Horse Pills - I tell you!

Why do prenatal vitamins look like horse pills? I mean babies are not born anywhere near the size of horses right....can't the pills be smaller - Seriously!

I started taking my first sample pack to find the ones I like. I started with the pretty package and the purple pills (purple is my favorite color). Logical analysis right? I mean I could Google prenatal vitamins and make a spreadsheet - which is what my analytical side really wants to do - but I am just trying to keep it simple.

So far they have not made me nauseous which is good. Only three more samples to try once I finish this sample pack!

Close Encounters of the Throw Up Kind!

Well, it finally happened. Bean got the stomach virus. She was just miserable this weekend and I just felt awful that she was sick. She woke up on Saturday after nap saying her lip hurt. This is Bean's universal sign that she is sick as every time she feels bad - her "lip hurts." She got up - then threw up. We were concerned as she was hot and managed to get some Tylenol to stay down. The problem was that we were due for dinner with friends who are having a documentary filmed about them. Yes - you read right - filmed. We did not want to let them down as this has been planned for months. So we pushed on as Bean started to bounce back within the hour and insisted she wanted to see Emma for dinner. We met the film crew and off to dinner.

Now if you have never had dinner with a film crew, producer and director following you around, well let me just say you are missing out. People everywhere stopped and asked us what was going on. It was kinda like being movie starts. Bean had to go potty and the people in the bathroom asked us if we were professional actors. HA! Now that is funny.
We had to re-do some of the scenes for filming purposes. I think we said Grace like 4 or 5 times. The kids were so well behaved, the directors were just so impressed (and yes the well behaved part is on film).

Dinner went well for the most part. Just towards the end, I noticed Bean started to get quiet - which for anyone that knows her - knows that something is not right in Bean land. She still wanted to go play outside, so we tried and then quickly turned around as she started to get sick again. Thankfully we were near bushes. She was such a trooper.....nobody would have known she was sick until the very end of our dinner. Thankfully filming was done so were able to leave.
After a long car ride home - we got cleaned up and Bean slept with Mommy. She had a fever that approached 105 and was just not able to sleep well. Thankfully - she fell asleep around 6:00 a.m. again and napped on and off Sunday.

Just as a precaution , we went to the Dr. and it looks like she just had the virus. She is moving and grooving already. Her fever seems to be gone, and we are so happy that she is better. As a parent, you just ache when your child is sick. It is heart wrenching and hard to watch them feel so bad.

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

Is there anything you do to be frugal?

I am learning all sorts of new things about being frugal. Here are some of the latest:

• Get free magazines and blockbuster rentals from coke by entering their reward codes (if you don't want yours give them to me...hahaha)
• DVD's at our library (I think I mentioned that ours is online and you can request movies and they call you when they are ready for you - so cool and free)
• Signing Bean up for kid's clubs at the mall and favorite shopping spots - we get all kinds of goodies and coupons
• Freezing leftovers when I make a big batch of something yummy
• Using coupons everywhere (I heart coupons and if you don't you should)

I have a lot more to learn in being frugal so let me know your tips!

The Glitter and Glammer - oh My!

So I must confess - I have never been in Libby Lu...well not until I had a free coupon so I was forced to go in (hahaha). So I took the Bean in to have her nails painted and oh my - they sure did not have these stores when I was a kid. A fortress of body lotion, glitter, make-up, wigs, hair accessories, play dogs you can dress in cute doggy clothing.....Bean's eyes widened at the very site of all this. I was now sceptical that our nail painting would be free...but gosh golly it was...sparkles and all. Love that!
I told the girl that I thought Bean was a bit young for all this and she assured me they have clients younger than her in all the time. I mean she is only three...why would she need a Hannah Montana makeover with wig and all. She does not even know who that is....well maybe we could do that as a family and have some fab pics taken....
Anyways - I have a feeling Bean will want to see a lot more of this store and I see $$$$$
Make it a great day!

I hit the 30 pound weight loss mark!

I have been following the Weight Watcher Point program since Labor Day of 2006. I have now lost 30.3 pounds and am hoping to lose another 10-12 pounds before the year mark. I am approaching a normal BMI. I started off obese and am now in the overweight category.
I think the key to losing weight for me are these things.:

• Exercise (I work out at the gym and am doing water walking and water aerobics in the summer)
• Not depriving myself of the foods I love
• Keeping a food journal
• Taking a "break" every 8 weeks or so from point counting
• Talking to friends who are losing weight too...you need the support system.

Anyhoo - I am so excited and can't wait to get to the normal range!

Kids say the funniest things

We were eating dinner the other day and clearly Roon had a stressful day at work. I was trying to talk to him, and he got a bit agitated with me. I said "Honey, please don't snap at me."

Bean looks up and says, "Yeah - Daddy you are not an alligator and you should not snap at Mommy." It was just so cute - and did cheer Roon up after that.

Oh Say it ain't so!

So we had to go the tire store this morning. I had a big nail in my tire and it was almost flat. Thankfully they were able to fix it for free. So there is a construction project right next to the tire store, which happens to be right in front of my gym. So on my way out, to workout, I ask the tire man - "what is that going to be?" Innocent question - brace yourself - it is the mother load of all temptation for me - TACO BUENO!
WHY - WHY - Right outside my gym? It is bad enough I have to smell Wing Stop every time I leave, but now this! Oh how I love the mexi-dips and chips - I heart you so!
Enough - I will be victorious and not sabotage myself! I can do this...I can do this!
But don't ya just love the irony?
Make it a great day!

"We were like strangers who knew each other very well."

I watched the movie Big Fish last weekend (of course we rented it from the library for free). I really liked this movie, although it was very visually stimulating.
Anyhoo - this quote from the son of the main character struck a chord with me. Why is it that sometimes we hold back from our family and friends, trying to be guarded or be the "perfect person?" I dunno - just made me think that being open and real with those you hold dear is truth.
Like the timeless song says "love the ones your with." Now go show someone you care about them and don't be a stranger.
Your friend,
Steph

Roon gave me his "Allergies!"

Roon has been walking around coughing and with sore throat for days now. Oh "It's just allergies." Yeah - I started to worry when I too got a sore throat. Well, when I woke with with pink eye - my suspicions were confirmed. My upper respiratory infection backed up my tear ducts, giving me pink eye. So sad....and even sadder Roon did not want to go to the Dr. still. I kindly (ok forced) him to go with me and the Dr. was glad to see we are a couple who shares! Anyway, Dr. says I have everything a little worse than Roon, but we both have antibiotic drops and pills to make us better.
Now comes the hard part, making sure to wash hands a kabillion times a day so as not to infect the Bean, and no contacts for five days!

Slow-Cook Tuscan Sausage and Bean Soup

Oh My Goodness. This recipe is awesome. (the picture is just before it started to cook) It is from the Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook. I made this in the crockpot last time, but was unable to get the crock started before we had to dash out to a playdate for the Bean. Anyhoo, I made it on the stove and it came out awesome.

It is only 4 points for 1.5 cup servings. Love it!

I actually read a review of it on the WW boards and tried it.

Here is how to make it:

• 12 oz. turkey kielbasa cut into 1/4 inch rounds (I used the Hillshire Farm light turkey)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced ( i just put these in the Pampered Chef garlic tool and juiced them so to speak
• 1 onion chopped
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1/2 medium bunch kale, chopped (about 4 cups)
• 3 cups ff chicken broth
• 1 (15.5 oz.), can of red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15.5 oz.) can of great northern beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (14.5 oz.) can Italian seasoned diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup dry red wine or water (I used water)
• 1 tsp. dried basil.

In a slow cooker, place all ingredients. Stir and cover and cook on low till veggies are tender approx. 8-10 hours.

Since I was in a hurry yesterday I cooked on stove on low for almost two hours.

When good customer service happens to good people!

I remember when good customer service was just expected, no matter where you went or who you were. Oh the Good Ole Days. These days you almost have to demand it. Gee how about an apology, since I drove all the way back up here with your food that I bought yesterday that had an expiration date of a year ago! But I digress, let's focus on the positive.

We went to On the Boarder (love their food) yesterday. We ordered and our food came and my steak salad greeted me with "MOO!!". Even the waitress, looked a bit scared. She sent it back to be re-made. The manager comes over and asks how we are doing, tell him about my salad, he says you must have ordered the steak salad. Yep - then he runs off and says - I am going to find out about your salad. He comes back with salad in hand and says, Miss, your salad is on me today for your wait. WOW! I love free, but I love genuine heart felt customer service just as much.
Gee- one Mexican food place I ate at once did not want to even acknowledge the fact I almost ate a rock (did chew it - ouch) that they had cooked in my beans!

Anyways, Shout Out for good customer service at On the Boarder! Now I need to do my survey and tell them how much I appreciate it!
Have a great day!

Things you don't want to hear from the back of the car!

Oh - the lovely peaceful time spent riding in the car.
This morning's conversation:
Bean - "Daddy, Mommy - I did not pick my nose"
Us - "That is great honey"
Bean - "Ok, I did pick my nose because I had a big booger."
Us - "Oh-Bean that is germy - yuck."
Bean - "Daddy, I ate it too."
Us - "EWWWWW!"
Bean - "ok - next time I won't do that."
Us- "Good"
Good times!

The Bean Has Madd Skills!

Just look at this work of art! I am just so proud. Proud of her dedication and proud she did not eat all the fish as she created this masterpiece. Now I just need to hang it out of her reach or the fish are history - glue and all!
Have a great day!

Is is Grocery Ad Day!

Yeah - Wednesday. I love running through all the ad's to see check out the good deals this week. It is such a thrill to save money with deals and coupons at the store. It is hard to believe just two years ago - I dreaded the grocery store like the plague. In fact, I often told Roon that grocery shopping was the only shopping I did not like.
Well no more people - I love it now! How much to you aim to save at the store each week? My personal goal is 75%, but I am happy with 50%. I try to buy items in bulk when I know they are the best price. For example, last week had 93% ff hamburger meat for a great price. I bought eight packages and vacuum sealed them in pound and half pound packages for freezing. Roon was emptying the bags and says "I am glad we are not vegetarian's!" Ha Ha...no we are not, but let's face it meat is expensive.
How do yall save money?
Here are some of my tips.

• Utilize the Internet for frugal message boards and coupon sites
• Try thegrocerygame.com - (please use me for your referral ;) It is only a $1.00 for the trial period and I think you will be pleased
• Check out couponmom.com. She has a fabulous virtual coupon organizer and a grocery deal by state section.
• Don't forget about CVS, Walgreens and SuperTarget - there are wonderful deals at these stores all the time. SuperTarget has coupons on their website which make for some amazing deals.

Do you want to save money with me? Come on you know you want to!

Have a blessed day!

What a google world we live in!

On Sunday, Roon decided to "google" the bug bite Bean had on her knee. Needless to say the results were quite varied and frankly scared the tar out of us. Of course the bug bite happened over the weekend, so access to the Dr. had to wait. So we fretted at the possibilities which ranged from mosquito to tick...and of course by Monday, the bite and swelling were all but gone. So even though, I HEART Google - next time, we will try not to run at the medical diagnoses via the Internet.

We did it - We did it - Yeah!!

Ok- so I have seen one too many Dora the Explorer episodes this weekend - BUT, I am happy to report we were victorious in our $20 eating out challenge. Tonight we had BBQ and only spent $9.15, thus we came in at $17.76 for the weekend. Yeah.
Being frugal is something I hope to make an everyday part of our life. It is easy to spend "money" on credit cards. I hope that we make a lasting impact for generations of our family to come!

Eating out on the cheap!

This weekend we have decided to eat out on just $20 for the entire weekend. We are trying to cut back so that we can cut our spending and boost our savings. So far - so good. We ate at San Francisco Oven for just $8.61. Yep - we all three ate well! Love those BOGO coupons. I think this will be a fun and rewarding challenge for us all!

He He I have a Blog!

Well - today is the day that I am finally moving into the blog era and getting my own.
I chose the name for my blog "Hopping with Joy" because as a little girl my Dad always called me hopper (cause I hopped in my crib) and the joy - because I strive to be a positive and uplifting person.
I am so excited. I hope to use this as a tool to stay in touch with all my friends and family!
I hope that this will be a good outlet for all my comical Mom moments. It seems as if everyday something new and exciting happens.
Blessings to you,
Stephanie