Farm Fresh & Bloom Shopping Trips

Farm Fresh is having the greatest deal right now! Kellogg's cereal and pop tarts are on sale buy 3 for $5 and when you do you get a FREE Milk coupon! If you went shopping on Wednesday (they double coupons up to $1) you could have gotten 3 boxes of cereal for $3 AND FREE MILK! Can you tell I'm excited about the free milk? I was able to get 3 coupons :)

Farm Fresh Shopping Trip

Items Purchased:

1-Franks Hot Sauce - $1.29 paid FREE

3-Kelloggs Poptarts - $5.00 paid $3.00

6-Kelloggs Cereal - $10.00 paid $6.00

2-Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaners - $4.00 paid $2.00

2-Lysol Disinfecting Wipes - $4.00 paid $2.00

1-Frenchs Mustard - $1.99 paid $0.49

1-Spray Away Glass Cleaner - $1.99 paid $0.79

1-Hillshire Turkey Sandwich Meat - $3.50 paid $1.50

4-Marie Callenders Lasgna - $9.00 paid $3.00

2-Pepper Ridge Farm Garlic Bread - $5.00 paid $3.00

2-McCain Curly Fries - $6.00 paid $2.00

1-Danonino Yogurt - $2.49 paid $0.49

1-Crest Kids Toothbrush - $1.99 paid $0.99

1-Flour Bag - $2.49

1-Honey Jar - $3.59

1-Hunts Ketchup - $1.00

4-Rotel Diced Tomato - $4.00

1-Bananas - $1.83

3-Kiwi - $1.74

2-Avocodo - $2.00

1-Iceberg Lettuce - $0.99

1-5lb Bag of potatoes - $1.99

2-Ziplock bags - $3.34

Total Value: $84.07

Total Paid AFTER coupons/sales: $52.12

Saved: $31.95

If you factor in my 3 Free Milk coupons I saved $43.92!!

Bloom does their super doubles on the first of the month. They also had a special today that i s you spend $50 you get a free 24 pk bottled water! I was able to get some really great deals!

Bloom Shopping Trip

Items Purchased:

1-Best Life Butter Spread - $2.29 paid FREE

2-Dannon Yogurt Smoothies - $6.38 paid FREE

1-Franks Red Hot Sauce - $2.75 paid FREE

1-24 pack Bottled Water - $4.29 paid FREE

2-Classico Pasta Sauce - $5.98 paid $1.98

1-Angus Ground Beef - $4.67 paid $2.67

2-Jimmy Dean Sausage Roll - $9.98 paid $2.00

4-Pepper Ridge Farm Garlic Bread - $11.96 paid $4.00

2-Kraft Shredded Cheese - $5.98 paid $0.98

2-Birds Eye Mixed Veggies - $5.58 paid $0.78

2-Birds Eye Peppers Mix Veggies - $5.58 paid $0.78

1-Digornio Pizza w/wings - $8.29 paid $4.99

1-Minute Maid Orange Juice - $2.50 paid $0.50

1-Orajel Toddler Toothpaste - $3.99 paid $1.99

1-A&H Spin Toothbrush - $4.69 paid $2.69

1-Nesquick Chocolate Mix - $3.39

2-Ranch Dressing Packets - $3.18

1-Bacon - $4.49

1-Eggs - $1.68

1-Colby Jack Cheese - $3.99

Total Value: $103.84

Total Paid AFTER coupons/sales: $44.80

Saved: $59.04

Both Trips

Total Value: $187.91

Total Paid AFTER Coupons/Sales: $96.92

SAVED: $102.96

Busy Busy

So this past weekend was busy as usual. Saturday morning I went to a coupon class which was alot of fun. I was able to learn some new things to sharpen my couponing skills lol! Then Sunday morning we had a baby session that went awesome! We have photographed Gisella since she was a newborn and now she is 8 months old. It's so awesome watching her grow! Then Danny took off to go run a 5k race that his work was sponsoring to raise money for Colon Cancer Research. He calls me about 30 mintues later and I'm thinking he's calling to tell me the race was cancelled b/c of the rainy weather. Unfortunately he's calling to tell me that was in a car accident! He was not at fault and thank goodness he's ok, the car took most of the beating. He is sore & achy but nothing broken or out of place. I'm just so thankful that he's safe!! Here's what the car looks like.

So now the fun task of dealing with insurance companies. There are two other cars involved in the accident and neither of them want to accept responsibility. Hopefully this won't be a long painful process.

Super Doubles are here again!

I have been non-stop since this past weekend and I haven't been keeping up with reading my usual blogs and had no idea that Harris Teeter was doing their Super Doubles again until Wednesday morning when I got my paper!! UGGHH!! I was definitely not prepared. Thankfully when HT does these events its all week and not just one day. But if you want freebies its always best to go the 1st day really early to beat out the other crazy couponers lol. I did attempt a trip yesterday, later in the afternoon after Ronin woke up from his nap to see the leftover carnage and was only able to pick these items up:

*Lesley if your reading this don't be mad when you see what I paid for the laundry detergent! lol! ;)

Harris Teeter Shopping Trip 1

Items Purchased:

1-Dannon Yogurt Smoothies - $2.79 paid FREE

1-Bag of Chicken Breasts - $9.99 paid FREE (was supposed be $3.99)

*Not sure how that happened! The e-vic special was for $3.99, I was at the self-checkout lane and I handed the dude my coupons and that's how he rung me up! I didn't catch it until I left.

1-Wisk Detergent - $6.99 paid $1.99

1-Gain Softner - $5.49 paid $1.49

1-Eggs - $1.69

Total Value: $27.40

Total Paid AFTER coupons/sales: $3.93

SAVED: $23.47

Since there wasn't much at Harris Teeter I did stop in at Farm Fresh to snag some free pasta!

Farm Fresh Shopping Trip

Items Purchased:

6-Rozoni Penne Pasta - $6.00 paid FREE

1-Tostios Chips - $2.99 paid $1.89

8-Campbells Creme of Chicken Soups - $6.40 paid $5.20

1-3pk Tomatos - $1.89

1-Bread (not pictured) - $1.09

Total Value: $18.68

Total Paid AFTER coupons/sales: $10.38

SAVED: $8.30

I made another trip to Harris Teeter this morning but I still didn't get there early enough! I got there at 11am and the shelves were almost bare. I picked up what I could! Since I've been stockpiling there isn't really much I need outside of the usual milk, bread, eggs, etc. So my trips this time around are small which is great b/c that means my couponing and stockpiling are starting to pay off!

Harris Teeter Shopping Trip #2

Items Purchased:

3-Bailey's Coffee Creamer - $7.77 paid FREE

2-Dannon Yogurt Smoothies - $5.58 paid FREE

1-Rhodes Dinner Rolls - $2.25 paid FREE

1-Phildephia Cooking Creme Cheese - $2.99 paid FREE

1-Hefty Trashbags - $8.39 paid $2.87

2-Coffee Mate Creamers - $5.18 paid $1.34

1-Butter Sticks - $2.27

1-Smithfield Ham Slices - $8.50 (it literally hurts my heart to pay full price for things lol)

Total Value: $44.64

Total Paid AFTER coupons/sales: $15.67

SAVED: $28.97

All 3 Trips

Total Value: $90.72

Total Paid AFTER Coupons/Sales: $29.98

SAVED: $60.74

WAHOO!! And to geek out a little bit more about couponing I signed up for a coupon class this Saturday and I'm going with a bunch of friends. Should be fun and I'm looking forward to learning how to improve!!!

Busy Weekend!

Whew...I had a busy weekend last week. And now its Thursday and the weekend is right around the corner and its still going to be busy. Last Friday I took Ronin to the zoo with my friends Lesley and Heather and their kiddos. They had a blast! It was so fun watching the kids interact with each other and seeing how excited (or not excited) they were about the animals. Gabriel (Heather's 3 yr old) would look at an animal for a minute then say "lets find another one!" We had a 3 year old, 2 - 2 year olds, 1 year and 5 month old and they were all very well behaved all day! We have great kids :)

Kingston, Ronin, Gabriel

Then Saturday we shot Austin & Jessica's wedding. They are friends of ours from church and it was a great day! Their ceremony was beautiful and we were able to get some great stuff. I do have to say that I love shooting weddings with Danny. We have so much fun! Here's a shot I snapped of him getting a picture of the groom...I couldn't resist haha!

Austin & Danny

Sunday we did a bridal session with the Grau's. They weren't going on their honeymoon right away and wanted to get more pictures of the two of them. I love doing bridal sessions AFTER weddings. The couple is so much relaxed b/c the wedding is done! We were in Town Center in Virginia Beach and Danny captured some really amazing stuff! Pictures coming soon!

No Pictures

I did my grocery runs yesterday at Farm Fresh & Harris Teeter. I got home and proceeded to put away the groceries and literally as I was putting the last can in the pantry I realized I didn't take pictures. So you will have to use that wonderful imagination of yours to see what I bought haha!

Farm Fresh Shopping Trip

Items Purchased:

5-Glade Air Freshners - $7.95 paid FREE

2-Propel Flavored Waters - $2 paid FREE

4-Colgate Toothpaste - $8 paid FREE

4-Crest Toothpaste - $7.96 paid FREE

1-Kraft Honey BBQ Sauce - $1.49 paid FREE

2-Yakisoea Noodle Soup - $1.78 paid FREE

2-Classico Pasta Sauce - $6 paid $2

1-3lb Ground Beef - $7.47 paid $5.47

1-Jimmy Dean Sausage Roll - $4.99 paid $2.99

2-Hanover Frozen Chopped Onions - $4 paid $2

2-Frigadino String Cheese - $7.58 paid $3.58

1-Reynolds Parchment Paper - $2.79 paid $0.79

3-Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal - $5.64 paid $1.94

2-Ziplock Freezer Bags - $5.34 paid $3.34

1-Yeast Packet - $2.67 paid $1.57

1-Tyson Chicken Nuggets - $4.99 paid $2.99

1-Boneless Pork Loin Chops - $4.94 paid $2.94

6-Totinos Frozen Pizza - $6 paid $1.50 ($0.25 A PIECE! CRAZY!!)

4-Pillsbury Crescent Rolls - $4 paid $2

3-Oranges paid $3

3-Kiwi paid $1.74

1-Fresh Green Beans - $0.94

1-Kale bunch - $0.27

1-Romaine Lettuce - $2.03

1-Bag of Red Apples - $2.99

1-Mushrooms - $0.99

1-Baby Carrots - $0.99

1-Celery - $0.99

1-Potatoes - $1.99

1-Tomatoes - $1.99

Total Value: $116.04

Total Paid AFTER Coupons/Sales: $53.51

SAVED: $62.53

Harris Teeter Shopping Trip

1-Purex Laundry Detergent - $4.99 paid $1.99

1-Gain Laundry Detergent - $3.99 paid $0.99

2-Classico Pasta Sauce - $5.98 paid $2.54

4-Furmano Diced/Crushed Tomatoes - $8.76 paid $3.38

2-Electrasol Dishwasher Gel - $9.98 paid $3.99

1-3 lb Ground Beef - $7.99 paid $5.87

2-Mangos - $2.98 paid $1.98

2-Gortons Fish Sticks - $13.18 paid $5.59

1-Heluva Good Chip Dip - $1.69 paid $0.59

2-Breakstone Sour Cream - $3.00 paid $0.80

3-Bailey's Coffee Creamer - $6.57 paid $3.57

1-Bacon - $2.99

2-Tomato Paste - $1.38

1-Bread - $1.27

3-Frozen Cauliflower - $5

1-Garlic - $1.39

Total Value: $90.94

Total Paid AFTER Coupons/Sales: $45.12

SAVED: $45.82

Both Trips

Total Value: $206.98

Total Paid AFTER Coupons/Sales/Rewards: $98.63

SAVED: $108.35

Quick Walgreens & CVS Trip

I popped into Walgreens & CVS to see if I could snag some more deals before the sales were over. I did!!

Walgreens Shopping Trip

Items Purchased:

3-Tide Stain Release Tablets

Total Value: $12.27
Total Paid AFTER Coupons/Sales/RR's: $1.47
SAVED: $10.80
RR's earned for next shopping trip: $3.00

CVS Shopping Trip

Items Purchased:
2-RevitaLens Contact Solution

Total Value: $19.98
Total Paid AFTER Coupons/Sales/ECB's: $2.78
SAVED: $17.20
ECB's earned for next shopping trip: $4.00

I did this trip in 2 separate transactions. The solution was on sale for $7.89. I had a $3 manufactors coupon and $3 ECB's which brought it down to $1.89 and I earned $4 ECB's. The second transaction I used another $3 manufactors coupon & the $4 ECB's I just earned bringing the total down to $0.89!!! And I still earned another $4 ECB's :)

Birthday Party!

Saturday was sweet Lily's 2nd birthday party! I met her mama Jeni on babycenter.com on a mommy forum and we've been friends since we've been prego with our little ones. I've met some great ladies on that board and have met a handful of them. Leigh is another mama from the board and she came down from Richmond with her two little darlings, Olivia & Avery. It was great to catch up and hang out! The kids had a great time. The party was at Museum of Life & Science in Durham North Carolina. There was so much for the kids to do and I really want to try to go back. Thank you Jeni & Leigh for the pictures!!

My favorites were the string cheese & fruit snacks!

Jeni & Lily

Yummy cupcakes!

Enjoying Apple Juice with my girls Avery & Olivia

I'm such a stud!

Hair Cut

Ronin got his hair cut friday for the 2nd time in a salon. The first one was in a a kids salon in VA Beach called Pigtails & Crewcuts. They have a "first haircut" package and give you a picture and certificate. Really cute place! Since then I've just had my friend Marcie trim him up when she could but he desperately needed a haircut so I went to Hair 360 Salon where my friend Rose works and he did great! He cried when we first started but then I gave him string cheese and then all was well in the world lol!

Definitely doing this again...

Drug Store Trips

Today was CVS, Rite Aid & Walgreens day. Each place had such great deals and I was able to walk away with rewards to spend next time at all 3 places! I've never done that before, I usually spend all the rewards in one trip. I needed toiletries, pledge and I've also had my eye on the hands free soap dispenser, I've just been waiting for a good deal. So glad I waited!!

CVS Shopping Trip

Items Purchased:

3-Pledge Furniture Spray - $18.37 paid $4.50

2-Glade Candles - $8.38 paid $4.50

2-John Freida Hair Products - $13.78 paid $4

Total Value: $41.73

Total Paid AFTER Coupons/Sales/ECBs: $5.91

SAVED: $35.82

ECB's earned for next shopping trip: $3.00

Rite Aid Shopping Trip

Items Purchased:

1-ThermaCare Heat Wrap - $3.99 paid FREE

1-Colgate Toothpaste - $2.99 paid $1.99

2-Garnier Make Up Remover Cloths - $12.58 paid $5.42

1-Lysol Hands Free Soap Dispenser - $14.99 paid $1.49

Total Value: $36.24

Total Paid AFTER Coupons/Sales/Up Rewards: $7.89

SAVED: $28.35

Up Rewards earned for next shopping trip: $2.00

Walgreens Shopping Trip

Items Purchased:
1-Always Pads (22 ct) - $4.39 paid $1.99

1-Always Pantiliners (34 ct) - $4.49 paid $1.49

1-Head & Shoulders - $7.79 paid $2.99

Total Value: $16.97

Total Paid AFTER Coupons/Sales/Register Rewards: $6.77

SAVED: $10.20

Register Rewards earned for next shopping trip: $2.00

All Three Trips

Total Value: $94.94

Total Paid AFTER Coupons/Sales/Rewards: $20.57

SAVED: $74.37

Rewards earned for next shopping trip: $7.00

Any couponers out there? How have you done this week?

Catching up

I'm a little behind on posting my shopping trips. I've had the bahama's on my mind but now that its over I need to get back into gear. Since we've been back though I have not felt too well and Ronin's schedule is way out of wack. I have this "rocking" feeling like I'm still on the boat and it makes me feel a little queasy. Ronin has been a little clingy to me since we've been back and not sleeping very well which means I'm not sleeping well. So hopefully he'll get back on track here soon. The month of February I kinda went a little over budget. I still did pretty well but I try to stay under $500.

February Grocery Spending
Total Shelf Cost: $1,045.41
Amount Paid: $510.18
Total Savings: $535.23
Savings Rate: 51%

My goal for March is to have a 75% Savings Rate. I use a savings tracker that my sister Raquel found from The Coupon Project it helps me keep track of my shopping trips and how much I save. It has all the formulas in it already so no math on my part lol! Here are some shopping trips I did before I left for the Bahamas.

Farm Fresh Shopping Trip

Items Purchased:
2-Poptarts - $3.76 paid $1.76

2-Frosted Flakes - $3.76 paid $1.76

2-Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing - $6.98 paid $2.98

1-Butterball Turkey Meat - $4.39 paid $2.29

1-Bacon - $2.99

3-Sirloin Porkchops - $9.15 paid $6.15

1-Chicken Thighs - $5.33 paid $3.33

3-Blade Pork Chops - $11.59 paid $7.59

1-Ground Beef - $6.99 paid FREE (rang up wrong so they gave it to me for FREE!!)

3-Kiwi - $1.74

1-Kale - $0.25

1-5lb bag Potatoes - $1.99

1-6pack Tomatoes - $3.42

1-Sour Cream - $1.49

2-Colgate Toothbrushes - $1.98 paid FREE

1-Loreal Kids Shampoo - $1.80 paid $0.30

Total Value: $71.82

Total Paid AFTER Coupons/Sales: $41.25

SAVED: $30.57

Harris Teeter Shopping Trip

Items Purchased:

2-Cinnamon Toast Crunch - $3.94 paid $1.74

2-Lucky Charms - $5.00 paid $2.80

2-Ocean Spray Cranberry Raspberry - $7.78 paid $3.89

2-Huggies Jumbo Pack - $11.98 paid $4.98 (CRAZYYYY!)

2-Marie Callender's Bakes - $13.98 paid $11.98

2-Frozen Cauliflower $3.34 paid FREE

2-5 Cheese Garlic Bread - $3.34 paid FREE

2-Nutty Buddy Ice Cream - $5.98 paid FREE

Total Value: $72.73

Total Paid AFTER Coupons/Sales: $28.31

SAVED: $43.42

Target Shopping Trip

Items Purchased:

1-Pampers box $24.49 paid $18.99

1-Pampers Wipes (3pk) - $5.99 paid $1.99

2-Up Ibuprofen - $2.04 paid $0.04

1-Exccedrin - $3.74 paid $0.74

1-Puppy Pads - $13.99

1-Charmin (24 ct) - $9.99 paid $8.24

1-Charmin wipes - $2.99 paid $1.74

Total Value: $74.51

Total Paid AFTER Coupons/Sales: $44.36

SAVED: $30.15

Bahama Mama

My amazing wonderful thoughtful husband took me on a cruise to celebrate my 30th birthday. Yes I said 30..sigh...it's finally caught up to me! We went to the Bahamas and it was wonderful! I have pictures but will have to post them later, Danny uploaded them to the ipad and he has it with him at work. Ronin spent the weekend with my parents and playing with his cousins. It was my first time being away from him and I will admit that I was a little anxious about it but once we got on the cruise ship I didn't allow myself to worry but just to enjoy the weekend. It was a 3 day cruise. The first port was an island called CoCo Cay. It was nice but unfortnuately the weather wasn't. We were sitting on the beach and it was so windy/chilly the sand was blasting us in the face. We were going to go back on the boat after lunch but we decided to walk around the other side of the beach and it was like we were in a totally different place. The sun was shining and no wind! So we stayed there. It was nice to chill and soak up some sun. The second port was Naussau. We went to Atlantis and checked out the aquarium they had there. Did some shopping in downtown and then back on the boat. It was great to be able to just relax and spend time with Danny. Lately, those days are rare for us so we definitely took advantage of what we could! We danced, ate, drank, shopped, SLEPT. Definitely one of the best birthdays ever! :)

More Shopping Trips

I've been shopping like a mad woman this week. Bloom had their super doubles on Tuesday (they only did it on 1 day), then I was at Harris Teeter, Farm Fresh & CVS on Wednesday. Luckily I managed to do all that shopping before Ronin's nap (he did pass out at Harris Teeter though) and he was a trooper all day.

Bloom Trip

Items Purchased:
1-Classico Four Cheese Pasta Sauce - $2.99 paid .99
2-Poptarts - $4 paid $2
2-Propel Flavored Water - $2 paid FREE!
3-Hunts Tomato Paste - $2.67 paid .67
2-Perdue Boneless Chicken Breasts - $9 paid $6
1-Perdue Chicken Strips - $1.20 paid FREE!
1-Jose Mini Tacos - $4.99 paid $2.99
1-Tyson Chicken Patties - $4.49 paid $2.49
1-Tyson Chicken Nuggets - $4.49 paid $2.49
3-Danimals Yogurt Smoothies - $6 paid FREE!
10-Yoplait Yogurt - $5 paid $3
1-Simply Orange - $3.69 paid $1.69
2-Ziplock Bags - $3.98 paid $1.98
2-Slow Cooker Liners - $5.58 paid $1.58
1-Marcal Toilet Paper - $5.99 paid $3.99
2-Applesauce - $3.00 (didn't have a coupon)

Total Value: $101.04
Total Paid AFTER Coupons/Sales: $39.43
SAVED: $61.61

I'll have to post the other trips later. Ronin wants to go play outside!

Harris Teeter Super Doubles!

This is my 3rd trip to Harris Teeter. I know I have issues but there is a 20 coupon limit PER DAY and I max it out every time! I am stocking up on some really great deals.


Items purchased:
1-Reynolds Slow Cooker liners - $2.99 paid .99
1-Purex Softener - $2.99 paid .99
1-Krustz Buttermilk Pancake Mix - $2 paid $1
1-Olive Oil Spray - $2.99 paid .99
1-Maxwell Coffee - $2.50 paid .50
1-7th Generation Tissue Box - $1.75 paid FREE
2-Pilsbury Cresent Rolls - $3.34 paid $1.34
1-Bestlife Butter Spread - $2.59 paid .59
2-Hillshire Tubs Turkey - $7.00 paid $3
2-Perdue Chicken Nuggets - $5.98 paid $1.98

Total Value: $47.07
Total Paid AFTER Coupons/Sales: $12.08
SAVED: $34.99

WAHOO! As soon as Ronin wakes up we're gonna go back for one last trip. I want to snag more coffee, laundry softner and tissues. With the upcoming pollen season we will definitely put those tissues to good use! Hopefully the shelves aren't bare, I wanted to go this morning but that just didn't work out. I was in super cleaning mode and couldn't break away from my vacuum and then it was lunch time and nap time. So we'll see what I can get! :)

It's a beautiful day out today and I'm patiently waiting for Ronin to wake up so we can get out and enjoy this weather! It's in the 70's today. I sure hope this weather sticks!


Ronin is obsessed with my macs photo booth application. Whenever he sees the laptop he says "mommy cheese!! mommy cheese....peaseeee!!!" I have a billion pictures of Ronin on here lol. Here's him cheesing!

Danny is working late tonight so its a wild friday night for me & Ronin. I think after he goes to bed I will pour myself a glass of wine and catch up on my Desperate Housewives. Seasons 1-6 is on Netflix. I never watched the show before now and I watched a few episodes and now I'm hooked. I'm on season 2 now...Bree is about to bury Rex for the 2nd time. Crazy ladies..but I can't help but watch!!

February Already?!

So it's pretty lame that the last time I blogged was in AUGUST! One of my many new years resolutions is to blog more often. Too bad it's the middle of February and this is my first post of the year! We had a great holiday with some unfortunate events happen. We had Christmas here at home and we had the absolute pleasure of having my sister Toni's kids here. All 3, Caleb, Layla and Joely Poley. My bro-in-law's father passed away and they had to leave for Indiana. I was happy to have the extra company here at home! And Ronin had a blast having his cousins here.

It's been a busy year so far. Between housework, Ronin, photography, husband and life in general I feel like I've been on the go non-stop. I've also been going in and out of town up to Manassas to visit Toni. She's having some health problems and with her 3 little ones she needs all the help she can get. I went up there for a week last week and I so wished I could have stayed longer. It breaks my heart to see the pain she's in and that there's not more I can do for her. I wish they lived closer so I could help out more. Thankfully my parents are close by to her so they help out when they can. I'm also in birthday party planning mode. My Ronin will be 2 on Feb. 27th. 2 years old!!! Where did my baby go?

I'm still couponing and I'm proud to say I've gotten alot better! I'm still learning but I've definitely improved in the savings department.

January Grocery Spending:

Total Shelf Cost: $936.40

Amount Paid: $470.47

Total Savings: $465.93

WAHOO!!! That's practically 50% savings. And I'm also excited that my sisters and my friend Rose have started couponing as well! It's nice having others excited about couponing and we all encourage each other to keep going and find that great deal :)

Well gotta get started on dinner...just wanted to write before I put it off yet AGAIN!