New do'

Awesome CVS trip!

Here's what I got...
(2) 6pk Dove bar soap
(1) Olay Complete moisturizer
(1) Olay body wash
(2) Dove shampoo and conditioner
(2) Aussie shampoo and conditioner
(2) Dove deoderants

Total before sales and coupons: $61.68
Total after sales and coupons: $16.03

Now that my shopping is done we are headed outside to enjoy this beautiful weather!!!

5 little girls...

On Monday I headed to Birmingham to have a playdate with my AOII sorority sisters and their babies. There were four of us in our little pledge class in the Spring of 2001...now, 10 years later, we have 5 little girls between us :) We let the girls play, had lunch and got caught up. It was a wonderful day!!!

I did not do a very good job taking pictures. Next time, we will do it first thing so we don't forget. We had to photoshop poor Livi in one picture because she left without any of us realizing we hadn't taken any pictures.

So I'll remember...

The other night, Joey, Finley and I were in her room playing with her stuffed animals and she did the funniest, sweetest thing so I have to document it so I'll remember. She walked over to me and gave me a hug and said, "Gang goo, Mama" (Thank you) and then she walked over to Joey and gave him a hug and said, "Gang goo, Dada". Then she hugged the baby she was holding and said, "Gang goo, Baby". Joey and I looked at each other and laughed. It was so sweet and funny. I guess she's thankful for hugs :)

The List: Update

I got a few new things for the dining room. I'm still trying to decide if it's too much "stuff" on the buffet.




I'm heading to Tennessee this weekend to visit Sirs, a discount fabric store, to find some fabric for my panels and chairs. By mid-February I should be able to buy the rug I want from Pottery Barn and my chandelier will be available to ship on Feb. 11th. It's coming together! Hopefully, I will be done with the dining room by March 1st.

10K training has not been good. The weather kept me from running for a few days. I guess maybe I was being a wimp, but 5 minutes out in the below freezing temperatures and my chest was on fire and my face was numb. Those few days put me behind schedule, but I wasn't totally off track. Then came the sinus/upper respiratory thing and that killed me. I didn't run for 6 days!!! Not only did I feel like crap, but the doctor told me specifically not to do any running or strenuous exercise. Night before last I ran about 2 1/2 miles, but I was dying! Before all this, I had gotten up to 3 miles and wasn't even struggling. Ugh!!! Nothing else can happen or I won't be able to run the entire time. I've decided my goals for the 10K are to run the entire time and do it in less than 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Wordless Wednesday.

$25 Grocery Challenge

Here's what I got...

(2) boxes of Texas Toast
(2) boxes Pillsbury Savorings
(2) half gallon Silk Almondmilk
(2) bottles A-1 Steak Sauce
(4) bottles French's mustard
(2) boxes Zatarain's meal mixes
(2) bottles V8 Splash juice
(4) cans Campbell's Chunky soups
(4) 8 pks. of Juicy Juice juice boxes
2 1/2 lbs. bananas
(2) baking potatoes
(1) box Glad kitchen trash bags
(1) box Glad quart storage bags

Total before sales and coupons: $88.98
Total after sales and coupons: $30.62

I did go over my goal of $100 a month, but I can hardly consider it a failure. It was on my own terms :)

Monthly totals:
Monthly total before sales and coupons: $303.95
After sales and coupons this month I spent $118.46

Using a list and not going down any aisles unless its contents were on my list saved me money in itself. I used to go up and down every aisle and just grabbed whatever looked good. Joey says we spent at least $400/month on groceries. I can see the coupon savings, but I also see how much it helps to have a list and not depart from it.

I've been really bad about meal planning. I usually decide what we're having for dinner a couple hours before we eat. I also told everyone I would post what we were eating to show you can eat normally when you only buy what is on sale and has a coupon, but I haven't. I'm sorry! Here is what we have had and are having this week.

Monday: We both got home late so we had cereal.
Tuesday: Toasted chicken salad sandwiches (1 lb. chicken breast, 1 packet of Ranch dressing, 1 bar of cream cheese...so yummy!)
Wednesday: Onion chicken, yellow rice and rolls
Thursday: Spaghetti and garlic bread
Friday: Vegetable soup and baked potatoes(unless I can convince Joey to take me on a date)

Happy Couponing!!!