Posting Easter Pictures Late

This pregnancy is kicking my butt - 10 weeks to go, though. So that's the reason it's taken me so long to post anything. Buzzkill, HotMommy, and Punkinhead started a new tradition this year of going to the Arboretum on Good Friday. The flowers were beautiful and the weather glorious. The Punkinhead loved running around the grounds in her pretty Easter dress and white patent leather shoes. She did manage to destroy her tights with her excessive climbing. Awesome family day!

Follow up to the key flushing

Remember how Buzzkill couldn't find his spare set during Friday's key flushing incident?

Well, they just turned up in the Punkinhead's sock drawer. Really.

Punkinhead’s Challenge of the Day

We had an appointment this morning at Sweet & Sassy for the Punkinhead to get some swoopy side bangs; they’ll hopefully prevent the horrendous knots we’ve been battling every day.

Before her haircut, she needed a diaper change so we darted into the restroom to take care of business. Punkinhead had grabbed my keys – standard practice and no big deal, but today....she flushed them down the toilet while I was getting a diaper out of her backpack!

That’s right. They went right down the drain. I don’t have a big “janitor’s” ring of keys, so the heavy duty public flusher sucked them down super fast. I tried for about 10 minutes to plunge them out but no luck. They were gone, baby gone.

Buzzkill was called at work and asked to grab his spare set to the minivan at home and bring them to the hair salon ASAP.

Unfortunately, Buzzkill was unable to locate the spare set, so he called the dealership and was told if he had the VIN number, they could cut him a new key in about 10 minutes to pick up.

Punkinhead and I moved on to Stride Rite to pick out some white dress shoes for Easter.

Buzzkill called to let me know it was going to be a little bit longer than he thought because the dealership forgot to tell him to bring the minivan’s title, so they’d have to look it up for him before they could cut the key.

Punkinhead and HotMommy next visited Gymboree where the Punkinhead watched TV and HotMommy spent a little more money.

Cut to Buzzkill’s next update call. With the downpour of rain, the highways were taking him longer than he anticipated.

Punkinhead and HotMommy decided to stop in to Build-A-Bear to get a birthday gift for one of our friends. Punkinhead also managed to “borrow” a Sharpie from the front counter and drew a goatee on her chin. Well, at least it wasn’t a Hitler mustache .

So, two hours after the initial flushing incident, Buzzkill makes it to the shopping center and we’re able to gain access to the minivan. Punkinhead dismisses her daddy with a “bye-bye, close peas.” (Translation: See ya, close the door now.) She promptly falls into a deep slumber and HotMommy gratefully drives home.

I think Buzzkill and I met her challenge handily. Mission accomplished!

Cadillacs aren't just driven by J.R. Ewing here in Texas

Buzzkill had to get the emissions test done on the Altima this past week and was waiting in line to pay behind a 60-something lady. She was complaining about how expensive repairs on her Cadillac were to the early twenties dude that had worked on her car.

The dude responded, "Well, it's like my buddy says...pimpin' ain't easy."

Buzzkill wasn't sure if he laughed because the car dude assumed the Caddy's owner would understand or because she actually was nodding as though she understood.

New vehicle!!! Well, new to me anyway....

After 2 months of being a one car family, we finally found a used minivan that fit our needs at a price we were THRILLED at! Woot woot that we're also still a zero car payment family. It really eases the stress of a new baby on the way that we didn't need to take on a car payment to get a vehicle that works for us perfectly.

It's not my first choice in color, but during negotiations, every time the price dropped, I found that my attraction to the color increased. Interesting....I think Buzzkill was proud that a fuller wallet was more important to HotMommy than the color of the car. I also thought I wanted the 3 seat bench in the back row which this minivan didn't have. It has 2 individual seats, so instead of seating 7, it seats 6. But the more I think about it, the more I think this will work out to my benefit. Since the 2 seats need to be removed individually, I'll be able to lift them out myself, rather than need Buzzkill to lift a giant, heavy bench seat.

So, in conclusion, totally happy to be a suburban, minivan mom!

Frugality the Walgreens way

I had a really great trip to Walgreens this week. It involved stockpiling Buzzkill's and HotMommy's favorite cereals, getting dish washing soap practically free, and getting much needed concealer better than BOGO.

Here's how it went:
Kellogg's Special K Strawberry 2 boxes @ $2.50 (my fav)
Coupon for $1 off when you buy 2 box of any Special K cereals
Raisin Bran 2 boxes @ $2.50 (Buzzkill's fav)
Register Reward of $3 earned by buying 4 boxes of cereals

Electrosol Dishwashing pods 20 count 2 boxes @ $3.49
2 Coupons for $2.50 off 20 count boxes
Walgreens Easysaver rebate of $1.50 earned this month

L'Oreal Concealers BOGO - bought 2 for $8.99
Coupon for $3 off any L'Oreal foundation, concealer, powder or blush

So, after coupons my subtotal was $16.97 plus $0.66 tax for a total of $17.63. On top of that I earned a total of $4.50 in RR and Easysaver rebates. That's a total savings of $33.49.

Thanks Walgreens!

Want to see more Drugstore Savings? Visit the "Cent"sible Sawyer's Drugstore Divas!

You know what this kind of photo means....

HotMommy and Buzzkill made a sibling for the Punkinhead. Of course, we're also just excited that a special new individual will be joining our family next year.

I swear this is not a Polish joke.

It's more of a cubicle prisoner joke (aka about the dudes Buzzkill works with).

The other week they were all pumped to go check out this new restaurant called Simply Polish for lunch. Buzzkill couldn't go with them, but asked how the food was when they returned later.

"Well, we parked and walked into the front entrance, and were overwhelmed by a horrible stench. We then noticed there were only women inside and they all had their hands and feet soaking in water. It was a nail salon!"

Simply Polish (Pawl-ish, as in nail), not Simply Polish (Pole-ish, as in from Poland).

This tale is going to be repeated at every holiday party we attend this season.

A Christmas Glimpse from Punkinheadland

I'm holding back some great pictures from our family photo shoot because I want friends and family to "oooo" and "ahhh" when they get the annual holiday card, but here's a few of our other favorites featuring HotMommy, Buzzkill, and our star, Punkinhead. I promise to post our card and annual update later once all the paper cards go out.

She's caught up!!!!!

We had the Punkinhead's latest appointment with the developmental pediatrician today and she's completely caught up to her chronological age. No more preemie 9 week adjustment!!!!!!!!

Verbally she's right on schedule and her fine motor skills are somewhat advanced. Such a miracle.

We'll still need to go in for a 2 year check and then again when she's 4 1/2 - before she starts full time school. But no more need for constant concern and worry. And no more reports. I hate the reports.

I'm a joyous HotMommy and Buzzkill is cautiously relieved. Pretty characteristic reactions.

P.S. Yes, I know I need to correct the date stamp on my camera....

Date Night

Buzzkill and I don't do many things just the two of us. I mean, we go out for a movie every now and then, for our anniversary, and we have a great group of friends that we do non-baby attending things with, but we just don't often make time to do something special just him and me.

So, when he found a great deal (awesome, awesome deal - $15 each!) for Platinum level seats to a Dallas Stars game, I was very excited. I'm not really the type of girl that prefers to get super dressed up and go to the ballet. It can be fun, but I'd much rather go to some sporting event. In preferential order: Auburn football, SEC football, non-SEC college football, hockey, baseball, and then basketball.

Buzzkill even called his mom to babysit and picked out a restaurant for us to go to dinner beforehand. I was giddy; it made me feel like I was being dated again. Normally I'm the organizer. It was nice to have it all planned by someone else.

The night could not have gone better. The restaurant he picked was one of my favorites, but not one he'd been to before. We got there before happy hour ended and had half price drinks. I promise it made them taste better. The food was delish.

We rode DART incident free. Okay, it might have been nice to have a funny public transportation story to blog about.

Buzzkill bought me lots of pretzels, beer, and popcorn at the game. The Stars won 4-2 which made Buzzkill happy. And when we got home, the Punkinhead was feed, changed, and sound asleep.

The best part of the night was talking to one another uninterrupted for a few hours. We definitely need to do this kind of thing more often.

Jon Stewart is a funny dog.

My new birthday flashlight has a laser pointer thingy that Buzzkill has been having fun with all week. Stephen doesn't fall for these tricks, but man, oh man, Jon totally does.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

You ask them to do one thing and they do another.

But at least this time it was cute! I was trying to get the Punkinhead to show off her "find your nose" skills. Instead, she gave us a glimpse into her future as a cast member of The Lion King. That bit of cuteness is right up top in the show; the rest is fun to watch as well. Buzzkill on the sofa is about the height of his activity on weekends. Actually, he's a tremendous help with the Punkinhead on weekends. Also, Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart make a rare appearance.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Hey Buzzkill!

You claim I don't tell you about the things I want gift wise, right? Well here's a link to a description of something - The Couponizer! Yes, Common Sense With Money is giving one away, so maybe you should enter....

I apologize to my readers that I'm not married to, which is quite fairly, a lot. Just needed to put a little wifely directive out there.

Buzzkill would like Trader Tuesday to go vegan.

If it does, should we call it Traitor Tuesday?

Anyway, in honor of Buzzkill, a requested recipe I can tolerate. But I may add bacon to it!

Vegan Black Bean Soup
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 or 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
4 1-pound cans black beans, drained and rinsed
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
Freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
4 cups water

Optional toppings: Green onions, thinly sliced, soy yogurt, reduced-fat sour cream, or low-fat yogurt.

1. Heat the oil in a large soup pot. Saute the onions over moderate heat until translucent, 3 or 4 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until the onion is lightly golden, another 3 or 4 minutes.

2. Add the remaining ingredients, except the toppings, along with the water, and bring to a simmer.

3. Mash some of the beans with a potato-masher, just enough to thicken the liquid base of the soup. Cover and simmer gently but steadily for 10 minutes.

4. Serve hot topped with one or two of the optional toppings.

Serves 6 to 8.

This also freezes pretty well. And makes the whole family farty. Be prepared.

Just Now

I was asking Buzzkill, "Isn't the Punkinhead extra funny this week?"

To which he replied, "Yes, if by funny you mean screamy and uncooperative."

She's such a daddy's girl.

I forgot Tuesday Trade day

It was the Punkinhead's first day at Mother's Day Out and for the first time in maybe six weeks I couldn't swing the energy to cook so Buzzkill was sent out to fetch a Little Cesaer's pizza. After making my own crust and having lots of yummy toppings I combine lately, the takeout pizza tasted like cardboard and horrible dry cheese.

So no new delightful recipe to share. But I did like Auntie M's drink recipe. Here's what I mix up when I'm screaming War Eagle! on the sofa. And okay, whenever an SEC game is on period.

Currantly Absolut Zero

Sprite Zero (Diet Sprite - has to be because it has a sweeter flavor needed for the drink)

Currant Absolut vodka

Ice

Highball glass - or iced tea class

Fill the glass with ice. Pour in 2-3 fingers of the vodka. Fill up the remaining space in the glass with Sprite Zero. Stir and drink.

You can make this with plain Absolut vodka but then it's just an Absolut Zero!

Target Pop Tart Deal

This is the kind of fun I can have when Buzzkill is home an extra day during the week!



Target had Pop Tarts 4 boxes of 12 for $9. Good deal, but wait.....when you buy 4 boxes of 12, you get a $5 gift card for Target! I bought 12 boxes yielding me $15 in gift cards.

Kellogg's has a deal that if you buy 10 products and submit a Fuel for School rebate form from the newspaper a few weeks ago, you get $10 back!

So basically, I paid $27 upfront, got my $15 gift cards, and will soon have a ten dollar rebate on the way = overall cost to me the consumer...$2 for 144 Pop Tarts.

Yes, experienced frugal shoppers, I know there were coupons I could have used. I even printed them out and took them with me, but the store told me they were no longer accepting web coupons. I'm new to this wheelin' and dealin' so I let it go for now....

But all in all I was pretty psyched about the deal.

I was going to be responsible and put the gift cards towards groceries next week. Then I remembered that the swimming vest I wanted to buy the Punkinhead for next summer was marked down again from $24.79 to $12.38 so i put that in my cart. And then there were some beach balls marked down to 76 cents each so those hopped into the cart too. Whoops, grocery budget help all gone!



But wait! I won a $25 gift card to Save-A-Lot from Sisterly Savings last week! I tell you, I can't wait for grocery day on Friday!

Our last deal for Saturday? We dress in Auburn t-shirts and went to Chick-fil-a for the free 3-strips of chicken for each person wearing college logo adorned clothing. I asked for our free food and sent Buzzkill to a table, then I pulled out a buy-a-Med.-Coke-get-a-Large-Waffle-Fry-Free coupon. I took that yummyness to our table and sent Buzzkill back with a buy-a-Med.-Dr.Pepper-and-a-Med.-Waffle-Fry-get-a-Chicken-Sandwich-Free coupon. So to recap: for $4.49, we feasted on 6 chicken strips, 1 chicken sandwich, a large fry, a med. fry, a Coke, and a Dr.Pepper!

I tingle inside with a little cha-ching! noise.

New blogging path

This blog has been such a great outlet for me as a mom. Recipes, baby bragging, embarassing moments - you name it, I feel free to talk about it. So even though I was brought up to believe that talking about money is not polite, I'm going to do it anyway.

Not money exactly, but financial responsibility and saving money by practicing frugality.

Buzzkill and I were shocked by the skyrocketing gas prices this summer and the escalating prices of everything else related to that via shipping costs. Buzzkill works a good job and makes good money, but we made the decision that until our youngest child enters 5-day schooling, my career will be stay-at-home-mom. And that means our income decreased after the Punkinhead to complicate things even more. So, part of my new job description is household accountant and I want to make sure that I use every penny we earn to the best use it can have.

After doing research (where else?) on other mom blogs, I found there is a whole network of moms (and dads) working to be frugal. Not cheap, frugal - responsible and thoughtful about their money choices. It's been such a great education and I've loved getting to make more online friends too.

All that to say, from time to time, HotMommy's going to post about some of the great deals she's learned how to buy over the last month. It's another area I'm a newbie to, but it's become a big part of my life recently and one that I believe is here to stay. I've been stock-piling entries and will be sharing them very soon.

The Neutering - Yes, it does sound like a horror movie.

I've meant to tell a little funny story about Jon Stewart and his snip-snip trip for a while. He got through it just fine, unlike his life companion Stephen Colbert's spaying. (Yes, I have the gender/operation correct. Boy Name + Female dog = You're caught up.) Stephen managed to chew her stitches out on Thanksgiving day, bleed all over my MIL's carpet, and cost $1000 in emergency (holiday) vet bills.

Why is it that boy dogs take 4 days to recover and the girls take 2 weeks? Even in animal recovery the female gets the bum deal. Well, the boys don't have it so hot either.....

Anyway, Buzzkill thankfully did not have reservations about Jon getting snip-snipped. I remembered my mother having to wait until my father was on a business trip to sneak the male cat to the vet for his, ummm, procedure. I don't think my father knows even now that the cat died "gender-neutral."

Jon was dropped off early morning and picked up late afternoon. While I was checking him out, the office assistant asked me if I wanted to spend an extra $8 for pain meds for him. She misconstrued the confused look on my face as an aversion for spending extra and assured me they weren't necessary. My confused look was because I didn't know I hadn't already asked for them. My response to her was, "We SURE DO want them. It's a firm rule in our house. If your testicles get removed, you get pain medication!"

When I told Buzzkill about the above exchange, he wavered between relief that I understood the importance of limiting male genital pain and fear that there was some reason for us to keep it an official "house rule."