52 Weeks and Money Saving Tip for Keurig Users

Happy Friday Everyone!

This is how I feel!

We've been sweltering all week with this heat wave in Chicago-land.  It is finally going to break for the weekend, and I am so ready for it!  

I have been lazy this week with my 52 Weeks of Kindness.  The best I can come up this week is that I have been kind to myself.  I have geared up my healthy living again.  It is time to start spending some quality time taking care of myself!  Eating well and exercising most days.  I've been taking the little bear to day care on my bicycle.  He loves it and I get a great work out in!  Kindness for both of us!  =)

I am also going to share a little $ saving tip I have discovered this week.  Do any of you use a Keurig Coffee Maker?  I love mine, but I have always felt a bit guilty about all those pods filling up the trash can.  I am the only coffee drinker in my house, and typically I only drink one cup.  So having the convenience of the Keurig one cup maker is a plus I am not willing to give up.

The down side of the whole thing is all the extra trash with all those pods, plus the over all cost.  Seriously, even only making one cup a day I would easily spend $30 a month on coffee pods.  

I have had a reusable filter for my Keurig, but only ever used it for my loose teas.  I had it in my head that with out the paper filter the coffee would not work right.  Let me just say, completely and totally wrong!!!

Not only do the reusable filter work with normal coffee, I think the cup of joe is even better!  Here is the filter I use:

They have fancier ones out there, but really the Solofill one works just fine for me.  I bought 2 of them, so I always have a clean one ready.  Easy to use and makes great coffee, can't complain about that!  Plus now rather than spending $30 a month, I'm back to spending $5 on a can of coffee... or I can get fancy and buy any beans I like and grind my own.  With an extra $25 buck in my pocket a month, the sky is the limit!  haha

So that is my week of kindness, a little for me and a little for you!  Don't forget to head over to My Three Bittles to see how Amber's week went!  Have a great weekend!

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52 Weeks of Kindness

Happy Friday Everyone!  I'm happy it is Friday finally.  Tomorrow is my niece's 4th birthday, and I can't wait to get some Auntie time in.  Her mother is so going to kill me when she sees all the presents we have, but I figure if your Auntie doesn't spoil you who will!  haha

This week my act of kindness was to donate to an old high school friend's fundraiser.  She is raising money to go to the Mayo Clinic.  She has multiple medical issues and is hoping they can help her manage better.  If you would like to read more you can here.

has several serious medical issues; she sees specialists in 7 different medical areas. - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/let-s-get-crissy-to-the-mayo-clinic/67860#sthash.hw9h6J1c.dpuf

has several serious medical issues; she sees specialists in 7 different medical areas. - See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/let-s-get-crissy-to-the-mayo-clinic/67860#sthash.hw9h6J1c.dpuf

Also, don't forget to head over to My Three Bittles to see how Amber did with her 52 Weeks project today!

Looking to grow your blog? I have Sponsor Spots open this week - priced to fit any budget, including FREE! Hop over to my sponsor page for more details.



 

June Charity of the Month Wrap Up & 52 Weeks!

June's Charity of the Month was Feeding America.

Feeding America: Ways to Give

Feeding America is the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity.  Their food bank network supplies food to more than 37 million Americans.  They can only do this with our help and support!



With the CoM program, I donate $1 for the first 50 new followers to my blog to the current Charity of the Month.  You can follow in any way that you choose, simply pick an option.  If you already follow one way, feel free to add another:

This month I gained just over 100 new followers.  That translates to a $50 donation for Feeding America!  Thank you very much for your help and support. 

I think my donation this week counts for my Random Act of Kindness for Amber's 52 Weeks Project as well!  =)  Don't forget to head over to My Three Bittles to see what Amber did this week, as well as link up!

Check in on Monday for the July Charity of the Month info!

Looking to grow your blog? I have Sponsor Spots open this week - priced to fit any budget, including FREE! Hop over to my sponsor page for more details.




 

Oh What A HAPPY Day Link Party!

Welcome to the Oh What a HAPPY Day Link Party!

Time to celebrate what is giving us JOY and making us HAPPY this week.  It is so easy to get bogged down and lost in the negative.  Let's take a moment and celebrate the positive.

This week I am happy to be back online.  We had some storms blow through on Monday night, which left us with no phone and also no internet for most of Tuesday.  Kind of makes it hard to work from home with out the internet.  When I called AT&T they said it would probably not be until THURSDAY before they could fix it!  Thankfully they got it back up after a few hours!

I'd also like to thank all the lovely bloggers who joined up with us here for Oh HAPPY Day last time.  We had 57 links in total!  Congrats go out to Crystal @ MommiFRIED for having the most views last week.


Now onto the party! 

The rules for the party are pretty simple: 

Have fun and say HI to as many other party goers as possible.  =) 

If you would like to spread the word, please grab a button and put it on your blog.  If you are interested in being a co-host, then just let me know!   
 



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52 Weeks of Kindness

Happy Friday Everyone!

I am late in my post today.  It has just been one of those days I guess.  Nothing really serious, just could not seem to get to the computer and some quiet time to actually write this.  Here's hoping for a calmer weekend!  =)

This week my acts of kindness included a trip to Canada to see my Grandparents.  Which sounds like a big trip, but being from the Metro Detroit area, it is not as extensive as it seems.  Just a hop across the river really.  Well for us it entailed a four hour drive to Detroit, and then the trip across the river.  


It was a long day, my nerves were shot, but I still managed to work up the excitement for little bear as we went through the tunnel, and I explained the fact that we were no longer in America.  He was less than impressed and asked if were not in America, with Captain America, who was the super hero in Canada.  He did get a bit more excited when I told him that I was pretty sure Wolverine was Canadian.  Such a screw ball.

My other act of kindness was to take little bear to the park after school one day.  Again and easy kindness, but a fun one.  We are also going to camp out in the back yard tonight... as long as it does not rain on our fun! 

My kindness was all about my family this week.  How about you?  

Also, don't forget to head over to My Three Bittles to see how Amber did with her 52 Weeks project today!

Looking to grow your blog? I have Sponsor Spots open this week - priced to fit any budget, including FREE! Hop over to my sponsor page for more details.



 

52 Weeks and Father's Day

I am rolling my act of kindness this week into my father's day gift giving.  I've had a cold all week, so my activities have been slowed down to say the least.

After some web surfing and pinning I came up with a great gift idea for both my father-in-law and my grandpa, aka Little Bear's Grandpa and Great Grandpa!  Both of these guys are impossible to shop for.  If you ask them what they want they will always tell you nothing, or don't spend your money on me.  

This year I decided to make them each a picture plaque, for lack of a better word.  Here is the one I made for my Grandpa:

The picture on the top is me and my two sisters with our Grandpa when we were younger.  The bottom two are his crazy great-grandchildren today.  Apparently the new generation cannot take a picture without at least two of the three having their mouth wide open... so I had to find a similar picture of us!  

Here is how my father-in-law's turned out:

He is going to kill me for putting him in the pictures, but I could not resist.  The one on the top is him and my hubs.  The one on the bottom is Grandpa and Little Bear.  My three guys.  I really am one lucky lady.  

Actually the little bear and I are both pretty lucky to have such great men in our lives.  I am forever grateful for them both.  My grandpa for teaching me so much, and my father-in-law for being such a great role model for his son.  

I had these printed up at Walgreen's, and put them into nice frames.  Of course I forgot to take a picture before I wrapped them.  I went with the father's day theme and added ties to the basic paper.  I think they turned out pretty cute.

Don't forget to give the great guys in your life an extra hug this weekend. 


Also, head over to My Three Bittles and see what every one else did for their acts of kindness this week!  

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52 Weeks of Kindness

Happy Friday All!  I hope all of your weeks were good ones.

This week my random acts of kindness were all about over tipping.  Every time I figured out a tip in my head, I made sure to add an extra $3 to $5 to it.  

It was really only two tips, but I know my hair stylist will love it... and the adorable little waitress at the restaurant the other day deserved it.  She saw my little bear had reached his limit of being able to sit nicely at a table at the end of our meal.  She brought out our bill and checked us out in record time... all without us even having to ask her to!

I also made sure to tell a very nice gentleman who was helping a little old lady pump her gas that he was a rock star.  He laughed and said that if his mother saw him sitting there and not helping she would smack him upside his head.  Good job momma, good job!  haha  Here's hoping my little bear was paying attention to the whole thing!

Don't forget to head over to My Three Bittles and check out what Amber has done for her 52 Weeks Project today. 

Have a great weekend!

Looking to grow your blog? I have Sponsor Spots open this week - priced to fit any budget, including FREE! Hop over to my sponsor page for more details.



 

52 Weeks of Kindness

Happy Friday All!  I hope that your week has been fulfilling and happy.

Friday means that it is time for my 52 Weeks of kindness post.  Don't forget to head over to My Three Bittles to see what Amber and everyone else has been up to this week.

This week was spent on the road again at my mom's.  Before I hit the road though, I decided to treat my son's day care class to a little treat.  I would have loved to bake something for them, but that is actually against the rules at his day care.  Something to do with getting federal funding for their food programs or something, so all our treats have to be store bought and in their original packages.  Fun times.

We went with the next best thing, Lofthouse Sugar Cookies.   These are always a big hit in my house - soft, chewy goodness.  Plus they stay fresh for a decent # of days... of course they tend to not last long in this house.


The little ones were all pretty happy, and my little bear got to be a rock star for the day! ha-ha  Made me having to leave him at home a little easier this week.

Have a great weekend!

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Oh What A HAPPY Day Party!

Welcome to the Oh What a HAPPY Day Link Party!

Time to celebrate what is giving us JOY and making us HAPPY this week.  It is so easy to get bogged down and lost in the negative.  Let's take a moment and celebrate the positive.

Since I am hitting the road early tomorrow morning, I decided to launch our little get together a bit early.  Think of it as a bonus day of sharing our joy.

I am heading back to Michigan to help my mom  some more.  In the car for four hours Wednesday morning, and then sitting at the hospital with her for the rest of the day.  I am not looking forward to the drive, but happy that I can be there to help when needed.  

Of course this also means that I will be out of the blogging office for the next few days.  Please know that even if it takes me a few days to respond, I am always grateful to all of you for all the great posts and happiness you share.  Wednesday has easily become my favorite day of the work week.  =)   

Let's not forget all the lovely bloggers who joined up with us here for Oh HAPPY Day last time too.  We had 65 in total, a new high!  Congrats go out to Bethany @ Before, During, and After for having the most views last week. 


Now onto the party! 

The rules are pretty simple: 

Have fun and say HI to as many other party goers as possible.  =) 

If you would like to spread the word, please grab a button and put it on your blog.  If you are interested in being a co-host, then just let me know!   
 



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52 Weeks and some Sponsor Love!

Happy Happy Sweeties!  I am glad that it is Friday today.  This week I was lucky to keep my head above the water... seriously this was one of those weeks where I was just not on my game.  Oh well, here's to a better weekend!  =)

My 52 Weeks Random Act of Kindness was once again kind of sad.  To tell the truth I was lucky to get dinner on the table each day, so not much thought went into it.  To make up for it I am going to do a blog shout out for one of my sponsors!

This pretty lady is Karrie, who blogs over at I Know This Much Is True.  She has been hanging out in my sidebar for just about a month now.  If you have not had a chance to check out I Know This Much Is True, then what are you waiting for!  =)

Karrie is a mom, an RN, and a fellow EMU grad!  The funny thing is that we literally missed each other by a semester.  So funny how small this blog world can be.  

Any who, Karrie's blog really is a breath of fresh air.  She is open and honest, and has a natural writing style that makes you feel comfy and cozy like at a good friend's house.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Just Breathe

Goody Quick Style

I really do hope you head over and check out I Know This Much Is True, you won't be disappointed!

Have a wonderful weekend.  Don't forget to check out all the other acts of kindness over at My Three Bittles today. 

Looking to grow your blog? I have Sponsor Spots open this week - priced to fit any budget, including FREE! Hop over to my sponsor page for more details.


 

Oh What A HAPPY Day Party!

Welcome to the Oh What a HAPPY Day Link Party!

Time to celebrate what is giving us JOY and making us HAPPY this week.  It is so easy to get bogged down and lost in the negative.  Let's take a moment and celebrate the positive.

This week I am happy to be back home and even happier that my mom is back home recovering a bit.  On top of that, my little blog here was featured on Be @ Home as part of their Best of the Web Series!  Such a joy and an honor!

I'd also like to thank all the lovely bloggers who joined up with us here for Oh HAPPY Day last time.  We had 52 in total!  Congrats go out to Julia @ Saving Mummy for having the most views last week.


Now onto the party! 

This week's awesome co-host is Georgina @ Craftulate.  Georgina is a British mom living in America.  She loves to do all sorts of great crafts with her son.  Her only requirement is that they are fairly mess free!  Gotta love that!   After you link up, hop over and share the joy.  She even has a great break down of her kid crafts by age group... seriously some good ideas here!
 

The rules are pretty simple: 

Have fun, say HI to our lovely co-host, and HI to as many other party goers as possible.  =) 

If you would like to spread the word, please grab a button and put it on your blog.  If you are interested in being a co-host, then just let me know!   
 



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52 Weeks & Giveaway!

Happy Friday Everyone.  It has been a long week for me.  I've been staying at my mom's and helping her while she has been in the hospital.  At least this week we finally got some good news and she should be coming home sometime today. 

If it is Friday that means it is also time for my 52 Weeks post.  This week my act of kindness was less random, but filled with the right intentions. 

I am also particpating in a giveaway this week over at A-Cat-Like-Curiosity.  Check out all the great prizes below!

As promised, today is the day for my first ever Curiously Gorgeous Giveaway! SO exciting. I have lots of lovely prizes up for grabs and there will be a winner for each prize! My lovely sponsors have been very generous in their giveaway items and I have joined in too. There will be ten winners altogether - just because I love to spread the giveaway love as far and as wide as I can :) So just enter the individual rafflecopters for  a chance to win each prize :)

So, let's get our party on people - here are my lovely sponsors giveaway prizes for you (just click on the pics to visit their stores/blogs):

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

No Rafflecopter for me - just leave a blog post comment telling me about something you're grateful for at the moment. I really want to know what makes you happy :)

This giveaway is open worldwide and will run until Monday 13th May. Good Luck!

Looking to grow your blog? I have Sponsor Spots open this week - priced to fit any budget, including FREE! Hop over to my sponsor page for more details.