"Why Is There A Dead Pakistani On My Couch?"

Brandon and I have been watching Lost Seasons 1,2,3,4, and now we are on Season FIVE!!! This is the most confusing, suspenseful, exciting, fun show to watch. Currently we are on episode four and I'm loving it; the time is moving back and forth, the rain comes and goes, Ben's there one minute and gone the next always with an agenda...craziness. So while we watch Lost I thought I'd update you on what's up. February 13th I left for Hawaii to spend two weeks with my awesome grandmother on the Golden Princess. Here are a few of the highlights:

Mamaw and I getting on the helicopter tour over Hilo

Mamaw and I sight-seeing in HonoluluUs with the Executive Chef at the Chef's Table

It was a fantastic trip, seeing lava flowing, whales, waterfalls, shopping, beautiful scenery, eating awesome food, spending great time with my grandmother, and reading. I, of course, missed Brandon greatly and I can not wait to take him back and show him the ropes!

After I got back two weeks later, Brandon's spring break started and he headed to snowboard for a week in Colorado. He had a ton of fun with Reid, Alan and visiting Keith and Nancy. They snowboarded Vail and Breck this year instead of the usual Copper Mountain. I'll chalk up the no pictures to no camera and it being a boys' trip...

So those were our big adventures during February but there is one thing I failed to mention...Brandon's 4-Runner seems to have taken a sharp turn for the worse. We are still in the debate of buy something else or fix what we've got....interesting debate to say the least. I'd love some opinions on the matter, if you'd like to vote.

I'm going to find out how John Locke dies and why they really need to get back to the island, episode 7!

Have a great Monday

Happy Valentine's

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a fabulous New Year! Brandon and I have been on the road visiting family and enjoying some time off. Now that this cold weather has settled in we are expecting snow tomorrow. Jefferson county schools and Samford University already called classes off for...get this...THURSDAY and FRIDAY. Crazy, I can only bet that there is NO bread or milk left at the Wal-Mart or WinnDixie. That's the interesting fact number one. the second is that Brandon went to school the other day and the pipes had burst...I told you it's been cold and it has now settled in for a while. So be ready for tomorrow I'll post pictures if/when it snows. Have a great night!

Awesome Giveaway!

Today I came across a lovely blog giveaway from Money Saving Mom, check it out here. This blog always some great recipes, advice, menu plans and GIVEAWAYS! Have fun exploring!

PS if you haven't seen julie and julia you definitely need to.

I am proud to announce..

Brandon Cayle Stanley will be completing a four year oral maxillofacial surgery residency at Wilford Hall in San Antonio, Texas!!! That means that we will be moving on up and moving on out to Texas summer of 2010. He selected from the cream of the crop and is one of two that will start the program in 2011. It is our big adventure and we are so excited that God has truly blessed us with this great opportunity.

Fall Break

I love the sun, the sand and a drink in my hand! And that adequately describes my entire past week; we went with about 15 of Brandon's classmates on a cruise to Progreso and Cozumel. We relaxed, snorkeled, played beach volleyball, played on ocean trampolines, sea kayaked, and got lots of sun. Oh did I mention, we ate...alot. Lastly, our new found AWESOME liberating activity...throwing plates off the back of the ship, amazing. This activity though must happen at approximately 4 in the morning the last morning of the cruise...it's let me repeat, awesome. Here are a few highlights of the trip that I have, unfortunately the camera went past its alloted 10ft in the water.

The Ship, The Carnival Holiday:

Brandon and Me before dinner, on the catamaran headed to snorkel and Brandon diving to see the coral up close:

Happy Fall Break!

We are now home and getting ready for work and the remainder of Brandon's senior fall break.

Pray for us over the next few weeks, we hope to find out good news regarding residency!

Getting Started

I have been in awe of these women recently who post on their blogs about $35 a week grocery budgets. I have read and read and read early in the morning and late in the night how these women do it some with children! I then read a post of Suzie's that said her local grocer had a seminar about how to save money and how we really should be good stewards of our budgets. Then I started feeling a little guilty about my random trips to the grocery store and coming out with $50 worth of junk. So I have decided to join the ranks of money saving women out there. Methods include printable coupons, purchasing multiple Sunday papers, AllYou magazines, only purchasing items that are currently on sale, meal planning, one day a month baking/cooking, organizing coupons, joining clubs, using toolbars, shopping CVS only, Walgreens only, Publix only, and the list goes on and on.

So I decided to start with...Walgreens, what a suprise right? Yeah, I work there; therefore I boost my retirement account, increase my profit sharing, see the great people I work with and, oh yeah, get an extra 15-20% off. So I went to buy a few items that are currently on sale and I have coupons for. When Leigha is ringing me up, I'm thinking I'm getting the hang of this couponing thing. I bought $110 worth of wonderful buys for $54, with $56 savings and tomorrow I'm going to buy more cereal since it's so cheap and I'll never get it that cheap again. (I bet I'll want to buy different cereal by December.) I also did not get my $12 RR so my wonderful manager will refund that to me tomorrow as well. Yeah for couponing!

Here are some of my favorites so far: Money Saving Mom, Saving Money and Living Life, and I Heart Publix!