31 days: A budget

Its been a RUDE awakening this month!  

I used a print out I got offline to record everything you spend on food..We did not go out to eat at a restaurant ONCE yet we spent over 100 dollars on fast food, grabbing a juice box at Target, Dunkin Donuts etc!  I was shocked and disgusted. 

My goal for November is to buy a Dunkin Donuts gift card for 10.00!  We will not spend a dime over that!  There is no need for it!  I packed my van bag back up full of juice boxes, snacks etc. We will go out to dinner once just Jeff and I to a restaurant I have a mystery shop for which we will get back 35 dollars for the mystery shop so we shouldn't have to much oop for the visit!

We also spent 400-500 on food shopping!  Ive been lazy and not meal planning!  Ive also been buying things we don't need.  Right now we have 4 bags of grapes in the fridge!  Thankfully I have some pectin so I can make a thing of Jam or Jelly with it but the picking up things at the store has to stop as well!  I am setting our November budget for 350 dollars! 300 for regular food 50 for Thanksgiving, candy making supplies etc.  I hope to come in under budget.  But I have a lot of things downstairs I can make meals with!

I have tons of cookie mixes, brownie mixes etc that I plan on baking up some goodies once a week at least so I can use up space in the kids lunch boxes or snacks when they get home from school so we arent using up all the snack stockpile!

I have become super lazy and it shows!  Our income cannot handle it! Due to bills and what not November is a SUPER tight month plus we have Black Friday shopping in the mix so I am sticking to a tight tight budget!  10 for Dunkin Donuts 350 for Food shopping and hopefully no more then 40 for the mystery shop!

Ho Ho HO: Disney Fleece Blankets 9.37 shipped!

Disney Store is offering the fleece blankets reg 19.50 on sale for 12.50 then use promo code GIFT25 (25% off entire order), in addition to FREENAME(Free personalization and free shipping).

That makes the fleece throw blanket $9.37!!

 Anything you personalize is free and will be shipped for free with the promo code!! I ordered all 3 kids one!

I also used shop at home for 5% cash back which will amount to....70 cents but hey every little bit adds up right! I cant wait to give these to my kids from Santa!


*This post does contain affiliate links*

31 days: babies are made

Tonight I was making dinner and the kids were sitting at the table talking...Nothing outta the ordinary then Aubrey started talking about when Trev was a baby!  Trev of course(Mr. know it all) had to tell her she wasn't even here when he was a baby...So she kept asking in different ways why and where was she?  So he sat quiet for about 30 seconds...I'm thinking crap here it comes....Well mommy's body just didn't make you yet Aubrey!

First I am so happy hes so innocent!  Dont we all wish it was that easy to have a baby!!

Second I am even happier he didn't ask how they were made!!

So I have avoided the question for now but seriously no idea how I would have handled that one!

Ho ho HO: Lands End 40/100!!

Through 10/27, you can get $40 off a $100 purchase + FREE Shipping online at Lands’ End!




Use Shopathome for 4% cash back! 


Promo Code: ILOVELE   pin: 3316


*The above links are referaal links and I will get a small compensation if you use them*

Shutterfly giveaway!!!

Can you believe Christmas is now less than 2 months away! I always like to have my holiday cards done early and out so people can enjoy them all season long!! Lucky you Shutterfly already has all of the holiday items out and ready to personalize and ship!

Pine cone card

I love how unique how the cards can be!

Initially Merry

You can add one or 6 photos to the pictures!

I think this year I am leaning towards something Black and White..Look how perfect yet very holiday this card would be! 

Wrapped Ribbon

Are you throwing a holiday party this year?  Do you need beautiful invites?  Make sure you check out Shutterfly! 

Invites

 

They dont just stop at the holiday cards though! Photo memories are always a great gift that lasts forever.  

  

   Holiday greetings http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards 

   Christmas cards http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards

  Invitations to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/invitations 

· Thank you cards http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/thank-you-cards

·PHoto Christmas cards http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

·         photo blankets http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts/fleece-photo-blankets

So do you need any holiday cards?  If you do please leave a comment below telling me what your looking forward to most about the upcoming Holiday season?  One lucky reader will win 25 Shutterfly cards I was given as a gift from me to you for allowing me to share my favorite cards! 

31 days: Toys

Its the 25th of October can you believe I kept up with my 31 days to LIFE series.  Today I have to admit I am kinda a loss..I am so over Halloween.  I just didn't get into it this year!  The pumpkins are rotted already after 1 week!  I didnt really do much decorating AT ALL for Halloween as I am trying to save all my pennies for the upcoming holidays.  I just want it to be Christmas!  There I said it!  The Toys R Us toy book came today and my kids were oohing and ahhing over the book and checking off a few things they want!

I think on Tuesday the entire house will be de-spookified and the pumpkins and leaves may last another week or two before the whole house gets ready for Christmas.  I know its nuts but my mom is the only one who comes over for Thanksgiving and she just laughs at me.  I just love these remaining weeks of the year!  Now off to look at pictures from last year and view videos..Its amazing how a toy book can just set you in overdrive for the holidays 

FREE Covergirl at Drugstore.com

Go to this link


You can find covergirl face products $4 or under, scroll down- cheekers blush is $3.99

When you click the product, you'll see the option to clip the $8/2 coupon and both with be free.  If you got the free shoprunner trial, shipping is free!

If you want to spend a $1 or 2, there are other things around $5

Thanks to KOOPS on my local board! 

31 days: your husband

I do not have the perfect marriage..Probably not even a good one...But it is what it is.  Jeff and I have been together for almost 8 years...We have a nearly 7 year old you do the math!  In that short 7 years we have had 3 children, got married, moved twice, bought a house, lost a job, and a million other things. 

Jeff has not always been one to help out!  I do all the kids activities, parties etc.  But latley hes been helping  A LOT around the house.  I came home from a 2 hour gym trip ready for a fight..However I found 2 outta 3 kids in bed, him loading up the dishwasher and not a word.  I have learned to just take it and walk away.  I took my shower and picked up my jaw and thought I could get used to this!

I really hope the helpfulness, the letting me get stuff done alone, the okay with my gym time Jeff continues to stick around.  I could really use the help and time away!

Ho ho Ho: 3 shirts and 3 jeans for 14 shipped!

You can get 3 Merona Ultimate Tees and 3 Junior Bootcut Jeans for just $14 shipped from Target.com. Here’s how:

• Sign up/Log in to your ShopAtHome account
• Click on the blue “shop now” button for Target.com
• Once on Target.com, search for “Mossimo Supply Co. Juniors Bootcut Jeans Medium Tint Wash” and add 3 pairs to your cart
• Now search for “Merona Women’s Ultimate Tee” and add 3 to your cart
• Use the code TGT75HFN to get $5 off ANY purchase (if you haven’t used it yet; must be logged into your Target.com account)
• Your total should be $14 shipped

Plus if this is your first Shop at Home purchase and you sign up with the link above, you will receive a $5 bonus on top of the cash back within 30 days.


(Thanks Totally Target!)

Ho Ho Ho: Holiday stockings

If you’re looking for a new or updated Christmas stocking this year, you may want to head on over to JCPenney.com and browse through the needlepoint and velvet stockings as they are on sale 50% off and priced at just $14.99 (reg. $29.99)!   Even sweeter, you can use the promo code BESTOCT through TODAY 10/24 to get an additional 15% off (or 20% if you use your JCP card) + FREE shipping to your local JCPenney store.  You can even add a personal touch and monogram the stockings for an additional $5.

That means with an additional 15% off, you can snag a needlepoint or velvet stocking for only $11.99 shipped (plus tax) to your local JCPenney store!

Thanks Hip2Save

Organized Christmas Week 9

This past week I cleaned up the TV area which was nice..I also realized I changed the decor from last year so I am hoping to get a beachy, blue, silver,white theme going on down there rather then golds and reds from last year!

I also went through my pantry and organized that!  The only thing left I have in my kitchen is to wash down the fronts of the cabinets and the utensil/junk drawer needs a overhaul again! I went through the stockpile room as well and got rid of all expired items and made a box for donations.

The living room always stays very clean and clutter free!  I do need to do a little touch up painting I just didn't even notice it till Saturday. I did go through the kids and our dvds in the cases and was able to organize them per child.  I may put them in the kids rooms! I did buy 2 casserole dishes and have 4lbs of ground beef in my fridge that I want to make some stuffed shells, meatballs and a huge lasagna! I am happy to say soccer will be over on Saturday which is such a breath of fresh air as I can enjoy weekends now!

Deep Cleaning/Organizing Area: Pantry and Closets

• Pantry / Additional Closets
• Pantry/Closets cleaning checklist form

Holiday Prep:

• Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
• Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
• Buy two canned food items from menus (get 2 of each item, one to use and one to donate to food drive).
• Buy 1/8th of TO BUY gifts. Save all receipts, note return policy before buying. Ask for gift boxes.
• Wrap and label packages. If needing to ship, get some shipping boxes now and store packages in them.
• Work at least 1 hour a day on homemade gifts.
• Start addressing Christmas cards and writing Christmas letter.
• Find family photo suitable for inclusion with Christmas card.
• Involve the whole family. Do not seal cards yet, keep them in a box in alphabetical order, as you think of things that you want to say to them pull out the card and add a note.
• Send invitations for Thanksgiving.
• Prepare for special needs-extra beds, babies?
• Buy extra batteries (check gifts).
• Order turkey.

I did most of this last week but I do plan on attacking the cabinets fronts and the junk drawer!  I also bought some sugar last week I want to grab a few more items for cookie/candy making!  I did wrap a lot more gifts as well as start a bag for toys for tots donations! I do not plan on thinking of Thanksgiving till I see what deals the grocery stores are offering! 

This Week's Houseworks Checklist

• Declutter, clean and organize the living room or public space. With the holidays hard upon us, your household's living room or public space will be on display. Prepare for family events and drop-in visitors! Remove all clutter from the living room using the STOP clutter method, then deep-clean the room. Move furniture pieces and vacuum beneath them, polish fine woods, and clean or vacuum draperies, window coverings or blinds.
• Pare down living room decor. Once the living room is clean and free from clutter, take a minimalist's eye to the room 's decorations. Will your holiday decor shine, or will it compete with current decor items? Clear tabletops, shelves and corners for the holiday decorations to come.

This Week's Holiday Prep Checklist

• Costume check! Will the household's trick-or-treaters be ready? Complete Halloween costumes in time for the week's parties and events.
• Start a new Halloween tradition. Ready to join the neighborhood fun? Use our free printables to start a Halloween BOO tradition in your neighborhood. Spread the BOO joy!
• Buy holiday stamps. Seasonal stamp designs will be available soon, so buy holiday stamps early for best selection. Ordering online from USPS.Com is easy and convenient, with delivery right to your mailbox!
• Begin saving packaging materials. Recycling makes sense ... and cents. As catalog orders arrive, begin to stockpile mailing boxes and packaging material for re-use in December. Store them close to your wrap and mail center to speed holiday mailing chores.
• Prepare to mail Christmas cards or letters. Christmas cards should be nearly finished and ready for mailing. ; Stamp envelopes and set them aside until it's time to mail them next month. Tip: leaving envelopes unsealed makes it easy to add a newsy post-script if the spiri

This week I plan on painting in the living room and doing a good dusting but other then that its pretty good to go! 

This week starts the Christmas countdown!  A 6 week plan on organization.  I plan on checking in with posts that pertain to me.  I already feel so relieved for the holiday!  I will actually be able to take the kids to do things they want to do this year instead of last minute rushing!!

31 days: a year of health!

It has been a FULL year since I started on this journey for weight loss..Back then I had finally had it..We weren't sure if we planned on having more kids..The kids were older and not in need of me all the time so I could take some time for exercise!   I had set pretty attainable goals back then!

(10%) 17.6 lbs to go!
Christmas:  25.6 pounds to go!
life time 64.6 lbs to go!

By Christmas I had lost 20 lbs! I didnt feel great but I felt a lot better as I was down a size or two in jeans...I was also completing the goal of the couch to 5k!

I joined my gym in January and really saw amazing progress there as soon as I started mixing cross training and weight training in along with my running!  In April I ran my first official race!  Given I was slow as hell I still beat my first 5k time by about 8-9 minutes finishing around 36.10 mins

Over the summer I got lazy and tired of losing weight and I pretty much took most of the summer off..I kept up with my work outs just did shorter miles but faster times, less gym time aka less burning those inches off and maintained for the most part!

Source: Uploaded by user via Karla on Pinterest

I finally hit my wall with maintaining and figured lets get my original goal DONE!  I want to get it done! I am currently 21.6 pounds away from that goal! If I reach that goal I will be 15 lbs under the high point of a healthy BMI!  However I just need a realistic goal to hit by years end which would be 16 lbs! So hopefully I can get these last 21 pounds off by hopefully Valentines Day and just really tone up the remainder of the year.  For now I am training for a 10k as it will keep me out there and on track!

Source: None via Amy on Pinterest

31 days: spend a little

Today my mother and I went shopping..yes its all we ever do but we figure if we have errands to run we might as well do it together.  This week we went through her stuff she has bought for the kids for Christmas and made a list and decided that Casey and Aubrey need a few more things..I should have known this wasn't going to end well!  We started at Gap cause I had heard clearance was addtl 50% off and she had a 30% off coupon as well!

We walked out spending 197 dollars after all was said and done...I was in charge of Casey who I might add maybe totaled up 50 dollars...See the difference in our shopping habits?!

2 pj sets for Casey

4 long sleeve shirts for Casey

1 pair of athletic pants for Casey

Aubrey ended up with 2 dresses, tights, 2 pairs of jeggings/pants, 2 tops, 2 sweaters....

I was having heart palpitations but the fact of the matter is with all the Target and Toys R Us clothes I have been buying lately they wear out so quick..ESP with Aubrey and Casey!  I feel like i had to buy way less clothes when I bought pricier items that seemed to last! I can always hand down Aubreys Gymbo and Gap stuff!

We also went to Old Navy and spent a pretty penny..a little over 100 but saved a lot more there!  Plus we have coupons for 30/60 in November!

I really dont mind spending a little for Trevs clothes as they are almost all saved for Casey which is very very nice!  I think with 3 I have learned you have to just shop smart!

Ho ho HO: Squinkies 2.99 shipped!

This is today only!! Target is offering free shipping on Squinkies!  Some of these are on sale for 7.99 but use the code TGT75HFN for an additional 5 dollars off!

31 days: Funny things you hear

Who tooked care of us when you were a baby? - Aubrey

Your the best mommy in the whole world...Until I am a mommy - Aubrey

I drew a big bubble with everyone I love in it..Dont worry your in it -Trevor

I bub mommee-Casey

I feel like I need to show them more how much I love them but each day they get more and more vocal with how much they love me!

31 days: fear

I was called up and asked to be Trevor's room mom again this year..I was a little hesitant but I figured why not.  Soon I will be back to work and wont be able to do these things.  I have two local friends in town that I trust with my kids and one friend is the only person Casey will go to and not cry!  So I always ask them first if they cant ask my mom or Jeff to take a few hours off. 

So today was a crazy day(I felt like I lived in my van) and I had to meet up with Trevs teacher and the other room moms...I just mentioned hurry hurry you gotta get home so I can go meet your teacher.  Trev was trying to ask me something but I was late and just trying to get them home with Jeff so I could run to the meeting.

As soon as I walked in the door I got where did you go?  how was it?  did my teacher say anything?  Trev was SOOOOOO nervous he did something bad and was getting in trouble.  So I went with it for a little while to see if I could get anything outta him.  I know hes a good boy, obeys his teachers, etc.  She said her only complaints were in the beginning of the year he was a little chatty but was spoken to a few times by the teacher and myself and he stopped. 


Its always nice to instill that Parent Teacher fear in your kids...even if there is nothing to fear keeps them on their toes! Now as a mom of 3 I could tell you anything you wanna know about infants and toddler but this school age stuff is all very new to me and I have to say I am having A LOT of fun with it!

Cinnamon Stick Candles

For whatever reason I am just NOT into Halloween this year!  No idea why?!  Maybe as it gets closer I will get a little more excited but for now I am thinking pretty much all Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Source: homestoriesatoz.com via Katie on Pinterest

I saw this lovely arraignment on Pinterest!  Who doesn't love that site seriously! So I grabbed some Vanilla candles, jute and cinnamon sticks from Hob Lob and got to work with my glue gun!

Of course after I did this I found another great Pin!

Source: bhg.com via Marta on Pinterest

I am thinking I need to make more and throw them on a nice plate or platter for an amazing Thanksgiving centerpiece! Even just making a few more of these and changing out ornament balls, acorns, etc can make this a great craft from September-the new year!

Jack O Lanterns

This past weekend the kids and I worked on our Jack o Lanterns..It was a windy fall weekend and the perfect time to do so!

Trev and Jeff made the grim reaper, Aubrey and I tried a castle that failed so we settled on a princess shoe, Casey cleaned out the ghost pumpkin that I carved!

The older two pros weren't fans of cleaning the pumpkin out as usual.  They wanted to get straight to carving or use the scoops. Casey on the other hand loved getting down and dirty and helped everyone clean the pumpkins!

The kids had a lot of fun and were very patient as I had to help one by one get their pumpkin done.  It was a nice day to do it..I do wish my husband was there to help with the cleaning and carving but as usual he found something else that "had" to be done!

My mom came over and helped me and the kids stuff the ghosts and string spider webs over the bushes and flower boxes on the front porch.  It added a fun little touch to the outside for Halloween!  Can you believe Halloween is only a week and a half away!

31 days: Gifts

I missed yesterday....oops was just a hectic day!

Anyways last night I started going through under our stairs where we keep our toys I buy through the years for upcoming birthdays, Christmas and extras!  I felt such a breath of relief as I had 6 parties I have invites to...Yes 6!  As a mother of 3 two of which are in school we are constantly getting invited to parties.  As long as the kids want to go I take them..

It would be a huge stress on me if I did not follow the deal blogs and just get out to the stores!  Im always looking for a good deal...I was able to put aside all the gifts for the upcoming parties and EVERYTHING was bought at 75% off so no money as to come outta our weekly budget! 

While I was down there I started going through the little things and starting making a bag for Toys For Tots, Trevor's birthday party gift and Trevor's actual birthday gift.  All of Trevs stuff was bought at 50-75% off..All Club Penguin, DS games and accessories and WWE stuff.  I think I spent less then 50 dollars on two HUGE bags full of gifts for him!

I have always shopped smart and been able to give my kids nicer things I would not normally be able to afford. I think as a mom of 3 I have no other choice then to shop this way considering my only job is mother(the understatement of the year)

31 days:laughter

Today I brought Aubrey and her little friend to school. They were both super chatty the whole morning and on the way to school. I could not help but smile at the little giggles! Little girls really are super sweet!

I would love to have another little girl!

LOVE!!

However its probably not going to happen..It would take away A LOT that we do for the older kids and make us struggle financially. Unless we come into some money or get our bills down #4 wont happen..As Jeff says what if it was another boy would you want 5? Yes I probably would have a million kids if I was given the chance but I know that is not smart! So for now I just borrow my friends daughters and live vicariously through borrowing!