Thanksgiving and Black Friday

It is so hard to believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone and now Christmas is upon us! 

We had a great Thanksgiving meal at my nephew Chance and his wife Stefanie’s house. Most of the people I didn’t know, but we still enjoyed our time and ate tons of yummy food!  There were 32 people there and we actually circled up and shared what we were thankful for.  I loved that.

This is where all the action was!  Chance, Bubba, and Shabre working hard!

Momma, Robin, and Daddy

Cousins:  Blaze, Hayden, Blade

Last year on Thanksgiving Day.

Little stinker didn’t want his picture taken with me! (Jeff had to work. Boo!)

I may or may not have been goosing him to get him to smile. 

Hayden knew what he wanted for lunch!  Anything on the dessert table.  Ha!

We got home mid-afternoon on Thanksgiving and I knew WE needed to get a nap in!  Hayden, because he was heading to Nana and Papa’s and needed to not be grumpy and I was heading out to shop.  Hayden slept until 6:30 PM.  So, I was able to sneak in about a 45 minutes refresher nap.  Took Hayden to spend the night and I got ready to go with my SIL, Yolanda, for what turned out to be a 14 hour, ALL NIGHT, shopping adventure!   We left about 8:45 PM and got back home about 10:30 AM.  Crazy!  Definitely a first for me!  Not the 14 hour shopping day, the ALL NIGHT shopping.  I can’t remember the last time I stayed up all night.  High School maybe? 

Here is our list of stops… Wal-Mart (crazy!), Whataburger (30 minutes wait in the drive through and they forgot our fries!!), Target (THE MOST CRAZY!!), Old Navy, Bath and Body Works, Kohls, JC Penny, Dicks, Bed Bath and Beyond, Chick-Fil-A, Toys R Us, Wal-Mart again, home! 

This year was much more crowded and crazy than last.  Target beat anything I have ever seen before.  I think it was the earlier starting shopping times.  People were more likely to stay up and go shopping than get up in the middle of the night.  After JC Penny, we didn’t wait in any lines. 

The Before…

The after

After I got home, I took about a 2 hour nap, then headed to pick up Hayden.  I was wishing I didn't take that nap.  I felt horrible.  Like I had stayed up all night.  Ha! 

I am not real sure how many deals we really got, but we had fun doing it!  I loved getting to shop with my SIL and checking in with my best friend Jen (by phone) throughout the night! 

Busy day but a fun day!

Today was a LONG tiring day, but a great one!  We started first thing working on the front yard,  moving and raking dirt getting it ready for the St. Augustine to be put down.  Took almost the whole pallet and it  just looks so different and so much better!!

A little over a week ago…

Today…

As soon as we got done with that Jeff returned the tractor to his Daddy and came home and got ready for work.  He said he was ready to go to work so he could rest.  Poor thing! 

We just have a little more dirt to spread, a few more pieces of sod to lay, and one more flower bed to build.  For now.  ;-)

And, I took a quick shower and headed out the door for an afternoon trip to CANTON!!  Mom watched Hayden nap for 3 1/2 hours for me!  Thank you Nanny!  It was a treat to get to go do a little shopping minus an almost two year old!  I actually had a very successful shopping trip! I got several things for the house and even a couple of things for myself. 

I got this super cute sign made to finish off our little landscaping project.

A couple of hats.  I know, two black hats.  I got the visor first.  Then, I saw the one with the rosette on there I fell in love with it too.  I think the visor will be great for summer when we go swimming (whenever or wherever that might be). 

I took this picture to send to Jen because she was having Canton withdrawals.  It isn’t the same without you friend!  Can’t wait for June!  ;-)  But, what do you think of the hat?

Super cute burlap wreath.  It is actually a pretty good size.  The picture doesn’t really show that.  I have about a dozen places I want to put it.  Just have to figure out where it would look the best!  It came with a really big polka dot material ribbon.  Not crazy about that.  It will have to go.  :-)  I know I could have made the wreath myself, but I decided it was cheap enough for me not to.  It is just a lot of burlap ribbon folded over and over the and poked through a coat hanger.  Does that make sense?

A couple of picture frames.   Not sure who that is in the frame.  Not us.  Yet.  ;-)

However, you might recognize these people.  Ha! 

Is that not the cutest frame you have ever seen?? 

I also got a couple of seat cushions for our wooden rocking chairs that go on the back porch.  I love that they don’t match and that they were super cheap!  :-)

I also got some vinyl that says “Home is where your story begins.”  Just have to decide where I want to put that too.  I will just have to post a picture when that project is done! 

Oh, and Jeff a new pair of work gloves!  Poor thing had his all duct taped yesterday.  He has been working like a crazy person around here! 

Mom, Hayden, and I went to eat dinner at Adolfo’s tonight.  Yum!  We all enjoyed a chalupa dinner.  Hayden thought it was pretty good himself!

Busy day, but a fun day!  I feel like we have accomplished so much in the last three days! 

Good Samaritan Saturday

Well, today wasn’t my day at Good Samaritan.  Hayden and I got up this morning and went to GS and we left with a ball for 50 cents.  Hayden was happy, so that is what matters right? 

However, this afternoon Cindy, Hayden, and I went to Once Upon A Child {a children’s resale shop} in Mesquite for their Moonlight Madness sale.  It is a one day sale they have where the discounts go from 50% red stamped tags to 70% at the end of the day.  Well, lucky for us we got there for 60% off and actually stayed long enough to get 70% our red tagged items. 

Here’s the scoop though.  We went to the sale thinking we would find mostly fall/winter items for next year.  But, most of the “red tagged items” that I got for Hayden were summer/spring.  SCORE!  That is exactly what we needed.  Hayden has been given so many hand-me-downs which we love and I have typically bought ahead during a clearance sale.  But, we have just about run out of those items/sizes.  So, he was in need of some spring/summer items. 

Today, I got him 11 pair of shorts.  Most are Old Navy, Gymboree, Gap, or Children’s Place.  I also got him three long sleeve dress shirts.  Again, Children’s Place and Gap.  An Old Navy pullover fleece jacket, and 4 t-shirts. 

Not all of the items were red-tagged. I did pay “full price” for several of the items.  But, nothing I bought cost over $4.50.  The cheapest items I got ended up being 75 cents.  You can’t even get it that cheap at a garage sale!  I really was very excited.  I had looked just yesterday for Hayden some clothes at Kohls since Mom had an extra 30 % off coupon.  But, the cheapest pair of shorts were going to be $5.50 for just the plain cotton shorts.  I am so glad I waited to see what I could find today! 

I know that they will have to have another big sale soon to get rid of all their fall/winter items.  They had so much stuff that wasn’t marked down. Crazy.  Can’t wait to go back and see what else we can find for CHEAP when do decided to have another red-stamp sale! 

I did also splurge and bought Hayden a VTECH Nursery Rhyme book/toy.  It reads different Nursery Rhymes aloud.  It was only 20% off and ended up being $3.60.  I really am half-way serious about saying splurge with buying this toy.  Good Samaritans has ruined me.  You can get toys so cheap at GS. 

I got 20  items today for $49.00.  I love finding nice name-brand items that I know will last for these prices.  If you are not typically a clearance, dig through the racks, shopper.  You should make an exception for events like this!   

Early Christmas Present

Today, I got an early Christmas present.  One I bought for myself.  I was so excited to get my very first pair of “TOMS” in the mail today.  I had heard about them, but honestly didn’t think they were that attractive.  If you don’t know about “TOMS”, “TOMS” donates one-for-one.  When you buy a pair of shoes, a pair are donated to a child in need. 

For some reason, I randomly felt the urge to check their website and see what they had to offer.  I was actually quite surprised that there are several styles that I liked!

I selected the Natural Burlap Classics.  I thought they would be cute for summer time, but could really be worn year round.  

Check out this wedge.  I think they are super cute!

I also loved this gold pair.

I haven’t really gotten to wear them out, but just wearing them around the house, I might have to say that these are the most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever put on my feet!   So, if you want a cute new pair of shoes and want to help out a precious child in need at the same time, get you some TOMS!  (No, they are not paying me to advertise.)  :-)

Clearance at Wal-Mart

This morning, Hayden and I ran to Wal-Mart in Quinlan to pick up a few things and I noticed the clearance isle.  I very rarely pay much attention to the clearance isle at Wal-Mart because their idea of clearance and my idea of clearance are not usually the same.  (Unless it is after a Holiday.)  For example, I saw an item today that was originally $52.00 and today it was marked down to $50.00.  $2.00 off is not that big of a deal.  What is that like 4% off?  That is not clearance! 

Anyway, I was quite excited to find this…

A three pack of Pro-Health toothpaste for $1.50.  Exciting I know.  I saw a single tube for $3.48.  That is what I would call clearance!  Not sure we needed 6 tubes of toothpaste, but I couldn’t pass it up!  I also got a pack of post-it notes for 50 cents.  It is the small things that make me happy!  I love a good deal! 

Find any good clearance deals lately?

Shawnee and Kelly-Thanks for letting me know that we are not too crazy for using Corona! :-)

Good Samaritan Saturday without Good Samaritan

This past Saturday was full of opportunities for treasure hunting!!  Cindy (Jen’s mom) and I had been planning to go to Junkadoodle in Dallas after we found out they were having their annual outdoor flea market this past weekend.  Then, we found out that it was the Hwy 80 Garage Sale weekend as well.  We had a hard time not going to Good Samaritans, but we decided we better go ahead and head toward Junkadoodle early.  So, we decided to take the longer way and check out some garage sales.  We only stopped at two on our way and didn’t find anything.  However, we were so excited that we found this antique double wash tub on a stand at Junkadoodle!

At first, we weren’t real sure which one of us would get it and what we would do with it, but we knew we were not leaving there without it.  

I ended up getting it for $35 and I am so excited about it!! 

So, what am I going to do with it?

I am going to put it on the left wall in my utility room and use it as a laundry sorter.  I have been looking for some type of sorter.  I had not found one that I thought was big enough or worth the money.  I think this wash tub takes care of both of those.  Large enough and definitely worth the $35!  Of course the vintage look is a plus too!  I love it and I think it will look great with my cabinets!

What do you think?  What would you do with it?

Good Samaritan Saturday 9-25-10

Happy Saturday! 

Even in the pouring rain, I went to Good Samaritan this morning!  Have I told you how much I love that place?  Ha!  I thought it might be fun to compare how much the item might actually retail for compared to what I paid for it. 

Here are my treasures for today:

Mighty Tonka Dumptruck (Retail on ebay for $45.00)

Large (and very heavy) Glass Bowl 

(I am not real sure about a price since there is not a brand on it but, I am guessing it would retail for atleast $15.00)

I can see banana pudding in it now!  :-)

More Toys for Hayden  (Poor thing doesn’t have any toys! )

4 small Chuck and Friends Tonka cars/trains (retails for $10.00 for a set of 5)

6 Little People (retails for $6.00-$13.00 for a set of 3)

Melissa & Doug Wooden Geometric Stacker (retails for $14.00)

Fisher Price Poppity Pop Truck (retails for $14.00)

John Deere Truck (retails for $4.00)

Large Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl (retails for $12.00)

White plate for my plate wall collection (retail range from $3.00-10.00)

Three books for Hayden (retails for $17.00)

 So, a total about about $155 worth of stuff and I got it all for…

Are you ready?

$10.00

What a steal!

What a week!

Whew!  What a week!  Our week has been kind of an “off” week and has been busy, busy!

Monday, we spent most of the day at home after Robin’s senior parade. I honestly can’t even remember what else we did on Monday.  :-)

Tuesday, we took the dogs to the groomer , I ran to Canton to pick up some cabinet samples, and we made a couple of Wal-Mart trips. 

Hayden got this horrible looking whelp on this back.  He kept scratching it uncontrollably.  We still aren’t exactly sure what the cause was.  He did have an ant in his diaper (around this area) on Sunday.  So sad!  But, this didn’t start happening until Monday night.  Tuesday morning it looked so bad!  I was so torn on whether I should take him in or not.  I didn’t know if he might have an allergy to something that bit him or if something worse than an ant bite. I thought the way it spread/ made an oval was kind of strange.   Anyway, we were using Benadryl cream for the itching but that really wasn’t making the swelling go down.  I finally got some Hydrocortisone cream and it started improving.  Thank goodness!!  He still has a little bit of a rash there, but it looks so much better.  He got an ant bite previously on his foot and it swelled up quite a bit too.  What do ya’ll think?  Do you think it could be an allergy?

Wednesday, Mom, Hayden, and I went to Greenville to get Mom’s chemo shot.  Then we ran to Rockwall to look at appliances for Mom.  She ended up ordering a new side by side fridge, upright deep freeze, and a dishwasher from North Texas Appliance.  We ate at Joe Willy’s for lunch.  Then, ran to Hobby Lobby, Kohls, Bath and Body Works, Ross, TJ Maxx, and Cosco.  We definitely made a day of it!

Thursday, Hayden and I took Mom to her eye doctor appointment and we ran to B G Home Decorating to talk to the lady there about our countertops.  I think we are getting close to finalizing that decision.  :-)  Then, we went back to pick up Mom.  Mom found out that she has the beginnings of cataracts.  So, she ended up not getting new glasses because the doctor couldn’t ever get her to have 20/20 vision as he changed the lenses out.   Poor Momma!  One more thing to worry about!   After that, we went to the VF Outlet.  Mom and I both found a few things there.  After lunch at Juan Pablos, we ran to Lowes so I could pick up some Valspar antiquing glaze for my furniture projects.  I haven’t ever used it before, but thought I might give it a try.  Last but not least, another trip to Wal-Mart! 

Then, last night Dad came home from my brother’s house with his eye really bothering him.  It continued to get worse and got to the point where it took his breath away to close it.  I made a trip to the store to get him some drops and we tried to see if there was anything in there, but couldn’t see anything. He had rubbed his hands on milkweed and we thought maybe a piece of that was in there.  Anyway, I ended up taking him to the ER late last night.  Surprisingly, we didn’t have to wait too long.  They numbed it, put some dye in it, and looked at it with a black light.  They couldn’t find anything either.  We almost wished that they would have found something so we would have known what was causing the pain.  They sent him home with a prescription for antibiotic drops and some pain medication.  It was starting to hurt pretty bad again by the time we got home.  Luckily, he was able to get some rest.  It was swollen and still a bit irritated, but did feel better this morning. 

Hayden has also been in kind of a funk with his sleeping the past week or so.  He has been waking  up quite early in the mornings (like between 4:45 AM and 5:45 AM) no matter what time he goes to bed.  Sometimes, we can get him to go back to sleep.  Sometimes, not so much!  He has even been waking some throughout the night as well.  Wednesday night he was up 3 different times.  Since that night he has had a runny nose and a little cold. Now we all have it!  Gotta love those summer colds!  UHG!!

Today, we have not done much of anything!  Thank goodness!  None of us really felt like doing much between just being exhausted and not feeling well.  I did work on my furniture projects this morning while Hayden and Jeff took a nap.  I got a coat of Kilz on my Good Samaritan chest of drawers and the Jenny Lind bed that was my grandparents.

I am so excited about tomorrow and Sunday.  Tomorrow, Jeff is playing in a charity golf tournament and Hayden is going to spend some time with his Nana.  I am going with Cindy to Laurie Anna’s Vintage Home grand opening in Canton.  Have you local gals ever been to her store?  I have only been there once and it is so awesome!  Her new store is going to be so much bigger and better!  Of course, we will make a stop at Good Samaritan to look for any good deals before we go! 

Sunday, I am going to the Divine Consign sale in Plano.  I have never been and I am looking forward to the adventure!  I am particularly looking for Hayden a new stroller since our Chicco stroller burned.  Something  in between umbrella stroller (which he is too big for already) and our jogging stroller.  Basically a lightweight umbrella type stroller with a basket and drink holder.  :-) 

I will let ya’ll know if we find any goodies tomorrow or Sunday!  We are hoping to actually get started on our house next week.  We are finally scheduled (LONG story!) to close on our loan on Tuesday!  Keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer that everything goes as planned!

Hope you have a good weekend!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Whew!  We had a busy weekend!  How about you?  Time has come to start all over on getting information, prices, bids, etc. on everything for our house.  I guess our weekends for the next couple of months will be consumed by this project! 

Friday, Jeff, Hayden, and I took at trip to Tyler to go to a supply company to get prices for our tubs and toliets.  :-)  Then, we went to Furniture Row to look at living room furniture.  We did not find anything there that interested us.   The exciting news is that we were able to order our dining room table and chairs, our bedroom furniture, and some furniture for Hayden’s room at Canton last week.  We are so excited to see how they turn out!  Lunch at Mercardo’s  (Like Posado’s)!  SOOOO YUMMY!  Then, to Counterscapes.  We spent quite  a while there looking at all the options for our countertops, vanities, and for our shower.  We made a few selections so we can get bids and see what will fit into our budget.  We are hoping to get quartz for our countertops.  L-O-V-E it! The best part about Counterscapes is they had a ton of toys for Hayden to play with!  Awesome huh?   Then, a trip to Gander Mountain was in store!  Looked at safes for a while. Found one we really liked (FIREPROOF of course!) but we are still thinking on it!  Jeff looked at guns, but no luck.  Last stop in Tyler-Kohls!  We actually both found new tennis shoes and socks.  YIPEE!   I got some Reebok SimplyTones. I am anxious to see if it makes a difference toning my backside.  Ha!  Then, we had a birthday get together/cook-out at Jeff’s parents’ house to celebrate the 6 of us that have July/August birthdays.  We had one tired boy after a long day out and about! 

I think Hayden likes his Daddy’s new shoes! 

 

Saturday morning I got up and went to Good Samaritan (our local thrift store)!  It is only open on Saturday mornings.  Ya’ll…you can get some GOOD stuff there for so CHEAP!  I am hesitant to tell you what I got because you might want to go and get all the good stuff before I do!  ;-)  Check out what I got…

A Little People Farmhouse for 50 CENTS!!  He already has most of the animals that go with it that I had already gotten at GS.  I have been eyeing these at Target for $40.  50 cents is so much better that 40 dollars!!!!!!!!!  I also got him a set of awesome blocks for 50 cents.

This side table for $1.50.  This will go great in our living room…after I do a little magic!

This ladder shelf for $10.

And finally, the best thing…this dresser for $10!  It is in such great shape!  It will look great in our extra room…after I do a little more magic! 

I am so in love with the feet on it.  :-)

 

Then, Saturday afternoon we took a trip to Rockwall.  First stop, North Texas Appliance.  We went in there to look mainly at refrigerators and dual fuel ranges.  We spent longer in there than we expected, but we ended up buying our new washer and dryer.  We got an AWESOME deal!    Want to do a little more research before we decided on the fridge and range.  Then, to a flooring store to look at options for our shower.  Dinner at Johnny Carinos.  Bass Pro was next!  Jeff had his eye on a gun they had on sale.  So, he was a happy new gun owner when we left.  Hayden was in heaven looking at all the wildlife and fish in there!  We even got to see a few of our friends in there too!  Great to see you Bo, Rhonda, and Dee!  Last stop…Culvers for some yummy custard!

Not sure he is real excited about another shopping trip!  But isn’t that hat cute?

Honestly, Hayden really did GREAT Friday and Saturday.  He went with the flow, the in and out, and was very patient! 

Today, all I wanted was to STAY HOME and do nothing!  Well, we pretty much did stay home except for a quick grocery store run and it was so nice! I think we all needed some time at home and I am praying for forgiveness for skipping church!  The do nothing part…well that didn’t so much happen!  Hayden decided to wake up a little 5 this morning.   He took an early morning nap and we all took one this afternoon.  I spent most of my free time today doing laundry and cleaning scorched dishes.  Remember these?

I am pleased with how they turned out.  I am saving the details for another post.  This one is already long!  :-)

Then, tonight I actually cooked dinner.  I made one of Jeff’s favorites!  Enchiladas.  They are so easy and so yummy!  I will share the recipe in another post too. 

 

Can you tell I am getting tired?   5 AM was a long time ago!  I have formed a really bad habit of staying up until midnight or after pretty much every night.  

Hope you had a great weekend.  We accomplished a lot this weekend and I feel really good about it!

PS…we miss you Nanny, Granddaddy, and Auntie Robin!  Hope you are having a great trip!