I'm so behind on the DIS because work has been crazy, but I hope the itching has gotten better with the new prescription! I have eczema flare ups, especially in the cold and it stinks so I can't imagine almost your hold body feeling that way! Hope it is better!
Thank you so much... It is getting better - ever so slowly.
Those gifts are so sweet! I'm glad you were showered with Pixie Dust!
Thanks! It was a lot of fun!
I think you've inspired me to clean out my own coupon binder and plan my menu this afternoon. I have really slacked at coupling since moving so I need to get back on the bandwagon for real this time! (I know I said that the last time you posted an update so now I really have to live up to it!
I hope you do get your coupon binder out and dusted off... I think it's worth it - at least a little bit. Please let me know when you do.
Hope you get some time to work on your bag today! I can't wait to see it!
I did manage to finish my bag yesterday, I just haven't had the time to post it. I hope to do that shortly.
Glad the itchies seem to be going away...I hope it continues for you!
Thanks Suzi - they are slowly getting better. I hope to be back to normal by mid-week, and hopefully I can add some excercise back into my life by the end of the week???
Congrats on the great savings! I just can't get into couponing...my brother and sister-in-law are really into it, and they have tried to convert me, but I just can't plan that well. Our grocery budget is out the window and I can't seem to get it under control

I know with just more planning, I could do better, but easier said than done.
Well, up here, we don't have the grocery deals that people tend to get in the southern states... I am not sure what you have by you? But we only have one grocery store that doubles coupons - they only do it two days per week - only on coupons up to 50 cents with a limit of 5 to double, plus you have to have $25 pre-coupons to do the doubling. So, they don't make it easy on us - that's for sure.
I started out just doing Target only... Printing out the coupons from their website, and trying to stack them with manufacturer coupons. That is the easiest way for me - because of my discount, I tend to get the best deals there.
However, I have also added out other major grocery store, I don't get a ton there - but again - I try to get the stacked deals.
I have not branched out to any other stores, and I am not sure if I will?
But if I were you, I would start with one store... One that lets you use one of their coupons and a manufacturer coupon per item - try it... You never know.
Love the picture of Callie's crew! They look like they are having so much fun...makes me want to be there.
Hope you are having a great weekend!
I know - that photo just totally gave me TONS of warm fuzzies! I love seeing them all together, adorable, and having a great time!
All caught up
What an amazing picture of V. She really does look all grown up with the braces off.
Hi Michelle!
I agree, she does look very grown up... She's still my baby though - both of them are...
Glad you are feeling better. I hate that groggy feeling but so happy to see you are doing better. And I love seeing you in the pictures.... you always look so happy and full of life
Yes! That groggy feeling is finally GONE - good riddance! LOL
And LOL about my pictures... I probably look so full of life because it's almost always Alli taking the pictures, and we tend to goof off a lot... God forbid I act like an adult.

LOL
Glad the itchiness is going away. That is no fun.
Yes, they finally are - thanks so much!
I also used target coupons last week and saved $40, I was very excited!! However, I do need to do better on the meal planning part. Our meals are kinda junk foody.
Yay!!! That is awesome!!! Ours are too a little bit, but I've been trying so hard to get away from some of the processed foods as much as I can. There are a few things that are unavoidable sometimes (ahem - Mac n' cheese) - but I try to only put that in our menu once per week... I try very hard to stick to a side of potatoes/noodles/veggies if I can... It's easier in the summer though.
So nice of Lynn to send you pixie dust!!
I agree - it was so nice!
And V looks so beautiful and grown up!!!! I can't believe the difference. They do just grow way too fast.
Thanks - I know. I can't believe it either!
Can't wait to see your park bag whenever you finish!! Have a great weekend!
Thanks, I did finish it yesterday morning - I just didn't get the chance to post pictures. I hope to do that shortly.
You did great with your coupon shopping. 42% savings is awesome! Your new coupon binder should help you save even more. Next thing we know they are going to be featuring you and your BFF on Extreme Couponing!
LOL I don't think we will ever get that bad with the coupons, Josh won't let me - most of those extreme couponers drive him crazy... He sees their stock piles more as gluttony. I am trying very hard not to stock pile anything that we wouldn't use in the next few months... Although, my pasta sauce stock pile has gotten a little out of hand - but most of that is from the pasta sauce that Josh made himself from our garden last summer... We better start using that up - it won't be long now and we'll be planting again.
I'm glad that the allegra helped your rash. My younger dd takes Zyrtec every day for unexplained hives. We have no idea what causes them and she has a skin condition that prevents allergy testing. But the medication keeps her from getting any hives at all. I hope that the Allegra is able to keep the rash from being itch and that you don't need to start the prednisone.
Yes, it did help a lot. I used to get hives all the time in jr. high... It was really bad - my whole body would swell up. It seemed to be caused by nerves, but I could never get rid of it. It went on for YEARS! It wasn't until I went to the Dr. for a sore throat in 10th grade and he put me on an anti-biotic, something in that also got rid of my hives, and I've never had them since. It was very bizarre. Something to look into though for your dd...
So glad to hear the Alegra worked so well on the itch! That would be so much preferable to the prednisone. It's good you have it as back-up, though, just in case.
Yes, it seems to have diminished even further today... I think I am going to go another day and play it by ear. I would so much rather not have to use the prednisone if I can help it at all.
I am so jealous of your ability to save so much on your groceries and household items! I have just received the results from a half dozen tests I had in January and I can't have gluten, dairy or eggs. That's pretty much everything. I have to shop at an organic store and everything I get is expensive!

Gluten free and organic anything is expensive, so looks like my food budget is shot. But I can still save on household items, so I'll try to do better at coupons for those things. I'm on a month long detox protocol that is guaranteed to make me quite ill, so at least I probably won't feel like eating much for a while. That's a savings, right?
Oh wow... That is going to be a really tough adjustment, and it's definately going to be hard on your grocery budget. However, I do agree - there are potentially other areas of your life you could still save $$ on, and household items is better than nothing... They are expensive too - and there are tons of coupons out there to help you out with that. Please let me know how this goes for you, both the $$ saving and the diet adjustment... I will be thinking of you and praying that it all goes well Lois.
All the talk about the French Quarter is making me homesick for it! Not having a trip planned this year makes it hard. But it is so fun to follow along with you and others who have trips planned so i can get excited along with you. Almost as good as going myself.
I know - it won't be long until you are planning your own trip though, and we'll be following you. I agree though - the FQ, there is something magical there...
I'm hoping to get a few simple bags done up today and tomorrow for the Big Give so I can get everything in the mail. I'll work while DH watches Nascar. I have my first embroidery machine lesson tomorrow night and can't wait! Hope you get a lot done in your sewing room today if that's what you plan. If not, just enjoy vegging out with the family. What ever you do, have fun!
Awesome! I will try to keep an eye open for them.
Not sure if I will get in to my sewing room at all today. I did finish my bag yesterday, so I need to post pics. I need to come up with an idea for my next auction bag - I was laying in bed this morning trying to think of something, and there was nothing there. I have a HUGE theme planned for a big auction this spring - so I don't want to infringe on any of my ideas for that. I also have the Villians auction I would like to do later this summer - so I don't want to infringe on that... Which leaves me a little short on other ideas at the moment.
I hop you have a great weekend too!
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We had a nice day yesterday... Sort of.
I vegged out all morning in front of this darned computer... Then I went upstairs and finished up my current bag - which I plan to post photos shortly.
Then, Josh informed me that he needed a new battery for his pick-up.

So, ahem, $100 later... He has a new battery... Only to discover he needs a new alternator too...

We JUST put a new alternator into his Jeep 2 weeks ago... I dunno why that man goes through so many alternators?

This time, we are getting one with a lifetime warranty.
Then, I was lazy for the rest of the day...
We rented Anna Korinnina (sp?) last night... It wasn't until we were about half way into it, and on a scene that wasn't so appropriate for the girls to be watching, that I asked Josh what it was rated... ahem... "R" - Oops.

At that point - we dismissd the girls from "family movie night" - to their relief - they didn't like the movie anyways (can't say I did either - but whatever)...
And that's all of my boring life. LOL
Today... Not sure... If I can come up with an idea for an auction bag - I may go upstairs for a couple of hours and get started on that? Otherwise, I will be clipping coupons from the Sunday paper for a while, and maybe clean up the kitchen/diningroom/livingroom... I have a pork tenderloin to put in the crock-pot for dinner tonight...
Oh - my itchies... They seem to be getting a bit better. I plan to hold off another day on the prednisone, and see how it goes.
I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!
D~