Another Favorite

Everybody Loves Raymond and so do I.  Just so great I have to share:

Baby It's Cold Outside

I have never been a Nascar fan, but I will swear my Mom has mastered an event that should be considered for competition. The Arctic Snow Plow 500 in Reverse. I don't believe I have ever gone in reverse gear that fast!

This little piece of equipment is called a Rhino.  I believe it is a Yamaha product and a dreamy addition for any man's toy chest.  Even without a heater the plastic cover helps contain heat from the engine making the cab quite comfy.

Ho Ho Ho!

Meowy Christhmasth

Eeny-meeny & Mo

My gift to Greg

Today, yes, three days before Christmas I finally hear what the perfect gift for my husband would be. He purchased a smaller pickup for his commute to his new job and the only thing missing to make it perfect is....cruise control.

Thank God they weren't in big demand this year. I was able to grant his wish and I think from the photos you can see he is thrilled!?

2008 Decorations

I have gotten away with not putting up an actual Christmas tree for the last couple of years. I cannot really say that I miss the process of the whole putting it up event. This year since I will be leaving town and I do feel obligated to make our home seasonal for Greg I have a few EASY decorations that I think really spruce up the place.

I took a few minutes to actually make our wreaths for the door. Thanks to some inspiration from Martha Stewart.


Threw up some decorations on the mirror.




Decorated the top of the entertainment center with my new nativity scene.


Red bows dress up anything nicely. Notice the bows on the lampshade behind Mr. Mo.

My wish list

An old school chalk board with wood frame, no fancy magnetic, porcelin covered new age stuff (3' x 2').

James Avery remembrance rings. White sapphire, Ruby and Citrine. Mine and Greg's birthstones and the month of our wedding (silver, of course).
Not really sure what kind I would like but this looks cute.

Oh yea, and...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I prefer wrapped packages. I like wrapping them and unwrapping them.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial . I think I remember having a real tree once at my Mom's. I haven't put up 'the' Christmas tree in a couple of years (it's just too much work). I have found the greatest decorations are very simple and will be easy to store. Red bows. I have small ones on picture frames and big ones on lamp shades. Dresses up the place nicely.

3. When do you put up the tree? Generally right after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? One year I remember it being close to Valentine's Day, I am not joking

5. Do you like eggnog? NO, it has the word e-g-g in it...gross!!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Most memorable was a new-fangled computer gismo that you put a memory card into and it asked you questions. I really think it was just a cleverly disguised educational tool.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Santa. Man, what do you get greatest gift giver ever??

8. Easiest person to buy for? Myself, of course!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I do. I consider a nativity scene the most beautiful of all Christmas decorations. I have contemplated collecting them.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail Christmas cards. I just consider it part of the season. The season isn't complete if I don't mail cards, bake and spend one evening driving around listening to Christmas music looking at Christmas lights.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't recall this being an issue. I am grateful for any gift. Afterall, giving a gift is the cause for the season. Humanity received the greatest gift from God and that started it all.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The best are the old claymation Rudolf and Frosty movies...I LOVE them! Oh, my...I have several others:

Home for the Holidays - typical dysfunctional family. Holiday gatherings are all about the fighting...hee hee hee!

Home Alone - Non-stop laughing

Christmas Story - You will put your eye out

Elf - I consider this a classic

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? As I get older I am getting worse and worse on this. We adopt an "Angel" from a tree at work and I get that shopping done (usually in one trip). Greg and I usually decide what we want and go get it ourselves. Other than that I would rather spend a dinner, movie or other activity with family.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Sure I have, and I will bet that I have also received a recycled gift...GO GREEN, right?

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Homemade cookies

16. Lights on the tree? Colored. I consider the holiday a celebration for children. When I do put up a tree I like it whimsical with toys and lots of bright colorful items. It is reminicent for me.

17. Favorite Christmas song? The First Noel is my favorite song. I do have a favorite memory relating to songs. My sister Nicole used to sing, "Silent night, Nicole-y night...". She was sure it was written about her. Speaking of Nicole singing Christmas songs, I also giggle thinking of her singing "Santa Clause is comingggg to TOOOWWWN."

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Well, I LOVE LOVE LOVE to travel and when I do am at a family members' home. I only wish I could get my hubby to enjoy traveling places other than Vegas. Don't get me wrong I like Vegas. I WILL spend a Christmas in New York City someday and would love for Greg to be with me.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Absolutely! That would be un-American or as my Dad would say, "it must be a lacking in your upbringing."

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I like to angels on top of trees, purely for a traditional feel. I like creative toppers like cowboy hats and bows. I usually put a snowman on top of mine.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas day

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? I swear the clocks speed up. There just isn't enough time to get it all done.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? See #16. I also like white lights with lots of natural decorations like pine cones, berries and red cardinals.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Lasagna

25. What is your favorite thing about the holidays? My time off to relax

Merry Christmas, to you!

Yummy!!

I made the best cream of broccoli soup EVER! Thanks to my Aunt Louise for sharing the recipe. Got to use my fancy-schmancy kitchen power tool (immersion blender) on this one - thanks again Mom.

Little Debbie Swiss Rolls are EVIL...

not only are they fattening, they include saturated fat AND trans fat, you know the consumable plastic that most products are attempting to remove. I must confess that I can (and have) binge on this item. It's nothing for me to polish off a box, that is six, two-cake packages, all by myself on the way home from the store. Remember this is a confession, I am not bragging. Anyone who knows me is VERY aware of the fact that I do enjoy food (to an extreme) and I don't attempt to hide it either.

Since I do have limits and usually stop at the cellophane wrapper and cardboard box I noticed something that I took advantage of and am recommending it to anyone else that spends a fortune on magazines.

On the back of the box there was and advertisement (click for online ordering) for magazine subscriptions for $5 each; some of them up to a year. And they are actually magazines that I buy from time to time. At this price why pass it up.

I thought it would be another great gift idea. The only issue with this is that you will actually need to buy a $1.00+ box of the snacks because they want the original order blank.

If you are ordering them for yourself use the link above and you can send it to youself and pay with a credit/debit card without the orginal order blank.

I LOVE a sale (+ coupons)

If you like candles, or might consider giving them as a gift for Christmas, or maybe you want to stock up now for other gift-giving opportunities then you should RUSH to Bath & Body Works before Sunday, December 7th.

Slatkin & Co candles are on sale. They are usually $19.50 and are discounted to $10. To get an even better deal when you purchase any item you will receive a coupon for $10 off a $30 purchase.

First, I purchased three manicure/pedicure kits that are regularly $18 and were on sale for $5 each. I had them rang up separately to get three $10 coupons.

Then I purchased, three sets of three Slatkin $10 candles for three $30 transactions and used the coupons against each transaction.

My total purchases came to $81.18 and if I had purchased all of it at regular price it would have been $248.46.

With each transaction I earned more $10 coupons that I do plan to use this week.

YEAH me!!

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