Hop-A-Thon Update

In one of my posts last week, I mentioned that Zac's preschool was going to have a Hop-A-Thon soon to benefit the MDA; it's part of their curriculum-taking a week to learn about disabilities and people with disabilities. It's been interesting to hear his take on the subject.

This past Friday was their official Hop-A-Thon and he hopped 313 times in five or ten minutes.

And he still didn't take a nap.

Nor did he go to bed early.

I did.

If you're still interested in giving to MDA through Zac, you actually have until April 3rd (Thursday) to donate, even though the link lists the deadline as today. Just click here to get to the link.

Thank You.

Secrets

I'm getting ready to head out the door for the day but wanted to write a quick post.

Secrets...I have a few and I'll share one with you.

I purchase many items online, especially at Christmas. Many companies have great online deals; I think it has something to do with cheaper advertising online, compared to other forms of media and probably lower overhead.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, so what's the secret?

Before I purchase anything online, I go to www.retailmenot.com and look for coupon codes. Now, I personally know that there are numbers of coupon code sites out there but this one works! You just type in the company that you would like a coupon for and up pops a list of them with different coupon offers. The best thing about this site is that each coupon gives it's success rate; so you don't waste your time with a coupon code that is too good to be true.

I've had great success with this site and that's why I go back to it consistently. My best savings so far was this past Christmas season. I was looking to buy one of my five a Leapster handheld but they're expensive--even on sale. I figured that once I bought the game system and one game, Andrew's Christmas was over. Being seven, one gift would not cut it.

So, I looked at www.leapsteronline.com and BooYah! they were having a great sale--something like 30% off most of their products. So, I of course go to retailmenot.com and look for Leapster coupon codes, crossing my fingers they would work on clearance prices.

I plugged in the codes and they worked! I received an extra 15% off AND FREE SHIPPING. I used two coupons and they both worked.

I. WAS. AMAZED.

Right then and there, I was hooked; a loyal online customer.

Call me a cynical consumer but isn't this unheard of in the retail world? Normally, it's "only one coupon, per visit, per person." or "We don't participate in taking those coupons."

I used the site just this morning and, once again, it saved me 20% on items already on sale.

Go there. Be a thrifty consumer. You won't be disappointed.

Soliciting and Stripping

Feeling a little ornery today, hence my post title.

Hahaha.

I'll be pulling head room mom duty and soliciting donations for Teacher Appreciation Week all day tomorrow - WooHoo - yah, right.

Saturday, I'll be stripping the painted-over wallpaper in our bedroom that the previous owners left to us. I'm hoping to have enough time left over for priming the Dining Room walls for paint. I'm going a shiny, gray/silver trying to stay neutral without browns. I'm tired of browns but I'm scared of bold colors--at least on my walls. I'm REALLY picky about shades of colors and I don't totally trust the color swatches at the stores. I can see the colors I want in my head but it doesn't always translate correctly in reality. So, I go color with my furniture, curtains, etc. I'm thinking the gray/silver will make my burgundy curtains and chairs pop. Pics will follow if all goes well.

Sunday...still up in the air. Hubby will be in Dallas and even though we started teaching S.S. again last week, I'm thinking I'll be at home helping Number 3 make final preparations for her Alabama History Notebook. It's been a nightmare project because she is so overwhelmed with schoolwork every single night so on the weekends she just wants to be a 10-year old little girl and...PLAY. I'm obliged to let her b/c she's a smart cookie and I'm a firm believer in playtime making those little neurons in the brain electrify.

Okay, and admitedly, I'm a firm believer that Moms need kids to go outside and play so they can finish projects...

Or take TV veggin'-out breaks with a big, tall glass of cherry coke on ice with extra grenadine. Mmmm. Hey, anyone for Black Bean Brownies? It's the recipe I'm trying out tonight and I'll let you know how good they taste. They're made with Agave Nectar so diabetics can eat them...and they're flourless, yay!

All this said, I'm signing out for the week but only after I post another Spring Break Chronicle late tonight.

Monday, ya'll!

Five Hours to Paradise - Spring Break '08

Would you believe Jake's fav subject this semester is Drama?

Two introvert parents--how does something like this child happen? The mystery of DNA.

Little does he know that he was dancin' to an 80's singer - Kylie Minogue.

Rock on, Jake! He was quite the entertainer for the five hour drive to Gulf Shores.

I think Anna almost wet her pants; you can hear her laughing in the background. If I'd known it was this easy to put videos on Blogger (about 5-8 min upload for 51 secs), I'd have taken more...with my camera. Amazing little things now days, huh? Do I sound old or what (shut up, Mark)?

More Spring Break Chronicles to come...

Shameless Solicitation

Just back from Spring Break and I'm asking for money.

But, it's for a good cause.

And today is Good Deed Tuesday.

Click here for info to help Zac help the MDA during a Hop-A-Thon coming soon to his preschool.

Again, for a great cause AND it's Good Deed Tuesday.

Did I already mention that? :0)