Do's and Don'ts: Black Friday Shopping

The Do's and Don'ts of Black Friday Shopping 

1. Don't wear your favorite pair of heals. Heals only increase your chance of tripping and being trampled by a herd of early morning shoppers.
2. Do choose to wear your sneakers. A sturdy pair of sneakers will provide comfort for the all day shopping spree. Plus less chances of a visit to the emergency room.
3. Do bring plenty of credit cards. Call your bank prior, to make sure they receive your final payment on your previous Black Friday bill. It will clear the way for this year's.
4. Don't rely on your checkbook. The easiest way to ignite a burning anger in a long line of customers, is to pull out the checkbook.
5. Do have some cash on hand. Having a back up plan when you have already maxed out all 10 of your credit cards.
6. Do use technology to your advantage. There's an app for that! There is tons of new apps in iTunes store towards Black Friday shopping.
7. Don't rely on social media to lead the direction of your shopping exploration. Remember to keep all those exclusive deals and locations to yourself. Disable Twitter.
8. Do drink plenty of coffee. 6 to 12 cups of coffee should be enough to get you through the morning.
9. Don't drink the wine left over from Thanksgiving dinner. Drunk shopping is only acceptable when shopping only online.
10. Do invite plenty of shopping buddies. Sometime having a couple of extra hands will help when carrying the shopping bags out to the mini van.
11. Don't bring small children. The last thing you want to worry about is a missing kid, where's the bathroom, or even an overly tired kid crying.
12. Do be patient and have a great Shopping Day.

Most know that I have worked retail for many years now, and seen my share of Black Fridays. But not only have I been on the retail end of this big event, but also have had the chance to shop this during this major event. In the midst of my shopping experience, I have learned a few things.

Little Bitty

Party Time: Glow-In-The-Dark Style

 Happy Birthday Tina!

Who would have thought Music, White Tees, Highlanders,
and Black Lights would make an awesome party.

You can't have a PARTY with out the balloons.
I thought the White balloons would glow with the black lights, but the did not glow.

Being the busy mom, I asked my husband to be in charge of the cake.
So, a trip to the local Wal Mart took care of the cake.

Happy Birthday, Dear Tina
Happy Birthday to You!

Make a wish Tina!

My So Called Life: Lord Use Me...Mary

Lord use me...
Have you meet Mary. She is this 13 year old that is turning onto this beautiful young lady. Now she does belong to that poor family on the edge of town. They don't have much and I don't see Mary becoming much either. But did hear she recently got engaged to Joseph. He is that young carpenter that lives in town. Maybe she will get that 'happily ever after.'
In the eyes of Mary's community, she was not going where. She had all the characteristics that would make her unusable by God. God on the other hand saw a young Jewish girl's servant heart. He find favor upon Mary.
Luke 1:26-37
"I am the Lord's servant...May it be to me as you have said." Vs. 36
Now God's favor on Mary did not bring her success nor fame. Becoming the mother of the Messiah would lead to much pain, ridicule from her peers, possibility of her fiance leaving her, and her son would be rejected by his people and eventually murdered. But her simple reply was 'Lord Use Me.' When God is calling you, your reply needs to be 'I am the Lord's servant, use me.'

Little Bitty

My So Called Life: Temptation

Eve was approached by Satan, disguised as a crafty serpent in the Garden of Eden, where she and Adam lived. Satan questioned Eve's contentment, by getting her to doubt God's goodness. How can she be really happy when God has forbidden her to eat from one of the fruit trees in the Garden? (Genesis 3:1) Satan helped Eve turn her focus from all what God has done and given to the one thing he has withheld from her. (Genesis 3:5) Eve was too willing to accept what Satan was saying before checking with God. (Genesis 3:6) Sounds all too familiar, right? Taking a closer look at verse 6, we can see that Eve had done the following: she looked, she took, she eat, then she gave. When in our own sins, we too follow the same pattern.

She Looked

"...the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye..." Genesis 3:6a

The battle over sin is too often lost after the first look. Temptation often begins by simple seeing something you want. We get that, "I've got to have that" feeling. Eve believed Satan's lie, just like I have time after time. Our sins do not always appear to be wrong to us. Satan makes them appear good, pleasant, or desirable. We can not always prevent temptation, but there is always a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13). Using God's Word and God's people, can help you stand against Satan and his lies.

She Took, She Eat

"...and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some, and eat it." Genesis 3:6b

People often choose to do wrong things because they were convinced that those things are good, or at least for themselves the are. Eve was convinced by Satan that eating the fruit will make her 'like God, knowing good and evil' (Genesis 3:5). A knowledge of both good and evil seemed harmless enough to her. It was not wrong for Eve to want to be like God. To become more like God is humanity's highest goal. But Satan, misled Eve on how to accomplish this goal. He told her that she could be like God by defining God's authority, eating of the fruit.

She Gave

"She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he eat it." Genesis 3:6c

After Eve had sinned, she involved Adam with her wrongdoing. How often do we try to relieve our guilt by involving someone else when we sin. It is so easy to drag someone down with you.

Looking at Jesus own Life

"Away from me Satan! For it is written..." Matthew 4:10a

Jesus was able to resist all of Satan's temptations because He not only knew the scripture, but He also obeyed it. Ephesians 6:17 says that God's Word is a sword to use in spiritual war. Knowing the Bible is an important key part in helping us resist Satan's attacks but we also need to obey it as well. Looking at Matthew 4:1-11, we can see that Satan too know the Scripture, but he lacked one thing, to obey it. Knowing and obey the Bible helps us follow God's desires rather than Satan's.

Little Bitty

My So Called Life: Fashioned in the Image of God

Do you want to hear something that is mind blowing: God's creative work was not complete until he made woman. Eve was the final piece of God's creation puzzle. Adam was no longer was 'alone' (Gen 2:18), he now had a 'help mate' (Gen 2:20), someone to have fellowship with, someone else made in the image of God (Gen 1:27).

Image of God

"Then God said, 'Let us make man in Our image, according to our likeness...'" Genesis 1:26a 

Did you know that the moon has no light of its own? It reflects the sun's light. Just like the moon's light is the reflection of the sun's light, we too are the reflection of the image of God. We have the ability to reflect his character in our love, in our patience, in our forgiveness, in our kindness, and in our faithfulness. 

"Then the Lord God fashioned into a woman from the rib which He had taken from man, and brought her to the man." Genesis 2:22

I love this verse. It reminds us of how much God loved Eve. God could have made Eve from dust from the ground, just like Adam. But God choose to 'fashion' Eve from Adam's flesh and bone. Not Adam's head, for him to rule over her. Not Adam's foot, for him to stump on her. But Adam's rib, for the two of them to work side by side, a special partnership. I feel that God used this to illustrate to us that marriage between one man, one woman become one flesh. This is a special union between a man and a woman that is taken seriously throughout the Bible. 

"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good..." Genesis 1:31 

God saw that ALL of his creation was very good. Eve was complete and beautifully made. Think about it Adam had just finished naming all the "livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the fields" (Gen 2:20), but he was unable to find a suitable 'helpmate'. So God, fashioned woman from Adam's rib and flesh and He brought Eve to Adam. And what is Adams response? The first poem:

"This now bone of my bones,

and flesh of my flesh,

she shall be called woman,

for she was taken out of man."

Genesis 2:23 NIV

Eve was not like the other creatures God had created. She was beautifully fashioned in the image of God. The final piece of God's puzzle of creation. 

Little Bitty

My So Called Life: Summer Bucket List

How many times do we hear over Summer Break..."I am BORED" from your kids. This summer break I wanted to change things up. So the last week of May, I sat down with the kids and we put together a list of fun things that we can do through out the summer; aka Summer Bucket List. 

Here are just a few pictures from this Summer's Bucket List.

Geocaching, throughout the whole summer

Cinderella Movie Marathon with Little Girls - June 10th

4th of July - Fireworks

Visit to the Zoo - August 1st

Visit to the Zoo - August 1st

Tina - Oil Belt Church Camp - July 6th 

Billy Jr. - Oil Belt Church Camp - July 6th

Sammy - Oil Belt Church Camp August 3rd

Family Bowling Night - August 2nd

Ice Cream Sundaes - July 15th

Nature Hike - Red Hill State Park - June 17th

Nature Hike - Red Hill State Park - June 17th

 I wished we had more time during the Summer to do things together. I know there will be coming a time when each one of my loving kids are not going to do fun things with their old mother. 

Little Bitty



My So Called Life: Youth Group

I Love my Youth Group!
I have the privilege of working with a handful of 5th and 6th grade students. I love the fact that I am a  part of these wonderful kids life. I can have thee longest day at work. Be in a bad mood. But come Wednesday night, my mood completely changes. They are fun, silly, outgoing, energetic, and they love hanging out with their youth leader.

 Minute to Win It, one of the many ways we have a 

little fun in the classroom settings.

Jar of Candy, just a little treat for winning a game 

or answering a question about the study.

"O is for Oreo'

Scatter Ball, one of their all time favorite games 

that the kids love to play.

Little Bitty 

My So Called Life: Monday Mornings

5:30 am Monday Morning

Beep, beep, beep...."Lord help me make it through another busy day." I whisper a short prayer before rolling out of bed. I hit the bathroom, brush my teeth and change into my work out clothes. As I make my way to the kitchen for my morning coffee I stop by Jr.'s room to get him up for school.

"Good morning, Buddy. Time to get up and get in the shower." He wipes the sleepy from his eyes and makes a 'b' line for the bathroom still half a sleep.

As I start my coffee pot, I hear Rose (our 3 year old Pit Bull) wrestling around in the laundry room. I open the door to found out she got sick in the middle of the night. Just one more mess that mom will have to clean up. I grab the leash to take Rose around the yard...oh yea she got sick again. I really need to make sure the kids stop feeding her table scrapes. Rose and I make our ways back into the house, I can smell the coffee brewing.

"Thank you, God for coffee."

With cup of coffee in hand, I finish my mourning rounds. Vicky's room is next. This is one teenager I wish would get up and ready the first time. Not Vicky. Not even the the 3rd, 4th time. But no. It takes about after the 8th, sometimes even the 9th time before she gets up. She really is not a morning person. By the time she gets up and ready, the three other kids are ready, animals feed, and trash taken out.

I round up the kids, I manage to get them all in the truck. As we make our to the Jr/Sr High, I am reminding everyone of their schedule for today.

"Vicky, yearbook after school. Also there will be a Pork Roast in the cork pot, if can make some rice and steamed veggies.  Billy, walk Rose and make sure the cans make it to the street tonight. Love you both, have a good day, I will see you when I get off work around 9pm."

Next stop grade school, to drop off Tina and Sammy.

"You two, need to make sure you bring home a an AR book to read. Also make sure the two of walk home together, lets not have what happen last week. Love you, have a good day. I will tuck you in when I get home tonight around 9pm."

Last week Sammy decided that she wanted to go to Hailey's house after school. She told Tina, plus tired calling the house but dad did not answer. So when I got home, the kids said that Sammy was at the neighbors, bit no sign of Sammy. I freaked out for about 30 mins trying to call and drive around looking for Sammy. New set rule in the house. You most talk to an adult before going out.

Me time! With it being such a beautiful spring morning, I figured I would just stop by Red Hill State Park and walk the trails instead of hitting the gym. A different change of scenery would be good for me.

I love it out here. It was still cool out, morning dew on the ground. The birds chirping, flying from tree limb to tree limb. The squirrels wrestling around on the dead leafs on the ground. I had totally forgot about my hectic morning.

"Thank you, God for this peace. You know what I need and when I need it." 
(Psalm 139:5)

I finished walking through the trails, just talking with God. For 30mins I felt Eve. Walking through out the garden or in my case the woods and fully clothed. Just enjoying the present of the Lord.

In the middle of my hectic life there is God. "He fills my life with good things." (Psalm 103:5)


I have learned to embrace Monday Mornings and allow God to be more part of my life.

Little Bitty

Party Time: Rainbow Style

Happy Birthday Sammy 

With my youngest daughter turning 10 this year I wanted to do something a different then just cake and ice cream type of birthday party. 

Young Artists at work. I turned my dinning room into a art studio. Purchased some small white canvas and other art supplies. Placed a birthday table cloth on the table, gave the perfect space for these little artists some room for their creativity.

Did someone say Twister? My oldest daughter, Vicky and two of her good friends joined the fun as well. Watching the teenagers play Twister was a bit too funny.

Overall, I feel that the party was a successful. All the kids got to take home there mini master pieces, eat rainbow cupcakes, take some funny photos in the rainbow photo booth, and play a few games of twister. 

http://littlebittyinthemidwest.blogspot.com/2014/03/little-bittys-recipe-box-rainbow.html?m=1

Little Bitty

Recipe Box: Rainbow Cupcakes

So with St Patrick's Day being today, I figured I would take advantage of Pinterest and see what new dessert I can make for my fellow co-workers. I came across this really easy idea for cupcakes.

St. Patty's Rainbow Cupcakes

Ingredients:

1 Box Cake Mix (I used Funfetti), Eggs, Water, Oil Frosting (I used Easy Frost, easy to use when you are frosting cupcakes)
Mini Marshmallows
Rainbow Candy (Air Heads Xtremes Sweet Sour Candy)

Directions: 

Bake cupcakes as directed on the box. After cupcakes have cooled, apply frosting to each cupcake. Next you place a Rainbow Candy on the cupcake, place to where it arches like a Rainbow. Next use the mini marshmallows to help keep from not sliding off the cupcake. I placed marshmallows all round the base of each side of the Rainbows. Plus the mini marshmallows look like clouds. And enjoy.

My co-workers loved them. They were such a big hit that I figured I would make these for Sammy's 10th Birthday Party (which is in two weeks).

Little Bitty

Holiday Fun: St. Patrick"s Day Treat

 Happy St. Patrick's Day

Candy Rainbows and Gold Chocolate

One thing I notice that does not get old in my house, is the fact my kids love all the corky things I do for holidays. I think it is because most of time it involves sometime of treats.

So for St. Patrick's Day I put together these cute and easy treat bags. I already the blue treat bags and white paper. So I purchased Rainbow Twizzlers and a bag of Rolos. Placed candy in the treat, tie bag closed, and add a little white cloud with child's name.

Little Bitty

Holiday Fun: Easy St. Patrick Day Decorations

Happy St. Patrick's Day

On St. Patrick's Day, everyone is a little Irish Here are just a few quick-and-easy ways to add some St. Patrick's Day cheer to your home.

I had a few of the items already, but a quick trip to the Dollar Store, I was able to add a littlr Irish to my home.

"Luck of the Irish"

 Simple wreath, add pink flowers and ribbon, with a "luck" sign, the perfect touch for my front porch.

"Three Leaf Clovers"

I bought a package of glitter three leaf clovers, and with a little double sided tape on the back, I was able to add a little green to the front door.

 

"Leprechaun Hats"

Found a package of small Leprechaun hats and placed in a few spots within the house.

Placed in my living room, I have these two wooden tool boxes that my son made when he was in Cub Scouts. They were not really been used until I had seen an idea on Pintrerest. And now I use them all the time. with it being March and St Patrick's Day approaching, I wanted to add a little Irish touch. I had purchased white flowers, green three leaf clovers, butterflies, and Irish flags, arranged it all in my tool boxes to add that Irish touch I was looking for.

 Little Bitty