The Never-Ending Battle

Laundry! Here at the Baker House, there is always lots of it. I try not to let it pile up, but sometimes I can do up to 7 loads in a day!!! And that's just my laundry, and the kids laundry ... my hubby does his own! I don't separate colors, I don't have any bleach in the house, and I definitely don't iron (if it is wrinkled, throw it in the dryer for a few minutes). No special care fabrics here. My Juicy Couture are the only items that get a load all their own, and the two dresses I own go to the dry cleaners after their occassional night out. I keep it simple.

My current laundry soap of choice: Tide with Downy April Fresh
Favorite dryer sheets of the moment: Bounce with Febreze Spring & Renewal

Big Fat Check!

Okay, I promise this will be the last blog about good ol' ebates! I just wanted to share how much I earned this holiday shopping season by going through this simple and free site ... $77.68!!! Now I have to thank Jodee, Dana, and Jackie for signing up and making their first purchases ... I received extra cash bonuses for them using my email address aprilbaker23@yahoo.com as their referral!! I'll receive bonuses for the many others who also signed up when they make their first purchase (thanks, girls!). My check goes in the mail December 31st ... anyone else earn their shopping rewards?

Countdown to Cabo (updated)

Two weeks. 6 pounds. I accept your challenge Special K! It's a good thing I like cereal.

** Day One ... Not the best day to start my period AND a diet. Ugh! I ate my two bowls of cereal, and an extra 1000 calories or so. Not too bad for day one, but I definitely need to improve. The first couple days are always tough ... add an overdue period (I have an IUD, so there is no schedule there), and my crabby ass is HUNGRY!!! **

Wrappin' up December

My hubby started taking down the Christmas decor tonight. We are getting ready to pack up our house ... the housing market (as you all know) stinks right now, and probably will for another year or two, so we have decided to rent our house out (more on that later). Next week, we welcome 2009 and will soon be vacationing in sunny Cabo San Lucas, Mexico! This next year is looking fabulous already! We had a wonderful Christmas celebrating with family. I was absolutely spoiled, as were the kiddos. Here are a few pics from Christmas Day ... I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!!

Time to open presents!

Ready for Nana and Papa's house!

Christmas 2008

Tried something new ...

... And will not be doing this again!! Every year during the holidays, I am on top of my game. I have all my presents shopped for, wrapped, and under the tree well before the week of Christmas. I would admire the holiday shopping frenzy from a distance, being I had nothing to stress about.
This year, I took a different approach. I thought I would slow it down a bit, shop a little longer, and not wrap anything until Christmas Eve. Then, we got blasted with a freak snow storm!! Ugh!! No more complaining on that (you have all heard enough of that the last week and a half), but here I am all bummed out because gifts didn't arrive as they were scheduled. UPS cannot deliver in these 'adverse weather conditions', and SEVERAL gifts are not here to be presented to deserving family members. Sigh. I am glad that these specific people are understaning and don't have hurt feelings, and I am thankful that none of the said packages are for the kids. The little guys wouldn't understand why no presents arrived for them (although I could have probably delayed the actual date of Christmas being they are too young to tell time).
So gift giving will be postponed until next week for a few people, and I will try so hard to salvage the non-stressed holiday spirit that I love so very much!
Merry Christmas Eve!!

Cabin Fever

Stuck at home in over 2 feet of snow and ice ... why not do some baking? Fellow blogger friends, Jen and Jodee, emailed me with some yummy recipes to try (per my request). Here's what I've cooked up - all 3 of my boys loved these recipes!! They were simple and easy, just the way I like 'em! Thanks, girls!!

Jen's Pizza Dip

8 oz cream cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

1 tsp dried oregano

1/8 tsp garlic powder

1/2 jar pizza sauce

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

Pepperoni

(Or any meat of choice - I used canadian bacon)

Mix these all together and put into a 9 inch pie plate. Cover with 1/2 jar of pizza sauce (you can use more if you like it more saucy). Next cut up pepperoni and sprinkle over the sauce. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and bake for 5 more minutes, or until cheese melts.

I served this delicious dip (a new family favorite!) with Pilsbury Breadsticks ... pop 'em out of the tube, unroll them, and bake them for 10 - 13 minutes. I sprinkled some garlic powder over the dough before baking ... mmmm!!

Jodee's Funky Monkey Banana Bread

Jodee emailed me her recipe card ... so cute!!

Mine took a little longer to bake because I added an extra half cup of banana, but it was so moist and made the house smell incredible!

New Blog!

I have been following a great blogger named Sasha for months now. She is the one who introduced me (on her blog, not personally) to ebates and mysurvey, and she always let's everyone know of great deals she finds online (got my boys' Mammoth Crocs for under $6 a pair!!). She is one blog I check in on every day. Sasha has started a second blog and has graciously opened it up for any blogger interested in participating!! I have signed on and hope to be able to post soon (stinkin' snow storms have messed with my salon schedule!!), but check it out! If you want to participate with the Manicure Mommas community, get your email address to Sasha!

This woman is NUTS!!

She should be tested for mental disorders ... this family is INSANE! And they want more!!! (Click on picture for story)

Tears Are Falling From my Eyes!

A foot of snow and ice ... 50 mph winds ... and MORE on the way!! UNBELIEVABLE!! We never get snow here in Portland, an occassional snow day here and there, but nothing like this. Check out our weatherman's latest report:

Weather Forecast for Oregon and SW Washington

Sunday December 21, 2008, 5:15 p.m.

Good Evening from the First Alert Storm Center
The Portland area is under a Winter Storm Warning until 10 am Monday for snow and freezing rain. Another 2-7" of snow will fall over the northwest Oregon and southwest Washington by Monday when the heavier snow will end and turn to snow showers. Highs Monday will struggle up to near 30-dergees in Portland where the east wind continues to blow, but should make the mid 30s farther south. After a break early Tuesday, a new storm brings more snow to the Portland area Tuesday night and on Christmas Eve. Temperatures will remain cold until next weekend.

Enjoy The Snow,
Matt Zaffino
Chief Meteorologist, KGW Northwest News Channel 8

Enjoy the snow? Are you kidding me? I have been put out of my daily routine for long enough now. I miss my gram, who I see a couple times a week for our lunch and shopping dates. Speaking of shopping, I still have things to get for Christmas! I am loooong overdue for my nail appointment! These suckers are getting so long and a bit irritating! I need my friend fix ... Starbucks with Betsy!! Sigh. Looks like I'll have another week of inconveniences. I am just hoping we will be able to make it to our families homes for Christmas (and it would be great if UPS can get me my packages in time, too).
Reading my sister-in-law's blog today, I was reminded to look at the positives. Watching the news reports this evening of stranded people at airports and bus stations, sleeping on hard floors, waiting and hoping for their plans to resume - I am safe at home, sleeping in my own bed. We have heat and electricity and our pantry is stocked with food. I have internet (thank goodness, or I would go INSANE!!!), and cable, and my family is together. As frustrating as it may be to be cooped up at home, I am thankful for what we do have. Not everyone can say the same, and I realize that all my rantings, while out of sheer stir-craziness, are pretty petty. Thank you to all my great friends and readers who listen to me whine and complain. Love you all!! :o)

Let It Melt!!

I do not like the snow. Yes, it is beautiful ... breath-taking even, but I do not like the stuff. I hate being cold and I hate the inconveniences that snow brings ... driving, especially! I have been cooped up long enough and wish for it all to melt away. The weatherman says we could have a white Christmas, and I am okay with that, as long as it doesn't interfere with our travels. Sigh. Woke up Saturday morning to another 5 inches!! It snowed ALL day - no breaks - and we had 50 mph winds out of the gorge. Going to bed, we had about a foot of snow outside!! Ugh!

I, of course, had to take a picture from our backyard ... couldn't pass up a photographic moment! LOL!

So True

Borrowed stole this from another blog (check her out - she is great!!) ... thought it was too funny not to re-post! Hope you are having a great day!!



"Whatever you give a woman, she will make it greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit."

Wash Your Hands

Those who know me laugh at how funny I am about germs. I am definitely not crazy, but I do always have antibacterial on hand. My boys have also developed an awareness of the germs around them (thanks to me scaring the life out of them), and they too, remind me and others when they need antibacterial on their hands. I am not a fan of public bathrooms and will only use them in an emergency situation (and even then, I will go to the ones I know are cleaned regularly). And forget about porta-potties - ain't no way I am stepping foot into one of those nasty little boxes!
So being couped up inside the house due to our lovely weather, I have spent a lot of time online ... gotta stay sane somehow! My germaphobia isn't extreme to the point of researching, but I, of course, was intrigued when Yahoo posted an article on the home page. Germ Cesspools: The Top 5 Dirtiest Places. Public magazines, office computers, the gym, shopping cart handles, and subway poles were the top five on this list. Gross, but I already knew these ones! Took it one step further and found this list Soap Up! The 12 Germiest Places In Your Life. Your kitchen sink, airplane bathrooms, a wet load of laundry, public drinking fountains, shopping cart handles, ATM buttons, your purse, playgrounds, the gym, your bathtub, your office phone, and the remote control in a hotel room. YUCK!! Click on the titles to see why these places are on the list ... and go get your self some alcohol-based antibacterial gel!!

Facebook anyone?

You can find me here ...

Baking with Betsy!

Snowed in and low on food in the pantry, my bff Betsy got creative and whipped up a batch of these ... I can't wait to bake them myself! Thanks, Betsy for sharing your recipe!!

Oat-rageous cookies by Betsy!!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons Creamy Peanut Butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup Hersheys chocolate bar chunks (broken)
1/2 cup crushed Butterfinger bar chunks

Directions:
In a mixing bowl, cream butter, peanut butter and sugars; beat in egg. Combine flour, oats, baking soda and salt in separate bowl. Add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in candy bar chunks. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets 2 inches apart. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Yield: about 3 dozen.

It's going to be a long year ...

It will be so hard to wait for the second movie ... I am so excited that they announced the release date though! Click on the picture to see the details!!

I.Just.Can't.Stop.

I simply cannot have these little things in my house! Hostess Chocolate Mini Donettes ... I.am.so.weak!! Seriously - I have probably had about 16 of these things today ... no joke! And, according to the trusty nutritional facts, 3 of these oh.so.yummy donettes pack 220 calories!! That's over 1100 calories that I have devoured in donuts alone!! Aaaaaah!!!!! Help. Please help! I am out of control!! Hostess ... if by some rare chance you are reading my blog (I know, I have high hopes for myself), can you please remove the calories in these delicious little treats? Or maybe just lie about their nutritional values - I won't tell anyone, pinky swear!

Yummy!

I have never been a big fan of fudge. In fact, I've always dodged the stuff ... until our very thoughtful neighbor, who we never speak to, brought over a plate of homemade goodies yesterday! She made cookies (peanut butter ones with Hershey Kisses on the top), and fudge!! Needless to say, the fudge is all gone. It went so fast that I didn't even take a picture of it.
And that my friends is what happens when I am snowed/iced in. I eat.

Great Giveaway!

I stumbled onto this great blog from another ... and I, of course, couldn't help but enter her awesome giveaway for 4 (yes, FOUR) brand new sets of FiestaWare dishes - your color choice!!! Go check out Ravings of a Mad Housewife and enter her giveaway - if you link like I did, you will get 3 extra enteries!! Yipee!!

Cyber Monday II

Ebates is hosting one more round of Cyber Monday! Do you still have some holiday shopping to do? Get paid to shop today from home!! Check out the list of stores with DOUBLE CASH BACK bonuses today! If you aren't signed up yet, registering is easy and free - takes only a few seconds!! Be sure to add my email address aprilbaker23@yahoo.com as the friend who referred you and we will both get extra cash bonuses (when you make your first purchase)!! Hurry ... offers are good for today only!! Happy Shopping!!

Kids Room Makeovers

I am posting to brag about a very talented artist who I have done business with for about 3 years! Her name is Heidi and she hand-paints murals for your children's walls. SHE IS FABULOUS!! Heidi takes your custom orders and puts so much unique and special time into them .... when they are delivered to your door, they are super easy to put up on the walls, and they look like they were hand-painted directly onto the wall! If your child outgrows them (which mine have done several times), they are so simple to remove and do not damage your walls! Heidi specializes in children's characters ... I have had Elmo, Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Mickey Mouse, Spiderman, and she even custom painted Oregon Duck logos for me!! I currently have on order Handy Manny and his tools, Blue from Blue's Clues (she can do all the characters), Tom and Jerry, and another Buzz Lightyear for my mom-in-laws playroom, PLUS she is doing all the kids' names to go with the characters! Her prices are awesome, and she will work with you to get the sizing and look you desire. Check out some of her designs ~ Squiggie2 Murals ~ and contact her to get your custom order and quote started! Heidi is the sweetest person to work with and your business is so much appreciated! Run your ideas by her ... squiggie2@comcast.net and let her know that I sent you!! :o)

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

18 degrees, 4 inches of snow, and an apology to our weatherman! Whenever snow is reported here in Portland, our news stations always hype it up. Extreme blizzard warnings quickly turn around when we get a few slight flurries followed with rain. I have doubted our snow reports since they came up a couple days ago ... sure, the weather has been FREEZING, but hey, it's winter!

Today, I sit inside our warm home and admire the beautiful snow and blustery winds. Sipping on a warm cup of tea, fighting off a lovely cough issue that left me with no voice yesterday, and lounging around in my sweatpants! What a nice Sunday! I have even done some holiday shopping through ebates!! We'll see how I feel in a couple days when we've all been couped up together with nowhere to go! Ha! Reports say this should last a little while ... hopefully not too long though!

I joined the club!

Remember the post I did a while back about parking lot etiquette? Well, this week I joined the other side ... the side in which I actually yell at the flippin' lady who stole my parking spot!!

Of course, it happened at good ol' Target, but this time there was no longer any confusing construction issues. The lady just straight stole the spot I was patiently waiting for! And yes, I had my blinker turned on staking claim! I slammed on my horn and rolled down my window (I was mad, but not stupid enough to physically confront the woman!) - she rolled down hers as well to yell out that she had been waiting. LIAR! I watched her come around the corner, get behind someone else waiting for another spot, then zip around them and the truck trying to back out, and sneak right into my spot in her tiny little red car. I, of course, yelled right back at how rude she was and how I saw her every move! I even gave her a mini-lesson in the importance of using her turn signal! Do you think she cared? Ugh!! I ended up getting a better spot just up ahead of her ... the woman quickly darted past my Tahoe before I got out, which was smart of her. This little Italian girl has a mouth on her, and when I get fired up, it's not pretty!

I quickly calmed down and enjoyed shopping for more Christmas gifts with my mom and sister-in-law (and all 4 of our kids!! I know - we are crazy!!).

Have you had to deal with any rude-ass people lately?

Dear U.S. Government,

I have debt, so where is my bailout?
Where are the bailouts for the people losing their homes, their jobs, their businesses, their lives?
Let's keep giving money to banks who won't lend out, or car companies and their big-wig employees! Up until a few weeks ago, people couldn't even afford to keep their gas tanks full!
Yeah ... let's keep saving their butts. In the meantime, let our economy keep going down the tubes and watch more homes go into foreclosure, more people go into bankruptcy, and more lives be destroyed. Why don't you share some of the billions of dollars you're putting out there and help out the hard-working Americans that keep this nation running!

I'm just saying.

Oh my ...

I hate the cold ... this next week will suck! I am so thankful that my awesome holiday swap buddy got me hand warmers ... you better believe they will be in my pockets!

And The Winner Is ....

I picked the winner the old-fashioned way. I wrote everyone's names (including double entries for those who re-posted) on pieces of paper, mixed them all up in a hat, and had my hubby draw a name.
Drum roll please ...... the winner of my very first, Tea For Me Giveaway is ....... Miss Jennifer (JenWebb702)!!! Congrats, girl!! Send me your new address and I will mail off your package asap!!
Thank you so much to everyone who entered and for those who re-posted on your own blogs! I was nervous to do a giveaway - I know how much I love entering them on other blogs, but I wasn't sure if I was cool enough to host my own - ha, ha! It was fun though and I am hoping to do some more soon!! :o)

Took a little quiz today ...

You Are a Life Blogger!

Your blog is the story of your life - a living diary. If it happens, you blog it. And you make it as entertaining as possible. You may be guilty of over-sharing a bit on your blog, but you can't help it. Your life is truly an open book. Or in this case, an open blog!

What Kind of Blogger Are You?

I was bored ... sigh. Kids were entertaining themselves, nothing on TV ... yeah, life is great! My results though are pretty acurate - and I swear I only took the quiz once! I will admit that I have taken quizzes a couple times to try to rig the outcome (hee, hee), but this test was a one time shot!

Today is the last day to enter the Tea For Me Giveaway!! Hope you are having a great day!! :o)

Calling all bakers ...

Tis the season for holiday baking, and I would love some new recipes!! As you have read in past posts, I love simple recipes ... the easier the better! On Thanksgiving, I wanted to whip up some banana bread (a fave in our house), so I went online and searched for an easy recipe. The prep time on this Banana Banana Bread was quick - about 15 minutes - and it cooked for about 50 minutes. Not too bad! My boys all seemed to enjoy it, although the hubby said it needed more bananas (I used 4). I also added a little bit of vanilla extract to the mix, and I liked that I had all the ingredients on hand. It was moist right out of the oven, but quickly dried out a bit, even being tightly sealed. Maybe extra bananas would help that?

Anyone want to share some holiday favorites? Appetizers, desserts, full meals ... whatever floats your boat and will be easy for me to try! Ha, ha! You can leave me a comment, or even email me if you prefer (aprilbaker23@yahoo.com). I would love to try some new recipes!

Tea For Me Giveaway

I have always been a fan of tea. I started drinking it when I was a little girl - about 8 years old - good old Lipton Black with milk and sugar. I have never liked coffee, it smells great, but hate the taste! So anywhere I go, it's tea for me.

Green, white, oolong, rooibos, matcha ... I enjoy them all! I have aquired a taste for the loose leaf teas. Ones you have to seep in a pot and don't come in tea bags. Most people I know do not like the raw form being they have earthy, grassy tastes. I have grown to love them though - even without milk and sugar! The health benefits of tea are outstanding, and I love the high antioxidant levels! Those who know me know how obsessive I can be with antioxidants - I still haven't blogged about my acai addiction! LOL!

My favorite place to get loose leaf teas is Teavana. We have a store here in Oregon that I like to visit, and I love their website! Any questions you have, they are sure to have your answers! There are so many different flavors that you will definitely find a favorite or two.

In the spirit of my adoration, I am giving away (yes - my very first giveaway!!) a duo of boxed teas from the Dammann Collection. This French company blends Chinese tea with a variety of flavors. The winner will receive the mild and warm Vanilla flavor and the sweet candied apple 'Pomme D'Amour' flavored tea bag sets. Enjoy them for yourself, or give them as gifts this holiday season! Just leave a comment on this post to enter. If you would like a second entry, re-post my giveaway (on your blog) with a link back. If you don't have a blog, you can refer a friend - if they comment, be sure to let me know who you referred to validate your second entry! The winner will be announced Thursday, December 11th.

That's My Girl!

She's back -yay!!! I loved her documentary and am so happy that Miss Britney is finally pulling through her struggles. I hope she continues to grow as an artist and as a momma. She has been through so much and I feel so sad that her life has to be so hard. Sure, she is a celebrity and some of it comes with the business, but the crap she has to endure with papparazzi and tabloids is down right unacceptable! No wonder the girl snapped! Marriage, babies, divorce, depression, her career, and cameras following her every move ... that's enough to drive anyone insane! She's a beautiful and talented woman, and I only hope that things continue to look up for her. I am also hoping to see her new album in my stocking this year ... hee, hee!

Oh - and guess who is going to be in concert at the MGM Grand in Vegas on my birthday?!? Oh that would be so much fun!!! ;o)

Ho, Ho, Oh No!!

And the Mom of the Year Award goes to ...

Oy! I know that parenting is an ongoing learning experience, but my oldest son, Maddox has given me a run for my money this week! Our soon-to-be 5 year old is a very smart little guy. He is very analytical and worries a great deal when he doesn't quite understand something. So the famous question arose this last week: Is Santa Claus real?

Now for most parents, this is a no-brainer. Of course he is real! But, Mr. Maddox was certainly perplexed with all that entailed with this magical character. Not only did Santa, flying reindeer, and fitting down chimneys confuse him, but so did good old TV commercials with parents playing Santa. So I thought I would be doing good by telling our little man the truth. Gasp! I know, but bear with me. I explained to him that Santa was simply a storybook character and was all part of the fun of Christmas. I explained to him that many children believe that he is real though and that he could not tell anyone that he was not. This seemed to pacify him.

He took this way too maturely for his little young self, and that brought on my guilt. When I was little, I believed in Santa. I remember being all excited going to bed at night, and waking up to all the presents under the tree that Santa had left! How could I have taken away such innocence? Yeah ... I felt like crap!

So, I recorded The Santa Clause last night, and sat down with Maddox during Sean's naptime today to watch it. I made a huge deal out of Ol' Saint Nick and explained to Maddox that mommy didn't realize he was real until after she was reminded by this movie. It took some convincing and some enthusiasm, apologizing for steering him wrong, and a ton of questions, but I was successful in restoring the wonderful idea of Santa Claus!! Thankfully, his little mind is still easily persuaded. Now he and his little brother can share in the excitement together!

No credit here though, I feel like the Grinch! So sad!

Oh what a day ...

"BOYS! Stop playing hockey with Baby Jesus and go put him back in the manger with his mommy and daddy!!!"

Yes, I said this to my boys today. Sigh. Some days are crazy around here, but I am so thankful I am a mommy to boys!! They make me laugh, even when I am picking boogers out of my hair (thanks, Sean)!!

The Girl's Got Legs!!

Miss Beyonce ... fabulous!!





Oh, and a follow-up on yesterday's Ugg post:

I wore my oh-so-comfy boots today and compared them with my sister-in-law's Uggs, and there is no height difference!! Apparently, I don't know how to measure the calf shaft of boots - go figure! Anyways, the difference we seemed to find was the tag on the back - mine are brown, hers is a lighter cream color. So go get yourself a pair (or two) at this great price!!! And yes, they do come in gray ... I may eventually have to get them in that color since the comments were such a hit for them (ha, ha)! I am posting a new picture of my CHOCOLATE Uggs. Can you tell they are brown now? LOL! :o)

The Debate Is Over ...

... now I just need your HONEST opinions!! I am a big girl, I can handle them!

So I found out a little trick to getting Uggs cheaper than their regular women's prices at Nordstrom's - you order the kid's boots! Say what?!? Yeah ... I know. I thought this was crazy, too, but follow me:


According to the kids size charts for Uggs, a kid's size 6 is equal to a woman's size 8 (my shoe size). How this equals still boggles my mind, but hey - the kid's shoes are a bit cheaper, so I thought I'd give it a try. I went through ebates and bought the kid's 'classic short' Uggs in chocolate for $89.95. Shipping is free with a Nordstrom's account, or your purchase can also be sent to your nearest store for pick-up free of charge. Ebates gave me an extra 6% cash back, bringing my Uggs to an awesome $84.55. Retail price for the women's Uggs are $129.95. I saved $45.40!!!
I received my new boots in the mail today, and they fit perfectly!!! The only difference I have found is that the kids size is about an inch and a half shorter in the calf shaft than the women's. Online, it states that the women's shoes are 8 1/2 inches tall, and mine measure at 7 inches. For an inch and a half difference, I am not complaining - I saved $45.40!!
So what do you think? Can I rock them? Do you notice the height difference? They are sooo comfy!! I am excited to get out wear them (even if they are tucked under my jeans - ha!).

PS. For whatever reason, my camera made the Uggs look gray - they are chocolate in person! :o)

Cyber Monday!!!

HURRY ... you only have a few more hours to take advantage of DOUBLE CASH BACK earnings when you shop online through ebates!! Sign up takes a couple seconds (really!), and if you add my email address aprilbaker23@yahoo.com as the person who referred you, we will both get $10 bonuses! I'm talking about cash back in the form of a Big Fat Check delivered right to your house!! There are hundreds of stores to shop from - Target, Walmart, Nordstrom's, Sephora, and so many more!!! Go on and start shopping and earning your cash!!

A HUGE thank you to my new friend Jodee who signed up and started shopping!! She referred me and we both received an extra $10!! Yay!!

NEVER Again!!

Never again will I get myself outta bed at 3am to attend Black Friday sales ... NEVER!

Thanksgiving was nice ... low key, relaxing, no stress. I debated most of the day about hitting up the outlet malls at 11pm for moonlight madness. I am a recovering insomniac, so I knew I could pull an all-nighter, just wasn't sure what my plan of attack would be for some early Christmas shopping. I decided against the outlets (I don't need to purchase any more clothes!!), but thought it would be a better idea to get up at 3am for some early bird specials at my favorite stores.
Of course, trying to go to sleep at midnight proved impossible with the constant game plan and gift ideas running through my head. Sigh. So I skipped sleep all together.
Now, my hubby and I have made it a tradition to save up our cash and gift cards and head out in the wee hours of the day after Christmas to take advantage of post-holiday sales. We splurge on ourselves and have a great time snagging awesome deals. Of course, it is a busy shopping day with returns and other people with the same idea as ourselves, but it is always manageable. So I was thinking that Black Friday would be very similar ... why not join the shopping enthusiasts?
Adrenaline pumping, energy levels high, mom as my sidekick, yahoo - shopping in the middle of the night!!!
Two hours, thousands of people, lines that stretched for miles, and only 8 minutes in Toys R Us total. What in the world was I thinking? Three of the stores on our list had lines so long that it would have taken at least an hour just to get in the doors (there was no way we were going to wait that long in the cold rain!!). Toys R Us had no line within 20 minutes of opening, but good luck trying to navigate the store or find anything you could possibly want with the lines and crazy people running throughout the jammed packed aisles.
We felt headaches coming on, so we booked it out of there! Off to a quiet Starbucks for our much needed drinks near mom's house and ready to head back for some online shopping!! Ebates is offering double cash back at all stores, why not take advantage of that!! Getting paid to shop Black Friday from the comfort and sanity of home .... aaahhhh!
I was also able to get a 3 hour power nap in before the boys woke up ... with a busy day ahead, that will definitely come in handy!!
Hope you all have a wonderful and SANE holiday weekend!! Did you snag any great deals??

Giving Thanks

To all the amazing people in my life ... my hubby, my beautiful boys, my family, my bff Betsy, and all my friends (near, far, online and in-person), I thank you!!! Without your love and support, care and friendship, my life would suck! Really!! I am so blessed to have each and everyone of you in my life! I am so thankful for each new friend I meet here on my blog. You girls all make me smile and each blog is so much anticipated each day! Blessings for a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!!

Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. I Chronicles 16:8

They're back!!

Season 4 premiers tonight on Bravo at 10pm ... yay!!

Just sharing.

*For a limited time, when you order one or more 12-month calendars of any size, you'll get an 8.5"x11" 12-month classic calendar free. Add the free calendar to your cart when you place your order and enter coupon FREECAL08 at checkout. Hurry, offer ends November 31.*

Getting an early start ...

... to my holiday weight gain! I just had to do it ... I had to go and buy the cute little holiday wrapped Butterfinger miniatures. I am weak, very weak! These little guys call my name from the kitchen! I, of course, had to sabotage my hubby, too. I picked him up some Mint Hershey Kisses. Tis' the season to be jolly, right? Oh, I am dreading the New Year's resolutions already ....

I vant to suck your blood ....

Shoot - if Edward Cullen wanted to suck my blood, I would gladly bare my neck! Ha, ha!! Tonight my hubby took me to see Twilight. I resisted at first knowing nothing about the movie or the book series. I am not into scary or creepy movies and I thought Twilight was actually the finale in the novel series.
Boy was I wrong, and I am so glad I went to this movie!! I am now hooked, and will be starting the books asap! I am a sucker for love stories, and this one in particular made my heart race! Robert Pattinson (aka Edward the vampire) normally does not do it for me (not really my type), but seeing him play this role was totally hot! There is nothing like a bad boy (or a vampire in this case) who is willing to do whatever it takes to protect his girl!
I won't spoil any movie details for those who haven't been able to see it yet, but all I have to say is AMAZING!! I'll be doing some reading this weekend!!

Oy!!

Who knew that a simple blog layout change could take so stinkin' long!! Arrgg!! So frustrating when you have to re-do your entire blog roll because for some unknown reason, the widget got deleted. And of course, I can't find a new holiday layout that I can't live without, so I went with a basic winter theme (still cute - thank you to the cutest blog on the block - but not what I was originally going for). Sigh ... oh well! I am happy with the new look! What do you think? Have a great weekend!!!

Testing ... Testing ...

For the next two weeks, I will be trying out a new line of shampoo and conditioners by a well-known hair care company. Being that this line is still in the testing and marketing phases, I am not sure I can divulged the details just yet, but I have agreed to put aside my normal Pureology products to give this shampoo and conditioner a try.
How did I get picked to do this study? I joined mysurvey.com and take random surveys that are emailed to me regarding products I use every day. Everything from food to pet products, electronics and household items, and more. I collect points for each survey I complete and can redeem them for cash and prizes, or even donate to charity. You can also be selected to test new products and report back your opinions.
I have also started using Dermalogica products on my face. I was using Mary Kay for years, as my sister-in-law was a rep. She is no longer selling it, and my skin has changed a bit in the last year. Venting to my nail technician about a random break-out, she introduced me to some samples of this brand she carries in the salon. Three weeks later, with full size products now in my bathroom, I am loving this new line.
What products do you like to use?

Mailman, mailman, what did you bring?

He (or she, I'm not quite sure) brought my Christmas goodies from my Holiday Swap Partner, Elizabeth!! Yipee!! How lucky was I to get partnered with such a great girl with such a fun personality in style!! Check out my goodies ...
I received a green, glittery NOEL sign (love the color!!), a red glittery star ornament (will go perfectly on my tree), 2 adorable little hand warmers (how did she know my hands are always cold??), some festive (and funny) beverage napkins, and a kitchen towel too cute to get dirty, a glittery Happy Holidays sign (lovin' the polka dots!), and some candy (what girl doesn't love chocolate?!).
THANK YOU SO MUCH to my awesome new friend!! And thank you to ClemsonGirl for hosting this great swap!!

There is Light !!!

I was blog browsing this morning as I usually do, and was thrilled to find this (click on the pic below)!!! How flippin' exciting!!! It's the little things, people ... that make my world go round!



Thank you to The Pink Clutch for this great news!!

Dear Santa,

With the holiday season fast approaching, I have had my eyes on a few things ... what fun would a wish list be if you couldn't post it on your blog, right? Ha, ha! What are you hoping to find under the Christmas tree this year?

Season One of Army Wives

Season One of Lipstick Jungle

No joke! Purple Bowling Shoes!! Size 8
(I already own my own ball, and yes, it is purple)

Chelsea Handler's book, Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea

Viva la Juicy

Fairisle Sweater from American Eagle, size Medium

Naughty Monkey shoes, size 8

Flowers For A Year!
So expensive, but wouldn't it be nice to get flowers delivered once a month? Ha!

Found this cute hoody on Amazon, size medium

Oh yeah!!! Dark Chocolate Uggs, size 8
(I'm taking the boot plunge!!)

More To Love

Adding more blogs to my favorites list ... these bloggers make my day!! I check in on them each day and they always make me smile!

Grosgrain Garage
Monkey Me, Monkey You (Welcome back, Monkey!!!)
Capturing Life One Step At A Time (my holiday swap partner!!)
Conservative Musings
The Seifert's Diary of Life
Once Upon A Li{F}etime
Welcome To Our World

Consumer Warning

I am all about shopping at outlet malls ... they are probably my favorite. In Seattle, we went to Gap Outlet and I found one of my favorite colors in a soft and comfy, long-sleeve tee. Upon folding my new with tags, unwashed shirt, I noticed a (not-so-slight) flaw. I have never had an issue like this before, and will now carefully inspect any future items I purchase from such outlet.


And for the record, I rock my cute green tee ... you can't really tell that the sleeves are two different lengths when I have it on.
Hope you are having a great weekend!!

that. figures.

Got home tonight from shopping at a cute little holiday bazaar with mom and Jackie, only to log on to the computer to see that (according to Yahoo) NBC has canceled my Lipstick Jungle. I have become very possessive of this oh-so-sexy show. I am hoping they will finish out the season and not just drop off all together. Guess what DVD series will be on my Christmas list this year.
Sigh. So Sad.

I love my friend!!

There are many, many reasons why I love my best friend, Betsy .... and here's another reason added to the list:


She called me moments ago to let me know of this amazing little offer that Oprah gave out today on her show (I don't watch Oprah, so Betsy keeps me in the know). For the next 24 hours, Snapfish will be giving away FREE 8" x 11" custom photo books! Go to their site and click on the Oprah Viewer link to receive your FREE book, a $29.99 value!!! Hurry ... you only have 24 hours!!!

****If you are already a member of snapfish and the site is a cookie on your computer, you will need to clear your cookies in order to get the link. Otherwise it will direct you to your log-in page and you won't see the Oprah special. When your cookies are cleared, come back here to my blog and click on the snapfish logo - it will take you to the homepage with the offer.****

Thank you Betsy ... love you so much!!! :o)

The Great Debate

To Ugg or not to Ugg ....

I am in year two of the mind-boggling debate of getting a pair of Uggs. Yes, I know. Sounds retarded, but I won't just go out and buy a pair of $130 boots because they look cute on someone else. I have to be absolutely in love with them!
Last year I debated with myself until they were no longer available to buy. I oogled over them every time I saw a girl struttin' around looking all cute! Any time I tried them on though, I felt silly in them! I wasn't a fan of stuffing my bootleg jeans into the tops of the boots - it just felt funny. I buy bootlegs to fit over my shoes, not in them. Now I know they have the skinny leg jeans for heels and boots, but (no offense to anyone who wears these) I seriously hate the look of your pants wrapped tight around your ankles. I can't imagine them being comfortable either.
So my dilemma for year #2 is this: I love the look of Uggs on other girls, whether they be paired with a cute skirt or with jeans, but I am not quite sure they look that cute on me!
While on our Seattle trip, we stopped at Old Navy and I picked up some cozy, boot style slippers. I got them in a cute green and gray striped pattern, knowing I wasn't going to wear them outside my house. Now I love slippers - I wear them anytime I am at home, and any time I will be traveling away from home, I am always sure to pack a pair. I have been wearing my new slippers and have been tucking my lounge pants and jeans into the tops of them, and I must say that I am starting to get used to the look (of the pant tucking, not the fun stripes). So now I am even more torn ... do I spend the moolah (or add them to my Christmas wish list), or chalk it all up to a boot fad that I don't need to partake in?
What do you think? Do you have a pair of Uggs or similar style boots? Do you like them? How do you like to wear them? Are they worth the price?

Sigh ... decisions, decisions!!