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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

My Problem With Couponing

I love a good deal. I love saving us money, especially because finding work has been a challenge for me. But I have a serious problem when it comes to couponing: I refuse to feed my family nothing but processed fat lard chemicals crap food. I insist, for the most part, on making things from wholesome, fresh ingredients, and make things from scratch whenever possible (I just need that dang pasta maker attachment for my Kitchenaid, then we'll really be going strong).

I watch these shows like Extreme Couponing on TLC, and while it's amazing that they can do that well with couponing, I don't see a whole lot of fruits and vegetables going into those carts. What do I see? Microwave dinners. Candy. TONS of cereal (and we're not talking organic granola). Soda, toothpaste, laundry detergent...that's all in there. Fruits? Veggies? Fresh meat? Nah.

Just once, I would like to see a cart filled with real ingredients for a healthy balanced meal. That won't happen though. Why? Because those things don't have coupons. And they're not exactly cheap people! To eat healthy you get punished in the price. That just plain sucks. America has a weight problem for a reason: we're obsessed with the easy way out. The fast, instantly gratifying way that clogs our arteries and makes our fat cells expand like Violet Beauregard's after eating Willy Wonka's gum that is a three course dinner. No wonder our butts are the size of the death star...all we eat is processed carbs and sugar!

OK, OK, I'll step off my soap box now. But seriously, why can't a couponer's shopping cart look like this:

Instead of the reality, which is this: 


Oh, and can we throw in the 97-120% savings as well? Thanks so much.


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Thursday, November 17, 2011

Good Deeds

I really want to do more good deeds this holiday season. Having Monkey when I was told I probably wouldn't be able to have children has made me so incredibly grateful, and I really want to do something for others. The problem? Monkey is here, Ben works, and we don't want to pay a babysitter. So I've been looking around online to see if there's anything I can do for others that I am capable of (i.e. not volunteering time, or having to go anywhere crazy to complete it....Monkey is still learning that he can't always be the center of attention).

What have I found? That I can crochet/craft for others. I'm always working on something, but I don't want it all around my house. Plus I can do this while interacting with Monkey, or when he's napping. It's on my time, my way. And the best part? I can do these things year round.

If you haven't seen my craft blog, please check it out. It's called Creations A La Mode and it's just a log of the crafts I make...some I sell, some I'm just plain proud of, and there are some tutorials.

Here are a couple of organizations I have found that I'm going to try to contribute to:

Mitten Commitment: This is a project hoping to help those who do not have warm clothing, specifically mittens, for the winter. It's super easy to become a participant! You make mittens (crochet, knit, sewn, whatever) and send them in. Any style, any size! This is great for me because it gives me a way to try new things (I've only made one pair of mittens for a friend, but I would love to try more!)
Project Linus: This organization accepts blankets for children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. They have chapters all over the US that you can donate items to, all you have to do is make a blanket (any style, any size), find a local chapter, and donate!


The Hat Box Foundation: Once again, very easy. This organization accepts knit and crocheted hats of all shapes and sizes for cancer survivors and patients across the country. You make them and send them in...that's it! I love this one especially since my grandmother is a breast cancer survivor.

There are a TON of great craft charities out there, you just have to look!  I look for national ones, or at least organizations that almost always have a chapter in multiple locations in multiple states, since we move so much. I would hate to become attached to a charity and then move somewhere that I couldn't contribute anymore!

I think this would be a great way for me to consistently give back as well...if I could do one or two things a month, I would be happy. It would probably be more if I only did hats, but if I want to do blankets as well then I have to keep it realistic!
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Thursday, November 10, 2011

Oh Surprise Your Name is Tooth

Honestly, I was getting a little frantic insane agitated zonkers concerned that Monkey hadn't started teething yet. I mean, I know it's normal for babies to start teething anywhere from 6-12 months, but to a mom who's baby isn't teething yet, it feels like everyone else's baby gets theirs before yours does.

Now that's a good looking tooth!
Plus, Monkey drools. He has since 3 months, so for him drooling isn't a sign of teething. No excessive fussiness, no fever, no weird poops, nothing. Monkey is just, well, Monkey. Today, on a whim, I ran a finger over his lower gums, and THERE IT WAS! His first tooth, the top of which is just barely breaking through. I wanted to run, jump, and call every member of the family. But I have already talked to them today. For a day that wasn't going great due to the crud that I have (sore throat, coughing, achy, headache) this was the best news ever. Even better news? Monkey doesn't seem to mind at all. He doesn't even seem to notice.

Happiness, your name is "Happily Teething Baby."
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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

This is How I Sound Lately

I have had a sore throat lately. It's pretty much gone, but my voice has gone with it!


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