Daily Deal Sites

RueLaLa
Our dream is for Rue La La to become the place where your ooh la la moments spring forth at every turn, the spot where your desire for the exceptional is fulfilled every time, and the destination that you just can't wait to share.

Bulx
Overstocked Home improvement goods and Home Furnishings.

Nomorerack
nomorerack is the place to find your favorite brands & hot items for up to 90% off. One hand-picked product in each of our eight categories is added everyday. The only place to truly find a real deal.  New deals start at 12pm everyday!

Groopdealz
Each day they feature a new deal, be sure to buy it before it's to late!

Groupon
My husband and I loove groupon! Lots of deals from restaurants to deals on activities in your area or plug in your vacation destination a few months prior and get deals on places to go while you are there!

Babysteals
2 deals a day on baby gear!
 
Scrapbooksteals
1 deal a day on scrapbooking supplies!

Woot!
My first daily deal site that I have come across.  My favorite, Woot! Off days where they offer a new item at discount until it runs out then they run the next deal.  This site is good for electronics.  They also have sister sites, Shirt Woot, Wine Woot, Kids Woot, and Sellout Woot!  I have purchase many items off of woot! and many gifts off of Shit Woot!

Grammy Story #1

I started this post a few weeks ago.  Since my Grammy has passed, and while we are mourning the loss we find love and laughter in the memories we have of her.  This story is classic and I want to remember it so it's here for all to see, I had planned to post more 'Grammy stories' but I did not have another chance.  My Grammy was a strong woman, knew what she wanted and went after it.  While a death of a love one brings everything into perspective, the one thing I have learned is to keep family close they are your most valuable asset.
Here is my Grammy before 8 children, 32 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, what a swell gal.

12/23/10-
Since my Grammy has not been in a state to be left alone the family has been taking turns in shifts staying with her.  I've used this opportunity to get to know her better and my family history better.  I feel as though I've opened a whole new chapter in my life that I have not ventured into before.  During the holiday's cookies were a focus on our discussions.  While we were taking a trip down memory lane she gave me some inside stories and I hope to share them here with you.
Grammy story #1.  Grammy's Chocolate Addiction.
Grammy confessed that she once stole money from the church collection.  She was 12 and wanted chocolate. Who is to blame her!  I get some pretty strong chocolate cravings as well.  She assured me that she needed that money much more than the church at the time.  And also assured me that it was well worth it because the chocolate sure was tasty!
My Grammy then told me her and her 3 siblings didn't have much growing up.  Her father passed away from a heart attack when she was 2, so her Mother had to raise all 4 kids on her own.  She got teary eyed when she mentioned she always wondered what it would have been like to have a Dad, if things would have been different.  My Great Grammy did not go out much, my Grammy thinks that she was afraid of what people would think of her going to church without a husband.  So she would send the kids to church (in their silk dresses and bonnets) and to the store to get her things.  Perhaps this freedom got the best of my Grammy.
She said she never got caught, or told anyone.  I must be special.

Love you Grammy, Rest in Peace.

Weight Loss Resolutions

Ahhh yes the time of year when everyone puts down the cookies and grabs the carrots.
Of course I had all intentions of trying to be as good as possible during the holidays but that sugary food is addictive.  The more I ate the more I craved.  And now I feel bloated and gross.
Operation UF is in full force again.  Prior to the holidays I was down 17.5lbs total from July.  I haven't stepped on the scale yet but I'm sure I'm up quite a few.   So lets get back on track together, what do you say?
First step, removing all the leftovers and candy...and that doesn't mean by eating it!  While I hate throwing food out, those leftovers won't be doing anyone a favor by sticking around.  The candy?  I'll bring that into work.  Cookies, I have in the freezer so I can pull those out in emergancy situations.  Don't laugh!  Cookie emergancies are serious.  Think about it...you need something sweet but you got rid of everything so instead of eating one cookie you eat everything in sight to make up for that one cookie.  It is nothing to laugh at.  Okay maybe it does sound silly, but the sheer joy when you realize you have a cookie in the freezer when you thought you were stuck with veggies is pure bliss. 
So it's back on the bandwagon we go to skinnytown.

After Holiday Sales

While it's easy to run out on the day or two after Christmas to snag some deals, been there done that...I have found the best deals normally start mid to the end of the week.  I also find that during those first couple days after Christmas I buy stuff that I won't use.  With the thoughts of "oh I should pick this up and give it to so and so next year", it usually does not work as well as it does in my head.  Mid week the sales drop from 50% off to 75% off. Instead this is the time to stock up on gift wrapping supplies, and not just for Christmas.  I usually stock up on tissue paper and tape, and sometimes boxes, bags and wrapping paper!  Look for items you can use for birthday presents or other festive events.  Also a great time to stock up on those rubbermaid totes, does it really matter that they are red or green???
Great places to find deals would be all the chain drug stores and super stores.
The other day I was able to snag some a 3 pack of heavy duty scotch tape for .50.  Also a King size set of flannel sheets for $10 at Target!

Happy clearence shopping!!!

2011

One year ago I started this blog.  92 posts later and here we are, I can't wait to see what the next year of blogging has in store.  I'm sure you are uber excited as well to see what will happen in my life adventures.  I hope you stay around for the ride, it might get bumpy.  But in the end isn't that what makes life interesting?

Cheers to a fantastic 2010 an even fantastic-er 2011!

Christmas' my favorite

This post is dedicated to favorites.  My favorites to be exact.
Favorite Christmas CD- 98 Degrees- This Christmas. I can't help it, I am still a 98 Degrees fan...ahhh Nick Lachey you are a cutie.

Favorite Christmas Song-Oh Holy Night-I love the dramatic "FALLLLLL on Your kneeeeeeeeeees"
Favorite Christmas Movie-Elf, nuff said.

Favorite Christmas Food- My Mom's Sticky Buns, made only on Christmas morning.

Favorite Christmas Smell- The above stated sticky buns, yum!

Favorite Christmas Sound- Bells

Favorite Christmas Quote-"Merry Christmas, Everyone", "Every time a bell rings and angel get's his wings"

What are some of your favorites?

Merry Christmas Eve!

My First Batch

I did it! I made the cookies. In fear of all my family hunting me down I will not share the coveted recipe.  However will show you the steps.

Beat

Sift

Alternate

 

Mix

Fridge

Roll

Cut

Bake

ps. these were one of my first and WAY too thick.

I ran home one day and made the dough then went to practice and along the way got some tips from one of the master bakers elves...my Dad.  His advice was don't use flour to roll out, good to know as I would have floured that rolling pin right up.  I'm not gonna lie, the first couple I rolled out were way too thick, but I slowly got the hang of it and got them as thin as I could.  They were so thin I could see the grain of the wood from our table through the dough.  My hands and shoulders are killing me,  AND STILL! They are not as thin as my Grammy's.

So I visited my Grammy tonight and got to the bottom of some important questions about her cookies.

Why did she decide on roll outs and not drop cookies to sell?  She started by having my Pappy bring them in to work, then slowly she started getting orders for them.  It evolved into a huge production, people would visit from the surrounding states to get her cookies, she said they would also ship cookies.  Plus she did roll outs because she likes rollouts 'best'.

How sore did she get when making them?  Grammy said her wrists would get so sore they would double in size.  She assured me that if I build up the muscles in my hands they wouldn't ache so much today.

Did she roll out all the cookies? No, she would pay the kids, a small amount she assured me for every task done. 

Where did she get the recipe?  She got the recipe from her mother.  One day she baked with her mother in the kitchen and measured every ingredient she would put in.  her mother would use a 'handful of flour' as a measurement, to get a more precise measurement she told her to 'holdon a minute' and would measure it out.  Don't you love when you hear a story like that?

Reviews on my rollouts?

Dad said-too dark, but good, Pappy would have liked them.  (too dark is lightly browned on the bottom fyi)

Grammy said- rolled them too much, don't fuss with them, "but 'good'" head nod and all.

So I guess I have some things to work on for next year.  Good news is I don't plan on selling 800 lbs of these, I'd be in trouble.

P.S. I'm loving the family history I'm getting out of some quality one on one time with my Grammy.  I'll be the first to admit that we were never super close.  I feel my connection with her is getting stronger, and while it is a sad to know that we have limited time with her, I feel blessed to be able to be with her now.