Giving thanks!

It's that time of year where everyone reflects and gives thanks for what they are truly thankful for. I try to be thankful all year long for the blessings in my life. But a holiday once a year to be extra thankful is nice too!

I am, of course, thankful for my family. My kids are the best thing in my life, even when they are driving me insane!! And my hubby too....though I sometimes feel like I am a single mother of three as opposed to a mom of two. LOL! I'm thankful for the things in my life that bring me joy, even though they are not perfect. I know I'm not the perfect mom and wife either!

I'm thankful for parents who don't judge and just let me live my life the way I need/want to...no comments, no complaints. Cause I've seen my fair share of parents who DO NOT treat their adult children that way.

I'm thankful for our health. We've been lucky and have only had minor ailments throughout our lives. My wish is to stay that way!

I am thankful for how far I'm come in my writing career. Sometimes I can't believe how much I've grown as a writer in the last 3-4 years. I am thankful for the start of my career and hope great new things and successes are in my future.

There are many more things I am thankful for, but I think these are the most important! :) Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Bargains Galore...Anyone else partaking in the festivities??

I am one of those crazies who get up at the ass-crack of dawn to stand in line in the cold to be one of the first customers inside Target or Walmart.

It all started the holiday season after my daughter was born. I had heard of Black Friday before, but had never gone. Being in retail, I always had to work that day. But I worked in a flower shop, so it's not like we had people camped outside our doorstep. It was a regular day for us, but I still had to work. Then I had my daughter and left my job and my sister in law asked if I wanted to go shopping with her. I said "sure". I love to shop and I love a good bargain. I was prepared, having heard of extreme cases on tv and such. Nothing like that happened to us, but it was an interesting morning. There were rude people and insane people and we just sat back and watched them and laughed. We got some of the things we needed/wanted, but didn't get too upset for the things we didn't. Most of the people were pleasant and nice and they had the same attitude we did. It was an experience and I really enjoyed it.

I've gone every year since then (this will be #8), but my shopping partners have changed. My sister in law had to work some years and this year she is off but is going with someone else. I started going with my cousin a few years ago and we have a great time. We are usually done by 8-8:30 and go have breakfast.

As much fun as we do have, the main motivation is still the bargains. With the help of websites such as BFads.net, you can view the ads days, even weeks, before Thanksgiving day, when the actual paper ads come in the newspaper. Helps immensely for planning purposes! These days, our budget is extremely tight and though the holiday season is not about gifts and spending tons and tons of money, this is really the only time of year we get to buy presents for our kids and family members and we really enjoy the gift-giving.

So how about you??? You gonna be in line anywhere at 3 am this Friday??? I'll be at Target! And I'm being even crazier this year and have decided to go to Toys R Us on Thanksgiving night. They will be opening at 10 pm. There are a ton of great deals there for me this year...I just can't pass up the opportunity!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Found my "thing"!

It's Thanksgiving and what the focus for my family is, after being thankful, of course, is the FOOD!

It seems everyone has their "thing", their signature dish that they make for every single holiday, get-together, or party. Grandma has her cheesecake, Mother in Law has her Lazy Man Pierogi, my mom makes the cheesy potatoes. I never really had a "thing". I like to cook and I think I cook pretty well (or at least follow a recipe decently!). I like to change things up and bring something different to potlucks and such.

But now I have been given a "thing".

Last family get-together at my parent's house, I made a cold broccoli salad. Very tasty...raw broccoli chopped with bacon, slivered almonds, sunflower kernels, red onion. Top it with a dressing made from Miracle Whip, sugar and vinegar...very sweet and very yummy! Everyone loved it...even my brother...he had three helpings. And it is hard to get him to love anything...especially something I made. Geez...you screw up one dish and you're ridiculed for life!! But not this time.... I watched him take a small first helping out of courtesy, then a bigger second helping. Then I saw him go back for thirds...."Ya like that, don't ya!" I said and he smiled a sly kind of smile and answered a simple "Yes." I'm hoping this excuses me from ever being made fun of again for the infamous Pretzel Dessert Disaster. Knowing my brother, I doubt it :)

So I left my parent's that day happy that I had made something that was such a hit. My aunt called my mom and told her she needed to get the recipe from me.

So fast forward to a week ago. I called my mom and asked what she needed me to bring for Thanksgiving. Last year she told me pop and a box of crackers. That's it??? O...kay....I guess I could handle that. I got her back though...they came here for Christmas and when she asked what to bring...I said "pop and crackers". We got a good laugh out of it. So anyway, when I asked what to bring this year...."How about that broccoli salad?"

So now I have a "thing". I guess it makes planning a breeze and soon I'll be able to make it without glancing at the recipe.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Hope your "thing" comes out spectacular this year!

Let's gives thanks!

As I scroll through my blog list I see that many people are blogging about what they are thankful for this year. I like to reflect on what I have in my life that is good. Sometimes I think people get too involved thinking of what they don't have.

Here is my list of things I am thankful for...most are serious...some not so serious :)

A husband who rarely tells me no for anything.

Two kids who love me like crazy.

Everyone in my family is relatively healthy (my son's asthma is pretty much under control, so I don't really worry about it!)

Fantastic parents who let me live my life without judgment and don't aggravate me.

The most wonderful girlfriends on the planet.

My publishing contract.

An editor that couldn't be more perfect for me!

My writer's group.

My laptop.

My electric blanket.

New York State Dept. of Corrections for employing my husband and giving us complete job security.

Walt Disney World.

New Kids on the Block

That's it for now...maybe I'll come back and add some more later!!