Couponing

Last month we were watching TLC and discovered a new show, Extreme Couponing.  At first we cracked jokes about the people on the show.  Most of the families profiled go shopping and leave the store with 3 or 4 shopping carts full where they buy something like 30 boxes of cereal and 15 bottles of mustard.  All of them have stockpiles of items they will never use in this lifetime like 250 sticks of deodorant.  I understand a good deal when you see one but really this seams like a form of hoarding.  Living in 810 square feet I am a strong believer if we buy something new, something old not being used in the house must go.

Right of the bat I knew this was not for me, somewhere around the third show I was watching I started to think there might be something to this whole coupon thing.  I had never paid much attention to coupon, I always believed coupons were for single income homes with kids to feed.  The number one myth I believed was I did not have time to clip coupons.    After a little online research I started to change my way of thinking, with online blogs and websites it really took most the work out of everything.  Unfortunately my first weekend I wanted to start was Easter and there were no coupons in the Sunday paper.  That was fine, it gave me time to organize a binder and start a list of things we might need in the house.  By the next Sunday I found myself scissors in hand and clipped almost every coupon I could find.  I left behind all the diapars and food coupons for stuff we don't eat or use, but have decided next time I will clip them as well and offer them to friends that may use them.



I have really taken great pride in my binder and coupons and have already been stopped a few times inside stores by people asking about my binder system.  It is simple laminate pockets used to organize baseball cards and I just put them in a 3 ring binder and dividers broken down in different categories.

Here is a simple example of couponing, I bought these two bags of candy and two power bars for only $2.  It was a $7 savings because of use of in store specials and newspaper coupons.







This is another example I made a trip to safeway for some desserts, dog treats and dinners along with some good smelly house stuff.  I can not remember how much I saved on this trip but I remember being pleasantly surprised.  Over all I think I have found myself a new money saving hobby.  Keeps me busy and out of trouble.

Why I love REI

If you walked into our garage and opened the white cabinet on the wall you would find a wide selection of shoes that have been moved out of daily wearing schedule but still in good enough condition to be used in yard work.  When you come inside you would see in both closets multiple pairs of the same brand of shoes, Salomons.  They are a well known trail running shoe with a quicklace, Noah had purchased many pairs and I was on my third pair from REI.  The pair I wear the most was one I picked up on the clearance rack last year and have worn almost everyday as my work shoes.  I had gotten moderate wear from the shoes, but they still had plenty of tread on them.  I was surprised when I noticed one day the sole was separating from the actual shoe.  Then the nest day I found myself in a parking lot that had a REI in it and I went inside to see if maybe they knew of a warranty that Salomon might offer.  The two employees I dealt with were both very friendly and also shocked the shoes were coming apart like they were.  I was very happy to find out that REI was willing to take the shoes back and let me upgrade to a new pair of shoes.  When I walked in that day I was just searching for some advise and left with a replacement product.  The best part is that I got the same pair Noah has so now we are matchy matchy.  REI is such an amazing company and really takes care of its members and backs its products.  Why would I shop any where else? 

New Plates

"Box for Boxers"

I finally ordered my personalized plates today and they will be ready in 8 - 12 weeks. Once it comes in I am also going to pre-order the spay and neuter plates.  They will not print the plates until they have 7,500 orders.  The super cool thing is you can pick a rescue group when you order the plate and the group with the most will win $7500.  I know I will be picking Nor Cal Boxer Rescue.  

The Yard

Spring is not my favorite season but it is a good one.  Right now most the plants are either in bloom or growing like crazy.  A nice break from the rain and the sun is out makes perfect weather to get some work done in the garden.  Lately there has been brainstorming on how to get rid of the lawn in the front yard and create a easy manageable garden and sitting area in the front.  We had already mulched a strip of lawn next to the driveway so I have made that into my practice area.  Today I went to Green Acres, an amazing nursery, and picked up a few things to add some life to area.  Months ago I had already planted two crepe myrtle trees and they have been doing nicely.  The project today added a gardenia, spanish lavender, rosemary, azaleas and some vinca minor periwinkle for ground cover.  I went with the variegated leaves on the vinca minor because the area is part shade in the later afternoon.  The photos don't show much because I went for the 1 gallon size plants, but cross my fingers by next summer everything will fill in.  

Plus right after I took this photo the neighbors dog ran right into in and stepped on most the plants :(

 Speaking of bad neighbors they are the reason I have been talking about bamboo non stop and finding the perfect clumping bamboo.

 This window with a board over it is what I get to look at from my kitchen and deck everyday.  Their kids would stare out the window and drive the dogs nuts.  No surprise the window broke and now is an open hole with a muddy board over it.  I am going to water the bamboo and hope it grows in fast to cover this eye sore.  

 The Snowball Viburnum, I love this plant and I wish I had an acre of them!

 The grapes have taken off and lots of little grapes are starting to form.  There has been talk of wine making but I doubt the birds will let us get any of the fruit.

 A Jamie favorite, Elephant Ear

The alien tree has flowers for the first time!

The only bad news is the lattice that held up the jasmine in the backyard broke and looks like the jasmine has died off.  Not sure if I can bring it back around and not really even sure where I can move the jasmine to without anything to grow on.  That will be for another day and another project.  

Sacramento Beer Week

The 2nd Annual Sacramento Beer Week goes from February 25th to March 6th, 2011. We were very much looking forward to it this year and even marked the events we planed on attending on the calendar. Started out the week on Friday with lunch at Pyramid on K street. The prior month we scored on an awesome Groupon and today was the perfect day to use it as it was also 1/2 price growler day at Pyramid and we also got to keep a glass for one of the specials.

Later that night we went to check out Alley Katz for Rouge night. It was our first time there and very impressed by the huge selection of beers and wine, and the giraffe height of the "table top tap", a large cylinder that holds 2 pitchers of beer and you can pour at your table. The plan was then to head over to Pangaea Two Brew Cafe for the release of Franklin, a Double IPA by local brewer Peter Hoey and only being served at this location. The tasting that night also included a Kölsch and Extra Pale Ale by Sutter Buttes. It started to fill up and get a bit busy so after leaving we made our way to The Shack for Sierra Nevada Torpedo night. They had also advertised it was a campout night with live music and s'mores. We ordered two of the Torpedo's and got to keep the glasses along with some food and found a seat outside, due to how packed it was inside. The live music was good and we stayed warm by the fire. It was a very fun night and we were exhausted when we got home and smelled like smoke from campfire night.

Sunday was our next day out when we started where we ended with brunch at The shack. I ordered the eggs Benedict and Noah had an omelet type meal that came with a "Red" beer. He expected a red ale, but it was really a beer boodly mary. The event that day at the Shack was a red, white and blue Chimay tasting and we got to keep the glass (again). Thanks to an almost empty keg we started the tasting with a free raspberry lambic and then followed with the 3 tastings of the Chimay followed by a surprise by the owner, Gary, who brought out an aged bottle of 2007 blue Chimay. WOW! Can we do this every Sunday? After leaving Brunch, there was a quick stop to check out a local brewing event at BFD to pick up a few supplies.

On Tuesday Noah got word from a friend and we made plans to meet up at The Shack for Lagunitas night. Being one of our favorite breweries to visit we had to go to this event. With the purchase of the IPA we of course got to keep the glass (for those keeping track we now have 7 glasses) It was by far the busiest we had seen it yet. We enjoyed the fire, food, beer and friends. We cut the night short because everyone had worked that day and the next.

That brings us to Thursday, nothing exciting. We planed on making it to a old town pub crawl but then forgot so we headed to Pangaea for Allegash night, but it was just too busy to stay. We headed to Hilltop tavern to catch the tail end of a New Belgium sours tasting. We ended the night at Rick's desert dinner. I know nothing to do with Beer Week, but too good not to mention.

The week is not over, there is still this weekend left. The big event is the Capital Beerfest, we decided to skip the $30 ticket and crowds of Cal Expo. It sounds like a cool event, they are expecting over 60 breweries. Over all I can say I have really enjoyed Beer week and it will be bitter sweet when it is over. Really do look forward to going to our normal hangout spots with out the crowds. Most of all I have been impressed by how many different events had been put together.

Pedalhard trick comp

Late last year a new type of bike shop appeared in Sacramento. Its not your run-of-the-mill mom and pop shop, or a chain bike shop. Pedalhard is a small fixed-gear specialty shop located on the corner of 17th and T st. The walls are adorned with track frames, and glass cabinets are filled full of parts. If they don't have what you are looking for, chances are that they can get it. Do not be surprised though if you do not see preassembled bikes for sale; at Pedalhard, bikes are build piece by piece to the customers order. Builds can cost several hundred dollars, or if desired, very high end, and cost a grand or more. Pedalhard is also a tight knit group of customers, employees and riders. Near the front window is a couch and a Nintendo with Tetris usually being played. It is not unusual to see people hanging out in the shop, or just stopping by to say hi.

One of the interesting things with the Fixed-gear bike community is the diversity of bikes and people. Bikes range from 15 pound street machines built for speed, to overbuilt freestyle frames meant to take a beating. Since Peadalhard caters to both groups, they decided to Organixe a grand opening trick competition in Sacramento. I was fortunate to be there and got many great pics.

The Compition turned out great, with a large turnout. People came from all over Sacramento to watch, and some came from the Bay Area to compete. Here is a link to all the pictures I took during the day, and below is a video shot by CHOP EM DOWN

After the Trick Comp most of the locals headed over to Hot Italian for some pizza and brews. The food was excellent, and I highly recommend stopping by next time you are in the area. We hung out, and raffle prizes were drawn (Congrats to Mikey Dwitt for the Leader frame!)

Everyone is excited to see the great new things Pedalhard will continue to do for the Sacramento bike community. The shop is ever evolving, and I personally have built my bike (and hopefully soon the next one) out of this shop, as well many new friendships.

Contact PedalHard

916-801-5545

1703 T st Sacramento Ca

95811

Bindi the Foster

After we experienced our first volunteering with NCBR with transporting two dogs from the shelter to the vet we thought we could do more. Soon after that I received an email from the rescue group saying they had more dogs and were in urgent need of foster homes. I emailed back and threw our name in the ring. There was a bit of background checking with the vet of our current dogs to make sure they were up to date on vaccinations, and we also had to have someone come over to do a home visit to ensure we were a safe home. The home visit was scheduled on a Sunday afternoon and that following Monday we had our foster dog. Her name is Bindi and she was already in a foster home, but that family had to leave town and needed to make other arrangements. The nice thing was they already knew a little about her and figured she would be a good dog for us to start out with. She is a white female boxer about 4 years old and she still has her natural tail. We have had her for about 5 days now and she is a wonderful dog, she gets along with the rest of the animals and is just plain sweet. Anyone who adopted this girl would be luck to have such a great dog, we really look forward to her finding a forever home.