Caturday Saturday: Daddy's New Toy is OUR New Toy

Tim bought a new Mac book. Translation: Cats have a new toy.

This is where I found Elliot when I woke up today.

Yes...yes I like to scrunch the rug up while you sleep....

This is how I found Jackson this morning.

And this is what happens when your husband get a new toy, the cats get one too.

We don't have the heart to tell her she won't fit...

Meow?

We did fit her in it this way. The box is a very slimming look for Elliot.

Oh hai!

Hehe.

Wink!

Happy Caturday everyone! I think we're going to play in the garden some.

The Art of Couponing: Hang in there

I just wanted to post a quick blog update while I wait on dinner :) Tim and I just got back from Publix and it was a pretty successful trip. There are several good sales going on. I just wish we had gone sooner because some things were sold out.

Side note: If you haven't checked it out yet, you need to go to iheartpublix. Great blog about couponing at Publix.

Anyways, I titled this post "Hang in there" because I want you to know that it may seem totally worthless in the beginning, but HANG IN THERE! The more you clip, and the more practice you get at stacking and planning, the better savings you are going to have. I've been doing this right at a month now and my first visits were 19%, 21% and 28%. Tonight, I reached a 32% discount at Publix. It may not sound like much, but it was $38.11 off! And, we got materials to make AT LEAST 8 meals over the next week, have plenty of leftovers, lunches and we bought snackage (because we love to eat).

I thought I'd also spotlight a few good deals & example of stacking:

Example 1: Sargento Shredded Cheese [Pepperjack]
Publix Sale- $2.00 + $1.50 off coupon for Sargento Shredded Pepperjack = 50 cents
Since the cheese is regularly $3.19 that's a savings of almost 85%

Example 2: Crest Toothpaste [I bought the one that has coupons inside!]
Publix Sale- 2 for 2.99 (B1G1) + $1 off Publix coupon = 1.99 for 2 6.4 oz sized toothpastes
Since the stuff is regularly $2.99 each, this was a savings of 67%

Example 3: Sun Chips
Publix Sale- $3.00 + $1 off Publix coupon = $2.00
Since the chips are regularly $3.79, this was s savings of almost 47%

I also cannot promote these enough but check out Jaclyn's blog & SouthernSavers They both give me great ideas.

All By Ourselves: The first 24+ hours...

Parent withdraw? Not yet...

Mom & dad are off in, wait for it...HAWAII! Long story short, they are going to attend the US Sailor of the Year event in which my brother is involved. He is the Sea Sailor of the Year for the US Pacific Fleet and now he's competing for the overall big schbang. (I think...I honestly get confused about it). Anywho, they are gone for the next couple of weeks and that leaves us ALL ALONE!!!

Well, not all alone because we have three wonderful and crazy cats, but you get the picture.

Speaking of picture...check out this from dad posted on his facebook:

Hawaii!

I thought I'd try and chronicle how Tim and I manage it living as a married couple on our own over the next couple of weeks.

I can already tell you that things are pretty interesting. Take this morning for example. Dad is usually the first person up and thus he feeds the cats. They usually paw at his door and whine and moan until he feeds them. And on a normal day, if he doesn't, they'll come annoy me. Especially the fat one, Elliot. She'll come bite me in bed...I figured they would come annoy me this morning.

But, they didn't. When I woke up all three were sitting patiently by dad's door. Confused little cats. When I came into the hall they did break their patience and went into full psycho hungry cat mode.

I think my favorite thing so far is walking around with no pants. You may think "ew, that's a little TMI," but, if you actually know me you know that doesn't even scratch the surface of Kelly's TMI haha. Back in college, my dear sweet roommate Jenn knew me as a pant-less-wonder and I think I'd be making her proud.

We'll see how the next few days go.

Weekend Fun: Modern Skirts

This weekend was a blast! I wish it had been longer. I went out Saturday night with my favorites: Tim, Mel, Chris & Eric (Mo is a punk! Just kidding). We went to The Loft downtown to see the Modern Skirts play.
Here is a snippet of the evening:

Yay!

Two of the people I love most- Mel + Chris!

And another one I love- Eric!

Tim in deep thought...

Me + hubs.

Shades, because the sun never sets on a....

Mel took this one haha, we are so married...

I LOVE THIS ROCKSTAR!!!

Whole gang!

Modern Skirts!

More Modern Skirts!

Rock out

BFF

Kisses

Annnnd on the way to our car...we ran into buddy Ryan!

I really love this band. I got to hang out with them years ago in Auburn and was surprised to know one of them had a Speech Communication degree- woohoo 'comm'ies! I'm going to post one of this songs below for you to take a listen. It's a slower one, but it is beautiful:

The Art of Couponing: Lessons Learned

Today I haven't been able to focus (I blame the spring allergies) and I misread my first CVS mailer. Granted, in the end I still came out well, just not as well as my SUPER deal from the other day.

Transaction 1
I started out doing the buy $30, get $10 Extra Care Bucks. This was easy to do because we needed ALL of these items:

• Aussie shampoo & conditioner (2/4.49 after manufacturer coupon + CVS deal)
• Dawn dishsoap (.79 after coupon + CVS deal)
• Bounty paper towels (5.99 - CVS deal)
• Charmin TP x2 packages (10.73 after coupon + CVS deal)
• Tide detergant (5.34 after coupon + CVS deal)

So that + tax was $35 even. It sounds high, but I got the $10 ECB to use on my second transaction AND when you do all the math it was 36% off.

Transaction 2

• Old Spice Body Wash x 2 (@ 3.49 each with coupon + CVS deal)
• Venus razor cartridges (13.29 after coupon + CVS deal)

And that is where I made the mistake. I misread the CVS mailer to say "$4" for the cartridges. But...it was really $4 OFF. Pay close attention and don't be memorized by the numbers like I was. I could have paused and come back, but I decided since there was now a lady in line behind me I needed to move on out. I used my $10 ECB and ended up paying $11.90 total. Which, when you do the math is 56% off. So, not TOO bad.

So overall, I saved $33.74 which rounds out to 44% off my entire trip to CVS. All of these items will get used. :)

Caturday Saturday

The cats are having the time of their life with their recently acquired box:

Scooby in the box.

Puurrrrr.

Whoa is me.

Elliot waited her turn patiently. 

There she is! Look out!

AHHHH!

I love her ear.

Nevermind me looking like cousin it trying to put Jackson in...

Kittens!

Elliot looks like a faith healer...

Additionally...this morning the cats got baths...

This is my baby.

All clean!

Devil cat after her bath.

Yes, we use Mama G's cups for cat bath time.

Drying in the sun. Why yes, that is a Buddha man. Did not notice him until I posted this...

Eleven in 11: Evaluating March

I don't want to jinx it this early in the game, but 2011 is GREAT! As usual, I want to be accountable to my Eleven in 11 goals.

The breakdown:
1. Volunteer opportunity- This month I attended a YP meeting for servant leadership and I think there are a few opportunities for me to do some volunteer work. Also, at work this week I put my name in to be part of Relay for Life. 
2. The weight loss one- I have lost 14 pounds since January, which means I'm right on track with my goal. Overall, I've lost 31 since October. I've never been so proud of myself. I feel great, my knees are so thankful.
3. Plan and take honeymoon- New plan: Amelia Island in May. I'm so excited!
4. Trying four new recipes- We did four new ones, but I think I left one off the blog because it was only so-so:

• Tortilla Pie/Fiesta Lasagna
• Creamy Basil Chicken
• Baked Onion Rings
• and the one I didn't post, but you can find online- Blondies with Chocolate Chips 

5. Blog three times a week- We've picked right back up and I'm always trying to think of new and somewhat useful or entertaining content. Feel free to make suggestions!

6. Student loan- Check :)

7. Savings!- Check check :)

8. Read 52 books- I'm failing. I did buy the new J.R. Ward book two nights ago. I will finished that one over the weekend!

9. Facebook birthdays- Doing well :)

10. Visit 12 new restaurants- LOVED Old Siam!!! I think we're going to try Woodstone in April- anyone been?

11. Etsy- Def. falling behind, but now that its getting pretty out, and soon I'll have Fridays off, I think I'll get back into this.

Hope your March was eventful and fun! Here's to April!