Path to parenthood

After a good year of debate dh and I settled on foster to adopt as our route to parenthood. Thats not to say it will be sucessful or that we wont adopt a different way in the future but for now, its how we're going.

Last week I emailed about a $40 baby lot that contained a boopy, swing, tigger door jumper, and a box of clothes. I drove out to my dream area (big lawns, no city, quiet but close to the city amenties) to meet a wonderful woman. When I told her we were adopting she sold me everything but the boopy (which she had determined belonged to someone else) for $20. It was SO awesome! The clothes are boy 0-6 months, stain free and theres a LOT of them. The swing and jumper are both for small infant so if we get an older infant it wont work. But I'm quite sure I can re-coup my $20 if thats the case, everything is in perfect condition. I've been eyeing baby equipment but in till we get everything moved out and painted its best to wait. In less I see an amazing deal or a freebie. I would like to get all my equipment secondhand, theres a lot of turnover in our area and i see great stuff for cheap. I've been debating getting a highchair or one that fits on a the table and i've decided on a highchair. I want to be able to set the baby in the highchair with me in the kitchen. Our table isn't in the kitchen, so that wouldn't work for me! I want a pack and play pen. The stroller might be the only thing we buy new if we decide to get a travel system. Car seats must be new! I have the rocking chair my mom used for me. I'm still thinking about the changing table, we'll see. Its a small room so we might use our tall dresser as both.

I wish spell check was working!

mmm spring

Instead of keeping my home tightly sealed, fighting every draft to the best of my ability I threw open the windows and welcomed the fresh air. Finally a day where its too warm with the windows closed. A day when I get too hot playing to wear my fleece outside. Where I can frolic with my puppies in a T-shirt! Oh yes! Soon I will plan bulbs, sow seeds, and await the arrival of blooms.

Free pancake tuesday

Today is Ihop's pancake day. Dh and I went. They weren't free. We bought a coffee, and split an omelet for $12. Tip was $3, donation to the childrens hospital was $5. I'm all for donating, but it seems kind of misleading to call it 'free pancake day' when you are heavily encouraged to donate money for the 'free' pancakes. In fact they said you should keep in mind the price of pancakes when donating, basicly please donate the amount you would have spent on pancakes. I hope ihop is matching the donation, because i'm not very pleased with their marketing. Effective yes, but misleading.

Cake supplies

I'm 2 classes into my session two class. Its still fun but its more intense then the last class. Royal icing is harder to work with, and it tastes like paste! But the flowers are pretty, and color flow is fun. I bought more supplies.

$14 for student kit (used coupon)
$9 for several frosting colors
$9 for new carring kit, works wonderfully
$7 for color flow (this is a stupid tax, i lost the packet that comes in the kit)
$3 brushes
$1.99 for 2 1/4 cup countainers
$5 cake carrier

Total $48.99 am i done yet? Unfortunatly no, I need a tip keeper, more tips, and a covered container to carry my frosting flowers in. My flowers flew all over my yard!

Walgreens spa rewards update

I recieved a letter today from the Wyeth company. Because of the overwhelming demand for spa appointments they have come up with a second option. You can send in your certificates to be exchanged for a pre-paid gift card in the same ammount. So my $100 in gift certificates will give me a $100 gift card. I'm going to exchange mine, I was worried about missing the deadline to call and complete, plus I would rather pick my own spa. I was lucky enough to recieve a professional massage as a gift a few years ago, and would like to go back to there. Getting a gift card would also allow me to share it with my husband, he could use a massage. Or i may spend it all. I could even save it and use the money on our family reunion trip. I really like the flexibilty the gift card offers. When I send in the certificate i am going to photograph all of my paper work in case it gets lost in the mail.


When is spell check going to work again??? I dont have word so I cant check my document there first.

Rite aid freebies

I haven't cut my new coupons up yet but riteaid has men's speed stick deoderant free after reabte.

Walgreens scores

I caved yesterday and headed off to walgreens. But who can beat a $5 off $20 coupon on top of rebates? Dh did his own transaction so we could take advantage of two coupons.

Mine:
4 boxes kneenex $8.76 (3.56 after in ad coupon)
Hair relaxor kit $5 (prints out $5 register reward)
Sally hard as nails .99 this is the only polish that doesn't chip off my weird nails!
4 bottles dawn dish soap $7.16 ($3.96 after in ad coupon)
Garnier shampoo $3.99 (free after rebate)
Softsoap body wash $4.49 (free after rebate)

Total before deals $34.94
After in store coupons and deals $16.99
Total after rebate $8.42

Dh:
4 knuckle bones $12 (SO WORTH IT!)
Menn deoderant $3.99 (free after rebate)
Chapstick $2 (printed out $2 register reward)
Walgreens soap .59
Plastic bottle $1.29
soap dish $1.29
5 hr energy $4.49 (free after rebate)

Before deals $25.06
After coupons and sales $20.65
After rebates $12.17

Personally I don't count the register rewards as freebies till I use them. If i considered the chapstick and relaxing kit free now, I would have to count them as full price when I actually buy the free ones. I had a revlon lip pumper in my cart too but it either fell through the holes or is still in the cart! I'll be sure and grab one when I turn in the register rewards.

$60 worth of stuff for $20.59. The dog bones were $12 of that and let me tell you, all the hours of peace are worth $12!