Toonie Tuesdays

I am posting a day early for "Toonie Tuesdays" - just in case I don't get around to it tomorrow. I used to feel self conscious about taking any time to focus on frugal savings, but this day and age it seems to be a common topic in personal discussion and all forms of media. The fact of the matter is that the economy is struggling and times are tough for many people. Even for those who are still doing okay, being cautious of money and budget seem to be top of mind.

Having said all of that, I am jumping back on the band wagon with "TOONIE TUESDAYS"! My way of communicating any great deals that I come across in my daily life. I love a great deal and I hope you do too!

This week:

Two of my great deals this week come from the Canadian Tire flyer.
#1: Doing any travelling in the near future? Canadian Tire has two different sets of Cambridge luggage on sale. One is their 4 piece set with a 5 year warrant for only $39.74 from $109.99. The other is a 3 piece set with 2 year warranty ($39.99). I saw both at the store and liked that the 3 piece set comes in interesting colours such as blue or "burnt orange".

#2: A special deal and coupon from the flyer. Good on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week ONLY. Spend $40.00 in store by paying for merchandise with your debit card, CT MasterCard or cash and receive $10.00 in Canadian Tire money! What a deal! Who can't find something to buy at CT for $40.00? With $10.00 back, who can resist? I'll be there! (Great time to buy the luggage mentioned above!)

Kelly's Deal(s) of the Day

Love a good deal? You've come to the right place! Stop back regularly for the details on all my great finds. Please feel free to share your favortite deals with our thrify community by posting here.

Zehrs (this week): AudioLogic Am/Fm Digital Clock Radio - only $4.88! Comes in black or white. Simple but good. Silver buttons. Has Am/Fm alarm or buzzer. I like it!!! Might be an in-store special (as opposed to all stores).

Zehrs (this week): 7 foot ornamental cedar shrubs! Tall and well shaped for ornamental planting. $15.00 OFF and on sale for $24.99 each! A deal!

Long time no blog

I haven't fallen off the edge of the earth, but I did go back to work. Close enough, I guess. Actually, I think I felt more pressure before going back - but that is another story. I spend less time on the home computer and more time on the work computer - just a simple trade. The family is good and my universe is peaceful. The way God intended. Nice.

Tomorrow is "Marriage Monday". What can I say? Stick it out - hang in there - keep on keepin on. When it is meant to be, it's meant to be. There are stages in life when unfortunatly our marriages can tend to take the back burner - but as long as you have commitment, love and faith - there will also be times when you can give it the extra attention that it needs. The reality seems to be that we can't be deeply connected every minute of every day - not with the hussle and bussle and many demands of our busy lives...but we can commit to always, always meeting on the other side. Each and every time.

What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.

Have a great Monday everyone - Marriage Monday. Remember, you can post here to share with others how you will put your spouse and your marriage first this week. I am going away for a few days, and you know the old saying, distance makes the heart grow fonder. Maybe I'll text a love note or something. Oh, the age of technology. How romantic.

Over and out for now.

Ever since I coloured my hair with Natural Instincts last time, I have been meaning to write a funny post about how the colour is just too dark and I don't think that I should use that particular shade in the future. The product is #28 Nutmeg - and I have no idea how they came up with the picture on the packaging. I don't feel that it represents the colour at all. They'd be better off having Gene Simmons as the model! Speaking of which, for the at least the first couple of weeks I felt like I probably LOOKED like Gene Simmons because my hair felt shorter from my recent cut and dark from the colour. The texture was also different and seriously, I wish I would have taken a photo doing the same pose as he is in this picture. That would be funny.

Okay, these pictures might not substantiate my claims, but I DID feel like I had Gene Simmons hair!

Just Add Veggies

As parents of young children, I think most of us at some point (and for some, quite frequently) wonder if our children are getting enough vitamins in their diets because they don't seem to want to eat veggies. At this stage in the game, we are still pretty lucky and our toddler is willing to eat a good selection of veggies. Having said that, I would still like to share the idea of adding veggies to various lunch and supper options to "boost" the vitamin intake that your children are getting.

Yesterday I gave our son some Dora alphagetti for the first time. It was probably only the second time he has had a lunch noodle in tomato paste from a can - but I bought it because sometimes it feels like we are running out of options (or I'm just not feeling creative enough on the spot!). Anyway, I also bought a couple bags of my FAVORITE mixed frozen veggies and added some to the mix when I was cooking. I just think that this is a simple but great way to add nutrition (and colour and flavour - even I ate some!) to the meal. Served with brown bread and voila...

Might not look like much (I'll admit) and is a FAR CRY from gourmet -- but it did the trick and at least I knew that our son was getting broccoli, peas, peppers and even spinach into his system as he ate up Dora, Swipper, Boots and the Stars! Us parents, pulling out all the stops and tricks. Well, you know what they say, "whatever works", and this meal got gobbled right up!

Note: Europe's Best veggies are on sale at Zehrs this week $2.50 a bag. Frozen veggies are selected, picked and packaged at their prime so they are always tasty. I think they retain all or most of their nutritional value as well.

DARE TO COMPARE: Product Review

Well, I thought that I'd better take a quick minute or ten to post about my recent hair colouring experience. I finally decided on using Natural Instincts (semi-permanent) #28: Nutmeg for Dark Brown Hair. I have used this colour in the past and was hoping to not go as dark this time, but in the end of it all it seemed like the only worthwhile thing to do because Natural Instincts will not actually lighten your hair at all (no peroxide).

Before haircut (2 above)

After haircut, before colour (2 above)

After colour (1 above)

- will post another

All in all I think I will try #20 next time and not go with such a dark brown. This product only stays in for 28 shampoos anyway, so it isn't like it is a major commitment or drastic undertaking. If your hair is a lighter colour, you have more options. If you are willing to add red hues, you have even more options. They are currently on sale for a great price at Zehrs, so if you feel like a change, check it out.

My rating for Natural Instincts is a 7/10 because I still haven't been able to get the results that I am truly seeking.

PS - Aren't these some horrendous photos? I don't know why I bother posting this kind of stuff! Anyway, if you have had good experience with a home hair colouring product, I would like to hear from you!

TOONIE TUESDAYS: Deals This Week

Okay, due to time constraints I will have to keep it really simple for Toonie Tuesdays this week. I thought that I would give you a run down of my favorite sales that are happening NOW --
perhaps something will jump out at you and you will pick up something special or yummy at a good price.

Zehrs: Natural Instincts Hair Colour - $5.99 ...and they have special 2 for 1 packages available
Zehrs: Chocolate Chip Cookies - $0.99 ... this is dangerous :)
Zehrs: Club Pack Diapers (big box) - $27.99 (I think) ...good deal and not bad diapers
McDonald's: Kid's Night, Tuesdays 4-8 - $2.00 Happy Meals & Free Coffees for Mom & Dad

If you know of any great deals on groceries, health & beauty products, toys or anything else, please feel free to post your comments and share with others who might benefit from your tips!

MARRIAGE MONDAYS: Drop the Gloves!

IT'S MARRIAGE MONDAY!!!!

I have been meaning to post this one for a while. This is a biggie for me in my household and in my marriage. I think this message speaks for itself and speaks VOLUMES about getting along in our relationships. Being defensive, antagonistic, irritable, bossy or any of those other "not so nice" traits of character and behavior can sometimes become WAY too routine in the safety of our relationships. Sometimes I just have to say to myself "For Heaven's sakes - DROP THE GLOVES ALREADY LADY!"

And the magic of it is that if both my spouse and I do this together, the result is peace and harmony that makes the atmosphere much better for everyone. Win win win. It doesn't mean the issues aren't still there - it just means that whatever they are they are not more important than the RELATIONSHIP and they are not more important than the FEELINGS or ESTEEM of the people involved. I also like to think that it takes more to drop the gloves than continue with bad habits and negative patterns. I feel good about myself when I can rise above -

if only for the moment....

For Marriage Mondays this week I would like to challenge all readers who are in a committed relationship to pick one issue that you are currently "harping" on your partner about, or one that you KNOW will come up this week - and JUST DROP IT. Not forever, let's be realistic. Just for now or at least for the moment the next time it really erks you.

Go ahead, RISE ABOVE and DROP THE GLOVES!

HAIR COLOUR: Advise Needed

Occasionally when I am getting bored with "my look" I start to think about colouring my hair. I have even gone so far as to purchase permanent colour from the store - but have always chickened out and taken it back. I have A LOT of hair so doing permanent colour is a big commitment. I also worry about damaging my hair,making it more frizzy or having to colour the roots continuously while it grows out.

My personal solution to this dilemma is to take the semi-permanent route of Clairol Natural Instincts. I have used this colour several times over the past 5 or so years. I even used it before my wedding. I have tried various shades. Sometimes I am happy with the results and sometimes not. The thing about this hair colour system is that it has no ammonia and low peroxide - so ultimately it is supposed to be fairly gently on your hair. You can not really lighten your hair with it, but you can enhance your natural colour, go darker, or add certain hues, such as red.
I usually prefer an even colour and thus, my options are fairly limited because my hair is dark to begin with. I can not decide if my hair is medium or dark brown. I guess I try to call it medium because I have more colour options with medium. Clairol has a pretty good website that you can go to for shades and colour suggestions. I have also called the hotline many times:
1-800-252-4765

This is my hair "before". Is it medium or dark brown???

Today I am deciding on whether to go with:

#20 Hazelnut - neutral and should enhance medium brown hair
#18 Pecan - golden and should add golden tones to medium brown hair
#28 Nutmeg - neutral and should enhance dark brown hair

Any advise????

A Bright Star

A Bright Star

Keiandre Russel how sweet you are
Your Mommy and Daddy’s little shining star
As babies do you grew by the day
But on earth you were not meant to stay
Heaven had a need for your special soul
To fill a most important role
While the rest of us are trying to find our way
You’ll be up there watching day by day
And when the gentle wind blows
Or spring birds sing
When flowers bloom
When Christmas bells ring
When stars shine bright in the sky above
You’ll be remembered with pride and love
Your friends and family will be warmed in heart
To know you’re in heaven with a whole new start
So Keiandre please know this dear boy
Through years to come you will bring joy
For in just being you with all you are
You’ve touched many lives…
A shining star.

In loving memory of an angel. November 29, 2007