Five on Friday/Random 5/SUYL-Reading Lists

Happy Friday, ya'll!

Yes, I am still around:) Just haven't been much into blogging lately. I have a few posts that I have going around in my head, which I hope to share with you this weekend, along with CYGPP, so be prepared for multiple daily posts.

So, without further ado....here is this wks 5 on Friday.

1. I cleaned out several places in our house this week, and I will be doing more. I attacked our closet, and our bookshelf, plus I gave away (and threw out) several items in our kitchen. The feeling is better than a health/cleanse detox, let me tell you!! Here are a few pictures that I took.

Our new clean bookshelf.

This doesn't look clean, but it really is better than it was.

 

I took out 5 bags of stuff to give away.

 

We each have a bin. There is junk in that bin. I don't care, since it is in there, and I can't see it.

2. I Skyped with my lil sister, my niece and nephew this week. Oh, and their parents too. Such fun! (FYI, I still have stuff embedded in my computer from downloading the "bad" Skype..eek) I have actually been connecting lots with family this week. My mom is away, and my dad is lonely, so we have chatted a few times.

3. Girls night (in)! Last Saturday, my neighbour and I had a girls night in. I didn't take any pictures, b/c I didn't feel like it. We had fun, though...Walmart run, then we came back and watched WNTW, and I introduced her to Extreme Cheapskates. Oh, and we had yummy food! Oh, and we looked at magazines, too:) I came home around 1 am (thankfully, I had an extra hour of sleep that night). Speaking of magazines, there is another Celebrity Magazine out there..called Closer. I bought it for .25. True Story. Tonight, we are celebrating a friends bday at our other friends place. I love girls get togethers!

4. I met up with my aunt and uncle for coffee the other day, and besides the great visit that we had, after they left, I spent the afternoon in/Ch@pters reading magazines, and books. SUCH FUN!!

These were only some of the magazines that I had looked through. I had looked through a few earlier by the magazine rack. I am so glad that they still have chairs.

 

5. Christmas has come to my favourite place:)

Last Saturday, I grabbed an Eggnog Lattie and a breaky Sammy!

I love their Decorations/window art/motto this year. I had to take a picture of it. I still kind of wish that they would wait until after Nov 11 to bring out the merchandise, but I have no problems with them starting their drinks early:) McD's also has their drinks. I had a Peppermint Mocha the other day, which was good.

 

5.1. Snuggle/TV dates with hubby. Yes I know TV dates aren't the best, but at least we are together:)

The other night, we watched a few episodes of The Big Bang Theory. We had fun snuggling on the couch cuddling with kitty. We also watched the BC Lions game last Friday together (I am not a huge FB fan, but I will watch when "we" play). We also had a Border Security Marathon the other night.

 

Linking up with Nancy

 

1. BIG CHANGES this happened this week! That is all that I will say for now.

2. We got snow the other day. Nice. It is early for our region.

On our car.

On the green space at our complex. At least the snow is gone now.

 

3. Having a bad/sad day? Google Rob Ford, and instantly your day will get better. True Story.

 

4. I still have problems putting on/in a poppy. They either prick my skin, or come off, or both.

 

5. I am about half way through Season Three of Downton Abbey. I am going to write the writer. I do not like him/her. LOL. It is a great show, however. I may have to ask Santa for all three seasons for Christmas:)

 

 

This week, is Reading Lists:)

 

As I think I have mentioned before, I go through time (up to months) without reading, then I will read, read and read for months. It is a very odd pattern, but I guess it is normal, right?

 

Danielle Steel-Winners. I love her books. I never buy them in hardcover, I usually get them from the library, then I usually buy them in soft cover (and usually second hand).

 

 

This was one of the last books I have read. I also read Nights in Rodanthe, and Sarah's Key.

I have shared this picture before. The left one is my mom's book, and the right one I am still half way through it. Both are excellent.

 

I also want to start on A Walk to Remember, and I have a couple of WW2 books that I may start.

 

I think that is all for today (or at least for this post). Have a great wknd.

 

 

Weekend Shenanigans/Life Lately/Misc Monday

Happy Monday!! I hope everyone had a good wknd. Mine was pretty good!!

Friday; I spent the last of my (our) money on a 7-11 coffee. Let me tell you, 7-11 PSL's are actually pretty good! And a lot cheaper than Starbucks:) So, I went to work, and had a quiet day, and then ran some errands; I checked on my mags that I couldn't buy (BOO!), and went to our Associate Pastor's wife to talk about the Sunday School Program. I had fun playing with her little boys:) They are so sweet. We ended up getting invited out to dinner with our friends/mentors for a belated bday dinner for Anker. We had a great supper and chat. Went home, and hung out, then our neighbour asked if I wanted to go to W!nners. We had a nice time wandering around. Came home and relaxed and went to bed.

Saturday; Relaxed in the morning, and then met up with my Avon Mentor to chat about how to build my business

She bought me a Timmie's coffee. Isn't that sweet? I then went and met up with my coffee ladies. One of the girls bought me an iced tea. We had a nice chat, and I came home, fully intending to have a nap. Instead, we watched some of Skating on TV, and I did my nails in some Nail Art (Which I already have shown on here)

I still have a few of them on my nails, and it has been over 48 hours, so they aren't that bad, really.

Around 4o'clock, we went to our church's fall fair. I dressed up as a pumpkin. Well, I didn't dress up as a pumpkin as much as I had pumpkin colours on:)

You can't tell from this picture, but my pants are green. I am also wearing my pumpkin socks.

 

Usually each year our church holds some kind of Halloween/Hallejuah party in or around Halloween. The last couple of years, however, they have gone one up, and made it more of a fair, with booths, and popcorn, slushies, etc. I think they had 150 last year, and probably around the same this year. We have 4 churches (including our) that meet in our building (at different times and in different rooms), and last year one other church joined us, and this year, another church (different) church joined in with us. It was a great time. I was almost sad to leave in the middle of it.

 

The fall fair was a blast!

I was put in charge of the Pumpkin Carving Booth

 

 

 

 

Here are some more pics from the fair.

 

                                                             Carnival food at it's best:)

                                      Several different booths were set up in the church foyer.

Planko and Fish Pond.

Putt-Putt Golf (I manned this last year).

 

Around 6:30, I went to my mom's Book Launch. I told them I could come, but only if they bought me a drink:) It was a fun evening (Anker stayed back at the church, as he was in charge of the fireworks).

It was held at Earl's. She had her banner up and everything:)

                                                        Sante Fe Chicken Salad. Yum.

Everyone who was there:)

One of my mom's best friend on her left, and Dad's cousin (and Mom's friend) to her right.

Dad making his speech.

Mum and Me:)

The oh so yummy cheesecake:)

Mom and her book:) And yes, we took this in front of the fire outside the restaurant.

 

This is her book up close.

 

 

The party went until 8:30, then I went back to the church to pick up hubby, and we went home. We just relaxed in the evening.

 

Sunday, I went to church, and came home and made some lunch. I am trying to be creative and semi healthy on what food we have left.

 

I came up with this for Sunday lunch. It was ok; not great.

It was kind of like a Goolash. Yum.

 

We spent the rest of the day watching movies; The Kings Speech (we have it, but we borrowed my parents, as their copy has the extras), The Solist, and Taken. They were all good movies. I also started on Downton Abbey Season 3 last night. I am loving the season so far!

 

Linking up with Blair

 

Linking up with Carissa

 

And don't forget my Fall Followers Giveaway:) I am at 23 followers (Thanks to Cassie @ Take Two for being my most recent follower), and the 25th follower will get an Avon prize from me:)

 

I am really excited to expand my Avon business:) My mentor gave me some great ideas on where I can drop off brochures and Avon Business cards.

 

Today I spent some time driving Mom around town, so she could drop off some posters for her upcoming workshop related to her book.  I have to admit, I was a bit grumpy and frustrated when we started out (not because of that, just because of life in general), but after awhile, I started to get into it. Mom is going to be on TWO local radio shows in the next while talking about her book. Yay! I am so proud of her!! When we were done, Mom treated me to Starbucks, which always makes me happy. In fact, when we got inside, mom said "are you happy?" To which I replied "YES". haha.

  I came home to find hubby had already started supper. It wasn't a healthy (or Meatless Monday) supper, but it was good:)

Hot dogs and Fries.

 

Has anyone tried the GIRAFFE CHALLENGE on FB?

Here it is : 

I've changed my profile pic to a giraffe. I tried to answer a riddle and got it wrong. Try the great giraffe challenge!

So here's the rules. Answer the riddle. You get it right nothing changes. Get it wrong and you change your profile pic to a giraffe for three (3) days.
MESSAGE ME YOUR ANSWERS ONLY! PLEASE DONT RUIN THE FUN BY TELLING OTHERS THE ANSWER!!

Here is the riddle!
3:00AM the doorbell rings and you wake up. Unexpected visitors, its your parents and they are there for breakfast. You have strawberry jam, honey, wine, bread and cheese. What is the first thing you open?

Message me your answers and see if you get to keep your profile pic on FB?

 

There also is a donkey challenge going on as well:)

(FYI: this is why I don't often feel like blogging, as this took me over an hour to do).

 

Happy Monday!

 

As usual, I this is too long with too many pics...am sorry:(

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five on Friday/Random 5/Show Us Your Life/Let's Be Friends Blog Hops

Happy Friday!!!  Yes, I am doing FOUR Blog hops today!!! I wasn't going to do the LBF one, but then I thought, "why not? It is only an extra link I have to post". I also decided to participate in SUYL this week as well.

 

So, let's get started!

 

 

1. I mentioned this yesterday, but I am grasping at straws for FoF this week, so I may be repeating myself a few times. My mom has written a book!! I am so excited to say that it's on Amazon! Since is a PG - Type title, I am going to include the link only. Go and take a look!!

 

2. I got (FINALLY!)  the third season of Downton Abbey. I haven't even begun to watch it yet. Hopefully, I will start on it in this wknd.

 

3. Speaking of this weekend, we are going to be SUPER BUSY tomorrow; or at least later tomorrow afternoon/evening. Our church is having our 2nd Annual (at least in name) Fall Family Fai. Last years was so much fun, and a ton of people came! It's a lot of work, but it is worth it. I will probably go sometime during the day to help set up, and then help manage the booths. Then half way through the evening, I have to run to check out Mom's Book Launch/Party. Should be a fun and crazy night!

 

4. We have no money. True Story. My younger brother and SIL were in town, and they bought me a PSL at Starbucks. SO good!! Oh, and we had a nice chat, too:) Then I stayed on after they left to read magazines from the library.

 

5.  I love fall. Most of this week we have been engulfed by fog. While I hate driving in it, I LOVE looking at it:) Here are a couple of pictures I took yesterday on my phone.

I love it!!! These pictures don't do it justice.

 

5.1. Again, I know I already said this in my WS link up post, but I went with my friend to see her mom and dad about a half hour away. The drive there and back was simply amazing!

 

Linking up with Nancy at A Rural Journal for this weeks Random 5 Friday.

 

1. A couple of opportunities have presented themselves to me (us) this week (well, actually yesterday). We are both excited about them. More to (maybe) come in another post.

 

2. I need to get some new underwear. I actually had none yesterday when I went to get dressed. I had to do a load of laundry yesterday morning, so that I had a pair to wear today. True Story.

 

3. We have no money until we get paid next Thursday. Another True Story. Not sure how that will work. I also won't be able to buy any magazines this week. I know. Sob Story.

 

4. The heat at work has gone. So, I was very cold yesterday. At least the fireplace works.

 

5. Anker has been dehydrating fruits the last week. Apples, grapes, plums. Yum!

 

5.1. I now have 21 Followers on my blog. So does my blogging friend Sky-Ann.

 

Tiffany @ The Dwelling Tree

Linking up with Kelly this week for SUYL!

 

I haven't been participating lately in this link up, because simply put, I haven' been experience (or have experienced) (for lack of a better word), the subjects that she has been highlighting, which is totally ok! This week, however, I think I can participate, since I AM married! I have posted several times on the blog about our love story. If you spent a few hours minutes scrolling through the blog, you will surely come across it. But to sum it up, we met online, we met fast, we married fast. Yah, because we are fast like that:)

 

There are a few pieces of advice that I can give, especially to ones just starting out;

 

1. Marriage is NOT going to be perfect. It isn't going to look the same as your siblings, your parents, your next door neighbour (obviously, no hitting, or abuse or neglect  should EVER be involved! THAT IS NOT OKAY!). What works for them may not work for you, and vice versa. You are going to go through hard times. That is inevitable. It isn't going to look like your favourite actors/resses, or characters on your favourites shows. Unless you are wealthy, you won't be able to afford a nanny, a gardener, a chauffer, etc. You have to do most of it yourself. And it is hard! We live paycheque to paycheque. I have good friends who are MUCH more well off than we will ever be. And you know what? That's ok. That's just life. Of course, strive for more, but on the whole, embrace what you have (ok, I hate living PC to PC, and we are hoping that it will change soon, but I think you get what I am getting at).

 

2. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate! I cannot say enough about this. Spend time with each other. A LOT. William Harley in his book, His Needs, Her Needs recommends that a couple spends 15 hours a week ALONE with no interruptions. That means, no TV, no other couples, family, kids, etc. People say "we can't spend that much time together, we don't have the time". Quickly think of how much time you spend watching TV or being on the Net, or having girls night out? Maybe 15 hours IS too much time. For you. Maybe you can't physically make it happen. What about 8 hours a week? Heck, even 4! That is an hour after your kids (if you have any) 4 nights a week after you kids are in bed. So, I guess what I am trying to say at least try to spend time with your partner at least once a week talking. Hubby and I try, but we don't always succeed. A lot of times "date night" consists of MY making a dinner (or us getting taking out) and watching a movie. It isn't the best quality time, but at least we are together, and we will often spend time talking after the movie. The last few wks we haven't had a date night. We have spent time talking and being together (road trips, etc), so that is good, but we haven't spent a TON of time talking. This wknd isn't going to be much better, as either one or both of us are going to be busy for most of the day tomorrow, and into the evening; but we do what we can.

 

3. Marry someone who has at least some money! Trust me, it isn't everything, but it sure does help!!

 

That is my little piece of marriage advice:)