
Anton, I think I was one who mentioned Cyrus, instead of the island Cyprus, maybe I had Billy Ray Cyrus on my little mind that particular night but that would make for a very interesting conversation with your family. Yes please join us on the shopping escapade, it starts midnight this Thanksgiving and the internet will be packed with savings from one gift to another, some stores even offer free shipping! I prefer internet shopping anyway, no crowds, no hassle and the best part shopping in your pajammas! No seriously I will be the one looking for a decent parking place in the middle of Pier Park but I love retail and it makes me so proud when we make our sales goals. To us Black Friday is called Green Friday because most of the retailer's depend on this day to make their sales net profit for the 3rd quarter. It reminds me of a fire ant bed, people literally go wild over shopping and sometimes riots break out especially like places like WalMart if they get down to the very last "high demand" item. I always find it fastinating to watch marketing/consumer behavior and when they hear about the "hottest toy" on the market retailers better watch out! Others will buy the "items" up in bulks and resale them on Ebay at a huge markup, where someone will actually buy it because they are sadly desperate, it's all entertaining! I'm really hoping when I'm able to adopt someday that our kids aren't spoiled and they will appreciate what they do have. The trouble sometimes is they see what their friends have and often compare, but our kids need to understand the difference between need and want. Personally I just want them to play outside till the sun goes down like we did growing up and enjoy the simple things.
IndigoFire, your clinic just "openned the door" for you and dh and I am thrilled that you will be cycling in Jan too! I cannot wait to bring in the new year with answered prayers. Here's to our year!
Ninde, I loved your cupcakes, what flavor, those are too stinking cute! I got AnnaBelle store bought cupcakes for her 10th birthday with lime-green icing but they were delicis. Yes I will miss her, but have a feeling they won't be moving too far maybe two blocks down the road, will see! Yes hassle-free shopping is right up my alley too. Altogether I have eight nieces and nephews to buy for and I'm seriously considering gift-cards for everyone. I just want to keep Christmas low-keyed this year especially if dh and I have a huge upcoming investment in IVFs. I prefer not to swap gifts with anyone this year, but it's hard to get out of buying for the little ones in the family, they deserve a little Christmas no matter what. I mentioned to dh last night that I could cash in my 401K from work to help pay for some of our stuff in 2012 and he reminded me that I would be penalyzed come tax season. Fortunately last year I was able to claim fertility treatment as medical expense and that really helped on our taxes! It may all vary from country to country but it's worth checking out!
Blue, oh my goodness how do you stay these things in Chinese? Maybe if they came back and cleaned your house one of them might find something that would explain what's going on. I could only imagine how hard this must be to tell them, on top of the language barrier. I'm sorry you are having to go through this with dh.
AFM: Wow I'm babbling tonight, just thinking if I could stay up a little weeee longer I could join some of you in a bit, but I'm fighting to stay awake and I get cranky! G'night
