Five Question Friday

It's Friday!  Yay!!  It means I don't have to get up early tomorrow morning ;).  It also means it's time for Five Question Friday, courtesy of Mama M at My Little Life.


1. How many times have you moved and do you have any tips?
Not counting childhood, it's been...7 times.  When stayed very little time in the apartments we rented.  Once we bought our condo we stayed put for 5 years until we bought our current house.  We've been here 12 1/2 years.

2. Do you have a budget for the holidays, or just keep sliding the credit card and have a heart attack in Jan?
I made it a point not to use the credit card for Christmas purchases.  This is something the Lord has laid on my heart, to stop using the credit card altogether.  It's a process; I used to charge pretty much everything on my card then pay the full amount when the bill was due.  I realized I was spending way too much money that way.  Now I use the card for groceries and gas only.  So I had to have a budget for presents, or else I'd be bankrupt.

3. What is the one medical thing you avoid like the plague?
Diabetes.  It runs in my family, so I do whatever I can to eat right and stay in shape so as to avoid it.  (This is said as I suck on a candy cane).


4. What your least favorite Christmas song?
Baby It's Cold Outside.  For one, it has nothing to do with Christmas.  Secondly, if any guy said to my daughter the things that guy says in the song to his girl, I'd spend Christmas in jail.

5. This Christmas are you spending more, less or about the same? Why?
I've definitely spent less this year.  I love giving gifts, but I also realize this holiday has become all about getting.  We've allowed Christ to be an insignificant part instead of the whole reason for the Christmas holiday.  I want to take the focus away from the gift and put it where it belongs, on The Giver of life.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's the middle of the week - how about some Hodgepodge?  A little of this, a little of that.  Join in at Joyce's From This Side of the Pond.


1.  Share your traditions surrounding the Christmas stocking.
I don't put a whole lot of stuff in the stockings, just one or two special items.  It might be a gift card, it might be a video game.  These get opened at midnight on Christmas.

2.  How many hours of sleep do you average at night?  Is it enough?
I get 8 hours of sleep.  Well, I'm in bed for 8 hours.  Lately I've been waking up anywhere between 4:30 and 5:00am.  I toss and turn till it's time to get up.  I don't think my body approves of Daylight Savings Time.

3.  If you had to give up one thing for the remainder of this year what would it be?
Hmm, let's see, the remainder of this year...it would do me good to give up snack foods.  Unhealthy ones, I mean.  It seems everywhere I go there's pastries or cupcakes or breads or something that is waistline unfriendly.

4.  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (or Wills and Kate as I like to call them) have announced they're expecting a baby. Do you follow news of the Royals?
I don't, because I think a lot of what's printed is media hype.  I'm happy for them that they are going to have a sweet little blessing, but the media will not leave them alone for one minute, and that makes me sad.

5.  For me,  the sound of childhood is__________________.
Laughter.

6.  Fruit cake-yay or boo? What's your favorite dessert made with fruit?
I've never tasted a fruit cake so I can't vote either way.  My favorite dessert with fruit? Apple pie.

7. What is one thing you want to accomplish before 2012 comes to an end?
Lose 5 pounds.  Only I don't see that happening unless I apply #3.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I had my schedule for cleaning all planned out this morning.  Then God decided I needed a lesson in "planning".  My daughter reached for the chocolate almond milk to make her morning shake, when the carton slipped from her hand and went crashing to the floor, exploding on impact.  There was chocolate almond milk inside, outside, under, and in front of the refrigerator.  It took a good half hour to get it all cleaned up.  I'm happy to say I didn't get flustered or angry because my well-laid plans got waylaid.  That's what would have happened in the past.  This time we just cleaned it up and went on with our day.  It was a good feeling to know that a little mishap doesn't ruin my day anymore.  Thank You Lord.

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch

I usually visit Patrice and Wendell on Wednesdays, but they're having such pleasant weather today I thought I'd stop by earlier.  You can stop by for some chatting at Everyday Ruralty.


1. Do you have your tree up yet? If not, when will you put it up? If you don't have a tree, please tell me about another tradition you like.
Our tree went up the day after Thanksgiving.  That has been our family's tradition since our first Christmas together.

2. What was the best job you ever had? The worst?
Best job was my last job as purchasing manager for a cosmetics firm.  The people were a joy to work with, my vendors were the best, I learned tons of stuff while I was there, and the atmosphere was almost always pleasant.  The worst job I had was the complete opposite.  The atmosphere was awful, there was racism running rampant and the management did nothing about it.  I found out a few years after I left the management and company were sued for discrimination.  It didn't surprise me one bit.

3. Do you drive around and look at Christmas lights? If not applicable, tell me something you like to look at when you go for a drive.
We used to drive around to look at Christmas lights.  Then the price of gas went through the roof.  Now we walk through the neighborhood to see the lights.  It's actually better, since we can stop and admire instead of having to drive through.  There's more to appreciate on foot.

4. Does your tea kettle have a whistle?
Nope.  I don't have a tea kettle or a whistle.  I warm up my water in the microwave and toss the tea bag right in the cup.

5. Do you like boots?
Ugh, no!  I hate boots!  I'm so thankful I live in South Florida and never have to wear boots!  Though I must confess, I tried on a pair of boots at Kohl's recently that were very comfortable.  I would almost dare to buy them, but I don't think they'd get much use.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, December 4, 2012...

Outside my window...the rain continues.  After a very dry October and November, December has begun with showers.  They are much needed, as the grass was starting to turn brown.

I am thinking...of my birthday, which is only 10 days away.  One last year in my 40's.  Still can't believe I'm no longer in my 30's.

I am thankful...for the life God has given me.  It isn't perfect, but it's filled with hope.

I am going...to get my hair done today!  I'm so looking forward to it.  My ends are so dry it makes the rest of my hair look unhealthy.

I am wearing...a black and white dress that has a sort of leafy print on it, and flats.  It's 73 degrees out with a light drizzle.  It's supposed to clear up in a bit.

I am noticing...that the plumbing issues in my home aren't going away.  Both toilets leak.  I changed the mechanism in the small bathroom but the leaking continued.  I changed the flapper on the second one but no improvement.  What I am noticing, is that when I shut the water off on the small bathroom the leaking stops in the master bath.  Obviously something is going on that only a plumber can fix.  Great.  :P

In the kitchen...we'll be having baked ham slices with rice medley, plantains and a salad.

I am creating...a simpler Christmas look in my home.  Less is more for us this year.

I am reading...my devotions, and still on Unglued.

I am hoping...my haircut turns out better than my expectations.

I am looking forward to...my son's science fair at his school tonight.  I am so thankful to be his mom!

I am hearing...a lawn mower outside, which is weird because even though the rain seems to have let up, the ground is wet.  Not the best time to cut the grass.

Around the house...I've gotten sort of caught up, though the bathrooms need to be cleaned.  My daily chore is vacuuming so the floor doesn't accumulate excess dog hair.

A favorite quote of the day... "Lord, when we are wrong, make us willing to change. And when we are right, make us easy to live with." - Peter Marshall.

One of my favorite things...a Christmas tree all decorated and lit up.

A few plans for the rest of the week...my haircut today, Awana tomorrow, and that's all that's planned at the moment.

Wanna join in the fun?  Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook.  God bless.

Monday Quiz About Me

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Heather at Acting Balanced.

Here are the rules:  there are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! Here we go:


1. When was the last time you had your picture taken with Santa?
Since we didn't celebrate Christmas when I was growing up, I've never had my picture taken with Santa.

2. Which do you prefer - ham or turkey?
Don't put me in a position to have to choose!  I love them both!  I love a good brined turkey, stuffed and roasted to perfection.  I also love baked ham with drizzled with glaze and chunks of pineapple.  No way I can pick one over the other.

3. Do you give more to charity in December?
I try to give all year round.  Any time I have the opportunity to give more I do it, and don't wait till the holidays.  It's nice to give extra at Christmas, but it's even nicer to give extra for no reason.

4. Which US City would you most like to visit and why?
I would love to visit Washington DC and see all the historical monuments.

And now for my fifth question:

5. Do you live in the same town/city/state you were born in?
I do not.  I was born in the Bronx, in New York City.  I now live in a small town outside of Miami, Florida.

Move It Mondays

Happy 1st Monday in December!  Can you believe it, this year is quickly coming to an end!  For those of you expecting the world to end on the 21st it may not be a happy time, but for those of us who believe Christ will come as a thief in the night with no forewarning, it's the greatest month of the year!  At our house it's even more special - not only are we celebrating the Lord's birthday, but mine, my daughter and my youngest son's.  It's always festive for us this time of year!

I got up this morning and had a pumpkin spice Eggo, bacon and coffee breakfast.  After dropping my son off at school I came home to get my daughter so we could go grocery shopping.  I needed to get a hair appointment but I couldn't find the girl's number, so I figured I'd call after I got home.  As I was driving to Walmart my daughter was checking out Facebook and said, "My hair salon has an event this week - bring in a brand new unwrapped toy and get a free haircut."  Now, my daughter goes to one of these upscale salons that charge $65 for a haircut and blow-dry, so I never go there to get my hair done.  I go to a place next to our Winn-Dixie, get the $30 shampoo and cut, then come home and blow-dry it myself.  When I heard this deal, though, I got super excited!  I know where the special clearance aisle is at Walmart, and they put some really neat stuff there at great prices - like the Sorry Sliders Cars 2 Edition board game I got for $11.50!  That's the game I'm taking to the hair place tomorrow to get my free shampoo and wash!  Blow drying would be an additional $35+ so I'll still be drying my own hair, but who cares?!  I'm getting a high end haircut for $11.50, so I know I can't go wrong.  That there is a blessing from heaven!

Lunch/dinner today is jambalaya which I made in the crock pot.  It's nice and spicy and oh so delicious!  After lunch I went to finish grocery shopping.  I get my canned and dry goods primarily at Walmart, but deli meats and cheeses I get from Publix (along with some gift cards to stuff in my kids' stockings) and meats I get from Winn-Dixie.  Of course I didn't need meat this week since I doubled up last week, but I went to Winn-Dixie for salad fixings and rice.  That's another thing I don't get at Walmart - produce.  It never looks as good as the produce at Publix or Winn-Dixie.  I think the Walmart produce is over-priced; the fruits and veggies are small and don't look nearly as fresh.  The salads go bad faster too.  It doesn't pay to save a few pennies if it'll get thrown out later on.

Well, Molly's been fed, E is watching some cartoons on his computer before starting his homework, and I'm munching on an apple.  I think I'll watch a Christmas movie with dinner again tonight.  I've watched just about all the Christmas movies on Netflix, and now I'm going through my own library of Christmas DVD's.  Some people think Christmas movies are cheesy, but they are my all-time favorites!

Have a fun filled rest of your Monday everyone!

Observing My Senses

For Today, December 1, 2012...

I am seeing...sunshine after a few days of clouds.  The Christmas tree all lit up.  Clothes waiting to be folded.

I am feeling...the breeze coming in the windows.  The joy of seeing friends and sharing sweet fellowship.  A tummy filled with delicious food.

I am hearing...some program my son is watching.  The rustling of the leaves in the breeze.  The buzzing of the computer fan.

I am tasting...nothing right now, since I pretty much stuffed my face at the brunch this morning.  It was a baby shower for a wife of one of the pastors.

I am smelling...my son's lunch, a ground beef quesadilla he made in the toaster oven.

It just takes a moment to observe your surroundings.  Won't you join me?