Thanks!

Thank you all for your comments on this post. I agree, it is difficult to comment on a serious post or one you don't necessarily feel strongly about.

Also, my dad told me that I misquoted him so I definitely need to clarify. He says I am a zealot, not a fanatic. :)

I have not been posting very regularly for a few months now. I have several thoughts and posts stirring in this brain of mine. Now I just have to find the time and the ability to stay awake in order to share them with you guys! Hopefully that will be soon!

Super Savings Saturday -- 2 weeks of CVS

I have had good success at CVS over the past two weeks.

First, last week I purchased these items for 64 cents out of pocket:

What? You don't believe me? Well, let me tell you how I was able to do this.

I purchased:
2 Playskool wipes 80ct -- $5
1 Desitin 2oz. -- $2.99
1 Johnsons body wash -- $2.99
1 Busy Glo Flashlight toy -- $7.99
1 Playskool teething keys -- $2.99
1 Plaskool pacifier 2 pack -- $4.11
Total -- $26.07
Coupons I used:
$1 off Johnson body wash -- $25.07
$1 off Desitin -- $24.07
$4 CVS Playskool coupon -- $20.07
$2/$10 CVS purchase -- $18.07
2 $1 off Playskool wipes -- $16.07
$15.58 in ECBS -- .49
Tax -- .15
Total out of pocket, .64
Earned $5 in ECBs!

Pretty good for only 64 cents. I used one package of the wipes, the pacifier and teething keys for a baby shower gift and I am giving my niece the flashlight as a Christmas gift. Can't beat that!

This past week I did good, but not quite as well. I was able to get the following for $3.64 out of pocket:

I purchased:
2 Crest 6.4oz toothpastes -- $3.98
1 Schick Quattro Titanium -- $7.99
1 Sunsilk shampoo -- $4.29
1 Sunsilk gel -- FREE (Buy one, get one free sale)
Total: $16.26

Coupons used:
$2/$10 purchase -- $14.26
$1 off 2 Crest toothpaste -- $13.26
$1 off Sunsilk shampoo -- $12.26
$1 off Sunsilk hair gel -- $11.26
$8 in ECBs -- $3.26
Tax -- .38
Total out of pocket -- $3.64
Earned $7 in ECBs

Great deals! Can't wait for next week! For more Super Saving Saturday posts visit Money Saving Mom.

I'm serious, y'all

So I've noticed recently that anytime I publish a serious post, like this one or this one I receive no comments. I've concluded it is either because I'm normally not so serious or that when I am serious I'm a bit over the top about it and I freak people out.

I wonder which it is. Let's discuss each one.

Am I normally not serious? Now, my husband would great disagree with this. He thinks I need to loosen up a bit and to be honest, I probably do. If you are one of my high school friends reading this you are probably about to die from laughter because serious was very rare with me. However, adulthood has drug me down. When bills are pouring into my mailbox and the money is not pouring into my checking account suddenly serious is something I am. Serious about getting a handle on things. And sometimes I get a litte over the top about being serious. My dad has always said that I am a fanatic. A fanatic about anything. If I get serious about liking something or find an important cause I let everyone know. No one will ever wonder where I stand as long as it is something I am serious about.

So, am I not normally real serious on my blog? I know some of my stuff is just fru fru (is that how you spell it?) look at my cute kid stuff. But he's just so darn cute I just can't stand not sharing him with you all. I mean, I can hardly wait until Halloween to show you his awesome costume.

Or is it that I get a little out of control about my seriousness. Like I said before, I'm a bit of a fanatic. If I'm serious about something it sometimes takes over my life. I get pumped up about it. I start telling everyone about it. 75 percent of my conversations revolve around it. Maybe I get a little out of control.

I guess I don't need an answer. But I do need you to pray for Nick and his family. Please, please pray for him. He needs all your prayers. God can perform miracles, please pray that he will for Nick.

The Nischans

I have asked for your prayers for Nick Nischan, a 13 year old with cancer, before. However, today I am asking for prayers for his mother, Tammy, and his entire family.

Nick's cancer has been spreading. He recently found out that not only does he have an inoperable brain tumor, but he has cancer in his spine, hips and upper legs. He recently fractured his hip related to the cancer and is currently required to use a wheelchair.

Nick has suffered for the past two years, has had several surgeries, and continues to suffer. His family has joined forces with another family in a similar situation for a Jericho Walk this week. Basically, you will pick a time and walk, praying for Nick and Natalie. For more information check this and this out, from his mom, Tammy's blog.

Hoss and I walked today around our neighborhood. While Hoss did not understand the purpose for the walk was to pray for Nick, we added him to our prayers tonight at bedtime.

In addition to praying for Nick, please pray for Tammy. She had an emergency appendectomy this morning. She is currently in the hospital and I know she is worried about Nick at home. Below is part of an email, Tim, her husband sent out today,

"I know that Tammy believes that her pain may be an attempt of Satan to interfere with 'the JERICHO MILE' prayer walks that start today. I can't even begin to guess whether this is such a direct act or simply bad timing. But I DO know that anything that Satan is happy when ANYTHING discourages us or takes us away from intentional time with God. BEGIN TODAY taking a time to 'walk a lap' and INTENTIONALLY PRAY to God asking Him to act in powerful ways. We are thankful for every mention of Nicholas and Natalie, but while Nick and Natalie may be the specific inspiration that started this particular JERICHO MILE week of prayer, the AMAZING STRENGTH AND GOODNESS OF GOD is available for every single battle that any of us face! Anything that reminds us to INTENTIONALLY SPECIFICALLY PRAY ASKING GOD to work in our lives and the lives of those around us is capable of UNLIMITED results!"

Please pray. If you feel called, please participate in the Jericho Walk this week. Remind God he can perform miracles and Nick and Natalie need a miracle.

Nick returns to the hospital Tuesday morning for more tests and treatment plans. Please be in prayer for him and his family then as they will be making huge decisions regarding Nick's future care.

I'm tired and amazed

I have two things to say.

#1. These Olympics sure are screwing up my sleeping schedule. I can't. stop. watching. But I'm so tired. But what if I miss history in the making?

#2. DVR comes in really handy when your husband thinks there is an Olympic conspiracy to grant Michael Phelps a gold medal in every race he competes in. He really did touch the wall first. He really did! It may have been an Olympics miracle.

I'm getting on my soapbox and I'm not apologizing for it

Maybe you've seen it on otherbloggers' sites. Maybe I'm the first to bring this to your attention. Either way I am asking, no, BEGGING you, please do not see the movie that comes out in theaters this week, "Tropic Thunder."

As an advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities I find the reports of this movie's blantant disregard for humans outright horrifying.
As those who are nationally speaking out (please read this link) against this movie and the degrading name calling that is held within it, I find it appalling how words which are horribly offensive to some are common place for others.

We are discriminating against people when we use certain words to describe others' skin color, religious preference, and nationality; however, our society finds it acceptable to use words to discriminate against people with intellectual disabilities. I'm not condoning the use of any discriminating talk, I am standing up against the hatred which is spewing from mouths of children.

I am guilty of using this word, but only as an ignorant teenager. Since those times I have been educated and have learned just how hurtful this word is. I cringe when I hear 12 year old kids in front of me in the line at Wal-Mart say, "That's so retarded" while their parents roll their eyes and sigh.

I'm not rolling my eyes or sighing. I'm taking a stand and I hope you will too. Do not see this movie. Encourage others not to see it. And please, don't let discriminating language come from your mouths.

Lookalikes

The "mascot" for our VBS theme this year was a red headed boy with glasses. Um, I have a red headed boy with glasses living in my house.

Side note: If you ever notice, anytime a boy in a cartoon or such has red hair, 9 times out of 10 he is also wearing glasses. 7 times out of 10 he is overweight or "geeky." Interesting.

I immediately made a mental note to bring my camera to allow my little man to pose by his lookalike. I remembered on the last day of VBS.

Aren't they cute?

Anytime "World Largest" is in the name I want to be there

Today my mom and I met up to attend the World's Largest Yard Sale ! Neither of us had ever been so when I was reminded at work Friday that it was this weekend I quickly sent my mom an email to see if she wanted to meet up and go. Donnie was working this morning so I knew I did not want to go yard saling alone with a 2 year old, plus Hoss was excited to see Gigi.

The yard sales were interesting. There was more of a flea market feel for most of it where we were, but we found a few fun items, mostly toys and kids clothes.

I was interested to see the fun items for sale. Like this fun Holiday Inn playset:

Oh the fun games a kid could play with this.

Self-Portrait

Leave a camera near a two year old and this is what happens. I'm pretty sure my parents have polaroid pictures of me which look very similar to this.

Still struggling

Well, the illness is still affecting us.

About 10 minutes after I posted about the sickness Monday night I once again experienced the horrible vomit explosion. I went to bed soon after that and Tuesday morning I woke up feeling much better, but with a headache that I am still fighting off today.

This morning about 5:30a.m. Hoss woke up vomiting. He is currently napping and has been a little puny today, but relatively a good patient.

I am hoping he will be better by tomorrow.

Hubby is struggling with a cold now. If there is a germ within 50 feet of him he's going to get sick.

Maybe we will be back to normal by next week. We can only hope!

You know what a dedicated employee is....

it's a person who just returns from a week long vacation and has a stomach virus, but comes to work anyway. This person then throws up in her trash can in her office.

I was that person today. And boy, am I sick.

When I got in my car to go home at 4:45 today I had chills. When you have chills as you enter a car that is probably at 125 degrees that is a definite sign you are sick.

To make it better, our annual state review began at work today, unannounced. The day after I return from being out of the office for a week. The day I vomit in my office.

It continues tomorrow too.

Hoss has not had the virus yet. That probably means he will get it at about 3 a.m. tomorrow morning, 30 minutes after I experience vomiting round two.

My husband doesn't do gross bodily fluids (even though he is the one who is getting over this, but he has an awful cold that goes along with it that we don't have).

It may be a long week. A long, long week.

This better not end up in my dreams

I HATE scary movies.

HATE. HATE. HATE.

And no HATE is not too harsh.

I am not a fan at all of scary movies, especially alien/deranged killer movies.

My husband loves the show, "Fear Itself" and he watches it every Thursday night. He DVR'd this past week's and just watched it. While I was sitting in the same room.

ACK! It was nasty. Disgusting. Gross!

Have I said that I HATE scary movies? Well, I do. HATE!

Bloggy Giveaway Winner!

We have a winner!

Jennifer from Family Musings has won the $10 CVS gift card and coupons.

Jennifer, I will be in contact. Congrats!

Thanks to everyone who entered. I can't believe I had 262 entries (2 of the entries I deleted, it was a friend of mine who couldn't quite figure out how to post a comment...or maybe she was just trying to sneak in 3 chances to win. I caught ya!)