Frugal MD Corgi Mom

How to save money when buying a laptop!

2013-05-07T09:59:00.000-04:00

I just stumbled across a really good article at Daily Finance about when is the best time to purchase a laptop. I didn't know April was the best month, I always thought around Christmas would be the best time. WRONG!! The second thing I learned was that we will probably get a better deal online versus at a brick and mortar store. Interesting. To continue reading . . . The best time to buy a laptop.

Well we did it! We bought a new vehicle on Wednesday nite

2013-04-26T19:36:00.000-04:00

April will be getting her license in August, crossing our fingers, so we have been looking and kicking around what type of vehicle to get. We had a mini van three years ago, but traded it in when Bob's company moved his office 26 miles away versus 8. We got little a Corolla and loved it, loved it so much on it's first birthday we traded it in and got the newer model with zero financing. Well we paid that off this past year, so April will have a car for the days she wants to drive to school.

We were looking at mini-vans because of hauling extra teens around to competitions, etc. But the light went off, all of April's friends either have their licenses or will be getting them this year, so we don't need to haul kids around. Why pay for a big vehicle that won't get its full potential. So then, we started looking at the little SUV's and other cars.

Bob found a 2004, yes a 2004 Toyota Avalon for $15,000 at Carmax that he had transferred to the store near us. We went and looked at it, and can you say your grandparent's car. I might be 51 but I certainly don't act like it and I wasn't going to be driving it. It had only 24,000 miles on it, good for it. I told Bob clearly that if he wanted that I would drive my 2004 Toyota Tacoma. I made it clearly known AGAIN that I would not drive this vehicle. Plus once we left the dealership and I did the research the car's retail value was only at $9,000 - $10,000! Bob saw the light.

We went back to Carmax and started looking at the Nisssan Rogue!! We found one on the lot that hadn't even been shown on the computer and it was a heck of a deal. It's Black Amethyst, looks Black in some lighting and purple in other lighting. Can we say Baltimore Ravens!!! Woo Hoo!

So far, I love it!! It has hands free blue tooth, I don't use my phone a lot in the car because of safety issues but this will be nice for when I get a phone call coming in.

It also has the nice safety feature of the back up camera and monitor. I love this because I back into our driveway most times because of our neighbor's parking their vehicles closer to our house and it limits my ability to see vehicles coming down the hill. Now backing up and navigating between the two boats, yes I said two, is a lot easier!

The Nissan Rogue does come with three months of Sirius Radio, which I am already spoiled but will not continue with it because I am a sports radio kinda of gal! Shout out to Sports Radio 105.7 the Fan in Baltimore.

I started writing this review earlier in the day, had to stop to take April to work. She was running late, as usual, because she wanted to tan before she went in to work. I had 20 minutes to get her about 12 miles in rush hour traffic. Well. I hopped on I-95 and it was a dream! I love that I sit up higher in the Rogue. I feel that people can see me, also. Got her there with five minutes to spare, with no speeding! The drive was nice and smooth. The Rogue handles so nice!!!

So far, I am so pleased with our choice! Thanks Nissan! Thanks to Carmax for a truly wonderful buying experience!

I give the 2013 Nissan Rogue 5 Corgi Paw Prints!!!

The Motherhood Rap

2013-04-26T15:39:00.000-04:00

This is awesome! I am thankfully out of this stage but can sure remember it like it was yesterday!! When I see infants, I wish for a moment that we had another one but than quickly remember the sleeplessness nights, barf, etc.

Thanks to I Think My Moms Gone Crazy for post this!!

Movie Review: 42 (5 corgi paws out of 5)

2013-04-24T11:30:00.001-04:00

Kristina and I went to see 42 yesterday. I knew I wanted to see it but was going to wait until it came out on Redbox; but Kristina's social studies teacher offered an extra credit project if her students went to see it.

So we made it a Mom and me date last nite! The only person I knew that was going to be in the film was Harrison Ford.

A little bit of background on me: I am 51 years old. So when Mr. Robinson came up through the minor and major leagues, I was not even born. I remember hearing my dad talk about Mr. Robinson. Jackie Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, the year I was born. I got my love of sports by watching football and baseball games with my dad on TV. My brother played football for about 10 years, so my first love is football. He did try baseball for one year but it wasn't his thing.

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Mr. Robinson was a truly remarkable man in the way he handled himself on the field and off! Chadwick Boseman did an amazing job as Mr. Robinson and Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey was awesome. I hope both of these men earn an Academy Award nominations for their portrayals. Harrison Ford, during a couple of scenes, reminded me of Burgess Meredith aka The Penguin from the old Batman series. Just the way he spoke, I was thinking this while we were watching the movie and then I was reading some other reviews and I realized I wasn't the only one who noticed. I guess I am just dating myself. LOL

I thought the acting was well done throughout the film. Not only was this about Jackie Robinson being the first African American in the Major Leagues but it was also about how Mr. Wendell Smith was breaking the color barrier for sports reporters.

This was the second movie that Kristina has experienced with the racial issues of our past. It angered her, as well as me, with the way he was taunted. There is one scene when the audience was taunting Jackie; and a little boy in the stands started mimicking the adults, very sad. I thought it was a nice touch for our younger audiences to see and then reflect that adults are not always the best role models.

So thank you Ms. Robertson, for making this an extra credit project for the 6th grade.

I give this 5 Corgi Paws out of 5!!!

I was not compensated or asked to review this movie, in any way!!!

My man Jacoby!!!

2013-04-23T07:22:00.001-04:00

Watch "Jacoby Jones & Karina - Quickstep - DWTS 16 (Week 6)" on YouTube

Test

2013-04-22T16:54:00.002-04:00

This is a test,only a test. Trying to get my twitter, facebook, and blog to play well together!

Oh no, just like my Teen!

2013-04-22T13:01:00.000-04:00

I was sitting her on my laptop, with my cellphone right next to me. I was multi-processing as normal - I tried to scroll down on my phone using my mouse!!!

Bob got us all Samsung Galaxy 3's last Black Friday and now I am like April with almost always having it my hand. LOL Thank goodness I work in an elementary school and we are not allowed to use it while we are instructing children!

I love my phone because I have several apps that let me earn money! Can't beat that!

My 16 year old is following in her mom's footsteps!!!

2013-04-22T12:11:00.000-04:00

My 16 year old daughter is currently studying cosmetology at our local Technical High School, she is currently a junior. She will be graduating in 2014. She is very good at applying makeup on our herself and her friends. She gets requests all the time for her makeup skills. She is would love to try and review makeup, nail and hair products. Not only would her review be placed on my blog, my Facebook page, my Twitter account but her Facebook page, her Twitter Page, along with her Instagram page! She would give a video and/or written review!! Between the two of use we have over 1,500 followers via Social Media.

This is so funny!!!

2013-04-22T11:22:00.000-04:00

Some 5th graders were telling me about this on Friday! It is so funny! Kristina was laughing so hard! Some of their other videos are funny too!!! Thanks for making our day MrEpicMann

Free 2 Liter of Pepsi (hurry only so many each day)

2013-04-22T10:52:00.000-04:00

Free 2-Liter of Pepsi Next - Limited Amount Each Day

Spin the “Wheel of Levy” and watch a short video to request a FREE 2-Liter Pepsi Next coupon! To avoid watching the video, simply click the Pepsi Next can on the wheel.

Limit one coupon offer per name/address/household for this promotion. HURRY! Limited coupons available per day.

What a difference it makes going to a different CVS

2013-04-22T07:33:00.000-04:00

Had a bad asthma attack yesterday and didn't leave Patient First until after 8 p.m. They didn't have the meds I needed to get, so I found the closest 24 hour CVS - White Marsh, MD and went there. What nice employees working there!

Our local CVS - Edgewood, Maryland; the cashiers are not friendly and they are the nazi police when it comes to coupons, especially internet ones!!!! The techs back in the pharmacy are so overworked that they try to be friendly but they just don't have time!

I wish I was by this one more often, because it would be my store of choice!!!

A Must Watch Video

2013-04-18T20:28:00.000-04:00

I'm Puttin' Up the Flag Because I Can!!!!

No more words are needed! This video says it all!

REVIEW: Literally just trield the Yoplait Fruplait

2013-04-18T11:39:00.000-04:00

I tried the Yoplait Fruplaint Harvest Peach because when we were shopping at Walmart this past Sunday, the Strawberry ones did not look appetizing. The Strawberry was not eye appealing because it looked like in transport and display the containers were shook up and did not have the layered effect that Yoplait shows in the images. The Harvest Peach package had the fruit on the bottom and then a layer of yogurt, then fruit, then yogurt, so it was much more eye appealing to me.

This was a very yummy snack with only 120 calories. The peaches were at a right consistency, not to soft and not to hard! The yogurt was rich and creamy with a nice smooth taste. I highly enjoyed this snack and will be buying the Harvest Peach again in the future.

Hmmm, I wonder what it would taste like if it was frozen. Might have to pop one in the freezer to try it out.

Hurry run to this page to get three high dollar coupons and a sweep!

2013-04-18T07:56:00.000-04:00

Found some high dollar coupons out at Winn Dixie's FB page! There are three coupons: Ritz Cracker, Chips Ahoy and Trident gum! I like them because you only have to buy 1 to use the coupon! Woo Hoo

I love shopping Winn Dixie! When I was a kid, we lived in Brunswick, Georgia; and this is where we shopped. When we would vacation in Hilton Head Island, SC we would shop there also. But unfortunately, Wal-mart came in and you know what happens when a Wal-mart comes in!

Also, there is a One Direction Sweeps, if you live in the following states(nuts I know my daughters would have loved for me to enter this one): AL, GA, FL, LA, and MS!!!

Woo Hoo! I have been

2013-04-17T21:27:00.000-04:00

selected to receive and review a CD from one of my all time favorite artists!!!! I should be getting the CD sometime next week! I am so excited!

I have seen this artist one time in concert, thanks to my wonderful brother-in-law who bought tickets and then decided he didn't want to go!

I have liked this artist since the 1970's!!!

That's all for now! Stay tuned!!!

Ray Lewis Might have retired from the Baltimore Ravens

2013-04-16T10:00:00.000-04:00

but he is not forgotten! Thanks to the Purple Ladies for posting this awesome picture of Ray!!!

Food testing at McCormick

2013-04-16T09:49:00.001-04:00

Today I am lucky enough to be going to McCormick to taste something. Hoping it is yummy.

Then off too be with my Pre K friends

April was suppose to be going to the international hair show in New York today since she is in the cosmetology program at her high school. Thankfully they cancelled the trip. She didn't go to school because she wasn't prepared for her classes today. She is upset because the other parents decided to fit as many girls as possible in their vehicles and head up. I'm sorry but she is one of the two precious things that Bob and I have and her safety is our number one goal. She will understand once she becomes a parent. I can't run the risk of her being in New York so soon after the tragedy in Boston.

I hooked my galaxy 3 up to blogger this morning and I am loving it.

Wish I knew how

2013-04-16T03:56:00.000-04:00

to change the pics in blog heading!!! I paid to have this blog design done a couple of years ago, and the gal who designed it offered to change the pics whenever I needed them changed. Well, now I can't find her! LOL

My girls have gotten older! Now they are 16 and 12! Bailey is almost 4 years old.

My blog has been neglected due to sports and work AND I MISS it!

Last year I was working a full time job during the week (substitute teaching) and on weekends as a cashier at our local grocery store. I had to stop the cashiering job due to a bum knee. I need to get my knee replaced but with having active girls and a husband who works long hours, it has been placed on the back burner.

I am hoping to get back to blogging because I had so much fun doing it!!!

If anyone knows of someone who could help me with my blog design, please email me at frugalmdmom (at) comcast (dot) net.

Guest Post: Great Tips for Preparing Meals for Your Kids (written by James Puisis)

2013-04-15T15:25:00.000-04:00

At times it can be extremely difficult to get our children to eat the healthy nutritious foods that they need in order to stay healthy and to grow. So what our options? Often parents take one of two routes: they either punish their children for not eating their food or they reward their children for eating their food. Undoubtedly reward is a much better, and in the long run, easier option to take. But how do we consistently get our children to want to eat the foods that are good for them in a way that rewards them and how do we help prepare meals that will please them?

In short keep your child involved in all steps of the food process and let them take a little ownership of the project with your guidance. Your aim should be to make them care about and value what they eat. The best way to do this is to get them involved.

Let Them Choose: – As parents we love to make sure that our kids are always eating the right foods but what about letting them have a go at it. It’s ok to let them have a say every once in a while. Let your child choose what he or she thinks would be a good meal. Think of this as a great opportunity to bond with them. Children love to play and create. Letting them come up with ideas for the meal allows them to express their creativity.

Food Preparation: Allow them to help in the cooking and preparation process as much as possible. Make them feel like this is their creation. Think of new and fun ways to include your child in the meal planning process in creative ways. Prepare your food with a certain theme.

The Meal: Have them help serve the meal. Give them credit for what they have done to help you in making the food. Make this a very special event that is dedicated to your child’s hard work. Plan a themed meal to make it even more fun. This will really make your child happy.

The goal of this approach is to show them the value of their work and to make them feel good about what they have created. Involving them in the food making process helps them care about the meal and makes it more desirable to eat. By keeping these things in mind you’ll be well on your way to preparing great meals for your kids.

This post was written on behalf of Chef Boyardee. For recipes for kids such as beefaroni and beef ravioli or other ways of cooking with kids visit the Chef Boyardee website.

Thank you to all the Veterans!!!

2012-11-11T19:25:00.003-05:00

No words are needed!!!

And the winner of the $25 ediapercakes GC is . . . .

2012-11-11T11:40:00.000-05:00

Donna Kozar donna444444

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway!!!! I have contacted Donna.

I will be starting a new giveaway in the next couple of days and it has a Christmas/snow man theme! So stay tuned!!!

Uh OH

2012-11-02T22:18:00.000-04:00

My April passed her test for her Learner's Permit today. Here in Maryland you are eligible for your Learner's at 15 years and 9 months. Oops we are a month late! LOL Not that I mind. In Maryland, you have to hold your Learner's for a minimum of 9 months before you can take your driver's test.

First thing she said when we walked out of the building, is "Can I drive?". Yeah right sweetie! We are going to be visiting church parking lots early in the morning for a while. That's if she can get her butt out of bed. She catches her bus for the technical high school every morning at 6:20 and we don't walk in the door until after 5 p.m., because of cheer practice.

Cheer practice takes up most of time from August until January, between games and competitions. So I told her come March we can discuss driver's ed.

Since she is a New Year's Eve baby she is one of the last of her friends to get her license. But I keep reminding her that she will be graduating at 17 with a career to start her off. She is the cosmetology program and when she graduates she will have her license for hair! Oh why does she want to grow up so fast!

My Coke Rewards and HSN

2012-11-02T20:10:00.001-04:00

I was just out there entering codes for the week and notice that they now have a $15 GC to HSN.

Finally a nice GC option. I personally rarely shop there, now if it was QVC (I would be in trouble)! LOL

Here is part of the fine print:

One redemption per member per month. Your code expires on 4/30/2013. This Promotional Card is valid for HSNTV or hsn.com purchases only.

Car Urban Legend #1 – The Hook on the Door

2012-10-31T14:05:00.000-04:00

Two Versions of the Legend:

Version #1:

A young couple parks a car in a secluded area so they can be alone. They lean the seats back and like any self-respecting teenagers would do, immediately turn on the radio and start making out.
Suddenly, they hear a news report about an escaped prison convict or mental patient who can be identified by the hook on his right hand. The prison or psychiatric hospital is coincidentally located less than a mile away from where they are parked.
The news story makes the girl nervous and she demands they instantly leave the area. The boy refuses but locks the doors as a precaution. After more debate, the guy angrily slams the car into gear and races out of the area and doesn’t say a word to his date until they arrive at her home. When he walks around the side of the car to open the door for her like any self-respecting gentleman would do, he notices a hook hanging from the passenger door handle.

Version #2:

The setup is generally the same, but in this version, the kids have moved to the backseat. After the girl demands they leave the area immediately, they open the rear passenger door and the guy exits first and holds the door for his date. He slams the door in anger, they drive to her home in silence, and then he angrily peels away from her house once she exits the car.
The next day, he notices a strange smell in his car and looks in the backseat. To his horror, a bloody and severed forearm is lying on the floor. He checks the news and discovers a one-armed escaped convict or mental patient was captured last night and realizes he and his date barely escaped with their lives.
The Facts:
This is my personal favorite urban legend/ghost story from my childhood. It’s so disturbing that I can still remember the first time I heard it as an eight-year old sitting around the campfire on a family vacation in a canyon miles away from civilization.
Analysis of this urban legend reveals the story as a mini morality play where the implied advice to teenagers is to never park a car in a private place or else risk getting into trouble. For thousands of kids, that advice probably worked.

Well that was short lived

2012-10-30T12:00:00.000-04:00

I started selling Avon back in the summer and have already stopped. Man has it changed from 20 years ago. Wow, there are more fees if you are a Rep! I couldn't see continuing as an Avon Representative if I was having to pay Avon to sell their merchandise. I even had a customer base from my former Avon lady, but most of them were senior citizens on fixed incomes, so they were not steady customers. When I worked in corporate America I made president club every year but my first year. But working at a school there is not a lot of potential.

I even attended a couple of Leadership training seminars but I don't have the time (with two active kids) to go out there and hustle to try and recruit people to sell Avon. I also didn't have it in my heart to sign people up knowing that if you don't sell at least $150 a campaign you are not going to make it worth your wild.

I love Avon products, and will continue to buy them online. I honestly thought that Avon again would sell itself but it doesn't. I don't know if it because people have never tried it and don't like it, or if they prefer to order online versus dealing with a rep. Whatever the reason, I tried it but it wasn't a right fit for me at this point in my life.