Are coupons overrated?

So seems like nearly everyone I know has jumped on the coupon bandwagon. While I'm writing out my grocery list this morning, I decide to check out a few sites and print a few coupons of my own. First stop - Southern Savers to check out the latest deals. There were a few links to Coupons.com and Smart Source. Coupons.com was fairly painless with the exception of downloading a coupon printer...hmm...

All my coupons come out 3 to a page, but I realize my printer is printing everything in color...grrr.... Why is this the default? (I try to change mid-print, but no success). Do I really need the Kelloggs box on my coupon to be in color? I think not!

Next stop.. Smart Source. I select 5 coupons.. that's it. I take the time to try and set the printer to B&W. They start to print and to my dismay, they come out in color again...DARN!

Then I start to notice Smart Source also has advertisements print out with the coupons. So a huge Claritin ad -- wasting my precious ink -- comes out and I soon discover they are printing ONE coupon per page. How wasteful is that!!!

One advertiser got "creative" and gave me a form to fill out and mail in...hmmm... All I want is a simple coupon to save a few bucks. I'm in advertising, so one I'm all for ads that are relevant to consumers, but is this really the place for an ad? Someone is already interested in your product to print out a coupon, why waste their paper and ink to show how great your product is? Not sure the last minute ad is going to push them over the edge, but just a thought for all you CPG companies out there.

Think I really ended up wasting a bunch of ink and paper. Guess I better make sure I get my money out of all this time & energy I put into this and put my coupons to good use. Think I need some coupon tips from the pros out there. Any suggestions?

Easter get together

We celebrated Easter this year at our house with friends and family. I broke out the china again -- 2nd time ever! I got a little Martha-ish & folded my napkins in the shape of bunnies. Mine didn't turn out quite like the picture and I had to use a paper clip to keep it from falling over -- why Martha thinks these will stand up with just starch is beyond me.

Martha's version

My Bunnies

So... not quite the same, but it was still cute for the table. I also tried to make some festive cupcakes complete with jelly beans. I had high hopes of making some with Peeps on top, but by the time I made it to Publix they were all out of Peeps! Is that even possible? Aren't they suppose to have an endless supply of peeps at Easter?

Elizabeth (along with her parents) stopped by on their way back from the beach, so we had a little impromptu Easter egg hunt in our front yard. Elizabeth's response to finding eggs scattered across the yard... "UH OH!" How dare someone be so messy and just leave those eggs lying about! Too funny!!


Couldn't resist putting a few of Miss Elizabeth all dressed up & hanging out with her Auntie and Uncle!

Aunt Ninnie & Ellie

Future Golfer

Easter Photo Shoot

After Easter dinner our friend Chieu offered to take pictures of everyone. I think the last time we had our picture taken professionally was at our wedding. Here are a few shots from our photo shoot. If anyone is looking for a photographer in the Atlanta area you should check her out - she's quite talented :)

Is it Spring yet?

It sure doesn't feel like it with the 45 degree weather we've been having and the weather forecast with a chance of snow tomorrow. I was convinced we'd have good weather the weekend before last when Kyle's parents came to visit. I mean - who would think it would be freezing & rainy in late March?

Since we had to scratch our plans of golf & bike rides on the Silver Comet due to the horrible rain, we instead opted to take in the sights at the Georgia Aquarium (along with the rest of Atlanta).

We had fun checking out all the fishes & interesting creatures.

Tropical fishes


Glow in the dark jelly's

Kyle & his dad

Cute little Sea Otter

Kyle & his Mom

Gator!

(He looks bigger here than in real life)

Kyle with the sting rays & shark petting tank

80 years of Greatness

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANNY!!!

My dear Nanny just turned 80! (Nanny hope you're ok that I just announced your age on my blog) We all went up to see her to celebrate & go to the spa! We had a great weekend together. All I can say is that I sure hope I got some of her genes because she's one good looking gal!

Our family is so blessed to have such a Godly woman to call our own! WE LOVE YOU!!

SNUGGIE

This March marked Kyle's 27th birthday and he had already picked out his own birthday present. So, I had to make the celebration a little more festive with a little surprise gift.

To give you some background, Kyle kidded me all winter, telling me he was going to get me the latest Info-mercial item for sale as my Christmas present -- everything from the bra hider, Sham-WOW and the Snuggie.

Christmas came and went and still no info-mercial gem. So, when I saw the Snuggie for sale at Bed Bath & Beyond right before his birthday, I HAD to get him one.

Needless to say he was quite surprised when he opened his present that's for sure!

Look who has her own Maid!

My new maid is so thorough, cleaning the walls & cabinets with great vigor. Meticulous and careful to scrub each spot. She's very good at getting the bottom of the wall with ease.

I pay her in cheerios and cheese and she's under 3 ft tall. Any guesses?

It's Miss Elizabeth Jean!

I really think Elizabeth is going to be the cleanest kid ever. She'll never have a messy room or have to be told to pick up her toys. (Let's hope this comes true, huh Sissy?)

After Kyle's birthday dinner, Elizabeth snatch Nana's napkin and immediately started scrubbing my walls. Gee... is that a sign that they are dirty?? She proceeded to wipe down all my cabinets and even the floor!

I need her to come over more often ;)