3 hours to go

til 2009. WOW. This is my DH & my 4th Holiday season since getting back together. That is amazing. We are spending a quiet night at home, alone, watching the bowl games. Perfect.

My dentist appointment was LONG but I'm really happy with the results. I have some rough places on my front two teeth where he replaced old fillings. I'll get used to it or it will wear down eventually. The best thing is that besides replacing the old fillings that were between the two front teeth, he FIXED the chip on one of the front teeth. I didn't know he was going to do that so it was a nice surprise when I looked in the car mirror to check out his work. SWEET!!!!!!

I've spent part of the rest of the day setting up "investing accounts" thru ING. Don't get excited, I've only invested $1 each in two accounts. LOL. I now own 8 shares of MEAD and 1 share of Fannie Mae. LOLsquared. I did it to earn free money. I'll explain it later once it all works out. I was working another deal to get free money when I opened a checking account but they were going to pull my credit report for the Debit card and I'm not sure I want to do that. I'm really trying to clear up my credit so I don't want to risk my score for a free $50.

After I got through with the investing process, I set up a Quicken account to try and set up a budget. Not really sure how to do all of it but the base is done. Next I have been reading Saving sites and working on getting organized for 2009.

I should have cleaned my scrapper room but I convinced myself that sitting on the couch with my Dh and "studying" budget blogs is a smart thing to do.

How have you spent this final day of the year? Are you staying home or venturing out with the crazies? Remember what I said yesterday and be smart and careful.

BTW, the trash men took ALL of my huge pile-o-crap. I left a big Christmas bag full of candy and a Thank you card on top of the main trash can. Think that made it better?

HUGS to my Sis. Hope the new year doesn't bring bad news from the "house". Good luck to Codeman on his move. Hi Mom. Be careful DD...Love ya DS. Happy New Year to my Georgia family & family in laws.

Till later............see ya next year.....

What day is it?

I seriously am not sure. All day yesterday I thought it was the 28th. I called my PEEP to wish her a Happy Birthday and left a voice mail. Later I discovered it was, in fact, the 29th.

POOP.

Sorry Carol.

I feel really bad. It's hard enough to have a birthday so close to Christmas but then to have one of your peeps miss the day. BAD FRIEND.

In my defense, I've been working my tail off on housework. Well, not really as my tail is still VERY much still attached but you know what I mean. Me & the boy (or the boy and I) spent the better part of yesterday clearing out and organizing the garage. I have a mountain of stuff to put out to the curb in the morning.

Makes me wish I had figured out what to give the Garbage men for Christmas. Is it to late??

Spent the better part of today running errands. Dropped by my office and showed off my hair cut to the few people still trudging away.

No, that is not the reason I drove 25 miles each way. I needed to run to the doctor and the office is near by. I also was a good person and dropped the boy off at his dads. His dad's car is in the shop and the boy is scheduled to spend the rest of his school break with him. Aren't I sweet?

Speaking of the boy, he has worn one of his new t-shirts everyday since getting them for Christmas. They look cool and he seems to like them. SCORE!

I have a dentist appointment in the am. 4 fillings. Joy. Just how I want to spend my New Years Eve day.

Hoping everyone has a Happy and SAFE New Years Eve. If you must celebrate, be smart. Do it at home or have a designated driver. Remember, you may not care about yourself but my DD will be on the road, returning from work. I want her to arrive safely. LOVE YOU J!!!!!!!

Til later......................

Christmas 2008

Here is a picture taken yesterday.












Here is a picture taken last year...







See the HUGE differences (besides the size of the pictures..LOL..Hint, the boy is NOT standing on anything and DD is slouching) ?


(click to see this picture larger..I can't find the updated one)

Til later...................

I need to go back to work

to get some rest! I've been running like a crazy woman since leaving work on Friday. I've shopped, think I'm finally done, I've wrapped (for 8 hours on Sunday), I've been to the dentist twice (have another appointment on New Years Eve), I've gotten my hair (and caterpillars) taken care of, I've grocery shopped and I'm exhausted.

I can't believe it is the 23rd. The boy is about to explode waiting for Christmas morning. Hope he won't be disappointed....LOL.

Hope everyone has a wonderful, safe and Merry Christmas. If you didn't get a card from me.....sorry. I mailed some out of state but the locals...didn't get out. Sorry. It don't mean I don't care...I just ran out of time and energy. Maybe I'll get the New Years cards out.

Don't count on it.

Til later..................

PS..Congrats to my sister for winning Employee of the Quarter. Think good thoughts that she wins the BIG one and gets the reward she deserves.

Free 8 x 10's

Get one Free 8x10 Print from Snapfish when you pick up at Walgreens, coupon code: WALFREE This time this Walgreens photo freebie comes from Snapfish and you must place your order at Snapfish. This offer is only valid on Friday & Saturday (Dec. 19 & 20). You can pick-up your photo on any day (after it is ready), but you must order it on Friday or Saturday. Also remember that you must select Walgreens as your pick-up location. An 8x10 print would normally cost $2.99.

But wait, there's more!

Get your second Free 8x10 Print at Walgreens, coupon code: FREEGIFT This offer is also only valid on Friday & Saturday (Dec. 19 & 20). You can pick-up your photo on any day (after it is ready), but you must order it on Friday or Saturday. You will enter the code, then see the payment screen (select "Pay In-Store"). Next you will see that the coupon code deducts the $2.99 to make your total in-store pickup order $0.00.

Til later...................

Macy coupon & sales

If you love Macy shopping but still want to save money, they have a coupon for $10 off $25 Friday and Saturday until 1pm.

Click on this link and print. Enjoy!

http://www1.macys.com/dyn_img/site_ads/DEC_ODS.2-SavingsPass.pdf?cm_mmc=email-_-670912-_-savingspass-_-n&cm_em=finallylarrys@yahoo.com

There are some other deals coming like a free hairdryer on Monday at WAGS. If I tell you the details you will buy up all the free dryers and I won't get one. That wouldn't be fair.

Kidding.

Kind of.

I bet if you go to "I heart WAGS" she will share.

Not me.

I need a new hair dryer. One that blows hot air fast enough to actually DRY my hair.

Til later..................

Thank you

Something happened yesterday that was at least a year overdue. It has caused turmol and strife for almost six months. There has been silence where there should have been conversations and joy. It has caused pain and sadness and anger. It has wasted precious time.

I'm grateful the event finally occured. I'm not pleased with the reports I've received but happy that at least something took place.

I'm hopeful that things can begin to get back to normal now.

It's the holidays. Maybe soon it can feel like it.

Til later.................

So honored

I recently discovered a super blog filled with great money saving tips, coupon deals, rebates, prize drawings and SO MUCH MORE. The best part of the blog is the wonderful woman that writes the blog and finds all the great deals she shares. She is a mom, wife and a kindred spirit as I found out when I contacted her about a possible partnership for ALL YOU MAGAZINE.

As you know by now, I usually donate $2 for each subscription ordered to CUT IT OUT. I contacted Kim and asked if she would be interested in offering such a deal to her readers. She was very sweet and replied quickly. Little did I know that we were going to soon partner in a cause with the spirit of CUT IT OUT but on a even greater level.

Please go here and read about our ALL YOU DEAL but even more importantly, read this to learn about the very important cause we are supporting. If you know me at all, you have heard about my experience with Domestic Violence and more recently my experiences with children (and adults) that have a mental illness. It was an eye opening experience and one that changed my employment path forever. I am very honored to partner with Kim for her local chapter of a national need.

Please contact me if you would like to subscribe to ALL YOU to support Kim and her efforts to make a difference for the Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri. I encourage you to also contribute to your local chapter. I know they can always use the support.

Til later...........

Twilight spoof

While you wait for the big reveal..check this out.

Take180.com / The Juice Box / #14 Dimlight

I found it on Cathy Z's blog and three of us Twilighters almost peed our pants yesterday. This is the funniest video but she also has a SANTA one that is very funny too.

Remember, it's a spoof so if you are a Twilight freak-don't email me all upset. I've read the books..I saw the Movie..I'm TEAM EDWARD...still, this is funny.

Til later.................

I told you so

The weekend was as busy and crazy as I warned you it would be.

My eyes were dilated for almost 48 hours after the appointment on Friday. That made it fun to watch the boys Karate test on Saturday. The other parents probably thought his mom was on drugs since I wore my sun glasses inside for the entire time. The light hurt my eyes and I really didn't think they wanted to see my pupils taking up the entire "color" of my eyes. ( It also made it hard to shop on Friday night but with the help of a sweet sales woman, I managed. ) The test lasted almost two hours and the boy did really well considering he was testing against adults for the first time. He ended up having to spar 8 times. He did well until one fateful moment in the 8th fight when his opponents foot met a place that should NOT be kicked...if you know what I mean.

Poor boy went down like he'd been shot.

Guess it's time to buy a cup and I don't mean for Kool-aid.

Long, painful story short.....HE PASSED!!!!!!

He is now officially a Yellow Belt and is so excited to be a higher rank than most of his classmates. I had a meeting so missed the announcement and presentation of the new belt. No worries, it's not the official belt as that comes from Japan. I'll make his teacher "Present his belt" one night when I can take pictures.

After the test and some rest (recovery) for the boy on Saturday we finished setting up the yard display. I really want to put lights on the house but doesn't look like that will happen this year. DARN! I really must get a jump next year and get the lights on the house the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Sunday was a busy day. I tried to get some projects done so I can clear out the dining area so we can get a tree up. Didn't happen. I've made a corporate decision that I will get the TABLE cleared off by the end of this weekend and will put one (or three) table top trees on the desk. Solves the problem of moving the desk and at least we'll have something to put gifts under. Our house, our rules...right?

Three more days (after today) and I'm off work for 2 weeks. YIKES. I'd hoped to get my eye redone while I was out but they are closing for those two weeks too. Shoot. I have a dentist appointment and a hair appointment (thank goodness) on Monday and then the rest of the time is FREE.

Not really. I have plenty to do. The garage is a MAJOR project. I also need, want to get my business ready for the new year. Get this years rebates complete. Place orders of new products, get ready to share some fabulous new lines to my peeps and future customers. I'm planning a BIG open house in January and plan to have lots of items to Cash & Carry to clear out my stash. Details to follow. If you are local...come on over.

Blood work on Friday, almost as fun as always. I told the tech to go straight to my hand since that is where they will end up anyway and I'd rather avoid the additional sticks in both arms. They agreed and it still was an ordeal. ARG. Lab results came back yesterday and apparently I passed for another round. Next appointment is in March, right before our anniversary. Joy!

Speaking of business.....today is the big reveal of my new partnership with a wonderful blogger. She is putting the finishing touches on her post for her blog. I will make my announcement as soon as her post hits as I do not want to jump the gun. I'm very excited as it is a partnership to help a cause near and dear to my heart. STAY TUNED!!!!

Til later...............

Midweek madness

Oops...as I was typing the heading I realized it's actually Thursday. YIKES! Told you I had a busy week/month ahead.

We had a wonderful time Tuesday at our meeting/retreat. We had our official monthly reports meeting and then our office shrink/team builder started the fun-torture part of our day. First she stuck large index cards to our backs and everyone had to go around a write a word or two that described the person. After everyone was done she took the cards and read them out loud. We had to guess when we thought she was describing us. That's always fun and interesting to see how people describe you. Next she told us we were going to split into two teams, spend 15 minutes deciding on a Holiday Cookie recipe and then we would have an hour to prepare, bake and present our cookies. We thought she was kidding at first but she wasn't. The funniest part was knowing that we were at the Medical Directors house and she didn't know we were going to be invading her kitchen.

An hour later, my team proved why having two BAKERS in our group didn't guarantee good or edible cookies! They were awful!! I could have used my Crop-a-dile and made them into Ornaments for the office tree. At least they looked good.











Next we did our "White Elephant" gift exchange. I won't share the picture of me and my gift as Someone may end up getting it for Christmas.

Yesterday we had our Holiday lunch/Holiday Chorus event. It was great fun. We have food from the Olive Garden and TONS of homemade sweets and goodies. As you can see from the picture above, I really need to step away from the sweets table! Just when we didn't think we could eat another bite, the Fire alarm went off and we had to evacuate the building. Luckily my car is near by so my BFF-Peep and I sat in the car until they gave us the all clear.

On a totally unrelated subject, have you been checking out the Space Station fly overs this week? We saw it Monday & Tuesday and it's scheduled to go over tonight (not sure why it took Wed off but anyway..). You can see it at 6:11pm if the sky is clear. Check out the NASA website for the exact time & location in the sky in your area. It looks like a star that isn't twinkling and is moving across the sky in a straight shot. It's been visible for at least 4-5 minutes and is very cool. Haven't seen the meteors yet but hope to this weekend when they are at their peak.

The boy has his Karate Test on Saturday. He hasn't said so but I think he is alittle concerned as he is testing with the Adults. I know his Kata's are perfect but he is probably concerned about the sparing part. So far I've only seen him spar against a man that tries really hard but appears to have some sort of medical condition that effects his balance & movement. I think DS is afraid to hurt him so he spars half out. Hopefully his teacher will take that into account. He is set to get his Yellow belt. That is a step higher than if he did his test with the kids.

Tomorrow is my Blood work and Eye exam. FUN all the way around. Hope my eyes are better by Saturday so I can see the test and focus to take pictures.


I have big news regarding a new partnership with a fabulous blogger. She will be making the announcement on Tuesday so you'll have to wait until then!

Til later....................

Busy week/month ahead

Friday was a hectic day as I drove 140 miles in my DH's pickup truck to pick up/deliver toys for our work party. Loaded & unloaded 40 boxes plus set up the room. ETC...ETC. I was exhausted by the time I got home.

I missed the Party on Saturday as I had a vendor event. Despite the hard work by the gal that organized it, we had a poor turn out. Vendors were buying from each other. Got the report on the party this morning. Sounds like I really missed out by doing the vendor event and not going to the party. The kids had a great time and thanks to two great organizations we had TONS of gifts for them.

Spent Sunday working on Christmas gifts and cards. I am so behind!!!

We watched Sunday Morning and was surprised that they didn't mention Pearl Harbor. ?? I didn't really see anything about it in the news or paper??? Am I confused and has everyone forgotten? THANKS to our men and woman and their sacrifices.

My family is due back from Ga today. Sounds like they had a good time. Looking forward to seeing pictures. Sounds like it was really chilly this morning. Kinda cold in my neck of the woods too so can't imagine it any colder!

We have a "group meeting/Holiday party" tomorrow so will be out of the office all day. FUN!!

Wed. we are having our "Office Holiday Dinner" with Chorus. We are apparently eating food from Olive Garden. Why not?

Friday I have lab work..OH JOY..they can NEVER get blood out of me. Then I have an eye exam at the Lasic place where they are going to dialate my eyes. They said I may have blurred vision for days. GREAT. How am I going to get home? I've enlisted a co-worker (HI CAROL!!) to go with me and she promised to get me back to the office and home as needed. I'm hoping they schedule the "eye tweeking" I need ASAP. My close up vision is getting really bad. I couldn't see print over the weekend and it made it really hard to see my craft projects yesterday. If you get a card/present that is crooked...sorry!

Saturday, the boy is testing for his next level belt and is doing it with the ADULTS. Wow. I sure hope my eyes are ok for that!

Hey, did anyone in the Tampa Bay area look at the Bealls ad on Sunday. Go look at pages 29-30. My friend's daughter was a model for 4 of the sale items. (Little girl in Hanna Montana PJ's & three others). Thankfully she sent an email to give us a heads up since I never look at that ad.

There is probably more I need to share but I've forgotten what it may have been. So tired. So burned out and it's only the 8th.....

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY month to my SIL & BIL in Ga. I look at your wedding reception picture everyday. You aren't in it but it always reminds me of you both. I wish I wasn't hidden by the other people but that's what I get for being short! At least we have a record of that time. Thanks!! I LOVE seeing pictures from "before".

Metor showers starting this week and we should be able to see the Space Station. Go to the NASA website for details on both.

OK, enough.

Til later..................

New items added to the SLAH sale..Nativity set!!!!

http://www.southernlivingathome.com/pne/pdf/announcements/20081201_WinterSaleFlier.pdf

Check this out and contact me ASAP. Things are selling OUT quickly!

New Items:

41032 - Abingdon Rattan Caddy
40936 - Brilliant Glass Ornaments
41038 - Chelsea Candlestick:Medium
41037 - Chelsea Candlestick:Tall
40977 - Elegant Stone Serving Stand
40947 - Holiday Tabletop Tree
40878 - Pacific Serving Bowl
40966 - Santos Nativity: combo
70071 - Santos Nativity: Holy Family
70072 - Santos Nativity: Wisemen
40872 - Southern Sippers Pitcher
41008 - Trellis Plant Holders

Sellout List The following items have sold out:

40897 - All New Complete Cooking Light Cookbook
40784 - Beautiful Blooms: Sunflower
70062 - Christmas Memories Collection: Cake Plate
41125 - Cooking Light Annual Recipes - 2008
40734 - Double Duty Pot Rack
40690 - Evanston Table Topper (Siena)
40703 - Florentine Sconce
40824 - Gail Pittman Coasters : Siena
40179 - Hospitality Collection Casserole : Butter
40641 - Jamestown Centerpiece
40905 - Scrolled Sconce
40586 - Southern Living Gallery Stemware - Iced Beverage (set of 2)
40587 - Southern Living Gallery Stemware - Wine (set of 2)
40940 - Trumeau Mirror

I have a vendor event tomorrow. Excited to have these new items to offer them.

Hope you have a great weekend. Some of my family is traveling to see other parts of my family. Safe Travels!!!

Til later.............

Double Coupon dash

I ran to KMart yesterday after work with some coupons that we clipped during a "Meeting". I only took ones that were a dollar-two and for things I thought might yield FREE STUFF. I did pretty good, the cat has treats for a long while and got some other good stuff. My original total was $101 and my OOP end up at $36.50. SWEET.

I plan to hit the local store tonight while the boy is at Karate. That has not been to successful in the past but I'm hopeful.

I must clean my dining area tonight, or put quilts over all the mess. I'm expecting some people over on Thursday and don't want them to freak out on the large stack-o-stuff I've been trying to work on. I also need to get gifts wrapped tonight so my sis can pick them up tomorrow to take to Ga. for me on Friday.

Friday night I need to finish up what ever I plan to take to the Vendor event on Saturday and pack my car.

Yeah, I don't have much faith in getting it all done either.

Always a dreamer.

til later...............

Once in a lifetime and other stuff

Did you see the moon, Jupiter & Venus alignment tonight? Super cool! I called everyone I could think of and told them to go outside since the configuration will not occur again until 2050. I plan to watch that one with my grand kids!

Very busy Holiday weekend but didn't get even half of my chores done. Worked on stuff for the vendor event this Saturday. Making some stuff to sell in addition to my SLAH stuff. Made a door hanger for a friend at work to give to her neighbor. REALLY busy with the end of month orders for SLAH. BIG end of catalog sale started today. You must go here and email me ASAP if you are interested in anything as stuff sells out quickly. I placed a $400+ order within the first couple hours of the sale hitting. Great deals and they should be in, in time for the Holiday if you need some great gifts......don't delay.

Speaking of, I need to go check on some new orders and share the ALL YOU deal with another group. I can still hook you up for $19.95 for 24 issues if you haven't subscribed yet. I used a coupon from the December issue on one of the CVS FREE deals over Thanksgiving. That more than paid for the issue!

Don't forget that KMart is offering DOUBLE coupons again this week. They should double coupons up to $2 in value. Some stores will double the coupon even if the item is less which will give you an overage. Some will go up to the value of the item making it free. Some will give you a hard time and tell you that they can't "give it to you for free".....calmly tell them YES they can and read them their own ad. Good luck. I'm not sure I'll get to take advantage as my coupons are sadly out of shape and I have HUNDREDS to clip and no time to do it. I also have so much stuff left from the last time and all the stuff I just got free at CVS at Thanksgiving. I hate to miss out on a deal though so you go and tell me all about it.

Til later.......................