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. ;)