madameblogalot

Recently I had to buy ink cartridges for my printer. This was the first time I had to replace them since we got the new computer and printer. I know printer ink is expensive (and I had to replace all of them at the same time!) so when I began to look I wanted to find the best price. I bought all the ink cartridges at local retail stores, one being significantly cheaper than the office supply store (but they were out of all the colored inks.) But then I found a website in which I could have saved even more money.

When I see the savings offered, like a 10% savings on dell 926 printer ink cartridges, 15% off ink and toner, $3 Canon cartridges, I have got to make sure that I look there first next time! When I spent nearly $100 to replace those ink cartridges, a percentage of savings would be significant!

I hope that next time I am ready to buy printer ink, there will be such good sales and special prices going on. I will at least remember to check online first before going out to drop $100! Some sites are also offering free shipping, leaving no reason not to order online!

My refrigerator stinks! No, it works fine (amazingly since it’s ten years old! That is good in this day and age for newer appliances!) But it literally stinks. I have thrown out everything that I can think of that might be causing the stink-y-ness. I have taken everything out of it and cleaned the shelves and drawers. I have put in new baking soda. That usually does the trick. But not this time.

I read some other tricks that I am in the process of trying now. One, place apple slices in the refrigerator. Another idea is to put in an open container of white vinegar. I also read that using wet paper towels can help absorb the odor. So now I am trying all of those at once. There was also the idea to put in an open container of fresh coffee grounds, but since I don’t drink coffee, I don’t have any. But I am even thinking about going to get some coffee. I sure hope these ideas work and work quickly!

I don’t know what it is about odors building up in american style fridge freezers, but I know that I am willing to try anything to keep it smelling fresh!

I wear a watch every day, rarely taking it off. I always wear a sports watch and am mostly never conscious about it. From time to time however, I think I might like a watch that is a little more dressy. Since I don’t dress up that often though, I would not want to spend a great deal of money on a nice, dressy watch.

I just heard about GK Scott who is a big name in selling pre-owned Rolex watches. I don’t know how inclined I would be to purchase a pre-owned Rolex, but I do know that if I ever did decide to purchase one, that I would want to be sure that the work was certified, which GK Scott assures.

It’s my husband’s birthday this weekend. We have been in “need” (want) of a new tv for a while now. We have looked at several different ones to see which kind and size we would like. Of course the 22 inch lcd tv are too small for my husband. What he really wants is the 32 inch lcd tv (well, the minimum he wants). The biggest problem for me (besides the fact that there is no money in the budget for a new tv right now) is that in order for this size to fit, he will have to make some cuts to the entertainment center he built nearly twenty years ago! Televisions have changed over the last twenty years, so he is ready and willing to change the shelving unit to fit the newer tvs. I don’t know. I think that my husband has decided to wait until Thanksgiving to see if he can get the very best deal on a new tv. I am sure that at least come “Black Friday” we will have a new TV in the old entertainment center.

I love coupons! I am not ashamed to admit it. Once when my daughter was in a community college play, we were sitting around listening to the college kids talking. A girl won a free item with a game piece on her soda. One boy said he would not use the coupon from a soft drink for a free item at the fast food restaurant. He said he was too embarrassed to use coupons!! I think he’s crazy!

I try to use coupons anytime I shop, even when I shop online. When I am looking for a certain item or am shopping a particular online store, I will search for Savings.com coupons, and any site that offers coupon codes, to see what I can save on what I am going to buy anyway. Earlier this summer, I bought some Crocs online for $15 using an online coupon I had found. And I recently purchased some textbooks for my son. I knew it was going to cost a bit and wanted to get whatever savings I could. I found a coupon for free shipping, which is always good. In fact, when I received the order, the company had even inserted another coupon for free shipping on my next order! Yes, I LOVE coupons!

No matter what time of year it is, it seems as if people are always looking for the best diet for fast weight loss. I know that everywhere I read, watch and listen, there are commercials for weight loss plans, diets, gadgets, ideas and fads. It seems though that the best ideas are the mainstays of health and nutrition. This is really the only true way to get and stay fit.

In trying to teach kids about healthy habits, I try to use the word “diet” in the proper context. Not that I am “on a diet” (which I have had my share of time with) but realizing that “diet” when used as a noun is simply one’s selection of food. So we are all “on a diet”, it is just a matter of whether we are on a healthy diet or not. I particularly like a post I read today about some of the best foods for a “hard body.” The list included many of my favorites and my stomach even started growling while I read through the list! The matter of fact approach to sharing healthy tips is just right. I like the points made about proper diets not being “restrictive” but about eating healthy foods for life and making it a lifestyle.

With good foods and good habits, weight control will be a by-product. Learning this has been an eye opening experience for me.

We moved into our house about 10 years ago. I still remember what an ardous process it was. It was very difficult and time consuming. I remember thinking that if we just had all the proper supplies, it would have been much easier. Thankfully, there is now a company who tailors to your moving needs. Whether you are making a long haul to your new home and need some recovery straps and load locks for the moving van, or just moving a dresser from one room to another and you need a few furniture pads, they’ve got everything you need.

As summer winds down and kids go back to school, many people look to this time of late summer/early fall as the perfect vacation time. It seems like this could be an ideal time to travel abroad and take in all the sights and sounds with less of the crowds. While perusing some of the villas to rent I just can’t help but imagine what it would be like to take a stay in Spain, Italy, France or Croatia. I saw that there are over 7,000 last minute villa offers within the next 2 weeks! A European holiday would be a delightful way to end the summer!

I’ve been looking for a part time job off and on. I am picky though. I have only a couple of days a week I can work and I want to be here for my kids in the afternoons, evenings and weekends. Which really limits my opportunities. So I’ve been looking at some other options, including work at home jobs. I did see one place that is hiring 15 million people to work as independent sales representatives for their consumer coupon books. You can Apply Here Start Tomorrow if you are interested.

Toy Story 3: We decided as a family to go see the newest edition of the Disney “trilogy”. I was not sure I wanted to see it and sort of “blew it off” when my son’s girlfriend’s mother told me I was going to cry. *Spoiler Warning* When I found out that Andy is 17 and getting ready for college and is figuring out what to do with all his toys, I knew I was going to be a lost cause! I teared up at the trash incinerator scene but cried all out when Andy gives his toys to Bonnie and sits and plays with them one last time on his way to college. In spite of the innuendos between Ken and Barbie, this one was a HIT for me.

Murder on the Orient Express: We watched the PBS Mystery Masterpiece version. While I like the book, I have to say that I was not too impressed with the film. It was a bit hard to follow and I even dozed off for a bit. I had forgotten about the ending, so while still liking the story, I think I have to say this film was a MISS for me.

Inception: WOW! Good movie. Our whole family votes this one as a HIT! Lots to think about and good conversations afterward.

Despicable Me: so-so. While I enjoyed the family time together and had no real complaints about this one (though I probably wouldn’t want to take little kids to see it) I will say it’s neither a HIT nor a MISS. (Just be aware that they are charging more per ticket if you choose to see it in 3D!)

USA Triathlon Life Summer Issue: While I did not read every article, I enjoyed the ones I did read. I learned some running mechanics for when I can get back to the running. I also enjoyed looking at all the upcoming races, wishing I could do one or two of them! This issue was a HIT for me.