Not a Silent Night

We had some wild winter weather here in Florida late last night. A cold front pushed through the area bringing 40-50 mph winds. We lost half our Christmas lights and I found one of my bows two doors down. From what the TV says there is coastal flooding, power outages and lots of debris on the ground.

Hubby woke me up about 4 telling me what was happening and turning on the TV trying to find out if anyone was talking about it. Our weather radio was chirping warning of the high winds but we wanted more. You could hear the wind howling, it was very reminiscent of this years storms. All in all we came out OK.

Just not a Silent Night here in Florida.

Remembering Home..

Merry Christmas !

This past week has been awesome for me. I have time to regenerate the batteries, spend quality time with my husband, parents, sister and new fiance, grandmother and old friends. Spent a lot of time reminiscing about the past and Christmases gone by. I was struck last night at midnight mass by our pastors homily. How he talked of home and the importance of it with Christmas and the memories associated with it. But that Christmas isn't just a time of the year, but a feeling, a lifestyle to keep throughout the year. In the Catholic Church we talk of coming home not just to a physical place such as the building, but to your faith and that this is a place to find home at anytime. Often at these important feast days I am transported and think of the the millions of Catholics around the world who at any hour of this day, somewhere on the this planet there was Christmas mass being said and that for about 2000 years this tradition has happened. Yes the incense almost gave me an asthma attack this year, but it is a tradition I wouldn't want to lose.

I was thinking about family last night. And after opening the gifts from my family last night around the tree I was thinking about what struck me the most. It was two things. First it was the three generations of us sitting in the same room that we have been since 1979 and how comforting it was. And second the connection to my grandparents I now have. My favorite gift was a box of Christmas tree ornaments from my Grandmother. I never got to meet my Grandfather, he died the spring before I was born. But I have a locomotive train ornament that will always remind me of his presence and one that is brightly colored with beads that will remind me of grandma. It connects us through the generations and hopefully one day I will be able to share this connection with my children.

Ok, I got a little long a mushy, heck it's Christmas, it's the mushiest time of the year! I am wishing everyone a blessed Christmas today in hopes that everyone has a piece of home in their hearts. Merry Christmas.

Happy Winter Solstice!

Today is the first day of winter which is the shortest day of the year (day with sunlight that is). It felt like winter here in the sunshine state too. It was down in the upper 30's last night but we were lucky, it didn't freeze!

I am enjoying my vacation. We went shopping yesterday and got a large amount of it done. A little more left only. I am pleased.

I am over at my parents house right now. Mom and me have been baking cookies like nuts. First cut out butter cookies, then brownie cookies and then soft sugar cookies (a family favorite). And then it was on to making the Chex party mix which is finishing up in the oven right now. So it smells of cookies and Tobasco sauce in here right now.

Oohhh.. and Aaron remember, it's ONE week till the BIG 3-0! Just in case you thought I forgot...I didn't. :-)

So You Think You Can Sell Jewelry?

An open letter to anyone buying jewelry this holiday season...

You know, everyone thinks is very easy to sell retail. Especially jewelry. Everyone is an expert. They have searched the net and they think they know exactly the price they should get for it. An education is good, but why is everyone so defensive? Why can't I say hello to a potential customer without them ignoring you? Or worse? Being defensive and telling you I'm just looking. What happened to just hello back? Or how are you? I'm just letting you know I acknowledge you.

And when you are getting a fare deal why do you feel the need to push harder and harder to get a lower price? You know we aren't trying to make a buck off you, but an honest living, there is a real difference. Why is it wrong for a business to profit? We cannot be Wal-Mart and drop prices everyday.

And why do you have to waste my time asking for price after price if you aren't gonna buy it today? What's the point? It probably won't be there when you come back. Especially after mentioning how much you like it, the price is right and you are pleased with it and still you need to think about it?

Oh, and yes, the price of gold has gone up about $100 since July so yes the price of jewelry is going up to so your friend whose the jeweler can't sell you jewelry for $10 a gram, he can't buy 14k for that from a wholesaler.

Finally, cash means cash, you know dollar bills with dead presidents on them and not a credit card or debit card. They are not cash. When we give you a break for cash it's because 3 percent of the total is going to a credit card company and it's not to us. Yes really. So we would lose more money if we didn't charge you a little more. For a small business 3 percent is huge!

Thanks for listening. Your neighborhood jewelry store.

P.S.
Yes all of our stuff is real gold, if it's locked up in display cases and not on top, chances are it is.

P.S.S.

Thanks Dad for the festive music and graphic!

Oh The Weather Outside Was Frightful...

Ok, so it was cold the past two days. And I do mean COLD. We had to turn the heat on cold. We were lucky in Pinellas because the water on three sides kept us from freezing, but most of central Florida saw a freeze. We are being told there is another big front on the way on for Sunday.

Okay, I do like that I can wear different clothing..but I don't like it being uncomfortable and cold. That's why I like living in Florida. But the good part? While yesterday only made it in the low 50's, today will in the 60's and tomorrow in the 70s. And the sun is shining. So I don't have that much a reason to complain.

On the sweeter side of things. I baked the first cookies in the house. First chocolate chip walnut and then spritz cookies using a cookie press. So the house smells very sweet. And only a day and a 1/2 left of work before I'm off on a weeks vacation. How sweet it is!

Pimp My Drink!

Pimpin' With Juice

So hubby and I were out having dinner with friends Roy and Kimmie and we got to talking about things and up came Pimp Juice. And my curiosity got the better of me and I HAD to Google the sucker. And up came Pimp Juice, an energy drink marketed by rapper Nelly. Find the link here: http://www.letitloose.com/ supposedly it's a safer alternative to Red Bull. I dunno, all I DO know that it's funny. I'se gots to gets me some of that Pimp Juice!

Laptops Usage ='s No Kids?

Laptops users beware! Check out the article below. And be forewarned, it's pretty funny!

Laptop Usage Can Lead to Low Sperm Count and Infertility

I'm Dreaming of a Blue?? Christmas...

Lights!

Ok, so we weren't gonna do it...
We weren't gonna be at Wal-Mart on Friday at 9 p.m. buying Christmas lights. We weren't gonna put lights up. Just a wreath, some bows I made and that's it. But it happened. Hubby decided he had to keep up with the neighbors. We happen to have moved to an unusually festive street and he didn't want to be left out. So there we were, along with many others, in the light aisle deciding what color, what kind, twinkling or not..oye! The choices! So in our debut on the block we went with twinkling blue icle lights, red and gold bows and blue lights in our lamps. Very classy if I do say so myself. It's hard to see the lovely lights in the photos. But they are there. And no the big black smudge on the house usually isn't there, but I thought I'd block out the house numbers since I don't need the whole word were to find me. But if you are flying over Pinellas County, Florida you probably could see our street from the air...it seems to be glowing and now we are too.

I'm finally really starting to feel Christmasey.

Happy Birrrthhdaayy Tooo Youu!

A VERY happy birthday to my younger sister Laura! She turns the BIG 28 today. And you know Laura that means you are now closer to 30 than 25! Even though she's getting old, she still acts young. Have a great day!

And a happy birthday to my Uncle Tony in Ft. Wayne! We won't mention his age...but he still acts young too. Hopefully your birthday is wonderful!

Word of the Year: Blog!

I had heard that Merriam Webster had said that the word BLOG was the most commonly looked up on its dictionary site in 2004. So we here at Sarah Says are hip and new. Well, maybe my blog is, I'm not too hip, cool or new. You can read the article below.
InfoWorld TechWatch: Word of The Year: Blog

No Book for Me

I am unhappy to report that I didn't finish a 50,000 word novel in November. I should have thought harded about taking this project on since I am so busy this year. I came up really short. I only wrote about 18,000 words. Hey, that's still about 23 pages, single spaced! I am pleased that I tried though and am pretty sure I will be trying next year.

Now it's on to the holidays. I feel so behind, 1/2 my street has their holiday lights up and I JUST took down my Thanksgiving turkeys last night. On the plus side I am more than 1/2 way done with my christmas cards, the first batch went out in the mail TODAY. But I still have to find time to buy some Christmas gifts...when that will be, I don't know.

You Had WHAT Gold-Plated?

Um OK, Ewww!!!!

Yahoo! News - You Had WHAT Gold-Plated?

So Many Blessings..

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. I am blessed in my life in so many ways and I have many things to be thankful for...here's some of them.

1. A great husband.
2. A great family.
3. I have a nice place to live and food on my plate (and today too much probably.)
4. Many awesome friends.
5. I have a job and many good friends I met because of it.
6. I am healthy.
and today a new one I didn't have yesterday...
7. A new brother.

A big congratulations to my sister Karen and her NEW fiance Joe. He popped the question last night and of course she said YES. We very excited for them and are looking forward to a visit from them at Christmas time.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

These People Have WAYYY Too Much Time on Their Hands..

I don't have to say much about this, the article speaks for itself.

Yahoo! News - SpongeBob Kidnappers Seek Ransom for Doll

Aaron! This Post is For You!

Seems my lack of blogging has caused a slight fervor, OK, very slight, one person.

So Aaron, on my honor I promise to blog more often. And it shall be funny and contain more photos. And if you missed this one, like the one before it...I don't know how more plain it could be and what I have to do to get your attention.

And everyone else, I think I'll be back to my normal weird postings shortly. I feeling lots of typin' coming on.

My It's Almost Thanksgiving

I can't believe it. THIS Thursday is Thanksgiving. Time is really flying in my world. I have been really doing a lot of deep thinking lately. About life, the universe and everything (and I don't mean the book, which is great by the way). I think that's what has been keeping me from posting too much lately, well besides working 7 days a week. Usually I examine my life through this blog and mostly I've been doing it in my head and I can't figure how to put things down. I think this is also keeping me from being more attentive to my book I'm supposed to be writing. I just can't seem to put things down on paper.

If I don't get the chance to say it, I hope everyones Thanksgiving is very happy and full of yummy food. We sometimes forget all the good things in our lives that we should be thankful for. I am learning that I need to recognize those things more often so I don't get down on my life.

So Happy Thankgiving friends.

Helllooo!!!

Man I am so behind in the blogging department! I see things and think, man that would be great on my blog! And then I just don't get to it. I know, I am so lazy.

I also have been participating in the National Writers Month whose motto is quantity and not quality. You sign up and try to write 50,000 words in 1 month. I don't think I am going to make it. But what is good is that it gets you in the habit of writing. My untitled story is just under 13,000 words (about 21 pages long). You really get some new founded respect for novel writers.

We have celebrated my Mom's birthday and just had the pleasure to visit with old friends from Lond Island. Plus I was privaleged to go to a good friends baby shower. She's having a boy.

I promise to try not to neglect my blogging duties. I also have some photos to share soon. But back to work. Lots to do!

Too Greasy!

I have been only buying and eating baked potato chips, pretzels and my newest fav. Cheetos for a while now. So when I opened a snack size of regular Lays chips I had visions of wonderful fried goodness floating thought my head. I was almost fantasizing about them. But the reality is, I don't think I really like them anymore. They are too greasy, and that's what the main flavor is, the taste of lard. Ew! It's amazing. I never thought I'd not like potato chips. Now if I can only learn how to prefer broccoli the cheese, I'll be set.

One More Thing!

Man I am SOOOO behind in the posts aren't I?

I would be remiss if I didn't wish my Dad a happy belated birthday! We had a great dinner last night and are looking forward to whopping it up for Mom's big day on FRIDAY.

Touching and SOOOO Romantic!

The Wedding

Once I finished Edward Beck's book, I was off and running with this one. I finished The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks last night. As usual Sparks offers an easy read that is touching and so romantic.
Sparks takes us back into the lives of Noah Calhoun and his family that he wrote about in his successful book The Notebook. This time we are focusing on his son-in-law Wilson and his wife Jane and their problems.
Wilson's problem climaxes when he forgets his 29th wedding anniversary. There have been many blunders along the way because he worked too much and forgot that he couldn't just take Jane for granted. The book centers around the next year where he has resolved to himself to make himself a better husband. The events are centered around their oldest daughter Anna's wedding which is set to take the same day as their anniversary.
It is a heartfelt book that has some good lessons. You can't forget that once you are married that you have to still work at a good relationship and that suprises are good.

Not sure what's on the plate next. But I'm sure something will catch my eye on my bookshelf.