Black Friday?

Do you do Black Friday shopping?

I know I don't and for the most part my family doesn't.
At least not anymore, since the "kids" are no longer little "kids".
And well, not IN the stores with all the mobs.  

Many do online shopping but that could be done any time and may be actually on this Friday.

So we no longer have to worry about being in the middle of these types of crowds.  No worries about being trampled on because we are in the way or God forbid in the way of that precious must have item.
They are probably very nice people ... but well those crazy sales make folks crazy!

I love that we get to spend more time with family.
We have visited historic locations.
We have visited Wineries.
We even visited a Whiskey Distillery!
We have had some great fun visiting places that don't revolve around Black Friday Sales and Mobs.

And sometimes we just stay at home and talk .... 
I know WHAT??? Stay home and talk??

How about you?
What do you do on Black Friday?

Oh my Where have I been?

I guess I really need to apologize for my absence.  I never expected to be gone so long.

I was looking for something on my blog and saw that I have only done 7 posts this year!
Now if you are a follower of my blog, you know that is just not me.

So where have I been?

We have had some really difficult days, weeks, months this year within the family.

My MIL had some medical issues at the beginning of the year ... 
It actually started within the first week of January.

We thought we were getting a handle on things and although January was difficult, we thought we had turned a corner.

Then came February.

February brought more difficulties and more hospital stays.
Again we thought ok we can handle this.  
We can and will get through this and everything will be good.  
Yes things will change but sometimes change can be good.

So between tax season starting and dealing with her medical issues, I had very little time for anything.  Heck I didn't get my Christmas Tree down until sometime in February ... I guess we thought maybe we could freeze time.

March was another month.  Another month where we thought we had a handle on things and to be honest, we thought things were looking up.

Then came April and we knew that things would never be the same and that this change was not good.

So now it is almost July and I am just now getting ready to start blogging again.
I am looking for things to blog about.  
Things that I am or can be passionate about.
Things that I find that I like, or dislike, and want to share.

I almost feel like I am a new blogger.
Its that indecision, the doubt that I can share things that people want to read about.

Hopefully when I writing and put up a post, there will be people who are interested and will give me their thoughts as well.

If there is something that you would like to read about, something you would like to see me look into or review, let me know.

I will also let you know about some of the things that are available from Tupperware and LimeLife by Alcone.  Yes, I am still a representative for these companies, and still love the products although as noted above, have not had much time for them either.  

Hopefully they understood and allow me time to ramp back up.  So far so good.

Please look for me ... I promise I will try and do things worthy of your time.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I know this is time for friends and family, and trees and lights, but I wanted to take just a few minutes to stop and wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

I hope that Santa was good to each of you, 

but remember the reason that we celebrate this day.

As I spend time today with my family and 

hopefully you with yours,

from me to you

I wish you all peace and love this day

I hope you feel the love and joy in your home

that you have brought to me this year

with your visits and comments. 

Happy Anniversary Honey

Today is our 35th wedding anniversary.

I can't believe its been 35 years.

Its been an interesting 35 years filled with all kinds of wonderful things.   This is not to say it has all been sunshine and roses, but you never promised me a rose garden.

Of all the wonderful things that have happened over the 35 years, the best has to be Dan and Jenn who have given us more joy (and yes frustration and fears) than anything else.  In many ways they are so very similar, in others, so very different.  And I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world.

If anyone is interested .. or if you would like to surprise us with an anniversary gift, here are the "traditional" gifts for this year.

35th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Traditional Anniversary Gift: Coral
Modern Anniversary Gift: Jade
35th Travel Gift Ideas: Cayman Islands, or U.S. Virgin Islands

I will say that I don't have any coral or jade and we haven't been to either of the Islands noted above, but we are game for anything.

Just kidding.

Happy Anniversary Love

Finding Dory at Lunch

Do you have a child that is in love with Dory, even before they have been able to see the movie?  Or maybe you just saw it and already they want to "find Dory".
I know when my kids were little, they would find something that they loved and we had (yes HAD) to find everything with that character.

If you have a lover of Finding Dory, Tupperware has the answer for you.  Check out this lunch set.
Set includes:

• Sandwich Keeper, 
• Snack Cup and 
• 16-oz. tumbler with liquid-tight seal and flip-top spout

I need to get a set just for me ... I love to collect the Disney items we have at Tupperware.  

Check out Finding Dory and so much more, on my Tupperware Site.  You can shop any time of day or night .. and of course if you have a question, just give me a shout.  I love to talk about Tupperware.

Merry Christmas 2015

Just a quick note to wish you all a very 

Merry Christmas

I hope that Santa brought you something that you were asking for this year ... that is if you were a good boy or girl.

One of the things I love to listen to this time of year ... and of course see is the awesome Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Wizards in Winter put to lights.  You have probably seen this many times before, but just in case I bring you a video from 2009 - 

Wizards in Winter complete with lights!

Hopefully you will be spending time with friends and family or at least be able to talk to them for at least a little bit.

When you do wish them a Merry Christmas from me too

Happy Birthday Son ....

I can't believe it.
Where have the years gone?

My "baby" turned 30 today ...... 

WOW I can't believe it.

He and Abby make a great pair ... 
Don't you think?

They look great together.

Happy Birthday Dan.  

Hope it is a great day!

Artificial vs Real Trees

Where do you stand on this debate?
What kind of tree do you have?

Personally I have an artificial tree, but I do know many folks that have "real" trees.  Some of those with "real" trees are cut trees, others have "balled" trees so that they can replant them after the season.  We did have one of those balled trees years and years ago and replanted it.  One of the things I didn't like about that was that we had to get it into the ground much too early for me.  It was within days of Christmas, as I remember, so we didn't get to enjoy our Christmas tree.  Oh and unfortunately I don't think it lasted more than a few years.  Perhaps that was because we live in the Northeast.

One of the things I found interesting though, is that we really aren't alone or different in getting an artificial tree.  
The folks at TreeClassics shared some interesting graphics with me.  Since they are celebrating their 40th year I would think they have some idea what they are talking about.

There are more than 61% of households that are doing the same as we do - having an artificial tree for the Christmas holidays.  What I did find interesting though is where artificial trees have been purchased.

I bought my last tree online and couldn't be happier with it.  I had replaced my "original" tree after ... are you ready? ... 33 years!  I had originally purchased that tree from a Home Improvement Store after Christmas when they had decent things remaining after Christmas.

If you are thinking about doing an artificial tree this year, or if you have taken your last years tree out of the closet and think it should have been replaced ... check out TreeClassics.com.  If you remember, they sponsored one of my giveaways here.

Just to add a little more frivolity to the post, check out Santa.

Merry Christmas to all ...

Make school lunch for the week

I saw this one on the Ziplock site and thought it would be PERFECT for the lunch set that is on sale this month (mid August brochure) here at my Tupperware site.

The lunch keepers (I think they look like mini bento boxes, each with one 1⅓-cup and two 1/3-cup separated compartments) would be perfect for the "main" part of the meals and then the snack cups would work great for some desserts (like these no bake fun fetti cakes).

You can start with these ingredients and make all kinds of lunches for the week in those containers.... Or just use it as a guide and make substitutions for ingredients that can't or won't be eaten.  

Ingredients/Ideas:
Grapes, Raspberries, Strawberries
Raisins, Oranges, Lemons
Cherry tomatoes, Red Peppers
Romaine Lettuce, Celery
Pitas, Tortilla Chips, Crackers
Slivered Almonds, Cashews
Mayo, Salsa, Salad Dressing
Peanut Butter, Hummus
Chicken Breasts
Cheddar Cheese
Chocolate Chips and Bar 

Prep

• Start with the fruits and veggies. Once everything is washed and dried, chop one stalk of celery finely, for the chicken salad, and chop rest of the celery into sticks (big enough for a spread of peanut butter).
• Quarter a few cherry tomatoes and leave the rest whole.
• Dice the red pepper.
• Tear lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
• Peel and segment the orange.
• Separate the grapes into bunches.
• Shred half the cheese, and cut the rest into cubes, roughly the same size as the cherry tomatoes.
• Break the dark chocolate into squares.
• Chop the cooked chicken breasts. Set aside 2 cups for the chicken salad. Cut the rest into small cubes.

Thanks Ziplock for some great ideas.  I will definitely be using these ideas (and more that you inspired) to make lunches ... even left-overs, I mean planned-overs, will be great additions for lunch using these ideas.

I wish you enough

Today would have been my brother Joe's 56th birthday, instead it is the second birthday that we do not have him here to celebrate the day.  

Happy Birthday Joe

I know you are with Grandmom and Grandpop, Nana and Pop-pop swapping stories and getting ready to be routing on your beloved Yankees, maybe this will be their year again.  We miss you.

For those who have read this far ... I share this story, that I'm sure you have seen many times before, but has so much more meaning when you know the story.  

I wish you Enough

At an airport I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her plane's departure and standing near the door, she said to her daughter, "I love you, I wish you enough." 

She said, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom."

They kissed good-bye and she left.

She walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. 

I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?"

Yes, I have," I replied. 

Saying that brought back memories I had of expressing my love and appreciation for all my Mom had done for me.
Recognizing that her days were limited, I took the time to tell her face to face how much she meant to me.

So I knew what this woman was experiencing.

"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?" I asked.

"I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is, her next trip back will be for my funeral, " she said.

"When you were saying good-bye I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?" 

She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone."

She paused for a moment and looking up as if trying to remember it in detail, she smiled even more. "When we said 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with enough good things to sustain them," she continued and then turning toward me she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I wish you enough sun 

to keep your attitude bright. 

I wish you enough rain 

to appreciate the sun more. 

I wish you enough happiness 

to keep your spirit alive. 

I wish you enough pain 

so that the smallest joys in life 

appear much bigger. 

I wish you enough gain 

to satisfy your wanting. 

I wish you enough loss 

to appreciate all that you possess. 

I wish enough "Hello's" 

to get you through the final "Good-bye.."

Happy Birthday Jenn!

Guess who is having a birthday today??

Yes this girl is.
So if you see her around today,
If you see her Facebook Page,
Wish her a very very Happy Birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENN!

Let the party begin!!!

ok let it begin after you get home from work

need to get this party in before you go back to school for the week

Happy Birthday Honey!!

Well another year has come.
It's the first FULL day of Spring (ok so it's also complete with snow this year) so the flowers and plants and trees will start showing their wonderful colors and we can stop with all the piles of blankets and sweaters.

AND again it is time to say 

to my hubby!

We get to celebrate with a wonderful dinner tonight ...  Can't wait!

Happy Birthday Bill.

Pep talk

Sometimes we all need to have a pep talk

We need someone to give us a hug and make us believe it will all work out.
When you feel like the whole world is against you.
When you feel like everyone has something to say about you and what you do...

Ok Jenn ... are you seeing this?

Happy Birthday Jenn

Oh look at the time.  I know EXACTLY where I was 24 years ago at EXACTLY this time ...
That's right.  She always did keep me up late at night and got me up early in the mornings ...
BUT we need to wishing someone very special to me a very

And I know you have seen this person before on these pages.
Just LOOK who is having a BIRTHDAY TODAY!!!

I just love the way your look has "changed" over years, 

all 24 of them!  You use to be such a camera hog.  

Then you discovered that you were pretty good on the "other side" of the camera ....

But every now and again I get to snap a few pictures (or find ones that someone else has taken)

But I will be nice and not post all the changes ...

Just a few.

And now you seem to just "hide" from the camera ... not fair.  I wonder is it any camera, or just mine?

But you just know we will be taking LOTS of pictures to celebrate this weekend..........

Happy Birthday Baby,

The world is your oyster

Grab it and place your mark!

But let's not miss any of those candles 

we want all those wishes to come true!

And here we have another one

Thanks Adam!


I may just do a post of
Jenn Birthday Pics
I know I will pay for that one

Oh yeah!!

Nightmares and Happy Places?

Just so you understand ....

Even though my kids are not "little" anymore, doesn't mean this still isn't appropriate.

I may not be able to do as much as I could when they were little

BUT

And if you think its just me .........
ask ANY mother out there and I am quite sure you will get the same response.

Trust me when I tell you .... you do NOT want to see that level of crazy!
It is a special level of crazy reserved just for this purpose.

For the people in my life

I just needed to say 

Thank you 

for being there 

If you agree ... Pass it on to all those that mean the world to you

Free Online Chore Chart

Do you need help getting your kids to do their chores?

Have you seen this before?
I just saw it and thought it could be a great idea to get them motivated 
AND keep them motivated.

You know we all need some motivation sometimes but especially kids.
So if you think this could be a great idea for you and your kids or maybe your grandkids .....
I invite you to check it out.




 

Hello Kitty Fans Unite!

I now know there are so many Hello Kitty Fans out there, that perhaps we should have an "intervention" group meeting.

I had done a post recently that highlighted some of the wonderful Hello Kitty Lunch Kit options that are available from Tupperware at It's Hello Kitty Time that I though had something for everyone, I hope you checked it and if not, go ahead I'll wait.  

But because of this post I was recently been contacted by some other Hello Kitty lovers that have an AWESOME collection of Hello Kitty items on their site.

http://thecollectionary.com/club/hello-kitty

You can check out the Hello Kitty Collectionary, which is "The best community for Hello Kitty collectors on the web", for everything from Dolls and Bags to Jewelry and Kitchen items and soooo much more!  

You can follow along on Pinterest, or Facebook or just join in at the Collectionary.

Hope to see you there .... 'cause I'm already a member!

The Strongest People

Did you think about this?

I think this one fits my mom to a "T".

But then it probably applies to most, if not all, moms.  And dads (don't want to forget them). 
We are the "quiet warriors" of our families

Happy Birthday Dan

Today is a special day.

You see, the Mayan's were wrong, the world did not end yesterday.
But 27 years ago today, a very special young man was born.

He doesn't think he is special. 
If anything, he thinks he is "nothing special". 

But he is so very wrong. 
He is very special, but I might be just a little bit biased, he is my son after all.

Happy Birthday Dan!







I am disappointed that we won't be able to celebrate with him this year.  We probably won't even be able to talk to him, unless we can get a quick call in to just say Happy Birthday. 

You see he is working today.


So if anyone is in the Virginia Beach Area and you happen to run into this fire fighter...........







Wish him

Oh and wish him Happy Birthday from me too!

We will see you soon, to celebrate your birthday and Christmas and New Year's .... we have a lot of celebrating to do! 

We may even have to bake you a cake, in your new kitchen!