RERUNS...

Are you addicted to TV? If you answer yes to any of the following questions, I am guessing you are...

1. Did you look at your shows this week, find they were all in reruns and scream AARGH, in your head or out loud?
2. Did you immediately go to the internet only to be disappointed the writers strike is still going strong?
3. Do you have an equal ratio of family members to tv's in your home?
4. Do you own TIVO/DVR or is it on your Christmas list?
5. Do you watch shows online or download to itunes?

Don't feel bad, me too:) Here's the latest

Black Friday

So Trent and I were completed with our shopping adventure by 9:30 a.m. I guess when you start at 5:00, it's easy to be done before the mall normally even opens. The most out of control thing I saw? The line at Toys R Us. It wrapped all around the store all the way to the entrance. Did I wait in this line, yes, well sorda...Ok, so as a die hard black Friday, deal finder I really did feel bad about my "cutting" in front of about 100 shoppers who were out for the bargain just like me! What did I do? Well Brook was in line when I got there so I put a couple things in her cart because they were too heavy for me to carry (there were no carts) and then it got to be her turn in line and I just happened to be done shopping. She said just get up here with me, I hemmed and hawed for a couple seconds thinking no way, I can't do it and then I glanced at the line of people and just jumped right up there and checked out. Really, I did feel bad and I am sorry for the extra 2 minutes or so I put people behind schedule but I LOVE my friend for the suggestion. Next year I will let someone cut in front of me in a really long line to make up for it, I promise!
By the way, no one even noticed me, cause if they did you probably would have seen me getting beat up on the news:)

2007 Tree Colors

Every year I change the color of our Christmas tree. This year - pink, green, blue, purple and silver.
The FAQ's
1. Do you buy new ornaments every year? Yes I do, but in moderation, I am also crafty and make some of them. However, I didn't buy any new this year, not even one!
2. Do you ever reuse? Yes I do, sometimes I mix and match colors of years past
3. Does the paper really match the tree? Yes it does...Why? I like it to match, everyone has their thing, mine just happens to be the tree.

Thankful...

I realized that I began this post but never actually posted it. I am thankful for so much but here is a quick rundown...

My God and our freedom to worship
My kids and husband, I am so blessed to have them
My friends and family
My job
My small group and their ability to challenge me
My church and a pastor that inspires me
My freedom and the people that put their lives on the line to protect it
Silly things: the internet, reality tv, my cel phone, chocolate, Starbucks

Day, I'm not exactly sure...

So I have officially given up Diet Coke, it has been probably about 2 weeks. It actually wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. The first couple days were a little sketchy but after some serious headaches I think I am over the hump. I have replaced my daily caffeine fix with green tea, which I brew then put over ice. My next hurdle will be caffeine and then all junk food, which I'm guessing isn't going to be quite so easy...

Random Thoughts...

~Not a fan of the cold weather but I am sooo looking forward to the Christmas season. We have so much already planned and I am getting pumped to put up our tree on Friday...
~Is it really almost dark at 5:30 each year around this time? As I type I am pretty much sitting in the dark, and it is 5:27, I think I need to turn some lights on...
~For how much longer will the girls think it is funny when they "toot"? It usually brings on genuine laughter and fun...
~Right now Ally is playing the piano and singing her heart out, maybe someday this will allow me to retire:)
~Lanie is grounded from Gracie for chasing her around the house, the poor dog has to hide under the couch to escape her sometimes...
~Ally is standing over my shoulder asking me "I see my name, are you typing about me again? What are you saying about me, tell me tell me tell me"...

Talented

My friend Sara is a very talented photographer and card designer. She has started selling her cards, take a look through the link in free advertising for my friends - Sara's Custom Design. She also took the beautiful new picture of the girls!

If a 4 year old did my hair...

Kill my PC

Yep, this is how I feel!

Dell

So we got a new computer last year, it was exciting; we thought we were doing good upgrading. HOWEVER, my computer is so loud I can barely hear my tv at times! It starts out really quiet like a normal computer and then the longer it is on and the more it has to think the louder it gets. What does Dell have to say? A whole lot of nothing! We have had our fan replaced twice and a new motherboard sent to us, which we had to install ourselves, or our friend Bryan installed for us I should say.
And since our warranty is expired depending on the customer service rep we speak with there is nothing they can do for us, though the problem started while the computer was under warranty. What do we do? I would like to smash my computer, post it on youtube and hope someone from Dell would hear my cry but since it has been done I doubt I will get far with that plan. My buddy Chris at XPS support told me the computer case is too small for the system inside and the loud fan is a known problem with some XPS systems... Wouldn't you think that would warrant a replacement since the things they have tried have gotten us nowhere?
If anyone out there has any suggestions besides me asking for an Apple gift certificate for Christmas let me know!

Kids Say the Funniest Things...

Ally: "No, mom it is called a da'sembly" (every Wed she has an assembly)
Lanie: "Sometimes me do, sometimes me don't" (what we hear when she has changed her mind about liking something)
Ally: "I know what the black part of your eye is called, a pimple" (pupil)
Ally: "Milk is really good for you it has lots of calories" (calcium)
Lanie: "My eye bulb is blue, yours is brown"

Teary Eyed...

For those of you who know me, you know that I cry ALL the time, I am the sap that tears up at commercials, I think I have cried on every episode of Grey's Anatomy and sometimes just the smiles on my kids faces brings tears to my eyes. What can I say I'm emotional...Well tonight the kids and I are eating at Marino's and a guy with a VETERAN hat comes in, later I notice across the restaurant there is a young man dressed in his US Army Camo. When the Vet has the opportunity to ask "did you just arrive home?" He says "Yes Sir" The Vet gives him a strong handshake then throws his arms around him and says "Thank You". For a few seconds they both just stand there and then he continues to tell him how we stand behind our troops and he appreciates all they have done. The young man replies "thank you sir for what you have done also" As I am sitting there trying not to stare, I realize that my eyes are teary and I have a huge lump in my throat. It was an awesome moment to witness. I wish I could have found the courage to say thank you to both of them.

My Name Is....

I always thought my name was unique. Not that it is that different just uncommon. Growing up and still today people assume my heritage to be of Spanish descent. People usually laugh when I tell them nope, Scotch/Irish - German/Welsh - Korean/Thai, that usually confuses the heck out of people but hey, I am a mutt! So today as I was looking over a report I noted some names that some would consider a little different or uncommon:
Cortavious, Alesdair, Briggan, Alnisa, Rynisha, Shalaha, Arno, Doria, Deja, Towanna, Shasta, Doxie, Danisha, Savada, Easley, Akiba, Delshaun, Airi, Shatari, Agosta, Tamiya, Carlettus, Chablis, LaTreshea, Demarco, Chiquita, Orran, Jessemy and Kelica.

Aspartame

My dad has been on my about ditching Diet Coke and any other product that contains Aspartame because of the negative side effects, I have been trying to make the switch to a little healthier one mini step at a time. I am slowly weaning myself off Diet Coke, which is HARD! I have been drinking a ton of green tea which I enjoy I just sometimes want Diet Coke, maybe I'll go back to regular Coke after reading this article the empty calories seem more healthy!

I LOVE friendly people!

My telephone conversation with a local establishment.

Me: Hi, Could I get a menu faxed over?
Person on the Phone: What do you mean?
Me: Could I get a menu so we could order lunch to be picked up?
Person on the Phone: You mean like of our sandwiches and stuff
Me: Yes that would be great! (I held back yep, I believe that is what we call a menu these days)

Inside of my head - Was I speaking Japanese? Did those 2 years at college mysteriously pop out at the exact moment I was trying to order lunch? Was a menu request from a restaurant that big of a request? Note to self, next time get pizza...