September =BUSY!!!

It's that time of year again! September is always ultra busy around here. It seems I make it through the summer and think I need something more to occupy my time, so I sign up for a million things that start in the fall and then I'm overwhelmed. LOL! I think I've been much better this year.

Sis started kindy in August. She's had so much fun there and I'm so happy for her. I didn't even cry when she went! She also started ballet lessons. She's only been once, because she's had a cold, but she absolutely loves it.

I teach piano theory lessons two days a week again like I did last year. I feel more confident about myself and my teaching abilities this year. YAY! Orchestra starts next week, and I'm looking forward to it. It amazes me how at the end of every orchestra year I begin to wonder if I will have the stamina to come back the next year, and then I'm so excited in the fall to start again. I'm glad it's that way though. This is the first year that the only new thing for me will be the students. YAY! So, orchestra will be another 5 hours a week.

Oh, and I go walking three times a week.

And Pilates 2 times a week.

And I babysit on Friday mornings.

And I'm in a book club.

And September is birthday month for us.

And I have 6 private string students.

I highly doubt I got it all. Maybe someday I will actually be organized enough to be this busy. LOL!!!

COUPONS!!!

Ok, I think I've become a coupon nerd. Yes, that's right! I am a coupon nerd. What else do you call someone who subscribes to the newspaper simply to qualify for 5, yes FIVE, Sunday papers? I know ladies who get even more than that! Pretty impressive, eh?

That's not the best of it! I want to share what I bought last week and let you decide for yourself if coupons are the way to go. Now, please keep in mind I've been doing this since March, so I have a pretty good coupon collection.

Ok, in the 5 transactions I had at Albertsons this week (you have to do multiple transactions sometimes for the coupons) this is what I bought.

*7 boxes GM Cinnamon Toast Crunch
*10 boxes GM Honey Nut Cheerios
*10 boxes GM Kix
*1 box GM Cookie Crisp
*2 boxes Bisquick
*3 Best Foods Mayo bottles (you know, the bigger ones)
*3 boxes cereal bars
*4 boxes fruit snacks
*5 packages Pillsbury refrigerated cookie dough
*3 52-load bottles of Tide
*2 8-count packages of Bounty paper towels
*11 boxes Puffs Tissue (65-72 count)
*36 (in 3 packages) rolls of Charmain toilet paper
*Asparagus
*2 packages baby carrots

Ok, here is the math. I bought 67 items. This totaled $94.23 before sales tax ($8.47). Now, the carrots and asparagus were bought on sale, but not with a coupon, so I'll subtract those out as well. Now we're to $90.57 and 64 items. That is $1.41 PER ITEM! How crazy is that?

Are you ready for this huge number? I'm going to tell you how much money the coupons took off. Including preferred savings: $236.47 WHAT!!! That insanity! I would never have fathomed saving so much. How exciting is this? I was curious to see how many coupons I used and the actual coupon total is $88.85 A little more believable, but still!

I pay less than $20 a month for the newspaper, and I'm saving nearly $90 AND building my food storage at the same time? We will not need to buy cereal for about 3 months, we're good on laundry detergent for the next 18 months if not much longer. Also, I'll probably not have to buy more mayo in over a year. Isn't this awesome? I'm totally geeking out about it ;)

Small update

Maybe I'm not as screwed up as I thought I was. I got a peak day on my monitor. Keeps us in your prayers and your fingers crossed!

Getting Desperate!!!

Ok, so those of you who know me know that I'm a cat person. I'd even go so far to say I am NOT a dog person. Anyone agree with me?

So, why do I want a puppy? I want a puppy and have gone so far as to research a bit online to see what kind of breed might do well with my family. I've even looked at the website for the local Humane Society to see what they have there. I think I want this kind of puppy:



How precious is that? And I've read that they are very good with kids, which is something we would need. I keep thinking it would be nice to have a dog to go on walks with and to play with and to entertain my kids with.

Am I sick??? No, I'm just so baby hungry :( I'm pretty sure that is at the root of all this. I'm ten months out since my last positive pregnancy test and 9 months from my miscarriage. I'm also noticing a lot of signs that are not good for my fertility. Last month my cycle was a whopping 68 days long. This month, I'm on day 20 and still have no hint of when ovulation may occur. I'm not only using ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) but I've begun taking my temperature as well. All signs tell me my body is screwed up.

So, Chip and I talked about it, and I'm going to see my dr about possible fertility treatments. We figure since we do want another baby, we should probably do all we can, within reason and money constraints, to get one here. I admit, I'm nervous about it. I've heard of some awful mood swings caused by the meds they put women on. Hopefully it would all be for the best.

Maybe life would just be easier if we got a dog.

Challenge!

Yes, I know it's been a near eternity since I've blogged. BAD ME! Ok? I just hope I haven't lost all of my readership.

So, here is something on my mind. I was recently made the ward music chairperson. That means I get to be in charge of the music for Sacrament meetings etc. So, I also am supposed to find people to do musical numbers.

Now, of course I appreciate talent and such, but I would much rather have people with willing hearts, kwim? I would love for a family to get up and sing their favorite song about Jesus, or someone who hasn't played the piano in ages but wants to work on their talent again play something for us. I wish some people would understand that a special musical number is not a talent show. It's a way to express your testimony of the gospel through music.

2 weeks ago I sent around a sign-up sheet to the different groups asking them to let me know if any of them or their family members would want to do a musical number. Only one person signed up and she admitted that she thought about erasing it because I probably knew I could call on them at any time. This totally bummed me out! I want people to know it's ok if you can't sing. It's about the spirit you bring to the meeting through your testimony.

So, I challenge everyone reading this to go to your ward music person and offer your family to sing a children's song in Sacrament meeting. It would make that person's life a lot easier, and you as well as those in your ward will be blessed for your efforts!

CA Redwoods Vacation :)

So we left last Tuesday for a family vacation in the California Redwoods. We drove for two days to get there, played for two days, and drove two days to get home. Needless to say, we spent a lot of time in our car. However, we saw some REALLY cool things. Like the ocean.


Elk in our "yard" at the cabin we were staying in


A really neat spider's web.


And this really cool tree that is actually 12 trees growing out of one trunk. Pretty remarkable!

I might update...someday ;)

Well, I just might update someday. LOL! We're actually leaving on vacation this week so I will update when we get back...maybe. No, I will! Get ready to see some awesome pics in the coming days :)