Tuesday Catchup

I am ignoring my stuffy nose. I don't have time to catch a cold.

Brr....we are having some Arctic air in the area bringing lower than normal temperatures. Getting down to single digits at night and staying below freezing during the day. We received some snow over the weekend, but yesterday was absolutely gorgeous with the sun shining. Didn't melt the snow at all, but everything was shiny and bright.

Here is what the fishing dock on our creek looked like this weekend.

With all this cold weather it makes me very thankful for my husband. Why you may ask? We try and heat with all wood heat. Yes, we have electric forced air heaters in each room, but that gets very expensive. It is almost a game to try and see how tough we can fight the elements without turning on the heaters. There are many nights where neither hubs or I want to brave the cold room and strike up the fire. That's where hubs comes in...

He's like my personal little heater. How that man's body can remain hot when my hands and feet are freezing is a mystery. I'm very thankful that he doesn't mind me using him to warm up at night. heehee

I bet I'm not the only one who has cold feet when you go to bed? Is it you? Your man? How do you solve the problem?

Hunky Santa

It's Friday, and I imagine a lot of you will be going Christmas shopping this weekend. The countdown is on. We grumble about the crowds, high prices, and not finding the perfect present. Well, in Beverly Hills, California there is a mall that brings Hunky Santa's in for your entertainment. The picture is of this years Hunky Santa.

Now do you feel like going shopping? =)

New Year's Guide to Better Writing

Breathless Press would like to invite you to a New Year's Guide to Better Writing Workshop.

This five day event, beginning January 18, 2010 will feature a Breathless Press editor each day with advice and practical examples on the most common errors and struggles every writer faces: Grammar, POV, Active Writing, Adding that extra Emotion, and Bringing Steam to Your Love Scenes.

Admission for this week long workshop is normally $10.00. Each attendee will receive:

1. A digital copy of Promoting Yourself by Justyn Perry

2. 1 x 10% coupon for any Breathless Press eBook (redeemable only on the Breathless Press website)

*One lucky author will be randomly selected to receive a professional critique by Breathless Press’ managing editor Sherri Lee (good for the first chapter or first ten pages, whichever comes first) and a custom designed cover by cover artist (and publisher) Justyn Perry.

To register, go to: http://breathlesspress.forumotion.com, register with your author name and email address. Then proceed over to paypal and send $10.00 to order @ breathlesspress.com and please put in the comments the following information: registered name and registered email. OR you may email us the information to: info @ breathlesspress.com so that we can approve your membership.

Tuesday Catchup

It is now December. Holy cow! This year has flown by. I can't believe how fast, but when I look back at everything I have accomplished and what has happened in my life...well, I could write a book! lol

I spent a couple days shopping over the Thanksgiving weekend. Time to buy Christmas presents. I've got a good start for the boys, but need to buy for my daughter yet. She's my easy one to buy gifts for, so I usually leave her stuff until last. That didn't work real great last year when we got snowed in, and didn't finish gift buying until after Christmas, so this year I need to get this all done a couple weeks early.

What is with men who like to organize? While I was shopping, hubs organized my kitchen. I repeat, HE ORGANIZED MY KITCHEN. This is the man who never cooks, he doesn't make his own bowl of cereal or wash a dish. Yet, he thinks he can make my kitchen more efficient. I would never ever think about sorting his nuts, bolts, sawzall blades, hole cutters, and screwdrivers. Nope, not me. Sigh...So, I waited for him to go back to work yesterday, and have begun the process of reorganizing the kitchen. lol He even moved the dish drainer to the other side of the sink. I'm not left handed. (Either is he!) It is odd to say the least to wash dishes from the other side of the sink. So far, he hasn't noticed that I returned everything back to the normal place. Now, if only I could find where he put the cord for my grill!

How is your holiday shopping going? Whatever you do, when you leave for the day to buy a gift...do not let your man into your kitchen!

Christmas Fun...Let the count down begin!

It's that time of year again. The big guy in the red suit decides who has been naughty or nice. I believe that no one is ever too old to believe in Santa Claus, and I found some links I'd saved from when my kids were younger that I thought you'd all enjoy. (Especially, those with young kids ;-))

I've been to Santa's house in the North Pole. When I was a kid, it was open every day and Santa and Mrs. Claus came into the toy store to greet all the kids no matter what time of year.

This is the ultimate one stop that every child should make this year. The official website for Santa Claus. He's busy up there this time of year, but you can visit here Santa Claus House There is so much to do here it will keep the young ones busy for days. Write a letter and receive an email back! Coloring pages galore, and check out what Santa's elves are doing.

Want to track Santa progress to your house on Christmas Eve?

Track Santa Claus

Make your own snowflake. Then spin it, rotate it, melt it, or explode it!

Wonderful page filled with printable coloring sheets, crafts, jokes, ect. Lots of fun!

Now, my kids might be too old to convince that coloring is fun, or making relatives home-made Christmas cards is the cool thing to do, but I entertain them my own way.

Snowball fights

Quad races

Sledding

Snowman building

Tis the season... lol

I no longer have to drool

I wasn't planning on going to any of the After Thanksgiving day Sales, but I looked at one stores advertisement and changed my mind. They had the jeans my teenage boys wear for more than 1/2 off. Just so happens they all need new jeans. There's were looking rather ratty. I continued looking at the sales and what I next spotted got my heartbeat racing.

All Purses and handbags 1/2 off

Now, I was definitely going. I have been drooling over this one shiny, purple purse for the last two weeks. Price tag...$52...too much for me to buy on a gift for myself when you are saving for Christmas presents for four teens. But, $26 is do-able! lol

What do you think? Isn't this the prettiest purple purse?

I also ended up getting the kids socks. Can't beat 1/2 off prices.

Did you go shopping on Black Friday?

My Gift to You ~ My Blessings List

We're approaching the end of November. A time to count our blessings as we near Thanksgiving. This year I would like to thank all of you who commented on my blog, read my books, and encourage me with your emails, chats, interviews, and friendship. It's been an amazing year for me. I'm happy to share with you a free cookbook made especially for you. If you look on the right side of the website below where to buy my books and above my lovely display of followers, you will find a link where you can download this wonderful array of recipes that the Red Rose Publishing Authors have put together as our gift to our readers, our friends, and family.

Please feel free to go read it online, download it, and enjoy.

My Blessings List ~ Thanksgiving 2009

My hubby-He loves me. He gives me everything he possibly can and supports me 100%. There is no better man.

Daughter- She's simply amazing. Smart, beautiful, caring...she makes everybody's life richer.

Oldest Son- You make me so proud. I no longer see a boy, I see a man ready to take the world by the horns.

Son (Twin A)- You've got that quiet strength that I love. A confidence everyone can see. You never give up.

Son (Twin B)- You're hilarious. I love listening to your dreams of the future. You never let anything sway you from your goals.