OK, I've got the ticker....Poly in August!!!

[PracPerfPatricia]

So, just wanted to let you all know I now have cooked a turkey and it turned out fabulous! Very tasty indeed. I did end up putting stuffing in it. I wish you could've seen me trying to prep this stupid bird.....it was a sight! Let me walk you through it a little.

It's like the verbal version of the cooking channel ...

There I was finally getting ready to get this bird in the bag and in the oven. Standing at my sink, I took the wrappings off the turkey. Now remember, I don't cook "whole birds", meaning I have never even cooked a whole chicken before. I am usually a boneless type of girl.

In other words... you don't have any desire to be a farm girl...


So I wasn't prepared for how ugly the little thing was.

Probably looked better when it was alive with feathers and stuff... or maybe not...


And I didn't know there were two holes to stuff!

I called my Gram about a hundred times that morning. The first call was right then.

God Bless Gram...

I said "Gram, there are two holes in this turkey. Do I stuff the neck hole or the butt hole??" All she did was laugh at me! Can you believe that??!! She laughed at me!

Actually I can believe it...


After I figured out which end to stuff (put stuffing in one end and a whole onion in the other), and got all the giblets and crap out of the holes...I washed him all off nice and clean.

Did you use the good soap?...

I got my stuffing all ready, floured my cooking bag, and called Gram again. "Gram, am I supposed to stuff this thing first or put it in the bag first?" Yep, that's how my morning went. She told me to put it in the bag first. Okay....But she also told me to rub vegetable oil all over it and put salt and pepper on it. All you normal people would've known to do this after putting it in the bag. Not me. There I was trying to get a greased up ugly turkey in a bag all by myself. I finally got ahold of the slippery little sucker, but had both my arms around it. How was I to open the bag??

OMG... I sorry but that is funny....


BRADEY!!!!! Come help mommy for a second......

God Bless Bradey too!

Yep, we finally got that thing in the oven and it cooked perfectly. I had to take two showers that day to get the vegetable oil off me...but everything turned out perfect.

YEAH... Good for you... you triumphed over the turkey...


I decided that I didn't want to deal with the stress of Black Friday. First time in my life I have not gone BF shopping with my mom and aunts. It was really really hard for me to sit home while they were out there. It is such a tradition for us, but I just didn't have the money. So I went Black Saturday shopping instead with my mom Spent much less on Sat than I would have on Friday

Sorry about the $$$ woes... and that you missed shopping with your mom and aunts... I usually decorate that day because honestly those crazy crowds can get a little out of hand for my taste...

Overall it was a great weekend and I loved having 4 days off. Bill got a great bonus at work this year, so our finances are looking better! Hope everyone else had a great TG too!

Yeah for great bonuses ... and I'm glad you had a great Weekend too...

 

[solana131]

Suzi, so glad to hear the turkey turned out great.

And that hubby got a nice bonus to help ease your financial woes some.

Yeah, well so much for the bonus....it is gone now. Had to fill up the oil tank and pay the mortgage But at least the oil didn't have to go on the credit card!! Always a silver lining.

Oh, to have had Bill video you fixing that turkey!!!!! Glad it turned out good, though! Now, you are an old pro at it, next time will be a cinch!

So happy that your financial situation is better now, too. I know how stressful it can be at times, and the holidays are just the WORST time to have to experience the crunch.

Yeah, I wish Bill was there to take a video because then he would've been there to help me! I was very stressed at the time, but now I can laugh about it.

I am so glad that your bird turned out wonderful - I know how much you were stressing over it.

I am glad you were able to go black Saturday shopping, at least. We have had our fair share of hard Christmases - I am glad to hear things are looking up for you.



D~

Thanks D...it was fun. Not sure I would want to prepare a meal for a very large crowd (6 was perfect) but I won't be scared next year at least.

I don't mean to laugh (okay...maybe a little) but the thought of you wrestling a greased up, naked, ugly bird into a bag is hilarious! Maybe that should be new "Minute To Win It" game!

Seriously...glad you got it all figured out and your bird came out okay on the other side!

I skipped Black Friday this year too. I did a little shopping on Wednesday and got some good deals. Congrats to hubby on a big bonus and helping ease some financial strain!

Go ahead...laugh away. It was very funny! The funniest thing was the look on poor Bradey's face when he came out to the kitchen and saw his mommy wrestling a dead turkey!

Yeah for great bonuses ... and I'm glad you had a great Weekend too...

Thanks....it was a very good weekend.

 

[jennyjinx3]

Yay for bonuses!! DH is getting one too! And we may upgrade to the Beach Club instead of POR...! And no I don't mind how long you keep this baby going! 2013, 2014 it's all good!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Sounds like the bird turned out well-done!


Congrats on the bonus!

 

[DMGeurts]

Very glad Bill got a bonus... Yes, it went for bills, but if the bills are paid, that leaves more $$ for other things.

Missin' you so much here Suzi, I really hope that things are going well for you. Been thinking and praying that your situation gets better. (((Hugs))) If there is ever anything you need, you know where I am and how to find me.

D~

 

[Eoywin]

Congrats on the bonus I found out that I'm getting a bonus with my 2nd job and that's really shiny. Though that's not the job I do for money, I do it for the love of writing.

 

[solana131]

Yay for bonuses!! DH is getting one too! And we may upgrade to the Beach Club instead of POR...! And no I don't mind how long you keep this baby going! 2013, 2014 it's all good!!

Oooh, Beach Club looks so nice! I want to stay there someday, but it is not really DH's style. He likes Wilderness Lodge and POR best. So BC will have to wait until I get another girls trip. Or maybe someday with just DS and I. I don't see hubby going to Disney more than one more time. I wish I could get him there alone some year...I think I could show him that it is more than just rides! Maybe once our son is older and goes off on his own a little....

Sounds like the bird turned out well-done!


Congrats on the bonus!

Thanks. The turkey was really yummy....and now I feel more confidant about cooking it. Next year will be a breeze!

Very glad Bill got a bonus... Yes, it went for bills, but if the bills are paid, that leaves more $$ for other things.

Missin' you so much here Suzi, I really hope that things are going well for you. Been thinking and praying that your situation gets better. (((Hugs))) If there is ever anything you need, you know where I am and how to find me.

D~

Yeah, still no money for other things, but at least the oil didn't have to go on a credit card! I think Bradey is going to find out the true meaning of Christmas this year because we just don't have the money for many presents. And Bill will have to work Christmas....so he won't even be able to open the few presents we have until that night. Bill has always worked holidays, but when he worked the night shift, he was there during the morning/day. This will be the first year he won't be there for Christmas morning. Unless I want to wake Bradey up at 3am Probably not gonna happen.

Thanks D I'm trying to stay on here and stay caught up with everything. I just had to take the Thanksgiving break off because I hate DISing at home. My home computer is so slow, and with all the DIS pictures and smilies and such, it takes FOREVER to load a page. So I usually DIS from work in my spare time. Like now

Congrats on the bonus I found out that I'm getting a bonus with my 2nd job and that's really shiny. Though that's not the job I do for money, I do it for the love of writing.

Yes, it's a great time of the year to get a bonus for sure!



I have caught some sort of stomach bug. I left work yesterday at noon and have been sick ever since. I haven't had anything to eat since 5pm last night, so things feel sort of under control right now. I am out of vacation days, so I had to come into work this morning But I plan to leave again at noon so I can go have some lunch. I don't dare to eat anything and be sick at work And to make matters worse...we have no heat here, so it is FREEZING in my office. I have a little electric fan heater thing going, but with an open window and door to the showroom, it doesn't heat up very well.

Keeping things positive by thinking about this weekend. I joined the PTC (parent teacher committee) at Bradey's school this year. We have a big annual craft fair on Saturday. I don't have any crafts to sell, but I will be there helping out all day. We have Santa coming for the kids, lots of yummy food and fun games. Not to mention all the crafters. I can't wait! Then I get to go shopping with my mommy that evening. She and my Dad will be leaving immediately after Christmas to go to Florida for the winter. I miss them so much in the winter So I'm glad to spend some time with her this weekend.

And Bradey & I started our countdown calendar for our FL trip this January. We are going to Cape Coral Jan 27-Feb 2 to visit Mom and Dad. Can't wait. We go every year and it is just so relaxing and fun. DH is actually going this year Mom and I have big plans to send Bill and my Dad deep sea fishing. I think it is part of Bill's Christmas gifts from M&D. Can't wait. I want to go so I can take pictures, but I think the cost is per person, so I probably won't.

I am working up some plans on an exciting short summer trip that just might be DIS related.....mums the word right now, but as soon as I figure things out I will let you all know

 

[KatMark]

I' sorry you are stuck at work until noon...I was hoping you were going home when we talked on FB. A cold office is not going to be helping you.

I'm glad you are getting to Florida in January (by the way, Tommy Bahamas is in Naples, not on Marco Island).

And a short summer trip? Sounds interesting...can't wait to hear about it.

 

[solana131]

I' sorry you are stuck at work until noon...I was hoping you were going home when we talked on FB. A cold office is not going to be helping you.

I'm glad you are getting to Florida in January (by the way, Tommy Bahamas is in Naples, not on Marco Island).

And a short summer trip? Sounds interesting...can't wait to hear about it.

Ooh, good to know....Naples is even closer to Cape Coral. I'm sure he could meet us there instead of at his house. Or, we could stop in the day we go to Everglade City....although, we like the Oyster House down there. Hmmm....maybe lunch in Everglade City and dinner in Naples.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

So sorry you are sick! That stomach bug seems to really be busy this season. Sick and without heat at work? Get home as soon as possible and feel better soon, friend!

I know Christmas will be hard for you, not being able to give Bradey all that you want to. But it is at times like that when our children learn true gratitude. I wholeheartedly believe that is why my kids are as appreciative as they are about ANYTHING done for them by anyone...because we have had times of feasting and times of famine, and we have modeled a positive and grateful attitude for them during those times of famine. Just do what you can to maximize what you do have, and make a BIG DEAL about even the little things.

I love that you get to go to FL during the winter to visit your parents. That will be a good time to see them, not to mention a warm respite from the loooong winter months! A possible Dis related trip this summer?

 

[solana131]

Sorry I have been so....blah...lately. Things have been tough at home and work and I just haven't been in the best spirits for a couple of months now. But this weekend really got me into the Holiday spirit and I've perked up a bit now. I felt like I should share a few things with you wonderful DIS-friends.

Lets go back a couple of months.....

September:

I am lucky enough to live in one of the apple capitals of the world. Maine has such wonderful orchards and every fall we go picking. These are a few pictures from one of the days. My husband is an indentical twin, so he and his brother are very close. It only makes sense that our kids would be close too. My niece Lucy is just the cutest thing and we love spending time with her.

First some fall color. This is my front yard at peak color

Bradey and Lucy all loaded up in the truck, ready to go apple picking

At the orchard

We love this orchard when we take the kiddos because the trees are so young and short that they can reach the apples really easily.

See how loaded those trees are??

That was a fun day and we got some yummy apples. I like the yellow delicious and the Honey Crisp the best. Bradey's favorite is the red delicious. He takes one every day for his snack at school. Love it that my boy would rather have an apple than cookies, candy or just about anything.

Moving along about a month...

Bradey's birthday party November 7th. This week was the week that everything just piled up and hit me all at once. I felt like such a horrible mom....I had nothing planned for his birthday party. I hadn't invited anyone, hadn't bought any presents...I was just a mess. But I got it together just in time and I think the party turned out well.

The cake I made was delish, even if it doesn't look like much.

He told me he wanted a cheesecake for his birthday cake, but it would've been hard to get candles into it and I knew there were other kids that didn't like cheesecake, so I made him a regular cake and also some mini cheesecakes to fill the request.

I had a couple cream cheese balls from Tastefully Simple leftover from a summer party, so I made those up too. The one on the right is strawberry and the one on the left is key lime. I didn't care for either of them, but they were almost gone, so somebody liked them!

The party was at 2pm, so I only had chips n dip and other light snacks.

Veggies and humus

My "famous" buffalo chicken dip"

It was a beautiful day and everyone got to play outside for the most part.

Moving right along again....

I forgot to post this. I sent my Dory bag to Miss Kathy (KatMark) to use while they were in Disney a while ago and when she sent it back to me I had a little pixie dust in there. She sent me a magnet and a keychain.

Thank you so much Kathy! You are such a sweetie. I don't have a picture of the keychain because it was attached to my keys when I took the picture and hubby had my car. But it is very cute as well.

And now we are up to date...

I had a PTC craft fair this Saturday and it really got me in the Christmas mood. I got out of the craft fair at 2:30 and by 3:30 the house was totally decorated and our tree was up.

Our Elf on the Shelf, Jingle came back to visit on Saturday night...here he is hiding in the tree

Our stockings are all hung by the chimney with care...actually, they are by the stairs, but same thing.

And I found these neat mugs at Christmas Tree Shop yesterday...I couldn't pass them up. Love love love them!

They are called "sketchbook mugs". I have Mickey

Pluto

And of course Donald

I had a great day shopping yesterday with my best friend. We got alot accomplished and just had a good girls day. It was cold and rainy, but a perfect day for shopping. I have all my gifts for Bradey and my niece Lucy is done. I only have one more person to buy for and then I am totally done and ready to enjoy the season.

Thanks for letting me get you all caught up and again, I apologize for being a spaz there for a while. Love you all!

 

[oopsiDAISY]

So glad your joy and zest for life is returning, Suzi. I hate when I get those blues. It just sucks when that happens. There is just no other way to say it...

LOVE the fall foliage in your front yard!!!! Fall is my favorite time of year, and it just doesn't stick around long enough at all.

You really did do a great job pulling Bradey's birthday party together. All the food looked so yummy. I just had lunch, and you had me drooling!

CHRISTMAS!!!! I Christmas this year!!! But of course, you and I have already "discussed" that over at my PTR. Those mugs are so CUTE! Your hot cocoa is going to taste SO MUCH BETTER in those mugs!

Welcome Back Suzi!!!!

 

[KatMark]

Suzi, so glad you are feeling more "up" and the Christmas spirit is there for you now.

Your trees are absolutely beautiful.

Great job on all the goodies and snacks you prepared for the party...they look yummy (well, except the hummus).

Your tree is beautiful.

And I love the photo that you put in the magnet frame...just perfect!

 

[DMGeurts]

Sorry I have been so....blah...lately. Things have been tough at home and work and I just haven't been in the best spirits for a couple of months now. But this weekend really got me into the Holiday spirit and I've perked up a bit now. I felt like I should share a few things with you wonderful DIS-friends.

Lets go back a couple of months.....

September:

I am lucky enough to live in one of the apple capitals of the world. Maine has such wonderful orchards and every fall we go picking. These are a few pictures from one of the days. My husband is an indentical twin, so he and his brother are very close. It only makes sense that our kids would be close too. My niece Lucy is just the cutest thing and we love spending time with her.

First some fall color. This is my front yard at peak color

Bradey and Lucy all loaded up in the truck, ready to go apple picking

At the orchard

We love this orchard when we take the kiddos because the trees are so young and short that they can reach the apples really easily.

See how loaded those trees are??

That was a fun day and we got some yummy apples. I like the yellow delicious and the Honey Crisp the best. Bradey's favorite is the red delicious. He takes one every day for his snack at school. Love it that my boy would rather have an apple than cookies, candy or just about anything

OMG - those apples look delicious! I have never taken my girls apple picking either... I think both you and Oopsi need to have the "best MOM ever award"!!!

Moving along about a month...

Bradey's birthday party November 7th. This week was the week that everything just piled up and hit me all at once. I felt like such a horrible mom....I had nothing planned for his birthday party. I hadn't invited anyone, hadn't bought any presents...I was just a mess. But I got it together just in time and I think the party turned out well.

The cake I made was delish, even if it doesn't look like much.

He told me he wanted a cheesecake for his birthday cake, but it would've been hard to get candles into it and I knew there were other kids that didn't like cheesecake, so I made him a regular cake and also some mini cheesecakes to fill the request.

I had a couple cream cheese balls from Tastefully Simple leftover from a summer party, so I made those up too. The one on the right is strawberry and the one on the left is key lime. I didn't care for either of them, but they were almost gone, so somebody liked them!

The party was at 2pm, so I only had chips n dip and other light snacks.

Veggies and humus

My "famous" buffalo chicken dip"

It was a beautiful day and everyone got to play outside for the most part.

Moving right along again....

I forgot to post this. I sent my Dory bag to Miss Kathy (KatMark) to use while they were in Disney a while ago and when she sent it back to me I had a little pixie dust in there. She sent me a magnet and a keychain.

Thank you so much Kathy! You are such a sweetie. I don't have a picture of the keychain because it was attached to my keys when I took the picture and hubby had my car. But it is very cute as well.

OK - I think your party turned out fabulous! Everything looks delicious, and so put together.

On V's 5th birthday - I was a bad mom... Same situation but... We always had a big birthday bash for family and friends the weekend in between the girls' birthdays - and I had forgotten to get an extra cake for V's actual birthday... I felt so awful. All I could dig out of the pantry was a M&M cookie mix... So, I made her "the biggest birthday cookie ever" - I put candles in it and everything... To this day, she still talks about that big cookie, and how much she loved it.

Point to the story... Is somtimes the most last minute thing can be the most special.

And now we are up to date...

I had a PTC craft fair this Saturday and it really got me in the Christmas mood. I got out of the craft fair at 2:30 and by 3:30 the house was totally decorated and our tree was up.

Our Elf on the Shelf, Jingle came back to visit on Saturday night...here he is hiding in the tree

Our stockings are all hung by the chimney with care...actually, they are by the stairs, but same thing.

And I found these neat mugs at Christmas Tree Shop yesterday...I couldn't pass them up. Love love love them!

They are called "sketchbook mugs". I have Mickey

Pluto

And of course Donald

I had a great day shopping yesterday with my best friend. We got alot accomplished and just had a good girls day. It was cold and rainy, but a perfect day for shopping. I have all my gifts for Bradey and my niece Lucy is done. I only have one more person to buy for and then I am totally done and ready to enjoy the season.

Thanks for letting me get you all caught up and again, I apologize for being a spaz there for a while. Love you all!

Love the tree - love your Elf... Love everything! And how awesome that you are all done - I am almost done too... I am sure I will be saying that for weeks, because I will procrastinate until the very last minute on the Gift Cards...

OK - now for the BIGGIE... 'Fess up... Where'd you get that Donald mug????? I need one of those... YOu should have known better than to post that - you knew I would see it.

D~

 

[Eoywin]

Love your apple picking pictures DD & I went to a local orchard this fall for the first time for a birthday party. It was so much fun!

 

[solana131]

So glad your joy and zest for life is returning, Suzi. I hate when I get those blues. It just sucks when that happens. There is just no other way to say it...

LOVE the fall foliage in your front yard!!!! Fall is my favorite time of year, and it just doesn't stick around long enough at all.

You really did do a great job pulling Bradey's birthday party together. All the food looked so yummy. I just had lunch, and you had me drooling!

CHRISTMAS!!!! I Christmas this year!!! But of course, you and I have already "discussed" that over at my PTR. Those mugs are so CUTE! Your hot cocoa is going to taste SO MUCH BETTER in those mugs!

Welcome Back Suzi!!!!

Thanks oopsi. Its good to be back! I have struggled with depression since my teens, but this one kinda hit me by surprise. I have things under control now.

Suzi, so glad you are feeling more "up" and the Christmas spirit is there for you now.

Your trees are absolutely beautiful.

Great job on all the goodies and snacks you prepared for the party...they look yummy (well, except the hummus).

Your tree is beautiful.

And I love the photo that you put in the magnet frame...just perfect!

Oh come on Kathy, you're not a humus fan?? I wasn't either until July and I experienced a little thing called Boma. They had the most amazing humus there and Dani made me try it. I was hooked. Now I only get the olive humus and it is fantastic. Bradey loves it too.

That picture of Bradey was taken at MK while he was watching the mid-day show at the castle....can't remember the name of it. Dreams.....something, something.

OMG - those apples look delicious! I have never taken my girls apple picking either... I think both you and Oopsi need to have the "best MOM ever award"!!!

Apple picking is a must here in the fall. Such a great way to spend a crisp fall afternoon. And the best part is that most of the orchards around here also sell fudge and whoopie pies. Yum yum yum.

OK - I think your party turned out fabulous! Everything looks delicious, and so put together.

On V's 5th birthday - I was a bad mom... Same situation but... We always had a big birthday bash for family and friends the weekend in between the girls' birthdays - and I had forgotten to get an extra cake for V's actual birthday... I felt so awful. All I could dig out of the pantry was a M&M cookie mix... So, I made her "the biggest birthday cookie ever" - I put candles in it and everything... To this day, she still talks about that big cookie, and how much she loved it.

Point to the story... Is somtimes the most last minute thing can be the most special.

So true D. And maybe I should try the giant cookie thing some year.

Love the tree - love your Elf... Love everything! And how awesome that you are all done - I am almost done too... I am sure I will be saying that for weeks, because I will procrastinate until the very last minute on the Gift Cards...

OK - now for the BIGGIE... 'Fess up... Where'd you get that Donald mug????? I need one of those... YOu should have known better than to post that - you knew I would see it.

D~

The store is a New England chain called Christmas Tree Shops. It is fantastic. And I couldn't believe all the fun Disney stuff they had this year! Funny thing is that when I saw those mugs I said to my friend, "oooh I have to get this Donald one for D. But how am I gonna ship it to her?" Then I got the Pluto and Mickey ones for V and A. But when I got them home....sorry, I love ya, but they are just too cute to ship away! I have to keep them I wonder if you can order online from Christmas Tree Shop....they were only $2.99!

Love your apple picking pictures DD & I went to a local orchard this fall for the first time for a birthday party. It was so much fun!

Yes yes yes! We went to a bday party at an orchard a couple years ago. So much fun. It made me wish Bradey's bday was earlier in the year.

 

[Eoywin]

We could do an apple picking party for DD - her birthday is in the middle of October. Though I think next year we will skip that because we will be in that little place in Florida we all love

 

[solana131]

We could do an apple picking party for DD - her birthday is in the middle of October. Though I think next year we will skip that because we will be in that little place in Florida we all love

Yeah...as much as I love apple picking, I think I would prefer to see the Mouse anyday!

 

[DMGeurts]

The store is a New England chain called Christmas Tree Shops. It is fantastic. And I couldn't believe all the fun Disney stuff they had this year! Funny thing is that when I saw those mugs I said to my friend, "oooh I have to get this Donald one for D. But how am I gonna ship it to her?" Then I got the Pluto and Mickey ones for V and A. But when I got them home....sorry, I love ya, but they are just too cute to ship away! I have to keep them I wonder if you can order online from Christmas Tree Shop....they were only $2.99!

ROFL... Thanks for thinkin' of me, at least. Maybe if you take a picture of that mug - a nice close up one - I can use it for my avatar??? Then, it will be like you "shipped" it to me, but never really had to...

D~ <--- who is off to Google the Christmas tree store...

 

[DMGeurts]

Sigh... They don't have an online store... Off to Ebay... LOL

D~