I confess that I probably won’t watch much of the Super Bowl this Sunday.  I’m more of a college football fan.  And I admit that I was absolutely mystified on my first football weekend at Notre Dame, as I watched the RVs rolling in from all parts of the country, carrying fans wearing all manner of plaid pants and football sweatshirts.  I’d never seen an RV with a leprechaun on it before. 

My time at Notre Dame was my first introduction to the world of the True Fan.  You know the type:  they would never, under any circumstances, wear the colors of the Other Team.  At college, they’re the ones who spray-paint slogans on their sheets and hang them out dorm windows.  They get the game-day shirt for EVERY game.  And they know every word to the fight song.  When the team scores, they do pushups in the stands–one for each point, cumulatively throughout the game.

You can also tell True Fans by their superstition.  For example, I’ll go through a whole football season completely convinced that I can affect the outcome of each game based on what I’m wearing.  Did the team win last weekend?  Was I wearing my team shirt?  There are people who refuse to shave during a winning streak, or who have to eat a certain meal on each game day.  I’m right in there with them–if I happen to miss a game and the team wins, I actually think twice about watching the next game.

So if you consider yourself a True Fan and your favorite team is in the Super Bowl this year, make sure you’ve lined up your lucky charms, and don’t forget to wear your team shirt!

COUPON TIME

Better hurry if you want to get in on these deals!  Most expire tomorrow!

15% off your online order at NFL Shop
Eligible items will have the following note on their product page: “Special Deal - Save 15% on Your Order”
Use this link to activate the coupon. If there’s a problem, enter promotion/discount code NFLcBQG (Case Sensitive) at checkout.
Valid through: January 31, 2009 11:59pm ET
Offer excludes Opus Super Bowl Books. In-stock merchandise only. Discount is not applicable to gift cards and gift certificates. Discount does not apply to taxes, shipping and handling charges, gift-wrapping or similar charges. on orders placed through Group Sales. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offer nor is this offer valid on previous purchases.

$5 off a purchase of $25 or more at Lids.com
Use sale code JAN09LIDS5.
Valid through: January 31, 2009
Not valid with any other coupon or discount including Passport Club Membership. Valid on orders shipped to the U.S. only.

$10 off purchases over $60 at Lids.com
Plus Free Shipping!
Use sale code JAN09LIDS10.
Valid through: January 31, 2008
Not valid with any other coupon or discount including Passport Club Membership. Valid on orders shipped to the U.S. only.

Free Shipping on purchases of $75 or more at Eastbay.com
Use promotional code LKS19JF7 at checkout.
Valid through: January 31, 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.

Free shipping on orders of $50+ at CBSSportsStore.com
Eligible items will have the following text on their product pages: “FS on orders of $50 or more”
Valid through: January 31, 2009 11:59pm ET
Applies only for standard Economy shipping. Entire order must be shipped to a single address. This offer is not applicable to orders placed through Group Sales. You must select Economy Shipping as your method of delivery for all items eligible for FREE shipping. Only applies to orders to be shipped to a valid address in the United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. Not available for shipments to APO/FPO addresses or P.O. boxes.

15% off your entire order at CBSSportsStore.com
Eligible items will have the following note on their product page: “15% off Entire Order for Affiliates”
Valid online only. Use this link to activate the coupon.
Valid through: January 31, 2009, 11:59 pm ET
Offer only valid while supplies last and is limited to sizes/styles available. Limit $200 discount per customer. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or used on previous purchases. Offer not valid towards the purchase of gift cards or on orders placed through Group Sales. This promotional offer may be modified or terminated at any time without notice. Discount will be automatically calculated at the time of checkout. Offer excludes 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, Miken Sports, Mission, Mizuno Golf, Nike, 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, and Worth, and all electronics. Discount does not apply to gift certificates, gift cards, taxes, shipping and handling charges, gift-wrapping or similar charges. Discount not applicable with returned merchandise. Entire order must be shipped to a single address.

50% off 1 NFL REAL.BIG. Wall Graphic when you buy any regularly-priced REAL.BIG. Wall Graphic at Fathead.com
Discount will appear in your shopping cart.
Valid through: February 4, 2009

It’s almost time for a Super Bowl Party!

I’m not a big fan of pro football, but I am a fan of football-game food!  We’re getting all set for Game Day.  Our hoagie order has been placed (one Italian, one American, one turkey–we’ll slice them up and make a platter). 

I heard on the radio yesterday that chicken wings have gone way up in price.  Apparently there’s a shortage of this favorite football food, just in time for the end of the season.  The guys who run the Wing Bowl in Philly say that they stocked up ahead of time, so that event will not be affected.  But you might have a hard time finding wings in the supermarket, and you’ll pay more for them no matter where you get them.

So if you can’t get wings, I suggest this recipe that I got years ago from a cousin.  Chili dip is much less messy than wings, and there are no bones.  This is great with your favorite tortilla chips or even on crackers.

CHILI CHEESE DIP

1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
1 package chili seasoning mix
1 8-ounce package of cream cheese
1 6-ounce can of tomato paste
3/4 cup water
1 onion, chopped fine
1 green pepper, diced

Mix all ingredients. Place in casserole dish and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.

Enjoy the game!

COUPON TIME

Whether you’re a football fan or you just watch the game to see the commercials, the Super Bowl is always more fun in a group.  Make sure you have all the supplies you need to make Game Day complete.

10% off online orders over $100 at ShindigZ.com
Use promotion code SZCJC9 at checkout.
Valid through: December 31, 2009

$4 Shipping on orders over $100 at ShindigZ.com
Use promotion code SZCJD9 at checkout.
Valid through: December 31, 2009

15% off Compact Refrigerators at CompactAppliance.com
Use coupon code FRIDGE15 in your shopping cart.
Valid through: March 31, 2009

Free Shipping on orders over $75 at Celebrate Express
Use this link to activate the promotional keycode.
Make sure keycode REK-993 appears in your shopping cart.
Valid through: January 31, 2009
Coupon applies to standard shipping on merchandise orders of $75 or more within the continental U.S. only. Not valid on previously placed orders. Cannot be combined with other offers.

$5 off Valentines Day gifts at The Popcorn Factory
Use coupon code HRT5.
Valid through: February 28, 2009
Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Free Shipping on orders of $70 or more at BirthdayInaBox.com
Use this link to activate the Promotional Code.
Valid through: January 31, 2009 11:59pm ET
Disclaimer: Offer applies to purchases of $70 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.

Sears Card Members Special:
10% instant savings or 24 Months No Interest on any 40-inch Class or larger HDTV with your Sears Card
After mail-in rebate. Must use Sears card. See site for details.
Valid through: January 31, 2009

I first met Irene when my oldest child was 2 or 3, and we were both helping with a summer program at our school. A year or so later she joined the choir I was directing. Her husband bought her a guitar for her birthday one year, and she worked hard, with my help, to learn how to play it.

Actually, Irene worked hard at everything. She was one of the hardest-working people I have ever met. She helped run Bingo at the school. She worked at the carnival. She worked in the lunchroom at school and volunteered in many other ways at school as well. She took good care of her husband and children. She was funny, generous and tireless. And she could, in a blind taste test, tell “Philly Coke” from “Atlanta Coke” and bottled Coke from canned. Irene and I fought our Cola Wars in good fun, for many years. 

Irene was Cuban-American and grew up in the Miami area. My most vivid memories of Irene are related to her ethnic background. She was longing for Cuban food, especially Cuban bread. Irene was a good cook but baking bread was not something she thought she could do. She lent me her cookbook (I think it was called Miami Spice) and I occasionally baked her some Cuban bread from the recipe in it. (And couldn’t she tell when I used margarine instead of the lard the recipe called for!)

Just before she died, I spent the day at a church event. When I came home, I found myself pacing the floor. I could not sit down and relax. I needed to go to the hospital where she was in the hospice unit. She was semiconscious but did recognize me. At one point I was struggling for what to say or do, and I found myself just holding her hand. I stayed there with her until some other friends from our kids’ school arrived to visit her.  She lived only one more day after that visit.

Irene died October 11, 2004 after a 5-year battle with malignant melanoma. It wasn’t a pretty battle, but then battles never are pretty. She worked nights during the first year of her treatment and I’m still surprised that it didn’t kill her then. But she used her characteristic dedication and drive to keep herself going, because she loved her family.

I have a script from my doctor sitting on my desk; I have been instructed to make my annual visit to the dermatologist for a “mole check.” Out of pure laziness, I’ve been putting that off. But out of love for my family and friends, and because I can almost hear Irene yelling at me right now, today I will make that appointment.

COUPON TIME

Restocking your beauty supplies?  Do your skin a favor and make sure that your facial moisturizer contains sunscreen–and use it!

Free Shipping with a Beauty purchase of $50 or more at Macy’s
Plus a FREE deluxe goody bag.
Enter promo code GOODY in your shopping bag.
Goody bag will automatically be added to your shopping bag if your order is eligible. Free shipping requires the promo code.
Valid through: unknown
TO GET FREE SHIPPING: Place $50 of qualifying items in your shopping bag. (Qualifying items are identified on the product description page.) During Checkout, enter promo code BEAUTY in the box labeled “HAVE A PROMO CODE?” on the choose a payment method page, then click “Apply”. Only one promo code may be used per transaction. Minimum purchase amount for Free Shipping does not include gift wrap charges or tax. Offer applies to Standard Shipping to one location and may be applied to Premium or Overnight Shipping for an upgrade fee. Free Shipping does not apply to Coach, area rugs, furniture, mattresses, gift cards, purchases on macysweddingchannel.com, purchases in Macy’s stores or prior purchases. Due to size and/or weight, certain items bear a shipping surcharge, which will still apply. When shipping to multiple addresses, only shipping to the first address will be free; Standard Shipping will apply to all other addresses. Free Shipping offer cannot be applied to purchases being shipped to Alaska, Hawaii, US Territories or APO/FPO addresses. One goody bag per customer. While supplies last. Goody bag contains: Strivectin Intensive Concentrate For Exisiting Stretch Marks, .035 fl oz packette, Benefit You Rebel tinted moisturizer, 3.5 ml, Lancome Effacil, 1.7 fl oz, Clinique 7 day scrub cream, .24 fl oz, Origins No Puffery Cooling Mask, .10 fl oz, Clarins Intense Smooth Perfecting Touch, 1 ml, Philosophy Purity/Hope in a Jar Duo, 3 ml packette, Tommy Hilfiger Dreaming, .05 fl oz, and Michael Kors Bermuda, .01 fl oz.

10% off any order at Yves Rocher
Use coupon code DISCOUNT10 in your shopping bag. Coupon code is case-sensitive and must be entered as one word and in ALL CAPS. Cannot be used with any other coupons. For use online only.
Valid through: February 16, 2009

Free shipping with an order of $10 or more at Avon.com
Use coupon code WINTER9. One use per customer.
Valid through: January 29, 2009 11:59pm ET
This Shipping offer applies only to standard shipping charges and does not affect 2nd Day or Overnight delivery rates. A valid United States street address is required for all deliveries. Cannot be combined with other coupons. Not valid on previous purchases.

Free Shipping on orders of $55 or more at Origins.com
Plus a free beauty sample!
Applies to standard shipping.
Use offer code VDayLS during checkout.
Valid through: January 29, 2009
Offer applies to Free Standard Shipping and Handling and does not cover rush delivery charges. Not valid on previous purchases. Offer code must be entered at checkout to receive this offer. Continental U.S. only. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.

Free gift of your choice when you buy $75 of Clarins items at Bloomingdales.com
Select a 4-piece collection of Hydrating, Brightening, Firming, or Restorative products.
Offer and dropdown menu will appear in your Brown Bag if your purchase is eligible.
Valid through: February 1, 2009

Buy 1, get 1 50% off on orders over $25 at e.l.f.
Use coupon code BUBBLY in your shopping bag.
Valid through: January 31, 2009
Cannot be combined with any other coupons or discounts.

75% off select Cosmetic Bags at eyeslipsface.com
To view eligible bags, go to the Cases section of the site and look for the “2008 Sale Bags” in the menu on the left.
Use coupon code 75OFF in your shopping bag.
Valid through: unknown
Limit 10 bags per customer. While supplies last.

Free Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Currant with any order over $35 at Clinique.com
Plus, receive free shipping!
Applies to Standard shipping.
Use offer code SUPERBALM during checkout.
Valid through: February 15, 2009, 11:59pm ET
Valid for U.S. residents only. Clinique reserves the right to cancel any order due to unauthorized, altered, or ineligible use of this offer and to modify or cancel this promotion. May not be applied to the purchase of eGift cards.

With a rather “open-floor-plan” type of home, we don’t have a lot of room for wall art.

This is beginning to be a problem, as when we first got married, I made a photo collage for each year.  I’m three years behind right now, and this is only partially because some of the pictures are still in digital form on my computer. 

The real reason is the lack of wall space.  We’ve got 15 of these collages up throughout the house, and there is only so much more room to hang any more.

What are we going to do–move so we can accommodate our photo collection?

We do have a little bit of non-family-photo art on the walls.  My husband’s great-aunt painted a beautiful mountain-and-water scene for us as a wedding gift.  That will always have a place of honor in our home.  And I have a couple of enlarged photographs hanging up, just because we love those pictures.

My older son has decided to turn one of his concert T-shirts into wall art.  Since he got to meet the band members and had them sign the shirt, he doesn’t want to wear it and lose the signatures in the wash.  Instead, he hung it on the wall.  I’m not thrilled about the thumbtacks he used, but it does look good in there and he likes it.

And the final frontier in our art-challenged home is the refrigerator.  With a first-grader in the house, we naturally have the spelling tests, watercolors, a coffee-filter butterfly and even a Thanksgiving turkey still there (hmm, it might be time to update that one!)  Every time I clean off the front of the fridge and put these masterpieces in his desk drawer, he brings home new ones from school and hangs them right up.

Someday I’ll miss those.  Until then, I’ll enjoy those outdating Thanksgiving turkeys!

COUPON TIME

If there’s still room for art in your home, these coupons can help you get a nice discount!

20% off any size purchase at AllPosters.com
Use coupon code ENTBK09 in the “Add Coupon Code” box on the “Please Confirm Your Purchase” page.
Valid through: December 31, 2009
Cannot be used with other coupons. Not valid for the purchase of gift certificates or Thomas Kinkade Limited Editions.

Shop at Dick Blick Art Materials 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: February 28, 2009
You MUST use this link to use the coupon. It will NOT work at DickBlick.com. Coupons are valid only at select Shop.com stores. Computer/Electronics stores excluded.

Free Shipping on a purchase of $35 or more at joann.com
Use promotion code PIA031.
Valid through: January 31, 2009 11:59pm ET
Offer valid online at Joann.com only. Free standard shipping with your order of $35 or more. Special handling charges (if applicable) still apply. Offer does not apply to Jo-Ann Gift Card purchases. $25 minimum is based on the subtotal before tax and excludes Jo-Ann Gift Card purchases, Pre-Framed Art & Mirrors and special handling charges. Offer is limited to available online stock; no rain checks will be issued. Promotion code can only be used once per person, cannot be combined with other promotion codes and cannot be used on past Joann.com purchases. Online product selection may vary from store selection. Offer is not valid on purchases from JoannArt.com, JoannDesigns.com, partner stores and in-store purchases from Jo-Ann Stores.

40% off the regular price of any one regular or sale priced item at joann.com
Use promotion code SED031.
Valid through: February 1, 2009 11:59pm ET
Offer excludes Grace Company, Electric Quilt Company, Crop In Style®, Best Value?, Creative Options and Brother® products; Madeira®, Sulky and Gutermann thread sets; Singer® accessories; Xyron® Design Runner; Framed Art & Mirrors; irons; dressforms; sewing machines; sergers; embroidery machines; sewing cabinets; software; exclusive quilt kits & bundles; die cut machines & accessories; clearance items; the purchase of Jo-Ann Gift Cards; tax and shipping charges. Additional exclusions may apply. Offer cannot be combined with other offers and is limited to available online stock; no rain checks will be issued. Promotion code can only be used once per person, cannot be combined with other promotion codes and cannot be used on past Joann.com purchases. Not valid on purchases from JoannDesigns.com, JoannArt.com, partner stores and Jo-Ann Stores.

10% off online orders at Canvas on Demand
Use coupon code CODSLS.
Valid through: Unknown

Free Shipping on apparel orders over $40 at Zazzle
Use promo code AFLAPPAREL40 at checkout.
Valid through: January 31, 2009
Cannot be combined with any other coupon or offer.

My older kids enjoy having their friends sleep over.  I shouldn’t really say “sleep” since no one does too much of that.  In cold weather, most of their time is divided between eating and playing video games. 

The girls are very single-minded when it comes to playing games.  While we have a big variety here–a good bunch of Mario games, Wii Sports, Animal Crossing and more–the only game the girls want to play is Dance Dance Revolution.  They could dance all night.  And even though only one player at a time can use that game (we’ve only got one mat), all the other girls line up next to her and dance right along.  The game, for them, is definitely second to the social time that a sleepover (or as one of my friends calls it, an “awake over”) provides.

Boys play very differently.  When it’s not their turn to play, whether it’s Guitar Hero or Grand Theft Auto, they’ll wander over to the computer and play a game there.  At any given time, there could be two or three different games happening–sometimes they’ll even get a two-player game started on the Nintendo DS.

In general, the girls are noisier.  I don’t hear too much from the boys when they’re here, unless someone has commandeered a cement mixer in GTA.  And when the boys finally tire of gaming, they don’t sit around and giggle loudly.  They go outside and stage a light-sabre battle, or take aim at each other with marshmallow shooters.

The rule around here is that if they wake up their little brother, they have to play with him.  So far we haven’t had to make good on that threat.  We adults do generally get a decent amount of sleep, especially since we try to space out these sleepovers so we aren’t hosting more than one bunch of kids on a given weekend.  Generally, though, we don’t mind hosting.  We get to know our teens’ friends, and we know where they are and what they’re doing.

And around 4 AM, no matter who they are, they’ll grab a blanket and pillow and conk out.  We’ll wake up in the morning to find them sprawled all over the room, and try not to trip over them on our way to make breakfast.

COUPON TIME

Almost any teenager will tell you that you can never have enough video games.  Try these deals to complete your game collection:

Free Value Shipping on orders over $25 at EBGames.com
Enter coupon code SAVER in your cart and click “Activate.”
Valid through: Unknown
Only one offer per order. Not valid on consoles & console bundles. Applied at checkout.

20% off strategy guides at EBgames.com
Purchase any PC or video game over $29.99 and get 20% off the strategy guide. Enter coupon code 20GUIDE in your cart and click “Activate.”
Valid through: Unknown
Terms and conditions: Only one offer & one discounted guide per order. Cannot be combined with other coupons. Offer is subject to change and may end at any time.

Free Value Shipping on orders over $25 at Gamestop.com
Enter coupon code SAVER in your cart and click “Activate.”
Select USA Value as your shipping method
Valid through: Unknown
Excludes consoles & console bundles. Only one offer per order.

20% off Webkinz at fye.com
Use this link to view the promotional code.
Valid through: unknown
Cannot be combined with other offers. fye.com reserves the right to cancel this promotion at any time. Valid online only. Not valid on Lil’kinz or Shining Stars.

$15 off your order when you buy 2 Didj Games at LeapFrog.com
Use this link to view the promotion code. If there are any problems, enter ja9ddj in your shopping cart. Discount will appear during checkout.
Valid through: February 4, 2009 11:59pm CT
This offer cannot be combined with other offers requiring a promo code. LeapFrog reserves the right to change this promotion at any time. Offer void where prohibited or restricted by law. This offer is only valid in our online store at www.leapfrog.com.This offer does not apply to purchases made through LeapFrog School or the Employee Store.

10-day free trial at GameFly.com
No code necessary. Rent unlimited video games from GameFly’s 2,000+ library of titles. Play 2 games at a time. No due dates or late fees.

Earlier this month, my husband and I celebrated our eighteenth wedding anniversary.

We marked the occasion, as we always do, by sending a bouquet of flowers to someone very special–the woman who introduced us. 

We know that if it were not for her influence, we’d never have met.

Mrs. J. had known my father since I was in about fourth grade; they worked in the same department.   She first met me when my family attended a company picnic, which were always good times.  Later, my dad would bring me to work during college vacations and I’d help out with office tasks; often Mrs. J. was in charge of me there.

She had met my husband when he was an eighth-grader; that’s when his family moved in next door to her.  During the next several years, she and her husband grew very close to my husband’s family, sharing birthdays and other celebrations, picnics in the backyard and plenty of good times.  They also made sure that my husband and his brother didn’t get into too much mischief!

And when my husband and I were both in our twenties, Mrs. J. told my dad that she thought we should meet.

One year later, we were married, and my bridesmaids and I got ready in Mrs. J.’s home.  After the ceremony, my new husband and I were left behind at the church due to a little snafu with the transportation, so she and her husband kindly gave us a ride to the reception.

Mrs. J. and her husband have moved to Florida now, but each January on our anniversary we like to remember her in a special way.

COUPON TIME

Put a smile on someone’s face today–remember them with flowers.  These coupons can help!

15% off your online order at Teleflora.com
Use this link to activate the promotion code. If there are any problems, enter promotion code AFPX15 at checkout.
Valid through: February 14, 2009
Valid online only. May not be combined with any other promotion and is not valid toward previous purchases. Not valid at retail locations or partner sites.

15% off an order of $29.99 or more at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM
During checkout enter promotion code ULTIMATE.
Coupon may be used more than once.
Valid through: January 5, 2010 11:59pm ET
Valid online only. Discount does not apply to shipping charges. Cannot be combined with other coupons or used on previous purchases.

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

Special Offer:  12 free Roses and free Chocolates when you buy 12 Roses at ProFlowers.com
Use this link to activate the offer.
Valid through: January 31, 2009

Special Offer:  10% off at ProFlowers.com
Use this link to activate the offer. 10% off is valid on all ProFlowers.com products. The 10% discount is instead of the Free Glass Vase offer.
Valid through: January 31, 2009

10% off online orders at Florist.com
Use this link to activate coupon.
Valid through: Unknown

$25 off a purchase of $50 or more at Brecks Bulbs
Use this link to activate the coupon.
Expires: Unknown

The summer I turned 22, I spent eight weeks living in a tent at a Girl Scout camp.  I was the business manager for the camp, which meant I ran the camp store, got the mail (a ten-mile round trip), and transported injured children to the hospital for x-rays. 

When you live in camp for a whole summer, you pick up some new habits.  For example, I rarely go anywhere without my trusty Swiss Army Knife.

No, not that one.  It’s pretty awesome, but it weighs a couple of pounds and would take up way too much space in my purse.  Mine is way smaller than that.

I do need it fairly frequently, especially for the little tiny scissors or tweezers, and I use the smaller blade to open those horrible hard plastic packages that just about everything is packaged in these days.  But when I go rummaging in my purse and pull out my Swiss Army Knife, people get all shocked and act like I’m packing a concealed weapon or something.

Get over it already.  Did you never hear the Boy Scout motto, “Be prepared?”  I have one Boy Scout here who’s working on his Eagle project, and a Cub Scout coming up behind him.  My husband is the Cubmaster.  Scouters are prepared.

It gets me thinking, though–if they were to market a Swiss Army Knife for moms, what tools would they include?

In my hypothetical knife, considerations such as refillability wouldn’t be a factor. Hence my list of tools for the Ultimate Swiss Mommy Knife:

Sharpie
Scissors
Nail clippers
Nail file
Flat screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
Special tool for undoing the diabolical twistie-ties that bind toys to packaging
Knife
Fork
Spoon
Wire cutters
Magnifying glass
Tweezers
Candle Snuffer
Sewing needle

Did I miss anything?

COUPON TIME

Shopping for a Swiss Army Knife or other sports or camping equipment?  (Yes, people camp in the winter.  Just ask my resident Boy Scout.)

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.

BRO DEAL:  25% off select items at Altrec.com
Eligible items will have the BroDeal logo on their item pages.
Use coupon code BRO at checkout.
Valid through: January 30, 2009

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.

15% off online orders over $75 at FootLocker
Use this link to activate the coupon. You should see promotional code LKS19J75 in the box during checkout.
Valid through: February 3, 2009
Not valid on gift cards or 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 any other offers.

Free Shipping on orders over $99 at Adidas.com
Use online Promotion/Discount Code SHIPAFF during checkout.
Valid through: January 31, 2009 11:59pm PST
Limited time offer valid 1/1/09 - 1/31/09. Offer expires at 11:59pm (PST) 1/31/09. Offer is good for $5 off shipping with any purchase of $99 or more. Enter code at checkout to apply discount. Merchandise must total $99 or more excluding tax and shipping for offer to be valid. Valid on domestic U.S. orders only.

Free Shipping on purchases of $99 or more at Eastbay.com
Use this link to activate the Promo Code. You should see LKS19J4F in the Source Code box during checkout.
Valid through: February 1, 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.

Outerwear Clearance
Up to $90 off Outerwear for the family at Cabelas.com
Valid through: February 12, 2009

I eat store-brand Honeycomb, because ever since the name-brand kind was “new and improved” it just doesn’t taste as good.   “Now better tasting” doesn’t taste better to me.

Did no one learn from that whole “New Coke” thing in the ’80s?  If people like something enough to keep on buying it, the manufacturer should leave it alone.  We buy it because we like it the way it is.

Then again, maybe the manufacturers are like me.  I can’t leave a recipe alone for too long.  I will take an old family favorite and try to figure out how I can cook it more quickly, or if I can do any of the preparation ahead of time.  I’ll add an ingredient and see if anyone notices.

If I add corn, they all notice.  Most other ingredients go undetected.

I got a few free pouches of Betty Crocker corn muffin mix with my coupons a while ago (my husband is waiting for the day that the supermarket kicks me out for having too many coupons…) and we’ve tried this muffin mix already, and concluded that it’s “missing something.”

I figured an experiment wouldn’t hurt, so I mixed the batter as directed and added a couple of tablespoons of real maple syrup. Amazingly, no one else was in the vicinity of the kitchen, so no one saw what I added.

At the table I announced that we’d be having a contest to see who could figure out the Secret Ingredient in the corn muffins. Of course, this led to the immediate answer, “CORN!” So I had to review what the Normal Ingredients for Corn Muffins would be, and tell the Studio Audience that the Secret Ingredient is something else besides those.

Ultimately, the Big Kids were seen ignoring their dinners as they rummaged through all my cabinets, naming every herb, spice or possible ingredient (parsley? cayenne? baking powder?) that they could see in the front. My older son was heard to observe that the muffins kind of tasted like pancake mix: he came the closest.

Obviously, next time I will have to stress that the Contest Rules require that no contestant leaves his or her chair in pursuit of the Secret Ingredient.

The verdict: all the muffins got eaten. It was good!

COUPON TIME

Are you hungry yet?  Because I could really go for a corn muffin about now…

15% off online orders at FannieMay.com
Valid online only. Use key code 10182.
Valid through: February 28, 2009 11:59 ET
Cannot be combined with any other offers. Qualifying amount does not include shipping and tax.

10% off any order at DavidsCookies.com
Enter coupon/discount code DC10C at checkout.
Valid through: April 1, 2009

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

$10 off a purchase of $100 or more at wine.com
Enter promotional code JANTEN and click the “update cart” button.
Valid through: January 31, 2009
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.

5% off all Gift Baskets at wine.com
Enter promotional code JANBASKET and click the “update cart” button.
Valid through: January 31, 2009
Terms & Conditions: Excludes items on sale at a better discount than the coupon. Not valid on corporate orders. Cannot be combined with other coupons.

10% off online orders at RevivalSoy.com
Use this link to activate the coupon.
Valid through: February 1, 2009

It’s snowing as I sit here, but my friends who garden have been reminding me that it’s not too early to start planning for spring planting. 

Pretty soon my neighbor will be outside adding a few extra feet to his garden enclosure.  It gets a little bigger each year.  I don’t mind, because the cucumber vines grow through the fence that separates our yards, and he tells me that any cucumbers on my side of the fence are mine to pick!  He also shares tomatoes, peppers, and monster zucchini with my family.

We have some flower beds here, but haven’t planted a garden.  When we first moved in, my great-aunts visited us and brought a huge pot of mums.  I planted them in the front yard and watered them for three days.  Then I came home one afternoon to find the neighborhood rabbits eating the mums for lunch.  By the end of the week they were eaten down to the ground.

I did have better luck with the lilac my sister gave us.  It didn’t bloom for a year or two, but now it has doubled in height and has even started producing baby lilacs.  Every spring it produces plenty of fragrant flowers, which remind me of my grandmother.  She lived in a 100-year-old house that had 100-year-old lilacs lining the borders of her yard.  The lilacs grew so high that the blooms were level with the second-floor windows.

I’m thinking this year that I might try planting a little kitchen garden.  Just a small patch with some basil, parsley, oregano, and other cooking herbs.  If the rabbits don’t get to them first, we might be able to have a pizza with garden-fresh seasoning.

COUPON TIME

Got a green thumb?  Get some savings here!

$20 off a purchase of $40 or more at Gardens Alive!
Use this link to activate the coupon.
Expires: unknown

$20 off an order of $50 or more at Michigan Bulb
Use this link to activate the coupon.
Valid through: unknown

Buy One, Get One Free on select items at Michigan Bulb
Can be combined with coupon above.
Valid through: unknown

12% off your order at Jackson & Perkins
Click our link to get the coupon code.
Valid through: February 28, 2009

$10 off any order of $30 or more at Henry Fields Seed and Nursery Co.
Use this link to activate the coupon.
Valid through: Unknown

$1 seed sale at ParkSeed.com!
Valid through: unknown

It’s time for me to clean off the shelves where we keep our kids’ board games.  There are games in there that no one has played in years–time for them to go and make room for the games we play now.

One game that I won’t miss much is Candyland.  I think it’s safe to get rid of that one now that our youngest is almost 7. 

When he was three, he was deep into his Candyland phase. Fourteen thousand times a day, he could be heard to shout, “Let’s play Candyland! You shovel up the cards…”

Having gone through the Candyland phase twice already, there was a big part of me that wanted to make sure that he never played this game. Hey, it worked with Barney…but I can’t deprive him of everything.

My husband used to “stack the deck” when playing Candyland with the kids.  This is not as cruel as it sounds.  He would set it up so that the child would get the “ice cream float” card on the first or second turn, and the adult would get “Mr. Mint.”  This would insure that the child would win the game quickly and hopefully be on to something else.

Candyland is a tedious game, especially before 7 in the morning when you have not had adequate coffee yet, and you’re four spaces from the Candy Castle when suddenly you get the dreaded “Plumpy” card, so the game goes into its “second deck.” I am of the firm belief that all picture cards should be banned from the “second deck” and all subsequent decks.

I know that my older son agrees with me, because the last time I played Candyland with all the kids, he got “Mr. Mint” in the first two decks.  Then in the last deck, he got “Plumpy.”

Perhaps the Big Kids could write to Milton Bradley Company and suggest this rule change. Parents everywhere would stand up and cheer.

COUPON TIME

After I clean out the game closet, there’ll be room for some new, age-appropriate games.  Game shopping is much more fun when I can save money too–that’s where these coupons will come in.  If you’re looking for games, video games or toys boxes to store your games, there’s a coupon here for every need.

MONDAY ONLY:
$5 shipping on orders of $75 or more at DisneyShopping.com
Enter promotion code SHIPNOW in your shopping bag and click “Submit”.
Valid through: January 19, 2009 11:59pm PT
Valid for Standard Delivery to a single address within the continental US. Certain products are 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 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.

Extra 10% off Clearance Item orders of $100 or more at ToysRUs.com
Valid through: January 31, 2009 11:59pm ET
Valid online only. Applies only to in-stock items. Not valid on previous purchases.

While Supplies Last
$50 off Guitar Hero World Tour Super Bundles at ToysRUs.com
Plus Free Shipping
Valid through: Unknown
$50 discount does not apply to Wii edition.

Free shipping on all Video Game Pre-Orders at ToysRUs.com
Valid through: Unknown
Excludes PC games.

$5 off online orders over $20 at Lego.com
Use catalog/promo code bscd28.
Valid through: Unknown
Cannot be combined with any other offers. Valid only in the U.S.

$10 off your order when you buy 2 Leapster Games at LeapFrog.com
Use this link to view the promotion code. If there are any problems, enter JA9LTR in your shopping cart. Discount will appear during checkout.
Valid through: February 4, 2009 11:59pm CT
This offer cannot be combined with other offers requiring a promo code. LeapFrog reserves the right to change this promotion at any time. Offer void where prohibited or restricted by law. This offer is only valid in our online store at www.leapfrog.com.This offer does not apply to purchases made through LeapFrog School or the Employee Store.

50% off shipping on select Toy Boxes at Little Tikes
Valid for standard shipping.
Use discount code TOYB0109.
Valid through: January 31, 2009, 11:59pm PT
While supplies last. Pricing and availability subject to change. Please check website for final prices and availability.

15% off in-stock pre-owned video games and DVDs
Enter coupon code PPLAY15 in your cart and click “Activate.”
Valid through: Unknown