Coupon Codes

I can't believe that I just made this discovery. I order things online frequently. Between my schedule, gas prices and hauling kids to the store I have found it easiest to order birthday and Christmas presents along with books online.

I was placing an order yesterday and saw that there was a place to put in a coupon code. I notice those at most online sites and feel quite sad that I am rarely ever able to put anything in that box. It is as if someone is waving a coupon or sale in my face while telling me I can't partake in it. So I decided to try something. I put the websites name (can't say what it is because it was for a Christmas present!) then the words coupon code. Wham!!! Up came several websites listing online coupon codes.

The particular site I was using let me put in more than one! I was able to get FREE shipping plus $10 off my purchase. I also got 25% off everything after the first regular priced item. I saved over $40! I was way excited.

So today I had to order a new glass top to our range. The other cracked due to a child's accident and our home warranty wouldn't cover it. The repair man told me it would cost $275 for the part and $80-100 for labor. OUCH! So I decided to look up the part on Sears. I could get the part there for $212 so I put in my cart and on my check out what do I see? A box saying enter coupon code here. So off I google. I found a code that got me 10% off. Yeah! I saved over $20. I am so excited. Sears only let me put in 1 code, but that is OK.

I promptly forbid Aaron to ever to order anything online without googling coupon codes first. :)

Sweet Sisters and chicken bones

Sarah's baby sisters flew in this weekend to support her and our store in this economic time. Tammy came from Idaho and brought her vinyl cutter. Mandy came from Colorado to help. These girls worked so hard. I don't think they got more than 4 hours of sleep on any night.

This display only shows a small portion of the fabulous home decor items we made. We painted boards, decopauged picture frames and sanded till we were covered in saw dust! I love the frames, canvas, tiles, plates, signs and even ornaments. While we were working several regular customers had custom orders. It was neat to see what they came up with.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After 2 long days of hard work the sisters and I went out to dinner at Chevy's on the river. This is Sarah's favorite restaurant and we know why!

We walked in wearing our grungies from painting and were greating by a very happy manager. Jeff was great. He got us in the mood for a fun relaxing evening. We ordered our food and ate too many yummy chips and salsa. Once our food was delivered we chowed down. I had a delicious chicken summer salad. After eating about a third I took a bite only to find a 2" chicken bone in my mouth. We informed the waitress just so they could be aware. She told the manager and he came down to talk to us.

The first thing he said was "Do you know where chicken comes from? It was alive once and it had bones." He was sassy! I was not looking for anything but he comped my meal anyway. We got to talking and he ended up sitting with us at our booth for about 15 minutes! It was great.

We will definately be back to Chevy's and we will bring friends!!!

Gimme yer candy or I'll make ye walk the plank!

Every year we dress up as a family. This year we are a pirate family with our very own Parrot named Parker!

Last year we did Peter Pan.

2006 - Wizard of OzThe year that started it all: 2004 - Power Puff girls with Mojo Jojo

Scrapbook Expo

Every year for the past 4-5 Sarah and I have gone to the Scrapbook Expo crop on Saturday with a group. Last year we reserved 2 tables and have a group from the store go. This year we doubled our #'s and reserved 4 tables. We sold 25 spaces, only 21 were able to come to the crop!

It was so much fun.

This is our group minus a few who left early.

Our group did a CandyLand theme complete with game board

Game pieces

and plenty of candy!

Update on Interview

Well I have not heard back about the interview yet. I keep hoping as I was very impressed with the hiring staff and the feel of the work environment.

Until then I have updated my resume, written a cover letter and applied at an average of 3 places a day.

Wish me luck!

Interviews

I am a little nervous. The economy has taken it's toll on us in a hard way. I am pretty sure my store won't make it past the 1st of the year.

So in order to help out I am going to get a second job. I have sent in several resumes. The last interview I had was a few weeks ago for a local pumpkin patch. I got stood up! The owner didn't show and I never got a call back about my application. It was kind of funny in a sad depressing sort of way.

Tomorrow I have another interview for an administration assistant for a local medical company. I am nervous and excited. I am not sure how I will juggle one more thing. I am anxious as to how Sarah will react to me leaving her with most of the day to day duties at the store. I am not sure what I will do when the kids are off school, daycare, get sick, or have field trips.

I am also very excited. I would love to have regular hours, a steady paycheck and a chance to grow.

Wish me luck!

I am an Aunt again!

My brother Clayton and his wife Lisa gave birth to their first baby a few weeks ago. Benjamin is an adorable little fellow.

Then my sister Starr gave birth to her 5th child and first boy this last Thursday. They named him Taitte. Not sure where that name came from but it is growing on me.

I just want to say that all my brothers and sisters and their spouses are such great parents. I am so proud to have so many wonderful examples in my family. I wish we all lived closer so I could see my 18 nieces and nephews more often.