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Today’s prompt: Are you named after anyone?

Finally, something I can answer easily.

I changed both my middle and last names when I got married, but my original middle name was my grandmother’s name.  It was nothing personal, but Mildred isn’t exactly a 21st century name, you know?

That’s Mildred and my dad.  I am told – and I believe – that she was an exceptional person.  I’m sorry I don’t have first-hand knowledge; she died a few months after I was born and there aren’t even any pictures of her with me as an infant because we lived across the country.

My first name is a character in a book, and all my life people have screwed it up.  lol  Most people had never seen it before, until Peter Jackson came along and made it a masterpiece of a movie, or three.

Photo from New Line Cinema via Time Magazine

Have I mentioned that I look *nothing* like Liv Tyler?

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Today’s prompt: Your least favorite chore

Umm…everything?  *blush*  No, seriously, in the right mood there’s not much I really dislike inherently.  I do have to make myself start and get in a groove and have things go relatively smoothly in order to enjoy it, but at times I really do with almost anything.

Until it comes to my floors.  Sweeping and picking up are ok, but mopping makes me crazy.  Most of my mop options just don’t work well enough to make me happy.  I envision using an old-fashioned rag mop and lots of water, but the thought of cleaning up after cleaning up turns me right off, not to mention hauling water.  And how is it supposed to clean when the first time you rinse off the mop it makes the water dirty?  I have issues.  The best thing to do, and what would give me results that I would be proud of, is getting down there and scrubbing every inch.  Which I have done.  Which is tedious and time consuming.  Which would probably kill me at this point between the knees and shoulders and getting up and down.

So…as a rule nothing but sweeping gets done, except when E dumps something wet (relatively often) and someone wipes it up.  One of these days…

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Meal Deal 3/9-22 (UN, MSWT, AM): Enchiladas

• Buy 1 2-lb. bag of Food Club shredded Mexican blend cheese (should be $7.99)
• Get 1 Lawry’s enchilada sauce mix packet
• Get 1 Knorr Fiesta Spanish rice mix
• Get 1 30-ct. pkg. of Mi Pueblo corn tortillas

B1G1 Deals (UN, MSWT)

• Buy 1 pkg. of bone-in, center cut pork chops, get 1 free, equal or lesser value
• Buy 1 pkg. of Pilgrims chicken breast tenders, get 1 free, equal or lesser value
• Buy any 32 oz. tub of deli hot soup, get 6 cornbread muffins free
• Buy 1 lb. of deli smoked sausage, get 1 lb. of deli smoked chicken leg quarters free
• Buy 1 14-20-ct. box of Mucinex tablets, get 1 30-ct. bag of Top Care cough drops free
  • $1/1 Mucinex Product, exp. 4-16-11 (SS 01/16/11)
• Buy 2 Secret or Old Spice deodorants, get 1 bottle of Top Care antibacterial hand soap
  • B2G1 Secret Product, exp. 3-31-11 (RP 02/06/11)
  • $0.50/1 Secret Product, exp. 3-31-11 (P&G 02/27/11)
  • FREE Old Spice Body Wash wyb Deodorant, exp. 3-31 (P&G 02/27/11)
  • $1/2 Old Spice Product, exp. 3-31-11 (P&G 02/27/11)
• Buy 1 box of Top Care nasal decongestant, 18-ct, get 1 free
• Buy 1 tub of Top Care Slim Supreme drink mix, 13-oz, get 1 free
• Buy 1 lb. of deli made guacamole, get 1 28-oz. bag of deli tortilla chips

Coupon Match-ups (UN, MSWT)

• Betty Crocker boxed potatoes – $1.50
  • $0.50/2 Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes (GM 02/13/11)
• Freschetta pizza – $3.99
  • $1/1 Freschetta Pizza printable
• Hidden Valley dressing, 16-oz. – $2.50
  • $1/1 Hidden Valley Bottled Salad Dressing printable
• Eggo waffles, 29.6-oz. – $3.99
  • $0.75/2 Eggo Frozen Product, exp. 4-8-11 (RP 03/13/11)
• Pillsbury Toaster Strudel – $2.00
  • $0.50/2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel, exp. 3-26-11 (GM 01/02/11)
  • $0.50/2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Pastries, exp. 5-7-11 (GM 02/13/11)
  • $0.50/2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Pastries, exp. 6-4-11 (SS 03/13/11)
  • $0.50/2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Pastries printable
• Hershey’s Pieces, Drops, or Minis – $2.50
  • $2/2 Select Hershey’s Chocolates, exp. 3-30-11 (SS 01/30/11)
• State Fair corn dogs, 8-9-ct. – $3.99
  • $0.55/1 State Fair Product, exp. 4-30-11 (RP 1/30/11 #2)
  • $0.55/1 State Fair Product printable
• Tropicana orange juice, 59-oz. – $3.00
  • $1/2 Tropicana Pure Premium Product, exp. 4-30-11 (RP 03/06/11)
• Coffeemate liquid creamer, 16-oz. – $1.79
  • $1/2 Nestle Coffee-mate Liquid Creamer, exp. 4-30-11 (RP 01/30/11 #2)
  • $1/3 Coffee-mate Liquid or Powder Creamer Product printable
  • $0.75/1 Coffee-mate Liquid or Powder Creamer Product printable
  • $1/2 Nestle Coffee-Mate Liquid Creamers, exp. 3-31 (ALL YOU Dec ’10)
• Egg Beaters, 15-16-oz. – $2.29
  • $1/2 Egg Beaters, exp. 3-27-11 (ALL YOU Jan ’11)
• Sara Lee cheesecake – $3.99
  • $0.75/1 Sara Lee Cheesecake, exp. 3-31-11 (RP 02/06/11)
• Gorton’s breaded fish fillets – $3.99
  • $1/1 Gorton’s Item, exp. 4-23-11 (SS 01/16/11)
  • $0.50/1 Gorton’s Item (SS 02/13/11)
  • $1/2 Gorton’s Item printable
• Kraft American singles, 12-oz. – $2.00
  • $1/2 Kraft Regular Singles (SS 02/13/11)
• KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce – $1.50
  • $0.50/1 KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce or Marinade, exp. 5-15 (SS 03/13/11)
• Uncle Ben’s brown rice, 14-oz. – $2.00
  • $1 off Fresh Beef wyb Uncle Ben’s Rice, exp. 4-10-11 (RP 02/13/11)
• Peter Pan creamy peanut butter, 3-ct. – $3.99
  • $1/2 Peter Pan Peanut Butter, exp. 3-31-11 (ALL YOU Jan ’11)
• Pop-Tarts, 12-ct. – $2.50
  • $1/2 Kellogg’s Pop Tarts Toaster Pastries, exp. 4-3-11 (RP 02/06/11)
• Juicy Juice, 8-ct. – $2.29
  • $1/1 Juicy Juice Multipack printable
• Betty Crocker cake mix – $.99
  • $0.75 off Betty Crocker Cake Mix AND Frosting, exp. 3-26 (SS 1/30/11)
• Welch’s fruit snacks – $1.67
  • $1/1 Welch’s Fruit Snack, exp. 3-30-11 (SS 01/16/11)
• Luvs diapers, 27-42-ct. – $6.99
  • $1/1 Luvs Diapers printable
• Arm & Hammer laundry detergent, 55-62.5-oz. liquid – $3.99
  • $1/2 Arm & Hammer Laundry Product (SS 02/13/11)
  • $1/2 Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent printable
• Clorox wipes or clean-up spray, or Pine-Sol cleaner – $2.50
  • $1/2 Select Clorox, Tilex or Pine-Sol Items, exp. 4-24 (SS 03/13/11)
• Glad trash bags, 28-80-ct. – $5.99
  • $0.75/1 Glad Trash Bag, exp. 4-24-11 (SS 03/13/11)
  • $1/1 Glad Forceflex Trash Bag printable
• GladWare storage containers – $2.50
  • $1/2 Glad Food Storage Product, exp. 4-24-11 (SS 03/13/11)
• Crest toothpaste, 6.4-oz. – $1.50
  • $0.50/1 Crest Toothpaste or Liquid Gel, exp. 4-30-11 (RP 03/13/11)
  • $1/1 Crest or Liquid Gel, exp. 3-31-11 (P&G 02/27/11)
  • $0.75/1 Crest Toothpaste or Liquid Gel, exp. 3-31-11 (P&G 02/27/11)
• Scope Outlast or Mint Splash mouthwash, 750-ml – $2.99
  • $1/1 Scope Outlast Mouthwash, exp. 3-31-11 (RP 02/06/11)
  • $1/1 Scope Mouthwash, exp. 3-31-11 (RP 02/06/11)
  • $0.75/1 Scope Mouthwash, exp. 4-30-11 (RP 03/13/11)

B1G1 Deals (MSDFW)

• Buy 1 pkg. of bone-in, center cut pork chops, get 1 free, equal or lesser value
• Buy 1 pkg. of Atlantic salmon perfect portions, get 1 free, equal or lesser value
• Buy 1 pkg. of Pilgrims chicken breast tenders, get 1 free, equal or lesser value
• Buy 1 rack of deli pork ribs, get 1 lb. of deli smoked sausage free
• Buy 1 14-20-ct. box of Mucinex tablets, get 1 30-ct. bag of Top Care cough drops free
  • $1/1 Mucinex Product, exp. 4-16-11 (SS 01/16/11)
• Buy 1 pkg. of Always pads, 14-18-ct. or Tampax tampons, 20-ct, get 1 bottle of Top Care ibuprofen, 24-ct.
• Buy 1 box of Top Care nasal decongestant, 18-ct, get 1 free

Coupon Match-ups (MSDFW)

• Freschetta pizza – $3.99
  • $1/1 Freschetta Pizza printable
• Hidden Valley dressing, 16-oz. – $2.50
  • $1/1 Hidden Valley Bottled Salad Dressing printable
• Pillsbury Toaster Strudel – $2.00
  • $0.50/2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel, exp. 3-26-11 (GM 01/02/11)
  • $0.50/2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Pastries, exp. 5-7-11 (GM 02/13/11)
  • $0.50/2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Pastries, exp. 6-4-11 (SS 03/13/11)
  • $0.50/2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Pastries printable
• Tropicana orange juice, 59-oz. – $3.00
  • $1/2 Tropicana Pure Premium Product, exp. 4-30-11 (RP 03/06/11)
• Egg Beaters, 15-16-oz. – $2.29
  • $1/2 Egg Beaters, exp. 3-27-11 (ALL YOU Jan ’11)
• Sara Lee cheesecake – $3.99
  • $0.75/1 Sara Lee Cheesecake, exp. 3-31-11 (RP 02/06/11)
• Kraft American singles, 12-oz. – $2.00
  • $1/2 Kraft Regular Singles (SS 02/13/11)
• KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce – $1.50
  • $0.50/1 KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce or Marinade, exp. 5-15 (SS 03/13/11)
• Uncle Ben’s brown rice, 14-oz. – $2.00
  • $1 off Fresh Beef wyb Uncle Ben’s Rice, exp. 4-10-11 (RP 02/13/11)
• Pop-Tarts, 12-ct. – $2.50
  • $1/2 Kellogg’s Pop Tarts Toaster Pastries, exp. 4-3-11 (RP 02/06/11)
• Luvs diapers, 27-42-ct. – $6.99
  • $1/1 Luvs Diapers printable
• Arm & Hammer laundry detergent, 55-62.5-oz. liquid – $3.99
  • $1/2 Arm & Hammer Laundry Product (SS 02/13/11)
  • $1/2 Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent printable
• Clorox clean-up spray or Pine-Sol cleaner – $2.50
  • $1/2 Select Clorox, Tilex or Pine-Sol Items, exp. 4-24 (SS 03/13/11)

B1G1 Deals (AM)

• Buy 1 pkg. of bone-in, center cut pork chops, get 1 free, equal or lesser value
• Buy 1 pkg. of Pilgrims chicken breast tenders, get 1 free, equal or lesser value
• Buy 1 14-20-ct. box of Mucinex tablets, get 1 30-ct. bag of Top Care cough drops free
  • $1/1 Mucinex Product, exp. 4-16-11 (SS 01/16/11)
• Buy 2 Secret or Old Spice deodorants, get 1 bottle of Top Care antibacterial hand soap
  • B2G1 Secret Product, exp. 3-31-11 (RP 02/06/11)
  • $0.50/1 Secret Product, exp. 3-31-11 (P&G 02/27/11)
  • FREE Old Spice Body Wash wyb Deodorant, exp. 3-31 (P&G 02/27/11)
  • $1/2 Old Spice Product, exp. 3-31-11 (P&G 02/27/11)
• Buy 1 pkg. of Always pads, 14-18-ct. or Tampax tampons, 20-ct, get 1 bottle of Top Care ibuprofen, 24-ct.
• Buy 1 box of Top Care nasal decongestant, 18-ct, get 1 free
• Buy 1 tub of Top Care Slim Supreme drink mix, 13-oz, get 1 free

Coupon Match-ups (AM)

• Hidden Valley dressing, 16-oz. – $2.50
  • $1/1 Hidden Valley Bottled Salad Dressing printable
• Eggo waffles, 29.6-oz. – $3.99
  • $0.75/2 Eggo Frozen Product, exp. 4-8-11 (RP 03/13/11)
• Pillsbury Toaster Strudel – $2.00
  • $0.50/2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel, exp. 3-26-11 (GM 01/02/11)
  • $0.50/2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Pastries, exp. 5-7-11 (GM 02/13/11)
  • $0.50/2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Pastries, exp. 6-4-11 (SS 03/13/11)
  • $0.50/2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Pastries printable
• State Fair corn dogs, 8-9-ct. – $3.99
  • $0.55/1 State Fair Product, exp. 4-30-11 (RP 1/30/11 #2)
  • $0.55/1 State Fair Product printable
• Tropicana orange juice, 59-oz. – $3.00
  • $1/2 Tropicana Pure Premium Product, exp. 4-30-11 (RP 03/06/11)
• Coffeemate liquid creamer, 16-oz. – $1.79
  • $1/2 Nestle Coffee-mate Liquid Creamer, exp. 4-30-11 (RP 01/30/11 #2)
  • $1/3 Coffee-mate Liquid or Powder Creamer Product printable
  • $0.75/1 Coffee-mate Liquid or Powder Creamer Product printable
  • $1/2 Nestle Coffee-Mate Liquid Creamers, exp. 3-31 (ALL YOU Dec ’10)
• Gorton’s breaded fish fillets – $3.99
  • $1/1 Gorton’s Item, exp. 4-23-11 (SS 01/16/11)
  • $0.50/1 Gorton’s Item (SS 02/13/11)
  • $1/2 Gorton’s Item printable
• Fisher Boy fish sticks, 24-oz. – $2.99
  • $0.75/1 Fisher Boy Product printable
• Peter Pan creamy peanut butter, 3-ct. – $3.99
  • $1/2 Peter Pan Peanut Butter, exp. 3-31-11 (ALL YOU Jan ’11)
• Pop-Tarts, 12-ct. – $2.50
  • $1/2 Kellogg’s Pop Tarts Toaster Pastries, exp. 4-3-11 (RP 02/06/11)
• Luvs diapers, 27-42-ct. – $6.99
  • $1/1 Luvs Diapers printable
• Clorox wipes or clean-up spray, or Pine-Sol cleaner – $2.50
  • $1/2 Select Clorox, Tilex or Pine-Sol Items, exp. 4-24 (SS 03/13/11)
• Crest toothpaste, 6.4-oz. – $1.50
  • $0.50/1 Crest Toothpaste or Liquid Gel, exp. 4-30-11 (RP 03/13/11)
  • $1/1 Crest or Liquid Gel, exp. 3-31-11 (P&G 02/27/11)
  • $0.75/1 Crest Toothpaste or Liquid Gel, exp. 3-31-11 (P&G 02/27/11)

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Today’s prompt: One thing you want to do before you die

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Today’s prompt: How you relax

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Today’s prompt: Something you do every day

It sounds like a Jeopardy category, doesn’t it?  There are many obvious things I do every day, like everyone does: eat, sleep, breathe…I’m sure that’s not the intent of this prompt.  I’ve already touched on the people I chat with every day.  I’ve gone over a fairly typical day.  And I’ve talked about the things I use every day.  What’s left?

I try every day to get at least a little music-listening in.  Especially when all I hear are kids yelling for hours on end, y’know, like you do on weekends or vacations or evenings.  Earphones are a wonderful thing.  My top rated playlist is a weird sort of mix of stuff, some of which I’m almost embarrassed to admit to.  A special shout-out to my sister and brother-in-law’s recording studio for some of my very favorites.  If you’d like to see some of the oddities I like, here’s a playlist.  I don’t use Ping much, but it was convenient.  If you do, holler and we can link up.

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I’m a fan of the blog Sunday Shutterbugs and have participated in the past and plan to do so in the future.  This month’s theme is Nature.  I’ve wanted to take a nice picture of one of the white-flowering trees around here but I haven’t had a good opportunity.  There’s still time and I’ll get one of my own submitted, but for right now I want to showcase some gorgeous photos my stepmom took on a recent trip to Australia and New Zealand.  I’m a sucker for nice water pictures and we don’t have much of that around here.  Please enjoy.

All photos by Dorothy Davis, 2011

Today’s prompt: A photo that makes you laugh

Pretty self-explanatory, don’t you think?

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Today’s prompt: Your favorite room in your house

I’ll say it: I’m not a big fan of my house.  I like it in theory, the property, the layout is ok, it has plenty of potential, but there are a bajillion structural and design issues, and everywhere could use, ahem, a good cleaning.

Yeah, I’m trying, but I can’t think of any room that I could claim as a favorite.  I could lay out reasons for every single one why I don’t like it, but that’s beside the point.

I will settle for this:

This is a tiny little room in a front corner of the house.  It has in turn been B’s room, C’s room, E’s room, and C’s room again.  It’s a cute little place, bright with two windows.  It has a lousy paint job which you conveniently can’t see in this picture, because I can’t paint decently to save my life apparently.  There’s no doorknob because at one point one of the kids locked themselves in.  There’s no closet (half the bedrooms don’t have one), the furnace cabinet is in there, and it’s itty-bitty.  The floor boards are warped from an air conditioner leak a few years ago.  But it’s a good space for a kid, so for now it works.

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