Wednesday, December 19, 2007

"Soon it will be Christmas day...."

It hasn't felt like Christmas all along, and now I finally feel "Christmasy", and it's going to be over in six days! I have basically everyone shopped for...there's one or two more items that I need to pick up still. I am very proud of myself (!) for buying all SEVEN of my nieces' and nephews' presents for less than $35! ($32.61, to be exact). And we're not talking dollar-store gifts, either! We're talking soft Ty animals for the little ones, a bracelet making set for my 9-year-old niece, a little white puppy that comes with its own pink purse, quality children's books, and more. I'm so excited to see them all open their little gifts. I only wish I had more to spend on people. Seriously - isn't that the best feeling?!

Today my Lia Sophia jewelry that I ordered in October finally came. If any of you have their catalog, I got the "Flaunt" bracelet as a hostess gift, and let me tell you, it is stunning! Can't wait to wear it over Christmas. I also got a set of earrings for my sister.

Work has been crazily busy the last few days, but I guess that's a good thing! We need extra cash since we're both not working at all next week, with traveling for Christmas and then going to Mark and Kari's wedding in Indianapolis. Can't wait to see old friends again - some I haven't seen in over a year. It will be lovely.


Last thing: Went to CVS today; wasn't that great of a week for ECB deals but I had some from Black Friday that needed to be used. Got "Pure Cashmere" body wash (definitely one of my favorite things about CVS - I never spent my money on body wash before! haha), Sootherbs throat drops, batteries, Johnson's baby swabs (stocking up on the free baby stuff while I can - good for making a basket for a new mom!), and gum. My total OOP was 49 cents and I got $3 back. Not that great, but oh well! I'll take it!

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Super Savings WEEK

I am linking this to Crystal's Super Savings Saturday, but really this was just a great week at CVS. On Monday (minus a Twix that my husband consumed before a photo was taken):

....for 43 cents!
On Tuesday (CVS is right on my way home from work, if I want it to be):




...for 17 cents!
On Wednesday:




...a little bit more - 4.52....I definitely COULD have used ECB but I just wanted to be able to save them.
And on Saturday:



....for 1.19! Suffice it to say, CVS has stocked our medicine shelf with enough tissues to last a winter (or two :).

The glass Christmas tree isn't from CVS (50 cents from Goodwill!) but it's holding the Reeses candy that I purchased. This wasn't a great week for gaining ECB (I only got 7 back, I think), but it was a great week for free batteries, kleenex, baby care products, and for getting some things I really was out of (like mascara and hair gel) for very cheap. I love this store!

Monday, December 10, 2007

Does anybody else feel like Christmas is kinda weird this year? I mean, I don't know what's wrong with me, but I'm not feeling as Christmas-y as normal. I mean, I've been to a Christmas party, I have the tree up, the house is mostly decorated, and I've even made two batches of Christmas cookies/candy with my sister-in-law. I'm just not feeling it yet! I'm a weirdo, I know.

The weeks are flying by; I'm so busy with working, teaching voice/piano, singing with the church choir and working on directing the teens' skit. I was also informed that I'm going to be in charge of all of the music for the mission trip to the Dominican Republic that Chris and I are going on with our church next year - and it all needs to be in Spanish! haha Well, at least I have 6 months to refresh myself.


Here is a picture of our tree (I got the poinsettas cheapo from Cracker Barrel, and I have to say, I love them! Our poor tree is still a little bare, since we are still building up our supply of ornaments. Most of them on there now are still homemade ones from when Chris was little :). Oh, and the purple hippo is not for us...it's a gift for our niece that I haven't wrapped yet. lol







I'm also in love with my new Willow Tree nativity set, which was originally $54.99. I was able to get it for only $13 after sales, my employee discount, and a gift card I found at work and nobody came in to claim. :)