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%

WALGREENS 8-14

WALGREENS

Transaction 1

2 All Small & Mighty $6.49 Each

Total $12.98

Sales -$4.98

Coupons -$6.00

Total OOP $2.10

Transaction 2

1 Walgreen Paper Towel 3pk $3.59

Total $3.59

Coupons -$2.00

Total OOP $1.67

DAYS TOTAL $16.57

DAYS SALES -$4.98

DAYS COUPONS -$8.00

TOTAL OOP $3.77

SAVED 77%

FISH TANK

I finally got my fish tank up and running again. When I first got hurt I emptied it out and cleaned it real good and just left it empty. It's alot to take care of and I knew once I had Surgery I wouldn't be able to care for it but lately I've had the urge to get it going again. As you can see it's a Coffee Table and it's real cool when it's up and running!!

It turned a little cloudy when I put the fish in but it cleared up in a few days and now looks pretty good

:-)

I decided I was only doing Goldfish this time. They are much cheaper and my fish always do well for a while but eventually die. I bought 8 fish, a mixture of two different varieties. So far so good, they all look real happy in their new environment!

MIA 8-14

As you can all see Mia is doing great!

She has re-cooped from her Spaying nicely

I think she's gained weight, at her check-up a few weeks ago she had gained 1 lb since her surgery but Mia has been eating as if she was a horse and I can tell she has filled out some.

She was super skinny when I first got her and she looks much healthier now :)

JOAN JETTA

WOOT~WOOT!!!!!!!

I finally made my last car payment at the beginning of the month and received my title two days ago!!!!! It was a five year loan at $376.75 a month. My last car was stolen the month after I paid it off so I had nothing to put down and had to finace the whole thing. I am so relieved to have that loan off my back!!

This is Joan Jetta

Joan's a 2003 with only 29,000 miles!

AND SHE'S ALL MINE :-)

SARAM'S BABY SHOWER GIFT

Yesterday I received a $10 Gift Card in the mail from Kohl's for no reason! I never shop there for myself but have shopped for baby clothes there before so this free gift card was great news. As I mentioned in my earlier post Saram's baby shower is at the end of the month!

When I got there today they were having a great sale. I only planned on spending the $10 but found three cute outfits and couldn't resist. I only paid $10.79 OOP!!!

Did you notice I purposely chose non-pink items??

I remember when my sister had Nevaeh, everyone got her pink stuff and after a while she said she was so sick of looking at pink haha

Saram and Adam are huge Mets fans so last month I ordered this t-shirt from MLB.com.

They are naming their baby girl Madison Shea,

After Shea Stadium which is closing this year

MY STOCKPILE

Many of my friends having been asking me just how much stuff I have so I took pictures to show you guys my sorta stockpile. I need some help!! I live in a one bedroom apartment with absolutely no storage. I have things piled in various areas around the house but the majority of it is in my bedroom.

For the last month I have been looking for some type of pantry-storage cabinet. Can you believe I can't find them anywhere. I even looked at Bob's Furniture today and nothing. I've tried Walmart, Target, Big Lots all in store and online. I found one at Target.com but it was like $700!

I'm tempted to just put shelves on the wall just to get it all in one area and a little more organized

This is all my un-opened boxes of cereal, dish soap, laundry detergent, Ziploc bags, and push pops

Toilet paper piled on my exercise ball

Under the bathroom sink

Mostly cleaners, shampoo, bodywash, toothpaste, shaving cream, deodorant etc

Sierra Mist in the little cove in the entrance of my bedroom

Medicine cabinet

Close up of all the drugs both opened and unopened

Stockpile of various things in the corner of my bedroom

I pulled it apart in the next pics.....

Box on bottom holds air fresheners, razors, razor refills, unopened nail polish, candles, and bodywash samples I got through the mail

All my free Kotex from Walmart

Baby stuff. I don't have children but buy the stuff when I can get it real cheap. There are currently two pregnancies in the family.

Saram and Adam are having a baby girl Madison Shea in late Oct. Madison will be their second child, older sister Savahna is 9. Saram's baby shower is at the end of the month so few of these items will be going to her. I also got some outfits for her(see my next post).

Inga and Sean are having a baby(sex undetermined yet) in late Feb. They are a very young couple being only 17 & 18 so they'll will be needing alot of family love and support. So most of this stuff will be saved for them and I will continue to stash away any good deals I find between now and then

I had so much cat food plus the Vet made me buy a special dental one for Mia. I was told to mix it with regular dry food so I got a big tub from Walmart and mixed everything I had together. Everything that is piled on top was bought after the tub and was acquired for Free except for the cans in the back which were buy 4 get 1 free. It was a new kind of Friskies Select for Indoor Cats and I wanted to see if she liked it and she sure does!

This is all the extra cans of food I got piled on top of the fridge. A few weeks ago Dave's Soda and Pet had a sale 24 cans for $9.99 so I bought 48!! She only eats one can of wet a day and then dry food the rest of the time so it should last over a month.

As you can see I've got stuff everywhere. I just want to say that I only buy stuff that I know I'll have a use for. I'm not just hoarding things for fun. Most of the razors and bodywashes and beauty products will go to all the many teenage girls in the family for Christmas. I figured I can put them all together a nice little beauty bag.

If you have any ideas for storage and organization please leave me a comment! Does anyone know where I can get a pantry cabinet for cheap or an easy idea to make one. Do any of you just hang wood shelves up for extra storage?

HELP??