Friday, October 29, 2010

Fall Festival @ New Testament Baptist Church

We got here safe and sound with only two "detours". Traveling can be rather interesting at times. Since I just traveled down this way a couple weekends ago I was able to recognize that we were going the wrong way on our first detour. The second time, well, we just wanted to see one of the marina's and cross a couple of bridges. lol

Tonight Michael was in charge of a childrens service as the adults had a special service in the auditorium. Afterwards, everyone gathered for a meal outside. Tomorrow evening there will be carnival type activities with preaching services to follow.

I am not going to post pictures tonight. Our wifi at this hotel leaves something to be desired. I guess our view from our balcony makes up for that though. :)

Night, Night!
Joy

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Sneak Peaks

For the record- I can not believe tomorrow is already Friday! Where did this week go? I have kept Michael so busy with all the painting, drilling and "a little to the left, no too far, a little to the right, ok, up a tad" that we are both exhausted. He has been such a trooper! It is all worth it though because he leaned over tonight and said "You won't hear me say this again, but I'm glad we did this, it's so much more homey." This coming from the same guy who said I was mean to get rid of all his ducks.

Here is a "Before" picture...


And here is a little sneak peak of now. There is still so much I want to do but it'll all take time...



Michael also hung some pictures for me tonight. Alright y'all no cringing but our wall looked like this for too long. This happens when you have an enormous entertainment center that you get rid of then move furniture around and get to the point where you just don't care anymore and things just get hung up there because there was a nail already there. (Alesha, can you say A-symmetrical?)



Anyways, due to the fact that I am NOT an interior decorator I picked out a kit that told you where and how to hang it. I am pleased with it but I still think it needs 'something'. What do y'all think?


Maybe some sort of color on the sides? I need help.

Oh, and remember my cabinet? We found the damage. :'(


Do you see those nicks???? There are 3!!!! I can not believe that they only took $64 off the original price! (Can anyone hear my sarcasm?)

Anywho, we take off tomorrow morning for Cape Coral. We'll be gone for the weekend. Please keep us in your prayers as we are traveling and as Michael preaches.

Blessings,
Joy

Sunday, October 24, 2010

No Thinking Required

For date night on Friday Michael took me to "The Man Store". He wanted me to look at cabinets so he could get an idea of what I wanted and what price range we needed to stick to. 
He asked me whether I wanted to go to Home Depot or Lowes. We've just in recent years had a Lowes built near us so I am so used to just going to HD. So I told him lets go there. After a few minutes of driving Michael declares that we weren't going the the depot but to Lowes. Ok, whatever, doesn't matter since we're "JUST LOOKING".

We walk in and look at what they have to offer. Lots of nice options, but seriously, I am not going to pay that much money!!! I said to Michael, "Where's the clearance aisle?" I've not paid full price for something in so long that I am not about to start now.

We found the two of the most beautiful cabinets on markdown due to damage. One was obvious but the other said that it was damaged inside. After a quick look we couldn't see anything. One of the managers came over opened it up and found NOTHING wrong with it! It was marked down by accident!
Too bad it was still out of our price range. We told the dude that... then he told us to come back tomorrow and test drive a new car. 

Um, excuse me?

Yes, come back tomorrow, test drive a car, and get a $15 gift card to Lowes. If both of you drive, both of you get a gift card.

Some things you just don't need to think about for very long. We returned Saturday, drove a car, got $30, bought our cabinet. (Which we of course put right behind the damaged one the night before.) 



And the great thing about it was that they told us to come back Sunday and get another $15 each....

Yes Ma'am!

So after lunch we headed back and bought paint for the bathroom! 



I am so incredibly excited how everything is coming together! I am going to look forward to having a pretty bathroom and knowing that we didn't break the bank to do it!

(Don't y'all just love how my clearance + coupon towel holder looks up against the cabinet?)

Another wonderful thing about it was I told a neighbor who also told a neighbor and we all saw each other there today as they got their gift cards and bought some things they needed as well! Also, probably the greatest news was that those neighbors were able to lead their 'passenger' to the Lord! 

On a side note, I talked to that same manager everyday we were there. He gave me some good tips about their clearance mark downs and also told me that if I brought in my Ace coupons that he'd take them!!! Of course that was after I told him that we were going to buy paint for the front door at Ace because we had a coupon, and that I am not paying full price for anything. Then he told me where all the clearance aisles were located. :) hehehehe!

I told Michael that that guy knew I'd be a loyal customer if I knew the ends and outs of the clearance aisles. Now maybe if I can calm down I might take a nap.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Fall Festival

This afternoon we headed down to Sebring for Independent Baptist Church's Fall Festival. There were just under 40 kids that showed up in time for the goof off  lesson time with Michael.


He did get down to serious business... eventually.


After the lesson, Michael twisted balloons while I painted faces. The kids also had a blast on two huge blow up things. (I never know what to call them.)
They also got a chance to dunk Pastor Larry in the dunk tank. (I missed this part but I heard all the gloating from those who were able to dunk him.) Snow cones and a hay ride ended the day.




Little man was SOOO good today! He sat nicely during the preaching and roamed around the room while I painted faces without getting into too much trouble. He even let me paint his face!


Lord willing, next weekend we'll be traveling to New Testament Baptist Church for a fall festival on Friday night, teen meeting on Saturday, and a Jr Church class on Sunday. Please keep us in prayer as we travel.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

This Week's Awesome Deals

First off, let me just say that I normally do not make this many shopping trips but I just couldn't help myself this week. There were so many different deals that I wanted to take advantage of. 

Here's the breakdown...

Saturday I ran into Publix for some Lactaid milk. I would have bought 4 small cartons but there were only 2 left on the shelf. So I grabbed 2 small and 2 big cartons. As I picked up the last large carton I saw that the coupon fairy left another coupon there so I snatched picked it up very lady like, and grabbed another carton. The picture only shows one small carton because Josiah & Michael already downed one of them. 


Paid: $3.38    Saved: $11.77

On Sunday, I ran into CVS because I had a REALLY AWESOME $5 off coupon! And guess what... I forgot it at home. Ugh! But the trip was still good even though I could kick myself.


Paid: $4.80   Saved: $25.75
Received $12 back in ecb's
The candy will be used for Jr. Church! 

Monday I went into Walmart (GASP!)


Paid: $13.53   Saved: $20.00
The side with the dish soap and razors are the items I had coupons for which made all those items free. So I only paid for the 5 items on the right.

Today's trip to Publix.



Paid: $23.16   Saved: $32.32
All the cat food, 2 bottles of Simply Orange, the Glad containers, and the bread crumbs, 1 bag of chips & 1 bbq sauce were my free items.

Walgreens. I used to shop at Walgreens every week but their coupon policy just aggravated me so I only shop there for SUPER DUPER deals. I went to the makeup counter to pay and I am so thankful I did. The cashier was so helpful! She even gave me two coupons, because the register wouldn't allow me to use two of mine in one transaction. Anyway, after two transactions this is what I got...





Paid: $8.08   Saved: $62.91


Grand Totals

Paid: $52.95   Saved: $152.75

So I paid $52 for $205 worth of groceries!!!!
80% savings!

So after all that y'all, I am going to go put my feet up if you don't mind.

Monday, October 18, 2010

My Weekend & the Ladies Conference

I had a wonderful weekend! It all started Thursday when I left to take Thomas back to my sister. After lunch and my strawberry malt (which I had inhaled before my sister had drank maybe a fourth of hers) we headed to one of my favorite stores... Bed, Bath, & Beyond! I am currently in the process of redecorating my bathroom, because those ducks have to go. This is my 'inspiration'.


It is hard to really see the colors but the top is green and the bottom is brown. Anyways, I went into the store with the purpose of buying one item with my coupon to add to my bathroom. I figured on buying a toothbrush holder but my ever watchful sister saw a towel holder on CLEARANCE! After running up front to make sure I could use my coupon on a clearance item I am now the proud owner of a very pretty towel holder!


Following that me & Becky went and got a DELUXE pedicure. I had never had a deluxe before and now I do believe I am hooked. Yep, my legs are wrapped in hot towels after a nice massage and my feet are in a plastic bag that has a whole bunch of hot wax... it was wonderful!



We arrived for the conference at lunch time on Friday. The sessions were just what I needed to hear. I feel so spiritually refreshed. I laughed until I cried sometimes. This was the first time I had ever heard Trish McCoy speak in person. She kept us in stitches!



I am looking forward to next year already! I do believe I want to go early though so I can take advantage of all the shopping and the seashore.








This was our tea party... oh. my. gracious. That food was sinful. Banana bread with cream cheese in the middle, lemon muffins, scones, & cookies. Did I mention banana bread with cream cheese in the middle?



Here is a bit of the centerpieces for the tables.






I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to go but I do have to say it is good to be home. I missed my guys.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Yard Sale

So I know the whole point of a yard sale is to get rid of stuff, but I couldn't pass up a keyboard my sister was trying to sell. Josiah loves to play the piano so I thought he would enjoy this little keyboard.


He LOVES it! It was so cute to watch him 'play'.


He was the entertainment for our yard sale customers. This lady was trying to get him to sing as well. I should have put out a tip jar. :)


Just in case anyone is wondering... Josiah is willing to travel.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Look, I'm Woody! Howdy, Howdy, Howdy!

So, my little guy is super crazy about 3 main cartoon characters. Thomas the Train, Elmo, & anything Toy Story. I will be in the store and if Josiah sees any of those characters he literally yells its name. It can be a little embarrassing, but it is also so cute how excited he gets when he recognizes one of them.

Last week Nana went on a spoiling spree and got him a towel that makes you look like Woody. Josiah got to use it for the first time last night and he was so cute! 



The fact that he says "I'm Woody" just cracks me up! I love this little guy!


This is a loaded month for the Case household! Michael filled in for a Pastor who was out of town this past weekend, while I stayed at LBC with Josiah. You can check out our schedule for the rest of the month in the side bar.

I am super excited that next week I get to attend a ladies conference! I was supposed to go last year but the night before I was to leave I got really sick and had to stay in bed all during the conference. Lord willing, no sickness will keep me from attending this year.

And as a side note- I am LOVIN' this fall weather Florida is having right now! I am hoping it decides to stick around for awhile.