I sure do like a good deal...

I've been getting notices in the mail from the Disney Movie Club for years, but have always tossed them straight into the trash thinking, "A movie for a buck? Right..." Well, a couple months ago I was talking to a friend who happened to be a member. After picking her brain a bit, I decided to investigate further. After reading every bit of fine print on my most recent mailing, perusing their website and even talking to a representative on the phone, I decided that this truly was an awesome deal. Chloe loves Disney movies, and I if I'm going to be buying them anyway, why not pay less?

Anyone want to guess what I paid for these?

Out the door: $21.90.

Here's how it works. You register, choose four movies for $.25 each, and are then obligated to purchase four more at full price over the next two years. So after choosing my first four for $.25 each, they offered an additional movie for $8.95 - a steal when I'd otherwise be paying $20+! What's even better is that this fifth movie went toward one of the four required purchases! And when they then offered me a sixth movie for only $11.95 (this is all free shipping, by the way), I figured hey, why not? Even THAT is a steal! So again, $21.90 for these 6 movies, which I otherwise would have paid for ONE at a local store. And all that's required of me over the next two years is to purchase three more at full price.

Just to feel out every possible catch that still may have existed, I asked two questions. First, what's "full price" considered? Once you've agreed to be a member, do they shoot their prices way up to make their money? And second, what are shipping costs? The lady I spoke with said the movies generally range from $19.99-$29.99 (average - especially for Disney movies), but that they often have specials, especially when something is newly released or when they offer a "double feature" (two movies for the price of one). And as far as the shipping is concerned, standard is $3.95, but once again, during special deals, it's often free.

I suppose there is a "catch", but only if you don't keep on top of things. Each month they mail you a "feature film". If you fail to respond by mailing it back within a certain time period, they automatically charge your credit card. My friend told me that they send you an email prior to shipping it, however, at which time you can tell them you're not interested and they won't send it at all. Simple really, if you stay on top of it.

Even if I pay full price plus shipping for three more movies, I still, as a whole, will have saved a ton of money. No brainer! I'm sure I'll end up buying more movies than I otherwise would have over the next two years (that is, if they keep offering me too good to pass up deals like six movies for the price of one). So I suppose that's how they'll "get me" in the end. But I'd rather my children watch decent wholesome Disney movies than the garbage on television, which is only bound to get worse!

Random updates

Gosh, lots of updates to share! Here goes...

Just another reason I love Craigslist!
Check out this Craigslist find! 356 diapers (297 newborns and 59 size 1's) for $40! That averages just under $0.9 a diaper, which is especially awesome considering the majority are Pampers Swaddlers (my favorite, and one of the more expensive brands). Definitely a good start to the many of these we'll go through!

Family visits and house projects

Neil's sister, Lori came down from Greeley Friday afternoon and spent the weekend with us. We warned her beforehand that she might regret the visit since we'd likely put her right to work, but she didn't seem to mind one bit! And man, she was a tremendous help to us!

Saturday was pretty much spent outside. Lori and I made some progress on the trim (she painted along the roof while I worked on the lower areas of the house). And Neil spent the day shoveling out the remaining rock that was laying around the backyard, roto tilling and leveling everything out in preparation for sprinklers and sod.

Here's the yard, ready for action!

And let's not forget Daddy's little helper!

Ta da! Okay, so it doesn't look very pretty (yet), but it's a big improvement! I cannot tell you how excited I am to look out my window and see grass for a change! Just one more week!

Lori workin' hard on the trim

We're getting there...

Recipe(s) of the week
Food always seems to taste better when A) you're camping, or B) you've been outside workin' hard. That definitely proved to be true yesterday when we enjoyed some yummy grilled chicken that had been marinading all afternoon. It was so good, in fact, that I am going to share the recipe.

~Chicken Garlic Lime Marinade~

Ingredients:

1/4 c. olive oil

1/4 c. red wine vinegar

6 T. soy sauce

6 T. Worcestershire sauce

juice from 2 fresh limes

1 t. salt

1 1/2 t. black pepper

2 cloves garlic, crushed

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Instructions:

Combine ingredients in ziploc bag and marinade up to 6 hours, but no longer as the citrus will start to toughen the chicken. Rotate the bag often to ensure even coating. I quartered the limes, squeezed the juice into the bag and threw the rest of the limes in too (I figured it might help intensify the lime flavor). I grilled 2 large chicken breasts and 4 drumsticks and it tasted incredible! This chicken would also be great the next day over green salad and Creamy Cilantro dressing. In fact that just may be on my lunch menu for tomorrow!

And while we're on the subject of recipes, Camille and Nells both asked for the "chicken and noodles" recipe (based on the picture from my last post). I had to laugh because I wasn't expecting those requests, but simply stating my latest pregnancy craving (and how grateful I am that my husband isn't a picky eater). I don't really have a recipe, but here's basically what I do:

~Chicken and Noodles~

I saute about 1/4 c. chopped onion over medium heat for a few minutes. I then add 1-2 chicken breasts (chopped into chunks), along with some garlic salt, cayenne pepper and basil (all to taste). At that point I add a little more butter (if needed), then let everything saute, stirring frequently, until the chicken is browned and the onions look practically burned - it's partly what gives the dish such good flavor. I then add some heavy whipping cream. I never measure, but I'm guessing I add about 1/2 c. At that point I turn the heat to low, cover and simmer a few minutes longer. A lot of the cream is absorbed into the chicken (which just makes it more moist), but what does not absorb only thickens to make a great sauce! I sometimes add red bell peppers in addition to the onion, but only when I have them on hand. Then I just pour it over some cooked noodles (egg noodles or fusilli noodles are my top choices). I really have to give my mom credit for this because she made it up! She cooked it for us several months ago when she was out here, and I've made it several times since (most frequently within the last few weeks). Somehow her version still tastes better to me than my own, but I suppose it's that magic touch that only moms and grandmas have!

New Calling

I received a new church calling today! I've been on the Enrichment board for almost a year, and was released today and extended a new calling as Activity Days leader. I'll be working with the 8-11 year-old girls in the ward. Don't really know much about the program, but I believe it's in preparation for Young Women's and the responsibilities that come with that transition. It should be fun. I've worked very little in the Primary program, and while this isn't really a typical Primary calling, I think it will be a refreshing change!

Chloe's say

So like many expectant parents with a toddler, we've been asking Chloe the common questions: "Are you going to have a little sister or a little brother?" and "Is Mommy going to have a baby girl or a baby boy?" At first Chloe would go back and forth with her answers, or even change her mind two seconds after she'd told us. But for the past week she has consistently informed us that she is going to have a "little stister!" She is absolutely determined, and actually corrects us when we even suggest that it might be a brother. Kind of makes me wonder... What do you guys think? What has your experience been with this type of thing (for those of you who have more than one)? Are the kids usually right? I tell ya, I would sure be thrilled with another girl! Wouldn't have to buy her any clothes, seeing how she'll practically share a birthday with her big "stister". Time will tell, time will tell. We are pretty positive we have names picked out, but until we are positively positive, I think I'll wait to share. Hehe. :)

Happy June, everyone! Yay for summer!