My Sentimental Side

What Makes My Day Start Off Good? Read This!

August 22, 2011

So, in my Birthday Gal Starbucks Giveaway I announced this morning I asked you guys what makes your day start off good…this is mine:

Simple acts of kindness straight from the heart!

My kiddos decided to “make a party” for me (in their words) for my birthday today and this is what I woke up to! I shed some tears (I’ll admit it). When they do stuff like this it makes all the troubles of yesterday disappear and gives me hope for a beautiful today. Kids have a way of touching our hearts so innocently and that’s why I believe they are the greatest gift from God.

I have to tell you a little about the party they made ;) They used my zebra blanket as the table cloth because they know I LOVE zebra print (I thought that was adorable and very resourceful if I might add…I love how they think out of the box). They also used all the leftover party supplies from my daughter’s birthday party last month, some candy from my stockpile (I bought those for $1.00 per bag with the Starburst, Skittles, and Lifesaver deal I told you about last week) and they even put out my zebra cup I actually bought for myself on clearance a couple weeks ago and made me a birthday banner. So cute!

When I asked them why they wanted to make a party for me, my son (he’s 4) said, “Because I love you…even more than candy!” That’s a whole lot! Haha! My daughter (she’s 7) said, “Because we love you and wanted you to feel special like you make us feel special everyday.” Ohhhh…they totally warm my hearts!

I’m not sure who is coming to my party, but they have assured me we will have fun and even have some games to play! I’m looking forward to it!

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Coupon Gal is Two-Years Old Today!!

February 4, 2011

Today is My Two-Year Blogging Anniversary!

I can’t believe Coupon Gal is two-years-old today! I am so very thankful and honored to have all of you as my readers. I truly believe that sometimes we are destined to do things with our lives that we didn’t necessarly plan for ourselves and this is definitely one of those things for me. I LOVE what I do here on Coupon Gal and I couldn’t be more thankful to all of you who have supported me over the last two years with your thoughtful comments, sweet words of encouragement, and inspiration! I look forward to another year of fun, laughter, tears, friendships, and yes of course SAVINGS!

Thank you for being there for me! I think about my readers daily. Coupon Gal is not just something that I do, it’s a part of who I am!

~Christy~

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My Homemade Christmas Ornaments (Fun with the Kids!)

December 2, 2010

(A picture of our home-made ornamnet).
Kids Christmas Crafts!
 
Probably one of the greatest feelings I get is when see my kiddos little expressions when they have accomplished a goal, realized something new, or just had plain old fun giggling! I am a throw it together kind of craft person (that probably comes from my teaching days). I can create some kind of craft project out of bare necessities in the kitchen, from a craft store, or heck even from the ground outside! LOL!!
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First, let me start off by telling you about this family tradition we have that all started because of one of my friends parents. On the first Christmas my friend had after moving out into his own home, his mom brought over a bag full of ornaments (18 to be exact). She handed them to him to put on his tree…there was one home-made ornament he had made growing up to 18 years! I was pregnant with my daughter then and decided in that moment I was going to do the very same thing for my kids. I am a big sap, so yes, I had tears in my eyes when his mom gave those ornaments to him!
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While taking a walk one day, I noticed pine cones on the ground and thought to myself what a great ornament they would be. So, yes you can bet I drove over to the street where I saw the pine cones and I walked down the center and picked them up. I probably looked like a mad woman, but desperate times call for desperate measures (that’s where all the good-looking pine cones were). Seriously….I promise!
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Anyway, after bringing them home, we spray painted them gold and then I dug in my craft closet for some glue, glitter, sequence, and ribbon and let the kiddos have at it…no not really. I did guide them, but I also didn’t worry about the mess. You see…one thing I have learned is that messes take well to a vacuum, mop, or paper towel, so who cares! They are only little ONCE!! There is a country song that I absolutely love called Let Them Be Little by Billy Dean. I first heard that song when my daughter was about 1-year-old. It’s crazy how one little song changed my life in that moment! I LITERALLY stopped worrying about the mess she made and started enjoying our time together!
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I ramble wayyyy too much…sorry :) I wanted to share this craft project with you just in case you wanted some great holiday craft ideas to do with your kiddos while they are on Winter break. Here is what we did:
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Materials
  • Pine Cones (If you don’t have any in your area, Amazon sells a 1/2 lb. bag of Pine Cones)
  • Ribbon
  • Glue
  • Gold Spray Paint (you could also use tempera paint and paint them white)
  • Glitter, Sequence, or anything else you want to decorate them with. (I wish I would have used the Crayola Glitter Glue because it would have stayed on much easier!)
  • Hooks (I don’t really know what they are called, but Amazon sells them HERE)

Directions

  • Spray paint the pine cones and let them dry
  • Screw one of those metal hooks into the bottom of the pine cone
  • Attach a piece of ribbon to the metal hook
  • Mix 2/3 glue with 1/3 part water in a bowl
  • Have the kids paint the glue/water mixture in a downward motion towards the smallest point of the pine cone (I found that direction to work the best)
  • Sprinkle the glitter, sequence, etc. to decorate them
  • Allow them to dry

   
 

I hope you enjoy making this craft if you decide to give it a whirl. There are some great FREE craft sites out there! Just to name a couple, you can go to the following:

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“Priceless Memories!”

February 19, 2010

I just wanted to share my little “Priceless Memory” with all of you…

Last week I went with my daughter to her first field trip! We enjoyed a day of looking at animals that live in the desert. It was nice to see the look on her face as she discovered new things, how she smiled in amazement as she stared at a giraffe, or how she jumped up and down with excitement when she saw a zebra, with as she says, “all those stripes.” It’s a wonderful experience to see the world through the eyes of a child, isn’t it?

So, about half way through our field trip, we all took a break and had some free-time to explore the souvenir shops. My daughter saw a cute little leopard stuffed animal about the size of a beanie baby. She really wanted it and I could tell by the excitement on her face that she was anticipating my answer. I looked at the price tag and it was $9.99! I thought for a brief moment….wow….that’s a lot for this little thing! With one look at my daughter as her eyes peered into mine…I said, “YES…you can get it honey!”

You see, while I am this frugal person, who consciously spends her money with precise planning and organization, I am also a person who sometimes decides that there are “Price-less Memories” to be made. Because sometimes it’s “Less” about the “Price” and more about the “Memory!” Although I could have probably got that stuffed animal for about $1.00 somewhere else, it wouldn’t have been in that very moment, during that very same field trip, for my very excited daughter!

I am telling you this because maybe you feel the way I do sometimes…just because I am a person who uses coupons, doesn’t mean that I use them for everything and it’s OK when you don’t! Just look at that precious little leapoard nicely placed and nestled next to my little girl as she slept in the car on the way home….now that is a “Priceless Memory” hands down!

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One Year Anniversary!

February 3, 2010

free myspace comments

Today is my One-Year Blogging Anniversary!

I can’t hardly believe it! If you have read my about me, you know I never imagined that people from all over the world would be interested in my deal finds or what I have to say, but I am truly honored and flattered that you do! I love looking back and reminiscing on anniversaries, so I hope you don’t mind taking a trip down bloggy memory lane with me.

Here is a look at my first CVS and Walgreens deals…not bad, but boy oh boy did I have a lot to learn. You have to remember back then I probably only had all of 10 readers and they were all family or friends. I’m just sayin’…. No, but really when compared to my current lists for CVS, Walgreens, and Target deals you can see how much I have grown not only as a blogger, but as a couponer (I mean wholly molly check out that list of Walgreens deals). And I am STILL learning. I have a passion for learning. That’s probably why I went to college and became an elementary school teacher. Although I am no longer teaching, I still find myself constantly striving to learn more. Hence the fact that I am going to the Blissdom conference to find out how to become a better blogger! I leave tomorow and am very excited to see what I will learn.

When I look back at some of my postings, there is some really good information that I should dig up more and present to my new readers. Like this posting on where do kids eat FREE? How could I forget about that? I could use that information now. Or this posting on FREE Google 411 (I still use that number from my home phone and my cell phone).

I noticed some things never change. Yes, I am a creature of habit! I still shop through Ebates, still love to find and post retail coupons, dining out coupons, and I still LOVE Amazon! I mean, who doesn’t love Amazon? Just check out these deals I posted at Christmas time (no longer available, but I just want you to see what you can get). Toy deals, more toy deals, and yes, even more toy deals! They even had tons of Leapster games for $9.99. I could go on forever, but if you are a reader this December, rest assured I will be writing about those awesome deals again!

I have my moments where I could just quit couponing because a deal didn’t work out when I drove all the way to “wherever” or some cashier was rude, or someone made a snude comment about me using coupons, but I just pull myself back up again and trudge on because I know that using coupons has brought me to a financial freedom I would otherwise have never had. Avid couponers you know this is true, sometimes you just need a break from coupons, and yes I do take them. When I do, I just eat from my pantry and buy the necessities to get me through. New couponers (if you are anthing like I was) you will be enthralled with excitment and your eyes will practically pop out of your head when you see your receipt total, or you may even cry because you were able to save so much. Just know that new deals always rise again and if you didn’t get it this time, there will be a next time….I promise. (I remember trying to use every coupon I could before they expired….what was I thining….).

I truly love blogging and although I have my moments where I feel overwhelmed, I am so very thankful (down to the tips of my toes) to have the opportunity to help so many people and to have met so many wonderful friends. I would never take a moment back. Not only have I been able to connect with some of my readers, but I have met one of my dearest friends through this adventure…Jaycie from Coupon Geek! She is practically family to me…..my sista’ from anoter mista’ :)

With all that said (I know I ramble…sorry) my hope is that wether you are a new reader, an old reader, family, or friend, I hope you come back and visit often. I love getting comments and hearing about your saving adventures, so if you have the time, drop me a line. I look forward to another year of savings with you and again, THANK YOU for all of your support!

~Christy~

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