Midnight Adventure

We had a quiet Thanksgiving at home. (And, yes, Farrah, Thanksgiving Day was my birthday.) It turned out to be one of the times where it didn't work out for us to go anywhere or have anyone over, so it was just our immediate family. Still, we have our children and our health and far more blessings than we deserve, so we have much to be thankful for. (Oh, yes. And my dear friend Farrah. She's a blessing, too. In case you don't know why I'm mentioning Farrah, you'll have to read her comments on my last post.)

The girls wanted to fix a nice turkey dinner with all the trimmings, including 3 kinds of pie! So we enjoyed our dinner. We also watched the Macy's parade, played a game of Life, took naps, and just generally relaxed and enjoyed each other's company.

Then Mama had a not-so-bright idea that the rest of the family readily agreed to. In retrospect I should have just kept my mouth shut. But no. I had gotten a sale flyer in the mail that Kohl's would be open at midnight Thanksgiving night and they had coats for 70% off. Both girls and Lyle were needing coats. I also noticed that my favorite coffee kiosk was going to be open all night. So wouldn't it be a fun family adventure, I thought, to go out at midnight and get coffee or cocoa then make a quick Kohl's run before heading home to bed? Surely most of the Black Friday shoppers would wait until morning to hit the stores. I didn't figure very many people would be crazy enough to go out in the middle of the night.

Boy, was I wrong.

As we passed Target I was utterly shocked to see that the parking lot was full-to-overflowing and the line at the door stretched along the building and all the way down the side of the parking lot. Traffic on the highway was like a major ballgame had just got out or something. Best Buy was the same scenario. I was ready to turn around and go home right then. I couldn't believe it when we got to Kohl's and found the same thing going on there.

I did refuse to stand in line to get in the store, so we waited in the warm car until the doors opened and then went in the door where the line wasn't. Oh, the pushing and shoving and snatching and grabbing... and wall-to-wall people! It was a mad house. We made our way to the men's coat department and spent some time deciding on a coat for Lyle-- then to the women's coat department and deliberated over the choices for the girls.

Let's just take our time, I thought, and let the crowd thin out a bit before we try to check out. Again, I was so very wrong. By the time we had made our selections and were more than ready to go, the checkout lines had stretched to the back of the store on both sides (2 lines, one for each side of the store, with 6 cashiers each) and the lines met in the middle of the back of the store.

Lyle and the girls got in line and I went to look at socks "real quick." Even in the sock department people were pushing and shoving to get through. I was standing about a foot away from a rack of socks examining the display when a young man elbowed his way through between me and the rack. I was just appalled at the lack of common courtesy. At least the other people pushed through behind me and most said, "Excuse me."

I chose my socks and went to get in line with my family. We sent the girls on out to the car where they could be comfortable while we waited. By the time we got the check stand we had waited in line for a full hour.

I was so traumatized!

We got what we went after at a really good price-- and I can now say that I've experienced Black Friday shopping.

But. Never again!

Give Thanks

1. List three (little) things you wouldn't want to live without:

• contact lenses
• books
• coffee

2. Name something you had to do without recently: a car
3. What are you most thankful for that you consider a luxury? my "new" car
4. Name an item you use the most throughout your day: a computer
5. What would life be like without the item listed in #4? It would be a completely different lifestyle. I wouldn't be able to work as a Sonlight advisor. Research and archiving for my writing would be much harder.
6. Name something that you use in the kitchen that you are thankful for: the microwave
7. What is (one of ) the best earthly gift(s) you ever received? my engagement watch, for what it symbolized
8. Name a completely random thing you are thankful for: our sweet dog, Cookie
9. How often do you think about the item listed in #8? All the time because she's usually in the room with me, just waiting to be noticed.
10. Name something you recently acquired, that you have wanted for a long time: a Toyota RAV4
11. Would you rather have #4, or #7? Well, #7 no longer works, so it has been retired to my jewelry box, but the resulting marriage is a treasure worth more than any material item.
12. Name one of your favorite things: I have an awfully hard time picking favorites, but I do love the quilt my mother made for my bed.
13. Look around the room you are in, and name three things you enjoy in it:

• a wall full of books
• family pictures
• Cookie!

14. List three tools you use in your daily work that you are thankful for:

• the computer
• the scanner/copier
• my phone

15. Name something that you sometimes wish you didn't have in your life, but that you would miss dreadfully if it were taken away: our travel-trailer
16. Post a picture (or ten) of something you are thankful for!

Thanksgiving Traditions

I'm blogging today about family holiday traditions (and non-traditions) on the Sonlight Blog. Please pop by and leave me a comment there. I love to hear from you.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Another one I have to tell on myself...

The Idaho panhandle was hit with the first major winter storm of the season night-before-last. I had a couple of errands to run yesterday evening, and Lyle very kindly agreed to drive for me. We stopped at Papa Murphy's to pick up a take-and-bake pizza for supper. Just before I got out I asked him what kind of pizza he was in the mood for.

"Oh... pepperoni, I guess. Can you get one that's half pepperoni and half chicken or something?" Pepperoni's his favorite, but he knows I like garlic chicken better.

"I think so. I'll see," I told him. As I went in I noticed that the special was for a 5-meat stuffed pizza for the same price as their regular pizzas. The stuffed pizzas are bigger, so I made the executive decision to get that instead. I knew he wouldn't care.

Before long they called my name, so I picked up my pizza and went sashaying out the door into the blizzard. (Okay, it was just more of a flurry at the moment, but maybe it won't make me look quite so air-headed if we say it was snowing and blowing. Oh, and dark. Did I mention it was dark? It gets dark around 4:00 p.m. these days. So it was dark.)

I dashed over to the Dodge Ram that was idling in the parking lot and pulled open the door on the passenger side. I took a breath to start my spiel about how the stuffed pizza was on special and so that's why I didn't get pepperoni and all that. Then I noticed the driver had on a stocking cap. Lyle never wears stocking caps. Whoa! He was also smoking a cigarette! Um. Lyle definitely does not smoke. What happened to my husband?? And why is this stranger in our truck?? [Maybe it was Joe!] Then I realized-- this was not our truck. "Whoops!" I said, as I quickly shut the door and backed away. The weird thing was all these thoughts went through my head in a split second because the stranger/driver never even noticed that I opened the door. Maybe he noticed me closing it. I don't know because I was gone.

Lyle was sitting in the RAV4 which was parked next to the Dodge Ram. I had forgotten that we had traded rigs last week. I still have to think about what vehicle to look for in a parking lot, and obviously I wasn't thinking at the time! So instead of telling him about the pizza deal, I had to tell him how I almost got in the truck with the wrong man. Oh, dear!

What makes it really bad is that a Dodge Ram was our vehicle-before-last. It's been almost 2 years since we had it. But still, a Toyota Tundra is pretty close. At least in my mind, a big ol' truck is a big ol' truck.

But this:

This is what we drive now.

Must remember.

I'm such a ditz sometimes!

Remembering You - review

Years ago, before I had kids, I spent a good bit of time interviewing my Granddaddy... and even visited the community with him where he grew up and raised his older children. I had plans to write a book. The idea is still lurking in the back of my mind. Maybe I'll get to it before too long now that my children are nearly grown.

Remembering You by Tricia Goyer is a story of a grandfather's memories of World War II. Even though my Granddad was not a veteran, and I've never been to Europe, the story still made me think of the times I was privileged to spend with Granddaddy listening to his reminiscences by the hour. I am also fascinated by World War II stories, so the theme of the book was very interesting to me. I also enjoyed the element of romance that was woven into the story.

Here's the publisher's synopsis which tells a little more about the plot of the novel:

35-year-old Ava Andrews' dream job is interrupted by an unusual request--fulfill her 84-year-old grandfather's last wish by joining him on a battle site tour of Europe. Ava is sure her boss will refuse her request. But, instead, he gives her a directive of his own--to videotape the tour and send it back as mini-segments for the show she produces.

As if juggling these two things isn't hard enough, Ava is soon surprised again ... twice. First, Ava and Grandpa Jack arrive in Europe, only to discover the tour is cancelled. Unwilling to let down her grandfather or her boss, Ava and Grandpa Jack head out on their own. Then, while they're on their way, the pair soon meet up with Paul, her grandpa's best friend, and his grandson Dennis. The same Dennis who just happens to be Ava's first love.

Before she knows it, Ava and Dennis are swept down memory lane as they visit the sites that are discussed in the history books. And even though Ava's videotaping old soldiers, she can see their youth, their hopes and fears, and their pride in their eyes. Soon Ava learns the trip isn't just for them ... it's for her too--especially for her heart.

Read an excerpt, watch a video and find out more here.
Enter 11/16 - 11/29. RSVP for Facebook Party on 11/29!

 
Thank you to LitFuse Group for sending me a review copy.

Torani Flavored Syrup - review

My favorite treat this time of year is a "frou-frou coffee" from a real coffee shop. Of course, such indulgences are a little hard on the pocketbook, so I don't have one as often as I would like. Which is probably a good thing for my waistline, too.

I have experimented with recreating the coffee shop recipes at home. I have discovered I don't care for flavored coffee itself. I would rather add the flavoring after the coffee is made. I also don't much like the flavored creamers that are so popular. Most of them are non-dairy and taste fake to me.

I finally have settled on ingredients that make my home brewed coffee pretty tasty. I don't have an espresso machine or a milk foamer/steamer thingy... so I still splurge on a caramel macchiato every now and then... but for "every day" I like to add a splash of flavored syrup (made with real cane sugar) with half-and-half to my coffee.

Recently I was offered the opportunity to review Torani flavored syrups for She Speaks, so I had the chance to try out some new flavors. There are over 122 flavors, and no, I haven't tried them all. Some of them are fruity flavors for Italian sodas and the like-- not meant for coffee. The weirdest one on the list was Bacon. We couldn't imagine why anyone would want bacon flavoring in a beverage of any kind at all. I flipped through the little recipe booklet they sent, and found a recipe for "Torani Bacon Bourbon Sour." *shudder* All righty then! Anyway, my favorite flavor for coffee is Salted Caramel. I also like French Vanilla and English Toffee. I don't care much for Brown Sugar Cinnamon or Peppermint, but it's just because those aren't flavors I like mixed in with coffee. Other people I know really like them. It's just a matter of personal preference.

The Christmas Shoppe - review

In the hectic busy-ness of the Christmas season sometimes you'd just like to relax for a little bit with a light, heart-warming short book. The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson is perfect for that. With a small-town setting it's just the sort of story that will "take you home again" for the holidays. I found it a little bit predictable, but it was still a fun read. Here's the publisher's synopsis:

In sleepy little Parrish Springs, everyone seems to know everyone else’s business practically before they do. The empty Barton Building has finally sold-- but not to the right person, according to Councilman Snider. He is successful in stirring up the townspeople and turning them against the new owner, Matilda Honeycutt. This older woman with scraggly gray hair and a different fashion sense doesn’t fit into the Parrish Springs tradition. The town is curious and yet afraid of her at the same time. But nothing convinces Matilda to give up her plans for The Christmas Shoppe.

The neighboring shop owners respond in horror when The Christmas Shoppe doesn’t look and feel like all the other charming stores on the town's quaint main street. After all Christmas is approaching, and the last thing the town needs is a junky shop run by someone who looks and acts like a gypsy. But as townsfolk venture into the strange store, they discover that old memories can bring new life, healing, and love.

 Thank you to Baker Publishing Group for sending me a review copy.

The Three Trees - review

Years ago, when I worked in children's ministry, one of my all-time favorite stories to tell was of The Three Trees. It's a folktale of three trees who each have different dreams of what they'll become when they grow up. One dreams of becoming a baby's cradle, another wants to be made into a great ship, but the third just wants to stand on the hillside to point men to God. Instead, the three trees are made into a rough feed trough for animals, a crude fishing boat, and awfullest of all, a rough, cruel cross. The trees are so upset that their dreams didn't come true, until they realize how God is able to use even the most humble circumstances for His plan.

Kregel Publications has just released a beautiful picture book retelling this classic story. I was very happy to receive a review copy, as I will enjoy reading and re-reading it to children for years to come. It's one of those special keepsake books, and would make a great gift for any age.

Celebrating

The day of our anniversary last week was too full of scheduled activities for much celebrating. That's the way it happens sometimes, so Lyle and I were tentatively planning to "do something" together on Saturday if he didn't have to work.

On Thursday morning he IMed me: "I don't suppose you want to go to the Seattle car show?" The man dearly loves looking at cars. Me? Not so much. But... it's 4-and-a-half hours to Seattle, and I do love going on road-trips with the man. So we decided we would do it as a day trip to save the cost of a hotel bill, and because we're not quite comfortable leaving the kids alone overnight yet.

We left at 5:00 a.m. and spent two hours driving and visiting in the dark before the sun came up. Much to our delight, it turned out to be a beautiful, sunny day. Rare for November. Also rare for Seattle any time.

 

We enjoyed the beautiful fall foliage as we crossed the Cascades. (Lyle had his phone mounted on the dash to use the GPS and was able to snap a few pictures of the scenery as we drove.)

The auto show was big and exciting (to him, at least). We spent about 3 hours there, talking about what our next car might be and looking at all the different options. Oh, yes, and collecting freebie shopping bags.

When we finished there, I asked if we might take a few minutes to run in the nearby Half Price Books store. It was 2 miles away through downtown Seattle. We could see the Space Needle and the Sound down the street. We wished we had more time to spend because we had so much fun in Seattle for our 25th anniversary last year.

I found a couple of cool vintage crochet pattern books at the bookstore.

And then we headed home.

Nine hours in the car... four hours in the city. I suppose some people would call that crazy. But, hey, he loves to drive... and I'm always happy to occupy the passenger seat of whatever he is driving.

Besides, he brings me flowers.

Love that man!

26 Years

We were so young. And clueless.

We had no idea what we were getting into.

We just knew we wanted God's will for our lives.

That is still our desire today, 26 years later.

We are so grateful that He brought us together.

We are blessed beyond measure.