Just Taking A Journey...

I Got All This and MADE $5...

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OKay. Let me explain how. Let me give a recap of what is in the picture. That would be 20 Lifewaters, 10 random eggo waffle products, 4 little things of lotion, and ACTUALLY that should be 4 things of bandaids.

This purchase was made at Target. :) And I have to give a big thanks to Couponclippinmama for the water find. I stumbled on her blog a while back, and man oh man, you need to mark it in your favorites. :)

Alright. So here is the deal.

Lifewater is 10 for $10 at Target right now.

I will tell you. I went to two different Target's and NEITHER one had this marked. So don't let that discourage you...it rings up correctly.When you purchase 10 drinks they will then you give a gift card for $5. So right away you are now getting them for .50cents...following me???? Okay, if you go HERE and print out these coupons they will be buy one get one free. Meaning...you need to print out 5 coupons (once it has printed once, hit back and it will reprint again, you can print TWO from one computer...luckily we have a few computers. :) So find a way to print 5 out...and you do the math. You will be paying for FIVE and GETTING FIVE FREE...and you get a $5 gift card, so technically you will have to spend that gift card later, but that is never hard. :)

OKay. so now that we are clear on the water deal. I got the bandaids free and the lotion free by using these two coupons.

Bandaids
Lotion

You may have to search. I only found these at one target and it's in the trial size section. :)

OKay. Let's finish up with the Eggo's. I am sorry. I am not the mother that gets up and cooks eggs and grits and all that good stuff every morning. I am known to get a wild hair once or twice a year and do this...but anyway, moving right along.

I found this deal from another site I frequent a LOT...Dealseekingmom.com oh my goodness....be careful, you will get sucked in...I'm telling you...

These are $1.50 right now at Target.

You will need to print TEN of these coupons out. Now, I am giving you TWO links. You can print them out TWICE per link per computer. So if you have one computer you will have FOUR coupons...find a friend or someone to help you get the right amount...again, we have several computers, I'm a happy girl because of that.

Eggo Coupons

and

Eggo Coupons

These are for $1 off, making them .50 cents a box. Not a bad deal, huh? Well. If you get TEN boxes, save the receipt and get the UPC codes off and mail it in for $10 to be sent to you. Find out all that info HERE.

Basically, you are MAKING $5.

So, yes...this is a bit of a process...but come on...I mean REALLY...it's worth it!!!!

This has been the MOST fun I've had in a long time. Sad, but true.

Alright, going to get my hair done in the morning, sigh....wish I could find a coupon for that...

I'll try my hardest to keep these posts a comin'. ;)

Monique

Links to FREE Stuff....Gotta Love it!!!

Free Kotex Overnight Pads...because  a girl can NEVER have too many pads!
Just click here, and your free sample will be sent to you. :)

Free Carefree Ultra Protection...a pantyliner that protects like a pad...that's what I'm talkin' about. Bring it on...Click here for your free sample to be sent to you!

Let's show the love to those tampon lovers out there as well. Don't you just love girl products? Ahhh....click here for you free sample sent to you. :)

If you run out of the items above you can break out this free sample...okay, just kidding, just kidding...there are other messes in life than that time of the month...snatch you up a free paper towel sample...click here.

Is that man in your life getting a little smelly? Well why not grab a sample of Nivea for Men...men really like rubbing this soap on their face like the guy in this picture. Oh, this is soap only, man not included...sorry you single ladies out there. Click here for your sample.

And if the man in your life is smelling good, well, then you need to too! Click here for a sample of Nivea Sparkle sent to you...every woman needs a little sparkle!

Do you want a free box of tea? That's what I thought. Call this number and one will be on the way, well a coupon for one at least...tried it this morning, it's for real! 1-888-435-3639.

Sorry...that's all I have time for...I have lots more to share. But I am really needing to go pick up another 10 free lifewaters...I'll share that later this evening when I get back from church. :) :) :)

Hope you are having a great day!

Monique

Publix Deals You NEED to Get Today!!! I DARE You.

Okay. I figured I would share real quick two items that are in today's paper that you can save in a big way today at Publix. I dare you to do this...be careful...You will get sucked in!

First, there is a coupon today for the Penney item at Publix. When you spend $10 today you can get a thing of Apple Juice for .01 cent.

Alright. In today's paper, there is a .50 cent coupon for Lipton tea bags. Publix will double that, making it $1.00 off. It gets better! Lipton tea bags are buy one get one free at Publix until Tuesday. A 24count box is $2.65...meaning you can get TWO for $2.65 and you can use TWO coupons, making it .65 cents for TWO boxes...that is .32 cents a box of 24. Can NOT beat that!!!

Remember, you can get papers for $1.00 at the dollar store...not Dollar General, the Dollar Store.

Also in today's paper is a Mount Olive pickle coupon for .50cents. Same deal. Publix will DOUBLE it, making it $1.00 off. These pickles are buy one get one free at Publix until Tuesday. A jar of pickles is $2.79 for TWO jars, so use TWO coupons, that makes it .80 cents for TWO jars, .40cents a jar. Again, you can NOT beat that!!!!

If you only have one paper and you don't want to invest in a second to get more coupons, no worries. You do NOT have to buy TWO items to save on the buy one get one deal. You can buy just one and they ring it up for 1/2 off. :)

While you are there at Publix, why don't you get a FREE jar of BBQ sauce???? And while you are at it, they will even pay you to buy it. GO HERE and print out a Kraft barb coupon, along with many others and use it at Publix. They are also buy one get one free and they are $1.39 for TWO. Basically .70 cents a jar and you have a coupon for $1.00. You will get .30cents back, but you can use it toward one of those items above to even save more. ;)

Hmmm, what else can I share. Well. You can get the bread I mentioned in the post below for .25cents a loaf. Come on. Yummy Soft Oatmeal. Read the post to see how.

Print one of the coupons from the Kraft site above that I linked for $1.00 off, and get this for .50 cents.

Alright. I LOVE the Crystal Light drink mix. These are buy one get one free and you have two coupons on the Kraft site linked above for these. There is a 14 count box and the kind you can make pitcher fulls at a time...they will end up being $1.00 each with the coupon.

Why don't you print out some coupons from the Target link above in this post for the Strawberries. They are $2.00 at Publix and then use the $1.00 Target coupon...making it $1.00 a carton of strawberries!!! About the same deal I got when I picked them last month or so.

Okay, that is all for now. I could keep going on and on, but I must go cut out coupons for our trip after church tonight. ;)

Enjoy!!!

So...Gotta Question For Ya....

We are about to purchase a freezer (our little freezer from the apartments just ain't cuttin' it). If you haven't figured out, I am on this coupon/bulk buying kick. I have been packing my freezer to the MAX. So. I have been trying to figure out things I can make and freeze to help with the whole, "easy dinner" scenario. I know that I can do spaghetti sauce, vegetable soup, but what are some other things that you like to make a bunch of then freeze?????

Also, Vanessa told me you could freeze bread. Have you ever done this, and if so, how long does it stay good and does it thaw out okay?

I am will admit. This whole savings thing has turned into a MAJOR game for me. I am talking ADDICTIVE. It's insane. I will try posting the deals I'm getting here more frequently. But anyway...would just love to have your feedback on this!!!

Hope you are having a great Sunday!

Monique

My Favorite Bread Pepperidge Farm for just .25 cents

Okay. This is SO a better deal than I got yesterday. I thought that there was a Target coupon out...I so could have saved more. Ignore the pads and tampons in the back.

Okay, here is the deal. It is on sale for $1.99 right now at Publix. There is a $1 coupon ON the bread you peel off. And here is where you can print a .75 cent target coupon...Publix will take that. So you are paying .25 cents a loaf. YUMMMMM

The Publix at Lee Branch and Overton Road takes Target coupons!!!

Target coupons!

Anyone Want Me to Pick Them Up Some Peaches?????

  I am headed to Montgomery for the day and am stopping by the place we get peaches CHEAP. I am willing to pick up some for locals if you would like me to. Now, this is an INSANE amount of peaches. You will have to pick them up from me by SUNDAY, because our last batch was ripe and ready to peel by day two.

The price is $8 a half bushel. That is 25lbs. For real. Mother and I froze so much it was CRAZY. When we stopped at the peach park they were going for like 12 a small basket. So this is a VERY good deal.

I will just charge $2 for the traveling, so you pay $10. Cool? I think I'm getting another box. Don't worry if you are reading this late...I will be going again in a couple of weeks. They will have tomatoes then too. So you can get in on at the deal!

Alright, here is the deal. You will need to email me at moniquemclean@gmail.com with PEACHES in the subject line and you will need to do this by 1pm. I know, sorry not much time.  Also leave me your phone number and when you can pick it up...Saturday preferably, or Sunday between 1-5. Okay?

I can only fit so much in the back of our car, so if a lot respond it will go to the first ones who respond until all space is full.

Hope you have a great Friday.

How Much Do You LOVE Chocolate? Do You Want some FREE?

My mother told me about this last week and I HAD to check it out....Mars Chocolate is giving away a coupon for FREE chocolate every Friday. Click Here to fill out your form and it will be on it's way to you.

Free Smoothie From Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Did you know there was a such thing as NATIONAL FLIP FLOP DAY? Well, there is, June 19th. And if you live here in B'ham  you can get a FREE 24 oz regular smoothie...no strings attached...just put on those flip flops and show up. How cool is that? The first 500 customers will get a free smoothie!!!!

There is no purchase necessary.

Here are the locations:

Hoover --
3049 John Hawkins Parkway
205-987-7005

Prattville --
2790 Legends Parkway
(334) 285-4545

I'll post a reminder the day before...I'm going to have to make a calendar for all this...man, finding free stuff is fun!

If You Are a Guy, Close Your Eyes...

Okay. I must quit with the free stuff. And this may be a little, well, over the top...but who cares.

Here's a free sample that will be shipped right to ya. :) Just click right here.

Enjoy!!!!

Free Arby's On Wednesdays This Summer

Here is a list of items  you can get at Arby's on Wednesdays this summer. It's not completely free, but it's still a good deal! :)

June 17 Free Regular Side Kicker with sandwich purchase
June 24 Free Regular Roast Beef with soft drink purchase
July 1 Free Regular Beef and Cheddar with soft drink purchase
July 8 Free Orange Cream Shake with sandwich purchase
July 15 Free Regular Roast Beef with soft drink purchase
July 22 Free RoastBurger with soft drink purchase
July 29 Free FruiTea with sandwich purchase
Aug. 5 Free Regular Roast Beef with soft drink purchase
Aug. 12 Free Roast Chicken Club with soft drink purchase
Aug. 19 Free FruiTea with sandwich purchase
Aug. 26 Free Roast Beef 'n Cheddar with soft drink purchase

FREE Chick-fil-a 8 Count Nuggets Tonight from 5-8

Alright...if you are in the B'ham area, you can go to Chick-fil-a between 5-8 and get a FREE 8 count of nuggets. Yummmm. Remember, embrace being "cheap"...or let's just say frugal...that sounds so much better. :)

Every Thursday in June they will have a special...

June 18 is three chicken strips

June 25 is the Chick-Fil-A sandwich.

So mark your calendars!!!! I know what we will be picking up on Thursday nights!

Hope you are having a great Thursday!

Learning to Embrace Being CHEAP. My Coupon Journey.

I will go ahead and admit it. I am learning to embrace being "cheap". It's actually turning into a really fun game for me. I have been posting a lot on twitter about the savings I am getting at Publix, and have been getting a lot of emails and comments wanting to know how I do it.

I will be posting "cheap finds" on twitter more frequently than here. Sad, I know...but it's easier to post a one liner from my phone than do a blog post. Poor neglected blog, and long story short. My friend Mr. Mac is dealing me fits, we need to pray for his healing or $300 to fix him. :) So you can follow me on twitter here. And if you think I twitter a lot, then just read this post...Ummm, Monique You Twitter Way Too Much.

Okay. First, I don't know all the ins and outs yet of coupons. I am learning. I didn't want to start because of this, and realized that I would just have to learn along the way. I still have no clue about all the drugstore stuff...apparently you can get really good deals there too, but I'm having to master one store at a time, and I have started with Publix.

Okay, I know what you are thinking. There are many things at Publix that are MUCH higher than let's say, Walmart. Okay. You are right. So here is the deal, DON'T BUY THOSE THINGS. When I shop at Publix, I am ONLY buying things that I can get a crazy good deal on. This was very difficult for my mother to understand on our first trip when I went to show her the ropes at Publix. She kept saying, look, you can get this at Walmart for $1 cheaper, and I would say, "we aren't buying that here, buy that at Walmart"...so keep that in your mind...you are getting stuff ON SALE. 

Now, in saying that. You need to know your prices. Do you know how much you spend on your favorite items? If you don't know how much things cost that you normally spend money on, start taking a notebook with you when you are shopping and write it down...don't laugh, I have done that. :)

The other thing about coupons is that I don't buy it unless it's something we use or like...or it's just something I would be getting for pennies. 

So let's talk about Publix. Their weekly ad comes out on Wednesdays. I am embarrassed to admit, I am giddy on Tuesday night and have even found sites that will show sneak peeks a few hours before it's released. You can view the Publix ad on their website www.publix.com

Okay. Not every Publix has the same policy  on coupons. You need to know their policy before you shop. You figure that out by asking. :) Basically, you need to know if they accept competitor's coupons, and if so which ones and which they don't.

I went to two different stores on the way back from Montgomery the other day and got to the check out and they BOTH would not take my competitor coupons, so I took the coupons back, left my stuff there and said I would just get it at "my" publix, cheap, I know. These were the ones in Alabaster.

The Publix at Lee Branch and the Publix on Overton Rd, both take competitor coupons. Alright. Let's get down to the nitty griddy.

At Publix, every week they have Buy One Get One Free Items. Today, let's just talk about these items, because this post could get lengthy, not that posts aren't always lengthy....anyway. Many times the BOGO items end up being the price of, let's say, Wal-Mart. Example. Last week, Publix had their Crystal light packets BOGO, they were $3.99 at Publix and $1.97 at Walmart. (See, it's important to know your prices) Well. At Publix on your BOGO you can use TWO coupons. One for the "buy one" and one for the "get one". Also at Publix, they will DOUBLE .50cents and under coupons. So if you had TWO .50cent coupons for Crystal light that would be $2 more off. Does that make sense...you can use TWO coupons.

Now let's make this a little more rewarding. Let's say you have a coupon from Target for $1.00 off a box of Crystal Light. You can use those coupons as well...we call this stacking coupons.

So let's give a recap of how you can save.

BOGO Crystal Light Reg. $3.99 with the BOGO deal they are $1.99 each

You have TWO .50cent manufacturer coupons. These are now DOUBLED. Now you are getting the Crystal Light for .99 cents a box.

Now, let's stack our Target coupons...you have TWO $1.00 coupons.

Now you are getting the Crystal Light for free.

I am just using the above as an example...I believe I ended up getting the Crystal light last week for .99 cents a box, didn't have a target coupon, but I am just trying to give you an example how you can get stuff FREE or just pennies.

Now. Let's say you only have one coupon and don't have two. Well, with the BOGO you can just buy ONE item and it's 50% off. You DO NOT have to buy two. How cool is that?

Okay. Now here is some homework. Or "play" work.

Here is a link to some TARGET coupons.

Notice you can type in a number of how many you would like to print. Cool, huh? Okay. If you notice the coupon for the strawberries. Well. They have those strawberries on sale at Publix right now for 2 for $4. Well, print 2 coupons and you are getting the strawberries 2 for $2. That's a good deal. That is about the cost I got my strawberries for that I picked myself. 

Okay. That's enough info for right now. I will try letting my next post be all about other sites that are out there and where I find coupons online and such.

Oh, and last and final tip. A Sunday paper is normally a great place to find coupons. Of course, you knew that. Well, how much do you pay for your Sunday paper? $2 at Walmart. Well, you can get it at Walgreens for $1.50 and hold your breath...$1 at the Dollar Store. :) So why not pick up 2 to 4 papers at the Dollar store, so you can use them on the BOGO deals at Publix. ;)

Be sure to watch the paper on Wednesdays...Publix is great about putting $5 off your purchase of $30 or more, yep, stack that on top of all your savings. :) Gotta love Publix. Do you want to be amazed even more? Well, watch for coupons from places like Whole Foods...they will have $5 off $25 of produce or meat....you can use that at Publix as well. :) Ahhhh, good stuff.

Hope some of this was helpful. I am just now learning all this. There are so many more with WAY more knowledge than me on this, so if you have some additional tips post them here. My next post will introduce you to different sites around the web that will suck you in. :) I'm not posting them today, because to be honest, they intimidated me at first, they have their on secret language and codes and it made me not want to start bc it was info overload...so let's take baby steps...let this sink in, they will we visit that next. :) :) :)

Have a great Thursday. Think we may go to the pool until the storms make us leave. See  ya!!!!

Another Movie Option This Summer...Probably A Better Deal

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All Rave Motion Pictures locations nationwide will host the Free Family Film Festival 2009. All locations will play these movies on the dates listed:

June 9 & 10	Kung Fu Panda	PG	92 minutes
June 16 & 17	Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa	PG	89 minutes
June 23 & 24	Surf's Up	PG	85 minutes
June 30 & July 1	The Tale of Despereaux	G	90 minutes
July 7 & 8	Horton Hears A Who!	G	86 minutes
July 14 & 15	Space Chimps	G	81 minutes
July 21 & 22	Igor	PG	87 minutes
July 28 & 29	Shrek the Third	PG	93 minutes

ALL MOVIES START AT 10AM

Fun Things to Do with The Kiddos This Summer....

I have been looking for some fun things to do with the girls this summer....here is one thing  I found. :)

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I will post more as I find them. :)

Ummm, Monique You Twitter WAY Too MUCH.

So, what's all this fuss about twitter? Why do you twitter? How do you twitter? Why is it called twitter?

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Okay, so I am a HUGE FAN of twitter. I will admit it. I have been hearing lately from some people I work with and others I know, that I twitter a little TOO much. Well, let me explain my obsession with twitter and  how it all began.

I have been blogging, (what you are reading now) for a good while. Started when I had the store as a form of an EASY WEBSITE  design and way to interact with customers. I thought it was wonderful. LOVED it. Started sharing some stuff about our life on the blog and well, it became like an "online journal" of some sorts to me.

For as long as I can remember I have LOVED to journal. When I was in school in IL. I would go through notebooks like crazy...it was my notebook where I talked to God, vented, I would dream.....my thoughts. So the blog became "my notebook". It's a little different, because a journal is usually meant to be kept private, and a blog, well, it's kind of "public".

You see. I think it's VERY important to "record" YOUR STORY. YOUR LIFE. YOUR THOUGHTS. YOUR FEELINGS. YOUR TAKE ON THINGS. YOUR UPS. YOUR DOWNS. YOUR SUCCESSES. YOUR FAILURES. YOUR FEARS. YOUR LIKES. YOUR DISLIKES...I mean, I really could go on and on. It's YOUR EVERYDAY thoughts.

Twitter is BRILLIANT in the aspect that I am able to record crazy things like...I don't like balloons in the car...or had lunch with my parents...just had a crazy busy night at work....I mean things that honestly I would NEVER journal on my blog about, or write with pen and paper in a notebook about. I am always WISHING I had an easy way to record funny things the girls say, sometimes I would write them down, but usually I wouldn't have a pen or paper near by and then I would forget. It's so cool, because I ALWAYS have my phone with me and all I have to do is twitter it, and there  you go. I also love the fact that I can take pictures and post. I have ALWAYS wanted to do this "a picture a day challenge" and it's so easy to do this with twitter....can you tell I am a bit obsessed?

I got obsessed with scrapbooking because of this and while I DO NOT scrapbook often anymore, I will REFUSE to quit telling my story...and through blogging and twitter I can record my thoughts VERY easily.

I really encourage you to twitter. Don't get so caught up in the whole, how many followers do I have. I mean, unless you are a business or something, THEN, numbers matter...but instead think of twitter as a way to RECORD your story....and some people are just coming along for the ride if they choose.

Now, with all that said, I believe twitter is an AMAZING marketing tool. I mean, that's a whole other blog post. My mind races with ideas of what I would have done had twitter been around when I had the store...be still my heart.....ANYWAY, we won't go there.

I also believe that it's a great way to stay connected with those you don't see often, it's like you are having mini conversations throughout the day with them and also you can update your facebook status through twitter...to be  honest, Jer set it up, I have no clue about the workings of it, lol....but anyway, I hardly EVER go on facebook, although some think I live on there bc of all the twitter updates, :) It's funny.

So there you have it. To twitter or not to twitter. I am sure 20 years from now when my girls have kids, they will think it's funny to get a peek into their mommy and daddy's mind when we were their age...that's what I think is the coolest thing. :)

So go sign up...start twittering!!!!!

Monique

I am NOT blogging From Work....

Okay, maybe I am...but I am completely caught up and nothing to do....so I pulled out my little notebook of verses I'm learning and thought I would share them with you. Hey, that sort of rhymed...I'm cool like that.

ANYWAY...with all my craziness I have been dealing with lately I thought to myself, Monique, you need to get some scriptures going through that head of yours...sooooo, here you go.

Isaih 40:31 - But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Okay, so that one is of course a good one. WAIT. WAIT. WAIT.

Proverbs 4:23-27 - Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Avoid all perverse talk, stay away from corrupt speech. Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet, stay on the safe path. Don't get sidetracked, keep your feet from following evil.

Okay, so let's talk about this one a bit. I think it's SO important to GUARD your heart...I mean LOOK, it determines the course of your life...HELLO!

Avoid all perverse talk and corruput speech. YIKES...so true. When I am the least bit insecure about something it is so easy to involve myself in this kind of talk, why? Because when you find the negative in someone else it makes you feel better about yourself, or at least you THINK that....so if you find yourself TALKING about someone...hmmm, maybe you have some insecurity issues to deal with, just saying...and I'm preaching to myself here.

LOOK STRAIGHT AHEAD, ummm, don't look at yesterday's mistakes, failures...fix your eyes on what lies AHEAD. I can beat myself up over something I did a million years ago, for the love, get over it and move on...LOOK STRAIGHT AHEAD...again, speaking to myself here!

Mark out a straight path. It's always good to have a little plan, a bit of an idea...and good grief, don't get sidetracked...I think if you HAVE a plan it makes it easier NOT to get sidetracked...

Galatians 1:10 - Obviously I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant.

Okay, that verse speaks for itself. Because I care WAY TOO much about what others think...yep, there's a balance here, but I think I have an unhealthy dose of this from time to time.

Galatians 3:3 - After starting your Christain lives in the spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?

Here is another one that speaks for itself. HELLO....it's not about my "works". Enough said.

1Peter 5:5-9 - God opposes the proud, but favors the humble. So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God and at the right time He will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God for He cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy the devil, he prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.

Another one that just speaks for itself. I love what it says at the end...your other brothers and sisters are going through the same thing...well...just another reason why we should be transparent...not hiding our problems. There are others who can maybe gain strength or hope knowing we have faced similar things or understand.

So there you have it. I will share more later...I'm trying to get these all memorized before I move to others. ;)

Hope  you are having a great Friday night.

Monique

 

 

Well. This Is ALL I Have To Say! YOU MUST WATCH!!!

Kris Allen, American Idol Winner Leading Worship

Life One Year Later....

Wow. A year. It's been ONE full year that Jer has been working at Church of the Highlands. That means it's been ONE full year that I have been AWAY from Scrap Etc. It's been a year of COMPLETE change. I mean we are talking, I went from stocking paper to stocking syringes. I went from looking at people's layouts to looking at....well, we won't go there...it's a change. I feel like I am in this "waiting" period of my life right now. I've mentioned the book I'm reading. "Put Your Dream To The Test" by John Maxwell, and I should finish it today, and to be honest. I need to read it from beginning to end one more time. I've been really frustrated with my life right now, especially reading this book, because when it gets right down to it....I am in this WAITING period right now....and I'm a dreamer....and somewhat of a passionate person, and I've mentioned here before, patience is something I struggle with from time to time, okay ALL the time....I feel like I constantly have to be DOING something to be happy.

Sooooo, our Bible Study last night with Beth Moore hit me right upside the head. The title of it was "It's Tough Being A Woman balancing passion with patience.

HEEELLLLLOOOOOOO. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry. And I knew I didn't need to cry, bc all the girls in the small group would have thought I was crazy, bc trust me, had I started crying, well, it would have been over. She said..."sometimes we just need to WAIT"....and the "meantime" needs to be "GOD TIME".

 I always feel like I need to be WORKING towards something....working towards finding a husband...working towards having kids....working towards a nursing degree....working towards opening a store....working towards creating a "different" event....working towards.....you get my point. Those things are all good things to work towards, but it's NOT the destination that fulfills you....it's the journey along the way that you remember the most.I have a LOT of thoughts on this, and will save them for the book review I do, it will be a series of posts.

Basically, it's funny. When I sold the store, I also signed a piece of paper stating I would do NOTHING scrapbook related to make money for two years. Nothing, nada, zero. And boy oh boy, can I tell you...I think it was a blessing in disguise, or from time to time i feel, a thorn in my side. Because my mind RACES with ideas...and I want to do something creative....I...I....I....I....want to control what my life path is....and sitting still for a couple of years, well, that's pure torture. Soooooo, am I letting the "meantime" be "Godtime"....hmmmm. I haven't as much as I should. Not NEAR as much as I should. The girls and I are about to head out to the pool...and I am about to do some MAJOR studying on this, and will report back ASAP with all the verses I find on this. Okey dokey....I'm out of here. Enjoy your Tuesday!!!! Monique

Okay, I Couldn't Resist...One More Post About "Arise"

Okay, Okay, I know. You are thinking..."shut up Monique...we know you like the CD".

But I just couldn't resist. I have to share some of my favorites....EVERY song is really my favorite, really....but if you just can get a few then do this.

11 is my favorite, well, while I'm listening to 11 it's my favorite, but if I'm listening to 3 or 4 or 5, then that's my favorite...I know, I am a bit strange. Anyway.....

IF YOU BUY 11, you MUST buy 12 and 13 to go with it. They just flow together...the worship...you know...well, if you haven't listened you don't know, but once you do, you will be like, Oh yeah, I get what she's saying.

So 11, 12, 13....three songs that I just play over and over and over.

Jer just came to spy on what I was typing...his exact words were, "are you typing ANOTHER post about the CD". So he says, Oh, wait, if they get 11, 12, 13, they need to get 10 to go with it. So I am now, as I am typing listening to 10....okay, yes, I agree. I am changing my mind mid-post. You need 10, 11, 12, 13....Yep....it just got to my favorite part about 3 minutes and 15 seconds into 10....they just kick it up a notch.

Alright. Now. I think I could do a post about EACH song, and how the Lord just totally speaks to me in each of them....maybe I will do that, but not today, I must clean today....(sidenote, 11 just came on while I'm typing this...yep...I LOVE 11).

Jer says I must also add that HE LOVES 2 and 15. I agree totally. In his words, they are kind of faster, rockish.....but he also wants to add that 3 has that cool drum part....

So fast, upbeat....I will say 2,3,15. LOVE THEM. And did I just leave out 1? The title of the CD "Arise"....you must have that one too. (listening to 15 right now...it's my favorite...why...because I'm listening to that one right now...remember)!

This is just about where I get to the point, and I start realizing it was really dumb for me to start saying get this one or that one...becaue now I am listening to 7, and....it's my favorite. Yep...7, is my favorite. Ahhhh, okay, I must do a series of posts on why I like each song...this one is just talking about STANDING IN AWE of our GOD....ahhhhh, yep...7 is my favorite. THE SONG OF THE RESCUED....okay, you NEED 7!

Well, now I have skipped to 5...and well, you guessed it...I think you need 5 too.

You know. Forget it...just buy the whole CD. I knew this post was meaningless. I can't narrow it down.

Love you guys!

Monique

Did You Think Your Day Could Get ANY Better? "Arise" is on iTunes!!!!

You need to stop what you are doing....well, finish reading this, then head STRAIGHT over to iTunes and start downloading this CD.....FOR THE LOVE.....it's AMAZING!

Go to iTunes and search "Highlands Worship" then the "Arise" CD should pop up. I think you need the whole album, I can't recommend one song over another. Not sure why you can't buy the whole CD like others on iTunes, I am sure they are still figuring all this out you know, but anyway....I know it's crazy that I'm this excited over a CD, but I really want you guys to be able to get a glimpse into the "worship" at our church....(man, that was a really long run-on sentence....sorry)! Anyway, man, I wish I was able to be right in the room with you as you listen to each song...you know, to get your reaction...to be like...see...i told you it rocked......ahhhhh, I am just very very proud of our worship team at Highlands. Their heart for the Lord just shows in all these songs....that is the best part! This CD just really brings you INTO worship...am I making any sense at all, or just rambling...okay, so go on....go to iTunes and start downloading.

Yay! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited!

Love you guys. Hope you have an AMAZING Saturday. Funny how worship puts me in a better mood. ;)

Monique