January 31, 2016
Sweet Success! Mary Berry’s Very Best
Chocolate Fudge Cake turned out light and moist. Following my stomach’s lead, I opted to fill the much sweeter cake with raspberry jam and frost the top and sides with buttercream frosting. Chocolate, raspberries, and buttercream–yum! This winning combination of rich and delicious flavors will be the perfect indulgence to enjoy during tonight’s new episode of Downton Abbey!
Deals of the Day:
Colgate Max 6 oz or Colgate Total 4-4.2 oz Toothpaste
Sale Price at CVS $3.00
$2.50 off with CVS in-store instant coupon (-$2.50)
$.50 off any Colgate toothpaste 3 oz or larger manufacturer’s coupon (-$.50)
=FREE
*Scan your ExtraCare Card at the in-store Coupon Center for CVS instant coupon. Manufacturer’s coupon available on coupons.com or target.com. Price, promotion, and availability may vary by location.
Colgate Optic White Toothpaste 3.5 oz
Sale Price at CVS $3.99
Save $.50 on any Colgate toothpaste 3 oz or larger manufacturer’s coupon (-$.50)
Pay $3.49
Earn $2.50 in extrabucks rewards (-$2.50)
=$.99
*Offer limit of 2 per household with card. Manufacturer’s coupon available on coupons.com or target.com. Price, promotion, and availability may vary by location.
Excedrin Mild Headache
Price at Dollar Tree $1.00
Save $1.00 on any 1 Excedrin product 20 ct or larger manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
=FREE
*Availability will vary by location.
Mars Chocolate
Sale Price at CVS $.99
Pay $.99
Earn $.75 in extrabucks rewards (-$.75)
=$.24
*Price, promotion, and availability may vary by location.
Gevalia Single Serve Coffee (K-cups)
Sale Price at CVS $4.99
$1.00 off any 1 Gevalia coffee product manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
=$3.99
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Price, promotion, and availability may vary by location.
Kmart Freebie Saturday
February 6: Kmart is giving away FREE miniature footballs to kids 12 and under. Limit one. While supplies last.
January 29, 2016
My weeks have been marked in British bakes as of late. I am a huge fan of The Great British Baking Show, and anyone around me knows it. So for Christmas, my brother gave me a copy of Mary Berry’s Baking Bible. I have always enjoyed baking and was thrilled to be presented with the opportunity to learn from the master.
My pursuit of Mary Berry perfection began with the Large All-in-one Victoria Sandwich. Unique challenges immediately presented themselves. For those of you who have caster sugar in your cupboard, measure your ingredients in grams, and know how to heat your oven to 180C/Fan 160C/Gas 4, you have my respect. For me, I could guess the oven temperature but had some research to do to translate the rest of the recipe to my baking understanding. 
Heeding Mary’s tips, I actually took the time to soften the butter and allow the eggs to come to room temperature. I did my best to make my own caster sugar by putting granulated sugar in the food processor. And while I prefer frosting, I even purchased raspberry jam for the filling.
My first attempt was a disaster. The centers of the cakes were not rising even though I consciously did not open the oven door during the initial baking time for that exact reason. While I knew better, I left them in the oven hoping that would change. The result was an extremely overbaked and dry cake. It tasted terrible, but I ate it for a week.
Wanting to master the Victoria Sandwich before moving on to a new recipe, I decided to try the chocolate version, as I had absolutely no desire to eat another morsel of the original one. The sheet I printed to help translate the ingredient amounts wasn’t of great help when making the frosting. I estimated, and it turned out surprisingly well. It didn’t make very much, so I made another batch–while my heart loves all things British, my stomach is definitely American and prefers its desserts extra sweet.
Overall, the Chocolate Victoria Sandwich turned out much better than the original one. I was especially careful not to overbake it. The result still seemed quite dry and not very sweet. My extra frosting did help, but I think the raspberry jam filling would have been a better complement to the chocolate sandwich cake.
For this week’s bake, I’m leaning toward the Very Best Chocolate Fudge Cake. Reading through the recipe, I think this will be a moister cake, much closer to what I am used to eating. It’s a big weekend ahead with the new episode of Doc Martin on Saturday night and Downton Abbey on Sunday. Let there be tea and cake!
Deals of the Day:
Right Guard Xtreme Heat Shield Antiperspirant or Deodorant
Sale price at CVS 2/$6
Use 2 Save $1.00 on any 1 Right Guard Xtreme Heat Shield Antiperspirant or Deodorant manufacturer’s coupons (-$2.00)
Pay $4.00
Earn $2.00 in extrabucks rewards (-$2.00)
=$2.00/2 or $1.00 each
*Coupons available on redplum.com. Price, promotion, and availability may vary by location.
DulcoGas 18 ct
Price at Target $4.19
Save $3.00 on the purchase of 1 DulcoGas 18 ct or larger manufacturer’s coupon (-$3.00)
=$1.19
*Coupon available on coupons.com or target.com. Price and availability may vary by location. Save an additional 5% by using your Target REDcard, and earn a $.05 credit for every reusable bag you take and use.
February 20: USA Hockey along with 300 local associations are hosting a Try Hockey for FREE Day for kids ages 4-9. Click the above link for more information and to find out if there’s a participating location near you.
January 28, 2016
Savvy Shopper Tip: When shopping at Target, scan each product you are purchasing to see if there’s a current Cartwheel offer available on that item.
It’s simple and can save you cash on the spot!
- Open the Cartwheel app on your phone.
- Tap the three lines to the left of “Browse” at the top of your screen.
- Select Scan Product.
- Scan the product’s barcode.
- Add the Cartwheel offer.
For any Cartwheel offer you add before your shopping trip, this is a great way to verify if the specific product you select actually matches it (especially helpful for broad categories like “baking essentials”).
Deals of the Day:
FREE Croissant at La Madeleine Country French Cafe
Stop by your local La Madeleine for a FREE croissant January 30.
Canon PIXMA MG2920 Wireless All-In-One Printer
Today Only: Best Buy has the Canon PIXMA MG2920 Wireless All-In-One Printer in white on sale for $24.99 (regularly $79.99), plus it ships FREE.
Beginning January 28, take an additional 30% off permanently reduced merchandise.
Frank’s RedHot Sauce
$.50 off any Frank’s RedHot Sauce manufacturer’s coupon available on coupons.com
Dollar Tree: $1.00 – $.50 = $.50
Walmart: $1.14 – $.50 = $.64
*Price and availability will vary by location.
January 27, 2016
Old Kibble Vs New Kibble
He sniffed. He tasted. Paws down,
1 out of 1 Sid prefers…
…his new Gentle Formula over the old Indoor Kitty.
Featured Grocery Deals:
Hy-Vee Shredded Natural Cheese select varieties 6-8 oz
Sale Price 2/$3.00
It’s the perfect time to stock up, as this is an excellent price on shredded cheese. The dating is usually pretty good, but you can always freeze it.
*Price and availability may vary by location.
H-E-B Soft Drinks 12 pk, 12 oz cans assorted varieties
Sale price $2.25
Buy 1, Get a 10.5-11 oz bag of H-E-B Thin Potato Chips FREE with in-store coupon
=12 pack of soda and a big bag of potato chips for $2.25
*Price and availability may vary by location.
Kellogg’s Krave Cereal
Sale price at CVS $1.88
Save $.40 on any 1 Kellogg’s Krave Cereal manufacturer’s coupon (-$.40)
=$1.48
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Price and availability may vary by location.
January 26, 2016
It’s Taco Tuesday!
Sid’s kibble bin was down to crumbs so it was time to replenish. Armed with my list, coupons and Cartwheel app, I headed out the door in pursuit of cat chow, food for me, and some necessities. Now, this wasn’t the typical kibble run. This was the kibble run Sid’s been eating toward for months. Having received samples of different kinds of food, Sid showed a definitive preference to them vs his usual kibble dinner. Unfortunately, I’d stocked up, so it took quite a while before it was time to get him a new variety. Much to my dismay, they were out of the bag I wanted to get him, so I had to rethink my purchase. Talking to myself, I made my selection and dug through my coupons to find one for my new choice. As I came back to reality and started pushing the cart down the aisle, I passed a gentleman who was looking at me. I felt a little silly at first, realizing I’d been carrying on a conversation with myself thinking I was alone. Fear not, I looked him straight in the eye and gave acknowledgement. What would he expect? It was the crazy cat lady aisle.
Considering the matter of my stomach, I’d clipped the Old El Paso taco shell coupon (from Jan 16 post) and added the 10% off Old El Paso products Cartwheel offer to my phone in delightful anticipation of a taco night feast. And like music to my bargain tuned ears, I found a box of taco shells with a coupon attached–$1.00 off a can of refried beans with the purchase of the shells. When it was all said and done, I paid 4 cents for a can of Old El Paso Refried Beans AND a box of taco shells! And so it was Taco Tuesday, and it was delicious.
Deals of the Day:
PurelyGreat Natural Deodorant FREE Sample
Click the above link to request your FREE sample.
Ultra Downy Fabric Conditioner
Coupons:
$1.00 off 1 Downy Liquid Fabric Enhancer manufacturer’s coupon available on coupons.com
Check your coupon stash: A prior weekly circular included a Target coupon for save $1.00 off 2 Tide or Downy products.
Target Deal: 60 load bottle $3.97. Buy two $7.94. Use two manufacturer’s coupons and the Target coupon ($7.94-$3.00=$4.94/2 or $2.47 each).
Scope Mouthwash
Price at CVS $4.99
$.75 off one Scope Mouthwash manufacturer’s coupon (-$.75)
Pay $4.24
Earn $4.00 extrabucks rewards (-$4.00)
=$.24
*Offer limit of 2 per household with card. Coupon available on coupons.com. Price and availability may vary by location.
January 25, 2016
Energy Savings Tip: Unplug your electric devices when not in use.
Vampire devices suck! Just because you turn off an appliance doesn’t mean it stops sucking electricity. In fact, items that always remain plugged in account for 10% of the average American electric bill (per Texas Co-op Power January 2016). Common household vampires include: TVs, video game consoles, DVD players, stereo systems, computers, printers, phone chargers, coffee makers, toasters, microwaves, electric shavers, rechargeable toothbrushes, hair dryers, lamps, etc. Simply taking a few seconds to alter your habits and unplug such devices will save electricity and potentially put a little cash back in your pocket. Power strips can make this a bit easier especially when dealing with some of the biggest offenders on the list (TVs, gaming systems, devices that use remote controls, etc.). Keep in mind your DVR won’t record if you unplug it, so you may want a separate power strip for items that do need to stay on at all times. Take a quick look around the house, you may be surprised at how many vampires are lurking!
Deals of the Day:
Click the above link to choose your 3 FREE tea bag samples. While supplies last. This offer tends to go quickly.
Coke 2-Liter Bottle
Sale price at CVS $.99
Save $.24 in-store instant coupon (-$.24)
=$.75
*Price and availability may vary by location. Scan your ExtraCare Card at the in-store Coupon Center to get your $.24 instant coupon.
Dawn 9 oz
Sale price at CVS $.98
$.30 off 1 Dawn product manufacturer’s coupon (-$.30)
=$.68
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Price and availability may vary by location.
Tide Laundry Detergent
A higher value Tide coupon is now available on coupons.com: Save $2 on 1 Tide Detergent 37 oz or larger
CVS has select Tide 37-50 oz detergents on sale for $5.34. ($5.34-$2.00=$3.34)
French’s Mustard
Coupons.com has a lot of French’s Mustard coupons available right now.
$.75 off any 1 French’s Classic Yellow Spicy Mustard
$.75 off any 1 French’s Classic Yellow Sweet Mustard
$.50 off any 1 French’s Honey Mustard
$.50 off any 1 French’s Dijon Mustard
$.50 off any 1 French’s Honey Dijon Mustard
$.30 off any 1 (12 oz) French’s Brown Mustard
Related Coupon: $.50 off any 1 French’s Ketchup (20 oz or 32 oz)
Kmart Freebie Saturday
January 30: FREE Capri Sun 3 oz single pouch drink for kids 12 and under. Offer good while supplies last. Limit 1.
January 22, 2016
I’m pleased to report that the FREE books mentioned in previous posts (December 7 & 30) are arriving! I received both of mine this week. Of course, I haven’t read them yet and have no idea if they’re any good, but it made for an exciting mail day. For those of you holed up because of the cold and snow, hopefully you will find entertainment reading a new book. Make a cup of coffee or Hot Spiced Tea, and you’re all set!
Sid and I cannot complain about the mild weather here. The lawn needs mowing, but I’ve been stubborn–it’s January, mowing the grass is just wrong! Overall, the yard isn’t too bad, there are merely spots that are 
overgrown. The last few days have been windy, and I confess that makes me a bit apprehensive. Forgive my pessimism, but I can’t help but wonder what is going to fall down next. Another tree? A different section of fence? I suppose if it’s a tree, I could perfect my “Lumber Jack Workout,” patent it, and make my million…
Lately, Sid has really been enjoying the remnants of the tree. Climbing branches and walking along an elevated catwalk is great fun for him. And much to his delight, the fallen arbor makes a perfect back scratcher. The stump itself provides a great view of the neighbor kids. Sid’s always been especially curious about the billy goats living behind us.
Looking around the rest of the farm, it appears there’s still hope for a small carrot and beet crop. We’re just waiting for the plants that remain to mature. Unfortunately, the green bean plants froze just before Thanksgiving. That was such a huge disappointment as they’d just started to produce beans. All was lost. So as usual, we find ourselves waiting for what is planted and dreaming of what to do next.
Deals of the Day:
Truvia Natural Sweetener FREE Sample 7-ct box
Click the above link to request your FREE sample of Truvia. While supplies last.
My Goodness! Soup 15 oz
Price at Target $3.99
Pay $3.99
Submit $4.50 ibotta rebate
=FREE
*Price and availability of product may vary by location. This rebate may adjust down to the actual cost of product. Save 5% by using your Target REDcard, and earn a $.05 credit for every reusable bag you take and use.
Sale price at Walgreens $1.88
Save $1.00 off Cocoa Puffs manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
=$.88
*Coupon available on bettycrocker.com. Price and availability may vary by location.
January 21, 2016
Remember how you counted down the minutes until recess? Being stuck at your desk for so long, it was hard not to fidget and wiggle. And once you were finally released out into the wild, it was pure bliss. Jumping rope, skipping, and playing hopscotch was fun. Why not bring the fun and memories back into your current workout routine? It’s recess revisited with Elementary Exercise. Whenever you add new elements to your fitness regimen, it keeps it interesting and makes it more enjoyable. Just try skipping without smiling! Visit the new Elementary Exercise page on the main Health & Fitness section for ideas that combine old school moves with your current fitness routine to create a fresh, new workout. You can also get your kids or grandchildren moving with you. Help them make their own jump rope, and then get skipping!
Deals of the Day:
JELL-O Pudding or Gelatin
Sale price at Hy-Vee 4/$3.00
Save $1.00 on any 4 JELL-O pudding, gelatin or no-bake manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
=$2.00/4 or $.50 each
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Price and availability may vary by location.
Friskies Wet Cat Food 5.5 oz cans
Sale price at Hy-Vee 24/$12, plus Fuel Saver Deal (save $.01 per gallon with each item purchased–earn $.24 off per gallon with purchase of 24)
Check your coupon stash: I found a save $1.00 off any ten 5.5 oz cans of Purina Friskies wet cat food manufacturer’s coupon that I had clipped from a weekly circular. Coupons.com has had a save $1.50 on 24 cans of Purina Friskies wet cat food manufacturer’s coupon available. It was still there yesterday, but I did not see it today.
January 20, 2016
Another Way to Save: ibotta
We track sales, use coupons, take advantage of Cartwheel offers, bring reusable store bags for credit, and save money with store credit cards. Today, I’d like to introduce another way to save–ibotta. It’s a mobile app where you earn cash rebates on your purchases. To unlock a rebate, you have to perform a trivial task, like watch a short video, answer a question or read a fact. Once you have it unlocked and purchase the item, you will scan the barcode on the item and then take a picture of the receipt to submit for approval. If everything is satisfactory, your account will be credited the rebate amount. Once you hit the minimal amount to cash out ($20 I believe), you can receive your money via PayPal, Venmo or purchase a gift card.
I view ibotta as a bonus. My decision to purchase an item is based on the price I would be paying before considering the ibotta offer. That’s mostly because there’s a delay in receiving that money back. It’s not like a coupon where you instantly receive the savings or a gift card/rewards credit that you receive at the time of purchase. My favorite ibotta offers are their “any brand” rebates. Basically if you buy any brand of milk, eggs or cheese for example, you can earn a credit. My most recent submission was for any brand of sugar. I needed a bag of sugar, saw there was an ibotta rebate available for the store where I bought it, and submitted the rebate for $.25. I was buying the sugar anyway, why not get $.25 for making the purchase? To keep things interesting, the ibotta offers continually change.
If you are interested in signing up for ibotta, you may use my referral code: DRGKSHB. For a limited time, you will receive a $10 credit for creating a brand new account using my referral code, and I will receive a $5 credit. You will be credited the $10 in your account after you redeem your first rebate within the given time period. To create an account using my referral code, you may go to this “Tank Top Referral Link”. I am by no means affiliated with ibotta–I am merely a user of their app. So please look into ibotta on your own to make sure you understand all of their policies and procedures. In my personal experience, I have had no issues submitting the offers and getting the credits. As a frugal shopper, I have yet to hit the minimum to cash out and experience how that process works.
I simply want you to be aware of ibotta as it can sweeten some of our deals, and I want to present those additional savings possibilities to you. If it’s something you want to try, their generous referral promotion makes it a good time to sign up and provides a helpful boost in getting started.
Deals of the Day:
Tide Laundry Detergent 100 oz
Price at Walmart $10.77
Save $.50 off 1 Tide detergent 37 oz or larger manufacturer’s coupon (-$.50)
Pay $10.27
Submit $2.00 ibotta rebate (-$2.00)
=$8.27
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Select varieties included in ibotta rebate. Price and availability may vary by location.
Glade Plugins Scented Oil Warmer 1 ct pack
Sale price at Target $1.34
Save $.50 on any 1 Glade Plugins Scented Oil Warmer manufacturer’s coupon (-$.50)
Pay $.84
Submit $1.00 ibotta rebate (-$1.00)
= -$.16
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Save an additional 5% by using your Target REDcard, and earn a $.05 credit for every reusable bag you take and use. Price and availability may vary by location. ibotta tip: You can scan the product’s barcode to make sure it qualifies.
FREE Sample of Lancome Visionnaire Nuit Beauty Sleep Protector
Click the above link and fill out the form to receive your FREE sample. Supplies may be limited.
January 19, 2016
Sid has proven himself a great hunter yet again. This time expanding my horizons with regard to varmints. It was 57 and sunny yesterday afternoon, and Sid and I were outside enjoying some fresh air. We have a large yard which Sid loves to explore while I walk and daydream about our spring garden. Without warning, Sid sprinted toward our small redbud tree. Digging in the grass, he pulled out a critter with his mouth. He carried it a few feet away to “play” with it. Curious to know what he had caught, I followed him. At first glance, I thought he had a mouse. Its tail was seemingly short, and it looked blind. I also found it odd that there were no ears visible. Sharing Sid’s hunting success photos with friends and family, it was suggested that the little rodent was a vole. “A mole?” I wondered, as I was thinking it was simply a texting error. Actually it did resemble a mole, but are baby moles that small? I am not ashamed of my ignorance regarding varmints. Hopefully, I will not have to learn much about them. I was quickly informed
that voles do exist. Up until now, I had never heard of a vole. As I continued to take pictures, I could see its little hands–these did not look 
mouse-like to me. So at this point, I’m going with Sid caught a vole. I’m not sure if it’s his keen eyesight or sense of smell, but he’s been pretty impressive hunting from a distance lately. In spite of his success, Sid has remained remarkably humble for a cat, but I know inside he’s quite pleased with himself and deservedly so.
Deals of the Day:
Send a FREE Personalized Kleenex Care Pack
Click the above link to choose your message, login or register, and fill out the form to send your care pack.
Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste Twin Packs
Sale Price at Target $4.79
Buy three $14.37
Use 3 save $2.00 on Colgate Toothpaste Twin Pack manufacturer’s coupons (-$6.00)
Pay $8.37
Receive a $5.00 Target gift card (-$5.00)
=$3.37/3 or $1.12 a twin pack or $.56 a tube
*Coupon available on coupons.com. You will need to get a friend to print an extra coupon for you, as there is a two coupon limit per computer. Price and availability may vary by location. Save an additional 5% by using your Target REDcard, and earn a $.05 credit for every reusable bag you take and use.
Post Honey Bunches of Oats or Great Grains Cereal
Sale price at CVS $1.99
Save $.75 off 1 Honey Bunches of Oats cereal manufacturer’s coupon (-$.75)
or
Save $.75 off 1 Great Grains cereal manufacturer’s coupon (-$.75)
=$1.24
*Coupons available on coupons.com. Price and availability may vary by location.
$.50 Corn Dogs at Sonic
Get $.50 Corn Dogs for Sonic Best Friends Day all day January 20. Offer good at participating locations while supplies last.
January 18, 2016
Couponing Tip: Per Purchase vs Per Transaction
When a coupon says per purchase, it means per item you are purchasing. Let’s say you want to buy two jars of peanut butter. Your peanut butter coupon says limit one coupon per purchase. You can use a coupon for each jar of peanut butter (up to the limit on the coupon). In this example, you want to buy two jars, so you may use two coupons. One for each jar of peanut butter.
If a coupon says per transaction, it means everything you are buying within a single payment. So if your peanut butter coupon says limit one coupon per transaction, you can only use one coupon when purchasing the two jars of peanut butter. Most of the time (depending on further verbiage on the the coupon) you can simply ask to have the items rang up separately in two transactions and use a coupon for each transaction. Basically pay for them separately, and use a coupon each time.
*Please note that different stores have their own coupon policies, so nothing is absolute.
Deals of the Day:
FREE Dry Spray Antiperspirant Sample
Click the above link to get started. Then click “Get This Deal” to be taken to the page where you will choose your sample, answer a few questions, and fill out your information to receive your sample. If you have already received one this year, you are ineligible.
New FREE Pork Be Inspired Recipe Booklets
Click the above link to either download or request 4 new Pork Be Inspired Recipe Booklets to be mailed to you.
Kmart Freebie Saturday
January 23: Kids 12 and under will receive a FREE 1.5 oz Nature Valley Granola Bar. Offer good while supplies last. Limit 1.
OxiClean Laundry Detergent
Coupons.com now has a $2.00 off any 1 OxiClean Laundry Detergent manufacturer’s coupon available. Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Shop Rite have the detergent on sale for $3.99. Price, availability, and promotion may vary by location.
JELL-O
Save $1.00 on any 4 JELL-O gelatin, pudding or no bake. This manufacturer’s coupon is available on coupons.com.
Pedigree Dentastix for Dogs
Price at Dollar Tree $1.00
Save $1.00 off any 1 Pedigree treats for dogs manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
=FREE
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Availability of product varies by store.
January 16, 2016
So far this winter, Sid and I have held tough and not turned on the heat. At times, we’ve been cold, but extra clothes and an electric blanket have helped us get by so far. I know for many of you, no heat isn’t within the realm of possibility, and I’m sure some days Sid would prefer to be at your house snuggled up in front of the fireplace. With yet another cold blast set to hit those of you up north, please stay warm and safe!
Heating Tip: Run your ceiling fans in a clockwise direction in the winter. It will push the rising hot air back down again.
Deals of the Day:
Philosophy’s Renewed Hope In a Jar FREE Sample
Click the above link for more information.
Simply Orange Juice
Coupons.com now has a save $1.00 on one 59 or 89 fl oz carafe of Simply Orange, any variety. Walmart is said to sell the 59 oz carafes for $3.00. So after the coupon, you’d pay only $2.00. Price and availability my vary by location.
Starting tomorrow, Walgreens is said to have Old El Paso taco shells on sale for $.99. Click the above link for additional information and access to a $.75 off 1 Old El Paso taco or tostada shells coupon. With the coupon and sale, you’d pay only $.24! Price and availability may vary by location.
January 15, 2016
Resolution #4: It’s On!!!
VS 
Me vs the Bread Machine: Round One
Now that we’re a couple of weeks into the new year, it’s time to work on those resolutions. One of mine was to finally have success using my bread machine. Hoisting the heavy machine from the lower cabinet up onto the counter, I was ready to take on my flour-to-loaf transforming nemesis. Will “Traditional White Bread” made using the basic cycle finally be the recipe for success? I carefully measured out each ingredient and layered them in the bread pan just as the recipe directed. As the afternoon progressed, the aroma of fresh bread filled the house. It smelled wonderful. I couldn’t wait to bite into a slice of soft, warm bread.
Results of Round One: A Draw
I definitely didn’t lose. In the end, I had a respectable loaf of edible bread. However, I don’t think I’ve found the right recipe. The resolution was to conquer the bread machine. I just don’t feel I have conquered it–yet.
While the bread was baking, I revisited resolution #1. It was an absolutely beautiful afternoon–69 degrees and sunny. The spring-like day was perfect for a lumberjack workout session. As I was busy bagging the last of the twigs, Sid was in his glory hunting outside and was so proud to have caught a lizard.
Deal of the Week:
I discovered a new product this week that I absolutely love. Dawn Platinum has exceeded my expectations, and I think a deal on this quality product deserves to be mentioned again. It’s a small bottle, so I went back and bought another one while it’s still on sale.
Dawn Dish Detergent 9 oz
Sale price at CVS $.99
Save $.30 on one Dawn product manufacturer’s coupon (-$.30)
=$.69
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Price and availability may vary by location.
Upcoming Deal:
Orbit or Eclipse Gum Single Serve Pack
Possible sale price at Walgreens (beginning 1/17/16) $.79
Save $.50 on any 1 Orbit or Eclipse Single Serve Pack manufacturer’s coupon (-$.50)
=$.29
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Print your coupon now for this potential deal. Price, promotion, and availability may vary by location.
January 14, 2016
Vinegar!
One grand substance with so many uses! Basic white vinegar is a champion of “ingredient overlap” in my book. That’s my phraseology for buying minimal items to be used in a variety of ways. You can read more about this idea on the main Around the House section. From cleaning your Keurig to using it as a finishing rinse in the dishwasher, vinegar proves its value as an extremely versatile household item.
Now that your fitness resolutions are well under way, I’m sure you’ve found yourself with extra laundry. Because of their special wicking properties, workout clothes made of technical material are to be washed without fabric softener. Vinegar is a great alternative to fabric softener that will work safely and successfully on technical fabrics. Simply pour the vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser and wash as normal. It softens, provides an extra level of clean, and is good for your washing machine hoses. All traces of its strong odor diminish in the wash.
Of course, we can’t overlook the obvious when it comes to vinegar–cooking! Classic Three Bean Salad is a simple side made using white vinegar. Pairing it with some bbq pulled pork sounds quite delicious right now! You can find the recipe for Classic Three Bean Salad on the Perfect Potluck page of the main Recipes section. Plan ahead as it does need to marinate in the refrigerator overnight.
Deal of the Day:
Lipton Green Tea
Sale price at Target $2.00
Save $1.00 off 1 Lipton green, herbal or flavored black cup-size tea bags product manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
= $1.00
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Price and availability may vary by location. Save an additional 5% by using your Target REDcard, and earn a $.05 credit for every reusable bag you take and use.
January 13, 2016
Last night, I made a notably good dinner and was actually quite pleased with myself. Using homegrown tomatoes and jalapenos I had in the freezer along with garlic, ground beef, homegrown herbs, and a jar of pasta sauce, I put together a pretty tasty meat sauce for my spaghetti. And with my sweet tooth, no grand meal is complete without dessert. One of the easiest and most basic desserts I know how to make is Creeping Crust Fruit Cobbler. While it’s traditionally made with a can of peaches, I like to switch it up and use a variety of fruits in this recipe–usually whatever I have on hand in the freezer (blueberries, raspberries, mixed berries, etc.). Last night it was a mix of blueberries, cherries, and strawberries, and it was delicious. A nice big scoop of vanilla ice cream is the only thing that would have made it even better! You can find the recipe for the Creeping Crust Fruit Cobbler on the Flour, Sugar, Eggs… page of the main Recipes section.
Deals of the Day:
$.79 Jr. Deluxe Cheeseburgers at Sonic
Get $.79 Jr. Deluxe Cheeseburgers at Sonic all day January 14. Limit 5. Offer good while supplies last at participating locations. Please mention the promotion when ordering.
American Tourister Fieldbrook II 4 pc Nested Luggage Set
Amazon currently has this luggage set on sale for $66.99 (regularly $199.99) with FREE shipping. The set is in an exclusive foliage green color which should help in identifying your luggage at the airport. Item is to be in stock January 20, 2016. Amazon prices fluctuate often, so check this deal out ASAP if you are interested.
FREE Alka-Seltzer Plus Allergy
Price at the Dollar Tree $1.00
Save $1.00 off any 1 Alka-Seltzer Plus product manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
=FREE
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Product availability will vary by store.
Yardley Bar Soaps 4.25 oz
Sale price at CVS 4/$3.00
Save $1.00/4 Yardley Bar Soaps manufacturer’s coupon
=$2.00/4 or $.50 each
*Price and availability may vary by location. Manufacturer’s coupon available in the majority of this week’s Sunday newspapers and coupon circulars.
Kraft Natural Cheese
Hy-Vee Coupon: 2/$4 Kraft shredded, cubed, chunked, etc. Natural Cheese select varieties 5 oz-8 oz
*Coupon available in Hy-Vee’s weekly ad.
Combine the Hy-Vee coupon with manufacturer coupons:
Save $.75 on any 1 Kraft Natural Cheese block, shreds or slices manufacturer’s coupon
*This coupon had been available on coupons.com. If you printed them, use 2 to save an additional $1.50.
$4.00-$1.50 = $2.50/2 or $1.25 each
Save $1.00 on any two 8 oz Kraft Natural Cheese shreds or chunks manufacturer’s coupon
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Coupon does say redeemable at Walmart but is a manufacturer’s coupon (not a store coupon) and therefore should work. As always, acceptance of a coupon is ultimately up to the store.
$4.00-$1.00=$3.00 or $1.50 each
**Price, promotion, and availability may vary by store.
General Mills (Big G) Cereals
Hy-Vee coupon in weekly ad: $4 off 4 General Mills Cereals select varieties
*Price, promotion, and availability may vary by location.
Manufacturer’s coupons available on coupons.com:
Save $1 on 2 boxes of any flavor Cheerios cereals
Save $1 on 2 boxes of Chex cereals
Save $.50 on 1 box of Lucky Charms
*There are other Big G coupons available as well. Not knowing what products are included in the select varieties, I’m not sure which ones you can use. The ad does show a box of Cheerios so you could potentially use 2 of the Cheerios manufacturer’s coupons to save an additional $2 on top of the $4 off Hy-Vee coupon. Just note that there are manufacturer’s coupons available that you might be able to combine with the Hy-Vee coupon for even more savings.
FREE Classes at REI
Your local REI store offers a variety of outdoors-inspired classes, most of which are FREE. In the past, I have personally attended classes on the best local fall hikes, bike maintenance for beginners, and the best local swimming holes. Upcoming FREE classes in my area include: Winter Camping Basics, Backpacking Basics, and Travel Photo Basics. Check your local REI for classes available in your area. More hands-on classes are also offered for a fee.
January 12, 2016
Getting the mail has been
fun lately. I hope several of you requested and received the Starbucks Hot Cocoa K-Cup samples (posted in November) and the sample box of Green Mountain Organic Coffee K-Cups (posted in December). What a delicious way to help stay warm as frigid temperatures have taken over much of the US.
My day began with a cup of the Green Mountain Founder’s Blend. With a little sugar and creamer, it really was quite good. The chilly morning progressed into a beautiful afternoon here, and I’d hoped to clean up the last of the twigs from the fallen tree. Unfortunately, the Home Depot I went to was out of lawn and garden bags I needed. I did end up working outside anyway, and Sid loved exploring the yard in the warmth of the sunshine.
While I was out running errands, I took advantage of the following Dawn dish detergent deal. I’ve struggled to find a dish soap that actually holds its suds. To date, Palmolive Oxy has by far been the best. Trying out the Dawn Platinum tonight, I was quite pleased and think I’m going to like it.
Deals of the Day:
Dawn Dish Detergent 9 oz
Sale price at CVS $.99
Save $.30 on one Dawn product manufacturer’s coupon (-$.30)
=$.69
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Price and availability may vary by location.
FREE Proven Winners 2016 Gardener’s Idea Book
Click the above link, and fill out the form to receive your complimentary Gardener’s Idea Book this spring.
Save $4 on any one CeraVe Healing Ointment manufacturer’s coupon
Save $3 on any CeraVe product
Coupons available in this week’s SmartSource coupon mailer. To find the coupons online, click the above link and then click “Get This Deal”.
New Temptations Cat Treats Coupon
Save $1.00 on any 3 Temptations Cat Treats
Coupon available on coupons.com.
January 11, 2016
Today, I took down
my second tree of the year. This one, however, was much easier to dismantle. I have no doubt Sid will miss the Christmas tree. He loved curling up on the velvety tree skirt feeling hidden under the coverage of faux foliage. Throw in shiny gold beads and ornaments glistening in the strands of holiday lights, and Sid was one happy kitty.
It does feel nice to get things cleaned up around the house. And of course, Sid always finds his own way to help. I do appreciate he makes an effort to get involved. Today, he preferred to supervise the storage of our Christmas decor in the garage.
Deals of the Day:
Crest Sensi Strips 6 ct
Price at CVS $11.99
Pay $11.99
Earn $12.00 extrabucks rewards
=-$.01
*Price and availability may vary by location. You will pay sales tax at time of purchase. Offer limited to 2 per household with card.
Gevalia Single Serve Cups (K-Cups) 6-12 ct
Sale Price at CVS $4.99
Save $1.00 on any 1 Gevalia coffee product manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
=$3.99
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Price and availability may vary by location.
Pepsi 2-Liter
Sale price at CVS $.99
Save $.24 with in-store instant coupon (-$.24)
=$.75
*Price and availability may vary by location. Scan your ExtraCare Card at the in-store Coupon Center to get your $.24 instant coupon.
Mars Chocolate 1.08-2 oz
Sale Price at CVS $.99
Pay $.99
Earn $.75 extrabucks rewards (-$.75)
=$.24
*Price and availability may vary by location.
Borax Detergent Booster 76 oz
CVS Promotion: Buy 1 Get 1 FREE
Price per cvs.com: $6.79
=$6.79/2 or roughly $3.40 a box
*Price and availability may vary by location.
Aquaphor Products
CVS Promotion: Spend $20 on select Aquaphor or Eucerin products, and get $10 extrabucks rewards.
Manufacturer’s Coupon: Save $3.00 on any 1 Aquaphor Healing Ointment, Skin Care or Baby Product 3 oz-14 oz. Coupon available on coupons.com.
Combine coupons with the promotion for an exceptional deal!
*Prices and availability may vary by location.
Kmart’s Freebie Saturday
January 16: Kids 12 and under can get FREE cotton candy at Kmart. Limit 1. Offer good while supplies last.
January 8, 2016
Resolution #5: Encourage Myself and Others to Read More
Getting lost in a good book is a great escape from the daily grind, and now that the winter chill has settled in, it’s the perfect time to curl up inside with a wonderful book. I’d like to share with you one of my favorite books of which you’ve probably never heard. While the story holds personal meaning to me, its message of love, family and understanding is one that relates to us all.
I knew my grandma had a most unusual childhood. She grew up around prodigies in a refined home. Yet life as she knew it was quickly destroyed by mental illness. “There is no great genius without some touch of madness.” (Perhaps my favorite quote from Tainted Rye Crisp by Susan Studier.) As her family was pulled apart, my grandma lived with relatives for a time and ultimately married very young.
My aunt, Susan Studier, delved into my great grandfather’s detailed journals and brought his heartwrenching story back to life in her book, Tainted Rye Crisp. After reading this engaging piece of literary work, I feel a greater understanding of my grandma and why she made the choices she did. But the real story is my great grandfather and his love, faithfulness and understanding toward his wife as he realizes she is struggling with mental illness and his family is falling apart.
Reaching out to my aunt, I was able to interview her about the book, Tainted Rye Crisp. “A Conversation With Susan Studier” can be found on the main Reading Nook section. In it, you will find further insight into how the book evolved and what surprises she found along the way.
If you are interested in purchasing Tainted Rye Crisp, Susan has generously offered a $5 discount as well as graciously agreed to offer autographed copies to tanktopandtennisshoegirl.com readers. Details for these two separate promotions can be found on the Reading Nook.
Deals of the Day:
SanDisk Memory Cards at Best Buy
Today only, get extraordinary savings on SanDisk memory cards at BestBuy–plus FREE shipping.
SanDisk-Extreme PLUS 32GB microSDHC UHS-I Class U-1 Memory Card-Red/Gold: $21.99 (regularly $79.99)
SanDisk-Extreme PLUS 64GB microSDXC UHS-I Class U-1 Memory Card-Red/Gold: $38.99 (regularly $149.99)
SanDisk-Ultra Plus 16GB SDHC Class 10 UHS-1 Memory Card-Black/Gray/Red: $10.99 (regularly $34.99)
Renuzit Adjustables Air Fresheners 7 oz
Sale Price at CVS $.79
Buy six $4.74
Buy 3, get 3 FREE manufacturer’s coupon (-$2.37)
=$2.37/6 or roughly $.39 each
*Price and availability may vary by location. Coupon available on redplum.com. You might be able to use the save $3.30 off 6 manufacturer’s coupon instead and pay only $1.44/6 or $.24 each!
FREE Health Screening at Sam’s Club
Get a FREE health screening at Sam’s Club January 9, from 11 am-4 pm. The screening will include tests for glucose, total cholesterol, HDL, risk ratio, blood pressure, body fat percentage, and vision screening/testing. Check with your local Sam’s Club for more details.
FREE Chicken Egg Roll at Panda Express
In celebration of the Chinese New Year, Panda Express is giving away FREE Gold Bars (chicken egg rolls) on February 8, 2016. Click the above link to get your coupon for 1 FREE chicken egg roll. Offer also available online using promo code: GOLD. One coupon per person while supplies last.
Heads Up on Possible Upcoming Deals!
Juicy Fruit Gum Slim Pack
Print your manufacturer’s coupon for $.50 off 1 Juicy Fruit Slim Pack now. Walgreens is said to have the Juicy Fruit Slim Packs on sale for $.69 (with card) starting 1/10. Using the coupon, that’s $.19 a pack! Coupon available on coupons.com. Price, promotion and availability may vary by location.
Possible 2 FREE Nivea Creme Tins + Money Maker at CVS
Beginning 1/10/16, CVS is said to have select Nivea items buy 2, get $5 Extra Care Bucks. The .84 oz tins of Nivea soft moisturizing cream are said to be priced at $1.19 each and included in this offer. So if this offer materializes, buy 2 and pay $2.38. You will then earn $5 in Extra Care Bucks. It’s like getting the two Nivea creme tins FREE + earning $2.62 for future purchases. As always, price, promotion and availability may vary by location.
January 7, 2016
Resolution #4: Conquer the Bread Machine
Years ago I was given a bread machine as a gift. I was very excited as I really wanted one. However, every attempt I made to use it resulted in a deformed lump of baked flour and yeast. Concerned that something was
wrong with the machine, Mom took it home with her and tried it. Of course it worked fine for her. I became discouraged, and as a result, my bread machine has sat in the cupboard lonely and unused for years. It has since been suggested that the bread recipe I was using was not a good one. So this year, I want to dust off the machine, find a new recipe, and enjoy freshly baked beautiful loaves of bread.
Deals of the Day:
FREE Order of Loaded Curly Fries at Arby’s
Get a FREE order of loaded curly fries with the purchase of any sandwich at Arby’s. Offer valid January 6-12 and is not eligible on Jr or Slider sandwich purchases. Click the above link to get this offer. Limit one per customer while supplies last.
Hy-Vee Grocery Deals
Dole Shredded Lettuce 8 oz, Classic Iceberg 12 oz or Coleslaw 14 oz: $.77 (Jan 7 & 8 ONLY)
Hy-Vee Yogurt Select Varieties 6 oz: $.25 (January 6-12)
Hy-Vee Buttermilk or Homestyle Biscuits 10 ct: $.49 (January 6-12)
Hy-Vee Grade A Fresh Large Eggs 18 ct: $1.99, plus earn $.02 off per gallon fuel saver with purchase (January 6-12)
Progresso Soup Select Varieties 18-19 oz: 4/$5.00 (January 6-12)
Purchase four $5.00
Save $1.00/4 cans any variety Progresso soups manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
Earn $.04 per gallon fuel saver
=$4.00/4 (or $1.00 each) plus $.04 per gallon fuel saver with the purchase of 4
*Price and availability may vary by location. Coupon available on coupons.com.
H-E-B Pinto, Black, Garbanzo or Kidney Beans 15-15.5 oz can
2 for $1.00 at H-E-B with in-store coupon. Must buy 2.
January 6, 2016
Resolution #3: Learn to Can
I’ll never forget Grandma Schmidt’s grape drink she made by canning fresh grapes from her Minnesota farm. I loved that stuff. So many basic household fundamentals have been lost on the younger generations. What was second nature to my grandma, aunts, and mom isn’t the norm of today. While I’ve expressed interest in the past about learning to can, my mom always told me it was too dangerous and not to do it. As I’ve been gardening more and more, my interest in canning has again increased. Discussing the topic more recently with my mom, she clarified the difference between canning under pressure and using a hot water bath. The former being somewhat dangerous, and the latter not so much. Now that there’s been a breach in the danger declaration, I would like to give it a try. It’d be great to can my homemade salsa to enjoy throughout the winter. May 2016 be the year I successfully learn to can!
Deals of the Day:
Every week lululemon stores offer FREE yoga classes lead by local instructors. Click the above link to find out if there’s a location near you. If yoga at home is more your style, try lululemon’s FREE yoga workout videos available on the above link.
Performance Bicycle’s Great Ride Series–FREE Group Rides
Check out your local Performance Bicycle shop to see if they offer FREE beginner group rides on Saturday mornings. The “no rider left behind” ride lasts about an hour and is a good way to connect with other cyclists. If you don’t have a Performance Bicycle shop in your area, check with the local bike shops to see if they organize complimentary group rides.
MEE Audio Sport-Fi M6 Memory Wire Headphones
Amazon’s Deal of the Day enables you to save up to 65% on MEE Audio Sport-Fi Memory Wire Headphones. Prices start as low as $10.49 (regularly $29.99). They come in a variety of fun colors. Hurry if you’re interested.
Hot Deals on Coats at Macys!
Macy’s has some stellar savings on winter coats right now. Plus use promo code: MYYEAR to save an additional 20%! Get FREE shipping with $99 purchase. To share a few:
Men’s Tommy Hilfiger Double-Breasted Peacoat: $59.99 (regularly $275)
Men’s London Fog Wool-Blend Car Coat: $69.99 (regularly $265)
Men’s Kenneth Cole Hooded Jacket with Quilted Lining: $49.99 (regularly $225)
Men’s Perry Ellis Hooded Zip-Front Jacket: $49.99 (regularly $225)
*These sale prices are before the additional 20% savings! There are many other coats on sale including women’s.
Sam’s Club is offering 50 FREE 4×6 prints with a new photo account.
Gevalia Iced Coffee
Price at Target $1.99
Save 10% Cartwheel offer (-$.20)
$1.00 off any 1 Gevalia coffee product manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
=$.79
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Price and availability may vary by location. Use your Target REDcard to save an additional 5%, and earn a $.05 credit for every reusable bag you take and use.
January 5, 2016
Resolution #2: Recycle More
My neighbors think I’m a bit of a tree hugger–mostly because I use a battery-powered lawn mower. Perhaps the fact that I drive a Subaru, raise-bed garden, collect water in a rain barrel, and plant tree saplings doesn’t do much to thwart the image.
While I do respect the environment, I am probably not quite as green as people assume. I personally do not want to mess with getting gas for the mower and storing it in the garage when it’s 110+ degrees outside in the summer. Charging batteries is much less of a hassle to me. Organic gardening is the goal, but when the bottom line is losing the produce or saving the crop, I’ll treat the plant to yield the produce.
When it comes to recycling, I do pretty well. Junk mail, old catalogs, soda cans, cardboard packaging, 2-liter bottles, detergent containers, etc. go into a recycling tub I keep under my sink for convenience. Once it’s full, I dump it into my recycling can in the garage. While I’m fairly diligent in recycling, I can do better. I tend to get lazy if I have to make a little effort to clean the item before recycling it. Tin cans are the first example that come to mind, and that is where my resolution will begin.
Recycling more is an achievable New Year’s resolution, and I encourage you to join me in this one. It’s an easy and worthwhile endeavor.
Where I live, we also have a truck that comes once a week to pick up lawn clippings. This week I am especially grateful for that service. Fifteen bags of small tree limbs are just waiting to be hauled to the curb.
Deals of the Day:
Yoplait Greek Yogurt
Sale price at Target 10/$10
Buy ten $10.00
Save $1.00 on 10 cups any variety Yoplait yogurt manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
Pay $9.00
Receive $5.00 Target gift card (-$5.00)
=$4.00/10 or $.40 each
*Manufacturer’s coupon available on coupons.com. Price and availability may vary by location. Save an additional 5% by using your Target REDcard, and earn a $.05 credit for every reusable bag you bring and use.
Click the above link and fill out the form at the bottom right to receive your FREE sample of In Nature Tea. By doing so, you are signing up for their mailing list. After you fill out the form, they will send you an email which will contain a link you will need to click on to confirm your sample request.
Click the above link and fill out the form to receive your FREE sample from Prince Alan Tea.
FREE 2016 David McGuffin Travel Calendar
Click the above link for more information.
Canon PIXMA Wireless All-In-One Printers
Best Buy has some great sales on Canon PIXMA Wireless All-In-One Printers right now–plus FREE shipping. Just to name a few:
Canon PIXMA MG2920 Wireless All-In-One Printer–White: $24.99 (Regularly $79.99)
Canon PIXMA MG6821 Wireless All-In-One Printer–Black/Silver: $79.99 (Regularly $149.99)
Canon PIXMA MX922 Network-Ready Wireless All-In-One Printer–Black: $99.99 (Regularly $179.99)
**Tanktopandtennisshoegirl.com is not affiliated in any way with the companies offering sales and promotions. It simply strives to make you aware of potentially great deals and savings. Ultimately signing up for any offers and making freebie requests is at your sole discretion.
January 4, 2016
Resolution #1: Get Fit
Trust me, the “Lumber Jack Workout” will wipe you out completely! Taking a tree down by hand is no easy task. My entire body aches, and I’m exhausted. There’s still more work to be done, but I think I’ve conquered the tree for the most part. Like most resolutions, I look forward to abandoning the “Lumber Jack Workout” soon!
Perhaps I should replace it with yoga. My lumber jack back would probably appreciate it. Regardless of what activity (or activities) I choose next, I can’t help but think it’ll be easier than wrestling a tree to the ground. No excuses now!
Deals of the Day:
Colgate Max, Total or 2 in 1
Sale Price at CVS $2.99
Save $1.50 with in-store instant coupon (-$1.50)
Save $.50 on 1 Colgate toothpaste 3 oz or larger manufacturer’s coupon (-$.50)
=$.99
*Price and availability may vary by location. Scan your ExtraCare card at the in-store Coupon Center to get the $1.50 CVS coupon. Manufacturer’s coupon available on coupons.com.
Progresso Soup
Sale price at Target $1.25
Buy four $5.00
Save 20% with Cartwheel offer (-$1.00)
Save $1.00/4 cans any flavor Progresso soups (-$1.00)
=$3.00/4 or $.75 each
*Price and availability may vary by location. Coupon available on coupons.com. Save an additional 5% when you use your Target REDcard, and earn a $.05 credit for each reusable bag you take and use.
Airborne Chewable Tablets 4 ct
Price at Target $.99
$1.25 off any 1 Airborne product manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.25)
=FREE
* Look for the 4 ct package in the travel section. Price and availability may vary by location. Coupon available on coupons.com.
Barilla Pasta & Ragu Pasta Sauce
Buy 10 select Barilla & Ragu products at Target, and get a $5.00 Target gift card. Coupons.com has a coupon for $1.10 off 3 boxes of Barilla Better-For-You pasta. You could potentially use 3 of those coupons. Price and availability may vary by location.
Dynex Selfie Stick
Best Buy has their Dynex Selfie Stick on sale for $4.99 (regularly $14.99). Check to see if FREE in-store pick up or FREE ship to store is available. If you have other items you wish to purchase, shipping is FREE on orders of $35 or more.
Kmart Freebie Saturday
Kids 12 and under can get a FREE candy item at Kmart January 9. Limit 1. Offer good while supplies last.
January 1, 2016
Happy New Year!
Barely two hours into the new year,
I awoke to a loud noise. Looking out my bedroom window, I could see that a tree had fallen. Seriously? A tree fell? It wasn’t even stormy. It was windy though. Just great! Happy New Year to me. So much for the clean slate and hopeful anticipation of what new and exciting events are to come in 2016. I sincerely hope this isn’t an indication of how the rest of the year is going to go.
I struggled to go back to sleep wondering how on earth I was going to handle this one and if the tree was in position to cause any greater damage. Trying to remain positive, I contemplated what the silver lining was here. Then I contemplated some more. I had nothing. Perhaps I should be grateful to be a strong, determined independent woman. But in all honesty, today, I really didn’t want to be a strong, determined independent woman. I had plenty of other things to do.
Assessing the situation in the morning, my greatest concern was the possibility of the top branches touching the power lines that run through my backyard. Once I was 82.5% sure I wasn’t going to get fried, I pushed on the tree and boy was it heavy. It wasn’t going to budge. I began trimming some of the smaller branches.
Poor Sid was begging to go outside
and explore. While I’m sure he would have loved the chaos, I did not want him in danger. Eventually he did sneak out as I went in and out of the house for tools. At least by then I knew there was no risk of shock, the tree wasn’t going to move, and I could watch where he was and trim accordingly.
I was determined to take care of the tree myself even with my limited arsenal of tree trimming tools. Armed with a pruner, hand saw, reciprocating saw, and a light-weight indoor ladder, I attacked the tree. However, it appears I should have asked Santa for a chainsaw. (Yes, I broke the blade of the reciprocating saw.)
WANTED: Big burly man with the heart of a teddy bear and a chainsaw.
While I was standing on my ladder trimming the smaller branches, I heard a lady across the fence on the horse farm. She expressed concern over why there was a pile of dirt on her side. I went over to where the picket was missing behind the fallen tree. As the tree fell, part of the roots that were on the other side of the fence were uprooted. In the moment, I admittedly felt she was being a bit dramatic about a trivial pile of dirt while I was wrestling an entire tree. As the older woman stood beside her horse, I explained that a tree had fallen. When she suggested that maybe I just push it back up, I realized her perception of things might be a little different than mine. She was friendly and expressed empathy for the loss of the tree. As we visited briefly, I found out she boarded her horse on the farm. She seemed to indicate that her horse was a bit alarmed by the dirt–I’m guessing the horse heard me trimming branches in the tree.
My initial plan of attack was to get the tree down and away from the power lines. However, after talking with my new equestrian friend, Marge, I was more sensitive to the roots which turned out to be a good thing. If I continued trying to get the tree to fall forward by removing the branches propping up the tree, I may have caused more uprooting and possible damage to the fence. So I then went after 
the trunk of the tree. Using an inexpensive, plain Jane hand saw, I cut through the entire trunk! Consequently, my hands are very sore.
My entire body aches for that matter. The “Lumber Jack Workout” seems to be quite effective. So I guess I’m off to a running start on the traditional “get fit” resolution. Just before dark I went back out for one more round. Overall, I’ve made considerable progress, but still have a lot of clean up to do.
As much as I didn’t want to fuss with a fallen tree today, it’s what needed to be done. I confess I chuckled when a friend told me he’d broken the cold water pipe while working on his broken washing machine today. It was a reminder that I am not alone in my trials. We all have our ups and downs in life. I’m grateful for my friends and family who laugh and cry with me along the way–especially Sid who’s always by my side and sees every “tragedy” as a new adventure.
Deals of the Day:
FREE Printable Star Wars R2-D2 3D Papercraft
Build your very own 3D droid compliments of Disney Family. Simply click the above link to print it out, and then have fun constructing your 3D paper version of R2-D2.
FREE BB-8 Headband
January 2 Only: Receive a FREE Star Wars BB-8 headband with an in-store purchase of $10 or more at Petco. Offer good while supplies last. Limit one per customer. Offer good at participating locations.