Who Doesn't Need A Bag?

As some of you know  I wear several hats.  At work I teach kindergarten, I am Teacher In Charge, I am the Student Study Team Coordinator and serve on several committees.  So it shouldn't surprise you that I also have other jobs.  I am a  CTMH (Close TO My Heart ) scrapbooking/stamp consultant and a 31 Gifts Consultant.  I don't do those travel home shows,  I just do workshops and open-houses at my home.  So, last night I had a 31 Gifts show at my home.  It was a holiday shopping theme.  Many of the girls were getting a jump on holiday shopping mainly due to the great special for this month.  For every $31 you spend you can get this great bag for just $7.  (Spend $62 and get two bags)  It is perfect for teachers, new moms, scrapbookers and gym enthusiasts and they can be personalized.  Click the picture to take you to my website and see all the great items they offer.

Here is a one of the desserts I served last night.  It is always a hit and super easy to make.

Pumpkin Cobbler

3 eggs, beaten
15 oz. can pumpkin
12 oz. can evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
18 and 1/4 oz. pkg. yellow cake mix
1 and 1/4 cup margarine, melted (I use butter)
1 cup chopped nuts

Mix the first 8 ingredients together, pour into an ungreased 13 x 9 baking pan. Sprinkle cake mix over the top, drizzle with margarine. Bake at 350 for 25 min. top with nuts. Bake for another 15 min 

It is good without nuts too, which is how I usually make it. If you omit nuts, just bake for 4o minutes.

Got Bags

A girl- especially a teacher who is also a crafter- can never have too many bags.   Shop now, receive 15% off and have a new stylish tote or lunch bag, or both, just in time for school.   Just click the picture below to visit my website.

Team 675 Syndicate

I spent the last few days at the FIRST Robotics competition in Davis, CA.  What an amazing opportunity for high school students to express their creativity and love for science and engineering.  I can't wait for the competition in San Jose.

Thank you Mr. Groundhog

I know Groundhog's day was lastw eek, but I am thankful that the groundhog didn't see his shadow. We have been enjoying Spring-like weather for the past 4 days. Today it is 72 degrees, I'm wearing shorts, a t-shirt and flip flops. I love this weather.

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.