Josh asked me the other day if I thought coupon-ing was my job. He thought maybe it was a hobby, something I would just do for a little bit. I sat there for a few seconds to think about the question. I had always teased about it, made jokes but I was also very serious about it. I answered "Yes. Yes it my job!"
I owe my mom a huge THANKS! I grew up with a mom who didn't leave the house without her little coupon envelope. A mom who shopped only the sales. Even in college I bought a newspaper for the coupons and shopped with an ad. I was taught what a good bargain was and when to just window shop! But 18 months ago I got hooked on a blog happyhomemakercindy.com where a single mom posted all the local grocery store match-ups and had a coupon database (where you can search for any coupon and print straight from the database). I attended her class and realized there was a lot more I could be doing for my family and not only that but I could be donating products to charities!
Going back to Josh's question "Do you really think couponing is your job?" I had a two part answer. I enjoy getting free stuff and donating, plus showing other people (like my sister) how to get a really good deals (50% off or more). Honestly it saddens me when I have friends who should really be using coupons but say they don't have the time. I spend 45 minutes a week clipping coupons! That should no longer be anyone's excuse!
Coupons are money to me. They are not "just a coupon." Also, I know they might not be valuable to just me so I give people coupons all the time. I even donate my expired ones to a military family since they can use them for 6 months after the expiration date on their base. Yes I have even given a stranger a couple coupons for items in her cart. I am not saying all this brag on myself, to me it is common sense!
Now I will confess that I have had to just start giving away coupons just so I won't use them. I am fully (a year's worth) stocked on several items in my house, or I just don't have the space for it. I had noticed the last couple of months I had been buying things we just didn't need at the time, but it was $1 or less! I actually went through my closet space that is for hygiene products and pulled out 6 or 7 items to give to people because I just didn't need it. I am not a hoarder, nor will I ever be one!
Maybe you are asking how do you do it? Of course you have all the time in the world you are a stay at home mom...haha righhhht! Or maybe you only like specific brands. Or have picky kids. Or you just buy the off brand because its cheaper...wrong!! I can help with all that in another post. I will give several helpful tips. I will show you how to play the CVS game. I will also show you my stock pile and tell you what I pay for it.
So yes I am a stay at mom, wife, minister and a couponista!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
My hated mommy phrase
I sit here and watch my son play on a slide and realize that I have a toddler,he no longer is a baby. He still loves to cuddle and give mommy kisses but for the most part he is a little boy. He feeds himself, talks in full sentences and lets me know when he is happy or mad! As a mom I obviously know that my child is getting older not younger. My child also has an attitude, screams himself to sleep and eats only when he wants to eat. These are things that he hasn't always done. Things that come and go.
That leads to my most hated phrase as a mom. The phrase that when it is said to me I want roll my eyes and yell "DUH," the phrase that is obnoxious, the phrase that I would guess most moms at least dislike if not hate. You ready to hear the phrase? Now this does not give you permission to annoyingly say this to me. If you can agree to that then I shall share this awful, hated phrase of mine.
"This is just a phase, embrace it because before you know it they will be all grown up!"
Blah! DUH! Dear Lord I hope I never say this to another mom! Of course I know they just get older that's life. And yes its a phase, but I am not a fan of this phase. My child screams bloody murder when you leave him in his crib to go to sleep (no literally the scream could shatter glass). He is almost two and still wants to be rocked, book read to him and you might as well sing a song while you are there! My child is a super picky eater (might be a little of my fault). I can make him a nice lunch because he says he is hungry then he decides he is not hungry and then when he is again he doesn't want that food. Grrr!! Oh and don't even get me started on the fit throwing, hitting, fake crying or screaming. Yes of course this a phase if we were like this as adults no one would like us. We grow out of it. We mature (well most). We learn what is right and wrong. We realize what "normal" society is.
So thank you to all who have said this. Thank you for reminding me that is a phase. Thank you fro reminding me that they do grow up. But mostly thank you for not helping the situation at all! ;)
That leads to my most hated phrase as a mom. The phrase that when it is said to me I want roll my eyes and yell "DUH," the phrase that is obnoxious, the phrase that I would guess most moms at least dislike if not hate. You ready to hear the phrase? Now this does not give you permission to annoyingly say this to me. If you can agree to that then I shall share this awful, hated phrase of mine.
"This is just a phase, embrace it because before you know it they will be all grown up!"
Blah! DUH! Dear Lord I hope I never say this to another mom! Of course I know they just get older that's life. And yes its a phase, but I am not a fan of this phase. My child screams bloody murder when you leave him in his crib to go to sleep (no literally the scream could shatter glass). He is almost two and still wants to be rocked, book read to him and you might as well sing a song while you are there! My child is a super picky eater (might be a little of my fault). I can make him a nice lunch because he says he is hungry then he decides he is not hungry and then when he is again he doesn't want that food. Grrr!! Oh and don't even get me started on the fit throwing, hitting, fake crying or screaming. Yes of course this a phase if we were like this as adults no one would like us. We grow out of it. We mature (well most). We learn what is right and wrong. We realize what "normal" society is.
So thank you to all who have said this. Thank you for reminding me that is a phase. Thank you fro reminding me that they do grow up. But mostly thank you for not helping the situation at all! ;)
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Greatest Regret and Greatest Gift
Lets start big! I have regrets! Yep mistakes of things I have said or done. But I think I have one really big regret. Something that has a wonderful and beautiful ending, as well as being something I have promised I would never do again.
When we moved to Muncie three years ago I thought maybe we should have a baby. Why not? Josh had a steady job, insurance and well, that's the next step right? Now I didn't go off the pill and not tell Josh or something, that's well... mean to your husband. But what I did do was talk about a baby a lot, and then for good measure talked some more. I talked about how much I wanted to be a mom and mention how wonderful Josh would be as a dad. I tried to make Josh see that this was the next step in our life. I begged. I pleaded.
In the moment did I see that Josh just wasn't ready for that next step? Maybe a little. Did I notice that I was pushing, begging, pleading? Yeah some. Did I stop? Nope.
Now, I say all this and you're maybe asking what's so wrong? Well, we had just moved 11 hours from any family, we had only been married a little over a year and he just accepted his first real job. There were lots of changes, arguments and tears. But I honestly thought a baby would help on the big life changes we were having . Haha, like a baby isn't a life change!
Josh finally agreed and five months later I was pregnant! Nine months later Cadence Michael was born.This beautiful blue eyed baby changed our lives in a crazy and unexpected way (more on that later).
About six months ago I went to Josh and apologized for pushing him (I think I surprised him) I always knew that I pushed to hard for this and also knew that it was unfair to Josh. After saying sorry I also promised him that I would never do it again. I want him to be excited about adding to our family. I also told him I will tell him when I am thinking about another baby, but that I will need the thumbs up from him. I love my husband too much to make that mistake again.
Please understand that this regret had a wonderful outcome. The regret is not Cadence but the way I went about it.Having a baby was an amazing, awe-filled moment for us. To just see another part of our awesome God and the tiniest details he has created. God does give us things we don't think we can handle but if we lean on Him we can get a grasp on it.
This is my greatest regret with the greatest gift!
When we moved to Muncie three years ago I thought maybe we should have a baby. Why not? Josh had a steady job, insurance and well, that's the next step right? Now I didn't go off the pill and not tell Josh or something, that's well... mean to your husband. But what I did do was talk about a baby a lot, and then for good measure talked some more. I talked about how much I wanted to be a mom and mention how wonderful Josh would be as a dad. I tried to make Josh see that this was the next step in our life. I begged. I pleaded.
In the moment did I see that Josh just wasn't ready for that next step? Maybe a little. Did I notice that I was pushing, begging, pleading? Yeah some. Did I stop? Nope.
Now, I say all this and you're maybe asking what's so wrong? Well, we had just moved 11 hours from any family, we had only been married a little over a year and he just accepted his first real job. There were lots of changes, arguments and tears. But I honestly thought a baby would help on the big life changes we were having . Haha, like a baby isn't a life change!
Josh finally agreed and five months later I was pregnant! Nine months later Cadence Michael was born.This beautiful blue eyed baby changed our lives in a crazy and unexpected way (more on that later).
Please understand that this regret had a wonderful outcome. The regret is not Cadence but the way I went about it.Having a baby was an amazing, awe-filled moment for us. To just see another part of our awesome God and the tiniest details he has created. God does give us things we don't think we can handle but if we lean on Him we can get a grasp on it.
This is my greatest regret with the greatest gift!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Thoughts from a non-writer
Here I am attempting a blog, A blog with no one specific theme, No one continuous thought, feeling or emotion. Just me. A woman. A wife. A mom. My thoughts on life. My trials, my regrets, and a few funny moments with a toddler. My moments when I get reminded of how much God loves me.
I have read many blogs about a lot of things. Saving money, educating and raising children, stuff Christians like (the actual blog and others like it), making a home ...and blogs just about life. So why not a blog about all that – the Hodge Podge my life is?
Things hated or loved. Marriage, raising kids. Mistakes and Triumphs. Yeah that's my blog.
Welcome to My Hodge Podge Life. The blog that will be proof read by my husband because I hate all the "proper" grammar stuff. A blog with a wide range of topics. A blog to make you laugh, cry or say "Amen!" I will be blunt, honest and opinionated (because that's who I am!).
Just a blog about my life, Mikala Casey!
I have read many blogs about a lot of things. Saving money, educating and raising children, stuff Christians like (the actual blog and others like it), making a home ...and blogs just about life. So why not a blog about all that – the Hodge Podge my life is?
Things hated or loved. Marriage, raising kids. Mistakes and Triumphs. Yeah that's my blog.
Welcome to My Hodge Podge Life. The blog that will be proof read by my husband because I hate all the "proper" grammar stuff. A blog with a wide range of topics. A blog to make you laugh, cry or say "Amen!" I will be blunt, honest and opinionated (because that's who I am!).
Just a blog about my life, Mikala Casey!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)