The Spirit of Thanksgiving Past

Where I spent Thanksgiving last year...

Where I am spending Thanksgiving this year...

Talk about a change of scenery.

Run, Turkey, Run!

Hey, so what are you doing on 11/27/08? Probably nothing. Which is exactly why you should run in the Turkey Trot 2 mile run with me and hopefully some friends

::hint, hint::, ::wink, wink::, ::nudge, nudge::

Listen, you know you want to. I mean nothing says Thanksgiving like sweating your guts out at 8:30am. AND its only 2 miles, so even if you had to walk a little/some/all of it, you would still be the coolest person in my book. You could possibly even army crawl it - but I'll deny that we came together.Anyhoo, I think you should do it. With me. On 11/27/08. With a smile. Why? Because you like me and friends dont let other friends run alone on Thanksgiving day.

P.S. Did my guilt trip work? If not, please let me know where I failed so I can try this on those that dont read my blog. They'll never see it coming...

GOT MOJO?

Its all about the mojo. Creative mojo that is. So here is what I have been doing with my creative mojo. All projects were completed under $10, by the way! You can still have mojo and be cheap!

Before:

After

Before:

After:

Yes that is painter tape you see in the window. No comment on how long it has been there. Wouldn't those fence things look awesome with some spanish moss and three pumpkins in a row with a small "harvest" sign hanging in the middle? :::sigh::: There's always next year... this year I decided to use what I have! Oh - and I want to send a HUGE thanks to Keri and Angie who let me buy both of these super cute holders for $1.25 for the pair (!) at their kickin' garage sale. LOVE YA LADIES!!

I just had to copy the pumpkins-on-the-candlestick look

I bought these two topiaries for $10 each at Kirkland Home store. It was the best price I have found for topiaries that height (although I plan on adding a little something-something to the bottom part). And I left the dishes in the sink because I was too lazy to take them out of the sink for the picture.

I am SO excited about this find! I am going to do this to these hinged closet doors. I found them at Goodwill for $4.99 for the pair. Oh why, oh why does Goodwill love me?

What's Up With Rachel?

Seriously! What is up with me?! My blog went from lame to super lame recently because I never post. Don't worry ladies - I can admit when I am totally lame. I do want to post some projects that I have been working on, so I'll do those soon! And I was tagged a million years ago and still haven't done it. So here are 7 facts about me that you probably never knew (or wanted to know) about me. Lucky you!

1. I didn't shave my legs for a year and a half. Yep that's right - 1.5 years of hairy legs. I'll spare you the pictures. I made a "secret combination" with another sister missionary in the MTC that we would both go a year and a half with hairy legs. And. I. did. The long skirts and nylons helped hide the hair...uhm, most of the time. (As a side note it took 5 razors to get all the hair off my legs - yikes!)

2. Opera is my favorite type of music. There - I said it. My dirty confession is out. On my 21st birthday, instead of partying like a rock star, I chose to see Pavarotti live in concert. It was the best concert I have ever been to. And a dream come true. Yes- I am a true Italian.

3. I have 100 goals to accomplish before I die. When I was a teenager I read a story in Chicken Soup for the Soul about a boy who set goals and spent his whole life achieving them. In college, I wrote out a list of goals to complete before I die. One goal : Run a marathon around Mount Everest. Aim high, ladies. Aim high.

4. Foreign films rock my socks. I love foreign films. My favorite foreign film? La Vita E Bella. A must see. Here's one of my favorite scenes where the main character is trying to get attention of the woman he loves (who is engaged to another man).


5. I love a good deal (a.k.a I am cheap). The thrill of the hunt is like a drug to me. And when I see how much I save at the checkout stand, I feel like I hit the jackpot and practically dance out of the store. Who needs drugs when you have coupons and garage sales to give you a high?! Seriously.

6. I was engaged to my husband three times before I married him. Or maybe more. I lost count after three. The thought of being married scared me to death. My poor husband. He is the sweetest, most loving husband in the world. And he lets me call him "Terbear" in front of his friends. Best. Husband. Ever. Every day I feel so lucky that he stuck around for me :)

7. One day, I will beat the turkey. Every Thanksgiving Arizona has a Turkey Trot 10K race. A man dresses up in turkey suit to run the race. He paces himself to run 6.2 miles in 45 minutes. My goal is run faster than this man in the turkey suit. Maybe this year...or something.

Let Freedom Ring!

Our bishop showed us this commercial made by the Catholic church to encourage their members to vote. It was so beautifully made that I can't help but share it with you guys on election day. No matter what religion you are, it is your responsibilty is to make sure YOUR voice is heard and to stand for truth! God bless America! (P.S. You still have time to let your voice be heard.)

Call all Thrifty Thriftersons...

Do you just looovve saving money? Does finding awesome deals that save you LOADS of money rock your world? If so, I found the right opportunity for you! Kolina at Provident Living Az is hosting a free coupon class in Queen Creek, Arizona on 11/8/08. If you are interested in attending, contact her here. Don't miss an awesome opportunity to keep more mulah in your pocket for what you really want to buy!!

Need A Reason To Shop?

Melissa at 320 Sycamore posted an awesome deal for Bath and Body Works and Shutterfly. Click on the link to check them out! Its never too early to be thrifty for the holidays. Enjoy!

So I Have A Hunch...

I know my past post said I would be better about posting but I think I told a fib. I've had a pinched nerve in my back for the last couple of weeks which makes moving, sitting, standing, or any other type of motion you can think of virtually impossible. You know its bad when your husband lovingly calls you "Quasimodo" (!) Yes, I married a comedian. Jealous? I try to look at the positive side...I can claim I am celebrating the essence of Halloween a week early. When in Rome, right? (I know - totally wrong time to use that phase but I figure I can do whatever I want when I look like a hunchback.) I'm just trying to figure out how I'll pull off my new look at Thanksgiving...

During my hiatus from blogging...

I visited here...

Ate bread on a stick...

And was gifted this from my MIL (no - I am not currently expecting!)

I'm hoping it brings us good luck!

Promise I'll be back to my normal blogging self soon!!! :)

Happiness

There is no better title for this post!! Did you hear the awesome news?! The church has purchased land in Cordoba, Argentina to build a temple! And as if the news couldn't get any better, our beloved prophet also announced a temple to be built in Rome, Italy - the country of my father's family. As I listened to the prophet, I couldn't contain my tears of gladness and joy for the members of these countries who are so faithful and deserving of these blessings! I stand in awe at all the incredible blessings our Heavenly Father continues to give us freely as His children.