When did Black Friday become Black Thursday??

As the Black Friday ads start popping up here and there, I cannot help but be angry at some of these companies... Kohl's, Macy's and JCPenney are three leading companies that are now opening on Thanksgiving Day.... I just think that's awful. 

Thanksgiving is to be a day for reflecting on what we are thankful for... not for elbowing others in the face to save some money on a TV or laptop.... on top of that--- those poor workers that are being taken away from their families on Thanksgiving to help those crazies... I just think this bologna has gotten out of hand. I would respect these large companies tremendously if they stepped in and admitted that were being greedy and will no longer be opening until FRIDAY....  I'm not a big Black Friday shopper.. I already explained it HERE.... and I think these whole idea of BLACK FRIDAY has been blown out of proportion. The media is glamorizing the chaos and now the huge companies are taking advantage of the situation and cashing in on the greed... and sadly, so many greedy shoppers that have lost sight of the true meaning of the holidays won't be the ones to stand up and make a point, boycotting the early sales that take away from the true meaning of being thankful.... It's sad to think what another 5-10 years will do to the holiday.

*Stepping Down*

Until Next Time...
Krista

30 days until Black Friday?!?!?!

Seriously... where has the year gone?!?!? We are T-30 days from one of my favorite days of the year.... No, I'm not a big Black Friday shopper.... but I  guess you could say that I am a Black Friday eater and talker... Let me explain. For 35+ years the women in my family have gotten together on Black Friday to do some shopping...... but really to do a lot of visiting, sitting, and eating. We meet at around 9AM at our first store....shop for a couple of hours.... go to lunch for a couple of hours... shop for a while longer... go to dinner for a couple of hours... finish our shopping and then grab a late night snack somewhere.... We do get some shopping done, but we aren't crazy about the sales or anything... It's more of a girl's day. I love me a good deal, but I'm not waiting in line for it fighting all the crazies. (No offense if you're one of those crazies!)  I'm not one of these people:


 and I'm not going to cause a scene:


I actually think the Black Friday bologna is a little extreme and some shoppers should be ashamed of themselves. The holidays aren't about saving money at the cost of injuring or insulting others...  Some need to get their priorities in line....*Stepping down from my soap box.*


I just like to grab some good deals if there's any left when everyone else is heading home to sleep after their craziness when I'm just strolling in after a good night's rest. I love to grab some cheap movies (the husband is a movie buff!) and stuff for around the house, as well as some Christmas gifts for others. I do check the ads as they come out, but if it's all gone when I get there, so what.


I always go prepared with my money in order and lists made, but I'm usually well into my Christmas shopping by the time Black Friday rolls around that I'm not too stressed. OK, let's be honest... I start in August!


Happy BF Countdown!
Until Next Time....
Krista

Oh, so many scarves!

Scarves. Scarves. Scarves! I'm almost to the 30 mark (many not shown in this picture) and I love them!! I would say that I wear a scarf at least 3 days a week and I love switching up my style with a simple addition (that keeps my neck warm and tension headaches away during the fall/winter). So... when my collection started growing and growing, I wanted to find a way to organize them.... and guess what... I went to Pinterest..... BUT.... (and a HUGE but).... she let me down. (Yes, Pinterest is a girl. Only a female would be as brilliant as Pinterest, right?)

How did she let me down, you ask? This picture proves that they are all organized so neatly.....

but guess what...

when there is a shift in  power weight when removing a scarf.. this happens:

On top of this teeny tiny huge problem, I chose to use vintage hangers that were in our house when we bought it instead of tacky plastic ones, but the wood is just a bit rough and can try to snag my thinner scarves, so I have to be very careful.

For now, I can deal with these problems, but I'm looking for another solution...

I bypassed these options...




Because of the size and quantity of my collection and specific scarves, I found several ways of organizing not practical. I started with a shoe organizer but many were too thick and spilled out the top, making it look tacky and sloppy. Plus, I like being able to see the colors of the scarf when picking my outfit, and you just can't if it's tucked away in a pocket. The curtain rod wouldn't hold enough--- I would need two and three, and that takes a lot of wall space. And... the mess of rings looks like a hassle to get scarves in and out.... too time consuming for me :/  I'm a bit lazy..


Then, I found this:


Seems logical. I have space on the back of a door for this.... and as long as the metal is coated without any snag spots, I think it would keep them looking nice.... Anyone used this method?

How do YOU organize your scarves???
Until Next Time...
Krista

For the love of burlap!

I have this odd, strange obsession with burlap.... I don't have much of it in my home, but I'm always checking it out in the stores/flea markets/craft booths/etc.... The smell reminds of of summers at the fair and riding the giant slide non-stop (when you had to ride down on the burlap sack).... Anyway, I posted last week about this new product at Wal-Mart. You can read about it HERE. I've also seen where they are selling burlap covered canvas for artwork... How stinkin' cool is that!  I don't know why I love it so much but it's just so pretty.... simple and kinda ugly plain...but still pretty. Weird, I know. I can't explain why I like it to much....but I don't think I'm the only one... Here are a ton of pins that I have for burlap:


















Now... some of these I wouldn't care for in my own home.... The smell of burlap brings back memories, but that doesn't mean that I want to cuddle with it on my bed or couch.... I would probably switch for a muslin if I were to make curtain or pillowcases for inside...

With that being said, aren't some of those ideas genious!  And when you're done reading, you should check out all these amazing Burlap things at Hobby Lobby....Ok... I'll stop now so you can go check it out........ Here's a suggestion-- if it's not currently on sale, then print off one of their 40% off coupons!!! Isn't Hobby Lobby the best!!! (I have no connection with the store... I just love it and want to share my findings!)


Until Next Time...
Krista

One Week Until the Marathon

By this time next week, I hope to be marathon runner..... Today, I basically completed my training.... we just have two teeny tiny runs left.... and after a week off from running due to pleurisy and touch of pneumonia followed by a sinus infection, these two runs 'post-sickness' wore me out and I'm starting to get nervous for the race.... On top of my illness, we had a huge temperature change in our part of the state this week and the race day forecast is looking to be chilly as well. That makes me nervous after being sick.... I went into this training with the mind-set that I don't care if I walk, crawl, run, skip, hop, gallop or slither across the finish line.... I just want to finish. Now after being sick, that is even more of a realistic goal.... I  just want to finish, and not do any permanent damage to my foot/ankle.


As I'm coming into the last week before the race, I've reflected a lot on the last six months.... First--- I'm not sure where the six months have gone. They flew by so quickly! I cannot believe training is over.... Overall, I've really enjoyed the process...I have had a GREAT group to run with. They are always there to push mentally and physically.... There were some days that I wasn't sure I would survive (OR--- TMI--- get to a bathroom fast enough! haha), but I pushed forward and I've made it. My feet are callused and my body is tired, but brain has been shown who is BOSS!  I've spent more money on shoes, the chiropractor and running gear than I ever thought I would.... and I'm about to spend more money on a hotel and race than I even dreamed of....  but I don't regret it one bit. Actually, in my mind, I've made it..... I have already accomplished more than I ever thought possible... I ran 20 miles as part of my training! 18 months ago, I could barely run TWO... and now I've done TWENTY! AND now......I'm about to complete a MARATHON at age 25..Not many people can say they've done that!!!  I want to scream it from the mountain tops... I want to tattoo it across my forehead and honestly....... I want to tell every person that I converse with for the rest of my life (friends and family beware :) haha) I feel so accomplished to even be this far.... I want to let everyone know what I've done......

I'm pretty sure I'm not meant to do another full marathon, but I'm glad that I'm doing this..... (Side note--- someone needs to organize a 20 mile race--- like a 3/4 marathon in my area... THAT would be a good idea! I would enjoy that!) If you have any extra time and extra prayers to throw out this week, please say a few for myself and the gals that I run with--- not only for a safe race, but for safe travels there and back. Thank you!

Until Next Time...
Krista