Whoo-Hoo! I Saved $130.00

The way gas prices, food, well, the whole economy is; I was excited for saving over $130.00 in coupons alone.

Today, I took the time to cut coupons and compare prices. I found out that Fry's Grocery, here in AZ, also takes other supermarkets coupons. I searched for what was on sale and used the coupons on top of the sale. I took the rest of the coupons just in case. The sale price, plus the coupons, I saved just in coupons, $130.00. Until the end of the month, Fry's not only doubled, they tripled coupon not going over $1.00. A good Samaritan, also gave me coupons for the cereal I bought. I'm so excited I had to share, I only paid $90.00 for all this. Many of the items were free and I got more taken off.

Example: The coupon for the shampoo was $2.00 off; it was on sale for $1.50, so I had an extra $0.50 off the total the grocery bill:)

NOTICE ABOVE, the toothbrushes, 2 Quarto razors(coupon was buy one get one free and I had an extra coupon for the same item of $4.00 off) So basically I paid 4.00 for two. Reg price for one was 9.99, on sale for 7.99, coupon off 4.00, get one free, total for two 3.99!

6BOXES OF CEREALS, 4BOXES OF HAMBURGER HELPERS, 10 CANS OF CAMPBELL'S SOUPS, 15 CANS OF STEWED TOMATOES, 2 PACKAGES OF TOILET PAPER, SHAMPOOS, 4 MILKS, SODA, BREAD, 6BAGS OF HALLOWEEN CANDY(SNICKERS/TWIX), PASTA, ICE CREAM, SUGAR, BREAD YEAST, ETC! I AM GLOATING:)

CIAO FOR NOW.

Arnnette

Who's Who?

OH, Finally! I haven't been able to post. I've been volunteering at my kids school, cutting the patterns for costumes, and to be honest, trying to finish all 10 of our kids in Yearbook Yourself.

What is Yearbook Yourself, you ask?

I came across this site when I was searching to see if Ree Drummand had any new recipes and contests going on in her site. We decided to try it.

Oh the Laughter the kids and I had seeing the different generations of graduates in our faces!

Downside?

It takes forever, at least to do our family.

1. One needs to search for the right face. Searching for our girls photos, since most had their bangs in their eyes, made it that more time consuming.
2. Download: trying to get the picture the right size, ARGH!
3. One and two was enough!

So finally, I was able to complete our familia.

I chose the same look for the guys and the gals... to make it that more challenging:)

Can You Guess Who's Who?

Caballeros: Bayardo, Oscar, Jordan, Devan, Dorian

A. B.

C. D.

E.

Damas: Arnnette, Emma, Chelsea, Kayla, Tyrel, Hannah, Ayla

1. 2.

3. 4.

5. 6.

7.

Did you guess? Okay, I'll help.

Left to Right: Tyrel, Jordan, Kayla, Dorian, Chelsea, Devan, Bayardo,

Arnnette, Hannah, Ayla, Emma, & Oscar

To be continued...with who's who?

Ciao for now,

Arnnette

Favorite Books Friday.

I think I will start with an idea of mine, Favorite Books Friday. What made me think of this?
My sister Deborah. She posted the following on October 22, 2008, and I included some photos:
Growing up, all us cousins loved playing on a tree my Grandma has in the backyard. This tree was awesome!

We'd climb it, jump down from it, hide in it, climb on the roof of the garage from it, hang pinatas from it, you name it, we did it. It used to have a club house, where much plotting and planning took place as well. This tree brings back such fond memories. The other day Danny was playing in her backyard and wanted to get on "the" tree.

When I put him on it I got all nostalgic! The memories just flowed. I decided to take pictures of him on the same, beautiful tree I enjoyed growing up.
"Tree, you made being a kid fun. Thank you for creating such great memories!"

Well, I responded to my sister saying that it reminded me of the book, The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein..."Once there was a tree and she loved a little boy."

If you have not read this book, it is about a small boy who grows old with the giving tree. Without saying much, you must read this.

Then I thought of my Favorite Childhood Book, The Story of Ferdinand, by Munro Leaf. "Once upon a time, in sunny spain, there was a little bull and his named was Ferdinand...but not Ferdinand, he had his favorite spot out in the pasture, under a cork tree, and he would sit quietly under the shade, and smell the flowers...." I just love this book(You'll find I say this alot on many children books, however, this is my true favorite) My children loved when I would read it. To make story time longer, they would say, "Now in Spanish." So I would have to interpret the book to them. This book was written in the 1930's. It is about a bull who did not like to play with the other bulls. He was content with himself and did not have to please anyone else. He loved to just sit and smell the flowers.

.

The Giving Tree always made me cry. It's the whole 'The Circle of Life'. Like the book; Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. Or could it be the reverence of a tree. Ferdinand loved his tree. The boy from The Giving Tree. Pocahontas had Grandma Willow. Alice had her tree. Even our Prophet Gordan B. Hinckley had his Walnut Tree and shared his tree with all. A must read also. It's ironic that both books have a tree in the story that means something to both characters.

To end this Friday night posting I would like to try and add a new treat, Actual Videos.

If you click on the following Books you can see: The Actual '73 Giving Tree Movie Spoken By Shel Silverstein & The Disney Production of Ferdinand. Just incase, I have included the links, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TZCP6OqRlE (The Giving Tree) or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGTVRbpAuRo (Ferdinand). I know you'll enjoy the videos.

Stay Tuned for Favorite Books Friday.

Ciao for Now,

Arnnette

Nie Recovery Fundraiser

Okay, I'm very slow and have lots to do. However, there is a fundraiser for the Nielson Family who were in the plane crash in August. Please click on the button for NieNie or CjaneRun; Stephanie's sister who updates and reposts Stephanies blog. See the flyer below Or you can donate to: Christian & Stephanie Nielson Rehab FundP.O. Box 8850 Mesa, AZ 85214.



Before I end this post, I would like to say that I believe the following annonymous quote, I have on my wall; not only pertains to immediate family, but also in brotherhood and sisterhood. Every prayer is heard and I believe through friends and family, there has been a growing bond. Faith, Hope, prayer, and Love has been our test.

Families is a circle of strength and love . With every birth and every union the circle grows. Every joy shared adds more love. Every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger.

Ciao for now,

Arnnette

Thank you Lil'Sister

I've Been Tagged!
Knowing I'm new to blogging and not to many know of my site, I've been tagged by my sister Deborah, thanks alot. I can pretty much "ditto" every thing that Deborah said, we're so much alike. I'm usually a party pooper when it comes to these things. For some reason I just don't like drawing attention to myself, either. Here's to you Deb's.

Okay, here are the rules for this tag:
1: Each player starts with 8 random habits/facts about themselves.
2: People who are tagged need to write a post on their blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3: At the end of the post you need to choose 8 people to get tagged and list their names.
Here we go:
1. Like Deborah, I too love the ocean. My bathrooms have always been the ocean theme; lighthouses, surfing, shells, fish, Mermaids, Dolphins and Whales. I even collect Little Mermaid and Nemo McDonald's toys, and shells from around the world to decorate my bathrooms. I've always love the smell of the ocean, listening to the waves, feeling the sand on my feet, & eating seafood. It could be that I'm Pisces.


2. I've been able to visit 1/3 of the United States. California, ARIZONA, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virgina, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., & New York. So I have 30 more to visit and hope that I'm able to accomplish this.


3. I have been to Mexico not only to visit family but with the LDS church on a 3wk excursion. I was able to learn alot and be able to say I climbed the Sun Temple and made it to the top!


4. Deborah may have worked in a music store, but rusty, I play the piano, clarinet, bass clarinet, and oboe. I collect musical instruments from around the world(along with swords, fairies, indian pottery, and coca-cola products). I have flutes from Bolivia, Chile, & Mexico. I have percussion instrument (drums, tamborine, maracas, etc) from Kenya, Moracco, Puerto Rico, Egypt, Spain, Costa Rica, & Mexico. Some I have picked up myself, others friends have brought from their missions or vacations.


5. I am not a neat freak. I clean and go in circles. I must have a small case of ADHD, because my mind is always going. I start to clean the bathroom and I'll forget the paper towel. I'll to the kitchen and see something that needs to be done. So I'll start that project. So I go in circles and have like 5, 7, 10 project going on in the same time. Although, I have to have everything in it's place and if I cant figure out where it goes, I'll stick it by my computer or table. I have been trying hard to be clean now that I'm a SAHM. I must say that my closets and under the bed are organized. Same with my kitchen cabinets. I have to have the clothes in color cordinate, shirts seperated form skirts, and pants. The linen closets are neat and folded a special way. I even iron the bedsheets and tableclothes so it can look organized. The food cans grouped by product, tomatoes, tuna, corn, soups, etc. and must face forward. I like to know where everything is. It's the visible space that is not so neat.


6. I once got a ticket for looking suspicous! Then I got arrested for some code that the cop didn't know why I needed to get arrested and dropped of at my home. My kids were outside and they were shocked! It turned out that when I canceled my car insurance to switch to another insurance, the canceled insurance reported it to the MVD and so it showed me without insurance! I was so upset I still cringe when I see cops. After that my kids have no respect for cops. It's hard to support the police when their are other reasons to arrest. I know it wasn't the officers fault, but there has to be a better system in comunications with insurances and the MVD.


7. I don't like punch with ice cream/sherbert in it. Like Deborah got sick with cake. I had a halloween party a school in 4th grade. Someone had brought witches brew, punch with ice cream. I drank so much, I left school sick and could not go trick-or-treating! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays next to 4th of July and Thanksgiving. I enjoy the Christmas Holidays and Easter, however, Christmas morning we do not open gifts, only at my moms, since my children have been little, Christmas day is to recognize the birth of Christ. "So Santa has enough time to deliver gifts and we can spend time as a family" we open gifts the day before. Same with Easter, we open the baskets the day before and go easter egg hunting, the weekend before or after, since my kids from my first marriage rotate holidays with dad.


8. Ditto Deborah's words-My great grandfather developed the pinto bean. It was hard for me to believe too but it's true. I guess that makes me a true "beaner" NO OFFENSE to anyone! Please click on Deborah's link for more information, http://cecilioanddeborahnavarro.blogspot.com/2008/10/manrique-gonzales-papa-lique.html.


Ahhhh, I did it. Okay so, the people I'm tagging are: I wish I could do Debs again but since I cant...and I hate to bother friends and family...are:

Poor Leo'nel or Should I Say Poor Mija(daughter)

We come back from our trip and have to face this the next day, on Tuesday, October 14th at 9am.

The insurance that my daughter had did not cover circumcisions. She also didn't know she had to pay for it ahead of the deliver time. So three weeks later, poor Leo'nel.

This is Leo'nel very happy and content and the last time Leo'nel will let his mama hold him for at least and hour or so. He was so mad, Emma said when she held his hand he looked at her like, "why are you doing this to me?"

They didn't even start yet and both sisters were holding each other for support and crying together. Note: My oldest Emma is 19 and My youngest Ayla is 3 years, but her soul is older and the two have their own special teasing bond. I had to take Ayla out because she was so mad that they were going to hurt her nephew. Both girls were so mad I was taking pictures of this. I told them that this is a big moment for my grandson and I wanted to document it.

Emma didn't want to see the procedure so I held Leo'nel's hand and tried to comfort him. Ayla was crying so I had to take her out. I looked at Emmas eyes and said, "Emma your his mother and he cannot see you cry, can you hold his hand and be there or take Ayla out." She chose to be there for Leo'nel. I was Proud that she straightened up and grinned and bear'ed it.

After it was all over he didn't want Emma to hold him. He was so mad nothing would calm him. That is except for me;)

As soon as he heard my voice he calmed down and would every now and then cry and I would tell him Mama Arnnette was here and Grandma wouldn't let anything more happen to him. He slept in my arms and would whimper every now and then. I would just sing and talk to him. He would open one eye to make sure it was me. For three weeks old, he is just like his mama, Emma, very alert and his personality already shines through.

Ciao for now,

Arnnette

I love my grandson.

El Paso Here We Come

Sorry I took long to post, my computer kept freezn or the blog had malfunctions.

We decided last minute to visit El Paso and visit my sister and brother and grandma and familia, since the kids had Thursday and Friday off. Bayardo was able to have time off and so off we went at midnight Wednesday night. Like all our road trips and places we visit, we try to learn and grow from that trip. We did.
When we got to Lordsburg, New Mexico the kids were just waking up and the sun was welcoming us to a glorious weekend.

Soon after around 830am, we were in TX. We received a warm welcome at my sisters home. Thank you Navarro Family this really made us feel welcome.

We met Armando, Chillo, my brother in law, cousin who was visiting. The kids loved him. They got to practice their Spanish with him. His camera can make frames on the photos, unless I just don't know how to use my digital camera, I miss my Pentax K-1000. I love the old fashion camera's, I just lost my flash for it so I only use it for rare, very rare occasions.

Since we had been up about 24 hours, we pretty much slept the morning and part of the afternoon. We went to visit Gramita (my grandma). It was the first time she met Ayla, my three year old. We thought we would see Gramita again and didn't take more pictures. We went to McDonald's and had ice cream when a dust storm came through all of a sudden. Gramita said she was getting a cold or something, so pretty much our whole stay we kept playing by ear on how she felt to visit again. However, we were not able to visit again since she didn't want us to get sick. We hope to come again in the spring, we hope that nothing will stop us from taking better advantage of visiting with Grandmita. Here Hannah and Ayla are with Gramita (Regina O. Gonzalez Ayala).

Daryl my brother came to visit often between classes at UTEP. We enjoyed the time he spent with us. Chillo, my "Favorite" brother in law, was able to get off early and take us on a tour of San Elizario, Clint, & Ysleta, TX. Not before we ate at the local favorite restaurant, Chico Tacos. The food is Bueno, Bonito, y Barrato (Good, Nice, Cheap).


(Here we are on the I-10 of El Paso, TX, the homes and mountains are Cd. Juarez, Mexico. That's the Mexican Flag cross the bridge on the other side of US. Not to safe to visit anymore, this is the closest we would go on the US border. Sad too, I love to shop at the New Market, even though it is at least over 40years old.)

Above is my sister Deborah, with my brother in law Chillo, and baby Daniel. Someone was kind enough to take the picture of all of us in front of Chico's Tacos.


In San Elizario, we visited the historic markers. Currently the town marks are being restored. The chapel was not open due to the reconstruction, however, I was able to find a picture of the inside, beautiful. Something about the old architecture buildings that makes me in awe.


Devan standing next to the chapel with Virgin Mary's. The Chapel doors face West looking into the town square. From the town square building, porch, I took a picture of the kids. While the girls and I have our picture next to one of the flower pots from the porch; yes, I had to sit on the floor. Meanwhile, Bayardo and Devan relax, while Dorian reads each of the plaques.


Dorian loves history facts and landmarks. As we were leaving Dorian discovers that Billy the Kid stayed in the jail above. Note the words on the door, carcel (car-cell), which means Jail. Ayla and Daniel listened closely to Dorian.


We were not able to go inside the jail, due to the reconstruction going on, but I included a before and after picture.

beforeafter
We were getting hungry and stopped at Zeke's Market. One of my favorite little grocery market. One the meat is good and cheap. Second, so is the veggies. We bought prepared steaks for 2.99 a pound. The beefsteak tomatoes were .69 cent a pound, lettuce .99 ea., onions 3 lbs for a 1.00 and a 3 LITER of COKE for 1.99, we don't have 3 liter COKE in Mesa, AZ.

As we were on the highway back home, the border control helicopter flew by us. Notice the flood/stadium lights along the border highway, kinda scary. This whole building a border wall reminds me of the Berlin Wall. History should keep us from repeating mistakes and learn, not repeat cycles. The whole idea of splitting families and deporting the parents to their native countries, while their children fend for themselves because they are citizens of US, not knowing where their parents are or finding out that they have been raided at work and taken away is so un-american. If the wall is to be built, why not work with those who are here and build a solution. But the way Sheriff Arpaio goes and does street sweeps where the minorities live and deport is inhumane. Meanwhile, the cities crime rate has jumped; bank and store robberies are climbing because the sheriff and his posse are out trying to stop the American dream. While he is out there he should be checking all nationalities for any warrants, not if they are legal to be in the US. Yes, it is against the law to be undocumented, however, there are many who are child molesters, parents who owe child support, drunk drivers, gang shooting, bank robbers, etc. who need to be caught as well. And I'm tired of the news stating an illegal alien when something wrong is reported on the news. Why not state both, a US Citizen/illegal alien? I'm getting off the subject. Sorry, it just chaps my hide...going on with our trip.

To go home we went through downtown El Paso. Ayla, my 3 year old spotted a statue of Elvis. Who knew after so many generations that he is still the King of Rock-n-Roll for the new generation? Ayla loves to listen to Elvis; especially, Burning Love. We past the 1930's Plaza Theatre that still have active performances. The Cathedral Parish of Saint Patrick, the mother church of the Diocese of El Paso, was built in 1914-1916. Bayardo wanted to make sure I included this in the blog. You see we're both Christians of different faith. Bayardo and his family are Catholic, except for Devan and Dorian, and my side of the family; we're LDS. I would have included a picture of the oldest Mormon church too, if we had more time. I'll ask my sister to send me a picture. It's only fair to include both:)

When we got home it would soon get dark. The club house where my sisters home is the only grill available but we would not be able to see. So we went to Wal-mart and bought a portable grill for the Navarro Family as a gift of gratitude. We had to tailgate to have the grill high and use extension cords for the light. Chillo felt so ghetto. I had to include the light we used. Luckly, Bayardo had his "headlight" from work to see as well. Ayla asked for a "free sample", I guess we go to Sam's Club a little to much. Soon everyone was there to enjoy the "free samples". The carne asada (grilled steak) was good, thanks babe.

On Saturday, October 11, 2008, we went to Lowes's. Who knew they would have the build and grow. My kids thought it was Ironic that the last Build and Grow we went on a road trip. Now we're on a road trip and the build and grow is available for us to participate and with baby Daniel. The kids made a toy skeleton.

Afterwards we went home and rested. Here Daniel and Ayla relax and watch a movie.

Deborah thought it would be fun to pay it forward and do as Stephanie Nelson did with her family http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html. In tribute to NieNie and her family, we did the same. We made little notes of encouragement/fortune and left them in different places in the mall. Hannah tries to place one slyly on the soda machine. I thought it would be a simple way of spreading the gospel. I included partial lyrics to hymns of our church, the scripture verse, and on the side I included lds.org.

"As I have loved you, love one another.
This new commandment...and I love you, smile Jesus loves you"
"I am a child of God...and he loves me as he loves you"

"Come, Follow me; the Savior said"

Daryl had good spirits, he suggested to "write 'Read Me', in the inside write, 'now throw me away" because he felt that's what they were going to do. He also felt like we would make the janitor work harder. I felt bad when we were at the mall and the janitor could hardly move and was old. However, with faith, I know a needed soul will be touched and even better if they search the lds.org website.



We toured El Paso some more taking the Scenic Drive up the Transmountain. The kids and Bayardo could not believe how big El Paso was or the border city Cd.Juarez, Mexico. They also decided to leave some good fortune here, too.

Later, we bought a Marie Calendars Banana Cream Pie for Hannahs birthday, her favorite. However, there was no Marie Calendar in El Paso, so we bought the frozen one at Wal-Mart. Not the same as fresh from Marie's. I'm so glad it's Marie Calendars month of Pie Sale in Mesa. I love pies. I don't care for cakes, except for my Tres Leche Cake. Even then I can only have a small piece.


The next day we left for home. I hate saying good bye. I try not to cry because once I do, I can't stop and get all depressed. I have to look forward for the next visit so that it is not so bad. So, I'm planning for Thanksgiving. We left at 1130am, since my sister and her family had to be at church. I'm glad Daryl, one of my baby brothers who is 25 years old, came to say good-bye. Did I mention I have 6 brothers and 2 sisters? Well I do, I'm the OLDEST. I also have a step-brother and sister. We're all spread out the U.S. from AZ to TX to KY to NY.

Daniel looks so much like his father. Ayla smiles like her Tio Daryl.

On our way home the skys were clear. See the big Quail or Prehistoric bird on the hill? That was in Las Cruces, NM, it took me back when it moved. We stopped at Bowlins Indian Trading Post. We bought a few firecrackers and sparklers. The kids have never used sparklers and so we thought it would be nice for New Years. Ayla wants to use them on her birthday. She is a Veterans day baby, so maybe we will celebrate both occasions at once.

We went past Globe and Miami again. The Antiques Stores were closed by the time we went through town. We stopped literally every 45 minutes because someone had to go to the bathroom. The canyon always blows my mind. Doesn't the boulders look like Dinasaur Poop? Everytime we drive by boulders, since I was a kid, I imagen that they must be prehistoric poop, since the rocks are so round and sometimes long. I know its grose but don't we all have some hidden thought or question where we wonder?! By the time we pasted Superior the sun was setting. I love the saguaros in the sunset or sunrise. Isn't it ironic that we started the trip with the sunrise and ended our trip with the sunset. Like an end of a chapter.

Oh, before the end of the chapter, I must say that the next day Ayla had to dress like her
Tia Deborah. You really have an influence on my children Navarro Family. The boys want to serve a mission like Tio Chillo, Ayla and Hannah want to go to University and get a degree. And then Ayla wants to dress like her Tia, "Tia likes to wear skirts like this and shirts that tye like this mama, thats why I'm suppose to wear this" So I told her that her knees don't show, "oh, yeah", she said...lol.Thank goodness my sister dresses modest!

Ciao for now,
Arnnette