3 Days Away

We are headed off to the coast again. A relaxing 3 day weekend of camping in the rainforest and plenty of beach combing to celebrate Vern's birthday. This time it will be Vern and I and our 3 kids. Our first family vacation with the 5 of us and I am so excited! Chipper and Maxine just adore their big brother Trevor and I am also hoping Vern and Trevor have some much needed guy time. As for me,I just need to get outta here..see some new scenery. I need a few days of naps in the afternoon and hot showers in the rain. My feet and toes need the softening touch that only miles of barefoot beach combing can provide. I have promised myself I will bring out my Nikon and quit taking all my photos with my cell phone for a few days. Usually Spring gets me in the photography mood after a long drab winter but this year my mood has been as delayed as the warm weather.
 I will pack a huge duffle bag of sweatshirts and comfy pants,all my favorite things to wear,long socks and rain coat and boots. Matching or not,I really don't care. I might bring my blow dryer...for the dogs lol! But seriously,they get really wet and cold on the beach...;) Worse than that..I am hoping Maxine has enough outfits with matching hair accessories for 3 days. She has grown out of most of her baby clothes and her hair is so long I have to put it up every day so she can see. Besides,she just looks so cute :) A bag for me,a bag for the dogs,extra clothes for Trevor and extra sweatshirts for Vern (because they never pack enough)..and they wonder why women pack so much...ha ha

So if I don't find time to blog before we go,I hope you all have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend! :)

1st Test C+

I survived my grocery shopping adventure at Winco on Friday. I spent THREE HOURS there. I got all the deals I was hoping for and I few I didn't expect. I spent $213.00 on a grocery cart FULL of groceries. I had 5 store coupons and 20 manufacturer coupons and I saved a total of $24. Now,6 months ago if I had saved that much with coupons I would've felt like the Queen of the Coupon World. BUT,thanks to my new knowledge of this "new" trend and the extremes people go to.... I feel defeated. My savings wasn't 40%. I know I shouldn't feel disappointed,we needed a lot of groceries I had no coupon for and Winco's prices are MUCH lower that most stores...but still,I have worked so hard and I was hoping for bigger results. All in good time I suppose. A first lesson in couponing learned-even if you stick to the rules,groceries cost money. LOL! Until I can stock my pantry with enough goods to last me a few months I will have to buy some things as I need them and I won't always have a coupon. When my stockpiled pantry is complete I will be able to wait and buy things at their lowest price...or maybe even free!

This week I got 5 Sunday papers and it has taken me 2 evenings to cut and organize them all in my coupon binder. I continue to learn as much as I can and I keep my faith I will be able to turn this new "part time job" into a way of giving to others as well. Today I mailed coupons to Idaho! My friends there don't get many of the great manufacturer coupons I get here and I am happy to share any I don't use. Any of you reading this that would like coupons let me know. I have a ton for dog and cat food,asst OTC medications,snacks etc.

:)