Guess what I found....Black FRIDAY SALES

Guess what I found??? 

Websites that have all the BLACK FRIDAY sales up! 

• Black Friday.net
• B-fads 
• Black Friday info
• The Black Friday
  

Is your adventure- spirit- blood bubbling?

I'm making a zoom in and zoom out plan!  This is going to be a 3 person job.  One driver, one who stands in line, and one product finder (me).    My step-father and husband are the other two people.  (For some reason, my mom has graciously stepped up to babysit at 3:00 in the morning.)

However, when my hubby found out my plan - he found a better deal already at the same place...go figure! 

SEARS - if you are listening - you are ruining my adventure!  Why, would you put something on sale (that is a good price - mind you), if you already have a better normal deal on your site, WHY???

Craftsman 10 inch Miter Saw - Regular price $123.49  Black Friday Sale:  $69.99

(Savings:  $53.50)

Right now you can buy: 

Regular Price:  $159.99  On sale now:  Craftsman 10 inch Miter Saw with stand for $99.99

(Savings:  $60.00)

Okay, the price is a little higher but you are getting a better package that includes a stand AND you don't have to fight the crowds at the mall.
 

So, Sears is no longer on my adventure plan!

He bought his Christmas present last night.  (A week before Thanksgiving with no adventure spirit!)    Yes, I'm happy he got what he wanted at a fantastic price however it is missing something without the thrill of fighting an angry mob. 

Okay, maybe when I put it like that - I'm beginning to see reason...NOPE! 

I'm singing...Going shopping is on my mind...to the tune of Willie Nelson's song "Always on my mind".

Blessings to you!!!   You are loved!!!



©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com

Joy in my heart....IT's MY SITs' DAY, again...

(Yes, I'm having another SITs' Day due to an error.  If you made it to the last SIT's DAY take a look at my latest post THE OFFICE - TOTAL MAKEOVER!)

For my regular readers, this day is a treat!  It is my SITs’ DAY!

For visitors – WELCOME to the blog of chaos – just like our house!  Chaos in a good way – where there is love, laundry and Lego’s  EVERYWHERE!

This is me  - my name is:
Lana like BANANA.

(The paragraph below is about my blog…if you are in a hurry just keep scrolling down and find out what your objective is – yes, I have an objective for the comments. 
Please do NOT write – Happy Sit’s Day!) 
{If you write that – everyone will know that you have not read this post.}

At my refuge aka blog – I like to write about:   

• our crazy remodeling that we are doing to our house, including our kitchen re-do.
• Easy Easy Easy Recipes (did I mention EASY?)
• Ways to spend my money wisely (in fact I have 77 ways)
• our home education adventure (with special rules and hints)
• Family Trips (we are on a quest to visit The World’s Largest everything.)
• Did I mention my sweet hubby loves to make things?  He just finished this fort, this cat jungle gym, and even cornices for my living room.  He’s all mine!  :)
• I also Twitter – it is pretty new to me – so I’m still in learning mode.  Okay, I really don’t write about twitter – I just was passing on some information…
• Mostly, I write because of  and for my kids.  Yep, I have 5 of them babies.  (That is so funny because I really didn’t want any kids.  Maybe that is not really funny – maybe it is just poetic justice.  I’m truly thankful for God changing my heart and giving them to me.  Yes – everyone of them is a gift and I’m so grateful that God has blessed my husband and me with them.

Just if you liked my blog:

My Follower Buttons are at then end of this page or you could subscribe to my blog by emails in the sidebar. 

That would just bless my heart.

Okay, enough about me….

For those in a hurry STOP Here!  This is the objective!

I want to know what you are thankful for, why and where you celebrate Thanksgiving!  

If you did this the first time around, tell me what is the perfect gift you have ever given or received
. 
(Yes, I need new ideas.)

My hubby’s family has the neatest tradition for Thanksgiving and since we are not going to be with them this year, I’d like to do it here.

About 2 weeks before Thanksgiving, Aunt Debbie sends out invitations for Thanksgiving day.  It all starts with an early Turkey Bowl game (it is usually COLD and rainy) where men and women of all ages go and play “flag” football that usually turns into CONTACT sport.  I think that Tylenol and Ibuprofen becomes a sweet friend during this time of agony.  Then everyone goes home to clean up.

Around 2:00 or so, everyone comes back and meets in the tight-fitting  but warm and cozy basement.  Before ANYONE eats, everyone goes around the table and tells of something that they are thankful for.  Usually many tissues are needed from birth announcements, to wedding plans, to simple love for a brother or sister.  I love his family and this tradition – it truly reminds me of an Hallmark movie.  (One year there were around 65 people who attended.  That year there were 2 eating sessions.)

Something else I truly love, is that everyone is made to feel like family no matter if you blood related or not.

So, back to the objective.

Tell me something that you are truly thankful for and why.  Then tell me something you do that makes this holiday special – if you don’t celebrate it - just tell me something you are thankful for!

BTW – Next week, I’ll be posting our Thanksgiving decor including the Thanksgiving Tree and ideas we have -  to truly be thankful in all circumstances.

 

Did you notice I got a new header?  

Sharon at

  did it! 
I absolutely love it. 
She just wanted to give something out of the
abundance of her heart which is filled with the Love of God.  

Right now, she is hosting an awesome blog party, which is Just the JOY of it.  Just spreading some JOY around!

That’s all folks!  Thanks so much for making my SIT's DAY so special!!!

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

The Office – complete season. (It's a TOTAL MAKEOVER)

Warning:  This post is unusually long with tons of picts.  Really, I mean A LOT of picts.  But, keep scrolling down to see the finished product - it really is a must see!

Well, this is a story that never has an ending.


Our 70’s home – coming in to the new millennium.

It started like this…I went away to Dallas for a convention in  the Fall of 2008.    Apparently, my hubby was bored and needed a project.

He never liked the wall between our bedroom and the office.  So, the bricks started to come off.

He had helpers. They learned how to tear down walls. Even the princesses.I think they enjoyed themselves.

Now for the bedroom side… We don’t let them cut their own meat but… Then, an accident occurs…makes me glad I’m in Dallas. Thankfully, no injuries. Well, the window…but he was leaving anyway.Okay, glass is cleared up.  Big hole in wall. Kids are so proud of themselves.Curtains always makes things seem right.Now for stage 2:  (Spring)

We took off the ugly wood paneling.  And started to add sheetrock in some places.

We had to take out the huge windows that had no seals and were anything but energy efficient.

We usually don't encourage our sons to hit windows with hammers...We also had to take off the ugly siding and add nice siding.The black paper is a weather barrier and it STINKS!!!

          
See my hubby’s socks (Yeah, he probably won't appreciate this picture).  They mean he either - just got off work and the whites were not clean (like that would ever happen - hehe) or he couldn’t wait to work on the room.   Hmmm....
Window is in…

From this side…he looks like a peeping Tom.

Stage 3:

Again, our Princess Helper… We need to take out these windows…again, not energy efficient. This had to be done with extreme caution… Because under the window… was a precious gem.
   Our sweet friend B. came over! He was paid with a pancake supper.  I’m telling you – those pancakes are delicious – he was begging for more work.  Well, that is how I remember it. The gem (Amaryllis) bloomed like the next week.

Stage 4: (Summer)

Apparently, my hubby hung up all the dry wall and I didn’t bother getting pictures.  We took off in the summer because it was TOO HOT. 

FALL came…
Then we both tape and floated.  I will say, this was not my favorite part.  My least favorite was the SANDING!  Oh, the dust!!!!

Stage 5:

Texturing Here is his brush… Here is his brush working…

I love when he is smiling when he is working.  He was not smiling while we were tape and floating.

May I just say…

this exercise “thang” was pretty scary in the middle of the night.

I really liked this part.  It just almost smelled done.

Plus, it meant I was going to have a “finished” project really “finished.”

Doesn’t this goo just look gross?  I don’t care, it symbolizes something. Like peace and tranquility.  Or really just our room completed.  Which is peace in my book.

Oh, did I tell you…these used to be “popcorn” ceilings.  I love the new lights!

Final Stage:

In November 2009…

Ta DA!!!!
I painted it while hubby was at work.  He was surprised. Cider Toddy from Lowes. We really like it.  It is very warm and neutral. Remember the lights, aren’t they fantastic?
  We are so happy!
 
Yes, it finished.  
(Well, except for the trim, wall decor and curtains.) 

Stay tuned…

Can you keep a  secret…we are going to put in a secret door.

Oh, I can hardly wait!!!

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

This works for me!!! 

Technorati Tags: Office remodel,The Office,Lowes,Sheetrock,Secret Door,Pancakes,Amaryllis

Fall Baby (Autumn Beauty)

I’ve decided to participate in the:

Week 45:  Autumn Beauty

Since I’m kind of new at this, I put two photos. 
The second one is entered.  Oh, I don't know, maybe the first one.  NOPE - I'm sticking with the 2nd one!  Just overlook the first one! 
I can't decide.  HELP!!!

I did know, not to bull’s eye the face.  But, I couldn’t help it.

 

I love FALL trees and my baby! 

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

The BEST Sweet Potato Casserole EVER

A precious friend of mine let me read some of her cookbooks.  I copied so many of them.  I believe this one came from a Texas cookbook – sorry, can’t remember the name.

Truly, this is my most fave recipe ever, well for sweet potatoes.

ARE YOU READY???

The BEST Sweet Potato Casserole EVER and easy!

3 cups baked, sweet potatoes
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 tsp cinnamon

Topping:

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine potatoes, sugar, milk, vanilla, eggs, and cinnamon and place in 2 quart baking dish.

Combine ingredients for topping and spread it on sweet potatoes.  Bake for 35 to 40 minutes.

Serves 8 to 10.

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

Buying Christmas presents – Have a merry one Without having to take out a Bank Loan!

(Caution:  This is a long post.  Grab a cup of java.)

I’m amazed at how much money is spent at Christmas time.

(Last year, Amazon had a huge markdowns and free shipping.)

Can I have your attention please???  Really, I need your attention! 

Listen carefully!

You do NOT, I repeat, do NOT,

have to spend a HUGE amount of money to have a GREAT Christmas!

I’m NOT talking about buying toys at the Dollar store either.

(Sometimes the toys there are more expensive and break too easy -

which in my opinion is not worth buying.)

(My girls loved their Barbie house.)

Want to know the secret????  Are you ready??? 

Here it is …You just have to have a plan!

1. Write down everyone you have to get a gift for! 
   I have 28 people this year.  (Don’t forget teachers and family members.)  This makes it so much simpler to remember when you are out and about.
2. Draw Names. 
   If you come from a big family, think about drawing names.  Both my hubby and my family draw names for each sibling and spouse.  Instead of 16 people, we only give to 4 people. 
3. START EARLY! 
   (YES – THIS IS IN ALL CAPS FOR A PURPOSE!!!) 
   Again, I say – START EARLY and DON’T wait until the last minute!!!  I look at shopping for gifts as a game.  Finding the right gift for each person for MY price.  If I find it, then I win!
4. Set up a limit for each gift. 
   (This is where my family needs to stop reading.  I mean it – Go somewhere else!)  I only try to spend $5.00 a gift – ever!  (However, I do spend more on my kids.)  Most of the time, this works great!   Having a cash gift envelope makes it more fun to stay on budget.
5. Let the gifts have meaning and a theme!    
   When I give a gift, it usually has a meaning and a lot of thought has gone into it.  I also loves themes.  I’ll share some of my gifts that I’m giving soon.  (Yes, almost all my shopping is completed.)
   {One of my most fave gifts I ever received was a ceiling fan and it had nothing to do with the fan itself.   I’ll write a post about it soon, to explain why!}
6. Don’t clutter someone’s home!  (This one is not really a true $ saver but just a special word to hopefully make someone wiser.)
   I know I just said let the gift have meaning but if the thought doesn’t extend to the receiver, let it go!  Get a second opinion, if you question if an item is going to make a person happy!  I truly don’t want more “junk” in my casa so sometimes even though I think it is cute ~ I need to “really” think of the other person and their tastes, to make sure it is not considered “junk” in their home.
7. 
   
   
    Shop all year round! 
   I’m on constant alert for deals and sweet buys.  I try never to buy retail price ~  Really, look at those clearance items ~ you might be shocked to see some of the finds! 
   
   
   

   (A sweet find last year ~ it was totally in our budget.)
   
   
   
   
   
   

Places I like to shop at for some great deals!

• Kirkland’s ~ They send out a weekly coupon.
• Hobby Lobby ~ They also have GREAT deals and a weekly coupon.
• 
  
  
  Amazon ~  (That link is not what you think but what I got my kids.  HUSH, if you go to it.)  Amazon has some major deals before Christmas.  In fact, we already got our kid’s gift from here with free shipping and earned a gift card.
  
  
  
  
  
  

(My sister bought a mask and made a cape last year for my little guy.  He still wears it.)

 

Okay, BLOGS are the best source to know where to find the deals!

I do NOT have time to actually go to every store

but I consider BLOGS are in my personal shopping team.

I use them to score big bucks!

These are some of my fave ~wheeling and dealing~ blogs! 
(They have no idea I’ve listed them.)

“Deal”icious Mom
Money Saving Mom 
 Coupon Geek

 

Just a few gift ideas…

Need Christmas Cards????
How about 50 FREE of them babies?
I’m talking free shipping as well.  I already ordered mine.

Freebies4Mom has so many deals!  Love that site!

ETSY!!!

This site is so cool!  Everything is handmade and you can find basically ANYTHING in ANY COLOR!  I know most of you bloggers know about this site but there are so many who don’t.

Old Fashion Bartering
Don’t assume EVERY price is the bottom price.

TRADE Services
Teach piano for free babysitting.  Can’t stand the teacher’s kids– cook meals for the teacher on a weekly basis.

(Hallmark ornaments are found best after season.)

Theme Ideas 

Monogram Basket
(Monograms are so inexpensive especially at Kirkland’s and Michaels.)

Just a God Themed Basket
Everything in a basket has to have a meaning.  I gave something like this to my sister for one of her bridal showers.

• Dove Soap - to remind her that the Holy Spirit is in her marriage.
• All Detergent - because God is our All in All.
• Matches - To keep the fires burning at home at all times. 
• Pillowcase Cover - That the marriage is honorable and  the bed is undefiled – it needs to be protected.
  

There are so many possibilities that one could come up with for themes.  

  Dinner Basket
Make a basket with all the goodies for a romantic meal. 

A friend did something like this for my family.  We were out of town for a couple of weeks and they were watching our home for us.  When we came home, they had bought cereal, milk, spaghetti sauce and noodles.  I’ll never forget that feeling of not having to rush to the store the next morning.  That was one of the biggest blessings ever!

(Hobby Lobby usually marks down their goodies 1/2 off during the entire year.)

Last but not least… Look for FREE shipping!  GOOGLE it!

I hope this encourages someone to have fun while shopping for this Christmas Season.  You truly do not have to spend an arm or a leg.

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!

Luke 6:38 (NIV)
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

This Works for me!

Technorati Tags: Christmas,Christmas presents,Barbie,Trains,Give,Themed Gift Baskets,Baskets,Gift Ideas

A hangover (so to speak)...a good kind!!!

Wow!  What an inspiring day yesterday was for me!  So, many visits and comments for the SITs' Day and it turns out one of the links messed up so it was just 1/2 the fun.  Another one will be coming soon because of the mess-up!  What a super blessing!

I have soooo many emails to return - I'm talking over 200.  So, thank you from the bottom of my heart if you left a precious comment.  You warmed my heart!  (If you didn't leave an email or blog address- consider this your THANK YOU!)

I love to hear all the "Thankful" comments!  There were so many encouraging words - I was brought to tears more than once. 

Oh, I can't wait to share my new header!  Another friendly blogger did it for me and it captures my heart!  

One more thang...
If you serve or served our military - Happy Veteran's Day!  (You are appreciated and prayed for by this household!)

Blessings to you!!!  You are loved!!!


©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com