EBATES

So I've just recently discovered this site called EBATES. Basically, its a coupon/cash earning site. You can go there & search to see if a store or online site is offering coupons/codes AND if EBATES is offering a % cash back. Yes, I do mean actual CASH. If you would like to check it out click here.

Here is an example of how it works: click on the link above. sign up (only have to give an email address & set up a password.) once you've signed up, search for "E Station" (this is a stationary site) you will have to click the link that says "see all matches" find the link that says "Expressionary" (beside it you will see 8.5% in blue. This is the amount of cash back that you will receive just for using EBATES. Once you have clicked the Expressionary link, then you will see all the coupon codes for that particular site. The best code right now is for 60% off using "MADNESS."  Once you find the coupon you want to use click the link that says "SEE SITE." That is all you have to do!!! You choose your items & make your purchases & you are on your way to earning cash. Oh, & as an added bonus you receive $5 just for creating an account!
Currently, my $5 is pending & I have NOT received a check from this site. I will be sure to post as soon as I do, but almost all of the coupon bloggers use this site, so I'm thinking it is legit. Dont sue me if it's not, but if you are going to be purchasing things anyway, why not use it? I know for a fact that the codes work bc I just purchased these labels at 60% off

These labels were already clearance priced @$11, originally $19. With my coupon code they were reduced to $4.80 + $4 shipping. That's $0.11/label (btw where is the cents symbol on the keyboard?) You cant print them that cheap! Oh, and the icing on the cake? I earned $0.40 back in cash (shipping isnt included in the cash back.) I know that doesnt sound like alot, but I save $6.20 & then earned $5 (new account) plus $0.40 cash back just for using this site!!! Seriously, all you coupon savvy (or not so savvy) people should check it out.

Let me know if you do! I'd love to hear about your savings/earnings. Have a GREAT day! :)

List

1. never wear white to a wedding....unless you are the bride

2. always look before you sit!

3. the grass isnt always greener on the other side...it could be completely dead too!

4. people are stupid. Do I really need to give examples????

5. sometimes it's better to bite your tongue ^^^ case in point :)

6. there is always room for improvement.

7. true friends can get angry & get over it....in the same breath

8. music is good for the soul

9. laughter makes everything better

10. reading this list is probably a waste of time ;D

busy, busy , busy!

So it's the week of Christmas, & Josh's birthday, & my doctor's appointment, & Rylee's therapy & Rylee's EEG. I'm exhausted just typing that, but, if I'm completely honest, this is a normal week for me...minus the holiday :/

 I FINALLY got our Christmas cards out! People probably wont get them until after the holiday, but I really dont care. The point is they will get them, which is more than I can say for the past 3 years. Rylee has been rolling over & talking up a storm! This is so exciting for me because she is just a big "wait & , see" for us. Most parents anticipate their children hitting milestones, but we try not to do that. Rylee will do the things she wants to do @ the pace that she wants to do them & I'm fine with that. It is a plus that she seems to be doing things at a accelerated pace.

Ive done most of my holiday shopping online this year & it was so easy. Number one, I got fantastic deals & was able to buy more than I ever have.Number two, I didnt have to fight the crowds or listen to all of the stupid Christmas music. (I'm not a scrooge, but the music gets really annoying after 6 years in retail. It seems to start earlier & earlier every year.) All I have left to do is wrap. I LOVE wrapping presents. I've often thought about donating my time at those gift wrapping centers. I might just throw what I have left into bags, but I did wrap most of my gifts!

Josh has been working alot lately. My dad is running the job he is working on & my dad LOVES to work (at a fast pace!) Josh likes working like that too, but he's been feeling kinda blah lately, so it's been kinda tough on him & me. Hopefully things will slow down somewhat after the holidays & we can spend some time together. We dont do that enough! While I'm on the work subject, I dont know if I will ever go back, lol! I do plan on taking my test & getting my master's license, but I have no desire to work right now. I stay busy & I like being able to hangout with Rylee as much as I do. I might look into substitute teaching or something like that.

Here are a few pics from how Rylee & I spend our days.....at least our days that we dont have appointments!

Psst… want to save up to $46?

Hey! I just learned a clean little secret about Lowe’s. They have quite the selection of cleaning products plus air and water filters to help keep your home spic and span inside and out. And they’re sending out up to $46 in savings so you can really clean up. Get your coupons before they’re gone! Go to vocalpoint.com/Lowes.

my FREE cards!

Wonder Of Wonders Christmas Card

Shutterfly Christmas cards

View the entire collection of cards.

I love coupons!

So I have been shopping ALL day today. My mom & I (&Rylee) went to the malls to get our Christmas shopping done. I didnt really have much to do, since most of my list was purchased on Amazon, but my mom needed a few ideas....& a shopping buddy. It's a good thing my list was mostly done bc Rylee did not sleep the entire time. She wasnt bad, but I needed to keep her occupied & that hinders shopping. Anyway, I got a good deal @Bath & Body Works (2 lotions, 2 body mists & a shower gel for $26) & I used one of my Groupons @The Body Shop. (This purchase was for me. The other covered a couple gifts.) Also found another gift @Sears that was $5 less than I was expecting!

Overall, the malls (yes we went to 2!) were good deals, but the best was at Walgreens this weekend. I only used 1 manufacturer coupon & still got amazing deals. Here's the low down on my purchases:

4) Gummi Lifesaver Story books
4) Walgreens invisible tape (2 different widths)
3) Halmark birthday cards (for Josh...his bday is the 23rd & he needs a card from me, Rylee & Winston!)
2) Reese Trees (they are my weakness)
12) kids activity books (Im going to use these for kids gifts at a family gift exchange)
1) 8" scotch scissors (these were originally 6.99 & i got them for 2.99!)
1) scotch paper cutter (also org. 6.99 & i got it for 2.99)
1) Revlon top speed nail polish
3) Andes mints
16) 12oz tumblers

Total= $51.13
-coupons $15.26
-RR $7.00 (from last Wags purchase)
=$35.86
Then I received $17 RR for my purchases ($5 for Revlon polish & $2 for 3 Halmark cards & $10 for purchasing over $50 (Wags is great bc they determine your bonus RR, which they call Jingle cash, BEFORE coupons are deducted.)

Pretty cool, huh? I know Im excited, especially since most of these things are going to be used for Christmas gifts or related things. Well, I should probably go to bed now. Tomorrow I'm taking Rylee to get her FREE pics with Santa & then we are hanging out with friends tomorrow night. Good times & good night!

I'm stressed! This time of year always does this to me, but this year is especially crazy. We have a little schedule dictator now, & there is no more waiting until the last minute on anything! I have done most of my christmas shopping online bc going to a mall right now makes my skin crawl. I worked retail for over 6 years & that will make you hate the holidays. I dont actually hate Christmas, just all the nut cases that decide to come out this time of year. Honestly, if you only make it to a mall once a year, why even bother? Save yourself the time (& gas money) & shop online...or at your local walmart! Please leave the malls to the people that actually know where the stores are located. There is NOTHING like being loaded down with shopping bags & getting stuck behind a pack (yes, like animals) of people that have no clue where they are going or what they are buying. It's not a Tues afternoon in February. This is Christmas! Get with the program people.

I had a followup appointment today & I was lucky (sarcasm) enough to be traveling west bound on the Watterson @330. Normally, this is not an issue, but not @Christmas! Evidently when the season hits, it erases the brains of 85% of the population. This stupid girl driving a white lumina (i made sure to notice) completely cut me off on my way home. I was in the stinking fast lane, & she decided to jump her happy butt infron of me with (no exaggeration) about 2 feet between my front end & her bumper. I was furious. She is VERY lucky that I did not have Rylee with me. Im not sure what I would have done, but it would have been something that suited the crime. Then, to top it off, after she got infront of me, still in the fast lane, she started going just a couple miles over the speed limit. I have to admit that my road rage was slowing trying to take control of my body. I had to turn the heat down bc my blood pressure was going up! Im proud to say that I managed to pull it toogether & not honk, get infront of her only to brake check her, or even tell her to "read between the lines." I settled for just waiting until I past her & then giving her a really "mean" look. After all, I am a mother now, I have to be mature about things, lol!

Speaking of mature, my daughter looks older & older everyday. I have informed that she could stop doing this (only for a short time) but she has refused. Today, she had therapy & while being stretched like Gumby she looked over at me & gave me "the look." I didnt need words. I know what she was saying. It went something like this, "Seriously, mom! Get this crazy woman off me RIGHT NOW! She is pulling on my shoulders and I DO NOT LIKE IT!" I responded by pointing at her daddy & mouthing the words: It's your daddy's fault. :)  

Well, my eyes are starting to roll back in my head, so I guess it's about that time! Hopefully Rylee will sleep late tomorrow, maybe 10 or even 11! She's been sleeping 8-10 hrs at night for the past month. (I'm knocking on wood as I type.)