Thankful Thursday

With today being Thanksgiving, "Thoughtful Thursday" has become "Thankful Thursday" once again. I encourage you to sit down sometime today and write down what you are thankful for. There's a lot of power in writing down your gratitude list. I used to do this every morning--a long time ago--and I can't tell you the difference it made in my day. You don't have to go crazy...just start with 5 things you're grateful for. Just to get us started, here is my list:

1. My wonderful husband. He wasn't my "husband" last Thanksgiving and I'm so thankful that he is this Thanksgiving.

2. My friends. What would I do without them...truly. They're my sounding board, my sanity (at times), my partners in crime, my sisters.

3. My family. Yes, they may get on my nerves at times...maybe a lot of times, but I love them and am so glad they're my family.

4. My dog. I can't imagine what I would do without my Daisy dog. She's been my sole companion during some dark times, loving me unconditionally and completely. She never fails to bring a smile to my face and smiles, my friend, are severely underrated.

5. My health. I am especially grateful for this today since I'm feeling sick and have been for a week. I take my health for granted when I'm not sick, and it seems that I only appreciate my health when I don't have good health. Being healthy is such a blessing. People who are terminally ill would give anything to be healthy again. Money can't buy health--no matter how rich you are, if you aren't healthy, you can't buy it. Today, I would be so grateful to feel good and be completely healthy.

So there you have it. You don't have to be fancy and get all philosophical. If we just notice and give thanks for the most basic things we have every day in life, it will make gratitude grow. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Confusion and the grocery store

Today I was a little confused. I got up this morning and was updating my MySpace account with what I was doing now and wanted to make a comment about Thanksgiving. For a few minutes, I didn't know if today was Tuesday or Wednesday. I honestly had to look at my calendar and even then, I wasn't sure. Isn't not knowing what day it is the first sign of dementia? It was scary there for a few minutes and even scarier when I realized that Thanksgiving is tomorrow. How can that be? It seems it snuck right up on me and is getting ready to bite me in the butt.

I have to confess I am getting very intimidated about making my own pie crust for the pecan pies. I guess that's why realizing that tomorrow is the big day is such a shock. I'm trying to decide when I should make the crust since supposedly I'm supposed to let them set in the freezer for a while. The problem is I don't know how long I'm "allowed" to keep it in the freezer...a few minutes, overnight, days? These questions keep me up at night (not really because you all know I go to bed so early there's no keeping me up for anything, but theoretically speaking). The frozen, pre-made pie crusts are looking better by the minute.

I did go grocery shopping the other day when I told you that I would. I went to the new marketplace Kroger--megamart, I like to call it. Not really. I like to call it "the place I'm never grocery shopping again in my life." This place is monstruously huge. I told you it was the size of a football field and I wasn't lying. I so wish I would've taken my camera with me so I could show those of you who don't have a marketplace near you. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful store containing everything you could possibly need and I mean everything.

At the home end of the store you have a bistro, Starbuck's, deli, olive bar, some other kind of fancy bar containing tabouli, mushrooms in seasoned olive oil and other hoity toity items, a bakery, a hot bar, you name it. At the midfield line, you have all of your grocery items. Need something they only sell in Tibet, well they have it. It is probably in aisle 47. At the visitor end of the store is home decor. Need a new painting for over your couch (like me), an end table, a new couch ensemble or how about some towels? I know every time I run into a store for eggs I think "Wow, I really need a new couch and coffee table. If only I could get a couch and coffee table at the same place I buy my toilet paper, life would be perfect." Well, now my prayers have been answered.

If I sound a little negative about these new megamart grocery stores, that's because I am. I hate them. I hate them with a passion. When I go grocery shopping, I want to go grocery shopping. I want to run in, get what I need and run out. God forbid you forget to get apples while you're on the visitor end of the store. You might need to lie down on one of those couches to rest up for the trip to the other side because I'm telling you, it's a haul. Maybe that's why they have those couches there. Hmmm.

Oh, I long for the days when a trip to the grocery store isn't an actual "trip" from one side of the store to the other, where you feel compelled to take a nap, wear comfortable shoes because you'll be on your feet for so long or pack a lunch because it could be hours before you get to your destination. Oh, but they've thought of that, too. They have samples of all kinds of food at the home end of the store. Heck, you don't even have to buy dinner...you can make a feast from sampling all of the food they offer. Call me old-fashioned; I don't care. I am stuck back in 1985 and I like it there.

YouTube Tuesday

Today's submission comes courtesy of Bean. Try this at your holiday gathering!

A week of tasks

This week is busy. I know it is for all of you, too. As much as I love the holiday season with a passion, I hate all the running around. As you know, I'm basically a homebody so the idea of running around to lots of places just isn't appealing to me. I suck it up and do my best--trying to focus on spending time with the people and not the fact that we have x amount of other things to do.

I didn't get the tree up this weekend. I spent most of my time clearing out the basement and organizing things. I felt crappy off and on all weekend. I guess I've got a bug, but am not going to get the full-fledged version where you're flat on your back for a few days. Instead, I will probably feel crappy a part of every day for several days. That's usually the way I get sick.

Anyway, Mr is leaving today for another overnight trip so I am single again tonight. Maybe the tree will get put up tonight. Something in me resists putting up the tree before Thanksgiving. I mean, it's against every natural instinct I have. I'm not sure I can overcome it. We'll just have to see because there are several other tasks that need to be accomplished today.

I must go to the grocery. I have put it off for days, but in order to beat the holiday tsunami of shoppers, I must go today after work. In addition, I found some super cool gifts that I'm afraid will be sold out if others find out about them so I must make a trip to the mall today after work as well. I would tell you what they were but I'm buying them for several people who read this blog so you will just have to find your own cool gifts.

Let's not forget the cooking itself. I guess I will start cooking on Wednesday night. We are also having the kids over for our Thanksgiving on Saturday night so there will be cooking again this weekend. I'm not even going to shop for that meal until Friday so there we have another trip to the grocery.

That reminds me, have I told you about the new Kroger we have in our area? It's one of those marketplace Krogers which means it's honking huge. I haven't been able to bring myself to go there yet. It just seems too overwhelming. Although I hate our little local Kroger, which is literally less than 2 minutes from our house, I am not looking forward to wandering around one that is as big as a football field...literally. I like a store where I know what aisle the flour is in, what aisle the pasta is in, etc. I still haven't learned our Kroger, even though it's way smaller than the Kroger I used when I lived at my house. Maybe I'm just being stubborn. I will give you my full report on the new Kroger once I go there...today...hopefully.

A week full of birthdays

This week our family celebrated 4 birthdays. Tuesday and Friday were 2 of my cousins' birthdays, yesterday was boy child's 24th birthday and today is Miss Daisy's 8th birthday. Since we went out to dinner for my 2 cousins' birthdays but didn't sing and the boy child is in Italy and I didn't get to sing him a birthday song in person, I thought I would share my song to Daisy for her birthday. I think she enjoyed it. By the way, I never claimed singing as one of my talents, okay?

Were you right?

I cleaned up a lot of the basement today, but didn't get the tree up. It looks a lot better, but I'm still not done. Were you right about what you thought I'd do today?

Sickly Saturday

So, I'm still feeling crappy off and on today. I'm kinda wandering aimlessly around the house trying to figure out what I'm going to do today. Mr is working, as is his usual recently.

Several thoughts of things that need to be done come to mind:

1. I could put up the Christmas tree. Mr and I have 2 trees now--mine and his. Mine is smaller but rounder so I don't know if it will fit into the only space we have for a tree. I could put them both up--1 downstairs and 1 upstairs--yeah, right.

2. Straighten up the unfinished side of the basement. This is still an utter mess with my crap everywhere. If I start putting Christmas stuff up, that will take care of some of it and force me to clean up the rest. An interesting idea.

3. Go to the grocery. I still haven't made it to the grocery store. I was going yesterday but started feeling crappy again so it didn't happen. But, it's soooo cold outside. Going out doesn't sound appealing.

4. Start Christmas shopping. I have a list made with some items that I know I'm getting. There are still lots of unknowns, but I could beat the crowds and get done what I could get done. But, it's soooo cold outside.

5. Watch the 3 episodes of "Desperate Housewives" that I have taped. I caught up on the ones I mentioned a few weeks ago, but I'm behind again. How does this happen?

6. Chuck the list and go back to bed. The roofers are here again this morning and soon will be making more racket than either I or the dog can stand. Taking a nap, for once, isn't a feasible option.

Looks like I've got a lot on my plate, man. I'll update you later to let you know what I actually did. Any bets?

How many hours can a human sleep?

Yesterday I slept more hours than a dog does. I called into work yesterday morning because I felt like crap. The roofers were finally here and making a ton of racket, as you can imagine, so the dog and I headed to the downstairs couch. I (and the dog) proceeded to sleep on the couch for about 4 hours.

Last night when Mr got home, I fell asleep on the upstairs couch (since the racket had long ago ceased) at about 8 or so and proceeded to sleep on the couch the entire night. I woke up about 4, but surprisingly, went right back to sleep and woke up for good at 6. I definitely feel rested this morning--something I really haven't felt in several weeks. Maybe all of my tiredness in the past few weeks was my body trying to fight off some virus. Who knows? But I feel better this morning and well rested. The only complaint I have is my back is hurting...the result of sleeping on the couch.

I missed my book club last night, too. That really sucks because I really wanted to talk about this book. The marriage between the 2 characters could provoke a lot of good talk about marriages in general. Like Mr said, though, if you miss school, you can't go to the extracurricular activities! True enough.

I am going to go to the grocery today. I want to get my Thanksgiving shopping out of the way before everyone else starts theirs. The stuff I'm making won't go bad so I can buy it ahead of time. Did I mention that I'm going to try to make pecan pies this year from scratch? Even the crust? We may be making an emergency run to Bob Evans if they suck, but we'll try it and see what happens. I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week already! I'm going to try to put up the tree this weekend. I've never put up the tree before Thanksgiving before, but I guess there's always a first time. I guess we should put up the tree early anyway since it's our first "married" Christmas tree. Corny, I know!

Thoughtful Thursday

Recently on a message board I participate on frequently, someone posted a question and asked us what we would do. She saw a homeless person holding a sign asking for money who was wearing flip flops. It's super cold up here right now so she thought the woman was in need of a new pair of shoes. She wanted to give her a new pair, but was afraid she would offend her by offering them to her. She was asking what we would do.

It reminded me of many times when I felt my heart tell me to do something for someone and out of fear of embarrassment--myself or them--I didn't listen to the urging and I missed the opportunity to show someone I cared. I can't tell you the countless times I've had thoughts and disregarded them. I regret those times so much. Mainly because I feel that voice that gave me that idea is my higher self, my perfect self, God, Holy Spirit, whatever you want to call it. Really, it's pure love that is trying to be channeled through us and our human selves stop it for fear of "How will that look?"

That voice that tells you to give some money to the street person who is asking for it or give to that cause you see on t.v. is the one we should listen to. Instead, a lot of us listen to our brain--"Oh, they'll only use the money for booze." "If I give them the money, they will follow me down the street and I'll never get rid of them." "That cause is bogus and the money will probably go to some bigshot who will spend it on their new pool." "It's a scam."

I'm not saying not to be smart and give you money or time willy nilly to anyone that asks for it. The truth is there are scams out there that play upon our sympathies and kindheartedness...especially at this time of year. But, I believe, your heart voice knows the difference. I also believe that even if you mistakenly give to a "scam", if you gave from your heart, it doesn't really matter. You have shown love to the world and that will come back to you.

I don't know what the girl did who posed the question. I do know that all of the responses were that she should do it. Many gave her different ways to present the shoes so as not to embarrass the woman, but every single one said do it.

So today, I'm asking all of us to "Do it!" If your heart urges you to do something thoughtful, kind, caring toward someone else, don't overthink it...just DO IT!

Whacky Wednesday

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

We have a winner!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:1
Timestamp: 2008-11-18 11:59:08 UTC

Hopefully you all will forgive me since I did the drawing a little early. I only said 8 a.m. in case I slept in today, but since I am officially an old person, that happens very rarely anymore.

So our winner is number 1--Julie! Congrats, Julie. Please email me your address and I'll get your package of lovely prizes right out!

Today is my 200th post so I feel the need to say something extremely profound, reflective, spiritual, but I can't think of anything. I'm no good under pressure.

All I can think of is thank you to those of you who keep reading my ramblings of my ordinary life. I appreciate that someone reads my thoughts and they're not just sent out into the wide, whacky, world web to flounder alone because we all know if you write a thought and no one reads it, it's not really a thought.

This is what's happening here today

A potpourri of thoughts

~~It's freezing here today. It snowed earlier this morning. I was going to take a picture of the "accumulation" on our deck, but by the time I was really going to do it, it was already melted. I need to go to the grocery but decided to get some frozen chili out of the freezer to delay going to the store one more day. Maybe it will be warmer tomorrow.

~~I am watching "You've Got Mail". I love that movie. Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are just so adorable and likeable in it...even when he's being a jerk he's still adorable and her...too cute. I wish she hadn't gotten plastic surgery in real life. She doesn't look like herself anymore. Why do we all fight the signs of getting older, myself included? We should be proud, but I still can't find what's to be proud of in crow's feet and gray hair. If you can find the silver lining, I'm open to suggestions.

~~"The Wizard of Oz" has been on TNT--or TBS, I get those 2 confused--the past 2 nights. Another movie I absolutely adore. It used to only be shown once a year at Easter time as I remember. I used to be so afraid of the flying monkeys, and their trip through the haunted forest--too scary for words.

~~We have some kind of critter digging holes in our landscaping. I use the term "landscaping" loosely; it's more just like the mulch with a few shrubs. Today I heard it digging at a leaf under a shrub. I'm pretty sure it's a chipmunk, but I have no way of knowing for sure since I haven't seen it. It's kinda scary when there's a critter in very close proximity and you don't know what it is.

~~I'm reading "American Wife" for my book club meeting that is this Thursday. The book is 555 pages and I'm only on page 314. Obviously I'm not going to finish it, but I'm still going to the meeting. It's a pretty good book. Worth the time.

~~I think we're going to put up our Christmas tree next weekend. We are kind of short changed on our time between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year so it's technically not early. I don't know though...something in me can't put up a tree before Thanksgiving. Although, I have been known to keep my Christmas tree up until March. It's sad, but true. I am actually not sure on the date, but last year, since I knew it was going to be my last Christmas in my house, I left it up a super long time. There's worse things, you know.

I'm in a frenzy

Several weeks ago I told you about my blank wall above the sofa that taunts me every single time I walk into the living room. I'd link you to that post but frankly, it's too much trouble and it never seems to work anyway. Anywho, today I'm crazily getting pictures together, seeing what frames we have on hand, etc. to try to fill this space and other spaces that are blank in our living room. Mr is working today and when he comes home, I think he'll be shocked, maybe not pleasantly. Right now there is still nothing on the wall--probably won't be today because it looks like I need to get more frames and pictures printed, but there are other changes. I will take pictures if I decide I like it. Right now I'm just experimenting. That's the great thing about setting pictures around in certain frames...if you don't like them, they're easy to change. No harm, no foul.

It's raining and crappy here. I was going to go shopping today. Have you noticed all of the great sales going on now? I know the economy is in the shitter, but it's a great time for consumers...if you still have money to buy stuff with! I think sales will get even better the closer to Christmas we get so it may be a good year to procrastinate in getting Christmas shopping done.

Speaking of Christmas shopping, I made our list of people to buy for this year. It seems like it has grown since last year. I have ideas of what to get some people, but am clueless about others. To me, that's why shopping in the stores is good. While walking through the stores, I get ideas of things that people will like. Plus, I kinda like the frenzy of last-minute shopping. There's a flurry of people, Christmas music blaring, beautiful Christmas decorations everywhere. Count me in!

I think I'm becoming an old person

Do you remember when we were in our 20's and we'd make fun of those old people who would get up at 4 a.m., be at the doors for breakfast when Shoney's, Bob Evans or Frisch's opened at 6 then eat dinner at 4 p.m. and be in bed by 8? I think I've become one of them.

Remember those same days when we would be getting to ready to go out to a bar at 9 and not getting somewhere until 10:30 or 11 because nothing started hopping until that time? I'm usually ready to head home by no later than 9 these days.

As I've told you, for the past couple weeks I've had to be into work at 8 to receive the delivery which meant I had to get up at 6. This week I've had staggered hours because the shipment now comes in late morning so my earliest start time was 9, mostly it was 10 to 12. I'm still getting up at 6 or earlier...with no alarm clock. The night Mr was in Kansas I fell asleep on the couch at 8 and slept through the night and woke up at 5 am wide awake. Granted, I'd had about 4 cosmopolitans that night, but still. Come on. 8 o'clock and waking up wide awake at 5 a.m.?? What is that about?

Every night I am usually exhausted tired, I mean tired as in nodding off tired, by 8:30 at the latest. Again, what's that about? Maybe I'm in a rut. Maybe I'm just out of shape and since my job is more physical, I'm just plain tired. Or, maybe I'm becoming an old person. I'll have to think about this tomorrow because it's 8 o'clock and I'm just too tired.

Don't forget about the giveaway. Enter on Nov. 12th's blog post.

Thoughtful Thursday

Only when we give joyfully, without hesitation or thought of gain, can we truly know what love means.
Leo Buscalgia


I have a coworker who has a friend who has another friend whose sister has stage 4 cancer. She is going through her last round of chemo and has also started radiation. The girl is 15 years old.

My coworker felt so bad for the girl she proceeded to go about gathering items from around the shop to purchase what she thought would comfort the girl, taking into consideration what her body is going through since she's going through chemo and radiation. She thoughtfully considered what scents would possibly bother her, what items would provide her with the most comfort and even went over to another store to buy one of the items she thought she would really like. Did I mention that my coworker doesn't even know this girl? Didn't even know she had cancer until yesterday right before she began gathering the items?

Isn't it ironic that yesterday my quote from an e-newsletter that I subscribe to was the quote I have above and then I went into work and here was this person who was actually living the quote I had just read yesterday morning? Have you ever given the way the quote explains or the way my coworker did yesterday? Not to your kids or your family or a close friend, but to a stranger? I'm not saying those acts of giving don't "count"; they do immensely; but oh the joy of giving to a stranger, someone you may never meet or see. It's an indescribable feeling and one that fills your soul with joy.

This week's challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to put the above quote into action and "report" back here what you did. I'd love to hear about it. We all get ideas off of each other. I'm already trying to think of a way to do something like my coworker did. You don't have to have a ton of money or spend a lot of money doing something to affect another person. Just showing you care for them as a human being is enough. Imagine how that girl felt when she received the gifts. Imagine how you would feel to know that a complete stranger cared enough about you as a person to think of you during one of the worst times of your life. Wow, I want to be a part of giving that feeling to someone else. What about you?

~~AMAZING ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY~~

Well, the day has finally arrived. My 200th blog posting should be next Tuesday so I've arranged the giveaway winner to be announced that day. So, just what all is included in this giveaway, you ask? Here's a picture of the loot.

"That's a lot of stuff," you say. "Why yes it is. It's because I love you all so much," I say! Let's break it down, though, cuz, "Mrs," you say, "I can't really see all of the stuff because your camera skills aren't really cutting it today--not to be mean, cuz beggars can't be choosers--but really, what will we win?"

Let's start with my absolute, most favorite candle of all time--Cinnamon and Clove Buds. I love, love, love this candle and I know you will, too, if you're lucky enough to win it.




Next up we have the following: Warm Vanilla Sugar deep cleansing hand gel, Liplicious sheer lip gloss--Cotton Candy flavored, Black Amethyst Bubble Bath (BBW's newest scent), Warm Vanilla Sugar body lotion, sample of True Blue Spa Shea Cashmere Shower Cream, sample of CO Bigelow Ginger Mentha Warming Mint Body Wash. That in itself would be a good giveaway, wouldn't you say? But wait, there's more.



We have some things to warm your tootsies--a pair of Small/Medium BBW slippers and a pair of socks. I will admit, I wore the slippers twice around the house, but they just don't fit my big flippers so they are virtually new, but if it grosses you out that I wore them at all, throw them away if you get them or perhaps sell them at your next yard sale. The socks, on the other hand, have never been touched by my perfectly manicured, always clean, well-moisturized tootsies!



So there you have it--My Amazing Anniversary Giveaway package to celebrate 200 posts! Here's a brief rundown of the rules...yeah, we gotta have them.


**Please enter on this blog entry only.
**Deadline for entries is Monday, November 17 at 5:00 pm EST
**The winner will be chosen by the Random Integer Generator and be announced Tuesday, November 18 at 8:00 am EST
**Only one entry per person, please.
**U.S. mailing addresses only

Good Luck!

YouTube Tuesday

Another obsession

Well, I've found yet another obsession for myself...I think I need an intervention. I worked off and on all weekend on Mr and my Christmas cards. I found this awesome website--scrapblog.com--where you can create your own. I found this site a while back--remember the cute little announcement I had for the last giveaway? That was from scrapblog. Well, I uploaded some of our wedding pictures and had them printed at Walgreen's with a super cheap deal I got sent via email and wah la, Christmas cards! Of course you know me and my anal retentive side. I got them printed and I don't like them. Because I am still learning about the site's features, I created another one that I like way better so now I'm going to have to get those printed. Still, we will save significant money on our cards versus going through any other site. Plus, we will be able to share 4 of our wedding pictures with our card recipients. I'm excited and can't wait for Christmas. I may be sending them out Dec. 1st!


I also was playing around with some pictures of J & B's little boy and created a birth announcement for him. It's so cute! I printed out a copy for Mr to give to B since he works with him. I hope I got his birth date and weight right. For some reason, I didn't write down the date he was born. Anyway, it was a lot of fun.


It was freezing cold and nasty here yesterday so you know what that means...cooking! For some reason this year I am really into soups. I've never liked soups in my life. They're just not filling enough for me, but this year, I've become the soup nazi. Last night's smorgasbord consisted of minestrone soup. You know I took pictures.




The recipe had me make the pasta noodles in a separate pan and then put the noodles in the bowl and spoon the soup over them. That's actually a really good idea because then the noodles don't get all soggy and fall apart. It was super yummy. Plus, it was really healthy, other than the pasta. As you can see, it was full of veggies--zucchini, green beans, onions, garlic, olive oil (only a little bit), carrots, spinach, celery. Mr and I need to start eating healthier so I thought this was a step in the right direction.

Wedding memories

Last night Mr and I went to his coworker's wedding. Like I said Friday, I really didn't want to go. It was cold last night and I would've been perfectly content to have just stayed home all night. However, we went and had a really good time. It brought back memories of our wedding which was just about 6 1/2 months ago. I wanted to come home and watch our wedding video because even with that short amount of time, I've forgotten specifics of our day. Even though I don't know either of the people very well who got married last night, I got teary-eyed as she walked down the aisle and especially when they played Canon in D--memories of my own feelings while I walked down the aisle flooded back. I wish I could re-live that day--so awesome, so much love but it just went by too damn quick!

How handsome does Mr look in a suit and tie? Seriously, I love it when he gets dressed up!

How cute are these cookies? They were so yummy, too...not the bride and groom ones, although the rebel in me really wanted to eat those two!

They had cupcakes just like we did, except theirs actually tasted good!

The groom's little boy--about 11--wore this hat with shades when they made their grand entrance. Of course, Mr loves hats so he couldn't resist trying it on for himself. By the way, real mean do wear pink and look pretty damn hot doing it!

Blog closing announcement

Well, that didn't last very long. I decided to delete my "Random Acts of Kindness" blog because quite frankly, I can't give it the attention it deserves. Instead, I've decided to incorporate those ideas on this blog. Now every Thursday will be devoted to Random Acts of Kindness--so titled "Thoughtful Thursdays". On these Thoughtful Thursdays, I'll share stories, ideas, etc. that will hopefully inspire us all to be more thoughtful and kind toward one another. If there was a day of the week that began with a "k", I would've done "Kindness (insert day of the week here)", but since there isn't, this is what we have. I like alliteration too much.

Apparently I didn't google kind acts too far because I've since found 2 websites that speak directly to these issues. One is http://www.randomkindacts.com/ and http://www.helpothers.org/ I will be getting a lot of my ideas for Thoughtful Thursdays from these sites since they seem to be good resources for this type of thinking. I encourage you to check them out on your own as well. I haven't gotten to go through each website entirely so if there's something that does jive with what I'm talking about and you discover it, please let me know.

In the meantime, my awesome anniversary giveaway is getting closer and closer every day...maybe even next week?? You don't want to miss this baby, I'm tellin' you. I'm gonna have some good stuff to give away so be sure and check back often...preferably daily!

Another busy weekend ahead

Mr and I have another busy weekend ahead of us. I don't like busy weekends, especially now that I'm working more. This week I worked every day and all I want to do on the weekend is just hang out and do whatever moves us--not do planned activities that we have to do. Even if initially it is something I want to do when I say yes to it, when I have to do it, I don't want to. I know that doesn't make any sense, but that's how I feel.

This weekend we have to go to a wedding on Saturday night of one of Mr's coworkers. I wouldn't mind going to the reception so much, but it's a Catholic mass wedding and I absolutely abhor those things--just too long and too much exercise. When I go to church, I don't want to get a workout, too.

Sunday I'm supposed to be going to WV to see my cousin D's little boy. I really want to see him, but with us going to the wedding on Saturday night, I'm not sure I'll make it.

Tonight we aren't doing anything. It's cold here again and I'm ready to just hunker down at home. Mr and I have both had a long week and we are both exhausted. My guess is we'll be lucky if we're able to stay up until 8!

Thank God it's over!

I don't know about you, but I am SOOOOOO glad the elections are over. I was getting so sick of seeing the negative ads on tv and hearing nothing but political stuff non-stop on the news like there was nothing else going on in the world. I am glad Obama won, but almost more than that, I am glad the election B.S. is behind us and now we can focus on what happens now.

I stayed on the couch last night because I was eager to see Obama's speech. Unfortunately I didn't make it and slept through it, but I was able to watch it this morning on YouTube. It was awesome and inspiring to me. I hope that all of the things he's promised come to fruition. If they do, that is a USA I want to be a part of. I hope all of us can unite and work together to achieve a better country. I know it sounds like a cliche, but I really mean that.

Now, onto other things...

We are going to a wedding on Saturday night for one of Mr's coworkers so tonight I went and bought him 2 shirts. He always wears the same shirt under his suit so I thought it was time to change it up a bit. I figure he can choose from one of the 2. Have any of you ever shopped for ties? They are ridiculously expensive. Mr doesn't wear ties very often and he already has quite a few so I've never bought him any. Of course the clerk at the store was helping me and he found this absolutely gorgeous tie to go with one of the shirts I chose. It went perfectly. It was also $50. Can you believe that...$50 for a small piece of material!! I just can't bring myself to pay that, especially when he probably won't wear the tie more than 5 times in his lifetime...if that! I just couldn't believe it. I think I found a pretty good match to each shirt from his existing collection so now it's just up to him to choose which shirt.

I think I am going to go enjoy some political-ad-free television now.

YouTube Tuesday Returns!

Election Day

I am beyond excited about getting to vote today. I feel so patriotic when I vote. It's just simply a great feeling.

This is probably the most important election of our generation so I hope everyone gets out and votes today. Obviously I have a preference as to who I hope you vote for, but today the most important thing is that everyone gets out and votes for whoever they support. I can't wait to see the numbers about how many people vote. They are expecting a record turnout. How exciting that we as a nation are actually getting off our butts and caring about an election!

Busy weekend

Mr and I had a very busy weekend. First was my grandma's 90th birthday party. We had an excellent time and she really enjoyed the video. Here are a few pictures from it. The theme was gambling.

Isn't this cake absolutely adorable? It was just as delicious as it was cute, too.

Here she is in her birthday tiara and my uncle in his propellor beanie. Yes, we are a family that loves props. Here she is modeling her gifts from Bean. She wore the hat through all of her opening presents. She got the biggest kick out of them.

Here is Mr holding my cousin's baby. She was so precious. Mr was quite the babysitter that day--holding her while my cousin and my aunt enjoyed the party. By the way, he's wearing the garters and bow tie because he was the dealer for blackjack. He doesn't normally dress that way...in public anyway!

All in all it was a great day and a great celebration for a great person.

Sunday Mr worked all day and when I say all day I mean all day...he didn't get home until 9:30. I went to my cousin R's housewarming party. She just bought a house about 6 weeks ago. It is so cute and put together. She has pictures hung, curtains hung, walls painted--way more stuff than even we have done and Mr's been living here for 6 years!

Like a ding dong I didn't get any pictures of the inside of her house, but here she is opening her gifts. She made a killing on cash and gift cards. In anticipation of her gifts, she had taken off work today so she could go shopping. Who wouldn't?

Today Mr left for an overnight trip to Memphis so I'm baching it tonight. I didn't cook and am drinking a nice, cold Bud Light Lime as I type this. It's a short trip back to my single days! He'll be home tomorrow.