Who do I have to kill

so that I can go to one of these: Croptime


On a different note, here is some helpful information about your credit report. Thanks, Terry.

Scrappin' fool

I have just finished creating 18 individual holiday cards. I can't say they are all original ideas, since I LOVE to scraplift (that's the nice way to say steal designs). ;-)

I have a couple more to make, but I am pretty proud of them. I would take a picture of them so you all can see them, but I don't want to spoil the surprise for the folks who will receive them.

Black Friday

I did it. I braved the stores on Black Friday. Damn, I love America! I wallowed in extreme consumerism from 5:30 am to 9 am. I visited 4 stores in the following order: Sears, Joann’s, Target, and Wal-Mart.

I shall break down my awesome purchases and experiences at each store.

Sears:
I got there at 5:30 am. They were giving away $10 gift cards to the first 200 customers. My friend T was there before me, luckily, and she saved me a spot. I may not have made it into the first 200 if it were not for that. Thanks, T! After the store opened and the line was moving slowly towards the door, these 2 girls jumped in front of us. Some guys told them to move along, and T also told them to take a step towards the back of the line. It was funny when the girl told T to “fuck off” and T replied, “Blah blah blah!”. She so crazy. (and yes, the girls moved)
So, of course chaos reined in the store, but I had one goal. There were queen-size sheet sets available for $17.99! The regular price on those things were $69.99 just the day before. Woo hoo! Now if you are paying attention you will remember that I just got a $10 gift card for standing in the cold a half hour. So, the grand total on my purchase was $9 and some change. Now that’s what I call a discount. J And apparently you can still buy these online…at least until 11/27…so get on it, yo!


Joann:
There wasn’t as much chaos at Joann’s. But that was because I was at their smaller store. I really wanted to visit the superstore, but that was way out of my way. So, I missed out on some selection. But that’s okay. I got the stuff I really wanted.
This year I am crafting my own holiday cards, and I really wanted a snowflake stamp. All the stamps were 50% off. So, I purchased 2. Their regular price was $5.99 each, so I spent that much on 2. J I also got some felt for some holiday projects. It cost me 10 cents a piece. And paper by the piece was 6 for 96 cents. (Regular price 59-69 cents). So, with 2 stamps, a lot of felt, and 6 pieces of paper, and a 10% off total purchase, I left that store $7 lighter.


Target:
Oh, Target. How do I love thee. Those specials…I just didn’t have enough money to cover everything I wanted. But I did get Family Guy on DVD (the first and second season) all for $17.77. And for some reason, Star Wars DVD was on sale for $39.99. WTF, that thing is usually $60! I snagged on for the Big D. Hell, even Wal-Mart’s sale price was $47. And in the category of what else I wanted but didn’t get….Mulan and Pirates of the Caribbean were $12 each. Ho hum. Total Target purchase: $62

Wal-Mart:
Yes, even after hearing stories from the shumucks on cell phones about fights breaking out, I still braved Wally World. It, of course, was a zoo. But they had $3.88 DVDS, and I needed to check some out. I got there about 7 am…they had only been open an hour, but of course all the good stuff was pillaged. I did score a copy of Blazing Saddles. Man, I love that movie.
Here’s the kicker. While T and I were checking out some remote control cars, I noticed a Leap Pad reading system just sitting on the shelf. Could it be true? Was this a coveted $20 leap pad just sitting there minding it’s own business!? This is one of those sale items that you just KNEW was demolished 5 minutes after opening. But here one was…with a pretty little $20 ticket on it. I snagged it and held on with all my strength. (It already had 2 books included in the package)


All in all, I had a fabulous morning of shopping. The Big D was pretty darned sick, so he stayed home with the girl. He’s at the walk-in clinic right now. He probably has a bad case of Sinusitis. L But he is much happier now that I have medicated him with Star Wars DVDS.

BTW, Thanksgiving was great. C and I went to T’s Mom’s place. It was great fun. Just like being with my Michigan family (I miss you guys!). It was chaotic and noisy and I got to help out in the kitchen. We looked at family photos and the newest baby got passed from lap to lap. He was soo cute! The Big D missed out due to sleeping the day away (yes, he missed FOOTBALL). I ate too much, as usual.

So, I guess I should sign off with what I am grateful for. I am grateful for having love. I am grateful that there are people out there who want to receive my love in return. I am grateful for living in America. I am grateful for the heath and happiness of my husband and daughter…well, sure, D is a little sick right now, but I know he will get better.
I am grateful for food in my belly, a roof over my head, and high-speed internet access. ;)

Yippee

My inlaws are coming! Don't be shocked. I really like them. :) RM (D's mom) and her husband, H, are going to be here in January. Can you believe their plane tickets only cost $186 each!!

America West Airlines is awesome! I can get my family here from Michigan for around the same price as the inlaws.

On another travel note, D is going to New Orleans in February. Yes, during Mardi Gras. The bastard. Apparently, there is a conference or convention or something. I think it is just an excuse to party on Gov't money. ;) But do not worry, I just might be able to go with him. All I need is a babysitter. Cross your fingers...I haven't gotten a reply yet, but I have made the request.

Nothing to see here folks

Just move along. It's not like I have my DSL back...oh wait, yes, yes I do have it back!!

Ahh, to surf the web at lightning speeds (how many naked pictures of Antonio Banderas can you get to load at the same time?). To put C on ignore for hours at a time (Honey, I know you are only 2, but could you maybe make yourself a sandwich...thanks. Mommy is busy now.).

Maybe I can get back to my dream of trying to find a nice little online job. :)


I feel so whole again. This is better than Zoloft.

I'm disgusted

Had to jump on my soapbox after watching the news tonight.
There are these temporary residences called "Tent Cities" around these parts. It's exactly as the name implies. Homeless adults are put together in tents so they can have a place to sleep.

They are run by a non-profit who has strict rules and procedures in place. But the bottom line is, they are all about keeping people from sleeping on benches and under bridges.

Well, the cities operate off of temporary use orders and their next one is up. A church in Woodinville has decided to host the city for the next 3 months. Here's where my disgust comes into play. There is an actual heated debate about whether the church should host the homeless project. Not just from Joe Schmo, this is my neighborhood...but from the parishoners...that's right. The Christians who use that church as their spiritual ground.

I can't believe it. People pick up a freaking Bible every once in a while, would ya?! Do you know how sad and ugly you sound talking about your freaking property values?

Check this quote:
"The proposed camp is next door to Stacy Meyer, who said she started out angry but now feels fear, frustration and betrayal. She said having the small encampment in her neighborhood is a threat to the greater community that amounts to ``terrorism.''"

What the fuck? That's right lady, all homeless people are criminals. Sheese.

Hello, Compassion, are you out there? You are sorely missed.

The hosting church put up a nice F.A.Q. at their website. My head hurts.

When will the madness end

Dear DSL,
Come back to me. Please. I swear, I didn't mean to talk about your momma like that. She has lovely hair...I mean it. Really. :)
Love,
AS