Reinholt1

I got my sweaters and scarf today too. But I had to go all the way over to the UPS center to get it because VS shipped it to the wrong address! (and I double checked it too, their error.) And no gift card for me either. I guess they heard me say that I got them for my 79 year old mother. I guess they don't want old ladies ordering -- LOL My mother on the other hand is thrilled that she is getting something from VS -- says she can't wait to open it. (Now I gotta hide yet another package from her......)

Hansie wrote: Bless their little pea-pickin' hearts! I'd love to do for such appreciative folks-it must be a blast at their house on Christmas morning! Awww thank you! We do enjoy ourselves. But actually it will be about 1 pm Christmas Eve afternoon. (I have to work at the hospital Christmas Eve evening and all day Christmas) And trust me, my 79 year old parents are not objecting to opening their gifts before the rest of you all!! We put up their all their stockings (about 12 pairs) and their Christmas tree yesterday. (Keep in mind, Mom already opened her 12 coffees of Christmas and Dad his Christmas Cocoas because they "knew what was in the package") Dad was snooping through the packages....er...putting packages under the tree and found mom's chocolates. "Are these your mom's chocolates??"...."yes"....."Since I know what this package is, can I open it and have some??". I know the stinker is looking for his white chocolate peanut-butter covered popcorn -- BUT HE AIN'T GONNA FIND IT BECAUSE I DISGUISED IT. Oh, and get this!! Thanks to all the news reports, Mom just discovered Zhu zhu pets. Guess who wants a Zhu zhu pet now. But we are having fun. May you all be blessed with a fun and joyful holiday!

Ohhhhh! Traditions! Here is my family tradition...when my brother and I were kids, mom & dad bought the santa gifts -- stuffed the stockings and piled wrapped presents under the tree. Now I am an adult (and the only child now.) and **I** am the one stuffing the stockings and piling wrapped gifts under mom & dad's tree! And let me tell you! .....THESE OLD PEOPLE ARE INCORIGABLE!!! My mother insists on receiving her Christmas presents for her birthday (Nov. 27th) and her birthday presents for Christmas because she wants to "celebrate all month." I caught my dad unwrapping his gifts 2 weeks before Christmas last year because "he had nothing to wear to his Senior Center Christmas party". (And he found his new Bugs Bunny sweater and was unhappy because my mother refused to let him wear that to such a dressy event!") You just can't trust these old people! I told them that if they didn't start behaving themselves they weren't going to have ANY pretty packages under their tree until Santa brought them on Christmas morning!

Big Wheel like Tiger lady is showing, but a more traditional version of big wheel. That seat does not look flush to a sturdy base. (These are sick children -- some may be unsteady) We discussed the electric ones vs a big wheel -- aside from charging issues and cost (except for the toddler one) and maybe safety (I.V. lines) we are leaning toward a traditional big wheel. It is good excercise/therapy for the kids because it is kid powered. And both little and bigger kids can use it. (The electric toddler vehicle really can't be used by kids over 3)

I'd keep them and save them until they are really on their own (I.e. have their first real place and are setting up their first Christmas tree.) You can always put them up at your home and put coal in their stocking for when they come home to visit this year....heh heh heh : For your daughter in basic training....will she be on leave for Christmas? If not, you may want to fill it and send it to her. Might help ease being away from family during the holidays.

Round Three!!! Jingle All The Way vs The Grinch Miracle on 34th Street- 1947 version with Maureen O'Hara vs Polar Express The Santa Clause vs Fred Claus Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas vs White Christmas Santa Claus- The Movie vs I'll Be Home For Christmas Santa Clause 2 vs Christmas Vacation Santa Buddies vs It's a Wonderful Life Elf vs Gremlins

Nice! Thanks! Except you have to use a Kohl's card for 15% off. For 10% off I used this code. SAVE10VS Makes it $43 after rebate. :)

Santa leaves all his gifts unwrapped by the stocking. Santa did that when I was a kid. And the rule was that if you got up earlier then mom and dad (which we always did about 5 am.) then you could play with Santa's gift QUIETLY until mom & dad were ready to get up and join the fun. About 7 am we could bust into their room loudly and excitedly annoucing what Santa brought so they didn't "miss" much of the excitement. (Keep in mind we went to midnight services so we kids got to bed at 1:30 - 2 am and they still had help Santa put stuff out!) Santa's wisdom is very good and Santa still leaves gifts unwrapped (with batteries etc) for Christmas morning. On an added note -- any child/family we adopt for Christmas gets WRAPPED presents from Baby Jesus.

Hi all One of the items on our "wish list" from the nurses on our pediatric unit at the hospital I work at is for a big wheel. Any leads on a sale or coupon/rebate for these? (I am surprised at how much they cost these days!) Thanks Lisa

I agree...if you get something like the crewneck, it will be very appropriate. And you will score big with the 15 year old too, it will make her feel "grown up" or at least like you "get it" that she wants to look "grown up". And you can always reinforce (verbally) that she can look really good and that it's OK for her to look good without being dressed inappropriately. I was REALLY afraid I had missed this deal yesterday...I was not at a computer where I could place an order. But I just ordered three sweaters and a scarf for my 80 year old mother for less then $33 -- I already know she will be thrilled! (And she will be dressed appropriately for her age too I ordered a size larger, she does not like tight sweaters...heh heh heh.) Thanks for posting!!

ooooo...hard to say, I shop through out the year and try to spread it out. Maybe $800 ish. But that includes a $230 round trip ticket for a disabled "foster son/friend" to come visit for the holidays (Agency ran out of $$ and he almost couldn't come.) and $150 for a reference book (a very special gift this year!) Minus those two...leaves about $400 which is just about what I wanted to spend.

Ut Oh....I broke the tie between Santa Buddies and Earnest Saves Christmas?? LOL I liked both movies too...that was one of the few I had to really think about too. This set is even tougher too!!! You've got some of my favorite movies paired up against each other! Round 2 Jingle all the Way Vs Home Alone 2 The Grinch Vs Santa Clause 3- The Escape Clause Miracle on 34th Street- Original 1947 Version starring Natalie Wood and Maureen O'Hara vs Prancer Polar Express Vs Love Actually The Santa Clause Vs Home Alone Fred Claus Vs The Homecoming- A Christmas Story Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas Vs Holiday in Handcuffs White Christmas Vs Mickey's One Upon a Christmas Santa Claus: The Movie Vs Scrooge- 1951 - Alistar Sim The Christmas Shoes Vs I'll Be Home For Christmas The Santa Clause 2 Vs Scrooged Holiday Inn Vs Christmas Vacation Santa Buddies Vs Smokey Mountain Christmas Muppet Christmas Carol Vs It's a Wonderful Life Elf Vs Die Hard Gremlins Vs Four Christmases

There are only 15 votes because we are are all out shopping for you-know-what.........

These tips are more about making sure you have a great experience there! #1 Get Sehlinger's book The unoffical guide to WDW. http://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-Guide-Disney-World-Guides/dp/0470460261/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1259514673&sr=8-2-spell It's the "bible" to help you get around the place and know about all the nooks and crannies. There are classes and behind the scenes tours etc that you can sign up for, but they are all "word of mouth". The book will tell you what is available and how to sign up. #2 Call this week and make reservations for the character breakfasts and any shows you might want to take in. (The book will help you with phone numbers and descriptions) That way you will be sure to get in AND get the times and dates you want. (These fill up fast, don't get edged out.) My family and I found that food was so good an plentiful that we only ate 2x a day, (and with teens, they will want to graze anyways so probably only 1 meal a day for you. ) We would go to a character breakfast at 8 or 9 am (depending on where the breakfast was and which park we wanted to be in that day.) then we would eat a light lunch/dinner about 3:30 - 4 pm (while lunch prices were still in effect.) It's impossible to "graze" cheaply there so you might as well get a meal and enjoy it. Keep in mind that guest relations RARELY offer information, but will give it if you ask, so whenever you call, ask lots of questions and be nosey, that's how you find out about stuff. (Special events, special pricings etc.) Have fun!!!

-- glitter body spray for the face/hair for the 8 year old. (Maybe the 14 year old too..depending on where you live. I have seen teenagers in some regions use it, and in other regions steer clear of it.) -- I assume under "make up" you would have lip gloss/balm -- Spray hair coloring for Trevor--for the school dance etc. (blue or green is always "safe" color to pick up for boys.) -- Toothbrush/paste/mouthwash ??

Here is a link http://deals.ebay.com/5000005292

Just got the email from them. :)

25-Surviving Christmas Vs 2-Jingle All the Way 49-Desk Set Vs 15-Home Alone 2 58-A Christmas Carol- 1984- George C. Scott Vs 13-The Grinch 37-Bad Santa vs 20-The Santa Clause 3- The Escape Clause 50-Meet Me in St. Louis vs 1-Miracle on 34th Street- Original 1947 Version starring Natalie Wood and Maureen O'Hara 26-Prancer vs 54-Badder Santa 59-A Christmas Carol- 2004- Kelsey Grammar Vs 5-Polar Express 44-Love Actually Vs 23-Unaccompanied Minors 18-The Santa Clause Vs 11-Eight Crazy Nights 35-Last Holiday Vs 14-Home Alone 7-Fred Claus Vs 8-Christmas with The Kranks 47-The Bishop's Wife Vs 51-The Homecoming- A Christmas Story 62-The Nativity Story Vs 30-Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas 57-The Preacher's Wife Vs 34-Holiday in Handcuffs 21-White Christmas Vs 53-Miracle on 34th Street- 1994 version 29-Mickey's One Upon a Christmas Vs 46-Christmas in Connecticut 48-A House Without a Christmas Tree Vs 63-Santa Claus: The Movie 60-Scrooge- 1951 - Alistar Sim Vs 45-The Ref 52-The Christmas Shoes Vs 28-One Magical Christmas 55-Die Hard 2 Vs 31-I'll Be Home For Christmas 19-The Santa Clause 2 Vs 10-Deck the Halls 33-Christmas Do Over Vs 22-Scrooged 42-Holiday Inn VS 36-Three Days 3-Christmas Vacation Vs 56-Home Alone 3 43-Santa Buddies Vs 61-Ernest Saves Christmas 24-The Nightmare Before Christmas Vs 40-Smokey Mountain Christmas 17-Muppet Christmas Carol Vs 64-Santa Baby 9-A Christmas Story- 2008 Champion Vs 16-It's a Wonderful Life 4-Mickey's A Christmas Carol Vs 12-Elf 32-The Christmas List Vs 38-Die Hard 39-Gremlins Vs 41-The Holiday 6-Four Christmases Vs 27-Trapped in Paradise

Well I did round 1 last week because my mother's birthday is on BF. (She wants her Christmas presents on her birthday and her birthday presents on Christmas. Says she wants to enjoy any christmas related stuff all month.) Of course Mom could not wait and opened them yesterday. (Said she did not want to open them in front of her sisters on Thanksgiving.) Spent all day today wrapping and ribboning and tagging. Will take them over to my parents on Thanksgiving. It's my "childhood revenge" BWAHAHAHAHHAAHAAAA!! Now my parents have to look at them ALL month and can't touch them until Christmas!!! heh heh heh. (The older they get the harder that is for them too! They come up with "clever" excuses to open them too...2 years ago I caught Dad opening stuff because "he had nothing to wear to the senior center christmas party and he knew I had bought him some new clothes" !!!! Sneaky, sneaky old people!) Will do round three in about 2 weeks. That will be the ordered stuff that is taking its dear old sweet time getting to me plus any impulse buying I do on BF. Today was the BIG push though.

Got my $15 rebate from Walgreen's today ( for the GPX CD player) and it came with a $2 coupon for prilosec OTC that my mother will love.