Coupons, saving money, etc.

Ok, so one thing I haven't brought up here has been couponing. I went to a coupon class last year around September I believe? I was soooo gung ho! I went to the store multiple times per week, bought several papers on Saturday (early bird edition, didn't want to miss out on my coupons)...happily cut up and filed all my coupons, printed my lists and off I went to the store. Fast forward to June 2011. I still love coupons, I still love saving money, I still love my coupon blogs (I try to only visit about 3 of them, because it gets overwhelming trying to keep up w/all of the "deals") BUT isn't there always a but? I have been slacking lately on couponing. With the popularity of shows (Like TLC's Extreme Couponing), the store shelves are being cleaned out before you can say, "did that coupon double?". It has become rather frustrating to me to get allllll my coupons gathered up, lists printed, out the door, etc only to find all the stuff is already gone! Now, granted-my store allows you to get rainchecks-but it's all a hassle. But, I know that I know that I know that I SAVE soooooo much $ when I find the time to do it.

I have also discovered the beauty of Aldi. Now, in my area there are two Aldi's but the one that is most convenient to me is in.....well, the not so good part of town so I try to go early on Saturday. The store is a very simple layout, nice cashiers, and cheap produce! Just don't forget to take your own bag/box to take your items home. Also, if you want a basket, you will need a quarter. You get your quarter back upon returning the basket which I forgot to do last time I went darn it. Last week, I went and spent $30. I came out w/2 cantaloupes, 1 carton of strawberries, whole pineapple,bag of apples, bananas, 2 avacados,1 mango,gallon of milk, 2 peaches,several plums,red grapes (2lbs), nesquick (bc my kids were with me begging of course!), a bag of baby carrots, bacon (did not like this btw, but I tried), I think that is everything. I usually buy produce,milk, and paper plates there. This week, $30 was the most I have ever spent there. Usually it is way under $20 for fresh fruit and veggies! I believe that last time I went, I spend $12 & got a great deal of stuff as well. I love Aldi! Try it some time.
To end this, I am going to try to get back on track w/my couponing. It is crucial to my family budget to save $ where I can. I took FPU a few weeks ago, and I feel like my steam is gone. I need to get back on track w/budgeting, couponing, being frugal period. I will be blogging about this in the next few weeks to come :) I am off to listen to the Casey Anthony trial...I can't stand Baez! UGH.

Progress :)

So, a few things have been accomplished since I last posted!

1. The kids room is clean. He was thrilled when I made him help clean HIS mess! *eye roll*
2. I made it to ONEDERLAND! :) barely, so I better not get to full of myself.
3. I GRILLED all by myself (who needs a man!!!??? lol)
4. I made a 90 on my final math test. Woot!

I am woman, hear me ROAR. :)

I had a pretty good weekend, went to the concert & wore a skimpy dress! :) and it looked pretty good if I do say so myself. Tank looked hot, Ginuwine is okaaaaaay, but not my cup of eye candy tea. I can't wait to plan another grown up outting. Maybe go see Martin in August...

Having a pretty good week so far knock on wood. My goals this week are to get everything together for the birthday party on the 9th, sign up for a consult for mobile fit @ the Y, get my AIR fixed (again) in my car (this heat is NO joke), and keep up w/laundry. <------ or I could just make the boys do it! I like this plan much better. They think they have the summer off to play video games, watch TV,swim and have all sorts of fun!??? I don't think so! It's my God given right to prove them WRONG. LOL. With that said, I am hoping to get some tickets to the early showing of Transformers 3!!!I could possibly get the award for mother of the year if I can score those! Off to check..... Have a good week my 5 followers *waves*

To do list....

Is your "to do list" like mine? By like mine, I mean never ending, always adding to? How do you get it all done? I am so tired of being responsible for it all. I am a single mom of 2 boys. They do what I ask them to do, but this is the 1st summer they are staying home alone. My oldest does a great job of keeping his room clean, but that's about it. I just remember when I was younger taking things upon myself to do around the house. I was like a clone of my mom. Boys are just different.

So, I need to come up w/a plan on how to get them on a chore schedule. I don't think it's fair (waaaaaaa <--that is me whining like a baby) that I work all day and come home to a messy home. On the weekends, I would much rather be swimming or having fun w/them rather than cleaning and doing piles of laundry. So, I am off to search for charts or something to get us on track. They would much rather be playing on the PS3, but they need some structure even though I'm at work. I also need to come up w/a plan for meal ideas they can heat up or make w/out too much fuss mess.

I also need a plan...back to Flylady I go. Never heard of flylady? It's an awesome plan when you, I mean I stick to it.  Here is the link: http://flylady.net/ in case there is anyone who has never heard of it. Once I get started, I will try to log my progress here as well. http://flylady.net/

Things I would rather be doing than working

-Obviously, posting to my blog.
-Cutting/organizing my coupons-then heading to Homeland to shop w/my coupons! :)
-Thrift store hunting for furniture that I have no where to put, no way to get home really, really need.
-Painting furniture that I already have. I have really been putting this off due to my pefectionist ways. I realize that unless I can do something perfect-I don't want to do it. But, what I we all have to realize is that practice makes perfect. You can't always start out w/perfection. I just need to DO it.
-Swimming/laying out gettin my tan on w/my boys.\
-Shopping
-Looking at houses-hope to buy one in the next 7-8 mos.
-Sleeping
-Researching vacation plans...Destination Sea World is underway. Yay! :)

As you can see, once I am in blog mode-I can blog all day! LOL

Father's Day.

Well, I'm already slacking as you can see on this here blog. But, I'm here now :) a few things have happened since I last blogged, and a few things that should be happening haven't happened.

-Fathers Day. Shocked as hell, I saw my DAD on Father's Day. I really couldn't tell you the last time I spend any time w/my dad, let alone on father's day. Actually, I could tell you...it was about 4 years ago when my grandmother died. My dad was not himself. You see, he is a drug addict. I was very angry w/my dad up to this point....but once I saw the sad state of affairs of his life-I was oddly no longer angry. I feel sorry for him, and I wished he could get his life together. I wish we could have a relationship because, I was a daddy's girl. Well guess what!? My dad is clean. He says he has been clean for 2 years. I hope it stays. One thing bothers me though...and that is the fact that one of the 12 steps is making ammends with those you have hurt. I for one, am one of the people he has hurt & he never attempted to make any ammends w/me. So, I just have to accept this situation for what it is. Another sad detail of this saga is this: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/Okla-man-pleads-guilty-to-27-years-of-theft-1369995.php

My dad made headlines. I am not proud. He could spend the rest of his natural life in a federal prison. It doesn't seem to phase him. In a way, I can understand why. What can he do about it now? Absolutely nothing, so why be upset about it I guess? I know that I would be falling to pieces...but, he is not. I don't get it, but I still love my dad. I wish he would change and seek relationships w/us...maybe he will. Maybe he won't. All I know is I am no longer angry, just disappointed. I will pray for him, like my Grandma always told me to.

My car- The a/c broke down on me again :( and I haven't been able to get it fixed yet. Yuck! Luckily, the weather is a little cooler today...I welcomed that for sure :)

Weight loss-this is what really hasn't happened. I swear my body is fighting against being in the 1's. It hates me. My 6 mos postop appointment will be next Wednesday, so I am going to get my butt in gear to be well into the 1's by next week. Low carb or go home is my motto! :)

Hump Day <-----I wonder who 1st thought to call it that!?

Well Hello! *waves to my followers* Thanks for following my little rambling blog here. :)

First, let's take roll of what I did/didn't accomplish last night:

-Booking the pool for my DS9's birthday party-DONE
-At least 2 loads of laundry-Did 1 load of towels
-Clean my bathroom-done, but I still have a couple things to do here
-Try to do 20 min of homework slacked off on this
-Cook dinner/clean kitchen-DONE 
-Research steam mop. I think I am ready to buy one. NOPE
-Attempt to do a workout video NOPE

Added:
Vaccum LR,hallway& dining room. Fuss at my kids because I think they broke my vaccum :(
Watch Teen Mom-they always suck me in
Made sure the couch was still good and comfy LOL

I haven't lost much weight this week (yet)...haven't drank as much water as I should either, so who knows. I am *this close* to ONEDERLAND and I can't wait! :)

I'd like to do some painting this weekend. I have a long list of things I need to paint + I found a place that I want to scope out for some dressers/hutch. I need to paint the stuff I already have for now though:
1. Shelf for the living room.
2. CJ's dresser/bed.
3. Zae's dresser.
4. Round table in my room.
5. Shelf in entry way. It's currently black, but I want it to be red.
Hopefully I can get started this weekend. I keep keeping it off procrastinating. I don't know why I always do that. I feel a million times better once it's done.

Goals for tonight

My house is a hot mess. I will be accomplishing the following tonight:

-Booking the pool for my DS9's birthday party
-At least 2 loads of laundry
-Clean my bathroom
-Try to do 20 min of homework
-Cook dinner/clean kitchen 
-Research steam mop. I think I am ready to buy one.
-Attempt to do a workout video

Pet peeves and such.

Oh, I'm sure I will have lot's of these as this blog progresses. Maybe if I type them out as they bug me, they won't bug me as much! :)

-People that drop parts of a story just to let you know they "know" something but then act like they can't tell you the full story. How about you don't even bring it up!??

-People who refuse to research things on their own. In today's technological age, so much info is available at your fingertips. And by fingertips I don't mean to call ME to ask ME to google/research for YOU. If you are truly interested in _______ you will take the steps necessary to find out about _________. If you can't do that, you don't need/really want/deserve_____________.

-People that refer to their husband as "hubby" all the time. For instance, if I have known your "hubby" just as long as you have...just refer to him has "John" or "Bill" Not, "oh my hubby is calling me!" I know who John or Bill is to you...I don't go around referring to my boyfriend as "significant other" or "Oh, look my boyfriend is calling"!?? It's just annoying and a form of bragging to me. It would be a different story if I don't know your husband. It really makes people look insecure in my opinon.

That is all for now  unless someone else irritates me before the day is over which is very likely.

Well...hello there! =)

I am starting this blog for no reason in particular other than I love, love, love reading other's blogs and I also love getting my thoughts out in writing. It's helped me tremendously and I always feel better after I get it all out. I am 31 years old, I have 2 boys. They are 13 and 9, with birthdays coming up (eek!). On December 29, 2010, I had weight loss surgery (vertical sleeve gastrectomy). I wish I had started blogging at the beginning of that journey, but I did journal it somewhat on another site. I am beyond thrilled w/my decision to have the surgery and to date, I have lost about 78 lbs. I always hear people say they wished they had done it sooner. I believe everything happens when it's suppose to happen, where it's suppose to happen, and how it's suppose to happen. My interests vary and the details of this blog will as well. I will talk about WLS, kids, work, school, relationships, current events, food, shopping, coupons, astrology, exercise (or my lack there of)...whatever strikes my fancy that day. And I love the word fancy. I will try to update this often, because I hate when I get hooked on a good blog and they never update. THAT is not fancy.