Black Friday-It's a Tradition

It is a tradition for my husband and I to go out on Black Friday. It started out as a way for us to snag the best deals for toys when our kids were little. But now, it is a way for us to acquire things we need or want at a great bargain. I love the sound of the biggest newspaper of the year, as it slaps the driveway. I spend hours pouring over all the sale adds and flyers Thanksgiving morning. I then let my kids look too. I need their input on gift items.

After our Thanksgiving dinner is done and the pumpkin pie is devoured, I look through the adds once more and make my strategic plans. Yes, we get up at zero dark thirty; I even shower. We grab some coffee and go. I always have my list ready and ads in hand. We usually hit the big stores first, get what we need and get out. When the kids were younger we had been known to wait in front of Toys R Us before they opened. Last year it was Wal-mart first. We needed a new TV for our bedroom. When all is said and done, we usually have a few gifts for family members, several gifts for ourselves and a memorable tradition.

I am often asked, is it worth it. I would have to say that depends on what it is you are shopping for. I don't wait in lines at stores that are offering amazing prices for laptops or TV's when I know they have a limited quantity. I go for the items that I know I have a good chance of getting. With two of us, it is easy. We can split the list and even split the stores. This year my daughter will be able to participate now that she can drive.

Although I have read the sneak peaks of the ad scans for Thursday, I still don't know what it is that I'll be o the hunt for. I'm sure I'll snag a few Cricut cartridges at Wal-mart, a few DVD's for stocking stuffers and possibly some games for the Wii and Xbox. The rest of my shopping will probably be done on-line and I'll probably do that Thanksgiving, day as many places offer great deals on turkey day. So, what Black Friday plans do you have?

The AMA's

I usually like to watch the AMA's, but this year it was quite painful. It didn't seem to have the spark like years past. Here are my thoughts.

• Rihanna looked like she got in a fight with her hair brush.
• Miley Cyrus needs to sue the person who told her she could sing and give her grandma back her moo-moo/bathrobe.
• Enrique Iglesias aint Julio- he's hotter
• Kid Rock- Loved the song lyrics, but he seriously needs a bath
  
• Jon Bon Jovi looked good, but sounded tired
• Pink didn't sport the MC hammer look all to well, But I did like all the dancers.
• Justin Bieber- doesn't deserve a comment
• Taylor Swift- liked the new look- straight hair. Not a bad performance
• Christina never leaves anything untouched but looked more pregnant than pink
  
• Usher can dance, but I think he had some microphone difficulties
  
• Train rocked "Soul Sister" and Pat rocked them sequin jeans...but a couple of his "soul sisters" could have used better support bras
  
• Ke$ha invaded by aliens
• Santana always great jammin on the 6 string
  
• BSB & NKOTB good finale and I can say I saw it

Overall it was an o..k. show, it gave me something to talk about, but it wasn't memorable at all. So, what are your thoughts and who was your favorite performer?

Kuddos to Cal-Trans Tahoe

I have a new admiration for the Cal-Trans workers in Tahoe. We have been in Tahoe since Friday and let me tell you it has been once heck of a snow storm. Here we were hoping for some snow. Who would have thought it would be a white Thanksgiving.

Last night we drove through a complete white out. It was totally insane we shouldn't have been on the road, but there was no place to stop. Thank goodness for the snow plows. The tracks they left behind were our guides on the road. At the check-stop the lovely Cal-trans woman took her scraper, scraped our windshields and tail lights, gave us some pointers to finish down the hill, and wished us good luck.

Today we had to pull over to take off our chains and the Cal-trans guy came over and helped. He even checked for us to make sure we didn't need our chains for where we were going.
These people are out there in the freezing snow and wind, helping to keep us travelers safe at all all hours of the day and night. So, thank you Cal-Trans of Tahoe. our family greatly appreciates you.

Snow Flurries = Weary Traveler

OMG- 11 hours for a 4.5 hour drive. We left at 3:45 PM and expected to arrive around 9:00PM NOT, it was 2:45AM when we pulled into the resort. Between the traffic through Sacramento and then the time it took to put on chains we were already at 6 hours. Once the chains were on it was another 5 hours of driving 30mph over the summit through miserable conditions. I am here, tired, and coffee deprived.

I was awaken at 8:30 by the sound of snow shovels on the sidewalks; not quite the sound I wanted to hear. so here I sit while my family sleeps. So far I've shopped on-line, read Facebook and watched some design shows on TV. However, we are here in Tahoe, there is snow and it will be a glorious week of vacation. So, what are your plans for the Thanksgiving week?

Starbucks

I will admit I'm addicted to Starbucks- I love their pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin muffins. What's even more addicting is their new rewards program. What is it about their make 30 purchases and then you can earn a special Starbucks card and then earn a free drink for every 15 drinks you purchase? I am almost there only 6 more to go until I receive my special rewards card. I've said for years that they needed something like this, and now they do.

Did you know that Twice is Nice- starts today? Buy one holiday drink and receive another for free from 2:00-5:00 PM. I just may need a reason to have that extra cup of joe during the afternoon.

So, what's your favorite Starbucks drink or snack?

December Countdown

December for me means, lots of shopping, parties and baking. Today I asked my daughter if it was too early to put up the Christmas tree. I love December. Usually the day after Thanksgiving-after the early morning Black Friday shopping, I start decorating. It usually takes me a few days to get everything out and set up. Over the years we, I mean I, have scaled back. We usually have two trees, one for me and one for the kids. several wreaths, lots of candles, the nutcracker and snowman collections and the countdown calendars. Each year we hold a Christmas party to celebrate our friends and their families, host the neighborhood Christmas Caroling party, have cookie exchanges and usually let the kids have some sort of event. So, with only 14 days until December, how do you prepare for the most wonderful time of the year?

On-Line Shopping

Ask anyone I love to shop and especially on-line- just ask my UPS driver. However, I've noticed a lot more pitfalls lately to the on-line shopping experience. Free shipping is hard to come by unless you are will to spend $99 or more. It used to be $50, which was easy to do. Discounts are often limited and can't be applied to many name brand items. Then there is the return policy. I just recently experienced this with GAP. You have a 45 day window of opportunity to return/exchange your items. I of course missed that window. The sales girls told me to call customer service, make up a story, shed a few tears and hope they will take my item back. I did call customer service, no tears necessary. I told the guy- my shipping receipt says nothing about a grace period for returns. He happily agreed to take back my item- minus the $6 shipping/processing fee. So lesson learned for $6... return items on-time and read return policies before you buy. I would have rather returned the item to the store, but in the long run I am probably saving money. They will credit my card and I won't be at the mall attempted to make an impulse purchase. So, how much on-line shopping do you do- share your tips and tricks.

Sleepless Sunday

Not sure why I woke up at 5:00 Am, could be because I was in bed by 9:30 last night. Needless to say, I had drank a pot of coffee, did two loads of laundry and read the morning sale adds all before 6:30 AM. I did managed to watch a cute Hallmark movie this morning too. I find that I record a lot of the Hallmark movies during the holidays. How do you spend your sunday mornings?

Saturday Soccer

Good morning- for once I am thankful that my sons' soccer games were rained out a few weeks ago. Today I get the chance to take some pictures. I haven't taken any all season. I'm not sure why. I am usually the mom hiding behind the lens.
So, here's for hoping for a sunny Saturday, a good game and a team win. GO JAGUARS!

Winter Wonderland Workshop

I made these for my Winter Wonderland Workshop on December
Cost $8

Noel Banner

Coffee Cup Gift Card Holder

Ho Ho Ho Gift Card Holder

For Sale

I have several extra new stamp sets for sale for $15 each.

True Friend













Today's Date








It's Your Day














Good Times









Thriller

Be Yourself

Tis the Season

Tis the Season for the reason to get crafty. Last weekend I had the opportunity to spend 3 days in Bodega Bay scrapbooking. I finished 25 layouts & 2 mini albums, 12 Christmas cards, a gift card holder, a NOEL banner, my December Daily and covered a recipe tin. This was the most productive weekend I've ever had.

The NOEL Banner and Gift card holder will be part of my December workshop.