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

This Year, Debt Is Out and Fiber Is In

Ooooh, I just love a lazy Sunday!  There is nothing better than sitting by a cozy fire and watching NCSU beat Miami.  Speaking of lazy, I am going to do my best to submit new posts more often than once a week.  The work week is just so crazy, though.  By the time I get home from work, work out at the gym, and grab some food (not full price, of course), it is practically bedtime!

On Tuesday evening, I visited Ulta for the first time ever.  (Thanks Grace Ann!)  *sigh*  Where have I been?  Under a rock?  I cannot believe that the products hadn’t lured me there before now.  Makeup, lotion, hair products, perfume, wigs (hello, Halloween!), and… drum roll… a salon.  I had heard of the store but no one ever told me that Ulta had salons!  Be still my curls.  The prices were great, with a free consultation and all over color starting at $55.  (I have not yet convinced myself that gray equals wisdom.)  I took a contact card and price list and will be calling Tammy very soon, probably in February.  I was in need of some conditioner and found Redken’s Fresh Curls.  If all this wasn’t enough to color me happy, I was schooled on the rewards system at checkout.  With each in store or online purchase (including salon services!), four points are earned for every dollar spent.  Points may be redeemed at checkout.  (Grace Ann had acquired enough points from previous purchases to redeem $9.)  Also, coupons and special offers are mailed and emailed throughout the year.

On my way home, I had a craving for Goodberry’s ice cream (www.goodberrys.com).  In December, Goodberry’s offered a $50 gift card for only $25.  Of course, I had to take advantage of such a sweet deal.  (Merry Christmas to me!)  So, Andrew and I enjoyed tasty treats that were, in a sense, half off.  And I thought the frozen custard, made every hour with no chemicals, preservatives, or artificial flavors, couldn’t taste any better.  (FYI:  Monday’s flavor of the day is blackberry.)

On Wednesday, Groupon offered a discount to Cinelli’s; $10 would buy $20 worth of food.  Score!  That same day, I took advantage of my Costco membership (www.costco.com).  Gas prices are cheaper than most convenient stores can offer, so I filled ‘er up.  I also bought several healthy snacks.  My 24 individual bags of Veggie Snacks were 40 cents per bag (I take these to work as part of my lunch) and my Cascadian Farm Organic Harvest Spice crunchy granola bars were 19 cents per set of two.  Other honorable mentions are Kashi Heart to Heart original whole grain crackers and Brookside dark chocolate pomegranate.  (Note to self – blogging about snacks may cause uncontrollable snacking, even at 1:09am.)

Andrew and I enjoyed Subway subs for dinner on Wednesday night, taking advantage of the $5 footlong promotion.  We had enough food for dinner that night and lunch the next day… if we hadn’t eaten our footlongs in one sitting.  I blame the tv.  Everybody knows that eating in front of the tv causes one to eat more from mindlessly going through the motions.  Evil tv.

On Thursday night, we cashed in our Groupon coupon to Cinelli’s.  Our bill came to a whopping $0.61!  That same meal without the coupon would have been $20.61, but my grand total was only $10.61.  That same day, I finished reading “SuperHealth” (loved it).  I am on a mission to find buckwheat honey and will be visiting Fresh Market, tomorrow.  Soymilk is next on my list of items to add to my diet.  I have since cracked open “The Total Money Makeover”.  I think I will really enjoy it and can see why Dave Ramsey has such an extensive following.  This year, debt is out and fiber is in, baby.

This weekend was super exciting.  On Friday night, Dave, Nikki, Aaliyah, Andrew, and I had dinner at Carolina Sushi and Roll (www.letseat.at/carolinasushi), one of my favorite places.  The sushi is to die for.  Edward (the owner’s son) always treats us to delicious appetizers, on the house.  This time, I tried the Hungry Roll, made with spicy tuna.  Soon, I hope to try the raw stuff (or bait, as my Daddy calls it).  Baby steps.  Afterwards, we watched “The Social Network” ($1 from Redbox).  I highly recommend it.

In November for my parents’ 50th birthdays, my Aunt Caroline, Aunt Cathy, and Sweet Thing gave my parents a gift certificate to a local photographer for a family portrait.  (Thank you ladies!)  On Saturday, we had our portrait done.  We dressed casually in jeans and various red shirts (Go State!).  I can’t wait to see the finished product.

Today, Andrew proved Daddy right – he really is Handy Andy.  Hee hee.  Andrew was kind enough to repair the guest bathroom toilet and replace the signal lights in my car.  He saved me a pile of money and scored some major brownie points.  Because of him, I didn’t have to call a plumber and didn’t have to take my car to a repair shop.  For dinner, I treated him to a sandwich from Jason’s Deli (www.jasonsdeli.com).  How awesome to find out that online ordering rewards customers with Deli Dollars (one US dollar = one Deli Dollar).  Think it can’t get any better?  Jason’s products contain no high fructose corn syrup, trans fat, or MSG.

I’ll have to say, the best part of the weekend was time spent with family.  In one day, I was able to visit with Mama and Daddy, my sister and niece, my brother, Sweet Thing, three aunts, and a cousin (Happy Birthday Daniel!).  Barrett Strong was right; the best things in life really are free.