My Blog

Summer.

Summer for our family means busy days, staying up late, sleeping in, fun with friends, and family vacation.

It also means having all the kids under one roof. My stepchildren primarily live with their mother during the school year, but for eight weeks of the summer, they are with us. We love having everyone together following the same routine, blending, making memories.

Summer means finding more turtles for our turtle garden. At present, we have 11 box turtles in our habitat. They are so fun to watch, each with a different personality. And the kids love digging up grubs and worms to feed them.

For Hubs, summer means plenty of time to do what he loves…gardening…being outside, planting, watering, dreaming.

For me, summer means sleeping in. Did I already mention that? And reading…lots of reading. Fiction. Bliss.

This summer….

Two of our kids are participating in a summer long fitness/sports camp. So four days a week I’m shuttling them back and forth.

One of our sons is playing on a tournament baseball team.

Two of our kids are taking voice lessons. More shuttling.

And two of our kids are learning to knit.

I am participating in a weekly Bible study with five of my amazing friends. We’re studying Hebrews chapter by chapter.

We’re also challenging one another to a healthier lifestyle. In fact, we have a friendly competition going on. So bootcamp and hot mama status…here I come. Hubs is ecstatic!

I also have several crafty projects lined up…one already completed which I’ll be blogging about next week.

So if you’re wondering why I haven’t been around as much lately, I have one word for you…..SUMMER!

What are your summer plans?

You can now easily access our NEW Printable Coupon Database from both the home page and the blog sidebar.

Just mouse over the Coupon Databases button below the featured box and you’ll see a drop down box allowing you to choose wither the Insert Coupon Database or the Printable Coupon Database.

Also, don’t forget to enter our Amazon Gift Card Giveaway! All you have to do it summit a link to a printable coupon not already in our database. Details HERE!

One of my favorite things about summer is reading!

I read when school is in session, but only non-fiction. I mean, my family has to eat, right? And I have to get to bed at a decent hour so we can get back up before dark…so no novels for me. I am THAT reader…

“Can’t you see I’m reading? What? Your arm is broken? Let me finish this chapter…”

So when summer hits, with no curfews, sleeping in (that’s what happens when all your kids are in junior high. It’s like God is saying, “I know dealing with hormones is a buzz kill, but look, you get to sleep in!”) and a minimum of 16 hours in the van during vacation, I have my nose stuck in a book.

Can you relate? Then hurry on over and grab these Kindle books for FREE!!

Angels Watching Over Me (Shenandoah Sisters Book #1)

Blowing on Dandelions: A Novel (Love Blossoms in Oregon Series)

THE ACCIDENTAL HERO

Chasing Charlie

The Altar Call

Simple Saving Savvy readers LOVE this deal from Amazon! Makes a great housewarming or Christmas gift.

Grab this Keurig K-Cup Storage Drawer for just $15!

Amazon says the list price is regularly $49.99, but that’s a little inflated. You would usually pay between $25-$30 for a storage drawer like this. So still a great deal!

Thanks Pink Coupon Cafe!

Get FREE 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime or it’s eligible for free super saver shipping on orders $25 or more.

As with all Amazon deals, I cannot guarantee how long a price will be valid. If you see an item you want, grab it before the price changes. Also, be sure to double check the current price before beginning the checkout process.

If you have been looking for a family-friendly way to serve those affected by the tornado that ripped through Moore, OK  two short weeks ago, here’s an idea.

The parents of a friend of mine are working out of a local church, providing meals – more than 1500 per day –  to anyone who needs one.

They need volunteers to help serve meals and organize donations that are being dropped off.  This is something your kids could help you do.

They also need food prepped and brought down (sandwiches, breakfast casseroles, etc).

If you’re interested in serving or preparing food, please email me for more information.

We don’t watch much tv – in fact, we don’t even have cable – so we’re always behind on the latest tv shows. For the longest time, I never knew what anyone was talking about when they’d mention Duck Dynasty.

But so many of my friend WERE talking about it, that when I saw Duck Dynasty: Season 1 on sale for $9.99, I caved and used some of my Amazon credits from Swagbucks to buy it. That was in January and my kids are, ok I am, hooked. We watch it over and over and over again.

Recently they’ve been asking me when we’re going to get Season 2. Did I mention we were behind the times?

So today I headed to Amazon to check it out and Hallelujah! Duck Dynasty: Season Two, Vol. 1 is on sale for just $9.96.

(Get FREE 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime or it’s eligible for free super saver shipping on orders $25 or more.)

And for all you well meaning people who will leave a comment and tell me that we can get these episodes on Netflix or Hulu or some other program attached to modern day technology…need I remind you that we’re behind the times?

Here’s another Petco freebie for ya!

Grab this coupon valid for a FREE Can of Friskies or Fancy Feast Cat Food! You can redeem it at any Petco locations, but you must be a Petco Pals member. You can register here!

This coupon is valid through August 31st, 2013.

Don’t forget to grab these freebies:

Free Sample Minties Dog Treats

Free Can of Nutro Cat Food

Even if you don’t own a pet, these make great donation items!