My reivew of "Extreme Couponing"

NOTE:  This is totally my opinion and how I saw the show.

Last night TLC had on a show called "Extreme Couponing".  I had a feeling it was going to show the "crazy" coupon people out there (or at least show them in that light) and it did.

These people are on the brink of OCD and hoarding.  My one exception is Joyce House (3rd story).  She isn't to the extreme with the trips and does pay.  Her story was the most realistic.  I can see getting papers from friends and neighbors.  I can see explaining how to use coupons to other when they ask.  I do NOT think it's right to go up to strangers and say "you better have a coupon for that" in the store.  We didn't "see" her stockpile, but I did see unorganized piles of stuff in the background - not a good sign.

The first story, Amanda, was the very extreme.  She skips time with her family to shop!!!!  Hello - the deals will still be there!  You have a whole week to get the deal at the store AND they have these things called rainchecks.  Her stockpile has taken over the house in an unorganized way.  How do you know what you have? (Granted, I don't know everything I have, but it has not taken over the house and is organized in storage bins).  Emotionally, there is something wrong.  You can tell there is a strain between her and her husband (maybe it was because of the show, but I'm sure he agreed to do the show too).  Her stockpile is too big for 2 people.

Joanie (2nd story) was OCD.  She even said that she reorganizes her stockpile and when they were putting things away "it has to be neat & facing the same way".  Her stockpile might be a little too much for her family of 4 (?), but also the fact that they lived off of their stockpile when her husband didn't work shows what a stockpile is for.  I can see the dumpster diving (questionable if it is legal or not), but why don't you just ask your neighbors for their coupons or pick up the papers that are hanging around the neighborhood  or neighborhood recycling bins (I do not agree with Joyce's going on someone's porch to take their paper unless she asks)?  I would not dumpster dive.  I have picked up the papers that I know have coupons in them when they have sat in the driveways & on the sidewalk for days or at a vacant house.  I thought about asking neighbors to let me know if they don't want their coupons and I would come by and pick them up.  However, after this show, forget it!  (Just searched for Joanie on the web.  She has her own website called The Krazy Coupon Lady.)

Nathan (story 4), was a hoarder.  He has some emotional issues.  How is "every man's dream" a 2 car garage full of stockpile?  And then the extreme of it - how many salad dressings, deordorants & toothbrushes can 2 people use.  I found out today that he has his own website similar to the one I use that is called We Use Coupons and that Amanda is also on that website.  Also, he has videos on Youtube.

Two of the people PAY for coupons.  No way - be creative and get them free.
The show only showed one person who donates, yet he had a HUGE stockpile for 2 people - that is wrong.  You will NEVER use all of those salad dressings by the expiration date even if you ate salad every single day and used a bottle on each salad!  I hope they all donate. 

Which leads me to: Extreme Couponing for Charity.  This is what extreme couponing is for.  Yes, get your stockpile for your household (a reasonable amount and not hoarding), but DONATE to the less fortunate plus you get a tax deduction.  If I can get a good deal on something we don't use or don't need, we donate it to Loudoun Interfaith.  We also donate to Loudoun Animal Shelter.  Items not used at the shelter are used as part of the CARE program.

Intereted in what other people thought of the show?  Check out Hot Coupon World's forum on the show or just do a search for "Extreme Couponing" show.

Free shopping at Target & I won again!

I stopped by Target to add to our DVD collection (Psych - love that show!) and picked up holiday toys for the pups (50% off - $5 for 8 toys), along with 2 body puffs also for 50% off (in the dollar section).  I used the Target gift cards that we got from Visa Rewards to pay for them.

Also - I found out that I won $149 in Host credits through my Creative Memories consultant!  She had a 12 days of Christmas promotion and with every $25 purchased, you got a raffle ticket.  I think I only had 3 tickets, but I won!  Woohoo!  Now, what am I going to buy?

CVS shopping - a fast in and out

Last night, I stopped by our local CVS to see if they had items they were out of stock of on Sunday and to pick up one item that I forgot that was on my list.

First stop - the coupon kiosk.  What comes out, but $6 Extra Care Bucks!  WOOHOO!  They only had the one item I forgot on my list Sunday - Tone Body Wash - on sale for $3.88.

minus $1 manufacturer coupon

Paid with $2 in ECBs

$1.07 Out of pocket

got $3 in ECBs back on the receipt!

WOOHOO!  FREE!!!!! AND CVS paid me!

The cashier was so nice last night.  Asking where I got my coupons and directed me to not use the $1 ECB to pay the balance because CVS cannot use the ECB towards tax and I would be out the difference.  She also reminded me (when I asked about shipments) to get a raincheck for items they didn't have in stock.  I always forget about that!

So, I'll be heading to CVS on Friday to see if they have the items I'm looking for in stock.  If not, I'll be getting a raincheck.

Christmas has come and gone....

LMJS – I have not been feeling like Christmas this year because of work, but the holiday went well. I definitely did not feel like going into work today, but it is definitely going to be slow this week.


Wednesday night (12/22) was spent wrapping presents and stuffing stockings. Funny how the pups KNEW exactly what were their presents. They were ALL over me when I was stuffing their stockings. My co-workers gave me the idea of geocaching Dan’s presents. So I spent about 30 minutes getting coordinates and hiding empty boxes and 2 of his presents (2 X-Box games). His other presents were all 7 Harry Potter books. As of today, he’s on the 2nd book. This gift isn’t going to last long!

Thursday at work was nice. The boss took us out for lunch (Chipotle) and then he bought us flowers!

Friday morning, we started the Christmas Eve Dinner preparation. We decided to skip lunch and eat a little early (like 2 or 3 pm). Dinner ended up wonderful! We decided not to make all the bread dough into Zeppole so I suggested making the cinnamon rolls recipe that was on the bag. The pups had their Christmas treat while we ate.

After dinner it was present time! The pups got their stockings first. Poor Zed – he’s always hesitant when it comes to new things or major motion. He jumped on the couch and got out of the way, while Esa was all over the stockings.

The “mindgame” went over well too with Esa. I wasn’t sure how long it would last, but I think it might as long as it’s not just sitting out and she has it without supervision. Zed finally warmed up to his presents on Christmas Day and also played one (of the three) games on the “mindgame”.

I opened the two non-Dan presents first. My co-worker got me a BUNCH of hockey scrapbooking items. I can’t wait to use them! My yearly secret santa (we know who it is, but I cannot say), gave me an IPad. LOVE IT! He always gets me (and Dan) something we would not get ourselves.

Dan got me gifts from my Amazon.com wishlist. Dogma calendar, “The Decline of Western Civilization: The Metal Years” (in VHS no less), a pedometer watch, and 2 Glee CDs (Journey to Regionals and The Power of Madonna). Supposedly, I have more gifts coming, but they didn’t come in the mail in time.

Dan opened his books first and then it was time for the geocaching. I shocked him with it. The whole time he was like “this is cool, but I’m going to kill you!”.

Christmas Day was our tradition of Chinese at lunchtime. Our friends/neighbors Stephanie, Dan & Jax met us at the neighborhood Chinese place. Stephanie did a GREAT job wrapping our present. It was fun ripping it apart too! Thanks guys. The rest of the day was spent watching “A Christmas Story”, “Christmas Vacation” and “Bad Santa” while Dan went over to S & D’s to watch football & basketball with Dan.

Sunday, Dan had to work (overtime) so I did some shopping at CVS and a getting a few groceries.

BTW - Zed is doing well.  We stopped giving him pain meds on Thursday morning and he hasn't been in pain since.  We have made sure that Esa doesn't play with him.  I think Zed realizes that she's the reason he was hurting because as soon as she acts like she's going to play with him, he growls.

Next Saturday is the Winter Classic - the weather is not looking good for outdoor hockey!  It might be 50 degrees and rain!  Come on cold weather!

What we got in the mail last week

• Free magazines (don't remember where I signed up for them)
• books that I won
• the "Weight Loss Mindset" program that I won
• coupons for 12 pack of Coke products from MyCokeRewards.com
• $10 Target Giftcard from Visa Rewards

Our little eating machine AKA Zed

Almost 4 years ago, we had to take my cat, Babe to the emergency vet.  At that time, we knew we wanted to get a dog.  While we were sitting there in the waiting room, at least 3 dogs came in who overate.  They had gotten into their food and ate almost the whole thing.  I remember one owner said it was almost a 10 lb. bag, another a 5 lb bag.  The poor pups were just bloated.  We were both thinking, "wow, do we really want a dog"?

Esa is a typical Husky and the food could sit there all day.  She will eat when she wants.  Zed, on the other hand, will eat as soon as it hits the dish.  We have caught him a couple of times trying to get Esa's food.  Which is a stretch for him since Esa's food is raised up.  We joke that we are going to have to rush Zed to the emergency room one day for overeating.  BTW, we keep their food in the pantry and I don't think he would break into a bag (since we have an unopened bag sitting out right now - we'll probably move that tonight just to be on the safe side).

Today, was almost the day.  Zed ate his food (1/4 cup) and Esa left hers (1 cup).  Hubby took her for a walk and when they came back, almost all of Esa's food was gone.  That silly boy, he ate 2 DAYS WORTH OF FOOD (plus some)!  No treats for him tonight!  Hopefully he's feeling ok.  I'm sure he has a tummy ache today!

Like Mother, Like Son

The last 12 hours have been rough with Zed.  During the night, he started yelping when he moved.  He has done that in the past when we've picked him, but this was when all we did was touch him.  We both thought that maybe he was just sore from playing with Esa. 

Esa and Zed have been playing rougher and rougher.  Last night, they were playing, and Esa must have went too far because Zed showed his teeth to her.  That was the first time EVER he did that.

So this morning, he still wasn't moving around like usually and not his chipper self so we decided to take him to the emergency vet.  I called our regular vet to consult with her.  She agreed that they would be able to give him an xray and see if anything was wrong, but thought he might just have a pinched nerve.

Nothing showed up on the xray but the vet suspects that it's degenerative disc disease.  I guess it is common in small breeds.  He was sent home with pain meds and we are to keep him still.  So far, so good.  We are crating him (again) and he isn't supposed to use the stairs or jump up on the couch (which he has done already).  He has kind of yelped this evening and is sleeping sound (he's snoring).  The next step is an MRI to confirm the diagnosis.  Extreme treatment would be surgery.

Anyway, we see what happens in a few days with the meds.  And the reason for the title - I have degerative disc disease (diagnosed this year).  So needless to say, I understand the pain that Zed is going through.

This evening was our company holiday party at our boss's house.  Hubby is working, so I was on my own.  I got there early so I could get home to check on Zed.  It was still going strong when I left.

What we got in the mail this week!

Free magazines!  Entertainment Weekly & Oprah are through Mycokerewards.com and I think Woman's Day is from Gold Rewards.

Winning week for me (not for the Caps)

So after hours and hours of entering all of the contests on the Holiday Blog Hop Giveaway, I didn't win a single thing.  BBBOOO.  I did find a whole bunch of new blogs that are interesting and they continue to have different giveaways.  Well - this must be my lucky week because I won 2 (that's right - TWO) contests!  Woohoo!

Tribute Books Mama - books

Baba's Farm Life - weight loss cds

It hasn't been a lucky week for my boys though - Caps lost their 7th straight game in a row last night.  Still, we had fun at the game.  Although, we were both FREEZING the whole game.  The ice must have been nice for the boys with a temperature like that.

Three of my boys are going to be at the local mall for an autograph session, but the weather is not going to cooperate today.  We are expected to get 1 to 2 inches and it's starting to snow already (it's only 10 am).

Esa had a good walk today.  She found two rawhides and brought them both home.  Daddy-o said that Zed took one, gnawed on it, walked away to get some water and Esa took it back.  Luckily neither one of them are food aggressive (although Zed will growl at Esa every once in awhile), so no issues between them.  Esa usually just starts whining because Zed has something she doesn't and Zed will put his nose in there to try to get it away from Esa, but she doesn't do anything.

Book review: Late, Late at Night by Rick Springfield blog entry AKA I LOVE RICK SPRINGFIELD!!!!

So, if you (REALLY) know me, you know that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Rick Springfield. I have loved him ever since I was 13 years old. I didn’t fall for him during Jessie’s Girl or General Hospital. It was “Don’t Talk to Strangers” that pulled me in.

I was supposed to marry him. I had his pictures ALL OVER my room and my locker at school. I had a mark on the wall for how tall he was. I would switch channels when Guiding Light was on to General Hospital just so I could hopefully get a glimpse of him. I asked my brother’s best friend to go see “Hard To Hold” with me because I didn’t have anyone else to go with (I needed an adult to go with me). Nevermind the fact that his dog is name Ron (hello connection 1); my cat, Babe, was born on Rick’s birthday (connection 2); and Rick’s son was born on my birthday (connection 3)! How could it not be meant to be???!!!

It took me 13 years to see him perform. Finally in 1993, I got to see him in Baltimore at a small venue with my friend and future sister-in-law (I didn’t know it at that time). The first song he sang was “Kristina”, which is my SIL’s name! Isn’t that fate? Since then, I’ve seen him at the Fairfax County Fair, Hershey Park, and again in Baltimore (all with my sister-in-law, of course). In 2001, Hubby and I went to Las Vegas and MY sole purpose was to see RS in EFX. I was supposed to see him perform less than 3 miles from my house in 2006 AND friends of mine were opening up for him. Unfortunately, my aunt passed away that day so I couldn’t go.

I was SSSOOOO EXCITED when I read that he was coming out with a book. Of course, October 12, the day of the release, I was at Borders buying it and immediately started reading it.  Of course other things got in the way, so I didn't finish the book until this week.

I’m not going to ruin the book for anyone if they are going to read it, so please continue -

WOW. That’s all I can say. My pedestal for Rick has been brought down and I now actually see him as a human with issues like anyone else. Of course, that doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t start screaming and shaking if he walked through the door right now.

The best thing I liked about the book is I now know the background stories for the different songs/albums and as I listen to them today, I think about the book and what RS was going through at the time.

Rick’s wife, Barbara, is a very strong woman to put up with him. He lived the rockstar life and she stood by him and forgave him. I don’t know if I could. I liked getting the behind the scenes on what happened when he was arrested.

I loved seeing the other pictures of Ron (his dog) that were part of “Working Class Dog” & “Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet”. I teared up when Ron passed away. I totally understood how he felt when he and his family had to put Gomer (his latest dog) down.

Nothing that was said really surprised me. I understand the rockstar lifestyle. I understand the depression and looking for the “higher power”. Like I said, the book was great at bringing Rick off the pedestal and actually realizing that he is human. If you are a true RS fan, you know about these issues anyway. RS was always open about that when he was interviewed.

It might have been written a little better at the beginning of the book (because it jumps back and forth and you’re not really sure where you are in the timeline. Also I would have liked to have the actual year instead of a date range listed at the beginning of the chapter. Of course, then it might have been twice the length.

Anyway, any Rick Springfield fan will enjoy the book. I know I did and will probably eventually read it again.

Borders is paying me now!

Let me just say that the manager at Borders here at work has said several times that "we might as well just give you books".  Well, this time, they did. 

I have been waiting to get this book and have had it on my wish list on Paperbackswap.com, but figured eventually I'll get it.  Well - me being the shopping I am - I had bought $200 in gift cards for work and because of that, got $40 in gift cards for being a Borders Rewards member.  I also got an e-mail stating that I had earnd $5 on Borders Bucks.  That along with the weekly coupon that is sent to Borders Rewards members (this week it was 40% off).  I spent $10.01 on my giftcards and got the book for free!

I have always been a fan of Steven Adler and know he has had a hard life.  Can't wait to read this.

What we got in the mail this week

free magazines (Entertainment Weekly via mycokerewards.com; not sure on the Lucky) coupons for free 12 pk of Coke (via mycokerewards.com) and a free book (from Readitforward.com)

Fun Doggie Day

Today was all about the pups.  They got pictures taken with Santa (fundraising for Gooddogz.org).  It was a little stressful for Esa as she didn't like the stairs at the parking garage or the floor where Santa was.  Zed was fine with everything.  No pictures yet, they are supposed to be sent to us.

Picture added 12/16/10 - LOL - Zed has his eyes half closed and Santa looks like a deer in headlights!  Not bad considering that Esa was freaking out with the floor and Zed had to wait for her to calm down!

Esa did get to walk on the snow that was next to the outdoor ice rink so she was liking that.

Then we went to the dog park.  We figured that Esa would like that since she was stressed out over the visit.  Of course, she enjoyed it.  This was Zed's first visit to the dog park.  He did great.  He liked the ramp (like Esa does) and I got him to go under the agility jump and then lowered it and he jumped like 2 inches.

Esa was jumping through the "tire" with no problem.

Daily adventures of Esa

Oh the adventures you have when you have a VERY smart pup.

Wednesday, I was walking around at work and felt something in the lining of my reversable purse. So I take of the lining and what's in it - crumbles from a Milkbone dog treat. What the??? There's about a 1/2 inch around - how did the treats get in there?

Yesterday, I stopped at Petco and picked up food, treats (on clearance 2 lbs of treats for 50 cents), halloween stuffed toys (75% off) and picked up 2 treat bones for the pups stockings. So I got home, put the bags down on the floor and went upstairs for like one minute. I come back downstairs and what does Esa have, but her stocking stuffer!

Catching up - the last couple of weeks

Oh, I'm so bad at adding entries when I need to!  So, catching up on life again -

Thanksgiving followup
Esa's bed that was purchased on Black Friday has been used by Zed more than Esa.  Zed likes fluffy and Esa doesn't really care about fluff.  We've gotten a couple of pictures of them on the right bed (see the Flickr picture stream), but it's seldom.

Saturday after Thanksgiving, the pups and I went to Waldorf, MD to visit a former co-worker (AJ) and her pup, Princess.  The pups all got along, but Drama Queen, Esa, wasn't really into the visit.  After awhile, she was whining at the door to leave.  Oh, it's so funny how pups are just like kids.  "I guess I'll play with you since my mom is making me."  Zed was just his usual momma's boy and sticking by me.  Pictures still need to be posted (another item I'm behind on).

The Monday after Thanksgiving, I came home to a GREAT surprise of all the Christmas lights up on the house and the tree up!  Dan was off that day and took care of it all.

Holiday Giveaway Blog Hop
All of that time spend on entering and no winnings : (  Now I need to clean up my twitter and facebook accounts.....

Work
Work is still in limbo.  As of right now, our (Westfield) contract will end on January 31, 2011.  Although, we are still protesting and I think that the incoming contractor does not have a signed cotnract.  So as far as I know, as of Feburary 1, I will be out of a job.  Things will work out.  Just need to have everything settled that is beyond my control.  I cannot worry about it and I know that our family will be fine money wise.

CVS is STILL paying me for my purchases!

CVS, you are losing money on me!  I got approximately $70 in product for free last night!

During my last visit, I got a coupon from the coupon scanner that was for a $25 gift card with a new or transferred prescription.  I just happened to get a renewal on a Rx yesterday - perfect timing!  So the first stop on the visit the the pharmacy to get the $25 gift card, then do the shopping.

So here's the bag o' stuff I got and how I got it down to $14.45 which I then paid for with a gift card!  FREE STUFF!!!!!

2 colgate toothpastes $2.49 each - used 2 $1 manufacturer coupons
1 Planters nuts $2.50 each - used CVS coupon of $2.50 off of 1
6 Ziploc freezer bags $2.50 each - used 3 $1.25/2 manufacturer coupons
4 Pantene shampoo/conditioners $3.74 each - used 2 bogo manufacturer coupons
3 Biore facial cleansers $4.49 each - used 3 $2 manufacturer coupons
1 Herbal Essence shampoo $2.99 - used $1 manufacturer coupon
1 Gain dish soap $0.99 - used $.50 manufacturer coupon
2 CVS 10pk batteries - $6.79 - on sale for bogo
4 schick 2 pk women's razors (travel size) - $1.29 - used 4 $1 manufacturer coupons
used e-mailed $5 off of $40 CVS coupon
used $22.96 in ECBs
= $14.45
paid with $25 gift card
$10.55 balance

My third purchase was 2 $25 Petco gift cards - I got $10 ECBs back.  I read this online somewhere - someone said they were buying and using the giftcards - THAT is a GREAT idea.  I've never thought of that!  I planned on going to Petco tonight to pick up dog food anyway - those gift cards will be gone tonight; but I still have my $10 to use at CVS!

Books for the Bucket List

I've seen this list before, but didn't really track it.  Time to update the Bucket List!

Have you read more than 6 of these books? The BBC believes most people will have read only 6 of the 100 books listed here.

- Bold those books you've read in their entirety
- Italicize the ones you started but didn't finish or read an excerpt (changing this to the movie)

*when I read it is in parenthesis

1. The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien (have it in our DVD collection)


2. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

3. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman

4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams

5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, JK Rowling (have it in our DVD collection)


6. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee (in high school)

7. Winnie the Pooh, AA Milne

8. Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell

9. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, CS Lewis

10. Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë

11. Catch-22, Joseph Heller

12. Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë

13. Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks

14. Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier

15. The Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger (in high school)

16. The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame

17. Great Expectations, Charles Dickens

18. Little Women, Louisa May Alcott (years ago - I was probably in my early teens)

19. Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Louis de Bernieres

20. War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy

21. Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell

22. Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, JK Rowling (have it in our DVD collection)
 23. Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets, JK Rowling (have it in our DVD collection)


24. Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban, JK Rowling (have it in our DVD collection)


25. The Hobbit, JRR Tolkien

26. Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy

27. Middlemarch, George Eliot

28. A Prayer For Owen Meany, John Irving

29. The Grapes Of Wrath, John Steinbeck

30. Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, Lewis Carroll (this year - 2010)

31. The Story Of Tracy Beaker, Jacqueline Wilson

32. One Hundred Years Of Solitude, Gabriel García Márquez

33. The Pillars Of The Earth, Ken Follett

34. David Copperfield, Charles Dickens

35. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl

36. Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson

37. A Town Like Alice, Nevil Shute

38. Persuasion, Jane Austen

39. Dune, Frank Herbert

40. Emma, Jane Austen

41. Anne Of Green Gables, LM Montgomery

42. Watership Down, Richard Adams

43. The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald

44. The Count Of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas

45. Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh

46. Animal Farm, George Orwell

47. A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens

48. Far From The Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy

49. Goodnight Mister Tom, Michelle Magorian

50. The Shell Seekers, Rosamunde Pilcher

51. The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett


52. Of Mice And Men, John Steinbeck

53. The Stand, Stephen King

54. Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy (about 2 years ago - 2008)

55. A Suitable Boy, Vikram Seth

56. The BFG, Roald Dahl

57. Swallows And Amazons, Arthur Ransome

58. Black Beauty, Anna Sewell

59. Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer

60. Crime And Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky

61. Noughts And Crosses, Malorie Blackman

62. Memoirs Of A Geisha, Arthur Golden

63. A Tale Of Two Cities, Charles Dickens

64. The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCollough

65. Mort, Terry Pratchett

66. The Magic Faraway Tree, Enid Blyton

67. The Magus, John Fowles

68. Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

69. Guards! Guards!, Terry Pratchett

70. Lord Of The Flies, William Golding (in high school - read and saw movie in English class)

71. Perfume, Patrick Süskind

72. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Robert Tressell

73. Night Watch, Terry Pratchett

74. Matilda, Roald Dahl

75. Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding

76. The Secret History, Donna Tartt

77. The Woman In White, Wilkie Collins

78. Ulysses, James Joyce

79. Bleak House, Charles Dickens

80. Double Act, Jacqueline Wilson

81. The Twits, Roald Dahl

82. I Capture The Castle, Dodie Smith

83. Holes, Louis Sachar

84. Gormenghast, Mervyn Peake

85. The God Of Small Things, Arundhati Roy

86. Vicky Angel, Jacqueline Wilson

87. Brave New World, Aldous Huxley

88. Cold Comfort Farm, Stella Gibbons

89. Magician, Raymond E Feist

90. On The Road, Jack Kerouac

91. The Godfather, Mario Puzo

92. The Clan Of The Cave Bear, Jean M Auel

93. The Colour Of Magic, Terry Pratchett

94. The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho

95. Katherine, Anya Seton

96. Kane And Abel, Jeffrey Archer

97. Love In The Time Of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez

98. Girls In Love, Jacqueline Wilson

99. The Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot

100. Midnight's Children, Salman Rushdie

Once again-CVS paid me!

Diet coke, cotton balls & a Christmas toy for Esa!  What did I pay?  $1.69!  PLUS I got $4 in Extra Bucks back!  WOOHOO!

How I did it:
Diet coke - 3/$10
cotton balls - $1.99
dog toy - $9.99
paid:
$10 in ECB that I got when I bought gift cards on Saturday
$6.99 in ECB that I got when I bought lotion on Thanksgiving Day
$4 in ECB from something that I bought on Thanksgiving Day
$1.69 out of pocket
THEN
$4 in ECBs printed at the end of the transaction

Oh - and when I came in the store, I went to the coupon scanner and got $3 in ECBs

What we got in the mail last week!

Free magazines, free sample & coupon, free calendar (ASPCA) and free books from paperbackswap.com and Blogging for Books
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Finding new blogs to follow....

WOW - there are ALOT of contests out there right now. The latest one I'm entering is Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop. I am finding so many new blogs out that that I didn't know about! Hopefully, I'll win something :)