So someone did some research and discovered what the top 10 gifts were that children wanted 100 years ago. That would be 1913. And they were:
10. Skates
9. Handkerchiefs
8. Books
7. Oranges
6. Toy Train
5. Mittens/Gloves
4. Doll
3. Rocking Horse
2. Nuts
1. Candy
And the top ten in 2013?
10. Legos
9. Ninja Turtles
8. Nerf Gun
7. Giggly Monkey
6. Barbie Dream House
5. Bug Hugs Elmo
4. Flying Fairy
3. LeapPad Ultra
2. Teksta Robotic Puppy
1. Furby Boom
It seems things were a whole lot simpler a hundred years ago. And I must really be out of touch with 2013, cuz I have no idea what some of those things are!
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Monday, December 9, 2013
FEELINGS
Lots of feelings this past weekend...
Disappointment /Stress/ Discouragement – Worship practice
was hard yesterday morning, listening to negative comments; not seeing growth
as quickly as I’d like. A lot to do and not enough people to do it.
People who just don’t get that they need the Lord and keep trying to do it on their own and failing.
Frustration – Mike and I seemed to buck heads a lot yesterday; he just couldn’t see it my way. J
That I don’t have unlimited resources to help those in need.
Unsure – What does the future hold?
Tired – Went to bed at 10:30 last night and got up at 3:30 and didn’t sleep good inbetween; had to get Mike to the airport at 5:30 this morning for his trip to Washington for the week.
Happy – That Mike gets to continue his doctorate program studies (that’s why he’s in Washington). Also happy that he gets to see Andy and Mackenzie while he’s there.
Sad – That I don’t get to see Andy and Mackenzie. That a young mom at our church had a miscarriage yesterday.
Overwhelmed – This is the week I’m going to finish Christmas shopping, but there’s a lot of other things to do.
Anticipation – For a mom/daughters trip to Branson next Spring.
Determined – To lose 10 pounds.
Apprehensive – All these years and I still don’t like to be by myself at night when Mike is away.
People who just don’t get that they need the Lord and keep trying to do it on their own and failing.
Frustration – Mike and I seemed to buck heads a lot yesterday; he just couldn’t see it my way. J
That I don’t have unlimited resources to help those in need.
Unsure – What does the future hold?
Tired – Went to bed at 10:30 last night and got up at 3:30 and didn’t sleep good inbetween; had to get Mike to the airport at 5:30 this morning for his trip to Washington for the week.
Happy – That Mike gets to continue his doctorate program studies (that’s why he’s in Washington). Also happy that he gets to see Andy and Mackenzie while he’s there.
Sad – That I don’t get to see Andy and Mackenzie. That a young mom at our church had a miscarriage yesterday.
Overwhelmed – This is the week I’m going to finish Christmas shopping, but there’s a lot of other things to do.
Anticipation – For a mom/daughters trip to Branson next Spring.
Determined – To lose 10 pounds.
Apprehensive – All these years and I still don’t like to be by myself at night when Mike is away.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
OH WHAT A WEEK!
Monday
My supervisor at work (and my friend) Sharon volunteered herself and me to go shopping for two of the Angel Tree families that our department at work sponsored. Another person (a man) from work was going to shop for a 3rd family. We had 10 people (8 children and 2 moms) in our two families to buy for. We left work at 3:00 and arrived in Santee by 3:30 and the madness began. Our budget was approximately $63 per person and we needed to get clothes, shoes and toys.
First we stopped at the $10 Mall which is a store going out of business, so everything was 5.99 or less. However, it’s one of those kinds of stores that you have to go through things one by one on the racks. And it’s not in order. And it’s hard to find the right sizes. And we realized that just because someone says they wear a large, how do you know a large will really fit? I mean, personally I can wear a medium, a large or an extra-large. It just depends on the brand and how it’s made. So then we started stressing about whether we’d really end up getting clothes that would fit these people. But there we were and we just had to go with what we had. However, the blaring music (non-Christmas, I might add) was driving me NUTS! After an hour and a half we called it quits and headed to check-out. We bought one outfit each for 9 people (we couldn't find anything there for one of the moms) and only spent $111. We were very proud of ourselves.
Then we decided to go for the toys. That HAD to be easier. Right? Well, sorta. We went to Target and started going through the wish list of each of the kids. We ended up being able to get each child two items from their list, but we had to really shop carefully and frugally. By the time we left Target we felt overwhelmed and still needed to buy shoes for everyone. We thought we’d go get something to eat and then just go back to Sharon’s and figure out what we had actually bought.
We went to Chipotle to for dinner and ended up eating there. We had about a ½ hour break and felt somewhat rejuvenated and decided to shop ‘til we dropped. We just wanted to get it done. So we went to TJ Maxx to shop for the one mom we couldn’t find clothes for previously. We had success. Then we walked down to Famous Footwear and were very pleased that they were having a BOGO sale. We headed to the clearance rack and unbelievably we were able to find shoes for everyone off that rack and apply the BOGO. We were super happy with ourselves!
We went to Sharon’s and sorted our purchases and bagged them according to person/family. It was then we realized we still needed a pair of pants for one of the boys. As we compared the total we started with and what we spent, we were extremely surprised to learn we had $29 left over. So Sharon planned to stop at a store on the way into work on Tuesday and finish the shopping. In addition to the one pair of pants she bought a box of candy canes for each of the 3 families.
This was a lot harder than we thought it would be and it took a lot longer than we thought it would. We only had names, ages, and a short list suggestion. We had no idea what the preferences of any of these people were. We may have overthought things a bit. However, it did turn out to be very rewarding.
I was so tired by the time I got home. Then I sat up for another hour with Mike while we talked about our day.
My supervisor at work (and my friend) Sharon volunteered herself and me to go shopping for two of the Angel Tree families that our department at work sponsored. Another person (a man) from work was going to shop for a 3rd family. We had 10 people (8 children and 2 moms) in our two families to buy for. We left work at 3:00 and arrived in Santee by 3:30 and the madness began. Our budget was approximately $63 per person and we needed to get clothes, shoes and toys.
First we stopped at the $10 Mall which is a store going out of business, so everything was 5.99 or less. However, it’s one of those kinds of stores that you have to go through things one by one on the racks. And it’s not in order. And it’s hard to find the right sizes. And we realized that just because someone says they wear a large, how do you know a large will really fit? I mean, personally I can wear a medium, a large or an extra-large. It just depends on the brand and how it’s made. So then we started stressing about whether we’d really end up getting clothes that would fit these people. But there we were and we just had to go with what we had. However, the blaring music (non-Christmas, I might add) was driving me NUTS! After an hour and a half we called it quits and headed to check-out. We bought one outfit each for 9 people (we couldn't find anything there for one of the moms) and only spent $111. We were very proud of ourselves.
Then we decided to go for the toys. That HAD to be easier. Right? Well, sorta. We went to Target and started going through the wish list of each of the kids. We ended up being able to get each child two items from their list, but we had to really shop carefully and frugally. By the time we left Target we felt overwhelmed and still needed to buy shoes for everyone. We thought we’d go get something to eat and then just go back to Sharon’s and figure out what we had actually bought.
We went to Chipotle to for dinner and ended up eating there. We had about a ½ hour break and felt somewhat rejuvenated and decided to shop ‘til we dropped. We just wanted to get it done. So we went to TJ Maxx to shop for the one mom we couldn’t find clothes for previously. We had success. Then we walked down to Famous Footwear and were very pleased that they were having a BOGO sale. We headed to the clearance rack and unbelievably we were able to find shoes for everyone off that rack and apply the BOGO. We were super happy with ourselves!
We went to Sharon’s and sorted our purchases and bagged them according to person/family. It was then we realized we still needed a pair of pants for one of the boys. As we compared the total we started with and what we spent, we were extremely surprised to learn we had $29 left over. So Sharon planned to stop at a store on the way into work on Tuesday and finish the shopping. In addition to the one pair of pants she bought a box of candy canes for each of the 3 families.
This was a lot harder than we thought it would be and it took a lot longer than we thought it would. We only had names, ages, and a short list suggestion. We had no idea what the preferences of any of these people were. We may have overthought things a bit. However, it did turn out to be very rewarding.
I was so tired by the time I got home. Then I sat up for another hour with Mike while we talked about our day.
Tuesday
At this point I can’t remember exactly what happened Tuesday, but I’m pretty sure it was a busy day. I know I was going to leave work at 3:30, but didn’t end up leaving until 5:00 because I had some things I wanted to finish up before Wednesday because I was taking the day off for an appointment and to get some other things done. I can’t believe how much filing I had to complete! So I got home and was tired again.
At this point I can’t remember exactly what happened Tuesday, but I’m pretty sure it was a busy day. I know I was going to leave work at 3:30, but didn’t end up leaving until 5:00 because I had some things I wanted to finish up before Wednesday because I was taking the day off for an appointment and to get some other things done. I can’t believe how much filing I had to complete! So I got home and was tired again.
Wednesday
The day started with an early morning appointment and then I went to the Post Office. From there I went to Wal-Mart. Then I knew I had to get over to the DMV. We had gotten a delinquent notice in the mail for not paying the registration for both cars and I wanted to renew in person so I could try to get the penalty fees waived. I got to the DMV and saw the long line … outside the building … and decided to wait until the end of the day when hopefully things would die down a bit.
So I went to Michaels and then Family Christian Store. Afterwards I headed home to unload my purchases and get ready to head over to the church.
On Monday our church started an after school snack program for the children from the elementary school. It’s a State funded program, so the snacks are provided to us free of charge; we just have to provide the volunteers. Monday was a total shock as the volunteers served 133 children! We thought we would maybe have 80 or so. It was pretty amazing! Today we had 169 kids! I became the “milk police.” Because this is a State program, there is a rule that perishable food items must be consumed on the property. But some of the kids’ parents tried to have them leave with the milk. So I’d go running after people and explain to them they couldn’t leave with the milk. Most responded well; I only had one mom get upset. She was so mad that not only did she make her child give the milk back, but also the cookie. Crazy parents! No wonder some kids are a mess.
I left the church at 3:30 to go back over to the DMV. When I got there the line was longer … out the door! Drat! I knew I had to get this done though, so I took a deep breath and got in line. I got my “number”, found a seat, and sat down to wait it out. The DMV closes at 5:00, so I was pretty sure I’d get through; it was just a matter of time. I’m glad I had my Kindle with me. It helps pass the time.
When my number was called I went to the counter and had an encounter. Haha! J Actually I had been praying that they would drop the extra charges and after some discussion back and forth the gal finally agreed to waive the penalty fees, which I might say added up to over $150!!! She said that according to the computer 3 notices had been sent out to us. I told her that we had not received anything until the delinquent notice came. I told her it was interesting that that was the only one that made it – the one with the extra fees. She kept saying it wasn’t their fault and that it was my responsibility to know when I needed to renew. I said that I didn’t look at my registration each month to see if it was due. And everything else sends out bills. Also, we were 60 days past due. I told the gal I would have NEVER been that late in renewing the registration. Anyway, I was nice about it and it all ended well. So I paid for both cars, but could only get the sticker for the Buick because we needed to have the Kia smogged. Ugh! After an hour and a half I was partially done with this chore.
The day started with an early morning appointment and then I went to the Post Office. From there I went to Wal-Mart. Then I knew I had to get over to the DMV. We had gotten a delinquent notice in the mail for not paying the registration for both cars and I wanted to renew in person so I could try to get the penalty fees waived. I got to the DMV and saw the long line … outside the building … and decided to wait until the end of the day when hopefully things would die down a bit.
So I went to Michaels and then Family Christian Store. Afterwards I headed home to unload my purchases and get ready to head over to the church.
On Monday our church started an after school snack program for the children from the elementary school. It’s a State funded program, so the snacks are provided to us free of charge; we just have to provide the volunteers. Monday was a total shock as the volunteers served 133 children! We thought we would maybe have 80 or so. It was pretty amazing! Today we had 169 kids! I became the “milk police.” Because this is a State program, there is a rule that perishable food items must be consumed on the property. But some of the kids’ parents tried to have them leave with the milk. So I’d go running after people and explain to them they couldn’t leave with the milk. Most responded well; I only had one mom get upset. She was so mad that not only did she make her child give the milk back, but also the cookie. Crazy parents! No wonder some kids are a mess.
I left the church at 3:30 to go back over to the DMV. When I got there the line was longer … out the door! Drat! I knew I had to get this done though, so I took a deep breath and got in line. I got my “number”, found a seat, and sat down to wait it out. The DMV closes at 5:00, so I was pretty sure I’d get through; it was just a matter of time. I’m glad I had my Kindle with me. It helps pass the time.
When my number was called I went to the counter and had an encounter. Haha! J Actually I had been praying that they would drop the extra charges and after some discussion back and forth the gal finally agreed to waive the penalty fees, which I might say added up to over $150!!! She said that according to the computer 3 notices had been sent out to us. I told her that we had not received anything until the delinquent notice came. I told her it was interesting that that was the only one that made it – the one with the extra fees. She kept saying it wasn’t their fault and that it was my responsibility to know when I needed to renew. I said that I didn’t look at my registration each month to see if it was due. And everything else sends out bills. Also, we were 60 days past due. I told the gal I would have NEVER been that late in renewing the registration. Anyway, I was nice about it and it all ended well. So I paid for both cars, but could only get the sticker for the Buick because we needed to have the Kia smogged. Ugh! After an hour and a half I was partially done with this chore.
Thursday
I woke up trying to decide whether to get the car smogged and then go to work, or go to work first. I decided work first. This morning there was a bad accident on the westbound 8 which I take to work – 3 motorcycles and 6 or 7 cars! I tell you, when it rains here it might as well be ice or snow. So I took a different route. Glad I heard the traffic report on the news before I left the house. I left work at 3:20 so I could get to the smog place by 4:00. I made it on time, but they said they couldn’t do it. They did smogging, but also repaired cars. For some reason I was required to take the car to a smog only station. So I drove down the street to a smog only place. Fortunately the car passed! At 4:20 I left with the decision to go to the DMV again. I was going to wait until Friday, but since I got done earlier than expected I just wanted to get it all done. There wasn’t a line, but I still had to wait for about 40 minutes.
I got the sticker for the Kia and went out in the parking lot and put it on the car. Finally, legal again! I don’t have to be afraid of getting caught and ticketed anymore.
Watched some of “Sound of Music” with Carrie Underwood. It was good, but you just can’t beat Julie Andrews as Maria. That would be like someone else playing Mary Poppins!
I woke up trying to decide whether to get the car smogged and then go to work, or go to work first. I decided work first. This morning there was a bad accident on the westbound 8 which I take to work – 3 motorcycles and 6 or 7 cars! I tell you, when it rains here it might as well be ice or snow. So I took a different route. Glad I heard the traffic report on the news before I left the house. I left work at 3:20 so I could get to the smog place by 4:00. I made it on time, but they said they couldn’t do it. They did smogging, but also repaired cars. For some reason I was required to take the car to a smog only station. So I drove down the street to a smog only place. Fortunately the car passed! At 4:20 I left with the decision to go to the DMV again. I was going to wait until Friday, but since I got done earlier than expected I just wanted to get it all done. There wasn’t a line, but I still had to wait for about 40 minutes.
I got the sticker for the Kia and went out in the parking lot and put it on the car. Finally, legal again! I don’t have to be afraid of getting caught and ticketed anymore.
Watched some of “Sound of Music” with Carrie Underwood. It was good, but you just can’t beat Julie Andrews as Maria. That would be like someone else playing Mary Poppins!
Friday
Could this day have been any longer? It just seemed to drag. I got home at 4:30 and had to leave at 5:15 to head to a hotel to do childcare with my sister-in-law Debbie. We had six kids to take care of and it went pretty fast. We learned how to make those rubber band bracelets on looms and how to make wallets from Duck tape! The kids taught us. J It's crazy how many designs there are on that tape and how popular it is. I got home at 11:30 and went to bed at midnight.
Could this day have been any longer? It just seemed to drag. I got home at 4:30 and had to leave at 5:15 to head to a hotel to do childcare with my sister-in-law Debbie. We had six kids to take care of and it went pretty fast. We learned how to make those rubber band bracelets on looms and how to make wallets from Duck tape! The kids taught us. J It's crazy how many designs there are on that tape and how popular it is. I got home at 11:30 and went to bed at midnight.
Saturday
Mike and I got up early to go to a hotel downtown to participate in a Christmas breakfast/brunch with New Seasons Church of Spring Valley. There were 37 of us enjoying a delicious buffet. After we got home I took a nap. J That rejuvenated me! Then I exercised and texted with my kids for awhile. Around 3:00 I headed out to do a little shopping. Now I’m home and doing laundry and watching TV. Soon I need to get the power point done for church tomorrow. Rats! The weekend is almost over!
Mike and I got up early to go to a hotel downtown to participate in a Christmas breakfast/brunch with New Seasons Church of Spring Valley. There were 37 of us enjoying a delicious buffet. After we got home I took a nap. J That rejuvenated me! Then I exercised and texted with my kids for awhile. Around 3:00 I headed out to do a little shopping. Now I’m home and doing laundry and watching TV. Soon I need to get the power point done for church tomorrow. Rats! The weekend is almost over!
Sunday, December 1, 2013
ON THE FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER
On the first day of December I went to church. We had our worship team practice at 8:45 and then I needed to run to Wal-Mart to get some pop ... or soda as we say here ... because we were going to decorate the church after the service was over and we were ordering pizza. I should have gotten it yesterday, but I was sooooo tired after we got home from Ben's. I was extremely surprised at how quiet it was at Wal-Mart. Did everyone get done shopping? It wasn't hectic and there were hardly any people. I guess 9:30 on a Sunday morning is too early to go shopping.
Had fun decorating the church, but it was all I could do to keep control. Last year was pretty haphazard with the decorating and I didn't want it to get out of hand, so I kinda took charge. I think it turned out really nice. We didn't leave the church until 4:00 though. Long day.
Came home and talked to Heidi for almost an hour. I do love my daughter and miss her so much!
Then Mike and watched the Hallmark movie, "Let It Snow" with Candice Cameron Burr. I really liked this one (and so did he), although I would have done the ending just "little" differently. Hallmark has redeemed itself.
Well, it's 10:12 and I must head off to bed. I've had 4 wonderful days off and now I have to go back to work. Boo!
'Night all!
Had fun decorating the church, but it was all I could do to keep control. Last year was pretty haphazard with the decorating and I didn't want it to get out of hand, so I kinda took charge. I think it turned out really nice. We didn't leave the church until 4:00 though. Long day.
Came home and talked to Heidi for almost an hour. I do love my daughter and miss her so much!
Then Mike and watched the Hallmark movie, "Let It Snow" with Candice Cameron Burr. I really liked this one (and so did he), although I would have done the ending just "little" differently. Hallmark has redeemed itself.
Well, it's 10:12 and I must head off to bed. I've had 4 wonderful days off and now I have to go back to work. Boo!
'Night all!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)