So many sites, so little time.

I have learned much about the internet since I started blogging in January, and the biggest thing that I have learned is that there are a bazillion and one blogs out there! There are so many money saving sites that it is just mind-boggling to me. My frugal friends send me links often, and I find new ones on my own. I could spend entire days chasing freebies and deals, but like anything else, there can be too much of a good thing. On my "other sites" tab, you will find a list of some of my favorites. It is amazing to me that no one site has every deal. If you click on 10 sites, you are sure to find a freebie that someone else missed. That's the reason why I started personalizing my blog a bit. If it's just deals that you are looking for, then this isn't your site. I try to highlight deals and freebies, but I also write about my family and things that are important to me. (I call it "living a life a value.") That being said, here are a few more links to sites that you might want to check out if you have a minute:

http://www.thethriftycouple.com/

http://www.forthemommas.com/

http://www.hip2save.com/

http://www.freesamplefrenzy.blogspot.com/

http://www.pennypinchinmom.com/

http://www.livingrichwithcoupons.com/

And at each of these links, you can access dozens of others. So the bottom line is, I feel flattered that anybody bothers to read my blog at all, given the competition. Thanks!

On November 1rst, I will have my next give-a-way! I have upped the # of books I'll be sending to 15. Most of these are new (including copies of both of my books) and several are gently used. I'm also sending a bag of Tazo tea and some coffee samples. Perfect for winter reading. So make sure you are either a subscriber or a follower to get on this opportunity.

Here are a few freebies for today:

Use the code STUDENT3 to get a $3 credit for MP3 downloads at http://www.amazon.com/. Most songs are 99 cents, so that equals free music!

Get a 5 day sample of MegaRed Omega 3 Fish Krill Oil sample at: http://www5.samsclub.com/OTCSampling.aspx
This is a Sam's Club sample, but you can skip the member # on this one.

Free Tena Ultra Thins Pad at: http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid87046.aspx
This has been reset, meaning you can get another sample even if you have done this one previously.

Happy Saturday!

Free book!!

Is it really only 7:26 PM? I thought it must be at least 10; for some reason I'm exhausted, but still feeling guilty about going to bed this early. Had the state CC meet today in Montreat, about a 2.5 hour drive one way. It was a beautiful day, but I must say, I'm glad the season is over. This was Abby's last HS race. She said it was bittersweet, but more sweet than bitter:).

You know those little google ads that pepper my blog and many others you see? When I began to blog every day, I decided I might as well let google do its thing. I entered all my info but then pretty much forgot about it. Come to find out, you really do get paid when people click on them! There was a $102 deposit in my bank account yesterday. (Apparently they only pay you when you get to $100.) Let's see, I started on January 26, so that's about $11 a month. If I didn't give out gift cards and prizes, I might make something! Anywho, it was a nice little surprise!! Thanks for visiting and clicking around my blog, frugal friends!!

With the economy/elections being all the talk right now, I've been hearing much about "social justice." I was digging around the WORLD magazine site when I found a link for a free book and DVD here:
http://www.seeksocialjustice.com/. It's put out by the Heritage Foundation and when I saw Chuck Colson and Star Parker (among others) were both involved, I knew I wanted it. When I went to order it, I found that they have quite a few other free items also, but you do have to pay shipping. I paid $12 for 6 items--not bad. I know this doesn't flip everyone's switch, but I like to read about the economy and social issues. You can watch a one minute video about the book/DVD here:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid59512071001?bctid=55335150001

Happy Friday!

A thankful kind of day...

Today was errand day. Video return, book return, stamp purchase/letters mailed, hair cut, car inspected, car tags renewed, bank deposit, friend visit....hmmm, anything else? Kept me busy all day. I was very thankful the old '91 Honda Civic passed inspection again. Love that car!! I felt very blessed all day today as I was putzing around town. Thankful for so much in my life: family, friends, job, home, car, pets, clothing, food, money to pay the bills, my church, my Savior...and the list goes on and on. Sure, we all have "stuff" in our lives that we can complain about, but really? Aren't we blessed??? Be grateful today!!

Here are a couple of freebies to be thankful for:

Get a free sample of Tom's of Maine Wicked Fresh toothpaste here:
Apparently you have to cut and paste this link into your browser to get this freebie...
http://www.startsampling.com/sm/toms101470


Enzymedica is offering a FREE sample of the Digest Basic Health supplement. This looks like it is a 14-day sample supply! When you fill-out the form, use the promo code: taste to request your FREE sample:
http://www.enzymedica.com/DigestChallenge/digestchallenge.html

If you are new to my site, please remember to check out http://www.southernsavers.com/ on a regular basis. I don't get any kind of kick back or anything, but I honestly think that Jenny has the best money-saving site out there. She does a bang up job of telling you which coupons are available, where to get them, and where the sales are.

Have a great evening!

Seven new Freebies for you to enjoy!

Yesterday was a good shop day. If you don't already know, every Monday Carolina Thrift offers half off all clothing and accessories, including shoes and purses. Abby was looking for stuff to make a Peter Pan costume, so off we went. I found two pair of like-new leather shoes (Florsheim and Bostonian--sold on their respective web sites for about $100 a pair) for the boys for $3.50 each and picked up a new leather purse for the same price. The kids picked out a few T-shirts for 99 cents and several books for 2 bucks. (Normally I would wait for these to be half off, but I was in a genereous mood:). Also found some new mens' dress socks for 50 cents. Overall, I spent 20 bucks and was downright happy!!

This morning I've already made 6 quarts of applesauce with my free Maine apples, scoped out the garden greens for tonight's dinner salad, and continue to work on Abby's college/scholarship apps. I consider it time well spent. The more scholarships the kids gets, the less I have to work to pay for her schooling. We've told our kids that we will not take out loans for college and that we will buy them a (used) car for graduation if they get a full ride. Way cheaper than 4 years of college!!

Here are a few new freebies for you:
A coupon for free bag of chips at (facebook freebie, "like" it, then click on the coupon tab): http://www.facebook.com/FoodShouldTasteGood?v=app_163836236969327

Free sample of Jergens lotion here (you have to sign up to be a member of total beauty): http://www.totalbeauty.com/samples_contests

Free 2011 Calender from Oriental Trading Company:
http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/shared/sharedFlowController.goToHelpController.do?requestURI=link.staticContent&documentKey=calendar_request

Free Unity 2011 Calender here: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjZUPgNT7oLvpG0-4YxMF51ObqcR8T112F-KMwUEA28lxh4FvEAbNVmHijN0dYkrTxe6tnEmB8mgxoAQGzCZ-c6Clpo69AN8rro9lfVA1iVVDARZNAuK1hQ5-i303mjS94VI8bAGUCpx6/s1600/free+unity+2011+calendar.JPG

Free sample of Poise pads from Sam's Club, no member # required:
http://www5.samsclub.com/OMP/02_KCK_10794_PoiseSample.aspx

Free sample of Snuggle liquid fabric softener:
http://www.lifescript.com/Advantage/SNGMULTIZ/index.aspx?utm_campaign=snugglev2&utm_source=logical&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=LOGICAL/CD6738-728x90-002S-2010-08-26&pid2=logicalsng

Free sample of Axe Phoenix deoderant (must be Sam's Club member):
http://www5.samsclub.com/Showcase/UnileverSampleCenter-AXEOctober.aspx

Sometimes I think it would be nice if life would go on hold for awhile while we grieve the loss of loved ones, but then I realize that the world would always be on hold for someone. Remembering my mom again today and all the lessons she taught me...

College Stuff

What a beauty of a day here in NC. So thankful for the cooler fall days. I love this time of year for many reasons, not the least of which is not having to use the AC OR the heat!! I spent much of yesterday helping Abby with college and scholarship applications, reading over her essays and trying to figure out just where to apply. One acceptance so far: Covenant College in Georgia. 6 more apps sent, 4 to go. It will be exciting to see how God leads her in the process.  For those of you in process, here are the sites I recommend for scholarship searches: http://www.cappex.com/ and http://www.fastweb.com/.

On Cappex, you can plug in all your stats (grades, activites, interests, etc) and it will give you the likelihood of getting accepted at any given college. Abby has fairly high SAT/ACT scores, so she thought she'd play around a bit on the site. She changed the numbers to perfect scores on those two tests to see if her likelihood of getting into the Ivy Leagues would increase at all. Less than 5% change. (She's really not looking to go to an Ivy League, she's just curious). Then she left the grades alone and changed her ethnicity to Asian. No change.  Then she left the grades but changed her ethnicity to African American. HUGE change.  Her chances of acceptance increased dramatically. Wow. Any comments? Is this reverse racism, affirmative action or justice being served? Can't wrap my head around it. (And just FYI, she did change everything back to the correct answers...she's really not cheating to get in anywhere:)

Overall, I would say the process has been smooth, with only a few bumps along the way. Since she really has no idea where she wants to go, we are praying a lot and looking at where God brings in the resources. He always provides. Mike and I both took some time off after HS and worked. So many options. Anyone out there who has gone before us with some words of wisdom?

Conference Champs!!!!! (and some good deals...)

Have to brag on das kiddos for a few minutes. All four kids run cross country, and we had our conference meet tonight. Last year our boys won the 2A conference (big fish in a little pond) but this was the first year that we were running in the 3A conference (little fish in a big pond)....and we kicked it in! Our boys were conference champs and the girls came in 3rd overall. So proud of all our runners, my four who ran so hard all season, and my Will, who came in 8th overall (17:46) and made All-Conference! WOOOOOOOT!!

Here are a few deals for you: http://photo.walgreens.com/walgreens/store
Click here and use code 8X10TREAT and get an 8X10 photo collage for free at Walgreens (if you pick up in store). This is good thru 10/22. You can put up to 20 photos on one of these, so this is a really great price. Also, you can use code ALLPHOTO and take $10 off any $20 order, good thru 10/23.

Know a Veteran or active duty soldier? Keep this is mind: This November 11, Veterans EAT FREE at Applebee’s. Last Veterans Day, Applebee’s served over a million free meals to Veterans and Active Duty Military. This November 11, they EAT FREE once again at Applebee’s. Spread the word and invite a Veteran.



Also, Kids get a free Scary Face Pancake at IHOP on Friday Oct 29th. Limit one free pancake per child 12 and under.

And this one's for mom (I miss you):

A Maine Harvest

I've been looking over the "freebie" blogs for the last few days, and apparently I didn't miss much in my week off. I did have a nice little stash in my mailbox when I came home: Wisk sample, coupons for free Cottonelle wipes and Advil, Hearos earplugs, Johnsonville sausage bites samples (6 packs!!), some kind of granola bar (long gone...a kid scarfed it) and a Garnier moisture rescue sample. Wow. Then again, I had mounds of laundry, no food and a stack of bills, but at least there was the positive freebie stuff:). Oh---and BIG ONE---we got word that we won the Chrysler contest!!! So many thanks to those who voted for us!!

Even though my trip to Maine was for difficult reasons, God allowed me to be there during peak leaf season...and fall harvest!  My brother Doug generously showed me where there was a good 15 pounds or so of Oyster mushrooms growing on a Sugar Maple right on my property. Sauteed in a little butter, these were by far the best mushrooms I've ever eaten! Thanks, Bro. (These babies sell for up to $15 a pound in specialty shops!)

Also picked about 35 pounds of apples. I don't know what type they are, but they are very crisp and tart and I have already made a good batch of applesauce. They were surprisingly non-wormy and yummy this year. The Yellow Transparents, on the other hand, were just nasty.

On to brother Jerry's garden, where I snagged just 2 of his many punkins, which are currently decorating my front step. When the time comes, I will roast the seeds and make some puree for pumpkin muffins.

And my Maine neighbor Belinda handed me a Butternut squash, which I gladly accepted. I baked it with a touch of butter and brown sugar and the kids just loved it; I was pleasantly surprised.

There is something very satisfying about preserving and preparing food from our good, green earth.  So much better than the double coupon for applesauce at Harris Teeter. Once again, God blessed me abundantly even in the midst of sorrow.

And here's one freebie to get you back on track--print a coupon for a free orange and cream frutista freeze at Taco Bell here: http://www.tacobell.com/promo/ocfrutistacoupon

Mom's homegoing

As you are well aware, I have not blogged for 10 days now. I have just returned from a trip to Maine during which time I had the priviledge to be a part of my mom's final homegoing on October 13th. When my sister called me on the night of the 8th, it was what she didn't say that prompted me to get off the phone and buy a plane ticket for the next morning. As most of you know, my mom was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of skin cancer back in May. During the last two weeks of her life, she deteriorated extremely quickly, which, in retrospect, was a very good thing. When I arrived on the 9th, she was very weak, but still knew me and told me in a whisper that "my prayer's are answered" when she saw me. (Mine too, mama.) As a nurse, I have watched many people die; but it is so very different when it is your own mother. I consider it the greatest of honors to have spent her final days curled up in a recliner beside her, holding her ever-weakening hand and sharing so many stories with her and my family, even as she lapsed into unconsciousness. 

The viewing, funeral, commital and gathering at our home following the burial all had one common theme: how much she loved people and took the time to live that love. She gave us all an incredible legacy. During these quiet (computerless) hours, I had time to reflect on many things and have decided some changes are in order. In honor of Mom's legacy, I realize now more than ever that it truly is people that matter. All the hugs and tears and silent moments mean more than all the gold in the world. We all KNOW this, but sometimes life has a way of pushing in and making us forget. In light of this, I have decided that I will not sweat the days when it's just too busy and I don't have time to blog. I will try my best to finish out the "year of blogging," but when people need to come first, they will, and I will not feel guilty. It has seemed to me over this past year--and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong-- that it is blogs that come from the heart that mean the most to people anyway. So here's to Mom...may we all live her legacy of loving others.  

(Mom loved her letters, both sending and receiving, so we honored that by turning her mailbox into a funeral spray. Didn't the florist do a lovely job??)

A little weekend inspiration...

It was a good shop day. Used a Staples easy rebate to "buy" a 4GB SD card for my camera for free. Used a $3 RR from Walgreens to pick up two 5# bags of flour for 6 cents. Used a B&N gift card to get a book my son wanted for his birthday for 9 bucks, as opposed to $19.00. Returned a couple of items to Rite-Aid and WalMart and used the cash to get B1G1 Krispy Kreme dozen donuts for my son's party and then got some groceries at Aldi. I did have to pay $125 for a transmission flush on the Honda, but even that was 100 bucks cheaper than they were going to charge me in Maine AND I don't need a new tranny...yet.

Here's a story to inspire you. I love to read about other people who refuse to declare bankruptcy and perserevere until the debt is gone:

Winners of the 2010 'biggest loser' (of debt) award.

Until four years ago, Carole and Don Carroll considered it normal to live in a constant state of stress. Every day, the New York City couple engaged in a complicated dance with more than a dozen credit cards and a car loan. When they met in 1990, each partner already carried a credit card balance, and by the time they got serious about paying it down in 2006, they owed $88,000. They lived frugally, skimping to stay on top of the minimum payments they often made with credit card cash advances.

Today, just three and a half years after signing up with a credit counseling service, the couple is debt-free. Their mighty pay-down efforts were rewarded Oct. 5 with the Professional Achievement and Counseling Excellence (PACE) 2010 Graduate Client of the Year Award. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling gives out this award to those who commit to repaying their debt and manage their money.

The Carroll's near-six-figure credit card and car loan debt was the slow and steady accumulation of nearly 30 years of everyday living. Carole, an Ohio native who works in finance, moved to New York City in 1984 as a young woman and the debt slowly crept up. "I never knew how much debt I had. I didn't want to know -- it was a nauseating topic," says Carole. Expenses for modest items went on plastic, as did sporadic events like moving apartments. "I'm not a shopaholic," Carole says. "We bought crappy cars, and we didn't spend on expensive shoes or fur coats or go to Broadway shows. We didn't make bad decisions, but it was too much. We needed assistance."

Debt has always been a part of the Carrolls' relationship. Don, now 56, carried debt from helping to support two children, now in their late 20s, from a previous marriage. "When we got together, it was pretty scary to say, 'I have some debt,' and for him to say, 'Well, I have some, too.'" Their attitude was, "OK, it's only money, and we're going to pay it off," Carole says. "We worked at it every day, and we never felt like we had any money because we were always paying the man."

Collectively, their debt grew, even though both were making what Carole describes as middle-class incomes (Don has had a career in financial publishing). "When the kids came to visit and needed socks and underwear, you go out to buy stuff for your kids," Carole says. "But we went to Kmart."

Over the years, both partners experienced several layoffs. Both had health problems -- Carole has had two hips replaced, and both underwent gastric bypass surgery to address severe obesity. Each event triggered an uptick in credit card balances.

After a while the cards maxed out, yet their debt continued to grow. Late fees, over-limit fees and annual percentage rates hitting 30 percent meant that their balances swelled monthly, even though they no longer charged on plastic. "It was fees after fees after fees," Carole says. "To this day, it is a blur how that even worked." The Carrolls stopped dining out with friends because they couldn't afford it. "We became really good cooks," she says.

Don suggested that the couple seek credit counseling, and friends urged them to file for bankruptcy. Carole resisted. "I thought we could pay off all these bills ourselves," she says. "Bankruptcy seemed like walking away from your responsibility. We created these bills, and I wanted to pay for these bills."

She reached a breaking point several years ago when Don suffered heart problems, and creditors started calling relentlessly. "I was very concerned about Don, and with the bills, it became overwhelming," Carole says. The stress kept her up at night. "That got to me after a while," she says.

Finally, in the fall of 2006, the couple enrolled with GreenPath Debt Solutions. After nailing down the details about the couple's debt, living expenses and spending habits, the agency set up a five-year payment plan. The Carrolls continued to pay down the car loan and took a personal loan from a friend for some of the balance. They cut up their 13 credit cards and were relegated to one bank card.

Payments totaled about 30 percent of the couple's take-home pay, but they stuck with it relentlessly. Not surprisingly, there wasn't much spending they could cut back on, though they did downgrade their premium cable plan. Carole and Don paid double the minimum on each card, and each time one balance was paid off, they applied any newly freed money to the next card, which meant each card was paid off quicker than the previous one. This system continued even after Don lost his job in January.

Over the next few years, any extra cash from holiday bonuses or tax refunds was applied to the debt, and just three and a half years later in April, the Carrolls were debt-free. "This is really a feeling of freedom," Carole says. "I never realized you could sleep this well."

What is the couple doing with their newly freed-up funds? They're socking it away in a car fund for the day their Hyundai Elantra needs to be replaced, and building up the recommended six-month emergency fund. Don has landed contract work, but the couple realizes the job market is tenuous.

Carole recently splurged on a new pair of shoes for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling awards ceremony. "It's very nice to know that even though I spend a nice sum of money on shoes, I can afford to pay for it all at the end of the month."

Looking back, Carole realizes that the anxiety produced by the debt became an uneasy normal. "If you don't see your way out, you live with it," she says, adding: "Pride is a terrible, terrible master."

In sharing her story with friends and acquaintances, Carole's fear of being stigmatized has been relieved as others share their own stories of debt. Their advice for others: Seek the help you need. "You can pay off your debt, even in this economy," Carole says.

Food for Thought (from my friend Boston Gal)

NPR is running a series this week called Living In The Middle


Being middle class in America once meant feeling secure. You could count on having a decent home, a regular paycheck and food in the fridge.

Over the past three years, the Great Recession has eroded that sense of security for most middle-class workers. A recent survey done by the Pew Research Center found that 55 percent of Americans report taking one or more recession-related hits: a bout of unemployment, missed mortgage or rent payments, reduced paychecks or blown household budgets.

Even those who have hung on to their jobs and made all of their payments have felt the pinch of diminished home values and losses in retirement savings.

So far the series has profiled the following:

The Single Mom. A single mother in New Hampshire works as a case manager for the elderly. She has a daughter headed to college. Divorce has taken a financial strain. How will she pay for her daughter's college education?

The Borrower. Jada Irwin has only herself to care for, but still finds it tough making ends meet on America's median income. The young professional lives in an expensive area — just outside Washington, D.C. — and is saddled with more than $30,000 in student loan debt. She'd love to go out for "one decent meal a week" but feels that's a stretch she can't afford. Still, Irwin is grateful for a job in hard times, and optimistic that she can eventually move up the income ladder.

The Biologist. Darryl and Kristina Pendergrass can't get a step ahead. They're struggling to raise their two toddler sons on his $43,000 a year salary as a biologist with the Alabama Department of Public Health. He hasn't had a raise in five years and says his net income has actually declined because of higher health insurance costs. The family lives in the small town of Tallassee, Ala. They own their home but have no cell phones or other luxuries like cable or satellite TV. They have seen their retirement savings take a major hit in recent years.

Just thought I would through this out there...what does it mean to you to be "middle class?" Do you fall into your definition?

Free Advil, pasta and more!

Coupon for a free box of whole grain Barilla pasta (must be a Vocal Point member--sign up is free) :
http://www.vocalpoint.com/Barilla/optin.html

Free sample of Garnier Moisture face cream:
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid90468.aspx

Facebook freebie for "liking"Scotch Blue painter's tape:
http://www.facebook.com/ScotchBlue?v=app_145435032166512

Coupon for a free bottle of Advil:
https://d1rzercstjfql6.cloudfront.net/sample.html

Free Harley-Davidson poster here:
http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Motorcycles/find-the-one.html

Happy Freebie Day!!

Don't Quit

Mom and I-- June 2010

Sorry I missed yesterday, friends. Every time I went on to blog, the message "service unavailable" popped up. It was probably just as well; it was a pretty rough day. My mom moved into an assisted living/nursing home and I was very emotional all day. She has really taken a turn for the worse over the last week...very weak and not eating much; it's just hard to be so far away. On top of that, I've been working full time and there seems to be an overabundance of kid stuff. I guess busy is good though. Just no time for deals. So here's a little poem to remind you of some important truths when times are difficult:

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don't give up though the pace seems slow--

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,

It seems to a faint and faltering man,

Often the struggler has given up,

When he might have captured the victor's cup,

And he learned too late when the night slipped down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out--

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far,

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown

"....press on toward the goal...God has called me heavenward...." Phil. 3:14

Life Chain Sunday

Mother Teresa said, "America needs no words from me to see how your decision in Roe v. Wade has deformed a great nation. The so-called right to abortion has pitted mothers against their children and women against men. It has sown violence and discord at the heart of the most intimate human relationships. It has aggravated the derogation of the father's role in an increasingly fatherless society. It has portrayed the greatest of gifts -- a child -- as a competitor, an intrusion, and an inconvenience. It has nominally accorded mothers unfettered dominion over the independent lives of their physically dependent sons and daughters. And, in granting this unconscionable power, it has exposed many women to unjust and selfish demands from their husbands or other sexual partners. Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government. They are every human being's entitlement by virtue of his humanity. The right to life does not depend, and must not be declared to be contingent, on the pleasure of anyone else, not even a parent or a sovereign. Any country that accepts abortion, is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what it wants. It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish." 

The year Mike and I were engaged, we participated in Life Chain Sunday in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It was one of the most moving experiences of my life as we stood side-by-side with other pro-life friends from hundreds of churches. The chain that year stretched for 5 miles, was in the shape of a cross, and involved thousands of people. It was October, 1991--almost 20 years ago. We made a commitment that year to be involved in Life Chain no matter where we were, until the abortion holocaust ends. I don't foresee that ever happening this side of heaven. So among our other pro-life activities, we stand for one hour on the first Sunday in October, every year, rain or shine. Our children have also been involved, even when they were in utereo and I ended the hour with swollen ankles. Then they were in strollers with signs taped to the front...now they just stand with us, knowing that one hour of prayer does make a difference--if for no other reason than their own heart is reminded that murders happen every day in their own hometown and hardly anyone even sheds a tear.

Are there other issues that tug at God's heart? You betcha. But this is one issue that He has laid on our hearts, and we will be neither silent nor ashamed.

"Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, 'But we knew nothing about this,' does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it?
Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?"  Proverbs 24:11-12

So, after a great message at last night's mission's conference, I was totally pumped to go back the second night, only to have my dear husband, who has been gone all week on the senior trip, call and sound rather sad that I wouldn't be around to greet him. I made the good wife call and decided to be here when he arrived. When he called me today, I told him, and I could hear the gratitude oozing out of the phone!! He and the girls should arrive shortly.

I spent the morning at a HUGE cross country meet watching my three boys compete. It was such a beautiful day and I was so thankful that they all ran well and had great weather for the competition. Then I came home to a call from my sister, who is currently our mother's caregiver. I have known for the last week or so that mom is going downhill fast, and as much as you try to prepare yourself for these difficult days...it is just the hardest thing. Mom is in a great deal of pain whenever she moves and is not eating well at all. I'm praying that God will just wrap His arms around her and be her strength and peace. This one thing I know--all our days are His, and He loves us so very much. I can only try to "live" that in these trying weeks. Thanks for your emails of prayer and concern.

Blessed Saturday to you!!

So many freebies...so little time!!

TGIF!!!  What a week...glad it's Friday night and I get to go to our awesome church Mission Conference this evening. Here are some freebies to start your weekend off right:

Free Sample of Garnier Fructis Anti-Dandruff Shampoo:
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/EnhancedRenderContent.aspx?id=90498

Sign up to be a "Savvy Sampler" and sample/review natural and organic products for free:
http://www.naturallysavvy.com/become-a-savvy-sampler

If you are a Duke Energy customer, get 15 free CFL lightbulbs here:
http://www.duke-energy.com/freecfls/default.asp?utm_source=webpromo&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=IVRWEB

Free Shout Color Catcher sample: http://www.shoutitout.com/coupon/06-10-shoutsample/

Rebate form for TWO free full-size boxes of Kellogg's Fiber Plus cereal. You can get one of each flavor for free!! Good until 11/30/11...wow!:
http://www.kelloggsfiberplus.com/images/FiberPlus_Guarantee.pdf

2 free issues of All You magazine: https://subs.timeinc.net/AY/ay_2rf1990bmcc0609.jhtml?experience_id=236425&source_id=8&_requestid=284160&_requestid=284160
 (this is one of the few magazines I pay for. It is worth its weight in coupons!!)

Facebook Freebie: Get a free Izze T-Shirt for sending "sparkles" to your friends:
http://www.facebook.com/IZZE?v=app_114242085281126

For Sam's Club members (I might add that your membership does not have to be current--mine has expired, but I can still use my number and do get the samples):

Free sample of Dove Cool Essentials Deoderant: http://www5.samsclub.com/showcase/DoveSelfEsteem.aspx

Free sample of Vaseline Restorative Care Lotion: http://www5.samsclub.com/Showcase/UnileverSampleCenter-vaseline.aspx?dblclick=true&pid=_DoubleClick_Affiliates

Free Pamper's Dri Max sample: http://www5.samsclub.com/OMP/02_PNG_10482_PampersLSII.aspx

Free children's Claritin sample: http://www5.samsclub.com/OMP/02_SCH_10734_ClaritinOTC.aspx

And http://www.restaurant.com/ is 90% off with code WOW. That is a WOW; it's rarely that good! The code was extended to today (10/1), and I'm not sure how long it will last...

It's now 10:30 pm and I wrote all of the above earlier in the afternoon. I did go to the opening night of our church mission conference, and I gotta tell ya, it was phenomenal! From the Sudanese church choir (I hope the African church gets to lead the praise team in heaven) to Joe Novenson's get-you-in-the-heart message of "feeling the gap between who you are and what you have been called to do, " it was just what I needed to hear. I would like to STRONGLY encourage you to come tomorrow night if you are in the area. Friendly Hills Church, Jamestown, 6pm. Be there. Free food for you non-FHC folks(if you're a member, it's a carry-in). But the best freebie will be what you hear!