(43-307) Memorial Day Memory

I had a great day with my kids today.  We went to swim team practice, which was a treat for me, since (due to my work schedule)  I haven't actually stayed at practice with them since last Monday.  We then went to several stores.  I had an exchange and a return at Old Navy and I lucked out, as it happened that a shirt that I had purchased for only $5, had a small tear on the seam, and when I went to exchange it, I found it on sale for $3; so I was able to return the $5 shirt and buy a new one for just $3 - SCORE!  In addition to that, I found a sundress for Lyndzi, for $6 and another for Kelsie, that rang up for only $4.54.

Our day o deals continued, when we went to Michaels armed with several 40% off one item coupons, and 20% off your entire purchase (even sale items) coupons.  The girl's wanted to buy Nicky a motor for a rocket that he was building, since they hadn't given him a birthday present.  I gave Lyndzi a 40% off coupon and she and Kelsie were then able to purchase the motor for $6 plus tax instead of $10.  I gave Nicky a 40% off coupon and $2 to purchase some yarn that he wanted to make can telephones with; and then I used the 20% off coupon to buy lap tables for the girls (which were already on sale for $4.99), and a variety of inexpensive crafts; like felt that they wanted to use to make Barbie doll clothes, a little porcelain figure that Lyndzi wanted to paint, and a wood picture frame, that could be painted and decorated.  We had a big (yes) HUGE savings at Michael's and happily drove on to our next stop.

As we drove, I considered what I might blog about today.  I recalled Memorial Days from when I was a kid, and conjured up the memory of me, when I was in 6th grade, and the drum majorette in our town's Memorial Day Parade.  A picture truly is worth a thousand words; and the sad thing is that I KNOW I have a picture of me in my uniform with that humongous hat, but unfortunately I couldn't find it this evening.  I do promise, that once I turn up the picture, I will use it in a future post; and I am gonna make it my urgent business to find the picture before my 44th birthday.

Anyway, since I don't have the picture, I'll just have to do my best to share this memory with you.  I attended Woodglen Elementary School in New City, New York; and every year the marching bands from the schools in Clarkstown would participate in the Memorial day parade.  I remember that when I was in 5th grade we were told that they were holding try outs for baton twirlers for the parade.  I liked to twirl the baton, so I went to the try out where majorettes from Clarkstown North high school came to teach us a routine.  After a couple of days of practice, we had our auditions, and I didn't get a spot. I was disappointed, but once they announced that anyone in 5th or 6th grade could be a pom pom girl, I quickly got over it.  I remember making my pine green and white pom poms out of crate paper, and marching through the streets, while the green dye from the crate paper stained my fingers.

In 1979 I was in 6th grade,  and once again as Memorial day approached; they announced that there were going to be try outs for baton twirlers.  I thought I'd give it another shot, and after several days of practice, the audition was  held and I got a spot.  They then announced that any of the baton twirlers were eligible to try out to be the drum majorette.  I'm not sure that I even knew what the drum majorette did, but I decided to give it a go; and I was selected.  Thankfully my mom sewed, so she had no trouble making me a cute, little uniform to accompany the enormous hat that I had to wear.  I remember practicing with the band, and proudly marching with the long baton, but I don't think that our music teacher ever told me that my real purpose was to tell the band where to march or what time to keep.  I had a great time being the drum majorette, even though I had no idea what I was doing.

Oh how I wish that I could find the picture of my mouth full of metal, my short hair flipping out under the big, Q-tip hat, and my cute uniform.  Fingers crossed that it will turn up soon.  In the meantime, I  send my gratitude to the men and women of our military, (past and present) who so bravely serve our country and keep us safe.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-243) A Reason To Smile

If you read "Name The DJ..."then you probably know that I've been experiencing some technical difficulties.  This should come as no surprise really, since we all know that I am NOT the Queen of TECHNOLOGY; however, I can't take all the blame on this one.

When I first tried to include Luis' 80's mix in my post, I attached it via a link that he created, by publishing the mix on Youtube.  Everything seemed to have worked smoothly, by the time that I published my blog; but when I checked it last night, I found that the video was not available.  That darn Prince, is all I can say.  I didn't really understand why Luis couldn't put his mix on Youtube, when everyone else and there mother does.  Luis wasn't clear on this either, but speculated that it had something to do with the fact the he used "Little Red Corvette," and Prince watchdog's his material constantly.

Extremely disappointed over this new development, I wrote a temporary advisement to add to the blog; so that people who were just seeing it, would know that the mix was unavailable.  I did say that if you really wanted to hear it (and I hope that you do;) you could email me and I'd send it to you.  This still holds true.

Well this morning I managed to upload the mix as a video, and once again at the time that I published the blog, the music was available; but this is no longer the case - AAGGGHHH!

Anyway, despite this little pitfall, I managed to have a lovely day with my kids.  My girl's in particular.  We went in pursuit of new shoes for Kelsie, and while in the area; we ran into Michaels.  We were looking around, and Kelsie caught eye of a hat that looked like a bee.  She tried it on and it was darling.  She then tried on a monkey and a pig; but it was this last little number that we knew she HAD to have.   Kelsie was willing to spend her own money to purchase this charming cap; and I encouraged her to do so, because I thought that it would make people smile, to see her wearing it.  Honestly, I don't know how you can look at her in this hat and NOT smile.

Kelsie loved the idea of causing people to grin; and she wore her hat proudly. 

Right after she paid, I asked the cashier of they still honor competitor's coupons, because i'd just realized that I had one for Jo-ann; and the cashier said that they did.  Had Kels not paid with a gift card, I would have asked the girl to refund her and start over.  But since I didn't want to make things too complicated, I told Kelsie that she could choose another hat and I'd use the coupon to buy it for her.  Don't try to understand that logic.  It made sense to me at the time, because I felt badly that Kels could have spent less of her own money had i thought to pull out the coupon.  Just call me sucker.  Kels ran back to the hat display and before we could blink she was back with the piggy hat.  Both Lyndzi and I questioned her choice; but she said that she really liked the piggy and we were not going to try and change her mind.

Now while we were in Michael's Lyndzi found some clay that she was interested in purchasing; but I reminded her that she had a Targt gift card and some money left on a Joanne's gift card too.  I suggested that if she waited, to get the clay, she wouldn't have to spend any of her own money.  Lyndzi agreed and we walked over to Target.  Lyndzi found a whole clay kit for just $4.99 and as soon as we got home, she started sculpting herself as a little figurine.  I was astonished.  She then made Nicky, Hershey and a frisbee.  I proposed that she and Nicky get together and make a video with her figures; and they did.  But of course, since I've raved about how much I love continuity, life's handing me a big helping of it right now, because I can't download that video for you either.

I'm going to work on getting all of these lil technical snafus resolved; so that you can enjoy the clay video, the 80's mix and the 90's mix as well.  In the meantime, I'll share another pic of Kels in her hat, because I always love to give you a reason to smile.  
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-148) My Smart Shopper

In case I haven't mentioned it in like the past five minutes; I have the BEST, most GENEROUS friends EVER!!!!!!!!!  Truly, generosity of spirit is more than enough for me; but I am very blessed to have friends who are magnanimous with gifts as well.  December brings EVERYONE increased expenses; so it means more than I can say, when my friends send birthday gifts to my daughters or holiday gifts to my children; when I know that they have their own responsibilities to tend to.

All three of my kids were fortunate to receive a couple of gift cards as well as some money, from our very altruistic friends.  As always, I encouraged them to think carefully about what they might buy.  Luis had to go to Target this past Sunday night, and the kids wanted to go along. They all brought their money with them, but Lyndzi was the only one who bought anything. Lyndzi spent $5 on a Luigi (from Mario Bros) key chain; as she'd bought Mario the last time that she had money.  Then last night, we went to the Disney store, because I needed to buy a gift card; and Lyndzi found a comic strip Mickey, plush toy that she wanted to  purchase.  Lyndzi is a big fan, OK you got me, I couldn't resist, (say it with me) yes, "HUGE," fan of vintage Mickey; and the plush was only $12.50, so we both agreed that this would be money well spent. Then later that night Lyndzi was looking at the Michaels flyer and she found an art set with markers,colored pencils,crayons,oil pastels,paint,a paint brush,a pad of paper and a pencil sharpener,for only $3.69; my smart shopper.  Lyndzi asked me if she could buy it; and I told her that I would take her to Michaels when I was done working on Wednesday. 

Lyndzi asked me multiple times today if I was still going to take her to Michaels; because she was SO excited about buying the art set.  I assured her that we would go as soon as I was done working; and then I made her a couple of propositions.  FIRST, I reminded her of the time that I had asked her to draw a picture for "The Bumpy Ride," and she wasn't able to do ("What A Mom's Gotta Do...")  Lyndzi did remember and so I suggested that once she purchased the art set, she could draw me a picture for me to use in today's post; and Lyndzi LOVED that idea.  My next proposition was that she come up with her own character, and draw me some pictures to go along with my "A Blueprint For A B.F.F" post; so that together we could try and get it made into an article of some sort, or a children's book; and Lyndzi was delighted that I'd asked her.

As soon as I finished work, we promptly went to Michael's and Lyndzi found the only set that the store had left.  As soon as we got home, Lyndzi got right to work; and this was her finished product...

Mario & Luigi race to save Princess Peach

In case I haven't mentioned it in like the past five minutes; I am SO incredibly proud of my children; and when it comes to spending money, I have to say that they are all incredibly responsible and conscientious. I don't think that I could have made better choices for Lyndzi, than she had made for herself; and as a parent, that is really gratifying. 
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING