I don't think so

Being a combined family, there are constantly little things that cause issues. Little things that maybe would be nothing if it wasn't a combined family. Those little things are not good and I'm not sure if they could ever be eliminated 100%. They pop-up at the most unexpected times and they make your heart drop.

Last night, one of those moments happened. It was something I could have avoided and didn't. Something that I always avoid ahead of time. Something that got witnessed by another mother. She even said she saw the happiness drain out of my face. It wasn't a huge issue. It isn't something we can go through, but it still lingers.

After witnessing it, the other mother looked at me and said "this is why, if anything happened to(insert her husbands name), I would never remarry."

I have thought about this before. I love my DH and for the most part we keep these little things to a minimum. Yet, if something was to happen to him or to us, I don't care if every single site in the world let me search for free and sign-up for free, I wouldn't do it.

Not just because of the kids, they are almost grown. More for me. It is a lot of work, adjusting to an others presence. Combining your lives and building a foundation. I know it is nice to have someone help carry your burdens. There are just some times, when you would rather stretch out in your comfy jammies and be alone.

All these feelings, from my DH responding to my son's request to get something to eat at the game. I always just give the kids money, before the game and I forgot! Evidently, he doesn't realize this. How does he think they go from school to football game - not home to 11pm at night without eating. And why in the world would it be okay not to feed your children dinner? I hurt inside for my son, who was given a rough time for wanting a sandwich.

I won't let this happen again.

Not so good recipe change(s)

I had a taste for Chicken Casserole. Nothing fancy. Just the basic - Chicken, egg noodles, cream of mushroom (or other on hand) soup, milk, peas and bake. Doesn't get much easier then that.

My schedule consisted of phone that tried to get permanently attached to the side of my head. My ear, literally, hurts. Not only that, but I would be perfectly fine not talking to anyone all night.

My DH on the other hand, is experiencing our economy issues. Business is slowing down. He currently finds himself, how do we say.......bored. Yes, that is it, he is bored.

He is not good bored. He is walking through my office every few minutes asking "what are you doing?" I feel like I have a toddler again. Not pretty.

About 2 o'clock, I tell him that I am planning on chicken casserole for dinner, but am in need of a couple things from the store. Basically, I want a roasted chicken and frozen peas. We need a couple other things too, like bread, but I'd have been happy with the first 2 items.

He leaves me, with a I hate shopping look. The same look I probably give too. And all heck breaks loose in the kitchen. I hear the pantry door and cabinets opening and shutting. I hear the fridge and freezer getting man-handled as well. Trying my best to ignore his, what I see as a, temper tantrum.

Then I hear the heavy footsteps. I was getting optimistic thoughts. I just knew he was going to ask for the grocery money and I would have a checked off item on my daily list.

Well, it didn't happen that way. I'm sure you guessed this, since my DH is the guy who writes his name on the really soft toilet paper and screams words of pain when caught in the bathroom with the cheaper stuff. Yep, he is spoiled! It is all my fault. Sometimes a girl should just let a guy run on his own, instead of catering to his needs.

He comes in carrying a bag of pre-cooked grilled chicken parts and a bag of frozen mixed stir-fry veggies.

Not looking so good. You see, that pre-cooked grilled chicken is only good for one thing - my chicken salad. Oh, make that two - it tastes okay on a regular salad too. In a casserole.......?????

Lets not even begin with the frozen stir-fry veggies. Or I may go off just on the shear size of them.

He stands before me with the face that says 'I've found the Holy Grail' and 'solved the economic crisis in America'. He was not going to let me talk him out of this. We were having a new kind of chicken casserole.

Dinner is already over. Can you call it dinner? I'm not sure. The textures weren't right. The flavors were so no right. And my genius of a husband looks at me and says:

"It's not bad. I wouldn't ask you to make it again, but it is food."

Glad he likes it, cause I'm 100% positive the kids won't eat it. And I'm interestingly full.

How do you get the car home?

By a huge blessing we are getting a car to replace DD3 Camaro. For me this is huge. I spent way too much time last year worrying about her getting home safe. A Camaro is just not the best car to deal with Midwest winters. Although, I agree whole heartedly with her love for the car. It is fun.

Youth is about fun too!

This car is in Michigan though. We won't get the original title until we come get the car. I want to do this, this weekend.

Problem - This is not our home state. I can't just run to the DMV or a bank and get temporary plates to get it home. How do I get the car home? I called my insurance company, legally they can not issue a temporary plate without the original title in hand.

Anyone get a car from out of state?

Save on Denim

Jeans take a huge bite out of our budgeted back to school clothes. Why is it okay to sell jeans for $100 and more? Better yet, why do some of us feel it is okay to pay these prices?



I will never be able to compete with the parents that spend these crazy dollars on their children. I try directing my children to Cheap Jeans, the kind I can afford. Even my sweet hubby just got Wranglers from Target for $17.99. Beat the heck out of $30 for Levi's. They are for work, he will survive. :-) At least that is what I told him.



Yes, I know I suck. Just ask my kids they will concur.




Right now I'm working on my daughter to find some more affordable teen clothes. I can't help but wonder if the price at $13.80 turns her away first. I should have just bought them, had her try them on and then moved forward. I'm a slow learner.



I know that discount clothes aren't always the best thing to buy. We all like having nicer things. I just think on the day to day basis, we should be able to squeeze in a few affordable items, to offset the big ticket named items.

Isn't $13.80 cheap for denim? They have other items low priced and clearanced for the young folks and those of us that can work with the younger look - at times.

Best Entertainment for the money

I, as you can probably tell from my Walgreens purchases, have been grabbed by the bug running through my family. This past week is a blur. At first, I thought it was just exhaustion from our trip. I was wrong.

Prior to leaving for the best entertainment around, I made myself a pot of chicken noodle soup. I don't care what anyone says, it truly makes me feel better. Being under the weather and not daring to miss the football game, I needed all the help I could get.

My sweet hubby stopped for iced coffees on the way. He said, because I wasn't talking. It isn't often I'm quiet, so he knew I was feeling great. He, luckily was feeling better. I have been filling him up with Hot Tea and Theraflu and rubbing him down with Vicks. Which until this illness, he always told me was a waste and that it doesn't work. Funny, last night he is bragging about its powers to everyone. Feeling much better.

I felt like someone blasted me into the moment and out of my cloud at the foot ball game. Where we once again beat the enemy. Yea! We are now 5 wins and 0 losses.

Plus, for some unknown reason the coach is playing my DS2 more. Which had me standing in my seat. My little man is only 100 pounds wet, with clothes on. This other team had guys that weight over 300 pounds. I was so scared, I was sure I would pee my pants.

All I can say is my son is fast!

There is definitely something in the air around here. Our school is winning and this is something we are not used too. Believe me. We have been to so many games since DD1 began school and we have never seen this level of accomplishment across the board - in all sports.

So, much more fun to win. And this has to be the best entertainment for my money.

I want to be the ladder

DS1 is my financially savvy child young man. He is constantly thinking, plotting and preparing for his future. In fact, at the wedding I found him talking with another about Options. Like a sponge he absorbs it all. I only see big things for him in the future.

Today, he comes home from college and says "I'm learning so much." Almost as if he is surprised there is so much more out there to learn. Then he leans back and stretches and says "I want to be the ladder, instead of climbing it."

Watch out folks, this young man may be the one we all go to for a job some day.

So far, in his young life, he has:

• his vehicle paid for cash
• 2 years of car insurance and licensing saved
• $1k emergency fund at the local brick and mortar
• 1st year of college funded - no loans.
• Roth goal of $2k x 4 years (16-20) over 2/3rds there (funding to be completed this year before 19 years old)
• Plans to pay 2nd, 3rd & 4th years of college cash ($15k saved so far)
• Owns a few miscellaneous stocks

All that, and he has taken 3 vacations this year, dates, goes out with friends and is just a awesome person.

If only his mom can stay out of trouble to keep him safe. He was the one who jumped up behind me - during the bad thing on our trip. Probably the only reason I made it out safely. He towers over me, since I am a shorty and he is over 6ft. He is also the reason my DH was so mad at me. Although, he (DS1) is also the one that said "you did the right thing mom".

I have to keep my nose clean, so he has a future.

Thank Goodness They Haven't Outlawed Fun!!!

We made it safely back to Illinois last night. All of us had a fabulous time. Well except for the 2 daughters that didn't attend. One received a permanent position at her first after college job, and could not leave yet. The other being an active Senior stayed for Home Coming Events. Advising me on our return, that she made the wrong choice - should have been with family.

That is exactly what I wanted to hear from my "growing up" daughter. Family First!

The weather was cool in North Carolina, but beautiful. The wedding was amazing. The reception......all I can say is besides eating, we never sat down. Any of us on our side of the family. We danced so much that we all (the girls) had blisters on our feet. Who cares - it was a blast.

Don't take that wrong, all our men and my boys danced too.

My size "0" daughter is claiming she will need to buy clothes made by Winnie Pooh after that night. I think we danced 5 hours straight. So much fun!

Afterwards, the groom (family) came over to thank us all for getting everyone up and partying. My s.i.l. and I made everyone dance. After all, this is what a wedding is about - fun and love and enjoying this crazy thing called life.

The best part is, we didn't just have fun at the wedding festivities, we had fun with all the family all weekend long. Something my hubby's family needed too. My hubby claims I brought the fun. He is convinced his family wouldn't have had fun like they did, if I wasn't pushing. I think he is wrong. We laughed and had so much fun, every moment.

It's sad, but our weekend is over and now it is time to work. :-(

I have absolutely no idea what we spent - but I know it was a lot.

Wedding and Trip Spending

Family is expensive! Yesterday, we hit Penney's to get some additions needed for the wedding and rehearsal apparel. This trip was all about my boys.

Boys are odd creatures. They don't care enough about the condition of their clothes, hair or stuff - too understand the importance of appearances. At least mine don't.

They looked at me, like I was crazy, when I asked to see what they were bringing and wearing to these events. I've learned in the past, to NOT trust their judgment! Things are always 'good enough' for them. This is a formal occasion and 'good enough' ain't good enough for me.

The girls on the other hand are ready, willing and able to get all new for this event. Yep, including me.

Spending wasn't too bad, considering I took 3 guys shopping. Although, I was yanking my hair out and getting sick from hunger before the task was completed.

My dear sweet hubby, is a particular creature. Oh sure, he says 'whatever' and 'I'm okay with anything', but folks - he is not. He could have been a female in a prior life, if you believe that kind of thing. Thankfully, I know most of his quirks and am able to follow them. We have his black shoes, 2 pairs of dress pants and ties. We were only looking for 2 shirts - one dress and one casual dress for the two occasions.

Let me say, I picked out his casual and left him options for his dress. Told him to select which one he liked best and then went on to help the boys. Easy for him, right?

I helped DS1 get casual dress shoes, tennis shoes for bumming, casual bottoms and a casual top. Then I helped DS2 grab tennis shoes and casual bottoms by the time DH made it back to me at shoes. I have no idea what took so long. Mind you, both boys had to try on clothes.

In the end we brought $526.64 (w/tax) of items up to the register. Or at least that was their 'regular' price. I call it the rip-you-off-list price. Every single item we grabbed was either on sale or on clearance. I then had a 15% off coupon and a $10 rewards from my last trip. All of which, brought my total to $223.51 out the door.

Thank goodness the boys still had the suits from Confirmation this past spring!

I walked in a cloud yesterday

After rising before the dawn and then working out with the boot camp group, I was pretty much useless yesterday. Not at all what you want to get out of a healthy life style. :-)

I worked until 3 pm and then I gave it up. When you find yourself calculating the some set of numbers 3 times - it's time to get up and walk away!

Then I got this bright idea to make my favorite meal, Chicken Parmesan. I have never made it before. Why? Well, since it is my favorite - I didn't want to mess it up and ruin my love for it. Silly, isn't it? I make everyone elses favorite. Of course, the meal always motivated me to go out. Which I need some times. :-)

I used the recipe on the back of Progresso Italian Bread Crumbs. It was easy and fabulous. Well, if you don't consider I forgot to make pasta or any sides. It was a main dish night.

Hey, I told you I was tired! DH just laughed at my Chicken Intensity. :-)

After getting the dishwasher running, we had an Open House at school. DD3 doesn't usually care if we go, but this year was bonus points for the grade and Spirit Points for Home Coming. So, of course we went. Her class had a medieval theme. They served food from this time period.

All I can say is, thank goodness we already ate and my DH is a disposer. I didn't have to eat anything. :-)

I got a bit of a second wind from the outing. Came home and did a couple loads of laundry while cleaning the kitchen. Followed by a glass of red wine from our Michigan tour at the Round Barn and I called it a night.

Or at least I thought I was!

An hour after I went to bed, DH came to bed and woke me up. Then, after the power outage yesterday, my alarm was not set right and went off at midnight.

Without thinking I hit snooze.

As the sleep cloud lifted, I reached for the clock to reset the alarm for 4 and pulled the plug.

DH was unable to sleep and left for the living room and the television. Yes, I heard it.

Being too lazy to dig under my bed and plug my radio back in - I woke up a zillion times to ensure I would not miss my new 5 am Boot Camp Class.

Hey, I never said I was smart!

The amazing part is, I made it! Worked my tail off and made it home, where my fabulous husband had a couple eggs and sausage waiting for me. Aren't I lucky??

Even with all the craziness - I feel unbelievably rested, with sore muscles and so incredibly happy. I love my world.

2 out of 7

Last nights football game was another over powering slaughter. I can not believe it. How in the world we have won 2 games, is beyond me. And not just won, completely whipped the other team.

Again, this team had more height and more weight. Even their shortest and lightest player was larger then our bottom 5. The major difference here was the shear size of our teams. Both our Varsity and Junior Varsity fill the sidelines in a game. Their side was empty in comparison.

Of course, in a small town, we have nothing else to do. :-)

To give you an idea, we have 16 cheerleaders on both teams, they had 6 per team. Our tiny stands, being the visitors were packed. Their massive stands for the home team were only 1/4 filled. You would never come to our home games and see that.

One thing our town takes pride in, is being involved.

We signed out both kids last night and had a great conversation full ride home. I just love that bonding time. Except for the part where they pick on me for being cheap and making sandwiches and snacks instead of buying at the game. :-(

Anyway folks, that is 2 wins and 0 losses. Holy Cow! We are already 1/2 way to our regular wins.

Next week, we verse our long time rivals. Boy I hope we win. They are tough and went to state.

$6.69

Last night after church we had to take DD1's car back to her. After spending a small fortune to repair it. She hasn't really gained a lot of financial ground since graduating college and when her exhaust hit the ground, from the front side - which is a ton worse then the back side, she did what she knew to do and called dad.

She has extremely high hopes in getting a newer car. I am doing everything in my power, without telling her what to do, to encourage her to trade up slowly paying cash. She keeps talking about how much she can afford in a payment. I keep grinding my teeth. She is still in the first 90 days of her first job and financially a bit shaky still.

I know she is an adult and it is her choice, but being a parent - I'm struggling with this.

Thankfully, my DH can fix anything. Plus, he has all the tools and equipment to do a darn good job. We did not buy a new exhaust system. My DH actually, purchased piping and welded the entire system back together. With DD1 looking to get a new car and most likely doing so, we just wanted to keep this car running until the new one moves in.

Of course, after all the work, DH believes this car can go much farther now. He is encouraging her to hold off till Spring. This way she could save a few more thousand dollars to buy a quality used car for cash and know how things are going at her new job with 6 months+ under her belt.

Anyway, when we took her car up, we needed to grab dinner. It was getting late. We headed to McDonald's and ate off the dollar menu, with 2 iced coffees. The total $6.69.

DH wanted me to call my high maintenance friend and see if she wanted to join us. Asking with cheek in tongue. She doesn't eat anywhere that doesn't serve $5 and up Martini's, creating a bill of $100 with appetizers.

Although I like to joke I'm a trophy wife, I think he is pretty happy with his low maintenance girl.

The Season Opener

Last night was our first of nine football games for the season. Where we played a much larger town. That isn't too hard to do around here.

My son, because of his size, is not a first string player. Although, most of his friends are. So for me, the game is always good. I know and love the boys as my own.

We are a small team. Height and weight. So, we always seem to be dwarfed by the competitors. A really scary feeling for a mom!

I am not one to enjoy a slaughter game. I don't care if we are winning or being slaughtered. It just doesn't hold much excitement for me. I love competition and the excitement of a game well played and equal. Nothing like riding on the edge of your seat.

Last night, we slaughtered the opposing team 48-0. Can you say ouch? In the first 1/2, I was losing the thrill of the game. I kept hoping the coach would pull out the first string and bring in the other boys "warming the bench". Not that they sit on the side lines.

Finally, in the 4th quarter, the coach did the right thing and changed the line up. My baby, I didn't say that :-), was pulled in and had to come head to head with a boy twice his size. I was terrified and excited for him at the same time.

When the ball was hiked by the opposing team he stayed with that giant. I couldn't believe it. I was standing and jumping as if I could propel him to block this guy and keep him from completing the pass.

Let me stop here and say, my baby is the smallest player, both height and weight. But he is fast and plays with heart. He wants to win. Let me also share that he is well liked and everyone knows his name. Thus, why many of the not so good crowd were brought down last year, by my baby's friends and his brother. I was worried when DS1 graduated if DS2 would be okay.

So, I'm jumping up and down and I hear the most amazing thing. The crowd is screaming my baby's name. The opposing team's quarterback releases the ball. The ball soars over my baby's head and heads straight to the giant hands. My baby leaps all less then a 100 lbs of himself. He grabs on to the giants legs as the pass is landing in the giants hands.

I almost cried with joy, when I saw this 6'2, 160lb giant hit the ground and lose his grip on the ball. I will carry this play with me for a long time. Like when he made the interception in pee-wee ball and ran it back almost making the touchdown.

We always say, because of the size of our team - if we can't take them with size, we will take them with speed!

I don't predict a season of wins, but this was an awesome way to start the season. Less the slaughter.

Can you stay up till midnight?

If you can check out Heavenly Couture, where every evening at midnight they post a new item for $9.99. This site is a clothing site for juniors and mom's that look fab....well, for some of the stuff. :-)

They offer, what they call Discount Clothing. All items are supposedly 85% off of Retail Prices. Which may be the case. Depends where you shop. Although, the quality may be higher then some of my local brick and mortars. Catching the midnight deal would be sweet though.

Most of the items here seem to be high quality. And some even resemble Cheap Clothing. I'm referring to $14.95 for the P.J.'s. When not on clearance this price would beat Kohl's, who have a tendency to price each peace separate to make it appear cheaper.

I wish free shipping kicked in prior to $75 though. At that rate, you would need to select a lot of your back to school clothes at this site. Unless.....you could find a buddy or two in the market at the same time.

Currently Heavenly Couture is also running a special Back to School sale where you can save an extra 10%. Plus, they ship worldwide.

The next test - the daughter test.

When you forget what day it is......

that is how you know you are too busy.

It is 6pm and I feel like it should be bed time. My house is a mess and this bothers me to no end. While I was up North working for a client today, everyone just dropped everything everywhere and left it.

I missed lunch because of the work load and it is making me a crabby girl. Thankfully, I had some Navy Bean Soup left over from last nights dinner. I was able to eat as soon as I got home.

Which in hindsight was a mistake. Had I stopped and grabbed something like a burger and an ice coffee, I wouldn't have exploded on my family when seeing my kitchen. I know they are busy too.

Tomorrow is my Chicago day - so I'm not going to get past this too soon. :-( And I'm just too tired.

I'm only doing little jobs tonight -

• checking and responding to emails and faxes
• 1 or 2 loads of laundry
• empty dishwasher, load dishwasher & run dishwasher
• clean counters and stove

I'd pass the vacuum if I could keep my eyes open. I would much rather hit my lazy boy and watch some mindless t.v.

Vacation Planning

Like most of you probably do, we checked out online info before vacation. For our trip, I was looking for information on online travel guides helped me prepare for our trip, before we ever left home.

Of course, the best laid plans mean nothing, with you end up having more fun for free. We had so many characters on our trip; Captain Yoo-hoo, Barnacle [insert name] Jellyfish Hunter and even Aunt Moochie.

With the imagination and no Barney Bag, it is amazing that us older folks could blast our entertainment into the stratospheres. With rates that were better then any Kennedy space center discount.

When the jellyfish invaded the beach our own, Jellyfish Hunter was on the job. Thank goodness for his bravery and the boogie board. I never knew a boogie board was more then just a tool to ride a wave. Many jellyfish were back into the wild, instead of dried up on the shore. When his energy ran low, Captain Yoo-hoo was there to refresh him with his delicious, chocolately blend.

It did get precariously close to darkside of death of the jellyfish, when Aunt Moochie kept manipulating Captain Yoo-hoo to take the Yoo-hoo's before they nourished the Jellyfish Hunter. I have no idea what would have happened to the Atlantic Coast if Aunt Moochie kept depriving the Jellyfish Hunter!

Win a $150 Gift Card for Magellan's, by signing up for a travel newsletter. If your planning an escape, might as well do this to prepare. What is Magellan's by the way?

Daughter moves and it costs us money

Well, DD2 is in her first apartment. I feel all sad and excited at the same time. I have a financial problem, at times like these. For some reason, I can't just let things move at her pace. I have to step in and help.

I know I need to let the kids grow up and do things on their own, but how do I just stop?

After her stuff was all in, then the spending began. Curtains, food, cleaning supplies, and even a Brita Pitcher. Followed by a dinner out at Ruby Tuesday's and Coffee on the way to other adventures. Honestly, at this moment I have no idea the total damage - I just shoved the receipts in my purse.

Only for your children can money have no object.

Cabin Cuddler -vrs- Gas Bill

Last year I froze working in my home office. My husband says it is because I am too cheap, but I feel a little frugal goes a long way. Maybe if he looked at the bills once in a while, he would understand why I drop the temperature to 60 while they are all gone.

With my gas bills showing a 75% increase this year, in the summer, it is going to take another substantial drop in the thermostat. I'm toying with the idea of 55 degrees in the day. I don't think I can go lower. I have many house plants and they would not survive.

With this in mind I was looking at getting a space (electric) heater for my office. Electric is cheaper then gas. Then I saw the Cabin Cuddler. This will help where my layers confine me.

It goes down to the size of a tote bag - which will make it easy to stow away in my cabinets. This tote bag made me thing that this would be an excellent addition for the trunk, a travel blanket for emergencies. This may be a gift for all the kids, just in case. We live in the Chicago area and it gets cold here. And it stays cold here for a long, long time.

Just thought some of you may be interested in this gift too - or just need to stay warm as we try to make it with the new higher heating costs.

My daughter has a new admirer, that I approve of.

Does anyone play Bingo anymore? This is one of my all time favorite games. As a child, my brother and I used to play for colored marshmallows. Yes, we bet with the rainbow. :-)

Then, when I had a family of my own, I invested in a really cool Bingo game. You know, with my own cage to roll the call pieces in. The kids always spat over who would be the caller. We had hours of fun at the kitchen table with this one.

Bingo is the only game, that it doesn't matter how smart you are, anyone can win!

While on vacation, a young 2ND cousin of my daughters, fell head of heals for her. It was so cute. And she is one of those people that love hanging with young folks. So they both had an awesome time coloring with sidewalk chalk and just messing around.

Anyway, I got an email that this little man wants to send my daughter a "love" letter. Too Cute! So, my daughter wants to send him something.

We were scouting out things and found
Disney Bingo at both Amazon.com & Drugstore.com. Plus, if you don't like online ordering, they have it at Best Buy, Kohl's, JC Penney, and Barnes and Noble. It's under $20. Pretty darn affordable. May be a good Birthday or Christmas Gift.

Although, with Ebates and other cost savers, it may be best to send from one of these sites. More research is necessary though.

Looks like fun to me.



Don't you love technology! I may grab one of these for my neighbor girls for Christmas too. Affordable fun all the way. And who doesn't like DISNEY????

Go Kart Racing!

I'm still amazed how a vacation stays with you! Or is it just because it is all new for me? Maybe regular vacationers leave it behind when they return home. I'm still talking to family daily and reminiscing about our days together. Like I told my parents, they gave us a week that created a lifetime of memories.

We've already been discussing our next trip. Yea! Things are just so fun together. We all bring up different fun things to do. Ideas we are currently mixing up; helicopter ride, rafting, canoe or kayaking, and even possibly go-karting and other options of Wildwood attractions.

Morey's Piers are more geared to a younger crowd, which thankfully, we are not anymore. Although, all of us have a lead foot that would enjoy go karting. The beaches and water park are also a huge draw for this crew. Something about water, just makes everything good. Much like ice cream. :-) Making Morey's an option for a family beach vacation idea.

I can't help but wonder, if we (my immediate crew), would have had nearly as much fun if we were alone. I doubt it.

Ouch that hurts the mommy ego!

True, though.

A Package From NORDY's

I was so excited to see that box on my front porch, when I got home yesterday. As I was backing into my garage, I couldn't recall placing any orders. By the time I made it into the house, I was convinced it was something business related.

AKA - Not fun!

As I was walking through my home and office to the front door, I felt like I always do. That Yippee! tingling. I am such a lover of packages in the mail.

I about had an accident in my pants when I read my name on the label. And a heart attack was on the verge when I saw Nordy's in the return name. For obvious reasons, I do not shop there. Okay, I do shop there, just don't purchase much. Financially it is a place that hurts. The most I bought in the last month was a MAC lip gloss. And that came with a discount - shhhh..

Can't tell anyone, my little sissy gets it for me. She is in their management training program and loves NORDY's extremely much.

While on the beach, my little sissy kept pulling out her BEACH SHEET, which was twice the size of my over sized BEACH TOWEL. I was so envious! I would have bought one while on vacation, but they were sold out. :-(

This package came from Mall of America, with love from my little sissy.

I can't wait for our next vacation. But for now, this baby will be helping me sun in the back yard.