Friday, November 28, 2008

Daily Agenda:

1. 11:30 pm: (Thursday): Go to bed

2. 4:00 am: Get up (yes, that is only 4 hours of sleep because I was in a new bed and didn't fall asleep right away).

3. 4:05 am: Brush hair, brush teeth, put contacts in, change to clean undies (too tired and no time for a full relaxing shower!).

4. 4:15 am: Get in car and drive off.

5. 4:20 ish am: Get to Starbucks...order a Venti, Peppermint Mocha, Extra with No Whip and have the cutesy wide-awake Barista ask me, "You mean no peppermint whip cream on that peppermint twist?" Well, I guess if I had wanted whip I would have asked for it.

6. 4:30--4:40 am: Drive to Walmart, park, look at the lines and think, "Am I crazy?" and then go join to line of other crazies waiting to get in.

7. 5:00 am: Do the shuffle walk/run with carts like the other Walmart lemmings in hopes of snagging that great big buy that no one else really wants, right? WRONG!!! I'm glad I go there for the deals, but I keep my expectations low and realistic...no grbbing an $88 dollar Barbie Jeep, or a $200 TV or laptop. Nope, I go for the $2 movies, the picture frames, the $9 flash drive...ya know the small stuff that ends up totaling over $100...how did that happen.

8. 5:40 am: Get in line to check out.

9. 5:50 am: Still standing in line wondering how I always pick the slow cashier and wondering if anyone in Vancouver, WA was raised with any manners? Yes, you there..the 30 something year old in the gray sweatshirt...yes you! If you find it necessary to push past me and my cart do you think you could at least say excuse me and not show my cart into the person behind me? I respond well to excuse me's, please and thank yous. I don't respond well to A$$ holes like you...CHEER UP...it's almost Christmas. I hope you got want to you were so anxiously rushing off towards...but let me tell you, if you are just coming in the store at 5:50 am, you have missed out on the doorbusters!

**Side Note** If you decide to get your butt out of bed at 3 am to drive to stores, stand in line and then fight the crowds to get the best deals...please do not drag your young innocent children into this mess with you. There is no reason why you can't leave them with Dad (he donated the sperm, I think he is capable of watching his own offspring), or Nana/GMA/Grandma (whatever you call that cutesy lady who kisses you on the lips and bakes yummy stuff!); and if they aren't available pay the 12 year old Betsy down the street to come sleep on your couch for a few hours...you know your kids would rather be sleeping than shopping! **End of Rant**

10. 6:15 am: Finally get through the check out line...load up my car and off to the next store...TARGET!

11. 6:25--6:30 am: Show up at Target and thank the parking gods for the parking spot two spots in on the row right in front of the door.

12. 6:30--?? am: Wander the store analyzing what I do and don't need...buy a few movies (including Annie and a Lady Antebellum CD for myself of course). Move through the organized and fairly fast paced check out line and out the door.

13. 7:15 am (I think...I've kind of lost track of time at this point as I am so tired!): Drive over to Craft Warehouse...now I'm not usually allowed in these stores because I am there only to buy for myself and I really don't need anymore scrap/craft stuff; HOWEVER, I had to! That's right...I was forced into Craft Warehouse by the angry mob trying to get in behind me...ok, so maybe I was the mob forcing myself through the front door....ok, ok, ok no FORCE...I deliberately chose to walk through the front door of my own free will!

14: 7:30--8:00 am: First of all, find a bathroom..have to pee, have to pee!!! Then I wander the store...no agenda...no pressing needs. Turn around the corner and BAM!! There in front of me is a gorgeous wrought iron plate hanger for the wall that holds three plates...and with my 40% off coupon it only cost $11...YEAH ME!! Buy just a few more things.

15. 8:15 am: Drag myself back to my Mom's house...check my email and facebook.

16. 8:45 am: Go back to bed!!!!

17. 1:00 pm: Wake up and shower!

WOW! I kept telling myself (and I subconsciously have Marcie's voice in my ear....even though I know you don't begrudge me my shopping...but I still hear your sense and sensibility on shopping) that I am crazy for even thinking about getting up early and going shopping on Black Friday, but yet I still did it. I have to say though that I didn't jump on the Black Friday bandwagon until last year...so this isn't something I do ALL the time.

This year I even did it all by myself! My Mom was going to come with but her back was hurting and she had to work this afternoon...if I was her I probably would have slept too!

Now I'm off to spend the next few hours reading magazines and books at Borders. Bliss!

Happy Black Friday to all the other crazy shoppers out there!

Thanksgiving Blessings

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Remember to count your blessings today!

Driving home today:

Me: "Mason, what are you thankful for?"

Mason: "God. And Food. And God."

Me: "Are you thankful for anything else?"

Mason: "Yes, God and food" (I kind of got the impression that Mason thinks God provides our food...which he does!)

Me: "Yes, God is a good thing to be thankful for. Do you know what thankful means?"

Mason: "It means that we thank them and they love us."

Me: "So are you thankful for anything else....like..Mom or Dad?"

Mason: "Yes, because they protect me. And God...and food!"

There you have it...God and food...the top two things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!

12th Day of Christmas Giveaways

Today she is giving away a totally cute bag and a bloggie makeover...I really, really, really want to get a bloggie makeover...I have ideas but don't know how to "write" the bloggy formatting language...maybe this is my chance!

I love me some CONTESTS!!

And I know you do too! This fun site-Tip Junkie-is doing a fantastic Mom-preneur Shop-a-thon Giveaway. So whatcha waiting for? Go Enter! Now! Go!

It's Hark, NOT Mark!

Maddy singing: "Mark the Herald Angels sing, Glory...."

Me: "Maddy, it's hark, not mark."

Maddy: "OK!"

Maddy singing: "Mark the Herald Angels sing...."

Me: "Maaadddy! It's Hark not Mark"

Maddy: "OK, OK!"

Maddy singing: "Mark the Herald Angels"

Me: "STOP! Sing it right!!! It's Hark. Do you even know what hark means?"

Maddy: "Nope"

Maddy: "Mark the Herald Angels Sing"

I give up!

10th and 11th Day of Christmas Giveaways...

Don't forget to go there EVERY DAY!!!!

I love me some CONTESTS!! And I know you do too! This fun site-Tip Junkie-is doing a fantastic Mom-preneur Shop-a-thon Giveaway. So whatcha waiting for? Go Enter! Now! Go!

Road Trip Calling My Name

Oh SuuuuuuuuSaaaaaaaaaNaaaaaaa!!!

Can you hear me yelling at you (in NC) all the way from WA State????

OMG!! I have discovered the perfect road trip...and come hell or high water (or Jesus coming back!) Susana and I are going.

**SIDE NOTE** Don't you love BFF's that plan things then tell you about it later???

Ok...last night on HGTV they were showcasing what people found at a garage sale! Not just an ordinary garage sale mind you, but a FOUR day garage sale covering FIVE states over SIX hundred miles of garage sales. Oh be still my heart...I thought I might have died and gone to garage sale heaven! It is called the Endless Garage Sale of 127 (127 being the highway).

This thing goes from Ohio to Alabama! Next year, 2009, it is running from August 6--9th, and I want to be there! I figure I can fly to NC (with empty suitcases of course), met up with my BFF Susana and drive from there! Whatcha think?

Doable?

Enjoyable?

FanFREAKINtastic is what I say!

Look...we can stop at this nifty coffee shop...I'm sure it's no Cafe Espana...but is COFFEE when you are driving the ENDLESS GARAGE SALE!

So BFF are you in? Or are you shaking your head thinking, "How the heck did God give me a BFF like Rachel!"

Hallelujah for Contested Court Hearings!

I received a traffic ticket a month or so ago for failure to stop at a stop sign.

The officer stated that I 'rolled' through the sign.

I disagreed with him.

I contested the ticket.

I was sworn in under oath at 10:23 am this morning that my testimony was true.

I gave my explanation.

Case DISMISSED!

I like that Judge...he's a swell guy (swell...just a funny word when describing someone. Does it mean that it is blown-up? Just a thought).

Here is my thought about the court clerk I met last week when preparing for this court date today...as said in a letter (because that's what the SITS are doing today...SITS? Yeah they are a bunch of FANTASTIC ladies who go blog to blog showering bloggy love):

Dear Ms. Court Clerk Lady of the Grant County Court in Moses Lake, WA

I appeared in at the court clerk desk in person to fill out paperwork to subpoena the officer who gave me my ticket, as I have a court date next week to contest the ticket.

After waiting five minutes, with no one in line and you and your co-worker making no acknowlegdement of my being at your desk, I proceeded to tell you what I needed. You told me that you didn't have this form and couldn't help me.

I was amazed! The contested hearing paper I received made the following statement:

"If you wish to subpoena a witness, you must apply to the court in person at least 10 days prior to the hearing."

I re-asked, after reading the above statement to you, if the form was available. Again, you told me no. You then went on to tell me that I had to research it on my own, find the form online and then submit it. Then you proceeded to hand me a handout entitled: "Information Available from District Court Employees". Under the column of what District Court Staff can do, it states: "Provide court-approved or required forms or tell you where you can find forms."

Do you not read the handout you gave me? Do you not know what court approved forms are? Are you always a B#@$&...oops, did I say that out loud!?!

I understand that you might have had a bad day. I understand you might even be overworked. I understand that you might not have been complete directions on how to do your job properly. But PUH-LEASE!

Your kindness and overwhelming show of understanding made me feel a whole lot better. In fact, it made me feel so good that I am actually considering sending this letter to the Grant County Court in real life and not just in bloggy life!

I hope that your day gets better....at least my day did. Did I tell you my ticket was dismissed even without your help? Of course not, because the form you gave me said, "district court staff cannot tell you what decision the judge will make or what sentence the judge will impose" so I guess it works both ways...you don't talk to me and I won't talk to you!.

Happy Friday,

Rachel Ann

Happy Early Birthday Quentin!

This is my "nephew" Quentin...his Momma, Sarah, is one of my good friends from college! He is going to be 1 on December 17th...isn't he cute?

Sorry the pictures are grainy...they are once again taken with my camera phone! When I was on the other side of the mountains last weekend Sarah and I went out to lunch after church...of course we went to Red Robin (we always go to RR together). Quentin was given a balloon to play with and he had a blast!

Reaching for that elusive balloon!


Look Momma, I got it!

Now isn't that just one of the cutest babies you've ever seen? He's one of those babies that have those big apple cheeks that make you want to pinch him and squeeze him...hmm, I think I might have done just that!

He is a great baby...we were at RR for almost two hours and he was great the whole time!

Happy Birthday Quentin!

I love you...Auntie Rachel

Free Jewelry?

I found a link through one of the websites I stalk about FREE jewelry! At first, I clicked on it a bit sceptically thinking that no one is going to give out FREE jewlery. But I guess this place does...Sterling Silver jewelry to be exact! They only ask that you pay the shipping/handling of $6.99 and you have to pay that per piece...still not a bad deal considering how much jewelry is these days.

Nina, again, I thought of you when I say this site!

Easy way to get some Christmas presents out of the way or even buy for friends you might not have before!

9th Day of Christmas Giveaways...

Today is day and she is giving away a totally cute customized Super-Hero cape for your little one and this totally cute and chic piggy bank!

**NINA--The first person I thought of when I saw today's prizes was Bella!**

Don't forget to go there EVERY DAY!!!!

I love me some CONTESTS!! And I know you do too! This fun site-Tip Junkie-is doing a fantastic Mom-preneur Shop-a-thon Giveaway. So whatcha waiting for? Go Enter! Now! Go!

Skinny Cow Coupons

**Insert Side Note Here**

I totally LIED!

I went to buy my dippers tonight and they are 2 boxes for $9....not the 2 for $6 as I wrote about below! Sheesh...but still with the coupon, I only spent $7.50...when one box is usually $7.00.

Soooo Sorry I lied...do you forgive me?


At the CKC convention this last weekend, Skinny Cow was giving away FREE (remember, that is one of my favorite words in the English Language!) samples of their Skinny Dippers...I chose mint flavored every time..yum, yum, yum!!!

They also handed out little booklets with a coupon on the back of each...

The coupon is for $1.50 off when you buy 2 boxes of Skinny Cow Dippers....

I was at Safeway last night and Skinny Dippers are on sale...2 for $6.00 (I think that was the right price...it was like a $2.50-$3.00 savings)...then if you were to use your coupon then they would only be 2 for $4.50...just a little over $2 a box!

So if you got a coupon this last weekend...go to Safeway and use it (hint, hint Barbara and Holly!)

8th Day of Christmas Giveaways...

Today is day 8 and she is giving away a Baby Snuggly and fun fabric!

Don't forget to go there EVERY DAY!!!!

I love me some CONTESTS!! And I know you do too! This fun site-Tip Junkie-is doing a fantastic Mom-preneur Shop-a-thon Giveaway. So whatcha waiting for? Go Enter! Now! Go!

Life in a Small Town...

Usually, when one lives in a small town such as the one I live in...you would normally run into fields of these....

Nope, these aren't the famous California cows...they are just cows that STINK!!! Why is it that cows smell so awful! ugh..

One would more than likely see these scattered across town too....

Yep, run down trailer parks!

Don't let me offend you...I know that people need homes to live in...I get that! But seriously, they do bring down the property value just a wee bit. Especially if your name is Bubba and your wife's name is Babs and you have 5 or more cars parked outside (that don't run), a bathtub in the front yard and dogs running around barking...

Around my small town in Eastern Washington you see an overabundance of this....

Wheat fields..

However, living in America and proud to be employed...oh wait, there are tons of wheat fields laying dormant because the farmers have been PAID NOT TO FARM!!!!

How can we say we have food shortages when the government pays our farmers NOT TO WORK...ok, that wasn't what I was intending to write about, but that issue bugs me a bit.

And of course, all small towns have this....

Wally's World! They sneak in in the middle of the night and suck up all the small businesses and convince your small town that they are the only store needed, thus keeping your shopping choices to a minimum!

yes, i stole all these pictures from the Internet...that is why we have Internet right? Right!

There are other ways of telling if you are from a small town.

Case in point!

I was on my way back to work from lunch at Rachel's Cafe (yum, we had hamburgers and fries!) when I heard a Christmas commercial on the radio advertising for Christmas shopping. The store in the commercial?

The local PAWN SHOP!

Yep, that's right...you too can go to the local pawn shop and buy those special gifts for Mom, Dad, kids, grandkids, and the fellow in the state prison! Seriously, what is up with that?

7th Day of Christmas Giveaways...

Today is day 7 and she is giving away a really cute Christmas decoration!


Don't forget to go there EVERY DAY!!!!


I love me some CONTESTS!! And I know you do too! This fun site-Tip Junkie-is doing a fantastic Mom-preneur Shop-a-thon Giveaway. So whatcha waiting for? Go Enter! Now! Go!

6th Day of Christmas Giveaways....Having Fun!

Today is day 6

Don't forget to go there EVERY DAY!!!!

I love me some CONTESTS!! And I know you do too! This fun site-Tip Junkie-is doing a fantastic Mom-preneur Shop-a-thon Giveaway. So whatcha waiting for? Go Enter! Now! Go!

Claim Jumper

You've heard me say this before...but I love life outside of Moses Lake! One of the reasons is because of the multitude of restaurants to choose from when going out to dinner....ohhh....yum yum! On Saturday night we decided to go out to dinner to Claim Jumper at Redmond Town Center. If you haven't been to Claim Jumper...you need to go...it is FABuLOUS!

This is Shannon, Holly's cousin from Oregon. She is an avid scrapper, teacher (both real school and scrapping stuff!) and she travels all the way up from OR for this every year...but then again, we travel down to Portland in March for the CKC there.

Barbara...Aren't you excited that we introduced to this wonderful world of crafting and TOOLS!?!!Me!!! I love this little brown shrug...I found it on CLEARANCE for $6...what a deal!

Look...it's Miss Elly and her Momma Holly. Elly didn't want too much to do with Auntie Rachel this weekend...it's a good thing I have healthy self-esteem and understand babies don't always do too well outside of home...because every time I held her she screamed!

but I STILL LOVE HER!!!

CKC New Friends

One of the classes I volunteered in this weekend was the SEI class taught by Connie Hastings! The other volunteer, Leta, and I got to talk to Connie quite a bit and she is a fun person to get to know! She made the class fun to take for all the students and was a blast to TA for!

I love meeting new people and making friends!

Beware: Dajia took these Pictures!

I came back to my sister's house tonight after being at the CK convention and sat down at the computer for the time in a few days...I spent a few minutes on here last night...but fell asleep!

One of the things I wanted to do tonight was upload some pictures of my weekend...well, Dajia saw the camera and wanted to take some pictures of her own...so here you go!

I saw this one and said oh you took a picture of Auntie's feet, to which she promptly replied (like a true fashionita)..., "No, those are my shoes!"

The TV of course! We are watching some cartoon about Arthur and the Invisible People...it has Freddy Highmore in it who I really like.

Of course, me on the computer.

Dajia thought you needed to see her Momma and Daddy!

Of course...I'm her favorite Auntie....Well, until she comes to visit and she loves Shannon's house because that is where Mason and Maddy are!

5th Day of Christmas Give Aways

Today's giveaway is some cute purses!

Don't forget to go there EVERY DAY!!!!

I love me some CONTESTS!! And I know you do too! This fun site-Tip Junkie-is doing a fantastic Mom-preneur Shop-a-thon Giveaway.

So whatcha waiting for? Go Enter! Now! Go!

4th Day of Christmas Giveaways!

Don't forget to go there EVERY DAY!!!!

I love me some CONTESTS!! And I know you do too! This fun site-Tip Junkie-is doing a fantastic Mom-preneur Shop-a-thon Giveaway.

So whatcha waiting for? Go Enter! Now! Go!