My hobby

I love finding deals, and nothing beats free. I spend a few hours a week searching the web and applying for freebies. Each week I get roughly between $10-30 (or more) worth of free stuff. Some the favorite things I have received are: four tickets to Disney on Ice, $20 in free groceries, and a really cool label package (valued at $40) from Label Daddy.
Just this week I received:

• A free 12 months subscription to Woman's Day magazine
• A Bounce dryer bar
  
• A year subscription to Nanny Net (valued at $40), an online filtering service
• A personal organizer from Busy Body Book (valued at $17.95)
• Biore face wash

Sometimes I get more, sometimes less. But it is always so exciting to see your mailbox filled to the brim with packages. Here are a few links to some of my favorite sites:

Coupon Pro
Money Saving Mom
Southern Savers

Menu for the week of Aug 30th-Sept 5th

Monday-Oven Fried Pork Chops, Roasted Red Potatoes, and Buttery Green Beans

Tuesday-Loaded Potato Soap, Homemade Sweet Bread

Wednesday- Slow Cooker Vegetable Lasagna, Salad

Thursday-Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy, Homemade Thyme Biscuits, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

Friday- French Onion Burgers, Fried Potatoes

Saturday- Spicy Red Beans and Rice

Sunday-Roast Beef, Carrots, Red Potatoes, Buttery Green Beans

Back to school....

School started back a few weeks ago and we are finally getting back into the swing of a busy school schedule. Victoria started high school this year (I am still shocked that my "baby" is a freshman). Her workload is pretty heavy this semester with Advanced Algebra, Honors Earth Science, Computer Applications, and Health Term Relations. She is wanting to be an Anesthesiologist.

Chandler is in Fourth grade this year and loves his new teachers. He has already had several quizzes and aced them all. Science is his favorite class.

We decided it was best to hold Maddie back in the Second grade. Maddie had a rough year last year and it showed through her grades. She is complaining that the work right now is to easy, but I think it will become more challenging for her as the year progresses. Unlike Chandler and Victoria she isn't as thrilled to be back in school. Maddie doesn't like change and going to school with all new classmates isn't easy for her. Luckily her birthday is coming up soon and I am planning on inviting all of her new classmates to her party. I am hoping once she becomes familiar with everyone she will enjoy school more. She is doing very well so far with her homework and grades. She got a one-hundred on her first spelling test on Friday!

With the kids out of the house during the day I am working on getting everything reorganized. During the summer we are always out and about and housework is the last thing on my mind. I try to volunteer at the school at least two days a week so I can stay close to the kids. They are comforted knowing mom is there and I always bring them a special treat when I eat lunch with them.

Here are a few photos from their first day back to school.

In need of a new vacuum.

Our vacuum is on it's last wheel. It wasn't that great to start with and it has went down hill fast. Vacuums are expensive so I would love to win a free one. Right now over at Love or Hate Debate they are giving away an Oreck. The winner will be announced on Aug 26th. So to enter head on over to Love or Hate Debate. Good Luck!

--1--

I am so proud of Victoria we went and picked up her high school schedule and she is in all honors classes. She starts high school on Aug 23rd.

--2--

Rodney started his new job on Monday. He thinks he is going to enjoy it. The pay is lower than when he was recruiting, but, the stress will be lower and that matters more for us.

--3--

Chandler and Maddie start school on Monday! Chandler will be in the fourth grade and Maddie will be repeating the second grade. We went to open house on Tuesday and I really like both their teachers.

--4--

I stumbled across a blog I am really enjoying, Raising Homemakers. It is very inspiring!

--5--

I turned 32 on Tuesday. A dear friend of mine took my family out to eat for my birthday. We hardly ever get to go out so this was a real treat for us!

--6--

My mother is taking me out tonight. We are going to watch Eat, Pray, Love. I hope the movie is at least half as good as the book was.

--7--

I'm so happy the weather for next week is ever so slightly cooler than it has been. Our electric bills has been outrageous this summer!

Wordless Wednesday

This week is going to be a busy, busy week. We have lot's going on, except today....today we are going to enjoy family time at a local theme park called Carowinds. Tomorrow Lessa is moving out, so we have been busy trying to get her things separated from our things. It is amazing how much stuff has been accumulated over these last few months. Our storage is jam-packed with boxes. I am excited about getting our space back. So

• Wednesday-I plan on helping my friend finish her packing a hopefully have the majority of her things gone tomorrow.
• Thursday-I need to go through my hall closet and start getting anything left behind and find it a new storage spot....perhaps under the house.
• Friday- Sat I really want to spent getting our house turned back into a home.

Here's to a crazy busy week!!

Random Pics from our trip to WV

No more pencils, no more books.....

no more teacher's dirty looks!!
Friday officially started summer vacation for the kids and they are thrilled. Now comes the challenge of keeping them busy and out from in front of the TV! Thnkfully this weekend is already filled up. Today Chandler and Maddie have a birthday party to attend, we have opened "our pool" and tomorrow it should be ready and usable so I figure it will be a nice day to spend by the pool. Monday we are going to fight the crowds AT Carowinds *yikes*. I am hoping between Carowinds season passes, 4-H summer camps, and the library within walking distance we won't be bored to much.

Top ten........

Top ten things that have happened since I last updated:

10. We have added the addition of a puppy named Zoey, she is 12 weeks old, and a ferret, Max, to the family.

9. We are trying to simplify our lives. We got rid of a car payment and cable.

8.Rodney is no longer recruiting. He is taking a break until he figures out what he wants to do.
7. I am now a Pampered Chef consultant.

6.Victoria made all honors classes for next year.

5.We were able to take a trip to WV to visit relatives which was nice. Some I have not seen in over 9 years.

4. My friend Lessa and her daughter are staying with us until she can find a home in the area.

3. Maddie and Chandler were in the talent show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tI3OLXgZv0

2. I am working on decluttering, we had a large yard sale last week and I think I am going to have another one soon.

1. This by far is the number one thing to happen.....Rodney was baptized, and the kids received first communion.