Check out Panera Bread's website for a special savings for today ( September 10, 2009) www.panerabread.com

Would you like to save money for college by buying products that you buy any way? It's the easiest way to save money that I've found yet. Sign up at www.upromise.com and begin saving today. You can even connect the savings to your child's 529 account and have other family members save into that account as well. This can also pay down a child's loan through Sallie Mae, a company that handles student loans. Check it out!

I have been doing some Christmas shopping through www.ebates.com and other such sites. Brylane Homes is a great site and by using ebates, www.upromise.com or www.mrrebates.com you get a percentage of cash back. Another place to try is restaurants.com. Be sure to use any codes proveded before checking out to get the best deal. I have gotten a salad set and a free handheld sewing machine from Brylane Homes. I have been very happy with the products I've gotten so far.

Sometimes we tend to take life for granted, but things can change in an instant, as we learned on Friday afternonn. Our daughters and one of their friends were in an auto accident that could have taken their lives. Looking at the car, you know that only by the grace of God did they survive that crash. Two of them walked away with only cuts and bruises. My oldest daughter wasn't so lucky. She was aircared to UC Hospital in Cincinatti with multiple injuries. When I realized that Ashley was trapped in the car still and they were going to have to cut her out, I can't describe the feelings that overcame me. I guess panic and fear would be close. But now that everything is over and I know she'll be okay, I get sick to my stomach when I think how different the outcome could have been. I can't imagine life without our girls, and I hope I don't ever have to experience it.

Ashley is a light shining for Christ and I'm sure that her work here on earth is just beginning as I see great potential for God's Kingdom in her future. I thank God continuously for entrusting us with this beautiful child and for sparing her life. May He use her to bring hope and Christ to others through her ministry in many years to come.

I got my first check from Cashbaq this week. It was for $11. Woo Hoo!

I know it's been quite a while since my last post. Things have been hectic around here. We just got back from a trip to visite my sister and her family in Irvine, CA. My niece graduated from high school. I'm so glad we went. We had a great time and Lisa and Steve were great hosts. They took us everywhere we wanted to go. My mom went with us, too. It was some much needed family time. We visited the San Diego Zoo for my daughter, Danielle, who turned sixteen on the day of Chelsea's graduation. We were exhausted by the end of the day, but it was a good tired!

We also went to Knott's Berry Farm. They have all kinds of the Peanut's Gang there. We were looking for unique Snoopy items, but didn't really find what we were looking for. But we still had fun. We went on the Rapids when we first got there, and guess who got the wettest! Right, I did. Man was it cold when we sat down in the restaurant to eat!

We stayed at a very unique La Quinta Inn in Irvine. It was made out of an old storage facility used to store Lima Beans back in the 1800's. Surprisingly, the rooms had cement walls in the original silos, but they were very nice. As much as we enjoyed the trip, it was nice to get home and sleep in my own bed again!

Just want to let you know about a great site for PE and health teachers. http://www.pecentral.com This site is full of great ideas for games and activities for PE classes as well as projects for health class. It has been around for quite a few years as I have been using it for almost 10 years myself. They have a newsletter and ideas on grant writing and so forth. It is just a great website to check out!

Father's Day is coming up and while you've still got time, I ran across a website with a couple of great ideas! Go to http://www.sliceofpinktypepad.com and check out the Snappy Pappy post there. Snapfish and Blogher sponsored this post. If you're looking for a gift for Dad, these look like winners!

I went to a retirement celebration yesterday evening for one of my college professors. I am so glad I made a point to go. I saw several friends that I played college ball with and all my PE professors were there. It was really good to catch up with where everyone is now and what's going on in each others lives.

Showing appreciation for those who have helped to shape our lives is important. Sometimes we don't realize what an impact we've had on others. We might never know that if they don't tell us.

Mother's Day is coming soon. How often do you talk to your mother? Does she live near you or far away? My mother lives about 3 hours away. I usually get to see her once or twice a year. Our hectic schedules keep us from seeing each other more often. I try to talk to her at least once a week. Usually I call her on the weekends. She keeps me updated on my nephews and how their ballgames are going. Sometimes she has a scoop from my sister who lives in California. We don't get to see her very often. But we are making plans for a visit this summer. My niece graduates from high school. It's always a momentous occasion when one begins a new chapter in the book of life.

Any way, back to mothers and keeping in touch. Make sure that you make the time and effort to talk on a regular basis. My dad has been gone for 8 years now, and I am glad that I talked to him every week in his last few years. I guess I realized at some point that they won't be around forever. Of course, we don't want to think about it. Daddy used to tease us by saying that someday he'd be dead and gone and we'd regret whatever it was that we didn't want to do, such as give him a kiss or something that required we give him our attention. We have to appreciate the time that we do have with our loved ones, because once they're gone, there's no going back to fix things.

You know, I really think I'll try to get that Mother's Day card in the mail early this year so she'll actually have it on Mother's Day. That would be novel, as I'm the world's worst at remembering to send cards. Who knows, maybe I'll get motivated and send her a gift even. No matter what though, I know that she knows that I love her. Don't forget about your mother this Mother's Day!

Just because I have 2 teenage daughters, doesn't mean I'm an expert on the subject. In fact, far from it. But, I deal with teenagers every day of the school year. I teach middle school health. We touch on some very difficult subjects for some of these kids to deal with. I don't always know what their background is, so I try to be sensitive to their needs as we discuss these delicate issues.
What bothers me sometimes is how callus they seem to each others feelings. It's easy for them to laugh and make fun of things they feel uncomfortable to talk about. But they may not realize someone else really is dealing with that issue in real life and doesn't think it's so funny. Many don't have the ability to empathize someone else's feelings.

But sometimes, they surprise me. A student that may have always come across as self assured and in control of everything can put themselves in someone else's shoes and become compassionate when you would least expect it. I guess my advice is just to be open to teenagers so that they know when they are ready to talk, they can come to you. Don't be quick to judge. Listen to their concerns without saying anything. Sometimes you can help them come to the right decision about the issue just by asking them questions and allowing them to sort it out themselves.

Kids nowadays aren't afraid to ask you anything...of course I teach health, so the questions I get might be a little tougher than you might have to deal with. I don't always have the answers and I let them know that. Some problems aren't cut and dry. They may have to do a little soul searching and find out what is really important to them.

I was so excited when I went to the mailbox on Saturday and there was my gift cards for my online offer through IDeal! I was very suprised that it came so quickly as I only began the process on 3/10/09! For those of you doubters out there, it is legit. Go to Carrie's blog http://www.moneysavingmethods.com/ to get all the particulars on the offers as she does a great job explaining the process. I had looked at these offers in the past, but was scared off by the money put into the offers, but Carrie explains in detail the best way to go about keeping your original output low. I have kept on with a couple of the offers like Doubleday Book Club and Holsted Jewelers. I figure to use some of the product for Christmas or birthday gifts. I can't wait to do another offer now! I'm hoping to buy most of my Christams through the products and use of the gift cards I can get this way.

Sorry it's been so long since my last post, but it gets crazy around our house this time of year. Since my husband and I both teach, things are winding down with the end of year activities. He is the senior sponsor, so he deals with the senior trip and has to get things ready for graduation. Not to mention he coaches the track team.

I was planning on doing another online offer. This time through either Netblue or Nuitech, but so far I haven't found an offer that works for me. With Nuitech, you have to keep all but 2 of the offers for at least 60 days and some of their offers are very expensive. Maybe I'll just wait awhile and see if something else comes along that works out better.

I have still been doing surveys and am anxious to see how that all pans out. I have tried 2 bank offers and so far they both seem great. I've even done a little bit of Christmas shopping through cashbaq.com and at scholastic.com on recommendation of Carrie. Check out their sales and 75% off sections. You never know what you'll find. I did get my $50 rebate back from Verizon Wireless on my new cell phone. I'll put that in with my secret stash and save it for a rainy day.

I've been checking out several sites for taking surveys. Some of the sites that seem to be pretty good are:
Vindale Research - They claim to pay between $5 - 75 for each survey you complete. I made $5.00 today for doing research on a credit check company. It was pretty interesting. When you do these types of activities you have to make sure to mark down the date you need to cancel by if you are joining something.

I get a lot of opportunities to do surveys for Survey Spot. I'm not sure how good the pay out is on it. I'll let you know when I get rewarded in the future. Another site is zoompanel.com. On this site, you get points for surveys and then cash out for products.

Send earnings is another site that you may do surveys, but you can also earn money by reading emails and playing games. Check it out by clicking on the send earnings icon on the sidebar of my blog. This pays out at $30.00.

Next time I'll discuss the affiliates that can be added to your blog for another way to make money. Keep on using those coupons and hitting those sales to save money also. With the economy the way it is we can use every bit of savings we can find!

Today is Easter Sunday and we had a great service this morning. Our church is really trying to reach out to those in need of a church in our community. We had a special service held in the high school cafetoium. There were 300 people present which is about twice the number we usually have. The place was pretty full. We would have never been able to get that many people in our church building or even to find parking places for everyone. It was an awesome service.

The praise band did a great job and Shawn, our preacher, always has a fantastic sermon. Today was different though because of the cardboard testimonies that were given after the sermon. It was just so touching. I had tears rolling down my cheeks most of the time during this part. It just brings to your attention how God works in other peoples' lives. The young people who gave their testimonies were brave and sincere in sharing their struggles. It was just a great service. All the glory to God!

Listen here, sugar

When I really want something, I make sure I've done everything I can to help out whomever I want it from. Sometimes you have to give a little to get a little.

I've been studying up on bank offers that reward you for opening an account. ING Direct has a deal going on right now that rewards you with $25 when you open a high yield savings account with a minimum deposit of $250. You can set this up with automatic deposit, but you don't have to. I figure who can turn down free money in this economy. If you want to know more check out ING Direct or at Carrie's blog www.moneysavingmethods.com. Carrie has the low down on this deal. If you are interested, send me an email and I will send you a referral.

Next I'd like to find a checking account to link to my pay pal account for all my surveys and mystery shopping deals. More about those another time.

I have been looking at another good website, www.mommysnacks.net This site has tons of information on saving and earning. Check it out when you have time.

It's that time of year when the students begin to get restless.I teach 8th grade health in a rural middle school in Southeastern Indiana. This is a very trying time of the year. The students are definitely ready to be out! As the weather warms and the sun shines, the longing for being outside increases. Not to mention the raging hormones that hinder the learning process.

We just started our unit on drugs. It's amazing to me how so many of them seem to have all the answers to life's big problems. It scares me a little how they don't seem to have regard for each other or any self respect. There has been a breakdown somewhere along the line as to the difference between right and wrong.

Is there even such a thing as a conscience any more? I am concerned about where society is headed if something doesn't change soon. Many young people aren't worried at all about the consequences they might face for doing something wrong. If the adults don't make a change in the way we handle those who break the law, I fear things will get much worse.

But, I don't want to leave you with the opinion that all students are bad. There are many outstanding young people who are concerned about their education and doing the right thing. If I didn't have some hope for the future, teaching would become a task I would dread. So far, I haven't gotten to that point yet. I still enjoy working with the students. In fact, some students who seem to not get along with most adults, I have good relationships. I think it's because I try to see the good in everyone and I give them the caring that so many of them crave. I really wouldn't trade my teaching career for anything!

Yesterday evening we had our Easter Cantata at church. This is the first time I have ever been involved in anything like this. I really enjoyed being a part of this group. We had a good time when we rehearsed and some days there was a meal to follow! Who can pass on a meal that you don't have to cook.(Not me, just ask my husband.)

The cake and punch afterward was delicious and so was the time spent with friends in Christ. The church that we go to now, often has get togethers like this. We also have pitch ins and those are especially fun in the summer time when the kids can get outside and play.There is just something comforting about time spent with others who share that common bond.

Our church is growing in leaps and bounds. We have a wonderful preacher who is more than anyone could hope for in a teacher of the gospel. Shawn knows his scripture and has studied the Bible extensively. But it is much more than that. He's approachable. Many of the young people in our church have benefitted very much from the time he has spent with them individually. I don't know how he finds the time to do all that he does. I'm sure God has a hand in that somehow. Shawn was in Canada this past week and wasn't back in town for church yesterday morning, but he had a solo in the cantata and everyone was sweating whether or not he would make it back in time. His flight got changed and he ended up driving from Dayton, OH back to our little town of Milan. He got there about a half an hour before the start of the cantata. We were all glad he made it back in time, but probably not as much as the guy who was going to have to sing his solo at the last minute!

I have just completed my first online offer for a $500 gift card. I'm so excited to see if this really works. I sure hope I did everything right. I'm off to the post office to get the paperwork in the mail. I did this offer as described on Carrie's site http://www.monysavingmethods.comusing one of the IDeal offers. I spent a little over $60 and will be getting $500 in Aeropostale gift cards as my reward. I figure that will buy some Christmas gifts for my family! One of the offers I chose to go along with this is some jewelry from Holstead Jewelers. The ring came yesterday and I was pretty impressed. I may have to stay in it to get the earrings that match. That'll be another Christmas gift!

I'm also checking into getting paid for reading emails. It sounds too good to be true. Guess I'll find out. Also looking into mystery shopping. It is interesting and I'm seriously looking at this as something I can do during the school year when I'm not teaching.

'One For the Money' will make you LOL

There is a series of these books about Stephanie Plum who is a bail bondsman for her cousin. The predicaments that Stephanie and her cohorts get into are sometimes just laugh outloud funny! This is a definite must read!!

Goodnight Moon brings me back to bedtime stories...

My oldest daughter used to love this book. It was a great story to read before bedtime because it would help her settle down for the night.

Wow! I continue to learn a ton about blogging and saving money! I'm still working to get the layout just the way I want it. Trying to learn how to link other websites and checking into advertising. It's sure time consuming, but I am really enjoying it.

I've been on spring break this week and have had lots of time to work on the computer. We didn't go any where this year. My husband had to chaperone a group of Student Council members along with the other sponsor to Chatanooga,TN for a leadership conference of some kind. He just got back from Florida and the senior class trip last Friday. Poor man, he just needs some time to rest! I guess that's the price you pay for being a teacher. The satisfaction of seeing the kids grow into responsible young adults makes it all worthwhile. Todd and I both teach, but in different school systems. He teaches high school Social Studies and I teach middle school Health and PE.

Our yongest daughter, Danielle, is a freshman in high school. She has her dad as a teacher this year. When I asked her what it was like to have him for a teacher, she said, "Mom, he sings and dances!" I'm not sure if she's embarassed for herself or for him. She and I went shopping yesterday. It was just her day. She picked where we went and what we ate. We ended up at Target and the mall. She chose to eat at Olive Garden, a place where she had never eaten before. We both thouroughly enjoyed the meal and we sure were stuffed! While we were there a family came and they were seated near us. I knew it was a big group coming in, because they were seating 11 people. I sure hadn't anticipated 9 children. They ranged from about 2 years old to maybe 12 or 13. I really admired the couple! The children were very well behaved and the older ones helped out the younger ones. There were children from different nationalities, but all had come together to form a family. It was quite touching. Move over Brady Bunch!

Our oldest daughter, Ashley, had spring break last week. It was nice to have her home. It seems that she has matured so much since she went away to college. She is majoring in ministry and minoring in psychology. So far she has done very well and we're very proud of her. I'd forgotten what the college students hours are like though. Up late at night and sleep late in the morning when you can. She is already very excited about next year. She was selected to be one of the Discipleship Coordinators for the freshmen on her floor. It will be alot of responsibility, but I think she'll be great at it!

I've been almost obsessed lately with finding ways to save or earn money with the economy the way it's been. I've found a couple of the best websites for helping with this time consuming task.

The first site I found was www.couponmom.com by Stephanie Nelson. She has been on Oprah and several other shows. She has all kinds of tips on couponing. There is also a forum on there where people tell about their shopping experiences and some of the best and worst deals they have found. It is definitely worth checking it out!

Then I found www.moneysavingmethods.com by Carrie. This site is great for giving you information about blogging and making or saving money through affiliates, online offers, and completing surveys. I'm just starting out in these areas. I'll let you know how my first online deal went in a couple of months. Until then, I'll keep searching out ways to save...

This is my very first posting to my blog. Why am I doing this? Because I can! And, I just want to see what the possibilities are. Where I'll go from here, I don't know