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Thursday 15 September 2011

Great Deal on Homeschool Magazines

Here is a great deal that The Old School House is offering on their back issues. 

http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=20111

The link is for the Canadian price but once there you can click for US if you are in the states.

I think I am going to treat myself to some.  They'll be wonderful to have this winter when I want to curl up & read something.

Tuesday 26 July 2011

What Next??

Well, now, what's next?

I have 17 weeks & 4 days in with no Pepsi!!!  Yay!  I think I would like to try to go popless and avoid pop altogether.  I'm on vacation right now so it's not going too well.  My goal after vacation is to try to see if I can skip all pop.  The one thing that I think will be difficult is that fact that certain foods just seem to taste better with pop.  There is nothing else holding me back from quitting.  There is no nutritional value in pop. None!  So why put chemicals in my body that are not necessary?  Habit...plain old habit!  If I can conquer the Pepsi habit then anything seems possible. 

I honestly feel like I can accomplish anything right now.  I feel like I have climbed a mountain and now that I can see the view I want more.  More to this life!

I've been inspired by two people on my Facebook.  Neither of them know the other.  Both have set lifestyle goals and reached them.

The first is a homeschooling mom of 6 who has been heavy ever since I can remember.  Last year she saw pictures of herself at a family gathering and decided she wanted to get healthy & lose some weight before she turned 50.  She did it!!

The other is a 30 year old firefighter who decided he wanted to get back into body building after being out of it for a number of years.  He worked hard and worked out on days when he probably felt like doing something else.  Actually, I know he would have rather skipped it.  His Facebook status told us all...but he did it anyway!  He recently competed in 2 competitions and placed 2nd & 3rd!! 

So, as I approach my 40th birthday with extra weight, I want to regain my health.  What all this will include will be a discovery all its own...and I am looking forward to the journey.

Monday 18 July 2011

Shout Out for Resolve!!

As I mentioned in a previous post I bought a couple of new products that I had coupons for.  Normally, I wouldn't buy something just because I have a coupon.

Anyway, while at Walmart I noticed that they had Resolve Stain Remover for a reasonable price and I had a $1.00 off coupon.  Why not give it a try?  I am so glad I did!  Our son came home from camp with grass stains on both pairs of jeans he had taken with him.  Jeans that are not even a month old yet!  I read the instructions, followed them and voila!  I cannot tell you how amazed I was that the stains came out.  NEVER has a product worked like that!  There was no sign or trace of grass stains.  NONE!! 

My husband has some seriously stained work pants that I am going to use the Resolve on just for fun and see what happens.  I'll let you know how that goes.

Saturday 16 July 2011

113 Days!!

As of today, I have been Pepsi Free for 113 days!!  That's huge for me! 

I was addicted!!!  That is putting it mildly.  I could easily drink 2 liters a day, no problem.  Then it hurt me and it hit me hard.  Pepsi was not my friend...it's nobody's friend. (It tastes so good though!!)  The caffine I was taking in was aggrivating my Lupus, making my sleep patterns irregular, dehydrating me, making me edgy, causing weight gain, bloating me & generally making me miserable.  Enough!  I had had enough!  No more!  So I quit! 

Was it easy? Yes & No.

I had tried to quit a number of times before but always ending up back on the bottle.  Addicted!  BUT finally I had hit a wall like no other I've ever hit.  I had had enough of feeling like death warmed over.  I finally realized just how awful the Pepsi/caffine made me feel.  I also realized...well I guess I knew all along...that I wasn't drinking enough water and that wasn't making matters any better.  So, in answer to the question was it easy, yes it was!  At that point I just wanted to feel better.  I wanted to feel human and alive.  So I said no more. 

Then, at weeks 9, 10 & 11, when I was feeling better than I had in a long time, I started to crave Pepsi again.  I had never gone this long without it.  So if I was going to slip up this would've been the perfect oppourtunity.  Luckily, I could remember just how disgusting it made me feel and I knew if I had made it that far then I could tough it out. So, no, during those weeks I struggled.

I had tried to quit before and always suffered the withdrawl effects but I have to say this go-round it was surprisingly painless.  I was sure to drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.

So here's to 113 days...and counting!!

What goals can I set for myself next?

Wednesday 13 July 2011

Summer Means Homeschool Planning for Next Year

As I've yattered on in previous posts, I am on vacation but I still need to take a little time to get some homeschool subjects tackled for the next school year. 

I brought grammar and world history with me.  We are going to use Building English Skills for grammar and writing.  The outline I was given starts the year with one and ends the year with the other.  I didn't like that much so I divided it up into grammar AND writing to be done each day.  That way we can take more time with both and not be rushing at the end of the year.

The world history that I am looking at is History of the World by Abeka.  It was given to me so I am still looking at it and deciding.  The only thing missing is the student text but it looks like the teacher's book will work fine.  Now to see if I can find an outline for it.

We are using Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra for math which I pre-ordered at our homeschooling conference in the spring so that should be waiting for us when we get home.

We are using Apologia for Science.  They include a list (by modules) of materials needed for the experiments so I'd like to get a head start on gathering everything.  It's pretty much basic items that we have around the house but I will need to buy some things.  I plan to designate a container for those items so when we are ready for an experiment we know just where to look.

Well enough talking and typing about it!  I should be reading and writing about it! :)

Canadian Couponing

I joined a Canadian Couponing group online.  Well, I guess it is more than just a couponing group.  They also update about contests, freebies & rebates.

One of the great things about the group is the fact that members can post coupons they don't want and ask for coupons they are looking for.  I was able to get $93.00 worth of coupons, that someone else doesn't need, that I will use.  All I had to do was send her 2 postage stamps for every $10 in coupons I wanted.  So I mailed away 18 new, unused postage stamps and she will send me my coupons.  Yay!!  Can't wait!!

Tuesday 12 July 2011

Deals! Deals! & More Deals!!

I'm on vacation but that didn't stop me from couponing!!

Today I bought 8 bottles (250ml) Old Spice & Gillette shower gel @ $2.00 each and I had $10.00 in coupons so I only paid $4.00 for 7 bottles...less than a .60 cents per bottle!!

I bought a couple of products that I hadn't tried before.  Since I had a coupon and the final price was reasonable I decided to give it a try.  One was Tide to Go pen ...$3.97- $1.00 coupon & the other was Resolve stain Remover...I think it was $4 or $5 with a $1.00 coupon making it $3 or $4

I have searched high & low to find Iams trial size dog food and finally, while vacationing in another province, I found it!!!!!!  $1.99 a bag and I had 3x $2.00 off any size bag so I got 3 bags of it for FREE!!!  Sadly, our dog passed away on May1 of this year but I will either donate it to the animal shelter, food bank or to family or friend who have a dog.

Hmmmm....what else did I use a coupon on...Ladies shave gel $1.50 used a $1.00 off coupon making it .50 cents, can of cat food .98 cents used a .50 cents off coupon making it .48 cents.  I also bought a small pack of Pampers baby wipes $2.47 minus a $1.00 coupon and I bought a larger tub of Huggies baby wipes $3.47 minus a $1.00 coupon.  These are great for us as we are on vacation and it's nice to have something to wash our hands with while travelling.

The deals aren't over yet folks!

I stumbled upon a Dollar store that was going out of business and I got a package of Crayola markers, 2 packages of Student Reward pockets & 2 packages of party favors for my son's upcoming birthday party...all 30 % off . I only paid a bit over $5.00

And the deal of the day is....drum roll please!!!

Carlton cards was selling their overstocked cards 5/$1.00.  Mother's day, Father's day, Graduation, Easter, Valentine's day & Christmas.  I stocked up!!  I bought 20 cards that totaled over $107.00 after tax but I paid only $4.60 after tax!  That's about a 96% savings!  Now that's HUGE!

Friday 8 July 2011

Coupon Deals

My latest coupon deals are...

(2)Toothpaste on sale for .88 cents -  2 coupons for .75 cents off =.13cents a tube
Shave gel $1.50 - coupon for $1.00 off =.50 cents

Looking forward to the new coupon flyer that is coming out in tomorrow's paper! :)

Thursday 7 July 2011

Vacation!!

One more shift to work & then I am on vacation!  I am so ready to rest & relax!  I still have lots to do to get ready...laundry, packing & double checking to make sure I haven't forgotten anything.  I think I'll start with a list.  That's always a good place to start.

What to do while I'm away...
1. Give myself an manicure
2. Walk on the beach a few times.
3. Sudoku.
4. Realax of course.
5. Find a reading to read at my nieces's wedding.
6. Treat my self to a meal out.
7. Do some shopoping for my son's upcoming birthday.
8. Relax some more.
9. Take pictures of the beautiful scenery.
10. Maybe go for a swim.
11. Get some planning done for the next school year.
12. Read.
13. Try to walk everyday.

And who know's what wlse I'll find to do.

More couponing

I was lucky enough to hit a couple of deals at the grocery store yesterday.  They have a coupon section just inside the door and also a clearance section.  They had Stride gum multi packs on 50% off and a 'buy2 save $1.00' coupon.  The gum rang up at sale price for $1.67 each and the dollar off coupon brought it to $2.34...so each individual pack turned out to be only .39 cents! 

The other deal I hit was salad dressing 50% off and I had a $1.00 off coupon.  It was Newman's Own Organic dressing.  It rang up at $1.27 and with the coupon I only paid .27 cents!! I checked the expiry date and it's good til March 2012.  Of course, once I got to the car I realized I had another coupon but I didn't have time to go back in. 

Saturday 25 June 2011

Coupons!!

Finding coupons!  Using coupons!  I love coupons!

I had asked my mom to ask her friends to save me their coupon flyers if they weren't using them.  One of here friends gave me 2 flyers.  Lots of great coupons in them.  I've already clipped them and have started to sort them and file them in my binder.

When we got groceries tonight we found a coupon for gum.  Save $1.00 when you buy 2 multi-packs of gum.  A single package of gum is a ridiculous $1.29!!  The multi-packs (4) were already on sale 2/$5.00 and with the coupon we only paid $4.00 or .50 cents a pack (1).  Much cheaper and it is something that we usually buy as a last minute purchase while waiting in line.  I think I'll pick up some more before the sale ends and use some for my son's birthday party treat bags.

Friday 24 June 2011

Peanut Butter Squares

1 c. margarine
1 c. peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 c. icing sugar
1 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. peanut butter

Melt together first 2 ingredients in the microwave.  Add vanilla & icing sugar.  Mix.  Spread in greased 9x13 pan. ( I use a 9x11)  Melt chocolate chips & peanut butter in microwave.  Spread over the bottom part.  Chill.  Cut before they get too hard. (about 20 mins)

Buttermilk Biscuit Mix

8 cups All-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups buttermilk blend powder
4 Tbsp baking powder
3 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp salt
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
2 1/3 cups shortening (1lb block)

In a bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients; cut in shortening until crumbly.  Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.  Yield:  about 13 cups

To make biscuits(8) I use 2 cups of mix and 1/2 cup of milk.  I don't usually roll them out.  I just pat them in to biscuit shapes being careful not to over handle.  Bake at 450 degrees for about 6-8 minutes.

Soothing Chicken Soup

2 cups sliced celery
3 quarts chicken broth
4 cups cubed chicken
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup uncooked instant rice
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 tsp poultry seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp pepper

In a dutch oven or soup kettle, cook celery in broth until tender.  Stir in the remaining ingredients.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover & simmer for 6-8mins or until rice is tender. Yield: 16 servings

Friday!

So here it is!  Friday!  Yay!

My son & I are dealing with colds.  I am hopefully past the worst of it but my son is just at the beginning of his.  It is June right?  I can't remember having a cold in June before but it is making it's rounds with lots of folks.

We are almost done homeschooling for this year.  Normally, we finish before public school does but somehow we got behind in science so we are playing catch up.  I'm going to look the book over & see if it will be possible to finish some modules faster than others.

Very exicted for next Friday as it is Canada Day!

Wednesday 22 June 2011

So Far this Week...

So far this week, I have gotten a bit off track on Menu Plan Monday.  Not way off track but a bit.  I've gotten some great ideas from visiting other blogs.  Now, I am already thinking about next week's meal plan.

I went shopping yesterday and got some great deals.  I was able to combine coupons with sales and clearances. 
2 bottles of Dawn dish soap
On sale for -  .79 cents each
Used -  a 'buy 2 save $1.00'
Paid - .58 +tax = .79 or .39 cents each

4 bottles of Old Spice body wash
Regular price - $4.99 each
On sale for - 2/$5.00
Used - 2 'buy 2 save $3.00
Paid - $5.30 or $1.33 each after tax
Saved - $17.25! by combining a sale & coupons

2 Dove Men Care Gift sets
Regular price - $13.99 each
On sale for - $6.94
Used - a 'buy 2 save $2.00
Paid -  after tax $6.71
Saved - $18.20! by combining a clearance & coupons

Gillete Fusion gift set
Regular price - $11.99 each
On sale for - $5.94
Used - save $2.00
Paid -  after tax $4.45
Saved - $9.10! by combining a clearance & coupons

Total savings - $45.55

Monday 20 June 2011

Menu Plan Monday (Edited on June 22)

New week!  New Blog!  First post!

I am very excited to join Menu Plan Monday.  This is just a rough plan for this week because I need to make a trip to the grocery store.

Monday
Breakfast - biscuits (from a master mix), turkey bacon & apples.
Lunch - Kraft dinner, cucumber & carrot sticks.
Supper - My husband will be making supper when he gets home...I'll be leaving for work then. (He cooked a roast)

Tuesday  (going grocery shopping today)
Breakfast - grilled cheese sandwiches
Lunch - Something in town or we will pack something to go
Supper - Hmmm...I'll decide what to make when I see what is on special at the grocery store.

Wednesday
Breakfast - Toast, yogurt & fruit
Lunch - Sandwiches
Supper - Roast chicken, potatoes(?) & veggies  ( I find that the potatoes at this time of year are turning dark once they are cooked.)

Thursday
Breakfast - Biscuits (from a master mix), turkey bacon & fruit
Lunch -  Homemade bagel bites (OAMC) served with fruit and/or veggies (Forgot to buy bagels)
Supper - Hot chicken sandwiches form yesterdays leftovers, fries & peas

Friday
Breakfast - cereal & toast
Lunch - Fish sticks with veggies & dip ( I got this idea from another Menu plan Monday participant!)
Supper - Stove top casserole (with leftover chicken from Wednesday) with ??? (still not sure)

Again, this is just a rough outline.  It all will depend on what's on sale and what is happening each day.  I work 4 night this week so supper might get left to my husband to make...we'll see.  Thankfully, he doesn't mind making supper for him & our son.

Interested in seeing what other folks are planning to eat this week?  Stop by this week's Menu Plan Post to check it out!!