This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of UPromise for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Upromise is celebrating its 10th Anniversary by giving away $20,000 to users who share a story that tells how a parent has supported a child’s dream!

As a parent, I have encouraged my children to dream and dream big. Education was always a focal point of those dreams, even if the money was not always there.

Upromise members have received more than $600 million in college savings through their rewards program, and it wants to celebrate all of the ways it has helped to fuel those sparks that made children into the people they are today and the adults they will become tomorrow.

My Story

My dream is for my children to pursue their passion by getting a good educational foundation to prepare them for the rest of their lives. By encouraging them to do well throughout their elementary school years, I have helped build a foundation for them to grow into productive and happy people.

Your Story

What is your dream for your child(ren)? Go to www.upromisetodream.com and share your story and you could be one of 10 lucky winners of $1,000. The story with the most votes on September 29th will win $10,000! Now that’s something to help launch your child’s dream.

Don’t forget to check out the dream wall official rules for more information.

Help UPromise Celebrate Its 10th Anniversary is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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Last Friday was Senior Night

Senior Night is the last home football game of the season and all senior cheerleaders, football players, and band members are recognized. The cheerleaders and football players are recognized before the game and the band members right after their half time show.

The parents get out on the field and walk with their child. The parent gets a carnation dyed red and white (the school colors) and the kids get a stuffed eagle (the school mascot).

One is a Senior, Another a Freshman

Although last Friday was my final Senior Night, too, and there will be no more walking a child on the field as a rite of passage I still have one in high school. He’s decided that band is not his thing, but…

he’s still marching.

He’s in the Air Force JROTC program and advancing quickly.

Stephen probably has the fewest pictures here or anywhere; his choice not mine. Hopefully that is starting to change. I will be posting the video from today’s Veteran’s Day Parade later in the week. Exciting stuff, for sure!

Family Life: The Circle of High School Life is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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I have been away from blogging for about a week now and I do have to say the break was much needed and much appreciated. My family and I traveled down to North Florida, just outside of Gainesville, to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with my mom, my step-dad, my aunt & uncle, and my cousin.

We had a lot of fun. The girls and I hit the freebies at CVS on Thursday. I did not have to worry about getting their early since my parents live in such a small town. Everything was in stock. Then we ate lots of turkey and mashed potatoes, gravy and veggies. And of course my mom had pie. There was apple pie [with and without raisins] and pumpkin pie. My aunt made cookies shaped like turkeys and there were brownies.

On Friday the girls and I were at the mall a little after 4 am. We stopped in JCPenney first and collected our free snow globes. My mom collects these. Then we drove over to Target and waited. Just before 5 am we went to get in line only to find it was wrapped around and behind the building. Needless to say, we left.

We drove back to the mall and got food. Then we hit Sears, Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, and a few others. We did not make too many purchases. I did get stopped by one of the Dead Sea people and tried to leave without buying anything. All I can say is these sales people are good. I took the girls to get hair cuts then we walked over to the people selling hair straighteners. Amanda wanted them to re-straighten her hair. We left with three straighteners and various hair stuffs. These things are amazing! We left after that.

We made one last stop at Publix for some Black Cherry soda ~ the best around ~ and this is always a must for any Florida trip. I tried to take a nap when we returned, but my parents had other plans. We headed out to a working farm and orange grove. I have to say, these oranges were so good. Fresh picked and oh so tasty. We brought back six small boxes of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and lemons. I also got some orange blossom honey ~ farm fresh.

Mom made a ham dinner for us on Friday and there was leftover pie and a Carvel ice cream cake for dessert. I think we can all live for a few weeks on all the food we ate on our trip.

We left Saturday around 11 am and arrived back in Virginia around 9:30 pm. Sunday we were greeted by our chickens and today I have to go by the vet and pick up Ivy. I really miss her. Amanda and I took Megan back to Radford yesterday and hit more traffic on I-81 then we did on any of the roads coming back from Florida the day before.

Today I am working on finishing up NaNoWriMo [2400 words to go as of this posting] and will be a bit MIA for the next three weeks as I finish up my final college class ~ which is going to kick my ass ~ and get ready for the holidays.

Well, so much for my super quick update. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, ate lots of turkey, and enjoyed the company of friends and family be it close to home or far away.

Image courtesy of fmsparis.

Super Quick Update is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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I have four (4) book bags full of supplies.  These are fairly well color-coordinated, too.  I have red, orange, green, and blue; trying to keep it neutral.  Here is what is inside each bag:

• 2 packs wide-rule filler paper
• 2 spiral notebooks
• 1 composition book
• 2 folders
• 1 pencil pouch
• 1 10-pack of pencils
• 1 pack of eraser caps
• 1 highlighter
• 1 bottle of glue
• 1 3-pack of glue sticks
• 1 pair of scissors, blunt tip
• 1 24-pack of crayons
• 1 pencil sharpener
• 1 ruler
• 1 protractor
• 1 book cover
• 1 box of tissues

Additionally, I am donating some extra supplies I have.  Amanda took a ruler, pair of scissors, and bottle of glue leaving me with some oddities.  And I managed to acquire many, many more pens than we could possibly need.

• 3 bottles of glue
• 3 pairs of scissors, blunt tip
• 3 10-packs of pencils
• 3 rulers
• 4 10-packs of pens
• 1 8-pack of pens

Also, I am donating somewhere between 10 – 15 boxes of tissues.  These will go to the middle school with Stephen.

Everything was dropped off at the elementary school today!  I am sure some well deserving children will make good use of these supplies.

I have to thank CVS, Staples, and Office Max for their great back to school sales which allowed me to purchase all of these items for free or nearly free making this donation possible.  I had so much fun gathering the items and being “on a mission” to fill these book bags.

School Supply Donation Time is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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I was able to get everything I was looking to get even though one employee told Megan they were out of the Casio label makers.  Not one for taking their word for it, I had to check for myself.  They had six (6) left!

1 Casio handheld label maker $15 (free after ESR, limit 1)
1 Staples Slim-Line pencil sharpener $10 (free after ESR, limit 1)
1 Handy-lines dry-erase markers, 3-pk $3.99 (free after ESR, limit 1)
2 Staple multipurpose paper 500-sheet $4.99 each ($1 each after ESR, limit 2)
6 Staples 1-subject wire-bound notebook 1¢ each, limit 6
1 Built NY 13 – 15″ laptop sleeve $29.99 (for Megan)

$69.01 Before Coupons & ESRs
$5.00 off $50 purchase
$64.01 OOP (w/ tax $66.10) $5.75 paid with gift card
$36.97 ESR submitted
$27.04 Net OOP

More Freebies from Staples is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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Save $5 when you spend $50

Best deals I have found for the upcoming week:

• Casio handheld label maker $15 (free after easy rebate)
• Staples Slim-Line pencil sharpener $10 (free after easy rebate)
• Handy-lines dry-erase markers 3-pack $3.99 (free after easy rebate)
• Staples multipurpose paper, 500-sheet ream $4.99 ($3.99 easy saver rebate) limit 2
• Brother 575 plain-paper fax $59.99 ($50 easy saver rebate)
• Staples 1-subject wire-bound notebook, 70 sheets 1¢ each, limit 6

Deal Idea #1

1 Casio handheld label maker $15
1 Staples Slim-Line pencil sharpener $10
1 Handy-lines dry-erase markers 3-pack $3.99
2 Staples multipurpose paper, 500-sheet ream $9.98
6 Staples 1-subject wire-bound notebook, 70 sheets 6¢ (limit 6)
2 Staples letter/legal file boxes $12.99 (BOGO)

$52.02 Before Deals
$5.00 off $50 purchase
$47.02 OOP
$36.97 Easy Saver Rebates
$10.05 Net OOP

Deal Idea #2

1 Brother 575 plain-paper fax $59.99

$59.99 Before Deals
$5.00 off $50 purchase
$54.99 OOP
$50.00 Easy Saver Rebate
$4.99 Net OOP

Be sure to scan the full ad here and check your Staples clearance section for more great deals.

Best Deals @ Staples 8/9 – 8/15 is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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Friday I wrote up a few deal scenarios for this week’s Staples rebates and $10 gift card coupon.  Since I do not need Norton Anti Virus (I use a Mac) that deal was not going to work for me.  I opted to work deal number one.  Oh, and I am not sure how I came up with 5 – 1¢ reams of filler paper total 25¢, but I have corrected this.

5 reams filler paper 1¢ each (limit 5)
2 packs Staples photo paper $9.99 each ($8.99 Easy Saver Rebate, limit 2)
2 packs Staples multiuse paper $5.99 each ($3.99 Easy Saver Rebate, limit 2)
1 DYMO label maker $19.99 ($7.00 Easy Saver Rebate)

$52.00 Before Deals
$32.96 Easy Saver Rebates
$10.00 Staples Gift Card (spend $50 get $10 gift card)
$9.04 Net OOP (w/ tax $11.14)

Staples Shopping is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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Megan and I attempted to get an early start.  We dropped off Amanda at the high school for band camp (my little band geek) and I realized I had forgotten my little green coupon holder with my ECBs!  The horror.  So, we stopped for gas, picked up four newspapers, and drove home to retrieve my holder.  Then it was off to CVS!  YAY!  Amazingly, we get there early and on a Sunday and some of the “free” items already are gone.  Personally, I think they were not stocked (still in the back to be put out on display).  That is okay.  Tomorrow I will get rainchecks.

CVS #1, My Card

2 Caliber stretch book covers 99¢ each (Buy 1, get 99¢ ECB, limit 2, Sun, Mon, Tues only)
2 Caliber 1-subject notebooks 99¢ each (Buy 1, get 99¢ ECB, limit 2, Sun, Mon, Tues only)
2 Caliber glue stick 3-pack 99¢ each (Buy 1, get 99¢ ECB, limit 2, Sun, Mon, Tues only)
2 Caliber protractor $1.50 each (Buy 1, get $1.50 ECB, limit 2, Sun, Mon, Tues only)
2 Caliber 5″ scissors $2.99 each (Buy 1, get $2.99 ECB, limit 2, Sun, Mon, Tues only)
1 Highlighter 1¢ (limit 1)

$14.93 Before Coupons
$10.85 ECBs Used
$4.08 OOP (w/ tax $4.58)
$14.92 ECBs Earned

«««««««««««««««««««
Megan’s Card

2 Caliber stretch book covers 99¢ each (Buy 1, get 99¢ ECB, limit 2, Sun, Mon, Tues only)
2 Caliber 1-subject notebooks 99¢ each (Buy 1, get 99¢ ECB, limit 2, Sun, Mon, Tues only)
2 Caliber memo book 3×5 99¢ each (Buy 1, get 99¢ ECB, used raincheck)
2 Caliber protractor $1.50 each (Buy 1, get $1.50 ECB, limit 2, Sun, Mon, Tues only)
2 Caliber 5″ scissors $2.99 each (Buy 1, get $2.99 ECB, limit 2, Sun, Mon, Tues only)
1 Highlighter 1¢ (limit 1) **just noticed this is not showing on receipt

$14.92 Before Coupons
$14.92 ECBs Used (adjusted down)
$0 OOP (w/ tax 55¢)
$14.92 ECBs Earned

«««««««««««««««««««
CVS #2, My Card

2 Caliber 10-count pencils 99¢ each (Buy 1, get 99¢ ECB, limit 2, Sun, Mon, Tues only)

1 Softsoap Nutri Serum $4.99 each (Buy 1, get $4.00 ECBs, limit 5)
1 $2/1 IP (get yours here)
Final cost- $2.99

$6.97 Before Coupons
$2.00 Coupons Used
$4.97 ECBs Used
$0 OOP (w/ tax 35¢)
$5.98 ECBs Earned

«««««««««««««««««««
Megan’s Card

2 Caliber 10-count pencils 99¢ each (Buy 1, get 99¢ ECB, limit 2, Sun, Mon, Tues only)
2 Caliber glue sticks 3-pack 99¢ each (Buy 1, get 99¢ ECB, limit 2, Sun, Mon, Tues only)

1 Softsoap Nutri Serum $4.99 (Buy 1, get $4.00 ECBs, limit 5)
1 $2/1 IP (get yours here)
Final cost- $2.99

$8.95 Before Coupons
$2.00 Coupons Used
$6.98 ECBs Used
3¢ profit OOP (w/ tax 37¢)
$7.96 ECBs Earned

I am almost ready to bring my four backpacks full of brand spanking new school supplies to our local elementary school.

More Free School Supplies @ CVS is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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Receive $10 Staples Gift Card when you spend $50

• Staples 8″x10 1/2″ filler paper, 120 sheets, college or wide rule, 1¢, limit 5

• Staples photo plus 4″x6″ paper, gloss, 60/pack $9.99 – $8.99 easy saver rebate = $1.00, limit 2

• Staples bright white multiuse paper, 500-sheet ream $5.99 – $3.99 easy save rebate = $2.00, limit 2

• DYMO Letra Tag personal label maker $19.99 – $7.00 easy saver rebate = $12.99

Deal Idea #1:

5 reams filler paper 25¢ 5¢ (not sure what I was thinking here)
2 packs Staples photo paper $19.98
2 packs Staples multiuse paper $11.98
1 DYMO label maker $19.99

$52.00 OOP
$32.96 Easy Saver Rebates
$10.00 Staples Gift Card (spend $50 get $10 gift card)
$9.04 Net OOP

$1 Deals

• Staples Delta Elite retractable gel pens, 2/pack
• Foohy Petz assorted monkey head cap erasers, 10/pack
• Westcott 7″ bent handle scissors
• Paper Mate Sharpwriter 0.7 mm mechanical pencils, 5/pack
• Zebra Z-Grip retractable ballpoint pens, medium, 7/pack
• Staples clear glue sticks, .26 oz, 4/pack
• RoseArt washable watercolors, 8/pack
• Staples 3-hole binder punch

$2 Deals

• Sharpie retractable permanent markers, fine tip, 3/pack
• 3M Command white poster strips, medium, 12/pack
• Scotch Magic invisible tape, 3/4″x300″, 3/pack (look for buy 2 get a free sack pack MIR tear pads on display, products include: C29, 810K3, 122DM-2W, 137DM-2)
• Pentel EnerGel RTX retractable rollerball pens, medium, 3/pack
• OOPS! retractable correction tape, 2/pack
• BIC Wite-Out correction fluid, 20 ml 2/pack
• Staples 3-ring pencil pounches
• Post-it 1/2″ tape flags

Deal Idea #2

If you have a PC and are looking to upgrade your Norton AntiVirus program than this would be a GREAT deal for you.

** Norton AntiVirus 2009 for 1 PC, $39.99 – $20 easy saver rebate – $20 upgrader/new PC bundle MIR = FREE (proof of ownership of prior version is requred) **

1 Norton AntiVirus $39.99
5 reams filler paper 25¢ 5¢
2 packs Staples multiuse paper $11.98

$52.02 OOP
$27.98 Easy Saver Rebates
$20.00 upgrader/new PC bundle MIR
$10.00 Staples Gift Card (spend $50 get $10 gift card)
$5.96 Net Money Maker

Be sure to scan the full ad here and check your Staples clearance section for more great deals.

Best Deals @ Staples 8/2 – 8/8 is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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Here is a preview of next week’s Staples ad (7/26 – 8/1).

All items listed below are 25¢, limit 2:

• 4 oz Elmer’s school glue
• Staples manual pencil sharpener
• 12-pk Staples cap erasers
• 5-pk Bic Matic Grip mechanical pencils (asst)
• 100-pk Staples 3×5 lined index cards
• Slider pencil cases (asst)

You still have until Saturday to get a free after Staples Rewards backpack.  The reward will be credited to your account in October. Do not have a Staples Reward Card?  No worries, just pick one up while you are shopping, the cashiers should have them.

Get the following items 2 for $3 all next week:

• 24-pk Ticonderoga #2 pencils
• Staples rubber grip 1-hole punch
• 3-pk Pilot Frixion erasable highlighters
• 3-pk Staples 3/4″ x 50 yards invisible tape
• 3-pk Expo Click low-odor retractable markers chisel tip
• 2-pk Westcott 5″ scissors
• 3-pk Avery glue sticks
• Staples mini staple (asst)

Also find Staples and Avery binders on sale Buy 3 Get 1 Free.

Get the Staples ad but it is just not convenient to you?  Remember, Target and Walmart price match.  Be sure to have your ad with you to show the cashier.

$5 off $30 @ Staples & 25¢ School Supplies to Boot! is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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