The Headless Sewing Chicks!

I just can't decide if I want to remain anonymous or not. I'm pretty sure the majority of people who read are people I know, but like I say, I just can't decide.

Here's a funny picture of me (right) and my friend (left) with our sewing 101 creations. We made a clutch! I thought about using my for Easter. 

For our next sewing adventure, we would like to make a "John John" outfit. The sewing lady said if we got 4-5 people together, she would do a class. At this particular place, you don't have to have a sewing machine. They provide it. However, if you have your own, I would HIGHLY recommend learning on the one that you have since that is what you will be working on when there is no one around to help you!

So, who is in for sewing a little kid outfit? This would be great for a baby shower gift if you don't have kids yet!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

How many of these....

would it take to keep up with this?

Could you image the amount of hair it sheds?  Word on the street is he has his own queen size bed to sleep in?  I don't think there would be an option for him to sleep at the foot of the bed?

Thanks to Ali for the link!

So...Did you?

EAT PANCAKES LAST NIGHT AT IHOP?  I didn't (sad but true).  I passed that deal up. 


I'm having a WORDLESS WEDNESDAY! Not much to say! 

Check back in with me tomorrow.  I hope to post a picture of my creation at my first sewing 101 class!  I used this bad boy to make it!

FREE Pancakes TODAY @ IHOP!!

Today, Tuesday, February 23rd, is National Pancake Day, and IHOP is giving each customer a free short stack of pancakes. This offer is good at All IHOP locations!  I drove by our IHOP this morning, and they have the place all ready for today's big crowd.  This offer is good from 7 AM to 10 PM.


In return of their generous offer, they do ask that you give a donation to Children's Miracle Network.  For the Charleston folk, the money raised locally will be donated to MUSC Children's Hospital Fund.
 

Have you heard about Coupons.com?

For those of you who don't know about Coupons.com, let me introduce you to one of the best sites for "printable" coupons.  Click Here to get started! You can type in your zip code for specific coupons to your area or leave the zip code area blank.  Some coupons are done by zip code, so if you are reading other blogs that state there is a coupon on the site, but you can find it.  It is probably under another zip code. 
 
I have been eating Smucker’s Uncrustables Sandwiches for lunch here lately. Coupons.com has a $1 off coupon, and currently at Publix, these are $2!  I'm headed to Publix today to score this deal.
 
You'll also see Yoplait Smoothie coupon as well, but I've already reach my two per coupon print limit on that one. :-(

Ladies Get Your Publix Shopping Carts READY!

I'm excited to go to Publix this weekend because there is FINALLY a high value competitor coupon out there!  Rite Aid has posted another $5 off a $25 purchase.  Click Here to download.  Since this coupon is a PDF, there is no print limit.  I printed 10 since it is good until Feb 28th.

If you are a Publix shopper, check out http://www.iheartpublix.com/ for all the latest deals at Publix.

Have a great weekend!

A BIG FAT BOOOO goes to dinner last night!

I don't know about ya'll, but cooking dinner when I get home is the last thing I want to do.  I wish it was on the table as soon as I came home.  The Mr. didn't have any ideas, so I took the path of least resistance.  I looked on the back of a can to get my recipe!  A BIG FAT BOOOO goes to dinner last night!

I got the recipe for Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole from the back of the cream of chicken can.  It required rice, cream of chicken, chicken breasts, frozen veges, and some seasoning.  It was supposed to take 50 minutes to cook, but it was more like 2 hours to cook!  After an hour and a half, we took some of it out, so we could eat.  The rice was not done, so it was disgusting!  Then we stuck it back in the oven for another 30 minutes (¡Ay, caramba!).

The only being in the house that enjoyed the dinner was Graham.  He hardly ever gets table scraps, but I just wanted the food on my plate to disappear.  So yet again, I took the path of least resistance and dumped it into Graham's bowl!  Boy, was he as "happy as a lark!"

Dear Mr. Campbell (soup),
You strongly need to consider taking that recipe off the back of the can.  You are not doing your company any favors.  It will be a long time until I go for the next can of cream of chicken.  Yes, I will admit I am not the best cook in the world.  If I was a good cook, I wouldn't be seeking the back of a can for a recipe.  Therefore, I am your target customer, and if I didn't do the recipe exactly right, it is apparent it is too advanced for the back of the can.  50 minutes, who are you people trying to kid?
A woman who went to bed HUNGRY,
Mrs. Soirées & Shenanigans
 

Score Some Sister Hazel for FREE!

On Amazon.com, you can score the MP3 album version of "20 in 10" by Sister Hazel for FREE!! GO HERE to download it completely FREE!!

I'm not up on the MP3 downloading, but I would love to burn these songs to a CD.  Does anyone know how to help me with this?  Come on...hook a Sister (Hazel) up!

Thanks to http://www.smartcouponing.com/ for finding this offer!

Graham Posing In The SC Snow of 2010

This was Graham's first time playing in the snow. I haven't "played" in snow in 10 year (I think it has been that long). The Mr. was really wanting to head for the mountains since he hadn't seen snow in a while, so it was great to finally see snow last weekend!
The snow lasted until about 1or 2 in the afternoon after falling through the night. That is the good thing about SC snow; it is in one day and gone the next. We were up in Lexington for the weekend. Lexington got about 8 inches of snow, but only 4-5 inches at my parents house since it is by the water.
Graham was funny with the snow at first. He wouldn't too much pay attention to the camera. He was too busy checking everything out.

The Marriage Ref

Have you seen the ads about the new TV show, "The Marriage Ref?" The Mr. and I have, and we can't wait to see it!  The show is produced by Jerry Seinfeld and has other comedian types on the show as well.  From the ads, it looks like people write into the show about an issue in the marriage to get the "refs" opinions.  The "refs" will also decide who is RIGHT (oh, every spouses' dream...right?).  The "refs" have no clinical background, so I am looking forward to it being SUPER FUNNY!

Here is one of the ads to the show.

If you were to write into the show, what would you want an answer about? The Mr. and I would probably write in about this "race car" he wants! 

Series Premiere: Thursday, March 4 10/9c

Graham's Video of Going to Camp! Oh the EXCITEMENT!

Remember this post?  This is the video of Graham going to camp!  You'll even get a glimpse or two of the Mr.!  Yes, that is me narrating in the background.  I hope this video finds you well!

I'm dreaming of a white Valentine's Day!

We're waking up early in the morning to play in the snow before it melts!  Hope everyone has a GREAT Valentine's Day, and your honey keeps you warm.

25 Random Things about Mrs. Soirées & Shenanigans

This was done on Facebook a while back, so I thought I would share it here for my "It's Finally Friday" post.

1.I married a YANKEE! Ok, so he is from Ohio. As my Dad told him, “You got to watch those Yankees. They come down South to steal our women and reap their fortunes.”


2.I would like to be a professor one day (without a PhD...no more school...please).

3.I lettered in high school track, but I didn’t run. I did shot put and discs (I think they lettered me because they felt bad)

4.I started running August 2005 and ran my first marathon in April 2006

5.I LOVE Craigslist! I rented my house within two hours after posting it the first time. I’ve been hooked ever since!

6.Graham, our dog, is the king of the house. He even has his own chair in the den (the biggest chair).

7.My favorite quote is “what we permit, we promote.”

8.I’m “5 foot 2, eyes of blue”….just like the song!

9.I’m not much of a traveler. It would suit me better to have a new outfit, new pair of sevens or shoes than to take an expensive trip.

10.I'm cheap when it comes to the gas and electric bill! We keep our house on 62 degrees in the winter and 80 degrees in the summer.

11.I was diagnosed with Wolfe Parkinson White Syndrome (heart condition) and had an ablation in college to “disconnect” the extra electrical pathway in my heart that cause it in excess of 250 beat per minute at times.

12.I personally get an extra kick out of those “go back to Ohio” stickers. I make a point to point them out! In fact, the first time The Mr.’s Mom visited, she happened to see one. She, a buckeye herself, didn’t get it at the time, but if you're from the South, you know what they mean!!

13.I live near the home of Akim Anastopoulo’s filming studio. Charleston lawyer turned on-air personality has converting an old Piggly Wiggly (a local supermarket chain) into the largest television and film studio in the state. This hot attraction is about 3 miles from our house.

14.I purchased my husband a really nice wedding band, but a month after we married he thought he lost it. From that moment forward, he sports a cheap K-Mart band. His original band stays in the jewelry box…here’s a hint, K-Mart jewelry is always 60-75% off.

15.I have lived in Charleston for 11 years. So far, I have moved 6 times. I think this last move was for good…at least for a little while.

16.I played the Bass for 8 year…occasionally got first chair too believe it or not!

17.I’m an April Fool’s Baby! Lucky me; all the jokes are old!!!

18.I’d like a blackberry, but The Mr. says that is grounds for divorce.

19.I passed the Board of Governor’s exam in November 2008. Officially, I am a certified healthcare executive. In May, I will advance to Fellow status (Mrs. Soirées & Shenanigans, FACHE, MHA).  In healthcare, everyone is so big about the stuff that comes after their names.  I teach a few classes at work, and when people sign up, the always sign their name with RNIII, MS...blah blah blah).  Dude, I am just asking you to sign in, not for your resume!

20.I’ve been a preceptor for 7 MHA students over the past 4 year. I enjoy mentoring and teaching.

21.I’m a consignment shop junky. Love to shop and find a good deal. It is pretty bad when they know you by name. Chances are if you ask me where I got my outfit, it probably is consignment or at least part of it.

22.I only know the first names of my neighbors on one side of us, and have never spoken to the one behind us, across the street or on the other side of us. At the risk of sounding stuck up, I just don't care to know them. Obviously they feel the same way; they didn't come over with cookies or anything when we moved in.

23.I have turned from a dog hater, to a dog liker, to now a GRAHAM lover. It is kind-of sick what Graham has done to me.

24.I love to read blogs. I currently “lurk” at over 30 blogs a day. Let me know if you have one, I’d love to lurk. I rarely comment, but getting better now that I have my own.  I'm beginning to feel that lurkers stink!  I feel like I am writing a diary instead of a blog sometimes.

25.Before buying anything on the internet, I always google for a coupon code.

BOOOO Subway!

Did any of you have luck using this Subway coupon? 

I was very excited about using this coupon. It had a very short expiration date, so I took it with me on our trip to Myrtle Beach. The Mr. and I decided to use it for lunch, since he only had an hour before going to his classes. We searched for a Subway (typically there on every corner), but not in Myrtle Beach. (They have Wings and Eagles on every corner that are OPEN in the dead of winter. Who shops there in the winter?) The Mr. busted out the Blackberry, so we could locate one! Well, we kept driving in circles for 15 minutes trying to locate one that clearly didn't exist. We finally got back on the highway and were keeping our eyes pealed. Then we decided just to eat at Sticky Fingers, so we were going to make a "U-ie."

Then, we spotted a Subway. I was so "stoked" to use the coupon. The Mr. wanted a foot-long, so I thought, well if we buy a foot-long then certainly they will let us use the coupon to get a 6 inch for free! (First rule of couponing, FOLLOW THE COUPON EXACTLY...no exceptions. I knew this, but come on, I was buying more).

So, we are getting "ringed up," and the MANGER tells me that he doesn't have a "button" on the register for this coupon, so he has no way of letting us use it. Then he tells me that in order for us to get a free sub, we'll have to break the Mr's foot-long into two subs and pay for them separately. I was like "let me get this straight. You want me to pay more for the food just to use this coupon?....No Thank You!" I was "stewing" to say the least.

We ate there, and I was so bummed out and blamed myself for not following the rules. That really ticked me off. I was really craving Sticky Fingers at this point.

Well, yesterday I was talking to one of my "readers," and she went to two locations. Both locations wouldn't let her use it. They said they don't accept coupons! WHAT? It was on the Subway website.


Dear Jared,
Subway sandwich shop has really ticked some ladies off in South Carolina. Please tell the Subway CEO that he has potentially lost customers due to the "mangers" not having a "button" on his cash registers and other locations denying corporate’s coupon.
What was Subway’s purpose for making us go through all those shenanigans on the web site to build our favorite sandwich just to go into your locations and not walk out with the offer?
Jared, I would like for you to personally look into this for us, and get back to us soon on this very important matter!
Maker of the Mmmmm Good Turkey Sub,
Mrs. Soirées & Shenanigans

Know what this means?

All Dressed Up & No Place To Go!

You know how I told you that The Mr. is an Agronomist (and a Boilermaker)? Well in the marriage vows (not really) I agreed to tag along with him to some things. One of those things is the Charleston Horticultural Society meetings. These meetings are on the 2nd Monday of every month at the downtown museum. They talk about plants, and a bunch of old people and "master gardeners" (whatever that is) attend. Oh, and then there is me! I'm not much of a plant person, but The Mr. has a huge appreciate for plants and soils, so I go.
Most of you are thinking "why don't you just stay at home?" Well, I tried that once. Creepy things happened at the house. For one, two cats got under our house and were making strange noises and freaked me and Graham out (a few months later there were kittens...you know what they were doing. If Graham and I would have know, we would have turned on some Marvin Gay for them). The second thing was the burly roofer guy showed up at the house wanting his check. While I know he needed to be paid, I was in my robe, Graham was going nuts trying to get at him, and has the man heard of an invoicing system like every other business?
So, forgive me for getting side tracked, but I say all of that to tell you, the reason I ALWAYS tag along without hesitation. Back to last night.
We were hustling to get downtown. It takes all of 30 minutes to get there. We kept circling the block for parking (3 times or so..who knew downtown was a happening place on Mondays). We "circled" right past 6:30 when the program began. Both of us didn't have any cash, so the parking garage was out of the question. At that moment, we knew we were like the old ladies in the nursing home… "all dressed up and no place to go!" We just drove right back home. The bright side is we got home in plenty of time for Chuck!

How was your Monday?

Fun Super Bowl Commercials

I didn't actually see this one last night (not sure where I was), but I heard all about it on the way into work this morning.
I have watched this thing 15 times, and I still think it is so FUNNY!

Doritos Commercial Kid Slaps A Man For Dating His Mom! (official title)

Oh no, you just got SLAPPED! (my title)



It makes me want to eat some Doritos for sure!

Super Bowl Happenings

We went to Total Wine yesterday to find some different New Belgium beers.  They actually had a great selection.  For the Super Bowl, the Mr.'s drink of choice was one of New Belgium's Lips of Faith variaties.  When we purchased Biere de Mars, the Total Wine guy said to us "good luck with that one."  Of course, that peaked our interest in it.  If I was buying it, I'd would of put it back, but not the Mr.; the comment just made him want to try it more!

I don't think this variaties will be on our shopping list in the future.  His review is it has an orange taste, (he just had to put the orange in the pic) strong after taste and was real "malty."

 
Here's Graham's position during the game...staring straight back at us wanting a treat or something!

Graham's bone of choice

Graham would much rather chew on a bottle than a bone.  In fact, he has no interest in bones at all!  Here is him trying to wrestle the cap off "his mom's" Diet Coke Bottle before it goes to the recycling bin!
Are we bad parents for letting him do this?

It's Finally Friday!

Around noon every Friday, I start singing this song in my head! 

My Dad took us to school everyday (we used to ride the bus until some creep  (aka Larry Gene Bell) was on the loose)!  On Fridays, the radio station, WCOS, would play "It's Finally Friday" by George Jones at 7:30 AM.  I used to make sure we didn't leave the house too early on Fridays, so I wouldn't be dropped off before our song played.  Those were the days!

Now, sit back, turn your speakers up, and listen to some George Jones because IT'S FINALLY FRIDAY!!!

Go RED for Women Day! Are you wearing RED?

I hope you are wearing red; if your not, you should be pinched!  Today is Go RED for Women Day (and Blue Jeans for Babies day at my work...but I digress)! So, in honor of my mother-in-law who had 5 by passes (quintuple bypass) in Feb 2006 2007, I'm wearing these "lovelies!" (for the record, that ugly carpet is NOT in my house! That is what I look at everyday in the office...ugh!)

Go Red for Women Day's purpose:
"Go Red For Women celebrates the energy, passion and power we have as women to band together to wipe out heart disease and stroke.
Thanks to the participation of millions of people across the country, the color red and the red dress now stand for the ability all women have to improve their heart health and live stronger, longer lives."

Click Here for more info!

Savannah You ROCK!

I don't have kids yet, but I hope, when I do, him/her will be as AWESOME as Savannah!



I saw this story originally on the Today Show; Suvannah and her parents were interviewed. She was so shy and as "quiet as a mouse" on the show!

Thanks MM (great friend and blog LURKER!) for passing this along!

Define your name Urban Dictionary Style!

Women named Auntie M (using my "code" name) are enigmatic. They are extremely intelligent but have a tendency to act amazingly stupid (Did my brother write this line...I think I've heard this before...totally his opinion of me). They have loads of factual knowledge (Magna Cum Laude grad...don't be a hater) but little knowledge of the "ways of the world" (can't read a map very well for one example).

There two varieties of Auntie M's. One variety encompasses the M's who use their intelligence to act pure and innocent but soon the truth of their scandalous side comes out (I don't think I have this side...hummm). The other variety of M's are truly innocent. Decipher which type is which at your own peril.
Don't let M fool you (I was born on April Fool's Day); she seems stupid but she knows exactly what she's doing.
M's is literally too good to be true.

What does the Urban Dictionary say about your name ("Urban Dictionary is the dictionary you wrote. Define your world ")??  Click Here to find out!  Once on the link, type your name in the search box at the top.

What Chinese Animal Zodiac Are You?

Click Here!

The below Rooster description was pulled straight off Facebook, but the above link will help you find what you are. 

Chinese Animal Zodiac: I was born the year of the Rooster

1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017

"People born in the Year of the Rooster are often misunderstood. They are seemingly aggressive, self-assured, and even reckless, but are true conservatives at heart. They generally tend to promise more than they can give. They love to travel and to try different life-styles. They tend to have a moody disposition, and their fortunes, like their moods, swing high and low. Their compatible signs are Snake, Dragon, and Ox."
(Straight from a Facebook status of a girl I went to high school with...you know nothing but the truth is found there!)

Everything I bolded I feel people would say that would be one of my characteristics.  Yes, I'll admit to being moody (I'm a women after all)!  "Aggressive" you say...just asked my boss about that (he calls me "pushy in a good way!").  Self-assured in my work and work-life, but when at home, I tend to lean on the Mr. a lot for his opinions (oh...I ask my parents' opinions too).  The best for last-a true conservative at heart-yes, that is me backwards and forwards. 

I'm a tad confused on the statement of "try different life-styles" and the adjective of "reckless."  I am certainly a "main stream kinda gal!"
Also, if you know me, you know that I would much rather have a new designer pair of jeans than take a vacation.  So...love to travel =  not so much!

PSST.......

The Mr. is a SNAKE! (1977)

Another Movie Code!

Have you tried the Blockbuster Express Kiosk yet?  If not, click here to read a previous post about it. We rented two movies this weekend.  Both of them (the Soloist & Management) were terrible! We fast forwarded through Management it was so bad!
Anyway, you can use the code, GW12B1, to rent one movie and get one FREE! This code expires 2/8/10.


UPDATE...found some more
GW11B2 – Rent 1, get 1 free (exp 2/19/10)
GT9SA - Free one night rental (exp 2/28/10)

OK...It's time for you to do the talking!

For the past few weeks, I have done all the talking!  Now, it is time for you to tell me what you want to know.  I see some post that have way more "clicks" than other post, so it has given me a little insight to what "my readers" are interested in reading or why they come to my blog (coupons and games seem to get a lot of clicks). 

So, what do you want me to pass along? 
-Publix shopping & Competitor Couponing
-Free Stuff
-Restaurant deals
-Product Reviews
-Favorite Things
-Random stuff about me and "mi vida loca"
-SUGGESTIONS???

I am planning a give away soon, but I haven't decided when.  Ways to get your name in the hat will be:
-already a follower-2 votes (so, you may want to start following now! hint...hint)
-become a follower after the give away post- 1 vote
-refer a friend to the blog- 1 vote (I'll take your word just email me)
-refer a follower to the blog- 2 votes
-leave a comment on the give away post- 1 vote
-become a fan of the product that I'm giving away (leave a comment on the fan page wall)- 1 vote
Hummm....other ways to get a vote???  Send me your ideas!!!

OK...let me hear from you.  If you are a lurker, here is your chance to make the move and COMMENT!  I know, I was a lurker for 2 years before commenting on a blog, so I know where you are coming from...BUT you could win some free stuff and also tell me what you want to hear!

Another Game!

Clorox Daily Win Cycle Sweepstakes is currently on!  They're awarding a Maytag Washer and Dryer set daily.

Go Here!