I'M BACK IN BUSINESS!...and so are my GATORS!

Okay, I am so happy to be back to my blog! It has been so hectic around here.
First, Hurricane Ike was not fun. However, it was not "the storm of the century" as they have been saying on the local news here in Houston. No, not quite!

Yes, it was inconvenient.
Yes, it was very, very hot and humid without electricity.
Yes, not having electricity for over 2 weeks did not make my top ten list of happy things.
But... it was not the storm of the century.
That was a storm of a different name in another place.

So... I was not able to post during the time of no electricity. ( obviously)
Then... I had to catch up on work stuff.
Now... TD is getting ready for his NEW JOB!

We are moving to Oklahoma!
I do not know too much about OK, but am looking forward to meeting new people that I hear are really nice there!

Good news... Boo Boo and Mandy closed on their new house yesterday. I am so happy for them! Congrats! I will post pics when I get them!

Now, for an important announcement... Tonight Casa de Mineau is a HOUSE DIVIDED!
That means that LSU is playing the MIGHTY FLORIDA GATORS @ THE SWAMP!
Go, Gators!

TD and I both agreed that our respective teams will win, but we will be happy for the other person when their team wins. Which will mean that TD will be happy for me when the GATORS win!

Getting Ready for Ike!

Okay, so here we are, getting ready for Hurricane Ike! TD has to work and his job will not allow him to evacuate. Therefore, I did not want to evacuate without him. We will either stay here at the house or we will go to TD's work place to hunker down. According to the current model, the path of Ike is coming straight for us. I am not so much worried about the water as I am the wind. As long as we are together with Bita and Mineau, then I am happy. We will see what happens!

September 11, 2001... God Bless America

computer trouble

Sorry for not writing any new posts for the past week. My internet has been out and Comcast, being the great monopoly that it is, has said that a technician cannot come out until next Thursday. Well, my internet went out last Saturday. This happened two months ago, as well. Needless to say, I am not impressed at all with Comcast. Additionally, our cable keeps going out. In fact, the cable kept going out last night when we were watching Keith Urban perform on the NFL Kickoff show! The nerve of Comcast! It better not go out tomorrow when the BUCS play! How about you? Are you happy with your internet and cable service?

Go Gators!

Well, the Florida Gators are at it again! Winning! The game tonight against Miami was a little too close for my taste at the beginning. The Gators came through big time, though! And so did the USF Bulls! Now I am happy. I will be thrilled tomorrow when the Bucs beat the Saints! Who is your favorite college team?

Learning Ebay from the Expert

This is my brother Ricky. He is a Power Seller on ebay and he is teaching me so much! I went to his house during my last visit home to Florida and I learned a gazillion things! Thanks, Ricky! By the way, if you ever get a chance, visit his store on ebay: All for Tito!

Getting Ready for Guests... and Maybe Evacuation!

Okay, so here we are on Saturday afternoon. My dear Mother-in-Law, Mama Roy, Aunt Alice, and one of Mom's teaching coworkers are all on their way to our house from Lousiana. They are also bringing Minnie (Maltese) and Maggie (Schnauzer) with them. It will be a nice slumber party! Then tomorrow or the next day we might all have to leave our house here in East Texas due to Hurricane Gustav. Well, I am a Florida Girl so I know about hurricanes. Need to get supplies... water(first and foremost), then the other essentials: rum, pineapple juice, oh... what else do we make Hurricanes with? Need to call my brother Petie and ask! Have you ever had to evacuate your home?

Crazy about Board Games!

Okay... I admit it... I absolutely L-O-V-E board games! You name it... Scrabble, Balderdash, Scattergories, Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit, etc... I also love to play some card games such as Phase Ten! And I cannot forget how much fun it was to play Bunko with my Bunko group when I was a teacher. Fun, Fun, Fun! I really think that staying at home, getting some snacks and playing board games is good clean frugal fun! You can have Game Night with the family or have company over. How about you? Do you like games? Which ones? Come on over... I'll get the snacks ready! =)

A Reason for Everything...

Yes, this is one of my favorite sayings and something that TD and I keep saying lately! Sometimes it seems you can plan things out so well but they turn out quite different in the end. I am a firm believer that things certainly do happen for a reason... sometimes we understand and sometimes we don't. Now I am talking about Faith. Gotta have it. Do you worry about things you really cannot control?

My name is Terry and I am a couponaholic...

Tonight I spent some time organizing my coupon binders. Sadly, I had to take out many expired coupons. Luckily, I will be able to send them overseas for our military men and women to use. I am so happy that expired coupons can serve a purpose! I have a total of two large binders and two small paper portfolios. The large black one is for groceries only. I have a semi-large white one for CVS. Then... a smaller one for Walmart and Target as I do not want to lug my bigger ones around those stores and I usually know what I want. My final small one houses restaurant coupons/ service coupons such as Jiffy Lube, Drycleaners, etc. I know it seems like a lot, but it is actually quite organized and easy to use. There is a system I have developed that works really well for me. My MAIN PROBLEM is that I always feel that I have to have every single coupon that I see. Now, that has helped me out a lot in the past since there have been random things on clearance for which I had the coupon and I was impressed with myself. Some of the time, however, I lug around coupons that I do not use. Then I have to spend an evening such as this picking them out of my binder so that I am able to carry the thing around! Two weeks ago, however, out of the blue I had a change of heart. I do not know how it happened. It just did. I told myself to stop being so obsessed with coupons and now I do not spend so much time on them and I do not pick up every coupon ever printed in the modern world. And I am happier. Much happier. How about you? Are you totally coupon obsessed?

That was some good gumbo!

The other night TD gave in and made some of his awesome gumbo. He is truly a Cajun as this is some good stuff! He adapted a recipe from his grandmother, Mama Roy. Before I knew TD, I did not know that gumbo was sometimes eaten with a dollop of potato salad on top. Well, just try to serve me gumbo now with no potato salad and I will wonder where the rest of the meal went! This gumbo had shrimp, chicken and sausage in it. Of course, there is some good rice on the bottom of the bowl. Sometimes we have a problem because I cannot eat very spicy food while TD can eat food that is so spicy a rocket could launch from it. This gumbo was perfect. In the picture you can see the genuine Abita Amber Beer which is what TD likes to drink with gumbo. Makes it a real Louisiana feast. Do you like gumbo... and do you eat potato salad with it?

Another good shopping trip

My trip to Wal Mart went well. Total prior to coupons was $73.58. After coupons the total was $40.81.
Here is what I purchased...

2 bakery cinnamon rolls ( I had no business buying these)
5 Bumble Bee Tuna Salad lunch kits
Planters Mixed Nuts
2 Apple and Eve Apple Juice Box sets
1 Six pack of Dasani water
1 small packet of cumin
1 Simply Orange OJ
6 small gala apples
1 large orange
1 lemon
1 lime
1 plantain
2 garlic
1 bag sunchips
6 packages Huggies Baby Wipes
1 All You Magazine
6 Post It page markers
1 loaf ciabatta from bakery
1 boneless rib roast
1 tyson pork loin roast
package of pork chops
1 bag onions
3 packets kool aid mix
1 mosquito spray (not pictured)
So.. I saved $32.77 in coupons.

I really do not shop at WalMart unless I have a bunch of coupons to use. My most favorite regular grocery store is Publix, but we do not have them here. My other favorite grocery store is Trader Joes, but alas, there are none of those here, either. The good thing about Kroger, where I usually do my grocery shopping, is that the double and triple coupons really help out! Where do you like to do your grocery shopping?

A Peaceful Moment

Here is my beautiful baby, Mineau, showing us that the world can be as chaotic as it wants to be. We can choose to relax. I think I need to follow her example more often. Enjoying the warm sunshine on your face and not worrying about anything... seems like a good thing to me. How about you?

CVSing... Fun on a Saturday Night!

While I was home in Florida for Family Saturday, I went CVSing with my dear sister-in-law Mandy and my brother Patrick, aka Boo Boo.
Here they are holding their binder. It was a really good outing! I was able to meet their favorite cashier, Kelvin, who knows them so well that he knows what their car looks like! It is really cool being able to share CVSing with your family as it is another interest that bonds us closer. So... CVS is more than just a store, it helps bring family and friends closer! Does your family CVS together? ( I guess that CVS has now also become a verb!)

Always Learning...

Okay, so I am not a genius when it comes to modern technology. An understatement, for certain! We had to get a new fax machine because the other one broke. TD is the genius in our household when it comes to computers, the internet, televisions, dvd players, the remote, and practically anything else that runs on electricity or has moving parts! In an effort to make me more comfortable in using "modern technology", TD said that I should try to set up the machine myself. I know, I know...it should have been easy. And parts of it were, but then I came across a snag and had to call in the expert! Needless to say, it is now working and I may have come just a little closer to having some knowledge about stuff like this. Just logging on to my blog and trying to learn new things is something I am so proud of. I know that 99% of the world's population know so much about computers and technology and here I am still learning bit by bit. It really is amazing to me that the youth of today are so intelligent when it comes to anything that has to do with technology. Really, it is reading other people's fabulous blogs that really inspires me to try to learn more. At least I am not ashamed to admit that I need help. Not that I could keep it a secret! Now, if you want to talk about someone who is an expert at playing Wheel of Fortune, I am your gal! Is there anything that you feel you need to learn more about and improve upon?

Coke Rewards!

I am so obsessed with Coke Rewards! Really, I look for those caps everywhere I go! I am not too proud to pick one up in front of someone, either! I could have so made out at the concert on Saturday night since they were selling Coke products, but I did not want TD to have to put up with me doing that there since it was a date night. But, boy, did I think about all the points I was missing out on that night! I have made it a sort of game. My goal is to find at least one everyday that I am out and about, especially if I am out in the field for my job since it takes me all around town. Do you collect Coke Rewards or anything similar?

Poets and Pirates !

TD and I went to the Kenny Chesney concert on Saturday night. This pic shows a different arena, and we were not as lucky as those folks since we did not get to see the great Sammy "I can't drive 55" Hagar. However, it was a great concert! I especially enjoyed Leann Rimes' beautiful voice. And Keith Urban... he was fantastic! He is a great musician. I wanted to go up to him and ask how Nicole and Sunday are doing. He seems so nice that he probably would have chatted to me about his family. It was interesting to see all the outfits in the crowd. I love to people watch! It was a great date night and I was so happy that TD thought to buy these tickets as a surprise. Who would you like to see in concert?

Five Guys Burgers!

Seriously, when TD and I were living in California, we thought that nothing at all could beat In & Out. But... the moment I tasted a burger from Five Guys when we lived in Jax, I completely changed my way of thinking! I think that TD still holds In & Out as the best in his mind, but that might just be due to great memories of California and not so much the burger. So... while at home in Florida over the weekend, Boo Boo, Mandy, Petie and I went to Five Guys... Boo Boo and Mandy are already loyal customers of Five Guys. Petie had never tried a burger from Five Guys and had his first burger there. Here he is. Needless to say, he loved it. My, he has good taste! How about you? Do you like Five Guys burgers?

More Family Saturday!

This is the delish bananas foster made by Boo Boo and Mandy... yummy! I could have eaten it all! Mandy also made a delicious crab rangoon with cranberry chutney dip which she learned from none other than the famous chef, Ming Tsai when she and Boo Boo attended one of his workshops. They were so kind as to give me a personally signed cookbook from the Chef! Yipee! Another yummy dish at Family Saturday was Dad's famous cheese pizza. I had more than my share.

Family Saturday.... and a Pirate Ship!

Here is my dear sister-in-law, Jenna, with her "Little Man" , Tito! They are next to Jenna's wonderful creation for Family Saturday. As you can see, with great skill she handcrafted this awesome pirate ship! Look closely and you can see the image of Tito that she etched into the mast. Beware Tito, as he is quite fierce! Don't you think he is cute?

I'm Back!

I am back and ready to start posting again. There are so many things I want to share!
I'll keep it simple, though, and not share too many things at once!
Here is the deal I got today at Randalls.

8 boxes of Ritz Crackers $4.19 each BOGo
used 8 coupons ($1/1)

One Lays Classic Chips on sale $2.50
3 Kraft Cheese $4.99 each
used 3 coupons (buy 2 Nabisco products such as Ritz, get Kraft cheese free)

5- 12 packs of Coke $5.99 each
Buy 2 get 3 free
used 2- $1/1 coupons

2 Contessa Shrimp Scampi on sale $3.99 each
used 1 - $2/2 coupons

Grand total before coupons was $71.99
Total after coupons and store savings $26.41
Savings of 73%

gotta love those BOGO deals that you have coupons to match with!
What do you think of my shopping trip?

Ahh, Key West!

It has been forever since TD and I were in Key West. What a wonderful place! The thought of not having a care in the world sounds pretty good to me right about now! Just walking down Duval Street, strolling along the water, watching the chickens , applauding the incredible sunset at Mallory Square, and not to mention... drinking a rum runner or two! I admire those conchs that live there! They sure know how to just live and let live. What a great idea! Do you love Key West?

I miss the old Emeril!

TD and I watched the new Emeril Green show this morning at 4 am. So not the same as the Emeril Live show on the Food Network! He was so subdued and matter-of-fact. It made me sad because he was not as lively. I do not know why he is no longer on the Food Network. If someone knows, please tell me. Yes, he was sometimes over the top with all the BAMs and what not, but he was fun to watch and, well, you gotta love a chef that loves pork fat! Do you like Emeril?

I have been thinking alot lately about trying to be more positive about things.
It has been said that people live longer and happier lives if they maintain a positive rather than a negative outlook. It makes sense.
This week my goal is to be very aware of my attitude and try to surround myself with positive vibes. And, of course, try to emit positive vibes.

What about you? Is your glass half-empty or half-full?

Beautiful People

Well, I just got off the phone with Mom and Dad and they told me that Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Tony are coming over tonight. They are my adopted Aunt and Uncle. I actually adopted them because they are truly great people. My Mom and Dad were blessed to build their home next to Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Tony. They are not just neighbors... they are family. Aunt Jeanne is quite the lady. She could teach the Queen of England about how to have teatime. She and my Mom love to have tea together. My Dad and Uncle Tony get along so well... Uncle Tony has a great sense of humor and he always gives you a great big hug when he greets you! What a blessing they have been....

Do you have neighbors that have become more like family?

My biggest food vice...

Since moving to Texas, I have been going back and forth thinking that it is great that there is not a Krispy Kreme on almost every corner because I am addicted to them... then I think what kind of place is this where I cannot drive down the street and see the flashing sign that gives you the welcome news that they have just taken hot doughnuts out of their oven! It is a blessing and a curse! Do you love Krispy Kreme?

This is the land of the Kolache... I had never even heard of one prior to moving here... they are fine, but I sure do love my Krispy Kremes!

A nice little visit

Last weekend my Mother-in-Law, Peggy, and Grandmother-in-Law, Mama Roy, came to visit us along with Mom Peggy's doggie, Minnie. We had a great time! They brought some boudin, which was so yummy. I knew nothing about that stuff until I met TD.

Speaking of food, Mama Roy can make the BEST pecan pie in the world. Hands down.

One week to go!

I am really looking forward to my trip home to visit my family. Here is a picture of my Mom, Dad, and brother Petie. Mom and Dad are wonderful people... they have always been there for me and I love them so much! You already met Petie last post... he is adoreable!

My husband, TD, started this thing called Family Saturday last year when we lived closer to my family. (sigh)... It takes place every second Saturday of the month and usually my dear sister-in-law Jenna comes up with a theme...

I actually suggested this next Family Saturday's theme as: YOUR SIGNATURE DISH...

I thought of it as TD and I watched The Next Food Network Star on FoodTV channel... one of my favorite channels and shows! Everytime we have Family Saturday we make food that goes along with the theme... I guess this theme is all about the food! I will be sure to post everyone's great dishes! I already know that Boo Boo and Mandy will make their famous bananas foster and my Dad will make his famous cheese and onion pizza! Who knows what Mom will make, as all of her dishes are signature dishes! Also, I am sure that Jenna will make something delish! Petie will be making his soon-to-be-famous spinach and strawberry salad! What will I be making? Well, it is still a surprise!

Do you have a signature dish?

Happy Birthday, Boo Boo!

Today is my brother Patrick's birthday. He is a wonderful person, and I wish him the most beautiful day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here he is ( on the right) on his wedding day, 9/19/07, when he married my sweet sister-in-law, Mandy.

Patrick is a great person! He has a good sense of humor and is generous. When he was small, one of his favorite things was going to Mass. He was so cute when he held his hands in prayer during Mass because he looked so serious even at the young age of six! He also has to be the youngest person in history to attend a pro soccer game. He went to a Tampa Bay Rowdies game with the entire family when he was only 7 days old! Good times!

And Mandy...

She was quite the beautiful bride!

I am lucky to have her as a sister. We are now coworkers and fellow CVSers and talk to each other almost every day! Together, Boo Boo and Mandy are a mean and lean CVS machine! Their stockpile is one to be admired! I cannot wait to visit to see all the cool stuff they have told me about. I will have to post a picture for us to drool over!

Shown in the middle is my baby brother, Peter, or Petie Sweetie as I call him. He is also a fantastic person! He is a hard working college student and also works as a bartender. He has got to be the most popular person I know!

Love you, Boo Boo!

Make sure you have fun on your special day!

I Love Freebies!

Who doesn't love to get something for free? It feels like Christmas when I go to the mailbox now and I cannot believe that there was this entire world of free stuff out there that I could get just by doing a little research. I am very grateful to the gracious people that share on their blogs about freebies. Here is what I received recently:

Country Home Magazine

TV Guide

Metropolitan Home

Kraft Food & Family ( with a coupon for free salad dressing!)

Quaker Simple Harvest

Nature's Bounty vitamins

tea sample from Republic of Tea

Kotex samples

Digestive Advantage Gas defense formula

Huggies pull ups

A bunch of coupons for Alaway... I wrote a letter to Bausch and Lomb thanking them for the awesome sample they sent. In reply, they sent me a gracious letter and additional coupons! What a great company.

***********Earlier today I was thinking of things that steal away my time.

I have a habit of wanting to write everything down. I mean everything.

Name the type of journal and I have got it!

I have a prayer journal, daily journal, work journal, food journal, spending journal, etc.

whew!

So... in an effort to simplify my life, I have decided to try to limit my writing. Only one journal for thoughts, etc. No more writing down everything I spend or eat. It is complicating my life.

Do any of you have the urge to write down so much of what is going on in your life?

Finally Organized!

I have not posted in forever because (1) I needed to get organized and (2) I needed to really ponder which direction I wanted to take with my blog.

Two weeks ago I actually went to a Blogging class taught by an experienced blogger. It was interesting, but I think that I need a lot more technical help. The class was really just about coming up with a blog idea rather than the "how" of everyday blogging. Oh, well, I think that I will just play it by ear and learn by doing!

The good thing is that I now know what my blog will be. Really, it is going to be a compilation of everything. My thoughts, ideas, helpful things I have read, heard or learned, stuff about my wonderful family, frugal stuff, gardening stuff, cooking stuff, homemaking stuff, etc.

A bit of an eclectic mix, I would say.

So... at first I was thinking that it was all about everyone in the universe visiting my blog!

But now, upon great reflection, I have decided that this blog is going to be written for whomever wants to read it, whether it be me or a gazillion people. I just want to express myself.

I would like for my family to be able to visit to see what is going on since we do not live in the same state right now.

If anyone else is reading, you can probably tell that I am not technologically advanced. Thus the absence of the cutsie things that appear on other sites. I do want to learn how to do all that and I will as I go along. I am just thrilled to be able to add a picture to my post!!!!!

Okay, here is what has been happening... Birthdays Galore!

1. Tiff ( our beautiful daughter ) had her 24th birthday in June. We were sorry to not be with her to celebrate.

2. Matthieu (our handsome grandson) turned 1 year old in June, as well. His Mommy says he is growing like a weed! Good thing, as he is going to have to protect his little sister after she is born. I am sure he will be a great big brother!

3. Bita, our sweet baby Rottie, turned 5 on the fourth of July! She loved her homemade cake!

Other news of note... I finally started selling on eBay! Yippee! I did not realize how much fun it would be. Thanks alot to my husband, TD, and my brother Ricky for all their advice.

My brother Ricky is a Power Seller, so he knows his stuff. I have a lot to learn.

More than anything, I want to be a good seller and receive good feedback.

Now that I have made my plan to post daily or at least every other day, I am happy.

I also feel liberated that I have decided to be sort of free-flowing on this blog.

Thanks for reading. Please say hello. I would love to hear from you. Have you been trying to do something new? Take care!

Introducing Bita

This is our beautiful Rottweiler, Bita.
Her full name is Abita Amber .
She is named after the Abita Amber beer made in Abita Springs, LA.

She was born on July 4, 2003 in Riverside, CA.
We love the fact that on July the Fourth there are fireworks to celebrate our Independence Day because the fireworks also help celebrate Bita's birthday.

And, boy, does Bita love to get presents! She happily opens all the presents herself.
At Christmas and during any other special time when gifts are given, she is the appointed
present opener. ****I am the appointed gift wrap picker-upper when she is done!****


Bita is a wonderful pet. She is intelligent, kind and fun-loving! We keep a running list of all
the words that she knows and it is extensive!

She is certainly a Daddy's Girl, though. When her Daddy comes home she can hardly contain herself, she is so full of joy!

Bita and Mineau are great sisters. They get along so well.
One reason they get along so well is that Bita understands that Mineau is the boss of the entire family.

Another reason is that they just love each other.

Introducing Mineau

This is my kitty cat, Mineau.

We rescued her on 12/22/96 when we were living in the Jacksonville, FL area. Is she not beautiful?

Her real name is Noelle, but for some reason we just never call her that. My husband is from Louisiana (Geaux Saints!) and began to call her Mineau so it stuck. She is the real ruler of our home. Even our Rottie, Bita, listens aptly whenever Mineau has something to say.

Now, some people may think this is a bit strange, but sometimes when we cannot seem to make up our minds, we just " leave it up to Mineau" and put some choices on paper, letting her pick one of the pieces. Whatever Mineau chooses, well, let's just say that the decision is a bit easier for us since Mineau obviously is wise. Of course, this is for things like: what shall we have for dinner, which color paint should we choose or which dvd should we watch tonight? So, if anyone is having difficulty coming to a final decision on some important matter, Mineau would gladly help out. She is very decisive and never regrets her choices!

Speaking of pets, if you have never heard of the Best Friends Society, please visit their website. We have been supporters of this great organization for some years now. Their work in helping homeless and helpless animals is tremendous. http://www.bestfriends.org/

How about you? I would love to hear about your pets.

Carpe Diem!

Getting Started! ( boy, am I excited!)

Hello, everyone!
Well, probably not too many people except my family members for right now since nobody knows about this blog.

My name is Terry and I have never had a blog.

The reason I wanted to have a blog is because it looks like fun and maybe I can make some friends along the way. Oh, and I would absolutely love to help others just like the bloggers that have helped me so much through the valuable info they have posted on their blogs.

I named my blog Frugal Kitty because I enjoy spending money wisely and I really love my kitty cat, Mineau. ( I also love my dog, Bita, but wanted to use the word "Kitty" instead of "Doggie".)

It is my intention to learn all I can about this entire blogging phenomenon and develop an interesting blog that will entice readers.

If you happened upon my blog and are still reading, thank you!
Please stop by again as I write a little about my life and offer tidbits that might be helpful.

Carpe Diem!