I have decided to change my blog around.  I've started couponing at a whole different level than before.  I've always used coupons, but I've never done the work that I've started doing to save money.  I've never had a binder full of coupons.  I do now.  I've never looked through sales and matched up coupons to save even more money.  I do now.  

Ever since I saw TLC's Extreme Couponing show, I've learned how to save more money.  Granted, I do NOT have a stockpile.  Nor do I want to do anything that is illegal or unethical with my coupons.  I don't clear shelves.  I find that rude and inconsiderate towards others who are trying to save money.  I know how exasperated and disappointed I am when I find a shelf completely cleared.  I don't want others to feel that way.

I'm not going to keep 40 kinds of laundry detergent or freezers full of food or 400 rolls of paper towels just because I have coupons to use.  I will, however, share what I purchase with coupons with my oldest son and his family.

Basically there's no way I can go into the base commissary and buy $600 worth of groceries and only pay $6.00 or something.  They don't double or triple coupons.  But they do have great deals and so I know I can save quite a bit more by being observant and matching my coupons up with products that are on sale that my family needs.

I always look for deals on my scrapbooking supplies as well.

So whatever I can do to spread the word about any deals, I will do so from my blog.

Just remember:  It's all fun and games until the flying monkeys attack.

Friday

A day off!  Finally!  Why not?  And it snowed!  It's March and it snowed.  That's what living here will do to your seasons.  Mess them all up.  Well it's a good day to work on some crafts and get a nice homey feeling going on.  Now if my vertigo will just take a hike, I'll feel much better.

What do you do?

Sometimes I wonder what I would do if I couldn't work or didn't have a family.  When I wonder these things, I know that I am truly blessed.  For the past 3 days there has been ice on the roads and then snow.  We haven't gotten the brunt of the storm, but I have a boss who let me take the day off today because our school district is closed.  Yes I work for the school district.  It's a great job and I really cherish it.  I also look forward to retiring in 2 1/2 years so that I can enjoy life without worrying about getting up for work or the stress associated with getting things done.

I keep forgetting I have a blog.  Oh well!

What a difference time makes

The final one of my bosses that has been around for 10 years has retired.  It's kind of sad to see people go.  But then again, a new regime takes over.  I only have a little over 3 years left before I retire again.  First I retire from the military which seems like a lifetime ago (which it truly is) and now from a school district.  I can hardly wait.  I just want to be with my family, do my crafting, read some books, walk, just do different things that I never seem to have time for because I work five days a week.

No regrets.  I love my job.  There are some people that annoy me, but other than that, I love my job.  I love what I do.  Will I be sad when it's time to retire?  Not really.  As anyone else my age knows, we've worked hard.  We deserve to just enjoy the later years before we go to be with those of our family who have gone before us.

It's about us.

Sometimes life hands you things that you just don't think you can handle.  Sometimes life just goes merrily on its way and you roll with the punches.  Throughout life I realize that God is always watching over us and protecting us.  I am glad to believe that.  I am glad that there is someone up there who knows me and loves me despite my foibles.

I'm still working on cards and tags for swaps.  I just am so lazy to take pictures and put them up.  I even forget I have a blog from time to time.  But I know I can do better.  Life has just been strange lately.  And so it goes.

Good Friday wasn't so good for my family

On Good Friday, April 2nd, 2010, my sister, Carol, passed away.  She was my best friend besides being my older sister.  I miss her dearly.  I miss her very much.  
My husband, daughter and I traveled to North Carolina for her memorial service.  Then with my brother and his wife, my sister's daughters and her husband, we traveled to Tennessee to bury her with our brother and parents.  God gave us such beautiful weather for the entire trip.  2500 miles to travel for such a very sad reason.  But we called it "Celebrate Carol".  She wouldn't want us to do any less.
I have been busy learning to use my Cricut with my Make The Cut software.  It's been fun.  I've made tons of cards that I am using to swap with others on the SCS board.
On top of that I still have Yakkity Yaks Forum to go to and talk to really good people about anything and everything.  They have been very supportive.
I'm really trying to get back into the hang of this blog.  It just doesn't seem that interesting right now.  But maybe it will be therapeutic and cathartic.  Maybe not.  I will see.

Cool beans!

Ok so I am really trying to get my stuff together and get these digital stamps I just purchased used and put up here.  Hopefully I will finish what I was doing.  Do you know how it is to get an idea in your head and then realize it isn't going to work?  Well, I've discarded several projects because I just didn't think they did the stamps justice.  They are such pretty stamps.  But now I have four more ideas to play with so you see...it's not impossible.  It's just getting the mind to quit whirling around.  Digital-Ink Co is so neat.  They've got some of the neatest digital stamps.  I'm sure I'm going back over there to get many more.  But for now, I think I'm going to try to use the 7 I just bought.  I just couldn't resist.  And I got the cutest 3 stamps extra.  Boy even my granddaughter wants to use them.  Okay, I promise to get these done before this week passes me by.  And by the way, check out their store.  It's really neat and the creators of the stamps are amazing with their talents!