Fall Organizing

Today is really starting to feel like fall!! The high is supposed to be 85 and that is awesome!  Last night Adam had band practice so I decided to really get busy around my house.  I ended up clearing off my bar and got all the papers, magazines, etc that I had never sorted through.  Also, my dining room table looks gorgeous! See:

I used a centerpiece that I made last year and a cute pumpkin that I got at the grocery store for a dollar.  I’m thinking it needs a little something more but not sure what … hmmm. Suggestions?

I have a very bad habit of piling things on my table (I’m a stacker!) and it ends up buried in junk.  So in order to clean off my table I then had to reorganize my desk to make room for my sewing machine and wreath that I’m STILL working on.  (sorry no pics of that … forgot). 

My house is now pretty clean and organized, at least my 3 main problem areas and I got it all done in one evening.  That deserves a pat on the back!

This weekend I’m hoping that we will make it to the fair! Nothing really brings that fall feeling better than a funnel cake and some carnival rides!! :)

Have a great weekend!

Good Deals

Yesterday when I was getting some things at the store I got 3 very GREAT deals on these items:

I had gotten a coupon from the Pantene Facebook page for a FREE bottle of Shampoo or Conditioner (12.6oz) so I used that on the shampoo.  Then in the paper this weekend there was a $3 off coupon when you get two Pantene Shampoo or Conditioner products.  So I got a conditioner that was $3.78 for only .78 cents!

Then I also had a coupon for FREE Skintimate Shave Gel and got the one shown.  Total savings $9.02! Not bad!

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I’ve recently joined Social Spark, as you may have noticed by the post that published over the weekend.  It’s really pretty awesome and hopefully I can make a little extra money to have for Christmas or crafting.

Click on this icon for more information:
 

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Lastly, I have a giveaway that will be coming up the first of next week so keep your eyes open for that!!!

Movie Review: Moneyball

Friday I really wanted to go see Abduction but Adam we decided to go see Moneyball instead.  He wanted to see a  movie in the big theater (leather seats that recline, huge screen, etc) because his back was hurting and it was more comfortable.  The previews for Moneyball did look pretty good but I’m not a baseball fan in ANY way.  Neither is Adam but he said it looked good.

 What it’s about:
Oakland A's GM Billy Beane is handicapped with the lowest salary constraint in baseball. If he ever wants to win the World Series, Billy must find a competitive advantage. Billy is about to turn baseball on its ear when he uses statistical data to analyze and place value on the players he picks for the team.

Rating:
Rated PG-13 for some strong language.

1.  Did the trailer/preview give the entire movie away?
I only saw the trailer once so for me no it didn’t.

2.  Is this a MUST see in the theaters or do you wish you had just rented it or is it that bad that you would have to wait for it to be free on TBS?
Hmmm. Well I wouldn’t have minded waiting to see it in redbox or on TV but I don’t feel like I wasted my money by seeing it in theaters.

3.  Which movie star do you think MADE this movie?
It’s a tie.  Brad Pitt of course was the star but I LOVE Jonah Hill.  He is so hilarious and such a versatile actor.

4.  Predictability?
I had no idea how they were going to wrap up this movie.  I was actually pretty surprised by then ending.

5. Rating?
This one is hard for me to rate.  I enjoyed the “story” of the movie but it had A LOT of baseball in it.  I didn’t feel like I missed anything because of my lack of knowledge on the sport but I kinda was a teeny bit bored.  I wanted it to be a heart pumping, on the edge of my seat, will they win kind of movie and it wasn’t.  But that’s just because it wasn’t that kind of movie.  It was more about the characters and how they evolved.
So all that to say I’m giving it a 6.  If you are a person that LOVES baseball you would give it a 10!

Save Money With Straight Talk

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

As I’m sure most of my readers know if you have been around my blog for any period of time, I’m a pretty frugal person.  Especially lately! The economy has finally caught up with us and that means no overtime and no overtime pay! So the purse strings have been tightened a bit and we are keeping a better watch on how we spend our money.  One of the areas I’ve wanted to check in to is lowering our cell phone bill.  We pay a ridiculous amount of money each month for our two phones and of course we are locked in to a two year contract.

I can’t imagine paying less than $100 for two phone lines.  It would be GREAT to have that extra money to help pay down credit card bills or go out somewhere nice once a month.  Something else that is great is that there are no credit checks and no surprise bills.  You know exactly what you are signing up for!

 With Straight Talk there a no contracts and with their unlimited plan you can get unlimited calls, texting, picture messaging, and internet for around $45/month.  Or if you aren’t a heavy phone user like me, then maybe the “All You Need Plan” would be better with 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts, and 30MB of web data. For another example of a plan check out this video:

 There are no activation, termination, or reactivation fees! So you use it as you want and need!

 I have never had the need to call internationally but they offer that service as well.  Wouldn’t that be great for husbands and wives to talk to their spouses overseas serving in the military!! Check out more about international calls by following this link: Call a friend

 I was worried that only certain cell companies offered good phones but Straight Talk offers reliable phones from LG, Nokia, Motorla, Kyocera, and Samsung.  Not to mention excellent reception and connectivity! You can even get a reconditioned phone for just $10!  And these aren't just the base model call only types. The reconditioned phones are available with cameras, mp3 players, mobile web access, and blue-tooth capability. Smart phones are also available, new, with touch screens, app capable phones with features like voice navigation, camera, video recorder, music player, instant messaging, and Bluetooth. A great example of this is the NEW Samsung Galaxy Precedent which you can check out by following this link: Android on Straight Talk

 Smart Talk is the official sponser of the FLW and you can go to FantasyFishing.com to enter their contest to win a share of $500,000!! Click on this link for more information: Hook, line and sinker.  I know we could all use a little of THAT!!

So now your wondering WHERE to go to check out this awesome deal? Walmart of course! How convenient is that!!

Ready for the WeekEND!

I can’t believe it’s FINALLY Fall!!! It feels AMAZING outside today thanks to a cold front that came through yesterday!!

I really hope that we can get out and enjoy the nice weather this weekend.  Adam is scheduled to work tomorrow but in the next hour I suppose that could change.  The overtime pay would be nice but so is having him home!

Tomorrow morning I REALLY need to go get my oil changed.  Because I bought my car at a certain dealership, they give you a lifetime warranty but you have to have all your service work done there.  Well it’s about 20 miles north of my house and I work 25 miles south of my house.  Not very convenient!

In the evening tomorrow we find out what my sister-in-law’s baby is at her gender reveal party! Super excited!

Sunday we will probably spend the day running errands and hopefully get back in to our movie seeing routine.  I’m trying to talk Adam in to seeing Abduction (with Taylor Lautner).  I’m not a “Jacob” fan by any means but it does look like a good movie :).

What are your weekend plans??

Fall TV

I’m so excited that I finally have something to watch on TV now!! All my favorite shows started coming back on this week plus a few new ones!

What I’m Watching So Far:

• Biggest Loser – Not liking Anna whatever her last name is.  The Dulvet dude is pretty cool though.  Bob is still the BEST!
• Law & Order SVU – I’m so sad that Stabler is gone! I haven’t watched the premier from last night yet so don’t give me any spoilers!
• Grey’s Anatomy – So excited for this one! I think Meridith will be leaving at the end of this season … just a hunch.
• Private Practice – I hope it gets better this season.
• New Girl - (New show).  We watched this last night.  It’s pretty dumb but very cute and funny.  I think will only last a season or two though.
• House – My favorite show by far! Can’t wait for this premier Oct 3rd!
• Persons of Interest - (New show) I have no idea what this show is about but Michael Emerson is in it (Ben from Lost) and it’s produced by JJ Abrams.  Not sure you can go wrong with that!

I’m sure I left out a few that haven’t premiered yet that we normally watch but these are the ones I’m excited about!

What are you watching this Fall?

Back to Normal?

I feel like life is slowly starting to find a normal balance again.  It will never be the same but I feel like I’m finding a new pattern to adjust to. 

We had my step-dad’s visitation last Tuesday and the funeral last Wednesday.  The services were great and there was a lot of laughter and remembering, which is what it should have been.  Don’t get me wrong, there were a lot of tears as well. 

I wish there was more that I could do to help my mom out but all I can really do is just be available and understanding when she needs it.

I’m still pretty wore out and tired from all the going back and forth but I’m sure I’ll get caught up on sleep at SOME point! :)

In non depressing topics … my sister-in-law got moved in to her gorgeous new house and finds out TOMORROW if she’s having a little boy or girl!! (I’m voting girl!).  We won’t know until Saturday at the gender party though.  So excited for that!

And speaking of babies!!!! Did you see that Janette had a GORGEOUS baby girl last week???  When I talked to her yesterday they were home and doing great!

It rained Sunday night!! Like heavy hour long downpour kind of rain! There are no new wildfires and some of the biggest are 100% contained.  I still have our emergency stuff packed but as soon as we get more rain I’m going to get it all put up. 

It feels AMAZING OUTSIDE!! It feels like Fall is JUST ABOUT here!  I’m dreaming of pumpkins, bonfires (maybe), hay rides, and corn field mazes!! Oh and turkey, dressing, and all the sides!! YUM.

I think I’m FINALLY back in the blogging world.  I haven’t read or visited ANY blogs in over a week so please forgive me.  I hope to be getting caught up or at least starting from today forward visiting my blog friends again! Thank you to everyone that sent your thoughts and prayers last week!

Prayers Needed Please

I knew this weekend would be sad because we would be remembering the day 10 years ago when our world was forever changed by the terrorist attacks on 9/11.  I had no idea that my world would again be forever changed this year.

Saturday my step-dad was at work in PA at an oil rig.  He collapsed in the yard and never regained consciousness.  We have learned that he had a massive heart attack.  After only 40 minutes the doctors new they couldn’t save him.

My mother … I can’t even begin to explain, understand, or fathom her heart break.  She’s devastated.  We all are. 

We weren’t close in a way that I shared confidences with him but I loved him like a father.  He was there for me like my own dad NEVER was. I loved him because he loved my mom.  I loved him because he was a great father to my little sister and loved her like his own. He was an hard working, loving, caring man that would do anything for anyone.

He should be flown home today.  This afternoon I’m going to the funeral home with my mom because she wants to be the first one to see him.

Please, keep us in your prayers.  We need comfort, peace, and a whole lot of strength right now.  Please pray for my mom.  She has lost her best friend and love of her life.

Watching Fires

Well I have been MIA this week and it’s been NUTS! This is what is going on around in my neck of the woods: 

These three pics are from the fire burning in Bastrop which is pretty far south of us near Houston but it has burned 33,000 acres so far.

We have another fire that is about 70 miles North East of us in Cass county that has burned 30,000 acres SO FAR and we have been getting a lot of smoke from that one.  Especially in the mornings.

As I was typing this out I found out that we actually have a fire that has rekindled just 11 miles from where I work and it’s getting out of control.  Hopefully they can get back under control soon.

Last night I got things together in case something happens around my home and we need to evacuate.  I got some pictures, family heirlooms, our birth certificates, marriage license, etc together.  I meant to pack a bag of clothes but will get that done tonight.

Fire scares me. BAD. When I was about 8 or 9 we lost our house to a fire.  I remember we walked into our house and it was full of smoke.  My mom had me take my brother and run across the street to have our neighbor call 911.  We watched our house burn to the ground. This week I have had nightmares about watching our house and land just burn up.  I’m worried about the house and our “STUFF” because it’s time, money, and memories we have invested but really the only thing I am truly worried about is our animals.  I have 2 dogs, a cat, a bird, and pot bellied pig that we would have to move with a tractor.  I worry something will happen during the day and we won’t be able to get home in time.

My heart goes out to all the fire fighters that have been working non stop this past week to get control of these fires.  I have several friends that are out there giving their all that I’m saying prayers for.  It’s amazing to see our communities coming together though taking collections of money, water, food, etc to all the fire departments.  Also we have thousands of animals (horses, cows, pigs, etc) that are being evacuated and people are opening up their land and homes to help.  Amazing!

Please pray for us in TX.  We could REALLY use some rain!