madameblogalot

On this day of Thanksgiving I like to think about all the things I am thankful for. I try to never take things for granted, though I know that I too often do. I try to be thankful for the little things as much as the big things, but I could take a lesson from this little one’s prayer….

Every year I waver back and forth about whether I will send out Christmas cards. I love receiving holiday cards from friends and hearing how they are doing and seeing photos of how much their kids have grown. It is a fun way to keep up with everyone.

And the week of Thanksgiving is the time to decide if I will send out cards or not. This way I have time to pick them out, get them signed, get photos of my own kids made and printed out, address the cards and get them mailed in a timely manner.

I have never ordered printed Christmas cards. It might be a good way to go. I saw a website that specializes in Christmas Cards. I enjoyed looking through their inventory of different cards. At first look, I thought the cards were too expensive. But I saw that they are offering 40% off as well as an additional $75 off, making the cards affordable. I also like how they are doing their part to help others. I found cards printed on recycled paper as well as ones made in factories that use wind power and other ways to offset emissions. I heard how the card company is also donating proceeds to the Project Valour-IT to help provide wounded service men and women with specialized laptop computers.

So it seems that sending Christmas cards is an easy way to make many people merry in the holiday season.

I have had a lot of things to get used to with my son in public school. One of these is the “swap meets” that go on almost daily at his school. I had no idea kids were so into swapping anything over and above their sandwiches and desserts.

I do have to keep in mind that these are teenagers, but some of the things my son comes home with are amazing! Usually these kids are paying each other for things as opposed to literally swapping, but there is some trading that goes on too.

My son has acquired a pair of Michael Jordan shorts, three pair of Vans shoes and who knows what else! A boy in his class offered him $2 for half a bag of goldfish crackers! One of his buddies swapped at lunch and came home with two hamburgers in his pockets! It is really amazing to me what all goes on besides studying there-and that they even have time for all that shopping and swapping!

I just finished reading Tom Sawyer today. I have been having my daughter do some writing activities over the novel, which she finished reading about two weeks ago. So I thought I’d better finish it. She said she did not enjoy it that much. She went on to say that she doesn’t like any book I make her read for school. That both this book and Tuck Everlasting would probably have been more enjoyable if it was not “required” reading.

I guess I know how she feels. I did not really enjoy most of the things we were required to read in school. The only one I remember enjoying is To Kill A Mockingbird. And I think Tom Sawyer was a little different than anything she has read before. I know it is good for her to stretch herself, even if she doesn’t realize it now!

As my son is putting together his Christmas list he mentioned wanting an Ed Hardy shirt. I hadn’t heard of Ed Hardy, so I asked what it is. He said it just has some cool artwork on it. Hm, now I was not expecting the Mona Lisa or Starry Starry Night, but neither was I expecting tattoo art!!

I looked up Ed Hardy clothing and Hardy is a well known tattoo artist. “Don Ed Hardy is known as ‘the godfather of modern tattoo’, for his sophistication, depth and sense of experimentation. California native Don Ed Hardy is recognized around the world for his technical brilliance and mesmerizing imagery. ”

I guess it could have been worse. I guess he could have asked for a tattoo.

Do you ever go through a series of nights where you just can’t sleep? Mine seem to be more of an early morning awaking and unable to go back to sleep. I always think of my great grandmother when I go through these times. I remember staying at her house when I was young. She always went to bed but got up and finished the night (probably early morning) on the couch. I am a lot like that. If I can’t sleep, I’ll lay awake praying, reading, watching tv, or maybe even some hot tea to try to help relax. I have yet to find the perfect solution. Sometimes one thing works, other times I will resort to another trick. One thing that used to work more often than not is the singing (in my mind) of a song I’ve known for a long time. I actually think it worked because years ago on a road trip in college, we stopped on the side of the road to sleep. I sang that song to myself til I fell asleep. Since then, it has been my standard “lullaby”; I use it when I am trying to get myself back to sleep. Lately though, it hasn’t been working as well. Maybe I’m getting old and will just have to finish each night on the couch like my great grandmother!

Halloween has come and gone. So have the national elections. As the end of the year approaches, we know the holiday season is getting underway and will soon be in full swing! Many folks are already getting their holiday party planning and preparations underway.

Maybe you are one of those people who is looking for some new Holiday Party Ideas this year. Houseguests, planning, cleaning, cooking, meals and gifts can all add up to holiday stress. But with some expert advice and some fun, simple planning tools, your next party can go off without a hitch.

Celebrations.com has an interactive site where you can share your party ideas, recipes and photos. You can also read about the latest and greatest celeb parties on the Platinum Celebrations blog. Get the insider tips on these hot party ideas from the experts who throw them! You can find ideas for holiday parties any time of the year! No matter if you are looking for big ideas for Christmas or Chanukah, Guy Fawkes Night or Sadie Hawkins Day, you are assured some great party ideas for any holiday throughout the year! And as you become the party expert, you can share your ideas too!

No, this is not a post about differing political parties! This last Sunday, my husband brought up some facts about “left brained” people and “right brained” people. He started with a little experiment. He said to clasp our hands together. Then we were to look down and see which thumb was on top. Which ever was on top, the opposite side of our brain is the one we tended to use more. Then he read a list of traits exhibited by the “lefties” and the “righties”. The right brains tend to have great ideas, tend to see the big picture, also get distracted and drop the ball on these great ideas. They seem less organized. They can be perceived by the lefties as being less smart. There were many others that he read, but I knew as he read that he was describing himself. The leftties are the opposite. Like lists, can’t come up with creative ideas, but can take a righties idea and follow through with it. Not as easily distracted. Seen as more organized, etc. The lady next to me asked my husband if he knew what I am. Based on the lists, he knew he is a rightie and I am a leftie. The thumb experiment did not really work for every one, but based on the lists, it was easier to tell which side of the brain one tends to rely on more often.

Living on the Gulf Coast means growing up learning to love to eat seafood. We even joke about being on a “sea” (see) food diet. I have long loved good fish, scallops and especially shrimp. When ever I “see” these foods, I definitely want to continue my “see” (sea) food diet!

I just learned about a great sounding new restaurant. It is a classy looking place only a few miles up the road from me. This fine dining restaurant, The Oceanaire, is designed to look like a sleek 1930s ocean liner and the menu is “Ultra Fresh”. This means that each day, they have fresh sea food flown in from all over the world. The food on your plate tonight might have been swimming in the ocean yesterday! It is caught, shipped in refrigerated transport, put into a special walk in cooler where it will be butchered before being put on the grill, and finally to your plate. The menu selections change daily based on availability to ensure the freshest seafood available.

The atmosphere of the Oceanaire is unique. It’s sleek look coupled with it’s shore line comfort makes it suitable for any occasion. It is especially for lovers of fresh seafood. For some it is the place for fish & chips and a beer. For others, it is their oyster bar. And others come for the 5 lb lobster and champagne. It is the kind of place that satisfies every seafood loving palate. The menu looks amazing! From the Grand Shellfish Platter, to the clam chowder, to the salmon, mahi mahi and the snapper, continuing with the steamed asparagus and baked sweet potato, followed by key lime pie, chocolate caramel brownie or even a root beer float, everything looks temptingly delicious!

The Oceanaire has locations across the country. So if you are thinking of Private Dining San Diego to restaurant corporate events Atlanta the Oceanaire may be just what you are looking for!

Last night, after all the trick-or-treaters were done, the neighbors got out their fire pit and we all sat around just visiting. Some of them started in about voting and the candidates and what this country needs. One family was talking about how they feel like they are probably the only Democrats in the neighborhood. I doubt it but I know how they feel. I think I am the only Independent in the neighborhood.

After hearing my neighbor talk about change, I know that many agree with her. I agree. But I am not sure we agree on what that change “should” be. So even though I knew I was not going to vote either Democrat or Republican, I spent time today watching the third party debate. It took place earlier this week and was aired on C-Span. We don’t have cable so I watched it online today. Only Ralph Nader and Chuck Baldwin showed up to debate.

I have to say I am glad I watched. I’ve never seen either of them speak so it was good to hear what they have to say. I actually agree with almost everything they both said, even though on some points they don’t exactly agree! I was surprised though on how much they do agree. If only all of us who are fed up with the Democrat/Repulican parties could agree on as much and ban together, maybe we could get someone else in who really wants a change!

The debate is an hour and a half long. You can see it here or go to Free & Equal to get more information.