Sweeping Through Life

It is that time of year, especially after shopping all day on Black Friday. To get you in the mood here is a little holiday music. Happy Monday!!!

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My husband's birthday is coming up soon. In the past, for his birthday we have either done dinner and a movie, gone out with friends or he has asked me to make one of his favorite meals and one of my famous cheesecakes for dessert. When my husband was growning up, his family really did not do alot for birthdays. Maybe it was because there were 5 children, of which he is the youngest or maybe it was because Christmas was so close.  This is totally different from growing up in my house, where I was always taken out to dinner, was given presents and recieved a cake from my favorite bakery, Reesch. For some reason, this year I feel the need to do something special for him, maybe because this birthday he is my husband.  My husband is a very simple man and would be appreciative of whatever was done for his birthday. I have a few ideas of what I would like to do for him and my ideas involve things that he would not do for himself. I do not want to list any of my ideas out loud, since he s

I know what I am doing....I have done it every year for the past several year. The thrill of getting up, putting on a fresh pair of sweats with a scarf and a hat and my tennis shoes as I stand in the brisk air waiting  in line to get into the store to get my items that I have been stalking the Black Friday ads for. I hope I get everything that I need to get for Christmas in one morning of shopping. Are you out here with me? (image found here)

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November 27, will be what many retailers call "Black Friday". I am one of those people that you see on the news rushing through the stores trying to find a deal. If you are a seasoned veteran or this will be first time shopping on "Black Friday", here are some helpful tips from MSNBC.com that should help you in your shopping experience. 1. It’s OK to do nothing. In fact, if you steer clear of stores entirely that day, you’ll have plenty of company. Many people shun most forms of shopping for the entire weekend, either because they can’t stand crowds or they’re turned off by the notion of people shopping from pre-dawn ‘til after dark. Each year on the day after Thanksgiving, the funny and incisive Adbusters Magazine sponsors “Buy Nothing Day” in countries all over the globe. The 24-hour event is billed as a “festival of restraint.” 2. You can always shop on the Internet . Stop and think of the myriad benefits: no crowds, no lines, no need to change out of yo

I am thankful for so many things, some times it is hard to say all that I am thankful for. I think that sometimes during the holidays we forget what the holiday is about, it is called Thanks giving. Here are 5 things that I am thankful for. God -- I am thankful that I have God in my life.  My husband -- We have been together for so many years he is almost like a third arm. I really do love him and thankful for the friendship and the relationship that we have. My family and friends --I have a wonderful mom and a great bunch of friends. I am thankful for their friendship, love and support. Books --Books help me escape to another place and time. I do not have to be Dana, I can be Anne of Green Gables or Edward from Twilight. Books give me an escape, for all of the hum drum of everyday life. Sleep --I love sleep. I am thankful every night when I can get in the bed and rest or when I am able to take a nap. There is nothing like cuddling with a blanket and snuggling with my pillow.

I really enjoyed SWV (Sisters With Voices) when they were hot. It to bad that they are not together anymore. One is even married to ex-OSU football star Eddie George and was on Survivor. That is a far cry from being in a girl band. Happy Monday!!!

T omorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it.                                                                 -Anne of Green Gables ( photo is from my honeymoon)

(The Buckeye Guy an d I. I am sure that he will be at the game.) This football game is the one of the oldest football rivalries. Today is the biggest game of the season  for The Ohio State University. I must say as an OSU fan, that OSU fans are fickle. We do not care if we lose every game of the season ( not true, but sometimes feels that way), but we demand a win against Michigan. The whole town becomes like a ghost town during the game. If you really like to shop or what to go out to eat, you will be able to do it with ease while this game is on. I will be sporting my OSU gear and will probably be watching the game with the hubby. All I have to say is GO BUCKS!!! Beat Michigan.

I  have been waiting to see this movie since I saw "Twilight". I read all the books with in a week and a half. So if you get to the theatre before me, save  me a few seats  for in the middle section of the theatre. My special friend, Ben, and I will be there with our popcorn ( I am ignoring the recent report of that a medium popcorn is like several fast food meals) , drink and our usual fruit snacks. I will probably be annoyed with all the previews that they will show since I will be so ready to see the movie. If "New Moon" is not your cup of tea, the movies "Precious" and "The Blind Side" also come out today. I will be seeing "Precious" on Sunday with my sorority sisters and I will probably see "The Blind Side" sometime during  the Thanksgiving weekend. I love going to the movies, my hubby on the other hand does not. He will go if I ask, but most of the time he wants to rent a movie since he feels he has a "movie t

At my second job working with my "special friend" Ben, we have a craft party every year.  Looking on the Martha Stewart  website, good ole Martha, I found this idea. I think that this would be an easy and fun ornament to make. My Christmas tree is full of ornaments that we have made at these parties. I think that it makes my tree look so original with the mix of store bought and handmade ornaments. Here is what you will need: Tools and Materials Needle-nose pliers or wire cutters 16-gauge copper wire, or 22-gauge green floral wire, cut to 9-inch lengths 72 buttons for each wreath Scissors Satin ribbon, 1/8 inch wide and 6 inches long Seam binding for decorative bow Button Wreath Ornament How-To 1. Using pliers, make a small loop at one end of the wire. 2. Thread buttons onto the wire until you have enough to form the size of the wreath you want. Our wreaths are 2 1/2 inches in diameter. 3. Using pliers, bend the plain end of the wire around the looped end. This

Today is day 15 of  my National Blogging challenge and I am trying to find something to talk about. I started this blog because I got such a response from my wedding blog and I wanted to record my life after getting married. I really enjoy talking to other bloggers out there and hearing about their life and their thoughts on things. I need some feed back. Talk to me. Tell me what you are thinking? Is there something that you want to talk about? 15 more days until I finish the National Blogging challenge. Really trying to think of what I am going to take for Thanksgiving dinner. This year...since I am married I have to go to my husbands' family home for dinner. There always to many people there..I am use to a small gathering. Thank goodness I am dragging my mom with me and even think that I am driving seperately so that I can get home and get myself ready for "Black Friday" morning. I usually make cheesecake for dessert, but I know that one of my husbands sisters alr

Every since this H1N1 has come about, I have become a total germ-a-phob. I home over almost every night and take a hot shower, hoping to get all the germs off of me. I need to take out stock in Pruell, I am constantly using the stuff which is totally making my hands dry. Every time I hear someone cough or sneeze in a store or at work, I want to run out of the area.  I think that I became more of a germ-a-phob when my BF husband came down with H1N1 and was in the hospital for a long period of time. Luckily he is doing better now and will be going home soon. I need to just calm down and continue with the precautions that my local health department has advised. With all the news, of long lines of people trying to get the vaccine and people dying from it, I think that it has just put me in a panic. I am going to be cool though. I will just continue to clean my house with  HUGE amounts of bleach and wash my hands constantly with soap and water and lots, and lots of Purell .  Stay well. (

This week is Beat Michigan week. The big game is this weekend. Here is a little inspiration to get pumped for the week. Happy Monday and Go Bucks!!!

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Charla Nash was on Oprah on Wednesday. She is the woman that was attacked by the chimp named Trent. When speaking with Charla was speaking with Oprah, just her spirit and outlook on life was so refreshing and really touched my heart. Here is a woman who has lots most of her face, has been blinded and lost both of her hands except of one finger, but all she was upset about was not being able to help her daughter pick out a dress for prom. She really made me think about what is important to me and what I really need to be upset about. It makes the things that upset me, seem so unimportant. The thing that upset me the most was the statement that was issued by the Trent's owners lawyer. The statement seemed like just because the Sandra Herold, the owner of Trent, assisted Nash in the past with employment and housing, in which a true friend who is able to do would do,  and because Herold got help for Nash that her family should not be suing her. That is just stupid. Sandra's pet t

 All the ladies look great. I can not wait to see what they wear next year. Have a great Friday!!!

Happy anniversary Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc . on serving the community for 87 years.  Today is the Founder's Day of my great sorority. On this day, in 1922, 7 school teachers decided to create an organization all of their own on the campus of Butler University. Today Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. continues to serve the community through undergraduate and graduate chapters all over the world. EE-Yip Sorors, keep up the good work for 87 more years of service and sisterhood. These are my line sorority sisters Lisa, my number 1, and Lynnette, my number 2 and OSU football fanatic. Our line was named Trifecta. By the end of next year we all  will have new  last names, since I got married this past  April, Lisa got married just last month and Lynnette is getting married this coming July. I guess we do, do things in 3's.

Today is our 7th month anniversary. We have made it past the 7th month itch....oops I think that it is the 7 year itch. We will get past that too. 5 more months until 1 year anniversary. Happy 7 months!!!

I love Sesame Street. Today Sesame Street turns 40. I grew up on Sesame Street. I remember watching the show and singing along with the songs. I liked all the residents, but I really enjoyed Bert and Ernie. I even had Bert and Ernie gloves as a kid. My mom had gotten me the Sesame Street record collection so that I could sing all the songs in my room ( Think that I still have those records. Maybe my future children can listen to them). I know all the words to the songs "C is for Cookie" and " One of These Things is Not Like the Other Thing". I think that the Count actually helped me learn how to count. I always wanted to go to my local corner store, maybe hoping it was like Mr. Hoopers store and Big Bird and Maria would come walking in. From Big Bird, to Oscar the Grouch to Elmo, they all share in the wonder of a childs mind in making learning fun. Happy Anniversary Sesame Street and I wish you 40 more years!!!

You can not tell me that you do not know the words to this song. Everyone does. Love BBD (Bell, Biv, DeVoe). Of course, I do since I love New Edition. Happy Monday!!!!

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My husband claims that I am a shopaholic. I admit that I do enjoy shopping for shoes, purses, and  for clothes too. Mr. J has turned into one as well, but he is only shopping on one thing....Invicta watches. For the past several weeks, he has been watching Shop NBC for the 1-3 hour showings of the watches. As he watches he talks about the color, the size and which watch he likes the best. He talks about the Swiss movement of the watch and the self winding mechanics as I see there like WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT.  When I look at him when he is watching the show he has this glazed look on his face, I recognize the look because my face looks exactly the same when I am looking at a Coach purse or a fabulous pair of shoes.  A few weeks ago, I came home early from work and the UPS truck came to our house. I saw Mr. J skitter with a package to the basement or what is otherwise known as "the man room". As I continued to asked what was in the box, he just said nothing. I know that

I think that my Halloween party was a great hit. I had so much fun and I think that my friends did to. All of my guest showed up with some cool costumes and the ones that boycotted wearing one had to pick something from my costume box. We played games  and had great conversation. I do not think that everyone who attended my party, knew how much I enjoyed Halloween. I had several comments about the my decor and the food that I had. My costume was great. My mommy made it for me. I think that I made a good Dorothy. I think that I was a mix of Judy Garland from The Wizard of Oz and Diana Ross from The Wiz. I used my Pound Puppies from my childhood for my Toto. Since I had 2 dogs, one was Toto and the other was Tutu. The pot, which I used as a punch bowl, had a fake leg hanging out of which took people by surprise when they walked into my dining room. Of course the punch was red and I added dry ice for the smoke effect. The label on the outside of the pot, was from the dollar st

I found this cute idea at Martha Stewart's website . I think that these could be used not just for the kids, but for place cards or simple table decor for the Thanksgiving holiday. Heat water in a teakettle, and put pointed end of a sugar cone into spout. Let steam until softened, about 1 minute. Gently curve end 1/2 inch from tip; hold for 15 seconds.  Steam 1 side of cone's open end; press to flatten (so cone won't roll). Let cool until set. Dip edge in melted white chocolate, and roll in chopped pistachios.  Refrigerate until set. Fill with jelly beans and serve, or store in a covered container in a cool, dry place for up to 2 days.

November is National Blog Posting Month. I must say my blogging did slow down over the past few months since being married. I saw this challenge on  Goin' to the Chapel . In this challenge, you are to do 30 post within 30 days. I think I can do that. So that I am not doing this alone I am going to challenge a few of my fellow bloggers like.... Little Rhody Girl Welcome to  Mrs.Smithsville One Bride, One Groom and One Broom Wish me luck and I wish all you well who take up the challenge. To get more information or to get involved click here . Happy blogging.

Last year this time, I became very politically active. The first time ever, in all of my voting years did I become so involved. I do not know if it was the spirit moving in the coutry, my urge to really take my part in the process or hoping that my small part could make a change. I went door to door handing our literature and watch enough CNN to make sure I understood all of the issues. This election day, I do not feel that same spirit. I kinda of just want it to be over with. I am still going to vote today, due my need to not allow others to make decisions for me. I just wish that every election was like last election, with the feeling that what and who you are voting for is worth wild.

I like Michael Buble. This is one of my favorite songs from him. He has a new cd out, check it out. I hope that you are Feeling Good this Monday. Happy Monday!!!

I really enjoyed  preparing and having my Halloween party. I am already looking for more ideas for next years party (think I am going to make it an annual event). When trying to find some inspiration and some great Halloween deals  out there now for next years party, I found this article at Elizabth Ann Designs about pumpkin painting. I just use this idea to decorate for Halloween and as an activity at my party. Check out the blog to find some inspiration of your own. Do you have any Halloween or fall decorating ideas that you want to share?