Walgreen's Photos - Only $.15 each

Want to print pictures to give a family member at today's or tomorrow's Labor Day picnic? Or just want your photos printed and in your hand quick? Order 30 or more photos from Walgreens Photo and get them for $.15 each. Enter ONLY15 at the checkout.

The Deals I've Gotten...

Ok, I've been a little busy the past couple weekends and haven't been able to post my deals. I wanted to share today's freebies and the deals I got the past two weeks.

A couple weeks ago our local newspaper had a church ad about FREE Produce on August 30th. I wasn't going to go to it but we were out and about so we stopped by the church. We got a bag of green beans, 8 apples, 6 pears, 8 potatoes, red tomatoes, yellow tomatoes, basil and 6 ears of corn on the cob. The cost NOTHING! Come to find out, this is the 2nd time they have done this and are planning on doing it again. So, watch your papers - you never know what freebies you might come across!!

Other than that, the only other shopping trips I've had was

Walmart - For packages of wipes and a gallon of ice cream, total OOP - $.74!!

JCPenny on the 19th to use a $10 off $10 purchase. Next time the coupon is in the paper again. I will pick up extras and plan a little better. I got the kids each a shirt for a total OOP of $4.34. I saved $26.12!!

My first grocery shopping trip in 5 weeks and I saved almost 50% on my shopping trip to Meijer and Kroger. Not bad when you think that the only thing I picked up for 5 weeks was bread, milk, juice, and buns!! We were completely out of meat which meant big bucks and little savings on those purchases. There were a lot of items that I purchased for my stockpile - something we eat that was at a good price! Plus, I have the TRY ME rebate that was on the box (here's a link to it too) on the Frosted Mini Wheats. (If you missed my post about them, you can read it here.) We even picked up 2 free backpacks that my youngest will use next year and possibly the year after (if he doesn't go through two next year).

Interested in more deals, check out Money Saving Mom's Super Savings Saturday.

Free Photo Book from Albelli

UPDATE 9/9: The code is still working; however, you now have to pay for shipping & handling which is running $5.99 and $6.99.

Have some pictures that you would like to have printed in a photo book? You can get a free medium sized photo book from Albelli. Install the program, open it and make a medium sized photo book. Upload 24 pictures to your book. It will cost extra if you want the title on your book or if you choose more than 24 photos. At the order screen, use code momspaceab81. This code is used for a free book and free shipping!!

I ordered mine this morning and got a message saying it would be delivered in 7 business days!

For more frugal ideas, head over to Biblical Womanhood.

Free Attune Wellness Bar

Attune Foods is giving away 100 FREE Attune probiotic bars daily. They want to spread the act of daily wellness. Stop on by their website here and get yours today (or tomorrow, if they are out for today).

Fitness on Friday - 8/29/2008

Now that things have calmed down around here, I'm back for Fitness on Friday. This week I reported a one pound weight loss (read about it here). It's not much but I am happy with it.

Want to hear my tip for this week? Create a motivation board. Add things that would motivate you to lose weight.

Here's what I have on mine... My fiance and I would like to go to Montego Bay next year so I added the page out of the Sandals book. I loved the dress that JLo had on for her cover shoot for SELF. When I lose my weight, I will try to find one similar that fits my budget. Other than that, I include a before picture, the latest progress and a goal picture (I removed my pictures). I will add to it as I find things that I want to purchase or do - like adding a wedding dress (maybe soon, that's a different story though). This was very cheap and easy to make. It hangs right next to my desk so I see it everyday and anyone that walks in my family room sees it too. I have nothing to hide!

How do you stay motivated?

Visit Fitness on Friday's to see how others are doing and/or tips they have to offer.

Free Chick-fil-a on Labor Day

Did you about the FREE Chick-fil-A on Labor Day (starting @ 10:30am to close)? In case you didn't, visit their site here to learn more! All you have to do is visit a participating location in any football logo or collegiate logo shirt to get your free three count Chick-n-strips.

New Products - YUMMY!

I picked up some new products at the store last week and I have fallen in love with them. The first one is Frosted Mini-Wheats Blueberry Muffin.

I add a few fresh blueberries to it. The cereal alone is only 3 Weight Watcher points per serving. I am actually working on my second box already. I have had this cereal everyday for breakfast since I left work on August 15th. I'm looking forward to their new flavor - Cinnamon Streusel - to hit the shelves. The Weight Watcher points are the same for that too.

Meijer has Yoplait yogurt on sale this week - 10 for $5 (save like I did by using this coupon). I picked up their new cake inspired flavors - strawberry shortcake, raspberry cheesecake, and pineapple upside-down cake.

Each of them are 2 Weight Watcher points. I picked up a few of each and have tried them. I'd have to say that my favorite is the pineapple upside-down cake.

Construction Ahead!!

Just wanted to warn you that I am currently working on updating my template again. The 2-column just isn't working for me anymore. I'm adding a 3-column and a couple more links. Sorry if you run into any problems while you are here. Thanks for stopping by though!

Are you an ALL YOU Reality Checker?

Have you signed up to be an ALL YOU Reality Checker?

By signing up you will get articles, previews, tips and other special offers emailed directly to your Inbox. You could also get the opportunity to test new products.

I signed up a while back and got my first sampling opportunity to test a GE Energy Smart Daylight light bulb and provide feedback on the product. I'm really excited about this opportunity. Hopefully more will come my way.

If you are interested in signing up, click here. Nope, I don't get any incentives for having you sign up.

Weigh In Wednesday #26

Well, it’s Weigh In Wednesday again. This week I am down 1 pound. I’m moving in the right direction once again. I have been trying to watch what I eat but I haven’t been exercising. I’m still trying to get in the routine of being at home. I’m having a hard time just getting done what I used to before and after work and I’ve got more time to do it now.

It’s time to start adding exercise. Now that the weather has cooled off, we have been walking to up to the school to get my older son (rather than drive). I’m going try to make time to go to the YMCA at least once a day. They have the television screens on the machines now (like the YMCA near my last job). So, that will get my moving. I also need to try to add a few classes. These will be easier to add in when my youngest son starts preschool in about a week and a half.

Even though this is the first weight loss I have reported in a while, I have to tell you that my clothes are fitting better. Not only better but I don't have the ring around the belly anymore. I think that was due to stress (work was VERY stressful). I was even wearing a Medium t-shirt yesterday (bottom pic) versus the Large/X-Large (top pic - May 2008) that I normally wear.

I just picked up my 30 day Shred video from the library. Maybe that will be the workout that I squeeze it. I'd love to shed my weight in 30 days! With the way Jillian Michaels is on Biggest Loser, this just might do it. I'll post a review for the video after I try it (that will let you know how long it takes me to stick it in the DVD player...LOL).

Wordless Wednesday - More Kittens

This is the surprise that we got last week. Our "momma" cat brought home her kittens. Note: The two black ones hissed at me when I took their pictures.

Check out other Wordless Wednesday posts here and here.

Works For Me Wednesday - Chicken Salad

Lately, chicken salad has been working for me. It's cheap and it's VERY easy to make (right up my alley).
1 can of chicken
Hidden Valley Light Ranch Dressing
salt and pepper (optional)

Open and drain the can of chicken. Put in bowl add two big squirts of Ranch dressing. Stir until well mixed. Add salt and pepper to taste. You can enjoy on crackers, bread or alone.

This is what works for me...simple and quick lunch/snack!! Go over to Rocks In My Dryer to find out what works for others!

School Supply Sales 8/24/08 - 8/30-08

School's back in session for us but I still like to keep an eye on the school supplies. We have to provide new school supplies every quarter. I'm pretty well stocked but there are a few things that look like good deals that I might try to pick up.

Office Max
OfficeMax Brand Filler Paper (College or Wide Ruled): $.20 (limit 3)
#2 pencils, 10 pk.: $.20 (limit 3)
Kids 5” scissors 2 pk: $.25 (limit 3)
Folder/portfolio 2-pocket portfolio: $.01 (limit 10)
SCHOOLIO VON HOOLIO 24 ct. crayons: $.01
PaperMate Pink Pearl erasers 3 pk.: $.50 (limit 3)

Staples
Free Instantly:
Staples Manual Pencil Sharpener (limit 3)
2 pocket paper folder (limit 10)
12 pk Staples cap erasers (limit 3)

4 pk. Staples clear glue sticks: $.25 (limit 3)
Staples binder 3-hole punch: $.25
1/2" or 1" simply plastic binder: $.25 (limit 8)
slider pencil case: $.05 (limit 2)

Office Depot
Swingline Tot Slim Stapler: Free after rebate ($2.99)

Good through Wednesday only:
Vinyl Storage Pouch: $.20
Office Depot Brand 12" compass: $.50 (limit 5)
Sharpie Pocket Accent Assorted Highlighters 6pk: $.99 (limit 5)

Enter to win $25 CVS gift card

Do you love shopping CVS? If so, how about getting in on a giveaway for a$25 gift card? That sure would make shopping at CVS even better.

Hurry over to The Savin' Maven to enter. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. August 29th, 2008. The drawing will be held Sunday, August 30th.

Menu Plan Monday - 8/25/2008

Now that I have things straightened out around here, it’s time to get back to menu planning. The past week was a nightmare not knowing whether I was coming or going and definitely not knowing what was for dinner.

Here’s my plan for this week…

Monday: Salisbury Steak, rice, corn on the cob, crescent rolls

Tuesday: Grilled BBQ Pork Chops, Mashed potatoes, green beans

Wednesday: Sloppy Buffalo Joes (freezer meal), Chips

Thursday: Spaghetti & meatballs garlic breadsticks or meatball sandwiches (sandwiches for the adults)

Friday: Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings

Saturday: Homemade Pizza

Sunday: Cookout – hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, pasta salad, macaroni salad, potato salad, chips, fruit

Visit Organized Junkie for other menu plans.

Old Navy Jean Sale - Tomorrow ONLY!

Old Navy is having a jean sale tomorrow. All jeans are on sale - kids $7 a pair and adults $12 a pair. Limit 3 pairs per person.

$12 jeans include:

The womans jeans are folded on the wall regular $29.50 and are in styles.
The Diva
The Girlfriend
The Sweetheart

The mens jeans are folded on the wall regular $29.50 and are in styles..
Straight (regular)
Bootcut
Painter
Loose

$7 jeans include:

The girls jeans are folded on the wall also regular $19.50 and they are
The girlfriend
The darling

The boys jeans are also folded on the wall regular $19.50 and they come in styles...
Bootcut
Loose
Regular
Painter.

Walgreen's $5 off $20 purchase - Good Today and Tomorrow only!

Walgreens has released another $5 off $20 purchase coupon. This time it's good for 2 days! Just in case you didn't receive the $5 off $20 coupon in your Inbox yesterday, you can get yours here.

Want to know about these coupons and other offers when everyone else does? Register here.

Quick Update

I wanted to let everyone know that I'm still here. I'm trying to adjust a new schedule. With being home now, I don't have as much time but I'm working it into the schedule while my older son is at school. I am working on a few posts that will be up tomorrow - Wednesday Weigh In, deals for this week, and the SAHM life.

The tooth is gone...

What an exciting day! Not really! Remember the filling I lost back in June? If not, you can read about it here. Well, I had to have it pulled today. My regular dentist referred me to an oral surgeon. I have to say it was the worst trip to the dentist. He was older guy. Now being the chicken that I am, I asked for nitrous oxide (yeah, laughing gas). Let's just say it didn't help or he turned the machine off. I felt the needles each time. It brought tears to my eyes. It was painful. It probably didn't help that it was my wisdom tooth he was pulling. Anyways, the tooth is gone and I will soon be able to chew on both sides of my mouth again!

Laid Off - Final Day!

Well, I'm glad this day has finally come but I am also sad.

The good -
I was at the point that I was very unhappy, almost miserable, with my job. I didn't really care for my co-workers cussing like sailors, belching like truckers, or sexual comments. So, I'm relieved that all that is behind me now. I felt more like a robot or a prisoner in a jail cell.

The bad -
Good friends! I will truly miss some of the people that I had become good friends with over the past years or months. Some of them had been there for me since the birth of my first son...the unexpectedly showed up in my hospital room the day after my delivery (it was great!).

Other than that, I can't say I will miss anything...or at least not until the end of the year when I am no longer receiving a paycheck!

I have applied at a company in the same area that I used to work (not the same company) but I haven't heard anything yet. It's been 10 days - should I send them a letter? Unfortunately, I do not know anyone that works for this employer to be able to put in a good word for me or to personally talk to the hiring manager. I wish I did. That's about the only job that I have found in the area. I live in the Dayton, OH area. There are no jobs...it's a dying city (according to Forbes). While some think this is untrue, I had talked to a recruiter earlier in the week. Their company had 5 jobs in Dayton, 60 in Columbus OH, and 80 in Cincinnati OH. Now tell me that Dayton, OH isn't a dying city!

Well, if you are local and know of any analyst jobs (preferably financial analyst - would like stay in the role that I am familiar with), let me know.

Weighing In #25

Sorry, I'm a little late posting this but this week has been extremely busy! It's been so busy I crashed shortly after my fiance made it back from Illinois last night (sorry honey!).

As expected, I did have a weight gain this week. I gained 3 pounds. I think it might have to do with all the ice cream and chocolate (aka my comfort foods) that I had this week. I think it would have been a lot worse had a not spent the whole day on Saturday walking.

Now that work is done (yep, I'm jobless), I am really going to focus on my health and weight loss. This week I will be focusing on getting on a schedule, not really documenting on my food and exercise logs. My oldest son starts school on Wednesday so I need to schedule my workouts around dropping him off at school and picking him up. The soccer games start next week too. I don't see things slowing down so a schedule is a much needed thing for me.

That's all I have about my weight loss (well, gain) for this week.

Quick Update

I wanted to let everyone know that I'm still around here. We were at the fair all weekend with our pigs. (I'll be posting about that later.) I am also trying to get everything done at work as this is my last week. My last day at work will be Friday, if not sooner! While I am excited for the much needed change, I'm also sad that I will be leaving so many friends. My fiance is out of town so I'm also trying to get some mini project done around the house before his return. I'll definitely be back tomorrow with my Weigh In Wednesday post. I don't think it's going to be good but after the last two weeks that I have had...it should be much worse.

Free Flowers - Good Neighbor Day - September 3!

For those of you that love flowers, here's your chance to get some free ones.

This year, be a good neighbor and visit a local participating FTD florist. Pick up a free bouquet (while supplies last) — and celebrate FTD® Good Neighbor Day® by sharing flowers with your community!

Find a Participating FTD Florist in your neighborhood.

Weighing In #24

Another Wednesday means another weigh in. This morning I weighed in at the same weight as last week – no weight loss. I’m pretty excited since that T.O.M decided to move in on me and my obsession with chocolate almost got the best of me.

Last week, I had mentioned getting up and walking in the morning. With the exception of the weekend, I am proud to report that I did that everyday! I started to slack off a little but the point is that I got up and walked. I’d have to say it sure helped my mood swings. I think I’ve been in a better mood in the mornings.

My goal for this week is to incorporate a few trips to the YMCA. This will be a little tough since we have the county fair this weekend. However, there are still 4 other days to go. My other goal is to add in at least 2 days of weight/strength training.

I still will not be focusing on my calories and fat intake since I am still working (or at least occupying a chair in the office). The food (point counting) will be added back to the formula next week. However, I will still continue to keep my food logs. It’s interesting to see how well I do without even focusing on the points.

Laid off – count down to my final day (7 working days to go)!

I was typing the title of this post and realized something. I would have 7 days to go only if I worked everyday between now and my final day. I have 3 days off between now and then so I will only have 4 days left!!

Today's like every other day has been lately - BORING! I haven't really done much with the exception of helping a few people out with Excel and Access problems. Other than that, I have been minding my own business.

How's the job hunting going? Well, I applied for 3 jobs yesterday. I realized last night that my resume on Monster was outdated so I updated that and had two emails in my inbox this morning. Good news but I don't want to have to drive an hour or longer to work so I don't I will actually accept a position with either company. I applied for one job this morning and am waiting for a job to be posted on a local company website (not sure what the delay is). Other than that, I really considering staying at home. The only downfall is after the first of the year I wouldn't have medical insurance (with 2 kids - I need it!).

Food and Exercise Log - 8/6/2008

Daily Allowance Points - 27
Weekly Allowance Points - 35

Breakfast - Coffee (8 points) - mistakenly grabbed the bigger cup, Frosted Flakes (4 points)

Lunch - Sloppy Buffalo Joes (7 points), Yoplait Light Strawberry Shortcake Yogurt (2 points)

Daily Points Used: 21
Weekly Points Used: 0

Exercise:
4:45AM - 18:30 minutes/1 mile/185 calories walking on treadmill

Tackle It Tuesday - Coupons

My tackle this week are coupons that I received yesterday. It's great because they are all inserts that I didn't receive.

This is what I started with...

This is what I ended with...

I still have to sort them but that's the easy part.

Check out 5 Minutes For Mom to see what other's are tackling.

Laid off – count down to my final day (8 working days to go)!

Another day with no motivation to do anything. I've spend the last 2 1/2 hours on the internet. In that time, I applied for one job. There aren't many jobs out there. I think we'd be better off trying to sell our house and moving out of state! I wouldn't mind!

Food and Exercise Log - 8/5/2008

Daily Allowance Points - 27
Weekly Allowance Points - 18

Breakfast - Iced Coffee (4 points), Danish (10 points)

Snack - 3 snack size Mint 3 Musketeers (4 points)

Lunch - Smart Ones Pepperoni Pizza (8 points), Rice Pudding (2 points)

**I'm really not doing such a hot job on my points today. I guess I can look at it as having 45 points for today since this is the end of my week and points get refreshed tomorrow.

Dinner - Sloppy Buffalo Joes (7 points), Mashed Potato Skins (6 points)

Daily Points Used: 27
Weekly Points Used: 14

Exercise:
4:45AM - 18 minutes/1 mile/156 calories walking on treadmill

Laid off – count down to my final day (9 working days to go)!

You know that project I mentioned last week? Well, I haven't done anything to it yet. I guess I should some time this week since I will probably take some time off next week to use up the personal time that I have left. I wouldn't want that time to go to waste. I have motivation level has hit rock bottom! I have turned reports down because I just don't feel like doing them!

Well, I was in late and now I'm leaving early. I love this work schedule. It's pretty unstressful!

Food and Exercise Log - 8/4/2008

Daily Allowance Points: 27
Weekly Allowance Points: 23

Breakfast: Iced Coffee (4 points), Danish (10 points)

Lunch: Turkey and Cheese sandwich (4 points), Chocolate Sugar Free Pudding (1 point)

Dinner: Lasagna (13 points)

Daily Points Used: 27
Weekly Points used: 5

Exercise:
4:30AM - 33 minutes/277 calories/2 miles walking on treadmill
8PM - 100 crunches

CVS Coupon - $2/$10 purchase

Finally, a good CVS coupon! There's a $2/$10 coupon for CVS that doesn't expire until September 28th. You can find it in the online version of Richmond Parents Monthly on page 30.

Menu Plan Monday 8/4/2008

Well, we made it through half the week following our menu plan. We got to BLT sandwiches and my family wanted nothing to do with them. I was ok with it since I had dental work done (that I had forgotten about) and was going to enjoy a milkshake!

I still haven’t been to the grocery. It was a busy weekend and next weekend will be just as busy. We’ll be using up the ground beef and hamburger patties that we have in the freezer.

Monday - Lots O’Meat Lasagna, garlic breadsticks

**Yummy! This is the first time I had made this lasagna. It was super good! My youngest son ate it too (usually won't eat anything like this). It is very filling!

Tuesday – Sloppy Buffalo Joes, Mashed Potato Skins

Wednesday – leftovers

Thursday – Cheeseburgers, fries, corn on the cob

Friday – County Fair all day – I’m not cooking!!

Saturday – County Fair and fiance’s birthday…We’ll have to see what happens

Sunday – Crock Pot Roast, Veggies

If you didn't come here from I'm an Organized Junkie, don't forget to stop by and check out other menu plans. If you're looking for something different to have for dinner, you can definitely find a lot of ideas there.

Food and Exercise Log - 8/3/2008

Daily Allowance Points: 27
Weekly Allowance Points: 23

Breakfast: PB&J Sandwich (6 points)

Lunch: Pulled Pork Sandwich and Baked Ruffle Chips (7 points)

Dinner: 2 Soft Tacos (9 points)

Daily Points Used: 22
Weekly Points Used: 0

Exercise: walking

School Supply Sales 8/3/08 - 8/9/08

Here's a list of school supplies that are on sale at office supply stores (and Walgreens) this week. I decided to include Walgreens since they had some awesome deals. There were any school supplies at Office Max this week - just office supplies.

Staples
Staples 1-subject Wide Ruled spiral notebooks $.05 (6 pack $.30) (Limit 3 packs per customer) Staples Composition Notebooks $.25 (2 packs $.50) (Limit 3 per customer)
Staples Graphing Notebook $.50 (Limit 4 per customer)
Dollar Days $1 items – Fashion Pocket Plastic Folders, Sharpie Accent highlighters (6 pack), Staples Pink Wedge Erasers (3 pack), Wite-Out Quick Dry Correction Fluid, Dixon Ticonderoga yellow pencils (12 pack), Staples dome pencil sharpener
Dollar Days $2 items – 3-ring patterned pencil pouch, Staedtler student pencil compass
Dollar Days $4 items – Mesh dual-zipper pencil pouch, Paper Mate retractable gel pens – medium (4 pack)

Free after instant rebate: 2 Pocket Paper Folders (Limit 10 per customer)

Office Depot (each items is limited to 5 per customer, unless otherwise noted)
Office Depot Brand Slider Pencil Case $.01
Office Depot Brand 12” Wood Ruler $.01
Tug Pencil Sharpener $.01
Scholastic 16ct Crayons $.05
Office Depot Brand 2 pocket paper Folders $.05 (limit 20 per customer)
Paper Mate Write Bros BallPoint Stick Pens (10 pack) $.25
Bic BicMatic Grip Mechanical Pencils (5 pack) $.99

Free item w/purchase of $5 ID Photo - Child I.D. Kit

Walgreens
**If your Walgreens is out of the items you want, remember to ask for a rain check! There were a few items I was hoping to pick up yesterday but they were already sold out. I was able to get a few rain checks to be able to get these great deals later.

$.09 coupon deals – 10 pack No. 2 Yellow Pencils (limit 4), 10 Pack Paper Mate Pens (limit 2), 2 Pocket Folders (limit 5), 6 Pack Paper Mate Highlighters (limit 2)

$.19 coupon deals – Acco Paper Clips 100 Pack (limit 2), Ruler 12 in Wooden or Flexible (limit 4), Splash Mini Highlighter Pens (limit 5)

2/$1 Jumbo Glue Sticks
Expo Dry Erase Markers (4 pack) $1.99

Save up to $10 coupon (save $.50 per item – limit 20 items) – prices listed are after coupon.
$.09 items – White Posterboard, 2 pack Pink Erasers, 15 pack Cap Erasers
$.19 items – Corner Office 70 Pack Colored, 100 Pack Ruled or Plain Index Cards
$.29 items – Corner Office Legal Pads (50 sheets) (limit 2)
$.39 items – Filler paper – 130 sheet College Ruled, 150 sheet Wide or College Ruled
$.49 items – Penway 10 Pack Mechanical Pencils, Penway 8 pack Washable Markers, Penway Dual Hole Sharpener, Penway or Splash Poly Binder 1 in, Soho Clear School Box, Corner Office 4 pack Ball Point Pens, Corner Office 20 pack Stick Pens (Limit 10)

Food and Exercise Log - 8/2/2008

Daily Allowance Points: 27
Weekly Allowance Points: 23

Breakfast: Bacon & Egg Biscuit (7 points)

Lunch: 1/2 turkey sandwich (3 points)

Dinner: Chicken, Steamed Veggies, salad (11 points)

Daily Points Used: 21
Weekly Points Used: 0

Exercise:
Swimming

My Shopping Deals - Week of 7/26-8/2

I wanted to share a couple deals that I picked up this week. Who would have ever thought you would get excellent deals at a gas station? Not me, but we did. We originally planned to pick up 2 donuts (for the kids) and an iced coffee at Speedway. When we walked in, they saw another kid with a Frozen Pepsi so they had to have one of those instead of the donuts. It was 10 cents cheaper per item anyways. We checked out with those and I got a coupon to get my coffee for free. When I was filling up my cup on of the attendants came over and gave me 3 coupons for free personal pan pizzas. Total OOP: $1.58! The next deal was at Staples. Our store had a sign that read "One offer per customer per day!" So, we couldn't get the deal, take it to the car, and go back in to do it again. So, we only got 6 pencil cases.
Total OOP: $.06 On Monday, my mother and I spent our lunch hour picking up school supplies. We went to Office Max to get 3 rulers and 3 highlighters. Then to Staples to get a few more items...2 staplers, 3 pencils boxes.
Total OOP: $.71 The last shopping trip for me this week was the Flower Factory. I don't usually purchase too many items at this store but I found a few things we could use. The CAUTION sign goes perfectly with my youngest son's construction themed bedroom. Then I picked up the farm animal kit for my youngest son to use when we cover farm animals.
Total OOP: $2.65
I still need to go to the grocery this weekend since I haven't been in a month and our meat supply is low. This is my fiance's reunion weekend so I'll try to squeeze it in at some point.

Fitness on Friday - 8/1/2008

It's Fitness on Friday again! On Wednesday, I did report a 1 pound weight loss (read about it and my “new” goals here). Basically, I’m taking a couple steps back. My weight loss lately hasn’t been that good (little to no weight loss). I’m going to concentrate on my workout more than what I eat right now. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to eat whatever I want and how ever much I want. It’s just not going to be my biggest concern right now. Once I am done working, I will incorporate the food part.

Over the past couple month, I will indicate that I had no exercise. Even though I don’t exercise (walk on treadmill, weights, elliptical), I am usually doing something – housework! So am I still burning calories? You bet! Maybe not as many as I would like but at least it’s something. Want to know what your calorie burn is? Check out this website. You enter your weight and the minutes of the activity...it calculates the calories burned.

Maybe houseworks isn't as bad as I thought! Visit Bye Bye Fat Mom to see how others are doing.

Food and Exercise Log - 8/1/2008

Daily Allowance Points: 27
Weekly Allowance Points: 27

Breakfast: Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk) (4 points), Fruity Cheerios (4 points)

Lunch: Turkey and Cheese sandwich (4 points)

Dinner: BLT Chicken Salad (19 points)

Daily Points Used: 27
Weekly Points Used: 4

Exercise:
4:30AM - 2 miles/272 calories/33 minutes walking on treadmill

Laid off – count down to my final day (10 working days to go)!

Two more weeks! It's great because my boss will be on vacation for those two weeks. I have two planned days off, 2 other days that I could schedule, and a few appointments that I hope to squeeze in during the next two weeks. So, what I'm trying to say is...I don't plan on working much over the next two weeks!!

What am I doing today? Well...job hunting and researching careers. I don't know what I want to be when I grow up so it's making it really hard. Are you supposed to know by the time you turn 30? Because I don't! Other than that, I was assigned a project yesterday that I don't feel like working on...maybe this afternoon I'll give it a little thought.

UPDATE: Shortly after typing this post, I got a call from the daycare. I had to go get my younger son. He was complaining that his tummy hurt. So, the afternoon wasn't spent thinking about my new project at work but was spent enjoying the pool and nice weather with my kids.

Food and Exercise Log - 7/31/2008

Daily Allowance Points: 27
Weekly Allowance Points: 35

Breakfast: Smart Ones Stuffed Breakfast Sandwich (5 points)

Lunch: Turkey and cheese sandwich (6 points)

Dinner: Double Chocolate Fudge Shake (24 points)
Was it worth 24 points? In way, yes but definitely NO!! I was starved and my mouth was numb from having my fillings done. I couldn't eat anything else. The dentist was the one that suggested a milk shake so I'll blame him -- not myself (lol).

Daily Points Used: 27
Weekly Points Used:8

Exercise:
4:30AM - 2 miles/270 calories/33 minutes walking on treadmill

Laid off – count down to my final day (11 working days to go)!

I decided to start my "later" schedule. Instead of hitting the shower at 4:30, I hit the treadmill. It was the normal routine from there. I made it to work by 7 - a half an hour later.

It was a pretty quick morning, probably because I was busy replying to email. It was another short day for me. I had to go back to the dentisted for a couple fillings (ugh!).