Friday Fun

1. For me laziness is the opposite of creativity.
2. Love Walked In was the last excellent book I read.
3. I like fill ins because there is no right answer.
4. In nature I like looking at flower gardens.
5. None of the current candidates should win the US elections.
6. The last time I laughed with all my belly was the other night with my son.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing and packing, tomorrow my plans include an early drive to Canton First Mondays and shopping till I drop and Sunday, I want to go to Tyler's Rose Gardens or Zoo before heading home.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Just One More Day

Today was the last day with the students. It was a peaceful day with no tears from me or the students. The day flew by. The students got to leave at 12:00 noon and then us teachers got to go out to lunch and then return to clean up our rooms. I have been working on mine all week so I don't have much more that needs to be done.

So tomorrow is my official last day. I am not sure of the exact time that we can leave but I am hoping for around lunch time. Then just maybe I can hit the movie theater to see Sex in the City.

I haven't told you what a huge fan of Sex in the City I am! I am counting down the hours till it opens. Since I have to be at work tomorrow at 8 am, I am not staying up to see the movie at midnight but will go as soon as I can. A couple of years ago, Diva and I headed over to a local bar/nightclub for a happy hour gathering after work. Well, to my surprise a well known radio personality was there and having Sex in the City trivia game with cool prizes. So instead of downing drinks, which I don't drink, I sat on the edge of my seat waiting for the questions and ran up to the booth and would win a prize. After winning several and giving some away, I left the club a happy girl.

Family Reunion

Pictures from my Family Reunion two weeks ago in Decatur, Texas.Down under those trees is where we spent two days playing, eating and sharing family stories.


Here is everyone that attendedThe air conditioned barn we hung out in during the day. At night the white door was raised and the large screens were placed in its place and the cool evening breeze was nice.
My mom, in red, with her brother and sisters.


This was the funniest activity. Riding the go cart at top speed through the field and getting sticker burs all over you! That's my son!
Even my mom enjoyed a spin on the go cart!
Riding the horse was fun. The smaller children were lead around by an older cousin.Shooting the B B gun was exciting!
Making homemade ice cream. My dad in the blue Disney shirt.My son enjoying his ice cream. A sweet way to end the day!

Thrifty Finds

I haven't made my rounds to the thrifty stores in awhile. Here are some things I pick up awhile back. Subtraction and Addition flash cards and a rocks and fossil kit for my classroom. Three Sizzix dies and Three Sizzix cutting pads. All for nine dollars and some change. Can't beat that!

What have you found at the thrift stores lately?

My New Addicition

I love to shop! One reason I work is to fuel my addiction to shop. Well, I stumbled across some frugal money saving blogs and was very interested in what they had to share. One blog, money saving mom, listed ways to save at the grocery store with coupons and freebies that are offered. Another blog, the centsible sawyer, shared savings at CVS and Walgreens. I was hooked! I read their posts and others that shared on their blogs and then decided to try it for my self. The pictures below are for several weeks and the deals that I received are not longer available. Here is how I did. Olay daily 7.49

Olay Regen nighttime 18.99

Coupons 10.98

Total 16.78

Biore 7.49

Biore 7.49

CVS pain relief 3.99

Coupon 7.98

Total 11.57

Eucerin lotion 4.99

Nivea after shave 6.39

Nivea after shave 6.39

Coupons 3.00

Total 15.99

2 CVS pain relief 7.98

2 Maybeline mineral powder make up BOGOF 9.99

Coupons/ECBs 10.00

Total 7.97

2 CVS pain relief 7.98

4 Lady Speed stick BOGOF 6.28

Coupons/ECBs 6.75

Total 7.51

Dial soap 1.99

2 Almay makeup products 13.98

Coupons/ECBs 8.99

Total 7.56

2 hair products 5.98

2 Crest toothpaste 3.98

3 Oral B toothbrushes 5.97

1 Colgate 360 toothbrush 3.99

Coupons/ECBs 11.00

Total 9.33

4 Diet Cokes 12.00

1 Head and Shoulders shampoo 5.99

Coupons/ECBs 13.99

Total 4.00

This is from Walgreens:

Total before was 77.32

Coupons 29.06

Total 48.26

As you can see some transactions were better than others but I am just learning how to work it to my advantage. I am particular proud of the $4.00 transaction and so was my husband. I try to go every week to get the deals but because life is so busy it was hard to get some of them and the store near me had sold out of items. It just isn't money saving if I have to drive all over town hunting down the deals since gas is so expensive. My laundry room is becoming a mini store with everything stacked on the shelves.

So I hope these transactions have inspired you to try to save a few pennies/dollars at your CVS or Walgreens.

Friday Fun

1. On my laziest day I like to curl up with a book or magazine.
2. Organizing makes me feel like I'm being productive.
3. I love little kisses and big hugs from my son.
4. This summer I want to go to the beach.
5. Admiration of other blogs made me start my blog.
6. Red tulips and orange juice.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a date with my son tomorrow my plans includes helping my sister get unpacked and organized in her new home and Sunday, I want to attend church, go grocery shopping then dinner with a friend.

Have a fabulous weekend!

May Pay It Forward Winner

Congratulations to Forgetfulone!!! You are the winner of the May Pay It Forward Book Exchange. Enjoy your book!

Please check back the first of the month for another chance to win a great book!

Menu Planning Monday

We are back from an incredible family reunion. We had so much fun and I will post pictures later this week. I have a couple of repeats for my menu since I didn't cook them and we went out instead. So grocery shopping this week will be a breeze since all I need to get is breakfast and lunch items. Hope you all had a great weekend and I can't wait to read all about it when I come visit. Have a great day!

Monday~Leftover brisket with mac and cheese

Tuesday~Out after sons CHAMPIONSHIP baseball game!!!!

Wednesday~Pizza and salad

Thursday~Bunco, will have dinner there.

Friday~Creamy Chicken Spaghetti

Heading Out

Today was my Friday for work! I am taking Friday off and we are heading out of town! There is so much to get done before we go. I have to leave detailed instructions for my substitute and label and organize everything so she won't get confused. I don't know of another job that you have to prepare so much for when you are not going to be there. I have a reliable sub coming tomorrow and my kids are going to be in good hands.

After getting everything ready at school, I ran to get son and take to baseball practice. Last Saturday was the start of play off games. His team won the first game. Go ASTROS!!! The next game is scheduled for Saturday and we will not be there. I'm a little bummed. We did give our son the choice to stay and play in the game or go out of town and he picked going out of town, of course! If they win Saturday we play again on Tuesday, if they lose then that's the end. Go ASTROS!!!

So where are we going???? We are heading to Decatur, TX for my family reunion. It's my mom's siblings and their families. My aunt has a farm there with lots of room. She has a large barn well equipped with a small kitchen and concrete slab that we all hang out in to eat, play games, share stories and eat. The kids roam the fields and drainage ravine getting as dirty as possible. The highlights are the go carts and horses. We take over a local hotel with an indoor swimming pool and have a giant slumber party. So the plan is to check son out of school after his field day and pick up nephew and hit the road.

I will have lots to share next week.

Thrifty Finds

Not much to show today. I haven't been out shopping like I usually do. I have been extremely busy with work and family. I have had these pieces for awhile but just haven't gotten around to showing them off. I love the basket and will most likely spray it white/cream to put in my front room or bedroom and then fill with a plant. Added two more white milk glass vases to my collection. And the jar will end up in my scrapbook room filled with little embellishments. I don't remember what I spent for these treasures but I know it wasn't over $10.00. What treasures have you found lately????

Menu Planning Monday

I was absolutely spoiled over the weekend and didn't cook anything but breakfast so I have a lot of meals that I had planned to finish up this week before the veggies go bad! All of my recipes can be found at Kraft foods website.

Monday~Spaghetti
Tuesday~Skillet Chicken and Veggie Parmesan
Wednesday~Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Thursday~Creamy Chicken Spaghetti
Friday~Eating on the road on our way to my family reunion!

Friday Fun

1. The cake had an extra secret ingredient; it was a secret! DUH!
2. I see the school garden out my window.
3. Right now, I need caffeine.
4. A baseball game is where I went Thursday night; it was very exciting.
5. Why does my head hurt so much?
6. All I can think of is the end of the school year and all I need to get done.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing at home, tomorrow my plans include running errands and Sunday, I want to attend church and be taken out for lunch and dinner!

Have a fabulous weekend!

New Release

Of course we've all read Bitter is the New Black and Bright Lights Big Ass, so we're fully aware of how exciting this is! I'm heading to the book store this weekend to pick up my copy. I can't wait to laugh myself silly!

Movie Night

Saturday I helped out my sister and her family with a little bit of cleaning and a lot of playing in their new house. That's right my sister and her family are moving into a nice big house in Stone Gate. I'm so happy for them. She already had a babysitter on hand to watch the kids while we were suppose to be working and decided to hit the movies that evening at the 9:30 showing of Made of Honor. I was exhausted driving back into town at midnight! The movie was cute and Patrick is a doll.

What movies have you seen lately?????

May Pay It Forward Book Exchange

Here is my book choice for May. It's a quick summer read. Mr. Maybe by Jane Green

Synopsis
To Libby Mason, Mr. Right has always meant Mr. Rich. A twenty seven-year-old publicist, she's barely able to afford her fashionable and fabulous lifestyle and often has to foot the bill for dates with Struggling Writer Nick, a sexy but perpetually strapped-for-cash guy she's dating (no commitments ・really).

If you'd like to win this book, here is what you must do:

1. On your blog, write a post about this giveaway and then link back to my post or Overwhelmed with Joy. I am sure your readers would appreciate learning about the chance to win a book. You must complete this step to be put in the drawing.

2. Leave a comment to this post. Be sure and leave a way that I can get in touch with you.

I'll announce the winner on Tuesday, May 20. So be sure to check back.

Best of luck!

To enter more book giveaways, check out Overwhelmed with Joy

Menu Plan Monday

Here is our plan for the week.

Monday~Mediterranean Chicken
Tuesday~Cheesy Chicken and Veggie Mac
Wednesday~Pizza and Salad
Thursday~Out after sons baseball game
Friday~Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Have a fun week!

Friday Fun

1. Two of my favorite ingredients in a drink are ice and lemon!
2. Children often amaze me.
3. You can keep doing that forever, the dog is never going to calm down.
4. Tea, water, sugar, mix it all together and voila! You have sweet tea!
5. If I had a yard with a garden, I would love to grow flowers, veggies and herbs.
6. Not me, that's for sure, is best au naturel.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sons baseball game and then party at our neighbors, tomorrow my plans include sleeping in and then shopping and errands and Sunday I want to celebrate my Dad's birthday and then sons baseball practice.

Have a fabulous weekend!