180-Movie

Future Coupon Queen (& Princess)???

So I know I never ever seem to blog - I guess I never know what to blog about but I think I've found it!!!!! COUPONS!!!! I know - crazy! The last 3 weeks I've been figuring out this whole couponing thing. You know, those people who walk into stores without paying for anything because between the deals and coupons they've gotten it for FREE! I always thought they were nuts too but with gas prices, grocery prices, health care costs....just everything rising something had to be done. I thought for sure there had to be a way to do this without going.......dare I say......extreme.

I started a 3-week class at our church "Wise Stewardship Through Couponing" This class was lead by Lori Clayton, who just so happens to be The Coupon Consultant! If you are in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia you really need to meet up with Lori at one of her many classes in the area (she's got them going on all the time) and learn how to use your coupons wisely! If you are not in the area - check out her website as she's alway posting valuable savings information including freebies!

Now, as I said I've been doing this only for 3 weeks. I've only hit a couple stores to test it all out. I've been learning things like to think about the PRODUCT not the BRAND (that's saved me some $$). I'm learning what the stores in the area have to offer like double coupon days! I'm a "commissary shopper" being a Navy wife of 23 years and believe it or not this really has been a change of the way I shop. I had no idea the commissary was so different. You can use coupons in the commissary but I've just never thought to split my shopping (thinking it'd be too much of a hassle or take too much time). I'm learning STORE SALES + COUPONS = LESS THAN COMMISSARY!

Yesterday I saved 22% in coupons alone at Farm Fresh! Not to mention I took advantage of a couple of their Buy One, Get One sales. Today I hit up Walgreens. I know what you are thinking - a drugstore? an expensive drug store? Again - store sales, plus store coupons PLUS manufacture coupons = not as much as you thought! Yes, drugstores are becoming my best friend - who knew!?!

Here's what my daughter and I did at WALGREENS today.



4 Monster drinks (2/$3 store deal)
4 Colgate Toothpaste (BOGO $5.29, $2 in manufacture coupons)
1 Thermacare Back Wraps ($3 store advertised savings, $1.50 manufacture coupon)
2 Valentines candy hearts (75%off)

I had a total of $23.68 savings. My final cost was $19.54 and best of all 2 of those toothpastes were FREE!!!!!!

My daughter is learning from me (the best thing I can do is teach my children!). Here's her purchase:



2 Maybelline Blush (store sale 40% off plus $3.00 off 2 coupon)
1 Maybelline Lipstick (store sale 40% off plus $2.00 coupon)
2 Valentine heart candy (75%off)

She had a total of $9.78 in Walgreen advertised sales plus $5.00 in manufactures coupons for a total savings of $14.78 and only paid $7.57!!! Is she on the way to being a Coupon Queen or what??

It has taken me a couple of weeks to "get it" but I think I'm getting the hang of it now. I'm much more aware of how I do not have to pay full price for anything! It might take a little planning on my part but it's gonna be worth it. My plan is to keep track of my savings to see my total savings for 2011. I cannot wait!

While We Were Sleeping ~ by Casting Crowns

**after originally posting this, a friend shared this video HERE - very moving, very powerful - watch both if you can!**

I really do not know how I missed this song over the last few years. I adore Casting Crowns. Their music just touches the depths of my soul probably like no other. They are truly gifted by God to share his Word.
Take a bit of time to listen to this song....it's a good Christmas song, an original and one that can be listened to year round as far as I'm concerned.

"America, will we go down in history; As a nation with no room for its King"

That one line of lyrics leaves much for thought doesn't it???

If you are reading this in your email; CLICK HERE to see the video.



Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you're lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight

Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

Oh little town of Jerusalem
Looks like another silent night
The Father gave His only Son
The Way, the Truth, the Life had come
But there was no room for Him in the world He came to save

Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today
Jerusalem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we're lying in the dark
There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping

United States of America
Looks like another silent tonight.....

(Lyrics from: http://www.elyrics.net)

Craft Junkie

I'm a crafter at heart. That's just a small FYI for anyone who reads this and does not know me very well.

I spent the last weekend at my first scrapbook convention. It was a good experience and I hope they come back next year.

You can read all about my time and my classes on (by clicking here on)MY CRAFTING CORNER - My craft blog.

FYI I also have a photography blog - doesn't get updated too much but occasionally. You can get there by clicking here on: MY SERENDIPITY PHOTOGRAPHY

I'll promise to try to blog here on my Random Ramblings more often. I just never seem to know what to blog about but....I have been chasing some mermaids this summer so maybe I'll eventually get around to blogging about those very soon!

2010 - Congrats Grad!!!

We've officially "graduated" another child. This is child #2. He has been home educated since 2nd grade. He's off to Tidewater Community College in the fall. So proud and yet at the same time can't believe this leaves me with only one left to finish schooling. I have 2 years left with child #3.

Our church, First Baptist Church Norfolk, holds a graduation Sunday each year to recognize all the graduates of their church - public, private and homeschooled. It's their option to wear their cap and gown(or not) and so while I know some are wondering - Corey was able to borrow a cap & gown. They kick the morning off for the graduates and their parents with a breakfast. During the service they are each individually recognized while greeting Pastor Eric who gives them a gift from the church and then they are received by their parents. The day tops off with a luncheon for all the grads and their families.



I happen to come across this blog that made me chuckle. It reminded me of all our years of homeschooling. We've been doing this since the Fall of 1999. Some days are sweet, other not so much. I still am bewildered when asked the "how do you do it" question when it comes to homeschooling. You have to put away all your preconceived notions and you have to remember it's NOT public school! It's a totally different way of learning and it's a lifestyle. Learning is for life and that's how we do it I guess. I'm always amazed at the parents who say they can't get through homework let alone fully school their kids. Well, honestly if I was a kid in school and spent ALL day there and then had to come home to do more homework with my parents - I wouldn't want to do that either and would probably be a little grumpy about it. It's like comparing apples and oranges folks! If you home school, you will love this article - if not maybe it'll give you a little in sight on our thoughts with the endless questions and comments that we hear, sometimes on a daily basis. THE PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENT'S GUIDE TO HOMESCHOOL PARENTS!

And CONGRATS to my Corey who has made it through the years with Mom as his teacher!

Classic Books.....

I finally hung my display with my classic Nancy Drew books. I've had these since childhood. I loved reading Nancy Drew. I also can remember watching the Nancy Drew/The Hardy Boys Mysteries on TV on Sunday nights when I was growing up. (I had a HUGE crush on Shaun Cassidy who was obviously my favorite Hardy boy :blush:)



So we've been in this house just shy a couple months of 2 years. I can't believe we've been in Virginia that long, but we have. And these boxes that usually hang on the wall have been sitting for that long. I finally just decided to get my "reading corner" in to shape this past weekend so my daughter and I together managed to get them hung up and the books in them to be displayed. The rocking chair I've had for 20 years now. I searched high and low for it when I was pregnant with my oldest - I cannot believe he's going to be 20 years old in the fall!



So anyway, I'm rambling now...hahahaha (hence the title of the blog) but there's a little piece of my home shared with you.

Virginia Aquarium

This week we went to the Virginia Aquarium. "We" would be - me, my son Corey, my daughter Alyssa, her boyfriend Daniel and my friend Katie along with her two girls, Keanna & Sydney.
We had a pretty good time. It's a nice aquarium.

The stingray pool was a popular attraction for the kids. I think they could have stayed there all day.






We couldn't resist getting into the sharks mouth...





We saw turtles, frogs, river otters, snakes, stingrays, and many different kinds of fish.


Blue Crab and just some random little fish


Leaf Frog - he looks like a leaf is laying on him but that's actually him. Very cool looking and excellent camouflage.


Tree Frogs

This last photo is well, shocking if you know me at all.



I have a huge fear of snakes. I have ever since I was a little girl (and disobeyed my parents). I ran into a couple of very large black snakes when I was in Kindergarten. I use to cut through a neighbors yard and long story short I was told probably almost daily not to do that because my parents knew there were snakes in that yard (and their house) After that day - I had a huge fear of snakes. I've never really even been able to look at them until we moved to Hawaii and I worked on that fear. Now, that doesn't mean I want to come across any snakes anytime soon. But I can tolerate them just a little bit now. I still can't believe I took this picture. When I first saw the snake only 1/2 of the mouse (or rat) was in his mouth but by the time just the tail was sticking out I had to snap the shot before it was gone. By the way, this is a Cane Rattlesnake. He was huge! They are one of Virginia's slithering creatures and a creature to be aware of when out hiking and walking the trials here.

That wraps up our day - it was a nice, enjoyable visit.