Seeing RED ~ Save 5% on ALL your Target Purchases ~ Tip 14

I wouldn't be a good friend if I didn't share with you what I learned today . Why I have never known this in all my years of Target shopping I'll never know . Maybe it's because I cut off the poor cashier before they can finish their sentence .My apologies cashiers of the past . I didn't know !! I didn't know !!

I and many of my friends shop at the wonderful world of Target almost weekly if we can . I have friends that cruise the clearance isle for everything from crafting supplies to inexpensive, but amazing gifts . I think every friend that's gotten married in the last 5 years has been registered at Target . I know I've purchased MANY baby shower gifts there along with other fun things like clothes , purses , and everything else . DID YOU KNOW that you can get a Target DEBIT card and save 5% on EVERY purchase ? I didn't !! I'm trying not to think about the money I could've saved over all these years . I may cry . Along with saving 5% on every purchase in the store , you also do not have to pay shipping when you shop online at http://www.target.com/ . I know that I did most of my Christmas shopping online this year and this would've saved me so much !! Along with these benefits there is no interest or fee's like with a credit card . It is EXACTLY the same as your bank or credit union debit card!!! The only difference is that it is Target specific . Other than that.....that's all !! To find out more or research for yourself just click here ---> REDcard Benefits .

They do offer a credit card if that is your shopping/spending preference that will also save you 5% in store or online as well as free shipping with online orders . It does however have fee's and other "normal" associated costs that come with a credit card . To find out more or research for yourself just click here ---> REDcard Benefits .

365 Days

Tomorrow marks the one year mark since my last day at my previous job . As I left campus that day I was hopeful , unsure , grateful , and exhausted . The 365 days that have followed  have been filled with those same emotions along with many others . I am grateful that the Lord allowed me what I needed to follow His voice and the path He had for me . Though I have been on this new adventure for 365 days, most of them I have felt as though I'm traveling with a blind fold on . There have been some of the darkest days I've known along with some of the most enlightening . I've recieved critisism , some unwanted advice and a little encouragement concerning my choices to take this path . Looking back AND looking forward I have NO DOUBT it was the right path for me at this time .

While I'm still in the process of this "new" adventure here are a few things I've learned so far......you have to follow the Lords plan for YOU, more times that not it's gonna seem crazy to everyone else . That's part of what makes it so exciting, knowing that He cares so specifically for us as individuals. HE WILL PROVIDE , there hasn't been a moment in the last 365 days where I had to be concerned with would I have "enough" . Sometimes it was last minute or in a very unexpected way , but He ALWAYS provided for me and still continues to . If He asks you to rest, then do so , He see's much further than you do into the future, there's no tellin' what's comin' your way . Trust Him with your past, present and future . It is totally easier said than done , but it's a wondeful feeling to rest in knowing that He is caring for your every need . Those needs you are aware of and even those you aren't .

In the past 365 days the Lord has provided for my needs and even some wants, rest , fellowship , perspective , and some healing . He has allowed me a new job with new prospects for my future that I would've NEVER considered for myself . He's reminded me of how blessed I am to have the friends & family that I do . While I believe the adventure has truly just begun I am SO HAPPY to look back at the last 365 days and KNOW that my God was and still is in control . I am looking forward to whatever the next 366 (it's a leap year) hold for me . I have no doubt that He will continue to provide for me , grow me and teach me . I mean, most of life is a learning moment, right ?! I pray I stay faithful in my times with Him so that I can reflect back to others all the good that He has done....and continues to do in my life .

Psalm 136:1

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever

Deuteronomy 31:8

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged

Matthew 6:34

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Matthew 6:25

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Free Starbucks, Worth It ! Reduce ~ Reuse ~ Repurpose -Tip 13

I'm not too sure when or how it happened, but I now consider myself a coffee addict . I love me some coffee in the morning to start my day when possible . There's just something about my hands around the warm cup, with the steam coming off the top, and the coffee yumminess in my tummy that really makes me a happy person in the a.m . This addiction can become expensive if you give into the temptations of specialty coffee , shops & drive thru's . In order to save a buck , recycle and feed my addiction I put into action the offer on the back of the bag . Some starbucks brand coffee grounds have the magical power to get you FREE coffee !!!! Bags have a marking on the back with instructions on how to recieve the free coffee . I encourage you to read the back of your coffee ground bag to see what other wonderful savings you might find .

Starbucks Coffee Grounds $7.99 - Target Special
Coupon - $1.50      
Target Red Debit Card 5% Discount         
Total: $ 6.16 for COUNTLESS amounts of
coffee in the comfort of my home AND
 a free cup from the coffee shop !

 WORTH IT !!!!!!!!!!!

 Happy Coffee Break.....you deserve one !!!

It's Worth a Try

Most of you know by now that one of my growing hobbies is gardening . I've been growing several "test" subjects since March in flower pots and other random containers . With most of my plants I've had great success, but my carrotts just did not seem to want to grow . I had stems, but not vegetables for the longest time . Finally in frusteration and at the end of my new gardening patience I gave up on the carrots . Figuring that 5 out of 6 plants going as planned was good enough for my first go at the hobby . I uprooted my sad little stems and retossed the soil for use with other plants . I have a new mint plant that is very thankful for the soil . I left the bucket of "to be used" soil on my porch with the other plants, assuming the rain, sun, and other natural elements would serve it well until I found a new purpose for it .

The past several mornings I've noticed a large dent in the soil . I at first figured it just settled in the night or perhaps a cat had found it's way into the bucket for a nap . I've seen such kitty napping spots on neighbors porches when on my walks around the neighborhood . Not being too bothered or concerned I just retossed the soil and went about my buisness . However , with each morning and afternoon the soil appearing to be disturbed, my curiosity has grown, not to mention the sting of being reminded that I failed with my sad little carrot stems that once lived in the bucket .

Well, today the mystery was solved . I spent the morning and afternoon doing some catch up with errands , car repair , etc . and when Jack and I finally pulled back into the drive I saw a red bird emerge from my former carrot bucket . As I got out of the car already talking to the bird as if it might answer me, "hey birdie are you resting in my bucket ?!" , his spouse poked her head out of the bucket . The red bird waiting on a near by branch for his mate watched my ever careful moves . Both flew to quick for me to get a photo and catch them red handed.......or red feathered as it where, or for me to distiguish if they happen to be red birds or cardinals .

I couldn't help but giggle as they flew off to a higher branch of a further away tree . Who knew ?! I never would've figured it on my own . What I had considered a failure was a sweet success to another . My non exsistent carrot plants provided a nice shade and cooling off spot for two of my prettiest back yard visitors . I recall reading at some point in my schooling that at times birds will "dig" or flutter in dirt or mud puddles to cool off on hot days . Just goes to show you never know what even your attempts at success might mean to another . This is a sweet and surprising encouragement to me that everything is at least worth a try . Just because in my little mind I "failed" or something didn't go as planned doesn't mean it was a waste !!!

I think on the list of my next DIY projects is going to be a bird bath for my porch . I would love to provide a little resting spot for some weary travelers . This picture  from Pinterest may be my future inspiration, Pin Found Here .

A Re Purpose To Everything - Tip 12 - Reduce ~ Reuse ~ Re-Purpose

As I mentioned in this Prior Post I worked today on a few quick crafts for a care package . Tonight I finished it up . My favorite part may be the packaging .

Before : Empty re-writable CD Case

I took an empty re-writable CD case , random pieces of scrapbook paper , and some home made mod podge . I used the scraps of paper to line the inside of the case to make it pretty, fun and to protect the identity of the contents of the package from any would be mail thieves . :-)

After : Care Package Fun



I'm looking forward to putting this fun surprise into the mail to a dear friend . It's contents are just a few little things to brighten her day , give her some much needed, deserved energy and just to make her smile and know she is loved !

Contents: chicklets , home made book marks , energy water packets,
almonds , hair bow, AWESOME FAT Chocolate Chap Stick (the tube
is the size of a glue stick !) and a note .


This package cost me very little, but it will become priceless when my dear friend opens her mail box to find a fun surprise waiting for her . I hope this encourages you to think a little out side the box for your next project . It truly is , for most people , the thought that matters not the cost . I'd love to challenge you to look around your home and see what might be re purposed, something that you might have two or more of, or something little that even the most craft-declined person could make into something wonderful for someone who might need their day brightened .

Happy Crafting !

A Quick Craft - Quick Fix - Pin Did !

I am a multi-tasker by nature .  If I'm not doing one thing, I'm doing ten . It's simply how I was made . Today while waiting for a load of laundry to dry & lunch to heat up I decided to do a quick craft that I'd seen on Pinterest . I had a random piece of salvaged ribbon, a few paper clips and a pair of scissors  as my supplies .

I am working on a care package for a dear friend who hasn't been feeling well . She can't be too active and is often spending long hours in one space with out much moving about . I'm hoping that these fun lil' book marks will brighten her next down time and remind her she is thought of, prayed for , and loved very much .

I ended up with only enough ribbon

to complete two book marks. But I think they'll make

a great addition to a fun care package .  And I finished

just in time to fold my laundry and have some lunch !

To see the inspiration for this craft please feel free to click HERE .



Easy Fathers Day Gifts - Tip 10

 Every gift giving holiday or event I strive to get a gift that isn't just about "giving/getting a gift" . I want it to be thoughtful, helpful, useful and/or meaningful to the one I'm giving it to . If I can't meet at least two of those requirements then I tend to just give a card . With Fathers Day just a few days away I have been thinking for a while on what to get the men in my life . I'm very lucky to not have demanding or hard to please fellas to shop for . Usually I hear , " don't get me anything " when asked about gift giving events and holidays . But, if you are anything like me shopping for men is extremely difficult even with out the pressure .

Some of you know that I love coupons ! It took me a long time to see the use in purchasing items with coupons that I didn't need immediately . However, through the years I have figured it out . Items that do not perish or have a expiration date that is several years away are totally worth purchasing with a coupon, sale or deal then storing . For example - condiments such as ketchup, mustard, steak sauce, dressings, lotions , shave cream, shampoo's,  etc. I have purchased several for 50 cents or less at times or even gotten them for free. When you have a coupon that is buy 2 get one free combine with a store special of buy one get one you can walk away with 4 bottles and only having had pay for 1 (pending store couponing policies) . AMAZING!! Maybe I'm a grocery nerd, but I'm o.k. with that because of how helpful it's been to me .  In the summer condiments are often one of the highlighted sale items at your local grocer due to the popularity of camping, picnicking and BBQ's .

So, for this Fathers Day one of my special men will be getting some grilling/BBQ items along with whatever else they receive . I don't think I know a man father or otherwise that doesn't BBQ or grill .

Bottle of Kens Marinade = Free

Mustard = .50

A1 = $1.00

Worcestershire sauce = 1.00 or less

Oven Mitt = 1.00

Happy Fathers Day !!!

I hope this encourages you to be creative and maybe a little less stressed

 about your gift selection this Fathers Day .

Just keep in mind it's about the thought you put behind a gift not the money !