Thought of the Day

A penny saved is a penny earned.

FINALLY FRIDAY

Yeahhhhhhhhh It's Friday!!!!

Can you tell that I am happy that the weekend is here? It has been such a long week. For some reason, I have had several sleepless nights and it has caught up with me today. I would really love to take an afternoon nap.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you Monday!

Thrifty and Neat Blog Entries Found This Week

1) Tips for Dealing with Teen Money Issues - Great tips.

2) Decorating Thrifty ... 20 Ways Saved on Decorating Her Daughters Bedroom - Her room is adorable and I love the way she did it for almost nothing.

3) How to Make Pico De Gallo - Sounds great and a great to get in your veggies.

4) Emotional Benefits to Becoming Debit Free - Great article.

5) Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas - Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week, this list may come in handy and give you some ideas.

6) Chocolate Bread Pudding with White Chocolate Sauce - This has got to be good. It was has white chocolate sauce.

FREE Sample of Crest Whitestrips Advanced Seal

Click here to order.

FREE SAMPLES FROM VIVEMEJOR

Click here to order a FREE Sample of Hellman's Light Mayonnaise, Caress Skinwear Collection, New Degree Fine Fragrance Collection, and Ponds Rejuveness Cream.

Thought of the Day

"When real people fall down in life, they get right back up and keep walking."

Sarah Jessica Parker

Thoughtful Thursday

I am giving away FREE food. Click here for your chance to win.

What Did You Get for FREE This Week?

My list of freebies this week:

Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food Sample

FREE TV Guide Issue

Babiesrus Coupons

FREE Garden Magazine

FREE More Magazine

FREE Woman's Day Magazine

FREE Country Living Magazine

Did you have any goodies in your mailbox this week?

Thought of the Day

"Never limit yourself because of others' limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination."

Mae Jemison

ROMANO'S MACARONI GRILL "WHAT'S FOR DINNER" GIVEAWAY

This is one of my favorite giveaways!! Who doesn't love a big bowl of great tasting pasta. Thanks to My Blog Spark and Romano's Macaroni Grill for offering me a chance to try their new great meals and letting me have 3 "What's For Dinner" gift baskets to share with my readers. This giveaway includes a sample of the Creamy Basil Parmesan Chicken Pasta variety- Three coupons for you to try the other varieties the next time you visit your local grocer, a colander, a serving spoon and a cheese grater.

I am not a huge fan of boxed pasta dinners. I do fix them sometimes just because they are quick and simple to make. I made the Creamy Basil pasta last night and I was very impressed. It smelled great and it was a success at my house. I did not think it tasted like a boxed pasta meal. Each kit includes everything you need for a great meal except for the meat. All you have to do is add one pound of chicken or your choice of proteins such as shrimp or Italian sausage. Varieties of Romano's Macaroni Grill Restaurant Favorites dinner kits include Garlic & Herb Chicken Penne, Creamy Basil Parmesan Chicken & Pasta, Chicken Alfredo with Linguine and Chicken Marsala with Linguine.

For more information and a $1 coupon please visit their website here.

To Enter The Giveaway:

Leave me a comment telling what your biggest struggle is in preparing dinner for you family.

For An Additional Entry:

- Follow my Blog. (1 additional entry)

- Post about this giveaway on your blog. (1 additional entry)

- Follow me on Twitter. (1 additional entry)

Leave a comment for each additonal letting me know what you did.

MAKE SURE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IS INCLUDED!

This giveaway will close Tuesday, May 5 at 9pm. The winners will be notified on Wednesday. The winners will be chosen random. You will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is only valid for residents of the US.

Good luck!!

THRIFTY TIP FOR APPLIANCES

I finally saved enough money last month to purchase a new stove for my kitchen. My new stove is black, my dishwasher is black, and my microwave is black. Everything matched except for my refrigerator. I made a trip to Lowe's over the weekend to admire their new, unaffordable black refrigerators. I found one that I loved for a whopping $1398. Of course, I wanted everything to match so I came up with a GREAT idea.

New Stove - $1398
Black Appliance Paint - $4.29 a can We used 2 cans = $ 8.58 plus tax
Saved - $ 1389.42




BEFORE:

AFTER:

The process did take a few hours. We had to completely empty the refrigerator to move it outside. (Perfect time to clean it from top to bottom.) We only applied to coats of paint = 2 cans. The ONLY problem we had........Payton got upset when it came time for snack. She came to the kitchen wanting juice and when she saw the refrigerator gone, she cried. She thought her juice was gone forever!

Thought of the Day

"Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others."

Robert Louis Stevenson

FREE HALLMARK MOTHER'S DAY CARD

Choose and design a FREE Mother's Day Card and Hallmark will mail it for you for FREE. Click here to order and use Coupon Code APRILCARD at checkout. You do need to be a registered Hallmark user. They have lots of cards to choose from.

A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words

MY SUMMER SALAD - PREVIOUS POST

I originally posted this August 8, 2008 but thought it would be a great time to post again.

My Summer Salad

I only make this in the summer.

tomato (from my garden)
cucumber (from my garden)
croutons
onion (not always)
basil (from my garden)
sometimes pasta
and anything else you would like to include
Ranch dressing

I love fresh vegetables and I make this at least 4 -5 times a week and include it with any meal and sometimes just as a snack. My salad does not include lettuce. The freshness of the tomatoes and cucumbers makes me not want lettuce. No specific amounts, just what you prefer. Place it together in a bowl and mix with Ranch salad dressing.

Thought of the Day

"The only failures is not to try."

George Clooney

MY NEW CRAFT, WRAPPING, AND SCRAPBOOKING AREA

On a Finally Friday post several weeks ago, I told you that I was working a weekend project. Below is what I have finally accomplished. It is amazing the things you do to stay busy while your husband is away.

BEFORE:

AFTER: A NEW CRAFT AREA

Most of the items you use see I already had. The picture on the right is my wrapping section. I did buy the 2 larger bins for $15 each. I already the smaller one. I have all of my gift bags (I don't need to purchase any for the next 50 years), tissue paper, bows, ribbons etc. in the 2 larger ones and the smaller one contains scrapbooking items. In the corner, you can see my wrapping paper with some boxes.

In the picture on the right, I did have to purchase 1 shelf, brackets and all hardware from Lowes for $25. I also had to purchase the table. I found it at Wal-Mart on sale for $28. I had all of the accessories pictured.

Total Amount Spent - $ 83 and several hours of my time to organize my closet to make room for this area. You would not believe the amount of time I spend in this area now. The $83 was well worth it.

Thought of the Day

"One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats."
Iris Murdoch

Thought of the Day

"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment."

Jim Rohn

Thought of the Day

"Expect nothing. LIve frugally on surprise."

Alice Walker

FINALLY FRIDAY

Yeahhhhhh its Friday!! Weather forecast for this weekend is Sunny and the high is 85-88 for both Saturday and Sunday.

Guess what I will be doing?? Yard work!! I have so much I need to do. I have a Honey To Do List for my hubby too. I'm sure he will be so happy to see it.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you Monday!!

Thrifty and Neat Blog Entries Found This Week

1) Reuse and Stock up -Easter Candy - I have never thought of using holiday candy this way.

2) Chocolate Chip Cookies Bars - These sound wonderful!!

3) Tips on Going Green to Save Green - Great ideas.

4) 8 Ways to Have a Fun Girls Night In without Spending a lot of Money - They all sound fun to me!! Which one is your favorite?

5) Turn Your Paper Clutter into Creative Stationery Gifts - Great ideas that I will definitely try.

All You Reality Checked - This Weekend

All You magazine is having a Reality Checked event this weekend at participating Wal-Mart stores. My local store is participating tomorrow. I plan on attending and seeing what wonderful freebies/samples they have to offer. Click here for details and see if you store is participating.

FREE Sample of Dove Go Fresh Deodorant from Costco

Click here to request. You do not have to be a Costco member.

FREE sample of Nivea Touch of Happiness Body Wash

Click here for your FREE Sample.

Thought of the Day

"Always fall in with what you're asked to accept. Take what is given, and make it over your way..."

Robert Frost

FREE Notepad and Pen

Click here to order.

Thoughtful Thursday

Think of all things you take for granted and be thankful. Some of these things are hopes and dreams for others.

WALGREENS TRIP - 4/22

Items Purchased:

Note: All prices include a 15% or 20% discount since I purchased these on Earth Day.

2 Glade Soy Candles - 5.09 Each, Used $4.00 Mfg Coupon, $2 WG Coupon = 1.82 overage
3 Walgreens Paper Plates - .79 each
1 Physicians Formula Lip Gloss - $4.07
1 Physicians Formula Face Powder - $ 6.62
1 Walgreens Go Green Bag - FREE, Used Walgreens Coupon

Total - $11.24
Used 3.50 RR
Total Due - $ 8.28 incl. tax
Used Gift Card
OOP - $ 0.00
Will earn a $10 Rebate on the Physicians Formula Makeup

Total Saved with Earth Day Coupon - $4.79

What Did You Get for FREE This Week?

This is what I have received this week:

Prilosec Sample
Pentran + Pain Relief Lotion
FREE Interview Magazine
FREE Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer
FREE Eucerin Lotion Sample
FREE New Yorker Bookmark
FREE Del Monte Coupons

Did you get any Neat Freebies this Week?

FREE Sample of Loreal Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair

Click here for your sample. At the bottom of the page click on Banish Wrinkles.

Thought of the Day

"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there."

John Wooden

NOT ONLY IS IT EARTH DAY.....

Happy Administrative Assistant's Day!!

REYNOLDS WRAP REBATE FROM - TODAY ONLY!!

Don't forget to print your rebate form - TODAY ONLY!!

Click here to print.

WALGREENS EARTH DAY COUPONS

Click here to print coupon.

Interesting/Useful/Fun Website

theultimates.com - Look up phone numbers for free.

TOP 100 Websites for Finding Bargains

Click here to read.

UPDATED GIVEAWAY WINNERS !!

The winners for the Yoplait Yogurt Gift Packs are:

NEW WINNER - #6 - Ashley McCourt

Here are your random numbers:
18 - Lisa

1 - targetmom

5 - kstewart1977 (NEVER RESPONDED)

No email address available. Please email me your mailing address.

Timestamp: 2009-04-20 12:40:49 UTC

Each winner has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond.
Thanks to everyone for participating.
I should have another giveaway soon.

Thought of the Day

"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong."

Ella Fitzgerald

FLORASTOR KIDS GIVEAWAY

Florastor Kids is a dietary supplement that has been clinically-tested, natural yeast-based probiotic that aids in the growth of good microorganisms in the intestines, while destroying and removing disease causing microorganisms to help maintain or restore optimal intestinal health. Unique because it can be safely give to babies and children from the ago of two months. Florastor Kids is a grat tasting powder that can be dissolved in beverages, including infant formula or soft foods, such as applesauce.

For more information you can visit their website here.

The first person who responds can have a free sample of 10 packets

(retail price 21.95).

FREE Sample of John Frieda Root Awakenings

Click here to order. You can choose from 3 choices - Health Infusing, Strength Restoring, or Nutrishing Moisture.

STROMBOLI - QUICK AND EASY

I share this with you before but I made it again Saturday for Payton and I and I thought I would share it again. My camera batteries were dead or I would taken a picture.


Ingredients:
1 - Pizza Dough
1 pkg. - Ham
1 pkg. - Pastrami
1 pkg. - Pepperoni
1 bag- Mozzerella Cheese


Directions:
Place pizza dough on a cookie sheet. Just layer all ingredients onto dough. Roll up and cut slits across top of roll. Bake at 375 for 15-20 until dough turns golden brown. Serve with marinara sauce.


Enjoy!

Thought of the Day

"Helping someone is what life is all about."

Wilie Stargell

FREE Sample of Aveeno Nourish from CVS

Click here to order.

GIVEAWAY WINNERS!!

The winners for the Yoplait Yogurt Gift Packs are:

Here are your random numbers:

18 - Lisa
1 - targetmom
5 - kstewart1977 - No email address available. Please email me your mailing address.
Timestamp: 2009-04-20 12:40:49 UTC

Each winner has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond.

Thanks to everyone for participating.

I should have another giveaway soon.