Busy Mom Blog

Soles4Souls

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:28:37 -0600

I saw this on a billboard today, it just struck me (the cause, not the billboard) and I thought I'd share:

Soles4Souls "facilitates the donations of shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. Shoe companies, retailers, and individuals can donate footwear (both new and used)."

Simple as that. They give shoes to people who need them.

There's several ways to participate, but the easiest seems to be to donate your gently used shoes at a drop location.

Think about your closet. Maybe you have some shoes that just never quite fit you correctly, but you don't know what to do with them?

Had a baby and your feet grew? (Ahem, maybe I'm projecting) Donate your shoes to this worthy cause.

Find the Soles4Soles drop location nearest you.

Bonus! Soles4Souls is on Twitter.

Do they still believe?

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:11:11 -0600

With the holidays right around the corner, this is bound come up in many families across the world.

I'm not sure what to do.

Busy D.and Busy Boy have no clue, but since Busy Boy is 13, I need to be on the lookout for him hearing about it at school.

I can't tell with Busy Girl. I know she wants to believe, but there's some doubt, I can tell.

I'm pretty sure that even at 49, my oldest still believes.

I'm just not sure how long this can go on.

On one hand, the kids might be ready to hear it.

But, on the other hand they'll have to do this with their own families someday, so should I just let them continue to believe?

Maybe I should just come out and tell them?

I don't know, what kind of angst will follow?

OK, I'm just going to do it.

Family?

There is no dishwasher loading fairy.

It's me. That's how the dishes get in there.

It's been me the whole time.

When you wake up to a clean sink when just the night before it was full?

All me.

When the glasses get back in the cabinet?

Yep, that was me the whole time then, too.

I know, it's hard. I'll give you a moment.

Your guess is as good as mine

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:54:09 -0600

"I am...the soul wiper."

Busy D. (age 7), in a James Brown-esque tone, upon returning to the pew after making his First Confession tonight.

So, at least this started out as a real entry

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:27:20 -0600

Man, I gotta write something that's not about a complaint, a funeral or volleyball.

Um...

OK, here we go...

It's coming..

Actually, I had something written and Busy Boy looked over my shoulder and said, "No!!" since it was about something he said.

Suffice to say it was pretty funny, and when he said it, he immediately caught himself and lamented, "That sounded like something Busy Girl would say!"

Yes, indeed folks it's true that when your kids get older, it's harder to write about them for lots of reasons.

Those reasons are not so much moral or ethical as they are practical since the kids can start their own blogs and they will also choose your nursing home.

Busy Girl's volleyball team got second in state after a hard-fought battle in the finals. They were disappointed, but we are very proud of them.

Oops, that was about volleyball.

Other than that, I can't write much else as I can't hear myself think through the continual banging of plastic things that is Busy D's obsession with Tech-Deck.

Oops, a complaint.

Give me a break, at least I'm out of stuff to say about funerals at the moment.

Life is shorter

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:03:22 -0600

My mother's friend died today.

It's not like it was unexpected, but I never did get to see her.

I spoke with her a couple of times, but the whole situation is/was a big fluffy social mess that I would love to explain, but I'm not even sure what it was.

Suffice to say, there were no visitors allowed, and we'll leave it at that.

At any rate, she's gone, and I'd like to say she died peacefully, but I'm not really sure.

I hope she's reunited with my mother somewhere. She was pretty afraid of being sick, but saw how well my mother's death went and was comforted by that.

In addition to losing a friend, I also feel like I've lost a valuable connection to my mother and that kinda sucks as she was one of the few people who could/would talk to me about my mother.

Her family has likely got quite a few things ahead of them, both physically and emotionally.

There were strained relationships, and if you remember nothing from this post, just know that it's really not worth it to sustain drama/be an ass to your loved ones because you just never know what will happen.

Wait, I lied.

If you remember nothing from this post, just remember this: Please don't smoke.

I'm not judging, I know I have no idea how hard it is to quit, but this just comes from someone who has not only seen too many people die of lung cancer, but does lung cancer for a living.

Yes, it could happen to you no matter how many clear x-rays you've had or no matter how few cigarettes you think you smoke.

Please trust me, it's not how you want to go, and it's not how you want your family to remember you.

It's not how I want you to go, either.

ADDED: I have since found out that one of the last words my friend said before she died yesterday was my (deceased) mother's name.

Wouldn't you like to know what that was about? I would.

Eat this.

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:08:27 -0600

You know what I don't understand?

People commenting on what others eat.

On the Internet especially, what other people eat seems to be of great interest to some.

I know many people have food preferences and beliefs they feel strongly about, but it's just that it's very rare (unless you are a dietitian or something) for a person to solicit feedback from other people on their diet.

It doesn't really matter if you think the whole world is ignorant of the virtues/dangers of boxed food, food on the floor, half grains, whole grains or Laffy Taffy, I just think it's rude to comment on what someone is eating.

But, I may be alone in that sentiment.

If the conversation is about food, it's one thing to say you prefer vanilla better over chocolate, but it's an entirely different thing to say, "Oh, I don't 'do' chocolate, haven't you read all the research? We only eat vanilla." to someone eating chocolate.

People can't even say anything in passing anymore without someone commenting on it.

Earlier today on Twitter, someone was excited about finding a drink they were looking for in a store, and immediately someone else responded, "Ugh, isn't that full of chemicals and stuff?"

It might have been straight formaldehyde for all I know, but really? That wasn't the point.

My kids aren't allowed to comment on someone else's food if they don't like what that person is eating.

As a matter of fact, an "Eeeew, that is gross, how can you eat that?!" will get you punished, yet many adults feel free, dare I say even obligated, to insert opinions on other people's food.

It's neither here nor there, I suppose, but I just don't get it.

Mom Blog stuff, for lack of a better title

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:45:18 -0600

All kinds of stuff around here today: volleyball tailgate (35 bags of snack-mix, anyone?) and sub-state game, soccer pictures and game, football caravan (I got the last gold window paint at Michael's. Boo yah.) and championship game.

So, therefore, you can see why Busy Dad also promised Buy D. a trip downtown to the skate park this morning before any of this ever starts. Clearly, someone ~~has time management issues~~ likes to get things done.

Rounding off the day, we have Busy Girl and friends who planned a movie outing 20 miles away for after the football game.

I know she'll be able to drive sooner rather than later, and then I'll be wishing I was still in control of her outings, but sheesh.

I also know I could just tell her "no", but golly, it's a long story. I just wanted to point out that I do realize I'm the parent.

Speaking of Busy Girl driving, it's going quite well, unless you count the part where she drives too fast. I freely admit that she likely gets that from me, but we're working on it.

Now, her speeding isn't really deliberate and is nothing egregious, it's just that she is still learning to balance the conditions around her with the speed limit she is so fond of noting.

I'm also not entirely convinced she understands the physics of this large driving object in motion, but I hope that will come in time.

She has seen two pretty bad wrecks happen on the Interstate recently, so I think that has had some impact on her.

Actually, we would have been in one of them had she been driving. It happened in the right lane which is where I would have made her drive, but for some reason she chose not to drive that night.

I was in the middle lane and had to floor the brakes to keep from being in it, so I can't imagine what would have happened, otherwise.

Frankly though, as a teenager, the moment she gets to drive without us in the car, she will probably drive too fast, despite her training, so I want her to have as much driving experience as we can give her.

She's doing well overall, and as soon as she gets it down, we get to turn around and start all over with Busy Boy!

Speaking of Busy Boy, tomorrow is the high school open house.

For those of you playing along at home, I started this here blog when he was 6 years old and he will be in high school next year.

High. School.

I don't even know where to go with that.

Oh, and don't be misled by the volleyball State Tournament talk and think you'll be spared my Twitter volleyball blatherings after the season is concluded (no such luck, suckas), for next week begins the club volleyball season tryouts.

Actually, Busy Girl is injured, so the tryouts oughta be interesting.

Now, I feel like I haven't said anything about Busy D.

He's fine. We had Parent-Teacher Conferences last week and his was scheduled for 15 minutes just like everyone else's!

I had feared that his conference would require a separate day and a priest, so that was a pleasant surprise.

As the work of a mom blogger is never done, now I gotta go get Bella and Edward (puppies) untangled from the hammock.

Completely Honest

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:39:56 -0600

So, Liz tagged me with Completely Honest, and we can all see how my vow to sit down and actually blog on my blog is going, I thought I'd give it a whirl.

Also, when someone on Facebook told me they didn't know I had a blog, I figured I had better get on the stick.

It's very simple, I have to say 10 honest things about myself.

So, here goes:

1. I've recently thought about hanging up the blogging thing. My community has changed, and I'm not sure what I think about that.

Despite the fact that it may look like I have already done so, I probably won't.

However, I do admit to being discouraged by several things, including a sharp increase in online smug self-assurance and righteousness in the name of "discussion".

It's actually just attention seeking behavior, but I get enough of that here at home.

That probably deserves more than the blip I gave it, but there you have it.

2. People think I'm somewhat psychic.

Not in a Stevie Nicks black lace and crystal ball kind of way, but I can freak people right out sometimes if a "feeling" (my, that sounds a little pervy, no?) I have comes true.

3. I wear a size 11 shoe.

4. My toffee addiction has given way to this yogurt parfait thing they have at work. I need neither of these items on a regular basis, and yet...

5. My heel hurts again. Looks like I spent 2 weeks in that boot for naught.

I'm going to see a new doctor, but can't get in until January.

6. I'm giving up one-sided friendships.

However, it has taken me an embarrassingly long time (oh, say...28 years) to figure out that I was in a particular one.

7. I've learned the neighbors have terrible wifi reception on the ground outside their bedroom window.

Kidding. Just wanted to see if anyone got this far.

8. I'm really, really behind on some stuff and just can't get the time to do it and a bit of Procrastination Paralysis has set in.

9. It took me nearly 2 weeks to remember to fill Busy Girl's asthma medicine prescription.

In my defense, she's 15 and could probably have helped with the remembering.

10. I may possibly rip the shower head outta the wall if it doesn't stop dripping.

OK, there ya go. Probably more than you wanted to know.

I'm tagging you 7 (don't pretend you don't see me) over there by the bar.

Spill.

Haven't written...blah, blah, blah. You know the drill.

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:15:46 -0600

From now on, I shall officially stop marveling at the elapsed time since I last wrote something, for every time I do, it just gets longer and longer between entries.

Just the usual goings on around here: kids, work, home, selling my soul, killing babies.

You know how it is, huh?

If you have no idea what I'm talking about there, consider yourself fortunate.

Disclaimer: no babies were killed during the writing of this post, but I may have shed an ethic or two.

At any rate, it's Fall Break around these parts. High school is out all week for some inexplicable reason, grade school is out 3 days, too.

Next week is parent-teacher conferences and the PSAT so everyone will be out some combination of days then, too.

October: all the tuition, now with half the school!

Naturally, I have a rhymes with "flaudit" at work next week and can't be out any, so I'm ready for someone to be sick on the days they actually have school.

Also, getting ready to wrap up fall sports, and you know what that means: coaches gifts!

Busy Dad and I have both coached teams, I get it. Volunteers truly do a lot for the kids and my kids all have exceptional coaches.

However, we have a certain sport that has ten (yes, 10) coaches and that doesn't include my other two kids' coaches. And, well...

I'm finally out of this orthopedic boot thing.

Wait, I guess I never told you about it in the first place, though some of you have even had the pleasure of seeing it

My various orthopedic woes have been acting up and it culminated (SAT word!) in immobilizing my right heel and a hefty round of steroids, much to the amusement (or something) of those around me and on Twitter.

I'm a little better, but still having problems with my plantar fasciitis and I have precisely one pair of shoes I can wear. They're brown. Many of my work clothes are black.

Klassy, yo.

In my steroid-induced craze, I managed to incur the ire of the Tee Ess Ay last week at the place where airplanes land.

I was going through their little line, concentrating on not screwing things up and getting stopped for my boot.

It was also about 45 minutes after my pill, prime crazy time, and I had gotten held up in a traffic jam, so I was already a bit hyper.

I got so focused on the boot, I forgot to take my shoe off and walked through the scanner.

They don't like that.

I got myself sent to "the booth" and became agitated when my stuff (including my purse and computer) was still splayed out on the conveyor belt for the world to take.

I had to wait for someone with the "wand" (I shall call her Wanda) to come examine my shoe.

I offered to go back through the scanner, throw my shoe back outside the scanner, or even to just throw my shoe away (see also: steroids).

They don't like that.

Wanda eventually sauntered over and I realized I had not only been marked because of the shoe-gression, but also because by this point, I was also dripping sweat.
(see also: steroids) and looked guilty of something.

She took me and my stuff aside and did the wand thing, and I was deemed OK, but did get my fingerprints taken.

My dad would be so proud.

I thought I was going to be marked for life and was prepared, but I didn't get stopped on the way home, so maybe I'm just on probation or something.

So, that's me. What have you been up to, my long-neglected friends?

The city blogger and the country blogger

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:41:55 -0600

I've been fortunate enough to travel to some big cities in the past few weeks, namely New York and Chicago.

Chicago has always been one of my favorite places in the world, and the New York trip was my first time there, and I loved it.

When I go to places like these, the first thing that strikes me is that people really live downtown. Or, actually, I think I'm supposed to call it "the city".

I live in the suburbs of a medium-large city (Hey, Nissan, I'm in Nashville, just sayin'...) and while the downtown residential population is growing (or, at least it was until the financial bottom fell out of the world), I think more people here live in standard neighborhoods in houses on streets.

That whole pesky Civil War thing probably eroded downtown infrastructure in this region, and cities are more spread out. Good, bad, whatever, that's just the way it is in some parts.

Now, is about the time where "city" people will rant about suburbs, minivans and strip malls or whatever is fashionable to harp upon, while "suburb dwellers" can't understand why in the world people want to live among the Murdery McMurdersons, or whatever is fashionable to harp upon about "the city".

Venus. Mars. Whatever.

At the risk of sounding like a bumpkin or something, I am fascinated by residential life in "the city".

I have no idea what it's like to walk to the corner store, your favorite Italian restaurant or the newsstand as a part of your life routine.

In my world, kids play in their yards and going to the park may be an activity or special treat. I was mesmerized by kids in Chicago riding bikes downtown, stopping in stores, etc.

In New York, I tried not to make a complete fool of myself when I saw neighborhood city blocks just like on Sesame Street!

I may or may not have asked a cab driver if we were on the Huxtable's street at one point.

He may or may not have understood me. That might not have been all bad.

When I go to the grocery store, I get in the car and go. I'm not lazy, there is nowhere to walk to, it's just what you have to do.

In "the city", there are these full sized grocery stores that people walk to in the middle of downtown, that is so foreign to me. I have no idea how you actually get your stuff home, but the idea of strolling home with your groceries is cool.

And, schools! With some exceptions, many of our schools are on your basic lot in a neighborhood with some grass and a parking lot.

I've never gone to a school that wasn't in the suburbs, and in New York, there kids were attending schools right there in the city. The school buildings were right amongst the office buildings, the stores and the hustle and bustle of Manhattan (where I happened to be) life.

I know, I'm a doofus, but I think that would be cool. (Tries not to sing, "Fame! I wanna live foreverrr..")

If one of our dogs needs to go to the bathroom, we just let them out the back door. Going for a walk on the leash is a treat. Well, not so much for the baby dogs, yet (Bella! Edward!), but it's optional.

In "the city", it was cool how people out walking their dogs would stop and talk amongst the business types walking with briefcases and a purpose. Such fabulous people-watching opportunities.

I could see myself in a big city, there's so much to do. I have no idea what it would be like to raise a family in the middle of one because it's so different from what I do.

I have no real point here except that I'm especially looking forward to going back to New York someday. I have a cousin getting married there this weekend, but we couldn't make it. (Make it? "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere..." Sorry.)

Though I'd never trade the life I have now, one day, I'll go back to New York, catch a show, peruse a street vendor's wares, walk in the crowd during rush hour, and stop by the market.

Then I'll meet a friend for drinks, go to some fabulous party and pretend just for a little while that I'm part of the city life until I have to go home and pick up toys and bikes so I can mow the lawn.

Blogging on my blog

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 22:39:39 -0600

So, every time I resolve to actually blog here on my blog...

Wait, when did the word "blog" start sounding so...so... 2006?

In 2006, you say?

Whatever.

I'm just going to consider myself all old skool for blogging on this here blog, then.

I'm also going to use the word "blogging" as much as I can.

Anyway, every time I say I'm going to get back in the habit of blogging here on my blog, it just seems to get worse.

While there's not too much more annoying than bloggers blogging about why they haven't blogged, I will say that in order to blog, you kinda have to be home to blog, or at least around your computer and I'm not.

I know I say this all the time, but I'm never home because volleyball is kicking mah ass, and it's not even my volleyball.

It'd be better if I was the one playing, because at least I'd be getting some exercise while my ass was getting kicked.

But, then again I'd suck at volleyball because now both knees don't work. Wait, I'd suck at volleyball, anyway. What was I thinking?

Going to the doctor tomorrow, with the strange feeling that I'm going to get bilateral steroid injections, thus ending my Olympic aspirations. Also, ending my ability to get back to my office from the doctor's office if that happens.

Where was I?

Busy Girl loves volleyball, and I love to watch and as a parent of a player, we have some obligations, but it's been especially demanding the past few weeks. Her school has a powerful program, and this is just what it takes.

It will be somewhat easier when she gets a driver's license, but that's not for another year, and I wouldn't want to miss the games, anyway.

But, apparently, I have 2 other kids and a husband, though, and hey, the other kids play sports, too. Who knew?

There was a break in the 40 days and 40 nights of rain here, so I did make it to Busy Boy's football game on Saturday, but Busy D.'s soccer game was canceled.

Football went well, but a crucial player got hurt (hello, football team parents, I see you), my dad's Prius broke down in the parking lot (difficult to get help with those), I dumped a Diet Coke in my purse and I think I left 4 dollars on the counter at Starbuck's.

Thus, I've concluded that spending hours on end in the bleachers at volleyball (hello, volleyball team parents, I see you) is much safer and cheaper for everyone.

Speaking of Busy Boy, he goes on his high school visit day tomorrow.

Busy Boy will be in high school next year.

When I started blogging on this blog (what? I'm getting mileage out of this word) in 2003, he was younger than Busy D, is now.

He's going to high school next year, and Busy Girl will be half way through.

That oughta give me something to blog about on this blog.

Driving Miss Busy Mom

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:19:57 -0600

It feels like every time I write something lately, it's along the lines of, "It's not like me to go this long between posts!"

It's really not, but I guess I'd have a hard time convincing anyone of that lately.

So, blah, blah, blah...I haven't written, and any reasons I spew forth would be painfully uninteresting, but would however, include the words "volleyball" and "football".

As your kids get older, it really is harder to write about them, mainly because you're NEVER HOME to do any actual writing, and when you are home, you use that whole time to discuss where you have to take them next with a little background music that goes something like, "Hey, mom. Hey, mom. Hey, mom. Hey, mom. Hey, mom. Hey, mom."

I don't feel especially sorry for me because even when I have some time to write, I usually end up frittering it away on Twitter.

That would be Twitter Frittering. Don't try that at home.

I also admit to being a bit disillusioned by the current state of blogging in my community. Just the usual, you can read about it most anywhere.

I also have very little patience for shrill flareups in an otherwise light-hearted community. But, that's probably just the ACOA in me.

So, yeah, yeah, yeah...excuses.

Let's see, what can I write about?

Driving!

Busy Girl turned 15 and is now the proud owner of a Learner's Permit.

She's so excited. I know firsthand that being a September baby is hard when you're the last one to do anything.

She is too young to take solace in the fact that when they turn 40, she'll still be 39.

I used that one for years and it really only ever got to one person, but it was totally worth it. (Still is, heh since I'm still 44...I know you're out there.).

She's doing quite well, she drives most places, but we haven't ventured to the Interstate, yet.

I've passed the point where I feel like we may die, but there's still a lot for her to learn. I never realized how wearing it can be to have to treat every minor trip out of the house as a teaching opportunity, but we keep doing it.

About the time we get the routine down, we'll have to start over again with Busy Boy.

Poor Busy D., he may end up figuring out how to drive on his own. Heck, he could be taking the car out at night right now as far as I know.

When you see those news stories about the 7 year old kid leading cops on a chase around the city, I admit to looking out the window to make sure all our cars are there.

The one where I have to think about sending a kid to college

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:14:21 -0600

I have a new obsession that I'm guessing ya'll are going to have to hear about for the next, oh, 3 years or so.

You see, I just woke up to the fact that I have a high school sophomore and it's time to start doing something about that college thing.

What I want to know, have any of you recently gone through the college application process (particularly, but not limited to, private college apps) with your kids?

Someone talk to me about this "community service" issue.

Is it really a heavily deciding factor, or is that just a rumor?

I've heard both, that it's everything and that nothing matters but grades and test scores no matter what the application says.

Now, don't misunderstand, I'm all about community service, and I think it's fabulous for kids and all, but it's starting to sound like you don't stand a chance at higher education unless you've founded a free health clinic in Guyana where you've worked for three consecutive years.

Apparently, kids are expected to make the highest of grades, play a sport, be involved in school clubs, hold down a job, and do volunteer work in order to even get an application reviewed.

Whatever happened to the merit of picking something you enjoy doing and getting good at it while effectively managing your time to maintain good grades?

What are these schools really looking for? What was your application experience? Any hints?

(P.S. Thank you all for your kind words about my friend, they are much appreciated)

Life is short

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:16:28 -0600

Many of you know that I don't have a lot of extended family as I come from a long line of only children. So, when my mother was dying, we depended a lot on her friends to help, and we couldn't have done it without them.

One friend in particular knew my mother very well. They were an unlikely pair, they met in rehab. My mother was a Friend of Bill W. if I never told you that before, she was buried with her 25 year chip.

Anyway, this friend was with us through thick and thin when my mother was ill. She came to sit with my mother several times a week so my dad could get out, and she wnet with me to make funeral arrangements.

She rushed in from out of town when my mother was dying, she greeted guests with us at her visitation and walked in the funeral procession with me and my father.

I'm pretty sure my mother told her to take care of us before she died. She always gives my kids Christmas gifts, she comes to some of their sporting events, and to Grandparent's Day at school.

At 62, she's younger than my mother and older than I am, and my mother always said she's more like a little sister to her.

I spoke with her last about 4 weeks ago and she was recovering from bronchitis and preparing to head back to work.

Today, she's a week into her diagnosis of lung cancer* with 16 mets to the brain and Lord knows where else, and she's been given 6-8 weeks to live**.

I don't really know what to do with this, so it's stayed behind the steel door in a corner of my brain. I peek in there every so often, but usually close it back quickly.

I haven't talked to her yet, will probably try to do that tomorrow or so, and take dinner there next week, but outside of that, there's nothing I can do.

Now, I know when you read someone's blog and they say someone is very ill, you feel bad for them and all, but sometimes it's easy to kind of glaze over it when it's their friend's mother's aunt's cousin.

I get it, now.

Though I really do get (honestly!) that this isn't about me, I am stunned and sad.

For various reasons, there were parts of my mother I didn't know very well, and this friend may be the only one who can fill in the blanks for me.

She's also one of few people that can keep my mother's memory alive in the AA community, and I hate losing that, too.

She also has a 20 year old daughter who's an only child. I want to let her know that I "get it", and that I can't imagine having to do this at 20, it was bad enough at 41.

I've contacted the daughter, but I'm old and all and us old folks are a dime a dozen, so my proclamation of understanding may not have as much impact in real life as it does in my head.

I'm not going anywhere in particular with this, I just let it out from behind the steel door for a minute.
.
* please don't smoke

** Confidential: I know you smoke, you don't have to hide it from me, I'm not judging you, I just want you to stop so this doesn't happen to your family, too.

In which I ponder coupons

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 14:29:37 -0600

I know coupons and "couponing" are all the rage, but I am going to take the possibly unpopular stance that coupons just aren't what they used to be.

I realize that I'm not a hard core coupon user. I mean, I cut out the pretty pictures, leave them at home and let them expire just like the next person, but other than "free", I just haven't found many coupons that really speak to me in a while.

Yes, I'm aware of online coupons and double coupons, triple coupons and that there are websites and blogs devoted to such, but sometimes (notice I said, "sometimes") there's just not a return on my investment of time in finding and carrying around many coupons of late.

While even a few cents off is better than a poke in the eye, and yes, my family needs to save money just like yours, it just seems like many coupons are getting kind of useless. You know the ones: "Get 50 cents off your next Mercedes purchase when you buy 3 Buicks!"

I might be interested in trying a Mercedes, but I really don't want three Buicks, I've got nowhere to store them and they might go bad before the kids can drive them. So, I just end up blowing off the Mercedes.

I get that coupons are supposed to increase product sales and that the economy sucks, but I used to feel like I was getting at least some advantage when I used a coupon. Now, I just feel like I'm being forced to buy 3 boxes of cereal because the coupon for 20 cents off expires 15 minutes from it's arrival at my house.

However, I am ALL about the Buy One Get One Free sales at Publix. Actually, it might be a bit of an illness, but I really feel like I'm getting something free, free, free (!).

I also realize I'm probably the target market for that psychology, but at least I don't have to go any further down in my purse than my wallet and that's a Buyers Advantage for me, because I'm really not entirely sure what's down there.