Max On Life by Max Lucado

As a writer and ministry worker, Max Lucado has received many questions throughout his life.  Max On Life is a collection of one hundred and fifty of these questions and his answers.  The questions are divided into different grouping such as Hope, Hurt, Him/Her, ect.  There is a little something for everyone in this book.

I love that Max bases all his answers on scripture.  My favorite thing about the book is that if I have a problem with something in my life I can look up a question that's related to what I'm going through and find a scripture to reference.  Obviously, since he answers so many questions the answers are short (about a page each).  I feel like this is a good reference book (a start), but doesn't go in detail or at length on any subject.  Whole books can be written on just one of these questions or topics.

While I did like the scripture and his writing is easy to read, it took me awhile to get through this book.  Questions that I had were very interesting to me, but many I could not relate to or I already knew what he was going to say.  I would give this book a 3 out of 5 stars.

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”"

Taco Stew from The Crock Pot Girls

What's better than a crock pot meal?  Easy prep and delicious food--- yes please!  I was looking at the Crock Pot Girls on facebook and saw they had posted a YouTube video for their Taco Stew.  All I had to do was brown the ground beef and then throw all the ingredients in the pot.  I added some onion chopped into small pieces because I had some leftover from another recipe.  That was the only thing I changed.  I had to cook it on high for 4 hours since I started late.  The only thing left to do once it is done is scoop some into a bowl and add cheese, sour cream, and Fritos.  Mmmm.  Eric even said it kinda tasted like his moms chili.

Here's the Youtube video--they have all the ingredients listed at the end of it.

Publix Savings 9/30/2011

Over the last couple of months I have become a couponer.  Nothing crazy like you see on Extreme Couponing.  We get two papers delivered to our house every week.  I cut out all the coupons and organize them in my coupon binder.  Then I use SouthernSavers.com to match up the coupons I have to the weekly deals (I usually just do my grocery shopping at Publix once a week.).  It's all about matching sales (especially BOGO) with coupons to get great savings.

At Publix in coastal Georgia it is a little easier to save than in Florida.  All coupons .50 and below double at Publix (and Kroger).  So if you have a coupon for .25 then it will double to .50 and a .50 coupon would double to $1.  Also, our BOGO sales are 50% off, meaning you don't have to actually buy one to get one free (you can just buy one for 50% off).

I'm pretty sure at all Publix's you can combine a Manufacturer's Coupon with either one Publix OR one competitor's coupon (each Publix has a different list of grocery stores within a certain proximity that they consider a competitor--see your local Publix for its competitor list).  If your coupon's go over the amount that the product is listed at then you get overage.  You can use this overage to apply to another item in your cart. 

Eric and I are trying to stick to a budget, so couponing is a great way to help us meet our goals.  We have allotted $350 per month for groceries (about $87.50 a week), but would like to try to spend under this amount.

Here is how I did this week: Publix Savings 


Spent: $81.92  Saved: $102.05  ///  55.5% Savings


On Sale:

5 Sara Lee Frozen Cakes (50% off + 3 $1 off Sara Lee Sweet Goods product RP 8/07 + 2 $1 off Sara Lee cream pie printable coupons)
6 Green Giant Frozen Vegetables (BOGO + 2 $.60/3 Green Giant frozen boxed vegetables SS 9/11)
1 Publix Sour Cream
1 Publix Shredded Cheese
1 Ranch Style Beans
2 Del Monte Canned Tomatoes
1 Publix Canned Whole Corn
2 Publix Half Gallon Ice Cream
1 Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Packet
1 Boar's Head Deli Sandwich Meat
1 Fiber One 80 Calorie Cereal ($2 off General Mills Fiber one cereal Publix coupon (Yellow Advantage Flyer) + $1 off General Mills Fiber One 80 cal cereal Printable.  Free + .50 overage)
1 Oatmeal Crisp Cereal ($2 off General Mills Total, Oatmeal Crisp, Wheaties, Basic 4, Raisin Nut Bran or Clusters Publix Coupon (Yellow Advantage Flyer))
1 Cottonelle Bathroom Tissue 12-pack Double Rolls ($.75 off/1 Cottenelle Toilet Paper, 12 pack or (2) 4 packs SS 8/14 or 9/11)
9 Nabisco SnackWell's Bars (BOGO + 9 $.75/1 Snackwell's bars SS 6/26 or 7/31)
2 Vanity Fair Plates 14 count ($1/2 Vanity Fair dinner plates, dessert plates, bowls, or hot cups Publix coupon (One Stop One Store booklet) + 2 $.55/1 plates RP 8/14)
3 Betty Crocker Hamburger, Chicken, or Tune Helpers (BOGO + $.75/3 Betty Crocker Hamburger, Chicken, or Tuna Helpers SS 8/7)
2 Nabisco SnackWell's Cookies/Brownie Bites (BOGO + $.75/1 SnackWells, any variety SS 6/26)
2 Planter's Nutrition Bars (BOGO + $.75/1 Planter's Nutrition Bars)
4 Pace Chuncky Salsa (BOGO + $.75/2 Pace Jars SS 8/28)

Not On Sale:
1 Olay Moisturizer ($1 off coupon)
1 Bag Fritos
1 Arrid Deodorant 
1 Publix Eggs
1 Ranch Seasoning Packet
1 Sprayway Glass Cleaner ($1 off Publix Coupon + $.50/1 Manufacturer's Coupon)
1 Can of Publix Pinto Beans
1 Clean and Clear Face wash ($1 off Clean and Clear Product Manufacturer's Coupon)
1 Perdue Ground Chicken (1lb.)
1 Gallon Public Milk
2 Baking Potatoes
1 Onion
5 Bananas
1 Betty Crocker Cookie Mix ($1 off Betty Crocker Muffin or Cookie Mix Publix Coupon (Yellow Advantage Flyer) + $.40/1 Betty Crocker Cookie Mix SS 8/07)

I also used a $10 Publix Giftcard I received in the mail via rebate for spending a certain amount during a ConAgra promotion.

Thanks to the Savannah Savvy Shopper for her coupon classes!
(Also RP stands for the Red Plum insert in the newspaper and SS stands for the SmartSource insert in the newspaper.  You can find most of the Publix coupon booklets in the spinning holder right when you walk in or ask Customer Service (sometimes they hide them there so people won't take more than one).) 

Busy, Busy, Busy

Wow!  So much has happened this past month.  Back in August, for our anniversary, Eric got us tickets to visit New York City in September.  I loved the city...but more on that later!  First I wanted to post some pictures from some other things that happened this month.

September 3-5: Mrs. Karen, Selena, and the nieces come to visit!

We always love it when family comes to town!  We all hung out at the house relaxing most of the time.  The kids got to enjoy the hot weather by swimming in the pool and eating frozen fruit bars.  We also went out to Uncle Bubba's Oyster House and Wormsloe Historic Site.    

September 9-10: Steven's Birthday!

I am so glad we made it down to Florida for my (not so little any more) brother's birthday.  We sang and had lemon filled Publix cake on Friday night and then went out for lunch at Clark's Fish Camp the next day.

   

Steven and I shared the swamp platter.  Nothing better than frog legs and gator tail!

Eric decided on the 3 pound prime rib.  What a huge piece of meat!

With all of our recent travels, we have seen some amazing sunsets!  God's creation is truly inspiring.

A Nice Surprise

Today I received this at my house (all pretty and nicely packaged)...

My prizes from My So Called Homeschool Life's 16 Month Planner Package Giveaway!!!  It always makes my day to get a package in the mail!  Everyone should go check out her blog.  She has fun blog posts and a couple of giveaways going on right now.  Thanks so much Ruthie!!!  

9/11 Always Remembered

Source: PhotoDu.de Thomas Anderson

On 9/11/2001, I was at the dentist office getting my teeth cleaned.  I was sitting in the dentist's chair watching television when someone said to turn the channel to the news.  I watched the aftermath of the first plane crash, then saw the second one hit.

I can not believe it has been 10 years since this attack on the United States.  My heart goes out to the friends and families of those who were killed.  I am so thankful for those people who put their lives on the line to protect and save lives.  We will always remember.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I just finished The Help by Kathryn Stockett this past week and would highly recommend it.  The novel is about three very different woman from Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960's who come together to work on a project that will cross social barriers of the time.  They decide to risk their safety because they are fed up with the way "things are". 

My friend Lindsey suggested I read the book and I flew through it pretty quickly.  It made me really think about how glad I am that some people are brave enough to stand up for what they know is right (even if the consequences of them doing so are brutal.).  I can't wait to go see the movie ( I always like to read the books first because they are usually better than the movies.  My one exception so far - The Time Traveler's Wife. (that book was very depressing)).  Anyone seen the movie yet???  I heard it's been at the top of the box office the last couple of weeks.