Walmart's Coupon Policy & The Gift of Time

Go here to print Walmart's Coupon and Competitor Ad Policy

On the far right side of the screen you can download the pdf for the coupon and competitor ad policy.

I used to think the only way to give was to give money or gifts.  As I've grown older and wiser, I've realized the gift of time can be just as fruitful if you manage it right.

About a month ago, I was asked to speak at a church about couponing.  It was a really great experience, and it allowed me to get over my fear of public speaking in front of adults.  Since I didn't sweat profusely through the entire event, I decided to ask my Facebook friends if they were interested in learning how to use coupons.  I seriously thought there would be maybe 10 people max who were interested.  To my surprise a little over 40 people responded and about 30 showed up.

Since I learned how to coupon by reading blog after blog and site after site, I wasn't going to ask for people to pay me for free knowledge.  After all, I am no expert.  I just know how I cut my bill in half.  So instead, I asked each person to bring one or more tolietry item(s) that would go to Arms Around BA.  I was so blown away when I gathered all the donations. 

Here are the details of all the donations...

• 3 packages of toliet paper
• 1 roll of paper towels
• 1 Kleenex box
• 4 tubes of toothpaste
• 3-2 pack toothbrushes
• 2-6 packs of bar soap
• 12 deoderants
• 2 bottles of lotion
• 1 mouthwash
• 11 body washes
• 2 loofah's (not pictured)

I never imagined this much would be collected.  A big thank you to the ladies who attended the couponing event.  I really appreciate each of your generous hearts.  Your gifts are going to bless people you may never meet, yet you still gave.

Now, for my little message.  Maybe you don't have all the resources to put together a donation like this with your own finances, but you have a skill that others could benefit from by simply giving your time.  Time is precious, but what could you do if you gave some of yours to benefit others?

There are so many needs in our communities.  Wouldn't it be great if we all made the decision to impact an organization in our community regularly?  Maybe it's your local food bank, maybe it's your child's school, maybe it's your neighbor.  Just get out there, find your niche, and bless others.  I promise, it will come back and bless you in ways you could never imagine possible.

Menu Monday

Because I waited until the last minute, I'm typing out this week's menu on Mother's Day.  You would think I would get my act together earlier in the weekend to knock this stuff out, but I don't.  I go on vacation mode.  Then Sunday rolls around and I freak out!  So here I am sitting in my unmade bed on a Sunday afternoon typing out my menu.  I realize this is TMI (too much information) for you, but I'm hoping that you don't care.
Realistically, most of you probably skip over all this mumbo-jumbo to get to what you need, then if you have time later you come back and read this nonsense.  At least that's what I do.  Oh snap!  I just outed myself.  Er, I meant to say, "I read every word of every page of every bit of information I'm reading,"  Okay, I'm totally lying.  I'm a major skimmer, but who cares.  Here's the menu...

Monday-Homemade pizza using this crust and this sauce, with Mixed Herbs Salad
Tuesday-Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Quarters, Wild Rice, with Steamed Veggies
Wednesday-Baked Chicken Breasts, Raw Peppers with Hummus, and Corn on the Cob
Thursday-Meatloaf Miniatures, Mashed Potatoes, and Corn
Friday-A Special Visit
Saturday-Another Special Visit
Sunday-Dinner at my MIL's

I betcha noticed I'm only cooking 4 days this week.  I know, you're jealous.  I understand.  Have a great week!

Coming up this week on Torres Tidbits...

• Ways to give without spending a dime and Walmart's Coupon/Competitor Ad Policy
• Our new sprinkler system
• My version of baked Chimichangas
• A family friendly game your sure to love

Man Date

Steven took off work one day this week to take Little Man to his first baseball game.  Now, I realize I get to do a whole lot with the kids while Steven's working, but it was still hard to miss out on one of Little Man's 'firsts'.  As I packed my boys up for their outing, I made Steven promise to take pics.  He did.  He's a good, good man.  I am fully convinced when Carrie Underwood wrote Mama's Song, she had my man in mind. 

Back to the point.

Looking through all the pictures I was so thankful that Steven took the time to have a man date with his only son.  Unfortunately my lovely, wonderful, giving, precious husband indulged my baby boy a little too much.  Check out the loot from the day...

{A gigantic finger}

{Nacho Cheese Doritos}

{Pop}

 Editior's Note:  Amanda Torres was not happy about the pop, but after much counseling she has come to terms with the consumption of pop.  Just don't bring it up around her.  Talking behind her back is acceptable in situations such as this. 

{Big League Chew}

  

{Steven wanted to be sure I got the full effect of the gum}

{Yes.  There it is. Cotton Candy.} 

I'm so glad I taught Little Man to make good healthy choices.  I really can't complain though.  They both had a fabulous time together.  Memories made.  Good times.  I had some good times also.  Good times brushing Little Man's teeth like nobody's business and pumping him full of fruits and vegetables.  I should have taken pictures of that!  Instead, I'll close with the good stuff.  Little Man with one of the game balls the first baseman tossed his way, and my men.  One little and one big, but I love them both!

 

{Moment of Silence required for observing my man's biceps}

Okay, we can continue...

Nighty-night Little Man. 

Tired, Tired Parents

Recently we went to Little Man's baby buddy's birthday party.  I say baby buddy, because Little Man and "L" have been buds since Little Man was 9 months old and "L" was 4 months old.  Can I just say I love birthday parties?  I realize I'm with a dying breed, but I still view birthday parties as a celebration of a child's life.  We make every effort to attend parties.  To celebrate the life of some of your best friends' children is heartwarming. 

What is not heartwarming is how haggard we parents look at this party.  When I was tagged into the party pics, I about died.  Steven and I, along with Jeff and Kristi (my high school pal), look like we are the most miserable people in the world.  This couldn't be further from the truth, but they say photos don't lie.

With enthusiasm as such, you should invite this pleasant gang to all your parties.  We are for hire. 

You know, to excite your other guests.

Teacher Appreciation Week

It's Teacher Appreciation Week.  I think teachers live for this week.  L-I-V-E.  Mainly because it's about 20 days out from the end of the year.  If you have never experienced the end of the year as a teacher in a classroom setting, consider yourself lucky.  Yes, Teacher Appreciation Week is strategically planned at the end of the year so teachers remember that it really is worth it.



All kidding aside, have you thanked your child's teacher?  You don't have to do it with gifts.  Kind words go a long way.  A kind word from your child goes an extra long way.  If you are searching for that perfect gift though, here are some suggestions from a long list of gifts that were my absolute favorites...

• A bouquet of small value gift cards...$5 to Hobby Lobby, Mardel, Apple Tree, QT, and Panera
• A basket full of my favorites...Post-It Notes,  Dr. Pepper, Jelly Belly's, Trident Gum, New Ball Point Pens, and a picture of me with the class
• A single rose from each child in the class.  When the kids brought me a rose, they also told me their favorite memory from the year.  I cried.  Tearing up now just thinking about it.
• A Brighton Key Chain
• Personalized Stationary
• Earrings...lots of earrings!
• A hanging basket of begonias

There were so many over the years, but I do have a stand out favorite.  One that made me cry as soon as it was opened. 

My very first year of teaching (those kids are graduating this year despite me), I had a little girl who was the outcast of the entire school.  The year prior to her being in my class, I would see her reading on the playground. Not playing.  Just reading.  It made me sad.

When I became her teacher in fourth grade, that reading she did every single day at recess made me hurt even more.  She didn't know how to read.  Her book was a cover.  A cover for her loneliness.  Awful.  Simply awful.  A child who couldn't read would take a book out to recess, hide in a corner, and pretend.  Once I found that out, it stopped immediately.  I started looking for the kids in the class who had tender hearts and starting pairing them up at recess.  At first it was awkward.  I even went out to play with them to be sure it was authentic.  Over time, a few of the kids began to ask her to play without prompting. 

I'm not sure if this was what made her decision to give me a gift or not, but she gave the best gift ever.  This little girl was extremely immature for her age.  She often brought toys to school that Kindergartners would bring. Most of the time those toys ended up on my desk, but only one stayed there permanently.

The very last day of Teacher Appreciation Week, this little girl wrapped up her most prized toy in aluminum foil and gave it to me.  I tried to give it back knowing how much it meant to her.  She refused.  After she walked away, my heart sank. 

I still have the little Beanie Baby in my attic along with the other little trinkets I was given throughout the years.  They all have a story, a memory, tied to them.  Some funny, some sentimental, but none as touching as the little girl's.

So no matter how big or small the gift, please show appreciation for the men and women who care for your children as much as they care for their own.

To my former staff, I hope you have the best week.  I cherish the time I worked with each one of you.  The work you do to better children is amazing. Thank you for being the teachers and women you are to each person who comes in contact with you.

5 Things

I'm sitting here watching Dancing With the Stars.  Alone.  Completely Alone.  I'm rarely in the house alone.  It feels weird.  As I'm watching Kirstie Alley cry over dancing it makes me think what I would be like if I were on the show.  I don't think I would cry.  I'm not a crier when I get frustrated.  I get mad instead.  Thank you, Mom, for that quality.  Do I need to remind you of the greenhouse we put together Sunday night?

Anyway, the whole Dancing With the Stars thing has me thinking of things I would like to do and things I have done.  Since I often write about topics that are mindless, I thought I'd share.

5 Things I Used To Be Able to Do

1. The splits
2. A standing back tuck
3. The ability to sleep past 9am
4. Sit alone in my house and feel comfortable
5. Get up and go without thinking of two little people

5 Things I Have Done

1. Bungee jump
2. Ridden on a motorcycle
3. Pushed out two kids
4. Danced on a desk to celebrate my students' accomplishments
5. Ran a 15K (9.3 miles) without stopping

5 Things I Would Like To Do

1. Skydive
2. Outdoor repelling
3. Take a 3 week trip around the world with Steven
4. Sail in the middle of an ocean for a week
5. Relearn a standing back tuck (My #1 goal for this year)

There you have it.  The weird quirks about me.

Menu Monday

If Steven were Mexican, I'd blame this week's menu on my attempt to 'tap into his roots', but he's not.  He's Puerto Rican.  So I can't use that excuse.  I can, however, blame the menu on Cinco de Mayo.  Yes, that is my inspiration for including two Mexi-meals in one week.  Honestly though, the recipes just looked good and the items were on sale.  Good Recipe + Good Deal = Amanda's True Love.

Monday-Tomato Cream Sauce Pasta, Mixed Greens Salad, and Green Beans
Tuesday-Baked Chicken Topped with Peppers and Feta Cheese, Roasted Potatoes, and Corn Casserole
Wednesday-Oven Baked Chimichangas served with Black Bean Salsa and Corn Saute
Thursday-Grilled Drumsticks, Perfect Potatoes Au Gratin, and Grilled Peppers and Onions
Friday-Mexican Lasagna, Arroz Con Gandules, and Roasted Corn on the Cob
Saturday-Dang Cheese Sandwiches and Homemade Fries
Sunday-Mother's Day...I sure hope Steven has something planned.  Otherwise we will all starve!