After Christmas sales

Wow, the last few days have been fantastic! 50 percent off and 60 and 70 percent off all merchandise, Christmas and other... Toys at a bargain. I tell you, from now on I am saving my cash for after Christmas to buy gifts for people for the whole year...  Give simple things for the holiday and then go spend for the whole year at a fraction of the price the days after Christmas.

Only 1 error for me this year... I actually got gift cards and cash for Christmas because I am always crabbing I never have money in my wallet just for me. So what do I do? go to Walmart and K-Mart with the KIDS and get hornswaggled into getting them more stuff. Yep. Between groceries and them I have exactly approximately 60 cents in change, no lie! Shame on ME. I cut down from Santa this year to show them the meaning of Christmas, but because they are good consumers on sales and good con artists to me (puppy eyes) I gave all my money away.  Never again.  Never ever again. That will be my Christmas gift to me to keep that promise.

So, love the sales, but beware to save ahead of time and don't bring the kids!!!

Happy New Year everyone and may 2008 be the best year yet!

• After Christmas sales - HolidayMT

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CHANTILLY, Va. — A new drug store at a Virginia strip mall is putting its faith in an unconventional business plan: No candy. No sodas. And no birth control. Divine Mercy Care Pharmacy is among at least seven pharmacies across the nation that are refusing as a matter of faith to sell contraceptives of any kind, even if a person has a prescription.

States across the country have been wrestling with the issue of pharmacists who refuse on religious grounds to dispense birth control or morning-after pills, and some have enacted laws requiring drug stores to fill the prescriptions.

In Virginia, though, pharmacists can turn away any prescription for any reason.

"I am grateful to be able to practice," pharmacy manager Robert Semler said, "where my conscience will never be violated and my faith does not have to be checked at the door each morning."

Semler ran a similar pharmacy before opening the new store, which is not far from Dulles International Airport. The store only sells items that are health-related, including vitamins, skin care products and over-the-counter medications.

On Tuesday, the pharmacy celebrated a blessing from Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde. While Divine Mercy Care is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, it is guided by church teachings on sexuality, which forbid any form of artificial contraception, including morning-after pills, condoms and birth control pills, a common prescription used by millions of women in the U.S.

"This pharmacy is a vibrant example of our Holy Father's charge to all of us to wear our faith in the public square," said Loverde, who sprinkled holy water on the shelves stocked with painkillers and acne treatments. "It will allow families to shop in an environment where their faith is not compromised."

The drug store is the seventh in the country to be certified as not prescribing birth control by Pharmacists for Life International. The anti-abortion group estimates that perhaps hundreds of other pharmacies have similar policies, though they have not been certified.

Earlier this year in Wisconsin, a state appeals court upheld sanctions against a pharmacist who refused to dispense birth control pills to a woman and wouldn't transfer her prescription elsewhere. Elsewhere, at least seven states require pharmacies or pharmacists to fill contraceptive prescriptions, according to the National Women's Law Center. Four states explicitly give pharmacists the right to turn away any prescriptions, the group said.

The Virginia store's policy has drawn scorn from some abortion rights groups, who have already called for a boycott and collected more than 1,000 signatures protesting the pharmacy.

"If this emboldens other pharmacies in other parts of the state, it could really affect low-income and rural women in terms of access," said Tarina Keene, executive director of the Virginia chapter of the National Abortion Rights Action League.

Robert Laird, executive director of Divine Mercy Care, believes many of the estimated 50,000 Catholics within a few miles of the store will support its mission and make up for the roughly 10 percent of business that contraceptives represent in a typical pharmacy.

Whether Catholics will be drawn to the pharmacy is uncertain. According to a Gallup poll published last year for an extensive study of U.S. Catholicism called American Catholics Today, 75 percent of U.S. Catholics said you can still be a good Catholic even if you don't obey church teachings on birth control.

Catherine Muskett said she plans to shop at the drug store even though she lives more than 20 miles away.

"Obviously it's good to support pro-life causes. Every little bit counts," said Muskett, one of about 75 people who crowded into the tiny shop for Tuesday's ceremony.
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On the Net:
http://www.dmcpharm.com
http://www.naralva.org/instate/pharmacy.shtml

People go insane during the holiday shopping season.

Someone I recently met is selling Melaleuca products and supposedly making a good profit.  He wants me to start selling these products, too....first of all, I think it's a pyramid scheme, like Amway....and I don't know anyone who has had a GOOD experience with Amway.  He says it isn't, though.  He says I'll work for myself.  Hmm.  Do any of you guys know about this company?  I'm getting bad feeling about it.  However, I'm broke and could use the extra $$$. 

seem some pretty surprising stuff go on, only to watch people battle off and jump in their "fancy" cars.  I've had people set a whole pile of stuff in front of me and throw a 5 at me and try to take off knowing that what they had cost more. I had one lady say "quarter?" over and over and over trying to buy two folding lawn chairs and I kept saying, "NO." She finally gave up and left.  I've had people steal right out from under my nose and jump in their "fancy" cars and take off.  I've had a whole "family" of Mexicans pile out of a very nice van and converge upon my yard sale with one person trying to keep my attention while their family members steal whatever they could from me.  When I saw a one of the kids stick an X-Box game in his shirt, I told him he had to pay for it and he tried to walk away.  When my husband came up on the boy, the father tried to start a fight with my husband.  My neighbor called the police and when they arrived they had the adults and teens in cuffs and the children in the back of a unit.  Turned out they were illegal and were arrested and hauled off and then a tow truck came and got the van. 

I haven't had a yard sale in a long, long time.

for the reasons you stated, but it was very underhanded that the woman would snatch up the doll for $2.00 knowing she was buying it from a little girl when the mother wasn't looking.  It was just plain wrong.

I truly want to wish every single poster a Merry Christmas. 

My want list for Christmas:

I want to recognize the Christ in Christmas as well as the fun of holiday celebration and cheer through many venues. 

I want to be mindful of every human being that has less than I do, for there are many.  I am the most blessed person I know:

I want to be thankful that my family is all with me, intact, in communication (hahaha), not estranged, and loving/enjoying being together.

I want to be grateful that I am gainfully employed and have other options if I so choose.

I want to celebrate that I have my health intact.

I want to live respectfully toward others because I live in a country that provides protection and security for me and others, God bless and save them, are willing to make the sacrifice to provide it for me.

Most of all, I want every person who feels lost, isolated, alone, left out that you are not alone. Just know that He is mindful of you.  I know - not believe, but know - that God knows exactly who I am and where I am going and He will take care of me.  I want you to know that, too.

Merry Christmas to each one of you and yours ...

Busy MT'ing

Oh please, don't anyone flame me. I honestly can't take it right now. I am so depressed, I can't believe I'm depressed enough to write here. I am not a depressed person - ever. I don't know if its my age (50) or something else. My job? I don't know, but this Christmas just did me in........Every year I do the same thing - I really like giving things and am just boringly nice - a good old egg type. Laid back. Usually give stuff anonymously, so nobody knows. But at Christmas, I like to give little things. For instance, I will go up and down my street and put cards in mailboxes, signed your neighbor. I know some animal rescuers in my area, and will leave them a card, thanking them for their work, and stick little cat toys on it, if they are cat rescuers, or dog toys if dog rescuers - I just take a simple card and put cute stuff on it. No big deal, really, but something to try and be nice. I have a few elderly shut-in neighbors. I give them cards with little boxed cakes or stuff, potpourri - little things. I send cards to all my church members, my coworkers and yet....not a mention of it from anyone. I also will stick a card unsigned in a house who has really cute Christmas lights up or something, just saying how great their house looked this year, or whatever. My kids and I like picking a different house each year and doing that.  But the bummer thing is - nobody cares. Nobody even smiles at me, nobody even acknowledges anything. I don't expect huge praises or calls or people stopping by, or announcements in the local paper, but a smile? I have passed some of these people on the street and they just grunt at me. They USED to be friendly, but now the attitude is just no big deal. I'm not even worthy of a small smile. My husband thinks that these people just take me for granted by now -  that they just are not really nice enough to smile back. Or that I make them feel bad by being nice. I really used to enjoy doing this, but now am just so despondent about it. I have decided next year, no cards, no nothing, no reaching out to neighbors - just let them all alone. Is it me? Am I a jerk for giving out little cards and stuff? I am not bothersome. I'm really shy actually, and never impose, other than these Christmas cards, or if I know its their birthday or something. In this day and age, am I just a pain? The rest of the year, again, I give things anonymously, or practical things like dog food donations, etc. I won't stop that, but I just have given up on trying to be personable at Christmas. But I don't understand what I have done wrong... If I were a nosey neighbor type, always intruding or asking for something, I would understand. But I'm the exact opposite - never ask for anything from anyone. Is it just our times? Should I just go stick my head in a hole?

Sad to say, about the only thing we really do for Christmas is I actually cook a traditional Christmas dinner. We haven't decorated the house or given gifts for years. Our son (now 20 years old) prefers money so he can buy what he wants, and my husband and I set an amount based on what our budget can handle and we each buy what we want.

Pathetic, huh?

After everything was open and my brothers and I were so excited to be playing, my Mom asked me to get something from the kitchen.  Of course it was dark because we'd get up so early.  There it was my Barbie Dreamhouse in the kitchen!  I loved that Christmas and it got lots of play...

 Fav foods are cookies, cookies, and more cookies that my sister-in-law makes.  I have an aunt that makes Walnut cookies to die for!  Every year she'd bring a tin, but we don't see her much at Christmas now that my parents are gone. 

On a lighter note, I love seeing our kids opening their stuff!  It brings back great memories! 

I celebrate Christmas because to recognize the birth of Jesus...and I love decorating.  I love to give presents, but do not really care if I receive any.  Too many people have forgotten what this holiday is all about.  I do not say Happy Holidays to people...I say Merry Christmas.  If they don't like it, I don't really care.  I'm tired of the liberals trying to take God out of everything.  That's one of the reasons this country has gone to Hell and will continue to do so.  This country was founded on Christian values, but most have forgotten that.  A friend of mine is Jewish, so I do say Happy Channukah to her, but that's the only exception.

So, Merry Christmas everybody!

What are you doing today to get ready for "the big day" tomorrow? 

Any special activities or traditions you and yours engage in on Christmas eve?

Anyone have lots of cooking/baking in front of them today and tonight in preparation for tomorrow?

Any last minute shoppers or some with just a last-minute gift to pick up?

I'm curious...What's everyone doing today and tonight?

***MERRY CHRISTMAS, FELLOW MTs***

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?  - Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?  Mom wraps, Santa stuffs stockings.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored inside, white outside
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No
5. When do you put your decorations up?  When I have time.  Usually get the tree the first weekend in December.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Turkey
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:  Spending Christmas with my mom's parents who lived 2 hours away and then coming home and seeing my dad's parents who lived right down the street.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? My cousin informed me in elementary school and took great pleasure in crushing me. 
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? I always wanted to, but wasn't allowed, so now my kids each get to open one on Christmas Eve, and my oldest is in college and still likes to do this.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? colored lights, all the oraments I have gotten my kids over the years plus the ones they have made in school since they were little, star on the top.  Probably nothing Martha Stewart would approve of - LOL.
11. Snow: Love it or Dread it? Used to love it, now dread it, but don't know why exactly.
12. Can you ice skate?  Yes.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Bionic Woman doll
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with my family and Christmas Even services at church and singing all those great hymns.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? pumpkin pie
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas eve candlelight service
17. What tops your tree? star
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Love to give and see the look on my kids' faces when they open their gifts.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? O Holy Night
20. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum?  Yum

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Egg Nog (loaded).
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrap them all.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No.
5. When do you put your decorations up? Weekend after Thanksgiving.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Baked ham.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Going sledding in Garmisch, Germany.  The adults went skiing.  Lived in Germany 10 years as a kid, and every Christmas was great there.  Very festive place during the holiday season. 
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? 9 years old, my younger brother found all the gifts in the closet  - I was devastated. 
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Leave that to my daughter and grandson.
11. Snow: Love it or Dread it? I like to look at it, but dread driving in it.   We have enough here in Colorado to share with everybody. 
12. Can you ice skate? I would be afraid to try it now. 
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My first Shaded Silver Chinchilla persian kitten.  He lived to be 20 and I am now on my second one.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Giving.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Irish Christmas pudding with hot Bird's custard. 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Baking Christmas goodies, watching Home Alone, and homemade Eggnog.
17. What tops your tree? Star.
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Jingle Bell Rock
20. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? Yum.

Our family budget is $1000 and that covers gifts for 19 people, including "Santa" for the 2 kids.  What about your house?

I was cooking Christmas dinner for our family and my kitchen sink got completely clogged up.  Apparently, garbage disposals can only handle so many peeled potato skins, which I did not know then.  Husband tried plunging, son tried plunging.  The only thing left to try was DrainO, which I did not have.  Had my daughter go see if the grocery store was open (hoping, hoping, hoping that it was) and see if they had DrainO or similar brand, and to make sure it was safe for kitchens and garbage disposals. 

As she left for the grocery, I was plotting Plan B - which would have been to finish making a delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings by using a bathtub or the laundry tub.  Of course, I could not put any garbage down those tubs.

The grocery WAS open.  The Liquid Plumber DID work.  My family and I did NOT have to eat a turkey that was washed and cleaned in a bathtub!

So, for me....Thank God for the grocery who is open on Christmas!!!