dystopia

Book Review of How God Makes Babies By: Jim Burns

Amanda Bradbury

I loved this book as well, it seems like the author has a whole series starting with young children going all they way through teenage years. This book is also illustrated beautifully and the pictures are awesome. The book offers the Christian perspective and is a great tool for teaching children about sex and babies. I think this is an easy way for parents of children to openly and honestly talk about sex, babies and their bodies. Sometimes I think it is never too early to start talking to a child about these very important things that may affect the rest of their lives. I would recommend this book to anyone with children or as a gift to a family member or friend with young children.

Book Review of God Made Your Body By: Jim Burns

Amanda Bradbury

I loved this book and the whole series! This seems like an easy way to talk to children about their body and about sex and babies. It is short and to the point, it has excellent and clear pictures for children to look at. The book has the Christian perspective and is great for anyone wanting to teach their children about God and their bodies. The book emphasizes God and makes several good points along with relating the information to children in a simple and direct manner. I do not have children yet, but I am definitely hanging onto this book and probably going to get the rest of his series because it can help me talk to my child one day when I have one. I would recommend this book to anyone with children or as a gift to a family member or friend with young children.

Book Review of Fast & Frugal Cookbook By: Dawn Hall

Amanda Bradbury

The fast and frugal cookbook lives up to its name. It does have many recipes that are fairly fast and fairly frugal; however I wasn’t as impressed as I thought I would be with the recipes and the ingredients. Some of the ingredients I’ve never even seen on shelves or heard of before and I’m not sure that they would be available to people all over the United States. I had no idea that Hormel brand has canned roast beef, I never recall seeing it in the store in my area and I felt that it may not be available to me or people in my region. I also felt that there were a lot of recipes that called for this particular item. Other than that I was pleased with the recipes, the nice pictures showing the dishes and the fact that many of the recipes were fast and frugal. Many of the recipes seemed like original ideas and recipes I had never seen before or something with a new twist. I would recommend this book to anyone trying to cook frugally and live a more frugal lifestyle. This is a good book to give as a gift to anyone who likes to cook or is frugal.

This book is a read and share version of the Bible for toddlers. The book includes 40 short bible stories with beautiful and colorful illustrations of bible characters and animals. The book also includes a DVD that also has short stories on it to hold the attention of toddlers. The DVD is an hour long. The book and DVD has stories from both the old and New Testament of the bible. I thought this was a very cute little book and would make the perfect gift for someone who has a child of toddler age or for any nursery school teacher at a church. The book explains the stories in simple and easy terms to relate to small children and I liked how it also included a recommended activity at the end of each story to do with your child to help them learn from the story further. I liked that the book included so many different stories from the bible for children to hear and that you could make learning about them fun with the book and DVD. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants their children to learn about God and the stories of the bible, as well as any Sunday school teacher who is sharing the word of God with children. This book is very inexpensive and is definitely worth every penny. I would also highly recommend it as the perfect gift for a toddler aged child. I am a book review blogger for Thomas Nelson, if you would like information on how you can become a book review blogger please go to http://brb.thomasnelson.com. If you would like more information on the “Read and Share Toddler Bible” please visit Thomas Nelson’s web site at www.thomasnelson.com.

Well, there have been rumors the past few years of a sale of the locally owned Ukrop’s grocery store and it seems that rumors have started again. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch it was announced that Ukrop’s may be looking for potential buyers according to statements made in “Food World” Magazine. It remains just a rumor right now, so we’ll see if it progresses or if it’s just another rumor. I for one would definitely miss Ukrop’s. There are some who bash and hate on Ukrop’s, but yet they are a great company, who gives back to the community. Everyone thinks they’re so overpriced, but they are not, they are very competitive and even cheaper on some things than their competitors. They employ good, decent, friendly people, willing to help you out. They have the best customer service out of any store. I will truly miss them if they do sell. I hope this is only another rumor and not true. Although, it wouldn’t hurt to have a Harris Teeter store in Richmond, more competition is always good. But, I don’t want another store to have to close down so that Harris Teeter can come in. I’ve never been in a Harris Teeter, I hear it’s similiar to Ukrop’s style, fresh food and all.

I for one am not completely loyal to any store, I don’t just shop at one store. I shop around to get the best deals. I shop at every and any store that can give me the best price and the best value. I live close to lots of stores, so this is very easy for me to do. I am very fortunate that I live close to all these stores, so I have many choices:

Kroger
Ukrop’s
Food Lion
Wal-Mart
Target
CVS
Walgreen’s
Rite-Aid
Dollar Tree
Dollar General
Family Dollar

Kroger has Kraft shredded or block cheese on sale this week for only 99 cents when you buy 5 packs, or you could also look at it as $1.29 each for 4 packs and you get the 5th pack free. Anyways, after you purchase 5 bags and/or blocks you get a coupon that prints out for $4.00 off your next purchase. You could go back in and buy 5 more packs of cheese for only $1.08!!! This is an amazing deal. Especially if you eat a lot of cheese and you can stock up. Shredded cheese freezes a little better than block, as block cheese will crumble after a while, but you can freeze either of them for later use. Also, a $4.00 coupon prints out each and every time you buy the cheese, it just keeps rolliing. I bought 10 bags yesterday and plan to go back today and buy 5 more or so. We use a lot of cheese in our dinners and for salads and such too, so this is an amazing deal. Cheese is not cheap that’s for sure, this is a steal of a deal!! I couldn’t believe it. 5 bags for $5 the first purchase and now 5 bags of cheese for only $1.08, it’s almost unbelievable. I am so into getting good deals now, never knew just how addictive it could be. I had to share it with everyone because it’s too good of a deal to pass up!

Book Review of “Through the Storm” by: Lynne Spears & Lorilee Cracker
Amanda Bradbury

This is not a tell all book behind Britney Spears’ life, but it does offer a lot of insight into her world and her families world and how she journeyed to where she currently is in life. This book was very enlightening and informative about family, friends and life. You will learn a lot more than you think by reading this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the motherly advice from Lynne Spears. By reading this book you can gain a better understanding of her and her whole family. You get the full story behind her life from beginning up until now. You can see that they are real people, rather than what the media and paparazzi make them out to be. You’ll read about their trials and tribulations, hard times and difficult situations and come to realize that they too are not perfect people and that they are in fact just as real as you and me. The overall message of the book is to convey the message of their story and Lynne wrote this book as a tribute and gift for her family, both children and grandchildren. In this book you notice that she is a very spiritual and strong willed southern Christian woman and you can tell that she clearly wants to convey her beliefs and faith to her children and grandchildren. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a deeper look at the real and genuine people of Lynne’s family.

It seems like everyone has kept talking about the economy turning around and things getting better, but yet, I just don’t see it happening any time soon. I’m getting more afraid of the future with every passing day. I’m trying to be hopeful, yet I’m terrified things may get worse, for me and for everyone around me, for everyone in America. Will things get even worse before they finally turn around and get better? When will companies start hiring again? When will unemployment go down and people will have jobs again? When will the economy begin to recover? When will the worry stop? When will people and our government learn? Hopefully this recession/depression of our time will teach everyone(including our government) to learn from their mistakes and to be more frugal and realistic when it comes to money and finances.

I’m worried because my dh hasn’t been able to find a job yet. Not to mention the fact that my job is only a contracted position and my contract may possibly not be renewed when it’s up. What then? Well…like a friend of mine said: What’s the worst that could happen? Imagine that and prepare for it, just in case. If worse comes to worse, I know we’ll make it through and be okay, even though we’ll be heartbroken, sad, upset and depressed at what this economy has done to us and everyone we know or come into contact with. I don’t think there’s a single person in America right now that hasn’t been affected by this recession in one way or another. I pray today that God will help us and help make us better people and more faithful people to Him, remembering that He will always be there for us, in good and bad times. Please God help us and continue to bless everyone in this terrible time of need.

Resources for Stay at Home Mom’s
Printables and Resources
http://www.atozteacherstuff.com
http://www.PBS.org
http://www.Nickjr.com
http://www.starfall.com/
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html - some stuff requires $20 membership
http://www.pbskids.com
http://www.familyfun.com
http://www.coloring.ws/coloring.html
http://coloringbookfun.com/
http://todayisfun.com/blog
http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/
http://www.kidzone.ws/
http://www.dltk-kids.com/
http://www.123child.com/
http://www.printactivities.com/index.html
http://childfun.com/index.php
http://www.abcteach.com/index.html
http://www.tlsbooks.com/
http://www.shirleys-preschool-activities.com/free-printable-preschool-worksheets.html
http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/worksheets/
http://thefreebieblogger.com - search printables
http://familyfun.go.com/
http://www.kidscraftweekly.com/
http://www.kaboose.com/
http://www.makeandtakes.com/
http://families.owc.edu
http://www.preschoolexpress.com
http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/
Craft Ideas…
GOOP or FLARP - 2 cups corn flour & 1 cup cold water
Tin foil sculptures
Finger paint with pudding
Edible Play-doh
Froot Loop necklaces
Rattles from old plastic bottles
Noodle pictures
Knifty Knitter - $11-$14 at Walmart
Card Games
Letter scout in the newspaper
Shaving cream on the table
Sugar or flour on cookie sheet
Collages
Alphabet Book - 3 pages for each letter!

Outing Ideas…
Library - check for events
Local Play Groups
Free Events - check newspaper
Free Movies (Free Family Film Festival) @ Regal Cinemas in the Summer for kids: http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx
Cooking Ideas…
Flour-less peanut butter cookies - 1 cup peanut butter 1 cup sugar - 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1 egg. Cream the PB and Sugar add baking powder and egg. Here is the great part the kids can roll the dough into balls - roll them in some sugar to coat then place on a cookie sheet (i lined mine with parchment paper) and mark with a fork. Bake for 10 minutes - let rest on cookie sheet for 5 then cool.
Recipes kids can make: http://www.geocities.com/mycntrykitchen/CookinwithKids4.htm
http://www.familycorner.com/dir/Family/Kids/Kids_Recipes/
No bake treats: http://southerncuisine.suite101.com/article.cfm/chocolate_oatmeal_no_bake_cookies
http://southerncuisine.suite101.com/article.cfm/nobake_orange_ball_recipe
http://southerncuisine.suite101.com/article.cfm/no_cook_butterfinger_pudding
Be a positive parent:
http://www.familycorner.com/parenting/moms/be_a_positive_parent.shtml

Saving Money on Groceries

Coupon schedule & listing of deals at different stores each week (helpful info & forums):
www.southernsavers.com
www.couponmom.com
www.afullcup.com
www.hotcouponworld.com

Commissary Deals:
http://thehappyhousewife.com/category/military-commissary-deals/
http://themoneyherder.com/search/label/Commissary
http://www.militarycoupondeals.com/
http://www.commissaries.com/subscribe.cfm
http://www.commissaries.com/links.cfm#IYSC
http://www.maxisavergroup.com/main.php?do=index

Online printable coupon sites:
www.coupons.com
www.redplum.com
www.smartsource.com
www.coolsavings.com
http://www.vivemejor.com/JustForYou.aspx?NavID=22&CultureCode=en-US

Coupons you can upload to a Kroger Card:
www.shortcuts.com
www.cellfire.com
www.bringinghopetothetable.com
www.pgesaver.com
www.upromise.com

Target grocery coupons:
http://sites.target.com/site/en/supertarget/page.jsp?title=coupons_specials

List of Companies to contact for free coupons:
http://www.swaggrabber.com/blog1.php/swagstuff/companies-to-contact-list

Subscribe to All You Magazine $18 for 2 year subscription (filled with many coupons each month):
http://www.southernsavers.com/southern-savers-store/

Free Samples:
http://walmart.triaddigital.com/In-Stores-Now-Free-Samples-And-Trials.aspx
http://www.startsampling.com/retail/kroger/
http://www.swaggrabber.com/blog1.php/Freebies/
www.freakyfreddies.com
http://shop4freebies.com/

Other good sites:
$5 Dinners: http://www.5dollardinners.com/
Retail Me Not (online coupon codes to save money): http://www.retailmenot.com/
Free magazine & coupons for baby: http://www.kiwimagonline.com/MomsMeet/join.html
Current Codes (online coupon codes): www.currentcodes.com
Shopzilla (price comparison shopping): www.shopzilla.com
Beat My Price (price comparison shopping): www.beatmyprice.com

Most of the information I’ve read online says that the best way to save money when using coupons on groceries is to try to wait until a product goes on sale and then use a coupon on it, that way you buy it at a sale price, plus you reduce the amount even further when using a coupon. Also, when it is on sale and you have coupons for the product, stock up on it then. I understand that the commissary may not always run sales like most other stores do, but you will be amazed how much you can save with coupons on stuff you regularly buy and eat. Sometimes coupon books are offered to sign up and receive a book full of coupons occasionally. There are some coupons available that will even let you get a product for free. I’ve seen coupons for free bottle of ketchup, free pack of beef hotdogs, free candy bars and a few others. Also, if you have a coupon that is equal to the sale price or worth more than the sale or regular price you can get certain items free too. I got a bottle of salad dressing for free a few weeks ago because it was on sale for $1.50 and I had a coupon for $1.50 off. You can even sign up to receive coupons from people in the U.S. who are willing to mail you their unused expired or non-expired coupons (since the commissary will accept expired). Check these out to sign up to receive coupons and I can mail you our unused ones too if you’d like: http://thehappyhousewife.com/thank-you/
OR http://www.ocpnet.org/ (Overseas Coupon Program) There are also forums where you can post, like if you want only certain coupons or certain types of coupons, you can post on the forum and list exactly what coupons you would like and if others have the coupons they may swap with you and mail you the coupon. (Afullcup.com has coupon swapping forums)