Black Friday

Today was Black Friday and the crowds were not there. I did not get up in the wee hours of the morning to go shopping. Jackie did get up early and she said there were no lines. She did stop by K2 and pick up my 40% coupon so that I could go later and shop.

The three of us did go to Michael's and Joann and picked up a few things but we did not spend a lot. Normally these places would have huge lines but today there was only one person in line in front of me. The economy is really taking a hit.

The only thing going down is gas. In July it cost me $62 to fill my car with gas. This week it cost me $30.11. I love it.

This photo was taken Thanksgiving day. It was a quiet day to start the holiday season. I miss Jim so much every day and the next month I'll just think of all the great memories we had and the short time we had with our wonderful grandchildren.

Happy Thanksgiving To All

Things To Do

Things to do....
so here goes. i copied this list from a blog & the idea is to bold (highlight/change the color) all the things on the list you've done. Some things I may never want to do but there are some things I would like to experience. Give it a try.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Held a praying mantis
9.Climbed a mountain
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (in Vegas)
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (a fish, does that count?)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (I’ve seen it)
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Sharing a Few Layouts

My days are pretty full these days dealing with all of the pressures I have. I have finally found health insurance that I can barely afford but at least I was able to convert my current policy with United Health Care. Everyday I look for a job but as we all know the unemployment situation is very bleak. I find solace in knowing I am not the only one in this situation. I have also been dealing with some health issues. Nothing to serious but they have to be dealt with.

I am trying to stay busy as we approach this holiday season plus both my birthday and Jim's. Way to much to deal with but staying busy helps. Sitting outside with the sun on my face helps clear the mind. Especially since I think of all my friends and family facing the cold and snow. Stay warm everyone.

Misty Out Running

I took Misty out for a run tonight. She just loves getting out at night. A little warm here today but it was cooling down tonight. I think it was 88 today. I've heard something about a cool front coming Sunday. I can't wait.

Some Layouts

Here are some of the layouts I did last month and have not posted.

It has been pretty quiet around here. Jackie Mom and I went to McDill AFB on Monday to renew Mom's ID card. Unlucky for us that they were closed because of Tuesday's holiday. We went to the BX and did some shopping. They do have great prices and no sales tax. I got my haircut while we were there also. Yesterday was bowling and I actually did pretty good. Last night was Bingo and yes I got to yell bingo and won $25. Bingo pretty much pays for itself so that is really good.

Today the fire department is going around the community and inspecting our fire alarms and replacing them as needed. What a great service and it is free. Now that's for me. Have a great week.

A Tank of Gas

In July it cost me $62 to fill up my car with gas. Yesterday it cost me $37. But look around nothing else is coming down. Plus the price of gas went down again today. The price of a barrel of oil is less than $60. The stock market is down 30%. (You know what that means for all of our IRA's). So my question is when is everything else going to come down. When everyone raised the prices they said it was because of gas yet the prices are holding. Today they announced the highest unemployment rate since 1994. I guess our economy is just in the trash.

That was just my little rant.

Been busy. Bowled this week, did some water aerobics and played bingo. Filled out about a dozen job applications and did a little scrapbooking. Played with Misty and lunched with Mom and Jackie. I will miss all of this when I find a job. I do not hold out my chances with the holidays coming. Traditionally that is the worst time to find a job.

I have been really down about it but I may just have to face the facts and do what I need to do. I guess the worst part is losing my health insurance. It will be the first time I have ever been without health insurance. I am working through a complete medical exam so that I am set to go.

The two layouts I did in October. I really am behind in posting them. Have a great weekend everyone.

Yes We Can

Last night watching Barack Obama give his victory speech in Chicago I was so inspired that we are facing a change in business in Washington DC. Just as I was inspired last week when I say Barack speak last week in Sarasota. If I was still living in Chicago I would have been at Grant Park last night.

"In this election, in this moment, let us reach for what we know is possible. A nation healed. A world repaired. An America that believes again," Barack Obama.

Yes We Can. Change is in our future. God Bless America.

Did You Vote Today

Did you vote today? If you didn't I don't want to hear a word over the next four years.

Vote today. Every vote counts.

Made it through Halloween

Yes this was a difficult weekend for many reasons. One is that on Halloween last year Jim was really good. He was able to go outside and even to the lunchroom for the festivities. I really had hope at Halloween. Jack asked me to make him a Harry Potter scarf for his costume. I loved doing that as Jim and I were always part of our grand children's Halloween. Not so this year. I wonder what they dressed up as. Were they super hero's or spooky spirits. I wonder if they asked where their grandmother is. I wonder what the answer was.

Happy Hallween Jack, Josh and Luke. Hope you enjoy the little present grandma sent.

Kept busy most of the weekend. Cropped on Saturday and then played cards on Saturday night. We ordered out from the Chinese restaurant. Today I cleaned and did laundry. House is all spiffy and ready for another week. Have a good one everyone.