I'm Still Around

With the warmer weather I am so much busier! When I am not at work I am usually up to something in one of the gardens I am attempting to create. Then there is the bathroom that still is not done, but, I am working on it every extra chance I get.

Needless to say, the only time I am on a computer is at work and "blogging" there is a big NO! NO!

LOL!
Also, I have had PC problems since an Microsoft "update" on 6/23/10 (anyone else?)  I restored twice. This last time I did not install the updates and it's back to working fine!

I have not been to many yard sales. There just have not been any that have looked "appealing" to even stop at. Oh well, I am trying to get rid of what I have here before I bring more in, anyway!

I had some great finds this past weekend though,

We had to run out to Menards and while there I discovered Geraniums 6 for $1.00. Then they brought out a cart while I was there of marked down planters. I got 2 for $1.00 each- already planted! The pots are worth that!

The Geraniums look real nice in my blue pots. Oh, tonight when we were leaving the house Dave looked over and said "I really like those blue pots". (That made me feel good).

We did a Target run Sunday and got some good deals too!

The Stove Top was $2.24 before coupons, I paid $1.24 normally I don't buy this, but with the coupon deals and this new flavor I wanted to try it.    The Glade was $3.49 , I paid 49¢. The Q-tips cost me 89¢ each (reg $1.89 each),  Wonka candy was $3.49 - I paid 99¢,  the Crystal Light are the bigs ones that are $3.98 each I got them on sale $2.98 each - less one $1.00 coupon, I paid $1.98! Total worth $21.20 - I paid $11.70

I have had "ugly" curtains up since we moved here 3 years ago. They were some that were left and some I had and they didn't even match. LOL. I have looked at the prices of drapes but for my big front window it would cost me an "arm and a leg" ( neither of which I am willing to part with, lol).

I was at the Family Dollar last friday and found they had some pretty "nice looking" ones for half off on clearance. They only had 3 panels,. I found another panel at their other store (funny that store only had one hmm). They were $7.50 and the valances were $4.80.  They really match the coloring of my funiture. They also look pretty nice. I took a quick pic while I had them up temporarily to see if I would like them. I think when Ifind some material I will line them. They sure look better than the old ones.  lol!

So here are the curtains that were here when we moved in (yuck plaid!)

I had to get the plaid -gone, so I used some thermal curtains that were the same color but had a design. Not real attractive either. The window faces the west, the sun just heats up the room and blinds us so bad . (I solved that problem this weekend with some window tint).

Okay don't these look much better (even though they came from the dollar store)?

Then finally here is my other deal of the weekend. All these groceries were free!

 15 cans of veggies, 4pk of yogurt and the new Kraft mac and cheese Explosion  >Total value $13.07!!!

Enough for now. Hopefully will be able to get back on schedule now. Thanks for stopping. Have a good evening!

Sunday- and a Fathers Day!

I hope all the good fathers are having a wonderful Fathers Day!
I have a wonderful father and I am truly blessed to have him. He has taught me so very much.


No yard sale finds yesterday. Really there were very few sales to find. 
I worked on the gardens early and then relaxed with some needlework and a movie in the late afternoon.

Deals today: Not many of them either. I did my weekly shopping but bought very little.
I ad matched Oscar Mayer lunchmeats for $1.98 (reg $3.23 each) and used a coupon for $1.00 off two making them $1.48 each, I found that No Frills had Cheetos Zingers on sale for $1.48 (reg $2.99 each). I had a coupon for $1.00 off the new flavored kind so they ended up costing me 48¢. Sara Lee bread was on sale for 88¢ a loaf (reg $2.23 each). Then I ad matched 18 ct eggs for 98¢ ( No Frills sale price was $1.75).
I also got a box of of Jello pudding for free (reg 96¢).

I had to come up with an extension to the trellis I had up for the vining green beans. I had no idea they would grow so high up. LOL
I hope they bear as much as they grow! You can just barely see the fencing at the top we added.

The Roma tomotoes already have fruit on them . The plants themselves seem to have been stunted do to the moles that dug tunnels under them. When I first watered them a few weeks ago several fell over and sunk. I added more dirt and tried flushing the varmit out.  Havn't seen any new tunnels lately.

 The cucumbers are starting to climb the trellis but some are not so I put some fencing down to keep them off the ground. I also have a row of green beans, a row of carrots and a row of radishes here as well .

The pumpkins, squash and more cucumbers are now up in the new box Dave built me this year. I planted another row of green beans yesterday and will plant another row in about 2 weeks.

Well it's back to work tomorrow. I can't believe how fast these 3 days off went by. I feel like I missed one of them.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a good evening!

TGIF and I am off work too!

I took the day off so I could do a few things in the yard before the heat and humidity set in. Also they predicted severe weather for last night and early this morning. I did not want my new truck sitting out being hit by hail. Okay, and I love to watch storms and I can't watch them at work. We do not even have any windows in my building.
 We didn't have any severe weather last night, just lots of lightning. This morning I watched what is called a "shelf cloud" roll in. These can bring hurricane force winds. Luckily it appeared to have weakened by the time it got over my block. We had wind maybe 30-40mph if that. No hail, (thank goodness for my gardens sake lol). We also only had a minute of light rain. Over where I work though they had damaging winds, hail, rain and power went out, so I made the right decision yesterday when I put in for the day off. I am putting up some cool pic's of the shelf cloud coming in. As I said it had weakened by the time it got here but it was still neat .

I took this pic directly above us.

After all threats seemed to have moved on I ventured out to get my weekly "indulgence",  LOL. A Scooters Mocha Smoothie with an extra shot.
Then off to Menards for some things that were on sale. I couldn't help myself - again. I went to the flower area and bought 6 more perennials on clearance.

I know I am being "bad" but I can't help it. I had such a beautiful flower garden at the old house and this place had nothing except the Peonies and a couple old rose bushes. I "need" beautiful flowers to look at! LOL! Speaking of - I bought a clematis on clearance two years ago for 50¢ ( they are usually like $8.99). It looked so pitiful but I thought "what the heck, if it dies I am only out 50¢". Well this year I think I got my money's worth and more - just look at it!

A Frugal Tip:

I learned this a couple years ago from a "frugal" website and I have used it several times. It works great.

When you have LARGE flower pots, they can get quite heavy when you put the potting soil in them. Sometimes you are not even able to move them. I also feel that a a lot of that soil is being wasted way down there in the bottom (sorry but I am cheap lol).

Fill the bottom of the pot with plastic bottles ( about 1/4 of the pot). In this case here- I turned the cheap plastic pots that my plants came in, upside down. I didn't have many plastic bottles either so I used those plastic things that strawberries come in, too.

I haven't really planted the pots yet, just stuck a couple annuals and some seeds in them that I have had for awhile (too busy with my perennials. LOL). 

I think they look quite sharp on the front stoop.

I told Dave we now need a new storm door and the stoop painted. LOL! Yep this house needs some cosmetic touches! I getting to them slowly but surely.

Dave's Finds:

Dave found these two Audio Book CD's in a car that came in for junk this week. Both brand new still sealed in plastic. One has a price tag of $14.95 the  other $19.99 What a find! I prefer to read so I will probably put these on Craigslist. Pure profit!

Well I will wish you a "good evening". Thanks for reading my blog!

Menards Tips & My Makeovers

We shop at Menards quite frequently-(I really do mean quite frequently). That is mainly because we are do-it-yourselfers.
 There are many blogs out there that keep you up to date on the "free after rebates" that Menards have frequently and tell you how to "work out" the deals. Menards rebates are in the form of "gift checks" that you can only use at Menards. With your first initial investment in a "free after rebate" product, you then use your "gift checks" to purchase future products that are "free after rebate" and you can continuously recieve actual "free stuff".
I want to add another tip. I have a Menards credit card. I pay it off every month. (Simply deduct your purchase from your checking account and when the bill comes pay it off). Here is the "cool thing" about the card. For every purchase you will get 2% back at the end of the year in the form of a "gift check". ( Last year my gift check was over $50.00). PLUS- every month when you get your bill they send you coupons for big discounts off of products and/or free products. Since you are going to spend your money there anyway this is a great way to get stuff and make a profit too.
When I went to buy the paint for my son's room I used a coupon they sent with my bill for a free duster (reg $2.98).  I am also getting a $4.00 rebate check back from the gallon of paint too!

Listen, free is free! If you can't use it someone can, or gift it. I will use this, but if I didn't want it, an idea would be to give it as a shower gift or housewarming gift, along with some other household cleaning products. Or even stick it on the yard sale for 50-75¢ . It came in a package with the price tag on it so someone would think it's a good deal!

Some of my makeover projects are done!
Back on my Feb 13, 2010 blog I showed you the "ugly" bathroom light fixture:

Ugh how I hated it!

Then I found one that I saw potential in for $7.00 at the Habitat For Humanity Restore

I am not one that likes brass, so it needed madeover.

Well here it is!

I am loving it!! I think it looks quite sharp!

Last summer a neighbor moved out down the block and she gave me some plastic terra cotta colored pots. There were two matching ones that are bigger (about 20in tall). I stuck them in the garage until I got some time to decide what to use them for.

I was out to Menards one day and they had the most beautiful creamic blue flower pots. They were painted to look like the paint ran on them as the were fired. I just loved them, but not for $25.00 each.

I decided to try my hand at copying them as best I could.

I forgot to take a before pic but you all know what a terra cotta plastic pot looks like.

First I painted them with primer:

I think they have turned out really pretty and from the street I doubt anyone will be able to tell they are just plastic pots!

I have been too busy to get them planted, but when I do I will post a pic. I think a bright yellow flower might be sharp or maybe some white petunias. Let me know if you all have any ideas.

My son has just been thrilled with his bedroom makeover! I open the door and I am proud of the way it turned out. He chose the color and when I first saw it on the sample I thought "hmm", I was not sure it would be good. I also was worried it would make his already small room feel smaller. The name also was a bit "off putting" >  Swamp Green.  I went with a semi gloss and I think that helps to brighten it a bit. The room does not really feel smaller. I think using the bright white on the ceiling also helped to not make it feel like a box.

 

Well it's my bed time and it's back to work in the morning. Thanks for stopping by. Have a good evening!

It's Saturday!

Wow! I feel like I have away from my blog forever! Alas! It was just last weekend's blog that was missed though.
A lot of busy, busy, business is all and I was too "pooped' to blog.
I didn't have any "exciting" deals to really swoon about anyway!
Tuesday I painted the ceiling in my son's room. Friday I painted the walls. His room really has needed it since we moved in, as you will see in the "before" pics. Today I cleaned the carpet in his room and Dave installed a ceiling fan in there also. Then we moved that desk we got off the curb, (a few blogs back) into his room. Now his room really looks sharp!
I have before and after pics!

Dave had some "finds" this week at the scrap yard. This nice cooler is approximately 2 ft by 1 ft and 14 inches deep, it has a carrying handle. It works great! I used it for a picnic we went to last week. All it needed was wiped down. I am keeping it in my SUV for groceries. It will come in handy on those days I have frozen items and or meats, etc. Especially with the sweltering temps we've had lately.

He found some other things I will try to get pic's of and post next time.

We had a few "mailbox goodies" this week.

Quik Trip sent me coupons for a free pack of Swisher Sweets Cigars and a free 16oz coffee ( I gave to Dave), Coupons for free box of Kraft Mac & Cheese, and baby food. Free samples: Bacon Salt, Dove Shampoo & conditioner, Tampax tampons and Always pads.

We are having a drive for a "homeless shelter" at work. They are asking for things other than foods (toilet paper, diapers, feminene products, etc). I gathered up all the free diaper samples, baby formula samples, tampons and other samples I recieved that I won't use. I dropped them off.

If there is a free sample, I will sign up for it, whether I use it or not! I figure someone will!

It has been raining and raining! No yard sales to speak of.

Also, not much work getting done on the flower beds or the yard. I have some more plants to get into the ground. My sis brought me two Butterfy bushes, some yellow primrose and some other plants. I also picked up some more perennials at Menards on "clearance" (again lol).

Sis was back visiting this past week (she lives on a mountain in Georgia). We didn't get to spend much time together because, I had to work  :(

Well I am going to sign off and put my feet up (they are killing me, as are my legs and my back, lol).

More pic's tomorrow I have some of my "projects" done and want to show them off too.

Have a good evening!

A Day Late

I didn't do my weekly shopping yesterday. I didn't have to much to get so I went today! It worked out well too, it was not busy at all.
I think my big savings was on French's 20 oz mustards. Walmart had the brown & spicy and the regulars for $1.37 each and I had six 50¢ coupons ( making them 87¢ each,  reg $2.36 each). We are well stocked on mustard now. LOL. We do use mustard a lot so this is not overkill. LOL. They also had Hunts Ketchup for $1.00 each, last week there were some 20¢ coupons in paper. I bought a couple, this too we use a lot of.
I "ad matched" the Hy-Vee ad at No Frills and got 4 packs of Oscar Meyer Weiners for 99¢ each and then used my $1.00 off 2 packs making them 49¢ each (their regular price is $3.26 each). I also "ad matched" the Fareway ad for Gracias Nacho Cheese 2 -$3.00 (reg is $2.99 each) I got myself 4 at that unbelievable price!

Dave had another "find" for me. Just what I was in need of too.

I didn't measure it but it is 7 or 8 feet tall (it only clears the basement ceiling by an inch or 2) and has deep shelves perfect for storing . It is all metal and has adjustable shelves. There is nothing wrong with it and no rust. I can just imagine how much this would have cost new!

I am almost done with two of my "makeover projects" and can't wait to get them on here for you to see. Both appear to be turning out really good.

My peonies bloomed early this year and I had to really search for some blooms fitting for the graves.

Here are some pictures of them when they were at their peak last week. They smell so fabulous!

They line both sides of my drive and are a magnificent view when in bloom.

Here is a previous planter "redo". When we moved here there were 3 of these very large planters. This was my first ever re-creation (I only did the one).

before

after

Thanks for stopping by. Please stop again. Have a good evening!

                                     

                                                                            

Saturday Finds

Not many yard sales today due to the holiday weekend. I did manage to find a few good deals though.

A dozen quart canning jars with the rings - $4.00

This new drainer, looks like it was not a cheapy to begin with, $1.50 ain't bad though. I needed it. The dishwasher has been broken since Thanksgiving. I really don't miss it though and I have noticed that the electic bill has dropped too.

 This has to be my favorite find of the day! These vintage Christmas glasses, the unopened box was $1.00!! I would say they are over 30 years old at least!

I have been working in the yard all day, planting and planting. I had to get all those perennials I bought into the ground.

My neighbor is always giving us stuff. Last summer she cleaned out her garage and I got a lot of "odd" things. This Pepsi thing was amongst it.

I put it aside with the stuff  "I don't want to throw away, but don't know what to do with" (LOL). If I don't figure something out after so long then I usually put it on "freecycle" .

Today I put it to use. I needed to take a bunch of gardening things from the backyard to the front yard and didn't want to make too many trips since it is quite a ways.

 Voila I had an idea!

It worked great! It has handles and drainage. I can rinse it off easily. It can be left outside and won't fill up with rain water.

I may just have to find some more uses for it.

The pool is filling and will be for the next two days, but it will be ready by Memorial Day! My son can't wait to get into it. Me - not so much. I am just not a water person.