Cyber Monday at Chewy.com!!

  Guess What????  It is ALMOST time for Cyber Monday!! And CHEWY.com is having a Super Special on Tons...and I mean TONS of treats!!  On Monday, November 26^th, Chewy is offering customers as much as 50% off of everything but food!! 

There will be a total of 3,000 products marked down!!  That really IS huge!!

 Chloe and LadyBug have already put their notice in...they are expecting GREENIES because they totally LOVE them!!

There’s no promo code for customers to enter.

No special link to follow.

Just a massive, up-to-50% discount on everything but food at Chewy.com this coming Monday for THE Cyber-Monday sale. 

It is really the ONLY sale you will need!!  NOBODY delivers FASTER than Chewy!!

Bring on the Brights!!

I did a real quick sweep through Target today and fell in love with some of the super cute totes for spring!

I love totes.....preferably SUPER SIZED toted!!!  No small bags for me...no way!

I have to carry around WAY too many things....

Never know when you might need something!!!

Here's an idea of a couple that I really like...I'm also shopping on Etsy and ArtFire!!

Check them Out!!!

Buy Handmade!!!  Support your LOCAL economy!!

Dog Fashions!! We are Stylin!!

Isn't this just the CUTEST???

Ahh...just what I need ...

Yet another site to spend money on...

You have to admit they are super cute though!

I have not yet ordered for the girlz, but I do know of someone who has and she says the quality is EXCELLENT!!

She even ordered SUSHI Toys!!

You can find the information here!!

The Race is ON!

Does anybody else feel like I do?

I feel like I am going about a thousand miles an hour...and not making any progress.

Spent the day washing tons of crystal glasses and cleaning out all of the Fall decorations to make way for my Christmas Extravaganza!  I usually decorate it up BIG. 

This year...I just don't feel like doing it up THAT big.

Maybe I'm just in a slump.

Not sure....but I apologize for the fact that my blog has not been all that interesting lately.

The upstairs is completely torn apart with the renovations going on!

I promise I will take pics though...soon!!

Also trying to finish up my online shopping!!

Let The Shopping Begin!!

We are going to be REALLY busy over the next month...as are most of you I suspect with the holidays coming up!!

Chloe enjoyed her afternoon...she just HATES to be home by herself...but she was relaxing after enjoying her special Thanksgiving dinner last night.  We all slept in today!!

My Black Friday was a success!!  I have scored alot of deals ONLINE...rather than getting up at the crack of dawn and blasting off into the crowds!!  I do not have as many gifts to buy this year...and it is SO much easier to shop online.  Amazon is my friend!  I just love Amazon.  Two Day shipping....can't beat it!!  A spin-off of Black Friday that debuted in 2005, Cyber Monday is reputedly the biggest online shopping day of the holiday season—and accordingly, many online retailers will offer special discounts on their products. It takes place the Monday after Black Friday, though you can find online bargains all year long at Cybermonday.com, the official Cyber Monday website. On the actual day, the site will feature extra discounts and hourly specials to further entice online shoppers. To stay even more in the know during the holidays, sign up to receive emails from your favorite stores to get advance notice about sales and insider-only deals!!

Return to "Paper or Plastic" ??

Everybody has been on the bandwagon to use GREEN bags...recycle...the NEW thing! 
Then on tonight's local news...they reported THIS:

Just when you’re feeling good about remembering to bring back your reusable bags for groceries comes word from a study out West that bacteria levels can build up if bags aren’t washed. The University of Arizona at Tucson and Loma Linda University in California did a joint food safety study randomly testing 84 reusable grocery bags carried by shoppers in the Los Angeles area, San Francisco, and Tucson. They found significant levels of harmful bacteria, and very low awareness of potential risk.

 

Geographic location appeared to affect the results, with contamination rates higher in L.A. than in the other two locations, with speculation that this is likely due to that region’s weather being “more conducive to growth of bacteria in reusable bags.”  The author, Charles Gerba, Ph.D., professor of soil, water and environmental science, reported that 97% of those interviewed have never washed (or bleached) their reusable bags. Gerba points out that thorough washing kills nearly all bacteria that accumulate. 

 

Wegmans reusable bags are labeled with directions to hand wash with cool water. Our merchant Debbie Hauck points out that the bags will float in a washing machine, since the polypropylene does not absorb water. They are sturdy and flexible enough to machine wash if you make sure they are submerged. The colorful woven ones are a bit stiffer and do not machine wash well, but are easily hand washed. Never put in the dryer…they will melt!

 

Other tips: Ask the cashier to separate raw foods from other food products. Don’t leave meat or produce in hot cars because higher temperatures promote growth of bacteria. And, finally, don’t use the same bags for groceries as for gym clothes!

 

Kind of makes me want to go back to the "Paper or Plastic" days...

Lost Mojo, Retail Therapy AND the SATC2 Movie Review

I have a bunch of things on my mind today...I've been feeling a little like I've lost my creative mojo lately...no idea why, but I NEED to get it back.  It's here somewhere....just have to FIND it!!!

So...I did what I usually do...

I went to TARGET!!  I just love Target!!!  It's one of my HAPPY Places!!

Do YOU have a Happy Place?

Where / What is it??

And guess what I found at my Happy Place aka Target????

SHOES!

Cool New Sandals!!!

Super Cool New Sandals that are sure to help me get my MOJO back!!

And oh by the way...

Don't waste your time going to the new SATC 2 movie....

As much as I REALLY, REALLY wanted to see it and looked forward to seeing it for like two years...

It is NOT worth it.  I will not be purchasing this movie for my collection.  Yes, I did enjoy seeing "the girls" again and I loved all the fashion and the scenery and the AIDEN!!!

The script was AWFUL.  Terrible!!! 

Don't go see it.  OK.....well.....maybe check it out on DVD...RedBox!

Black Friday...Success!!

I have pictures!!! I really do!! But they are on my camera and I don't have my laptop right now...so I'll have to post them later.

Stayed up for a whole 24 hours for Black Friday Shopping!! A new tradition...since my husband retired. It's worked out very well and we really, truly do save alot of money! ALOT of money!! There are deals to be had.

Do Not Plan on everything going totally smoothly.....or getting anything done in a real hurry. It's just not going to happen.

Patience.

Must remember to bring your patience!!

I am totally exhausted....will fill you in on the rest of our successful venture...later!!

Just a CoupleThings I've Been Working On

It's a busy time for all of us and I have discovered a new Craft Store! Which will help me in the creativity department...now...if I can just find the time to work it all in?? And of course....I have at least one little one watching me at ALL times!!

Photos from Mother's Day

 

 

 

 

Lessons in....Grocery Shopping!

As y'all know, my husband has recently retired and I am in the process of instructing him in the finer things of life...like for instance...how to go about having a "Grocery Shopping EXPERIENCE". Betcha never heard of that?? Well, neither had he. If you read about our mall trip, this is kind of the same thing! I was going about doing my thing and he was just along for the ride....he was supposed to be absorbing this new zenlike experience.

We get to the store and he drops me off at the door and goes and parks the car. I had already picked out the cute little cart! They really ARE cute! He doesn't see it that way.

Then, I cruise over to the coffee bar....which in our particular store, is similar to a Starbucks. I order my special coffee. He rolls his eyes, but orders himself a hot chocolate anyway.

Next up, I take off my heavy winter jacket and gloves as it is below zero outside and I certainly do not need these heavy clothes to disturb my Shopping Experience.

Oops...forgot to mention that I had to request one of those little cupholders for my shopping cart to put the coffee in so it doesn't spill all over while we are enjoying our experience :))

Next, we're off with our list. First stop...the deli. I order a couple of things and while they are slicing the meats, I peruse the flower shop for a quick sec!! OK, back to pick up the deli stuff and we are off to the meat / seafood department...pick out a few things there and then I'm off to the organic department. Needless to say...my husband is lagging behind and seemingly NOT enjoying this whole thing. I try to engage him in conversation, but he's not particularly interested. So, I pick out my Rice Chips and Vitamin Water and head on over to find my favorite Chai. This leads me over to the stationery department. Well. Anyone who knows me knows that I cannot just walk through this department. I have to actually take time to examine the new cards / wrap / ribbons etc.....

Ben's not havin' too much fun at this point. Ok, we are on to the Magazine Aisle! Oh, how I love to check out the latest and greatest!! And they have one HUGE selection of all of the best magazines and books!! So, I'm savoring my coffee as I'm browsing, but only manage to put one in the cart, and figure I better get moving or I have totally lost him!!

The rest of the trip was very similar. I was savoring every single minute. He was looking rather bored and fidgety!

I think he will send me by myself next time.

And you know what??

I'd rather shop alone.

So much for him learning about The Shopping Experience!

Wait til I try to teach him about my Napping Experience...

Give me some credit here people. I have managed to make it ALMOST TWO WHOLE MONTHS!! And we are still speaking.

My List of 100 Things About Me...

Everything you always wanted to know about me...but were afraid to ask..

1. I love my Bichon Frises and will never ever be without at least one in my life
2. I absolutely LOVE shopping and could spend every waking hour doing just that
3. Riding my scooter is one of my favorite things to do
4. I am a mother, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a niece, a cousin
5. I have been divorced once
6. I am a creative person
7. I am stubborn at times
8. I am a night owl and never go to bed before 3am
9. I am fiercely loyal to people and causes that I believe in
10. I hate lying
11. I smoked pot in high school
12.,I used to have cats, but found out I was highly allergic and had to give them away but I still love them
13. It is hard for me to trust people
14. I have been abused
15. I have many secrets
16. I used to take allergy shots for a multitude of allergies
17. I suffer from migraines
18. Sometimes I open my mouth when I shouldn't
19. I don't always say what I mean or mean what I say
20. Blogging is a favorite hobby of mine
21. I spend way too much time worrying about things I cannot control
22. I'm still friends with all of my in-laws
23. I suffer from several autoimmune diseases
24. I miss being able to physically do things I used to be able to do with ease
25. I'm very glad that I have a driver's license
26. I pray that they discover a cure for Alzheimer's Disease
27. I have fibromyalgia
28. I hope and pray that my daughter has a fulfilling life
29. I wish I could have had more heart-to-heart talks with my mom before she passed away
30. I miss my grandmother alot
31. I wish I did not think about the past as much as I do
32. I am a fan of both Celine Dion and Shania Twain
33. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are two of my most favorite country artists.
34. I am a pessimist
35. I hate politics
36. I am absolutely, positively addicted to coffee
37. If I'm missing my mojo, I work really hard to get it back!
38. I crave alone time
39. I need music in my life
40. I find it difficult to share my thoughts
41. I hate winter
42. One of my favorite actresses is Julia Roberts
43. I hate games of any kind
44. My current favorite author is Jodi Picoult
45. I have no desire to vacation outside the United States....with the exception of Bermuda and Canada
46. Toronto and Niagara Falls both hold very special memories for me
47. I hate summer
48. Some people think I am funny
49. I wish someone would invent a cure for cancer
50. There are times I wish I had less responsibility
51. Sometimes, I wish I could be a kid again
52. I have some regrets
53. I am not afraid to die, but I hope that I do not suffer
54. I have been on one cruise and will never go on one again
55. I have spent time vacationing on an Island and loved every single minute of it
56. Bermuda is one of my most favorite places
57. Key West is a favorite vacation spot
58. I wish I could cook!
59. I love Mexican food
60. My greatest achievement is my daughter
61. I am the third of four siblings....one brother and two sisters
62. My favorite animal is the dog, particularly Bichon Frises, Newfoundlands, and Labrador Retrievers
63. I am very glad that I can swim
64. I pray that no one close to me suffers from cancer ever again
65. I have alot of favorite movies!
66. I am afraid of driving over bridges
67. One of the hardest things I've ever done is to quit smoking
68. I hate arrogance and narcissism
69. My sister and I go to the movies every Tuesday night
70. I am absolutely passionate about napping
71. Paper Crafts and Cardmaking are my favorite hobbies
72. I love spending time at our cottage
73. I can only do karaoke if I have been drinking
74. My favorite colors are pink and purple
75. Fall is my favorite season
76. I no longer drink alcohol of any kind
77. I love to collect inspirational quotes
78. I was the fastest typist in my high school
79. I used to work for the school newspaper and I loved it
80. I do not mind washing dishes
81. I enjoy doing laundry
82. I read alot every single day
83. When I was a child, I decided I wanted to be a secretary
84. To some degree, I think racism is still a problem in our country
85. I rarely ever cry
86. I wish I did not have to take medication for my autoimmune diseases
87. I love the internet and have learned so much
88. I will never forgive adultery - EVER
89. I'm a huge fan of Classic Coke
90. Birthdays are very special to me and I think it's important to celebrate them!
91. I am still in contact with my best friend from high school
92. I am sometimes a leader and sometimes a follower
93. I love to travel and see new things
94. I am a Virgo
95. Manners are extremely important to me
96. I do not tolerate rude people
97. I have an addiction to acrylic nails
98. I do not like pedicures
99. I prefer working for men rather than women
100.I absolutely LOVE chocolate

Cool Find!

I was just perusing through some of my favorite blogs and happened upon my friend Elisa and look what I found! How cool is this little thing?? I mean a Digital Clutch! I really need one of those!! Yeah....I know they are always coming out with something new! But this thing is just super cute!!

When my husband retired I gave him a little digital prize of his own. I can't find the photo right now....have to post it another time!

The Black Friday Experience!

UNBELIEVABLE! That's my word to describe Black Friday! I mean...it was crazy!

It was kind of a last minute decision for my husband and I to get up REALLY EARLY on Friday and go to Walmart....they had some things in their Black Friday Ad that we had been looking at for the kids and also some things we want for the RV.

We had spent our Thanksgiving dinner at The Canandaigua Inn on the Lake. Our favorite restaurant, Steamboat Landing, was not having their TGiving Buffet this year, so had to settle for the Inn. It was kind of a nice change though as we haven't been there in awhile...I think it was about February when we were there last. It was a terrific buffet! They had stations set up of just about every single kind of food you could imagine. One side was set up for made to order omelets, bacon, eggs, sausage, french toast, pancakes. Another setting had all different kinds of fruits and cheeses. Another table had Roast Beef, Glazed Ham, Fresh Roasted Turkey Sliced to Order, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans almondine, glazed carrots, dressing / stuffing. Another table had allllllll different kinds of salads. Another line had fresh seafood. There was bagels too. And the desserts....WOW! I could have just had that! I grabbed a piece of pumpkin pie on my first pass as I was absolutely positive it would be gone. There was also apple crisp, chocolate mousse, every kind of muffin you can think of, petit fours.

We had a very nice, relaxing dinner....just the two of us and were pretty stuffed by the time we got home. We had to settle for the 3pm seating as both the 11am and the 1pm were full.

Didn't do much of anything last night except put together my list for what we were going to get at Walmart. Finally went to sleep about 1. The dogs had to go out at three. By the time I got them all out and back in again, went upstairs and laid down. Then the alarm went off at 4:15am. We jumped up, got dressed and ready to go and were out the door by about 4:40am! My neighbor's lights were all on and we practically followed her all the way to Walmart too. Well, the closer we got....the more traffic we saw! All the drive-throughs were packed with people! It wasn't even FIVE AM yet and my husband had to drop me off at the door and park WAY out by the road....this is a Walmart Superstore and has ALOT of parking spaces. Not today though. It was absolutely mind boggling to see how much activity was going on at that hour of the morning!!

I grabbed one last shopping cart and started to make my way into the store. There was a HUGE LOUD crowd of people. The employees had the store roped off so that we couldn't get in to where all of the major bargains were until PRECISELY FIVE AM. Well....let me tell you, when they let the ropes go, people went berserk! It was really crazy!

Now, I have not done this whole Black Friday thing in years and years, so I guess I'm a little out of practice. I didn't even know where Ben was....I just kept trying to make my way over to the Electronics Department. Which was pretty freakin' impossible. There were some great deals to be had. But I didn't think I had a chance in hell of getting NEAR the counter. You can't even imagine the lines....Thankfully we had our cell phones and could talk to each other to see where each of us was in the store. As it turned out, I got STUCK in gridlock in the back of the store with the cart and was able to pick up a few of the things we were looking for, but Ben had most of the stuff over on the other side of the store and no cart. So, he just stood there with his "PILE" of stuff. We had to be really careful as I did see people STEALING stuff out of other's carts!!

Two customers got into a fight over a large screen tv and one lady sprayed HAIR SPRAY right into the eyes of the other lady!!! They had to call for medical help....and the sheriff's office! Another worker got trampled....it was a mob scene!!

Yes, we got some good deals...some really good deals and saved a pile of cash on some of the things. So, it was worth it....I guess. Hey, it's blog material anyway! I was going to try to take pics inside.....but was afraid someone would steal my camera!

We ended up going through the checkout line three different times as we saw a few other items that we wanted to pick up. They say the economy is going to hell.....but the people in front of us spent way over eight hundred bucks! Every single cart in that store was loaded down with a ton of stuff!!

Finally, at 6:30 we decided we were done and wanted to get coffee at Dunkin' Donuts in the front of the store. By the time we got there, there were only about 6 people in front of us. But they had NO DONUTS!! So, I got a really good Breakfast Sandwich and a H U G E cup of coffee.

Then, all we wanted to do was come home and go to sleep. Which we did. Checked in with my daughter who was also braving the crowds at Target and her boyfriend....he was over at Sears experiencing the same thing!!

Took a nice nap til 3pm. I feel like it was a VERY long day and am getting ready to shut down for tonight as it's going to be a busy weekend!

Let the holiday season begin.

It's CRUNCH time!!

What a GREAT Day!!

Saturday was such a terrific day and I'm just now finding time to write about it! I had heard that a new store by the name of Hobby Lobby had opened two locations near us....well...relatively speaking....within 45 minutes! So, off we went to visit this new shopping place. And WHAT a place it was! Holy Mackerel!!! Thought I'd died and gone to heaven!! This place has so much stuff...it is overwhelming!!! I would have been quite happy if my husband had just dropped me off and picked me up after the weekend was over!! We spent over an hour in there and did not even come close to hitting every aisle. It was AMAZING!!! Usually my husband has absolutely no interest in a place like that, but they have a very wide assortment of things there. If there is a Hobby Lobby near you....GO!!! With my blessings and a whole bunch of cash!!

Next on the agenda was my favorite place in town, Simply Crepes!! OMG I could live on their food. Nothing else. Just Crepes!!! My husband had the seafood special and I had the Tai Steak. Same thing I always get, but it is to die for. Absolutely the BEST!! And for dessert, we both had the autumn special dessert crepe....Pumpkin! I've attached some pics of course....so you can see for yourself, but I had to take them with my phone so the pictures do not do the crepes justice!! Take it from me, the place has amazing food!!

On the way home, we snapped a few pics of the Halloween decorations on a couple of houses...pics also attached!