bathing suit shopping...

since it was a balmy 50 degrees a couple of times this week, i'm practically packing the beach bags. never mind that it's positively frigid today - i am in denial about that.

i lurve to buy the kids' new bathing suits and sandals. i can not adequately explain the joy it brings me. perhaps it's the promise of warm sunny days in the sand at silver beach that brings on the euphoria.

it also could be that kids' suits are so stinkin' cute.

maybe it's the navy shipping bag with the words "lands end" emblazened on it that makes me so happy. it has become somewhat of a ritual of mine to purchase sandals and suits from lands end every year. i can't explain it.

or maybe, the giddiness derives from just this:

it never gets old...

shaw's sales just keep getting better! there are no less than three big catalina deals going on now, and several smaller deals as well. add in a produce "pick 4" and corresponding coupons for guacamole (yee-um!), and i'm almost giddy. i love me a good deal!

i've been to shaw's a few times since friday, but here is the most recent trip, where my cash out amounts to a whopping $3.36:

2 capri sun (retail 2.99, sale 1.99 each)
2 dixie paper plates (retail 4.99, 3.89 each w/ coupon)
1 dixie napkins (retail 2.59, free w/ coupon)
2 tampax (retail 5.99, sale 2.50, 1.50 each w/ coupons)
4 crest spiderman toothpaste (retail 3.29, sale 2.29, 1.29 each w/ coupons)
4 crest kids toothpaste (retail 2.99, sale 2.29, 1.29 each w/ coupons) [donated 1]
2 toothbrushes (retail 2.99, sale 2.29, 1.15 each w/ B1G1 coupon)
1 wesson oil (retail 3.99, sale 2.99)
3 ketchups (retail 1.99, sale .79 each) [donated 1]
2 cocoas (retail 2.19 each) [donated 1)
1 dannon yogurt (retail 2.99, sale 2.29, 1.29 each w/ coupon)

TOTAL retail: 81.22
TOTAL sale price: 56.74
less clipped coupons: 18.38
less catalina coupons: 15.00
ORDER TOTAL: 23.36
Catalinas produced: 20.00
TOTAL: 3.36

not a bad morning's work. i'm almost done shopping this week, but i'll be heading back once more to stock up on kraft shredded cheese for .24 a bag...i can't resist!