Friday, July 29, 2011

Shop Rite July 29th

I had originally set out to do the Gas Card Deal again, but the deals all had too high OOP for my liking. The one I DID want to do I didn't have the coupons to execute them b/c I didn't get the P & G Coupons in my couponing service, it was an additional fee and I didn't know that until the last minute...so I'm a little peeved I couldn't do a deal from Houding with Frugalsuz, but I did get some good deals out there today.

4 Hershey Syrups $1.49 - $1/2 Q = .99 each (I've been on a chocolate milk binge since January)
4 Twizzlers $1.77 - 1.50/Q (.75 doubled) = .27 each (works towards gas deal)
4 Welch's Grape Jelly $2 - 1.10 Q (.55 doubled) = .90 each (I've always always been on a PB & J binge)
2 Kleenex Hand Towels $2.79- 1.50 Q (.75 doubled) = 1.29 each
Shop Rite Instant Oatmeal 1.69 (I'll go for Shop Rite brand...the Quaker is $3.99!)
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser $2.59-1.50 Q= 1.09 (I think this is the single best invention EVER!)
12 Vitamin Water = $10. I've been drinking this (Zero) and DH drinks the regular. It's way better then soda, so I'm working on him!
Kellogg's Cracker Chips - 2.99 (splurge I totally LOVE these things!)
4 Speed Sticks - .99-1Q (.50 doubled) = FREE

Used $6.50 CATS from last week, paid $25.21 OOP.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Someone Peed in MY Wheaties!!!!!!




I went into Shop Rite today to score some $.38 Wheaties, since my normal Shop Rite was OOS. I also wanted to pick up some FREE Dove deodarant and some more V8 Fusion. Supposedly they have a lot of vitamins and other good things for your body (as told to me by Dr. Jerry, my bff). I have done the V8 deal two times at my Shop Rite with no problem. So here's what I got:

4 Boxes of Wheaties : 1.88-1.50Q (.75 doubled) = .38 each (1.52 total)
4 Dove Deodarant: .99-1.50Q (.75 doubled) = FREE (no overage) = FREE!



I tried to get the V8 Fusions again with my coupons. The cashier rang up them up, then when she tried to ring up the FREE coupon, it needed an override (also needed at my Shop Rite, which they are really diligent with the coupons now, and both times they did overrode it b/c the cashier had to enter a price in). So, the free one she had already written in the price for the free one, that's fine...but she just needed a key to enter in the $1.99 for the free one. So here's the deal I was supposed to do:

2 V8 Fusions = 1.99 each, minus 1.50 = .49 each or .98 total.
V8 Fusion PLUS Tea = 1.99-1.99q = FREE

So I'd get all three for .98. Well, when the manager came over, the cashier goes 'These two went through, but I need the key for this free one' The manager looks at it and goes, well, she needs to have three of them.' To which I said 'I do, they are right in that bag that's in front of you' Then she looks again at the coupons and is like 'You're already getting one free with these coupons (1.50 off ones). And to do this, you will need to purchase two more of the V8.' I told her 'No, I have 3 items. The first two are 1.50 off the sale price, then the third is free. The FREE coupon says it's Free when I buy 2 of the other V8's which I did.' So she goes on again that I don't understand what she's telling me, yada yada. Then I told her no, she needs to read the coupons and look over the Shop Rite coupon policy. I did buy the two, granted I got them cheaper then most people, but I'm still BUYING them.

I'm just aggravated. I would have made a big stink, but I was on my lunch break, and there was a woman behind me that I had been chatting up in the store with a newborn and a 1 and half year old and she happened to be next in line. I didn't want to hold her up because the manager doesn't understand coupons. Even the cashier didn't get what the manager said. So the manager's thinking is this. Buy 4 V8s, use 2 1.50 off coupons and get the tea one free. Does that make ANY sense to anyone? Thoughts????? Am I completely thinking wrong on this one?????

Monday, July 18, 2011

Baby - Worrying

I know I worry way to much. I always have, I get it from my mom (Thanks MOM!). DH and I have been talking about having a baby, soon! A lot of people around me say that my timing is way off. I have two months left at my current job. I have put in for some jobs. I have heard back from a few (was not offered the job) and waiting to hear back from 3 more. The bad thing with the government is is that it takes forever it seems to hear back. 2 of the jobs I should hear back in early to mid August at the latest. So I sit here and bite my nails waiting. I've been putting in for jobs for 2 years already, no bites. A few I got referred for, then nothing. Even some I got referred for, got an interview and then we selected another candidate, so I'm not getting my hopes up.

So, here I am, 2 months to go, then will get a small severance, then unemployment. I have a priority placement here at work, but I only put in for one navy base close to my house, and it's very small, so doubtful I'd get in anyways. So I was thinking of opening the scope to the megabase in this state. It's a hike from my house (over an hour one way). I haven't bitten the bullet yet b/c I'd like that to be my last resort. I still want to see what happens with these other jobs I'm waiting to hear back from.

So, this place closes in Sept and I'm on the Priority thing until next Sept. I'm sure once I put in for the megabase, I'd get picked up pretty quick, especially with someone having my work experience and background. I just fear the LONG drive. Especially if I'm pregnant (hello morning sickness, not fun while driving or even when you have to pee a lot, I worry about the little things).

The good thing about the megabase is the child care. They do offer it, but a long waiting list. I've been worrying about childcare especially since my mom had a mini stroke right after my dad had a heart attack. She did say if I had one, she'd watch them, and of course I'd pay her but that's a lot to put on a 60 year old women, right? I'd feel totally comfortable with my child with her, but I'm still weary. My sister has her youngest with her all summer long while she works....but I'd take precedence b/c she's had 13 years with mom as a baby sitter, so when mine comes, mine comes first!

I don't know I'm just worrying about stupid things. DH wants me to be home for 2 years to raise our child(ren) which I don't mind. I did work the numbers and we can probably handle it (with no major unexpected things), but I like how our income is now, and that a lot goes into savings and IRAs and the like. And taking 2 years off isn't too bad right? But then I'm back at square one because I'd be out of the government and once you're out, it's VERY hard to get back in. I'd like to stay working and take the FMLA when I have a baby(ies) but DH wants me to be home with the kids. His mother took a few years off to raise the boys, but then back to work she went. I wouldn't mind a private sector job, but the job security in the government is there. I'm just torn. Any advice, smacks in the head, heart to hearts are welcome.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Staples Penny Deals are Back!

This is just what I needed to get out of my slump! PENNY DEALS at Staples!!! I don't know what it is about Staples, but that is my 'candy' store. I go in there and just walk around. People ask "Can I help you find anything today?" "Nope, I'm good, just walking around looking at all the great deals!"

So yesterday I went in for the penny deals. I was going to go today, but I gotta start watching every penny (get it!) going out since in 2 months I will be unemployed. And it's WAY to hot to go out there today.

2 of each:
Glue (a penny each!)
Erasers (a penny each!)
Package of Penns (a penny each!)
Pencil boxes (a quarter each)
Folders (a quarter each)
Package of pencils (a quarter each)
Skinny post its (a quarter each)
3 kid scissors ($1 each) (needed to spend $5 to get the penny deals).

I spent about $6 (tax, etc) for all of that! Which most if not all will be donated to schoolchildren that will benefit from it. This is JUST the start of the penny deals on school supplies, so I'm hoping to gather a ton more before the school year starts.

Now to find needy schoolchildren to donate this to.....

My Poker Dream

With all the stress going on, it's no wonder why my mind wandered to poker for the few minutes I've gotten sleep in oh, the past week! My dad had a massive heart attack on July 1st, he had what is called a widow maker heart attack, which pretty much means you have 5 minutes to get emergency care, and if not, you pretty much make your spouse a widow. He was having weird chest pains that Friday night, and around 1130, my mom called to say she was taking him to the ER. My dad had some heart issues in the past, and my grandfather had every heart issue you can think of, so my dad doesn't mess around with that stuff. So off we go. He got better, then got worse, and by worse I mean it was BAD. He was almost in tears and groaning in pain. Good thing he was in the ER when the heart attack happened. His heart doctor came in and he got transferred to a better hospital and the dr performed an emergency cath. He was released Tuesday. Needless to say, my mom, my sister and I were a mess. They cried, and I held it together for them, cracking jokes, etc. I won't cry in public. I guess I'm like my dad, he don't like to show emotion either...maybe b/c it shows weakness or maybe b/c everyone knows how strong we are, and if WE cry, well everyone else will think it's REALLy bad, and you don't want people thinking that.

So he came home tuesday, and on Thursday, I decided to stop at my parents house before heading to the grocery store to stock up my dad on healthy heart foods. My uncle called as I walked in and they were on their way over. Okay so I'll stay a bit to see my cousin, aunt and uncle. Well about 10 minutes later my mom started acting strange. Licking her lips, holding her hand out and not responding to me or my father. I called 911 and in short, she had a TIA or mini stroke. She hasn't been sleeping, eating and just constantly worrying about my dad. My dad lost it when the EMT's came in. She was talking at that point, but still scary for all of us. Within 6 days, my dad had a heart attack and my mom had a stroke. What else can go wrong?

Oh, that's right...on the way to get my mom from the hospital Saturday, the tie rod on my mom's car broke. I was driving their car (dad can't drive for awhile) and it happened in the parking lot (thank goodness!). We got it towed to my friends shop and he's working on it right now.

With all the stress, I've hardly slept since July started. Well, I did have a poker dream and thinking it's a sign to start playing again. I haven't taken that long of a break, but with all this stress going on, I need a distraction. And with me only having 2 months left at my current job and no job offers, I may need to play professionally so I need to get in and start playing again.

So here's the dream. I'm at Borgata playing the main event (it was Borgata, but didn't look like Borgata). I was playing very tight as it was the main event and I didn't want to make any mistakes. After a few rounds, I realize I didn't play ANY hands. I look down at King 7 of clubs and I decide to limp in. Small blind calls, Big Blind raises, pretty minimum raise. I call, small blind calls. However, after the flop, I'm first to act. So the flop comes rag, king diamonds, king hearts, king spades (yes, there was 4 cards on this flop, all flops were four cards in my dream, don't ask). So I flopped quads....woo hoo! I check, SB checks, BB checks. Turn is another rag, I check, SB checks, BB makes a nice bet, I think and call, SB calls. River is whatever, and I check, SB checks, BB shoves all in, I insta call. SB folds. Now here's the weird part. She had pocket kings. Okay let's do the math. She had two kings, I had one, and there was 3 on the flop. that's 6 kings in the deck, and there's only supposed to be 4. I'm thinking "oh, this is great...I finally get an awesome hand, and it's not going to win". Well, the girl had the king of diamonds and spades. The floor guy is called, he comes over and says, "Well, she (me) has the king of clubs, so she wins. That girl (other girl) has the diamonds and spades and they are already out on the flop, so she loses" So I WIN! I took her out of the tournament and now I've pretty much doubled up.

The rest of the dream is kinda weird and fuzzy. I remember winning a ton more chips with absolute nuts on a few hands. I become chip leader of the tournament and get moved to a new table. As I sit, the blogger is walking around and sees all my gray chips ($5k chips) and is like 'Oh, this is the chip leader right here'. I was in seat 5 (right across from the dealer) and the blogger sits in the dealers chair and asks me to pose for a picture. I make my typical 'Beth' face and I'm on the blog! I was so happy I was playing so well and hitting nuts left and right. Such a great feeling! Then I woke up :( Boooooo. So it didn't finish and I don't know if I won, or cashed or how much I would have won.

So, I always view my dreams as something that's trying to tell me something. I always have the recurring dream of watching planes crash, so everyone's like 'That's why you're afraid of flying'. I looked it up, and that means you feel you are losing control in a situation or situations in life, which happens a lot. So it's not why I'm afraid of flying. Hmmmm, just googled it, here's the interpreation:
To dream that you are playing poker, suggests that a situation in your waking life requires strategy and careful planning. You need to think things through before carrying out your actions. Well that's always true. For poker chips:
To see poker chips in your dream, symbolize the uncertainty of life. Sometimes you need to take a chance. Hmmmmm, take a chance huh? Maybe play more poker?

do any of you follow your dreams, or try to see what they mean? I do miss the game and I was suppposed to play cards by our house the night my dad had a heart attack, but my friend Tom (HI TOM! MISS YOU!) didn't get my text and didn't put us in, so we didn't go...well it's a good thing Tom didn't get the message because I would have had to have left to rush to the ER. See, things happen for a reason!