We're Back (Finally)

This summer has been spent mostly in trying to get my knee to behave. Lame I know, but it definitely wasn't at the top of my list until it had to be. It is still not behaving totally, but the time has come to just exercise it when I can and just get on with life.

So, it is time to get on with the show. It's nice to be back. :)

Say It Isn't So Valassis

I just found out yesterday that Valassis is planning to pull out all of their coupon inserts out newspapers. I am a coupon shopper and have saved my family countless dollars using them. In the process we have tried and now love tons of products that we had never tried before. I personally get two Sunday papers for this very reason.

Here is the statement by Thomas Murray of the Valassis Corporation, which owns RedPlum, issued a press release stating:

"Starting in February, the RedPlum coupon booklet will now be delivered in Cleveland through consumers' mailboxes along with their weekly grocery circulars and other savings and deals. By using direct mail, the RedPlum insert will now be able to reach almost twice as many Cleveland households as in the past. In these challenging economic times, it has never been more important to make these essential savings available to as many Clevelanders as possible so they can stretch the dollars in their wallets." -Thomas Murray, Vice President and General Manager of Free Standing Inserts for the Valassis Corporation

While this may reach more people theoretically it does not do much to help the many families that buy in bulk using multiple coupons to keep their families afloat. I know of several moms who buy 5 or more newspapers because of the amounts that their family consumes and or stocks up on. The newspaper industry is struggling anyway as are many grocery stores. The Red Plum inserts being taken away via newspaper subscriptions will only put more nails into their coffins.

This company has coupons online, but I don't know if that will continue. Many people who have relied on these coupons do not have access to the internet and or a printer. I found out this sad sad news from a fantastic website that I frequent called Pinching Your Pennies. It is a great resource for families that are just eeking by to make the best of their resources.

I really hope that Valassis will reconsider their decision.

Silly Pictures

These unique pictures were created by my SIL. Enjoy! lol!

Back to Cyberland :D

On Friday, we bought our very first laptop as a family. We have really enjoyed it so far. I hope that I never take for granted the mobility of our laptop and wireless internet. I love being able to show my parents pictures that family have sent us without them (or me) having to trek up and down our stairs. It is a beautiful thing!

It's Officially a Gonner ...

Well, my computer has been trying to retire for several months now. It has finally gotten its wish. I hope to be able to replace it with a Macbook, but we shall see.

Lately I've ...

learned a lot about myself. This has come mostly from my experiences trying to recover and move past knee surgury.

1. A "crutch" can be really helpful right after you experience a trauma in your life, but it does more harm than good if you hold onto it too long.

2. I can still accomplish most of the things I need to in my everyday life. It just might take longer and require some interesting tactics.

3. I can do a pretty awesome Frankenstein's Monster impression.

4. I'm getting better at being on the receiving end of meals, child care etc... I do still prefer to be the giver though.

5. I can still keep my kids in line (for some reason they keep trying to take advantage of the situation), I just have to rely on innovative techniques.

6. My hubby and parents are real troopers and I'm very blessed and lucky to have them in my life.

Bedtime Story Jammy Party

For Family Home Evening (We try dedicated one night each week to spending quality time together.) we decided to have movie/slumber party complete with popcorn of cours. The kids totally dug the idea. What did we watch? Bedtime Stories of course.


The movie in the background.

Emily looking slightly like a frog.

The kids in their jammies w/ daddy in the background.

Easter Pictures at Last

Marci's Stats According to Kayley

In preschool, they talked about how great mothers are (I really like that subject.). They asked the kids some questions about their mothers. The bold print words and numbers were her answers.

My Mom is 60 years old.

My Mom is 18 inches tall.

My Moms favorites color is green.

My Mom's favorite food is cereal.

My Mom loves to go to her mom and dad's house.

My Mom weighs 17 pounds.

My Mom's best friend is Cindy.

My Mom loves it when I wash the dishes with her.

The Academy Award Goes To....

Kayley and Jonathan have been taking a theater class through an organization called Up With Kids. They have learned all about staging, singing, dancing, cooperation, and so many other things. After all of those classes, they got to perform their production, "Enchanted...starring YOU!) for Woodstock Elementary and then for all of the people they invited at Bonneville Junior High.



They are the two little "coneheads" on the far right of the front row.

Afterwords, they had the presentation of the Academy Award. It turns out they all won one. They were each presented with a statue that resembled Oscar. Jonathan couldn't keep his eyes off of it. He still carries it around everywhere.





Jonathan was studying his award as we were leaving McDonald's (Guess who got to pick the restaurant after the performance.) and exclaimed, "He has a golden bum!"