Cutthroat Couponing

I am not usually one to complain, but I came across a few things that made my blood boil.

I am a beginning couponer. I don't do it for all the freebies, and I don't buy 87 bottles of mustard because it was free. I do however, coupon to save some money and to benefit my family. I have a very, very small stock pile, but it's still nice to run out of dish soap and know I have three in the laundry room.

Now, for my complaints.

1. When I purchase my paper, I expect there to be coupons in there. I bought a Sunday paper for the inserts, and to my surprise... someone had taken the coupons. If you are going to pay for one paper and take a stack of coupons, at least turn the insert-less papers the opposite way, to the bottom, SOMETHING. Now, I know a paper is only $0.75, but it is slightly annoying.

2. Reselling free items for profit.

We have a place called "Vendors Mall" in my local area. It's like an inside yard sale with multiple booths. There is one booth located close to the front (left hand side) who has household products for phenomenal prices. I had bought some toothpaste and cleaner a few times not knowing how or where she got her products. One Sunday, the booth owner was stocking her shelves... She had 3 shopping carts FULL of products. Holy smokes! I couldn't believe the amount someone would spend in store on the products. Again, at phenomenal prices.

Let's fast forward to this past weekend... I had this killer Swiffer coupon and knew the Dollar General had Swiffer for the lowest price in the area. I gathered my coupons and headed to the store. I knew exactly where the items were located and went to grab my two-three products. Then, in the distance, I seen the lady with the Vendors Mall booth with TWO CARTS. She takes her arms and sweeps the ENTIRE SHELF into her cart, and then precedes to unlatch the hanging Swiffer Dusters and empties the ENTIRE RACK into her cart. Turns, smiles, and scurries off to the register. Needless to say, I didn't get my Swiffers.

I was curious and had an inkling of what was happening. I credit my ability to solve this crime to my obsession with the ID channel. I wandered around while she was checking out. At the end of her transaction, the total was some insane price. Then... she grabs her envelopes, and I see them. The sharply cut edges of a yellow and green shiny piece of paper with $2.00 OFF printed boldly across the top. Sigh. She walked out of the store paying only 1/4 of the original cost.

Mostly out of curiosity, I waited around as she loads her items into her car. She fiddles around for a minute, and then she drives out of the parking lot. I HAD TO FOLLOW. She takes a left, heads straight through the light, and flips a right turn signal on. SHE WAS GOING TO THE VENDORS MALL. I park a few rows back. It's difficult to be a private eye in a pink car. Pops open the trunk, unloads her product, and goes inside. I venture into the store, and I find will scar me for some time.

The owner of the booth is pricing her items and stocking her booth.

First and foremost, I am almost positive there has to be something illegal about this. It was disappointing more than anything. Who knew couponing was so dirty and cutthroat??

I kinda want to hang signs in her booth that lets shoppers know how she's acquired the items. I understand it's hard work, but REALLY? I just don't think it's right.

To add salt to the wound. I am scrolling through my buy, sell, trade pages on facebook, and see a post where a woman is set up in a parking lot, selling products she's acquired through couponing. Shame on these people. I just wanted to dust my house.

Enough of complaining, I will write another post about my coupon beginnings. I've convinced my mom and one of her friends to join too. It should be interesting.

Once upon a midnight dreary...

I'm sad to say my vacation is quickly coming to a close. I had a brief 4 days off work. No, I didn't visit a fancy beach, a famous monument, or theme park. I had a staycation, but my parents (dad and stepmom) came down for a visit from Michigan. They visit twice a year, once in the spring and fall.

Last visit came to an abrupt end and a tad bit of an argument. Remember my bible verse I always go to when troubled? If not,  Click here for the post :) This visit was remarkably better, and last visit has became a family joke. I learned oh so much from it, and things are slowly transitioning.

For the first time in my life, my father is not drinking liquor. This is an amazing accomplishment for him. I am so incredibly proud of him. He's battled with alcoholism the majority of my life, and it played a tremendous role in where he is at today. He's a different man when he isn't drinking liquor. This weekend was the first time I felt in a long time that true father-daughter connection. We cooked together. We completed projects together. We played card games together. We went shopping together. To top it off, he willingly went to church with Joe and me this morning. I am grateful and blessed.

What was the sermon about today?? Temptation. Temptation??? I like to think we have a humorous God. He knew my dad would be in church this morning. Although my dad has progressed, I know he has a long and weary road ahead of him. I think today's' words punched him right square in the gut. When are we most vulnerable to succumb to temptation?
Hurting
Angry
Lonely
Tired
(You see that?  I have a crafty pastor.)

Halt, stop, quit. You get the point. Not only did my dad receive a great message, but I, myself, was punched in the gut. So many times I push and push myself until I am defeated. I learned it's okay to stop, take a break, and step back. Rest and start again. I needed that.

I hope my dad walks away this weekend with the same experiences I had. He will remember that sermon from today and RUN from temptation. I also hope he remembers the good memories we made this weekend, so the next time he is hurting, angry, lonely, or tired he knows how to beat temptation.

Remember him in your prayers. Remember all those who walk this same road in your prayers.

No friend as loyal as a book.

This weekend was well deserved. I've been in a hurricane of craziness for the past few weeks. For the time being, the hurricane has turned into a thunderstorm. This weekend though, I took some time for myself and for my house. Take two weeks without air conditioning, and see how considerably messy your house becomes.

I sit here Sunday afternoon in my super, duper clean house. I even donated two boxes and a garbage bag of items to a church yard sale! I can't take all the credit; my mother in law came to help. *Clarification- she willingly helps and doesn't fuss.* Most importantly, my craft room is slowly getting in order. While we put the rest of the house in order, the extra room became the catch-all. There was a small, small path that leads to the closet of the extra room. The path has became more of a room, and you can enjoy the space. Especially since I added a DIY, hidden storage reading nook! (Of course, a blog to come!)

 My sewing table temporarily holds Joe's new desktop. I can't really complete anything else in the craft room until my sewing table is free. Joe is in his office now trying to put a desk together... without instructions.

I did finally get to unpack all my favorite books and line them on my small bookshelf. Endless rows of classics varying from children's literature to anthologies. Harry Potter, Jane Austen, Harper Lee, Shel Silverstein, CS Lewis, Lewis Carroll.... I could go on.

The best thing of unpacking my books? As I held each book in my hands, I could remember exactly when I read the book, where I was, the time in my life, and how those small words impacted my life. Each book had its own story and story in my life. It was a great walk down memory lane. I could pick up any of those cooks at any time, and relive the story they tell.

The title you ask? A quote from one of my favorite authors- Hemingway. When I grown up, I want to be a writer. Your thoughts, your words could change the lives of millions.

I encourage you to revisit some of your favorite books. Relive the stories you loved growing up.