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Cleaning Challenge: Join in the Fun

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I don’t know about you, but during the holidays my house is a complete wreck. Having more visitors and activity is awesome, but the extra dishes, laundry, and dirt is not. Since I don’t want to live in chaos, I’m putting myself on a cleaning challenge. Anyone who is in a similar situation is more than welcome to join in.

In the past, I’ve done marathon cleaning sessions in one day, but I find it hard to block off that much time, plus it really exhausts me. This week, I’m breaking it down into mini sessions and I hope that will give me more motivation because it should be easier.

Here is my to-do list. I don’t expect to cross everything single item off, but it’s a general game plan and I need it written out for structure:

Monday – Kitchen

Clean stovetop

Clean microwave

Clean refrigerator

Clean cabinets

Run 2 loads of dishes

Mop floor

 
Tuesday – Bathrooms

Clean sinks

Clean bathtub & shower, using grapefruit/salt method

Clean toilets

Wipe mirrors

Mop floors
 

Wednesday – Laundry

Wash & change sheets

Wash 3 loads of clothes, possibly more

Wash towels

Fold/put away all laundry once finished

Thursday – Miscellaneous

Dust/clean furniture

Wipe down computers/TVs/Phones

Wash windows & sills

Friday – Foyer

Sweep foyer & shake mats

Straighten coat closet (shoes/hats/gloves/umbrellas, etc.)

Wipe down walls & doorway

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Does this seem like a loooooong list? Yes, but it has to be done. And while it’s a great start, not everything is covered like the bedrooms. Basically, I want to restore order and make things look nice—for my family and guests who are coming to a party.

 

Let me know if—and what—you’re cleaning and we’ll commiserate!

What I’ve Been Watching on TV

Thanks to On Demand, I love to binge-watch good TV shows. Here’s what I’ve been enjoying lately, plus one that was truly rotten:

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American Scandals

Barbara Walters + high profile case = awesome! Get a behind-the-scenes look at some of her most famous interviews plus current updates on where those folks are now. I was especially interested to see Kimberly Mays (Switched at Birth baby) and amazed to learn Barbara’s long-term pen pal is parent murderer Erik Menendez. Truly fascinating.

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Indian Summers

I’m obsessed with Masterpiece Theatre and all of their period pieces. This 9-episode series is set in colonial India during the 1930’s and is told from both the British and Indian perspectives. Expect plenty of intrigue, gossip/backstabbing, and politics. While no where near as good as the beloved Jewel in the Crown, it’s still entertaining. 

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The Widower

Another great PBS show, based on a true story. Malcom Webster is a Scottish nurse who’s unlucky in love—due to trying to kill his wives! Motivated by greed and tons of debt, he lies, steals, and poisons, hoping to get life insurance money. It works the first time but suspicions grow with each marriage. Truly scary to think about one spouse doing this to another.

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One show I would not recommend is Flesh & Bone. Thanks to a free preview weekend, I was able to see the Starz limited series. Focusing on a NYC ballet company, I was expecting something edgy but this was downright depressing—suicide attempts, incest, eating disorders, violence, murder, etc. Not for the faint of heart and definitely not for children.

 

Do you have a favorite show? Any recommendations are welcome.

Super Savings Saturday – 11/28/15

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Welcome to another edition of Super Savings Saturday!

I got through the Coupon Olympics and ended up with bags and bags of goodies that made all the planning, shopping, multiple transactions, aching feet/back, and chaos worth it!

I shopped at CVS twice, on Sunday and Thanksgiving; Rite Aid was Thanksgiving only. Normally, I also do Walgreens, but they weren’t participating so it was lighter than usual. Since the early bird catches the worm, I left home at 6:30 am, stopped at Starbucks for a treat and was waiting outside when the drug store opened.

CVS – 11/22-11/25 ad

Colgate toothpaste, $3.00, $2.50 in-store coupon stack with $0.50 coupon (free)

mars chocolate , $.79 get $.79 eb, limit 1

cvs vitamin, 6-14 ct, $.99 get $.99 eb, limit 1

cvs pantiliners, 20-ct, $.99 get $.99 eb, limit 2

cvs training pants, 2 ct, $.99 get $.99 eb, limit 1 (free with coupon)

cvs ultra-soft cleansing wipes 20 ct, $.99 get $.99 eb, limit 1

stride gum 14 ct $.99 get $.99 eb, limit 1

wrigley’s gum 15 ct $.99 get $.99 eb, limit 1

green giant vegetables 11-15.25 oz $.99 get $.99 eb, limit 2

ludens throat drops 20 ct, $1.00 get $1.00 eb, limit 1

ocean spray pact drink, $1.50 get $1.50 eb, limit 1

(The only item I could not find was the 2-ct Centrum vitamin, but everything else was in stock.)

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CVS 11/26-28 ad

Hershey’s Singles, $0.77, get $0.77 eb, limit 1

Mars Chocolate, $0.79, get $0.79 eb, limit 1

Excedrin Caplets, 10 ct, $0.99, get $0.99, limit 1

Orbit Gum, 4 ct, $1.00, get $1.00 eb, limit 1

Starburst or Skittles Singles, $1.00, get $1.00 eb, limit 1

Starbucks DoubleShot, $1.50, get $1.50 eb, limit 1

GUM Supreme Toothbrush, $2.00, get $2.00, limit 2

(My store had no Trolli candy or Cover Girl Smoochies, so those were a raincheck. The No-Grey hair color wasn’t even an item they carry normally, so no raincheck/substitution.)

I did multiple transactions, starting with the cheapest item and rolled. Out of pocket, I spent les than $2.00 on everything!

Rite Aid 11/26-28 ad

Plenti Points can’t be rolled, so my total at Rite Aid was very high. To offset that, I used some gift cards that I’ve been saving for the occasion.

I did many small transaction to make sure deals were tracking, and lots didn’t! Some never earned points, some limits were posted incorrectly, etc. It took over 3 hours to straighten everything out.

carefree 20 ct, $1.00 get 100 pts, limit 2

colgate enamel health toothpaste, $3.00 get 300 pts, limit 2

colgate slim tip toothbrush, $3.00 get 300 pts, limit 2

eucerin calming cream 1 oz, $1.00 get 100 pts, limit 2

kleenex white facial tissue 85 ct $1.00 get 100 pts, limit 2

tresemme trial size stylers $1.00 get 100 pts, limit 2

lipton sparkling tea 12 oz get 200 pts wyb 2/$2.00, limit 2

rite aid home gift wrap tape,  get 200 pts wyb 2/$2.00, limit 2

russell stover holiday candy bags, get 200 pts wyb 2/$2.00. limit2

sharpie markers, get 200 pts wyb 2/$2.00. limit 2

nabisco convenience packs, get 300 pts wyb 2/$3.00, limit 2

oral-b manual toothbrush, $3.00 get 300 pts, limit 2

5 Hour Energy, $4.00 get 400 pts, limit 1

GE light bulb, $4.00 get 400 pts, limit 1

sally hansen triple shine nail enamel, $4.00 get 400 pts, limit 2

glitter tape gold or silver get 500 pts wyb 2/$5.00, limit 2

comtrex Cold Relief, $3.99, get 300 pts, limit 2

(I didn’t want the Zim’s cream, Phillip’s earbuds or Conair elastics because I already have them in the stockpile. Nivea tins were gone. Other than the cold medicine, every item had 100% rebate.)

Wow, just writing it outs makes me tired; it always amazes me that I do this annually, but in the end, I’m glad I did it!

Hungry Cats Need Purina’s #SavorShreddedBlend

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This post is sponsored by Pro Plan SAVOR Shredded Blend and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I’m being compensated for helping enrich the lives of pets, but I only share info that’s relevant to readers. ProPlan SAVOR Shredded Blend is not responsible for the content of this article.

Having pets is one of my greatest joys in life. There is nothing like the love and affection felt when you’re snuggling with a sweet kitty. I’ve had my special guy, Pumpkin, for 12 years now and he means the world to me.

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Because his health and happiness are paramount, I’m very careful about the food I buy for him (he is also incredibly picky). Many of the cheaper foods on the market are loaded with fillers, preservatives, and other bad things that need to be avoided. Purina is a safe brand that we’ve always had success with, so I was excited to learn about their new product, Pro Plan SAVOR Shredded Blend.

Unlike most dry food, this combines crunchy kibble with tender, meaty shreds giving it a unique taste and texture that cats will love. It also eliminates the need for separate wet and dry foods to be combined, saving time and making meal time easier.

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Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Shredded blend is available in two varieties: Chicken & Rice and Salmon & Rice. (Pumpkin is obsessed with poultry and he gobbles up the Chicken flavor!) Each blend is 40% protein which provides an excellent source of energy, and also includes these important nutrients:

• Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, for healthy skin and coat

• Natural prebiotic fiber, sourced from chicory root, which helps promote digestive health

• Vitamin A and taurine which help promote healthy vision

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After eating Purina, Pumpkin is always ready go outside, run around and play.

Ready for your cats to experience this awesome food?  The entire line can be found at PetSmart stores and their website. You can also keep up to date with everything happening at Purina by following them on your favorite social networks.

Purina Website

ProPlanCat on Instagram

@ProPlanCat on Twitter