Holy Stockings, Batman!

That is what I deal with every week. I'm not sure how many are usually in the pile, but it's my job to sort and pair them with their respective mates. I had about 8 unmated socks in this load. About once a month or so I go into each child's sock drawer and pair up the singles.

This is my life.

Sock sorter and pairer.

Just another job in a long list of things I do for these wonderful people with whom I live.

(I got a degree for this?!?)

I Am Thankful For...

This is what Lillian's 3 year-old preschool class had to say about what they're thankful for this year. Priceless.

Talley: hayrides, Mr. Mark, chocolate

Madison: butter (amen, sister!), Abbie, pretzels, cookies, Daddy and Momma (wonder how Momma feels about being one-upped by butter?!?!)

Nelson: Nana's cat Bob, my puppet show, Haley (she's in Heaven), my house, my dragon, my bathtub and lions (What, no butter?)

Caleb: Chocolate (Lillian needs to marry this boy. He knows a good thing when he sees it! Well, maybe not... if he's thankful for MILK chocolate, someone else can have him.)

Kaplan: Scout, my pup, my Momma, Daddy, my best brothers

Ben: leaves, pretzels too, a house, my bed

Samuel: my sister, Mommy and my Daddy

Ava: Daddy, my Mommy too, monkeys (someone's recently visited the zoo, I guess...)

Anna: my Mommy and Daddy, Luke and Sara

And then there's Lillian. I had to laugh.

Lillian: Annabelle (our cat), Oliver (another cat), Beeson (yet another feline), Quinn, Daddy, Mommy (oh, there I am!), cookies (whew, I made it in just before cookies!), Nana, Camryn, Aiden, scarecrows, rainbows. And toys. (Something tells me she was looking around the classroom to come up with scarecrows and rainbows. Hey, isn't that in that Julie Andrews song? "Raindrops on rainbows and fresh apple scarecrows? These are a few of my favorite things"? Isn't that how it goes?!?)

Along those same lines, I need to catch up with a blog challenge that my friend Sherry issued at the beginning of November. I'm only 3 weeks behind, but better late than never, eh? (That EH is a shout out to my Canadian friends Cyn and Lee!)

So, here's my list. Twenty-two things for which I am grateful. In no particular order.

(1) A warm garage. I'd hate to have to warm up the car and scrape ice in the mornings. More sleep for me!

(2) These socks I got from Bath & Body Works. They have no-slip circles on the bottom and they're super soft. I have red, pink and green. Toasty tootsies!

(3) Bath bombs from Basin. I stock up every time we go to Disney World, but you can order them online.

(4) My iPod. Greatest invention EVAH.

(5) My husband (I did say these were in no particular order... he and the kids would be at the top, of course!) I have a hardworking, big hearted, slow to anger, patient, loving husband that spoils me rotten. He's too good to me.

(6) My children. They play well together, they don't need me to entertain them constantly, they are good about getting homework done, they appreciate me and compliment and edify me every day. They are angels on earth and I know God sent them to me for a reason. They totally ROCK.

(7) My parents. They're always willing to keep the kids for us, and they don't just babysit. They engage the kids in activities and take them places. They truly enjoy being with the kids, not just simply having the kids in their presence. They were awesome parents, but they're even better grandparents. They raised me to be who I am and I am so grateful for their guidance, their praise, their leadership, their friendship and their love. They totally ROCK, too!

(8) This blog. I'm glad I started blogging. I do it for me (it helps when it's time to add a story to a scrapbook page!), but it's nice that y'all are along for the ride, too.

(9) Friends, both "real life" ones and Internet ones. I don't interact with either often enough, but just knowing they're there and will be there when I need them is a huge comfort.

(10) Our new church. We started going to a non-denominational church this summer, and I've experienced such spiritual growth since then. I'm grateful we found it and started attending. It's been an oasis in the middle of a huge desert.

(11) The kids' schools and their teachers. Every person that teaches one of my children truly has the kids' best interest at heart. Each one of these men and women actually seeks to know my children almost as well as I do. They love and teach my kids in my absence, and I'm so thankful for each one of them, their influence in my childrens' lives and the way they're molding and shaping my children to be good learners, full of wisdom about things of this earth and Heavenly matters.

(12) My husband's job. He's busier than ever, which, in this economy, is a wonder.

(13) Dave Ramsey. This man and his desire to help people get out of debt have changed our lives for the better. If all goes according to plan, we'll be completely debt free (house and all!) in just a little over 4 years. I'm giddy thinking about all the people we can help with the income we've been blessed with. Can't wait to pay that final mortgage payment! (If you're interested, you can buy Dave's Total Money Makeover book right now for $10. That's an awesome deal!)

(14) Scrapbooking. I love this "hobby". I have a passion for it. It feeds the need I have to be creative while letting me share my heart on paper. I hope my children cherish these books for the rest of their lives.

(15) To Do Lists. I make them every day and they really keep me motivated. Today's list: clean out the cups & glasses in the kitchen cabinet, clean out the upper snack pantry cabinet, bag clothes to go to Goodwill, laundry (always laundry!) and dishes (always dishes!)

(16) Books. I love books. I love the escape they provide.

(17) Movies. (See books!)

(18) A comfy bed. We have had a Tempurpedic for about 4 years, and I can honestly say I've never slept better. It was worth every last penny.

(19) Starbucks hot chocolate. I'm not a coffee drinker, so I didn't ever see the need to try anything at Starbucks. But I've been treating my daughter's 5th grade teacher to her favorite Starbucks coffees this year, and I've discovered their (sinfully delicious and outrageously expensive) hazelnut hot chocolate. It's heaven in a cup.

(20) My sister's friends. My sister has been going through some rough stuff lately, and I haven't been able to comfort her. Knowing she has great friends around her right now has eased my worry, so I'm thankful for Val and Holly and Trey and all the angels that have rallied around my sweet sister to help heal her broken heart.

(21) Massages. It's not that often that I get one, but when I do get one I feel awesome for days. I need to schedule a monthly rub down, but life is Busy with a capital B and my shoulders feel it!

(22) The $4 car wash place. I love that place. They do a fantastic job getting the Monorail clean, plus they offer FREE vacuuming! I love a clean car, and I love that I can get the van all sparkly for just $4!

Friday Fill Ins

1. The last band I saw live was Jordan Pruitt and KSM. They were touring with the Gymnastics Superstars show that I took Camryn to see last month.

2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is the Macy's parade, cornbread dressing and cranberry sauce.

3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is almost done!

4. Thoughts of the Eagles fill my head. I'm waiting for tickets to go on sale at 10 am. They're not as expensive as I thought they were, so I'm hoping to score a pair in a few minutes!

5. I wish I could wear sleeveless tops. I have bad arms.

6. Bagpipes remind me of my father-in-law's funeral.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm doing nothing. Looking forward to tomorrow my plans include household chores and church and Sunday, I want to try to take the kids to the mall to get pictures with Santa.

Getting to Know Me...Christmas Edition

My friend Kesa sent me this in an e-mail today. Free Blog Fodder! I love it!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper. Gift bags are no fun. There's no paper to rip with gift bags!

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. Real ones scare me. The tree we got at our Christmas shower right before our January 1996 wedding saw its last Christmas in 2007. The hubby wanted to buy one after Christmas, but we never did. Now we're looking for a 7.5' pre-lit tree that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. It's unbelieveable what people want for fake trees! Guess we'll be waiting until the 26th to buy a new tree. In the interim we have an unlit one that we got from my parents... it'll do!

3. When do you put up the tree? Well, they're up right now, but they won't be decorated until next week. The kids get excited and want the decorations up lickity split, but I'm a slow decorator. It's still too early to get everything out.

4. When do you take the tree down? December 25th or 26th. Last year it was the night of the 25th.

5. Do you like eggnog? Blech. No.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Big Wheel and the Playdoh barber shop set.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My mom and my sister.

8. Easiest person to buy for? The kids, because they want whatever comes on TV.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, a wooden one that's kid-friendly, but it didn't get put away with the decorations last year. I've been finding pieces of it around the house all year long. Who knows if we'll have a complete nativity... it might just be Mary and a couple of sheep.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Last year. A sheer red and white cape like shirt with sequins on it. It's in the playroom right now. The girls use it as a skirt when they play dress up.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! The cat food in the Jello is classic.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? We did the kids' shopping last month. I got a bunch of stuff today and have placed about 10 orders online in the past 2-3 days. I'm almost done! Only teacher gifts remain, and they're going to be edible, so I'll have to wait to make those.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No comment.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Hmm.... fudge? My mom used to make fudge and divinity every year. I haven't had divinity in a long time. Maybe I'll make some this year.

16. Lights on the tree? Lots of them! And they have to be white. The kids prefer colors, but I love the clear bulbs.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Blue Christmas by Elvis

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Stay at Home!!!

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeers? Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen (I had to sing the song...)

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We have 3 trees and I know an angel goes on the big one. I think there is a star on the kids' homemade ornament tree and a big ribbon on the Hallmark tree.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning, but we do a special Christmas Eve gift (it's always their Christmas jammies, but it's a tradition my mom started when I was a kid and one I want my kids to continue...)

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? When retailers start putting Christmas stuff out way too early and the radio stations start playing Christmas music 24/7 before Thanksgiving (like 2 of the stations are now!) I love Christmas, but I want to have Thanksgiving before I start working on Christmas.

23. What theme or color are you using? I don't really have a color theme.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? We have Taco Soup for Christmas Eve and just have snacks and appetizers on Christmas Day. That usually includes some sausage balls, which my mom usually makes. Yum!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? tickets to see the Eagles on January 19th, but unless I win them myself, I won't be getting them. A pair of mid-range seats costs $700. Eek!

Laughter

"God created laughter to lift our spirits, lighten our loads, heal our bodies and provide a temporary reprieve from our chaotic lives." - Tina Krause

Amen. Amen and amen. You can't tell me the God that created the platypus doesn't like a good chuckle!

I'm so grateful for the gift of laughter. I think with out a good chuckle several times a day I would be a mad woman. I'm so thankful that God gave me a sense of humor and placed funny people in my life (and that He gave me funny children and a wicked funny husband!)

I.LOVE.FUNNY!

Leave me your funniest joke in the comments section. I need some good laughs today!

It Has Started

Camryn LOVES Christmas. She came through the door from the garage last night all excited to tell me that the local radio station was playing Christmas music. That inspired her to start the decoration process this morning. She rooted around in the basement and found a few things to make her room look festive.

I'm not ready for this yet.

Friday Fill Ins

1. Please feel free to send me money. Really. I won't send it back. I promise.

2. When I make coffee or stop by Starbucks for my daughter's teacher, I can't help sniffing it occasionally. I don't drink coffee, but I LOVE the smell of it.

3. My favorite thing to cook is homemade macaroni and cheese or mashed potatoes from scratch.

4. Affirmation is something I can't get enough of.

5. That's the thing I love most about my children. They're always affirming me even when they don't know it.

6. My Big Redneck Wedding always makes me think to myself, what the heck?

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing NOTHING but sitting on the couch and going to bed early. Tomorrow my plans include maybe watching the Auburn/UGA game (if I can find the courage) and going to church in the evening. Sunday, I want to go to Quinn's birthday party, then come home and work on some stuff in my office.

She's On a Roll....

Know what that is?

A roll from Ryan's restaurant, you say?

Well, that would be the obvious choice.

But you're wrong. Dead wrong.

To find out what that *really* is you need to ask a 4 year-old.

Let's do that. Let's do that right now.

Here's a 4 year-old. Let's ask her.



"Lillian, what is that in the picture above?"

"Hmmm..... (giggle, giggle, snicker, laugh, snort).... hmmmm.... mmmm... (snicker, snort)..."

"It's a (snicker, snicker, giggle) it's a.... (giggle, laugh, snicker...) it's a....

BOOTIE BUN!"

"Ah, of course. How could I NOT have seen that?!?"

CRACK me up.

(Get it? CRACK?!?!? Bwa ha ha ha ha! Where *DID* she get her sense of humor?!?)

A good chuckle

Every now and again I read a great joke that really makes me laugh out loud. Here are two.

I got the first one here. I apologize that it's written in all caps. Get over it. ; )

THREE WOMEN,TWO YOUNGER AND ONE SENIOR CITIZEN, WERE SITTING NAKED IN A SAUNA. SUDDENLY THERE WAS A BEEPING SOUND.

THE YOUNG WOMAN PRESSED HER FOREARM AND THE BEEP STOPPED.

THE OTHERS LOOKED AT HER QUESTIONINGLY.

'THAT WAS MY PAGER, SHE SAID. I HAVE A MICROCHIP UNDER THE SKIN OF MY ARM.'

A FEW MINUTES LATER, A PHONE RANG.

THE SECOND YOUNG WOMAN LIFTED HER PALM TO HER EAR. WHEN SHE FINISHED ,SHE EXPLAINED, 'THAT WAS MY MOBILE PHONE ,I HAVE A MICROCHIP IN MY HAND.'

THE OLDER WOMAN FELT VERY LOW-TECH. NOT TO BE OUT DONE, SHE DECIDED SHE HAD TO DO SOMETHING JUST AS IMPRESSIVE. SHE STEPPED OUT OF THE SAUNA AND WENT TO THE BATHROOM.

SHE RETURNED WITH A PIECE OF TOILET PAPER HANGING FROM HER REAR END.

THE OTHERS RAISED THEIR EYEBROWS AND STARED AT HER.

THE OLDER WOMAN FINALLY SAID........ 'WELL, WILL YOU LOOK AT THAT... I'M GETTING A FAX!'

And here's another I got from my friend Holley. I could just picture Holley telling this one, which is part of the reason I laughed so hard when I read it, but it's still funny if'n you don't know Holley.

One day God was looking down at Earth and saw all of the rascally behavior that was going on. So he called one of His angels and sent the angel to Earth for a time.

When he returned, he told God, 'Yes, it is bad on Earth; 95% are misbehaving and only 5% are not.

God thought for a moment and said, 'Maybe I had better send down a second angel to get another opinion.'

So God called another angel and sent him to Earth for a time.

When the angel returned he went to God and said, 'Yes, it's true.The Earth is in decline; 95% are misbehaving, but 5% are being good.'

God was not pleased. So He decided to e-mail the 5% that were good, because he wanted to encourage them, and give them a little something to help them keep going.

Do you know what the e-mail said?

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Okay, I was just wondering, because I didn't get one either.

My Lillian

I've been saving these two videos of Lillian. I figured I'd put them on the blog one day, so since I'm low on blog fodder today, you get to watch two very adorable videos of my youngest. She's like the sun with a clown hat on it. Love this kid.

This one was taken in the spring. She goes through spurts where she adopts a catchphrase or discovers that she can make a certain noise and then uses it ad nauseum. Charming. Below are two examples of her performing her schtick for the camera.

"Dude, You're AWESOME!"

(She also tries to remember a story she had told me at bedtime the night before about the family she used to live with before she moved in with us. Dad was Nosepicker, mom was Sharkrollers and her siblings were John and Sarah. They were awfully mean to her, so she came to live with us. She was half asleep when she told the story. She came directly from my womb, so I have no idea from where this story originates.)



and

"Break it down now, break it down now
Putcha putcha putcha ouuuuuut.
WORD."



ENJOY. I sure do. Every day.

Paid Clicks

I do several programs that help earn small amounts of spending money. Three of these programs pay me for just clicking on stuff. It takes about 10 minutes out of my day, and it does take awhile to get enough to cash out, but it's worth it. It probably adds up to $100-$115 a year just for clicking.

The first program I use is Send Earnings. They send me e-mails with clickable links in them. You can take advantage of some of the offers and earn more money (I ordered my Entertainment book through them and made $8). Mostly I just click their links, though (some of the things that come up after you click on the email link say "Click here for confirmation of reading this email". Make sure you click that. It's usually under the picture in black writing.) You can also play games, do surveys and shop through their program to earn money.

Click here to sign up for Send Earnings:



The next program I use is called InboxDollars. It's exactly like Send Earnings.

Click here to sign up for InboxDollars:



With both Send Earnings and InboxDollars you have to have $30 in your account before cashing out. It takes a long time, but keep clicking. It grows. You get $5 for each when you sign up.

The 3rd program I use is QuickRewards. They pay whenever you request it. There is not a minimum cashout, and they pay through PayPal or gift cards (it's your choice). I usually wait until I have at least $10 to cash out.

With Quick Rewards you can earn money by clicking on their daily emails, clicking their daily offer links, doing surveys, answering their daily trivia question and shopping. Lots of ways to earn money there.

Click here to sign up for Quick Rewards:

3 Things

(1) I found a prize in my Corn Pops box this morning! It's been a long, dry season when it comes to finding prizes in cereal boxes. I don't remember the last time I found a goody in there. When did manufacturers quit giving out prizes packed beneath their sugary nuggets of deliciousness? I miss that. I felt like a giddy child when my step counter fell into the bowl this morning. Woo hoo!

(2) I love Karen Carpenter. I have some of the Carpenters' music on my iPod and one of their songs just played. Yesterday Once More. A classic. Every sha la la la, every whoa oh oh still shines.

(3) Today is my Quinnie's 6th birthday and I'm not with him.



The hubby had an eye doctor conference to attend in my hometown, and we were all supposed to go. I've been so busy the past few weeks that I feel like I'm never going to catch up with all my chores. So, after asking my parents and my hubs if they would mind if I stayed home (and getting their okays), I stayed here. Sadly, that meant missing Quinn's birthday. My mom, dad, husband, daughters and son are taking him to a local Japanese restaurant (the kid LOVES the hibachi!) and he has a chocolate on chocolate (ICK) Cars cake to enjoy. I just missed waking him up and snuggling him on his 6th birthday. I'll make up for it tomorrow.

Friday Fill Ins

1. My blueprint for success includes perseverance, tenacity, patience, humility, compassion and lots and lots of prayer.

2. An Almond Joy miniature I found in my husband's truck was the last candy I ate.

3. The best facial moisturizer I've ever used is still undiscovered. I haven't found one yet that doesn't make my face too greasy or doesn't leave it feeling smothered.

4. Laughter, massages, time alone and time with others can be good therapy.

5. I'd like to tell you about so many things. Dave Ramsey, Disney World, my children, my wonderful husband, my awesome parents, my strong sister, why my faith is so important, why I don't think Obama was the right choice, how to save money when you shop...got a few hours to sit and chat with me?

6. My sense of humor is my strongest characteristic.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to scrapbooking. Tomorrow my plans include not much! Maybe cleaning the playroom and finishing the laundry (is this the laundry blog? 'Cause I sure do talk about laundry a lot!) and Sunday, I want to stay in my PJs all day and watch movies.

Personal DNA

Attentive Analyst

I got the link to this site from my friend Lee's blog (she's Lemons 2 Lemonade over on the right sidebar).

I agree with the assessment for the most part, especially these points:

It is important for you to follow a routine, and you prefer the familiar to the unknown. (No more accurate truth was ever written.)

You much prefer to have time to plan for things, feeling better with a schedule than with keeping plans up in the air until the last minute. Your decisions are well thought out, and you're not the least bit impulsive. (Remember the same day birthday party invitation?!? Yeah. That's why that didn't sit well with me!)

Some people are merely concerned about others, but you take action, helping people when you have the opportunity. (Aw, shucks. I try!)

Although you care about others, you are hesitant to trust them to act in the best way on their own. (I *KNEW* I had trust issues! )

You have a strong sense of right and wrong, and you're not hesitant to express yourself. ("Um, hello?!? Ingles? Your coupon policy?" By the way, I went in to get my gift certificate yesterday and no one knew what I was talking about. The manager was away for the day. They finally got the assistant manager to come over, and thankfully he knew about the situation and I got my GC. I turned around and used the same coupons I had tried to use on Monday, and they worked just fine. I also picked up 10 bags of Pillsbury mini cinnamon rolls that were on sale and used the 10- $1.25 off coupons on them, making them $2 a bag. The GC covered all but $10 of my bill, so I got 2 Birdseye complete dinner meals and 10 bags of cinnamon rolls for $10. We had the cini minis for breakfast today and they were GOOD!)

Understanding the dynamics of a situation is an important skill that you have, and you often intervene to clarify things for others. (I am SO BAD about doing this, especially when I overhear someone's conversation. I had to bite my tongue in the voting line yesterday. Some people did not understand the amendments, but I was trying to follow the "no influencing anyone's vote" policies.)

I also agree with these suggestions:

Try to embrace the imaginative, creative part of your personality more often. (This is why scrapbooking is so important to me. It exercises that creative side.)

Try moving beyond the things that you find comfortable—open yourself up to a broader range of experiences. (This one is hard for me, but I try!)

You care about people, but finding the ones you can truly trust will allow you to get closer to them. (Again, I'll try!)

While you have strong opinions about what is right and wrong in the world, you risk coming across as judgmental—be sure to consider different perspectives when voicing your opinion.

My personalDNA Report

This was an interesting exercise. Go do it. We could all stand to learn a little more about how we tick.

The Day After

I voted yesterday. I only stood in line for 45 minutes, but I have heard tales from others about 2 hour lines. I guess we went at the right time, but even then the parking lot of the church where we vote was packed full. It was a wonderful sight to see so many people out exercising their rights. I just hope the long lines didn't deter any voters. I was shocked to see only 9 machines inside our polling place. The pre-election turnout should've been a cue to order more machines.

After supper last night I changed into my PJs and laid down on the bed for a minute. I fell asleep briefly (at 7 pm!), but my oldest awakened me and asked me if it was a good time to start her science unit. The teacher has left the teaching of Chapter 3 up to the parents. You can imagine why: it's all about S-E-X. Well, part of it is about puberty, but the second half of the chapter is about the male and female reproductive systems, reproduction and sexual abuse. I'm grateful that I'm the one that gets to present this info to my daughter, and I'm amazed that at age 10 she doesn't already know about this stuff.

So we sat and went over the chapter last night with me answering all of her questions. When I was done she still didn't understand how the sperm gets to the egg (the lessons stop short of explaining intercourse), so I had to help her understand that. Having really never given much thought to HOW I was going to talk her through all of that, the best thing I could come up with was likening the penis (which she pronounced, "PEN-ISS" instead of "PEE-NIS") to a garden hose and the vagina to a milk jug. How's that for sex ed? She still didn't get it, so I told her to think of herself as the cup, the opening on the lid of the cup as her vajayjay and the straw that goes into the opening in the lid as the penis. I think she got it. She said that's all she needs to know until 7th grade when (evidently) she'll learn all about S-E-X ('cause you know she ain't sayin' it. She's spellin' it.)

Around 10 pm we finished our lesson and she headed off to bed. I stayed right where I was and fell asleep on my husband's side of the bed. I don't know when I woke up and moved to my side, but it didn't take me long to go back to sleep. I didn't watch one minute of voting coverage. I slept like a rock.

This morning I awoke to the news that we have a new Democratic President. Although he wasn't my choice, I will commit to pray for him as he leads our nation. I encourage you to go here daily as you pray, too. You might even want to sign up for the 77 days of prayer for our new President; they'll send you a daily e-mail for 77 days.

My heart is heavy for our nation. I don't think an Obama presidency is going to be good for us, but I know my God is in control. My hope is in Him and Him alone.

Civic Duty

7 dictionary results for: vote

/voʊt/
[voht] Pronunciation noun, verb, vot·ed, vot·ing. vot·ed, vot·ing, votes
v. intr.

To express one's preference for a candidate or for a proposed resolution of an issue; cast a vote: voting against the measure.

To express a choice or an opinion.

Go do it. Go stand in line and express your opinion with your vote. And if you choose not to, I don't want to hear a peep out of you for the next 4 years. Got it?!?

After you vote, go get your freebies! Make sure you get an "I Voted" sticker, first. That's your ticket to freebieland today!

Ben & Jerry's is handing out free ice cream.

Starbucks is giving a free tall coffee when you show them your "I voted" sticker.

Krispy Kreme is giving out free patriotic star donuts when you show them your sticker.

Chick Fil A will give you a free chicken sandwich, but they'll take your sticker. Either get an extra to get your coffee and donut, or go to Chick Fil A last. On Wednesday, take a political sign in and get another free chicken sandwich.

I can't guarantee that your local stores will be participating in this voter freebie bonanza, so *please* double check before you set out.

I'll be headed out to our polling place as soon as the hubby gets back from dropping the kids at school. I'm voting for John McCain, in case you were wondering. I just can't give my vote to Obama. I can't vote for a walking sound bite. Give me experienced leadership any day.

One For the Books

Is it Monday or what? Sheesh!

The kids did well with the time change on Sunday morning. We were allowed to sleep a little later than usual, so that was nice. But this morning, they were up at 6:15ish. Good grief! I didn't sleep well because our normal (heavier) comforter was in the wash... either the new cat or Annabelle (in retalliation for the presence of the new cat) peed on our bed on Sunday night. So I had that going for me...

Took the kids to school and came home to get ready for shopping day. I just had Lillian with me this morning, so I planned a 4-stop outing (say it with me, Dora style...) Bank, CVS, Publix, Ingles. Bank, CVS, Publix, Ingles. Catchy little ditty.

The bank was the only thing that went smoothly today. The teller has a new goatee & mustache. He's lookin' fly.

CVS was next. I did well there, scoring $100+ worth of stuff for right around $50. The cashier didn't have change for my $100, so she asked if I had smaller bills. I found just enough to pay her and left.

Publix went okay. I couldn't find the smaller size of Pizza Rolls that are on sale (buy one, get one free) this week. No biggie. I couldn't find the canned biscuits, either, and I left my coupons for Green Giant Steamers in the car. At the register I asked about the biscuits and the smart-arse cashier told me I must be blind 'cause they're right there along the back wall. 'K, jerk. Then he proceeded to scrutinize every coupon I gave him like I was stealing. I HATE THAT.

So I paid and went to the car, loaded those groceries, got my missing coupons, went back inside and bought 2 cans of Grands biscuits and 4 bags of vegetables. Total: $2 (a different cashier wouldn't take off the full amount of the coupons, which were $1 each, because the veggies were only ringing up at $.89. I was kicking myself, because if those had been mixed in with all the other groceries he wouldn't have noticed. GRRR.)

It was at that moment that I realized I didn't see the $100 that I had tried to pay with at CVS in my wallet. My cash wallet has different pockets for different budget categories, so it was possible I'd tucked it into another pocket. I just knew it wasn't in the grocery pocket when I tried to pay at Publix.

Back to CVS I went. Talked to the cashier. She called the manager, who very politely and thoroughly did everything he could to find my money. It wasn't there, but he was so kind about it. He went through every drawer and looked everywhere before telling me it just wasn't there. He was just so very nice. A true gentleman, indeed. He took my name and number and said if they come up over by $100 he'll call me. I felt bad for wasting his time, but I would've second guessed myself if I hadn't gone back to ask.

Whew. After CVS we went back home to drop off groceries before heading back to Ingles. Got those things put away and took off back out the door. Stopped by Dollar General to get hangers, because we're short (again!) because these kids keep needing new clothes. How does that happen?!?! Some redneck was making a huge hillbilly fuss in the store, so I got my hangers and got outta there fast. It didn't sound like the argument was going to end well.

I had just walked in the door at Ingles when my cell buzzed. It was the lunch lady from the older kids' school. Even though I placed their lunch order last night online, it hadn't shown up so she was wondering if they had just forgotten their lunches or if indeed I had meant to order them something. I set things straight with her and started shopping. Lillian was her usual chatty (loud, singing, noisy) self, which was driving me batty. I got to the register, and the cashier told me that due to their new internet coupon policy (enacted by the manager that morning) she could only take off $.99 for each printed coupon over $1. HUH? I asked to see that policy in writing. She couldn't produce it, so she called over the manager. He threw his hands in the air and said, "I don't have to show it to you! If you want to complain, call corporate!" I did just that as I drove away from the store. I left a message, but no one has called me back (I emailed about an hour ago and got a quick response that basically told me I was right... ha!)

As I was putting up the groceries from Ingles (while trying to simultaneously make dinner for a family of 7 from the kids' school whose 10 week-old baby has been sick) my husband called. He picks Quinn up on Mondays, takes him to lunch and drops him off at my mother-in-law's house. Well, except for today. I could hear Quinn crying in the background because his throat hurt so badly. I had to gather up medicine for Quinn, wait for my casseroles to finish cooking, get Lillian in the car, pick up Quinn, then go out to pick up Aiden and Camryn and drop off the dinner for the family.

Deep breath.

I'm finally home now. A homemade dinner is iffy, which I hate, because I know I just bought a bunch of food. I just have ZERO energy left to cook. Pizza Inn buffet sounds so good right now.

UPDATE: While I was writing this, I got a phone call from the Ingles district manager. He said he'd talked to the store manager and set him straight about the way he treated me AND the actual coupon policy. He said that the coupon policy will now be posted in each store AND they're sending me a $20 gift card for my trouble. Woo hoo! How's that for handling a situation quickly? Color me impressed!

And still, after all that, I can say it wasn't an awful day. People who really had bad days would laugh out loud if I described my day as bad. I didn't lose a loved one today. My house was not foreclosed on. None of my children has a terminal illness. My husband still has a job. I'm not disabled. I have great friendships. My bills get paid every month. I'm blessed. Beyond blessed. And I'm grateful for it.

I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. Psalm 34:1
3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. 4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:3-4

A new addiction...

Last month my sweet Aiden brought me a gift home from school: a pomegranate Tootsie Roll pop. His class played history Jeopardy that day and his team won. The sucker was his prize. He knows how much I love a good Tootsie Roll or Blow Pop, so he gave it to his momma. What a sweetie. (If'n it'd been a chocolate Tootsie Roll pop, I'd've told him he could keep it!)

I just pilfered another pomegranate Tootsie Roll pop from Aiden's Halloween stash (which, bless his lil heart, he's keeping in my office closet to hide it from his siblings. Doesn't he know his momma is a candy thief, too?)

I just unwrapped the sucker and am partaking of its deliciousness right now. Man, it's good.

(Oral fixation? What oral fixation? Who said that?!?!)

I hafta find me a bag of these things!

I've Been Tagged!

I was tagged by 2 of my friends: Casey and Carrie. Guess I can't put it off any longer!

Here we go....

The Rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you (Done. See above!)
2. Post the rules on your blog (Do I follow rules well or what?)
3. List 6 random things about yourself.
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

I think I've done this recently (aha! I found it!), but I'm willing to do it again. You know I love to talk about me! (HA!)

1. I can't stand when things poke out of drawers. I have to make sure everything is tucked into the drawer or it drives me NUTS.

2. I like Liza Minnelli. I think I've shared this before, but growing up we had a (1978?) Caprice Classic Station Wagon (like this one, except ours was a peachy color with NO WOOD PANELING. I remember my mom having an issue with wood paneling... or maybe it was Dad.) Anyhoo, the musical selections for the 8-trak player in the car included Barry Manilow's Even Now (a classic), the Annie soundtrack, The Carpenters' Now and Then, Elvis Presley's Moody Blue and Liza's Liza With a Z. So I know those albums V*E*R*Y well. Liza is on my iPod now, and I love her. Always will.

3. I am a Webkinz addict. I try not to go a day without moving some smoothies (I love that "Smoothie Moves" game in the arcade!) I have 9 pets on my own account because my children got tired of me playing their games everyday.

4. If I'm on a road trip and spot a sign for Krystal Hamburgers, I have to stop. We had 2 Krystal restaurants in my area for a short time, but they were both recently converted to Dunkin' Donuts. There is a new one on Woodruff Road, but it's too far away for me to visit on a regular basis. Maybe I need to drive over to AC Moore today and get myself a sackful while I'm over that way....

5. I hate malt. Chocolate malts, malted milk balls... you can keep 'em. HATE THEM. Ick. Eating Whoppers is like chewing on chocolate covered chalk to me. Blech.

6. I think I have shared this before, but I'll say it again just in case. I cannot eat mustard on hamburgers. I only take mustard on my hot dogs. So if I'm prepping a cheeseburger for consumption, I take mayo (Duke's preferably), ketchup and relish (basically McDonald's "Secret Sauce"). If I'm eating a hot dog, I like mustard on the bottom (under the frank), then the weiner, then relish on top. I do like chili dogs, but if I'm having chili then it's no mustard on the bottom, then the weiner, then chili then mustard. Another note: where I live in South Carolina the hot dog chili is WEIRD. It's basically finely chopped (cooked) hamburger meat with some tomato sauce in it, but it's NOT like the chili you eat from a bowl. It is more like the taco meat you get at Taco Bell. Strange stuff. In Alabama we like sloppy chili dogs, with the kind of chili you can eat like soup. I always have to ask what the chili is like when I order chili dogs around here (unless it's a chain like Fuddrucker's or Sonic).

I know I'm s'posed to tag 6 people, but right now I can't think of 6 people I know who blog that haven't already done this exercise. I'll have to ponder that one.

Friday Fill-Ins (On Saturday)

Halloween is over, thank goodness. It's never, ever been my favorite holiday. My older kids aren't allowed to celebrate it at their school, which (as the room mom) is nice... one less party to plan. I'll have to download the pictures from last night and post some. I don't ever get to take pics of them doing the actual Trick or Treating, because I stay home and give out the candy. I got so much CHEAP (but good!) candy this year from the great deals and coupons that I was shoveling it into the kids' pumpkins when they came to the door last night. I didn't realize how much I had collected until I started opening bags. I think we have about half a basket of Baby Ruths left (I gave them out last because they're my favorites!)

Today my parents are going to suprise the kids with a visit. They called yesterday from Kingsport, TN and they're going to stop in on their way home. I can't wait to see the kids' faces when Mom and Dad come to the door! I've already put a chicken in the Crock Pot in anticipation of their arrival, and later I'll peel some potatoes to make homemade mashed spuds. Looking forward to a great evening (but first there's laundry and dishes... always laundry and dishes...)

I saw these on my friend Lee's blog. I think they're cool, so I'm copying them. I shoulda done them yesterday, but by the time I saw them I'd already posted twice, so I saved 'em for today.

1. My favorite food seasoning is The Melting Pot's Garlic Wine Seasoning. It's good on ANYTHING.

2. Silence is music to my ears.

3. Lucky is not a word I believe in. There's no luck. There's preparation and blessings. No luck involved. I don't believe in random occurrences.

4. My faith is something I take very seriously.

5. Many people won't vote on Tuesday, for whatever reason. It's shameful, really. They'll be the ones to complain the loudest when something goes wrong, though. One of my daughter's classmates said her mom isn't going to vote because she doesn't like either candidate. Poor excuse, in my opinion. There's always a write-in option or other parties to explore. Just because you don't think your guy is going to WIN is no reason to withhold your vote. The next time you take voting for granted, go watch Iron Jawed Angels. I'll never skip voting again.

6. Quinn's birthday present was the last thing I bought at the store. It's the Nerf N-Strike Vulcan EBF-25 Blaster and it shoots 3 darts a minute. I think I've lost my mind, because I know it's going to be a headache, but he's seen it on TV and talks about n-o-t-h-i-n-g else. My hubby worried that Quinn would have an unfair advantage against the other children, so he went by Target yesterday and bought another one for Aiden's birthday. Aiden's birthday isn't until January, so Quinn will have the upper hand for 2 1/2 months. In January, the war begins.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to church! I've missed 3 Saturdays in a row for different reasons, and I can feel it. I need church tonight. Tomorrow my plans include a lazy Sunday breakfast and time with my family and Sunday, I (also)want to get some more scrapbooking done. I took 3 boxes of pre-planned pages with me to last weekend's retreat, and I finished just one box (but that was 47 pages! Not bad!) I want to knock out the album I'm working on (our August Disney trip) because Lillian's box of photos is overflowing. The kids' albums are suffering for all the Disney albums I've been doing!