No shopping, just living

School and crazy hectic schedules rule my life now and I am trying to not stress about it. My hubby just left for 8 weeks out of town for work and we will only see him one day a week now, but hey, he's working and that is a blessing. So many people, my own extended family included, are struggling right now. I just don't see the signs of the economy picking up but I live in CA where our state gov't. is so screwed up who knows what will happen with this once great state.
Sitting outside with my two year old while she plays with rocks and I am looking in at the mess in the den that needs picking up but oh well, a happy two year old is heaven. No TV and a pile of rocks. Who knew?
Sometimes when we have a lot of stress it is hard to slow down and savor the small things and I want remind myself to just be in this moment. The mess will be there but my happy toddler isn't always happy so I want to let her play. A wise family doctor told me when I had my first daughter 19 years ago (I know a spread right), that the dirt will always be there but this day with my child will not. So Elaine, take a deep breath and live in this moment with your happy little one. The orthodontist awaits us at noon with daughter #3.

Home from camping and a quick trip to CVS

Had a great time with friends over the weekend camping at the beach. Friday was sunny and warm and Saturday was cool and breezy. I'm there in the middle. The laundry awaits now but we packed really light this trip so it was an easy clean up. I had to head to CVS as I had 14.99 in bucks expiring so off I went.

I bought:
2 boxes Nature Valley bars (used $1/2 cpn)
1 bag of Brach Halloween mix
1 package Bounty paper towels (used $1/1 from P&G cpn book)
1 bag of Starbucks coffee (used $1/1)
1 box Alive vitamins

Used $4/20 from the machine and 14.99 in bucks that were expiring today.
Recvd 10.89 in bucks and a $5/$15 cpn on my receipt so I will find some deals to use this for as it is only a 3 day cpn.
Total oop was 6.76 which isn't bad considering the Starbucks coffees usually cost more than that alone.

Headin' out for last camping trip of the season

Tomorrow we are headed to the beach for our last beach camping trip of the summer. We go this weekend every year with various family and friends. As usual I have made lots of food ahead to keep costs down. So far I made: oatmeal cookies, meat for tacos, spanish rice, sausage for breakfast and all the fixings for our taco dinner. We so look forward to this trip every year and spend Friday and Sat. just relaxing on the beach and usually go to the marina and fishermen's warf for dinner on Sat. night. Big treat as I won't have to dirty my little trailer kitchen. I just love my little trailer and have been out there today sprucing it up and loading our things. We have owned three trailers and have built wonderful memories for our kids in them. Camping is such a great time to detach from all outside distractions and just spend time hangin' as a family.  I have been so busy with the kids back to school activities that I haven't had time to shop but am off to CVS to use up bucks that will expire today and then a trip to the market for some last minute needfuls.

How to never pay for dish soap

Once again they have a new offer of a coupon booklet for Home Made Simple. These little booklets are filled with coupons and they always have a $1 off Dawn coupon. Since I have been signing up to recv these booklets, I have not had to pay anything for dishsoap combining the $1 coupon with the frequent CVS .97 cent Dawn sale. The booklets come out it seems like every few weeks. Anyway, I always sign up for a new one and use it at CVS. Here's the link:
https://www.thepromotionaloffer.com/hmsdrtv/?source=

Want an organized Christmas this year?

For years I have used the schedule and ideas from what I think is the greatest Christmas website called Organized Christmas. It has so many resources from a very detailed house cleaning and Christmas prep schedule to a more simplified schedule for the holidays that has weekly assignments to help spread out the chores, shopping, wrapping and baking duties of Christmas. I use the more simplified plan but have used the other in past years.
You can sign up for e-mail prompts and messages to help remind you of your weekly Christmas assignment. I love this plan as it helps me to have more free time around the holidays as I complete Christmas shopping, wrapping and card prep early in the fall. Check it out as it is a Christmas stress reliever.