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Saturday, October 31, 2009

Kroger Trip #2

Okay so the Kroger I went to last night was out of a couple of the deals I needed (chili for teens & small group this week). So I hit up the other Kroger. A lot of you have asked about my trip last night. I'm going to list what I bought with the Mega Event deal and then I'll list the non deals items. If I don't have a coupon for something, I'll note that too. There's a lady that blogs, www.couponing101.com who put together a scenario for those of you who don't clip coupons. You can find the printable coupons online and still benefit from this Mega Event at Kroger. The prices are after the mega event $10 off but NOT including coupons. Okay here goes:

The price listed is the price after the mega purchase 10 deal. It basically takes 50 cents off of every item that is included in that deal.

Trip #1

2 Pillsbury Pie Crust(rolled 2 crusts in box) $1.99
2 Franks RedHot Sauce $1.49
2 Betty Crocker Fruit Roll Ups $1.49
2 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks $1.49
2 Quaker Chewy Granola Bars $1.49
2 Quaker Instant Oatmeal $2.19
1 Apple Jacks Cereal $2.19
1 Tombstone Pizza $1.99
3 Bumble Bee Tuna 2.5 oz Pouches All FREE $0.50
3 Hormel Chili w/Beans $0.79
1 Betty Crocker Pouch Potatoes $0.50
6 Nestle Carnation Evaporated Milk ALL FREE $0.50
1 Cheezits $0.99
2 Keebler Fudge Shop Cookies $0.99
1 Heinz Ketchup $1.49
3 Uncle Ben's Ready Rice $0.99
1 Welch's White Grape Juice $2.49
2 Chex Mix $1.49
2 Activa Yogurt 4 packs $1.49
2 Gogurt Yogurts Box $1.49
1 YoPlus Yogurt 4 pack $1.49
1 I Can't Believe it's Not Butter Spray $0.99
1 Smart Balance Butter $1.49
1 Hormel Natural Choice Turkey $2.49
4 Aussie Hair Spray, Gel, Mousse, etc. $2.49
1 St. Ives Face Scrub $2.49
1 Surf 40 load Laundry Detergent $5.19
3 All Laundry Detergent $2.99
1 Snuggle Fabric Softener FREE $2.99
1 Dial Bar Soap 3 pk $1.39
4 Glade Candles $1.99
1 Kleenex Tissues $0.99
5 Box of Stayfree/Carefree/Kotex (pads/pantiliners) $1.99
1 Flintstones Vitamines $3.99
1 Aquafresh Toothpaste $1.99
1 Aquafresh Toothbrush $1.99


Mega Deal BUT NO COUPON
2 2Liters of Diet Coke $0.75
2 Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce $0.99

NO MEGA Deal BUT COUPON
2 Flavored Creamers $1.89

NO MEGA DEAL & NO COUPON
2 Chuck Roasts $1.99/lb
2 Pounds Ground Beef $1.78/lb
1 bag yellow onions
5 Kroger Chili Seasoning Packets
1 Gallon Milk
1 1/2 Gallon OJ
5 Cans of Kidney Beans

Okay so for all of that the total started at $262, then went down when he scanned my Kroger Card and stopped at $89 when he scanned all of my coupons. I bought 93 items total. 73 items qualified for the buy 10, get $5 off. I miscalculated and bought 3 more items than I needed. However, they were out of some of the stuff I wanted. So I made a second trip to the Rockwall Kroger this morning and here's what I did there. OOOOHHH-after my trip last night, a bunch of catalinas printed out. They look like receipts but they're coupons. I got a $2.50 off my next purchase at Kroger (FREE MONEY) and a bunch of coupons.

Trip #2
1 Pillsbury Simply Refrigerated Cookie Dough $1.99
2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough $1.99
5 Cans of Delmonte Tomatoes $0.50
2 Skinny Cow Ice Cream Cones $2.49
1 Smart Balance Butter $1.49
2 Steamfresh Meals $5.49 (I had a BOGO coupon so I got BOTH for $3.40-CRAZY)
3 Steamfresh Lightly sauced vegetables $1.49
1 Land o'Lakes Light Butter Spread $0.99
2 Stayfree Pantiliners $1.99
1 Kotex Tampons $1.99

NON MEGA DEAL BUT COUPON
1 Box of Crunch & Munch $2.49 (had a 35 cents coupon that tripled so took $1 off)

NON MEGA NON COUPONS
1 Shoulder Roast $1.99/lb
1 Package of Reese's Peanut Butter Sticks-closeout $1.25 (coupon that tripled)
1 container of homemade peanut butter (can you tell Levi & the kids went with me)

24 items total was $22.18 (started at $89)

So...Levi's comment was, "You did better than the Dollar Tree." If I can help at all please let me know. This is my goal...to spend $35-40 per week at the grocery store. I know that's a little lofty. My friend told me that at the beginning of couponing, you spend the same amount but you get A LOT more groceries...which I did! Then, you stock pile and you get a lot of things free or have overages which help pay for the things you don't have coupons for (produce, meats, etc.). We'll see and don't worry, I will keep you posted:)

H

Kroger Shop WOW!!!

 
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So I'm getting back into couponing. I spent a lot of time this week organizing my binder, getting my scenarios ready and grabbing my coupons. Kroger is having a MEGA event. If you buy 10 participating items, you get $5 off your bill. Okay well I did this deal 7 times (almost 8-which is frustrating b/c I kind of got panicky at the cash register). Whatever, it was my first time, I'll learn! Anyway, my bill before my Kroger card, the $5's off, and coupons was $262. I had 93 items including meat. My after total was $89. Wowser!! The cool thing is that everything I got, I need. I will be stocked for a while with this stuff. I can live with that!! I am so pumped and ready to go again...woo hoo!!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Today

I have been a bad blogger as of late. I apologize. Honestly, I've kind of struggled in a lot of areas in the past few weeks...feel like I've been in a funk!! There is a lot going on and I've just been overwhelmed. I've kind of wanted to just shut down. So there's my excuse now to the business at hand....blogging about today.

It's been a good week. The kids are looking forward to Halloween. Woohoo!! I am not looking forward to the time change (and that it's the night of Halloween...HELLO!!). I'm finished with the book of Job. I'm glad. I'm not sure what to make of it and my reaction to it. It definitely challenged my thinking. If you haven't read it in a while, do and let me know what you think.

So last week, we're sitting in small group sharing prayer requests and Wendi shares that she has a visit to Baylor coming up. She goes every 6 months and since she's had chemo I think she goes every 3 maybe. She also shared that her hubby couldn't go because he had a work class. In my head I was thinking that I wanted to go with her but didn't say anything (didn't want to look like the goody two shoes pastor's wife---they know I'm not). Everybody left except Wendi & Erik because Levi roped him into moving our antennae into the attic (after bedtime BTW). Side note, moving it into the attic has helped us get MORE channels and it's free...woohoo!! Anyway, before I could tell her about going with her I get a text from Lori asking if I thought it would be okay for her to offer to go with Wendi. I kind of had a light bulb go off or something. I realized that this was "community." Wendi doesn't have family here and as a small group we are sharing life with each other. I love that. I love that Lori was open to another person's needs and willing to put that person above her. How cool.

So, today was the day that we went with Wendi to Baylor. It's pretty sobering to walk into a cancer center and know that every person there has been impacted by cancer in some way. I was glad we went with Wendi. It could be overwhelming. She teases and says this is old hat. Wendi got great reports and the chemo worked. She goes back in December for CTs. Wendi amazes me. She inspires me. She gives God credit and even on the way in today she said, "This is a win win for me. I have hope. If God heals me great but if not I have eternal life, it's a win win." Her outlook is incredible. We had a lot of good conversation today, some happy some sad. It was good for my soul. I need people and I need people that love me and are not only willing to share life with me but with others.

As we sat at lunch today and just kept talking (we did so much of that today, it was so nice), I sat listening to Lori and Wendi share. They are very similar and it was almost weird hearing how their stories lined up. It's also weird to me to think that 2 months ago they didn't know each other and yet today we all shared life together in a pretty intimate way. I love that.

If you go to Catalyst (or if you don't) I challenge you to join a small group (wherever you go). It will pay off...I saw that in action today. I know there are lots of excuses not to (too busy, another night away, scared, got my own group of friends, etc). It's amazing how quickly you grow to love it and miss it when you're not there. I find myself talking about our small group in NC alot and I definitely saw the importance and value of being vulnerable and again here, I love these people and so look forward to it!!

Any questions?? ASK!! Have a great Thursday!!

Monday, October 19, 2009

sick

of being sick!!! It seems like everybody has been sick in the last 2 or 3 weeks. Thankfully it has NOT been the flu (knock on wood). I'm hoping we're finally over it. It's draining to take care of or be sick and still have to function. I remember when I didn't have kids, if Levi or I were sick, we canceled work and slept. Now, if I'm sick, we have to tough it out and suck it up and keep going. Wowser, I hope we're done with sickness around here.

On a more serious note, I've got a couple of friends that have children with serious illnesses or that have a serious illness themselves. It's sobering to see someone you love hurt. I truly cannot imagine what that must feel like as a parent to know that you are helpless. I think for me that is where my relationship with God would be tested, I'm just being honest. I don't know how I would get through that. I know people do and I guess you do it because you have to but man it makes my heart hurt to think about my friends who deal with it on an everyday basis. I am really trying to remember to pray for them daily and keep them fresh on my mind.

I'm reading through the book of Job and I've really struggled with the fact that God let Satan have at Job. I know that God knew that Job would be faithful. I just feel bad for Job for having to go through that. I know that God has a purpose and a plan for everyone, including Job. He just had no one when he was hurting so much and even his friends turned on him. He was so honest with God about his pain and his feeling that God was coming after him. It wasn't God, I know that, it was Satan. I don't know. I think I'm going to read some commentary on it. I know there are some who think the book of Job wasn't about a real man named "Job" but a fictional character. I'd like to read more on that. We have one more week to finish out Job so I'll write more later.

Another long & random thoughts blog....have a great Monday!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Wednesday

It seems like is has rained ALOT here lately. I shouldn't complain I know we need it. I am ready for it to get chilly and stay chilly for a while. Maybe it will kill all these germs and we can all get better. We had a blast at the U2 concert. We had great seats for our $15 tickets...crazy I know. I guess Levi is majorly rubbing off on me. My favorite concert has been Garth Brooks and I've always talked about what an entertainer he was. U2 was equally as awesome but in a different way. They are such humanitarians. Their message of love and hope is incredible. I love that!! Anyway, we came home to discover Keegan was sick so he's now on antibiotics. The doctor doesn't think it's the flu so we're grateful for that. I'm just hoping Addy and I can stay well. That's about for an update so far. Hope you're having a great week.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Monday

So it's Monday and I'm good. Levi is off to the doctor, hopefully he'll get a steroid shot and be fine!! I'm praying. The kids and I are just chilling at home. I do have to go to the grocery store. I finished laundry now to fold, I hate that part. I'm trying to be productive today. Tonight we're going to see U2 and I am getting excited. We got cheap tickets on ebay and I love that. We're in the cheap seats but who cares! Anyway, I probably won't post again but will definitely tell you how U2 is. Have a great Monday.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

I'm a Loser Baby....

So, it's been a week and no posts...so sorry. I have so wanted to and it's not because I haven't spent time on the computer. Ashamedly I've spent WAY TOO much time on the computer the past few days. Levi has now gotten ill...and it's cold. So, the kids and I have been hanging out in the living room and leaving him in our bedroom. I've had the television on and movies rolling while I pass the time playing bejeweled and checking email. We've all just hunkered down and enjoyed being home...except Levi, he doesn't have a choice. He's stuck b/c he feels like crap. I did take the kids to lunch today after church and let them play on an indoor playground. Just an update on us...

Levi did make it to church today to preach...he seriously came in right before church started and left RIGHT after he preached, didn't stay for communion or the last song. Just tells you how bad he feels. He did an awesome job. Other than dripping sweat the whole time, you wouldn't have known he was sick. He started a series today on "Losers." Today was Jonah and how Jonah ran from God. Tonight, as I was replaying the day, I tried to apply that to me. Have I ran from God in my life? This might be a stretch but follow me. This weekend was one where I felt pretty resentful about being here in Texas. I got mad that I couldn't just call my mom and drop the kids off with her while I got some rest since Levi has been in bed for 3 days straight. I couldn't call my sister to see if we could just go hang out at the mall with our kids to get out of the house. I don't usually have moments of resentment but I did today. Please don't misunderstand me, I have wonderful friends here and they are priceless. But you know how sometimes you just want your mom? I can just be really honest with my parents and just be me. I can be mad over stupid stuff and complain and they just love me without trying to fix me because they know that my moments of irrationality will pass and that I just need to vent. That's just where I've been this weekend. If you've never been away from your parents be so grateful. And if you don't have kids you might not understand that. Okay so go back to running from God. I feel like at times (like this weekend) I kind of get mad at God for bringing us here away from our families (farther away than we've ever been). I don't think I run from God but I think I detach from Him when I feel that way. I have to remember that we are here for a reason and I do feel "called" to be here. I have to remember the past and the way the doors just opened for us. I have to remember the people that are in our lives and how God has blessed us with great friends. I have to focus on the positive. I'm reading Job and Job had it bad. In one of his responses he basically said that he could be honest with God and be real with God about where he was in life and his feelings about it. I'm glad we can be honest with God and when we're upset or questioning just voice it. He made us, He knows us. I'm not sure if any of this made any sense but it's what's rattling through my brain tonight (granted my brain is not functioning as well as it used to) :)

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Wowser---it's been a week

Okay I am so sorry it's been so long but I've been sick. Last Sunday I had no voice and then I got sick (yeah, you know what I'm talking about). I thought I was fine but as the week progressed, I felt better then Thursday got worse. I felt nauseated all day. I had sinus issues and drainage and it was no fun at all. Anyway, I feel much better now and am anticipating a wonderful week. We've just chilled over the weekend which was wonderful. I've just felt so out of it here lately.

This week will be a good one. This week Levi and I celebrate 9 years of marriage. That seems so crazy to me. I mean that in the best way...I just can't believe it's been 9 years. Wowser..I can't be an old married woman:) I still feel like that twenty two year old silly girl!!

Today it has been rainy and cold. I've got a chili in the crockpot awaiting our teens from church. We're doing 2 C groups at our house. C groups are our Catalyst Church small groups. We do the teen one here right now. We also do an adult small group in the middle of the week. I really enjoy them. I love having people here and being connected. It also makes me keep my house somewhat clean (or at least picked up). Anyway, just wanted to update. I'm alive and well here :)