Picking up a Jumbo pack of diapers on my lunch hour…these days that’s what I call a “power lunch”. Over the past couple of weeks I have finally started to dive into developing my idea for my blog (which umm..yeah…I started back in February…). Luckily, once I get rolling I am usually good to go, but it seems like my back is always up against the wall when it comes to having time.

I also work full-time outside the home, so I am constantly looking for new ways to multitask. The blackberry has become my best friend and worst enemy. I love being able to easily check emails, status updates, etc. Doing so, however, inevitably leads to a panic attack’s worth of “mommy guilt”.

For those of you that work full-time and have multiple children, please note: I do realize I only have one child, how anyone manages more than one is beyond me. My neighbor, who is 81 years old and has raised 3 children of her own said to me, “When you have more than one you just divide up your time. You cannot give anymore than you have.”. I keep these words in my head and somehow, they help quiet that nagging part of my brain calling me a bad mom. …but I digress

Meanwhile, yes, I still look for ways to squeeze every minute for what its worth… doing yoga or reading “What to Expect the Toddler Years” in the bathroom while my son plays in the bathtub, catching up on emails on my blackberry while my son naps in my arms…mommyhood is a constant battle for balance. We do the best we can with what we have and well…isn’t that all anyone can do?

In truth, when it all comes down to it, I think it comes down to priorities. If I need that “me time” every once in a while to help keep my sanity, it’s okay, in the long run I am a better mom for it.

Save time sifting through all the coupons – here are the best offers for the week (based on where I shop) broken down by store – please feel free to post any that you have found!

Giant Eagle

Purex 3in1 detergent $3.00 off (Red Plum Insert) coupon making it just 99 cents!!

$1 off Smart Steps (Smartsource Insert) – They sell the tissues for $1.25 making it just 25 cents for a box of tissues

$.60 off Pepperidge Farm cookies (=$1.20 at GE) (Smartsource Insert) they are on sale for $2.50 making it just $1.30/pkg !

CVS
Colgate toothpaste – Free after extrabucks, plus $1 coupon in Smartsource making it $1 PROFIT (Limit 2 per HH)

Gold Emblem 2-Liter of pop is just $1 with $1 extrabuck back = FREE

Bonus! Scan your card at their coupon center and get a coupon for 99cents off Brach’s candy corn, which is on sale for 99cents making it FREE!

Other
I know Dollar General (and other places may have it for about $1) has the Gain Dish Detergent for around $1.00 and today’s PG saver has a $1 coupon making it FREE!

Bonus – Today Cabela’s has Northface cami’s 1.88 (reg. $26!) + $6 shipping

Fall brings a great variety of limited-edition foods with a pumpkin twist!

Below are a few examples – there is even pumpkin flavored dog treats – lol!

What is your favorite seasonal Pumpkin item?

Before my son was born last year, we spent time not only preparing a baby room, but a man cave for my husband. Our finished attic became his domain. My space had always been the sunroom which is now called “the toy room.”

This momma needs her own space! Over the next few months I will be working to find a creative way to make a “Mommy Man-Cave.”

I am looking for ideas on how other moms have created their own space in the house. Did you plant yourself in the laundry room? Or did the guest room have to go in order to have a home office? Let me know!

Mommy Cave Desperately Yours,
Valerie

As a mom who works full-time, the highlight of my day is the time in the evening that I get to spend with my son. In the small amount of time that we have to spend together (where we are not getting dinner, eating or going through our betime ritual) I like to take some of the playtime to work on verbal skills, colors, numbers, etc.

Case in point: Tonight we were going through our colors book and as we would learn about a color, I would try to get him to find an object in the room that was the same color. Unfortunately he did not seem very interested in the activity and was looking for anything else laying around to keep him entertained. Example: Instead of noting that the light up pumpkin was orange, he would rather try to unplug it from the outlet.

Other moms have kids who can say words like “button” and “shoe”. Meanwhile, my little guy is more content to try to figure out how to latch the buckles on his high chair. Is this normal 14th month old behavior for a boy or am I just being an overanxious mom when it comes to “teachable moments”?

Please share your thoughts and advice!

Living eco-nomically, isn’t always economical when you are trying to manage all the things that we moms try to manage, but here are some economical ways to help you and your family live a greener lifestyle:

Countertop Compost Bins

Save time and trips outside by using these compost bins that you can keep inside and then take all of your compost goodies to your outside pile once a week. These come in a variety of styles and starting at just 12.95. Fancier ones run as much as $60 and up. Not only does it save time, but you will be rewarded with great topsoil this spring!

Crafty Recycling
This winter, when the kids are clamoring for something “fun” to do, you’ll be glad that you saved those popsicle sticks from summer. Keep a box with cleaned items that you have saved which would otherwise have been easily discarded.

Beyond the Popsicle Sticks:

• Egg Cartons
• Waterbottles
• Milk Jugs
• Baby Wipes Containers
• Paper Towel/Toilet Paper Rolls
• Magazines (for cutting out pictures and letters from ads)

Possibilities are as wide as your child’s imagination!

Save on Wrapping Paper

• Keep the comics from Sunday’s papers to wrap gifts – comics fit shirt boxes perfect!
• Have your child decorate a box with their own creativity by gluing, pictures, old buttons, wall paper, bows, etc to create a one of a kind decorated box.
• Use a scarf or extra sewing fabric to wrap boxes instead of regular disposable paper. There are several online retailers who also sell fabric wrapping (See image below)