Way Back When-esday!

Jackie and Hannah at the Dillard House on the Fourth 2005. We had so much fun going there. It is soo relaxing! (I wonder where that cute dress is that Hannah is wearing....I think it would fit Addi about now).

A Sentimental Journey.......

Disclaimer.....this will probably bore most of you to death.....but, I really wanted to document this trip for my kids, friends and family members!

Day 1 started bright and early with me dropping Addi off at Lisa Murphy's (thanks sooo much, Lisa). Then we were on the road. After a quick breakfast at Cracker Barrell, we headed north! It was a very long drive and we hit major rush house traffic in Cincinatti. I do mean major! I don't ever want to hear anyone up there complain about Atlanta traffic. Anyway, due to the traffic mishap we were late for our dinner engagement so we switched to plan B which was pizza at my cousin's house. This is my cousin Peggy....my mom's brothers daughter (did you get that?). We figured out that we hadn't seen each other in 32 years!!! We vowed not to let that happen again!

My Uncle Bob and Aunt Sandy with Jackie and I. This is my mom's brother and his wife!
The kids...Mark, Taylor, Drew, Kyleigh.
Aunt Sandy, Shirley, my Dad and Uncle Bob....talking about old times! We spent the night at a hotel in Columbus (along with hundreds of little league baseball players at a tournament). So Day 2 started out when Jackie and I met my friend Debi (she used to live here and moved back to Ohio...we have been friends for 22+ years) and her daughter, Jennifer for lunch!
Jennifer is preggo (due in August with Rylee)...here she is opening her baby gift that I brought for her (Gymboree, of course...gotta get Miss Rylee off to the right start in life).After a delicious lunch at Molly Woo's (I wish we had these here...yum) we were on the road again! We finally made it to Toledo and my cousin Greg's house! We chilled for a (very) few minutes and then we were off again. This time to an old, old friend's house for dinner. My parents and her parents were best buds back in the day and even though we lived states apart....we probably saw them at least once a year. Boy, I could tell you some stories about those visits (but won't because the statue of limitations might not be up, ha!). We had a delicious dinner and then went to her parents house for dessert. Drew thought it was so cool that we were doing a "progressive dinner". This is me, Lisa and Jackie.This is Roger (Lisa's dad)and his new hot rod!The kids on Roger and Sherry's porch swing (in her beautifully landscaped backyard..omg!!). Drew, Taylor, Gabby and Lily

Lisa with her girls!Drew and Lily were close to the same age and had very similar personalities......they hit it off perfectly!This is when the real fun began! We were outside on the back porch enjoying our dessert and the beautiful weather and from out of no where a storm blew in! Not just any storm...a huge windy, thunder and lightening, get in the basement kind of storm. We headed inside and within seconds, the power went off and we were all standing there in the dark. So we headed to the basement where we hung out for the next hour until the storm blew over. Drew...entertaining the crowd!Saturday was Day 3 and we were up bright and early and off on another adventure. This is my dad's all time favorite restaurant when he goes home. He loves Red Wells and it is a must to eat there at least once. It is yummy and we thought about going back again but ran out of time! They specialize in open faced roast beef sandwiches and some of the best gravy you have ever tasted! Yummy! After lunch, my dad drove us around for hours to see some landmarks that were on our list. This is my Grandma Kruse's house (my dad's mom)...the one we remember going to anyway.This is the house where my mom grew up. My dad used to pick her up for dates here.The church where my parents got married and my Grandmother went for many years. I remember visiting here when I was a little girl!Right across from the church (and the next street over from her house) is this school. My mom went to elementary school here and also taught here when she graduated from college!This was my Grandma Drake's house (my mom's mom)We also visited the cemetery and placed flowers on graves there.Drew sitting on the "Bierly Bench"....his great, great grandparents. Saturday night we attended the wedding of Emily and Dave. This is my cousins daughter. It was outside at the Toledo Botanical Gardens and it was gorgeous! They couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather (well, maybe about 10 degrees cooler).Drew getting his groove on at the reception!Emily enjoying her wedding party!This is my cousin Lisa (Emily's mom)...she was finally getting to relax and let loose after months of wedding planning!On Sunday, Day 4...we all headed up to my Uncle Bob's cottage on the lake. Lisa and Dave (Emily's dad) really needed to get away and de-stress from everything. Drew had a blast being pulled on the back of the boat!My Uncle Bob...the captain of the boat. He was married to my Aunt Vir (my dad's only sister and sibling) who passed away in 1990 (I think). The boys....riding around in the golf cart!My dad and his cousin...Linda!My cousin Greg and his wife, Lisa (yes, another Lisa).Mollie, Taylor and Drew on the jet skis! We didn't get to spend as much time as we would have liked at the cottage because we had another dinner engagement that evening. We went to eat a yummy dinner with Shirley's sister in law, Marilyn, where I unfortunately didn't get any pics! Monday was Day 5 and of course eating was on our agenda! Ha! My dad had been talking about Tony Packo's the entire time we were there and we finally made it there. I never really watched MASH but apparently, Jamie Farr made this place famous through that show. It was very good! There are hot dog buns all over the place signed by famous people from the president (current and past) to the rock group KISS. The whole gang enjoying our lunch!Drew checking out the buns!He insisted I take a picture of this one....Jerry Seinfeld....so I did! After our lunch...Greg and Lisa took us to a few outside malls and we just shopped around for a bit. Dinner that night was at Rosie's...a delicious Italian restaurant!Well, Day 6 was supposed to be our drive home, but since we were so close to Amish Country...I really wanted to visit there. We pulled a few strings, made a few phone calls and bingo...we scored another day! So after saying our goodbyes to our family and friends in the Toledo area....we (me, Jackie, and the kids) were off to see the Amish! It is so strange to see these buggies driving down the road and parked at the stores and restaurants!We came across this sign and I told Jackie to go back so I could take a picture! How funny!An Amish house with their laundry hung out to dry!My friend Debi only lives about 45 minutes from the Amish country so her and Jennifer met us again. Luck was on our side because Debi's sister is friends with this Amish man and told us where he lives and to go visit. He and his wife Mary were the nicest people and took us on a buggy ride through the town, let us tour the inside of their house and took us to visit his barn with all of the animals. It is so interesting how these people live. It was beautiful out there and they keep every blade of grass in pristine shape! I would have loved to have taken more pics...but it is against the Amish standard to take pics so I was on my best behavior (even though it about killed me). We left Amish country and headed south! We stopped somewhere in Kentucky to spend the night about midnight. There was a Steak and Shake right next to the hotel so we went for a midnight snack. We were deliriously tired at this point and COULD NOT stop laughing! Taylor set my camera on the table across from us and set the timer to take this pic!This picture pretty much sums up Day 7.

Wow! What a busy, fun filled trip! It was good to go (and good to be home too). Thanks to everyone who fed us, let us stay at their house, babysat, took us on tours and drove us around!!!

Freebie Friday!

OMG! I am exhausted. We drove nearly 2000 miles (not counting the miles we rode with my dad), visited family, friends, houses, restaurants (!!), cemeteries, the Amish, a lake...oh and attended a (very beautiful) wedding! I am working on a mega blog post about our trip so look for it some time this weekend.....and yes Lisa and Debi you will both make the blog! LOL! Here are a few things for today. We had kid's bunco last night so I had to do this with Addison terrorizing my house so it's kinda small this week!




*****Today is Mega Swagbucks Day! Go here to sign up!******
Swagbucks has stepped up their program lately and are now giving away even more bucks and many more times a day than before. I think I have accumulated close to $25 in Amazon gift cards just for searching the web…something I do anyway! You are really missing out if you are not searching through Swagbucks!
~You can get 20% off at Shoes.com through today only with promo code SMART. That code will also take 25% off on any clearance merchandise and get you free shipping.
There are a TON of items to choose from


~I am not sure if this is a new sample but I was able to request it so worth a shot!
Click here for a free sample of Nivea Happy Sensation body lotion. I love these to tuck into my purse and in the glove box.


~This coupon went super fast last time- it is back for the moment- head over here to score $1/2 Lifesavers.


~There is a new printable coupon for Coach Factory stores- get 20% off purchases of $250 or less or 30% off purchases of $250 or more. The coupon is valid through June 27th.


~Just a reminder that the awesome sale at Old Navy started yesterday! Get 30% off the entire store- either in store or online. This does exclude gift card purchases and you can have a look around at Old Navy.com- be sure to use code ONBIG30 at checkout.


~There is a great deal on Wonka candy at Target.
Wonka Bagged Candy is priced at $2.99There is a $1.50/1 Target couponFinal Price: $1.49


~You can get a $1 off Skinny Cow products coupon. The single serve cups are priced from $1.00-1.29 at most stores- so free to .29 each after coupon!


~There is a printable coupon available for 20% off Ralph Lauren Factory Stores through July 5th. You can click HERE to find a Ralph Lauren store near you.


~There were (2) $2.50/1 Luvs coupons available ages and ages ago. Well guess what? They are still available to request! If you haven’t set up an account with Luvs, you can do so HERE and click the box to request (2) $2.50 coupons mailed to you.


~If you head over to Digiorno on Facebook you can click on the Deep Dish tab.
Then you need to upload a photo of yourself and you can get a coupon for a free Deep Dish pizza.


~You can get 80% off gift certificates from Restaurant.com with code: SUMMER.
That makes a $25 certificate just $2! Be sure to read the fine print for any restaurant you select as some have limited hours of availability. Click HERE to have a look.


~The cheap movie tickets from AMC theaters are back! This is only one per email account so you might consider purchasing one for yourself and one for your spouse.
You can click below to purchase the tickets while supplies last:
ATLANTA
PHILADELPHIA
BOSTON
CHICAGO
NYC
SAN FRANCISCO
WASHINGTON DC


~There is a new coupon HERE for $2 off any Huggies wipes 320 ct or larger.
You can also get a $2 off Goodnights coupon! I saw these with no zip code under Household.


~The Target ad for 6/27 will have Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs on sale for $1.39 each. There is a coupon for $1/2 any Oscar Mayer hot dogs that you might want to grab now.
That will make them .89 a pack which is a great price!


~This isn’t very high in value but you almost never see coupons for soft drinks. I have a feeling this will go fast. Click HERE to save $1/2 twin packs or $1/4 2L of Coke. I believe there might also be a big ad that prints after the coupon so maybe you can stop your printer.


~There is a free 5×7 photo print or collage available from Rite Aid while supplies last.
Head over HERE and enter code: FREE5X7JN at checkout. You can pick up in store for free shipping. Be sure to select “days” not same day.


~There is a new coupon HERE for $1/2 boxes of Act II popcorn. These are priced at $1 per box at Walgreens- so just .50 per box!


~Click HERE to get a coupon for $5 off 10 Smart Ones Frozen dinners. Hurry before this one is gone.


~Get $5 back on 1 gallon paint and $20 back on 5 gallon buckets of paint at Home Depot. Includes Behr, Glidden and Flood Paints. Click HERE for more info and the rebate form.
~Kids eat FREE at IKEA from 6/23 - 7/5!!! That is almost 2 weeks of FREE kid food!!! Click HERE for more information!!!


~Ocean Spray has a great coupon available for $1/1 of their new Blueberry juices. Wait for a BOGO sale and you can possibly score some FREE juice or nearly FREE. Click HERE to get the coupon.


~Click HERE for a NEW coupon for $.50 off 1 Goldfish crackers.
RedPlum just released a new coupon for $8 off Remember Me on DVD or Blu-Ray! This DVD is on sale at most stores for just $19.99, so just $11.99 after the coupon!


~Click HERE for a coupon for $15 off a $75 purchase at Party City. I hope it is one good party if you actually spend $75!!! Hee, Hee.


~Here are 2 Blockbuster Express Kiosk rental codes: G416A and BBXDVD1
You can actually use this code once per credit/debit card. Have 3 cards, then you can get 3 free rentals. What a deal!!!


~Today only, when you click on the “Like” button on the Mentos Facebook Page, you can print a Buy One, Get One Free Mentos coupon.


~If you live near a Hannaford store, you can get free food right now. Just print the $2/1 any Hannaford product coupon here (expires July 3, 2010) and use it on any Hannaford products which are priced at $2 or less to get them free. It’s being reported that apple juice, peanut butter, frozen lemonade and more are all free after this coupon.


~Print a $2/1 any Rimmel coupon from All You (click on “All You Exclusives” on the sidebar to locate it quickly). Rimmel ExtraSuper Lash Mascara is priced at $2.24 at Target making it only $0.24 after this coupon!


~El Monterey has a new Instant Win Game on Facebook — and everyone wins at least a Buy One, Get One Free El Monterey product coupon.


~Download a free ebook 29 Tasty and Easy Breakfast Recipes.


~Fill out a survey and get free samples of Biore Makeup Removing Towelettes or Biore Steam Activated Cleanser.


~Through August 18, 2010, you can get a free Kid’s Meal at Bob Evans when you purchase any Bob-B-Q meal priced at $5.99 or more. Print your coupon here.


~Add 20 free Pampers Gifts to Grow points to your account with the following codes:
ENJOYYOURSUMMER (expires July 6, 2010)
GTGLEARNMORE089


~Sign up for a free Move-Free Advanced Starter Package. One per household. Recipient must be 18 or older to request it.


~Go here and answer a 6-question survey to receive a free 3-5 use sample packet of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion. Mention you heard about it on Money Saving Mom and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win 2 free bottles of their sun care (a $43 value).


~Sign up for free samples of Green Magma — a green nutrition supplement.


~Payless Shoesource is having a $7, $9 and $11 shoe sale. Plus, use coupon code 30487 to get an additional 20% off the sale price. Choose in-store pickup and shipping is free.


~Go here to print a coupon (good through July 14, 2010) to get a free travel sized Signature Item with any purchase at Bath and Body Works. As in the past, you can buy anything in the store and get the free item–even a $1 item!


~Download free patterns for 18-inch dolls from Liberty Jane Patterns.


~Get a free sample of Old Wisconsin Snack Sticks from Kroger or Fred Meyer.


~If you’re a teacher or homeschooler, you can sign up for C-SPAN Classroom to get free resources. Right now, they are offering a free American Presidents Timeline Poster. This 6-foot-long poster details the lives and public service careers of every president, plus key historical events, Supreme Court cases and technology milestones throughout 280 years of Presidential history


~Through July 11, 2010, make any purchase at Panda Express and get a free single serving of Free Orange Chicken with this coupon.


~Use this coupon to get a free small slice of pie at any Waffle House location. Dine-in only. One per customer. No purchase necessary. This coupon expires July 10, 2010.
~I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s still available so I thought it was worth mentioning again. Click on the “Like” button on the Del Taco Facebook Page and you’ll be able to print a coupon for a free Chicken Taco with any purchase.


~Sign up for a free Beech-Nut Next Steps Kit. This kit contains some coupons and information as well as a coupon for a completely free Beech-Nut product.


~Click on the Free Bronzer Ad on the right side of the sidebar and fill out your information to receive a free Natural Hue CoverGirl bronzer.


~Click on the “Like” button on the Champps Facebook Page and then click on the “Free Burger” tab and you can sign up for a free burger — no purchase necessary. Your free burger coupon should arrive by email within 7-10 days. This offer is good until Champps receives 100,000 fans on Facebook. They are at 6,000 right now — but these could go fast so hurry and sign up!


~Request a free sample of Starbucks VIA Ready Brew. This sample is offered through Costco but no membership is required.


~Sign up for free samples of TENA Ultrathin Pads.



Have a great weekend!!!

Blog Break!

Sorry I have been MIA...this has been a crazy week! We have had VBS and I am leaving (Drew and I) for Michigan/Ohio early tomorrow morning (well, technically it is already tomorrow) to attend my cousin's wedding. We also will get to see lots of friends and relatives that we haven't seen in forever! (Debi...are you ready for us???). I am a little (lot) nervous about leaving my baby so pray that she is ok. I know she and Daddy will have lots of fun together even if she won't get dressed for 6 days. I will leave you with a few random shots from the past week or so! See you when I get back!