One thing I can't handle is overpaying for things. I was taught from a young age to be an educated consumer and to shop around. My dad uses 2 phrases the most: OPM: Other People's Money and Never Pay Full Price. I've really paid more attention to these lessons as I got older. In my early 20s when I didn't have much responsibility, it seemed like money flowed like water(or beer). But now, we have to be careful about what we spend. When we were first married, I found out that Billy was paying Bank of America for a checking account. That is a cardinal sin as far as I'm concerned. So many banks will give you free checking. He was also using a credit card with no rewards - and he may have been paying a fee for it too. On his behalf, he had never been taught these simple lessons. With my coaching, our credit cards is giving us back $300 this January. That's more like it!

So when he was doing some last minute Christmas shopping, my dad tagged along. And that goodness he did! Dad reported that B would have just handed over his wallet. I received a Citizen watch on Christmas morning and SJP Lovely perfume. After some internet research, he didn't get the best deal on the perfume, but he couldn't beat the price on the watch! Well done. Honestly, I was expecting and would have been fine with an Ann Klein/Fossil type watch, but am so happy to have a nice piece now! Hopefully I'll get this super awesome better job in January so it can match my more professional persona!

Speaking of deals...I was watching a show on TLC last night about people who use coupons on everything - and even collect coupons from neighbors miles away and dumpster dive for Sunday circulars. I thought they were crazy - until I saw their grocery bill go down from nearly a thousand dollars to around $20. Then they show you the inside of these people's homes and they have what is basically a bomb shelter filled with food and supplies that they have stocked up on. I wonder how they use everything before it's expiration date. I mean, one lady bought 40 cans of pasta sauce. I think she got them all for free. I'm all for a good bargain, but I think this is over the top and boderline obsessive. I would like to think that if I was well trained enough to shop like this, then I would donate a large portion to the soup kitchen. Better yet, why isn't someone at the soup kitchen paying this lady to stock their shelves?!?!

So we had a wonderful Christmas. Our families were so generous and we feel so thankful for everything. We headed down to Miami on the 23^rd to spend some time with Billy's family. We had brunch and then exchanged gifts. Later that evening, my parents arrived and we went out for some BBQ. I would have cooked, but I assumed my mom had something because she told me to not worry about buying groceries for the week. Minor communication error.

The next day was Christmas Eve and we played Wii, hung out outside and went for a walk in the park. Hello – who knew that Wii would make my arm sore for the next 2 days!?!? We also went to the Christmas Eve service at our church and it was beautiful. I was happy to show my parents our church and I know that they are happy that we are connected to such a great place. Below is a picture of us before we left. My sweater is a gift from my MIL from WH/BM – one of my favs!

The next morning, we had our "Christmas Morning Breakfast" which is an egg & sausage casserole. Delish! We open gifts – which was so much fun! We felt like kids because it seemed that the presents never ended. After presents, we skyped with my brother, who is in Kuwait. It was so neat to be able to talk to him in real time!

My parents left today, and my MIL & B's grandmother came up. We poked around a few stores and had dinner.

And now the house is finally quiet!!!

Our Advent reading on Sunday was a success. Church was more full than usual and I read while Billy lit the candles. We were happy that we were picked to participate! Later, when we got home Billy had to run up to the Marriott to fix their pool heater while I made some delicious Muddy Buddy Chex Mix. It's basically like crack. I made one batch and quickly got it out of the house to our neighbors. I have never made it before but it is so. easy. And the recipe is on eth back of the Chex box! All you need is cereal, butter, peanut butter, chocolate and powdered sugar. I prefer it to cookies any day!

I also got a bit crafty on Saturday and made this. Not sure was I'm going to do with it yet, but I think I'd like to find a way to hang it somewhere in the house.

So happy for a 3 day week! On Thursday we'll go down to Miami for the day and then my parents will arrive in Boynton Beach in the early evening. Mom said to not worry about grocery shopping, which means it will be food from home all week. Woot!! Very excited for the break until January 3rd and CHRISTMAS!!!

So my Christmas cards have not arrived yet, but I am anxiously tracking them on ups.com Currently, they are in Jacksonville, FL. So I'm hoping for a Tuesday arrival at the latest. I don't think I'm running late yet though because I have only received one Christmas card so far! I even bought a cute card holder to hang on the wall too! It's just hanging there...nearly empty. Sad.

Last week was so so so cold. Low sixties as a high and for FL, that is no joke. This weekend was beautiful, as I saw from my spot on the couch. But we're back in the low sixties tomorrow. On the plus side, I was able to wear my courerory(sp?) pants that have not seen the light of day since we lived in VA. ANOTHER bonus is that it makes it feel more like Christmas. Aside from the Christmas music that has been playing almost non stop in our home. We also got a tree - an artificial one! This pleases me, as life is much better without me having to sweep the needles everyday. Patton has enjoyed taking the ornamnets off the bottom, so we now have it decorated 2/3 up.

Christmas shopping...not finished. Almost though. The goal is to have things that need to be mailed at the post office by Wed. So far the best deals I have had are a purse that I bought on buy.com and then the next day it was posted as $30 more! I also had a coupon for 25% off my entire purchase at the Family Christian store where I bought my aunt a willow angel and Billy's nana a book. Oh, and The Blind Side for 3.99 on amazon! Take that, Christmas budget!

Stay tuned...next Sunday Billy and I are the Advent readers at church. Right now the plan is for me to read and for him to light the candles. I'll see if I can coax him into reading just a bit.

Coming to a mailbox near you

So I did it - for free! I was able to get 50 free cards from Shutterfly and just had to pay for shipping. A GREAT deal! Here is the result:

I got all the Christmas stuff out today - now we just need a tree! I know an artificial tree just isn't the same - but I'm looking to make things easy this year. So now I'm on the hunt for an inexpensive fake tree. On the plus side, from now on we can get it out right after Thanksgiving and now have it wilt for 4 weeks all over the floor. Worth it???

Back from the Thanksgiving holiday! Back to work, anyway. We didn't go anywhere and it was a quiet few days. For the first time, it felt like a true 4 days and I was rested when I came back this morning. We didn't travel, so maybe that is why it felt like that. We just had 2 friends over - Lauren and her boyfriend, Mark. Lauren wrote me an email about how she was going to buy Mark some Boston Market and eat a Lean Cuisine - so of course I put a stop to that! Below is Billy slicing up the turkey breast and a picture of our meal. I'm slightly embarrassed that we only have one green dish on the table, but I really can't think of anything else to include! And of course, the green beans are the only leftovers still in the fridge. No one's favorite.

This morning, I got en email passed along to me from one of our good family friends who is a helicopter pilot in the Middle East right. After reading the email, it was very evident to me that he is in a very dangerous place. I sent out a facebook message to the people who know him and my brother and asked them to send a Christmas card. I hope that some people take the initiative to send a note to let them know we're thinking about them over the upcoming holidays. If you're reading this and want the address for either of them, please let me know.

HAPPY MONDAY!

Gobble Gobble!

It is Wednesday and I have counting down the hours(minutes) until I can LEAVE to start enjoying my Thanksgiving vacation! We had plans to travel to Pensacola to spend the holiday with my bff Candace and her husband, but then Billy got a part-time job and was schedule to work on Friday. Yay for job - boo for not being able to see Candace! So instead, I went to Public last night to buy a small turkey breast and some of the necessities to have our friends, Mark & Lauren over. They are sort of orphans too, so I'm glad we'll be able to celebrate together. I got basically everything I needed for dinner for under $30! Publix had BOGO wine and the turkey was about $9.50. I was very pleased - and Lauren is in charge of dessert. Next, I will need to figure out how to cook this bad boy turkey. We will also be having green beans, NOT GBC - gross, corn bread, potatoes and some veggies for appetizers. Low key, but just fine for this novice.



This past weekend, we were gifted tickets from the Ticketmaster(B's dad) for the Virginia Tech vs. Miami game. We had a lot of fun! Tailgating at UM games is so different than the southern school tailgating I have been exposed to (ECU, UVA, Tennessee, Clemson). There is no southern rock to be heard...just pop and dance music. I guess that is Miami for you! Billy and I enjoyed ourselves sitting on the bed of his truck and drinking our 6 pack of Coors Light. Ohhhh how times have changed! The night before, we were debating if we were still "cool" or not...through the eyes of his college aged sister. I voted no...especially because when we were discussing what to drink before the game, Billy suggested that we only need a 6 pack. Oh, if his fraternity brother could hear that!



On to more important things....DANCING WITH THE STARS! I usually casually follow the votes, but this season I really paid attention and watched the episodes. I was so interested in what was happening with Bristol Palin. I was amazed that she stayed in the contest until the finale! Good for her! I am reading Going Rogue right now, so maybe that was why I was interested....but anyway. Jennifer and Derek won, but I think the Disney star, Kyle should have won. Jennifer was dramatic and Derek is so touchy and annoying, at least in my opinion. But America has voted! Next up: Skating With The Stars. How can that NOT be a disaster? I do love Bethenny, so perhaps I will tune in!