You deserve it!

Julie-Anne over at Fruitful Vines had a wonderful idea of doing a "Shareaway" for the remainder of December. Go read about it and let her know if you will be posting any special "shareaways"! She would love to link to you if you participate!

I recently "met" Melissa and am enjoying getting to know her and her lovely family via the archives of her two sites. You can find her here and here. In doing so, you yourself will run across this story.

And you WILL get emotional as you read it.

In remembering the true Spirit of the season, I could not think of a better way to shareaway with my favorite people.

Now go share your something special with others!

Stacey

Close to my heart

I have been dying to tell you about these all week!

I had to wait until today in order to secure the kodak moment when my friend opens hers later this morning.

And I know I am taking chances here, but I am hoping 2 boys and 2 babies will keep her 2 busy for cyberspace until we can get over there this morning!

And G, if you are reading this right now, BEFORE I come over,

STOP!

STOP!

STOP!

REALLY!

This is your last warning, do you understand?

You have two choices.

Stop or stop.

OK, I hope you made a good choice!

Jennifer is doing these cute pieces for such great prices! I love how they turned out! You will still need to hop over to her site though, in order to see a few more pieces that are different than what I am showing you.









It was hilarious trying to get pictures of these things! The shine of the pieces and my lighting were having a little tiff! Don't let my poor pictures scare you off though, the pieces are great and I know they will be enjoyed by the mommies!

Not a mommy but love the look? Talk to Jennifer and let her be creative for you!

Mommy Necklaces

Stacey

RANDOM CHRISTMAS HOOPLA!

Since I have only done one other thing like this in my 9 months of posting, you can tell that I am really not a "meme" kinda person. I enjoy reading them from time to time when they show up at some of my favorite sites, but otherwise, not really my thing.

Maybe cuz it requires too much actual thinking!

So, this is a HOOPLA!

HOOPLA as in party.

So just think of it as a fun (yes, fun!) party game!

And since I am usually in charge of the party games in real life, I say it is time to play!

Lori has tagged me for this fun idea wherein I have to share 12 random things about myself that are Christmas related. Here are the rules:

1. List 12 random things about yourself that have to do with Christmas
2. Please refer to it as a 'hoopla' and not the dreaded 'm'-word
3. You have to specifically tag people when you're done. None of this "if you're reading this, consider yourself tagged" stuff is allowed...then nobody ends up actually doing it. The number of people who you tag is really up to you -- but the more, the merrier to get this 'hoopla' circulating through the blogosphere.
4. Please try and do it as quickly as possible. The Christmas season will be over before we know it and I'd like to get as many people involved as possible.

12 Random Christmas Things About Stacey:

1. I admit it. I ruined my brother's very childhood existence at the tender age of 7 by letting him know that "Santa" was, well you know, not who we really thought he was. Honestly, as his big sister and the oldest, I was simply trying to protect him and my parents. See, we woke up before them one Christmas Day and he was very disappointed about what Santa left him. It was not what he asked for and he was being very vocal about it. I knew about Santa and I also knew we did not have a lot of money back then, so I was hoping to spare my parents the hurt as well.

2. Christmas truly is my favorite holiday. I love to decorate, send cards, go to holiday parties, and create traditions for my kids.

3. This is the first year since I have been married (8 years) that we actually have Christmas lights on the outside of our house. I like it, but he never really wanted to mess with it. Last year, the kids started to notice and this year they really started talking about how cool everyone's house looked. I threw out a guilt trip last weekend, so he went to Walmart last Saturday night after 9pm and came home with those kind you spread over the bushes. Kinda chintzy looking to me, but the kids thought it was the coolest thing ever. And that is what counts!

4. I love Christmas music and am not ashamed to admit I do listen to it in the car once it starts on the "all Christmas, all month" radio stations.

5. On the days I work during the month of December, I don't put on my mascara until I arrive at my office. It would not do any good because I would just cry it off. Christmas wishes do me in every.single.time! The stories break my heart with sadness but the generosity fills my soul with hope.

6. During the Christmas season, you will often find me watching the tree after everyone has gone to bed. I enjoy the peace I feel just taking in the glow.

7. After-Christmas sales are like crack for me, although I have done really well the last few years. First, I can't help the bargain aspect. Second, I love Christmas stuff!

8. I don't have a nativity set. And that makes me sad. I really really want the Willow Tree collection and need to remind everyone about helping me start my collection over the next few years. I saw someone who collected nativity sets on their site the other day and thought that was such a neat idea. That way I can have some kid-friendly ones too!

9. I usually put up two trees, but would do more if my husband would let me. My big tree is reds and golds with a majority of lights, balls, Santa's, and old school looking decorations. My smaller tree is silver, purples, pinks. I want a kitchen cookie cutter tree, a tree for each child's room with their theme, and I want a funky tree, too! Either the cool green you see now or brown/blue/silver.

10. We do the typical traditional things with the kids; visit Santa, bake cookies, leave food for reindeer, write letters to Santa, get a new ornament each year, new Christmas book, see lights. But I really want to do more and make it more special. We were not really a family of traditions and I have that desire for my own family. Next year, I want to start an Advent calendar, Elf on a Shelf, and the 3 present limit from Mommy and Daddy in honor of the gifts Jesus received as a baby.

11. I send out A LOT of Christmas cards! 135 so far this year! I know! Call me crazy, but it is important to me. While it is true that I don't communicate with many of those people otherwise throughout the year, I just feel the need to connect during this time. I love hearing from people and seeing how their lives or families have changed. The feedback I get is that they love the same thing when they receive our card.

12. My favorite new Christmas book is "God Gave Us Christmas"! (Thanks Jenn!)

Ok, that was not too bad!

Now I pass this along to 12 other friends in honor of 12 Random Christmas Things-

Jennifer, Jennifer O, Jenna, Kimmy, Kelli, Julie-Anne, Cara, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Grace, Megan, Martie

yes, i let my children free fall off the roof

it might be a trip to the e.r. if....

you hear a thud upstairs and your 3-year old say "cool".

no, nobody is hurt (at this point).

i am just working on my mental imagery exercises for the day!

and since we have already made pancakes, christmas cookies, had craft time, watched 2christmas movies, made some music videos, and had horsey rides (on horsey mommy), i am running out of ideas.

not because i don't have ideas.

because i don't have energy!

it is dreary and raining.

and i might possibly still be in my pj's.

is it naptime yet?

stacey

p.s. oh wait, i am saved! they have decided to play upstairs for awhile. something about diego and santa claus save the world.

Beginning with the end in mind

If you don't already know this about me, then today I will share again my love of shopping at resale shops. OK, yes I love to shop other places as well, but I am nothing without my bargains!

I have posted several times about some great deals I have scored in the past, but don't have time to go find them for linking here. One of my blogging goals is to go back and relabel then organize my posts for readers.

But that is for another day!

Anyway, resale shopping has become a recent love of mine, and although I don't go often since I usually have kids in-tow, I do love it when I walk out with great deals like a $7 bicycle that my daughter LOVES or cute clothes that cost less than $2 a piece!

So, several weeks ago, my favorite place advertised a "50% midnight madness sale with LOTS OF NEW TOYS!". Now most of my shopping was done and my kids certainly don't need new toys, but I had to go see what bargains I might find.

Little did I know this would be an after-Thanksgiving Wal-Mart dejavu experience.

Only better!

Seriously, these people had their act together; carts or buggies, a number system if you wanted to store your stuff and go shop more, cookies and cider, and friendly, helpful people! Who knew that still existed!

I mosied in at 6:10 pm (shopping was from 6-11pm) to find, um, madness! Apparently, they had lined up prior to 6pm! Despite my late start, I was soooooo pleased with my results! Apparently, the store had received many generous donations in bulk, so there were lots of new items to choose from along with the regular donated stuff.

Before I share some of special finds, I wanted to make it clear that all of this is NOT entirely for my kids nor is it all for THIS Christmas. After re-reading yesterday's post, it seemed like I was eluding to the idea that my kids were getting all of it. I have talked before about my gift closet that I keep stocked for birthdays, special occasions, and Christmas. Everything in there is purchased at 50% off at least, most of it at even better bargains than that!

Not that I think my friends and family are cheap!

See all this.....

90% of it was already in my gift closet ready for this Christmas!

And my loot from the other night.....

All purchased at 50% off! I got all this, plus 2 games you don't see cuz I already gave them away, and 3 pairs of jeans ($1.50 ea!), a pair of leopard pants with fringe, and an authentic-looking Pocahontas outfit for next Halloween for my dtr, and 2 pairs of pjs (less than $3 ea) for each of the kids for $129.

People, I don't know what you consider a bargain and it is not like I needed to run out and spend that money, but I think I did good. And when I even impressed my husband while at the same time spending money, then I did indeed do good.

I am so covered for the next year!

Here is fun closer look:


That is my cute new stool I bought for $5. Although it looks OK now, the seat is actually a little worn and I bought it to recover because I really loved the legs on it. Which you can't see!


Barbie for less than $5.


This one may never come out of the package! I love this stuff! Ever since doing my daughter's nursery in Dick and Jane, I can't get enough of it! $3 folks!


I got 2 of these for $7.50 each. L's birthday is June and one my nephew's is in July, so these will be perfect!


L has a new love of dinosaur's, so he is actually getting this one in a few weeks! I think this one was $7.


He loves his Papa's tractor, so he will love this when it shows up for his birthday as well. Again, $7.50.


Games are my theme right now! All at a good price! Some for us, but most will be for birthday gifts throughout the year. It seems we have a party every other week!

If you go back up, I am especially proud of that cute barn stand I scored for $20! There are no stickers on it, so I can't even guess where it came from or how much it cost originally. However, it is a good solid piece and I bet it was a good deal! Yes, this one will be for my kids along with the lemonade stand I found for 75% off awhile back. Not sure for what occasion, but I love to encourage their play and these will do nicely!

Anyway, a long story to say, you can give a great gift at Christmas or any other occasion by simply shopping at your local resale shop! I prefer the ones that benefit a cause!

It works for me!

More for great ideas, be sure to visit Rocks In My Dryer!

Stacey

Making my list and checking it 5,000 times!

This is my crunch week for getting Christmas stuff finished.

I need to finish the shopping & wrapping, make some returns, get the cards in the mail, make ready for several party situations, get the kids prepared for their Christmas stuff at school, and manage all your last-minute head spinning stuff!

All are tackles that need to be ticked off my ever-growing list!

I did start with something fun last night after getting the kids to bed.

All this

was being hidden in my closet after my crazy outing to one of the local resale shops last Friday night. They were having a 50% off Midnight Madness Sale.

And you will get to hear all about it.....

tomorrow!

But for now, just know that most of it is safely hidden in black trash bags now until each one is ready for use. The few items that are for this Christmas have been re-hidden until later this week when I wrap!

This is another gift pile I am tackling this week. Most of it is going to other people. Other people as in not my children, so I don't feel pressured to hide it. Other than beside the guest bed!


And this of course all these!

Most went out today, but a few that will include this single photo (because I ran out of my photo cards after licking #125!) will need to go out in a few days!

Tomorrow, I get to tackle shopping.

ALONE.

FOR 4.5 HOURS.

While my kids are being fed and loved by some empty-nesters from my church. I am going to tackle quickly so my girlfriends and I can meet at Starbucks as part of our "alone" time!

But I am not excited.

Nope, not me.

Then tomorrow I will tackle preparing for my much anticipated GNO(in)-Christmas Party at my house on Thursday. I am hosting but the girls are bringing food in addition to my Le Madeline Tomato-Basil Soup. I will share our lovely evening with you later this week!

Happy Tackling!
Stacey

Praying for sunshine

It is rare that I ever watch the news anymore, so I was shocked when I found out this afternoon just how bad things were in Oklahoma right now. I had looked up the weather for there last night, but it didn't truly tell the story of what was going on.

I know it is bad in several states, but most of my family and many of my friends are in Oklahoma.

I talked to both my mom and my sister today, finding out they are among many without power. My mom is bunkering down at her house with the gas fireplace and lots of blankets. My sister, her husband, and their 2 kids are staying with friends. My BIL will have to drive over to help my mom if she needs anything because there is no way she will get out until the roads clear.

People have died, and above all, we should be praying for an ease in the weather conditions, a return of power for many, and safety for those that will have to get out of their homes.

But because I know many are like my mom and my brother-in-law, no work = no pay, please pray for all the individuals and families who will have to deal with the financial issues that come from the inclement weather.

Stacey