~My Wal-greens Trip~SAVED $51.26 with coupons~

~My Walgreens Trip March 8th, 2009~ I got all of this stuff for only $30.09 out of pocket, tax included.

My total was $81.35 and then I used coupons.....

my total COUPON SAVINGS was $51.26.

Now, I just have to figure out how to get coupons for grocery shopping. That might be tough!!!!

Make it a great day today, Hugs and Love, Amy

~Another NEW BLOG FRIEND~

~ANOTHER BLOGGING FRIEND~ Please pop in and say hello to another NEW BLOG FRIEND!!!!
Welcome Carole and it's so good to see you back!!!!

And don't forget to say Hello to Rachel....she is expecting another baby boy very soon!!!! I don't know how she finds the time to do all that she does.
Love and Hugs, Amy

~A NEW BLOG FRIEND~

My friend Rachel has a new blog, pop over and say hello to her when you can and give her a BIG WELCOME. SHE HAS SOME BEAUTIFUL decorating IDEAS and her house is JUST GORGEOUS, even with ALL BOYS!!!!

Have a happy rest of today,

Hugs and Love, Amy

~KRISTI, SALE LIST for YOU and MORE SAVINGS~

~KRISTI LAST WEEKEND at the ALAMO QUARRY MARKET~
We have found out that Kristi will have her surgery on March 31st for her torn ACL and everything else that is torn in her knee. As of Monday, she will no longer be active military and will be in a holding pattern. SHE IS SO UPSET and has called 3 nights in a row crying. Basically, she will be sitting there with kids that DO NOT want to be in the Army, kids that tested positive for drugs and others. Please, if you have a minute, add her to your prayers. I keep telling her it could be worst, much worst, and that God has plans for her. Just right now, they aren't for her to finish her Army training.

~2 trips with coupons SAVED $96.87~ Just a quick look at one of my receipts. After the sales and coupons, I got everything shown above for only $5.34 (tax included) Never pay more than .30 cents for toothpaste again. The one above I got for .24 cents. Saved $15.83 with coupons.
I am now loving WALGREENS and CVS!!!!

Everything pictured above, I paid $15.76 for. AND THEY PAID ME .75 cents TO TAKE THE TOOTHPASTE!!! Saved $25.04 plus $3.50 Bucks back to use on my next Walgreens purchase.

SUNDAY PAPER had $5.00 off ANY BAG of IAMS Kitten or Puppy Food. WALMART has IMAS 4 pounds for $7.98 - the $5.00 coupon = $2.98 a bag. That is LESS than the WALMART BRAND or GENERIC and their bag is only 3.5 pounds!!!! I had a coupon for EVERYTHING except the eggs and the Diet Coke!!!! I got all of the above pictured for $38.61 (tax included) SAVED $52.50 with coupons

Thanks bunches for all of you....You mean the world to me!!!!
Have a great weekend, Love and Hugs, Amy

I ADDED MY FAVORITE COUPON/SAVINGS BLOGS & SITES on my SIDEBAR FOR YOU!!!

MARCH 8th UPCOMING Savings at CVS

$3.49 Colgate Toothpaste B1G1 FREE$.75 in the 2/22 SS Insert (exp 3/14)Net Price $1 each$6.99

Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent B1G1 FREE$1 Printable here (click on "Get Coupons")Net Price $2.50 each$1.49

Palmolive Dish Liquid: $1 ECB. Limit 2 - $.49 after ECB!$3.25

Coke 12 packs: $3 ECB (upon purchase of 4). Limit 1 - $2.50 each after ECB!

Spend $15, get $3 RR on select Mars Products. Limit 1$1 on 2 Bagged Candies in the 3/1 RP Insert (exp 4/12)

CVS Trash Bags B1G1 50% Off

Buy $10, get a $5 ECB on: Maybelline, Garnier Skin Care or Hair Care. Limit 2$1 & $2

Maybelline in the 2/8 RP Insert (exp 3/15)$1

Garnier Hair in the 2/8 RP Insert (exp 3/15)$1

Garnier Skin Care in the 2/8 RP Insert (exp 4/15)$1

Garnier Skin Care in the 12/7 RP Insert (exp 3/31)$1

Garnier Skin Care in the 1/4 RP Insert (exp 4/30)$2

Garnier Hair Kit in the 2/8 RP Insert (exp 3/15)$2

Garnier Hair Kit in the 12/7 RP Insert (exp 3/31)$3.69

Vaseline Lotion 10 oz: $2 ECB. Limit 5$1.50 in the 1/18 RP Insert (exp 3/15)$1.25 in the 3/1 RP Insert (exp 4/26)$1 Printable hereNet Price $2.20 each - $.20 after ECB!

$8.99 Schick Quattro for Women Razor: $5 ECB. Limit 1 - $3.99 after ECB!$2.99

Crest Pro Health Toothpaste: $2 ECB. $1 in the 3/1 P&G Insert (exp 3/31)Net Price $1.99 - FREE after ECB!$3.33

General Mills Cereal, Cereal Bars or Granola Bars: $5 ECB (upon purchase of 3).$.60

Nature Valley Printable in the Coupons.com widget in right side bar AND here $.55

Cereal Printables in the Coupons.com widget in right side bar AND here Net Price $2.70 - $2.80 each - 3 Nature Valley: $3.20 after ECB!

~More BREAST CANCER PHOTOS~ & 140 New Treasures on the Website~

~NEW TREASURES on the WEBSITE and NEW PHOTOS of my Ex-PLANT after BREAST CANCER~

~LOTS OF VINTAGE LINENS~

~BEAUTIFUL VINTAGE OIL PAINTINGS~

~VINTAGE JARS filled with 4 YARDS of RIBBON EACH~

~LOADS OF BUTTONS, RIBBONS, 1900's PAPERS, DISHES, and LINENS~

~TONS OF BOOKS for under the price of a MAGAZINE!!!!~

~AND SO MUCH MORE~

I am 2 weeks and 6 days POST OP....getting better but STILL HURTS and I can't lift my arms past my shoulders. I feel like someone beat me with a shovel and my ribs are so bruised and battered but I feel FANTASTIC otherwise!!!!
CLICK HERE to see ACTUAL PHOTO of my post op since they took my IMPLANTS OUT....
I go back to the doctors March 16th, 2009 to make sure there was no mold in or on the implant itself (YES, they were saline and not silicone but they can STILL MOLD...it's disgusting) and make sure there is no more cancer. Please remember to use discretion when looking at the photos.
~QUACK QUACK~

And I listed 140 New Treasures on the website.....TONS OF LINENS!!!!
Click here www.FourSistersInACottage.co to check it out if you get a chance.

Love you all, Amy

FREE STUFF from VICTORIA SECRET & BATH n BODY WORKS~

~FREE at VICTORIA SECRET and BATH AND BODY WORKS~JUST CLICK HERE: VICTORIA SECRET PINK NATION to get your free bag and coupon for $10.00 off $35.00 or more. (NO PURCHASE NECESSARY for the BAG)

Thanks so much to DEALSEEKINGMOM for the info. She is AWESOME and you can join her newsletter as she has TONS of INFO and GREAT DEALS!!!!

Alli and I just got back from the mall. I haven't been there for almost 2 years but when I got the coupon ONLINE for the FREE GIFT at Victoria Secret, we both signed up and printed out coupons and off we went.

The beach bag is originally $19.50, on sale this week for $10.00 and WE GOT THEM FREE with the coupon we printed. Also, I got the free hand cream with another coupon from VICTORIA SECRET and it smells yummy. Perfect size for my purse.
~ORIGINAL PRICE TAG of $19.50 each~


Of course I got the PINK bag and Alli got the Lime Green.


We stopped by BATH AND BODY WORKS to get our FREE $12.00 bottle of their new SIGNATURE COLLECTION. It was free if I bought $10.00 worth of ANYTHING in the store.


So, basically I got 3 bottles of anti-bacterial soap, a body mist (free) and a small purse size anti-bacterial gel for $10.00 plus tax!!!! I could have found more bang for my buck but they were closing. AND IN MY BAG, they tossed another Buy $10.00 get $12.00 coupon that starts tomorrow. I will go in sometime this week when they aren't closing and get lots more than what I got.

HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE EVENING!!!! Hugs and Love, Amy

~My SAVINGS this week at CVS and K-Mart~

~Over $160.00 worth of products for $54.42 tax included~ And it doesn't include the $14.98 CVS BUCKS I got back!!!!~

~I got all of the above products on sale and using coupons at CVS this morning for $18.91 and got $14.98 back in CVS BUCKS to use next time (so it was like getting it for $3.93)~
~I got all of this yesterday at K-Mart on sale and using coupons for $33.23~

~I got all of this with coupons at CVS this week for .67 cents~

~Not pictures are 2 more I forgot in the sack~ With coupons, All of these at CVS for $1.61~

BOY AM I HAVING A GREAT TIME.......I am saving tons and now it's a fun challenge to me....if you need any help or have any questions, just email me!!!!

Have a great week!!!! Hugs and Love, Amy

~SECOND TRIP TO K-MART~SAVED $43.31~

~ WHOO HOOO!!!! DOUBLE COUPONS at K-Mart THIS WEEK ONLY~ I only paid $4.28 (tax included) for these 10 bottles of Secret Deodorant.

WHOO HOOO!!!! THAT's LESS than the COST OF just ONE!!!!

I had $2.00 off 1 coupons and they double them to save me $4.00 off each, so that made them .39 cents each. I saved $43.31!!!!

GOTTA LOVE IT, oh, and you might wonder, why would anyone need that much, remember, 5 girls will be using this!!!! LOL

I am getting stronger everyday and I will post pictures of my surgery, 2 weeks post-op tomorrow. Kristi finds out tomorrow when she will have surgery.

Other than that, everyone is doing well.

Hugs, Amy

~SAVED $53.53 at K-Mart~ and more at WONDER BREAD STORE~

~DOUBLE COUPONS at K-MART THIS WEEK ONLY~ I just got back from K-mart and I got all of this for only $31.11 (tax included)

K-mart had double coupons this week only but there is a kicker, NO INTERNET COUPONS, darn it and there is a limit of 4 coupons per product and a limit of 25 coupons used in one trip. They will double them up to $2.00

TODAY'S PAPER has a $2.00 off Secret Deodorant so that makes it $4.00 off. Mine was only 43cent including tax.

The HUGE 60 tablets dishwasher detergent was originally $12.99, I found them on clearance for just $6.46 and had $1.00 off coupons which they doubled so I got them for $4.46 each. I only had 3 coupons but they only had 3 left....HECK OF A DEAL I TELL YA!!!

So, with the sale prices, coupons, (some doubled some not) and my $5.00 off $50.00 or more Internet coupon. I spent $31.11 oop (out of pocket) for $84.64 worth of products!!!! Oh, and why do we need so much laundry soap....LOL...trust me, with 8 people in the house, 6 kids including one away at college, we go thru it like hot cakes.

I didn't get a picture of my savings at our local WONDER/HOSTESS BREAD OUTLET STORE but here is what I got $31.71 worth of food for $10.99 oop (out of pocket) and coupons found in our paper. SAVED $20.72

3 Loaves of Wonder Bread

1 package of Hamburger Buns

1 Loaf of Texas Toast

2 bags of candy (a treat for Maddi helping me)

1 box of Strawberry Bars

1 Box of Twinkies

1 Box of Hostess Ding Dongs

1 Box of Hostess Cupcakes

1 Box of Hostess Powdered Donuts
YIPPY SKIPPY!!!! SAVING NEVER FELT SO GOOD!!!!

Have a great Sunday, Amy

~SOME GREAT NEWS for ONCE~ $39.09 for $7.34 at ACE HARDWARE

A BIG SAVINGS AT ACE HARDWARE TODAY

$39.09 worth of products for just $7.34 oop (out of pocket, tax included)

YEP....ALL OF THAT PICTURED, plus 4 kinds of screws that Bob needed for the snow blower, for just $7.34 which includes tax!!!
I used to coupon all the time when I was a single mom, then I just stopped doing it after Maddi was born and don't really know why. I saw a blurb on Good Morning America a few weeks back about BeCentsAble (click on the highlighted area & check them out) and thought, "OH AMY, you had so much fun doing that, you need to start doing that again." So here I am....totally excited about it and going to show you how I do it!!!! It's tons of fun and you don't even have to buy the Sunday Paper (although I strongly suggest you do) as you can print coupons right from your computer from a huge data base online. A FULL CUP. It's a wonderful website. Also, ask your friends and neighbors if they aren't keeping their Sunday Paper coupons to save them for you. I have some family members doing so for me, so I will have extras on hand.

I also went to CVS Pharmacy this week and ended up with over $78.00 in products for only $14.00. YES!!!

I got 10 BIG scented Suave Beauty Bath Soap Gel Bottles

2 Purex Laundry Soaps Big bottles 2x

1 Hormel Turkey Dinner

3 bottles of Dove (expensive) Therapy Lotions

300 Cotton balls

1 bottle of Fingernail Polish Remover

Aspirin

2 tubes of Crest Toothpaste (ended up paying me $1.50 each to buy them)

There was more but I have already forgotten...LOL (I will take pictures from now on and show you)

It had me doing the HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY DANCE FOR SURE!!!! Walgreen's is another great place for savings along with Target.
If you have ANY QUESTIONS at all, don't hesitate to e-mail me and I will be happy to tell you how I am doing this!!!!

Happy Weekend and Don't forget to buy your local Sunday Newspaper tomorrow!!!
Hugs, Amy

~UPDATE on KRISTI~

Well, I finally heard from Kristi after emailing and calling down to San Antonio yesterday. They were really nice and I thank 1st SGT Smith for his help. He informed me that he "Wished I had 400 Soldiers like Kristi".
It's NOT GOOD.
She has a completely torn ACL
Contusions and bruised
Meniscus
MCL
Bone
and Ligaments
She sees an Ortho doctor on Wed and only then will they decide on surgery. They will graph from her Achilles Tendon for the surgery and then here is the tricky part; she will have 3 options.
30 days leave time to heal and get back to her tech school and pt training or
3-6 months of physical therapy here at home and then go back to San Antonio or
if it looks like the recovery will take longer than 6 months (which by the way with this injury, it usually takes 18 months) they will release her from active duty and have her come back when it is healed and finish up.
So there you have it....nothing I can do, I feel so helpless and just wish she could get out of the Army and come home.

As my sweet brother who is an Army Veteran himself said to me last night, "That is socialized medicine at it's best". Isn't that the truth!!!! And my cousin just emailed me and said WHERE IS THE MONEY for OUR SOLDIERS and VETERANS in the STIMULUS PACKAGE...THERE WAS NOTHING IN THERE FOR THEM and THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN!!!! If there is any type of a "stimulus" package they should be at the top of the list receiving "benefits". Amen on that one Jeannie!!!
Have a good weekend, Love and Hugs, Amy

~10 Days and STILL NOTHING from the ARMY~

It has been 10 days....YES TEN DAYS since Kristi hurt her knee and they gave her a wrap and crutches. They did x-rays and nothing is broken but they FINALLY did an MRI on Monday. She has to walk on crutch a mile and a half to these appointments. They told her to come back TODAY and they would tell her what they were going to do. I AM MAD AS HELL!!!! WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? HOW CAN WE TREAT OUR MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN LIKE THIS???? This is OUR MILITARY, OUR MEN and WOMEN WHO RISK THEIR LIVES TO KEEP US FREE and SAFE. IT'S A CRYING SHAME!!!! A BIG BIG HUGE CRYING SHAME!!!!

Her Drill Instructor told her 3 things will happen....she will either chapter out on a Medical Discharge, they will do surgery, because they believe she has a torn ACL or meniscus or both, and have her recoup there, then start all over again. OR, they will do the surgery there, have her come home to recoup and then she will have to start all over again. She is just 7 weeks from graduation, receiving her $10, 000.00 sign on bonus AND FREE COLLEGE. She is so upset and sad and I can't blame her. To go thru boot camp and tech school only to have this happen just weeks before she graduates is so disheartening.

Please continue to pray for her and if you get a chance to write a note of encouragement to her, I know she would appreciate it and SO WOULD I!!!!

On a HAPPY NOTE: Alli's B-Ball Team is well on it's way to STATE, they won this week, first game in the semi-finals and play again Saturday night. I will keep you posted. She had 9 points and tons of rebounds. YEAH ALLI!!!!
Love to all of you, I am feeling better and stronger everyday...YIPPY SKIPPY!!!!And I am SO THRILLED to have those DAMN IMPLANTS OUT!!!!
Have a wonderful weekend, Amy

E1, O'Neill, Kristine

DELTA 232 MED BN, CLASS #03-09 6th PLT

2950 KOEHLER RD. STE 1350

FORT SAM HOUSTON, TX 78234

~PLEASE WRITE & PRAY for KRISTI~

~MY SILLY SOLDIER GIRL KRISTI~~GETTING READY TO GO BACK TO THE ARMY NEW YEARS DAY NIGHT with BIG SISTER ASHLEY~
~KRISTI NEEDS OUR PRAYERS and IF YOU CAN WRITE, PLEASE DO~

I got to finally talk to Kristi this weekend, she is still on crutches and waiting for an MRI on Tuesday. She is in a lot of pain and can't take the pain meds because they still have her on watch duty at night. They are pretty sure she tore her ACL and Meniscus. She is so down and sad because she is afraid, not sure of what is going to happen and worried that they won't let her finish or graduate.
PLEASE if you have time, WRITE HER and give her some ENCOURAGEMENT!!! She is such a sweet, smart and fun girl and was really looking forward to serving her country as a Combat Medic.
Here is her address and most of all, say a little pray for her, to keep her spirits up and that hopefully it's nothing bad. WE KNOW EVERYTHING HAPPENS for a reason, and someday we will know why this happened. Tomorrow is my check up day at the plastic surgeons, I am hoping to get my drains out.
ALL MY LOVE and THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, Amy
E1, O'Neill, Kristine
DELTA 232 MED BN, CLASS #03-09 6th PLT
2950 KOEHLER RD. STE 1350
FORT SAM HOUSTON, TX 78234

~BREAST CANCER IMPLANTS REMOVED PHOTOS~

I know a lot of you are wondering how I am doing and what I look like....I feel like crap, the medicine has had me vomiting, and yes, I am eating with the medicine so I haven't had any pain meds since last night at 10pm. They are making me too sick and making me feel like I have the flu.

I have pictures on my website, just click here to see them but remember, they are GRAPHIC and are not for the faint of heart.

The doctor said I had so much bleeding from the implants being capsulized that he had to stop cauterizing because it was burning me too much. He closed me up and "vacuum sealed" me. CRAZY HUH????

GROSSES ME OUT to tell you the truth and PLEASE anyone out there wondering if they should get implants after breast cancer. DON'T DO IT!!!! If I can help ONE PERSON out there with all of this, then I have done my job. Doc sent my implants and some tissue to pathology and that should all be a-okay and we will find out for sure on Monday.

Happy Valentine's Day and Weekend, Amy

(PS....feel free to take the Valentine Day Graphic)

~I made it~ Prayers for Kristi~

FEEL FREE TO USE THIS DARLING VALENTINE GRAPHIC....SHE IS A CUTIE!!!!

I made it thru surgery okay. Other than puking my guts out from these drugs, I am doing okay. I feel like I have the flu and finally found a pain killer that isn't making me throw up. UGH!!!! I go in Monday to get this contraption off and hopefully get my drains out. I have been cut from my sternum to underneath my arm pits and it hurts like hell. Other than that....I am exhausted and feel like crap.

PLEASE PRAY FOR KRISTI....She was playing basketball for the ARMY WOMEN on Tuesday night and was hurt at the end of the game. The score was tied and she was fouled. She made the first free throw and went in to get her second shot that she knew was short and had her legs taken out from underneath her. They won the game (BIG DEAL I SAY). She called crying, she is on crutches and waiting for an MRI of her knee. All they gave her was painkillers, which she can't take, an ace bandage and crutches. She has to walk a mile and a half to her appointment, on crutches. I AM VERY UPSET to say the least. You see, she is the 2nd highest score in her class, meaning she only has one other person that is doing better than her, this is a HUGE SET BACK as they have her in limbo and a waiting status. SHE IS DEVASTATED and afraid she isn't going to graduate with her class. She passed her National Registry Test for her EMT so at least she has that going for her. I am just sick for her as this whole Army experience hasn't been the best for her. All I can tell her is that I will pray for her and that everything happens for a reason. A MOM FEELS SO HELPLESS, especially when I didn't want her to go in the first place!!!!
Thank you to everyone for your notes, phone calls and emails, I appreciate you more than you know,

Love and Hugs, Amy

~OFF TO SURGERY TODAY~

~MADDI'S PIZZA ROLL SMILE~ Is that what life is all about????

Maddi was eating pizza rolls and made them into a smile and said, "Mommy, will you please take a picture of my art work?" She was so proud of herself and it made made me laugh and put a big smile on my face!!!! I hope it does the same for you.

Thank you to everyone for your emails and phone calls wishing me luck and for praying for me. I am leaving in a little bit for Iowa City and my surgery begins at 1:15 CST. I am scared to death about going under, always have been, always will. I will make sure to let you know how it goes. Here's to the beginning of the road to recovery.

Have a HAPPY PIZZA ROLL SMILE Day!!!!
Hugs and Love, Amy

(PS....If you get a chance, check out our auctions ending on ebay....FourSistersInACottage Just Click Here)

~And the WINNERS are~Surgery on Tuesday~

AND THE WINNERS ARE....

Robin from BitterSweetPumpkin

&

JENNIFER from Virginia

Please email me with your address.

My surgery is on Tuesday and everything looks great and I am good to go. YIPPY SKIPPY!!!!

Thank you to everyone who entered!!!! Have a nice weekend, Amy

(PS....if you would like to send a card to Becky and her family, please don't hesitate to e-mail me and I will give you her address to send a card)

~BECKY'S SWEET JORDAN has PASSED AWAY~ PLEASE PRAY FOR BECKY & HER FAMILY~

It weighs heavy on my heart and with such pain and sorrow from the news I got today, I am asking for your thoughts and prayers to pour over OUR WONDERFUL BECKY, BARRY and SPENCER & the entire FAMILY. Her sweet son, JORDAN, passed away unexpectedly yesterday.

I personally never met Jordan but from all the talks with Becky, I felt like I knew him through her because of that, HE IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE, ONE AWESOME GUY and forever loved so much, by so many!!!
He was in the AIR FORCE, A FIREFIGHTER, stationed in Florida. HE SERVED OUR COUNTRY and for that I am so PROUD OF HIM.

Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

Matthew 5:9

No words can express how sorry I am and how heart sick I feel. Becky, please know, Jordan is at peace and through YOU, BARRY and SPENCER, He will forever liveand we will never forget him.

I love you with all of my heart, Amy

You can leave a message for Becky and her family here: www.SweetCottageDreams.blogspot.com

~2 VINTAGE PAPER EPHEMERA GIVEAWAYS~

~2 FUN FEBRUARY PAPER EPHEMERA GIVEAWAYS~

(click on the pictures to enlarge for details)~1st giveaway is for these adorable vintage children's postcards & darling children's book pages. Along with printed on heavy card stock, reproduction Valentine's Day and Birthday Ephemera Papers~



~Next are A Bunch of Vintage BEAUTIFUL ROSES postcard printed on heavy card stock along with a sheet of calling cards. TOO FUN~

~THESE POSTCARDS ARE ALL FROM MY PERSONAL COLLECTION and copies are for sale too, if you are interested, just e-mail me, just $2.50 a sheet~

TO ENTER: JUST LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THIS POST OR E-MAIL ME AND I WILL PICK A WINNER the evening of FRIDAY, FEB 6TH, 2009. You can also e-mail me if you don't have a blog and I will be happy to enter you that way too. There will be 2 winners, one for the children's ephemera papers and one for the roses postcards ephemera.

POST THIS GIVEAWAY ON YOUR BLOG and RECEIVE 10 extra entries. Also, let me know which one you would like to receive. OPEN TO OVERSEAS FRIENDS TOO!!!!

UPDATE: They found out I have pneumonia, strange I say, as I am not, nor have I been coughing or anything like that. Oh well, the anti-biotics will work and I should be good to go for my surgery on Friday. I slept for the last 2 days and am starting to get my energy back.

Have fun!!!!
Hugs and Love, Amy