Emily and Santa

We went to the San Antonio Riverwalk this weekend.. and we were delighted to see Santa. Mind you, my kids have always refused to see Santa. Allison actually encourages me to go, to tell him what she wants. ha. not happening. But, when we saw him this time.. Emily was thrilled! She said, "Mommy! I want to see Santa!" and boy.. did she. She sat right on his lap and held a few minute conversation.. told him everything she wanted.. "A pillow pet, a dress, and tapping shoes." (She calls play dress-up shoes "tapping shoes") She also told him that she has been a good goyle (the way she says "girl")

My heart just melted. And I *might* have teared up a little.
God, Thank you for my children.

Hand and Foot Wamers and the North Pole

Do you live in a cold climate, where you need body warmers? Well, I live in Texas, and anything below 60 degrees to me is cold. Isn't that pathetic? And to think I grew up in Connecticut, where we had some cold winters.

Really and truly seriously though - I am really being honest when I say that anything below 60 is cold. We haven't had to turn on the heat yet this year, which I love as saving money is my favorite! But some mornings, when I check the thermostat, it has said 68 degrees.. what? Break out the toe warmers - I tell you, I can use them on those chilly Texas mornings. Chilly? 68 degrees? Yes! The south has changed me!

So, Yes.. I guess I just need to be thankful that I do live in the south and not the North Pole. Speaking of the North Pole though - that is a neat website that the kids might enjoy, and their is plenty information for the bigger kids to enjoy as well.

Now, go and eat turkey - or tofurkey - or lasagna - or ham - or what have you.
Me? I want to eat pie.

Happy Thanksgiving...

...from my little Pilgrim and Indian to yours.

Let us all be thankful for the blessings in our lives,
Take Care,
Kristin

Have you heard of Krome Photos?

I don't know about you, but I take hundreds of pictures a month. And months pass before I realize that now I have thousands of pictures, and the daunting task of going through them all to decide what I want to do with them. Well, fear not little one, for today I came across Krome Photos.

Krome Photos is literally your own personal photo lab. They have their own team of professional photo editors who will hand-select and edit your uploaded photos. Your photos will be color-corrected, cropped, and retouched by one of Krome's editors. All of your photos will look professional. You don't have to do a thing! (Well, besides upload your photos, and pay for it!) But - How cool is that?

There is a special introductory offer right now at Krome Photos for 100 photos for $2.50. This is one of those ideas that you think, "Why didn't I think of that?" Well, for me, I actually wouldn't have thought of that. If you remember, from a couple posts back, I am terrible at re-touching, or I would have gotten that spot off my shirt.

ok, now, off to go relax before bed... what? it's 7:30pm..it's getting late.
(I wish I was kidding)
;)

Buying for Him and Her.

It is that time of year, folks. It is that time of year when gift-buying is at hand. Where you are making a list, and checking it twice, for buying gifts for all of the loved ones in your life. It has actually been that time of year for the past 3 months for me. I like to space out by gift-buying, to make it a little easier on the wallet.

For him? How about some mens watches. Or for her.. I mean, who says a woman can't wear a mens watch, right?

For her? How about some ladies bags. Or for him... I mean, who says a man can't use a ladies bag.

Now, Have a nice day!

Annual Family Picture

We take our family picture in November every year. Yes, we take family pictures throughout the year as well, but I like to take a picture around the same time every November, specifically to replace an 8x10 family picture frame I have.. When I put the new picture in, I like to lay out all of the previous years and see how much we have grown/changed... ah, I am a sentimental fool.

I am deciding between the above picture and a few others. I would like this one better if there wasn't a spot on my shirt.. I guess there was something on the camera lens. Maybe you wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't pointed it out, but every time I look at this picture, my eye immediately goes there and nowhere else.

Alright, back to the grind.
I am painting the girls room today.
joy.

Happy Friday!

Update on what's up!

As you may know, we are knee deep in getting this house ready to be put on the market. It is tough in the world of real estate now, I am sure you all are extremely well aware of that fact, so, we need to do everything possible on our end to make this house as show ready and as - you know you want to live here! - as we can..

First things first - remove trash pile from side of driveway... this is in the back of our house. There is an alleyway to get to our driveway and this is where this is located. I remember when I first moved to Texas and seeing how a lot neighborhoods were set up this way. The driveways are in the back of the house? I thought that was weeeeiirrd. But, now, I actually think it is pretty pleasing to the eye. (Did I just say "pleasing to the eye?) weeeeiird.

Before:


After:


All of that junk was from a TON of work that my husband did to our backyard. The computer-looking thing has to be specially recycled because it has batteries in it, and can't be dumped at the regular landfill.

A little bit of dress-up fun!


And then back to it -
I wish I took a picture of the before, but think picture frames, some books, and some family knick knacks. Now, that had to go - because it was too "personalized", I found an article in a magazine about doing white shelves with white colored vases and bowls. I bought all of these at GoodWill - all of them - the entire lot - for 14 dollars!! Woot! Woot!!



Cute! Cute!

Happy Halloween!

I feel like I dropped off the face of the planet with all of the business I have been up to. Getting this house ready to sell has been all-consuming. How many ways can I decorate the mantel above the fireplace? Apparently, three thousand five hundred and eighty-two. It just doesn't look right. I want it to appeal to the masses. Seriously, folks, I am staging my home some, then some more, then a little bit more - without looking too staged - at the same time. And I have been packing and arranging, and making trips to goodwill and up and down the attic. And, folks, well, I am just exhausted.

But, I did take some time to enjoy Halloween with Little Miss Strawberry Shortcake. There was also a little ladybug that I spent some time with as well.. My girls.. They are my heart.

Hope to visit you all soon.. when I can catch my breath.