Insanity

What leads us to do the insane? I mean sometimes we just keep repeating the same crazy patterns over and over in our lives, defying logic and reason.

For me that's shopping every year on the day after Thanksgiving with all the other "crazies". My sister sucked us all in to this tradition years ago. Now most of the women in my family go. There's something fun and exhilarating about waking up at 4:30 in the morning just so you can get socks at Fred Meyer at 50% off! Then heading to the next store that opens at 6 am and perhaps stocking up on Christmas supplies at the craft store for again 60% off! Its a shopper's world and not for the meek. If you want something you better get in there and get it.

I think of it as the Superbowl for women. Instead of comparing our game stats or hunting and fishing achievements we compare receipts. How often I've heard women say "Oh I love that top! Where'd you get it?" and in response "Nordstrom for $15.99, regularly $80.00!". Its the thrill of the chase, and the victory of getting a good deal that sucks me in. There have honestly been receipts I've wanted to frame before they had such amazing savings on them(But of course I haven't because that's just silly.)

It all ends in a good breakfast together somewhere before heading on to new stores or going home. Its not uncommon to have been to 3-4 stores by 8 am. Along the way you sometimes make shopping friends in lines waiting to get in or buy your bargains, and then its always fun when you see the same people at the next shopping stop.

If you want to attempt shopping on "Black Friday" next year here are my top seven tips for having a successful and fun time... (I couldn't come up with 10.)

7. Have cell phones with all in your shopping party or have a plan of where to meet if you are separated. The last thing you want is to waist time wandering in circles looking for someone. This also allows you to go to separate stores or departments freely.

6. Set your alarm and get up early. Most of the stores do bonus deals and extra discounts early in the morning, or are sold out within an hour.

5. Go through all the ads the day before and map out your stops and buys at each store. This saves time and keeps you from getting frustrated. Most important is cutting the coupons out for your stops and putting them in your purse so you don't forget them.

4. Make sure you get some coffee and food early on or your patience won't last. This is extremely important! A tip: Many stores have free coffee and doughnuts for the early shoppers.

3. If a store's line is ridiculously long have a sacrificial lamb wait in line to hold you a place. They can have their items picked up by the shoppers and you won't spend hours waiting. Its not cheating its efficient! There will be lines everywhere you go, some are faster than others, and people everywhere. (Just be ready for it and wait patiently.)

2. THIS IS NOT THE DAY TO BROWSE! YOU ARE ON A MISSION! The plan is to get in and get out, and stick to your list... Do you really need a crockpot that fits one serving for $4.99?

1. Most of all...Take it easy and don't take the insanity to seriously! This is a time to get good deals but also to have fun. If you don't get those socks in the cute pink pattern its not the end of the world!

Auto Repair Girl Extraordinaire

That's me! Okay well not totally... I tend to over exaggerate in case you haven't noticed. But I was informed recently that my rear brake light was out. Gasp and HORROR!!! But never fear trusty Auto Repair Girl is here! I fancy that I am capable of all sorts of simple auto repair being that my Dad was in the "business" and I watched him often growing up. Not too mention I worked in the shop one summer (He fired me once, and then hired me back... Trauma.)

So I have had this problem before, and its a little annoying its already out again, BUT the last time I was in the VW repair shop they showed me how to replace the light myself. Actually I don't think they replace them for you all that often but the service guy took pity on me. So thinking back to the tutelage I knew you popped this black cover thingy in the trunk then you unscrew this washer... But from there I was stuck. I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to get to the bulb. There was clearly a metal panel you were not meant to work through and no special diagram's as to how to proceed.

Thank goodness for the trusty internet search engines. I found a site devoted to answering your auto repair questions and was delighted to discover that I was not the only befuddled VW light bulb replacer. In fact there were many who had gotten as far as myself and been driven to frustration as I was on the verge of. Turns out you have to pry the entire read light out of your car (which sounds terribly like you are damaging the car and the light beyond repair). Then you can easily access the bulbs with ease.

Let's just say I'll never forget how to change that light again. And if you have a VW Beetle I can help you replace yours!

Diamonds are a girls best friend!

I now have in my possession a platinum band with a tiny diamond set in it. It's beautiful.

Sigh of contentment...

I love surprises!!!

I had one of the best surprises yesterday. The Director of my organization at work called me and one of my co-workers into his office. Then he shut the door. This is usually not a good sign, and inevitably gets my heart racing! He then proceeds to tell us there is an awards banquet that night that we along with my boss were supposed to get invites too but there had been a mishap. He said we were to be recognized for some of our work and maybe we'd get a little bonus also. It was very short notice to get dressed up and downtown but after making sure everyone else was going, no way I'd go by myself, I cancelled my usual Monday night plans. Thinking I better at least make an appearance but I had no idea what I was in for.

I rushed home... With a stop at the mall to buy something to wear, this is always the stupidest of ideas. You can never get an outfit at the last minute but I always try, futility. I make three impulse buys, which I now have to return! Rush to get ready and back downtown. I finally arrive and there is a very fancy to do, with open bar and hors d'eouvres. Then we are shuffled upstairs.

The awards start with a Broadway like production from dancers and singers which definitely has me giggling, thinking why am I here! This is the big finale for our sales force for the year, and lets just say their budget is a tad larger than ours. We sit in our seats and thus proceeds the closest thing to an awards show I will probably ever go too. Our new CEO is there along with various presidents and vice presidents. I'm still not totally sure why we are included... But I'm glad we didn't skip out (so embarrassing)!

Our time comes and my boss's boss's boss's boss (that's right four times removed up the food chain) announces our names and achievement. We go up and receive our awards (nice crystal engraved plaques) and go backstage. This is where it gets really good... Awaiting us are Tiffany's bags! Inside is not only a bonus check but another small Tiffany's box besides the one our awards came in. I get excited but don't dare to tear it open. Later when we are back downstairs for more celebration and food I open up the small box. Inside is a gift card to Tiffany's! That's right I get to spend money at the store I've dreamed of shopping in since the first viewing of Breakfast at Tiffany's at age ten. I about had a heart attack and it was definitely enough money to buy more than a key chain. I was so surprised, and still a little bewildered that we got such a great award.

I am just reminded of how much God blesses me in small and big ways. It was like a special moment between us where he just reminded me that I am his and he wants to not only take care of me but give me good things, things that are better than I can imagine for myself. Funny how I just taught on this on Sunday to the HS kids. He likes to reinforce these lessons in my life.

James 1:17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory."
Amen and thank you Daddy!

A Good Quote...

Right now I am reading through the Chronicles of Narnia again. I'm on the Horse and His Boy. I adore these books. I've been looking forward to the upcoming movie, and desperately hoping it does justice to one of the best stories I've read. So today while I was doing my blog rounds I was directed to this article on CS Lewis from the perspective of his stepson. In it was one of the best quotes. I think it speaks for itself...

"The problem with evangelical Christianity in America today, a large majority of you have sacrificed the essential for the sake of the trivial. You concentrate on the trivialities—not smoking, not drinking, not using bad language, not dressing inappropriately in church, and so on. Jesus doesn't give two hoots for that sort of b***. If you go out and DO Christianity, you can smoke if you want, you can drink if you want—though not to excess, in either case."

AMEN BROTHER! This is one of my biggest pet peeves. If you want to read the article here's the link

Guilty Pleasures?

What's your guilty pleasure? I hate to admit it but I love America's Next Top Model. That's right, I watch the most superficial of shows and I like it! Its full of shameless product plugs. The cattiness of the girls is unbelievable. I find it hysterical. Don't ask me why, I don't know if I can fully explain it but its fun. Maybe its because I adore fashion mag's and I used to want to be an editor for a living.

When it comes to music I love Gwen Stefani's Rich Girl or Hollaback (maybe because in the old day's I was a cheerleader?). And the worst of all.... I actually like some of Brittney Spears music. I know its so shameful. But its so fun to dance and work out to.

We can't always pretend to be high brow thinkers... So come on spill... What's your guilty pleasure??