double lucky saves a lot

You all remember my first encounter with Lucky Brand jeans, right? (click here)

Well, pretty much, ever since then I decided that I'll just have to buy more of these jeans. The only problem with that thinking is that my style (sweet dream) went out of style with Lucky. Yes, they discontinued it.

Don't you hate that? Like that really cool shade of lipstick or nail polish that looks great on you, but you can never buy more because the stupid company decided that they didn't want you to look good anymore? But I digress...

Back to the story.

On our way to Charleston, WV yesterday, we stopped in Hagerstown for gas. They have an outlet mall right next to the place we stopped for gas. Convenient? I think so! I usually don't just 'shop' unless I have a purpose. So, I didn't even think about shopping yesterday when we stopped. That is, until I saw that they had a Lucky Brand jeans outlet store. Now, I knew I didn't have an extra $120 dollars just laying around in my purse, but I decided that I needed to just stop in and see if they had my Sweet Dreams there. They were giving an extra 25% off clearance. That's a good sign. If the jeans are discontinued, they are sure to be on clearance, right? So I looked. And looked. And looked. Then.... disappointment. Two sizes too small, 5 sizes too big, too small, too long, too...... PERFECT!!!!!!!! MY SIZE!!!!! HAPPY DANCE HAPPY DANCE, RUN TO THE DRESSING ROOM, STRIP, TRY ON.......ahhhhhhhhhh..... perfect. I asked the guy if there were any more, and there were. I picked out two. They were on clearance for $39.99, extra $25% off, makes them $29-ish. Two pairs for $63-something. I saved $160 on two pairs of jeans. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas day fun

Mimi with the highly anticipated electric toothbrush. I swear, this made her the happiest.

I am sure I am not the only parent who gets her kids socks for christmas. Mimi got a 'box of socks', Patricia got socks and a shirt, Vivian just got socks, but Trystan got BLACK SOCKS!!! Why do you think I got him black socks? Of course it's because all of his white socks end up black. I decided to save him some time.

So, explain to me the logic behind buying him white shoes. I don't understand it either. The only reason I bought him white shoes is because they only cost $12.50. Yes people, you read right. K Swiss sneakers for $12.50. If they had my size, I would have bought some for myself.

This is Patricia's obligatory bag of Jelly Belly's. They were almost all gone by the time we finished opening presents. She's fast, huh?

Mel got tools. He needed more levels. (whatever)

Vivian and Mimi got lots of bath paraphenelia. Those girls love their baths. Viv couldn't wait to 'paint' the bathtub.
We had been planning on a huge present and reveal for our kids for Christmas since September. We got them a Wii and some games and accessories. The kids noticed a big box in our garage a couple of weeks ago, and guessed what it was. They guessed right, but we tried to pretend that they didn't know what they were talking about. So, on Christmas eve at dinner, Trystan said, "Mom, I bet you are going to set up Guitar Hero World Tour up in the playroom with the Wii, and that will be our big surprise for Christmas." I told him that that would be a great idea if we had one. I still wasn't ready to admit to my cheating kid that he was going to get a Wii. I totally know he peeked, so I decided that I was going to make him work for it. That night, Mel and I decided to hide the Wii, the games, and accessories throughout the house so they would think that we didn't buy them one. After all the presents under the tree were opened, the older two were very concerned. "Is that all?" and "What about the big box in the garage?" were repeated over and over again. We almost had them convinced that we were just holding on to the big box in the garage for a friend, when we told them that they had to search for the last present. This video is what happened. If you decide to watch it, turn your volume down once you get to the part in my closet. Yes, my closet is a mess, and no, I don't mind letting all of you see the mess.




'Wooooooah we're halfway there, woooooo ooohh livin' on a prayer.....'

I am sad to say that I didn't get dressed until about 8:30 pm when Mel and I went out to the movies.

Merry Christmas

Mel is so handsome. I love him so much. He is actually baking sugar cookies for Santa with the kids right now. I don't know how I would survive without him. He's the greatest husband ever.

Patricia couldn't be any more beautiful if she tried. Since she's started Facebook, she has mastered the art of the self-portrait. They are so expressive and beautiful. I like this one because she has the 'yeah, right' look on her face.

I am not sure when Trystan took this picture, but can't you just see that he's up to something? It's as if he is looking back to check to see if I can see him bugging Mimi. And he probably did it anyway.

Here is my superstar!!! She is such a sweet child. She's helpful, kind, smart, funny, beautiful. Did I say kind? I love her hair in this picture. I love her hair period. She has great hair. Next time you see her, check it out. You'll be jealous.

Vivian's first dance recital. She was a reindeer. Can you just eat her? She was so hot and cold about dance class. She likes it, she doesn't like it. Her teacher is mean, she wants her teacher to come over and play. Typical three year old. That's what she is. I keep telling myself that one day it will be all over and she won't be a cute little three year old anymore. That will be the day of my dreams.

And now for the real surprise. Yes, I finally did what I have been talking about for months. It isn't exactly what I wanted. It's kinda orangey, yellowy. I might try again next week, but my scalp hurts after two different bleaching applications in two days. My main consolation is that in two months or less, it will be all grown out and black again. Maybe I'll try something else next time. What do you think? Patricia says that now I have to do something really dramatic with my makeup. I keep reminding her that I am 33. Orangey/yellowy hair is enough.

a picture

Pretty picture of the Washington Monument from the White House. The pictures Trystan took didn't turn out well because:

1. He's 10.
2. He had a disposable camera.
3. He's 10.

Wow! Two entries in a row. It's a record or something. I have to rest now. Take care.

Hob-nobbing with the President

Today, Trystan did something really cool. He got to spend the day with the President and First Lady.



He was lucky enough to be one of the few children selected from his school to attend a special holiday reception and performance at the White House. Here's a link to the page.


Trystan took pictures, but they haven't been 'developed' yet. If there's any good ones, I'll post them.