Giveaway WINNER

The winner for the Soy Candle Giveaway is #129

Carrie!

Congratulations!!!

Here are your random numbers:129
Timestamp: 2009-04-26 00:29:40 UTC

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I emailed you! Let me know if you didn't receive it. You have 24 hrs to claim your prize or I'll have to choose another winner!

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Thanks to all who entered! I am working at lining up some more give aways so stay tuned.

Later this week I will be starting one for 2 bottles of Country Bobs All Purpose Sauce!!

Walgreens 4-26 Plus Scenarios!

Walgreens looks great this week. Lots of freebies and lots of overage!!

Here are the deals I see...
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Honey Nut Cheerios -- $2.33 - $1.MQ= $1.33
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Bayer Contour monitor -- $14.99 - $14.99 MQ -- get $5.RR back -- $5. MM
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Bayer Crystals -- $2.49 get $2.49 back -- FREE
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Ecotrin -- $2.00 - $2.25 MQ= FREE get $2.RR back -- $2. MM
note -- some Walgreens refuse to lower coupon amounts and therefore will not accept the coupon. In this case the best deal will be to buy 2 Ecotrin = $4.00 use 1 - $2.25 MQ and 1 - $1. MQ = .75 cents oop get back $2.RR -- $1.25 MM!!
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Nivea Body Wash -- $4.99 - $1.MQ printable - get 4.99 RR = $1. MM
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Rembrandt toothpaste -- $5.99 get 5.99 RR -- FREE
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Got 2 Be Hair -- (2/$10. buy 2 get 5 RR) --- $10.- (use 2 )-$2.MQ here = $6. get 5 RR back -- .50 cents each
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Smuckers Jelly -- $2.00 -.55/2MQ= $1.73 - need 7 day ad Q
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Domino Sugar -- $2.49 -.35MQ= $2.14 -- need 7 day ad Q
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To see more Walgreens deals go here. To see the ad scans go here!


My Scenarios I'm planning...
Transaction 1
14.99 --Bayer Contour monitor
2.00 --Ecotrin
2.00 --Ecotrin
------
-14.99 Bayer MQ
-2.25 Ecotrin printable
-1.00 MQ
-----
.75 cents oop plus tax (get back $5.RR Monitor and $2. RR Ecotrin)
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Transaction 2
4.99 --Nivea Body Wash
2.00 --Smuckers Jelly
2.00 -- Smuckers Jelly
? --- need small filler (you can't have more products than you have MQ)
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-1.00 Nivea MQ
- .55/2 Smuckers MQ
-5.00 RR from before (considered MQ)
-2.00 RR from before (considered MQ)
---------
.44 cents plus tax (get back $5.00 Nivea RR)
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Tranaction 3
14.99 --Bayer Monitor
2.00 -- Ecotrin
2.00 -- Ecotrin
2.19 -- Kleenex b1g1 free (need 7 day ad Q)
0.00 -- Kleenex
2.19 -- Kleenex b1g1 free
0.00 -- Kleenex
2.19 -- Kleenex b1g1 free
0.00 -- Kleenex
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-14.99 Bayer MQ
-2.25 Ecotrin
-1.00 Ecotrin
-.50 Kleenex off 3
-.50 Kleenex off 3
-5.00 RR from before
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1.32 cents oop plus tax (get back 5. RR Monitor and 2. RR Ecotrin)
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Transaction 4 (get whatever you need for this transaction)
2.33 --Honey nut Cheerios
2.33 -- Honey nut Cheerios
2.49 -- Domino sugar
2.49 -- Domino sugar
.39 -- gift wrap
? -- need small filler (# of products must be same or more than MQ)
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-1.00 Honey nut cheerios MQ
-1.00 Honey nut cheerios MQ
-.35 Sugar MQ
-.35 Sugar MQ
-5.00 RR (considered MQ)
-2.00 RR (considered MQ)
---------
.33 cents oop
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Totals...
2 -monitors -- I will donate
4 -Ecotrins
2 -Smuckers jelly
2 -5# bags sugar
2- boxes Honey nut Cheerios
1- Nivea body wash
1- gift wrap
6- boxes Kleenex
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all this for $2.84 plus tax
Not Bad!!!!Anyone see any mistakes??? It's been a while since I've seen it worth while to do multiple transactions at Walgreens! It looks worth it this time!!!

I will probably do 2 transactions at one store and then a few days later do 2 more transactions! We'll see, hopefully they will be well stocked but be prepared... Walgreens if known for being out of stock a lot!
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If you try this, don't forget you'll need the 7 day coupons out of the Walgreens ad for the Smuckers, Sugar, Kleenex, and gift wrap.
Also give your coupons in this order
RR - first (must give these first in order for trans. to work!
MQ - second
Walgreens 7 day Q - last!
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To see my actual trip go here!

CVS 4-26

Go here this week to see the CVS Deals!

Thanks The Thrifty Mama

or here

thanks Money Saving Mom

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Other than 1 free Garnier shampoo I don't see much

to talk about at CVS....

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Guess I'll be at Walgreens!

See what I'm hoping to do here...

Daily Dose

2 Corinthians Chapter 13

Verse 5

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test?

Weekly Groceries!

All this for $42.35!!

This week I spent $18.56 at Kroger for 32 items (saving 71%)

$17.79 at Meijer for 19 items (saving $26.84)

and $6.00 at Walmart (for 12 VanCamps Beans)

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Total was $42.35 for 63 items or .67 cents per item!!

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Now I did spend some more of my $55. budget at

KMart -- $5.59 (get $5.00 back in rebate) - 27 items

and $3.95 at Kroger (ex. trip for milk & GM Deal) - 6 items

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So Grand Total for the week is $51.89 (plus get $5. back in rebate) --

for 96 items or .54 cents per item!!

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I will probably spend another $10. or so in Meat at my local butcher which will put me over my $55. budget by about $5..... I can live with that no problem for all the extra goodies I got at Kmart Super Doubles and Krogers Awesome GM Deal this week!!

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Wonder how I get my groceries so cheap...read about it here and here! It's all about matching coupons and sales! Leave a comment, I'd love to answer your questions and teach you how to start saving a bundle too!!

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So how did you do this week??

Did you find any awesome deals???

Let us know!!!

Spring Cleaning - Living Room

We're working on Spring Cleaning our Living Room this week at Beautiful2God

Well I'm happy to report... I got it done!! YAY!!!

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I didn't post any new pics because they didn't look much different than the before.

But it looks a lot different to me. It feels good to have that done!

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Be sure to join us next week as we spring clean our kitchen/dining areas!

This one might be a challenge for me!

Go here to link up!

Loving Our Husbands...

"Loving my Husband Friday" with Shannon at the Peer review!
To see the first 12 ways to Love your husband go here.

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Here are 3 more ways...

13. Focus on what he’s doing right, instead of focusing so often on the negatives.

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14. Show interest in what he feels is important in life.

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15. Give him special time with you apart from the children.

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For more ways to Love your Husbands go here and link up!

Daily Dose

2 Corinthians Chapter 12

Verse 9

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

I love Coffee Cake!

It has been sounding so good to me lately so I think it's time to make some!! I was looking for a new recipe and came across this one!

It looks and sounds delicious!
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Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

Ingredients needed are...

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Go here to see the rest of the recipe!

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Also head on over to The Grocery Cart Challenge

for more wonderful recipes!!!

Sundays Coupon Inserts

This week there should be 1 Smartsource insert

and 1 Valassis insert in Sundays paper...

Check the preview at The Coupon Clippers.

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Here are some of my favorites...

Chex Mix Bars -- .50/1 (love these!!)

Irish Spring Body wash .50/1 or bar packs - .50/2

Cottonelle 4 pack -- .50/2 (My Kroger no longer has these waaaa)

Kraft Mayo -- $1./1

Bandaids -- $1./1

Ball Park Franks -- $1./2

Schick Intuition razor -- $4./1

Schick Quattro razor -- $4./1

Johnsons Baby product -- $1./1

Softsoap 7.5 oz -- .35/1

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High dollar Cheerios Coupons

Go here and sign up to get 4 - $1./1 Coupons sent by email. You will get 1 per week for 4 weeks starting in June. This cereal often goes on sale for $2. or 3/$5.

Use these coupons for possible sweet deals!

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Also sign up here for a chance to win a years worth of Malt-O-Meal cereal!

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Thanks All things Frugel & Money Saving Mom

Free Sample!!

Go here to get your free sample of

Burgie's All Natural Laundry Soap.

There are 4 scents to choose from!

Things I Love Thursday

I love those big blue eyes!!!

My baby turns 3 next month...

where did the time go???

For more Things I love Thursday go here and link up!

Printable Coupons

For an outstanding list of printable coupons available right now go here and check it out!

Thanks CouponGeek!

Daily Dose

2 Corinthians Chapter 11

Verse 30

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

My study Bible says that Paul's weakness opens the way for him to experience the superabundant strength of God's grace. Therefore his boasting in its entirety, unlike that of the false apostles, is not in what he has done but in what God has done.

Wordless Wednesday

For more wordless Wednesday go here

In His Word Wednesday -- Trust

A couple of my favorite Bible verses is Proverbs Chapter 3 Verses 5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own

understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths

straight.

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My Study Bible goes on to explain and break down the verses...

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Trust in the Lord -- Commit your way to the Lord, like Israel's forefathers, who trusted in God and were rescued (ps.22: 4-5)

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with all your heart -- Like Caleb (Nu.14:24 ; Dt.1:36) or the godly King Hezekiah (Isa 38:3). David challenged Solomon to serve God with wholehearted devotion (1 Ch. 28:9)

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acknowledge him -- Be ever mindful of God and serve him with a willing and faithful heart (1 Ch. 28:9; Hos 4:1; 6:6)

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Make your paths straight -- He will remove the obstacles from your pathway an bring you to your appointed goal (11:5 ; Isa 45:13)

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Now it's your turn! What has God been teaching you lately. Do you have a prayer request? Do you have a Bible verse that has stuck out to you? Even just words of encouragement. I would love to hear from you!
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Just post on your blog, then come back here and sign the linky below.
(You are welcome to use my banner if you'd like)
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You can even just leave your words or prayer request here as a comment. We'd love to know how to pray for you. If you don't want to elaborate just let us know you have an unspoken prayer request. We can still pray for you because God already knows!
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Have a Wonderful Day!

Daily Dose

2 Corinthians Chapter 10

Verse 17-18

But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Kroger 4-21

Kroger's Sale this week is almost identical to last weeks...

minus the Awesome GM Deal of course...

Here's what I see... Keep in mind my Kroger triples to .50cents-- everything else is face value.
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Birds Eye Veggies 10/$10. - .35MQ= FREE

Green Giant box veggies -- $1. -.50/2 = .25 each

Angel Soft -- $1. -.50MQ= FREE

Lawrys Marinades -- $1. -$1./2= .50 each

Grapes -- .99/lb

Milk -- .99 half gallon

Gold fish -- $1.00

Kroger icecream bars -- $1.00

Suave deodorant -- $1.00- .50MQ = FREE

Brut deodorant -- $1.00 -.55MQ = .45 cents

Quaker rice snacks -- $1.00 - $1.MQ= FREE

Betty Crocker Potatoes -- $1. -.25MQ= .25 cents

Pasta or Rice a Roni -- $1. -$1./4= .75 cents

Parkay tubs -- $1. -.50/2 (home mailer) = .25 cents

Hunts pudding -- $1. -.50/2 (home mailer) = .25 cents

Glade sprays -- $1.- bogo MQ= .50 cents each
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Be sure to check out your local flyer as
sale are different in different areas...

Leave a comment and let us know
what other good deals you see!

The 30 Day Challenge

Not that I need a new Challenge, I don't, but what I do need is exercise! We bought an exercise machine back in November and I haven't touched it since January. BLAH!!!

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Well that is about to change because I'm starting the 30 day challenge! And as I've said before if I blog about it, I will actually do it. You awesome readers MOTIVATE ME!!! I love you for that!

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I chose 30 days because they say if you do something for 30 days it becomes habit! I'm hoping this is true and works for me! I figure 30 days puts us to the end of May which officially kicks off the Midwest Summer Season!!!

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So if you would like to join me here's our challenge...

1. Exercise Daily-- EVERY DAY! -- change your routine to work different muscles. Do what ever works for you.

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2. Drink 8-10 glasses of water EVERYDAY -- I used to do such a great job at this but I fell off the ban wagon once again!

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Here's my projected daily plan...

1. Stretch - very important -- don't forget

2. 50 - 75 side to side crunchers

3. 50 - 75 crunchers

4. Weight machine

5. Stretch

I figure this is only a 10-15 min. workout.

I know I can find 10-15 min. per day to exercise...it's just a matter of actually doing it instead of walking right by the machine and finding my seat on the couch!!!!
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You make your plan to fit you. Anything is better than nothing, right???

You also might want take some body measurements if your curious of your progress!

Take Sundays off to rest your body!

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If you're going to join me, leave a comment and let me know!

Each week I will post my success hopefully not failure, and you can leave a comment too!

If you would like to let your readers know about the challenge, feel free to use my banner. (Just right click to save) Leave me your link in the comments so I can be sure to find you and encourage you too!

Have fun!!! Now lets get to work!!!!

Homeschool Review -- Grammar

For Grammar we use Easy Grammar. You can see and read all about it here.

I have used this system for 2 years now and absolutely love it!

We start using it for 3rd grade.

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The basis of this program is to learn your prepositions/ prep. phrases and then finding other parts of speech becomes very easy! And it works!! I never learned my preps in school and was not taught this method. I always struggled with English and hated it. I think if I would have been taught like this it would have made a lot more sense and been much easier!

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Here's an example sentence...

A mother with her child ran across the park.

to find the subject and verb, first cross out any prep. phrases (I will highlight in red)

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A mother with her child ran across the park.

all that is left is

A mother.... ran....

You can easily see that the subject is mother and verb is ran

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In 3rd grade they learn a list of about 28 preps

In 4th grade the list grows to 40

I can't talk about 5th until next year!!

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They offer other items like daily grams, but I only get the childs book for $13.95 and the teachers book for $27.95

So total cost would be around $42. for first child but then only $13.95 for additional kids since I already own the teachers manual. This makes it pretty cheap for my additional kids, which is important since I have 4!

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This program has worked really well for us and the plan is to use it next year!

So what do you use for Grammar Class?? I love to keep my options open and have an idea of what everyone else uses.... You never know if this program will stop working for us in the future!!!

Daily Dose

2 Corinthians Chapter 9

Verse 6-7

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Free Samples!!

Get your free Sample of Aveeno here

thanks moneysavingmom and freebies4mom

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Also go here for a sample of Jergens

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And here for a sample of John Frieda

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These are all samples from Walmart!

Spring Cleaning - Living Room

Spring Cleaning Week 8, only 2 more weeks to go!!

Go here to link up and get your weekly assignments.
I plan on doing a deep cleaning including washing the walls, windows, spot cleaning the floors, dusting everything, cleaning the base boards, spot cleaning the furniture, and vacuuming everything including under the couch cushions. Wow, I think I'm tired already!!
Good thing I have able kids I can put to work!!
We'll see how far we get...

I included this picture because it's an area that has some clutter. I need to figure out something to do with the Wii remotes. I don't like them just sitting around.

I'm not sure my after pics will look much different, but if I get it all done it should be much cleaner on the inside!!

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Join in the fun!