Let Me Give You a Clue

If you ever play a game with my dad you should be warned---he treats game rules like I treat recipes...keep what you like and change the rest.

We were playing the classic Clue game but after a couple rounds, those rules were out the window. First off we (he) decided we were done with rolling the dice. I mean, whats the point to that? It only prolongs the game. Furthermore, why does your character need to be IN the room you are suggesting? That's silly too. Another rule out the window... After a few more rounds we were playing a game that only vaguely resembled Clue- from a distance. If you squinted...

The Latest Bargain

See that cool hair dryer up there with the gel grip handle? I am now the proud owner of 2 of those babies (pink)! Thanks to my neighborhood Walgreens and my bestie Ashley who braved the cold and the possibility of being jacked to come out with me at midnight to snag these freebies.

So thank you Walgreens! Thank you Ashley! You can be my partner in crime anytime...not that we did anything wrong...it was all perfectly legal...and so way fun!

Randomness

The last day before break is always random. There are random movies on all day, random leftovers in the cafeteria, and random kids wearing pajamas. PJ day is a common thing at our school... There are also random outfits. It is 70 degrees so of course I have on a short sleeve shirt and my red flip flops. Some die hards were still wearing their Christmas sweaters today- they were sweating like pigs but they were wearing them! I just love the randomness of it all.

Speaking of random...Maci just came in begging to play in the park...which means I will have to sit in the car and pretend to be reading while I am actually watching her like a hawk!!! Off we go...

Bargain Blog

I went to CVS this afternoon and was paid .73 to take 2 tubes of toothpaste, mascara, and a nail polish. :) I hear you Tulsans are getting CVS soon....Study up...You'll want to be ready to cash in! Here are a couple other bargain tips for the week-

Walgreens is running some General Mills cereals for 1.99 again. Pair them with coupons from here and you can get them for under $1.50 a box. Limit 4. Be sure to pick up a flyer when you enter the store for the coupons for Green Giant veggies for .59 and Kraft mac and cheese for .69. There is also a coupon for Charmin toilet paper- 12 big rolls for 6.99. That is a better price than Wal-Mart but it isn't a fabulous deal so...just get those if you need them. The veggies however are a rocking deal- STOCK UP! Yes, it says limit 3 but that is per transaction. You can buy multiples of 3 multiple times.

Don't forget to go back at the end of the week when everything is out of stock and get those rainchecks! Rainchecks insure that you have cheap cereal the next time you need it too.

Now this next deal is debatable but stick with me... IF you happen to use Biolage shampoo and conditioner you should stop by WalMart to stock up. The hair cut place there is selling a gift pack of both the shampoo and conditioner for $19.95 AND you get a full size Biolage lotion as a free gift. The gift pack saves you about $8 and the lotion is a nice gift- it is regularly $10. I call it debatable because true thrifters won't ever pay $20 for shampoo and conditioner but there are some things you can't skimp on. Toilet paper, paper towels, AND shampoo!

If you were a smart cookie and got Sundays paper you have a dandy coupon for $4 off a Maybeline product. Cash that baby in at either CVS or Walgreens where they are offering a buy one get one deal this week. Pair that with the $1 coupon from a few weeks ago and you can get a couple nail polish or lip gloss FREE.

One last tip...You can save a killing at these stores IF you know what you are doing. Be sure to never- NEVER waver from your list. One bad detergent purchase could wipe out all your savings for that trip. These are still convenient stores and veering from the deals will cost you. That's why Brad has been banned from my CVS trips. :)

Marathons and Gymnastics

Maci and Coach Rachael

We left Brad's marathon and headed to Maci's gymnastics performance...with a quick stop for lunch in between. Maci did a great job- She did her back hip circle on the high bar and is finally convinced that she CAN do a back hand spring! Way to go May!

The girl that didn't think she could do a back hand spring!

The Vault

Back Hip Circle on the HIGH bar!

Who's Da Bomb?

B-rad is da bomb cuz he ran da marathon! Today was THE day and it was awesome. Mr.B-rad finished the 26.2 mile run in 3 hours and 51 minutes- 9 minutes under his goal. His best buds were there to cheer him in- all wearing cool matching tees thanks to Joe. Here are some of the highlights...

The War

Brad and Maci are in a little practical joke war. Maci is holding her own too. The picture above is her latest efforts. Pretty dang good. (You really should click on it to see the enlarged view...impressive.) Imagine Brad's surprise when he gets home from the gym tonight and heads up to his bathroom...

However...NO ONE is more competitive than Brad and he will not take pity on her simply because she is 11...or even because she is his daughter. I'm sure payback is coming and it won't be pretty.

Simple Math

I spent $168 on required books for my grad school class. I just got the buy back quote- a whopping $31.05. What the heck? Are they actually suggesting that I used these books $136.95 worth?

They are sadly mistaken.

The Tween Artist

Behind that door is the room of my lovely tween artist who has entered the phase of door decoration. There are undoubtedly various papers, markers, and a zillion glittery thingys covering her floor. She is quite talented. I think her stained glass name is pretty awesome. To bad she doesn't have a passion for cleaning up too. But no...just for creating. sigh. The mess is horrendous but look at that beautiful door.

It's not such a bad trade.

More Weekend Festivities

Sunday was the Lake Park Tree Lighting. Brad spent most of the day Saturday (after the 5k run!) working to put the lights up on town center. My pictures didn't turn out great but the carriage ride was pretty. Have I mentioned they are big on carriage rides in the South? Oh yeah, really big on them. Anyway...this years additions to the festivities were free cookies, cider, cocoa AND pictures with Santa and the Mrs. It was a sweet little event.

In the Nick of Time

Whew. I got the last wreath hung up just in time. You know if it isn't completed by the first weekend in December the Southern Holiday Decor Police are dispatched out to the house. I'm not sure what the penalty is but I think they take all the sweet tea from your house and make you watch 38 episodes of Designing Women- back to back. Thank goodness we finished in time. Now if only the outside outlets were working! Oh Erin...know of any electricians you could send my way???

Go Maci! Go!

Maci has been involved in Girls on the Run this semester. She has done a fabulous job. Saturday was the 5K and Brad ran with her. They finished strong- and before Osborn. Here are some pics from the day... Oh yeah, with Maci's run last weekend and Brad's next, I had to have this song on the blog. They played it during Maci's run and I'd forgotten how much I love this classic.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Public Service Announcement

[stepping onto my soap box]

People. It is not called the World Wide Web for nothin. What is let loose in cyberspace stays in cyberspace- forever. It is not seen or read by only your Granny in the nursing home or your bestest friend down the road. It is cyberspace- exposed to millions (billions?) of people- worldwide. You don't want your friends to think you're an idiot. You don't want strangers to think you're an idiot.

As a concerned Internet surfer I am offering this public service announcement to use as a good rule of thumb---- if you have the slightest thought of "is this inappropriate?" THEN IT MOST LIKELY IS! Always er to the side of caution. Your Granny in the nursing home will thank you. I thank you.

[stepping off my soap box]

Outsmarted By a Smartie

So we found this great Pirate advent calendar for Andy. Each day he opens a box and discovers a new little pirate toy piece for the set. Maci was wanting new ornaments for her Christmas tree so that's her gift each morning. Fabulous! Aaron is a little trickier. We discussed money ($1 a day=$24) but Aaron suggested one of the Indiana Jones Lego sets ($10). Winner winner chicken dinner!

Day one- Andy and Maci were tickled pink. Aaron didn't say much. So on the way to school I asked him what he thought of his first Lego piece. "Oh its great but it looks just like the table from my other Indiana Jones set..." It looks like the table from his other set because he already has this set!!! Crap. How did I mess this up?I called Brad to let him know of our (my) boo boo. Brad's idea was to continue giving him some pieces from that set AND mix in pieces from the Star Wars Lego set. Brilliant! That'll keep him guessing. Or not.

Day Three-

Aaron- I know this is the same set I already have.

Me- You think so? Hmm. Maybe we are just wanting you to think that.

Aaron- Maybe. But I don't think so. I think you got me 2 sets because there are only 8 pieces left in that kit and that's not enough to last til Christmas. I think you have another set for me. I also thought you might mix them up to try to confuse me on what I'm getting.

Me- Well that'd be a silly idea now wouldn't it.

POOP! Any ideas about a cool advent calendar for a smarty pants 9 year old boy?

Recycled- None of that Sissy Crap

Saw this on Penny's blog...loved it...and since I'm *so green* I just had to recycle it...

None of that Sissy Crap
Are you tired of those sissy ‘friendship’ poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality?Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship.You will see no cutesy little smiley faces on this card-Just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.
1. When you are sad –I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. When you are blue — I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
3. When you smile — I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.
4. When you’re scared — we will high tail it out of here.
5. When you are worried — I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!!!!
6. When you are confused — I will use little words.
7. When you are sick –Stay away from me until you are well again. I don’t want whatever you have.
8. When you fall — I’ll pick you up and dust you off.
9. This is my oath…I pledge it to the end. ‘Why?’ you may ask — because you are my FRIEND!

Dueling Banjo Kids

Introducing the Dueling Banjo Kids featured nightly through New Years Eve in the Lake Park Lights show. If you live within 120 miles, better make it 220 miles, you must come check out their awesomeness. The lights aren't half bad either. ;)

Heck of a Haul

There may not be such a thing as a free lunch but there is such a thing as a "heck of a haul" at CVS. Ashley and I hit the trail after Thanksgiving dinner to cash in. We came home (2 hours later) with ALL this stuff for $1.88 each! Can you see all that stuff?? Ipod ear buds, remote control, bic soleil razors, Aussie shampoo, Johnsons lotion, lip gloss, etc. etc. etc. It was crazy fun AND just plain crazy! The math was a little tricky. A haul of this magnitude takes some brainpower but then you can reward yourself with a free kitkat and 3 free Gatorades! :)
Now that we are pros (?) I will try to post the tricks of the trade as we get another haul in the weeks to come. In the meantime, go to CVS and sign up for your rewards card. You're going to need it...

Success!

There he is- the guy and his "freaking turkey." When I asked Brad if he put olive oil on the turkey like Paula Deen suggests, he said "no- Paula Deen is the woman. I am just a guy trying to cook a freaking turkey." And what an awesomely fabulous job he did too!

Words of Wisdom

My fabulous assitant (and she doesn't even know I have a blog so I'm really not just saying that!) showed me this cartoon today and I had to laugh- this is soooo Horner family right now.

I'm telling you B-rad...we mess this up and our turkey days are over.

I'm Ready for Spring Now Please

What the heck is up with our weather? It's been chilly this week! It's even been windy. I know I have wimpified a bit but still...it's cold. I had to resort to wearing real shoes a couple days last week. Sad day. My flip flops are feeling neglected. Somebody please turn the heat back on the Carolinas. Bless our hearts.

Let the Ladies In

If the old saying about Ladybugs bringing luck is true then we should be the luckiest people around right now. At any given time I can look up and count 3-5 ladybugs on our kitchen window or ceiling. What is up with that?

I remember when we were moving in we found ladybugs here and there in the house and I thought...well...thats better than any other kind of "bug" I can think of...but still...

So every fall we welcome the ladies in, although I still don't really know why. For any native Charlotteans that think ladybugs in the house are just a normal part of fall...they aren't.

I've seen more ladybugs in my 3 falls here in NC than my 30ish years in Oklahoma!

Steal of a Deal

Ok blogging friends here is a steal of a deal- First go here and print this coupon multiple times. It is for $1.00 off Kelloggs cereal. Hopefully you also got yesterdays paper...if so there are 2 more $1.00 off coupons in there.

Use those coupons in combination with this week's offers at CVS and/or Walgreens and you will be buying a box of cereal for $1! Actually if you are like me, you will be buying SEVERAL boxes of cereal for $1 each.

Raisin Bran anyone?

Just Being Obedient

I was recently vaccuuming- and when I say recent I mean about 10 minutes ago- I plugged in the vaccuum, leaned the handle back, turned the machine on, and went through the forward/ backward motion on the carpet. After a sweep or two I realized something was wrong. The vaccuum wasn't picking anything up. A glance down told me the problem- my hose wasn't connected to the source. Wow. This was one of those immediate pictures that I just "got." I also knew I was to get this picture out in cyberspace right away. Here is the picture as best I can descibe it...

I think someone is out there praying for something. You are praying your little heart out yet nothing is happening. You don't understand why because you are following the "recipe" as best as you remember... It's time to glance down. Glance to your heart. Make sure you are plugged into the source. Going through the motions simply is not enough. Praying is not enough. You need to have the relationship. You must be praying not just to "the" Father but to "your Father."

Make "the Father" your Father.

Hooray- Election Results!

I am so happy with who won *this* election- Maci and Aaron were BOTH elected to the afterschool council! My politician son was very pleased. Maci was so easy going about it I couldn't tell how excited she really was. Aaron has already informed me that he'll need to stay longer in the afternoons now so he can really "know what's going on" in all areas of afterschool. For example, if a game is broken he needs to know about it and to know about it he needs to be there for that center. I assured him that "his people" would let him know all the issues he needs to know. ;) Move over Obama...Aaron is after your job!

Yes, I Voted

This post is not going to be about my disappointment in this years candidates. It isn't going to be about how I really voted *against* someone rather than voting *for* someone. It isn't even going to be about my dislike for Sarah Palin. (which I inteded to blog about but never got around to it) This post is about how sadly disappointed I was with the voting "machines." All those early bird voters told me about the cool computers. I was psyched because in Oklahoma we were given a card and a Sharpie. This was going to be so way cooler.

Not so much. I was given a piece of paper and told to use the "voting tool" in my booth. Hmm...I was optimistic for some hand held device or something... Not so much. The voting tool is also known as a Bic Round Stic. Much the like one pictured below- except it was black and didn't have a lid. Stinking voting tool. Whatthecrapever. I'd rather have the Sharpie.

We Rocked the Block

Here is a quick rundown. The boys performed for well over 2 hours- nonstop. It rocked. We stood and danced for well over 2 hours. We (I) will be feeling it in the morning. It was so fun to watch all the girls (30 something soccer moms)...on the light rail complete strangers were talking about which was their favorite and how many posters they had as a kid. Some girls actually wore original t-shirts AND brought their NKOTB lunch boxes and dolls. Thank goodness for these people because they made me look very normal!


Floor seats are ALWAYS possible. You just gotta be persistent. Crystal at Ticketmaster finally hooked us up! I traded in our so/so seats for AWESOME 10th row center floor seats 3 hours before the concert! Between Buble and now NKOTB I am beginning to think this ticket deal is a secret talent I never knew I had.

Maci had soooo much fun and Stacie and I had so much fun watching her. More to come....but tomorrow is actually today and I have to be at scool in under 6 hours. Sit back and enjoy the pics....I'll add more catptions later too. Be sure to refresh the page to make certain you see them all. ;)

PC? No. Funny? Yes.

Happy Day for You

Ok Tresher. Here is your "paragraph." But just so you know, I was planning this blog long before you requested it!

We had an awesome Mother Goose themed Literacy Night for our kids and parents last night. Tresher (who is our almighty grade chair this year) planned, prepped, and executed the entire event. She did everything including selling the idea to the team, preparing ALL the centers, ordering the cake, getting fabulous goody bags for parents, sending out a feedback survey today, and presenting each teacher with a "Great Job Certificate." It was AWESOME. We had more than 150 people attend!!! She even got Chip to make a guest appearance for family pictures.

Tresher rocks. She is truly one of the best teachers I know. She treats her kids with such kindness and respect. She loves on them. She works her hiney off for them. And to top it all off- she knows her stuff. Sardis is lucky to have her as a teacher and I am lucky to have her as a friend. With all the changes happening next year, I pray that wherever I am and whatever I am teaching Tresher will still be right next door to me. I can't imagine it any other way.

Tales from Kindergarten

If you are offended easily- skip this entry. It's just too funny not to post. Tresher came in my room giggling like a little girl this afternoon. It was that evil giggle that I knew meant she had a good story. She did. Here is the jist of it-

Tresher always gives her kids a pack of Smarties candy when they bring back their homework. Today one little man lost his and came up to Tresher all frantic telling her that he wanted his Retards back! :) Smarties....Retards...close enough.

These are the kind of stories we really need to have published.

What's That Saying?

What is that saying about a bird in the hand being worth 2 in the bush? What if the the bird is in the HOUSE? That's what happened over here this weekend. We were all at the door as our friends were getting ready to leave. Brad opened the door and in flew a bird! Apparently he had been sitting in my wreath on the door. What followed was pure craziness. Debra, Angela, and I screamed and ducked like girls getting attacked by...well...a bird I guess. Harry and Brad swatted and eventually *strongly tapped* the bird until it finally flew back to wreath. Once there, Brad slammed the door and I choose to believe the bird happily flew away. Let's just say he is now a special needs bird. However, being the dedicated blogger that I am--I was able to grab the camera and get a couple pictures.

I know this poem is really old and we've probably all heard it before but I came across it tonight and think it is still worth reading. And for my fellow grad school buddy-- Don't get overwhelmed. Don't think too big or too far ahead. You are on the right track. Keep it simple. Your instincts will carry you farther than you know. Trust them.

Most of what I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain,

but there in the sand pile at Sunday school.

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.

Play fair.

Don't hit people.

Put things back where you found them.

Clean up your own mess.

Don't take things that aren't yours.

Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.

Wash your hands before you eat.

Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

Live a balanced life.

Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing

and dance and play and work everyday some.

Take a nap every afternoon.

When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.

Be aware of wonder.

Flush.

My Kind of Recycling

I am a phras-a-holic. Seriously, I am bad about picking some random saying and stashing it in my head to use years and years from now. I often don't realize I am doing it. If I've ever ripped off a phrase of yours, here is your credit- minus the formal APA format.

*whatthecrapever*- to my knowledge I made this one up all by myself. If I ripped you off with this one, please let me know because I truly believe I made it up myself.

*sad day for you*- clearly this one came from Tresher. I heard her use it on a kid a couple years ago and it's been mine ever since. I probably say this at least once a day.

*multiple*- I got this from Erin. I never used to use "multiple" as an adjective but now it seems to be my adjective for mulitple situations.

*hippy chick*- I don't know where I got this but I've had it a loooonnng time.

*working up a mad*- That's another teacher saying. I got it from Barb.

*that's right*- I got this from my hair stylist. I use it to make you feel better. For example, you say, " I know I shouldn't eat this but it's just one huge box of cookies..." I will respond, "that's riiiight" to make you feel good. Listen for it...I use it without realizing it.

*a hot mess*- This I got from Ashley but I've heard other southerners say it. Apparently it means that you look horrible.

*Freaking A*- Believe it or not this one came from Brad. I know it isn't very nice but he says it. Alot.

*Tresher also taught me another one that isn't very polite and I don't use it...although I think it often times and wish I could.

I think that's it....any phrases you've learned from me?

Countdown 4 NK

We are entering the final 10 day stretch before the long awaited (in my world) New Kids concert. Just so you know, I will be featuring music from their long awaited (in my world) new album entitled, "The Block." If you aren't a NK fan you may want to have the volume down for the next several days...

As I prepare for the concert event of the millennium (yes, in my world) here are some thoughts I ponder-

I am slightly regretting not getting those floor tickets. I held back because Maci is coming and I was slightly concerned about her safety. Now I'm thinking having an 11 year old on the floor may have earned us some extra attention from the boys. Oh...did I say that out loud?

Secondly, I admit that I am a little annoyed that this concert appears to be one of the very few that Natasha Beddingfeld isn't opening for them. I would have liked to have seen her too.

Lastly and most importantly, please don't burst my bubble. Yes, I have heard the *rumors* about J-o-n being g-a-y but I have been in denial this long and it's a happy place to be. Leave me in my denial for at least the next 10 days.

Second Guessing My Hair Stylist

Yes, those ARE pinking shears she was planning to use. Her color job was a bit questionable too...I had various steaks and dots of brown in my blonde hair!

Here are some more pictures from the costume party last night...What a fine looking group we were.

Stealing Barbs Floor

This blog should have been written months ago. Seriously. Months ago.This is how it should have been written- last May.

My friend Barb has the best kitchen tile. Brad and I both always loved it and hoped to replicate it someday. Finally that day has come. From the first time we walked through this house we loved it- loved everything except the kitchen floor. It was ugly vinyl flooring. Yuck. Once we got serious about replacing it we started talking about Barb and Kevin's floor again. However, although Brad had laid tile in our last house (2 bathrooms and the kitchen) this project was going to be a little more advanced. Not only was this design on the diagonal but a two tone diagonal. I'm no math whiz but apparently diagonal means quite a bit more computations and cuts. So we pushed it off awhile longer. It was strategically planned for a weekend Brad would have a helper- not just any helper but the helper of all helpers- my dad.

After many hours (or days...hard to remember which) of blood, sweat, and tears the floor was finally finished. Finished and fabulous! I LOVE it. Here are a few pics of the process below. I will have to take a better "after picture" to post as well. This is by far some of Brad's best handywork. Sometimes a stolen idea is the best idea. Love it!

o