Set Backs and Forward Motion

I got a call about the ultrasound results and they were "clear" when I asked if the doctor wanted to see me she said, “No”. I assumed we'd just wait and see if the pain returned. It did (x3) and I called to find out what to do next. I was afraid she would tell me to go to a specialist. She did.

I've decided to wait until after the birthday party, Thanksgiving and surgery to do something about it. It was totally one of those I know it's coming, but I jumped anyway moments (not that my life's a horror movie). I'm not in the mood to think too deeply about it today.

I've been reading/listening to books on couponing from the library. I also got a second pantry (on sale with a gift card, of course) and I upgraded my coupon binder to this (isn't it pretty):

This week I scored some adorable Dora and SpongeBob wrapping paper for free. I'm getting really excited for Christmas. I have abandoned Toys-R-Us forever because they refused to honor the wording on my coupon and were rude about it. Technically, it was a last straw situation after 3 or 4 attempts to obtain toys they no longer/never carried (that I found elsewhere cheaper anyway). Then when I described the incident to customer service they emailed me a copy-and-paste-d section of their website FAQ's without ever specially mentioning my issue (let alone answering my question or apologizing). So, screw them! Target price matches anyway.

I've been scoring deals left and right (and keeping my mind off surgery and such). I'm very happy about the way things are going and aside from Toys-R-Us being dumb and I've only had one other incident. I ordered a bunch of great Christmas gifts from a website having an amazing sale. I even got a confirmation email. I strutted around all proud that most of my Christmas shopping was done, for about a week. Then I tried to check my order status and found out it didn't exist anymore. I followed up twice before I got someone willing to re-do the order with sale pricing. I was told that only one item was sold out. Again, I was relieved and proud of myself that I had navigated the whole mess and gotten most of what I needed. Except, they cancelled my order again a few days later. I give up I will have to find other gifts for those 6 people...sigh. At least my kids are done.

I've got everything I needed for the birthday party and Thanksgiving using sales and coupons though. Now how do I use coupons for a live Christmas tree? Another milestone this week was sending out my first two rebates, woo hoo! Three if you count my two free Coke-a-Cola Polar Bear Bowls from Dollar General.

Squid Lanterns

I got the idea from the eyeball lantern we did at Halloween this year. They don't sell party supplies for a squid theme so I did my best.

Materials

• Paper Lanterns (available at party stores)
• Tissue Paper
• Scissors
• Elmers Glue
• Foam Brush
• Streamers in desired color

The lantern we used for the eyeball was clearly higher quality. It was ribbed horizontally rather than vertically with metal rods inside rather than just folds of paper. I would look for the kind we used on the eyeball if we ever do this project again. The kind with paper folds was difficult to work with. Mike said "It's like trying to decorate a giant muffin paper, huh?"

Can you do it with the party store folded paper variety? Sure I did.

On my first one I made the mistake of opening it up into a ball (these are held closed by sticky pads) and gluing the eyes on first. It's easier if you count out your 10 (squids have two short tentacles and 8 long) arms, fold them (I did accordion style folds, but spirals would be cute too), attach them together and then into the lantern before you close it.

Once you have a closed lantern with tennticals just cut your eyes parts out of tissue. Glue them together first and then glue them to the lantern. You can use a foam brush to spread the glue evenly. If you're hanging them up high the eyes need to to be attached lower to be seen.

Ultrasound Appointment

I felt awful last night so I took a muscle relaxer and slept until noon today (I'm pretty sure it was the first time in 5yrs). I, of course, woke up enough to direct children and husband in morning activities, but that was it. I needed it. I bummed around until right before my appointment. That part of the day was nice.

The tech listened carefully while I recounted my complicated history. I never know whether finding something or finding nothing is worse. She did say she didn't see a cyst. The working theory is currently that it ruptured last cycle (hence the increase in pain). Then she informed me it could take 2 weeks for results. Of. Course. I'm fairly certain at this point it isn't too serious, fingers crossed!

I did get the call about hip surgery right after I left the ultrasound appointment though. I'll be getting my hardware out the Monday after Thanksgiving in the afternoon. Honestly, it's a big relief now that it's scheduled. I'm so glad the timing worked out. It's extraordinary how much peace having it on the books brought me. So, now that it is just another line on my to do list I will just go back to business as usual.

Now, it's time to "Get Kraken" on throwing a 10th birthday party. A squid themed 10th birthday, no less. I'm making squid lanterns and Mike and I are collaborating on squid cupcakes. It'll be interesting. Isaac's parties have always been a little outside the box.

One Down...

Rejected Titles for This Post:

• Hip, Hip Boo!
• I'm a real Hip-ster.
• Hip me out here.
• Hip me baby one more time.
• It's Hip to be Square.
• It's a real Hip shot.
• Pelvis has left the building!
• The old ball and socket.
• Count me with the femurs...
• When you wish upon a scar...
• On pins and needles.
• Screw you, hip.
• Damn, HIPpies
• She's had her hips done.

You laughed at my horrible, horrible puns. Now you're vindicated for only clicking the link that brought you here to see if they were gonna cut me open again. Here's the dilly from today: I was right.

Also, before I get too cocky: I admit to being the idiot who made an 8am appt across town and no arrangements for Miss Roo. The Ortho's new scheduling lady wasn't in so I don't have a date, but we're yanking some screws. He said it's "no big deal" and "if I insisted" he could do it "day surgery" (no overnight admission). When I asked about weight bearing he said there are no restrictions. I'm relieved, but at the same time...last time they took hardware out my back broke. I'm sure in more capapble hands that kind of thing is less likely, but it's hard to shake.

That's all there is today. Hip surgery in the works for soon. Next update will contain less puns I promise.

Medical Shenanigans

It's a terribly long (probably boring) story, but let's just say I've had enough of doctors for two lifetimes. So, I did what any mature adult would do after years of complying with medical advice...I stopped. I just quit showing up/making/telling anyone I needed appointments for anything. For months I pretended to be one of those "normal people" I've heard about. It was good while it lasted, but as anyone might have predicted it bit me in the ass. So, tomorrow: Hi, Ho Hi, Ho Hi, Ho it's back to the doctor I go.

First up New Ortho and the one year follow-up to my surgical hip dislocation. It was a major procedure to give me a normal socket and delay what I'm told will be inevitable hip replacement (future's so bright I gotta wear shades, my friends). I know what will happen. I could write the script word for word.

Looks good. Any problems?
It's still popping all the time.
Yeah, your IT band over the screw head. Better take them out.

I'm just too skinny for all this hardware. Too bony to be bionic. Another notch in the surgical...bed rail? Minor, sure. Necessary? Probably. Face the prospect in a mature adult manner? Pass. I'll cry and eat chocolate, thanks.

Speaking of, that brings me to my other issue. Is it another mass? More cancerous cells? An incubating alien life form? According to the OBGYN there's no indication of a mass. That's something. The pain went on for 6 months before I was scared enough to go back in. My 10 on the famous frowny-face-pain-scale is higher than most trust me. It was like dying last time it the pain happened. This issue is like having another child, it likes to wait until the middle of the night to cause me stress, fear and pain. Seriously, I can tell when I'm scaring Mike and I scared him.

The girlie doc says it's probably nothing going back on the pill won't fix. Grumble..grumble...stupid pill. The point of having your tubes tied is that you NEVER have to take the pill again. She thinks it's a run of the mill cyst and stopping up the plumbing will fix me right up. Hmmm...I just don't buy it. It's not impossible. Still one sided excruciating pain for 6 months? She scheduled me an ultrasound. That'll be Wednesday. Back to back fun, that's how I roll.

Sometimes, I think I got a used model. I'm only 30yrs old, but my parts seem much older. The ortho stuff is one thing. Bones are easy to see, touch or screw back together (I know that last one from experience). This other stuff is much trickier. Fingers crossed and kids Halloween candy raided!

Couponing!

It started when Riley was born. We were in a difficult place and I refused to buy things like diapers without deals and coupons (first by necessity and then stubbornness.) Then things got better and I forgot all about that single-minded determination to save money. That is until now. Last week Mike made a MAJOR purchase. We got a 3D TV, 3D Blu-ray player and 2 family packs of glasses. He waited for a sale and used gift cards, but it was an upset for sure and there have been so many "upsets" lately for one reason or another. As fate would have it, on the first day of the new fancy TV I saw my first episode of Extreme Couponing.

I assumed it was one of those laugh at/pity the weirdos kind of shows, but I was fascinated. I watched every episode I could get my hands on and instead of making me laugh at the freaks, it made me feel lazy. I used each episode as a learning opportunity. Once I'd seen the show I hit Google looking for couponing blogs. My two favorites currently are My Frugal Adventures and Addicted to Savings. You don't have to follow blogs you can simply Google: "__________ matchups" for each of your favorite stores. You can figure a lot out just by looking through the sale ads (which are ALL available online).

So far I've learned a lot. The first step in saving money can be achieved by anyone, even without the full time commitment couponing requires, PAY ATTENTION. Sounds simple, but how often do you march into a store any old day and time and throw stuff in your cart without a glance at the signs? How often do you zone out at check out and swipe your card without even registering your total? For me those bad habits were constant. Warning: Once you start paying attention you can't stop and it begins to cause physical pain when you pay more than you should.

I've learned you have to shop at more than one store. Sales are the best way to maximize your coupon value. Grocery stores change sales on Weds and big box stores every Sunday. Pay attention to dates on circulars though because occasionally they have 3 day sales, etc. Most grocery stores in Florida do not double coupons or allow overages. They cover up to the value of each item. Most accept one store and one manufacturer coupon per item. A lot of stores take competitors coupons (Target, Sweetbay, Publix), but CVS will not.

I've hit a couple milestones in the few weeks I've applied myself to couponing. I spent less than I saved, I scored free items with clever coupon use and I've officially organized my coupon binder. I've started (this week) making meal plans based on grocery store sales and what we've got stocked up. It's exciting, but so much work. It's taken a physical toll on me already, going to 2-3 stores a week (sometimes two trips), but I think it's also good physical therapy.

The Pluses

• Save Money
• Sticking it to the Man
• Clearing Unwanted Stock for the Stores
• Building a Safety Net for the Tight Times/Emergencies
• Feeling in Control
• Fulfilling Primal Gathering Impulse
• Curbs Impulse Buying
• Encourages Organization of Grocery Items at Home (no more letting things expire)
• Social opportunities (trading, passing on of coupons and deals)
• Team Building Experience for the Family- "We're all in this together"
• You Eat Healthier (Because you're not caught unprepared running out for fast food as much and because there's lots to choose from).

Minuses

• Full Time Job Hours
• Heavy Binder Lugging
• Anxiety at Register (coupon/sale item not ringing up, math errors, etc)
• Physically Demanding (2-6 store trips a week, lifting heavy things into cart/car)
• Math Intensive
• Stress About Expiration Dates, Sales ending, etc
• Stress About Wasting Money
• The People Behind You in Line (buying a lot of sales items and forking over a coupon for every item on the belt doesn't win you friends).
• Checkout with Children in Tow Becomes Impossible.
• Requires Investment in Additional Storage

A bottom line to remember: Good deals and stocking up on things your family uses is smart, but don't buy something you don't need/use because it's on sale that defeats the purpose. It's always better to spend less money.

We're stocked up on soap, deodorant, dish soap, toothpaste, pet foods, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, side dishes and cereal now. This week I'm in search of laundry detergent, paper towel and lunch item deals. It's very discouraging at first, but I'm happy overall at our new direction. Maybe we won't be out of debt and stockpiled for a year in the immediate future, but maybe it's not as far off as it seemed before.

Can we build it?

Yes, we can!!

We went to the Home Depot building workshop today. We'd never been before and I was excited for Riley to build something with real tools. 9am is a little early on a Saturday, but it was free. We went to build turkey napkin holders for our Thanksgiving table.

I was nervous because it was a first come, first serve deal and we were a few minutes late. It was fine though. They were very nice. I filled out a very short form and they wrote each kids name on a snazzy orange apron. The supplies were in shrink wrapped kits and all the necessary tools were set out on a handful of tables.

Unfortunately, my phone froze up when we got there so I didn't get any pictures during the building process. Riley was thrilled to screw the pieces together. She also thoroughly enjoyed painting it. They had a separate long table with washable paint, plates, foam brushes and wet wipes. Isaac skipped the turkey they provided completely and tried to paint one. It turned into a peacock. We will have a Thanksgiving peacock on the table this year. Jealous? You should be.

The real A+, not that I wasn't already impressed, was that they had games for the kids to play while the paint dried. Football toss, beanbag toss and ring toss. Well done, Home Depot. We left with two beautiful napkin holders, two orange aprons, two coloring pages, two bags of popcorn and a free plant. The plant was for joining the garden club. Now we'll get home depot coupons.

Riley's only compliant besides not wanting to go home was that she didn't get to hammer anything. Isaac, who initially didn't want to go, had a good time too. When we got home he kept his apron on for an hour. Adorable.

Click the pictures to see them bigger