Friday

The new color has arrived!! I like it and it is indeed easy on the eyes.

The work day flew by as there was many things to do. A HUGE THANK YOU to my boss who decided that we should leave early today. This was wonderful as I was able to go home and clean out my flowerbeds before dark as well as before picking up the kiddos!! I filled two complete garbage cans. I know it doesn't sound exciting, however being able to do it before it gets even colder was great.

Not much else besides a rather uneventful evening. Aliyah is doing two lessons this evening since we didn't do schoolwork yesterday. I am happy to say we just finished lesson 91 and we are OVER halfway finished =). Hubby is working all weekend. Chicago is next weekend for me!

On a side note...
While I haven't quit watching TV completely, I have limited it quite a bit. This means taking out almost ALL programs relating to news and such. I've simply had enough for awhile. I think I'm down to about 3-4 shows per week. I watch DWTS, Amazing Race and a couple other reality shows. Every now and then I catch Kath and Kim or SNL. Since I don't watch the Today show or any morning show for that matter, getting ready is very quiet and peaceful. I really like it I must confess. I figure I catch up on any news when I open my computer. I can see the headlines and read or leave it!

That's all for Friday. Have a happy weekend!!

GA$

Let's see if this works...I haven't settled on a color yet. Maybe white will have to be the one.
I am excited to report that gas has FINALLY reached the point where there is a 1 in front of it again here in my area--YIPPEE! We paid $1.98 today and I felt like doing a dance right there at the station. My car which previously took over $52.00 was only $22.00 today!! Now, the last time I am positive that gas was that price was in the year 2000 after Josh and I got married. I remember we were thinking how expensive it was when we filled up the rental car on our honeymoor. WOW--how times have changed! I never thought I would see it in the $2 range again much less $1.98!!
We had a nice day today. Josh made us a yummy breakfast before we went to do our errands. We got some wonderful deals at the grocery store =). Although it rained today, the SUN came out this afternoon and it didn't get extremely cold like they had thought. I'm always up for mild weather.
I also have progress to report on our bathroom--yes can you believe it?? Josh is pretty close to the finish line. I can't wait! Now, there is a wee bit of extra motivation to get it done once and for all. You see, we have decided to have a Christmas party and that was one of my contingencies =). Poor Josh, who knows what else I will come up with before it takes place.
I was happy that I had time to get a haircut today. I am one of those people that could probably fall asleep while getting my hair cut. When I was little, I would ask my mom to just rub my hair if I was sick. It was always relaxing.
Other than that, I had some nice cuddle/lovey time with Keirah this morning as I sat in the chair. She curled up next to me and gave me lots of hugs and kisses and "I love you's". Nothing warms your heart quite like that! She is quite the mommy's girl and a girly girl at that. She stands right next to me as I get ready in the morning and wants pretty hair, hairspray, and pretty "wips". Keirah gets out my makeup and all kinds of other things as I get ready at my vanity. She also loves to wear TONS of bracelets--actually all that she can find and all at once.
Well, I am hoping for a tiny bit of mild weather this weekend so I can complete the "winterizing of my flower beds". We'll see! TGIF--soon!

Faves

So, the color on yesterday's post is NOT my fave. I'm trying a new one now. Today I am listing some of my favorite things--you know the everyday things you use at your home or just simply "have to have".

1. the weather that we have experienced for the last 5 days or so--LOVE IT!!

2. Tide laundry soap--I love the smell so much that I get excited about laundry and folding--yeah I'm nuts I think!

3. Huggies wipes--NO OTHER WIPES compare. The thickness/moisture/scent etc--is perfect by me. I use them for more than the obvious, though. They work great as stain removers on clothes, carpet you name it. They also clean things nicely as well--baseboards.

4. Gymboree clothes--so cute and cool and by the time they have their wonderful sales it ends up cheaper than Wal-Mart or Target. They have great re-sale value on ebay also =). Also great to pass down.

5. Hanna Andersson Pj's & stuff--so comfy, cute, and warm--they are VERY durable.

6. Coach purses & their new Legacy perfume--LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It has a honeysuckle base and I happen to LOVE honeysuckle. It grows on a beautiful vine outside in my yard.

7. Nice people who make you laugh and smile--this does your body and soul good!

8. My Rainbow Light vitamins--man they give me a boost like no other!

9. Shutterfly--love their photo books and my little girls do too!

10. Frank's Hot Sauce--I love SPICY and this is my favorite kind!

11. Firehouse Pizza--no words necessary if you have ever tried it!

12. Kroger, Sears, & Target--all three of these get my vote for having GREAT deals/clearance as well as cool stuff.

13. American Girl--they make the CUTEST items and my girls LOVE playing with it all of the time!

14. The colors brown, salmon, pink, ocean blue--not all together--I just like them.

15. My sweet girls and their laughter & love.

16. Josh--last but not least--my hottie husband--need I say more!!

D Day

So, I changed my color for today because someone wrote that they couldn't read my blog with the salmon and brown. IDK, I don't havve trouble seeing it but maybe that's just me. I want to stick with one color so we'll see what color I decide to stick with after this.

In the way of elections, I am SO GLAD to be finished hearing commercials and pundits and swing states and all of the election jargon--I hope!!! It wouldn't surprise me however if the next candidates announce they are running for 2012 say Friday or so. After all, this has been practically a 2 year journey and WAY TOO LONG! I'm amazed at the amount of money wasted...oops spent--on campaigning. I bet a lot of people everywhere could do so much with all of that $$. Regardless of the outcome, its not something to live life fretting about.

I'm happy that we have had beautiful weather. It has given us a chance to clean up leaves and play outside. The time change has made our time outside shorter, though.

Okay, so I have some things that I'm praying for...if you would like, please pray for these as well... I won't mention names b/c I didn't ask these people prior to doing this.

1. friends that are pregnant with their first after quite a journey--healthy pregnancy!
2. friends that are facing a job loss very soon--a new job and provision for their needs!
3. friends that have a lot going on right now--calm & peace amidst the chaos and quickness to settle everything.

If you are reading this and saw your situation listed above, please know that I am praying for you and love you.

By the way, I did vote and did not have to wait in line! I don't know if I even dare turn on the TV tonight since it's all election coverage. If you are where I'm at--I'm tired of hearing about it.

Beetles

"Scientist Girl" a.k.a Aliyah has decided to collect and study beetles. WHAT?? She is a girl! I didn't think girls were THAT interested in bugs, especially gross ones. Not only that, but she gets Keirah interested in them as well. BTW, she claims that bugs and animals are not scared of her because she is a "scientist girl".
Josh looked up the type of beetles that have been in the yard and answered her questions. Before we looked it up, she originally thought it was a "whirlygig beetle". Now, don't ask me where she learned that because I don't know. There really are whirlygig beetles, but this isn't that type. I would have to ask Josh what they are called. They apparently like dead/decaying leaves. That might explain why we have seen them appear lately.
As if liking and learning about them weren't enough, she COLLECTS them!! We do NOT allow them into the house as they are gross honestly. I mean who wants a bunch of scary beetles in a jar in their house? Aliyah actually PICKS THEM UP to put them in her little contianer. After that, she climbs this little tree in our yard and hangs the little bottle as high as she can. She has put leaves, grass, and flowers in the bottle for their food. I don't even really like to look at them. She freaked out yesterday because a little one was on the big one's back. She was afraid the one would eat the other. She then freaked out because she was trying to remove the little one from the big one's back when the 3rd one crawled out. I mean freaked out as in TEARS. Josh captured the other one for her.
Keep in mind, this is the same girl that LOVES American Girl and who just got finished watching Kit Kittredge & Tinkerbell a few days ago!! I really don't know where this interest came from as neither Josh nor I were ever interested in bugs--EVER!
Thankfully, the beetle family is high up in the tree and the girls are enjoying some warm weather jumping on the trampoline. After all, I thought it was boys who collected creepy crawlies!

Etc..

Once again, weekends aren't ever long enough to get it all done =).

Aliyah was able to have the joy of turning in her shoebox for Operation Christmas Child today at church. If you are unfamiliar with this, it is an organization through Samaritan's Purse--Franklin Graham's ministry. Our church is involved with the shoeboxes and such. We sent 650 last year and they hope to do even more this year. Even as an adult it was such a fun thing to work on with her. The thought of children that do not get a single gift sometimes their entire lifetime. It is amazing what you can fit into a shoebox. We did a girly theme of course and made up one for a girl around Aliyah's age. We had several Hello Kitty items, some little dolls, and pens and such. They send the shoeboxes off to all different countries and tell the children about Jesus in addition to giving them their very own shoebox of gifts.

Today, the weather reminded me of November weather in Florida. That's how nice it was here! I could go for a winter of this weather any day. It was around 73 degrees I think.

In other items of note, we filled our gas tank from literally empty for $36.00!! That is awesome considering gas is about 50% cheaper than it was 6 weeks ago!!

I am considering hosting a Christmas party this year, however we have to determine if the upstairs bath will be finished by then. Maybe that would be a great incentive to complete it!! The downsides for me are the small size of my kitchen and the menu.

Other than that, I have 5 totes in my living room just staring at me. I am going to organize them again so that they have the correct items/sizes in each tote. I will also take out the things that we are no longer going to keep. This is one of my husband's favorite things for me to do--NOT!

The extra hour of sleep from the time change was definitely welcomed! It's almost time for the Amazing Race--love that show and I need to get those totes tackled.

Delightful!

DelightFULL would accurately describe our week. It seems like forever since I have posted and it's only been like 4 days. Where to begin?

There are several exciting things we learned this week and did. First of all, we learned that 2 of our good friends are having babies in MAY!! One set of friends have been waiting to hear this news for so long and it is so great to rejoice with them!! Congrats to all of you if you are reading the blog, however I won't mention names because I think they are kinda keeping it a secret for now!! We love to hear great news like that.

Let's see, a blog I have been reading for about 4 months now had a healthy baby after some major heart issues and a lengthy hospital stay. They gave a prognosis at 24 weeks that the baby would surely die. What a pure joy it was to read the good news all week on her blog--it has lifted my spirits every time--such a miracle!

Yesterday was busy and full of fun! We had two beautiful butterflies, although the wings and antennas are hard to see. The picture is compliments of my neighbor who also painted their faces.

We have more candy than we could imagine.

Today, we got to spend the day with our former neighbors. We enjoyed a lot of time out in the GORGEOUS November weather. This is simply awesome in my book. I love it!! The girls all enjoyed playing while we adults simply caught up. We even enjoyed a walk together for old time's sake. Really, it makes me wish that they still lived here even more. We miss them a lot!!

Tonight, we ran some errands--ALONE. The girls wanted to visit grandma for a bit. Josh and I got some SB salted caramel hot chocolate--pure delight! We shopped a bit and bought a Christmas gift or two.

Well, I will wrap up with some more pics from our week and our day. I love the roses. They are GREEN--ok they are technically called jade, but the color is so unusual on roses and they are gorgeous. I liked Aliyah's outfit in the one pic. Enjoy!!