Happy Freebie Friday, everyone! A huge thank you to Freebies 4 Mom for sharing their favorite freebies of the week with our readers. Heather features great deals & freebies all week long so be sure to check her site regularly!

Health & Beauty
Nature Made TripleFlex (Walmart)
Benefiber Orange Sticks (Walmart)
Emergen-C Alert drink mixSwiss Army FragrancesUnderJams (Pampers)
Prilosec OTC (Walmart)

Food
Taco Bell Fresco TacoAtkins Quick-Start GuideMariani Dried Plums (Sam’s Club)
Dunkin’ Donuts $2 (when you register a gift card)
YoPlus Yogurt (for new Betty Crocker subscribers)
EAS bar or shake

Entertainment
Studio Movie Grill free pair of tickets (Houston and Dallas locations here)
CBS Watch! magazineLa Cucina Italiana magazine (FreeBiz)
AMF Free BowlingDora The Explorer game download (Nick Jr.)

Home & Garden
Right@Home Fresh Start Gift Pack
Gooseberry Patch Breakfast & Brunch recipe booklet
PreNexa Pregnancy Journal
Post-It Durable Tabs

Pets
Pedigree Dog Food (when you adopt a dog)
Horse Safety DVD (Nutrena Animal Feeds)


Upcoming Freebie Events:
Please call your local store or restaurant to confirm they are participating in these freebie events

JANUARY
9 – Lakeshore Learning Kid Crafts make a funky bow tie 11-3
9 – Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic make a Coin Bank 10-11
14 – The Home Depot Do-It-Herself Workshop bathroom updates 7-8:30
23 – Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic make a Tic Tac Toe 10-11

The amazing and inspiring Sheye Rosemeyer has asked all of her bloggy friends to help raise awareness regarding child safety. She lost her darling Ava to a terrible tragedy. Please read the postcard and spread the word. This helps me put things into perspective about my own trials and tribulations which seem so trivial in comparison. Please feel free to save the image above and pass on the knowledge to all of "Ava's Rule." Together, we can help remember Ava and honor or her by sharing her story and the rule.

I still cannot believe another year has past. Here we are now, at the start of a new year and a new decade. How awesome is that? I just love fresh starts. Don't you? Of course they also usually come with everyone getting over-zelous with their goals and resolutions. Not me. I try to keep them realistic and obtainable. If set too high more than half the time they fail. What a disappointment? I don't know about you but I certainly would not want to look back on the year with goals that were set but not achieved. That is just depressing. I think I've set some pretty good realistic goals for myself this year.

1. Eat Healthier and Get Active. Notice I did not say "go on a diet" or "exercise regularly 5-6 times a week." Although this goal is pretty broad it is actually rather simple. Eat healthier than I have the past year (which has dropped excessively since past years to a ton of junk. What good of an example is that for my daughter?). The goal is to eat at least five or six servings of fruit/vegetables daily, consume my natural fats, take my mult-vitamin daily and drink A LOT more water than I have been. This also means to try to get up and MOVE every day no matter what. I do not want to set an example for my daughter that it's okay to sit in front of the television or computer all day. That's just not a good thing.


2. Read More. I thoroughly enjoy reading both as a child and as an adult. In the past, my nose used to always be deep in a book. Sadly, the last two years my nose hasn't really touched anything except for the back of a cereal box. LOL! Over the last two months, i've been able to finish one book and start another. Oh the feeling of completing a book and the anticipation of starting anew. I really want to make this a priority to read more. Everyone says they don't have time but you can always squeeze in time here and there - waiting for you child during pick up? Read a page or two. Hubby giving the kids a bath for you? Read a book. Take a bath yourself and bring the book with you...enjoy! The key is to find those little windows and I plan to continue to find mine. Also, I want to read more to my daughter. We've lacked quite a bit in this and lately she is just a sponge absurbing everything. I want to take advantage of this and start instilling in her the joys of reading!


3. Declutter each room in the house at least once. This may seem like a very mundane task but if you approach it the right way it shouldn't be. My goal this year is to go through each room in the house at least once in the next year decluttering it. Donating the Old, Making Room for the new. Sure, if I start one room and by the time I'm done the rest it'll need to be done again but you know what, that's okay. Let's face it, your house isn't going to be clutter free permanently - not unless you're Superwoman. I'm still not sure how I plan to approach this goal game plan wise -- a week? a month? etc. but it'll be realistic.


4. Schedule and Follow Through with "Me time" This can be my workout time or perhaps time in the bath reading my book, practicing my yoga, knitting something glorious or even spending time with friends. I cannot tell you how many times I've had every intention of setting time aside for just me and it never fails - it gets pushed to the way side for something else (putting away the disehs in the dishwasher. do a load of wash.) I mean, really, are these that important to be replaced with my "me time?" Certainly not!) My initial goal is 60 minutes a day. That's just one hour. It doesn't even have to be an hour straight. It can be 10 minutes here, 15 there but it has to be for me. I'm hoping to fill this time up with reading my book, practicing my yoga and really starting to get into my knitting that I just started a few months ago.


5. Learn to be more patient. With this day and age of busy, busy, busy we tend to forget to "stop and smell the roses." In my case, I tend to forget (quite more often than i'd like to admit) that Little Bear is a just-turned-two year old. I need to remember that. Not to get frustrated or upset because she was just being her age and i'm running three minutes late to get to goodness knows where. Life isn't about the schedule or the time - it's about LIVING. It is my hopes that by adding a more yoga practice into my life that this will come in place - at least that's how it's been for me in the past. We shall see. I'm not keeping yoga accountable for this tho. I have to count on me.


6. Wake up before Little Bear. I cannot begin to tell you how chaotic my day starts if i'm not up at least a half hour to an hour before she wakes up. It just makes sense to do this and yet it's the one thing that I just cannot seem to follow through with. I need to work on this - for my sanity and my patience. LOL!


7. Re-learn how to use my sewing machine. I would love to re-learn how to work my sewing machine. So far, I've managed to re-learn how to hem pants but still with a bit difficulty. If it was not one thing I loved reading this year is all the wonderful little projects other bloggers are making for their daughter's like skirts, aprons, shirts, hats, ect. I want to be able to do that. It would be rewarding, ful-filling and I know in the end Little Bear will know I made it with love and would adore wearing anything I make for her(and for me!).


8. Find a different Coupon Organization System. What I've been currently doing obviously isn't working. Enough said!


9. Begin a Food Storage Progam by stockpililng. Oh the money that can be saved once you start to get a food storage program going on in your home. I tried last year and was doing well but fell off the wagon. It was great while it lasted but I need to start and not stop this time.


10. Read "The Complete Tightwad Gazette" I want to learn how to become a bit more frugal so I can save more money.

Wow! Writing this all down and looking at it and it sure seems like a lot and a bit intimidating. It isn't tho because i'm not planning on tackling it all at once - just whenever I am ready this year and with the hopes to be completed by the end of the year. Besides, these are not permanent goals. They can change at any time in any way. They are not set in stone - actually in pencil so I can erase and adjust as necessary. ;o) Pretty good idea, wouldn't you say?

If you have any suggestions on my goals, please feel free to share them in the comment section. I'd love to hear what you have to say. It might be helpful and/or insightful.

What about you? What goals have you set for yourself in 2010??

I've decided to embark on a 30 Day Challenge. Actually, it's an 84 Day Challenge with my fellow fitchicks. However, to keep things realistic and more obtainable for ME, I've decided to break up the 84 Day Challenge in 30 Day Challenge increments.

Yesterday started Day One of my first 30 Day Challenge. I've decided to do The 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michael's. I am sure you've all heard of it and maybe even tried it. I've had the DVD since it came out and just would always end up starting it then never finishing. Actually, that's been the story of my fitness life since having Little Bear two years ago. Truth be told, Pre-Little Bear, I was a fitness enthusiast. Very dedicated and motivated and just busted a move and threw the iron around like WHOA. It made me very happy. I miss it. I want it back.

We started the 30 Day Challenge off with Workout 1. I used *gasp* three pound weights *ungasp* for the workout. I am a little weakling right now. Then again, what do you expect from a once fitness nut turned couch pototoe? I did well through Circuit 1, by circuit two I was huffing and puffin. By circuit three I was toast. Done. So happy to have had that workout done but even happier that I DID IT! I got up and got active! Felt soooo good, too.

Other parts of my 30 Day Challenge is to follow a certain nutrition plan that was laid out for me a very long time ago. I wasnt exactly ready when I went food shopping on Sunday tho so this week it's mainly going by the menu plan the best I can but basically ensuring I have at least five servings of fruits/vegetables, two servings of dairy, two servings of natural fat and of course the most important 80 ounces of water consumed. That's the toughest one - getting that water in. Oy! I will do it but it just might take a few days to get there. LOL!

There is also one small adjustment in the ACTIVE part of this challenge. Due to a old back injury flaring up on me the other night, if 30 Day Shred poses to be too strenuous for me any day or I'm just not feeling it or whatever the case may be, the goal for this Challenge is to GET/BE ACTIVE so I could play on my Wii/Fit, walk the dog, do yoga, anything that has me MOVING for at least 20-30 minutes.

Another part of the 30 Day Challenge is to...

1. track my food (currently doing on paper and will then add onto SparkPeople at the end of the week)
2. take my daily supplements (mult-vitamin, B-Complex, Glucosamine)
3. do Yoga at least once a week - for my Mind and my Body.
4. spend at least one hour on the floor playing with Little Bear daily. (This hasn't been a problem before but now that i'm taking some of the little time left in my day for me, I need to make sure I remind myself that this is a priority. She's not going to be this small forever.)
5. continue to read a book whether it takes a few days to finish or a month. (This has so far been a GREAT re-introduction the last two months. Pre-Little Bear, I used to read often. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Post-Little Bear, trying to read has been difficult to say the least. Somehow tho, the last two months i've been able to squeeze time in here and there. It's been wonderful and I would like to continue to make this a priority.)
   

Yuppers! That about sums up this 30 Day Challenge. I hope you'll follow me as I update on my journey to a Healthier and Happier in Mind & Body 84 Day Challenge. Here's to a GREAT First Installment in that challenge...30 Day Challenge: 30 Day Shred

Monday - Italian Sausage & Green Peppers Crockpot Style

Tuesday - Chicken Drumsticks, Mashed Potatoes, Spinach

Wednesday - Beef Pot Pies, Buttermilk Biscuits

Thursday - Lasagna flavored Hamburger Helper

Friday - Dh's Frozen Pizza Dinner Night

Saturday - TBD

Sunday - Loving Leftovers. Spread out a buffet table of all the leftovers from the week’s meals. This means a day-off for the chef!

For a thousand more recipes and hundreds more menu plans, check out I'm" An Organizing Junkie!

I'm a little late in posting this but it's to be expected when you have a child's birthday so close to Christmas.

Little Bear's birthday is on the 20th of December. Pappa Bear had to travel on the road for an assignment and probably wouldnt be back in time to celebrate. What we did to fix that was we had her birthday party on the 12th. It was very nice. Even with immediate family we had 22 people. Little Bear is soooo blessed to have so many surrounding her with love.

Here's some of the fabulous times we had during her special day.......

....and yes, I made the cake all by myself. Far better than last year's. Here's hoping next year's will be an even bigger improvment on this year's.













Thank you Little Bear for another year filled of laughter, happiness, cuddling, playing and reminding me to look at the world as you see it in your eyes. Thank you for choosing us to be the ones to guide and teach you about life. I cannot wait to see what the future brings. We love you so very, very much.

It's always so much fun to see what other's ask Santa for Christmas. I thought it would be a good idea to post some of what I would like Santa to bring me as well as hear what is on your list.

new calendar- I am writing activities on post it notes for next year and can't wait to get a fresh new one to fill with our activities. This is my favorite calendar of all after having it this past year thanks to a recommendation from a previous blogger. It is also one of my most used items in our house. It is the perfect size to tuck in my purse and has pockets for business cards and random receipts. It is also durable and has survived all sorts of spills and messes because of the waterproof cover. ($14.95)

new purse- I used to love my Jen Groover Butler Bag. It has dividers in it which makes it perfect to find things and keep them organized. It also has two open slots (one on each side) for other misc. items like a day planner, bills, checkbook, etc. It was convenient for awhile until recently. Now, I just can't stand the thing! Every time I go to bend over to get something or fix Little Bear's coat, etc. when I go to go into my purse all the stuff in the dividers fell out and alas then im stuck putting them all back. It's just become more of a hassle than a convenience. This purse is oversized and although some might find that crazy I find it fabulous! It is the perfect size for a "Mommy Purse" it can easily hold my stuff and Little Bear's with room to spare. I fell in love with this the minute I saw it at Tar-jeh a few weeks ago. I had to put it on my list. ($29.99)

new slippers- I already own a pair of these in tan. They are the most comfortable slippers ever and are basically the Ugg look-alike/twin of the Tar-jeh world. After wearing them for abit I realized I have to have one pair in Black and maybe even a pair in Grey. ($11.88)

Super Mario Bros for the Wii- When I was offered my new employment here DH and I celebrated. We went out and got the Wii along with the Wii Fit, a ton of accessories and quite a few games. Yes, Dh can spoil me rotten! When Super Mario Bros came out for the Wii...well, I just had to ask for it. You see, I cannot stop playing Super Mario Kart...sooo much fun. Back in the day, I was also never really big into Nintendo or the likes but I could play me some Super Mario Bros for hourrrrrrrrrrsssss. When I saw this came out...I was soooo giddy....it immediately went on my list. ($59.99)

Deep 12" Skillet or Fry Pan - I love, love, love my current skillet. I love it so much that i've worn it plum out within the last four years. I also found that it isnt nearly as deep enough as I need for a good portion of Dh's favorite meals. Alas, I ask Santa for either a much deeper 12" skillet or Frying Pan (preferrably with lid). The one linked here and pictured above is not the one I am asking for but I needed a link and picture for this post so..... (Roughly $19.99)


Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince DVD - I'm a huge, huge, huge Harry Potter fan. Own every movie thus far and have seen each one at least six times. But would you believe I have yet to read the books?!?! Crazy, right? I'll get around to them eventually. I am just so glad it came out before the holidays and could add it to my list to ask Santa. I've been waiting to see this since it came out in the movie theaters. Dh and I have a really good entertainment set up at home and it would be a waste of money to go to the theaters when we can watch it better at home when it comes out onto dvd. ($19.99)

What made your Christmas List this year???

For more Wordless Wednesday Photos, Visit 5 Minutes for Moms

We had our First Snow Fall of the season on Saturday. Actually, this is the first major snowstorm our area has seen in almost 10 years!! It started in the very early hours of Saturday (think 1am) and didnt stop until very early Sunday morning (8am). By the end of it all, we ended up with 22 inches of snow!!!! It was absolutely beautiful falling and even more beautiful once it had all laid and none of it was touched yet. We didnt get too many pictures. I was too busy enjoying my time with Little Bear either outside in the snow or inside with her new toys and baking cookies. I've got to learn to use my camera more often. LOL!!! Anyway, here's some pictures of our First Snow Fall. Little Bear thoroughly enjoyed it. She couldnt stop laughing and giggling. I dont know what she liked more...the snow sled or the snowball fight. We had to go in after an hour because her cheeks were getting so chapped. :o( The poor thing didnt want to go back in. I had to promise her we'd go back out later.

Monday - Stuffed Shells

Tuesday - Chicken Drumsticks, Mashed Potatoes, Spinach

Wednesday - Slow Cooker Chili (didn't get to this last week), Buttermilk Biscuits

Thursday - Local Pizza Shop Pizza (at least that is what i'm hoping Dh will be up for it since I have company coming later on in the evening and lots of errands to do prior to after I leave work)

Friday - CHRISTMAS!!!! Dinner at the in-laws...I forsee Ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, etc for din-din..YUMMY!

Saturday - Leftover Christmas dinner!

Sunday - Breakfast for dinner.....i'm thinking eggs, sausage, bacon, the works! And if that's not appealing it's "Fend for Yourself" haha!

For a thousand more recipes and hundreds more menu plans, check out I'm" An Organizing Junkie!

Yesterday, I just came across this site from an old friend on Facebook. After see it I just simply had to create one for Little Bear. This is a free video message from Santa! All I had to do was enter some simple information like her name, age and where we live. I then was asked to select something that she's been working on (listening to her parent's) and what she will receive for Christmas (Play Kitchen). The video is about three or so minutes and is Super Cute! It does take a few minutes to load so before you put your kids in front of the pc make sure to load it up first. Little Bear thought it was the neatest thing to see a message from Santa and to see a picture of herself in Santa's book! However, I think she was still too young for it this year. (She'll be 2 this Sunday) She only watched a bit of it and then her attention started to go elsewhere. I think she'll enjoy this a lot more next year. It's the PERFECT addition to your Holiday traditions for the children. Check it out.....

http://portablenorthpole.tv/home

For more Wordless Wednesday Photos, Visit 5 Minutes for Moms

Hey All!

Just wanted to make a quick post. Both Little Bear and I are still alive. Turns out we had to see Little Bear's doctor twice last week. She was getting worse and we asked to see a different Doctor. Turns out she had a double ear infection, sinus infection, post nasal drip and a really bad red throat. It's no wonder why the kid wouldnt drink or eat anything for days. She was given antibiotics and a childrens benadryl/maalox combo at night. She's now doing MUCH better and pretty much back to her old self. I, on the other hand, am a different story.

I saw the Dr on Thursday and was given an antibiotic and a nasal decongestant/cough surpressant combo and as of today, I'm still YUCK! I actually felt pretty good on Saturday (Aside from the constant gunk) but yesterday brought out round 2. I've since called the Dr this morning and asked for something new because whatever I was given before isnt working. Alas, I am still at work trying to truck on but this virus is getting the best of me. I've been going to bed the same time Little Bear has the last few days and it's just not helping. If I don't pop back on for a day or so, know that it's because I'm still fighting my battle with said virus and as soon as I am feeling better and have energy to stand (let alone type. LOL), I'll be back with my regular postings. :)

Hope everyone is doing well with their Holiday plannings, staying safe and warm and enjoying their friends and families. Only 9 more days til Santa arrives.....are you ready??

Happy Freebie Friday, everyone! A huge thank you to Freebies 4 Mom for sharing their favorite freebies of the week with our readers. Take advantage of a great Christmas deal this year and see how you can get Leapfrog Tag books for only $5.99 with free shipping. Heather features great deals & freebies all week long so be sure to check her site regularly!

Food
Stacy's Pita Chips (All You magazine)
Stacy's Pita Chips coupon for full-size bag (on Facebook)
Del Taco (2 free tacos)
Chocolate Bar at aerie stores (every Thursday in Dec.)

Entertainment
Amazon's 25 Days of Free Christmas SongsiTunes Holiday Sampler (20 free songs)
2010 Oriental Trading Co. CalendarDaily Lit - free digital books
Jesse James "My Cowboy" free MP3 (Walmart)
Forbes Investors' Guide (Mercury Magazines)
U.S. News & World Report (RewardsGold)
Redbox 1-Night Rentals (using codes SNSV26, GANTS9, DVDONME, BREAKROOM)

Blockbuster Express 1-Night Rentals (using codes G29TA1, GT11A, KIOSK)

Home & Garden
Hallmark $5 off $5 printable coupon
A Story Before Bed (free recording using code TY3J-RT3Y-YM3E)
ABC Animal Orchestra board book (LeapFrog)
http://www.rightathome.com/offers/200912-gift-w1/Xerox's Let's Say Thanks (free postcards to troops)
Wii & Jello Mouse House PartyDiGiorno Pizza House Party

Upcoming Freebie Events:Please call your local store or restaurant to confirm they are participating in these freebie events

DECEMBER
Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland begins (free 4x6 Santa photo)
Michaels Free Crafts & Demos
12 - Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic make Christmas Ornaments 10-11
19 - Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic make Pet Treat Keeper 10-11

Enjoy those freebies and I'll see you next Friday for another installment of Freebie Friday - compliments of Freebies 4 Mom!

While doing my price matchups for our grocery list this weekend I noticed a few new coupons at Coupons.com . Feel free to go to my Coupons.com sidebar on the right and print off these fantastic coupons. Act fast because they only allow a certain amount be printed off.

Here's some others you might want to get....
$2/1 Nivea body wash$
1/1 Muir Glen - still available!
$1/1 Success Rice
$.75/1 Big G cereals
$1/1 Kellogg's corn flakes
$1/2 Wonka candy canes
$.75/1 Kellogg's Smart Start cereal
$.75/1 Honey Smacks
$1/1 Kellogg's Special K Blueberry

First it was pink eye, then a UTI, then it was a urgent case of gallbladder disease ending in a removal, then it was another UTI, then it was a head cold and now, it's another head cold. Le Sigh...

Yesterday I was feeling just fine. Alittle run down but otherwise fine. Late last night I was woken up to a sore throat and the dreaded gunk. Oh no! Not again?!?!

Now, not only is Little Bear experiencing her first sick, sick feelings with the dreaded head cold herself but now me. Oy Vey! Luckily, we took the Little Bear to the Pediatrician yesterday and he gave her some nasal decongestant with cough surpressant allowing her to actually get some sleep (the night before she, nor I, got any). She woke up feeling better and finally(!) consuming liquids again (come on pee pee diapers. LOL) while Momma Bear, well, I just feel SICK and TIRED. Lucky for me, I have my first appointment with the new family doctor today after work. It was originally scheduled just to get me in the system for if/when I do get sick but alas my immune system had other plans.

I'm tired of feeling sick and tired. I've got dishes that need to be unloaded from the dishwasher, a sink of dirty dishes waiting to go in, recycables that need to be taken outside, a floor that needs to be vacuumed, toys that need to be picked up, gifts that need to be wrapped, laundry that needs to be washed, dryed and folded. When I say my house looks like a tornado ran through it that would be an understatement. And let me say this, when I say THAT you know i'm feeling sick and tired! My house has been un-tidy in the past but not this bad.

Time to put a call into my Fairy Godmother.

Yeah, I wish.

Sign up here for a free subscription to Weight Watchers magazine. I have gotten this magazine for a little over a year now and have found it to be helpful and very motivating. I love, love, loveeeeee the recipes in this magazine. So easy and flavorful. I'm sure you'll agree. Act Now, this deal is not going to last long.

Thanks, Free Snatcher!

For more Wordless Wednesday Photos, Visit 5 Minutes for Moms

For a thousand more recipes and hundreds more menu plans, check out I'm An Organizing Junkie!