Good Thing #22: When rules are followed...

"All socks left in the living room will find a new home in the GARBAGE."

I am absolutely amazed at the effectiveness of a Posted Rule. I mostly did it to draw attention to the fact that yes, I'm serious, I don't want to pick up your dirty crusty socks every day. I'm actually thinking of framing all the rules I want followed in little 4x4 frames. I tell you what, it may be a little high-handed of me and a little bossy, but I haven't had to pick up one stray sock (other than Greyson's but he gets a free pass) since I put this piece of paper up a month ago.

The next one I'm going to post will probably be "Any food left on the dishes or in the sink will be your lunch tomorrow."



Coeur d'Alene, ID - I think I could live here.... UPDATE

 

Yep, pretty sure I could like it here. But I've never been so that remains to be seen. But I think if we ever get to go on a little vacation I'd like to visit. And I checked the weather averages and it's snowy in winter and warm in the summer like Durango, except Coeur d'Alene has a lake which is a major bonus because I need water. Durango has the Animas River, but eh. And Zack will never go for the beach but he likes mountains, so there you go. Prices on homes aren't bad either and the economy seems good.  Seems like a good place to take a road trip some day. Maybe next summer?

Has anybody been to Coeur d'Alene? Is it as pretty as these pictures?

I'm always checking Small Town Gems for new towns. It's like traveling only not. And less expensive.

UPDATE:
So I looked more into it and I don't want to go here. Apparently 93% of the nations cities are safer than this little town. That's HUGE. Oh well. The search continues....

Did I Tell You I Made Pretzels?

Buttery Soft Pretzels

Yum, these were really good :) Here's where I found the recipe, if you're interested.

Buttery Soft Pretzels

It's really easy but it does take about 1 - 2 hours because you have to let the dough rise a bit. But easy!! I still have some that I froze. I can't wait to try them with some queso. :)


xoxoxo
C





If Dale was human...

If Dale (my dog) was a human, Zack would be in DEEP. I mean because he'd have some pretty stiff competition. Anyone else agree that their dog would be the perfect boyfriend/girlfriend (in human form, of course)?

Dale's cute, he listens to me, he's an excellent cuddler (but not TOO cuddly i.e. clingy), protective, active, energetic, funny, goofy, and I just know that if he had hair that it'd be in that perfect Elvis coif (as evident by his loppy, floppy ears). AND he'd be totally loyal and I'd catch him staring at me all the time - to which Britney can attest. And he's so manly he absolutely refuses to use any type of dog bed; he'd much prefer the ground. And he's a bit egotistical which I kind of like when it's warranted. He prances around a lot and shows off his big beautiful tail. I don't know why people crop Blue Heelers' tails - they're so full and pretty. And he loves me so much he can't even eat if I'm away. And he doesn't drool or snore or fart - I mean I'm sure he drools, and snores, and farts but honestly I never catch him! 

So yep, he's basically the perfect boyfriend... except for the whole dog breath and four legs thing....

xoxoxo

C

Good Thing #21

Paul Walker

Even Zack can't deny my infatuation with him. He's, what's the word? Dreamy? Hunky? Smokin'? Yes, yes, and yes. Anyway, Ellen had Paul Walker on her show yesterday, and I know at the time I had something witty to say about him but now all I've got to say is:

Dibs!!!!

xoxoxo

C

Crushing on Coupons....

Girls, remember in middle school and there was that one guy that you just knew you were destined to marry? Forget about growing up, you and he would just get married right there in cafeteria with everyone watching in jealousy as you kissed. Well maybe that was just me - but I would seriously keep myself awake for hours while trying to go to sleep just daydreaming about my crush. That hasn't happened to me in YEARS. Yet last night I turned my light off at about 9:30pm and didn't fall asleep until about 11pm all because of my new love and obsession....

My Beloved Coupon Binder

It probably didn't help that to help myself go to sleep I was reading this book:





But I think it's safe to say that I'm in love. Yes, it takes some time to get initially organized, but this coupon wave is so worth riding. If I can't make my family money (I can't work because we can't afford daycare) then I sure as hell can SAVE us money.

Here's more pictures of my precious binder:

Oh yes....

And I figure too that I should document my humble beginner's stockpile:

Don't mind the papers on the left; they're going to recycling.

Anyway, there you go. That's why I haven't been blogging. Because I've been too wrapped up in the cozy arms of coupons. And yes, I will be a Krazy Coupon  Lady yet.

xoxoxo
C





Touching Base

Just a quick note to say I haven't forgotten my blog! My time has just been consumed with my new coupon hobby, so I need to set aside a few moments to write a good post. Again, I won't turn this int a coupon blog, but I'll have to mention it from time to time. Maybe I'll post pictures of my coupon binder?! Since it's something I'm proud of :) Cool, I get right on that.....

Anyway, hope everything's good with everyone!

(This is what I'm watching - I love this movie :P )



xoxoxo

C

I miss my Brit Brit

Well my friend (I would go so far as to call her my BEST friend) made it to Thailand, and I got to Skype with her. So cool! I've only ever been able to Skype with my dad in L.A. so it was fun to put my webcam to use. AND there was no delay in the conversation! It had such good connection for the first 40 minutes and then it started to get sucky, but so what?! The point is, I got to see and speak with Britney. Aaand I might be seeing her sooner than later, possibly, so that's awesome!

Anyway here's picture of the pretty girl. It was 5am there...

And I'm pretty sure I'm the first person to have a picture of Britney in Thailand even though I'm a world away :)

xoxoxox

C

Couponing again

Ok, so I just want to make this disclosure: I'm not turning my blog into a money-saving blog, just so you know. There's plenty of awesome blogs that do just that and those ladies save a ton of money. But I am going to use my blog as a bragging outlet whenever I feel like it, because I can :) I'm still learning the whole couponing game, so I'm not a Coupon Queen. Yet.

So I made a Walgreen's runs again today, and would you believe I spent AND saved almost exactly the same amount as my run from earlier this week?

So I spent $33.14 and saved $35.41 on stuff we use! Whoop! And if you're interested in what exactly I got:
(4) rolls Tuf paper towels
(3) bottles Heinz Vinegar
(3) Betty Crocker cornbread mix
(2) canisters Morton salt
(1) L'Oreal Vive Shampoo
(1) L'Oreal Vive Conditioner
(2) bottles All Free & Clear laundry detergent
(2) bags Easter Snickers
(2) bags Dove Coconut Creme chocolates
(2) Covergirl Lip Perfection lipsticks

Aaaand speaking of Dove Coconut Creme chocolates; if you haven't tried them, then you must ASAP. they're awesome! They aren't full of crumbly coconut mixture like in an Almond Joy. They're filled with Coconut CREME! Plus Dove chocolate is the best because it's silky. Yum!

xoxoxo
C



Good Thing NUMBER 20!

COUPONS!

Alright, I've never really used coupons before. I mean yeah if I get a freebie coupon somehow and it happens to be something I use then yes, I've used it. BUT this whole Extreme Couponing show has me reeling! These ladies are absolutely insane and more than likely a little OCD, but they know their stuff. And I'm impressed and I officially have a new role model: The Krazy Coupon Lady. She was my favorite one from the show, and turns out she has her own couponing blog. So there, there's my plug for her!

Anyway, I went to Walgreens today and only bought stuff I had a coupon for and this is my haul for the day! My total was $68.82 and I paid $33.43. Now compared to extreme couponers my 52% savings isn't much, but for a newbie who's never ever couponed before, I'm ecstatic! Oh yes, I'm high-fiving myself...

In case you're interested, this is what I got for $33.43:
(4) rolls of Tuf paper towels
(2) boxes of Hefty baggies
(5) boxes of Royal gelatin
(2) packages of Dial soap (8 bars in each pack)
(4) boxes baking soda
(3) cans of tuna
(3) bars of Yardley soap
(3) bottles Ajax dishsoap
(5) cans Progresso soup
(3) packages of Betty Crocker corn bread mix
(4) cans Arizona tea - Zack LOVES this stuff
and
(3) boxes Kraft Mac 'n Cheese


AWESOME.

xoxoxo
C



Good Underneath it All

This morning, Greyson and I wake up and Zack's still asleep. G and I come out to the living room and I set him down and walk to the door to peek outside where I find Zack's slippers looking very guilty next to a very yucky mud pile. I did not clean it up, because let's face it - that's just how girls operate. We want you to admit your screw-ups and we enjoy making you do so.

So when Zack woke up I asked him what happened fully prepared to give him That Look. He said it looks like his slippers pooped.

Boys.



Good Thing #19: Sleeping longer than 2 hours at a time

Blissful sleep...

Greyson used to be the BEST sleeper, even though he didn't sleep through the night. He'd only wake up about twice a night to nurse, then would fall right back to sleep on his own in his bassinet. Well, since he turned 4 months old, his sleeping went to hell. He was awake every 2 hours, sometimes every hour and would have a hard time sleeping on his own. So I started just leaving him in bed with me so I could hold him still and he'd eventually fall back asleep. The last few weeks have been better, but still not great. But last night, that sweet little pumpkin only woke up twice, and I only took him out of his bed once. He woke at 1am and 4am, and at 4am I just put my hand on his back and he fell back to sleep. Then he woke for the morning at 6am which is what time Dad wakes up - which is totally fine since he slept so awesome! I'm just so proud. Yes, it might be a fluke but I don't care. He did great!

Now I'm trying to remember everything he and I did before bed so we can repeat it!

xoxoxo
C



Good Thing #18: Has turned into a problem

Clearly, I have a problem...

This is a picture of all the lip products I have just in my purse... WTF? TEN?! What started out as a Good Thing, has turned into an addiction. But as far as addicts go, I guess I have it easy. I mean, I guess I do have a color or shade for whatever look I'm going for, right? And gloss? Got it. Chapstick? Got it. Balm? Got it. Lipstick? Got it. TINTED lip balm? Got it. Red? Pink? Clear??? Got it...... Jeez-o Pete...

One thing's for sure:
You'll never find me with naked lips!

xoxoxo
C

Good Thing #17: Getting Stuff for Free

Extreme Couponing

 

These ladies are absolutely nuts! But brilliant! I have this series DVR'd so I'm catching up on it this morning, and I have to tell you I'm newly obsessed. I want to do this! I don't want to have as enormous stock-piles as these woman because I think it's a crazy AND I just plain don't have the room. But if I could get $600 worth of stuff for $6, I'mma do it. So, all I need to get ready is a binder and some plastic sheets with multiple pockets to organize my coupons, and I'm set.

Dang, wish I would've watched this yesterday when all the coupons were out in the papers.... Oh well, I'll start Sunday!

Happy Birthday, To Meeee!

Oh yeah, I'm still young enough for a birthday to be a Good Thing...

It was a super low-key birthday, which is totally cool with me :) We had an easy morning, then we met my mom for lunch.



Then we got a Cake Batter milkshake from Cold Stone,



and came home. We would've tried to go to the park but we would've gotten blown away. It was soooo windy! Then it rained. Pooh.

I got a couple of great presents from the hubs, and a promise to get my car a new radio since the one I have doesn't work at all. And my mom gave me $23 and Black Swan, and of course my awesome new camera



Yes, this movie was trippy. Zack hasn't watched yet and I don't think he'd like it. Well, he'd like parts of it... but it'd be way too weird for him. But I did like, I see what all the buzz is about. And yep, I have a girl-crush on Mila Kunis - she's too pretty!

xoxoxo

C

Mama

Ignore my lame baby talk :)

Oh, heart....

Good Thing #16: An Awesome Birthday Present

For my 23rd Birthday from my Dad and Snoopy

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 in Blue

I SO needed a new camera. I had a little purple Nikon Coolpix that I got from WallyWorld for about $100 2 years ago, and it's be great. I could have a little something to take a picture with, and when Greyson was born (and he didn't move much) it was so nice to have. BUT now that he's growing up and moving around a lot more and a lot more quickly than he used to, my little purple go-to just wasn't cutting it. All my picture would be blurry, and it was take for every to focus. It also didn't take very good indoor pictures without the flash, and something about the flash made the pictures look terrible - like everyone was under fluorescent lighting. Also, since my Coolpix was 2 years old, things were starting to go. Like something the lens cover wouldn't open, and I'd have to manually pry it open. And the zoom toggle would get stuck and it would zoom in and out way too fast.

So yesterday I come home from running around town and there's a box from vitacost.com on my porch. What? What did I order from Vitacost? Then I saw it had my dad and Snoopy's as the return address, then I thought, "What did they get me from Vitacost?" Well duh, that's just the box they mailed my awesome new amazing camera in. I love it. It's all HD, has GPS, has a really "juicy" 3" display screen, takes great pictures,  and because I'm a girl I have to mention that yes, I love the color. It's much more sensitive in a good way than my CoolPix was, and has tons more scene options. And I have yet to catch a blurry moment from G (it's only been a day, but still.) And it's not a honkin' huge one which is great because I can just toss it in my purse or diaper bag - it has a great little case too. It takes HD movies. It has "Intelligent Auto" mode which basically assesses what you're taking a picture of and does it's best to make that picture great. So yes, I love it.

Anyway, here's some pictures I took yesterday. Just a small photo bomb :)

xoxoxo
C

Good Thing #15: Click-it or Ticket

Click-it or Ticket

So yesterday Zack comes home and silently handed me this paper. He's supposed to take his CDL test this week and I was all excited because I thought it was his test! Nope. It was a ticket.... for not wearing his seat belt... for $74.50!!! They used to not be able to pull you over for not wearing your seal belt but they can now! Now, I'm not I'm not happy about having to fork over $74.50, but I AM happy that he got busted. He never EVER wears his seat belt. It must be a guy thing because I don't think I know any guys who DO wear their seat belt. It's like it's much more macho to risk death by not wearing your seat belt... I mean if you're going to prove your muy-macho-ness by showing how tough you are, do it by doing something cool like sky-diving or wrestling or something. Not something as lame as just not wearing your seat belt. You can't be tough if you're dead. So yep, it's a Good Thing he got busted because now he's going to wear his seat belt and be safe. PLUS little boys like to imitate their dads, right? So now Greyson won't be able to say "Well, DAD doesn't wear HIS seat belt!"