Organization Pays Off

I mentioned in a previous post that part of my transformation to Domestic Godess-ness included cleaning out the garage. I learned a very valuable lesson when I cleaned out the garage a couple of weeks ago that I totally forgot to blog about until today when I was talking to my older sister.
Cleaning out the garage included getting it organized. We had so much stuff in the garage that in order for our two cars to fit, a huge organization effort had to take place. I had to laugh at myself, because I remember when I moved into the house almost 6 years ago, I would see houses with the garage so crowded with stuff that the cars were parked in the driveway, and I would think "how in the world can someone have so much stuff that they can't even fit their car in the garage? GEESH!" That's what I get for thinking.
Well, Mother Nature has a great way of putting a deadline on things for you. Two weeks ago the weathermen were predicting the first winter storm, and I knew that if I didn't get things done, my poor little Honda Accord would be sleeping outside in the snow all winter. That was not going to happen. I got to work, and learned how much money organization can save you. I got all of our tools into the big toolbox that we bought last year, and organized all of the screws and picture hanging anchors. Once I got through all of them and organized them, this is what I ended up with:
It seems that every time I needed anchors or picture hanging supplies, I probably didn't know where they were, so I would just run to the store and buy some. Not a huge deal- one package probably costs like a buck or a buck-fifty. But look at this picture- there has to be at least 10 packages worth of these things! I could have saved 10-15 bucks by just having these organized where I knew they were. The same thing happened when I went through the screw drivers and hammers. I think I have 4 hammers, 3 phillips head screwdrivers, and 5 flathead screwdrivers. I won't have to go to the hardware store ever again.
The moral of the story is this: Get your stuff in order, people! It can save you money. And I'm pretty sure that you want to do that.
The good news is that I have a clean and swept out garage, and I pull my car into it every night! YAY for organization!

The results

I know you've all been waiting on pins and needles to hear the results of my coupon adventures. Well, wait no more! I went to three stores on Thursday and aside from a bag of sweet potatoes and a 99 cent bag of brown sugar (and Paulo's favorite cookies that he can't live or exist without), nothing went into the cart without a coupon. Total before without the coupons was $117.14. I scanned $35.44 worth of coupons, and ended up spending $81.70. That was a savings of 30.25%! Okay, Kate Gosselin and all of you other coupon addicts out there, I'M SOLD. $35.44 put right back in my pocket, just for taking about an hour on Sunday afternoon to cut out the coupons from the Sunday paper! That's a pretty good paying job if you ask me!

Okay- I won't go on any more for those of you who may be sick of hearing people go on and on about how great coupons are. For now I'll just say that I'm excited about cutting our grocery costs and continuing on my path towards Domestic Godess-ness!

We have had one of Paulo's good friends visiting from Denver for the past 2 weeks. she takes off today, and while we will miss her, I have to admit that it will be nice to have the house back and be able to relinquish the title of hostess. We had a fun party last night for her where all of our fun Brazilian friends came and we had a great time. I'm grateful for good friends and their never ending supply of love, support, and (since their Brazilian), RAW ENERGY. They remind me that it doesn't matter how old you are, or what is going on in your life- there should always be enough energy to laugh and love!

You didn't use the COUPONS!?!?!?!?

In the last 5 weeks since I was fired from my job at Zions, I've attacked many mini (and some not-so-mini) projects around the house. I am on my way to becoming a Domestic Goddess!!! I have organized closets, cleaned out the garage, donated bags and boxes full of clothes and other tchotchkies that were just gathering dust and spider webs in storage. I've learned more recipes and variations of recipes I already know and love. All of our laundry is clean, folded, and in its place.The house has never been cleaner, and I can really attest to the fact that keeping a clean and organized house definitely adds to the harmony and peace that can exist in a home. But up until this week, one project has continued to elude me: COUPONS.

Before I talk about my thoughts on the matter, I have another confession to make. I have, in the last 5 weeks, become a little more of a TV junkie than I was before. I am best friends with the Today Show morning crew again, Rachael Ray is my lunch buddy, and (deep breath) Kate Gosselin has become a personal confidant. Maybe I'm subconsciously watching Jon & Kate Plus 8 to feel good about my life, seeing that there are people who are WAY more screwed up than me, or maybe I love seeing those cute little kids and their GORGEOUS smiles. Maybe I feel a silent bond with Kate, a fellow short hair warrior. I'm not really sure what it is that has drawn me to their story but alas, I have fallen- HARD. I love watching the show. I love laughing at those little kids and the funny things they say. I love watching Kate and her freak out episodes. As a fellow drama queen, I guess I find it comforting to see proof that I am not alone in being a self-proclaimed DQ. (DQ sounds way cooler than Drama Queen. I wonder if Dairy Queen would sue me for copyright infringements?) Anyway, I digress.....

I was watching an episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8. On this episode, Kate totally FREAKED OUT at Jon because he had bought a shower head without the coupon that she had for it. She was running around the house looking for the receipt and going on about how coupons are money, and if we don't use them we've just thrown away money.

That got me thinking. Now, more than ever, The Cox family should be conscious and careful not to throw money away. We are blessed for Paulo to have a job, and family that can help us if we get in a bind. But, when I heard Kate going on and on about not using coupons, and throwing away money, I said "That's it." I was bound and determined to start being a crazy coupon mom. Paulo brought the Sunday paper home from his work, and I set out to create a system that made sense to me so I would and could actually use it. Well, 3 days later, I'm finished creating my system, and I have 3 stores' ad for this week with the coupons I am going to use, and the items I will buy circled. I'm excited to see how this will work, and if I can cut my coupon bill in 1/2 like so many other people I know are boasting about. I will keep you posted on my success. I won't take pictures of what I buy, cause I would feel a little silly doing that, but I am going to see if I can really work this thing and save money like I've been promised I will do. Crossing my fingers...... Wish me luck!

All I Need to Know

I most DEFINITELY did NOT learn in Kindergarden! But it was a good start, I guess.

Martha Washington said "I have learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances."
If you were to see this quote in an encyclopedia made by me, this is the picture you would see beside it:

Aren't they just adorable? I wish I had a more recent picture of them, but honestly this has become one of my favorite pictures of my mom and dad. It was taken on my wedding day, and they look like THEY'RE the ones getting married- they're so happy! Mom and Dad have taught me, not only by their words, but also through their living example of the power of positive thinking. If your circumstances aren't what you are dreaming of, change what you can change, and if you can't change something, decide IMMEDIATELY not to let it get you down. I've tried to apply that to my life, not only in the tough times but also in the great times. Because, you see, happiness can be found during challenging times, and misery can also haunt us during seasons of plenty. If we forget where the true source of happiness is located, our minds will start to re-learn and apply a distorted and twisted measurement of happiness.

Here are some places where I have been able to find happiness and joy, regardless of the noise that would try to get me down:
1. My husband: I could not have asked for a greater companion and friend to walk with me through life's adventures and challenges.
2. My puppy just climed up on my lap to give me a few minutes of cuddling time. I'm understanding more and more why they call it 'puppy love', and why it's so wonderful!
3. My family: I am so blessed to be able to call my family (mom, dad, sisters, brothers, neices, nephews, and in-laws) FRIEND. I love talking to them, laughing with them, crying with them, and continuing to strengthen the bonds of love and friendship between us.
4. Friends: I'm going up to Park City this weekend for a Girls' Night Out with some of the best friends I could have ever asked for. We have travelled far distances, many miles in a car, and years on the road of life together. I can't wait to spend a night laughing and telling fun stories with them again.

Thanks, Mader and Pader, for your unwavering example of how to find happiness, no matter what the situation! I love you!

Better Late Than Never

This thing we call unemployment is a nasty fighter. He throws hits below the belt non-stop, making it harder and harder to see good things happening. I took this picture yesterday on our way out to go to the Airforce Museum in Roy. It reminded me of how I have let one of the most amazing Autumn Seasons I have ever witnessed in 15 years of living here in Utah almost pass me by. The weather has slowly gotten colder, allowing us to really see the change in color of the leaves, and watch them fall from the tree one-by-one. These leaves are the last that are still on a tree in our yard. I figured it was better late, than never, to capture a memory of such a beautiful season.
I know that the first sentence of my post may have come as an alarm to a lot of people reading it. One month ago, I woke up to face the first day of my own unemployment. I had been working on a team with Zions Bancorporation where many did not believe I was qualified, and surely didn't belong. Eventually, my boss jumped on that same wagon and after "trying" to get me to perform better, she fired me. It was one of the most humbling and challenging experiences of my life, but I refuse to dwell on the negative details. I have to remember the blessings and miracles that are all around me: Paulo got a job just 2 weeks before I was fired, and that made it a lot easier to deal with the loss of my employment. Within 1 month, I have been hired with another company and will start in January, and we couldn't be more excited about the job. It will allow me to work from home, and open up literally THOUSANDS of doors for us. If I wouldn't have lost my job with Zions, I would have never been able to apply and get this new job. God truly does work in mysterious ways, little ones! I'm grateful for the gentle reminders He gives me to let me know that he is 100% aware of me and my life.

I'm proud to be.....

Today, my google search took me to looking for inspirational quotes on the importance of what took me all of about 30 seconds to do on my way home today. I found some quotes that surprised me and reminded me even more of how significant the 3 "x'es" I put on a piece of paper are:

Joseph Stalin said "The people who cast the votes don't decide an election, the people who count the votes do." I'm grateful to believe and trust in the voting process.

Henry Louis Mencken said "Voting is simply a way of determining which side is stronger without putting it to the test of fighting." I'm grateful that I didn't have to watch men from my church congregation duking it out at the polls today.

Dan Quayle said "Votes are like trees, if you are trying to build a forest. If you have more trees than you have forests, then at that point the pollsters will probably say you will win." I'm grateful that I can read this statement over and over in an attempt to figure out what it means. Did anything he said EVER make sense?!?!?

Theodore Roosevelt said "A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends on the character of the user." I'm grateful to live among people that vote according to their conscience and moral compass.

As I signed my name to vote this afternoon, I was again reminded of the privilege that is mine. The lady at the polls asked me where my husband was, and I told her that he wasn't a citizen yet, but would be voting in the next election. Her eyes filled with tears and she got really quiet, and she said "that is so wonderful. Tell him congratulations!" I smiled and went and cast my votes, then took a moment to reflect on how grateful I am to live in a country where we are free to vote for what we believe. I have travelled to many countries around the world now, and always say a little prayer of gratitude and feel my heart swell with pride when I get back and hear the imigration officers say "welcome home, Amanda."