I love it when I feel like I have had a really productive day! While my family had karate practice this morning, I ran errands. Did the monthly WalMart run, returned an item and ran into Hobby Lobby just to see what was on clearance. I ended up finding some scrapbook paper that I wanted was on sale this week at 50% off. I had a credit at the store, so it turned out to be a really good deal. Fashion Bug had a $10 off a minimum $10 purchase and I found a beautiful $27 shirt on the clearance rack marked down to $12.98 and picked that up for $2.98. But the best part of today was my TWO CVS runs (one run per card). They were just slightly different by one item, but here is a picture of what I got for only $5.50 out of my pocket (Yes, only $5.50 out of my pocket for BOTH purchases!!). Now remember, I did this TWICE!! Total retail was just over $150 .... I saved about 96%.

I didn't have any coupons either, but was happy to get so many items free after rebate. On the first card, I started with almost $27.50 in ECB's and I ended up with $25.53 to spend next time. On the 2nd card, I started with $21.95 in ECB's and ended up with $23.36 to spend next time. So, if you combine that, I started with $49.45 and ended with $48.89 ... just about broke even! I gave a bunch of the 2nd purchase to my parents - 3 each of the toothbrushes, toothpaste, deoderant and Rolaids as well as one of the Tums. My mom says that there's never anything there to buy, but I am hoping to make her a CVS convert (Yes, Mom ... I'm talking to Y-O-U !!   HAHAHA!!)

Then after getting home, my husband was already working outside. We've cleaned up all but one section of our greenery. One more section to clean out (under the deck) and then add a nice new bunch of mulch and we'll be good to go. The garage was the next area that needed some cleaning out. We got the front part decluttered and cleaned up a bit, but stopped so that my husband could go for a run in the park. He's been missing all of the running since his marathon ... he's running with the kids, but it's not the same for him, so I encouraged him to go run by himself and run with the kids tomorrow.

My kids are getting ready for the church service that they are a part of leading tomorrow. All of the confirmands are leading the service (except for Holy Communion). My son is giving the children's sermon and the other youth are each giving a brief sermon of their own. This service will be held at the park and we'll have a church picnic and games afterwards. We really had fun with this last year. Next Sunday, my children will be confirmed in the Lutheran church.

Well, I guess that is all for now. The sun has finally come out, so maybe we'll head back outdoors and clean up under the deck later tonight!