Donna Blooper

Just thought you might want to know that tonight when I was loading my Kroger groceries into the bed of DH's truck a man walked up behind me and said "um, I think that one is mine."................. Yep, totally loaded my groceries into the wrong truck. AWKWARD!

Annual Budget Countdown

Here is how last week stacked up on the ol' budget

Kroger:
Total Spent: $66.83 on 38 items
Total Saved: $32.42

Target:
Total Spent: $4.74
Total Saved: $5

I also bought 25, 5oz chicken breasts for $12.50

Totals for week 19:
Total Spent: $84.07
Total Saved: $37.42

Total for Year:
Total Spent: $1770.57
Total Saved: $1437.36
Total Left for 2009: $3229.43

i didn't win

Familytime Friday

TGIF!!!

Today is not going to be a traditional Friday here at DRS. For the next 5 days my world is going to revolve around getting ready for that party. Today I am going to try to get up the nerve to go ask for Food Sponsors- this is waaaaaay out of my comfort zone BUT I kinda have promised to provide FREE FOOD Tuesday night so I better get busy. So far we have 2 pizzas donated........... so um... get there early!!!!

Today is also the day I am expecting to get the phone call about my NEW CAR!!!!!! Woo Hoo. I'm feeling pretty good about my chances because of the following:

1. Out of 524 entrants into this sweepstakes I was the 19th person with the most votes- (Thank you so much!!!!)
2. Yesterday while I was driving home from work I was thinking about what I would do when I got the phone call about my new car....... and at that very moment a FORD passed me followed by a Toyota Prius Hybrid. Yep, FORD then Hybrid- the car I am supposed to win is a FORD HYBRID- it was a sign.
3. I do really well at drawings. If I really concentrate hard while the name is being drawn out of the hat I usually win. The problem is most of the time my name is called 4th or 5th and this particular drawing just has one prize...... so I am just going to have to concentrate EXTRA hard.
4. A couple of years ago I was convinced that I was going to win the HGTV DREAM HOME. I was so convinced I would win I literally lay awake at night worrying about whether I would move across the country for the dream house OR if I would just sell the house and use the profits toward building my own dream house. I even went so far as to give my boss a tentative 2 week notice pending my upcoming win. Well, I didn't win BUT I write all that to tell you that my odds are a lot better in this sweepstakes.
5. God and I have talked about it. Now don't worry I didn't actually ask God to rig the drawing for me or anything I simply talked to him about it. I think He would get a kick out of watching my reaction... that's all. So we'll see.....

I'll let you know as soon as I hear something!!!!!

Voting Ends Tonight!

Thank you to all of you who took a few seconds to vote for me these last two weeks. Voting ends tonight! So if you never got to click the "vote here" button- here's your last chance!!!!

Deal Alert

I'm sorry I am taking the lazy way out today on the Target deals. I am going to send you over to Thrifty Mama to view her match-ups.
Warning: I have not reviewed her match-ups yet to make sure they are relevant to our region's coupons and prices.

Deal Alert

Kraft Food Products have been sharing the love all week long with generous coupons. You can visit the coupons.com button on my left hand sidebar AND here to print tons of coupons.

Deal Alert- Kroger

Not too many coupon match-ups this week for Kroger BUT here are the best deals I found:

Kroger Milk 1/2 gallon at $1.29

Naturally Preferred Organic Milk at $2.99

On the Vine Tomatoes at $0.99/lb

Fresh Deli Salads 10 for $10 or $1 each

Fresh Blueberries/Blackberries/Raspberries at 2 for $5
(might be a good week to put the Chicken Berry Salad on your menu!)

USDA Choice Boneless Shoulder Pot Roast at $1.97/lb

Kroger Large 31/40 ct white shrimp on sale for $3.99/lb (sold in 5 lb bag for $19.95)
They say this is the lowest price of the season.
Haven't decided if I'm going to partake.

And the Only Deal worth getting real excited about:
Electrasol Dish Detergent on sale for $2.99
Use $2.50 off 1 from 4/19 SS
Final Price: $0.49!

Deal Alert

Want a clean colon? Then this deal is for you. Go here to register for a Kellogg's All Bran Promise Pack. Then check your mailbox in 4 to 6 weeks for your samples of:

• All Bran Strawberry Medley Cereal
• All Bran Strawberry Drizzle Fiber Bar
• All Bran Red Raspberry Drink Mix
• $4 of valuable coupons!

Deal Alert- Walgreens

Here are my favorite WAGS deals of the week!

WEEKLY DEALS

Walgreens Brand Diapers and Wipes are on sale B1G1 FREE

Reach Prevent Toothbrush on sale for $0.99 with Walgreens Weekly Flyer coupon

Use B1G1 4/26 RP

Final Price: $0.99 for 2 toothbrushes

Sure for Men on sale for $1.99

Use $1.50 off 1 from 5/3 SS

Final Price: $0.49

DEAL: Buy any 3 Aveeno products and get a FREE travel essentials Kit
(Aveeno products are on sale 20% off) I have not confirmed that this deal is still active.
Scenerio:
Buy 3, 2.5 oz tubes of Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotions at $2.62 each after 20% discount
Use 3 $2 off 1 from here (hint: will need to find 2 computers!)
Final Price: $1.89 oop after 3 coupons and get a FREE travel kit

REGISTER REWARD DEALS

Buy 1 Colgate Max Fresh Tooth Care for $2.99, Get a $2 RR
Use $1 off 1 from 4/26 SS
Final Price: FREE after coupon and RR

Buy 1 Iceland ealth Omega 3 Fish Oil at $8.00, Get $8 RR
Final Price: FREE after RR

Buy 3 Kelloggs or Kashi Cereals at 3 for $10, Get a $3 RR when you buy 3

Use $1 off 1 or $1.50 off 2 Kashi Printables from here

Final Price: as little as $4 for 3 boxes after coupons and RR

Roots of Nature Hair Care at $6, Earn a $6 RR when you buy 1

Use this $1 off 1 coupon

Final Price: FREE plus $1 overage

Thrifty Thursday

I don't know about you but I am ready for some good deals!

You find any this week?

Yo Yo Yo Kris Allen top 2!!!

ENOUGH SAID!

One Last Thang

If you weren't already pumped enough...... Look at some of the cool party favors Ford/American Idol/Houseparty.com sent for the event. These are the items I will be giving away during the party.

Silly Me!

I can not believe I did not think of this before!!!! Remember all those times I asked you to vote and you had to do all those crazy steps just to try to vote and then in the end it didn't work? Wellllllllllllll yesterday the solution hit me. Just put a link to the actual voting page right here on DRS!!! Can we all say DUH!!!! Oh my gracious! Soooooooo if you still haven't voted AND you did NOT send me an email that said "Niki you can put a vote in for me" then here is your chance. Simply click here to vote! How simple is that!

PS For those readers who are sick and tired of my begging and pleading for votes- I understand- I'm getting on my nerves too. Just hang in there, voting ends tomorrow, May 14th!

Got anything to say today?

Hanging by a thread- on da hook

Ok Gals- the party has been stepped up a notch or two since last I updated you. The label has fallen off and it is pretty close to being totally OFF DA HOOK. (won't you be glad when this event is over and you don't have to read about that darn hook anymore, anyways.....).

The park?- That was so yesterday's plan. Today.... you ready for this..... We are going to P.A.R.T.Y. and the Fusion Gym (aka Second Baptist Church Gym). Woo Hoo! I'm talking BIG SCREEN Projector of American Idol! Stage for Karaoke/American Idol Wii! FREE FOOD (no coupons needed!), 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid LIVE and IN THE GYM!!! (yeah, car inside a building that has got to raise the coolness factor up at least 10 degrees!) Rock Wall (it is there, I just got to make sure we can use it). Crafts for Kids! Jump Around for Kids (pending- looking for sponsor)! Ford Goodies Give Aways! Aaaaaaaaand BALLOONS!!! cause can you have a real party without balloons?!

The party will kick off at 6pm! Remember this event is ON whether Kris is top 2 or not- but let's not even go there..... It's not too late to get an official invite- just email me your name and email address. I am going to resend ALL the invites today so if you haven't RSVPd please go ahead and do so, so I can get a good head count. WOO HOO!

Wildcard Wednesday- Notice anything different?

What's that you hear? New Music! Today I am trying to set the tone for my Rock'N American Idol Watch Party less then a week away! I never went to any school parties/dances when I was in school but I always imagined "Let's Get Ready to Rumble" must have kicked off all the "cool" events. I mean what says PARTY like Jock Jams?!?!?!

BUT this is an American Idol PARTY we're talking about so after 40 seconds of "Rumble" Kris Allen will be performing for your listening pleasure.

Deal Alert

Word on the net is that tonight during the Biggest Loser Couples Finale (woo hoo) you can go here to receive a "Savor Flavor: A Guide o Sensible, Healthy Living" recipe booklet that includes a $5 off coupon for a Jenno-O Turkey product. But hurry this offer is only available to the first 25,000 people. SCORE!!

Zone 4- Office and Playroom

Day 1- Tuesday

• Dust Playroom Furniture
• Sanitize Toys
• Clean Playroom Windows and Fan

Day 2- Wednesday

• Organize Craft Closet
• Playroom Baseboards and Floors
• Office Baseboards and Floors

Day 3 - Thursday

• Dust office Furniture
• Organize Desk
• Organize Cedar Chest

Day 4- Friday

• Clean Office Window
• Organize Coupon Center
• Organize Window Seat

Day 5- Saturday

• Dust Computer and other Electronics
• Sort Magazines and File
• Organize and Update all Files

Tidy Tuesday

Well last weekend we showed our house again- so you know what that means! A Clean House!! My house has been officially clean for 3 days now and I am going to try to use that as my motivation to REALLY do my zones this week AND even my day tasks and daily routines. We'll see.

What's for Dinner?

Leave Mr. Linky a comment or a link telling us what your having for dinner this week.

Kate's Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches

When I sent out my call for recipes a couple weeks back my childhood friend Kate emailed me this yummy recipe for French Dip Sandwiches. Kate and I go waaaaaaaaaaaay back, I mean as far back as diaper days but I hadn't talked to her for years. So I just love how the blog world brings people together. You got to get you one (a blog, not a Kate, but you could get one of those too if you know a Kate)- but that is a whole other post.
Can I just tell you it took all of 2 seconds to prep this meal, so I am loving it already.

Crockpot French dip Sandwiches

Pork roast (I used a pork loin roast)
Onion soup mix
1 or 2 Cans of Diet Coke
Provolone Cheese (optional)
whole wheat buns

Trim fat off roast, dump all in crockpot. Cook on high until falling apart. Strain off liquid. Serve shredded pork on rolls, dip in au jus (gravy in crockpot). Add a slice of Swiss or Provolone cheese to sandwich. Yummo!!

Nutrition Information: for pork alone
Serving Size: 3 oz
Meal Plan: ~140 Calories, 3 meats

I am going to serve this with a side salad.

Thanks again Kate!

Deal Alert- Red Box Code

The Free Monday rental redbox code is: 6A43JK Remember this code is good until midnight tonight. And you must return your rental by 9pm on Tuesday or you will be charged $1 each additional night.

Beef Kabobs

The men I cook for are going to be mighty excited to find steak on the menu this week arg arg arg (that was my man grunt sound).

Go here for recipe

Sensational Sirloin Kabobs

Nutrition Information
Serving Size: 1/8th of recipe
Meal Plan: 329 Calories, 3 meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 2 fats

I am going to serve this with grilled corn on the cob and green beans.

Crunchy Lemon-Dill Salmon

Doesn't this recipe sound interesting. I am anxious to wrap my taste buds around this creation.

Go here for recipe.

Crunchy Lemon-Dill Salmon

Nutrition Information: (according to allrecipes.com)
Serving Size: 4 oz Salmon (4 oz precooked)
Meal Plan: 185 Calories, 3 meats, 1 fat

I am going to serve this with Rice and Green Beans

Spinach Lasagna

I was out of town last time this recipe posted and did not get to try it with you- BUT I heard from enough of you about how much you liked it so I was anxious to get it back on the menu.

Click here for the recipe.

Simple Spinach Lasagna

Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1/8th of recipe
Meal Plan: Calories: 314, 2.5 meats, 2 starches, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat

I think a side salad would go great with this meal.

Chicken Berry Salad

This is one of our favorite "hot summer day" kind of meals. I'm just hoping to eat it on a "nice non-rainy Spring kind of day" this week. Yum Yum

Chicken Berry Salad

• about 8 oz Grilled Chicken (I marinated in Kens Fat Free Raspberry Pecan Dressing)
• 6-8 cups Spinach leaves
• 1 1/4 cup Sliced Strawberries
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• Green Onions (optional)
• 1/2 cup Candied Almonds (I am using Almond Accents- Butter Toffee Glazed Flavor)

Nutrition Information for above:
Serving Size: 1/4th of recipe
Meal Plan: ~211 Calories, 2 meats, 2 vegetables, 1/2 fruit, 1 fat

Dressing:

• 3-4 packets of Splenda (if you do not like to use artificial sweeteners you can use 1/4 cup sugar)
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp. Dry Mustard
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 3/4 cup olive or canola oil
• Recipe also calls for poppy-seeds (I usually leave these out)

Grill Chicken, Add to Salad, Mix dressing. Add desired amount of dressing to Salad.

Nutrition Information: (for dressing)
Serving Size: 1/8th of recipe
Meal Plan: 180 Calories, 4 fats

Mealtime Monday

First let me say I really missed having all my meals prepared last week. I hated that last Wednesday I got home from work really late and I still had to get supper on the table. So needless to say I was happy to get back in the kitchen tonight for my marathon of meal prep for the week.

Second, for Mother's Day, DH and the boys joined me in the kitchen for meal prep. I looooved having the extra help and the company.

With the help of DH it only took me 1 hour and 10 minutes to prepare the following:

• 1 Spinach Lasagna
• 2 sets of Beef Kabobs
• 2 French Dip Porks
• 2 Chicken Berry Salads (cooked chicken, cut up vegetables, prepared 2 dressings)
• 2 sets of Crunchy Salmon
• 5 ears of corn ready to grill
• 2 green bean packets

The "help" of my DC (dear children) contributed at least 10 minutes to our prep time.

This really was an easy prep week so I betcha you could get all 5 meals for 1 family done in easily under 1.5 hours.

Here is the storage and eat schedule for the week:

Monday: Beef Kabobs- To prep I dumped kabob sized sirloin into a ziplock bag with marinade and stored in fridge. I have also washed and cut up all vegetables for the kabobs. I prepped corn for grill and stored in fridge. Tonight I will assemble kabobs for grill.

Tuesday: Chicken Berry Salad- I baked (you could grill though) chicken and sliced and stored in fridge. I also cut up green onions for salad and prepared the dressing to store in fridge. Tuesday evening I will go pull some lettuce from our garden and assemble salad.

Wednesday: Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches. To prep I simply put pork loin in ziplock and added onion soup mix and stored in fridge. Wednesday morning I will dump into crockpot along with 1 can of diet coke and cook on low all day. Wednesday evening I will assemble sandwiches.

Thursday: Crunchy Salmon. I fully prepped this dish using frozen Salmon fillets. I will store in freezer. Thursday morning I will transfer from freezer to fridge to thaw. Thursday night I will bake.

Friday and Saturday- Leftovers or Out

Sunday: Spinach Lasagna- I full prepped this dish and stored in freezer. Saturday morning I will transfer from freezer to fridge. Sunday afternoon I will bake.

Last weeks meals in review

As promised here is a review of last weeks meals:

Chicken Pot Pie- LOVED it!! Seemed pretty heavy but I enjoyed every bite and made for a great lunch the next day.

Jennifer's Macaroni and Cheese- Yummy to my Tummy! I had high hopes for the boys but Colby was having tongue issues (he had an invisible sore that hurt his tongue making it difficult to eat and caused a slight lisp when he talked- better now) and Cohen wasn't in an eating mood. But that just meant more for me and DH. Also made for great leftovers.

Frogmore Stew- Fun and Yummy. No picnic because of the rain.

Tacos- Can't really mess these up.

Crockpot Chicken and Rice- Did not end up having. The boys took me out for Mother's Day today so I did not make a 5th meal. Anyone else give this recipe a try?

Someone Voted!!! I now have 9 VOTES!!! Woo HOO!! Big Thanks to who ever voted- any hints on how you did it?!?! Thanks again for your vote.

Sonday Sunday

It's funny how many different ways motherhood changes you.

Even the bible looks different. Verses I never noticed before now have meaning. Take Luke chapter 2 for example. I had read this chapter of Luke many times concerning the birth of Jesus, but it wasn't until after the birth of my first child that I ever noticed verse 19:

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart- vs 19.

As a Mom, can't you relate? There are just certain things my kids say or do that I just want to bottle up and treasure forever. I like to call these times "treasure chest moments."

Happy Mothers Day to all you Mommy's and may your days be filled with Treasure Chest Moments!