I haven’t had much time lately to post.  Abbey was in the hospital a few days.  She is better now.  But, I’m still recovering from my overloaded desk at work.  I don’t think I have ever seen such a mess.  Invoices and bill were stacked to the ceiling.  I love my job.  Did y’all read that with plenty of sarcasm?

On to better things……

Y’all know I’m a huge fan of yard sales.  I am bad.  In fact if there was a support group, I would be the president.  My kids are just as bad.  Last year while camping at Virginia Beach we walked around a curve and there was a campsite covered with everything you could think of.  Abbey Beth yelled YARD SALE!  My poor mama covered Abbey’s mouth and walked a little faster.  It wasn’t until our last day that we realized those people were French.  Thank goodness!  Then last Saturday I bought Zack some Osh Kosh B’ Gosh shoes for FIFTY CENTS!  Mama asked him if I got them at Wal-Mart.  He answered with, “No, yard sale.”  Gotta love that even my little man knows the best bargains come from yard sales!

I know y’all know how to yard sale, but do you know the great tips?  You guessed it, I am sharing my knowledge today.  You have to know how to find and have the best ones!

Finding the best:

1. Get up with the chickens!  The good stuff is only there for a short time.
2. Take plenty of small bills and quarters.  Change is often scarce.
3. Read the classifieds to see what area has the most yard sales.
4. Watch for signs.  Signs that are big and neat usually have the best stuff.
5. Don’t be afraid to dig to the bottom of a stack. 
6. It’s OK to make an offer if you want all of a certain thing.  (i.e. box of books, bag of clothes, etc.)

Having the best:

1. Make your signs big, bright, and neat.
2. Get started early.  People will come before the sun comes up!
3. Have plenty of change.  Quarters and ones go fast.
4. Keep your stuff tidy.  People won’t stop if things are thrown everywhere.
5. Have some bags on hand in case people buy a lot.
6. Put like items together.  Kitchen items on one table, clothes on another, etc.
7. Price bigger items a little higher than you really want.  People will ask for lower prices.
8. Have a “freebie box”.  Include mismatched lids to bowls, plastic cups, bags of small toys, etc.
9. Greet people when they come up.  People tend to buy more if you aren’t rude early in the morning.
10. When items aren’t selling, mark them down.  Especially if it’s late in the day.

There are tons more things to remember when it comes to yard sales.  These are just a few of the ones I tend to look for and do.  Any other great tips?

Linda at 2nd Cup  hosts this meme.  I enjoyed reading all the links. Then I decided since I was getting back into my posting I’d try this one.

Scents of fresh coffee wafted slowly through the house.  The sound of bacon sizzling cut through the monotony of the night sounds.  Whirling fans tried with no avail to eliminate the heat of the summer morning.  Each scent and sound playing its own part in the beginning of a new day.

Lazy summer mornings.  The days of doing nothing with the exception of working on your tan were the greatest.  These were the days a kid could be a kid.  We could ride our bikes all over the community without worrying.  The woods held endless treasures as we would walk from one home to the other.  We were free to roam the entire community… if we wanted to.

With three kids at home I am constantly reminded of the differences in their childhood and mine.  We live in different times.  I would never let my kids roam the woods alone.  Riding bikes down the road is not even mentioned at our house.  I rarely let them outside to play in the backyard alone.  It’s scary…. for me.

This year will be different!  I have made a vow to allow my kids outside…. alone (that made my hands shake a little) for a few hours every day.  The only exception will be those dark dreary days when the grass is soaked and the mud is so thick it gulps down your flip flops. 

We all sat down last night and talked about what we expected of them.  It’s not much.  They are past the age of learning to do chores.  It is time they stepped up and helped keep things clean.  I don’t really consider these things chores.  You know… put things back where you get them.  Plain and simple. 

That’s not really where I was going with this post, but… you know.  I am sticking to my vow for my kids sakes.  Oh and before y’all get worried… this vow is ONLY for my “big kids”.  Zack has to be supervised by a parent! 

All that said…. bring on the warm sunny days with extra hours of daylight.  Bring on the tanned little faces that soak up the sun.  Bring on the days of sipping kool-aid from the front porch.  Bring on the days of SUMMER!

We had a great time in the snow.  But when you can’t feel your toes, you know it’s time to move on to something warmer.  Cold, tired, and hungry we made it back to our rooms.  We began our quest for a restaurant open on Christmas day. 

 While I searched the phone book, Jason turned on the hot tub for Tyler & Abbey.  Zack thought that was the funniest thing.  He kept running back and forth from the living room to the bathroom.  He threw all his cars in there and giggled as the bubbles covered them.  Many minutes later the kids got out and we headed to TGIF, the only place open on Christmas! 

Our waiter was the best!  He brought out a printout of every ingredient in every food.  He stood beside me helping me find something for Abbey.  Amazing!  We were so thrilled to have someone like him to wait on us!  And, yes, I emailed the company to applaud him for his great job!  When we were all full and ready to relax, we went back to our rooms. 

We changed into our swimming suits, grabbed towels, and headed to the indoor heated pool and water slides!  We went from snow to water in one day!  Abbey and I went down the slide.  When she came out she bawled!  She didn’t know it would be dark.  That was it for the slides.  Tyler wouldn’t even try!  We swam until we were shriveled like prunes. 

It was late by the time we rode the elevator to our room.  Sleep came quick for all of us.  We knew the next day would be filled with much more.

After breakfast we got dressed and drove through the mountains for a few hours.  We drove on some trails.  There we saw so many deer, turkeys , and old churches.  When the trail ended we went to downtown Gatlinburg for some shopping.  Zack slept most of the time.  Tyler and abbey oohed and aahhed at the shops lining the streets.  We took a quick break to eat at Bubba Gump Shrimp.  Again, an amazing waiter. He came right out and told us the only thing she could have.  After eating we walked the streets some more.  On the way back to the Explorer we stopped at the Aquarium.  Zack loved it!  He kept saying, “Pish, Mama,  Pish!”  Abbey was scared when we walked under the sharks.  It was a little strange being under them, but amazing creatures to look at.  Tyler wasn’t too interested. 

We said goodbye to Gatlinburg for many months.  The Williams family definitely made many memories this Christmas!  I was glad we had our one “Special Christmas”.

Now that my Christmas post are over…. I can NOT wait to show y’all my bathroom remodel!

Abbey had a rough Christmas Eve.  She was up off and on all night.  Santa had a hard time catching her asleep.  In the wee hours of Christmas morning Santa made his way to us.  Tyler and Abbey kept asking us how he’d know where we were.  Jason and I assured them he’d find us.  And sure enough, he did.

I woke up about seven.  I started coffee and waited for the kids to begin stirring.  It wasn’t long before the smell of coffee had everyone moving about.  We always make them wait for each other to see what Santa brought.  Almost knocking us down, they tore through the living room door.  Zack was confused.  He kept looking at all the toys.  Tyler and Abbey finally helped him get his new stuffed pig off the couch.  He was ready to tear through the pile of toys.  This year Santa new we’d be traveling so he gave them a few toys and money. 

After breakfast and a little time to play with the new toys, we all got ready for a day of fun in the snow!  We pulled on thermal underwear, thermal socks, gloves, and toboggans  that Santa left because he’s smart that way.  When we were finally adorned with our snow boots we headed out.  We drove a few miles and noticed Ober Gatlinburg was open!  We had planned on doing that later on, but were excited to find it open on Christmas day!

We were all anxious to ice skate.  Tyler and Abbey had been talking about it for weeks.  Ice skates were handed out and I began the task of lacing and tying them up.  Even Zack had his own little skates.  After a few wobbly steps we made it to the rinks entrance.  Tyler and Abbey were gone.  Abbey skating like she knew exactly what to do and Tyler holding on with all he had to the rails.  Jason took the video camera while I headed to the ice with Zack.  I put him down and he immediately hit the ground.  Not hard, but enough to make him want to stay on the  regular floor.  I had such a hard time on my skates.  I couldn’t even bend over to pick him up!  A sweet lady bent over to help me and carried him to Jason, who was enjoying every minute of my balance act!  Ice skates are not easy!  Tiny little blades on thin sheets of ice… Jason handed the camera and Zack to me, then headed off to catch up with Tyler and Abbey.  They made a few rounds.  Giggling and waving every time they passed me and Zack.  After a few minutes Jason took over Zack and I headed out after the kids.  Tyler was still holding on while Abbey ventured farther out into the middle.  I’m telling y’all with a few lessons, I think she could really be good. 

Many hours later we were all worn out.  We decided to drive farther into the mountains in search of more snow.  We found it!  Bundled up and ready to play, the kids jumped out of the Explorer.  Zack didn’t care for the snow either.  His shoes kept sticking to the snow.  He couldn’t get where he wanted to.  We made a small snowman.  We had snowball fights.  They made snow angels.  Then we were all ready to warm up in the Explorer.  We headed back to our hotel to rest before we made more Christmas memories.

I still can’t get my pictures on here!  I guess y’all will get a day of all pictures!

Part III soon!

Christmas is a special time for families.  It’s a time to make memories that will last a lifetime.  This year Jason and I decided to make memories with just the five of us.  I was skeptical at first.  I haven’t missed spending the night at Mama’s in 32 years.  This would be the first.  How would we carry everything?  What if the roads were icy?  Many questions passed through my mind.  I decided this was something we needed to do before they were to old to enjoy it.

While I worked Christmas Eve Jason packed the Explorer with all the plastic totes and suitcases.  He packed a small cooler with snacks and drinks. When I got home they were ready to go.  We loaded the last few necessities and headed out to the snowy city of Sevierville, TN (only a few miles from Gatlinburg).  The drive was fun.  The kids were excited about the arrival of Santa.  We watched as Christmas lights danced in the distance.  We sang silly songs about traveling. We played Car BINGO.  Then finally after many hours we saw the lights of Sevierville, TN .

We checked in.  When we finally found a parking spot, much too far from the door, we started to unload.  Jason decided it was too cold for the kids.  We went up to the room.  Actually we went up to two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a living room with a balcony!  Beautiful can’t begin to describe it!

I made a few trips down to get everything out.  Outside Christmas music could be heard.  Lights were twinkling.  The cold wind chilled me all the way through.  Finally, everything was inside.  We settled in for the night and waited for Santa. 

Part II coming soon.  Hopefully with some pictures!

*** my found money is up to $.14! *** 

I am so frustrated!  I have been trying to upload Christmas pictures on here for weeks now.  I despise having to ask Jason for help.  He is just too smart and it makes me feel a little inferior.  HA!

Until I can post some pictures y’all get….. ready for it? …. A LIST!  Oh yeah!

1. My heart goes out to the people of Haiti!  The destruction is devastating.  I thank God for protecting me everyday.  I pray every morning for the safety of my family.  We just never know what God has in store for us. 
2. I have to to change my ring tone.  An older lady sitting in front of me has the same one!  Not good.
3. I have a gift card I have to use before February.  Guess what…. I can’t find anything to use it on.  Now if I didn’t have that gift card, I would be finding things all over the store. 
4. Some random guy just came in.  He started talking to me about school.  Then he realized we didn’t go to school together.  HA!  I love my job.
5. Zack is so smart.  He takes all his cars and lines them up side by side.  He puts them in line by colors!  He can’t tell you what color they are, but he can line them up!  Love this baby boy of mine!
6. Abbey is still grounded over the money issue.  She keeps asking how much longer.  I may just keep adding days since she’s not keeping up with it!  She acts much better when she’s grounded. 
7. Tyler is growing so fast!  This year he hits the double digits!  TEN!  Oh my!  I just can’t stand it!  My sweet baby boy!
8. I developed some pictures yesterday that were 5 years old.  AND… I have three more rolls to go!  I am so thankful for my digital camera!  No more developing film. 

OK there you have it.  Dani’s randomness until I can get my Christmas pictures uploaded!

The economy is bad.  It’s no secret.  People are cutting back.  Frugal is now a word I hear often.  Apparently my daughter did not get this memo.  Money is just paper in her cute little glitter covered pink wallet.

Last Wednesday I left work early to check on my mom.  I got home before Tyler and Abbey.  I started laundry and dinner.  Then I sat back to relax a little before the chaos of my night began.  Little did I know that the chaos would be triple that night. 

I heard the bus drop the kids off.  A few minutes later they barged through the door.  Abbey’s eyes were big.  I noticed she went straight to her room without one word.  Tyler was right behind her.  I could hear him telling her she better tell me.  When she didn’t say anything he blurted out, “Mama, Abbey gave away SIXTY dollars on the bus.”  What?  Can you repeat that?  Yeah he said it…. SIXTY dollars. 

I was beyond furious.  First, I told her NOT to take her Christmas money to school.  Second, she just GAVE it to a little girl. Third, there was no third.  I was out of my seat in three seconds flat heading to her room. 

“Abbey, why did you give your money away?  Did she ask for it?  Why did you even have it with you?  What on this Earth were you thinking?”  I bombarded her with questions.  I didn’t wait for answers. I kept trying to get a reason to her madness.  The answers finally came.  Not good ones, mind you.  Basically all I got was, “Mama, I don’t know.” 

I definitely will not win Mother of the Year in 2010!  I yelled.  I didn’t raise my voice, I flat out yelled.   She was terrified.  I couldn’t even spank her.  Jason had to because I was that mad.  I grounded her for two weeks.  And… I took all her money from her.  Even her pennies!  I put it up so she can’t find it. 

After much fussing yelling I put her in the Explorer and we searched for this little girl.  Luckily she stays with her babysitter that is only a few houses down.  I went to the door to make sure she was still there.  Then I explained the situation to the lady.  She brought the girl to the door.  I made Abbey ask for her money.  She handed her a twenty.  The babysitter asked where the rest was.  She gave forty to another little girl!  OH… I was feeling some more yelling coming on.

We get back in the Explorer.  Abbey assures me she knows exactly where this girl lives.  After knocking on two doors, I finally find her.  This little girl was not as easy as the first.  She wanted to get smart.  She told me Abbey didn’t give her money someone else did.  Finally she reluctantly handed over the other forty.

Abbey was an angel for the rest of the night.  She knew better than to push my buttons.  She even wrote on the bathroom mirror (we leave notes with dry erase markers) how sorry she was.  I felt a tiny bit bad.  No, honestly, I didn’t feel bad. At all.

Here is the question.  Did I do the right thing by getting her money back?  I just could not decide.  Maybe I should have let that be her lesson, but it didn’t seem to bother her that she no longer had money.  What would y’all have done?

I’m still here!   Things have been so crazy for us lately.  I haven’t had time to do anything.

I don’t make resolutions because I usually break them by the second day.  I did however decided I’d blog more!  Oh … and I uh.. sorta made a little bet with the kids.  I’m gonna be sporting a two-piece swimsuit this summer.  Yeah… I know.  I haven’t done that since college, and probably shouldn’t have done it then.  We shall see.

This year I sat down and thought about what I need to change in 2010. These are not really resolutions.  More like things I need to be more persistent with.  Things that will make me feel more organized. I will feel more in control of certain aspects of my life. 

On with my non-resolution list.

1. Spend more time with God.  I borrowed a devotional book from my mom.  I love it.  We are also reading the New Testament.  Every night I give the kids one Bible verse from the chapter to learn.  They love it.  I remember reading the Bible with my mom as a kid.  I hope this is one thing they will continue when they have their own kids.
2. Do some form of exercise everyday.  I started by just doing some basic sit-ups, jumping jacks, leg lifts, etc.  Then I bought the Biggest Loser DVD.  Me and the kids have been doing it at night.  It’s tough, but so much fun to watch the kids. 
3. Game night once a month.  Tyler and Abbey have so many new games.  Battleship, Connect Four, Chess, Checkers, etc.   What better way to take advantage of all the games and some quality family time?  Game night! 
4. Change jar.  We started a change jar.  Any change we have goes into it.  We call it Disney Money.  We hope to take a Disney Cruise in a few years.  We have read some good things about how they handle allergies on the cruise. 
5. Not only do we have a change jar, but I have decided to pick up any change I see laying around on the ground.  So far I only have a penny, but a penny is a start…. right?  If I can talk my husband into making me something to go on the sidebar, I will post the new amount every week.
6. Organize every room in my house!  I started with the utility room.  Jason hung me a shelf with a rod Saturday.  It’s amazing what a difference one shelf made!  My plan is to pick one room a month to declutter( why does spell check say this is not a word?) and organize.  I’m  ready to have my house back the way it was when we moved in. Clean, clutter-free, and semi-organized.
7. Take more pictures!  I got a new camera.  I will be doing my sister-in-laws wedding in February.  I have been reading about ways to improve my pictures. 

There are my top seven non-resolutions.  I will keep y’all posted on how things are going.  So far I have stayed on track.  But, it’s only the 12th day. 

I hope everyone has an amazing year!

Last night I was in the bed all snuggled with my precious baby boy.  We were both working our way toward a peaceful nights rest.  As I drifted off I heard an airplane in the distance.  Quickly I was lost in memories of years long gone.

I was sitting snuggled under Daddy’s arm.  I could hear the creaking of the chains on the swing.  The feel of fresh summer morning air blew across my face.  The smell of Daddy’s Brute aftershave tickled my nose.  The old wooden swing swayed back and forth.  In the distance an airplane flew it’s passengers to lands I had never dreamed of.  The whistle of a mockingbird echos through the skies. The understood silence between a daughter and a daddy enjoying the company of each other made the best memories.

Peaceful.