License Renewal Time

Time has breezed in quickly with birthday greetings again! I've renewed the car registrations only two days before my birthday anniversary, so the renewal stickers won't be here on time. But, like most everything else in life, if I don't make a big deal about it, others may not either. (The birthday and the late registration on September 3.)

The big research papers are done for school. (This term.) (Thanks for your superb help, Jim.) One major test is done. Others won't be for a couple days, so I'm breathing s sigh of relief and planning to sleep in just a little in the morning.

By the 'skin of my teeth', I passed the last microbiology quiz and hope to make the grade on the one last final that only covers four chapters instead of being comprehensive. My Microbiology professor says I'm "doing well" in that class. So, I'm trusting him that he knows the numbers!

My sister and I phone each other every day (and sometimes more) discussing the auspicious, exciting plans for our mini-family reunion in Tennessee starting in a couple weeks! Our families are sharing a cabin in the Smokey Mountains for a week. Both of us have a dog, so that may be our biggest challenge. Her little dog, Star, needs assurances that our big dog, Sheba, won't take her food dish. And Sheba needs to know that Star won't take her for a cat to play with. (Star comes from a family of cats, and they love to 'play". ha ha.)

We've already decided we aren't going to spend our days in the kitchen, and shopping is near the top of the list of fun things to do! Of course, we each have our little "stash" of cash that no one else knows about for our little vacation fun!

Since my last birthday, I've almost completed the RN program (four months to go!) and have enjoyed every challenge along the way! At the least, I know that I can physically and mentally accomplish this goal. I will never again wonder if I was 'smart enough"! I have been able to keep up with those who are 30-years younger than myself who have just finished high school chemistry, modern English and and microbiology!

While on vacation, I will officially celebrate my birthday surrounded by my two sons whom I haven't seen in many months due to the distance (Oregon and S. Carolina) and work (teaching) schedules. A tiny part of me hates that my boys will see a mother who is getting older and slightly slower, but I know they will see the "mom" who is always there in love for each one! My little sister, Sandy and our spouses will help mark this passage of time in a delightful, fun day!

During this last year, several of my dearest friends have lost jobs and run into poor health. My heart and prayers go out to them. Several members of our nursing class have experienced family health crisis and financial hardship since we started. Some have had to drop out. At least one will be dropping out after this term to help with an unexpected family illness. It makes me feel very thankful for good health and continued work opportunity for hubby.

I've made some new friends at school who are now a part of the meso part of my life. We have a new page on Facebook called "Bohecker RN January 2010". I just created that page and haven't informed the classmates yet, but hope to get everyone informed before break. This way maybe we can all keep in touch after graduation.

Happy car-tag renewal day - and many more to come!

Take Care on the Journey,

~Linda

Home: http://dustyangels.blogspot.com
E-Mail: bestnurse@usa.com

Tests Out My Ears!

Flcker photo

For the next few days (weeks?), I'm swamped with end-of-term tests and papers to write. It all ends September 9. Hang in there with me. Thanks.

Take Care on the Journey,

~Linda

Home: http://dustyangels.blogspot.com
E-Mail: bestnurse@usa.com

Kroger Triples and Tickles

Yep, tonight I saved $77 and spent $4 at one grocery store. That tickles me pink and makes hubby very happy!

He is quite proud of my 'second job'. He calls it that because it saves us so much money every week! He says I've become a professional at it, but it's not that much of a mystery or that much trouble once you get into it.

I've had so much fun tonight taking in some great deals at Kroger during the weekend of triple coupons (up to 50 cents). The best deal, of course, was all the absolutely free Pillsbury Grands and related breads. Hubby looked into the refrigerator at the loaded bottom shelf and commented, "Well, I do like biscuits with my meals." I don't consider Grands true biscuits, but I guess they are. Anyway, I used all my stash of Pillsbury coupons and now have a supply for Pantry 309 too! (I'm thinking of renaming it "Linda's Pantry". But, I want to encourage others to use coupons instead of expecting me to do the shopping. ha ha)

Another swell deal at Kroger was Suave shampoo and body wash. Using my 50 cent coupons that tripled to $1.50, I got bottles of shampoo and body wash for about 12 each!

Crest toothpaste is $4/2 at Kroger, but with the 50 cent coupon, the final price was 50 cents. Even though it cost me 50 cents, some of them also included a free 'travel size' tube of toothpaste. I could have bought a lot more because I have a big stash of Crest coupons, but at 50 cents, even that has a limit of spending. Too bad no one is requesting my extra coupons...Too bad they expire August 31. (But more always show up in the weekly inserts.)

Mustard would have been free, but I forgot to get it tonight. I still have Sunday, though. So are the Bic pens that I forgot to get.

Reese's candy bars are free along with another free one with a BOGO free coupon that you guys will see in Sunday's Red Plum or Smart Source insert. My husband and big John especially love those. I politely got only 10 of the Reese Dark Chocolate Candy Bars (new), but promised the boys more on another day! (Hey, I tried one. They are AWESOME!)

The very BEST deal was at Giant Eagle where I found Chef Michael (spelling) dog food (by Purina) on sale. There's a coupon for $3 off a bag in the Sunday paper (8/23), and it's on sale for 2/$7 making it only 50 cents a bag! Sheba loves it! I got several bags, but not wanting to look greedy in front of all my favorite cashiers, I went back a second time for three more bags.

Another great deal (if you're into it) at Giant Eagle are the Chinet plates and cups. Using coupons I saved for a sale from earlier, I paid only 50 cents for each set of plates and cups. Instead of paper plates, I got the clear plastic called 'crystal' plates and cups. I'm into that even though I'd never pay full price or even half price for them! (Sandy, let me know if you use these.)

For Edge shaving cream, I have to drive to another Giant Eagle but with the coupons, it's free too. We don't need so much, but hubby says if it's free, he will find a good hiding spot for it.

At both stores, the cashiers commented on what good deals I got. (Sometimes they sneer and make snide comments, ((mostly at other stores)), so a nice, positive comment is very much appreciated.) One cashier at Giant Eagle said, "I want my wife to talk to you about how to use coupons!" Another cashier was shocked, but excited with me when I saved $77 and spent only $4. (I gave her some dog food coupons too. She has several big dogs.) On a funny note, an older man cashier noted the first $3 off coupon and commented, "That's a good coupon. When the next one was also $3 off and the others were $2.00 off, he was more astonished with each one. It was funny to watch him checking out each coupon (but not checking expiration dates).

One thing I've noticed is that the grocery stores never check for expiration dates. At least not the two main ones that I go to. While I'm always very careful about using coupons that are not expired, I decided to try some paper towel coupons that expired this week because the paper towels are free with those coupons. So far, it's worked with five rolls. I have 12 more to go. Wonder if I'll get them all?

My wish is that more of my friends and family would learn this art of saving money on all of your favorite grocery and personal items. It really does not take that much time once you get yourself organized - especially if you only buy what you and your family use. Once you get a little stockpile of the specific items you use, then catch these items on sale and pick up two or three extra, that all it takes!

At the end of each month, I toss out a big grocery bag of expired coupons, and that doesn't count the hundreds that I don't cut out. I'm learning to cut only the basic things I like. I file the inserts in a big manila envelope by name and date and use the coupon blogs to discover other specials that I need additional coupons for. Most 'couponers' have their own special way of cutting and organizing coupons. Whatever works. I love my baseball card notebook because the baseball card slots are perfect for coupons. I label by alphabet. It cost about $5 for 30 baseball card pages that hold about 300 slots.

Of course as hubby says, if everybody used coupons, the shelves would be empty! It has to be something YOU want to do. I'm sure it's not for everyone, and that okay too. I still love ya!

Take Care on the Journey,
~Linda

HOME: http://goldencoupons.blogspot.com
E-mail: pantry309@yahoo.com or bestnurse@usa.com

Home: http://dustyangels.blogspot.com
E-Mail: bestnurse@usa.com

Kroger Going to Triple Coupons Starting Friday, August 21, 2009

I just got off the phone with the Kroger in New Albany (near Columbus), and she confirmed they will start triple coupons August 21, 2009. She didn't know how high the triple would be (up to 50 cents or up to 99 cents) or how long the triple coupon special will be in effect. Last time they did this, they didn't have good sales on brand name items, so it was disappointing. This week, I have Pillsbury coupons, AND the Pillsbury Grands and rolls are on sale for 99 cents. If my 35 cent coupons triple, they will be a money-maker.

I'm going to start researching sales and coupons before Friday to see how good we can do!

My sister in Tampa always wishes she could come to Ohio for the double and triples because she says they never have that in Florida! Sorry Sandy. I'll bring you something.

Take Care on the Journey,
~Linda

Home: http://dustyangels.blogspot.com
E-Mail: bestnurse@usa.com

Angels In The Night

(As also posted on my Coupon blog with tiny modifications)

Roused from sleep last night by a burning, choking, sensation in my chest and throat, I sat up on the side of the bed and reached for my bottle of Tums as I sometimes do when I have a GERD episode. Except this time I felt different! My lungs felt 'bubbly' when I coughed, and each time I coughed, my lungs felt more on fire and full of liquid. I wanted to reach over to alert hubby or grab the phone and call for help, but it took all my effort to remain calm and try not to cough. I couldn't speak, my breathing was getting worse, and my lungs sounded like I was blowing through a straw in water.

Believe it or not, just as I was beginning to wonder if I would die all alone at the side of the bed about 24-hours ago, hubby woke up with a start and asked if I was okay. C-A-l-l 9-1-1 was all I could force from the fire in my throat and chest full of bubbles.

He did what I asked without hesitation, and they came in full force with firetrucks, ambulance, and red emergency lights filling the cool night air. As I heard the sirens in the far distance coming closer, I reassured myself that if I was to quit breathing now, maybe they would get here soon enough to revive me.

The oxygen and professional group of paramedics crowded into our small living room, calmed my panic a little. They started oxygen, stuck my left hand with an lancet and checked my B/P on the other arm. A kind female paramedic listened to my lung sounds and heartbeat. As they loaded me into the back of the ambulance and started other procedures to ease my discomfort, I was able to give hubby a little reassuring wave through the back window.

I heard all the results of various tests they were doing. I understood the medical jargon of the paramedic as she notified the ER of our pending arrival. I knew from personal experience just what steps would be taken as they wheeled me into the tiny exam room of the ER. No I wasn't having 'chest pain' as in heart attack. (Even though they tested me for that.) Yes, they usually get a good vein in the left anticubital, but tonight it took two paramedics and three nurses and five needle sticks to finally get an IV going that eventually infiltrated. A cocktail of Maalox and Zylocain put out the fire in my throat. (Why can't I keep some of that magic stuff at home?) A breathing treatment opened some airways, and a chest x-ray and several blood tests were done. With hubby holding my hand, and nurses close by, I began to improve and slowly become able to breathe and talk again.

I'm home now. Still feeling washed out, and I have a really bad sore throat and tickle in my chest. I'm almost afraid to eat anything or lie down for sleep! I missed an entire day of class for which I'm not happy about! I had not been absent or even tardy this entire term!

But, I'm very thankful for my "night angels' last night. Including the one who woke up my husband! The professionally trained EMT's, paramedics, firemen, nurses, doctors and respiratory therapists. I appreciate even more, my loving, caring family. I just hope I tell them often enough!

Please take this message to always be ready; be kind to everyone you meet on your journey, and live your life so that when "your life flashes before your eyes', you will have no regrets.

Take Care on the Journey,
~Linda

Home: http://dustyangels.blogspot.com
E-Mail: bestnurse@usa.com

My Home Town of Berrien Springs is in the NEWS

Police officer falls off bridge....Click HERE for the story.

Take Care on the Journey,
~Linda

Home: http://dustyangels.blogspot.com
E-Mail: bestnurse@usa.com