Happy New Year!

Yesterday, my husband and I spent some time rehearsing all of the highlights of 2011 with our two boys.  It’s really amazing what can happen in a year, don’t you think?  (My six year old learned how to swim, ride a bike and read, and lost his first tooth all in one year.   Pretty big accomplishments, if you ask me!)

We had so much fun, I thought I’d take a few moments to do the same here and share just a few highlights of this past year:

A Look Back at 2011:

In March, the Realistic Look at Couponing series began with my version of Extreme Couponing.  (To date, one of my most popular posts ever.  I’m glad you guys ‘understand’ my sense of humor.)

In April, we reached a milestone with our one millionth visitor to Cha-Ching on a Shoestring.  (And you all keep coming back–thank you!)

In May, readers and bloggers across the country joined forces in our second annual Couponing for Community event.   In one week’s time, 26,639 items were donated by couponers nationwide.  (Still gives me goose bumps thinking about it.)

In September, I received an email from a producer at Anderson Cooper’s new daytime talk show.  A week later, my husband and I were sitting on his set sharing with the world about couponing and enjoying our three minutes of fame. 🙂

And a couple personal highlights for me:

In May, my sister, her soon-to-be husband and I ran the Broad Street Run 10-miler in Philadelphia.  (And lived to tell about it!)

In October, Mission Mini Van was completed!

In December, I shared our exciting news: We’re having a BOY!

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Like I said, it’s pretty amazing what can happen in a year, don’t you think?

Thanks for your BIG part in making 2011 a fantastic year.  Now I’m going to put my feet up for a while and do a little bit of dreaming about what I hope 2012 will hold.  Want to join me?!

A couple of years ago, there was this silly little “25 Things About Me” thing going around on Facebook.  Well, eventually I succumbed to the pressure and joined in making my list.

I found the list recently, and it hit me that it might be fun to share with you, my readers, to give you a better picture of who I am.

I have eliminated a few things so as not to bore you…and because a few of the items no longer apply since I wrote it almost two years ago.

So without further adieu…all you ever wanted to know about me and more!

• I have been to South Korea, North Korea, Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland, Hawaii (that’s a foreign country in my eyes!), Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, the Bahamas, and Mexico and Canada, of course. My favorite was Australia. I would still like to go to Africa one day.

• I had a variety of jobs while in college including: a Friendly’s waitress, a telemarketer, a foam hanger packer, and an RA.

• I could eat Frosted Mini Wheats for breakfast every morning.

• If I could get away with it, I would also serve Frosted Mini Wheats for dinner. I am not a big fan of cooking.  I am, however, a big fan of E-Mealz.

• If I could be anything when I grow up, I would have a hard time choosing between a television talk show host and a star on a sit-com.

• My husband and I dated for four months and were engaged for four months. That would be 8 months total.

• One of the qualities I admire the most is the ability to communicate well while thinking on one’s feet. I would love to be able to do that better.

• Two of my goals in life are to go on another cruise and to learn how to raise one eyebrow.

• The highest compliment that you can pay me is to tell me that I am funny.

• I love coffee. Particularly Dunkin Donuts French Vanilla coffee. With Cream and Sugar. Please.

• I am a dreamer, by nature. There are days this is good.  And there are days it it not.

• I love that both of my boys have blue eyes although no one in my immediate family does. Thank you, Grandpa Hill and the Ehret family.

• I have run a half-marathon in NYC. I hope to do so again and finish with a better time.  Someday.

• I was in the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC in 1990 (which is why I was so embarrassed when I wrote a post the other day about “Cheep Green Giant Veggies”).

• I am fascinated by people and learning what makes them tick.

• Becoming a mom has taught me so much, but possibly the most important is to work hard to live in the moment.

• I hate shopping.  (Kind of ironic, huh?)

• I am the third of six children and a classic middle child: peacemaker, independent, easy-going and still craving the spotlight that I seemed to have missed.

• I am most happy when I am with my family.  But I absolutely love to be alone as well.

• I love Jesus more than I can say and strive daily to be more like Him.

How about you?  I’d love to know a few fun and random things about my readers as well!

The following is a post I wrote a little over a year ago. I thought a little walk down memory lane would be fun…

It’s official.

I’ve been labeled ‘Frugal’.

I wasn’t sure it was so until my brother admitted to me the other day that he was afraid to eat anything at my house while watching my children.  He thought it might throw off my whole frugal eating plan.

I’m not sure how I feel about this.  I suppose it’s a bit of a compliment in a strange sort of way.  Apparently he’s so impressed with my money-saving savviness, that he’s willing to starve to support it.

Hearing him say this has made me realize that maybe I need to clear a few things up with those I hold dear.  Here goes:

Dear Friends and Family,

I realize that in the past year, some of you may think that I have gone off the deep end with this whole saving money thing.  Don’t think I haven’t noticed your eyes glazing over as soon as the words ‘extrabucks‘  and  ‘swagbucks‘  escape my lips.  Indeed, I recognize that my enthusiasm over my latest free tube of toothpaste may be more irritating than contagious.  I’m pretty sure that some of you still haven’t forgiven me for that wild goose chase I sent you on with Oprah’s Free KFC.

I just want to say one thing.  I understand.  Frugality can be annoying.

In an effort to make it up to you, I want to clear a few things up:

• If you are ever at my house babysitting my children, you may eat whatever you can find.  My ‘frugal eating plan’ is not as strict as you may think.  (And besides, I probably have a coupon for whatever you ate anyway.)

• If you are ever at my house babysitting my children, feel free to make any long distance phone calls that you need to.  (We’ve got onesuite, so it’s only $.03 a minute!)

• If you are ever at my house babysitting my children, help yourself to toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, mouthwash, dish soap, and pretty much anything you can find in my closet. (PLEASE…we need space to get more free stuff!)

• If you are ever at my house babysitting my children, it probably means Wes and I are out spending a little moolah on ourselves.  Yep.  We do that occasionally.  In fact, we kind of like it.  Gasp, huh?

• If you are ever at my house babysitting my children, THANK YOU!  (I may pay you in coupons and Johnson’s Buddies Soaps, but THANK YOU!)

With much love,

Kaley