WHY We Save Our Coupons and Grocery Day!

I have had two people mention to me about expired coupons recently, which led me to realize that I forgot to mention the most important reason we are saving all these coupons and keeping them together so we can find them: grocery stores rotate their sales. You want to get about a six week supply of things when you shop because that is how long it will take for these items to be at their lowest price again.

What? What did I say. Okay, your goal is to purchase your groceries and sundries when they are ON SALE. This is their lowest price. You match your coupons to the sales. Since it takes six weeks for the particular items to rotate back on sale, you ideally would have six coupons and stock up if you used that item every week.

This necessitates keeping your coupons together. The only time you care if your coupon is expiring is if you have 8 coupons and only want to buy six of the item. Then you would use the ones expiring first. However, I simply would buy 8, which gives me the choice of having extra on hand and donating my surplus.

I'm not saying that how people are handling their coupons is wrong. One person told me that they file their coupons by expiration date. The other said they store the ones expiring for that month in a separate file. FAB! IF you are shopping weekly, buying things and not following the sales. If you are doing the coupons this way, you are not taking advantage of the lowest price and maximizing your savings every week. It isn't wrong, it is simply a different approach.

The matching your shopping to the sales approach allows you to fill your pantry/shelves/cupboards/what-have-you with a ton of grocery items at the lowest price.

Let me give a specific example from this week:
dixie ultra plates / napkins are on sale and you save $2.65/2. There are .55/1 blinkies in Foodlion right now. 2.65-2.20(.55x 2 doubled)=.45 for 2 packs of plates.

You save $4.85 on two packs of plates by stocking up at this price. If you bought them because you shop using just the coupons you have, matched up to your weekly grocery list, you would only save $1.10 off the original price on two in a non-sale week. You miss out on $3.75 in additional savings if they are not on sale. Now say you have three of these blinkies, which for you is a six week supply, you will save $14.55 and pay $1.35 for six packs of plates.

I think you can see very quickly the value of matching your shopping and coupons to the sales. This is a process. It takes a while to get your stash of coupons going and to get your pantry full.

All this is illustrated using the ideal scenario of the extreme couponer who has several of each weeks coupons or buys extras at the various sites that offer those. I once heard of a lady that bought thirty two bottles of bbq sauce at one time. Yes, you read that right. I have no idea what she did with the thirty two bottles, but she had thirty two coupons, and it was a sale item!!!

How this works in my world is that if the item is on sale, I buy it with the coupons I have. So if I have six, GREAT, I buy six. If I only have four, I buy four.

Many of the coupon/money saving sites will tell you that even without a coupon, this is the time to stock up because you are still getting the items you need at the lowest price. Remember that if you need three packages of lunch meat that week and only have two coupons for the sale brand. You can still buy that third package, and you are still saving. It's just not as much fun because you are not getting the DEAL you got on the other two!

Mind you, the sites I've told you are my favorites: Hot Coupon World, Southern Savers, and Chattanooga Cheapskate will also tell you if something is on sale and it is not that great of a price meaning that it will be on sale later at a better price!

I hope in my long winded narrative that I have explained the reason for keeping all your coupons together regardless of the expiration date. Your goal is to stock up on the particular item at the lowest sale price with your coupons. Keeping them all in one place means that you have them all together to use at the right time.

If the coupon expires, so what. You'll get more. The idea is not to shop by coupon. The idea is to maximize your savings and match your coupons to the lowest sales price.

Does that mean if I need butter this week and it is not on sale, I don't buy it. NO! If I need it, I have to get it, but it would be better if when butter had been on sale, I had stocked up...right!!!

I'm hoping my favorite stores have laundry detergent, fabric softener, and dog food on sale here soon. I need to fill up again!

This week in my area, Harris Teeter is doubling coupons with a face value up to $1.98meaning: coupon value = double value

0.75 = 1.50
1.00 = 2.00
1.50 = 3.00
1.98 = 3.96

So for example: Velveeta 1 lb. $2.99. Use $1 coupon from the 8/9RP = $.99 your final price!

Unfortunately, I have alot to do today and will not be grocery shopping. Probably Friday will be my day. It depends right now.

Breathe deep, my followers. It gets easier as you do it and do what works for you. I tell you all the ins and outs and then you fit it to your lifestyle. Remember that the sites that are my favorites are NOT the only sites out there to help you and you can and will find ones that you like better. These work for me. However, you need to read the extreme way to do things to maximize your savings so you get all the ins and outs.

And just to address this issue: I do buy fresh produce and feed my family whole grain pasta and whole grain bread.

I think tomorrow I will share my meat savings plan with you...Oh yes, I have a friend who has 2 full size freezers FULL and is considering getting a third because they are even better (have more time) than me at this. But my husband is always amazed at the meat deals I bring home!!! And aside from killing your own pig like my brother, this is the best way I know to get meat at a great savings.

Tuesday in my coupon world...

Okay, I am going to be clipping my coupons today. I happen to be off, and I have an appointment this afternoon so I have some free time while squeezing in laundry.

My coupon system is two cancelled check holders like you get at walmart. I have one for CVS type things and one for grocery items. I keep them in a bag that I can grab on the run. I also throw all my uncut coupons in there. I mean why have a pile of messy coupons all over the place when I can keep it neatly in this bag? My four CVS envelopes are in there (refer to yesterday's post), and sometimes I keep scissors in there.

Scissors, yes. Scissors. Why? Because you can clip and sort your coupons anywhere. The busy mom is always on the go and needs a system that works. I have clipped in the doctor's office. Why not! You can clip in car line. Clip while watching tv at night. Clip while having a brief morning snack break. Clip. Clip. Clip. It's not that it takes that long either. It's just another THING TO DO on our LIST OF THINGS TO DO, but if you need to break it down into small tasks, it can be done or you can just sit and clip if that fits in your schedule.

While I am sorting my coupons, I try to take out any that I noticed have expired. This is also another task you can do on the go while on the run and waiting somewhere. I had to hit the laundromat to wash something that wouldn't fit in my washer, and I got rid of all the expired coupons. You do not want to be giving cashiers expired coupons or get all excited about a deal, only to realize your coupon is expired. This purging also makes room for all the new coupons you are getting from magazines, internet, and the newspaper.

The rant, "I don't have time," is wasted on me because you can make time. It's just about time management. Are your kids old enough to use scissors, get them clipping. Make a game of it. I'm just saying that where there is a will, there is a way!

Once everything is clipped and sorted into your storage method, you are ready for BIG WEDNESDAY...that's when all the shopping ads come out. OH YES! The new grocery ads for the week. You can get previews at the sites I listed yesterday, and prepare a day ahead. This is essential for Harris Teeter triple coupons because if you don't get in there early, alot of the killer deals will be gone!!!

Personally, I have to shop on my day off or a day I don't work in the morning. I may not be able to go on Wednesday, but I usually make it by Friday at the latest. Not that it matters. I may go twice if I can't squeeze it all in or I have forty coupons and it is Harris Teeter triples. They limit you to 20 coupons per day to be tripled. Not per card either. Per person. But I digress...

I will go into great grocery detail later this week. Perhaps tomorrow...we'll see what thought tomorrow brings! LOL!

There are many ways to sort your coupons. All of these sites that I reference describe various ways to sort. You have to do what works for you. I tried a 3 ring binder with baseball card holders, but it was too cumbersome for me and annoying. Some people use recipe card boxes with dividers. You have to decide how best to store and sort. Because if the system you are using doesn't work, you will not use it.

Also, if CVS or the Walgreen or Rite-aid thing is too much for you, don't do it. You can get good deals on alot of personal care items at the grocery stores with your coupons. It's not about torturing yourself, it's about saving money without adding additional stress. More stress is not going to help. But a few extra dollars is going to be a motivator in a system that works for you.

Today's post may not be that exciting, but coupon storage and maintenance is essential to the whole process. I urge you to take the time to read the various storage methods offered and give one a try.

A week in my coupon world...

Some people have asked me how I get my savings each week. I mean last week I got a buggy full, and I mean full, of groceries from Bi-Lo for $55, and I saved $95 off my total in coupons.

So I will take you through a week with me, and then hopefully you can go from there and adapt a system that works for you.

1. I always get the Sunday paper unless there are no manufacturer's coupons that week. My husband brings me the coupons from the one delivered to his work. So each week, I have two sets of coupons to clip. Important on BOGOs because Bi-Lo and CVS let you use two coupons with a BOGO...meaning you save even more!!! You could also buy two newspapers. The savings in coupons will more than pay for your papers. So don't be stingy here.

Now, I will say that there are some serious, hard-core couponers that will get their neighbors coupons from their recycling bins. They will buy extra coupons off of e-bay. Then when a good deal comes out, they have like 10 or 12 coupons and can stock up and save a a bundle. My dh would DIE if I was caught sneaking through people's recycling bins in my neighborhood. And I don't have time to hunt around e-bay for that.

The point I am trying to make, is you have to take everything I tell you, and pick the pieces that work for your with your allotted time. That's what I have done.

2. Okay, I have my coupons, and I look through and give an initial scan. I also pull the CVS ad from the paper to check for anything interesting. Normally, I try to hit the CVS ad the night before or Friday night to prepare for the upcoming week. I try to keep what I have seen in my brain, but I'm telling you, by the time you are done your CVS run and your grocery run, your brain is going to feel like you just took a final exam. No lie! But your wallet will be fat, and your pantry will be full.

I have shelves in my laundry room full of canned goods and cleaning products. My bathroom closet is stocked with personal care items. I have more in my house now for less than I ever did when I was NOT an avid couponer. And I'm paying pennies on the dollar for alot of it. I'm buying things I don't need if the price is awesome because I can donate it. DONATE...a thought for another day. Another topic in itself!!!

3. First stop with CVS ad and coupons is Southern Savers. I click on the tab for CVS, and Jenny, the host of the site lists all the upcoming deals for the current CVS ad. I can use this ad to match my coupons from my stash, my ECB's (extra care bucks), and CVS coupons. If I try to explain all this your head will explode.

I'm not exagerating. I'm telling you to take your time. Tread lightly the first two or three trips until you get into the swing of things and understand. READ, READ, READ. Copy the deals exactly if you must. Don't worry if you don't have the ECBs listed, just do the deal to get your ECB's.

It is essential that you do have the CVS Extra Care card, so if you don't, get one when you go in BEFORE YOU CHECK OUT! And yes, you can use more than one card. I have four going at once. That means on a deal that says limit 1, I use four different cards, pay four different times! So if the item is FREE after ECBs, I have 4 FREE items. GET IT!

4. Another site I visit is HOT COUPON WORLD. You can learn alot initially from this site as it probably explains everything the best. You have to take your time to READ IT. READ. RESEARCH. Nothing in life is FREE and doing this is like a little extra job, but if you do it, you will reap the rewards and be amazed. And yes, both my sites listed do other stores, but I'm starting you on my trip and I start with CVS.

Frankly, I normally hit CVS after church on Sunday's because alot of the deals will be out of stock until they restock if I don't. I also have 4 CVS in town so I can hit them all if I want and need a certain thing and one doesn't have it. No I am not wasting gas as it's not the big here and I can drive in an efficient circle that is about a five mile radius.

5. Another site that I have found very useful is Chattanooga Cheapskate. I just discovered her recently and she is awesome! She also does CVS.

6. The reason I cruise all these sites is to find deals and which coupons are out there that I should have in my stash. All of them match up the Sunday coupons. I do not store my coupons by ad date, so for me this is a reference that I should have that coupon. Some hard core couponers store their coupons uncut and pull them out and cut to match the ad. They have a zillion copies, remember.... These sites assist with coupon matching. Very important. Very important. Very imporant. Apparently this is very important. So remember it!

7. The other reason I cruise these sites is they also list the printables. Oh yes, my people, you can print internet coupons! Now different stores have different rules about these but for CVS, have at it! Let her rip, print them all, use them all! It is just the same as a manufacturer's coupon. So you can add these to your pile for the week and save even more than you would have saved if you hadn't known about these fabulous sites.

8. And these sites will give you tips about hidden deals...which go fast so if you see one, you better move quickly. When I say a hidden deal, something that may be on clearance, or a super fab deal with a coupon you have that is a "money maker" or ends up being free. You'll see as you cruise the sites and get comfortable with the lingo.

9. And yes, there is a lingo associated with all this mess. ECB, coupon, catalina, MM and such. You will see. I had to learn and so will you, but you will pick it up fast. And for heaven's sake ask. People will help you on these sites. They don't mind newbies!

10. After I have visited my sites and stacked my coupons...I sort my coupons into my four envelopes so I know which card I am using with which deal, and which ECBs go with which card. Now when I get to the store, some of this I do in my head. Some people print out their deals. You have to be flexible and be able to think on the fly though if they are out of something you wanted and your "deal" doesn't quite materialize. This is where the brain part comes in...and it may take you a bit in the store to get it all sorted. I have it sorted by card in my basket

Now when I get to the checkout, I do act courteously. Hard for some of you to believe, I am sure, but I DO! I always move out of the way if someone is in line behind me. Why? Because I may have 10 transactions to do. And those people do not want to wait for me to tear off my ECB and load up my next deal and get my coupons. Plus if I've had to think on the fly, I may need a moment to regroup and make sure I am matching the right card to the right coupons to the right ECB's to the right product. You see... I also ALWAYS check my printout at the end to make sure I get the ECB's I'm due. Otherwise, you have to hold the line up further by making them force print them. And yes I do that.

This can be alot of fun and a great game. You will try to beat your best "score" each week. Some weeks are better than others, but the main thing is instead of paying $5.50 for a stinkin' bottle of shampoo or more, you are getting a brand you want for as little as FREE or $1.50 or $2.00. Do the math. The savings add up fast!

And that my dear coupon proteges is my take on the CVS in my world. Yes, there are others who do it better, faster, and probably save alot more than me. But, I'm saving more than I ever have, and that is the desired end result, right?

Please give it a try. Even if you only do one deal. You will be amazed. I will either share with you my last week's bounty from CVS or this weeks later on.

I think that is enough for today. Pace yourself. This is not a quick fix. You have to learn. You have to read. Explore the sites. Figure it out. Make it your system. That is the most important. If you don't adapt it to your lifestyle, it will never work for you!

Savings of 92% at CVS today

You may not know, but Lou and I are on the Dave Ramsey plan. If you don't know who he is, it's defintely worth a google. We took his class at our church. Our plan is to be debt free and live that way for the rest of our lives.

It's almost like taking on another job to be a couponer, but let me tell you, it is worth it. I have more in my pantry and in toiletries than we can ever use. Such abundance will allow me to donate our excess to worthy charities or missions and it was either free or pennies on the dollar! I'm not exagerating.

Two of my favorite sites are www.hotcouponworld.com and www.southernsavers.com. I learn alot from ladies who are much more shrewd than me and save a ton allowing us to pay down our debt and allow me to continue to work part-time, at least until my daughter graduates.

I hope to get some scrapping in later. I got some great photos at the fireworks last night at our friend's house. They are posted on my facebook page.

I'm about to hit my two favorite websites with my grocery list and coupons. I usually save at least over 1/2 my bill with coupons. Now mind you, these items are already on sale so I'm saving even more on top of that.

Some recent layouts

Shame on me for not blogging since February 11th! OMG! Blogging is my favorite. I can say whatever I want and people have to listen...well, read it!

I went through a long dry spell of scrapping. The creativity was sapped. It was really weird. I think it was related to getting my son to graduation! OH YES! And he did, so WOOHOOOOOO! Stress both good and bad!

I miss checking out my blogging friends and stuff. I've been facebooking. Not the same as blogging. I really need to do both.

I do have pics to share for project 365 as well. Later I guess!

Project 365 February

So far I have managed to get a picture everyday. Some of them are not so great, but it's all the in the process. Here is a preview of some of my fav's for the month: Snow sky on our 2nd snow day of the year. Hard to believe we got 2 snow days as it hasn't snowed in seven years before that!
My Carolina Moon photo! Carolina is famous for it's moon! I had to take this photo last night. It was so beautiful.


I'm kind of burned out on scrapping now. I guess my marathon scrap weekend stole all my creative juices. Boohoo!

Work has been working me to death lately. But that is not a complaint as I am not bored. Just tired when I come home. But I'll take that any day over boredom.

Our weather has been fantastic recently. Low 70's and no humidity. Perfect for this time of year. I know it is just a teaser, but I love having the fresh air with the windows open and the doors open!

January Photos

Here are some of my January photos for Project 365. Now I just need to do their scrapbook page. Some are taken with my camera and some are simply taken with my iPhone. My goal for February is to take one photo every day. I think I can handle that for 28 days. Let's hope so!
By the way, a little excitment in my running career. I've hit 3 miles outside! WOOHOO! Running outside is completely different from the treadmill. I'm very excited!

The lo I made today

Again, too lazy to post digi credits, but pop on over to CottageArts if you like these goodies! LOL!
I have taken my picture for project 365 today, but it's on my camera.

Update

Where have I been? Over on FB! Not ignoring blogger, just hooking up with friends I have not heard from in ages. That is alot of fun.
Right now I am at a yearly crop scrapping my brains out.
I am posting a few of my lo's here today. I am not posting credits. They are all from designers I scrap for so please just click on their clickable links if you see something you like. It is sheer laziness. OK!
And, my friend, Missy, has me convinced to do Project 365 - taking a photo a day for a year. We'll see how successful that is. So far I do have two! HAHAHA! Actually three, but I'm going to try and do better.

Angels on the Moon and Balance

Ali Edwards got me thinking last year about a word for the year, which I did for 2008. My word for 2009 is: BALANCE. That is my goal, my new year's resolution, my mantra. GOD, family, health, work.

For some reason the song "Angels on the Moon" speaks to me about this. I'm not sure why. It's by Thriving Ivory and was a featured FREE video at iTunes. I'm so glad it was because I am in love with this song.

Thriving Ivory

Angels On The Moon

Do you dream, that the world will know your name
So tell me your name
Do you care, about all the little things or anything at all?
I wanna feel, all the chemicals inside said I wanna feel
I wanna sunburn, just to know that I'm alive
Just To know I'm alive

I wanna live, just to see the day when we all get along
I wanna scream, scream my song out loud for everyone to hear
Do you believe, in the day that you were born tell me do you believe
And Do you know, that everydays the first for the rest of your life

And oh Don't tell me if I'm dying, cause I don't wanna know
If I can't see the sun, maybe I should go
Don't wake me cause I'm dreaming, of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know, never leaves too soon

And you know the pain, that brought you here today so what can you do
And you know the tears, for loosing those you love when yesterdays gone
So please remember, not to waste another day not to worry your mind
And please frogive me, for taking so much time to get back on my feet

And oh yeah Don't tell me if I'm dying, cause I don't wanna know
If I can't see the sun, maybe I should go
Don't wake me cause I'm dreaming, of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know, never leaves too soon

And I'll fight it out cause I know I can
I won't sleep tight cause I know your here no no
I won't surrender

This is to one last day in the shadows
And to know a brother's love
This is to New York City angels
And the rivers of our blood
This is to all of us, is to all of us

Don't tell me if I'm dying, cause I don't wanna know
If I can't see the sun, maybe I should go
Don't wake me cause I'm dreaming, of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know, never leaves too soon

Don't tell me if I'm dying, cause I don't wanna know
If I can't see the sun, maybe I should go
Don't wake me cause I'm dreaming, of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know, never leaves too soon

And don't tell me if I'm dying no
Don't tell me if I'm dying
And Don't tell me cause I'm dying

Rhona Ferrar Givewaway

Just posting a link: Click here to be eligible to get 209 of her kits free! Check it out! AWESOME!

ASDR Blog

Carolyn and I are doing the ASDR race together, which starts January 4th. Exciting! We have a new blog, which I have a link on the sidebar there for you to check out. I will also have a hotlinked blinkie when I can sit and fiddle a bit! Not this morning!
Tangie's Treasures ASDR Blog if you want to check it out, although there is nothing there! LOL!

Pubbed in Scrapbook News & Review Dec. 6th

Okay, I'm updating my blog. My laptop has been ill, and I don't scrapbook on my kids computer. I'm working two jobs right now. Only for a month so I really don't have time for anything at all!

A lo I did for Christina Renee's block party was picked up by Scrapbook News and Review for their issue coming out December 6th. I'm very excited! I made it for a challenge over at Tangie Baxter's loft. And I'm in Artisan Notebook in December, too, so I think it is a great month.

ASDR Here I Come

OK. So I was over at Tangie Baxter's CT forum checking on what was going on and Carolyn was looking for a partner for the Amazing Digi Scrap Race. I figured, "What the hey!" So starting Jan. 4th, she and I will be racing together. I think that will be big fun and give me some good scrapping challenges!

Well, for those of you who have visited, you know I signed up at ChaCha to earn some extra money. It is a legit thing, but they are having alot of problems on their site, apparently getting the text questions out to what they refer to as Guides, which are us. Anyway, it has caused a big slow down in the amount of money people can make. Sometimes questions are 10 minutes apart. Some folks sat for three hours and got none. Now, if you know me, that is not gonna happen. I have ants in my pants all the time. I liked it when I first joined...I think the first two days when it was working. It has been broken since.

Then they have alot of rules about which sites you can and cannot go to for answers, which I apparently violated a bunch of rules to the point I nearly got myself kicked out of ChaCha. And you must use complete sentences that are grammatically correct with no spelling errors. You get 160 characters to reply. And if they don't like your reply, they hit you with a QC complaint. All that for ten cents a question, unless you make top guide, but to do that you have to comply with all their rules. If you know me, you know I am not too good with rules. Rules are for everyone else. In my life, if you can't get around the rule, you didn't approach it correctly. HOLY SHIT! This is supposed to be some mad money not a chokeholding, smothering additional stress factor! LOL!

Anyway, I'm not killing myself until they get their site fixed. And apparently the MOzilla Firefox that you must work out of instead of IE SUCKS! It caused my computer to lock and not operate. Now, as a scrapping addict, we cannot have that. Locked computer means I don't have access to my designs. I don't have access to my photos. I can't scrap. That will not do.

I scrapped today and yesterday. I can't share either lo because (and lo is a no-no on ChaCha cuz you must use real words and cuz is out, too)one lo is going in a grab bag in December and the other can't be shared until tomorrow, which when you read this will be tomorrow. So then I could share it, only it is not tomorrow now so I can't.

I have alot more to ramble on about, but then I'm not sure I really can because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings in case they read my blog, which I don't think they do. But I'm not sure.

I'm a bit aggravated. So let's just say I need to run apparently. Which I only ran one day this week because it was cold. Boo hoo!

She is not Diane! OMG!

I made this card using product from Christina Renee. My friend thought I bought it. NOPE! It is only one sided and fits in a legal envelope. Easy and quick!

So I have met many peeps through my digi and paper scrapping world. One of them is a cool chick named, Dawne, who is Ladybug Graphix. I have been calling the poor woman Diane. Absolutely no reason or sense there whatever. Lucky for me she has a great sense of humor! HAHAHAHAHA! Sorry Dawne! I can't promise I won't slip up! I hope you will check out her blog and store.

I have been slack in scrapping mainly because my brain is dead from Christina's block party. I do have some assignments I need to get busy on!

Today I was so tired for working last night that I took a whole two hour nap. Oh, it was glorious!

I have also been trying to earn extra money over at Cha Cha. But it seems I have joined at a time when they are having a huge amount of technical difficulties. I'm trying to stick it out. Mainly because I need to earn some cash for some new running shoes before I become a human cripple and also because I'd like a pedicure. I'm a simple girl! LOL!

Update on Myself and Artisan Notebook Pub!

Y'all I have been scrapping because Christina Renee had her amazing block party. I discovered two new designers, and through the block party, got to play with their amazing stuff: CinziaL Designs and Clever Crow Designs. If you haven't ever seen their stuff, you do need to check it out. There was tons of talent invited to play. I am going to post some of my recent lo's, but I am going to be naughty and not give credits, but you can look me up on DST and the credits are there. Sometimes I am just lazy...as in now!

I am excited to say that I will have a lo in December's issue of Artisan Notebook. This has been a dream of mine and I am so happy to have it fulfilled through CottageArts.net. You will see. I will post! WAHOOOOOOOO!

And I am now a Cha Cha Guide. I get to do the dorky thing I do anyway, sit at my computer. And now I get paid to answer questions that people text in. I will talk more about this later, but right now I am busy earning money.

And HI To Diane at Ladybug Graphix who left me a note to say I needed to update!

Christina Renee and Tangie Baxter and Me

digi credits: HERE

I made this lo for the challenge this week going on at the Loft over at Tangie Baxter Designs. I got really creative with my photos. Plus Christina Renee is having her block party and I had to use this kit Dare 2 Be U Bundle by Cinzia Designs. It even has some quick pages in it for those days you just feel like slapping something together! LOL! The alpha in this kit totally rocks. I adore it! It's so different. And I'm not even on her CT so all this talk is REAL from the HEART! Which I only talk about what I really like anyway cuz I don't believe in being fake. But anyhoo, I hope you will check it out!

My son made me so mad yesterday, I thought I was going to lose my ever-lovin' mind! He has to pay for 1/4 of his insurance every week that he gets paid. He has shorted us, and we catch it and make him pay up or no driving. He has shorted us, gotten caught, paid up, and withdrawn it from the bank. We make him pay up or no driving. This week he paid up money he owed for shorting and then some with no tricks. I was so proud. We thought he learned his lesson. NOPE> He withdrew every last cent. Now his whole paycheck this week has to go to cover 2 weeks of insurance. I guess the car will be parked because we've quit giving him any money at all for gas. We've cut off his lunch money. He gets no allowance. I have no idea what is on his brain when he does this crap. He knows he will get caught and lose the car. He doesn't want to lose the car, but he still does it. Then he's upset he doesn't have the car. Swears he won't do it again and does it again.

Catsquerade Layout

Digi credits: HERE

Aaaaahhhh....I'm off. What? I can't believe it. I put in 26 hours over the weekend at work. Yes, you read that correctly. I was so tired last night I was comatose! I feel a big fat nap coming on so I can recuperate. LOL!

So I have not scrapped since last week. That is the truth. I just didn't have the time or the energy this weekend.

No Time To Blog

Digi credits: HERE

HAHAHA someone said I needed to update my blog. Where have I been? Working different shifts than I normally do! And reading, which when I read, I can't do anything else. Helping with a cheerleading fundraiser. Downloading like a maniac from CRD because the designers at her block party are sharing their goodies with the CT! YAYA! Fighting 4shared, which is not cooperating with me lately. Nervously shopping for an interview outfit for next week...oh what to wear??? So there you have it!

Celebration at TAngie Baxter Designs Oct. 1-4th

I made this treat box for Halloween out of the collab kit that Tangie and Clever Crow Studios created. Check it out here: A Merry Autumn Night

This delightful lo was made using the free kit that Sherriejd and Tangie Baxter collaborated on called Treetop Serenade. A piece of that kit is available each day Oct. 1-4 HERE

Finally, this is a lo I made using Terri Walsh's Timeless kit available at Digitals.

I went to the library today to check out some books. DD had to copy some pages from some reference book for a report for one of her classes. Now, mind you, as with many libraries, ours is in the worst part of town with the most impoverished folks around it. The sign on the copier instructs you to place the item you want copied "vertically". The copier itself has a keypad that looks like the Space Shuttle cockpit. I consider myself to be of above-average intelligence on most days but this copier even baffled me and wrangled me out of fifty cents before we had to get the librarian to come over.

She pointed to her arrow with the duly marked "vertical" inscribed up on it. Mind you, you are copying a rectangle with 4 sides. I realize vertical is up and down, but up and down in relation to what? Landscape paper? Portrait paper? I had two pages print out portrait and two print out landscape. I did the same things for each one. Again, I'm educated. I understand vertical. But WTF are they talking about?

Well, you must turn your book sideways (landscape), instead of your natural inclination to position the book in the portrait position, which is the normal 8 1/2 x 11 mode. DUH-HUH! Which leads me to think that perhaps you need to position your book horizontally.

But hey, I have an even better idea. How about two arrows - one at the top right edge and one at the bottom left edge. Then you can have a nifty little sign that says, "Position your book between the arrows." We can all understand between the arrows. Don't even use the word position. Say PUT YOUR BOOK BETWEEN THE ARROWS. Honestly, it shouldn't be a mind bending puzzle to make a copy! Glad I had a wallet full of change! LOL!