The Change Vase

I dunno. Two years ago? I started a jar of change.

I hate change. I don't like to dig for it. I don't like how it makes your fingers smell. I don't like holding up the line trying to find two pennies. And, it's heavy.

I don't spend it. I put it in a jar.

In October, I started doing the Dave Ramsey thing by using cash only and I collected more change because I don't spend it. The jar got full so I moved it to a vase. Every night, I empty my change into the jar, um vase.

Since I decided to move a few of weeks ago, that change vase has been looming there, knowing that I ain't gonna move that and egging my on to cash it in.

Tonight was the night. First, we had a fail on the way to the Harris Teeter Coin Star.


That was fun.

I also felt like a goober walking past college kids at the redbox on a Friday night at the Cameron Village Harris Teeter with my vase of change. And, I did draw a bit of attention with all the noise the machine was making.

But, it was worth it! May I forever be a goober! Cuz' guess how much money has been sittin' up in my house!?!?

$221.00 (and some change hehehehe)

Coin Star charges you a 10% fee so I only took home $199.79 which was a bit of a bummer.

And, before you start telling me what I shoulda done (and I know you will), let me say:
-Bank of America does not have a Coin Starish machine
-I called Coastal Federal Union and they do not have a Coin Starish machine
-I've been told State Credit Union has a Coin Starish machine so in hindsight, perhaps I should have gotten someone to take it there for me and maybe we have a lesson learned for next time, but that involves a bit of coordination and logistics and time
-I thought there was only $50ish in the jar so I was like yea, I'll give you $5 to count this for me and once your $221 is in the green machine, there's not much you can do about it
-You can get gift cards without a fee, but what am I gonna do with $221 to Starbucks?

So, I'm not going to sulk about what I shoulda done. Next time, I'll be hollerin' at one of you teachers to ride with me to the bank so I can cash in my piggy. But, for now, I'm going to be excited about my $199 that I didn't have this morning!

I'll let you know what I buy. It will most definately be for my new digs.

The View

Here's what we're looking at today folks.

Photo by the ever talented Enrique.

Super Doubles Recap

Super Doubles at Harris Teeter ended today.

I made four trips during the week.

Here’s the breakdown:

Date: 2/17
Retail: $47.92
VIC Savings: $1.94
Coupons: $30.87
Paid: $15.11
% Savings: 68%

Date: 2/18
Retail: $61.31
VIC Savings: $8.95
Coupons: $29.94
Paid: $32.21
% Savings: 53%

Date: 2/21
Retail: $23.05
VIC Savings: $0.18
Coupons: $12.18
Paid: $11.53
% Savings: 50%

Date: 2/23
Retail: $28.61
VIC Savings: $4.59
Coupons: $16.47
Paid: $13.17
% Savings: 46%

This week alone, I've saved $89.46 by using coupons!

Trip #1 is documented here.

I missed pics of trip #2 and trip #4 because I was on my cell phone when I got home and just went to unpacking without thinking of you and your pictorial needs, Dear Reader.

I did get Trip #3 though. That should be worth something.



Additional trip highlights include:
-more free wholly guacamole
-more free greek yogurt
-more cheap Yoplait Smoothies (which are an awesome quick alternative to making your own smoothie)
-FREE PREVACID! This one was an awesome score. I signed up for their email list a while back and received a $10 off coupon. The 14 day pack was on sale for $9.99. So excited about that one because while acid reflux is no fun, acid reflux meds prices are no fun either.

Well, that’s it. Down and dirty recap.

Next goal is to start keeping a price book. I hope to start that this week.

Goat Cheese Spinach Pizza

First, let me just say this. Maybe you've noticed that I haven't been keeping my food diary like I should. Maybe not. Ha!

Yea. I seem not to ever follow through. But, I don't think I realized how much time would be involved with documenting EVERYTHING I eat via blog. It would be like a part-time job! So, I think what I'm going to start doing moving forward is just sharing the highlights.

So, without further ado...Goat Cheese Spinach Pizza!

I like pizza, but of course, it's not that good for you when you get say, the I Heart Rio Rancho. And, weird as it may be, I like to make pizza at home. I'm not really a fan of frozen pizzas. They just taste weird to me. I prefer to make my own.

I've been making Goat Cheese Spinach Pizza for a few years now and it's soooo good! Warm goat cheese has to be one of the best flavors EVER. It's expensive, but sooooo good!

Puppies Need Good Home

My friends Leana and Adam are trying to find a good home for two puppies Leana found this week.

These two little pups were abandoned and found in Lillington. They've been to the vet and are approximately 11 week old Sheppard mix females.

They have been started on both Heartguard and Frontline, and it's expected they will be able to have their first shots next week.

Here is a little about each puppy (Leana went ahead and named them):

Roxy: She is the bigger of the two at 22lbs, and the dominate personality. Roxy is definitely the alpha of the two, and will steal her sisters food/treats if you don't watch her. She has lots of energy and loves to play with people and her sister. Roxy is VERY food motivated, which will be a great tool for training.

Maya: She weighs in at 18lbs, and is a bit more mellow than her sister. Maya loves to play, but does enjoy to curl up and take a nap soon after. It may take her a few minutes to warm up to a stranger, but she is eager to meet everyone. Maya is very loving and loves to sit with you and relax.

Both puppies are getting used to wearing collars and leashes. They are doing well with house training, but are still just learning.

Unfortunately, since Leana and Adam already have two dogs, they will not be able to keep these little ones. And, they're going to be big dogs so I wouldn't be able to keep them in my apartment.

If you, or anyone you know, is looking for a puppy (or two!) please forward this along. Anyone with interest or questions please let me know.

Maya

Roxy

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Dear Reader,

You might or might not be aware of this, but I'm moving in less than three weeks. After almost 30 years, I will dwell all alone. By myself. Doing my own thang.

With this move, comes great excitement in that...I GET TO DECORATE FROM SCRATCH! In my current living situation, the only thing that belongs to me is my bedroom furniture. And, that furniture was purchased for me to have when I moved into my first apartment and is your pretty basic wood bedroom set. It too will be replaced eventually and passed down to either a sibling or nephew.

With this excitement, comes a feeling of being overwhelmed. I have an opportunity to do whatever I want. In whatever style I want. And, it scares me. What if I make a bad choice?

I read an article recently about how my generation is different from my mom's in that we have the luxury of craigslist which allows us to buy matching wing backs for $50 and reupholster them without a lot of investment. Therefore, we have the ability to be a little more adventerous. Use that wild fabric. Or, spend a little more on designer fabric. Because in the end, we didn't spend that much and we can always change it back.

So, I'm facing decisions. I'm realizing that I teeter between elegant, traditional and funky, modern and I don't which side to land on.

Dear Reader, I'm going to start counting on you. Expect to start seeing some posts about what I'm planning to do or what I'm debating about doing and expect to start providing feedback. I'm going to need your input.

Or, I might go crazy trying to make a decision.

What Happened in the 80s Should Stay in the 80s

Where Is Everybody?

I rolled over to the Harris Teeter at 7:00 this morning to hit up Super Doubles. Harris Teeter doubles coupons up to 99 cents every day and during Super Doubles, they double coupons up to $1.98.

My plan had been to get up at 6:00 so I wouldn't feel rushed. Of course, that didn't happen. So, at 7:00, I stumbled into the Starbucks connected to my Harris Teeter to put some pep into my step while shopping.

First things first, I searched out the manager to make sure it was indeed Super Doubles since I get all of my information via stay-at-home mommy blogs. Never fear, every register had a sign on it promoting the event.

I started shopping and was weirded out a bit. There were only about two other people in the store and NO couponers. Last time I went to Harris Teeter early in the Wednesday morning to hit a coupon event, it was packed with couponers. Not sure what that was about.

30 minutes in, I did manage to run into another couponer. We were both looking for the same soap. I felt very special in that she asked me a question about Harris Teeter’s coupon policy and I was able to answer it like a seasoned veteran (which, um, I’m not).

So, what did I get?

*Roses not included. They's Karen's. From her boyfriend.

Highlights include:
2 FREE Wholly Guacamole
FREE Greek Yogurt (finally trying it!)
.69 Olay Bar Soap
.69 Frappuccino
.50 Hummus
1.09 Yoplait Smoothie

Today’s Stats:
Retail: $47.92
VIC Savings: $1.94
Coupons: $30.87
Paid: $15.11
68% Savings!

Every Once In A While

I stumble across a blog that results in me spending hours reading the entire thing because it's that good.

This is one of those blogs.

Invincible Love

I decided to go back and read my 2008 Valentine’s post. Then, I read my I Choose Truth post from November.

Wow. We’ve hit the invincible love stage.

I am so grateful and humbled and thankful and awed and all other kinds of expressions of adoration. God has done such a great work in my life over the past two years and He’s still at it.

I have more to say, but I’m saving it for a very special post. I’m coming up on my two year anniversary of being dateless. And, that’s not a bad thing. Because while I’ve been impatient at times and have doubted His plans, let’s just say He’s firing a faith worth more than gold.

Stay tuned.

This Week I'm Going To (week of February 1)

Get back on track!

Today's actually the 2nd and I've been bad over the past two weeks. BAD!

So, I'm setting two goals for this week:
1) Get back on track
2) Start eating oats for breakfast

In an effort to get goal #1 going, here's what I ate yesterday.

I Love NY Pizza Rio Rancho and a Mountain Dew. On the upside, I ate it at my work DEP. On the downside, it's a million calories.


For dinner last night, I made my award winning chili. It was so yummy with all the snow and ice outside. We had a delay yesterday morning and I left early to avoid driving after dark so I had a romantic dinner with my computer.

Now, goal #2. Start eating oats for breakfast. And, I'm not talking about the instant kind (although, I did that this morning). I'm reading SuperFoods Rx by Dr. Steven Pratt. The book details 14 SuperFoods that everyone should incorporate into their diet regularly. This week, I'm learning about oats and getting ready to make them a staple. Which should be fun, because I love them!

If you would like to learn more about oats, click here or here.

I Feel Like I Fell Down A Mountain

Probably because I did. Quite a few times.

CYC hit up Wintergreen this weekend. We picked a great weekend to go. Friday night skiing was the normal fake stuff, but then Saturday morning, we woke up to this!

The fresh powder made for great ski conditions! It was an adventure getting up to Wintergreen. We had to push a Cherokee with our F150 and then abandoned him. Our friends behind us took forever to show up. Turns out someone had decided to drive their glorified golf cart (known to most as a Prius) up the mountain. To ski. Early in the morning. In the snow. Before the roads were completely cleared. Genius.

Now, tell me how come I look like a 12 year old? Remember Chubby Face? Yup, I gots it going on.

And, before any of you ask. No, these aren't our boyfriends.

This Weather's Crappy

Enjoy this.

The Greatest Among You Will Be Your Servant

Last weekend, I went with Galeed Baptist Church's Acteens to the Savannah Baptist Center for the weekend. The girls had went to the Center this past summer and fell in love with Pastor Harry and his ministry. I quickly learned why. Below is an article I wrote for the Center's winter newsletter.

The banner in the fellowship hall at the Savannah Baptist Center reads from Matthew 23:11: the greatest among you will be your servant.

Our team was honored to spend the past weekend serving in Savannah alongside Pastor Harry. From the child on the playground to the cashier at Popeye’s, Pastor Harry sees every person he comes in contact with for the child of God that they are. He gives love to those who thought they were unlovable and provides a smile of kindness to those who have been shown none. With his strong appearance, he is looked up to and respected yet shows humility through his quiet and gentle nature.

God is doing a great work in Savannah. Our entire trip was a blast – from going through the community inviting people to the block party to packing food bags for the hungry. We learned that cooking a meal is just as important as preaching from the pulpit when it comes to being a servant. Seeds were definitely planted during our time there and it is reassuring to know that in Isaiah God tells us that His word will not return empty without having accomplished what He desires.

As we’ve come back to North Carolina, we are encouraged and challenged by the team at the Savannah Baptist Center to serve our own communities more. They define what it means ‘to love your neighbor as yourself.’ They notice the needs of their community and do not rest until they are met. They look at the people who walk through their doors with the eyes of Jesus and use their hands and feet to project His love onto them.

There truly is no higher calling than being a servant.

Chili to serve 100!

Of course, I have to show you the food. We were on our own for dinner and of course, we hit up the soul food.