Seeing as how it’s the last day of 2008, I figured I would finally get around to something I should have taken care of already. First off, my apologies for barely posting at all these past few months. The holiday season is always insane and crazy,  and even more so in this new coupon-concious economy.

So the good news is, you finally get a new post from me. (Yay!) The bad news, however, is that this is the last ELC post you’ll see from me. (Boo!) I’m moving on and leaving EverybodyLovesCoupons behind. You can still come here for your daily fix of coupons and stories, but they won’t be coming from me again.

Yes, that picture on the right is me, by the way. Every year, my mom would take a photo of me in front of the house on first day of school. I’m not sure exactly what age or grade I’m in here, but seeing as how I have a spiffy Empire Strikes Back lunchbox, this has to be some point after 1980, meaning I was probably 8 or 9 years old. And yeah, I don’t know what’s cooler: my Snoopy portfolio or the rolled-up legs on my jeans…

I have to admit, I’ve had a blast working on this blog. When I started it way back in December of 2006, I had no idea what to do with it or even how to blog. But thanks to some wonderful people I’ve met on here and in the blogosphere, I managed to find my voice and learn a thing or three about the technical side of things. (Like how to use a Google Reader for RSS feeds for instance! Learning that simple tool opened up so many doors for me and I am forever grateful for it all.) I will truly cherish those friendships I’ve made for a lifetime.

Thanks to all you readers out there, as well. Whether you’ve left a comment (or many comments, as some super special bloggers have), you all helped motivate me to continue writing regularly and telling you ridiculous stories about my youth.

As for me, I’m actually moving on to work on some brand-new sites, where I’m fairly certain I’ll be blogging once again at some point. If you’d like to stay in touch or want info on my new site when it’s ready, feel free to shoot me an email at andrew AT ultimatecoupons.com. I’d love to hear from you.

The future? Well, it’s a pretty wide-open book at this point. Anything can happen and I’m just hoping for that happy ending I’ve been waiting for all this time.

Thanks again to everyone out there. And have a Happy and Healthy New Year!

COUPON TIME:

Since it’s New Year’s Eve, the only appropriate coupons I can think of are to toss out some Party Supply Coupons! Huzzah!

Free Shipping on orders of $65 or more at BirthdayInaBox.com
Use this link to activate the Promotional Code.
Valid through: December 31, 2008 11:59pm ET
Disclaimer: Offer applies to purchases of $65 or more at BirthdayinaBox.com. Qualifying amount applies to merchandise only. Packaging, taxes, or upgraded shipping & handling charges are not included. Offer not valid with any other promotions, discounts or offers. Offer is good for value of standard FedEx Ground shipping to a single address. If you choose 3rd Business Day, 2nd Business Day, Overnight, International, or any type of U.S. Mail delivery (APO, FPO or PO Box), additional charges may apply. Offer does not apply to handling charges on oversized items. No adjustments on previous purchases.

10% off online orders over $50 at BuyCostumes.com
Use coupon code FABU4U.

$5.95 Shipping on any size order at Celebrate Express
Use this link to activate the promotional keycode.
Make sure keycode EYN-378 appears in your shopping cart.
Valid through: December 31, 2008
Coupon applies to standard shipping within the continental U.S. only. Not valid on previously placed orders. Cannot be combined with other offers.

10% off online orders over $100 at ShindigZ.com
Use promotion code SZCJC8 at checkout.
Valid through: Ongoing

One of my favorite things about cooking is trying out new recipes.  I have a big collection of cookbooks (over 100) and a large pile of recipes torn from magazines that I want to try.  I could make a new recipe every day for ten years and probably never get to the bottom of that stack.  And that’s not even counting the ones I’ve bookmarked on the Internet. 

My recipe file runneth over, and so do my countertops and cabinets–with small appliances.  I’ve had to store some things that we don’t use very often in the basement.  It would be really great if my kitchen were three times its size, with lots of open shelves to store everything.  I do try to make sure that my appliances earn space in the kitchen by virtue of their versatility.  Right now, the most-used small appliances I own are the coffeemaker, bread machine, toaster oven, stand mixer, rice cooker and electric roaster oven.  It’s a good thing my microwave is above the stove, or I might have to sacrifice it in favor of something I use more.

Forget decorative accents on the kitchen countertop.  People who cook populate their counters with useful items like stick blenders, coffee grinders and crockpots.

COUPON TIME

Got room in your kitchen for a new appliance?  This is a bunch of very special offers, but they all are for a VERY limited time!  Each of these coupons expires December 31, so if you’ve been thinking about purchasing an appliance, act quickly to take advantage of these offers.

Up to 25% off Black & Decker Small Appliances at Buy.com
Valid through: December 31, 2008

Free Shipping on all Dacor products at Abt Electronics
Valid through: December 31, 2008

15% off Compact Refrigerators at CompactAppliance.com
Use coupon code FRIDGE15 in your shopping cart.
Valid through: December 31, 2008

$20 off a purchase of $125 or more at AceHardware.com
Use this link to activate the coupon or use promotional code DECAFF08. Valid through: December 31, 2008 11:59 pm ET
Sale & clearance items, power tools, power equipment, water heaters, grills, Carhartt clothing, taxes, shipping and handling charges, gift cards, gift wrapping and similar charges do not count towards $125 minimum. Cannot be used on previously purchased merchandise.

Free Shipping on online orders over $99 at CHEFS
Use this link to activate the Promotional Code.
Valid through: December 31, 2008
Valid online only for free shipping within the continental United States. Does not apply to previous orders. Items with additional postage and handling, items shipped directly from the manufacturer (listed as “AP” beneath the item price), express delivery orders, and gift cards do not qualify for free shipping. Not valid with any other offers.

Shop at Brookstone 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: December 31, 2008
You MUST use this link to use the coupon. It will NOT work at Brookstone.com. Coupons are valid only at select Shop.com stores. Computer/Electronics stores excluded.

During this very busy week of visiting, partying and eating way too many goodies (Christmas cookies for breakfast, anyone?) we have planned to spend a day cleaning up the room we want to use as our home office.  In addition to keeping our old financial files in this room, my husband has a desk and computer to run his software business.

And there’s an old, indestructible, Formica-topped kitchen table in there so the kids can do school projects involving glue, glitter, paint and clay.  It’s great to have a place for things like that.

The room also houses my literature books from grad school, my husband’s many computer-programming books (most of which were out-of-date at the time of publication) and his college science textbooks, an electronic keyboard and a whole bunch of toys the kids don’t play with anymore.

Some of that stuff has to go.  Actually, most of that stuff has to go.  And it’ll be nice to have an office space where there’s actually some space!  It’s time to make room for small business (and school projects.  There’s nowhere else in the house to do those.)

COUPON TIME

Some of these deals expire TODAY so act quickly and get your business in shape for the first of the year.

$5 off PhotoStamp orders over $50 at Stamps.com
Enter promotional code CJSAVES at checkout.
Valid through: December 31, 2008

20% off QuickBooks Accounting for Mac - CD or Download Plus Free Shipping!
Use this link to activate the coupon.
Valid through: December 29, 2008

15% off PCNow monthly subscription fees
Use this link to activate the coupon.
Discount coupon applies after you take a free trial and is valid for 12 months. You must provide valid credit card information to be eligible for the discount.

50% off your order at VistaPrint
Use this link to activate the coupon.
Valid through: December 31, 2008

15% off new purchases of $100 or more at Network Solutions
In your shopping cart, click on “Redeem Offer Code” and enter offer code ULTIMATE99. Valid through: January 1, 2009 11:59pm ET
Not valid on previous purchases.

One thing that amazes me about small children is the ease with which they learn new things.   I think that learning can get harder as you get older.  Little kids just seem to soak up knowledge like sponges, and it’s fascinating to watch them.

As a teacher, I have worked with students from first-grade through first-year college.  No matter what the student’s age, the most rewarding part for a teacher is watching that “light bulb” go on in a student’s head.   Teachers work just as hard at finding ways to explain new material as students do at understanding it–so it’s exciting for both of them when the students grasp a new concept or learn a new skill.

There are a few things I’d love to learn:  first of all, to play the organ that I received a few years ago.  I’d be thrilled to learn to play it well.  Also, I’d like to learn Latin.  I wanted to study it in high school, but my mom talked me out of it.  I’ve always had a fascination with language, though, and I do feel like I missed an opportunity there.  (And I won’t discourage any of my kids from taking Latin class if they have the chance).  Finally, there are some technological things I’d like to master, the first being my cell phone, and the second being the iMacs they use at my kids’ school.  There are first-graders who know more about those computers than I do.  It’s really embarrassing!

COUPON TIME

With a new year approaching, many people set personal goals that involve learning something new.  These coupons can help you get the materials you need to make those goals a reality.

10% off and FREE 2-day Shipping on Personal Edition products online at Rosetta Stone
Use coupon code hd128 or hdx128.
Valid through: December 31, 2008
Cannot be combined with other coupons. Not valid on previous purchases. Valid online only.

Free shipping on any size order at Edmund Scientifics
Valid online only. Use promotion code COUPONM.
Valid through: December 31, 2008 11:59pm ET
Note: Discount will NOT work if you use Google Checkout. Applies to standard ground shipping only and excludes overweight items. Excludes tax and shipping. Cannot be combined with any other offers.

Up to 70% off LeapFrog.com clearance items
Valid through: December 31, 2008
While supplies last.

10% off products at Zoobooks
Excludes magazine subscriptions. Use coupon code ZOOBOOKS.
Valid through: December 31, 2008
Not valid on magazine subscriptions. Cannot be combined with other coupons. Not valid on previous purchases.

20% off all online orders at Hooked on Phonics
Use promotional code SAVE20. Valid through: Ongoing
Excludes Sale items. Valid for new purchases only. Cannot be combined with other offers.

Free 2009 American Landscapes Calendar with online orders over $75
Add $75 worth of merchandise to your cart and free calendar will automatically be added to cart. Valid through: December 31, 2008

If your house is anything like mine, by this hour the children under the age of ten have woken up the adults and informed them that, indeed, Santa has come and everyone had better see what’s under that Christmas tree right now.   The empty cookie plate and pile of gifts are evidence that the big guy in red has been here!

Teenagers who have been taking advantage of school vacation to enjoy a later bedtime, on the other hand, don’t want to wake up at any hour that’s in single digits.  Grumpier than the Grinch before his heart grew three sizes, they’d rather sleep than open presents.  The adults are resigned to being awake, and aware that in the Christmas-morning photos they’ll have bleary eyes and bad hair and be hiding behind large coffee cups.

Of course, that all changes once the wrapping paper starts flying.  Who doesn’t like to open up a present–something that a loved one has carefully chosen with you in mind?

Around here, we don’t save wrapping paper.  It doesn’t have a chance.  There is no careful, tedious slitting of Scotch tape so that the paper can be saved and reused on another gift or in a scrapbook.  The only recycling of paper we do around here is when the kids wad it up into balls and play basketball with the recycle bin, or dodgeball with each other, as the adults warn them to take that into another room so the Christmas tree isn’t endangered.

Merry Christmas!

COUPON TIME

Still need gifts?  Try these fabulous offers.  They’re good until at least New Year’s Eve, which gives you plenty of time.

15% off an order of $29.99 or more at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM
During checkout enter promotion code ULTIMATE.
May be used on multiple orders. Valid through: December 31, 2008
Valid online only. Discount does not apply to shipping charges. Cannot be combined with other coupons or used on previous purchases.

Special Offer:  $10 off Holiday Tradition Bouquet at ProFlowers.com
Just $39.99, plus FREE Chocolates and Ruby Vase!
Click the link to be taken to the special offer.
Valid through: December 31, 2008

$10 off an order over $75 at RedEnvelope.com
Use this link to activate the coupon.
Valid through: December 31, 2008
Valid online only. Available on discounted items. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Cannot be applied to gift certificates, gifts by the month or corporate orders. Cannot be applied to previous or pending purchases.

20% off Holiday Card orders over $20 at Hallmark.com
Hallmark can address, stamp and mail your cards too!
Use this link to view the promotion code. If there are any problems, enter CHEER20 in your shopping basket.
Valid through: December 31, 2008
The discount is applied before shipping, postage and taxes. May not be combined with any other offer. Not valid in retail stores or on any products sold on other Web sites operated by Hallmark, its subsidiaries or affiliates. Valid in U.S.A. only.

15% off your order at FTD.COM
Use this link. Your discount should be displayed at the top of the page. Discount will be reflected in the prices you see.
Valid through: Unknown

The house where I grew up had a deep backyard bordered by woods.  It was great to play back there all year long, but especially on snowy days.  If we wanted to go sledding, all we had to do was trek out back and work our way up to the top of the steep hill. 

My sister, brother and I spent many winter hours back there with our sleds.  There was a great path between the trees, which came to an abrupt dead end with a tree at the bottom.  You had to keep control of the sled as you went down the curvy hill so you could turn onto another path and avoid that tree.  Naturally, they never let me forget the time we went sledding after an ice storm.  There was snow on the ground with ice on top of it and the path was really slippery.  I came down the hill headfirst, and smacked into that tree at the end of the path.  There was never a chance for me to turn that sled–I was going way too fast.

Later this week we’ll all get together at our parents’ new home, and there’s plenty of snow for the kids to play.  Maybe someone will bring a “flying saucer” or a snowboard, or maybe there will just be a huge snowball fight.  No matter what the kids wind up doing, my siblings won’t miss their chance to tease me about the time I steered the sled right into that big tree.

No wonder I like to watch the Luge event during the Winter Olympics.  Those guys go down the track feet first.

COUPON TIME

Look no further if you’re planning to outfit someone for skiing, snowboarding or any other winter sport!

15% off your order at The Sports Authority
Eligible items will have the following note on their product page: “Ultimate Coupons - 15% OFF Your Entire Order”
Valid online only. Use the link above to activate the coupon. If there’s a problem, enter promotion/discount code ULTIMATE15 in your cart.
Valid through: January 31, 2009 11:59pm ET
Discount does not apply to taxes, shipping and handling charges, gift wrapping or similar charges. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offer nor is this offer valid on previous purchases. Offer excludes Treadmills, Bikes/Ellipticals, Home Gyms, select table games, trampolines & accessories, electronics/optics, asics, Atec, Bauer, Bladez, Butterfly, Callaway, Carhart, Casio, CCM, Cobra, Coleman Boats, Columbia, DeMarini, Easton, Escape, Etyomic Research, Fly Flot, Footjoy, Front Porch Classics, Future Beach, Garmin, Goaliath, Goalrilla, Goalsetter, Ground Control, Hi-Tec, Heelys, Jugs, K2, Kettler, K-Swiss, Leatherman, Leisure Life, Louisville, Louisville Slugger, Magellan, Magnum, Miken Sports, Minolta, Mission, Mizuno, Mongoose, Motorola, Muzono Golf, Nike, Nike Golf, Oakley, Pelican, Pro Feet, Rawlings, Razors, Roces, Rollerblade, Salomon, SKB, Spira, Spring Step, Taylor Made, The North Face, Tippmann, Titleist, Trend Sports, Under Armour, World Industries, Worth, electronics/optics and select other items. If the coupon doesn’t seem to work on an item, the brand is probably excluded. Discount is not applicable to gift cards and gift certificates. Entire order must be shipped to a single address. Offer valid only while supplies last and not applicable to canceled orders due to out-of-stock merchandise.

$5 off web orders of $50 or more at Sierra Trading Post
Use this link to activate the coupon. Discount will be reflected in your shopping cart. (You should see a note saying “Your $5 off discount has been taken off your order!”) Do not enter a keycode during checkout. Valid through: January 6, 2009
Valid online only. Not valid on previous orders. Cannot be combined with other offers.

$10 off a purchase of $50 or more at Eastbay.com
Use this link to activate the Promo Code. You should see LKS18CM5 in the Source Code box during checkout.
Valid through: January 5, 2009 11:59pm CT
Items excluded from this coupon will say “This item is currently excluded from any promotional discounts.” Not valid on gift cards or team orders. Does not apply to prior purchases or open orders and cannot be combined with any other coupons/discounts.

15% off 1 item at DunhamsSports.com
Eligible items will have the following note on their product page: “Take 15% Off!**”
Valid online only. Use this link to activate the coupon code.
Valid through: January 31, 2009 11:59pm ET
Valid for in-stock merchandise only. Maximum discount of $200 per billing address. Offer Excludes: Electronics, Bauer, Bowflex, Callaway, Coleman Boats, Columbia, DeMarini, Easton, Fitness Quest, Footjoy, Future Beach, Horizon, Kettler, K-Swiss, Leisure Life, Louisville, Louisville Slugger, Mongoose, Nike, Nike Golf, Pelican, Titleist, Under Armour, Worth, Cobra, Garmin, Magellan, Minolta, Mission, Motorola, Razors, Rollerblade, Salomon, World Industries, CCM, Jugs, Atec, Spira and select other items. If the coupon doesn’t seem to work on an item, the brand is probably excluded. Discount does not apply to gift cards, gift certificates, taxes, shipping and handling charges, gift wrapping and similar charges. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offer nor is this offer valid on previous purchases.

$10 off an order of $50 or more at FootLocker.com
Use promo code/source code CPSP83BC or AFCGEICO during checkout. Valid through: December 31, 2008 11:59pm CT
Not valid on gift cards and team orders. Some items are excluded and will say “This item is currently excluded from any promotional discounts” under the product description. Quebec residents excluded from online purchases. Not valid on prior purchases or open orders. Cannot be combined with associate benefits or VIP Platinum Reward Cards. Cannot be combined with any other offers.

20% off One item at Modells.com
Eligible items will have the following note on their product page: “Take 20% Off One Item!” Valid online only. Use this link to activate the coupon or use Promotion/Discount code MODWINTER20 at checkout.
Valid through: January 31, 2009 11:59pm ET
Valid for in-stock merchandise only. Discount excludes the following: Adams Golf, Asics, Atec, Baby Jogger, Bauer, Bowflex, Carhartt, Callaway, Cleveland Golf, Crocs, Columbia, DeMarini, Easton, Ektelon, Escape, Fitness Quest, Fly Flot, Footjoy, Head, Horizon, Jugs, K2, Kettler, K-Swiss, Lifetime, Louisville Slugger, Mammoth, Magnum, MBT, Merrell, Miken Sports, Mission, Mizuno Golf, Nike Golf, Oakley, Prince, Pro Feet, Puma, Rawlings, Razors, Rollerblade, Salomon, Skycaddie, Spring Step, Sole, Spalding, Taylor Made, The North Face, Titleist, Trend Sports, Under Armour, Worth, all electronics, ellipticals, treadmills, home gyms, recumbent bikes, and weights & benches. If the coupon doesn’t seem to work on an item, the brand is probably excluded. Discount does not apply to gift cards, gift certificates, taxes, shipping and handling charges, gift wrapping and similar charges. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offer nor is this offer valid on previous purchases. Entire order must be shipped to a single address. Valid online only.

$5 off an order of $50 or more online at Camping World
Use coupon code 3333.
Valid through: December 28, 2008
Valid online only. Not valid on previous purchases.

It’s only a matter of time before my daughter stops wanting to be seen with us. I can see it coming. 

My first-grader has always wanted to wear things belonging to the Big Kids, or things that look just like the Big Kids’ clothes. (Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, after all). When he was four, he wanted to wear his big brother’s track jersey. I couldn’t let him wear that to play in, since it was needed for sports, so I dug up his sister’s old basketball jersey–the one from two seasons before where the numbers were already starting to peel off–and popped it over his sweatshirt. He was thrilled. He wore it everywhere, even to the supermarket. Of course, I didn’t let him wear it to church, or where nicer-dress clothes were required–but for our regular errands, I didn’t see the harm in it.

Then, a couple of weeks after I first gave him the jersey to wear, I was getting ready to take the kids to one of those “upscale” supermarkets. How upscale? When it opened in the winter, I was practically the only shopper who didn’t have a fur coat. I go there weekly to get their fantastic produce and take advantage of their low price on milk. Anyway, the little guy ran to get his jersey, so I helped him put it on.

My daughter was horrified. “Mom, you’re not going to let him go to the store in that!”

Do you think that was why she kept volunteering to go get some other item from some other aisle, for me? It was an extraordinary level of helpfulness, for sure.

Clearly she doesn’t remember the time she went to the supermarket wearing a bathing suit, ballerina tutu skirt, party hat and magic wand, with snow boots on her feet. (No, I didn’t get a picture. Wish I had, though!)

COUPON TIME

The first three offers expire TOMORROW so act fast if you want to take advantage of these!

20% off orders over $100
30% off orders over $200 at AnnTaylor.com
During checkout (step 3 of 4) at the bottom of the page enter promotional code 10801548. Then click RECALCULATE.
Valid through: December 24, 2008
Valid online only. Offer may be used only once. Not valid on sale itmes or purchases from the Ann Taylor Collection line. Taxes, shipping and handling fees, purchases of gift cards, charges for gift boxes and payment of an Ann Taylor Credit Card are excluded from the discount. Not valid on purchases of gift cards, on payment of Ann Taylor accounts or in conjunction with any other offer. No adjustments to prior purchases.

50% off your order at Limited Too
Use offer code 368. Valid through: December 24, 2008
Cannot be combined with other coupons. Excludes electronics, electronic games, electronic accessories, music and media.

50% Off Entire Site at New York & Company
Valid through: December 24, 2008

NEW CUSTOMERS:
$30 off a purchase of $150 or more at Bluefly.com
Use promo code ULTIMATE30.
Valid through: December 31, 2008
New customers only. Minimum purchase of $150 excludes charges for gift-wrapping, shipping, applicable taxes and duties or gift certificates. Can be used once per person. Offer cannot be combined with other promotions, discounts and promotional codes or applied retroactively to previously placed orders. Does not work with Google Checkout!

20% off an order of $100 or more at Macys.com
Enter promo code MACYSMOBILE in your shopping bag.
Valid through: January 5, 2009
DISCOUNT AND MINIMUM PURCHASE AMOUNT EXCLUDE: Gift cards, toys, electrics & electronics, cosmetics & fragrances, sunglasses, watches, area rugs, furniture, holiday lane, mattresses regular-priced china, silver & crystal. FOR HER: American Rag, BCBG, Calvin Klein, Charter Club cashmere, Coach, Dooney & Bourke, I.N.C, Lacoste, Levis, Lauren, North Face, MICHAEL Michael Kors, T Tahari, Tommy Hilfiger, 7 For All Mankind. FOR HIM: American Rag, Calvin Klein, Claiborne, Club Room cashmere, Hugo Boss, I.N.C, Lacoste, Levis/Dockers, Nautica, North Face, Polo/Ralph Lauren, 7 For All Mankind, Tasso Elba, Tommy Bahama, Tommy Hilfiger. FOR THE HOME: All-Clad, Barbara Barry, Calvin Klein, Henckels, kate spade, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Tumi, Vera Wang, Waterford, Wusthof, Michael Kors Bedding, Natori Bedding. Savings do not apply to Everyday Values, Jewelry Super Buys, web busters, 2-Day Specials, purchases on macysweddingchannel.com, purchases in Macy’s stores or prior purchases, payments on credit accounts, gift wrap or shipping charges.

Free Shipping on online orders of $150 or more
Minimum purchase can include any combination of items from gap.com, bananarepublic.com, oldnavy.com and Piperlime
Use coupon code ship150.
Valid through: January 31, 2009 11:59pm ET
Valid online only on Gap, Banana Republic, Piperlime and Old Navy. Discount applies to merchandise only, excluding GiftCards, packaging, applicable taxes and shipping & handling charges. Cannot be  combined with any other offers or discounts including Gap Inc. employee discount. No adjustments on previous purchases. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. Returns and exchanges are subject to Gap’s return policy. Offer valid on standard shipping only to your order’s first “ship to” address anywhere in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). If you choose express or next day shipping options, additional charges will apply.

The most surprising thing I noticed about this year’s election season was the huge amount of attention to the eyeglasses worn by vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.  Who knew that a pair of glasses would cause such a sensation?  Women all over the world suddenly wanted those glasses, and there was even talk of people buying glasses with plain glass in them, because they didn’t need prescription lenses, but just wanted the look. 

I’ve been a full-time eyeglass wearer since the age of twelve.  And I think I’ve been through most of the eyeglass fashions:  the smoky frames with the photo-gray lenses that got dark when you went outside and never were actually clear; the wire aviator frames, the glasses so big that they sat on the cheekbones or even below them…I’ve had them all.  It’s been hard, after having lenses the size of tennis balls, to get used to wearing glasses that are so small that you can see around the frames on all sides.  But I’m sure that big glasses will be in fashion again sometime soon, and I’ll have peripheral vision that’s as clear as my straight-ahead vision.

If I had a dollar for every person who’s asked me over the years why I don’t try contacts, I’d have enough money to buy any designer eyeglasses I wanted for the rest of my life.  For the most part, the glasses don’t bother me, though sometimes it is tempting–especially when I see pictures of myself where the flash is bouncing off my glasses.  And the idea of being able to change my eye color at will is interesting.  (I’d pick green!)

My daughter has a thing for sunglasses.  She doesn’t need prescription lenses, but she likes to come along with me when I get new glasses so she can try on all the frames.  Most of them look great on her, and she dreams of having a whole wardrobe of sunglasses.  Her latest pair have a kind of “Venetian blind” effect–just plastic bars going across where the lenses should be.  But she can wear them any time of day–they don’t darken anything.

COUPON TIME

Looking for new frames, a refill on your contacts, or some trendy sunglasses for an upcoming vacation?  Take advantage of these great deals.

$5 off online orders over $50 at ACLens.com
Use coupon code ACLS5 in “Special Comments or Instructions” box during checkout. Valid through: December 31, 2008.

10% off online orders at 39DollarGlasses.com
Use this link to activate the coupon. If there’s a problem, use code AFF08. Discount will be reflected in your shopping cart. Valid through: January 15, 2009

NEW INTERNET CUSTOMERS:
$5 off an order of $95 or more at 1800CONTACTS.com
Enter order code save345 in your shopping cart and press UPDATE CART. Valid through: December 29, 2008

10% off your order at Vision Direct 
Plus free standard shipping if you spend $99+ (USA only)
Use coupon code ULTIMATE.
Valid through: December 31, 2008
Cannot be combined with other coupons. One use per household.

$5 off online orders over $50 at Discount Contact Lenses
Enter coupon code DCL5 in the “Special Comments or Instructions” box during checkout. Valid through: December 31, 2008

Mr. and Mrs. Wagner were a retired couple who lived next door to my family during my childhood. They became like “extra grandparents” to us.  We’d visit them, banging on the back door and looking for homemade cookies, and enjoy much more:  the company of two retired people who patiently let us peek in the pigeonholes of their fascinating desk, who watched and fed birds and identified them for us, who showed us their old wringer-washing machine,  who let us watch them play pinochle with their friends, and who made toys for us and kept them at their home for us to play with.  For me and my sister, it was a little doll, with a homemade cradle made from a berry basket and lined with a little mattress, pillow, blanket, and baby doll clothes–all handmade with love. I forget what my brother had over there. I still have that doll today; it’s the only toy from my childhood that I still have.

They treated us like family, right down to letting my mom know when we were getting into something we shouldn’t!  But we couldn’t ask for better neighbors; they were very good to us.  Mrs. Wagner used to bake us birthday cakes–bundt cakes with a delicious glaze and candy decorations.  And on Christmas morning, we couldn’t open presents until they, along with our grandmother, arrived to enjoy the spectacle.

I have a few tangible things that help me remember these very special people. Besides that doll, I have a game that they used to play with us. It’s an old German game that is basically the same as “Trouble” but without the famous “Pop-o-Matic.”   Basically, it has a reversible board (one side for 3 or 6 players, one side for 2 or 4).  You rolled dice instead of popping that plastic bubble.  But the rules were the same, which is a good thing, because we can’t read German.

Besides the game, I have a three-tier candy plate. And I have the recipe for Mrs. Wagner’s fabulous cookies. If I could only keep one of these, it would be the recipe!

COUPON TIME

If you’re not a baker but you want to enjoy delicious edibles, these coupons might help you find just the treat you’re seeking.

10% off orders over $29 at DavidsCookies.com
Plus free shipping
Use coupon code DC10A.
Valid through: January 1, 2009

$5 off any order at The Popcorn Factory
Use coupon code SNOW5 at checkout.
Valid through: December 31, 2008
Cannot be combined with any other offer.

15% off online orders over $30 at FannieMay.com
Valid online only. Use key code 10289.
Valid through: December 31, 2008
Offer cannot be combined with any other offers. Qualifying amount does not include shipping and tax.

Free shipping upgrade on 2 or more items at Dale and Thomas
Use coupon code UPGRADE and select UPS 2nd Day for each item at Step 2 of checkout. You just pay the normal Ground Shipping charges.
Valid through: unknown
Cannot not be combined with any other promotion or applied to previous purchases. Does not apply to gift certificates, wholesale, catering or corporate concierge orders.

$5 off a purchase of $50 or more at wine.com
Enter promotional code DECFIVE and click the “update cart” button.
Valid through: December 31, 2008
Terms & Conditions: Minimum purchase amount excludes gift certificates, wine clubs, shipping, and sales tax. Also excludes items on sale at a better discount than the coupon. Not valid on corporate orders. Cannot be combined with other coupons.

Free Shipping on orders of $35 or more at Gevalia
Use this link to get the Promotion Code. Cannot combine with other offers or use for regular shipments. Expires: Ongoing Offer

$5 off online orders over $30 at Mrs. Fields
Enter discount code GLF1 at checkout. Valid through: Unknown

Today Only!

Free shipping on select Holiday Gifts at OmahaSteaks.com
Valid through: December 19, 2008

This is the point in December when I start to break out in hives if I’m not 90% done with my shopping yet.   I start compulsively checking the tracking numbers for the items I’ve purchased online, watching them inch ever closer to my corner of the world, and wishing I’d sprung for the gift-wrap option so I wouldn’t have to handle that when the packages got here.

And then there’s the cardboard tower in my basement.  How will I sort through all this packaging and organize the gifts into bags or stacks?

But what’s really hanging over my head is that last 10%.  You know the ones:  the hard-to-buy-for crowd.  Maybe they’re fussy, or maybe they’re the type that buy themselves everything they could ever want–in November.

While I’m panicking, my husband is calmly walking around thinking that he has a whole week do to his shopping.  I don’t know how he does it.  Maybe I should assign him to shop for that last 10% while he’s at it.  That’s it–I’ll delegate that last bit of shopping!  Then I’ll have time to finish putting the lights on the tree, help hang the ornaments, catch up on the laundry, wrap the rest of the presents and enjoy my first-grader’s holiday play.

COUPON TIME

To help you along with your last 10%, we at Ultimate Coupons present some of the best of our Holiday Gift Guide!  Of course, there are many more great deals highlighted in our Holiday Gift Guide, so do be sure to check out the whole thing.  But if you’re really in a hurry, these ideas should do nicely.

15% off your order at The Sports Authority
Valid through: January, 31, 2009 11:59pm ET

20% off your order at ICE.com
Valid through: December 20, 2008 11:59pm ET

$10 off $50 of computers and electronics at HP
Use coupon code SV2130. Valid through: January 31, 2009

15% off your order at FTD.COM

$10 off a purchase of $100 or more at Shop.com
Use this link and coupon code BRDH10.
Valid through: December 31, 2008
Do not use Guest Checkout if you want to use the coupon!

Up to a $100 Rebate when you buy a Mac and qualifying printer
Use this link to get all the details.
Offer valid through: January 19, 2009
Rebate will equal what you paid for the printer up to a maximum of $100.