HEY!!!

Yeah you,..

listen up

no down here

Mother Nature

you see that

Nope,..not a smiling face

it is my butt crack

YEP

Just thought I would share

like you did

just 2 weeks after I traded in my SUV

to get a mini van

we got record snow fall

Yeah

I got stuck

more than once

*Kisses*

A Deadly Sin,.. or shopping?

I feel in the days of 2010

Black Friday has quickly replaced

gluttony

Or for a simpler math equation

Black Friday = Gluttony

don't believe me?

In most cases people overspent

because it was a "good deal"

Bought something they didn't need

or even want

because of the price

Black Friday

has infected the once beloved and cherished

Thanksgiving day

Instead of one counting blessings

They count the ads online  or in the paper

Instead of focusing on what they should be thankful for

and in a quite way

replaying the year to evaluate how truly blessed they are

They are instead making lists

and checking them twice

and figuring out where they will stand in line at 3 am in the morn

Then as the doors are opened

people who just made peace and a turkey

shove and push to get where they are going 1st

They rejoice in a  hypnotic fashion and dance on to the next store on their list

This is gluttony in it finest

Black Friday or even Cyber Monday can be done right

but people gotta get a grip

on themselves, their checkbook, and above all the Christmas spirit

Please tell me how 50 presents under the tree

or a huge T.V

is going to make you anymore whole, than the day before?

Just as you might sit across a man

who is gorging himself in such a way it makes your stomach turn

with more and more plates being presented

you think, does he really need all that food

OMG, that is disgusting

You try not to look but you cannot help your self

stare at a man who has created his own demise

Stuffing himself without care

This man is a glutton

Black Friday and him are best friends

Simply gross.

Shhhhh it's a Secret!

I am in the Christmas mood

I am oozing Christmas Spirit

My Tree is up with care

If I had a chimney they would be up there

I am hummin' to all kinds of Christmas tunes

I've wrapped gifts

and made my DVD

now there is only one thing left you see

Shhhhhhh,... it's a Secret

Over at Georgie's blog

she is hosting SSS

Secret Santa Soiree

and this is my second year

but this is an xtra special year 4 me

So in the past

you wrote about what ya got

which was fun

but this year is even better!!!

You write about what you've sent

All givin' in' such ;)

I was hoping my package would reach my person on Black Friday but no such luck

cause you see , I am tracking it!

So Now I get to Highlight what I got her

In an oversized diaper box, size 4 I believe

There are chocolate candies, resse's

and wrapped up with care

with a jingle bell

are a vintage cookbook

that has a very special meaning to me

Plus a Christmas card with $5 bucks to Starbucks

Then you have the travel Coffee Mug

filled with espresso chocolates

I hope she will enjoy,..

I know she will

I bet you are wondering why I gave this person that special cookbook

Well, it has a story

that I know she would appreciate

It came from my grandfather years and years ago

in mint condition,..

it's actual value I am unaware

But the recipes inside are just wonderful

takes you back to a place before the net

can you imagine

when it seemed easier to get along

and as  far as the reason why

Because this Lady deserves it and will care for it only as I know she could

she will embrace the value more than any antique collector

Happy SSS

Black Friday

Black Friday

Is like having an affair

You get swept up

turned on and

talked into, quite a lot

All the while you know it is

dirty

wrong

and all the above

Not  A FAN

Happy Thankful Thanksgiving

In so many words I cannot find

the right words where happiness lies

Focused on family and food

I feel I am in incredible mood

Even with commercials stabbing at my eyes

knowing it is a human demise

I tend on watching the parade

and somewhere

I hope to find

where Thanksgiving spirit is made

I fear it does not lie in the pumpkin pie

nor the stuffing

It is really overwhelming

Seeing everyone

ready to rush though being thankful

Focused with dollars signs sparkling in their eyes

I like a good deal

as everyone does

but before it gets lost

in the hustle and bustle

Sit and be still

bow your head and count your blessings

and with hope

Thanksgiving will live on

 Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and May you be blessed with more than just your pocket book holds

Thankful 101

An extra insight into my heart and humor

I am So Thankful

Like One Hundred and One ways, Ya know!

1. For disposable Diapers

2. Pencil sharpeners

3. Awesome Cook Books

4. Recipes online

5. Free Blogger Site

6. The ability to read

7. I own a Computer

8. I have no Cavities

9. I Have 4 Children

10. Private School

11. My 6 yr old can read

12. My 8yr old reads at a 5th grade level

13. My son can Run

14. My 4yr old has a great imagination

15. Noggin.com

16. Playhouse Disney

17. The Gap

18. Gymboree

19. Starbucks

20. Chocolate

21. Honey Bunches of Oats

22. Yogurt

23. Peanut Butter

24. I have an Oven

25. I have a smoke alarm

26. I have to bathrooms in my house

27. I have a roof

28. I have a good working vehicle

29. My kids have nice clothing

30. I have a washer and dryer

31. I have a garage

32. I have the best landlord in the world

33. I have use of my legs and arms

34. For Wipes

35. Winter Boots

36. Gloves

37. Snow Hats

38. Jackets

39. Jeans that make me feel good about myself

40. The ability to nurse my babies

41. Faith

42. My mom

43. My Grandparents

44. Cable

45. Internet Connection

46. Immunizations

47. Good Dentists

48. Great Friends

49. Coffee

50. Diet Coke

51. Diet Pepsi

52. Facebook

53. The Children's Place

54. Lelli Kelly

55. Morgan & Milo

56. Hobby Lobby

57. Running water

58. Heat

59. Air Conditioning

60. Fenced yards

61. Pots n' pans

62. Lipstain

63. Nursing bras

64. Toothpaste

65. Toothbrushes

66. Hair Dye

67. Medicines

68. Vitamins

69. Pumpkins

70. Shea Butter

71. FREE Long Distance

72. Free Shipping

73. Crayons

74. My Camera

75. Hot water

76. Hand Soap

77. My Dishwasher

78. Sunscreen

79. Flour

80. Butter

81. Sugar

82. Eggs

83. Salt

84. Beef

85. Chicken

86. Pork

87. Yeast

88. Pasta

89. Fresh Fruit

90. Fresh Veggies

91. Milk

92. Cream

93. Coco

94. Silverware

95. My Great Grandmother's cookie press

96. A comfortable bed

97. My Husband

98. His Income

99. OUR Health Insurance

100. My home

101. The ability to appreciate it all ~ and then some <3

I am SO THANKFUL!

Thankful, quick like

Okay so I am sooooooooooo ELATED!!!

I WON!!!

I DID

YAY ME!!

Mrs Fifty Factor herself let me know today!!!

I got a gift card of 100 to CSN stores

and bet your toosh I spent it quick like that

Not without pinning over it for a few hours

I got 3 Red Suit gifts for my kiddo's

and another for my neice

Get this

for some reason I even got FREE SHIPPING

Holy MOLY!

I hit the Mother load!

So as quick as a rabbit

I must be with my thankful message

I am thankful for friends

the ones who listen to you even though you know they have other more important things to do. You ask the same questions over and over needing that reassurance and yet you feel loved. Those friendships that last over the miles and time because they are truly a gift from God. Currently my fav, the friendship you make online with no precursor, just because you both kinda rock like that.

I am So Thankful for my friends

I am Thankful they put up with me, listen to me and above all allow me to be me

Those friends are spilling out of my cornucopia of plenty

and I must get to baking to show them how much they mean to me

May you be as blessed as I feel today

I am SO THANKFUL!!

Thankful,..again

I am Thankful

I have had almost 32 complete years with my grandparents

I had my grandfather walk me down the isle

When I took my vows

I danced with my grandfather after I became a Mrs.

I lived in the same state when my 1st child was born

Both my Grandmother and father took hold of my sweet child

on her 1st Easter at a mere 4 weeks old

I am Thankful

Since I moved away almost 7 years ago

I have seen them at least once a year

I talk with them weekly

and most of the time my Grandfather can recall my voice

I am Thankful

That I feel they have seen me grow into a young woman

then into a moth, again, again, and yet again

I feel they are proud of whom I've become

and they love seeing packages of treats arrive from me at their door

I am Thankful

that at 94 my Grandfather recalls who I am

He can make out my face if I am close enough

and stills remembers my childhood

I am Thankful

that my 85 year old Grandmother

can do most of her cares without my mother's help

That she still has an amazing sense of humor

and is still one of the most clever and thoughtful people I have ever met

I am Thankful

That all four of my blessings

have on at least one occasion have met and been held

hugged and kissed

by the 2 eldest loves of my life

I am Thankful

my children know who my grandparents are

I am Thankful

Thankful Day 2

As the days have become frigid and the roads caked with black ice, I am thankful for my "new~to~me" mini van. Cannot believe that would ever come out of this die hard SUV queen's mouth. But alas, it did.

I am thankful that our credit was just good enough after a long layoff and a multitude of creditors paying homage at my door in the form of being "served, to Trade in my Beloved Betty (Yukon 2001, 140,000 miles)

It was time, I recall feeling like I was going to cry when I was cleaning her out, we had grown close over that the last 6 years, she was very much part of the family. I especially missed her last night when I made a trip to wally world and my new sweet Gilly slid around like an ice puck. But I know it was divinely guided as ever a car purchase could be.

I am extra thankful that by the purchase of this vehicle, if everything stays on the straight and narrow, we will be able to purchase our 1st home within a year.

I am thankful for all of the struggles because with out them I would not know what it would mean to be thankful.

So now with non 4 wheel drive, non massive treaded tires and better fuel economy, I can travel  a half hour sooner to get my children to their school daily.

( I leave an hour early already, since we live so far away)

Yet I am thankful, oh so thankful!

Thankful Day 1

A Friend of mine over at the Fifty Factor posed questions on what one is thankful for

I have many things in my basket to praise God for

but I am only going to highlight a few

Starting today and finishing on Thanksgiving

I will share what i am thankful for

Something that goes above and beyond food and roof

Thankful

I am sooo thankful for the Private school my daughters attend. I am immensely thankful that they offer scholarships and tuition on a tier system. I am also very thankful for all of the social responsible invitations they offer the children throughout the year. Like a monthly can food drive for the local food bank. A once monthly collection of recycled items. Currently I am most excited about how the 2 schools they attend have taken on building an orphanage in Uganda. I am soooooooo Thankful.

To put into perspective I will highlight the principals portion on of a weekly newsletter that is sent home to the families. "Next week we will celebrate Thanksgiving.  In a season when the overflowing cornucopia horn-of-plenty is used to symbolize thankfulness for our many blessings. we might consider if our children understand what "Plenty" really means.  Even if we aren't wealthy, most of us can afford a lot of the conveniences.  Daily appreciation for the commonplace items that create comfort should be a habit.  Children should be expected to say thank you for favors done for them, gifts given to them, entertainment planned for them.  They need to learn to express appreciation.  And, they need to learn when a gift, even if not perfect,  still represents a sacrifice on the part of the giver.  Joy and gratitude are not automatic to a child's life.  Learning to put oneself into another's shoes and to treat others with consideration and compassion are part of gaining perspective on one's blessings.  Theses qualities are learned through example and patience.  They become an attitude toward life that affects our emotional and spiritual health.  During this season of Thanksgiving and Christmas, let us encourage our children to give thanks.  May your blessings be plentiful  this holiday season!"

I Am thankful for the hard work and long hours my husband puts in so that we can continue to offer our children this kind of excel~education!

I am So Thankful

Santa Help Wanted

My Daughters

all 3 have decided that they

are asking the Big RED Suit

For an American Doll

I am scared to death

that I will not be able to be Santa this year because of the

enormous cost of these dolls

Recovering from a layoff still,

we are not making what we were when we were

originally layed off

Then with only 3 children

I Have never been so stressed

about the"perfect" gift

and I must admit I have some awesome kids

kind, giving, caring, loving

I mean they are kids so they are not perfect

So when Santa

only brings one thing

and this is the one thing they asked for

and I am looking at about $400

with shipping

OMG!

I have called the American Girl Store

I have been placed on an email list

I have scoured the Internet looking for coupons

and they seem not to exist

I cannot imagine

their faces when no doll

is next to their stocking this year....

No readers here

I was once read daily but now not so much,..oh well,.. my fav lady is having a giveaway and you shouldn't check it out cause I wanna win

DO Not Check Out The Fifty Factor

;)

The Bitter Truth

I am NOT Looking forward to Christmas this year

One major reason is that

the marketers for all things Christmas

have been shoveling their  shit cakes down my throat for the last 2 weeks already

before Halloween damn it

I hate how Christmas has turned into

nothin' but that

it makes me sick

like everyone bypassed Thanksgiving and moved right to black Friday

Which I plan on boycotting

It is sad really with 4 kids all believing in the magic of Christmas

all the while the television screens are plastered with

prices slashed and 40% of this and that

I have only 4 things to buy

As the "Red Suit" Has business to attend to

but I never wanted my kids to think Christmas was all about black Friday, what they want and how much they are planning on spending

I know of a few people who drop hundreds if not thousands on Christmas,.. and really it makes me sick

Not my story, not my life

All I know is that the "Christmas Program" might replenish my tarnished Christmas Spirit,..I hope

My 1st Order!

Wow!

I cannot believe it

Hours after my middle's birthday

I get a Phone message

from the school Secretary

and she wants to place an order for get this

MY COOKIES

Not just any cookie

My Shortbread cookies

I must admit they do rock

I even plan on sending my SSS some

but I was shocked!!

Then came the part where she asked me how much they were

I was like wa?

ummmm,..hummmmm

So I did my maple leaf in burnt orange

deep red

and brown

@ 2.50 a piece

plus I threw in a couple on the house

;)

Holy crap I walked away with 15 bucks!

Plus get this

She asks me to be discreet

cause one of the teacher's daughters bakes for business

and she didn't wanna hurt any one's feelings!!

So I did respect her wishes

As I entered  I slipped a bag o treats behind her desk

and went on to the kindergarten room

for my Friday volunteer stuff

While I am stuffing folders n' stuff

My daughter's teacher

asks me if  she could hire me to make cookies for her daughter's sweet 13

I was like Yes, of course!

With all this interest I have been floating names for my cookies

I think I have the perfect name

but I am not telling yet!

Celebrate!

This past Tuesday was a reason to celebrate

my middle daughter turned 6!

and even though Build a Bear drives me up a mad wall

that is where her friend party will be on Sunday

Her Theme Was BARBIE

and She got Barbied' out!

Complete with a homemade cake!

The best part was how the AWETASTIC School

Invites a family member in to the classroom to celebrate their special day

They bring in the child's Favorite Book and get to sit in the "Teacher" Chair

and then read it to the entire class

After that you are encouraged to bring a treat to share

Like the note said from the teacher

"Treats are fun, if there is enough for everyone"

OMG!!!

Too Much fun

They sang happy birthday in sign language

and in harmonious tune

I brought in cupcakes

cookie cupcakes that is

(They ask you not bring in cupcakes, because of the mess)

So That is what I did

I am looking forward to my darling's party this Sunday!

Sunday,..Sunday

Sundays in my city could be interesting

I could snap a shot of

the ghetto thug kids playing on the roofs of cars

or the freaky neighbor dude who has a wife beater tan

maybe I could manage a quick clip of the next door bother

who decided to put up a makeshift Bright white gutter on a sage green faceshua

but I won't

even though the thought makes you salivate

Instead I will whisper sweet nothings in your ear about how I am a SSS

and I have shopped baby oh yeah

or how we have fall cleaned and created bags of stuff for the less fortunate

hmmmmmmm,...

but I don't wanna give away any secrets,..

not yet anyway

So I will leave you with this image

Where did Thanksgiving go?

Have you seen

the "before black Friday sales"

Are they Kidding? no really?

I mean I know the economy is in the tank

and financial desperation have plagued our land

but isn't this all sorts of backwards in stuff?

I am a vintage girl

I love my children

I am a stay at home mom

I have given up every desire to own glitter

to provide quality education to my kiddos

I prepare meals on a budget

and shop with coupons

I only buy it if I have the money and it is on sale

I give of my gifts and talents which are purely homemade

I enjoy making handmade cards and costumes

and above all

I make our small rental, home

So when everyone whom owns 3 cars a dog and 2.5 children

are planning on dropping a grand at

"before black Friday sales"

I am simply shopping sales for a Thanksgiving meal

and treats to take to school

and I am in awe

looking at the tv like a cod fish

doing a double take

and really questioning if I heard right

Sadly it is true

Commercialized craziness at it's finest

Yet I find myself wanting to walk 70 years into the past

to a place where health and joy were rare in fashion

Who cares about the "big toy" that all the kids have to have

just give me hugs and cider

Someone tell my weeping heart

where Thanksgiving went.

Da Mouse and Everything Else

Running out of their room

my daughters are terrified

they saw what looked like a mouse tail

go under their door

OMG

I had to hold back vomit in my mouth

I was like are you serious?

how could that even be possible

I mean I sweep at least 3 times a day,..

there is nuttin left on my floors, counters or in my sink

GAG, URP, BURP

I think I am  going to be sick

Then they decide that they will watch a movie in the living room

and then screams I guess the efing creature was now taunting them

it was now under the entertainment center

So I go to the garage and get the butterfly net and whack it under there

and that furry plague slides across the kitchen floor

after I whacked it's lil ass it disappeared into a wall

OH the HORROR

I belted out a scream from the 5th dimension

OMG!!!

They were scared to death

so my king accommodated

4 lil bodies and 2 big ones

until 3am

is when I could not take being kicked in the face

crotch and rib any longer

and I carried them to their bed

3 traps were set

and this morn no furnasty's were caught, boo!

In my alternate world

I hand made

hand rolled

hand mixed

and hand packaged up

some of the most tasty treats

for my youngests' school

teacher conferences yesterday

Both kiddo's rocked it

even though the 5yr old was so anticipatory that she didn't even eat dinner

she need not worry <3

I was thanked for my goodies

and my well mannered child

and

myself the hub and the wee dude

set off to the next school for the next conference

There we were

as the teacher apologized to us

she was like I have nothing to say other than she is wonderful!

Woot, woot

Then she was like

Gosh I have heard about the treats you brought over to the other building

they have been raving

the art teacher asked me if you owned a bakery

WOW, That made my heart happy

2 awesome conferences

and thankful treats

( on a side note, I made a 3 tier cake for teacher appreciation week at the public school,..I spent a lot of time on it,..and would you guess not even a mention, not even a thank you,.. I will never forget that one.)

So now to work on spelling words

decorate a paper turkey

and reassemble my house after I took it all apart and disinfected it yesterday after the appearance of ratatouille

Onward~

This Is A Must Read

Sometimes I get frustrated at life

and life keeps kicking dust up in my face

but then the rest of the times I realize how truly blessed I am

and I am solely blessed because of my children

After school today my eldest child

who is 8

Poured out her Halloween candy and started shifting through

looking over each piece with care

and making 2 piles

One for her and one for the poor

I had No say in this

her heart lead her

and I was not going to squelch it

two younger sisters followed suit

making smaller piles

She exclaimed with such joy

that by giving away some of her favorite candy

it will make someone whom is less fortune happy

and then as she bagged it up

and prepared it for a monthly can food drive at her school

she said something to me

that when I lay down

and take my last breath

I will hold close to my heart

"Mommy, next year when I apply for a scholarship

I can tell them how I donated half of my Halloween candy!"

Thinking about this

makes warm tears run across my face

The extent of what she knows is little

but for her heart to be so big and pure

I am in awe over her

For the scholarship

is what made the ability for her to attend this school

the only way we could have afforded it

and she plans on making sure she can go next year

all the while doing works for the Lord,..

and I am in awe

Harmony Happens

Amidst it all

Harmony happens

After trick or treating last night

my 8 yr old says to me,..

I think after you go through the candy

we should give half to the poor,...

WHO does that?!?!

MY daughter

where as my 5 yr old is like the poor does not need my candy

then we had a come to Jesus talk mind you

On another thought,

have you seen sister wives?

I love it,..sue me

but umm

where can I sign up for brother husbands?

Ummm, maybe I do not want that

that would be a whole hell of a lot of dirty socks and underwear,...