The greatest Christmas gift cannot be purchased in a store or ordered from a catalog... It can't be wrapped in a pretty package with a fancy bow... But it can be seen in the eyes of a child, heard in the words of kindness and felt in the embrace of a friend. At Christmas, I wish for you and send to you this precious gift of love.
I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas. Travel safe and enjoy every moment with family and friends. Please remember the true meaning of Christmas and to Thank God for all we have. Also please remember the men and women fighting for our country that will not be here with their family's for the holiday. Also the family's that have lost a love one who were fighting the war. Most people only read in the paper about someone losing a loved one from their state. Being here in NC by Camp Lejeune we read about all the lives lost no matter where they are from in our paper. It sure does make you much more aware.
Till next time...
Love,
Jennifer
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Mike's Farm
Saturday we had a holiday gathering at our house. We had Greg's family over and some friends of ours. We had a really nice time eating and then we decided to play pictionary which was a lot of fun. We had a really nice time and I'm glad our family and friends could make it.
Sunday we finished up most of our Christmas shopping. We still have to get some things for the Christmas stockings. We decided to rent two movies. "Just Wright" with Queen Latifah which was good and "Eat,Pray,Love" with Julia Roberts which I found very boring.
Monday we went to Mike's Farm http://www.mikesfarm.com/ to see the Christmas lights. We first had dinner at the restaurant which is family style dinning. Then after dinner we went on a hay ride through the woods to see all the lights they had set up. There were so many lights it must have taken months to set them all up. If your ever in NC during the holiday this is one place worth seeing.
Today we decided to drive up to Emerald Isle. I just love this shopping center with it's specialty gift shops. When we first pulled into the shopping center there were five fire trucks. Seems Rucker John's had a small electrical fire at the restaurant. Thank goodness it wasn't worst, all the stores were fine. There was only one store that was next to the restaurant that smelled of smoke.
There is a small old movie theater at the shopping center. We decided to go see "Chronicles of Narnia", I really liked the first two and have been wanting to see this one. I thought it was a good movie. After the movie we headed towards home. We stopped in Swansboro and had some hot chocolate at a cute little coffee shop. Home now and making my list of things I need to do tomorrow. Got to get all the stocking stuffers and finish wrapping a few things.
Till next time........
Love,
Jennifer
Sunday we finished up most of our Christmas shopping. We still have to get some things for the Christmas stockings. We decided to rent two movies. "Just Wright" with Queen Latifah which was good and "Eat,Pray,Love" with Julia Roberts which I found very boring.
Monday we went to Mike's Farm http://www.mikesfarm.com/ to see the Christmas lights. We first had dinner at the restaurant which is family style dinning. Then after dinner we went on a hay ride through the woods to see all the lights they had set up. There were so many lights it must have taken months to set them all up. If your ever in NC during the holiday this is one place worth seeing.
Today we decided to drive up to Emerald Isle. I just love this shopping center with it's specialty gift shops. When we first pulled into the shopping center there were five fire trucks. Seems Rucker John's had a small electrical fire at the restaurant. Thank goodness it wasn't worst, all the stores were fine. There was only one store that was next to the restaurant that smelled of smoke.
There is a small old movie theater at the shopping center. We decided to go see "Chronicles of Narnia", I really liked the first two and have been wanting to see this one. I thought it was a good movie. After the movie we headed towards home. We stopped in Swansboro and had some hot chocolate at a cute little coffee shop. Home now and making my list of things I need to do tomorrow. Got to get all the stocking stuffers and finish wrapping a few things.
Till next time........
Love,
Jennifer
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Holiday Shopping
As you do your holiday shopping, be aware of the pricing of the items your paying for. I have been to Michael's craft store twice and had items ring up incorrectly. One item rang up 23.99 and the shelf tag was 12.99. The other item I bought rang up 44.99 and the sales tag on the shelf was 29.99. That's a lot of money between those two items. My daughter is the Queen of catching stores charging the wrong prices. This has made me more aware of watching prices and it's amazing how many things ring up incorrectly.
Also to all my friends and family in PA, don't complain about paying 6% sales tax. Our sales tax is 8% and we pay on everything (even clothing) which drives me crazy. When we were in Knoxville, TN the sales tax was 9.75%. Anyway have fun and be safe driving around doing your Christmas shopping, only 8 more full days of shopping left.
Till next time.....
Love,
Jennifer
Also to all my friends and family in PA, don't complain about paying 6% sales tax. Our sales tax is 8% and we pay on everything (even clothing) which drives me crazy. When we were in Knoxville, TN the sales tax was 9.75%. Anyway have fun and be safe driving around doing your Christmas shopping, only 8 more full days of shopping left.
Till next time.....
Love,
Jennifer
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Weekend Road Trip
Friday morning I got up early and drove to Virginia to stay the weekend with my friends Michael and Bobbie. After I arrived we had some lunch then went to run some errands. Michael wanted to get the van washed so we headed to the car wash. We went to a few more places and them met some friends at Red Robin around 7:30pm for supper. When we left the restaurant Michael took us for a drive to see some Christmas lights. When we got back to the house we packed some things in the van for the Christmas show Michael had the next day.
Saturday we got up and finish getting things together that we needed for the day. We then drove to York, Pa to the fairgrounds. This is where Michael was singing for the evening. It was a dinner and Christmas show in which the Lions club catered the dinner which was very good. The first show Michael did was Christmas and Gospel music. The second show was Michael singing Elvis music, God sure did give Michael a beautiful voice. I was going to put up a video but it was taking forever for the blogger to download it. Maybe next time.
After the show was over and Michael was done signing autographs we went to get something to eat. About twelve of us went to eat and had a a nice time visiting with each other. We did not get home till 3:30am and didn't go to bed till about 4:15am. I got up about 11:00 on Sunday morning. After getting my things together I headed out. I went to get gas then I had to pull over to get my GPS working ( it's been acting up some) then grabbed a sandwich and headed home. It was a little slow going home since it rained 90% of the way. It normally takes me about 4 1/2 hours to get home but it took about five hours because of the rain.
After I got home Alexander called me on Skype and we talked for awhile. It is so much fun being able to see him when we talk instead of just using the phone. He sang me his Christmas songs he is going to sing at his school program. He is excited that he gets to hold the microphone as they all sing. If you have family far away this is a great way to keep in touch.
Since it stopped raining Greg and I decided to drive down the road to the Bethlehem Baptist Church. The were having "A Night In Bethlehem". They had the whole town of Bethlehem set up in their parking lot. When we arrived we had to register for the census and were given coins to pay the tax collector. We visited all the shops set up which were; the Jewelry, Herb & Spice, Carpentry, Pottery, Basket, Bakery, Music, Paint, Blacksmith, Fabric, Rug, and the Candy Shop. At each of the shops you received a little gift. We went to the Inn and then to the stable to see the baby Jesus and hear the Christmas music. Before we left we paid our taxes to the tax collector and gave our extra coins to the three poor girls asking for money in the streets. It was a really neat experience and we had a lot of fun.
Till next time........
Love,
Jennifer
Saturday we got up and finish getting things together that we needed for the day. We then drove to York, Pa to the fairgrounds. This is where Michael was singing for the evening. It was a dinner and Christmas show in which the Lions club catered the dinner which was very good. The first show Michael did was Christmas and Gospel music. The second show was Michael singing Elvis music, God sure did give Michael a beautiful voice. I was going to put up a video but it was taking forever for the blogger to download it. Maybe next time.
After the show was over and Michael was done signing autographs we went to get something to eat. About twelve of us went to eat and had a a nice time visiting with each other. We did not get home till 3:30am and didn't go to bed till about 4:15am. I got up about 11:00 on Sunday morning. After getting my things together I headed out. I went to get gas then I had to pull over to get my GPS working ( it's been acting up some) then grabbed a sandwich and headed home. It was a little slow going home since it rained 90% of the way. It normally takes me about 4 1/2 hours to get home but it took about five hours because of the rain.
After I got home Alexander called me on Skype and we talked for awhile. It is so much fun being able to see him when we talk instead of just using the phone. He sang me his Christmas songs he is going to sing at his school program. He is excited that he gets to hold the microphone as they all sing. If you have family far away this is a great way to keep in touch.
Since it stopped raining Greg and I decided to drive down the road to the Bethlehem Baptist Church. The were having "A Night In Bethlehem". They had the whole town of Bethlehem set up in their parking lot. When we arrived we had to register for the census and were given coins to pay the tax collector. We visited all the shops set up which were; the Jewelry, Herb & Spice, Carpentry, Pottery, Basket, Bakery, Music, Paint, Blacksmith, Fabric, Rug, and the Candy Shop. At each of the shops you received a little gift. We went to the Inn and then to the stable to see the baby Jesus and hear the Christmas music. Before we left we paid our taxes to the tax collector and gave our extra coins to the three poor girls asking for money in the streets. It was a really neat experience and we had a lot of fun.
Till next time........
Love,
Jennifer
Monday, December 6, 2010
Christmas Party
Friday night was Greg's Christmas party for the College. It was at the Marine Corps Air Station which isn't too far from our house. The party was held in the New River Officers' Club. Instead of dinner they had H'orderves which were all so very good. It was nice for Greg to get to meet other Instructors he doesn't normally get to see because they are in other buildings. Can you believe that next month will be his one year anniversary as an instructor. The time sure does go by quickly, I'm so proud of him and how he cares about his students.
Saturday we spent the day in Wilmington. We went to check out the Independence Mall which was very nice. It reminded me of Park City in Lancaster the way it was laid out. Funny thing happened on the way into Lane Bryant. I don't normally shop there but since we were walking by I thought I'd check out what they had. Almost got run over by a shoplifter, I realized the way he came out so quickly with his hand in a shopping bag he had taken something. Then I heard a clerk say can I help you with that coat. You guessed it, he took a leather coat. I guess it's that time of the year.
After that we went looking for AC Moore, here in Jacksonville there is only a Michaels craft store. There was something I wanted for Isabella for Christmas and only AC Moore had it. Found it...another gift done.
We also stopped at Costco which is only in Wilmington. Costco's brand is Kirkland and I really like a lot of their products.
We then decided to go to Carrabba's http://www.carrabbas.com to eat. I had a coupon for a free appetizer and we really like their Calamari. I also like their brick-oven pizza. We do not have a Carrabba's in Jacksonville. I'm starting to think we should have moved closer to Wilmington. After eating we went to the Mayfaire Town Center to shop http://www.mayfairetown.com This is a really neat place to shop and walk around. You can also buy an apartment above the stores and sit out on your balcony and watch the shoppers. If you ever visit Wilmington, NC I would definitely say to stop here during your visit.
Sunday we did a little more Christmas shopping after Church. We also went looking for a Christmas tree. I sold my tree at home before I moved, it was very large and didn't know if I would need one that big. It was over 15 years old so it was getting pretty worn. Found one at Wal-mart but not sure if I really like it. May return it tomorrow for a different one. They did not have all their trees on display so it's really hard to decide by looking at a picture on a box. My Christmas shopping is almost done, now time to make my grocery list for baking. Till next time.......
Love,
Jennifer
Saturday we spent the day in Wilmington. We went to check out the Independence Mall which was very nice. It reminded me of Park City in Lancaster the way it was laid out. Funny thing happened on the way into Lane Bryant. I don't normally shop there but since we were walking by I thought I'd check out what they had. Almost got run over by a shoplifter, I realized the way he came out so quickly with his hand in a shopping bag he had taken something. Then I heard a clerk say can I help you with that coat. You guessed it, he took a leather coat. I guess it's that time of the year.
After that we went looking for AC Moore, here in Jacksonville there is only a Michaels craft store. There was something I wanted for Isabella for Christmas and only AC Moore had it. Found it...another gift done.
We also stopped at Costco which is only in Wilmington. Costco's brand is Kirkland and I really like a lot of their products.
We then decided to go to Carrabba's http://www.carrabbas.com to eat. I had a coupon for a free appetizer and we really like their Calamari. I also like their brick-oven pizza. We do not have a Carrabba's in Jacksonville. I'm starting to think we should have moved closer to Wilmington. After eating we went to the Mayfaire Town Center to shop http://www.mayfairetown.com This is a really neat place to shop and walk around. You can also buy an apartment above the stores and sit out on your balcony and watch the shoppers. If you ever visit Wilmington, NC I would definitely say to stop here during your visit.
Sunday we did a little more Christmas shopping after Church. We also went looking for a Christmas tree. I sold my tree at home before I moved, it was very large and didn't know if I would need one that big. It was over 15 years old so it was getting pretty worn. Found one at Wal-mart but not sure if I really like it. May return it tomorrow for a different one. They did not have all their trees on display so it's really hard to decide by looking at a picture on a box. My Christmas shopping is almost done, now time to make my grocery list for baking. Till next time.......
Love,
Jennifer
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