Macy's Clearance Sale

10 days and counting until Macy's goes out of business! We really don't care because we've never shopped at Macy's. It's too expensive - even when the prices are marked down 60-80% off.

We decided we'd go check it out though, so we went to the nearest Macy's (downtown) after dinner tonight. Most of the store was already picked through pretty good. The only things left were clothes and rugs. Laura found a few good finds, but we mainly were just looking to see if we could find some super bargains. Nothing much, especially when 60% off gets you a t-shirt for $20...no wonder Macy's is going out of business.










I took some pictures while we were at Macy's and got yelled at by one of the store clerks. Who would have thought that taking pictures of your kids in a Macy's store 10 days before it closed wasn't allowed. I thought that was a pretty stupid rule that if they wanted to really enforce, they should post no flash photography signs around the store. I asked her why and she went postal on me picking up the phone and threatening to call her manager. I just left, it was pretty stupid...you don't want people taking pictures of bare walls, empty shelves, and sparse clothes racks...or your own kids??? So, I'm posting pictures anyway.

Red All Over

For Valentine's Day Weekend, Laura was "painting the town red"...ok, maybe not the whole town - just our dining room. I was gone over the weekend in Wichita, KS for a conference, so Laura decided to paint our dining room from yellow to red. It needed an update...so, I guess now was as good a time as any.

Friends, Tammy and Michelle,helped Laura paint! They were able to get everything done in about 6 hours on Saturday. It looks great!!! Here is a before and after picture.




















Also, Valentine's Day was full of cards! Elijah and Natalie each received one from Grandpa/Grandma and Papa/Nana. Elijah and Natalie also made cards for me that I found in my suitcase when I unpacked it at my hotel in Wichita. It was a fun surprise!

Valentine's Date

On Wednesday, Laura and I were able to go out on a date night because friends of ours in World Impact had a Valentine's Party for all the kids on staff so that we parents could go out for dinner.

We went local since we only had 2 hours. We went to the 29th St. Cafe, which is a local USC hang-out. It's an old Victorian house that was converted into a cafe. It had a fun vibe. Laura got Steak Nachos (which were super huge) and I got a burger with sweet potato fries. Good. We had a 2-for-1 coupon for dinner too so that was a plus.










After dinner, we went to Baskin Robins because we had another coupon for "Buy one get one free" sundaes.

It was a fun time to get away for a little while. The kids had fun playing with the other kids, eating Valentine treats, and making crafts.

Blueberries

I've bought frozen blueberries at Costco the last couple times I've gone and the kids are going nuts over them!!! They can't get enough, which I love! What a great snack - frozen berries. (The only negative about them is how the juice stains! Elijah and Natalie's fingers stay bluish-purple long after the berries are eaten.)



















Dave and I both love blueberries too - we even have a small blueberry bush growing in the back yard, which we hope to add a couple more to this year. Growing up, blueberry pie was one of my favorite desserts! I've been making a few blueberry treats now since we have some but one of our new favorite things to eat with blueberries is a yummy sauce - great on pancakes, French toast, & waffles. I thought I'd share the recipe, in case anyone would like to try it. Maybe it will become your favorite too! (It sure beats just regular maple syrup!!!)

Blueberry Sauce:
1/2 c. sugar
2 T. cornstarch
1 c. cold water
4 c. fresh or frozen blueberries

In a large saucepan, combine the sugar and cornstarch. Stir in water until smooth. Add blueberries. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 min. or until thickened. Remove from heat; cover and keep warm. (Yield: 4 cups sauce -- makes a lot! could easily be cut in half)

60 Years!

This morning, before lunch, we went down the street to the local True Value hardware store, Vermont Outlet. Today is their big celebration -- 60th Anniversary!!! We found lots of great deals in their sale paper so we had to go! We bought a 4' fiberglass ladder for $15.60, originally $49.99. While we were there they actually ran out so we were glad we went when we did. They were actually running out of most sale items by the time we were there (spray paint $1.60/can, 8'x10' blue tarp for $3.60, circular saw for $36.60 - orig. $149.99!!!...the list goes on). Great deals!

For more fun and excitement in the store, they had a prize wheel to spin. Elijah did his best spin and we won a free key (copy of one key). Woo-hoo! Other prizes were cookies, USC t-shirt, Vermont Outlet t-shirt, basketball, drill bit...We needed a key made so I guess we did okay. :) Elijah and Natalie also got a free mini True Value frisbee and car antenna ball. They couldn't be happier!

Oh, and I don't want to forget the free food!!! Hot dogs, chips and soda. Free lunch! We all got some food then headed home to eat it.

It was a fun, quick outing - Dave was able to go and even ate a little for lunch. (He threw up a few times last night, the first time since 6th grade!!!, and still feels weak and tired. He and the kids are all napping now so I'm enjoying a quiet house and time on the computer with a movie going!)

Here are the pics Dave took...

Superbowl and Denny's

Did anyone honestly think that the Cardinals could beat the Steelers in the Superbowl? We did. It's really too bad that they lost, 23-27. Do the Steelers really need another Super Bowl title? Now they have six. I think they could afford giving this on up for a team that has never won a Super Bowl.

Almost everyone at our Super Bowl party was for the Cardinals. We were decked out in red to support them. We had our church plant, Christ the Victor, over at our house to watch the game. Good food. Good fun.









And for what it's worth, and I don't care what sports broadcasters say this, this year's superbowl could never top last year's when the Giants defeated the undefeatable Patriots in a crazy come-from-behind victory in the last seconds.

On another note, did anyone take advantage of the Denny's commercials advertisted during the Super Bowl - free Grand Slam breakfast from 6am-2pm today!? We totally did. We went to the downtown Denny's because we figured it would be a little less crowded than the one by our house (right next to USC with hungry college kids who will devour anything free...they're like locusts).









We went with Tammy and Michelle. The wait wasn't too bad - thanks to Michelle who put our name in early. We only waited about 20 minutes by the time we actually got there. There was a line forming outside and was busy inside, but they must have been stock-piling pancakes up the wahzoo because we got our free Grand Slams within 5 minutes of sitting down. They even gave the kids a full Grand Slam breakfast each. I especially enjoyed the extra bacon.

Thanks Denny's!!! And thank-you, Obama! (this was a comment we heard from a guy sitting next to us this morning and one Michelle will most appreciate!!!)