The elevator made it’s way up and stopped between the 5th and 6th floor. It sat there and had a little think.. made a horrible noise, then it sent us to . . . → Read More: Well, That Never Happened to me Before!]]> Got onto the elevator with a BUNCH of people. It beeped and buzzed because there were too many people. So some of them got off.

The elevator made it’s way up and stopped between the 5th and 6th floor. It sat there and had a little think.. made a horrible noise, then it sent us to the basement.

Luckily, at a slow rate of speed.

When the doors opened there was a mass exodus of about half of the people on board.

I stayed. And rode happily back up to the 6th floor.

It’s all good.

This time it is only the beginning!  Our produce . . . → Read More: Sunny Sunday Harvest..]]> Some of you might remember my last harvest..  It wasn’t that hot! Now here is what we picked today..

This time it is only the beginning!  Our produce inspector approves!

Back to School Shopping Tips

When the grocery store starts selling lunch boxes and school supplies, you know that the summer break days are numbered… I can remember from my own school days the feeling of confidence and anticipation that came from going off to meet my new teacher and classmates with . . . → Read More: It’s back to school shopping time!! Saving tips!]]>  

Back to School Shopping Tips

When the grocery store starts selling lunch boxes and school supplies, you know that the summer break days are numbered…
I can remember from my own school days the feeling of confidence and anticipation that came from going off to meet my new teacher and classmates with a new backpack, lunch box, clothes and shoes. And now that I am a parent, I want to pass on these same feelings to my kids but without breaking the bank. Costs associated with back to school expenses can be crippling for families if you spend before doing a little studying of your own!
So, as the lazy summer routines give way to more structure every August, this is when spending skills are tested for most families. Any change in routine can cause stress on the family spender and if left unprepared you may find spending can get out of control and leave you with the same old feeling of frustration. So, below are some tips to help make the shift go smoothly and with as little impact to the checkbook as possible:

1)A little planning goes a long way. Before shopping for anything related to getting ready for school, spend some time with your kids discussing what is needed and when it is needed. This will give you an idea of the overall cost involved so you can plan accordingly. In about 3 weeks, revisit the list of things you classify as “Need Later” to see if you really need them. Get a sturdy clipboard and use the worksheet located on my website as a guide for each child.

2)Each child will have different needs since each grade has different supplies, clothing trends and lunch considerations. Check the school website for more information such as a grade appropriate supply list before shopping. Most kids can get by in the first few days with the basics, and then fill in the rest of the supplies after your student has met the teacher and knows what is expected.

3)Shop for categories of items separately to enable tracking your spending. If you lump all the shopping into one big trip for all your kids, it is much easier to loose track of your spending goals. For example, shop for all the lunch supplies on one trip and the next trip shop for the clothes, etc.
4)If you have more than one child to outfit for school, take advantage of sales for multiple purchases. For example, buy one get one free shoes, snacks and drinks. For the most savings, combine a store coupon with an offer like this.
5)Delay some of your purchases until after school starts. While there are lots of great back to school sales before school starts, try to hold off since often you will see even deeper discounts when overstocked inventory must go in a few weeks. Also, your child may change their mind about what they need based on seeing what the trends are at school.

6)Use the internet to find store coupons and online coupon codes that are not available anywhere else. For example, www.alexscoupons.com lists a huge variety of coupons and by spending a few minutes surfing before shopping you can yield big savings.
Remember there will be other expenses incurred as you get into the school year, such as after school activities, school events, and gifts so if you plan ahead, you will be in a better position to manage the financial impact.
Amy Bergin, mother of three children, creator of THE COUPONIZER®. The #1 best selling coupon organizing and shopping system in the US and Canada. To find out more visit her website at SAVING is good.

Also be sure to stop by my Frugal Finds page regularly for more money saving tips and links!

I revved up the random number generator.. 6 entries.. ooh do I ever draw a crowd!!

The winner is #5 comment that is Kathleen!!!

Kathleen snuck in her entry at the last minute! Lucky duck!! Look for two more giveaways coming up! I have two more audio books to . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday Winner!!!]]>  

I revved up the random number generator.. 6 entries.. ooh do I ever draw a crowd!!

The winner is #5 comment that is Kathleen!!!

Kathleen snuck in her entry at the last minute! Lucky duck!! Look for two more giveaways coming up! I have two more audio books to give out!

They need a little tweaking, and a little cleaning but our lovely stone steps are back! Now if we could only get all those other projects done around the house we would be in . . . → Read More: Finished Friday! Houston, we have steps!]]>

They need a little tweaking, and a little cleaning but our lovely stone steps are back! Now if we could only get all those other projects done around the house we would be in good shape!

Get 25% Off at the Red Heart online shop – One Week Only!

A Reward for Your Love of Yarn . . . You’re one of the best customers, so we want to offer you 25% off during our Red Heart Lover’s Savings Event When: One Week only June 22 . . . → Read More: A little savings news to pass on…]]>  

Get 25% Off at the Red Heart online shop – One Week Only!

A Reward for Your Love of Yarn . . .
You’re one of the best customers, so we want to offer you 25% off during our Red Heart Lover’s Savings Event
When: One Week only June 22 – June 28*

Where: www.shopredheart.com

How: Enter FF25 code at checkout.

Invite Others: Share this email and Promotional Code with your Friends and Family. We’d like to get to know them, too!
*Offer valid June 22, 2010 – June 28, 2010 at 11:59 PM PT online. Discounts apply to in stock merchandise only, not applicable taxes nor shipping & handling charges. No price adjustments are allowed on previous purchases.

I got the Alabama Stitch Book and I am making a corset out of recycled t-shirts. It should be interesting as this is the first garment I have ever attempted.. AND it is all to be hand sewn!

We’ll see. Wish me luck! I’ll have a review of . . . → Read More: Sewing on Sunday…]]> Well.. cutting you have to cut first right?

I got the Alabama Stitch Book and I am making a corset out of recycled t-shirts. It should be interesting as this is the first garment I have ever attempted.. AND it is all to be hand sewn!

We’ll see. Wish me luck! I’ll have a review of the book later in the week and pictures of the other project I already finished!

Then tried . . . → Read More: Manic Monday]]> This week has definitely not started out the way I expected o wanted. Most of the day so far has been spent under the covers with a heating pad with a sever migraine! After taking what was probably too much medicine I rested as much as possible and managed to live through the pain.

Then tried to do some algebra with Jaxom, which was a mistake.. thought about doing math with the boys, decided against it and went back to bed. During the day I was reminded that I missed my mother’s birthday.. what a total loser eh?

I also missed a call from my son’s teacher that I had already missed and rescheduled. ugh.

Now I should get up and make some spagetti and meatballs and quick to. The first thunderstorm of the season is rolling in and the way my day is going the power will go out before dinner is cooked!

Wish me luck!

As we were leaving we came across a knit hat lying . . . → Read More: Found on the Street]]> Last night Brian and I went to the opening event at  new Office Space Coworking  site in down town Canton. It’s nice! If you are a person who works at home or needs office digs in the downtown area then this place is for you!

As we were leaving we came across a knit hat lying on the street.

I surmised, and Brian agreed, that it was a loom knit hat. Minutes before, I had seen a woman walk by pulling a suitcase behind her.  I think that she dropped it I also think she was homeless. When we turned the corner she was far off, farther than earshot. So we put it up there on the post. Perhaps she will find it, or someone else who needs it will find it.

All in all a cool little find! Of all people to come across it, go figure!

This!

It is always fun to see one’s book out in the wild! I suspect I will be hearing from my Mother about this when she opens her . . . → Read More: Eye Spy Friday…]]> I opened my sale email from Joann’s and what did I see?

This!

It is always fun to see one’s book out in the wild! I suspect I will be hearing from my Mother about this when she opens her email!

Kay and Ann are funny gals and if you haven’t seen their latest little piece of work well here it is:

But I digress! This IS Bookish Thursday after all! Mason-Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitter’s Guide their original book has just been released in . . . → Read More: Bookish Thursday: Mason Dixon Knitting revisited!]]> They have done it again.. no not another book, but another bit of fun!

Kay and Ann are funny gals and if you haven’t seen their latest little piece of work well here it is:

But I digress! This IS Bookish Thursday after all! Mason-Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitter’s Guide their original book has just been released in paperback! This makes this great fun book just a little more affordable and portable! At least it won’t weigh your knitting bag down as much!

I love the fun approach Ann and Kay have to their craft, it is contagious. The patterns and stories in this book are delightful and fun! There are some great easy gift patterns in there that would suit just about any occasion! In fact after I received the book in the mail I went right away to cast on a log cabin blanket! I need a baby boy gift Pronto and a receiving blanket size log cabin blanket is definitely doable!

If you haven’t picked up this book yet you might want to grab a copy! I think you will love it too!

Disclaimer: A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

It will be good practice for the ‘real’ husband sweater, and pick me up out of the knitting . . . → Read More: I think I will join a knit along!]]> Lion Brand is having a knit along for the Inishturk Sweater. I happen to have yarn in my stash that will do nicely.. so I think I might just jump in and tackle this.

It will be good practice for the ‘real’ husband sweater, and pick me up out of the knitting doldrums. 

I finished a pair of Mrs. Roosevelt’s Mittens for my mother.

She is president of her local historical society up there in upper state New York, not sure of the exact historical society.. but that means she gets to rattle around in all those . . . → Read More: Two on Tuesday!]]> Well again I missed Finished Friday so you get two on Tuesday!

I finished a pair of Mrs. Roosevelt’s Mittens for my mother.

She is president of her local historical society up there in upper state New York, not sure of the exact historical society.. but that means she gets to rattle around in all those historical houses and such and will be going over to the Roosevelt’s “cottage” next weekend. So I hope to pop these in the mail to her so she can wear them when she goes!

I was able to use the leftovers from the cashmere blend socks I made for Laura  at  Handwerks and since I didn’t think I had quite enough to make the whole mittens with it I added a stripe of some of Scout’s nice merino sock in there on the first mitten, which turned out to be a good idea!

The picture doesn’t lie. One mitten turned out slightly larger than the other I am going to block that out so they match. (I hope!)

Then off to the post office with them!! The pattern is easy peasy, I might make myself a purple pair with a narrow yellow strip to use up the rest of the yarn!!

I finished a scarf for my friend Kim in Canada. Known to Rhett and Link fans as Kim the Canadian call screener!!

It’s really fun because you can roll it up in a little packet like this!

Hopefully she will get it before next year! I put it in the . . . → Read More: Finished on Friday but Forgot to Tell You!]]>  

I finished a scarf for my friend Kim in Canada. Known to Rhett and Link fans as Kim the Canadian call screener!!

It’s really fun because you can roll it up in a little packet like this!

Hopefully she will get it before next year! I put it in the mail today!

Any Cast Off magazine in the last 2-3 years. If you do I probably have em’

I will unload those for $5.00 each which will include shipping in the US.

Name any Vogue magazine from the . . . → Read More: Mission Monday: Clearing some magazines off my shelf!]]> Hey there! I am working on clearing some magazines off my shelf..  Please let me know if you need any of the following:

Any Cast Off magazine in the last 2-3 years. If you do I probably have em’

I will unload those for $5.00 each which will include shipping in the US.

Name any Vogue magazine from the last 2-3 years.. I probably have it.

These will go for $7.00, again shipping included.

If you are interested in any Interweave Knits Magazine from 2006-2009 you might be in luck. Just ask..

The regular issues will go for $7.00 the special holiday issues are negotiable..

I have a Verena Fall 2008   $5.00

I have Rebecca #36 in English $8.00

I have a bunch of Crochet! magazines from 2006-2008 ask and I will check to see if I have an issue you want.

These will be $4.00 each.

Pretty much all of these are in gently used condition, generally with some shelf wear and a few wrinkles here or there.. just like us right?!

Leave me a comment and I will get back to you!

Oh.. if you want to see for sure what I have you can look on my library page on Ravelry! I am also destashing books so inquire or make an offer on any books you might be interested in too!

I have the Knitting Guild Christmas dinner tonight.. . . . → Read More: Life Trumps Blogging]]> I sure have been missing in action lately! At least here anyway! I have been knitting, and wish I could show you my projects but it seems the TSA may have killed my camera on the way back from Texas.. that would be.. TSA 2 My cameras 0.. sigh.

I have the Knitting Guild Christmas dinner tonight.. so I have a pretty dishcloth ready for that.. I made myself some nice long fingerless gloves, and I have a scarf for my friend in Canada nearly completed.

Next up a little surprise project for our Loom Knitters Circle subscribers.. can’t tell you what it is then it wouldn’t be a surprise would it..

Generally I have been swamped with life.. what with some serious business at our church that is pretty time consuming and emotionally consuming, with helping one of the youth there with some difficult times, and with  some obsessing over looking for a new pup.. I have been busy… Thats not mentioning the usual stuff.. homeschooling and the like..

oi! How DO I do it all? Dunno.. don’t ask.. can’t tell you..

I can tell you to look for some book reviews and giveaways in the upcoming weeks!  Perhaps a little destashing. too! So stay tuned!!!

A local composer had turned his book into a musical that was performed at local school districts. . . . → Read More: Yet Another Art Museum!]]> Today we went to the Albany Institute of History and Art. My parents friend, Hudson Talbott, is an author and they were doing a special event for his new book River of Dreams, about the history of the Hudson River.

A local composer had turned his book into a musical that was performed at local school districts. They had one of the groups of students come and perform some of the songs from the book as Hudson read the book!

It was pretty neat. Brian posted a bit of video about it.. click here.

This time we nearly got out of the museum without anyone touching and breaking something!! Of course the FIRST thing one of our kids touched fell down!! Fortunately it was a foam board sign at an exhibit that looked like it had fallen down a few times already!! Eeks.. it wasn’t held up by much just double stick tape..

Other than that we all pretty much came out unscathed. It’s  a nice museum if you are in the area you should visit!

Hey well I got the deal I wanted.. so it’s all good! And hey I didn’t even have to stand in . . . → Read More: Black Friday…]]> I actually went to a store today.. being that we are in rural upstate NY it wasn’t all that crowded or exciting.. it seemed like they did have more ‘event staff’ on hand than customers..

Hey well I got the deal I wanted.. so it’s all good! And hey I didn’t even have to stand in line to check out!

Click here to see the teaser! When I see her post details I’ll let ya know!!

Click on the pick below to go to the loom along . . . → Read More: A Loom Along!]]> Nope sorry I’m not doing it though I should!! Vickie Howell is!!

Click here to see the teaser! When I see her post details I’ll let ya know!!

Click on the pick below to go to the loom along Flickr group!

It was about 4 planes in 48 hours! I took another short trip to Texas this time for my brother’s wedding!

Since then my camera has turned into a brick! So that sort of puts the brakes on because what is a . . . → Read More: Weird Stuff..]]> I know I posted at least one entry in the last two weeks! Really I did..

It was about 4 planes in 48 hours! I took another short trip to Texas this time for my brother’s wedding!

Since then my camera has turned into a brick! So that sort of puts the brakes on because what is a knitting blog without photos!! eeks!

I will try to get Brian’s camera to cooperate and see if I can’t get some pics of items I have finished and have in progress! (That would be a total of Two!!)

And I think we will have a little destash action this week and I have some new books to tell you about, and even a give away!

So stay tuned I am trying to bounce back and get going again!

But alas, I am on my way to the post office to send them off to her! Look for them on the Handwerks . . . → Read More: Two on Tuesday!]]> Laura is very lucky that yellow is not my color.. or these babies would be staying here!!

But alas, I am on my way to the post office to send them off to her! Look for them on the Handwerks website soon!