Favorite Things Tuesday

One of my most favorite things is the free genealogy software, called Personal Ancestral File (PAF), that the Latter-day Saints gives away. I have bought and used other software, and this one is just as good or better than those that I have tried. I've used it for years and I have never had a problem with the software. Not only that, but I can download it on any computer and easily reinstall it if my computer crashes. If I help anyone with their genealogy, they can download the software for free and I can send them a file that they can open up on their machine to add to it. For a small fee (less than $10), you can download the charting companion to use with the free software. It makes beautiful Martha Stewart type family trees that you can frame or give away as presents.

For more "Favorite Things," check out Sarah's blog at Fiddledeedee!

Myrtle Beach

We have decided to go to Myrtle Beach for a family vacation in October. We have never been but always wanted to try it out. We also got a fantastic deal on a hotel through Priceline. Has anyone been there or know anything about the area? What are the best things to do with three young children? Any good restaurants? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I've been tagged! Seven random things about me...

Brenda over at Queen of Good Intentions tagged me to write 7 random things about myself. The rules are to share 7 things, tag 7 others by visiting their blogs and leaving a comment so they'll know they've been tagged.

1. I will work hard to learn something (read the directions/instruction manuals) if I think it will make life easier in the future (allow me to be lazy).
2. I’m a Sci-fi nerd. I love to watch Star Anything (Trek, Gate, Wars, the list goes on). My favorites now are Stargate Atlantis and Eureka. If you throw in a little romance/comedy with the Sci-fi, I am in heaven. I have a difficult time enjoying Reality TV. The only one I like, and only for the final show, is the Biggest Loser. I married a man exactly like me which makes life great.
3. When I am sick, I usually don’t look sick. When I met my husband’s family for the first time, I had bronchitis but they thought I was just antisocial. It did not bode well for future relations…
4. I love researching genealogy. Not just my own but anybody’s. And if you have a tragedy/love story/evil ancestor, it is even better. Since I do research for a living, I am really, really good at it. I can usually find a needle in a haystack. I could probably find your great-great-grandfather in under ten minutes or tell you where to look.
5. When I was a teenager, I was a caricature artist at a theme park.
6. I worked for Congress for two years (in DC) and I hate, hate, hate politics.
7. I took pictures (proof) of my kids having fun at daycare (which they had/have a lot of) so they can’t blame me for all their problems when they are teenagers because I sent them there. I know, working mother guilt…

I tag the following blogs:

Michelle at Leaving Excess
Justine at Justine's Grocery Brags
Maria at Thrifty Ways and Ideas
Marcy at Stretching a Buck
Carrie at Shoplifting with Permission
Dealdad at Dad of 2 Boys
Shynea at Penny Pinching Diva

Can't wait to read about everyone's randomness!

BTW, if you don't want to do this, it's cool too! It just seemed like fun to me!

Think Thin to Lose Weight

Here is my kind of post...just thinking about exercise makes you lose more weight! Gotta go...got some sit-ups to think about!

Bakugan at Toys R Us!

Do you have a Bakugan fan at home? Does your little darling regale you with intimate detailed knowledge on the habits and traits of each Bakugan...to the point that you just nod your head numbly and say, "Oh, yes, that's really cool..."? Well, Toys R Us is having a sale on a Bakugan Arena for $29.99 until October 4th. It may be a good time to stock up for Christmas. If you have had to search for a Bakugan, you know that they are often difficult to find in stock.

Great Trip to Publix 9/25/08

Since I am leaving town for the weekend (going to see my brand new niece in Philadelphia), I decided to do a quick trip to Publix to use up some of my soon-to-expire coupons. The nice thing about only having thirty minutes to shop is that you have to follow your list exactly and don't have time to look for other deals, thus I probably spend less.

Here is what I bought:

10 Bird's Eye Voila Meals, regularly 4.99, BOGO
-9 Blinkie Qs $1.25/1
-1 MF Q $1/1
Final Price: $1.27 each

6 Johnson & Johnson Buddies Soap, $1.09
-2 MF Qs $3/3
Final Price: .09 each

6 Muir Glen Tomato Sauce, .85
-6 IP Qs $1/1
-1 Publix Q $1/2
Final Price: -.32 overage each

5 Kraft Salad Dressings, $2.69
-5 B3G1 Kraft Products (Kool Aid for the 3)
Final Price: Free

3 Crystal Light Drink Mixes, $3.50
-3 B3G1 Kraft Products (Kool Aid for the 3)
Final Price: Free

24 Kool Aid Packets, .20 each

4 Ocean Spray Juices, regularly $3.49, BOGO
- 2 MF Qs $1/2
- 2 Publix Qs $1/2
Final Price: .75 each

5 Smart Balance Spreads, $2.59
-5 Blinkie Qs .75/1
-5 Publix Qs $1/1
Final Price: .84 each

8 Dole Fruit Gels/Parfaits, regularly $2.07, BOGO
-2 MF Qs .75/1
-2 MF Qs $1/3
Final Price: .60 each

Pam Spray, $2.99
-MF Q .50/1 Doubled
Final Price: $1.99


Total before sales and coupons: $149.36
Coupons: 66.45
Sales: 44.07
Total savings: $110.52
Tax: $7.55

Final OOP: $38.84 (saved 74%)

It's a good day when you save more than twice what you spend!

WFMW: MyFamily.com

I have always loved technology and will fiddle with any software or computer until I master it. So when my first son was born eight years ago, I found this new/cool website to build a family site to share pictures. It is MyFamily.com and is wonderful!! I pay around $100 a year for this private family website that is accessible by all my family with their own individual IDs and passwords. It also has an email account for each individual. One of the great features is that it has information on every one of the members including address, birthday and phone number. Thus, when you need to send a present or want a phone number, you just log in and get the info. The site will also email you when someone's birthday is near and when anything is added.

The page stores tons of information. I have the capability of uploading up to 8.6 GB and could purchase more if I need it. There are sections for pictures, recipes, family history/tree, family calender, chatting, and a file cabinet. I am sure there are other sections I could add but those are what we use. Any family member can post on the page. I currently have over 350 family recipes entered. You can search by a key word for recipes or pictures. So when I want to cook aunt Zelda's recipe, I take my laptop to the kitchen and just pull it up. In the eight years we have had the page, my family has added over 2,200 photos, and I still have plenty of room. I have even added videos and recordings of my children speaking. It has brought family members from all over the United States and Europe together. When someone has a baby or is ill, we all have instant access to the information or pictures. What is interesting is that my husband's family connected to me through a family tree, and I have access to their MyFamily.com site as well. When I want to post something like a picture, I can post to their website at the same time. It is very cool. Paying for this site is truly worth it!


For more tips and tricks, head on over to Works-For-Me Wednesday.