Will be thinking good thoughts for all those with family/friends who are ailing.
Weather good news! It's the middle of Feb., the days are getting longer and it's warming up some. Yeah!
Unfrugal: Had family pics taken the other night for church. Got the free 8 x 10 PLUS spent $200 on other photos!! Yikes! I do plan to save the kids' pics for next Christmas (so what if it's a long ways away--won't have to worry about having the pics taken then). We desperately needed a family pic-hadn't had one since our youngest (age 5) was born. So we ordered that too for our home.
I did manage to shave $79 off the price by reconfiguring my order after getting home, calling the company (Olan Mills) and undoing alot of the "extras" that the salesperson (snake) and put in. Things like a paper vs. canvas portrait, 8 x l0 vs. 11 x 14, removing hokey looking shading, etc.etc. What a scam! We had the kids there with us and a line of people a mile long--friends of ours--and I couldn't think straight when we ordering. Boy, did she slip a few by us--I had the feeling we were being scammed, but just couldn't scrutinize like I usually would, given the circumstances. Luckily--I called the next day before the order was even processed at the central company. The pictures looked pretty decent, I hope they turn out o.k.
Frugal today: making pizza dough for home pizzas tonight--with extra dough to freeze.
Frugal shopping: Walmart, etc. having lots of sales on women's clothing and winter boots--didn't seem to have winter hats, mitts on sale yet for kids, though. Plan to pick some up for next year as soon as that happens. Already have coats purchased from another store. Managed to pick up a plain black skirt for $7 and a lightweight sweater for $7. Also a spring/fall quilted jacket for oldest for $5. Oh-and a clearance priced hair dryer (for spare) for $8. Seems like those things always die on you when you need them most.
Kids' val. parties today, hubby and I going out to dinner tomorrow (UNfrugal, but he really wanted to go--twist my arm!).
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!
rivermom