~ Aug 2013~ Sew what... We've gotta find a way back! Part I!!

[cogero]

love your pixie dust.

V looks awesome without her braces.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

What a wonderful surprise from Lynn!!! She is such a sweet lady!

How crazy is it that our girls look SO MUCH OLDER when those braces come off? I hate it...I want her to always be my little girl. That said....V looks gorgeous!!!

 

[disneychic2]

What fun pixie dust you received! That's just so special. You've given so much, you deserve to get a little back. Love those jammie pants!!!

Oh my, does V look older now without the braces! What a transformation! She is so beautiful. Always was, but now with a bit of sophistication somehow. Hope you know what I mean.

Are you sure your rash is related to the iodine? Could you have developed shingles? Don't you just love all these armchair doctors?? From what you describe, it is so much more involved than I had at first pictured. I sure hope the prednisone helps!!! And soon!

 

[dianemom2]

What a fun pixie dusting! How awesome!

V looks so cute and very grown up!

 

[ladylyons]

V looks great with out her braces!!!! What a difference they make!!!

Oh no hope the predisone helps. I have a really bad rash that flares up periodically on the back of my neck so I kmow the pain of itching and the cream they give not helping.

 

[cajunfan]

Are you sure your rash is related to the iodine? Could you have developed shingles? Don't you just love all these armchair doctors?? From what you describe, it is so much more involved than I had at first pictured. I sure hope the prednisone helps!!! And soon!

Oh wow...I did not thin about that, but it does sound like that too...and they can be brought on by stress...

I am praying the prednisone works! If it is not significantly better bu Monday...get back in there!

Thanks for the link to the pictures...I have been super busy with my "mortgage paying job...wish that was working at the store, but it is not...I really wanted to get that in the mail so you would get it last Saturdayyou can see that did not work out...and how could I dorget to put something in for MM!!!!! (He is smelling my dog on the box I am sure!) Glad you all enjoyed the box. Also glad the sleep pants worked...we had very few sizes and did not know how the fit "ran" so glad you all could work with them...the ones I bought for me will be used for the material as I do not care for the way they fit me...but I am weird.

Take care!

Lynn

 

[KatMark]

Love the pixie dust. Aren't DIS friends the best?

Love V's picture without her braces.

 

[DMGeurts]

I'm so sorry you are still itching! Hope you feel better soon!

We had a great time meeting Ruthie last night! How wonderful to meet a new forever friend! She took me to the BIGGEST Walmart I've ever seen. A huge Disney department with great prices! It's cool down here but sunny so no complaints from me. Our "D" bags are all in use ,we love them!! The French Quarter may very well be my new favorite resort. Our room is so convenient and I love the size! Hope everyone has a great day! Ruth

This is so WONDERFUL Ruth! I am so happy that you were able to meet RuthIE! I cannot wait until it's my turn - I have heard such wonderful things about her.

Glad you are loving your bags!

I know - isn't the FQ just the best? Before we stayed there, I was looking forward to it - but it just didn't feel "Disney" to me... but now that we have stayed there - I can't imagine staying anywhere else, it's just so lovely.

What room # did you get?

love your pixie dust.

V looks awesome without her braces.

Awww... Thanks Chiara. I will be sure to tell V for you.

What a wonderful surprise from Lynn!!! She is such a sweet lady!

How crazy is it that our girls look SO MUCH OLDER when those braces come off? I hate it...I want her to always be my little girl. That said....V looks gorgeous!!!

I know - Lynn is amazing!

I totally agree about the braces... She does seem so much older (and taller)... I wish we could keep them little forever!

What fun pixie dust you received! That's just so special. You've given so much, you deserve to get a little back. Love those jammie pants!!!

Oh my, does V look older now without the braces! What a transformation! She is so beautiful. Always was, but now with a bit of sophistication somehow. Hope you know what I mean.

Are you sure your rash is related to the iodine? Could you have developed shingles? Don't you just love all these armchair doctors?? From what you describe, it is so much more involved than I had at first pictured. I sure hope the prednisone helps!!! And soon!

Thanks Lois! I will be sure to tell V for you!

I really don't think it's shingles... Because the lines on the rash exactly mimic the lines of where the iodine was... I wish I had the nerve to take a photo of my stomach to show you all, so you could see what I mean - but I am afraid I would lose all of my readers.

What a fun pixie dusting! How awesome!

V looks so cute and very grown up!

Thanks Diane!

V looks great with out her braces!!!! What a difference they make!!!

Oh no hope the predisone helps. I have a really bad rash that flares up periodically on the back of my neck so I kmow the pain of itching and the cream they give not helping.

Thanks Sandra!

Your rash doesn't sound fun either. What do you do for it?

Oh wow...I did not thin about that, but it does sound like that too...and they can be brought on by stress...

I am praying the prednisone works! If it is not significantly better bu Monday...get back in there!

Thanks for the link to the pictures...I have been super busy with my "mortgage paying job...wish that was working at the store, but it is not...I really wanted to get that in the mail so you would get it last Saturdayyou can see that did not work out...and how could I dorget to put something in for MM!!!!! (He is smelling my dog on the box I am sure!) Glad you all enjoyed the box. Also glad the sleep pants worked...we had very few sizes and did not know how the fit "ran" so glad you all could work with them...the ones I bought for me will be used for the material as I do not care for the way they fit me...but I am weird.

Take care!

Lynn

Thanks for stopping by Lynn - it's so great to see you!

No worries about MM... He is pleanty spoiled as it is... There is a reason that he thinks everything is for him.

I love the sleep pants - I have not tried them on yet, but Alli has worn them 2 nights in a row to bed. She doesn't like how they are cut either - but she just rolls down the waist, they are very cute that way.


Thanks again for sending everything - we loved it all and had so much fun opening it all. That was just so sweet of you!

I hope that one day we are able to meet IRL!

Love the pixie dust. Aren't DIS friends the best?

Love V's picture without her braces.

Thanks Kathy - yes - Dis friends are THE BEST! I need to get over to your TR - I feel like it's been ages since I have been there - my apologies.

**********************************************************

Yesterday was a fun day.

It was grocery shopping day. We started out early, with a list, a budget and coupons (of course).

My list was quite short, because BFF had done a lot of my shopping earlier in the week. I learned yesterday, just because the list was short, does not make it cheap. However, I was very good - and only deviated from my list for 2 minor items that were needed (I forgot to add them to my list) - so I consider that successful.

On Wednesday, BFF delivered 5 full bags of groceries from my list, for those items, I owed her $69 out of my grocery budget... Which left me $95 for groceries + $40 for household items.... So, my total at Target had to be less than $135.

Since I was out of ziploc bags of any sort, most of my household budget went towards stocking up on various sizes of those... I also needed wax paper and tin foil... And, again, I had some great toilet paper coupons for the brand we use... So, that's pretty much where my household item budget went.

Anyways... I will try not to bore you all with what I got.

My total at the register was $147.15 before any coupons or discounts of any sort. At the time of seeing the total - I did not think that I would make it into my budget area at all. I was quite nervous actually.

After all of my coupons were scanned, my employee discount and Target Check card discount were subtracted, my grand total was... $85.68! I could NOT believe it! That is a total savings of $61.47 or 42%.

I do want to note that this is not just mindless coupon buying that some people are prone to doing... I don't buy things just because they are a good deal (most of the time) - I make my lists from my menus, and I purchase the items we are going to use. I never buy things that we don't use - unless it's something new we are going to try. And I never buy things in excess... I will buy a couple extra if it's a good deal, and it's something we definately use - but I don't buy things just to have them. So, like our toilet paper - it's something we definately use, and that brand... I don't mind buying as many as I can - so that I don't have to pay full price later.

I would have to say that my "best deal" yesterday was on Heinz ketchup. I had a Target coupon of $2 off a 38oz or larger Heinz ketchup. When I got to the store, the 38oz Heinz ketchup had just been TPCed (Temp Price Cut) for $1.99. Now, normally, their system does not allow you to be "paid to take an item out of the store" - so the coupon should have only taken off $1.99. But once I got home, I discovered that the coupon actually took off $2 per item, and I was paid to take that item out of the store. On top of my disount. So that was a really good deal.

My bff also gave me a coupon binder as an "early bday gift", which was really cool. She was slightly mortified with my coupon organization the other day, and my haphazard envelope system. I am pretty excited about it, because she has a really awesome binder, and I am always asking her for coupons, and she is able to flip right to them. So, she gave me the exact same binder she has, and some of the pages for my early birthday gift - it's so awesome. So, I spent a good portion of my afternoon yesterday organzing my coupons. I wasn't intending to become "the crazy coupon lady" - but seriously - to save THAT MUCH $$ on things I really do use - that is incredible! So, I might just become "that lady".

OK - enough about the coupon madness... I really hate all of the work I have to put into it - but I love the reward.

And one final thing, before I get off this darn computer and go to work...

This morning, I woke up to the cutest photo posted on my fanpage... Callie gave me permission to post it here, so you all could see it - it's just adorable. And her littles are just so sweet - this photos totally made my week!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

Grrr... And then with all the coupon madness - I forgot to update you all with news of my rash... Which I am sure you are all sitting on the edge of your seats with anticipation... LOL

So, yesterday, at my witts end, itching like crazy... When I stopped at my bff's house to pick her up - she came out with a bottle of Allegra (I think? - It's an OTC allergy med) - anyways, she made me take a dose of that. With in a half hour, my itching was not even noticable. So, I filled my prednisone script at Target when we were there anyways, but I was happily NOT itchy.

When we were done shopping, we stopped at bff's house to drop her off - I looked at my rash - it was still there and still as ornery as ever, but it didn't itch. I was so disappointed, since it wasn't itching, I was hoping it was gone.

Then, right before dinner, I applied my cream medicine, and I noticed that the rash had diminished slightly... YAY!!! It was starting to itch again, but it was definately less red and puffy.

It's remained the same all night, I can tell that the medicine has definately worn off - but it's much less red and puffy than it was yesterday at this time.

I plan to take the Allegra stuff again today, and if it doesn't improve significantly by tomorrow, I will start the prednisone.

OK- aren't you all glad I gave you the details??? LOL

D~

 

[lovingeire]

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!

Those gifts are so sweet! I'm glad you were showered with Pixie Dust!

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! ; ) )

Hope you get some time to work on your bag today! I can't wait to see it!

 

[solana131]

Glad the itchies seem to be going away...I hope it continues for you!

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.

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!

 

[miprender]

All caught up

What an amazing picture of V. She really does look all grown up with the braces off.

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

 

[BabyRapunzel]

Glad the itchiness is going away. That is no fun.

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.

So nice of Lynn to send you pixie dust!!

And V looks so beautiful and grown up!!!! I can't believe the difference. They do just grow way too fast.

Can't wait to see your park bag whenever you finish!! Have a great weekend!

 

[dianemom2]

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!

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.

 

[disneychic2]

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.

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?

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'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!

 

[DMGeurts]

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!

**********************************************************

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~

 

[DMGeurts]

This was a very difficult bag for me to make, not only because I was still recovering from the ansetesia, but Mr. R was not cooperating at all. SSE and all of it's "supports" were entirely hand cranked, and I was not a happy camper. The next time I decide to quilt an applique piece before I actually applique it - I will think twice. HOwever, the quilting really gives SSE a depth that I cannot translate into pictures - but in person - it looks pretty cool.

In the end - I do love the colors of this bag. The owner requested blue - because she loved the white of SSE with the blue blue sky... And I have to agree with her - the blue really alows SSE to pop off of this bag.

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

I also redid our main calendar page the other day...

It's exactly the same as the previous one, but I swapped our Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon days... As it turns out, Blizzard Beach was having morning EMH on the day I'd originally scheduled TL... Well, I would like to take advantage of a waterpark EMH if I possibly can, since we only get one day at each waterpark. Hopefully this will allow us to "get in, and get out" and maybe go back later in the day - once the crowds dissipate a bit.

So, here's the new main calendar page for our Mini-Planner:

D~

 

[lovingeire]

SSE bag is super cute! Your talent amazes me as always!

I didn't so much dust off the binder, but I did print out some coupons and some Target coupons and did a wee bit of shopping there. I saw the binder once since we moved so now I need to relocate it and empty and reload it. That should be quite a project! Thanks for inspiring me to get back to saving money! Definitely helps us go to Disney!

 

[Iamthequeen]

Glad to hear the Allegra is working for you and the itchies are going away. I saw that you are getting ready to open up orders for the fall. That will be after my trip, but I may try for one anyway. I showed some of your bags to Charlie and he was impressed with your talent!

For Lois - My younger son's gf has allergies to gluten and eggs, not sure about dairy. She can eat eggs if they are cooked in something, but cannot eat just eggs. I found a gluten free cake mix that I made for Andrew's birthday cake - it was actually pretty good. There are a lot of foods out there that are gluten free - you just need to read labels.

Just 2 more days until my trip to Hawaii - I'm so excited!

T