More relaxation............

This was our day yesterday - just chilling out - we didn't leave for anything and it was great! Went fishing in the eve... I spent more hamock time... (the Moomers pic is from Friday night)...

Today we went to Mass, headed toward Traverse City - breakfast at Flap Jack Shack - then to see "The Dark Knight" then a nice scenic drive and another stop at Moomers (it was on the way :P) then home to get Pounce and our swim suits and we spent the evening at the beach at Lake Michigan, playing with Pounce in the water and watching the sun slowly set. It was so relaxing and enjoyable :)

Ice Cream at Moomers - voted the best ice cream by "good morning america" and I agree - it's pretty good :)
Jon Paul's first fish
Jon Paul's second fish
Beautiful sunset on Little Platte Lake
Campfire

Calm before the Storm.

So, this weekend, Jon Paul and I scheduled a weekend at my family's cottage on Little Platte Lake in Honor, Michigan . This place is known for it's fresh air and ability to convince you to take multiple naps a day - whether on the couch or hamock.

We call this the calm before the storm because both of us have a tremendous amount of stuff to do before our trip TWO WEEKS from when we get back... then we'll be gone for two weeks (a crazy vacation with little/no "rest" that is typically associated with vacation) then we anticipate spending the next two weeks catching up... so, this little weekend is the relaxing we need to get us through the next few weeks.

I've told many friends about this place, so I've added some pictures and video of our day so far so you could get an idea of what it's like up here:

The back of the cottage

Jon Paul napping :)

Pouncy sleeping on my legs while "reading a book" in the hamock


Taking a ride in the boat

Well, we're getting ready to go get some of the best ice cream in the united states, so, I'll add the video when I get back :)

A Piece of Cake.

This weeks is the St. Boniface Parish festival. The youth ministry is in charge of TWO booths: the cake wheel (aka, the magic wheel of destiny) and the cotton candy book (aka, mystery labratory)... sooo, my contribution (other than my entire weekend living at these two booths) was to make 9 cakes - well, 6 cakes and 3 brownies... I will post the pic when my computer decides it's ready to work :)...

Off to the festival!

WOW at Walmart!

Notice: There are 38 items presented from this purchase.

After $7 in coupons and tax, I only spent $17.05!
Starting at the top of the picture:
3 plastic folders for $.88 each (normally close to $2)
12 college ruled, 70 page spiral bound notebooks $.05 each
2 packs of Schick disposable razors $1.97 per pack, had a BOGO coupon, so both for $1.97
Rose Art colored pencils $.60
Crayola 10 pack markers $.88
Crayola 24 count crayon $.22 each
Planters Peanuts $2.67 combined with 3 x $.18 Kool-aid MINUS $3.00 coupon for buy 3 Kraft items get $3.00 off a planters peanut item (so, $.21 for all 4 items)
Gold bond powder $.99, had a coupon for $1.00 off, so paid $0 and got a penny back :)
2 travel bottles $.50 each
Wedding confetti (I put it in Wedding cards) on clearance for $1.50
Pretty candles (okay, spontaneous buy) $.50
Clearance Necklace I've had my eye on for a couple of weeks now rang in with the biggest purchase of the day at $3.00
Papermate pens $.50 each
Bic Pens $.88 each, with a coupon for $1 off 2, so $.38 each

Total Estimated savings of 72% if I had paid full price for the above items!

So, I was able to stock up on some supplies for school (Jon Paul uses the notebooks for his classes) and our travels and got a snack on the side :).

I have to admit, I did not come up with all these ideas. Many of the coupon help came from Money Saving Mom an AWESOME resource for anyone looking to save a buck. I have also added some other sites I use on the left that help with coupons and it cuts down on the time because they tell you where the coupons are. I'm addicted!

Coupon Savings..............

I forgot to share the coupon savings I managed on Saturday when I had been couped up long enough...

After researching what Kroger had on sale and scouring the newspapers for coupons, I went to Kroger and saved $17 in coupons and $42 in Kroger sales items (a total of almost $60!!!)(stocking up a bit on things too)! I ended up still spending about $150, but I got food that will last us a few weeks and non-perishables that will last us much longer (if you need cereal, I'm the one to ask!)!
The highlight of this trip was 2 $.88 14oz (the big one) boxes of Cheerios!

Yay for Kroger's double coupons!

Much better.

Thanks for all your prayers! I am feeling much better. After 3 visits to the chiropractor, things seem to be back in the right place - finally! Muscles are still a little tight at times, but, all-in-all, a vast improvement from this point last week. I just wanted to say thanks :).

Holy COW!

One month from today, we will be boarding the plane and heading for Europe! So much to do still! AHhhhhhhhhhh