This article got my attention today! I have grown from the 1st level to the 2nd level (and gotten my husband to at least these levels). I am inbetween level 3 and 4 - depending on the sale and where I'm shopping. I think I have mastered the level 4 at CVS, but for regular grocery shopping, I seem to be at level 3 - sometimes 4, but mostly 3. I am still working on mastering the grocery shopping and probably do better than most people, but I'm not at my goal all of the time. Everytime I grocery shop, my goal is to save more than I spend. Usually I come close.
Coupons from Casual to Extreme
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Are warehouse memberships worth it?
Every once in awhile, I think I might want to get a warehouse membership. When I saw this blog post, it got me thinking again - benefits-of-membership - Costco
There are benefits - and everything they listed is correct, BUT there are only 2 of us in our family AND I remember how I used to be when I did have a membership! I am out of control. Too many "bargins" and I can't resist buying.
All of the benefits that were listed can also be done without paying the $50 or $100 in membership.
There are benefits - and everything they listed is correct, BUT there are only 2 of us in our family AND I remember how I used to be when I did have a membership! I am out of control. Too many "bargins" and I can't resist buying.
All of the benefits that were listed can also be done without paying the $50 or $100 in membership.
- Shopping deals - if you look around and compare weekly ads, you can get some good deals - and don't forget the internet
- Car deals/towing/events - we have a AAA membership which also provides those services.
- Gasoline - right now, Giant Food is having a joint marketing program with Shell. For every 100 points ($1 = 1 point) on your Giant Food bonus card, you get 10 cents off every gallon. With the added "bonus point items", it adds up - last week I saved 60 cents per gallon!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
What I got at the Tupperware party today!
All 4 free! Tupperware towel & serving tray from the auction we had & a scoop for booking a party.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
VACATION! Saturday, August 28 – September 10
Saturday, we started out vacation to Canada. We drove to Watertown, NY and stayed the night. The drive was good – we only stopped a few times. A lot fewer than I expected. The pups did great.
We had some time when we got there and since the hotel only had Pepsi products, I asked where the closest convenience store was – only about 2 blocks away AND there were geocaches close by. As soon as we crossed the street there was a geocache so Dan picked that one up. We headed to the store and let me just say, downtown Watertown is shady. You can tell that there is not much going on there with a lot of rundown houses. We headed down one street and found one more geocache then headed back into the “ghetto”, but it was really looking shady so we turned around and went back to the hotel. Sleep wasn’t that great for both of us since Zed would bark or growl at any noise outside of our door.
Sunday morning, it was hard getting Esa into the car, but finally she did. We got to the cottage around 2 pm - Plenty of time to unpack and get groceries. As we were leaving the cottage to go to Peterborough, Dan asked “Do you remember how to get there?” I said, “I think so”. I couldn’t remember the name of the last street to turn on, but said “for some reason, Michael Jackson comes to mind – is it Jackson, is it Thriller?” Dan’s like “What are you talking about?” Then we come to the street and it all comes together – Chemong. We both start laughing – MJ always said that in his songs (or something like that) and that’s how we always referred to the street as.
We went to lunch in Peterborough at Boston Pizza and then got groceries. Lunch was good – We ordered an appetizer of pizza bread with sauce and when they brought it out, the sauce spilled on the bread, so they said we have another one coming for you – didn’t expect that. Groceries went well until we hit the checkout line. We had the WORST cashier ever. It probably took 15 minutes to get out of there and then she didn’t use the coupons that were on the meat we bought. I was so done, it wasn’t even worth it for me to say anything. I just wanted to get out of there. Unfortunately, we got out of there too late and The Beer Store was already closed. You know you are in a small town when everything closes at 5 pm on Sunday! Since the store we shopped at didn’t have a water jug refill (*), we had to go to another grocery store, then it was the trip home.
The rest of the night was chilling, but with some excitement. Zed, Esa and me went to the dock to check out the duck that was probably about ¼ mile away. Zed, being the protector that he is, jumped in the water. I yelled “Zed” as I watched him go under, but then came back up, turned around and headed towards the dock. I tried to grab him, but he went under the dock. Panic set in because I didn’t realize there was space under the dock. By that time, Dan was behind me, me screaming “He’s under”, Dan thinking I meant under water, not under the dock. Then we saw Zed to the left of the dock. Dan grabbed him, but Zed was holding onto the 2 by 4 underneath. Finally Zed let go and Dan got him out (along with getting the top of his head wet). We can laugh about it now. The best part – Dan was trying to take a picture of the three of us on the dock and ended up getting a picture of me with a look of horror on my face (even though you can’t see my face) and the splash of Zed. Classic picture and Zed now has the word “fearless” added to his nickname Sh*t master Z.
Monday and Tuesday were chilling days, but Dan mowed the lawn and painted the flagpole. He did go into Peterborough to get stuff for the flagpole. Along the way, he got some geocaches. It’s been really hot – too hot to take the pups out for geocaching. I have been reading the Twilight saga and today (Wednesday) finished the 2nd book (out of 4). I’m taking a break and reading Eat Pray Love.
We gave Zed an old fashion bath today. We had the big wash bin out on the dock and poured water over him, soaped him up then rinsed him off – all on the dock. He was really good and doesn’t seem to be itching as much. Along with his fearlessness of jumping off of the dock, he also is not afraid of the cows/bulls that on the farm down the road. He just growls at them. Although he is not aggressive in a mean way, we really need to figure out how to get him out of this “protective” mood.
We received good and bad news today. Good news the biopsy I had as a follow up to my PAP smear came out normal (sorry if this is TMI). The bad news, Westfield didn’t win the concessions at either Dulles or National. So when I get back, I’ll have to get my resume ready. I didn’t stay on the phone for the bosses to discuss what the next step will be, but they mentioned they expect it to be within 2 months.
Thursday
Another hot day. We went to Walmart to pick up some stuff, had lunch and then hit some geocaches on the way back to the cottage. Just been hanging out since then.
Friday
Laundry and groceries day. We headed to Peterborough and got coordinates for several parks so we can plan some outings with the pups. It is finally cooling down since it has been raining this afternoon. Esa is in heaven because her friends, Luka & Duke are next door. Zed did well with both of them. Haven’t really thought too much about work – I’d rather not now and deal with it when I get home. We’ll be fine, so I’m not that worried. I’ll admit it – it’ll be nice to be off for some time, but who knows maybe I won’t be off. Whatever happens will happen.
Saturday
It’s FREEZING today! High of about 60 degrees and windy with a few showers. We thought we might be able to go geocaching, but we couldn’t tell what the weather was going to be like. So we’re sitting around the cottage. The neighbors next door left, so Esa is a little bummed (seriously, you can tell she’s upset that her friends left). We watched “Resident Evil” and Dan’s been playing Xbox while I’ve taken a nap and been reading.
Yesterday I finished “Eat Pray Love”. Good book, but I’m not sure how it will translate into a movie. I’m sure it will be good because Julia Roberts LOVED the book when she read it and I’m sure she’ll make sure it is done well. What a great story Elizabeth Gilbert has. What she did is exactly what everyone who goes through a major change (in her case divorce) needs. She went and relaxed (in Italy), then found herself (in India). Eventually she was able to enjoy life again (in Bali). It would be nice if everyone could do something like that.
Change is coming for me and I’m ok with it. I keep thinking maybe it’s time to change what I do anyway or at least try actual mall management outside of Westfield. Westfield is a hard company to work for – they expect a lot out of you. Any job you have after Westfield should be easy. I will miss everyone at the airport.
Sunday – our 12th anniversary!
Wow – 12 years – it’s gone by fast. Today was spend opening presents, walking the dogs, going geocaching, and then dinner.
It was a geocaching anniversary for Dan – a geocaching t-shirt, coins and flashlight along with a puzzle book and biography of Dave Mustaine
. For me it was 2 presents from Appalachian Spring – a linen dog & a heart paperweight, a dawn simulator alarm clock, and a book about Hornell
.
We went geocaching at a local park, Mark Burnham park, where we did our first multi-cache alone! It was a go to this spot, get these numbers, add them to this coordinate and go there. It was probably a good mile or 2 hike so the dogs were tired when we got done. We tried one more, but couldn’t find it and then it started to rain, so back to the cottage we went.
The pups did really well today. Esa gave us a little trouble at first, but once we got to the park, she was really good. She got in the car after the park and then was really calm while Dan got out to find the final cache of the multi. She actually tried to put her head down to sleep in the car – something she never does.
We went to dinner at Berc's Steakhouse where we went for a dinner last year – REALLY good – then stopped at DQ for dessert.
Monday
Cold and dreary day – we were going to go geocaching, but it was raining on and off all day and was very windy. So we just hung around the cottage.
Tuesday
Went geocaching today. FINALLY found one that we couldn’t find last year. It was a nice hike along a snowmobile trail. Tried to find one other one, but couldn’t find the path. By that time, I (alone with the pups) had enough and we came back to the cottage for lunch. Dan headed out again to see if he could find the one we couldn’t find the path to and one that we couldn’t find last year. He figured out something on the GPS with the coordinates, so they are more accurate than what we used last year. I spent the afternoon washing Zed in the shower and finishing up “Eclipse” and watching what little TV we have. Found a good court show – Street Court – will need to see if we get that in our area and then Law & Order: SUV.
Wednesday
We ended up at the public library late Tuesday afternoon so that Dan could log in the geocaches that we/he did find. He found the one we didn’t find last year, but no luck on the path for the one we tried yesterday morning. The evening was thunder showers, so just stayed inside. Today, we headed out to Beavermeade Park in Peterborough for geocaching and found one micro. We started to do another one, but it started to rain (AGAIN!). Esa wasn’t really cooperating either – too many smells for her. We stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things for today and tomorrow and now just hanging around the cottage – more rain this afternoon.
I am ready to go home. I think it’s mostly because of the rain – can’t really spend that much time outside and getting a little bored without the internet and not being able to do the scrapbooking I wanted to do (the software isn’t loaded properly and I thought it was). Dan asked if I wanted to still wait until Friday to go home, which I think I do – I still have some gifts I want to get.
Thursday
Went shopping at Lansdowne Place in Peterborough. This place had been run down and last year they redid the mall – it looks great and obviously they have a good leasing rep now. Got some gifts at Green Earth – awesome store with something for everyone – yard decorations, souvenirs, gifts, crystals and minerals, plaques, etc. We had lunch in the food court and did some geocaching. Dan had gone and found the micro that was in the mall parking lot and then we found a couple within a block or so. We stopped at one at a bridge area and that one was IN a tree. Dan had to climb to get it. The rest of the day will be packing and I think Dan is going to the library again to log the caches. We are hoping to leave early in the morning – going to shoot for 6 am or 7 am. We’ll see how we do!
Another cute Zed story – when we were unpacking the car, he jumped right back in, laid right back down on his bed and stayed there while we emptied the car. He was ready to stay in the car all night.
We had some time when we got there and since the hotel only had Pepsi products, I asked where the closest convenience store was – only about 2 blocks away AND there were geocaches close by. As soon as we crossed the street there was a geocache so Dan picked that one up. We headed to the store and let me just say, downtown Watertown is shady. You can tell that there is not much going on there with a lot of rundown houses. We headed down one street and found one more geocache then headed back into the “ghetto”, but it was really looking shady so we turned around and went back to the hotel. Sleep wasn’t that great for both of us since Zed would bark or growl at any noise outside of our door.
Sunday morning, it was hard getting Esa into the car, but finally she did. We got to the cottage around 2 pm - Plenty of time to unpack and get groceries. As we were leaving the cottage to go to Peterborough, Dan asked “Do you remember how to get there?” I said, “I think so”. I couldn’t remember the name of the last street to turn on, but said “for some reason, Michael Jackson comes to mind – is it Jackson, is it Thriller?” Dan’s like “What are you talking about?” Then we come to the street and it all comes together – Chemong. We both start laughing – MJ always said that in his songs (or something like that) and that’s how we always referred to the street as.We went to lunch in Peterborough at Boston Pizza and then got groceries. Lunch was good – We ordered an appetizer of pizza bread with sauce and when they brought it out, the sauce spilled on the bread, so they said we have another one coming for you – didn’t expect that. Groceries went well until we hit the checkout line. We had the WORST cashier ever. It probably took 15 minutes to get out of there and then she didn’t use the coupons that were on the meat we bought. I was so done, it wasn’t even worth it for me to say anything. I just wanted to get out of there. Unfortunately, we got out of there too late and The Beer Store was already closed. You know you are in a small town when everything closes at 5 pm on Sunday! Since the store we shopped at didn’t have a water jug refill (*), we had to go to another grocery store, then it was the trip home.
The rest of the night was chilling, but with some excitement. Zed, Esa and me went to the dock to check out the duck that was probably about ¼ mile away. Zed, being the protector that he is, jumped in the water. I yelled “Zed” as I watched him go under, but then came back up, turned around and headed towards the dock. I tried to grab him, but he went under the dock. Panic set in because I didn’t realize there was space under the dock. By that time, Dan was behind me, me screaming “He’s under”, Dan thinking I meant under water, not under the dock. Then we saw Zed to the left of the dock. Dan grabbed him, but Zed was holding onto the 2 by 4 underneath. Finally Zed let go and Dan got him out (along with getting the top of his head wet). We can laugh about it now. The best part – Dan was trying to take a picture of the three of us on the dock and ended up getting a picture of me with a look of horror on my face (even though you can’t see my face) and the splash of Zed. Classic picture and Zed now has the word “fearless” added to his nickname Sh*t master Z.
Monday and Tuesday were chilling days, but Dan mowed the lawn and painted the flagpole. He did go into Peterborough to get stuff for the flagpole. Along the way, he got some geocaches. It’s been really hot – too hot to take the pups out for geocaching. I have been reading the Twilight saga and today (Wednesday) finished the 2nd book (out of 4). I’m taking a break and reading Eat Pray Love.
We gave Zed an old fashion bath today. We had the big wash bin out on the dock and poured water over him, soaped him up then rinsed him off – all on the dock. He was really good and doesn’t seem to be itching as much. Along with his fearlessness of jumping off of the dock, he also is not afraid of the cows/bulls that on the farm down the road. He just growls at them. Although he is not aggressive in a mean way, we really need to figure out how to get him out of this “protective” mood.
We received good and bad news today. Good news the biopsy I had as a follow up to my PAP smear came out normal (sorry if this is TMI). The bad news, Westfield didn’t win the concessions at either Dulles or National. So when I get back, I’ll have to get my resume ready. I didn’t stay on the phone for the bosses to discuss what the next step will be, but they mentioned they expect it to be within 2 months.
Thursday
Another hot day. We went to Walmart to pick up some stuff, had lunch and then hit some geocaches on the way back to the cottage. Just been hanging out since then.
Friday
Laundry and groceries day. We headed to Peterborough and got coordinates for several parks so we can plan some outings with the pups. It is finally cooling down since it has been raining this afternoon. Esa is in heaven because her friends, Luka & Duke are next door. Zed did well with both of them. Haven’t really thought too much about work – I’d rather not now and deal with it when I get home. We’ll be fine, so I’m not that worried. I’ll admit it – it’ll be nice to be off for some time, but who knows maybe I won’t be off. Whatever happens will happen.
Saturday
It’s FREEZING today! High of about 60 degrees and windy with a few showers. We thought we might be able to go geocaching, but we couldn’t tell what the weather was going to be like. So we’re sitting around the cottage. The neighbors next door left, so Esa is a little bummed (seriously, you can tell she’s upset that her friends left). We watched “Resident Evil” and Dan’s been playing Xbox while I’ve taken a nap and been reading.
Yesterday I finished “Eat Pray Love”. Good book, but I’m not sure how it will translate into a movie. I’m sure it will be good because Julia Roberts LOVED the book when she read it and I’m sure she’ll make sure it is done well. What a great story Elizabeth Gilbert has. What she did is exactly what everyone who goes through a major change (in her case divorce) needs. She went and relaxed (in Italy), then found herself (in India). Eventually she was able to enjoy life again (in Bali). It would be nice if everyone could do something like that.
Change is coming for me and I’m ok with it. I keep thinking maybe it’s time to change what I do anyway or at least try actual mall management outside of Westfield. Westfield is a hard company to work for – they expect a lot out of you. Any job you have after Westfield should be easy. I will miss everyone at the airport.
Sunday – our 12th anniversary!
Wow – 12 years – it’s gone by fast. Today was spend opening presents, walking the dogs, going geocaching, and then dinner.
It was a geocaching anniversary for Dan – a geocaching t-shirt, coins and flashlight along with a puzzle book and biography of Dave Mustaine
We went geocaching at a local park, Mark Burnham park, where we did our first multi-cache alone! It was a go to this spot, get these numbers, add them to this coordinate and go there. It was probably a good mile or 2 hike so the dogs were tired when we got done. We tried one more, but couldn’t find it and then it started to rain, so back to the cottage we went.
The pups did really well today. Esa gave us a little trouble at first, but once we got to the park, she was really good. She got in the car after the park and then was really calm while Dan got out to find the final cache of the multi. She actually tried to put her head down to sleep in the car – something she never does.
We went to dinner at Berc's Steakhouse where we went for a dinner last year – REALLY good – then stopped at DQ for dessert.
Monday
Cold and dreary day – we were going to go geocaching, but it was raining on and off all day and was very windy. So we just hung around the cottage.
Tuesday
Went geocaching today. FINALLY found one that we couldn’t find last year. It was a nice hike along a snowmobile trail. Tried to find one other one, but couldn’t find the path. By that time, I (alone with the pups) had enough and we came back to the cottage for lunch. Dan headed out again to see if he could find the one we couldn’t find the path to and one that we couldn’t find last year. He figured out something on the GPS with the coordinates, so they are more accurate than what we used last year. I spent the afternoon washing Zed in the shower and finishing up “Eclipse” and watching what little TV we have. Found a good court show – Street Court – will need to see if we get that in our area and then Law & Order: SUV.
Wednesday
We ended up at the public library late Tuesday afternoon so that Dan could log in the geocaches that we/he did find. He found the one we didn’t find last year, but no luck on the path for the one we tried yesterday morning. The evening was thunder showers, so just stayed inside. Today, we headed out to Beavermeade Park in Peterborough for geocaching and found one micro. We started to do another one, but it started to rain (AGAIN!). Esa wasn’t really cooperating either – too many smells for her. We stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things for today and tomorrow and now just hanging around the cottage – more rain this afternoon.
I am ready to go home. I think it’s mostly because of the rain – can’t really spend that much time outside and getting a little bored without the internet and not being able to do the scrapbooking I wanted to do (the software isn’t loaded properly and I thought it was). Dan asked if I wanted to still wait until Friday to go home, which I think I do – I still have some gifts I want to get.
Thursday
Went shopping at Lansdowne Place in Peterborough. This place had been run down and last year they redid the mall – it looks great and obviously they have a good leasing rep now. Got some gifts at Green Earth – awesome store with something for everyone – yard decorations, souvenirs, gifts, crystals and minerals, plaques, etc. We had lunch in the food court and did some geocaching. Dan had gone and found the micro that was in the mall parking lot and then we found a couple within a block or so. We stopped at one at a bridge area and that one was IN a tree. Dan had to climb to get it. The rest of the day will be packing and I think Dan is going to the library again to log the caches. We are hoping to leave early in the morning – going to shoot for 6 am or 7 am. We’ll see how we do!
Sunday – back home
So glad we have today to gear up for work tomorrow – I should say me since Dan is off tomorrow. Saturday was unpacking, grocery shopping & going through all of the mail.
Friday we left the cottage about 8 am and got home about 7pm or so. We had a nice stop in Thurmont, MD at Roy Rogers for dinner. Both Esa & Zed did great on the road. Esa actually sat on the seat for awhile – the first time ever! Zed was passed out the majority of the afternoon and even slept during traffic. Usually he starts whining when we slow down (ready to get out).
We saw a drug bust happening on the side of the road in NY – outside of Watertown. The cops had the guy handcuffed and there were baggies on the trunk of the car. Speaking of cops – during the last walk with the dogs at the cottage some guy started talking to Dan thinking he recognized him as local. When Dan said we were from the States, he asked how it was and mentioned he sees it on “Cops” – great representation of the US! LOL!
Thursday evening, Dan and the pups were on the dock watching the fish. Dan got some cheese to feed the fish and I came down to see them too. Well, the vacation ended the way it started – Zed in the water. This time, at least I wasn’t panicked like the first time – just a big OH! came out of my mouth. Zed was too busy watching the food in Dan’s hand and next thing you know, one back leg is off, the other back leg is off and he’s in the water, under for a second and back up. Poor pup. Dan grabbed him and he just shook it all off.
* Note: the cottage water from the tap is from the lake and we cannot drink it. Therefore, water cooler it is! When we wash dishes (no dishwasher), we have to add bleach to the rinse water to kill the germs. I tell you, I'm roughing it up there! : )
Labels:
daily life,
Esa,
geocaching,
personal travel,
Zed
Winding down the summer of 2010
(Below post was written while on vacation - doing some catching up)
Here it is September 1. The summer has flown by and now it’s the time for regimens and starting over.
August was fun with the family visiting. With both of our names in the ticket lottery, my sister-in-law, Joanne, won tickets to the Antiques Roadshow in DC. My brother, Vincent; Joanne; & my niece, Maegan came down on Thursday (August 19) and stayed through Monday. Friday was just hanging out at the mall, Saturday was the show and Sunday was the movies.
Friday night, Joanne & I went and got our toes done at the nail spa in our neighborhood. Something interesting happened. Out of the blue, the manager asked Joanne what religion was she. I’m not sure if Joanne had said something to make her ask (I didn’t hear anything) or if Joanne had her cross necklace on. I just never in my wildest dreams imagined Joanne being into church as much as Mom or Aunt Helen ever were – it’s all good.
Saturday was a REAL early day – we headed downtown to DC by 7:30 am to get to the convention center by 9 am. We dropped Vincent & Joanne off and the three of us headed to Madame Tussaud’s wax museum. Of course, it didn’t open until 10 am and we were there REAL early, so we did some geocaching. No luck on the one that was supposed to be directly across from the museum, but did the virtual one at Ford’s Theater.
Madame Toussad’s was fun. Almost as soon as we finished the tour, Joanne had texted Mae that their junk was junk and to come pick them up. I was really surprised that it had only taken them about 2 hours. We picked them up and then headed back to the International Spy Museum. After that, we had lunch at Rosa Mexicano’s, then headed home.
Sunday we all went to the movies, mostly because I wanted to see Eclipse and Mae was going with me. Everyone else went to see the Expendables. Dinner was at Buffalo Wing Factory and some shopping at Best Buy & AC Moore rounded out the day.
Here it is September 1. The summer has flown by and now it’s the time for regimens and starting over.
August was fun with the family visiting. With both of our names in the ticket lottery, my sister-in-law, Joanne, won tickets to the Antiques Roadshow in DC. My brother, Vincent; Joanne; & my niece, Maegan came down on Thursday (August 19) and stayed through Monday. Friday was just hanging out at the mall, Saturday was the show and Sunday was the movies.
Friday night, Joanne & I went and got our toes done at the nail spa in our neighborhood. Something interesting happened. Out of the blue, the manager asked Joanne what religion was she. I’m not sure if Joanne had said something to make her ask (I didn’t hear anything) or if Joanne had her cross necklace on. I just never in my wildest dreams imagined Joanne being into church as much as Mom or Aunt Helen ever were – it’s all good.
Saturday was a REAL early day – we headed downtown to DC by 7:30 am to get to the convention center by 9 am. We dropped Vincent & Joanne off and the three of us headed to Madame Tussaud’s wax museum. Of course, it didn’t open until 10 am and we were there REAL early, so we did some geocaching. No luck on the one that was supposed to be directly across from the museum, but did the virtual one at Ford’s Theater.
Madame Toussad’s was fun. Almost as soon as we finished the tour, Joanne had texted Mae that their junk was junk and to come pick them up. I was really surprised that it had only taken them about 2 hours. We picked them up and then headed back to the International Spy Museum. After that, we had lunch at Rosa Mexicano’s, then headed home.
Sunday we all went to the movies, mostly because I wanted to see Eclipse and Mae was going with me. Everyone else went to see the Expendables. Dinner was at Buffalo Wing Factory and some shopping at Best Buy & AC Moore rounded out the day.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
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