Great deals at JC Penny

I was walking the mall with a friend yesterday. She went into JC Penny and so of course I went with her although I had nothing to look for. I AM SO GLAD THAT I DID!!!

If you haven't been in JC PENNY for a while you should go and check it out. They have alot of very cute stuff. They have a new brand called American Living and it reminds me of POLO.

Anywho.... they are running a HUGE sale. They have so much on clearance that it is crazy. AND its buy one clearance item get another FREE!!! You can mix and match throughout the whole store.

I got a heavy American Living sweater that is so cute and a Maidenform bra ( The girls need help since stopping the breastfeeding :) ). I got both items for a total of.... $14.00. Then at checkout they gave me a coupon for a survey. If I take the survey they will give me another 15% off my entire purchase......including clearance items. I am taking the survey and going back this weekend... that is how good the deals are there!

You guys need to check this out!!!!

On a side note..... I got my son some ball hats at the Children's Place for 1.99..... stock up now for Summer!

What ever happened to good manners?

Okay this is my Friday rant... hang with me.

Maybe its just me. Possibly I am part of a dying group of people. The group in which believes and ~~-shock-~~ uses, manners. My mama raised me right. She told me to thank people and say your welcome. Please was a must and you say excuse me. Now my mama is from the south but should manners be a cultural thing? I was raised thinking that EVERYONE should use them because it is polite and gracious.

There is nothing that raises my blood pressure more than when I hold the door for someone and they breeze right through like I am a doorman. Doorwoman.... you know what I mean. Don't even get me started on the grocery store experience. I don't know about you ladies but I ALWAYS say excuse me when I need to maneuver my cart in front of someone gazing at the peas. Isn't that just common sense? Am I being too hard on people?

I don't think I am. I surely know there are more important things in this world to worry about. Our world is chop full of real problems of real people. In my mind this makes manners even nicer. A little way to relate to all people and let them know that you respect them as a creation of God. ( Even if they seem like they are mean and rude.. grrrrr )

I once dated a boy from Texas. I remember he left the best impression with my mom because he answered her questions with yes mamm. That left an impression on me. It was a sign of respect for your elders.... something that we have all but lost in this country.

So I will continue to instill the dying art of manners to my children. I want my son to open doors with a smile and I would like my daughter to say excuse me while passing me in the hall to answer the phone. So instead of drilling it into them I will lead by example. I use sir when ordering my salami at the deli. I say thank you when people hold the door for me and my caravan of a stroller. Hopefully my children will see its value and choose to use their manners. Maybe I will tell my son when he gets older that it will make the ladies swoon..... whats the harm in a little incentive. :) he he he

Great winter coat deal at Baby Gap

It didn't take me long to realize that winter coats for children can be expensive. Especially the really warm, cute ones at Baby Gap. So imagine my surprise when my son was just an infant to find a winter coat in the spring on a clearance rack for $19.

Since then I always buy the winter coats in Jan/ Feb months when they are marked way down. I have found the coats at Baby Gap to be very warm with an inside lining that fits snug around the kids so no snow or rain can get in. I rarely shop at the Gap for my kids. Not because their clothes are not beyond cute! Its just being addicted to TJ Maxx and finding such incredible deals on name brand clothes is addicting. :)

I got both the kids their winter coats this week for more than half off. If you get a chance check out your local Gap. You'll be glad you did... next year!

WFMW- Keeping track of ...everything!

I have that drawer. You know the drawer ladies..... the ONE. The one that you stuff all the things that you mean to do. The bills, kids recent pictures to give away, the "we've moved" notices, coupons you haven't cut yet and sales flyer's.

I am a pretty organized person. Except for my drawer. Its like Monica's closet on Friends. It was causing me strife. I would be sitting on the couch and realize that the bills were due.....tomorrow. Tucked away amongst the moving notices and coupons that were waiting to be cut, I had forgotten. This caused much panic and alot of running around. Don't even get me started on my meal plan stashed away in there, somewhere. Along with my plans, important numbers and list of things to do. I can't tell you how many birthday cards get filed away because the drawer ate them and didn't spit them back out until a month after the occasion.

My mom gave me a hard back planner for Christmas. It has the month and then each week broken down into days. I was wondering what I was going to do with it since I carry a planner with me that has all my info, kids playdates and credit cards in it. It turned out, however, to be the gift of time and sanity.

Not only do I put all my appointments on it, I also put my menu for each day at the bottom so I never forget and the whole family can see. I also use it for personal goals for the day. If I want to get the fridge cleaned out, I will mark that on Monday. It stays on my counter- permanently. It doesn't move for company or plates. I see it every time I walk by and keeps me on track.... woohoo! Whats even better, all bills, cards and important to-do items are kept right there and you know what?? They get done early. I have more time to spend with my hubby at night and relax with some coffee in the morning..... and this works for me!

For more great WFMW visit http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/.

Tempt my Tummy Tuesday

I have been on a soup kick lately. It could be its because it is soooooo cold here. This soup is Fantastic, easy and cheap! You won't be disappointed! ( You can also add finely chopped jalapeno peppers for an extra kick ) Clink on the icon above to see more awesome recipe's!

Ham potato cheddar soup

5 or 6 potatoes cut into chunks

2 cups water

1 small onion

3 tablespoons of butter

3 tablespoons all purpose flour

crushed red pepper flakes ( optional)

ground black pepper

3 cups milk

1/2 teaspoon sugar

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup cubed cooked ham

Peel potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubes

Bring water to a boil in large saucepan. Add potatoes and cook until tender. Drain, reserving liquid. Set aside potatoes. Measure 1 cup cooking liquid, adding water, if necessary: set aside.

Peel and finely chop onion. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion to saucepan; cook, stirring frequently, until onion is translucent and tender, but not brown.

Add flour to saucepan: season with pepper flakes and black pepper to taste. Cook 3 to 4 minutes.

Gradually add potatoes, reserved 1 cup cooking liquid, milk and sugar to onion mixture in saucepan; stir well. Add cheese and ham. Simmer over low heat 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Store leftovers, covered, in refrigerator.

Menu Plan Monday

Nothing too exciting this week. Hubby is working 3 days this week so its a boring menu plan. Hope you have a yummy week!

Monday: Eat at Family's

Tuesday: Walleye, perogies, green beans

Wednesday: Hungarian Stew, Crescent Rolls ( From last week- we didn't get to this dinner)

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Grilled chicken, white wine garlic pasta, broccoli, salad, garlic bread

Sunday: Beef potpie