The Best Part of Holiday Shopping

I'm finally finished!! Okay... so that's a lie... there are still two gifts left to buy but their gift cards so that doesn't count!!

Other perks... (gotta keep it kinda on the downlow so the Queen doesn't know what she's getting)

• Over $200 off jewelry at Zales
• 50 pk Old Western DVD's for Dad $13 (Pamida)
• Sew Machine for me $49 (Walmart)
• Food Saver for Prince Charming $48 (Kmart)
• Two mini pizza stones for P.C. $13 (Pamida)
• Disney Toddler bed for Ogre Child $48 (Kmart)
• 70% off fleece sleepers for O.C. (Target)
• Digital Camera for nephew $15 (Target)
• 90% off Photo Paper for nephews(Staples)
• Dehydrator for BIL $30 (Pamida)
• Serving dishes for SIL $8 (Kmart)
• Spa bath set for boss $7 (Walmart - Dec 26, 2007)

I only had to pay full price for 4 gifts!! And even then two of those were only because I had no idea what to get and I'm tired of shopping. So I copped out and bought the preboxed gift sets for $20. The other two were toys for a niece and nephew. I might have payed full price for the O.C's potty chair but at $17 for a chair that will grow with her... I can't complain.

In the end, I'm just fed up with shopping. I even gave up on my fave SIL and got her a gift card to go with some small things she'd picked out.

A frame for a picture, a Border's gift card, and a gift card to a restaurant and we're finished.

Even with the saving up and careful shopping, I always feel like I've spent too much by the time it's over. And then, I think to myself... I DON'T EVEN CARE! Even if it makes money a bit tight... I'm okay with it. Because I'm not big on keeping up with the birthdays/anniversaries/other special occasions in the lives of those I love. So I figure that once a year, I'm entitled to splurge on those I love to see them happy!

And I don't care one bit what I get in return. (Though I did treat myself as you all know... but I deserve it).

What I care about is...

• my parents will be here for Christmas morning (their first with OC).
• My SIL loves my daughter as if she were her own and spoils her almost as much as the Queen.
• I have 3 nephews who are the sweetest boys in the world.
• My baby sis remembers us even though we only talk about twice a year.
• I only have to drive 30 miles this Christmas (WOOHOO!!)
• Though "budget cuts" have reduced the size of my family, the amount of LOVE in my family has tripled!! **
• Did I mention I spoiled myself at Zales? hehe

There's one more week of hecticness left in the "Workshop" and while the boss is playing hooky/sobering up... it's going to be a MESS!! The weatherman has predicted Reindeer poop by the foot!! So while I'm trying to keep over-excited, unfocused, and down-right lippy adolescent elves focused on their studies so they can grow up to be halfway decent, well-rounded, humans with High School diplomas... I hope the rest of you find some time to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the Shopping Frenzy!

This holiday season I wish you the following...

• Family and friends who matter deeply to you
• Hearts filled with love and caring
• Thankfulness for the things you are able to give as well as for what you recieve
• A heartfelt wish that you have the food, shelter, and loving company that we all so desperately need
• (and maybe something sparkly and pretty under the tree on Christmas morning)

Happy Holidays!!!

** Footnote: In case you aren't "in the loop", I assure you that the "Budget Cuts" have nothing to do with money... we'll chalk it up to "conflict of interest"... I'm interested in raising a well rounded, semi-sane child who is not confused about her moral issues... THEY have seriously deranged morals and hurt their own family members at the first sign of a dispute. My editors tell me we just don't need that kind of drama in this FairyTale production. So we cut a few cast members and the whole scene runs much more smoothly :)

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I've been kidnapped!!

Shh... don't be so loud!! Do you know how hard it is to steal a laptop from Santa's workshop? No... of course you don't... you also don't know what it's like to be force-fed fruit cakes and have Christmas tree ornaments removed from horrible places!

OH THE HUMANITY!!

Here in Santa's workshop, the elves have gone crazy!! I got this stupid toy-painting-elf drunk on egg nog so I could sneak away for a minute. Might wanna have those Christmas toys tested for lead paint... he kinda looks like he might be Chinese!! But seriously... with all the toys Santa has to deliver, it's no surprise he seeks out cheap labor!!

A little secret... Santa has all the "underground" criminals in his back pocket. Seriously... the Columbians are helping him sneak the toys across borders unsuspected, Italian big wigs are keeping him out of the IRS's radar, and I'll just let you guess who taught him how to get in and out of all of our homes undetected.

Anyway... so not the point. Between decorating the North Pole for the BIG DAY and 10,000 trips to town to pick up AA batteries, I'm beat. Not to mention the reindeer stables!! Trust me... if you're on the naughty list... that isn't COAL in your stocking!!

So I'm hoping things will simmer down around here soon so I can get back to my warm, cozy palace. God only knows how many more times I'll be able to dodge the horny elf that's running around with the mistletoe (SICK BASTARD ANYWAY!!)

But I'm dropping a quick note to let you all know that I do love you and miss you and if you find me under your Christmas tree with a tranquilizer dart in my ass will you please call the Queen and let her know when you'll be able to FedEx me home!! Read more ...

Pssst... I was NAUGHTY!

I can't really get into a lot of details... but lets just say that I have inside information via Santa.

Why? Because I performed "special favors".

You don't want the details.

But I peeked in Santa's bag...

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...and this is what I saw.

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...I'm not really sure it was for me.

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...but I snagged it!

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...now all I want from P.C. for Christmas...

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...is money!

*psst*... I love Zales!

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OMG!! I've been MIA!!

so busy... so busy!!

WHERE IS THE ANTIDOTE?!?!?!

Between shopping and a movie date and decorating (my favorite part) I've been sooooo busy!

THERE'S A GUARD.... I'LL SNAP HIS NECK!!

Anyway... I thought I'd give you a heads up on holdiay shopping errors!!

I got 4 new tires put on the chariot Friday. Thank you Sears for a decent deal on tires and a $60 door buster gift card. $450 isn't too bad for 4 tires w/ 75000 mile warranty + Road Hazard Guard + an alignment.

HOWEVER... "ARE YOU HUNGRY?... STARVING!!!"

My advice to you if you're going to take advantage of these holiday auto deals is to get an estimate before hand. Why? If I hadn't reseved my tires on Wednesday, I wouldn't have known they were trying to overcharge me.

Prices on Wednesday...
tires 87.99 each
valve stems 2.99 each
Road Hazard Guard 7.60 per tire

Prices at checkout on Friday...
tires 87.99 each (BUT THEY ARE ON SALE FRIDAY ONLY!)
valve stems 3.99 each (INTERSTING!)
RHG 9.20 each (EVEN MORE INTERSTING!)

After all the prices were corrected per my complaint and proof on my original estimate...
They tried to overcharge me $50 and change... totally explains why they were giving out $60 gift cards.

I'd like to say it was just a computer glitch... but it's just too convienent for me to accept that. And how many people just pay their bill without thinking about the charges? Oh yes... I guarantee Sears pulled the wool over a few people's eyes on Friday!

So please be careful this holiday season.

Am I mad? Not at all... they fixed the error with no complaints (thought it was a bit time consuming... and even though a difference in pricing by tire size made the tires about $100 more than I expected... it's still a decent deal. I'm not mad. They didn't finish my car in the time they said so I get $5 off my next Sears purchase... even though I had no idea if my car was done on time because I didn't return for pickup for 4 hours.

I still love Sears!!

But seriously... watch your prices... and if you know something big is coming on sale... make sure you're not getting ripped off.

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK!!

HERE'S WHAT WE'LL DO... WE'LL PUT A PIN IN THAT AND STICK IT RIGHT HERE!! Read more ...

Tuesday Tantrums

• I had to go grocery shopping again last night for the 24 hour notice I'd been given on potatoes
• My daughter was still awake when I woke up to go to work.
• We made 2 large bowls of potatoes at 7 AM
• We ran out of butter in the middle of it
• It was freezing cold so I had to wait for the car to warm up
• When I reached the gas station I found out I had a flat tire
• Returned home, finished potatoes, started 'other' car
• Spent 30 or so minutes warming potatoes back up
• Have done nothing else since... except founder on Thanksgiving Dinner :)

And more on the bright side...

• I did not slave over a stove (though the microwave may have given me cancer!)
• I did not wash dishes... I enlisted teenagers to do that chore
• I did get plenty of food
• I will take a plate home to Prince Charming who will also get plenty of food
• I gave all my students study halls to play games and watch movies... because it's a holiday... the last day... and well... I'm just cool like that!!

HAVE A WONDERFUL... HAPPY... TURKEY-BLOATED-COMA-ENDUCING-YUMMY WEEKEND!!

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Holiday Survey

ooh... I love holidays... I'm not sure I can wait until Friday to put up the tree. I keep telling myself that I have a toddler in the house and it will just be better to wait and put it up as Traditional. The idea of yelling at the Ogre Child to not eat the tree is enough to delay the tree til Christmas Eve. She wouldn't mind... right?

So... just for J... I'll participate in the Holiday meme in the hopes that I can keep my rabid holiday spirit at bay for a few more days.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Either... or say... trash bags... dish towels... and in an emergency... walmart bags!
2. Real tree or Fake? Fake... while I truely do appreciate the live Christmas trees I grew up decorating... I must say that they would not look nearly as pretty if I wrapped them in plastic wrap through the holidays. Scratching your head? Well, I'm a barefoot person... I'm also half-nudist and a floor-sitter... while you may believe nothing is as painful as a cedar needle in your foot, I assure you there are much more painful things.
3. When do you put up the tree? While I'd love nothing more than to pop that baby up the week before Halloween... I have this OCD affliction that insist one holiday must pass before you can begin decorating for the next. Therefore... my tree will go up on Friday... after the doorbuster sales have been tackled!
4. When do you take the tree down? January 2nd after I sober up!
5. Do you like eggnog? Never had it
6. Favorite Christmas dinner drink? The Queen's iced-tea... don't ask me why... but no one makes a glass of tea like her.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Hands down... Dad
8. Easiest person to buy for? Hands down... ME... oh wait... MOM!!
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes... I inheritted it from an evil Gorgon. I didn't burn it because I have great childhood memories attached to it. And though I'm not into that religious stuff... I still put it up every year.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Are you serious? Mail... well... at least I buy them... they don't always make it to the mailbox.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't look at Christmas that way... I take it back... I got a baby doll from DNA Provider's mother... when I was 14!! Needless to say, she fell victim to my Goth Fad a few years later... now I think she's pretty cool and I put her out at Halloween!!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Carol... with Polar Express coming in pretty close
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? December 26th... This is the first year that I'll still be shopping December 1st (unless I get super lucky Friday morning)
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I recall... but I have recycled Christmas wrapping paper.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Homemade noodles
16. Lights on the tree? tons... colored.
17. Favorite Christmas song? I Want a Hippopotomus for Christmas... I'm Gettin' Nuffin' For Christmas... and Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer!!
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? It depends on the year and who we're having Christmas with. We have Christmas at our home either Christmas Day or the 26th.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph.... And Randolph the Roo-Tootin' Reindeer!!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A star or a bow!
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Some Christmas Eve... Other's Christmas Day... some on various other days depending on how many Christmas's we have to attend.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The bell ringers... no... worse than that is greedy, unappreciative children.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Red... but all our 'family ornaments' get placed in with the theme regardless of whether they fit.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Goose... but I'll settle for ham.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Everyone else to be happy with their gifts. I don't want for much... though TV, Computer, DVR Recorder, and Sewing Machine are all on my 'down the road' list.
26. Favorite thing about Christmas? My parent's visiting
27. Favorite gift received as a child? so many great gifts... a puppy... rice candy from Hawaii every year... chaps & spurs... my senior ring... my charm bracelets... a million other things that my Mom got me even when we didn't have much.
28. Favorite Christmas decoration in your house? The Christmas ornaments from my childhood.
29. Best store to shop for Christmas gifts? Even though I'm a WalMart girl... last year I got some of the best deals on sale at K-Mart... which is a real shocker considering their usually way more expensive than other places. But I got oversized throws for $5, a King Size comforter for $10, wine glasses BOGO, and $10 off a Wii game.
30. Black Friday shopping...yes or no? Definately... Nothing is more fun than standing in line outside a store in the freezing cold at the butt-ass-crack-of-dawn

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Saturday Suggestion (Part 3)

Ok... here's you assignments for this week:

• Chris - hmmm... this one's hard this week. I think she should write a post about what it's like to have a cyber family (sister, niece, etc.)... lol... is it cool? creepy? normal compared to her real life family? I'm curious... I've considered adopting cyber family members. I'm also considering the possiblility that the DNA Provider may have spawned cyber-children. Now there's a thought for you... anyway... I'm waiting for Chris's response on this before I confess to my cyber-friends that I think they may have been the result of Cyber-Conception!!
• F*W - dang... bloggies are making it hard on me. Since she's confessed her love for "The Last Unicorn" which just so happens to have been one of my favorites as well. I think I'll call on her for a great childhood memory. Funny, sweet, exciting... doesn't matter. Just take a moment to step back in time. What were all your favorites? What's changed most? Whatever suits your fancy!
• J... - ooh... Holiday blogging already? Okay... I'm game (frothing at the mouth for Christmas decorating, but restraining myself for tradition reasons). But I'll endulge in the spirit and ask... Do you have any unusual traditions at the holidays? If so tell us about them... but keep in mind if it's a super cool idea we've never thought of we just might steal it for our own family!! And just in case that doesn't work for you I'll give you an alternate... Christmas Tree Mishaps. Seriously... anyone who hunts for live trees has to have had one of those "uh oh" moments.
• Kelly Dawn - After reading her kids-say-the-darndest-things post, I think she could give us all some advice on how to deal with evil mother-in-laws. Okay... maybe evil is too strong a word... just let us know how you kept from biting your tongue off.
• Baseball Mom - Since she has a busy week ahead of her and is trying to get some gifts made... I'll make it easy. Tell about your best Thanksgiving or Christmas memory ever. What makes it special?... You know everyone loves a good heart-felt holiday tale this time of year!!

Alternative: If you're totally feeling like copping out on your assignment, you can do this one instead (it was hard coming up with them this week).

• Very simply (or elaborate as much as you like)... what will you be 'Giving Thanks' for this holiday season? Whether your list is 1... or 100... it is that time of year.

You know... the one where we all remember that we were supposed to be thankful all year long. Then we overcompensate on gift giving according to how guilty we feel about those we neglected. And then we make a resolution vowing to be better people the next year. Follow that with material items to prove we love people even though we forgot to be thankful for them. Finish the whole mess up by getting so depressed that we pretend we're Irish and just get DRUNK!! Hopefully we sober up in time to hide those Easter Eggs... lol... wait... that may just be how people in my family do it... Hopefully yours isn't as messed up as mine!

Happy Blogging!! Have a Great Holiday!!!

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Saturday Suggestions (Part 2)

Okay... Here's the list of completed assignments for the week:

• Chris wrote her "How To Spoil Your Grandson" and promised to do wonderful loving grandma things with him. It was late, but well worth the wait!!
• Farmer*s Wife totally made me drool with recipes like Bacon Bread and Another Bacon Treat. I think I gained 15 pounds looking at these delicious morsels. Will definately be trying them out.
• J... gave us the Postal Update on her Girl Scouts soldier project and I hope that deal works out wonderfully. It's such a great idea. I'm still looking for the perfect "badge" to award her on that one.
• Kelly Dawn, as I said earlier this week, made me totally drool over her Garage Sale Steals. I've decided I don't hate the cold or the snow in winter, I hate the lack of garage sales!!
• Baseball Mom fill us in on "Cooking With Catcher Dude" and reminded us that our kids really do listen to every word we say... even if we think they don't.
• I have no doubt tt put in her quality family time since she became a Great Grammy this week!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

A+ to all of you for participating... YOU ROCK MY SOCKS!!

(The rest of you are bums! *wink grin*)

Speaking of bum... the remodel... yeah... haven't finished awards. I'll be sure to get right on that after I figure out what I want you all to do this week.

Keep it real!!

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Saturday Suggestions

Ooh... I'm so bad. I haven't done them yet!!


But in my defense, I did make a new "Castle Window" for F*W. (p.s. you were never off the blog roll you just got bumped down by zealous bloggers) ---> You'll notice in her picture "The Last Unicorn"... some cotton... and the classic glass of wine!!


Oh yes... she's spoiled!!

here's a copy for her... so it matches her background!!
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So yeah... I've been real busy with the remodel... trying to get all my weekdays up and working.

I think there's a swimming pool in my daughter's pants that needs to be taken care of. After that, hopefully I'll be able to catch up on my bloggies and set up the suggestions. Stay tuned for your projects..... (this message will self destruct in 10 seconds)


RUN!!! Read more ...

New Layout

See... I do listen to my readers. You see... I'm a big enough headache already... I don't want anyone getting a headache from looking at crazy bright pinks.

So three color schemes later, I came up with a background color that's a little easier on the eyes and still looks nice (at least to me)

I'm still not certain about the overall color scheme. I haven't had time to let the text colors sink in. So if you have a suggestion, feel free to let me know. Meanwhile, I'm going to go find some supper and sit back to enjoy some television for a couple of hours.

HAPPY THURSDAY!!
(promise... I'll get on the reading blogs things soon, I've just been busy!) Read more ...

I'm thinking of Remodeling

I know... I know... again? Yes!!

So I want to know what you think of my new layout idea.

I know it's blurry. Such is my luck. But I think you can get the general idea. Let me know what you think?

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Saturday Suggestions UPDATE!!

Seems like the bloggies are on a roll! Here's the Saturday Suggestions that have been handed in already!!

1. Kelly Dawn told us about her Garage Sale Deals. And even without pics I'm sooooo jealous! "Hi. My name is Princess and I'm a bargain junkie!!"
2. J... has updated us on her Girl Scout's Care Packages by giving us the 4-1-1 on their field trip! That is so fabulous! I think she deserves a Girl Scout badge of some sort, I'll have to do some looking around.
3. F*W gave a Faboulous Bread Recipe with 5 easy ingrediants. That so qualifies as Princess-Can-Cook-It material!! It looks delicious!!

For those of you who haven't completed your Saturday Suggestions, you have until the end of the week!! Keep up the awesome blogging!!

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So F*W doesn't cry

She throws a tantrum, screams and cries, tells my Mom, hates it when I don't play along.
So here goes nothing.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Of course, I was named after my cousin and a friend of my Mom's. If I had been a boy they'd have named me Reuben Thomas. Thank goodness for XX Chromosomes!!
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? The magic hankie says it was probably when they put the horses down, but it lies sometimes.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Sometimes. If I'm trying to be neat and Princessy it isn't bad, but then I see someone with beautiful handwriting and I think mine stinks. Othertimes, I have no doubt the child got her Ogrism from me and it is evident in my handwriting!
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Salami with Roast Beef coming in a close second!
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Have you not been paying attention? The gorgeously deceptive Ogre Child... and her father Prince Charming. That's plenty for now... though I think the Queen expects to get a whole litter out of me!!
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Absolutely not. Seriously, I'm an odd duck. I eat black olives and creamy Italian dressing. I dip French Fries in chocolate Frostie. I put peanut butter on (you may gag here) dill pickles! I color coordinate my crayons. I insist t-shirts and hand towels be folded in thirds. And I ramble on abotu the stupidest things you can imagine! I would take one look at me, say "FREAK!" and run screaming in the other direction! I won't be offended if you do the same!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Never... it's against my religion to be sarcastic. My psychic keeps telling me that if I use sarcasm I'm bound to be tied up by my pinkie toes and tickled with an ostrich feather in the afterlife. Since I always listen to her advice, I make a point of never being sarcastic!!
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes... and my adnoids, appendix, gall bladder, and most of my brain. I've considered the organ-donation weight loss program though! do you know how much a kidney weighs?
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Yes... but only if you blindfold me until I get to the top and have the rope already hooked up. At that point it's just a simple procedure of telling me there is a chocolate bar at the bottom while you point a gun at me. That would definately get me to Bungee Jump... no chocolate? Just shoot me!!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Toss up between hot oatmeal and Life (probably because I need to get one!)
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? You really need to call a psychic. All psychics will tell you that shoelaces are from the devil. I only own one pair of shoes with laces (okay, I own two but don't tell Lady Willow because she doesn't know... wait... she's Psychic!!... CRAP!!) Anyway... I try to avoid wearing those shoes with the dreaded laces... but when I do wear them, I attempt to remove them without untying them. Who wants to grab wet, mushy, muddy laces anyway?
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Stronger than many, weaker than some. Physically though, it's a good thing I was granted a strong temper and a big mouth because I'm a twig compared to some of the people who might consider "taking me". Big mouths are deceptive though... or maybe it's the loud voice that indicates if I scream they will hear it for 15 blocks.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Half Baked... no, I'm not a pot-head. I just love the idea of ice cream, chocolate brownie chunks and cookie dough all wrapped up into a tasty hip-bulging treat!! Raspberry sherbert takes a close second, but it's not ice cream!
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Physical appearances don't matter much. I go straight for that sense of humor. Because if you're going to get along with me for more than 15 minutes, you'll definately need one!
15. RED OR PINK? Totally into the RED thing. I have a cute red dress, a red pair of jeans, my living room is red, the last piece of art I made was mostly red. Yep... despite my love for pink blogs and princessy things... in real life, I'm all about the red!!
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I'm going with F*W on this... I tend to be impatient and I have a flaming temper. And once I'm worked up... I'm a total B****! It's not pretty!
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST. Why Mom & Dad of course. I like having them around. Of course there is time limit and we definately need a buffer zone between our homes, but I don't think we need a 6 hour buffer zone. I'd be happy with about an hour... maybe 30 minutes... just far enough to have to call before they stop by! LOL
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Everyone? Heck no... like I want a flood I can't handle!
19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Flesh... that's a color right? Okay... you got it... no shoes... barefoot in pajamas. What did you expect? It's Saturday!!
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Oatmeal... sounded good for supper last night and yes it was... but now I'm out and it's sad!!
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW ? Steel Magnolias on the television and Ogre Babbles in the livingroom.
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Red... definately red!!
23. FAVORITE SMELLS ? Rain, Clean Linens (line dried preferably), and Alfalfa
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? The Boss... that's a miracle because the answer is usually the Queen, but the Boss called last night to ask about a website. Just a fluke!
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Well of course... why else would I be sitting here on question 25 right now? It's all to make her smile. And entertain myself in a moment of boredom. But mostly to make her smile.
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? I once saw a very exciting game of Soccer. Sorry, not a sprots buff. Seeing a NASCAR race in RL is pretty neat (especially when the whole crowd flips a driver off when his name is announced!) - Thanks Queen!
27. HAIR COLOR? I still have some. It's brown. But I it's been every color of the rainbow except green (it's even been green if you count the St. Patrick's Day evening I smeared glow in the dark goop from a bar button all over my head!... Note to self... it takes 5 times of washing your hair to get that smell out of it!!)
28. EYE COLOR? Sperm-donor Blue. Go ahead... laugh! But I'd say it's a pretty fascinating feat considering blue eyes are a recessive trait and all six of us have different mothers and yet all got the exact same color of blue eyes!
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Glasses or contacts. A product of blind-as-a-bat-itis. If you're curious as to how blind... I can't read the E on the eye chart! And even with the most expensive poly-thinning on my lenses... they're still bulletproof! Be jealous!
30. FAVORITE FOOD ? Anything Italian... or Mexican... or Greek... mmmmmmm Greek... I think a trip to Sioux City is in order (Horizon's Family Restaurant used to have a fabulous Greek dish that I could totally founder on).
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Ooh... I'm the hard core Scary girl, but when it comes to the all time faves, I'm still a sucker for a sappy, make-you-bawl, chick flick. The Notebook... The Lakehouse... Steel Magnolias (remember... it's on TV right now... TNT if you're curious!)
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED ? All the way through? No clue... did I mention Steel Magnolias is on right now? And later tonight I'll be watching a couple of scary movies a student loaned me (The Cave, and The Descent)
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING. Cream... with a sexy picture of Marilyn Monroe on it. And Marilyn written acrossed it in pale pink. It's very sexy, chic, vintage. And the tight fit means I can't wear it outside without clearly indicating the chilly temperature!
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer... until it gets here and the 104 degree temps have driven me inside to sweat away 15 pounds. Then I'll be begging for winter. I'd really just prefer it if someone would put a thermostat on the weather. Then I could turn it down enough to get snow for Christmas... turn it up enough to get a slight tan in the Summer... and stay perfectly comfortable the rest of the year. While you're at it, you need to install a programable timer for the sprinkler system because I really hate that it only rains on days when I need to fill up the gas tank! Whatever happened to full service gas stations because I'm telling you, there are days I'd pay extra for someone else to stand out in this cold, wet, windy crap!
35. HUGS OR KISSES? I'm all about Hugs... Ogre Child kisses... as cute as they are... are often sloppy, sticky, or otherwise gag-me-gross!
36. FAVORITE DESSERT ? Sherbert. I'm dying to treat myself to a little Champagne and Sherbert. Other than that, I like Banana Splits, a good cheesecake, and Half-Baked Ice cream!
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? If I'd have known you were going to ask me this, I'd have called my psychic first. Geeze! What do you think I pay her for?
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND. See above. F*W because she already did it!
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW ? Currently, I'm typing... but my current reading list includes: The Art of Happiness (living room reading); The Traveler's Gift (for my English class); Thank You For All Things (Bathtub reading); You Don't Know Me (reading at work); A Dean Koontz book I borrowed (bedside reading). And before you ask... no, I have no trouble keeping the stories seperate, but it does take much longer to finish a book when you only read it in one setting.
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? My cable/internet company. It's the only service they do give us for free.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT. Let me refer to the Neilson's Rating survey... Looks like we watched some family comedies in the afternoon... Weeds... House... more House... and The Science Channel. Gee... we're exciting!
42. FAVORITE SOUND. Ogre Child's endless vocab of new words. The newest is "baa-gle" and "goo-grrl". Don't speak Ogre? No problem. Last night she accidentally broke a plastic ruler. She sat on the chair holding the pieces saying "baa-gle, baa-gle, baa-gle, baa-gle, baa-gle, baa-gle." When I stopped laughing enough that I could breathe, I said... "it's okay honey... it was an accident." To which she smiled and said "goo-grrl, goo-grrl, goo-grrl, goo-grrl, goo-grrl!" while wiggling in the chair!! *peed*
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Neither... thank you very much! *vomits*
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME??? Michigan! Followed by Utah!
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Art, music, various other creative skills that you definately don't want to hear about!! LOL... just kidding, we don't do anything that creative... we have a toddler!!
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? A tiny hospital in a little village just south of a big hill from which you can see the edge of nowhere. And I'm not joking in the slightest!
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Why everyone of course... because I need to collect more information so I can decide who I'm going to cyberstalk!! Hey... everyone else is doing it... I want to stalk someone too!!

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Here Is My Protest

WARNING: THIS POST MAY OFFEND and I don't care!!
Brought to my attention by Pink Asparagus - Thank you!!

I'm not the stand-out-in-the-cold-and-burn-my-bra type. However, I must say this:

CALIFORNIA'S PROP 8 IS A RIDICULOUS BACKWOODS HOMOPHOBIC HILLBILLY LAW

First and foremost let me say that I am NOT a HOMOSEXUAL, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, SWINGER, or otherwise sexually curious individual!! I NEVER HAVE BEEN!! And to my knowledge I do not know anyone in my life who is!!

HOWEVER, I am also NOT a SIMPLE-MINDED, BUCK-TOOTHED, LIVING IN THE STONE AGE, BIGOT!!

I just don't get the point in being homophobic!

1. I do not believe that allowing same sex marriage somehow endangers the sanctity of traditional marriage. I personally believe that the "sanctity" of traditional marriage seems to do a fine job of falling apart without any outside help. And I've never met a divorcee who said, "If it weren't for gay people my marriage would have lasted!" Marriage fails because of lack of proper communication and personal differences. Unless you've got some scientific evidence that proves homosexuals cannot communicate properly, don't try to tell me their marriages would be less successful!
2. If you don't approve of gay marriage/civil union there is a very simple cure. DON'T DO IT! I don't approve of eating dogs... I DON'T DO IT!
3. Dear Government, laws like this should never even make it to the polls. If you honor the concept of CHURCH vs. STATE and take the religious opinions out of the arguement, there is no scientific or moral conflict involved here. To say that this is socially immoral (as opposed to religiously immoral) is obsurd. If we are going to vote on any discriminatory policy suggested in this country, I know some people who wouldn't mind seeing SLAVERY put back up for a vote (and I believe in some backwoods areas of this country it would pass). I know some men who wouldn't mind seeing women's right to vote reconsidered. If religious preferences are going to control this country, I'd like to see the churches paying their fair share of taxes. That'd definately help out iwth the nations financial crisis!!

For those of you out there who believe that this type of thing is unacceptable, let me pull out the history books:

• In England in the 13th century it was unlawful for a woman to marry before the age of 24.
• In the past there have been various laws against marrying people from different sects (financial, racial, tribal, religious, etc.)
• Until Loving vs. Virginia in 1967, interracial marriages were illegal in the U.S.
• Polygomy was once legal in the U.S.
• In Ancient Rome (one of the most successful realms of the past) homosexuality was accepted.

So if you insist on desciminating against other's relationships by revoking freedoms that have been granted, please consider whether you or anyone you love has done the following:

• married before the age of 24
• married someone of another religion
• married someone of another race
• married someone from another financial status
• Then check your family tree and make sure that no one of "royal" heritage has married someone of "non-royal" heritage.

Considering that all of these things were once frowned upon (or downright illegal), if any are true for you or your family, you really ought to put your personal opinions aside and think very carefully on how much you want the government to control who you are allowed to love!!

GET OVER IT!!

Everyone has a right to have their LOVE for another person ACKNOWLEDGED!!

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Suggestion Saturday

Last week's Suggestions Saturday was somewhat of a hit. In other words, those of you who did it completed your assignments while complaining less than my students do seemed to enjoy it.

So let's send out the bloggie report cards (sorry, you don't get the benefit of confidentiality).

• Chris - was excused and get's an extension on her assignment due to family circumstances. Please send her love and prayers.
• F*W - A+ for completing her Gremlin assignment with minimal complaints
• J... - A+ and BONUS points for completing both her own assignment, but also completing the happiness assignment.
• Kelly Dawn - B because while she did not complete the Happiness Lesson, she did do Thankful Thursday which is along the same lines and deserves to be mentioned.
• T.T. - A+ for completing the Happiness Lesson.
• Baseball Mom - A+ for completing the Happiness Lesson.
• The Queen - A for completing the Happiness Lesson (in an incomplete form).
• kcinnova - F*W - The Queen & T.T. All get BONUS points for sending good wishes to Tink who just got married!!
• Fairy Flutters & Prohomaker - both have D- for failure to complete their assignments!! Goofy fools probably broke into F*W's wine cellar and drank 'til they forgot!! But being the generous person I am, I'll give them another chance to sober up before I totally fail them :)

Now for this weeks assignments:

• Chris - Fairy Flutters & Prohomaker are to complete last week's assignment.
• F*W - Since she whined, complained, wimpered, b!#@&ed, suggested that she was great with the recipes, I think she needs to give me something really tasty. Of course it's not that easy because I'm kitchen-challenged. Therefor, it must have minimal ingrediants and require minimal time. I'm all about things like Easy Peasy Meatloaf. Remember, I barely know what that box with the burny things is for... so keep it simple!
• J... - Is doing a wonderful thing with her kiddo's. So I want to hear how the Care Package Project is coming along!!
• Kelly Dawn - is off to hit the bargain yard sales. I'm a total sale junky so I want to hear about any deals she stumbled on today or her best finds yard saling in the past. Bonus for pictures that make us jealous!!
• T.T. is on "vacation" so I'm giving her a really easy assignment that doesn't require blogging. Her job is to spend some quality time with Lovee and leave a comment.
• The Queen has been busy busy. Do to extinuating circumstances, she is absent from class and is excused from assignments until further notice.
• Baseball Mom is new and I don't know her very well, so I'll let her have her pick. She can either tell us what fun things she has done with the young 'ens or a humorous story about trying to deal with medical conditions or doctors.
• Everyone else can post a funny story or joke. WARNING: Participation will mean you are included in next weeks assignment!!

------------------------------------------

That being said, I feel a need to complete some assignments from my own bloggies. So stay tuned for those!

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Once Again!!

I know, how can I possible not blog for 2 whole days? Well... I do have a blog for today, but I also have an eye appointment. The pending thoughts will definately depend on how long my appointment takes and what kind of mood I'm in afterwards.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!

You know the deal. If not... click the picture for the original post.


<a href="http://onemorefairytale.blogspot.com/2008/10/join-poets-society.html"><br /><br /><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i69/elocin80/POETS.jpg" align="center" /> </a>

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For Mom

(and anyone else who needs it)

Those are definately words to live by!!

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Handing Out Some Early Awards!! UPDATED FOR TT

Why wait all week right? I mean... what if something comes up? What if you totally forget you deserve an award? Have no fear, here are the early awards for those who have finished their Saturday Suggestions!!

For Farmer*s Wife's wonderful skills at cleaning up after those nasty gremlins!!











For J...'s wonderful Snow Day Activities (which also involved staying warm)










And for anyone who has completed the Happiness Lesson!!










Instructions:

1. Right click image and save to computer.
2. Go to Layout in blogger and add element.
3. You're adding a picture so click that.
4. Use the browse option to find the picture you saved in step 1.
5. After the picture loads, SAVE!!
6. Then you can use the layout area to move it where you want it on your blog.

Tadaaa... you did it!

Let me know if you need more help than that & I'll see what I can do.

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Thanks

A BIG THANK YOU to kcinova for a wonderful award.

Glad I could help brighten your day!!

So what did I do on my day off?

1. Slept 'til noon!!
2. Made blog awards.
3. Sorted and packed up all laundry.
4. Prince Charming loaded car to the hilt.
5. Ate at Chili's
6. Picked up laundry soap at Walgreen's
7. Spend 2.5 hours in a laundry mat.
8. 8 loads of laundry later, I found out I forgot to wash a load (tohellwithit!)
9. Reload the car
10. Grab pizza (yes, bi-polar appetites)
11. Pre-purchase tickets to see Twilight on the 21st!!
12. Grab some things from Target
13. Finally home 5 hours later
14. Log on to see I got a blog award (WOOHOO! Almost makes up for that forgotten load of laundry!)

Now I'm going to kick back and relax!!

Have a wonderful evening!!

On a side note: My 8 loads of laundry would have been about 12 loads at our facility washers. They would have cost me $20 and 9 hours of time. Plus the exhaustion of walking a block each waytwice per load. Doing them in town cost me $17 plus gas and only 2.5 hours!! WOOHOO!!

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Suggestion Saturday!!

You know what... it's hard coming up with something to post about sometimes. So I thought I'd spice up things with a little contest. I'll go through my blogroll and make a suggestion for some of you to post about! Anyone who posts about their suggested topic in the next week will get an award!!

• Chris - Since darling Aunt Chris will soon be a Grandma (and it's finally sinking in) I think she should post a "How To Spoil Your Grandson" post.
• F*W is having Gremlin problems. So... since I have no doubt she's a miracle worker when it comes to the Susy Homemaker crap... I want a "How To Wrangle the Gremlins Without Breaking a Sweat" post.
• Fairy Flutters is home alone while the MAN is out bringing home the bacon... I should say venison. And since we might be getting ourselves some tasty Bambi this year, I'm requestion "Venison Recipes" from FF. (No need to get fancy, I'm Kitchen-Challenged Dear!!)
• J... darling is snowed in and her plans have all gone to the dogs. So, with winter creeping up on all of us, I think she should be the first to provide us with a few "Snowy Day Activities" to entertain us and get us through the Winter Blues.
• Prohomaker - I actually know what I want from this one and it's solely based on personal selfishness! I've been trying to put together a chore schedule. One that amounts to a few daily chores and rotating some major household chores. Busy Mom's cannot come home and spend the entire evening cleaning. So please!! Enlighten us!!
• And not to leave anyone out. Kelly Dawn, The Queen, and some others (T.T.) are just having some general stress in their lives. So I'm going to pull out the old "Happiness Lessons" from my English class. You assignment is to list the following: a) 5 Things I'm Grateful I'm NOT... b) 5 Things I'm Thankful I Am... c) 5 Things I Will Do To Make Someone Else Happy This Week... and most importantly d) 5 Things I Will Do To Make ME Happy This Week!! (FYI: When I do this exercise with students it's almost an instant mood booster and we all need a little "pick me up" from time to time.)
• And for all of you who didn't get named in person, try the Happiness Lesson because it's worth it!!

Let me know if and when you complete your assignment and I'll link this post to your completed project!! (Plus I'll bump the post so everyone knows you did it!!) Awards will be posted at the end of the week.

• My Happiness Lesson
• TT's Happiness Lesson
• J...'s Snowy Day Activities
• F*W's How To Wrestle Gremlins Without Breaking a Sweat
• Baseball Mom's Happiness Lesson

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!!!!!

And on a side note, there is a blogger who cannot accept an assignment at this time... Why?

BECAUSE SHE'S GETTING MARRIED TODAY!!!

So you all need to go give the lovely Bride a bunch of hugs and love!!

CONGRATULATIONS TINK!!!

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