Back in the Saddle

The couponing saddle.  I took a couple of weeks off...and we paid for it.  So, I went back to Publix with my coupons and deal list in hand and got the following items for $9.43.

4 Ronzoni Pasta
1 Publix Greenwise Toilet Paper (4 pack)
1 half gallon Simply Smart milk
2 Sargento Shredded cheese
2 Knorr Rice Sides
1 loaf of Sara Lee Bread

The bill should have been $27.  So - I paid 1/3...not so bad.  The sale at Publix went "live" today, and there were so many things "sold out."  I guess that's par for the course when you are a full-time working mama.  What I should do is get my hubby to take "Lucky" to daycare while I shop first thing Wednesday mornings when the sale starts.  Not a bad idea if I do say so myself!

It's been a while!

Things have been very busy with the new job!  It's a welcome change from my days in the bathroom office. I have a very nice office with a window, a conference table and two chairs, a nice L-shaped desk and sufficient filing space.  I am thankful for my new job and everyone I work with!  I am surrounded by a slew of Type-A personalities, and I am in heaven!  On top of that - everyone is super-nice.  I get the opportunity to use my data management skills, writing skills, and teamwork.

The leader of this organization is truly a dynamic leader.  She has based her meetings and teamwork on the book, Death by Meeting, by Patrick Lencioni.  I finished this book last night and loved it.  The book is a fable that follows a start-up business as it flounders after being incorporated into a larger corporation.  The strategy the company eventually employs (at the encouragement of a recent film school graduate suggests) of meeting planning, preparation, and schema/schedule is fascinating.  I love being a part of this team!

The other day, I went shopping at Publix as Daniel was napping and Welles was working.  I had a few coupons, but didn't prepare as I should have.  I chose a short line to check out after filling my cart, and low and behold, there was an extreme couponer in front of me.  She was buying 12 or so Axe Deodorants, snacks, etc (I came in on the end of the purchase).  The check-out clerk joked that it was the most that he had ever seen her pay, $12 and change.  She giggled and walked out with her buggy FULL of items.  I asked the clerk if she was one of those crazy couponers (one that someday I aspire to be), and he remarked that she "runs one of those websites."  Which one?  www.iheartpublix.com.  He said that she contributes to that site along with a couple of ladies from Atlanta.  A celebrity here in the south was at MY PUBLIX!!!  I took a picture of another clerk helping to put things in her car...didn't want to be too obvious, you know.

Here's a closer look:

I am humbled and embarrassed that I only saved $2.50 on a $75 purchase that day.  I vow to be prepared for every future shopping trip!  You never know when you might run into coupon royalty and get some advice from the very best.

More soon on the new job and my latest escapades!

A new job and a sick baby

I didn't want a whole month to go by without a blog post!  A friend of mine reminded me that I have been neglecting this blog.  It's not that I haven't had anything to write about; more that life has been pretty busy lately. 

"Lucky" has been sick since April 7 - the day I left for that "mom's getaway" in Panama City Beach.  He has had two ear infections, a fever virus, a stomach virus, and now a cold.  Thankfully, I have been able to take some time off to take care of him. 

The day the fever virus hit

In other news, I got a new job!  I will be working in a different department, but for the same employer. The new Department is so excited that I am coming to work for them.  Their excitement has made all the difference in my attitude.  I am so thankful for a change in work status and cannot wait to say "siyanara" to the lovely bathroom office!

More to come - including an update of how we are learning to live with a wild and crazy toddler and getting acclimated to a new job.  Thanks for reading!

A Mom's Weekend - Part II

Sure enough, there was a party going on just outside our hotel...MTV style.

Mind you, we were on the 11th floor.  After staring in disbelief and wondering what in the world we had gotten ourselves into, we unloaded the cart and made a decision to go to the grocery store.  Every elevator that came by was full of screaming teens and we would have to wave them on.  Just as before, the door would open and chanting, hollering, and yelling ensued.  When we were finally ready to give up and abandon the cart, an empty elevator appeared.  We took it back to the lobby and made our way to the car.  The car would prove to be the only peace and quiet we would have on our trip. 

After the grocery store, we had a nice dinner and even discussed, "this isn't so bad."  But our restful dinner was replaced with mass mayhem when we came within 1/4 mile of our hotel.  The hotel was humming and students were stumbling around and yelling all over the place.  We made a mad dash for the elevator and caught one to our floor.  Safe in the hotel room, we got ready for bed.  As predicted, the party was in full swing.  Kids were screaming from their balconies, beating on the railings, and chanting, "Party at the Pool! Party at the Pool!"  or "U-S-A! U-S-A!"  At least they were patriotic. 

The first night, this madness went on until 2:30 in the morning.  It was like a dream, except that we were not asleep - we could not sleep!  We would rest for about ten minutes at a time when the air conditioning unit would turn on and drown out the outside noise.  As soon as it cycled off, we were awake again - running to the window to see what crazy antics these teens were trying to accomplish. 

Where are the parents?  Who in their right mind would allow their teenager to go to spring break in Panama City?  It was the wildest party I have ever seen, and I have been in this world for more than 34 years!  I later found out that at one point - around 2:30 AM, the security guards jumped into the pool after 5 teens, the police arrived, and carted them off to jail.  I have no idea what their offense was, but I was thankful.  Soon after that incident, we were able to get some sleep.

The next morning, I walked onto the balcony and looked in the direction of the pool.  I could not believe that this serene picture was the sight of complete chaos just 5 hours earlier.  Security guards were walking around the pool area.  Someone had picked up a huge pile of soaking wet clothes, flip flops, and swim suits and put it all on a large bench near the pool.  The entire property seemed to be asleep! 

My friend went to the work out room while I made my way to the beach.  It was overcast, but the sounds of the ocean were so peaceful compared to the maddness we had experienced the night before. 

Later, we devised a game-plan for battling the drunkards.  We drove to Target, bought a box fan (white noise), ear plugs, and benadryl.  We then went to a spa and had mani- and pedicures.  The hotel was unusually quiet when we returned around lunchtime.  The teens were still asleep.  We were able to lay out on the beach and relax for about 2 hours before the hoodlums returned to the beach. 

Later, we had an early dinner and came back to the hotel just in time for the party to begin at the pool deck.  We, of course, retreated to our room on the 11th floor.

I am happy to report that the white noise from the fan (on setting 3), Benadryl, and ear plugs sufficiently blocked out the noise from the wild party happening all around us.  The next time we plan a "mom's weekend away," we will research thoroughly the spring break schedules, choose another gulf coast location, and take our party aversion remedies just in case!

A Mom's Weekend - Part I

A couple of months ago, a friend of mine called and asked if I would be interested in going to the beach for a much-needed "girl's weekend."  With work and life as busy as ever, the answer was easy, "Of course!"  So, her husband booked us a room in sunny Panama City Beach, FL using his hotel points.

Early last Thursday morning, we packed up my car and left for our much-awaited trip.  The sun was shining, and for the first time in about 4 years, my friend and I had the perfect opportunity to chat and catch up on each other's lives--without the interference of begging or screaming children.

About 2.5 hours into our drive, my cell phone rang...CDC popped up on my screen.  I'm not referring to the "Centers for Disease Control," but rather, "Child Development Center."  My heart sank, and I got the same pit in my stomach as if it were the Center for Disease Control. 

"Hello, is this 'Lucky's' mom?"
"Yes it is..."
"He has a 102 fever and is walking around like a zombie.  Please come and pick him up."
"I will have someone there to pick him up.  You see, well, I am on my way out of town...maybe I should turn around?  Oh no...thank you for calling."

I was a mess.  While travelling on a country road and in and out of phone service, I called my husband and mom and "Lucky's" pediatrician.  My mother was at a luncheon, but really came through for us.  She picked up my little buddy and took him to his pediatrician's appointment.  The verdict: a sore throat virus and double ear infections.  My mom said he just wanted to be held. 

So, my friend and I continued on our way to the sunny coast, but a little piece of my heart was wishing I could turn around and hold my sick baby.  However, we trudged forward--intent on having the best time we could possibly have.

We never could have predicted what would happen over the next 72 hours.  As we drove closer to the resort parking lot, there were teenagers everywhere.  Greasy, dirty, tattooed and rowdy teenagers lined the streets, walked boldly (and stupidly) in front of cars, and yelled out at passersby.  The thought that this might be a spring break weekend briefly entered my mind several weeks ago, but I never thought it would last into the first week of April.  Our city's own spring break was early in March.  Boy was I wrong.  As it turned out, this was Georgia's spring break.  Several colleges also had their break that week.

We walked into the lobby of the hotel to see several security guards checking wristbands and herding drunk teenagers into and out of elevators.  We were funneled to the check-in area.  The manager of the hotel was not too friendly...

"We are here to check in, the name is Smith," my friend said.
"Yes, I have you down as staying 3 nights.  Now, you know this is spring break, right?"
"Well, yes - obviously."
"It is going to get very rowdy and very loud.  This is not going to be a relaxing situation for you and your friend.  Are you sure you want to stay?"
I said, "We just drove 5 hours to get here.  We are not going home!"
"Well, I am just warning you.  It is going to get very bad."

At this point, we felt like we were being encouraged to go home.  My friend had a look of fear in her eyes and scanned the lobby.  There were teenagers everywhere.  Some teen girls, scantily dressed, made eye contact with her and said, "Ma'am.  I don't think you understand.  This is spring break!  It's a party!  It's going to be loud all night long."

I don't know if we were trying to prove our toughness or what, but we "agreed to stay."  Our reasoning, 1) we could find ways to avoid the stinky teens; 2) we did not want to drive home 5 hours; 3) her husband had donated his hotel points to us, and we didn't want to waste them; and 4) we were by golly going to have a fun girl's weekend!

We unloaded my car and with the help of a security guard, we were shuttled onto an elevator and somehow made it to the 11th floor.  By the way, all weekend long, every time an elevator came to the lobby and the doors opened, a herd of about 20 teens would scream, hoot and holler and stumble out of the compartment.  EVERY TIME! 

The room was nice enough.  My friend went to the window as soon as we walked into what would be our room for the next 3 nights and said, "Oh....my....heavens!" 

View from our 11th floor balcony

...to be continued

It's a Mom Thing

What is it about having a baby that makes a person speech impaired and forgetful?  Lately, especially lately, I have noticed that I cannot speak properly.  I can’t find the right words for the things I am trying to say.  It is so frustrating!  Sometimes I will ask my husband, “can you get me the, um, well, the THING over there???”  He exasperates me by saying, “thing...what thing?  What are you trying to ask me for?”

It’s almost like there is a disconnect between my mind, what I want to say, and actually spitting it out.  I have noticed this verbalization problem since the day I gave birth to Lucky.  At first, I thought it was a focus issue.  I was so focused on maintaining the life of our pride and joy that I was using all of my brain power on him.  Communicating wasn’t a priority in my head.  Therefore, finding the right words to use at the right time just didn’t happen.

Now that he is 1 and is a big ball of energy, it takes even more brain power to keep up with him.  Working full time adds to the suction of brain cells from my head.  Keeping up with work, doctor’s appointments, a headstrong toddler, getting him to daycare, teaching a Sunday School class, paying bills, preparing taxes, etc... etc... etc...   

Forgetfulness also plays a huge role in my recent “is it a mom thing” symptoms.  Memory loss.  Today is the perfect example.  I took my son to daycare, without his backpack.   I remember seeing the cute little blue Mickey Mouse backpack in the backseat of my car just yesterday afternoon.  How can it disappear overnight?  I don’t remember bringing it inside.  Normally, since it only has a change of clothes in it, I leave it in the car.  After dropping Lucky off this morning, I called hubby to ask him to look around for it at home .  Here is our conversation:

Me: “Honey...”

Him: “Yes...”

Me:  “Lucky doesn’t have his backpack.  I don’t know where it could be.  It wasn’t in my car or at school.”

Him: “Well, where is it?”

Me: “Well, I don’t know. I don’t remember taking it out of the car.  There is no logical reason why I would have taken it out...Will you try to find it at home?”

Him: “Yes, Honey.”

........Thirty minutes pass........

Me: “Honey...”

Him: “Yes...”

Me: “Did you find the backpack?”

Him: “Yes.”

Me: “Great! Where was it?”

Him: “Outside hanging on an azalea!”

Me: “WHAT?  I don’t remember taking it outside!”

Him: “Did you have it with you when you got the mail?”

Me: “No.  It was cold and rainy outside!   We didn’t go outside.”

Him: “Hmmmm.  So you don’t remember where you left it? 

Me: pause...thinking...trying to remember..." no..."


Him: "So you don’t know if I am just messing with you.  This is fun!”

Me: “Yes. You are right.  I don't remember. Well, wherever you found it, could you please take it to Lucky?  He needs a change of clothes at school.”

You see?  My husband aggravates me just for the fun of it.  So today, because of my forgetfulness, little Lucky is at daycare without an extra change of clothes until his Daddy can find time to take it to him.  Poor buddy!

The truth of the matter is, this kind of thing happens all the time.  These conversations happen all the time.  Come to think of it, I am hoping that someone will speak up and say, “Yes! It’s a Mom Thing!” 

Coupon Crazy

I know I can do better, but I got all of the items in the picture below for $20.43. 

I know I can do better because as soon as I got in the car, I realized that I could have saved about $4-5 more dollars if I had been more careful with product selection.  Still, I am excited that I got $66 worth of groceries for $20!

8 cartons of Voskos Yogurt
2 cartons of YoPlus Yogurt
1 jar of salad dressing
1 Pepperidge Farm Deli Flats
6 bags of Bird's Eye Frozen Veggies
1 bottle of Suave Shampoo
3 Bars of Dial soap
1 bottle of worscestire sauce
1 Box of Minute Rice
3 bags of dog treats for Missy (Publix paid me to take them out of the store!)
2 bottles of Pantene Shampoo (I meant to get one shampoo and one conditioner--blame it on the baby distractor)

If you are interested, check out the Polka Dot Pantry.  For every person that clicks that link and signs up ($6/month) my fee will be waived for one month).  My friend Kristen (http://www.thesolomonstory.blogspot.com/) posted on Facebook the deals she got last week.  I was so intrigued that I signed up.  Like she said in her Facebook post, the best part of this website is that they only show you the "Free," "Ridiculously Cheap" and "Better than Free" items for sale.  You can sort by the store you want to go to (we mainly shop at CVS and Publix).  So far, I am really excited!  I have been couponing and playing the CVS drugstore game for a year now.  I save about $20-30 per grocery trip, but this site has made me realize the bigger savings.  Thanks Kristin and Polka Dot Pantry!