Friday, July 31, 2009

Forgiveness

(Editor's note: forgive ME if you've read this post before. I have two readers who wanted to borrow from it for church talks this week.)

My ex-boyfriend used to call me "Satan Claus" (see left) because of my ability to hold a grudge. Oh, believe me, I knew who'd been naughty and I KEPT A LIST, MISTER.

I moderated this unfortunate habit when I fell in love with The Todd, who is the kindest and most forgiving of men. Mind you, he forgives, but doesn't forget. Cross him enough and you're out of the club. But he never nursed a grudge the way I can. Producer Mike, our dear friend and diabolically funny ex-producer used to call it "The Crisper of Hate." He and I loved to keep our grudges in The Crisper of Hate, and take them out and mull over them, just as fresh and outrageous as the day we stored them there.

I didn't get offended so much for myself (though I believe to this day that other drivers are put on the road just to annoy me) but for others that I loved. We're Scottish, and my favorite quote is "The enemy of my friend is my enemy." I hated the store clerk who was rude to my girlfriend Annika. I hated the lift operator at Snowbird's slide ride who was a complete jerk to the little girls from Kenya because they didn't know how to ride a ski lift. I mean, HELLO? They're from A-F-R-I-C-A, they don't have a lot of SKI LIFTS there, pal! And they're 8! Way to yell at an eight-year old non-ski lift using kid from Africa! Geez! (Editor's note: okay, that one was from today so I should get a pass on that.)

My mother can't stand this quality in me. After telling her once that I tried and tried to forgive someone who'd been inexcusably cruel to The Todd and his children, she sent me this excerpt from "The Hiding Place." Corrie Ten Boom was an amazing little Dutch woman who hid dozens of Jews in a secret space in her home from the Nazis. She was eventually caught and with her sister, sent to a concentration camp to die. Corrie survived, but her beloved sister did not. An SS guard who'd been especially sadistic to her sister showed up years later at a speech Corrie gave. Don't read the following 'till you're ready to let go. I was ticked off at my mom for years for forcing me to evolve. Which means...I still hold a grudge.


Dangit.



Here's the link. Have tissues ready.
For author Corrie ten Boon, the ultimate lesson in forgiveness came at a very unexpected time. In her book "The Hiding Place," she writes the following: It was at a church in Munich that I saw him, the former S.S. man who had stood guard at the shower room door in the processing center at Ravensbruck. He was the first of our actual jailers that I had seen since that time. And suddenly it was all there - the roomful of mocking men, the heaps of clothing, Betsie's pain blanched face. He came up to me as the church was emptying, beaming and bowing. "How grateful I am for your message, Fraulein," he said. "To think that, as you say, 'He has washed my sins away'!" His hand was thrust out to shake mine. And I, who had preached so often to the people in Bloemendaal on the need to forgive, kept my hand at my side. Even as the angry, vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him. I tried to smile; I struggled to raise my hand. I could not. I felt nothing, not the slightest spark of warmth or charity. And so again, I breathed a silent prayer. Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give him Your forgiveness. As I took his hand, the most incredible thing happened. From my shoulder along my arm and through my hand a current seemed to pass from me to him, while into my heart sprang a love for this stranger that almost overwhelmed me. And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness, any more than on our goodness that the world's healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself.

Another "use it or lose it" coupon from World Market

World Market has 3 great new in-store and online coupons available:
Save $5 on any $25 purchase
Save $10 on any $50 purchase
Save $20 on any $100 purchase

Please remember that these coupons are valid only through August 1st!

More Organics on the cheap...

Santa Cruz grocery Organic Lemonade (32 oz.) 2/$3Use the .75 coupon from here Final cost, only .75 each!

Steaz Organic Ice Teas (16 oz.) $1Use the buy one get one free coupon from Coupons.com
(I had to use zip 90210) Final cost, .50 each!

So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurts (6 oz.) 3/$4Buy 12 for a total of $16Use three $2/4 coupons from Coupons.com (Once again use zip code 90210) Final cost $10 total, just .83 each! Not bad since these retail for $1.99 each!

$20.00 off coupon for a $20.00 purchase!

At SeventhAvenue.com! Use this promo code: sa20 when checking out and it will take an additional $20 off your order of $20 or more! Shipping starts at around $9.95.

Another back to school sale...

This is a "use it or lose it" coupon for the two-day sale at the Children's Place. Add this to the up to 80% off Monster Sale, and I think they have to pay you to take the clothes home! http://www.childrensplace.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/EmailJump?langId=-1&catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&jumpId=VIPcoupon09-v1&cm_ven=emails&cm_cat=073009&cm_pla=VIPPROMO&cm_ite=all&CustomerMemberID=FW8395mj

(You know I'm kidding about the paying you part, right? I never know these days...)

Organic discounts and coupons...


...back to my eternal quest to find organic products for the twins that don't require me to mortgage my kidney every time I hit the checkout line.

Back to Nature organic mac and cheese, $1.oo off: http://deliciouslivingmag.com/
Morningstar Organic Veggie Patties, $2.00 off: http://print.coupons.com/alink.asp?go=13927ym3110, and here's a $2.00/2 coupon from Target to add to it: http://www.organicgrocerydeals.com/forums/view.php?pg=coupon_generator
Little Crow Foods has some nice coupons available: Go here to request a coupon flyer. The coupons you'll receive are:
Save $1/1 Fryin' Magic OR Bakin' Miracle Seasoned Coating Mix
Save $.75/1 Sweet OR County Style Miracle Maize Corn Bread & Muffin Mix
Save $1/1 Box, Any Size of Coco Wheats Hot Cereal
Save $.55/1 Bottle, Any Size or Flavor of Fastshake Pancake Mix
Save $.75/1 Bottle of 10.5oz Buttermilk Fastshake Pancake Mix
This is a new product for me, so I looked up locations. Find your store here: http://www.fryinmagic.com/to_buy/where.asp Thanks, It's Hip To Save!

Back to School discounts roundup...




Frankly, 10% isn't much, but there's enough bargains at Big Lots to make this worth printing and giving to your teacher friends. They just need to show their school ID.

This upcoming week at Staples:

Don't forget to use the $10.00 off $50.00 purchase coupon on the front page of the circular!

$1 Bargains (limit two per item):

Zebra Z-Grip Retractable Ball Point Pens, 7pk

Rose Art Water Color paint set

Staples 3 Hole Binder punch

Staples Photo Plus 4x6" paper glossy, 60pk $9.99-$8.99 rebate = $1

$2 Bargains (limit two per item):

Staples Bright White Multi-Use paper 500 sheets $7.99-$2 instant - $3.99 rebate = $2 (limit 2)

Staples 3 ring pencil pouch

Post It 1/2" Tape Flags

3 pk Sharpie markers

2pk Wite Out correction fluid

Scotch magic invisible tape 3pk 3/4" x 300 $2-$.50 from 8/28 RPFinal Price: $1.50 or $.50 per roll!

Other Deals:

Filler Paper: College or WideRuled $0.01 (limit 5)

Accel 1-subject 8" x 10½" notebook, 100 sheets $0.75 (limit 3)

Buy two Casio calculators get a free alarm clock (item #793582)

Thanks, Moms By Heart!


Old Navy Weekly.com Navigation Clues!

I am sucking at this...I hover over the Old Navy Weekly site every Thursday night and STILL miss the refresh every time. By the time I see the update, the $75.00 and $50.00 coupons are gone. However, I still include the navigation clues here, because three girlfriends swear the site's refreshed mid-week, and all three snagged the $75.00 fellas. Of course, they've gloated mercilessly--so practice, so that you too may gloat! Remember also that you can still use this 35% off coupon: http://www.gapinc.com/giveandget/lls/

Here's your navigation clues:

$75 off $100 - 2 ways to get this: 1) A limited # of people were able to put in their mobile number to get text updates (bottom left where it says "Item of the week - get text updates in an orange bubble to the right of that"). 2) Click on the dog (top right picture) and he will bark once...a squirrel will then run across the picture w/the two girls (top left). Catch the squirrel and click on it (you have to be fast). You can only get it by clicking the squirrel the first time--otherwise refresh and try again.

$50 off $100 - Top picture, 2 girls, take the camera from the girl on right and move to middle top picture and place in woman's jean pocket(on right) - Click the picture and a picture will fall. Catch the picture for $50.

$10 off $50 - Click on the top right picture w/the couple. They will split apart (Josh & Kelly) and the $10/$50 will pop up.

$5 off $25 - in the video, about 1 minute in, click around till you find it!

25% off - Click on the sunflower (top left picture with 2 girls-it's on the bottom right)

15% off - Text update - put in your mobile number and the 15% will pop up (this is on the bottom left, where it says "Item of the Week"

10% off - Top picture, 2 girls - click on the girl's yellow headset


(Editor's note: I've noticed that the undisputed Queen of the Blogosphere for lightning-fast Old Navy updates is Thrifty Northwest Mom. And she's a sweetie!)

DVD's on the cheap...


Target has some DVDS deemed as "Staycation DVDs" for $5. (Editor's note: you can use the $2 off printable HERE to get them for $3!) They're offering some surprisingly good ones, we snapped up "Matilda," "Little Women," and a couple of others for our next weekend at the cabin.

Free-Bee Roundup


Get two free tacos at Jack in the Box on August 4th with this printable coupon. Click here to find a location near you.

Marsh Stores are offering Facebook fans a printable coupon for $10 off a purchase of $10 or more. If you don’t have a Facebook account, you can also print the coupon here. Coupon is only good when used with your Marsh Fresh Idea card or O’Malia’s CouponPlus card. Click here to find a Marsh location near you. Thanks, The Freebie Blogger!

Print a $3 off Colgate Toothbrush and Toothpaste coupon from Coupons.com when you use the zip code 85031. The coupon says “Walgreens” on it, but it is a manufacturers coupon so it can be used anywhere. Prints 2.

Free Yoplait Whips are back! http://freewhips.yoplait.com/YoplaitCoupFY10/Default.aspx

Free movie night, baby!

Get a free Redbox rental at Stop & Shop locations with the code 7SD4BWL8. Code expires on 8/13/09. To find more Redbox codes, visit InsideRedbox.com. Click here to find a Redbox location near you.

Free Candy Friday!


Sniff...it's like Halloween every Friday! I love the Mars Candy people! Click here for get your coupons: https://secure.realchocolate.com/

A free book every month!

Here's a combination I'd never guess at: The Dolly Parton Imagination Library gives a free book each month to kids ages 5 and under. I'm sure there's a few restrictions...for more info and to find out if the program is available in your area or to register, click here.

You up for more product reviews?

Join the Snyder’s of Hanover Pretzel Eaters Club. As a member you get to to taste-test new product concepts and may receive proposed product samples. When you receive product samples they will ask you to fill out a questionnaire. As a thank you for filling out each questionnaire you will receive coupons via email.
Thanks, The Freebie Blogger!

Free appetizers at Joe's Crab Shack!

Click here and enter the code 238001 to get a printable coupon good at Joe’s Crab Shack. I tried it twice and both times it printed a Free Appetizer w/Entree Purchase coupon, but I can’t be sure it will be the same every time. Locations?Click here

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Barnes & Noble has a Free EReader for you!


I wasted a pile of money on a Kindle2. While I loved it, it died immediately when The Todd accidentally sat on it. Barnes and Noble is offering a FREE


Thanks, Money Saving Mom!

Gluten-free goodies from Betty Crocker!

Our twins are on a gluten-free diet, and until I found my little places and connections, it was a lot of work. There's so many celiac problems now that even the big boys are jumping in with products...


You can snag a FREE Coupon for Betty Crocker Gluten-free Dessert Mix ($4 value)! Just follow these simple steps:
Call General Mills Consumer Services number: 1(800) 446-1898. At the main menu, hit #4 or say “four.”
This will take you to a customer representative.
Tell the representative that you are interested in the free gluten-free baking coupons.
He/she will ask a few questions: Zip code, whether your household did not limit gluten ingestion, limited gluten or was gluten-free, how many people live in the house and where you normally shop for gluten-free food (the name and street address of the store) and your address.
That's it!

Great Borders Deals!


Borders has some HOT new 4 Day ONLY coupons, valid July 30th-August 2nd:

Save $10 on any Hardcover Book over $35

Save $10 on any Computer Book or Blu-ray Disc

Save $5 on any cookbook, History Book, CD or DVD

Save $2 on any magazine, Kids book or Fiction book

Buy a bag of Coffee Beans and get a FREE beverage
Thanks, It's Hip To Save!

Walgreen's coupon--use on 7.31!


Print these off before you hit the mall!


Thanks, Moms By Heart--she did SO much work on this!


~$20 off $50+; $30 off $75; $40 off $100; or $60 off $150 at Rue 21 HERE
~$15 off $50+ at Dots HERE.

~$10 off $25+ at Yankee Candle HERE.

~$10 off $50+ at JcPenney HERE.

~$5 off $50+ at Sears HERE.

~Extra 15% off sale & clearance items at Macy's HERE.

~30% off at Old Navy starting 7/30 HERE.

~$5 off $10+ at Catherines HERE.

~50% off any one regular priced item at Michaels HERE.

~40% off any one regular priced item at JoAnn's HERE

Cute, Free-Bee To-Do Lists!


They're cute, they're free, and they might even get you in the mood to organize the family after all! Thanks, Kari! http://kari-youcanmakeit.blogspot.com/2009/07/super-cool-lists.html

$15.00 gift card to Toys R' Us!


Buy two Pampers boxes (92 ct+) and get a $15 gift card to Toys R Us or Babies R Us. Valid on 7/31 and 8/1 only. Details HERE.
You can improve on this deal; by joining Pampers Gifts To Grow HERE.

Build A Bear Workshop Deals


For the month of August, you can build a bear, and get a hanging outfit and shoes for $29.99.

Staples School Supplies Deals and Rebates


$.25 Deals {limit 2 each}

Elmers School Glue

Bic Matic Grip Mechanical Pencils 5/pk

Staples Manual Pencil Sharpener

Staples 3x5 while ruled index cards 100/pk

Staples cap erasers 12/pk

Slider Pencil Case2 for $3 Deals

Ticonderoga #2 pencils 24/pk

Staples Rubber Grip 1-hole Punch

Pilot Frixion Erasable Highlighters 3/pk

Staples Invisible Tape 3/pk

Expo Click low-odor Retractable Markers 3/pk

Westcott 5" Scissors 2/pk

Avery glue sticks 3/pk

Staples Mini StaplerBuy 3 Get 1 Free Deal

All Staples Better Binders

All Avery Durable View Binders


Rebates:

Hammermill CopyPlus copy paper, 500-sheet ream $6.29Instant Savings $2.30Rebate $2.99 (limit 2)Final Price: $1

Canon Pro 8.5 x 11 photo paper 50/pk $9.99 Rebate $7.99 {limit 2} Final Price: $2

Sharp El-T100AB 10-digit basic calculator $9.99 Rebate $5 Final Price: $4.99

X-ACTO electric sharpener 1900 $19.99 Instant Savings $3 Rebate $7 Final Price: $9.99

Staples Vanga Fabric Task Chair $39.99 Instant Savings $20 Rebate $10 Final Price: $9.99

Omnitech 2GB MP3 Player $29.99 Instant Savings $5 Rebate $15 Final Price: $9.99
Here's a $5.00 off coupon to get you started:

Restaurant.com sale extended!


That wonderful 80% sale at Restaurant.com has been extended through tomorrow--you spend $2.00 you'll get a $25.00 gift certificate to your choice of local restaurants. I mentioned this earler--we picked up $100.00 worth of gift certificates for La Caille, which is a beautiful 4 star restaurant/castle/insanely romantic place here in the mountains. It cost me $8.00, and I then filled out a quick quiz at the end and got a $10.00 credit to Restaurant.com. I'm 2 bucks ahead! Mind you, PLEASE read the small print on each offer--you usually need to spend $35.00 to use the $25.00 coupon. www.restaurant.com

$30.00 gift coupon for Safeway!

Safeway's pharmacy system is offering a $30.00 coupon when you transfer a prescription to them. You'll get the coupon when you pick up your filled prescription.

Free Disney song download


You can download a copy of the "Little Mermaid" song "Her Voice," it's a pop version by Drew Seeley, for free! Click! http://disney.go.com/theatre/thelittlemermaid/#/drewseeley/

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

$50.00 Amazon.com gift card giveaway!


...There's so many screaming deals right now on Amazon.com, I thought this was the perfect time to send some more gift cards out. I've got three to give away this Friday, please add your name into the "shoutbox" widget on the right-hand column. Please do join us as a follower when you have a minute, it makes it soooo much easier for me to track down winners. Good luck!

Cereal and Milk coupons...


...voila! Breakfast!


Honey Bunches of Oats, $2.00 off: www.postcereals.com/honeybunchesofoats

$1.00 off any brand of cheese
75 cents off any brand of yogurt
75 cents off a gallon of milk, any brand (some of the girls say they've kept swiping the code and it worked on all the gallons they bought!)

Kohl's "Use it or lose it" coupon for TODAY only!


Plus, you'll get $10 Kohl's cash for every $50 you spend, valid on future purchases

Nabisco has a free $55.00 coupon calendar


...just click here to order: http://www.nabiscoworld.com/back-to-school/

FREE-BEE $60.00 McAfee Security Program




You can pick up the McAfee internet security program right now at Amazon.com for $60.00--AND there's a $60.00 rebate attached! This makes it free, of course. One important note: buy
this from Amazon, not a third party or you won't get the rebate.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001C33V4G?ie=UTF8&tag=cougee-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001C33V4G

Proctor & Gamble product

Lots of high-value coupons, including one for $7.00 off Crest Whitestrips...

If you share my filthy love for Coach bags...


...this one's going to freak you OUT. Coach is having an outlet sale right now, 20 to 65% off. Here's an additional 20% off coupon for Coach bags that can be used with the sale. It's good only through August 2nd, so print! Print now! https://e.coach.com/servlet/website/PersonalizedForm?JhHJoEVTTCTAVB_XTCVX_.40HJmhkR_btHnLE.26f7be_7.2e.2ey.26zzEIgHgmoHkHqFtlgDJhtEikpgmwHnLEmkNL

$10.00 coupon for Christopher and Banks

Christopher & Banks is offering up $10 off ANY purchase! To access this coupon, go here and click on "Email sign-up" in the upper center, then fill in your info. After doing so, you'll receive a welcome email with a link to the coupon inside. Thanks, It's Hip To Save!

Coupons!

.75 cents off!
$5.00 off a $25.00 purchase at Rite Aid: http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-3394343-10416787
Save $2 on L'Oreal Revitalift Deep Set Wrinkle 24 hr Eye Repair Duo Save this coupon for a sale or better yet a buy one get one free sale to get a great deal!

More Back to School Deals...The Gap, Old Navy or Banana Republic!


We're lucky enough to have an outlet mall close by, but this coupon works online (as many times as you like) and once instore. It's a printable coupon for 30% off your entire order! It's good for the Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy. Click! http://www.gapinc.com/giveandget/lls/

Free Groceries!

This offer is good for any SuperValue store-- SuperValu stores include Albertson's, Acme, Bigg's, Cubs, Farm Fresh, Hornbachers, Jewel-Osco, Shaws Star, Shop N Save, and Shoppers.

From August 7th - August 23rd, when you spend $25 on any of the participating Kraft products (see list here) in a single transaction, you will then receive a coupon for $5 off a future purchase as well as a form to mail in for a $20 rebate (this will print off at the register). So, this means FREE groceries, after the $5 coupon and the $20 mail-in rebate! Spend $25 and get $25 total back!! Your $5 coupon will be good for 2 weeks. The $20 mail-in rebate will take 6-8 weeks to process and get your rebate check sent back to you!
Thanks, Thrifty Northwest Mom!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Loads and loads of organics...

I'm always trying to shop organic for the twins...little bodies can store up more pesticides and preservatives than big bodies. But, they're so blasted expensive! Here's a nice fat coupon book from Mambo Sprouts, and they'll even send it to you. I keep mine in the glove compartment to grab when I go to the store. http://www.mambosprouts.com/sign-up.php

Delightful Diaper Deals!






Don't forget to print this Rite Aid coupon, $5.00 of $25.00 purchase to combine with one of the below. http://content.riteaid.com/rabrand/email_coupon_4G.pdf
Huggies: Load a coupon for $1.50 off Huggies to your Kroger (etc.) card at Shortcuts.com.
Huggies Overnights: Print a $2 coupon for Huggies Overnights diapers
Huggies: Print a coupon for $3 off a pack of Huggies Pure and Natural
PullUps: Load a coupon for $2 off PullUps to your Kroger (etc.) card at Shortcuts.com.
PullUps: Printable: $2 off Pull Ups (Requires registration. Print one per month)
Good Nights: Save $1 on GoodNights with this printable coupon

You're just a couple days away from the end of all the great magazine subscription deals on Amazon.com, they say the deals end on the 7.31. Here's "Parents" magazine for only 4.95! It'll list as higher, then reduce down to $4.95 at checkout. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005NIOM?tag=frugir-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=B00005NIOM&adid=0MHH0XJ5Z72V1AAWDTQ1&

Steinmart Fan? This is for you!


Sign up for the Steinmart Email Club and get a 20% off coupon for your next shopping trip! http://www.steinmart.com/emailSignup.stml


(Editor's note: this is a good time to go over signing up for free-bees and discounts: I created a seperate gmail account for all my "enter to wins" and "sign up here!" forms. That way, my regular email doesn't get slammed, and I can track who's out to destroy you with an avalanche of spam. I try to enter for everything I post here for you.)


Dance Dance Revolution for 50% off!


If that "binge and starve" diet plan isn't working for you (editor's note: oh, wait. That's me I'm thinking of) then maybe it's time to call Curves. Right now, they're offering a "30 days free, and 50% off" deal.

More school supply specials


Office Depot is not to be outdone on Back To School...

Scholastic Glue Stick 4-pk .20 total--just .05 per glue stick (limit 3)
Office Depot Student Compass w/ Refillable Pencil .05 (limit 3)
1" School Binders .75 (limit 3)
Crayola Crayons 24-pk .99--buy one get one 1/2 off
Backpacks as low as $4.99

It's Italian tonight, baby!


Buca di Beppo is offering $10.00 off a $20.00 meal purchase...that's a lot of pasta. I'm a corn-fed Western girl, and I can pack away a lot. The Todd and I still have to split entrees at Buca, since they're freakin' huge. http://eclub.bucadibeppo.com/coupons/Buca10off20v2c.html

coffeecoffeecoffeejavajavajavajava

Boca Java is wonderful gourmet coffee... (Editor's note: The Todd is a coffee fiend, since I get up at 4am, I skip the middleman and go right to caffeine pills.) Here's what you'll get for $14.95 shipped:
~4 bags gourmet coffee of your choice
~12 pk variety of biscotti
~Toastess 1 cup coffeemaker
You can continue with the club or cancel after this shipment with no further obligation.
Thanks, Mom By Heart!

Monday, July 27, 2009

BOGO Free Jamba Juice

























BOGO free Jamba Juice is back for a limited time...click here for your coupon: http://www.summerblissisback.com/

50% off at Old Navy!

Hustle down to your closest old Navy--they've got a 50% sale off clearance prices--in store only-- going through through Wednesday, 7.29. It's supposed to be summer clearance, but I found a pile of fall stuff--including school uniform shorts and polos for 50% as well. If you didn't catch the navigation clues from Old Navy Weekly's website this week, you can find them on our Facebook page at toddanderin. You CAN combine coupons with the sale.