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

[DMGeurts]

I must be quick this morning - it's grocery shopping day!

Hmmm...Maybe that is because I talk about it twenty or thirty times a DAY! LOL!

Not at like I would be if I were excited about it!


Nini

LOL

It kind of makes me mad that someone tried to make you bend the rules. I think I read the rules ten times before I put my name in! I didn't want to screw anything up. I'm just so grateful that I got a spot for my Cousin, I would never dream of trying to change anything.

Thanks for understanding, I probably shouldn't have said anything about it here, but darn it - I just needed to vent. I am really looking forward to working with your again Ariana!

Sorry about the rule bender, it really bothers me when people don't read and don't follow how things are done.

I know, me too... especially when I go through so much effort to write up the process and post it a bazillion times.

I tried to get on your list yesterday! I was at work and between computer slowness and my inability to type quickly, I lost out!

I'm so glad I found you before the bag "madness" began! We love our bags! I guess I'll have to watch your auction for the Mickey one I need for a very special person! Hint!

I hope your BFF is doing better! Raising children is such a wonderful challenge! With love and support I hope it all works out!

Have a great day! Ruth

Sorry Ruth... I am so glad that you like the bags you do have, and I hope that some day you'll be able to get on my customs list again. I will keep Mickey in mind - but I have my next 4 months of auctions planned out - and Mickey is not one of them... However, they are pretty great, so maybe something else will speak to you?

BFF is doing much better... A few things happened yesterday to turn the tables in her favor. It will still be such a long road for her and her dd, but I pray that they are able to overcome this.

It's good to hear that your BFF is doing ok considering the circumstances.

I just have to show you some pictures I took today. I had to find one last geocache for a long time now to continue my project of filling the calendar with at least one found geocache each day in the calendar.

It has snowed almost 4 inches the last day. And it's still snowing. Many places they hadn't plowed the roads. Or maybe they had early this morning, but it didn't look like they had been there because it was so much snow on the roads.

This last picture is taking outside my parents house.

That is just crazy Lillian! It's beautiful though - well, it would be, if it was Christmas anyways. I hope you all are safe and warm.

Hopefully the person(s) that didn't follow the rules didn't actually do it intentionally. I have to read, reread and reread instructions sometimes. Even then I can get confused when it comes to actually remembering everything and following through correctly. I try to write down notes, but when it comes to something like this where as you have to do it quickly, I could be the one not following the rules. But never intentionally. Either way, I am so sorry it puts such an extra burden on you. You are very nice to do it regardless, but I know if I did something wrong, by not following instructions correctly I would understand if I couldn't get what I was intending to. It is part of accepting my short comings.
I hope you have a great day!

I hope so too Dee, but the issue wasn't so much of them not following the rules - it was how I was treated afterwards that bothered me so much.

I totally understand where sometimes the ordering protocol is hard to desipher - I try to make it as easy as possible. I am always happy to answer questions - you know that.

I thought about trying to get on your list Then I decided I didn't want to be greedy since I already have two bags I knew the list would fill up in no time! I can't wait to see what bags come out in the next few months!!

LOL I just love that people who have one or more of my bags keep coming back for more... It makes me so happy!

Glad my indecisiveness dosn't bother you. It drives other people crazy. I hoped I didn't miss some of your rules and I am kind of demanding (in the type of bag I want). And I am greedy because I want another bag but it's the type of bag.Have I told you lately how awsome your bags are?

I'm so glad that you get to spend some time with your BFF!

Have fun in your sewing room today!

Indecisiveness doesn't bother me at all - unless I am a month out from doing a bag and I still don't have a theme - then I get a bit crazy. It takes a few weeks to allow for ordering/mailing time for fabric... Then once it gets here I have to prep it and that takes time too. But under any other circumstance - indecisiveness doesn't bother me one bit.

You were just fine with your ordering - trust me.

Looking forward to spending the day with BFF... She really needs a good distraction.

D~ I just wanted to let you know that you can now find a link to my trip report in my signature

Yay!!! I was there the other day, then I went back yesterday... I just love how you are writing it, you had a really unique trip!

Yeah, I missed out on a bag too. When I posted, I thought I was first and couldn't understand why no one else was posting. Turned out I was like #25 or something. That's Ok because I wouldn't be able to get a bag before my trip this year, so I will try for another auction bag. I missed out on the Goofy bag too because I had to run to the post office before they closed.

Oh well, I'm still working on my Minnie bag for my trip in September.

SOrry that you missed out. But at least there is the auction bags - I am very glad I started doing them. I feel so horrible that I just don't have the time to take more custom orders - but I can barely keep up as it is. I hope I do an auction one that you like.

I plan on starting a trip report tonight. Will let you know when I have. Just started it!! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3087717

She's pretty happy about it!! I think I have an idea of who she's going with but won't say it cuz it's fun to guess what the next bag is!! She's the one who won the Daisy bag.

I hope it wasn't my mom!! But I don't think so.

Continued prayers for your BFF. Glad your going to get to spend some time with her tomorrow.

Yay about the TR - I will try to make it over this afternoon.

Definately wasn't your mom.

Looking forward to spending time with BFF today too.

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

OK - super quick update...

A few things happened yesterday in favor of BFF, and I am hesitant to say that things are looking up - but they are. She has a long road ahead her now, and hopefully things are able to continue to be resolved. Thank you for your prayers for her - I appreciate it beyond words.

Last night was Alli's first away track scrimmage... She had a lot of fun and loves it - so I guess I am not getting a refund of the sports fee.

During my breaks and lunch yesterday, I worked on my grocery list for today. I hope I have it planned out well enough. I had to add a ham to my list - which I wasn't expecting to do - when I went down to the basement freezer last night, I discovered that we are out of ham. Thankfully I ordered a hog last week - but it won't be ready for another 3-5 weeks... SO, I have to buck up and buy a ham.

Otherwise - I must run... I want to get a quick work out in this morning before we have to leave.

I hope you all have a wonderful day.

D~

 

[Deesknee]

D~ I am so sorry people would give you a hard time about the procedures. I find you remarkably helpful. And yes, you certainly are great about answering my questions with incredible patience.
I am keeping an eye out for your auctions. Like a pp said, the newest custom list wouldn't have hit my nearest vacation, but that brings me to another question... Anyone else plan (or currently) use their bags for use other than Disney? I think they are great and could see me using it around home.

Glad things are looking up for you bff. Loving children can be such a heartbreaking experience. When people will ask me how I ever handled triplets when they were babies. I always say it is easiest when they are babies. Loving them is enough. If you love them, you feed them, change them, snuggle and play with them. It is when they begin to become independent human beings and are making mistakes that you can't prevent them from. That is when it is so difficult. prayers will continue from my heart for your bff.

hope your grocery shopping goes well.
Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

 

[Terkina]

I'm glad things are looking up for you BFF.

I'm alright here. A little snow doesn't stop me. Yesterday I was very happy that my car is a 4WD. I could easily have got stuck in the snow with the car if it hadn't been 4WD. Today the weather is much better. On facebook everyone is saying cheer up we are only half way to the snow record we had on 29th of April 1997 which was 240cm (about 7 feet and 10,5 inches)

It's great that Alli likes her new sport.

Have a great day shopping to day. I hope you get a lot of good bargains.

 

[Iamthequeen]

Though we don't know the circumstances between your BFF and her dd, I have much sympathy for them. My youngest dd and I went through some very rough times when she was a young teenager, but we managed to get through them safely and sanely. We actually like each other again! She had the option of going to live with her dad and step mom but refused. There were times when I would have gladly packed up her clothes and dropped her off there (or anywhere!).

I'm actually going to visit with her this weekend. I'm going to head up to NYC and spend the night so I can see her new play. Her step mom said it was very good, so I'm looking forward to it.

I have to tell you a couponing story from one of my friends. She said she went to 4 different Walmarts, bought $615.84 worth of stuff, used 317 coupons and paid a grand total of $64.15. That's a 96% savings! I know that she belongs to several couponing groups, but still! I can't imagine how much work that was.

Have a great day!

 

[cogero]

Good luck with your shopping I am going to try the target site you posted earlier when I get home.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Have a Happy Easter

 

[sewmess]

Oh I am not happy with my Kindle right now...I wrote this fairly detailed post about my absence last night, thought I posted it but....not there!!! Arrrggghh.

Anyway: One major reason I have been less here than usual is it is Spring Break 'round these parts and the powers that be at the various school boards decided that the majority of the Birmingham area would take their breaks one week (last week) and the rest of the Birmingham area, most of the outlying counties and half the rest of the state would take it this week. We've been slammed: dealing with the number of people we were expecting last week.

The other issue that I've been dealing with is personal, meaning I feel awkward talking about it, although I know I'm with a wonderfully supportive group. Something happened earlier this month that raised some things that I thought I had worked through and made my peace with. I'm getting back to that peace, but am quick to react to certain stimuli, so I've been avoiding the internet a little bit.

On the plus side: that means I've been sewing!!! Which leads me to: I chose sewmess as a screen name because I always make a mess when I sew (although I'm trying to be better and contain it in one room instead of whole house) I dream of someday being a "Sewmistress" but I'm not there yet. I did get a big laugh out of it, though, so Thanks!

I know there are some other things that I wittily remarked about (like being a triplet) but I've had a day and a half today and can't remember.

I am glad to hear the BFF's roughness is smoothing & there will always be those who think that rules are things that other people follow.

I would like to add my "Happy Easter to those who celebrate it" wishes to RuthIE's (Maxine's cooling/heating picture gave me a laugh too. And I'm a sucker for hounds, and I'm sure you miss him a lot)

So, Happy Easter to those who celebrate.

 

[DMGeurts]

D~ I am so sorry people would give you a hard time about the procedures. I find you remarkably helpful. And yes, you certainly are great about answering my questions with incredible patience.
I am keeping an eye out for your auctions. Like a pp said, the newest custom list wouldn't have hit my nearest vacation, but that brings me to another question... Anyone else plan (or currently) use their bags for use other than Disney? I think they are great and could see me using it around home.

I do sometimes carry my bags at home. It really depends on what I am doing. You would think that I would carry my bags all of the time - but it just isn't practical. I definately carry them if I am going on a Dismeet though. They are good for every day carrying - some people do use them that way, especially if they don't have a trip planned for a good while.

Glad things are looking up for you bff. Loving children can be such a heartbreaking experience. When people will ask me how I ever handled triplets when they were babies. I always say it is easiest when they are babies. Loving them is enough. If you love them, you feed them, change them, snuggle and play with them. It is when they begin to become independent human beings and are making mistakes that you can't prevent them from. That is when it is so difficult. prayers will continue from my heart for your bff.

Thank you... And I agree with your perception. Children are easier when they are babies - you wouldn't think so, but as they grow, so many dynamics are thrown into the mix. But I do have to agree, as well, that giving them love and time really circumvents many other things in life - IMO - I spend sooo much time with the girls, both doing fun things and not so fun things - and just that time together builds communication and trust. I am still so fortunate that I have such good relationships with both of them... I keep waiting for that to change any day. I appreciate, so much, the prayers for my BFF.

hope your grocery shopping goes well.
Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

It wasn't too bad - I will bore you all to death at the bottom.

I'm glad things are looking up for you BFF.

I'm alright here. A little snow doesn't stop me. Yesterday I was very happy that my car is a 4WD. I could easily have got stuck in the snow with the car if it hadn't been 4WD. Today the weather is much better. On facebook everyone is saying cheer up we are only half way to the snow record we had on 29th of April 1997 which was 240cm (about 7 feet and 10,5 inches)

YIKES! That is a TON of snow... And I thought we had it bad.

It's great that Alli likes her new sport.

She loves it... She has always loved being a part of something bigger... and she is making many new friends. So far - it's a very good thing.

Have a great day shopping to day. I hope you get a lot of good bargains.

Thanks - it was fun... Sort of. I will do a long post about it at the bottom.

Though we don't know the circumstances between your BFF and her dd, I have much sympathy for them. My youngest dd and I went through some very rough times when she was a young teenager, but we managed to get through them safely and sanely. We actually like each other again! She had the option of going to live with her dad and step mom but refused. There were times when I would have gladly packed up her clothes and dropped her off there (or anywhere!).

This is good to hear - I am so glad that things were resolved. I know my family wanted to pack me up several times... I was not a wonderful teenager - that's for sure. Thankfully they love me now though.

I pray that my children have easier teen years than I did - I have been very determined to give them a stable life, their entire lives, because I am convinced that is the main reason my teen years were so hard for me. Not sure how true it is, but they seem to be handling it well???

I'm actually going to visit with her this weekend. I'm going to head up to NYC and spend the night so I can see her new play. Her step mom said it was very good, so I'm looking forward to it.

This just sounds so awesome and what a wonderful accomplishment!

I have to tell you a couponing story from one of my friends. She said she went to 4 different Walmarts, bought $615.84 worth of stuff, used 317 coupons and paid a grand total of $64.15. That's a 96% savings! I know that she belongs to several couponing groups, but still! I can't imagine how much work that was.

Have a great day!

That is an AMAZING couponing story... I am not sure I could ever get that good? I am sure it was an amazing amount of work! I will bore you all with my couponing day yesterday.

Good luck with your shopping I am going to try the target site you posted earlier when I get home.

I hope you do - it's a fun site!

Have a Happy Easter

Thank you Ruthie - you too!

Oh I am not happy with my Kindle right now...I wrote this fairly detailed post about my absence last night, thought I posted it but....not there!!! Arrrggghh.

I know your feeling - I had the same thing happen on my pc a few days ago... not just once, but 3 times! I was soooo annoyed!

Anyway: One major reason I have been less here than usual is it is Spring Break 'round these parts and the powers that be at the various school boards decided that the majority of the Birmingham area would take their breaks one week (last week) and the rest of the Birmingham area, most of the outlying counties and half the rest of the state would take it this week. We've been slammed: dealing with the number of people we were expecting last week.

That sounds incredibly insane... I hope that you all are able to slow down a bit soon.

The other issue that I've been dealing with is personal, meaning I feel awkward talking about it, although I know I'm with a wonderfully supportive group. Something happened earlier this month that raised some things that I thought I had worked through and made my peace with. I'm getting back to that peace, but am quick to react to certain stimuli, so I've been avoiding the internet a little bit.

I am so sorry Ruth - that you are having a hard time. YOu need to do whatever you can to get to the place you need to be in your life... We will all be here when you are ready. I hope you can stop in once in a while and let us know you are OK... I see you on FB occasionally - so I am glad I can keep up with you there. Lots of (((Hugs))). I'll be thinking of you and sending positive thoughts your way.

On the plus side: that means I've been sewing!!! Which leads me to: I chose sewmess as a screen name because I always make a mess when I sew (although I'm trying to be better and contain it in one room instead of whole house) I dream of someday being a "Sewmistress" but I'm not there yet. I did get a big laugh out of it, though, so Thanks!

LOL - glad you've been able to get lots of sewing done anyways!

I know there are some other things that I wittily remarked about (like being a triplet) but I've had a day and a half today and can't remember.

Are you a triplet Ruth??? I didn't know.

I am glad to hear the BFF's roughness is smoothing & there will always be those who think that rules are things that other people follow.

Yes, I agree.

I would like to add my "Happy Easter to those who celebrate it" wishes to RuthIE's (Maxine's cooling/heating picture gave me a laugh too. And I'm a sucker for hounds, and I'm sure you miss him a lot)

So, Happy Easter to those who celebrate.

Thank you - Happy Easter to you, as well.

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

Long boring coupon post ahead!

So, yesterday was shopping day for me. The girls were off of school, V had a babysitting gig and Alli decided to come shopping with me.

We started off at Walmart... I didn't even bring my binder in... I needed 2 things.

Then we went to our regular Target store. The first 3 items on my list were totally sold out and gray dotted (verified out of stock and ordered from the distribution center)... I found BFF and told her that we needed to go to another Target store. So, we dropped our carts off and headed to the next closest Target store. This one was rough - because it isn't set up like all the other Targets... So it was hard to know where everything was.

So, we started on our lists - and everything seemed to be in stock... Phew! The next closet Target was at least 10 miles away - through a lot of traffic.

My cart was filling quickly... I had a little bit of everything in there. We started off in H&B... Then Easter candy... Then chemicals... Then back to the make-up section for Allison... Then market... Finally cooler/freezers. By the time I started market, I had to add another cart to the mix, because mine was full. GULP! I've never filled a cart so full that I've needed another.

I was expecting this to be an expensive trip... I had lots of great deals on items, but I also had lots of not so great deals - but better than paying full price (like my TP stacked coupons were about to expire - So, I would rather get my TP for -$1.45 than to pay full price) And papertowels (which are super expensive anyways, and I hate buying them - but I would rather get them on sale and use a coupon than pay full price)... So, I had lots of expensive items in my cart, as well.

So, that cashier rang up my total and it started out at $405.16 (I almost puked right there - that was double my grocery budget! Josh would kill me!) I have honestly, in my entire life, never had a grocery bill that high (not including when we order meat). So, on my 3rd or 4th coupon, my cashier's scanner beeped out and died. So, some of my coupons had to be scanned and some of them had to be hand typed in... I am not kidding when I say that my coupon pile was about 2" thick. I tried to warn everyone behind me that I would be a while... The one lady chose to stay so she could watch... The first hundred came off pretty quickly, the second hundred was slow - painfully slow. My ending total was $201.06 - for a total savings of $204.10 or 51%. To say I was a bit disappointed and shocked was an understatement.

I still had 1 more store to go to - I had a short list, but the next store is always my worst store. I just felt awful - because I was at the tippy top of my budget with only $15 to spare. I was really hoping for a better savings at Target - and couldn't fathom why I didn't do better... Almost everything in my first cart was under $1.00 - paper products aside.

So, on our way to the next store... BFF pulled out my Target receipt... She found one missed coupon. Sigh - not even worth going back. But my receipt was as long as a jump rope - so I figured I'd look it over when I got home, something had to be amiss.

At the grocery store, I had to get my ham - that was a "big ticket" item - and I knew I would be over my budget, because in order to get the sale price on the ham - I had to spend an additional $25. I did have quite a few good coupons to use here. My total when checking out was $78.78, and after coupons was $42.03. For a savings of $36.75 or 47% - which isn't too bad for me at this particular store. And if you think about it - my ham was approx a $11 item, so I only went $6 over the $25 needed (even though that price is supposed to be before coupons).

All in all, I ended up being $25 over budget, which really sucks, so I will have to make that up somewhere else.

Once Alli and I got home, it took us an hour to unload the car and put groceries away... That was crazy... I am very thankful for having a second fridge/freezer and upright freezer in our basement, because we definately needed it yesterday.

Then, I took a few minutes to look over my receipt... I am not kidding when I say that this receipt is about as tall as I am. It is really crazy to look at it in detail because everything seems to run together. But I started going through it - one item at a time. Nearly every single thing I purchased had a coupon (or two) to go with it, only a handfull of items did not. So, one by one - I started to go through my receipt... And I was finding item after item that didn't have a coupon and should have. I was really upset. At first glance - It was looking like about $30-$35 worth of missing coupons. So, I called BFF... I didn't know what to do. She told me to call the store... I wanted to call my own store, because I knew that my store would believe me, but this other store didnt' know me, and I was sure they wouldl think I was scamming them.

UGH - so I called the store we were shopping at. I asked to speak to an LOD... Who proceded to tell me that my coupons were not used because I did not purchase the items in question. Which is wrong. The way I shop and organize, I do not add coupons to my "use" envelope until after I put the items in my cart. I also informed her that I am a team member and I know the coupon policy. She was still not very nice to me, she wanted me to come back to the store with my receipt, but I was 45 miles away... There was just no way I could make it back there. She offered to transfer the situation to the AP (assets protection) person on duty... She took all of my receipt information, so they could print it out at the store, they also took all of my coupons out of the drawer in question. I knew the AP person would have a LONG night ahead of them, trying to figure out my receipt vs. my coupons. Like I said - that stack was close to 2" thick.

Finally - at about 7pm last night the AP person called me back. I expected her to be a him - first of all. LOL And I also expected him/her to be rude to me. This was not the case. I knew that they had analyzed my transaction on video from start to finish - and I am certain they probably even watched video of me shopping. I knew that every detail of my transaction was scrutinizied - probably and most likely because I am a team member. I expected them to tell me that there was nothing they could do.

Instead, the AP person told me that she has been going over my receipt and coupons for hours, and she asked me what I thought was missing. So, I went through ever single item that I had a question on, describing the coupons I used and what I needed to purchase to use them... So, while I was doing that - she was comparing my receipt and locating the exact coupons in my pile... It was madness. I was on the phone with her for over 30 minutes. In the end, she was SUPER NICE to me, and totally went out of her way to help resolve the situation... She ended up refunding me a gift card with a value of $19 on it. I think many more coupons were missing - but those were the main ones, and the ones I could definitely prove hadn't been scanned...

So, with my $19 refund, that brings me to $6 over budget and a new total savings of $220.06 or 55% at Target.

Now, the + side to all of this... When I used to grocery shop, we could only afford to purchase about 1 month worth of products to support our family, and stay with in our budget. I now have a 6 month supply on items like TP, razors, shaving cream, tooth paste, deoderant, toothbrushes, coffee, dental floss, all cleaning supplies (dish soap, toilet cleaner, windex, pledge, bathroom cleaner, laundry soap, fabric softener, dryer sheets), female products, shampoo, conditioner, some canned goods... So all of these items can come off of my list and I can start working on stocking up on other things...

I'd love to stock up on paper towels - but they are so expensive, I just can't bring myself to do it - and they take up a lot of space that I don't have.

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

So, are you all bored to death yet?

We went over to our neighbors for a few drinks last night... We sat on their deck with a space heater, winter coats, blanket and - of course - I had my flip-flops on. I refuse to put them away now.

We were home and in bed by 9pm.

Today, we will be working on Easter prep... We will be making the entire meal here and transporting it to my Dad's house - 2+ hours away - this should be interesting, and probably the norm from here on out. I do not feel comfortable with my Dad and brother driving down through the Cities any more.

I also plan to get into my sewing room for a few hours this morning. I'd like to knock out my next applique.

If you don't check back - I wish each of you a HAPPY EASTER!

D~

 

[sjs314]

D~ Love the couponing tale glad you were able to at least recoup some of your missing savings. I just can not save like you, I went to a store this week that I normally don't go to because they just had deals I could not pass up, spiral ham @.99 a lb. if you spent $25, 300 x-tra gas points if you spent. $50 + others but then I bought a potted flower for $5.99 reg $6.99. My total $130.44 final total $72.73 saved $57.71. The bulk of which came from my spiral ham before coupon $37.03 after $9.19.

Have a Happy Easter!

 

[dianemom2]

I'm so happy for you that you were mostly able to work out the problem with the coupons. It is nice that the AP person was so helpful. I'm not sure we would have received the same treatment at our stores. A couple of weeks ago I bought my DD a new Ipod Touch at Target. We took it home, plugged it in to charge and then she used it for about 1/2 an hour. Suddenly the screen went blank and wouldn't light up. We hopped in the car and went to a different, closer Target. Well they gave me a terrible time about exchanging the broken Ipod and even tried to insinuate that we were returning a previously own Ipod instead of the one I had just bought. I was quite peeved! In the end they did exchange it and dd was very happy with the new Ipod. But I didn't enjoy the experience at all! It is nice that you can have a 6 month supply of so many necessities. We generally keep a supply of certain items like that also but I am not a good coupon shopper. I wish I had a BFF like your's to help me do better at it.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday and enjoy your time with your family.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I was absolutely getting a sick knot in my stomach picturing being home 45 miles away from the store and realizing things were wrong $$$ I'm glad it worked out in the end but I get nuts when they miss even one coupon or I get home and find something that has a "save .55 cents now" sticker on it that I missed. I give you so much credit for doing all this couponing, but unless I had someone standing there unloading the cart (s) onto the conveyor belt while someone else was watching the ringing up like a hawk I couldn't do it. Your savings are amazing

So glad Alli is enjoying her sport it can't be all about books in school
I used to have a great time doing the other things and so did my DDs

How's MM ? I don't think you've mentioned him lately ?

Ruth: sewmess Hope you are feeling more like yourself don't totally disappear , we are all here for you

 

[NiniMorris]

Paper Towels

The bane of my existence!

Hubby is always ...reusing them. Or at least he thinks he will re use them so he NEVER throws them away!

At the end of the day I have maybe a roll and a half sotred on my counter tops...tucked here and there... DRIVES ME CRAZY (even if it is a short trip!!)

So, back at the beginning of February...I told everyone I was not buying them...ever again! I bought a couple yards of flannel on sale and made my own...Cloth Paper Towels!

Now, between the cloth towels, cloth PAPER towels, the three sponges (that get washed each day!) and a set of Disney plastic plates...no one has even missed them!

The kids used paper towels to wipe a spill or to put their toast or sandwiches on ... they now use a sponge for the spills and plastic plates for their food.. Hubby uses them mainly for drying his hands... so a towel was the most logical choice.

Now, I do allow him to have a roll in the car for washing the windows...which he is obsessive about...but HE buys them...they don't come out of my grocery budget!

In our effort to be more green, we have started making our own laundry detergent... a month supply takes me two to three minutes to make and costs less than 5 dollars; I grind my own coffee for my Keurig and use a reusable K cup....I WAS spending over a hundred dollars in coffee each month INSANE!...now just a few dollars.

I still have a long way to go to be as green as some...but I am more in it for the cost savings than I am for saving the planet...I did enough of that back in the 60's!


Nini

 

[Terkina]

Sounds like you had an insane shopping trip.
I hope you all have a great Easter at your dad's house. Drive safely.

Here it's still snowing. This morning we had 4 feet and 6 inches of snow outside. And it's still snowing
During the night it has gone 3 snow avalanches across a few roads. Fortunately no people was taken, but more roads are now closed because of the snow avalanches.

 

[NiniMorris]

I promised to let you know if I found out anything about the new Fastpass + system. The TA site is gearing up for the TA training on it. Our training site is going down for 4We keep getting promises of new things to come...so I am pretty sure that is what they are gearing up for.

I also know that on the Iphone version of My Disney Experience, they have updated the TOC info to include some confusing verbage on the FP+ system. So far I have not seen that update on my Android.

I am 99.9% sure it will be in use when we go in June...and since you can do your FP+ 60 days (that's right...60 days!) in advance of your check in I am hoping to get some info by the middle of April on how it will work.

I have been scouring the sites to see what they all have to say about it...and so far there are some interesting theories...but nothing concrete yet.



Nini

 

[Deesknee]

D~ I can't imagine I would be so understanding if they had messed up my couponing. I am generally very polite & cooperative, but for me couponing is a nightmare. I do it because it is a necessity in my life, but I hate it! It is good the person was so nice to you in the end, but when you think about it, you are still out some money. And like I say, it is a job I don't like so to loose that kind of money, I would be upset. I'm glad you got most of it though. I can never get that kind of savings. MY friend watches youtube videos on how to coupon. But my memory can't handle it. I take notes thinking I will understand them at the end, then I don't. It is something I have learned to deal with. What I do now, it check my flyers for what I use regularly, cut my coupons and go shopping. I can't plan ahead because I forget. But, atleast I am able to save some $. I was so frustrated with myself the other day I decided to organize my stock cabinet. Well I had to throw out so much stuff because it was expired. Things like vitamins, asprin. I felt I was throwing away dollar bills!
People like you that are so organized amaze me. My girlfriend is like that. She tries to help me, but I know she gets frustrated. She doesn't understand, I can't focus & remember like I used to. But, like I say, I get the stuff we need when for the best price I can...sometimes even free. I just can't stock pile the way I would like.

Like others have said, to all who celebrate, Happy Easter.

 

[solana131]

We went over to our neighbors for a few drinks last night... We sat on their deck with a space heater, winter coats, blanket and - of course - I had my flip-flops on. I refuse to put them away now.

This is so totally me! We had Lucy's (my niece) birthday party here last night. It is getting nicer out here in Maine now, but it certainly isn't flipflop weather yet. Well, we were all out on my deck last night with blankets, flip flops and wine while the kids were playing in the mud/snow. I got to wear them one day last week and I have a really hard time putting them away now.....just a few more days and it will be nice out!

Hope you have a wonderful Easter D!

 

[sewmess]

I'm not a real triplet: I was thinking of this response:

"Hi Ruth - it's great to see you!!!! Sorry - I just get worried once in a while, and it's not like I wouldn't notice you all missing... You are like my triplets. So, when you are all gone at the same time, I tend to wonder what kind of trouble you are into.... Just glad you are OK, hopefully things slow down for you soon."

I'm getting back to my usual self & Spring Break ending should help that.

I had a couponing day like that at JoAnne's - kinda. I think my original total was, like $30 something and with my coupon & getting things on sale, I spent less than $20. If I was the one actually grocery shopping, I'd be on the coupon bandwagon too: but DH does the grocery shopping and he would forget his head sometimes if it wasn't attached to his shoulders. But don't tell him I said that.

 

[ladylyons]

Long boring coupon post ahead!

So, yesterday was shopping day for me. The girls were off of school, V had a babysitting gig and Alli decided to come shopping with me.

We started off at Walmart... I didn't even bring my binder in... I needed 2 things.

Then we went to our regular Target store. The first 3 items on my list were totally sold out and gray dotted (verified out of stock and ordered from the distribution center)... I found BFF and told her that we needed to go to another Target store. So, we dropped our carts off and headed to the next closest Target store. This one was rough - because it isn't set up like all the other Targets... So it was hard to know where everything was.

So, we started on our lists - and everything seemed to be in stock... Phew! The next closet Target was at least 10 miles away - through a lot of traffic.

My cart was filling quickly... I had a little bit of everything in there. We started off in H&B... Then Easter candy... Then chemicals... Then back to the make-up section for Allison... Then market... Finally cooler/freezers. By the time I started market, I had to add another cart to the mix, because mine was full. GULP! I've never filled a cart so full that I've needed another.

I was expecting this to be an expensive trip... I had lots of great deals on items, but I also had lots of not so great deals - but better than paying full price (like my TP stacked coupons were about to expire - So, I would rather get my TP for -$1.45 than to pay full price) And papertowels (which are super expensive anyways, and I hate buying them - but I would rather get them on sale and use a coupon than pay full price)... So, I had lots of expensive items in my cart, as well.

So, that cashier rang up my total and it started out at $405.16 (I almost puked right there - that was double my grocery budget! Josh would kill me!) I have honestly, in my entire life, never had a grocery bill that high (not including when we order meat). So, on my 3rd or 4th coupon, my cashier's scanner beeped out and died. So, some of my coupons had to be scanned and some of them had to be hand typed in... I am not kidding when I say that my coupon pile was about 2" thick. I tried to warn everyone behind me that I would be a while... The one lady chose to stay so she could watch... The first hundred came off pretty quickly, the second hundred was slow - painfully slow. My ending total was $201.06 - for a total savings of $204.10 or 51%. To say I was a bit disappointed and shocked was an understatement.

I still had 1 more store to go to - I had a short list, but the next store is always my worst store. I just felt awful - because I was at the tippy top of my budget with only $15 to spare. I was really hoping for a better savings at Target - and couldn't fathom why I didn't do better... Almost everything in my first cart was under $1.00 - paper products aside.

So, on our way to the next store... BFF pulled out my Target receipt... She found one missed coupon. Sigh - not even worth going back. But my receipt was as long as a jump rope - so I figured I'd look it over when I got home, something had to be amiss.

At the grocery store, I had to get my ham - that was a "big ticket" item - and I knew I would be over my budget, because in order to get the sale price on the ham - I had to spend an additional $25. I did have quite a few good coupons to use here. My total when checking out was $78.78, and after coupons was $42.03. For a savings of $36.75 or 47% - which isn't too bad for me at this particular store. And if you think about it - my ham was approx a $11 item, so I only went $6 over the $25 needed (even though that price is supposed to be before coupons).

All in all, I ended up being $25 over budget, which really sucks, so I will have to make that up somewhere else.

Once Alli and I got home, it took us an hour to unload the car and put groceries away... That was crazy... I am very thankful for having a second fridge/freezer and upright freezer in our basement, because we definately needed it yesterday.

Then, I took a few minutes to look over my receipt... I am not kidding when I say that this receipt is about as tall as I am. It is really crazy to look at it in detail because everything seems to run together. But I started going through it - one item at a time. Nearly every single thing I purchased had a coupon (or two) to go with it, only a handfull of items did not. So, one by one - I started to go through my receipt... And I was finding item after item that didn't have a coupon and should have. I was really upset. At first glance - It was looking like about $30-$35 worth of missing coupons. So, I called BFF... I didn't know what to do. She told me to call the store... I wanted to call my own store, because I knew that my store would believe me, but this other store didnt' know me, and I was sure they wouldl think I was scamming them.

UGH - so I called the store we were shopping at. I asked to speak to an LOD... Who proceded to tell me that my coupons were not used because I did not purchase the items in question. Which is wrong. The way I shop and organize, I do not add coupons to my "use" envelope until after I put the items in my cart. I also informed her that I am a team member and I know the coupon policy. She was still not very nice to me, she wanted me to come back to the store with my receipt, but I was 45 miles away... There was just no way I could make it back there. She offered to transfer the situation to the AP (assets protection) person on duty... She took all of my receipt information, so they could print it out at the store, they also took all of my coupons out of the drawer in question. I knew the AP person would have a LONG night ahead of them, trying to figure out my receipt vs. my coupons. Like I said - that stack was close to 2" thick.

Finally - at about 7pm last night the AP person called me back. I expected her to be a him - first of all. LOL And I also expected him/her to be rude to me. This was not the case. I knew that they had analyzed my transaction on video from start to finish - and I am certain they probably even watched video of me shopping. I knew that every detail of my transaction was scrutinizied - probably and most likely because I am a team member. I expected them to tell me that there was nothing they could do.

Instead, the AP person told me that she has been going over my receipt and coupons for hours, and she asked me what I thought was missing. So, I went through ever single item that I had a question on, describing the coupons I used and what I needed to purchase to use them... So, while I was doing that - she was comparing my receipt and locating the exact coupons in my pile... It was madness. I was on the phone with her for over 30 minutes. In the end, she was SUPER NICE to me, and totally went out of her way to help resolve the situation... She ended up refunding me a gift card with a value of $19 on it. I think many more coupons were missing - but those were the main ones, and the ones I could definitely prove hadn't been scanned...

So, with my $19 refund, that brings me to $6 over budget and a new total savings of $220.06 or 55% at Target.

Now, the + side to all of this... When I used to grocery shop, we could only afford to purchase about 1 month worth of products to support our family, and stay with in our budget. I now have a 6 month supply on items like TP, razors, shaving cream, tooth paste, deoderant, toothbrushes, coffee, dental floss, all cleaning supplies (dish soap, toilet cleaner, windex, pledge, bathroom cleaner, laundry soap, fabric softener, dryer sheets), female products, shampoo, conditioner, some canned goods... So all of these items can come off of my list and I can start working on stocking up on other things...

I'd love to stock up on paper towels - but they are so expensive, I just can't bring myself to do it - and they take up a lot of space that I don't have.

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

So, are you all bored to death yet?

We went over to our neighbors for a few drinks last night... We sat on their deck with a space heater, winter coats, blanket and - of course - I had my flip-flops on. I refuse to put them away now.

We were home and in bed by 9pm.

Today, we will be working on Easter prep... We will be making the entire meal here and transporting it to my Dad's house - 2+ hours away - this should be interesting, and probably the norm from here on out. I do not feel comfortable with my Dad and brother driving down through the Cities any more.

I also plan to get into my sewing room for a few hours this morning. I'd like to knock out my next applique.

If you don't check back - I wish each of you a HAPPY EASTER!

D~

So today we went to our local grocery store to buy a few things we've been needing. Our total before coupons and the coupons I had added to our savings card was $127.41. Our total after was $68.56!! For a total of 47% Savings!! Felt pretty good!!

Glad you were able to get some of the savings back that you had worked hard to get.

If I don't get back on here before tomorrow I hope you and your family have a Happy Easter!!!

 

[Luvchefmic]

I'm not a real triplet: I was thinking of this response:

"Hi Ruth - it's great to see you!!!! Sorry - I just get worried once in a while, and it's not like I wouldn't notice you all missing... You are like my triplets. So, when you are all gone at the same time, I tend to wonder what kind of trouble you are into.... Just glad you are OK, hopefully things slow down for you soon."

I'm getting back to my usual self & Spring Break ending should help that.

I had a couponing day like that at JoAnne's - kinda. I think my original total was, like $30 something and with my coupon & getting things on sale, I spent less than $20. If I was the one actually grocery shopping, I'd be on the coupon bandwagon too: but DH does the grocery shopping and he would forget his head sometimes if it wasn't attached to his shoulders. But don't tell him I said that.

we disappear we show up D's Triplets I like that

RuthIE

 

[MMCook5780]

I'm all caught up and subbing!