Watch those coupons....

Yesterday I went to Publix for big shopping trip.  My mom and aunt gave me their coupons from their papers from the past few weeks, so I was armed with savings!  Also, Nick wasn't with me, so I was able to spend a full hour in the grocery store matching my coupons with the store deals!

I saved $60 and spent $63.  However, after examination of my receipt when I got home, I noticed my $4 off 4 Beggin Strips coupon was only calculated as 40 cents.  UGH...that burned me up! 

Since I now have a pregger belly, people tend to distract me with the typical questions asked of a pregnant lady (When are you due, What are you having, Is it your first.....????).  The bagger had the line up of questions flying, so I wasn't paying attention to the screen. 

Next time, I will need to follow the tips of the trade.

-Stack coupons highest to lowest value.  If one pops on the screen out of order (40 cents instead of $4), you know that is an immediate red flag of a possible error.

-Hand the cashier coupons one by one.  I am sure this ticks them off, but if you want full savings, it is worth it!  If I would have done it, I would have saved $3.60 more yesterday!!!

Fallen in like

The Mr. and I have had a long journey with the current house we live.  Last year this time, we didn't have a kitchen.  In fact, it looked like this.

It was really hard for me to "fall in love" with a place I couldn't even walk bare foot around (a place you pay a mortgage on, and it looks like this; gets you really bummed).  The Mr. put many hours of blood (literally...a jig saw cut his leg), sweat, and (my) tears in to this house to make it our home. 

The Mr. and I were "lounging" in the pool on Sunday looking back at the house remembering this time last year.  Honestly, it wasn't the best time in our lives.  I was extremely unhappy, and while cleaning the pool last year (we didn't lounge at all last year), I looked back on this house as a HUGE mistake and just wanted my old life back.

While I have not "fallen in love" with this house, I certainly have "fallen in like" with it.  When we purchased this house, we really liked the idea of a pool and being able to entertain (although, we probably won't have another pool...).  We also liked that it was an older home and it has some charm to it.  This weekend, we really got to enjoy the house.  We had folks over on Saturday for a little pool party, and on Friday I got to pick some flowers and make an arrangement.  These little things make this house feel like home. 

This picture is taken from the same view as the picture above.

Our kitchen today

Just getting back into town from....

Our First Baby Shower in Ohio with The Mr.'s Family

You can actually sit outside and not sweat to death in Ohio!

Yes, people...The Mr. is an Indy fan.  Went to the Indy 500!

Hottest race on record (96 air temp and 130 race track temp)

Me!

(taken before the sun was beating down on us)

Our seats are in turn 2, so we see turn 2 & 1 and the back straight away. 

The best seats in the house. The Mr.'s family has had these tickets since the 50's.

Yes, we got to see all but the last wreak!

CH CH What is missing?.......UR (aka ME)!

What's on my mind this morning? Well, church is on the mind. The Mr. and I have just started going back to church (as of last Sunday). I am Lutheran, and The Mr. was baptized Methodist. Not that any of the denomination stuff matters, but I at least like to start looking at these type churches first, as I am comfortable with it. Going to church has always been a part of my life, and there is nothing else my family would have ever considered different for Sunday morning. It is a way of life.


Over the past two years, we've really "slacked" on church (sleeping in on Sunday AM, going to Publix before the church crowd, and working on the house all weekend).  2009, I tried a church close to my home. I went to 11AM service, but it just didn't feel like my home church. Every time I go to a church, nothing feels like home (I’m not going back to that one…that’s why we’re on the hunt again…way more to that story). I wonder if I am trying to replace something that just can't be duplicated. When does it come to the point when I just "settle" and learn to be happy with some place new. Well, as many of you know, my "home church" is a two hour drive, so being apart of it is just not an option. Also what is not an option for me is to continue not going anywhere.  Church is a need I have that is currently not being fufilled.

How do we go about finding a church? I have a "longing" for church and a church family (especially). The Mr....well, not so much. He is willing to go and be there for me.

We visited a friend's church last Sunday. I even saw some folks from work I knew. The service was very light hearted, and the structure didn't seem too intimidating. One con that the Mr. pointed out was when doing a baptism there wasn't much to it. Just didn't seem very "holy"...for a lack of a better word. They were very light hearted during it, and it just didn't seem serious. Now, I am sure the preacher is serious about his faith...don't get me wrong, but again, it is not my "home" church. That is not how it happens there.

HOWEVER, I think we could be happy there, but should we keep looking? When do you know when you visit a church it is the one? (Certainly if I was purchasing a car, I wouldn’t buy the first one I test drove! Same went for dating/ “love and marriage!!”)


So, I ask you; how did you find your church?  Know of any churches in West Ashley (Charleston) that the Mr. and I should visit?
 
HELP!!!!!

I'm almost 30 yrs. old and still ride a bus!

I ride the bus everyday! Let me tell you, there is some rules that comes along with riding. I think you should have to sign some pledge that you will be a good rider or driver because a lot of people I encounter on this bus are RUDE not so kind!

Rider Rules:
#1 Two to a seat: Don't put your book-bag in the seat (it belongs in your lap), scoot to the window, and make room. If not, I'll say "could you please move your bag, I need a place to sit." AND PLEASE don't suck your teeth at my request (I hate those type of Shenanigans)!

#2 Wait your turn: When filing off the bus, we unload from front to back (no exceptions....we don't care if you are going to be late; we all have to be to work on time, so you should have got up earlier).

You always know the new people ("bless their hearts!"). They rush to the front because they think they're the only ones getting off. They'll only make that mistake on their first day!

#3 When loading the bus, it is who ever got to the bus stop first gets to load first. Don't cut in line!
What are some other bus rules? I know I am missing some.....

Bus Etiquette for Riders:
#1 Guys be a Gentleman like your Granny taught you. Now, I am all about a women being independent, but come on guys…if a girl gets on the bus, you should offer her your seat! I am one of the last stops to be picked up and generally there is standing room only. I'm 5' 2'' on a good day, so reaching the top handrail is a stretch for me, but I do it (however, I am tossed around that bus like a rag doll or a monkey hanging from a tree)! I may get asked once a month by a guy if I need his seat. Of course, I always take him up on the offer.

To my one or two male readers, if you were wearing 3 inch heels, I would offer you my seat!

#2 Women drop the independent crap and be lady by taking a gentleman up on his offer. Don't make him feel like less of a Gentleman by saying "no, I'll stand." You kill it for the rest of us ladies. Oh, and make sure to tell him "thank you."

#3 Please cover your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze! I don't want to have to take my PTO because I HAD to sit with YOU, and you made me sick!

#4 If you're on your cell phone, keep it down! Remember, we can all hear about your ex-husband not paying child support, your "juicy" date from the night before and where you woke up, your kid failing algebra, and how much you hate your job.

Bus Etiquette for Drivers:
#1 When you see someone RUNNING to catch your bus, WAIT…don't drive off secretly laughing! You know you do it!

#2 If your rider greets you with "Good Morning," please don't just grunt or stare at them...politely greet them back!

#3 If you have riders standing up, please don't tap your brakes/do “brake checks” at the stop light!
PS I'm hanging on for “dear life” in the back!

#4 While we're on the subjects of breaks, you drive your route a million times a day. You know the traffic light patterns! Don't speed to the light, just to slam on brakes! You're driving a bus, Mario Andretti!

Happy Tuesday,
Mrs. Soirées & Shenanigans