Does drug store shopping pay off?

I just decided to tally up my total out of pocket expenses for CVS and Walgreens since I have been going there regularly to get the weekly deals. Then comes the fun part...the total merchandise value. :)

Walgreens (May 10-Aug 9):
• Out of pocket - $50.33 (much of which was diapers or other necessities)
• Total value - $444.72 (of course you are thinking the items are overpriced to begin with--often that is the case, but some were on sale and of this total $281.55 was just from using coupons)

CVS (May 17-Sep 20):
• Out of pocket - $62.46 (much of which was diapers and laundry detergent)
• Total value - $540.49 (and that does not even include the tax for the $478.03 I would have spent without coupons and sale)

True, a few of the items, I will end up donating...but I only ever purchased items that we would use or were "moneymakers" (ie got paid to take home).

Also these totals would have been lower had they not included the first few weeks of trial and error, still learning the "ropes."

So, what is your conclusion? Is it worth it? I think it is if you are careful about buying only what you need (or what they pay you to buy) and keep other priorities in order.

PS I no longer go to Walgreens because 1. their coupon policy was so wishy-washy for so long (thankfully no longer the case with a corporate policy in place) and 2. (more importantly) the store credits expire weekly and I did not wish to be held to go to Walgreens weekly or lose my store credit (unlike CVS which are 4 weeks long).

PSS we also get our weekly paper coupons free; another perk so there is no cash out of pocket for the Sunday paper.

Another gift

Look what is new...

This was definitely a gift from God. We prayed about it for months, looked extensively and gave up on this set, because it was more than we wanted to pay. The fellow on Craigslist told me to make an offer, but less than half the asking price??? I knew that would be God's hand. They accepted, and we got this very inexpensively (less than the cheapest set from Walmart)...now the disassembling, reassembling etc... is a different story, but even there God provided a random 10% off coupon literally hours before paying.

David enjoyed it this afternoon for the first time. And the slide is really fast for even all you adults who want to try it out! :)

Faux crocodile

Wonder what is odd about this photo? It had me fooled too. I thought someone had left their purse behind. It was only after seeing the bronze frog that I realized the purse was a "faux" too!

Update to #2

I have not said much on the subject of baby #2 yet because there is not much to say. I have been blessed with wonderful health (hardly feel pregnant) and like last time, will probably gain all my weight at the end (only 3.5-4 pounds so far). I will try to upload a picture next week at 16 weeks; not because I look so pregnant (although I do to myself), but because last time, I was a bridesmaid in a wedding at 16 weeks and was concerned I would not fit the dress (I discovered I was pregnant 2 days after ordering the dress; I ordered the next smaller size from what they recommended). I did fit it, even without alterations, and have pictures to prove it. Comparing time... And then THE ultrasound- October 15th.

I thought I would write today to relate the story of how I told Michael. I have always marveled when people plan these elaborate means to tell their spouse; we have been actively trying with both kids so I would have never been able to surprise M much; in our case, he knew when I should get pregnant and when I should find out. However, this time, after many months (and prior years) of trying, Michael was not expecting God's answer that month. I took the test July 3rd before Michael had gotten out of bed. I was sort of expecting the results since I am like clockwork but still definitely a bit shocked myself. I was bursting with the news, but delayed the telling of it patiently. I let Michael sleep. I put it on his bathroom counter and listened for any rustling from the other room while trying to keep myself entertained. He got up--eventually--but never looked at his counter. As he moved into the kitchen, I secretly got the test and moved it into the laundry room in a cup we use to fill the cat's water bowl. I then asked Michael to refill their water bowl. He started to and came out to me in the kitchen a bit perturbed, asking what I had put in the cup. He looked at the test for a full minute or two before even realizing what it was. Then came the hugs and the excitement. To see his pure joy was so worth the surprise!

Recommendation #2

My sister recommended the fascinating (albeit depressing) book Escape From the Deep by Alex Kershaw. It is the true story of one of the most famous WWII subs going down during the war and the survival story of the 9 men who escaped. I say it is depressing when you realize how many men died and how even the survivors lived very changed lives thereafter. It is a super easy read...can be put down and picked up almost page by page so it is great for busy moms. Definitely worth the read.

a night to remember

My "Big Lovie" decided that it had been a while since we had been able to have a sweet day together. So, with the task of preparing for a Sunday lesson off his shoulders last weekend, we spent Saturday morning sleeping in some, going for a haircut, stopping at a garage sale or two, going to a favorite thrift store, grabbing some groceries, and home for lunch. (all with my "little lovie" too--who was a lovie.) The afternoon was a treat for me to go to two more thrift stores without D while he napped at home with M. That evening, M took D and I out on the town for a night to remember. We headed to the Woodlands for a lovely dinner at Brio's. Then we took a walk down to the riverwalk and found a concert going on. We sat and enjoyed the beautiful weather and fun jazz music before heading home. David loved the music and was applauding after every song and dancing when it was going.

Another lovely evening with my boys!

Big Changes

This month brought a big change in maturity for you, David. You are 25 months old and doing so much!

You have begun cuddling more often, especially with Mommy. You love to sit under a blanket on the couch with Mommy and snuggle. You have also taken to calling Mommy's name constantly when she is not in view. (cute, we'll see how long the cuteness lasts...)

Along with this cuddling, you like to receive kisses (still struggle to give them). You will ask for a "kick" (kiss) over and over, especially when we put you into bed. It is rather pitiful to leave the room with you asking for more kisses, but it would never end.

You are using your language a lot more this month and repeating words we say often. "Pizza" has become "pice car." "Yes" can now be understood but you still most often opt for "huh" first until we ask you to say "yes." We do need to watch what we say though since you are parroting things back, even like "oh, man."

You also watch what we do. I found you with the oven mitt on your hand the other day (correctly put on), handling a bowl you believed to be hot. You are quite careful around anything hot.

You don't like to make messes with your food so if you do, especially your fingers during mealtime, you often will ask me to clean them. You take care of things yourself on the floor when you drop some milk spots on the wood. (I am not so sure the smeared milk is any cleaner, but you are trying to help!) :) Now toys are another story...

The chair and your step stool have become your best friend. You like to stand on the stool to watch Mommy cooking. You also move them around constantly to reach anything you want you can't reach otherwise...most often food. For example: cookies, candy, juice, even your sandwich. I had made dinner the other day and was finishing it up so we could all eat together. I went to put the plates on the table and found half your peanut butter and jelly sandwich missing. I looked over and you had your face stuffed and were grinning! I had to laugh. (You do love your peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!)

Other things you like? Your spiderman bracelet (one of the rubber types). Chasing the kitties around. Your showers with Daddy. Anytime with Daddy. Hats. Dancing and almost all music!!! (you applaud when songs are over) All cars, tractors, trains, etc... Driving (or at least being at the wheel). Your train undies from your cousins (although often taken out of your drawer, you are not allowed to wear them yet.)

Speaking of which, you show no signs of wanting to be potty trained yet. We still try and often put you on the potty, but you are more interested in the toilet paper, the flusher and anything else within reach. The time will come eventually...meanwhile, Mommy has to stock up on more large diapers! (really more comfortably size 6) :)

You always walk down the stairs face first now, holding onto the railing. You have also started occasionally climbing out of your crib again. The sweet little voice that opens the door and says "Mommy" as you are coming downstairs is so precious, but we have tried to discourage the climbing out again for the moment. I thought we had succeeded until I found you in the crib after a nap one day playing with something that was across the room before nap. (hmmm...I think you climbed out and back in again)

We have had so many sweet moments this month! Life is ever the adventure, but this age is so much sweeter even than ever before. We love the little man you are becoming every day. Daddy and I have begun praying for you together every morning before he heads to work (even on top of praying with you at night). I do thank the Lord so much for you, David!

(PS you did manage to blow out your birthday candle when, early on this month, we ate the last few pieces of your birthday cake and gave you a second chance.)

(PSS did I mention you have very curly hair when it gets wet (or sweaty). One day, I was even wondering who the curly-top was before picking you up at childcare. I snapped a few pictures.)

Upon recommendations

I find myself once again doing the inane by checking out two books from the library when I have 1000s of exciting books at my fingertips ready to be read (several on my nightside table right now).
Just finished the first book, Better Off by Eric Brende. It is the account of a man and his wife who move to an "Amish" (he calls them "Minimites") community to experience life for 18 months without the complexities of modern technology and electricity. The author comes to some interesting conclusions. I found the glimpses into this life fascinating and challenging--as well as the look into religion further (the author is catholic). A quick read and full of new information.
We'll see what the second book holds.

another blurb about Blurb

I just received my book today from Blurb. I ordered this book to record David's second year. It was an easy job since all I had to do was download my blog posts into their software and edit as I desired. Their software is not the most user friendly, but it is capable of doing just about anything. I am so happy with my product. (not to mention the fact that this hard-bound, dust-jacket book of 300 pages only cost a little less than $60). They start at only $12.95 but are far cheaper than other sites when you add more than the standard 25+ pages.

What do you think of the result?