Typhoon Songda May 28/29 2011

I guess one of the exciting things about living in a tropical climate is the storms that go with it.  We Spent out Memorial Day weekend pretty much hunkerd down and waiting for the first typhoon of the season to go by.

Our yard was lucky, this is the only thing that was damaged, my poor hibiscus bush.

This tree was in front of the boys' elementary school.  Monster number 2 is showing you how big it was.

This huge tree was in front of one of the middle schools.  It was amazing to me to see all these huge trees downed.  There was a lot of destruction and I am glad that it wasn't as bad of a storm they were first thinking, but it was still crazy.  Unfortunetaly with the storm, the kids and I just watched movies and played, so no getting crafty stuff done.  I did get to go buy som new goodies at the 100yen store. (the dollar store but better)

I Spy Swat 2 by Hendrixville

http://hendrixville.blogspot.com/2011/05/i-spy-swap-2.html

This sounds like a lot of fun!! Check it out and see what you think. I am gonna do it, gives me an excuse to go to the fun japanese fabric store here.  Houe of 66 cents it amazing!!

TYPHOON Party!!!

I know, this sounds super weird, but that's just what we call them.  We are having our first typhoon of the season here on our little island of Okinawa.   So here is what we do. 

First we get sand bags, and put them by all the doors. Clean up all of the outside stuff and secure anything that is loose.

Then we stock up on much needed things like water, food, gas, batteries, flashlights, etc.

By the time I am all done with this. (yes, me by myself yet again for another storm) I decide to order some yummy pizza (thank goodness we have pizza hut here on base)

We of course went and rented some movies, have board games ready to go, have reading matrial on hand.

And now we just wait and pray that the storm goes by us with out doing any damage to anything on the island.   So I guess this "typhoon party" is pretty much spending time with your family. I know most people bake goodies and get lots of snacks. I baked banan bread (almost all gone) and cookies (GONE) the other day.   I am hoping to get some crafting in while we are stuck here in the house. Wish us luck!

Kimono For Barbie

On Saturday the girls and I went shopping. (shocker, I know) and we happened upon these adorable kimono's for Barbies.  We just had to get them.  The are beautiful!!! I even got a few for my neices for their birthdays. (shhhh.... don't tell them) :) 

a LITTLE ORGANIZING FOR YOUR COUPONS

Here on base we can get coupons that are sent over here by others. (otherwise we don't get a huge ton of coupons) and they don't expire for us until 6 months after the expiration date.

As many of you know, it is hard to shop with little kids, especailly when using coupons.  So I made this binder.  I put different sections into it and divided the coupons up into those.

I use baseball card holdes to put my coupons in.  This saves me a ton of time.  I have my list and write on it whether or not I have a coupon for certain items.  I also have it all on hand in case something we normally use is on sale and I have the coupons to make it an even better deal. 

I am also in a coupon group called the Coupon Queens of Okinawa.  When we met last month it was a bit crazy, so I thought I would put together a box with file folders for each different section, that way they can look in there and see which area they need and take it to look through.

It has also been nice to pass around between a few of my friends that live closer.  It is also handy to put everything in one box, it lessens the mess around here.
Happy Couponing!!!!

If you are interested in sending coupons to the troops and their families overseas, here is one of the sites looking for help.  Thanks.  http://www.supportourtroops.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1435     it's called Coupons for Troops.

Beautiful Baptism Day!

Last weekend I took the kids to see one of my friends' daughter get baptized.  We belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Later day Saints and our children are baptized at 8 years old.  The amazing thing about living on an island like Okinawa, it means that when you get baptized here you have the option of doing it at the beach.

This is one of the areas close to where the baptism's happen.  It is so beautiful there.  I love the peacefulness and the beauty.

The beach seemed to be covered in tiny hermit crabs, my kids were having a blast going around finding them.  They of course wanted to bring them home with us.  I told them that they belonged at the beach and not at our house. LOL   We are truly blessed to be able to live in such a beautiful area of the world.

Couponing Has Taken Over My Life.

Here on island some of the military ladies have started a group call the Coupon Queens of Okinawa.  It is awesome.  We have a facebook page where we tell each other what deals we have found, where and what coupons to use.  We send each other coupons, (there is a list that you can put up to tell people what types of products you use).    When you are stationed over seas the military stores take coupons that expire 6 months after the actual expiration date.  Of course we dont' get too many papers to get coupons from, so most of them we get from people who have put them in a box and sent them to the family and airmen readiness centers.   (if you want to send some, please let me know, I'll take whatever you have and spread the love around.) 

Anyway, so this week I have started to stock up on items that we have been getting low on.  I have saved almost 200 bucks in coupons.  It feels great!!!  I try to be frugal, I mean I have 4 kids to feed, cloth,etc.   But  I truly love doing coupons.  So I find myself looking up sites, checking out what sales are going, etc.   So I guess in a way couponing has taken over my life. :)  Not completely though, so that is good.  Mostly at night when the kids are in bed and I get to sit and watch a movie.

My treasures for Today!!!

Today I went to our gift shop here on base, this is what I got:  A mirror, a purse,3shirts, 2 skirts, 1 shorts,  2 pants, 2 little kid outfits, a shower curtain, 6 photo books, a welcome sign, a vase, a watch, a sweater and 4 whistles.  All of that for 58 dollars.  They were having an amazing 75%off sale and considering their prices are very reasonable already I made out like a bandit!!  I love it when I find sales like this.  The girls were having a blast looking around and finding treasures.