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!!

Black Friday: Yes or No?

Sometimes Ben and I go out for Black Friday...just for fun!  Just for the excitement!  We skipped last year after braving a couple of hours in line at Target at 4:30am two years ago.  We were in and out of Macy's in thirty minutes.  Many, MANY worthwhile bargains!!  We weren't even shopping for Christmas.  Just the prices were so good...we couldn't pass up some of the deals we got!!


I'm doing alot of shopping online these days...


While buying online beats fighting the mall crowds, it also carries additional risks. It's important to follow some extra guidelines to keep yourself safe.

• Shop only on Web sites you trust and use a different password for each site.
• Don't make online purchases from a public computer.
• Shop at secure Web sites. Before entering your credit card information, make sure the URL in your browser's address bar contains "https" rather than "http." Also check for a closed padlock icon usually in the bottom right hand corner of the page.
• Consider using one card for all your online purchases.
• Disclose only the necessary facts when you order. Don't answer any question you feel is not required to process your order.
• Check the site for cancellation and return policies.
• Always print copies of your orders/online receipts.

Whether we decide to brave the crowds remains to be seen...Amazon is offering price matching for any other store deals which is a real bargain and I just love Amazon!!  Their Customer Service goes above and beyond!!!

Are you braving the crowds or curling up in front of your computer this year??

Creative Mojo Returns...

I had to make quite a few birthday cards....and I know I owe a few of you some cards as well!!! I promise I'll get to them....I will! I will!! Anyway, after a trip to Border's to pick up my latest Inspirational Craft Magazines...it was back to the cottage to work on the cards! Got some of them done anyway...I don't have access to all of my supplies, but I brought as many essentials as I could think of!!

That's how I spent my day!

And you??

Any special creative projects you are working on???

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!!

Indian Summer!!

Don't you think that weather has some impact on mood? I know that studies have shown that....but there's just something about a glorious SUNSHINE packed, WARM day...relatively speaking...in November. Especially in New York!

My daughter and I spent our usual Monday together and what a great day we had! Did some Christmas shopping...then stopped for a Mexican dinner....and dropped by PetSmart for the pooches! Went back to her house and hung out and watched our favorite shows.

Just a perfect day all around!

I absolutely believe that Indian Summer has an affect on MY outlook on life!!

Sure hope it continues for a little while longer...

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

 

 

 

 

Park Avenue

Mother's Day Meish and I spent on Park Avenue!!

We had such a terrific time!!

Pictures to follow...

Retail Therapy

Well....let's see...today was a Retail Therapy day for me! Actually talked Ben into going to Hobby Lobby! I had seen a few things there last week when Meish and I went to check out some new candles. They were having a 30% off sale on all of their summery type things. I saw some cool lanterns that would look great on the awning of the RV. So, of course, I had to have Ben come look at them to see if he concurred. He did! So, we picked up a couple of them. And of course, I couldn't leave without browsing the scrapbook aisles. Picked up some St. Patrick's Day paper and embellishments and I just love those Gelly Roll Glaze Pens. So, picked up a new pack of those for our trip. Since, I will probably have to be observing "quiet time" at the RV parks, I'll have to have something creative to do besides surfing the net!! So, I'm packing myself a bag of creative activity "stuff".

I'll have to take a picture of that once I get it all together. A very limited amount of space is available to me on this trip!!

Since Ben has retired, he has been spending much more time on his hobby ... woodworking. I don't have my camera right here, right now, so will have to post a picture on another post, but he made me a very cool candleholder using "purple heart" wood and a few other kinds...which I can't think of the name of right now! So, we picked out a really nice candle to go with that.

All in all, it was a terrific Retail Therapy day. Now, this is my opinion...not his!

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.

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!

My Take on the Visit to the Mall...

My husband, who all of you know, has just recently retired, decided that we needed to spend some time at the mall today to pick up a particular present for a particular person's birthday. Now, HIS idea and MY idea of going shopping at the mall are two totally different ideas. He goes directly to the mall entrance closest to the EXACT store that he will be shopping in....drops me off and goes to park the car. He drops me off when it is minus ten degrees outside and I can't freakin' breathe!! He parks the car and comes directly into the mall. We go DIRECTLY to the one store that he has chosen to purchase his ONE item at. We purchase the one item. Now, he wants me to just pay for the one item and walk directly back to the exit and go home.

I, on the other hand, decide that IF he wants my opinion at the particular store that he has chosen we go to, then we have to play by my rules. Well....a little bit anyway. They are having a sale! If you think that I'm going to set foot outside the store without shopping this sale....you got another thing comin' buddy!! So, I have to pick up a "few" things. I mean...c'mon....they WERE on SALE!! OK, so I cut my browsing time down to about ten minutes. I think in total, I purchased about eight items. VERY good sale....I might add!!

Now, this particular store that we found the sale in just happens to be located directly across from the Coach store. I heart Coach. So, I just HAVE to peruse the store quickly....well, relatively speaking.

By this time, I am thirsty....so we have to go and sit down and have a drink! No food court for me....no way. I prefer the ENTIRE mall experience. Oh, and on the way to the restaurant....we just had to browse the bargain DVD bin....and I got a great deal on a movie!

I simply do not understand kids' today. They have absolutely NO idea what Customer Service actually is. Don't EVEN get me started on that one.

Now, if every day could be like today.....retirement might not be that bad! I think I can handle my husband's new "profession".

Something tells me. It is just wishful thinking.

Got any brilliant ideas for us....for another field trip??

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!!

The Christkindl Market!

It started out that today was going to be kind of a sad day....storing the Fiero's away for the winter. But, as it turns out....we are only storing my husband's and mine will be staying out for awhile as long as the weather is relatively nice!! Usually when we put them in storage - it kind of signals the beginning of winter....a long, snowy, cold winter.

But...I'm looking forward to today!! Thank heaven our weather is still holding relatively warm...for us....with temps scheduled to be in the fifties! I am off to the Christkindl Market today...as you can see by this newsflash:

Canandaigua,NY – The Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum presents a unique holiday event.

The Second Annual ‘Christkindl Market’ in New York State on Nov. 7 (1-7pmn), Nov. 8 (10-6pm) and Nov. 9 (10-5pm) in Canandaigua, NY.

Picture yourself at an open air European-inspired Christmas market, under large heated festival tents. The smell of roasted nuts, bratwurst, crepes, spiced wine, holiday decorations, unique gift shopping, music, horse-drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa and sleigh and much more….. That’s the spirit of Christkindl Market at the Granger Homestead in Canandaigua, NY.

Yes, indeed, I will have my camera with me and I can assure you that I will be blogging....not LIVE blogging, but blogging nonetheless!! So....look here tomorrow on how the event went! We did not attend last year's, so I am excited to see what it's all about!!

OH! And I should mention that they have over 100 arts and crafts booths....shhhhhh...don't want to mention this one to my husband! Ha!

Have a great Saturday everyone!

Another Terrific Day!

Two in a row!! Well...almost! I think I'm on a roll. Let's hope it continues. Today was a pretty busy day as I have added yet another pup to my mix of three...I have Beemer for ten days. Beemer is my Grand-Dog and he is visiting with us while my daughter is on vacation. As you can see from the pictures, Beem fits right in with the rest of the family and he is just a teeny tiny bit spoiled. Anyway, because today was a bit rushed, my husband came home and suggested we run over to Mac's for steak sandwiches. These aren't just your run of the mill everyday steak sandwiches. They are the freakin' BEST Steak Sandwiches anywhere. Seriously. They really are.

Well, it just so happens that on this particular day, downtown Canandaigua was packed with cars, but we just happened to pull up right when a car was pulling out and we parked directly in front of this store, Wickedly Scent. Well....as usual....there's a bit of a story behind this particular store. The other night when we were at Simply Crepes, I used the ladies' room and in the restroom was the BEST smelling soap and lotion. Well, of course, I had to check it out thoroughly and I find out that it is handmade right here in town!! This lotion was called Orange and Clove. What a perfect fragrance for Autumn!! I LOVE this stuff!!! It smells like heaven!!

So, when I found out that it was made right here in town, and we were parked right in the front of the store, I just H A D to go in and buy this stuff right away!!! My husband wasn't even out of the car yet, when I was inside the store, at the counter paying for my purchase!! The owner was delightful and very engaging. He gave us a tour of the store and showed us all of the different candles, soaps, lotions, and all the different items the store MAKES and sells right here. Now, I have lived in Canandaigua longer than anywhere else in my life. I have been here like 16 years!

Why is it that I don't think to shop in my own town? Is it because when the weather is nice in the summer time, I'm up North? Don't know...I'll have to ponder that question for another day.

Any of my local readers out there....GO DIRECTLY to Wickedly Scent and purchase their stuff. It is amazing!! We also ended up getting some fabulous lemon poppyseed soap. Really, great products! Nothing like supporting our LOCAL economy folks!!

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!

Some Good / Some Bad...

Part of the day was good, and part of the day was not so good. Went over to my favorite hangout, Dragonfly Rubber Stamps and met some great new people! We hung out for a bit, chatted, checked out some new craft supplies, laughed, and shopped! Met a fabulous new friend named Stephanie who I hope to learn alot from as she is a Cricut expert!

Came home with my bag of loot and Lady is acting VERY strange. She wasn't herself earlier either, and I wasn't sure just what was going on. She always sleeps on my bed...actually on my pillow. Today when I woke up, she was under the bed. She does hang out there sometimes, but never, ever at night time. So, I was a bit confused. Especially because I had to coax her out from under the bed just to go out to do her business. THAT never happens!! Then I realized as I watched her more closely, that she was not doing ANY climbing....up on the couch...or in her LookOut Seat...or up on the bed. We have little sets of stairs for the two couches in the living room and one set of stairs going up to the bed in the bedroom. Normally, she cruises up those things...no problem!! Not today. NADA. When I tried to pick her up, she SCREAMED bloody murder. It was heart-wrenching and I am quite sure that my neighbors were wondering what was going on!! This happened twice when I tried very carefully to pick her up. It seems to me that she must have fallen or sprained something. I called the local animal hospital and they said they'd be happy to see her....on MONDAY! It's Thursday night for God's sake. This makes me nuts!!! So, I send a note out to my bichon "team" and got some advice on what to do next. I will be camped out at the vet's tomorrow until they agree to see me. Come hell or high water, SOMEBODY is going to take a look at my LadyBug. I have given her 1/2 of a children's aspirin and that seemed to make a difference, as she is at least able to rest. I am trying not to move her much. I hope she feels better in the morning...send us some good vibes...please!

Retail Therapy!

Ahhhhh....a perfect Monday!!! Meish came over around noon and we headed out to the Outlet Mall....one of our favorite spots for Retail Therapy! First, we stopped off at the Sun Garden Grille....an outdoor cafe at the mall, and had tuna pitas. They were great! It was a beautiful day today with nice temps and sunshine! Then we headed over to the Cosmetics Company Store and checked out Guess...where Meish always buys a ton of stuff. I would have like to stop by Coach, but just didn't make it there today. Still had to run to Walmart to pick up a few things, grabbed dinner at Panera and back home again to let all the dogs out.

The dogs were happy we picked up some treats for them! Then we watched our show on tv and Meish gave Chloe a haircut. Not that she really needed one...she was just groomed a couple of weeks ago. Lady was supposed to have a cut, but she's just too matted. I've got to get some of these mats out before we can attempt a clipper cut. Yes, I have video of this!!! Don't have time to download right now, but I will!!!

Off to do some more laundry and pack up a couple more boxes!!! Hopefully, tomorrow will bring good weather for driving....and no rain!! We have been having the WEIRDEST weather here lately......lots and lots of severe storms!!

Keen Anyone?

I looked and looked for a good pair of water shoes / diving boots for my husband for Father's Day. Did alot of research...one of my most favorite things to do

These are the ones I decided on:


I liked them SO much that I got a pink pair for me...what do you think???


Yeah...I know....I don't have the tan or the legs that I once had. My husband is ALWAYS telling me that I don't wear the cute little things anymore. Well....I'm moving HIM up to this century.

These things are super duper comfortable and he does like them better than my Crocs!