Monday, March 31, 2014

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Saturday Savings - 03/29/14

Source unknown...
I recently mentioned I have been spending some of my reading/blogging time couponing.

Why bother?!

The obvious answer is to save money.  But there is also, admittedly, a thrill in couponing. The excitement of walking out of a store having paid nothing for a couple tubes of toothpaste or several boxes of pasta - legally* - is much like opening your mailbox and finding that new ARC you've been sent free of charge for a quick review!  Yippee!**

Courtesy of TLC television
Many of you have likely seen Extreme Couponing on cable television. The couponers on this show are just that, extreme! I am not. I don't use hundreds of coupons in a trip. I don't clear the shelves at stores if I can avoid it. I do not have, or need, a separate room, an extra shed, or even the space under my children's beds to store my purchases.

But I do have a stockpile.  It is one of the keys to "strategic couponing", as MoolaSavingsMom.com calls it.

What does strategic couponing mean?

A typical shopper goes to the store and finds what she (or he) needs that week: milk, bread, eggs, cereal, and cold medicine. Smart shoppers may shop at a discount store, a Walmart or something, but again they are buying what they need in the moment and perhaps they save a few dollars because they choose the medicine that is on sale that week.

A couponer will bring along her coupons and, again, buy what she needs.  But she might opt for a different type of cereal, because she has a coupon, and save an additional $0.50. Good for her! There is nothing wrong with this kind of couponing, you are still saving money!

A strategic couponer, however, will plan her shopping trip to include the store/s where she will get the best deals on items she uses, but not necessarily items she needs at that moment (what she needs is already in her stockpile)***. She will plan as much of what is referred to as "stacking coupons" as possible. When she gets to the store/s, she knows what is on sale that week and has her needed manufacturer's and store coupons and any store reward bonus coupons (I'll explain these a bit more in another post). She will then "stack" those discounts (yes, most stores allow this) and end up paying bottom dollar for those items, which she slides into her stockpile. And, the next time she needs cereal, she pulls down a box of cereal for which she paid $0.50 or $1.00, rather than purchasing that same box of cereal for $4.59 this week because she needs it!

That is strategic couponing and that is well worth a couple of hours of my time a week!



**DEAL OF THE WEEK**

Two tubes of toothpaste, for FREE

On sale 2 for $6
Stacked with $1 coupons for each item
Stacked with $4 "register reward dollars"

=

$0 per tube (FREE!!!)


That's the best deal!




*Yes, strategic couponing is totally legal - as long as you don't break the law - IE copying coupons you found in your weekly newspaper is not legal, so don't do it and you are good!

**Admittedly, for me, there is also a thrill in sticking it to "big business". These guys have been making money off of me for years!  Every day I am bombarded with, legal but all too often covert, advertising created with the sole purpose of making me spend, spend, spend (think that conveniently placed can of diet coke on that sitcom you love, or that darn pop up on your favorite website). If I can swing the game my way for once, yeah for me!

***This is important! Strategic, non-extreme, couponers will NOT waste money on items just because they have a coupon. We only buy items that we know our family will use and only in quantities that are reasonable. Twenty boxes of ice cream are a waste - they will get freezer burnt before my family will use them - but twenty boxes of pasta will last for years and it is totally likely my family will use them all. Skip the ice cream, buy the pasta!


Friday, March 28, 2014

March 2014 ReCap...



MARCH 2014

...another slow month. My focus has been elsewhere. I've picked up a handful of Netgalleys and am trying to buckle down for April. In the past I had done the A-Z Challenge, but this year my focus has to be just on reading numbers!


This month I read: 
Total Read: 2
YTD: 6
Adult: 2
YA/children's: 0
Abandoned:0


Including: 
Handbook For An Unpredictable Life (Rosie Perez)
Incognito: Lost and Found at Harvard Divinity School (Andrea Raynor)


Abandoned: 
None


Favorite Book(s) of the Month:

Handbook For An Unpredictable Life (Rosie Perez)

Challenges Update: 
Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge = 6 of 58
A-Z Book Challenge = 5 of 26
Library Reading Challenge = 1 of 36
E-Book Reading Challenge = 3 of 25
What's in a Name 6 Challenge =  2 of 6


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Thursday, March 27, 2014

When Katie Wakes - Fowler (Throwback Thursday Review)


Out of difficult and sometimes horrific times, artists often grow. No where is this more obvious than the case of Connie May Fowler. A product of an abusive and dysfunctional childhood, Fowler grew into a beautiful writer.

In her memoir, When Katie Wakes, Fowler shares her personal experiences growing up in a family with a multi-generational history of domestic violence. With stark candor, and such an air of normalcy and acceptance, she shares heartbreaking stories of the physical and emotional violence she endured as an adult when she too found herself in the same sort of relationship, as is common in  abused cases. The cycle perpetuates.

It seems only through unconditionally loving another, in her case a puppy named Katie, she is able to experience true love and acceptance for herself She clings to Katie with the need for hope and a reason to go on. And it is ultimately Katie who enables Fowler to gather the strength to walk away from the horror and sadness of her situation and find redemption and happiness.

This memoir touched me deeply. My personal background, though not quite similar, isn't very far either. Thankfully, my loved ones were able to break this cycle and move on to healthier and happier lives. Reading this book I saw not only a story, but the reality in the acceptance of this horrible situation. I saw, and felt, the truth of why abused women often return to their abusers, time and time again. I saw my childhood.

Unassuming, yet so well written.

I loved this book.

 5/5- Excellent. Keep it, treasure it, reread it.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Tuesday Tunes - 03/25/14


A good lyric is like a great book...
An oldie but goody!


My Eyes Adored You
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Artists
Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan, Writers



My eyes adored ya
Though I never laid a hand on you
My eyes adored ya
Like a million miles away from me you couldn't see how I adored ya
So close, so close and yet so far

Carried your books from school
Playin' 'make-believe you're married to me'
You were fifth-grade, I was sixth
When we came to be.
Walkin' home every day over Barnegat Bridge and Bay
Till we grew into the me and you
Who went our separate ways.

My eyes adored ya
Though I never laid a hand on you
My eyes adored ya
Like a million miles away from me you couldn't see how I adored ya
So close, so close and yet so far

Headed for city lights
Climbed the ladder up to fortune and fame
I worked my fingers to the bone
Made myself a name.
Funny I seemed to find
That no matter how the years unwind
Still I reminisce 'bout the girl I miss
And the love I left behind.

My eyes adored ya
Though I never laid a hand on you
My eyes adored ya
Like a million miles away from me you couldn't see how I adored ya
So close, so close and yet so far
 
(My eyes adored ya)
All my life I will remember
(Though I never laid a hand on you)
How warm and tender we were way back then, whoa, whoa, baby
(Like a million miles away from me you couldn't see how I adored ya)
Oh, the feeling, sad regrets
(So close, so close and yet so far)
I know I won't ever forget ya, my childhood friend

(My eyes adored ya)
(Though I never laid a hand on you)
(My eyes adored ya)
(Like a million miles away from me you couldn't see how I adored ya)
So close, so close and yet so far...

Monday, March 24, 2014

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Incognito: Lost and Found at Harvard Divinity School - Raynor

*This book was an advanced reading copy sent to me, free of charge, for my honest review and opinion.  All comments in this review are the honest opinion of the blogger

 
I'm late, I'm late... - Rabbit, Alice in Wonderland

This post was supposed to be up at the beginning of the month and sadly, I haven't even finished the book yet. But, I wanted to get it up as quickly as possible as this book is truly wonderful!



They always say that if you want to make God laugh, to tell him your plans! Andrea Raynor attended Denison University with every intention of becoming a doctor, until she discovered that science wasn't quite her thing. And God laughed.  

She pieced together a liberal arts major by taking a handful of religion classes to finish her degree, and tried to figure out what to do next with her life. No one was more surprised when this experience seemed to be calling her to divinity school, and not just any divinity school but Harvard Divinity School! Her faithful upbringing made it clear that when God calls, you listen, and so off she went...with no goal of becoming a "woman of the cloth", but trying to determine her place in the world.

Her memoir, Incognito: Lost and Found at Harvard Divinity School, is her story from her family's drive from Ohio to Cambridge to drop her off along the path to her discovery of her life's calling. This book is beautifully written from page one, while being funny and entertaining too. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not one to read religious books...particularly ones that try to drag you into believing something that you may or may not believe. I don't like religion pushed down my throat!   Raynor's book, like Harvard Divinity School in the 1980's, allows you to gather information and enjoy the journey, without pressure. Raynor's writing sweeps you into her struggle to find her way and leaves you laughing and cheering her on along. 

(Again, I have not yet finished, but I am better than half way through and have not once felt overwhelmed by the religion in this entertaining memoir)

Additionally, Raynor's reminiscences actually brought back my days spent in the area (I did not attend Harvard, but Lesley University...down the street just a bit) sitting at the Au Bon Pain in Harvard Square, checking out the incredibly diverse group of inhabitants, and walking through Harvard yard to class. An enjoyable walk down memory lane!

4/5- Great. Push it on your friends and family.


Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Tuesday Tunes - 03/18/14


A good lyric is like a great book...

A St. Patrick's Day favorite...simple, but so lovely (and it just happens to be in Purely Vocals' repertoire, in four part harmony of course!).


Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's an Irish Lullaby)
Bing Crosby, Artists
James Royce Shannon, Composer (gotta love that name!)




Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, that's an Irish lullaby.
 
Over in Killarney,
Many years ago.
Me mother sang a song to me,
In tones so sweet and low.
Just a simple little ditty,
In her good old Irish way.
And I'd give the world if she could sing
That song to me this day.

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, that's an Irish lullaby.










Monday, March 17, 2014

Mondays 03/17/14

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.


Top o' the...afternoon to you and Happy St. Patrick's Day! I am not, in fact, wearing green today... but I carry my Irish with me year long (my name is Shannon...), LOL. Currently reading and very much enjoying...



Still Reading: 
Incognito: Lost and Found at Harvard Divinity School (Andrea Raynor)
Moby Dick (Herman Melville)

Just Finished
Handbook for an U predictable Life (Rosie Perez)

On Deck
Who knows!?!?



Sunday, March 16, 2014

Sunday Salon - 03/16/14




If you are interested in other Salon posts, visit the Facebook page to get links.


Life:

Another typical week at work, busy but not chaotic thankfully. This coming week is spring break, so the students and likely a good portion of the faculty will be gone. The quiet will be very nice. Of course, staff don't get the week off (unless you choose to take vacation time, which I did not), but that works out fine as the week really allows us to catch up on all of that paperwork, filing, and general crap that keeps the department running.

This past week, with the somewhat warmer weather (sad, when 50's is warmer), the kitty was shedding more. This caused her to have tummy issues (not eating, some vomiting, etc) and I was reminded of last summer when she had an episode where the hair in her stomach likely caused an intestinal bunching (or so the vet thought, no way to verify without cutting her open as X-rays and MRI were inconclusive) and thus some serious illness. Though she thankfully survived the very stressful and horrific two weeks and eventually felt better, she started showing her age for the first time.  She lost multiple pounds and she hasn't been quite the same since. This week was a scary reminder that we have to be super diligent about brushing her and using the special anti-hairball oil stuff to help her digest/remove the hair.  She has been eating a bit more today, so hopefully she feels better. The 30 degree weather didn't hurt.

Another good couponing week with a few deals, but...


Reading & Blogging:

Unfortunately, another not so great week on the blog. I had a list for Tuesday Tunes, which somehow got lost...which makes this a lot more work, finding good songs to list each week. I will try to get that list back together so I can return to doing those posts regularly. Also, again I didn't get around to a Saturday Savings post; I've got to make that a goal this week. 

I am still dragging with the reading, though once again I am reading a really good book. I hate to call it a "slump". I really hoped I had beat that at the beginning of the year...now I'm not so sure.  When will I ever get this reading thing going again full steam!?!

I'll try to fit in a few more Throwback Thursdays to maintain some semblance of the books in this "book blog"!

What about you, anyone else in a reading slump?

Shannon

Monday, March 10, 2014

Mondays 03/10/14


This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.



Still Reading: 
Incognito: Lost and Found at Harvard Divinity School (Andrea Raynor)
Moby Dick (Herman Melville)

Just Finished
Handbook for an U predictable Life (Rosie Perez)

On Deck
Netgalley and a couple ARCs

Sunday, March 09, 2014

Sunday Salon - 03/9/14




If you are interested in other Salon posts, visit the Facebook page to get links.


Life:

Typical busy week, things are picking up as the semester plows onward toward graduation and summer.  Like everyone else, I. AM. SO. DONE with this winter crap...and they are talking another snowy, slushy day this week. Really?! My point of view is pretty clear...if it doesn't get me out of work, it's not worth it!!

Anyway...

I am not at all fond of this Daylight Savings thing. Yeh, I appreciate the extra daylight, but I was catching a good hour after work anyway. I'd rather not loss that hour of sleep, thank you! Anyone wanna start a petition to end daylight savings time?!

Reading & Blogging:

I didn't get around to a Saturday Savings post this week, maybe next week.

But, I did finally finish Rosie Perez' memoir and was able to get a few posts up this week. I started a new read, which I am enjoying quite a bit. In fact, I'm gonna go read more...

What are you reading this week?



Shannon

Thursday, March 06, 2014

February 2014 ReCap...




FEBRUARY 2014

...was another slow month, due to several issues. But things are finally looking up!  My pile of Netgalleys and ARC are growing though... Time to buckle down and read!

This month I read: 
Total Read: 2
YTD: 5
Adult: 2
YA/children's: 0
Abandoned: 0


Including:
Early Decision (Lacy Crawford)

Handbook to an Unpredictable Life (Rosie Perez)

Abandoned: 
None 


Favorite Book(s) of the Month:
 
Handbook to an Unpredictable Life (Rosie Perez)



Challenges Update: 
Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge = 5 of 58
A-Z Book Challenge = 5 of 26
Library Reading Challenge = 1 of 36
E-Book Reading Challenge = 3 of 25
What's in a Name 6 Challenge =  2 of 6

A Year of ReReading = 0 of 4

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Wednesday, March 05, 2014

Handbook For An Unpredictable Life - Perez

*This book was received free of charge for review  from Netgalley for my honest review and opinion.  All comments in this review are the honest opinion of the blogger.

 
Much of the hub-bub around Rosie Perez' new memoir, Handbook for an Unpredictable Life, seems to be around her feud with Jennifer Lopez. While there is some truth to this feud, Perez is open about it, she also admits that both she and Lopez made mistakes in the relationship and have since come to a friendly cease-fire. Focusing, however, so much attention on that one subject is short-sighted and foolish. Perez' book is about so very much more: abuse, neglect, growth, hope, love, and forgiveness.

Born in Brooklyn, NY in the 1960's, Perez was a "love-child" born to a married man and his mentally ill lover. Perez spent the first few wonderful years of her life with her Tia (aunt), whom she called Mommie. Eventually, however, Perez' birth mother returned and placed her into a catholic girls home, along with several half siblings, pocketing welfare benefits for Perez' supposed care.

Perez grew up in that environment, alternately abused and loved, by nuns and staff for years. Despite her inclination to resist authority (especially when she was being beaten) and an understandable temper, she was offered the opportunity to live in a group home for teen girls in upstate New York. A mixed blessing, this opportunity allowed her to the opportunity to experience a different world than she had previously known. She learned to hope for something more.

Throughout the years, she maintained a strong connection with her Tia and eventually developed a relationship with her father, who truly did love her. She also maintained forced relationships with her birth mother, who was physically and verbally abusive, and her half siblings.

Eventually, Rosie moved to California to live with family and to attend college.  She found her Brooklyn-street style opening doors in surprising ways. She was asked to choreograph a dance video for an up-and-coming R&B star (Bobby Brown, previously of the New Edition), which led to the chance to choreograph tours for LL Cool J, Heavy D and the Boyz, and others. Eventually, she was asked to choreograph for In Living Color (a '90's comedy show) for which she received three Emmy nominations. This was also the scene of the infamous Perez-Lopez feud, as Perez had a major hand in hiring the supposedly fame-hungry upcoming star.

In the midst of these experiences, Perez met a Spike Lee, a movie director, at a local bar one night. He asked her to audition for his new movie, Do The Right Thing. She quickly feel in love with acting - something she felt she had been doing her whole life for survival's sake - and excelled, winning parts in 1992's White Men Can't Jump and 1993's Fearless, with Jeff Bridges, for which she received both Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.

This memoir is a wonderful rags to riches story about a sadly typical American girl who struggles to beat the limitations that life seems to have given her. The story of her neglect and abuse is heart wrenching, while alternatively offering hope for something better.

Though I had heard of Perez prior to reading the book, I didn't know a lot about her and couldn't really name any of her movies. Written in a very friendly, readable manner, Perez does use quite a bit of street slang and curses, so be aware if you might be offended. Overall, this was a great read (despite some typos that hopefully will be fixed in the final version) and I am glad to have gotten to know more about this amazing woman.

3/5- Good. Read it, have a good time and move on. Or not.



Tuesday, March 04, 2014

Tuesday Tunes - 03/4/14

A good lyric is like a great book...

Where Is The Love?
Black Eyed Peas, Artists
William Adams, Justin Timberlake, Jaime Gomez, Allan Pineda, Printz Board, Michael Fratantuno, George Pajon Jr., J. Curtis, Writers



What's wrong with the world mama?
People living like aint got no mamas
I think the whole worlds addicted to the drama
Only attracted to the things that bring you trauma
Overseas yeah we tryin to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin
In the USA the big CIA the Bloodz and the Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And if you hatin you're bound to get irate
Yeah madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
You gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love y'all


Chorus

People killing people dying
Children hurtin you hear them crying
Can you practice what you preach
Would you turn the other cheek?
Father Father Father help us
Send some guidance from above
Cause people got me, got me questioning
Where is the love?(where is the lovex3)(the love2x)


It just ain't the same all ways have changed
New days are strange is the world the insane?
If love and peace so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations dropping bombs
Chemical gases filling lungs of little ones
With ongoing suffering
As the youth die young
So ask yourself is the loving really strong?
So I can ask myself really what is going wrong
With this world that we living in
People keep on giving in
Makin' wrong decisions
Only visions of them livin and
Not respecting each other
Deny thy brother
The wars' going on but the reasons' undercover
The truth is kept secret
Swept under the rug
If you never know truth
Then you never know love
Where's the love y'all? C'mon. (I don't know)
Where's the truth y'all? C'mon. (I don't know)
Where's the love y'all?


Chorus
People killing people dying
Children hurtin you hear them crying
Can you practice what you preach
Would you turn the other cheek?
Father Father Father help us
Send some guidance from above
Cause people got me, got me questioning
Where is the love?(where is the lovex3)(the love2x)


I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm getting older y'all people get colder
Most of us only care about money makin
Selfishness got us followin the wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting their young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what the see in the cinema

Whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness and equality
Instead of spreading love, we're spreading anomosity
Lack of understanding, leading us away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feeling under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feeling down
It's no wonder why sometimes I'm feeling under
I gotta keep my faith alive, until love is found

Where is the love?(where is the love)

Father Father Father help us
Send some guidance from above
Cause people got me, got me questioning
Where is the love?(where is the lovex3)(the love2x)

One world, one world. We only got...


Sunday, March 02, 2014

Sunday Salon - 03/02/14




If you are interested in other Salon posts, visit the Facebook page to get links.


Life:

I am a bad, bad blogger!

Naughty, naughty girl!

Not only has it been weeks since my last Sunday post, but until yesterday, it had been more than a week since I posted anything!

(Hangs head in shame...)

What, you might wonder, could be keeping me away?  Keeping me so engaged that I have found little time for two of my most loved hobbies, blogging and reading? I mean besides my other ever-growing list of activities (full-time work, full-time family and home upkeep, crocheting/knitting and needle work, singing with PV, theater work (though recently his has been 100% home-based web work), and a never waning obsession with Mad About You reruns?!

Well...



A return to school, perhaps? Scrap booking, you wonder.

Ah no. Perhaps this will help...


Yes, I have been sucked into the Couponing Craze!

Though I am a low-key, not-so-much-extreme-couponer...the initial binder set up, gathering of coupons, and learning the basics took quite a bit of time!

I am hoping that now, with a system, some success, and a bunch of great online resources to guide me, hopefully it won't take quite so much time moving forward!

Sucess, you ask?

Ah yes, I have managed to bring home boxes of cereal, spaghetti and sauce, and dish detergent all for less than a dollar a piece!  And even managed a trip that resulted soda and multiple boxes of toothpaste TOTALLY FREE!! Yah!

Maybe I'll do a little Couponing series on the blog, Saturday Savings perhaps?!

Reading & Blogging:

So, I've been reading the same (really, really good) book for almost TWO WEEKS now! I blame the coupons, as I am actually really enjoying Rosie Perez' Handbook for an Unpredictable Life. I've also received a bunch of Netgalleys that look really great and have won a couple of ARCs. So, there is no lack of great reading material on my end!

I've definitely got to refocus this month!

Anyone else find themselves sucked into some random activity that sucks all the time out of your day, week, month?!

Shannon

Saturday, March 01, 2014

Saturday Snapshot - 3/1/14

To participate in Saturday Snapshot: post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky below. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.


Where I've been...