Black Friday

Tradition was kept when our alarms went off at 4 AM on Black Friday. Despite neither my Mom or myself needing to buy anything, we set off for Macy's in the dark and cold. Melynda joined us as she has many a year now and was all dressed and ready to go before I even got out of bed!

And she didn't even have any money to spend.

At Macy's we found few people and figured they were at Kohl's down the road. We were right - think there were 250 from various on hand accounts in line for the 4 AM opening. Can I just say I am so glad I didn't have to do that this year?!

I would do it - if I hadn't had my family shopping done and the only way I could afford to get someone on my list a great gift was to wait in line for 2 hours and face the madness, I WOULD DO IT!

But I don't have to. Why? Because I have taken a new approach to Christmas gifts these past couple of years and actually shop the whole year through. So, each big sale someone has, I look and see if there is anything on sale for someone on my list. Sometimes there is - sometimes there isn't. Buy I look and I am prepared to buy it - even in April for next Christmas. Taking a vacation in March? I'm sure there is something special for a loved one that you can save and give them at Christmas instead of when you get home. It will be just as special in December as in March, or whenever you take your trip. In fact, I'm always SO surprised when I get something from someone that I know they bought and saved it just for me!!! (No, I don't have any issues.)

Another money saving tip I have for Christmas shopping is buying more than one of an item for 1) my brothers, 2) my nieces, 3) my sons, 4) my sisters-in-laws. This saves me time and money as I can usually get a better deal buying more than one!

Savings Tip #3 - Buy clearance. I get next years' Christmas clothes after Christmas when they are 75% off. This way, I get an $70 gorgeous Christmas dress for under $20. SCORE! I also do this when buying for my great-nieces. It allows me to get them a nice gift for under $10; which is important for our budget when you count how many people we actually end up buying for. Buying clearance may seem like a given but you wouldn't believe the number of people who pay FULL price for things. Never pay full price for a gift or a holiday item, decoration or item!

Savings Tip #4 - Shop on-line! Watch for free shipping and discount coupons. Usually you can only use one coupon at a time so watch for the "spend over $50 and get free shipping" then use your save 20% off coupon as the coupon. If you find it difficult to do this on-line, shop and get everything together then call and order by phone and the sales person can usually find a neat savings tip when you ask. For example, most retailers will have "free shipping" if you have it sent to their retail store. I do this for Cabelas, REI, Sierra Trading Post and Sears most often. This enables you to use a coupon at check-out. YEAH! I buy snow boots for pennies on the dollar in April, summer sandals in November, swim suits for the next year for $4.00 a Speedo... you get the idea. Don't' be afraid to shop ahead to maximize your savings!

Savings Tip #5 - Homemade Goods are Appreciated! Who ever came up with idea that store bought was better? It's not! I'd much rather get a plate of homemade treats than a store bought tin of whatever. Hand knit scarf over a store bought one ANY day! I love cards that were made by hand... you get the idea. Make something yourself and give it with love.

Savings Tip #6 - Get it FREE! How? By being a hostess for a company you like the products. Y'all know I am into Pampered Chef but there are so many others! I have had many a party for the perks of it. Partylite - candles make perfect gifts. Home Interiors? From reed diffusers to pretty figurines, pictures and seasonal oolalas! Lia Sophia Jewelry - I'm having a party next Thursday. Why? The perks! I'm actually going to make a wish list and let my DH and kids pick my items for me and I won't know when I'm getting til my birthday and Christmas! The point being - there are many company's out there that have great incentives to host a party and move their products. Use your free and discounted product for people on your list! It truly is free! I do this all the time!!! It's a great way to get people you love something for a great price. I know consultants for all the above products so contact me if you are interested. I think they could get you in before Christmas, too. wink wink.

I want to close with my exchange with a Macy's manager yesterday morning:

Me: I'd like to use the $10 off coupon for this item that costs
$25. (The minimum requirement)

Manager: Okay, let me see what I can do..... Hmmmm, for
some reason the computer doesn't want to take it. Let me see what's going
on.

Me: Oh Kay.

Manager: Well, it seems that this item is listed under the men's
fine item department so it's not allowing the coupon.

Me: That's interesting because I read all the fine print and that's
not listed... that's okay, I'll just put it back.

Manager: Just a second, let me try this.... oh, good, it
will take 15% off!

Me: Well, that's only about $3 off versus $10, so that's okay, I'll just
put it back.

Manager: I doubt this goes on sale before Christmas.

Me: That's okay - I'll just get something else.

Manager: So, if you don't get the $10 off you aren't going to buy
it??? (Imagine fear and dismay in her getting higher pitched
voice)

Me: That's correct. No biggie.

Manager: But what will you do???

Me: Buy something else, another time.

Manager: Uh, just a second... let me see if I can "make
the computer take it off."

Okay - I went ahead and just did it manually. Your total is
$15.90. May I have your Macy's card?

Me: I'll pay by check but thanks so much for getting me the
discount!

Manager: You're welcome.

I left the store with my prized discounted item, perplexed that she had such issue and dismay at someone being willing to NOT buy something. Perhaps if more of us took this approach it would change the way stores marketed us. Just something to think about.

After a breeze through Burlington Coat Factory (nothing bought) we headed to Moxie Java for a cup of joe before cruising home at 7 AM!

Happy Thanksgiving

Sometimes you just need to get the wiggles out.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Time Marches On

Halloween has come and gone and here are my darlings on the 31st of October:


All my darlings: Sky our ninja girl, Melynda our 80's gal, Paco our pirate and Javi our dog.

Then came November and with it came a slew of birthdays. Here are two of our birthday sweets: Brady, my nephew, turned 19 yesterday and my great-niece Karris turned 1 on the 17th. About Brady... I miss him this year. He's been around so much in the past and then my sons graduated and I only get to see him at family functions and church. There are many posts with him in them. Here with all my boys, singing RockBand, first day of junior year (he's the one dressed). He's great with my little boys and amazing with his nieces, as the picture demonstrates. I love him so much.


Here is DH, who turned 40 on the 19th. He's such a handsome man. And he looks great in pink. I hope you read about his arrival to adulthood. It was a moment to be remembered for sure. Along with DH, Brady and Karris, we celebrated my brother Larry's, great-niece Caydance, niece-in-law, Mandy, Reggie's g-friend Jolisa... anyways, there are birthdays the 15, 16, 17, 19, 24 and 28 of November. It's grand family time and I look forward to the food and teasing!

What you see here is my four year's chones (under roos) showing. See the blue band and white between his camo shirt and tan pants? That is what I am refering to.

And this is wear he gets his example. Yes, my sons likes the world to not only know he wears underwear but he wants them to know what COLOR, BRAND and material they are made of. He'll even be sure to lift his shirt for his mommy to take a picture for her blog. Isn't he a good lad.

And time marches on. October is way over and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I am the turkey roaster so am excited for that. I'm also going to try these sides this year: Fresh Corn with Wild Rice and Spanish Green Beans compliments of my favorite Pioneer Woman. My Christmas shopping is complete and I'm ready for family time, Christmas songs (already playing at my house) and food laden with as many calories as I can. My goal is to gain 5 lbs between now and January 1st. Who's with me???

Zorro's Procedure

We took Zorro to the vet today to have a procedure done. Can I tell you how fun it is having a 4 1/2 year old boy? It's barrels of monkeys fun, I tell you!

Here's our conversation this morning:

Me: Zorro is going to the vet today.

Paco: Why?

Me: To have a procedure done. We'll pick him up tomorrow morning.

Paco: What procedure?

Me: Well.... they are going to remove his testicles.

Paco: What?! Why???

Me: Doing that makes him be a better dog for you. It will keep him from running away and from being agressive - mean.

Paco: oh, okay.

10 minutes pass

Paco: Will they remove my teticles, too?

Me: NO!

Paco: Why not? If it makes me want to stay home and be good, why don't they?

Me: Well, they only do this to animals. I guess they haven't decided that it will help you boys out any so they just leave them alone.

Paco: oh okay.

Homemade Granola with Pumpkin Seeds!

I made this granola on Thursday evening past and it was so easy and filled our home with the sweet aroma of maple and all its goodness! I can't wait for Roy to eat it all so I can make more. He's decided it's his "cookie jar" and I couldn't keep him out of it if I tried! He eats it by the handfulls.

I used all organic or all natural ingedients to have organic granola on hand. There is truly nothing better than homemade and making this just proves the point!

Dry ingredients:
5 cups rolled oats
1 cup hulled raw sunflower seeds
1 cup pumpkin seeds
¾ cup flax seeds
¾ cup light brown sugar - made my own from organic sugar and molasses
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. salt, natural grey sea salt

Wet ingredients:
¾ cup unsweetened apple sauce - from my own trees, so all natural.
1/3 cup brown rice syrup - I used fair-trade organic molasses
¼ cup honey - I used natural hazelnut honey spread
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil, such as canola or safflower, mine was non-GMO

Set racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Preheat the oven to 300°F.

In a large bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients. Stir to mix well.

In a small bowl, combine all of the wet ingredients. Stir to mix well.

Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ones, and stir well.Spread the mixture evenly on two rimmed baking sheets. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until evenly golden brown. Set a timer to go off every ten minutes while the granola bakes, so you can rotate the pans and give the granola a good stir; this helps it to cook evenly. (If you use a baking stone, like I have from The Pampered Chef, you don't have to stir or turn!!!) When it’s ready, remove the pans from the oven, stir well – this will keep it from cooling into a hard, solid sheet – and set aside to cool. The finished granola may still feel slightly soft when it comes out of the oven, but it will crisp as it cools.Scoop cooled granola into to a large zipper-lock plastic bag or other airtight container. I used a glass gallon jar. I love how pretty it looks on my counter, too! Store in the refrigerator indefinitely. We're eating ours so fast I don't have to worry about it not lasting long enough! ha!

Yield: about 10 cups

Obviously, you can substitute non-organic for any of the above ingredients. I was just pleased to have all the ingredients I used in organic. I'm in the process of purging my pantry of most chemcically treated foods for organic and/or natural products.

This granola is super with juice, cider, milk, soy milk and my fave: vanilla yogurt. I had it with applesauce yesterday and it was pretty tasty, too!

Enjoy!

Finally - he's arrived!

Can you tell what this picture is? More specifically, what they picture represents? What it signifies?

This my friend, is the beginning of the end. With the BIG 4-0 right around the corner, my sweet darling husband (DH) found this while at conference last weekend.

Do you know hard it is to take a picture of quality with a cell phone? Oh, that's right, it's NOT possible - not one of HIGH quality, anyway.

So can you get what it is?

If not, take a look at this and know that I've far outdone my DH on this front and I'm ions younger...

grey hair. He found one. One. Yes, one. And he freaked out!!!

Melynda's Ruffles

Sweet Melynda brought her choir outfit home today. Oh Mylanta! I'm glad we had unflattering robes when I was in school so it didn't matter what we wore underneath as long as black nylons and heels showed, we were set! Those were the days. Long, unflattering red stinking robes. Fast forward a few years and viola! Ruffles!

And more ruffles!

And hips. Even when you don't have any. She has the cutest tiniest waste line! And she has the most gorgeous body ever. Seriously. She is toned and has the right proportions of everything. Just wait til she has babies. Don't tell her - she's oblivious.

And do you like the backdrop for our modeling shoot? Pozole bubbling on the stove, food chopper on the counter, coffee mug not far from reach.... such is life. At least mine!

Advantages and DISadvantages

of being the winner of a giveaway AND living close to the give-awayER.

Last night, I met up with Stephanie, the winner of my giveaway. And here's what I made her do:

Here our winner, receiving her prize. And just so you know, she came through on her promise to deliver and an amazing exchange was had. She got tequila chocolate and I brought home kahlua chocolate - all from Mexico! In fact, I had one for breakfast this morning! Shhh, don't tell anyone. Thanks everyone for playing!

Now, my new computer:

She is gorgeous! A beautiful bronze color that matches my beautiful external hard drive. I didn't even plan it and it worked out... beautifully. I'm on a creative roll, look out people!

She's more than I need and I hope I don't let her down by not learning all the in's and out's of her smooth running system.

And, since our office computer is still waiting for parts to come in, we really needed me to have a running computer so I can get my work done! That being said, I am off to try and make peace offerings to the following institutions: Social Security, IRS, also pet named Iris since I report to her each month, and our local unemployed office to defend our employer rights. That's a lot to bite off today, so I'd better get a'crackin' or my higher up's won't be too happy with me since they are babysitting both boys this morning so I can get some work done.

Off to the races! Wish my luck. It's not fun making mistakes 2 years ago and then to be told to fix them. Ugh! Like I said, wish me luck!!!

Winner and New Computer!

Well, I promised you as soon as I had a computer working, I'd draw the winner for my Mexican Giveaway. Today is our lucky day! I have a brand spanking new laptop that I am trying not to drool over AND one of you won my giveaway; which includes my sacred tequila chocolates!!!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers: 2
Timestamp: 2008-11-10 23:03:47 UTC

Entry 2 is the weiner, I mean winner, and while I think she should have been disqualified, she is a faithful reader of mine and one of my dearest and bestest friends. How fitting that she should take some of my tequila chocolates of my hips, I mean lips, and add them to her hips....err. lips.

Her husband has told me for years, "Once on the lips.... ALWAYS on the hips!" Seriously, her husband actually says that to my face. The nerve.

Any guesses as to who won?

STEPHANIE, come claim your prize! Actually, I will bring it to FW tomorrow night.

Famous

I betcha didn't know I was famous, did ya? Well, I am. I am a featured author in our Yearly Meeting's Connection. And while I could be all, "oh yeah, baby, I have arrived," I'm not. I can't believe how humbling it's been having people come up to me at our annual Youth Worker's Training Conference and comment on my write-up.

Goodness gracious! I actually wrote that as a post but we re-worked it a bit and tweaked it here and there for the Connection. Amazing how phone camera pictures just aren't the quality one would need for a publication.

So, there you have it. I'm famous.

More later from our actual conference. It's great. I'm learning and totally enjoying this time with my hubby.

The view from our room. Gorgeous!

Sometimes the Road is...

...LONG. Roy and I headed out for Hood River, Oregon this morning for our annual Youth Worker's Training Conference. Sans kids. Zip. Nadda. None. After a late start, we realized an hour down the road that we forgot to "go through the CD's." Why is this important? Well, let's take a look.

We have all sorts of kids music. Mostly in Spanish. Like this nifty CD we picked up on a trip to Ketchum one year. It's a delightful mix of Latin songs in both English and Spanish. For kids.

Finally, I shuffled through the CD's and found something we both agreed on that wasn't for kids, although Paco loves this one: Michael Buble's, Irristable. One has no idea how short a CD is until they are on a 6 hour drive with a limited music selection.

Once I took over driving, Roy fell asleep and I turned on my phone music. Ahhh. Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan, Jack Johnson, Journey, real music. For me. And I could skip a song if I wanted 'cause he was SAWING LOGS!!!

As I started out saying, Sometimes the Road is winding, like it is on Cabbage Hill:

And sometimes the long is just LONG.

I won't tell you how many pictures I took with phone. Too many. Waaayy toooo many. Okay, here's one. This is my "I am a high school girl who thinks she is all that AND a box of cocoa puffs!!!" I don't know, maybe it should be my new facebook/myspace pic? What do you think. Do you like the grey streaks? I won't tell you how much I paid for that look.

I'll close with that shot. Enjoy.

Takin' to the Polls with SIX kids

Yes, I went to vote will all of my children. All SIX of my wonderful, calm, well-behaved, polite children. Wait, two are now adults and they came to vote, too! YEAH! The other four were tag-alongs. And not nearly as relaxing as eating a tagalong, I might add.

My big boys in line to vote. They came home from college just to vote. And eat supper.

The girls really wanted to go vote with me. I've taken Melynda every time I've voted since she was 8 years old, so 6 years. This was Sky's first time going and while I've taken the little boys, they are always an adventure.

Melynda, sad she can't vote.

Sky is glad she got to vote in the "election" at school. Unfortunatley, her class winner was not the real life winner. So she pouts. Do you see the monkey arm by her head? That's Paco. He wouldn't let me take a picture of him without his tongue sticking out so I cut him out of the shots. Little twirp!

I am not going to cry over Obama winning. Obviously, many are glad, since he won! I just pray that the change he says he's going to bring is as sweet sounding as he promises. As a small business owner in our little family run business, we can barely afford our own individual medical insurance, let alone having to pay for any and all of employess who come and go so frequently. And the taxes - I am terrified of the taxes. And I am against long-term health and welfare benefits. There, I said it. Please don't yell to loudly - remember, I'm not here to offend. This is my sounding board. If you have something to say, leave a comment or get your own blog! ha!

Oh, I will say this funny on Paco. While at the polls, Paco said he was going to vote for Barack Obama. I told him that I didn't care for his political views, especially his view on babies, gun control and my money. I told him I would not be voting for Obama.

Fast forward....... a man asks Paco (at the polls) who he was here to vote for. Paco, "Barack Obama but my Mom doesn't like him." I just kept filling out the ballot like he wasn't with me!!!

Whatcha Doin' Today?

... besides voting, that is. If you haven't voted, stop what you are doing and GO DO IT! Or have a plan on when you're going to vote. I am waiting for my girls to get home from school because they love to go to the polls with me. I've actually taken Melynda with me to vote more times than I can count. Since she was 8, so for 6 years she's gone with me each time there's been an election. Wait, is that only one? No, we've had local elections, silly!!!

So, besides, voting, what are you doing? Are you doing anything on a daily basis to reduce your earthly footprint? Are you making your Christmas gifts this year? Are you having a debt-free Christmas season? (More on that one later....) Are you composting? Buying locally? Canning?

Yes, that's what I am doing. I am canning organic carrots. I will use them in my chicken and noodles, soups and stews. I canned them in pint jars 'cause a quart of carrots is ALOT!

I have also made chicken noodle soup for lunch, actually made it. Home-canned chicken broth, organic carrots and organic spelt noodles. It was delish.

I have encouraged and reminded others to vote without telling them who to vote for. I try not to offend here in my little world. Really. One thing I have been thinking of is what my ideal candidate would look like. Have you done that? It's crazy fun. One thing that stands out to me is the definition of "Pro-Life." Why does this only relate to babies to most people? How can someone be pro-life and pro-war? In war, doesn't someone die? I would like to see "Pro-Life" mean just that! I am for a human life living. Whether they are in utero, or in Iran, Germany, Korea or the USA. I think each life should be allowed to live, regardless of why they were conceived or which side they are fighting for.

There. I said it. I don't think that should offend anyone. I value life and that shouldn't be offensive.

Now, tell me, whacha doin??? (And don't forget to enter my giveaway!!!)

Freeze Yer Buns Challenge!

I signed up for the Freeze Yer Buns Challenge 2008. I think that with our wood stoves and fireplaces and the two portable enery efficient heaters we have, I can count on lowering our thermostat by 2 degrees during the day and 5 at night. Right now it's set at 62 all the time. When I get chilly, I light a fire.


Are you up for the challenge? It will not only lower your heating costs, it greatly reduces the CO2 impact for environment!!! Even one degree makes a difference. What will you do?

I Miss Mexico - Giveaway

I miss Mexico. I miss the slower paced life we had there. I miss the tacos, tortas and limonadas. I miss the music, the heat and the sun. I miss hearing Spanish everywhere. I miss having to speak Spanish. I miss walking all over town. I miss staying up late and getting up whenever we wanted. I miss doing nothing and everything.... and it not mattering!

So, with grey sky looming around me and rain coming down and a fire crackling in the fireplace... I think of Mexico. Yes, it rained there. But it was warm rain. And it was in Mexico and as my children say, "Everything is better in Mexico."

Here's the prize: Orlando organic vanilla, Tajin spice to put on fruit, veggies, you name it, a cute little sombrero and three of my prized tequila chocolates. I'm hoarding them so you have no idea how generous I am being here, people.

I don't have a computer. My laptop has crashed. Our mainframe has crashed. My husband doesn't like sharing his laptop because, "I'm gunna ruin it goin' to all those blogs and shoppin' sites." (Do you like the fancy photo taken with my phone since I can't download the gazillion photos that are on my camera....grrrrr)

So, because I miss Mexico and I can't blog til who knows when.... a giveaway. One entry per person, please. Though if my commenting history is any indicator..... nevermind. ;) I'll draw the winner as soon as I have a computer. Maybe tomorrow maybe Wednesday? For sure by Friday.

Question - Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? I hope so, cause I am almost done!!!!