Month: November 2007

So in case you are curious, yes I did go out this morning. I was at Kohl’s at 5, although they opened at 4. I really didn’t think it would be necessary to get there quite so early, but when I rolled in holy cow — the lines were ridiculously long. I didn’t want my espresso machine and diffuser reeds bad enough to wait amongst that chaos. Then I headed over to my only other destination: Staples. I waited in the cold for about 45 minutes until they opened, but it wasn’t so bad. We wanted to buy the color laser printer that was one of the advertised doorbuster deals. I got it, paid, and left within about 5 minutes! Then I headed home. Most of the sales seem to be two day sales so I will go out at a “normal” time tomorrow to check out the other things I was interested in. I finally know what Drew’s “big” present will be, I just have to order it. As much as I’d love to get him High School Musical tickets somehow I don’t think he’d really be into that so I have a few other ideas that are related to music, but are better suited for a 30-something guitar player. I think all of our Christmas shopping will be done before December gets here, so we’ll just be able to relax and enjoy the season!

I have more than a few embarassing things about myself hidden way in the back of my closet, but I’m going to divulge one of them to you right now: In 7th or 8th grade, my friend Glenn and I used to write soap opera-type stories “starring” our classmates. (There were only about 20-23 kids in our class; small town.) Now, I’ve never been a soap opera fan, so I don’t even know what inspired me to start doing it. Maybe Glenn encouraged me. That’s possible. At any rate, I’d make up these wild stories about Jeff and Gabby and Colleen and Amie. I’d cut out magazine photos to represent situations in that episode. And then the story would get passed around the room and people would comment on it. Now, during the summer Glenn and I had been reminscing about this, and I thought all those stories were long gone.

Imagine my surprise when I was looking through a box of my old reports and school papers and hidden in the file I found one of my old soap operas! It was called The Good, The Bad, and The Groovy. Oh my God, it was hysterical to read! I think I might have to scan it in or something and show it to the couple people who might remember it. Those were the days!

Do you have a movie nut in your house? Those of you who have visited Chez Carol know just how many videos and DVDs we have. My husband concentrated in Film Studies in college, so that explains it. I was just checking out this site that sells some really nice movie memorabilia. They have framed movie posters, sports memorabilia, even political memorabilia. They even have Cigar Afficiando memorabilia if your guy is into cigars and living the high life, LOL. The site is easy to navigate and I love how big the photos are. You get a very good idea of what you’re buying. The range of items is great and some of the stuff seems quite unique. If you’re looking for something special for a gift, you have a good chance of finding it here. No, the prices aren’t cheap, but these are high-quality pieces. And the site is fun to browse, to boot! Plus, if you are planning on doing some Christmas shopping this weekend, Millionaire Memorabilia is offering a Thanksgiving Special.. 20% Off Listed Prices! It lasts from Nov 19-24 and the discount is applied when you check out. If you are considering buying anything, you’ll want to take advantage of that deal!

Naturally, after I published the previous entry I immediately remembered what I had wanted to write about. This morning we got our Jeep back! Yep, $4,100 worth of damage. At least it’s all better now.

The body shop was in an area we’d never been before and while driving over there I saw at three or four dilapidated barns just calling out for me to take their photos. My mom is taking the boys for the weekend, so maybe on Saturday I’ll drive up there and snap some shots. What is it about falling-down barns that is so compelling? I guess the sense of history and the lonliness they evoke. Whatever it is, I’m drawn to it.

You know, earlier today I had worked out an entire post in my head, and now I can’t seem to remember any of it. Sigh… Anyway, I hope everyone had a great weekend. We put up our tree last night. We’re going to decorate it Thanksgiving night, but we had the time yesterday so we figured we might as well get it all ready so that we can enjoy hanging ornaments without the stress of fluffing out branches. (Obviously it’s an artificial tree.) We bought it last New Year’s on clearance and Drew is really excited about having a pre-lit tree.

I still have to figure out Drew’s Christmas gifts. I’m really drawing a blank this year. I have a couple small things, but nothing all that exciting. If he had the time to golf I might consider some Nike golf shoes or something, but he hasn’t golfed in ages and I don’t see him hitting the green anytime soon. (Just as well I don’t become a golf widow, LOL!) I’ll see if anything calls out to me in the Black Friday ads. Yes, I plan on going out. Don’t look at me like that. You know I’m up at 4:30 half the time anyway. It’s the one day a year when the stores open that early, giving me something to do! Anyone else planning to go out?

You can view the set of photos here if you want to read my witty commentary. Thanks again to Shanny for hosting this – it was a lot of fun! (And now I have a new blog to read, too!) Before I watch “Dazed & Confused” for the millionth time I’m going to continue watching Channel 7’s special on Wintuk — the show Jake went to see today. Is it wrong to be jealous of my kid? Because I wanna go!!!!

Wow, with Jake gone the house is so much easier to keep clean! (And vice versa when one of the grandparents have Noah.) And when I think about back before Noah was born and I thought I had it so rough, LOL… At any rate, Noah and I are enjoying a lazy day around the house. Drew is out and about, so it’s just me and the little guy. I’ve done laundry and baked a delicious loaf of pumpkin-cranberry-chocolate chip bread. With walnuts. I’m also taking part in Shanny’s Photo Bloggy Days, so I will post my photos at the end of the day. This afternoon I don’t plan on doing much besides eating the previously mentioned quick bread and knitting and playing with the kiddo. Although I just got a good look at the four baskets of laundry that need to be put away. Hmm. I suppose I should do that, too, huh?

• I just cannot warm up today! It’s cold outside, it’s cold inside… This winter stuff is for the birds. Oh wait – no, they go South for the winter don’t they? Yup. They have the right idea.
• This morning I returned the rental car, and I am so glad to have that thing out of our driveway! What a hassle. I still can’t believe the girl never reported the accident to her insurance company. Did she think we weren’t going to call ours? Seriously.
• Drew’s mom is taking Jake to see Cirque du Soliel tomorrow. I’m a little jealous that his first time in NYC won’t be with me and Drew, but I doubt they’ll be doing much exploring. I’m sure he’ll love it. I know I would!
• It pays to complain. Our bank account had been with Bank of New York, which recently merged with Chase. Ever since the switch, we’ve been charged fees on our free account. We were starting to consider moving our checking account to a different bank, but finally after writing a very to-the-point letter, the bank manager fixed everything. Still…
• Looking forward to doing a Beaujolais Nouveau tasting on Sunday. I know, I know. It’s swill, right? Still, I’m curious about the differences between the producers. It might be a big marketing ploy, but I do enjoy tradition. (Until I start thinking about the carbon footprint – might be changing my tune.)