MckLinky Monday: Black Friday? Do I Dare? Oh Yeah, Baby!!!

At The RHOK this week our topic is Black Friday, we want to know all about your experiences, thoughts, websites, and deals for Black Friday.

Crazy?!? Maybe. But, I don't look at it like that at all. For one thing this will be my fourth year to be able to go Black Friday shopping since I quit working in the corporate world and only my second time to actually go shopping. Second, I don't look at it as push comes to shove, I got have it or else kind of shopping like some people do, this is girlfriend time. Oh yeah, girlfriend time! When my girlfriend Angie and I went two years ago, we had a blast! We hit Target at 4AM, went to breakfast, had our gab time, and we were even interviewed by KJRH! You can read about it and see our pictures here!

Black Friday, one of the earliest recorded uses of this term was September 24, 1869; a day of stock market catastrophe. By the early 1980s, an alternative theory began to be circulated: that retailers traditionally operated at a financial loss for most of the year (January through November) and made their profit during the holiday season, beginning on the day after Thanksgiving. I remember when you never saw the Black Friday advertisements until Thanksgiving Day. Now, and particularly this year, they have been leaked at least a month in advance and even some online company's have even allowed early bird shopping. I know- I did it! Thank you Wal-Mart! Braden will be a very happy boy this year for his birthday/Christmas for only $179! (That's it, Bubba!!)

So, what/who are my favorite sites for finding my deals?

BlackFriday.info

and

MoneySavingQueen.com

And, what am I really after this year?

Toys R Us - Wii Controllers $29.99 was $49.99 (2)

Target- Wii Fit Plus Bundle with Balance Board $67.00 was $99.00

Oh, and I may be hitting Toys R Us and Wal-Mart on Thursday night also 10PM-1AM, never done that one before-sounds fun, everyone will be in bed!

Now it's your turn to tell us your plan for Black Friday! Get on over to The RHOK and link up!

MckLinky Monday: What Am I Thankful For

This post is actually at The RHOK today since I am hosting, but I think I will share on my own blog as well. Make sure you check out the other blog each Monday for the next two months because we have some great topics lined up. We have also have four new housewives writing for us and we are RHOK'in!

What am I thankful for? Those of you who have been reading me for the past seven months probably expect me to say God, my family and all of our health. Yes, you know me well, no shockers for you today. However, there are six things that I have taken for granted, that up until recently I have learned just how thankful and blessed that I am to possess.

I am thankful for my eyes. Two eyes that have sight so that I can see the beautiful world around me. The eyes that watch my babies grow each day. The eyes that still catch the love of my life's eyes looking lovingly at mine.

I am thankful for my ears. Ears that hear the words Mommy, Honey and I love you. Even when those ears hear things they shouldn't, I am thankful, because I learned right from wrong by listening with my precious ears.

I am thankful for my nose. No, not the size or the shape. My nose is actually a very good smeller. It smelled my family's house fire when I was 10 and saved all from within. And every one knows there is nothing like the smell of your kid's clean snuggly skin.

I am thankful for my mouth. It is definitely a loud and proud mouth. So much so that my own mother in law will not even sit with me anymore at sporting events. A mouth that allows me to nourish my body, more often than not with foods that will last longer on my hips than it did on my lips. Kisses, sweet kisses, God definitely knew what he was doing when he made the mouth!

I am thankful for my hands. Oh the many uses of my hands on a daily basis. Fixing my three year old daughter's curls each morning, changing the many diapers at my job, preparing dinner for my family and writing a multiplication problem down for my fourth grade son. I look down at my hands and yes, I am beginning to see my Moma's hands and for that I am thankful, because that means she taught me well because hands should never be idle.

I am thankful for my feet. Those feet have carried me many miles. I have always been told I have pretty feet. It is a huge pet peeve of mine not to have cute toes. Paint your toenails Housewives, I promise you, your feet will LOVE you! Feet get to be accessorized and shown off more than any other part of the body, at least in my opinion. It is all about the SHOES my friends! I unfortunately have to shy away from my most desired pairs due to a broken ankle last year, and thousands of dollars. Enough with my shoe fetish, (pray, m'kay). My feet let me run after and play with my kiddos, they are growing up so fast. I pray that one day my feet allow me to also play with my grandchildren, the way my kids grandparents play with them.

Our Son the Smart One

The first nine weeks is over of 4th grade, and the required Parent/Teacher Conference has been attended. I will be honest, I was a little scared. A new school, two teachers, changing rooms, and actually being graded in four subjects this year is a little very overwhelming for both a nine year old and his mother!

I am very proud to announce however, that Braden ended up with two A's and two B's!

A's in science and social studies, B's in math and reading.

Grades like this makes him eligible for the first time for the Honor Roll! Yay!!

This past Friday, was the assembly. Braden not only was recognized for his success in grades, but also received a certificate for perfect attendance and stood up for making is Accelerated Reader goal for the first nine weeks! Way to go baby boy!We are so proud of you! (I know, I know, I am not supposed to call you the BB name, but it is my blog and one of these days you will be wishing I was more affectionate toward you again)



Braden after receiving his Honor Roll Certificate





Braden & Stephen hold their certificates proudly



MckLinky Monday: Thankful for Food

 

What? Me? Thankful for food...not a bit, you can't tell by looking at me, and sorry folks you WILL not be telling by looking at my plate this Thanksgiving holiday. Yes, I am just a wee bit on a dieting trend and I'm going to be a braggart- doing very well at 15lbs lost since Labor Day! Yes, I will eat, but only one plate and ONLY the foods that I absolutely MUST have. Turkey breast, cornbread dressing with a little giblet gravy, green beans, a roll and a salad! I will also make my famous Crow Bars-my family can't live without these! Now there is a story behind these. Don't I always have a story? Six years ago when Jason finally got brave enough to call and ask me out, I was busy making these for my staff at the bank, I of course had to change the name from K-Bars to Crow Bars once we married and he got a great many sampling of them! Whoever said the way to a man's heart was through his stomach must have known what they were talking about, because believe me, I am thankful for so many great and wonderful meals I have shared with my husband these past six years, and look forward to many, many more years of meals!

Crow Bars

1T butter
1/2 C white sugar
1/2 c white syrup
3/4 c peanut butter
3 c crushed cornflakes
1pkg milk chocolate chips
1pkg butterscotch chips

Bring butter, sugar and syrup to boil. Add peanut butter and cornflakes, mix well. Press into 8 1/2 x 11 pan. In double boiler melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips. When melted pour over cereal mixture. Let cool. Do not Bake! Cut into squares. Can be doubled, but I do not double the chocolate chip mixture, it is too rich! Use a big cookie sheet if you double!

Now it's your turn to share what food you are thankful for and link up at The RHOK, thank you Mrs. Priss for hosting and having everyone share their great recipes today!