My Christmas Present.....from Google!

Looky what appeared in my mailbox last week...at least I think it was last week.  The days are just a blur lately so yah, I'm saying it was last week...that's my story anyway. lol

Back to the photo......

It's my very first ad revenue check from Google!

If you have a blogspot blog and have their ads on your blog, some day you too might reach $100 in ad revenue.  And once you reach that number, your buds at Google will cut you a check!
And not to spoil this totally awesome moment......but do you know how long it took me to reach $100 in page views/ad clicks on my blog?
Well I started this particular blog on the day before my birthday--Jan. 20th, 2009.  I don't recall exactly when I put the ads up on it....I'm guessing it was about 6 months into this whole deal, so I'll say around July of  '09?
Yah, that sounds about right.
So it took just shy of 17 months or almost 1.5 YEARS to become a paid blogger!

It's a good thing I didn't give up my day job, huh?
No wait!....I don't have a day job....well, yes I have a job, but until the kids or the dogs start cutting me checks for what I do, I don't actually get paid to do anything. lol

At any rate, I am not going to let the fact, that once you divide how many womanhours, that I've spent chained to this machine, enlightening, entertaining, bamboozling or just plain boring you all, the only people who earn less than me a yr. are unskilled workers in Burundi, Lesotho, Malawi and Sierra Leone.

So what am I going to do with this thing once I cash it?
Hmmmm....

Any suggestions?

For now, I'll just sit back and gaze upon it and savor the moment.....because at this rate, I won't see another one of these babies until July of 2012! ;-)

Sluggy

Sluggy's In The Kitchen Baking Some Love + A Giveaway!

Clear the Decks!
Batten Down the Hatches!
Alert the Media.....er, I mean Alert the FIRE DEPARTMENT!!
Sluggy is in the Kitchen BAKING!


I suddenly got all fired up and am ready to take on a full throttled Cookie making session. 
Knowing me, I'll run out of energy at about the 3rd batch of cookies(despite the CHEEZ-ITS in the picture)and have to take a few days to get them all done....but I will!
What got me charged up?

Well it could have been that I got a little help from Betty Crocker, GladWare® and Safeway Grocery Store.
MyBlogSpark arranged for me to receive a Betty Crocker Cookie Mix, some GladWare containers and a Gift Card to Safeway to purchase whatever else I need to bake some cookie goodness.
And the booty arrived on Saturday, just in time to get me motivated to bake for the Holidays.



We've had a tradition at our house of baking cookies together on Christmas Eve.
But this year I am going to start a new tradition for our family and do a Cookie Exchange with our neighbors.  It's a great way to get to know your neighbors or maybe to rekindle friendships. And these GladWare containers are just the thing for toting the sweets to your neighbors.

 For great holiday recipe ideas, how-to videos, and tips for hosting your very own cookie exchange, visit BakeSweetMemories.com. While you’re there, be sure to play the new Sweet Memories game that gives you the chance to instantly win free Betty Crocker products! 
I played the game and won a free bag of cookie mix coupon. 8-)

I've got my trusty family favorite cookie recipes but I'll be checking out the Bake Sweet Memories Website as well for a couple of new cookie varieties to add to my repertoire.


MyBlogSpark,Safeway,Betty Crocker and Glad have also supplied me with a duplicate prize package to giveaway to one of my lucky readers!

WIN IT!

The winner will receive  a package of Betty Crocker Cookie Mix, a package of GladWare containers(nice big sized ones!)& a $25 Gift Card to any of the Safeway chain of Grocery Stores!!
The list of stores includes Safeway, Vons, Dominick's, Randall's, Tom Thumb and Genuardi's.


There are 3 ways to enter to win this giveaway.

1.  Mandatory before doing any other entries.....Leave a comment on this post telling me your most favorite type of cookie.
2.  Follow my blog(via the button on the right sidebar-Google Friend Connect) and leave a comment.  If you already follow just leave a comment saying that you do already.
3.  Blog about this giveway and leave a comment.  Be sure and leave a link to the post in your comment.   In addition, if someone enters the giveaway and says they saw it on your blog, you both get 3 extra entries!

Since it's so close to Christmas and many people are busy, plus there is no way whoever wins will receive their prize package in time to use it for the Holidays, I'll leave this Contest open until DECEMBER 30th at 11:59pm.  That will give everyone plenty of time to enter.


(This is where I disclose that the coupon, prize pack, information and additional prize pack to give away were all given to me from Safeway, Betty Crocker, and Glad through MyBlogSpark, so that we are cool with the FCC and all those media lawyer and regulator types.)



Sluggy

Monday's R-A Haul...The Daily Plunder

Aaargh!
Is it "Talk Like a Pirate Day"?lol

I had the BIL along with me on this trip. He wanted to buy some Brita filters so I built a transaction around that purchase and I let him use $3 of the $5 on the $5 off $25 purchase coupon.  Both transactions are pictured together....

1 x Fiber One Cereal*not pictured-gave it to BIL* w/wellness disc.=$3.83
1 x 3 pack Brita Filters*not pictured*=$14.99
2 x Eco Tools Sponge BOGO50%=$2.98
6 x Rite-Aid cellophane tape BOGO=$4.47
2 x Combos Snack Bag on sale=$1.00
SubTotal....$27.27

Coupons Used
1 x $5 off $25 purchase=$5.00
1 x FREE ITEM Fiber One Cereal Q=$3.83
1 x $.50/2 Combos ManuQ=$.50
Coupon Total....$9.33

$27.27-$9.33=$17.94+$.17tax=$18.11
Used $18 +Up Rewards and put $.11 on my Rite-Aid gift card.

I received $11 +Up Rewards back(6x$1 tape, $5wyb 2 Eco-Tools).
*I should have only been able to use $17 in +Ups to pay since $18 took off some tax, but the cashier did the transaction like this and the register let her. ;-)

While I am "down" $7+Ups on this transaction, I used +Ups to pay for the $11.99 BIL owed for the Brita Filters which he is paying me back for, so I basically just converted those +Ups to cash.
I'll count the +Ups used in the loss column but I'll put the cash I get back from him in the "Other Cash" received column.

Transaction #2

3 x Hormel Compleats on sale $1.99=$5.97
2 x Revlon Nail Tool & Tweezers 40% off($1.47 ea.)=$2.94
1 x Revlon Nail Clippers 40% off=$.87
1 x Revlon Nail File 40% off=$.75
2 x Bic Roller Pen 2 packs w/wellness disc.=$6.38
2 x Bic Stick Pens w/wellness disc.=$3.18
4 x Rite-Aid cellophane tape BOGO=$2.98
2 x Rite-Aid envelopes BOGO=$2.29
SubTotal....$25.36

Coupons Used
1 x $5 off $25=$5.00
1 x $1/3 Hormel Compleats ManuQ=$1.00
3 x $3/1 Revlon Wellness Q=$9.00
2 x $2/1 Bic Roller Pen IPQ=$4.00
Coupon Total....$19.00

$25.36-$19.00=$6.36+$.35tax=$6.71
I used $6+Up Rewards and put the $.71 on my Rite-Aid gift card.

I received $19+Up Rewards back(6x$1 tape and envies, 2x$2 wyb Revlon, 3x$1 Compleats, 2x$3 wyb2 Bic), making this transaction a $13 moneymaker!

THESE TRIPS
Total Spent....$.82(put on free Rite-Aid gift card)
Value of Items....$81.67
SCR qualified for...$0.00
Other Rebates earned...$0.00
Gift Cards earned....$00.00
+Up Rewards earned...$30.00
+Up Rewards spent...$24.00
+Up Rewards left to spend....$73.00

GRAND TOTALS--December Rebate Period so far

Number of Transactions......20
Total Spent....$9.27  put on free Gift Cards/Certificates so ZERO OOP
Value of Items purchased....$815.31
SCR qualified for....$14.00
Other Cash....$11.99
Gift of Savings Reward...$40.00*both me and BIL account*
Additional Rebates....$0.00
Additional Non-Cash Rewards....$0.00

+UPS Totals for Dec. SCR period
+Up Rewards carryover from 12/12.....$67.00
+Up Rewards spent....$146.00
+Up Rewards earned....$202.00
+Up Rewards left....$73.00

Sluggy

Songs of the Season....What's Your Fav?

Hi, my name is Sluggy, and I am a Christmas Song junkie.

Yep, my black old heart dearly loves to listen to tunes of the Season.
I use to have a business painting and selling ceramics at craft shows in a previous life.
My busy time would start in mid-summer, as I pushed to make/paint as many pieces as possible for the upcoming Fall/Winter Craft Show circuit.
A majority of the pieces I'd made were holiday related, with Christmas pieces being the most popular.
So in order to get myself into the "mood" to paint Santas and Angels and such, I'd play Christmas music as I worked.
All.
Day.
Long.
And into the night too.

My Hubs eventually got use to having to listen Christmas music while he sweltered from the summer heat. lol

So I have(or had)quite the collection of Holiday music.
Tunes go in and out of favor with me, but I so love it all....well, most of it.
I could do without a few songs.....like "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer", or "I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas".

Currently my favorites are "The Last Month of the Year" and "The Wexford Carol".
The first has an alternate title of "When Was Jesus Born?".
The Blind Boys of Alabama do an awesome rendition of this great gospel song....have a listen.....


Since a large piece of my heritage is Irish, I do love many of the Celtic songs.
The Wexford Carol is one. The Bells of Dublin is also a favorite, especially the rendition by The Chieftains.

As for more secular/popular music type Christmas 'classics', here's my list....

*I'll be Home for Christmas-a WWII classic
*Winter Wonderland-the Jason Mraz version
*Christmas Time is Here-the Vince Guaraldi Trio classic from "A Charlie Brown Christmas"
*You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
*Sleigh Ride
*Santa Claus is Coming(In a Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train)-by the Tractors
*Any Christmas song done by Harry Connick Jr.

As for the Christmas Carols, here's that list....

*The Wexford Carol
*Carol of the Bells
*O Holy Night-the Josh Groban version or any of the Tenors-Pavarotti, Domingo, etc.
*O Tannenbaum
*Ave Maria
*Panis Angelicus-Andrea Bocelli version
*The Holly and The Ivy

GIVEAWAY!!!

So what Carols/Songs do you like to listen to during the Holidays?

Leave 1 comment on this post with...
 1.Your most favorite Christmas Song.
2. Your most favorite Christmas Carol.
3. Your most favorite funny  Christmas Song.
4. The 1 Christmas Song or Carol that if you-have-to-hear-it-one-more-time-you'll-go-insane!!!

I'll randomly pick a comment on December 24th at 11:59pm
The winner will receive something special to hang on their Christmas Tree next year.

Sluggy

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree?....No, Around the Rite-Aid Stores!

So I hit up Rite-Aid 3 more times on Saturday.....just pics and an abbreviated listing/cost thingy since these deals are gone now.

4 x 12 Pack 7-Up(not pictured)
4 x  Chili *Raincheck*
2 x Bic Pens
2 x Revlon Nail Polish
2 x Tugaboos
Subtotal....$26.24
Coupons Used...$20.50
$5.74
$5+Up Rewards used and $.74 put on Rite-Aid gift card.
$9+Up Rewards received making this a $4 moneymaker.

2 x Pot Of Gold Choccies
2 x Revlon Nail Polish
2 x Werther's Sugar-Free Caramels
2 x Trident Gum
4 x Milky War Bars
6 x Skittles Candy

Subtotal....$25.16
Coupons Used...$17.50
$7.66
$7+Up Rewards used and $.66 put on Rite-Aid gift card.
$11+Up Rewards received making this a $4 moneymaker.

2 x Welch's Grape Juice
1 x Chloraseptic Spray
1 x Airborne Tablets
1 x Snickers(filler)
Subtotal....$15.48
Coupons Used...$8.50
$6.98
$6+Up Rewards used and $.98 put on Rite-Aid gift card.
$3+Up Rewards received, so "down" 3+Ups.


Then on Sunday I did this......breakdowns for you as this is a current Sale/Deal in the stores....

2 x Sunday paper w/wellness disc. $.79=$1.58
4 x Airwick Candles on sale BOGO $5.99/2=$11.98
2 x Airwick Warmer thingies w/wellness disc. $.79=$1.58
6 x Airwick Oil Refills on sale BOGO $3.99/2=$11.97
Subtotal....$27.11

Coupons Used
1 x $5 off $25=$5.00
3 x $3/1 Airwick Candle ManuQ=$9.00
1 x $2/1 Airwick Candle IPQ(Airwick website)=$2.00
2 x Free Warmer WYB an Oil Refill ManuQ=$1.98*Rang up full price of $.99ea.
2 x $3/3 Airwick Oil Refill singles ManuQ=$6.00
Coupon Total....$23.98

$27.11-$23.98=$3.13
$3+Up Rewards used and $.13 put on Rite-Aid gift card.
$6+Up Rewards received(2 x $3 WYB $10 in Airwick),making this a $3 moneymaker.

1 x Sunday paper(not pictured)w/wellness disc.=$.79
6 x Hormel Compleats on sale $1.99=$11.94
2 x Rite-Aid Business Envies on sale BOGO=$2.29
4 x Rite-Aid Tape on sale BOGO($1.49/2)=$2.98
2 x Revlon Emery Board Files on sale 40% off($1.47)=$2.94
1 x Eco-Tools Lotion BOGO50%(highest full price)=$5.99
1 x Eco-Tools Sponge BOGO50%($1.99)=$.99
Subtotal....$27.92

Coupons Used
1 x $5 off $25=$5.00
2 x $1/3 Hormel Compleats ManuQ=$2.00
2 x $1/1 Hormel Compleats RA Flu Booklet Q=$2.00
1 x $3 Revlon Nail product Wellness Q=$3.00
1 x $1/1 Eco-Tools Q(hangtag on bottle)=$1.00
Coupons Used...$13.00

$27.92-$13.00=$14.92+.10tax=$15.92
$14+Up Rewards used and $1.02 put on Rite-Aid gift card.*Can't use +Ups to pay for tax.*
$19+Up Rewards received making this a $5 moneymaker.

 ****With the $1+Up Rewards on the tape and envelopes this week, for every 2 tape rolls you buy you get paid $.51 & for every 2 boxes of envies after +Ups it cost you $.29.
I predict that Rite-Aids nationwide will run out of tape and envelopes very soon.lolol

The Eco-Tools are very hard to find in the store, IF the store has any that aren't the higher priced lotions, washes and butters.  The higher priced bottles($5.99 here)may have $1 hangtag Qs on them.  I don't recommend ripping them off the bottles and paying for the cheapy sponges, etc. with them!  That's not quite ethical, is it?
Instead buy a cheapy sponge AND a bottle with the hangtag Q.  This way you pay $4.99 for the bottled items, $.99 for the sponge(that one will be BOGO50% off) and you get the $5 +Ups on 2 Eco-Tools products.  You are out $.99 + tax for both items after +Up Rewards.  Still a great deal if you can't find 2 cheapy items to get the $5 +Ups.
The stores here didn't stock-up on the Airwick products so if you want some, get to Rite-Aid soon!
Good luck also finding any of the baking +Up Deal items, especially the Domino Sugar.  It's been WEEKS since I've seen a bag of sugar around here....and I have seriously been hunting for it.ugh

THESE TRIPS
Total Spent....$3.53(put on free Rite-Aid gift card)
Value of Items....$203.17
SCR qualified for...$0.00
Other Rebates earned...$0.00
Gift Cards earned....$00.00
+Up Rewards earned...$48.00
+Up Rewards spent...$35.00
+Up Rewards left to spend....$67.00

GRAND TOTALS--December Rebate Period so far

Number of Transactions......18
Total Spent....$8.45  put on free Gift Cards/Certificates so ZERO OOP
Value of Items purchased....$733.64
SCR qualified for....$14.00
Other Cash....$0.00
Gift of Savings Reward...$40.00*both me and BIL account*
Additional Rebates....$0.00
Additional Non-Cash Rewards....$0.00

+UPS Totals for Dec. SCR period
+Up Rewards carryover from 12/10.....$54.00
+Up Rewards spent....$122.00
+Up Rewards earned....$172.00
+Up Rewards left....$67.00

Sluggy