My little spayed cone head.

I am never going to the vet again. Ever. 

 

Do you feel sorry for me? You should! 

 

I can't itch my neck. Yes. Please. That's the spot. 

If you don't give me peanut butter with THIS face? I don't know what else will break you.

Kisses are good. But peanut butter is better. 

You're going to put these pictures online so they can laugh at me aren't you? 

  

Our little tuna puppy got fixed. She's better at this point. But still wearing the cone. And "limiting exercise" with a 6 month old beagle puppy has proved to be a pretty impossible task. 

Tuna and I have rotated between calling her cone-head, lamp shade, and light bulb all week. 

She loves us just the same. 

Love, 

Little Tuna

One of those days...

That grocery shopping gives you head ache.

You realize, once you get home...that you forgot to buy milk.

At the 5 different stores you went to, you still didn't come home with hot dog buns because you refuse to pay more than a dollar for a package. And they have to be whole wheat. 

You bought a large shaker of chili powder....that turns out to be paprika. 

You somehow remember that on "blues clues" when mrs. salt and mr. pepper had a baby...it was paprika.

You are old enough to realize that doesn't make sense. 

Yet not old enough to be grocery shopping in the middle of day on a Wednesday. 

  

  You start to think that a fast walking lane and slow walking lane down every isle at the grocery store should be mandatory.

  And you realize it's a hamburger helper kind of night. 

Sincerely,

Little Tuna

A Lesson in Living like a Tuna

Yesterday I went to walgreens. 

And I got free stuff. 

If you bought 2 irish spring deodorants for 3 dollars apiece, you got 4 dollars in walgreens dollars back.

I had previously printed off two 1.00 of one coupons from here

So I paid 4 dollars. Got 4 dollars back. 

So was it FREE? No. I paid 4 dollars. 

The point is, I was planning on purchasing other good deals at walgreens this week anyway. I was already planning to spend over 4 dollars. 

So why not get the two deodorants and then use the 4 dollars I got back to buy what I was already buying anyway? 

THAT is how to play the drugstore game. 

Was it FREE? No I paid 4.00. But I was already going to give them that 4 dollars anyway. So yes. It was 4.00 for deodorant PLUS two boxes of cereal that I bought with the 4 dollars I got back. 

And the game show music starts. 

 

Also. Right guard. Great brand. Why? Because they have buy one get one free (bogo) coupons in the Sunday papers at least once every two months. And at least once every two months these go on sale BOGO at one of the drugstores (walgreens, rite aid, CVS)

Did you know that if a store has an item for bogo, and you have a coupon for bogo.....you get BOTH of them for free?

See the two right guard items? Both free. BOGO deal plus BOGO coupon = two items for FREE

You'd think they wouldn't let you do that. Trust me, the first time I tried I was sweating bullets because I felt like I was somehow cheating the system or something. But it works. Like a charm. Every time. 

And it's not just deo that works. Dog treats, paper plates, Edy's triple fudge brownie ice cream, etc!  

 

 So here is my total walgreens purchase yesterday. (roughly) Total was 35.00, I spent 15.00, saved 20.00. 

I spent about 20 minutes on Money Saving Mom and her affiliate sites putting together the deals, and printing coupons for the cereal, truvia, and fiber one coupons from here

The purex coupon was in the paper

And the kleenex coupon was in the walgreens ad at the store. 

*NOTE* you can use a walgreens in ad coupon AND a manufacturing coupon for the same item

Spent 20 minutes. Saved 20 dollars. A dollar a minute? Oh that's worth my time. 

And often the pay off is even greater. Especially if it's a full day of grocery shopping.

Now the question is. . . . why? Why spend the time? Energy? And what are you going to do with three mens deodorants? (when Greg already has three in reserve in the cabinet?) 

Well there are several answers that I wont spill out all at once. I am planning a couponing series and plan to go into more depth then. 

But the best overall answer is, I am called to be a good steward of my families money and I find the best pay back is by spending the time to coupon. If you don't coupon are you a bad steward of what the Lord has blessed you with? Absolutely not. Don't miss read me here please.

This is MY families way of getting the most out of our money. We're newly weds. With a huge forward thinking plan of saving up for our future. It's daunting, discouraging, overwhelming, and most of all do-able. The Lord has provided and will continue to provide and we are dedicated to spending his blessing wisely and with consideration. 

This is my personal outlet. And the Lord continues to bless me in it. We have a budget. I pray about that budget often. I pray the Lord helps me stay within that budget. And he does. I work hard, I do my "homework" and come up with the best deals on things my family needs and things I can stockpile. Then I go shopping. And I save. And it feels SO good! 

The best feeling after a hard day of couponing is the cashier's face. Everything from "how did you do that?" "where did you get these coupons?" "wow, you did your homework!" 

At a place like Giant Eagle that doubles coupons up to .99, it's not uncommon for me to walk away saving well over 50% off my grocery bill. But when it comes to places like Aldi or Save-a-lot (where you really do save money) the savings aren't so obvious. But with a little "homework" and price comparing per oz on things like peanut butter, or raisins. You know that you're getting better deals there than anywhere else.

Lastly. I buy things even when I don't need them. Or will ever use them!

Last week at walgreens I got two bottles of pediacare (originally 8.99 a piece) for free. Both of them. But I don't have an infant? So why should I bother spending the time printing and clipping coupons when I'm not going to use the items? 

Charity. 

There is a rescue mission, a women's center, and homeless shelter, ETC near every one of you.

And they take donations. People that don't have the resources we do, can really benefit from these donations.

 

Total, the above items cost me less than a few dollars. I don't have the exact amount. But these are all items we already have too much of. But I know someone else would love free toothpaste. So I'll be donating these at our church when the mission comes to collect. It's a beautiful thing. Using your resources to help others in need. AND do it with your time and effort rather than just writing a check. 

Was I getting too preachy? 

Sorry. I'm just so excited about saving money! And I want to share that excitement! WaaHaa.

And now. A few winter pictures. These were just last week after the foot of snow the week before. (yes. in march) 

 

 

 

 

I love this one. I love that tree. I don't love how my pictures turn out after downsizing them upload onto blogger in a timely fashion. hmm. 

I love you. 

and saving money.

and moneysavingmom

and ken rockwell 

and my husband's facial hair 

Little Tuna

MetroMutts Hike

Wow! Sorry for the lack of updates lately! It's been a crazy two weeks. 

I went to the ranger conference in Washington, PA with Greg. It was so fun. Only two nights away, but it was enjoyable to get away! 

There was an outlet mall right next to the hotel. 

So of course while Greg was in meetings...I went shopping! :)

I only got a few things but they were great deals:

A pair of knee high black dress boots originally $90 on sale for $30

A Timberland plaid shirt for Greg originally $60 on sale for $15

and the best deal of the day

Blue Columbia ski jacket originally $230 marked down to $50!! Woo hoooo

It's about that time again for a new ski jacket for me, so I was pumped. 

But we're back now, and Macey is happy to be home. :-) But from what I heard she had a blast at the doggie resort too. 

Also, I start at Mill Creek on Monday! Excited. 

And now, for some fun pictures of Macey's first "MetroMutts" hike.

Mill Creek has a "MetroMutts" program that Greg and I are members of. I think the pictures are pretty self explanatory of what it is. :)

The triple sniff.

Mmm. That's a nice musk.

Yay new people!

Come on old guy! Wanna play!?

Brutus. No really.

This is still manly right?

Gorgeous darling.

Macey being WAY too high strung.

This pretty lady was my favorite!

Look at that face

 

 

This was Odie :)

 

And of course snacks for parents and doggies alike.

Greg and I had a great time, and are so looking forward to the other hikes and get togethers! It was fun seeing all the different dogs and meeting other doggie lovers. :) 

Hope you have had a great week! 

Great deals at Walgreens this week! Including Free Pediacare among many others. 

Love,

LT

Tuna Family Update

Big Tuna and Little Tuna





As most of you know, Tuna and I moved to Youngstown, OH at the beginning of December this past year. I have been a little vague here on our "life" happenings other than running around with Puppy. 

So here's an update that I hope will make you feel more "caught" up with us.

Tuna likes his job. He's a Park Ranger with the Army Corps of Engineers. We're always looking for something "permanent", but like it here so far. If you're confused, thinking this job was permanent, well...it is kinda. It's a 4 year term position, that is funded for sure for the next year. Even the feds are making budget cuts, so who knows what could happen. 

And now...drum roll please....and maybe a little thrum of cymbals....as of Tuesday...I am officially the newest member of the Millcreek Metropark team! Wahoo! 

What a blessing eh!? That's right. The project that doesn't have any money, managed to hire me :) 

Here's the story: 

In late January, Millcreek had a job fair. I was the only one dressed up, and was either older than everyone by 5 years or younger than everyone by 25. Highschoolers and retirees showed up for all the summer positions. And so did I mind you. They have a historic mill here and I was interested in one of the summer interp positions (tour guide). I spoke to a man in the recreation department who basically told me I was the best thing to walk into their job fair since sliced bread. *polishes finger nails on shoulder*

Anyways, he remembered me. And called me on Thursday of last week and said can you come in tomorrow? I might have something you're interested in. 

And boy was I interested!

I will be the working (yes I took the offer, because they offered it to me before they interviewed anyone else) with the recreation department basically....as an assistant is really the best way to put it. It's part time, but it'll be more hours in the summer and less in the winter and it is permanent. I will primarily be stationed at the farm, but I will spend time at the nature center too, help with programs there AND at the mill. Coordinate volunteers, help set up major events and non-profit org events, and lead outreach programs in the further reaches of the county which tend to get left out. I'm so excited. I'll get to do bird walks, and come up with other new programs, and help plan big parties, and check shelters, and eat cereal! wait. 

Yes. All of the above and more. I'll be working with a large variety of people and projects and it just sounds like the best opportunity to expand my resume EVER! 

Can you tell I'm pretty excited?

Because I am. 

Did I mention I'll get to do bird walks? 

OH YEA!

So that's the job update.

We've found a church we really like here too. We've both joined bible studies and a small group with other young couples and it's been great! 

I am sort of co-directing the children's musical at church that's coming up in May. We just had our first rehearsal this passed week and it went well. I'll be leading the choreography. :) 

I don't have to come up with it, I just have to learn it backwards from the DVDs and then teach it to the kids! It's gonna be fun. The kids seem like really good kids. And some of my favorite memories from children's church are from the plays I was in, so being a part of that for them is really great.

Other than that. Not much else is going on. We have been enjoying our first 8 months of marriage and are looking forward to a busy Spring and fun Summer!

Here's one last picture to leave you with. This was when Tuna Puppy was about 3 months old, now she's over 5 months! She's so big now! But she looks so dang cute in this picture. :)

Love,
Little Tuna

Homemade Salsa and Glamour Shots

Homemade Salsa. This my friends...is my vice. 

I worked at Abuelo's in college. And they made their salsa in house. And it was good.  Since then, I've been ruined. For nothing other than some thin, tangy, sweet, spicy, salsa. 

I haven't had salsa anywhere else that was as good. Other than when I make it myself. Oh yea. :)

Pictures. Then recipe. 

If tomatoes are in season. Use fresh. It makes a big difference. And I prefer it. But when their not, it's really cheaper and easier to use canned. Someting with a little kick is nice (like the one in the middle with "zesty jalapenos") but you can always just get regular and add some kick yourself. I used these because it's what I had.

Small onion. Couple garlic cloves (plus powder if your a garlic FREAK like me!)

Chop.

Get out your blender (or a large food processor would work too!) and place tomatoes in. I drained about half the liquid from each because ALL the liquid makes it a little too runny. I would error on the thick side, and if your worried about it, save some juice for the end, you can always add juice but can't really take it away once you've processed it.

Add the garlic and onion.

Oooh lala my favorite part.

Chop a few table spoons full of jalapenos more or less to taste. Include the seeds. Your macho.

Some red pepper flakes for good measure. And texture. ;)

Wait. I lied. THIS is my favorite part. FRESH cilantro. I promise. Dried won't cut it. Fresh baby fresh.

Add in jalapenos and cilantro and give a few pulses!

Don't forget the lime juice! Oh yes. Fresh would be better. But I already had some on hand. 

Now the trick is taste and see! Try and try again with little additions. Each time I make this I'm always using a bit more of this or that depending on the base I use.

I ended up adding a bit of cumin, chili powder, more cilantro, and jalapenos.

And voila! 

Oh man. I made this about two weeks ago. My mouth is watering. And I just had lunch. 

Please. Make homemade salsa. You won't regret it. 

Restaurant Style Salsa 

Adapted from Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

• 1 can (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes With Juice
• 2 cans (10 Ounce) Diced Tomatoes (with some kick if possible: jalapenos, green chilies, etc)
• 1 small Onion Chopped
• 2-3 cloves Garlic, Minced (or to taste)
• 3-4 table spoons Minced Jalapeno (or to taste) fresh or jarred
• ¼ teaspoons Sugar
• ¼ teaspoons Salt
• ¼ teaspoons Ground Cumin
• ½ cups Cilantro (more To Taste!)
• 2 table spoons Lime Juice 

My other additions: Red pepper flakes, chili powder, EXTRA cilantro :) 

Preparation Instructions

Combine whole tomatoes, dice tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, garlic, sugar, salt, cumin, lime juice, and cilantro in a blender or food processor. Pulse until you get the salsa to the consistency you’d like—I do about 10 to 15 pulses. Test seasonings with a tortilla chip and adjust as needed.
Refrigerate salsa for at least an hour. Serve with tortilla chips or cheese nachos.

And now. For some close ups of my sleepy puppy.

What is that clicking sound?

Mom. What are you doing? I'm trying to sleep.

Are you kidding me with this?

Fine. If I wake up enough to give you a cutesy pose will you stop?

I'm done with you.

But if you give me treats I might cooperate.

 

I will give you the puppy stare until you stop clicking the camera and give me another treat. 

And that's all for today. Have a great weekend!  

Go make salsa. 

Love,

Little Tuna