FREE (that's right, I said FREE) Cascade tablets @ Target

OMG

I about fell on the ground when I saw this deal.  Don't worry, I didn't drop my coupons (I wouldn't DREAM of it, some crazy might steal them, but that's another story for another day).

Trial size Cascade for 97 cents.  If you have the 8/28 or 7/31 P&G Brand Saver there is a coupon for $1.00 off.  Target no longer honors the entire amount of the coupon if it exceeds the price of the item, but they will still honor the 97 cents. 

Go forth and fill your carts, my friends.  Luckily I picked up 15 copies of the paper this weekend so I'll be stocking up on these babies!!

FREE sample of Huggies Snug & Dry Diapers

We don't currently have a need for diapers in our household, but I'm taking advantage of every free offer I can find to build a stockpile for baby #2.

Hold up.  No.  I'm not pregnant.  Just want to have diapers on stand by. 

Moving on.

Follow the link to sign up for a free sample!  No membership requred!

FREE diaper samples!!

Thanks to Money Saving Mom!!! 

Lolcat of the Day

Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE LOLCATS!

Something about their cute widdle faces and the horribly spelled captions makes me snort-laugh.

Here's todays feature creature:

OMG! ADHD kitty loves shiny stuff!!!

Awesome Sauce (homemade tomato sauce)

I had to do something with my mounds of tomatoes, so I decided to make and freeze some sauce. 


It seems like the easiest thing in the world to do, but before this I had never done it before.  Here is a short tutorial.  Let us begin!!


You will need:


5 pounds tomatoes.  (I prefer Roma tomatoes as they have less water and thus take less time to cook.  But you can use whatever you have.)
Large cooking pot
Potato masher
Blender


Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and add tomatoes.  Let them boil for approximately one minute, then remove and insert directly in to a bowl of ice water.  This will make the skins peel off easily.  Peel the skins, cut in half and scoop out the seeds. 

Place the (squozen? squozed? squeezed?) tomatoes in a collander while you do the rest, this will allow them to drain a bit more liquid as you are working.

Transfer tomato mixture to large  pot and heat over medium heat, stirring often to prevent the tomatoes from burning and sticking to (thus ruining) your (expensive Calphalon) pot. 

After the tomatoes have cooked down a bit, I use a potato masher to break up any chunks that are left. 


For added smoothness, I add the mixture to the blender and puree for about 1 minute. 

Then transfer back to the pot and cook on low heat for another 10-15 minutes.

That's some good lookin' sauce!!

To freeze the sauce, allow to cook and pour sauce in to a freezer bag.  Squeeze out all of the air that you can, then what I do is close the bag tightly, stick a straw in the corner of the bag (leave a portion open for the straw) and suck the excess air out.  Then quickly seal the bag.  Lay the bag flat and freeze.

Awesome Target Trip (deals included)

Went to Target today and got some AWESOME deals!  The lady behind me in line said she didn't mind the long wait because it was neat watching my transaction.  Awwww, first compliment I've gotten that didn't involve "crazy coupon lady holds up line".  Yay me!

well hello there, ladies

Here's the breakdown:

Febreeze $2.50 each and $5 target gift card wyb 5

I had a $1.00 off coupon for each so I spent 50 cents plus got the $5 gift card. 

Pantene on clearance for $1.46 each. 

I had 5 coupons for $3/2 making them free!

Nivea body wash $3.99

I had a manufacturers coupon for $2.00 off and a store coupon for $$1.00 off making them 99 cents each

Renuzit spray $1.97

I had a coupon for $1.00 off making them 97 cents each

Rimmel eyeshadow $2.49

I had a manufacturers coupon for $1.00 off and a store coupon for $2.00 making it free!

I used my $5 gift card from the Febreeze purchase making my grand total $8.47 for all the items!

Things weren't always this way

I loved my job.  Working 7 to 4, being with adults, having my own time.  It was perfect.  I went home to my daughter, spent a few hours with her, put her to bed and started all over.  We had all weekend to play together and that was enough for me.

In March 2011 I unexpectedly lost my job.  What would I do now?  Fighting past the tears and anger, I started applying for jobs left and right.  My first interview came 4 weeks later.  As I was getting ready to leave, my daughter asks why I'm going back to work.

I tell her, "Mommy has to work so we can have money for things, like our house and food."  She asks "and my toys?" "Yes, and your toys".  She runs off, and comes back 10 minutes later with an arm full of Care Bears, Littlest Pet Shops and a Zhu Zhu Pet.  Tears in her eyes, she wails "Mom, I'll sell all my toys so we can have money so you can stay home with me!"

I cried the whole way to the interview, and the whole way back.  I decided that day that I would be staying home with my daughter. 

I never wanted to stay home.  I never wanted to be a "frumpy mom who played with her kids all day and got no adult interaction."

I am learning to love it, and, to be able to afford it, learning to live simply.  It's been tough, but worth it when I wake up and join my daughter for breakfast at the table every morning.