Nothing going on today

The only thing I have for today are a couple of pictures that I took Downtown on Saturday. This is our brand new arena. It is the home to our semi-pro hockey team and will be home to the arena football team in 2012.

This is the cutest little shop right next door to the arena. Its been Downtown for as long as I can remember.



My only accomplishment today was getting my Christmas cards ready to mail. I bought these from an OES (Ohio Eastern Star) Home organization. The residents of the facility made these and the profits are being used to help build a physical therapy room.

Blessings and thank you for reading.

Frugal shopping for this week 11/29

So far I only have 2 stores figured out. I didn't buy a paper due to the holiday and only the stinky P&G insert. I'll get my Dad's on Tuesday so there was no need for me to buy anymore.

Rite Aid
Black friday my shopping was $1.16 short from getting the $10 special holiday rebate - eerrrrr. But I have until Dec 24th to get that.
Gillette Fusion razor $9 with a $5 single check rebate and $4 manu coupon from Dad's insert. = Free and I'll sell it at a yard sale next summer (they sold well this summer).

Febreeze Noticeable starter kit $5.99 minus $2 SCR minus $1 manu coupon = $2.99 (possible addition to the yard sale mix)

Febreeze candle $5.99 minus $2 SCR minus $1 manu coupon = $2.99 (we will use this)

Always or Tampax $2.99 minus $1 SCR
Total equals 23.97 - $10 in SCR - $6 in manu coupon - $5 off $20 order for watching videos = grand total oop $2.97. OOPS not including the $10 rebate that I just qualified for big profit!!!!

Walgreen's (can't go until 12/2 due to sale dates)
To start I have $6 in Register rewards from Black friday to start the deal with.
Goody hair accessories $2 with a $2 Register reward (RR). If I don't use them for my hair; I'll save them for my Christmas Child shoeboxes next year. If I get a good many over the coming year, I may sell some at my yard sales.
Band Aid bandages 2/$3 I have a Walgreen's coupons (from the activity book) for $2 each plus a $1 RR will spit out. I am curious how this will work out, I will be happy if the coupon adjusts and I get them free with the $1 RR but I could be looking at a profit of $1.
Dawn 99 cents minus 25 cent manu coupon = 74 cents. We use but also a really good seller at the yard sales - it is the only detergent that I sold any of this past summer.
True North nut clusters free with rain check
Reach toothbrushes - 99 cent raincheck plus $3 off 3 coupon = free. Will either be donation for food pantry, Christmas boxes or sold at yard sale.

Christmas season is here!!!

The start of the parade.Mexican dance troop

The military unit. We have the 180th Fighter Wing stationed right outside of town. In the past 2 years they have been sent to Iraq 3 times.

Another dance troop

The drums for the above dance troop

The Anderson's (a regional farm/home store) sent their John Deere

Every parade is well represented by the local fire dipartment. This unit (Station 5) are called the River Rats. They are closest to the river and take all the calls regarding people in the river.

More shriners.

The Shriners and their Harley's

Not only has Thanksgiving and Black Friday come and gone but THE BIG MAN came today to Toledo. Today was the Holiday parade in Downtown Toledo. The weather cleared from yesterday but was still cold and so winter like.

The parade starts with the Pre-Parade the local Shriners.

Shriners are a wonderful philanthropic organization, here is a link to read about them. http://www.gpdemolay.org/freemasonry/shrine.htm
Well here in Toledo they always start the parade with their cute little bikes, the 2 fighter plane models and the Lancers (their little red cars).

It was a typical parade, lots of kids, lots of clowns, the clown troop are actually "famous" members of our city government.

some horses, a couple beauty queens, balloons, marching bands and the man himself, SANTA!!!!! (everyone yell SANTA!!!!)

I understand why they call it Black Friday

#1 because people that are not morning people are forced to be. I’m guilty of that and bless Greg’s heart he heard the TV come on and entered the room with caffeine.

#2 some nonsense about retailers coming out of the red ink and into profits. Blah Blah I heard it so much yesterday I am sick of hearing it.

#3 because it was black out when we left for the bus stop. But the sunrise was beautiful amongst the clouds.

We started at 6:35 heading to the bus.
First stop was Walgreen’s for toothpaste (Free after Register rewards), Deodorant (also free), 3 smelly candles (buy 1 at $8.99 get 2 free), 3 (50 count) pain killers (great deal) at 99 cents each.. Right now I am on hold for the store manager it looks like my candles did not ring up properly, I see 1 free instead of 2. Verdict is that it is right how it looks is charged for 1, charged for the second and the third is not charged and it reverses the charge for the second one. Clear as mud???

Then across the vacant mall to Kmart. There I bought:
5 holiday kitchen towels; 2 are for AJ (he asked for them) 3 I hope to create hanging towels and sell them.
2 Oven mitts – also for AJ
3 doormats ($2.99 each) for our place. Greg likes one inside each door and one outside.
4 Movies - 3 were $2.99 and one was $5 (but it has 4 movies). I let Greg pick out 2 and the other 2 are for Christmas. No movies for Christmas next year he grumbled about me doing 2 years in a row.
Slippers 4 pairs for me ($2.99 each) and a pair for Greg. These are all spares but at those prices I wasn’t going to pass it up.
A 3 piece shirt with beanie set for my nephew Zack
2 shirts for Greg
and a Farmers almanac for 2010.
I have to exchange the beanie set and one pair of slippers.

Then across the parking lot to Rite Aid3 more candles – buy 1 get 2 free but they were $5.99 and only 2 oz smaller than the Walgreen’s ones. I should have checked the ads better 2 oz = $3 more??? Shame on me.
Batteries for 99 cents: 2 packages of D size, a 9 volt (need to change the smoke detector one), and since they had sold out of the AA they substituted a 8 pack for $1.98 and I got 4 free in the pack.
Shave cream will be 99 cents after rebate
2 packs of razors 99 each for Greg
set of Philips ear buds (headphones) that will be free after rebate
stick of cocoa butter for Sam
Old spice deoradant 99 cents after rebate
12 pack Cottonelle
another movie (some creepy, yucky, he can watch while I am not home movie)

Across the parking lot to Waffle House – food was needed

Across the street to Joann fabricSewing machine carry case (for stepmom) – it was like 66% off
Flannel – 2 different patterns 3 yards each (lounge pants for Greg)
University of Michigan - 3 yards special lounge pants
New zipper for his beloved Michigan fleece jacket
Famcy buttons for the hanging towels - 50% off
Special bear buttons – for AJ and 50% off
Cutting blade for my fabric cutter 50% off
Bias tape for Kelly’s apron
Assorted picks (for wreath and 70% off). I got drums, gift box and 2 stars
Cardstock paper (was BOGO)
And they had a coupon in the paper for 20% off your order so I saved another $9
Then we came home. I’m worn out and ready to take a nap

Happy Thanksgiving

Dear Friends, I forgot to take my camera over to Dad's.

We had a wonderful dinner with 10 family members present the other 8 were at other family committments.

My potatoes, rolls and my butter were great as was my Pumpkin cheesecake.

I'm sure by now my Dad is back home and probably asleep in his chair. Grandpa (Papa) had quite a day with his youngest grandson, Brandon. Brandon is 8 and was fully wired for activity today. He came running in and everyone got a hug then he dug into the toys. Grandpa came into the picture by being the appointed one to knock down the Jenga/Domino chain that Brandon set up. Then they played Electronic Battleship (without reading the directions) and ended by setting up the Mouse Trap game. It took so long to set up, poor Dad was following the directions but Brandon was "assisting", that when they got it done Brandon had to go home!!!

We are all home and happy for the night. I am ready for bed to get up and go shopping. We are catching the 6:50 am bus. Check back tomorrow for my shopping bargins.

Thank you for following my blog. You are counted as one of my many blessings in life. May you and your family be blessed and loved.

Good night and God Bless.

Wacky day

Today was a mish mash wacky day. I was working on what prep work I could do for tomorrow. Well I am taking some homemade butter but wanted to wait until my stepson (Sam) arrived to start. Well when he arrived his Momma offered to run me to the grocery store.
We got our groceries and returned home. We bid farewell and safe travels to Alice.

Once we got back home I discovered that they maillady had run for the day. Special day I got my first letter from one of my new pen pals, J from Canada. Such lovely envelope and paper and talk about pretty handwriting. I look forward to a long correspondence with J.

Then I had to clear up the counter before I could even start the butter. So I washed dishes and cleaned the counter. Well that led to opening a bowl that was filled with vegetable parts to make vegetable broth. Started the broth with lots of broccoli, cauliflower, some onion, a couple small potatoes and an old tomato.

Finally started the butter. 1 carton of whipping cream, 1 electric mixer and 1 stainless steel bowl. Pour in cream, slowly turn on the mixer and mix and mix and mix and mix. The whipped topping appeared (but tasted yucky) so I beat it some more. Then I spotted them; chunks of butter. GREG!!!!!!!!!!!!! Out he comes, along with Sam, to see what the problem was. “I’ve got butter!!!” So I end up with a really nice ball of butter to share with my family tomorrow.

By now the broth is ready, so I strain out the vegetables and let the broth cool a bit. I had to find room in the freezer and figure out which containers to store it in. I went with my very cheap Ziploc containers that I bought last week. I measured 2 ½ cups of broth in each container and they are now in my freezer ready for use.
Then I had to get ready for church some dear friends were getting re-married tonight. So watching Jenni and Jeff get married with just their family and us few special friends was a very touching ceremony. Then we had our Thanksgiving Eve service.

I should be baking a pumpkin cheesecake but I am worn out and heading to bed. May you all be blessed, like I am, with lots of love and friendship. Blessings to all.

Ah the bliss of the fabric store

I had to make a trip to Joann's today. Notice I said I HAD to, yes there was a little man standing behind me making me go there. I went to get fabric to make some butter and a new zipper for Greg's favorite jacket. I got the fabric, I went with Muslin at the suggestion of the employees.

I forgot the zipper. My only excuse was that I didn't look at that part of my shopping list. I put it at the top of the Black friday shopping list.

I also got distracted by the Halloween things in the clearance section. I got 2 wood, I need to paint, Pumpkins, a really cute wood turkey, a wood nativity scene, and a stuffed ugly pumpkin. I shouldn't call him ugly he is so ugly he is cute and had to come home with me.Now see I buy these things during the after holiday clearance and save them for the next year. Now I have all year to paint them and I can incorporate everything into next years wreath. Not on clearance, but on sale 40% off, I got a ceramic angel.

I also looked thru the pattern books and marked down some to pick up on Friday for 99 cents (Butterick).

Well then I headed over to the fabric - looking for something pink to make an apron for my son's girlfriend. Well I found some really cute fabric, but its red, but it has bears and paw prints on it!!!My son said it will be fine. See my son is called Bear as in - big as a bear, hairy as a bear, eats like a bear and is as angry as a bear when he wakes up from hibernation - Bear. Kelly is called Baby Bear or Baby Girl Bear.

Blessing to all.

Monday November 23

Mackenzie having fun with her pinecone.

Sorry I had no update yesterday. My only excuse is that I was at church attending our Advent Workshop. First I took a craft for the kids - pinecone bird feeders.

The kids had a blast smearing the peanut butter all over the pinecones and then they got to play in the birdseed. The high point was the 5 year old former drug baby that had such fun playing in the bird seed. He lost quick interest in smearing the peanut butter but had so much fun just playing in the birdseed. To watch him and his face it was worth cleaning up the seed from the carpet!!!

I had signed up to make 5 cards and while tending my table I did them. The lady didn’t have any glue, just sticky dots, so when I send them out I will be touching up with glue.
See my inital card -the first time I've gotten to use my new last inital.

Today must have been declared stay in bed late day. I didn’t wake up to sit up and actually move until about 11 am. I did wake up a few times but just laid around and snoozed the morning away.

My internet activities today included entering my coke reward points for the week and spending a bunch that were due to expire. Can’t let those bad boys go to waste. So today I ordered a red Coke tote bag (I love the eco-friendly free bags), 30 free picture prints from Snapfish (Christmas is coming) and a years magazine subscription, Food Now. And I still have more that are sitting waiting for some good bargain.

Another internet shopping adventure was to visit Amazon.com to check out their Black Friday deals. I got Season 1 of Big Bang Theory, my favorite tv show. Its my Christmas present from Greg and I promise I’ll act surprised when I open it. I got it for $14.99 47% savings!! Hot dog gotta love a man that shops so well.

I also cleaned out Tweet’s cage. Simba and him had another encounter. The last time they met, Simba checked him out but when Tweet went nuts flapping and squawking, Simba was not impressed. Today Simba was being himself, a cat. I put Tweet (in the cage) on the floor while I cleaned the counter. He walked all around the cage, then he decided that Tweet needed to move and starting batting at the cage with his paw. Tweet was no impressed and didn’t move, didn’t say a word, just sat there. Simba went around to the other side of the cage, did the same thing. Tweet just sat there. They are back in their separate rooms and quite happy to ignore each other.

Well its dinner time, I have no idea what to cook so I’m off to check the freezer for inspiration.

Stop back tomorrow I’m heading to the fabric store – what will I come up with there??!!!

I couldn't stand it anymore!!!

Sit down ladies this is scary. This is my craft room.

I am lucky enough to have one room dedicated to my crafting. I keep just stuffing things in the room and it was to the point that I couldn't get in.

Then the crafting impulses started - what can I do I can't get in?

Only one thing to do - clean it up!!! So since I was bored and Michigan was losing (again) I entered the room of doom. I took my time sorting thru everything that I had just shoved in there, Repacked things, emptied the trash (times 2). I can now create and I started right in.

Today I made the wreath to put on my Mom's gravesite. No I dont' feel bad for making the wreath - she loved my wreaths. Mom supported my crafting - often by buying me more crafting stuff.

So now I'm heading back in - what to do next?

Ode to Dorothy

Today I attended the funeral of a dear friend. Dorothy was into her 90's (a lady does not disclose her age even for her obituary) and one of the deareast ladies I have had the honor to meet.
I learned that she did not like to be seen without her legs covered, her hair done, her hearing aids in and with her glasses on.
In her hands at most times were her glasses case and a tissue.
She also loved kisses and hugs. She had a gentle touch.
I paid my last respects to a dear lady today and my life is better for taking care and knowing her.
The Dash

I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the date on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with a tear
But he said what mattered most of all
was the DASH between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth...
And now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;
the car, the house, the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard...
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
(You could be at "dash mid-range")

If we could just slow down long enough
to consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand
the way other people feel...

And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more,
And love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile...
Remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash,
Would you be proud of the things they said
about how you spent your dash?

by Linda Ellis

Great mail day

With the exception of my water bill everything was great mail.

I won a friends give away on her blog and that came today. She also sent a full box of other things for me. Fresh Texas pecans (Yummy too Greg had to open then and eat a few), a pretty red (my favorite color) tablecloth, some jewerly pretty earrings, and a couple necklaces and my giveawy prize a really cute pincushion.

The fabric is so cute little angels on the top in a lovely pink fabric. The underside is a solid yellow piece.

The rest of the mail was an envelope from Vocalpoint. Coupons for Del Monte Sun fruit: a Buy one Get one free, and 5 - $1 off one. I really enjoy this fruit but it is so expensive. But I'll watch the Giant Eagle ads and when they go on sale these coupons will double and make for some nice cheap fruit. And look at the cute mouse pad they sent. It looks like a record.