CVS Pharmacy Shopping Trip (Frugality)

I had two CVS Extra Reward Bucks (ERB), $10 from a shopping trip and $2 from a free Facebook promotion. One of these was expiring today. I had to use it up. Otherwise, it would be like throwing cash away. At least, in my mind, it would be.

So, I went online and perused the weekly ads. I am not one to buy things just for the sake of buying them because they are on sale. I tend to buy things that we need and/or I know we will use in the future. And, almost always, I stay away from food products with the exception of Coke for Dan when they are on an excellent sale.

I made a list of things that were on sale and tracked down a couple coupons I had clipped. I then made a run to CVS. There is an ERB station located near the front of the store. I always scan my card in hopes of garnering another free ERB coupon. I was lucky to get a $1 ERB this trip. This turned my $12 stash of ERB into $13.

Here is the list of things I needed/wanted:

Nbr of Items	Product	Total Cost
2	Dawn Ultra Antibacterial	1.94
2	Maxi 18 ct	6.00
1	Hydro 3 Razor	8.29
2	Sure solid Deodorant	3.19
		-----
	Grand Total:	19.42

I was getting low on both Dawn and the Maxi. And, I was getting nervous about the deodorant supply. They were buy 1, get 1 and I had a coupon. So, I decided to get more. These were all on sale and I knew I had that $12 total in ERB coupons. I didn't really need the razor. I prefer cartridge refills. But, every once in awhile, you need to get yourself a new razor (handle) because they do get grody over time. Ha! So, this will get stored in our linen closet until I (or Dan) needs a new one. And, I had two other reasons for purchasing the razor. I am sure you can find them below.

Here are the coupons I used:

	Total Amount	19.42
Hydro 5 or 3 razor	-5.00	14.42
Sure Deoderant	-1.00	13.42
CVS ERB	-10.00	3.42
CVS ERB	-2.00	1.42
CVS ERB	-1.00	0.42

Yes, the total amount for all of this was 42 cents. Tax of 7 cents was then applied making it a grand total of 49 cents! That is all I paid. AND, get this! I received a $3.00 ERB back for the razor I purchased. So, in a sense, I got paid for shopping at CVS. You can't beat that!

Beautiful Clare

We went to see the newest addition in the family on the weekend of September 17th. She was born September 11th while we were on a mini vacation at North Padre Island. I wanted so badly to go see the little one at the hospital and we planned on going the next day. But, much to my surprise, I found out they were going to be released that day. So, after much discussion, we decided to go up and see her the following weekend instead, which turned out to be wonderful all around. It was a very relaxing time.

Clare is the cutest little baby girl with reddish hair. Here are a few of my favorite pictures and all of them were shot by Dan. I had trouble deciding which ones I liked best; so, I'm showing 'duplicates'. ha! She is a week old in these pictures. Enjoy.

PS I have a few more pictures with Clare. We will take them up to her parents the next time we go up there to visit family. For some reason or another, I choose not to post them here.

Link Roundup

Don't give up. The beginning is always the hardest. ~unknown

• the Darker Star box (third and forth picture)
  {This came in the other day. I will be taking picture(s) of this later and posting them. It's absolutely gorgeous!}

• Paper Plate Clock in 5 MinutesDIY
  This is really cute! There are so many decorative paper plates out there now. And, you could even do this with the cheap decorative plastic or glass plates they have out too. The possibilities are endless!


• Candy Corn CheesecakeRecipe
  Too cute!


• Magnetic clamp for paint Can Tools; Alternative uses


• Best Press Bag Sewing; cute!; for a bottle of “Best Press Spray Starch”


• Cute Doily Bowls Crafts; use Cotton Doilies
  {Scroll down a little for the pictures and instructions}


• Candy Corn Cupcakes How to
  Frosting is inside instead of outside! Too cute!

Tho’ I keep searching for an answer
I never seem to find what I’m looking for
Oh Lord, I pray
You give me strength to carry on
Cos I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams

An’ here I go again on my own
Goin’ down the only road I’ve ever known
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
An I’ve made up my mind
I ain’t wasting no more time

~Partial lyrics
Title: Here I Go Again
Artist: WHITESNAKE

Where I'm From (Writing Prompts)

I first encountered this writing assignment when a blogger shared her writing result from an assignment at a blogging convention. The blogger provided a link to the template. Within that link, was another link to a poem by George Ella Lyon, which the template (writing prompts) is based upon. I became intrigued and decided to give it a try.

I wish I had saved the original blogger's link where I first saw this writing assignment to share with you all. But, at the time, I did not know I was going to do participate in this challenge. I have since seen other bloggers share their results. So, this assignment is all over blogging land.

I first wrote using the template. I must say it is a difficult challenge. And, this is the result most people share on their blogs. However, I decided to go further and mimic the poem that the writing prompts is based upon. This required some intensive editing. I then went back and tweaked it a third time and decided to call it done. What you see below is my third and final draft AND I broke a couple rules doing this assignment. Oh well. I am a rebel like that. Ha! Enjoy.

Where I’m from template

I am from tiny batteries and hearing-aids,
from Energizer, Oticon and electricity.
I am from a house on “kissing lane”
with ghosts of sad happy memories.
I am from the Jewelweed,
the family of ‘touch-me-nots,’
an herb and a wildflower,
a jewel among the weeds.

I am from celebrations and unconditional love
from Marjorie, Viola, and Merle Sr.
I am from the penny pinchers
and the borderline hoarders,
from contracting Rubella and turning anger into laughter.
I am from Protestantism and Catholicism –
Believers in the One
who saves by Grace.

I am from flying seven flags and the Maine-iacs,
Lobster rolls and Pizzas.
From fanatical Cribbage players,
the writers,
and sentimental old fools.

I am from fragments of faded old pictures
and worn home movies in all their glory,
wondering and pondering
upon their stories,
wishing to know more with longing
for they are my history.

Wordy Wednesday

I'll Never do Catnip Again
Gracie often likes to lay on the boxes next to me while I play on the computer. I turned my head and spied her doing this. It made me laugh! I quickly snapped a picture with my phone. Here she is in all her glory for posterity sake. Ha!