Haiku Friday First!

This is my first time participating in "Haiku Friday!"

I found this on A Mommy Story and wanted to also participate and see if this is something I want to participate in weekly.

I became particularly interested because oddly enough...about the time I found this, I was finishing up a lesson on "Haikus" with my Third Grade students. We made an abstract painting and they had to write a Haiku on their finished masterpieces to connect poetry with Art!

Now I am into the Haikus myself...here is my participating Poem for this Friday (although a bit past midnight on Friday...well..now into Monday...forgive me!)

stressful day is done
weekend is certainly here
shopping time is here

Join us in Haiku Friday!

It is fun and relaxing! And, no better day: FRIDAY!

Friday Faves: Favorite Candle Scent!

Friday Faves with Mommy Community:

This week the "fave" is your Favorite Candle Scent!

Mine is Brown Sugar & Fig from Bath and Body Works!

I also like an apple scent as well!

Now, your turn! What is your favorite Candle Scent?

Happy Friday!

Love Unique Gifts? Try a NY CityPass!

If you are like me...I LOVE giving Unique gifts that are Affordable!

A New York CityPass may be the answer to your gift-giving needs. It is a booklet loaded with Tickets to Fabulous NY Attractions! (Check out the list of attractions below) The lucky recipient just takes out the ticket to the "attraction" they want to attend and they can bypass long lines, not to mention save a ton of money thanks to your thoughtfulness. Not to mention, you save money buying the booklet as the regular price with all the tickets bought separately would be a whopping $130! You pay ONLY $65 for adult booklets and $49 for children.

What a deal!? Man, you should just buy one for yourself also! Save yourself money as well! Act fast, the booklets are available as a Winter Special from December 15th to March 15th. The recipient can start using the tickets December 15th to March 15th.

Here is a list of the Attraction Tickets you will find in your New York CityPass booklet:
*The Metropolitan Museum of Art
*The NEW Greek and Roman Galleries
*Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
*Guggenheim Museum
*The American Museum of Natural History
*Trip to the Top of the Empire State Building Observatory
*Tour of the Manhattan skyline from the water aboard a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise

Also located in your booklet you will have a map with public transportation information. They even include "insider tips" on the "best time" to visit the attractions that are in the booklet.

Now, I don't know about you, but I know this is a GREAT gift for any of your New York friends or anyone you know that is going to be traveling that area between December 15th through March 15th!

I love Art Museums and this is chocked full of Art Museums. As an Art Teacher and lover of the Arts, this gift "makes my mouth water!" If you know anyone like me, then this gift is for them! Also, I can't express enough, what a deal at just $65.00! Wow-wee!

I should also mention that CityPass is offering overnight delivery options and inexpensive gift wrapping for your gift along with a personalized gift card. This is a nice bonus to top off your great gift and wonderful savings.

New York CityPass

Thrifty Tip Thursday! FREE SAMPLES!

Yep! FREE Samples folks! Kick back, relax and let the free samples "roll in" your mailbox!

I have a friend on Posh Mama (a Mom Social Network) in my Thrifty and Creative "Group" and she shared the information I am giving you in this post:

She said that you can go to WalMart.com ... click on "In Stores Now" and find different samples on a regular basis. I checked several times myself and there is always SOMETHING there! She also said she can gather enough samples for items like toothpaste, deoderant and other regular products that your rarely have to go out and buy some yourself. Stick with the great samples! Keep a check regularly and bingo!

I thanked her for this awesome tip, I wish I had a blog or something to send you to for her; however, currently she doesn't have one. When she gets a site or blog rolling, I will definitely introduce her to you all!

Meanwhile, go grab some samples! I know I will!

Wordless Wednesday

Great GREEN Site by NBC! Very Cool!

I am currently watching "Chuck" and will be "Heroes!" This is my Monday Night line-up as usual! While watching the show "Chuck" just now, a "tip" on how to be "Green" just popped up and beside it was a website! You KNOW I had to check it out! GREEN IS UNIVERSAL

Check it out for Tips on being Green and what the Network NBC and its other affiliates are doing to be "Green!" Apparently it is "Green Week" on NBC!

I am with it! Going to go check out the site more thoroughly for tips I can use myself! Have a "Green" Week!

One more time: Green Is Universal

Baby $$ Money $$ Saving Tips

It has been a while since my little one was a baby it seems. He is two years and four months almost now. He seems like a little boy now, not even a toddler anymore. :-( But they have to grow up sometime! He is a wonderful little boy! Okay, sorry didn't mean to get all sappy, but I just love my son, he is the greatest!

Now on with the Baby Saving Tips that I can remember (Time flies that fast!):

*Take anything anyone gives you in their effort to help out! It is first of all a nice gesture on that person's part...don't offend. Second, you may need it and don't realize it yet, but you will! If all else fails, donate to a thrift store, etc...get a tax write-off or to another mother, or save it for a yard sale, etc... I just hung on to everything nearly until I was sure of what I didn't use then redirected to others that were having children and still!

*Make sure your Baby Registry isn't a bunch of junk you really don't need! I personally don't think you need to ask for clothes or outfits as most will give you that anyway! Ask for useful items...strollers, car seats, diapers, etc...things you really need! I personally again wouldn't ask for any kind of toy! People will give you that also without a registry. Trust me, babies and toddlers, all the world is a toy! No need to spend boucoups on that large plastic stuff unless you just have the money for it!

*Start buying diapers early (when you are in the so-called "safety zone, after three months")! CVS Pharmacy has great deals every now and then running a special buy one get one free of their brand. They are nice, stretchy. I bought good ones also, those were for night and going out! Trust me, you can't buy enough diapers! My husband thought I was, and boy did he learn FAST! LOL He thought you only changed a baby ONCE a day! And he was serious! I was like, no no no...like 10-15 times a day to start with! He was like "Geez, lets get more diapers!" LOL

*Breastfeed! It's best for baby, saves $$ on formula, and DOCTOR Bills!!! How about that!? It is medicine for the baby! For more information check out: La Leche League International I frequented this site before I had my son and while he was a baby! Very informative! I was more of a EP mom I believe is what it was called. (You can visit the site and find out what that means!)

*Use non-disposable diapers! Now you knew I was going to say that one; however, you didn't know I was going to say...didn't do this! My husband and I know it is best for environment; however, we don't have the stomach for it! I DO highly recommend it if you can do it! Save money and help the Environment and guaranteed your baby will be more comfortable!

Okay, in order to not write too much here and bore you to death...I will write a part two on baby saving tips coming soon! I was inspired to do this for my sister whom is pregnant! I will be an AUNT for the first time! Pretty exciting!

Outlet Smarts! Save on your electric bill!

Now, what I am getting ready to "blog" about here isn't going to save you tons and tons of money; however, if you add up all the electric savings tips from here and other sources, trust me, it will make a difference. If nothing else, feel good you are helping the environment.

So on with the "Outlet Smarts!"

I have heard a couple of tidbits that might be of interest to you frugal folks out there...I know I found it interesting:

*Cover your outlets with the childproofing covers! Apparently air gets in through them. This is most noticeable in the winter. I was amazed by the "breeze" coming through the tiny spaces. Also, if you have animals or children, you are probably and should already be doing this! Pick up a box at your local Target or Walmart for like $1-$2!

*I saw on an episode of Ellen (over the summer)and heard from my Mother...that you can save money on your electric bill just by UNplugging appliances, etc..when not in use. EVEN if the item is OFF, it is STILL on Standby "Ready" to be turned on, which is actually taking power to do this!!! I was like...hmmm...makes sense to me. On the Ellen show they particularly pointed out the fact the little lights and led time are always on and do take power! Aha-AAA! Something we KNOW but don't necessarily concern ourselves with!

So here is a couple of "Outlet Smarts!" Have any to add? Drop them in the Comment Jar! Thanks for visiting! Have a wonderful upcoming week! Don't forget to check the Christmas Countdown banner at the bottom of this blog! Yippees!

Set your clocks back one hour tonight!

Daylight Savings: SET CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR IN THE U.S.!

Well, if it is going to get darker anyways, might as well look on the "bright" side!

One hour extra of Sleep tonight, or Hour Extra to stay up!

Pictures today! NEA Members 50% off!

Yep, that is right, if you are a teacher and are a NEA member. I am actually a member through my local and state wide teacher organizations NCAE and JCAE. If you are a teacher and have not taken advantage of NEA/NCAE's discounts...what are you waiting for?

I had been a member for YEARS until a teacher at our school sat us down and explained the other benefits besides professional insurance that the membership held. As soon as I heard 50% off on Pictures... I was like SOLD! I LOVE pictures, most mothers do! In my region I can get 50% off of JCPenney Portraits. Whatever the total at the end, here comes the 50% off! I am telling you, I need this discount badly because I haven't had my son's pictures taken since he was One! Besides the ones you take yourself that is. So I am excited to find this out and take him today for his pictures with his Elvis Costume..only a few days after Halloween! Not so bad!

I have to have a large one for my kitchen! (Kitchen is decorated in the 50s...down to the retro table from the 50s I acquired at an Antique store!)