The holidays can be pretty stressful on people. What to cook? What to wear? When to get together with 2 different families and if they get divorced that can easily multiply to 8 different families, dealing with THAT family member...UGH!!!!!! So every year, I usually start my Christmas shopping in August. I have been able to get away with this since my kids are small and they pretty much love anything. We do draw names on my side of the family and I make them draw names in July or August. I know, they always roll their eyes at me too!!! It really does take an added stresser off of you as the holidays get closer though.....trust me!!!

So, this weeks question is: Have you even started your Holiday Shopping?

Check out more fun over at An Island Life.

HFH Update

Well, it's a big fat ZERO this week. No gain and no loss. However, I was finally released yesterday to get back on the treadmill. My doctor said "you can walk on the treadmill"......well, duh?!!!! do people actually RUN on the treadmill? Not this sista....I'm a walker. So, next week HAS to give me some decent results to keep me motivated. I have learned that I do not like the word "plateau"......it gets my blood pressure up and puts me in a bad mood!!!
Hope everyone else had a good week.
This week's project was a fill in the blank: My life would be better if I had more ________. I have to be honest......no lectures please.....right now it would be better with more MONEY!!!!! I have a great family, great friendships, self esteem, confidence, (working on becoming a skinny *&tch!!!), the perfect job and I could really use a little more dough!!!!

Preparing for Black Friday

While it is true that I have 90% of my Christmas shopping finished, I am still collecting some great deals for all of you that haven't even started yet. We always had a tradition of going out BEFORE the crack of dawn the day after Thanksgiving for all of the shopping deals and I really enjoyed it. I slowly stepped away from that tradition once I had small kids and now, the crowds, people, traffic, etc just irritate me. Maybe I would feel differently if I had unlimited funds to spend but that is just not the case right now. Anyway, here is the first of the heads up for Black Friday. Start making your list and plan of attack now!!!!

Walgreens:

7 am to 2 pm.

Webkinz LilKinz Pet B1G1F 2/$6.99 limit 8

Wireless Sports Video Game System $19.99 (Reg $49.99) Limit 2

10" LCD Digital TV $99.99 after $20 mail-in rebate

Potted Lighted Tree B1G1F 2/$19.99 limit 4

Appliances: Blending System, Deep Fryer, Electric Griddle $9.99 after $10 mail-in rebate

Aiptek High Definition 8 Megapixel Camcorder $79.99 after $20 mail-in rebate

Kodak 9 Megapixel Digital Camera $79.99

Heliforce Micro Helicopter or Hannah Montana Holiday Doll $9.99

Hannah Montana Guitar $14.99

Men's Razor or Groomer 50% off

Yes to Carrots, Cucumbers or Tomatoes Body Butter $1.99 (reg $12.99)

Shiatsu Roller Massaging Cushion $39.99

Patriot Jar Candle B1G2F 3/$7.99 limit 6

Foster Grant Reading Glasses B1G2F

Nextar GPS Navigation System $89.99

Sylvania 4 GB MP3/Video Player $59.99

Thousand Words Thursday

Check out more Thousand Words at Cheaper Than Therapy.

Wordless Wednesday

To be so amazed by a dried up dandelion!!!! Check out more WW at 5 Minutes for Mom. and Punky Monkey's

My Kristen Custom.....

I have PATIENTLY awaited the arrival of my new custom "Mother's Ring" from Kristen over at La Dolce Vita and it came today!!!!! I met Kristen over at Mom Bloggers and when I checked out her site, I instantly fell in love with her custom jewelry. I Love silver, dangly jewelry and if you throw my kids into it in any way........there is no way I would not like it. It is so feminine and pretty and is sure to catch everyone's eye. I LOVE it!!!!! Kristen is so great to work with. My sister just had a friend find out that her sister is dealing with a 3rd brain tumor and she is only in her early 30's!!!! So, my sister was able to look at Kristen's website and communicate to her what she wanted to make it special. She ended up getting a bracelet with a dangly blue stone (since blue is her favorite color) and a charm that has footprints on the side and says "it was then that I carried you"!!!!!! It was more perfect than Kristen will ever know and was nothing that my sister could walk into a store and purchase. Thank you Kristen for being so talented, your charity work, and doing what you do.......YOU ROCK!!!!

Now, don't think that I just mosied (is that even a word?) on over there and hit purchase. Noooooo, I hosted an e-party and was able to get my item for well under retail. You can do the same thing, simply by contacting Kristen. It might just be a great way to earn some Christmas gifts!!!

Savings Tip and Dirt Recipe

So, I have been saving quite a bit of money lately because one, I have been down with surgery and two there really hasn't been that many earth shattering deals going on out there. So today, I did need to pick up a prescription for my daughter and some things to make a dessert for my son's football banquet on Thursday. So, instead of just going to the store, I start to think of how I can make the least amount of money come out of my pocket and I came across Walgreen's deal where if you transfer a prescription, you will receive a $25 gift card, so that is what I did. While at Walgreens I picked the ingredients that I needed for the dessert and of course, some items we didn't need since I had Jaise with me!!! Here is what we got:

One gallon of milk

One package of Oreo Cookies

One package of Gummy Worms

One package of Reese's Cups (didn't need)

Two bottles of nail polish (didn't need)

3 mailing bubble envelopes

One Prescription

One bag of pretzels

One 12 pack of pop

2 cans of soup

One refillable package of baby wipes

All of this came to $32 and I paid $7 OOP. I was pretty happy with that. Now, aren't you wondering what I am making with some of those items on my list? We have to make a dessert and my son loves the famous Dirt Cake so here is the recipe:

1 1/2 stick oleo softened

1 (8oz) package of cream cheese

1 cup powdered sugar

3 1/2 cups milk

2 (3oz) Instant Vanilla Pudding

1 (12oz) cool whip

1 (20oz) Oreo cookies

1 package of gummy worms

In one bowl combine oleo, cream cheese and powdered sugar. In another bowl stir together milk, pudding. Mix two bowls together. Stir in thawed cool whip. Crush oreo's using a blender or food processor. Layering: Pudding 1/2 inch, then oreo cookies so you don't see pudding underneath. Repeat until gone. chill for 3-4 hours. Top with Gummy worms (so they are coming out of the dirt).

Freebies on Election Day

In preparation for election day I wanted to make sure you were aware of some freebies you can cash in on, just for doing your part and voting.

Starbucks is giving a FREE tall coffee to anyone that has voted.

Krispy Kreme is giving away a Star shaped doughnut with patriotic sprinkles to anyone with their "I Voted" sticker.

Remember to take your patience as most will encounter some pretty long lines. Too bad we couldn't get our coffee and doughnut to take with us while we wait in line!!!