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So I know it's about time for a new post,

but I've got nothing to say.

I can't think of anything to write about.

So when in doubt, stick to the random-are-you-seriously-writing-about-that-list.

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These are my American Idol favs. I vote for them every week with a simple text.

I truly believe one of them will win. I think my love for them is pretty close, but I think I would have to say I love Scotty just a tiny tiny bit more. He is so good and makes me laugh.

 via

Isn't Lauren totally DJ from Full House??

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I really need to paint my nails. This is what they currently look like and it's driving me nuts. 

 Fingers look weird sometimes. I am hoping it's all fingers and not just me...

Also, I splurged before vacation {which reminds me I never blogged about- wohoo there's another post!} and I bought my first bottle of O.P.I. Actually, I bought 2 bottles because it was buy one get one 50% off so I had to. And now? I'm hooked. I already bought a new color and I can see this quickly becoming an addiction. Technically, I am already addicted to buying nail polish- but it's different when the bottles are $1 and when they are $8.50. So I will try my best to contain myself.

 I also bought the O.P.I no chip stuff and the top coat quick dry and get this...it doesn't seem to work with other brands. 

Is that sneaky or what?? 

So of course I have no other option, but to buy the good stuff now.

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I really need to go do my hair. My straightener has been on for over an hour now.

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I also should put away the laundry that has been sitting in the basket since Monday. Just for the record- it is folded. If that makes any difference, I don't know. But it makes me feel a little better about myself.

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I keep watching Extreme Couponing and wishing I could kind of be like that. So I googled double couponing in NH and....Shaw's does double couples!! 

Shaw's is always the more expensive grocery store, but they do have some great deals sometimes and if I can double a coupon then I will be making one tiny step closer to becoming a good couponer. 

So I am gonna try and start that soon and see if it gets me anywhere. 

They are the only grocery store in NH that does it and thankfully they are the closest to my house so I hope it works out!

If you don't know if any around do it- google it!

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Today is Maundy Thursday and we are having a service at our church tonight. I can't recall ever actually doing anything on this day. Typically we had a Good Friday service at school and then of course Easter Celebration at church, but I don't think I have ever done anything in remembrance of "Holy Thursday", the Last Supper, the darkness, the pain, the weight of the world, etc. I think it will be a great time of reflection, truly remembering what this holiday is about and what really took place for me. We have been doing a book club at the church called "One Thousand Gifts" and the premise is basically about finding joy and thanksgiving in your every day life, in every situation. {Highly recommend this book btw!} She gave many example of Jesus always giving thanks in every circumstance, one scripture in particular was Luke 22:19 "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying " This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me". Even when Jesus knew he would be crucified He gave thanks.  It's pretty humbling.  And inspiring. And I encourage all of you to reflect and give thanks during this time as well. For taking our place. We have so much to be thankful for. 

Look at that...something real came out of the random list about nothing. That wasn't even planned! 

Happy Thursday!

Not So Little Sister

Saturday was my little sister's 14th birthday.

She gave me a hard time for blogging about my dog's birthday and not her.

Completely understandable, of course! 

But I don't typically blog on the weekends 

and yesterday I was busy.

So today my post is dedicated to my wonderful little sister.

The little sister I prayed for. 

The baby I was always eager to help my mom take care of and quickly became the mother hen.

14 years later this baby sister is quickly becoming one of my best friends.

How is this even possible??

How is she going to be a freshman in high school next year?!

My baby sister?!

She is turning into a beautiful Godly young woman.

I am so blessed to be a part of her life and watch her grow.

And also watch our relationship transforms to even more than just sisters.

Although we are 10 years apart and still have our differences, I know our friendship is special and will only be strengthened as the years go on.

Happy Birthday, Ali!

I am so thankful the Lord answered my prayers when I was a little girl and blessed me with such an awesome sister! 

Birthday Puppy

It's hard to believe my not so little pup turns one today!

She was obviously wayyyy smaller than this when she was first born, but it's crazy to see how much she's grown in just the 9 months we've had her. 

She wasn't a huge fan of the hat.

But she did love her Zu-Zu Pet. 

Even though my family always had a dog,
I was never really a dog person growing up. 

And she has now made me into a crazy dog person.

Even with all her water drool.

We are so blessed to have her as part of our little family.

Sorry for the crazy picture overload, but I'm pretty sure if you've caught on that I'm weird and obsessed :) But I needed to document this for her puppy book.


















J/k I don't really have a puppy book. 
Well not an official one anyway...

Extreme Couponer

I am not.

I feel like I have the heart,

and I find the joy in couponing.

I do get excited and think of it like a game.

I have a special coupon binder.

I almost never miss out on steals from Walgreens and CVS.

But as far as being a true grocery couponer, I guess I am missing the drive.

I've been watching TLC's show "Extreme Couponing",

I think it's inspiring 

and pathetic, all at the same time.

I think extreme might even be an understatement for some of these people.

I admire a stockpile.

I admire all the money saved- ridiculous amounts of money saved.

I am pretty jealous.

I do wish I could save that much money.

I feel like the stores around here don't have those crazy sales or double or triple coupons.

Maybe they do, I just need to investigate more.

Here's the other thing though, do these people even buy normal groceries? 

I feel like I try and use my coupons on things that are on sale and that we use.

Key words: that we use. 

Not all grocery staples are on sale all the time.

After watching the show a couple days ago, I was making lunch and I needed some Miracle Whip.

I didn't have any in the fridge, and I was all proud of myself as I went to look in the pantry at my little 

stockpile.  

Knowing that one day it was on a sale and I had a coupon and I snatched the good deal.

I take it, feeling a little cocky {yes, I am was home alone, but you can still have those feelings by yourself}.

I'm all ready to open it and then I catch a glimpse of the expiration date.

December 2010.

Fail. 

How do these people buy 77 items of something and have it last forever?! 

So this awesome deal that I once purchased quickly became a waste of money!

Moral of the story- stick to stocking up on paper goods and toiletries. 

I'm pretty good at that.

Are you a couponer???

What grocery store do you get your good deals?? 

Misc. Monday: Weekend Recap

{one} Friday the weather was finally beautiful {and I think it might be here to stay, but I don't want to jinx it so pretend I didn't say anything} and we spent lots of time outside. The little boy I watched fell asleep on the swing and it looked so uncomfortable, but so cute and apparently not too uncomfortable or he wouldn't have been sleeping.

{two} As the evening came it was getting a little cooler, but everyone {may be a slight exaggeration since I am just talking about the 4 people at Hayward's} wanted to still believe that it was warm and summer-like. I was laughing as I sat in the warm car, parked next to 3 other cars filled with women whose significant other was buying them the first ice cream of the season. Okay, so I don't really know if it was their first of the season, but it was mine and I was thankful for my wonderful husband to stand in the semi-chilled air to get me my black raspberry ice cream with chocolate jimmies. Delish. 

{three} Jimmies = sprinkles for those of you who are from a different part of the country. I think when we were in Florida, they didn't know what jimmies were. For the record, I only call the chocolate ones jimmies and the rainbow ones are sprinkles. And on the same record, I only like chocolate jimmies, not a fan of sprinkles. I love jimmies so much that I've bought a container and eaten them with a spoon.

{four} I don't know why I am bragging about that, I don't really think that is something to be proud of. And to add to this list of honesty I will also add that on Saturday I got another black raspberry with chocolate jimmies. This one was soft served though so it was completely different and doesn't count as the same as Friday.

{five} I was blow drying my hair and I had a little knot that I needed to comb out. While I was combing I apparently put the opposite side of the blowdryer to my head and my hairs got caught in the fan. It smelled. It was painful. I had to rip those hairs out! There was no other way!! So frustrating. This is why a. I just put my hair up in bun on top of my head and b. I miss my shorter hair. Lesson learned: be more careful, the blow dryer is a weapon.
 And of course when it happened my initial reaction was to take a picture in case I need something to blog about. That's how exciting my life is. 

P.S Ignore the lint in the fan area as well, ok. Thanks.

{six} Today is supposed to be 75, but it's cloudy so that doesn't really count. I was hoping to get a lot accomplished, but there is something about cloudy rainy days that just paralyze you and make you glued to the couch, still wearing your pjs and watching silly abc family movies all day.
 Okay, maybe the weather didn't make me DVR the movie or press play...but still.

{seven} Today is my little brother's 21st birthday. Sooo crazy!! Happy birthday little bro {who doesn't read my blog and is most likely not even aware that it exists}!! 

He's turned into some crazy mountain man since living in NC.
The only thing we can do is love and try to look past it ;)

It's That Time of Year Again

When the sun shines all day,

and there's no clouds in the sky,

and the weather warms up,

and all the snow is melted,

and all the obnoxious {primarily white trash, but who's to judge} people find their way to the park.

And Roxie and I sit on the couch by the window

and stalk. 

Apparently stalking isn't complete without something in your mouth.

We have upgraded from the blind cord to a beef wrap.

It could be because the plastic part of the blind cord is no longer there because during the winter months when there were no people to watch we don't just hold the cord in the mouth, but tend to chew it. off.

Or it could be because she is bigger now and requires something a little larger to help in with the stalking process. Who knows. She appeared to be satisfied and people watched like this for about 20 minutes.

Looked a little uncomfortable to me,
but to each their own, right?

So today we are thankful that we could have a window open {not quite warm enough for multiple windows},

and let the fresh air in.

Even if it also means letting the sounds of screaming parents, and sometimes their kids, 

into our living room as well.

Spring is just around the corner,

even though it officially arrived a couple weeks ago. 

NH missed them memo.

Wordless Wednesday: Silly Sisters

Just thought I would brag about my lovely little sisters who are filled with many talents:

So proud.