I'm Lost

Yep, I haven't posted in a while and I'm blaming Netflix and Lost. See, Netflix has 4 seasons on their watch instantly feature. I never watched Lost on TV because I had heard it was so addictive and I just didn't have the time or desire to get into it. Well, because of Netflix, I can watch how ever many episodes I want whenever I want to. YAY!!! So, the spare seconds I have had, I've spent watching Lost rather than writing on my blog. That's where all this is going.

In other news, my 2nd angel's birthday is coming up. Nov. 2nd it will be a year when I lost my baby. I still think of her every single day. And when I think of her, I think of Angel, my 1st miscarried baby. These babies are forever in my heart. I wish I could say I had a new baby in my womb to sooth my broken heart during this difficult time, but I can't.

What I do have are my amazing husband and sweet children. I don't know what I would do without them in my life. They keep me going when times are difficult. They love me even when I'm grumpy. I am so blessed.

OMGosh!!!

Check this out! FREE CHOCOLATE!!! It's only on Fridays, and my friend thinks it's ending soon. You'll have to copy and paste it into your browser. I still haven't figured out links...grrr!

https://secure.realchocolate.com/

I needed this

"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude." - Elder Wirthlin

I've shed so many tears since this time last year. I'm looking forward to the tears of rejoicing and gratitude.

You can read the entire talk at http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=b5f44bb52a73d110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

A giveaway!

Ok, so I'm not giving it away, but my friend is at this blog:
http://lifewiththeduprees.blogspot.com/2009/09/temple-touch-thermometer-giveaway.html

It sounds really cool!

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!