Frugal Fridays- Frugal Gone Bad May 15, 2008

  So I have mentioned before that I use The Grocery Game to save me money at the grocery store. I have ended up stockpiling a lot of food so my weekly grocery shops have begun to consist of just getting the necessities. Fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, milk, hostess cupcakes. The essentials.

Yeah, so, when I looked on Grocery Game this week, I noticed that Hostess 100 calorie cupcakes were 50% off. Now, I have never eaten these before, but I had a coupon and they were cupcakes so I thought, AWESOME, 50% off cupcakes that are only 100 calories. And they look like mini ho-hos. So I put them on my grocery list and head to the store.

Except when I get there…no Hostess 100 calorie snacks. They are cleaned out!! I even got a stock person to check the back room. No, cleaned out. And I have my mind set on these cupcakes. The thought of them is consuming me. And I think, “There is another Meijer on the way home (a not so nice one) I will check and see if they have them.” So I buy the rest of my groceries and head to Meijer #2….cleaned out. I should have just gotten a rain check at this point and gone on my merry way.

But I want these stinkin’ cupcakes. I try and placate my tummy with other forms of chocolate, but it will not be appeased. It wants Hostess cupcakes and nothing else. The hubby, most likely tired of listening to my rants about the lack of cupcakes at the 2 Meijers I have now visited, suggests that he run to the pricey grocery store a block away. This makes perfect sense you say. I would get my cupcakes, problem solved. But I know they aren’t 50% off there and although logically I could just use my coupon there, I am committed to the Meijer sale now.

So today, I drive to yet another, well stocked, Meijer and finally get my cupcakes. I ate 2 packages on the way home, totally blowing the point of the portion controlled packaging. And I am confident the money I spent on gas far out weighed the savings on the cupcakes. And I wasted a ridiculous amoung of time running around town looking for these cupcakes. Still, those cupcakes were some kind of yummy.

Moral of the story: sometimes being frugal can be taken to far. Sometimes the need to get a deal can overtake all sane parts of your brain. With gas being what it is, it might not make sense to go to lots of stores just to get a good deal. But if you do go a little wacko, you better make it for something good. Cause chocolate is the cure for all kinds of crazy.

Things I Love Thursday- Envirosax…again May 14, 2008

 I know, I know, I already told you I loved my Envirosax bag. But here is a quick update. I use these things all the time. I love how cute and hip I look pulling them out of my bag at the grocery store. I used them on vacation to put all sorts of stuff I had accumulated that didn’t fit in the suitcase. I have gotten my mom using them and even got into a chat with a boutique owner today who said she was hoping to carry them. I love them so much that I contacted the company to tell them of my love. They responded by sending me another bag to try.

Yes, Envirosax has come out with a new line of bags specifically geared towards kids. So now, you can teach your kids about being stewards of the earth and they have a bag that fits their own style and personality. Apparently this is working around here because when I took Lily shopping with me tonight and tried to use a plastic bag she totally called me out. I only used it on the chicken because the thought of raw chicken juice touching my sassy bag just seemed all wrong. Surely one plastic bag can take one for the team, just this once.

These bags work just the same as the adult bags. They fold down to the size of a large candy bar and can hold a whole lot of whatver stuff your kid is lugging around. I love them cause of the bright colors with fun, weird drawings on them. So your kid can be fashion forward and environmentally conscious all at once. Green is the new black ladies and it’s only right that our kids get on the hip train with us.

Works For Me Wednesday- Some Blogging Advice May 13, 2008

 Today, I am going to let you in on a blogging pet peeve of mine. Now I don’t claim to be any sort of blogging expert, but I read a fair amount of them and run this lovely one you are reading right now. So, I have begun to develop some frustrations, annoyances if you will. But none bother me worse than this one, so I am going to make a suggestion for you bloggers that I find helps make the whole blog reading experience much more enjoyable (well for me anyway, and really who else do you need to please?).

When you link to something, like another blog, your own blog posts or an outside website, link so that it opens in a separate page. I don’t know why I find this so lovely, but I guess it is just too much work to have to use the back arrow trying to get back to whatever you were previously reading. Here is the bad news, I have no idea how to do this except on wordpress. Here, you just hyperlink to whatever you want and then choose, “open in a new window”. So uncomplicated, yet so not always done. Blogger and Typepad users, feel free to leave a comment telling others how to do this on your platform.

Also, just for fun, I would love it if you left a comment saying what your biggest bloggy pet peeve is. Unless it is bad spelling and grammar. I know mine is less than stellar. I needs me a editer

A Fashion Find May 12, 2008

 As I recently mentioned, I love fashion. And I love fashion tips. I have tried lots of fashion magazines and while they give me some ideas, I have no intention of paying $300 for a white t-shirt. And last time I checked 3 inch heels didn’t work so well at the park. So I need practical advice. Recently I scored a free subscription to Seventeen magazine and before you laugh, let me just tell you I read it cover to cover. Besides being a little disturbed by the content, I was loving that it highlighted some clothing and makeup options that were actually affordable. And wearable despite the fact it was catering to young girls. The articles-a bit hoochy, the clothes-not so much. So despite the fact I will not be letting my daughters read this publication, I found some great buys.

Also, my good friend Jen has launched a blog as well as a new website for her business. If you live in or near Chicago, you should definitely check out her personal styling services. She goes through your closet and takes you shopping to find clothes that flatter and are affordable. Think of her as a WAY nicer version of Stacy London. And she is a mom so she is not going to send you to the park in a mini skirt and high heels.

If you don’t live in Chicago, you can still benefit from her stylish advice at her blog. And the advice is free!! I have ripped off many style tips from her over the years and she is undoubtedly one of the most stylish people I know. So check her out and start looking fabulous!!

Make Me Laugh Monday- The Man Cold May 11, 2008

  This video is only funny because it is so darn true. And any of you who have been married for any length of time know just how true it is. Enjoy!!

*Thanks Candace

Need some more laughs. Head over here.

Happy Mother’s Day! May 11, 2008

 Happy Mother’s Day everyone!! I tried to post last night, but WordPress was down, but since it is, in fact, Mother’s Day right now, this works. Best Mother’s Day gift so far- the kids slept at my parents so I was not awoken (is that a word?) at 6:30, but slept until the glorious hour of 8:15…until my dad awoke me to tell me I forgot to give them diapers. Still, I am able to blog in peace and that is a gift.

I could spend time talking about what a wonderful mother I have, but I already did that here, and as my close friends and family will tell you, too many mushy displays of affection make me break out in hives and start to twitch (I am pretty sure it is my mom’s fault). I could also go on and on about how much I love being a mom and what a blessing it is, but I am pretty sure I have done that before to and besides, I want to talk today about what is truly important…

I GOT A SCOOBA!!!!! The Scooba is the Roomba’s more talented sister who washes and dries my hardwood floors. I actually got it last week cause it was on sale at Linens N Things and the hubby used a Bed Bath and Beyond coupon cause they accept competitors coupons, making it $100 cheaper than on amazon. HE BOUGHT IT WITH COUPONS!! Seriously, could he know me any better? Anyway, this little robot has been cleaning my floors, pretty much daily. At first I thought, well I can’t really tell if it is doing much. Then I cleaned out the filter and the tank. Gross. So this is one less chore I will be doing. If only, they made a robot to clean my toilets. Seriously, shouldn’t we be living like the Jetsons by now? Where is my Rosie?

So here is wishing all you mommies a Happy Mother’s Day. May your kids lavish you with tons of kisses, hugs and love and then may they take a long, long nap

Oh Erik!!! May 9, 2008

  Did anyone watch this Thursday? If you didn’t, you shouldn’t read this. Hello, dumb move!!! Man these ladies are manipulative. I just am still in awe that he fell for it. It is way late and I just finished my DVR’d version so I am a bit speechless and brain dead, but the poor guy is probably scarred against women for life. Still with that hair, he could always be a Farrah Fawcett impersonator.

I apologize for the lameness of this post. I got nothing coherent to say. I am sure tomorrow I will be flooded with brilliant blog posts. If not, I can just talk about the possibilities of McDreamy and Merideth making a go at it…again.

Frugal Friday- Free Food May 8, 2008

 Tonight I went to a local cafe for a night out with some of the mommies from MOPS (who lurk around on this blog- hi mommies!!). Man, I love a good girl’s night out. Good conversation, good pie, good free food. No I didn’t dine and ditch. I got offered a bunch of free food.

Apparently, when you stay at a cafe way past closing time the employees begin to give you free food. Maybe as a bribe to get you out of there so they can go home. Who cares? I never look a gift horse in the mouth (what can that possibly mean?). So we are all sitting there and an employee comes over and says that they have all these quiches and pot pies that they make fresh everyday and if they don’t sell, they have to throw them away. So since they are going to be thrown away anyway…would any of us like this big pile of FREE FOOD. Well heck yeah, I do.

The funny thing is he keeps going on and on about how the food was made fresh and so it needs to be eaten soon or he can’t guarantee the quality of it past tomorrow. No really, you should eat it tomorrow or else it might be bad. And did I mention it was made fresh today so you should really eat it soon.

At this point I realize that:

a) He doesn’t realize that food of a chicken pot pie nature doesn’t last long around my house and

b) I think he is seriously overestimating the freshness and quality of the food we usually serve here in the Diaper Diary household.

So I take 3 chicken pot pies and hit the road. I have also decided that I will return to that cafe every night at approximately 8:45 pm. I expect my grocery budget to be drastically reduced as long as my family doesn’t mind living on pot pies and quiches.

How is this helpful for you my dear readers…um, it’s not. Unless you know where I live and you want to come over for chicken pot pies. But here are some options for free food that you might find helpful.

• TCBY is offering a free cup or cone for moms on Mother’s Day.
• Boston Market is offering moms a coupon for free dessert during the month of May. All month long!
• On May 15th, Dunkin Donuts is offering a free iced coffee from 10 am-10pm.
• May 21st is apparently Bump Day. And Baskin Robbinsis giving away a free 3 oz. cone to expectant mothers. Almost makes you want to get preggo.

Is anyone noticing a theme here? Is it any wonder we aren’t taking off the baby weight?

For more frugal tips, head over to Biblical Womanhood.

Things I Love Thursday- Rice Krispies May 7, 2008

 We don’t usually keep Rice Krispies around the house unless it is a rare occasion where we make Rice Krispies treats (which come to think about it should be way more often). But I had a coupon a few weeks ago making them (you guessed it) free so I got some of them with strawberries. Lily had never had Rice Krispies before (outside of the treats-mmm) and so as I poured her a bowl, I told her the cereal “talks.” Her eyes got big and she put her head down by the bowl. She looked up at me and said, “Are you fibbing?”

It was fun watching that moment as her mom. Cause seriously, didn’t we all eat these as a child and lean our head in to hear the snap, crackle and pop. And even if you didn’t do that, who can deny the gooey goodness that is a Rice Krispies treat (my goodness, I might just go make a batch right now). It’s just one of those foods that brings back memories. I can still picture the little cartoon guys singing in the commercials.

Well, Kelloggs Rice Krispies has put together a website, Childhood is Calling, to remind us how important it is to create memories with our kids. They are partnering with Playing for Keeps to help educate parents on the importance of play. I overheard two moms talking yesterday about all the things their kids were scheduled for and I was overwhelmed. I can only imagine how the kids felt. There are some really great ideas on the website of ways to “play” that don’t require signing up for a class and forking over a load of cash. I can’t remember too many classes I took as a kid (except for the NINE years of piano) ,but I can remember hours of play in the backyard and around the neighborhood. My earliest memory is of my dad letting me make pizza’s at the pizza parlor he owned at the time.

Lily loves to bake, put often I can’t stand the mess or the inability to control exactly how everything is going to go (yes, I have issues). So I was also thrilled to find recipies specifically geared towards cooking with your kids. This weekend I am going to tackle my issues and conquer one of these with Lily. And if things start to go awry, I will just stick her in front of the computer so she can play some of these. That Rice Krispies Treat decorator could keep her occupied for hours.

Now…is 11:30 too late to make Rice Krispies Treats?

Works For Me Wednesday- Actually Not So Much May 6, 2008

  So it is another themed Works For Me Wednesday and the theme is “Things That Don’t Work For Me.” I am sitting here wracking my brain and am at a lose. This is either because I am so freakin’ brilliant that I never try things that don’t work for me, or because my brain is fried from an evening spent at the local go-cart track/arcade after consuming large amounts of pizza at the 3 hour pizza buffet. In my defense I tried to hit the salad portion of the buffet, but the line was ridiculous. Who gets salad at a pizza buffet? Did they not see all the pizza??!!

I apparently still have food on the brain (not to mention on the belly) because it suddenly occurred to me what really doesn’t work for me. Chinese food. Let me explain why.

My junior year of college I studied abroad in Asia for a semester. It was an amazing experiece I will never forget. But there was a bit of a problem in that I didn’t like any of the food basically the whole time. In Japan, it was the seafood. Not really a fan of seafood and I’m livin’ in the land of sushi. In fact, we stayed a weekend with a host family and when they asked my what I like to eat, I replied, “Nothing out of the ocean.” They looked at me with a shocked expression and said, “What, not even octopus?” Um, yeah, especially not octopus.

Now at the time I went to China, I liked Chinese food. In fact, the summer before I left, I remember getting together with a fellow study abroad-er and ordering a large amount of chinese food in order to try and teach ourselves to eat with chopsticks (good thing cause they really didn’t have forks over there). Then we actually get to China. Let me just say that what you people are eating and calling “chinese food” is not Chinese food. Their food has heads on it. And sometimes fur. And could have possibly been a house pet at one point. So suddenly my love for Chinese food takes a turn for the worse.

I should also note that at the time I weighed 98 pounds. Please don’t hate me, I just had crazy metabolism. And I didn’t in any way appreciate it at the time. Foolish, foolish youth. Anywho, I was starving over there and desperate for something that resembled food. Sadly, that became McDonalds, which barely resembles food, but close enough. So I would step out of our hotel and hail a rickshaw to have some poor man carry me in a cart on wheels to the local McDonalds where I would order a Big Mac. Man, those had never tasted better. And who knew, but I am a very good rickshaw tipper.

For more tips, head over to Rocks in my Dryer.