Anyway, go see her website & enter a cool contest for some kickin' kickers.
Blogger is being a butthead & won't let me hyperlink, so here's where you need to go:
http://www.stlmommy.com/2008/11/see-kai-run-giveaway.html
Good luck!
Showing posts with label who doesn't like free?. Show all posts
Showing posts with label who doesn't like free?. Show all posts
11.08.2008
A Giveaway with Sole
One of my friends named Kim (there's more than one!) has started a new 'project' called STL Moms. You'll see her button on my sidebar as soon as I get my act together.
Anyway, go see her website & enter a cool contest for some kickin' kickers.
Blogger is being a butthead & won't let me hyperlink, so here's where you need to go:
http://www.stlmommy.com/2008/11/see-kai-run-giveaway.html
Good luck!
Anyway, go see her website & enter a cool contest for some kickin' kickers.
Blogger is being a butthead & won't let me hyperlink, so here's where you need to go:
http://www.stlmommy.com/2008/11/see-kai-run-giveaway.html
Good luck!
9.15.2008
I [Heart] Wags...Or Do I?
There is a moral to the story, maybe...
I do rebates through Walgreens.
It's definitely a pain in the neck, but it saves my family so much money. I can't remember the last time I paid for shampoo, excedrin, hair gel, lipstick, nail polish, the list goes on...and on...
I have to be organized about it, or I end up losing money (the products purchased are actually quite expensive) & it's lots of money out of pocket at first (until you reach the point where you're getting gift cards on the last rebates, which pay for the following months).
If you so much as purchase the incorrect ounces, you lose your money. If you buy the wrong color, the wrong scent, the wrong strength, you're out of luck.
But master the system & you have not only enough maxi-pads to last you 'til menopause, but you have yourself a fun hobby! (if you enjoy 'cheap thrills'!)
This past couple of months, I've tried to venture out even further & use more coupons, to actually make money.
And for whatever reason, this irritates the employees at wags. I guess it's straying from the norm of the regular, cash-using, coupon'less tender.
But those who make the $ at walgreens, have to know, us rebate-users, are the butter on their bread.
I easily drop $100 each month at walgreens. Compare that to $50-75 at target or $5 at kmart. Regardless of the reason you enter a store, you inevitably spend more, buy more, once you're in there.
So, they're smart to have the rebates.
Go back to Aug 30th. It was the first day you could buy the Sept products which were great this time around. Tons of great stuff: nail polish, chapstick, body wash, etc. So, I went on the first day possible, to avoid the products selling out before I could get them (which happens usually). I dropped $50+ & went on my merry way...happy at my savings, UNTIL a $10 off $50 coupon was emailed to me. Effective the following week. UGH. I could saved another $10. THAT is worth it to me. So, I just re-bought what was available (all but about 2 of the items) w/ my $10 off coupon with the intentions of returning the stuff I bought the previous week (WITHOUT the coupon).
Only, when I went in today to return the $30 worth of stuff I had re-bought, I was treated possibly the worst I ever have at a business.
At Wags, they have some type of management handle returns. So, when I came in & only one register was working (I'm guessing something electrical from yesterday's horrible storm), the employee had me use her line & called a manager over. There was no one in line yet, or I would have given them "ups". And when the manager came over, the look on her face could've made snakes hide.
"YOU'RE RETURNING THE FREE AFTER REBATE ITEMS?"
"Um yes, I bought them weeks ago without the coupon, so I re-bought them last Friday w/ the 10-off coupon."
"You can't do that."
"Uh-why?"
"Because you maybe sending these in for a rebate after you get your money back."
"But I'm not doing that, you can't do that anyway."
"Well, I'm marking these out on your receipt."
"That's fine, I'll be the only one to see the receipt, I submit my receipts online."
"BUT I THOUGHT YOU WEREN'T GOING TO GET YOUR MONEY BACK ON THESE ITEMS. YOU SAID YOU WEREN'T GOING TO DO THAT. THAT'S CRIMINAL ACTIVITY."
"I'm not going to."
"Good, because you wouldn't be able to online. It won't work now."
"It won't?.... Well, I still have bodywash on there that wasn't available last week. That I'm obviously not returning. I hope I can still get a rebate on that?"
"BUT YOU SAID YOU WEREN'T GOING TO GET YOUR MONEY BACK ON THESE ITEMS??"
"Not these that I'm returning. The thing I didn't return that's at home."
"Well, I will return your money this time, but it's a rule. You can't return items that are free after rebate."
"Really? Is that a new rule?"
"YES, it is."
"Is that corporate-wide? Or just your rule?"
"Yes, it's a walgreens rule."
"That's really strange....
so, let's say I'm not a rebate user, but I buy a vacuum-seal bag (which were F.A.R. last month), but get home & it's the wrong size.
So I won't be able to return it?
I don't think that's really the rule."
"You won't be able to do that anymore!! (by this time, I've clearly provoked her to anger, I don't really know why) FILL THIS OUT!"
And I wasn't really willing to deal w/ someone like that any longer. I filled out the form, but not before I very obviously wrote her name down. And on the ride home, I called the manager, who informed me that she had already told him about the interaction.
And the bottom line I told him was that if that's how the employees there talk to the customers, I'm happy to go down the block to one of the other GAJILLION (yes, I said gajillion) walgreens to shop.
BUT,
that's not even the part that aggravated me the most. It was that when I got home minutes later, I didn't happily greet everyone. I was mad. My blood pressure was up. I found myself snapping at the kids instead of giving them a few chances.
I let some snotty girl, who was having a bad day (or year or life) effect my mothering. I allowed that to take a few precious moments from my precious kids.
And I hope to not let that happen again.
Free toothpaste isn't worth that.
I do rebates through Walgreens.
It's definitely a pain in the neck, but it saves my family so much money. I can't remember the last time I paid for shampoo, excedrin, hair gel, lipstick, nail polish, the list goes on...and on...
I have to be organized about it, or I end up losing money (the products purchased are actually quite expensive) & it's lots of money out of pocket at first (until you reach the point where you're getting gift cards on the last rebates, which pay for the following months).
If you so much as purchase the incorrect ounces, you lose your money. If you buy the wrong color, the wrong scent, the wrong strength, you're out of luck.
But master the system & you have not only enough maxi-pads to last you 'til menopause, but you have yourself a fun hobby! (if you enjoy 'cheap thrills'!)
This past couple of months, I've tried to venture out even further & use more coupons, to actually make money.
And for whatever reason, this irritates the employees at wags. I guess it's straying from the norm of the regular, cash-using, coupon'less tender.
But those who make the $ at walgreens, have to know, us rebate-users, are the butter on their bread.
I easily drop $100 each month at walgreens. Compare that to $50-75 at target or $5 at kmart. Regardless of the reason you enter a store, you inevitably spend more, buy more, once you're in there.
So, they're smart to have the rebates.
Go back to Aug 30th. It was the first day you could buy the Sept products which were great this time around. Tons of great stuff: nail polish, chapstick, body wash, etc. So, I went on the first day possible, to avoid the products selling out before I could get them (which happens usually). I dropped $50+ & went on my merry way...happy at my savings, UNTIL a $10 off $50 coupon was emailed to me. Effective the following week. UGH. I could saved another $10. THAT is worth it to me. So, I just re-bought what was available (all but about 2 of the items) w/ my $10 off coupon with the intentions of returning the stuff I bought the previous week (WITHOUT the coupon).
Only, when I went in today to return the $30 worth of stuff I had re-bought, I was treated possibly the worst I ever have at a business.
At Wags, they have some type of management handle returns. So, when I came in & only one register was working (I'm guessing something electrical from yesterday's horrible storm), the employee had me use her line & called a manager over. There was no one in line yet, or I would have given them "ups". And when the manager came over, the look on her face could've made snakes hide.
"YOU'RE RETURNING THE FREE AFTER REBATE ITEMS?"
"Um yes, I bought them weeks ago without the coupon, so I re-bought them last Friday w/ the 10-off coupon."
"You can't do that."
"Uh-why?"
"Because you maybe sending these in for a rebate after you get your money back."
"But I'm not doing that, you can't do that anyway."
"Well, I'm marking these out on your receipt."
"That's fine, I'll be the only one to see the receipt, I submit my receipts online."
"BUT I THOUGHT YOU WEREN'T GOING TO GET YOUR MONEY BACK ON THESE ITEMS. YOU SAID YOU WEREN'T GOING TO DO THAT. THAT'S CRIMINAL ACTIVITY."
"I'm not going to."
"Good, because you wouldn't be able to online. It won't work now."
"It won't?.... Well, I still have bodywash on there that wasn't available last week. That I'm obviously not returning. I hope I can still get a rebate on that?"
"BUT YOU SAID YOU WEREN'T GOING TO GET YOUR MONEY BACK ON THESE ITEMS??"
"Not these that I'm returning. The thing I didn't return that's at home."
"Well, I will return your money this time, but it's a rule. You can't return items that are free after rebate."
"Really? Is that a new rule?"
"YES, it is."
"Is that corporate-wide? Or just your rule?"
"Yes, it's a walgreens rule."
"That's really strange....
so, let's say I'm not a rebate user, but I buy a vacuum-seal bag (which were F.A.R. last month), but get home & it's the wrong size.
So I won't be able to return it?
I don't think that's really the rule."
"You won't be able to do that anymore!! (by this time, I've clearly provoked her to anger, I don't really know why) FILL THIS OUT!"
And I wasn't really willing to deal w/ someone like that any longer. I filled out the form, but not before I very obviously wrote her name down. And on the ride home, I called the manager, who informed me that she had already told him about the interaction.
And the bottom line I told him was that if that's how the employees there talk to the customers, I'm happy to go down the block to one of the other GAJILLION (yes, I said gajillion) walgreens to shop.
BUT,
that's not even the part that aggravated me the most. It was that when I got home minutes later, I didn't happily greet everyone. I was mad. My blood pressure was up. I found myself snapping at the kids instead of giving them a few chances.
I let some snotty girl, who was having a bad day (or year or life) effect my mothering. I allowed that to take a few precious moments from my precious kids.
And I hope to not let that happen again.
Free toothpaste isn't worth that.
9.13.2008
Move That Bus!
9.02.2008
8.31.2008
It's My Party and I'll Give Away CDs If I Want To
Search RANDOM.ORG
True Random Number Service
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:3
Timestamp: 2008-09-01 00:54:57 UTC
(that's YOU KELLY!)
and it was so fun that I decided to do it again!
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:9
Timestamp: 2008-09-01 00:55:23 UTC
(that's YOU Mo!!)
and one more time just for good measure (well, THREE is a good amount of winners, afterall, my age does begin with a 3!!)
Search RANDOM.ORG
True Random Number Service
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:11
Timestamp: 2008-09-01 00:55:37 UTC
(my sis! the interviewee! Angie!)
While I was hoping more readers would de-lurk (there are about 50 different readers each day, but only 16 comments?), that was definitely fun. I wish I was loaded, I'd do giveaways all the time!! I will be mixing, burning, & sending the three winners their CDs this week. Thanks for playing!
True Random Number Service
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:3
Timestamp: 2008-09-01 00:54:57 UTC
(that's YOU KELLY!)
and it was so fun that I decided to do it again!
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:9
Timestamp: 2008-09-01 00:55:23 UTC
(that's YOU Mo!!)
and one more time just for good measure (well, THREE is a good amount of winners, afterall, my age does begin with a 3!!)
Search RANDOM.ORG
True Random Number Service
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:11
Timestamp: 2008-09-01 00:55:37 UTC
(my sis! the interviewee! Angie!)
While I was hoping more readers would de-lurk (there are about 50 different readers each day, but only 16 comments?), that was definitely fun. I wish I was loaded, I'd do giveaways all the time!! I will be mixing, burning, & sending the three winners their CDs this week. Thanks for playing!
8.21.2008
I'm a Cheap Date
free southern style chicken sandwich:
http://www.facetheglory.com/?bannerid=coupon
they ask for your name, birthdate, & email address...
then you hit print!
i was able to print one in my name/info + one in jeff's.
http://www.facetheglory.com/?bannerid=coupon
they ask for your name, birthdate, & email address...
then you hit print!
i was able to print one in my name/info + one in jeff's.
6.09.2008
Monday Redbox Code
Enter this code at the Redbox for a free flick....but ONLY TODAY:
6TK2A3
Redbox movies are only rented for one day.
6TK2A3
Redbox movies are only rented for one day.
5.29.2008
Kids Eat Free
It's easy to just look at a K.E.F. list & get to go wherever. But just like anywhere we go to eat, it takes research (& prayers) ahead of time.
So, here is a list of St Louis area restaurants whocelebrate participate in a KIDS EAT FREE night (or more). note: to my friends in other states, some of these restaurants are in your area too, so read on!
Kriegers Sports Grill: KIDS EAT FREE ON TUESDAYS.
Their ingredients/nutritional facts are no where to be found. I've emailed them for that.
Cici's: KIDS 3 & UNDER ARE FREE EVERYDAY.
We had decent luck with Flynn was a baby with plain pasta. HOWEVER, the last few years, we have not taken her in there. The open food bar poses too many threats.
D Dooley's: KIDS EAT FREE ON TUESDAYS.
The website gives no ingredients/nutritional facts (just a menu), so this is one place we'd have to "chance" going & seeing firsthand (which does sometimes have its advantages) if they had anything that was safe. Doing it this way sometimes brings the manager/owner out of the woodwork & will show firsthand, if a restaurant is allergy-friendly or not. There are only 2 locations: Fenton & Eureka.
Fortel's Pizza Den: KIDS EAT FREE ON TUESDAYS.
The pasta (we have had good luck w/ spaghetti) as well as the red pasta sauce, are both safe. She loves it. They also get their drinks free! (adults, bring your cups from last time & get a super great discount on your drink)
O'Charley's: KIDS UNDER 10 EAT FREE *EVERYDAY* (doesn't include drinks)
"O'tenders" are safe for Flynn. As are the fries.
We love this place, even tho the service is hit or miss.
IHOP: *KIDS EAT FREE EVERYDAY*.
Ingredients not listed on their site, but I have emailed them requesting ingredients.
Pasta House Company: KIDS EAT FREE SUNDAYS.
Plain pasta has been fine for her in the past. And the rolls were fine when she was a baby but the ingredients may have changed.
Culpeppers: Monday nights KIDS EAT FREE.
Ingredients not listed on their site, but I have emailed them to ask for them. Flynn's never eaten there.
Fazoli's : Tues nights, kids eat for 99 cents.
Flynn has plain spaghetti...there is one red sauce that's 'safe', but she prefers plain anyway.
Ponderosa: (or as we call it as we drive by "Pon da gross a", because we're so mature) Kids Eat Free on TUESDAYS.
I have no idea what's safe, once again, ingredients not listed but I have emailed them.
Captain Ds: KIDS EAT FREE after 4:00 on Thursdays. Includes the drink.
I have no idea what's safe, once again, ingredients not listed but I have emailed them.
LoneStar Steakhouse: KIDS EAT FREE, 11 am - 4 pm on Saturdays.
Again, totally unsure what's safe for the girl -- email has been sent.
Fuddruckers: Kids 12 and under eat 99 cent meals on Monday and Tuesday after 4:00 pm, up to 2 kids per parent. They get an entree, side, drink and cookie.
Fraileys: Mondays KIDS EAT FREE.
This is pretty far from us, so I wouldn't go through the hastle of finding out what's safe for her.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Mondays KIDS EAT FOR 99 cents.
Email sent to them to get ingredients, meanwhile, we go elsewhere.
WHAT DO I SAY IN MY EMAIL?:
We're planning a trip to your restaurant but were unable to find the ingredients anywhere on your web site. My daughter has a severe allergy to milk-based ingredients. It's just easier if we find out what foods are safe for her, before we go to a restaurant.Is that something that could be emailed to me?
I really appreciate it & thank you in advance!
SOMETIMES THEY RESPOND, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. SOMETIMES THEY RESPOND TO TELL ME, BASICALLY, IN NOT SO MANY WORDS, TO JUST NOT BOTHER.
Meanwhile, eat up, for cheap!
So, here is a list of St Louis area restaurants who
Kriegers Sports Grill: KIDS EAT FREE ON TUESDAYS.
Their ingredients/nutritional facts are no where to be found. I've emailed them for that.
Cici's: KIDS 3 & UNDER ARE FREE EVERYDAY.
We had decent luck with Flynn was a baby with plain pasta. HOWEVER, the last few years, we have not taken her in there. The open food bar poses too many threats.
D Dooley's: KIDS EAT FREE ON TUESDAYS.
The website gives no ingredients/nutritional facts (just a menu), so this is one place we'd have to "chance" going & seeing firsthand (which does sometimes have its advantages) if they had anything that was safe. Doing it this way sometimes brings the manager/owner out of the woodwork & will show firsthand, if a restaurant is allergy-friendly or not. There are only 2 locations: Fenton & Eureka.
Fortel's Pizza Den: KIDS EAT FREE ON TUESDAYS.
The pasta (we have had good luck w/ spaghetti) as well as the red pasta sauce, are both safe. She loves it. They also get their drinks free! (adults, bring your cups from last time & get a super great discount on your drink)
O'Charley's: KIDS UNDER 10 EAT FREE *EVERYDAY* (doesn't include drinks)
"O'tenders" are safe for Flynn. As are the fries.
We love this place, even tho the service is hit or miss.
IHOP: *KIDS EAT FREE EVERYDAY*.
Ingredients not listed on their site, but I have emailed them requesting ingredients.
Pasta House Company: KIDS EAT FREE SUNDAYS.
Plain pasta has been fine for her in the past. And the rolls were fine when she was a baby but the ingredients may have changed.
Culpeppers: Monday nights KIDS EAT FREE.
Ingredients not listed on their site, but I have emailed them to ask for them. Flynn's never eaten there.
Fazoli's : Tues nights, kids eat for 99 cents.
Flynn has plain spaghetti...there is one red sauce that's 'safe', but she prefers plain anyway.
Ponderosa: (or as we call it as we drive by "Pon da gross a", because we're so mature) Kids Eat Free on TUESDAYS.
I have no idea what's safe, once again, ingredients not listed but I have emailed them.
Captain Ds: KIDS EAT FREE after 4:00 on Thursdays. Includes the drink.
I have no idea what's safe, once again, ingredients not listed but I have emailed them.
LoneStar Steakhouse: KIDS EAT FREE, 11 am - 4 pm on Saturdays.
Again, totally unsure what's safe for the girl -- email has been sent.
Fuddruckers: Kids 12 and under eat 99 cent meals on Monday and Tuesday after 4:00 pm, up to 2 kids per parent. They get an entree, side, drink and cookie.
Fraileys: Mondays KIDS EAT FREE.
This is pretty far from us, so I wouldn't go through the hastle of finding out what's safe for her.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Mondays KIDS EAT FOR 99 cents.
Email sent to them to get ingredients, meanwhile, we go elsewhere.
WHAT DO I SAY IN MY EMAIL?:
We're planning a trip to your restaurant but were unable to find the ingredients anywhere on your web site. My daughter has a severe allergy to milk-based ingredients. It's just easier if we find out what foods are safe for her, before we go to a restaurant.Is that something that could be emailed to me?
I really appreciate it & thank you in advance!
SOMETIMES THEY RESPOND, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. SOMETIMES THEY RESPOND TO TELL ME, BASICALLY, IN NOT SO MANY WORDS, TO JUST NOT BOTHER.
Meanwhile, eat up, for cheap!
5.27.2008
Here's Your Sign
Go to Kindra's blog & check out her new contest. She's opened an Etsy store with primitive signs & is very talented!
Good luck!
Good luck!
3.21.2008
Good Things Come To Those Who Wait
And Jenn, you will soon have to wait no more, for this orange box,
is on its way.
loaded up with goodies for the boys
and you.
Look closely here & see some photos of Jenn's "boys" (all of them)that I stole off her myspace page & doctored up a bit on photoshop.
How cute is her boy??!!
3.19.2008
Hello Lover
Two weeks ago, my day (week, month, etc.) was made by Hip Mama's Place when I won March Mom Blog of the Month.
And Oh. the. Bag. I've won....Oh the bag. Brought to me via Mr Postman straight from Shop Suey Boutique. (my new fav online shopping wishlist source) -- try to tell me you don't want this.
When FaithHopeLove Mama nominated me, she knew it should be mine because it's orange and...well...I'm Orange Momma.
Check out the space... I literally took the contents of my 'old' purse & dumped into the new one.
Look at orange bag, laying there, so coy.
"Take me out, show me off!"
"You got it Orange Bag! Let's go, let's go!"
Orange bag, be mine.
I love the orange bag.
I want to marry Orange Bag & have 
Peek-a-book Orange Bag.Okay, so Hot Hubby thinks I fell out of the back of a pick-up truck at some point in my youth...he still can't believe I'm this crazy by nature.
But I just love this Orange Bag & everyone who knows me knows it was pure fate & love that I won a bag, that happened to be orange, but dearest Lord, it's so me.
Excuse my appearance in the photos (no make up) taken by my 4-year old (fuzzy, unfocused).
By the way, Hip Mama's Place has giveaways all the time in addition to some of the savviest stuff I've seen in a while. Also, lots of organic goods. Go there, and nominate
3.13.2008
And The WINNER Is...
BECAUSE 'TIS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE...AND BECAUSE I CAN'T KEEP A SURPRISE FOR ANYTHING, I'M GOING TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNER BEFORE HER LOOT IS 'TOGETHER' & PHOTO'ED.
Here we go!
You ready?
Okay, here it is:
True Random Number Service
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:12
Timestamp: 2008-03-13 02:37:47 UTC
© 1998-2008 Mads Haahr Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional Valid CSSWeb Design by TSDA
#12, That's YOU, Jenn! My pal from my bible college days.
Let me tell you a little about Jenn...
Here we go!
You ready?
Okay, here it is:
True Random Number Service
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:12
Timestamp: 2008-03-13 02:37:47 UTC
© 1998-2008 Mads Haahr Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional Valid CSSWeb Design by TSDA
#12, That's YOU, Jenn! My pal from my bible college days.
Let me tell you a little about Jenn...
- She has red hair, which is super cool because it's unique. Did you know that only 1-2 out of every 100 people have red hair?
- She has three boys. Lord help her.
- She grew up in Arkansas (altho, I'm not sure how long she lived there, I only knew she came from there & had an ArKansas accent).
- She played b'ball in college & was pretty dern good. She also played volleyball in college...with me...she was good, I was not.
- Her husband has a trillion degrees - he must be smart. I did not know this about him when we attended school together. I did know that he was a maniac, and in the 'MOST LIKE TO...' series, he & I were voted, "Most Likely to be on America's Most Wanted." That could've really scarred me for life that my classmates felt that way.
- She moved from AR to go to school in MO, where I met her. Then got married & Jenn, did you move to CA then? Now, she lives in MA, home of the Volleyball Hall of Fame.
- She is a sports buff.
- She has lost 12 lbs in a month.
- She & I last talked probably 11-12 years ago. We were reconnected about two months ago & now she has a blog & I'm so glad - we won't lose touch now!
Congrats Jenn. You & I weren't like BFF in college, but I think I know a little about you & so it's been big fun to put together a basket for you. One thing was ordered last night, to be picked up tonight -- so photos will be blogged tomorrow.
I'm sorry to those of you who did not win the drawing. BUT, you actually are a winner, because you get to see these photos of Jenn & I from our '95 Messenger College days. You'll be disappointed no longer, because Lord, look at our hair. And Jenn, sheesh, we were skinny! I don't about you, but I lierally weighed 70 lbs less then. Of course, I was in volleyball & cheerleading, which seasons' practices overlapped a bit, so for a few weeks, I had a practice at 5 a.m. & one at 6 p.m.. I was running about 3 miles a day & jumproping (for cheering) a LOT each day. I was also broke & could only afford cafeteria food, which I didn't eat much of. O yah, and that metabolism thing. Ah, to be 21 again. But that's a whole 'nother post.
Meanwhile, feast your eyes:
Jenn isn't in this photo, but her hubby is (front row, leather jacket) & I'm the first white oxford from the left.
Jen's hubby Alex, posing for the famed MOST LIKELY award, along with myself & a girl named Angela (who must've tied with us?). Apparently Alex was going through a cowboy phase? Altho, it was spirit week, so maybe it was western day? I don't know, I was in my cheerleading polo. With toothpic arms.
I was excited this day because I won most spirited for hippie (how do you spell that anyway??) day. My belly button held a carnation. Yes, that's me in the reflective lenses, Jenn is on my left.
Jenn is #8, I'm #14.
This worked perfectly that our photos were aligned like they were. Like the editor on the yearbook staff said, "In 13 years, Jenn will win a drawing on Amy's blog. Then Amy, who should realize she's too busy to put so much time & effort into the things she does, will blog a bunch about Jenn & their MC days. It will make it easier on Amy who is too lazy to scan these photos & chooses to photo them instead, for us to align their photos so that they're one atop the other."
Jenn, this photo should be incentive for us to drop some weight! (which you are working on, me-not so much).
Congrats again Jenn. Check back tomorrow to see what you should expect in your mailbox!
Stay Tuned for a Winner
Thanks for entering my little giveaway. It was fun to meet a few of the hundreds of readers who had never commented. It was so fun, in fact, that I've decided to indulge mckmama & host another giveaway soon in the form of a contest - rather than a random drawing; because, well, I aim to please.
Random.org has picked a winner, however, I'd like to take a photo of her loot before I announce who she is.
Meanwhile, check out my very first post.
And read a post from my bloggiversary last year.
You'll see, I have always been this crazy.
Asthma Update: I ended up taking Flynn into the allergist yesterday, as I wasn't feeling like I was managing her asthma. I was glad I did; he heard lots of wheezing (of course) & said her left lung is 'crackelly.' Dramatically up'ed her steroids & even called yesterday afternoon to check on us.
We then go on alert where our goal is to keep her out of the hospital.
By this morning, she was so much better, I decided she could handle going to preschool.
God is good.
Random.org has picked a winner, however, I'd like to take a photo of her loot before I announce who she is.
Meanwhile, check out my very first post.
And read a post from my bloggiversary last year.
You'll see, I have always been this crazy.
Asthma Update: I ended up taking Flynn into the allergist yesterday, as I wasn't feeling like I was managing her asthma. I was glad I did; he heard lots of wheezing (of course) & said her left lung is 'crackelly.' Dramatically up'ed her steroids & even called yesterday afternoon to check on us.
We then go on alert where our goal is to keep her out of the hospital.
By this morning, she was so much better, I decided she could handle going to preschool.
God is good.
3.12.2008
BLOGgiversary
Happy 2nd Anniversary to this crazy blog of mine! It's hard to believe I started recording my thoughts & the insane Perry happenings two whole years ago.
And today, I'm going to make someone happy & give a birthday gift to a random reader.
I don't have time or attention to be super creative here (Flynn's asthma has all my attention right now), so ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS:
- Leave a comment, tell me the thing you most enjoy on this nutty blog BY 10 PM CENTRAL TIME.
I will use random.org to find a completely random commenter.
THAT'S IT! Pretty easy, eh?!
So, de-lurk & let me get to know you.
The prize? Why aren't I displaying it? Because, although I have a basic idea of what it will entail, it will be personalized for the fortunate recipient.
If it's one of my friends not in this region, it will include a unique gift from the St Louis area. Like a White Castle Burger, some toasted raviolli, & the Arch. Just kidding, none of those things would ship well... Along with several other goodies. If it's a mom, it will include kid-friendly things. If neither, something special nonetheless. For certain, it won't disappoint.
Can't wait to hear from you.
PS Did you notice that the word blogGIVErsary contains the word give? I don't think that's by accident....
Now, who wants a piece of cake?
3.10.2008
Has It Been That Long?
Bust out your party hats peeps, 'someone's' birthday is coming up! 'Someone' is going to be TWO! Can you believe I've been recording my thoughts here for TWO years!
Wednesday is the big day! And there will be a gift. The gift won't be for THE LIFE & TIMES OF LIFE AT HOME, it will be for one lucky reader.
So make sure you happen back on Wednesday. And bring your party blower.
PS The gift will not be my new orange bag that will be here anyday.
But I will not disappoint!
Wednesday is the big day! And there will be a gift. The gift won't be for THE LIFE & TIMES OF LIFE AT HOME, it will be for one lucky reader.
So make sure you happen back on Wednesday. And bring your party blower.
PS The gift will not be my new orange bag that will be here anyday.
But I will not disappoint!
3.05.2008
It Must Be a Lucky Streak
Do you think it's 'cause I'm Irish?
Because friends, I've won something again!!
I got an....ORANGE bag!
Go see it for yourself, read my interview, & see what you might have a chance to win!
And...May the Luck O' The Irish be UPON Yeh!
Because friends, I've won something again!!
I got an....ORANGE bag!
Go see it for yourself, read my interview, & see what you might have a chance to win!
And...May the Luck O' The Irish be UPON Yeh!
3.04.2008
Blocks that Rock
And who doesn't like free? (click title to link over to Simple & register for a block-winning contest that ends next Monday).
2.22.2008
Inviting You Along My Journey
There's change beyond the horizon for the Perrys. I write this must more positively than I previously thought of it.
When the discussion began, I was a mess. I was so scared for Flynn. But I prayed. And we prayed. And we tried to trust. And we asked more people to pray. And we trusted some more. And I'd like to say that I've 'given it over to God'.
You see, when I married a teacher, it was pretty much assumed that this would always be a two-income family (& I don't just mean his two jobs). And to tell you the truth, I was never one of those girls who esteemed to be a stay at home mom. I had nothing against that lifestyle, it was just never a goal of mine. I worked pretty hard at earning all my degrees & by golly, I'd use them.
Then we had Flynn. And we found out she had such a severe allergy. And when I realized that not only could she die if accidentally handed the wrong milk, or snack, but for crying out loud, if her neighbor at the day care table spilled his milk, she'd have a reaction from that as well; well, you would be right by assuming this made me panic.
When I went back to work when Flynn was a baby (6 mos), before we knew of her allergy, poor Grammy was watching her when she had - what was probably her very first anaphylaxis. Only, we had no clue. None of us knew a thing about food allergies. And when Grammy gave her a bottle, of breast milk mixed with formula (I was in a week-long conference & couldn't pump as much as this baby drank), her eye swelled, she began a series of sneezes, wheezed, then vomited more than she drank. After that, she went right to 'sleep' & slept for hours.
We had no clue.
So, when it just got too hard to get family to watch her, here & there, (along w/ a gamut of other complaints about the job), we decided I would just stay home & babysit.
I did stay home & babysat, for the next two years (which I did until one year ago, exactly, to the day). Along with being on staff at church, which I still am. I also sell some things on eBay when I can. Sold all our college textbooks & any other book we finish or that is collecting dust. I do any odd job that pays enough, I use coupons & rebates, I gladly accept hand-me-downs & cast-offs, & when the warm weather hits, you can find me every Saturday morning (before the sun rises), at every 'good' garage sale in the area.
Do I like doing these things? Meh, not really. Do I need to do these things? Yep.
For the last four years, our life has been a series of being broke, barely making it, & having to be content with the bare bones (by the way, there is nothing wrong with living with just the necessities, I almost like it). It's been wondering if there'll be enough in the account to cover the bills that are due. Or even conversations like, "Don't buy anything until payday, even gas." A few weeks ago, I had to take cash from my wallet, to deposit into the checking account so a bill would pass through.
It gets old I tell ya.
I've had to do lots of praying for contentment & have also had to force myself not to wallow in pity. I had to fight back the thought that we've worked hard for our educations, are currently paying for those educations, and why, by golly, do we have to struggle.
But you know what? It has been worth the struggles. Not only has this scenario lent itself to the reassurance that Flynn is in a safe environment each & everyday, is here in case something happens (so that we can rely on my judgement rather than a daycare teacher's), but I've had this sweet, precious opportunity to be here, almost everyday, & have seen every inch my babies have grown. I heard every grunt, every sound, some days - to my distress - every cry. I never had to wonder if the babysitter just didn't tell me that Gabe took his first steps, so I'd think when I saw them later that evening at home, that I'd witnessed his very first step. I never had to wonder if Flynn's diaper was changed often enough, or if she had to cry herself to sleep at nap, if she was sat in front of a tv all day, or if the toys she played with were germ laden.
And when one of the kids was sick, Jeff & I didn't have to stress or argue about "Can you take off this time? I took off last time."
I got to be in MOPS. Flynn has had play dates. And story time at the library. Gabe has gotten to run the roads with me while Flynn is in preschool. The kids have gotten to dictate their own schedule, stay in their pjs 'til late morning, bake muffins for breakfast, play with their own toys, take naps in their own beds, and when they've gotten hurt - or been sick, it's momma that's there to comfort them.
I say all that in order to thank God again for the last four years of bliss. It was a gift I never asked for & sometimes those are the best gifts. A surprise in a package.
But last month in a series of bad snippets of news (called reality) - combined with a burning desire to move within the next 18 months, we had to once again reevaluate the situation. Anyone who doesn't believe that God literally provides can take a look at our finances. We have a ton of debt. You know that commercial where the guy displays all his cars & his home, then says through his teeth, "And I'm swimming in a sea of debt"? -- that's us. We're certainly not being irresponsible right now in our lifestyle. But, like I said, five years ago, we never dreamt we'd be a one-income family. And the medical bills - oh the medical bills. Flynn's on about four meds per month, me three, Jeff two. Gabe, thankfully, just hits the vitamins.
Somehow, we have $1,000 more going out, than in. How does that work? I really don't know. But it does. And we never miss a bill. We never starve. We always pay our tithing. And we never manage to miss a birthday or leave anyone out on Christmas.
So, we decided it was time. It was really really time. And with tears in our eyes, we considered a decision that for four years now we've shuddered at.
Are we all of a sudden lowering our standards for Flynn's safety & care?
No, sirree Barbara.
However, we've happily given thought that perhaps her sensitivity has slightly decreased. Along with how overjoyed we've been with her new preschool & how safe & loved she's been there. The fact that, hey, that situation has worked out -- maybe other situations could work out. Not to mention, they do have an extended day & by golly, I trust her teachers!
Do I have a clue how this will work out? Nope. And, being the control freak, planner, need to know right this very minute how the next year of my life will be... well, this not-knowingness, it's downright killing me.
But this I know, in the book of Matthew (in the bible), it says this:
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[d] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Hey, read that again in my current favorite version, the message:
25 -26"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
27 -29"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
30 -33"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
34"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
So, the journey has begun, along with I'm sure - the good variety of emotions I'll no doubt experience -- as I make this transformation from Life & Times of Life at Home to Life & Times of Life Wherever.
In lieu of a ticket, this ride will only cost you prayer. For me. For the job God has in store for me. For Flynn's safety when she's in someone else care. For ease in Gabe's transition from being with the Momma he loves, to learning to love someone else 10 hours each day. Pray that our home will be harmonious despite the change in atmosphere (& atmospheric pressure). And although many many homes are lovely & wonderful & work perfectly with mom at work all day, it will be different here. Just different. But I hope better. There will be less stress.
I will journal my journey. And this is entry one. And if you've read this far, congratulations...
When the discussion began, I was a mess. I was so scared for Flynn. But I prayed. And we prayed. And we tried to trust. And we asked more people to pray. And we trusted some more. And I'd like to say that I've 'given it over to God'.
You see, when I married a teacher, it was pretty much assumed that this would always be a two-income family (& I don't just mean his two jobs). And to tell you the truth, I was never one of those girls who esteemed to be a stay at home mom. I had nothing against that lifestyle, it was just never a goal of mine. I worked pretty hard at earning all my degrees & by golly, I'd use them.
Then we had Flynn. And we found out she had such a severe allergy. And when I realized that not only could she die if accidentally handed the wrong milk, or snack, but for crying out loud, if her neighbor at the day care table spilled his milk, she'd have a reaction from that as well; well, you would be right by assuming this made me panic.
When I went back to work when Flynn was a baby (6 mos), before we knew of her allergy, poor Grammy was watching her when she had - what was probably her very first anaphylaxis. Only, we had no clue. None of us knew a thing about food allergies. And when Grammy gave her a bottle, of breast milk mixed with formula (I was in a week-long conference & couldn't pump as much as this baby drank), her eye swelled, she began a series of sneezes, wheezed, then vomited more than she drank. After that, she went right to 'sleep' & slept for hours.
We had no clue.
So, when it just got too hard to get family to watch her, here & there, (along w/ a gamut of other complaints about the job), we decided I would just stay home & babysit.
I did stay home & babysat, for the next two years (which I did until one year ago, exactly, to the day). Along with being on staff at church, which I still am. I also sell some things on eBay when I can. Sold all our college textbooks & any other book we finish or that is collecting dust. I do any odd job that pays enough, I use coupons & rebates, I gladly accept hand-me-downs & cast-offs, & when the warm weather hits, you can find me every Saturday morning (before the sun rises), at every 'good' garage sale in the area.
Do I like doing these things? Meh, not really. Do I need to do these things? Yep.
For the last four years, our life has been a series of being broke, barely making it, & having to be content with the bare bones (by the way, there is nothing wrong with living with just the necessities, I almost like it). It's been wondering if there'll be enough in the account to cover the bills that are due. Or even conversations like, "Don't buy anything until payday, even gas." A few weeks ago, I had to take cash from my wallet, to deposit into the checking account so a bill would pass through.
It gets old I tell ya.
I've had to do lots of praying for contentment & have also had to force myself not to wallow in pity. I had to fight back the thought that we've worked hard for our educations, are currently paying for those educations, and why, by golly, do we have to struggle.
But you know what? It has been worth the struggles. Not only has this scenario lent itself to the reassurance that Flynn is in a safe environment each & everyday, is here in case something happens (so that we can rely on my judgement rather than a daycare teacher's), but I've had this sweet, precious opportunity to be here, almost everyday, & have seen every inch my babies have grown. I heard every grunt, every sound, some days - to my distress - every cry. I never had to wonder if the babysitter just didn't tell me that Gabe took his first steps, so I'd think when I saw them later that evening at home, that I'd witnessed his very first step. I never had to wonder if Flynn's diaper was changed often enough, or if she had to cry herself to sleep at nap, if she was sat in front of a tv all day, or if the toys she played with were germ laden.
And when one of the kids was sick, Jeff & I didn't have to stress or argue about "Can you take off this time? I took off last time."
I got to be in MOPS. Flynn has had play dates. And story time at the library. Gabe has gotten to run the roads with me while Flynn is in preschool. The kids have gotten to dictate their own schedule, stay in their pjs 'til late morning, bake muffins for breakfast, play with their own toys, take naps in their own beds, and when they've gotten hurt - or been sick, it's momma that's there to comfort them.
I say all that in order to thank God again for the last four years of bliss. It was a gift I never asked for & sometimes those are the best gifts. A surprise in a package.
But last month in a series of bad snippets of news (called reality) - combined with a burning desire to move within the next 18 months, we had to once again reevaluate the situation. Anyone who doesn't believe that God literally provides can take a look at our finances. We have a ton of debt. You know that commercial where the guy displays all his cars & his home, then says through his teeth, "And I'm swimming in a sea of debt"? -- that's us. We're certainly not being irresponsible right now in our lifestyle. But, like I said, five years ago, we never dreamt we'd be a one-income family. And the medical bills - oh the medical bills. Flynn's on about four meds per month, me three, Jeff two. Gabe, thankfully, just hits the vitamins.
Somehow, we have $1,000 more going out, than in. How does that work? I really don't know. But it does. And we never miss a bill. We never starve. We always pay our tithing. And we never manage to miss a birthday or leave anyone out on Christmas.
So, we decided it was time. It was really really time. And with tears in our eyes, we considered a decision that for four years now we've shuddered at.
Are we all of a sudden lowering our standards for Flynn's safety & care?
No, sirree Barbara.
However, we've happily given thought that perhaps her sensitivity has slightly decreased. Along with how overjoyed we've been with her new preschool & how safe & loved she's been there. The fact that, hey, that situation has worked out -- maybe other situations could work out. Not to mention, they do have an extended day & by golly, I trust her teachers!
Do I have a clue how this will work out? Nope. And, being the control freak, planner, need to know right this very minute how the next year of my life will be... well, this not-knowingness, it's downright killing me.
But this I know, in the book of Matthew (in the bible), it says this:
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[d] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Hey, read that again in my current favorite version, the message:
25 -26"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
27 -29"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
30 -33"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
34"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
So, the journey has begun, along with I'm sure - the good variety of emotions I'll no doubt experience -- as I make this transformation from Life & Times of Life at Home to Life & Times of Life Wherever.
In lieu of a ticket, this ride will only cost you prayer. For me. For the job God has in store for me. For Flynn's safety when she's in someone else care. For ease in Gabe's transition from being with the Momma he loves, to learning to love someone else 10 hours each day. Pray that our home will be harmonious despite the change in atmosphere (& atmospheric pressure). And although many many homes are lovely & wonderful & work perfectly with mom at work all day, it will be different here. Just different. But I hope better. There will be less stress.
I will journal my journey. And this is entry one. And if you've read this far, congratulations...
2.04.2008
Cute Monogrammed Sweater
http://livingamomslife.blogspot.com/2008/01/monogrammed-roll-neck-sweater-adds.html
Clickety click for a chance at winning a free monogrammed sweater.
I'd love one of these with Gabe's name across his chest.
I love my kids' names -- and with them being uncommon, it's super hard to find things in their names.
Clickety click for a chance at winning a free monogrammed sweater.
I'd love one of these with Gabe's name across his chest.
I love my kids' names -- and with them being uncommon, it's super hard to find things in their names.
VDay Giveaway
http://belovedmama.blogspot.com/2008/01/beloved-valentine-giveaway.html
Click above (for some reason I couldn't hyperlink it), for a fun giveaway!
Click above (for some reason I couldn't hyperlink it), for a fun giveaway!
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