The Fine Line

Dear Friends,

You know me. You know my struggles. You know my successes.

You know they often co-exist.

After reading and re-reading several of the organizing, decluttering, cleaning books, the biggest thing I've taken away is that things always get worse before they get better.

And that often it's a very fine line between what you see on my desk and what you see in my bathroom.

A very fine line between what's going on in my front room ... what is going on in there? And what's going on in the living room (well, except for the "line up the books" game that is a constant favorite around here).

One of the books pointed out an extremely amusing similarity amongst clutterbugs ... they collect storage containers. Very interesting. It's always with the hopes of finally figuring out how to organize all that "stuff."

Yup ... that was my hope. But, the more stuff I get rid of ... the less stuff I have to organize. And the more the containers have become the clutter. Hmmm.

As I write this, I see a similarity to weight loss. You lose weight and you've got all your "fat clothes" and you keep them ... just in case. Just in case you're fat again. Wow! How unhelpful is that!!?!!

I've even said that about the containers. I'm keeping them in case I need them. A thought process I've just about eliminated when it comes to clutter, but for some reason allowed myself to apply to the containers.

In case ... what? In case I go back to my old ways and am swamped with so much stuff, I can't see straight?

I'm over you, containers. You're outta here!

Does anyone need a container or two? (Or twenty?)

The Sweater Hats

They're here! They're here!

I'm so excited. I wanted a unique hat for this winter. One that would keep my ears warm while running and one that would enable me to be visible to approaching traffic (why are all winter hats black?).

I found what I was looking for at That Funky Boutique on etsy. And, of course, Lubbock needed one, too. I guarantee nobody else will have our hats.

They are made out of old wool sweaters, so they are good for the environment and the Buy Handmade movement.

The 63% Juice

Do you coupon?

I sometimes do. Sometimes not.

One of the first arguments Kevin and I ever had centered around couponing.

Within weeks of moving in with each other, I was laid off from my job as a Document Control Coordinator (yes, as boring as it sounds). I determined that while looking for a new job, I'd try to save us as much money as I could.

This included couponing.

Kevin joined me on one of my couponing outings and as I reached for a container of juice (free with a great coupon), he said he wanted a different kind. I told him this one was free, so he should just suck it up and drink it. I really don't remember what else was said, but I remember standing in the middle of the juice aisle ... crying.

This time around with coupons, I'm trying to have more fun with it. I have a group of friends that get together about once a month to swap coupons (mostly it's an excuse to have an evening out). We meet at a coffee shop and spend two hours clipping coupons and talking about good deals that are out there.

I spend about 30 minutes every Sunday morning going through the ads and blogs, and clipping coupons out of the papers (I get three Sunday papers to be able to take full advantage of the coupons). This morning, as I reviewed the grocery ads and coupons, I discovered I had a great combination of coupons to redeem. I do most of my couponing alone, but Kevin wanted to come this morning.

This trip to the store reminded me a bit of the "juice trip" ... but, it also didn't.

Before leaving, I pulled out all the coupons I knew I would use and reviewed the ad one last time. We entered the store and Kevin followed my lead. I was able to get everything on my list and more. Kevin noticed a few deals in the store that weren't in the ad ... go, him!

So, here's the breakdown: (Q = coupon)

Oh, I have some friends who will be completely unimpressed (like Kris) ... and I have some friends taking notes (like Jen). Click on the names to see some of the good deals they've been able to pull off.

3 Red Baron pizza ... sale 3/$10 and I had 3 $1 Qs
3 12pack Coke ... sale 3 12packs/$11 ... in store deal for 3 FREE PowerAdes and I had a FREE 2 pack of 50 oz. bottles Q

For the rest of the products, for every $10 you spent, you automatically got $3 off

6 Cheezits ... sale 4/$10 ... and 3 x $1.50/2 Qs
6 Duncan Hines ... sale 10/$10 ... and 3 x $.55/2 Qs
5 Welch's ... sale 4/$10 ... and 5 x $.75 Qs
3 Pepperidge Farm toast... sale 4/$10 ... and 3 x .50 Qs
3 Nestle cookies ... sale 4/$10 ... and 3 x $1 Qs
2 Barber chicken ... sale 2/$10 ... and 2 x $1 Qs

So, there was an instant $12 savings for the $40+ worth of product I bought.

Then, I had a $3 off $30 purchase Q for Jewel and a $2 savings Q for taking a survey (look at the bottom of your receipts, ya'll)!!!

Transaction began at $122.21
- Preferred Card savings - $48.85
- Manufacturers Qs - $22.59
- Jewel Qs - $5.00

Total $45.77 (a 63% savings)

One more thing ... the pizza deal included 3 FREE RedBox rental codes (a $3 value) ... Wow! And I got a Q that printed out to save $3 on 4 Welchs ... so, tomorrow, I can go back and get 4 more for $4! (I hope Kevin doesn't get sick of all this juice ;) And, one more bonus ... I don't have to go junk food shopping for a long, long, time!

Couponing Rocks ... GO, ME!!!!

The Milk Carton 5k

The most recent issue of Family Fun magazine had a great green project that I just had to do. They turned milk cartons into lunch and snack boxes!

It was very easy to do and the only thing I had to buy was Velcro since I buy milk in cartons anyway. It's a great size for Lubbock to carry his gold fish in (or any other snack) and fits perfectly on that little shelf in the grocery cart.

Click here for instructions!


On a different subject ... I've signed up for my first 5k! I'm doing the "couch potato to 5k" training program and it's going really well. I'm not a super fast runner ... but, I'm not at all trying to push myself for fear of hurting my knees again.

My first goal is to just be able to get the 5k under my belt without walking ... I don't really care what my time is ... I'm not trying to set any world records. Just personal ones.

So, if you're local ... and you want to be in my cheering section ... let me know and I'll get the info to you!

The Fridge Raider

Lubbock has a mind of his own sometimes. I have no idea where he gets that from!

A typical breakfast for him is a waffle and an apple. But, not this morning. He wanted something else.

He pushed his chair to the fridge; opened it; then climbed into it. He looked around and then got back down. I suppose he was just making sure there wasn't anything better.

I've been trying to empty the freezer and pantry lately, so there really weren't too many options.

I guess what he really wanted was in the pantry.

So, what did Lubbock have for breakfast?

Chocolate milk and cookies.

Don't you judge me!

The Old Gray Mare

... just ain't what she used to be.

This morning, the light must have been extra harsh in the bathroom because I felt my gray hairs were screaming at me from the vanity mirror.

Do you know how hard it is to take a picture of your own head? I also feel like I may be thinning up there! I don't recommend taking a picture of this angle of yourself ... yikes!

I determined a few years ago that I would grow 'old' gracefully. I suppose I also thought this amount of gray would be further down the road.

Perhaps I should reconsider my determination!

The Alter Ego

Have I mentioned I have a two year old lately?

And that he's discovered his alter ego "Mr. Make a Mess."

I know this is a stage that's going to end any day, right?

Anyway, on the list of my favorite messes:

The Elmo coloring book that was in his bedroom ... I put him in his bed for a nap. I heard "ere u o" (here you go) and then saw a piece of paper slide under the door. This went on for a while ending with "ank u" (thank you). Then he went to bed.

The coozie I placed on his sippy cup ... His new stainless steel sippy cups get really cold when I put milk in them, so I put a coozie on it to keep his hands safe. He bit off tiny pieces and placed it in a pile on the loveseat. I was so confused when I found the pile because I couldn't figure out what it was for a few minutes. He was really mad when I threw it all away. I guess it was fun.

And my least favorite mess was the paint on the face ... I decided to try painting ceramic with him knowing this was going to be a test of my patience. I was determined to get a cute piece of artwork to give Kevin for his birthday. Lubbock's sole interest was eating the paint. I asked the gals at the store if it was non-toxic to only hear "Dunno." I'm assuming it is. If you know otherwise, since it's too late ... don't tell me. I don't wanna know.