CVS 11-21

I finally made a run to CVS today after not going for weeks. I've been so busy with work and school that my stockpile defiantly helped out! I only ran in for Lotion and Water but ended up with much more and some awesome deals!!

2 Dasani Waters $6.99Each

1 Dove BodyWash $8.99

1 Vaseline Clinical Lotion $7.99

1 Vaseline Mens Lotion $6.99

1 Nivea Hand Lotion $5.99

2 Rolls Xmas Wrapping Paper $5.99Each

2 Disney Xmas Bows $2.99Each

1 Kleenex Travel 3pk $1.99

1 Dentyn Gum 4pk $2.99

SUB-TOTAL $66.88

Sales -$17.21

Coupons -$16.50

TOTAL OOP $34.29

SAVED 50%

WORK/SCHOOL UPDATE

Well it's been awhile since my last post so I thought I'd update everyone on my situation.

I'm back at work! It's been a week and so far I'm extremely sore and tired. I'm having a hard time adjusting to my restrictions. I use to run around like a chicken with it's head cut off but now I need to go slower, only lift certain things and sit at least 15 minutes every couple of hours. Costco keeps payroll real low, so I'm alone from 8-12 every day. It's impossible to sit during that time. I got a chair I dragged into the photo lab so I could sit there but customers keep coming to the counter, so it seems like every time I sit down, I just have to get right back up again.

Today was especially difficult. Our film processor was having some chemistry issues, so I asked for a technician to come in. Turns out it was our waste lines backing up into the machine because the girl that took over for me had it hooked up backwards. The waste lines are not the technician job, so that means that I was on the floor on my hands and knees draining chemistry for most of my day. By the time I took a break six hours had gone by. so you can imagine what my body feels like right now.

I left work at 5 and shot over to school. I'm currently sitting in my keyboarding class typing this. I'm way ahead of the rest of the class and have actually met all my requirements for the semester, so my teacher said I could use the time as a study hall. This really helps especially being limited on time now that I'm back at work!

THIS AND THAT

School is going very well so far. I've been out so long that it's defiantly taking some getting use to. I've been studying really hard so that I make sure to really comprehend everything.

I think my Medical Terminology class is the hardest so far. It's probably mostly due to the fact that we got off to a rocky start. I'm not sure what really happened but the rumor is that our teacher quit right before our class started so for the first three classes we didn't really have a teacher. The school tried to find substitutes but none really fit the bill.

The best was this woman came in to interview for a job and they threw her right into our class. She was very nice but her daytime job was a gym teacher for first graders and she couldn't even pronounce the words we were suppose to be learning. Needless to say she has never been back to teach our class. They finally settled on the same teacher we had for our coding class and I love her. She's very funny and easy to learn from and she doesn't mind the endless supply of questions we come up with!

My pain level isn't going as well as school is. I've been trying to make the most of it because I know it'll only get worse once I start work next week. Not only is my back and legs killing me (I don't think the hard chairs in school help any) but my neck is acting up even more, probably because I'm always bent over a book reading or studying. I just keep trying to make myself as comfortable as possible and work through the pain. I know I can do it!

On a sad note my brother-in-laws grandma passed away on Saturday morning. Poor Abeula :(

She was such a nice lady with a great spirit but has been very sick for a very long time. As sad as it is, I'm glad that she can now rest in God's peace and never have to suffer again. The wake is scheduled for this evening 5:30-10. I get out of school around 9:30 so I'm gonna try to make it before it's over. If I don't at least I'll be at the funeral tomorrow morning.

God Bless you Abeula, May you rest in peace :)

WORK & SCHOOL

I went and meet with Costco yesterday to see if they could work with my current restrictions and get me back to work. Everything went well and they accepted my restrictions and I start Nov 4Th. I get my old Photo Lab Manager job back. Although I am not thrilled about going back to work and am not sure if I'll be able to handle the body pain but I'm willing to try. If I didn't try to go back, then they said I would have no choice but to resign. I obviously need a job so I'm thankful for the chance to go back to my old position!

Now on to my secret... I went back to school 3 weeks ago. Like I said it wasn't earth shattering news but I needed to keep it kinda quiet until I discussed with my employer. I didn't want someone else to tell them before me. I was real nervous about how they would take it since it clearly states in handbook that they don't have to work around any one's school/2ND job schedule. I spoke with my manager and worked it out. There is a few compromises I need to make to work with them but at least they're working with me too.

So my life is about to get real crazy and I'm sure I won't have much time for anything else for the next 13 months but it'll all be worth it in the long run. I'm super excited about starting a new phase in my life!!

NEW HAIR

I went and got my hair done last Wednesday. I was looking for a huge change so I cut it short in a Bob like shape with the back being much shorter than the front

I also dyed it a darker brown and had red highlights put in

What do you think???

FIBROMYALGIA??

Gosh, I really have been bad about keeping this blog updated. I like to try to post 3-4 times a week but lately things have been a little crazy for me.

I went to the Dr last Fri and he doesn't think there's much he can do for my muscle pain however my back did concern him some. I've been experiencing new pains and numbness all over different parts of my body. I told him about the numbness down my right leg and he had me stand while he pushed every little thing that hurt in my back, I swear he hit the spots right on. Then he checked my reflexes and the one in my foot was non-existent so he ordered an MRI. I went and had it done last Sunday but don't go back to Dr until 30Th to find out results. At least the wait isn't that long, it's usually much worse at this office.

Meanwhile I've been doing some research online about Fibromyalgia. Both my Mom and my sister have it and I have all of the same symptoms. For those that don't know, it's a disease where your muscles and nerves constantly hurt, it travels to various parts of the body and also comes with many other symptoms. I'm sure that's what I have but it's an awful condition and unfortunately lifelong so I've been in denial up to this point praying it's something else. I am on medicine for it currently just in a lower dose than normal. Since there is no test for Fibromyalgia many Dr's don't believe in it, my luck has it mine is one of those. My sister keeps telling me to go to her specialist and he'll help me but the problem is that although my Ins. Co. doesn't require a referral, the specialist does since his practice is so booked.

I'm going to try to get a referral from different Dr. I'm also going to attend my sisters next appointment with her on the 30Th. Hey you never know it could get me in the door!

Besides being in pain ;( I've been busy working on my secret. Don't worry it won't be a secret for much longer. It's not a shocker or a big deal or anything, I just need to tell some people first! It's going well so far, lots of hard work and I'm really tired and in super pain but it'll be worth it in the long run!

CVS 10-8

I needed some water today so I figured I would go to CVS and spend my Summer ECB's and see what I could get.....

TRANSACTION 1
2 Always Infinity $5.99 Each
Total $11.98
Sales- $2.02
ECB’s -$7.50 (Summer Spending)
Total OOP $2.46

TRANSACTION 2
2 Lady Speed Stick $3.49 Each
1 Vitamin H2O $2.29
1 Bandaid Blister $4.99
Total $14.26
Sales -$3.00
Coupons -$1.00
ECB’s -$9.96
Total OOP $0.30

TRANSACTION 3
1 Dasani H2O $6.99
Total $6.99
ECB’s -$4.29
Total OOP $2.70

DAYS TOTAL $33.23
DAYS SALES -$5.02
DAYS COUPONS -$1.00
DAYS ECB’s -$21.75
TOTAL OOP $5.46
SAVED 84%

CVS 10-4

TRANSACTION 1
1 Gillette Fusion $11.99
1 Gillette Venus $11.99
1 Lady Speed Stick Clinical $7.99
1 CG Foundation $5.49
1 CG Blush $5.99
TOTAL $43.45
SALES -$5.00
COUPONS -$14.49
ECB’s -$3.99
TOTAL OOP $20.97

TRANSACTION 2
2 Irish Spring 3pk $2.99Each (not in pic-given away already)
2 Cascade Action Pak $6.49Each
1 Downy $7.69
2 Febreze Fabric $5.99Each
1 Febreze Candle $7.99
1 Febreze Noticeable $8.49
3 Soft Soap $2.49Each
1 Glade Fabric $3.99
TOTAL $66.57
SALES -$20.20
COUPONS -$15.69
ECB’s -$15.79
TOTAL OOP $15.63

DAYS TOTAL $110.02
SALES -$25.20
COUPONS -$30.18
ECB’s -$19.78
DAYS TOTAL OOP $36.60
SAVED 67%

** I received an email that the Summer Spending ECB's were ready and that they could be printed at home. Well I assumed that they would print out at the store as well but they didn't when I shopped today. So my total could have been $7.50 lower but at least I can print it and use it next time I shop.

THIS AND THAT

I've been so bad about updating my blog lately. I'm still not feeling any better and can't wait for my appointment on the 10Th to find out what we can try next. I have a feeling this Dr has given up hope and is ready to pass me off to another specialist. I'm trying to stay optimistic and hoping that eventually someone will figure out something that will help.

In the meantime I've just been trying to walk more and just get out of the house in general. My thinking was if I tried living life semi-normally again then maybe I would feel better too. If anyone has any other suggestions please help!

I just scheduled a meeting with Costco as well for the 20Th to go over my restrictions and to see if they can get me back into any position. I'm hoping for my original job since that has a more set schedule than other departments.

If also started this new adventure that will be taking up alot of my time. For now I want to keep it a secret. It's not a big deal or anything just want to keep it to myself for the next month or so to see how things go and then I'll share with all of you!

Wish me luck!!

CAR EXPENSE

Today is Payday!! Woot ~ Woot!!!

I'm not sure why I get so excited since it gets paid out as fast as I receive it. I've been trying to be really frugal for the last year or so and this month it paid off for my car! I have a 2003 Jetta and have very good luck with her. Besides the scheduled maintenance I haven't had to put any other money into her.

I figured since I've had the car for 5 years it's about time to get some new tires. It only has 29,500 miles on it but the tires had a little bit of dry rot and I wanted to make sure I don't have any issues once it starts snowing. Costco was having a special on Michelin, $80 off 4 tires so I was able to have everything done for $452.

Next I went over to Advanced Auto and got new windshield wipers. The guy said your suppose to change them every six months ~ Oopsie mine are the originals that came with the car and they aren't even that bad! Advance Auto installs the wipers free so that was nice and then to top it off there was a BOGO mail in rebate. While I was there I also got some windshield fluid. Mine was low and the light had come on on my dashboard. It wasn't completely out but I needed to get the car inspected($29) and didn't want it to fail for something stupid. Everything here cost me $32.

I got some gas ($41) and then went to get her inspected. The first three places I stopped said their sticker machine was broken. My rotten luck! I ended up at the Volkswagen dealership and had to wait like an hour. While I was there I asked for a quote since my 30000 mile maintenance was coming up. The woman said it would be about $148. Not too bad for the dealership although I always end up paying more than they quote!

Total spent today on Joan Jetta = $554... and she's well worth it!!

PAIN UPDATE

I'm still in pain. So far there's been no relief from the Injection. I am extremely disappointed since I expected to feel at least a little better by now. They do say it could take up to two weeks to work so I guess it's a waiting game...

THIS SUCKS :(

BACK INJECTION

I went this morning for my Injection. The procedure wasn't as bad as my mind imagined it to be. They had prescribed Valium to take an hour ahead of time but it did nothing for me and when I took a look at the dosage after the procedure I noticed it was only 10mg, No wonder why it didn't help!

I got there at 9 and was brought into a room with a bed and a big machine over it. I pulled down my pants some and layed face down on the bed. The nurse cleaned the area and briefly described the procedure and called the Dr in.

He placed a needle against my skin(actually right between the very top of my butt crack) and asked if I could fell it and I said yes. He then told me that there would be no surprise sticks and he would walk me through it. The first step was using some sort of injected dye with the help of the large X-Ray machine to make sure they were going into the right spot. I then got a bunch of Novocaine Injections which hurt like hell and then he said he was done.

So I'm thinking that wasn't so bad and the rest will be easy. Well I was in for a surprise, when he said he was done... he meant DONE! I had to hang out in the waiting room for 10 min to make sure I didn't have a reaction to anything and then was told to rest the remainder of the day and ice frequently.

My status now is PAIN!

The Novocaine has worn off and my whole back hurts and my right leg has pain shooting down it and is kinda numb and tingly.

I need to go lay down again, I will update again soon!

INJECTION DECISION

I've officially decided to go with the injection in my lower back first. I called and it's scheduled for Sept 25Th.

After a conversation with Human Resources when I forced to play a little hard ball, I was told if Dr submitted letter that I was having an injection and my next follow up date that Costco would extend my leave until mid-Oct but no later.

I'm hoping this shot gives me some relief fast!

WELSOME MADISON SHEA

Introducing the newest member of my large extended family......

MADISON SHEA CRUZ

SEPTEMBER 15 2008 8:09AM

4 LBS 2 OZ 17IN

Madison wasn't schedule to make her grand arrival until Oct 29 but was born healthy and beautiful. Since she was a preemie and is so tiny she is in an incubator but is not in the NICU

I got to go down with Saram to see her new baby for the first time. Saram had an IV in and hadn't seen Madison since she gave birth hours before

Saram holding baby Madison for the first time!

Both mommy and baby are doing great!

BATHROOM MAKE-OVER

Here are my Bathroom make-over pictures I promised from last week. I wanted to do something new and unusually different than my normal style & taste so I chose Reds & Browns. Prior to the re-do the bathroom was Yellow and Blue with Duckies & Flowers. It was a completely matchy matchy set that I had ordered out of a catalog years ago.

First I fell in love with this shower curtain ($24) at Target so decided on that. Next I went and picked up some new Red Rugs($48) and stumbled across towels in similar colors as the curtain so I grabbed some hand towels($32) and wash clothes($24). I also needed new shower curtain hooks ($12) and I chose a style that matched perfectly!

Before there was a mirror above the toilet, it had a Duck and Flower border so it needed to go. I found this Candle Holder thingy($26) at Target and got some Red Tea lights($5) to go.

I also purchased a new Toilet Seat($12).

Before there was a White Cabinet here that went with the last set so I needed something else. I found this build it yourself Cabinet($60) at Target. I found the bowl($22) on top at Target too. I know it's kinda expensive for a bowl but I really liked it. I bought a bag of Red & Brown Potpourri($10) to go in it.

Above my new cabinet I hung this Picture($10) that I got at Walmart and Sconces($14) I got at Target along with Red Candles($10)

Across the room near the sink I hung another Walmart Picture($10) and I got a 3M removable hook($4) for a hand towel.

I love the way it turned out and it feels very warm and cozy now!!

APPLE TIME

I love living in New England during the Fall months! The Apples around here are ready and plentiful!! I picked up a bag the other day from a local farm and have been waiting till my Back wasn't killing me to bake. This morning I woke up sore but felt a little better than normal so I decided to go for it. The hardest part was just getting the Apples peeled and sliced and then the rest was a breeze. I can't tell you how great my apartment smells right now, I'm sure my neighbors are drooling and jealous!

I made a Apple Pie &

a Apple Crisp

MEDICAL 9-12

Once again I'm behind in my postings. I haven't really done much at all lately due to Back Pain (as if I wasn't already in enough pain with my Neck/Shoulder). I just haven't been able to sit at the computer much. It's been so bad that I haven't even been to CVS!

I did go to the Dr this week and let me tell you I'm pretty frustrated with the whole thing. My Dr just seems to never really listen to me. I understand that he sees alot of patients every day but I feel like I just get shuffled in and out and it's not only him, I've seen probably 10 different Dr's since this has started and they're all the same in this area :(

Now I try to make it easier for the Dr, I always bring a typed update on what has been going on with me since my last visit. When I went Wednesday Dr Cooper read the update and then looked at me and said "I don't remember you mentioning Back Pain before". I explained that if he dug through my chart he would notice it was on the initial forms I filled out plus I have mentioned it at the last 2 visits since it has started getting much worse. He then looked at me and said "Aren't the Muscle Relaxers helping?" HELLO Earth to Dr Cooper... First you don't remember me complaining about Back Pain and now you ask about Relaxers??!! Where does he think I got these Relaxers since he is my Dr and obviously didn't give them to me? Ummmm No the Relaxers aren't helping because you never gave me any!

He then promises to call in a Script for me. My next question was "How are we going to get rid of this pain before I lose my job?"(I've now been out 19 months and Costco is on verge of firing me). Dr Cooper looks at me and says "Why aren't you back to work yet?" Once again HELLO Earth to Dr.... Since your my Dr, your the one that has to release me back to work and you haven't because I can't lift much.

At this point I'm thinking this guy doesn't listen to me at all! I'm not sure what to do though, Do I switch Dr's again and start all over or grin and bear it since all the Dr around here seem to be the same??

Dr Cooper then says he's not sure how much more he can do for me. What?? You haven't done anything at all yet. He says that it's not like I'm dying from cancer or something and these may just be pains I have to live with. I was then given 3 choices and told to think about it and call him at the beginning of next week.

1- Do Nothing and hope it goes away

2- Have Injections in my Neck

3- Have Injections in Back

So I already ruled out #1 since this has been going on for 3 1/2 years obviously doing nothing won't help! I can't have both injections at once so I have to choose. I'm leaning towards my Back since that seems to be the newer of the two pains and maybe they can nip this one in the bud but then I'll still have to deal with my Neck later. I spoke with my Chiropractor and she thinks I should do back first as well.

Now neither of the injections are guaranteed to work. Dr seems to think most of my issues are Muscular and not much can be done for that. I'm willing to try something though! From my understanding the morning of the injection I have to take Valium and then some sort of Anesthesia is used and injections are given with help of X-Ray machine. The whole process seems kinda scary but I'm desperate!

If things aren't bad enough I got a call from Costco HR yesterday and was told that I'm at the end of my rope and either have to come back or resign. Then she went on to say that the company can't treat me better than other employees. That's when I spoke up (previous I ha vent said anything cuz they were giving me extensions and I didn't want to ruffle feathers till I had too) and said that I knew of at least 3 other employees that have been out much longer than I've been so don't even try to say I'm being treated differently.

There was a long pause on the phone and then she said that I didn't know all the details and she couldn't discuss their cases with me. I then reminded the woman that I was a store manager and I was the one that dealt with those employees before they went out of work and I was very familiar with their cases. She then said that their cases were Work mans Comp and mine wasn't. I then told her that first of all she was lying because one of the cases wasn't work related and that mine actually was and my claim was denied after 2 years of haggling with them. During which that whole time I wasn't treated and my condition got worse because of it. I then let her know that I had kept all my paper work the whole time and will be going after Sedgwick (WC Co) & Costco as soon as I was better.

I was then told that if my Dr submitted a letter saying that I was having an injection that they would extend my time till middle of Oct but no longer!

Silly Costco.... They trained me on all their policies and leave acts plus I was the Store Safety Manager and was often in charge of calling in employee accidents and investigating them so that the accident wouldn't happen to someone else. Costco may get away with telling an average employee some bullshit but not me!

I'd really like to hear from you guys on which injection you would get done first or if any of you have had them done before. I don't have to decided until Monday so I still have a little bit of time to think about it.

WEEK UPDATE

Yes I know it's been a week since my last post so I'm just going to update everyone real quick and hopefully post again later!
After Saram's baby shower last Saturday the whole family ended up going back to their house for a little after party. It was alot of fun to hang out and catch up with everyone! Unfortunately I'm still on the same medication that doesn't allow me to drink so it was a sober party for me. Danni wasn't drinking either so the two of us hung out and watched everyone else get silly!! I was a little concerned about how everyone was getting home but most came with someone that wasn't drinking or had very little. As we were leaving one of our family members got a text warning about all the Sobriety Check Points set up in the area and their locations (a handful of the family works in law enforcement so we get all the head-ups!). Turns out the were holding one right on the main street that their house is off of.
Danni and I were the first to leave and neither of us were drinking so we weren't worried but all the same didn't want the hassle of getting held up in one. The whole process takes forever! As luck would have it we didn't pass through a check point at all so it must have been on the other end of the street. Massachusetts has been cracking down on drunk drivers and for the last few months there has been checkpoints at least 2-3 times a week and according to the news they catch an average of 300 people a night at these points!!
Sunday I kinda of just took it easy. I was in alot of pain probably from Saturday even though I didn't do or lift anything that would have caused it. It seems like my shoulder/neck pain is still the same(no worse but no better) however the last few months my back has been out of whack. I can't seem to catch a break, if a lay in a position to help my back it hurts my neck and vice versa I'm just so frustrated and don't know what to do. I'm suppose to being going back to work any day now but I know in my heart I still can't do the job, there are days that I can't even stand because of my back. I had an appointment this morning to see my Dr but his office called and rescheduled to next Wed.
I've been seeing this Dr since Feb and every single visit I've had with him has been cancelled and rescheduled by his office. I wonder if they do this to everyone or if I'm just a random coincidence? At least this time the turn around was fast(normally they reschedule at least a month away). Something has got to be done at this appointment or I'm going to look for another Dr because I can't take this pain anymore and I don't know how much longer Costco will hold my position. I've actually started surfing the net and looking at classifieds for a more office friendly position.
Besides my pain there hasn't been much going on around here this week. I did a little shopping and bought some new things for my apartment. As much as I want a house I know I'll be stuck here for at least five more years so I may as well make the place look good. It didn't look bad before I just haven't change much since I moved in and since I no longer have a car payment I used that $400 to buy some new things. First I bought a new microwave! My last one was bought in 1997 if you can believe that?! It still worked OK but sometimes when you took your food out and shut the door it would restart automatically hahaha so I figured it was time for a new one. I found a great one at Walmart that microwaves and also has a toaster element for cooking pizza and such for $74!! Woot Woot!!! I also bought a few other things for the kitchen like a new throw rug, potholders and dish towels.
Second I went to Target a bought new stuff for the bathroom(I didn't like anything at Walmart). I found a shower curtain I loved and built off of that. I decided to chose colors that I normally never buy just for something new and completely different from my usual taste. I picked out Reds and Browns and am very pleased with the outcome. After setting it all up it still seemed like it was missing something so I ran to Walmart the next day and found a few pictures to hang on the wall. I took some pictures and I'll post them later. The whole thing cost me about $300 which was a little more than I wanted to spend but I needed a new toilet seat and bathroom cabinet too so for all that I didn't do too bad. The last cabinet I had was white and was falling apart some and since I chose dark colors this time I wanted a new darker finished wood cabinet. I found a build it yourself for $60!
Along with all the shopping I did for the house I also got myself some new shoes. I haven't bought any for about three years and since I am planning on returning to some sort of employment I needed some new sneakers. I still need all new clothes but at least the shoe expense is out of the way. Actually my parents wanted to take me shopping for all new clothes for my birthday last April but I asked them if I could wait and do it when I went back to work so my Mom just told me to let her know when I was ready!
Today my back is hurting already so I'm just going to take it easy since I know it'll be a busy weekend. My friend Andy that just bought the house is having a House Warming/ 10Th Birthday Party for his daughter Alexis on Sunday and I volunteered to make M&M Cookies, Orange Brownies and Macaroni and Cheese. So tomorrow I'll be making the bakes goods(hopefully my back will cooperate) and then I'll get up early Sunday to make the Mac & Cheese. I'll be posting pictures of the party early next week.

SARAM'S BABY SHOWER

Yesterday was Saram's Baby Shower. Saram & Adam are having a baby girl due Oct 29Th ~ Madison Shea(after Shea Stadium which is closing this year). It was held at Red Rose Pizzeria in their bar/banquet area and the food was delicious!

We all had a good time!!

Betsy~ Madison's Godmother and Saram playing the "How big do you think my belly is" game

All the nice things Saram & Adam received

Adam is a big Ny Giants fan and an even bigger Mets fan!

If Mommy Says No... Ask Grandma

Saram's Mom, Saram, Adam and their daughter Savahna

Organic Baby & Home Grown Baby....

So cute from Titi Gina!

My first Mets Shirt...

I gave them this!

Mets Cheerleader outfit from Val and Anthony!

WELCOME MADISON SHEA!!

MEDICAL BILL

OK I'm Pissed!!! So this post will be me venting, any ideas or help would be appreciated!

I've been doing my Work Hardening Program now for about 2 months and I've counted back on my calender and saw that I went 17 times, well I don't know if you remember or not but I had to wait almost 2 months to get into the program because they were waiting for Insurance Approval. Now I guess part of this is my fault but I trusted the staff that was obtaining the approval since I assumed they also didn't want me doing the program unless they got paid.

Back on July 2ND The Return To Work Center called me and said that Aetna had finally approved the program but today I went online to Aetna.com to check out my account and saw that all the charges for each visit has been DENIED and I am responsible for the whole bill.

$374 x 17 Visits = $6358!

How in the world am I going to pay for that???

BASTARDS!!

I've done nothing yet since I haven't actually received a bill and I can't even call The Return To Work center yet because they are closed on Tues & Thurs. I want to wait and speak with them since they are the ones that obtained the approval before I call Aetna up screaming.

I'M JUST SO PISSED!!!!

FREEBIES

This past week I got 3 Rebate Checks in the mail....

Scrubbing Bubbles $4.92

Bundinos $1.98

Purina Dental Cat Food $24.99

THAT'S A TOTAL OF $31.89!!!

This afternoon I also got a FREE pack of Stride in the mail. Usually samples come in small trial sizes but Stride sent a full size regular pack!!

WOOT~WOOT!!!

Our local grocery store Big Y randomly hands out different color coins at checkout. The different colors are worth various Free things or discounts and it changes each week. Last week I won a Blue Coin and I went back yesterday and I got some flowers for FREE!!!

DEALS OR STEALS??

I did some shopping today and this is what I got.........

CVS

3 SoftSoap $2.79 Each

1 Swiffer Kit $11.99

2 Colgate Fresh Max $3.29 Each

1 Playskool Wipe $5.79

1 Kotex $1.49

TOTAL $34.22

SALES -$12.69

COUPONS -$11.49

TOTAL OOP $10.46

SAVED 70%

WALMART

2 Land O'Lakes Butter $3.38 Each

2 Crystal Lite $2.98 Each

2 Wheat Thins $2.98 Each

2 Vitamin Waters $1.00 Each

2 Kraft Salad Dressings $1.58 Each

1 Powerade $0.60

1 Good Life Cat Treat $2.54

2 Pounce Cat Treats $1.52 Each

1 Mt Olive Sandwich Pickles $2.63

10 Nerds Chewy $0.58 Each

1 Doritos $2.50

30 Kool Aid $0.20 Each

2 Hot Dogs $2.50 Each

2 Kraft Cheese $2.98 Each

2 Kotex $1.00 Each

1 French Bread $1.50

*Various Deli Meat $9.70

TOTAL $71.11

COUPONS -$36.44

TOTAL OOP $34.67

SAVED 51%

WALGREENS

2 Glade Plug Ins $4.79 Each

2 Glade Refills $3.99 Each

5 Trident Gum $1.49 Each

10 Rimmel Eye Shadows $4.99 Each

TOTAL 76.11

SALES -$30.74

COUPONS -$39.98

TOTAL OOP $5.39

SAVED 93%

** I had read on other blogs that Rimmel Eye Shadow and Glade Plug Ins were BOGO. I also had BOGO coupons for these items which should result in the items being FREE. From what I read it depends on your local Store Manager if they would accept the coupons or not. My local store took the coupons without a problem!

Except for a few grocery items, I didn't need any of this but it was all good deals so I couldn't resist adding to my Stockpile!!

STORAGE CABINET

As promised here are the pictures of my stockpile before and after I got the storage cabinet. These first few are my befores

Close-up of my box of goodies

This is the cabinet I got at Walmart for $49!

Of course it came in many-many pieces. It took me about 3 hours this morning to put together but remember I'm not very strong yet and it required alot of elbow grease to screw it all together and in fairness I was watching a movie while doing it and I stopped for a bagel and some coffee

Here's the beginning shelf process, where I had to attach the Safety Strap for the Wall and some Latch Brackets

Yeah it's finally coming together

At this point I had the main frame done so I dragged it to my bedroom since it was already getting heavy. I had to put it together in the living room because there was no way I could do it in the bedroom. I anchored the Safety Strap into the wall with nails and then went back to build the front doors

I finished attaching the doors to the cabinet

There were two adjustable shelves that I put in before putting my stockpile in

The cabinet is pretty tall and plenty deep just not very wide but for now it will defiantly work for me. I was able to fit everything from my stockpile, bathroom cabinets and kitchen cabinets into the cabinet! The only things that didn't fit were my collection of Razor starter kits and baby products I've bought to give as presents which I left in a box on top of the cabinet

This is what the inside looks like

Close-up of top two shelves

Close up of bottom two shelves

MIA AND THE FISH

I've gotten many comments and emails on if Mia likes the fish tank or not.

SHE LOVES IT!!!

Mia likes to sit by it and chase the fish around especially when I feed them

I'm not sure if you can see it in the pictures or not but all the way around the tank under the glass lid there are openings where you can stick your hand into feed them

Well it took Mia about a week but she finally found these openings and loves to put her paw in and "bop" the fish. I can't tell if she ever hits one because it all happens so fast!

Many a time I have found Mia with wet paws and wet spots on the carpet around the tank. One morning I woke up and found a fish on the carpet. This has happened before so I'm not sure if the fish was a jumper or a victim of Mia's!

When questioned Mia ignored me and kept on grooming her wet paws.....

CVS 8-22

Although I wasn't thrilled with any of CVS sales this week, there was still a few things I wanted to get including a Swiffer Wet Jet Starter Kit(which wasn't on-sale but my friend bought one last weekend and it worked good so I wanted one for my house too). I'm in a bit of a hurry today and didn't take any pictures.... Sorry :(

TRANSACTION 1

4 Gold Emblem Candy $.99Each

2 Glade Air Sprays $1.89Each

2 Gold Emblem H2O 24pk $4.99Each

Total $17.72

Sales -$4.46

Coupons -$8.88

Total OOP $4.38

TRANSACTION 2

2 Glade Air Sprays $1.89Each

2 Sunsilk 24/7 Creme $4.29Each

1 Sunsilk Shampoo $4.29

1 Sunsilk Conditioner $4.29

Total $20.94

Sales -$10.69

Coupons -$5.88

Total OOP $4.68

TRANSACTION 3

1 Swiffer Wet Jet $19.99

Total $19.99

Coupons -$7.00

Total OOP $13.64

DAYS TOTAL $58.65

SALES -$15.15

COUPONS -$21.76

DAYS TOTAL OOP $22.70

SAVED 61%

** Ok a few notes, If you notice I didn't go in with any ECB's nor did I leave with any. I think this was my first trip where ECB's were not involved at all but it just shows you that if you only use coupons at CVS you can still save and make out big time!!

The Swiffer was actually $21.99 but was stickered at $19.99 so when it rang up full price I pointed out the sticker and the cashier adjusted it down.

I was only planning on buying one H2O since they were on sale for $3.99 and the last time I went in the magic coupon machine gave me one for $1 off, well today when I scanned my card it gave me one for $2 off...Woot-Woot!!!!

I'm planning on bringing 1 case of water to my friend's new home since I know we'll be hanging out there more and it's basically all I drink!

I also got 2 coupons for $1 off of 2 Emblem Gold Candies, well the candy was on-sale for .88 a bag so I ended up getting 4 bags for $1.52. I bought the Gummy Bears and Worms... Yummo... Like I need more Candy!!! heeheehee

Overall I don't think I did bad since my Total OOP was the same amount as if I had just gone and bought the Swiffer!!

CRAZY WEEKEND

Life has been crazy around here this past weekend. My friend Andy has been staying with me the last few weeks. It has only temporary stay between having to be out of his apartment and the closing of his first house. My tiny one bedroom apartment was stuffed with all my extra stockpile things and some of his things(majority went to storage unit). I have been desperately looking for some type of storage cabinet to put everything in and I think I finally found one but Ill get to all of that in a minute let me just back up to Fri.

The closing was on Friday so we spent the afternoon and evening scrubbing the new house clean. It wasn't bad just needed a good spring cleaning. Its a beautiful home and I'm very jealous. Its a one floor home on a slab with three bedrooms and a HUGE kitchen. He didn't want a basement or upstairs so this was perfect. I really like the layout so I have some ideas of what kinda of home I may want but unfortunately that's years away :(

The cleaning left me sore and tired but I wanted to help so on sat we got up early and went and rented a truck to move his things. It was only going to be the two of us which was going to be a slight problem since you all know I can only lift so much. I am getting stronger each and every day thanks to the Work Hardening Program but I'm still in pain. Regardless I was determined to help as much as I could even if it did cause pain. At the last minute my nephew Sean was able to help which was great.

Everything was moved in about an hour! While Andy had Sean there he wanted to use his muscles to help with another project. The previous owners had built some sort of square wood deck platform which wasn't hooked to anything and was water rotted. We figured we could throw it in the rental truck and get rid of it. When we were done we went to grab and small bite at Wendy's and then dropped Sean off and back to the house.

Andy decided he wanted to go shopping to get some things and it was a perfect weekend since the government had declared that weekend tax free in Massachusetts. We went to Walmart and Home Depot and got many nice things. When he was done we went back to his house and did some small projects around there until we were both exhausted and decided to head back to my place.

Sunday we were up early again and Andy wanted to go back to Walmart and Home Depot to get more stuff. He bought alot of nice put it together yourself pieces at Walmart. I was incredibly impressed with how they turned out when we built them later that afternoon. When we were done we went around the house and grabbed any trash items we could find and put them into the rental truck. Trash in his area only comes once a week and you are only allowed one barrel. The old owners left it completely full and of course trash day isn't until Thursday. We took it all back and put into the dumpster at my apartment complex. I know technically this was wrong but what else were we going to do with it? I was so tired and sore at this point that I couldn't wait to return the truck and go to bed.

Monday morning I had to get up early to go to Work Hardening and then the Chiropractor. In the afternoon I packed up the rest of his things into my car so I could drop them off for him. That's when Andy called and said he had to go back to Walmart to return something and decided to do more shopping and found a put it together yourself Oak Storage Cabinet for $50!! Yeah so I'm going to go check it out on Saturday and get it. I trust his taste so if he says its nice then it is. Actually he thinks he may get one too.

This afternoon since all of his stuff is gone I went around the house and collected all my stockpiles and put together in the corner of my room. I was shocked when it was all put together and didn't realize I had that much stuff. I took a before picture to post when I get the cabinet and organize it all and do a before and after!!

CVS 8-14

CVS

TRANSACTION 1

1 Poland Spring Water $6.99

1 Advil Infant $6.99

Total $13.98

Sales -$3.20

Coupons -$2.00

Total OOP $8.97

TRANSACTION 2

1 Poland Spring Water $6.99

1 Advil Infants $6.99

Total $13.98

Sales -$3.20

Coupons -$8.79

Total OOP $1.99

TRANSACTION 3

1 Hallmark Gift Bag $3.99

1 Hallmark Tissue Paper $1.23

1 Hallmark Card $1.99

3 Airwick Scented Oil Refills $3.99 Each

1 Playskool Infants Guide $6.99

Total $26.17

Sales -$14.25

Coupons -$7.79

Total OOP $4.40

DAYS TOTAL $54.13

DAYS SALES -$20.65

DAYS COUPONS -$18.58

TOTAL OOP $15.36

SAVED 72%