/2013!) (reg. price $4.69)

Ghirardelli Chocolate - Intense Dark 60% Cacao 3.5 oz. bars - clearanced for $.92 (reg. price $3.69)
Softlips 2 pack pearl and cherry - clearanced for $1.12 (reg. price $4.49)

Purchased 3 toothbrushes, 2 Decongestants, 2 Chocolate bars, and 5 Softlips (stocking stuffers!!) - 

$11.85 spent (not including tax) - reg. price would've been $47.52 - saved $35.67 (75% savings)

More Couponing

I've continued to have the "coupon bug" and decided it was time to get organized if I was going to keep the coupons from the papers and actually use some of them, so I have crossed over into the "coupon craze" realm - at least that's how it was referred to when I called Hobby Lobby to see if they had any baseball card sheet protectors to put in a binder and the lady asked if I was part of the "coupon craze" - LOL. If it's a craze, so be it, much worse crazes to be a part of, LOL.

So, I had a 1 in. binder on hand and put in the protectors and started sorting coupons and putting them in. It was a big job b/c I've been saving them from papers for about a month or so and not done any organizing yet. I'm not done yet, but I definitely made a dent in them, especially the "food" coupons. I left the non-food ones in regular envelopes for now, but sorted in categories so I can pull out the envelope and just sort through them - for now. I was tired of sorting and cutting and what not and Miss Baby was up from her nap, which meant chaos when you have little pieces of paper all over the dining room table ;)

So, I made my first 2 store trips - armed w/my binder - yes, I took it in w/me - I felt a little self-conscious, but I got over it pretty quickly. Inside in the front pocket I had 2 small envelopes labeled w/the store names (my first two stops were Target and Wal-mart) and a spiral notebook sitting in the front w/my lists for each store. On each list I had the items I needed to get, how many to get, and the coupon value. Then, on a separate little page stapled to the spiral notebook page, I had my other items that were non-coupon items listed out. It went pretty smoothly, although it took me a lot longer to shop for even the few items I was getting b/c I was trying to be very careful to get the right things and make sure I was getting exactly what the coupon said so I wouldn't have any issues at the register.

So, moment of truth - the checkout!

I went to Target first b/c I only had 1 "cold food" item, bacon. I loaded my items on the belt, maybe 20 things, and waited for the checkout. Then gave her my Target coupons first, some were giving some kind of error on the screen. The checker didn't seem to notice and kept on scanning, although the coupons weren't being taken into the system and deducted. She then noticed and we made sure to get all of them in the system, and then I had manufacturer coupons also - turns out she wasn't even a checker usually, so I had to explain to her that I could use a manuf. and a Target coupon on the same item according to their coupon policy and she then scanned those in. If I did the math correctly when I returned home, I saved about 20% on the items I bought.

Off to Wal-mart (for future trips, I will bring a cooler w/those ice packs for food from first store) - took my Target bag of bacon w/receipt in and asked greeter if I could take it in w/me - showed her the Target receipt - she seemed a bit wary, but said it was ok, so off I went. Again, took me longer than normal in there, but I got what I needed. Got to checkouts, looked through coupons again to make sure I had the right ones in the envelope and realized I'd only gotten 1 item that I'd had 2 coupons for, but didn't feel like leaving the line to go get another, so just took that coupon out (it wasn't like it was going to be free or anything that fabulous ;) ) - checkout went ok. Later when I got home I found one error - was charged for key limes instead of regular limes to the tune of about $.25 extra, but lesson learned is that I need to watch more closely while things are being scanned in future. Saved around 20% here too.

Not the "extreme" couponing you see on the tv show, but 20% aint bad compared to not saving anything and just paying full price for everything, right?  I plan to try again on our shopping trip for the next week and see how it goes. I also hope to explore shopping Kroger some.

Any tips/advice are always appreciated as I am new to using coupons at all - I always thought I should be, but never remembered to bring them w/me, or had them in my purse and forgot to get them out. The binder is a very visible reminder to USE the coupons you have!

Oh, and I was encouraged by the fact that I saw quite a few folks w/coupons in hand or those expandable coupon files and best of all, a man in the checkouts price matching w/his ads all laid out! So, I wasn't the only one out there trying to save a few bucks and I was thrilled to save some $ last night!

Who have you taken time getting to know better lately?

Mothers in Israel.

I know a lot of them and am blessed to see them often. Recently I have been able to spend more time w/one in particular and found we have some common interests/hobbies. She and her husband came to spend a day with me and the children and she spent time teaching the girls to begin crocheting. We had a wonderful visit and it has deepened our bond as family in Christ. It is even sweeter to see her face each Sunday we are blessed to be in services w/her. I am very thankful for her. Today she brought me a bag of sewing goodies from her stash that she was ready to part with - I am already making plans for them! I don't know if she knows how blessed I feel to have her in my life, but I plan to tell her.

Often it is easier to sit w/the same folks each Sunday at lunch after services and visit - those around our own age perhaps; others with children going through the same "time of life" as we are, but I have often found a great blessing in remembering to also visit with those that are older and have "been there" and those that are younger and spend time getting to know them better as well. It's hard sometimes to step outside our comfort zone, but the rewards are always worthwhile, in my humble experience.

I am thankful for my church family - they are not all closeby, but close in my heart. We have church family at a number of locations across the country and are thankful for every one of them!

Just some random thoughts :)

New School Year Approacheth....and fast!

Monday we will begin the 2011-2012 school year, Lord willing.

Very excited to get started full swing again. We did school some over the summer, but took the past few weeks off to relax, or so I thought. :) Those year round schoolers may be onto something. Too much free time is not a good thing for anyone! Idle hands????

Anyway! Everything is either here and ready to go, or on its way. We have a few loose ends from last year's materials to finish up first though, so I'm not stressing about not having all the new stuff just yet.

I wonder, in public schools, if they don't finish the textbook for the year, do they ever carry over the next year and finish? I kind of doubt it. Anyway, that's what we'll be doing - finishing, then continuing on! Love our flexibility to do whatever needs to be done to fit our children.

Thankful to the Lord for all our blessings - our wonderful children - freedom to school our children in our own private school here at home - for so many things. May the Lord richly bless you and yours in this 2011-2012 school year!

Coupon Much?

Yes, I know, it's been eons since I posted. I got on FB and somehow it was just quicker/easier or so it seems. When I blog, I like to add pictures and it's not as easy to do w/our current pc setup.

However, here I am....

Recently, I have become re-interested in trying to use coupons to save our family $ on purchases and while I'd like very much to pay $2.00 for a shopping cart full like they do on those extreme coupon shows, I don't think that's going to happen.

I did, however, use a few coupons today and it's the small victories, right? It all adds up.

Target purchase:

Market Pantry hot dog buns:   $.99
Scotch magic tape:                    .60 (on sale!)
Manufac. Coupon:                  -1.00

Total out of pocket for buns and tape:   $.59

That wasn't a big extreme deal, but hey, we use tape!

The older girls were with me, and both did the same transaction - why sep. transactions? The coupon said 1 per transaction on the Target store coupons we had - there was one for Scotch tape for $.50 we used on the other transactions along w/the manuf. coupons. Even better deal! $1.50 off the $.60 tape (which is why we put the buns w/the tape for the transaction, I only had 2 of the Target store coupons though b/c that's all the coupon site would allow to be printed. I keep thinking how fun it would've been if I'd given the $.50 off coupon to Miss A to use along w/the $1.00 off on her order ($1.00 manuf. and $.50 Target coupon), then her total would've been $.09 - oh well, still received the savings, just on my big checkout.


So, there's my "extreme" couponing for the day, LOL. Don't get too jealous!

What are they teaching them?

Tonight, as I often do on Friday night, I called to order pizza for dinner.

When it came time for the credit card info. and expiration date, I was amazed YET AGAIN when after telling the guy the expiration date in words, ie, June 2024 (not the real date, but you get the gist) - he then asked - can you tell me that in the numbers on the card?  To which, after pausing in disbelief I replied 0624.

This is NOT the first time and I fear will not be the last. One time I said October and the guy asked, "Uh...what number is that?" Really? What are these children of today, the working folk of today and the future being taught in school...anything important that will help them in their lives? Yes, I know that this is pretty small potatoes, but it's one of those basic things....and if the basics are missing, what else is missing?

Graduation!

Cub Scout Pack Graduation, that is!

Mr. E has completed his first year of Cub Scouts. It's been a lot of fun! Pinewood Derby, Raingutter Regatta, Cake Decorating Contest for the Blue & Gold Banquet, weekly meetings w/outdoor fun afterward each week (his favorite part of things). All of this culminated in the end of year Pack Graduation. Grandma and Grandpa were able to be here for the graduation as well. Our little Tiger....is now a Wolf! Watch out! The next year looks to be a lot of fun too!!! Here are a few pics from graduation night :) Enjoy!!

Last awards as a Tiger!

Out with the old, in with the new - Wolves!!!

A good lookin' bunch of Wolves!! 

Our Wolf!  :)

Happy Mother's Day!

My sweet bunch of blessings blessed me once more with an outpouring of their love, tonight, since tomorrow we will be out and about most of the day. They are so sweet and thoughtful and made me beautiful cards. I found out I am the best Mama in the universe, wow. I am humbled they think so, and thankful for their sweet, pure love for and to me. Me! I don't deserve them at all, but thank God He thought I and Chris were the best to raise each one of them and gave them to us. I love them all so much.

Tonight when I laid Miss Baby into her crib and told her I loved her, she said "I luz zhuuu"   - I love her so very much, too!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Laundry sorting - the boys

Overheard in the laundry room just now:

Mr. A (age 4.5) to Mr. E (age 7): Those don't go in there, they go in colors. (said w/much expression in his voice) :)

(They're bringing down their dirty laundry and sorting it - Mr. A appears to be the expert! :) )

Happy 9th Birthday Miss A!

Haven't been doing a lot of blogging of late, because I can't seem to blog w/o adding pictures! And, pictures take more time than I seem to find these days, however, today is a blogworthy day!

Miss A turns 9 today! NINE! Where is the time going to? Recently I pulled out clothes from Miss Baby's closet that Miss A and Miss E used to wear - size 3T - how long ago it seems that Miss A was 3, but then it seems like yesterday.

Miss A is a wonderful blessing to our family - full of joy, ready with a smile, a tremendous helper to all, loving to her siblings and all she is close to. She is a beautiful girl, inside and out and we love her so very much!

Happy Birthday Miss A!!!

Need I say more? Cub Scouts!

Not much I could say here - the expressions on these faces pretty much sum it up!

Biotech Company Using Aborted Fetal Cell Lines to Test Food Flavor Enhancers

Go here to read all about it :(

http://www.earnedmedia.org/cog0329.htm

Miss Baby Likes to Sing!

Miss Baby is quite the singer these days - when I sing to her at bedtime some favorites such as "What Wondrous Love is This" she sings along "Oh my soul, Oh my soul, Oh my soul" throughout the song. "Twilight is Stealing over the Sea" - she sings along pretty well at naptime on this one as  well.

Also, some oldies but goodies like: The Itsy Itsy Fider, Rock the Baby and Variations such as "Rock the Baby on the Hippo" (or whatever other animal we read about in "Wild Animal Babies", Ween-tle Ween-tle Little Star, and more!  We love Miss Baby so much!!! She is precious :)

Untitled, by Miss E

Untitled, by Miss E

Why dost some birds not fly?
They were created by God,
To stay down, not in the sky.
For such things were they shod.
Why dost some birds not land,
'cept in the chimneytops?
They were not at all created
Like the little bird that hops.

copyright 2011, Miss E, age 10

I saw them!

Just barely, but I saw them! What, you ask? Not leprechauns, silly, BLUEBONNETS!

Barely showing their beauty above the grass, today I spotted some along the highway - joy of spring! I look forward to the wildflowers each year - their beauty covers the countryside and I am filled w/joy at the beauty of God's hand - not Mother Nature as so many continue to uphold this fable, but of GOD'S mighty hand. That He would allow us their beauty! - what will Heaven be like? Untold beauty for us to behold as we praise His Holy name every moment.

They bloom for such a short time, but I'll endeavor to enjoy them every moment and not take them for granted as I drive about the countryside or better yet, walk, stroll, meander, drinking in their beautiful perfume - oh yes, they do have a lovely perfume - find a field of bluebonnets and wander out into it if you doubt me. Lovely lovely lovely.

I saw them, today! They're coming in their full beauty very soon and I can't wait to see them standing tall along the highways!

Miss Baby needs an "O" - do you?

A little bit ago Miss Baby handed me her sippy cup and said "I need an O"  - I asked her what she needed...she answered again, "I need an O, Mama, I need an O" - it was then that I realized she was pointing to the package of reinforcement labels I was about to put away. You know those things, right, the little "O" shaped stickers you put on pages that you've hole punched that have become torn at the holes and need reinforcing w/the little stickers?  :)  I had given her one earlier, and apparently she'd misplaced it. Upon seeing the package, she made sure I knew she needed another "O"  - I laughed and gave her one...then another....she is now decorating the front of the oven...hmm.   :)  She's so much fun!

Update on brother-in-law

I am happy to report that my brother-in-law is doing much better! He isn't out of the woods yet, as they say, but at approximately a month post-surgery, he started back to work 1/2 days this past Monday. He still has lots of doctor visits to keep an eye on him and his progress, and the hope of a successful 2nd surgery in approximately 16 weeks. Please continue in prayer for him during this time of recovery.

The past few weeks have been hard on the whole family, as you may well imagine. Our parents have been able to be there to help my sister w/the children and duties around the house (for those who don't know, my sister and her family live on approx. 3 acres and have goats, chickens, dog, cat, etc. to care for). They also homeschool their 3 children, in addition to various extra activities. My sister is tired and worn out - she needs our prayers now more than ever - Dad is heading home tomorrow. Mom is staying on for a little while longer and I'm so thankful for that.

Please continue to pray for the family - the children are all sick again (2nd time recently, that I'm aware of) and there's always so much to do, as they try to find their new "norm" in the days and weeks to come.

Thank you!!  Anyone that wishes to send a card or email w/encouraging words, holler in the comments and I'll get the info. to you!

A song by Miss E

Spring is Here

Flowers blooming, grass growing

Spring is here

We celebrate, we decorate, 

This time of year

Flowers blooming, grass growing

Spring is here

Rain is falling from the sky,

Birds' migrations passing by.

Flowers blooming, grass growing

Spring is here

We celebrate, we decorate, 

This time of year

Flowers blooming, grass growing

Spring is here

Birds' eggs hatching,

Roofs need thatching,

Spring is here.

Flowers blooming, grass growing

Spring is here

We celebrate, we decorate, 

This time of year

Flowers blooming, grass growing

Spring is here

Children playing,

Everyone saying,

Spring is here!

copyright, Miss E 2011

Please pray for my brother-in-law

Two days ago my brother-in-law went to the hospital w/extreme pain and ended up having emergency surgery that evening. His situation was extremely grave. I am thankful to report that he is doing well now. He will be in the hospital 5-7 days, then home to rest and recover. After a period of approximately 20 weeks, he will have another surgery. Please pray for him, for my sister, for my nieces and nephew, and for my parents that have driven up to be with them and help out in whatever way they can. What a blessing that they are able to do this! Praise God for getting my brother-in-law to the hospital in time for treatment!!

Please continue to pray - he has a long road ahead of him yet.

Miss E is 10!

Where has the time gone??? Seems like yesterday that we were bringing Miss E home from the hospital and now she is 10 years old. She was such a good baby, and is becoming a lovely, young lady. She plays the piano beautifully, reads up a storm, is caring and loving to her siblings and friends. We are so blessed with Miss E in our lives! Here are a few pics from her actual birth day - she's having a few friends over soon (delayed due to weather this year!).

Happy Birthday to Miss E!
Presents!!!

New duds for her 18" doll

This one's for the Grandma and Grandpa - don't you LIKE the reaction here? Hers, "Wow!!!!!! Cool!!!!"  - Mr. E - "uh.....what in the world???? Oh no, GIRLY stuff, sigh"      :)

She likes it a lot Grandma and Grandpa - good choice!

 

Happy Birthday Sweet Miss E!

Miss Baby is 2!!!

2 years ago we welcomed into the world our sweet Miss Baby. We drove to the hospital the night prior - it was COLD, there was the possibility of ice on the roads, we were excited and ready to meet our baby girl.

1 day old - pretty girl!

 

 Howdy folks!



 Look Ma! A tooth!



Playtime with Daddy!



Big blue eyes!




1 year old - quite serious :)

Standing and having lots of fun!

 Got teeth?


 Her favorite smile when the camera appears...

Thanksgiving 2010

The whole bunch...she is surrounded by LOVE!

Pink is her favorite color :)

Movie time! Oldest and youngest....

Birthday dinner - she likes chocolate A LOT and pancakes!!!

Birthday, after dinner :)

She was a tiny thing and absolutely beautiful! She has been a constant joy in our lives. Today, she is all of 2, full of life, laughter, and mischief at every turn! She has begun singing songs of late and will sing "Ring Around the Rosies" over and over again to the delight of us all. She also likes to hold hands and act it out, always ending as they fall down with a loud "Ow" and a giggle and big smile.  :)   She tries her best to sing along with me at bedtime as I sing "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow" to her right before she gets in her crib. Her bangs are long enough now that we have to put a barrette in to keep them out of her big blue eyes! She has pretty much all her teeth in now and has the sweetest little grin :) If the camera comes out, she gives you a big grin complete with her eyes squeezed shut tight! She enjoys watching Wall-E, Bolt, Pooh, and anything else her big brothers and sisters want to see, even "Opmus Pwime" cartoons w/the boys :) But, her FAVORITE movie at present is "Frosty the Snowman" for sure! She likes horses a lot, like her big sisters. Every night lately she wants to hear "A Crack in the Track" or "Chugga Chugga Choo Choo" read over and over at bedtime. She dances to music with the big girls and dances to cartoon theme songs as well. She is absolutely precious. She gets on the scale and proudly proclaims that she weighs "99 cents" to one and all. She tattles on her brothers when they run at the church house to everyone who will listen. She is our sweet Miss Baby and she always will be. I don't know when, if ever, I'll start calling her Little Miss or Little Miss E, but we'll see. She has been running up to me the past few days holding up her hands to be picked up and telling me "I'm your baby!" and she is...and I love her so much. Happy Birthday Little Miss Baby E!  :)

Don't grow up too fast, too soon.....Little Miss Baby :)

Win a copy of Large Family Logistics from @raisingolives , enter here http://raisingolives.com/?p=9525

Win a copy of Large Family Logistics from @raisingolives , enter here http://raisingolives.com/?p=9525

Another Funny, by Miss E

A book never written:   Life, by Living S. Pirit

Today is my Big Sister's Birthday!

Happy Birthday Wishes to my big sis - wish I was closer and we could go out for lunch and dessert! I am very thankful that I have you in my life. I look forward to talking to you every day and hope that never changes as we grow older and grayer ;) I am praying for you always and hope today is a wonderful day filled with love and laughter as you are surrounded by your precious little ones and loving husband.

Happy Birthday Sis!!!