bluebear

Push it harder. You will hear the buzz. I do three pushes, 2 for the small bottles. Keep extra bottles in the fridge filled with water. You will want the water cold before you make the soda.

Got about 5 or 6 more presents to wrap, they are all in boxes ready. Then I need to run up to the store and get a few more gift cards, then wrap those I guess. I have 1 more batch of fudge to make, then cookies. House is pretty clean I think, so I should be good there, just clean up the kitchen a little. I have about 4 hours, as we have to be at the church at 4pm, so I better get busy!!

It takes me way too long. I might be a little OCD, and I'm a bad decision maker. So things are hard for me. First I have to find the right size box/bag. Then tissue, make sure it doesn't clash with the shirt, or the box, or should it match the paper? Oh, then the paper. Will he/she like that paper? Do they have too may presents wrapped in that paper, or should I use another? Then, on to the name tags, same drill. I stopped using bows a few years back, so that cuts down on one thing. I don't mind wrapping, just wish the decision part was easier. It usually takes about an hour and half to "prep", then another hour or more to wrap, and that gets me about 10-15 presents done. Then I have to be done for a few days. So far I have about 45 done, and about 10 more to go. Sigh.

sodastream.com sells everything you need. BBB sells extra bottles, both 1 liter and .5 liter. So does Target, Best Buy, and I'm pretty sure Kohl's should too (not sure about .5 liter though). All these places also will have the mix. You cannot reuse Pepsi bottles. They are special bottles that fit in the machine. But they last a really long time and are very sturdy. BBB also sells replacement caps.

I have a "Enjoy the City" book and there are 6 in there.

Many years ago (5 maybe?) I happened upon their 90% off sale. Seems like it was quite a bit after Christmas, so probably week after New Years. Of course that may have changed since then.

I have had a SodaStream for almost 2 years, and I LOVE it. The taste is a little different, kinda like drinking store brand or another brand of soda, but it still tastes good. The mix is made with sugar instead of corn syrup. And it's a lot less calories. The Fountain Mist that I like is 35 calories (not diet) for 8 oz, and normal Mountain Dew is 110 per 8 oz. My kids really love the Root Beer, and like that they can make it themselves when they need to. And it sure is nice knowing that you always have soda available, and don't have to worry about it going flat. The normal bottles are 1 liter. You can also buy .5 liter, and I put this in my lunch box. It is not hard to clean. Everything is done right in the main drinking bottle. So for the main unit, you only need to wipe it down from time to time like any other countertop appliance. The bottles you just wash out in the sink. I really don't use dish soap either, it's not needed, unless you drink out of the bottle, then I clean the top real good. I get my CO2 refills at Bed Bath and Beyond with a 20% coupon and it is much cheaper. I think it was only about $10. As I am writing this, my husband is getting ready to go to work, and goes over and makes him an energy drink (like Red Bull) so he doesn't have to stop at the store. Took less than a minute. So much easier.

Love the white tree, and the ice skaters are a neat theme! Here's mine. I found that I had taken a picture before the tree skirt got eaten. One day I will get some presents wrapped and under it!

My DS12 wants all his presents wrapped in Minecraft cobblestone wrapping paper. He has brought it up several times now. The first order I placed I didn't order the paper, but after he brought it up again I did. All my paper matches my tree and decorations, cobblestone is not in the decorating. I guess I'll do one and tie lots of red ribbon around it, or maybe wrap it in cobblestone then wrap that in gingerbread... http://www.jinx.com/p/minecraft_cobblestone_wrapping_paper.html?catid=&cs=1&csd=&preview=1&s=minecraft

Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!! :) I didn't get very many of the 3 month from Best Buy on BF, so I needed another deal!

I just found all three on eBay. I don't know what the original prices were, but 3rd and 4th year seems reasonable. But the 5th year is getting kinda high. Good luck!

Oh no problem, I appreciate you thinking of me! :) And I thought the same thing, maybe it won't be too bad, so that's why I ordered it. I've got some small trees I can put out somewhere and use it for that at least! :) I'll keep my eyes out for a red tree topper!

Thanks! Unfortunately it's only 24", and it doesn't come bigger. It's as cute as can be though, I love it. Really wish it was bigger. I went ahead and bought it last week anyway, "just to see", but yeah, way too small. So now I've thinking about how to make it work. Cut it out and glue on bigger one? Put plain white around tree and this on top? I just don't understand why they didn't just make a big one too. Unless I just missed it... I've looked at 3 Kohl's for it, plus online. Maybe next year... :)

Ugh. I just found out that half of my son's big gift, that I was already stressing about because it wouldn't be released until 12/20,is pushed back and won't be out until 1/15! And another part will be out 12/29. So now I have to completely rethink/rework my list. Because I'm not so sure Santa can leave a pre-order IOU under the tree!!

I'm in pretty good shape, but still have a bit to go. I just found out last night that for my husband's dad's family, where we have to buy to 12 people that we see once a year, that we are instead drawing names, only for kids, so we will only have to buy 2 (or 3, depending on where my DD20 falls on the list) presents! That is such a big relief. I will be ordering my daughter's "big gift" today, and I still have a few little things for all the kids. And one of my son's gifts won't even be released until12/20! that's stressful. And dad and step-dad, and FIL, and BIL. Yikes, maybe I have more to do than I thought. I also have not hardly started on stockings. I also have to do a stocking for FIL this year, as he is staying with us over Christmas.

I was afraid you were going to say it was handmade... My tree is decorated in gingerbread, and it is hard to find a skirt that matches. And our dog decided to eat the skirt this year instead of the ornaments like he did last year. I'll get a picture posted as soon as I've resolved the eaten tree skirt problem! :)

I LOVE this tree skirt! Do you know where you got it? I need a new one and this would be perfect.

Best Buy has the 16GB for $399.99 with $50 GC. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat258600050000&type=category&slref=10&slloc=01

Do a search for "iTunes". Then look for the one that says digital delivery. That one is $80. HTH! :)

There's a couple different versions of the XBox card. Search for it (or use the links posted earlier) and some are available. The Kinect Sports and the downloadable code version. The Kinect Sports themed one is backordered now, but maybe you can pick up in store. Good luck!

It will only let you get 3. But yes, it should all add together if you put them in one after another. FYI The downloadable is also available for purchase, and is not backordered like the Kinect Sports ones are. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Microsoft+-+Xbox+LIVE+3-Month+Gold+Membership+(Downloadable+Content)/1419569.p?id=1218256955230&skuId=1419569

Back from 24 hour Walgreen's. Prices went live at 12:30am, just like last year. I was hurrying to get back home for BestBuy.com to go live, so I gotta make another trip in the morning for more stuff.

The $39 BluRay on the front page? The fine print at the bottom of the ad says that everything on the front page is a ticketed item, and in-store only. Sorry.

Last year, the prices kicked in at about 12:30ish am at my 24 hour Walgreen's. Hopefully they'll start closer to on time this year.

I was at my 24 hour CVS this morning, and the manager did say specifically say they would be open and start the sale at midnight. :) I'll be there a little before to gather my stuff, checkout and head to Walgreen's, then home by 1am to shop BestBuy.com!