Today is the first day since a week ago Saturday that I've been alone. I've come to treasure my alone time. Please don't misunderstand, I love spending time with my family but, I also enjoy what the peace and quiet of solitude brings to me.

I've been trying to get orgainized and with some many bodies in the house, I've had a hard time accomplishing that.

How did I do it when they were all little? That was a different lifetime it seems :)

Our precious Lexy is very sick. They are suspecting the Rotavirus, I pray that that's not it and that she just has a common ordinary stomach bug that will be gone quickly! If the cultures come back positive the doctor wants her hospitalized. Not knowing she was this ill, at the very beginning when she was just wanting to be held and not showing any other symptoms, her Mother, our daughter took her to the circus! I hate that! Since this is such a highly contagious virus! It wasn't until the day after that she began throwing up and had diarrhea. As a matter of fact, I need to give them a call in just a few minutes to see what the latest is. I so hate it that she's so sick. Bless her little heart.

My daughter who was in from Florida for the holiday is now back in her home safe and sound. I already miss her but she will be home again on the 23 of December for a week. It was such a joy to have her here with us. I will be so glad when she moves back to the midwest, so we can spend time together on a regular basis. All of our other children seem to be doing well. Our son paid for his cap and gown today for graduation. Geez, didn't he just start kindergarten? Hard to believe he's 18! I remember his first day of school. We were in the car on our way and he was being unusually quiet, so I asked him if he was excited about school. His reply was, "but, what if you need me Mommy?" Holding back the tears, I told him that I would know where he was if I needed him, but that we'd both be alright. Oh my goodness, I started crying the minute I walked away from his classroom door and didn't stop for two weeks! I'll never forget that moment in the car with him. He and I had a lot of one on one time, since he is the baby. The girls were all in school, so he and I were able to sit in the rocking chair everyday and read books or watch sesame street until he fell asleep. Then I'd carry him to his bed for a nap. I feel so fortunate to have those memories.

How the heck did I shift gears like that? Oh yeah, talking about him graduating. He wants to open a restaurant after college. He's talked about doing that since he was old enough to talk. He's worked in two different restaurants since he was 16 and he really does enjoy it. Right now he works at a little pizza joint near our home. We call him King Pizziola! Did I mention that he's handsome too ;)

The weather has been unseasonably warm but, that's all supposed to change by week's end. We may even see a few snowflakes.

I'm going to sign off now and check on baby girl. Say a prayer for her...

Everyone take care, Love and Light, Doe

I haven't been around much this week because my beautiful daughter is home from school for Thanksgiving.  It has truly been a pleasure spending time with her.  We've been making all the rounds trying to see everyone and get everything done that she wants to do while she's here.  She leaves to go back to Florida on Friday morning.

Today I will be baking pies and making casseroles to take to my Mom and Dad's house for Thanksgiving.  My contribution will be a pecan pie, 2 chocolate cream pies and a coconut cream pie.  The casseroles will be broccoli, cheese and rice, green bean and sweet potato.  I usually make pumpkin and banana pie too but, my Mom is doing those. 

Last night we gathered at my brother's to celebrate his and my Dad's birthday.  My Dad turned 60 and my brother 36.  Of course we had a ball!  Sometimes I think we all act a little touched in the head but, we always have a great time. 

I probably won't be around until after Friday, so I wanted to take this chance to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving, filled with lots of family, friends and great food!  Be safe if you're traveling and I can't wait to hear from everyone when I get back.

Sincere Blessing to Everyone here at tblog, Doe

Man Who Gives Money to the Needy Reveals Himself to Pass Mission on to Others

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Nov. 17) - The answer to one of the happiest mysteries in the Kansas City area is being revealed this year.
A man who has given away millions of dollars and become known as Secret Santa for handing out Christmas cash to the needy is
allowing his name to be publicized after 26 years.

Read the rest of the story here:

Secret Santa

I hope this finds everyone doing well.  I've been busy for a couple days putting together a website.  It's all about couponing, freebies and affiliate marketing.  Well, I guess it's not about affiliate marketing, I have affiliate banners on it.  I tried to only put up banners that linked to sites that had coupon codes to go with them.  I will be using them myself, even if nobody else does.

I'm a couponer from way back.  My all time best trip was nearly $300 in products absolutely FREE!  As a matter of fact, I left there with a $20+ gift card that they gave me as change from my coupons!!  It's true!  I have the receipt around here somewhere.  My favorite checker at my local grocery calls me "the little coupon queen"  Uh, not real sure how I feel about that title but, she means it as a compliment.

My daughter will be home for Thanksgiving on Saturday!  I haven't seen her in nearly three months.  I need to get her room ready for her.  I have Christmas gifts spread all over her bed, among other things.  I keep my ebay "stuff" in her old bedroom as well. 

I had sort of a rough day yesterday and I'm still not sure what caused it.  For the first time ever, I had to call my husband to come home from work because I was so ill.  It came on very suddenly and left just as suddenly.

I couldn't walk a straight line, I kept veering off to the left, as if I were completly smashed.  Once I laid down, if I lifted my head I felt as though I would throw up.  One gatorade and one meclezine and five hours of sleep later and I was as good as new!  I'm guessing I was dehydrated.  I do that from time to time.  It makes it a real booger for blood draws!  The last time I was poked six times before I told them I would come back later.  I was all kinds of bruised after that fiasco.

So, just catching up and hoping that everyone is doing well.

 Take Care :)

I came across this one that I thought the kids might enjoy.

Tiny savory tarts with a taco meat crust and a delicious filling made from salsa, sour cream and crushed tortilla chips. From Pampered Chef.

1 pound lean ground beef
2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix (make your own)
2 tablespoons ice water
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons taco sauce
2 ounces black olives, chopped
3/4 cup coarsely crushed tortilla chips
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In medium bowl, mix beef, taco seasoning mix and ice water with hands. Press into bottom and up sides of Mini-Muffin Pan, using Mini-Tart Shaper (I used the back of a melon baller).

In a small bowl, mix together the sour cream, taco sauce and olives. Stir in tortilla chips. Place a spoonful of filling into each shell, mounding slightly. Sprinkle cheddar cheese over tops. Bake 7-8 minutes.

Remove tartlets from pan with tip of knife. Serve immediately or cool and freeze. To serve frozen tartlets, reheat in a 375° oven 10 to 15 minutes or until hot.

Yield: about 30 tartlets.

This recipe also works using regular muffin pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until done.

This is day two of warm temps. and sunshine!  How very fortunate for us!  I've opened the windows two days in a row now to take advantage of this unusually beautiful weather.  I hear we're in for rain tomorrow...ugh.  Oh well, I'll just soak this up while I can. 

The countdown is on.  Two weeks to Thanksgiving and a month and a half to Christmas.  It will be here and gone before we know it.  We've let the kids know what days different gatherings are planned.  Our oldest Tonya, is the only one with a conflict but, she's going to try and work it out.  When hubby called her the other night to go over the holiday calender, he had a conversation with our grandson.  Little man is always wound up.  He's just a tiny little thing with white blonde hair and a very southern drawl.  Hubby asked him if he was coming to Mimi and Papaw's house for Christmas.  He asked if we'd have presents.  haha, Hubby told him of course we will!  So, looks like it's a date. 

I'm thinking of changing the menu for our family get together.  I always make appetizers and a traditional holiday meal.  The kids all munch on the appetizers all day then, are hardly hungry for the huge meal we prepare.  So I think I'm just going to do ALL appetizers this year.  Less work, less waste.

I'm usually so tired by the time we sit down to open presents, that I can't think straight.  The kids still aren't used to having a Mom with fatigue issues and since I don't bring it up and try not to let it interfere with our plans, I don't think they have a clue.  I'm just trying to think of things to make it all easier for myself.

And the baking!  I love to bake.  I usually spend 3 or 4 days baking for all the gatherings.  Cookies, candy, pies...you name it, I bake it.  That's not to say I'm a good at any of it, I enjoy it though.  To me, it's sort of like art.  I'm also considering less shopping this year and more gift cards.  It's ridiculous the volume of wrapping, that I do.  Of course the little ones will have presents to open and a few for the bigger ones.  Besides, I think the GC option is good for more reasons than my energy level and sanity.  I mean, they range in ages from 18-24, they're hard to buy for anyway.  So this will save my brain a lot of work.

Our 18 year old son is the hardest to buy for.  He works all the time and always has money in his pocket.  He buys what he wants, when he wants it.  He has no ideas for me when I ask him what he wants for Christmas, except a new car...that's not happening! (unless I win the lottery between now and then)  I want a new car too!  I doubt he'd even use a gift certificate.  His girlfriend's parents gave him one for Christmas last year and he gave it to me.  Actually I paid him for it, but he was going to just give it to me, to keep it from going to waste.  He's not a shopper.  Maybe cash is a good idea for him.  Hell, I don't know.  I've just overloaded my brain again.

Item number: 220045852159

Check it out :)

PS it's not mine  but, if you're interested, my daughter has all the holiday barbies and I could make you one heck of a deal!

Tuesday evening, Halloween, my husband and I went to my parent's house to find their house decorated beautifully and with familiar scents as we walked in.

My Mom had made a delicious pot of soup that she affectionately calls, witch's brew or stew?, ants on a log - celery with peanut better and raisins, piggies in a blanket, decorated cupcakes and at least ten other odd and end snack foods. She's just the most festive person! Everyone loves my Mom.

My husband wore his "bubba" teeth and tried to give everyone a kiss, even my Dad! haha

My nieces and nephew were there, which is always a delight! Believe me when I say, they are good for what ails you. All those sweet kisses and hugs. My nephew who is 5, was busy telling ghost stories, while my oldest niece was showing us her latest gymnastics flips and splits, my youngest niece who is 18 months was busy trying to imitate her older brother and sister! What a show. I smiled and laughed so much my face hurt.

Two of my cousins stopped by with their kiddos dressed in their costumes. There was a pretty little witch, a bloody prom queen (she's 12, yep, that explains it) a cowboy and raggedy ann.

We all sat around the kitchen table talking, eating and having a good time. I felt so blessed to have such a lovely tradition that I'm a part of every year.

Toward the end of the evening, my Mom broke out a cd with the Monster Mash on it and we all danced in the kitchen!
Mom taught me how to do the mashed potatoe years ago, I taught it to my daughters and now my daughter was teaching it to my niece. That really brought back memories. Imagine if you will four grown women and three little ones, a fairy, a ninja and a cheerleader, getting down to The Monster Mash!

Life is good and all the little things make it even better. Love and Light to everyone.