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!!

... Girls Weekend ...

This weekend was planned out months in advance ... at Jackie's baby shower for Natalie back in July, the Baker girls and the Timmons/Curtis girls decided it was time for a trip to Seattle to visit the premium outlets!
We headed out Friday morning, starting the day off right at Biscuits Cafe for breakfast. We had an interesting start ... forgetting the GPS, running a few minutes late for the scheduled meeting time, the waitress knocking over my cranberry juice into my lap, and Miss Macey not feeling so hot. Breakfast was delicious though, and after the eventful meal, we headed off! Destination: Seattle!! Estimated Travel Time: 3 hours, 15 minutes

Mom, me, niece Natalie (2 months), Jackie, Linda, Macey (6 months), and Mary

Mary booked our hotel reservations at the beautiful W Hotel in downtown Seattle. We made great time, arriving in Seattle around 2:15 pm. We decided to stop in at the hotel to check in before continuing onto the outlets. Our room was great and so comfy! A little freshening up, and we were back out on our way ..... only to fight traffic for over an hour in what should have been a smooth 30 minute drive from our hotel. Sigh.

W Hotel, Seattle

Once our eyes focussed in on the amazing entrance to our shopping wonderland, we perked right back up! I have never been so willing and eager to jump out into the cold rain! First stop on the map: Coach!! My highly anticipated and beloved haven of joy: Juicy Couture!!


We spent 4 hours shopping Friday night, only stopping for a quick Subway sandwich dinner. Girls gotta re-fuel sometime!

Did I mention yet that our girls weekend happened to fall during the Half-Yearly Sale event at Nordstrom's? (Cue choir of singing angels)

Oh yes, the Mother Ship was calling us home .......

Five glorious levels of pure shopping heaven!! Seattle has the absolute largest Nordstrom store known to mankind, and we girls spent the entire day shopping until our little hearts were content!! Seriously ... HOURS were well spent trying on shoes and clothes, and watches, necklaces, scarves! We probably spent an hour alone just in the kids department! We had shopping bags hanging off the strollers and even had to check some with the concierge!! Yes, this Nordstrom's has a concierge and a full spa on the 6th level!!!

The Baker Girls

Seattle was good to us ... we had beautiful weather on Saturday and Sunday, we enjoyed Starbucks and Pike's Market, delicious food, and lots of laughter!! We've even decided to plan again for next year!! Wanna join us? :o)

Cleaning and packing ...

That's what I have been up to today! Our house was re-listed back on the market today. It was up for 10 months this last year, and after finding a wonderful realtor, we are pretty hopeful this time around. Our last agent gave us a headache any time we had to talk to him. Seriously, the guy never shut up!!! So, I have been finishing up some last minute cleaning and organizing, doing laundry, and entertaining the boys.
Now ... for the packing! Yep, I am packing my bags and heading up to Seattle for a girls weekend with mom, sister-in-law, niece, and a couple other friends. We are excited for some time away, and of course, for all the shopping!!! Anyone doing anything fun this weekend?

A friend so dear ...

Without this trusty little planner, I would lose all that is left of my brain. Seriously!! I have used this specific brand planner for years!! I don't know why I prefer this one over any other, but around this time of every year I purchase a new one. It is a week by week planner with plenty of space to write down all my appointments and things to do, plus it has little side notes to keep lists. I'm off to get a new one today before I forget!! Ha!!
How do you stay organized?

Holiday Fun!

ClemsonGirl is hosting a holiday swap (my first one!!). Wanna join us? Just click on the button below to link to her blog and sign up by November 9th!! So exciting!!

i.voted.

While I am sad that my candidates did not win this election, I am awfully proud to be an American in such a monumental time in history! I do not agree with Obama's views, but I do not dislike him. I was excited to see our new, African-American president and his beautiful family proudly stand on stage in front of all his supporters. I can only hope that he can lead this country in the right direction and out of the unfortunate state of our economy. He's got 4 years to prove himself. We'll see what he can do.

The Joys of Boys

I absolutely love being a mom to boys ... and with that said, I did my cool mommy duty of ordering the boys tadpoles. Yes, tadpoles! Nana got Maddox a frog habitat last spring. Apparently, tadpoles cannot be shipped during the warmer months, so we have had to wait to order. I received an email from the frog company, and they will be shipping in a couple weeks.
Jealous? You can have them, too! Just go to ribbitsgalore.com and use the coupon code SUMMIT to receive a free tadpole. The tadpoles grow to be cute little leopard frogs, and hopefully this will be a great educational experience for the boys. Need a unique gift for the little boy(s) in your world? There you have it! :o)

Secret Shortcut

With the holidays quickly approaching, here's an easy and fun recipe for entertaining ....

Swiss Cheese Fondue:

Buy this jar (yes, jar. it is fabulous.) of fondue cheese, microwave with cap off for a minute, then transfer to a fondue pot placed on low heat. Serve with cubed bread, a veggie tray, and Oscar Meyer party sausages (also microwavable). Really, it's that simple! Who doesn't love fondue?!? A quick set up, something new and different, and delicious! Try it!

Rheinlander Cheese Fondue found in your grocer's refrigerated deli cheese department

Sweet Saturday

Sean was diagnosed with Croup yesterday morning ... yay for the flu nasal mist!! Way to lower his immune system enough to pick up a nasty virus! Sigh. He is doing much better today ... surviving lovely 104 degree fevers and suffering through a nasty little cough and sore throat. Thank goodness for Children's Motrin! On the bright side, we have been enjoying his sick voice ... way cute!! LOL!
After staying up late last night with Halloween fun, we got to sleep in a little bit this morning. I then got to go out with mom and get our nails done, have lunch, and enjoy not having to rush for any reason - hubby and Papa were awesome to watch the boys without any time limits!
On our way home, I picked up a couple treats to enjoy this afternoon .... my famous green tea latte and Panera's Chocolate Chip Muffies! Oh my ... anyone love these as much as I do? Whoever thought of baking just the top of the muffin was a genius!! I microwave mine for about 30 seconds to melt the chocolate chips, then I slowly enjoy each bite. Mmmm!
I threw on my slippers, turned on the kids' Noggin channel (for them, not me), and vegged out on the computer at the kitchen table. I had a great view of the fall day through the windows , and enjoyed doing nothing! And how awesome is it that we get an extra hour of sleep tonight! Yipee!! Don't forget to set your clocks back!!

Hope you are having a great weekend!! Happy November!