Bring on 2011

I am ready to start the New Year 2011.  This year is going to be the year of health for me.  My main focus will be on diet, exercise and nutrition.  I guess you can call this a resolution.  I feel as though i have fell off the wagon when it comes to these 3 things.  My health needs to be a priority for me in 2011.  This past year I have had several colds and I can count on 1 hand how many times i have been to the gym.  Gym what is that?  JK :)  In 2011 you will see posts on my progress, pain points and food.  I will use this blog to tell my journey.

So, what are your 2011 resolutions?

Should Old Acquaintance be forgot, and never thought upon;

The flames of Love extinguished, and fully past and gone:

Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold, that loving Breast of thine;

That thou canst never once reflect on Old long syne.

CHORUS:

On Old long syne my Jo,

in Old long syne,

That thou canst never once reflect,

on Old long syne.

Ladies Check Out this Giveaway!

Check this out!  Over at rosealamode blog she is giving away 5 really cute items.  Be sure to stop by her blog and register before December 10th or you will miss out.

Christmas At Rose a la Mode - Giveaway

Good Luck!

Black Friday Tips

Ok for those of you that are crazy like me about getting a deal.  Check out a few of my Black Friday shopping tips below.

Be sure to check out the Black Friday ads over at. http://bfads.net

                                  source: r1concepts.com

Just a few tips to utilize during your Black Friday Shopping Extravaganza!!!!

1. Make a list

This is important.  Be sure to scope out the ads (link above provided) prior to your shopping trip.  Include items that are a great deal that you can't pass up and of course a separate list of gift items for the family or that someone special. 

  2. Know your first "Stop"

Know which store you want to hit first.  This should be the store that you will get the best deal from. You know that most stores only have a limited amount on certain items, especially if it's a hot item.  One year a store gave out coupons for the limited items and only those that had the coupon got the item.  Pay attention to limited quantities.

  3. Go with a Friend

This will help with your safety for one and second you and your shopping budddy can create a plan to divide and conquer both of your lists in each store.

  4. Know prices $$$

This is also important.  Some stores will mark up their prices during the months of November and December.  When the ads come out you think you are getting a great deal.  Research is key.

  5. Get a sitter

Ladies this is not the time to bring the little ones out for a shopping trip. People during Black Friday shopping are CRAZY!!! Trust ME!  They will push, run and argue over the smallest item.

  6. Bundle Up

If you are standing outside in line of a store at say ohhhh 2:00 AM waiting for the doors to open at 4 AM.  You will need to wear layers.

  7. Safety

As said before people get a little crazy on Black Friday.  Lock your car doors and put any belongings out of sight (this includes your packages, cell phones, radar detectors, etc.)  

  8. Traffic

Be prepared to sit in a little traffic or a lot depending on the city you live in.  The malls will be nutz.  I try and avoid the malls on this day or get in and get out early.

So there ya have it folks a few tips to help you with your Black Friday shopping needs.  Me and the hubs plan to be out and about this year as well and I can't wait.  Something about the hustle and bustle about it...don't really know or it could be the deals.  Ha!

Happy Black Friday Shopping!!!

Tis the Season!

Yes, I know....Can you believe that there are only 42 days until Christmas?  Well, I can't this year has gone by super fast.

Last weekend I was really feeling in the spirit and decided what the heck and we pulled out the Christmas decorations.  I mean we had to put away the Halloween ones and why not bring down the Christmas decorations while we are already up in the attic...No brainer right? I thought so too.  I finally got the camera out to take a few photos of our dining and kitchen table decorations.
Hope you enjoy!

Ok the kitchen table still needs a few more items to make it complete.  I will have to dig out a few more accessories. :)

What are your ideas for Holiday decorating?

Yeah for Dracula Friday!

Hello folks!

It is Friday and I am super excited about tonight.

We have tickets to see Dracula at the Knight Theatre and using a Groupon for dinner at Bonterra.
Cant wait!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Photo: NC Dance Theatre

Up, Up and Away

Well its good to be home but boy I sure do miss the yummy food from our recent trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico.  We try and go back every 2 years to see the Balloon Fiesta.  This year's trip was so much fun!  On Thursday morning we got up at the crack of dawn to be at the park-n-ride by 430 am because the balloon launch was to start at 6 am and you don't want to miss it.  Ok so in years past it has been really cold like in the low 40s.  This year was really nice it was in the 60s even that early in the am.

Look how pretty they are when they are lit up with the flames.  It is such a sight to see.  If you have never been to see hot air balloons you gotta go.

Up, Up and Away it goes!!

I wish I would have taken a picture of the food.  YUM-O  We had the famous 'Breakfast' Burrito which I later learned was started right there in ABQ.  So one might ask what is a Breakfast Burrito?  Well glad you did it is yummy goodness.  Ok so it is a flour tortilla which includes, bacon or sausage, potatoes, eggs and the magic ingredient Green or Red Chilies from Hatch NM.  So, SOOOOOO good.  Oh and they do have a spicy little kick to them.  I swear I think every restaurant in ABQ served chilies on everything.  Oh and did I mention Garduno's  they have yummy Sopapilla's (or the locals call them Sopas) & Casa de Benevidez has breakfast burritos which we ate at twice :)  Ok, enough about the food.  Here are a few more fiesta pictures.

 Special Shapes - Tourist Penguin

The Bumble Bee Family

There were over 90 special shape balloons from all over the world.  People as far as Brazil and Switzerland.  This is a passion for folks and I think could be an Olympic sport.  It is so interesting to watch these teams pull together to get their balloon in the air. 

A peek inside the balloon as the teams fill it up with cold air first.  Next comes the hot flames.

These were taken Friday night during the Special Shape Glowdeo

While we were there we drove to Santa Fe for a quick shopping trip.  

I just love this picture and the cool thing is that it's an Elliott original.  No edits here folks. Can you believe that the blue sky in the background is amazing.

So, hopefully you have enjoyed this post and are inspired to find a balloon event nearest you.  Up, Up and Away!!!!

My First Post

WooHoo - My very own blog and first post.  Well here it goes.  I got hooked on blogs from a dear friend and have been wanting my own for a little while now.  This will be an challenge for me so bare with me as I get started.  I love fall and it has finally arrived.  Waiting for the hubs to get the decorations down from the attic.  I have seen so many interesting decorations in magazines that I may try and duplicate on my own.  Oh and wait till you see what I have up my sleeve for a few posts ideas.  Until next time...TTFN