The 10 Things I learned on Black Friday

10. Walmart is really crazy at 5am, and there are way more than just shopping Moms there

9. Never volunteer to push the cart-- that's the "crap" job-- and if you do volunteer, stand up for your right to push, don't let your friend pull the front to rush through the crowds, people don't like there heels being run over--remember you'll look like the culprit because you are behind the cart

8. Always remember what your friend is wearing, if you get separated you are out of luck --oh and cell phones would have been a good idea, but they would've had to fit in pockets with all of the (or my) hidden money.

7. Not all people are mean and pushy on Black Fridays, in fact you can make friends at EVERY store

6. The Kohls line looks crazy long but moves fast, and there are interesting conversations along the way

5. It is okay to dress cute and carry your money in normal places like a pocket book, no one will "jack" you on Black Friday-- but whatever you do -- do NOT park in the back lot of a store-- that is asking for trouble

4. You can almost wet yourself, right after a potty break, when you think your friend is admitting things out loud in their stall and you think there are other people in the bathroom she is not aware of

3. You can make it to 12 stores in 8 hours even with the crowds

2. 12 stores in 8 hours can really wipe a girl (or girls) out

And the # 1 thing I learned on Black Friday

1. Miracles do not happen for everyone, just because the tag says so.

We Did it

This was a first "Big Girl" Thanksgiving for me. Mindy and I coordinated this extravagant Thanksgiving lunch, that turned out excellent. The boys helped too-- in fact B rad made the "Freaking Turkey". (He was the only one that could convince Mindy that he wouldn't mess it up :) )

I can't complain normally we go home (to Sanford) and are spoiled by Joe's Family, and my family who prepare this really great meal for us and we just sit there and visit and eat, and we missed seeing our families this year, but it felt really good to be the one preparing for my kids.

And being with the Horners is like being with family, so it worked out just perfect!!

We even told them we had a family tradition of going around to tell everyone what we are Thankful for, we really do not have that tradition, normallly the tables are too big for that, but the Horners played along -- and the kids loved it-- so maybe it will become a tradition.

And guess what? We fed 9 people for about 3.5 meals-- so we had plenty food, and a great time---Thanks Horners for sharing a "Fabulous" Thanksgiving with us.

I'll show him....

Joe keeps saying that I am embarrased to tell anyone about one of the sweetest anniversary gifts he has ever given me. He is scared that I think it is cheesy-- So I decided I would show him by telling "Everybody" at least everyone that reads this blog....

For our anniversary Joe had a star named in our honor-- so if you ever get a telescope point it towards the night sky to find star #189 602, named Ashley and Joseph Brown. For you more techy folks it can be located in the constellation Capricornus at the following address-- 27Hrs 43min. 11.323 sec and declination of 27.05.52.7.

I thought it was so sweet, and not anything I would ever expect him to think of. He said he thought of it while he was in China.-- Smart me said-- when you were looking at the stars were you wondering if I was looking at the same stars?-- then I remembered we were 12 hours apart and it was never dark at the same time-- oh well it was a good thought...

Anway I have digressed-- Thank you Joe for being such a sweet thoughtful husband-- I love you to "our" star and back.

The "Carter-nary"

Carter has created his own set of words lately here are a couple of examples--move over Websters-- these are pretty darn cute....

Lugilla -Noun
1. Large Hairy Monkey
Used in a Sentence (Carter sentence that is) -- "I have a lugilla on my shirt"

Whisper- Noun
1. The instrument that referees blow in to stop a play
Used in a Sentence (Carter sentence that is) -- "Where is the whisper that Mamamurk gave me?"

Lizard of Oz-
1. The movie featuring Dorothy, Toto, and the Wicked witch of the West
Used in a Sentence (Carter sentence that is) -- "We watched the Lizard of Oz at Mimi's house"

Ropeller- Noun
1. The thing on the front of some planes

Used in a Sentence (Carter sentence that is) -- "Hey, that plane not got a ropeller or wheels on it"

Brown Party of Two

Joe and I celebrated our 8th anniversary at the Melting Pot last night. It is not quite our anniversary but we had a perfect opportunity since the kids were slumbering with my mom (thanks again mom).

We love the Melting Pot --it is a cool place, it is our place, it is where we got engaged, and where we have celebrated many date nights before. Although you don't have to dress up, we like to get all dressed up to go, the lighting is low and romantic, and it is more than a dinner-- it is really an experience. It takes a couple of hours to get through the three courses. So perfect for our anniversary date night, because for two hours while we watched our food cook, we talked..

We talked about our past, we talked about today, and we talked about what we will do 40 years from now, all through the smoke of a Fondue pot.

I don't think we had one bit of silence the entire time (except for when we were chewing of course). Thank you Joe for a wonderful anniversary--I could not have asked for a more perfect night out...

One of my favorites

This is one of my favorite views, it is a view of my backyard from my deck, and the fall colors just make it all the more beautiful to me. I have a similar view from my kitchen window (same thing just different angle) and I find myself standing at the window sometimes just staring and thinking. Now this may not be as beautiful to everyone else but it seems to catch my eye a lot, and I think it is funny how sometimes when things are a little crazy just locking into this calm, natural scenery can help ground me and calm my thoughts.

Does that make me like at one with nature or something?? :)

Must have to do with some of those endorphin thingys---

No Joke

Some lady ran up to the cash register when I was checking out the other day and asked for a price check at the "DOLLAR" Tree

Well Lady here's your sign

Halloween 2008