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Kashi Fruit & Grain Bar or Cereal Samples

Free Pampers Diapers sample and others! Sing in or Join P&G solutions


Ok that's all that is new!

Sign up to receive offers and insider promos from Home Depot

Yes you can call me ignorant. Dumb no but definitely ignorant because I didn't know that.

While I do make a very small amount of money from advertising sources on my blog the amount is really Peanuts but being a SAHM any bit helps me to feel as though I am earning my keep so to speak. Leaving a paid job two years ago right before my son was born was hard.

I always wanted to be able to stay at home with my kids but when I had my daughter is was not financially possible. When I found out I was pregnant with my son I knew I would be able to stay at home with him until at least he entered school.

The hardest thing for me has been that I don't earn a paycheck. Its easy to gauge your worth with a pay check but when that is taken away and you are being cared for 100% financially by a spouse it can be a hard pill to swallow.

I started my blog with the intention of having an outlet for me. It did progress though to what it is now and I love it. I have met some awesome people and have been exposed to so many things!

Back to my ignorance. I had always planned on claiming any cash money earned regardless of amount on my taxes I mean I earned it so therefore its my responsibility to pay taxes. What I didn't know is that every single item I review is considered income as well! Well that certainly puts things into perspective doesn't it?

Bloggers who do review should ALL be claiming their review items but I doubt that the majority do! This kind of puts me in a panic! I am being venerable in this post to show you that being a review blogger is not all about getting FREE products, they are anything but free.

I am super duper anal when it comes to receipts BUT because I dint know that items I reviewed were income I haven't saved a thing! Thank god I'm not a huge wildly successful blog(YET) hahaha I mean it would be good and bad.

Sorry the foods I receive or deodorants aren't cash in my hand, yet I still have to pay taxes on them. This will have an impact on me for sure. I love doing reviews and hosting giveaways for my readers but there will be less reviews that I will take on.

I have never charged any type of fee from sponsors to do them so there is no monetary compensation to cover any taxes due. The reviews you will see will be for things that I can justify paying taxes on.

Giveaways will really have no bearing so don't worry guys you will still have them here when I am approached, but there may or may not be a review included depending on the product!

This post is just so that you can have a look into my world, and to let you all know that review bloggers are responsible for claiming review items on their taxes. I can't make everyone do what is right all I can do is look out for my behind!

My blog and I will be huge one day (yes this is me dreaming out load again) and I don't want to have one year of my head in the sand cost me big time!

Yes you heard me online coupons! While I do love them I really do I am getting irked at the way manufactures keep putting out offer some that really rock.

Huh? why am I upset over that? Well because no stores in my area take BOGO, or FREE Internet printed coupons! It is so frustrating not being able to take advantage of these great deals!

Another thing that really pushes my buttons is coupons that rock and that I could use only to find out they aren't really there. What I mean by this is sign up with a company to wait for an email with a great coupon, get the email click on the link only to find the coupon is no longer available!

What?? Really how is that good business? That's makes me so mad that I will boycott at times.

Companies... I want to use your coupons, I want to try your products, I want to like them so much that I will continue to buy them even with out coupons but you need to make that possible.

Understand that most stores do not accept High Value, BOGO, or FREE Internet printable coupons due to fraud. I understand it is easier and cheaper for you BUT if the majority of your customer base cannot utilize them and are skipping your product is that making your bottom line any better?

General Mills has teamed up with the Kroger family of stores to offer you chance to sign up and earn extra bonus Box Tops for your school!

Its the simplest registration I have ever seen, go here and enter your info and your shoppers card number and then select the offer that you would like to complete.

You chose one of three combinations in three categories General Mills Cereal, Yoplait Kids Products, and Pilsbury products.

This is the breakdown of the offer details:

• Get 3, 4, or 5 Bonus Box Tops when you buy the corresponding amount of participating General Mills Cereals


• Participating cereals include Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs, Cookie Crisp Sprinkles, Trix, Reese´s Puffs, Cookie Crisp, Golden Grahams, Kix, Fruity Cheerios, Dora the Explorer, Honey Kix, and all varieties of Cascadian Farm


• Get 3, 4, or 5 Bonus Box Tops when you buy the corresponding amount of participating Yoplait Kid products


• Participating products include Yoplait Kids Yogurt Drink, Yoplait Go-GURT, Yoplait Kids Lowfat Yogurt, and Yoplait Trix Lowfat Yogurt


• Get 3, 4, or 5 Bonus Box Tops when you buy the corresponding amount of participating Pillsbury products


• Participating products include 8 ct. packages of all varieties of Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits, Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls, Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls, Pillsbury Flaky Twists, and Pillsbury Sweet Rolls

We use these products all the time, so this will be the easiest way to earn extra bonus Box tops going. No clipping, no remembering to send them in with your child. Its automatically give to your school of choice when you use your registered shoppers card! You will also receive 5 bonus points just for signing up!

Do you have a participating store in your area? Here is a list of participating retailers:

Kroger, Ralph's, Dillons, Smith's, King Soopers, Fry's, QFC, City Market, Hilander, Owen's, Jay C, Pay Less, Baker's, Gerbes, Fred Meyer, Fry's Marketplace, Smith's Marketplace, Kroger Marketplace, and Dillons Marketplace.

So what are you waiting for go sign up and stat earning today!

I was provided a $25.00 Kroger Gift Card so that I could get a head start on earning Box Tops for my school, All information and gift card was provided by General Mills Through MyBlogSpark .

Now would you like your own $25.00 Kroger Gift card so that you can get a jump start on earning bonus Box Tops? Heck yeah why wouldn't you! One lucky reader will win just that!
This giveaway will run until 2/5/10 at 8AM MT. This giveaway is open to the US only.



WINNER

Research Randomizer Results 1 Set of 1 Unique Numbers Per Set Range: From 1 to 219 -- Unsorted Job Status: Finished

Set #1: 161

You do not need to be a blog owner to win, but you must leave a way for me to contact you. Winner will have 48 hours to reply to my email or another will be chosen. All you need to do to enter is let me know in a comment which product that sports Box Tops is you favorite. Easy Peasy, all off topic comments will be disqualified.

If you would like additional entries you may do any/all of the following:(please leave a separate comment for each that you do)

sign up for email updates via Feedburner(you must confirm your subscription to count) the link is on my left sidebar 3 extra entries

Leave a comment on a non giveaway post and tell me where you commented 2 extra entries

Follow my blog publicly- If you already follow it counts! 1extra entry

Follow on Facebook(sign up on the left) 2 Extra entries

Follow me on twitter @gumby007 and tweet about this giveaway(leave your twitter ID and the link to your tweet in your comment) 2 extra entries

Fuel my blog(link on my sidebar) 2 extra entries

Blog about this giveaway on your with a link back 3 extra entries

Grab my button and put it on your blog 2 extra entries

I wanted to write this post because I have had some of you ask me how I am losing weight.

As of yesterday I am down 19lbs from the end of November!!! Whoo hooo me. I am only 8lbs from my goal but I may see just how far I can go because I am not dieting!

No you heard me I am not dieting. I along with my husband (and children for meals) have adopted a new much healthier way of life.

Have you heard of The South Beach Diet? This is how were are living now. The South Beach diet is a no crap diet, this is not a count your calorie, weigh your food diet. This is about a new way of life, a way of eating that is so much more healthy for your body.

You really need to read the book to understand all the principals but the main things I can tell you is we eat very little if any processed foods, we stay away from white sugar, white flours,Potatoes and other starches along with MSG and other un-necessary additives.





There are 3 phases of South Beach.

Phase 1 is the most strict of the phases and lasts two weeks. In this time you are very limited on what you are allowed to eat. This phase while you will lose weight and some quite rapidly (for most its mainly water weight) is about basically detoxing your body. This phase is to get your body over the Sugar, breads, and Starch cravings.

In all phases of South Beach you are not restricted on calories. You have suggested serving sizes which include lean meats, and a ton of vegetable! In phase 1 you are not allowed any grains period.

In phase 2 you are able to start re-introducing whole grains, and fruits, and some of the vegetables like peas and carrots that you are not allowed in phase one. You can increase the Grains up to 3 servings per day and fruit up to 2....Slowly. You may also re-introduce some of the better starches into your life like Yams. You will still continue to lose weight but at a slower pace.

In addition you are encouraged to eat 3 servings of dairy per day, nuts and plenty of water. This is not a low carb diet it is a low crap way of life! You can eat as many good carbs per day as you want unlike say Atkins.

You stay on phase 2 until you reach the desired weight, then you go to phase 3 which is maintenance.

I was on Weight Watchers about 7 years ago and lost 30 lbs, at the time it was the best diet for me. I didn't mind carrying around my books, or measuring everything out. I tried it again after I quit smoking in April only to find it was no longer a good fit. But there is a huge difference with WW you eat what ever you want and all foods have a point system. This works for some and it worked for me at a time. But I came to realize even if I was eating within my target point range per day the kind of crap I was eating was just not healthy!

All calories are not created equal! Sure I can have a can of certain soups for 1 point on WW, but I would never touch it on SB because it chock full of crap like MSG, and gross amounts of sodium! Not to mention Enriched junk! Enriched means they sucked out all the natural nutrients in their refinement process and replaced them late...ummm yeah truly processed.

Please don't let the Fat Free label give you the sense that the food totting the title is better for you, oh heck no! In order to be Fat Free they have to add a ton of sugars and other bad for you stuff! Really read the labels of you favorite Fat Free products!

I really have to say I love how I feel, I have way more energy. I don't feel like I am suffering, I am never hungry even if I forget to eat my 2 allowed snacks or dessert!

The only down site that I can think of is the cost of eating well. My grocery budget has most certainly climbed I would say easily by $150.00 a month! Because I am buying such small amounts of packaged foods I cant use as many coupons as I once did.

I have to say I am huge listener of talk radio, I much prefer it to music on most of my drives. In my town I listen to a station that hosts Neal Boortz and he said something today that really pissed me off! First of all I generally agree with him but this just got my angry. He said that the economy is being blamed for obesity because people are siting that it is too expensive to eat healthy. He went on to say no its the cheese burgers your cramming on your face, etc etc.

Ok Mr. Boortz perhaps if we made the kind of money you do to express our opinions on the radio the issue of affording healthier foods would be non existent. But let me tell you that was a huge generalization! I can appreciate the cost of eating healthy and let me tell you it is a hell of a lot more expensive then buying pre-packed processed so called convenience food.

I am a big coupon user I a have always used coupons to bring down my spending in any aspect I can including groceries. But when was the last time you saw a coupon for money off of fresh meats, or fresh vegetable? If you know where to find them please share.

In this world where so many people have to make a choice of how to stretch 40.00 for a months worth or groceries they are going to buy as much of what ever they can afford! Sadly it will be pre-packed because it is cheap! Even sadder is that MOST of it is unhealthy!

Don't blame the people who have to make that choice, blame the companies who make the products. I'm sure making small tweaks to the recipes wouldn't add that much to the production costs! I was there when I was a single parent. Most months I didn't even have a food budget, it was what ever I had left to spent. You can bet I bought the cheapest food I could find to make it stretch. SO before you make such a crappy comment albeit your opinion think for a minute.

Ok then I didn't really mean to get off the subject with my rant but it was needed in MY opinion.

Each year for the past seven years, Build-A-Bear Workshop, through
its Huggable Heroes program, has searched for and recognized young leaders who
make positive contributions in their communities or around the world.  This
year, ten Huggable Heroes, between the ages of eight and 18, from the United
States and Canada, will be selected and honored for their good deeds.  Each of
the ten Huggable Heroes will receive a prize worth $10,000 ($7,500 in the form
of an educational scholarship and $2,500 from the Build-A-Bear Workshop
Foundation to be donated to the 501(c)(3) charity of each Huggable Hero’s
choice).  In addition, the Huggable Heroes will win a trip for themselves and a
parent to St. Louis, the home of Build-A-Bear Workshop World Bearquarters. 
During their visit, the 2010 Huggable Heroes will meet each other, be honored
for their good deeds and participate in a photo shoot for the 2011 Build-A-Bear
Workshop Huggable Heroes Calendar.

Entries are being accepted through February 26, 2010 here or by picking up an entry form at a
participating Build-A-Bear Workshop store in the United States and Canada.

This was posted as a public service announcement for you my readers, I am sure we all have hero's in our lives!

I was thinking I should come up with something that I do on my blog regularly. You know like a Meme but not really hahahah. I have a few ideas and I would love your input, after all you are reading them!

Ok here are some ideas, feel free to add your own ideas along with mine! Two or Two hundred heads are better then none.

1. Healthy Recipes I am currently following the South Beach diet way of life. I can post a recipe a week that works with this plan that I have made up or found. I can even post a recipe that is a general healthy recipe and show you how to tweak it to be more SB friendly.


2. A weekly freebie round up. I do this occasionally but maybe I can make it a point to do it regularly once per week.

3. A frugal Idea to make your money stretch. Yes I have covered a ton on my blog but maybe it would be cool to take one Idea per week and really explore it?

4. A family fun craft idea? My daughter loves doing crafts so I am always gathering ideas here and there so maybe I can share those?

5. Take suggestions all week and post the winning suggestion every Friday?

I don't know what do YOU want to see?

Umm yeah apparently the weather that caused Tornado' in California this week has hit Arizona, more specifically Pima and Pinal County.

I live in Pima County! So I have never been in a Tornado all I know is the wind has been hella hard and loud today and we have that warning going. All I can picture is grabbing the kids and heading for the bath tub.

Now I guess I am not really worried about the actual tornado but the lack of warning. I mean in areas where they are prevalent they have those loud ass sirens. Arizona on the on the hand is not know to have a Tornado issue.

I grabbed some candle and put a lighter by them and I will call it done. Should you see me flying by on a broom be polite and say hi.

I was asked to write about a site that is new to me. I always like to make sure that sites are legit before posting because I hate spam I really hate spam and I would never knowingly promote it.

I personally signed up to be able to print grocery coupons, check out the forum, and to get some free samples!

You know I enjoy posting all kinds of freebies and coupons for you, But I think its important to have your own little arsenal of sites to visit on a regular basis! Its great to come here and read my post (hahah please don't stop) but I don't always get to post deals when they first come out.

I have to tell you the forum is packed hahah. I hate when you join a site and see a forum only to find the last post made in 1989. No sir it is active.

I have book marked it and plan to visit regularly!

Head over and register, then get through like four pages of sample/coupon offers and you will get to the main page in all its glory.

You know I love to post em when I find them so here are some recent offers I have come across.

Free Photo Calendar from Shutterfly
Enter Promo code NEWCALENDAR

Offer Expires 1/27/10 limit one per household

Not a true Freebie as not everyone will qualify but If you make less than $31,000 a year or were active duty military last year with an AGI of less than 57,000 and live in AL, AR, AZ, GA, IA, ID, KY, MI, MN, MO, MS, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, RI, SC, VT or WV you can get your FEDERAL and STATE free with Turbotax

Free sampling of KIND bars for free at Starbucks on February 5th

50 free prints at CVS pharmacy just join as a new user pick up and enjoy not even tax!

My shopping never seems to end! I have made a big time vow to myself to spend a lot less money this year.

Not that I spent a fortune last year, but I really have goals to save more money! I want money to become something that I am OK with, Not rich but something that I am not always stressed about.

Part of my plan is to obviously pay debt down. I was able to pay off two cards this month and that felt awesome! So next month I will take what I normally paid them and roll them into the other three that have balances until they are paid off! This is what Dave Ramsey calls the debt snowball.

I have made more of an effort to compare shopping prices at all the local grocery stores by me. I unintentionally started the envelope system for groceries last payday. It was a Friday and we needed food. The bank doesn't credit deposits until the evening so I just pulled enough for shopping. I didn't spend all of it so I kept the rest in an envelope and have been using it for the past two weeks for groceries only! It has been working out great because I am keeping an eye on my spending and I know exactly how much I have left for my grocery shopping deals that happen weekly!

I have found the above to be an easy way to help curb the willy nilly spending that has stopped me from saving more. One big thing I plan on doing as soon as my husband and my brother are off together on a weekend is to pick up one of the stand alone freezers that my great uncle has at his home. When my grandmother was alive she had a serious issue with food. I don't know if it was growing up in the depression or what but seriously she was always food shopping. Consequently she had to buy two stand up freezers to store all the meat and frozen foods she bought. Now that she passed and he is alone my uncle really has no need for them. I offered to buy one it will help us both out, him with money and for me to be able to take advantage of some stellar sales that I usually have to pass up due to lack of storage!

Because we are eating the South Beach way we have to have loads of veggies and lean meats so it will be great to finally stock up when fresh veggies are in season and when meat is on sale!

So what have you done or what are you doing to save more money? I would love to hear them!

I have to say I am a lucky parent as my daughter loves to read! It was not always the case, but once she found books that really interested her that love of reading bloomed!

I was given the opportunity to be sent two classic books that are being printed once again for her to review.

The Mouse, the Monster, and Myself




Liking Myself


Both books are written by Pat Palmer

These two books serve as a lesson not just a story.

The Mouse, the Monster, and Me is focused on the importance of finding a balance with inner aggression (the monster) and your passive ( the mouse).

This is something that all children deal with at one time, some like my daughter more then others. This book. I had my daughter write in her own words what she read in both books. Here is her statement for The Mouse, the Monster, and Me.

This book shows how to deal with bullies. Also that when you want to express yourself don't over do it. This book also teaches you to have a better attitude, If you give your self a compliment its like a gift and when you get a gift you feel better.


The next book is Liking Myself . This book offers advise on what to do when you feel depressed, upset, or overwhelmed.

My Daughters view of the book.

This book is mainly about how to like yourself, how not to treat yourself badly. There are games that teach you how to get rid of feeling that you don't want, and that make you feel bad. It helps you to make good behavior choices and how to stay on the right track.

I feel both these books have a very positive message and help to develop good behavior and coping skills!

Both books are available from Upliftpress and Amazon.com

I was contacted on behalf of Triaminic and asked to review their Cold and Flu Tracker. I agreed because we have already dealt with the Flu late last year and I want to try and avoid a repeat.

The Triaminic Cold and Flu Tracker is a neat part of their website that uses data from SDI Fan (a source used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to keep track of Cold and Flu cases in the nation.

There is an interactive map of the US, all you do it click on your state and it tells you the levels of the state in a range of Low to Very High.

Have you ever had and under the weather child and wondered if you should send them to school or keep them home? If so you are not alone.Triaminic has added a guide to its tracker that addresses this problem its called Sick Day Guidelines. Parents we all appreciate you taking the time to read this! In addition they have guides on Cold and Cough, Allergies, and the flu.
Remember to stay home when sick to prevent the spread!


While you are checking the tracker out be sure to print your $1.50 Coupon for Triaminic products and stock up before its needed trust me on that!

I will be receiving a gift pack similar to the giveaway prize in exchange for writing my review/hosting this giveaway. No monetary compensation was received. My opinions are my own and yours may differ from mine.

To make sure you are ready this year when you need it Triaminic is supplying me with (3) prize packs for my readers. This pack contains 4 boxes of Triaminic Thin Strips and each box comes with 14 strips. Yes Yes great prize! This giveaway is open to the US only. The giveaway will run until 1/29/10 @ 8AM MT. Winners will have 48 hours to respond to my email or new winners will be chosen.


WINNERS

Research Randomizer Results 1 Set of 3 Unique Numbers Per Set Range: From 1 to 62 -- Unsorted Job Status: Finished

Set #1: 10, 21, 13

All you need to do to enter is tell me in a comment if you had to deal with the Flu yet this season. That's it easy, all off topic comments will be void.

If you would like additional entries you may do any/all of the following.


sign up for email updates via Feedburner(you must confirm your subscription to count) the link is on my left sidebar 3 extra entries

Leave a comment on a non giveaway post and tell me where you commented 2 extra entries

Follow my blog publicly- If you already follow it counts! 1extra entry

Follow on Facebook(sign up on the left) 2 Extra entries

Follow me on twitter @gumby007 and tweet about this giveaway(leave your twitter ID and the link to your tweet in your comment) 2 extra entries

Fuel my blog(link on my sidebar) 2 extra entries

Blog about this giveaway on your with a link back 3 extra entries

Grab my button and put it on your blog( I have a new graphic so if you have it already please update it) 2 extra entries

I wanted to take a minute and tell you about a contests that is being sponsored by SeaPak Shrimp Company. You have read my review of their products now why not enter their contest.


They are giving away (4) Grand prizes which consist of a Coastal Getaway for two on scenic St. Simons Island, a pristine barrier island off of the coast of Southeast Georgia. St. Simons Island, home to SeaPak Shrimp Company, offers visitors beautiful beaches, numerous recreational activities, and a rich history, and of course, great seafood!

Winners will stay at St. Simons Grand known for its luxurious collection of private condominiums. From a beautiful living room and balcony, winners will enjoy unobstructed vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. The St. Simons Grand offers a variety of amenities, including a gracious courtyard with a large swimming pool and hot tub, peaceful lagoons with fountains, and a private pathway to the ocean.

In addition to the (4) grand prize packages there will be an additional 200 first prizes: A one year subscription to Coastal Living Magazine.

The contest runs from January 4, 2010, through April 30, 2010, and is open to the general public. Additional information and online entry forms are available here . All are invited to enter once per day throughout the duration of the contest. . All are invited to enter once per day throughout the duration of the contest.

Who cant use a vacation why not enter for a wonderful trip!

We all need fiber in our diets, children are no different! While my son LOVES beans and other High Fiber foods he can still have issues getting enough.

The American Academy Of Pediatrics recommends getting 25grams of fiber per day for a 4 year old child.

Now there is a way for your children age 2-11 to get added Fiber into their diet without having to force the veggies into them.


Fiber Gummies by Pedia-Lax can get as much fiber as 1/2 Cup of Broccoli with just three gummies per day.

These gummies are gluten free, sugar-free, calorie free, and are made with NATURAL fruit flavors. Really what kid doesn't like gummy candy? Mine eat my Sugar free treats all the time so getting them to take this product is like a treat not a supplement.

My son had no issues taking these, the product made things a bit easier for him in the bathroom and with his tummy. Its hard finding product for use with toddlers and children in general. One year a product is safe and the next it is being recalled. No worries this is only a a fiber supplement not a laxative.

You can go here and print a $1.00 Coupon to try them for yourself.





One of my lucky readers will get their own bottle to try! This giveaway will run until 1/28/10 at 8AM MT. The giveaway is open to the US only. You do not need to be a blog owner to win but please make sure I have a way to contact you. Winner will have 48 hours(yes please not the change from 72 hours) to claim their prize by responding to my email. If a winner does not respond a new winner will be chosen.

Research Randomizer Results 1 Set of 1 Unique Numbers Per Set Range: From 1 to 36 -- Unsorted Job Status: Finished

Set #1: 22

All you need to do is tell me in a comment if you have a hard time getting your kids to eat enough fiber. That's it! All off topic comments will be void.

If you would like additional entries you may do any/all of the following:


sign up for email updates via Feedburner(you must confirm your subscription to count) the link is on my left sidebar 3 extra entries

Leave a comment on a non giveaway post and tell me where you commented 2 extra entries

Follow my blog publicly- If you already follow it counts! 1extra entry

Follow on Facebook(sign up on the left) 2 Extra entries

Follow me on twitter @gumby007 and tweet about this giveaway(leave your twitter ID and the link to your tweet in your comment) 2 extra entries

Fuel my blog(link on my sidebar) 2 extra entries

Blog about this giveaway on your with a link back 3 extra entries

Grab my button and put it on your blog( I have a new graphic so if you have it already please update it) 2 extra entries

My template again! Yes I was up until past midnight last night because that is the only quite time here!

I created my template in a program I purchased and purchased my pic, copied and pasted all my widgets.

Edited colors and such that didn't come over right the first time, but wouldn't you know it there is a problem!

Errrr Google Friends Connect. The stinkin widget is not showing in Firefox! From what I gather or think I gather its because of the upgrade?? But IDK because I was seeing it just fine in my other template?? Oh here's one for the books it shows in IE!!!!!

What something is working in IE and not Firefox, push me over with a feather!

So please bare with me as I try to find the solution! If you wish to follow my blog and I hope you will, just open in IE for the moment. I will update when a solution has been found.

Thank you!


***** Update*****

I did it hahahah I am smarter then I think! The fix I found was right on but I counldn't do it as written, however I did it on my own in my own way!

hmm ok


Hahahah




mmmmm



hahahahah get your mind out of the gutter

Toro!



LOVE the heads up!

Ok I have been patient and I have held my tongue for long enough! Google was is your malfunction? Really... I expected my PR to go down when I purchased my own domain and it sure did. I had a very pretty and motivating 3, which promptly dropped to a N/A.


As I said I expected it so I wasn't too sad, then came the 0 ok well at least it wasn't N/A Right? The feelings of Pride, and Happiness returned about 3 weeks ago when the Google Gods shined down upon my blog once more and my original 3 was restored! Ah Google why are you so fickle? Why do you punish some really great blogs? Why must you taunt us with your number game? You yourself said the numbers meant nothing but why oh why to Public Relation companies, and advertisers still put so much stake in them? Do they not realize that was is today may very well not be tomorrow? Did the quality of my blog and my content go away over night along with my PR #? I guess so for today I am a 1.

I find this so sad I know of some really great blogs, with awesome content, wonderful writing, and great bloggers who have come to reside on Google's PR black list. Very sad but hear me Google you may make me sad for a minute but I get over it very quickly. I am confident in my blog and all that I have to offer. They say age is nothing but a number and I say nah Google PR is nothing but a number. Please don't judge a blog on this number is means nothing look deeper and really read it!

There will be no more tears, and more more anger. If you are looking for a great blog you have found one in my opinion. If however you need one with a certain PR number be sure to check back in a week or so I may have a nice number back by then.

So when I was asked to talk about a Free Samples site this was a no brainer for me. This place is pretty cool, I know you have seen adds on my side bar for them.

If you have not checked them out you need to. Shop4freebies has a list of freebies that is updated on a daily basis. Not only do they have free samples but they have a forum to share your time with other frugal members.

I really try hard to bring my readers new and legit samples and coupons but its not easy. I hate posting the same thing that I see other blogs posting. I know this isn't always possible but I try.

Because shop4freebies is updated daily you know you are getting the most up to date list of free goodies on the net.

Everything is neatly listed under categories so it is easy to find just what you are looking for. There is definitely something for everyone from Samples, Food, Pets, Printables and much more. You even have the ability to rate the freebies, how cool now you can let others know if the offer is good!

I know you have been disappointed by sites that claim to offer freebies we all have. I'm telling you nothing irks me more then to follow a bunch links only to find the so called freebies is nothing but a spammy offer.

Free samples should be just that a free sample with no strings attached! I personally clicked on a number of sample offers and they were legit.

Freebies are awesome but how about tips to find freebies, and to save money? Well They have those too.

While your there be sure to sign up for their email newsletter so you never miss out on a deal!

Why not head over and take a look around? You have absolutely nothing to lose and a bunch of free goodies to gain!

This is a sponsored post, I was compensated but the information expressed is my honest opinion, and was in no way swayed. Your opinion my vary from mine.

yay GREAT news!!! You can pre-order a FREE instant streaming disc from Netflix! Whoo Hooo I have been contemplating getting a streaming devise because I want to make the most of my Netflix subscription and I don't want to by a PS3 or Xbox360 just to stream when we already own and enjoy our Wii!

Whoo Hoo sometime in the spring you will receive it!

Go here and make sure you are logged into your netflix account first!

I am saddened to say that a wonderful blogger Karissa of Prissy Green took her life this week. I am sad for so many reason but the biggest that she must have felt so alone in that moment.

This post is to say good bye and that I hope the pain is gone, you were a sweet lady who helped anyone you could! I and the rest of the Momdot community will miss you.

To my readers I want you to know I am always an ear for you, no one should feel alone or uncared about!

Yeah so today was one of those days, actually like most of my days where I am without help from my husband because he is out of town working.

Trying to be smart I made an appointment last week for both my dogs to get their Bordatella up the nose stuff so they can be boarded in April when we go on vacation.

What I mean by trying to be smart is getting an appointment together to cut down on trip and work for me, hahahahaah.

Yeah well that never happens because of course I find out Saturday night as my husband is leaving to El Paso that it is on me alone AGAIN. Ugh wouldn't be bad with just the two dogs but add in my Toddler who is more then a handful and you have your self a situation that would surely break Mother Theresa!

OK here is how it went.

1. Load the boy and the big dog into the car.

2. Try to get little dog to walk out to the car on a leash (think Cat on a leash)

3. Try to get in car seat without sitting on little dog

4. pull little dog out from behind me repeatedly.

5. Get to vet run inside and pass the little dog like a football so that I can get out to the care for my child and the big dog before some idiot calls the police for leaving them in the car. (both a felony here even for a second!)

6. Get Big dog and little boy into office while being pulled hard and struggling to hold onto my son who thinks its funny to try to run into traffic.

7. Wait, wait, and wait some more.

8. Little dog taken care of.

9. Bog dog ears looked at then get told by the vet he is due for his Rabies in March. Me "great can we do it now" Vet "well we can but the county will penalize you and show that it was given a year in advance not a couple months and you will lose a years worth of the 3 years in between shots" me " Damn county, guess Ill wait and come back again in March" Vet yeah they stink ok I will not charge you for Big dog today.

10. Try to get out to receptionist again all the while little dog in my arms, son charging for other dogs, and big dog thinking he's the Alpha ack!

11. Hand little dog to one receptionist, boy to the other and run out to my car to put up big dog.

12. Pay and repeat the same thing as this AM with little dog.

whew I'm spent freaking Pima County I mean really? I could chose not to license my dogs then you would get crap, BUT NO I am a law abiding citizen and you screw me every chance you get. not only this but with little dog. Its cheaper to register once they are altered, ok but little dogs need to wait a while compared to big dogs. I wait get her fixed then go to register her and get hit with an additional $10.50 because I waited more the 30 days after i got her, BUT if I registered he prior to altering I would have paid $50.00 more!!!! Hmm cant win for losing.

I sweat these are the days I want a smoke and a glass of wine!

If you haven't then you really should. I sure miss drinking juice as a whole especially POM Wonderful Pomegranate juice. To me its similar to Cranberry juice a bit of a bite but so refreshing!

Sadly on South Beach Diet fruit juices are a no no. I was asked if I wanted to try to incorporate POM Wonderful into some recipes and I thought why not. I may not be able to drink it straight up but why cant I cook with it here and there!

I made some blueberry muffins for my kids and instead of adding the called for amount of water I replaced the majority of it with the Pomegranate Juice. The end result was a highly flavorful and more healthy version of a muffin!

Yes I said healthier, Pom Wonderful Pomegranate juice is super duper source of Antioxidants! There are published studies that indicate this super drink can help with Cardiovascular health, Prostate health, even E.D. these study finding can be read here. There is no added sugar, Preservatives, colors, and no cheap filler juice just 100% Pomegranate juice!

I plan on using it in cooking more, I am thinking next as a marinade for chicken breasts mmmm.

I was sent four bottles of POM Wonderful juice for the purpose of writing this review. No other monetary compensation was received. My opinions are my own and are true. Your opinions may differ.

Yes I have a savings goal now hahaha. No really I know what you are thinking but the first year that I stayed home the goal was just to make it. After finding out that I was not making it but rather pulling from savings every month because hubby had not gotten a grip on his spending and had made yet another IRS boo boo I got angry that was last January.

With anger comes determination at least for me. I put it ALL on paper and showed hubby just how much he was spending. Now this was hugely hard for me because I felt and still do that its HIS money. Granted I stay home and take care of the house and kids and everything else and I know this is work I do not bring home a pay check.

Anyway my feelings have always been well as long as he gives me enough to comfortably pay the bills then the rest is his to do what ever he wants. WRONG why? Well he was not giving me enough he was forcing me to pull from savings every month when I really didn't need to!

Ahh when I added up what he gave me for bills, (yes we have our own accounts I wouldn't have it any other way!) and then added up what he took home over the year the discrepancy was sickening! That's when my attitude really changed. Why was I trying so hard to save money and be frugal if he was spending like a fool? Me turning pennies into copper wire for him to throw it around?

I marched down to the bank a couple months later when things were settled and did something that my lazy ass should have done long ago. I opened a savings account and transferred all of what was left from a second checking account that I had. I opened that account when I was receiving Child Support so that I could save it away from my earned money, but there was no interest earning on it. I so should have done it years ago but better late then never.

When I set up the savings account I also set up a savings plan of $100.00 a month. I thought ok that's $1200.00 a year in savings much better then some and much more then I had ever been able to save! Well as I have been going over my bills and such I realized if I could get my Credit cards payed of and keep them paid off I could save a much bigger number per month. This realization was due to my best friend telling me the incredible amount of money she was able to save last year. Now don't think that I have some crazy amount of Debt we don't BUT it has been a habit of getting them way low then they get high again in no time its a bad cycle.

I looked at incomes and granted she and her husband both work but she doesn't have Credit card debt. If you knew the payments I made to them monthly you would croak!

So my plan this year is to do the debt snowball that Dave Ramsey talks about until its gone, I know it will be hard because hubby still isn't on board totally financially like me but I WILL do it and keep them paid off! That will enable me to pay for my daughters braces this summer in CASH and then I can work on making some serious deposits the rest of the year into savings.

I will be doing the envelope system with spending so I can easily keep track of my spending. I will work hard to get the deals I need, I will build my stock piles back up, we will have the IRS paid off this year thank the lords, I will earn more money with surveys, studies, my blog.

I will know what its like to be a peace with my finances! So what are you financial goals this year? Have you had an ah ha moment? What do you to watch your pennies?

ok in all seriousness this is a post prompted by Trisha at Momdot urging us to "Introduce Yourself"

Now I do share stories of my life on this my blog baby, sometimes very personal. This usually happens when:

A. I have had a drink or two heheheh



B. I am at my wits end sitting in my house looking at the same four walls that taunt me everyday while my two year old son tests my patients by running his trains into walls and yelling at me to "leave lone"

or

C. when I am again at my wits end this time due to a very moody pre-teen daughter who insist I am the worst mother ever and I don't know anything!

or possibly

D. All of the above

ok so let me introduce myself. (stands up) Hello my name is Lisa here and in real life for you on twitter I am known as Gumby007 and for those of you that may want to stalk me everywhere I am Here on Facebook. Sweet now that that is out of the way let me tell you a bit about me.

I just turned 21 on Monday. I am a nude model, cheerleader, and when that's not enough to keep me busy I travel to remote parts of the world and volunteer my time helping the poor and hungry!

Yeah ok back to the real me. I did have a birthday on Monday but I am 32. I am a married mother with 2 kidlets an eleven year old Daughter, and a two year old son. Before having my son I was a Medical Coder for a specialty Ophthalmology practice.

My husband and I met a bit over 5 years ago at a Casino...Yes that night I almost talked myself out of going because I didn't want to part with the $40.00 that I allowed myself to gamble with. I almost turned around three times. When I got there I sat at the Bar something I NEVER did and that is where Steve started talking to me with my hair in a pony tail, no makeup and in sweats... ahh what a first impression. I must have looked halfway decent or he was drunk, I am thinking the later. We were together over a year when he proposed and together over two before we married.

My wedding was the party of my life, we paid for it entirely on our own and it was awesome! Three months later we were on the fast track Pregnant and looking for a house.

Now I spend my days at home with my son, and while some days I really wish that I had an unlimited supply of Valium, Wine, Coffee which ever fits the need at the moment I really don't think I would change it.

I am grateful everyday to be able to stay at home with my little Chongo Malo (bad monkey) I never had the opportunity with my daughter and it makes me sad, but that is life! But I can be here every day after school for her which is a big something right?

If I were to invite you over you would see that while my home is usually clean it is almost always cluttered, this is because my house it a doll house and there is no where for me to put all my crap. I am not the June Cleaver type. Try as I may that is just not me! I clean sure, I cook yes I do but you not will see someone who is anal about a spotless house a home should be lived in not a museum.

Umm what else I like Pina Coladas, Making love in the rain oops off track... I do that a lot hahaha. I can be serious and know when to be BUT I much prefer to be the jokster....unless we are talking about MONEY. Yes Money something no one ever has enough of and something that can make the smartest person Dumb I NEVER joke about money.

See I pay all the bills and have always been and always will be anal with Money, I love to save it, spend the least amount of it possible, Give it foot rubs at night, and sleep with it next to me every night....Kidding or am I? Seriously money makes me crazy. Like eye twitching, did you say something? CRAZY. Ahhh Love ya honey!

Well there ya have some info on me so if your interested let the clerk know that you enjoyed interview #007 and we can go from there!

Its a new year and with that comes resolutions to eat better right? My husband and I started this more then a month ago when we committed to the South Beach Diet way of life.

Eating right doesn't mean that you have to give up taste, it doesn't mean that you have to eat the same foods all the time! I don't know anyone who would be able to stick to a better eating plan if their choices were slim to none.

What do you think of when you hear Seapak? Me well before I really took the time to look I thought Shrimp. This meant that I only purchased it for my husband and daughter every now and again as a treat. Why? Well I am allergic to shellfish (crustacean's) so shrimp is totally out for me.

Yes they do manufacture many different types of Shrimp BUT they also have a wide variety of fish as well. I am in love with their Salmon Burgers! What a great way to get your burger fix without the fat and calories of beef they only have 3grams of fat per burger and are yummy on a whole wheat bun or my favorite way tucked inside a whole wheat pita with fresh veggies.

Salmon not your thing? How about Tilapia, Ahi Tuna, or flounder? Yes Seapak has those and others. The benefit of eating more fish are plenty like increasing the intake of Omega 3-s the good fatty acid that is a great thing for your Heart, oh and your Brain too!

Its easy to add more seafood into your diet with all the yummy choices made available by Seapak!


I received a free product coupon for the purpose of trying out an item for review, no other monetary compensation was received. My opinions are my own and are honest

My mom turned me onto this place, the price and the service rock! They have promos going on such as BOGO or B2G3 free.

But you can also get $5.00 of $5.00 and free standard shipping! Whoo hoo lots of freebies to be had and other great deals.

Enter at checkout to save! TE1QC1G

But nor am I any more poor. Hahahahah booo I did not win the Millionaire Arizona Lottery!

I just had a feeling I would but sadly in a one state drawing where only so many tickets are sold and where there are a lot of prizes I didn't even win 1.00. The drawing was last night on my Birthday which I thought was good Omen, Guess not. Ah well I guess this means I will win the Power Ball some day instead? I can dream big right!

Everyone has dreams of winning the lottery or coming into a large windfall of money. So tell me what would you do with it? Here are some things I know for sure I would do if I won a large like one Million dollars or more jackpot.


1. Be grateful.

2. Get veneers, yeah I know totally frivolous but I am obsessed with perfect teeth so this would be the one big cosmetic thing I would get for me and me alone.

3. Pay off my home well almost pay it off I would still need a tax write off so all but maybe 20,000.00. Then I would rent it out and get a home with more room.

4. Fully fund College funds for four years at a state university for my kids. Dang good if you ask me I dint have a fund at all.

5.Take the family on a much needed vacation maybe Hawaii!

6. Help Friends and family with one thing that they need the most.

7. Invest in safe and risky areas.

Yep another Birthday is upon me. I turn 32 today at 3:31pm according to my mom.

This year I made a huge change for myself I quit smoking back in April! While some days if they are stressful I miss it, otherwise I feel good. I love not having an addiction rule my life.

I have also been doing a lot of deep thinking, thinking about my outlook on life and how that affects it! I read "The Secret"




And I am trying to think in a more positive way, I mean it cant hurt to try the principals of positive thought! I do recommend that you read it, it makes you really stop and look at what you are sending out to the universe!

With the reflecting is the conclusion that I need to go back to school. I really am terribly indecisive in what I want to pursue because I have heard to many horror stories of people getting degrees and going to work only to find they hate their choice! I don not want that to be me!

It has been 15 years since I attended school so I want to make sure I want to keep going. I tried registering last night at the local community college I was told to register as a new student even though I took a class about 11 years ago. Well gee that didn't go to well it got hung up and said that my info is there and to contact them to update it. I sent an email to a contact I have so I am hoping that works because me on the phone with a rambunctious toddler in the background is no good!

I want to hurry and do this so I can take my assessment exams and get cracking. I will start by taking some computer classes the go over HTML and CSS this is something I really want to learn and it will give me a good chance to get used to online classes.

This year is all about me and improving everything about me that I am bothered by, lack of formal education being one!