Being Frugal {or Another Mania}

I have some friends that coupon pretty well, and I've been interested in this for a long time.  I never did it though because I always thought, they don't have coupons for the things I buy, so I'd be buying things just because I have coupons! Well I do buy personal products, baggies, toilet paper, dog food, make up, shampoo, cleaning supplies, and laundry detergent!! Even if I had coupons for JUST those items it would save me a lot of money which would give me more money for the grass fed and organic foods I want.  Now if only I could find coupons for that kinda stuff.....

Sunday night I went and bought two of the LA Times and two of our local papers.  I'm still figuring this all out.  Not quite sure why you should have more than one paper unless you get something for Free because of the item being on sale, plus a manufacturers coupon, plus a store coupon.

Yesterday was my first adventure at this.  I went to Target to get these blushes for free.  I got 3, which was all they had left, and I had three different coupons for Cover Girl to use separately plus a mobile coupon that the guy was to scan on my phone.

I told him to do them separate. He didn't listen.  Then he said, "if it doesn't take $1 off each product when rung up together then I can't do it."  LIE. Well of course it didn't.  So he asked a girl that worked there to and she said with mobile bar scans you can only use it once.  Another lie. They don't know anything.  Fine. Whatever just give me one blush then.

It was on sale for $1.92 at my Target.  I gave him a $1.50 off any Cover Girl product coupon, then gave him my phone to scan for $1 off too.  He said, "I can't scan your phone now because it will be negative money."  I said, "I know. It's okay, try it!" Target won't give you money back but Walmart, CVS, Walgreen ect will.  He rolled his eyes and tried it. Somehow he got it to where I owed him $.14.  He was impatient. The people behind me where waiting. I paid it what evs.  I got a blush for $.14!  It wasn't what I hoped or planned but it was a learning lesson.  Lesson: cashiers are going to hate me.  And I have to know my stuff.

Do you coupon? Can you give me any tips? It takes so much time and effort.  It's another mania.  I know it.  I don't want it to distract me from writing the book or housework, ect.  But if it will help my family I will became a couponing Maniac.
Amen.

Hot Pregnant Months

Gah. I have never gone through the very end of a pregnancy in the extreme desert heat.  I am almost 22 weeks so the rest of the pregnancy, except the last few weeks, will be hot. Hot. HOT. I wanted/want to get a season pass to our water park here so we can go cool off and aren't inside all the time, but I haven't yet.  But I DID buy, or borrow (from the Library) a bunch of books and here is my summer plan.

Walk! 

Go to the Y 2-3 days a week. (This is all I can commit too...going anywhere with three boys and pregnant is hard work these days).

Work on my book. (Set a schedule, so far I have yet to stick with it. Gr I hate somethings about myself.)

And READ. I want to finish these books by September 21.  The Jane Austen one has 4 books in one and I just want to read one. This one I'm scared of. 

I recently read that Nicholas Sparks (wrote The Notebook, Safe Haven, Lucky One, Dear John, ect) reads at least 100 books a year!!!! Whoa.  If you want to write you gotta read.

I finished Divergent last night.  Then started reading Harry Potter (not pictured) because *gasp* I've never read them or even seen the movies! {Fantasy is not my thing}. I got it from the Library just to see how J.K Rowling writes and I got sucked into the book.  Might as well finish it too.

I'm also reading Writing Fiction For Dummies. At least 10 pages a day. It's super helpful. 

Why*** are you getting all into reading and writing all the sudden you ask?? Well, it could be just another Mania. Or to pass time as I wait for baby boy #4 to cook. Or maybe I really found my niche. I love writing my blog and have been for 3.5 years, and I LOVE to read and am always reading a good book.  And I love the fact that this is something I could do from home, all on my own, it's in my control.  NOT that getting published will be in my control. But the work part is. And no I didn't study English. I went to public school and can barely spell. (Thank God for spell check).

My photography which I still love and do is up to others. I have work sometimes when people call. Other times I don't.  It's really up to other people.  This is up to how hard I work, how much I study, how much I read, it's all up to me.  Just like half marathon training.  I like not having to make sure my boys have a babysitter, or I have clients, or ________.

DON'T get me wrong I am passionate about photography and am still doing it.  But coming up with a book: a fiction plot, planning, brainstorming it, it's all super exciting.

On weight: OYI. 
I am retaining water like a camel and I know it's showing on the scale. Some days I've gained 13 some 15. Blah. 18 more weeks...at least everyone keeps telling me I look great and that I look like I've lost weight.  I really appreciate it since I feel like a whale and have the energy of a llama.

Davey and Shane went camping yesterday with the men and boys from church. Miss them tons.  No cell service up there is driving me bonkers.  Shane was so excited and thought there was treasure up there (I've been reading to them the Magic Tree House books).  I got a box and filled it with gold candy so Davey could hide it. I also got him a map and rolled it up for him (it has been worn and torn from my car so it was perfect!) he was so excited to go on a treasure hunt. ;)

Reece, Cody and I got very antsy around 4, so we headed out. I debated Target or Walmart. Chose Target because it's safer. SO glad I did.  A lady at Walmart in the parking lot in DAYLIGHT with two kids was approached by two guys, one with a bat, one with a knife to rob her. Apparently she had a knife too and stabbed one of the guys...Oh.My.Soul. Yes that was the Walmart a mile from my house.  Scary scary.

What is on your reading list??

Mania

These last few days have been very emotional, stressful, frustrating, and confusing days ever. Of course, it has to do with moving. We got the house in Morgan Hill, but through a series of unfortunate events, we no longer have the finances to pay first months rent and deposit. Heartbroken, I called and left them a message today saying we want the house, but need a week to figure out our finances and everything. They will most likely rent it out to someone else.

Then, the fact that we were possibly moving home brought up the fact that we were no longer pursuing the ministry as fervently as we once were. We began to pray and discuss what we thought God wanted, and we got counsel from our pastor, parents, and friends. Which led to us making a few calls to different pastor's hiring. Now we suddenly have a few options, [maybe]. What was a simple discussion to move home so I can be near family when Davey travels, brought on a real soul searching for our future. I still really want to move home and specifically into that house, but I HAVE TO TRUST GOD.

We prayed for God's will and that He would provide for us if He wanted us to move. He didn't provide, at least not yet. It's put on hold for right now, and seems God is working and I am an anxious mess.

Davey says I have these manias. When I want something, I find a way to get it. I just do. Ok fine, just say it, I'm a brat. I figure a logical way to get it. Take my bike for example. I wanted it, didn't care about getting fitted, it said it was the right size, so I got it. I thanked God for it, but when I realized it was the wrong size I was upset. I prayed for the bike but didn't listen to Him.

I have trouble being patient. I just can't wait. It's horrible. I am now aware of these manias and I really didn't think this Morgan Hill thing was one. I thought God was really in it, and maybe He is. I just need to depend on Him and not always rush and make things happen on my own and in my own timing.

I've been crying and frustrated for a few days now. I really had hoped to live close to my Mom and other family for a little while before we moved and got hired by a ministry. BUT I know, I want HIS WILL. He is all knowing. He holds the best future for us, one He picked perfect, specifically for us. And all the trials and heart aches are in His master plan.

I am hopeful, that He is working and we will be where He wants us very soon. Even if that's right here. Paul said in Philippians 4:11 "...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Wow. What a convicting verse that is for me.

Tuesday I was so stressed and busy I didn't work out. Horrible. I know. Yesterday I was a mess, I went to the gym and really, took it out on the treadmill. I ran 7 miles. I was angry so I ran fast and hard and sweat buckets. I took relaxing walk breaks once in a while and breathed deep. It was a fun, and a great stress reliever.

Today I did Yoga and Cycle. Thankful that through all the stress I've managed to stay on track with my calories. I peaked on the scale and I am 189.6 [lowest by .2] and hoping for a little lower on Saturday. Thanks for reading all my complaints. ....... Again.

Love,
The Maniac