Thanksgiving thoughts

Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday.  People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year.  And then discover once a year is way too often.  ~Johnny Carson

Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare.  They are consumed in twelve minutes.  Half-times take twelve minutes.  This is not coincidence.  ~Erma Bombeck

Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.  ~Theodore Roosevelt

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 

Catching up

I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted.  I really have no excuses.  I guess that’s a good thing…that means I’ve been really busy, right?  Nonetheless, I’m back today.  I will do a better job of posting – Scout’s honor!

I thought I’d create a list of 5 things I really want right now just to get things going. 

1.  COOL weather.  Apparently, a cool front will be here in sunny south Florida this weekend.  I can’t wait for highs in the low 80’s…  I know, you have no sympathy for me.  I live in Paradise, so I’ve heard.  Sure, if I lived in Fargo I would probably be hoping for a little sunny south Florida weather…but I don’t.  Therefore, I’ll wish for cool weather. 

2.  I really would like it if someone would come up with some no-calorie, no-fat, no-unhealthy-anything pizza.  Pizza is one of my favorite foods and I make it about as healthy as you can – using reduced fat cheese and lots of veggies…but sometimes, I just want the real thing.  It would be the same with hamburgers, fries – basically anything considered unhealthy or fattening but I won’t be greedy.  I’d just like a healthy pizza today.

3.  I’d really like a new car.  My 2005 Suburban is still fine, don’t get me wrong.  However, as long as I’m wishing…I’m wishing for a new car.  I want something a little sportier (wouldn’t that be basically any other car than a Suburban?) and something that wouldn’t guzzle so much gas.

4.  I would like Aggie, my almost-11-year-old daughter, to pick up after herself and put everything where it goes after she’s used it.  Oh, I almost forgot…without me asking!  That’s the clencher.  I ask and ask for her to pick things up.  It’s just her nature though.  She’s like Hansel and Gretel – wherever she goes, she leaves a trail behind her – only it’s not because she needs to find her way out of the forest. 

I have to add a disclaimer here.  Of course, I’d like world peace, as well as no more environmental pollution or polar ice deterioration, and even no more abused animals and children.  However, this is a “for fun” list…so there you go. 

5.  With that said, I’d like my own personal chef.  Sure, the chef could create meals (and healthy snacks) for the rest of the family – that would be fine.  Wouldn’t it be great to have someone do all of that thinking and preparing for you and your family?  What a time saver.  A girl can dream, can’t she?

Now that I’ve put together my list of 5, what are yours?  Come on…just give me 1!

(P.S.  The disclaimer applies to you too!)

 

Happy Halloween

Hope you get all the goodies you want on Halloween. 
Happy Trick-or-Treating!

(I have to be upbeat…it’s 90 degrees here. Those poor little trick-or-treaters are going to melt in their costumes!).

 

Growing my own

I think it’s time I took matters into my own hands, literally.  I’m going to have to grow my own vegetables…and maybe get a cow.  Here’s why:

dangerous foods

 

Unfortunately, I don’t have a particularly green thumb…nor do I have room in my back yard for a cow.   Now what?

 

A daily dose of dog fun

It’s been a while since we had a visit in the pool by a giant iguana but we can hardly walk out the door without seeing lizards dash away to avoid our steps.  Our dog, Jackson, has come to love lizards.  Unfortunately, the lizards don’t love him.  They don’t have a chance against his relative Godzilla-like size and force.  Jackson simply cannot control himself when he spots a lizard though.  Lizards most hold the same attraction for dogs (well, at least Jackson) as does catnip does for cats.  Lucy, our younger dog, is interested in the lizards but is not obsessed like Jack.  I think she actually prefers watching Jackson chase the lizards.  She enjoys “hunting” squirrels and the occasional stray cat on the neighbor’s roof much more than the numerous tiny reptiles. 

Here’s how a typical day goes for Jackson. 

 

Jack thinks he has spotted a lizard  – note the intense gaze and initial panting as he prepares to dash outside.

Where is the lizard?

This is the poor little guy on the back left corner – how does Jackson even notice him?

I think Jack has doggie ADD – he’s already distracted by something else….but his attention eventually returns to the sofa and out the door he goes!

“I know I saw him…where did he go?”

“Was he in the basket?  Oh yeah, that was yesterday….”

“I’m getting the scent…he’s here somewhere!” 

“Getting warmer….” 

“This is it!  This is the spot – wait, where did he go?  I must be too late…what’s that over there?…”

“Wasn’t there a lizard here last week?  Let me look again…” 

“A little help, please?”

Here’s the best part – although I took these photos 45 minutes ago, Jack is still out there ‘hunting.”  I can at least say he knows how to entertain himself. 

(Please note:  No lizards were harmed in the making of this blog).

 

What’s your plan for Super Bowl?

I like the excitement surrounding Super Bowl but I can’t say the same thing about the actual game (sorry, Cardinal and Steeler fans!).  I do enjoy watching the commercials, though.  What else do I like about Super Bowl?  I’d have to say…putting together a little party, of course!  I’ve been watching Food Network to see what the chefs are making for their Super Bowl menus.  I think I’m going to try to make stuffed jalapenos, thanks to Guy Fieri.  So, in the name of sharing, here’s my menu:

• guacamole, salsa, and tortilla chips (…a little bit of Texas!)
• hummus and pita chips
• an assortment of olives, marinated veggies, salami and cheeses
• crudités (a.k.a. veggies and ranch dip!)
• and last but not least, WINGS!  (with celery and blue cheese dip)

                                

Of course, we’ll have a variety of beers and wine…and in case you are wondering, YES, we are having people over! 

So, what’s on your Super Bowl table?

 

Deals online

I’m always looking for a good deal.  If you haven’t heard of www.bradsdeals.com yet, now you have!  I recently ordered some American Girl Doll clothes for Aggie’s birthday gift.  Before checking out online, I found a $1o discount code on a $30 purchase at bradsdeals!  American Girl Dolls (and accessories) are great but they certainly aren’t inexpensive, so this was a really good deal!  As you are doing your online Christmas shopping, be sure to check www.bradsdeals.com for a discount or to locate a better price somewhere else.

Here are some current deals:

Vera Bradley Items from $5

While supplies last, Vera Bradley takes up to 60% off select bags and accessories. Good deals include the Mod Floral Pink Luggage Tag, normally $8 and now $5, the Pink Elephants Sherry Bag (pictured) is reduced from $48 to $15, the Riviera Blue Amy Bag is lowered from $30 to $22.50 and the Mesa Red Vera Bag is marked down from $78 to $50. Shipping starts at $4.95 and sales tax is charged in most states.

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$5 off $15

see more PETsMART Coupons  

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$5 off $30 (Printable)

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25% off One Item (Printable)

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happy shopping!