Camp is over

YIPPPPEEEE SKIPEEEEEE! Done with Twilight camp for another year. It isn't a horrible experience it is just HOT and the boys get cranky because they are hot and tired. I have found the best way to keep their spirits up is to eat snacks. They do bring snack dinner but in between events we would pull out licorice, fruit snacks, oreos etc. The boys never knew what was coming out of Cathy's magic bag next. The excitement of the mystery also helped. But herding 8 boys in a sea of 300 boys is like herding cats thru kittens. Nearly impossible because every time we think we are on the move to an activity invarialby one kid has to go to the bath room - which means 2 kids have to go because they have to use the buddy system. Then another will see a friend from school in a different den and HAVE to go talk to him (worse than girls) Then another wants to go fill a water bottle so off go another 2 and by this time we have 2-3 boys left and they are bored waiting so we start hearing "NOT IT" over and over as they start to run the quad to play tag. Quite the experience.

But at least now that camp is over things can get back to normal. Did I say that? Drew gets out of School on Tuesday so there goes MY normal until August 16. I don't know how many mom's I talked to at camp who were acting as leaders talking about the state of affairs in their homes. Telling their husbands it will get back to normal once this week is over. We go to camp from 430-830. You would think that would leave plenty of time to get things done. For some reason nothing gets done. I was glad to hear I was not the only one with an island full of stuff that had not been put in its place in several days. that the news papers stacking up inside the front door looked like they had been on vacation for 10 days. Desks were covered with mail and bills waiting for a moment of the mom's time so the cable didn't get cut off. For some reason Comcast doesn't take " But I was herding cats at Twilight camp" as an excuse for not paying the bill on time. The towels were stacked by the washer but they hadn't been kind enough to jump in and wash themselves. The nerve of the towels.

BUT in the midst of all this chaos I did manage to SCORE a great deal at CVS yesterday. I thinkk CVS is becoming my favorite store for couping.

I think CVS must have tiers of shoppers and the higher teirs get more and better coupons. I got one in my email on Thursday for 30% my entire purchase. We needed a new Igloo cooler. I went and found one for 50.00. I had 2 4.00 off a 20.00 purchase as well as my 30% off so my cooler ended up being about 24.00. I also used a zyrtec coupon that was buy a 5 count for 5.99 and get CVS ECC for 5.99 in addition I had a 5.00 off coupon so my zyrtec was 5.99 less5.00 so I paid .99 but then they gave me a coupon for 5.99 a future purchase. You do the math!

Rango Movie Code

I just found this code - haven't seen it anywhere else yet.

IF you preorder Rango off of Amazon and use code: RANGO5GO you will get 5.00 the movie making it 11.99

CVS Run

First let me say this couponing thing is addictive. If I am going out for something specific I check all sorts of sites on line to see if there are any coupons or discounts available. I was told once I started it would kill me to pay full price for anything ever again. I understand that statement now.

Today I actually made a trip to CVS. They had a one day coupon for 0.99 for a 12 pack of Pepsi product. I firmly believe that you can never have enough soda on hand for an impromptu party or taking to a party. So I grabbed that. I also had a coupon for .75 off of TICTACS. CVS had them buy 2 get one for a penny, Drew loves them so I thought he would like a treat. I also found today a coupon for CVS specific for a New Hershey Aerated chocolate bar for free. I spend 3.09 and got 3 large tictac mint boxes, a 12 pack of pepsi and a candy bar. California adds a tax for the cans so it was 2.43 before the CVR tax. Works for me.

new sites

As I have been finding new fun sites I have been putting their links on the right. I have to say these are 2 of my favorites. Krazy Coupon Lady has great ways of saving money via couponing and other links.

A to Zebra Celebrations have fantastic giveaways. today I won a life time membership to a new site called FOJOMOJO. Great place to store pictures and make and print cards or send them email.

Also check out Saving Star. Their site is a little different. You load the coupons on to your loyalty card - in my case CVS. when you go in and purchase those items it doesn't get deducted like a regular coupon. It goes in to a cash account that you can choose to cash out to your paypal or checking account I am saving mine - might buy a christmas present or 2. At CVS today I earned 5.00

Today I went to CVS and using the information the the internet and my coupons I total before coupons was 67.00 I spent 32.00 not including get 8.00 Extra Reward bucks and the 5.00 that went into my SS account. Sorry Charlie Sheen but I am the WINNER this time.

todays frugal

In my quest for frugalness, a website I follow had this offer up today. So I got to send my dad a Father's day card for free and it will be there on time - shock of all shocks. I am sure it will shock my dad. USE THE CODE FREECARD at checkout and they will mail your card for free. You can even add a picture of yourself so if you life far a way like in my case your father can remember what you look like.

Drew and I do have to have a little talk. I came down to my desk this morning and discovered one of my coupons ripped in half and Drew had written a Lego wish list on the back. There is plenty of scrap paper in this house. Mom's coupons are OFF limits.

I have to go back to Bed Bath and Beyond. I forgot my coupon this past weekend for 20% off and they told me if I brought it in they would credit me back. AWESOME!!! I also found out that even if the BBB coupons says expired they will still allow you to use it. That may come in handy during the holidays

And speaking of Holidays - It is official Betsy and Phil are coming in Christmas afternoon and will be here for 11 days. Still trying to figure out the logistics of it all present wise but it will work out. We are having an open house while they are here. I am excited about that. Plus we will go to San Fran for a day and take the jumbo tour of the Jelly Belly Factory. Phil wants to eat at OZ and Squeeze Inn as well as In and Out.

Busy week ahead last full week of school, scout camp every night, plus our normal weekly things. Best get at it.

Frugal

My word for the second half of the year is FRUGAL. I am making a game of clipping coupons and now seeing how much I can save. I will only be going to4 stores. I don't think you save money if you drive all over and spend as much in gas as you save. I am choosing CVS, Bel Air, Target and Henry's. We are also going to start getting our veggies from the farmer's market. I actually pass all the stores (except the farmer market) almost everyday on my way somewhere so I don't think it will be wasting gas because they are on my direct route. I figure if I make it a game to save money then it won't be so hard and I will think twice or three times before I buy something. I am using Krazy Koupon Lady and Penny Pinching Mom to help me understand the finer points of couponing. I even found out that our local paper if you are a subscriber to the Sunday paper will deliver last Sunday paper for free so I will get 2 copies for the price of one The SacBee has a special going right now where I can get the Sunday only for 20.00 a year.

We have lived in this house almost 3 years now and I have yet to put much on the walls. Drives my Mother in Law nuts. So I am looking for some great ideas. I joined Pintrest to get ideas.

I have really gotten hooked on blogs lately that have cool (easy) crafty things. Like this one, isn't this the neatest idea? Scott would probably have a fit if I did something like this but oh well.I want to do lids for several events so they will be useable more often.

So if you want come on my journey to learn how to be frugal and not pay full price for anything. It should be an adventure. Who knows I may put all my savings in a special account to pay for a trip to Disney since I can't seem to win one.

give aways

Did you know about all the amazing contests on people's blogs? I wish I was good enough to be able to have give aways and go to places like BlogHer. But I don't have enough readership and I don't know how to build it so that I can become more successful.

I have been entering give aways on Blogs for a while. And on Facebook. I have actually won a few things.

Today I got an email saying I won this http://www.cookiesandclogs.com/cooking-with-coke-t-fal-steamer-giveaway-ends-65.

One of my favorite sites Jasmere has a daily give away via facebook. I won some great note cards from that give away.

My fave fiber site Phatfiber has a give away almost every day. I have been very fortunate to win several of those give aways.

I also won a 250.00 gift card to Toys R Us just in time for Drew's birthday this year. I had forgotten I had even entered that and was shocked when the gift card showed up. I had to go back and research what it was I entered.

There are some amazing give a ways out there and it takes a minute to enter so I figure why not. It is nice to win and get something other than bills in the mail. I will post give a ways as I find them. If only I could win a trip to Disney give a way.

making a come back

When I lived in Kansas I had a little side business. Some may remember Cups of Chocolate. I really enjoyed it. It was lots of work but worth the effort. Scott and I have been talking and I am seriously thinking about bringing Cups back to life. Looking at what is on the internet I was a trail blazer all those years ago. Bite size treats are all the rage now. I can start locally. Already have a bit of interest from a friend.

I have also learned about the power of networking via internet and blogs. So I am working that aspect of it.

Just have to get supplies again and start mixing.

for the love of chocolate *update6/10/11

DEAR GOD I am in heaven. I love give aways and have i got one for you. Actually it is about fair trade but it is also chocolate. Someone's Gotta Pay has been doing some wonderful give aways.

There have been 3 so far.

1 - Coco zen it is one of my favorite fair trade chocolate companies. There truffles are to DIE for

2 - pranagourmet - If you win you have to promise to share the box (with me of course)

3 - cupcakes - I am a sucker for cupcakes and I think I could get addicted to these.

4 - spa items - I bet these work as good as they smell

5 - truffles - I want those chocolate chip cookie dough truffles so badly. yum

Make sure you enter for each give away - even if it means i can't win. Just remember my finders fee. Good luck.

I will add to the list as they add more give aways. All entries must be in by June 14. And remember if you win you owe me a finders fee!!!!

new family member

a few months ago we lost an important part of our nuclear family. Doris the hamster died. Proper burial ensued. Drew within 10 minutes wanted know when we would be getting a lizard. He had been asking for a while that if when Doris died if he could have a lizard. I am not sure where he picked up the name Doris but it bothered me that he named his hamster after my favorite great aunt. But I digress

Scott had an all day meeting today. And seeing as how last year when Scott was at this same meeting we became the proud owners of Skippy, it seemed fitting that the lizard joined us today.

The weather here has been horrible. It is usually in the upper 80's and we are all in shorts and t shirts. I still haven't put my sweaters away this year. We haven't even set up the pool yet and the season is starting to get short. Today it rained all day and maybe made it up to the mid 50's.

Tomorrow will be the same. Scott has to be in Davis to work a State Championship bike race. I went out today and bought him a golf umbrella to help keep him semi dry. I got the biggest hand held umbrella I could find. it is 68" across. Drew and I will be staying home and dry, cuddled in my bed wathcing movies and eating whatever junk food we may have in the house and that isn 't much. Scott will have the car so we can't even go get goodies.

Back to our new family member. So this morning drew and went on our search for a bearded dragon. Not my choice but in my research it would be a good first lizard. I got to talking to the nice young lady named Stephanie about what we were doing. She could see that I had reservations about the bearded dragon. She showed Andrew a leopard gecko and he loved it. We bought all the stuff and took it home and got the tank set up. We had to run a couple errands after that then back to the pet store to obtain our new friend, and crickets, and meal worms. I will be obtaining crickets every couple days for the next few years from what I now understand. The meal worms live in hibernation in the fridge - I only have to get hem once a week because they are sold in bulk of 50.

We are now the proud owners of CAMO the leopard gecko. Drew and Scott wanted to name it Phil but I nixed that one. Feeding it crickets isn't as bad as I expected. I just open the plastic bad and dump. I can do that.

On the way home from this adventure I told Drew I needed to rest because it had been sucha busy morning and I was getting tired. He told me "well I guess that can be your reward for being such a good little mommy today." GEE THANKS

adoption and other stuff

It has been an interesting week around here. Drew and I have some real heart to hearts. We are seeing more normal 9 year old mischief. YIPEEE!!!! He tried to juggle - with rocks and broke a porch light. He is riding is bike without training wheels and is starting to build ramps to jump off of. Yesterday is my favorite. He put on is army camo jacket and hat, took brown acrylic paint and painted his face and climbed a tree to see how well camo techniques really worked. They did. I was so busy trying to get dried acrylic paint off his face I forgot to get a picture. his therapist is wanting us to attempt to put him a regular class room next year for 2 hours a day 2 days a week. That is HUGE!!!! He is about to graduate from OT. He is trying new foods on a daily basis. Another HUGE!!!!!

We were driving to therapy the other day and he started asking about the difference between birth mom and mom. I explained that a birth mom is just that someone who gives birth to you BUT a mom is the one who takes care of you, stays up with you when you are sick, goes camping - even when camping is not her favorite thing, buys pet lizards and feeds them crickets even tho she hates both, cooks, cleans, reads, hugs, does homework, kisses scraped knees, puts up with Disney channel, and a million other things. He seemed to grasp that. we talked a little more about what I do as a mom. several times during the conversation I reiterated that his Birthmom did love him because she chose to give him to us because she knew she couldn't do all the things that we do. He said I know A***** loved me but it still hurts.....

WOW. I assured him that he is not alone in that. I told him it was OK to have those feelings. Many adopted people feel some hurt. It may not go away but how he chooses to deal with it is key. I can see how far his thought process on the adoption issue has come in a short time. All we can do is be as open and honest as we can be. That will get harder with time.

homeschool

Bet you didn't think I would be writing about this topic again for a long long time did you? On the way to school this morning Drew told me we needed to talk. GREAT I thought not knowing what was going to come through that little mouth. He asked when he could go back to home school. You see, he explained he is bored. The things they are doing in his class he has already done. In fact, He has lost some of the skills I taught him about writing paragraphs because those aren't topics until third grade and giving presentations (like we do for International day) is not even broached until 5th grade.

Drew asked if I could supplement what was going on in school with some things at home. He misses ancient history. So I am frantically searching for copies of Surley English grade 2 and 3 as well as Teaching Textbook unit3. He also wants to find Story of the World and our Bible pack and start those again. HE told me this way he would have the best of both worlds.

I did tell him we would not revisit homeschooling on a permanent basis until he was ready for 4th grade or until his therapists felt he was ready to handle it again. I would give anything to start now but I want him to be a little more ready to understand and handle it.

So now Drew is a schooled/homeschooled kid.

Gotcha day

In the adoption world there are celebration days that don't exists for other families. Families celebrate birthdays, Christmas, Easter etc. In adoption families we also tend to celebrate Gotcha day. This is the day when we got the call and our son or daughter is placed in our arms for the first time. Kind of like saying "everything will be Ok. I gotcha now" That was yesterday for us. We were fortunate that Drew came to us the day after he was born and so we celebrate these together.

For families who adopt thru the foster system or over seas Gotcha days are a separate day. The day is still very important to the family. I know one family who goes for Chinese on that day of the year only. It is marked by a family celebration. For us- this year we are headed to 6 Flags. The three of us. Wish phil was here to join us but he isn't.
This day means ususally means a lot to an adoptive family similar to Christmas, birthdays or Easter. We don't give presents but we celebrate being a family.

progress

We are making progress in the foods Drew eats. For the longest time it was only carbs. It got to be very challenging and VERY unhealthy. In working with his OT, she came up with a way for him to try new foods. He gets to be a scientist. When he is introduced to a new food he gets to examine it for color, textures, smells etc. Then he has to try it. In some cases the first try may only be a lick but he is not allowed to say he doesn't like something until he has journaled about a food 10 times. I am happy to report instead of just potatoes and corn on the cob he now eats dried bananas, snap pea crisps, sweet potatoes stawberries and blueberries. He has ruled out for the time being freeze dried mango, kiwi is iffy at best. He has licked broccoli and asparagus and the jury is still out on those but in our eyes that is MUCHO progress.

Another Tuesday

Drew is at school. Scott is at work. I am at home. I have been weighing my options as to what I could do today. I think some washing of sheets is in store for me. May be washing a couple dishes. Then I plan on knitting and maybe some online retail therapy.

Drew this morning was listening to a song and to give you an example of how his mind works - the lyrics were "she's a good bass fisher and an dynamite kisser...." Drew looked at me and asked "why would anyone want to kiss dynamite?"

I am taking a class right now on moral and social ethics. in his world everything is black and white. But when talking about morals there are many grey areas. I am still trying to help him understand Ethics on an 8 year old asperger level. All I can say is it is not easy.

MIA

WOW Have I been MIA for a while. Sorry all. Lots going on. Some good -Some great - Some not so great - some I am not ready to talk about.

When I think about it I would have to say it is all pretty great. I had a wonderful time in Topeka. I came back refreshed in many ways. Scott and Drew survived very well with out me. I came home to a clean house, laundry done, Scott even cleaned out my second pantry and it is very nicely organized. He found time to trim a big over grown tree in the back yard. Now I know what he CAN do. LOL

I spent time with many of my wonderful friends. Had a slumber party with one - but we are old we were in bed by 10:30.

I spent one evening with a dear friend Anna. She is an amazing fiber artist and I learned how to spin. Not very easy. I also got to play with her drum carder and learned how to make batts. I am getting a drum carder for a Mother's Day/Birthday present. I am so excited. Plus I will now be scouring the internet for some wonderful rovings and wool to begin to create. I have tons of ideas for my CHILL kids for the next two semesters as well.

Phil and I got to spend lots of time together. I managed to surprise him with a cake for his fraternity. I have made sure he has had a cake with his fraternity brothers every year of college and I managed to surprise him this year. He was also very surprised to find out he had a party at chuck e cheese on his birthday. THey even had someone get in the mascot suit and come out. I have to figure out how to get the pictures from my phone to my computer so I can get them up.

The biggest news I am allowed to reveal is that we had Drew's IEP meeting yesterday. Very positive outcomes. Lots we knew about Andrew - several concerns that we need to watch but I am happy to report that Drew will be in a brick and mortar school 4 days a week and will continue to do CHILL/Independent Study on Fridays!!! I can't believe the are making that consession. He will however no longer be getting speech and OT out of school but the have promised to try and make arrangements for his old OT who was at SLTA and went to work for the district to take on Drew because she knows him and vice versa so it will make the transition much easier.

I AM

I look around and feel off balance in my life. I look around at everything we HAVE and it doesn't feel right. Why do I need 2 boxes of yarn? Why do I need 4 TV's. There are only 3 of us. We have as many computers as people this house. I am feeling bogged down by all the STUFF that we feel we have to have. I look back at the small house we had in Kansas - it wasn't that small it was 2200 square feet. I wanted more. Now I want to get rid of so much of it. I am tired of stuff. I feel like there has to be more than stuff.

Why do humans always want more? I have jackets I haven't worn in years but I don't get rid of them because some day I MIGHT need one of them. I look at my youngest and I am realizing I am setting a bad example for him. I lost my cell phone and after not finding it in 4 days I had to go buy a new one. I didn't need it. Drew found my phone a couple days later. I am part of the NOW generation. I never WANT for anything. If I want something I go buy it. I am realizing that is not the way to live.

As I have lived in California for the past few years I have realized that so many people have a sense of entitlement. I am one of them. I want to be someone who sets a different example for the world. I don't know how I am going to do it but there is a path I feel I am being called to walk and changing my thinking my step is the first step. Wanna walk with me?

Go to the Oprah site and watch and read about Tom Shadyak and who he was and who he has become. Also learn about what 3 guys have done in Uguanda for the invisible children. After reflecting on how I want to live my life and know I am not fulfilled and it is time to make the changes and follow my hearts desire and give back to this glorious Earth.

65

Yesterday, my mom would have been 65 years old. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her at least briefly. I think anyone who has lost a parent does.

I wasn't sad yesterday, just kind of melancholy. I spent a lot of time thinking about how I would have marked her 65th birthday.

As Scott was leaving for Vestry last night I looked at him and said "She would have been 65 today" HE hugged me and said he saw my tweet and knew she had been on my mind.

Andrew was standing there and asked who was 65. I told him that his Grammy would have been 65 if she was still alive. He said "well she still is 65 today. Just because someone dies doesn't mean that people can't celebrate."

At that point he said " where is the cake and candles?" Scott went to Vestry and Drew and I had a cupcake to celebrate my mom.

Like my friend Elaine said "sometimes it just takes a kids perspective" I think Drew just started a new family tradition.

new obsession

Still waiting for some tests to come back. So far everything has come back negative EXCEPT I barely had Vitamin D in my system. I just wish the one test that was sent away would come back. That is the one everyone is hanging their hat on.

Since Drew is back in school I find I have more free time on my hands. I have been perusing the internet and have found some amazing sites. I thought over the next few days I would share some of my favorite ones.

My first site is jasmere . I have never found a more wonderful company. Their customer service in INCREDIBLE. It is similar to groupon but on a more broader scale. Jasmere seeks out less known specialty shops on the internet and then using their bargaining power negotiate great prices. The more people that buy the bigger the discount. You are then mailed a voucher # at the end of the 24 hour period to use on a specific website. You have 3 months to use the voucher.

I have made 4 or 5 purchases from Jasmere and have yet to be disappointed. Several of my friends have been giving me a hard time about Jasmere because I am already buying Christmas presents. Yes I know it is April and Yes I know I shouldn't mention the C-Word until at least July but with the things I have gotten I can't help it.

I have bought baked goods, purses, reusable shopping bags, 6 months of recipes (gluten Free) YEsterday I was the customer of the day and I won a gift card to a stationary store. I can't wait to use it.

If you are interested in Jasmere let me know. If I refer someone to the site and they purchase something I get a 10.00 referral fee to use on future purchases.

Next I will be talking about phatfiber and their wonderful fiber giveaways

Please note I do not recieve anthing from these companies. These are just my opinions on sites I enjoy and hope you do to.

poked prodded and drained

Saw the new neuro doc today. WOW. I have found the older Asian version of House. Found out this is the number one person in the area for neuro disorders. He reviewed old records, found things we didn't think we significant. Ordered another MRI - this time of the spine. I had so much blood drawn to day that I am feeling a little pasty. Trying to get authorization for another test.

I feel like this doctor is listening and trying to figure this out. That is such good news after all the road blocks. I go see him again in 6 weeks and hopefully we will have some answers.

So now we wait.