A few holiday favorites

Don't we all get too busy during the holidays to get to the things we would like to? Here are a few pictures worth sharing.

Student of the month again, Aunt Jill and Kelsey, the Family Home Evening where we decorated up Daddy - yes that's a full pillow in his tummy, Kelsey's shower head, my dad with me and the kids, and Kelsey on Christmas morning getting some love from the dog!

The Poinsettia

What a beautiful and cheap artificial plant, I thought. So, I bought it to add to my collection of Christmas decorations, with the intent of it lasting for years. One morning I woke up to find a leaf falen off, and then the stems turned green- like you see here. Wouldn't you know it? The darn thing is real! No wonder it was so cheap.

Guess I'm it

This is how we play tag when we grow up. Don't worry, you're next. Audie's Lucky 7s are:

7 things I can do:
1. Cook
2. Bake
3. Hmm... noticing a weight problem with 1 and 2
3. Fit anything. No room in the trunk, freezer, shoe closet-this one's important, you name it- I can find a spot.
4. Read a balance sheet and income statement
5. Fix mechanical things; figure out why something isn't working and devise a solution.
6. Avoid being swallowed up in a problem. In the midst of commotion and chaos I can focus on what needs to be done and do it. Wallowing doesn't suit me.
7. Listen.

7 things I can not do:
1. Sleep all night without waking up.
2. Think I'll ever be ok with my kids growing up and leaving home.
3. Run more than 15 minutes straight- yet.
4. Lift anything. Rotten shoulder!
5. Say goodbye
6. Get my pre baby abs back
7. Stop eating carbs

7 things that attracted me to Tony:
1. His dedication to school and God
2. Always, he made me laugh
3. He played with my kids
4. I was hurt, and he was patient
5. Work- he worked harder than anyone I knew
6. He gave me space and support the same time
7. It was ok that I had my own field of knowledge and study and he respected that, my thoughts, and asked questions.

7 things I say most often:
1. Dinner's ready
2. Bella, NO! Bad dog.
3. Put your shoes by the front door and put your socks on. Not your Heeley's or your church shoes, get your school shoes.
4. Did you brush your teeth?... Did you brush them this morning?
5. Who did you play with today?
6. Don't touch other people's bodies. Leave him/ her alone.
7. I love you

7 New Years goals:
1. Plant a garden
2. Be able to run 30 minutes without stopping/ breaking
3. High protein diet- carbs are bad mmmkkk?
4. Stay home more- less outings more playing at home
5. Watch tv more- weird goal? We just don't do this and we love it. Ultimate relaxation!
6. Sunscreen every day
7. Finish my kitchen remodel

7 favorite foods:
1. Pizza
2. Chocolate
3. Diet Coke- not really a food, but definitely a favorite.
4. Hot wings
5. Fresh artesian bread
6. Olive Garden salad
7. Crab

7 people I tag:
1. Lynette
2. Maya
3. Jamie W
4. Meri
5. Jill - you can e mail
6. Hannah H.
7. Shalayne

Economic advantage and avoiding marketing myopia

Now this is pretty great. Perhaps some realtors are sitting and waiting for the clients to come in and hoping banks will call with a few properties they might get lucky and sell. Not these guys. No way. Here they are thinking outside the box and creating their own little market niche. You go repo bus! Who would have thought of a way to make these tough times profitable!?