Just when I thought I was ahead of the game, I realized I still have several laps to go.

Christmas. Oh, beloved and festive holiday. Oh blessed and holy time of reflection. Why doest thou causeth me so much anxiety and angst??

Seriously?

I had an afternoon to myself about a month ago to do some Christmas shopping while Ace took Carter to a movie. By "myself," I mean me and Bennett, but Bennett has no clue what is going on, so he doesn't "count" on this particular occassion. I briskly roamed the aisles of Toys R Us and Target and snatched up the things that were on my list for the kids and rushed home to stash it all in the back of the laundry room before the boys got home. (That's a pretty safe place to store the goods considering that I am the only one who ever even opens the door to the laundry room.) I was pleasantly surprised that everthing on "The List" was available at the store, and much of it was marked down.

And yes, I am quite glad I got that little head-start. I sat back and had a good laugh at those who waited for those coveted Black Friday deals this year. Apparently, retailers are maintaining lower inventory (anticipating that people wouldn't be shopping as much due to the recession), which actually has the opposite effect of driving the prices UP when the products are in higher demand. I was amused to see that nearly everything I had purchased a month prior was actually marked UP on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Neener, neener, neener!!!

So, I was feeling pretty darn good about myself and patting myself on the back for making the holidays this year a little less stressful. That was until I realized that the presents were only the start of it...

On my Holiday To Do List still remains:

* Advent Calendars (yes, I realize its already December 2nd...)
* Christmas cards, and I haven't even taken photos of the kids yet... And I was thinking about doing one of those family "newsletter" dealios this year too...
* The Tree (and I'm dreading the logistics of keeping Bennett from knocking it down...)
* The stockings
* The compulsory gifts for various people at work
* Make something for the grandparents from the kids
* My "secret santa" gift for Ace's family's gift exchange.
* WRAPPING said gifts...

And what would the holidays be without the umpteen events and get togethers? I mean, that IS the point, right?

I do love the holidays, but there is just so much that goes into the production, especially now that I have children and am charged with the responsibility of creating the "magic." I guess I better start listening to the Christmas channel on the radio to get myself in the spirit!

Am I alone? Does anyone else feel overwhelmed??!! Who is in the spirit? Pass me some of your happy-juice!

Bulking up!

I love Costco. LOVE it! I get a thrill at seeing how much money I save! Yes, I'm one of those dorks who sits there and calculates my savings.

Here's today's calculation:

Strawberries (6 lbs) $6.99 = $1.17/lb v. Grocery $2.99 (1 lb) = $1.82/lb or 10.92 total savings!

Blueberries (18 oz) $6.49 v. Grocery (4.4 oz) $3.99 = 55 cents/ounce or $9.84 total savings!!!!!

Eggo Homestyle Waffles (60 ct) $7.49 = 12 cents/waffle v. Grocery (10 ct) $2.99 = 30 cents/waffle = 18 cent/waffle or $10.80 total savings!!

Mott's Apple Juice (2 gallons/256 oz) $6.59 v. Grocery (64 oz) $3.00 = 2 cents/oz. or $5.60 total savings!

Tropicana OJ (192 oz) $7.49 v. Grocery (89 oz) $5.99 = 3 cents/oz or $5.24 total savings!

Organic Milk (1/2 gallon) $3.20 v. Grocery (store brand) $3.99 = 79 cent savings per 1/2 gallon.

Breakstone Cottage Cheese (48 oz) $4.29 v. Grocery (16 oz) $2.50 = 6.5 cents/oz or $3.18 total!

Shredded Mexican Cheese (40 oz) $5.59 v. Grocery (store brand, 8 oz) $2.79 = 21 cents/ounce or $8.40 savings!!!!!!

Organic Eggs (2 doz) $6.99 v. Grocery (store brand, 1 doz) $3.99 = 50 cent/dozen, $1 savings

Bananas (8 ct) $1.29 v. Grocery (8 ct) $3.12 - $1.83 savings

Ok, this is just a sampling, I have more, but that probably would just bore you!

These days, I buy almost everything from Costco. Most things you can freeze (we have a deep freezer in the basement), and we rarely let anything go to waste. I buy meats bulk and then separate them out in freezer ziploc bags. I buy bread there and throw one loaf in the freezer. I buy the 3-pk of organic milk (we buy 2% for Carter and whole for Bennett), and throw the extra 2 in the freezer. I think one of the biggest savings we get is with BERRIES. My kids loooooove berries. They are quite expensive from the grocery store! If you can't use all of them before they spoil (and I swear Costco produce lasts longer...), then freeze them and use them in smoothies!

Yay for Costco! I get a high off saving money!