Poking My Eyes Out With Needles

I know not a very good thought or visual.  But seriously, I would really rather be doing that than what I am doing now.  Not this very second of course because I am sitting here writing a blog post for you lovlies...which I haven't done, once again, in quite a while. 

If you have read my blog for any length of time, you may be able to guess what I am doing instead of "Poking My Eyes Out With Needles." 

Figured it out yet?
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SHOPPING!

Yup, loathe it...but I have to do it at least once a year right....my kids do need clothes.  Actually, we do go more than once a year but it is the bare minimum of shopping time.  Get in, get out.  Get it done.

I am not one of those moms that can go to the mall all day, just walking around, window shopping.  I have never been and never will be.

Instead right at this moment, I am sitting in the corner of the food court at the mall, while the boy (almost man) is off shopping on his own.  I gave him a wad of cash and told him how many outfits he had to at least come back with...and here I sit.  I haven't seen or heard from him in well over an hour at this point.

I had lunch.  People watched for a bit.  Surfed the internet.  Fiddled around on Facebook.  And now I am here.  Yes, I brought my lap top because I figured I would be here a while and why not be productive.  In all honesty, I brought my laptop as a last resort.  I had to break it out to entertain myself because I was starting to fall asleep on these cozy couches they have tucked over in the corner of the food court.  I figured nobody wants to hear me snoring or wipe my drool.

And for people watching.  I do love me some people watching.  Just as I was wrapping up this post a young couple sat down.  Both heavily tattooed.  The women, all belly, pregnant.  They took out the cutest little TMNT onesie with some booties.  The momma didn't seem to keen on the purchase but the dad, loved it, of course.  Then shortly after that a little boy goes running by with his dad quickly in tow, shouting that he has to go poop.  LOL.  Which reminds me when I was in the bathroom earlier today and the little girl in the stall next to me was giving a narrative while her mother was going to the bathroom.  Don't you love that.  I just posted on my Facebook page a couple weeks ago about this.  My kids always do that..so embarassing.  Do your kids ever do that?

Have ya'll finished up your back to school shopping yet?  Ya'll that is funny.  That just reminded me of Wille Robertson from Duck Dynasty in God's Not Dead.  Seen the movie?  I have now watched it 3 times.  Such a good movie with such a great message....



Has your faith ever been tested?  What are you willing to sacrifice?


BTW, at the end of our shopping trip, we indulged in this...so the couple hours in the mall was worth it.

 

 



Yes, that is a heaven scent sent #Cinnabon.  A whole bunch of gooeyness.  Yum!

Six Word Saturday

I haven't done one of these in a while.

I haven't blogged yet again in a while.

Ho hum.

Shopping. Is not for the weak.

There is it.


I H.A.T.E. shopping.  Any shopping really if I am going to be brutally honest.

The only thing that gets me to the grocery store is the need for nourishment.  Sometimes it's fun because it is a bit of a break (being that I can go it alone with no kids hanging off me). Sometimes it is fun when I have lots of coupons and I know I am going to save a boatload of money (kinda a competition from week to week).  But normally shopping, don't like it so much.

I especially don't like clothes shopping.  I can't even tell you the last time I went to the mall.  If I have to go into a store other than a grocery store, I get what I intended to and get out!  No window shopping, no strolling, no browsing.  I know not normal, right?  Sorry.  I never said I was normal.

But I have to go shopping today.  If not for me at least for the littles.  They are in need of some new socks, underwear and Hayden has grown quite a bit so his pants are starting to look like he is waiting for a flood. It is probably time.

So wish me luck please.

What "normal" task do you find frustratingly boring?

 

 

Remember when you were a kid and you used to hide in the clothing racks?

I still want to do that so I don't have to shop.

Can I please?

 

 

I'm linking up with Cate at Show My Face. Wanna join us? 

Check out the link for more information.

Make sure to visit the other links.

The More You Know....

The More You KOHLS!


I stumbled into Kohls today...I had no intention of going there when I woke up this morning but since I was at Fred Meyers next door already, I thought what the heck...It can't be that bad.  Plus I had a 20% off discount that was in my email from a few days ago...I know!  Just like magic, it appeared. 

Actually if you sign up on their email list, you will get these promotions, ads, etc just like me AND often times you will get the ads before they are published in the inserts for the newspapers...Pretty cool, huh?  If you haven't signed up, its not too late (not too late to even get in on this deal).

Upon meandering through Kohls, I noticed there are a lot of good deals going on right now (and you know I am all about getting good deals).  They are having a HUGE 3 day sale...I don't normally shop at Kohls but today I am glad I did. 

I walked out of there spending only $40.43 and I got a ton of stuff!!!

2 full outfits for H (4 items)
1 full outfit for K (2 items)
6 new large bath towels (6 items)
A snuggie (for an upcoming birthday gift) (1 item)
A reed diffuser (for an upcoming birthday gift) (1 item)

 14 total items so therefore the average cost per item is $2.88!!!

They also have TONS of toys on sale, in case you have a childs birthdays coming up in the winter/spring months.  They are anywhere from 40%-70% off!   Can't beat that!


What a way to close out an already good year! 



Note:  This is not a paid endorsement

Coupons.com

If you visit my blog often, you might have noticed a new button to the left of my posts....COUPONS.COM

All your coupons right here at your frugal finger tips for your printing pleasure...


Here are some new coupons that have just been released:

FREE Bottle of Excedrin Extra Strength
FREE Bottle of Excedrin Migraine
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$2/1 Bag Of Purina Dog Chow-Any Size
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$4/1 Glade Automatic Spray Starter Kit
$3/1 Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush 2-in-1 Starter Kit
$2/1 Listerine Zero
$2/1 Aleve 80ct
$1.50/2 Nestle Jingles
$2/2 Kellogg’s Krispies Cereals
Buy One Get One FREE LifeSavers Gummies
Buy One Get One FREE Wonka’s Exceptionals
Buy Two Get One FREE Dove Chocolate Bars
Buy Two Get One FREE Whiskas Trays
$2.50/3 LifeSavers or Starburst Storybooks

(Thank you Frugal Living NW for putting this list together)

Print them off before they are gone!

Are You One Of Us?

Recent surveys have shown that only 10% of all shoppers are done with their Christmas shopping.

There are only 9 days left til the big day!!  9!  Did you hear me? What are you waiting for?

Like I should talk….I started out with a bang on Black Friday but have slowly petered out.  I made my list yesterday of everything I "have" versus everything I still "need". 

And….

Well….

The “have” versus “need” side of the list is much shorter….

So, guess what I will be doing this weekend?  You'll never guess in a million years....

Wait for it....

A little bit longer....

SHOPPING! 

I would rather poke my eyes out with a needle than shop this close to Christmas BUT I only have myself to blame for procrastinating!  (hangs head low and lets out a deep sigh). 

I don't really shop much because I just don't enjoy it like most woman...and I really don't like shopping around this time of year with everyone else.  Nothing personal people...but just too many people, all in the same place, all at the same time, all for the same purpose.  I get a little anxious.

But, I got to to do what I got to do...so I am going to suck it up and get out there with the other 90% of people and finish up.  I *think* I might even go to the mall because we still need to visit Santa Claus!  Ahhh, the mall! The worse place but that is where Santa *hangs* these days so I guess I have no choice.

Hayden said he was going to tell Santa that he wants a puppy dog.  I tried to reason with him and tell him that Santa can't bring live animals in his sleigh because too long of a ride AND it is too cold while he is sleighing through the sky.  My reasoning, didn't work.  He is still adamant that he wants a puppy dog.  We need a puppy dog like we need another hole in the head.  Just sayin!  (Reasoning with a 3 yr old, that's funny)

Wish me luck!   If I am not back in an hour, please send in a search party.



Are You One of Us? 



1939

No, not the year...

Although here are a few facts about how much things cost in that year:


Average Cost of new house $3,800.00
Average wages per year $1,730.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas 10 cents
Average Cost for house rent $28.00 per month
A loaf of Bread 8 cents
A LB of Hamburger Meat 14 cents
Average Price for new car $700.00
Toaster $16.00


$19.39 is what I spent today on my FRESH fruits and vegetables at The Growers Outlet on 162nd & Glisan.  This happens to be one of my favorite places to shop for FRESH fruits and vegetables during the "off season" when local area Farmers Markets are closed for the winter.  This is how I often times stretch my food budget each week (remember by Oops I Did It Again post).

Here is a picture of the all of the fruits and veggies I bought:

2 Onions, 3 Cucumbers, 2 Heads of Lettuce, 4 Celery Bundles, Bag O'Carrots, 5 Plums, 5 Pears (one is hiding under the Green Onions), 2 Bundles of Green Onions, 4 Green Peppers, 5 Roma Tomotoes, Bananas, Bulk Lentils, Dill Season & A Dr Pepper (not included in picture).

I'm loving it! (I know sounds like a McDonalds commercial)

Shopping "Real" Local

What do you think of when I say the term "Shop Local?" 

Does that mean shopping at the store closest to your house or going to the coffee shop within walking distance? That of course is nice and convenient for you but chances are that store is probably a Fred Meyers owned by a HUGE corporation located in a state thousand of miles away.  And that coffee shop probably a Starbucks right around the corner, which although I visit them to often...

Starting immediately I am diversifying my coffee drinking habit.  I am now going to Beanarinos down on 238th & Halsey.  It is locally owned and operated by one of my old neighbors.  And it is much cheaper!  I bought a Tall Non Fat No Whip Mocha this morning and a muffin instead of paying $6.80 or whatever at Starbucks, I paid $3.80! Now of course they don't have the SB Breakfast sandwiches, but that is ok because I have been making those at home anyways (most days).

When I say "Shop Local" I mean shopping at stores or eating at restaurants that are family owned and operated by people in our own backyard.  These could be owned/operated by your fellow church member, your neighbor, your best friend, your friends sister...They may employ your child one day or you for that matter. 

They long (ed) for the American Dream but in this economy it is going up in smoke...They are struggling everyday to stay open for business and I am tired of seeing the local shops suffer.  It seems like every time I go into downtown Troutdale or Gresham, there is a new "For Lease" sign in an empty storefront.  I feel so frustrated as a consumer that our options are dwindling before our very eyes however I know that as a local consumer, we are part of the problem too because rather than spend our money at the locally owned shops, we are spending our money at the huge corporations or franchised restaurants...And for what?  A few dollars savings? A little bit more variety? 

We, as local consumers, need to be held accountable for their possible failure and therefore TAKE ACTION.  They are not going to continue to survive unless we shop there, regularly.

So next time you shop for that "perfect" present instead of going to Fred Meyers how about going into Troutdale to the Troutdale General Store.  They have a wide variety of gifts, old time candy, fudge, and we can't forget the ice cream or old time soda fountain.  During the holidays the basement area has an assortment of Christmas ornaments and decorations too.

Eat lunch or dinner at Ristorante Di Pompello.  This restaurant is awesome and will give back a portion of your bill to a local non profit of your choice.  When you check out, you just have to ask. 

Need a haircut how about Sage Salon? 

And a new pub just opened up, Ye Old Pub.  I hear they have a great happy hour menu.  Give it a try.  (This might just be where we go to watch The Civil War game this weekend).

Want a tasty breakfast that won't leave you hungry an hour later?  Try The Village Grill down off of 238th & Halsey.   

Reuse, Reduce, Recycle and go to several of the resale shops in downtown Gresham...

Rewind Resale
All About Kids
Norma Jeans Closet

Or browse the unique items at

Elegantly Funky
The Feathered Nest (I always find neat items in this store.  We bought a Rooster wall clock for my MIL a few years ago which she loved).

Hungry while shopping in Gresham?  4th Street Brewing always has good food and drink.   And they are very reasonably priced especially if you sit in the bar area and eat off of the Happy Hour Menu.  The bar area is not your typical bar either.  It is very bright and clean.

Have the kids with you?  Wall Street Pizza will entertain them for awhile.  They have some of the best garlic rolls.

Just you and a girlfriend?  Nicholas has great hummus and pita bread.  They are the only authentic Lebanese restaurant on the east side that I can recall.

Have a sweet tooth? Cupcakes anyone?  Bella Cupcakes has some of the tastiest cupcakes I have eaten.

And we can not forget one of the newest natural markets...Lillians Marketplace! They have meat and seafood, dairy, juices, beer and wine, produce, baked goods, bulk products, health and beauty, and floral.  They are adding new products almost daily. 

Let's take this one step further...Looking for a unique, one of a kind piece of jewelry for a special someone?  Visit http://www.beadlesbyjen.com/.  She is a very talented, local jewelry maker that happens to also be one of my friends.

Hair clips for that little girl in your life?  Visit Lil Bees Facebook page.  This business is owned/operated by a sister of a friend who is raising money to adopt another child. 

Need unique burp clothes or blankets?  My MIL makes these in her spare time (I will post some pictures on another post).

I challenge you to Shop "REAL" Local the next time you are out and about.  Invest in your community and its future.

I know I am!

Disclaimer:  None of the businesses listed have paid for endorsements.

Money Tree

Do you have a money tree? Is it flourishing with $20.00 bills? 

Unfortunately,  I don't ...therefore I am one of those "CRAZY" people out on Black Friday...at the crack of dawn or in the middle of the night depending on how you look at it.

I know you have heard about this...Black Friday...How can you not?  It is all over the place, on the news, in the ads, on the Internet....it is barreling towards us like an unstoppable freight train…Don’t try, there is nothing you can do about it so you might as well embrace it....

Every year around this time I go into stealth mode.  I am on a mission to get the most bang for my buck.    We do it every year…..  It has become a tradition in our household.  Now grant it there have been a few years when I really didn’t want to go hassle with the crowds, pushing and shoving for that coveted toy that by New Years will be broken in the bottom of the toy box, but I still do….

For the sake of saving A LOT of money and tradition.  It is the one day that my daughter will actually go shopping with me because you know, Mom isn’t cool anymore (not that I ever was in her eyes anyways).

On Thanksgiving Day after we are lethargic from all the turkey we have eaten, while most people are visiting with their family or watching football, Kyleigh and I, we plan our “attack”…Thumbing furiously through the ads highlighting the “coveted” items.  Of course, we ALWAYS hit the Fred Meyer SOCK Sale first (getting into line around 4am or so), yes, for SOCKS.  You know there are more items than just socks on sale but it has become known around here as “The Sock Sale.”  You know how expensive SOCKS are for a family of 6?   If I can get a years worth of socks for all of our family for half the price, I’m all over that…And I  really don’t buy socks again until the next BLACK FRIDAY (unless of course kids feet grow too much and grow out of the socks which rarely happens).

We also typically buy new pillows (full body pillows) and towels (sometimes Tupperware) since those are usually half off at Fred Meyers, too.

We then move onto the next stores and whatever else is on the list.  Target, Kmart, Old Navy, Best Buy….and we are usually done by 9am or so and then go out to breakfast (if we have any money left which we usually do).  Often times we get most, if not all, of our Christmas shopping done on Black Friday which is nice so we don’t have to be in the rush for the next couple weeks plus we end up saving TONS of money. 

Kill two birds with one stone...now that's what I'm talking about...

If you want a peek at some of the ads that have been released and/or leaked visit this website:

http://bfads.net/


Do you shop on Black Friday?  What are the "coveted" items on your list?






If only....