Happy Thanksgiving (a day early!)

I have been MIA, I know I know... story of my blog.  But this time for good reason.  I have had some health issues lately.  Nothing serious, just having gallbladder surgery on Tuesday to get it removed.  It isn't serious, right now.  But if I do let it go, it could get worse.  And I don't want to have it rupture on me.

Anyway, this isn't a boo hoo, poor me post.  I promise!

Thanksgiving is here!  Yay!  But where did 2014 go????

This year, I am thankful for living in a warmer climate!  Yup I said it, I don't like cold.  I like warm weather, sand between my toes and wearing a light jacket once a year.  I am also thankful for my family.  My kids are awesome people, well turning into them.  Don't get me wrong, they have their moments, but it is pretty cool to watch them experience the world around them.  I am also thankful for my hubby and many others who selflessly give their lives to the armed forces.  They protect our freedoms, and fight for our country.  I hope that those that aren't able to be home for the holidays know that many of us at home at praying and thinking about them and a safe return for all of our troops.  I am also thankful to be in relative good health.

I love Thanksgiving because I love to eat.  Yup, I said it...  I love to eat!  I also love the traditions my family has.  We wake up, eat some breakfast and park our buns for a few hours in front of the tv watching the Macy's Parade!  My hubby doesn't understand our obsession with it.  But whatever... I never asked him to understand it.

Anyway, we also then ate dinner early, and enjoy time with family.  Nothing exciting.  We aren't Black Friday shoppers either... or should I say Thanksgiving evening shoppers.

It is insane to me how many stores advertise their "Black Friday" sales starting on Thanksgiving!  Seriously, I feel badly for all the retails workers that have to work on Thanksgiving.  They are being taken from their time with family to work for a sale that I'm sure if no fun.

With that... I have decided this year to turn Black Friday PINK!  Yup!  Pink!  I am holding a private sale for all my customers and their families... on my website!  No crazy crowds... no pushing, no shoving, no waiting in line for HOURS on end.

Here are my specials:

PLUS, for every Timewise Repair Set purchased, you will get a FREE Skinvigorate brush (this special is good until Dec 1).  AND, for every purchase of $100 (before discount), you will get an extra 5% off.  For every purchase of $200 (before discount), you will get an extra 10% off!  So, this means if you place a $100 order at 6am, you'll get 35% off your order!  If you place a $250 order at 10:30 am, you'll get 25% off your order.  (The time stamp from my website will determine your order).  And I will adjust your total, email it to you before processing, and get your approval.  (Unfortunately, I am unable to change prices on my website, so you will notice you have a full priced total sent to you when you checkout.  Your card is not charged until I process it on my end.)*

I also am doing the Adopt-a-Grandparent program this year.  Please help me bring some joy to some very deserving, local senior citizens.  My goal is to make the holidays special for 150 people this year!  Order deadline for this is Dec 15.  The $12 set includes wrapping, and a gift tag.  (Tax is already included in that.)  Email me at lizherman (at) marykay (dot) com to purchase.*

Also, has your hubby/significant other/girlfriend/wife/boyfriend/lifepartner gotten you your pillow gift yet?  Have you gotten them their's?  Don't know what it is?  You will be the most romantic person at Christmas this year.  Ask me for more info on this fabulous gift, which starts at $25.

What are you thankful for this year????

*Must have no other consultant!

Holiday Traditions

For me the holidays are an amazing time of year.  First off, my birthday happens to fall between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  In fact, my birthday is 2 weeks to the day before Christmas... my birthday is December 11.  When I was little I once told my mom that I was so lucky because I got birthday presents (mainly talking about my toys here), and then two weeks later, I got Christmas presents.  I said that I could get bored with my birthday presents and then viola, new toys to play with!  (I think I was 5... so give me a break here!)  HA!  Anyway, I'm changing lanes without signaling here...  Back to my topic at hand. 

Holiday traditions!  That's what I intended to write about today.  Holiday traditions.  Over the years, our family tradtions have changed.  When I was younger, and my grandparents were still alive, we would all go over to my dad's parents' house on Christmas Eve to have dinner.  We weren't allowed to go into the living room, because Santa hadn't been there yet.  And my parents and grandparents would tell us that all the boxes in the living room were just empty boxes, again because Santa hadn't filled them up yet. 

At my grandparents' house on Christmas Eve, my grandmother would make a TON of food (too much food, of course).  And we would eat and enjoy time together.  Then we would all go home and go to bed. 

The next morning, after opening presents at our own home, we would start the journey.  We'd start with brunch at my dad's parents' house.  Where my grandmother would make an even bigger spread of food than the night before!  And she would always use the left over ham, from the night before, and make ham salad.  I only ever liked her ham salad.  Then one of the adults would sneak outside and ring the doorbell.  This was to let us know that Santa had been to their house and filled all our empty boxes.  Then my grandfather would start handing out the gifts.  He'd usually have myself, my sister or one of my cousins help him.  And we would all open our presents.  One of my grandmother's best friends used to buy us a new book every Christmas.  I read some books I had never even heard of, but am so happy I did, because of her.  It was awesome.  Usually, when we finished opening presents, my sister and I would start reading our books.

Then, we'd all load up the car, and head over to my great Aunt's house, my grandmother's sister.  She usually would rush out of Christmas morning at my grandparents' house to get back to her house.  Where she would have even MORE food... and some presents.  We would open those presents, eat again, load up the car again... and drive to another house... and another...  and another.  Well not really, but it felt that way!  My dad has said that we did, when I was really young, visit a LOT of people on Christmas day.

Our last stop was my mom's parents' house.  Where we would have dinner.  My mom's parents were Greek... so we not only had traditional American Christmas foods, but we'd also have Greek foods.  And more presents.  My dad used to say by the end of the night, the car was so full, his pants were so tight and we were all exhausted!  But it was fun.

As I grew older and my grandparents passed away or just weren't able to host Christmas any more, my parents started to host it.  We stopped driving all over Chicago on Christmas day... and stayed home.  The nice part was that my mom's side of the family and my dad's side of the family could all be together for Christmas dinner.  And then we added to the family, as my sister got married, and I got married... and we had kids, and my cousin had kids...  But now, my parents no longer own that house (the house that I grew up in).  And I'm just too far away to go home for Christmas.

Instead of dreaming of a white Christmas, I dream of a warm Christmas with palm trees.  My parents traded in their Mid-western address for one in Florida... and I'm not complaining.  We usually go to my parents' house in Florida for Christmas, for now.  It is an easy drive from NOLA to their house in FL and we like being together.  We now invite my in-laws to spend the holiday with us and my parents.

So what are your holiday traditions?