Christmas is only 5 Saturdays Away- WHAT?

This is crazy! Why is time going SO fast?  I am still in the thick of narrowing down my little lists- and it is causing me a lot of stress. 
I went Pinterst-ing with my little ones today and looked at beautiful pictures of Christmas Decor- these are a few of our favs:

This is kind of putting me in the mood for the holidays.  I have NO idea how I am going to achieve getting my Christmas stuff down and put up- but if there is a WILL there is a WAY, right!

Until then, I still have 5 more Saturdays, right?!?

Book Bub - $2.99 and Under Digitial Books for Kindle and/or Nook for 11-18-2013

Great deals today- check them out!

Did somebody say....Tornado? In November?

Say what? 

Yes, this is my reality!  We almost lost our pole barn yesterday due to HIGH winds, only to find out that a EF2 Tornado touched down- a block away!

The irony of the whole situation is, shortly after we bought this old house, we were able to work with the historical society, I am a history buff and really wanted to know the who built this house, why did they build it, how did they live- all those, now unanswerable questions, with a house built in 1892, right!
But the historical society caught up with a gentleman who lived in our house in the 40's and told a story about a barn on the property that his Uncle was living in and caring for.  In the late 40's, in late fall a tornado went through- at this time this house had acres of land- so it was all field.  It took out the old barn.  His Uncle survived, as did this old house- but the barn was demolished!  There is another garage- Carriage House- in front of said barn and that survived also.

Well, here we are over 120 years later and who builds their pole barn in the same spot as said tornado victim barn- my Hubby.  We honestly didn't know it was in the same location until the Gentleman relayed to the contact I have.

So, today, I thank God for letting us remain safe, letting our barn - who already fell down once during the build due to the winds last year- still stand proud.

Take cover!!

Ohio got hit hard, just down the road from us. The drive on screens crushed, power lines down everywhere and we almost lost our pole barn for the second time.
They aren't confirming a tornado, yet.
We have power but the wind is still gusting at 40 mhps.

I will post later when we are able to digest all the area damage!

World News: China's Vow to Relax One-Child Policy

chinas-vow-to-relax-one-child-policy-faces-reality-check

My views on this article are filled with thoughts of, um, ridiculous-ness!  It is 2013 people!  The Chinese are only allowed to have 1 child unless BOTH parents are only children, then are allowed to have 2 children.  The "relaxed" decision would allow those who want two children to do so ONLY IF one of the parents is an only child.

I understand that this is a population control issue and that it is NOT America! I am not that naive.  But, really, a government that dictates how many children you are ALLOWED to have?  I can not even comprehend that.

How do you feel about the Duggers?  I am sure that China mocks this family standard.  I don't hate them, they are a stable family, debt free even.  In my opinion, only having 2 children, I am ENVIOUS to say the least!  I hope to attain that financial status in the near future, but could never image with 19 kids under my belt.  The financial burden alone is a tough pill to swallow.  Again, this is in America.  These standards are NOT a 'reality' for China.

I just feel that God has a hand in fertility and the Government in China is dictating that.  I don't know anything about their religious backgrounds or anything, but I can only image, from my standpoint, that this is a normal thing for them and not to be challenged.


I would also like to note that as I feel that God has a hand in fertility, he does let us all have our own decisions.  I am comfortable with two children.  I don't feel like I would do myself justice as a mother with three, this is ME.  I know plenty of friends, family and women in general, who are on baby number three or four or five and they are excellent mothers and I can totally see them with tons of kids.  I don't look down on people for the number of children they do bare.  To each their own.

As an American, I think China is crazy, but I guess that is why I live in America, right!

Shopping for the home- Kirklands!

I love Kirkland's stores! They smell good, they are beautiful, they are fun, exciting and full of color!  The website does the same for me.  I am obsessed and Christmas time is NO exception.  I want everything, and having a NEW house, I find things that I want every-time I shop.  They also have great deals and are super reasonable.

My latest online (my kids are crazy today, so no errands here!) - shopping trip, I found lots of gift ideas, decorating ideas and awesome stuff.

My list:

I just love everything in this picture!


And I am all about lanterns:


I am trying to go with an Industrial style in the new house (except for when its Christmas- then I need the snowman/moose, down home feeling!

I am in love with this lamp and its on SALE! for $199!!




I also have been looking for a console table for a wall past my entryway- something that looks old, where we can throw our keys and mail and miscellaneous stuff. (Hubby has a BAD habit of emptying his pockets on my dining table- ewe!)

And this table is also $199.  Right in my price range!  I am still debating though- our ceiling are mahogany coiffured and although our floors need redone because they are over 120 yrs old, they are almost an oak color at this point, except for the entry way path, its more worn and weathered, almost a gray color at this point and time.  We do have it in the plans to either have the floors redone -or- carpet - I am leaning more towards Carpet, fluffy cooshness on my feet- but we shall see!

I can't forget the most important part- the COUPONS!!




Happy Shopping!!

BOOK BUB & SWEET FREE BOOKS- the emails to get for Nook and Kindle!

A few weeks ago, I was listening to a local radio station and they were talking about some cool things to check out.  Book Bub was mentioned, I, being an avid reader jotted it down and stuck the piece of paper in my purse, only to readdress the paper at a later date.  Upon discovering this thing called Book Bub- I was prompted to enter an Email Address and like them on Facebook.

Now, I am OBSESSES.  I cant wait to get my email daily!  Were talking no books over $2.99.  No Joke!

This inspired me to look further and after some research, I found a site called SWEET FREE BOOKS.   awesome!  I wait for this email even more so than Book Bub!

I have SO many books on Nook AND Kindle that I am never going to have enough time to read them all in my life- and they keep coming - DAILY!

So, I have decided to incorporate this into my BLOG- of course!

My Downloads today, SATURDAY, November 16th, 2013 on KINDLE:

Free  -  Deer Season by Aaron Stander 









Free  - In a Small Town (A Small Town Series: Book One) by Marc A DiGiacomo

Free - This Shattered Land (Surviving Dead) by James Cook
 



Now, I would like to say that I download a Free Kindle book on 9/17/13 - called  Maids of Misfortune: A Victorian San Francisco Mystery by M. Louisa Locke. 





This book was Amazing!  It takes place in the early 1800s and I would BUY this book, that is how good it is.  It is NOT a fifty shades book in ANY means.  It is strickly mystery and an interesting plot takes you through the complex characters flawlessly.  It is definatly on my RECOMMEND list, even if you ahve to pay for it!