Do you use Ebates?

Confession: I'm not a big coupon clipper. If it's really convenient, I'll clip it & take it with me. Usually Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's, or Michael's are the only stores that get my coupons. (A girl's gotta scrapbook!) Todd used to be really good at clipping coupons, and I was many years ago, but not anymore. That needs to change now that I'm spending sometimes over $400/month on groceries.

Well, ebates is awesome. It's a website that shows you tons of stores and whatever deals they currently have and then offers a % of your purchase back as a rebate. And lots of the stores have double rebates during the holidays! They also have double rebates for lots of stores and lots of free shipping offers.

If you haven't signed up already -- you can use my referral ID by clicking here and we both get a $5 credit! Easy way to save for those of us who aren't good at deal hunting and coupon clipping! With the economy in its current state, everyone can use all the help we can get.

Speaking of Thankful

Yes, Thanksgiving is now over, but it is still important to be thankful every day. One person for whom I am very thankful is Todd. I took this idea from my new blogernet friend, Jen, as she remembered her husband Shawn on what would have/should have been his 32nd birthday.


About Our Husbands . . .


1) Where did you meet? Todd and I met on a blind date after "meeting" on match.com. Our first date/meeting was at the Flying Saucer on Friday, November 11, 2003.

2) How long did you date before you got married? We dated for almost three years before we were *finally* engaged. (We lived in sin for about two years before that.) We were married one day short of 3 years, 4 months of our first date.

3) How long have you been married? We have been married for 1 year, 8 months (since March 10, 2007). What a ride it's been already! We are looking forward to many, many years ahead of us.

4) What is your favorite feature of his? Physical feature? I would have to say his gorgeous, bright, blue eyes. Mmmmmm.

5) What is your favorite quality of his? There are many ~ that's why I married him! Let's see . . . Todd is sentimental, nostalgic, calm, responsible, tender-hearted, kind, courteous, hard working, funny, passionate, industrious . . . I could go on for days.

6) Does he have a nickname for you? Kris (which is reserved for family and a select few friends), Babe, Dear.

7) What is his favorite food? Pad Thai, good cheeseburgers


8) What is his favorite sport? Football. He doesn't really care for any other sports.

9) When and where was your first kiss? Our first kiss was on our first date. We left the Flying Saucer and went to Mercy (a wine bar) nearby. They have such a unique and wonderful atmosphere there. Between the wine and the ambience, we just couldn't help ourselves. :)

10) What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Spend time together and with our pets. What more could we ask for?

11) Do you have any children? Unfortunately, no. We lost three babies in our first year of marriage, and are hoping to have a successful pregnancy underway before our second anniversary.

12) Does he have a hidden talent? Now, I couldn't tell you THAT, could I?!

13) How old is he? Todd is 39 years old. Yep, I'm a cradle robber. ha!

14) Who said "I love you" first? He did, but only because I waited. It was in October of 2004, almost a year after we met. Todd was taking our baby dog, Steve, to the vet to get neutered. I was crying and upset (worried about my baby), and told Todd that I just couldn't go with them to drop Stevie off at the nut-choppers. Before he left, he came into the room and hugged me goodbye. I was bawling, and he just held me and said, "I love you, Dear." My eyes are tearing up just typing this. Funny story, but it meant the world to me then and still does today.

15) What is his favorite type of music? Todd has the most eclectic music tastes of anyone I've ever met. Let's just say he doesn't like what I like (which is close to everything).

16) What do you admire the most about him? His kind and gentle nature, sense of humor, and sense of responsibility.

17) Do you think he will read this? No, he hates this blog. Todd is very private, and he doesn't like the fact that I'm "publicizing" our world to everyone. I'm still working on converting him. :)

Out of ALL that food . . .

. . . I just remembered we forgot cranberry sauce!!! How could that happen? Are we crazy? Maybe we are - or at least Aeva and I are!

We had turkey, ham, dressing, gravy, green bean casserole, sauteed green beans, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, fruit salad, blackeyed peas, rolls, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, cake, cheesecake, wine, beer, water, milk, and juice. But no cranberry sauce.

That's it. We must do Thanksgiving again!

Here are a few pics from our day:

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving day . . . and got some cranberry sauce.

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving to all from Todd & Kristin - and Mindy, Mackey, Pippin & Steve! We hope that you all have a day of fun, food and football. May you have safe travels and special time spent with loved ones and friends.

We are thankful for so many things. We have each other. We are healthy. We have amazing family, friends & pets. We have a wonderful home. We have stable jobs during economic uncertainty. We have two trees out front that are growing and looking beautiful. We live in a country that offers us freedom and opportunity. We have some delicious food to eat tomorrow. And of course, we have the Dallas Cowboys. (I had to throw that in! It IS Thanksgiving you know!)

I know the holidays can be difficult. While Thanksgiving may be a time of joyous cooking, feasting, family, friends, and football, it can also be a day of misery, sadness, and loneliness for others. Please remember and pray for those who are experiencing sadness, loss, loneliness, and despair. These people most likely are not just feeling this today.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says to "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

No matter what your circumstances may be as you read this, I pray that you will find at least one thing that allows you to offer thanks. No matter how big or how small, you will find something for which you can offer your thanks each day. It could be something as big as a huge pay raise or something as small as having a good hair day. When we seek the positive, we will find it. Our darkest days can receive just a tiny glimmer of light if we seek it.

May you and yours have blessings today and in all of the days to come. Happy Thanksgiving.

Marriage Survey

How long have you been married?
1 Year, 8 months and 3 weeks.

Is this your first marriage?
My first. Todd had a practice marriage before me.

Is it how you imagined it would be?
Yes and no. Our first year was the roughest ever, so I think if we can survive that - we can make it through just about anything.

What would you change?
Nothing we haven't already discussed.

Are you married to your soulmate?
I don't know about soulmates, but I can't imagine not being married to Todd!

What do you argue about the most?
Just communication (or lack thereof) related stuff.

What do you see eye to eye on the most?
I just asked Todd, and he replied, "I don't know. That is a very deep question and I'm not feeling very deep right now." I agree.

Where did you meet your spouse?
Match.com

Where was your first date?
The Flying Saucer

Where were you when you became engaged?
We were at Thai Garden, a restaurant near our home.

Did you live together before marriage?
Yes, for over two years.

What was your wedding song?
Our first dance was to "At Last" by Etta James. It was the only song we'd dance to together besides "Pussy Control" by Prince. Seriously.

Who was in your wedding party?
Gosh . . . my wedding party had been decided YEARS before I met Todd! My BFF & oldest sister were my Matrons of Honor. Four of my sorority sisters (3 were pledge sisters) were my bridesmaids. Todd's brother was his Best Man. His groomsmen included his cousin, a few high school & college friends, and a friend who is kind of a cousin (his cousin's cousin). Two of my nieces were our flower girls, and our cousin's cousins' two oldest boys were our ringbearers. You still with me?

Do you get along with the in-laws?
I'll say yes and no. Anyone who knows me/us knows the full answer. :)

Whats your view on children?
We want them. Now. Todd is a bit scared of multiples, but I'll take whatever we get!

Does your spouse feel the same way?
See above.

Are you a 2 peas in a pod or opposites attract couple?
We are complete total opposites. Completely. I'm loud and social, he's a reserved people-watcher. I'm often careless, he's responsible. I like reality TV, he hates it. I like order, he can handle a mess. I like to lounge, he's industrious. Those are a few examples.

Do you go out without your spouse?
Yes. He's fine with it. He even lets me go to work. :)

How long are you away from your spouse before you start to miss him/her?
About a day.

Have you ever compared your spouse to someone you have dated in the past?
I'm sure I have as many years that I dated before meeting Todd.

Do you trust your Spouse?
Completely and totally. I wouldn't be with him if I didn't. I told him not long after we started dating that if he ever cheated on me that I would be gone, and he'd never see or hear from me again.

Does your Spouse trust you?
Yes.

How well does your spouse know your favorites?
He knows me better than I'd like to admit!

Do you get along with your spouses friends?
Yes.

Does your spouse get along with your friends?
Yes.

Did you go on a honeymoon?
Oh, yes. We went to St. Thomas, USVI and want to go back. Now.

Do you watch the same TV shows?
NOT. AT. ALL. The only shows we'll watch together are The Office, The Wire, America's Funniest Home Videos, and 60 Minutes.

Can you agree on Pizza toppings?
Yes. He likes black olives & I don't, so I just pick off stuff I don't like and throw it on his pizza (or whatever he's eating).

Who takes out the trash?
Him more than me.

Who does laundry??
We do our own laundry. (benefit of getting married at an older age) The maid does sheets & towels.

Who cooks dinner?
Me.

Do you have any traditions?
Not really, but we want to develop some for when we have children. There are a few Christmas traditions and Sunday breakfasts that we have already.

Do you know your spouses passwords/pins?
Some, but I usually forget them.

Does your spouse know your social security number?
Know as in memorized? No. He has it though.

Do you ever nag your spouse?
Me? Nag? What a silly question!

Do you admit wrong doing?
Yes, if I'm in the wrong.

Does your spouse?
Yes, if he's in the wrong.

Thanksgiving Humor

This is hilarious and SO TRUE! The Seven Most Annoying People at Thanksgiving Dinner

Most of us can give a specific name to each of the annoying individuals described. Here's hoping that we all have more than 7 people at our turkey dinners this year! :)

Thanksgiving Dilemma

I don't know if we'll get to eat that much! My mom's double ovens died, and the parts won't be in until January 1st. Crappy timing, huh?

Todd and I are making the turkey here. I'm also making mashed potatoes (crock pot), deviled eggs, green bean casserole (in toaster oven), rolls (warm in toaster oven at the last minute?), pumpkin pies (made ahead of time), and whatever else I can think of making.

Mom is making the dressing & a ham, plus some other stuff, but we're not sure how this will happen without ovens at her house. Maybe I could make the dressing here, but we wouldn't have any way to heat it up other than the microwave. Mom is going to check with a couple of neighbors to see if they'll be in town & might be able to lend an oven. We also have an extra crockpot, stove top, two microwaves, and a toaster oven.

Any other ideas??? And, no, our house is not an option.

EDIT: Disaster avoided! Mom & Rick found an oven for sale for only $30! That's only $70 cheaper than the food warmer I almost bought today. Now we'll have some great food for Thanksgiving AND Christmas! Whew . . .

Recipes - Consolidated

Here are the links to all of the recipes I told you were coming. I initially planned to post them all as separate recipe links, but hopefully this consolidation will make it easier. Plus, you need recipes before Thanksgiving!

Breads

Cakes Galore!

Candy & Fudge (as previously posted)

Cookies!

Pies

All Sorts of Other Recipes

I found this fun & cool tool on Mrs. Spit's blog, and I decided I needed to Typealyzer my blog too.

The analysis indicates that the author of http://toddandkristin.blogspot.com/ is of the type:

ESFP - The Performers

(This is kinda what I looked like the night I met Todd! However, my hair was longer & curlier & my tights kept slipping down to my knees - ha!)

The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of exhausting themselves. The enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.

Analysis
This show what parts of the brain that were dominant during writing.

Smiling at the GAS PUMP

No, you didn't read that incorrectly. I was SMILING while filling up tonight. Well, I wasn't smiling at first. Remember the gas shortage of the 70s? I felt like I was reliving it (except I was driving, not riding) because I had to wait in line. Yes, IN LINE.

This pic shows just a few of the cars. There were about twenty cars lined up from multiple directions. Crazy, I tell ya!




Then, I swiped my card, got my $0.03 discount, and SHAZAM! $1.56/gallon. No, your eyes aren't deceiving you . . .

DRUM ROLL, PLEASE . . . . . . . . . .

I ain't lying. What a beautiful opportunity to allow me to help stimulate the economy.

Today's Morning Commute

It was not pretty. It usually takes me about 25 minutes to get to school each morning. Today it took me 75 minutes. I didn't stress out because there wasn't anything I could do about it. Instead, I tried to entertain myself.

School starts at 7:55. It's 8:20 - Do you know where your children are? Hopefully someone was watching mine!

I made friends with lots of others while sitting in the parking lot/highway. They weren't entertaining themselves like I did.

Then, XM/Sirius helped me out. Milli Vanilli!

No. I was not speeding. How could I when I was just sitting there? (Notice that I need gas & an oil change.)

Finally . . . OPEN ROAD!!!!

A Christmas Carol

Starring my Dad as Ebenezer Scrooge again this year!

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
McKinney Repertory Theatre
Fri, Nov 28 - Sun, Dec 7

Tickets: $7 adults; $6 seniors/students;$5 kids 12 yrs & under Click HERE for tickets.

If you live in the Dallas area, you should definitely check it out! It is always a wonderful performance, and I'm always proud of my Dad's good work! This will be Dad's fourth time playing Scrooge, the third time with this show. Todd and I are going again this year and then hanging out in Downtown McKinney during A Dickens Christmas.

Crazy Eights

8 TV Shows I Love to Watch:

1. All My Children
2. Brothers & Sisters
3. The Office
4. Biggest Loser
5. Lipstick Jungle
6. ER
7. Top Chef
8. Jon & Kate + 8
   

8 Favorite Restaraunts:

1. Blue Goose
2. The Oasis (Lake Travis, Austin)
3. Kirby's Steakhouse
4. Venezia Italian Grill
5. Buffalo Wild Wings
6. Thai Soon
7. My grandmother's house :)
   

8 Things that Happened Today:

1. I went to work
2. I didn't get evaluated
3. I cooked dinner
4. I let my husband clean up the kitchen
5. I took Steve for a walk
6. I surfed the internet
7. I labeled my labelmaker
8. I talked to my mom on the phone (3x)

8 Things I Look Forward To:

1. Pat & Linda visiting this weekend
2. My grandmother's holiday sale on Saturday
3. Taking my class swimming next week
4. Week off for Thanksgiving
5. Thanksgiving Day
6. Spending time with family and friends over the holidays
7. Giving the gifts I'm giving for Xmas
8. Scrapbook retreat in January

8 Things on My Wishlist:

1. Having a baby
2. New kitchen countertops
3. A new pair of sweats
4. New clothing
5. Health and happiness for us, our family, & friends
6. Rest and recuperation
7. Gift cards
8. Clean & organized house

I'm not tagging anyone, but entertain yourself & do it anyway. :)

Important Stuff - Naming Our Future Children

I found this photo while catching up on Google Reader and perusing the recipes on Pioneer Woman's Website, and it brought back many fond memories of planning my future when I was a child. Behold, Bob Barker and "Barker's Beauties." (**the angels begin to sing a beautiful tune**)

aaahhhh . . . My sisters and I used to spend an hour of each summer morning playing The Price is Right in our living room. I have always loved that game show and enjoyed watching Barker's Beauties (Dian, Holly & Janice for those of you who are still with me). In fact, I still watch on a rare occasion even though Bob and HIS beauties are no longer on the show. However, Janice was always my favorite. (And yeah, yeah, she was probably banging Bob. I know.) She even uses a heart in her signature as I often do.

When I asked Todd just now what he would say if I told him I'd like to name our first daughter Janice he responded, "That's interesting." In Todd-speak that means hell no, our first daughter will NOT be named Janice. And now, over 25 years later, I must agree with my husband. He is so smart and insightful.

And don't forget to spay & neuter your pets!

Five Years Ago Today . . .

. . . Todd and I met for our first date. It's amazing that it's already been five years. Friday, November 11, 2003 --- what a night that was! There are a few hilarious stories that accompany that evening. I'll try to write about it in the future when I have time to get it all down. What I will tell you is when Todd called me the next day, I was smitten! There were only a few days a couple of weeks afterwards (when he was out of town for the holidays) that we didn't not talk. I'm so blessed to have such a kind, thoughtful, and respectful man as my husband.

In the past five years, we've grown to know, love, and care for one another like noone else. We have established not only our house but our home and the beginnings of our family. Since getting married almost two years ago, we have had even more wonderful times as well as some amazingly difficult times. No matter what though, we are committed to one another and to our marriage.

Here are a few of the first pictures of us as a couple:

Valentine's Day, 2004 - yes a big snowstorm came through that day!

March 5, 2004 - Bowling with friends on my birthday.March 6, 2004 at the Dallas Irish Festival:

I love you, Todd, and look forward to the next 5, 15, 20, 25, and more years with you! Thank you for being my blessing.

On another note, today is also Veterans' Day. Please take time to thank and pray for those who have fought for our country in the past as well as those who are doing the same today.

Love is in the Air

Jenn loves our blog!

Jenn and I met online and have become fast friends. She is such a sweet person and is absolutely beautiful (inside and out). We sure do enjoy one another's randomness! A funny note . . . Jenn's mom is only four years older than me. :) Her mom and I are VERY young for our age!

Now it's time for YOU to share the love! Here are the Rules:
1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
2. Link the person from whom you received your award.
3. Nominate at least seven other blogs
4. Put links of those blogs on yours, and
5. Leave a message on the blogs that you've nominated!

There are many other blogs I love. I'm loving on these blogs today because many of them need to post more often!!!!
3 Noisy Boys (our cousins)
The Roubinek Reality (our wedding date twins)
Photos by Melissa (our photographer)
The Bandy's Blog (our cousins)
Sarah & Jamie (They both blog!)
Virginia's Goings On (good pics & food)
Carla's Kitchen (I need more recipes!)

And a few others that are better about providing me some reading and/or pics each week:
Sabrina & Andy (and cutie Drew too!)
My Name is Cool (Will her's be too? ha!)
God Won't Make a Mountain I Can't Climb (heartfelt blogging and a Cowboy of her own)
A Tale of Two Coins (surviving with grace and beauty)

I Forgot Halloween!

Halloween was such a busy time that I forgot to post a photo of us in our costumes. Here we are in all of our glory. Can you figure out what we are? Hee hee hee!



Here I am taking one of MANY syringe-filled Jell-O shots with my friends Monica and Kim.



And I have to show off the flayed skin cheeseball that I took to the party. Isn't he gorgeous?? He looked even better surrounded by crackers, and he tasted good, too!

More Weird Dreams

Since we don't have children, I often dream about our animals. Many times, I dream that Steve is gone. In last night's dream, we were at a party looking for Todd's friend (whose name is Jack but in the dream people were referring to him as "Colonel"). We couldn't find Jack/Colonel anywhere, but I did see a woman who had close to a dozen puppies running around in the grass. They all looked like little, miniature Golden Retrievers & Rottweilers. They weren't "puppies" but mini-dogs. After seeing the mini-dogs, we were looking for Steve and couldn't find him. In the dream, I remember looking at the tons of dogs at the party & looking for my babydog's neon orange collar. I was beside myself in the dream and woke up worried.

Steve was fast asleep across my legs, snoring like a madman. He's just fine, but I still looked forward to getting home tonight to hug him. :)

Oh, and I also dreamed something about Todd and I eating dinner at a restaurant that seated us in the corner (not a corner table - a corner) near the restrooms. Plus, we were seated with strangers. We left the restaurant and drove a convertible down a highway surrounded by tall buildings. I don't remember if that was before or after the party with mini-dogs and my missing pup.

Entertaining Myself

It doesn't take much . . .

I bet it won't take much to entertain you either. Check out Says-It!

Wish Us Luck

We are meeting our wonderful friend and awesome photographer, Melissa, tomorrow evening for a photo shoot. Why would we need luck just to have our photos taken?

We are taking all three dogs. This could be fun and good or a disaster. Stay tuned!