Free Kool-Aid

Kroger currently has packets of Kool-Aid for $.10 each. Enter the sweepstakes and print a coupon for $.50/5.

Kool-Aid's website, or you can also "like" Kool-Aid's Facebook page and enter from there.

Target: John Freida hair color & Pantene

This was my first attempt at trying to score wicked awesome deals at Target. I love how they allow you to 'stack' coupons to make items super cheap.

Some Target stores seem to be having problems with the Banana Boat/Hawaiian Tropics deal. I purchased one Banana Boat baby sunscreen ($7.44) and the Banana Boat Aloe After Sun lotion ($4.99). I should have gotten a $5 GC back when I checked out, but I did not. I didn't realize it until after I'd left. Needless to say, I will be returning to Target to either get the GC or return the items.

Target's coupons specify: "Limit one coupon or offer per transaction."

John Freida Precision Foam hair color
Price: $11.99
Coupons: $5/1 Target web coupon and $5/1 from the 5/1/11 SS.
Final Cost: $1.99 + tax

Pantene - Buy 2 shampoo or conditioner, Get 1 styling product
Price: $3.79 for conditioners, $3.94 for styling
Coupons: $3/2 Pantene product from 5/1/2011 P&G and $1/1 Pantene/Herbal Essence from Target
Final Cost: $3.58 + tax

Pantene - Buy 2 shampoo or conditioner, Get 1 styling product
Price: $3.79 for conditioners, $3.94 for styling
Coupons: $3/2 Pantene product from 5/1/2011 P&G
Final Cost: $4.58 + tax

Did this, just to show that I can.

Told my Dad about the pickle deal, so he wanted some for his house for Lily. I wanted to score him some French's Spicy Brown mustard because they have the peelie, but the Kroger I went to was all sold out. He gave me a dollar. Not gonna lie, I only did this to say that I did get 94% off of a transaction. Normally, I wouldn't shop like this.

French's usually has $.30 off the mustard in the paper. I just happened to have a $.50 off manu that Kroger sent me (thanks to using my Plus card and their system monitoring what I buy).

Total OOP: $.57

Manu Coupons: $1.50
Bonus: $3
Plus: $4.70
Special: $2.40
Total Savings: $9.20 → 94%

Mount Olive Pickle Spears (x2) Regular Price: $3.39 Plus Price: $1.69 Coupon: $.50 off (x2) **blinkie** Bonus: $1 off (x2) Final Cost: $.19 each Total Savings: $6.40 → 94%

French's Yellow Mustard Regular Price: $2.99 Plus Price: $1.69 Coupon: $.50 off Bonus: $1 off Final Cost: $.19 Total Savings: $2.80 → 94%

Sweet Meat!

Today's trip was just to get pickles. Just pickles. Yeah, how'd that work for me?!

About the ground turkey: We only have chicken in our house. I thought that we'd pick up a pack of ground beef. Ouch! It's expensive. Guess I'll have to wait a week or two until it's on sale. There were 2-1 lb packages of ground turkey patties that were "Manager's Special," meaning that they had to be sold because their sale by date was approaching. They're normally $2.99, but marked down to $1.79. This savings is not reflected on the receipt because it uses a different UPC barcode. I happened to look at the price on the shelf and calculated it when I got home.

Total OOP: $5.96

Manu Coupons: $1
Bonus: $2
Plus: $4.89
Special: $2.40
Total Savings: $10.29 → 74%

Mount Olive Pickle Spears (x2) Regular Price: $3.39 Plus Price: $1.69 Coupon: $.50 off (x2) **blinkie** Bonus: $1 off (x2) Final Cost: $.19 each Total Savings: $6.40 → 94%	Kroger Ground Turkey Patties (x2) Regular Price: $2.99 Special: $1.79 Final Cost: $1.79 each Total Savings: $2.40 → 40%
Driscoll's Raspberries Regular Price: 3.49 Plus Price: $2 Final Cost: $2 Total Savings: $1.49 → 43%

Another Kroger Adventure

Since I had to head to Walgreens to get my ink catridge refilled (which they couldn't do ... ::sadface::), figured I'd stop by Kroger and get a couple of things that I forgot/missed/purchased yesterday.

A note about the Dawn Hand Renewal that I got yesterday and the one I got today: Yesterday, I bought the 19oz bottle for $2.99. Today, I got the 9.5oz bottle for $1.49.

The Kool-Aid coupon was B2G1 (up to $.25 off). Due to a cashier error, she just put in the 25 cents and not the 10 cents. I didn't realize it until I got home and started detailing my receipt.

Total OOP: $17.20

Manu Coupons: $7.15
Bonus: $11.80
Plus: $10.84
Total Savings: $29.79 → 64%

Items purchased without coupons or sales
Pink Reusable Bag: $1.50
Bananas: $1.53 (2.93 lbs @ .54/lb)

Worst Savings Kroger Cream Cheese Regular Price: $1.32 Plus Price: $1.25 Final Cost: $1.25 Total Savings: $.07 → 5%	Best Savings Dawn Hand Renewal (x2) Price: $1.49 Coupon: $.50 off (x2) Bonus: $1 off (x2) Final: -$.01 each Total Savings: FREE + $.01 → 101%
Turkey Hill Peach Tea Regular Price: $1.99 Plus Price: $1.25 Coupon: $1 off / 2 Final Cost: $.75 each Total Savings: $2.28 → 62%	Chi Chi's Torilla Shells Regular Price: $2.09 Plus Price: $1.89 Coupon: $.50 off Bonus: $1 off Final Cost $.39 Total Savings: $1.70 → 81%
Chi Chi's Salsa Regular Price: $2.99 Plus Price: $2.59 Coupon: $.50 off Bonus: $1 off Final Cost: $1.09 Total Savings: $1.90 → 64%	Kroger Jalapenos Regular Price: $1.58 Plus Price: $1.38 Final Cost: $1.38 Total Savings: $.20 → 13%
Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce Regular Price: $2.69 Plus Price: $1 Final Cost: $1 Total Savings: $1.69 → 63%	Kroger Sour Cream Regular Price: $1.36 Plus Price: $1.25 Final Cost: $1.25 Total Savings: $.11 → 8%
Pampers Wipes Regular Price: $2.49 Coupon: $.50 off Bonus: $1 off Final Cost: $.99 Total Savings: $1.50 → 60%	French's Spice Brown Mustard (x2) Regular Price: $2.99 Plus Price: $1.69 Coupon: $.50 off (x2) **peelie** Bonus: $1 (x2) Final Cost: $.19 each Total Savings: $5.60 → 94%
Frank's Red Hot Sauce Regular Price: $4.19 Plus Price: $2.99 Coupon: $.50 off Bonus: $1 off Final Cost: $1.49 Total Savings: $2.70 → 64%	Fresh Green Beans Regular Price: $.39 Plus Price: $.23 (.26 lb @ $.88/lb) Final Price: $.23 Total Savings: $.16 → 41%
Mount Olive Pickle Spears (x2) Regular Price: $3.39 Plus Price: $1.69 Coupon: $.50 off (x2) **blinkie** Bonus: $1 off (x2) Final Cost: $.19 each Total Savings: $6.40 → 94%	Kool-Aid Packet (x3) Regular Price: $.22 Plus Price: $.10 each Coupon: B2G1 Final Cost: $.05/3 Total Savings: $.61 → 92%
Archway Oatmeal Cookies (x2) Regular Price: $2.99 Plus Price: $2.49 Coupon: $.45 off (x2) Bonus: $.90 (x2) Final Cost: $1.14 each Total Savings: $3.70 → 62%

I've been Krogering

Kroger in my area triples manufacturer's coupons up to $.50, hence the bonus. On my receipt, it's shows as "SCANNED COUPONS," followed by "MULTIPLED COUPON."

Our local stores also have the policy that you can only use 2 of the same manufacturer's coupons will be tripled. Example: I got 2 packages of Chi Chi's Tortillas. The store tripled the coupons I used for each. If I would have purchased a third package, it would have only been at face value, not tripled.

With prior spending, as well as today's trip, I also qualified for $.10 off per gallon at the Kroger gas station. So, I saved an additional $2.40 there when I filled up. My van was on Empty and I have a huge tank, so it makes it worth it.

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Total OOP: $47.80

Manu Coupons: $11.75
Bonus: $18.50
Plus: $28.16
Total Savings: $58.41 → 55%

Items purchased without coupons or sales
Bakery Cupcake: $2.49
Kroger Value Tea Bags: $1.79
Slushie: $.99

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Here's the breakdown of the items that I got with coupons and my Kroger Plus card.

Memorial Day Soda Sale: $3 off / 4 = 4 for $10
Dr. Pepper 12-Pack (x2) Regular Price: $4.99 Sale Price: $3.25 Final Cost: 2.50 each Total Savings: $4.98 → 50%	Mountain Dew 12-Pack (x2) Regular Price: $5.19 Sale Price: $3.25 Final Cost: 2.50 each Total Savings: $5.38 → 52%
Worst Savings Driscoll's Strawberries Regular Price: $2.29 Plus Price: $2 Final Cost: $2 Total Savings: $.29 → 12%	Best Savings Mount Olive Pickle Spears (x2) Regular Price: $3.39 Plus Price: $1.69 Coupon: $.50 off (x2) **blinkie** Bonus: $1 off (x2) Final Cost: $.19 each Savings: $6.40 → 94%
Turkey Hill Raspberry Tea (x2) Regular Price: $1.99 Plus Price: $1.25 Coupon: $1 off / 2 Final Cost: $.75 each Total Savings: $2.28 → 62%	Turkey Hill Sweet Tea (x2) Regular Price: $1.99 Plus Price: $1.25 Coupon: $1 off / 2 Final Cost: $.75 each Total Savings: $2.28 → 62%
Chi Chi's Torilla Shells (x2) Regular Price: $2.09 Plus Price: $1.89 Coupon: $.50 off (x2) Bonus: $1 off (x2) Final Cost $.39 each Total Savings: $3.40 → 81%	Chi Chi's Salsa (x2) Regular Price: $2.99 Plus Price: $2.59 Coupon: $.50 off (x2) Bonus: $1 off (x2) Final Cost: $1.09 each Total Savings: $3.80 → 64%
Mezzetta Mild Banana Pepper Rings Regular Price: $2.79 Plus Price: $2.49 Coupon: $.50 off Bonus: $1 off Final Cost: $.99 Total Savings: $1.80 → 65%	Driscoll's Raspberries Regular Price: 3.49 Plus Price: $2 Final Cost: $2 Total Savings: $1.49 → 43%
French's Worcestershire Sauce Regular Price: $1.99 Plus Price: $1.89 Coupon: $.50 off Bonus: $1 off Final Cost: $.39 Total Savings: $1.60 → 80%	French's Spice Brown Mustard (x2) Regular Price: $2.99 Plus Price: $1.69 Coupon: $.50 off (x2) **peelie** Bonus: $1 (x2) Final Cost: $.19 each Total Savings: $5.60 → 94%
French's Yellow Mustard (x2) Regular Price: $1.99 Plus Price: $1.69 Coupon: $.30 off (x2) Bonus: $.60 off (x2) Final Cost: $.79 each Total Savings: $1.20 → 60%	Frank's Red Hot Sauce (x2) Regular Price: $4.19 Plus Price: $2.99 Coupon: $.50 off (x2) Bonus: $1 off (x2) Final Cost: $1.49 each Total Savings: $5.40 → 64%
Hunt's Ketchup Regular Price: $1.78 Plus Price: $1.43 Coupon: $.35 Bonus: $.70 Final Cost: $.38 Total Savings: $1.40 → 79%	Kroger Salad Dressing Regular Price: $1.59 Plus Price: $1.25 Coupon: FREE (store) Final Cost: $0 Total Savings: $1.59 → 100%
Wacky Mac Pasta Regular Price: $1.59 Coupon: $.40 off Bonus: $.80 Final Cost: $.39 Total Savings: $1.20 → 75%	Armour Lunch Makers Turkey Wrap Regular Price: $1.69 Plus Price: $1.25 Final Cost: $1.25 Total Savings: $.44 → 26%
Chex Snack Mix Regular Price: $2.99 Coupon: $.50 off Bonus: $1 off Final Cost: $1.49 Total Savings: $1.50 → 50%	Pampers Wipes (x2) Regular Price: $2.49 Coupon: $.50 off (x2) Bonus: $1 off (x2) Final Cost: $.99 each Total Savings: $3 → 60%
Huggies Wipes (x2) Regular Price: $2.54 Plus Price: $2.50 Coupon: $.50 off (x2) Bonus: $1 off Total Savings: $3 → 60%	Dawn Hand Renewal Dish Soap Regular Price: $2.99 Coupon: $.50 off Bonus: $1 off Final Cost: $1.49 Total Savings: $1.50 → 50%
Glade Carpet & Room Regular Price: $2.39 Coupon: $.50 off Bonus: $1 off Final Cost: $.89 Total Savings: $1.50 → 63%

Little Boy Blue

**I wrote this a couple of weeks ago and really haven't had time to get online and publish it.**

The other day when I was picking Lily and Navy up from Dad's, I noticed that Navy's feet were bluish-purple and cold to the touch. His fingernail beds were dark red, almost purple. This was not the first cyanotic episode.

Cyanosis is when the skin is a blue or purplish color because of low oxygen levels in the tissue under the skin's surface.

The first time I noticed it, his lips and the area around his mouth were blue. His hands were also blue and cold. I check to see if he was breathing before I panicked. His was breathing fine. I picked him up to wake him up. His color returned to normal.

I called the doctor about it. The nurse said that if he had anymore blue symptoms to take him to the emergency room.

So, I took him in. He was breathing fine and alert, so I drove him.

After a basic exam, they put him on an ECG machine and a toe O2 monitor. They ordered labs and a check x-ray.

While nursing, Navy had several episodes of tachycardia and a couple of V-tach.

Tachycardia is when the heart beats too fast. Ventricular tachycardia, V-tach, is when the generates from on of the ventricles in the heart. It is very dangerous.

However, because of his age, the echogenic intracardiac focus (that white spot on the sonogram) on my 20 week and 28 week ultrasounds, and family history, it was deemed best that he be admitted for cardiac monitoring.

I didn't know it, but the hospital I took him to doesn't have a PICU. All of that is under construction and won't be open until March 2012.

The ER doc said that we were waiting on critical care transportation. Navy would be taken by ambulance to another hospital that had a PICU. However, because he is so young, they wanted a team that was trained for neonatal.

The team arrived and put new leads on Navy. Then, once in his carseat, his seat was strapped to the gurney.

I arrived and my guy had a fresh diaper, hospital jammies, and a pretty blue blanker from Project Linus.

Long night. Navy woke up at his usual times to nurse. A nurse came in every 3 hours to do a routine exam. His monitor alarms went off periodically.

The doctor made his rounds about 8a. Navy had no cyanotic spells that were observed and his heart and oxygen readings were good.

Diagnosis: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
Treatment: Thicken liquid to honey consistency.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD, is when stomach acid comes back up into the esophagus. It can be a common problem for babies, but they usually outgrow it by the time they're a year old.

When we got home and nap time came around, I started researching. They didn't do any sort of testing to reach this diagnosis. A simple throat swab would have shown acid in the throat.

Navy had his 2-month check-up, so there wasn't a need to schedule a follow-up appointment. He's growing and gaining well. HP didn't see why thickened liquids was prescribed when Navy is breastfed. Nursing is better for me and more comforting for him. So, Zantac was prescribed to see if that has any effect on his cyanotic episodes.

Hurry up and wait.