New Year's Eve!

Well, as much as I do not like to wish my life away, I am pretty glad that 2012 is almost over.  This has not been the best year for us.

I am looking forward to 2013 and praying for a better year!  Since it is New Year's Eve, I am wondering if you have any New Year's traditions?

I have been making a vision board for the last 4 years.  I just enjoy making it and then looking back on it and seeing what I have been able to accomplish.  I usually get mine made a couple of days before the year ends, but I haven't started on 2013 yet.  I may be making it on New Year's Day.

We also always eat black eyed peas on New Years Day.  This is a tradition that has been done for as long as I can remember.  Black eyed peas are supposed to bring luck in the new year!

I have a couple of friends that shared their traditions and I am thinking that they may become tradtions in our family too.

God box - write down your worries, stressors or just your prayers and put them in a pretty box or jar.  Turn them over to God and let it go!

Bayberry taper candle -  burning a bayberry taper candle on New Year's Day until it burns out.  "A bayberry candle burned to the socket brings health to the home and wealth to the pocket."

Things to do jar - write down 12 things you want to do in 2013 and put them in a jar.  Each month draw one out and go and make it happen!  I love this idea!

This year we are going out to eat with friends and then over to a party at another friends house.  We are going to have so much fun!

Do you have a New Year's Tradition?  I'd love to hear what it is. 

Happy New Year's Eve - Celebrate and have fun, but be safe!  Don't drink and drive, please!

Yep, I'm still alive!!

It's been a while since I've blogged.  WAHHHH!

Not sure why, just didn't have a lot to say and we've been super busy!  Not that  it is any excuse, but I am here today!

I'm really starting to look foward to Christmas.  I finally have all my decorations up and now comes the hard part - wrapping!  I used to use the cute Christmas paper and would love to get the kiddie stuff for the kids.  But several years ago I went with brown paper and pretty bows.  I think it looks so pretty under the tree.  I'm not the best wrapper in the world and it just takes so darned long!   That is on my schedule for today and tomorrow - hopefully I'll get everything done.  Wish me luck!

Yesterday Mads and I went over to visit Olivia and Julie and decorate cookies!  We had a blast and the girls enjoyed it for a while.... then they were bored with it.  You know, they are 3!!  Julie and I finished them up and we had just as much fun!

Other than that, life is pretty good.  Friends, family and fun has been going on!  Oh and the pelicans were at the lake for a couple of weeks!  They are so pretty!

Busy, yet fun!

I haven't had a lot to say lately, so I've just been quiet!

We've had a fairly busy week.  It always goes like that when you get back from vacation.  So much to get caught up on.  I think I am finally there!  We really enjoyed our trip - love this photo:

I'm looking forward to a birthday party tonight, seeing the in-laws this weekend and then on Sunday going to see Mary Poppins at the theatre.  I saw the play on Broadway quite a few years ago, but so excited to see it again.  That was a  GREAT trip!

It will be a busy weekend, but a fun one!

Hope you have something as fantastic planned!

Halloween fun and a little trip on the side!

I have a lot of catching up to do.  Let's just say, I've been busy and we took a trip!

I'll start where I left off ( can't believe it has been that long since I posted!)

Madelyn had a wonderful halloween!

She was so funny and loved trick or treating!

I had the craziest day and have been feeling a bit scatterbrained.  I was in a hurry, opened the garage door, hopped in the Jeep and backed up - BAM!  What in the world?  I opened the wrong garage door and backed into the door that was closed.....  uhm, blonde moment much?

Luckily it didn't hurt the Jeep at all, can't say the same for the garage door.  Expensive lesson, Pay more attention!

We just got back from a wonderful trip to Vegas and the desert!  We had a BLAST!

  Not much gambling, but we did get to see the Grand Canyon Skywalk, took a helicopter ride through the Canyon and had a very nice drive in a convertible!

 Scotty's Castle, Death Valley and had a fantastic time!

 The weather was perfect, the sights beautiful and the company the BEST!

We are so blessed!

I left my computer behind for the trip.  I have to tell you, this is HUGE for me!  I'm a bit addicted to it!  So, it was a little challenge for me and I have to say I survived!  Go me!

What? No candy lady?

Happy Halloween!

I have waited until the last minute this year to go get the treats for the trick or treaters.  I always wonder what I can get that will be a healthy choice that the kids will like.  It's a bit of a challenge.

I can tell you what does NOT work.

gluten free pretzels - I got a LOT of hard looks that year.
pencils - some kids liked these, right?
mini bags of popcorn - What?  no candy lady?
granola bars - what is that???
apples - my mom won't let me take this.

All major duds....

One year I gave out quarters, they did like that one - thank goodness we don't have a TON of kids.  We live on a dud street.  It's a lot of older people and they don't leave the light on for you.....  When you are the only house on the block giving out treats and then you give out crap, kids remember....

So, I'm going to head out to the store today and find something that will be a bit healthier and will also satisfy the kids.

I'll get Miss Mads her favorite fruit snacks and some veggie booty.  She doesn't eat a lot of candy anyway ( atleast not at Grumpy and Nona's)

Madelyn is going to be Rapunzel this year.  SHOCKER.... a princess!!

Last year she was a pirate!

Brian's advice to me:  Just get something that cleans up easily when they throw it back at you!

Oh to be 3!!

We started off our morning with a little castle play.

I was surprised with some beautiful flowers from Grumpy and Mads!

Showing Grumpy how to use the iphone.

She told him, Come on Grumpy, let's play football.  Football is easy.  I am GREAT at football !

I LOVE her confidence!

A trip to the park, lunch and ice cream and of course, some shopping with friends.

Mads refused to try on a fun hat.  She didn't want to mess up her hair.

We might be in trouble....

Of course she wanted to try and get in the photo!

Of course we were tired afterwards, so a nap is always in order.

Then a little painting to end our visit.

It really doesn't get much better than this! Oh to be 3!!

Making my life easier!

Well, I finally have really joined this century!  Not only have I signed up for online bill pay through my bank *gasp*, but I joined the iphone world!

I always said that I wouldn't pay my bills online, I just didn't trust it.  But, I must say, it has made my life SO much easier....  talk about quickly getting things done.  It did take some time to get things all set up and because we own rental property, I had a few accounts to set up, BUT I am amazed and saddened that I put this off for so long..... LOVE IT!

We got our new iphones yesterday.  Now, don't get all excited, I went with the 4S instead of the new 5, I really needed a new phone and couldn't wait for the 5 to come in, not to mention that I saved a substantial amount of dough!  Brian and I have been playing around with them.  I've talked to Siri a few times and actually managed to get a few things put on my calendar.  The only thing I've been disappointed in is that some of the apps I purchased for my ipad don't transfer to my phone.  But, so far, I'm really liking it and it is pretty easy to use.  I just have to figure out how to use my hotspot...  I have tried everything that was listed online, but not working yet!  I'll get it eventually!

Of course, I had to get a cute case for it - all blinged out!

 I'll be getting a lifeproof case from Lipstick Shades eventually, but for now I'm all blingy!!!

 I thought it was really funny, as I was in the store yesterday getting my phone and elderly couple came in.  They were looking to upgrade to a new smartphone.  The man was mostly interested in how easy they were to use, the woman wanted to know if they had any cute blinged out cases for it!  I LOVED IT!

I'm always looking for ways to make my life easier and these are just two of them!

Do you have any tips for ways to make your life easier?