Something new (You're going to want to read this one, trust me!)

I always enjoy trying something new. Like my new laptop. I really like trying out my new laptop.

Did I tell you I got a new laptop?

Oh, yes I did that right here. Silly me!

And did you notice the new layout and background?

Love it!

I have my super sweet, real-life and blogging friend Melissa, from Home Is Where Your Story Begins to thank for it! She is so talented and kind and so very great for putting up with super-picky me! We live in neighboring states, about 3 hours away (but work for the same company) so we have been im'ing and e-mailing back and forth at night (waaayyy too late at night for this early bird!) to try to get the look just right. And by golly, I think we've got it! The background was actually designed by Heather at Butterflygirlms Blog Designs and Melissa did a little tweaking and customizing to make it just right for little ole' me! I even have a new custom signature now! How special am I???? You'll have to read through the rest of my rambling to see it at the bottom of this post, though! Ha!

Another something new....This past Sunday, the kids and I made a trip into town to do some grocery shopping. *twang*twang* (No, we didn't take a horse and buggy...but close...my mini van!) St. Cloud just recently got a new grocery store called ALDI Market.

Have you ever heard of it before?

Me either.

I had heard that they have very reasonable prices, as long as you aren't picky about the brand of the item you buy. And you know frugal me can never pass up the chance to save a few bucks, so I decided to give it a try. I was also warned that you either have to bring your own grocery bags or buy theirs and to bring a quarter to check out a cart, that is fully refunded upon returning the cart to the front of the store.

So we shopped...

...and shopped.

And then shopped some more!

By the time we were done, I had a HEAPING (literally HEAPING) cart full of yummy goodness and each child had a toy (I know, I'm a push-over. But they were both really good and that is a feat in itself!) and the total was only $174 and some change and the kids toys were about $10 total (I told you I am a push-over!) so that means ALL of the food was only $164. The price of milk there is only $1.78!!! Skim, 1%, 2%...even Whole! Now that is amazing. I was in heaven! If I would have bought a cart full like that at our usual grocery store it would have easily been over $200. I will most certainly go back. I'll still have to buy certain brands, like Nutella, at another store and they don't have everything (but do have the essentials). In the end, my fridge and cupboards are full and I am one happy Mamma! Bet you wish your town had and ALDI Market, don't you?!?

Notice anything else new?

No pictures on this post! Not like me at all but, hey...it's something new!

Now for something else new...I know there a lot of you out there (and you know who you are) that don't EVER comment. Why don't you try something new as well and post a comment?

It might just payoff!

Payoff...you ask?

Yes, payoff!

I love to win stuff. Heck, I just love to get anything for FREE. More than winning and freebies I love to give, give, give! So that is what I'm gonna do!

All you have to do to get your name in the hat is go visit my lovely sister-in-law, Susan's ETSY store - Black Eyed Susan Artworks - by clicking HERE. Take a look around, make note of what you like (if you feel so inclined you could even buy yourself something or a Christmas present or two!), and then come back here and post a comment letting me know your favorites thing(s). You will be entered to win this lovely pair of earrings. The winner will be picked at random (I'm old fashioned so each comment will be numbered in the order of posting and then all numbers will be put in a hat and drawn by my adorable little boy) so don't worry about exactly what you write. Just write anything!

Also, in order to be entered into the contest to win the earrings, your comment must be entered before Noon Central Time on Sunday, November 22nd. But don't let the commenting stop at this post. I love to hear from all who read!

Isn't this fun?!?

Now get to the commenting!

Good Luck!