Leaving in my Honda...

Since we have had a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad week (think nosebleeds, vomiting, scheduled surgery, strep throat, and more nosebleeds), my hubby decided that we are going to leave a day early for vacation. We are going to aim our stops for Pigeon Forge, TN, Savannah, GA, and then finally Orlando, FL. Who knows what we will do on the way home?!?

So, without further adeiu, adios amigos!

I'll be back in a week with our bargains from the trip of a lifetime!

Prayers Needed

If you are a praying reader, we could really use your help today...

Another reason that I haven't been posting a lot (in addition to getting ready for Disney) is that we have been living in nosebleed city with our 5 1/2 year old son. He's been having nosebleeds in the night that wake him up (because he's choking on blood). Truly they are a mess. Two nights ago we had to put him in the tub to let the blood fall! Now he is to the point of passing clots.

The pediatrician, who has seen him at least twice before for this issue, is out of ideas. We are headed to an ENT in Columbus, OH tomorrow for a cauterization. To be completely honest, this freaks me out!

Please pray specifically that:
1. I don't faint, cry, or make a complete fool of myself.
2. Our son has minimal pain.
3. This works!
4. The doctor is nice, comforting, and not scary.
5. Overall, that the procedure is much less than I anticipate it to be.

Thanks for your prayers,
Hope

Papa John's has reached their limit!

No more free pizza...BUT pat yourself on the back for helping them reach their goal and give a TON of food to local food banks. :)

Freebie for Earth Day from the Disney Store

For my Columbus readers and those of your who live near a Disney Store:
Get a FREE hat from the Disney store on Earth Day when you bring in 6 empty plastic bottles or soda cans!. Go HERE for details. Thanks to the Coupon Project!

Monday: Pancakes and Bacon

Tuesday: Free pizza from Papa John's with 10 canned goods + Salad

Wednesday: Sloppy Joes, Curly Fries, Applesauce

Thursday: Tacos with Chips/Queso Dip

Friday: Bean Dip with Chips + Mexican Rice

Saturday: Clean out Fridge/Sandwiches...leave for Disney in the AM

Breakfasts: Cereal, Oatmeal, Pop Tarts, Toaster Struedel, Eggs

Lunches: Bologna Sandwiches, Tuna Sandwiches, Chef Boyardee, Ramen Noodles, Mac and Cheese/Hot Dogs

Why Hasn't She Been Posting????

Things that make you go hmmm....

I haven't posted any trips lately because, well, I haven't been shopping.

We leave for Disney in 9 days and I am trying to clean out the cupboards/fridge/freezer before we go. I will have to make a quick stop to make it through the week though. I'm thinking of seeing what we absolutely need (bread, juice, salad, lunchmeat, etc) and hitting the Meijer 10/10 sale tomorrow. I think with some adaptations, I can do quite well there for a little money.

I will buy some groceries/water once we hit Florida to take into the park with us. Our breakfasts are free at the hotel, lunches/snacks will be packed almost daily, and all we should have to do is dinners. My goal is to spend $700 or less on food the entire week (this amt DOES include the grocery trip in FL). I'm fairly certain that this is doable with my plan.

Have I mentioned that we're going to Disney World?!?!?!?!?! I'm so excited.

Local Readers - Papa John's Pizza + Zoo Tickets FREE

Did you know about this?

Papa John's pizza is offering a FREE large pizza with up to 10 toppings Monday - Wednesday with a donation of 10 canned goods. When you get your pizza, you also get family tickets for Columbus Parents Zoo Day (May 1st & 2nd).

So for the cost of 10 canned goods, we got a free pizza and 4 zoo tickets. Not bad at all, folks!

Clean out your cupboards today! Give a little and get a lot.

Loved this Article - Utility Savings

http://www.savingandgiving.net/?p=2514

How do you save on your utility bills?

Local Readers - Three Bags Full Sale TH-FR-SAT

If you want to clothe your kids for a fraction of the price...if you want outdoor toys but don't want the outdoor toy price...if you need new reading material for your readers...if you need a stroller, toddler bed, changing table, etc...then this is the place for you!

I have shopped this sale for the past 5 years and I recommend it highly. Go to threebagsfull.info for more details. Hope to see you there!

IHOP - Kids Eat FREE all April

Just in time for our vacation, a way to save on a dinner or two...

IHOP is offering Kids Eat Free for the entire month of April from 4-10 PM. (Each child will eat free with every adult meal purchase.) Go HERE for the details.

Thanks, to Moms by Heart, for this tip.

Free Starbucks on Tax Day!

Go HERE to see how you can get FREE coffee on April 15th! Thanks, The Coupon Project.

It's Meijer 10/$10 Week...

My favorite week of the year and we are getting ready to go on vacation and don't want to buy a lot... UGH!

Calling All Artists! A Freebie for You!

Go HERE to get a free tube of Artist's Acrylic Paint. Then, after you get it, tell me what you did with it! Thanks to The Coupon Project for this freebie.

CVS Heads Up

At CVS this week they have an ECB deal on Head and Shoulders (4.99) where you earn $1 back.

I was able to use a BOGO MQ (-4.99), a $1 MQ (off of the one that I bought), and then received $2 ECB's back on this purchase. I ultimately got 2 for $1.99 total!

FREE reusable tote!

Go HERE to take a 10 question quiz and receive a reusable tote. Thanks to Moms by Heart for this deal!

Monday: Easter leftovers

Tuesday: ??? (Daddy's not home)

Wednesday: Mac and Cheese (Daddy's not home)

Thursday: Hamburger Helper, Green Beans

Friday: Sirloin on the grill, potatoes, broccoli/cauliflower combo

Saturday: Out of town - dinner on the road

Sunday: Crockpot roast, Potatoes, Carrots

Breakfasts: Hard boiled eggs, Cereal, Oatmeal, PopTarts

Lunches: Leftovers, Sandwiches, Frozen Pierogies, Etc.

KMart's Super Doubles are Back, but I'm Not Going

OK, so KMart's super doubles are back this week but with a few new twists and turns.

1. You have to have a rewards card (which you can sign up at the register for). This card has to be presented BEFORE your order to track your coupons each day.

2. There is a strict limit of 5 coupons/day. This is tracked with the rewards card. (I called my closest KMart in Zanesville to confirm this.)

So, I won't be going. There is no reason for me to drive 1/2 hour for 5 coupons. If you have a KMart close to you, it may be worth your while. Just know and expect the limits before you shop.

300

Today is officially the day that I have hit 300 posts! Celebrate with me...

Home Depot Kids Workshop Tomorrow

Tomorrow take your kids to Home Depot between 9-12 to build this awesome butterfly house. It's FREE!

My 2 Favorite Household Cleaners

Good Morning! I thought since spring has officially sprung and its cleaning time, I would share with you my two favorite household cleaners...

#1 is reusable, economical, environmentally safe, and scratch free. Any ideas?

It is a MICROFIBER CLOTH!

I bought a 10 pack of these at Sam's club when I began my "no-chemical" cleaning journey due to my daughters allergies. They were app. $1/cloth.

I wet them, ring them out, and use them to scrub floors, appliances, dust, etc. I also use a dry cloth to polish my faucets and shine my mirrors. No chemicals, just some elbow grease and this cloth...you'll be amazed at how well it works.

When they are dirty, just throw them in with a load of towels and wash. Make sure that you don't use fabric softener on them or they won't pick up as well. (I air dry mine.) 10 towels will last for years and years.

#2 is economical, non-toxic, grease-fighting, and tried-and-true. Any ideas?

It is DILUTED VINEGAR!

Go to a dollar store and buy a plastic squirt bottle. Fill it 1/4 with white vinegar and the rest of the way with water. Give it a small shake and you are ready to go.

This cleaner busts through stove top grease, microwave messes, and shower soap scum (especially on glass doors). When you first spray this, it will smell, but when it dries, it does not smell at all. (The paper towels that are in your trash may smell, but trust me, your stove won't.)

You can refill your cleaning bottle for pennies when you run out. You don't have to make an emergency trip to the store for cleaning supplies; just pull open your pantry door and get started!

Happy cleaning!

Great Deal at Kroger on Potatoes

Go HERE to see how Kingdom Klipper rolled catalina's to get free Betty Crocker potatoes at Kroger. If this is something you eat, you may want to do this deal too...or donate to a food pantry.

I Got Game(s)!

At Toys R Us this week, I bought 5 games:

• Operation
• Twister
• Connect 4
• Hungry, Hungry Hippos (got a free stuffed hippo w/purchase)
• Gator Golf (got a free stuffed hippo w/purchase)

I used coupons found HERE to total $22.00 off my order.
I earned a $5 gift card on my next purchase.
And, I will submit my receipt and the form above for a $15 rebate.

My average total for each game (including sales tax) was $2.18 (after rebates, coupons, and gift cards.)

Run to Toys R Us this week to participate and have some fun playing games!