OK why does ANYONE visit theme parks in the summer? (LOTSA PICS)

Oh I am COMPLETELY serious (Kristin @ CouponingtoDisney) you people are nuts!! Off season doesn't have lines, the hideous heat or the unjustified crowds.

We went today to use our VoluntEar (Floridians only) passes that expire July 4th (the day of Atas' Christening)

Bob is a fan of Star Wars... I sooooo am NOT. But I AM a fan of Bob.

He was such a trooper... Our goal, make it to the next store before we sweated through our underwear.... we didnt succeed. But we did have delightful slushies that gave me brain freezes EVERY sip! and we found some really cute hats to try on!

We were excited to see Chewbaka and the Ewok. Those guys were suffering more than we were.

One character was enjoying scaring little kids... MY Atlas was brave and said, "Dude back off, I'm sweating." He was.

And the Storm Trooper has nothing on my Little Trooper.

But this is the cutest pic ever... My nephew cried and cuddled tight whenever Bob would break out the Yoda handpuppet... Atlas' wont have the chance to be scare of Yoda... ever.

I dont have a lot of advice to offer...but we generally avoid "season" and enjoy the parks.... with a baby we clearly couldn't even ride the rides (although some of the theme parks offer "parent" passes at guest services so that one parent can jump in front of the line so parent number 2 isn't stuck with the kidlet for an hour ... or two... alone.. .in the heat) however, I do NOT recommend going in the Summer... or even close to it. We have had our shortest lines and best best times in November. Also the weekends AFTER a holiday are good... the HOT weather... anything over 90 degrees... SUCKS! Avoid it.

I hope you enjoyed my day in pictures more than we did. We DID have fun... then we were reminded that we were soaked in sweat, missed all the rides and Bob's favorite character was behind closed doors and available only to those who got to the fastpass within the first 4 and a half minutes the park was open... we chose this day DUE to Lando Calrissian being there. Well ya can't win them all. I still like to be able to wear shorts 360 days out of the year.

My New Button

I am so excited. I finally got to use my husbands computer to actually use Photoshop Elements (attention college students... just buy it now, you can upgrade it for years and you will never get it so cheap!)

Here is my new button:
(If you has snagged it before, please replace it with this one!)


<br /> <a href="http://www.beadandelion.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Being a Dandelion" src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs385.snc3/23547_1338305508511_1557354467_819955_6733644_n.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

Get Ready... Get Set...

... I am back at full speed for the next few days. Yesterday was a SLOW day for me as my beloved netbook is not moving up to MY speed and posting is not going as I would like to go. Hopefully today will be better. I am sooo far behind. Dont expect many pictures, I intend to catch up on 2 days of emails and repost EVERY unique deal I can find.

Happy Valentine's Day

I have the best husband in the world! 

He got me AND the baby chocolate!

And the things he wrote to me made me melt 

<3 
*newest posts are below*

Babies-R-Us - Today's Diaper Run

I used my $5 Facebook/Babies-r-us coupon on diapers. They had the packs of 204 Pampers by the door for 41.99 or in the Rubbermaid bin for 45.99, with the $5 off I spent $43 after tax! I figured it up to be right about .21 cents a diaper which is right on track for the "decent deal/stock up price."

 Inside there were 3 Dry Max samples and $20 worth of coupons... only half of which it appears I will use.

My problem now is, am I stocked up or what size should I buy more of?

That is a serious question and I could use the comments and opinions on this! (We are just over 9 weeks out)

(L-R - Newborn, 1,2,3.. and of course I don't expect him to stay in newborn very long)

Looking back - 2009

I must say for my own family, this has been a crazy year filled with joy, tears, scary changes and excitement to look forward to!


We started the year, married for only 3 and a half months. I got a second lay off and applied for unemployment for the first time in my life! We moved a few houses down, learned we were pregnant the next day (9 months after getting married), lost a cat 7 days later, lost another 4 months to the day later. I got a new job by the Grace of God... and here we are, expecting a little boy in April by water birth at home, down to one cat and a dog and both employed again! (I could do without the last one.. hehehe)

Couponing (and all of the fellow coupon bloggers that make this possible) has been a life saver! My husband said "find a hobby!" I did! And it saves us bookoos of dough! We started off spending almost a grand a month on household crap including food and cleaners and all that extra that adds up penny by penny (and it REALLY does!!!) to now spending $200-$300 a month on all that crap and still storing a lot of extra!

I choose NOT to "look" back (I get emotional) but to trudge forward with all that I have learned since this day last year. Oh, and to make goals to do just-a-little-bit-more each month!

Good luck to everyone and may you be Blessed just-a-little-bit-more everyday!

~Heather

Looking back - a fellow blogger

Ahhh I am inspired by reading THIS by MomsByHeart. She briefly discusses the same things a lot of us have dealt with, the economy, moving, children, and most importantly (to our blogging) how couponing has helped in all of these areas!

Lori, you are crazy and I love your blog, your attitude and your determination to MAKE IT WORK!

Personalized gifts for others than just Grandma

I don't know about you but sometimes it is dang near impossible to find personal stocking stuffers... Sure you can use a new toothbrush each year, but after the age of about 12, you can buy those any day of the week and on your own.

When Bob and I got engaged I did the whole keychain, we did the mugs with our picture for everyone and we have done and will do the picture cards again I am sure. (just not this year)

But do you still want to get a personalized gift for grandparents or parents (they would still like a drawing for the fridge ya know... well, maybe not, but they won't tell you its ugly) or even a new keychain because (het-hmmm) someone lost it (?!!????)

I found a great site that lets you personalize everything down to underwear! (well they probably could at least) Personalization Mall has more items than you can count to personalize. I REALLY like the idea of the ornaments, especially since all the nephews and new niece are so little (they cant complain about them yet and it starts a fun tradition.) They also have blankets, mugs, bookmarks, and the normal pens and shot glasses. (I love the cookie tins with the kids pictures on them... talk about a guilt trip if they ever throw THAT one out! )At least check it out! Go HERE.

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