Couponing...

Couponing - a way of life for some; a trivial waste of time for others - which are you?

After enjoying our lovely dinner out on the town with my sissy and bro-in-law WITH OUR COUPON we all commented that we enjoyed saving money with our coupons!
We enjoyed two steak dinners at Roadhouse for a whopping $15.

So it got me thinking, do others of you dine with coupons? Do you clip coupons from the Sunday paper? Where do you find your savings?

I subscribe to most e-blasts from the stores and restaurants I frequent and end up getting some very good deals. Especially around Christmas and birthdays.

I used to get the paper every other Sunday and enjoy a lazy afternoon of paroozing the ads and clipping coupons. However, when the Dallas Morning News hit $3 or $3.50 for a Sunday paper, I've since quit.

I guess if I am doing my couponing diligently and remembering to bring them to the store, I would recoup the cost, but I haven't quite been able to do that.

Would love to hear from you where you find your savings and if you have some good places online, we'll add a few links!

Go Carl! Go!

Go Carl! Go!

I guess it has been about a year since we planted Carl, and let me tell you he is doing a fabulous job. When the trees started changing colors, Carl was still green. But as we headed into November, I saw a miraculous change! No longer just green-leafed, Carl was morphing into a beautiful orange and red fall maple tree!

Here's a few pics highlighting Carl's fanciful fall coat!

Silly...

One thing Ryker Hasn't done yet...

see more dog and puppy pictures

To Those Without Pets

To those without pets, you should get one.

HOW, unless your apartment makes it ridiculously expensive to have one or your parents forbid you, do you not have a pet?
They are so neat! They are so fun! They are so silly! They are so loud!

They are so loving. They are so friendly. They are so caring. They are so concerned.

They smile. They snuggle. They ignore you. They laugh at you (you know they do). They kiss you.

If you don't have one, you need one. Adopt an instant best friend, it's pretty cool!

Knowing One's Limitations...

I really should know better.

I really should remember my limitations.

But I get frustrated.

I can do NOTHING in a straight line. Walk - no. Cut - no. Draw - no. Drive - best of all (thank you power steering).

Ugh, I'm trying my hand at a patchwork blanket. I see so many beautiful creations out there in the blogosphere. I think, "Dude, I can totally do that." (yes, dude) So I bust out my little scraps, trace my square, cut, sew. Noooo....

Why don't they match up? Why? You're all supposed to be the same size! I use the same seam allowance? What are you doing to me!? Arg.

Let the seam ripping ensue. =(

Nubs: A True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle

I remember hearing about this story a while back -- A Marine stationed in Iraq comes across some street dog with nubs for ears (someone along the way had cut them off). He and his buddies spend time playing with the dog and working with the dog while they are in the area for a patrol. What comes after that is truly a heart-warming story of love and determination from Marine AND Mutt!

Major Brian and Nubs!

Happy Birthday!

This weekend is my dad's 60th birthday!

He was born on November 1st - All Saints' Day.

Yes, I too get a great, wonderful laugh out of that little fact each and every year! Ha!

Happy Birthday Daddio!
We love you!