Working too much, getting old, or going crazy?

My dad called me to thank me for my birthday card but said he was surprised it had made it to him. It had no zip code and I'd addressed it to Lee Iorg. Of course this was the same day I had gone to CVS, bought two bags of items, rushed to work so I wouldn't be late, reached for the crackers I had just bought and realized I had left them in my cart. I rushed back and luckily some honest person had brought them into the store. I was late to work and concerned. I had done the same thing at Walgreen's about a month ago!

OCD

Candles/Diffusers

Shampoos/conditioners/deodorants

Body washes/shaving gels/shavers

Feeling sick??

More medicine

Deodorant/hair stuff still available

The guest room closet where I keep a lot of my loot.

This is the bin filled with items for the church.

A filled pantry from couponing.

I definitely have a little of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in me. Whenever I start a hobby, I do it full throttle. When my kids were little I sewed dolls and made wood folk art items. Ask them, they hated them-lots of Americana items and they were thrilled when I finally got rid of them all.

Later I started rubber stamping thanks to my food friend Toni Berry. That little OCD hobby cost me a TON of money. I was stamping like crazy-organizing card swaps and stamping item swaps. I had a couple hundred of stamps, plus paper, scissors, and multiple other things.

Next came scrapbooking. I had to have tons of paper because I might not ever find it again. If I went out of town I bought tons of stuff on sale because I was afraid I'd never find it in our area. Another OCD hobby.

Then came genealogy (a good one anyway) except I was constantly on the computer putting info into PAF that was already done.

This summer I started couponing. At least I am saving money-right? Well I do spend some money but it's always on really cheap deals to give to charitable organizations. Again though, I am OCD about it. I just can't miss a deal for free or almost free so I am in the stores a lot or on the computer checking out the couponing blogs or printing coupons. It's become a second job. No wonder I am always so tired!! I have found some incredible deals though and it is a great game. I especially love the free stuff (today I got 4 bags of Planter's Trail Mix for free and 4 Aussie Hair Items for free) and 4 containers of free deodorant. Earlier this week I paid 50 cents for 6 Dove deodorants. I got together a big bin for our church community hygiene project. It has 20 each of deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, soap or body wash, shampoo and conditioner. As you can see from my pictures I still have plenty for myself and the women's shelter and homeless shelter. Come visit and shop for free at my "store".

Happy Birthday KellBell and Dad!

I'm on my lap top, so sadly no pictures. However, I have a tale to tell. Thirty years ago I was pregnant with my 3rd child. She was due March 1st but hadn't come yet as of the 16th. We were at Lee's parent's house and had had a big turkey dinner complete with multiple servings of pie. I wanted this baby out and ideally the next day because it was my dad's birthday-St. Patrick's Day. So Leona and I walked to the fish hatchery which was about 3 miles away. When Lee and I got home I finished off the last half of a 1/2 pound Krackle bar. A few hours later I didn't feel so good. Was it the food, the exercise or labor? I finally went to the hospital and Kelly was born on St. Paddy's Day, hence, her Irish name. She was the third child, Chris was 3 , Kasey 16 months and I remember crying all the way home when the doctor confirmed I was pregnant. She was the easiest child though and always a blessing. Now I always forget about St. Patrick's Day (forgot to wear green, again!). It's just a birthday of two special people I love!! Happy birthday dad (Patrick) and Kelly!

Cabo, Cabo, Cabo

Fabulous weather. Good friends. Handsome husband. Delicious food. Amazing villa. Fun, fun times. When can I go back?

Alaska-visit #3

I went to Alaska to babysit Kaden, Alexa, Sienna and Ethan last week and got home Thursday night. I was a little apprehensive about watching all four, especially with Ethan being so little. I was so, so happy they left him though. He is an absolute delight! He smiles constantly and lifts his arms up to be held. He hardly batted an eye that I was there Friday morning when he woke up instead of his mom. He was an angel. I wanted to bring him home but Sienna wouldn't let me although both she and Alexa agreed to come home with me.

Highlights:

1. First class, of course

2. Being there for Ethan's first birthday

3. Sienna's "tickles" under my neck and kisses on my cheeks. She would periodically remind me she is a "fashion model". She also took Kasey's instructions to help me out really seriously and would constantly teach me how to make toast, chocolate milk, etc.
4. Alexa losing her tooth and all her crazy diva antics.

5. Watching Kaden read for more than an hour and not pausing even though he had to use the bathroom-he is really, really smart and diligent in school. He was also the first to tell me thank you for everything I did for them.

6. Watching Planet 51 with Kaden, Alexa and Sienna

7. Chuckie Cheese (3 visits to Alaska, 3 visits to Chuckie Cheese) The pizza is horrible but the kids have a blast!

8. Lots of I Carley! and Wizards of Waverly Place

9. Ethan sleeping in till 8:30 (one morning only!)

10. Spending a little time, way too little, with Kasey

The low point was getting a heat rash there from a tanning bed. I still have it and leave Monday for Cabo. Lindsey has a sick sense of humor and thinks it is hilarious I got a heat rash in Alaska. I haven't been able to tan since and so will probably burn in Mexico - if I can stand the sun with the rash. So annoying!!

First Class

I only had to wait 56 years, but I finally had my first experience flying in first class!! Boy is it going to be hard to go back to coach. First class buys you a trip to the board rooms where there are snacks: cheese, veggies and ranch dip, pretzels, crackers, animal crackers, beverages and at certain times, soup and fresh cookies. I had a 5 hour layover in Seattle so made good use of it all. The best part is the comfy chairs to sit in and read-much better than the main terminals.

The minute I sat down in first class on the plane, I was in heaven. So much room to spread out, soft, soft seats and noone to fight over elbow room on the armrest. The guy next to me seemed so far away-it was great. The stewardess was so attentive to refilling my cranberry juice served in a real glass. The flight was at 8:30 but they still served a nice salad on a real plate with real silverware. Oh yes, I could get used to flying like this!! What a different experience from my usual trips. Thanks Matt for the experience!

couponing 2/9

I took a picture but it didn't have the scan card in the camera and I had put everything away. This is what I got.
3 Wheat Thins, 2 Ritz Crackers at CVS for $10, -$4 coupons, -$3 rebate =$3 or 60 cents each
3 Dove Men Body Wash (Walgreen's and RiteAid)=free (actually had $1.50 coupon for one so better than free!
Shredded Wheat-free after coupon
2 cans olives-50 cents each after coupons
Schick Quattro Men's Razor after rebates, I'll made $3 (pays for crackers!)
Gillette Fusion Razor-99 cents after coupons
Goldfish crackers- 24 cents after coupon
2 reach toothbrushes $1.00 after coupon, rebate
Gillette men's deodorant $1.84 after rebate plus got free Gillette men's body wash w/coupon
3 John Freida root awakening shampoos - $1 each after coupons
Total paid:less than $7

In other news:
I'm off to Alaska tomorrow to babysit four adorable grandchildren for a week, home for 3 days and off to Cabo for a week of sun time after the cold reality of Alaska in February!! So glad the trips are in this order!!

Tennessee

1. Played games-dominoes, hand and foot card game, International rummy card game
2. Lots of good food
3. Taught ma how to coupon
4. Saw Extraordinary Measures-a great movie!
5. Hit some great sales at Ann Taylor Loft and Talbot
6. Ate Patty's great spaghetti sauce and caught up with that side of the family
7. Had a GREAT time with the best mom in law and father in law in the world!!

Couponing 1/25-under $25 after coupons and rebates

Includes:

Quench body lotion and shower wash

16 Fruitrolls

3 Special K cereal bars

2 Glade candles

2 Pert shampoo/conditioner

2 Edge shave gel

2 Neosporin lip balm

1 Airborne

5 bags Tosititos

2 jars Tostito Queso dip

1 bag Stacy pita chips

Laundry soap

Scott Pater towels-6 pck

2 Shredded Wheat

1 Crest toothpaste

2 Dove Ultimate deodorant

2 Russell Stover caramel hearts

2 Sargento packs of Colby/Jack cheese (not pictured)

Under $50

Included:

2 shampoo, 1 conditioner

3 Extra gum packs

2 Oust disinfectants

1 pack Soy Joy bars

John Frieda luxurious volume shampoo and conditioner

2 boxes Cheez-its

2 Wet Ones

1 light bulb pack

$60 worth Christmas bags, tags for next year (90%off)

2 Lorna Doone 100 cal pack boxes

2 special K cereal

4 boxes cheerios

2 boxes Crystal Light

2 Lean cuisines

10 Sobe waters

2 Axe Body Waches

2 packs Special K crackers

1 Special K bar

2 Special K fruit crisp packs

Contact

Thera Flu

Aveeno Lotion

Aveeno cleanser

Aveeno shampoo and conditioner

Clean and Clear cleanser

2 lubriderm

1 Colgate toothpaste

6 progresso soup

5 Russel Stover caramel chocolate hearts-ymm

2 packs pretzels

I also bought 20 Healthy Choice frozen dinners (pumpkin ravioli are delish) for $20. I like these for low-cal lunches at work. These weren't included in the price or picture but were a good deal!

Catch Up

I hate it when I haven't blogged in a while. There is always the dilemma-do I just start with now or catch up on the past which is daunting since it included Christmas and a couple of trips. I had to post the cute pictures of Kelly's kids at Christmas so decided to just to a quick catch up.

Christmas: Spent at Kelly's. I love not being in charge!! We had a great Prime Rib dinner Christmas Eve and then watched the kids do a Nativity Scene. It was quite funny and very sacriligious to see Mary rocking out to the Christmas songs! Tate was a perfect baby Jesus. Ammon and Cohen couldn't wait to get to bed that night. We were tracking Santa's progress on the computer and I have to admit I stayed up until I saw he was in Redding. We left Christmas afternoon so we could get home for Chris, Madison and Kyle. It was fun hanging with them even though the weather was wet and cold. We had tons of yummy crab while they were here and Madison and I saw the Princess and the Frog which was so cute.

San Diego and Arizona: For New Year's Eve, Lee and I went to see Sherlock Holmes (great movie) and then to a friend's party. I left New Year's Day for San Diego for my niece Hayley's wedding in the San Diego Temple. I love that temple! I love San Diego! The weather was perfect and I had fun staying with my dad and Anne. We played cards and ate out and enjoyed the wedding and reception! (Hayley looked gorgeous) Julie stayed with us the last night and then we drove to Arizona with dad. I stayed with Julie and family in Arizona. I love the Woods' B&B. They are always so hospitable and fun to hang with. Larry goes out of his way to make sure you have a pleasant time and Julie and I just had a blast shopping, eating, walking, playing cards again with dad and Anne, and going to movies!! The weather there was amazing too-I should have brought flip flops! It was a perfect, relaxing trip!

Lee and I leave tomorrow night for Knoxville, Tennesee to see his parents who I love dearly. We are looking forward to spending time and playing games with them. On Feb 12th I go to Kasey's to watch Kaden, Alexa, Sienna and maybe Ethan while they go to Colorado to find a house. I am looking forward to fun times with the kids but NOT the cold Alasak weather. I do get another chance at warm weather on Feb 22nd though when Lee and I leave for Cabo. We are going with two other couples and are looking forward to the sun. Somehow I have to find some time to suntan a little so I don't burn down there though!

Whew! I did it and it wasn't so bad. I am caught up!!

Alaska

Last weekend Lee and I made a trip to Alaska for Kaden's, our oldest grandchild, baptism. Brrr!! What a cold place to visit this time of year! It may have been cold but we had a great time anyway. I love the Henry kids!! They are full of fun and craziness. I love that the girls and even Kaden sometime want to camp downstairs with us. I love how adorable and smiley (is that a word) Ethan is. I love Sienna's cute kisses on our cheeks. I love that Alexa cried the day after we left because she loves her grandma. I love that Kaden will still hold hands with his grandma for a short while. I love hanging out with Kasey, making things together and just yakking. I love how hospitable Matt is to us-thanks for all the great dinners we had there!!! It was quick but oh, so much fun!!!

And most important of all, I LOVED seeing my first grandchild baptized. What a special experience.

Family Time

The last 2 1/2 weeks has been amazing, fun filled, joyful, exhilarating, hysterical -and exhausting. (as most good things are!)

It started on November 13th when I headed down to Windsor because I couldn't wait for Linds and family to get up here on the 16th. I also wanted to hang out with Rona, Lani, Jami and Keal on the 17th. It was so great to see Lindsey, Alan, gorgeous Isobel with the cutest British accent and sayings and adorable Oliver. Isobel has the cutest sayings (when she wants to do something you are doing, she'll say (in her accent), "can I have a go?"). She cracks me up all the time with her cuteness. Oliver is so, so handsome and unfortunately not a fan of anyone but mom and dad. I got an occassional smile and he'd sit with me if I had sweets but that's it. I kept reminding myself that Izzy was the same way at that age.

On the 14th we met the girls in Sonoma at a mall and then had lunch. We then took the kids to Train Town which they loved. It was so much fun to be with Rona and her girls-we have such a ball when we are all together. Unfortunately, we let too much time pass between visits. Hopefully we'll be better in the future!

I left after church on the 15th to come back up here and Lindsey and Alan came up the next day. We had a great week alone with them. We went out to eat, to the zoo, they went to the beach, we went to see the Redwoods and up to the Trees of Mystery and just hung out. It was so fun to have the kids to ourselves. Izzy is a remarkably easy child to have around, so well behaved and pleasant. I don't think she cried or complained the whole week!

Alex came on the 22nd and Kelly and family came on the 23rd. That started a week of more eating, game playing, movie going, soccer playing, fishing, etc. all culminating with a great Thanksgiving Day. We also met Kalie for lunch at Renata's Creperie (ymmmm!) and loved seeing her and catching up.

The day after Thanksgiving I headed to Kelly's till today so I could watch Izzy and Oliver while Alan and Linds went to Calistoga. Kelly and I did some Christmas shopping yesterday, got yummy salads and soup at Whole Foods and watched BYU beat Utah in a close game. (go Cougars!) I got up this morning at 0545 so I could go to church here and be at nursery so I'm pretty tired today! Lee was such a great help these last few weeks and cleaned the house and did washing for me. I guess you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. Thanks Lee!!

Anyway it was a great time. Cohen gave family prayer before we all left on Friday and made me start crying because our family time was over. I love my family soooo much and loved having them around. If only Chris and Kasey were here, it would have been PERFECT. On the 3rd we head to Alaska for Kaden's baptism. Yea, more family time!!

The British Are Coming!!

Yahoo!!!!!

Weekly Coupon Deals

I spent a total of $36.68 at Target, Walgreen's, CVS and Safeway andd got everything here.
5 boxes cereal
6 tomato sauce
20 lbs potatoes
4 chex mix
2 boxes crackers.
6 Glade candles, 4 refills
2 Gillette deodorate
1 Gillette body wash
4 Mennen deodorant
2 Almay mascara
1 Steamer vegetable
2 cream cheese
1 lb butter
Frutopia conditioner and shampoo
Viologie conditioner
Colgate toothpaste
Softsoap pump and refill
2 bags caremels
Yoplait deluxe yogurts
1 bunch asparagus
I need a bigger pantry!!

Sweet Tate

We went to Kelly's this weekend for the blessing of Tate. What a cute little guy he is. He is starting to smile and is such a good sleeper and such a cute boy. The big news is - I think Rylee is strting to mellow out!! She was a crackup for Halloween, a cute witch, and very independent and very into the whole trick or treating. She'd follow the boys up the stairs to homes, get her candy, put it into her bag and come back and hold my hand to go to the next house. She really got attached to Lee and would push Ammon out of the way if he was sitting near Lee.

Cohen was Harry Potter (perfect for him). He was like the energizer bunny on speed after eating tons of candy. This boy is way into treats (wonder where he gets that?) and can eat tons and tons of candy. I had some starbursts in my purse and knew he'd fine them. Sure enough, within 2 minutes of my getting there, he had them out!

Ammon was Wolverine and had a blast trick or treating and at his school carnival earlier that day.

Jody's parents, Larry and Cindy, came into town for the blessing and it was great to see them again. They are really wonderful inlaws to Kelly!

As usual, I ate too much down there so went and worked out today for the first time in a long time at the gym. Usually I just walk or do my elliptical. I went about 3:00 and the gym was almost empty so I think I'll try and to at that time 3 times a week-I kind of like it when it is slow. My back is a little sore now though. Well this is a really boring post, I'll end the misery now!

Happy B-day Alex!! (in 1.5 hours more)

Happy #23 Alex!! Hope you have a great day-love you so, so much! Good luck on your classroom teaching today too! So glad we got to see you in San Diego and can't wait till Thanksgiving time to see you again. Love every little thing about you! Wish we could go to lunch today. And a movie.

Deals at Target

Even if you don't coupon, there are some great deals at Target you should do. First go to http://www.organicgrocerydeals.com/forums/view.php?pg=coupon_generator and print multiple copies of Target couons for $1 off ocean spray cranberry juices (it's on sale for $1.98-I love cran-rasp, cran-grape). You'll get it for .98. I've bought about 15 of them.

Print some of the $1/2 chex mix and stack (put it with) Chex mix coupons you can get at coupons.com or smartsource.com to get Turtle chex mix (my favorite) for .33 each. I've bought about 15 of them also.

Keebler cookies are on sale for buy 2, get one free. Some have $1 off coupons on them or you can print coupons here for $1 off. You can then get 3 for $1 or 6 for $2 depending on how many coupons you have. I love the fudgesticks and mint cookies.
[Buy 6] Keebler Cookies B2G1FREE or 3/$4.00
(USE 3) $1.00/2 – Keebler Chips Deluxe Cookies – TARGET ex. 11/7 – (afullcup.com)
(USE 2)$1.50/2 – KeebleCookies – (coupons.com)(USE 1)
$1.00/2 – Keebler Fudge Shoppe Cookies – (snackpicks.com)
Final Price: $1.00 for everything

Another great deal is the glade oil scent candles/refills. The holders have coupons for $2 off 2. If you buy 5 you get a Target gift certificate for $5. I've been doing this over and over. Buy 5 at $12.50 , use $5 in coupons and get $5 back so that they cost .50 each. There holiday holders/scents are nice.
Glade Oil Candles $2.50 EachUse the $2.00/2 Peelie couponFinal Price: $1.50 OOP (each)
Buy 5, Receive a $5 Target GiftCard!Final Price When Factoring GC: $.70 each
These also qualify for the $5 SC Johnson Rebate (when you buy 3).You can submit up to 3 rebates per family!

I also bought Pledge items 3 at 3.49 each for $10.50 and used coupons from here to make them $7.50 and got a $5 giftcard so they were 3 for $2.50.

Buy 3 Participating Pledge Products, Earn a $5 Target Gift Card
Pledge Fabric Sweeper$4.29
Pledge Polish $3.49
Pledge Multi Surface Wipes $3.49
$1.00/1 – Pledge Product, any – (rightathome.com)
Final Price: As Low as $7.47 OOP, Receive $5 Target Gift Card

You should see my pantry and hall closet. LOADED with free/cheap toiletries, cleaning supplies/snacks. Couponing is amazing! I wish I'd known years ago about it. Call me if you have questions!

San Diego

If I could pick one place that I could live it has always been San Diego. When I was young our family went there for several vacations so it always has held special memories. This last weekend Lee and I met Alex and Kelly there to watch Mitch play in the BYU/San Diego game. We had such a good time-hanging out at La Jolla Beach, eating at great restaurants, going to the BYU fireside and watching the game. It was an added bonus to see some of our Arizona relatives including Dad and Ann, Scott and Beau, Wayne and Becky and family. It was so much fun but went by way to quickly. Can I move there someday? Please.

I left my camera at home but Kelly took hers so I'll post pictures later.