Even with the loss of speech and partial paralysis, we have been hopeful….hopeful for something, anything.

Recognition? Recovery? Hopeful that everything could just go back the way it was a week ago?

God has other plans. Yesterday, he was moved to the Hospice House…oh Lord, thank you for the Hospice House. As of writing this post, I have yet to receive *THAT* phone call…hopeful that no news is good news (so they say.)

Oh…did I mention that I live in Northwest Indiana and he lives in South Carolina? Do you know how much harder the distance makes things?

I’m sure you do.

Fortunately, my uncle and his family are there. My aunt and her family drove in from Pennsylvania yesterday. Another aunt and cousin made the 13 hour drive this week as well. Here I am…helpless…wondering what to do. Can’t someone just TELL me what to do? Just make everything better like hot cherry pie and ice cream does.

The simple plan would be to hop on a plane and go, right? Riiiight. I have been scouring the internet for 2 days looking for an airline ticket. Get this…last minute ticket…from Chicago to South Carolina…$800 to $1000. *give me a moment* Are you kidding? EIGHT hundred to a THOUSAND dollars? I mean, really…why take advantage of people? I would be willing to guess, that ANYONE in their right mind who needs plane tickets doesn’t buy them at the last second. Business trips are usually planned ahead. Vacations? WAY ahead. In all actuality, people who need tickets without an advance buy are those in emergency situations. Does that seem right? Shouldn’t those people be given EXTRA care with MAJOR discounts? To be fair, yes, several major airlines will give bereavement or compassion rates. Even so…$600 for an emergency airline ticket that should only cost $150 on a normal day? Same plane, same flight, same check-in. And…what do you do when you get there? Do you have a place to stay? What about a vehicle? So many variables to consider amidst the mind clutter and anguish that is already present. *sigh*

I do hear you yelling, “Priceline it!” I did. It was still outrageous. But then, I had this crazy idea. Since there are already 10 people (or more) staying at my uncle’s house, I knew I needed a hotel room. Also, they are an hour from the airport…how the heck was I supposed to ask someone to come and pick me up? That meant I needed a rental car. Hmmm…I decided to check into Priceline’s “vacation” packages even though this is FAR from a vacation.

Wow. Guess what? It worked. Nonstop round trip flight from Chicago to Greer, SC, 3 nights hotel (with free wifi, deluxe breakfast & pool), unlimited mileage mid-sized rental car…$345.99 total (in which $60 was taxes and fees!) So…how much does an airline ticket REALLY cost and why are we all constantly getting ripped off? *grumble*

Whether you are looking for emergency travel or a fun vacation, be sure to take the time to research your options. You may be surprised at how much you save. Possibly enough to take a SECOND vacation for the price of one! Doesn’t that sound awesome?

*I love you Grandpa Johnny…God has you now. 8/31/10*

Beautiful. Peaceful. Relaxing. Wonderful.

Why did it take me ALL summer to get here? No television, no internet, no phone – not even a signal omg the first time I thought I was going to die

It’s the simple things.

Rocks.

Sand.

Water.

Splashing. Jumping. Creating. Dreaming.

And it’s all free. The beach is free. The parking is free. Even the crazy people watching is free.

Our latest hangout has been Lake Michigan’s Central Beach at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. I’ve been told it’s not a “real beach” because it’s not an ocean. But, it LOOKS like the ocean – just smaller waves and a bit different smell. Same kind of tan which is all that counts, right?

It’ll do…oh will it do…

Even though Summer is on it’s way out…at least in the Midwest…you still need to be mindful of protecting your skin. Did you know for everyday sun protection, The American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 providing broad spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays to all exposed skin? Are you protected? Take this quiz to find out. When you are finished, don’t forget to take the skincare pledge to put your “skin first.”

To help you along on your Frugal Family Fun day, Eucerin would like to give TWO lucky readers a sun care package which includes: Eucerin Daily Skin Balance Hand Creme, Everyday Protection Face Lotion SPF 30, Everyday Protection Body Lotion SPF 15 and a Eucerin Health & Wellness Journal ($25 + value!)

Three ways to enter – be sure to leave a comment for each one!

1.) Leave a comment letting me know your favorite summer fun activity

2.) Follow my blog, somehow (Google friend, RSS) and let me know that you did/already do.

3.) Twitter this: I want to protect my skin with a $25 Lotion giveaway package from @ItsToni and @EucerinUS #giveaways http://bit.ly/a80zry – come back and comment

Be sure to have your entries in by Friday, September 10th at Noon CST. Two winners will be chosen and notified – so be sure to leave some sort of contact info.

While you are waiting to win, don’t forget to grab your free Eucerin sample over on Facebook.

Good luck…and see you at the “not real” beach!

Honest Blogger Found Here: Eucerin products were given to me solely as a gift from BlogHer. I’m spreading the love because skin cancer is real people. I care. Please protect yourself. As always, 100% my opinion.

Not gonna happen with a dead phone battery.

Thankfully…my butt has been saved.

Back at the SVMoms event in Chicago, I was generously given an I Go Charge Anywhere. Holy cow, I have a changed life. No more worrying about the red light. No more scrambling for an unused outlet at the airport. I now have *said in booming voice* PORTABLE ELECTRICITY.

Unless you have one of these, you probably have no idea what I’m talking about. Here’s how it works:

• Plug this puppy in so the internal battery gets charged (you can also use this device as a normal wall charger)
• It stores enough energy to provide three full charges to most mobile devices while AWAY from the wall
• Carry it in your purse, carry it in your pocket…collapsible plugs makes it easy
• Compatible with phones, mp3 players, gaming devices, cameras, GPS  (each device takes a different charging “tip”) Can even charge two at once with separate USB cords

Guess what? With the I Go charger, you can be the hero at any event and save your friends’ butts too! They’ll love you for it. I promise.

Would you like to order one? Well…head on over to I Go and enter the code IGOBLOGGER – the code is good for 20% off any order! Seriously, it’s well worth the cost…would I ever steer you wrong when it comes to money?

Honest Blogger Found Here: I was given an I Go charger as a gift with no blogging expectations or compensation. I just truly love this product and think you will too.

Hey Northern Indiana friends…Is NIPSCO your gas and electric provider?

Are you aware of their Appliance Recycling Program?

“Start making strides to save the environment and your wallet with NIPSCO’s Appliance Recycling Program. Let us recycle your old, working fridge or freezer, free of charge, and receive $35 as a thank you. By recycling your old appliance, you can save nearly $100 a year on your energy bill. Small steps make a big difference.”

To schedule your free pickup, call 877.341.2190 to visit www.NIPSCO.com/SaveEnergy

Fine Print: You must be a NIPSCO residential electric customer. You must own the fridge or freezer and it must be 10-30 cubic feet. Appliance must be in working (cooling) order. Appliance must be plugged in the night prior to pickup. Your appliance will be picked up, at no charge, from the address listed on your billing account. The $35 reward will be mailed to you within four weeks after pickup of your fridge or freezer. Limit of 2 appliances per household per year. Program funding is limited. Participation

Um…yeah…I took, like, none.

WHAT? I know, right? A few snapped with my Blackberry and that was about it. At the time, lugging around a Nikon D80 didn’t sound like such a hot idea. Now? Ugh. I’m having to rely on other people to try and scrape up a few photos.

Here’s what I found. Enjoy!

Thursday evening before BlogHer, Nikon held their private event at Bryant Park Grill. I can’t even tell you how excited I was to be invited. A beautiful event…complete with the NYC Fire Department calendar men…who were there for no other reason than to raise charity awareness…ehem. How lucky were Corrin and I that Nikon had professional photographers there to take our pictures. Without them, we might not have known what species of trees were lurking in the background.

Friday night, I attended the “Voices of the Year” Gala. Another wonderful event full of activities, art, conversation, some sort of pink twittertini’s…followed by more crass conversation and uncontrolled laughing…something about cropdusting…anyway. Here, another photographer was found sharing her talents, but this time with an old Polaroid camera. Such a cool idea! Notice me…appearing six months pregnant. Thanks for telling me friends. I won’t be wearing THAT shirt again any time soon. Fabulous.

Ahh…the expo hall. EVERYone loves expo hall pictures. Last year, I had some really cute ones – Ragu jar made of veggies, me with a camero and even had a cameo with Ronald McDonald. This year? You be the judge. Note above photo: Are you surprised that we really DIDN’T go see the Statue of Liberty…hard to believe, I know. Can’t you just feel the harbor air blowing your hair from looking at this overly realistic shot? Wow.

How about this one?

What the…? It’s like a bad episode of “Ice Queen and the Revenge of the Deranged Elf.” Corrin is right…the things we’ll do to win a free trip. When is Hallmark going to contact me about that anyway? My bags are packed and ready…

*Photo Removed* – the S’mores Suite – even I don’t have the guts to post a picture that bad – weird expressions, fake fire, fat rolls. Something went horribly wrong there…horribly wrong…*shutter*

Let’s move on…

Saturday night parties…Sparklecorn and CheeseBurgHer…fun filled night of more twittertini’s, dancing, eating…glow necklaces…..beds around the dance floor. Funny how the blur of an evening becomes oddly clear when staring at your reflection in the water of the toilet bowl the next morning. Of course, I’m not speaking from experience…ehem. Back to parties and friends…oh the friends! I mean, just look at the expressions on our faces? Can’t you tell what a FAB time Jen and I were having?

What about me and the infamous Avitable?

Can I just say…that black is NOT the new color. Blackberry Fail. Where the heck was the flash? I’m SO happy to have these wonderful pictures to remind me of the good times…yup…good times…

You would think, by winning a brand new Nikon D3000 from the expo hall, I would have taken that as a sign to snap some FREAKIN’ PICTURES!

So…please feel bad for me…please say you’ll email some of the best, greatest, grandest pictures ever. Help me redeem my self image…please…please…

Did you attend BlogHer ’10?

Does this look familiar?

Believe it or not, I returned from NYC with over THIRTY reusable bags…yes…thirty (possibly even more.)

What? Does that seem excessive to you? *snicker*

Well, after last year’s experience with overflowing tote bag booty, I knew I wanted to do the same again this year…and actually WELCOMED the donated bags.

You may be asking, ” What does Frugal Friday and reusable bags have in common?” It’s a little something I like to call “Phree-lanthropy” – it means being able to give to charity or help those less fortunate without the donation affecting your everyday budget. Would you like to participate? Here’s the 411:

It’s called Operation Classroom.

Being active in Missions, I have done collections for this organization over the past 5 or 6 years. There are many facets to this volunteer program, one being the collecting of school supplies and the assembling of “Y.E.S. Kits” out of tote bags. Once collected, Operation Classroom ships these MUCH needed supplies to their teams in Liberia and Sierra Leone. When received, they are handed out to the citizens there in hopes of helping them to rebuild their societies. Can’t you just imagine the excitement in a small child’s face when they are handed one of YOUR tote bags filled with longed for school supplies? Though it may be difficult to imagine in our country, but there, supplies are scarce. For instance, each teacher is allowed ONE stick of chalk to last the entire school year. You CAN make a difference!

Carolyn Wagner, one of the founders of Operation Classroom said these colorful tote bags would make GREAT Y.E.S Kits! Please consider sending yours. You can pick up soft Priority Mail envelopes for FREE at your local post office. Stuff them full of bags and send them to:

Operation Classroom Totes
PO Box 246
Colfax, IN 46035

They will make sure the bags get filled and boxed from there. If you are feeling EXTRA generous, tax-deductible donations can be made through their website. Also, if you would like to send your totes already filled with school supplies, please follow their shipping directions. Those types of donations will be sent to a different address with different procedures.

Please help me FLOOD the Wagner’s mailbox with these totes (can you imagine 30,000 bags in your mailbox?) BlogHer sponsors gave so much – let’s give back!!

If you are sending your bags to Operation Classroom, can you please leave a comment letting me know how many you are shipping? Also, please tell all of your friends. Let’s put these bags to use.

*SQUEEEEE*

Along with Sara from Saving for Someday, Kate Acieri, editor of Redplum, Hostess Lisa Reynolds, Heather from Inexpensively, Corrin from Broke as a Spoke and Elisa Camahort (not pictured), co- founder of BlogHer, I had the best time discussing money saving tips. Topics spanned everything from gifts to coupons to grocery store rituals…and as you can hear, we shared LOTS of laughs as well.

While you are browsing leisurely through the rest of my blog (which I KNOW you are doing), take a listen. You can even download the podcast here for a later time. Aside from a few “uhhs” and “ums”, I was really surprised at how the show was all pulled together. And…hearing this…assured me that my recorded voice, in fact, does NOT sound like a drag queen. *wink*

Listen to internet radio with Lisa Reynolds on Blog Talk Radio

So by now, you all know how I refuse to spend money on much I love getting these three free 5×7 cards from Shutterfly. Every time a new code appears…I am totally there.

Think ahead for a second. Is there a birthday or anniversary coming up? Halloween? Thanksgiving? Rosh Hashana? Now is the time to make the beautiful cards for no cost except for shipping…which is like…a buck. Don’t shy away because you don’t have the time to think of something personal. Upload any photo (which I know you have because all bloggers are pro photographers, right?) Just leave the inside blank and you now have a card to use for any occasion. No more running out at the last minute only to overspend on a card that nobody cares about anyway.

Go now. Use the code SUMMERCARDS and enjoy your freebie deebies!

Expires 9/1/10

SWAG: slang for free promotional items; should not be pronounced as schwag. A popular bacronym for Software and Giveaways, Stuff We All Get or Souvenirs, Wearables and Gifts (and if you have no idea what a bacronym is, it’s a backwards acronym) – Wikipedia

BlogHer conference swag has taken over my dining room furniture…and two more boxes were still to come!

I’m totally not…NOT…a hoarder…but can I just say how much fun this was to pick through? Everything from gift cards to clothes to personal products to toys to baby items…OH, the baby items (don’t get any ideas, this factory is closed but I do have a shower coming up and I don’t have to spend a cent on gifts!) What does one do with all of this…stuff? Definitely do not throw it all in a tote and store it away in the basement…ehem. *wink*

You can:

• Uh…use it? Start cashing in those gift certificates and cards (some expire soon.) You may not need a certain product, but maybe your best girlie friend would love a hand stamped necklace for her birthday. Think about how these swag cards can save you money in the future but getting gifts with them now.
• Save it. For most of you, it may already be too late. If not, save some of the toys for Christmas. I have my largest suitcase filled with swag that will go right downstairs until the holidays. Heather, from Inexpensively, recently mentioned that she keeps a locked “gift closet” in her house. Here she stores gifts and toys that she gets at great prices all year ’round!
• Donate it. Do you know how many people really NEED these types of items? Food can go to the pantry – personal items can go to shelters – baby items can be given to WIC or Healthy Family offices – toys can be saved for Toys for Tots – shall I go on? I bet you have more than enough to fill an Anysoldier box or to send a care package to a college student. While walking back from a breakfast event in NYC, I handed a swag bag to an elderly man begging for change on the street. He thought it was the best thing ever. Go ahead…make someone’s day.
• Share it. By all means, just give swag to your friends. They are all just dying to pick through it anyway.

Speaking of sharing, I have tried to gather all of the BlogHer online savings codes that I could find. Here is what I have in case anyone is interested:

• CurlyQ Cuties: 15% off with code BLOGHER15 – exp. 9/1/10
• The Shoppe at Somerset: 15% off with code BLOGHER – no exp.
• PeekKids: 25% off with code LUXELOVE – exp. 9/31/10
• GoGirl: Save $2 with code BLOGGIRL – exp. 8/31/10
• Hallmark birth announcements: Save 30% with code BHBABY30 – exp. 11/15/10
• BellyMan: Free shipping with code MUSTSHOP – good thru 8/5 – 9/5
• Owl Say Designs: Save 10% with code BLOGHER10 – exp. 11/30/10
• LoxlyGallery: save 25% on all prints with code BH25 – no exp.
• Goldberger Toys: Save 20% off with code BLGHR – 8/1 thru 9/30
• Payless: Save $5 on $25 or more with code 37544 – exp. 9/6/10
• The Big Toy Book: Save 15% with code sweetsinthecity – exp. 9/16/10
• EyesLipsFace (E.L.F.): Save 20% with code TAKETWENTY – exp. 9/16/10
• Miraclebody Jeans: Save 10%, Free shipping, Free returns with code TakeTen – exp. 9/15/10
• Cambria Cove: Save 10% with code SOCIALLUXE – exp. 8/31/10
• Modern Palm Boutique: Save 20% with code MP20off – no exp.
• Winetasting: Free shipping & handling with code BLOGHER – exp. 8/31/10
• TaskRabbit: $15 off with code 1FLY15 – no exp.

I can’t even begin to thank all of the companies that made BlogHer ’10 possible this year – including my personal sponsor, Feld Entertainment.  Everyone was SO utterly generous; it’s almost overwhelming. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

See you in  San Diego next year?

Honest Blogger found here: Text link included from CSN Stores in exchange for product to review. As always, 100% my opinion.

Me and @MommyInstincts at BlogHer09 – Glitter Guts Photos

‘Nuff said, right? If you are going, I’ll see you in NYC (please find me – I have sponsored Feld Entertainment goodies for you…or maybe gummy bears.) If not, I’ll be back to my regularly deal posting schedule on August 9th.

If you have absolutely NO idea what I’m talking about…then see above picture. That, my friends, is why I haven’t been posting. Though, please don’t fear…I hope to be back to somewhat normal very soon! I have all sorts of giveaways and money saving tips for you…they just have to wait until Monday. *wink*

Until then, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, twitter me or drop me an email. I’m always available my frugal friends.