State Fair

We had a great day at the State Fair on Saturday. I am trying to get my house back together after have a fun "no housework" weekend...so this will be short and sweet.


We decided to go to this Dare Devil show. I proceeded to leave after this Dare Devil decided to put a cordless drill and pound a nail with hammer into his nasal canal. Seeing that those are commonly used and left out items in our house...we left immediately! After stating 100 million times to both Kenner and Patton that we do NOT do that in our family!!!!

So we left the show area, toured the rest of the fair and sat down to watch our friend Don ride his tractor in the parade. Just as the parade was ending, Kenner said, "I have to go to the bathroom." Kelly (Casey's mom) said, "I wondered why he hadn't asked in a while (or all day)." As she was finishing that sentence I turned and noticed that one sprinkler was on on the lawn of the Devaney Center. OH no...it wasn't a sprinkler but a little boy relieving himself in front of MANY people. Grandma Kelly says, "No Kenner." Then GRACIOUSLY walks away from him. I step up to be the responsible mother...but what am I to do. You can't stop a kid mid-stream...so I just pretended to really care and repeated the phrase "Kenner, you can't do this here" times about 24. AFter he had done his job, we all proceeded to roll on the ground (no not the recently sprinkled lawn) laughing. It was a very funny moment.

We decided to eat at Lee's Chicken...yum! Home cooking with out the home or cooking!! Patton proceeded to stick a french fry in his nose and say "Look mom it broke." (a mini show of our friend the Dare Devil." NICE!!! Stay tuned to other adventures of things in the wrong places in the coming weeks...as my two boys are mimics of those around them.
Lovely!

Our house is finally looking somewhat like a new home. WE have siding 1/2 up one side of the house. It will go a lot faster in two weeks when the guy who is wrapping our windows comes back! YEAH!

Frugal Friends Weekly Grocery Ads- Lincoln

Weekly Groceries 8/26/09
HyVee is definitely the winner this week for sales…on THURSDAY ONLY!!! Have a great week.
Tonight is the last night for Wild Wednesday at the zoo 5-8!

Reminder: the Zion church (and many other organizations) save Box Tops, Best Choice, and other bar codes for reimbursement. It is easy to save.

There is also a greater need at the People’s City Mission as well…so if you have a stockpile too high, think of othersJ

Lincoln websites for the latest grocery deals – www.toopoortoeat.blogspot.com or www.chicksdigdeals.blogspot.com

Rhiannon

Hyvee
THURSDAY 24 HOUR SALE
HyVee 100% Split Chicken Breast .78/lb
Midwest Country Fare Cottage Cheese .98/24oz
New Crop Hyvee Russett Potatoes .88 5 lb
Hyvee Shredded Cheese 8 oz .99 (yeah!)
Willowbrook Sliced Turkey Breast 1.99 lb
Midwest Country Fare Paper Towels .99 (no limit)
Mid Country Fare Mac and Cheese .25 box
Totino’s Pizza .88
HyVee Ice Cream 1.18 56 oz
Red Ripe Strawberry’s 1.88 16 oz
Amana 100% Boneless Bacon Wrapped Sirloin Fillet 1.88 each

ALL WEEK
General Mills Cereal 1.58 (coupons)
Green Seedless Grapes .88 lb
Driscoll’s Red Raspberries 1.88 6 oz
California Bartlett Pears .99lb
Country Pride Boneless Chicken Breasts 4.99/2.5 lb bag
Pillsbury Rolls or Biscuits .98
C and H Sugar 1.77 4 lb (coupon at Hyvee)

Robert’s Sour cream (coupon from SP)
Jennie-O Slicked Turkey (Deli) 4.99/lb
Dole Broccoli 1 Head1.48


HyVee Online

RUSS’s MARKET
Ten for $10 SALE!
Best Choice Applesauce 23-24 oz
Calidad Tortilla Chips (for that homemade salsa from your gardens)
Oscar Meyer Deli Fresh Thin Sliced Meat 6 oz

Best Choice Yogurt 6 oz .33
Best Choice Grape Juice .69 12 oz frozen concentrate

SunMart
Crunched for time…so didn’t get a chance to look through.

SUPER SAVER
Peaches .98 lb
Best Choice Ice Cream 1.44 64 oz
Meadow Gold Heavy Whipping Cream 1.98 16oz (not sure if a good price…but I LOVE to use this in different desserts and I have never found it on “sale.”)
Deli Fresh Ham 3.48 lb
Best Choice Dozen eggs .85
Crystal Farms Butter 1.48 16oz
Best Choice Frozen Vegetables .78 16 oz
Kellogg’s Cereal 1.96 12.2-14 oz

Save Mart
Nothing too exciting

the BIG 30!

My husband and two sisters created a big surprise party for me at Red Robin the night before my birthday. I am SO BLESSED to have two sets of Grandparents plus many other family members that were able to be there. There aren't too many people that can say they had BOTH SETS of grandparents at their 30th birthday party (many people probably don't have birthday party at 30 either...but I LOVE birthdays:))

I was sure I was having a surprise party on Friday night, the night of my actual birthday. My mom and dad took the boys for the weekend, so Casey and I could get some siding done on our house (and to enjoy time as husband and wife without our blessings:))

We had a great weekend. We went out to eat to Olive Garden on Friday night, sided as much as we could on our house on Saturday, went to Shogun's on Saturday night and went to Julie and Juila the movie on Saturday night. I can't tell you much about the movie...because I SLEPT through it. Poor Casey didn't want to see the movie and I REALLY wanted to...but I can't take MASH at 10:00 at night...not sure what I was thinking that I could take a movie at 9:45. I guess I can blame it on old age.

I am some what burnt out of life today. I get to enjoy a day by myself (Casey has guard drill today). I have been running at 100%, which I have loved the last two weeks. Laundry is done, house is always picked up, boys and I have had fun, work is going well, I am working out for more than an hour everyday afterschool...but I believe life has caught up with me today. I am somewhat stuffed up and have NO energy. So my original list to do: sew, clean more extensively, shop for deals has turned into: Farmville, listening to Christian music, nap, freeze my tomatos, and planning my meals for the week. Everyone needs one of these days!

Love you all!

First day of School

My cousin Astraea had a great idea to take a picture of the first day of school by something that grows...so you can see the growth in your child and in the plant. Here is my attempt at our "bullseye" tree in our back yard. (Bullseye was our dog and that was where her dog pen was...miss her, but glad to see a tree instead of a mud hole there!

Bubbi...didn't go anywhere new...but wanted to take a picture too.
My two boys!

The big boy gets to go to MY school to ABC's preschool this year. We loved his other preschool at daycare, but something new is always a treat for them. He is the peer model for our Special Ed preschool. He did SO well last week!

My two boys being silly

Kenner headed to ABC's preschool for open house the Wed before the big day last Monday. He is SO OLD!! He could technically go to K next year. I am not sure I want him to go...any opinions? He turns 5 on June 29?

Grocery Deals- Lincoln, NE

Weekly Groceries 8/19/09

HAVE A GREAT WEEK! I am giving 20% off all Pampered Chef products, but I am placing the order tonight (Wed 8/19).

Reminder: the Zion church (and many other organizations) save Box Tops, Best Choice, and other bar codes for reimbursement. It is easy to save.

There is also a greater need at the People’s City Mission as well…so if you have a stockpile too high, think of othersJ

Lincoln websites for the latest grocery deals – www.toopoortoeat.blogspot.com or www.chicksdigdeals.blogspot.com

Rhiannon

Hyvee
Stock up Sale Thurs-Fri-Sat
Farmland Boneless Ham .99 lb
Bakery Fresh Italian Bread 16 oz BI1.99 G1FREE
Old Orchard Juice Cocktail 64 oz .99

ALL WEEK
Colorado Peaches .99 lb
Hamburger Helper .99 -.75/3 Q from Sun Paper
HyVee Skinless Chicken Breast 1.99lb
Del Monte Gold Pinapple 2.88 (Target price matches now and they have a 1.00 off pinapple which would make this 1.88!!!)
Grimmway Baby Carrots 32 oz 1.88
HyVee Whole Chicken .88lb
Raisins .99 6 ct 1.5 oz
HyVee Applesauce1.68 46 or 48 oz
HyVee Pasta.69 16 oz
Buy 2 HyVee Salads 2 for $4 get 1 Sargento Finishers FREE (use .75/1 Sargento coupon and get all for 3.75) COUPON from Hyvee too
Hyvee Cereal .99 Hyvee COUPON


HyVee Online
Look to see how you can save $5 online on school supplies

RUSS’s MARKET
Chef Boyardee Canned .99 (B1G1FREE coupon from mailer)
Best Choice Pudding .79 4 pk
Best Choice Pasta .69 (same as Hyvee)
Lando Frost Bistro Favorites Thin Sliced Meat 6 oz ($1 coupon from Sun paper)
Tyson Anytizers 2.49 -.55 Q from Sun Paper
BelGioioso Fresh Mozzerella B1G1Free (yummy with the fresh veggies from garden…so you can splurge on cheese as your veggies are free)
Best Choice Snack or Sandwich bags .99 50 ct
Strawberries 2 lbs 3.98

SunMart
Large Austrailian Oranges .99 lb
Naked Juice 15.2 oz 2.50 – 1.00 online Q
Yoplait Yogurt .50 each (Buy 12 use 2 .40/6 = .43 each)
Our Family Pie Crust(2) 1.99 (yes homemade is cheaper…but when you are in a crunch, these are nice to have!)
Kretschmar Turkey Breast 4.99 lb (from deli)
Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn 3-4 $2 (I have 1.00/1 coupons from a mailer that makes this an okay price)

SUPER SAVER
Meadow Gold Milk 1.97 1 Gal (might be the last time we see Meadow Gold milk this cheap…as the plant is closing on Friday in Lincoln)
Best Choice Bottled Water 3.44 for 35 (.09 each)
California Seedless Grapes .97 lb
Wonder Bread Classic White or 100% Soft Wheat .96 16-20 oz

CASH SAVERS
Nabisco Snak Sacks 8oz .96
Robert’s Dips/Sour Cream 16oz .83- .35 Q from Sun Paper
General Mill’s Cereal 2.48 16-17 oz – 1.00/2 Q from Sun Paper

Save Mart
Nothing too exciting

Grocery Deals - Lincoln, NE

Weekly Groceries 8/12/09
I feel a bit of a slow week for sales…but glad for that. I could probably feed 100 people with the amount of cereal (CHEAP) I have stocked up.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK! School starts tomorrow.

Reminder: the Zion church (and many other organizations) save Box Tops, Best Choice, and other bar codes for reimbursement. It is easy to save.

There is also a greater need at the People’s City Mission as well…so if you have a stockpile too high, think of othersJ

Lincoln websites for the latest grocery deals – www.toopoortoeat.blogspot.com or www.chicksdigdeals.blogspot.com

Rhiannon

Hyvee
Skippy Peanut Butter .99
HyVee Bacon 1.68 12 or 16 oz
Australian Navel Oranges .99 lb
HyVee Natural Shredded Cheese 1.25 (if you need some…but can see it go as low at .99)
HyVee Tomato Ketchup 20 or 24 oz .88
HyVee Cane Sugar 3.99/10 lb
Hyvee Taco Shells .88 12 oz
Gatorade 8 ct 20 oz 4.58
HyVee Large Eggs 18 ct 1.77

Buy Select Unilever products and get up to $15 back…(these are only good if you use coupons with them. I am sure Chicks will have a scenario for you if interested. Too much math for me this amJ
Hellmann’s Mayo 2.99(-.50 Q)
Knorr Sides 1.00 (-.50/2 Q)
Ragu Pasta Sauce 1.48(-.75/2 Q)

Kellogg’s Sale (with coupons from Sun Paper and Hyvee…you might make a deal out of these with the Back to School rebate)

Cracker and Cookie Sale (Does the church need snacks or things? I know cookies aren’t the healthiest…but thought I would ask. These might be worth buying if they need some)

HyVee Cottage Cheese 1.28 24 oz
Hyvee Garden Salad .77 16 oz (Hyvee Coupon in ad)

HyVee Online
Not checking…due to not being able to price match at Super Saver without wasting my inkJ

RUSS’s MARKET
Russ’s Market Sandwich Bread 24 oz .99
Turkey Breast .99 lb
Peter Pan Peanut Butter 1.19 16.3 oz (-.50/2 Q Sun Paper = .94 each for 2)
Hunt’s Snack Pack’s Pudding .89 4 pack (-1.00/2 Rebate Q = .39 each)
General Mills Cereal (Cheerios, Multi-Gr Cheer, Kix, Reese’s Puffs,Wheaties) 8.7-13 oz (1.00/2 Q Sun Paper)
*Coupon note: I have recently found to get FREE or very cheap cereal cups at Target or any place for that matter when the cereal cups are on sale for 1.00. The Q I referred to for the General Mills is not specified…so you can use it even on the little ones and get two cereal cups for a 1.00.
Easy Mac Microwavable Cups .75 (-.55/2 Q = .47 each)
Best Choice Sour Cream .89 16 oz
MEAT- on your own…too confusing for me to try to figure out when we buy a ½ beefJ Any tips on good prices…I’ll take them though.
Seedless Grapes .97 lb

SunMart
FRI-SAT Sale
Our Family American Singles .98 16 slices

ALL WEEK
Our Family ½ Gal 1.00 (better price at Super Saver)
John Morrell Turkey Breast Sliced from Deli 4.99 lb
Fill the Bag with Peaches and Nectarines for 5.00 (don’t know the weight or if this is a good deal)
Kraft Dressing 1.50 8 oz

*Interesting…General Mills is trying to do what Kellogg’s is doing with Fuel for your School in the Sun Mart Ad. If you have enough coupons…you might be able to make it a good deal with their ad: General Mills Cereal 2.00 a box…but not sure

SUPER SAVER
Meadow Gold Yogurt .33 6 oz
Dortitos 12-14.5 oz 1.96

CASH SAVERS
Robert’s Milk 1 Gal 1.98 (-.50 Q Sunday Paper= 1.48)
Hefty One Zip Bags 1.68(-1.00 Q from internet = .68)
Keystone Sliced Mushrooms 1.48 8 oz (a good price is .99 for whole…so you pay .50 for someone else to slice them…you decide)

Fuel for your School Rebate information and sale: I have already done this with Walgreens ads, but check out Chicks Dig Deals for any coupon match ups. It might be worth it if you have coupon match upsJ

Save Mart
Hunt’s Spaghetti Sauce .97 26 oz
Dole Bananas .39 lb
New Crop Russet Potatoes 1.29 5 lb

A Better Back to School Give Away

Chicks Dig Deals is hosting a local contest (meaning Lincoln) for the most unique lunch food when you were younger. They are able to give away a Back to School pack. Have fun and reminisce:) Check out their blog for more info

Rhi

Peaches and produce

A huge thank you to Dennis and Kelly for sending home 75+ dozen corn for the big corn feed at the Air National Guard Base (which left me with about 10 dozen to put up that night:)). They also sent home two boxes of peaches. As you can see from the picture...they looked as if I opened a can of Del Monte peaches. YUM!

This is a picture of my new favorite thing...dish soap stylish. Thanks to Kelly's sister Tracy for the great tip. Makes my dish soap look fancy. She also puts a little bit of Clorox in her dish soap. I have been trying it...and I do like it:)

Sprague/Martell Fun Days

The boys had a GREAT time at Fun Days this year despite the extremely hot weather one day and rainy weather the next. Pictures tell all! We hosted the "Preschool Mud Volleyball" tourney...minus the volleyball!
Note there are two different outfits on Patton...that is because I THOUGHT they were done playing. But was wrong. Marcus is our neighbor's grandson and is two months older than Patton. They all had a ball!

Corn Picking in Aurora

We had a blast last night in Aurora picking corn and just hanging out with Grandma, Grandpa, LEvi and Lucy! Here are pics of the night! They are backwards...except for the last one. Oh well...you get the pic:

My boys

ALL MINE! Mr. Serious!

He LOVED getting corn and worked hard at it! Poor kid sweats like his mommy.

Mr. Farmer and a VERY big help...as you can see!

THE END!

Grocery Deals Lincoln, NE 8/4/09

Weekly Groceries 8/4/09
I’m backJ I have decided that my week was a bit crazy last week without my ads. I didn’t realize that this Wed morning ritual has become a routine in my family and without it the dominos don’t fall right. I also realized that I have helped more families save money or gain confidence in their shopping abilities than I had realized.

Another realization last week was that I save MUCH more money shopping at Super Saver than I do at Walmart. You might not think this is true…but it is. Super Saver often price matches Russ’s and Hyvee’s ads automatically on the shelves (no ad needed) and marks them down 1-2 cents cheaper than the actual ad. Note: If you stay on course to only buy the sale items…then you save money. If you steer off the sale ad course, then you might not be saving much money.

Also for you price matchers at Walmart…you (or shall I say I) get sucked into the other areas of the store that Super Saver doesn’t have. Shopping at Super Saver allows me to keep the “eye on the prize.”

Have a great week and I am very happy to be doing the sale ads for myself this week and hope it brings some “calm” to your week as well!

Reminder: the Zion church (and many other organizations) save Box Tops, Best Choice, and other bar codes for reimbursement. It is easy to save.

There is also a greater need at the People’s City Mission as well…so if you have a stockpile too high, think of othersJ

Lincoln websites for the latest grocery deals – www.toopoortoeat.blogspot.com or www.chicksdigdeals.blogspot.com

Rhiannon

MENARD’S
Menards has great back to school prices for rebates and kids gifts. I got .99 (with 5.00 MIR) backpacks for our backpack program at school, cool marker set of 4 FREE (w/2.50 MIR) for birthday gifts. This is a great time to think about stuffing the Operation Christmas Child gifts as well for little or nothing out of your pocket.

Hyvee
Thurs-Fri-Sat
Peter Pan Peanut Butter13 or 16.3 oz .99 (I have 1.00 off coupon from MIR, Woohoo!)
Hyvee Jelly 32 oz .99
Granny Smith Apples .88 lb
Hillshire Farm Select Lunchmeat 8 or 9 oz $2.50
Ziploc 25 ct bags 2/$5 (only good price if you use $1/2 coupon)

ALL WEEK
Hyvee Butter 1.38 1lb
Hyvee Ice Cream 1.75 qt 1.38
Hyvee Thin Sliced Deli Ham 2.99 lb (you can almost get pre-packaged price from the DELI)
Hyvee Sugar 4 lb 1.68 (not exceptional…but if you need sugar to cook up garden produce into somethingJ)
Midwest Country Fare Mushrooms .48 4 oz
Kraft Salad Dressing 1.50 16 oz
Post Cereal 5 for $10 (use 2 coupons $1/3, $1/2 to make them $1.60 a box…good to donate)
Hyvee Yogurt .37 6-8 oz
Wanchiai Ferry Complete Frozen Meals 6.49 ($2/1 coupon…might be worth a try instead of staple frozen pizza for Mom’s night off)
Pillsbury Grands!, Biscuits, Crescent or Cinnamon Rolls 1.69
Farmland Bacon 1.99 12-16 oz
Farmland Jumbo Franks .99 16oz
Hyvee Cheese Slices 12 oz .99
Berry Patch (Rasp, blackber, strawber, blueber) 1.88 pint


HyVee Online
I am not finding many good deals online at Hyvee…as I can’t price match them with an ad at Super Saver.

RUSS’s MARKET
Knorr Side Dishes .88 ($.50/2 expires this week)
10lb meat sale
Best Choice Texas Style Biscuits .50 12 oz
Honeysuckle Deli Sliced Meat 8oz 2.49
Bartlett Pears 10 lbs for $10 (if you can’t eat them all…freeze them for yummy smoothies)

SunMart
Didn’t see anything too exciting, but double check on Chicks Dig Deals

SUPER SAVER
Pork Spare Ribs 1.78 lb
Country Style Pork Ribs 1.28 lb (I didn’t know there were different kinds…hmm there were 8 featured in this ad. If you know and want to teach me, I would love to know the difference)
Kraft BBQ Sauce .75 18 oz
Hunt’s Spaghetti Sauce .87 26.5 oz
Pepsi 24 pk cans 5.48 (buy 3 save $3…so 4.48 a pack)
CASH SAVERS
Robert’s Cottage Cheese 1.47 (.50 coupon from SP)
Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers 2.38 ($1/2 coupon expires this week)

Save Mart
Crisco Veg Oil 48 oz 2.08

CVS and Walgreens trip

Thanks to my great husband for taking the boys fishing tonight...I was able to have a night off. So where did I go? You guessed it...CVS and Walgreens! I can't believe how much fun I have at these stores!!! If you are the receiving end of my weekly frugal friends grocery sales email...you should be happy that you aren't on the receiving end of my giddy phone calls after saving a TON of money at these stores (thank Dad, Mom, Annie, and Kendra for being a listener for me!)
CVS TRIP:
2 transactions:
#1 total 24.02 (Used 9.89 in ECB and 1.75 in coupons). SAVED: 35.74 or 60% off
#2 total 3.95 (Used 14.35 in ECB and 2.50 in coupons ). SAVED: 21.43 or 84% off
Both transactions together I saved, 67% off~ Plus I have $5 and a free toothbrush to spend the next time I go!
Walgreens trip (Note...I would not have gotten all the boxes of cereal, but I get a $10 check from Kellogg's for their Back to school promotion going on now:))
#1 Total 18.95 - Total Savings 13.05 or 40%
#2 Total 2.45 - Total Savings 10.70 or 81%
Plus I have $6 to spend the next time I go:)
I have been WAITING for Raisin Bran to go on sale to make the 6 week muffins. I almost CAVED last week and bought some at $4 something a box. Good things come to those who wait!
PS. Like my flowers I so delicately placed in the photo...they were free! From my landscaping!

Military Ball

Fun times were had at the old person's prom aka Military Ball. No offense to the Military...but I felt like an old person attending a Prom. It was a fun night though to see my hubby in his blues. Thanks to Aunt Becca for taking the boys to Hebron for Grandpa Roger's birthday party! Casey's work crew (on the weekends)

Having fun...we even got Casey smiling!

Refueling pictures

Our Queen - Aunt Lucy

Congrats to Aunt Lucy for being chosen as the Hamilton County Fair Queen. Lucy is a very talented, caring, smart, and fun person. I should have taken a picture of the quilt, weaving, and several baking entries. We had fun sitting and watching Lucy receive and give out awards, as well as sit and listen to "No Better Cause." I have seen them at the Sprague Community Church and it was a great suprise to see them in Aurora as well. It was a fun night at the fair. Casey won the horse races and chose a Rotweiler (did I blog about that story about Patton, the Rotweiler and a Salvage yard?). Bubbi tried the "big" dragon coaster, but was screaming so loud the attendant stopped the ride so he could get off. As you can see in the pictures...Bub wasn't so sure about the train either.

Refueling flight

I was able to go on a Refueling flight with the KC-135's that Casey works with at the Air National Guard. To be honest, I wasn't the most excited person to go (with school coming soon...my to do list for the summer has hardly been started so I was thinking of all the other million things I could do).

After getting a cup of hot chocolate and meeting Casey, I got more excited. I didn't know that Casey got to go WITH me! It was a date in the air:) I am trying out a new thing with a slide show, because the pictures do better if you see them right after each other. You will see that I got to sit in the boomer's seat (hard to call it a seat when you lay down in it) during take off. I got to see a B52 get refueled. It was also a "2 ship" flight (I think...) so you will see pictures of another KC-135 and B52 getting refueled in front of us. I got to sit in the cockpit during landing. There were only 6 other people on the flight with Casey and I...so we got a great chance to do many things (some of which weren't legal). Hopefully the slide show works.

Thanks Casey! It was a great time and even better because I got to spend the whole morning with him...as he was getting paid:)