Feeling behind...

Last week Thursday we had a field trip after that I took the boys out for lunch to use up some book its at Pizza Hut. Upon returning home from our little adventure my kids yell to me that the back room downstairs is flooded and water is pouring out. Out from where? I'm thinking my kids are over exaggerating...ahh..no they weren't pouring is exactly right. I come downstairs to find the hose from the back of the washer pouring water. Mind you I had started this load 2 1/2 hours ago and so this water was pouring for that long. I literally had 2" of water in my back room and a huge flooded mess. We have a small drain right next to the washer but it was way to much water for such a little drain. The carpet in both rooms was soaked a good portion as well. To sum it all up my dad came over with a shop vac and I hauled out my carpet cleaner to soak water out of the carpet. It took almost 3 hours to get all the water out of the back room. The carpet is still wet after multiple buckets removed with the carpet cleaner.

Now my dilemma is that the carpet in Lucas' room and the family room that got wet are starting to smell. I thought I had soaked up enough water they would be fine. So my question to all my bloggity friends do you know how to get the smell out? I did steam clean both areas today Lucas' room seems to be fine after this. The family room carpet is another story it still stinks..bad! I did use carpet cleaner for animals even thinking that might neutralize whatever has set in...nope. I finally broke down and called our insurance agent to see if we have coverage for this. He's getting back to me tomorrow...help!

Update: After I posted this I called our insurance agent. We are covered for this under our policy they are having someone come out and give us an estimate. I'm thinking we'll need new carpet in Lucas' room and maybe a new pad in our family room in that one area. We have a high deductible so we'll see what happens..what a pain. My mother in law has a unit that kills mold in the air etc so I'm going to run that over the weekend it should help.

Target Deals

1. Betty Crocker box potatoes are on sale .79 a piece includes au gratin and scalloped. Use the coupon found here and get them fairly cheap.

2. The Goody hair products are cheaper at Target then Meijer use this coupon and get them free or very cheap. I bought some hair ties for .19 today.

Meijer Deals

1. Green Giant steamers are on sale .89 use the $1.00/1 coupon from Sunday's paper to make them free plus overage.

2. Pillsbury Crescent rolls or sweet rolls are on sale 4/$5 buy2 use $1.00/2 mealbox cpn and (2) $1.00/1 printable coupon found here. If you only buy two you get a .50 over toward your other grocery's. Their are also multiple coupons from the paper and pillsbury website to use as well. I bought four for very little after all the coupons.

3. Quilted Northern Ultra Plus 6 pack mega rolls is on sale 1/2 price. Today at Meijer it was advertised as $3.19 but rang up at $3.99. I got the advertised price of $3.19. Buy one and use the $1.00/1 quilted northern ultra plus mealbox coupon and use the $1.00/1 printable coupon here (print 2 per computer). You get the toilet paper for $1.19-$1.99 depending on what your store is advertising it at. You can only get one pack per transaction because that's what the mealbox coupon states. I just go through the do it yourself lane and then am able to do multiple transactions if I want. The package states it's equal to 12 double rolls so quite a good deal on t.p.

4. Land o Lakes butter is on sale 2/$4.00 use two of the .55/1 coupons here to get them for $1.45 each a real good deal on butter. I was able to print two per computer.

The imagination of a child

Doesn't he look mean!?!...I know to cute to look mean. This was a 75% off costume we found at the end of holiday clearance section. My boys love to play "super hero's" so I knew this would be a hit. We actually got it even cheaper because it was missing the mask that went with it. I asked the manager if I could have a discount and he said sure so $4.00 later we had a very happy little boy. He has worn this Hulk costume so many times already I love the imagination that my boys have. He seems to have a very vivid imagination.

This picture was taken right before I caught him playing "hulk" he was being Iron man you know the red Iron man he told me,

"because I have a red shirt on so I'm the red Iron man"

I didn't know Iron man had different colors:) All the while he's trying to be mean he's carrying around his beloved sheepy that he sleeps with in this basket. See the white animal in the basket that's sheepy he couldn't figure out a way to play Iron man without leaving him behind so this was a prop in some way. I just love the imagination of this child!

CVS..Goodies

Lot's of great deals at CVS this week especially if you have the coupons to further sweeten the deals. Here's all I got yesterday I did this all in three separate transactions. I'm also planning on going back on Friday to get more goodies. Our local CVS gets their truck in on Friday's which is why I have to wait.

1 16pk duracell batteries used $1.00/1 cpn
1 8pk duracell batteries used $1.00/1 cpn
1 4pk duracell batteries used $1.00/1 cpn

After buying these batteries I got back $15.00 in ecb's. The deal this week is spend $20.00 in ecb's get back $15 plus my coupons I did pretty good. There were more coupons in this Sunday's paper so I can do the deal two more times. Good time to stock up on batteries.

Next transaction:

5 Soft and dry deo's they each had a peelie on them for an instant .55/1 so I spent .45 for each one. They are on sale 2.99 get 2.00 ecb back each one (limit 5)
4 Glade candles had two coupons 1.50/2 for these. Certain Glade products are spend $10 get $5.00 ecb back.

The third transaction:

Loreal age perfect Moisturizer for $15.99 get $15.99 ecb.

When I walked into the store I scanned my card at the red ecb machine that prints out coupons for you. I got one for $4.00 off any facial moisturizer so I used this on the Loreal and made 4.00 on it woohoo! I highly recommend scanning your card at this machine every time you visit cvs you can do it once per day. Sometimes I'll just swing through and quick scan my card if I'm passing cvs I've gotten some great coupons.

All in all I spent $4.05 out of pocket and ended up making $5.00 in ecb's so I got back everything I spent plus .95..can't beat that!

For more great scenerio's visit Money Saving Mom!

Around Blogosphere

Here a few articles of interest I found this evening. I especially like the one about using our grocery savings. I never even thought to take the extra $1 or sometimes even $15.00 from the weekly grocery budget to pay down bills or save in the emergency fun. I always just roll the extra into the next week or so for grocery's. Here is the link.

Tracking and Banking your grocery savings over at moms need to know.

Freezer and Cooking from scratch at Money Saving mom was pretty interesting. I've never done freezer cooking or freeze meals for a month. Has anyone found that it really saves you money compared to cooking them fresh?

Banana bread recipe found at All recipes is fantastic. I made it yesterday with half whole wheat and it came out great not heavy or dense at all. I also used butter and decreased the sugar to 3/4C so yummy. Went great with the chicken soup I made for dinner last night. I'll be posting that recipe soon.

This walgreens coupon is every where but in case you missed it here is a link for it.

Common Sense with Money tells how you can get a great deal on leap frog toys at Target right now. She also had a good post on a Thanksgiving menu on a budget.

So that's what I've been reading today..enjoy.

Meijer Deal - Kraft Dressing

Here is the break down of the Kraft dressing catalina deal going on at Meijer. The catalina's are printing until 12/31/08 but the dressing's are only on sale this week.

Kraft dressing on sale 3/$5 buy four and get $4.00 catalina. Here's how to work the deal.

Buy four dressings use two of these coupons and then you get $4.00 back in a catalina. Final break down: you get four dressings for $.64..wahooooooo!

One of my favorites is the Zesty Italian I'm stocking up!

**Edited...I just got back from Meijer and I must've read the ad wrong they are actually 3/$6 so they come out to be .50/piece not .64 for all...Sorry..I'll do better math next time:~)

** Edited..again..:) I dug out my receipt from my grocery trip yesterday and I did get them at 3/$5 anyone think Meijer raised their prices in a day? Maybe my cashier made a mistake who knows. I'm confused oh well at least I know this homeschooling moms math isn't that terrible:) Still a great deal and I won't be editing anymore..thanx for reading:) oh and dealing with my editing.

Meijer Deals

Here are some deals I got at Meijer this week. One is a Kraft Catelina deal that is pretty good. Here goes first the Kraft deal:

Buy any 3 Kraft dressings, Mayo, or Miracle whip get $2 off your next order buy any 4 and get $4 off your next order.

The dressings are on sale 3/$5 and the mayo and miracle whip 2/$5 plus with the mayo you get a free grey poupon that's $3.50 regular price. Valid 11/19-12/31/08

I bought 2 kraft dressings and used this coupon found here. I also bought 2 Mayo's and they let me used the mealbox coupon here. Then I got my Catelina for $4 off my next order. Pretty good deal if you need mayo and dressing. Plus don't forget to pick up your free mustard that goes with the mayo.

The other good deal is the Chex cereal:

They are on Sale 3/$8.00 if you buy three you instantly get $3.00 taken off at checkout. There were also coupons in the paper this past week for $1/2. Not a steal but if you like any kind of chex cereal it's a pretty good deal.

I also found some four packs of Dannon yogurt on clearance for $1.14 a piece I happened to have 2 coupons for $1.00/1 making each pack $.14 woohoo! They had kraft cheese on clearance and some juice so it might be worth checking out.

Also the ouchless goodies are on sale 20% off pair it with this coupon and get either free or really cheap hair accessories. Thanx Sharon for this deal I got free hair twisty's I've needed some for awhile.

Here is something fun I saw over at Lori's blog it looked fun so I thought I'd share mine. If you do it leave me a comment so I can look at yours have fun:) Just bold the things you've done and will admit to:~)

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (no I'm not a good singer just listen to the people that heard me)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea(lake MI count?)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (In 3rd grade really cool!
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke (Again, not good at singing)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar (Gross, don't recoomend it:)
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible (working on this now hopefully be done at the end of year)
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

There you have it my highlighted life.

Enjoying the warm weather!

We've been having some very beautiful spring/summer like weather the past two days. We've been taking advantage of it and doing anything we possibly can outside. We went to the zoo yesterday and walked some trails. We also took a walk to the park close to our house. Today we went golfing and lost lots of balls in the leaves but it was still enjoyable just to be outside in the warm weather. I think today is our last day of this warm weather but I'm sure glad we enjoyed it to it's fullest.
Kaleb posing for a picture at the zoo.

Roman on the train at the zoo.

Lucas pretending to be a castaway on some far off island.

The lion exhibit is new at our zoo this summer we've never seen the lions this close. We studied them for awhile it was cool.

Our friendly octopus Roman's favorite animal to see in the aquarium. Although it never and I mean never is moving around he loves to just stare at it. Yesterday however this octopus was moving all over the place it was quite fascinating to watch. I've never seen one moving around before. It was cool to see it's suction thingy's on the glass as you can see.

Lastly I must note that all pictures were taken by Lucas except the one of him of course. He is becoming my little photographer.

Birthday and fall fun

This past weekend was Lucas' birthday and our friends annual fall fest party. We had celebrated his birthday previously in the week this was just the icing on the cake. It started out with a hayride of which he got tossed and stuffed with hay head to toe. After a few games everyone sang happy birthday to him then came...of course...the birthday spankin's you know 12 now..:) Not real ones mind you but it was fun embarrassing him at any rate not that he was in the least bit he thought it was hilarious.

See 12 birthday spankin's with the pinata stick...perfect:~)

A self portrait of himself and his friend he took this on the hayride. It was a great party thank you Amy again for having it and us over!

Cheap bra's

If you love Victoria's secret bra's as much as I do you have to head over and get two bras and a pair of panties for $16.49. Yes you read that right I love their bra's and panties they last forever they are my absolute favorite! Head on over to common sense with money to find out how. I think the sale ends Monday so hurry..