I Should Be Folding Laundry

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We are ready to start celebrating Thanksgiving.  And by celebrating, I mean, eating.  I may be a little too excited about going to both of our parents' houses, one dinner at 2 p.m. and another at 5 p.m., and having mashed potatoes and turkey at both homes.

Does life get any better than that?

I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving that is filled with laughter and love.

Happy Thanksgiving!

How in the world?

I have NO idea how I'm going to continue posting throughout this holiday weekend.  The pressure is on, thanks to NaBloPoMo.  Why couldn't they pick a month that doesn't end in 'ember? 

And I can't help but think no one will be reading blogs.  Maybe I'm wrong, but I know that as much as I'll want to sit and read blogs, I'll be busy cleaning pee off the floor in "Noah's bathroom."  (what can't boys aim?)  or doing some last minute Christmas shopping.  or continue to do the laundry that is apparently reproducing during the night while we sleep.

I will not be getting a manicure.  That's for sure.

So with that, I leave you with two things, the first, my other blog has been updated, with a real post and everything and it's about Thanksgiving, so, if you are bored, go here.   Or go there even if you aren't bored.  Whatever.  (I update that blog every Wednesday, by the way.)

Secondly, I know many of you read The Pioneer Woman.  Because you should.  Because she's the Greatest Blogger Ever in the history of Blogging.  If you are reading her, you more than likely feel the exact same way about her.  If you don't read her blog, Oh my God, you are missing out - go now. 

My question for you is this...how many of you either ordered her calendar or seriously considered it?  I almost did, I just don't have space for a wall calendar, but I want to because I love the pictures.  So, tell me.  Did you see the calendars?  Will you be owning one soon?

Tell me.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends. 

Wordless Wednesday

My children are thankful for good friends.

For more Wordless Wednesdays, go here or visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Works for Me Wednesday

I don't know about you, but colder weather doesn't just mean mittens and chili in my house.  It means hair that won't lay down, thanks to static electricity.  Not just me, oh no, but my daughter, too.

Sticks way up high, you should see us after taking a winter hat off, it's scary stuff, our hair is.

I talked to my hair stylist about this dilemma and she told me to rub my hands on a fabric softener sheet and then pat down our hair. 

And it works.

And that makes me so happy.  (if you use the sheet directly on the hair, it will make your hair greasy.  And that is not a good thing.  Unless, you like your hair greasy.)

For more Works for Me Wednesday, go here.

Whoa is me.

Or is it woe is me?  or neither.  or is it either?  I have no freakin' clue.

I slept five hours last night.

I woke up when Ariel woke up at six.  (which is two hours too early for her.)

I'm battling a cold that invaded my body last night.

I'm supposed to clean.  All. Day. Long.  Visitors are coming!  VISITORS!

And do some Christmas shopping for family visiting this weekend.

I'm haven't some difficulty starting my day. 

The sooner I land in the McDonald's drive thru for my crack coffee, the sooner I begin to see rainbows and hear birds singing.

can't wait.

By the way, I blog over here now, for a paycheck.  I know, right?  It's a local parenting site.  So, if you are looking for two real blog posts from me, go there.  And for the love of God.  Leave a comment.

Weekend Divinity

This past weekend was so enjoyable.  It started out right with a date with Brian.  We had dinner and I only ate HALF of my entree.  Which is supposedly a good thing.  We then got some Christmas shopping done.

The downfall of the night was going to the mall on a Friday night that was filled with thousands of rude people, really rude and they were mostly teenagers who had nothing better to do on a Friday night that loiter and get in my way and drop doors in my face.  Yeah, you, I'm talking to you, rude girl.  jerk.

Then we went to Toys R Us, which is always an interesting experience, so we expected the worst and left pleasantly surprised.  Well, not really pleasant at all, just a little surprised.

Then Saturday I had a hair appointment where I got my hair cut and colored, and well, that's just fun sometimes, isn't it?  Cause you know, no kids.  Despite their attempts to go with me.

Then I came home and took a snooze, just to wake up and go to dinner, yet again.

But this time I went with Crooked Eyebrow and Milk and Honey, names I use even when talking to Brian about them.  And it was divine.  Sorta like going away on a secluded vacation for four solid hours.  Yes, that good.  We talked.  And talked.  And talked.

And talked.

Without interruptions.  Well, I guess we were interrupted by our waitress bringing drinks and dessert, which just adds to the awesomeness of it all.

Then yesterday morning we went to church and headed out on our a Christmas Tree Hunt.  And we found THE tree at the first store.  At a great price.  So great of a price that we bought a HUGE blow up snowman and four foot Christmas trees and SO MUCH MORE!  (thanks, Home Depot!)

All items will remain safely in their boxes for at least another two weeks.  thankyouverymuch.

Then to top it off, Brian folded AND put away an entire load of kids clothes.  Without me asking him.

Which sorta felt like Christmas.  I almost put up my Christmas tree.

See?  And to think...next weekend should be even better!  You know, because of the turkey.

Sunday Squabbles

Only two more Sundays in NaBloPoMo.  Which means two more full weeks of this crap.  Posting every single day.  It's hard work, I'll tell you.  The quality of my blog posts will surely suffer, but I'm sure you won't mind.  right?

Today, we I am determined to find us a Christmas tree.  We threw ours away two years ago because well, the branches were falling off every time you touched it.  Last year, we couldn't find one, so for the first time in my life we purchased a Real Life Tree.  It was glorious, I loved every inch of it.  The smell, the look, it was my favorite tree.  (except it didn't hold heavy ornaments, but that's okay!)  But, this year, Brian insists that we not spend a small fortune on a real tree and instead spend a large fortune on a fake tree that according to him, will last us the next 20 years.

Based on our experience last year, we found that by waiting until after Thanksgiving, your chances of getting The Perfect Tree are slim.  Not that I'm particular, but it must be pre-lit, it must have a gazillion tips, it must be soft and full, and it better have OVER one thousand lights.  But I'm flexible, it can be 9 foot or 7 and a half foot, but I prefer 7 and a half foot.

But really, why don't they make eight foot trees?  Because that is what I really want.

Again, not that I'm particular.

Already this year we have been to ten stores.  Needless to say, we have left treeless.

There was one store, the type of store that sells pools in the summer, that had many, many desirable trees.  But the price, the price hurt so very bad.

Something tells me that is where we will end up.  Frustrated, exhausted and on the verge of getting a real tree.

Which is secretly where I want to be.

Paul Potts

Recently, Crooked Eyebrow turned me on to Paul Potts by showing this video on her blog.  I will be forever in her debt because although this video is absolutely amazing, emotional and outstanding, his album and every other performance are just as mesmerizing.  I purchased his album last night and I can't even express to you how great it is.  He's so good for my soul.

Watch the video & learn about Paul Potts.

Date Night

Tonight, Brian and I are going on a date, just the two of us!  I think the last time we went on a date it was to the flooring store to pick out our new floors.  I guess it wasn't so much a date as it was an outing out without children to spend a ridiculous sum of money.  But it's not the money spent I think of when I think of that night, it's the fact that Brian and I went somewhere alone. 

I think that is pretty sad.

So, tonight, we are heading out to dinner, we are going to have a glass of wine AND we are going to get some Christmas shopping done.   

All. By. Ourselves.

While Grandma stays home with the chickens.

I happen to think she's pretty lucky.

Tonight we went to KMart

I know, I know, you are totally and completely jealous. 

KMart (or is it K-Mart?) is one of those stores that a person only goes to when it's their only option, and since I live in the town (yes, it's town, not a city) that I live in, all we have is a KMart to go to when we need certain sundry items.  I could drive the same distance in a different direction to a very nice Super Wal-Mart, but I had to pick up a prescription at Walgreens which was next to this KMart. 

So, I had no choice but to shop there.

It's not that KMart is all that bad, it's just the prices are not good, the service is second rate, the selection is poor and well, it's dirty and unorganized.  Call me particular but these are the very reasons why I only visit this KMart about five times a year. 

And each times it sucks.

The kids' preschool class is making a collection of items for a local women's shelter and the deadline to bring items to donate is tomorrow, I, being the great planner that I am, totally forgot which is why we landed in KMart the night before.  But it worked out pretty well because I was planning to buy the new Seal album and Paul Potts' album. 

Tonight, we got lucky.  In addition to the high prices, poor selection and dirty floors, Ariel and I got to witness a fight.  A fight with lots of F words and people literally throwing people down and a fight that got about one foot away from myself and my daughter.

It Was Not Cute.

I got all Mama Bear-like because of the language.  The language really pissed me off.   Ever since I found out I was pregnant with Ariel I curbed all foul language.  Which was a big deal because I enjoyed cursing.  Now, I cringe at it, especially when it's PUNKS dropping the F-bomb in front of my daughter.

My initial thought was to start yelling at them, but it was a real fight and I knew that wouldn't be very wise.  So, I did what any normal person would do.

I called the cops.

I was like "yeah, I'm in KMART, amongst the high prices, dirty floors and lack of selection and there are some punks dropping the F-bomb in front of my four year old."

Okay, that is not what I said.  But I did call the cops.  It did not take me too long to figure out that the main Cuss Face was upset because he got busted shoplifting.  Seriously, he was very mad that he had just got busted, not ashamed or sad. Just furious.  Like people had no right to apprehend him.  The three other guys worked for KMart, apparently.

Long story short, I'm glad I called the cops, I plan to avoid going there ever again and I did not get either of the CD's. 

Thanks to the poor selection.