A Quick Shopping Trip

So yesterday I realized I had not returned a DVD we had borrowed from the library. It was due last week and the fine is $1 a day when they're overdue. So since I had to go out and return it and spend $6 on absolutely nothing I figured I would stop at CVS and get some things for free to make me feel better. Here's what I got (Don't worry, I won't do this every week, I just got some good deals this week):

Transaction #1:

$8.00 8 Soyjoy Bars
$7.99 12-count Cetirizin-D (cvs brand zyrtec)
$3.49 Listerine Smart Rinse 250 ml
$3.49 Huggies baby wash

$22.97 Subtotal
- $4.00 $4 off a $20 Purchase CVS Coupon
- $2.00 Two Buy 2 Get 1 Free soyjoy coupons
- $1.00 Huggies baby wash coupon
- $3.00 Cetirizin-D CVS coupon

$12.97 Subtotal after coupons
-$11.99 Extra care bucks (CVS's version of instant rebates)

$0.98 Out of pocket (cash spent)

$13.49 Extra care bucks earned to use in the next transaction (so I "made" $0.52)

Transaction #2

$8.97 3 tubes colgate toothpaste
$6.98 2 huggies baby wash
$4.99 CVS brand itch relief gel (darn mesquitoes)

$20.94 subtotal
-$4.00 CVS $4/$20 purchase coupon
-$4.50 3 $1.50/1 colgate coupons
-$2.00 2 $1.00/1 huggies baby wash coupons

$10.44 subtotal after coupons
-$10.00 ECBs from last transaction

$0.56 OOP cash total ($0.44 plus $0.12 tax)

$10.00 ECBs earned for next trip

So I started out with $11.99 ECBs and spent $1.54 cash, a total of $13.53. At the end of the trip I had 3 tubes of colgate toothpaste, 3 bottles of huggies baby wash, 1 bottle itch relief gel, 1 bottle of listerine smart rinse, 1 12-count box of Cetirizin-D, and 8 soyjoy snack bars and $13.49 in ECB's. Do the math and I spent $0.04 to get $52.23 worth of stuff (plus have "money" left over for next week). Yeah, that made me feel better. =o)

Memorial Weekend Trip

Over Memorial Day weekend we had the chance to drive to visit my Grandma in Canada. We left at 9am Wednesday morning and arrived in Kingsville, ONT that evening at 7pm. Emmie did great and we only had to stop 3 times (lunch, coffee, and dinner). To any parent of a young child contemplating a long road trip, may I suggest the handy-dandy portable DVD player. That kept Emmie occupied the majority of the way there.

Thursday was spent helping around the house. We were thankful that God had us visiting earlier in the week when one of my Grandmother's neighbors knocked on the door, about to pass out. We helped her out until the ambulance arrived to take her to the hospital (she returned home the next day feeling better). It probably would have been very stressful for my Grandma if we had not been there, as she is now 83 years old and lives by herself. That evening we were able to visit with my Aunt and Uncle who drove over to visit us. It was fun catching up with them and all the news of the family.

Friday we took Grandma out shopping and to the new A&W for dinner. What a blessing to watch her spryly climb in and out of the truck. She was thankful to not be the one driving for a change. I'm very thankful she's still in such good health. After we got home from dinner Emmie helped Chad put together a cabinent for her Great-Grandma.




She's pretty handy with the tools....takes after her Daddy.




We left mid-morning to begin the journey home but not before lots of hugs and kisses were exchanged and pictures taken.






On the way home we had lunch with my sister Allison and my niece Kaylie. Emmie and Kaylie had a great time playing in the McDonald's playplace together. Chad also got a quick tour of downtown Detroit thanks to construction and his wife's inability to read signs/unfamiliarity with area.

We drove to Cleveland and checked into our hotel. If you're traveling with small children, I highly recommend Embassy Suites (as long as they are reasonably priced, like ours was). Not only do you have two rooms so the kids can go to sleep in one room and you can stay awake for awhile in the other, if you want, but they have an awesome breakfast buffet included in the price of the room. Anyway, after we got checked in we headed to downtown Cleveland and went to an Indians game. We found out when we got there that it was sold out and standing room only so Chad braved the streets (it wasn't bad at all really) and bought tickets from a scalper. We ended up with really good seats and had a great time. I found a new favorite hot dog at that game too. We came away with 3 Grady Sizemore bobblehead dolls.....so for all you Cleveland fans out there, I'm accepting offers on at least 2 of them. =o)

We made it home by about 3 on Sunday afternoon. It was a very enjoyable trip and it was wonderful to see my Grandma again.

Newest Member of Our Family

Meet Camry. After several months of thinking and praying, we decided the day after we returned from Canada to trade in the truck and get a car. We ended up with a 2009 Silver Toyota Camry. It gets better gas mileage than the truck and will have better trade in value in the future. We haven't named it yet....any suggestions?

Outdoor fun

Emmie's new "dirt" box that Mimi got for her. When she wants to play in it she asks for "dirt."
(For those of you who want a picture of me too, here you go. =o))




"This is really cool, but I'm not quite sure what to do with it all."




Looking at the ants ("eents") that were crawling up the side.




She likes to jump rope now too. Check out the cool, sparkly flip-flops.




We like to swing in the backyard when the weather is nice out.

Cuteness Update

As the summer begins, I figured it was time for a picture/news update.

Emmie and Daddy taking a "nap" in the playpen (that she can now climb out of).

Emmie kept herself busy one morning by moving most of her toys onto the mat from her play pen. Notice how neatly they are arranged. She was saying "cheese" for me when I took this picture.

The only time she will let me put ponytails in her hair. Actually, I didn't even put these in, Chad was in charge of bath this night. (Another "cheese" shot)

Say Hello To My Little Friend....

I have a new little friend. His name is Action Scrubber. It only took me 5 minutes to scrub out my tub on Friday. I think it's love.......

In other news, Emmie learned a new trick about a week ago. Since Emmie's crib is in our room (we only have one bedroom) it has become the custom that I'll move her into a playpen in the living room around 1 or 2 am when she starts to move around in her crib, not really waking up but just making enough noise trying to get comfortable that it wakes us up. She usually goes right back to sleep in her play pen. So the other morning we were woken up around 6 am when the door to the bedroom opened and a little voice said, "Mommy?, Mommy?" Yes, our daughter can climb out of her playpen now. I don't think she can make it out of her pack and play or her crib yet, but every morning since the first time she got out of the playpen there has been a little body wondering into our room around 6 am wanting us to get out of bed and come play.

Progress Report

Here's what's happening with us....

1. Emmie was blessed to receive Chad's allergy to tree pollen, etc. This has come to light over the past week as we seriously considered buying stock in kleenex due to our usage to wipe Emmie's runny nose. We took her to the doctor on Monday hoping he would be able to give us a perscription and not just say in was a cold and to come back in a week to get it checked again. Multiple doctors visits are not fun on the wallet when you have personal comp insurance. Fortunately, he did give us a perscription and she's doing slightly better today.

2. I learned to make sure a pharmacy actually has the medicine to fill your perscription before you leave when dropping it off. I dropped the script off at Wal-mart on Monday night and decided to go back in the morning when they said it would take an hour to get it filled. When I went back in the morning, I was told that they didn't have the medicine to fill it and due to computer system failure it would take another day or two to get it filled. And the problem with telling me this last night would have been?..... So I resigned myself to getting it filled at CVS, thinking it was probably going to cost me an arm and a leg (again personal comp doesn't do much for perscription coverage). I was pleasantly suprised to find out it would only be $5 and take 10 minutes to get filled. I was so pleased in fact that I actually sprung for the grape flavoring at an additional $3 just to make sure it wouldn't be torture to get Emmie to take it.

3. Speaking of CVS, may I just say I love the sales/EBC deals at that store. This past week I purchased:

1 4-count bic soleil razor cartridges
1 24.7 face scrub
3 Colgate 360 toothbrushes
3 Tubes Aquafresh toothbrushes
3 5-count boxes CVS lotratridine (claritin)
1 Gillette Venus Breeze Razor
3 Adidas deoderants
1 24-count Zyrtec-D

I spent $4.02 in cash, $42.97 in coupons, $55.31 in ExtraCareBucks, and got $70.28 in ECBs back (I actually only have $31.94 in ECBs to spend next week because some of this $70.28 I already spent in the $55.31 total). Total retail price of all the products I purchased $102.30. Net profit (products received and ECB's made minus cash spent and cost of newspaper for coupons): $106.89!! How fun is that?

4. Training for the marathon is coming along. Our relay team kind of fell apart but there are still two of us interested in running so we're going to train for the 1/2 marathon instead. =o) Call me crazy but at least it's making me exercise. =o) I'm up to running 2 and a 1/2 miles, 4 times a week. Hopefully by the end of the month that will be closer to 3 or 4 miles. That leaves me 4.5 months to add 9-10 more miles to my endurance level. I'll keep you updated on how it's going. =o)

5. Speaking of running.....it's time for me to go and do that now. Have a wonderful day (week, month, however long it takes for me to post again....=o))

Hiking

This past weekend we went hiking up Sugarloaf "Mountain" with our friends. Chad got the best workout because he had Emmie on his back. =o) If you don't have a stairmaster, I recommend this hike instead. It's short but the majority of it is climbing uphill/stairs.


Up at the top...a great view. =o)



Dan contemplating the meaning of life.



Emmie being cute



Emmie enjoyed hiking around at the top with Daddy and Aunt Tiffy. She was quite the adventurer but she hasn't grasped the concept of height and sheer drops.



Another shot of the view

A fun trip on a sunny afternoon and we finally got to use the backpack I bought at the babyfair last year. =o)

I Got Tagged...

...which mean everyone gets to read 7 strange things about me. If I can come up with that many. Everyone can thank my sister for this pleasure. =o)

Here are the rules.
1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Random Facts:

1. I played soccer in college. I think most of you know this already but I still find it ironic due to the fact that I had never played organized/competative soccer before. Sometimes it pays to go to a really small college.

2. I know how to keep score for baseball/softball games. I mean more than just keeping track of runs scored. If you were to look at my scorebook, you would be able to tell who scored what run and who got what put-out, etc. It's fun when I get to write F7 in the opposing batter's boxes, that means Chad was the one who got them out. =o)

3. I love getting bargins, but I don't really like going to garage sales. I think it's the having to get up and do something on a Saturday morning that I don't like. I would rather just stay home and relax until noon and then do stuff.

4. I've been in over half of the States in the USA. Only 23 more to go....New England road trip anyone?

5. I was in Philadelphia (the birthplace of a nation) and Charlottetown, PEI (birthplace of the confederation) in the same year.

6. I really like to bake and am looking forward to entering stuff in the county fair this year. =o) Yike! I'm becoming a redneck!

7. Hi, my name is Joanna and I'm a hallmark addict. I'm OC about picking out the right card for people. Sometimes going to more than one store in order to find it. I love keepsake ornaments too.

I tag JN, JP, AD, EC, C, JC, and SM too keep this up (if they feel like it) =o).

Fun on a Rainy Day

This splashing in puddles thing is cool. =o)




I love her boots! They have little kitty faces on the toes.




This is a pretty common look for Emmie nowadays. Anytime something happens that she doesn't like, she makes this face and says, "no!" She is a very expressive child and we love her. =o)

Easter Pictures

Emmie getting a little help from Daddy to reach the eggs he put up high.

Emmie "winking" at the camera

Peek-a boo

My New Favorite Pastimes

1. CVS-ing
This may very well be the most addictive bargin/free shopping ever. I think Money Saving Mom is now one of my favorite websites. I can hardly wait to see her posts on Saturdays.

2. Bracketology
Chad really enjoys college basketball. I am married to Chad. Therefore, I really enjoy college basketball. Ok, so that's not the most logical statement ever, but I do enjoy filling out a bracket for March Madness. I did it even before I met/dated/married Chad. Filling out brackets is even more fun when you do it with a large group of friends to see who has the most insight into the world that is college basketball. It makes watching the tournament with your husband much more enjoyable too. Especially when that crazy upset you picked (and he didn't) actually happens. =o)

3. Training
Did you know that most marathons have a relay option? That means you only have to run 6-7 miles to participate. So grab 3 friends (companionship), pay the entrance fee (motivation), pick a training program (consistancy), meet once a month to run/walk together (accountability), Get up early and run the race (accomplishment). Perks are: Lose weight (happy, happy day), Get shirts and medals (coolness factor), Have fun with your friends (Gotta love it!). Still working on the walking to running part? So am I. Check out Health for cool workouts/training programs.

Taking a Stroll Part II

We have so much fun playing outside. =o) If you watch until the end she'll blow you a kiss good-bye.

(Motion Sickness Warning: I was walking while I was taping, oops! Just close your eyes for a few seconds and the rocking part will be over)

Taking a Stroll

Emmie's newest favorite pastime......

JAMBOG Phase 2

The Assignment: Use the four items previously posted to solve the scenario of your choice.

Scenario of Choice:
Scenario #1: The president has just been kidnapped by terrorists. You, as the special agent, are transported to their stronghold. How do you rescue the president?

Song Choice: Sixteen Going on Seventeen (last four stanzas) from The Sound of Music. There just wasn't enough room left in my earlier song to successfully complete the rescue. I felt compelled to stick with the Sound of Music theme.


I'm an agent, going on a mission, rescuing the president.
I'll use my book to locate the treasure, their captive resident.

I'll need someone, to occupy the mastermind, lucky I have the Queen.
She'll keep him busy by comparing her tactics to those of Hillary.

I'll use the meatballs and the sauce as my ammunition.
I'll use the mozzarella cheese as rope to bind the henchmen.

Lacking a swiss knife, I'll use my lightsaber
To fight and melt steel dooor-ors.
If all else fails, I won't worry
I-I will u-use the Force.

The Next American Idol

Emmie is starting to sing at random points during the day now. She loves the "Wheels on the Bus" song and can be found randomly during the day singing "Beep, Beep, Beep, Ahhh to" (translation: All through the town). Or like last night while we were visiting friends she was walking around in circles singing "ashy, ashy" then she would scream/laugh and flop down on the ground. Being the observant parents we are, it took us at least five minutes to figure out that she was doing ring-around-the-rosie. Watch out American Idol, Emmie is coming soon.

JAMBOG

or Jonses' Annual Midwinter Blues Online Game

Phase One:

Lets start at the very beginning,
a very good place to start
To win I will need A Book to read
To win I will need some Food or Drink (Food or Drink)
And now to list a few more things
Saber of Light, that Yoda used to fight
Queen of Cold and Ice

To be continued in phase two (if possible).....

Disclaimer: I am not a musical genius and there was Elmo's World music playing in the background as I tried to write this. =o)

My little maid

Emmie is usually very helpful when I clean on Friday morning. She puts the pillowcases in the laundry basket and even follows me around with her little vaccuum cleaner while I am using the real one. Today she decided that the kitchen floor really needed to be mopped. She knows I hate mopping. (I finally decided last week that if I get a swiffer wet jet mop I would be more inclined to mop but I'm waiting until they have the $5 off coupon in the paper to get it.) So in order to help she opened up the water filter spout (we have a 2 gallon brita filter container on our counter). If opened all the way, like she did, it stays open until you flip the lever to close it. By the time I got to it, there was about a gallon of water on the ground. Well, at least the floor is clean now. =o)

Pictures from Valentine's Day

Chad and I were able to go on a date Tuesday night to celebrate Valentine's Day. We like going a few days before or after to miss the crowds. We tend to get better food and service that way. We went to Dutch's Daughter and had a wonderful evening despite the ice storm that was fast approaching. We both had soup, salad, steak, and the most delicious raspberry cheesecake. So Yummy! Here are pictures to prove that we do dress up once and awhile (and that we still exist since most of my posts are of Emmie). =o) This is one of my new shirts too.



Looking pretty while Chad tries to get the tripod adjusted.




All dressed up as out to dinner we go. =o)

Fun with shoes (and friends and granola bars)

Emmie loves putting on my shoes and walking around. A right of passage for any young child.




More pictures with Abby. They were both posing. They ran down the hallway and stopped at the end and then asked for "cama, cama?" So we got the camera and took some pictures.






Say "Cheese!"



The results of Emmie eating a chocolate chip granola bar. Notice the unfinished part on her sleeve. She stuck it there to keep for when she got hungry later.