The Mommy Pages

The many uses of the water noodle!

pagegallivan — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 03:24:45 +0000

It’s summer and I’m sure if you have children, or frequent a pool–you’ve seen those crazy water noodles! My little ones love them–in the pool and out! Although, I must admit, getting beaned off the head with it is not my favorite way to start the day…but hearing the giggles that ensue as soon as the **swat** happens more than makes up for the less than harmful ‘love tap’.

One of my favorite ways to store the water noodle during non-summer months is under the couch. We tuck it under and push it back just far enough so it can’t be seen–but close enough to limit how far back little toys can roll. It works great! They are easy to cut too, so feel free to cut to the length of your couch or chair.

My next ‘adventure’ with water noodles will be to make them into giant beads that can be strung. Pretty easy–here’s how it’ll work:

Take the water noodle and, with a sharp knife, slice it into giant chunks so that it looks like you have a bunch of 2-3inch think Cheerios. Then, use whatever twine or string you want to serve as your rope and voila! Perfect activities for toddlers who are learning how to string things. I am going to knot a plastic wiffle ball on one end of the string so the rings don’t slip off while Tessa is stringing them.

Let me know if you try this and how it works out for you! Now-just need to find a sale on water noodles lol! Any leads appreciated

Want to make extra money?

pagegallivan — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 01:42:34 +0000

So, as a stay at home mom money is tight. In fact, I’d probably say that no matter what you do these days money is tight. I have been looking for a job that I can do from home, or have the kids with me for a long time. Many things that I found online seemed to good to be true, or a scam, or had a “you pay me first and then I’ll pay you” type of situation. Needless to say, I never took the leap and tried it out.

A few weeks ago I came across an entry from a blog that I read on Facebook. In it, the woman recommended this website called ShadowShopper. She said what you do is sign up, create a profile (for free!) and then let the work come to you! I decided to look more into it and check it out-and boy am I glad that I did!! What ShadowShopper does is house profiles of people interested in mystery shopping. Mystery Shopping companies search the profiles and if they like yours, they email you and encourage you to apply to their company to serve as an Independent Contractor. This means that you don’t really work for that company–and if you are hired they are not obligated to give you work. What it means is that you have the opportunity to pick the work you want to do for them. If you want to shop once a week-only sign up for a shop once a week. If you want to sign up for more, go for it! So far this month I have earned almost $400 in mystery shopping–and half of that was earned while I had two little munchkins by my side! I have secret shopped banks, major electronic stores, supermarkets, major office supply stores, call centers and cleaners–just to name a few!

I will tell you that I initially signed up with Shadow Shopper for free, but decided to take a chance and sign up for a paid month so that I would have the chance to apply to the companies. That’s the difference–you pay Shadow Shopper you can apply to the companies on the site. If you don’t pay–you have to wait for them to come to you. I’m too impatient for that .

I can answer any questions you may have–but I wanted to put it out there because I know a few of you have asked about my new job. I waited to provide the information until today because the way the companies work is they pay you (via PayPal) on the 15th of the month following the month the work was completed. So–signed in today and found my July payments in the bank. Score! It’s not a hoax–and you can rake in the moola!

Check it out if you want! www. shadowshopper.com

Catching up :)

pagegallivan — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:06:11 +0000

Sorry I’ve been away from my blog for a bit-I’ve been crazy busy since I got a new job! I am a freelance contractor working with companies to evaluate customer service and policy compliance. It is a lot of fun, easy money and I can bring the girls with me! Although, I will admit, it is easier to complete my assignments when they are happily playing at home with daddy. For anyone who may be interested, I will pass along the information in a future blog. I want to receive my first paycheck so that I can really show how much a job like this can pay off (and confirm the companies I work for are legit)!

So–I have two coupon tips this week. One: shop those clearance shelves at the supermarket for added savings. I just got 2 boxes of name brand cereals for 50cents each! They were reduced in price to $2.00 to clear the shelf–and then I had two 75 cent coupons that doubled to be worth $1.50 each! I’ll take that kind of savings!!
My other piece of coupon advice is to grab the Stop and Shop flyer this week–they have 3 ‘dollar doubler’ coupons in it! That means you can choose 3 manufacturer coupons worth $1.00 each and pair it with the dollar doubler and they will each be doubled to be worth $2! Score!

Edaville Railroad–schedule of events

pagegallivan — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 15:55:31 +0000

I get updates from Edaville through Facebook and they just posted their fall/winter calendar of events. I thought I’d share incase you wanted to take advantage of any of the activities! We went to the Festival of Lights last year and it was so fun! I think we will go to Curious George and The Polar Express this year..we’ll see!

Edaville USA’s 2011 Schedule of Events (www.edaville.com)
OPENING WEEKEND September 24, 25
With Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat
Media Day on Saturday, Sept. 24
Carver Appreciation 2-for-1 entrance all weekend

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS: October 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10
Leader of the Track Tour 2011

CRANBERRIES ALIVE! October 15, 16
Peak foliage & cranberry harvest viewing
Cat in the Hat (tentative) meet & greet

COUNTRY FAIR WITH BERENSTAIN BEARS October 22, 23
Berenstain Bears Family Picnic

GHOST TRAIN October 29, 30
6, 7 and 8 pm
Train only through our haunted, abandoned park

THE POLAR EXPRESS November 18, 19, 20, 28, 29
December 5, 6, 12, 13

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS November 25 – 27
November 30 – December 4
December 7 – 11
December 14 – January 1
(Closed Christmas Day)

All You

pagegallivan — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:03:52 +0000

I haven’t mentioned it before, but another place to get great coupons is www.allyou.com. I subscribe to the magazine and it comes monthly–filled with lots of coupons. Almost every other page is a coupon and most are for grocery items vs. soaps, etc which you see a lot of in Sunday papers. Definitely worth picking up an issue the next time you are at the store to check it out and see if it’s something that would work for you. For me–the $14 subscription more than pays for itself in one month alone! Here is the link to the site:

http://www.allyou.com/

HIGH VALUE COUPONS!

pagegallivan — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 23:47:22 +0000

Check out these high value coupons from Pillsbury! Including yogurts, mexican food and everything! Some, when doubled, will make those products really inexpensive! Remember, once you print the set you want–you can go back and print a second set if you think you’ll need it! Here’s the link–and act quick because they go fast!

http://www.pillsbury.com/coupons-promotions

Gap Outlet Coupon!

pagegallivan — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:39:20 +0000

Here is a coupon for Gap Outlet! Expires 08/11/11

http://gapoutlet.m.delivery.net/w/webView?cid=20499399398&mid=1958499989&pid=921744&vid=13786&ee=Q09VUE9ORElWQVNORVdTQEdNQUlMLkNPTQ__&si=&mv=H&bv=H&oc=H&k=1ql5QL&sc=

Free Huggies Sample

pagegallivan — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:03:14 +0000

http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent.aspx?id=99795

Freebies/Coupons for this week

pagegallivan — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 04:13:57 +0000

Here are some freebies/samples you can sign up for that generally come with high value coupons.

I just got the Cheerios sample this week (and just signed up for it again!), and it came with a 75 cent coupon that when doubled at Shaws got me the box of cereal for 50cents when it was on sale for 2/$3 recently!

http://www.honeynutcheerios.com/honey-nut-cheerios/

I also re-signed up for this freebie from Post-Its. The last time my freebie came with a $2.50 cent coupon that got me free Post-Its when I redeemed it at Walmart! Here is the link to sign up:

http://offers.3m.com/qfrm/ShowSurvey?surveyid=JOKMDPH8

If you got the Sunday paper this past week, here are some freebie/good deal opportunities from the coupons in it:

Save $3 on Splenda Essentials. Take it to Walgreens this week and your box will be FREE! They are on sale $2.99! Here is a link to the Splenda website incase you want to sign up for a free sample too https://www.splenda.com/freesamples/coupon
Save $1 on any Tide detergent. Travel size at Walmart is 99cents=FREE (plus 1 cent moneymaker)
Save $1 on any Cascade detergent. Sample size is 97cents=FREE (plus 3 cent moneymaker)
Save $2 on any Gillette body wash. At Walgreens this week, Gillette mens shower gel is buy 1 get the other 50% off. Use coupon and get both for half price (orig price is $4.99). I had 2 coupons so I got one for $2.99 and the other for 99cents!
Save $1 on BIC pens. At Walmart, package of BIC pens are $1=FREE
On www.coupons.com there are a bunch of great coupons ranging from Pillsbury to Minute Maid–to all the cereals and yogurt. You are allowed to print each coupon twice–so once you select the ones you want and print them, you can g back and re-select them and print again. But only twice!

That’s all for now!

Free Bounce Dryer bar-while supplies last! Act fast!

pagegallivan — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 18:05:05 +0000

Vocalpoint is offering a Free Bounce Dryer bar again! Visit wwww.vocalpoint.com to see if you qualify and request yours. I just requested mine!

The first 5,000 to sign up will receive a coupon for a FREE 2-month bar. Others will receive a coupon for $2.50 off any Bounce Dryer Bar while supplies last.

Not a member of Vocalpoint yet? You can join for free! Sign up directly at Vocalpoint.com! I’ve been a member for a few years and have gotten a ton of freebies and coupons from them!