Birthday Party almost here...

Well we head to Livingston tomorrow to get ready for Hunter's party on Saturday. The weather is not going to be as warm as I would like for it to be. However, I did put on the invite to dress warm and remember your hat and gloves.

There will be a hayride on Saturday! It may last for only 5 minutes but there will be a hayride on Saturday.

Another reason we are going on up to "Hooterville" (the town in the old TV show Green Acres - A friend of mine started calling my and her hometown that years ago and it is fitting and it stuck.) Okay, where was I after that detour, oh yea, another reason we are going on up to Hooterville tomorrow is so that I can get my hair tended to (much better price) and I am getting my Christmas gift from my Mom.

I am having permanent eye liner done!!! I must say that I am nervous but excited! I will let you know how it goes. I hope that it looks good, no matter what kind of lighting I am in.

Maddie is also getting groomed tomorrow. It is about half the price and a much better job than having it done here.

Thursday Thirteen - 40th Edition

I struggled for a Thursday Thirteen so you get 13 things I did on Wednesday...

1. Filled Goody Bags for Hunter's party

2. Cleaned the kitchen

3. Cleaned the bathroom

4. Did several loads of laundry

5. Played outside

6. Ironed some clothes (this is huge - I hate to iron)

7. Cooked some beans

8. Watched Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

9. Wrapped 3 gifts

10. Bought a gift on-line

11. Worked on Christmas cards

12. Built a Lego "tower"

13. Washed dishes twice

Have a Great Thursday!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday - Edition - 29

This is a sticky post for Wednesday there may be newer post below...

This is a picture of Brad and his dad and brothers Thanksgiving morning. The boys were playing outside and being the good dads that they are they were outside watching. Check out my man with a beard!  I am actually a fan.

Also find more Wordless Wednesday at MomDot and 5 Minutes For Mom

An investment to strengthen America...

It seems that everywhere we look today we can see the results of our slumping economy. I am not an economist so I do not have the answers. I know that it troubles me that as tax payers we are having to "bail out" corporations. But, I am also a little scared of where it all will go if we don't.

I am sure you have heard me say that I no longer feel that Congress is looking out for us. I feel that it is mostly about power in Washington these days. If you read the letter written by Jim Jameson the CEO of Rebuilding of America you will see that he feels the same way and has created an investment company to try and help America without using tax dollars. And if you invest you could turn a profit from it as well. You can read his letter here.

The investments are put into Jumbo Certificates of Deposit which are FDIC insured. This makes the investment less of a risk. ROA then leverages the CDs to purchase, rehabilitate, moderinize or finish foreclosed income producing properties all throughout the USA. To my knowledge there are no other investment opportunities like this.

After reading the letter I must say that I am definitely intrigued and plan on speaking to my husband about it later. A $20 investment plus $5 processing fee does not seem like a lot, we spend that much on take-out. I am curious to know what you think about this.

White Beans

I know I should not eat anymore ham! However, we have a bit left and I have decided to make some white beans with ham in it. I have searched around for a good recipe but have not found anything that is exactly what I want. So, I am just going to wing it. I will update you on how it goes.

I have had the beans soaking all day so now I am going to go and start them cooking. Wish me luck!

Do you have any good white bean recipes?

A little day dreaming

I have mentioned that I have done most of my shopping, I say this not to brag but to explain that I have not been in the stores a lot lately. However, when I find myself at Walmart or other stores that offer TVs I find myself lusting over them. Now, there is nothing wrong with our TV and we certainly can't afford a TV right now so I am not sure where this is coming from. Not to mention a new TV would cause us to have to start looking at tv stands. Our current "entertainment center" would not house the ones I keep looking at. Of course all of this is just day dreaming because if we had money for a budget a TV would not fit into it.

Books and awards

I was tagged some time back for a book meme as well as given an award. Sorry guys for taking so long to do both!

I received The Smile Award from Sue at Stay At Home Mom! Thanks so much Sue!!!



The qualifications to receive this award are:
A. Display a cheerful attitude.
B. Love one another.
C. Make mistakes.
D. Learn from others.
E. Be a positive contributor to the blog world.
F. Love life.
G. Love kids.

The Rules:
1. Please link back!
2. Post the rules
3. Choose 5 people to give it to
4. Recipients must fill the characteristics above
5. Create a post to share this
6. Thank the winners

So I am passing this on to
Tammy from Mom Knows Everything
Tina from Life in the Lapadula House
Sandra from Super Mae
Petula from It's A Woman's World
Diana from Diana's Daily Ramblings

If you have already received this or just don't want to post it that is fine.  I give you this award with no strings attached!

Next is a book meme that I received from Dad to Two.  Thanks for tagging me!

Here are the rules:
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 56.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next two to five sentences.
5. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the cool book or the intellectual one. Pick the Closest.

The book is Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote -

Sometimes, stopping there, I shared her wake-up coffee while she dressed for the evening. She was forever on her way out , not always with Rusty Trawler, but usually, and usually, too, they were joined by Mag Wildwood and the handsome Brazilian, whose name was Jose' Ybarra-Jaegar: his mother was German.

If anyone would like to do this meme please take it and let me know so I can come see!

Meet My Friends Monday - 1st Edition

Well here we are, the first edition of Meet My Friends Monday. If you are planning to play along I hope to have a logo for you next weekend. You can place it in your post or on the sidebar or skip it altogether. It is totally up to you.

For those that are new and have not seen my posts about Meet My Friends Monday, it is basically where you introduce a blog you like to visit. I know that a lot of us have our blogrolls on our sidebars but I know for me I seldom click on other peoples. So this is a way to show off your blogging friends.

You can do it anyway you like, give a description, do an interview, however and whatever. So, if you are participating be sure to put your link into Mr. Linky so that I and others can check your friends out.

Now, I am starting at the top of my blogroll and going down so with out further ado, let me introduce you to Tammy.


This is Tammy from A Day To Share With Tammy. I think that Tammy and I "met" through Entrecard and I think that she left a comment on my blog. I try to always leave comments on those who leave me one. So, I went to check out her blog and I immediately knew that I would be back.

Tammy's posts always make me dig deep into myself and think about how my life is going and what I can do to make it better not just for me but for those around me as well. Tammy was gracious enough to answer a few questions for me this past week even though she was getting ready for the Thanksgiving holiday and expecting guests.

Why do you blog?

I believe that blogging has the power to restore us to ourselves. A moment in time spent writing, thinking, reflecting, etc. can bring us back to our center and remind us of the wisdom that resides within us all the time. Below are just a couple of reasons I blog.

* First and foremost, I blog for my two children. I was once an avid scrapbooker that just ran out of time. One day I hope to see them sitting on their couches looking at the "old mom blog books" that I took complete pride in writing and putting together. They can envision me holding the camera snapping pictures and making memories.

*Accountability-Blogging causes me to think through much more of life more thoroughly. I have become a better mom because of blogging forces me to challenge my preconceptions and makes me think harder before I form opinions. I step back and look more deeply into what my children are saying to me. I listen. I grow along with them.

*Reflection-I write a great deal about an "old box" of papers that I collected after my grandmother passed away. Papers that belonged to her. I pull "things" from the box that take me places in my mind that I love to go. A sense of being in a time capsule. I write just as she did. I challenge myself to "slow down" to reflect.

*Community-I cannot say enough about this word. Blogging has meant I've met some talented, honest, strange, eccentric, humble, scared, alone, etc. people. I'm genuinely grateful for these opportunities that have enriched my life.


A couple of blogs you visit.

The Jungle of Life
http://www.jungleoflife.com/

Create a Balance
http://createabalance.com/

Wisdom and Life
http://eldietario.com/

( Between my subscribers, readers, and commenters this was a tough one for me. My readers are my drive to write when I sometimes decide to become lazy.)

When asked who inspires you, who comes to mind?

My grandmother that remains forever in my heart and soul. Inspiration because she taught me that gaining a deeper sense of inner peace can only be discovered in the here and now. Today is the only place peace grows. In terms of the past, forgive to allow yourself to forget. The future is yet to be. The only thing you have to hold on to is today. Make each moment count. Grab those moments and create memories. Just love.


As you can see Tammy has a way with words. Do yourself a favor and drop in on her from time to time, I don't think you will disappointed!

Get a $250 gift card with Charter sign-up

I know that you have heard me talk about some internet problems we have been having around here. These problems made me think hard about looking into other providers. I am also concerned about making me sure that we stretch our dollar as far as we can right now.

If you are thinking of shopping around for internet, TV and/or phone services, make sure that Charter is one of your stops. Right now you can get black friday deals through December 5th!

If you choose their Ultimate Bundle you can get a $250 gift card! You choose between stores such as Old Navy, KB Toys, Best Buy, Applebee's and more. Just choosing the internet service will get you a $25 gift card and their are offers in between.

Here are the services that you will receive with the Ultimate Bundle Deal for 167.95:

High Speed:
10 Mbps High Speed

TV:
Digital Home
Charter HD
Sports View
Digital View
HBO/Cinemax
Starz/Encore
Showtime/The Movie Channel

Phone:
Unlimited Calling

- $250 Gift card with purchase
AND a chance to win an X-Box 360 game console.

Yes, you also have a chance to win an X-Box! For complete X-Box Sweepstakes Rules go to https://connect.charter.com/XBox/rules.html.

So, what are you waiting for, go see if Charter is a right fit for you!

Ham - Stop It

Seriously, I think if you took all the ham I have eaten since Thursday you would have a whole pig! Luckily I crashed dieted the 2 weeks before Thanksgiving for this purpose, so my clothes still fit (barely)!

Here are some pics from the weekend. Don't forget tomorrow is Meet My Friends Monday!

 

  

  

  

 

 

 

Full Friday

Wow, I am still full from my 3 Thanksgiving meals yesterday! Hope everyone that celebrated had a wonderful and blessed day. I am still out of town and just sneaking a few moments in before I help my Mom with her Christmas decorating.

I did not participate in Black Friday, I do not have the patience for that. If you participated hope you got all the deals you hoped for. As for me, I am almost finished with my shopping. I only have a few people left and unfortunately aren't sure what to get them. If I were rich I might get my remaining people a Subway franchise! Ha ha.

Anywho, I need to get going I will get to all my blog hopping and dropping when I get home. Everyone have a great weekend.

Also, don't forget that Monday starts Meet My Friends Monday. I have created a Mr. Linky for it and will have that for those wishing to participate.

Thursday Thirteen - Thanksgiving Edition - 39

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

My Turkey Day Thursday Thirteen

13 Things I am thankful for

1. God and faith in him

2. My family

3. My friends

4. America

5. Freedom

6. Those willing to fight for my freedom

7. Progress in such things as medicine

8. Competition

9. Kind and generous people

10. Life

11. DVR

12. People who are honest

13. Ham (not really a turkey person)

Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving and if it is not Thanksgiving where you are have a wonderful and blessed day!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday - 28th Edition

This is a sticky post for Wednesday there may be newer post below...

I of course am rarely wordless and today I posted two pictures because I am a little behind on my Hunter pics. The first is Hunter in footed pjs and his boots. Which he insisted on putting on. That is the first time that Hunter has been in footed pjs in probably over a year. At first he kept trying to "stretch" his feet out of them. But he finally adjusted. The second is Hunter and me at his school Thanksgiving feast...




If you stop by and comment or leave a link, I will get to your Wordless Wednesday's, I promise but due to Thanksgiving it may take me a little longer than normal. Have a great WW!!!



Also find more Wordless Wednesday at MomDot and 5 Minutes For Mom

A Comcast Update

I did my last Comcast post on Saturday we again had cable and Internet outages Sunday morning. I then became curious if Comcast kept up with each time I called and reported an outage. So, Brad called and asked. He said we had an outage and asked he they showed all our other calls over the past two weeks. NO - No, they do not keep up with this. I find that wrong. Oh well.

As I think I mentioned I really did not want to change my cable or internet provider. I am not a huge fan of Comcast the company for several reasons but when everything is working I like the services I have.

So, over the past weekend while we were still having issues I was trying to set up a service call. The lady asked me about Sunday between 8 and 11. I said no we will be at church and then we are going to the Titans game. Okay, how about Monday 8-11. Okay. That is my grocery store time but that is okay I just want this over. Either we can make it right or I have to start calling other providers (basically satellite places because Comcast is basically a monopoly here).

Anywho, Sunday I am leaving the Titans game, notice I have a missed call and a message. We are sorry that we could not complete your service call but since you were unavailable we will have to reschedule. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I call and try very hard to contain my frustration and she schedules me from 10-12 on Monday. Guess when the cable guy called the next morning? 9:30 Let me tell you what fresh air Richard was. He finally explained why everything was happening and also told me that it was a lot of people not just me. Maybe the customer service people did not know that. I will reiterate that most of the people were friendly they just did not have either the knowledge or the power to make me feel helped.

So, there was a light pole that was hit a while back and when it was fixed and the cable around it fixed apparently something was right but they did not know that until the temperature dropped. People those are facts that I can understand. He said it should be fixed yesterday. It wasn't as cold last night but our cable and internet seem to be okay. My fingers are crossed... I know I should just go order some Amazon books and give up the TV all together but I can't, not yet.

Meet My Friends Monday - An Introduction

I have decided to start a Meme. I am calling it Meet My Friend Monday. I will be starting it next Monday. We all add links to our sidebars and now we are following people but how often do you ever click a link on someone's blog?

So, what I am proposing is that each Monday you post a little bit about a blog that you frequent and what you like about it.

For me, I am going to start with the links that I listed and go from there.

Be creative - set up an interview with your person or just list the things you like about the person/blog. We can consider it our version of online trading, I show you my great blogs and you show me yours!

Come back here and let me know that you have posted about a friend so that I and others can come check it out!!!

Titans now 10 and 1

Yesterday we went to the Titans game. Hunter loves football so I really excited about taking him. He seemed to have a good time. He did sleep for about 30-45 minutes. LP Field has been said to be one of the loudest stadiums, although we had nothing to be loud about yesterday, so I was a little surprised that he was able to fall asleep. Unfortunately Brett Favre and his Jets were able to give the Titans their first upset of the season.

Here are a few pics...

Matchy Patchy

There is a picture of my family taken when my brother and I were much younger. I even think at some mental lapse moment I have posted it on here. Anyway, we are all dressed in lavender. I believe the photo was for a church bulletin and I have no doubt that said ensemble was also our Easter frocks that year. When I look at that picture now I can't help but laugh. I am sure I have given my Mother some harassment over that picture.

Here is the little secret, I tend to do the same thing with my family now. Maybe not lavender and maybe not as matchy but on special occasions such as Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas and do try to color coordinate us.

If you like to coordinate around the holidays maybe you need to take a look at some Holiday frames from Zenni Optical! They have a great variety in red, green, silver and black.  The pair that I am showing below are listed for only $9.99!  At those prices you can afford to buy a pair of glasses to match your pretty Holiday clothes.

So are you someone that likes to coordinate the family or is it every man, woman and child for themselves?

I want my Cable TV - Comcast our relationship is over

I have tried and tried to keep this relationship alive. But the thing that I can't get past is that basically Comcast sucks.

Now, before I get into my rant I want to disclose that for the most part the people that I spoken with on the phone were friendly. I do believe that they wanted to help me and if they could have helped me they would have. My beef is not with the customer service at Comcast - by beef is with the company itself.

We have been long standing customers of Comcast. We have digital cable and Internet service with them. So basically in the last 10 days we have had 6 days that have had some interruption. It has been just the TV at times and other times it has been both TV and Internet. Now, on some of these occasions it has been our "neighborhood" that is out. For some reasons these instances don't bother me as badly. At least there are others calling in and eventually I would think they would fix the underlying problem.

Unfortunately most of the occurances have been where our digital cable just seems not to work. Last night my husband unhooked the cable from the box and put it directly into the TV and it worked. So, it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that it is somehow within the digital cable wiring.

Something I did notice is that this seems to happen in the evening more often than not. And so I thought could it have something to do with the colder weather. I do seem to remember in the summer on really hot days that the upper channels would have some issues on the really hot days.

However, even if that is the problem, it is only going to get colder this winter and well it got this cold last winter without this happening...

The customer service rep today (you know the 100th I have talked to in the last 10 days) said, "Well it is our first cold snap." SO - IT IS JUST GOING TO GET COLDER - WHAT DOES OUR FIRST COLD SNAP HAVE TO WITH MY CABLE!!!

I did get one representative to tell me she was sending us coupons to make up the money we spent on days we did not have service. So she did, we recieved a sheet of paper with 4 free movie "coupons" on it. Not that we have service at night to watch a movie but anyway. So, to redeem said "coupon" I suppose that I order my four movies whenever, and once I have FILLED OUT all the coupons I then MAIL IN my coupons and wait 4-6 WEEKS to be credited. Wonder how many customer service calls that will entail???? I mean really, for all the trouble and the fact that you pay us $150 a month but have had 6 out of 10 days of interrupted service we are giving you "coupons" that you have to fill out and mail in and then wait to be credited for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gee Thanks Comcast!!! I feel the love.

Alas, I feel that my affair with Comcast is coming to end. I am not happy about it. I do not want to have to deal with changing to services I am not familiar with but I feel that I have been pushed into a corner.

Another semi unrelated thing with Comcast is that I tried to see about saving money my switching my phone to their service. Guess what if you are an existing customer bundling your services has absolutely no benifit. Thanks for appreciating my years of being a customer Comcast!!!!

Okay, folks I am out of here, I must research Direct TV and AT&T Internet services while I still access, you know there is a cold snap coming!

ADT Home Health Security

I think that it is great that people are living longer lives they have in the past. My own grandmother is 93!!! She is sharp as a tack but unfortunately her body is starting to give out on her. However, being the independent lady that she is, she wants to be in her home.

This is were ADTs home health security can come in. With this system someone can have access to help at their fingertips. The emergency button is waterproof and you can wear it as pendant or a bracelet. A two-way intercom system has a trained ADT specialist at your service. If for some reason you can not communicate they will call emergency services immediately!

Another neat thing is the monitor senses drastic temperature changes. So, if for some reason unsafe temperatures are detected they will send an alert. I think that this system is a wonderful idea for anyone who has any reservations about being alone at home!