Free Simple and Delicious Magazine

I receive Simple and Delicious, the magazine and I love it! My mom keeps renewing my subscription and I love her for that! Anyways, go here and you can get a free issue! Worth a look!

Join the Fight Against Childhood Hunger

FREE insulated lunch bag designed by actress Monique Coleman

ConAgra food products are running a promotion right now. ConAgra products included in this are Peter Pan, Manwich, Chef Boyardee, Orville Redenbacher and Snack Pack. Those are all foods I have in my pantry, seeing as I have children.
It goes like this, purchase 6 of these Con Agra food products. Then, go here to download the lunch bag order form and you will receive the free lunch bag (3.oo shipping and handling). Then, ConAgra foods will donate one dollar to help fight against childhood hunger! Sounds great to me!

Scott and Carol Decker

I was reading my normal everyday blogs and I came across another charity challenge. I was reading about it and an hour later I am still reading about it! This is amazing. This weeks charity challenge is about a family, The Decker family, who really needs some donations and some prayers. Wow, they have been through so much! There is a synopsis of what they have been through here.
This is truly an amazing story of a woman and her family, she gave birth and the events that followed after are something you could not ever imagine..even one tenth of what they went through! Please read and, if it is all you can do, consider them in your prayers! They also have a way to donate to the family on their blog, if you are able to do so!
I believe this all started on June 9th and has been documented since. It is updated almost daily! I was a bit confused at first, but it is four months of documentation. This family is truly amazing and strong! I will keep reading and following and praying for this family!
Click here for a silent auction for them also.

Halloween Costumes

I am ahead of the game! I am never ahead of the game when it comes to Halloween. It has it's advantages and disadvantages...

• Advantages; We had a lot of costumes to choose from!
• Disadvantages; We might find something we bought cheaper; the costumes we bought might be worn out by Halloween (my son lives in his!); I have already returned one of my daughters and exchanged it and am thinking about doing it again!

But, this being said, look in your mailbox. I got a flyer for Party City (I feel like they would have the flyer in the store too, near the entrance or something?), and there are coupons...

1. $5 off any single costume purchase of 14.99-24.99
2. $10 off any single costume purchase of 25.00-34.99
3. $15 off any single costume purchase of 35.00 and up

This is a pretty good deal, considering what I paid and where. It says one week only, expires on 10/04/08....

Premiere Week! (the unofficial official one!)

Here it is! This is the week we have been waiting for. Sorry, I missed Monday premieres (there were tons!), sickness has knocked on our door, so a little disinfecting was in order today!
Here's the line-up for Tues. night:

• 8:00 p.m.
• Opportunity Knocks (ABC) Funny story here. We actually applied for this show. We spoke to them and they said they already had someone from our area, but they were keeping applications for next season! Hopefully! Anyways..they set up a real game studio on your street (our neighbors would freak out!) and you win things according to questions..looks sooo fun!
• NCIS (CBS) I guess this is your regular crime investigating show. I have never seen it, but I bet it is one of those really good intense shows I might be able to watch when my kids are older!
• 9:00 p.m.
• The Mentalist (CBS) A celebrated psychic uses his powerful gift of observation to assist the California Bureau of Investigation. Looks really good. I think it might be worth the time to watch!
• 10:00 p.m.
• Without a Trace (CBS) FBI missing persons unit in Manhattan solves cases about murder, kidnapping or simply people that wanted to "disappear". This is the season premiere, not series premiere
• Law and Order SVU (NBC) Another crime series, a 7 year old boy accuses his foster parents of abusive medical testing.

Looks like a great line-up...I think The Mentalist might be a really good show...
To see the schedule for premiere week click here.

Distinctively Dole

So, I bought Distinctively Dole salads from Meijer..they were BOGO and I had coupons, so I got them for next to nothing! Anyways.. the one I had was the "Hearty Italian" and wow, it was delicious! I will pay almost full price for these. I think they are about $3 when they are not on sale. I still have some coupons for them and some came in the bag of salad too...so I am so happy. Do you get that feeling salad always tastes the same when you make it at home? Same dressing, same everything? I do, but I tried this and it tasted like something from a restaurant! Great side dish!
If you go here, you can enter to win free Dole salad (you can enter everyday for ore chances!).

Kroger Deals

If you shop at Kroger you might want to click here for the latest deals 9/22-9/28.
Coupon links are included, so shop and save!
Thanks Stretching a Buck!

Teacher Appreciation

If you are one of those wonderful teachers who teach and help mold our children, Starbuck's would like to thank you! They are giving free coffee to teachers every Monday in the month of Sept.!
Just stop in with proof of your credential's and receive your complimentary 12 oz Pike Place Roast!

Thanks Coupon Cravings!

Homemade Glass Cleaner

I started reviewing all of my "homemade cleaning products", but I did not get to finish...Duty called (duty being a 2 yr. old that should have been in bed!). So here is my review on my glass cleaner

• Recipe
• Equal parts vinegar and water (that's it! How easy is that!)

Verdict: Love it! My Windex was beginning to leave my windows streaked, feel like I could never get them clean! My vinegar and water solution is great! It cleans windows so easily! I love it! 5 stars!

Kids Clothes

If you are like me, shopping clearance for children's clothes is next to impossible with the children with you. Even shopping for current things on sale is impossible. Well, I have found a solution that works so great for me! I shop online. My two favorite's are Khol's and Old Navy. I sit here, in my own home and take my time looking through everything (keeping the kids busy coloring, etc.). I can get such great deals! You can also enter coupon codes, which can be found online too! I shop through clearance, you enter a size and it sorts it out for you. No more searching through piles of clothes that have been rummaged through, screaming kids in tow! Shipping is also a good deal. I go for it when there is a special. Kohl's has 3.95 shipping right now (I think it is a special), Old Navy has $7 flat rate shipping. This is worth it when you factor time, gas money, hassle getting there and them not having anything in the size you need, etc.
I shopped Old Navy Maternity like crazy when I was pregnant! I loved it! If something didn't work out, I would return it in-store and receive full credit!
Definitely worth looking into!!!

All Natural Cleaning Products

So, I have been posting about my endeavors of making some homemade cleaning and laundry products. I have been using them for a few weeks now and I think I am ready to report.

Homemade laundry detergent.

• Recipe:
• 1/3 bar Fels Naptha soap (found anywhere...about 1.29/bar)
• 1/2 cup washing soda (found at Kroger, Meijer...about 3.99)
• 1/2 cup Borax (found anywhere, about 2.99)
• 2 quart bucket
• Grate soap into a sauce pan. Add 6 cups water, stir until it dissolves. Add borax and washing soda. Stir until it dissolves. Pour 4 cups hot water into bucket. Add soap mixture. Now add 1 gallon, plus 6 cups water into bucket. Stir and let set over night. It will gel, not completely though.
  
• Use about 1/2 cup per load ( I used about one).

Verdict: Clothes smell fresh ( I still use dryer sheets) but overall, I am happy with it. It is a lot less expensive (Just buying the starter boxes gives you enough for a long time! And I am talking months and months and months!) Am I convinced my clothes are truly getting clean? I do not know yet. They seem clean, but for stains, etc. I do not think it is effective.
The Fels Naptha bar however, is very effective on stains. I just rub it on stains straight from the bar and have a lot of luck there!!

Need something to do this Weekend?

• Coney Island is having their annual fall festival! Definitely worth it. It is $9 for adults, $6 for kids, but...you can save $3 if you purchase your adult tickets at Kroger with your plus card..Family of four would be $24! Good deal! This also includes all rides, farm yard animal petting zoo, tons of entertainment and a trick or treat trail with goodies from local vendors! It is from noon-6, so be sure to get there early. I am sure you could probably spend the day here and have plenty to do!Oh, and kids can dress up, so if you have purchased that costume early, what a fun way to let the kids get a little more use out of it than a one time wear! They will have a blast too!
  

Here is the link with all the info...Coney Island Fall Festival.

• Fall Festival at The Shops at Harpers's Point. They will be having pony rides, petting zoo, sidewalk sale, and a "scarecrow juggler". This is on Sat. Sept. 20 from 10-2 pm. Go on their website here . The flyer will come up and coupons also. I am guessing you could print these out and use them? Maybe, if you called? Looks like something fun and easy, and pony rides? What kid wouldn't want a pony ride?
  

Friendly Friday! (a day early!)

So, I have been thinking and reflecting so much, due to this past weekends events! (In Ohio, we suffered a lot of wind damage and there of tons of people with out power still!) Just so many emotions....being prepared, not being prepared, scared, mad, sorry, happy, lucky, unfortunate....it really has been a roller-coaster. I cannot imagine how it would feel to have actually been in the hurricane...felt like we had one here, but I know it had to have been just a fraction of the real thing! My heart and prayers are with everyone who is going through things right now due to this!

Here's my "Friendly Friday" tip..(on Thursday)...
Duke energy workers (or the electric company in your area) have been working soooo hard to restore power...16 hour days, non stop! So, we think we should do something nice for them....Our vision? Baking a batch of cookies, buying a bag of candy, small bags of lunch size chips..anything.. Getting whatever "treat" we choose and handing it out to the first group of workers we come across...(Shouldn't be too hard to find some!) Imagine the smile on their faces when you hand them a treat...So they know their hard work is not unnoticed! They are fathers, brothers, sons, mothers, sisters, etc. and they deserve a pat on the back...So, we think this is a great opportunity to "pay it forward"
Please leave a note if you do..we would love to hear your story!!

More Family Fun

I have found more family fun over at Cincinnati Cents! She posts "Taking Time Thursday", and has some more great ideas for things to do in the area with the family. Check it out here!
Thanks again Cincinnati Cents!

Giant Eagle Deals for the week

Here are the Giant Eagle Deals for this week. Marcy at "Stretching a Buck" posted them here. The power has been out across Ohio, so everything is a little behind! Better late than never...right? Thanks Marcy for getting this together in such a hectic week!!!

Poll

Well, our poll has now come to a close! Thanks for all that voted!!! So, the results? Men are actually doing a lot better than I thought! Good for them! I am thrilled to see they help with the housework....They came out more than 50% do help, so that is good to hear! As for us women saving money while shopping with them? nope...ladies leave the hubbies at home if you are truly trying to save some money! =)

Men

So, my husband baked cookies on Monday. Yeah! What a pleasant surprise! Here is what I found in the 'fridge on Wed. Seriously, he could not fit that on the cookie sheet?
I'm just sayin! Men...........lol!

Buddies Soaps

Check out this great post here by Money Saving Mom. You can get free "buddies soaps"! She explains how...and it is good at almost all stores, so no special trip...put it on your regular grocery list. Even those of you who aren't "coupon crazy" can do this...One coupon, free soap...so simple!!!!

Tax Relief

I know many people were affected by hurricane Ike, we were fortunate enough to have a fraction of the worst of it happen here! We have power and are very grateful....no damage to us, the house, we are very lucky! So, I came across this article on Fox 19 news about being eligible for tax relief! Hopefully, this will help at least some of you! The article is here, so click and see if it applies to you! Good Luck!

Prayer Chain

We know many people in the country and many people who probably read this blog have been affected by hurricane Ike. We were fortunate enough to experience the smallest fraction of what others have! Our prayers and thoughts are with you. We were thinking (we'll see how it goes), but if you wanted to put a little post in the comments if you have someone specific you are praying for, we could start a prayer chain for those in need.. The least we can do is to help and pray for those in need!