Potty, Potty, Potty,......POT-TY!

I am so excited to post that Lincoln actually went potty in the toilet tonight! He has had a very defeatist attitude about the whole potty-training thing - well, really about everything until he's done it once - but now since he's done it he's super-excited to be such a big boy! I wish that I had known that he was actually going to go because I would've snapped a picture of his face....he just looked so proud (don't worry, I would've left out the details). All he kept saying was, "I get to go to Chuck E. Cheese's!" since my dad promised to take him back when he's completely potty-trained. Anyway, the beginning of the end of diapers for him....Wahoo!

Monster Cookies

When I was little we hardly ever had hot lunch at school, so it was a treat when we did. Our elementary school made these Monster Cookies that I just loved. I finally found a recipe that, after playing with it, approximates them pretty well. Best of all, there's no flour, so less guilt when I scarf the entire batch. Try them and let me know what you think!
Ingredients
3 eggs
1 1/4 C packed light brown sugar
1 C granulated sugar
1/2 t salt
1/2 t vanilla
2 t baking soda
1 12-ounce jar creamy peanut butter (or 1 1/2 C)
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 bag (medium size) M & M's
3/4 bag mini chocolate chips
4 1/2 C quick-cooking oatmeal (not instant)

Preheat oven to 350' F

Cream butter, peanut butter, sugars, eggs, salt, vanilla, and soda. Stir in oatmeal, chocolate chips and M & M's. Drop by large scoops (like an ice-cream scoop) onto baking sheets. Flatten slightly with fingers. Bake approx 15-16 min. Do not overbake. Let stand 3 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool. Makes 3 doz.

If you make them tablespoon size, bake 8-10 min. Makes considerably more.

Tagged!

I was just checking around the blogosphere and found that I've been "tagged". So here goes:

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. Getting married (yes!)
2. Working (I don't miss it)
3. Still fitting into my size 6 jeans (I do miss that)
4. Teaching primary
5. I either have a very bad memory or I was really boring 10 years ago, 'cause I think that's it!

5 things on my "To Do" list:
1. Finish Aile's cross-stitch
2. Frame said cross-stitch as well as Lincoln's
3. Make Aile's quilt
4. Work Out
5. Clean the house

5 favorite snacks/foods:
1. Beef Stroganoff - made with steak and the McCormick sauce packet, YUM!
2. Coke (yeah, yeah, I already know where I'm going - check the blog title)
3. Monster Cookies (this week)
4. Chips & Salsa - from Rancho Viejo
5. Mexican food in general

5 things I would do if I was a billionaire:
1. Buy a house
2. Go back to school
3. Buy Ryan his Bronco I.
4. Buy me a Mustang Shelby (Ohhhhh)
5. Save a small country - hey why not?

5 bad habits:
1. Smoking
2. Drinking
3. Drugs
4. Immoral Activities
5. Gambling
(no one said they had to be MY bad habits)

5 places I have lived:
1. San Diego, CA
2. Georgia
3. Lynden, WA
4. Everett, WA
5. Spokane Valley, WA (all very boring, I know)

5 people I tag:
1. Melanie
2. Bethany (sorry Dave)
3. Sharla
4. Alicia (yes, you aliciadiane)
5. Betsie (whenever you get around to it - those brand new twins are sure to keep you busy for a while:))

Pinochle Anyone?

Okay Carter family....next time we come over I want to play Pinochle. Last night I got invited to play with a group of women I'd never met before - all nonmembers (look at me, coming out of my shell). It's their once-a-month get-together and it was so much fun! I'm still learning, but the basic game isn't that difficult to grasp. So, if we ever make it back over, get those Pinochle decks warmed up (I didn't even know there was such a thing as a Pinochle deck) - we're having a tournament!

A Random Sampler

Girl's Night Out

After reading Kendra's post about not being a people person I've been thinking a lot about that - wondering where I fell. I think I enjoy people, but only certain people. This is the reason that it's better that I don't have a job - I don't play well with others. But the people I do enjoy I really enjoy. Now, I love Ryan and the kids, I do. But there is just something about hanging out with girlfriends sans kids that I need on a monthly basis. Last night was Girl's Night which mostly involves Mountain High Mud Pie at Red Robin and spending 2 1/2 hours at a table talking about whatever - usually our experiences as women, mothers, wives, etc. But it gives us a chance to be together and laugh and realize that we're just as normal as the next gal. And it gives us a chance to miss our husbands and children. How can you miss them if you never leave them? I have some pretty incredible women that I get to hang out with as just women on a monthly basis and I am so grateful for them - they help keep me sane, or else we're all crazy together....either way I wouldn't trade them! Thanks for a great night Ladies!

How to Coupon

You are probably already doing some of these things, but it's when you put it all together when you really save big.

First, two things I didn't realize: 1) Stores want you to use coupons. A lot of stores get their bonuses off of coupons, so the more you use the more they get. 2) Grocery stores run on a 13 week cycle. You don't need to buy a year's supply of something if it's a good deal, you only need to buy a 3 month supply (if it's a really good deal) because those same things will be coming around again in 13 weeks.

The key to couponing is quantity. It is illegal to sell coupons, but it is not illegal to sell the service of clipping coupons. The east coast gets better coupons than the west coast so if you buy east coast coupons you'll save more. For example, the east coast may get a coupon for $1 off something where the west coast will get it for .50 off. The other benefit to buying coupons is that you can order as many as you want. There is usually a 3 item minimum for each coupon and a $3 order minimum. Keep in mind that you only want to buy coupons for the things you will actually use - and you're not going to find coupons for everything. Where you really save big is if you have coupons for the things that are already on sale at the store. (I will buy coupons for things that I know I will use even if there is no sale that week). What I posted about yesterday was 40 boxes of GM cereals and 10 containers of Betty Crocker frosting. Albertsons was having a sale on assorted products 10/$20, but if you bought 10 then they took $10 off. So right there I was getting everything for $1 each if I bought in quantities of 10. The extra savings came in because I had coupons for $1 off when I bought 2. I had these for the cereal and the frosting. So I got everything for .50 each.

What to do:
1. Get your grocery ads on Wednesday. Without regard to brand circle everything in every ad that you would normally buy.

2. Now compare your prices. This will give you an easy reference of who has the best price on what. I have a spreadsheet that I use - it lists everything I have in my cupboards, pantry, fridge, freezer, etc. There's also a grocery list of the same items on there. I tried to add it in here but I couldn't figure it out. If you want a copy you can post your email address or just email me: vrcarter3@yahoo.com.

3. Order your coupons. I like www.thecouponmaster.com, www.thecouponclippers.com, and www.boodle.com. Boodle lets you print off your own coupons. If I order on Wednesday I usually get them by Saturday. I got them Monday this time because of Mother's Day.

Once you get your coupons you're ready to shop. If you have a Walmart Supercenter check there first - they will match prices but they don't put out their own ad. You may want to take your ads with you - our Walmart doesn't take your word for it anymore. Walmart doesn't accept % off, super-saver ads, cash register coupons for specific stores, and B1G1 ads. And they're kind of poopy about coupons in general - but sometimes their prices beat other stores even with coupons. If you can, go to all your different stores in ONE TRIP. If you're getting frozen stuff - throw a cooler in the back of the car.

Keep in mind: 1) You are not always going to get the best deal - don't stress. 2) Be organized - grocery list, menus, shopping list, coupon organizer. 3) Try to go when the stores are less crowded. 4) GET RAINCHECKS - if the store is out of what you want a raincheck gives you your own personal sale.

I recommend getting a few things to help you stay organized: 1) A binder with 13 dividers to keep track of your 13 week cycle. Just throw your spreadsheets in there. Keep your ads for the week in the binder as well. 2) A coupon organizer - you can get this at any office supply store or they sell them on the coupon sites also. Make a list of your coupons by expiration date so you don't throw your money away.

The woman who got all this started in our Stake is Jolinda Eibert. She has a family of 7 and pays $200-300 a month on groceries since she's been doing this. She sells a cd of info for $10 (I'm pretty sure that's the price, I don't have it). I've heard that you make that back in the first transaction. If you're interested in purchasing one her email is J_eibert@yahoo.com. She says she now drives her old grocery bill.

I spent all day on this the first time but I've heard that it should really only take about an hour a week once you get going. Sorry this is so long! Good luck and Happy Couponing!

I've Been Converted...

To couponing! Our RS had an Enrichment activity last week about couponing so I gave it a shot this week. I just got back from the store - I had to laugh when the clerk gave me my receipt and said, "wow, you saved $160.66, good job." I spent $27.48 and got 50 items. I'm never going back. Of course all you frugal Carters already knew about this, but I'm thrilled! Now Wednesday is my favorite day of the week - the food ads come out and I get to order my coupons. If you havn't already, give it a try - you won't be disappointed. Happy Couponing!

Happy Mother's Day!

Here's what being a mother looks like in my world....



I went grocery shopping Saturday night and had the feeling that I should get the kids gifts for putting up with me as a mother. Anyone else feel like that? I got a sack of candy at church - and a dehydrator from the boys. I was going to post pictures of my mom and Ryan's mom but it turns out I don't have anything recent. Hey Carter fam - snap a picture of mom looking at the camera and send it to me, please! Sorry this is such a jumbled sounding post....I really did have a good day.

But the best part of the day was when Ryan called his mom and talked to Janae....Congrats on number 5!

For Carleen And Any Other Readers...

Okay, any of you that know me very well know that I love to read. Occasionally I get into a series that I just can't put down (usually after the entire thing is already published). I just finished reading the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer - took me the last three days, which is why I have not gotten anything done around the house or blogosphere. If you liked Harry Potter you'll love this trilogy! I was disappointed with the end, but I think it's because the series ended - not because of how it ended. I was also disappointed with the end of Harry Potter, any Jane Austen book, etc. The best way to describe the books is in the authors' own words:

"I've always admired the ability of some authors to create situations of impossible fantasy, and then add characters that are so deeply human that their perspectives make the situation believable. I hope Twilight offers readers the same experience."

And it does. Highly recommended!

(I'm going to re-read it right now)