Unbelievable!!

Blog around the world is coming to NC tomorrow,
and I have no time to get my good 'ole Southern hospitality in order. I just walked in the door, and am running out again for football.
AHHHH......Do you have a certain day of the week that is always,
"one of those days?"
Well, my day is Tuesday....Tuesdays are always crazy,
and today was no different.
The thing that made today priceless was the irony of my last post.
Remember when I commented that my kids have mastered the art of upchucking? They really have...they always hit the bowl, bag, bucket...whatever...I guess its in the genes, well.....
I direct a home school group that meets on Tuesdays, and a friend had just mentioned visiting my blog. We were chuckling about the post, and as if on command, a young student (not one of my children...another sweet little guy) walked OFF of the hard floored hallway, INTO the carpeted classroom, and proceeded to lose his cookies....everywhere....poor guy (ok, really...poor me!)
Do you think that happened because I didn't post the picture when I had the chance? Was the door opening for another opportunity?
Obviously, I need to forget the CVS tutorial, and move onto another one.


Can you believe it? That was just too funny after my last post and had to share...well, it's funny now... it wasn't then because the domino effect was almost happening. I am sure that it helped my diet since I haven't been able to eat since. :)
Come visit NC tomorrow....I may need to take a little shortcut.

Beautiful Moments, and then some...

(Homemade Gourmet give away still going on.
Read about it here. )

How frequently do you stop to relish in the simplistic beauty that surrounds you?

'Stop and smell the roses," isn't just a catch phrase...
it's a way of life. A choice to make.
It's about intentionally nurturing our soul, not only through beauty, and building relationships, but through the celebration of the specialness of the moment.
This moment.
Right now, take some time and choose to "smell the roses"...
Here are a few of mine today.

Savoring my final flourishing flowers which adorn my windowsill until the first frost



The intrinsic design of one of God's exquisite creatures.

This tenacious guy made his way all the way around the flower
until all the pollen was devoured.
I carefully observed as he tugged away on the pistol of the flower, while I photographed him.

Lastly....the happy dance that occurs from Triple coupons.
All this for $20..what more needs to be stated?
Ok, I could tell you that I went back and used 20 more coupons and watched the register go from my final total before coupons of $60...to ahh..should I rub it in? $14 ...yes, 14 dollars people!!
But, I won't even share or show all of that...it would be like rubbing salt in a wound (but I think I even got some salt for 5 cents if you need some). jk

And it just wouldn't be my life if I didn't appreciate the simple bedlam moments.
Envision my NC football family on the way to a day jam packed with games.
Listen as 5 year old daughter pleads for a sip of water...no wait, she changes her mind...needs bag...preferably one with no holes.
Hear the upchuck... vomit.. loss of cookies...barf...
Pure bedlam!

My celebration of the moment?
Remember, we're choosing joy here.
Due to much experience and practice,
I must say that our children are well trained in the art of retching...and...it all went in the bag.
So how about smelling 'them' roses?
Ahh...it's the little things I truly appreciate!

And in case you're wondering, I really wanted to add that picture for dramatic effect.
It took all the restraint I had not to post it, but someone special is coming my way on Wed, and I would hate to leave a bad first impression. :)

CVS couponing...shop for free (almost)

I have had so many questions about my last posts on how to benefit from the CVS system. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to attack this tutorial in written form, so my sons gave me a great idea - make a video. I didn't even know we could do that.
It pays to have teens in the house. I only had to talk for a few minutes, and my son did the rest.

I did this very spontaneously Friday evening when I walked in the door from shopping.
I didn't think through how best to explain the CVS process in its entirety, so I will try and give an updated post with any questions that might arise.
I didn't even fix my hair for you girls....what you see is what you get. :)

My best advice with CVS - go Sunday and start small with just a few items.

I highly recommend you take a minute to register your CVS card below.
Sign up for CVS coupons, and see locations.
They will send you additional coupons, and deals, as well as keep track of the extra bucks that you earn. For those of us who have a hard time keeping organized (ME!!), you may print off the extra bucks from your account if you lose them before the expiration date. This is a tip most people do not know and it's worth it's weight in gold (or extra bucks. :)

Once you begin shopping regularly at CVS, you will also receive coupons at the bottom of your receipt for $3 off a $15 purchase. That is in addition to your extra bucks. I think I call them care buckson the video. Either way - they are free store dollars to spend in CVS. I have gotten this additional coupon every time I shop for the last few weeks. It's awesome!!
Go this weekend and get the free or nearly free items to gain your confidence and figure out how the system works. Walgreens/Rite Aid have similar systems, but master one store and the rest of the systems will fall in place.

My apologies for the lack of intro, and the abrupt ending. We realized that we can't edit, and I certainly wasn't going to do it again....this was a "one take" video. I had planned on showing the HUGE amounts of Hershey's chocolate that I got for $1.25 a bag....
Check out the coupons that I have linked to after the video.


I am going to start posting some of the on-line coupons that I personally use for my grocery shopping. This will help me stay organized, as well as share the coupon love with you.
Down below are a few to get you started.

(these expired 12/08)
For those of you with Harris Teeter chains. IT's TRIPLE your COUPON weekend through Sunday (coupons up to .99). Kellogs Cereal, Edy's Ice cream and Arnold Bread is on sale BOGO, and I have coupons for them all posted here. Enjoy some fun frugal food finds on me. :)

Sunday Worship

0720 - Worship from WAV Technologies on Vimeo.


0831 Worship from WAV Technologies on Vimeo.


0824 Worship from WAV Technologies on Vimeo.

4 Meals in 4 Minutes Homemade Gourmet give away

In order to celebrate FAMILY DAY this Monday and honor the long forgotten tradition of bringing friends and family back to the dinner table, I am beginning the first of many give aways to help facilitate this and make it a reality.
See how to get your name in the hat below. :)
With our crazy busy schedules, it's really hard to be intentional, especially for meal time, isn't it?
(I will continue my meal planning/coupon posts this weekend.)

Since I have a large family, people have always come to me on "food advise." They assume that because I have to feed the multitudes, I have this down to a science.
Honestly, I "know" it in my mind, and I can teach a great class and show others how, but the nuts and bolts when reality hits always goes in streaks.
It's all part of the balancing act.

The times that I don't always "get to it",
Homemade Gourmet has made it appear as if I do.
Their Homemade in a Hurry line and the 4 meals in 4 minutes concept has been a life saver for me over the last 18 months. These meals, sides, desserts, and appetizers that can be whipped up in literally minutes are for anyone/everyone.
I became a distributor only for personal use, but have had so many friends want to know more, and implement the meals ideas, that I have begun to dabble in the business.
Who doesn't want to have a grocery list, recipe plan and meal solutions at their fingertips. Hopefully, I can help you with that.
My give away is going to be for a sampling of my favorite 4 Meals in 4 Minutes mixes.
I will pick 4 HG dinner meals/mixes for you, along with the grocery list and recipes to make those meals, or you can look at my website and give me an idea of what you love.

There are three ways to get your name in the drawing.
1. Leave me some comment love (if you want to give some meal planning tips or you have questions that you want me to address in future posts...I'd love to hear.:)

2. Mention this give away with a link in your blog post.

3. Add me to your side bar (that counts as two :) Now, I really wish I had some bling to share.
Once you've done that, let me know how many times to put down your name, and I will pick a winner on Tuesday...(after you all have had dinner together on Monday night...right?) xoxox.
Our family emphasizes the power of a shared meal. Here are some ideas...
Do something fun for dinner.
If you have kids, why don't you try a "backwards" dinner night...serve dessert for the main course, making sure that they "save room" for the green beans.

I have also served a full spaghetti dinner under, yep...under the table. I set the place mats, charger plates, china and even lit the candles all while dining under the table. It was so fun and memorable. Yes, I even made the teens do it.
Remember, I am the Queen of Forced Bonding. :)
Good luck and get ready for some Good Eating.!

Featured Recipes: Click here to see this month’s menu planner>

The Homemade Gourmet 4 meals in 4 minutes Collection is helping
make today's home cooking fast and easy for people with busy lifestyles. If you have
ever heard "What's for dinner" and didn't have the answer, then the Homemade
Gourmet 4 meals in 4 minutes Collection is for you.
It provides you with choices for good food, fast...instead of fast food!