dogwood delight!

So, I've always loved dogwood trees.  When I was growing up, there was one in front of my grandparents' house.   The tree was cut down many years ago (I'm guessing it either got unruly, or died...I'm not sure what the story is) but I know there is a picture somewhere of me in my brand new Catholic school uniform standing in front of it.  I loved it.  My parents have both a pink and a white dogwood in front of their house.   Also, being a native Virginian, I of course know that the dogwood is our state flower.  

When I moved into this house I had no clue what the tree in front of the house was. I guess that's the downside of buying in the winter, and not having a whole lot of plant-smarts.  However, I was absolutely pleasantly surprised last week to realize that the huge tree in front of my house is, you guessed it, a white dogwood tree.  It is gorgeous and huge and I smile every time I drive up to the house.  I love love love it.  

I've also been trying to maintain a garden for the first time in my life!  I think it is still too soon to see how successful I will be, but I am very happy so far with how it looks.  The oldest niece was with me when I was buying flowers, which helped dictate the color scheme: pinks and purples and a few white flowers.  You know me....if I was by myself it would just been varying shades of pink.  I think it looks good.  I had to do quite a bit of weeding and remove a huge bush, then I planted and mulched.  There were some challenges with the hose and spigot but those are all taken care of, all is well. 

All in all, I'm very happy with how it looks.  I am also very happy you can see it now, that it is not hidden by my crazy long grass.  See, it takes me some extra time.   When I moved in there was a huge tree right out behind my gate.  It had nothing glorious about it like my dogwood -- it was big and ugly and drops those prickly ball things.  And, it was right up against my gate.  Apparently whoever built the patio and the fence, accomodated the tree.  And the tree continued to grow, and the roots got unruly, and now one of them impedes opening the gate.  I called the property manager, and hoped and prayed this would not be mine to take care of.  Without a problem, they came within the week and it was reduced to a mere stump.  Lovely.  Except....the root is still there, and I can't open my gate all the way.  So, to get the lawnmowe in or out, you basically have to turn it on its side and somehow get it out.  I look absolutely lovely trying to do it myself.  So, I was trying to hold out hope for the stump to get ground and root removed...but the grass was getting crazy.  Today I'd had it, so I managed to get the mower out and cut the grass (after I had to run and get more gas...of course!).  I decided to leave it out for a bit to let it cool down before I had to move it again.  Lo and behold, a neighbor comes by, introduces himself, and asks to use it.  Glad to oblige and trying to make friends with neighbors, I say yes.  The best part?  When he got back he helped me put it in the back yard.  God provides in great ways.  I know it sounds lame but I *hate* dealing with the mower and it was truly a gift to have the help. 

I've got to head out on some errands.  I don't even mind them because I love what I see when I return....my front yard, full of Spring's beauty.  And my home, that feels more mine and more wonderful every day.  

something for nothing

The great thing about couponing is that there is no need to re-invent the wheel. There are people that are doing all the hard work out there, you just need to know where to look. Lucky for me, one of my best friends (Frugal Mom) and her wonderful sister (8isgreat) are blogging and I get to benefit from their coupon smarts! I am a major beginner compared to them so am enjoying learning, and will call randomly to check in with "Frugal Mom" to let her know my coupon adventures. Anyhow, Live Large Spend Less is their bloghome, take a peek!

I headed out to Safeway today to try out two of the deals they outlined for Safeway, and I was successful. Look on their blog for how to get Pledge multi-purpose cleaners, and for Bertolli sauce pouches. This is what I did:

Printed out, per their instructions, coupons for the Pledge, and purchased four of them. After coupons it was $8.76 including tax. $9 in catalinas printed out (you know, the coupons that give you a certain amount of your next purchase?).

I'd also had them price check the Bertolli since the sale signs were not posted for them. Once I was sure of the price (2/$4), I went back to get some.

I'd snagged a pile of the $1 off Bertolli pouches coupons from Giant. I grabbed 8 which should have been $16. I used 8 of coupons, plus $8 of my catalinas.

Tax was .40, so I paid that, and then $8 in catalinas printed out.

On my way to the office I stopped by another Safeway, used another 6 coupons I have, got 6 pouches, used 6 catalinas, paid .30 in tax, got $6 in catalinas.

Now I have $9 in catalinas to use. If I can find more of the coupons, I'll snag more. I'll give some to family and be sure to donate some as well.

So, for $9.46, I have the following:

4 cans of the pledge multisurface
14 pouches of Bertolli sauce.

And $9 in "catalina" which I can spend on anything in the store.

So, basically I've only really spent .46. And, with only spending some more tax money, I can keep rolling the catalinas as long as I have coupons, and increase the amount of sauce. I can also print out the pledge coupons on another computer, and do that deal again.

In more "free" news, in the past week I've gotten the following things free (or VERY close to it) due to coupons -- mostly thanks to double $1 coupon promotions: a box of cous cous, two pair of no nonsense trouser socks, three bottles of salad dressing, two cans of soup, three packs of gum, two cans of pringles, a pack of yoplait yogurt, and two bottles of flavored coffee creamer. That's not even counting my "CVS-ing." There might be more, but I can't remember at the moment.

I have a feeling that by the time I get good at couponing, my family and friends will benefit greatly. Or we'll just be eating a lot of pasta on very clean surfaces.