early thirty

Yes, we got up and went shopping this morning. Yes, we got up before the crack of dawn. Yes, we were armed with coffee and sale papers. No, we did not spend all day out shopping.

I woke up about 3:30am and could not go back to sleep. I was still debating whether or not to go even at this point.


We left the house at 4:30am and headed to Target. We got there about 4:45 and the line was insane. See?


I cannot believe we waited there in the cold until 5 o’clock on the dot. We passed news cameras and the anchorman as we entered the store almost single file. Insane, I tell ya.

We did get some good deals and are finished shopping for everyone except for one niece. This year we decided to try and lump presents together for each family. Buying for 10 nieces and nephews individually can get a little overwhelming.

We were out of Target and packing the stuff in our car by 5:30am. I am glad we went and were some of the “crazy people” out. I figured we saved a bunch of money and time.

My sleeping and eating schedule is totally out of whack today though. Hope that doesn’t turn me into the Grinch!

Dear Saturday morning, please do not try to wake me with your bright cheeriness. It will only make me more irritable to force awakeness. Dear body clock, please revert to my childhood when you did not chime until noon. Dear Christmas tree, please jump out of the attic and have yourself decked out by the time I wake. Thank you!

getting in the spirit

I just bought our third Christmas present this year. It is actually a late start for me. This might possibly be the most important Christmas present I will ever purchase.

For those of you who know me, you know that West Africa holds a special place in my heart. The orphans of the Village of Hope are quite possibly the most beautiful and most joyful children in the world. That could be because they have been given something special – a second chance at life.

You can give the gift of life in a different way this Christmas. Water. It is that simple. Pure, Clean Water. And you don’t even have to wrap it!

Change the lives of other children in West Africa.
Ten dollars.
That’s it.
Probably the least expensive gift you can buy.
Probably the most important gift you can buy.

water4Christmas

Holiday Happys

It has been quite a while since I have participated in the Thrifty Treasures party over at Southern Hospitality. Since we do not need any more "everyday junk" around our house right now, I turned my focus to rounding up some holiday decor. Here are my finds over the last few weeks.

Christmas Tree (just like one my in-laws found in the trash 30 years ago) - $2 at Goodwill
Red Jingle Bells - $5 at estate sale (may be used for gifts or ornament swaps)
Candy Cane Stamp - $.25 at yard sale
Candy Cane dip and spreader set - $.69 at Goodwill
Jack-o-Lantern candle holder - $.25 at yard sale

Cauldron - $.59 at Goodwill

Decorating for the holidays is somewhat of a therapy for me, so there were good buys. Getting a good deal is just fun! So, hop over to Southern Hospitality to see everyone else's Thrifty Treasures from this weekend.