Shoes Coming out of My Ears!

I remember going off to college years ago and taking about six pair of shoes with me—blue, black, brown, white, navy, and tennis shoes.  I thought I was set for life back then.  I recall listening with amazement and awe as one of my roommates declared that she only brought sixty pair of her 100+ pair collection to college with her.  How in the world did she ever decide which ones to wear, I thought?  Another college acquaintance brought eighty pair with her.  I was glad I didn’t have to share her closet space!  It was unbelievable to me that anyone would have that many shoes.  I thought perhaps that having too many shoes might be a bad thing—I mean, look at Imelda Marcos!

 

However, over the years, I have acquired a reasonable sized collection of footwear myself.  Boots, heels, sandals, flip-flops, dressy, strappy, casual, black, brown, white, cream, oatmeal, navy, summer, winter, high heels, low heels, open toe, round toe, pointy toe, and square toe.  I think you get the picture.  I have a lot more shoes than any woman living in an RV should.  My husband tolerates my obsession rather well, which means as long as he is not tripping over them, he doesn’t complain.  I told you he was wonderful! :)

 

Two weeks ago, when I took the girls to have their ears pierced, I found these adorable earrings.  To make them even cuter, they were pink!  I love pink!   I had to get them, and since they were on sale, I added them to another of my collections—dangly earrings (more about those another time).

 

 

So, now I can truthfully say that I have shoes coming out my ears!  Gotta love that!

 

 

To be honest, I really don’t know how many pair of shoes I own, but I almost bought the cutest green shoes the other day—to match my new outfit, of course! :)  I showed great restraint and left them in the store, although I have thought about them several times.  Maybe they will go on sale soon…

Day of Deals

Some days I just get on a roll with the whole saving/coupon/deal thing.  I fell off the coupon wagon this past summer, much to my chagrin, and was spending too much at the grocery store and everywhere else, as a matter of fact. 
Last week, I paid my girls to cut out all my coupons (20 inserts – that’s how far behind I was).  After paying them per insert, I knew I had to save some serious bucks to make up for my generosity.  A lot of my coupons were about to expire on the 31st, so I had to move quickly.  CVS was my first stop, and boy, did I ever have a good time making my deals!  I bought enough shampoo and conditioner to keep us all clean for several months, some lotion, and quite a bit of makeup.  I used a ton of coupons and earned three $10 Visa gift cards, too!  It was definitely worth the time spent figuring out my deals.  I came home, fed the family lunch, and then headed off to my next favorite store – Kroger!
Kroger is having a Mega Event this week, so I grabbed my binder and started systematically going through the aisles.  I had been praying that some of the items we needed would be on sale, and my prayers were answered!  I had a cart so full I could barely steer it, and I ended up saving 50% of my entire bill by using coupons along with my store savings card!  Woo hoo!  My family always enjoys it when we have plenty of food in the house.  I enjoy the thrill of the hunt, as I call it.  I didn’t take pictures this time, because I was in a hurry to get it put away before dinner. 
What has been your best coupon deal lately? I love hearing about good deals, even when they eclipse mine at times (sigh – I saw an awesome CVS deal posted right after I got home from the store.  I could have done better had I seen if before going, but, that’s okay – I think!).

The Perfect Touch

In one of my earlier posts, I put up a picture of my table centerpiece with the yummy yellow pitcher and the green tea pot.  I wanted something red to sit with them, but until now, I had not found the perfect item to complete the trio.
I was at Hobby Lobby (I love that store!) and saw the perfect ceramic vase. It was the right size, the right color, and -  at 50% off – the right price.  I love it when that happens!  I debated for just a few seconds, and then put it in the cart.  It wasn’t really an impulse buy because I had planned to buy just such a thing when I found it. 
There was a moment of panic when the cashier told me it was not on sale.  I told her there was a sign right next to the display that said all the ceramic was 50% off.  I was afraid I would have to put it back. :(  The sale sign was from last week, but because it was their mistake, they honored the sale price. In the end, I walked away clutching my treasure with a smile on my face.  Now it sits on my table, lending just the right amount of panache to my centerpiece. 

Isn’t that just lovely? :)

Book-o-holic

Oh, my.  I love books.  Big books, little books, fat books, skinny books, adult books, children’s books, fiction books, non-fiction books, new books, old books  – you name it – I love them all…  When I grow up, I want to have my own library.  I am well on my way to that goal with hundreds of volumes to my name.  It is so deliciously wonderful to browse through my books, turning them over, feeling the covers and aged pages, knowing that all those words are just begging to be read - again. 
I am drawn to the book tables at yard sales, flea markets, and thrift stores.  One of my favorite events during my college years was when the colporteur came and set up his tables of books on the main walkway outside the library.  I always found something to take home. 
This past week was the annual town library sale.  Ahhhhhh!  I love this sale!  Hundreds of books laid out on tables, piled in boxes, and all for just a fraction of the price listed on the cover.  Talk about Paradise! :) 

This is part of my take last week.  I snagged books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Lori Wick, Beatrix Potter, Terri Blackstock, Janette Oke, Bodie Thoene,  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Homer Rodeheaver, Erma Bombeck, James Stevenson, Dr. Suess, Steven Kellogg, Hugh Pyle, Rosemary Wells, and dozens of others.  My kids are learning to love books as well, so a great many of these books are for them (they were 3/$1).  How can I resist giving them such wonderful treasures?  And yes, I think I have read every one of my books.  Many of my books have been read multiple times, making them dear friends whose company I enjoy.  So, I fully intend to curl up with a good book and let the world disappear (my husband has accused me of becoming oblivious to the world when I have an open book in my hand) while I acquaint myself with my newest acquisitions!

Great Deal

I have already admitted my love of sewing, and even confessed to making my own aprons.  I also love making doll clothes.  I have made it a tradition each year at Christmas to make a new outfit for my girls’ first baby dolls.  I have really enjoyed picking out cute fabric and making dresses, PJ’s, and even coats for their special little friends.  This year, however, I have upped the ante.  Esther received a Madame Alexander 18” doll for her birthday(courtesy of Swagbucks earnings) this year.  Jealousy immediately made itself evident in her older sister. “I want one!” said Abigail.  I told her she might get one for her birthday next year (May).  She frowned, and thought for a moment.  “How about for Christmas?”  She’s no dummy! :)
After looking at prices on pre-made clothing for 18” dolls, I fainted.  After I picked myself up off the floor, I knew there had to be a better way to clothe the dolls.  Thus began the search for 18” doll clothing patterns.  I must say I balked at the price range of the patterns - $9-17, depending on the store.  I resigned myself to buying one at a time as finances permitted.  This meant that I would probably have the entire collection by the time my granddaughters arrived!  I was visiting with my mom, and she happened to mention that Hobby Lobby (I love that store) was having a sale on patterns.  All Simplicity patterns are $.99 this week!  I begged her to take me over, and  sure enough, they had the 18” doll patterns.  I bought every single one they had – 16 in all!  I purchased all sixteen patterns for $15.84 with a total savings (figured from the price printed on the envelope) of $210.25!  What a blessing!

Now I have a complete arsenal of fashion – even the Disney Princess dresses.  I cannot wait to start my Christmas projects.  Shhhh!  Don’t tell my girls what is in store for them this year!  I am so excited!  What is the best deal you have come across lately?  By the way, it’s not too late to go snag some $.99 patterns at Hobby Lobby!