Happy Birthday, Alex & Brady!

Today, November 30th, is Alex & Brady's 9th birthday--Happy Birthday, Boys! While the twins are very excited I just feel old, I can't believe they are already 9! I have to work until 6 tonight and Brian & the kids are suppose to meet me at Chuck E. Cheese's for pizza and fun, but with the crazy weather I don't know if that will happen or not. The boys have another b-day party to go to on Sunday at the Rec-Plex, so it will be quite the weekend of celebrations. I'm sure everyone will have a great time, no matter what we end up doing. Next year they will hit double digits, how scary is that?

You've Got to Be Kidding!

5 Day Forecast(according to Dave Murray Fox 2 News St Louis)

High: 68
Low: 56
TUESDAY
Rain
A Few Showers

High: 71
Low: 37
WEDNESDAY
Thunderstorms
Rain and T-storms

High: 37
Low: 20
THURSDAY
Rain
Sharply Colder...periods of rain

High: 29
Low: 15
FRIDAY
Snow
Very Cold...sleet and snow

High: 32
Low: 20
SATURDAY
Sunny
Sunny and cold

Okay I know St Louis weather is known for its rapid changes but this is just a bit ridiculous. We go from highs in the 70s to highs in the 20's with snow two days later, give me a break. I guess I shouldn't be complaining too much, since we have had unusually mild temps for more than a week, but I'm not ready for winter. I hate the cold and snow! I just needed to rant a bit, spring starts again on March 21st!

Shopped 'til we droppped!

Our annual day after Thanksgiving holiday shopping marathon was a success, although I am still feeling the after effects today. I always stay the night at Brenda's (Brian's mom) Thanksgiving night since we get up so early, we also have to have time that night to make our lists, check them twice, and plan our routes. Brenda and I are also both night owls and not use to going to bed at a decent time, so it was 2 am before we even got off to bed and another 30-60 minutes before we both fell asleep. The alarm went off at 4 am and we were off to Kohl's which opened at 5, which was an hour earlier than usual, damn you Kohl's! The doors opened and we were off, the initial rush is very exciting, but it is always soon followed by the chaos that ensues as hundreds of people fight for the few remaining $60 portable DVD players or whatever the hot bargain of the morning is. And no I didn't get one, but I was so close! I did get one later that night at Target, I paid $20 more for it but didn't have to fight anyone, well worth $20. (Don't tell the boys though--SHHH!) 14 hours, 12 stores, and hundreds of dollars later we called it a night and went back to Brenda's to unload. I have well over half of my shopping done and at least have ideas for the rest, not bad for one day's work I guess. Although I think I may have pulled something in my back about half way through the day yesterday and was in severe pain by the end of the night. The pain is better today, but I am still VERY stiff-- maybe I am getting too old for all this? One good thing about this year was the amazing weather, we have been doing this for the past 8 years or so and this was by far the best day weather wise. The best bargains of the day were at Dillard's of all places, they had all their Cardinals/World Series attire for 50% off! They had t-shirts for under $10 and sweatshirts, polos, and pullovers for $15-$30-- what a deal! Happy Shopping Everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and of course, Happy Shopping. We will be up at the crack of dawn on Friday and probably won't get finished until well into the night. It is always one of my longest days of the year, but I guess that's the price you gotta pay for all those good bargains.

Voting Machine Problems

Last night I watched the HBO documentary "Hacking Democracy," which discusses potential problems with many of the electronic voting machines being used throughout the country today. If you haven't seen the film yet, try to catch it sometime this week it is very disturbing how easily an election could be manipulated.
So as I went to vote this morning I was already concerned about the integrity of the election using these machines, but what choice do we have I HAD TO VOTE!! So I fill out my ballot and go to insert it into the scanner that counts and records the ballot. I live in a small area and we only have one scanner for the entire polling venue. Anyway, I go to insert my ballot and notice an election worker standing next to the machine on the phone trying to get a hold of someone at the board of elections, because the scanner was flashing that it had a low battery and they were afraid it was going to lose power all together. IT WAS 9:30 AM!!! I know if I'm going to have a busy day, I make sure to charge my cell phone overnight. Don't you think that would be a top priority especially, if there is only one machine for the entire place! I reluctantly put my ballot in, but this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed ASAP, the integrity of our democracy depends on it!

P.S. If you do have problems at the polls today you can report the issue by calling 1-866-OUR-VOTE

Don't Forget to VOTE!!!!

It's election day and this is not your normal midterm election! Not only is the Missouri Senate race the tightest in the country and could shift control of the Senate to the Democrats--GO CLAIRE! But Missourians are also voting whether or not to allow embryonic stem cell research, whether to raise the state minimum wage to $6.50/hour, and whether to raise tobacco taxes by 470%! If you have never voted in a midterm election this is the one to start with, if you want to vote but don't know where or when you can vote--call 1-866-MY-VOTE-1 to find out. If you are eligible and registered, but chose not to vote then you are not allowed to complain about anything related to politics or our government for at least the next two years. Exercise your civic responsibility as an American and make your voice heard!! See you at the polls!!

More Halloween Pics

Happy Halloween!

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween! We all did Wizard of Oz characters this year and they were all so cute! For my mom and Bill's halloween party on Saturday I was Dorothy and Brian was the Scarecrow. Then on Halloween Alena was Dorothy, Brady was the Tin Man, and Alex was the Cowardly Lion. We went trick or treating around Brenda's circle and a few around my mom house. We have tons of candy, so let me know if anyone wants to come over and eat some Halloween candy!