Flip-flops in NY (Babytease)

Hey Y'all

I have been really distracted ever since I watched my first episode of Extreme Couponing on TLC.  I couldn't wait to watch more episodes, and there was a marathon.  So of course I recorded all of them.  This Wednesday is the last for the season, but I'm sure they will run them again real soon.

Ever since my surgery last spring I have been cutting coupons, but not taking them very seriously.  I would use them once in a while.  I don't shop where I live in Manhattan because it is just too expensive.  Also, none of the stores in Manhattan double, much less, triple coupons.  I shop in NJ primarily at one store.  Their prices are so low that they don't offer coupons.  But I can use manufacturers coupons.  They also don't offer catalinas (coupons on the back of your receipt).  But I do belong to a store with a membership where I save a ton of money, and the grocery store is in the same parking lot.  No extra gas to spend there.  It is worth it for me to spend the gas and tolls ($8 to get back into Manhattan) for each trip I make.  This is where I buy my groceries, toiletries, household goods and so on.  It's an overall savings.  I also go to a brand new movie theater that only charges $5 for movies that are two weeks old or more.  It's a steal when movie tickets are $12 and up in the city.  So because of all of this I didn't take the coupons very seriously.

I did take the store coupons more seriously.  Whenever I go clothes shopping or to the craft store I use a coupon or I don't buy anything.  And it's rare that I buy clothes that are not on sale.  But I would check the internet for coupons for the stores I like and always use them.  The outlet stores offer coupons on individual stores and you can ask for a booklet at customer service at most outlet malls.

Now after watching several episodes of the show I've learned quite a few techniques.  I don't want to drive to several different grocery stores to catch the deal so I won't.  But I went to another store this weekend and just for being a member, and with my manufacturer coupons, I spent around $80 and paid $37.  Needless to say that I was very happy with that.

Pets: Petkeeping on Hallmark

Have you watched an episode of "Petkeeping with Marc Marrone?"  I love this show.  He explains the keeping of many different pets in the most basic of ways.  But it doesn't feel like he's talking to a child.  No, he's helping us understand the habits and needs of these animals in a very simple way.  He actually throws in a few psychological tidbits here and there, but nothing to overwhelm you.  In just a few short episodes I have learned so much about my beta and hamsters.  I also learned some new fact about cat food and dealing with my Shiz-Tzu.  I already knew some of the material, but in each episode I learned something new.

If you are a pet owner, of any kind of pet, I suggest you tune in:

http://www.marthastewart.com/tv/petkeeping-today

I think you can check the show schedule there.

This beta is at least 2 or 3 years old.  They are only expected to live one year, so I must be doing something right.

I have only had the white hamster since Christmas and the Russian Dwarf belongs to someone else, but I'm babysitting, long term.

I have a blog about Bella, but she just wouldn't let me take her picture after a while.  She's been better behaved lately, so I'm going to try again.  I love her to death, but she reminds me of a rebellious teenager.  Love comes and goes only on her terms.

And this is the senior man.  He was first and is the oldest.  He is about eleven years old now.  He's also a cancer survivor.  He used to be my son's dog, but now he insists on sleeping in my room and ignores my son almost as much as my son ignores him.

I love them all so much and want to do the very best for all of them.  This is from when we first got Bella.  Boha thought she was a toy for him.  She had ear problems and he nursed her.  So sweet!

One of these is the survivor I still have.  She never actually got any of them.  All she did was drink their water! Yuck! So I moved them where she couldn't get to them anymore.

 

Vampire Diaries Marathon

 

I had about six episodes from season 1 on the DVR and all of the episodes of season 2, which I just watched.  I had already seen the ones from season 1 last spring.  I was cleaning the apartment while these were on.

I never watch this network, and really can't stand shows with actors in their thirties pretending to be teenagers, but I LOVE THIS SHOW.  I'm not obsessed with vampires like the rest of the country is - although I did read the Twilight Saga before the movies came out.  I just really like the modern day story reverting back to 1865 or so.  That is something I like in any series or movie.  The writing and storyline are both pretty good, and the actors are not toooo good looking.  I wouldn't call it Sci-Fi either.  This all works for me. 

I just have two disappointments for season 2 which is they are not filming outdoors as much and not using their cast to it's full potential.  The outdoor filming gave it an edge other shows don't have.  Also, this season they are working on a storyline which focuses on a few specific characters, where last season the full cast would be in almost every episode.  I like that better.

But if you like shows with no sex, that are sort of fast paced, and pretty interesting in "folklore", not to mention Ian Sommerhalder, this is for you.

No Sugar and LOST!

No sugar, or substitute, all day long.  It was easier than I thought it would be, once I put my mind to it.  I need to do this more often.

LOST is back, finally.  We have been so excited about this.  I really want to buy Season 3.  To think that there will only be 7 or 8 episodes.  I've heard two different things now.  I've never been too crazy about Matthew Fox, but after seeing him in "We Are Marshall" I was so impressed with his performance.  The "Fast Forward" episode was also good acting on his part.  Vantage Point looks pretty good.  I don't know how much acting he will be doing in Speed Racer...  I LOVE THIS SHOW.  I miss my other shows, but this one is still my favorite of all time.