BlogginMomma.com

Posted by cassie on Monday, 10 September, 2007 @ 12:33 pm

Yesterday I was reading a rather long post (17 pages and counting) on one of the forums I frequent and the topic was ideas for saving money. Here are my suggestions and maybe they will help some of you too. What ideas do you have?

- Run the dishwasher in the middle of the night to save on electricity, same goes for dryer and washer (saves on cost of water too) or early AM. In my neck of the woods the electric company has peak/nonpeak hours so I try to use non-peak when I can

- Use the microwave or toaster oven instead of big oven if you can. In the winter prop big oven open when done using to add some more heat to the house

- Don’t put undies or bras in dryer - the heat breaks down the elastic and wears them out that much faster. Also, hang up clothes or only put in dryer until damp, then hang the rest of the way.

- Use bumpy paper towels instead of swiffer clothes. Save a ton of $$ this way

- Buy gas in the AM

- Wash water bottles in the dish washer and reuse

- Put coffee grounds on your plants. Not only does it smell yummy but it gives nutrients, etc to them. Tomatoes especially love coffee

- Freeze leftover coffee in ice cube trays and use for cold coffee later on. I blend it up into a cool drink with milk and sugar for hot days or when I want coffee and DH doesn’t
- I bought dual flush toilets to save money, water and our environment. (found them on ebay) Small button for small things = .8 GPF and large button for large things = 1.6 GPF.

- Use left over drinking water that DH/DS forgot about on plants or put plants out in the rain to water.

- Use bathwater from DS to clean his highchair table top, toys, etc.

Posted by cassie on Friday, 7 September, 2007 @ 7:02 pm

I remember making a crayon candle years ago with my Dad and brother from Christmas. We had a great time breaking up our really old broken candles and melting the wax, etc. But now I’ve found something else that beats the crayon candles hands down! In our FL heat and summer sun this will take about 2.2 seconds to accomplish. I think it’ll take longer to find a neato pan to put it in. Thanks Rockin’ Granola for this awesome blog post!

When my Gram R passed away I inherited a large supply of madeleine tins, chocolate molds, pastry trays, and varioius mini bundt pans. Some of them are in terrific shape and get used for their intended purposes. Some of them are a bit rusty and bent and no longer suitable for food use, so those have become crayon molds for the kiddos. If you don’t have a grandmother who collected candy and baking supplies, I highly suggest the local thrift store for your crayon mold needs - I see interesting pans and trays at ours all the time. I give our trays a little spray with some baking spray (Pam) first so they are a bit easier to get the crayons out (sticking the trays in the freezer helps with this, too). If it isn’t hot enough to melt your crayons outside on the sidewalk, stick the tray in a low oven for a little while (keep a careful eye on them) or put a towel down on the seat of the car to catch any spills and make your crayons in the car (an idea inspired by several mishaps of unintentional crayon making LOL)

Posted by cassie on Friday, 7 September, 2007 @ 1:04 pm

As most of you know we are TTC again and I’m looking into double
strollers. I figured better be safe than sorry when (and if) the time
comes. I’ve been doing some research and there seems to be a very
divided camp on side-by-side vs front-to-back.

Points of consideration for me:
1) size - will it fit in my trunk. Currently drive a Cadillac CTS. Yes
it’s a roomy trunk but not overly tall so it can’t be ginormous.
2) can I use my existing Graco infant carseat with it
3) underside storage
4) function, meaning will Anthony ride in it with the next one and not
needle the poor thing to death with kicking the seat, etc…
5) weight limit. Anthony is a chunker atm and may remain that way so I want a somewhat higher weight limit so we can actually use the stroller for longer than 10 min.

I found this one on Target’s website and it seems nice and has good
reviews.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=cm_reviews_dp_seemore/601-9123382-04889\
18?ie=UTF8&coliid=&frombrowse=1&alt%5Fview=custReviews&asin=B000J2DQPA

Would love any opinions I can get on this stroller and the whole double stroller thing in general. Thanks!

Posted by cassie on Wednesday, 5 September, 2007 @ 6:28 pm

(From their promo materials) Did you know Play is a building block in every toddler’s developmental growth? Enter the Gerber Win a Rainbow® Play Set Sweepstakes and you could win the Grand Prize of a Rainbow® Sunshine Castle II Play Set or one of hundreds of Gerber® Meal & Snack Packs. Sweepstakes ends October 31, 2007.

2 Grand Prize Winners: Win a Rainbow® Play Set

Each winner will receive one Rainbow® Sunshine Castle II Play Set
$4,400 approximate retail value
Includes delivery and installation
250 First Prize Winners: Grauates® Meal & Snack Pack

Gerber Backpack/Tote
Gerber product samples
$50 American Express® Gift Cheque
Everyone Wins!

Receive a Gerber coupon just for entering
Save $1.00 off the purchase of any (2) Graduates® products from Gerber
Sweepstakes ends October 31, 2007. The fullfillment house will notify all winners on/about November 15, 2007.

Go to www.gerber.com to enter.

Posted by cassie on Tuesday, 4 September, 2007 @ 8:53 pm

Just when we thought things were settling down another recall occurs.

“Moderne” and “Loft” Cribs have been recalled because crib slats can separate from the side rails, posing an entrapment and strangulation hazard to young children. The crib side rails are made of wood and sold with a brown finish. Only cribs with model numbers NC-137 and NC-140 and date codes 9/03 and 02/04 are included in the recall. The model numbers, date codes and “Made in Poland” are printed on a label on the crib end panels. Sold at: Juvenile furniture stores nationwide from October 2003 through June 2005 for about $1,350.

Consumers should stop using the crib immediately and contact NettoCollection to receive two replacement side rails. Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact NettoCollection toll-free at (866) 996-3886 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.nettocollection.com

Posted by cassie on Tuesday, 4 September, 2007 @ 8:32 pm

One of my girlfriends is pregnant! I was the first one to get the call. I’m so excited for her and can’t wait to find out what she is having!! She and her husband got married last year and have been trying for awhile and it’s finally happened. They feel as though the clock is ticking for them since she is in her early 30s and has lupus. Please join me in wishing them the best of luck and to the health of mommy and baby! Love you JT and John!

Posted by cassie on Tuesday, 4 September, 2007 @ 8:28 pm

Tonite we went out to Bone Fish Grill for Nick’s birthday (30) and my Grandma’s birthday (81). Happy Birthday you two! Dad treated us and we had a great time. He even brought his grandson a kick butt belated birthday present that is a Leapfrog learning table. I can’t wait to rip into that bad boy! We get music, multi-language and tons of fun. Of course it’s more batteries but duh! I’m going to buy some rechargables. Thanks Dad for thinking for me because it never occurred to me to buy those before ;}

Posted by cassie on Monday, 3 September, 2007 @ 8:42 pm

This one’s for $1 off a 1/2 gallon of Organic Valley milk. The page also includes coupons for Organic Valley’s soy milk, cheese, lactose-free milk, and butter. I just started Anthony’s drinking milk and this will help out a ton for me and hopefully for you too!

I have not personally tried Organic Valley so let me know your thoughts on it if you have please. I’ve been using Horizon but am not above trying another brand.

Posted by cassie on Monday, 3 September, 2007 @ 8:25 pm

I may be shooting myself in the foot here (so knock on lots of wood) but Anthony is still sleeping in his crib at night. I’ve even moved from the living room into his room to nurse him so he knows what is happening next. Today he even napped in his crib after I nursed him and he refused to go to sleep! I told him you can either nap with mommy or you can nap in your crib and since he wouldn’t fall asleep nursing I put him to bed. YEAH!! I’m so proud of my little guy and hope it continues. This is a big transition for all of us.

Posted by cassie on Sunday, 2 September, 2007 @ 8:34 pm

Babycheapskate.com has done it again by saving all of us parents some money!

It’s a Stockupportunity! This is a huge week for baby-stuff savings. Walmart continues to offer Pampers jumbos for $7.87 (through 9/17). And for those of you who have been waiting somewhat patiently for a Huggies deal, Jumbos are $7.99 at Kroger.

Don’t miss the Pampers and Easy Ups coupons in Sunday’s P&G BrandSaver insert.

Store Brands: Boxes of Target brand diapers (92 ct. size 4) are $13.49. Walgreens has their Premium Comfort Stretch diapers BOGO 50% off. You’d be getting them for about $6 each. (Read the store brand diaper reviews)

Formula & Food:
25.7 oz. cans of Target brand infant formula are $11.89. (Get the scoop on store brand formula)
There’s a Publix coupon in Sunday’s AJC for $1 off any four 2-packs or 8 jars of Gerber Organic Baby Food (good through 9/28. Use with manufacturer’s coupon).

Misc:
Target Baby Wipes Refills 360 or 432 ct. are $7.77. Rite Aid has their 216-240 ct. wipes for $6 ($4 after Single Check Rebate). Walgreens Comfort Smooth Baby wipes (80 ct) are two for $2.99. Walgreens Baby Care is BOGO Free, including baby shampoo, lotion, oil, and powder.

See the BRU Baby Sale post for more diaper & formula deals.