Grocery Hound and Poker Chick, what a mix!

Just Another Reason I Love Suze Orman!

2012-02-01T10:07:00.000-08:00

I just LOVE Suze Orman! Anyone that knows me, knows that she is my idol, and I watch her all the time, and even managed to score tickets to see and meet her a few months back. I even have a pic of her and I as my twitter photo!

I've been watching America's Money Class on OWN and been taking notes. I'm a little behind and only finished episode 2 last night and I just love the song 'She's gonna teach you how to be RICH!' So while watching the second episode last night, she was talking about families and children etc. And she had a FABULOUS idea about college savings for children. A couple in their early 30s asked about saving for college for their children. They both paid off their student loan debt after taking out loans, they have their EF, they are funding their retirement and have no debt other then a car loan. So, Suze said to just sock some money aside each month or however they want, but NOT to tell their children. Suze said that when the kids go off to college, let them take out student loans (subsidized and unsub) and if they really took college seriously and had a good head on their shoulders that as a graduation present, pay off those loans for them with the money you saved! WOW, what a GREAT idea! And if they weren't serious, took forever to graduate, slacked off, etc they don't get the money, and there's more money for YOU to have in retirement or what not.

DH and I don't have kids yet but we do plan on having them in the future. I'm a planner by nature so I'm planning this stuff BEFORE I'm even pregnant! I went to college, got a Bachelor's and Master's Degree. DH did not attend college, he went right into the workforce. His parents instilled that if he wanted to live at home rent free, he needed a job. So he got a part time job at Shop Rite, one at a local sub shop and one for UPS. He did party with his friends that were in college in those years, and worked his way through the part time stuff at UPS and put in to become a full time driver when the opportunity arose. Once he became a full time driver, he left his other part time work and has been a driver since (over 10 years). His pay was and is higher then mine and he has no college education. We both believe that schooling is important, but it's not the only option. So when we have kids, we decided we will not force them to go to college if it's not their thing...but if they want to go we will support them 110% and do what Suze says and not tell them we have some money saved for them.

Add this to the list of reasons why I LOVE SUZE!

Organizing Challenge!

2012-02-01T07:14:00.000-08:00

I'm in!!!!!! Not sure if I'm going to do the spare room, my closet, or even my kitchen! Originally I was thinking one of the first two, but my kitchen can sure use some organization!

Wanna join in?

Update on the House

2012-02-01T05:49:00.000-08:00

My mother comments on a Facebook post of mine where I posted a photo from Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords showing a 2013 Cobra Jet (Mustangs are my favorite cars). My mom says 'call me' and with the issues with my dog, I call her immediately. She said my dad's aunt called the night before to talk about the house.

So apparently, she wants 320k for the house. Now, I wasn't in on the phone call, so I don't know all the facts, and since my aunt called late, I don't think my mom got a chance to really speak with her about it. Now, as I stated in the first post, this house is really run down. It's very old, the outside is old looking as well. Nothing was ever done inside to 'keep up' and modernize it. All the original appliances, etc are still there. 320k is VERY high for that house. It's a 2 bed, 1 bath ranch. My condo is a 2 bed, 2 bath condo, and it just got appraised around 200k, and that's with everything brand new and everything in tip top shape. So I don't know if she's totally out for money, or just doesn't know the market since she is in her 70s, or if maybe way back when they had it appraised back in the 90s maybe that's what it appraised for? I don't really now.

So, my mom suggested getting an appraisal, as did my best friend. He's the one that's going to be doing a lot of the work in the house if we get it, so he knows that end of it, but I'm more the negotiator and getting things done on paper person. So I emailed the guy that did our appraisal a few weeks back and he emailed me back this morning with the price, etc. My friend said after or even now, to get the software that you build your own house, so we can get his contractor contacts out to price us on what it will cost to build up the house (2nd level since my friend and husband can pretty much do the downstairs work). That way, we can go back with an offer with the paperwork in hand. We were looking to buy it for 100k TOPS. I know a similar house sold for about 120k down the street, but since we're family, you would think they would give us a deal or something. But 100k is pretty much our top offer at this point. It's what I think we can afford, and still afford our condo now that's underwater. Then down the pike, we can either sell or rent out the condo. I don't want to walk away since our credit is so good, I don't want to tarnish it, but that's a ways down the pike.

I don't know what to think of this all. My mind is a blur. She's family, and my father has done so much to help them with this house. Upkeep the outside, fixing things inside, chasing someone that tried to rob the house (another family issue, they were looking for 'hidden' money, that wasn't there), etc. And now, a price of that caliber when a nicer house (not by much, but a little bigger) sold for 120k? I just don't get it. I'm not sure how to take it, like is it a slap in the face b/c they just want money or they just don't realize that that house will NEVER sell for that amount? They pay the taxes on it, they pay the utilities, etc so it's money wasted each month that goes by. I don't know. The appraisal will cost $385, so that's not just a couple of bucks. My best friend said if I really want the house to do it that way it's on paper, then start the negotiating. I'm just unsure what to think at this point.

Ladies Event a No Go for Pokerchick

2012-01-30T05:58:00.000-08:00

I was so looking forward to the LIPS (Ladies International Poker Series) Tour event going on at Golden Nugget this past weekend. I opted out of the Borgata Ladies event last weekend so I would be able to watch the Giants game. I love the ladies events. So since another one was the next weekend, I figured I'd play one and play the Nugget one. It seemed to be hit or miss, they weren't really advertising it much, but LIPS usually gets a lot of players. I booked a room and my best friend closed his shop so he can come watch. The night before, I wanted to double check the time. Two things said 11am, two other things said noon. I was already frazzled b/c I had a ton to do after work Friday, and ended up at my mom's and the vets b/c my dog (parent's dog) is up there in age and his health has been declining. My mom said he hurt his paw and wouldn't walk on it and to come over since my dad wasn't home. My poor pup was gimping around, but he was determined! He paw was going backwards, it was the oddest thing. He kept trying to walk to no avail. When my dad came home, we made an emergency vet visit. So the whole family loaded up the car to the vet. We all though the worst. He is old and all that, so we all thought he was going to be put down. The vet is awesome and explained a ton of things. He is okay for now, could have been a stroke or a soft tissue issue, but for now, he is okay and on meds and is walking a bit better on that paw, but just limping on it, like you would a sprain. So Friday night was very emotional for me.

So, I figured we'd get there for like 11am, that way I'm prepared. We got there around 1030ish, walked around, then headed to the poker room. Oh, the signs all over the casino said 11am as well. There were about 4 other women there, playing cash waiting for noon, as that's the time they decided to start. They told me to register, so I did, then hung around. They had osme bagels and pastries out, so I helped myself. I played some slots, etc. Around 1130, there was only 7 people registered for this two day ladies event. Around 1145 I made the decision not to play and started the trek to get my money back. I figured since I already bought in, I'd have to fight for it, but all I did was go to the cage, told the woman and I got my money back, it was pretty simple. I guess they knew people might back out. I did get some slack from the ladies that I backed out. Yes, it will be fun, yes I want to support the ladies events, but for $350 with 7 others registered? I don't think so. My bankroll won't support a $350 sit and go. I'd rather go play at Borgata for that money, and play for a decent prize pool. All in all, I think they got 11 players.

We went to Borgata, got some food then was texting Ac_pokerchick and she said to come play the 2pm at Showboat. We teetered, then figured, why not. We have all day to kill. So we went there. We thought it was $100 bu in, so I was shocked when I gave the woman $100, and she gave me $35 back! Sweet! The tournament was fun. I had a good table, no cards though. Had I gotten something other then 6 3 off, 7 2 off, 5 2 off, I would have played more. I'm not kidding either...for one whole round, not one face card. I did manage to win three hands during the tourmanemt, which is 2 more then the last tourney I played!

In late position, I looked down at queen 7 off (this is earlier in the tourney). I limp in, and I'm seeing a flop with the SB and BB. Flop is Q Q rag. Check Check Check. Turn is a jack giving a straight draw and a flush draw. Check Check, I bet, fold fold. Oh well. Next hand that I won I was again in late position and someone raised to $1200. ($150/$300 were the blinds). I look down at ace king and call. Flop is King rag rag with two diamonds. raiser bets out 2500, I bump it to 7500. He tanks, then folds. Then, later in the tournament, i'm getting short stacked and people are coming to our table from other tables with massive amounts of gray $5k chips. Great. I'm just looking for a big card or an ace, or pocket pair so I can shove. I get the button and I look down at pocket kings. I shove, everyone folds. Figures.

That was it for my winning hands. I finally get king queen in late position, and shove as the short stacked, got called with ace jack. ace Ace 3 is the flop. Nothing on turn and river, and I'm out. Hubby Mike is still playing. He ended up cashing. They chopped 9 ways. what a debacle that was. Some wanted to chop, but the chipleader (a girl) didn't....she had all the chips. Then said if they chop, she should get most of it since she's chip leader. Hubby Mike is telling her that with 9 left, chip leader at this point means nothing as she can lose that in two hands. She didn't want to chop. Then she donkeys off some chips putting another player all in then of course she's like '9 way chop works for me'. Idiot. Hubby Mike was then chip leader. Ac_pokerchick said no chop, so I said no chop to him, but he wanted to. He was the only one really didn't want to, and figured karma would come bite him if he said no chop. I think the people running the tournament need to step up at the Boat for situations like this. It held up the whole game. People kept talking about it while hands are being played. I'd be pretty peeved if I'm trying to play a hand and that idiot is going on and on about how she's chipleader and should get more money, etc. Player busts out, you ask around if you want to chop, if one person says no, continue on. another player busts, go around and ask again, if one person says no continue. There should be no discussion...a simple yes/no should suffice. Hubby Mike cashed anyways, so it's all good. Then we hit B again for more food, then to the hotel where we crashed for the night.

With my bad luck and Hubby Mike's good luck, I'm thinking of buying him in to Feb 11th tourney at B. I will sit out. Yes, I said it...I will sit out..let the hurricanes and blizzards begin!

Borgata Winter Open Event #33 $100+20+$100 Bounty

2012-01-24T06:43:00.000-08:00

DH and I decided to play this event on the advice from Kim (Ac_pokerchick) that it would be a fun event. So we went to eat first, came back and registered. And we got on the same table. I mean yeah I don't like that, but at least I get to be with my hubby (sappy moment, yes I know). All in all, I won one hand at lucky table 13. And it was against DH. And it was the first hand. I hate playing the first hand. But it was heads up and I flopped nut flush draw, so I bet, DH folded. I was so card dead, it was unbelievable. I hardly got to play a hand! Once the antes came into play and the blinds went up, I was getting short stacked big time. Any ace or two big cards or any pair, I'm shoving all in. I get pocket sixes and I'm thinking "I'm going all in" Comes to me, and I folded...my hands just picked them up and threw them into the muck pile! WHAT just happened???? Oh well. Nothing I could do at that point.

A few hands later, I get jack queen. I say "all in" and put 3 $1000 chips over the line, then grab the rest of my small chips (about $500) and put them next to the other ones. Guy next to me is like 'that's a string bet' 'What, I said all in!' Dealer didn't hear it, he didn't hear it, then DH is like 'I heard her say it, and another guy on the far end of the table heard me say it too. So I was all in. I got 3 callers. Pretty much not what you're looking for in a tournement when you're all in. You want it heads up, but 3 callers isn't good b/c in a tournament, the goal is to take people out, so you're closer to the money so people are very likely to check it down so it's 3 versus 1 rather then 1 on 1. Flop comes 9d 3s 10d. I flopped an open ended, and I felt pretty good. Guy next to me bets out, next guy shoves all in, other guy folds. Gulp. Still not a good scenario for me. We all show our cards, guy next to me has a set of 10s (3 tens) and the other guy had a flush draw. Turn is the 9h, giving the guy next to me a full house. River comes Kc giving me a straight, but the other guy had a full house. Really dealer??? Really? Salt in the wound much?

So I found Kim and we chatted a bit, then she played a sit and go and I watched. DH played for awhile and I would get the update texts about his quadrupling up with pocket 2s, taking someone out with pocket aces. At one point, he was chipleader in the tourney. I finally went over to watch him when the sit and go was done. Since I wasn't watching earlier and he was doing good, I didn't want to hex him. But he was already in the money so I went over there. He busted out in 10th place and I couldn't have been more proud, especially since he never plays tournaments!

New Name?

2012-01-24T06:27:00.000-08:00

I've been toying with the idea of changing the blog's name and maybe taking it up a notch and getting out there more. I don't have many followers, but I'd like to get more. I was thinking along the lines of Couponing My Way to the WSOP Main Event. That is every poker players dream, to play in the Big One. It's a $10k buy in, so that's a HUGE hurdle to overcome. And it's in Vegas...another hurdle to overcome...getting on a plane. But maybe it's a better name to incorporate the two loves in my life, couponing and poker? Maybe I can start to really track my coupon savings again and tally it all up and see how long it takes to save $10k? Or add airfare, hotels, food, expenses etc to it and see how long that takes me? I think that may be fun, try to add it all up to maybe $12k or $15k and have the little goal meter on the side of the page? What do you all think?

Money Saving Challenge - Weekend of 1/21/2012

2012-01-24T06:23:00.000-08:00

Since DH was on vacation last week, I decided to take a day off on Friday and make it a 3 day AC weekend with him. I had all intentions of playing some poker tournaments at Borgata for the Borgata Winter Poker Open, but only played a cheap one Friday night. DH played too, just to spend some more time with me, and figured it'd be fun. It was a cheap buy in, and it was at night so it wasn't a big tournament or anything....but guess who cashed? Yes, DH did...and he doesn't even play tournaments!!!!! hahahaha. I was so proud of him! Other then that, I didn't play any other tournaments, so it was great to be able to kick back and spend ALL weekend with DH.

Eating can get pricey in AC and since I wasn't down there too much late in 2011, my comps weren't there for free food. But, I did manage to gather up some gift cards, so we ate for free all weekend using gift cards that were collecting dust in my drawer. We even did a nice dinner on Saturday at a pricey restaurant for our anniversary. We each got a drink (I had wine, he had a sangria), we split an appetizer, and we each got an entree. The bill was just about $100, not including tip, but we had tons of gift cards to use so we used them. So that was one less thing to worry about, paying for pricey meals.

We normally buy stuff down there at the Borgata store, but this time decided not to, so again, that saved us some money as well. We DID have to use some comps that we did have on toothpaste though. DH packed both our stuff since he was home, and he forgot the toothpaste...AGAIN. The last time we went away he forgot it. It was hard to pay $3 for toothpaste, when I have mountains of it at home, but it was free with comps anyway. And next time, I will pack :)

BAD Customer Service!!!!!

2012-01-18T11:34:00.000-08:00

Yup, that was me about 20 minutes ago at the Stop and Shop by my work in Elizabeth. I've been there twice, this being my second time and up until the end, everyone there was pretty nice to me and assisted with a smile. Well, the tables have surely turned for me!

So I got 6 6packs of Pepsi (3 for $10 deal) and 2 fritos (2 for 6). I used 3 $2/2 coupons for the soda. I also got 2 Pupperonis, they were 3.29 and also BOGO and I had a $1.50/2 coupon. I also had a $2 CAT to use. So I got to the self checkout and the CAT machine was green, good to go. So I ring all my stuff up and it comes to $20 and change. I'm due a $7 CAT for buying $20 of Pepsi products and a $1 CAT for buying 2 Pupperonis. Sure enough....red lights on the CAT machine start to blink as they are supposed to come out...said paper out. Figures. So I bag my stuff and go to customer service. Two people ahead of me, oh well. So I get to the front and tell the lady my story. She goes to load the machine, and at this time a few customers had rung up after me, so I'm thinking even if she gets it work NOW, my CATs won't come out. She's there for about 5 minutes, and it won't work. So she goes back to the customer service area, and the door is locked, she can't get back in. The other guy is busy with a customer so she waits for him to let her in. So she pages a manager. Manager calls back, she starts to tell him the issue, and he cuts her off. She's like 'No, Sylvia's on lunch' Then she hangs up, speaks Spanish to the guy, then comes to me and says 'I'm sorry, but I can't help you. The manager I spoke to is too busy in the back and the other manager is out to lunch.' So I ask, "well, now what do I do? you owe me $8.' She's like 'you can wait here for another half hour or so until the other manager comes back or you can come back later.' I'm like , 'WHAT? I'm not coming back here later. It's your issue, not mine, by time I get out of work and get it, it's prime time rush hour, so that's not gonna fly' So she keeps saying there's nothing she can do, blah blah blah. So I'm like 'Can you just refund me my money on this order and I'll ring it at another register?" She's like 'Oh yes, we can do that, that's a good idea' Ugh. So we do. One by one, she's entering the items in....then gets to the bottom and she's like 'Oh' I'm like 'What?" She's like, you used coupons on this order.' 'yea, so?' "well, if I refund you your money, and you re ring it, you cannot use the coupons again?" Ugh "What? They are right there (as I point 5 feet to the register I used), they are right on top, it's not like it's the next day. So now, you tell me either I'm out 8 bucks or around 10 in coupons that I used.' She's like 'I don't know what to tell you' So I said 'Well, you paged the other manager and he called you back. Can you call him again and tell him that I would like to speak with him?" She's like 'Okay'. She she pages him, he calls back...now b/c she said that I want to speak with him, NOW he wants to know what the issue is...so she starts again, then he cuts her off. Then she said he's on his way up. Oh man am I ready to rip him a new one!!!!!! All this time, about half hour AFTER i checked out I'm sitting there all ticked off. So he comes up, sees me, then walks AROUND me and avoids all eye contact with me. The lady tells him the issue w/ the machine, and he's like 'Just give her the money out of your register' and walks away. REALLY? REALLY? Maybe if that guy knew the issue the FIRST time, he could have said that half hour prior!!!!! REALLY guy...really!!!?? I even said that to the girl....but he was 'too busy' but when a customer wants to speak with him, he comes? Oh you better believe I'm drafting up a nasty gram!!!!!!

You Win Some, You Lose Some (Money Saving Challenge)

2012-01-17T06:27:00.000-08:00

Oh I was doing SOOOOOO good!!!!! WAS!!! All last week, I made dinner so we didn't spend money on take out or going out to eat...and it gets costly doing so. We normally spend about $40 for the two of us, including tip when we go out, and we always use a coupon like a BOGO and all...and we don't eat much, normally no appetizer or dessert. So I wanted to cut back. We would normally go out to eat with a friend every Friday and Saturday, and sometimes take out once a week. And it gets to be expensive, so I said no more! Not to mention UNHEALTHY! So all last week I cooked....yes it was time consuming, but I'd rather spend the time to cook then spend my money.

So we did good. Friday we made pizza bagels. Freshetta was on sale for $4 and change, and DH loves them. But they are unhealthy. So I got wheat bagels, and I have plenty of sauce and cheese at home so in the oven went our pizza bagels....and they were quite yummy!!!!! Saturday, we normally go out for breakfast to the diner or Dunkin Donuts, again, expensive and unhealthy. We had our home appraiser guy come out for our refinance, then after, we made a healthy breakfast together. We saw on Biggest Loser one of the contestants make ground turkey and threw in some peppers and onions and black beans. DH won't eat black beans, so we put eggs in instead for the protein. We made wraps out of them and it was sooooo yummy!!!! Saturday night we went to a friends for a bday party and we got him some restaurant.com gift certificates.

Sunday we stayed in to watch the Giants game. We did go out and run a few errands. We got the curtains we needed for our room and DH exchanged a shirt and got a new one. We paid $5. We used a coupon and gift certificates, but to use the coupon we had to use the kohl's charge so we put $5 on there. We also got some adult beverages and snacks for the Giants game.

Then yesterday came and all that went down the tube!! My tooth had been bothering me for a week, so I called the dentist and they had me come in...lovely. Supposed to be a lazy day at home, and here we are off to the dentist. Dr. couldn't find anything wrong but gave me some meds, just in case, as he is going to Africa for two weeks for a missioniary trip. He is very worried. Oh well. Then we went to Best Buy for the 2 and a Half Men DVDs...there was one on sale for $14.99, normally over $40. There was 3 seasons on sale for that price, so we got 3 of them, then 2 cheap blue ray movies that we have been wanting to see. Then we went to get some food as we hadn't eaten breakfast. I had a Fit Slam at Denny's, it was so yummy! It was egg whites with spinach and grape tomatoes, 2 slices of turkey bacon, an English muffin and a cup of fruit...it was so good, I finished it all!!!! Then while we were at Denny's, DH's dad called and they were going out to dinner later and his uncle was coming up, so of course we accepted the invite. We ended up paying $76 for dinner. When we go out, we normally don't drink so ours was a ton cheaper then the parents since they drank, but they do so much for us and cook for us every week that I wasn't about to say that ours was about $40 tops including tip...it's just not worth it. If it were friends, I wouldn't mind...but so many times his parents come over, we order out and they pay, so I wasn't about to nickel and dime them...ya know? but still...that was a lot of money to shell out for dinner. So back on the wagon this week...until Thursday, when we go to AC for the weekend. But I have a ton of gift cards that I plan on using, plus our comps, so we'll see how that goes!

Money Saving Challenge 1/11/12

2012-01-12T06:29:00.001-08:00

I didn't do too much as far as money saving, but I did take a ride on my lunch to Stop and Shop. I picked up 4 Stayfree Feminine products (1.64 each, then used a BOGO Coupon), 4 Chex Mix (2.00 and used 2 $1/2 Qs) and 4 Pom Juice (2.50 and used $1/1 Qs). All in all, it was $15 and change, and I got a $2 Cat back.

I didn't get my nails done yesterday since my girl was not working, so I did my shopping list for Shop Rite. There are some awesome deals I'm going for tonight, and I hope they are stocked and ready for me!!!!! I'm taking advantage of the Purina deal again (did last week on my card). This week I will be stocking up on the Alpo to donate to the pet shelter. last week I got the Friskies to donate.

I made dinner, chicken with a soy and honey mustard marinade. Didn't come out as good as I thought, but DH liked it, and I bought a chicken thigh and veggies for lunch today.

Money Saving Challenge 1-10-12

2012-01-11T06:29:00.000-08:00

I haven't really been doing too much lately other then going to work and coming home so I haven't had too much interesting stuff to write about. We did make the decision to refinance our house using HARP (Home Affordability Refinance Program) which helps those that are underwater in their mortgage to take advantage of the low interest rates. We are currently at 6.25, and are going to 3.75 or 4.00. If we choose the 3k closing costs, our rate will be 3.75 and if we chose to do 1k closing, our rate will be 4%, so we are toying with that. Our home appraiser guy is coming this weekend to appraise the home, so we cleaned up all our Christmas stuff and started really cleaning to make it nice for him to see.

Last night, I went with my friend to Staples since he needed to get trading card inserts (I got him to be a semi extreme couponer!) and while we were there, I recycled 10 ink cartridges, good for $2 a piece ($20). I also brought in my receipt from Saturday when I bought Turbo Tax at $59.99. Now of course it's $49.99 so I asked for the adjustment. So I got $10.07 credited back to my card...and I got $20 coming in the mail for recycling ink cartridges!! CHA CHING!

We also walked over to Kohls b/c I needed to return curtains. We were planning on getting smaller curtains for our bedroom but the ones we ordered were not pretty at all, so we returned them and got long ones. But the sheer curtains that would be on the window side were the short ones, so I needed to return them and get the long ones. So I did that, and got $15.98 credited back to my account. I spaced and forgot my Kohls coupon, so I just went to browse the curtains for the sheer long one I needed. It was on BOGO sale, but they were 19.99 each! Last time I got the long ones they were $9.99! So I'm going to wait for them to go on a better sale (and bring my coupon!) then buy them. DH is in no rush to put the new curtains up, so I have time.

I have been cooking dinner at home the past few days, and I love it b/c I get leftovers for lunch the next day! Monday I found a Buffalo Chicken recipe (been CRAVING that for days now, and I keep eating them!) so I made a batch of that. A big batch. So me, DH and my BFF had that for dinner Monday, then I bought some for lunch yesterday,AND we had more leftovers for dinner last night! I also heated up some food we had from Saturday night when we ordered out so that did not go to waste at all. Tonight I'm thinking of either pasta or cereal night. I love cereal night. DH and I get to spend more time together rather then me running around cooking and cleaning. So it's a nice night to have together.

Other then that, I'm still slacking on 2012 goals, but I hope in the coming weeks to go over it with DH. We are doing a mini vacation next weekend (free weekend room at a casino thanks to my nastygram to them, as well as free Starbucks coffee!) so maybe I will bring some stuff with us to sit, away from home and go over our budget and expenses.

Cutting Back?

2012-01-11T06:10:00.000-08:00

No, those are not my nails, this is similar to what I have (minus the pretty flower things). I have been getting my nails done for years now and I do the same thing each time I go. I did have a guy that I was friendly with do them, but two times I had an appointment after work and he was always 45 minutes late to start me, so I searched elsewhere. A new nail place opened by my house, so I went there to try it out, and I've been going ever since. I also got my mom to start going there, so now we are regulars there. I only took them off about 3 years ago or so (I can't remember) when BlackBerrys started coming out. Of course, my husband HAD to get a BlackBerry, and the deal he got was when he bought one, he got one for free. So I started going to Verizon and playing with them, and had a hard time typing with my nails...so I decided I'd 'take one for the team' and chop them off. I hated doing it. But after a few months and speaking to a girlfriend of mine that got used to it, I put them back on.

So now that we are trying to cut back, I'm thinking of taking them off again. NOW, they are MY nails b/c I've had the acrylic or whatever on for so long. When I go for a fill, all she does is put the gunky stuff on it or whatever, but my real nail is underneath. The other day,I cracked a nail (haven't done that in years) so I pulled the fake stuff off then cut my nail down b/c it was too long for me and too weak. And it just looked weird to have it that long and none of the fancy stuff off. We are trying to save save save, so I'm torn. I like the black nail polish the girls are rocking lately, but every time I put on nail polish (myself or by a pro) the polish always chips after a day. When I do my fills, it can cost 25 or 60 dollars depending on what she does. A normal fill is 25, but when she does the pink and white (usually every other visit) it's 60. I take the money that I have saved up from our misc money (extra money that we don't use that we had in our envelopes each week). And if I pay in cash, every 5th or 6th visit is free. SO, I'm torn and don't know what to do...maybe I should cut them off, and put that money that I would have spent on them into the bank? But I LOVE my nails...so does DH when I rub my nails through his head when he has a headache or a bad day.....

Decisions, decisions!!!!

Save, Save, Save!!!!!!

2012-01-09T08:52:00.000-08:00

So, I got some goodish news on Friday from my mom. For a few years now, my husband and I have been contemplating buying my dad's aunt's house. It's diagonal across the street from my parent's house and it's in pretty poor shape. My aunt and uncle lived there forever, I believe they actually built it many many many moons ago. When I was a kid, I was always there in the summers swimming in my uncle's pool. It was a very old cement/concrete inground pool, and it was always cold. As soon as you got in, your lips turned purple, but it was a sweet treat for us in the hot summers. My friends and I were there everyday. My mom says in the summer I lived in my bathing suits, I even slept in them! My uncle was older (it was my dad's uncle) and he loved having us kids around. He loved his pool...it was his bread and butter. The kicker? He never learned how to swim. But he took such great care of that pool and loved having the neighborhood kids over. Around noon time, the mailman Bernie would come in the pool during his lunch break and do laps. Everyone in the neighborhood had an open invite to the pool. My uncle would make us all lunch and bring us snacks and drinks for when we were done swimming...then of course after we ate, back in the pool we went! He had a dog, Trixie. She was a tiny dog, but boy did she bark. She was our babysitter for when my uncle would go into the house to get us our snacks and food. all the home movies we have of us at the pool all you hear is Trixie barking. I don't remember my aunt coming out much, but to my uncle, that pool was his life.

As I got older and didn't have time in the summers to go there everyday (school, work, boys, etc) my uncle kind of let the pool go to the wayside a bit. He was too old to really take care of it, so he rarely opened that pool in the summers. When the whole west nile thing started, some neighbors across the way on the other street complained to the township b/c he had stagnant water on the top of the pool cover, so after a battle, my uncle lost and had to pretty much fill in the pool or open it back up.
Since he was too old to open it, he decided it was best to fill it with sand and close it forever. He was so depressed...that pool was his life. That summer, my uncle passed away. I believe it was my dad that found him on the steps leading to where the pool used to be. I guess he died of a heart attack, but we all know he knew it was his time, and he wanted to be near his lifeline, his pool.

My aunt was still alive so she was in the house by herself. It was a hard time for the whole family. She had an aid come in for awhile, but she herself was getting up there in years and she passed a few years after my uncle. So the house was empty for awhile. My dad would keep up with the yard work and make sure everything inside was functional. Then my grandmother in Florida passed away. That was a tough time...so my dad's cousins (his aunt and uncle's daughter) said that my grandfather can stay in the house, since nobody was in it anyways. My grandfather stayed there for a few years until it was his time to go into a nursing home for constant care. That was over 2 and a half years ago, and the house has been empty since.

Now that it's been empty for so long, I really want to buy the house. It's a family house, so any ghosts inside of it are my family and they are friendly ghosts...yes I believe in ghosts. My parents have them at their house, but it's all family. My great grandfather built that house and it's been in my family since. Every since my grandfather went into the nursing home, my husband and I would casually discuss the house, and even bring it up to my parents, since they talk to their cousins more then me. The house is in bad shape, it's very outdated and anyone that would want to rent it or buy would need to do some major renovation. On 4th of July, my BFF (our mechanic, handyman, my second husband, etc) and I were chatting about the house. My dad came into the conversation and my BFF Jerry said he'd like to see the house since if we did buy it, he'd do all the work. So my dad got us the key and we walked over. It has some great potential and my husband and Jerry can do a lot of work on the first level, like blowing out walls, redoing the living room, etc. My friend is a godsend and blessing to my husband and I. With so many issues in our condo, we would have paid a TON of money OOP to do repairs. But he does it for free, and all he asks is to be fed. So it works out, I get to get my stuff fixed and can keep up with my cooking skills :)

So fast forward to recently. I lost my job, so I put this to the back burner since we were just down to one income, and taking on a second mortgage was not feasible. So I stopped begging my dad and mom to talk to them. Then I got a job a few weeks ago and it's pretty stable. We all went out to eat with my parents and my in laws and brought it up. My dad had to call his cousins the next day to discuss the house. I think my dad pays the bills for the house then gets a check once a month from his cousin. So my dad said he called her, but she wanted nothing to do with the house. She is getting up there in age and has failing health, and her husband's health has been failing for years now. so my dad didn't say anything. Then my mom ran into the cousin at the store and they got to talking, and my mom, who doesn't beat around the bush came out and asked about the house. The cousin said she didn't want to deal with it or have anything to do with it. It's been empty for so long and they still pay taxes and all on it. My mom said she knows someone that wants to buy it (me) and my cousin was shocked. My mom explained that I loved that house, and the pool and I would love to buy it. The cousin said there's a lot of work and my mom said that our friend and husband is willing to do a lot of it and wants to build a full second story and of course, put the pool back in. She also said the second lot in the back comes with it and suggested we put a garage there, to which my mom said, oh she already knows she is putting a garage there. So it showed my aunt or whatever she is to me that I have really been thinking hard over the years about the pool...but the one thing I AM definately doing is putting that pool back in....almost like a middle finger to the neighbors that complained. For some reason, they never liked my uncle. I guess because all the kids came there and we all played and had a great time in the pool, he didn't like it. He hated kids that man. He never even answered his door on Halloween, but we all saw him in his living room ignoring the doorbell.

So now, this may become a reality for us. I'm crossing my fingers. My aunt wants to sell, her husband wants to rent....but in order to rent a ton of work would need to get done and the person to do that would be my dad. My dad doesn't have the time to do that, nor does he want to. Since his heart attack over the summer, he's really been watching himself and doesn't want to take on a project like this. So I told my dad to get on the horn with the uncle and persuade him to let us buy it.

Then comes the pricing. Jerry says if they will sell it to us for 100k or less, it's a good deal...but if they want more, then to walk away b/c it's not a good deal to buy it for more then that, then have to put so much more to fix it up. I'm hoping that we can get it for that price, or less and we can start on the repairs on the first floor. That will take awhile, which I'm cool with. I need the market to go back up so we can offload our condo. Worst comes to worst, we can fix up the house, then rent out the condo and move into the house while the contractors build the second level. And that way, I'm not paying a full 2 mortgages. Oh, and we're in the midst of refinancing our condo now, so all that extra money we are saving each month is going into savings for the house.

I have been worrying all weekend...can we afford another mortgage, plus taxes, plus repair costs? My friend won't charge us labor, but whatever itmes we need (sheetrock, etc) will need to come OOP. We started saving for a downpayment last year or so, so we have about 20k, so we would wipe that out if we got the house for 100k, that leaves us with nothing to fix the house...which wouldn't be so bad until we can save and a do a little at a time...and meanwhile putting equity into the condo. I did look up renovation loans, so we can take out a line of credit against the new house once we are ready to build up, and that's based on what the value would be AFTER the remodel. It's a lot of work, and I imagine if we take it slow and do it right, it will take years to fix....but it would be our dream house. And it's right by my parents which is good and it's the neighborhood I grew up in....and who knows...maybe one day I will be like my uncle and have all the neighborhood kids over to swim in my pool......

Welcome New Followers!!!!!!!!

2012-01-03T07:18:00.000-08:00

I saw today that my guest post at 4 Hats and Frugal was published today and I know I will get a few people over here and just wanted to say HELLO to all my new followers!

This year, I expect GREAT things to happen, so be sure to stay tuned to see how I'm saving money with the Money Saving Challenge and also how my poker is going. I really want to hunker down and hold myself accountable since I was successful in doing so in the past, and I will admit, I got a little lazy and went off track. But now, it's time to hunker down and start saving for a little one, a house and a vacation (on a PLANE!) Yes, big things are happening for me in 2012...stay tuned and see how I can help you save money, and maybe enhance your poker career!

Please feel free to drop me a line on here anytime if you have questions or comments...I love feedback!

Back to the Workforce....

2011-12-13T11:53:00.000-08:00

So after about 3 months of being unemployed, I will be heading back to the workforce! Gone will be the days of sleeping in, lounging in my PJ's all day and just watching TV and doing whatever. I've noticed myself slacking a lot since I've been unemployed. I had a workout regimen when I worked, but since I've been unemployed, I haven't worked out ONCE! I've gotten very lazy in that aspect, as well as cooking. If I could heat something up real quick or go to a friends house or order something, I did it. DH noticed too and says that I cook LESS now that I'm home and have the time. Time? Time for what? I haven't read one book, exercised one time, caught up with stay at home mommy friends, etc. I had such high hopes for when I wasn't working....and now I sit here with all my goals unchecked off my list. Hmph.

BUT, I got the job that I ultimately wanted. I guess I kind of gave up hope after losing my job b/c it closed, and maybe that's why I fell by the wayside. It's a government job, which is what I wanted since I was in the government. It's not too far from my house, same distance as my old one, but just in the opposite direction, and it's a tad more money that I was making. But it's a higher grade level, which is great. I had put in for the job over the same, two actually. Same job, different pay band. So I went in for both interviews on the same day. It was a panel interview (which I HATE!). After the interview, I waited over a month to hear (you always wait forever). The lower pay band I didn't get, so I kind of lost hope for the higher grade. At that point of applying for jobs for 2-3 years (I knew coming in I was losing my job in 2011) I would settle for the lower pay grade. But I didn't get. A few weeks later, I heard about the other pay band. Apparently, the director didn't like the way the first interviews were done, and wanted everyone to come back in for a 2nd round of interviews, done the way they wanted it done. Oh man...another interview? So I went in and I did one thing I never did before in the other panel interviews. I asked for their business cards, and followed up with each of them with a follow up thank you email. I found out about a month or so later, I got the job! I got the call on a Friday night, after 7pm...I was so happy. My BFF was with me so he was the first to find out. I called DH and told him, then my parents. I didn't tell anyone else b/c I wanted it to be official and feared (I'm paranoid) that someone got hold of my number and called as a joke. But alas, about 2 weeks later, I got my tentative offer letter! At that point, I put it out on Facebook and emailed my old co-workers to tell them the news.

I did all the paperwork and all and I start Monday, so this week, it's all crunch time. I have my list of things to do, which I keep adding too, and not crossing many off. I had to help my BFF last night selling his motorcycle and then we had a huge issue at his house...call us Dumb and Dumber pretty much, so this morning and afternoon was spent finding him a new bathroom sink. Good times!

So this week, I'm trying to get as much done, waking up earlier, and doing what I wanted to do since I've been unemployed. I'm getting my hair done tomorrow, new job, new ME. So I think I'm going to get some highlights and a new style. Can't wait! I haven't even gone for a cut since LAST summer (2010) Yes, I'm not a typical girl...not even a trim! And on Friday, my BFF is taking off work and we are hitting AC for one last weekday casino trip since I won't be able to anymore.

I hope to be able to be more disciplined in the upcoming new year. I am in the Money Saving Challenge and I hope to post weekly updates on how I saved money. I will also post some poker reports and all. Anything you guys would like me to blog about?

Borgata Ladies Event 11/13/2011 and Deep Stack 11/16/11

2011-11-22T11:41:00.000-08:00

Hubby Mike and I took a weekend trip to AC the weekend of 11/12/11. The Borgata Fall Poker Open was going on, and they had a ladies event, and I LOVE playing the ladies events lol. We went down in the afternoon of the 12th, checked in to B, headed over to Bally's to get tix to the Price is Right Live show, then did some outlet shopping. My name was called to 'Come On Down' but I didn't win the prize, but got a T-shirt :)

Sunday morning we woke up and Hubby Mike went to Bread and Butter to get me a bagel and OJ for breakfast while I showered. This is something new that Jersey Jay told me I NEED to do. We had an in depth talk about food/eating and tournaments. I normally never eat before a tournament, but decided I'm going to. So I had my breakfast and headed down to register. I was seated at table 1, seat 2. Which I figured was good since it meant I wouldn't need to switch tables, so I got to sit and get very comfortable. I didn't play many hands as I saw I was at a very loose table. People would call big bets all the way to the river with ace high and hit an ace on the river. I did get lucky quite a few times with Ace King. Normally I HATE that hand, but it never lost for me in this tourney. I never had any big pre flop hands...my best hand was pocket 10's late in the tourney. I hovered over the 12k mark for quite awhile. As the blinds kept going up, I needed to keep shoving all in. I would get down to like 6500, then shove all in and nobody would call, so I'd be up to about 9500. I won a few double ups with my ace king, and chopped one with ace king. That last one was a killer though. Girl that just sat down with a ton of chips kept raising pre flop. So the one time she does, I look at ace king, and I shove. She calls, but she is shaking like a leaf. Either it's really good for me (nothing for her) or she has me dominated (bad for me). But she had ace king too. Pretty much a chop pot. She held the ace of hearts, and wouldn't you know, the flop was all hearts. I dodged two bullets on the turn and river (spade/club) and we chopped, but I still picked up some chips from the blinds and antes and limpers. A few all in wins later I was up to about 21k (short stack at my table). Same girl raises, I look down at pocket 10s (best hand pre flop I had) and I shove. She raised to about 3k when I shoved. Girl two to my left, Dawn, had a MONSTER chip stack and tanked for a few. She wasn't afraid of the other girl, but was trying to see if I was making a move or not. She finally folded, as did the other girl. I told Dawn I had my pocket 10s and she believed me...she's seen how I have played in the past. At one point, I was up to about 45k, from my 6500. It was only the matter of a few hands. I was texting Hubby Mike i'd be out soon, and I'd text 6500, 9700, 12k, 21k, 35k, 45k. He couldn't believe it. When we got down to the bubble, we all put in 10 bucks and I had about 42k and figured I would just fold every hand just to cash. I've had such a bad run ALL year and i didn't want to bubble NOW. I'd rather wait and fold and cash. Of course with the blinds and antes, I lost quite a few chips, but I made the cash! It was down to 18, and we redrew for seats...I got moved to table 2. Everyone had huge stacks, and I was short stacked. Jamie Kersetter busted in 18th, and pretty much I figured any ace or big card I'm shoving. Girl in the 2 seat min raised, I had an ace and shoved. I held ace 8, she held ace 10. She hit a 10 in the window and a 10 on the turn, so I was out in 17th. I wasn't mad, I cashed finally!

On Wednesday, I figured I'd press my luck and play that deep stack event. I went down with a girlfriend of mine, and we picked up a friend of ours on the way down. We waited for awhile to buy in, but made it in time before the tourney started. This was a re-entry event as well. My table had one guy that constantly raised, every hand...I'm not kidding. That was annoying. I didn't get involved in too many hands and the pots were huge in just the first level. I got killed in the 2nd or 3rd level. I was in the small or big blind and it was raised. One guy called, as did I. I had ace queen of clubs. Flop was Queen 3 7 (to clubs). So here I have top top and an ace high flush draw. I come out betting, raiser folds, guy across from me calls. Turn is a red 4. Again, I bet out 3k this time. Guy calls. River was a red blank. I bet again, guy calls again. I flop over my ace queen. He looks at my cards, looks at the board...it almost looks as though he is folding, then flops over 3 4 off. Really? You call a pre flop raise with that, I come out firing, and you call with bottom pair, shitty kicker? Really? then he goes "I thought you flopped a set' Um, okay, then why are you calling then? Really dude? ugh, so at that point, I so just want to bust out and re enter. I'm short stacked now and pissed off. I never even won a hand at that table, not one. I busted out in the 8th level and figure I'm going to re-buy. I waited in line for 45 minutes to rebuy...I knew I shouldn't have bought back in. By time I got my ticket, got my chips and seated, right in the big blind...surrounded by monster stacks...great. blinds were 600 1200 200 ante. And of course, the small blind raises (just us two). I have king ten of hearts, so I call...he comes out firing on the flop (nothing for me, not even a draw) and I fold. I didn't get many hands in on this table. Let's say it was a bad day.

I did profit $100 playing cash (I call this a win b/c I haven't done anything in cash all year as well). So I had fun with that and may not have cashed in the tourney, but made some money back in cash.

WSOP starts next week at Harrahs...planning on playing event 1...anyone else?

This Blogger's View on the Kardashian/Hump Divorce

2011-11-02T11:09:00.000-07:00

With all the media hype around the Kardashian Divorce, I just wanted to offer my opinion on the whole thing.

I never used to be a Kardashian fan...I wouldn't watch their shows, care about when they were coming to town, nothing. Then about a year or so ago, I was watching one of the shows. It was on after something I was watching and I left the TV on while I cleaned, not really watching it, just background noise....but it was enticing. I kept finding myself not being able to turn away from the TV. It was a marathon or whatever of the show, so when my husband came home from work, I was still watching it. He was like 'What are you watching?' and I told him it's a good show. At first he was reluctant, but he started liking it too!!!!!

So I became a Kardashian fan. Hate all you want, but Kris Jenner has formed a complete empire with her girls. She looks great after all these years herself and her daughters are all beauties. Many women hate them because they are jealous of them. I admit I was one of them. They are beautiful, rich, successful, etc. Granted a lot of people say they are only rich off of other people, but even if that's true, you have to admit you wouldn't be mad if that was YOU making that money.

Enter Kris Hump. A big Doofus if you ask me. Never liked him from the get go. And when he was in the Wedding planning part of the show, moron. Every man knows you sit back and let the girls take center stage....they get what they want. Even as we watched it, my husband is like 'Is he an idiot...why is he even talking about what HE wants at the wedding?' And then being late, growing a mustache, hating on her sisters...red flags!

Do I think the wedding was a sham/fake? Absolutely not. I really think Kim is all about family. She has stated numerous times she wants a huge family like she has now, and she's not getting younger. Meaning, if she wants her huge family, she needs to have babies RIGHT now. She also sees how her mom pressures her sister Kourtney to marry Scott since they have a baby together. So she wants to make Mama Jenner happy, get married then have kids. However, she also believes in love within a family. I think she found Kris, fell in lust, mistaking it for love, and got married, quick. That way they can have kids. She was also quoted in saying she wanted kids right after the wedding. She also wants to have a baby when Kourtney has number two and Khloe has number 1.

I applaud Kim for realizing she wasn't in love with Kris, whether it was because he's a doofus, unemployed or pressured her to move to Minnesota. I heard his comment on the upcoming season that by time the kids are in school nobody will know Kim's name. Now, that's a tad messed up since KIM bought her OWN engagement ring, and nobody knew Kris' name before Kim came along. Yea, that pad you were living in New York and LA? All Kim. Don't bite the hand that feeds you. I live in NJ and follow sports a big, not a lot, but I do. and I NEVER heard about this Kris guy until Kim. He's not even that good a basketball player!!!!! Get a job!!!!!!

I do hope Kim finds a NICE guy that will treat her well. A cute one too...so we can see some cute babies!

30 Day Giving Challenge!

2011-11-02T11:06:00.000-07:00

I am participating AGAIN this year in the 30 Day Giving Challenge...won't you?

Yesterday was day 1 and I gathered all my expired coupons to send to my Coupons for Troops family.

Today, I 'liked' Petango on facebook and a dollar will be donated. Save a Life with a Like!

Any ideas to help me out this year?

This Country Needs a Suze Smackdown!!!!!!

2011-10-27T09:44:00.000-07:00

*****WARNING! This is a rant! It's all my opinion, but I need to vent a little, and since this is my blog, I'm doing it here!!**********

Since I have been out of work since last month, I don't watch the news like I used to. Before DH and I would go to bed, we'd watch the 10 o'clock news, and in the morning, we have the news on while we get up and get ready. That way we were up to speed so when people at work would bring up a topic, we would be informed of what was going on. Now that I'm not working, I'm going to bed later, and our DVR and TV schedule is full, so we don't watch it at night, and I'm asleep while DH gets ready for work. That being said, I wasn't really up to speed with this whole 'Occupy Wall Street' thing. I'm still not 100% sure what the hey is going on, but all I know is a bunch of people across the country are very upset with corporate greed. I guess these people think that this 'corporate greed' is a new thing, but in reality it's been going on for quite awhile, it's just coming to the surface now. Many of these people are upset for jobs lost or what not for corporate greed. So they are outside for weeks now protesting. Do they think they are getting their points across? Probably not. I figure those on wall street, you know, the big wigs with tons of money are sitting there pointing and laughing at all of them. What's sad is that some of these people are so 'for the purpose' they are getting arrested for getting out of line. Many of these people are unemployed I figure since they can sit outside all day and night protesting. And then get arrested...which will probably go on their records. Then good luck getting a job when the 'arrest' question comes on the job applications. Good job.

What I don't understand is this. I will assume once again that many, if not the majority of the people outside protesting are unemployed. I highly doubt that they have jobs that will allow them to go out and protest and still get paid. That being said, I will guess that many are collecting unemployment benefits. Okay, so let me get this straight. they are out protesting, no jobs, no money coming in. How do they support themselves? How do they support their families, pay the bills, etc? I know some good-hearted people donated items to these people, but really people? In NJ to certify for unemployment each week, you need to answer a few questions, one of which 'Were you actively seeking work?" Of course you answer yes, b/c most people are trying to get interviews, networking, etc. FACE TIME. Not email time. Not talking via emails/text via smartphone. Hmmmmm, smart phone huh? How do these people pay those bills with no job? But I bet they all say 'Yes' when asked the 'actively seeking employment' question. My suggestion is to give a few people jobs and go around, asking for PHOTO id for everyone protesting. Can't supply it? You're gone. You can't stay. So, these people go out checking ID's and SSN's, etc. They then go back to the office and pull up these people. If they have been collecting unemployment, it stops then and there, and they will be required to pay back ALL six weeks or so that they collected. If Bloomberg or Ray Kelly or whoever gives out this information people may take them seriously. Stop living off other people's money. So, they go to the people that people will be collecting info from ID's and if you are found to be falsely collecting unemployment, you will be required to pay back the 6 weeks and no more unemployment. Bet a lot of people will not be protesting! I probably wouldn't mind as much, but people are getting hurt, arrested, etc. It just went way to far in my opinion.

I've also come across some news about Student Loans and how the government is stepping in to help. Wait, what???? I was upset about the whole saving the big financial institutions, but if the government didn't, well, this country would be a lot more in trouble then we are now. The whole issue I cannot STAND and I hear it all the time is the mortgage industry. That these big banks loaned out money for people to buy homes that they couldn't afford. Wait. The banks didn't just go knocking on random people's doors saying 'Here's 500k, want it????' NO, people would go online or call the banks or go in and ASK for the money. The bank says 'Ok, here you go' and then the people SIGN on the dotted line for their line. And in ALL that mortgage paperwork is ALL the info. But do people read it? Nope. They took out mortgages they couldn't afford. They either financed 100%(like my DH and I did) or did an ARM, where they pay just the interest, then after 3, 5 7, etc years the numbers will reset. But nobody foreshadowed the housing market crash. Really people? What did you expect, paying $3k a month in interest on a house you can't afford, then when it resets you can't afford the mortgage? Did you do your homework? NO. Were the banks greedy trying to get more interest money from you? Absolutely. But YOU signed saying you will make the payments, etc. Then you cried for the government to help you. And cried and cried until some fairy godmother came to bail you out, helping you refinance to make your payments more affordable.

Want to know what this girl did? When DH and I got engaged, we bought a house. We moved in together a year before our wedding. We went from no payments (both lived with parents) to having a mortgage payment, utilities, house insurance, grocery bills, etc. It was a SHOCK. I cried myself to sleep when we first moved in, trying to figure out how would could afford our lifestyle. Oh, and we were planning a wedding too. I did a LOT of research and started watching Suze Orman. I needed a way to afford all of our stuff. We put no money down on our house as we wanted to have money to buy furniture, etc. We got the cheapest carpets we could (previous owners had a dog and two cats, and my father in law is allergic), got very cheap living room furniture (between 300-400 dollars for a new couch, sofa AND recliner!). We made a dining room table out of a poker table. We put plywood above the table and voila, dining room table. We used our old bedroom furniture in the bedrooms. Watching Suze and researching ways to decrease spending really opened my eyes. This is when I took on couponing...started out slow and now and one of those 'Extreme Couponers' I get asked in the store if I've ever been on the show. No I reply, it's not real...but that's for another blog post. DH and I sat down, and decided after the wedding, we would pay down ALL our debt, and started ASAP we'd set up a budget. We wanted to save for our future as well. It was hard work, but we got through it. 5 years later, I'm not working currently, we have our EF plus some. We fully fund our Roths, no debt other then 8k in student loan debt at 2% and our house. I've followed a budget since then, and I watch Suze Orman every Saturday night. DH and I don't go out. Yet, our friends that claim they are broke, can't save, can't pay bills go out EVERY weekend to bars. Ones where it's $6 for a beer and $9 for a cocktail. They go out Friday and Saturday nights, then Sunday afternoon for football time...yet they can't pay their bills? Disgusting. It really irritates me.

Getting back to student loans, now President Obama is helping out those that took out too large student loans. Really? Here we go again. Nobody told these people to go to an expensive school. Nobody said going to college is a necessity...it's a LUXURY people! If you can't afford it, then don't go. Save up money and pay CASH (Suze's advice). I have student loans, from my undergrad and grad years. And I've managed to get them from over $50k to $8k in a few years. These are loans you don't mess with as they will not be forgiven in bankruptcy, they will stick with you forever. But yet people are crying it's too much money, they can't pay them back. Well, I say that if you need the government to help you, you have to help them too. You don't want to pay back your student loans? You want them forgiven b/c you can't afford them? Well, then your degree goes back too. You no longer will have a prestigious degree from a prestigious university. Bet then too people will pay back their student loans!

I just think people need to put on their big girl panties and man up and make up for their own mistakes. Stop putting your hand out asking for money or help. You want help, you have to do it on your own. Looking at corporate greed, they aren't looking at for YOUR best interests. The only person to help YOU and YOUR best interests is youself! Step up! we need to hold these people to the fire. It wasn't all the banks fault....they say the banks were greedy, well so were you, applying and taking mortgages that were WAY above your head. How can we teach our kids responsibility when adults just point the blame at everyone else for their own problems?

Having a Baby

2011-10-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

This post is more a less a rant/vent about having a baby. I think I'm at the time in my life where it's time to have a baby and start a family. When DH and I first got married 4 years ago, he wanted to have kids right away, but I wanted to wait and enjoy married life with just us two and to get on more stable ground finance wise. We also live in a small 2 bedroom condo and never thought we'd have the room for a kid, or more then 1 kid.

Fast forward to now. We are pretty much stable finance wise, even though I'm not currently working due to my Army base closing last month. It's been 4 years of us enjoying ourselves and at this point, I think it's time to start a family. We're not getting any younger and I think 4 years as husband and wife is more then enough. I know we haven't gone on any real vacations other then AC, but that's what makes him love me. I don't need some expensive vacation to 'get away' AC is perfect...just an hour drive, free rooms, free food, gambling, boardwalk, restaurants, etc. That's why he married me, I'm pretty much a cheap date. Eventually I'd like to get to Disney with him. A lot of people say I needed to go with him first, just us two. But I don't know. Too many kids around, us not having any. I'd feel left out, Disney is a family place. I think I'd enjoy it much more with a little one.

So I've made the decision to come off BCP and I started taking folic acid. I did try the prenatal vitamins, but it made me pee so darn much, so I came off and took the folic acid. But I'm peeing a lot too, and maybe it's the folic acid. No Uti or anything, I got tested. So eventually I will go back on the PNV. So now, I have my mom telling me I don't want to have a baby. I've always been bad with pain in my earlier years. I'd get a papercut or a bloody nose and be like 'Why me? I'm dying!' I guess my mom remembers that and can't even imagine nine months of me being pregnant, let alone labor. But my mother in law says that if it was so bad, the pain that is, that people would have one kid and never have another. But people are having kids left and right. If they can get through it so can I, right?

I'm also a worry wart and worry about every little thing. My friend is now telling me that I need to be ready to have a kid up my ass for 18 years. Am I ready for that. Yes. I have never heard a mother say they'd give up their kids so they can have their freedom back. Since we were married, DH and I can do whatever we want, whenever we want...no worries. But now, I will have a baby to worry about. My friend also says that I will have no alone time. I have no alone time now anyways. I don't like to be alone. That's why I always had a boyfriend. Never had a time where more then 1 week I was alone. I like the company I guess. I think too much when I'm alone.

So I don't know, my head is spinning and now I'm second guessing everything and it's a bad feeling. Moms out there...new moms and old moms....am I just way overthinking this????

Read over your Bills and Fight for Yourself!

2011-10-19T10:46:00.000-07:00

Okay, so not the best title, but I couldn't think of something snazzy or anything, but I wanted to get a few points across to everyone. Now that I'm unemployed, I figured I would have the time to keep my home tidy, do dishes, wash floors, etc everyday. But I'm finding I DON'T have the time. Whether it's a friend needing a favor, or my mom needing a ride somewhere since she can't drive for a few months, I have no ME time. And by ME time I don't mean watching TV or reading (although I have a few books to still read that I haven't had time to since I left the working world). But what I have been having to do is call companies or email them to fight for what's due to me...or what I feel is due to me. Here goes:

When DH and I went on vacation after I lost my job, we encountered two huge issues. We had gone into a Starbucks to get a frap after window shopping in high end stores. We walk in and after we did about 7 people followed. We placed our order and moved to the section where you pick up your order. Everyone followed suit and we all stood there in the order in which we placed our orders. People in front of us got their drinks, then we were next. But the person behind us got their first. But that was okay, it was a black coffee. Then everyone else behind us got their orders. Okay, the one guy was making the fraps so he was probably working on ours. Nope. So after the rush, we were left there alone, with no $6 frap. So the two men working started cleaning up. So DH is like 'Excuse me' Now, the guys had to have seen us standing there. We were right in front of them. No 'How can I help you' or anything, we had to call to their attention that we still didn't have our order, which was dated 15 minutes earlier. So we stood there for 15 minutes for a $6 drink. My DH tells him we didn't get our order, shows the receipt and he's like 'Are you sure?' Um, yes, I'm not holding a drink in my hand, so yea I'm sure we didn't get it. So the one makes it and gives it to us. No apology, no 'have a nice day' nothing. So on the way out, I grabbed the feedback form and planned to write a 'nastygram' as I call it when we returned home. I did, and I received a nice email back AND 4 coupons for free drinks, ANY size! That was nice of them.

Also, while on vacation, we were unable to use the indoor pool for two days (the reason we stayed at this particular place) And on another day, we had no TV all morning and all day. Not that I'm a TV watcher, but it was during the week and I like to watch a few shows (the news, Regis, Let's Make a Deal, Price is Right, etc) and I couldn't. So again, when we returned home, I wrote a nastygram and got upgraded to a suite during our next stay. I made our reservations first, then called for the upgrade today, but it's not in the system, so they forwarded me to the person that sent me the email...I'm currently waiting for a return call or email.

So it DOES pay to make your opinion count to companies. They want to make it right and don't want to leave a sour taste in your mouth, which is fine by me!

However, there are companies that make mistakes and you have to fight tooth and nail to get what's due. Since I came home from vacation, I'm finding a lot of errors on bills that I have to call up and fight, wait on hold, etc. First it was with Cablevision, although the woman I spoke to explained it. So what was due was right, it was just the way the bill read made it look like I had a past due balance. No biggie. I then got my Allstate car insurance bill. I could pay a set amount each month, or save $30 and pay it in full. So DH and I discussed it and decided $30 is $30 so I will pay it in full, then replenish the EF each month with what I would have paid to the car insurance. So I call to pay and to take myself off the Value Plan where it comes out of my account every month. My luck I'd pay in full and they would still take out the money each month. The guy I spoke to had a different amount then I had. I said no, that's the amount I pay if I do the monthly installments. On my bill it had that number, plus a number $30 if I pay in full. So he took my payment. The next day, I get a bill from Allstate for the $30. Really??? YOU send ME a bill saying if I pay in full it's this amount. I go to do that and it's wrong? REALLY? So I call back and the guy said they issued me a credit for the $30. WRONG again...it's not a credit...YOU tell ME I owe this amount, it's IN writing! Why do I have to keep calling companies for THEIR mistakes!!!!?????

If any lesson is learned it's look over all your bills and fight for your rights! If you pay for something, you better get it...if not complain...you can get some free stuff out of the deal!

Is anyone else experiencing these same issues as of late? How did you handle it?

My Love of COACH

2011-09-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

I started falling head over heels with Coach back when I was in college. I was with a guy for a few years and since I was in college, I was working part-time to earn gas money and spending money. One of my boyfriend's close friends was a guy he worked with. We would hang out a lot with this guy and his fiancee, she was equally as nice. One day, we all went over to the friends house to meet up with some of the fiancee's friends to head to some haunted hay ride type thing and dinner. I was so excited as I LOVE meeting new people. But I wasn't prepared for what happened at their apartment.

I knew that the finacee came from a family with a ton of money and they were paying for their elegant wedding. However, all her friends that were there ALL had Coach bags. Looking at that, I felt so ashamed to have some $10 purse from Mandee or Joyce Leslie. The one girl had a pen with the pushy thing to write, and it must have hit against something in her purse and the pen's ink went EVERYWHERE in her purse. She was like 'Oh, well I was due for a new one anyways'. I was shocked inside, but hid it well. I was thinking 'Oh my goodness, $400 for a purse and you put an uncapped pen in it!!!!???'. This is a time in my life when I wanted to fit in, so later then year when my mom asked me what I wanted when I graduated from college it was a Coach bag, hands down. And my mom obliged.

I was so excited when I got my VERY own Coach bag! I treated that thing like gold. I never put candy or food or pens in there, nothing. And I loved it to no end. One day, I was with my then boyfriend (different from the boyfriend above, now husband) and a good friend of mine and the strap just broke right off. I was crushed! It was a very expensive purse and I took such great care of it. That weekend, I went to the Coach store with my mom's receipt (she doesn't throw anything away either!) and I showed the cashier. She looked at the purse, then looked at the receipt, dated from about 2 years prior. She asked if I ever used the purse. I responded yes, for about 2 years. It was so clean and pristine she couldn't believe that it was used! She said the policy is to send it back to the Coach warehouse or whatever for repair, along with $20 for them to ship it back to me. I obliged, gave $20 to her and left. I figured I would get the same one back, but when I did, it was a BRAND new one! They couldn't fix the strap so they just sent me a BRAND new one! SAWEET! Love the lifetime warranty!

So last year, my husband got me a Coach bag and matching wristlet for my 30th bday. I loved it and immediately switched over my purses from what I had to this new one...and I've used it all year. I went to the Coach outlet on my bday weekend with my best friend and got the smaller demi purse version of my purse and a wallet for $100 bucks. While there, I looked at the warranty sign on the checkout counter. I made a mental note to save the receipt in my drawer. We then went to the shoe store as my friend needed new shoes...as we were there I noticed a wear mark on my purse. So I said, "Let's go back and see what they say" Figuring I would be back the next week on vacation, I figured I would just get some info, then have DH search for the receipt to get it repaired. The manager said it's wear and tear and that if they send it out, they will return it as normal wear and tear. There was actually a second mark my best friend saw while we were at the counter. I asked the lady what I could do, she said I should look into the leather purses as they don't wear as much as the signature ones do, but I'm not a fan of the leather stuff. She said they couldn't exchange the bad one for a brand new one. I figured I'd need the receipt, so I told her the story and she said, no receipt needed, we can do it right here....or I could get store credit for the lowest value of the purse then use that credit to buy another one. So I immediately exchanged it. The ladies were so helpful and not snotty at all!

See, you may spend a lot on a Coach purse (but not as much at the outlet store, where I always get mine anyways) but you have it, or it's cash equivalent for LIFE. You may be a cheapy one for $20 and it can last a few years, then you have to spend more on it....and with me with my love for shoes and purses, I don't need that many. I don't have the room for it anyways, but I know I will always have my Coach purse!

MAGGOTS aand BUGS Oh My!!

2011-08-24T11:02:00.000-07:00

EW, just saying or writing the word gives me the skeevies! This is the SECOND time this summer we have gotten maggots in our outside garbage can! We got some a few months back and DH took care of it, b/c I won't go NEAR bugs. We came home on Sunday night after the downpour we experienced. As we walked up to our stoop, DH was like 'Dude, look at that!' And there all over our garbage can was maggots...creepy crawly maggots! So we came inside and DH took the bug spray and sprayed all over the garbage can and ground around the can. Gross. I know one of our 'neighbors' kids like to walk by and pick up the lid of other people's garbage's and just dump half eaten food in there, so we're assuming this is what caused all the dirty maggots. And since I refuse to go digging to find the culprit (as is DH) I won't go starting trouble. Although I did want to gather some up and leave them on their doorstep or car, but whatever :)

So I was off on Monday and decided to take some action. I woke up and just missed Shia LeBouf on Regis (damn) and said it was going to be a bad day. But I was kidding, or so I thought. I got up and decided to take the trash out that we had in the house, so I grab the handles to pull out the bag and it ripped. Then, the DD cup that DH had on the top spilled out all over the inside of the garbage can, and some dripped to the floor. I got the garbage out, put it in a new bag and took it to the curb. We are supposed to have our garbage in a can, but I wasn't touching the can, and everyone else drops their bags off anyways. When I came back to the house, I took a good look at the maggots. gross. they were on the sidewalk too! so I went in and grabbed the spray. I sprayed all over, the sidewalk, the can, the dirt. When I ran out, I grabbed the bleach and started bleaching them to death. I found 3 by our welcome mat and got them with the bleach. (I think they got there from me throwing the bleach). I figured at that point, I would stay inside and let DH handle it from there.

So later in the afternoon, I figured I'd cut my coupons. So I grabbed my binder, and put it on my lap and put away some coupons I had laying around. I closed it up, and placed it on the floor next to me. When I did, I saw a HUGE spider crawling on it. I screamed. The patio door was open, so anyone that lives near me had to hear my blood curdling scream. So after a minute or two (felt like an eternity) I unfroze and decided I had to kill it. But now I couldn't find it!!!! I grabbed a show ready to hit, but couldn't find him. Oh great, now a loose spider in the house. I got my cell phone to call my best friend. As the phone was ringing, he came out from hiding and I got him! My friend answered and I told him what happened LOL. I was going to ask him to come over to kill it. hahahahahaha.

DH texted he would be home late b/c of work issues, so I decided to read some of my book and then take a shower. So I'm in the shower, relaxing, and then I see it. On the handle of the door was ANOTHER huge spider. Another blood curdling scream. Then I realize I'm stuck in this stand up shower, inches from the spider. Another scream. Nobody is home...and even if a friend were over or if a neighbor happened to break my door down thinking someone was being murdered, did I want them to see me buck naked? I think not. So there he is, just chilling..then starts moving....I freeze again. Then I look around for something to swat him with....shower gel? I grab DH's (not using mine) and start to hit the handle, he falls...ew. I can't step on him. So I start banging on the ground where he is with the bottle and he dies and I swish him to the drain....ah.

DH finally gets home and I fill him in on my bug ordeal. He's very proud of me for killing two spiders. they are my greatest fear. So he goes outside to take care of the maggots. I gave him the rest of the bleach, then start going through my stockpile. Found cleaner with bleach, then found a site that says ammonia kills them too. I didn't know they were still IN the can, just thought they were on the outside. So he took the ammonia with him and the cleaner. He took the can out to the curb. At this point, neither of us wanted to clean it, so we figured we'd let the garbage men just take the thing and I'd pay $20 bucks for a new one. Well, he took the can out and poured the cleaner AND the ammonia into the can. Big no no. I didn't know either, but when I called my dad he's like 'Are you nuts?!' so DH called poison control and said just to dilute the can with water. DH is fine though, didn't inhale anything or get anything on him. So that was that...or so we thought.

Yesterday we wake up and I look outside and I see some maggots on the can again! WHAT?! how did that toxic mixture not kill them???!!! There was only a few, not many. DH went out and sprayed lysol on the can before he went to work. When I came home, I only noticed one or two still alive. No biggie. I had called the garbage pickup company and asked them to take the whole can and I put a note on it too. Told them what happened and they said they'd have them pick it up today (no pickup yesterday). When I went to go shopping with my best friend for new cans, I made him open the can. He didn't want to, but I pestered him...there were tons still alive in there! HOW?!. We still had to dump the liquid out of the can, DH did that when he got home. He then sprayed lysol on the grass where the maggots came out.

So hopefully they garbage men took our little bug problem away today. I can just imagine any of our neighbors seeing DH spraying lysol on the grass lol. Ah, the joys of condo ownership :)

Put a Bad Beat On Hunger Charity Poker Tournament 8/21/11

2011-08-24T10:43:00.000-07:00

As all of you may or may not know, I love giving back to charity. I donate a lot of food and health and beauty products to the Food Banks, etc. When I came across this poker tournament at Borgata, I knew I had to play. It was a Deep Stack Turbo Event Rebuy. You start with 25k in chips, blind levels are 15 minutes for the first 12 rounds, then 25 minutes after that. You can also re buy (buy back in if you bust out) during the first 8 rounds. I was really excited to play this event since I haven't played a tourney in a few months and it was for a good cause. My poker coach came and played as well.

We decided to buy in late to avoid many of the crazies that would donk off their chips and just re-buy in. We both manage our bankrolls well and we both decided if we busted out we would not buy back in. We could play cash or another tournament that night if we had wanted to. I got seated in the back of the poker room in the tournament area and sat at a nice table. Everyone said hello when I sat down. I got median hands and decided not to play them at first, I wanted to get a read on the table. Bad choice to do when you are 8 levels in, and the blinds go up pretty fast. Looking back, should have probably bought in a level or two earlier, but that's nor here nor there.

There was tons of action at my table and early on I made some bad laydowns. In the big blind, I got ace four off. I check. Flop is ace rag rag. No straight or flush draws, but my ace is still weak with about 3-4 limpers in the pot behind me, we all check around. King hits the turn. Check to me, I check, guy in late position bets and got called. Damn. Is he betting his king, or did he check his big ace on the flop, then representing a king. since it was my third hand in, and the guy didn't play any of the previous hands, I laid it down. Would have one. He and the other guy both had a king. But I felt weak. Oh well.

Next hand in the small, I got jack 4 off. I limp, guy in BB checks. Now, this is an action table...every hand had action. Raise, re-raise, etc. Flop is jack four rag. I hit two pair. No straight or flush draw. So I decide to bet out....let me get raised. I felt strong here. I bet out, BB thought for awhile, then folded. Damn. So did everyone else...oh well, still won a pot!

Wasn't getting many good hands and watched my stack dwindle. Once in awhile, I'd win a small pot, but with blinds and antes, I was still adding a lot to my diminishing stack. When I sat down, I only had about 22k (they blinded us out) so I was already short stacked at my table. I think at best I got up to about a little over 30k. I got down to about 11k or 12k, and I shoved all in with an ace. Blinds were coming my way, and I figured any pair, two big cards or any ace I have to shove....well, I look down at an ace and shove. Got called with 8 5 off. Wow. Well, I hit my nine on the flop and doubled up. A few hands later, I'm in the BB with I can't remember, and it's me and SB (lot of chips). He checks, and I hit a piece of the board, not a big piece, but a piece. I shove, he folds. So I gained some blinds and antes there.

Blinds are 2k-4k and 400 or 500 ante. I have about 20 or 22k in front of me, so I have about 5 big blinds left. Figure I'm in the same spot as before and I'm behind the button with Ace Jack suited and decide to shove. The other girl at my table calls (also short stacked). She had pocket 8s. Board blanks for me and I'm out. meanwhile, almost EVERY other flop had an ace. Figures the one time I need one, they are nowhere to be found.

All in all, had a good time. The food bank and brought in some cheese and crackers and fruit for us to nibble on, so that was nice of them. I didn't stick around to see the ending or anything, but I saw on the blog that nobody from my table, or anyone I knew cashed or had their pic posted. I grabbed a bite at the buffet, played Let it Ride and the Hangover slot. I lost $40 there at that slot, but it's deceiving...I didn't feel like I lost it...I had a blast playing it! Played War as well (by the money wheel) and won back some money, then we headed home in the storms in Monmouth County.

I Started My Christmas Shopping!

2011-08-24T09:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Hounding with FrugalSuz, I was able to start my Christmas shopping! This year, the holidays will be tight for DH and I since we will be living on one income. So I'm trying to find some creative ways to give nice gifts without spending a boatload of money. The list this year is being cut, and the budget is also being cut drastically for Christmas. I'm not sure how our families will like it, but we don't have the money to go splurging on gifts for everyone.

I went to CVS and got the following:
Conair Ceramic Hair Straightener (for my niece). Sticker said it was $34.49 but FrugalSuz said they are on clearance. So I took one off, went to the price check thing and it was on clearance for $8.62! I had some ECBs to use up, and I got a $5 ECB back when getting it, making it $3.62!!!! and it's really pretty too with the pink!

Colgate Optic Toothbrush - 2.99 and got a $2 ECB in return.

I spent $1.42 OOP and got back $7 in ECBs!

I'm hoping for some really great deals at RA, CVS and WAGS in the upcoming months so I can use my coupon hounding expertise to get some great deals for the holidays!

Newspaper Thefts due to show 'Extreme Couponing'

2011-08-18T08:42:00.000-07:00

http://www.azcentral.com/business/consumer/articles/2011/08/17/20110817coupon-seeking-consumers-swipe-newspapers.html

The above referenced newspaper article has me outraged that people will resort to STEALING newspapers and coupons for their own benefit. Don't adults realize that stealing is a crime? On one episode of Extreme Couponing, we saw a woman go to abandonded or empty homes and stealing the newspapers that were just sitting there. Now people are doing the same thing, and even going to stores and stealing newspapers for their coupons, instead of just purchasing the newspaper, like responsible adults do. Don't adults teach their children right from wrong, and not to imitate what they see on TV?????

I think TLC or the producers of Extreme Couponing need to come out with some statement about how much the truth is stretched on this show. It's not REALITY people! Neither is Jersey Shore or any other reality show...there are WRITERS for the shows to make it enjoyable for the audience to watch. Don't follow their examples. If you want to know how to really save money at the store and not do anything illegal, or even immoral, just ask me or attend one of my forthcoming coupon classes. Or if you dread going to the grocery store, hire me to be your personal grocery shopper. I enjoy going to the grocery store, and love helping people, so this is a passion I'm looking to pursue.

So let's dissect this article:

The Arkansas Woman allegedly stole 185 copies of a newspaper, and she said she didn't think it was illegal. Last I checked, if a newspaper has a price on it, and you don't pay for it, it's stealing. I haven't been in college classes for a few years, so maybe the law changed? Come on...let's get serious here!

The Denton Police lady. Not sure how this all went down. Were the papers there to be purchased and she just took them? Were they there for free for anyone to take? If that's the case, take one, and leave the rest for everyone else. What makes you think you're more important then anyone else?

The Boise one, that irks me the MOST. This is why I use a legitimate couponing service now. I will pay the higher fees for that then go to the store to buy them. I have had a few experiences at the stores with this one. At my local corner store one night, I ran in looking to pick up a few copies of the paper. They had already taken off the top header of each paper, I guess they submit that to get reimbursed for the payment of papers or whatever. So I grabbed the remaining 4 copies that were left and I went home. I went through them later that evening and wouldn't you know? EVERY SINGLE ONE had the coupons removed from them. So not only did I pay full price, and the store will get reimbursed, but they stole the inserts! So I never went back there to get newspapers, but I did submit a letter to the newspaper informing them of the issue. There were times also that I went to my grocery store and gotten mulitple papers. I would just grab about 4 from the stack and go on my merry way. And a lot of the times I did that, I noticed inserts were missing. So then I did my due diligence and would go through EACH ONE before purchasing it. I never once stole any inserts, but I would go through each paper to make sure the inserts were in there, and if any were missing, I wouldn't purchase it. Of course people started, customers and employees. I know they were watching me, waiting to catch me stealing something. Well, they were wasting their time. So now, I just order them. I've only had one or two small issues with it, which were credited to my account, so no big deal. But what irks me is that people pay the same amount for one paper, but steal inserts from others, meanwhile, I pay for my few copies and wouldn't get inserts. What makes these people think they are special, or entitled to receive items that others are paying for and not receiving?

Since this show has come out, it has been such a hassle for us honest and moral couponers. In the beginning I loved watching the show, but after the first episode, I, and many other legitimate couponers knew what was coming. I didn't think it would get as bad as it did, but all we need is the channel or producers to just say this isn't meant as reality. They people on the show even admit it's not real. Many of the coupons used weren't used for their intended purchases and almost every single store on there limits their quanities of both products purchased and coupons able to use, but all that was overridden, making it seem like anyone can do it, but in REALITY you can't. Is it so hard to ask for a real reality show about couponing??????

We Lost a Great Kid and Heaven Gained an Angel

2011-08-17T09:40:00.000-07:00

I got word on Monday that one of my co-worker's son passed away Saturday in a tragic accident at Bushkill Falls. I have been so emotional thinking about it, how the family must feel, how his friend must feel, etc and figured this was the best way to let out my feelings.

When I first got word (via email from my boss), the subject line was 'Incident Report for' person's full name. So when I saw that and who it was from, I figured something had happened at work, like a violation or something. Then when I opened it, my boss had wrote 'funeral information forthcoming' WHAT?! My heart sank, and my stomach turned. Then I scrolled down, tears in my eyes. He's a young guy, maybe 50 at most and he's so vibrant and full of life...what could have happened? Then when I read the whole report, it was the death of his son, not me. For a moment, I felt a little relief, then realized how devastated my co-worker must be after what happened. All that was said on there was that he was at Bushkill Falls in PA and fell into the falls, however, doing more investigating, I found out more.

Lincoln was a teenager. He was a great kid from what everyone says. I personally never met him, but if he's anything like his father, the world lost a great kid. His dad is so smart, vibrant he must have passed these traits to his son. Lincoln and his friend had gone hiking at Bushkills Falls. I read on a blog online the first hand scene of what happened. Apparently, he and his friend jumped over a guardrail that led to being 'off the trail'. That's what kids do right? They think they are invincible. I know I always felt that way at least. They were horsing around by the edge of the cliff I guess and he slipped and fell. The onlookers heard the yell, and saw his friend rush down to help him. Since they are in the woods, it wasn't easy to get help as there is no cell service or anything, and where the onlookers were, they couldn't get down to where he lay, but the friend did I guess. He was laying face down in the water and the people thought he might have lived....they waited for a miracle to see him move. The friend turned his body around face up and performed CPR and screamed for help. Sadly, Lincoln did not survive.

I'm not a parent yet, but I can't even begin to imagine how my coworker and family must feel. To bury your own child, isn't it supposed to be the other way around? Burying your parents? I know my coworker is a great parent, but he must be beside himself about how it all happened. Kids will be kids like I said earlier...they will do things that looking back on it, was stupid...we've all done it, right? Sped down the highway, cutting people off, doing drugs, etc?

I've been crying a lot about this all week...reading blogs about it, reading news articles about it. I guess what I'm trying to put out there is this. Parents, hug your kids a little tighter then usual, give them your love, give them kisses before bed and before they leave, or you leave for work in the morning. Can you imagine if you never saw your kid again and you didn't kiss them goodbye or hug them before they left for the day? And for kids....be careful out there. If there's a guardrail, don't go over it...it's there to protect you for a reason. Even if your friend eggs you on...just remember this tragey. Hopefully nobody will have to go through the pain of this tragedy.

Borgata 8/10/11

2011-08-11T11:53:00.003-07:00

Yesterday was my BFF's bday. The original plan was to hit Parx for their opening event, but last minute he had to go to Maryland in the morning. I was going to go with him, but at times I get car sick and I'm not allowed to drive his truck, so I opted out. He went to MD at 6am, and left at 9am to hit B. He got there around noon, I got there around 12:15. We played some slots, Let it ride, roulette etc. We also ate after awhile. I was itching to play some 2/5, but it was his bday and I didn't want to ruin it by playing poker. He has a running joke that I have a squirrel in my head and all it thinks about it poker, and shuffling poker chips :)

He says if I want to play to play, he will watch for a bit. NOW, I call him my lucky charm. He bought me into the ladies event last year (without Hubby Mike knowing) as one of my bday gifts. He said I could tell Mike if I cashed...and I came in 13th. So we told Hubby Mike. I have fared well with him around, but there was maybe one or two times I lost (not a lot) with him there. He hasn't been to AC all 2011...yesterday was his first venture back. I have been on a losing streak minus 2 times all year. Coincidence? you decide.

So we go and I get seated at a table. I took down a smallish pot early on with jack 7 off in big blind and flopped top pair...bet the whole way and a donkey kept calling, then folded on river.

The hand that made my session is pocket fours. I didnt really play many hands and at this point BFF was bored and went to play War (yes they have that at the B by the money wheel!). So I get pocket fours in big blind. Seat 3 raises to 20. I hadn't really played much, nor gotten good cards. Small blind came in not too long before, he sat with $300 too. He calls, I look at my fours. What the hey, I'll call. I haven't hit a flop all year, but hey, you never know. Four nine two (two diamonds). SWEET!!!! I'm doing the happy dance in my head. SB checks, I bet out 30, they both call. As the dealer is flipping the turn, all I'm saying is BLACK or pair the board! Five diamonds. Really dealer? I finally hit a flop and I bet you just gave one of these guys a flush. Thanks. SB checks, I bet another $30. Seat 3 raises it to $90 and the SB insta calls. REALLY???? REALLY???? I'm thinking to myself INSTA FOLD. My head is doing the math real quick. 10 outs. Call another 60 bucks for 10 outs? FOLD. But something in my gut said 'call' I then think 'I can't call with at best 10 outs, that's if nobody folded pre flop any of my outs, or that these guys don't have them either' But I count out 60 in chips and call. Five of spades hits the river.....BINGO. About time!!!!!! SB checks, I take a stack of 100 and put it in the middle. That leaves with me another 100 behind. Seat 3 thinks and folds. Now it's on SB. He's thinking. Okay so he doesn't have pocket nines.....okay so that's good. Then I"m like 'did I bet too much for him to call?' did I bet too little and could I have gotten paid off more? Then I'm like 'SHHHH, you didn't win yet!" He calls 'gulp' He had a flush...I had a boat....that was a HUGE pot...I was now sitting with over $700 in front of me!!!!!! Happy Dance happy dance. I FINALLY got lucky...I haven't gotten lucky in a long time. Granted, it was a bad call, but my gut said to call while my head said fold.

I won a few smaller hands throughout the rest of the session. Won a hand with aces, got one caller when I raised pre flop, then took it down with a continuation bet. Right before we were leaving, I got dealt pocket kings. I wanted to leave, and I get that. So I raise to 30, hoping just to take down the two limpers. I got one caller. Loose player too. Flop is ace queen rag. He immediately checks. I didn't like the ace. I bet out 30 and he insta folded. PHEW! Then I cashed out. I'm still learning and I'm feeling more confident that maybe my luck is changing, or if I will need BFF in AC when I play.

I'll probably be playing during the week and only 2/5. Jersey Jay says no more 1/2. Hubby Mike might even join me at 2/5 next time. He had some horrible bad beats at 2/5 awhile ago, and won't go back, but he just may now.

Borgata Aug 6th and 7th

2011-08-11T11:53:00.001-07:00

Hubby Mike and I planned on going to AC Saturday to Sunday b/c I got tickets to Jeff Dunham Saturday night at Taj (awesome show by the way!). The show ended around 10, and we headed to B for some 1/2 action. They had just opened a new table, so we ran over and got our seats next to each other. I have no qualms of taking him out. Yes, he's my husband, but when we're in a hand together, all I see are his chips :) And besides, it gives us time to 'spend together' while playing poker. A family that plays together stays together right?

So I'm pretty much card dead. I've been pretty much card dead all of 2011. My right arm is now very muscular from all the MUCKING I've been doing. I know I should have written down my hands Saturday, but I never got around to doing so, so my mind will be a little blurry, but Jersey Jay has been coaching me believe it or not, so whatever details I missed or messed up on, he can correct me if I'm wrong.

I do remember winning one hand. I was in late position and limped in for 2 bucks with king 2 suited. At this point, I just wanted to see a flop pretty much. Hubby Mike was the button and he called as well. Small and big were in as well as one other limper. Flop is two spades. Everyone checks, Hubby Mike bets 7 bucks. he got two callers, so I called as well. Turn is a spade. Everyone checks to me, I bet out. Hubby Mike folds, as does everyone else. So I won a pot. woop dee doo.

A few hands later, I'm in the big blind with king jack off. A few limpers. Flop comes out ace jack king. No flush draw. I bet out ten, one guy calls (seat 1) and seat 3 raises to thirty. You know...this is the BEST hand I've seen in a long time, and I'm aggravated to folding winning hands to someone just making a play at the pot. So I call the thirty, and seat ten pops it 100 or so. Figures. Seat 3 Calls, I fold. Wouldn't you know, after the river, they show (I don't even remember the bets after that, I'm assuming seat 3 went all in) Seat 1 had queen 10 for the flopped straight, seat three had ace king. I was THIRD the entire way. Seriously????? Ugh, good fold, yes. Probably bad call to the raise, but whatever.

Very next hand, I'm in the small and get 10 5. I call the buck, Hubby Mike checks. Flop is 10 high. I bet out 10 I believe, I get one caller. Turn is nothing, I bet out 20 or so. Guy calls. There is now a gut shot out there. A five hits the river and I can see a straight, but it would have been runner runner, and a gut shot on the river. And I hit my two pair so I'm feeling good now. I bet out 30, guy thinks, and calls. He had a straight. He stayed on the flop with nothing, and hit runner runner and a gut shot on river to win the pot.

At this point, it wasn't my night, so I took the rest of my chips and cashed out down 120 or so. I then had a coaching session with Jersey Jay. He gave me some fresh insights and I was determined to follow his advice.

Sunday, we got up showered, had breakfast and checked out. We went to play poker. Hubby Mike to 1/2 NL, me to 2/5NL and sat with $300. There wasn't many chips at the table except LRG (his shirt had LRG on it) and he had about 2k and above in front of him. He wasn't a bully either, so that was good. I was more or less using this as a testing of the waters. I didn't win many hands. I did make a good laydown though. Preflop UTG I got queens. 'Finally a hand' I think in my head. I raise to 20 or 25 I don't remember offhand. LRG calls and guy next to him calls. Flop is all low cards, so I continuation bet 30 I believe. LRG calls, guy next to him pops it. Really? I think for a minute, then fold. LRG calls. I don't remember the turn, but that's where the action ended. I had told the people around me what I had, and they were like 'You should have shoved!!!!' I'm already short stacked and I didn't feel comfy blowing on my chips like that. It was a good fold b/c two people saw the winner's hand. One saw it in the chair, the other saw it when the dealer put the cards at the bottom of the muck then lifted all the cards. He had pocket kings. So it was a great fold.

I got queens again a few hands later, raised to 30 and collected 5 limpers limped money. I got aces twice and won small pots which I was happy about. After a few hours, I was down $60 or so, and I cashed out to go home. yes, I lost, but it didn't feel like a loss b/c I was learning the ins and outs of 2/5NL. I've played it before, but not with the insight I got from Jersey Jay. I was happy with the result and couldn't wait to play again.

Shop Rite July 29th

2011-07-29T09:31:00.000-07:00

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.

Someone Peed in MY Wheaties!!!!!!

2011-07-20T09:31:00.000-07:00

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?????

Baby - Worrying

2011-07-18T08:45:00.000-07:00

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.

Staples Penny Deals are Back!

2011-07-12T08:04:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-12T07:04:00.000-07:00

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!

I'm Getting Old and Terrified of Being a Mom

2011-06-27T07:05:00.000-07:00

Great title huh? Well, here's lemme explain:

So, Saturday night, DH and I decided to hit up our church's carnival. The weather had been bad Wed-Friday and Saturday it was supposed to rain, but it held out and off we went. My nephew's were there (12 and 6) when we arrived and saw my mom and sister selling 50/50's. It was after 930 and the carnival ended at 11. I saw my dad who works in the beer garden, and he was almost taken to the hospital because he had crushed his finger between two full kegs (OUCH). It was all black and blue and bleeding, but he didn't want to go to the hospital so the EMT's wrapped it up. He had to one up me. I was in the ambulance at the carnival last year when my brother in law shot me in the eye at point blank range with a toy gun...I thought I was going to be blind....so not fun.

So, after we did our rounds, my youngest nephew wanted to go on rides and his father was drinking in the beer garden and you can't take the beer outside that area, so DH and I decided to take them on some rides. My mom gave me 15 tix for the youngest one so off we went. Well, the two boys wanted to go on the ferris wheel together. My oldest nephew, I call him Satan Jr. I have ever since he was a baby...he was a bad baby, never slept, cried, the works..and he still does...he's the typical 'bad boy kid' So the two of them get on the ferris wheel and DH and I wait by the exit. It was 10 ticket's for the 2 of them (5 each). And the tickets were $1.25 each...so that's $12.50 for ONE ride...that's a lot of money! Anywho...before the ride starts, my oldest nephew starts shaking the ride. I told him before they even went on not to do that....because the younger nephew will be too scared, and because just a few weeks ago a child died on a ferris wheel by falling out, probably from doing something she wasn't supposed to do. And I'm the one that's going to be responsible for them if something happens. So of course, the guy saw it and told him not to do that. So they go around one time and towards the top, I see their cart moving around. I tell DH and he's like 'Calm down, everyone does that'. Hmph. Yes, he's right, I used to do that. My mom was TERRIFIED of ferris wheels because her father fell out of one years ago (he lived)...but when my sister and I were kids, we'd get her on the ferris wheel and move it all around to scare her. Now, if I go on and someone shakes it, I may kill them LOL. So the guy sees that, so when they come down by him, he stops the ride and tells him if he does it again, they are off the ride. So I walk up to him, and I'm like 'Yes, please, if he does please yank them off...don't feel bad.' Guy smiled. So they went around two more times, then off they came. My younger nephew was terrified. So my older one comes off and I gave him lip. He just wasted $12 of his grandmother's money (who hasn't worked in 2 years b/c she got laid off) and his brother didn't even get to enjoy the ride and they were HIS tickets. So off we went back to their parents and I told them. My brother in law laughed. My mother yelled at him. My sister was oblivious I think. So the younger one has 5 tickets left and didn't get to enjoy the ride. So DH and I go buy more tickets and he wants to go on the scrambler with DH. Then the older nephew talks to him and then he says he wants to go on with his older brother. Told the older one, fine, they go buy your own tickets. hahaha (I'm such a brat!). Told him the sign says if he's a certain height, he has to go with an adult and his brother isn't an adult, so the older one storms off. So DH and my younger nephew go on the scrambler and I stand and watch.

As I'm watching, I glance over at other rides. There's the Buccaneer. It's the one that just goes high in the air, like a pendulum. I love that ride. Always did...even the last time I went on it, I went w/ a friend. And the bar never latched...I was terrified...I thought I was going to fall out. I'm tiny and when that thing goes in the air, I was airborne. But now when I see the rides, I get scared. Maybe I watch too many movies (final destination anyone?). I'm always afraid that ride won't stop and go upside down and people will fall out. Then the scrambler. I'm standing and leaning against the rail. And the carts are coming awful close. So I start to look at all the mechanics behind it, thinking "I hope everything's screwed in tight" And then I back away from standing so close to the rail, just in case a cart comes off and hurdles itself at me.

When did I become so, scared? I used to love rides, now I'm second guessing even my nephew going on them. So off they come and he wants to go on the ferris wheel with me. It's not a big ferris wheel. Shoot, I've been on the one in wildwood, in a thunderstorm, stuck at the tippy top. I should be fine. So we got on and I'm terrified! We get to the top and I'm like 'I hope this cart is fastened' LOL. What am I going to do when I have kids? and if I have a boy with no fear that wants to go on the biggest and highest coaster? Dear old mom ain't going on!

And when the kids act up, like my nephew, then what? I will be looked upon as a bad parent b/c the boy don't listen. And you can't give the kids a good whack anymore. I used to get hit when I did something wrong. I'm not condoning it, but that's why I'm such a goody goody. I knew right from wrong early on. And I knew if I did something wrong, I was getting hit with a hand or a belt (or both!) so I learned pretty quick. Nowadays, you can't hit your kids...but boy did I want to give a good slap in the rear to my nephew that night!

I LOVE CVS!

2011-06-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

1st transacation (DH's card)
3 Motrin PM caplets - 4 each ($12) Used 3 $1/1 Q = 9 OOP (Get 3 ECB for each one you get, limit 3)
1 Cinnamon Toast Crunch for DH - 1.00
Total was 10.00 OOP, used $9.99 ECBs from yesterday, paid .01! That's right, 1 PENNY! And I got $9 back! That's an $8.99 profit!

2nd transaction (my card)
2 John Frieda products - $5 each ($10), used a $5/1 q and a $2/1 q. Paid $3 OOP and got back $3 ECBs for buying $10 in JF products
Hydro Razor - 8.00-4q = 4. Buy one and get 4 ECBs back. Pay 4, get 4 = FREE!
Wet Ones Wipes - 1.99
Used 5.99 ECB from the Zyrtec yesterday so I paid $4.26 OOP and got back $7!

3rd transaction (bonus card DH got me last Sept!)
Zyrtec - 5.99-4q = 1.99 OOP and got back $5.99 in ECBs!

Now I got THREE cards I'm rolling on!!! YIPPEE!

So today I paid OOP $6.26 and I got $21.99 to spend! Total profit of $15.73!

Can't wait to see the deals for CVS next week!

Outside Looking In

2011-06-16T07:18:00.001-07:00

So, yesterday, I had to babysit my youngest nephew (he's 6 and the cutest kid you'll ever meet, seriously, and I'm not saying that b/c I'm his aunt lol) and I took my best friend with me to keep me company and he obliged. So we pick up the little guy and off we go to his last t-ball game. Ah, memories. I played t-ball when I was a little youngun and my mom helped coach. Wow, my mom? Coaching a sport? I know it's true though, there's pics to prove that she was on the field with us, not just watching from behind the fence. Wow, I need to go off on a tangent here. I don't think my mom knows much about sports...but when her daughter (me) played field hockey, all I remember was her yelling out my name at the top of her lungs...'Go Beth Go!!!!' I could hear her above ALL the other mothers and I was sooooo embarrassed! I don't think she understood the specifics of the game, but knew that I had to get down to the offensive side and score a goal, and also play on defense and make sure the other team didn't score (I was a midfielder, so I did both offense and defense). But I digress. I was a tiny little kid playing...the helmet was bigger then my body and I'm sure that by looking at the pics that I couldn't see a damn thing with that huge helmet on my head. lol

Anywho, so off we go to his t-ball game. He's in the backseat of my mustang. I didn't think he needed a car or booster seat, but as soon as we went outside, my sister gives me his booster seat. "He still needs that? He's six!' She said 'Yes', then explained but I was too busy trying to get the damn thing in the backseat of my car. I remember my oldest nephew. I was with him a LOT when he was a baby. I did a lot of baby sitting and driving my sister around (13 years ago!). I had gotten my Mustang 11 years ago, and had a small car before that (1990 Celica) so getting the HUGE car seat in was a problem. Even with my little nephew, I still had to get that car seat in the back of the Stang...such a pain! So I get it in, get the directions to the ball field and off we go. My nephew was so cute! and my best friend is SO awesome with kids...he's a big kid himself! So off we go and my bff says 'I'm going to play on your team today, my uniform is in the trunk, I'm going to change when we get there' and they proceed to have a conversation...I don't remember what they said b/c I was trying to turn left onto a major road, but I remember smiling inside listening. Then I put on the radio and a new song comes on. don't know the name of it, but Pitbull's in it singing about drinking too much tonight cuz we might not get tomorrow and he's singing it!!!! It was ADORABLE! We pass my dentist and we talk about that. I tell him my bff needs to go to the dentist so he tells him to go. I ask if we can stop in now and have him see the dentist and he goes 'okay' he's so cute.

So at the ballfields (I'm getting to the point of my blog now) we watch him play (hit and play the field). Since the kids are so young, some are sitting not paying attention, some are playing in the sand and some are just standing looking into thin air. They run around the bases, catch and throw the balls, it was fun. Just not all the gnats...ugh! So, we are standing by 3 mom's and one has a little boy, maybe 3. And they are talking about mom things, like their hectic schedules, the schedule for t-ball, something about wearing extra protection because a boy got hurt somewhere else, etc. Total mom brain. What do I talk about? How much work gets on my nerves, trying to find a new job, my latest trip to AC, when I'm planning my next trip to AC, what new movie to see, etc. Total non-mom brain. but watching them watch their kids and talk about mom stuff totally made my heart hurt. I want that. I want a kid. I want to watch my kids grow up. I want to have a hectic schedule taking them from here to there, dance, ballet, sports, etc. I want to be a MOM. I ask my bff if I should have one, if he'd be happy to have a 'buddy' and he's like 'No, b/c you will complain the entire 9 months you're pregnant' Hmph...thanks. My parents say the same thing..."When you get pregnant, we're going to Aruba for 9 months' Hmph. Thanks for the support guys! LOL.

We've been talking more and more about it, and I think it might be about time. I don't know. I'm still iffy about the money and day care thing, but I don't want to wait too much longer because I don't want to be too old of a mom....so who knows.

CVS Rolling 6-15-11

2011-06-15T08:28:00.001-07:00

not pictured: 12 pack of Pepsi

Since I was out on vacation last week, I missed all of last week's deals, but I'm back! I had to clip 2 weeks of coupons last night AND for my upcoming coupon class, I decided to show both the binder method and box method of organizing coupons, and I started it last night while clipping! YIPPEE!

Today at CVS:
1 12 pack of Pepsi: .99 with coupon from the big red machine! Scan your card and out pops the coupon!
1 5 pack of Zyrtec: 5.99-4Q=1.99 OOP but got BACK 5.99 in ECBs! ($4 Moneymaker!)
1 Hyrdro Razor: 8.00-4Q= 4 and got back 4 ECBs = FREE!

Used a $3 ECB and paid $4.67 OOP and got back $9.99!

The above deals were limit one per househould, but I have DH's card and an extra one he got me last year so I'm going to do the rest on separate cards and start the rolling on ALL three cards! The one I went to had no more regular Pepsi and I gave up Diet soda for lent and haven't had any since, so I don't want the diet to tempt me at home, so I need to figure out where a CVS is by where I'm going to be tonight :)

Parenting In These Times

2011-06-15T06:01:00.000-07:00

I'm terrified to be a parent, a reason why I'm not expecting yet. I see such bad parenting day in and day out....it's like parents don't parent anymore. They are too busy on their IPAD, IPOD, IPHONE, Droid, etc to watch their kids. Or they are after their own agenda (filling their calendar's, etc). Here are two things in the news and from what I hear that caught my attention.

First and foremost is this article http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/123895319.html?jCount=2#comments. A tragic accident had occured in Wildwood, NJ where an 11 year old girl was riding the ferris wheel by herself during a trip to the shore for having good grades. It was a school sponsored trip. She was alone in the ferris wheel which climbes to 150 feet. She fell out of her gondola at about 100 feet and tragically passed away. It is such a shame that this happened. There was no witnesses or anything so they have been investigating the cause since the beginning of June when it occured. Everything is pointing to the girl causing it, by either kneeling in the gondola or leaning out to talk to friends, etc. At this point, the parents are hiring lawyers to investigate further. In the years that Morey's Pier has been in operation, no such accident has occured before this one. Yes, it's sad, but your little girl was just buried and you're worried about money? Nobody hires a lawyer to investigate and expects not to receive any money. It seems the amusement park is not at fault and there was no negligence on their part, but yet the parents are already thinking lawsuit. They want it to be mandated that you cannot ride alone and that there be seatbelts. Okay, what about the poor single guy that goes to Wildwood alone to see the sights and would like to ride the ferris wheel....he can't if they pass this because you can't ride alone. Or even the third wheel in a group outing...guess that person will just have to ride in the gondola with the happy couple and watch them make out, or wait for them on the ground. Sounds like fun.

And seatbelts. I can see that, maybe. The gondola from what I remember is pretty much enclosed, but there are bars that you can peek your head/body out of and you can get out if you wanted to....WANTED to. When I rode that thing (it goes high) I didn't move an inch from where I was, in fear that if I did, I'd tip it over. I know now that can't happen, but whatever, that's nor hear nor there. But do parents teach their kids that when they are on a ride to sit still or follow the rules? I'm sure in this day in age, there's signs everywhere by rides saying to keep your hands and feet inside at all times. In Great Adventure, there's signs AND they are on the PA system by the ride explaining such things. But I bet you even with all those as precautions, if someone were to jump off a ride, the parents or family would sue.

Accidents happen..that's why they are called accidents. This shouldn't be a way for the parents to hit a jackpot. They should be mourning their loss of their child, and if they were serious about seatbelts, not riding alone, they should be talking to their congress people, not a lawyer.

I also heard on the radio that a friend had emailed the host about having a fight with the teachers at her child's school. Her son had taken a test and the teacher graded the test with a red pen...so if you got a question wrong, it was marked with an X or whatever with a red pen. She says that color is too harsh, like the teacher is yelling at the child and wanted the papers/tests to be graded in purple ink.

REALLY? What are we teaching kids at this age? In BOTH scenarios. And what are parents doing? Making it easy on them AND their children. These kids are growing up thinking they are entitled to this and that and the parents ENABLE them. Even on the Suze Orman Money Class show...she had interviewed kids regarding allowances. The kids that she talked to received allowance and when she asked what they did to get their money (thinking, dishes, laundry, chores, etc) she got answers like 'Well, I was born wasn't I?" and when asked if they got more then their younger siblings "Well, yea, I'm older, so I should get more money". Wow. These kids are in for a rude awakening when they grow up. Parents now make it so easy on little Johnny and Mary that when they don't get a job what are they going to do???? Even a guest on the Suze Orman show last week got to me. They were 28 years old, newly married. She has a master's degree and he had a JD. They had a lot of student loan debt and felt they deserved x, y, and z because they have worked so hard....at 28???? really? You went to school and just started working....yet you've 'worked' hard? What are they going to be thinking in 30 YEARS when they've worked for 30 years, not 1 or 2? It's really sad to see what people think and how skewed everything is.

I may take my parents for granted at times, but you know what? They raised me and look how I turned out? I think I turned out pretty damn well if I do say so myself. I may think they didn't parent me well growing up because I didn't always get what I want, but I have a friend that always got what he wanted and he's sooooo messed up it's not even funny. But me, who got grounded, told I couldn't have brand new clothes every year, couldn't have any new gadgets, etc grew up to have a great head on my shoulders. I just don't know if I can or could be half as wonderful as a parent that my parents were to me.

The Joneses Are BROKE

2011-06-14T07:00:00.001-07:00

Hate to tell everyone, but the Joneses are broke!

Seems today, that all anyone is trying to do is keep up with the Joneses. It's really sad that we're still in a recession, yet people are out buying the next big thing, moving into larger homes, signing up for expensive gym memberships, yet have no 8 month Emergeny Fund or any retirement savings. What's going to happen to these people when heavens forbid something happens to them, or they become too old to work....how will they survive? Will their 5000 square foot home pay the bills? Nope. Will their brand new car bring in a few extra bucks? Doubtful. Will their IPAD 251 get a job? Nope. Yet people live this lie just to show off and I just don't get it. People think they are entitled to things just because they were born and are breathing. They are teaching their children the wrong things to do, and those children will be the ones to suffer because the children will have to take care of them when they are too old to work and have no retirement to live off of....and who knows if Social Security will even be around....and Social Security was not meant to be lived off of.

This is an epidemic I'm seeing day in and day out, and granted, I do 'fall' for some of the hype, but we live very frugally and can afford a splurge now and again. It scares me though seeing people that I know that cannot afford these things buying them, whether they are charging on their credit cards with huge interest rates, or even cash, which maybe the rent won't get paid this month.

Maybe I'm just venting here, but does this scare anyone else? It's almost like I can foresee a similar housing crisis happen but with people in retirement can't afford to live and the government will once again bail them out and give them money? And what would happen to those people that lived below their means, scraped to get by to save for retirement and save for splurges? I guess I get discouraged because of the housing crisis. Yes, I understand that bailing out the people that got in way over their head helped stabilize the economy, but do people have no morals anymore? The majority of the people around here that I know of bought a house they couldn't afford, bought 'stuff' to make them 'happy' then got a bailout. Yet, I bought a house (condo) and when I thought we couldn't afford it, I put a halt to all outgoing money, wrote out a budget, started couponing, stopped going out all the time, cut back on eating out, etc to make sure my mortgate note got paid on time. But other people just don't care it seems....but this country enables it and bails them out....but what about those that did the right thing? Our hands are never out and yet nothing ever gets given to us. It makes me feel that doing the 'right' thing isn't always the 'right' thing to do.

Taking a Break from Poker

2011-06-13T08:16:00.000-07:00

Yes, you all read that correctly. As of June 9th at about 4pm when I busted out of yet another tournament without cashing, I made the decision to not play poker for awhile. I'm taking a much needed break from the game. I have had only one, yes ONE winning session so far in 2011...the rest have been losing sessions. Now, don't jump to conclusions and think that I've been losing a ton of money, because I haven't. For the most part, if I lost, I made it back playing slots or Let It Ride or even Blackjack. And at times, when I lost DH won, so we broke even or came home winners (together). But I'm talking about ME...I've only one one time this year and that's a sign that perhaps this is not my poker year, or that the beginning half of the year wasn't for me.

SO, I'm not giving up on AC. I will still play slots, LIR, BJ, etc. while DH plays poker or he may even join me. I will miss the game and of course all the wonderful people I have met, but I'll still show my face around the poker room to say hello to all my friends in there, but I won't be playing for awhile.

Is this going to be hard? Hell yes it will be. Especially with Borgata tempting me with wonderful tournaments and blogs, etc. My plan is to sit back, maybe get coached or take a WPT Boot Camp or something and see where it leads me. I would like to play the ladies event in the fall open at Borgata, but we'll see. They only got about 90 players in yesterday's event, so we'll see how I feel.

Besides, you get the most out of the comps at the slot machines....and I found a new gambling love...the American Idol slot machine :)

Keep It Rolling - Shop Rite 6/3/11

2011-06-04T07:51:00.000-07:00

I just HAD to go back to Shop Rite to use up the coupons I had for the AWESOME deals Shop Rite was giving away this week! I went to my BFF's shop and printed out 4 SOLO coupons for .75 each (doubling to a dollar). I just googled 'Solo printable coupons' as I wasn't sure where i found the others I had printed at my house. So here's what I did:

4 Solo Plates 2.99-1 = 1.99 each -.75/1 q (doubled to 1.50) = .49 each. Solo has a CAT deal where WYB 4, you get $4 CAT OYNO. So I paid out of pocket (OOP) 1.96 for these plates and got $4 back!!!!! That's a MONEYMAKER (MM)!

2 Hefty Trash Bags 2.69-1.35 = 1.34 each. Used .55/1 (double to 1.10) = .24 each

2 Resolve 2.99-1.20 = 1.79. Used .75/1 (doubled to 1.50) = .29 each

4 Nexcare BandAids - 2.49-1.50 = .99. Used 3 .55/1 coupons doubled equals 3 FREE. One I paid .99 for. I thought I had 4 .55/1 coupons, but I had 3 and the 4th was $1/2. So I just had her give me the one back, but still got all 4 (we need band aids here!).

4 Reach Crystal Clean Toothbrushes - 1.19 - 2/2 q's equals .19 each. WYB 4 of these, you get a $4 CAT OYNO. So I paid .76 and got back $4!

I noticed that the Reach and the Resolve coupons are NOT going through the register, so they have to manually do them. I went to the express lane and there was NOBODY around, so I went there. And of course, as soon as the coupon issue happened there was a HUGE line behind us. All well. All in all, I paid $1.89 OOP and got back $8 to use in my next order. I plan to use more of the Reach coupons I have to keep rolling this awesome MM deal. Before the coupons, the order was $27 and change, and I paid less then $2 OOP!

Rolling at Shop Rite! 6/3/11

2011-06-03T09:15:00.001-07:00

It's too nice to stay inside at work today, so I took my lunch break and went to Shop Rite. I got this all for $.56 out of pocket (OOP) and got back a $4 Catalina (CAT) to use on my next order...boo ya!

4 Resolve 2.99 - 1.20 = 1.79 each. Used 4 .75/1 Coupon (doubles to 1.50) = .29 each
2 Chinet plates 2.69 - 1.35 = 1.34 each. Used 2 $1/1 coupons = .34 each
4 Hefty Bags = 2.69 - 1.35 = 1.34 each. used 4 .55 coupons (double to 1.10)= .24 each
4 Nexcare - 2.49 - 1.50 =.99 each. Used 4 .55/1 coupon (double to .99) = FREE!
4 Reach Crystal Toothbrushes 1.19 each. used 2 $2/2 coupons = .19 each. When you buy (WYB) 4 of these toothbrushes, you get a $4 CAT to use on your next order! (OYNO).

All in all, I used a $4 CAT from the previous Reach deal I did, so I ended up paying .56 OOP and got back ANOTHER $4 CAT!

I bet you are all wondering 'What's she gonna do with ALL them toothbrushes?' I donate them! My dentist has me only using the Sonicare mechanical toothbrush, I am not allowed (nor is Hubby Mike) to use the regular ones. And I have a HUGE stockpile of them, and I'm adding 4 at a clip with this deal. So I'm donating them! Yes, DONATING them. You may not see it on the Extreme Couponing show, but when I do massive shops like that, more then half of my stuff gets donated! What are the two of us going to do with 50 things of deodarant, or 100 toothbrushes? There are those that need these items so I like to give whatever I can.

What Shall I Write About?

2011-05-26T07:20:00.000-07:00

I'm at a crossroads. I currently have 3 months and 3 weeks left at this job of mine. I will surely miss it and all the people I have met who have shaped me to the be the person I am today. I've been here over 3 years, and I can honestly say that I admire each and every person I've crossed paths with who have taught me a great wealth of knowledge.

So, I have this little blog, that I'd like to make bigger. Not sure what I want to do with it yet. What do you all think I should write about? Poker? Grocery hounding? Being frugal? A combo? Or should I make up different blogs for each topic?

Let me know what you want me to talk about and I'll talk (write) your ears off!

I hate Walgreens!!!!!!

2011-04-26T08:48:00.000-07:00

I've never liked the WAGS by my house, but it's RIGHT by my house and I hate driving out of my way to find a new one....so I ONLY go to WAGS when there's a great deal going on....and this week, there's a GREAT Moneymaking (MM) deal on Splenda...and I loves me some Splenda!

I called out sick yesterday from work and figured since it was nice out, I'd venture out to do some errands. Had to drop off a Blockbuster.com DVD into the mail (at 2:30pm yesterday...got the email bright and early this morning that they received it back AND that my next DVD is on the way! Wow! that's quick!), hit WAGs and hit the ATM for our money for the week to put in our envies (yup, we use the envelope method, it works GREAT!). So here's what happened at WAGs.

I had a $1 CAT to use by yesterday so I went before it expired. I also wanted to get some Stayfree (MM after Register Rewards (RR)) and the Splenda. They didn't have what I used for Stayfree (not even a spot for it) so I went to find the Splenda, figuring it would empty...full stock! YES! That's pretty much the best part of the story. So I grab 3, then head to the pen and pencil aisle for a filler for the CAT. Find a pencil sharpener for $1.19...that works. The splenda was $2.99 and I had a $3 q for each one, making each free and then the $1 cat making me pay the .19 plus tax....or so I thought.

So I got to the register....one open and the people are having an issue. It was an older woman with her even older mother. So I'm next in line. Cashier comes up to the next register and says 'I can take the next in line' So the even older mother pretty much runs me over to get in front of me as I casually stroll over to the next register (as I'm next in line, right?) to buy some folders or something. Wait, you're in line over there, and THAT cashier was helping you. There was some issue with her envelopes, either for pictures or prescription, I don't really know, wasn't pay too much attention. So the cashier rings her up as I text my BFF what happened...he laughed...thanks lol

So now it's my turn. I give her the coupons BEFORE she rings it up. Normally it's a guy up there that always tries to sell me the 'product' of the week (normally candy that I don't need). And when one time I asked what the purpose was to promote it, he proudly stated 'So I can get more money in my paycheck' Please. No thanks. Never ask me again please. So she puts them down and rings up the 3 splenda and the sharpener. She's half paying attention b/c the OTHER cashier is still having issues with something....so now, the old lady not only took up her line, but mine as well by cutting me off, then going back to the other cashier and complaining, now holding me up even more b/c MY cashier had to walk over to the other one to help her....geesh. Meanwhile, there's a line forming behind me. Great. So she starts to ring up the coupons. First one beeps, she pushes a button and I guess it goes through. 2nd one goes through, no beep. Third one beeps. Then she looks at the receipt, then back at the coupon then inspects the Splenda. She then says "Oh, you can't use this coupon (just one) because it's more then the product is.' I say, 'So just mark the coupon down to $2.99, it's only a penny difference...it's not like I'm asking for the penny back' So she says 'Oh I can't do THAT' in a tone like I just asked her to go kill a bunch of schoolchildren. So I say that I've seen it done before (at CVS and Shop rite). So she won't budge. The manager is outside getting boxes or something, so that won't help..besides, the other cashier needs the manager and now NOBODY can check out. So i say 'Okay, fine, give me the coupon back and take that one Splenda off' "oh, I can't do that either.' 'Why not?' 'Because these two are 2.99 and with the $3Q, it takes the extra $.02 and puts it to this one (pointing to number 3) and if I take this one off, then I have to take them all off because the coupon is worth more and the overage goes towards the other same product' WTF???? 'You know what, charge me the full price of that 3rd splenda, give my the 3rd coupon back and I will call the corporate office and talk to them b/c you don't know your own coupon policy and I won't make these poor people wait while your manager does something outside to come help both cashiers' So she does...the total came to $4.52. hmmmmm, weird...the 1st 2 splendas were free, the third was 2.99 and the sharpener after the coupon would be .19....so that's 3.18, where's 4.52 come from....I just give her cash looking to figure out the rest in the car.

So I grab my stuff and my receipt and walk to my truck. I get in, close the door, then realize how HOT it was! So i opened the door. I look over 2 spots and there's a doggy in the car....windows rolled up and car off...dog was panting like crazy! UGH, really people? Same thing happened two weeks ago, and I went OFF on the lady when she came out. I'd really like to put those people into a freaking wall. I'm a very nice and forgiving person, but when it comes to animals like that, I think I'd beat the crap out of these people, then let them sit in the car all bruised and hurt in a car in the heat with the windows up....jerks! And the one two weeks ago had the audacity to yell back at me! HA! If I didn't need a clearance for my job, I prolly would have hit her a times....just to spite her....but anyways, I digress. So I saw the guy going into the store that left the dog in the car...mental note taken.

So I start looking at my receipt, and the girl rang up the sharpener twice....really? So I take a look at the dog and it made me sad. I marched into the store and went right to the cashier as the line was gone and told her what happened. So I got my money back....as she was doing it all, the guy walked by. I wanted to say something, but not in the store....no need to cause a scene. He was older, so he walked slow...i knew I'd catch him in the parking lot. So I grabbed my money and stuff and ran out. I yelled at him. He shrugged me off. Really old man????? I wish I would have thought of a plan to make nobody leave the store so I could call the police and they'd get there before the person came out. I'd have to grab a bunch of stuff and demand a price check to the only cashier...or cause a scene by the prescriptions (where he was) so nobody can get their pills until I'm done with my rant. We'll see what happens when I go back to use my $4 CAT. And I forgot my receipt to call the Walgreens corporate...dang it!

Anyone else have issues like this at WAGS?

Borgata 1/2NL Cash

2011-04-19T08:19:00.000-07:00

After my bust out from the tourney on Saturday, I needed to eat. See, here's my thing with tournaments that worries Hubby Mike and BFF Jerry. I don't eat when I'm in a tourney. I don't eat breakfast, I don't drink coffee and I don't eat during breaks. I know why I do it. What's worse then sitting at a table after eating and either getting tummy ache or just having the food sit in your tummy, making you extrememly tired? There are worse things, but not many (in my book). So I just don't really eat. I will grab a bagel and keep it with me and munch on it, but not much. I'll keep some hard candy to suck on to keep my blood sugar in check. And I might order a diet coke just to keep me from being nauseous. But for the most part, I'm okay. But the boys worry b/c I get extremely hungry and I can normally last for 8 hours or so in a tourney, which is a long time, on top of the hours prior to the tourney that I'm not eating. So when I busted out on Saturday, I had a headache, thought I was going to pass out and wanted to EAT....so we did....and it felt good to eat :) And we had ice cream for dessert :)

Sunday we went to breakfast, then headed to Bally's for the Price is Right Live show. Then we had an early dinner at NOW at B, then headed for the poker room. It was pretty dead for a Sunday night, especially with the BSO going on, I figured it'd be packed. Hubby Mike and I got seated next to each other at the same table. I really don't mind that....some people won't play at the same table as their friends/spouse/bf/gf, etc but I don't mind. I won a few smaller pots and made my way up pretty quickly to being up a few bucks. there was an older gentleman at my table, and I guess he looked like someone I knew, and I was like 'I like that guy' no rhyme or reason, just liked him. I got involved in a pot with him as we were all chatting. He raised to 10, and I looked down at pocket kings and I said "I'm sorry, I have to raise you' He's like 'don't apologize, you play your cards' So I did. I raised to 30 or 40, and he insta called. Flop was low cards and I bet out 50, he folded up his queens, I showed my kings. So he walked over a few hands later and was like 'I'm old enough to be your grandfather, I'm 79' Wow, I said, that's awesome that you're still playing cash! I hope to be like you when I'm your age' So he says never to apologize for raising. I normally don't, and I told him that....but I liked him, and gave my reasoning for it...I said if it was anyone else at the table (minus Hubby Mike) I wouldn't apologize, but I got a good vibe from him. So he laughed, smiled and walked back to his seat. LOL

We got involved in another pot....not sure if it was before or after our conversation...I think prior, but I'm not 100% positive. I had ace king and he raised pre flop. I called. Ace came on the flop with a flush draw. He bet, I called. Rag on flop, he bets bigger I called. River comes nothing, he bet 100 I insta called. We had the same hand. now, I hardly ever play ace king that hard. But I thought he was betting with a flush draw....and since it wasn't there I called...had the flush come out, now way was I calling 100 on the river. My gut kept telling me to call, so I listened.

I won a few more hands, lost a few more...nothing too noteable. Then a kid sat down at our table....said he was a dj at Mixx and Mur Mur and his friends all play poker so he figured he'd sit at a table. Was used to small home games. Now, he didn't say this when he first sat down. I got ace jack...I raise. I'm in seat 1, he's in 4. He raises me, huh? Geesh. Guy in seat 7 re-raises him....he also hardly played a hand...so I knew I was beat...showboated a bit to make it seem I was laying down a big hand....but was steaming the new guy had the nerve to raise ME! (lol). So I end up folding then it's to new guy, and he thinks, then folds. I was like I knew what the other guy had, yadda yadda. So then he asks me what the other guy had. Now, at this point, I didn't know he was a newbie I just thought he was a one of those raising every hand kind of kid and was trying to get free info from me...heck no...so I told him "oh, kid, I've been here for hours and I'm not just giving away free info like that". Few hands later, he did something weird....I forget what he did...maybe he mucked in first position after the flop without checking or whateve.r...but we all looked at him....he looked a little nervous and after awhile he said it was his first time, etc...then I felt HORRIBLE that I was so mean to him. So from then on, I took him under my wing and taught him the ropes :)

A new guy came to our table and he was very talkative, seemed like a bully type. He first got to the table and was saying how he cashed in this event and that event, etc....yea whatever...sure you did. (I never believe people). So he raises, I re-raise with kings...he calls. Flop is Jack high, I bet out 50, he shoves all in....I ask how much he had (could be not much for me to call) but he sat down with 300, so I insta folded my kings face up, and he flipped up trip jacks. I knew he had it...that's why it was so easy to fold my kings. People were in awe that it was so easy to make the laydown. Really????? Then the one guy was like 'Bet you'd think if you had aces" Um, no insta laydown pal. I didn't know the guy that raised, or how he played, but it was obvious. And if it was a bluff, it was a good bluff, but I'm not shoving all my chips in like that with kings....very easy laydown. Then the guy was like 'wow, that shows your a good player that you can fold your kings that easily' The way I look at it, it's one hand....it's one pair. I got many more hands to go..it's not a sprint when I'm playing cash, so I'll have more hands to get involved in....but it was cool he showed his cards.

He got involved in a lot of pots, as did the guy to his left...it was worth the price of admission just to watch the hands going on....and of course I kept getting dealt crappy cards, so I couldn't even get involved, but I had wanted to!

Then where was a hand that got under my skin. I liked everyone at my table, I did...it was a cool table. Kid in seat 6 was the button. Dealer did the flop, checked around, but the dealer didn't see seat 6's cards and burned and turned...seat 6 was like wtf then grabbed some chips as he was going to bet. I saw it....he had no intention of betting....he watched the dealer pretty much put out the turn, then was like wtf....no...when you're in the hand and the dealer does so much as burn, then you say something....so anyways, he makes a big stink, so the dealer puts the card to the side as he waits for the kid to act....he bets, everyone folds...no big deal. It happens. We all make mistakes. The pot wasn't big (maybe 4 people in, no pre flop bet, so it was 8 bucks, 10 max) so it's not a big pot. But he made a big stink. I told the dealer not to worry. So the next hand, the dealer does the flop, then immediately 'pretends' to burn and turn. we all laugh, except for seat 6...he got all mad again...dude it's a JOKE! He made a FUNNY! relax. He left soon after. I told the dealer not to worry about him...eventhough the kid really ripped into him....I know the dealer so I had his back..but if the kid kept on, I was gonna ream him out....so luckily for him, he stopped. So after he left, I told the newbie NEVER to yell at a dealer....we all make mistakes so it's human nature...that kid just really irked me!

Table broke up not too long after that as it was getting late and people were getting tired, myself included...could barely keep my eyes open.

FYI, the guy with trip jacks, his name is Chris Valsamos, look for him in the Borgata blog....seems to be a great up and comer!

Borgata Spring Open Event 7: Big Stack NLHE

2011-04-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning, bright and early, Hubby Mike and myself made our way down to the B for the Borgata Spring Open (BSO). I have been backing away from the ladies events and delving into playing more co-ed tournies, like the Deep Stacks, etc. I've only played 2 (this being my 3rd) and I feel I'm getting better each time, which is a good thing (minus losing the buy-in each time). I guess I got too used to playing the ladies tournies, so I need to learn to switch up more, and I also have to get out the 'cash game' mindset.

My first table was table 23 in the Signature room, on the marble, making the chairs slide all over the place. That can be dangerous. I ended up sitting next to Pokerished, which we figured out after 2 or 3 rounds. I played a lot looser then I normally do, as we got a larger starting stack so playing the early rounds in more beneficial to get some much needed information. I sat at a pretty decent starting table. Then of course when everyone gets comfy, we get moved :( I got seated at table 1, which was the table of Mike Dentale, the winner of the BSO's first event. I recognized him from the blog immediately. He was very cool, very nice guy. I figured that he'd be really full of himself, but he really wasn't, so that was cool. I was intimidated at first, but quickly got over that.

There was a lot of action at that table. I had won a few smaller type hands at my first table, and wanted to keep up and win some bigger pots. I won a few there, and then got involved in a pretty big hand. Don't really wanna say what I had, b/c I don't wanna give off any reads or anything, but it came down to me raising preflop and getting 3-4 callers. Flop came out queen 6 6 two hearts. I bet out, and got insta called, and the other person raised. Did someone call me with a 6? Is someone on a flush? I put on guy on a flush, one with like ace six. So I'm beat...so I fold. There was a ton more bets on the turn and river, but I missed the cards b/c Hubby Mike had come over. The one guy had Ace Queen (top pair top kicker) and the other had king queen (top pair, 2nd kicker). Wow....geesh! So for my pf bet and my post flop bet, I had just around my starting stack at 20k. At this point, the blinds were I believe 800/1600 or 1k 2k. Great....and I'm at table 1 with monster stacks. I wasn't just going to go on tilt and raise with any nice hand, so I waited patiently. On the button I got dealt pocket queens, so of course I shove. I got called by a guy in seat 10, who for some reason kept getting involved in pots with Mike Dentale. The two of them had it out for each other. Seat 10 came in late and his first hand played off a huge bluff against Mike, and from there just raked in pot after pot (sizeable ones too). So he calls me...says he'd call me with any two hands to knock me out (no offense he says). He had 7 8 or 6 7. Nothing came and I got a nice double up (plus blinds and antes).

Orbit goes around, and I'm on the button as the break starts....but the hand already was dealt out. So, on the button again, I get kings this time. I shove again, no callers, but I show the 2 guys that were still there. After the break, the blinds went up to 1500 3000 I believe, and I had about 12k or so. So any ace or two big cards, I'm shoving. I'm UTG plus two, and I look at Ace 6 suited. Sweet, I'm going to shove...guy to my right makes a raise...shoot. Guy hardly played a hand and is raising...so I'm thinking either a big pair or a big ace (either way, I don't wanna call) so I don't. Then I regret it...nobody calls so I'll never know. So I've been in limbo if I shoulda shoved there or not.

Next hand, I get king 10 off. And I'm soon to be BB....shoot shoot shoot...I hate king ten, but I also don't wanna fold, then my luck I'll get 3 6 off in the BB and then a crappy hand in the SB and I have no chips left...so I shove....got called with Ace Queen :( He flopped a queen, but I flopped a straight draw...no king and no straight and I'm out...about 7 minutes before the dinner break.

All well. I still lasted quite a while. The blinds were 30 mins so they went quick. I also outlasted everyone at table 1. All the people that were there when I sat down all busted out before me, Mike included (and the guy that had it out for him as well). So I guess that's a good sign?

No Fraudulent Coupons Here!

2011-04-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

What a day it's been! First and foremost is my JOB. As a government worker, we are entering into possibly a government shutdown. What does that mean? For me, I still have to come to work b/c my job is considered essential. Sure. I should feel important, but I don't. I may not get paid. Some say I'm guaranteed a paycheck for working, others say it's not a guarantee. Those workers that get to stay home during this time may get paid too, they may not too. In the past, they've gotten paid for sitting home. What a bunch of BS....b/c Congress can't pass a budget...which is their job? Really? So I have to work for free?????????

THEN, there's the article about Extreme Couponing about how the one person was fraudulently using coupons. My blood boils just thinking about it. Here's the link

So I went out for lunch and did some deals! DH asked for hair gel...I keep telling him not to ask for something b/c I'll get multiples, but he never listens.

Trans #1 A & P
4 Scott Wipes - 1.79 x 4 = 7.16.
Paid 7.16 OOP, got $5 CAT and $1/2 Wipes coupon

Trans #2 CVS
12 HE and Aussie Products 2 for $5.49.
Came to $32.94 used 6 BOGO Qs came to $16.47 + tax. Used $14.98 in ECBs
Paid $3.83 OOP and got back $10 ECBs

Trans #3 A & P
4 Scott Wipes - 1.79*4=7.16
Used $1/2 q and $5 CAT
Paid 1.16 OOP and got back $1/2 q and $5 CAT

Trans #4
4 Scott Wipes - 1.79*4=7.16
Used $1/2 q and $5 CAT
Paid 1.16 OOP and got back $1/2 q and $5 CAT

My Irrational Fear of Flying

2011-02-16T09:08:00.001-08:00

Who would think that this pretty little bride would have a freak out/panic attack in a mere 40 some hours later? Well, it did. Our wedding was fabulous, and we had a great all-inclusive honeymoon planned for Aruba. we were going to have a great time and celebrate our marriage. Fast forward to 40 some hours later. We woke up early to catch our flight. I felt so sick to my stomach. I didn't even put makeup on. I threw on my dress (I had to look like a newlywed!) and my flip flops and out the door. DH had the bags packed so when my mom rang the door bell, off he went to load the car. My mother had just gotten a brand new car and offered to drive us to the airport since she worked right in the vicinity. As soon as she saw me, she knew something was wrong. I told her I was driving her car to the airport (I sometimes get carsick, and since I already felt sick, I needed to drive to not get sick). She immediately handed me the keys. We got to the airport and my mom dropped us off at the door (back when I used to fly when I was little, the parents/friends/family could go to the actual gate and wave goodbye, not no more!). We checked in and the entire time, I'm telling DH that I feel like I'm gonna hurl (which I won't do in public...I have a thing about that). We go through to the TSA agents, and I got along great with the one lady there...we chatted the entire time. We walked to the gate and my anxiety is rising. we get to the gate and I tell DH that I wanna be the last one on...thinking that that will make me feel better...less time on the plane the better. I buy a soda to take my xanax with and he goes to the bathroom. I can't sit still, so I take my carry on (the wheely bag thing) and I pace around the people mover. DH comes out and is like 'That can't be good'. He asks if I took my pill. 'Nope' I say, I don't wanna take it. I had it in my hand, but couldn't do it. I'm weird like that too. The pharmaceutical companies push drugs for every little thing, and I don't agree with that. I take one pill a day, which I need to, and I take vitamins when I feel sick and I take some cold meds, but I hate doing that. So we get on the plane and I full on freak out. Crying in DH's lap. Like a little girl. I also don't like to cry in public, but that went out the window when we sat down. The poor guy next to us lol. Finally he's like 'look, we're in this marriage together. If you stay on this plane, our honeymoon will be ruined b/c all you will think about is the plane ride home, and you won't enjoy it' So we get off the plane. The pilots even came out to try to get me to stay on the plane...the one pilot offered to do shots with me at the bar (I doubt he woulda done it, but I believe he woulda bought me some shots at the bar), but DH grabbed our stuff and was like 'Don't talk to her, let her be' and off we went. I don't know what the hell happened to me b/c I've flown before, and never had an issue like this...maybe the first time I flew, but I was like 5 and watched with my parents the night before a movie about a plane crash...duh.

I do remember one time I did have a similar freak out episode, but not on the plane. I have only flown to Florida, a nice short flight from Jersey. I believe I was with my sister when this freak out happened. We were coming home and while at the airport, the sky got black. I don't mean dark, I mean black! These storms happen all the time in Florida. For like 20 minutes, it's the worst storm ever, then the sun comes out and all is okay. Well, we were about to board when the sky turned black and the heavens opened up. I refused, I mean REFUSED to get on the plane b/c I thought they were going to take off...and me being like 9 or 10 clearly knew more then the older pilots, right? I wasn't stupid...they were going to take off in the storm...I'm no dummy! Well, the pilots come out, as well as the stewardesses (flight attendants) to assure me that we'd just taxi around and not take off until the storm passed. My response 'Oh, ok...well I'll save you some gas in that thing and I'll wait here til it's over...then I will board then we can take off' hahahaha, OMG I wish I had a video camera for this. The pleaded with me, and I was like 'You can call my father then if you don't like my response' HA! I was always a little smartass! But I finally gave in (and the storm was just about over) and I boarded and we took off a little while later.

I don't know if it's because I'm older and I know more about the world, or that I just worry too much. I think my biggest concern is getting motion sick on the plane...which there is a patch for (but I read some horror stories on that) and the Sea Bands, which I'm more inclined to take. I think now if I had a freak out on the plane I can control it...I do have the Xanax, got some more for when we were planning a plane trip. I took one a few months back to see it's effects on me...and it knocked me out .5 mg. I was kinda tired when I took it, then I passed out...woke up a few hours later when DH woke me to eat, had some pizza then back to bed. Now that does NOT sound like a fun day for a vacation, to be out of it and all groggy. even the next day I had no energy. I'd rather do it non medicinally.

I just wish I could overcome this stupid, yes STUPID fear!

Rolling on Lunch (CVS and RA) 1/13/11

2011-01-13T10:10:00.000-08:00

Okay so I know I was holding a grudge against CVS earlier this week, but we made up today :)

Trans 1 CVS:
6 Finish (3 each on sale, normally 6.89 each) = $18 used 6 2.25 Qs = $4.50
1 Jet Dry Finish Agent (3 on sale, normally 6.89 each) = $3
2 M & M's (.89) = .89

Total: $8.39+1.53 tax = 9.92. Used $7 ECBs
OOP 2.92 and got back $10 in ECBs for the Finish deal and .89 for the M & M's.
Total Profit = $7.97!
Total Savings = $47.73

Trans 2 RA:
2 Tylenol Precise Heat Patch (5 each on sale, normally 7.99) = 10 and used a $5/2 coupon = 5.00
2 King Size Twix (BOGO) 1.59

Total: 6.59 and used a $5 UPs
OOP: 1.59 and got back $6 UPs ($3 for each Patch).
Total Profit: 4.41

Trans 2 RA:
2 Tylenol Precise Heat Patch (5 each on sale, normally 7.99) = 10 and used a $5/2 coupon = 5.00
2 Marshmellows ($1 each, normally 1.69) = 2.00

Total: 7 + .14 tax = 7.14 and used my $6 UPs from Trans 1
OOP: 1.14 and got back $7 UPs ($6 from the Patch and $1 from the Marshmellows)
Total Profit: 5.86

Trans 3 RA:
4 Tylenol Precise Heat Patch (5 each on sale, normally 7.99) = 20 and used 2 $5/2 coupon = 10

Total: 10.00 and used my $7 UPs from Trans 2
OOP: 3.00 and got back $12 in UPs
Total Profit: 9.00

Snow Day Shopping 1/12/11

2011-01-13T07:14:00.001-08:00

Well, the storm we had was a bit of a flop, but they closed my work anyways :) So I took advanatage and went shopping!

WAGS:
2 Special K Cereal - 2 for $5. Used a $1 off 2 Q and $3 RR OOP was $1 and I got back $2 in RR!

Shop Rite:
Egglands Best Eggs: 1.77 used $.50 doubled to $1 OOP $.77 each
Toothpaste: Aquafresh was $1.99 on sale, used .75 (1.50) qs was .49 each. Sensodyne was 4.49 used .75 (1.50) OOP was 2.99. Spent $15 on them so I got a $5 CAT.
Betty Crocker Potatoe Pouches: .77 and used $1/2 Qs, .27 each
Chi Chi's Tortillas 3 for $5 and used a $1/2 Q 1.17 each
Wanchai Ferry: 5.99-1.50Q OOP 4.49
Flipz: $1 each
Yakisoba: .99 - .50(1.00) q equals FREE!
Bananas: .49/lb
Chef Boyardee: .88 - $1/5q OOP .68 each
PB Brownies: 1.00-$1/2 q OOP .50 each
French's Mustard: .69 - .50 (1q) OOP FREE!

Feel free to ask questions or leave comments!

1/11/11 Papa Johns!

2011-01-11T11:14:00.000-08:00

There was some speculation about getting 2 large pizzas for $11.11 at Papa John's today. There was even a code floating around. (I tried and it didn't work). So I tried my own code online and it worked!

For the Central NJ area, when you go to order online, type in '11111' as the promo code, and you can get 2 Medium Pies with 2 toppings each for $13.98 (normally $16.99). So it's a $3 savings!

We've only had Papa John's once, in Maryland, about 6 years ago, but we may order it tonight and have one tonight and the other for snacking tomorrow, since we will most likely be snowed in!

Wendys!

2011-01-11T11:10:00.001-08:00

So after my ordeal at CVS, I decided I was going to treat myself to a nice lunch. I figured my best bet was Wendy's, as they have my Crispy Chicken Meal for $2.99. You can't beat that. A chicken sandwhich, fries and a soda for $2.99. So I go to the one by work and I see the key chain thing, where you donate $1 and you get the keychain (they didn't have anymore cool Wendy's frosty ones, so I settled for the regular one) a free frosty for every visit until the end of June! The girl's like 'Would you like one?" To which I replied "YES!' It goes to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption I believe, and I'm all about good causes!

She then handed me my keychain and asked if I would like my first FREE frost, to which I was like 'HECK YES!' The manager (I believe) was doing my order and he was very nice...they all there at this Wendy's which is why I love going there.

So next time you're in Wendy's, inquire about the Frost Keychain and help a great cause!

CVS, urgh!

2011-01-11T11:01:00.000-08:00

So there's a great deal on the Finish Electrasol at CVS. They are on sale for $3 and when you spend $20, you get $10 ECBs Back. Here's the deal:

Buy 7 ($21) and use 7 $2.25 off Qs making it 5.25 for all 7, and you get back $10 ECBs, making it a $4.75 profit!

But good luck finding them :( I went this morning, nothing. There are two spots on the shelves for these things and they were bare. They are big to begin with so even if they had them in stock, you would deplete the shelf if you got 7, which I will NEVER EVER do. I even called, and the guy said the truck just came in and would be on the shelves in the afternoon. I asked if by around noonish they would be out, he wasn't sure. I asked if he could put 7 to the side for me and I could pick them up at noon, and he's like 'Well, I don't know if they would be shelved by then' Nevermind.

I went on lunch and they stocked the REST of the stuff, still bare on the Finish. UGH....so I went to another CVS by work. And this one's BIGGER and BETTER! And nothing...hmph. Still a bigger store, and only 2 spots for these big boxes? I just don't get it! They advertise these HUGE sales and don't have enough in stock!

I wonder if I can do the raincheck for this as people did with the Wisk last week and still get the ECB?

2011 Resolutions

2011-01-07T11:07:00.000-08:00

Resolutions:

Do at least 30 minutes of Wii (exercise-Jillian Michaels 2010, The Biggest Loser Challenge, Just Dance, etc) daily. Try to incorporate some other DVDs (Jillian Michaels Cardio, Denise Austin, Carmen Electra, etc) and running

Read 5 books (Debt Free for Life up first)

Complete taxes and submit NLT 15 Feb

Get on a plane and stay on it until it lands!

Keep grocery savings at or above 50% each month

Start keeping track of money (Mint.com, Yodlee or Quicken). Limit going out to breakfast to 4 times a month.

Continue to save every penny for downpayment fund. Long term goal is to have 20% saved to put down, however, since we are comfortable now in the condo and if we can really scrimp and save, we would like to save 100% down for a house like Money Saving Mom. She did it in 7 years so it IS doable!

Try to limit the junk food coming into the house. Stock up on fruits and veggies and cut back on processed foods.

Organize recipes into binders and try to get out weekly meal plans.

Find new job.

Clean and organize the house with 52 Weeks of Organizing from I'm an Organizing Junkie .

Expiring and Rolling on 1/6/11 at CVS

2011-01-06T11:12:00.000-08:00

Here's my 2 hauls today, one on my card, one on DH's card:

I didn't get my coupons yet for this week, so I went with NO coupons, only with 2 $10 ECBs...one expires today, the other tomorrow. So I went in with the mindset to definatly do the Revlon deal (buy any 2, get $7 ECBs back). That stuff's expensive! Mascara for $10, eyeliner for $8 (for a PENCIL!). I found some nail polish for about $5.39 so I figured I'd get two, but wait, what's that? Blackened brown Revlon mascara with a sticker for 75% off? Hmmmmm, there's two left, I grab them, go to the price checker, they are $2.49 each! Times 2 is $4.98 and I'd get back $7 ECBs! So I grab them, then off to get the light bulbs. They are $3.99 and you get a $2 ECB. That comes to about $9...I needed another $1 worth of stuff, so I got my M & M's as a filler and off I go. Only, when the transaction was done, I didn't get the $7 ECBs for the Revlon. The ad says any two and there's no mention of it excluding markdowns...hmph. But I got back to work and called Customer Service and the guy was super nice and he loaded the $7 ECBs into my card and said within 48 hours it should be there, all I have to do is go to the price checker machine, scan my card and out it will come :) So here's the details:
2 Revlon Mascaras Originally 10.49-8.00 for the sale = 2.49 each = 4.98
Lightbulbs 5.99-2 on sale = 3.99
M & M's 2 for $1

Total came to 10.67-9.97ECB I had (she made it 9.97 as it cannot pay for tax) so Out of Pocket (OOP) I paid .70 and will get back $7 ECB and $2 ECB equals a profit of $8.30

This one I just did real quick. I needed mascara so I got this one with the free liner and the nail polish:

1 Mascara = 9.39
1 Nail Polish = 5.89

Total is $15.28 plus 1.07 tax = 16.35-10 ECBs = 6.35 OOP and got back 7 ECB for a profit of .65!

Shop Rite 1/4/11

2011-01-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Frugalsuz' post, I found out about this deal!

Here's what I got:

32 cans of Chef Michaels - shelf sale price .90 with price plus .40 each
1 20lb bag of Tidy Cat's Litter - shelf sale price was 4.39 price plus was 3.75

Paid $18.24 and got back $30 in Catalina coupons! That's an $11.76 profit!

I know you are all saying, but you don't have a dog! Which is correct, so I will be donating the dog food to the Sayreville Pet Adoption Center :)

Blog to go Really Public?

2011-01-05T08:27:00.000-08:00

Well, I think it's that time to make this blog really public, which means giving out the address to my facebook friends. A lot of them have been asking to post my deals since I've been putting up pics of my 'hauls' I have to go through it and make sure there's nothing on here talking about people that I know first :)

I'd also like to make it spiffy, and I read online about Google AdSense, etc. to earn some additional income. I know in the beginning the money is pennies, but a penny saved is a penny earned! So any advice? I may even revamp the entire thing, new layout, new name, etc.

I'd still like to keep it dealing with grocery hounding and poker, but I think a new name is in order or something. Maybe a more catchy layout or something as well.

What do you all think?

Everything's Okay

2010-12-24T09:27:00.000-08:00

Today's Reverb Prompt is: What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead?

I think that the Everything's Ok this past year was the day we got approved for life insurance. In the past, I dragged my feet on getting it. After we got married, we got a quote from a guy (who now turns out to be one of our good friends) for the return of premium so if none of us dies, we get what we put into it. Didn't seem bad, but it was costly. Besides, we both had jobs so if one of us died, the other would be okay. But lately, I'd been thinking 'we need life insurance' So we did it...we got the quotes, picked the company we wanted and dropped a check for the first payment. I kept calling the home office to see if we were approved or not (after the blood test, etc). Then it went to underwriting, and i recently found out we were approved AND we got a better rate after all our tests were done! YIPPEE! Now, if anything happens to DH or myself, the other will be okay and not have to worry about how to pay the mortgage.

New Name

2010-12-23T05:47:00.000-08:00

Today's Reverb Prompt is: New Name - Let’s meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why?

Wow, what a random question! This is really easy for me. I always wanted the name Beverly. I don't know why, but I like it. I guess as kids nobody really likes their name, at least I didn't. My name is Beth. Just Beth. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked if it's short for Elizabeth. Nope, just Beth (My grandmother was named Elizabeth - you can do so much with that. Elizabeth, Beth, Liz, Lizzy, Betty. My grandmother went by Betty). There's just not much to do with Beth. And my middle name is Ann. I do NOT like to be called Beth Ann, other my family calls me that. I always say people don't go around calling them by their first and middle names, so stop calling me Beth Ann. My husband will do it on occassion to tick me off...and I return the favor...I call him Micheal George. LOL.

When I was in oh about 2nd or 3rd or 4th grade (maybe even after that, i don't really remember), I had an awesome teacher, Mr. Faust. He was really cool and I remember him vividly...his clothes (cowboyish), his very deep voice, his beard, etc. We had to do an exercise were we could be anyone we wanted, and we had to pretend we are now that person and sending him a letter, and pictures of what we were doing as famous people. I chose Jennie Garth from 90210 and I went by the name of Beverly Taylor (her last name in the show). I've always like that name, Beverly Taylor. Simple and to the point. So if I could choose my own name, I'd be Beverly Taylor.

Travel

2010-12-22T07:34:00.000-08:00

Today's Reverb Prompt is: Travel. How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year?

In 2010, I pretty much traveled by car. Since I'm afraid of flying and get motion sick sometimes, we are 'landlocked' as DH says. I don't like trains or buses (the smell gets to me) and I love boats, but last time I was out on a boat, I got VERY seasick. So cruises are also out.

Next year, we have a few travel agendas. First and foremost, hopefully Atlantis in Feb (late Feb, early March). We also have a plan to fly out to Vegas with his family since they go every year and we are avid poker players, and whenever we play in Atlantic City and I proclaim I've never been to Vegas, it gets quiet and you can hear a pin drop. We also won some tickets to Disney, so if we can find the time and money, we'd like to do that, if not, I can sell my tickets on Ebay or Craigslist.

Future Self

2010-12-21T06:06:00.000-08:00

Today's Reverb Prompt is: Future Self. Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?)

It's kind of hard to tell myself advice five years from now since so many factors can change, and normally it's vice versa, about going back in time to tell your old self something of importance. I think maybe I would tell myself not to forget where you came from. Remember your roots. Things I've done when I was little and how I was reflected the real me, so I need to keep that in mind. Don't change for anything, you are who you are and never apologize for that. Keep your head up, things can get ugly, but it's the love of your husband, family and friends that will keep you rich in the years to come.

If I could go back in time and tell myself something when I was 10 years younger, I could probably write a book! 10 years ago, I was 20 years old, hoping to be 21 so I can drink. Thinking back now, what a waste! I should have cherished the time I had when I was young. I think I needed to learn a thing or 2 about love. By 20, I was in my 3rd long term relationship and all 3 I thought I was going to marry. Boyfriend #1 was my 'first' and I longed for him and I to be together forever, for that reason. Even though he hit me, abused me mentally and physically, I didn't care. My values and belief in my religion dictated that since I gave him my full self, I'd have to marry him. Boy was I wrong! The second one was the rebound one, and he happened to be a friend of BF#1. What a way to get revenge. He was great to me, but had no goals in life. He didn't have any $, no credit, no place to live, no job, no license (it got suspended years prior). he ended up living with me and my parents since he had nowhere else to go. I worked part time and went to school full time, and I had to be the one to pay for EVERYTHING. He was 7 years older then me and had nothing to show for himself. I had higher hopes for my life. Then came BF#3. he had a job, a license, a car, good family life, very minimal $ in the bank, but it was a 'step up'. He was a manager of one of the departments where I worked and we started off just being friends. He taught me how to drive his car (stick shift) and we really clicked as friends....but I saw a future for us, so being the bad girl that I am, broke up with BF#2 and dated BF#3. It's almost like I needed to be in a relationship. There was never a time in my life I was single. I was always attached. Looking back at my pictures and old life, I was always with a guy...there were never 'girls' vacations or anything, and I think I may have missed out on those good times. If I could go back to myself, I'd say 'enjoy life!' b/c one day, you'll be married and worrying about mortgages. Guys are just guys...they are a dime a dozen!

Beyond Avoidance

2010-12-20T07:37:00.000-08:00

Today's Reverb is Avoidance: What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?)

I should have gotten on a plane!!!!!! I was both scared to fly and worried about money and the cost of the vacation to go. I'm trying to overcome this fear so that in 2011 I can go on multiple vacations...we'll see how it goes!

Healing

2010-12-20T07:07:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's Reverb Prompt was Healing: What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011?

I think that this past year, I healed myself, with the help of DH. See, I tend to worry way toooooo much about little things. If I get a papercut, I think I'm going to either bleed to death or I'm going to get an infection and will need to go to the hospital. And it's always right in the beginning of something happening that will cause me to worry so much, must without thinking rationally, which when it happens to someone else, I'm the rational friend they call to talk to. Over time, I've realized that over worrying is not worth the stress and to just take it one step/day at a time and really think about things first before jumping on anything.

Try

2010-12-18T11:50:00.000-08:00

Today's Reverb: What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it?

Oh this is an easy one. My 'try' for 2011 is flying in a plane! I used to fly all the time when I was younger, but I haven't flown since I was about 12 or 13 (18 years ago). Since then, we didn't really go on family vacations, so there was no need to fly anywhere. Then, when in college, I couldn't afford any far away vacations so I didn't have to fly. Then when I met my husband, our go to spot for a vacation is Atlantic City, which is an hour away, free or cheap rooms, free food, etc. So they are inexpensive vacations (right up my alley). I chickened out on the plane for our honeymoon. Yup, got on, then my DH took me off before takeoff. I don't know where the fear came from, whether is it's heights, claustrophobia, terrorits, getting sick, or a combo of them all. So since then, we haven't planned on going anywhere.

For DH's vaca in Sept, we had wanted to go away on a vaca, at the last minute. We coldn't decide where to go, then as time grew closer, my nerves got the better of me and we put it on hold. But now, 2011 seems like the year of vacations. We would like to go to Altantis as our 'honeymoon' (3 years later), Vegas with his family, Disney (I won 4 1 day parkhopper passes) and my parents want the whole family to go to Aruba as they celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary and renew their vows. That's 4 vacations we would like to take, all involving an airplane. I have xanax (had it for our honeymoon, but refused to take it) but I'd like to be able to 'mind over matter it' and do it without the aid of drugs.

so we will see if 2011 is the year of planes for me

December 17th - Lesson Learned

2010-12-17T05:23:00.000-08:00

Today's Reverb Prompt is: What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?

For me, during this past year, I figured out that I'm not Super Woman and that I can't do it all. I also learned that how I deal with stress of not being Super Woman is not so healthy. I tend to blow up, not rationalize, and just get really moody. I finally figured out how to deal with that stress a week ago. I was upset over going over budget for Christmas. I resorted to yelling at DH, blaming him for not helping me, etc. He then went to pick up dinner, I took a shower and mellowed out. I rationalized in my head while I was in the shower. When I came out, DH was home and I gave him a great big hug and apologized. I said we'd figure something out and that we don't spend any $ on ourselves throughout the year, so we 'splurge' during these holidays, so it's not a big deal. But I tend to make small deals into HUGE ordeals. I think I have tamed that best this year.

Reverb 10: I Appreciate My Husband

2010-12-16T06:32:00.001-08:00

I've been following many blogs over the past 2 years, and one caught my eye today. Over at One Frugal Girl's blog, she's has been participating in Reverb 10 where you reflect on the past year and manifest what’s next. You sign the contract that you will blog or tweet each day on that day's topic. I've been meaning to get back into the swing of things on my blog, and what better way to do it!

Today's proverb is about what you appreciate the most during the past year. I'm normally a very independent woman, but after 3 and a half years of marriage, I've learned that it's all about give and take. I'm very controlling in our marriage, as I am the boss and it has to be my way or no way. But this year, I've learned that I can't always have my way, which was a hard pill to swallow. DH and I have had quite a number of 'talks' about everything from money, to vacation, to planning for children, etc. He was never the type to sit and talk about serious topics, but lately he has been. His persona was more or less the 'Party Animal' that could care less about anything, unless it had something to do with beer or a club. But he's changed a lot in the 7 years we have been together. Yes, this time of year marks the anniversary that we met, which wasn't in the typical type of way either. 7 years ago, my life changed and looking back, it changed for the best!

Over the past year, I have had my own issues with health, money, work, stress, family, you name it. But DH was always there to ease my stress. I automatically stress about the smallest of things, but he has learned how to calm me down and he has been on point with it this year. He knows when I'm in a 'mood' to just let me be, so he will go into a different room then i'm in. And if I switch rooms, he follows suit. He also knows when I just need a hug and a 'It'll be okay' pep talk. He also knows the best way to cheer me up, with either a trip to Atlantic City or a coupon that he found, or a sale on something that I've been wanting. I'm still getting used to our 'team' as in my past I always so it as me against the world. But now, it's him and I against the world and I have a pretty good teammate if I do say so myself.

WSOP Circuit - Harrah's Ladies Event 12/11/2010

2010-12-14T09:05:00.000-08:00

I had originally planned on playing the tournament at the Borgata on Dec 11th since it was a two day event, and I really want to get my feet wet playing a multi day event. In the past with work, I wasn’t able to, and the ones that are on the weekends are over $1k buy in, which my bankroll can’t stomach. Then, on Friday, Dec. 10th, I checked the Borgata website to double check times, etc and it was changed to a 1 day event. Eh. So I switched back to wanting to play the ladies event.

We got to Harrah’s around 10, checked in, didn’t get a room, so we put our luggage at the Bellhop. I then went up to register for the tournament, no line. We then walked around for a little bit until the tournament started.

I started at a pretty good table…all the ladies were nice (as always). I wanted to try to suss out the ladies at my table to see how they played (tight, loose, aggressive, etc). I got a pretty good read on them all pretty quick (another reason I like the ladies event, easy to suss out). Many tight players, and 2 loose players at my table. The one was in every hand, she’d raise every other hand and so many times at the river, she’d be like ‘Ace high’ since she kept trying to win the pot by betting. Another girl was the same way, she’d always catch on the river. One girl flopped a set of nines and bet big, and raised, etc. Same on the turn, bet huge. With an ace and a queen (maybe a jack on board). The girl kept calling…10 on the river, she caught a higher set on the river, leaving the other woman with like 300 left. She was MAD! But this other woman that hit the set on the river could not get off ANY hands!

I must say that my ace king was loving me that tournament! I lost 2 times with it and got it about 8 times. The first time I got it, I raised pre flop with 2 callers. Nothing on the flop, check to me so I continuation bet it, one caller. 10 on the turn, making 2 diamonds out there and 2 tens. She checked, I bet, she insta called again so I put her on a 10 since she was a tight player as well. She checks the river before it came out, Ace on the river, I check (since my pair of aces loses to a set of 10s) and I flip it over in disgust and she mucked…she said I got her on the river. Sweet!

Got ace king again a few hands later (suited) and I raised pre flop, 2 callers (both the loose girls too). Nothing hit on the flop and one girl bet out so I folded. Other girl raised (thinking ‘good fold’ to myself). They bet again on the turn and river. Ace rag won (ace high), the other girl had queen 7 off. Wow…I woulda won with ace king high. Oh well. But other then that and the hand that knocked me out, my ace king was unstoppable, which is RARE!

At the end of one of the rounds, I got pocket 8s or 9s. I hate getting a hand as we are going on a break. So I raised pre flop, got one caller (loose girl). I flopped a set, girl checked and I bet out (flush and straight possibilities) and she folded. Thank goodness!

Around 3 or 4 pm ( I can’t remember the timing), I got pocket nines and someone raised ahead of me. I call, looking to see a flop as I wasn’t going to repop her since she had a tight image. Girl to my left calls also, VERY tight. She played maybe 3 hands the whole time. Flop was 9 2 3 (two diamonds). Tight girl leads out and goes all in, I go all in on top and the tight girl to my left goes into the tank. I must note, that right before the hand was dealt, Hubby Mike came up to check on me. So he was standing behind me as the whole hand took place. As soon as I pushed all in, he moved back, thinking ‘Oh boy, if this goes bad, she’s going to blame me’. The girl to my left finally folds, and we flip over our cards. I forgot what the woman had, but the girl to my left was like ‘I put you on a set, that’s why I folded pocket jacks’. Turn was a blank, river was a jack! Good thing I pushed all in or the girl to my left would have called just the all in of the other girl and I woulda have most likely gone busto in that hand when she rivered her jack.

Right before the dinner break, our table got busted up, which was a good thing b/c two girls got into a heated argument when one rivered a one or two outer ( I wasn’t paying attention that hand, I’m just going by hearsay). I got moved to table one, with Ac_pokerchick. Soon after, we went on lunch.

I played tight at the new table to get some reads of the new people. At one point, I had pocket 7s and I raised pre flop. Pregnant girl to my right called. Flop was ace jack rag, she checked, I bet out, she called. Turn was a 9 I think, she bet I folded. At this point I went from over 30k in chips down to about 21k. I don’t remember if I got involved in many more hands as at 27 left, we redrew tables and seats.

We moved down to 3 tables from 4 and I was at seat 1 at my new table. I hate seat 1, I never know when it’s my turn lol. Hubby Mike and Hubby 2 were there watching and nicknamed seat 10 my arch nemesis. She won a few hands off me, but I won a few from her too, and when I counted we were about even stealing money from each other. One particular hand was when I had 10 jack of clubs in the big blind (arch nemesis in small blind). Flop came out two clubs, she checks, I bet out someone behind me folded, arch nemeis calls. Turn is nothing, she checks, I check, river is the ace of clubs. I just hit my flush! That hadn’t happened the WHOLE tourney! She bets out, I go all in (or I raised her a lot, I don’t recall). She thinks, thinks, thinks, etc. Then she folds. Here’s where I got ticked off, but didn’t let it show…Hubby Mike saw it too and wanted to say something, but kept quiet. After the hand, arch nemesis asked if I caught my flush b/c if I did, she had me beat the entire way to the river. I had in my headphones, but had paused it at some point or another. I just remember I had in my earphones but paused the song for whatever reason. So I pretended that I didn’t hear her. So the dealer (in between us), taps me and says that arch nemesis was asking me a question (as I’m racking in my chips). Thank goodness for Ac-pokerchick! She didn’t know that it was on pause, but knew that I had in my headphones and was like ‘she has her earphones in’ LOL. Now why in the heck would the dealer tap me and say ‘she asked you a question’ HELLO…deal the cards! Don’t talk and don’t get involved! Eesh!

This is around the time where I started the roller coaster again. In the past, I’ve done this, but would go down, then up, then down and out. This time, I rode the coaster for awhile, I’ve never gone down and up so many times and lasted.

One girl did comment that I was very patient and knew the exact time to shove.

Although a kick from Ac_pokerchick from down at the end of the table woulda been nice lol. She had raised pre flop, I was in the big blind and I had ace king, so I had to call…I was very short stacked…less then 10k and the blinds were 1500/3k. She had aces…woops! So that was it, I was out in 16th around 11pm and we started at 11am. It was a LONG day and I was exhausted and hungry. I went to eat and came back over an hour later to see who was at the final table. Kim finished in 7th, (congrats!) and the final table was playing. I went to bed shortly after. I’m still trying to see who won, but worldseriesofpoker.com hasn’t updated the ladies event yet 

Congrats to Ac_pockerchick! I checked out pokerpages.com and she has her own page!

A & P 12/10/10

2010-12-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

4 Scott Naturals Wipes - $1.89 * 4 = $7.56

4 Blistex - $1.00 * 4 = $4.00 - 4 $.25 off coupons (Qs) doubled to $.50 $2.00

Total = $9.56 +$.21 tax = $9.77

Used $5 CAT from the brownie deal = $4.77. Got back $5 CAT for buying 4 Scott Wipes = $.23 profit!

Ladies Event at Borgata 9-12-2010

2010-09-17T09:16:00.000-07:00

I went down this past weekend for my annual bday weekend. I knew I was going to play the ladies event. However, during our trip, my friend Jerry kept saying that he was going to bet $500 on black and if he hit, he'd buy me in to the tourney. As a girl, YEE HAW if he it and BOOO if he didn't hit. I was too scared (yes, ME scared) to play cash as I'm on the losing end of the stick for a few months in cash, so him and I played Blackjack while Hubby Mike played poker. He told me at the table he was buying me in. I cashed out of BJ even, him down about $200 and we go to register upstairs on Saturday night. Table 9 seat 1. I think 'Not bad....beginning of the tables and a good seat!'. We go find Hubby Mike and he's at a table at 1/2. He's involved in a pot, so I just stand behind him and watch, and don't let him know I'm there. He raised pre flop and a guy called. All low cards on the flop (9 high I believe) and Hubby Mike bets out, guy re-raises him all in for the dude's remaining like $60. Hubby Mike thinks and calls. Rag on turn, Jack on river. Nobody moves. Hubby Mike flips over his pocket 10s. Guy (sitting right to his left) looks at Hubby Mike's cards, looks around at the table (ppl are all in suspense). Looks at his own cards, looks at Hubby Mike, looks around the table (you get the jist), then flips over pocket jacks. He had Hubby Mike the whole way, and then hit a set on the river. And freaking slow rolls like that? That IRKS me to no end. Everyone at the table just sat there like 'what a 'curse word' Well, I speak my mind, I grab Hubby Mike's arm and I'm like 'Let's go, get off the table...you don't wanna be sitting next to a slow rolling douchebag all night'. To which the guy turns to me (an older guy, maybe mid 50s') says 'Eff off'. Hubby Mike then responds 'What did you just say to her?' and I'm like 'Honey, get off the table, I can handle my own' The guy starts ripping into me, I rip back into him. I told him I wasn't talking to him, I was talking to my husband and to apologize for saying 'eff off' to a lady. (he didn't). I had to hold my friend Jerry back b/c he was about to kill the guy. Once again, I can handle my own. I told the guy he'd lose all his money and he's a jerk. Funny note on that...with all the commotion going on, the dealer never took Hubby Mike's chips to match the guys all in...so he's $60 light on his chips....idiot.

Then later on, I go and play 2 5. I didn't want to play, and I hate playing 1/2 NL on a Saturday night, but I felt the itch. Wasn't getting many hands and I bought in for like $455 or something (whatever chips I had in my wallet at the time). I picked up a few smaller pots, nothing big. Then I get ace queen diamonds. I raise to $20, guy to my left calls, and I think 1 or 2 others call. Flop is Ace clubs 6diamonds and 7diamonds. Top pair, decent kicker and nut flush draw. I bet out 50, guy raises me to 150 or so, I push all in. He's thinking, he's thinking. Oh, one of my fave dealers was dealing too. Finally, he calls. Turn is ablank, then a diamond on the river. I flip over my nut flush as he flips over a flush as well...he was on the straight flush draw, but hit a flush on river. So I pretty much doubled up there, and he had to re-buy. By this time, Jerry and Hubby Mike were standing behind me, waiting for me to get off the table. I waited until my dealer left, then cashed out up a few hunge...my streak was over! And to celebrate I treated myself to some Ben and Jerry's :)

Sunday comes, and we keep Jerry buying me in a secret. He said I've been doing bad with my money and wanted to see if I'd do better with someone else's money. NOTE: I've NEVER been backed before and it's not the good of a feeling if you lose someone else's money. So I go into it hoping my friend made a good investment in me. We are seated by the door, where they normally do satellites as the deep stack was going on as well. Us ladies ALWAYS get the shaft! There was only 17 table set up for the girls, then the last two tables a bunch of guys sat down so we got shafted to 15 tables. Oh well. Only 154 entries....it keeps going down...there was about 400 and some about 4 or 5 years ago when I started playing...and each year it goes down and down. So we start playing and I'm doing okay. I keep getting decent starting hands and call a preflop raise and NOTHING on the flop...people were playing fairly tight and showing every hand as well. We had a guy at our table at one point, and he raises and I look at ace king suited...I just call. Lady reraises to 2500, he calls, and I stick around for the flop. Nothing on the flop so I check, she bets, he shoves all in she calls and takes him out with aces. The whole crowd cheered!

At this point, I was down to like 6k from 10k starting stack in the 2nd or 3rd level, so I was not happy. Then a miracle happened. I got lucky so much! I would hit a set, flush, straight, etc. I took 3 girls out at my first table! Within a round or two, I was up to about 22-25k ( I kept miscounting my chips). Then we get moved.....yay. I hate moving ,but got seated next to a girl I sat next to at the last ladies event...the girl that kept going off on the younger guy that played in our event. She's really cool. I got seated at the table with the girl that placed in 10th place. Apparently the girls on my end of the table didn't like her b/c she was a bully. She had a TON of chips. So I'm up at this table, which is good. I get ace king suited AGAIN (I need to just muck them, never call just muck). I call the $1200 blind as I'm the button, small blind call, big blind (chip girl) looks at my me and asks how much I have left. That irks me. There's someone else in the hand, HELLO! So I just lift my arms up. She has a lot of little denomination chips, and I have a mix of them. She raises to 5k, I call. Little blind folds. Flop is nothing and she bets out like 20k...ugh, fold. Dammit, I shoulda popped it pre flop...all well...stupid ace king.

Another hand I'm involved with her I'm the big blind and I check..I have 10 jack off. flop is 10 rag rag. I couldn't see the 10, thought it was a nine and checked. she checks..turn is a king, she bets out huge and I have to fold. Hubby Mike and Jerry are behind me and I freak out b/c it's late in the game and I totally misplayed that hand...ugh!

Then I get moved again. I'm at table 1. Okay not so bad...I still have some chips. Then I get card dead and everyone around me is getting awesome hands. I get blinded/anted down to about 15k before dinner break, and I'm UTG after dinner break, where blinds are 2k 4k. LOVELY! So I don't eat much on dinner break figuring I'm just gonna play 1 or 2 hands after dinner break b/c I'm severly short stacked. I tell Hubby Mike and Jerry we'll do dinner after I bust out. I was tempted not to go back to the table after dinner and hope my blinds would make me survive to the money. I think it was like 12 or so to the money.

So we go back and I'm like whatever, any face card or ace and I'm pushing...sure enough ace 8 UTG. I go all in....EVERYONE FOLDS! What? okay. So I picked up a few bucks there. When I'm in the small blind, another ace, I shove all in, EVERYONE FOLDS again! And there were BIG stacks at my table. Wow! I kept picking up smaller sized pots here and there, and before I knew it, I was up to 70k! From just about busting out to a force to be reckoned with! Then we kept inching close to the money and I was just folding unless I was in the blinds...wasn't getting hands anyways. Then we made it to the final 18 and we were in the money! Then nobody was busting out for awhile, and I see my chips dwindling, AGAIN. But hey, at least I cashed! I'm UTG again, and I say it's now or next hand (blinds were 5k 10k and I had about 16k. I see a queen and shove. Girl to my left goes all in too (chip leader at the table, maybe the tourney), girl at the end of the table shoves too for less. Girl to my left had king 10, girl at other end of the table has aces. I had an 8 under my queen. I flop an 8, girl to my left turns a king and girl at other end of the table hits an ace on the river for a set of aces. Blogger guy was around and we chatted for a bit, then I got my lucky 13 card and got my winnings.

I told my friend that now he had to follow me around and pay my buy ins from now on :)

I did make a shout out to Gorilla, the blogger. I told him I blog for the B on here, and he said he checks the site on occassion. Mentioned the name Ray Stevenson, but I only know our Fred :)

Rite Aid 9-16-2010

2010-09-17T09:06:00.000-07:00

Not like I needed any more toothbrushes, I found a deal at Rite Aid and wanted to try it out. Here goes:

11 Reach Toothbrushes - normally $4.49, on sale for $2.99 and then $2 Wellness Reward for EACH one. When I did it, they all came up the right price, BUT I only got 3 $2 Up Rewards ($6). I also got a $10 Up Reward for buying certain Johnson and Johnson products (Listerine, J and J baby stuff is also in that deal). So all in all, I still MADE $3.11 on the deal, so it's still a profit, AND I have $16 to spend on more deals :)

I Keep It Rolling! 8/20/2010 Shop Rite and Rite Aid

2010-08-23T07:13:00.000-07:00

So, after reading Frugalsuz's post about free binders at Rite Aid, well, I just HAD to go. DH makes fun of me because I'm a frequent shopper at Staples each week (LOVE REBATES and FREE stuff!) and I buy stuff because it's pennies or free, even though I have nowhere to put it :) So, off to pick up my best friend and off we go. He is also on the same page as DH but since he's not my DH, he can't stop me from shopping (evil grin). Here's what I got at Rite Aid AND Shop Rite:

I wanted to get 10 binders, but only had 6 left. I was also uneasy about the $2 off each one when they were BOGO (I figured they would say, it's already free so you can't use a coupon) but here's how it all broke down:

--6 Mead Binders $4.99 each and BOGO equals $29.94 - 14.97 (BOGO) = $14.97-6 $2 off qs = 2.97
--4 packs of Stride gum $1 each = $4. Used BOGO Qs so $2 for all 4
--Used $3 off Up reward and $1 off $10 of school supplies.
--4.97-4= .97, tax was 1.19 so I paid OOP $3 and change. Not too shabby!

SO, I had some blinkie Qs from SR for the Right Guard deodarant that I wanted to use up, so I dragged my friend with me. I grabbed 3 more blinkies and 3 Right Guard Total Defense 5. Here's what I did:
--3 Right Guard at 1.99 on sale = 5.97- $3 ($1/1 times 3) = 2.97 plus tax. Used $3CAT OOP is .39 (tax).
Went to the car, and did it again. I also did it once more Saturday with DH (not pictured) and got 3 more....they are PAYING me to take it out of the store, so I will just donate the ones DH doesn't like. I pay OOP .39 and get $3 CAT, I'm MAKING money! And the blinkies were right there, with a BIG sign about the CAT deal!

Shop Rite 8-20-2010 LOVING IT!

2010-08-20T12:33:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't posted a grocery deal lately, but in the past few weeks I've been scoring some FAB deals! And I know that once I post this, all the awesome deals will come to an end. Anyways, here goes:

First Trip this morning before work:
--4 Hefty Trash Bags - $1.24 on sale, used 4 (.55/1 qs), each came to $.14 a piece (.56)

Second Trip during lunch:
--4 Hefty Trash Bags - $1.24 on sale, used 4 (.55/1 qs), each came to $.14 a piece (.56)
--8 O-Cello sponges (4 count in each) - $1.19 on sale, used 4 (.75/2) came to 3.52/8 is .44 a piece.
--2 Chock Full O Nuts Coffee - $1.99 on sale, used 2 (.55/1) came to .89 each
--3 Right Guard Total Defense 5 - $1.99 on sale used 1 $3/2 and 1 $1/1, came to $1.97 each AND you get a $3 Cat for purchasing 3, making this a $1.03 money maker!
(Also used a $2 cat with this transaction)

All in all I spent OOP $6.90 for 2nd trip and .56 for the 1st trip making that $7.46 OOP and getting back $3 in CATS, making that $4.46 actually spent :)

Drama Filled Ladies Event (Borgata Summer Open) 6/19/2010

2010-06-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

Only 85 women and 2 men entered the Ladies Event on Saturday, making the field a lowly 87 players. They normally do the ladies events on Sundays, and they threw us a loop and made it for Saturday, which is why some feel that the turnout was so low.
I got there really early to beat the summer traffic and had about 2 hours to spare when we arrived. I played the new Amazing Race slot machine (do NOT sit at the two right next to the Sex and the City Slot. They are off on their own and not hooked up to the other ones. While I played, the other Amazing Race slots hit the bonus thing 2 times!).

At 1155, the tournament director started going over the rules, etc. many tables only had a few people playing so it looks like they expected more players then we got. After the 1st round, more people trickled in. In the beginning, i didn't play many hands, but I did take note of the players. Some regular tighter players, then the normal loose players. Two girls at my table of 5-6 were very loose. One made a raise pf with blinds at 500 and 100 and the other girl called. Betting on the flop and turn and both are in it to the river. A bet on the river, they are both still in it. One had like jack six off the other had queen 7 off (pf raiser) and she hit a 7 on the river. NO idea what the other girl was in for (no straight or flush draws). So at least I knew how my table was going.

I hit a few nice hands flopping sets, 2 pair, etc. When the blinds were either 75 150 or 100 200, I got dealt pocket nines with a few limpers in front of me. I raise it up and got two callers. Flop is Jack, 9 4 with 2 hearts. Checks to me, I bet out. One girl folds, girl next to me (who was very nice by the way) raises me. I instantly go all in. She hesitates for a minute, now I know she's not sitting on pocket jacks b/c that would have been an insta call. I put her maybe on a mid to high flush draw, then she calls. She’s like ‘Do you have pocket jacks?” and I’m like ‘Nope’ and she flips over pocket fours for a flopped set of fours. She has a one outer that doesn’t come on the turn or river ‘phew!’ so I took her out. I felt back b/c we only had a handful of people at our table and she was nice. Most of the girls hate taking other girls out in the ladies events.

So, early on, I’m double up to just about 20k in chips, so I’m feeling good. Then a guy comes to our table...uh oh. Girl to my left hates when guys enter the ladies event and he lets him have it, she didn’t stop. I thought it was hilarious. I almost felt bad for the guy because he seemed kind of dorky and was so nervous when talking. He even came back at her, which I thought “good for him”. I don’t want to open a debate on whether or not a guy should/could enter a tourney, b/c I can honestly fight either side (which is why I wanted to go to law school, but I chose love over that….but that’s an entirely different topic).

The guy harped on the girl pretty badly as well…whichever. It was fun to listen to the banter. Then all heck broke loose. You’ll read about a ‘rude dude’ on the Borgata blog in the ladies event and how he kept complaining to the floor. Well, yours truly was at the table so I can give you a firsthand report! I think we were at the 3rd or 4th blind level, I don’t really remember. I was in a rut of crappy hands, so alls I know is I folded this hand. I was in seat 7, rude dude was in seat 10. Rude dude makes it 700 to go, girl in seat 2 goes all in. Dealer grabs his 700, and her 700 so the guy will know what he needs to call. Everyone else folds and I know (b/c I saw with my own two eyes!) that I couldn’t even see seat 10’s cards (at this point, I had NO clue what the action was b/c I wasn’t really following along, but I was looking around and rude dude was right across from me). So here’s the drama. Dealer doesn’t see rude dude’s cards (nobody did) and the dealer gives the chips to seat 2, and after they are directly in front of her, she throws her cards in. (This part I’m watching). She’s stacking her chips up, and then rude dude is like ‘Wait, what’s going…, I call!’ Now, being a JERK that he was (yes he was a jerk keep following the story). We all perk up and the dealer realizes he made a mistake. He didn’t wash the cards yet, but if that kid was going to call he woulda done so as soon as seat 9 folded (he claims he had queens later on). So now the floor comes over….now he’s yelling that he wants Tab over there (who had gone home for the day already) and the floor people tried to make a ruling amidst 6 people telling them how it all went down. (I just watched). The ruling ended up being that it was a dealer error, and the girl that went all in had to pay rude dude 700 to match his bet and they would go to the cameras to see who else was in the pot, blinds, etc. to give him back his money. WELL, he wanted her to match his whole stack! There were about even in chips, I believe she had a little more then him. They won’t severly cripple a player on a dealer error…and the way it went down on his part was bad. He knew the dealer made a mistake and being a jerk, wanted to ‘money in on it’ We were yelling at him, making jokes, etc. Finally, I told Dave (floor manager for the tourney) to just flip over the kid’s cards (you can’t do it, but it woulda been fun!) to see if he really would have called. The kid made so many plays at pots with nothing to try to steal blinds. In one hand, when I was chipleader at my table, I was in the small blind for 75 150. Big blind was empty so we just put the chips in…he raises to 1000. So everyone folds, and I look at him. ‘Why’d you make your bet so big?” and he’s like ‘I want to steal the dead money in the pot’. I look down at my stack and point, then point at my small blind. “Does my stack look like dead money to you?” He answers ‘No’ and I’m like “okay then”. I look at my hand..garbage. I fold saying that even if I had aces, it wouldn’t be worth to call all that money (just to make him feel dumb for raising so much). I’ve done that in the past, raised too much, and I can honestly say, and I’ve told the table after I did it, that it was my error for throwing in the wrong color chip(s). And it’s funny b/c it’s the honest truth. Anywho, I really wanted to see his cards b/c I guarantee he didn’t have queens, made a play at the pot raising to 700 then just playing on the dealer’s honest mistake. Idiot.
So at this point, he’s irate, he wants his whole stack doubled, he’s telling the floor people he wants Tab called at home, etc. We FINALLY move onto the next hand and he’s still whining. I no longer feel bad for him. Finally, he’s still yelling and complaining and I lose it. I tell him that even if the hand played out like it’s supposed, and he called, he could have been knocked out, so he should be happy he’s still in and to put his big girl panties on, and play the next hand. At this, the table erupted (get it, big girl panties, he’s a guy….). So that was that.
Few hands later, I’m under the gun and get pocket 8’s. I raise it up 3 times the blind, seat one goes all in. Something in my gut called out ‘ACE KING!’ and when it came to me, I insta called (didn’t even think about it). Sure enough, ace king! So off to the races! Nothing for her on the board, I win and take another girl out. So I’m feeling pretty good about my calls.

One hand I’m not so proud of is when I was under the gun with pocket deuces. I hate them, I insta fold, don’t even call the blind…something said ‘don’t call!’ Girl in seat 9 pops it to 1700 (blinds were 150 300 I believe). Yikes…good thing I folded I think. 3 way all in on the flop….and of course there’s a 2…grrrr! I would taken 3 girls out in one hand had I called. But even if I called the blind, I doubt I was calling the 1700 raise anyways. Ah well, can’t win em all!

After a little while, we get moved to new tables, I go to table one (right next to the ladies room..bonus!). Antes are now in play (I hate that). Blinds are getting up there 500 1000 and I’m not getting anything! I did get 2 walks at the new table, so that was good. I’m on the button and I get ace queen suited spades (yay! A hand I can play!) and I raise to like 7k or something like that. (blinds are like 1 2k) One girl calls. I’m almost pot committed as more then half my stack is out there (the blinds killed me!). Flop is jack king rag, one spade. Girl checks, I push all in she insta calls and has king jack for two pair…ouch. I say ‘good hand’ grab my purse and a 10 hits the turn (giving me a straight) and the river is a rag, I double up to over 30k, so I’m happy. I felt like an idiot for pushing all in, but whatever….she was cool about it though.

We go on another break and blinds are up when we return. Once again, I’m card dead. I win a few smaller hands here and there. Then I’m on the button and get ace king suite clubs. I raise to 5500 or something or maybe it was 11k, I don’t remember…the girl (same girl from last hand) raises me, I go all in, she calls…aces. DANG NABIT! She was making plays at so many pots, I figured she was raising me to scare me…ah well…I hit NOTHING on the flop, turn and river are blanks and I’m out. I think back that I coulda folded after she re-raised me, but my guy had been spot on ALL day! I couldn’t go against it…but I followed it and out I was. So many ladies say their ace king went up against aces and the big slick got them knocked out of the tournament, so it was fitting I left the same way. Hubby Mike was playing with a woman that I see playing all the time (great poker player) and she told Hubby Mike that I’m a great poker player and she has great respect for me….that was sooooo nice of her! She also gave Hubby Mike some pointers to give to me at cash games and to not play 2 5 at the B because of too many teams…she said if I wanted to move up to 2 5 to go to Harrahs. I’m unsure of how accurate her statement is of 2 5 at the B. I’ve played numerous times and did quite well (knock on wood) and I know a ton of regulars at the 2 5 games….so we’ll see.

Like I said…the ladies event was drama filled.

Getting Back to the Grind: Borgata Spring Poker Open Ladies Event

2010-04-19T07:16:00.000-07:00

I decided last week that I was going to play the Ladies Event during the Borgata Poker Open's Spring Event (1st one ever!). I had wanted to play the opening day Deep Stack event, however, Hubby Mike made a dentist appt, and my friend was in from Hawaii, so I had to bail (I was not happy). Hubby Mike said that as long as he could go to the driving range this past Saturday, I can play the event. So, of course I let him go to the driving range Saturday :)

I know I haven't been blogging much about poker lately, but I was having a bad run for awhile and I know that I needed to get away from the game for awhile, clear my head, concentrate on other things, then get back into the game. I can count on one hand how many times Hubby Mike and I have gone to the Borgata (Atlantic City) this year. Here it is, almost May (almost half the year is gone already!) and we've gone only a few times....so you know it's bad. At one point during the height of our poker days, we would go every weekend. Then we cut back a little bit as he was taking a hit, but what was good was that I viewed it as a job. If he lost $200, I knew that as a team, I'd have to make up his $200 and I refused to leave the tables unless I was even money plus $200 for him...at least as a team we were breaking even. Then the tables turned a bit. Then we both started doing bad, so we cut back drastically. Now, 'knock on wood' Hubby Mike is starting to fare a little better and did well the last time we were down there. Yesterday, he took a $16 hit at the cash game, which isn't bad after he was down about $200...so he made a lot of it back up.

I wanted to get my feet wet again with tournaments since I've been doing not so great at cash games. Awhile ago, it was the opposite...I was doing great in cash, not so good in tournaments, so Hubby Mike said I should just concentrate on cash and move up a level or two. It's tough for me because I'm comfortable at the limit I play, but I also like to play tournaments. I needed to see that every time I dumped $200-$300 in a tournament and then won $600 in cash, I could have netted almost $1k if I just opted not to play the tournament. But now that I'm doing bad in cash, I want to try to focus on tournament play, hence my decision to come out of 'ladies tournament retirement'

I am a poker player. No doubt about it. I love poker....and it's a huge part of my life. Friends disagree, even Hubby Mike said he wouldn't take it THAT far....but here's how I see it. My job ends next September, if I don't find another one before then. I'm currently on a HUGE project and put in for a few other Army jobs, but was told that since their organization is relying heavily on the project I'm on, they won't take me into their organization b/c that would leave this project with someone unknowledgeable about what I'm doing....apparently I'm too good :( I'm trying to work with them to see if they would just put in writing that after this project, they WILL give me a job then, but for now, nothing. I've been applying everywhere, nothing yet. SO, worse comes to worse, I can always give professional poker a shot. Hubby Mike says no, so do some friends. Hubby Mike has been coming around about it. I'm covered under medical insurance from him...and he's the breadwinner after all. I've been saving as much as I can with our salaries and house expenses and we are currently saving for a downpayment on a house. However, with me possibly being out of work, poker could be an extra income for us. I don't gamble with our bill money, we have a separate account for our gambling and I'm very tight with that money lately. So that's why I'm getting back to the grind, in case I'll need to make it a 'job' in the future. And I know some of you may shake your head and tell me I'm wrong. It's not just a pipe dream of mine. I've had professional poker players come to me and say how I'm a good player and I could make a living out of it...they also tell me areas in which I need to improve to become great. I very much enjoy the game, especially meeting new people and I know from my frugal lifestyle, if I made a living out of it, I would never get over my head with it.

With that being said, Let's Shuffle Up and Deal!!!!!! So we get to the B at about 10:55 and the tourney starts at 11. Hubby Mike is dillydallying in the car (as always!) and I tell him to hurry...he said there won't be a line....and of course, we go in, a HUGE line (both for the ladies event at 11, and the seniors event at noon.). Ugh...and I have to use the restroom. So Hubby Mike and I get in line, then I beeline for the bathroom. When I come back, I'm telling him that they should let the ladies register first since our tourney had now started...and as I say that, here comes a worker from the B saying that if we're in line for the ladies event, they opened up a 3rd window just for us :) SWEET! So I get my ticket and go to the new room where they were doing some events. I sat down to a very interesting woman that some of you may have played against, her name is Rosa Lee. She was once a man, and made the transformation to a woman. I've seen her around most of the ladies events and have wanted to play at her table, and here she is right next to me. Let me tell you, she is a WONDERFUL lady! She's supernice, easy to get along with and will talk about ANYTHING! I really admire her. You may hear some negative remarks about her on 2+2..so I advise you stay away from those threads....and if you say one negative thing about her to me, you'll have to deal with my wrath.

So let's talk some poker! First round I got nothing....and I mean nothing. There were some hands where one lady had kings, the other aces...some nice pots. Then another time, a woman had a straight flush. I kept seeing big pots swing back and forth, even little pots...nothing to me :( I was dying for a king or an ace....just one would make me happy. FINALLY, UTG I get pocket kings. The blinds were 50-100 so I made it 600...and I got 5 callers...really? Flop is 2 Ace 3. Really? ugh. Rosa's to my right and she bets out like $1200. I insta fold. even if she has a pair, someone has an ace and my kings are done. So I fold. Woman across from me raises, Rosa goes all in, lady calls...lady had Ace 10...Rosa has 4 5 spades...ugh...all those women that called priced her in. Of course I made a snide sarcastic remark about calling 600 preflop, but I knew she had to call after everyone else did. the other woman had Ace 10 off. Okay here's the confusing part. At the ladies events, EVERYONE talks....it's not like a co-ed event. This woman kept saying that she got a tax form from B that she won like $200k last year and had to pay taxes. Mostly it was from her and she said it was mostly tournaments. How do you CALL an all in, risking your tourney life with ace ten with that flop with 6 callers pre flop...do you think your ace 10 is good? Are you not putting somoene on a BIG ace, or even a set? The straight seemed out since there was a big raise preflop, but seriously risking your life with Ace 10? yea, you hit your ace, but your kicker is weak....

Later on, when the blinds were 150-300 , I get dealt kings again...SWEET! I wanted to raise it to 1200, and I was thinking how I should do it....2 purples and 2 blacks, or 1 orange and 2 blacks. Dummy me bets out 2 orange and 2 purple (3k) LOL. The dealers like 'Three' and I'm like 'I raised' (thinking he didn't see the chips I put out) and he's like 'I know, three thousand' Everyone insta mucks and looks at me and I tell them about my airheaded moment....woops! At least I won the pot! hahaha.

Few hands later, Hubby Mike comes over to check out the action and I get dealt pocket aces. this time I successufully make it 1200, everyone folds. All well. You always win little pots or lose HUGE pots with pocket rockets.

A few hands later, I'm in the BB and there's a raise to 800 or 1200, I don't recall. I look down at Ace Queen of clubs. So I call. Flop is queen 9 something. I check, and raiser checks. Turn is a club, putting two clubs out there, and giving me the nut flush draw with my pair of queens. I check, raiser bets out 800, I call. King comes on the river...I'm putting her on ace king. I check, she bets 1200, so I call, she has king nine...caught her 2nd pair on the river. Dagnabit...why didn't I bet my queen on the flop...she probably would have folded...all well. I'm now down to about 5500 from starting stack of 10k.

Few hands later, I get dealt jack queen off. eh, I'll limp in, see what happens. Flop is jack queen rag (2 spades). I'm first to act, and bet out 1k. Lady in seat 2 raises me to 2k. everyone folds and it's back to me. I hear Rosa and the girl to her right commentating but it's okay b/c I'm going all-in....it's my game or it's not. I push all in, she calls 'UGH" I think. She has king queen (top pair, king kicker). Please no king please dealer...7 4 runs out the board...sweet double up!

Soon after, we get moved to a new table, and I'm bummed b/c I was having a blast talking with Rosa. The new table is really quiet and 2 other girls from my table are there with me....but they aren't near me. We went on a break soon after. I didn't get ANY cards for just about a round and was getting annoyed. I'm normally patient, but the antes and blinds were killing me. And what set me off too was that when I was SB, i limped in (everyone else folded) and the BB goes all in for like 3x the amount of chips I had....okay FOLD. The blinds go around again and I'm on the button. People start mucking fast and I'm like 'Okay I'm gonna make a move at the pot if everyone folds' sure enough they all fold...I look down at 7 4 off...geesh...I raise to 2k, small blind folds (HA!) and the big blind calls (gulp) flop is 7 4 10 (WOW!) BB bets out, I push all in, she insta calls...she had 9 10. Nothing on turn and river and I double up, and I get looks from EVERYONE at the table...not that I need to defend myself, but I do. I'm like 'OMG I wasn't getting anything and decided that if everyone folded, I'd make a play at the blinds, not expecting to get called' (with 9 10 no less). NOt that she was justified in making the call either...in hindsight, Hubby Mike said that...she called your raise with 9 10?

I lost a few pots after, won a few, you know how the swings go. We go on break and come back. I'm in the small blind after the break and I get king queen...so the blinds are 500 1000 and I make it 3 on top. BB calls. Geesh. Just give me your blind so we can call it even since you stole mine way back when HAHAHAHAHA. Flop is 8 king 8. I go all in, she insta calls...WTH! She's like 'I have an 8' She flips over jack 8 off...really? You call that pre flop with a raise? Whatev. And of course no kings for me...get a flush draw on the turn, brick on the riv and I'm out.

all in all, at my original table, I had a blast....not so much at the new table...I hate table changes :) We're set to go down to the Boat on May 1st for the Showboat Tourney VI or VII or whatever they're at. anyone else going?

99 Things

2010-03-25T06:14:00.000-07:00

This is a cute one to do! I got this from Thrify Mama B who got it from Trista at Trista's Barn

Instructions:
Copy the list, bold the ones you've done (with explanations if needed) and share with friends. Show a link from who's blog you got the idea from.

1. Started your own blog - obviously!
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii - I wish! If I can only get on a plane!
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland - darn! I've been to DisneyWORLD though!
8. Climbed a mountain-
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris - same as Hawaii
13. Watched a thunder and lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - does Poker count?
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty It sways up there!!!!
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill Isn't that what sick days are for?
24. Built a snow fort And threw snowballs at passing cars!
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping DH's parents HAD a pool but took it down :(
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice - closest I'll get is the gondola in Vegas
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person Don't go in the winter...TOOO COLD!
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - No Poland for me unless I can get on a plane!
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied-We are Happy!
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - nope, but a stranger has bought US dinner!
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie-
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies and I buy them now every year!
62. Gone whale watching but didn't see any whales!
63. Got flowers for no reason used to get them ALL the time...then we got engaged....and all that fun stuff stopped
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check only on accident!
68. Flown in a helicopter We did this for our 2 year anniversary...yea, I'll go on a helicopter no problem...but terrified of planes...go figure!
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial I LOVE DC!
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone Toes numerous times!
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle - darn! My best friend JUST got a Harley...waiting for his cousin to go to DMV to transfer the title...he's gonna pop my cherry!
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car Does a truck count?
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper For field hockey and back in grammar school
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House And hung out with George W's dog Barney.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - I don't think I could EVER do that.
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous a few
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo- maybe for my 30th bday.
94. Had a baby- not yet
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit - possibly in the next week or so lol
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

UPDATE!

2010-03-24T07:47:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to write a quick update to let you all know that I'm still alive and well (for the most part at least lol).

I've been kind of busy and lazy at the same time and haven't devoted much time to my blog. BUT, good news is, I'm going to try to revamp up my page a bit and maybe get some ads on here and upgrade a little bit. I've been reading about hounds/bloggers etc. that have made careers out of blogs like this and I figured I'd try my hand out it! I'm also going to look into doing some freelance stuff on the side as well since my job is closing and DH and I are NOT going along with them. So we'll see where this journey takes me....

Getting Back to the Swing of Things

2010-01-05T10:49:00.001-08:00

I decided today that on lunch I would either go to A & P for triple Q's, or to Staples for some free stuff. I chose to do Staples today as my friend at work didn't bring in her Q's. Tomorrow, she will bring them in and we will hit up A & P.

I love Staples, I really do. I actually love anything/everything that deals with office supplies. Love it! So I went in to get the binders, pens, pencils and pop up tape dispenser with the Rebates. So here's what I got:

4 1 inch Avery Binders - 6.99 x 4 = 27.96 but will get it all back with Staple Rewards
2 Bic Mechanical Pencils (5 in each package) = 4.79 x 2 = 9.58 - 7.58 in special savings = 2. So they wer $1 a piece!
1 Pentel Hyper-G Pens (4 in a pack) - 3.99 which I will get back with the rebate online
1 Pop up Take desk Dispenser 2.99 which I will get back with the rebate.

So all in all, I spent 39.53 OOP, but will get back 34.94 in rebates so in actuality, I only spent 4.59 ($2 for the pencils and then other $2.59 in tax). Not bad!

New Year's Resolutions

2009-12-30T07:13:00.001-08:00

I know I haven't written a blog in ages, and I figured now was as good time as any to get back into the swing of blogging! I wanted to keep the picture light and upbeat and I just love anything lolcats :)

I have a few New Year's Resolutions, or somewhat of resolutions that I'd like to do and work on in order to help my well-being, health and mentality. Here we go. It's quite a list and I know I won't accomplish it all, but let's see how far I can go:

1. Stop spending money frivolously. DH and I will go to breakfast a lot on the weekends because we're just too lazy in the mornings to make breakfast. Don't get me wrong, the occasional breakfast at Dunkin Donuts and the Diner are great, but not every weekend. Perhaps if i signed up for the Dunkin Rewards thing, I can spend $25 and get a $30 gift card replenished with my AMEX card.....

2. Save every extra penny I can in order to build up our Down Payment Fund. We have been discussing getting out of our condo for over a year now, but when we decided to sell, the market crashed and we didn't get one offer. We tried to sell on our own, which didn't help either. However, I'd like to have 20% saved for a house within 2 years, that's the longest I would like to wait to get a house.

3. Get rid of all the high school drama going on. Recently, I found out some stuff about people (good friends supposedly) that I thought I could trust and it really made me step back and look at everything. It sucks having a safety net of sorts ripped out from under you. People you trusted with everything, secrets, everything, is now not who you thought they were. Those people who I can no longer go to when something happens when I need a friend to confide in. Which stinks b/c I have a lot of male friends, but my one co-worker here says I need more girlfriends to talk to, but that's my issue....trust. So far, I have not really had that girlfriend(s) that I can go to and trust completely.

4. Exercise more frequently. I know this is probably on everyone's, but I keep starting to exercise for like a week, and I'm really gung ho, then something comes up and I don't have the time, or energy or both. I need to FIND the time to do something each day, whether I like it or not.

5. Eat healthy. This also ties in to #1. If I cook more at home, then I'll most likely be eating healthier. I need to incorporate a ton more veggies and fruits into my diet and less chocolate and junk food.

6. Organize recipes and make up weekly mean plans. Another great idea, but just lacked the motivation and time for this. I have a TON of cooking shows in my DVR to watch. I printed out a ton of recipes from Food Network and put them in my binders. I have a few episodes to watch and print out recipes for, then to add to my binders. What I'd 'like' to do is go find a recipe (dated of course) and then go to the DVR and watch how they did, then make it. Sounds like a great plan, just never put it into action yet.

7. Level up to the Black Card Level at Borgata. Okay, I know a lot of you disagree with my gambling, but it's all DH and I do. We don't go to clubs or bars or anything and we make the occasional trip (yes, occasional as of late) to AC. I've been off my poker game, so we are going to play some Blackjack and see what happens. DH's uncle has a black card and can make about $70 comp a night....$1000 comp dollars earned over the course of 12 months will net me a black card. This is NOT one of my top resolutions, but I'd like to up my play a bit and see where it leads me.

8. Find a new job. Mine is relocating and DH cannot move to Maryland, so I have to find another job. I've been putting in for a ton around here, but nothing just yet. I actually did get referred for one, but I wasn't one of the first 50 to apply so I didn't make the first round just yet, so I'm still waiting.

9. Plan for baby. 2010 may be the year of a Baby Russo. We have been talking about it for awhile now. We know the timing will never be right, but we have all of our consumer debt (minus student loans) paid off. We are taking all the extra money that we were putting towards debt into saving for a house (about 3 weeks so far) I would rather be in a house then have a baby, but I would be happy to have a healthy baby and we can always use the 2nd bedroom as a baby room (not a storage room).

10. Clean and organize the house. This is key if we want to sell! We got an email on Christmas Day from someone asking about our condo. Apparently, it's still on the website I listed it at well over a year ago, so that's good I guess. Didn't hear anything back from him, but I'd like to be one of those wives that has the house clean all the time so if a guest comes over, I'm not running around to clean up to let them in the house.

Okay, I think 10 is enough for now. What are all you resolving to do this new year?

It's OFFICIAL!

2009-10-27T05:17:00.000-07:00

DH and I are OFFICIALLY OUT of credit card debt! I wanted to post it first on my blog, then on the WIRR. We started 'tracking' and 'paying' down debt almost 2 years ago, a few months into our marriage. Once I started with the WIRR, we have been very frugal and cut down our debt significantly, but we still enjoy going out to AC and hanging out with our friends. We just choose to do it on the cheap, and not spend $9 on a bottle of beer like most friends!

So this past weekend, with DH's 'overage' in his paycheck based on our budget, we paid off our last credit card! It felt so great to type in the amount and 'confirm' the payment. Normally, that credit card takes a few days to post to the account online, but I checked yesterday, and there it was....a BIG FAT GOOSE EGG!

In December of 2007, I started the WIRR with over $45k in debt (credit cards, DH's truck, my student loans, etc) and right now, we are at just over 14k, which is all my student loans. All our consumer debt is paid off! Our credit card debt we started with in Dec of 07 was about 14k. However, right after we got married in July 2007, we paid off a TON of credit cards (Home Depot, Best Buy, etc), so we had more CC debt right before I started my race.

I'm so happy and I feel like a HUGE weight has been taken off our shoulders. The only 'debt' we have right now is my student loans, which is next on my snowball list, and then our condo. We are very careful about where each dollar goes and we're putting money away each week and it feels great to be so proactive with our money.

I will be cutting up just about all of our credit cards. I do have some things on there, like magazine subscriptions, which I will either cancel or have them direct bill me. We are also opening a credit card account at our community bank and not giving money to the morons at Capital One, etc. We will only use that bank CC for online purchases, booking hotels, EZPass, etc, but will be paid off each month, so no balance will be on there.

How is everyone's race going?

I am Getting SO Sick and Tired of Dealing with Incompetent People!

2009-10-20T05:29:00.000-07:00

I'm at my boiling point, I really am. In the past few weeks, I have had to deal with some very incompetent people and I figured I'd share my rant with you, because I'm sure some or all of you may have encountered the same thing.

It started off a few weeks ago when DH got a postcard in the mail for free golf balls, he just had to pay for shipping. This probably came from the 'free' subscription he got to Golf Digest for me buying him that Tiger Woods Wii golf game. When you fill out the stuff online, they say they DON'T sell their name to other companies, yadda yadda yadda. So, he gets this postcard from Warrior Custom Golf for 3 dozen free golf balls. So he's like 'Should I call?" I tell him he can do what he wants. So he calls and he's on the phone for about 2 minutes when I hear him shell out his credit card number. He gets the 'look' from me because I hate when he does that sort of thing. The guy hardly even gave him the 'sales pitch' before he gave out his CC number. So I'm listening to DH's side of the conversation. They start talking about his golf game, how much he goes golfing, etc. Then I hear him say 'Um, no, just the golf balls please. I don't need a new set of clubs since my wife just bought me a new set' (which I did a few months back...a good set too). So, I hear him again, "No thanks, just wanted the promotion I got in the mail about the free balls." Then the phone went dead....or so he thought. He starts complaining that our phones stink (okay they are a little old, and phones in our condo are horrible b/c of the reception and lines in our area, no matter what type of landphone we get, it's always the same). So I run into the spare room where we have a corded phone and pick it up, dial tone. Hmmmmm. My mind starts racing and I ask him what the guy was talking about. DH said that he was trying to sell him golf clubs for a few hundred bucks, etc. Great...phone goes dead, these people have our CC number and DH was trying to tell the guy to just send the darn balls! I tell him to call them back and cancel everything. I go online and do some research, and it's all shady. So many people have had issues and a few cited that in the middle of the 'sales pitch' the phone mysteriously 'goes dead' I'm majorly freaking out, he calls and cancels. I decide to call Capital One to notify them and see if I can get a block on this company from charging my account. I'm not asking for a million bucks, just one company not able to charge anything to my account. I'm told that I would have to restrict the entire account so NOBODY could charge on the account, so I said "No, don't do that because I have a few places that automatically bill my credit card (EZPass, etc)" So the man says okay. All I ask is that he puts a note on my account about this business.

A week later, I get home from work and get something in the mail from Capital One. I immediately open it up in the parking lot and it's a letter that says that we restricted our account and to call this number to take the restriction off when we want too. Are you kidding me? I told them NOT to restrict/block it b/c of my EZPASS! And I know the EZPass was going to hit that week b/c it needed it's replenishment. I immediately call up and I explain the situation. I just HATE when I'm angry/upset for good reason and they do the 'I understand your frustration, BUT...' UGH! So I'm on the phone and I explain to the person that I specifically said to NOT restrict the account, and they did, and notify me a WEEK later that we did. I ask her to take the restriction off immediately since now I'm guessing EZPass is not getting their money. She explains to me that the primary accountholder has to do that. WHAT?! Are you kidding me? DH is a truck driver, he can't just wait and sit on hold for about 10 minutes as I did to talk to someone! She explains that ONLY the primary can put a hold or take a hold off, or change the account, etc. Funny, because when I had my money stolen from my purse at the Water Club in January, I was the one that called and had the account closed and a new card issued with a new number. I was also the one that called the prior week about blocking the company. So here it was that I wasn't able to do anything, yet I did twice and never had an issue. Now, THEY make a mistake and I can't do anything? Not acceptable. I ask to speak to a supervisor, get one and they can't do anything...the 'system' won't let them. Are you for real? Push a darn button saying that you're speaking to the primary and do it! So I argue with her, then she says she will place me on hold and try to contact the primary account holder. As she does that, I take my home phone and call DH and tell him not to answer his cell if someone calls. We hang up. I'm on hold for another 10 minutes, and I put my cell phone down on the table and i accidentally hit the 'end' button...URGH! I call DH and lo and behold, the NEVER called him...but they kept me on hold for 10 minutes? NOT ACCEPTABLE! I am now in the midst of following Suze Orman's advice and opening up a CC at our credit union. (Note: DH called them and took off the restriction....yea, great customer service CapitalOne!)

So, yesterday I'm at work talking to a co-worker about All You magazine and she says that her subscription took awhile to start as well (I've been waiting oh so patiently for mine :) I go online to Capital One to see when I did the order for it, and I see that Warrior Custom Golf billed us last week for $23! OMG! So I call DH and tell him I'm about to go all Carrie Heffernan on this place. I get on the phone with a young woman and tell her the situation in a matter of fact tone. She says that the balls shipped out on the 14th (DH did the call with them on 10/3). Um, yea, whatever. DH called in the same hour that he placed it and cancelled it, and he was told that it was never processed since the call got dropped and he called right back. The original person he spoke with hadn't put it in the system yet. So he was 'assured' that no order would go through. So a week and half later, balls get shipped to us. The lady says 'Oh, that's okay, when you get the balls, just refuse them and when we get them back here, we'll credit your account' NO I say. First off, they NEVER should have been shipped out to begin with, that was an error on YOUR end, NOT mine. AND, whose to say you'll ever credit my account? I've dealt with that before, and lo and behold, the company never gets the item back, eventhough I've sent it back and TRACKED it back to their warehouse! Companies are shady! I demand that my money gets credited immedately and she says no, they can't do that. I then tell her it's THEIR mistake, not mine and THEY need to make it right. She places me on hold, speaks to her supervisor and says that they will credit the account immediately and that they will try to re-route the balls back to them, but if I get them, to please refuse them so they will get them back. So they sent it on Wednesday, and by Monday, no balls. So if I were to wait for the balls to get to my house, then wait for it to go all the way back to California, then wait for them to credit my account, it'd be Christmas time! Um, no. I also sent an email to them that I would like in writing that they will be crediting my account. I also called CapitalOne to see if it showed that there was a credit done, but they said that would take a few days to show. Figures.

Then, I go to Wal-Mart after work to get my All You Magazine....just that magazine. Right in the front by the express checkout. Sweet! I get in line behind someone, who decided to do her weekly grocery shopping and check out in the 12 items or less line. I look around, all the other express lanes had about 5 people deep, and the regular lines were out in the walkway. 'Sigh' The lady is taking so much stuff out her cart, and I felt like the cashier didn't do her job correctly because she should have said 'This is an express checkout' So, the woman kept looking at me and I had to bite my tongue after all this stuff I went through with the darn golf balls yesterday. So, everytime she made eye contact I would just look up at the '12 items or less sign' and arch my eyebrow. I had to wait about 5 minutes just to ring up a magazine...geesh!

So, have any of YOU experienced and headaches like this recently?

September Totals

2009-10-11T15:13:00.000-07:00

I haven't been out hounding a lot lately since I have a ton of stuff on hand, so I go when we need something or I think it's a good deal. Here's my September totals:

Number of items: 91
Total before savings: $397.99
Store Savings: $167.28
Coupons: $75.54
Number of Q's: 51
OOP: $159.3
Total Savings: $238.69 or 60%

Borgata Ladies Event 9/12/09

2009-09-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, Sept 12, Hubby Mike and myself got up nice and early and made our trek down the Garden State Parkway for the Ladies Event at Borgata. Hubby Mike has been trying to convince me to stay away those events, but I keep on playing them. I guess it's the cheap buy-in and the not so smelly players that
get me :)

As I mentioned earlier, when I was in line, I got to speak to Will 'The Thrill' Failla. Wonder why they call him 'The Thrill?" Anyways, I get seated at what seems to be a good table. A woman that I swear looked like Rodeo from Rock of Love was at the other end of my table, and a woman I have played with a few times was also down at the other end. I was in seat 9, and seat 10 came very late. To my right, seats 7 and 8 did not shut up the ENTIRE time. I'm not kidding. I'm a talker, I can out-talk anyone, but not these two girls. One was an older woman, the other (next to me) was probably a few years younger then me.

I didn't get involved in too many pots early on, I wanted to get a read from the players first. It was quite hard to listen to people as the girls on my right chit chatted the entire time. The girl on my right ticked me off a few times. Because of all the yapping away, she wasn't paying attention and 2 times she took my card and shuffled with hers, so then we didn't know which one was mine. another time, she took the girl to her right's card so it was a mis deal (idiot) and I had ace queen too. At that point I was short stacked as a big hand I was in she sucked out on me big time. She got involved in a big hand with another woman and that woman played an ace high all the way to river, and called the girl on a bluff. So the girl to my right lost a huge hand with king high, complaining she couldn't get the other person off the hand.

So, right before the first break, I'm in the big blind with pocket 7s...everyone folds, and she called the small blind. I raise it up (a little more then 3x the blind) and she's like 'Okay I call' Damn, just fold! It's break time I'm thinking and I gotta pee! So, the board was 8 high, she checks, I bet out, she calls. Ugh. Turn, another high card, now a flush draw is out there, she checks, I bet. River comes and she bets out big. I fold and she shows the nut flush (ace three of clubs). Okay, you just basically ream this girl out over there for calling with nothing, WTF are you doing chasing a runner runner on the flop? ugh...whatever. So I'm ticked off, go on break and vent to Hubby Mike. When I return, I put my IPOD in LOUD so I can tune out the girls to my right. The girl on my left had come and she sat with her fingers over her ears b/c they did not shut up.

One of the funniest things happened too. Since it was a ladies event and the Borgata can care less about us, all the worst dealers were dealing our event. I think they went out onto the boardwalk and asked the homeless people if they wanted a job for a few days and gave them dealer jobs for the event. The dealers were asking ME how to deal...the girl to my left was taking a walk and she was like 'Do I deal to her even though she's not here?" HELLO! Poker dealing 101! Okay so back to the funniest thing. The dealer deals out the cards (after taking 5 minutes to shuffle, no lie) and the girl to my right asks the girl to her right to give her change for a large chip. This is happening as the dealer started dealing. She's the small I'm the big. Well, she never grabbed her cards b/c she was too busy fiddling with her chips, so the dealer just grabs them, puts them into the muck, then the girl my left mucks and the girl to my right is like 'HEY, where's my cards!' Ugh, I think. Here we go! The dealer was like 'Oh I thought you folded' She's like 'No, I'm the small blind, and the action isn't even on me yet!' So now there's 4 cards in the muck. The girl to my left is like, if you want, I can look at the cards and tell you what my two were, then you can tell what hers were. Normally, the dealer should be calling for the floor...nope. So she takes the four cards, hands them to the girl to my left, FACE up, so I can see two of the cards, as can the girl next to me! Wow, so now the girl to my left is yelling 'MISDEAL MISDEAL' and me, being the smart alek that I am is like 'It's not a mis-deal' and she's like 'Yes it is!' I tell her 'no, a mis-deal is just that....a mis-deal...she didn't mess up dealing the hand, you were too busy messing w/ your chips. You have to protect your cards at all times...you hand is dead.' she did NOT like that. So the floor comes over and she was so taken aback at what the dealer did. so, as she is starting to explain to the girl that it's not a mis-deal, but her hand is dead, I look at the dealer and she starts to WASH THE CARDS! I look at my cards, nothing, and I know it's a dead hand for everyone.

I'm down to like 2600 in chips a little while later and I'm just thinking it's not my day. Oh well. Can't win em all! I get ace king and push all in, and I more then double up and I have about 7800. I then get to a little over 11k when my table gets broken up. (I won't go into the fight about the guy, it's been talked about way too much already). I get to a fairly decent table and I get a few good hands, make raises and steal some blinds/antes. I got to about 19k right before dinner. After dinner was all downhill for me. Blinds are up as are antes. I get pocket 10s in early position and raise to 6k. Girl on the other side of the table goes all in for 5600, so I get some money back. We flip up our cards, she has queen 8 off....what the? Queen on the flop, eight on the river. Of course, now I'm short stacked and a little peeved off. I worked my tail off to get to the chips I had and this girl just takes them? UGH. I'm right next to the rail, so Hubby Mike is right there.
I turn around, and he's over watching Lacey Jones' table, so I yell for him to come see what just happened. The girl gets ticked off that I'm talking about her, and she's like "The blinds are too big, I couldn't afford the blinds when they get around to me' Um, the blinds are 800 1600, you had more then enough...but whatever. Told her it's her cards, etc. it's just that I never get that lucky.
so a few hands later, I'm in the big blind, everybody folds to the small blind. Her and I were getting along great, talking, etc. She's like, 'how much you got left?" and I'm like '5500' She's like I'm all in, I insta-call with ace 8 of diamonds. She's like 'oh you definately got me on this, easy double up for you' She has 4 6 off. WHAT THE? I look at Hubby Mike and he gives me a look. Low cards on the flop, paint on the turn....Im thinking BIG...4 on the river and I'm out. What just happened is what is going through my mind...I grab my stuff and storm out...I got freaking steamrolled after busting my hump for 9 hours and NOTHING. Wow....why can't I get lucky when I go all in with the crappiest hand and suck out? Both times, got my money in with the best hand and lost. It's a really bad feeling. Then to top it all off, a guy wins the event.....lovely. I knew it wasn't my day!

Online Cooking Class Giveaway!

2009-09-08T08:03:00.001-07:00

No, I am not giving a cooking class ( I can picture it now...the blind leading the blind!), however $5 Dinners is! Go take a look and see if you think you may need it....or just check it out and come back and tell ME that I definately need it hahaha!

This seems like a great way for people to learn how to cook and to save money by doing so!

August Grocery Savings!

2009-09-03T18:11:00.000-07:00

What what a GREAT month it's been for me and grocery shopping! Thanks to ACME, I was able to keep rolling and rolling and still rolling CATS! I did awesome this month, way above my goal which is a good thing, but I don't think ACME and the other stores can continue on with all their CAT deals...or can they? Here's my numbers:

Number of items: 157
Total before savings: $744.64
Store Savings: $320.51
Coupons: $259.45
Number of Q's: 110
OOP: $174.00
Total Savings: $570.64 or 77%!!!

I think for September I will aim for 64%! I hope I can get some awesome CAT deals again!

2 GREAT Hounding Days: 8/5 at Shop Rite and 8/6 at ACME

2009-08-08T14:14:00.000-07:00

This was my Shop Rite trip on Wednesday. I got all the ground beef 50% off the ALREADY sale prices (80% was 1.00 a pound!!!). DH was very happy because as we walked past the meats, he was like 'No ground beef?' I said, 'No, it's on sale, but not rock bottom, maybe next week.' A few minutes later, the guy came on the PA 'Right now in the meat dept, all ground beef is 50% the sales prices' So off we went!
I got a CAT for buying 5 Kimberly Clark items (Viva, Cottonelle) so that was good. The grapes were on sale for .99/lb and they are a great snack item while I busy at work. I got the OJ for FREE because I had a FREE coupon as were the International Delights (printable coupon). The Giants grocery bags were also free from a previous CAT deal and the Aquafresh was .19 each after sale and coupon. All in all, my original total before savings was 110.95 and I paid OOP 33.64 for a savings of 70%!

This was my first transacation at ACME. I was on lunch with two co-workers, so I ran in with them, took my friend's keys, got my stuff, checked out and put it in the truck...came back in to do my 2nd transactions. The two of them hadn't even put an item in their cart yet...I was that quick! These were $1 a piece on sale, and this wa included in the Buty $30 of GM etc get a $15 CAT. So OOP was $12 and I got back $15 in CATS...$3 moneymaker!

This was my second transaction during lunchtime. I did make the boo boo that I should have gotten ONLY the HN Cheerios and the Cinn Toast Crunch as they were the ones on the buy $30 get $15 CAT deal (DH doesn't like Kix). So I got those, some Cookie Crisp, Trix and Strawberry Chex. When I got up to pay, I gave my Qs and my CATS and wound up paying 7.50 OOP and only getting $15 in CATS. When I got back to work and figured out shelf prices, I figured that maybe I can only get $15 in CATS in one transaction...then realized my boo boo by buying the ones NOT in the CAT deal...all well...still got 14 boxes of cereal for only 7.50 and getting $15 in CATS!

Back at work, my one co-worker didn't get her $30 CAT and she did go up to the customer service desk and they weren't really helpful and my co-worker screamed at me 'I'm not going shopping with you no more!' I thought she was serious then she started laughing. PHEW! At work, I realized that some of her items were not on that list and one of them she got the wrong one (she got Stewart's instead of IBC) so she wanted to go back after work....told her not to twist my arm so much :) So, we worked some OT together (so quiet after everyone else leaves!) and we went to ACME after work. This was my 3rd transaction of the day. I got a bunch of misc items that we needed anyways and I made it so it was all included in the CAT deal. All in all for this one, I paid 2.36 OOP and used $10 in cats (total came to $12 and change, didn't want to waste another $5 CAT) so I got to save a $5 CAT for next time, AND got $15 more! YIPPEE!

I went to my car (which I had already filled up my trunk during lunch) and now I had to put the bags in the backseat. I went back in to get more cereal. I got 7 more boxes (21 total for the day) and got ONLY the HN Cheerios and the Cinn Toast Crunch. I only no coupons (darn!) but I did get a CAT for the Skippy PBJ I think for $1. The total came to $13 so I used $10 in CATS, plus a $1 CAT. So I paid $2 OOP and got back $15 more CATS. So...now I have $25 CATS to use! YIPPEE!

I made a joke to DH b/c at SR, he complained about no ground beef, and the gods spoke to us and gave us 50% off. That night, he said we don't have much cereal left, then I stumble across this ACME deal on Hounding with Frugalsuz (she's got some AWESOME deals!). Wonder what DH wants next......

July Grocery Savings

2009-08-04T15:18:00.001-07:00

I'm a few days late with my July totals, but here they are...enjoy!!! I aimed for 60% again...did I did it? Did I? Did I? Read on!

Number of items: 173
Total before savings: $540.30
Store Savings: $267.88
Coupons: $97.82
Number of Q's: 70
OOP: $180.93
Total Savings: $359.37 or 67%!!!

Yuppers! I did it! I exceeded my goal, AGAIN! I'm going to up my goal for August to 61%! I had help in July with A & P doing triples...not sure if they're going to do it again, but I sure hope they do! Wish me luck!

Shop Rite 7/29/09

2009-07-30T15:55:00.001-07:00

I had a GREAT run with DH to Shop Rite! Eventhough as soon as we pulled into the parking spot, it downpoured.....I still made out like a bandit!!! Check it out!

I got ALL this for 18.99 OOP (out of pocket) and used the sales along with coupons to get out of there so cheap! Before store savings and Qs, the OOP was $106.21! I also got back a $5 CAT OYNO (on your next order) and a $3 CAT. I also got 2 coupons for FREE re-usable bags to be earth friendly! YIPPEE! Can you spot all the deals???

Paw It Foward

2009-07-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

Hello, my name is Lucky and I'm Grocery Hound and Poker Chick's daughter. When I first met mommy and daddy, they were so nice to me! They fed me tons of good food every day and always left me water to drink. I figured I'd give them a shot and I adopted them. They think that they control me, but we all know who is the boss around here...ME!

Mommy is too busy to put up the blog, so I figured I'd give this 'blogging' thing a shot. I wanted to give a big THANK YOU to Shelly at The Life I live for the package I got in the mail last month. I haven't yet had my mail changed from outside to inside, so I haven't gotten all my mail....but I did get this!

This was me checking out the box and rubbing it on it.

C'mon mom, I can't get it open by myself!

Hmmmm, this isn't the dead mice I ordered....but it'll do! OH, is that a cat I smell?????

I LOVE my new box!

That's me scoping out the goods.

I know I know....I'm lazy, just like mommy. I need a break after all this excitement!

Nobody is fooling me....these aren't REAL mice!

Ok, now here come's the fun part! Mommy said for me to just copy exactly what Shelly wrote from The Live I Live said so I wouldn't make any mistakes on how to play this game. Now I sure don't want to make a mistake on mom's blog........she'd never let me on the computer again! So here's Shelly!

"This was all a part of Paw it Forward. It is now our turn to have fun pawing it forward to the next cat or dog blogger.

The guide to Paw it Forward is as follows: "The exchange focuses on doing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and 'pay it forward' in their own way.This is how it works...I am going to agree to send something fun, inspiring or uplifting to the first blog owner who posts a comment on this entry if you agree to paw it forward too. In turn you will then post about this on your blog, link to me, then send something to the first person who signs up to play along through your blog. There are no cost restraints, BUT don't go crazy! The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found. No biggie, just a gift that will make the person smile. Maybe something unique from where you live? And, remember that kindness does not have to involve money; there are untold ways to help others every single day, everywhere you go - just look around". The rules were changed a little bit. We know that times are tough for a lot of people, and in the past the idea was to paw it forward to 3 bloggers. We are going to paw it forward to one and doing this might make it more playable for people. If you want to play with three people, it is your choice, or if you'd like to play with one or two people, that is also your choice. Keep the fun going and let me know if you want to play!"

Snowball: If you want to play, just be the first to leave us a comment saying so! We loved playing so much we already picked out some new toys to paw forward. Thanks for reading!

Happy 2nd Wedding Anniversary to Me (and DH)!

2009-07-24T15:17:00.000-07:00

So, Tuesday marked mine and DH's 2nd wedding anniversary! Last year, we took a few days off of work and went down to AC to celebrate. This year, I wanted to keep with the AC theme and go again for a few days. We got engaged in AC, honeymooned in AC, and spent our 1st and 2nd Wedding anniversaries there, so I guess AC holds a special place in our hearts (and our wallets lol).

On Sunday, we went to Brigantine Beach (right over the bridge from AC). We got there around 10 and sunbathed for about two hours. We left around noon and looked around the island, it's beautiful! Some multimillion dollar homes had open houses, but DH was a party pooper so we didn't get to go inside. We went to Borgata and checked into the hotel, then hit the gift shop for the clearance rack (DH's idea! I'm rubbing off on him!). Didn't see anything we liked, so we went to the room to shower up. We met up with some friends at Trump Plaza's beach bar. It was pretty nice there...a lot of 80's music...right up my alley! When we went back to Borgata, we grabbed a bite to eat then hit the poker table for the rest of the night.

We woke up late on Monday since we went to bed late on Sunday night. We went to go to Bread and Butter for breakfast (it's soooo yummy there!) but the line was way too long, so we went to the Metropolitan (diner type). After that, we went up to the room to shower then off to get me on a helicopter! We headed to Taj and went to Steel Pier, but it was closed, opened at 3pm. It was about 2pm, so we hit the 3 card table for an hour....we won some money so that's a plus! We went to the pier, and the helicopter ride wasn't open yet, they said about 45 minutes. We went to Resorts so I can play a slot machine (last time I hadn't been there in awhile and I played a penny slot, 2 weeks later I got TONS of comp rooms, so I figured I'd try that again). We then walked around then headed to the helicopter ride....I LOVED it! I can't believe I got on, but I did...next stop, airplane!

This was us before the ride, with our 'son' Clifford. DH won him for me at the basketball game on the boardwalk :)

DH and I on the helicopter...it was really windy!!!

The view of Brigantine Beach from the helicopter.

Us on the escalator at Taj.

Checkout day:(

We then went to the Shore Mall since DH has been bugging me to get a Blackberry and I gave in....however, no Verizon store in the mall. We went back to the Borgata and ate at Noodles of the World (NOW). It was GREAT! Then we played some cards for awhile and were up in the room around 9:30pm, so it was an early night for us.

I was up early since I conked out early the night before so we um, celebrated our anniversary then laid in bed then got up to shower and check out. I hate check out day. We went to Bread and Butter again, another huge line. We weren't that hungry so that worked. We went to the Let It Ride table and sat with 3 older ladies, they were so fun! I ended up hitting a straight flush in my 3 cards, so that helped! We then played some poker (not a happy ending) then headed home early. We tried to go to a fancy place for dinner, but the kitchen was closed, so we went to the Outback...YUMMY! I got a Wallaby Darned, it was so yummy!

Me and my Wallaby Darned and DH with his strawberry margarita.

In the past two years, my DH has made my life complete. There have been times where he has worked my last nerve, but in the end, it's all worthwhile. I have grown and learned so much from him, and I'm sure he's grown and learned a lot from me. We had a great wedding 2 years ago and now that the newlywed stage is over, it's time hunker down and think about raising a family. It will take some time for that since we have a few vacas planned and he's planning a huge 30th bday blowout for me next year, so we'll see what happens.....

30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels Giveaway!

2009-07-24T05:55:00.000-07:00

I know I need to start getting into some shape (round is no longer a shape!) and I'm getting some motivation from Coupon Geek this week! She is doing a giveaway here for 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels! Click on the link to check it out!

I LOVE TRIPLES!

2009-07-14T15:09:00.000-07:00

Here's what I got at A & P today. Lucky sure is one lucky kitty! Here's the breakdown of what I did.

Transaction 1:
Viva Paper Towels: .04
Newman's Own Dressing (4): FREE!
Aunt Jemima Syrup (2): 1.49

Transaction 2:
Viva Paper Towels: .04
Whiskas All Natural Temptations (4): .24

Transaction 3:
Whiskas All Natural Temptations: .24

All in all, I spent $6.16 OOP, which isn't too bad for all that stuff! Lucky was excited when I came home with MORE of her treats. She came to me underweight, and I'll do anything to get her weight up to normal!

A & P and Shop Rite

2009-07-13T16:51:00.000-07:00

Shop Rite 7/12/09
Here's some of the stuff I got and how much I paid:

Purina One Cat food: 1.99
GM Cereal: 3 each for 1.55
Pop Secret Popcorn: 1.00 each
Quaker Chewy Granola Bars: 1.49
Quaker Quakes: FREE!
Manwich: .67 got 3
McCormick Grinders: 3 for .99 each
Bread: .99
Wonder Rolls: 2 for .99 each
Lettuce: 1.69
Pears: 1.74
Bananas: 1.96
Cherries: 1.49 a pound
Minute Maid Cherry Limeade: 1.67
Lactaid Milk: 5.59

Total OOP was 34.03 and I saved 55.46 or 62% Not too shabby!

A & P 7/13/09

They are doing triples this week. I went last night with DH but what I wanted was OOS. I tried on lunch today at the one by my house and all the stuff I wanted, they didn't have. So here's what I got:
Newman's Own Salad Dressing: FREE after Q! (NO overage....they must be on to us hounds!)
2 ears of corn .80

Total oop was .80 for 72% savings.

I'm going to go for an 'early' lunch tomorrow to see if they are stocked. If not, I will come into work late Wednesday or Thursday and get there when they first open. I have comp time to use before I lose it, so may as well hound!

Want to know how I saved so much and paid so little? Sign up for one of my coupon classes! Ask me how!

My first 'issue' with a cashier while couponing...

2009-07-08T15:11:00.000-07:00

That was me this afternoon after work when I tried to do the right thing. I went to A & P on lunch to get some treats for Lucky. They are on sale for $1.09 and I have a ton of Qs for $.50 off (doubled is $1.00 off), which makes them $.09 each. I got 4 since I think they double up to 4 of one item (like at shop rite). So, on lunch I did self checkout, and the coupon didn't ring up. Uh-oh, so my light blinks and the guy starts walking over. Crap! I thought the Q was okay and matched the product. So I checked again, Yes, any Temptation, Yes, it's the 3 oz. package, it's all good. So the guy looks at it, compares them, and manually puts them in. I thanked him, and he was off. Total OOP was .67 with tax.

I went back after work and decided instead of doing self-checkout and making the poor boy do it again (he was there, I saw him) I went right to a cashier, that way they can just enter it in, 1, 2, 3. So I get up there (after the girl in front of me cut me off getting in line, the proceeds to pay her bill in change, whatever!). I put my stuff down, give her my card and go to give her my Q's. She's like 'Your total is (whatever it was) and I'm like 'Here you go, I have these coupons.' ( I had them out the entire time, waiting for her to take them). She goes to scan one and it beeps. She looks at the coupon, then tries again, beeps again. She's like 'You can't use these coupons.' And I'm like 'Oh?" (I was very nice and polite). She's like 'You can only use it on 1, so you can't use them all" And I'm like 'Can you read what the Q says?" The lady in back of me huffs and puffs. She's like 'Well, the computer isn't reading it, so you can't use it.' I ask again what the coupon says and she says that it's good for only one. I say "yes, I know that, that's why I have 4 pouches and 4 coupons.' She goes again to tell me 'well, the computer won't take it, so you can't use it.' I told her i used them earlier' and as I was about to continue to say that the guy had to enter it in, she walks away...to talk to a manager. Thanks for the 'Be right back, I need to check with my manager.' A girl, probably just out of high school comes back over and is like 'Oh, you just have to type it in, that's all' So she does that, then the original girl comes back, gives me my total. I give her the money, she gives me the change. She says 'Have a nice day' as she's taking the next customer! I said 'THANKS' really loud but nice, not sarcastic and told her to have a nice evening. Man, some people just DON'T like others using coupons!

Forget Disney, I'm going to the World Series of Poker!

2009-07-08T08:07:00.000-07:00

Okay so that's a lie, but it's what I feel! Being a poker player, my goal is to one day play in the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Why? Because that is what every poker player's goal is, to play in poker's biggest event, ever. There are so many people that come out all over world to play in the WSOP out in Vegas. My bankroll doesn't support me putting up a smooth 10k to play in one tournament. Even if I did have a significant poker bankroll, I still can't see myself dropping 10k for one tournament. My plan is to get out to Vegas and try to satellite myself in to the big one. For those not familiar with poker terms, a satellite is a great thing for those that want to play bigger tournaments, but just don't have the cash to put down for it. You play a satellite tournament for significantly less money and try to beat out the field to get a voucher to the bigger tournament. There are satellites online, but with all the laws about/against online gambling, I don't play online anymore, I haven't played online in years.

I have played a few satellites at the Borgata in the past, but when the satellite prices are low (about $100 buy in), I notice the play is at that $100 level. However, for a larger buy in ($300-$500) the play is significantly better and more my speed. I tried to get away from tournament play, but did well recently at the Showboat, so now I want to get back into the swing of things.

In September, Hubby Mike and I are taking a vacation and will try to get into the Borgata Fall Poker Open's main event (10k buyin) by satelliting in. Even if we don't get it, I don't mind being in AC on vacation anyways! We may even be able to get on TV since the final table is televised, and we'll be there! This will be great practice to satellite into the Main Event WSOP in Vegas.

So here's what I need to do/accomplish to make this dream a reality:
1. Get on a plane. For those that know me personally, know our honeymoon story. I feel that right now, if I went to the airport, I can get on a plane and go anywhere. I need a practice flight before the 5 hour flight to Vegas.

2. Practice, practice, practice! This means playing more tournaments (which Hubby Mike won't like). He thinks I'm much better at cash games and should stick to that, but I like tournaments. I guess I'm a pain in the you know what!

3. Try to get off for the time necessary for the Main Event. There are a few different starting dates to accomodate the numbers of players in the field, so they have days 1a-1d I believe. It will be hard for Hubby Mike to get time off in the summer, so if we can't do it next year, perhaps we can wait until the following year.

4. Read some more poker books! They are great for those times I can't play b/c I'm stuck home. I have Doyle's books, but I haven't had the time to get through them yet.

5. Build up my bankroll, which could hurt if I play tournaments and don't cash, and lose money in cash games. I will need to sit back and really manage the bankroll once I start to go gung ho.

Hopefully, one day, I can accomplish my goal!

June Grocery Savings

2009-07-07T15:22:00.000-07:00

I went for my second month in a row setting my goal at 60% grocery savings. I wasn't sure I'd be able to do it, but I DID IT AGAIN! I exceeded my goal! Not by much, but I did exceed it! Here's my totals:

Number of items: 139
Total before savings: $471.19
Store Savings: $163.48
Coupons: $128.35
Number of Q's: 93
OOP: $185.96
Total Savings: $285.73 or 61%!!!

As you can see from last month's numbers, I bought significantly less stuff in June. But I saved MORE moneywise then May. Not too shabby! I probably could have saved a ton more, but I didn't go out to the stores much, I only went out 12 times, prior, I had gone out more then 20 times a month. So far this month, I went one time to A & P for 50% savings on Gatorade for DH. We'll see how the rest of the month goes! I'm aiming for another 60% goal for July!

A New Thing I Want to Try.....

2009-07-07T07:29:00.001-07:00

crocheting! I see so many people making baby clothes by crocheting, and they are just sooooo adorable! I saw last week at A.C Moore starter kit type of things to make baby clothes, etc and I should have bought it! I just saw THE cutest baby boy jacket that a friend crocheted for another friend and it is sooooo precious!
Does anyone out there that follows my blog crochet? If so, where should I get started?

Why I Hound and Stockpile

2009-06-29T05:26:00.000-07:00

Many of my friends who do not frequent this blog are curious as to why I hound, and why I take out so much of my precious time finding deals. I don't think they realize how simple it really is to do, and how many great friends I've made in the process.

When DH and I first moved in together (a year before we got married), we were in over our heads, literally. We didn't want to touch any of our savings $$ so we financed the condo 100%. Okay so in hindsight, bad move, however, since we didn't put the 20% down, we still have money in our savings. If we did put down that money, as of right now, we'd be out of the money b/c of the housing market. We did the 30 year fixed, so it's all good, no major interest rate increases! In the beginning, it was tough, going from living rent free, with NO bills to having a mortgage and so many 'house' bills. I cried myself to sleep every night wondering how we'd keep afloat. I did find out that this is quite normal, thank goodness!

It didn't dawn on me until after our wedding that we needed to cut back on spending. We were over $50k in debt between the two of us (credit cards, cars, student loans, etc.). It wasn't until about December of 2007 that I found the Women in Red Racers after reading an article in some magazine. I checked it out and it has been so useful! After being a 'racer' for a year and a half, we went from about 50k worth of debt to 20k worth of debt!

In that chatroom, I found the Grocery Challenge. These women are amazing. I was a little hestitant to join b/c when I looked on that thread, there was over 1000 pages! I figured I'd never catch up, but when I started to read the newest pages, they talked about that week's deals, different scenarios, bad and or good experiences, etc. We even talk about personal stuff b/c as I've found out the hard way, on the outside threads, those people can be nasty, but not the hounds!

Basically, we give each other ideas, etc and we swap coupons. It really is great! I go to the store every Sunday and buy 5 or more newspapers (depending on how good the coupons are!) and during the week, I clip away. I keep what I need and send out what I don't want.

I joined the hounds back in October and that's when I started really watching where my $$ goes with the grocery money. I have a set budget for each week for my groceries, and I haven't used it all in months! I also have a system of tracking how much the items are after savings and coupons, and after a few trips, I take the savings that I saved and I put them into an ING account. After a year (this October) I will tally it all up and that will in turn become our 'vacation' fund. As of right now, I have over 2k. My goal is to have 3k in there before October. We'll be taking our vacation in January, not sure where yet, but hopefully that will cover the vacation!

It's really fun going to the stores with my coupon binder and people always stop me to look at it. I used to do the accordian file thing, but once I become a 'hound' I had too many coupons! The binder is great for those that are visual type people and it's also great for those that are organized. I love when the older women stop me in the store and chat with me for awhile. I know most of them probably don't have many people to talk to, so I let them chat away with me. They think it's so great that such a young lady like myself takes the time out of my life to do it. I call my coupon binder my 'boyfriend'. My brother in law teases my DH that since he gets home so late (after 8pm) and I'm home early each day (4:30pm) that I have a guy come over to keep me company. Yea right! His name is coupon binder! DH will text me how I'm doing at night, and I'll text back that I'm having a grand old time with Q on the living room floor (where I cut my Q's). Tooo funny.

My parents joke with me that I'm like my grandfather, he was a tight rear end they say. He would give my grandmother a shopping list and coupons and money to the penny and she would grocery shop while he waited in the car. She was never allowed to go off the list or she'd be in trouble. He was like that in other aspects of life, and my parents see that in me.

I made a vow to DH that we would never go hungry. I would also have a stock of food and snacks on hand at any given moment. And so far, it's working out. AND, I'm saving money in the process, which is great!

In this economy, people need to take some time out of their hectic lives and focus on ways to improve their money situation. It doesn't take a lot of time to do this, it really doesn't. We all help each other out, and their are some great websites that I use to help out (hotcouponworld, couponmom, thegrocerygame) etc. that are great tools!

I'm hoping to get my personal grocery shopping business together, but I love doing this!

I'll be updating my blog more about my grocery outings and such since so many people have asked about it. I'll also be posting pics and what not about Mr. Q (Coupon binder).

The Poker Tournament V (5) at Showboat on June 20, 2009

2009-06-28T12:16:00.000-07:00

I really wanted to play this tournament. I know the week prior I mentioned possibly taking a break from tourney play. Hubby Mike thinks there is too much luck and not enough skill involved to really make it in tourneys, which is why he plays cash, no more tournaments.

He was set to play golf for a kid's bachelor party that day, however, with the rain expected, he decided not to go...which was good b/c they played anyways (in the rain, something Hubby Mike hates to do) and they even got kicked off the course when the best man crashed into other golf carts, trees, etc. So it was good he didn't go.

The night before, we debated on what to do. He didn't want me to play the tourney, saying I've been running bad after I won some $$ in the Ladies event back in Sept. That was my last cash in the tourney circuits. I just really wanted to play. Maybe I needed to get out of Borgata or something, who knows. I told him it was only $250 buy in, so why not? My sister was in the midst of buying a Volvo, and I'm like 'If they can buy a brand new car, we can sure afford a $250 buy in' LOL. So after much debate the night before, I convinced him that instead of sleeping in and going down in the afternoon, we'll wake up early and BOTH play the tourney.

We got up and I wanted to be on the road (Parkway) by 8:30. Didn't happen, we left at 8:30 but had to get gas and he wanted McD's breakfast. He NEVER wants that when we're up early on weekends and I suggest getting it....but when I don't eat b4 tourneys, he decides to get it...figures. So we got on the Parkway a little after 9am. It wasn't too bad, he drove so it took longer then if I had driven. We hit some downpour rain right before our exit so people naturally slam on the brakes and forget how to drive. We finally got to Showboat at around 10:30 and I had to use the facilities big time. We got inside and for some reason, I thought the Ballroom was up the escalator in the lobby....we were so close to the ballroom too (which is just PAST the lobby). We got upstairs and realized we were in the wrong place. I went to the bathroom by the old poker room then we went down the other escalator by the boardwalk side. As we were going down the escalator at about 1045, Hubby Mike saw the line...I didn't at first, then saw it....it went from the HOB area all the way out to the alleyway in the casino....YIKES.

We got in line and more people proceeded to get in line behind us...which was good that we weren't the last ones in line. We waited a good 1.5 hours in line before getting to the cashier. They took 500 ppl and 50 alternates (550). I was alternate 22...wow....cutting it close! We went to the ballroom and we were both seated immediately. It's in this big open ballroom type (very dark). The first half is empty, then the second half had all the tables. It was very cramped and the girl taking me to my seat and I both had a hard time getting in to my table and we're both small girls too. I prayed I didn't have to go pee again b/c there was no way I was able to get up and out. When I sat down, the girl took a few hunge of chips off my stack, which I thought was weird. yes, I was an alternate, but I don't think they should have taken chips off my stack. Since the game is already in play, some ppl have less in chips and others have more then the starting stack, so why should I be at a disadvantage coming in fresh? At Harrahs, I played a tourney and was an alternate, but I started w/ the 10k in starting chips. I benefited b/c I was sitting down to the BB so she didn't take too much off (300) I think, but she said she wouldn't take the rest since I was going to be BB. Hubby Mike had about 700 in chips taken off his stack, AND was also seated to be BB.

I got to see about 3-4 hands before the break. The hand right before the break, I look at pocket nines, and one limper. I raise, SB and BB folds, limper calls. As he does, the lady announces 'Congratulations everyone, you have made it to the first break!' I think "oh boy....this could end ugly' lol. The flop is King 7 8 rainbow. Guy checks to me, I bet out 1000. He quickly calls. 'gulp' I think. Turn is like a four or a two, I don't recall. He checks again, I bet out 2000. He quickly calls. Now I'm thinking 'YAY, I'm gonna be out by the break!' River is a 9. I didn't have any 1000 chips left, so I threw out a grey 5000 chip and announce 3k. The guy was at the other end of the table, he didn't hear me and he was like '5k, I call' and I'm like 'no it was 3k' He's like 'Oh okay'. I was kinda hoping he raised me b/c I put him on ace king and trying to trap me. I flip over my set, and he's like 'Damn it!' and flips over queens. WOW! he called me the entire way with queens w/ a king on the flop. I was then up to about 17.5k in chips on the break.

When we came back from break, he was still fuming and telling the others around him who had left the table for break when the hand was in play still what happened. hey I didn't do anything wrong, I thought...he checked, so I bet....yes I got lucky on the river, but didn't he put me on a king at least? Oh well. Told him I never get lucky like that on the river.

I didn't play too many hands after that...I did win a few uncontested pre flop raises, etc, but nothing too big. Hubby Mike got knocked out after about an hour of play. He was in a hand and had pocket kings and announced raise and threw out a 1000 chip, but nobody heard him. So a lot of low cards came out and ppl hit two pair and showed when he folded his kings face up after a bet and a raise before him. He got kings again and got sucked out on,but hey, it happens. He sat around to watch me play and I got involved in a huge hand with Ace King. A few limpers, and I raised to about 3k preflop (blinds were getting up there). I had about 4 callers. Yikes. All low cards on the flop, 2 diamonds. Check around to me, i bet, they all call. Another diamond on the turn. Guy to my right bets out. hmmmmm, I know I have the ace of diamonds under there, but was the king one too? I know it was red...so I check my cards...it was a heart...dag nab it! He had bet out about 5k. Great...I have 11k left. Ugh ugh ugh. So I have 2 overs and if another diamonds comes out, jackpot for me. So I push all in for another 6 k, he immediately calls. River is a blank and my heart sinks (it happened so quickly that we didn't even flip over our cards yet.) He flips over king queen....two red...but wait, the queen is a heart! I flip over my ace high and win (he thought his king high flush draw was good!). So I took down a HUGE pot with ace high! Wow! So I tell the table that I knew the ace was a diamond and the king was red, but I wasn't sure if it was a diamond (BS, I knew the king was a heart, but I had to justify myself).

We broke up that table and i moved. I ran into some friends along the way, which was nice. The next table I had one guy from my first table who was Mr. Rule guy. He was annoying. He got knocked out pretty early on into that that second table. I was gaining on chips and happy. I had close to 100k when I get dealt pocket kings (YIPPEE!) another woman at the table raised to 30k, I look down at my beautiful kings. I push all in for 93k, so it's another 63k for her to call. She thinks for awhile, counting out the chips, then counting what she would have left over if she calls. She'd have about 10k left in chips if she calls and loses. I know at this point I had her beat right there, so I felt pretty good. She finally calls saying she's pot committed (no she's not) with queen ten suited spades. Ugh, I got such a BAD feeling about this hand. Flop is low cards, 2 spades. You have GOT to be kidding me! Turn is a queen, giving her yet more outs. River is black king. BUT, I had the king of spades, so the king of clubs came out....YIPPEE for me! So all them chips come my way. I then tell her 'Queen ten you called me with?????" She's like 'yea, I was pot committed' 'No you weren't....but queen ten girl? please' She was knocked out the next hand or the hand after that.

There was one guy at my table who was new to tournaments, but kept getting lucky as anything. He took out mm with ace 6 off....mm went all in w/ queens and he called with ace six....saying he didn't know how mm played and put him on king queen when he shoved. Okay, he contradicted himself...if you don't know how he plays, how can you put him on any hand? duh. He was out a few hands later....good riddance.

Soon after, we were in the money. We started with 550 ppl and we were in the money very quickly. This type of tournament would last two days at Borgata. The blinds went up quickly here. At my last break, I had just over 200k in chips. I went to the remaining tables to check around and it looked like I could be the chipleader...if anything, maybe 3rd or so. So I went on break happy as a bee. I think it got to my head b/c I was out before the next break The blinds were getting high, as were the antes. I figured I could sit back for awhile, which was wrong. I wasn't getting dealt anything and every hand was an all in fest, so I had to sit back and take a backseat. I was in the BB when the blinds were 20-40k and i had another 20k after my BB. One guy limped, SB went all in as well (he had more chips then me) and I threw out my last 20k without even looking. Limper had 10 4 suited and I forgot what the other guy hand...I had king 10, so I went in w/ the best hand....limper won with trip 4s, so he knocked two of us out. I came in 22nd, which was a coincidence as I was the 22nd alternate. I got 587.36 for my efforts.

All in all, I enjoyed this tourney. The only hand I lost the entire day was that last one, which knocked me out of the tourney. I really felt it was my day to take this one day, and I tasted the 33k first prize. But to no avail, it didn't happen, but I enjoyed every minute of it, and can't wait for the next one!

Borgata Summer Open Ladies Event June 14, 2009

2009-06-17T05:26:00.001-07:00

Well, I didn't get the chance to do a shout out to the bloggers, although I did talk to one quite a bit. I wanted to warm up to him before asking to be put on the blog. The guy last year (Johnny Walker) was cool and put me on there. He probably got in trouble b/c they were told specifically that they cannot blog about the ladies event, just to post the blinds going up and any 'famous' ppl playing (hmmmm, I'm not famous yet? Bull!!! lol). I didn't want to get him in trouble, but they did blog an awful lot about the ladies event.

So, we arrived early, as usual. I wasn't feeling it from the get go. I almost opted not to play, but since we were there for that, I did it. Maybe b/c I didn't get a good nights' sleep or I had breakfast first, no idea, but i wasn't feeling it and played my D game. yup, my B and C game didn't even show up.

The first round, there was one girl who was in EVERY hand. Ton of action too. We started with 10k in chips with blinds at 25 50. Second hand in, 1k chips were being thrown into the pot...wow. Aggressive girl lost a big hand in the first round and second round, but held her own. Won a ton back when a girl who knows her stuff raised pre flop with ace king suited. King on the flop and raggy cards out there. Betting and raising left and right. Huge bet on the river. Now there was an 8 on the flop and another on the river with all rags other then the king. Aggressive girl had 5 8 raiser had ace king....5 8 boated on the riv. OUCH!

I wasn't really getting cards, so I played tight, very tight. Limping with ace jack, ace queen, pocket nines and nothing on the flop, so I would end up folding to a bet. See, my D game. Couldn't get off it. Had queens, girl makes it 450 pf, I call. 2 or 3 other callers. Flop is 6 2 2. I bet 1500, pf raiser goes all in for an additional 1200, I call...she has kings...ugh. no queen...all well. I was down to less then 5k during this hand. I slowly made my way about up to almost 9k in the next round by getting good hands and ppl folding to nothing on the flop. I also bluffed quite a lot as well. I hardly do that, but it was working for me.

Another good hand at the table was aces v aces....the one girl almost won...on the turn, 3 spades....river was a blank, so they split.

On to my demise. It was either the 5th or 6th round and I get 8 9 off in the big blind. Girl raises to 650, so it's only a little over a min raise. So I call. Flop gives me an open ended straight draw (4 6 7). I'm putting her on either an big over pair (kings or aces) or a big ace like ace king (esp due to the small size of the raise pf.). She continue bets, I insta call. I always seem to get in trouble chasing, but I kept seeing ppl catch left and right, so I thought it was my turn. Turn is a queen. I think, then check, hoping that since I've been playing tight, since I called the pf raise and insta called the flop, that she put me on a big hand here. I'm hoping for the free river card...she bets out 1700. Ugh. ugh. I call. River is a 3 of hearts....I grab a bunch of high chips, and throw out 3k. She is like 'Did I just get rivered TWICE in 3 hands???' She thought for awhile. Alls I needed was a 5 in my hand to have a straight. Now I think she's holding ace queen or something. She def put me on a hand....after awhile she called...'Nice call I say' She flips over trip sevens...ouch! Everyone at the table said that we both played it well and said I made a great play on the riv. My friend happened to be standing by me and saw, and apologized but said it was an awesome play. he thought i had nuts on that hand....I wanted her to think so too, but trip sevens...wow!!

So the next hand I am in the small and get four five...I'm just so aggravated that I push all in...two callers...they check it down. Nothing...I did hit a five, but the other girl hit a jack....ah well. I was the first one at my table to bust out....yay. I checked online this morning, I don't think anyone at my table cashed, but my friend took 8th! not too shabby!

I was so upset that I busted out that I made Hubby Mike cash out at the cash game. I don't know why, but I didn't even want to be at the Borgata...I felt so embarrassed....I guess b/c I got my hand caught in the cookie jar. Anyone else ever feel that way?

so we walk around and found an open let it ride 3 card bonus table. nobody is there, so Hubby Mike and I sit down and play. As soon as we do, the table fills up. We played for awhile, and I was on my last hand since I was down about 100. I look at an ace and I tell Hubby Mike 'Should I put it down?" (in 3 card,if I see an ace first, I play it, no matter what). So I look at the second card, another ace. I put it down. I stay the entire way....when it comes to me...3 aces! YAY! So i made my money back plus over 100, so that was good. Cashed out, grabbed some dinner, then went home....got home EARLY....around 7pm...we're never home before 1am when we go on a Sunday. But I'm getting old and need to function at work, so getting home late I can't do anymore on a work night.