The Quest For The Door Buster Laptop

This morning I did something that I said I would Never do - I got up at 4:00 AM and went to Walmart on Black Friday. It was crazy to see the line of people lining up to get in the store... The deals this year were too good to turn away from - laptop computers for $149... Well - I stood in line - there was over 3000 people in front of me... Forty minutes to walk into the store after the doors opened - only to find out that all the laptops were already sold out.... So I hoped in the car.

I drove up to Office Depot because they too were offering laptops for $199 - again a line but not so bad but - bad enough for all the laptops to be sold out.... Now my back is killing me - it went out about 2 weeks ago - I am on the healing end but standing in line for over a hour was awful... I got in my car and thought about giving up but decided to give Best Buy a chance...

Arrived at Best Buy - there was a line to check out that wrapped around the store and weaved in and out of the aisles... I went to the laptop area - tried to squeeze between all the other deal seekers - there I saw it.... two boxes - side by side (not where they were supposed to be) - I picked them up and yes - I found them - the low priced laptops that would be perfect for my two girls... The price wasn't as low as Walmart or Office Depot but the laptops were a slightly better computer.. Three (3) GB instead of one (1) GB - I paid $100 more than anticipated but you know what? The computers have become a need more than a want... School has changed a lot since I was a kid..

I happily picked up my two (2) laptops - proceeded into line... Half way through the line a Best Buy employee said that there was a computer only line and it would take half the time - so I changed lines... Big mistake... Huge mistake... Two hours later and the line had barely moved.... The line as it turned out was for the people who got to Best Buy early enough for the "Golden Ticket - Door Buster" sales - those computers were on will call... As I was painfully pushing my cart - I walked by a cashier - I jokingly asked him if he could ring me up - he said "You Bet!" Crazy....

When Your Child's Sport Becomes A Job...

When my youngest daughter, Kara was seven (7) she went to her first gymnastics class - I thought it would be a fun thing to do on Saturday mornings..... Within two (2) months - one of the coaches came up to me and asked if she could have my Kara in her Tuesday and Thursday class - she thought Kara had a natural talent... So I asked Kara if she would like to do it and she did... Within six (6) months - the owner of the gym came to me and said Kara had a lot of talent and would she be interested in going to a level 4 gymnastics team... So I asked Kara and she did - now Kara was at the gym - Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings - six hours a week...

Kara's first competition was on her eighth birthday - She placed 2nd All around.... The following four competitions - she placed 1st. Right after her level 4 season - she was moved up to level 5 - again she was a star - she was also one of the youngest in her level... She did great.. She had fun until.... She got the coach from hell - this coach was a lunatic and sucked out all the joy and confidence Kara had - Gymnastics became a job and not a sport - that she enjoyed.... Around this time a new gym was looking for young gymnasts with Kara's talent - we spoke to the head coach and immediately was invited to join... He was a coach that had brought several girls to the Olympics - There were other coaches that worked with the girls as well - each coach was different and more difficult.... Now the training was in upwards of 16 hours a week - sometimes more.. The joy had left Kara - she knew she could quit at anytime - this was for her and not for me.... Finally in the middle of one classes - she jumped off the beam - walked over to me and said "I'm done" The coaches were upset - one tried in vain to talk her into staying... several times.. but Kara has a strong will - stronger than anyone I know - She held onto what she did and did not want.... She quit at the ripe old age of nine (9) and today almost 3 years later -she has no regrets...

I think it is important as parents to allow our children to try different sports. To allow them to find that perfect fit if there is one.... That is not to say we should allow our kids to try something and give up right away - They need to at least make the effort... I also think it's very important to step back - let our kids make the decision to stay or go.. Step back to allow them to fight their own battles... demons if need be - I'm not saying leave them hanging - but give them the opportunity to make wise decisions and/or mistakes and learn from them...

Shop on Line With Shopwiki.com

With Christmas fast approaching... working 12 hour days.... and just too little time on my hands to fight the holiday crowds - I do most of my shopping on line - Shopwiki.com is a great way to shop - not only do they have a ton of choices - they help you find the best deals for what you are looking for. Shopwiki.com crawls the web - similar to the way google and yahoo do - searching the net in a quest for the best products.... the best prices.... the most choices.....

Both of my daughters are young teens now and I am not in touch with the happening toys and products for babies and toddlers - shopwiki.com is a great source of information for the newest products - not only do they tell us what is most popular - they give us great descriptions and links to the companies selling them...

I have two nieces that are 2 and 4 and I have used this site for many of my purchases - I love looking at the different activity sets. I am very much into educational toys and children's books - I believe that they help to get children ready for school in a very fun way. When you find the item you are looking for - Shopwiki highlights the best price and gives you a list of the stores that carry that item... Easy shopping at your fingertips. You can also get games galore - name it - you can find it. Monopoly - 9336 hits - different kinds - different prices - there's even one for over $30,000 - crazy.. Hand held Battleship - different prices.. different stores. The games go on and on and on....

Not only does Shopwiki help you find toys and games they help you locate almost anything you can think of - boys, girls , and infant clothing - everything from everyday wear to snow and beach attire - I love the selections. There are adult items as well - designer bags, clothes, shoes, and many other great finds.

Take a suggestion from me - before you hit the malls give Shopwiki.com a try - if you still want to fight the mad Christmas rush - Shopwikicom can let you know the price ranges and stores that carry what you are looking for. Now go out there stimulate our economy!

Merry Christmas and Happy Shopping.

Jagger or Boyle - Wild Horses...

I have always been a Mick Jagger and Rolling Stones fan - my favorite song is 'Wild Horses' there is something about this song that just settles my soul and my mind. I know it's really a sad song but there is just something...

Recently I have heard Susan Boyle the over night "British has talent" sensation sing this song - who do you think sings it better?

The Rolling Stones


Susan Boyle


Lyrics Childhood living is easy to do The things you wanted I bought them for you Graceless lady you know who I am You know I can't let you slide through my hands Wild horses, couldn't drag me away Wild wild horses couldn't drag me away I watched you suffer a dull aching pain Now you decided to show me the same No sweeping exits or off stage lines Could make me feel bitter or treat you unkind Wild horses, couldn't drag me away Wild wild horses couldn't drag me away I know I've dreamed you a sin and a lie I have my freedom but I don't have much time Faith has been broken tears must be cried Let's do some living after we die Wild horses, couldn't drag me away Wild wild horses we'll ride them someday Wild horses, couldn't drag me away Wild wild horses we'll ride them someday

God Showed Up And Showed Off

What a day it has been!!! My sister Debbie had her brain surgery - she is doing great! God showed up and started showing off. I love and serve an amazing Lord and Savior!

1. The tumor was much smaller than originally thought
2. The surgery lasted less than half the time
3. A few hours after the surgery she was up and watching 'Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader'

Thank you - Thank you - for praying for her... and all your kind thoughts and words of encouragement.

This is my sister 5 hours after brain surgery... Yep I took a picture (with her permission of course.)