Sure, I get a new look and then have nothing to say. Not completely true but most of last week was spent Christams shopping. That is not my list but I do have a 4pg handy dandy spreadsheet that is even better that I have been using. I love to be organized. The down side is that most of my list is now complete before Black Friday. That won't stop me though, I'll be out there finding all kind of things I didn't know we needed until I saw it.
I have a new look. I worked with Shauna of See My Deigns http://www.seemydesignsbyshauna.com/ which I know was not easy for Shauna because I am much better at saying what I don't like than describing what I want. Shauna was great to work with, very patient, and eager to find the look I was looking for. I was really attached to my free background and I don't like change (haha) but I wanted something customized. If your looking for the same check out Shauna. Her prices are really responsible. I know because I saw some crazy pricing out there!
It reads: Dear Santa, Merry Christmas! I would love the Mario kart DS game! A red Matrix phone for att would be cool, also! But in the Spirit of Giving, I would like the less fortunate to get what they need to have a wonderful and safe holiday. Oh and again, Merry Christmas!At this time of year when one minute I am worrying about not buying enough for her, then worrying about buying her too much. Thinking do we need another toy, knick knack or doo dad brought into this house? I often worry that as an only child with two sets of parents and several sets of grandparents ,she will lose the real meaning of the season. However she continues to show me that she knows what's really important.
Saturday was also spent buying our Angel Tree gifts, our Thanksgiving Basket items, and Lolly's adopt a Grandparent stuff.
I am signed up to attend Jeff Galloway's Running School this Saturday from 7:00am-10:00am. It was 26 degrees this morning! 26!!! That's cold. I am thinking maybe that wasn't such a good idea.
It's the last Pokeno Game of the year and I am feeling lucky. Last month I was a big winner and know my streak will continue tonight. For those of you who haven't played before, Pokeno is like Bingo but with bigger cards and instead of numbered balls you use a deck of cards. Everyone puts in $5 in the pot and brings a gift that costs no more than $10. The winner of each round picks a gift, which can be stolen up to three times, which can make for some interesting moments. There is also a hostess round and the final money round where you have to fill your entire card to win.
2 wine glasses (Noel is written on the stems), 2 dish towels, a pack of beverage napkins and a bottle of $2 chuck. (always popular with the group, not sure what that says about us). I think I paid something like 25cents a piece for the glasses and maybe $3 for the set of towels. (love after Christmas sales). They've been sitting in my gift closet for a long time, waiting for just the right occassion.
Could that towel be any cuter? I am having second thoughts of letting go it it.I know these ladies, they are going to want this towel, the other stuff will just be a bonus.
Here it is, all disguised. Nobody will guess there's "Christmas" stuff in there. Gotta run, I hardly look ready to socialize. I need some quick touching up....
I love the end of the year. I get so excited about the beginning of a new year and all the possibilities. I am amazed at how much things can change in a year's time. That's not to say that all my years are full of excitement and life changing events. Some are rather forgetable but there are others that are nothing short of amazing. Normally this excitement hits in December but this year it's hit early. Tomorrow is my birthday, the start of a new year, so it's had me thinking "what do I want to accomplish in the year 42 to 43"? I will admit I have been "stuck" recently. While I love my company, I am overwhelming bored most days at work. Knowing I've done "more" in past positions at past companies, I feel that I am not living up to my potential, that my talents are not being used, and more importantly I am operating from a comfort zone and not learning anything new. My fitness goals have lagged, gaining and losing the same 3-4 pounds, the house always seems a mess. I could go on but I am sure you get the picture. Dang, I am bringing myself down. Haha.
Normally I start the birthday count down a month in advance. I remind Mister and Lolly on a daily basis from Oct 13 to Nov 12 that my birthday is Nov 13, almost borderline obnoxious. I usually spend that month buying myself my best birthday presents. However, this year I haven't had the same excitement. Has nothing to do with age, that really doesn't tend to bother me but I am not sure why the lack luster this year. While the level of excitement is not there ,the shopping tradition remains the same. This may be my nextbirthday purchase.
Visit her blog and leave a comment for a chance to win one for free! http://southernstuf.blogspot.com/ 
Here are the specifics:
I can't say that I was surprised but I do feel an overwhelming sadness today. I hope that more good than damage can be done in the next 4 years. When it comes to politics and the political process isn't that all we can hope for? A process that has tried it's best to remove itself from the foundation from which it was formed, God.
This morning I participated in the Heart Walk, a 5K that started and ended at Turner Field. I actually ran it instead of walking it. Why walk when you can run, Huh?
I got to the polls this morning at 8:27, doors opened at 8:30 and I was done and in the car by 9:36. Much better than I expected. There's been news of people waiting 8+ hours to vote in the Atlanta area. Crazy! We may finally have more people voting in the presidental election than vote for American Idol. We are making progress. But with the media cirus will there really be any winners when it's all over and done?
Make sure to stop by and wish one of my favorite bloggers a Happy Birthday to day!
I woke up this morning to find out that I won Brock and Ava's http://www.brockandava.blogspot.com/ first blog giveaway. What a nice surprise. Much nicer than the other surprise I got this morning...waking up to realize that I fell back asleep after the alarm went off and missed my morning workout.
Well they are giving away one of these a cute Christmas apron. 
How cute would we be baking Christmas cookies in one of those?
Hurry, email them (info@thepalmgifts.com) your favorite Monogrammed Christmas Gift from their Monogrammed Christmas Category and they'll enter you into their contest! Put Apron Giveaway! in the subject line. Don't forget to tell them you learned about the Giveaway from The House of Fowler. If your entry is picked, they'll GIVE AWAY 2 APRONS! One for you and one for me!
My favorite Monogrammed Christmas gift from the Christmas Category is
Remember:
They came so cutely wrapped I haven't been able to bear taking my out of the wrapper. For $9 you just can't beat them or the customer service that Misty provided. She actually called me to suggest a better looking font for a particluar name. I can't wait to place another order. I am working on little "gift buckets" for my co-workers and these will make the perfect center piece for them.
The collection is called Eye Candy by Jackie Savage McFee http://www.jackiemcfee.com/. I am not too proud to admit that I am a paper, school supply, office supply junkie. My love for school supplies goes way back to 1st grade. Love, love, love cute papers, pens, pencils, folders. I want them all. Last night I indulged in a couple Ideal Books, Note Totes, and a Mouse Pad.
Facebook Daily Tarot (translation: can you tell I am bored?)
We cheered on the Falcons. When I thought all was lost, Lolly said the games not over yet and sure enough with something like 7 seconds left we rallied and won the game.
We rounded out the weekend with a little cookie baking where I was told, this isn't fun anymore. Why I asked. Because you've become the baking nazi I was told. Is it so wrong to want them to look good?
Now there's nothing left to do but get ready for the upcoming week and oh yeah a ton of laundry...
I pulled this from my facebook daily tarot. I don't know that I believe the Tarot as much as I find it fascinating. But twice this week The High Priestess has been my card, today and Tuesday..jpg)
Soon I am going to need to step away from the computer to ensure I quit shopping!
my incentive for packing Lolly's lunch box for tomorrow ~ something I usually put off so long I start to dread it....
