born to resist...

Shutterfly Cards!

2010-12-06T01:20:00.000-08:00

Fa LaLa Christmas Card

Shop Shutterfly for elegant custom Christmas photo cards.

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Surprised by Grief.

2010-09-16T01:33:00.000-07:00

"

Can I share that I'm surprised by grief? I have not encountered it too often in my life yet. Last month, when my Grandma Hazel passed away, I was in for a surprise. I didn't think that my heart would be so broken by her passing because she was "ready to go" for lack of a better term. When my Mom called me to let me know that my Grandma had indeed passed away, I broke down. I was surprised. I sobbed, uncontrollably. Then for hours I would fine. Then back to sobbing. The next day on my way out to my parent's house, I was fine. While my Mom, Lauren and I went through her few belongings, I broke down. Not right away. We had been joking around, sharing stories, laughing. Then I found a little powder box. It held little trinkets that I would play with at my Grandma's house. I opened it up and the sweet smell of it broke my heart. Big heaving sobs. My Mom then handed me my box of flannel graph Bible figures that my Grandma had kept for me. I showed them to Josiah while I was crying and he started creating a Bible story on the couch with them and I was distracted. I didn't cry again until I got home. I know that at times I'm morose and tired from it.

This last Sunday at church we were singing worship and they started singing How Great Thou Art. The grief hit me. Like a bomb. I remember so many Sundays of sitting in an orange pew between my Grandma and Great-Aunt singing this song.

Grief has surprised me by the way it rolls in and out. Inundating me and then relinquishing it's hold so I can get on with the day. A knot in the back of my throat. A moist eye constant while functioning like a normal person. I realize that I'm in the same boat as every other human being. Nothing new here. I must at this point emphasize hope. The singing of my soul. My yielding to God in a moment where I am unable to contain my praise for Him. He is indeed great, even when I feel awful.

The night that my Grandma died, I was asked the question "What will you ask Jesus when you see Him face to face in heaven?" I answered that I doubted I would have questions, that it would be a succinct fall to the ground in worship and gratitude. I heard Greg Laurie say in November that he felt like heaven was more of a reality now that his son was there. I feel that now. I look forward to that moment of bowing down and worshiping. No sign of grief. No sign of tears. Just me and Jesus.

Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

The Pod People

2010-09-14T02:32:00.000-07:00

There are 3 little "pods" in my driveway. While I would like to make a Invasion of the Body Snatchers comment, I don't really have one. The Brewer clan is once again pulling up stakes, packing up boxes and leaving town. At this point we almost seem nomadic. This is our 6th move in 5 years of marriage (if you count when we moved into our apartment after getting married). The other moves have been to the same general area, near or in Orange County. This move is different, this time we're moving to a city with 3,831,868 other people.

We have given away bags of clothing, furniture, baby items and trinkets we no longer absolutely need. I never thought that at 26, with two kids I would be downsizing and moving into LA. Then again, most of my adventures with Cameron have been unexpected. Cameron and I were both challenged and touched at the story of Francis Chan & his wife downsizing (with 4 kids!) and opening their home to those who don't have much. For some reason, it just made sense to us. You know, in that Holy Spirit could only impress that on your heart sort of way. We don't know exactly where we'll land in LA, that's still up in the air (my hope: Silver Lake :)), but we're praying for a home to welcome people and to have relationships with anyone who comes through the door. The prodigious and organized housing tracks of Orange County sort of give me the creeps. I think the constant noise and distress of a city makes more sense. When I see us in the city, I see our home emitting warmth, glowing out from it into a busy, dark Los Angeles. A place where we are based and where Jesus is the King. Don't get me wrong, I'm well aware of the stress and hardship involved. I also don't think that the Brewers are going to "save" Los Angeles, or even a block of Boyle Heights. What I do know for sure is that Jesus is a transforming power and we're just one more little bit of the body at a church that is going into the city and loving them like they've never seen before.

I just read that only 25% of young people in America are actively involved in church and I'm proud to say that most of our church is young people. Not just in the pews either. They are ushers, parking cars, holding our children, praying with people and giving out information for community groups. These are the same people that meet voluntarily at a local children's hospital to pray for young girl who has cancer. These are no slackers, they are not apathetic, they are a living and active body of Christ in a city that many never consider a real place for a mission. They have a powerful love and desire for Christ that translates into a deep love for people. We've found our home here in an odd series of events that could only be divine.

I know it's confusing to a few of you, but God works like that. Not always appealing to our good sense. Sometimes He tells you to march around the walls with horns, sometimes He tells you to stay with your fiance who is knocked up but you had nothing to do with it (because she's carrying the Messiah) and sometimes He rubs mud in your eyes to make you see. Sometimes He tells you to downsize, get out of the suburbs and to get kicked in the butt daily for Him.

¹⁴"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5

Forever Man.

2010-09-01T01:18:00.000-07:00

C.S. Lewis said it best (of course, right?), "You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body." These mortal transports are merely a blip on the map of our eternal journey. In our very original design, where God walked with us in the garden and we had a perfect communion with Him, we were every bit harmonizing with Him. Never separated, not left behind. Here and now where our broken and sinful natures exist, we are confounded and brutalized by death. If you don't believe that a reigning Christ is on the other side waiting with arms outstretched for you, it's a bleak and horrifying prospect to die. You realize that all of your earthly pursuits mean nothing and were a vain attempt to distract. That you've been so wrapped up in your sin to realize that God has been there the whole time offering you the very life that you've wanted.

Eternity has been set in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We are "forever". We are to be restored and given a home with Jesus, which He has prepared. At some point in my life, my picture of heaven went from being golden streets and doing what I never imagined possible, to falling down and worshipping the Savior that claimed my soul and wrote my name in His book. I look forward to handing my crown right back to Him.

Whether we are believers or not, our souls cry out and ache in every way knowing that someone we love is gone. The only difference is the hope that a Christian has found in the blood of Jesus. I know that someday when I die, I'll see the people that I love the most in heaven. No one can take that away from me. So, today, if you're hurting because you don't know what to expect, let Jesus take care of that. Let Him give you every confidence that death won't sting because He is victorious over it.

and the longer i live
the stronger i feel a
creator put us here
and the day will come,
gravity will run
and we'll meet you in the air
where face to face we will wonder

as the mysteries come undone

and at the end of all our travels
we find our journey's just begun

- Forever Man, Newsboys

Walgreens Win! Complete with Broadway Pizzaz!

2010-08-25T09:24:00.000-07:00

Walgreens was good to me last night. When you're good to mama, mama is good to you. Sorry, I thought I would sprinkle my blog with a little Broadway pizzaz.

Here's what I did in 2 transactions to maximize my savings (you've got to be bold to be a coupon lady):

2 Boxes of Rice Crisipies 2/$5.00

1 Schick Hydro Razor $7.99

Purina One 60 oz Dog Food $1.99

Airwick Mini $4.99

Used:

-$1/2 Boxes of Rice Crispies

-$5/1 Hydro Razor

-Free bag of dog food coupon

-$4/1 Airwick mini

Total: $7.98 (before tax) Got back $4 in Register Rewards

2nd Transaction:

2 Pampers Jumbo Packs

2 Pampers Wipes

Plus 2 filler items: Peanut M&Ms for my loyal co-shopper, Josiah.

Used:

-$3/1 Pampers (from a mailer), $1.50/1 Pampers

-2 Free wipes when you purchase any Pampers diapers

-$4 in Register Rewards from first transaction

Total: $10.48 before tax! Got $3 in Register Rewards back

If I had walked into Walgreens to purchase all of this without coupons & sales, my total would have been: $59.52!!!

Instead I paid $18.46 and got back $3!

Couponing is very, very worth it.

Here's another bit of pizzaz, Broadway style!

(well, not really, I think this was in England, but still... it's Ewan McGregor and Jane Krakowski!)

Grandma Hazel

2010-08-25T01:22:00.000-07:00

Francis Chan has been kicking my butt lately. Every.Stinking.Time.I.Listen.To.Him. The basic equation comes out to: Way more Jesus, way less me.

In that vein, I bring up a difficult situation. My Grandma Hazel is in her last bit of life here on earth. While I'm sad, I'm not torn up. I'm not torn apart. My Grandma believes in Jesus and I think that she's ready to go see Him face to face. I did have a dream about her last night and I woke up recalling sweet memories of being a child in my Grandma's little tiny single wide trailer. I've had to bring these to the surface and remember her for them. You see, my Grandmother wasn't the best Mom to her own children and she was not always the greatest to my Mom later in her life. I didn't know this until I got older and more aware of relationships. But- and I say this with confidence, she was a fantastic Grandma to have as a kid. I think she may have sought certain redemption in us grandkids that she needed after neglecting her own children.

Let me say that my Grandma taught me an incredibly valuable lesson that I carry in my heart to this day. I had a "Jesus Loves the Little Children" book at her house. There was a picture of a little Native American boy with his bow and arrow. I get sort of foggy when I think about what I asked or how it came up, but I asked about "Indians being bad". A very black and white stereotype that I had seen on TV and cartoons. Cowboys were good. Indians were bad. My Grandma Hazel's answer is still very crystal clear to me "It doesn't matter what color skin you have, it's what's on the inside. Everyone is different. Jesus loves them all and so should we." BANG! A lesson in racism from your Grandma! It was simple, it was Christian, it was suitable for my young heart. I couldn't have been more than 5 years old. Knowing now that my Grandma only ever had a middle school edcuation at best, I know that this was her heart speaking. Not anything that had been taught to her. What a simple summation of how to love others & that it's not our job to judge people based on the outside.

Other memories:

-She would make fried Cheerios when I stayed the night. Sounds gross, but it's FANTASTIC.

- Going to church with her on the Church bus. What a treat! No normal car ride to church for me! I'll take the bus with all the Saints Alive Seniors!

-I always slept on a fold out couch at her trailer and one night she sat on the end of the bed and fell through... haha. Awesome.

-She always sent birthday cards with $1 in them.

-When she bought me my favorite teddy bear, Smokey.

-Sitting in church with her and she would slip me some communion, even though I wasn't suppose to have it. Mwahaha.

- She always had Trident gum in her purse and always made sure we got a piece.

-Going to potlucks at her trailer park. Man, it's the best to be a cute little girl with pigtails at a trailer park pot luck and get all the attention from all the other Grandmas!

-When I got my driver's license I would drive her to hair appointments and to lunch dates.

I know that my Grandma was an incredibly flawed person who let her demons and desires get in the way of being the person God wanted her to be. I also know that she did love Jesus. I am glad she was my Grandma. She loved me and I loved her. Someday when we're all in heaven together, maybe she'll make fried Cheerios for me and Jesus.

A conversation between spouses. Part II

2010-08-20T01:54:00.000-07:00

*Background: Our 5th anniversary is this October, so I jokingly sent Cameron a link to Fred Meyer Jewelers where we got our wedding rings from*

Me:http://www.fredmeyerjewelers.com/Categories/EW_AnniversaryRings.aspx
Just thinking.
Cameron:haha
yes you are
Me:I mean, I've managed to stay with you for five years.
Cameron:haha
well we'll see how it goes
haha
Me:i'll get you one, too.
for your pinky
Cameron:YES

I've prayed for God to provide me with an awesome Pinky ring full of diamonds

Me: dear Lord Jesus, please bless this little pinky finger of mine with a plethora of beautiful diamonds to shine with your glory. AMEN.
Cameron: that was my exact prayer
just doing my "praying things into existence" time with God
Me: I love you for saying that.

Don't be like Lot.

2010-08-19T09:19:00.000-07:00

That cat is mostly out of the bag. I mean, it's sort of lounging in it, cleaning it's paws, but everyone knows it's coming.

We're moving to LA. We've been called to minister to the city. It's a little bizarre. A family of four moving from the suburbs to the city, usually it's the other way around. We're downsizing & minimizing. Not exactly "moving on up". However, Cameron and I are both confident that we've been sent into the middle of a city that hugely influences the culture in the rest of the country to be a part of it and show it some love. We've found a fantastic church, Reality LA that LOVES JESUS so much. We were first invited to visit by two people at the Song of Solomon conference in February. They even enthusiastically said: "We even have a children's ministry! It's small, but we have one!" I owe these two volunteers a great deal with changing out lives.

I never thought that I would end up in a big city, they use to give me a huge sense of dread. Even New York City, for all of it's sights, gave me a sense of hopelessness. That would be precisely the reason our family is going to Los Angeles. Too many people are hopeless in the city. When we visit LA now I feel nothing but a peace and love for a town full of the homeless, Scientologist celebrities and people too wrapped up in themselves to care.

The other day Cameron shared with someone that we were going to move to the city. A Christian person. This person decided instead of encouraging Cameron that a slight warning veiled in Biblical imagery would be appropriate: "Just don't be like Lot and be LIKE the city." First of all, no one ever tells the missionary heading into the dark jungles of the Amazon this. When my friend Courtney told me her and her family were going to Peru as missionaries I didn't admonish her with a warning about being like the lost people of Peru. I cheered her on. Second of all, isn't a danger anywhere to turn into the people that you're trying to reach? For instance, if you minister in Orange County, please, for the love of God don't turn into them. They love money, self-importance and status just as much as an Angelino. Too many Christians are afraid of the city & of culture.

While I have no intention of turning into a pillar of salt, we are heading into the city to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Pray for us.

Contributing to the needs of the saints.

2010-08-18T00:54:00.000-07:00

I cannot say enough about the sermon from last Sunday at Reality LA. So good.

Romans 12:13

¹³^(AD) Contribute to the needs of the saints and^(AE) seek to show hospitality.

*Click the picture to be taken to the sermon.

BIG.

2010-08-16T05:53:00.000-07:00

The same power that conquered the grave
Lives in me, Lives in me
Your love that rescued the earth
Lives in me, lives in me

Singing this on Sunday morning reminded me of how powerful Christ is. That everything about the gospel is transforming. Everything about falling in love with Jesus and Him rescuing you is BIG. The very power of God that said "I choose to give these humans another chance because I am Love" is the unchangeable power that I accepted into my heart when I was 3.

Walter's Women's wear.

2010-08-16T05:09:00.000-07:00

I went shopping at Old Navy on Saturday and I found a Women's Camper Style Twill Vest.

So, if you're a woman on the go who wants to really capture the spirit of Walter Sobchak in your casual wear, this is the vest for you!

In Christ Alone

2010-08-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

Penny Lane Brewer.

2010-08-12T23:52:00.000-07:00

Heavy morning. If I don't write about it, I'll be wading through the muck of my emotions the rest of the day.

If you read my blog you know that I'm a huge animal lover, as in I give my pets middle names. We also celebrate birthdays and they get Christmas gifts. Today came with a dark cloud (the date seems appropriate enough). Cameron is having Penny, our dog, put to sleep right now. It wasn't an easy decision to make, it wasn't fun, it was prayed over, we talked about it often and have made previous vet visits. She was becoming more and more aggressive. She's gone after other dogs and animals. On top of the aggressive behavior she was in severe pain, even with the meds we gave her. She's had hip displacia since we got her. She also had arthritis in her joints.

As parents we felt like we were obligated to keep our kids safe even if she has never lashed out at the kids or any other person. We couldn't let it get to that point. She has always been super sweet with the kids, loved them, played with them and protected them. It's just too scary to think about what could happen if she got worse. Would I rather feel a little guilty about putting a dog to sleep or would I rather live with the lifetime of guilt for one of my kids being injured by a dog? I know we've made the right decision.

Penny was "our" first dog. We got Penny while I was pregnant with Josiah. We had to come all the way out to Corona from Rancho Santa Margarita because no on in Orange County wanted to let a pregnant person adopt a dog. It was also very, very expensive to even get a little dog in OC. I found Penny's picture online and the price was right, $15. Someone had brought her to the shelter and she was already fixed and had her vaccines. She's not the brightest crayon in the box, but she was a good companion dog. While we lived with Cameron's parents she rode in the car everywhere with me, I needed a co-pilot and Penny fit the description. When Josiah arrived she was calm and good natured toward him and was thrilled when he could play with her or pet her. She was sweet to both the kids and I'm sure would have taken a chunk out of any bad guy that tried anything with them. It was her personal duty to protect them in the yard.

It's hard to be a grown up and to have ugly responsibilities. Especially when it comes to your pets. I'm trying to focus on the positive. I'm glad we were able to rescue Penny, make her comfortable, give her love and lots of treats. Her life could have been far worse. She didn't have a good chance of being adopted when we picked her out. She was older, bigger and not that great looking. I suppose I should be glad that we were able to give that to her. I think her buddy Earl might be sad for awhile. He loved Penny. I'm not looking forward to the rest of this day.

Even though Penny wasn't the *best* dog in the world, I'm going to miss her.

Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms. ~George Eliot

Bronchitis

2010-08-12T02:15:00.000-07:00

My lungs went all haywire on me and decided to get bronchitis. They are so on my list. Jerks. I went to urgent care on Tuesday and came out with prescriptions. Being the good coupon queen that I am, I actually used a coupon when I got my antibiotics & expectorant. FUN! I got a $25 CVS gift card with my new prescription. There's always a silver lining in coupon land. While coughing my brains out, I was gloating in my savings. It all evens out.

(For the two prescriptions we paid $20.00, we got back $25. It was a $5.00 money maker if you look at it in coupon terms!)

My incredible husband held down the fort while I was confined to my quarters. I feel guilty when he does this because it is only on the rarest occasion that he gets sick. Oh, and when he's sick he doesn't let me take care of him. He'll be sick in bed one minute and then doing something crazy like mowing the lawn because it needs to be done. You can't hold that man down to save his life.

I found a website that I read most of while I was sick. Findadeath.com. Yes. You read that right. I was reading a website about celebrity deaths. Not just for the death information, but actually for the information about what these people were like in their real lives. Most of the dead are old time actors/actresses. Some of them have a very dramatic exit (Jayne Mansfield) & some don't (Bob Hope). If there was foul play involved, I love reading about forensics and police work. Don't judge me. Or do. Whatevs.

That is my little update on the past few days. To sum it up: lungs broken, coupons good, husband incredible, and dead people website.

Princess Mae.

2010-08-05T02:06:00.000-07:00

A conversation between spouses.

2010-07-28T07:22:00.000-07:00

Online conversation:

**This was all sparked by Cameron telling me he'd like my hair dyed red, like when we met ( á la Kirsten Dunst in Spiderman) & so I figured I'd go for something I liked. **

Me: I'll get red hair and you can get a motorcycle. ( I sent him this picture)

Fair enough.

Cameron: ha

Me: Bwaha.

Cameron: I would love to get a motorcycle

Me:I know.My libido would not mind you getting a motorcycle. My wife brain on the other hand, might get a little panic-y.

Cameron: ha. don't worry. we can't afford one

Me: What? We're not millionaires?

Cameron: sorry to let you know of that

Me: Boo.

We're funny.

Another reason to love denim shirts...

2010-07-17T01:14:00.000-07:00

...Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart. Which, by the way, is crazy good.

Daggett.

2010-07-16T01:21:00.000-07:00

There have been many cats in my life. Cats of all sizes. Cats of all temperaments. Cats of all colors. However, there has only been one Daggett. He was, at his heaviest, 35 pounds. An orange orb of a feline that had a meow the size of a kitten's. It was the first week of 9th grade when my Mom took all four of us down to a pet store on the boulevard to pick out a kitten. My brother, Andy instantly had his eye on a sassy pumpkin-colored kitten. We named him Daggett Norbert Berry. We were big fans of Angry Beavers, if you couldn't tell. Daggett was a scrappy kitten. He would chase Andy across the living room- he always did like Andy best. They've had a special bond from the beginning. I think Daggett always knew it was Andy who picked him. Daggett became the man of a thousand names, his most well known moniker being "Babyman". I started calling him "Sugar-booby" after watching some sort of Beach/Surfer/1960's movie where a mobster called his girlfriend that. It just seemed appropriate. We would have informal naming competitions and see what we could come up with for him. He was an excellent muse.

I don't know at what point Daggett became a fat cat. I was in 10th grade, I think. He was monsterous. Placed on several diets, nothing seemed to really lower the numbers on the scale for Babyman. That didn't matter though, you see, Daggett had a woman. She loved him no matter the size. My Mom found Weezer in the parking lot at church on a Tuesday night. I came back out to the car to get a drink of soda and there was my Mom feeding a stray, fluffy white cat part of her Del Taco burrito. I dubbed her Weezer after the CD sitting on the dashboard. Weezer and Daggett became inseperable. Even when Weezer had a litter of kittens (not fathered by Daggett, who sadly had nothing but a pair of fluff balls), Daggett took care of them when Weezer became ill. He did draw the line at nursing them. He wasn't quite equipped for that.

Daggett was a star in our household. Friends would tell other friends about the monstrosity that was Babyman and tell them to ask to see him next time they were over. He would come mosey on out from somewhere to the shock and delight of everyone who saw him. People were drawn to him... he was a very charismatic dude. My kids could not get enough of him, I think they liked him because he was the only cat who couldn't get away from them. He was also the only cat that could act as a beanbag chair. He was tolerant and loving, even of the youngest cat admirer.

Yesterday I got a text from my Mom that Babyman has gone onto the big cat heaven in the sky. I don't feel like I got to give him a proper good-bye the last time I saw him. I knew he was going to the vet, but I thought "Oh, I'll see him again." So I gave him my typical greeting and loves, but not a proper good-bye. I'm sort of kicking myself for that. Daggett has been there through all of my major life events the past 12 years. High school dances, break-ups, meeting Cameron, getting married, having babies, etc. When I told Josiah about Daggett, he cried and said "Can we just look at pictures of him?" To make me feel better Cameron told me this: "Daggett didn't go to domestic cat heaven. He went to big cat heaven, with the panthers and lions." I couldn't agree more.

Daggett was a common thread for our whole family. That might seem extreme to some of you, but you probably aren't really pet people. We are. Every animal that comes through our lives has a personality, an attitude and place in our hearts. None of them bigger and badder than Babyman.

I'll miss you Sugar-Booby.

We don't need no education.

2010-07-15T03:35:00.000-07:00

I was just thinking about the first time I watched The Wall. I was in high school and my Mom rented it for me. Half way through my Dad said "This is totally different when you're not stoned."

Of all the amazing imagery in that movie, the part that sticks with me the most is when Pink shaves his nipples off.

Quality time with Mom & Dad.

Freaks and Geeks

2010-07-13T02:06:00.000-07:00

Since I starting watching Freaks & Geeks, I've had a few dreams where I was back in high school. In one such dream I was riding on the bus with James Franco's character, Daniel (he doesn't ride the bus anyway) and he was totally crushin' on me, but I was like "No way. I'm going to get married someday." I love that my dreams are still incredibly grounded in reality. I'm so sensible.

It seems that all my favorite shows are cancelled or they get cancelled and then return many years later (I'm looking at you FUTURAMA!). In my adulthood I'm discovering that most TV genius is not truly appreciated by the masses. How could pure brilliance like Arrested Development only last 3 seasons? Freaks and Geeks only one? It's unfair. I'm also wondering why these shows were on when I was in high school and really didn't watch TV? I would have been one more audience member! I would urge you to watch Freaks and Geeks. It's. just. so. good.

P.S. For those of you that fall into the "geek" category, F&Gs has the special bonus of including guest stars Joel Hodgson & Trace Beaulieu.

SCORES

2010-07-08T02:46:00.000-07:00

A few good scores this week while shopping:

At Vons on Saturday, I stocked up on meat. I got $50 worth of meat for $17.21!!

I got 3 free boxes of Crystal Light at Target with my Vocal Point coupons. They were on price cut for $1.97, the coupons were $2/1

2 Gallons of milk at CVS using ECBs & Real California Milk Coupons for $1.48

Frozen Veggies at Henry's from Cascadian Farms for .50¢ each with coupons.

Healthy Choice Frozen Meals for .95¢ each at Target!

Armor All Tire Shine & Clean Wipes at Target for .49¢ each! They are normally $5.00 each.

Johnson's & Johnson's Baby oil for .33¢ at Target

I even hit up the Kmart doubler event at my local store. I'm not a big fan of Kmart, they seem to be rather mamby pamby with their coupon policies and their employees are not terribly informed about events and policies. I braved my store and walked out with free Advil PM, Gilette Body wash for .49¢ each and Secret Deodorant for .79¢. The cashier that helped me was very sweet, but knew nothing of the event until she talked to a manager. I can't say so much for the gathering of other employees at the customer service desk... I just can't stand professionalism. They were standing around chatting about personal things that weren't appropriate for work. I went online to fill out a survey from my receipt and let Kmart know, and their customer service actually called and apologized for the experience I had! That shocked me! I'm really glad they did, it gives me more confidence in the corporation.

Oh- tomorrow the kids and I are hitting up Chick-fil-A for their cow appreciation day. If you dress like a cow, you get a free meal! If you "accessorize" with cow items, you get a free entree. If you need a little help, they have a "cow kit" online for you to print out. Have fun!

Girly.

2010-06-29T08:21:00.000-07:00

It's slowly dawning on me that I will soon have a 2 year old. I've had one before, but I traded him in for a 3 year old. Baby Mae will no longer truly be Baby Mae.

Today Mae decided to injure herself. I think she over extended her knee or something (as diagnosed by Dr. Nichole Baird over Facebook). She came limping in to me. She couldn't bear any weight on it. For as dainty as Mae pretends to be, she is brutal. She has injured herself numerous times and done a good job at it. She may like Princesses, but she will take you down like Hulk Hogan. She seriously walked out of one room, into another, whimpered a little and came out limping. Less than 30 seconds folks and I've got a potential crisis on my hands. To distract her I sat her in the tub with me while I showered. After I was done, I took her out, wrapped her in a towel and propped her on the counter. I grabbed the hair dryer out of the drawer and proceeded to blow dry my 2 year old's very curly, very crazy hair. It was straight! She kept looking at herself in the mirror and saying "Hair?".

Let me just say that the sheer joy that I experienced while blow drying my daughter's hair was ridiculous. I revel in having a little girl. I thought the feeling would fade, but I adore all things girly for her. The day we found out we were having a girl, I rushed to Babies R Us and bought dresses. Her closet was constantly re-organized & planned for optimum outfit choosing before she was born. I packed her diaper bag full for the hospital because I wanted to dress her up! I bought hair bands, socks, shoes, dresses, even an newborn infant sized bathing suit that she wore only twice. When I would get her ready for the first few weeks of her life, it took me 20 minutes to chose what she was going to wear. It was very carefully coordinated. I still am purely delighted when I buy her clothes or dress her up. She loves to have her nails painted, her hair done and to wear something "pretty" as she says. She is that girl. The girl that I prayed for and I wanted so very much. I am grateful for her, even if she is a little monster sometimes. Let's not sugarcoat that... ;) Here's to Princess Mae!

Fantastic.

2010-06-28T11:14:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am distracted by Star Wars. Don't judge me.

Wordless Wednesday: Josiah the Storyteller.

2010-06-23T03:21:00.000-07:00

Fight! Fight! Fight!

2010-06-22T09:48:00.000-07:00

I got in an internet fight today.

Shame one me.

I'm not usually that person.
In the end I was told I was judgmental. That it wasn't a Christian's job to tell another Christian when they're screwing up. Basically I was being judged by someone else who thought I was being judgmental. Does that make sense? Well, anyway I thought I would post my response to this person who told me that "it wasn't our job to tell people their sins, it was Christ's job." It is slightly edited to take out a few personal notes that wouldn't be appropriate on here.

I initially responded this post left about Constance McMillin (a lesbian student who was denied entry to her own prom with her girlfriend, she is now being honored at the White House):

she should stay at the wh with all the other freaks [sic]

Here's my response:

@Robin Really? That's what you have to say to someone who is probably very confused & very hurt? You are the person that gives the rest of us a bad name. I'm not quite sure where in the Bible it says to make fun of a teenager who is confused & hurting.. I just looked at your Facebook page to see if you were a young, naive person who was trying to be funny. You're not. You're an adult. You need to spiritually and emotionally grow up.
Don't be so horrible. See people the way Jesus would. Call them out on their sin, but love them.

Then someone else joined the conversation and decided to let me know that I was judgmental:

Sounds like a whole lot of judgement is being flung between those who are commenting and towards this girl. We are not called to judge. To simply be examples in the world and to have our actions speak as Christ does to our heart. People need to look at their logs before pointing out splinters. Myself included... PS it isn't our job to "call ppl out" on their sin. That's Christ's job. You wouldn't walk up to a random person in the store and "show them right vs wrong" so why do it when you have a screen to hide behind..

My response:

Here's the thing, we're told to call other Christians to the mat when they're doing something wrong. That's Biblical (1 Corinthians 4:14). There is a big difference between saying I was judging someone and knowing that I was admonishing (the origin of the word admonish is "to urge by warning") them.
I am not someone who comments on FB pages like this. I usually ignore them. While I felt passionate about the subject, I did not write my comment with any malice or lack of knowledge about the log in my own eye. (I'm the first to realize my own state of sin nature and that I would not be who I am but by the Grace of God).
Perhaps I didn't use the right word, but we aren't suppose to just "be OK" with someone's sin. But we are suppose to love them and show them every compassion. We shouldn't compromise on someone's sin.
I'm thinking of Jesus and the adulteress from John 8. Jesus gives us a great example of how to love a sinner being attacked by the religious. In verse 11, he doesn't condemn her, he forgives her, but he tells her to sin no more. That's what I was going for. Sorry if that got lost in my writing.
Phew. That's quite a bit out of me. Back to Mommy duties. ;)

I thought I did alright. I used the Bible, I was nice. I tried to give it a little levity at the end. A good message board troll I would not make.

I'm done. Done for the night.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it.

2010-06-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

Come Thou Fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
Mount of God's unchanging love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

Downey softness!

2010-06-15T04:37:00.000-07:00

My husband made this with his mad photoshopping skills.

We glued it to a bottle of Downy softener and gave it to my Mom. I think I may have found a weird little fan niche to fill.

Christine.

2010-06-15T04:10:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite words? Macabre. Isn't it just fantastic? Dark, eery. It looks just like it's meaning. Shudder inducing isn't it? I concur. I enjoy the macabre on occasion. Especially if the Captain of the Macabre ship is Mr. Stephen King (Can I just say that Macabre would be a super name for a yacht?). Some of you might find that odd. Little ole' Leigh? Yes. I don't take my vampires sparkling & full of angst. I take them deadly.

I haven't read one of his books since last summer (Duma Key) & to kick off my summer reading list I'll pick up Christine. I haven't read this one all the way through, yet. Want to know the best part? The heroine is named LEIGH. Want to know who was reading the book in 1984 & decided to pick that name in case her unborn baby was a girl? My mom. I may have brought that up before in this blog, but I wanted to point it out again since I'm reading the book. My namesake is a Stephen King character. I think that's fantastic on all levels.

Far off I can hear the nay-sayers. "How could you read King? He's demonic!" Quite the contrary. I find Stephen King to be quite Christian-esque. Especially in The Stand. Forget Left Behind. Read The Stand. I also found a lot of "comfort" in 'Salem's Lot when Cameron's family was going through a tragedy. In so many of his stories there is a choice to be made: right or wrong, good or evil, all about yourself or all about others. I even find the difference between religious and "spiritual" (for lack of a better term) a common literary thread in his books. Obviously Mr. King's view of the world and mine conflict at points, but I glean where I can and I find his books to be a fruitful place.

I'm off to read Christine. It's an original paper back copy from 1983. It smells fantastic, like an old book should. The book is even dedicated to George Romero. Summer reading. Macabre summer reading. Nothing better.

The Big Donut.

2010-06-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

Our weekend did not go as planned. Cameron was suppose to hike all weekend and come back on Sunday afternoon. On Saturday afternoon I got a phone call from him (it scared me a little) saying they couldn't keep going, there was too much snow. My Dad was gracious enough to drive up to Angelus Oaks and recover Cameron and Jeremy (and Emmerson the dog).

Cameron decided to go polar opposite of seclusion in nature and Sunday morning we went to Los Angeles. We got to church for their 12 o'clock service. That, to me, is brilliant. If your church is comprised of mostly young, single people who live in a big city, you probably should have an afternoon service. We dropped the kids off and went to service. I attempted to take notes on my iPhone after realizing that I had no paper to write on. If you have ever sat through a church service, class, or anything with me where someone is talking, you know I take notes like crazy. It's how I pay attention. I really needed to pay attention to this service, too. There were bits in there about Leviticus, sacrifices, the categories of animal sacrifices, God's atonement, etc. Pretty cerebral/theological/note worthy sermon. You can listen to other sermons from Reality LA here.

We ate at Poquito Mas which is delicious Baja taco stand heaven located in Burbank. It was a bitter sweet visit, only a short year ago we ate there after seeing one of Conan's first tapings of THE TONIGHT SHOW. My ahi ahi taco just wasn't as sweet this time...

Since we can't just go to LA and come back, I talked my husband into driving me to The Standard Hotel. It was on the way to the giant donut, so really I was quite justified in wanting to go. **Read that last sentence again. It really makes you think about my sanity and whether or not I'm Homer Simpson** If you don't know, that's where parts of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang were filmed. I stopped by to see if Batman & Iron Man were hanging around. They weren't. I took some pictures. Sent them to my Mom. Zing.

Next we were off to the big donut. The big donut (AKA Randy's Donuts) is nowhere near other iconic things in Los Angeles. If you were to believe movies, it's next to the Staples center, down the street from the Kodak theater and underneath the Hollywood sign. Josiah was thrilled with the donut. He kissed me several times once he woke up and saw it. He wasn't even disappointed that Iron Man wasn't sitting in it. It took us 20 minutes to get 2 donuts. There were two women working & only one of them was serving donuts, the other one was making them. This was quite the rag-tag operation. It works for them, obviously. They have 2 drive up windows and a walk up. The lines at each of the windows was fairly epic. Not Pink's Hot Dogs epic, but close. Here's another movie shock- you cannot sit down inside of Randy's donuts. That whole Nicky Fury/Natasha Romanoff/Tony Stark meeting did not go down there. Personally, I find it sad. You, personally, might find it sad that the most unrealistic part of a superhero movie to me is that you can't dine in at Randy's donuts.

Once again we had a fun LA adventure. It's pretty swell to live so close.

Why couponing is worth it.

2010-06-07T02:54:00.000-07:00

I love, love, love my mailbox.

I got a mailer from Kraft First Taste. It has 6 coupons and they were all for a free product:

-Kool-Aid Fizz

- Homestyle Mac & Cheese Dinner

- Digiorno Pizza

-Kraft Cheese 100 calorie packs

-Deli Fresh Meat

-Ritz Crackerfuls

Strippers.

2010-06-07T02:10:00.000-07:00

I've highlighted the Treasures Ministry before, but I received an e-mail from Harmony Dust who founded the ministry. I had to share this e-mail.

STRIP CLUBS & BAPTISMS

7 years ago, during Treasures first ever Vegas outreach, we met Abby*. A bright young woman, full of life and personality in spite of having faced some very painful circumstances in her life, she had just entered the sex industry.
This is perfect, I thought. Perhaps after meeting the Treasures team, she will decide to leave the industry before she gets too deep into it-- before it gets too deep into her.
The journey that has followed has caused me to practice everything I preachLoving people right where they are at, trusting that God will do a work in their heart as they draw near to Him, knowing that it is His goodness that leads people to change.
I would ask God, What do you want me to say to Abby?
Nothing. Just listen, He would speak to my heart.
In the past 7 years, there were moments when I had the opportunity to tell her how much God loves her or to pray with her about a challenge she was facing. I have to admit, there were times when I thought to myself, Okay God
I know that healing is a journey, and that I am supposed to love people where they are at
but 7 years?
He would remind me that His love is unfailing, unchanging, unrelenting, unstoppable, and that I am to love as He does.
This weekend, Gods work in Abbys heart had our team in tears. She let us know that she wasnt going into work, despite it being a potentially lucrative holiday weekend and that she just wanted to be around us. So she joined in all of our activities for the weekend. During our volunteer prayer, she jumped in and asked us to pray for her. Before we prayed, she turned to me with tears in her eyes and said, Every night when I show up at work, I pray that the Prince song will come on because I want to leave like you did, Harmony.
I literally started balling. I couldnt even hold back the tears if I wanted to. Because I know that she was referencing a pivotal moment in my own life when the Prince song Purple Rain came on, and I had an encounter with God in the middle of the strip club. It was at that moment that I left the industry.
We all cried and prayed with Abby. We told her that Gods plans for her are good and encouraged her that He would make a way for her, just as He made a way for me.
The next day, Abby asked us to come to church with her and was delighted to show up with an entourage of girls. That day, she told us that she wanted to be baptized but had no one to cheer her on they day her church offered baptisms. She asked if I would be willing to do the honors of baptizing her. So, with her Treasures family cheering loudly at the hotel pool, Abby was baptized!
I love that God loves us and meets us right where we are atin strip clubs and hotel swimming pools, whether we are still dealing with pride or envy
or strippingHe loves us and He always shows up! He is unrelenting in His pursuit of us and I am honored to witness His pursuit of Abby and the beautiful work He is doing in her life.

Love, Harmony & The Treasures Team

God is good and knows when lives will change. Thank you Jesus for this ministry and the women who are your hands and feet. These women go places where most of us would rather judge.

If you'd like a simple way to help Treasures, you can put their non-profit on your Ralphs card and whenever you shop there, Ralphs will donate to them. Click here.

Red Tomato.

2010-06-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

I finally have a red tomato. Hoorah! Just in time for summer. These tomato plants are actually volunteers which makes me a pretty magical gardner.

30 Movie questions.

2010-06-04T01:32:00.000-07:00

1. Last movie you saw that you liked.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

2. A movie with your favorite cast.

Roman Holiday. Gregory+Audrey.

3. A movie you’re looking forward to see.

Toy Story 3
4. A movie by your favorite director.

Bottle Rocket.

5. A movie you know by heart.

Moulin Rouge!

6. Your favorite tearjerker.

NOTEBOOK.

7. A movie that blew you away.

Zombieland.
8. A feel good movie.

Zoolander.
9. The most aesthetically pleasing movie you’ve seen.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind & Moulin Rouge.
10. A movie you’ve seen countless times.

Moulin Rouge. Iron Man.

11. A movie that kept you on the edge of your seat.

The Shining. Even though I know the ending.
12. A movie you wish more people would see.

Big Fish.

13. A movie you think is overrated.

I think most movies are overrated.

14. Favourite movie from your childhood.

The Little Mermaid

15. Favourite movie franchise.

That's tough. Star Wars most likely. The old ones.

16. Favourite movie based on a true story.

Star Wars. Oh wait. Um, I just watched Chaplin. That was pretty fantastic.

17. Favourite movie based on a novel.

Fight Club. Best book to movie transfer.

18. Favourite animated movie.

Sleeping Beauty.

19. Favourite movie based on a comic.

Watchmen.

20. A movie with the best soundtrack.

Moulin Rouge. School of Rock.

21. A guilty pleasure movie.

Any horrible documentary about Courtney Love & Kurt Cobain.

22. Favourite musical.

The Music Man & Moulin Rouge.

23. Favourite foreign movie.

The French version of Beauty & The Beast that was made right after WW2.

24. A movie everyone hates but you.

Does Plan 9 count?

25. Favourite classic movie.

Roman Holiday.

26. Your favourite comedy.

Waiting for Guffman

27. A movie from your favourite actor/actress.

I've already put those on the list.

28. A movie that has had a huge impact on you.

The Princess Bride. I was 8 the first time I saw it and it still just *gets* me.

29. Favourite character from a movie.

Corky St. Clair from Waiting for Guffman. Princess Anne from Roman Holiday.

30. If you could preserve one movie for future generations, what movie would that be?

The Big Lebowski. ;)

This is how I choose to start my day.

2010-06-03T23:51:00.000-07:00

LASERBLAST!

I'm a loser, baby.

2010-06-03T09:39:00.000-07:00

Puck. Puck. Puck. I love you because you look like a little baby Peter Furler who is cruel to others.

Crazymom-fan

2010-06-03T04:10:00.000-07:00

I'm officially a crazy mom-fan of Dave Grohl. I found a link of him singing at the White House and now it's on a Dave Grohl fansite.

Click the picture and it will take you to the website- where you will find my name. Because I'm a crazy fan. If there had been internet when I loved JTT*- I would have been all up on the crazy fan sites.

*I have to explain that I loved Jonathon Taylor Thomas. I had a poster of him above my bed. I was 12. Here's a picture of my Home Improvement hunk of Teen Beat magazine goodness:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="371" caption="90's vest and all. Oh and I'm pretty sure that bouquet is for me."][/caption]

for your viewing pleasure.

2010-06-02T07:22:00.000-07:00

Have I told you lately that I love the following:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="432" caption="I have this in my living room."][/caption]

Yes please to Disney art.

My new favorite website.

2010-06-01T00:37:00.000-07:00

This makes me laugh uncontrollably.

There's a whole Tumblr of RDJ Creeper pictures. There's a Jude Law one, too. But nothing is funnier than Creeper RDJ.

Enjoy.

DNA.

2010-05-28T03:38:00.000-07:00

Magnify.

2010-05-27T01:47:00.000-07:00

I wanted to have a profound post about something when I found this amazing picture. Doesn't it just cry out to be used in a blog about examining ourselves, our Christian walks or the lives of others? Yet I have no such fuel! That's maybe a lesson in and of itself. Don't start your sermon/Bible Study/series based on an image, an idea. Start your sermon/Bible Study/series from the word of God. You probably won't fall short of ideas or prodding from Mr. Holy Ghost.

P.S. If you'd like to purchase this for me, it's available at Anthropologie for a mere $20.00. At Anthropologie that's chump change.

VOODOOOOOO

2010-05-24T01:51:00.000-07:00

Mae is very into The Princess and the Frog. I saw it a couple of times in the theater and now we own it. I'm pleasantly surprised by Disney return to classically drawn animation. This morning while I was watching part of it with her, I looked up on Wikipedia to see if there were hidden Disney in-jokes. I had plainly seen the Carpet from Aladdin in the scene of New Orleans life. While reading the article about the movie, it had brought up Christian reviews of the film. Not unlike our knack for hate mail , we love to hate on Disney. Love to. Especially Baptists. When I was 13 I went to Walt Disney World. My Grandma Berry, who is very much a Baptist, gave each of my siblings $20 for souvenirs. Not to be spent on anything Disney. That is very difficult to do when you are in the middle of Walt Disney World and you can't drive.

Some of the phrases that the Christian reviews had utilized to describe my toddler's favorite movie:

"it's the use of voodoo that ultimately reveals the movie's hollow, thoughtless core."

"Offensive"

"dark and demonic"

Yipes. I am checking under Mae's bed for voodoo paraphernalia.

I'm going to tread carefully here. I know that there is a Biblical backing for warnings against magic, sorcery, etc. I will press onward though and look into why we hate so much on some movies and not others.

Reading about the lack of Christian love for Princess and the Frog, I instantly thought about why we weren't up in arms about the following Disney movies:

-101 Dalmations: That lady is going to kill and skin puppies for a coat. Here children, gather round. Watch this terrifying attempted assault on God's creations.

-Aladdin: He has a genie. That's almost like asking a false god for help. He also has a monkey. That bothers me personally.

- The Little Mermaid: Full on under the sea witchcraft! Ursuala uses witchcraft. Does it not count if it's water logged witch craft?

- Beauty and the Beast: She falls in love with an animal. I'm pretty sure that's in the Bible & a huge no-no.

- Snow White: She's single and she's shackin' up with not one, but SEVEN dudes.

-Mulan: Cross dressing. That is all.

-Cinderella: There's some bippity-boppity magic in there, but it's pretty magic so it must be OK.

-Alice In Wonderland: I'm pretty sure there's drug use in this movie. That could just be the Baptist coming out in me.

-Robin Hood: He was not rendering under Caesar what was Caesars. Plus that Friar was probably Catholic. All of us protestants know they are up to no good.

I can take any Disney movie and point at magic in it. I can point at witch craft. I can point to very humanistic ideas & romantic ideals. Those are all things that I as an adult do not believe in despite being raised on a heavy dose of Disney. Why are we so very afraid of voodoo (who do? you do. remind me of the babe.)? Let's not forget that our wonderful ally in Jesus, Pat Robertson blamed the earthquake in Haiti on a pact with the devil and voodoo. Quite the stellar theologian.

The flip side of this is that there are magical movies that Christians really, really dig:

LORD OF THE RINGS

CHRONICLES OF NARNIA

I have heard both of these used in multiple sermons on multiple occasions. Clearly because they were written by Christian men they are fair for sermon fodder. If I'm not mistaken Gandalf was a wizard & there was a witch in Narnia. Look out! I might start practicing my wizardry (YOU SHALL NOT PASS!) and heading out to battle orcs on my way to Mordor. Getting a tattoo in elvish is right up there with getting one in Greek or Hebrew.

If you are finding this a little snarky*, I apologize. It's just one more of those fearful things that Christians do that make us look like a bunch of hand-wringers looking for something to complain about. If we're going to complain about magic, let's make it equal opportunity complaining. Actually, let's stop complaining all together and do something with that energy. Like dressing up for Comic Con in our Frodo costume and handing out tracts that show people the way to Jesus through the story of The Fellowship.

Let your daughters enjoy the newest Disney movie. I don't think they'll be asking for tarot cards or even worse: HARRY POTTER BOOKS! They might want to dress up a little, wear a crown and someday fall in love with someone. That doesn't sound so terrible to me. I'm also going to make sure that they understand Jesus & how life really works. Our God is bigger, scarier, and more hardcore than anything a Disney imagineer could come up with. I'm not worried. I'm a little more concerned about real life problems, sin and evil. Most of those don't even have a hint of magic or voodoo to them. They are common place and happen everyday in this world.

*"SNARKY" is a nonsense word by none other than Lewis Carroll. That's probably pretty evil, too because he wrote about magical things.

New blog design.

2010-05-22T06:06:00.000-07:00

Did you notice? I finally took the time to find a blog layout that I like. Enjoy.

I hope all 3 of you enjoy the new design. Hopefully it makes getting around the blog a little easier and hopefully the design is easy on the eye.

Being judged for your parenting.

2010-05-11T01:03:00.000-07:00

Last night I took Josiah to see Iron Man 2. Yeah, I know. It's PG-13. I'm aware of explosions and the few bad words. I already saw it, I knew when the bad words were coming. I know what my child can handle. The kid has seen Star Wars, I think he can do comic book robot violence. Before we went to the theater, I stopped by Vons to get some snacks and pick up juice. There was a Mom behind me in line, who's eyes I could feel burning into the back of my skull. She had to of been an Orange County transplant. She had on a huge winter jacket for the mild cold that was outside (this is a yearly phenomena in the OC, right when everyone who lives in real weather need jackets and coats, the Orange County Housewives bust our their winter wear despite the 80 degree weather). She also looked way too put together to be at the grocery store. Josiah was very, very excited to see Iron Man and kept getting out of the cart. At one point he fell out of the car part of the cart.

"UH-OH!" She exclaimed. I looked down at him and he smiled I told Orange County housewife:

"He's fine. He's smiling."

"Well that's a good sign." she says.

At this point I'm realizing that she thinks I'm a bad parent. I ignore her and hand my coupons over. I'm sure that offended her sensibilities,too. You only love your family if you pay full price, right? The cashier is talking to me and asks how my Mother's Day was and I let him know it was good and then I tell him Josiah and I are on our way to see Iron Man.

"How old is he?" OC face asks.

"He's 3."

Now she's really onto me. I'm taking him to a blowing-up movie. I had just clarified to the cashier I had already seen the movie and knew when to cover his eyes and ears. Here's the kicker- Josiah had a Star Wars gun with him. I'm sure her pedicured & manicured sons were not allowed to play manly and have a gun (NOTE: I have seen small boys getting manicures when we lived in OC). My son had also dressed himself for this outing. Flannel shirt. Shorts on backwards. Shark slippers that light up. PERFECT. I have bigger fish to fry, why do battle about wardrobe?

After paying .23¢ for 5 bottles of juice & snacks for the movies (BOOYAH!), we were out the door. As I was loading my bundle of Iron Man energy into the car, I could feel her staring at me from across the parking lot. I felt like giving her the one finger salute. Who the heck did she think she was? Hasn't she ever seen an excited kid before (I'm sure if her kids get excited, she just medicates them)?

This whole experience didn't really make me mad, I actually enjoyed it. I was having fun being a parent, my kid was behaving, but being a boy. She probably had so many standards for her kids and they way the looked, what they wore, what toys they had that were all very superficial. She didn't approve of me. That was quite obvious. I don't care. Sorry Orange County Housewife. Sorry I offended you........ *not really* Mwahahaha.

Target shopping.

2010-05-08T05:11:00.000-07:00

My husband got my blog back up. He's a computer magician & through the miracle of internet/Tron, I have my blog back. I did have a little "in the mean time" blog at Wordpress.

To celebrate my return from whence I came (it's from Arrested Development), I thought I would post a little shopping trip I did last night at Target.

I had a $20 gift card and wanted to see how far I could stretch it. Here's what I did:

That's $43.00 worth of groceries that I got for $19.53 ($16.95 before tax). These are all items that we need or will need in the future. Here's what I paid for everything

-Johnson & Johnson baby lotion for .54¢

-Aveeno Baby lotion for $2.47

-Women's One a Day vitamins for .99¢

-Palmolive Pure & Clear Dish Soap for .74¢

-Satin Gel Shaving Gel for .44¢

-Ziploc storage containers for $1.02/each

-Revlon Emery boards for $1.19 (I realized she didn't take the other coupon to make it .19 cents. I'll take these back I think.)

-Seventh Generation Cleaner for .99¢

-Starbucks Via Readybrew for $1.50

-Meow Mix for $1.94

-BIC Pens for .02¢

-Tidy Cats for .77¢

-Light bulbs (I grabbed the wrong ones, they should been free, but they rang up for $1.99)

- Cat Treats for .33¢/each

-Reynolds Foil for $1.75

-Mustard pack for .97¢

Free Shopping trip.

2010-04-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted a coupon/savings blog in awhile. So, I thought I would post one today about my "FREE SHOPPING SPREE".

I went to 3 stores (I went to Vons to get eggs, but that doesn't count- I did pay only .59¢ for them, though): Target, CVS & Wal-Mart. They are all on the same street so I used hardly any gas.

Wal-Mart was easy, I grabbed 6 cans of Mighty Dog food for .57¢/each. I had a save $3.00/5 coupon plus a free can coupon. I also grabbed a little nail sticker kit which I think will be cute for a birthday present for a girl. It was $1.87, I had a $2.00/1 Kiss Nail Product. My subtotal was -.28¢, but I live in Sunny California and pay for it, so with tax my total was .18¢. The cashier was impressed and asked how I knew how to shop like that. I of course let her know about Hip2Save!

Target was a bit more because it was a lot of adjusting down the prices. The manager that came over to help was a bit of a booger, but when I let her know that I knew what I was doing, she finished the transaction. I think she was looking for a reason not to take my coupons, first she tried to tell me the coupons were one per purchase, I explained that a purchase was an item, not the whole transaction. She was a bit surprised my erudite couponing.. ;) Then she tried to tell me she couldn't have the total be $0 because it wasn't allowed. I said "Don't worry. I'll get taxed for the whole transaction before coupons." She looked at me suspiciously, she was probably thinking "WHO IS THIS GREAT COUPON GURU WHO STANDS BEFORE ME?" She tried to argue with me, but when she did the transaction, I was right. I owed them $1.45 in tax. I thanked her when it was all over, keeping my calm and sweet demeanor. I told her- "You should try coupon shopping. It's worth it!" I walk out of the Target triumphant with my bag of free goodies. Here's what I got:

-8 Tide 2x detergent from the Trial size section. I had lots of Tide $1.00 coupons and they are .97 each. I've used these for vacations or for the manna ministry at church.

-1 Johnson's Buddies soap bar, .97¢, I had a $1.00/1 Johnson's Product

-4 Arm & Hammer Toothpaste, .97¢ each, I had 2 $2.50/2 Arm & Hammer Toothpaste coupons.

-Clean & Clear Morning burst, .97¢, I had a $1/1 Clean & Clear product.

- Motrin PM, $3.99, I had a $3.00 Manufacturers coupon & a $1 Target coupon. FREE DRUGS!! ;)

CVS was quick and painless, I got 2 NYC Nail polishes that were BOGO Free and I had a BOGO free coupon. Two free nail colors for birthday presents or something. :)

All in all I paid $1.72 in tax. Not bad for presents & useful items. Can I just say I love shopping for free?? :)

Vegas. Without the fear & loathing.

2010-04-19T00:54:00.000-07:00

I usually have no reason to visit that great oasis of the Nevada desert. Oh, but I had the best reason this weekend. I finally got to see Them Crooked Vultures. Not only did Cam & get to see them, we were in the 2nd row on the floor. I was 8 feet away from John Paul Jones playing all sorts of crazy instruments. I was also really close to Josh Homme singing- I know he does it for some of the ladies, not so much me. He did amuse me with his cheesy Las Vegas performer singing. The gloves and cigarette lighting were a genius piece of rock and roll bravado. I will give him that. Most importantly, I was so stinkin' close to a certain drummer. Holy Moly. Them poor drums. Snot beaten out of them. I'm not exaggerating when I say that this was the best show I've been to. Ever. I was even standing next to a girl who kept trying to creep her way in front of me. I gave her the evil eye. Especially after she was a jerk about Dave. I also got body slammed by a drunk idiot trying to mosh/get in front. My husband pushed him off of me, twice. I got crazy and yelled at him while shoving him and said "GET OFF OF ME. NOW." No one was ruining my concert. I wonder if drunk guy would be ashamed knowing that I was a Mom/Sunday School teacher/cat lady and I shoved him off of me at a rock show? Booya.

Here's a bit of a highlight: I saw Dave before the show. I turned into a 12 year old Jonas Brothers fan and squealed "It's Dave. Dave Grohl". I then hit my husband in his ribcage. We followed him out into the casino, expecting pandemonium. I mean the guy walked out of a door at the Hard Rock Hotel bearing his image and likeness. Nothing. No one yelled "HOLY CRUD! It's DAVE!" I think it's because he's so slight. He's not terribly noticeable in Vegas. I noticed him though. Nothing came of the following, he went into a restaurant. I was just stoked to see him. Did I mention I'm 12?

We got into the show and were about 3rd row in on the floor. For some reason all the abnormally tall people took the front. Whatever. I will stand on my tip toes for 2 hours to see Dave. I stood in one spot for 6 hours, while pregnant to watch Foo Fighters play at the Grammys. By the time the show started, I had wiggled to 2nd row. Not in a shady way either. It just happened. I will call it God's providence. I stood next to a guy who had clearly seen Led Zeppelin in his younger years. He took about 500 pictures of JPJ. He also had brought binoculars if he had been further back. When I told him he wouldn't need them he smiled and said "I'll be able to see the serial number on his bass." At one point he gave John Paul Jones a thumbs up and Mr. Jones winked at him. That's how close we were. That's how cool JPJ is.

I was a child when Nirvana was around. I wasn't really into them as a 10 year old. Nonetheless, I've wanted to see Dave drum for a long time. I guess it was one of those "bucket list" items. I have seen so many videos of him playing drums, but to be there, to watch in person. Whoa. I couldn't believe how he kept it up for 2 hours. I also was quite entranced by him tying his shoe. I find odd things enthralling (some might say Dave in general is one of those things). Here's my whole concert experience:

There's John Paul Jones. Holy crap. He's playing a mandolin. Watch his fingers. Can you believe you're watching him play?

Oh, wait. There's Dave. He's drumming. Singing. Ohh... his hair is swinging around. Can you believe you're watching him play?

Back and forth. Between Dave & John for the 2 hours they played. I did watch Josh Homme and bald guy for awhile. Not really the focus, for me. ;)

I was front and center for John Paul Jones piano solo. Just watching his feet move on the pedals was fantastic. My brother had told me before the show to "just watch his hands when he plays". So I did. I could not believe the agility.

By the end of the concert, my feet felt like bricks, my back felt like my vertebrae had melded into one solid piece of bone, I looked like I had two black eyes, and I smelled like a locker room. I was happy as a clam.

I have to add this little note: I'm really glad that my husband and I are into the same things. I love that we can both go to a show and dig the heck out of it, and then talk about it the rest of the next day. While we were in line there were 3 women in front of me and they had left their husbands at home to come to the show. Cameron was not in line at the time and they asked who I was there with and I said "My husband." They looked a little shocked. That's right ladies. I like my husband, he likes me and we like the same music. He also will take shots to the ribcage when I see Dave Grohl... he's a good man.

I had bathed my feet.

2010-04-02T04:04:00.000-07:00

I went shopping yesterday. Usually I shop for other people, but yesterday I shopped for me. Well, me and the hubby. First I went to Berean, I got Cam a brand-spankin' new ESV Study Bible. A really major BIBLE. It's huge. It weighs about 30 pounds. Not that much, but close. It is a serious Bible that he could throw at people when they aren't understanding that whole Jesus thing. I know that he likes the translation and needed a Bible so HAPPY EASTER TO CAMERON. (I got it 50% off which made it a very HOLY DEAL.)

I had a couple of Victoria's Secret gift cards. I got a couple of lotion/body wash sets. Then I found a nighty at Target that I loved. I bought it. I did pay full price for it. That hurt a little, but I figured it was for a good cause.

Cam has been working late all week and last night he came home at a decent hour and the kids were asleep. I slipped into the shower to "freshen up" and shave my hairy legs. I locked the door with all my goodies inside the bathroom. I figured Cameron was distracted and watching TV. I don't often lock the door to the bathroom. I really wanted to be a surprise.

I'm halfway done shaving my leg when I hear something. I turn around and Cameron is in the bathroom. CREEPER. I tell him he's ruining my surprise. He tells me "It's not Biblical for you to lock me out." I raise my eyebrow. Of course he would have committed the Song of Solomon to heart. I tell him what I'm doing is different. I'm not rejecting him. I'm getting ready for him. He slips back out of the bathroom and says "NOT BIBLICAL."

Here's the verse Cameron has decided to bring up:

The Bride Searches for Her Beloved

She²I slept, but my heart was awake.A sound! My beloved is^(G) knocking."Open to me, my^(H) sister, my^(I) love,
my^(J) dove, my^(K) perfect one,
for my head is wet with dew,
my^(L) locks with the drops of the night."
³^(M) I had put off my garment;
how could I put it on?
I had^(N) bathed my feet;
how could I soil them?
⁴My beloved put his hand to the latch,
and my heart was thrilled within me.
⁵I arose to open to my beloved,
and my hands dripped with myrrh,
my fingers with^(O) liquid myrrh,
on the handles of the bolt.
⁶I opened to my beloved,
but my beloved had turned and gone.
My soul failed me when he^(P) spoke.^(Q) I sought him, but found him not;
^(R) I called him, but he gave no answer.

Here's the basic idea: She's being a turd and won't let her husband in after a long day of work. It's an ancient equivalent of "I have a headache." Well, I wasn't doing that, but Cameron decided to use the verse.

My husband is a very clever guy. He loves him some Bible verses. Here's the best part- you know the Bible I got him? On the page where you write who it's from and the occasion for giving a Bible, etc, I wrote the verse 2 Timothy 3:16-17:

¹⁶^(A) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷that^(AG) the man of God^[b]may be competent,^(AH) equipped^(AI) for every good work.

Cameron knows that includes verses in the Song of Solomon about locking your husband out. Wise man. ;)

G.O.B.

2010-03-26T10:14:00.000-07:00

I got a cat today. I went to the Riverside Animal shelter and picked one out. He's a long haired orange tabby. I named him George Oscar Bluth. G.O.B. for short (it's pronounced like the book of the Bible, Job). If you aren't familiar with my cat's namesake, you haven't seen Arrested Development which is one of two TV shows that win in my book for best ever, Arrested Development (Mystery Science Theater 3000 being the other). I named him G.O.B. while trying to think of something clever and relevant to my life at the moment. I was going to go Biblical, but then changed my mind because that could ruin a future child name (I named one of my cats Maggie. I really wish I would have saved that if we have another girl). Then I went pop culture. I already had a Simpsons named cat (Maggie Moe), a TV show dog (Earl), a song name dog (Penny Lane), a TV show cat (Meaty) and a rescue cat that I named out of a Stephen King novel (Nadine). Ta-Da! G.O.B. came to me. I said it outloud and Josiah kept calling him G.O.B. Perfection. It's easy and it suits him. He's tall, handsome and probably pretty good at illusions. I imagine he's got a deep gravely voice, too.

Lloyd Dobbler and the Song of Solomon

2010-03-25T09:20:00.000-07:00

Do you know Lloyd Dobler? I'm well acquainted with Lloyd. Lloyd is the mold of which all boyfriends should be made. Sadly, Lloyd is merely a character from a 1989 film, Say Anything. There are many a girl on the hunt for Lloyd. Lloyd was was the original Jim Halpert. Before John Krasinski was mugging into the camera and pining for Pam, Lloyd walked in the rain for Diane. Lloyd exchanged his heart for a mere pen. Lloyd held the boom-box. After I had seen Say Anything, the only thing I wanted was a boy in my front lawn blasting Peter Gabriel. Too much to ask for? I say no. This movie (not unlike most Cameron Crowe films) gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. It gave me hope and it gave me an enduring admiration for John Cusack even when he makes movies like 2012. Aside from all the witty dialogue and good music, this movie gave us an enduring truth:

The world is full of guys. Be a man. Don't be a guy.

Our Bible Study group just started Song of Solomon. While discussing that marriage is for men and not for boys, Lisa brought up this quote from Say Anything. How appropriate. Besides having good taste in movies, clearly Lisa summed up a huge problem in our society. Too many dudes are willing to stay guys without ever heading into mature manhood. I'm not saying they have to wear ties and drive a Lexus (also a mistake in our society, money does not make a man. I know plenty of wealthy boys). I'm saying they have to be willing to provide for themselves and a family. I'm saying they have to move beyond the realm of Play Station 3 and frozen meals. When I look at my husband I realize how he became a man (well, I made him a man on our wedding night, but that's a whole different blog entry... ;))so that he could marry me. Cameron got a job, moved out of his parent's house and found us a place where he lived until we lived there together as man and wife. Not only does it impress me that he was such a man, but it flatters me. He did all of that for me. I can't really fathom that. I don't see myself as being worthy of that amount of action and life change.

When we were announced at our reception when we got married, you know what song was playing? In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel. The song Lloyd iconic ally plays for Diane with his boom-box. Moral of the story: If you're looking for Lloyd Dobler, look for a man, not a guy.

New Donkeys for the Jackasses.

2010-03-23T09:35:00.000-07:00

Just the other day Cameron and I were talking about our disdain for the Health & Wealth Jesus of Prosperity Gospel. I have a big problem with a gospel taught that says that God wants me to drive a new car because Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a new donkey. Maybe God wants me to start hanging around 12 dudes, learn carpentry and drive some pigs off cliffs because those are all things Jesus did. The more I learn about the Jesus that I serve and the Christian life, the more I learn that God didn't make Christianity easy. In fact, sometimes it sucks. Yep, I said SUCKS. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it gets you killed. Jesus will get you killed. Jesus will get you mocked. Jesus will make your life the opposite of what all us Americans are looking for: UNCOMFORTABLE. Oh yes, there is comfort in salvation and my savior, but there is no comfort in this world.

Every day I wake up to a glaring part of my life that hurts. My heart hurts always for one person. My heart is heavy for this one person because I deeply love this person because Jesus loves this person and Jesus' heart hurts because of this person. Jesus' heart longs for this person to know Him. Do you know what that's like? To grieve every day for a person you love so dearly that it hurts like hell? Yeah, well that's part of knowing Jesus.

You know what else is part of knowing Jesus? Going without so that you can give. We could have 10% more in our bank account if we didn't give money to our church to help support missionaries and ministries. I don't always see an exponential growth because of it. My "faith seed" (as I've seen it advertised on TV) has not given me back ten-fold. I must be worshiping Jesus wrong. Tithing isn't always a win-win situation. Sometimes it's a suck it up and give it to people who have less than us situation.

One more thing about my life, I have (now popular to have because it's got a pill to buy ) Fibromyalgia. That one has never cleared up. I'm overweight, I have stretch marks up and down my body and I have an extra vertebrae in my back and they rub together. Clearly I don't love Jesus enough because He hasn't taken care of my physical issues. Where am I going wrong if the Jesus of prosperity Gospel should be taking care of these things? Is my faith wrong? Am I wrong? Do I not have enough faith?

Here's the problem... once again humans have decided to make God about them, not themselves about God. God is not waiting to do stuff to make our lives more like a copy of Martha Stewart Living: tidy, organized and color coded. Whenever we try to take charge of our salvation or walk with Christ, we dishonor God and the final word of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. When we add or take away from the gospel we shame it. When we Americanize Jesus and make him a gun-toting Republican in the image and likeness of Ronald Regan, we do Jesus a disservice. When we say Jesus would have driven a Bently and wants us all to be wealthy, we do Jesus a disservice. When we decide that Jesus was a Socialist and would want us all to follow what Marx had to say, we're doing Jesus a disservice. When we decide that Jesus on the cross wasn't enough for our sins and we should probably toss in some good works, we are mocking His death and doing Jesus a disservice.

Jesus came into this world as a human. A tired human. A sick human. A grieving human. Jesus felt the way we feel. He felt the crap that this world has to offer. The shortest verse in the Bible says everything about the humanity of Christ and the hurt of the world He came to save: Jesus wept. Take off your bumper sticker, happy faced Christianity and know that Christian life isn't always fantastic. It's okay to say that, too. Have you browsed Ecclesiastes lately? Have you ever read Job without skipping to the end where he gets all his stuff back? Life sucks and the Bible is the first to admit to that.

Jesus does give me joy and life. Jesus is my hope. This world is bitter and Jesus is sweet. Wealth and health are idols in this world and we're told not to have any gods before our God. Not little gods before BIG GOD. Last year my friend Talicia lost her Mom after a surgery. Did Aldeana not love Jesus enough to come out of the coma? No. Aldeana loved Jesus enough to have that surgery. She won either way. If she woke up or if she stayed asleep. How angry it makes me to think that Prosperity Pastors would say that Aldeana didn't have enough faith to be healed.

Keith Green wrote some good CHURCH songs. I hope you know what I mean when I say CHURCH. I mean his songs take you into the presence of God. They make you humble, they make you realize who is in charge. Keith lived for Jesus with his whole heart. You want to know where Keith is today? Is he rich? Is he famous? Does he have a big house in Nashville? No. He's in heaven. He died in a plane crash at the age of 28 with two of his children, Josiah and Bethany. That's not exactly prosperity. He left behind a pregnant wife and a little daughter. How do you explain that? He was doing it all for Jesus and he still died. That's what I mean- following Jesus gets messy. It's not so clear cut and it's not about you.

If we are to be torch bearers and carry the light of Jesus into this world, what does that light entail? Does it entail all your earthly problems being solved or does it simply mean this: To live is Christ and to die is to gain. There isn't anything else in this world that matters like the truth and love of Jesus. The gospel is so simple, so perfect, so pure. Let's not muck it up with our ideals and our earthly desires.

Mae's shopping trip.

2010-03-19T10:07:00.000-07:00

Mae needed clothes for warmer weather. Her cute shorts and dresses from last year were not going to cut it. I had a $5 off a purchase of $30 or more Circo or Cherokee kid's clothes at Target. I also was going to get a $5 gift card from Target for buying a Windex cleaner. All of the Circo Girl's clothes were marked down. I got $4 items on sale for $3. Cha-ching!

I picked up the following:

3 tank tops

3 skirts

3 shorts

1 onsie

Total without sale and coupons:

$40.00

With sales, coupon and gift card:

$20.00!

Woot!

She is stocked up for the summer. The kid's clothing coupon was on Target.com in the Kid's Spring Savings. I used another one earlier in the week for their Easter outfits. The Windex outdoor window cleaner deal was as follows:
coupon from the SS this past weekend: $5 gift card when you buy a Windex outdoor cleaner. I also found a coupon for $2.50/1 Windex cleaner. I opened the box today and there were 3 coupons inside for $2.50/1 Windex cleaner. WOOHOO!

When I got to the car with all the clothes, she held onto them like a stuffed animal. I think Mae is a shopper...

Good Friday Video

2010-03-19T02:25:00.000-07:00

This is brutal. But it's fantastic. It's a video for the Good Friday Service at Mars Hill Church. Reminds you again why we should be so, so very grateful.

Who Killed God?

Walgreens Day

2010-03-18T09:55:00.000-07:00

I went to Walgreens today. I was pretty excited for the Vick's plug in vaporizer. I have a very "snotty" and congested little girl who often needs such things. Here's what I got and what coupons I used:

All of these savings ideas came from Hip2Save.com:

Buy 2 or more participating Sudafed, Benadryl, or Tylenol products = $5RR
Buy 2 Benadryl products on sale for $4.99 each
Total = $9.98
Use the $4/2 coupon from here
Pay $5.98
Get back a $5RR
Final cost ONLY $0.49 each!

Buy 1 Vicks Plug-in Waterless Vaporizer $5
Buy 3 Vicks Plug-in Refills $5 each = $15
Buy 2 Puffs Tissue products–biggest size (FREE with coupons below)
Total = $20
Use 4 $1.50/1 coupons from the 2/21 PG
Plus, use 2 coupons for FREE Puffs when you buy 2 Vicks Products from the 2/7 PG
Pay $14
Get back a $10 Register Reward (for buying $20 worth of Vicks products)
Final cost ONLY $1 per Vicks product + 2 FREE Puffs tissues!

Buy 2 bags of Planters Trail Mix on sale for $1.99
Total = $3.98
Use 2 $1.50/1 Planters coupons from here
Use the $1/2 Walgreens coupon from the March coupon booklet
Final cost 2 bags of Planters Trail Mix for FREE!

Buy 3 Revlon Matte Eye Shadows for $2.99 each (40% off sale price)
Buy 1 Revlon Slant Tip Tweezer for $1.79 (40% off sale price)
Total = $10.76
Use 3 $2/1 Revlon cosmetic coupons from the 2/21 SS
Use 1 $1/1 Revlon Beauty tool coupon from the 2/21 or 3/7 SS
Pay $3.76
Get back a $5 Register Reward to use on more Revlon Products!

Reese’s Dark Peanut Butter Cups 1.5 oz $0.49 with in ad coupon
Use the $0.55/1 coupon from the 3/14 SS
Final cost FREE + $0.06 in overage!

(I bought three of these because dark chocolate & Reeses are two of my Mom's favorite things!)

Ore-Ida Extra Crispy Easy Fries $0.99
Use the $1.50/2 coupon from here
Final cost only $0.24!
**These are actually quite tasty!

I got these "Endangered Species Chocolate Bars". They were marked down to .82¢ from $3.79!! I stocked up. Cheap chocolate is always in my budget.

My total before coupons:

$90.24

After:

$38.70

I got back $10 in Register Rewards and a $5 Register Reward for Revlon Make Up.

I also got a 20% off any purchase coupon for Payless Shoes.

Good day at Walgreens!!

Sad day.

2010-03-18T01:54:00.000-07:00

Almost a whole week without blogging. Sorry all 5 people reading my blog. I've had a crazy week that started with a visit from the Baird family and a trip to Disneyland. We had a blast (as always) and enjoyed the overly full park to our heart's content. We also enjoyed saving money by not eating at any Disney-related restaurant. We packed lunch and then brought Del Taco in from the outside world. We ate in a little corner of Disneyland that is perfect for relaxing and letting kids run amok, Carnation Plaza. The kids have fun together and it's really sweet to watch Josiah and Micah become kid friends that have witty little conversations and how well they play together. They just get each other. That's not to say there's little tiffs here and there or that they don't annoy each other at times. But for 2 three-year old boys to play together as well as they do, I'm blown away. They see each other a few times a year and they just pick up where they left off. It's very, very sweet. Seth and Mae are still betrothed to one another and I'm very much for pre-arranged marriage. Mae is much more touchy feely with Seth (including the shoving and smacking) where Seth would prefer her to leave him alone most of the time. Mae likes to hug him, stand next to him and even attempted hand holding. No go. Seth does enjoy yelling "MY MAE MAE!" at her. So that's a good start. They are going to have an awesome wedding.

The downside to the Baird's visit was that Cam was out of town. He was at a nerd conference about nerd things. Computers. He even got a nerd shirt with a Windows logo on it. I find this funny because Cameron would have been there with his Apple computer and iPhone. In your face, Microsoft! Thank God for the Bairds and their willingness to love my children as much as they do. They both have very long legs which makes for easier and more efficient kid chasing. I didn't feel so worn out by being the only Brewer parent.

I was glad to be reunited last night with my hubby. I'll spare you details, but it was really, really nice. ;)

I'm gonna be in pictures!

2010-03-12T08:48:00.000-08:00

I got to be a movie star today! HOLLYWOOD!! Okay it was actually at a production office in Rancho Santa Margarita, but I was a bit caught off guard by how "professional" it was. I even had my face powdered. That's right- someone else powdered my nose. I am a fancy, fancy person.

I volunteered for what I thought would be a little line read for audio purposes at our Easter service. I don't know what I was thinking. It was actually an interview about how I felt about Small Groups. There was a huge blinding light, questions to be answered, etc. It was, in my mind, what my interview for Biography would be like. *TONIGHT'S BIOGRAPHY: CHARTING THE AWESOME AND FANTASTIC RISE OF LEIGH COLLEEN BREWER!* I'm not sure what I'm famous for in my fantasy, but I'm famous. Oh, and I'm probably friends with Dave Grohl and Conan O'Brien.

It was fun while it lasted and who knows if they'll use it or not. But, if you happen to see this mug on the MEGA-TRON-DEATH-SCREEN at Angel's Stadium, that will be sort of rad. It will also be rad because the JoBros are going to be there and they will see me. So, technically we'll know each other. Before you know it I will have a show on the Disney Channel. That's just a long term goal. I'm keeping my options open.

My siblings.

2010-03-11T07:10:00.000-08:00

I just want you to all know how funny my siblings are. Every time I look at this I laugh for 2 reasons:

1. I can hear my sister saying "You want some peas brother?" in a Hulk Hogan voice.

2. My brother is a total smart arse. But a clever smart arse.

My brother Andy is funny, too. I just don't have a screen capture of it.

That's all.

Stupid Husbands.

2010-03-11T04:12:00.000-08:00

I know this isn't the best video quality, but it gets the point across. Why are men portrayed as big idiots that us wives have to care for like children? All of this was sparked by a conversation I had with a single gal who wanted to pretend like I was treating my husband this way. She kept trying to say negative things about Cameron in a joking fashion. You know- because all men are idiots. I really don't say negative things about my husband to other women, I don't mock him. I really don't say negative things about him in front of other men. I'd rather build him up. Let everyone know what a good heart he has and that his level of wisdom far exceeds what he lets on. He's very quiet when you first meet him and he doesn't speak unless it's necesary. That doesn't sound to me like he's an idiot or forgetful. I don't have to spoon feed him.

Here's a little secret feminists don't want you to know: Both sexes are idiots. No one wins the idiot trophy. We crossed the line at the same time. Yes women, we're goofy, selfish and inept at certain things. Sound familiar? That's usually the role assigned to the hubby in media. As much as I love Homer J. Simpson he's the King of Idiot Dads on TV. Some of my favorite episodes of The Simpsons are when Marge screws up and Homer knows it.

Just because we have a politically correct world where women are "better" than men doesn't mean that we as Christian women should fall into that trap. We are both equals in God's eyes and we are both, male and female created in His image and we both managed to screw the pooch in the sin department. You know what the Bible says about a nagging woman?

⁹It is^(A) better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

Proverbs 21:9

ZING. That sounds like a sitcom to me.

P.S. That would be a clip of the BRILLIANT Brian Regan. AMAZING. You should watch him. TAKE LUCK!

Rite Aid Trip

2010-03-10T14:02:00.000-08:00

This is by far my best purchase. I left the store on a high and hit the gym! Well, first I called my Jedi Master of Coupons, Nichole and told her what just went down. Here's what went down:

I did two transactions like a good crazy coupon lady would.

#1:

John Frieda Shampoo (on clearance): $3.49 used $3/1 John Frieda product= .49¢

John Frieda Conditioner (on clearance): $3.49 used $3/1 John Frieda product= .49¢

They didn't have any other clearance items, so I got the Root Awakening:

Root Awakening by John Frieda: $5.00 used $3/1 John Frieda product= $2.00

Root Awakening by John Frieda: $5.00 used $3/1 John Frieda product= $2.00

I also used 2 Rite Aid coupons: $3/$15 & $1/1 John Frieda Root Awakening (a Video Values coupon)

These products usually retail for $6.99 each.

My total before tax:

.98¢

after tax:

$2.20- tax was more than my purchase! Thanks California!

If I had not used coupons & sales, the total would have been:

$27.96 + tax

Transaction #2:

2 Biore Strips: On sale for $5.00 each (usually $6.99)= $10.00

2 Biore cleansers: On sale for $5.00 each (usually $6.99), I used the coupon from the SS (I think!) for Buy 1 Biore Strip and Get 1 Cleanser Free.=FREE

8 Cover Girl Foundations: On sale BOGO FREE ($6.99 each), I used 4 BOGO FREE coupons from the 2/7 P&G= FREE

I used 2 Rite Aid coupons: $5/$25 purchase & $1/1 Biore Product (a video values coupon)

My total before tax:

$4.00

After tax:

$7.76

If I had not used coupons & sales:

$88.00+ tax

I will also be getting a few Single Check Rebates from Rite Aid for these transactions:

$5.00 for the John Frieda

$5.00 for the Biore

My total savings tonight before my rebates:

$110.98!!!

After I get my SCRs:

$120.98!!

That would be my entire transaction for free!!!

Let me know if you have any questions about where or how I got my coupons. This is not a secret that I want to keep!! I had two gals at Target (including an employee) ask me how I saved money! I want to help you out. Let me know!!

Tattoo.

2010-03-10T05:19:00.000-08:00

I don't know how many of you out there have a tattoo or a few. I was thinking about my tattoos on my wrists today. They've really started to just be a part of me. I don't realize I have them (I have one on each foot as well). My wrist tattoos are the beginning and end of the Prayer of St. Francis. This might be a little deep for some of you, but here's what that means to me: I have one on each arm. The rest is my life filling in the middle. Does that make sense? Having the beginning and end of the prayer on my outward body on either side of me means that I should live the prayer with all of my heart which would be obviously my inward self.

If you don't know the prayer here it is:

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

I need to be what God has called me to be. I need to be the opposite of what this world has to offer. Even if my tattoos are "ignorable" at this point in my life, they are a reminder of what I've been called to. A pursuit of holiness and helpfulness. I want to be a light in the darkness to point others to the hope that is only found in Christ. My tattoo is a nice little reminder that when I start to complain about how terrible the world is, it's not up to someone else. It's up to me. Not because I'm awesome, but because I serve an awesome God.

CVS Trip

2010-03-10T02:14:00.000-08:00

I went to CVS at around 10:30 last night. I had to. I had coupons that were about to expire on me! Last time I shopped at CVS I got 2 awesome ECB coupons:

$4/1 Box of Huggies Diapers

$2/1 Box of Huggies Wipes (64 count & up)

They were expiring, so I had to go. I paired those with 2 manufacturer's coupons from coupons.com:

$2.00/1 Huggies Diaper

.75¢/1 Huggies wipes

When I got tot the store, I scanned my ECB card at the little machine (which until last night had produced sort of lame coupons) and to my surprise it was a coupon for :

$4 off when you buy Huggies Diapers & Wipes.

It didn't specify sizes, so I got the smallest and paired them with the $2/1 Huggies and .75/1 Wipes. (I bought newborn size for the Corona Life Services)

I used my ECBS from my previous transaction ($13.99) and paid:

$17.23!

I saved $29.49.

Not bad!! That's less than the box of Huggies would have been by itself. Woohoo!

Moral of the story: Scan your card at the front of CVS. You never know what's going to happen.

Bender 3-PO

2010-03-09T02:25:00.000-08:00

I'm a nerd. I like certain Sci-Fi things. I really like Star Wars and I really, really like Futurama. I LOVE Bender the Robot. I have a mint in the box Bender toy on my desk. It's beautiful. So, I found this on Freakingnews.com and about fell out of my chair with the sheer level of enjoyment I experienced.

Hey Blog.

2010-03-09T01:57:00.000-08:00

Oh hey, blog. It's been awhile. I had a big weekend. What to write about?? I'm not too sure at this point. Maybe that I finished reading Vintage Jesus. That's a feat in and of itself. I finished a book. It's amazing what a weekend to yourself will do. I also bought a book. The Year of Living Biblically. It's not a Christian book. It's written by a agnostic/secular Jewish journalist who decides to keep all the laws (and suggestions) from the Bible for a whole year. This includes things like not wearing clothes of mixed fibers, rising at midnight to praise God, not speaking ill-will of even the biggest jerks, not sitting in a chair that his wife has sat in while on her "special lady time" and buying a live chicken, having it killed in front of you and giving it to the poor. It's a really interesting look at faith & ritual from the other side. From the perspective of someone who believes in God, it's been sad for me to read at times. I just can't imagine going through life with religion and not relationship. It's mostly when A.J. (the author) isn't sure of how to pray. It's uncomfortable for him. He stands in his living room and raises his hands and recites a Bible verse. Over the course of the book he starts to realize that prayer isn't for him, but for God. Which is true, but he hasn't found the solace and hope that prayer gives us because it's a two way conversation.

It's made me thankful for the torn curtain in the temple through Jesus. I am not good at keeping the same schedule two days in a row, much less remembering all the laws and keeping them. This very secular book has made me glad for Jesus in a whole new way. I think it's also made me look at communion and Baptism in a new light, too. Personally, I think it would weird a lot of people out to see a bunch of people taking communion or being baptized. But, I think that the "ritual" of it is worthy of our time and that God wants us to have a time-out for him. Whether it's the solemn communion or the joyous Baptismal service.

I'm not done with the book, yet. But when I am I'll let you know how it goes. It is an excellent read. It's made me laugh out loud on numerous occasions.

If you're interested in the book here is the link: http://www.ajjacobs.com/books/yolb.asp

morning laugh

2010-03-03T23:26:00.000-08:00

I am tired. I went to bed around 3, up at 6:30.So goes the life of a vacationing mom. I did have time though to read this:

Intriguing set of pictures, no? Just go to the link. It made me laugh really hard in my comatose state.

Highlights from shopping today

2010-03-03T16:45:00.000-08:00

Oh man. I'm done. We're supposed to be leaving for Mammoth in the morning, but I had to do some shopping today. I hit up Rite Aid, Target, Vons and Albertsons. Here's a few of my favorite deals:

Rite Aid:

-5 Free Packs of Kotex Panty Liners on sale for .99¢, I had five $1.00/1 any Kotex product. Those will be donated to church for the Manna Ministry.

-BOGO 1/2 Almay Eye Make Up Remover: $5.50 & $2.75, had 2 $2/1 any Almay product. I submitted for my Single Check Rebate of $5.00, so that's going to be a .75¢ money maker!

-BOGO FREE Skittles, I put them away for Easter Baskets. :)

Target

-Seventh Generation Anti-Bacterial Wipes: $2.99

Target coupon: $1.00/1, Manufacturer's coupon: $1.00/1= .99¢!!

-Reveal Light Bulbs: on sale $2.00 (down from $2.64)

Target Coupon: 2 $1.50/1, Manufacturer's Coupon $1.00/2= 2 packs for FREE!

-Excedrin: on Sale for $2.54, Coupon for $2.00/1= .54¢!!

-Starburst: BOGO FREE COUPON= .64 for 2 Starburst, these too have gone into the Easter basket stash.

I also got Free travel sized Johnson and Johnson Baby Shampoo & 2 Travel sized Right Guard Deodorant. These will also be donated to Manna Ministry.

I also scored an Easter goodie for Siah Man: a whole Clone Trooper costume for $4.98!

Albertsons:

I had the best cashier! He saw the transaction I was making for the Catalina coupon and asked if I wanted to do two transactions! Woohoo! He told me he liked to see people save money & if someone does all the work to clip coupons and save that the least he can do is help out at the check out stand. MY KIND OF CASHIER! Now if they were all like that!

I got 6 boxes of Fruit Snacks for $1.00 each used (3) .50¢/2 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks = $4.50 + a $3.50 catalina coupon!! 6 boxes of Fruit Roll ups usually would go for about $14.50 at Albertsons...

I had some awesome savings on my second purchase:

-Kraft All natural cheese, on sale for $1.79 (down from $4.89- question: who would pay that much for a thing of shredded cheese???), they had blinkie coupons $1.50/2, so I got 4 packs and used 2 coupons= $4.16, less than the price of one package normally!

-Swiffer Sweepers were on sale for $10.99, I had a Buy one Sweeper, get one refill for free coupon from The Home Made Simple Coupon booklet. The refills themselves are usually $10.49 and I figured it couldn't hurt to have a back up Swiffer (or a house warming or wedding gift!) and got both for $10.99

-Purex 3-n-1 was on sale for $4.99, I used a BOGO FREE. So I got 2 for $4.99, you normally pay $7.49 for 1.

Vons

Vons has a frozen foods deal going on right now, buy $25.00 worth of participating products and get a $10.00 catalina coupon on your next purchase.

I did two purchases, and got $20.00 worth of catalinas. Nothing too spectacular here, but my freezer is so full that I couldn't put anything else in it!

I think that's about it, but I did want to go over what I got for free today:

-5 Kotex Liners: $5.00

-1 Pack of Skittles: .50¢

-1 Johnson's Baby shampoo: $1.00

-2 Right guard deodorants: $2.00

-2 4-packs of Reveal lightbulbs: $5.28

-1 Pack of Starburst: .64¢

-Purex 3-n-1: $7.49

-Swiffer Refills: $10.49

That's $29.18 that I didn't pay for!! :)

Well, now I'm off to finish packing and preparing for this fun weekend in Mammoth.

Grey Gardens

2010-03-03T07:31:00.000-08:00

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="314" caption="Little Edie"][/caption]

I like documentaries. I was the kid that watched Biography when I was about 12. I also use to listen to Ken Burn's The Civil War with my Dad on cassette tape. This past weekend I found a gem on Netflix. Grey Gardens! I'm sure this isn't news to some of you, but to me it was quite the find! Here's the gist of it from Wikipedia:

Grey Gardens is a 1975 documentary film by Albert and David Maysles, with Susan Froemke, Ellen Hovde, and Muffie Meyer. The film depicts the everyday lives of the two Edith Beales, a reclusive socialite mother and daughter of the same name who lived at Grey Gardens, a decrepit mansion at 3 West End Road in the wealthy Georgica Pond neighborhood of East Hampton, New York.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="340" caption="Big Edie"][/caption]

Long before A&E made the show Hoarders, there were Big & Little Edie. This story might not be so tinged with missed opportunity if the Beales weren't Bouvier Women. That's right, relatives to Mrs. Kennedy herself. "Big Edie" was Jackie Kennedy's Aunt and "Little Edie" was her cousin. I'm not on the hunt for any information about these women I can get. I'm completely and utterly intrigued.

Head on over to GreyGardensonline.com for more info. If you have Netflix- watch the documentary (there is another movie about them starring Drew Barrymore, I haven't watched it yet).

Sons of Thunder

2010-03-03T03:38:00.000-08:00

¹⁷^(A) James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder);

Mark 3

As far as incredibly awesome nicknames go, Sons of Thunder wins. If you need a name for your brutal Men's Ministry or Christian Motorcycle gang, I think I've found one for you.

Actually, I was listening to the worship band, called Sons of Thunder and it made me search the scripture and look up in Mark 3 where Jesus calls James & John by this nickname. I went to my giant commentary that makes me look super intelligent and Holy to read what it had to say about the nickname. It led me to this commentary by James E. Stewart about the youth of Jesus' apostles.

Christianity began as a young people's movement... Unfortunately, it is a fact which Christian art and Christian preaching have too often obscured. But it is quite certain that the original disciple band was a young men's group. It is not surprising then, that Christianity entered the world as a young people's movement. Most of the apostles were probably still in their twenties when they went out after Jesus... Jesus himself, we should never forget went out to his earthly ministry with the "dew of [his] youth" upon him (Ps. 110:3- this psalm was applied to Jesus first by himself and then by the apostolic Church). It was a true instinct that led the Christians of a later day, when they drew the likeness of their master on the walls of the catacombs, to portray Him, not old and weary and broken with pain, but as a young shepherd out on the hills of the morning. The original version of Isaac Watts' great hymn was true to fact:
When I survey the wondrous cross

Where the young Prince of Glory died.

And no one has ever understood the heart of youth in its gaiety and gallantry and generosity and hope, it's sudden loneliness and haunting dream and hidden conflicts and strong temptations, no one has understood it nearly so well as Jesus. And no one ever realized more clearly than Jesus did that the adolescent years of life, when strange dormant thoughts are stirring and the whole world begins to unfold, are God's best chance with the soul... When we study the story of the first Twelve, it is a young men's adventure we are studying. We see them following their leader out into the unknown, not knowing very clearly who he is or why they are doing it or where he is likely to lead them; but just magnetized by him, fascinated and gripped and held by something irresistible in the soul of him, laughed at by friends, plotted against foes, with doubts sometimes growing clamorous in their own hearts, until they almost wished they were well out of the whole business; but still clinging to him, coming through the ruin of their hopes to a better loyalty and earning triumphantly at last the great name the Te Deum gives them, "The glorious company of the apostles." IT is worth watching them, for we too may catch the infection of their spirit and fall into step with Jesus."

Never in my experience a Sunday School goer did I see a flannel graph representation of the apostles as young men. I still don't see that- I had never imagined them as young. Young like my husband. Young like me.

That's just my thought for the day. Wouldn't this bit of a revelation change the face of Christianity in America- gone are the slick, polished images of pastors trying to "connect". Gone is the false teacher that is TBN. Gone is the out-of-touch. We are young and at the forefront of the ministry. Just like the Sons of Thunder.

P.S. Here's what started the whole Sons of Thunder search:

Quality Kid's Music

2010-03-02T04:15:00.000-08:00

On the way home last week I started a Pandora station for the kids. We're not big on kid's music in the car. They dig what we dig. But I thought it might be fun to see what came up. I, of course enjoyed the Disney classics and a few Veggie Tales' songs. Then the most horrendous thing happened: Alvin and the Chipmunks came on. They were singing: ALL THE SMALL THINGS by Blink 182. I am not Blink 182's biggest fan. I'm not even a fan. I'm not even willing to listen to Blink 182.

I also talked to my brother, Aaron the music guy, about good kid's music last week. He brought up Johnny Cash's kid's album with The Dinosaur Song. What a fun kid's CD- it's quality. I love Mr. Cash and for him to be singing about dinosaurs to my 3 year old, it makes my day!

I used some Amazon gift card $ from Swagbucks to buy music for the kids. I got the Johnny Cash album and a few Rockabye Baby rendition songs:

-Kashmir by Led Zeppelin (most epic song opening, even in lullaby form)

- Enter Sandman by Metallica (Metallica isn't really my cup of tea, but how could I resist buying this song to help put my children to sleep?)

-Come as You Are by Nirvana (for the nights they wear their flannel jammies to sleep)

-Wish you were Here by Pink Floyd (I just ♥ this song)

-You're my Best Friend by Queen (We played this song at our wedding)

What good kid's music do you like?? Any hints?

Clean Water

2010-03-02T02:03:00.000-08:00

My Dad is the clean water business. His company builds tanks that filter drinking water. Quite a few of these tanks are located in Asia. I think as Americans we really take clean water for granted. We even have different levels of what kind of water we like and don't like. We prefer one brand to another. Aren't we snots? :) In most of the world clean water is a desperate need, and when I got an e-mail this morning from PGeSaver, I had to share it with you:

P&Ge Saver coupons load right on your "shoppers card" and they come off automatically when you buy the product. I load all of the coupons on my Vons club card. It's an easy way to help those in need.

Our free food at Disneyland

2010-03-01T02:24:00.000-08:00

We headed out to the Mouse's house to see Captain EO. I was stoked to go, I have vivid memories of seeing Captain EO. It was a BIG deal.

Well, we don't have it in the budget to feed everyone at Disneyland. I gathered up a bunch of our change. I looked online and found a Coinstar at Albertsons. We ended up with $8.05, we shopped Albertsons for snacks. We got:

- 3 Cookie Go-Packs $1.00 each

- Albertsons String Cheese .33¢/each

- 2 Bananas

-Tortilla chips (on sale for $2.29, I had a $1.00/1)

-Fruit snacks (on sale for $2.29, I had a coupon for $1.50/1. I got them cheaper than the generic brand gummies)

Total: $6.74 (I also got a FREE bottle of Marsala Cooking Wine, so that's part of the tax)

We saw Captain EO and then just played around Disneyland the rest of the time we were there. Josiah left Captain EO saying "We have GOT to get that DVD!" When we stopped for snacks, we got our free tortillas at the Mission Factory and grabbed some hot sauce at the condiment area in the Cannery Row eating area. I felt incredibly thrifty and fantastic knowing that we weren't spending $30-$40 at Disneyland for dinner. :)

Birthday Goodies

2010-03-01T02:08:00.000-08:00

My birthday is this month and my Free birthday goodies are rolling in...

-Free Auntie Anne's Pretzel

-Free Dessert at TGIFridays

-Free Meal at Benihana's (this one blows my mind! I love Onion Volcanos!)

-Free game at AMF bowling.

-$3/$15 cake at Baskin Robbins

That's just my e-mail from today.

Here's what I got in the mail:

Free gift from Aveda Salon

15% off at Anthropologie and a cute little candle necklace that they sent with it.

I'll keep you updated on what else I get all month. You can sign up for all of these here:

Free Audio Book!

2010-03-01T01:14:00.000-08:00

It's a new month and that means a new FREE audio book download from Christianaudio.com. Last month it was Religion Saves By Mark Driscoll, this month it's The Cost Of Dicipleship & Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die

I originally found this on Christian Clippers.com. :)

It's finally happening...

2010-02-26T00:17:00.000-08:00

Today is a good FANTASTIC day. Cameron woke me up with this news "Do you want to go see Them Crooked Vultures in Las Vegas?" In my Theraflu daze (I've had a sore throat since last night), I said "YES!" That snapped me awake. Can I just say that my husband is awesome?

It's finally happening- I get to see Dave Grohl play drums. Check that off the list.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Baby Dave."][/caption]

CRAZY TARGET DAY

2010-02-25T11:01:00.000-08:00

Ready for what I paid out of pocket for all of this goodness??

$8.76!!

Here's the breakdown:

CVS:

-2 Gallons of Whole Milk: $2.59/each, used $4.00 I had in ECBs= $1.18

I got three HIGH VALUE Catalina coupons:

-$5 off a purchase of $15 or more (it expires tomorrow, which is kinda lame, but we'll see if I use it)

-$2.00 off any Huggies Baby Wipe Tub or Refill

-$4.oo off Huggies Box Diapers

The total at CVS should have been:

$5.59

Target:

-7th Generation Dish Washing Liquid: $2.49, used Free coupon c/o Recylcebank= FREE

-Gilette Men's Bodywash: $1.99/each, used $4/2 Gilette Men's Body wash or Deodorant= 6 FREE BODY WASH, 2 FREE CLINICAL STRENGTH DEODORANT!

-Right Guard Travel Size Deodorant: .99¢/each. Used $2.00/2 coupon=FREE

- Iams Premium Cat food: $7.99, used $5.00 off any size Iams Premium coupon: $2.99

-Apple Juice: $3.74 (Price Cut for Target Brand Apple Juice)

-Kashi Cereal: $4.99, used FREE coupon from Freecycle= FREE

-Teddy Grahms: $2.00 each. Used Target Coupon for $1.00/2 and a Manufacturer's coupon for $2.00/2= $1.00!

I also had a gift card with $2.01 on it (we bought drinks and popcorn when we started shopping).

So...the total at Target could have been:

$44.56!!

So, for both trips it should have cost me:

$50.15!!!

When we got done at Target, Josiah gave me a thumbs up and said "Good Shopping today, Mom!" It made me smile pretty big. I had to text Nichole and let her know what he did and she texted back part of Proverbs 31: "Her children will rise up and call her blessed!" That made me smile, too. :)

Adventures in Odyssey

2010-02-25T05:54:00.000-08:00

Hey Moms & Dads,

Just so you know, you can listen to FREE radio episodes of Adventures in Odyssey on Focus on the Family's website.

A picture is worth...

2010-02-25T04:09:00.000-08:00

I just found this fantastic website from Thomas Hurst.

He is a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer who is on staff at Mars Hill Church. Here's a little excerpt about him from the Mars Hill Blog:

Thomas Hurst is a Pulitzer Prize-finalist photojournalist who currently serves on staff atMars Hill Church and was part of a team that traveled to Haiti on behalf of Churches Helping Churches. Look for more posts in coming weeks from Thomas as he shares his thoughts on particular images he took and moments he and the team experienced in their 32 hours on the ground in earthquake-ravaged Port-Au-Prince.

His pictures are phenomenal. If you have a little time, take a look. I especially enjoyed the series called Journey of Hope that helps tell the story of 3 year Muhammed Hussein, a little Iraqi boy who was shot in the face by militants. He is currently being fostered by an American family while he goes through surgeries and recovery.

Just a warning: a few of the images are really graphic (especially of Haiti), but I think sometimes we all need a little shock to realize how much the world hurts and how much we need to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Shopping List for the day.

2010-02-25T02:03:00.000-08:00

We are out of juice! I know, a stock piling, coupon crazy mom should not be out of anything, much less JUICE!

I remembered that I have a $5 gift card for Target and I'll use that for juice. Here's my other shopping items:

-Right Guard Deodorant- $2/2 coupon= Free Travel sizes!

I'll be donating these to a shelter or to church. We are up to our eyeballs in Axe deodorant from a Walgreens promotion where if you bought 5 Axe products, you got 2 free movie tickets! They were also on sale and I had lots of Register Rewards... I ended up paying $3.50/5 + the tickets. That's less than one Axe deodorant usually is. Sorry, that was a little walk down savings memory lane... back to today.

-Kashi Cereal: Free box of any Kashi Cereal thanks to Recyclebank!

-Seventh Generation: Free Natural Dish Liquid thanks to Recyclebank!!

-Juice: I've heard that the Gerber baby juice is on sale and so is the Archer Farms. I'll let you know. :)

This looks like it's going to be a tax only shopping trip. It's easier to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's when all I'm paying for a trip to Target is Tax!!

Consignment Mommies

2010-02-24T06:44:00.000-08:00

I just found this fantastic little bargain blog:

I think I'll be hitting this website up more often to see where I can get some cute, cheap kid's clothes!

Being Single.

2010-02-24T03:51:00.000-08:00

There is a person that Cam and I know that I'm always frustrated with. This person assumes they know everything about dating and that the church and every pastor has it wrong. This is because this person is still single. I believe this person has a very selfish perspective on dating and marriage. This person has also borrowed some extreme "worldly" ideas about how to date and meet the opposite sex and "Christianized" them. Which to me is really, really cheesy. It's sort of like those shirts or bumper stickers in a Christian bookstore that just stole a logo from a real company like Coke or MySpace and made it a terrible Christian saying that sort of rhymes.

It was refreshing to read this article from Relevant Magazine about dating. If you are a Christian you are called to a higher standard of living, in everything you do. Everything in your life should be about Christ first, then others. If you are a single Christian I think that you should be focused on you and Jesus, then we'll see about the rest. Marriage is not for happiness, it's for holiness.

Enjoy the read.

Free Space Camp Star Wars poster!!

2010-02-24T01:15:00.000-08:00

I like getting free things in the mail. I don't care what it is, but I like receiving fun in the mail! If it's something the kids dig, then I'm REALLY excited. A few weeks ago we got a free Disney World Vacation planning DVD. The kids were enthralled and watched it a few times. FREE ENTERTAINMENT! Last night when I checked the mail there was a Space Camp information mailer that I had sent out for a few weeks ago. I figured Josiah would like it. Little did I know that it contained STAR WARS paraphernalia! A full sized poster of R2-D2 and C-3PO!! It was immediatly placed on Josiah's bedroom wall. If you have a little space adventure lover, you can send away for it here.

Stuff Costs more than it use to!- Bender

2010-02-21T13:01:00.000-08:00

I don't know if you were all aware of this, but it's the FUTURE! Except I do not have a bending unit robot as a sassy side kick (*YET*).

I got my first text from Target for coupons on my iPhone. That's the future, baby. They just scan the barcode on your phone.

Here's the link to sign up: Target Phone Coupons.

Now if they could just work on getting me a Bending Unit.

Rag Doll

2010-02-21T10:03:00.000-08:00

I may be one to get the Led out. I may also be the one to listen to Probot on the way to church. I might just be the chick that listens to whatever sounds the loudest on the speakers when I don't have my kids in the car. That doesn't stop me from having a soft spot in my heart for 60's pop sensations like Frankie Vallie, Dusty Springfield and Lesley Gore. I listened to KOLA 99.9 & KERTH 101.1 growing up before Air 1 came into it's modern form. I had a radio in my room and it was always turned to oldies stations. I know you all may be a little surprised to know that I enjoy oldies. It reminds me of cleaning my room and thinking that I understood all these lovelorn people on the radio, well, because I had a crush on someone at church that just didn't quite understand. When I hear the "KOLA 99.9" intro it reminds me of being in my room on a Saturday evening with the smell of a fresh cut lawn and maybe the BBQ going. It takes me back to just enjoying life and simply being a kid.

So, tonight I will sit and listen to all these former pop stars on my Pandora station and remember when I was about 9 years old in my very pink bedroom.

Mae

2010-02-16T02:51:00.000-08:00

First off let me say thank you to all of you that prayed for Mae Mae. It's an amazing feeling to know that you have friends praying for you! I think for me the highlight of Twitter or Facebook would be the ability to start an instant prayer chain. Thank God for that!

Here's what happened last night:

Josiah, Mae and I were in the office playing a very fun version of Toy Story mania online. They were both in one chair and it ended up behind my chair. Mae apparently stood up, grabbed onto my chair, and then fell face first onto our laminate floor. I was right there, scooped her up, gave her some loves and took her down the hallway to see Daddy for some Daddy comfort. While standing in the hallway she started convulsing/seizing. Her eyes were glared over, her arms shot straight out and she reared back. Her one leg that wasn't against my body stood straight out. I held her away from from and shouted her name. She didn't respond to anything. I think at the most it lasted 10 seconds. It felt like forever. I've never felt anything like that in my short stint as a Mom. Cameron asked if she was maybe just throwing a fit and wanted down. Nope. I know my kids and I know when something is off or wrong. That's why God gave Moms intuition. He took her while I looked for my phone. She cried for a few minutes, had some juice and was "out of it" for about 5. We watched her for an hour and decided to call the pediatrician's office. He told us to take her to the ER.

Cameron took her while I waited for my sister to come get Josiah. He went to St. Joseph's first and there was a 4 hour wait (that's where our pediatrician recommended), they sent Cam to UCI Medical Center. I met them there and we were whisked back to a little green room. We kept Mae busy with lots of Cheerios, juice, books and Cinderella doll. When we finally saw a doctor she said we need to do a CT Scan. Because Mae is 18 months old, they'd probably have to sedate her. At first they were going to use Benydryl, which I was all for. The less meds the better! She came back and said the head ER doctor said they'd have to do full blown "sleepy juice" as we call it here. Yikes. I prayed and prayed that they wouldn't have to and if they did that all would be OK. The LVN came in and inserted an IV in preparation. Nothing like holding down your kid and then keeping her from ripping out an IV. We're pretty sure that the LVN had us confused with the couple across the hallway because he mentioned something about going to CHOC hospital and the transport team was on their way for the CT scan. Wait, what? We were more than surprised. But Cameron asked and we were staying put. The couple across the hall from us had a little baby that had rolled off a couch and hit the back of his head, he'd been throwing up. I'm pretty sure they sent him to CHOC. Poor baby. At one point I met eyes with his Mom and gave her a "half smile" of encouragement. I prayed for them while I was in there.

Cameron was fried. His phone was dead, he had nothing to do while we waited. Poor guy. He's a real man. Not one word of complaint out of his mouth.

Mae fell asleep after we turned the lights off in the room and I rocked her to sleep. She woke up a few times screaming and tearing at her IV. She kept saying "No mo(re)!" which is new. Cameron and I zoned out in the dark waiting for the next step. We could hear the sounds of the ER, and the young woman next to us who was so completely wasted on something that she couldn't tell them her birthday. I could hear them calling her "Stephanie" and prodding her for information. I prayed for her, too. I thought about my baby girl in my arms and wondered where Stephanie's mom was. There were twins somewhere in the ER that we could hear off and on. They sounded so small. The worst thing I heard all night was a man (I don't know how old) yelling and shaking his bed and saying "Look at me now Mom! Is this what you wanted?" "I'll show you!" I didn't see him, but he sounded like his mouth was injured. I don't know what his story was, but it killed me to think about it. It's just amazing how when you least expect it, you see what a lost terrible place this world really is. You see how badly people need Jesus. I could feel how badly this world hurts the heart of God last night.

Around 1 AM they took Mae and I up to the CT scan room. I was nervous. I wanted her to hold still without any help. She lay there and I held her juice cup in her mouth. She was so, so tired at this point. I prayed for her to just keep still. I really didn't want for her to be sedated. She held still and they got the picture!! She was entranced by the machine and comforted by the sound I think. I also know that God helped to keep her head still. Mae is not one to be held down. She puts up a fight when you wipe her nose. She was a calm, intrigued child last night when that camera spun around her little head.

We went back down to the room and she fell back to sleep on the bed. I finally laid down next to her. Cameron grabbed the chair. Poor guy, always getting the lame chair during the hospital stay. I slept. She slept. I think Cameron slept a little. Around 3:30 they came in and told us everything was OK. The nurse came and removed the IV and we were on our way.

This morning Mae is up and enjoying a little "bad parenting". She's eating a Girl Scout cookie as a part of her balanced breakfast. Thank God we can go back to the routine. So many people don't get to this soon after an injury. Thank you thank you thank you to all of you that prayed and passed our prayer request along. We'll follow up with our pediatrician this week to see if anything else is going on.

Baby Mae is A-Okay!

Treasures Ministry

2010-02-15T09:08:00.000-08:00

I would encourage any of you out there to take a serious look at our society's attitude toward porn. It's funny, it's expected and some Christians try to justify it.

I want all of you out there to really examine your heart on this subject. Those are real women, the daughters of not just earthly parents, but of a Heavenly Father. There isn't even one justification watching pornography. If you say you love God, but then turn around and objectify his daughters, he's going to have some harsh words for you. That's all there is to it.

I would encourage you to explore iamatreasure.org. If you have a porn addiction or know someone who does, check out xxxchurch.

Philipians Study

2010-02-15T06:46:00.000-08:00

I'm really, really thrilled for this study. They showed us the preview on Saturday at the Song of Solomon conference. I'm new to Matt Chandler, but I love his preaching. If you don't know his story, you can go here.

Fancy. Schmancy.

2010-02-15T01:55:00.000-08:00

I had to blog about this.

These are not the cool new clothes I got my husband for his birthday. These are in fact the US Olympic Snowboarding Team's uniforms. Burton designed them and I love them! I'm a Shaun White fan and Josiah is pretty stoked on watching him in the Olympics. I just have to say that this is really well executed and perfectly representative of snowboarding culture in America. You can read the article here.

P.S. If you want to read about a ridiculous and whiney snowboarder, go here. It will make you laugh. A lot.

Photography

2010-02-12T01:11:00.000-08:00

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Josiah & Mae"][/caption]

Look at this! I bet you are wondering if I had a professional photographer come in the hospital room after I had Mae to capture a few moments. Well, if I were rich I maybe would have done that. Actually the pictures are from none other than my sister! Talent, right? I forgot she had some of these on her flickr account and I had to post them here because they are beautiful! I think she should quit her job at the yogurt shop she works at and do photography freelance to make money. I know she could do it. Here's a few more of my favorite pictures that she's taken:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Josiah and my Dad, October 2007"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption=""][/caption]

Radicalis.

2010-02-10T22:48:00.000-08:00

It's so early. Especially when my son decided that his bedtime was closer to 1 AM. He would not sleep last night! Which is really, really weird. When he woke up to go to the bathroom around 3, he walked down the hallway, turned on the lights, walked into Mae's room and turned on the lights. So then she was awake. She went back down, but for a few fearful seconds I could tell she thought it was time to wake up and party.

Anyway, I'm on my way to Saddleback Lake Forest to see Pastor Mark Driscoll. I'm pretty stoked. I'll get to see him again on Saturday for the conference Cam and I are going to.

Here's the website if you want to see it: http://www.radicalis.com/ The rumor is some hunk of a web designer worked on it. ;) (That would be my husband if you didn't know!) You can watch the conference on there. I'll be the one outside the building trying to listen on the PA with two kids running around. &hearts;

My robot friends!

2010-02-10T11:38:00.000-08:00

I wasn't expecting this, because lightning doesn't strike twice.

Bill Corbett responded to a tweet of mine.

I'm on my own little celebrity cloud!

I said something to him a few months ago and he responded, and today when I tweeted (Goodness how I hate that term), about how fantastic his Twitter is, he responded again! That's pretty swell. It's not everyday you get a Twitter update from Crow T. Robot.

P.S. If you aren't familiar with MST3K, please get that way. Hulu.com has a few episodes and if you are a member of Netflix you can watch them instantly. FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY! WATCH MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000!

Snapshot.

2010-02-10T06:19:00.000-08:00

Just a friendly reminder to Moms out there: Remember to have fun. I was vacuuming the office today and then proceeded to vacuum my children. They loved it. It's cliche, but kids won't remember how clean your house was, but they will remember these types of moments.

P.S. Would you just look at those beautiful kids??

Saving to be generous for Birthdays.

2010-02-10T04:40:00.000-08:00

I thought I would do a little post on Birthday savings.

My Dad's 50th Birthday is this month (my parents are babies in my opinion). Everything I've gotten for him has been fantastically on sale or cheap. That doesn't mean that I love him less. What it actually means is that I've put more time and thought into gifts for my family this year than ever before. The more you save on a gift, the more generous you can be. Here's the run down:

- One photo mousepad: FREE (from Artscow.com, I would HIGHLY recommend becoming a fan of them on Facebook. I've received some super cute stuff for FREE from them.)

-One Gillette Razor (GILLETTE- THE BEST A MAN CAN GET! Sorry, that snappy little number always pops into my head when I see Gillette) On sale for $8.99, I had a $4.00/1 coupon. If you bought the razor at CVS, you got $4.00 ECBs. So, technically I paid .99¢ for a $10.00 razor.

-Gillette Deodorant: I got a double pack for the same price that a single was. It was on sale for $8.99 and I had a coupon that if you bought any type of Gillette deodorant you got a free Gillette body wash.

- I went to Walgreens where they had an in-ad coupon for Gilette Shaving cream, it was normally $4.89. The in-ad coupon made it $1.99, but I had a manufacturer's coupon for $1.00 off! .99¢ Baby!

That makes my Dad's birthday present a total of: $10.97!! For all of this it normally would be around $50.00.

** I also got him a Restaurant.com gift card to his favorite place in Bannining, Grandma's Kitchen. It was $2 for a $25 gift card.**

Couponing to Disney Step 1

2010-02-10T03:39:00.000-08:00

My kids and I just put a bunch of spare change into 2 piggy banks that we have. It doesn't seem like much right now, but I'm learning the value of just one penny. So step 1 in my grand scheme is to use whatever spare change we have for visiting the mouse!

The other active steps I'm going to take this week are:

-Taking surveys for money online, slow going, but worth it.

- Taking the recycling to get $$$!

-Using my Mail in Rebate money for WDW savings. I have a $4.00 Single Check Rebate from Rite Aid that I'll cash and use. I'll be getting a $10.00 rebate from Johnson and Johnson among others. I'm also going to have a little bit from CVS from their ECB program.

I'm really encouraged to this right and to take time. I have the image of driving through the gates of Disney World with my kids & hubby and I know that all this Scrooge McDuck like scrounging will be well worth it.

It's business time.

2010-02-09T13:48:00.000-08:00

Since Valentine's Day is this weekend most stores are having sales on "Business Time" items. I just wanted to let you know that I got two packs of Trojan condoms at Walgreens, BOGO* 1/2 off, then I had two $2.00 Trojan coupons (it was odd to see condom coupons in the paper...), I got two packs of condoms for $14.00 (one pack is usually $14.00 by itself)! I had Register Rewards to use so it was actually FREE!

So, if you are in need of such items because you want to renact your favorite scene from Song of Solomon this weekend,you can get them cheap at Walgreens!

*BOGO="Buy One, Get One ____"

P.S. If you don't know what business time means, you need to meet my two best friends from New Zealand, Bret & Jemaine.

Super Cute Veggie Tales Toothbrush!

2010-02-09T10:03:00.000-08:00

See these cute little Veggie Tales toothbrushes? Well, I scored 2 of them for 99¢ each at Walgreens today. Not only do they have my favorite guy, Larry on them but they also play some awesome Veggie Tales tunes for 2 minutes so kids know how long to brush their teeth! I was already excited for my deal, then I saw how much they normally retail for: $2.48! Woohoo! My kids were thrilled and so was I! Maybe the song should go "Oh where is my toothbrush!?" instead...

UPDATE: I went back to Walgreens with my Register Rewards from earlier today (I had $14.00 worth) and bought some, um, necessities for our trip this weekend & for "Fillers" (at Walgreens your number of coupons can't exceed number of items being purchased, so you use cheap "filler items") I got 3 more Veggie Tales Toothbrushes. :)

Corona Life Services

2010-02-09T09:01:00.000-08:00

I'm really excited everyone! I was driving back from Ontario, taking the side roads when I happened to see Corona Life Services Pregnancy Center. I just got off the phone with them and can't wait to start helping out.

I use to volunteer at Yucaipa Pregnancy Center and loved it. It was some of the most gut-wrenching, heart breaking time I've ever spent, but it was so worth it just to see that one life that was saved. I know that my heart is in pro-life ministry and now that I'm a Mom I have even more compassion for these girls and women who are so confused.

If you want to help out with Corona Life Services, go to their website, you can make a donation, you can drop off your old baby clothes or buy them a pack of diapers.

I am so, so excited.

Princess Alexa Foundation.

2010-02-08T14:54:00.000-08:00

I found this incredible foundation earlier today on one of my coupon blogs:

The Princess Alexa Foundation

In honor of their daughter, who loved dressing up and playing, they donate dress up clothes to other children who are very, very ill. I couldn't get through much of the blog, I was crying too much. Thankful for my own healthy children and realizing that I should not ever take any of it for granted.

As the Mom of a daughter who already loves wearing all things Princess and sings Ariel's song, I think this foundation is fantastic. Every little girl should get her dress to wear to the ball.

When you wish upon a coupon...

2010-02-08T08:06:00.000-08:00

I believe we have another goal coming down the shoot as far as money saving goes. It involves a mouse, Florida and taking the kids on a plane ride. Obviously I'm talking about Walt Disney World. I want to use my coupon savings and abilities to get us to Disneyworld. I don't know when, but I'm going to learn how with couponingtodisney.com
I went to Disney World in 1997 and loved it. I would adore being able to take my kids and Cameron. We have a few debts to pay off first and planning to do, but I want to do it. Anyone want to join us?? :)

I'll keep you updated.

Life.

2010-02-08T07:46:00.000-08:00

Out of everything I have a strong opinion about, I would say the sanctity of life is #1. I strongly believe that there is an abortion industry that has done nothing but deceived generations of women into believing that abortion doesn't hurt, isn't wrong and that it's not a baby. Yesterday I watched with great interest the Tebow Pro-Life ad from Focus on the Family. I thought it was well done and was light & fun. I think the misconception about us "pro-lifers" is that we're all about gruesome signs of aborted babies and condemning women simply because they are women. While I do know that pictures of baby's bodies ripped limb from limb after an abortion is effective under certain circumstances, loving someone unconditionally and giving grace and hope is far more effective in all circumstances. I think that the story of one mother's decision to defy a doctor (or two) who told her that she wasn't carrying a real baby, but a mass of "fetal tissue" might make us stop and think once again what it means to be a society that aborts unborn children under the mask of helping women.

If I could, I'd like to share a story. My parents have 4 children. I'm the oldest. Followed by Paul Andrew "Andy", 23, Aaron Randall, 20, and Lauren Michelle, 18. I only write their middle names because that's the way I think of them. I usually call them by their first and middle name, or a nickname I've created for them. Obviously they all love that. ;) My youngest sister, Lauren, was a surprise. A BIG SURPRISE. To say the least. My mom had been very sick with my brother Aaron and the doctors told her not to have anymore kids. So, my dad being the loving husband, put himself on the chopping block (quite literally) and got a vasectomy. My mom felt for quite awhile that someone in the family was missing. She cried about an unknown child that she wasn't going to meet because she couldn't have anymore kids. What a surprise when right around my brother's first birthday, they were pregnant again. I remember that day- I was sitting in the living room coloring. Both my parents came into to tell us. Oh joy! Perhaps I would get that sister I wanted! Obviously at the age of six, I had no idea of what this pregnancy entailed.

When the time came to call the OB-GYN, my mom was asked this question after they saw her medical history "Did you want to go ahead and schedule a termination?" It was nonchalant, it was easy, it was typical. My mom said no, knowing this meant that she was most likely going to be very ill. This wasn't going to be easy. But it was going to happen. My Dad who was only 32 when my sister was born, claims his chest hair went white overnight during a hospital stay where they told him my Mom might not make it.

On May 21st, 1991, my Mom came home from a Doctor's appointment and asked "Do you guys want to have a baby tomorrow?" They induced my Mom the very next morning and my sister was born that evening. I remember the phone call my Grandma Berry got saying that my sister had finally arrived! I shrieked for joy! A SISTER! Later that night my brother Andy and I were picked up by a family friend, Sharon and taken to the hospital to meet our sister. (Sorry Aaron, I don't remember if you were there or not!). My mom was still in the delivery room, which seemed like the world's biggest room at the time. In my mother's arms was a pretty big baby bundle (My sister weighed over 9 lbs when she was born). She was swaddled, but her butt-cheeks were hanging out. I like to remind her of that- I saw her butt first. There was my sister. A person. So small. So new. Despite complications and recommendations, my sister was here, a beating heart and everything one could want in a baby sister.

When my sister and Mom finally came home to our little house on Second Street, I remember reading to her. It was some Looney Tunes book and I figured that was my job, to read to my sister. Thank God that my Mom knew better. She knew who was in charge, she knew that God had a plan and a purpose for my sister. If she didn't have my sister, who would I have read to?

Now I know that this debate goes deeper, but let's all stop to think for a minute about the fact that my sister is here, and she's full of life. Let's think about how many siblings our friends or ourselves are missing because an industry and movement has lied to us about our own bodies and the new lives we create.

Tootsie is here because my mother chose life.

Albertsons Coupon Booklet

2010-02-08T03:20:00.000-08:00

I have discovered shopping at Albertsons. I really love the store here on Ontario in Corona. They have the BEST customer service (I was shopping there one day when it started raining, I was on my way to the car when one of the employees was coming in to let me know that my windows were partially down. That's service!). They also have a Starbucks inside... which is a treat. The real reason for the post is that I found a great coupon booklet inside the store with $39 worth of coupons. It's called "Value your Heart" and I found it next to the weekly ads in the store. It has quite a few coupons in it, I even used one, the $2/2 Diet Coke (12 packs or larger). I was buying soda for the Superbowl and it came in quite handy with the deal Albertsons was having ( 2 pizzas and 4 boxes of coke for $17.04, I got 2 Diogiorno pizzas and 4 boxes of Coke for $7.04! With coupons of course!)

If you are an Albertson's shopper, keep an eye out for the booklet. Don't forget to sign up for their Avenu program that puts coupons right on your Albertson's card.

Done after one. I said that once.

2010-02-06T23:29:00.000-08:00

Zombieland has to be one of the best movies. EVER.

It was a fantastic send up of any post-plague/apocalyptic anything you've seen or read. I really, really enjoyed it. I was laughing five seconds into the movie and didn't stop. This movie had the best surprise I've ever seen! I feel like I could probably watch this movie over and over and over again. I could even show it to all my friends. It's that good.

\

Saturday Night Live.

2010-02-06T23:23:00.000-08:00

The other day my brother Aaron walked in and said "You know what I'm looking into?" I quickly responded "Sleeves?"

Why? Because my brother owns about 30 shirts. 2 of them have sleeves. After watching this, I'm rethinking that remark. I'm thinking sleeveless shirts are the new style for today's rock star on the go.