Old Navy: $2 Cami's

If you are going shopping this weekend, make sure you print out this coupon to take to Old Navy. You can get up to 5 layering cami's for $2 each today through 7/31. You can also just say, "Cami for me" at the register.

Thanks, Deal Wise Mommy!

Publix: Buy Theirs, Get Ours.

This week (today - 8/4) you can get the Publix brand free when you buy the name brand of a few snack items. Included in this week's promo is:

• Mott's Apple Juice and Publix Apple Juice
• Sunmaid Raisins and Publix Raisins
• Barnum's Animal Crackers and Publix Animal Crackers

Also, if you are a part of the Publix Baby Club (it's free!), you may have gotten a coupon in the last mailing for a free box of Barnum's Animal Crackers. You can use that coupon and get both boxes of animal crackers free!

I can't wait to go to the grocery this week!

Thanks, I Heart Publix.

Free Veggie Tales Showing

If you are not busy this Saturday (7/31), Family Christian Stores has a great option for some free family time. You can watch the new Veggie Tales movie Sweetpea Beauty: A Girl After Gods Own Heart at any of their locations. The movie will be shown at 10am, noon and 2pm. The first 40 children will get a poster and a balloon. Everyone will get stickers and coloring pages. They will also have special sales during the movie for the parents to enjoy!

Here is a coupon to take with you if you plan on buying anything while you are there, as well.

Thanks, Moms By Heart!

Free Patterns

Once again, I will lament about how I wish I were more crafty. I really wish I could sew. I think I need to invest in a sewing machine that pretty much does everything for me. Too bad they are way out of my price range.

For those of you who are crafty and can sew, Amy Butler has a bunch of free patterns available. She also has patterns for paper crafts for free, too.

Thanks, Moms By Heart!

Restaurant Coupons

I wanted to share with you a few coupons that have shown up in my inbox this week.

• Bahama Breeze - Join Island Insiders to get $10 off $20 coupons. I have gotten two of these in the past 3 months, one mailed and one emailed. 
• Chili's - Join their Email Club and you will get a coupon for free chips and queso. I have also gotten coupons for free dessert and $4 off 2 entrees emailed to me. 
• Cracker Barrel - Join Front Porch Friends and get a coupon for $5 off $20 purchase. Plus, they will email you other coupons throughout the year, as well.

Are there any other good coupons you have seen lately for dining out? 

Where I've Been

For those of you who like Mom Loves Deals on Facebook, you know that I haven't been posting because of some personal struggles. I want to share a little of what has taken over my life for the past two weeks. It's been a rough time.

Since my younger son was born, I have struggled with panic attacks. At first, I got them for a reason like when I had an epidural, at the dentist, or in small spaces. They were awful but controllable. This time was something completely different. July 11th was the third day of a non-stop panic attack during which I couldn't function at all, didn't sleep, and didn't eat. I had a complete meltdown. We were in church and after throwing up all morning, I told my husband I had to go to the hospital. He said ok and we went to get our kids from the nursery. While he was getting them, I leaned against a wall in the nursery and broke down. Two woman asked me what was wrong and I couldn't even really tell them. All I knew was I needed release. My heart had been racing for three days and I honestly felt like I was going to die if I couldn't get rid of the panic. I don't know why it started this time but it was absolutely horrible. One of the women got a lady who works at the church and has written a book about her years of struggling with panic attacks called No More What Ifs. She looked at me and knew exactly what I was feeling. I couldn't and didn't tell her anything and she started praying right away that my heart would calm down. We sat in an empty room with my husband and one other woman while I cried and freaked out. She just kept praying until I felt like I could breathe again. We missed the entire church service but for the first time in three days, I didn't feel like I was going to die. I went home, spent time with my family, read Psalms, and prayed. I still had another rough day the next day but I knew I was meeting with Mo (the lady who wrote the book) again on Tuesday so it was more manageable. I haven't had an actual panic attack in about 10 days which is amazing. Now I am working on conquering the resulting depression and pain in my body. I'm at the point right now where my entire body hurts but I can't really decide what is real pain and what is just residual from the excessive tension and sleeping too much. I also gave myself a double ear infection from taking long showers to try to calm myself down so I am fighting that, too.

So, that's how I've spent the last two weeks. I have learned alot from this time and I want to share it with you because I know I am not going through this to hold on to it.

• Anxiety, depression, and mental battles are incredibly common, especially among women. Talking about it helps more than anything else.
• Friends and family will help but you have to ask for it and tell them what is going on. Five different people took my kids for me so I could sleep, get a massage, go to the grocery, go to the doctor, and take a walk. Someone, I still don't know who, sent me flowers and the card said, "Remember: HE is in control." That card is on my refrigerator right now. Facebook has been a surprising place of encouragement. 
• God is bigger than any of this. I have committed to work to fight this battle. Philippians 4:4-8 is an amazing verse to memorize. It says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." For me, this means I must daily write down things I am thankful for and things I petition of God. Some days, I have to give those written petitions back to God over and over because it is not natural for me to think true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy things.
• There is a real battle for our minds. Satan does not want us to be at peace. He is fighting for our minds so we must join God to fight to keep our mind holy. We have the power within us, through God, to tell Satan to go away and leave us alone. That is an amazing concept to me and I am just learning to utilize that power!
• It's ok to live simply and not be able to do much. For a few days, all I did was go to the gym (the exercise, time for my kids to play, and seeing other people helps alot) and stop at the grocery on the way home to get stuff for lunch and dinner. I couldn't think enough to actually go weekly grocery shopping.
• While medication is always an option, I recognize my struggle as a battle and know this time has done more for my relationship with God than any other time in my life. I absolutely cannot do this without Him and am giving it all to Him. So far, it's working! 

I am still going to keep up the blog but it may be a few more weeks before I'm completely back on track. Depression and anxiety are exhausting so I am not going to push myself. For those of you who have never struggled with this, PRAISE GOD! You are blessed. I know this may not make much sense to some but that doesn't make it any less real. I greatly appreciate your support and prayers.

I have assigned a friend as an admin to the Facebook fan page and I have another coupon class planned. You can stay connected that way, as well.

And the winner is....

...Shonda! She won the personalized note cards from Pear Tree Greetings! I have emailed her and she has 48 hours to claim her prize.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

Free Slurpee!

If you are out and about today, stop by any 7-Eleven and get your free 7.11 oz Slurpee in honor of, you guessed it, 7/11. Anytime they give away free Slurpees, my husband always gets one and "forgets" to tell about it until late that night. This time I finally get one! And, oh yeah, my kids can have one, too. These will be available from 8:00 am - 11:00 pm.

Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!

And the winner is....

...Susan L.! I have emailed her and she will have 48 hours to respond. Thanks, everyone, for reading!

Giveaway: Pear Tree Note Cards

I am happy to announce that I am now a Pear Tree Greetings Pearista! I am very excited about this because I love their products and now I will be able to host giveaways of their stuff each month.

I was sent a pack of these note cards in pink personalized with my name and I love them! They are great for those quick notes when email just won't do. And yes, those occasions do exist! They are thick, sturdy, and classy. After these are gone, I will be buying more and can't wait to choose another one of their beautiful designs!

Who is Pear Tree Greetings? Pear Tree Greetings is a fun, fresh and affordable personalized stationery company that offers Birth Announcements, Moving Announcements, Photo Cards, Baby Shower  Thank You Cards and more, all on 100 lb matte card stock and truly affordable prices!

If you place an order in the month of July, you can get free shipping on all orders over $29 using the code PEARJUL10.


One of you will be able to win a set (either 12 or 16 cards, depending on design) of your choice of note cards! The giveaway will end July 18th. I will choose a winner using random.org and the winner will have 48 hours to respond to collect their prize.

Do you love feta?

I do. I really love feta cheese! I love it on salad or with pasta. My favorite feta recipe I got from one of my friends who is a vegetarian. It's basically couscous, feta, kalamata olives, and whatever veggies you have. I've made it with a few different combinations of peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. It's a meal in itself. Because of my love, I like Athenos  on Facebook so I'm always on top of the latest news in the feta cheese world. Well, I was so excited to see a list of 10 bloggers who are taking part in the Feta Friday Giveaway! You can enter on all 10 blogs to win all of this:
• ATHENOS Feta coupon
• ATHENOS Feta “Shape Up Your Salad” recipe booklet
• ATHENOS Feta water bottle
• Life Time Fitness 1-month membership
• Fit & Fresh salad container
• Built NY lunch bag

So, yes, I entered on all 10 blogs. It was quick and I got alot of great ideas for feta even if I don't win! Most of the giveaways end on Sunday. Make sure you like Athenos on Facebook because there will be more Feta Friday Giveaways and you can get a BOGO coupon for hummus.

Giveaway: Video Games from Disney Interactive Studios #5

Mami and the Multiples is giving away a copy of the Toy Story 3 XBOX 360 game and a movie poster. She will pick a winner on July 10th so enter now!

Review: Neutrogena UltraSheer Liquid Sunblock

As some of you know, my kids and I spend alot of time at the pool. I don't particularly like dirt but my kids need exercise so the pool is our compromise. Since my husband is Puerto Rican, my kids don't burn easily but I was not blessed with golden brown skin that loves the sun. I get sunburned if I drive too much in the middle of the day. So, I was ecstatic to try Neutrogena UltraSheer Liquid Sunblock. The bottles I received were SPF 70 which is perfect for my fair skin. I use it anytime I know we will be outside for any length of time and it is easy to put on all of us before leaving the house. It's very light and dries quickly. I used it under makeup with no problems. This sunscreen has become a part of my daily routine. Even after swimming in chlorine, my skin felt great.

Neutrogena UltraSheer Sunblock is created with Helioplex technology protecting the skin from UVA (those causing aging) and UVB (those that cause burning) rays. It is also PABA-free, waterproof, sweatproof, and won't clog pores. I can honestly say this sunblock does all it is advertised to do. I was very impressed! The best part is you can get a $2 off coupon to try it yourself!

Disclosure: I received this sunblock from Tidal Labs in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no other compensation for this review.

Can you be a stay at home mom?

If you have been debating, wondering, or thinking about becoming a stay at home mom, Parents has created a useful tool to get you started. Using the Stay at Home Calculator, you can input all income, bills, expenses, and debts to see if it would be feasible for you to stay home. Working is expensive and many people don't take the cost of child care, clothes, food, and gas. All of that is actually deducted from your take home pay.

While this is a comprehensive tool, I would not recommend making this your deciding factor. According to every ounce of reason, budgeting, and helpful advice, we could not live on just my husband's income. But I have not had a job since September 2008. My husband's income has actually gone down since that time and somehow, we are doing fine. On paper, we can't live on one income, but we do. I don't drive a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe anymore, but my 1999 Ford Contour doesn't have a $450 car payment either. I have learned to use coupons which saves us about $80 a week in groceries, clothes, and even eating out. I don't buy new clothes as often but I also don't have to wear dress clothes everyday which is very nice! Basically, while this tool is a place to start and can bring you peace or confirmation that you can do it, if you feel God is asking you to stay home, it will work out. Money is the only area that God asks us to test Him. You may have to make a few changes but our quality of life has gotten better because we are content with less knowing we are doing what God asked us to do.

Crafts for Kids

The more I blog and find new blogs, the more I realize my place in this world does not include crafts. I came across the crafting blog of a very talented 12 year old! If you know any young girls who are looking for new things to do, send them to her blog. There are lots of great ideas with easy to follow tutorials!

Thanks, Dollar Store Crafts!

And the winner is....

...Angela!! She won the $40 gift certificate to CSN Stores! Thanks to the everyone who entered and thanks for reading.

Please remember to enter my giveaway with Birdie Baby Boutique.  I will pick that winner on July 10th.

Free School Uniform Shirt

If you are buying school uniforms this year, Burlington Coat Factory has a deal going on through September 6th. For every eight official school uniform clothing items you buy, you get a free short sleeved polo shirt (up to $9.99 value, limit 3 per customer). Izod, French Toast, and U.S. Polo Assn. are all considered official school uniforms. So, if you are shopping for more than one child, this could be a savings of up to $30! You can mix and match sizes, boys and girls, and  tops and bottoms to get the free shirt.

Has anyone seen any coupons for Burlington Coat Factory to make this a sweeter deal?

Please vote!!!

Top Mommy Blogs resets every quarter and today was the day. Some of you have been voting every day (THANK YOU!) and we are currently ranked #33!!! (The highest we ever got before was #330, which isn't bad out of over 2000.) You can vote every day so please click the brown Top Mommy Blogs link on the right. There is no registration, it's just two simple clicks. The higher ranked we are, the more companies will work with me to make things happen for you. Thanks so much!!

Free Ensure

Go here to get a coupon for a free Ensure shake. You can either print it or have it mailed to you. You will need to register and answer a few questions. When I was pregnant the first time, I couldn't keep anything down for the first five months except chocolate Ensure and Domino's pizza. I would freeze the shakes and then shake them to make them slushy. They were so good and I'm excited to get one free!

Thanks, Deal Wise Mommy!

Free Libby's Vegetables

Go here to print a coupon good for one free can of Libby's Vegetables. You can print it twice so make sure you hit the back button after the first one prints. If it doesn't work today, try again tomorrow because I think they are limited how many can be printed each day.

Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!

Barbie Doll Crafts

I still have my old Barbies from when I was a kid because I loved them so much, I am having a hard time letting them go. I even washed all the clothes and put outfits together in plastic baggies. Plus, my mom made some of the clothes so even with the hair cuts I gave them, the fact that some of them are "no neck Barbies" (my brothers ripped their heads off and when you put the head back on, they no longer have a neck), and them being 20 years old, I kept them. It brought back memories when I read this Roundup on Dollar Store Crafts and made me want to make the old girls some new stuff. I especially love the headbands because they are also recycling! The shoe bracelet is great idea because when I was organizing my Barbies and clothes, I found two shoes that don't match. I didn't know what to do with them. I'm sure everyone who has Barbies in their home has that same problem. If you have little girls at home, this roundup would make for some great summer crafts!

The Odds are...

If you have ever wondered how likely an occurrence is to happen, then The Book of Odds is for you. It's fun to see the odds of having twins (as a non-Hispanic Caucasian woman, the odds my next pregnancy will be twins is 1 in 27.56) or the odds an adult will wash their hands after handling money (1 in 4). You can also create your own Book of Odds which is a collection of your favorite statistics. It's all free!

Independence Day

Most of what I know about our nation's history came from fiction and diaries of notable historic figures. I don't know much about dates and the timeline as I know it is incomplete. Since I read with passion, I feel much more when I read of how America came to be. I know about important historical people and love knowing the individual's story. Jen of Cake Wrecks fame has another blog which is slightly less hilarious, more personal, and just as intelligently written called Epbot. On her 4th of July post,  she has an awesome music video that gave me goosebumps and made me even shed a tear about...The Declaration of Independence. If that American Government class I tried to take in college was taught with as much passion as this song was sung, I wouldn't have withdrawn from the class and I might actually know some dates and complete timelines. Watch it. I think the personification of our founding fathers will make impact on you, too. Take a moment to remember how much people fought to get us here.



While you are at it, check out the Epbot blog. It's worth your time.

The Floh Club

We all know that person who really wants to add the convenience of computers and the Internet to their life but they need a little extra help. Florence Henderson (better remembered as Carol Brady) has created the perfect solution. The Floh Club is a website geared towards older people to help them learn to use computers. You can give yearly or monthly memberships as a gift ($21-$25/month). The telephone computer support team at the Floh Club is always available and patient. They will answer any question, no matter how small. This would be perfect for grandparents out of state!

A breakthrough?

My sensory boy has been in speech therapy for about five months and it's been four months since his diagnosis. He has come so far from throwing himself face down onto the ground with no regard for safety because he was frustrated. This week has been a week of small miracles, in my book. We spent the weekend with my brothers and one of them said, "I never heard his voice before. He wasn't even making sounds the last time I saw him!" My brother has no children and doesn't quite understand Sensory Processing Disorder but the fact that he noticed a change was huge. We have heard many new unsolicited words this week including milk (mi mi mi), juice (ju), apple (which was very clearly apple), and thank you (na new.) A huge breakthrough has been the fact that he is saying people's names. He has attempted his brother's name, both of his uncle's names, and one of his friend's names. It's been a really good week and I have so much hope that SPD won't be a hindrance to his life, just a minor obstacle to tackle.

4th of July Meal Deal

Go here for a 4th of July meal plan. It looks like a great meal and at under $4 per person, it's a great price, too!

To save even more money, use the coupons for Kingsford charcoal she listed with this deal and you can get 2 bags of charcoal for around $5!

Thanks, I Heart Publix!

Disney flip flops under $2!

The Disney Store has kids flip flops on sale for $1.99 and if you use code FREESHIP, you will get free shipping! This would be a great time to buy sizes for next year. I typed 'flip flops' into the search bar and found Tinkerbell, Lightning McQueen (might be sold out because I couldn't choose a size), Wall-E, Finding Nemo, and Handy Manny flip flops all for that price. Sizes are limited so order yours now.

Thanks, Coupon Pro!

Make money with old electronics

Do you have old electronics, DVDs, video games, or cameras lying around? If you do, check out Nextworth.com. You can get a quote on your old stuff and trade it in for a Target gift card, PayPal credit, a check, or donate the value to a charitable organization. Even if your stuff isn't of value, Nextworth will still provide you with free shipping and recycle it for you. That is better than letting it collect dust!

Free Day at the Museum

On September 25, 2010, you can go to one of many museums nationwide for free! Find a participating museum near you and request your ticket today. You can print your ticket now and be ready for September 25th. The ticket is good for two people so if you are bringing the whole family, you will have to pay the kid's admission.

Thanks, Moms By Heart!

Giveaway: Birdie Baby Boutique

When I first saw some of the beautiful creations from Birdie Baby Boutique, I knew I wanted to work with them! Everything these two stay at home moms make is so sweet and inspired. Since they make everything themselves, if you see something you like but want it in a different color or pattern, they can do it. All of their designs are fully customizable. My favorite thing they make is the superhero capes. My 4 year old wants to be a Super (like Dash Incredible) when he grows up and I am always tying a blanket on him so he can "dash and dash and dash all around." Yes, he made up his own superhero song. Of course, they can be made in any fabric, with any letter, and any felt applique.

They recently entered the EtsyKids Design Challenge and won with their word name blocks! Also, if you like them on Facebook, you can see the latest creations and get special pricing by participating in their comment games.

Buy it: Visit Birdie Baby Boutique today to get your creation started!

Win it: Birdie Baby Boutique has very generously offered a frayed fabric rosette clip to one lucky winner. Winner chooses the color. These can be worn alone, stacked, or even on a shirt. This is one accessory a mom should share with her daughter!

If you see something else you have to have, you can gain 3 extra entries for this giveaway by purchasing it before the end of the giveaway!

I will choose a winner using random.org on July 10th. The giveaway closes July 9th at midnight.

This is almost like work!

So, I am experiencing the not so exciting side of blogging. I have an idea of what I want to do with this blog and how I want it to look but since it's my creation, I have to actually learn new skills and put forth the effort to make it happen. Please notice the giveaways and blogs I love links above. I learned a little html to make that happen and I am pretty proud of myself! I have notes all over my computer desk of ideas just waiting to be published. It's coming along nicely and I am so grateful that you are all along for the ride. I couldn't do this without readers so thank you!

Review and Great Deal: Zarbee's Cough Syrup

I was recently sent a sample of Zarbee's Cough Syrup  to review. I was thrilled because both of my kids get weird quick illnesses and I'm always looking for natural solutions to ease their discomfort. A few days after I got the sample, my 4 year old developed a cough. I gave him Claritin because he was sneezing, too. He coughed through dinner and into bedtime. So, I thought I would give Zarbee's a try. Within minutes, his hours long cough was gone. Since he does have allergies, his throat gets itchy which makes him cough more. Zarbee's is made from honey, vitamins (one does contains a daily serving of vitamin C!), and natural ingredients. It has no alcohol!

Zarbee's comes in cherry or lemon flavors. We received cherry. I tried it (for research purposes) and it was very good. My son typically likes medicine and he liked this. He said it tasted like waffles. I guess he meant it tasted like syrup and I would agree, it has a sweet taste because of the honey.

I highly recommend Zarbee's for all children 12 months and older. I am going to make sure we always have some on hand.

Right now, you can buy either flavor in a 4 oz bottle for $2 using code USA. This deal is good through July 5th and there is no limit to how many bottles you can buy at that price!! Shipping is free, as well!

UPDATE: From Facebook, "We had a HUGE response from the coupon. We unfortunately had to cut it short. We WILL be running more so stay tuned and get your friends and family to join our facebook page!!" So...if you want to get $2 cough syrup, like their Facebook page!

Lowes: Kingsford Charcoal - BOGO!

Go to Lowe's July 1st-July 5th and you can get Kingsford Charcoal for about $4.50 a bag because they will be buy one, get one free.  I went to the Kingsford website and found that as long as it's store in a cool, dry place, the shelf life of charcoal is indefinite so this could be a great time to stock up if you grill often. The ad does say limit 2 free bags per customer but if you go with your significant other, you can get 8 bags for the price of 4!! You don't need a coupon to get this deal.
Thanks, Coupon Pro!

Sell or Donate Unused Gift Cards

Do you have gift cards you are struggling to use? Sell or donate it at Plastic Jungle! Also, if you know you are going to make a large purchase soon, shop for a gift card and pay a discounted rate. Most gift cards are selling for 8-16% less than the value on the card. You can also have notifications emailed to you when the gift card you want is posted.

Scholastic Summer Challenge

 Scholastic has a great incentive program for kids this summer. With the Scholastic Summer Challenge, they can log their reading time online and compete to break the world record for reading. I really wish they had this when I was a kid. I would have broken the world record, I just know it. There is also a mini social networking aspect to this challenge so kids can get their friends to join and make it even more fun!

Giveaway: Video Games from Disney Interactive Studios #3

Disney Stitch Plush Toy -- 11''Disney Stitch Plush Toy -- 11''

Mami and the Multiples has the third giveaway posted from Disney Interactive Studios. Today's giveaway is for Stitch Jam for DS and a Tinkerbell Pez dispenser. Enter today because this giveaway ends June 30th at midnight!

Make sure you follow her blog because she has two more prize packs to giveaway!

Free audio book

Amazon's audio book site, Audible.com, is giving everyone one free audio book download. There are a bunch to choose from, old and new. I chose the Winnie the Pooh complete collection because I am going to burn it for the boys to listen to in the car. You can download it to your computer, iTunes, or any device. You do not have to enter credit card info. This offer expires July 2.

Thanks, Money Saving Mom!

Giveaway: $40 from CSN Stores!

Ever since I was little, I have wanted a vanity. As I was browsing CSN Stores, I saw this one and fell in love! I have two sons and a husband so this would be the perfect way for me to have something girly in my house! No boys would be allowed to sit in that chair. Ahhh, a girl can dream...

You, however, don't have to dream! You can enter to win a one time use $40 gift certificate to CSN Stores and buy your own vanity if you so desire. The $40 can be used at any of CSN Stores 200+ stores so the possibilities are endless! The winner will be responsible for shipping so look for the orange free shipping to make the most of the money.

Enter by July 6th at midnight and tell your friends, as well! I will choose a winner using random.org on July 7th. I will email the winner and they will have 48 hours to respond to receive the gift certificate code.

Vote for my son!

Please go here and click 'like' to vote for my kids. If we win, I can buy more cloth diapers and I might even buy one for a giveaway!

Thanks!!!

Beach Trip and Upcoming Giveaway!

I will be out town until Monday. We are going to the west coast of Florida to see my brothers and go to the beach. To be perfectly honest, I do not like the beach. It's alot of work with kids, I burn no matter what I do (I wear SPF 50-70 and reapply every 30 minutes. Ask my husband, it drives him crazy!), and the sand gets everywhere. BUT, since I am a great wife and mother, I go because my husband and kids love it. Last time we went, I only complained one time. That was a record! So, that is where I will be until Tuesday.

However, on Tuesday, I will be posting a great giveaway from CSN Stores! They are like the super center of online shopping. If you need it, they have it. I won't tell you what you can win, but you'll love it so tell your friends and be sure to check back on Tuesday! Here's a hint: EVERYONE will be able to use it.

It's not Autism but...

Sensory Processing Disorder hasn't been a named diagnosis very long, in the grand scheme of disorders. It was only "discovered" in the 1970s and is still very much an umbrella term for hundreds of "quirks" of which each sensory child can have an endless combination. To many schools systems, SPD is categorized as ADD or ADHD to ensure the kids get the extra help they may and the schools get the extra money they feel entitled to receive. Many states don't recognize SPD as a valid diagnosis. In reality, people with SPD are more on the autism spectrum. Some days, it looks very much like autism. Like today, for instance, when my little boy repeatedly banged his head on the cart while we were shopping because he didn't want to be strapped in (I only buckled him in for a minute while I was checking out because he kept standing up. He was in the seat in the front of the cart so it would be a long way down if he fell). My day is a constant study in safety vs. comfort. He is still a kid though and wants what most kids want.

A wonderful dear friend of mine (who knows at least three families with a sensory child) is always on the lookout for resources and activities for us. She found an amazing (and MUCH needed) opportunity through the Autism Society of America. Once a month, 95 movie theaters across the United States host Sensory Friendly Films. To be honest, I cried when I clicked on the link my friend sent. We have taken both of our boys to the movies many times just because sometimes we want to go as a family but the only way the little one will sit quietly is if we feed him. When we did go as a family, we went around lunch or dinner time so he can eat the whole time. Lately (the last 6 months), my husband or I have just taken the older one (or we let my dad take him) because it's too much work to take a sensory kid the movies. The thought of going to the movies with parents who understand why my child wants to climb over the seats, scoot down the stairs on his bottom, or say "pe-oh, pe-oh" over and over and over and over is a dream come true. He loves movies but just watches them differently than most kids. Now we have the guarantee that, once a month, we can all actually enjoy a movie!

Giveaway: Rockin' Baby Sling

The Tale of Baby Riser is giving away a Rockin' Baby Sling or Pouch of your choice. Enter today because the giveaway ends TONIGHT!

Giveaway: Video Games from Disney Interactive Studios #2

Mami & the Multiples has the second giveaway from Disney Interactive Studios posted. You can win a Club Penguin game and a Club Penguin figurine set! Enter by midnight on Saturday June 26th. Make sure you follow her blog because she has 3 more great game gift packs to give away!

Another great Medco deal!

 UPDATE: It seems Medco didn't realize this sale would go public and they are canceling orders. :(

I am incredibly excited about all the deals Medco has had lately. Deal Wise Mommy found a bunch of great deals. I bought $35 worth of stuff for under $4!

Publix Coupon Policy

On Monday, I told you I had an email into Publix corporate for a copy of their exact coupon policy. Here is the response I got.

"Thank you for your email.  We appreciate our customers taking the time to contact us. There is no corporate coupon policy that we can share with you. Each store manager can set guidelines so it is best to ask a manager at the Publix you are shopping to find out their policies."

I was pretty sure that was the case but it reinforces, again,  what I said about asking a manager. Just become friends with the store manager. Everyone needs another friend, right?

Enter to win, get free lip balm!

 

Enter to win a trip for two to Hawaii from Veria and you will get a free Veria vanilla flavored organic lip balm! Even if you don't win a trip (which you could!), you will still get the lip balm. Sounds like a win-win to me! 

Thanks, Money Saving Mom!

Huggies at Publix

Publix has Huggies diapers on sale through today. I haven't been buying diapers because we have switched to cloth so I got this tip from a reader.

• Buy a box of Huggies diapers
• Use the $2 off coupon in the weekly ad (available at the front of the store)
• Print a $3 off coupon here
• Save $5 on a box and it works out to be about 16¢ per diaper (for size 3)!

If you grab two ads and print two of the $3 off coupons, you should be able to buy two boxes at this price as long as you do it in two transaction. 

Thanks, AP!

Giveaway: Video Games from Disney Interactive Studios

Disney Interactive Studios has partnered with Mami and the Multiples to showcase this summer's newest games. Over the next few weeks, Mami and the Multiples will give away five prize packs, each with a different video game. Right now, she is giving away Split/Second for PS3, a model car, and T shirt related to the game. Enter by midnight tonight because she will pick a winner on Thursday June 24th!

Good luck and visit her blog often for more great giveaway!

Free DiGiorno Deep Dish Pizza

What would you do for free pizza? Tell the world and DiGiorno will mail you a coupon for a free Deep Dish Pizza!

The Toilet Paper Principal

I always shop with unit prices in mind but I still usually end up standing in front of the toilet paper doing math in my head (not a good idea, haha) trying to determine if a sale is actually a good deal. A Deal Seeking Mom reader came up with a simple and quick way to figure the price per square foot which will help you determine if the sale price makes the toilet paper worth buying.

Thank you, Deal Seeking Mom!!

Southwest Airlines $39+ flights!

If you were thinking about taking a trip this fall, make a decision BY THURSDAY and you can get a great deal through Southwest Airlines 39th Birthday Sale. Fly 0-450 miles for $39, 451-1000 miles for $79, and 1001+ miles for $119 (prices are for one way.) You must fly between September 8, 2010 and November 17, 2010.

Thanks, Coupon Pro!

Save on Organic Products

Yes, it is possible to save on organic food and products. Just today I got two bottles of Seventh Generation dish soap for $1 (BOGO plus 2 $1 off coupons.) It is possible! A reader found a wonderful site that makes it even easier! Organic Food Coupons is a website that gives you links to coupons for everything organic! I love the list of organic samples.

Thanks, MG!

Publix in the News: Coupon Fraud

I have written about this before but it's very important that we are always mindful of it. Please read the article I linked to the first time I wrote about coupon fraud, as well as this report from Channel 6 News. Coupons are amazing wonderful sources of money but we are not trying to cheat the store. I'm nervous that Publix is commenting on this subject because it means a) they are being cheated by dishonest customers, b) they will crack down on everyone, including those of us who are being honest, and c) they may rewrite their coupon policy to be more restrictive. I have, in the past two visits to Publix, seen evidence of this already. The manager has a clipboard with a list of internet coupons NOT to accept and had to check to make sure the coupons I was using were not on the list. If you are in doubt, ask a manager before you checkout and please be gracious, kind, and accepting of the information you are given while shopping. For the sake of the long and hot days and hard work my husband puts in to bring home money so we can eat, educate yourself as much as possible so grocery prices can continue to be flexible. Thank you and happy shopping!!

I have an email into Publix corporate requesting a copy of the most current Publix coupon policy. As soon as they respond, I will post it here.
UPDATE: Read their response here.

Free Mommy Cards!

As moms, sometimes writing our contact info on the back of old receipts just doesn't cut it. Kodak Gallery understands that. Head on over there to order your FREE set of 50 mommy cards! You will have to pay $3.99 in shipping but it sure beats losing phone numbers because you threw away the receipt with the info for your child's new best friend!

Thanks, HM!

Winners!

Congratulations! As chosen by random.org, here are the winners of the got2b products and coupons. The winners have been contacted and have 48 hours to get back to me before I choose a new winner.

Sarah S. - free product and $2.50 off coupons
Kim - sample packs, $1, and $2.50 off coupons
Angela - sample packs, $1, and $2.50 off coupons

Thank you to everyone who entered! I have two more giveaways coming up, hopefully this week.

Thanks for reading!

The inner workings of a 4 year old mind.

                                 

My husband is watching a show on The Science Channel and someone said the word produce. My 4 year old just happened to walk in right at that moment. Here is the conversation that occured.

4 year old: "Produce?"

Me: "Yes, you know what produce is, right?"

4 year old: "Is it this?" He then proceeded to hold up his hand like this. 

That's my son, haha!

Publix: Free Blueberries

Blueberries are $1.50 this week (through 6/23). Use this coupon to get them free!

Thanks, Coupon Pro!

Winn-Dixie: $50 Visa Gift Card for $45

Make sure you stop by Winn-Dixie by Tuesday June 22nd because there is a coupon in their ad for $5 off the purchase of a $50 Visa gift card. It's free money! You can use Visa gift cards anywhere Visa is accepted. We've even used them online to pay a small bill. There is usually a rack of their ads in the store so you can just get the coupon there. You do have to have a Winn-Dixie Reward Card. The coupon states "one coupon redemption per order per customer" so it seems like you can buy as many as you want as long as you do separate transactions.

Enjoy $5 for free!

Father's Day Restaurant Deals

Here is a list of deals to save money when eating out on Sunday. We will definitely be stopping by Carrabas for a gift card! I love free money. :)

Thanks, Fiddledeedee Mom!

Friendgiftr Shopping Network

Everyone has that person or people in their life who make shopping difficult. You are never sure what to get them and second guess that what you did get them. Go to PS Mom Reviews for information on the perfect choice for gifts. Friendgiftr lets you buy gift cards online for over 125 major retailers and restaurants. The best part is that the receiver would like a different gift card, they can exchange it easily for one they would like better. I have given my brothers gift cards that they have kept for over a year without using so this is a great website that I will definitely use!

Thing One and Thing Two

Today is one of those days, as a mom, that I wish I had a nanny. My husband has taken my car to work every day this week because his battery is completely dead (he knew he needed a new one and it won't hold a charge anymore at all) and he wanted to make sure it didn't fry anything else before he changed it. So, we decided to wait until tomorrow because money was low and he really despises working on car after work. Plus, my car has a/c and his doesn't. The boys and I have gone swimming and taken walks this week but for the most part, we have been inside all week. It's over 100 heat index so there isn't much we can do outside.

For the past month, my boys have been ganging up on me and their target of battle is the kitchen. It was started by my 19 month old and the 4 year old is very much a follower with his brother. Every time I leave the main part of the house (ie. go to the bathroom, get the mail, take a shower), they stampede the kitchen and empty cabinets, the pantry, the garbage can, the refrigerator, and this week, they added the sink. They are fast and thorough, much like Thing One and Thing Two. I always make them clean it up but they love to clean. On Wednesday, I heard a crash while I was in the bathroom. The Little One was pulling stuff out of the sink and threw a glass plate on the floor. Obviously, he couldn't clean that up. Well, today, The Big One decided that was a fun game two days ago and he threw a glass bowl on the floor when I went to get something out of my room. It didn't shatter like the plate but the bottom cracked. I spanked him but nothing phases these boys!

We have tried cabinet locks (they figured those out the first week), taping the cabinets closed (they pulled it off), furniture barricades (they climb over), spankings (they laugh), yelling (they laugh), and long time outs (they laugh.) We didn't want to buy a baby gate because The Big One knows how to open them and we hoped this behavior would get old. It hasn't so, the baby gate is my last hope for sanity. My only consolation is that usually when The Little One gets bored, The Big One does, too. I am hoping if one can't get it, they will both move on. Hopefully...

Free photo package from Olan Mills!

Go here to print a coupon good for a free photo package including an 8x10, (2) 5x7's, and (8) wallets. It has been reported that there is no sitting fee either but make sure you double check with your store. Olan Mills is typically located inside Kmart stores. My boys don't do as well with studios but I'm willing to risk it for free pictures!

A reader found this on The Frugal Girls, thanks for sharing!

Central Florida - Used Tire World

A friend went to Used Tire World recently for tires for her Suburban. She said they were very reasonable, helpful, and established. My husband has had weird issues with his tires and usually ends up paying insane money for a tire because most of the places around us are way overpriced. I love knowing about this place because next time, we can avoid the phone calls trying to price tires. We will just go to Used Tire World! They have new tires and do brakes, tune ups, shocks, oil changes, and repairs as well!

Every tire purchase includes installation, rotation and balance, valve stems, and a 30 day warranty on used tires. They also have coupons on the website!

Thanks, TM!

Vote for Give Kids the World!

The Pepsi Refresh Project is giving over a million dollars in grants to help organizations make the world a better place. Give Kids the World is an amazing place that gives kids with a life-threatening illness a chance to have fun with their families for a few days, all expenses paid. Please vote so they can be awarded $250,000 to update and repair the Village. You can see the breakdown of how they plan to spend the money on their Pepsi profile.

I have been to the Give Kids the World Village and it is a fairy tale world. They are doing incredible things and for some families, it is the first or last vacation they get to take together. You can vote every day until June 30th. They are currently ranked #9 and only the top two organizations get the money. They are so close so please take a moment to vote.

While you are there, look around and vote for other organizations that touch your heart. There are four tiers of funds being awarded so there are thousands of worthy ideas!

Wish Bone Mail-In Rebate

Look for a peelie with this mail-in rebate next time you are at Publix. Also, check with I Heart Publix for ways to save even more before you send in the rebate.

Thanks, I Heart Publix!