More Great Mistletoe Madness Giveaways!!!

Jennifer at J. Leigh Desingz and Dee a Two of a Kind have a couple more great giveaways going! This time from
Visit Jennifer for a chance to win the V.Smile Motion.... it's like the regular V.Smile but with more features. You can use the V.Link to go online and get more games and track what your child is learning.... plus it has a wireless controller... you can read more about it on Jennifer's blog and at V-Tech. We got Steffie the V-Smile for her birthday and she loves it... but I wish I had thought it through more and bought this one instead :)

Then visit Dee for a chance to win another great V-Tech toy.... the Jungle Gym: Ride & Learn Giraffe Bike. Isn't he a cute lil guy??? And what lil one wouldn't want to ride a giraffe???! Fun and educational.... V-Tech does both. I think lil Austie would love this guy!

So get a head start on your Holiday gifts and enter to win these fun and educational toys. It sure would come in handy around here to win so gifts!

A Lil Enchanted,
~LaShan~

Not Bad For A Saturday...

Today was a much better day and I got a lot accomplished... the laundry is done for one. And I got all my coupons clipped and filed alphabetically... there was ton of them. I sat Steffie down with me to clip out pictures of things she wants for Christmas from sales flyers and she had a great time and stayed busy with it for quite awhile. I told her we would glue them in a lil book and mail them to Santa so he'll know what she wants.

I've been doing some great grocery shopping and saving tons of money by using my coupons and some great lists from Sherri at Luv A Bargain and Southern Savers but I have found that where I live we just don't get all of the awesome coupons that other people get. I was using the lists to look up my coupons according to the date of the weekly inserts and about 50% of the time I don't have the coupons that are supposed to be there.... and sometimes I would find them in a different insert from a different week. So now that they are all alphabetical I should have an easier time finding them. It was a huge task and took several hours but it is done!... until tomorrow when the Sunday paper arrives with more...lol... but if I don't let them pile up and get them clipped and filed quickly it shouldn't take nearly as long.
Oh and you know what I filed them in??? A plastic baby wipe container! They fit great in there... it's just the right size to hold them with just enough extra space to keep my envelopes for each store that I shop at in the back. When I plan my shopping I print out a list for each store and put it in an envelope for that store along with the coupons I plan to use there. Of course I take my others along as well just in case an unexpected deal pops up. So I'm ready for payday and next week's grocery shopping... well... almost... I still need to get my lists together and put the coupons with them. But I'm off to a good start. I'll work on the lists tomorrow.

A Lil Enchanted,
~LaShan~

Making Progress...

I made some progress today on the decorating... got the front windows cleaned.... this only happens once a year.... right before I put the tree up.... and OMG they were sooo dirty.... the outsides could use a good cleaning as well. I took them apart and cleaned the insides.... and both sides of the storm windows. Vacuumed down cobwebs that I had deliberately left up for Halloween.... lol... great natural decor.... and vacuumed the dust off the curtains. I took down the blinds that are broken and replace the ripped lace sheer..... and put up the icicle lights and single candle in each of the three front windows.... well that is minus one string of lights in one window... I can't find that third string... I know it's here somewhere.

So I started upacking some boxes looking for the missing string of lights.... I had no intention of actually taking the stuff out and putting it up but I did anyways... how else was I supposed to see if those lights were in the bottom of the boxes???.... and while I had it out I figured I may as well put it where I normally do right??? So "the stockings are hung by the chimney with care"... and the mantle is decorated and lit with garland... as well as the entertainment center... the Yule log is on the hearth..... and various other trinkets are sitting about..... and I still haven't found that string of lights! I have several more boxes to go.... but come to think of it... I probably put those lights in the box with the tree.... because I have to put those up in the windows before I put the tree up.... otherwise I can't get to the windows to do it.

So the house is beginning to look festive... Steffie is excited... she decorated her lil pink Barbie tree... and watched Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.... and she can't wait to get the tree up.

Oh and that tree up there at the top.... that's our tree from last year.... this years will look the same... providing the lights work and I don't get frustrated and pitch it to the trash after dealing with them for hours and trying to get the broken branches to at least look attached.... I really need a new tree.... but this one will hopefully make it through one more year... I've been saying that for 3 years now!

Now I'm off to check out what Black Friday may have to offer... that is providing I have some money to shop with when it rolls around.... and a babysitter.

A Lil Enchanted,
~LaShan~

Have You Started Your Holiday Shopping Yet???

Can you believe it's only 50 days until Christmas? I'm stunned.... it seems like it should be way further away to me. Doesn't it just come faster every year? I like to get a head start on my shopping when I can... there are not many more paychecks coming before the big day is here and since I ... again... have no money put back for my shopping... I'll have to spread it out a lil each paycheck between now and Christmas. So if you are in the same situation... or you just want to get a head start on things then please take a look at my web site.... you'll find something there for everyone on your list... from the kids to the furbabies... the man or woman in your life.... even decor to spruce up your home for the holidays..... and even those people who are so hard to buy for because they have everything they want already. So go ahead... click the banner above.... and take a lil peek. If you're not ready to shop just yet please come back when you are ready.... I appreciate any and all visitors. You can even simplify your shopping by making a Wish List with the Gift Registry.... and have your family members create one too so you will know what they want and where to find it.... and they will know exactly what to get for you as well :)

A Lil Enchanted,
~LaShan~

My friend PJ over on PJ's Prose is starting her own home business! How exciting is that?! She sent out some free samples last week and let me tell you that her products are amazing. She makes lotion, lip balms, facial scrub, body sprays, bath salts, and lotion bars out of all natural ingredients and in a variety of fragrances or even unscented if you are sensitive to smells.

She sent me lotion which leaves your hands feeling silky smooth.... and lip balm which I absolutely love. Just one use made my dry cracked lips smooth and soft. And she sent me her amazing facial scrub which left my face feeling so smooth silky I had to get my hubby to feel it.

Her prices are great and right now she's offering free shipping too... so hop on over and check out her list of products and fragrances and place an order while the shipping is free... the special offer ends November 5th. These would make great Christmas gifts... stocking stuffers.... and a wonderful treat for yourself.... or for the special woman in your life.

You'll be sooo glad that you gave these products a try! And you'll be helping PJ get her new business off to a great start.

A Lil Enchanted,
~LaShan~

Decisions... Decisions...

Well we finally made a decision on Steffie's gift. We went Walmart (grrrr....) to look at a few things and decided on the VSmile... it was on clearance for $40 and the games for it were $20 each (it also came with one).... she loves to play games... it's educational... it was a great deal... it doesn't have a million lil pieces.... and she picked out a Handy Manny game to go with it. Right now she's really into that show... not sure why... but she is... oddly enough the only toys she got excited about were the Handy Manny ones. She usually throws fits for baby dolls... she had no interest in the $70 walking doll I showed her... or the ones that cried real tears and looked like they were breathing while they slept.... but she wasn't feeling well at all today and not her usual self. So she knows what she's getting... and oddly as well she didn't have a fit for it today.

I'm still undecided about what to do for Sarah.... but I have a few ideas...

We still haven't finalized Steffie's party plans... the place was closed today... we think due to the recent floods... hopefully I can contact them tomorrow.

But at least we got Steffie's gift... something got accomplished! Oh yea... where was my brain??? I totally forgot to look at the cakes.... duh!!! I swear I'm not usually this disorganized!

A Lil Enchanted,
~LaShan~

Bedtimes, Potty Training and Birthdays.... Oh My

Thanks to everyone for your get well wishes :) We are all on the mend and that's a good thing... got to much to get done to be sick. I finally managed to get my fall decorating done yesterday.... and I spent today working on Steffie's room... it's been such a mess. She hasn't slept in there in over a month and I got out of the routine of putting all of the toys away as part of our bedtime routine.... they just kinda all got dumped in the floor and left there to be picked up later... so it was quite the mess. But I'm happy to say it is once again picked up and organized..... and even happier to say that she is sleeping in her own bed once again. I was amazed that she quickly agreed to sleep in her room!

She also went 4 days in a row without peeing in her panties! That is until today :(.... she was upset that she didn't get her special sticker though... so maybe tomorrow she will get back on track with that. We got the Pampers Pull-ups potty training kit in the mail with stickers and a special chart so she has been really excited each night to put her special sticker on the chart for the day. She cried today because she didn't get her sticker. Hopefully that will be incentive to get her back on track with it tomorrow.

Adrian is off work tomorrow and hopefully he'll feel pretty good... he was the last one to get hit with the bug so he's still feeling a bit lousy. We have stuff to get done though... so I hope he feels better tomorrow. I still have absolutely no idea what to get Steffie for her birthday on the first and it's a week away! I can't believe I don't know what to get the child.... she has tons of toys so I want to get her one or two nice items that don't have a million lil pieces to scatter all over the floor and that she will like a lot and play with.... any suggestions???

I also still need to finish planning her party... I told you I'm behind! It's too late to send invitations so I'll just have to call people. But I'm pretty sure of the when and where we just need to get some info and finalize it.... oh and shop for the party goods and order the cake. I've never put off party planning this long... I can't believe I've done this :( .... her birthday is a week away and I haven't planned the party.... shopped for the party.... bought her gift... or even have any idea what to get her....OMG.... what's wrong with me???

And speaking of birthdays.... Sarah's 21st is Saturday!... I had planned to bake her a cake.... she was supposed to go out to a club with her friends.... but now they've all bailed on her.... some friends huh?!.... so now it's all up to ME to be her birthday entertainer. Don't get me wrong.... I would love to spend her birthday with her but I can't go to a bar because Steffie can't go to a bar and wherever I go she has to go.... I have no sitter! Sarah wants to buy her first legal drink to celebrate her birthday... it means a lot to her...lol.... so now we have to find someplace to go so she can drink... and so Steffie can go too. She was really excited when she thought of Chuck E. Cheese....LMAO.... she thought it was perfect.... she could drink beer... Steffie would love it.... and we could all eat pizza and play games. Can you imagine someone partying it up at Chuck E. Cheese for their 21st birthday and thinking it was awesome???? But alas... it's not to happen... our Chuck E. Cheese no longer serves beer.

So now we are back to square one.... where the heck can we go so she can drink... Steffie is allowed... and that will be fun???? We talked about Don Lolo's... they have karioke and Sarah loves that!...... But she hates their food.... and she says she always stinks when she leaves there....lol... but I really can't think of any other place to go. Suggestions are welcome!!!

A Lil Enchanted,
~LaShan~

Friday Frustrations - Random Frustrations

The last two days I've been feeling like crap... not sick... just tired and no energy... I'm sure you know those days... the ones when you just don't feel like doing anything. I also seem to have developed a pretty deep cough since yesterday... I hope I'm not coming down with something.....I don't have time for it. The things I wanted to get done this week are only about half accomplished.

I got my shopping done a lil faster this time but it still took 2 days and a day of planning... mainly due to unexpected events. I'm hoping next trip will go even faster. I did get quite a few freebies and lots of bargains.... so I can't be too frustrated about that! I just want to get the process down to spending less time doing it.

I haven't spent much time this week blogging.... dropping.... or visiting my favorites.... so I'm really sorry... I haven't forgotten you... I miss you terribly..... but time is just NOT on my side. I'm hoping to get caught up on everyone this coming week. It's been a few weeks since I've managed to drop 300 EC's... lately I'm rushing in here at 10:00 pm to quickly drop and click 100 EC's and Adgitize ads before midnight. Needless to say doing it that way feels more like a chore... I much prefer visiting my favorite blogs slowly thoughout the day... reading... commenting... and just relaxing as I do it... but lately it just hasn't happened for me. Let's hope that next week is a bit more calm and laid back.

I wanted to get the house dusted and vacuumed yesterday... dusting done!.... vacuuming still waiting. My main frustration is the dog! It's her shedding season and she doesn't just shed.... the dog drips HUGE clumps of long white hair with every step! You would think by looking at my carpet.... and my furniture... at this point she would be a bald dog.... but nope she still has fur... and she's still dripping. I swear I could gather up the clumps from my floor and have enough to make a whole nother dog! Now this dog knows she is not supposed to be on my furniture and my bed.... but as soon as I leave the house where does she go??? On my furniture and my bed! Does she really think I won't know???? Does she not realized she leaves a trail of evidence behind her with every step??? She hides under the couch and waits for me to leave so she can roll around on the couch... and then do the same on my bed. And if that's not bad enough.... she uses my floor for her potty :( She can spend hours outside and then come in and do her business on my carpet! It's like she saves it up just for me.... grrrrr

And speaking of potty training.... you would think that by this time Steffie would be fully trained. She turns 4 in a couple of weeks! She has weeks when she uses the potty great... and then all of a sudden she'll go for days and not make it to the potty even once. And not only does she pee in her panties all day.... she will poop in them too.... it's so nasty at this point. She's such a smart lil girl.... why does she just refuse to use the potty???? I really don't get it. Am I destined to clean pee and poop for the rest of my life???? Will this child be 6.... 8.... 10.... and still not using the potty???? Heeeeeelp! My couch and my carpet smell soooo bad from her and dog. How do you get pee smell out of your couch cushions??? I soooo want new furniture.... but it's pointless to even think about until she gets fully trained.

And the carpet is just hopeless.... 10 years of pet pee and poop.... and now Steffie's pee.... and drinks spilled.... etc... the carpet is ragged and coming apart from multiple cleanings.... it too is disgusting.... I can't afford new carpet or any other type of flooring.... if there was anything under it besides particle board I would rip it up and throw it out. I'm living in my own personal litter box.... YUCK!!!

So as you see I'm having quite a hairy.... pissy.... and shitty week. I need proffesional help for the dog.... the kid... and the carpet.

A Lil Enchanted,
~LaShan~

We Shopped Till We Dropped

I'm baaaack.... I spent most of the day grocery shopping and bargain hunting. K-mart is doing double coupons again up to $2.00.... so we spent a good amount of time there searching for good deals and found a few. We also discovered that they have the Strawberry Shortcake bedding set that I've been wanting to get Steffie... but it's $35.... so now I'll be watching for that to go on sale between now and her birthday.

Adrian gets paid every 2 weeks so we only grocery shop once every 2 weeks as well. This adventure includes going to several different stores to grab the best bargains on what we need. We buy the bulk of our groceries at Aldi.... and certain items at Dollar General... and usually finish off at Ingles.... sometimes we throw in a few other stores as well if they have really good deals on something. So our grocery shopping takes the better part of the day and includes quite a few stops.... even though all of our stops are pretty close together it takes some time to make them. We start at Aldi since it's furthest away and work our way back home... all of our other stops are along the way... so we don't really use any more gas than if we were just going to Aldi. I spend a lot of time before hand searching the sales flyers and picking out my coupons.... but it seems there is always something that I need or want that I can't seem to find a coupon for.... even though I have tons of them. But we always leave home with a grocery list for each store and a shopping plan.

So now I'm dead tired.... my feet hurt.... and I still have groceries to put away. I think everything will wait until tomorrow... the cold stuff is taken care of.... so the rest can sit there overnight. Oh and I still have one more store to hit tomorrow.... we ran out of time today.... but it's just 5 minutes down the road.. so no biggie. Today we went to K-mart, Bi-lo, Aldi and Walgreens... tomorrow is Ingles and then we're done.

Now I gotta get busy dropping EC's... haven't done a single one yet and it's 10:30 p.m.

A Lil Enchanted,
~LaShan~