7 Faithful Years... And Now She Will Retire With Coach & Michael Kors in the Back Of My Closet

I need a new coat.
Okay, need is an exaggeration because I know there are tons of people out there that need a coat...
any coat...
so, I will humbly say that I want a new coat so badly.
I hope that sounds less spoiled.

The last time I got a new coat was December 2002.
Tiffany, do you remember the shopping trip? Wasn't I w/ you?

It's my American Eagle navy toggle peacoat.
It's hard to believe that I've been almost 100% faithful to it for almost 7 years.
Wow... one of my longest standing relationships. Impressive! :-)

For the last few years, I've thought of getting a new coat.
But I never, because they're so pricey - and well... I'd rather spend my money on Calvin. 

After a lot of thought and debate,
I've decided to let my AE peacoat retire with dignity, before she loses a button or comes unraveled. 
She's been a good coat. Faithful. Dedicated on those cold winter days.
But, she needs a rest.
I owe her that much. 

So, I ordered a new coat today.

I hope my new coat looks as good on me as she does on the Victoria's Secret model!
Of course it will... I mean, it's me... it will look fabulous... right??? ;-)

If you're in the market for a new coat, Victoria's Secret has 25% off wool coats til Wednesday night + free shipping on orders over $50 by using SHIP50 promo code. 

Some may be wondering what I'll do with my old coat. 
Donate it? 
I pondered the thought, but after 7 years, I'm a little...
okay, more than just a little attached to her. 
I can't part with her. 
My inner pack rat still needs her. 
I assure you that she will have a luxurious retirement in the back of my closet with other retired favorites like handbags and shoes.  :-) 

Wishing I was getting some ZZZ's!

It's 12:34 A.M. 
I'm awake. 
Spring 2010 registration started at midnight. 
I couldn't sleep, in fear of not getting into my needed classes for graduation. 
I'm not the only one trying to register. 
The system is crawling. 
I haven't even been able to login, yet! 
Grrr... 
It's 12:47... Nothing. 
Brant just facebook'd me. 
He's in the same boat as I am. 
If you're familiar w/ LLC's network at all, you know it's slow. 
I'm sure they don't prepare for this much activity on IRIS. 
But, they should. 
Innocent people are losing sleep. 
I love sleep.  I'm good at it. 
12:51... Nothing but failed attempts to get into the system. 
I've decided that if I'm not in by 1:30 that I should go back to bed. 
1:00... Nothing yet. 
What's taking these pokie people so long to register??? 
PLEASE... please let me in!!! 
I know I won't sleep well unless I get registered! 
In other news, Calvin fell pretty hard tonight. 
He hurt his jaw and cried himself to sleep...
On Chris's lap... because he's Chris's best friend today. 
But, I'm still Mom.
So, I'm sleeping w/ him... because I worry too much. 
He tosses and turns and might as well do cartwheels! 
The kid is nearly impossible to sleep with. 
Ok... I honestly can't imagine that many people on IRIS at 1:04 A.M. to bog the system down. 
I'm starting to wonder if LLC's IRIS server is down from previous traffic. 
Seriously, their network is slow... even on a good day! 
Any millionaires out there that would like to donate a new network infrastructure??? 
It's 1:08... I'm feeling lucky. 
Maybe this time I'll get in! 
Or maybe not. 
It's hopeless. 
I'm not getting registered tonight. 
1:13 A.M. 
Giving up til morning. 
G'Nite Everybody! 

Christmas Time Is Coming!

I'm as excited as anyone else about the Big Man in Red shimming down our chimney in a few weeks.  I love Christmas.  I used to not.  But, having a child definitely changes that.  I LOVE shopping for Calvin.  Some may say I have a slight addiction.  So, Christmas is an excuse for me to go all out for Calvin!  I've been known to go a little overboard. 

Anyway, back to my point... I'm as excited as the next person for Christmas.  BUT, won't all that Christmas candy at Wal-Mart go bad before Christmas?  Is it necessary for Kohls to play Christmas music already?  Serious... I caught myself humming "Leroy the Redneck Reindeer" in the shower this morning.  (If you aren't familiar with this holiday classic, I highly recommend you YouTube it.) 

We just wrapped up Halloween last weekend and already we're planning for Santa's big arrival.  The poor Turkey gets overlooked every year.  Before you know it we'll be celebrating Black Friday Instead of Thanksgiving! 

I don't start Christmas shopping til the day after Thanksgiving.  Black Friday is a family tradition shared among my favorite aunts.  We hit up the stores early (way before day break), separate to cover more stores when they open, stand in long lines, spend entirely too much money on "good deals", have lunch and a daiquiri at Red Lobster, do a little more shopping, start driving home... when Aunt Dana will insist that we stop at Tuscola... and possibly Mattoon... and even maybe Effingham Wal-Mart, and then we go home - to sleep because Black Friday is a workout! 

Some may wonder why we do all of this every year... I mean, it sounds exhausting to say the least, but it's part of our holiday tradition. 
And we wouldn't have it any other way.  :-) 

News From Our Neighborhood

Most my neighbors are standing outside right now, watching the fire fighters, wondering what the heck is going on.  I'm inside writing about it. 

There are 4 fire trucks and a long line of volunteer fire fighter pick-ups on the middle road of our subdivision.  After watching the first fire truck pull up to a neighbors house, I headed over.  I stopped by Kourtney's to see if she knew what was up.  Then, I proceeded to the house with the fire fighters in and out of.  Turns out, there was a fire in the chimney.  I am very relieved to report that everyone is okay.  :-)

The Cutest Deer Hunter There Ever Has Been

Calvin
Halloween, 2009
The Deer Hunter

Calvin picked out his own costume this year.  It only seemed fitting that he dress up as a deer hunter.  However, he'll argue that he's a deer hunter everyday - minus the beard. 

I thought it was a lame idea.  Apparently, I didn't know what was cool.  Wednesday, Calvin's class dressed up at school.  While I was there getting Calvin changed I heard at least 5 other kids say they wanted to be deer hunters, too!  Calvin:  the trendsetter.  :-) 

OTHER NEWS: 

• I've been waiting to announce the arrival of my niece.  I am hopeful her mommy will post pictures soon.  :-) 
• Some dyke (I'm assuming she is) made weird noises at me today at school... twice.  Like sexual-animal noises.  Ugh.  She was pretty scary. 
• My advisor is out of the office the whole week.  Ummm... Spring registration starts at 12:01 Monday morning.  In order to graduate, I need to register asap that morning to get into the needed classes.  I emailed her... but, it would have been nice to know she would be out of town for a conference.  That's LLC for ya. 
• Going to the TEF Spaghetti Supper tonight.  We get to bring Caleb with us!!!  YAY! 

Church seats and praying...

This morning in church, I didn't see any side pews empty for the 3 of us to sit together.  We split up, but it got me thinking...  when there's 1 person in a pew, why does the next single person take another pew?  Why not just sit together so families can stay together? 

Praying...  This may sound silly, but sometimes I feel guilty for asking for something in prayer.  If I'm praying to a specific saint or Jesus, I try to thank the saint or Jesus for what he has done for me - before I list all of the things I need or want - even for someone to get well.  I try to make an effort to be thankful for more things than I ask for, but still I feel guilty.  Am I weird? 

Product Reviews... Because I love You!

AquaFresh iso-active Toothpaste

This toothpaste rocks your mouth out!  Seriously.  It leaves your teeth feeling clean and your breath fresh as ever!  I highly recommend it! 

Bloomen Nutrition Prenatal Vitamin Chews
Last Summer, while pregnant, I could barely choke down the yucky prenatal vitamins.  Let's face it, they don't exactly taste like gum drops and lolly pops.  It got to the point that they made me nauseous.  I searched high and low for fun flavored prenatals... why can't they taste like Flintstone's???  I came across these from Bloomen Nutrition.  They're chewable prenatals flavored with citrus and ginger blossoms.  Not bad to take at all.  Prego, or planning to be... give these a shot! 

Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier Firm-Hold Hair Spray
Hands-down, the best hair spray I've used in a very long time.  It does exactly what it says it does, "Creates an instant style-supporting barrier; helps seal out humidity & combats frizz, rain or shine."  LOVE IT! 

"Happy birthday toooo Daa'aad!"

The first words out of Calvin's mouth this morning were, "Happy birthday toooo Daaad!" 

Today was Chris's 28th birthday. It started with presents and blueberry pancakes. Followed by a mid-afternoon nap, playing with the leaf blower, and dinner where the cowboys eat (Lonestar). Although he also had to work a little (including fixing my car), I hope he still enjoyed ever minute of his special day.

Calvin making Chris's red velvet birthday cake. 
We added orange and blue gels to the icing and sprinkles on top to make the cake extra special.  :-) 

Chris, words cannot express how happy you make me each day.  So today, as we celebrated your birthday, I felt like I was the one getting the biggest gift of all... you. 

Monopoly

I'm slightly obsessed w/ McDonald's Monopoly.  I'd love your help!  I'm sure we could work out a deal.  ;-)  Here's what I need. 

Boardwalk for $1,000,000

Ventor Avenue for $25,000

Kentucky Avenue for $10,000

Tennessee Avenue for $5000

Virginia Avenue for $2000

Vermont Avenue for $1000

Shortline RR for $500