Been awhile since I did a Flashback Friday for you guys. Actually, geez, I completely missed doing one in April. Maybe I’ll just double up this month then to make up for it…

I probably should’ve saved this week’s Flashback for a month from now in honor of Father’s Day. But it got into my head, and you know what happens when a song gets stuck in your head. Anyways, I was a fan of Genesis in the ’80s like most average kids. I didn’t love ‘em, didn’t hate ‘em, just kinda dug their songs.

But in 1985, Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford went on to do a solo project. And I think I actually liked those guys better than Genesis. “Those guys” were Mike & The Mechanics, and when I first heard their song “Silent Running,” I was blown away. Here was a rock band with a song that played out like some science fiction movie, and the music even seemed to fit. And while I still love that tune, I decided to go with a much slower and more touching tune. (Go ahead, call me a wuss. I can take it.)

This one’s about dear ol’ dad. And chances are, you remember hearing this a zillion times on the radio.

Mike & The Mechanics - The Living Years

COUPON TIME:

Continuing with the father/son theme, here are a few coupons for dads everywhere to enjoy.

15% off your online order at The Children’s Place
Valid online only. At checkout, enter web code S2A58.
Valid through: June 1, 2008

$10 off a purchase of $25 or more at Snapfish
At checkout use coupon code ULTCOUPMAY.
Valid through: June 3, 2008
Plus 20 Free Prints for new Snapfish customers. Can be used once per customer. Cannot be combined with other coupons.

50% off on any NHL or NBA Logo when you
buy any regular priced Fathead
Valid through: May 20, 2008
Discounts will be applied in the shopping cart. Gift Cards and E-Certificates not included.

Since I started working at home over a year ago now, the biggest thing I probably miss is… Dunkin Donuts coffee. Particularly in the summer. I used to always stop at the D&D’s right down the road from my office. I’d run in and grab a large iced coffee and head back to the office (usually with a box or two of munchkins for my staff if they hadn’t ticked me off the day before). And nothing beats a hot summer day then an ice cold coffee. Well, nothing except an ice cold beer. But I wasn’t about to walk into work with one, or even six, of those.

So yeah, that’s what I miss most about not driving into work everyday. Granted, I save a fortune on gas, have no commute and can work in my jammies. But tomorrow, I gotta get outta the house because its…

FREE ICED COFFEE DAY!!!

On May 15, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at participating Dunkin Donuts, you can get a free 16 oz. iced coffee. I know I”ll be hitting up every D&D in my area (there’s gotta be like a dozen I gather), so I should be good and super wired all day tomorrow! Hopefully I’ll remember to at least put on pants first…

Yesterday was Mother’s Day and I hope all you moms out there had a wonderful day full of great gifts, good food and lots of pampering. But today’s Monday, so back to reality I guess. Heh. And since yesterday was all mom, I figured I’d take today to talk about dads. Or specifically, my dad.

I know today’s kids are way different then my generation, back in the “just-starting-out” VCR days of the early 1980s. The only war we knew then was a cold one that was all scare and no real fighting. Music videos were risque if they showed a bunch of women in halter tops and mini-skirts. And other then Eddie Murphy’s “Raw” or George Carlin’s anything, cursing wasn’t the the average norm that anyone could hear/find on a regular basis in normal conversation. And the internet? Hah. Yeah, no such thing. We were limited to super-slow dial-up modems that would connect you to a local BBS so you could play really lame games. So yes, it was a very different time back in the early ’80s.

My dad had a great philosophy in regards to me as a kid, in terms of movies. He’d much rather have me watch or see nudity, then let me see violence. So I guess that’s why I really don’t care for war movies or horror films. And show me a teenager who’d argue with his dad about seeing naked chicks. With that in mind, though, it didn’t mean he’d go renting crazy X-rated films for me or anything. But, it also meant that I could practically get away with a lot.

Probably the best story to sum up my dad is with this anecdote. I must’ve been about 12 or 13 at the time I’d guess and we were at the local video store at the time. (Yes, this is way before the birth of chains like Blockbuster.) Somehow he came across the movie “Porky’s.” I don’t remember the details, but I’m sure I conveniently placed that box near his line of vision. He ended up renting it, and as he was checking out, the woman behind the counter reminded him that it’s rated R and not really appropriate for kids. My dad thanked him and we left. Then I 100% will never forget this. We go home and pop the movie in the VCR. My dad’s in his big comfy chair, leaning back with his feet up. I’m all decked out on the white couch, laughing my butt off. (We both like comedies, so it definitely was the right type of movie for us.) It’s certainly adult in tone and there’s some quick nude flashes early on. Then it comes to… “the scene.”

If you’ve every heard of the movie, you know what I’m talking about. It’s the girls’ shower scene, where a few of the guys are peeking at the girls through holes in the wall and it’s… gasp… full frontal nudity. (Hey, that was realllly big and unheard of back in the ’80s.) It was also the one moment I was waiting for. The very reason I wanted to see this movie. And as the scene starts, without moving from his chair, my dad actually says, “Uh, I don’t think this movie’s really appropriate for you, Andrew.” My heart starts racing like mad, while my eyes are literally glued to the boob tube. (Pun intended.) I think I managed to mutter an “Uh huh” or something. And… well… that was it. I didn’t stop watching. My dad didn’t stop me. Nor did he say another word. I guess his saying it once validated him in his mind. And I had no problem with that at all.

COUPON TIME:

Now THIS is tough one. How do I tie this post into coupons. No way I’m hunting down codes for adult sites or anything, so get your mind out of the gutter. But since that shower scene was the highlight of my youth, I’ll work with that and get you guys a bunch of home-improvement/hardware store coupons. Go, dad!

10% off select Appliance Purchases of $399 or more
Plus Free Delivery & Haul Away via mail-in rebate
Valid through: May 14, 2008 11:59pm ET
$399 minimum excludes taxes, warranty, delivery and installation fees. Offer not valid on prior purchases.

FREE shipping on select Power Tools at HomeDepot.com
Offer ends: July 31, 2008
Offer includes: combination tool kits, drill presses, cordless drills, corded drills, impact drivers, screwdrivers, screwguns, sanders, polishers, grinders, hammer drills, chippers, breakers, lathes, staplers, planers, joiners, routers, recip saws, spiral saws, cut-off saws, circular saws, jig saws, band saws, worm drive saws, mitre saws, table saws, heat guns, nibblers, shears, stationary table saws and nailers. Offer excludes garden tools, plumbing tools and electrical tools. This offer cannot be combined with any other discount, offer, promotion or special incentive program, and is not valid on: (a) the purchase of gift cards or certificates; (b) prior purchases; or (c) certain items containing weight and/or size shipping restrictions.

15% off all washers and dryers at Sears.com
Plus Free Delivery & Haul Away (after rebate)
Valid through: May 16, 2008
Excludes Great Price items, Electrolux, LG Brand, Kenmore PRO, closeouts, and outlet store purchases

Shop at Northern Tool + Equipment through Shop.com and save:
$5 off a purchase of $50+ with coupon code BRDH5.
$10 off a purchase of $100+ with coupon code BRDH10.
Do not use Guest Checkout if you want to use a coupon!
Valid through: May 31, 2008
You MUST use this link to use the coupon. It will NOT work at NorthernTool.com. Coupons are valid only at select Shop.com stores. Computer/Electronics stores excluded.

So, like, this Sunday is Mother’s Day. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve thought about it for the past few weeks and kept telling yourself, “I’ll get something for mom next week when I’m at the mall.” And then next week comes, and you’re at the mall and you see a cool new Xbox 360 video game so you start looking at how Mario’s going to get sucker punched by Bowser again, and then you remember you need a new pair of sneakers, and you really should buy a Yankees T-shirt, ’cause like you don’t even have one anymore. And before you know it, you’re back at home thinking, “Huh. Guess I’ll get something for mom next week.” And now it’s Wednesday and you’re just mere days away from Mother’s Day. Nice job! Heh.

For you procrastinators out there, here’s a quick list of nice things you can do for dear ol’ mom that are sure to put a smile on her face:

• Be like ET! Yep, phone home. Whether you talk to your mom like 10 times a day or maybe once every 6 months, go ahead and pick up the phone. Tell her how much you miss her and that you wish her a great Mother’s Day and that you wish you could be there with her and all that. Be sure to mention you just got a haircut and that she was 100% totally right about [insert one of the 64 things your mom told you that you had to do, last time you spoke with her].
• Be like MacGyver! Get your lazy butt over to your mom’s house and finally make good on those endless promises you’ve made in the past to fix things next time you’re over. Whether it’s mowing her lawn, changing a light bulb, setting the clock on her DVD player or fixing those annoying sliding closet doors that always come off the track… just get over there and get to work.
• Be like Rachel Ray! No, I don’t mean shrink down a few inches and put the most gigantic smile ever on your face… I’m talking about cooking! Mom’s spent an entire lifetime (yours!) making you some of your favorite meals. So it’s about time you returned the favor. Whip up one of her favorite dishes, or if that’s way too complicated, just open up a can or a frozen TV dinner. Whatever. Just make an effort to make a meal for her. Cause no matter how awful it really is, mom will still love it. And if not, remind her that it’s totally the thought that counts.
• Be like those thumbs up/thumbs down guys! (I’d say Siskel and Ebert, but sadly Siskel is dead and Ebert’s suffering from lots of surgery/cancer. And I don’t remember the names of the guys who replaced them… But I digress…) Don’t be a wuss. Suck it up and take your mom to the movies. Just be sure it’s a movie she wants to see, not you. And don’t try spinning it somehow that you thought mom would love to see “Street Kings.” Nobody’s buying it.
• Be like DaVinci! I’m not talking about speaking in code. I’m talking about just being creative. Use whatever talent you have and make something for mom. Write a poem. Paint a picture. Take some photos and make a collage. Arrange a flower bouquet with flowers from your garden. Whatever it is, just put a piece of yourself in it, and mom’s sure to treasure it. (Plus, it’s a lot cheaper then buying her a new camera.)

COUPON TIME:

If all that sounds like way too much work, here’s a few last-minute coupons/deals so you can just order mom something cool online that she can return to the store later when she hates it:

10% off all online orders at The Company Store
Use promotional code AFDSAVE10.
Valid through: May 11, 2008
One-time use only. Discount applies to new orders of in-stock merchandise only, on merchandise total exclusive of tax and delivery charges. Valid only for purchases made online at TheCompanyStore.com and CompanyKids.com. Offer does not apply to past purchases, as payment on any credit card account, to the purchase of Clearance items, Charisma products, gift cards, or club memberships, and may not be combined with any other offer.

20% off your order at ICE.com
Use this link to activate the coupon code.
Valid through: May 11, 2008 11:59pm ET
One coupon per customer. Excludes sale items, engagement rings and items under Hollywood Jewels. Cannot be combined with any other coupons.

Send 12 Assorted Mother’s Day Roses + 6 FREE and FREE vase
for just $29.99 at ProFlowers
Valid through: May 9, 2008 or while supplies last

Save $10 and get FREE Chocolates when you send
24 Assorted Petite Roses, $29.99 at ProFlowers
Valid through: May 9, 2008 or while supplies last

15% off your online order at Teleflora.com
Use this link to activate the coupon.
Valid through: May 11, 2008
May not be combined with any other promotion and is not valid toward previous purchases. Not valid at retail locations or partner sites.

20% off select Roses or Lilies at Teleflora.com
Use this link to activate the coupon.
Valid through: May 11, 2008
May not be combined with any other promotion and is not valid toward previous purchases. Not valid at retail locations or partner sites.

Buy Mom a Magellan 3250 GPS Receiver, Get Yourself a Magellan 1200 GPS Receiver Free at RadioShack
Use this link for details.
Valid through: May 11, 2008

$20 off orders of $100 or more at Shoes.com
Excludes Sale Items
Click the “Apply Code Here” button in your shopping cart and enter coupon code may100.
Valid through: May 16, 2008 11:59pm CT
Not valid on Bags and the following brands: Allen Edmonds, Bruno Magli, Burton, Crocs, Dansko, Ecco, K-Swiss, LAMB, Keen, Lucchese, Mark Nason, MBT, Mephisto, Merrell, Puma, Royal Elastics, Siren, Stuart Weitzman and Ugg. May not be combined with other offers or applied to previous purchases. Valid only on orders shipped to the U.S.

$5 off orders of $50 or more at Shoes.com
Excludes Sale Items
Click the “Apply Code Here” button in your shopping cart and enter coupon code may50.
Valid through: May 16, 2008 11:59pm CT
Not valid on Bags and the following brands: Allen Edmonds, Bruno Magli, Burton, Crocs, Dansko, Ecco, K-Swiss, LAMB, Keen, Lucchese, Mark Nason, MBT, Mephisto, Merrell, Puma, Royal Elastics, Siren, Stuart Weitzman and Ugg. May not be combined with other offers or applied to previous purchases. Valid only on orders shipped to the U.S.

Apologies to all my loyal readers (which surprisingly is a lot more than just like 2 or 3 friends), for my lack of posting the past week or two. April was a super crazy zany month for us, mainly because we just sold our house and moved into a small 2-bedroom apartment. (We figured it’d be smarter to sell first, and then look for a new house to buy. Especially considering today’s market conditions.) So that’s the main reason time has been sucked away from me, and thus you all suffer terribly with less-than-daily posts from yours truly.

But beyond that, this week was a doozy. Let me start by saying this: “Despite what you think, your dad is probably right. ”

That’s pretty much what was running through my head on Tuesday morning as I lay on a cold dirty floor, holding paper towels and a ziplock bag full of ice over my left eye as I stared at the blood in my right hand.

I was at our house for some last-minute cleanup before the closing (spackle some giant holes in the wall, pick up the last big items, etc.). My dad met me there and wanted to take a few things. So I was in the garage, helping him take apart this tall plastic shelf system. It’s four big plastic shelves with holes in each corner, and four long plastic rods that go in each hole. You just pull the whole thing apart. Dad brought along a rubber mallet to whack the thing apart easily. I figured I could help by just pulling or twisting one of the rods out. It was a bit tighter then I thought. But apparently it just needed a tug… ’cause that foot-long plastic rod came flying out at like 90 mph and hit me square in the left eye. I literally saw stars, cursed like a sailor and with my left eye still closed and covered by my left hand, I looked down at my right hand and saw blood. Granted, it was only about 2 or 3 drops, probably about the size of a nickel total. But it was still blood. Smashed eye + blood = I think I’m gonna hurl.

Feeling weak, I made my way into the house and sat on the steps. (Remember, the house was completely empty. No furniture, no nothing.) Dad came running in behind me wanting to see the cut. I was able to open my left eye and see, so that fear was quickly abated.

And then it happened.

I started to sweat. A lot.

And I knew what that meant, since it’s happened a few times before. Knowing that I was moments away from most likely passing out, I did the only thing I could do. I scooted myself to the floor…

The next thing I knew, I was having a blast with my friends when, all of a sudden, I was sitting on the floor of my old house with my dad standing above me asking if I’m okay. “What a weird dream,” I thought. Until after a minute or so I realized the “friends” thing was the dream. This was reality. So I laid on the floor with a roll of paper towels under my head as a pillow, while my dad got me ice for my eye.

I’ll cut the rest of the story short and say that our bodies are amazing. The shape of our eye sockets truly do protect our eyes. That round rod smacked me real hard all around my eye socket. I’m a little black and blue above my eye lid, real sore, and have a nasty small gash in my eyebrow. (That’s where the blood came from). But my eye itself is 100% fine.

So yes. I basically punched myself in the eye and passed out. Probably one of the stupidest and wussiest things I’ve ever done. But at least I got out of spackling!

COUPON TIME:

Since I’ve been slacking in my posting duties lately, rather then theme any coupons this time around, I’ll take advantage of it being the beginning of the month, and spotlight some of the best new promos going on.

$10 off $75 in Apparel, Shoes & Home at Sears.com
Use coupon code ASOFT1075.
Valid through: May 3, 2008

20% off jewelry at Ross-Simons.com
Use promotion code MOM2008.
Valid through: May 10, 2008
Online only. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Excludes clearance merchandise, gift certificates, prior sales, loose diamonds and mountings, select brands and art gallery purchases.

Free Shipping on all orders at SteveMadden.com
Valid through: May 4, 2008 11:59pm ET
Continental U.S. only. Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion.

Free Shipping with an order over $99 at BabyAge.com
Use coupon code MAY99 duing checkout.
Valid through: May 31, 2008 11:59pm ET
Excludes all furniture, including but not limited to, DaVinci, Giftmark, Sorelle, Angel Line, Lipper, Simplicity, Bratt Decour, Dutalier, Shermag, Jennifer Delonge. Cannot be combined with any other coupons. Not valid on previous purchases.

10% off any size online order at Jewelry Television
Valid online only. Enter promotion code discmycj10 at checkout.
Valid through: May 31, 2008 11:59pm ET
Not valid on auction items and XTR products. Cannot be combined with other coupons. Coupon may be used one time per customer.

10% off online orders at WorldofWatches.com
Use coupon code MOM10.
Valid through: May 11, 2008 11:59pm ET
Excludes Cartier, Omega, Tag Heuer & Breitling. Cannot be combined with other offers.

10% off online orders at Wayside Gardens
Use Bonus Code MAY10.
Valid through: May 31, 2008

$5 off online orders over $50 at HomeDepot.com
Use promotion code SPRING21 at checkout.
Valid through: May 11, 2008
This offer is valid and redeemable for a 10% discount on an online order at homedepot.com only. This offer cannot be combined with any other discount, offer, promotion or special incentive program and is not valid on: (a) labor or Self-Furnish and Install (”SF&I”) and Furnish and Install (”F&I”) program products, including without limitation roofing, windows, siding, HVAC products, custom closets, storage solutions, installed sheds or structures; (b) the purchase of gift cards or certificates; (c) prior purchases; or (d) Consumer Electronics (including, but not limited to, televisions, DVD players, speakers, home theaters, cellular phones, etc.), John Deere, Cub Cadet, Little Giant Ladder Systems, Thermador in select markets, Gaggenau, Miele, Dacor, Viking, Fisher&Paykel, Sharp Insight, Delonghi, Casablanca, Hunter Prestige, Buckhaven, Weber, Lynx, Alfresco, OCI, Marvel, Bertazzoni, Aga, and Vent A Hood products and trade styles.

It’s really nice out today. Probably going to hit the 80s by mid afternoon. So for the first time this season, I’m wearing shorts. Exciting, I know. But all this nice weather brings me back to my childhood where we’d play in our backyard just running around and hanging out on our swing set.

This is back when swing sets were made out of metal. Not these crazy newfangled giant wooden tree forts they sell today. Or those insane 5,000 feet tall inflatable towers/slides that are more souped up then most water parks. No, I’m talking the bare bones metal swing sets with 2 swings, a slide and this little 2-seater see-saw like thing that you could sit in and just swing back and forth.

I loved playing on this thing and thought absolutely nothing of the fact that it was made of metal. And metal rusts. And there was rust. Worse, there were big honking screws keeping this thing together. Sure, little plastic caps would cover the sharp edge of the screws, but after a few years, they started to crack and fall off. I probably still have the battle scars from all the cuts and scrapes I earned playing superhero or G.I. Joe on that metal fortress of solitude.

Plus, well, metal gets hot. And when it’s the summer and the sun’s out, it’s hot. I don’t know why I didn’t get 3rd degree burns on my calves as I slid down that slide, but I guess my folks put the thing somewhat in the shade. I haven’t seen these type of swing sets in quite some time now, though I’m sure they must still make them, right? Although, I have to admit… if I did have one of those huge wooden tree fort types that kids have today, well, I probably would’ve just moved right in for good and just lived in the Hall of Justice forever.

COUPON TIME:

Here’s a bunch of deals and coupons for outdoor fun (as well as lawn and garden care), so hopefully you can find a good swing set and save some big bucks in the process. Just don’t ask me to help you put it together, okay?

Free shipping on orders over $200 at Little Tikes
Use discount code SPAF2008.
Valid through: April 30, 2008 11:59pm ET
Valid online only. Not valid on previous purchases or future exchanges. Offer valid on standard shipping charges to addresses in the contiguous U.S. only; rush charges and/or large item surcharges are additional.

$10 off $300 in Lawn & Garden at Sears.com
Use coupon code ALAG10300.
Valid through: April 26, 2008

$15 off a purchase of $75 or more at AceHardware.com
Use code MCACE75 in the promotion/discount code box at checkout.
Valid through: June 30, 2008 11:59pm ET
Sale & clearance items, grills, power tools & equipment, lawn mowers, snowblowers, Carhartt clothing, Nextar GPS unit, select other items, gift cards, taxes, shipping and handling charges, gift wrapping and similar charges do not count towards $75 minimum. Cannot be combined with other coupons or offers. Cannot be used on previously purchased merchandise. U.S. only. Might need to pay with a MasterCard.

$200 off a SunSetter Retractable Awning
Use this link to get your free coupon.

I’m going to share something embarrassing now. Why you might ask? Honestly, I have no clue. There’s just something about a blog that’s diary-like, but in a public sort of way. And since a lot of you keep coming back everyday to see what nonsense I have to spew, I figure I owe you. So here goes.

When I was a kid, I could totally relate to Linus from “Peanuts.” See, I had a few stuffed animals on my bed (one being a big fluffy Snoopy) that I’d sleep with. But the one thing I absolutely HAD to have or I couldn’t sleep… well, that was my blanket. It was white, with a satin-type strip along the edges. And I’m not sure how it was made, but it had a knit sort of style so that there were teeny tiny holes here and there that you could see through. It was pretty thin, not too big (probably 3 feet by 3 feet), and quite easily THE softest thing you will ever feel in your life.

I called it my NunNun.

Get your laughing out now. Done yet? Okay, I’ll wait. Hmmm… hmmm… hmmm… Okay. So why NunNun? That’s easy. There was one corner of the blanket that was very very frayed. Which means it was also the softest part of the whole thing. I used to take that blanket everywhere in the house with me and while watching TV, I’d take that super soft corner and just keep rubbing it gently across my face while saying “nunununununun” over and over. Granted I must’ve been like 3 or 4 when I started doing that. So as I got older, that got shortened to just “NunNun” and thus it had a name.

I never took it out of the house, but I definitely used to play with it, either as a superhero cape or to make some sort of tent. It was always there with me.

I remember when I finally gave it up, though. And here’s the really embarrassing part. Yes, I finally put my poor, tattered NunNun to rest when… when I went away to college. There. I said it. So I’d like to take a moment of silence to remember my best childhood friend… my security blanket who didn’t just keep me warm and toasty, but also protected me from the monsters under my bed as I slept safely every single night.

COUPON TIME:

Okay, after that post I think I need to really get some manly coupons going on over here. And since Spring Fever is in full bloom and everyone’s in a cleaning/fixing-up mode, here are some good deals for home and home repair type stores. (Yeah, I think I still need a beer to man up a bit…)

$100 off online orders over $1000 at AbsoluteHome.com
Use coupon code AHAPR08AF.
Valid through: April 30, 2008 11:59pm PT
Not valid with other offers or promotions, clearance or closeout items, or framed art items. Some restrictions apply.

25% off orders over $450 at Blindsgalore
Use the above link to get the coupon code.
Valid through: April 21, 2008 11:59pm ET

10% off any size order at Kmart.com
In your shopping cart enter coupon code AK10OFF7.
Valid through: April 19, 2008
Valid online only. Cannot be combined with other coupons. Not valid on previous purchases.

15% off all Appliances at Sears.com
Plus, use your Sears card on appliances $399+ and get:
Free Delivery & Haul Away after mail-in rebate
OR 12 Months No Interest No Payments
Valid through: April 19, 2008
Free standard local delivery and haul away after mail-in rebate on any Appliance over $399 after discounts (when you use your Sears card). Standard delivery includes delivery within the local delivery area Monday through Friday and delivery not requiring additional services or time. Free Shipping offer excludes Kitchen Aid built-in Refrigerators and outlet stores. 15% off discount excludes Great Price items, Electrolux, LG Brand, Kenmore PRO small kitchen appliances, sewing machines, closeouts, dehumidifiers, water heaters, air conditioners, compact refrigerators, countertop appliances, microwave hood combinations, and outlet store purchases. See site for additional details.

FREE shipping on select Power Tools at HomeDepot.com
Offer ends: July 31, 2008
Offer includes: combination tool kits, drill presses, cordless drills, corded drills, impact drivers, screwdrivers, screwguns, sanders, polishers, grinders, hammer drills, chippers, breakers, lathes, staplers, planers, joiners, routers, recip saws, spiral saws, cut-off saws, circular saws, jig saws, band saws, worm drive saws, mitre saws, table saws, heat guns, nibblers, shears, stationary table saws and nailers. Offer excludes garden tools, plumbing tools and electrical tools. This offer cannot be combined with any other discount, offer, promotion or special incentive program, and is not valid on: (a) the purchase of gift cards or certificates; (b) prior purchases; or (c) certain items containing weight and/or size shipping restrictions (details in item descriptions). Continental United States only. No P.O. Boxes.

Get a FREE Home Depot Gift Card when you purchase select Appliances priced at $299 or more
Get a FREE The Home Depot Gift Card up to $250 by mail-in rebate when you purchase select appliances, including floor care and home comfort appliances, priced at $299 or more.
Buy appliances priced $299 - $496 and get a $25 Gift Card
Buy appliances priced $497 - $746 and get a $50 Gift Card
Buy appliances priced $747 - $996 and get a $75 Gift Card
Buy appliances priced $997 - $1,496 and get a $100 Gift Card
Buy appliances priced $1,497 - $1,996 and get a $150 Gift Card
Buy appliances priced $1,997 - $2,496 and get a $200 Gift Card
Buy appliances priced $2,497+ and get a $250 Gift Card
Offer valid on select appliances, including floor care and home comfort appliances, between March 27 and April 23, 2008. The Gift Card award is based on the purchase price of the individual item (not including delivery, sales tax or installation) not the purchase total. Valid at The Home Depot U.S. stores, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. Offer not valid at EXPO Design Center. No credit if offer refused. See rebate form for details. OFFER EXCLUDES LG APPLIANCES.

I’m not a big car guy. Sure I’ve always wanted a black Trans-Am with a gold Firebird on the hood, after watching “Smokey and the Bandit” 600 times as a kid. But I can barely tell an Audi from an, er, Innie these days. I’ve always been pretty much a Honda guy and while my current green Civic is on its last legs, it gets the job done.

I’ve had very few complaints about my car. Brakes have been great. Engine holds up swimmingly. It’s a great car with great pickup and all that jazz. But there’s one thing about it that continually drives me to cursing like a sailor. Honda knows how to make great cars… but they have no clue how to make a decent cup holder. Seriously. The one in my ‘99 Civic is quite possible the worst cup holder I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s your basic molded plastic, but it’s pretty wide at the base and not tall at all. So unless you have like a reallllly wide shot glass of coffee, whatever else you put in there is destined to fall. And that’s exactly what’s happened countless times. To me. And my pants.

I can’t tell you how many times a regular-sized cup of diet coke from McDonald’s has tipped over, spilling all over my right leg and the floor mat. Heck, even a small cup of coffee will happily bounce right out and take great joy in scalding my leg, ruining my pants, and adding more stains to that poor poor floor mat. I’ve certainly learned my lessons a bit, and now whenever I have a cup and I’m making a turn, I’ll hold that cup damn tight until I’m out of the turn. But even still, it’s not foolproof… nor spill proof.

The sad thing is that I’ve seen the latest Honda models too, and while they’re light years ahead of the world’s worst cup holder… they still fall far short of being decent. Maybe I should just give up drinking all together. After all, we don’t need liquid to survive, do we?

COUPON TIME:

I could offer up some coffee coupons, but that just causes me more painful memories. So instead, in hopes of helping others and maybe even myself, here are a few current coupons for auto parts.

$5 off online orders over $99 at Auto Parts Warehouse
Plus Free Shipping!
Use this link and coupon code 5APW.
Valid through: May 3, 2008

$10 off online orders over $199 at Auto Parts Warehouse
Plus Free Shipping!
Use this link and coupon code TENAPW.
Valid through: May 3, 2008

10% off any size online order at JCWhitney.com
Use promo code BSAFD8 in your shopping cart and click “Add Promo”.
Valid through: April 30, 2008
Valid online only. Excludes sale items and certain other products. This offer may not be combined with any other discount, rebate, gift or other promotional offer. Excludes the purchase of Gift Certificates.

$10 off orders over $199 at Parts Train
Use coupon code TENPT.
Valid through: May 3, 2008

No, I still can’t play basketball to save my life. (I am good at getting rebounds though! It’s getting the ball IN the hoop that’s the hard part.) But I just wanted to bring to everyone’s attention a new section of the site that we recently added: Games!

If you’re into games like Bingo or the Lottery and want a shot at winning some pretty cool prizes, then take a look at our new Ultimate Coupons Games area. It’s easy to sign up and by playing the Money Wheel or Banko game you can earn points to trade in for prizes. Hey, just like Chuck E. Cheese’s only without the scary guy in a mouse costume, far less noise and no bacteria-infected broken arcade games! Sounds like a win-win to me. Heh.

Prizes change all the time, but you can cash in your points for basically entries in drawings for prizes like an iPod Touch or even $500 cash. While there’s only two games currently in the area, Netwinner (the fine folks who are providing us all the spiffy technology) is working on a bunch more. So hopefully soon you’ll see more added.

I’m curious how many of you like these games. Give it a shot and let me know if it’s something you do like or don’t. Or if you’d rather see different types of games, etc. I’ll be honest and tell you we don’t make money from you actually signing up and playing any games, though there are ads that run while you play and we’ll make a small percentage from that. (So yes, the longer you play, the more money we have a chance at making. But honestly, I don’t expect to make much at all. Though if you guys are playing for a long time, that means you’re enjoying them, and that’s really what counts.)

So if you do want to play around a little, I’d really appreciate any feedback at all. That’s the best part of a blog, instant feedback from your hardcore users. (Uh, yeah, that’s you reading this.) Thanks muchly in advance!

Ultimate Coupons Games

COUPON TIME:

Games, games, games! Figured since I’ve got games on the brain, I’d offer up some sweet Toys and Games coupons for ya:

15% off online orders over $50 at the Nick.com Shop
Use this link to activate the coupon. If necessary, use promotion code NCK1550.
Valid through: June 30, 2008
Cannot be combined with other coupons. In-stock merchandise only. Not valid on gift cards and gift certificates. Discount does not apply to taxes, shipping and handling charges, gift-wrapping or similar charges.

$5 off online orders over $50 at Target.com
Use this link to activate the discount.
Valid though: June 30, 2008
Offer applies to purchases of $50 or more based on merchandise subtotal. Merchandise subtotal based on one shipping destination per order. GiftCards, e-GiftCards, gift wrap, tax, or shipping and handling charges will not be included in determining merchandise subtotal and are not discountable. Cannot be combined with other promotional offers or discounts or applied to previous orders. Offer available for Target.com orders only and does not apply to Peg Perego, Apple iPods, Bose electronics partner businesses, custom clothing, personalized gifts, or Amazon.com product purchases. Discount not available when using 1-Click ordering online.

$5 off an order of $50 or more at Highlights.com
Use this link to activate the coupon.
Valid through: Ongoing offer

$5 off an order over $25 online at BabiesRUs.com
Use this link and enter promotional code 921123 in your shopping cart.
Valid through: April 13, 2008
Excludes Diapers, Formula, Video Game Hardware, “R” US Gift Cards, Phone Orders, Special Orders, Buyer Protection Plan, Kiddie Kandids & Motherhood Maternity. Coupon can be used only once per person. Not valid on prior purchases.

$5 Shipping on orders of $50 or more at Disney Shopping.com
Use Promotion Code SHIPFOR5. Click “Submit”.
Valid through: April 13, 2008 11:59pm PT
$5 Shipping applies to Standard Delivery on any order of $50 or more sent to a single shipment address in the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. possessions, and APO/FPO addresses. Certain products excluded, as noted on specific Product Pages. Qualifying purchase based on pre-tax, post-discount amount and excludes Shipping & Handling charges, gift cards, gift wrap and gift boxes. Additional Shipping & Handling applies for oversized items. If any single order is sent to more than one address, Shipping & Handling charges will be applied to each shipment address. Offer valid only on orders placed online at DisneyShopping.com, DisneyStore.com and DisneyOutlet.com. Not valid on phone orders or purchases from Disney Store retail or outlet locations.

Hollywood has a pretty poor track record when it comes to converting classic ol’ TV shows to major motion pictures. The trend probably really started with the Brady Bunch movie, which was actually really well done. (The sequel on the other hand…). And yes, there were a few other solid hits like “The Fugitive,” and I’ll even give you “Charlie’s Angels” just because it was so crazy over the top it was entertaining. I’m sure there are a handful of others, but all that comes to mind are horrible insulting wastes of time like “The Dukes of Hazzard” (Ugh!), “Starsky & Hutch” and even “Dragnet” (Tom Hanks and Dan Akyrod and it still stunk).

So normally I don’t pay attention when an old TV favorite of mine gets a movie update. But this June, I have to admit, I’m really psyched to go see “Get Smart.” I loved the original series starring Don Adams as the bumbling good-hearted superspy Maxwell Smart. Any show that puts that much effort into the opening credits gets my attention. And while I didn’t know he was involved at the time, I’m a big fan of Mel Brooks’ comedies (he co-created Get Smart). So I watched the show any chance I could.

I can’t think of a better pick for Max then the awkward and nerdy Steve Carell. And I had my doubts about Anne Hathaway playing his spy partner Agent 99, but after seeing photos and the trailer, she seems a natural. The odd pick that also could work great is the new Agent 23, played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. I always loved The Rock when he wrestled, though I haven’t seen a movie with him yet that I could stomach. I may’ve finally found one.

I just watched the trailer and I have to admit, I actually laughed out loud a number of times and only cringed maybe once. So unless critics and fans alike pan this summer’s Get Smart movie, I’m so there. There just better be at least one scene with Max using his shoe phone. Although, I gather it’d be a shoe cell phone these days…

Get Smart Movie Trailer

COUPON TIME:

I recently discovered that the original Get Smart TV series is now available on DVD from TimeLife! I know I’ve seen a ton of episodes growing up, but no way I’ve seen the entire series. I don’t even recall seeing the really early ones, so I’m dying to watch the first season. And as luck would have it, I’ve even got some spiffy coupons for TimeLife so any other “Smart” fans out there can join in the fun:

Get Smart: Season 1 at TimeLife.com

15% Off Get Smart The Complete Collection plus Free Shipping at TimeLife.com
Use this link to activate the coupon.
Valid through: May 31, 2008

12% off online orders over $50 at Time Life
Use this link to activate the coupon.
Valid through: May 31, 2008
One coupon code per customer. Merchandise total should be $50 or more, excluding taxes and shipping charges, before discount is taken. Cannot be used in combination with any other offer, prior purchases, or gift certificates. US, APO and FPO customers only.

15% off online orders over $150 at Time Life
Use this link to activate the coupon.
Valid through: May 31, 2008
One coupon code per customer. Merchandise total should be $150 or more, excluding taxes and shipping charges, before discount is taken. Cannot be used in combination with any other offer, prior purchases, or gift certificates. US, APO and FPO customers only.