Attempting to grow garlic and herbs...

So with this tough economy and my current need to do something, I have decided to give my green thumb a try. It's mid-October in the New England area (and really everywhere else in the world;) which means its cold, and only going to get colder. So, to feed my desire to plant, and plant now (I'm not very good at waiting when I get an idea) I have decided to plant in pots.

I love basil, and garlic, so that's what I'm going with. I had seeds for basil, from a Triscuit box, and all you need is to pick up a clove of garlic from your local farmers market or grocery store. So, all I needed was to invest in some pots and potting soil. Easy, peasy! ( I say that now but let's actually see if they grow first).

So, below is my garlic planting experience. I'll try and update with pictures once a month until they are ready to harvest in the summer.

The cloves. I have a combination of Elephant Garlic and Regular Garlic. Can you tell which is which?!

The Elephant Garlic.

Just to put it in perspective for you...

Regular garlic

To really put it in perspective!

Midnight Madness...Let's get baking!

My husband has been coaching college basketball now for 8 years and we have NEVER had a midnight madness celebration. Not like the big schools. Both schools (we've been fortunate not to have to move around - yet) have always had a fall break during the week of October 15th. Which means no students, which means no celebration for the players;(.

Well, this year, things are going to be a little different. That is, if the wives have anything to do with it!

Keeping with the theme of keeping my daughter involved in her daddy's super hectic career, I decided to put together a cupcake treat for the guys. I figured it would be a fun way to start a new tradition, while also getting to be a part of the team and helping the guys get excited.

Mini Blueberry Lemon Muffins

Well, what started as making 'midnight madness' cupcakes turned into a slightly larger affair. I thought, 'why not take this idea a little further?! Let's get the other girls involved!'. So I contacted Tina Brown, our head coach's wife, and asked if she would like to bring over her two daughters to help join in. She thought it was a great idea and then took it another step further. She suggested "why not make something healthy too?!", valid point - you know since they are training and getting ready for the season. She then went another step further, not only should the guys get baked treats, they should also get a dinner. What a wonderful idea! So, after practice on Friday, she's going to have a pasta dinner ready for them, along with bags of all of the food.

Unfortunately, I am not going to be here for midnight madness. Before this idea came to me, we booked a flight to visit my parents in Atlanta. We leave Wednesday, three days before the 1st practice. Which in baking terms, means not a whole lot of time to get all of this stuff together before we leave or before the items go bad or lose their freshness!

So, I got to baking. I had to plan it just right. I couldn't give the guys cupcakes that had been baked a week before hand, they could go bad or not be as fresh. So I changed the 'menu'.

Getting ready to bake:)

I went from cupcakes for 20 guys too, banana bread, cookies, mini muffins and a spicy snack mix. Apparently, I went a little crazy because in three days, I made 20 mini loaves of banana bread, 2 lbs of spicy ranch crackers, 110+ mini blueberry lemon muffins, 100+ chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies.

Who would have thought, with just a simple cupcake it would turn into so much more!.

I hope we do this again next year and all of the years to follow. I definitely want my daughter, and the other coach's daughters, to be excited for the season to start and not to dread it. This is my way of helping this happen.

Best of luck to all of you this season! Good luck and I hope you can find ways to enjoy the season with your guys!!

Ranch Spicy Oyster Crackers - resting.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Raisin Cookie Dough - Yum!

20 mini loaves of banana bread

Del Monte Coupon Savings

Go Register at vocalpoint (if you haven't already) and receive a Buy 1 Get 1 Free coupon next Tuesday for a Del Monte Fruit Cup. I love vocalpoint.  I have gotten so many awesome samples and coupons and I don't have to do a thing. They email me with coupons or sample registrations.

Go Register if you aren't a member and come back here next Tuesday for the link!

vocalpoint.com/registration/screener.aspx

Shaw's Supermarket Deal 9/9-9/15

Shaw's is having some pretty good B1G1 free deals, add coupons and you've got even more extra savings!


Make sure to sign up for Shaw's weekly emails. Not only will you get your weekly deals ahead of time, but they also send weekly coupons!

B1G1 Deals:

Fage Greek Yogurt - B1G1
Use the $2 off for 5 ($2/5) printable coupon http://www.fageusa.com/products/offers/
Approximately $3 for 5 or use two coupons and get 10 for $6

Reser's Deli Salads
Use the $1/2 printable coupon http://www.resers.com/

Cains Pickles
Use the $1/2 printable coupon http://www.cainsfoods.com/cainscoupon/coupon.php

Campbell's Select Harvest
Use the $1.50/3 printable coupon http://www.campbellkitchen.com/coupon.aspx?fbid=MfY7FC_Yej0

There are other great deals, like Arm & Hammer Softener Sheets or Xtra Laundry Detergent. Just no available coupons (that I'm aware of) for these products.

Regular Sales:

Clorox Wipes for 2.99
Use the $.25/1 from the 8/21 SS (SmartSource)
Equals $2.45

Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks for $1.88
Use the $.50/2 printable coupon http://www.bettycrocker.com/products/fruit-snacks
Get 2 for $2.76

Chef Boyardee 10/$10 (do not have to purchase 10)
Use the $.35/3 or $1/5 (depending on what your area received) 8/7 SS
As low as 3 for $2.30 or 5 for $4

Campbell's Chicken Noodle or Tomato Soup $.79
Use the upcoming $.40/4 9/11 SS
As low as 4 for $2.36

Emerald Breakfast on the Go! 2 for $5
Use 2 of the $1/1 printable http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=yaqxcrh11071930&bt=vi&o=81524&c=DF&p=NgL8w79x
Equals 2 for $3 or 1 for $1.50

Leggo My Eggo - Eggo Waffles for 2/$4
Use the $1/2 8/7 RP (Red Plum) coupon
Equals 2 for $3

Shedd's Country Crock Spread for $4.99
Use the $.40/1 Facebook coupon ('Like' them on facebook to receive)
or the$1/1 All You Magazine Coupon
As low as $3.99

Perdue Whole Grain Chicken Nuggets for 2/$7
Use 2 of the $1/1 8/7 RP coupon
As low as 2 for $5 or 1 for $2.50

Hatfield Bacon for $3.99
Use the $2/1 printable coupon http://www.hqm.com/
As low as $1.99

Brawny 8 Roll Paper Towels for $5.99
Use the 8/14 RP $.50/1
or use the  $1/2 8/14 RP
As low as $4.99

Tropicana Pure Premium O.J. for 2 for $6
Use the $1/1 All You Magazine Sept issue coupon
Equals 1 for $2

Classico Pasta Sauce for 2/$3
Use the $1/2 from the 5/15 SS
Equals 2 for $2

Prince or Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta is on sale for $.88
No coupons that I am aware of, but still a really good deal!

Best of luck and let me know about your shopping experience!

Shaw's Supermarket Deals 9/2 - 9/8

Hey Everyone, it's that time again. Shaw's weekly deals. If you haven't already, make sure to subscribe to their emails, as each week they send out e-mail coupons! Plus, they will send you monthly coupons in the mail.

Good Deals without Coupons:

Maine Wild Live Chicken Lobsters - $5.99 lb

Buy One Get One Free Fresh Cantaloupe

10 Ears of Sweet Corn for $1.99 ($.1 cheaper here then Stop & Shop;)

Coupon Deals:

B1G1 Free Pepperidge Farm Goldfish
-Use 8/21 SS (SmartSource) $.50/1 (I didn't have this one, I had $1/2 Goldfish Bread)

Yoplait Yogurt (excludes Greek) - 10/$6
- Use $.40/6 printable SmartSource coupon http://smartsource.com/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=MKRU3JAAR6CCY
or
-use $1/10 from GM (General Mills SmartSource) 8/7
= $5.20 for 6 or use 2 printables and get 12 for $10.40 or $9 for 10

Progresso Soup 33% off (sorry can't give you price)
- Use the 8/7 GM $1/4 and get $1 off
Good for stocking up for the winter

Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt - 10 for $10
- Use the 8/21 SS $1/3 coupon
- Use the Parade magazine from 8/21 coupon 1 Free coupon
- 'Like' Dannon Oikos on Facebook and get a 1 Free coupon
= As low as 5 for $2

Chobani Greek Yogurt Champions  2/$5
- Use the(2) $1/1 printable http://www.chobani.com/coupons
= 2 four packs for $3

Land O' Lake Eggs for $3.35
- Use $1/2 8/7 SS
= $5.70 for 2 dozen eggs

Marie Callendar's Bakes for $4.99
- Use the $1/1 printable coupon http://www.mariecallendersmeals.com/promotions.jsp
= $3.99

Velveeta Cheesy Skillets Dinner Kits for $1.79
-Use the 8/21 SS $1/1 coupon
= $.79

Planter's Peanut Butter for 2/$4
-Use the $1/2 from 8/21 SS
= 2 for $3

Kashi Frozen Entrees for $3.49
- Use the $.75/1 frozen entree printable coupon from coupons.com
= $1.99

Kashi Pizza for $4.99
-Use the $.75/1 printable coupon from coupons.com
= $3.49

Kleenex Hand Towels for 2/$5
-Use the 7/17 SS $1/2 or (depending on your area) (2)$.75/1
= 2 for as low as $3

Arm & Hammer Fresh 'n Soft Softener Sheets for $.99
- Use the 7/24 SS $2/2
= 2 for Free!!

Boost Nutritional Drink for $7.49
- Use the $1.50/1 7/31 RP (RedPlum)
=  $5.99

Huggies Jumbo Pack or Pull-Ups for $9.99
- Use the $1/1 8/14 SS
= $8.99

Best of luck on your shopping adventures! Let me know if you score better deals. I'll be going by later this week and will let you know if I see anything!

'A New School Year, A New Season'

Even though the first day of official team practice isn't for 2 1/2 months, even though the 1st game isn't for another 3, the basketball season has begun. The first day back to school is in three days, and with that means untold hours in the gym, quiet nights at home and excitement in the air.

Excitement for the incoming freshmen, excitement to be back at school, excitement to get back in the gym and excitement for the upcoming season. What the new school year means for the kid's parents and the coach's family is a little different.

Parents are torn with emotion, excitement to see their children growing up but sadness because they are leaving. Like seeing their child off to their first day of pre-school. They beam with pride but cry tears of sadness. Their babies are all grown up.

Coaches wives and their families also have a wide range emotions. August is usually the longest month a family gets with their coach, that is, without having to compete against players, recruits and other coaches. Then September comes and our husbands are gone again. Back to the grind, back to the endless hours in the gym, back on the road to visit other children, back to planning for this years season. This can bring about a lot of different emotions, not only for Mom and Dad but for the children as well.

How do you manage? How do you explain to your children that they won't see daddy until morning? That's assuming daddy doesn't leave before they get up. How do you help them cope?  Being a coach's wife is tough, harder then most people realize. Being a child of a coach, I would imagine, is even tougher.

So, as a mother and a coach's wife, how do you utilize your time with your family and keep your children close to their father? Involved in the day to day activities? Everyone does it differently but my way is through the kitchen. I bake.

Every year, at the beginning of the school year (starting with this year), I bake the guys cookies. The freshmen come in first so they get the most. Days later when the upper class men arrive they get the next batch. This is my way of keeping close to the team and making sure the guys don't miss home too much. When Nikki gets big enough, she will help too. And for her, it will be connecting with what daddy does and why he is gone.

Baking, for me, has always been a way to stay close with my family. As a child, I would spend my summers baking with my grandmother. Every Christmas, I would watch my mom bake giant amounts of cookies and sweets to give to friends and family. Every time I bake, these are the things that I remember. And these are the things that I want my daughter to remember. It will be tough enough on her later in life knowing that basketball season is approaching and daddy will be around less. I hope this, the baking, will allow her to get excited for the upcoming season and not dwell on the bad things that can come with it.

I love being a coach's wife, but more importantly, I want my daughter and future kids to love being a coach's kid.

Thanks 1saleaday.com!

Today's mail call:

Free iPhone plug/charger perfect timing before the hurricane!

Shaw's Supermarket Deals 8/26-9/1

Okay, looks like some pretty good deals out there this week:

Free Eggs with the purchase of 2/$6 Tropicana Pure Premium Juice
- $1/2 - 7/10 Red Plum (RP)
- (2)$1/1 - 7/10 RP
* I did not have this RP so I can't verify the accuracy
= Low as $4 for 2 Tropicana Pure Premium and 1 doz Large Shaw Eggs

P&G Product Deal - Spend $20 on participating items, get a $5 coupon on your next shopping trip
Try these Scenarios:

1 - Pampers Jumbo Diapers for $10.99
Use $2/1 coupon from 7/31 PG
= $8.99
1 - Bounty 8 Giant Roll Paper Towels for $10.99
Use $1/1 coupon from 7/31 PG
=$9.99
Total: $18.98 - $5 off next visit = $13.98

or

1 - Bounty 8 Giant Roll Paper Towels for $10.99
Use $1/1 coupon from 7/31 PG
=$9.99
1 - Tide 100 oz Detergent for $10.99
Use $1/1 coupon from 7/31 PG
= $19.98 - $5 off next visit = $14.98

Athenos Feta Cheese for $3.49
'Like' them on Facebook and receive a B1G1 Free coupon.
= 2 for $3.49

Ball Park Meat Franks for $2.99
Use $1/2 - 8/7 RP coupon
= 2 for $4.98


TGI Friday's Entrees for One for $2.99
Use $1/1 - 8/14 SS
= $1.99

Hood Sour Cream for $1.99 combined with Hood Gallon Milk for $3.79
Use the $1/2 - 8/21 SS coupon (details should state any two Hood products on coupon)
= $4.78 for 1 Sour Cream and 1 Gallon Milk or $$2.98 for 2 Sour Creams or $6.58 for 2 Gallons of Milk

Yoplait Greek Yogurt 10 for $10 (does not require 10 items to be purchased to receive $1 per item)
Use $1.50/5 - 8/14 SS
= 5 for $3.50 or if you have 2 coupons - 10 for $7.00

Dannon Activia Selects Yogurt 10 for $10 (does not require 10 items to be purchased to receive $1 per item)
-'Like' Activia on Facebook and receive up to 2 coupons (print twice) for your choice of Greek or Parfait Activia Select Yogurts Free!
-Use $1/3 - 8/7 SS
= 5 yogurts for $2 or if you have multiple coupons 8 for $4

Olivia Organics Chopped Cooking Greens for $5.99
Go to http://www.oliviasorganics.org/coupon.htmlics.com and enter your information in for a $1.00 off coupon
= $4.99 for Organic Chopped Cooking Greens

Nabisco Munch Packs = B1G1 Free
Use the $1/2 - 8/7 SS to receive $1 off the price (prices vary per area and product)
*Use the code on the box to enter to win a $100 grocery gift card

Nabisco Chips Ahoy! Cookies for 2/$5
Use the $1/2 - 8/7 SS
= 2/$4

Nabisco Snackwell's Cookies or 100 Calorie Packs Snacks for $1.99
Go to Nabisco.com and select the $1 for Snackwell Cookies
= $.99

Sensodyne Toothpaste for $4.99
Use the $1/1 - 8/14 R.P
= $3.99

Enfamil formula for $24.49
Use the $5 coupon for Enfamil from Coupons.com (no longer available)
= $19.99

Puffs Facial Tissue - 10 for $10
Use the $1/6 - 7/31 PG
=  6 for $5

Mix & Match General Mills Any 10 Deal:

Shaw's is reducing your cost by $5 when you buy select GM products. Try some of these scenarios for an even better deal:
*Discounted prices through Shaw are only eligible if 10 products are purchased. Must buy 10! Discounted prices next to products (listed below) are what you should see at the register after your Shaw's card has been swiped and 10 items have been scanned.

1st Scenario:

5 - Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper - $.75/per item
Use $1/5 - 8/7 SS = $2.75
3 - Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits - $1.00/per item
Use $1/3 - 8/7 SS = $2.00
2 - Totino's Pizza Rolls - $1.00/per item
Use $1/2 - 8/7 SS = $1.00

= $5.75 for all 10 items

2nd Scenario:

3 - GM Cheerios (8.9 oz), Kix (8.7oz), or Cocoa Puffs (11.8oz) - $1.50/per item
Use $1/3 - 8/7 SS = $3.50
2 - Pillsbury Crescents, Cinnamon Rolls or Ready to Bake Cookies - $2.00/per item
Use $1/2 - 8/7 SS = $3.00
3 - Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks - $1.50 per item
Use the $1/3 - 8/7 SS = $3.50
2 - Nature Valley Granola Bars - $2.00/per item
Use $1/2 - 8/7SS = $3.00

= $13 for 10 items

There are definitely a million ways you can run these scenarios just with the products that I have listed. I can tell you that almost every item from the 8/7 Box Top Smart Source (SS) is a qualifying product for this Shaw's deal. So definitely more scenarios out there!

Some really good deals overall. Good luck and let me know how you did!

Mail Call...

Thank you Wal-Mart and Purina...

New Daily Deal Website...well for me anyways..

So I have just been turned on to a new website, well new to me. It allows you to purchase various daily deals for majorly discounted prices. For example, I just scored a gret mother-in-law Christmas gift for $6 and because I just signed up I got a $10 free credit. Which means, I just scored free gifts:)

Savemore.com is the website, http://svmr.co/PWLk. They are giving a $10 free credit for all new members, which is how I was able to get the beautiful gifts for my mother-in-law. Two vases for $6 (a $12 value) with free shipping! Plus, I now have $4 credt left over for another deal in the future. I don't know what it may get me, but I do know that it should at least cover the cost of shipping if it's needed.

Go sign up now,  http://svmr.co/PWLk , even if you don't get the vases, you still get the $10 credit!

Free Mail Call:

Well the one great thing about coming home from being on vacation (hence the lack of blogs) is the freebies collected in the mail. 

I'm not going to lie, I was hoping for a little more but still very pleased with what I received.

Everything from free coupons and travel size samples to a free 12 month baby onesie!

Definitely makes mail worth it!!

Crazy day...

Got to love going away on vacation, except the days leading up to vacation anyways. Cleaning the house, running errands, packing, basically running around like a crazy person getting everything in order. If you're like me anyways. I always have to leave with a clean house, fresh linens, and as many clean clothes as possible. I mean, come on, you know when you get back you'll be swamped with dirty laundry and who wants to go grocery shopping immediately and what better feeling is there then sleeping in your own bed and the sheets are brand spanking clean.

So, that's what I did today. On top of my daughter having her 9 month check up, I cleaned the house, went to CVS (spent $14, saved $30), swung by The Cross (College of The Holy Cross - where coach works) to drop off banana bread and a sympathy card (the head coaches grandmother passed away earlier this week) but I also managed to go to the grocery store where I paid $24 and saved $50, yahoo!!

I do have a bittersweet relationship with the day before leaving. Never is there a day where you can feel more accomplished (still have to pack Nik, myself, daisy and the car, cook dinner, give Nik a bath and put her to bed) but running around like a mad woman is exhausting.

Last Shaw's Update:

So, first thing is first. The cashier was a stickler for the $15 minimum requirement after all rewards and coupon discounts. So plan accordingly. Have 4 $1.00 coupons and make sure that your total after your coupons and discounts is $18.01 or more. Once it hits $14.99, they won't use the $1.00 doubler coupons.

The good news is there were some additional sales.

Campbell's Chunky Soup (no coupons that I know of) were 50% off Reduced to Clear - While Supplies last.

Another Reduced to Clear 50% while supplies last is Garnier Fructis Fortifying Shampoo & Conditioner. Some prices $3.99, $6.99, $4.99 and $7.49, plus there are 1/$1 coupons in the 6/5 and 5/1 RedPlum (RP). So depending on your store and what you buy, you could in theory with the doubler pay as much as $1.75 to as low as FREE!!!

Crystal Light drink mixes are on sale for $1.99 or $2.79 (on the go). Use the 6/12 SS coupon for 1/$1 and the doubler and you could get them for free!!

Shaw's update:

The Mt. Olive pickles have a coupon attached for 2/$1 so if you don't have the coupons mentioned earlier, you may get lucky at the store.

'Going to Shaw's, gonna save some money, hey la, hey la...'

Bad news is I haven't found to many websites, actually none, that have breakdowns on the weekly deals for Shaw's Supermarkets.

The good news is, I'm going to give it a shot and try and help some of us out.

First thing is first. If you haven't already signed up for the Shaw's weekly emails do so now. They were, and believe they still are, running a promotion that if you sign up you will receive a $5.00 coupon off a $25.00 order. Plus, if you email your friends and they sign up, you get an additional $5.00 coupon and so do your friends. They are also running a promotion that if you 'like' them on facebook, you will receive access to 4 $1.00 doubler coupons. There is a catch. You do have to spend a minimum of $15 (not bad) and the coupons you are doubling have to be exactly $1.00, no more no less. The fine print also states that the $15 minimum has to be after rewards savings and other eligible coupons. I plan on testing that out today. I'll let you know how it goes.

So, here are some this weeks deals:

2 for $6 - Skintimate or Edge shave gel or cream - use 2 of the 1/$1 (some areas reporting $.55/1) Skintimate Shave gel coupons from 6/26 SmartSource (SS) and 2 of your doubler coupons from facebook = final price as low as $2 for 2 shave gels.

2 for $5 - Mt. Olive Pickles - use 2 of the 1/$1 Mt. Olive coupon (some areas reporting $.75/1 or $.55/1) from 6/26 SmartSource (SS) and 2 of the doubler coupons = final price as low as $1 for 2

$1.98 for Gerber Graduate Puffs or Lil Entrees - use 2 or all 4 doubler coupons with the recent www.coupons.com 1/$1 Gerber Graduate Lil Entrees coupons = final price all free!!

$4.99 for Bic Soleil Bella Disposable Razors - use the $2/1 printable coupon from smartsource.com (http://coupons2.smartsource.com/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=4GJ6RQ5APBVJ2) some areas are reporting this is a $3/1 coupon but mine came out as $2 = Final price as low as $1.99

$.99 for Gulden's Mustard - use the 2/$1 coupon from 6/26 SS and 1 doubler coupon (I'm not sure how Shaw's will treat the 2/1 coupons but I would assume they have to double) = final price as low as free for 2 or $1 for 2.

$1.99 Palmolive - use the 2/$1 coupon from 6/26 SS and get 2 for the price of one (if using doubler)

I hope everyone has some luck:)

Make sure you sign up for the Shaw's emails https://www.shaws.com/account/signup.jsp  and 'like' them on facebook http://www.facebook.com/Shaws?ref=ts!

Got to love coupons...

I just paid $.58 for all of this. It may not look like much but the Zyrtec 5 pack alone costs $5.27.
If you use Zyrtec or have a need for it I recommend going to walmart's website. They have a $5.00 off coupon. http://see.walmart.com/zyrtec/ You can print two and pay just $.54 cents for both.
The Tic Tac's were originally $1.04 but I used a $1.00 off coupon from a Sunday newspaper.
If you'd like to look up which Sunday paper, I suggest using coupondivas.com. They have a great database that let's you know when each product was listed in the paper and where to find it.

Coach is home for a day...kind of

Ah, you got to love July. It's still knee deep in recruiting season, with the 2nd leg getting ready to kick into gear. Coach just came home, almost finished with the first leg. Gone from the 6th, he returned late last night and should be home for most of today before he heads out for two or three more days.

To celebrate the half way mark, I plan on making some flank steaks on the mini BGE (Big Green Egg - a wonderful and amazing ceramic grill that is green and shaped like an egg). I'll probably make classic baked potatoes as well. Not sure what the veggie will be, but who likes concentrating on those anyway:)

I know one thing, I am certainly looking forward to pulling out the egg and grilling. I prefer to grill only when the whole family is here, so anytime I can in July is a treat. Coach will be home, I believe, all weekend before he heads out next week for 10 days. I'm hoping that means tons of out door activities and grilling.

America: Our Country

So I am going to deviate a little today from my usual discussions. Today I just want to thank my country and family. I am watching a documentary on HBO on becoming a citizen. It's amazing how we take our everyday rights and freedoms for granted everyday. So many people flee their homelands to come to our country just for the slightest chance of independence and freedom.

It's hard to imagine that so many years ago members of our own families left their countries for a new start. Think of where you are today and how it could be so different if years ago your ancestors didn't take that scary and courageous leap. Some of them may not have had the choice, many were forced but I have no doubts their troubles should be and are your success and future.

Embrace what we are so lucky to have, our freedom. Embrace our new neighbors, try and help them. Try and remember that your family was once in their position.

God Bless America.

So just a few random thoughts for the day...1. The emails I sent out complimenting and requesting coupons did not work. Which means I have to try a new strategy. So assuming, tomorrow, I will still be avoiding the sheets I have to wash, I will be looking up and writing actual letters. I know crazy, crazy concept, going old school;)

With this bump in the road, it means stage two of my spending/saving money plan is going to be delayed. But that's okay, its a work in progress...step 2 is research. That's the fun part, the part where you don't have to spend any money just come up with ideas and dream of all the ways you can play and spend.

By the way, today and tomorrow only Walgreens will allow you to purchase one 8.5 x 11 linen photo book for the cost of shipping. Regularly priced at 19.99 plus shipping, you use code 'createbook' and get it for 6.99. Go get one!

While the husbands away, the wife will save..

Okay, Coach has left and will be gone for most of the month of July (he'll be home in spurts, but not enough to count). My goal is simple, save, save, save! Now of course in order to save you must also purchase items or it doesn't really count.;) So in order to tackle my goal, I have formulated a plan. Today, is step 1.

Step 1. Create a list of my favorite companies, scour the internet for their contact information and request coupons. Now to help you out, I will be putting a list of my favs on this blog, so if you want to contact them you can. There is no guarantee that they will send coupons, but it never hurts and besides who wouldn't want to know that they are loved...

Companies:
1. St. Ives - http://www.stives.com/Contact-Us/
2. Biore - http://www.biore.com/usa/ContactUs.aspx
3. Pampers - http://babycare.custhelp.com/app/ask
4. Betty Crocker - http://consumercontacts.generalmills.com/ConsolidatedContact.aspx?page=http://www.bettycrocker.com&js=True

Let me know if these links don't work. It will be the start of many more. If you have companies you want me to look into, just leave me the name in the comment section.

One of the toughest things about being a coach's wife is the time apart. All around the country right now, coaches are getting ready for one of the biggest recruiting months of the year. Which means a lot of unhappy families. As a new mom, my job is trying to figure out a balance. How do I keep my sadness hidden and keep my daughter entertained ad oblivious to the fact her daddy is gone. Right now, it's not so hard, she's only 8 months old but later down the road what will I do?!

I think starting a tradition would be helpful. A pre-leaving tradition and post-leaving tradition. This is something that we will probably do at the beginning and end of each season.

Thankfully, for now I have the wonderful world of baby and coupons to distract me.

The wonderful world of technology...using my phone to blog:)

'Losing Sanity'

'WWWhhhaaahhhhh!!!!' 'WWHhhhhhaahhhhh!!!!' How can one person possibly think with that in your ear?! Now, it's never as bad as you think it is at the current moment but when its bad, it just seems like its the worst.

Just tell me what you want? why can't you just say 'hey, I've got crap in my pants, help!' or 'I would love some boob right now'.  No, it has to be a blood curtling scream or a sad, pathetic whimper....that turns into a blood curtling scream. 0 to 100 in mere seconds, oh the joy of parenting.

But I can't complain, I don't have it that bad. I have a daughter that, for the most, part loves life and loves me. She smiles at you at just the right moment, coos at you when you think things couldn't get any better (or worse). I just wish she was better at communicating or maybe I need to get better at listening. Who knows?! either way we need to come to some kind of middle ground.

For the past two days trying to put her to sleep has been a chore. She refuses to eat longer then 10 minutes, falls asleep almost immediately and as soon as I put her down it begins...'WWWWhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!' I don't get it, I just don't understand, what is the problem?! Just remember, I tell myself, 'she's great, she's wonderful, she's a gift'

Okay, its my turn, I've got to go, it's time to stop the crying and save my husbands back...

'Long Over Due, Short on Manpower'

Thought I died or disappeared? Nope just had a baby and moved out of the state. I have no other excuses for not writing but in my defense those are two big reasons. Matter of fact as I type, I have a 13lb sleeping baby in my arms, which I must say makes it difficult to type at any significant pace.

I'll be honest with you, I'm struggling with today's topic. Since its been over 4 months since my last entry, I'm not sure where to begin. I could talk to you about the changes motherhood brings but that would be too obvious. I could talk to you about the difficulties of a losing season, but nobody likes you when you're losing (trust me on that one). Or I could talk to you about how after 70 inches of snow you tend to stop counting inches (who am I kidding, I stopped counting after 20 inches - I miss Florida). No, I think I'll talk to you about something that I've slowly lost over the past few months, no not pounds...motivation (which could also be my excuse for not writing in this blog but I like the first two reasons much better).

Motivation has been like a forgotten dream to me. Something that I only remember when I lay my head down at night. Do you know what I'm talking about? Have you ever had that happen to you? You wake up in the morning, knowing you dreamt about something but you're not sure about what. You forget about it and go one with your day, only to remember the dream when you're going back to sleep. That has been motivation for me. I'll think of all the things I want to do when I'm getting Nikki (that's the 13lb baby currently sleeping in my arms) ready for bed. I'll tell myself, 'okay in the morning I'll do all the laundry', or 'I'll bake something tasty tomorrow', or 'I'll go for a run with Daisy, our dog', or even 'Tomorrow, I'll write in my blog'. My list of  'I'll do this' or 'I'll do thats' are generated and stored in my head, ready for the next morning. And then the next day comes and nothing, until bedtime, where I'll contemplate my next days list of 'I'll do's'.

Maybe the solution is writing a list of my 'I'll do's' down and crossing them off as I go. Maybe just stating them out loud in this blog will get me off my butt. But my fear is that, maybe, just maybe, I've always had this problem, you know, lacking motivation. I'm sure if  I started dissecting my past, I could....waiiitttt a minute, not so fast! That started to sound like I was going down a different road, which could lead to serious thought and no, I'm sorry I'm just not a thinker. Maybe some other time, like when I'm old or maybe even when I'm dead;)

I think I'll simply blame my lack of motivation to my first thoughts...the move and the baby...and cross off writing in my blog as a done item and move on to the next line....