24 Jan 2011
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100th Post and Weekend Ramblings

I would like to apologize for not having a big special post prepared. I actually have been putting off writing my 100th post because I didn’t have something big planned but I thought it would be pretty silly to let my blog die at 99 just because I didn’t have anything special to say…so here it is…

This is it! I made it to my 100th post and honestly I can’t believe it. When I started this blog last summer, I wasn’t sure where I was going with it and as you can read…I’m still not sure. However, I have kept at it and I am proud of that. You see, I seem to have this personality glitch where if I try something and I am not instantly wildly successful at it…I quit. My mom always tells me I thought I was supposed to by born knowing everything. I am not sure where blogging falls into this but I must like it enough to keep at it. Over the past 5 months I have had so much fun in the blogging world. I have done giveaways and got to try new products and even try products I already love. I have ”met” with some wonderful people out here in blog world and I am glad I have them around. Hearing their experiences has made mine seem not so crazy and unbearable. Raising kids is hard and stressful so it’s nice to know you aren’t alone in the crazy boat.

I hope I can continue to write and grow as a blogger. Here’s to 100 more!

Now, on to recapping the weekend. My aunt and her boy toy were in between cruises this week so we headed out to go airboating through the everglades. We had never been and that was mostly because I was deathly afraid of getting bugs on my face. The kids were very excited so I sucked it up and went. I actually really enjoyed myself! It was fun to zip through the water and when the alligator came swimming up to the side of the boat it was pretty awesome. Our driver was very nice and informative. I was constantly amused every time he said “these gators” with his very down south accent. While informing us about soft shelled turtles he said “That there is a good eatin’ turtle…if you like eatin’ turtle…” It was pretty funny.

The kids had a wonderful time looking at all of the animals and hanging out with their favorite aunt. After, boating we headed back to the house with a couple bottles of wine and some snacks to catch up. It was a great evening.

Sunday started with me heading into the coupon battle at 7 am. I love this time! I can get up, grab my stuff and head out for a morning by myself. I’ll tell you more about this in a later post. Sometime during the morning I was calling to brag about my loot to my mom when I discovered that when my phone “updated” to Froyo (I was in the first batch of people…lucky me…), I can no longer stay on a call longer than 20 seconds without my phone rebooting. Verizon informed me that they had seen this problem a couple of times today but nothing worked to fix it. They of course didn’t have my phone in stock so they were going to try their hardest to get one overnighted to me…but I would get a new one by Tuesday. While he was “trying” to fix it he managed to wipe out everything that was on my phone; email accounts, contacts, tweetdeck, my lovely Bella and Edward wallpaper and my message ringtone of Bella saying “You can’t run with vampires…they’re really fast.” I am trying to be patient…we’ll see how it goes.

Sunday afternoon brought about the dreaded hanging of the tv on my our newly painted wall. There were a lot bad words flying around and when we finished hubby had really screwed up his back…BUT the tv looks amazing! It really opened up the living room and I am looking forward to not saying “Don’t touch the TV!!!” 500 times a day. Thanks to the hubby for doing such a great job!

Sunday evening we watched Inception. Well, I started on our taxes and went coupon hunting while we watched Inception…it was ok. Not bad but not great in my opinion. I would have rather watched Desperate Housewives…but that’s just me.

All together it was a nice weekend. I was exhausted by the end of it but I’m glad everyone had a good time. I hope you all had a great weekend and Happy Monday!


19 Jan 2011
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Wordless Wednesday

This is the result of my latest couponing adventures. This is what I gathered in the last 2 1/2 weeks and my total cost is about $120. My paper towels and toilet paper are stacked 3 high even though you can’t see it in the picture. Happy Wednesday!!
18 Jan 2011
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The Paci Fairy Passes Through

When it comes to parenting I tried to do everything exactly right. For the most part I succeeded. I didn’t use baby talk so the kids would have a good vocabulary, they have a regular bedtime which they never complain about, their teeth get brushed and they like to eat salad. All in all I have felt pretty good about their progression into people over the last 3 1/2 years.

There is one area though that I may have put off dealing with until last weekend. I let things go further than they should and now it was time for me to pay the price. Ansley has used a paci from the minute she arrived into this world. It was love at first sight for her. She was never without her paci. When she started getting older we banished the paci to her bedroom. She could only use it to sleep and nothing more.

Ansley will be four in June and we knew that it was time to give up the paci. For one thing, I was and still am convinced that it was actually keeping her up at night. She would lay awake at night sucking on the paci and not getting any sleep. If she doesn’t sleep then I don’t sleep and I was certainly over that.

I started telling her last week that the paci fairy let us know that she was next on her list. I explained to her that the Paci fairy takes the paci’s and gives them to all of the new babies at the hospital. She was behind this from the start and she was excited to put her paci’s in the envelope and seal them up…forever.

On Saturday night we decorated the envelope and we placed inside all four remaining paci’s. Then…we sealed the top. She was very excited about what the paci fairy might leave her and she was eager to get dressed and go to bed. This is when it hit her…she didn’t know how to go to sleep. She was so sweet when she said “but mom, I don’t know how to sleep without my paci”. I felt horrible for letting this go on for so long. So long that my almost 4 year old doesn’t know how to go to sleep.

I sat with her for a while that night and I let her talk about everything. She talked about shoes and birthday parties, her favorite kind of juice and our upcoming vacation. After some time she was ready to sleep. I left her in her bed and I never heard another peep until morning.

We did it! Well…she did it and she did it so flawlessly. I am so proud of my big girl. I thought this would be a battle of wills and I was hoping that mine could last. For three nights, we have all slept soundly with no mention of the paci’s.

The paci fairy left her a big girl purse and a jewelry box. She loves it! It’s the end of an era. The last hurdle is potty training the little man and then babies are gone. It’s the day we have been working towards and now that we are almost there…its a little sad.

I am so grateful for my little troopers who manage to stay functional despite my avoidance of parental responsibility. Love you kids!

12 Jan 2011
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WINNERS of the Purex Complete Crystals Softener

I am pleased to announce the winners of the Purex giveaway! Thank you to everyone who entered and join me in congratulating Karyn over at Darby and Karyn, Kim C and Deb!



  • 92% natural, not oil-based like other liquid fabric softeners, so instead of coating fabrics with oil, they work by penetrating the fabric and infusing fibers with freshness that lasts for weeks, not days.
  • Using Purex Complete Crystals Softeners instead of traditional liquid fabric softeners will ensure your towels stay fresh and absorbent.
  • This is the first major fabric softener that is 100% safe to use on children’s sleepwear as it does not impair these flame retardant qualities.
  • They do not inhibit wicking fabrics, making it safe to use on all of your active and athletic wear.

Bottom line, I am 100% sold on this product. It is easy to use, smells great and left my sheets silky soft. Purex Complete Crystals have already made it onto the grocery list and that is a high honor in this house! They are currently stocked at Walmart and will be popping up all over town next month.

 

 

 
10 Jan 2011
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Back in the saddle

A few months ago I started and then quickly stopped couponing. I spent a fortune and only got junk food we never would have bought. I put WAY to much time into organizing them and not enough time trying to find a good deal. Of course since the Extreme Couponing show aired bloggers have been abuzz about couponing. I would be lying if I said this show didn’t get my couponing battery recharged. However, all of this couponing talk did get me thinking about couponing in a different way. Couponing not for the weekly stuff but for the big stuff. The items that take money out of the food budget. Items like toilet paper, paper towels, medicine and vitamins.

So, last week I decided to give it one week. I would try this new way of couponing, well new to me. If I saved a lot and got tons of stuff then I would keep at it. It I blew my money and we didn’t have any chicken to eat then I would give it up forever. I was gambling my grocery money on this plan and I was hoping it was going to pan out.

Pan out it did! In one weeks time, I have shelled out less than $50 and already my garage floor is covered. Hubby is going to get me some shelves this weekend. Honestly, and this is a little sad, but I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun. I thought maybe I would end up with a bunch of stuff that we wouldn’t use but I am stocked on some great, practical items that I paid pennies for. Items like toilet paper, oatmeal, cereal, smell good house spray, dishwasher soap and toothpaste.

It is completely silly but doing the couponing and having success with it is really filling a hole. It’s been hard to find something that is my own. A hobby that also benefits the family is just what I was looking for. It’s also funny how my new hobby has brought me out of my shell. I am normally a go with the flow type of gal. It’s not worth it to argue over stuff but when I’m trying to pay $1.00 for 24 rolls of toilet paper, then I’m not leaving until you print my Extra Care Bucks!!

I will be posting my list and my saving each week. I figured this would be a good place to keep track of my numbers. This is my formal apology to the couponing gods. I’m sorry I didn’t give you a chance in the first place. I won’t talk badly about you ever again…well unless you cost me a lot of money or I stop having fun. Oh and of course a thank you to TheKrazyCouponLady for turning my couponing around.

Happy Monday Everyone!

07 Jan 2011
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Motherhood Sure Does Put The “Man” in Woman

It was during a shopping trip early last week that I noticed something disturbing about my three year old. I was strapping her into the car seat when I noticed her sitting back, legs spread open (in a sundress) like she was watching the game and drinking a brew. It gets worse…she then burps out loud; which is immediately followed by roars of laughing, coming from her and the 2 year old. The final act to this unladylike display was her sticking her finger in her nose and pronouncing that she has a “Boogie!”

I am not sure why in that moment I was so taken aback. It must have been all of her truck driver tendencies displayed together to get my attention. As we drove I wondered where on Earth she would learn to act like that. From me?!?!

Now, let me straighten things out and say that I am not that extreme with my behaviors. I don’t burp in public but to say that I have let my feminine side go since having children would be an understatement. Something about being surrounded with poop and vomit, then poop and food, then poop and other bodily functions just doesn’t make me feel pretty.

Of course, finding time for yourself is a challenge but being in the mind set to get pretty is just as challenging. To say that I shaved everyday or that I keep my hair flawlessly colored would be a lie. I can’t tell you the last time I put on a dress or a skirt because jeans are far more practical. Flip flops are easy to get on and off, perfect for standing hours at the kitchen sink and when apple juice falls on them…well, it’s an easy clean up. Make-up is not in my morning routine but I would be devastated if I couldn’t find my hair clip. You know, pull back, twist up, clip!

Being a mom is one long teaching moment and most of the time I get caught up in don’t touch that, be careful, what letter is this? It doesn’t cross my mind to teach her girlie things because they just aren’t on my radar these days. If we lead by example then I am leading her down a path of a plain jane existence with no feminine flair.

The difficult part is this; to take the time to do all of the things that make me more feminine, things I used to do, it would mean time away from the kids. Attention I’m not giving to them, more work I am giving to my husband and money I am taking away from the family for myself. The last time I got a mani/pedi (which was probably before they started calling it a mani/pedi) I spent the entire time thinking of other ways that $40 could have been spent. Guilty the entire time and left feeling worse coming out than I did going in.

I suppose I justify this way of thinking by telling myself that I don’t work outside of the home and all of that stuff is really unnecessary because I don’t have to interact with people everyday. I don’t really…deserve those things. The problem is that now my daughter is becoming the same way. She doesn’t see the value is being feminine or working to look nice. Why would she? I never taught her because it was never taught to me. The end product was never worth the money.

It’s ironic that having children, a very feminine thing to do, has the ability to strip you of all those qualities. It’s hard to teach our children to be something we are not. I subscribe to the do as I say and not as I do philosophy most of the time but in this case that’s just not going to work. In today’s world, I want my daughter to be strong, confident and beautiful. She won’t be any of that following my lead.

I recently wrote about how I was unmotivated in the new year. I see now that because I got everything I ever wanted last year that I have nothing left to immediately improve on besides myself. Watching my little truck driver really lit a fire under my behind. I suppose it’s time to make the effort to be not only a mother, a wife but a woman. Time to do all of the things I stop myself from doing like buying clothes, having more than one purse or two pairs of shoes, getting my hair done and taking time for a facial once in a while. Time to move showers up the priority list and finishing the kids Halloween candy down. I’m ready to get just as excited about buying a new pair of boots as I am about cheap Mac-n-cheese. I’m done having babies, almost done with my 20′s and ready to stop being the woman that hides from people because she’s not sure if she brushed her teeth this morning and has scrambled egg on her shirt.

Aside from my daughter, I am sure my husband will appreciate my efforts. He doesn’t want to say anything but he is pretty sure he married a female and would love to have her back.

07 Jan 2011
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Out Of Gas

So far the first week of the new year has been a bust. Nothing monumental happened but that’s the problem. I have been seriously off my game this week. I’m ready to put this one in the book and move on because I can’t seem to find the motivation that everyone else on the planet has. I know everyone is riding the high of their New Year’s resolutions but I am falling flat. Where is my burst of energy? Where is my motivation? Maybe it’s at the bottom of a Pepsi bottle…at least that’s where I have been looking for it.

I think I am still in a haze from Christmas. Over run with toys and still finding packing peanuts under my couch. It could be that my 30th birthday really got here quick. Now it’s only 11 weeks away and I thought I would be…more ready I guess.

It took me all week to muster up this post and well…as you’ve read…it sucks. Maybe I can find some quiet time this weekend to myself. Perhaps that will bring things back into the light and I can start to be productive again.

Have a great weekend! Here is to hoping Monday brings clarity, flowing thoughts and motivation. It not, I’m moving back to 2010 because 2011 has already bored me to tears.

03 Jan 2011
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The Purex Secret is Out! Review and Giveaway! (Extended)

Last week I was chosen as a Purex Insider! To say the very least I was…EXCITED! As you know, with great power comes great responsibility and I was given a sample of a top secret new product from Purex to share with the world but not before today. This was a difficult task for me because I love sharing great stuff with all of you but it gave me plenty of time to try it out.

To be completely honest, I don’t use fabric softener on a regular basis and by that I mean…never. It always seemed like so much work and you had to add it to the little cup just at the right time yada yada yada. Laundry isn’t my favorite so adding an extra step was out of the question. Cue Purex Complete Crystals Softener; that’s right, I said crystals!

I am going to jump right in and give you the best part first; you add them into the wash at the beginning. There is no little cup or waiting for the right cycle. Just toss them in, they dissolve and your laundry smells FABULOUS! Here are a few other great things about Purex Complete Crystals Softener:

  • 92% natural, not oil-based like other liquid fabric softeners, so instead of coating fabrics with oil, they work by penetrating the fabric and infusing fibers with freshness that lasts for weeks, not days.
  • Using Purex Complete Crystals Softeners instead of traditional liquid fabric softeners will ensure your towels stay fresh and absorbent.
  • This is the first major fabric softener that is 100% safe to use on children’s sleepwear as it does not impair these flame retardant qualities.
  • They do not inhibit wicking fabrics, making it safe to use on all of your active and athletic wear.

Bottom line, I am 100% sold on this product. It is easy to use, smells great and left my sheets silky soft. Purex Complete Crystals have already made it onto the grocery list and that is a high honor in this house! They are currently stocked at Walmart and will be popping up all over town next month.

Start the new year off with soft, great smelling, easy to get laundry. To help you out, I will be giving away 3 coupons for a FREE bottle! Contest ends January 9th at midnight EST. Winners will be selected by random.org and notified on January 10th.

Here is how to enter and win!

  • Make sure you leave one comment per entry and don’t forget your email address!
  • Mandatory entry: Follow Mommies2Cents through GFC or networked blogs. Then visit www.purex.com and tell me which scent you like the best!
  • Follow Mommies2Cents on Twitter 1 entry
  • Post my blog button on your site and tell me where I can find it. 2 entries

Good luck! Hurry in to Walmart and try Purex Complete Crystals Softener today. I promise you’ll love it!

*I am a Purex Insider and received a free sample of this product to try and review. The experience and opinions are 100% my own.

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