Bargains of the Month-September

September 29, 2009 at 6:28 AM (Bargains of the Month, Friends)

Here is my super-duper bargain for the month of September!

I’m pretty sure that I have mentioned my fondness for the “Life is Good” brand before. The t-shirts don’t fit me well, but I love the sleep pants. I found these while looking for a new pocketbook. Which I did not find that day.

I had a $10.00 coo-pin, that was sent to me in the mail because I have a Rewards credit card.  They would probably consider me a good customer. It could be used at TJ Maxx, Homegoods or Marshall’s. The trifecta of good shopping. It wasn’t $10 off on a purchase of  $75.00, like the one they sent me for my birthday, it was TEN FREE DOLLARS!!!

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They were 59 cents from Marshall’s! I heart them! Get it?

My Folks gave me some money for my birthday to put towards a new pocketbook. I had been looking for a replacement, as the handle of my current pocketbook was starting to come apart. For the last 3 years, this particular purse has fit all of my purse carrying needs, but I have never been completely happy with it’s appearance.

I began my quest  looking for the new pocketbook. I have many, many rules/guidelines for the pocketbook. You can read about them here. Or not.

Capri Patt and I were at TJ Maxx on Saturday and I scoured the purse section. I bought 2 that I liked, because part of the process involves taking it home and putting all my  junk into it to see if it all fits comfortably.  This was the winner. The other one was black, and everything fit awkwardly.

I was actually glad the black one was the loser. I was trying to expand my horizons and break out of the black/brown rut that I have been in for many years now.

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 I have grown very attached to the built in wallet feature, I may never have a wallet again.

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 My Parents also gave me this table runner for the anniversary of my birth. I put it here, because my table is always covered. With  dinner,  junk, school books, crumbs and laundry. Capri Patt gave me the stamp of approval when she came over today with Capri Deb and EEEK to get their hairs cut.

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Last, but not least is a bargain that Capri Patt picked up for me at Homegoods on clearance for $29.00. It is just what we needed to go with the new chairs to enhance our TV viewing pleasure. LOVE IT! Thanks C.P.!

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Anyone else find a bargain this month? Do tell!

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Bargains of the Month-August

August 22, 2009 at 9:59 AM (Bargains of the Month, Cats and Dog, Family Life, Honey, Muggins Q. Mouse, Our Boy, The Ab-Cat)

I can hardly believe that another month has flown by. Where is this summer going?

My very favorite bargain was found in Virginia. It will be my consolation prize for when summer is over, and I have to put the jeans back on. Always a sad day. It is actually a sadder day when I have to put on the socks.

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These Lucky jeans were found on the clearance rack at TJ Maxx. For $20.00. They are oh, so comfortable too! I had a thought to show them actually ON my hindquarters. But, alas, no one is up at our house except me. And the cats. Who have just  now discovered a plastic bag that has been sitting in the foyer since yesterday afternoon. And they are making a great deal of racket with that plastic bag. Think big time wrestling, in a plastic bag. And PLEASE, don’t get all worried that they could actually accidentally get themselves in the plastic bag and suffocate themselves. They have both auditioned for the feline version of “Biggest Loser”. They could no more get into the plastic bag than I could. They will just rustle it around annoyingly, then lay down and sleep on it.

 The kids and I went to Value World ( where the plastic bag came from), once last month, and again yesterday, because we had a 30% off cou-pin. Mousey and The Boy love the Value World. I have to admit it is my favorite thrift shop as well. Mousey purchased many, many things to accentuate her new style. When I asked her where she spent the most time, she said in the old lady/ grandma sweater department. She has found some other really cute things as well.

The Boy insisted  I help him look for shirts. I’m sure I don’t know why, he seemed to know instinctively if a flannel shirt was going to work or not, by just looking at it. If it was too big, he just said “No, it’s too George Costanza”. Which, I guess, meant it was too big in the belly. All I know is that George Costanza was the reason I never wanted to watch “Seinfeld”.  He made me uncomfortable. He still makes me uncomfortable.

The Boy was also looking for a shirt to please LMNOP. That’s how much he is in like with her. He wants to dress to please her. Never mind that I have been trying to get him to stop looking like a dark  HOBO for years now. She evidently likes a type of light blue and white striped shirt. He dutifully tried on every single one they had, and even though some genuinely looked nice on him, he couldn’t do it. They were too light. He said he felt like a cloud. What ever that means.

He did manage to add to his extensive collection of flannel. Four, all for $2. Cause we had the cou-pin.

Ab-Cats twinkie was a Red Wings hoodie, that I snatched up the second it left the stock girls hands. It was an authentic NHL brand, because that is uber-important. Not really. For under $3, with the cou-pin.

Honey received nothing, which is how he prefers it. He’s a saver.

The whole kit and caboodle.

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Pile ‘O flannel on left (including, as he called it, the Ray Romano dad shirt), that aqua thing looks like something I wore in the seventies. Bat wing sleeves, unflattering stripe across the chest, color and all.

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I thought this was particularly darling with all the moving bling. Mia was loving the moving bling as well. Who needs cat toys?

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My purchases. The black is Icelandic, which I have never heard of, and the white is Talbots, which I have. All cotton.

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These were my finds the last trip, on July 29th. So close to August, that I snuck it in. I LOVE that Columbia long sleeved shirt on the left for $1.90 !! I have great plans for it! The black top can be dressed up, or dressed down. Which suits me, as I am pretty casual. Also all cotton. I was complaing to Mrs. Schmenkman that I don’t like all of these material blends that the kids are wearing these days. Some I have never heard of. So, my motto is, if I don’t know it, I don’t wear it. Because chances are, those fabrics cause my deodorant to not work. Since I have the nose of a blood hound, I don’t ever want to go there. So I have become a fan of, the look, the feel, the fabric of our lives, cotton. The anti-stink material.

The green Old Navy hoodie was for Ab-Cat, who is the most casual person I know. Zebra, for Goomba to play with, was a quarter at a garage sale. It is SO cute! Our kids would have loved that little Serengeti surprise!

All for a little more than the price of a movie for our whole family. Except it lasts longer!

After we pick up some jeans for Mouse-stine and Mr. Jiggy-Fly, we will be finished with all of the shopping. The Ford  Fiasco Family  Budget and all.

It’s kind of fun to be creative though!

5 Comments

Bargains of the Month-July

July 28, 2009 at 3:24 AM (Bargains of the Month, Cats and Dog, Friends)

Last week, after our walk, Keelyody and I toured the yearly garage sales in her neighborhood. We had a bit of luck!

I found this for a quarter. That’s 25 American cents!  It matches our other front porch pots. As I looked at it, I realized that we spray painted the big ones a couple of years ago to try and extend their lives. Because, big pots? They are dang EXPENSIVE! Lucky for me, we still have some spray, so they will be like sisters soon.

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I plan to situate it up by the porch chair. That is looking quite lush and glorious.

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What is it about a cracked open door that brings out the felines? It can rouse them out of a dead sleep. Just to roll around on concrete and nibble blades of stuff.

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Now, on to the back porch. Honey is always telling me we should get some of these. I don’t really know what they are called, but they look like fancy scooters. They come in handy to move the heavy pots when we are hosing off the back porch.  When I look at the scooters in the store,  I always feel they are too much money. So I don’t purchase the scooters. But these were $2.oo each. I felt the need to purchase those scooters!!!

Once again, cat rolling commenced.

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Sunbathing.

So there you have my July bargains. Tell me about yours!

3 Comments

The Second Hand Sleep Pants

June 13, 2009 at 3:24 PM (Bargains of the Month, Family Life, Muggins Q. Mouse, The Ab-Cat, Whatever)

Mousey has had a hankering lately to go to thrift stores. We went to The Goodwill Thrift Store last Saturday, and to another one on Wednesday. She didn’t have much luck. All she found were two tops, that for some odd reason were both yellow.

I, on the other hand, had really good luck! In the sleep pant department. All for $1.99 to $3.99, and a couple were 1/2 off, but I never could figure out which ones, or exactly why that was.

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The four on the left were mine. The other three were for The Ab-Cat. Who did not come with us and told us in no uncertain terms that she does not like the thrift stores. But she did like her twinkies!

The flannel Michigan and snowflake pants I knew she would like. I was much more hesitant about the pink capris. I even called her, because I was unsure if she would wear capris. I told her that there were two things about them that she would love, and one thing that she wouldn’t. I was positive she would adore the cupcakes. No doubt about that. These pants are also a brand called Nick and Nora, which I know absolutely nothing about, but she loved the movie “Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist”, and somewhere on the pants it has Nick and Nora, repeated on the cupcakes. I just can’t find it in this picture. What I wasn’t sure about was all of the pink. That color is definitely under represented in her wardrobe. On purpose.

She was pleased with the purchase.

As I was with mine! I especially loved this pair.

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It’s not every day you run across state snow globe jammies!!! Also Nick and Nora brand. Where does this brand sell? Besides thrift stores?

Here is the only Michigan I found. Of course the car is cut in half. Just like the real automotive industry.

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I realize that four pair of sleep pants for myself might seem like a lot. But I justified the purchase by acknowledging that I spend at least half of my day wearing my pajamas. All night, early morning, and early evening. Once I know I will no longer be in public, so any time after 5:00 is fair game. Public does not include schlepping children in the car. That is fine for jammies. Unless I break down or something, then I would certainly regret that choice.

I want you all to look at that word pajamas. Who made up that word? From what language did we get it? Where does the root come from? That is one weird word. Also, do you say pa-jah-ma’s OR pa, jam-ah’s?

4 Comments

Bargains of the Month

June 5, 2009 at 4:17 AM (Bargains of the Month, Cats and Dog, Honey, Pretty Things, The Ab-Cat)

LMNOP reminded me the other day that I used  to have a category called Bargains of the Month. Then she told me about her fantabulous bargain!

I have neglected this category for a while. Firstly, because of The Ford Fiasco Family Budget and all, and secondly, because it probably just slipped my mind. Mucho slippage going on here.

I told you all about Honey’s terrible, horrible, very bad , last  haircut in this post. He did not think he would live to tell the tale. After all, he was 52 years old and it was the worst haircut he has ever experienced!!!!!

After pricing new blades  ($20.00) and new clippers ($49.99), we decided to just get the new clippers. Having experienced this sort of conundrum before, we knew that the possibility of the problem NOT being the blade was high. And the blades were not returnable. But, if we bought the clippers, and they didn’t have the gumption to clip Honey’s abundance of hair sufficiently, we could take them back to the beauty supply store for a refund. That is just the kind of country we live in. God bless America. Home of the brave and the free, and the great return policy.

Honey and I talked to the sales girl, and explained that I needed some heavy duty clippers to cut his hair. And I had another one at home with even MORE  hair. She felt confident that these would do the job.

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They were $49, on sale for $42, and because I am a valued customer at Sally’s Beauty Supply and have a little plastic card that tells them I am a licensed cosmetologist, I received a discount that brought the price to $34.88! Not too shabby!

I am here to tell you those babies slid through his hair like buttah!  Honey proclaimed them AWESOME. We chose wisely. The whole haircut took an ungrueling 5 minutes.

My old clippers will be bumped down to dog clippers. Katie will be very happy, as my old dog clippers did not have good guards, so she was usually cut shorter than we liked. This pair has 1-4 guards, she will be sporting a variety of lengths now!

Speaking of Miss Katie Katherine, if you could keep her and Abby in your prayers Friday morning, we surely would appreciate it. She is going in to have surgery to remove a bladder stone, that looks like a giant spike ball on the x-ray. And while they are in there, they will do a hysterectomy. And cut her toenails. Because anytime she is under anesthesia, I take full advantage of the situation. She is a she-beast about the pedicure.

 Abby is understandably nervous for her “baby” to be undergoing surgical procedures. Honey and I understand that completely. It never gets any easier either.

When she returns, we are hoping it is the end of Diaper Doggie.

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My other bargain was this big old hunk of gorgamous!

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Regularly priced at $35 or $39 (sorry, that mind slippage again) marked down to $15!!!!  It is just stuffed with loverliness! The other one I had for the chair will be re-potted in a hanging planter and will live a happy life on the back porch.

I’d love to hear about your bargain of the month! Tell them about yours LMNOP!!! It’s a good one!

1 Comment

Threads From Sassy Cat Hill

May 30, 2009 at 3:12 PM (Bargains of the Month, Friends, Trips)

I just realized that threads could be the clothes I bought, as well as the loose strands of information I have to share about this year’s Memorial Weekend Extravaganza. Or as Warren called it, the Hootenanny. Isn’t that a good word?

First of all, I would like to say that I did much better with my weight issue this year. Luggage weight that is. More on body weight later. Last year, I brought a  monster suitcase that all by itself  weighed 15 POUNDS. It was a real  problem. I ended up leaving some of my stuff at Schmenky’s, and she brought it up  to me when they came to Michigan for a wedding in August. This year when I arrived, I had my packed carry on inside my new bigger suitcase that Honey bought for me in Florida. Together they weighed 42 pounds! Well under the 50 allowed by Northwest Airlines!

On the way home, my big suitcase weighed 49 pounds! Who is a most excellent packer? My carry on was full as a tick as well. And the best thing?  I didn’t have to leave anything behind.

Some of my favorite purchases were:

Love this. $3.99 at Tuesday Morning.

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A whole caboodle of new yarn for delicious scarves!!! The whole bottom of the suitcase was covered ! Around $1.50 each at Big Lots. I have some yummy ones for you, Capri Deb!!!

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These Born sandals were a big bargain! $23.99 at Ross Dress for Less. I thought my last Born sandals were a deal at $29.99!

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Let me tell you about my favorite purchase! Schmenky was buying 2 of these at Kohl’s.They were regularly priced at $69.99, on sale for $34.99, and Schmenky had the good fortune to have a 30% off coupon!

But what I really LOVED was my neck didn’t hurt when I slept on it! I have had neck problems since our car accident 13 years ago, and they are getting worse. The pillow helps a great deal!

“By Grapthar’s Hammer, oh what a savings” Galaxy Quest.

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I heart the pillow! Honey has been trying it out to see if he would like one as well.

I also purchased capris, jeans, various tops, underwear and socks for Honey and the kids, a shower curtain for the guest bath, pretties for the house, and other twinkies for my loved ones.

Now, about those other weight issues. I decided that I was going  to get firm with myself once I got home. Because I am at my all time high fighting weight right now. Except for when I was pregnant with Abby. I gained 70 pounds with her and I never want to see that number on the scale again.

Somewhere around Thanksgiving, I fell off the low carb wagon, and have not really bothered to get back on. I am running to catch up with it right now.

BUT,  Mrs. Schmenkman and I had one last fling with the buffets. We are very selective about the ones we eat at, not all are created equal. Where else can you get a delicious salad, meal, dessert and beverage for 7 bucks? We call all buffets “The Trough”, and we faithfully stampeded on up to it! But after the last slice of pecan pie, that’s it. I’m done with all the eating.

Evidently The Trough is a good place to pick up middle aged women. At least that’s what the GRANDPA MAN, who asked us if we were on Match.com, thought! Seriously, he was a grandpa! O.L.D. M.A.N.    After that, I pointed out all the old men to Schmenky and told her there was her boyfriend.

One last Trough tidbit.

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Could they possibly need that much butter? Seriously?

Next up? The animals that live on Sassy Cat Hill. There are many. And they are sassy.

3 Comments

Bargain of the Month-December Scrapbook Calendars

January 6, 2009 at 12:50 AM (Bargains of the Month, Family Life)

The only things that I made for Christmas this year were calendars. I have made them before when our kids were younger, but since our children never want their picture taken anymore, the whole thing had fallen by the wayside. This year, we had The Goomba, and my Folks new Great Grandson, Michael. That went far towards rounding out the page with shiny, happy people, rather than just our cooperationally impaired teenagers.

Except for the actual calendars and pictures, I did not put out a dime to make them. That’s how much scrapbooking stuff  I already have. Paper and stickers, in abundance. It was fun! Made me want to get back to scrapping. Because I am still in 2001. And that is just sad.

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This was my Folk’s book.

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Made one for The Goomba’s Parental Units as well.

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I also made one for my Dad and his wife. This was not it. It was gone before I took pictures.

 I was pleased with the way they turned out, but I will be much more intentional with my picture taking this year. I will try and get more family shots as well. I only had 1 of Beeve’s family, and it was from last Christmas, not exactly currant. I really need to do better with our family as well. Even though they may not want to.

So that will be my bargain of the month for December, AND craft of 2008!

6 Comments

Bargains of the Month-September

October 1, 2008 at 5:45 AM (Bargains of the Month, Family Life, Honey, Our Boy)

There have been some purchases, but they were not major  bargains.

 Mousey had good luck at Plato’s Closet a week or so ago. Mostly jeans. But they were all washed and put away before I thought to take a picture. And I wouldn’t be able to tell the new ones from the old ones, so scratch that idea.

Here was a bargain that Honey and The Boy picked up for me on one of their garage sale excursions. I think they said it was 50 cents. I never realized that there is no cents symbol on the keyboard until just now.

The Boy called him Jasper Jr. Because I named my other bunny Jasper. I was very surprised he remembered that! He is very cute. I love him.

The next was indeed  a bargain. The Boy received it at work, for FREE. It is a new item that they are promoting at Family Christian Bookstore, so they gave each of the employees one to get familiar with the product. Nice swag!  We have an old version of this Bible and Honey calls it his “slang”  Bible. I will have to see if I can use it to gain new insight into the behavior of those grumbling Israelites. They aren’t grumbling yet, but they will be right quick.

I had some older dessert dishes that I always used for Caregroup. I had bought them YEARS ago with money I earned from having a garage sale. I don’t even do those anymore. They were unbreakable (always a good thing when varied ages are using them) and plentiful. They also matched our old kitchen. At our old house. That we moved out of 10 years ago last week. They are fuchsia.

They worked nicely with our assorted pinks, blues and greens at the old house. Here? Not so much. As a matter of fact, they stick out of our earth toned palate like a redneck at a debutante ball. And it was getting on my last nerve every other week, when I put them out for Caregroup.

Now, I realize that this is not really  a serious problem. And that’s probably why I could never justify spending much to solve the problem. BUT THEN, while visiting our friendly neighborhood Target, I spied these, on clearance!

48 cents each. And MUCH easier on the eyes. Also unbreakable AND plentiful.

$12.00 for 25 , not too shabby!

Here’s our favorite Target shopper! Look out, Goomba’s on the loose!

How about you? Any bargains to share?

3 Comments

Bargains of the Month for August

August 26, 2008 at 6:47 AM (Bargains of the Month)

We Capri’s did some shopping last week. We were preparing  for our big Capri Weekend that we will have in October.

This was the find of the summer!! Spotted by Eagle Eyed Patt!

I was down to my last bottle. I sound like a wino or something!

Purty skirt for $8.80

Comfy capri’s for $7.60. This is my third pair of these Lee’s. I like this fabric. I almost need to replace the other two due to wearing them to death.

Another possibility in my quest for cute, comfortable, LONG, trouser jeans that don’t have weird pockets on the sides. These are Nautica for &39.99. Modeled by two FAT cats, who cannot resist me taking pictures on the floor.

I love those kitty-witty boolie-woolies!

3 Comments

Bargains of the Month-July

July 30, 2008 at 7:55 AM (Bargains of the Month, Friends)

I know it’s July and clearance is in full swing, but I’m just not feeling it. I don’t need anything.

I can’t believe I just said that.

I have been extremely happy with all of my purchases this season and have enjoyed wearing it all. And that is not always the case. I have been known to make errors in judgement. Usually concerning my hindquarters.

I did have Capri Deb take home a couple of pairs of carpi’s to customize for me. Because apparently, just above my hindquarters, I am very small. That sounds nicer to me than saying below my waist , I am evidently abnormally large.

Anyway, it is a dream come true to have my own personal tailor to cover up those superficial imperfections. I highly recommend it!   Thanks Capri Deb!

So onto the 3 bargains.

First up, a top for Mousey. Found while shopping at Marshall’s with Capri P. I wondered why it had been marked down to $3.00 until I turned it around and saw what looked like coffee spilled on the back. I was pretty sure that my finely honed laundry skills could handle that.  They could.

Next up was also for Mousey. She found this when I was making a return at J.C. Penney. She thought it was $5.00, but when we got to the register, it was $2.99. Even better!

And lastly, a bargain for Capri K. ! Found at Marshall’s for $25.00. I’m not sure what the original price was, but the price was not the biggest value for me anyway.

 I needed a pair of shoes to go to Capri P.’s daughter Erin’s wedding in August. I had already found a dress. Very cute and reasonably priced, but not really a bargain. Dress shoes are a bit more problematic, as Honey and I are exactly the same height.  And I don’t  want to feel like a lummox towering over him in high heels. I also felt that my Bare Traps were WAY too casual. I thought these were perfect! Black patent leather, very small wedge heel, and a little bling for fun!

I will show you the whole ensemble after the wedding. It should be so much fun!  The reception is on a yacht! Plus, the Schmenkman’s are coming up from Virginia to attend, WOO HOO!!!!!!!

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