Still Snowed/Iced In, But Getting My Freezer Organized

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

I've been up since 3:30 a.m. yet again. Yawn!!!! I hate getting up this early and not being able to get back to sleep. I'm going to try to get exercise in today and see if that helps at all. I've neglected it although I've been stuck at home because of all the snow/ice on the roads but have been working on getting my freezer and other things organized, preparing for the 4 church consignment sales I have coming up in March/April and cooking, cleaning, etc.

My husband has taken over the living room (where my Wii is located) so I haven't been able to get any time in there since although he has been at home he has to make phone calls to customers, etc. in there and our living room is very small so no room to move around with him taking up camp.

My husband has been stuck at home because of the roads and it looks like we may finally get some of the snow/ice melting later this afternoon as it is supposed to finally get over freezing temperaturesthen, but we'll wait and see how that goes. We've got plenty of the snow/ice still everywhere here and normally it is melting big time about a day or two after it falls, but not this time due to the lower temperatures.

One great thing about being stuck at home and worrying about losing power (which thankfully didn't happen) is that I have been organizing my very full freezer and finding recipes online to use up a lot of the surplus items I have in there. It will take quite a while to make a larger dent in my freezer, but this was overdue anyway and I'm relieved that I'm finally doing something about it. it was getting to the point that no one wanted to look for anything in there since it was so full and so things tended to not get used.

I love trying new recipes and finding ways to use up some of the items I already have stocked up, but sometimes I get very busy (although I am a stay at home mom and home school) because we have so many other things going on.

I actually found things that I didn't even know were in there, so each layer was a big surprise, LOL. I don't have a regular stand alone freezer, it is just the other part of my refrigerator and trust me, with all the great deals I found before the snow/ice storm it really filled it up over time.

With my husband being home from work and all 4 of us eating 3 meals a day at home, it is slowly making a dent. I've already got several meals I plan to make in the next few days lined up and that feels good. I'm organized in a lot of ways, but sometimes I am not so organized when it comes to meals as I have some picky people in my home although names will not be mentioned, LOL.

I really want to make sure that I don't let lack of time keep me from organizing my freezer/fridge again as we could easily have another snow/ice storm in our area and I'd hate to lose all that food because I avoided making things because it was too difficult to find them. Big lesson learned and while I didn't pay a lot for the items in there, if I had to replace everything at full price, it would be a shocking amount of money laid out.

It doesn't affect us, but public schools are closed again today in our area and I really feel for those kids since I know that's going to be hard to make up. The kids who live in the mountains have it worse since they have been out a lot due to the road conditions and higher snow counts and wind.

The malls all around the area closed at 5:00 p.m. which is really strange to hear and restaurants have closed as well due to lack of customers.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KISSFAN1 1/12/2011 8:30AM

Muffinski - You can say that again, LOL! Especially when you're stuck in a SMALL house and for days. I'm so ready to go somewhere, anywhere, the library, post office, anything to get out the house! LOL As much as my children love the snow because we don't get it like people up north do, my daughter has only been playing in it once and my son not at all. I remember growing up in South Carolina that if we got just a few snowflakes we went crazy with excitement and just about danced a jig! We get more here where I'm at in North Carolina than we ever did in S.C., but my daughter still gets excited since it doesn't happen that often. Tinksmom - Thanks, I had to do something useful with all my time stuck at home so organizing seemed like something I needed to do and seems to be a never-ending process. I'm glad you got some organizing done as well, good job! Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 1/12/2011 8:25AM

JLitt - Glad you guys didn't get the sleet. I walked outside yesterday for the first time and all I heard was "crunch, crunch, crunch" from the ice layer on top of the snow, LOL. Report Inappropriate Comment

JLITT62 1/12/2011 8:20AM

I know, when it snows down south things just grind to a half cause you're just not prepared for it. Big difference up here! Altho DH is getting a snow day again here cause your storm has finally reached us (minus the sleet, thankfully). Report Inappropriate Comment

MUFFINSKI 1/12/2011 8:11AM

Nice work! Admit it...when the hubby's home, you are thinking..."Okay, go to work!" I know I do! Love the guys, but they can mess up a daily schedule a bit. We finally got some snow here. A measly 4 inches...not enough to have much fun with and much to my oldest girls dismay, not enough to shut down schools. Every day, she sees the morning news and everyone is getting BIG snows...except us. Report Inappropriate Comment

TINKSMOM1 1/12/2011 7:54AM

I think its funny how staying in forces some of us to organize! I spent a good chunk of yesterday cleaning out kitchen cupboards, reorganizing them, and throwing away that stuff that you think you might use but find after a year its still there! Good use of our time, I'd say! Report Inappropriate Comment

Still Have Lots of Snow & A Little Ice - But I Have Power!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

We have survived a very big storm that passed over my area and with power still intact, thank goodness. Potentially losing power has really affected my sleep and stress levels and I'm hoping that the threat of that has passed.

We got tons of snow in my particular county, more than anyone else except for the mountain counties and then on top of that we got freezing rain on all the snow we received. I worried that the ice would cause the tree limbs to break and fall on our power lines, but so far, knock on wood we still have power.

We are experiencing very low temperatures in my area for this time of year, only in the 20's and a high later in the afternoon of the 30's, so normally our snow melts the next day or 2 days after we receive it, but the weatherman is saying the temperatures won't get above 34 degrees until Wednesday/Thursday and it may be the weekend before this snow/ice melts some. At least that is what I heard last night on the news so it may have changed since then.

Don't get me wrong, being from the south (originally from South Carolina, where we got much less snow than what I get in North Carolina) I love the snow and it's a joy to see it, but I am NOT a fan of ice, LOL. I'm even less of a fan of losing power. :-)

The skies are very cloudy this morning and I don't know if that means more snow or ice or not. I've prepared as much as I possibly can since I'm not able to get on the roads yet. My house is super clean and I think I've cooked more lately (trying to use up expensive meats or items in my fridge/freezer) than I did at Thanksgiving, LOL.

My husband had to stay home from work yesterday and I'm not sure what he will do today as the roads are very icy and dangerous and don't expect them to melt since the temperatures are so low. I'm secretly hoping that the roads are fine so I can go to the last day of Harris Teeter's super doubles, but don't think I will be able to as we live on a hill and I'd have to back out backwards on the driveway and I'm afraid I'd hit the light pole or mailbox, LOL.

I haven't taken pictures of our snow/ice today, but I'm posting a picture of early Monday morning's view. It snowed much more later than what the pictures shows since that was in the morning and it snowed much more throughout the day at my house.



I know that's nothing big like those from the northern states get, but it is for the south, and again, it was taken before we got even more inches of snow throughout the day. My driveway was completely covered to the point you couldn't see it, as were the roads in front of my house.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PARKIE 1/11/2011 7:19PM

they have been cancelling school here too - mainly because of the ice. they just called to say no school tomorrow either. driving can be dicy in spots Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 1/11/2011 5:21PM

Parkie - Be glad that you didn't because we are still stuck at home. This is the second day my husband has stayed at home from work and I'm not sure about tomorrow since the temperatures are still going to be so low. Hopefully some of it will melt tomorrow afternoon but they keep saying it will refreeze again tomorrow night and be slick yet again. The schools are going to be closed yet again tomorrow and I bet they are going to have a mess getting those days made up. I'm so glad that we have tons of food available to us because we haven't left the house once since Sunday. Report Inappropriate Comment

PARKIE 1/11/2011 3:58PM

only an itty bitty bit you can still see the grass poking through and about an inch of ice. Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 1/11/2011 3:14PM

Parkie - I'm guilty, LOL. Did you guys ever receive any? Report Inappropriate Comment

PARKIE 1/11/2011 11:42AM

so it was YOU that stole all my snow Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 1/11/2011 9:37AM

JLitt - Yeah ice storms are the worst. Tammy - My husband went out in it yesterday morning but I never did because my daughter had my snow boots and stayed out there to play for a while. I was too cold to go outside. :-) Anyway, early Monday morning my husband went out in it to take pictures (one of them above) and he said that we already had 5-6 inches then. It snowed almost all day Monday so I know we got more than that, but I didn't go outside to measure. We got freezing rain last night so there is ice on top of that which pushes the snow down so have no clue what the total is, LOL. Report Inappropriate Comment

BNBLYNNE 1/11/2011 8:50AM

how many inches? Report Inappropriate Comment

JLITT62 1/11/2011 7:45AM

We, at least, are used to it -- and so are the snow plows & the salt trucks & the roads are usually cleared quickly. Having lived in TX for so long, I know what a difference that can make! Not that we ever got more than a dusting in TX, but we did get some pretty good ice storms & yeah, I really hate those too. Stay warm! Report Inappropriate Comment

It's Already Snowing Here in North Carolina

Monday, January 10, 2011

I couldn't sleep again past 3:30 a.m. and so I looked out the window and the ground is already covered completely with snow. They are saying we have an inch of snow so far in the Charlotte area and maybe more where I'm at.

It is so pretty and I love it, but really am still worried about the ice/freezing rain they are so far expecting to happen later in the p.m. hours because of the potential of losing power.

I guess we won't be venturing out on the roads today since they are expecting it to snow or sleet/ice through Tuesday. They are predicting so far around 4-8 inches the last time I checked. As long as we have power, we'll be fantastic as I have enough food stockpiled for the entire neighborhood, LOL.

Speaking of food, I have been so full lately because I have a fridge full of Greek yogurt and other healthy proteins and I'm trying to eat those up since they are so expensive should we lose power, but man am I really full now. I'm staying within my calorie range and not going over, but all that protein has really filled me up big time.

Take care all of you in the path of this storm and stay warm and safe.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KISSFAN1 1/11/2011 7:01AM

Anais - Thank goodness so far we have power. I really had a hard time getting to sleep last night because we started having freezing rain on top of all the snow we got and I just knew when I woke up this morning that the house would be dark and no power. So far, we've been lucky, but there is a lot of dangerous ice on top of the snow we got. A friend of mine in South Carolina said all they got was the ice and they lost power as a result, so I guess the states south of North Carolina got more of the ice than we did and we got the majority or all of the snow and a little ice. We got so much snow in my county, less than the mountains, but close to what they got. My friend who lives about 20 minutes away from me got less snow than we did (she lives directly in Charlotte). I know they said 200 flights were cancelled here in Charlotte because of the weather in Atlanta (all the ice). I hope you don't get bumped Thursday and can take your trip. That sounds like fun. Comment edited on: 1/11/2011 7:03:10 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 1/11/2011 6:57AM

Myrtlebeachwins - I guess it's a good thing you aren't a state up and in Georgia (Atlanta particularly) because they got the mess we got in North Carolina as well including more ice than us. We got more snow than them but not as much ice, thank goodness. The weatherman said we should be in the 50's here, but we're not, we're in the 20's so the snow/ice aren't melting and may not begin to do that until Thursday or Friday. As you know, when the south gets snow it usually starts melting the next day or at least 2 days later, but not this time. Crazy weather this year! LOL Comment edited on: 1/11/2011 7:00:48 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

ANAIS57 1/10/2011 10:04PM

hope your faring well. do you still have electricity? my trip on thursday to sarasota may get postponed as all the people stranded in atlanta are probably gonna take open seats on the flights once they get started again. i fly standby. hoping for a little fresh snow here and then i will just play out there in the snow until i can get to warm beaches. Report Inappropriate Comment

MYRTLEBEACHWINS 1/10/2011 4:36PM

Well it sounds like you are prepared! Funny how just a few hours makes such a difference. I am in Palm Coast, Fl about 6 hours south of Myrtle Beach and it's hot and muggy here. I took a really nice walk and came back sweating. Stay warm and enjoy the snow by looking out the window. That's what I would do. Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 1/10/2011 4:27PM

Tammy - Sorry, I haven't heard of them. I do know that Lance crackers (not sure if you have those in your area or not) are made in Charlotte and of course we are known for our big banking (Bank of America, etc.). Report Inappropriate Comment

BNBLYNNE 1/10/2011 3:42PM

One of my main carriers for our product here at work is based in the Charlotte area, Wadesboro, Howard Lisk-pneumatic tankers. Ever heard of them? Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 1/10/2011 3:34PM

Muffinski - Believe it or not, I've never been much on the coast of North Carolina so can't tell you much about that part of North Carolina. I grew up in South Carolina and we lived near Myrtle Beach. I now live 5 hours from both the NC & SC beaches so we don't really go to either much anymore since we live much closer to the mountains. I'm about 1 1/2 hours from the mountains of North Carolina and would suggest places like Asheville, Hendersonville, Boone, especially Asheville because there is Biltmore Place, beautiful mountains, etc. I've been to Raleigh before, but it's been a long time so couldn't tell you much about that area. Winston-Salem is nice, but my favorite place is probably the Asheville & Hendersonville area as well as other mountain towns like Chimney Rock (lots of movies have been made there) and there are lots of beautiful views. We love to go to the mountains in the fall and pick apples from the numerous apple orchards there and just love the atmosphere of the towns. We enjoyed Chicago, but unfortunately I was sick and we didn't get to do much other than the typical touristy stuff. I live near Charlotte and mostly what would attract you to this area is if you were into shopping and Nascar as we have a Nascar Hall of Fame Museum and there is the Concord Speedway nearby. I've never been inside any of those because I'm not a race car fan, so can't tell you if they are any good, but I know you can at certain times of the year, race around the track, but we've never done it. Also Carowinds, which is an amusement park between the borders of South & North Carolina is near Charlotte. The Billy Graham Library is in Charlotte if you are a fan of his since he grew up in Charlotte. We have a National Whitewater Rafting Site near Charlotte that Olympians train at, etc. Comment edited on: 1/10/2011 4:26:06 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

MUFFINSKI 1/10/2011 3:08PM

Lol! That does not sound crazy because Chicago is so much fun, if you don't mind the traffic...and the crime...and the high taxes...and the political corruption. (sigh)! Just kidding, it's a great place! Anyway, I hope to talk my husband into taking the kids to your neck of the woods this summer. Any suggestions of great places to see? Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 1/10/2011 1:21PM

Muffinski - I know we've got at least 6 inches or more at my house and it's still snowing at around 1:30 pm eastern time, which is crazy to have snow last this long in the day. I meant to tell you that my husband and I went to Chicago for our honeymoon, LOL. I know that sounds crazy but his job sent him there a lot in the past and he knew how to get around the area because of that, so that's where we went. :-) Report Inappropriate Comment

MUFFINSKI 1/10/2011 12:32PM

Sunny and cold in Chicago. No snow and my kids are aching for some. Send it on up north, we are used to it and want some fluffy stuff! Enjoy, but stay safe!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 1/10/2011 5:13AM

Wow Bigdog, where are you located at? I'm in the south so we don't get the big snows like they do up north, so the stores and the news channels go nuts here, LOL. JLitt62 - I plan to put tons of stuff outside if it comes to that. I read online that I could keep my frozen items in the freezer for 2 days without power but if we lose power longer than that, I plan to hit the roads (if the roads are clear after all the ice/sleet they are expecting) and find myself some dry ice or something to help out. Report Inappropriate Comment

JLITT62 1/10/2011 5:08AM

We got our snow Friday/Sat., but thankfully no sleet. Hate sleet! Stay safe & warm. Actually, even if you lost power you could probably put perishables outside . . . Report Inappropriate Comment

BIGDOG18 1/10/2011 5:02AM

30 inches here and counting!! Report Inappropriate Comment

A Little Freaked by the Ice Storm They Are Predicting.

Sunday, January 09, 2011

I'm getting a little bit anxious about this snow/ice issue they are predicting to start tonight.

I'm not worried about the snow, even if it stops me from being able to go to Harris Teeter for more deals, but I am worried about the ice they are predicting to fall after the snow because they are saying we could have lots of power outages.

In my experience with power outages during winter ice storms, we (meaning my area) seems to get power restored long after the bigger towns get theirs so I am more worried about all of us freezing to death and also all my stockpile of recently bought food going bad. We don't have a generator and while we do have a kerosene heater (not sure about the kerosene, will have to check with my husband on that) and camp stove, it's so cold outside and you can't leave the kerosense heater burning all night.

Of course I worry about things like trees falling on our house, etc. as well but I'm not sure what to do about that since I can't prevent that from happening. I think I will make the most expensive things in the freezer/fridge today to at least have those gone in case we lose power for days and hope/pray for the best.

We've had power outages of around 3-4 days here while neighboring towns lost theirs for 1-2 days so there is a reason for me panicking a little bit. :-)

I did great at Harris Teeter again yesterday (broken record I know) and am kinda bummed that I probably won't get to go Monday or Tuesday (last days) but I am thankful for the days I have been able to go. I'm also hoping that we don't have to cancel my daughter's piano lessons this up coming week as well because she hates for things she is looking forward to being cancelled (well, I can't blame her, I do too).

I wish all this area and surrounding areas who are expected to get this nasty snow/ice are okay and survive it without losing power or getting damage on their property. Stay safe everyone!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KISSFAN1 1/9/2011 8:09PM

Suze - I know the cashiers at Harris Teeter are tired of seeing me and all my coupons too. :-) I'm glad you guys are getting the day off tomorrow and hope you get all the snow and no ice (hoping for the same for us as well). It sounds like you'll be fine if you do lose power. Having a generator and putting in gas logs (we have a regular wood burning fireplace) are two things I've been wanting to purchase, but so many other things seem to take over our money so we neer get around to having them done. Both are so expensive, so that's the main reason. We have digital phone so our phones will be out if we lose power but I've charged up my cell phone just in case and have done everything that I can think of doing to get prepared. I just will have to let it go and try not to worry about losing power but I'm such a worrywart, LOL. Take care and I hope your husband doesn't have to go out on the messy roads tomorrow and can stay at home with you guys. Enjoy the snow (I know I will) and hope the ice stays far away from all of us. Comment edited on: 1/9/2011 8:11:39 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

SUZYMARC 1/9/2011 8:00PM

Hi, They just cancelled school here for us in Jacksonville,NC due to the prediction of snow/ice conditions on the road starting early morning- my son is estatic! We have a generator, plus the grill has propane so if power goes out there is a way to restore some of it. I am thankful for having cell phones and a landline. I've also got some super sleeping bags should we need them. The only thing I am worried about is my husband having to drive in this predicted storm to get on base to oversee any possible problems. Depending on road conditions he may get locked down on base, but I've got great neighbors who will check on Daniel and me. I am just going to think happy thoughts about more snowfall and getting a chance to go out once again with my son possibly to share some good memories. No, I will NOT be going anywhere tomorrow in the car, we've got enough supplies that its not a necessity. Worrying about power lines going down, trees, and other things jsut is counter productive because its out of your control. The best thing is to know what to do in those cases and roll with it. Sending you warm and happy thoughts. Plus Harris Teeter might need a break from you and all those super deals you continue to stock up. Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 1/9/2011 6:34PM

I don't feel very prepared either although we got 2 gallons of kersosene this morning (hubby did anyway) and I have plenty of bread and peanut butter and things like that. Unfortunately we have gas heat but it has to run on electric to work and we have a regular wood burning fireplace (no gas) and no firewood, but when we did have firewood and lost power it did nothing to help warm up the living room because of the way our ceilings are in there. We've got plenty of flashlights/batteries and also have a propane camping stove (and propane) and I'm really hoping we don't lose power or if we do it's only for a short time. I've tried to eat nothing but refrigerated/frozen things today but there is no way to eat all that I have stockpiled. Uggh... The news keeps saying that we are definitely getting the snow/ice mix so I guess I can only be as prepared as I can be. Everyone stay safe and hope we all do well with this storm. Comment edited on: 1/9/2011 6:35:10 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

PARKIE 1/9/2011 6:01PM

I'm thinking I might not be very good at this "emergency" preparedness thing Report Inappropriate Comment

PARKIE 1/9/2011 5:59PM

I'm keeping my eye on it too - I am in between Greensboro and Durham. Last time this happened we had our gas fireplace to rely on and we all camped in front of that at time but you worry about freezing pipes etc. they had to get out all the tractor to try to push up the ice we had to get it off the streets. it took them days. I *think* there is enough propane in the gas grill outside to cook on. I should probably check that. Last weather report I read said that the dry air in our area will hold off the rain/ice/snow until Monday afternoon. I'm also thinking I might want to go buy a snow shovel ..... I don't have one of those either Report Inappropriate Comment

MUFFINSKI 1/9/2011 4:18PM

I hate ice storms. I can handle driving in snow and inclement weather of most sorts, but ice storms are so freaky! Stay safe! Report Inappropriate Comment

DANCNGRL 1/9/2011 2:08PM

Last year we had crazy amounts of snow and many people lost their power for days on end. My parents lost it for 5 days and my brother for 3 days. Check the guidelines now for how long things are good in the freezer and fridge. When you start to approach the end of the timeline, move your stuff outside and stick it directly into the snow and ice. Try to do this in a shaded area. Everyone's stuff stayed pretty much frozen. Another option is to check into dry ice. I forget how long it stays for, but I know when my parents lost power in the summer once, they went and stocked up on dry ice to keep everything cold. Good luck! Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 1/9/2011 1:16PM

I'm hoping that the weather forcasters get the ice part wrong, but so far it sounds like we're still getting that. I just made the kids shrimp and some lobster bisque that I bought at Sam's Club (it was marked down) and they are loving the threat of ice as a result of that, LOL. They keep talking on the news about the upcoming storm and that's not helping me to remain calm at all. LOL Report Inappropriate Comment

ASALMONS80 1/9/2011 11:48AM

I'm in NC too, about an hr north of Charlotte...and a little concerned about the ice as well. But like you, we have the kerosene heater ready and the camp stove out. As long as we can make it to the allergist Monday afternoon for my son, I'll be happy. Good luck and stay safe! Report Inappropriate Comment

EMPTYNESTER60 1/9/2011 10:55AM

I agree - I'm starting to freak out, too. They really got the snow cleared out quickly during the Christmas storm but I'm concerned about the freezing rain & ice this time, too. This winter has been so cold already & it is really bothering me a lot. Good luck - I hope you don't lose power - I know that is a horrible time. I'm concerned about being able to get to work. I really don't want to use my vacation days already but I really don't like to drive in the ice. Maybe they are "over forecasting" like the tend to do sometimes - we can only hope,, right? Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 1/9/2011 7:57AM

ANMRUNNER - I'm in the south too, in North Carolina near Charlotte. We tend to have ice storms almost every January and that is what I'm freaking a little bit about because where I live (more rural area) we tend to get our power turned on much later than others nearby. I am seriously stocked up with tons of food in my freezer/fridge that I bought with super double coupons recently and in the past and I would hate to lose all that. I think we tried putting some food in coolers outside in the past, but we lost power for so long (I think it was around 4-5 days) that we had to just chuck it all to be on the safe side. I know worrying won't help, but can't help worrying anyway about it, LOL. I had dreams about it last night and even got up early this morning and took some things out of the freezer to make today. Report Inappropriate Comment

MARPET44 1/9/2011 7:39AM

My DH always says that worrying will get you nowhere. He refuses to believe the weatherman until the weather hits him in the face. Report Inappropriate Comment

ANMRUNNER 1/9/2011 7:16AM

If it's icy and snowy outside, could you just put your food in bags/coolers/etc and stick them outside half-buried in snow/ice? I'm from the south so we don't get snow or ice, but that seems like it would be the same temperature as in the fridge, no? Good luck, hope the storm doesn't hit you hard! Report Inappropriate Comment

MRE1956 1/9/2011 6:53AM

BTDT and I certainly share your concerns (as I get horrible "cabin fever" I abhor having essential plans - and even non-essential ones - being cancelled, ESPECIALLY if they're not rescheduled - a HUGE hot button issue for me).....the most important thing, though, is to stay as safe as possible....I wish you all the best..... Report Inappropriate Comment

More Great Shopping Deals - Yippee!

Saturday, January 08, 2011

I wanted to post a quick post before I get ready for my next trip to Harris Teeter for super doubles. I am still so excited about all the fabulous deals I've been getting there.

Sometimes it seems like most of the free deals there are things like toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, hot sauce, mustard, pasta, etc. It's great getting all those items free or close to it, but I am VERY stocked up on those things so I'm thrilled to pieces that other things are on sale for dirt cheap and I also have the corresponding coupons to get them free or close to it.

I had a great trip yesterday and ended up getting something free which wasn't supposed to be free. The reason for that is that I bought some Horizon Organic milk because we were out of milk and I had coupons (which were doubled to $2 off each carton of milk) and the milk was on sale so I figured $1.79 was pretty good for organic milk.

Unfortunately the milk didn't ring up on the receipt as being on sale although the tag underneath it in the dairy case said it was. The service desk told me it was NOT on sale but I told her the tag said it was, so the service desk manager and I went back and looked and sure enough it WAS on sale according to the tag.

She was going to give me back 80 cents (40 cents difference between the sale price and what I was charged for 2 milks) but I mentioned to her that I thought I was supposed to get it free if it rang up incorrectly. (Hint, it's good to know the store rules so you can remind them of them, since they don't always automatically give you those bonuses unless you ask for them).

So I got back $4.19 plus 40 cents from the other milk (they only give you one item free) so I got back almost $5 just for mentioning that and after my coupons and getting the other milk free, I got both cartons of milk for free!!!!!

I plan to go back again today (because they only let you use 20 coupons a day for super doubles or regular doubles, otherwise the coupons are at face value) and can't wait to get more dishwasher tabs for around 45 cents a box, something we really needed!

I also got tons of juice for cheap for my husband and son that are made with Splenda (my husband has either diabetes or pre-diabetes and my son is overweight and will drink his weight in juice, LOL) that I got after coupons and after the buy 2 get 3 free deal for around 75 cents a bottle.

I have been doing great with my exercise this week despite all the crazy Harris Teeter super doubles I've been doing every day and also it being the first week back after Christmas holidays with our home schooling, so I'm very proud of myself for being able to get it all done. Exercise is something I really neglected a lot last year, so I hope I keep up with it and get at least 3 days done a week if nothing else.

They are predicting snow and a snow/sleet mixture starting around Sunday so I'm trying to make sure I get all my shopping done before then. Hopefully we don't lose power this time because I have got some major stockpiling done in my freezer and fridge! LOL Hopefully my daughter will get to go to her first piano lessons next week and the weather won't cancel that as she is really looking forward to it.

Another great thing I wanted to mention is that I actually slept well last night! Now I have plenty of energy to get my shopping done and feel like I'm a human being again!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KISSFAN1 1/8/2011 10:06AM

Muffinski - You're welcome! Tammy - Yes, very energized, I'm so happy to have some sleep for a change! Report Inappropriate Comment

MUFFINSKI 1/8/2011 9:51AM

Thanks for replying. We don't have anything like that in Chicago. There is a store, Mariano's that does occasional Double coupons, but only up to a certain amount and only on certain days. (and I can never remember which!). Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 1/8/2011 8:41AM

Muffinski - It's a local grocery store chain around South Carolina, North Carolina, etc. I'm not sure what other states have it, but the headquarters is located in Matthews, North Carolina. They have double coupons every day, but occasionally they have "super doubles" where they will double a coupon that is up to $1.98. In other words, a $1.50 coupon is worth $3.00 off at that time. When you pair the sales they are having up with coupons (that are being doubled) you get lots of free and dirt cheap groceries on those particular items. Report Inappropriate Comment

BNBLYNNE 1/8/2011 8:37AM

You sound energized today. Have fun. Report Inappropriate Comment

MUFFINSKI 1/8/2011 8:25AM

What is Harris Teeter? It sounds so amazing. I don't think we have anything like that here. Too bad, I just love getting a deal! Report Inappropriate Comment