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Tuesday, March 30, 2010

The Invisible Woman - When Only God Sees

I(Kasey) heard this for the first time last week in a new mom's group I have joined at my church.  So many times we give so much of ourselves and don't know if we have made a difference or not.  If you are struggling with that today this is for you.  (Thanks Betsy for sharing this with us)


The Invisible Woman
 
Excerpt By Nicole Johnson

It started to happen gradually…
    One day I was walking my son Jake to school. I was holding his hand and we were about to cross the street when the crossing guard said to him, “Who is that with you, young fella?”
    “Nobody,” he shrugged.
    Nobody? The crossing guard and I laughed. My son is only five, but as we crossed the street I thought, oh my goodness, nobody?
    I would walk into a room and no one would notice. I would say something to my family, like “Turn the TV down, please.” And nothing would happen. Nobody would get up, or even make a move for the remote. I would stand there for a minute, and then I would say again, a little louder, “Would someone turn the TV down?” Nothing.
    Just the other night my husband and I were out to a party. We’d been there for about three hours and I was ready to leave. I noticed he was talking to a friend from work. So I walked over, and when there was a break in the conversation, I whispered, “I’m ready to go when you are.” He just kept right on talking.
    That’s when I started putting all the pieces together. I don’t think he can see me. I don’t think anyone can see me.
    I’m invisible.
    It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I’m on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I’m thinking, “Can’t you see I’m on the phone?” Obviously not. No one can see if I’m on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.
    I’m invisible.
    Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more.
    Can you fix this?
    Can you tie this?
    Can you open this?
    Some days I’m not a pair of hands; I’m not even a human being.
    I’m a clock to ask, “What time is it?”
    I’m a satellite guide to answer, “What number is the Disney Channel?”
    I’m a car to order, “Right around 5:30, please.”
    I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude – but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.
    She’s going…she’s going…she’s gone!
    One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out of style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped
package and said, “I brought you this.”
    It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn’t exactly sure why she’d given it to me until I read her inscription. “To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.”
    In the days ahead I would read, no, devour, the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I would pattern my work:

•    No one can say who built the great Cathedrals—we have no record of their names.
•    These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.
•    They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.
•    The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

    A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, “Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.”
    And the workman replied, “Because God sees.”
    I closed the book, feeling the missing piece just push into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, “I see you Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one else does. No act of kindness you’ve done, no sequin you’ve sewn on, no cupcake you’ve baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can’t see right now what it will become.”
    At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn, pride.
    I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who will show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
    When I really think about it, I don’t want my son to tell the friend he’s bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, “My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for 3 hours and presses all the linens for the table.” That would mean I’d built a shrine or monument to myself. I just want him to come home. And then if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, “You’re gonna love it here.”
    As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we’re doing it right. And one day it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

*The book that Nicole used in The Invisible Woman is Churches (2001) by Judith Dupre. For more information, visit www.judithdupre.com.*


© Nicole Johnson, Fresh Brewed Life, Inc. 2006

HOT DEAL: Neutrogena Clinical only $5.97!

I just read about this product in my April Lucky Magazine, and already I'm seeing great deals crop up everywhere!  Apparently it's the newest, most amazing breakthrough product in years - it uses ELECTRICITY to stimulate skin elasticity. I know, crazy right? Hence the hefty price tag I suppose....
Anyway, here's a way to get it for only $5.96 from Walmart.com - or if you go through Ebates, for only 96¢!!

Purchase Neutrogena Clinical Lifting Treatment Kit for $35.97 online
 + Get a $15 Bonus Walmart E-Card!
 + Print out your invoice and send it in for this $15 Neutrogena Rebate!
 + Get FREE SHIPPING because it's Walmart Beauty Week!
Final Cost = $5.97

If you are new to Ebates (You get cashback for online purchases), sign-up HERE.  New users get $5 for signing up - making the final cost 97¢!

- Thanks, SouthernSavers!!

Scrubbing Bubbles Power Sprayer: 99¢ at Walgreens


Scrubbing Bubbles has a new product called the Power Sprayer, and it's on sale for $7.99 at Walgreens this week with a $2 RR.  You can use this $5 coupon HERE to get one for only 99¢ after RR!

For another SC Johnson Product - You can also pick up Glade Candles for $2.50 at Food Lion this week and use the $1.50 email coupon you receive for joining RIghtAtHome.com.  It will make Glade candles $1 each.

Now between these two offers you should be able to have three SC Johnson items to send in receipts for a $5 Rebate when you buy 3 items.  After rebate, all your products will end up being FREE!

Print out the "Buy *3* SCJohnson Products ~ Get $5 Rebate" form HERE
You can do this Rebate *3 TIMES* per household!

- Thanks, Tanya!!

Don't Miss Posts: Binder Tutorial & Kmart Super Doubles Bootcamp


Both Kasey and I (Jamie) have spent some quality face time with a computer screen this week to bring you a few helpful "How-To" guides - and I'd hate for you to miss them because they got buried under a landslide of other posts.  So here's just a little reminder - if you're new to couponing, you may really benefit from checking out Kasey's Coupon Organization/Binder Slideshow HERE and my K-Mart Super Doubles Bootcamp HERE.

We just want you to have the knowledge to go forth and be successful in your couponing efforts - so I didn't want you to miss out if either of those would be helpful to you!  What can we say.... we love you guys!
XXOO
- The Time2Save Team

Vera Bradley - Super Sale!! Extra 20% OFF Sale Items


I was on Vera Bradley's Website today placing an order for my mom (she hates to order online) for a laptop holder when I saw this great deal.  Until tomorrow you can save an extra 20% on all sale items.  This makes for some GREAT deals!!

Click  Here to save an Extra 20% on all sale items through 3.31.10. 


The prices below reflect the additional 20% price.




Super Tote in Raspberry
With Discount: One for $40.00










Olivia in Cupcakes Pink
With Discount: One for $21.60








Messenger in Frankly Scarlet
With Discount: One for $36.00











Hipster in Peacock
With Discount: One for $33.60








Tote in Raspberry
With Discount: One for $25.60








17" Large Laptop Portfolio in Cupcakes Green
With Discount: One for $46.80
(this is usually $78.00)







Mini Laptop Case in Cupcakes Pink
With Discount: One for $28.80



I would love to order the mini Laptop case I think it would be great to keep my bible in for church.  It's the perfect size and super cute.  If you need a laptop case these are AWESOME!  After several crashes transporting laptops back and forth Kelly and I finally got one to protect ours.   The case is hard to protect the computer but the fabric is soft.  My favorite part is the arm strap - it's almost like growing an extra arm. 

Reminder: Free Picaboo Photobook Expires March 31


I don't know about you guys, but I signed up for that awesome Picaboo Photo Book offer and I haven't finished my book yet!  Guess what, procrastinating friends - it expires on Wednesday!!  I'll be working on mine tonight while the kids are sleeping - trying to make a present for someone....   Go HERE to get in on the offer before it expires, and HERE to read my original post on this freebie!

By the way - I was just browsing through all the layouts again, and one of the choices is a cookbook layout!  I wish I had more time, because I would love to make a family recipe cookbook with pictures of our family gatherings in it.

What kind of book did you end up making?  Did anyone do a Mother's Day or Father's Day photo book? 

Walgreens - 33¢ John Freida Deal!

Walgreens is running an April monthly deal through 4/24 (look for red signs in front of the products) on John Freida haircare:

Buy $15 worth of John Frieda ~ Get $5 RR Back 

$5 Items Included In Deal: Brilliant Brunette Shampoo/Conditioner, Luxurious Volume Shampoo/Conditioner, Root Awakening Shampoo/Conditioner

Buy (3) $5 John Frieda Products @ $15
Use (3) $3/1 coupons from 3/7 SS (Some folks got $2 Q's)
Pay $6 ~ Get back $5 RR
(Makes it 33¢ each!)

For the rest of this week's Walgreens deals, check out my highlight post HERE

- Thanks, Wild For Wags!

Pampers Coupons & Upcoming Kroger Catalina Deal


Kroger will be running a catalina deal on Pampers Diapers & Wipes starting April 4:

Purchase $10 in Pampers wipes and receive a $2 Coupon Off Your Next Order
Purchase $16 in Pampers diapers and receive a $4 Coupon Off Your Next Order

The current Pampers coupons expire before then, but if you sign up for Pampers Village you will receive the coupons (pictured above) in the mail just in time!  I received mine last week - and I'll be handing them over to my friend Debbie who has 3 babies in diapers!  Ask your mom, frineds, neighbors, and everyone else who loves you to sign up too so you can have extra coupons for the big Catalina deal!  Just send them the link to this post - and keep your fingers crossed that they like you enough.....

Coupons in the Mailer:
$1/1 Pampers Sensitive Wipes 60 ct +
$2/1 Pampers Diapers or Pants
$2/1 Pampers Diapers or Pants
$2/1 Dreft
$5/1 Braun Ear Thermometer

- Thanks, FrugalReality for the heads up!

Dove NOT Rolling Anymore - Plus Other RR Issues

Just a heads up guys - Looks like the registers have been adjusted so that the Dove RR deal is not "rolling" anymore.  This means that now if you buy 1 Dove for $4 and get a $4 RR, you shouldn't use that to pay for another Dove, or it will not print out an
other RR for you.  I hope lots of you were able to get a few!

Coupon + Register Rewards = Trouble in Georgia
Another issue I wanted to address is the trouble our Georgia readers have been having with Register Rewards NOT PRINTING if a coupon is used for an item.  We've heard from several of our Georgia Walgreens shoppers that if they use a coupon on a RR item, it prevents that RR from printing out.

This must be so frustrating for you guys, especially when the Walgreens ad itself promotes using a coupon on a RR item!  See below, on the Dove RR deal, it tells us to Buy a Dove item for $4 and Get $4 RR Back - then it notes that there are coupons in this Sunday's paper we can use!

I wish-wish-wish Walgreens would come out with an official coupon policy to clear up all these store discrepancies.  Let me know if your Walgreens is one of those that won't print out a RR when a coupon is used - I'll try to keep that in mind in the future!

FREE Snuggle Everywhere!


If you got the $3/1 Snuggle coupon in your 3/28 RP - then you can score FREE SNUGGLE at lots of stores right now!  Here are some of the best deals to go for:

  • Food Lion - $2.99 (until April 13) for 70-80 ct Dryer Sheets or 30 oz Liquid
  • K-Mart - $2.50 for 64 oz Liquid *Will need a 50¢ filler item.  Acceptance varies - my Kmart took it
  • Target & Walmart - $2.50 when you price match Kmart Ad  - only if you can find the 64 oz
  • Target - $3.99 for the 50 oz Liquid Snuggle (In case they don't have the 64 oz for the price match)   ALSO check clearance!  Some have found dryer sheets down to $2.89.
  • Family Dollar - $3: 70 ct Dryer Sheets
- Thanks, CommonSenseWithMoney!

CVS - Stayfree $4 Moneymaker Deal!!


Here's a sweet new deal you can work at CVS to get free pads and earn a few Extra Care Bucks in the process!  I have some ECB's getting ready to expire, so I'm going to do this tomorrow!

March Monthly Deal: (Found in little pamphlet at front of store)
Buy Stayfree or Carefree Liners (14-24ct) or Pads (38-60ct) @ $3.99 ~ Get $2 ECB (Limit 4)

Buy (4) Stayfree pads $3.99 each @ $15.96
Use (2) BOGO Stayfree Coupons from the 1/3 RP
AND, Use (2) $2/1 coupons from the 3/28 RP (for the pads that AREN'T free)
Pay $3.98 ~ Get Back an $8 Extra Care Buck
(Makes 4 packs FREE + a $4.02 Moneymaker!)

Raincheck That Deal!
The thing I love about CVS is you can get rainchecks not only on sale prices, but on ECB deals!  If your store is out of the Stayfree, get a raincheck and it will give you new couponers an opportunity to go order some of those BOGO coupons from TheCouponClippers or Ebay.

- Thanks, SmartCouponing!

Time 2 Save Time 2 Give March 2010

If you have attended a workshop then you have already heard how important purposeful giving is to us.  Yes, we teach you how to save on your grocery bill for your own family, but our hope is that as you begin to save you turn your savings into the giving adventure of a lifetime.   We can truely be the hands and feet of Christ to a hurting world.   We encourage all of you to not just donate from time to time, but to look each week at the grocery and drug store match-ups and see what you can buy specifically to donate. 
Best BOGO's:
Ronzoni Pasta $1.29 (64¢)
Use 75¢/1 PRINT or $1/1 from April Parents Magazine
or $1/2 PRINT or from 1/10 SS
(makes it FREE - 14¢ ea!)

Gatorade G2 64 oz $2.50 ($1.25)
Use 50¢/1 from 1/10 RP
(makes it 25¢ ea)

Lysol Disinfectant Trigger Spray Cleaner $2.69 ($1.35)
Use 50¢/1 PRINT
(makes it 35¢ ea!)

Marie's Dressing $2.99 ($1.49)
Use $1/1 PRINT or from 1/31 SS
(makes it 49¢ ea)

Nabisco Ritz Muchables $3.09 ($1.54)
Use $1/1 from 3/14 SS
(makes it 54¢ ea!)

Nabisco Crackerfuls $3.29 ($1.64)
Use $1/1 from 1/10 SS or 1/24 SS
(makes it 64¢ ea!)

Classico Pasta Sauce $2.47 ($1.23)
Use $1/2 PRINT
Use $1.50 off Beef wyb 2 from 3/14 SS
(makes it 73¢ ea + FREE Beef!) You can donate a jar of pasta sauce and get FREE beef for yourself.

Pure Wesson Oil $3.79 ($1.89)
Use $1/1 from Conagra Home Mailer
(makes it 89¢)

Hellman's30 oz Jar $4.89 ($2.44)
Use $1/1 from Multiply Your Meals Publix Booklet
Stack WITH 50¢/1 from 3/28 RP
(makes it 44¢ ea!)

Finish Quantumatic Detergent Dispenser $6.99 (NOT BOGO)
Use $3/1 from One Stop. One Store. Publix Booklet
Stack WITH $3/1 PRINT
(makes it 99¢!)

- Thanks, IHeartPublix!
Best BOGO's
DelMonte Pineapple $1.29 (64¢)
Use $1/5 from 2/7 RP
(makes it 44¢ ea)

Post Cereals $4.55 ($2.27)
$2/1 PRINT
(makes it 27¢) 


Other Deals:
Betty Crocker Pouch Potatoes 80¢
Use 40¢/1 PRINT or PRINT or Pillsbury.com (*Register on sidebar for those)
(makes it FREE if they double)

French's Mustard $1.25 (sometimes the smaller ones in the jar are right at $1 making them FREE)
Use 50¢/1 from 3/21 SS or PRINT
(makes it 25¢ ea)

Del Monte Canned Vegetables 69¢
Use $1/4 from 2/7 RP
(makes it 44¢ ea)

- Thanks, HotCouponWorld!


Best Grocery Deals:
Snuggle $2.99
Use $3/1 from 3/28 RP
(makes it FREE!)

Muellers Pasta $1
Use 55¢/1 PRINT
(makes it 45¢ ea) Cheaper at Publix if you are deciding where to buy

Buy More ~ Save More "BEST" Deals Toilet Paper & Paper Towels
Buy 3 ~ Get 20% off, Buy 4~ Get 30% Off, Buy 5 ~ Get 50% Off
Brawny 3-Roll Pack $3.99
Use 50¢/1 from 3/14 RP
Quilted Northern 6-Double Rolls $3.99
Use 50¢/1 from 3/14 RP
Buy (5) & Use (5) Coupon = $7.50
(Makes Brawny 50¢/roll or Quilted Northern 25¢/roll)
*Then Submit for $5 Rebate wyb $20 HERE



Grocery Deals:

Post Cereal $2.50 *Save $4 Instantly wyb 4
Use $1/2 from 3/14, 2/28 SS or 75¢/1 from 2/28 SS
(makes it as low as 75¢ ea wyb 4 and use 4 coupons!)


The Stouffers Entree below isn't a non perishable donation item, but it is great to stock up on if you need to take a quick meal for someone.  It is also great to donate if it's a situation where freezing it isn't an issue.
Stouffers Family Size Entrees $3.99
Use $1/1 from April All*You or PRINT
(makes it $2.99 ea!)

- Thanks, IHeartSavingMoney!

EXTRA CARE BUCKS:
Huggies Diapers (jumbo pk) or Pull ups - 2/$17.98 with $5 ECB
Use (2) $3/1 PRINT
(makes it $3.49 each)

Crest 3D Advanced White toothpaste or Oral B Advantage Toothbrush - $2.99 with $2 ECB (Limit 1)
Use .75/1 Crest Toothpaste from 3/7 P&G or .75/1 Oral B Toothbrush from 2/7 P&G
(makes it .24 cents) 



OTHER DEALS:
Neutrogena Cosmetic Products- B1G1-50% off (starting at $3.49)
Use two $3/1 from April All*You
(makes it as low as FREE) Awesome Donation item for a battered women's shelter!!

- Thanks to PinkCouponCafe!


Best RR & Coupon Deals (ALL Week):

Dove Shampoo, Conditioner, Styler $4 ~ Get $4 RR
Use $1.50/1 from 3/28 SS or $2/1 PRINT
(makes it FREE + $2.50 Profit!)

Dentek Floss $2 ~ Get $2 RR
Use $1/1 from 1/17 SS (*Exp 3/31!)
(makes it FREE + $1 Profit!)

AirWick i-Motion $3.99
Use $4/1 from 3/7 SS
(makes it FREE)

Walgreens One-Daily Multivitamins 100 ct $3 ~ Get $3 RR
(makes it FREE!)

Buy (3) Oral B 3D White or Crest Dental Care @ $9 ~ Get $3 RR
Use BOGO Oral B from 3/7 P&G
Use 75¢/1 Oral B from 2/21 P&G
Use $1/1 Crest Rinse from 2/21 P&G
(Use all 3 coupon = 41¢ ea!)

4-Day Sale Items (3/31 - 4/3):

Speed Stick $1.99 ~ Get $1 RR
Use 75¢/1 PRINT
(makes it 24¢ ea)

Chinet Plates $1.50
Use $1/1 PRINT or PRINT
(makes it 50¢ ea!)
For an awesome money making scenario for Wags this week click HERE.
- Thanks to WildForWags & SlickDeals!

We hope that this list makes it easy for you to be a generous giver.  Especially if your life is difficult right now, and you are going through situations that are weighing you down - give it will lift your spirit and bring a renewed hope in your heart. 

 Please share with everyone what you are giving this week on our facebook fanpage.  Since it goes out to over 2,700 people you can share the blessings of Jesus all over cyberspace.  Click HERE for our facebook fan page.  Once you click to become a fan you can post on the wall, post pictures, ask others questions, share ideas, or just chat with other folks in our Time 2 $ave Community. 

We can't wait to hear how God speaks to your heart this week to sow into the lives of others!!
 

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