Mommy Wonders

I'VE MOVED!!!!!!

2011-05-11T13:25:00.001-04:00

I'VE MOVED!!!!! Keep up with me at the

site!!

Simpsons Season 5 - Homer's Barbershop Quartet

2011-05-11T13:18:00.000-04:00

Thanks for the guest post by Laura Mitchell

Simpsons Season 5 features an episode called Homer's Barbershop Quartet. It is routinely on satellite TV fromhttp://www.CannonSatellite.com and is a favorite among most any Simpsons fan. When looking through old records the kids stumble upon one with Homer and some local townspeople on the cover. The story is told of the Barbershop Quartet that Homer was previously in featuring Elementary School principal Seymour Skinner, Kwik-e-Mart owner Apu, and local drunk Barney Gumble.

The group was called the Be Sharps and was a reference to the popular group the Beatles. This is noted by the name of their first album. Meet the Be Sharps is a reference to the Bea! tles' Meet the Beatles album. In the end of the episode, after their group is no longer popular they have a reunion atop a building like the Beatles during the Let It Be album.

This is a great episode for anyone that is a Simpsons or a Beatles fan. The writer's were obviously fans of the Beatles and make several great pop culture references throughout the episode. It features great musical guests such as George Harrison and David Crosby. The group The Dapper Dans voice the Barbershop Quartet. You should definitely do yourself a favor and check out this episode in the off chance that you may have missed it when it originally aired or any of the subsequent times it has been on in syndication.

I'VE MOVED!!!!!!

2011-04-28T12:16:00.001-04:00

I'VE MOVED!!!!! Keep up with me at the

NEW Mommy Wonders

site!!

Deal of the Day -- 4-21-11

2011-04-21T13:50:00.002-04:00

In an attempt to create more income for my family while enjoying the luxury of staying home with my children, I began selling AVON. This is an exciting venture for me but took the backburner for a while. Just like with this blog, I'M BACK! Each day I will post the Deal of the Day. This is a special deal and you must contact me directly to receive the deal. You are always welcome to visit the site to place other orders but the price listed here is only through me.

SuperSHOCK Waterproof Mascara in Navy

Your favorite super-volumizing mascara now goes waterproof. Up to 12X more volume. .35 oz. net wt.

TODAY ONLY CUSTOMER PRICE

$2.99

After today you are still able to purchase this product but it will be $8.50.

Deal of the Day -- 4-20-11

2011-04-20T12:58:00.003-04:00

Fine Designer Collection Diamond Accent Twist Necklace

Each piece is hand set with genuine diamonds. The settings are crafted of precious .925 sterling silver with 18K gold-plated accents

TODAY ONLY CUSTOMER PRICE

$69.99

After today you are still able to purchase this product but it will be $79.99.

Deal of the Day -- 4-19-11

2011-04-19T12:35:00.002-04:00

Style Sense Lightweight Comfort Shoe

Metallic finish. Skid-resistant soles.

TODAY ONLY CUSTOMER PRICE

$5.99

After today you are still able to purchase this product but it will be $19.99.

Deal of the Day -- 4-17-11

2011-04-17T00:59:00.002-04:00

Key to My Heart Necklace in Goldtone

A timeless classic. Key pendant with faux stone on 16 1/2" chain with 3 1/2" extender.

TODAY ONLY CUSTOMER PRICE

$4.99

After today you are still able to purchase this product but it will be $19.99.

Deal of the Day -- 4-14-11

2011-04-14T14:50:00.003-04:00

Pendant Necklace Gift Set

Faceted pendant on 17" L chain necklace with 3" extender. 1" pierced earrings.

TODAY ONLY CUSTOMER PRICE

$12.99

After today you are still able to purchase this product but it will be $24.99.

Deal of the Day -- 4-12-11

2011-04-12T09:09:00.004-04:00

mark Tasseltastic Bag

A sophisticated faux leather shoulder bag. Tuck in the strap and you can even use it as a clutch! 14 1/2" L x 10" H (8" handle drop.

TODAY ONLY CUSTOMER PRICE

$17.99

After today you are still able to purchase this product but it will be $28.00. Chartreuse (item #: 66033) or Ivory (item #: 660348)

Weekly Grocery Shopping 4/1/11

2011-04-03T23:38:00.005-04:00

So.. We definitely didn't stick to the $50/week budget last week but if I use what we have in our cabinets and/or freezer, we will not need to go grocery shopping this week (or for a while). Hopefully this will help adhere to our $200/month on grocery shopping (excluding milk) budget. I must admit, I will miss going grocery shopping.. it make me feel like a grown up. =)

We got waaay too much from Wal-Mart but I'd like to share my Food Lion savings with you.

What are your favorite stores for money saving?

(2) Home 360 Baby Puffs

Regular Price: $1.99

MVP Price: $1.50

Coupon: $0.00

Total: ~~$3.98~~ $3.00

(4) Home 360 Baby Food

Regular Price: $0.92

MVP Price: $0.46

Coupon: $0.00

Total: ~~$3.68~~ $1.84

(1)Celery Stalk

Regular Price: $1.69

MVP Price: $1.69

Coupon: $0.00

Total: $1.69

(2) Breyers Ice Cream

Regular Price: $5.99 each

MVP Price: $2.99

Coupon: $0.00

Total: ~~$11.98~~ $5.98

(2) Voila Frozen Bag Meals

Regular Price: $4.79

MVP Price: $2.39

Coupon: $0.00

Total: ~~$9.58~~ $4.78

(4) Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables

Regular Price: $2.50

MVP Price: $1.25

Coupon: $1.00/3

Total: ~~$10.00~~: $4.00

(2) Kraft Shredded Cheese

Regular Price: $2.99

MVP Price: $1.49

Coupon: $1.00/2

Total: ~~$5.98~~: $1.98

(4) Kraft Philadelphia Cooking Creams

Regular Price: $2.99

MVP Price: $2.99

Coupon: $1.50/1

Total: ~~$11.96~~: $5.96

GRAND TOTAL:

~~$58.85~~

$29.23

Saved $29.62... that's a little over 50%!!

April Coupons

2011-04-01T13:59:00.008-04:00

I'm back! And this time for good. :)

Our goal this month is to spend $50/week on groceries (not including milk) and to eat at home. We will see how that goes. I tried waiting to buy things until I saw major deals but that left us starving and ordering pizza so my smaller goal is to always use a coupon. Even if it is just $0.75 off, that's $0.75 more in my pocket!

Here are the April deals from coupons.com.

Will you let me know how you use them?

BABY

SNACKS

SHELF

REFRIGERATED/FROZEN

HEALTH

HOUSEHOLD

PERSONAL CARE

OTHER

BABY

$1.00 OFF 1 Triple Paste

$2.00 OFF any 1 package of HUGGIES Diapers

Back to top

SNACKS

$0.35 OFF 1 Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Grahams

$0.50 OFF 1 any flavor 8 OZ. OR LARGER Gardetto's Snack Mix
$0.50 OFF 1 any flavor Yoplait Kids Cup Yogurt

$1.50 OFF 1 NESTLE BUTTERFINGER 9.2oz Fun Size Bag (FOOD LION & PUBLIX ONLY)

$0.50 OFF 2 flavor 4.5 OZ. OR LARGER Chex Mix OR Chex 100 Calorie Snack

$0.40 OFF Totinos Rolls Snacks

Back to top

SHELF

$1.00 OFF 1 McCann's Irish Oatmeal product

$0.75 OFF 1 Kix, Berry Berry Kix, or Honey Kix
$0.75 OFF 1 Chex Cereal

$0.75 OFF 1 Cinnamon Burst Cheerios cereal

$0.50 OFF 1 Original Cheerios cereal

$1.00 OFF 1 Pemmican Beef Jerky or Beef Brisket, 3.25 oz
$0.75 OFF 1 Roman Meal Bread
$1.00 OFF 1 Hidden Valley Salad Kit
$0.50 OFF 1 package of KRAFT HOMESTYLE Macaroni & Cheese Dinner

$0.50 OFF 1 package of STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix
$1.00 OFF 1 Progresso Panko Crispy Bread Crumbs
$0.30 OFF 1 FRENCH'S Classic Yellow Mustard
$0.30 OFF 1 can of Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt

$0.50 OFF 1 can of Diamond Crystal Sea Salt

$1.00 OFF 1 Truvia Sweetener
$0.50 OFF 1 package of any Tetley Tea

Back to top

REFRIGERATED/FROZEN

1 Free bottle of Ujuice when you buy TWO (2) Bottles of Ujuice

$1.00 OFF 1 Weight Watchers Frozen Novelty Carton
$1.00 OFF 5 Totino’s Crisp Crust Party Pizza Products$0.75 OFF 1 Farm Rich Snack

$1.50 OFF 1 Kahiki product 24 oz. or larger

$1.00 OFF 1 Kahiki product 13 oz. or smaller

$1.00 OFF Power of Fruit Frozen All-Fruit Bars

$1.00 OFF 1 Newman's Own Thin & Crispy Pizza
$1.00 OFF 1 package of Hillshire Farm® Lunchmeat (8 oz. or larger)
$1.00 OFF any 1 lb. of LAND O LAKES® Deli Cheese

$0.75 OFF 1 KRAFT 2% Milk Singles Cheese product

$0.75 OFF 2 Frozen Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits

$0.60 OFF 2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Pastries

$1.00 OFF Power of Fruit Frozen All-Fruit Bars

$0.50 OFF 2 Pillsbury Rolled Refrigerated Pie Crusts

$0.50 OFF 1 HORMEL NATURAL CHOICE Deli Sandwich Meat. Any variety.

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HEALTH

$7.00 OFF 1 Florastor probiotic
$5.00 OFF 1 Non-Drowsy Claritin Allergy Product
$4.00 OFF 1 Cosamin ASU Joint Health Supplement
$4.00 OFF 1 Cosamin DS Joint Health Supplement
$3.00 OFF 1 Senokot Tablets or Senokot-S Tablets
$3.00 OFF 1 Colace Capsules or Peri-Colace Tablets
$3.00 OFF 1 Flex-a-min Product
$3.00 OFF 1 Non-Drowsy Claritin-D Allergy Product (15 count or larger)
$3.00 OFF 1 MONISTAT Product
$3.00 OFF 1 Prevacid 24hr Product
$3.00 OFF 1 Miralax Product
$3.00 OFF 1 Children's Claritin
$2.00 OFF 1 Aleve 40ct or larger
$2.00 OFF 1 Nature's Bounty Your Life Multi's Vitamin
$1.50 OFF 1 Bottle of Emetrol for Nausea
$1.00 OFF any 1 Citracal
$1.00 OFF 1 Phillips' Laxative Product
$1.00 OFF 1 Alka Seltzer Product
$1.00 OFF 1 Cortaid Product

Back to top
HOUSEHOLD

$1.00 OFF 1 12 pack or larger of SCOTT 1000 ct. Bath Tissue
$3.00 OFF 1 Glade PlugIns Scented Oil Lasting Impressions holder
$3.00 OFF 1 Scrubbing Bubbles Power Sprayer Starter Kit
$3.00 OFF 1 Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner Starter Kit
$2.00 OFF 2 bags of Diamond Crystal Water Conditioning Salt
$1.50 OFF 1 Seventh Generation Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent
$1.50 OFF 2 Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner Refills
$1.00 OFF 1 12 pak or larer of SCOTT 1000 ct. Bath Tissue
$1.00 OFF 2 Comet Mold & Mildew Stain Removers
$1.00 OFF 1 Seventh Generation Product
$1.00 OFF 1 Tilex Grout Pen or Tilex Mold & Mildew Remover or Tilex Mildew Root Penetrator and Remover
$1.00 OFF 1 Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain & Odor Eliminator
$1.00 OFF 1 Renuzit Super Odor Neutralizer
$1.00 OFF TWO Glade 4-oz. Jar Candles$1.00 OFF 1 Glade PlugIns Scented Gel warmer
$0.75 OFF 1 Glade Premium Room Spray (9.7-oz)
$0.55 OFF 1 Chore Boy Product
$0.50 OFF 1 Glade Carpet & Room Odor Eliminator
$0.50 OFF 1 Spic and Span Product (Good only on Liquids, Sprays and Powders)

Back to top
PERSONAL CARE
$3.00 OFF 1 HerbaShine Color Creme with Bamboo Extract Haircolor
$3.00 OFF 1 L'Oréal Paris Sublime Mousse by Healthy Look
$2.00 OFF any 1 Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Blow Dry Perfector Kit
$2.00 OFF 1 Renu fresh or Renu sensitive multi-purpose solution (8 oz or larger)
$1.00 OFF 1 Garnier The Brusher Clenser$1.00 OFF 1 Garnier Fructis Style Product
$1.00 OFF 1 Vaseline Lotion 24.5 oz. product
$1.00 OFF 1 OPTI-FREE RepleniSH solution, 10 oz or larger
$1.00 OFF 1 Sally Hansen Beauty Tool $2 or more

Back to top
OTHER

$4.00 OFF 1 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Masquerade DVD
$3.00 OFF 1 Because of Winn-Dixie on Blu-ray
$3.00 OFF 1 Anastasia on Blu-ray
$3.00 OFF 1 Dr. Dolittle on Blu-ray
$3.00 OFF 1 Flicka on Blu-ray
$3.00 OFF 1 Marley & Me on Blu-ray
$3.00 OFF 1 Robots on Blu-ray
$3.00 OFF 1 The Sandlot on Blu-ray$3.00 OFF 1 The Sound of Music on Blu-ray
$3.00 OFF 1 The Bible on Blu-ray
$3.00 OFF 1 The Robe on Blu-ray
$5.00 OFF 1 K-Y Brand Premium Product


Enjoy!

A Fun Trip!

2011-03-01T00:48:00.000-05:00

Guest post written by Celine Marbles

Just the other day, I was online looking at www.HearingAidsByMiracleEar.com when I got a call from my daughter. She wanted to take a weekend out of town with my son-in-law and asked me if I would be willing to watch my grandchildren. Of course, I accepted. I love my grandchildren very much and I haven't had a chance to see them in quite some time. I had to quickly think about what I was going to do to entertain my two grandsons, and my husband helped me to come up with some good ideas. We made plans to take them to a basketball game in Madison Square Garden. However, we had to entertain the boys a day beforehand, as well.

We decided to take the boys to a local restaurant that serves all macaroni and cheese. What more could a child ask for in a lunch option? My husband and I actually found it to be excellent. My grandchildren raved over it and I suspect we will have to take them back again someday. Between the lunch place and the basketball game, I think our grandkids had a great time. I can't wait to have them back for another visit.

New year, new me!

2011-01-01T23:05:00.002-05:00

I think the title of this post was "one of the most annoying twitter phrases of 2010" but it's my motto for 2011. I know that while I AM feeling very inspired right now, in a few days something will happen and I will get back in the same ol' "why does everything have to happen to me?", BUT my goal for this year is to get out of that rut more quickly and bounce back.

I have a ton of personal changes that I may or may not post, but here are some of my blog resolutions:

1. Update blog design more regularly.

I have the exact design I want in my head and can never seem to find it (for free anyway) so I end up keeping one a little too long once I find one I like.

2. Answer my own questions.

I actually chose the design based on this! Instead of sitting around and waiting for comments, I am going to research my own questions and post my answers. I'm hoping that one day I will have a few people agreeing or disagreeing with my posts and we can get discussions going.

Maybe that will be a mid-2011 goal.

3. Post at least 5 times a week.
I have a million questions a day and I do a trillion google searches each day to answer these questions. For some reason I just cannot seem to update my blog. It couldn't be because my 17 month old presses the "esc", "delete" and "power" buttons each time I turn on my computer or that my [almost] 6 month old wakes up as soon as my 17 month old goes to sleep... could it?

Here's to 2011!!!!!

... don't worry, that's sparkling cider!

VISTAPRINT

2010-12-18T00:24:00.003-05:00

Okay...Anyone who knows me knows that I am really excited about selling Avon. I am not a pushy person and have never worked in sales but in a desperate attempt to stay at home with my children, I signed up for Avon and surprisingly fell in love with it. I have to stop myself from buying more than I am selling, haha.

Anyway, I am a very organized person…to say the least. I am not sure if you are familiar with Avon, but you have to order by a certain deadline and if your representative is ever so kind, s/he will write his/her name, number, website and/or e-mail address on the back of the brochure so you can call her/him to order. Well, I just had to have a personalized pen with my name and newfound title (Ashley Howard – Independent Sales Representative) to write this information… nevermind the fact that I write it on the brochure BEFORE my customer gets it. Once I saw my less than perfect handwriting on the back of the brochures I decided I needed a stamp with my information so that my brochures looked legitimate. I searched various craft stores as well as websites and then I found it *DUN DUN* VistaPrint!!! I got my very pretty pink and green personalized pen PLUS a stamp with my name, website and e-mail address (I don’t usually talk on the phone because there may be an outburst of screaming or laughing at any given moment) for $6.50. I was upset when I saw the estimated delivery time (21 days) because my only customer –yes, my mom- would think less of me if I had my name handwritten on a brochure she would return to me. It came in about a week!! Now I am going to order business cards, another pen and one of those stamps that you can change the date on. I thought about getting a car magnet… is that over the top since my only customers are my family members? Okay, okay I’ll wait on it.

Please visit them, they have TONS of free things, including holiday cards, and you only pay shipping.

Wordless Wednesdays

2010-12-16T04:17:00.001-05:00

A little late but...

Nope. No one lost their lunch. My husband dropped my magic cookie bars IN the oven. Yes. IN the oven.

POGO.COM!!

2010-12-16T04:10:00.001-05:00

My dad and I were just discussing the joys of being in academia. He is a professor, my mother is an elementary teacher, my husband is a high school teacher and my mother-in-law is a middle school (yup, middle school) teacher. Sure you have to deal with snotty kids, rude parents and know-it-all coworkers but you get summers and weekends off, two weeks for Christmas, snow days, and you know you’ll generally be done working by 4PM. So to those of you who are NOT teachers, what do you do when you look outside and see the snow pouring down? Or when it’s 3PM on a beautiful Friday and your brain has totally checked out? Play scrabble!!!

Pogo.com is the modern version of Scrabble and a great way to speed the time along without feeling too guilty. You do have to use your brain to play and who knows, maybe one of the words will inspire your next great project!

Check out pogo.com…just not while your wife is in labor…for 33 hours (yup, that’s what my husband did).

Menu Plan Monday

2010-12-12T01:56:00.002-05:00

My husband coaches basketball and a lot of our "on the road" meals will unfortunately be fast food or sandwiches in the car. Do you have any suggestions for what to do about late nights like these? I hate to eat fast food and the selection at the game isn't much better (pizza, nachos and popcorn). If so, please please help!! The season is JUST beginning!

Monday: Lemon pepper chicken, carrots & spinach

Tuesday: ON THE ROAD (Not sure??)

Wednesday: Steak, broccoli & potatoes

Thursday: Tacos & corn (beans instead of meat)

Friday: ON THE ROAD (homemade sandwiches, goldfish and yogurt)

Saturday: Homemade chinese

Sunday: Rotisserie chicken, green beans & rolls

GIVEAWAY

2010-12-11T20:32:00.003-05:00

Although I would love to host my own giveaway, I rarely participate in them. I now use twitter more frequently but I haven't always and I only use facebook from my phone which is kind of a hassle when trying to find and "like" things for giveaways. Between changing diapers, playgroup, nursing, feeding, supporting my sister and husband at basketball games, cooking, cleaning, running everyone else's errands, try to get my Avon business started, etc., etc. I really don't feel like I have time to tweet things 4 times a day, add someone's button to my [ghostlike] page, and all that these giveaways entail, BUT this one is too good to pass up!!!

While I like my fuzzi bunz and bum genius diapers, I don't have nearly enough and absolutely do not have enough money to buy more so I use disposables or prefolds, rubber pants and snappis/pins. Mama B is hosting a giveaway of GoGreen pocket diapers so I decided to enter. These diapers supposedly start at $7.99...a price I can definitely live with so my hopes are that I'd win this giveaway, love the diapers and expand my stash. You can enter too, just go to Mama B's blog!

Wordless Wednesdays

2010-12-09T03:43:00.003-05:00

My princess is 5 months old!

Menu Plan Monday

2010-12-06T10:35:00.008-05:00

*I just discovered another blog does this (and much better if I don't say so myself) so starting next week I will try hopping into hers. She has a huge fan base though so not sure if it will work!*

My husband coaches basketball and this week our meals are kinda scarce. Monday he won't be home until 8PM, Tuesday none of us will be home until 10 PM, Wednesday we won't be home until 11PM or later, Thursday we will all be home by 6:30 PM (yaaaay!) and Friday we won't be home until about 10:30 PM. So... a lot of our "on the road" meals will unfortunately be fast food or sandwiches in the car. Do you have any suggestions for what to do about late nights like these? I hate to eat fast food and the selection at the game isn't much better (pizza, nachos and popcorn). If so, please please help!! The season is JUST beginning!

Monday: Baked spaghetti, green beans & french bread

Tuesday: ON THE ROAD (Not sure??)

Wednesday: ON THE ROAD (Not sure??)

Thursday: Breakfast -- waffles, fruit, eggs and bacon

Friday: ON THE ROAD (homemade sandwiches, goldfish and yogurt)

Saturday: Birthday party!

Sunday: Baked pork chops, apples and lima beans

Fearless Fridays

2010-12-03T12:49:00.004-05:00

This week I was not fearless. My heart hangs heavy as I write this. Two boys and their father were hunting and the older son (age 10) accidentally shot the younger son (age 7) in the back. The younger son passed before getting to the hospital. I did not have the pleasure of knowing either one of the boys but my heart hurts. For the older brother. For the younger brother. For the parents. For the paramedics. I feel such sorrow for the parents having to mourn the death of their child while consoling the one who did it. I cannot imagine how a 10 year old can even process what happened or begin to sort the emotions he is going through. I am angry (at no one) that this had to happen and am furious at the people who are anonymously bashing the parents through online forums. I am fearful because this could happen to anyone. Just one day before this incident, the news stated there's a budget cut in the police department so there's one game warden for FOUR counties. They suggested to "stay inside and call the police" if we hear gun shots from people hunting without a license and to "stay out of wooded areas". I live in one of the few neighborhoods in my county so this is not as much of a concern for us but we visit friends who live in "the boonies" and I am terrified of them playing in the backyard of these houses for fear of an accident occurring. Please pray for the Craig family.

The story.

Wordless Wednesdays

2010-12-01T01:00:00.004-05:00

I know this is supposed to be wordless but I just had to add a little caption. We went apple picking (such a fun, yummy, gorgeous time) but on the way, I had to switch cars and left the double stroller in the car I DIDN'T drive. Well being that it was nearly December, we had to go kinda far to find good apples and my toddler could not take the walk back. The friend I went with was kind enough to allow me to stuff both babies in her single stroller. My little boy thought it was hilarious. My daughter thought it was the perfect nap opportunity. (They were both supposed to be napping.)

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!!

P.S. Basketball season has started so most of our evenings are spent in the gym and trying to get the word out about Avon but I will try my hardest to keep up with the blog!

Fearless Fridays

2010-11-21T17:12:00.004-05:00

My fearless act of the week was...

I started my own business!

Okay, it isn't the next Saks or anything, but I am still proud. We could definitely use a little more money, I love beauty products and hate the thought of leaving my children with anyone for any amount of time so this seemed like the perfect opportunity. I am now a proud Avon representative and will keep you posted on my progress.

For the original "Fearless Fridays" post, click here.

E-mail me or visit my site if you'd like to look through a catalog! It's not just make-up! :)

Wordless Wednesdays

2010-11-17T00:02:00.003-05:00

N a p T i m e

Don't forget to comment on the Holiday Present Idea Swap!!!!!! :)

Holiday Present Idea Swap

2010-11-15T13:04:00.006-05:00

I don't have too many followers so not certain that this will work but I'm going to give it a try. I'm not sure about y'all, but I don't have tons of money to waste on toys that will sit in its original packing or the toy box... or wherever else it sits to collect dust. I've read online ratings and I have my favorite brands but I wanted to hear from real moms' personal experiences about toys. Can we help each other?

Just leave a comment with:

your child's (or children's) age and gender
toys they love and play with often
top 3 favorite features of the toy

Is that simple enough? I hope this works!

P.S. I just asked for gender as a guide. I know that girls can love trucks and boys can love dolls! :)