Since I still have this darn sore throat and no energy (I don’t remember it being this annoying as a child, it was all missing school and eating popsicles) I am kicking it on the couch. I know that I will have a lot of laundry and other household chores to catch-up on once I feel better. So I have been trying to get as much accomplished from the confines of the couch as possible.  Today I am clipping coupons and preparing our trip to the grocery store which should have been yesterday but I am praying I feel better tomorrow.  My dear husband has offered to go to the grocery store for me but I know that is not the best idea.  Last time he went he lost the list and came home with tons of sugary cereals and a tub, yes, I said tub, of Superman Ice cream.  I would probably have better luck letting my 4 year-old son do the shopping.  Hopefully I will feel better tomorrow and the task of grocery shopping will not fall on the dynamic duo (my hubby and son), I do not want frosted flakes with a side of Superman ice cream for the next 14 days.

So, on with the show…..before each shopping trip I review my coupon binder.  I remove all expired coupons and send those to, overseas military members. They can use expired coupons up to six months past their expiration date. Since most military families
stationed overseas often live on one income coupons help stretch their funds further.

Eligible Coupons:

• ONLY Manufacturer Coupons
• Coupons must be Clipped and Sorted into Food and Non-food (see website for more info).
• Do NOT send coupons that are over 30 days expired.

Click on the link to read more…http://www.ocpnet.org/

After all the expired coupons have been removed I then reference the weekly ad, as well as the local charities and shelters we donate goods to. Sound like a lot of work? It doesn’t have to be.

Donating done easy

I realize most moms always have the best intentions of donating to a charity on a regular basis but it can be difficult, life gets in the way. Also with the current state of the economy most families are on a strict budget leaving little room for charities but it can be done.  After some trial and error we have adopted a foolproof method for collecting items for our local charities at a fraction of the price and you can too with these simple steps.

1. Purchase a bin; you can decide what size works best based on how many items you will be donating and how frequently you will donate. (I have a small one I keep in my pantry and a larger one in the basement to place the items when the smaller bin is full).
2. Print off the charities wish list
3. Tape that wish list on the inside lid of bin.
4. Before a trip to the grocery store reference the list with the weekly ad, note if any items are on sale, then take it a step further, clip for the cause, check your coupons to see if you have any for the items that are listed. Write those items down, grab the coupons, and hit the road.
5. When you get home place those items in the bin.  I like to have my conveniently placed in the pantry but you can decide what location works best for you.
6. Then, determine a day that you will designate as donation day and drive to the charity and drop off your donation.  I often wait till I have a large bin to donate, usually every other month.

Once you are in the habit of referencing the charity’s list prior to a grocery trip donating can become second nature and thanks to the weekly deals and coupons the items cost mere pennies.

Learning Opportunity

Whenever possible be certain to share what you are doing with your children.  Have your children help clip the coupons, kiddos can be the best clippers. Take them to the grocery store with you and when possible, have your children go with you to donate the
goods.

If you are not a coupon clipper, and not interested in keeping a wish list and bins, you can still give back.  Checkout your local grocery store’s shopping card options, most have options on their websites where you can select a charity and they will donate a
% to that selected charity each time your shop at no cost to you. For full details and instructions on the Kroger’s chopping card, click on the link. http://www.kroger.com/mykroger/Pages/community_rewards.aspx

Do you have a tip to share that has helped your grocery shopping experience? Do tell.

Well today started off like the past three mornings, mama’s throat was aching. So, I went to the doctor and the doctor said, “No more monkeys jumping on the bed”. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.  The diagnosis was strep throat. So I had my prescription filled, took my antibiotic, and headed home to my preschooler and toddler for rest, as the doctor prescribed, right! Doesn’t she know moms don’t get sick days?

Thanks to some creative measures mommy was able to lie down for a little while.  I played scavenger hunt with my preschooler. I hid a few of his play cars in various locations around the house and then gave him clues via walkie-talkie to locate them, he had a
blast and I stayed on the couch.

Meanwhile my toddler thought it was fun throwing Legos around the room.  She would throw them all over the room and I would make exciting faces as she did it, then she would go pick them up, and start all over again. I am sure most moms might have
encouraged their child to stop throwing items around the house, especially near daddy’s prized possession, his way to large for the room television.  But, one must remember that this mom was having a sick day.

I survived the morning and before I knew it was time for afternoon pick-up. So I grabbed the kiddos and we headed to the school where I have finally figured out how to avoid the stress inducing afternoon pick-up fiasco. The secret, get there really early.  I pack things for the kiddos to do while we wait and I have an afternoon pick-up book that I keep in the car strictly for pick-up.  So I grabbed my book and began reading and somehow entered the twilight zone.  The author was referencing Lisa Lobe in the book; she went to a party and saw a woman that resembled Lisa Loeb. Long story short, it was actually Lisa Loeb. Then, at that exact moment, as if it was planned, guess what song came on the radio while I was reading this, “Stay” by Lisa Loeb.  No joke, maybe it was the meds but I had a real twilight zone moment.

Naptime Is the New Happy Hour: And Other Ways Toddlers Turn Your Life Upside Down

Once home my mother called and expressed that I need to go outside and get vitamin D in order to get healthy.  I figured I will try anything.  So, we are off to play that ever popular, fun for all ages backyard game, I Spy Poop.  Seriously, it is so difficult to find poop with all the leaves on the ground I need the kiddos help.  You try it; can you spy the poop in the following picture?

Well, I am off to settle a dispute between the kiddos, one claims mud and the other claims poop.  I guess I am the referee; I have to make a call.  So, until next time, stay healthy moms because remember, moms can’t call in sick to motherhood.

Here is to Licking in the Spoon!

While the kiddos were making their lunches last night my four-year-old nonchalantly expressed that the best part of a PB & J sandwich is licking the spoon.  Interesting I thought, not making the sandwich, or eating the sandwich, but licking the spoon.  Then I remembered when I was kid, and the best part of brownies was licking the spoon from the brownie mix. Then darn salmonella came into the picture and took that enjoyment out of childhood.

As I carried on with my winding down the evening routine (clean kitchen, double-check the clothes for tomorrow, GPS the book bags & folders) my little Power Ranger’s comment radiated in my mind.   Licking the spoon did bring so much joy as a child. Partially because it was a huge spoon with yummy chocolate, but also because it allowed for a brief reflection and appreciation for how far we had gotten with the brownie mix and added to the anticipation for the cooked brownies.  Just like the age-old saying, life is a journey, not a destination.  Well, in the Brownie mix bowl or PB & J sandwich that is life licking the spoon is a vital step on the journey, one that should not be skipped. Unfortunately somewhere between childhood, salmonella, and adulthood licking the spoon has been left out of life.

Moms are often the worst offenders; we get caught up in the logistics of motherhood. We are often so focused on laundry, dishes, and planning for future events both big, and small, (school lunch, trick-or-treating, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthday Party, etc.) that we forget to slow down and lick the spoon.

So, I am declaring today the day that I lick the spoon (metaphorically speaking, salmonella is real people!). I am stopping, sitting, and sipping on some tea while I reflect on the past few weeks, appreciate the time spent with family and friends, and anticipate the future.

Here are my licks…..

Moms with the holidays quickly approaching remember to take a moment to slow down and lick the spoon.