Apparently, He Brought Obama’s Birth Certificate

How was your Easter?  I had a lovely time in Newton Grove (or Circle City, as my Daddy likes to call it).  On my way down on Sunday morning, I ran by the new Whole Foods on Six Forks Rd and grabbed two fruit tarts for $4.99 each for Sweet Thing and Uncle Carl, and a lavender bunny cake for $6.99 for Mama and Daddy.  They were a hit!  And I loved that my family was eating products made with ingredients like cage-free eggs, natural butter, and unbleached flour.  (www.wholefoodsmarket.com)  I was able to spend the entire afternoon relaxing and visiting and chatting.  I love using Hallmark’s FREE e-cards to surprise friends and family on holidays (my favorite this year was ‘Candy Wrappers’, a rapping chick and bunny duo), but I also picked up seven Easter cards and one birthday card at Kroger for $8.18.  (www.hallmark.com)  Of course, my folks never let me come back to Raleighwood empty-handed.  Mama saved her recent collection of “Good Housekeeping”, “Southern Living”, and “Redbook” magazines for me, and Daddy had three baby tomato plants waiting.  The simple gifts are always the sweetest.  Looks like the Easter Bunny wasn’t empty-handed, either, in DC… Apparently, he brought Obama’s birth certificate.

Since last week, I walked my dog, downward-facing, at one of my two FREE yoga classes offered each week.  Both classes break for the summer, so I need to get in the habit of practicing on my own.  Instead of paying for gym membership fees, Andrew and I have opted to take part in FREE outdoor activities now that the temperatures are soaring and the days are longer, like walking around Lake Lynn with Chuti, Scott, Alex, and Chela.  (Can you imagine how excited I was to hear almost-two-year-old Alex say my name?!)  (http://www.raleighfree.com/lake_lynn_park.html)  Andrew and I took a road trip to Goldsboro to the Wings Over Wayne air show on Sunday.  My absolute favorite trick was the snow white exhaust from a jet forming a humongous heart in the bright, blue sky.  Afterwards, we had dinner at the local Outback.  I was able to get my favorite Signature Side Salad (the blue cheese pecan chopped salad) in an entree size, at NO additional charge ($3.99).  Andrew’s father, Dale, gave me a FREE Adele CD.  Love, love, love it.  Think Macy Gray meets Amy Winehouse.  We redeemed a $4 off coupon at Red Lobster.  I had one of my favorite dishes (a tuna salad salad) at one of my favorite places (Shish Kabob) for only $5.50.  I used the last of my $50 gift card to Goodberry’s that I paid only $25 for.  I will miss those late night frozen custard runs.  I racked up at Trader Joe’s:  salsa, spicy black bean dip, gorgonzola crackers, fig cereal bars, pita chips, 2 pounds of pink lady apples, blue corn tortilla chips, apricot and raspberry shortbread cookies, oat and wheat bran cereal, 2 cans of no salt added albacore tuna, 4 bananas, and tea tree oil facial wash…. all for $32.49.  No coupons, none needed, and still not cooking!  (www.traderjoes.com)  I destroyed my Citipass book.  It was starting to look mangy from all of the missing coupons and pages, so I put it out of its misery and ripped out all of the remaining pages.  For the coupons that I wouldn’t use, I made piles for various friends and passed the rest around my office.  (http://raleighcitipass.com/)  On Monday, Andrew and I took advantage of PF Chang’s tax day special (15% off all orders) and dined on Mandarin Chicken and Buddha’s Feast for $17.47.  On 4/19, I did Ornamentea’s Try-It Tuesday project (Fabulous Floral Earrings) with Bluefish.  We wrapped pastel flowers and beads around copper-colored hoops.  On 4/26, Andrea and I did the Try-It Tuesday Comfy Summer Bangle project.  I made mine for Miss Morgan, with purple beads, of course.  (www.ornamentea.com)  It’s that time of year again – time to take continuing ed classes to keep my NC real estate license active.  Of all the schools (HPW, JY Monk, Fonville Morisey, etc), Legacy offers the most affordable classes at $45 per class versus $50-$65 for other schools.  (www.legacyrealestateschool.com)  I know it is only April, but I have already ordered my first Christmas gift, for Andrew’s grandmother!  I also found a cute gift for Brian, whose birthday is not until August.  With such passion for the ‘Pack, this family is easy to shop for.  (www.ncstateshop.com)  Tonight, Chavon, Andrew, and I joined tons of other folks at Brio for $2.95 appetizers in the bar.  Don’t let the price fool you; these appetizers are hearty.  Try the margherita flatbread and ravioli.  (www.brioitalian.com)

In response to the devastation caused by last Saturday’s tornadoes, folks at work donated items to the Red Cross.  (www.redcross.org)  I shopped at Costco, which allowed me to buy in bulk and use coupons from this month’s coupon booklet for 5 out of 8 items purchased, saving me $11.75.  I donated 90 33-gallon Kirkland trash bags, 36 jumbo rolls of Cottonelle toilet tissue, 12 rolls of Kirkland paper towels, 2 loaves of Nature’s Own bread, 4 packs of 320 Lysol wipes, 35 half-liters of Deer Park bottled water, 152 Ziploc gallon size freezer bags, and 2 48-ounce JIF creamy peanut butter jars, all for about $81.  We also held a bake sale to raise $565 for Christina Alvarez.  You may have read about her story on WRAL.  (http://www.wral.com/weather/story/9474504/)  She lost two nephews, a son, and an infant daughter when a tree crushed her home.  Donations can be made at the McDonald’s at the corner of Six Forks and Wake Forest roads.  In times like these, a high school classmate’s recent Facebook status comes to mind, “Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.”  It is my hope that Kewana’s thoughts touch your heart and encourage you to give time, money, or needed items.

From Thursday until Saturday, Andrew and I enjoyed a mini vacation in Richmond, Virginia.  Andrew’s childhood friend, Quincy Latimore, plays minor league baseball and we always try to watch as many games as possible.  He plays for Altoona Curve, which happened to be the away team playing against the Richmond Flying Squirrels, that weekend.  (http://altoona.curve.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t452)  Quincy is sweet enough to offer FREE tickets to his games, which we gratefully accepted for both Thursday and Friday nights.  I thought I was a damn good sport (no pun intended) on Friday night when we finally left the ball field at 11:30pm, after 5 hours and 15 innings, wearing a sweater and three light jackets (I could barely bend my arms, like Ralphie in “A Christmas Story”), holding an umbrella in 48 degree temps.  Ugh.  At least Altoona won…  While vacationing, we received 15% off of our meal at Quaker by simply showing our hotel room key and enjoyed complimentary breakfasts (including divine Earl Grey tea… mmmmm).  Admission to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts was FREE and I scored Sweet Thing’s birthday gift of Renoir greeting cards for $13.95 and an adorable bird mobile for the guest bedroom at $6.95.  (http://www.vmfa.state.va.us/Default.aspx)  We were super excited to find a Costco near our hotel, which saved us money on gas.  On our way home on Saturday, we stopped by downtown to attend Richmond’s Earth Day street festival, with live music and a gorgeous view from the top of the pedestrian bridge.

Some Things To Look Forward To:

Today 4/29 – Whole Foods One Day Sale – organic strawberries $1.99/lb  (www.wholefoodsmarket.com)

Today 4/29 – FREE Midnight showing of “Princess Bride” at NCSU’s Witherspoon Student Center  (http://www.ncsu.edu/cinema/index.html)

4/29-30 – 25th Annual NC Pickle Festival (Mt. Olive) – FREE admission  (www.ncpicklefest.org)

4/30 – Designer’s Downtown Market  (http://www.designersdowntownmarket.com/)

4/30 – 18th Annual Spring Daze (Cary) – FREE admission  (http://www.townofcary.org/Departments/Parks__Recreation___Cultural_Resources/events/festivals/springdaze.htm)

5/1 – American Tobacco’s “Explore… Create… Move” (Durham) – a 4 part series for kids featuring an expert leader and a theme – $5 registration fee  (http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/goaskmom/blogpost/9500062/)

5/1-8 – Sherwin Williams – 25% off paint  (www.sherwin-williams.com)

Through 5/2 – Lowe’s 4 for $10 Spring Essential Sale  (www.lowes.com)

5/2-3 – FREE 7pm and 9pm showings of “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers:  The Movie” at NCSU’s Witherspoon Student Center (http://www.ncsu.edu/cinema/index.html)

5/3 – $2 Try-It Tuesday Coreopsis Bangle project at Ornamentea  (www.ornamentea.com)

5/6-7 – North Carolina Symphony – $20 tickets to “Blues in the Night” – code SPRING*  (http://www.ncsymphony.org/?link=1&trid=380)

Through 5/8, $3.50 off any $10 purchase at Ulta (http://search.ulta.com/nav/marketing/couponwk1260640e/0?n=ulta&CID=ET_wk1311_Mon_SH_TStore_TN_x_x_x&ET_LID=Coupon&RID=358350579)

5/12-14 – North Carolina Symphony – $20 tickets to “Composer Portraits:  Mahler” – code SPRING*  (http://www.ncsymphony.org/?link=1&trid=380)

Every Thursday through 8/25 – Midtown Music Concert Series – FREE  (http://www.northhillsraleigh.com/)

20th of Every Month – Shop Local Raleigh – $20 on the 20th  (http://shoplocalraleigh.org/care/$20-onthe-$20th-Promotions)

Beginning Every Tuesday – Half price rolls at Carolina Sushi and Roll.  Check under “Events” for a list of the discounted items and also under “Coupon” for a buy one get one half off deal.  Tell Edward and Nahbi that Andrew and Amanda sent you.  C-dub and I dined their recently for only $11!  (www.carolinasushiandroll.com)

Borders Bargain Blowout – BOGO FREE  (www.borders.com)

Bed, Bath, & Beyond now offers wedding invitations and stationery, online.  FREE shipping on your FREE printed samples.  (http://invitations.bedbathandbeyond.com/index.jsp?utm_source=e&utm_medium=e&utm_term=e&utm_content=BridalInvitations&utm_name=BridalInvitations)

Vestique – fabulous styles at affordable prices.  Be sure to read “Our Story”.  (www.vestique.com)

Hamlin Drug Company – FREE deliveries to downtown Raleigh for prescriptions, which are by Segway  (www.hamlindrug.com)

Taste of Home – $5 cookbook sale  (http://www.shoptasteofhome.com/$5-Cookbooks/5CBK,default,sc.html)

Food Network Breast Cancer Merchandise – all items $5 or $10 – 100% of the net profit is donated  (http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/landingpages/foodnetwork_new/WomensCauseMerchandise.jsp?om_mid=_20110428_BCMerch)

FREE legal assistance by the North Carolina Bar Association to those affected by recent storms  (http://www.wral.com/news/local/noteworthy/story/9496873/)

$1.00 off any cream cheese tub at Bruegger’s  (http://www.wired-differently.com/bei/dlz/11/042511/nodup_x111005.jpg)

JC Penney – $10 off a $25 purchase  (http://f.jcpenneyem.com/i/2/95827765/welcomemain.html)

Happy Royal Wedding Day!  I am super excited to see Kate’s gown and to view the festivities on tv.  Get prepared by purchasing a big, fancy hat and perfecting your royal wedding guest name (Lady or Lord + your grandmother’s or grandfather’s first name + the name of your first pet + the name of the street where you grew up).

Regards,

Lady LaRoyce Midnight Rosin Hill

Unbeweavable

Is it the pollen that’s making everyone so crazy?!  Just this week, I spilled coffee in the car and put my contacts in the wrong eyes.  If this wasn’t bad enough, there were pigs stopping traffic on I-40 and, now, Donald Trump is toying with the idea of running for President.  Unbeweavable…

Pollen or not, the warmer weather has gotten me in the mood for butterflies and flowers.  So, I rummaged through the bins in the attic and found my darling Easter egg tree and rabbit that talks and moves its cottonball tail.  Just in time for spring, I signed up to receive FREE “Creative Ideas” magazines and various newsletters (e.g. weekend projects, energy solutions) through Lowes.  (www.lowes.com/subscribe)

I finally visited the new Whole Foods on Six Forks Rd and fell in love.  What other store can brag this way?  “Water in our toilets comes from our 10,600 gallon cistern, which harvests rainwater.”  My family rolls their eyes even more now that I have ventured further into greenness by trying my first organic/green glass cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, shampoo, and facial cleanser.  When you’re there, grab some 2% Fage yogurt and get an easy 17 grams of protein!  And say hello to Dwayne with the ponytail.  But skip the bacon and egg Easter candy – a chocolate egg with a bacon and chocolate truffle center.  I can’t give my honest opinion since my anti-pig stance prevents me from tasting the stuff, but even my cousin Tommy, who owns a bacon wallet and bacon wall clock, turned his snout up to it.  The hot bar and salad bar offer tons of choices for $7.99 per pound.  Monty suggests getting no bone-in meat and to limit starches, as these increase the weight and price of the plate.  But don’t leave without a white chocolate raspberry brownie.

Still chipping away at the ol’ consumer debt, like with my federal income tax refund, I put all of my state income tax refund towards my credit card with the smallest balance.  I am proud to say that the smallest balance is now under $1k!  I just might have to crack open a bottle of Three Wishes to celebrate!  (Three Wishes wine is carried by Whole Foods at $2.99 per bottle.)

Recently, I used a manufacturer’s coupon for $1.50 off of Tide laundry detergent, redeemed an Asian Grill Groupon coupon ($10 for $20 worth of food), and enjoyed a FREE appetizer at The Flying Biscuit Cafe.  I was unable to use a Filtrate coupon at Target because they didn’t have the size air filter I needed, but Filtrate filters were on sale $2 off AND a register coupon printed for $3 off a Filtrate filter.  Imagine my luck!  Nikki, Dave, Andrew, and I were able to redeem coupons for $1.50 off our dinner buffets at Sweet Tomatoes.

I finally tackled the organize-the-pantry project.  I purchased from Walmart three plastic containers – $2.64 for the large one and $1.97 for two smaller ones – to separate light bulbs and batteries.  No more cardboard boxes and bulky packages.  My daily planner was bursting at the seams with coupons, so I invested in a purple expanding file to house them.  I found this at Walmart, also, for $4.47.

Fun Facts:

Dave Ramsey is now on Twitter!  (www.twitter.com/daveramsey)

Twisted Fork offers BOGO desserts every Friday night.  (www.thetwistedfork.com)

Borders Central Raleigh’s store (Six Forks Rd and Wake Forest Rd intersection) Final Days Sale is still underway.  Prices have been slashed 60-80%.

Got an extra $25?  Check out Kiva – a nonprofit organization that connects people around the world through lending to alleviate poverty.  (www.kiva.org)

LL Bean offers FREE shipping – no minimum price and no expiration date.  (www.llbean.com)

Get $5 off of a “Real Simple” magazine subscription (through Bed, Bath, and Beyond).  (https://subscription.realsimple.com/storefront/subscribe-to-real-simple/site/sm-bbbem5offb0411.html?xid=bbb4.5email5dollarsoff&link=1003290)

Borders now has cuddle toys made from soy.  Just in time for Earth Day, buy a Greenzy’s stuffed animal and the Arbor Day Foundation will plant a tree in your honor.  (www.greenzys.com)

During the month of April, kids 12 and under eat FREE everyday from 4-10pm at IHOP.  With the purchase of an adult entree, receive one FREE kid’s meal from the Just for Kids menu.

The Midtown Farmer’s Market is now open (April – November).  Enjoy local entertainment while purchasing from local farmers every Saturday from 8am-12pm.  (www.northhillsfarmersmarket.com)

I mentioned in my last post that Sherwin Willliams would have another paint sale 4/8-10.  Unlike last time, this sale is for 40% off (versus 30%)!

Through 4/10, get a coupon for $5 off of a $40 purchase when you like CVS on Facebook.

Harris Teeter has one pound of strawberries on sale for $1.25 through 4/12.

Don’t fee like slaving in the kitchen on Easter (4/24)?  The Flying Biscuit Cafe is open from 7am-10pm.  The menu offers something for everyone at reasonable prices.

Fun Events:

On 4/8-10, WRAL’s SmartShopper (Faye Prosser) will be conducting two classes at The Southern Women’s Show – Let’s Bake a Meal Deal and Cut Grocery Bills.  Each class will be taught on all three days during the event.  (www.southernshows.com/wra)

Logan’s Trading Company is holding Logan’s Spring Fling on 4/9.  There will be promotions throughout the store (buy any 3 packages of bulbs and receive 25% off; Easter egg surprises from 11-2pm with Logan’s bucks, coupons, and candy) and FREE classes – Square Foot Gardening at 9am and Japanese Maples at 3pm.  (www.logantrd.com)

The 13th Annual Lebanese Festival occurs 4/9-10 at the NC State Fairgrounds.  Admission is $2 for adults and FREE for children age 6 and under.  The Arabian Night Party on Saturday night is FREE for all.  (www.tlanc.org/documents/lebFestival2011_UPDATED.pdf)

Ornamentea’s Try-It-Tuesday $2 class on 4/12 features a Domed Disc Necklace.

On The Border has begun its Cinco de Mayo Countdown Party, unveiling a new, introductory-priced drink each Thursday in April from 4-7pm.  Tonight’s drink was a CoronaRita – a frozen House Margarita infused with an ice-cold Coronita.  (www.ontheborder.com)

The 2011 Fourth Annual Planet Earth Celebration is on 4/16 from 11am-5pm.  This FREE event is hosted by Burt’s Bees and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science.  (www.raleighearthday.com)

Subway’s Customer Appreciation Day is also 4/16.  From 7am-10pm, buy one footlong sub, get one FREE.

4/16 is the North Carolina ‘Cuegrass Festival.  The Pit sponsors the event with barbeque and bluegrass music.  Your $5 admission fee is donated to North Carolina farmers via Animal Welfare Approved (AWA).  (http://cuegrass.com)

On 4/17, Target hosts its Earth Day Exclusive – a FREE reusable bag (with purchase) to the first one million guests.  When you use a Target reusable bag 10 times, you’ll keep 25 plastic bags out of landfills.

At Starbucks on 4/22, bring in your own travel cup and receive a FREE coffee or tea as an Earth Day promotion.

4/29-5/1 is the 2011 Fayetteville Dogwood Festival.  To enter the festival is FREE, with individual event prices varying.  (www.faydogwoodfestival.com)

The Smithfield Ham & Yam Festival is on 5/7.  Like the Dogwood Festival, entering is FREE, with individual event prices varying.  (www.hamandyam.com)

I’m hoping for a fabulous weekend, beginning with waking up Saturday morning to find the federal government still operating.  I’ll be busy attempting to remove the high heel shoe shaped paint stain on the carpet in the master bedroom.  The walls look amazing in their new Showstopper Red, but the spotted tan carpet is questionable.  Oh well, I can always buy a rug!