the tree

honestly, i kinda wanted to go somewhere else this year. our tree last year was a bust. and a friend of a friend has a tree farm where the trees aren’t trimmed...just wild, crazy-looking frasier firs. but in was outvoted. and when i look at these pictures, i think i’m ok with that.

my adventures at walmart

(you were hoping for a picture of me shopping at walmart with my butt crack or my twilight pj bottoms hanging out?)

i know. i know.
but if you know where we live, you know we don’t have tons of choice in the matter. when your 14 year old says at 9 at night that she needs a pocket folder for school tomorrow or else, you’re pretty glad they are there. AND, in an effort to be more frugal (bri and i just like saying that word) i even do some grocery shopping there. (sorry, heinens. i’m not cheating, really.) so i thought i would post some of my hits and misses. i mean, its not a bargain if your kids refuse to eat it. and that said...my kids are not picky eaters. although this post may make them sound like they are.

great value oats & chocolate granola bars
sammy+ these= love
he told me specifically...mom, these are favorite kind. always buy these.
done.

great value apple juice
i yelled at sam for not drinking his juice.
i mean, how bad can it be.
that bad. yuck.
(on a side note...giant eagles organic apple juice is fine by them. not a bargain, but cheaper than other organic brands.)

great value frozen southwestern lasagna
i get a fair amount of teasing that i buy frozen dinners in general. so, im not proud that not only did i buy it, but a store brand as well.
but, you know what, not bad.
it’s a frozen dinner, the expectations were low.
but on a crazy night when being chef doesn’t fit into my plans...i’d buy it again

great value grape jelly
i didn’t try it to confirm it...
but sam said it just tasted weird.

great value dishwasher gel
score.
for all i know, it’s rotting my dishwasher from the inside-out.
but right now, all i see is cleaner dishes and less spots than the cascade and finish i had been using. but i’ll keep you posted.

sammy, who stood here and helped me with this post...wants you to know how much he loves nutella and santa cruz organic apple sauce. i guess, we are all brand aware sometimes.