wittenlover

https://www.amazon.com/Skyzonal%C2%AE-Building-bricks-building-christmas/dp/B0162RDD0I/ref=bbp_bb_5e8416_st_8174_w_6?psc=1&smid=A378UXBSL0K1JO For the Lego-obsessed coffee/tea drinker in your life...

Gonna do my best to remember each month to at least stop in and say hi! I've truly enjoyed chatting with everyone throughout the year, even when I've missed a month, though. It's like hanging out in the living room with friends all year long. That said, I'm entering this Christmas season over 125 lbs lighter than I was two years ago and I feel better than I think I ever have as an adult. I went digging through my closet recently to see if I had *any* dresses that would fit for the work Christmas party this year. I went all the way back to the high school prom dress my mom made for me. Nope. Even *that* one's TOO BIG! Crazy! I just wish Mom were still here for me to show her. I know she'd be proud that I finally kicked my butt in gear and got myself into better shape before the health problems (joint pain, sleep issues, etc) manifested to a point of no return. Doc's thrilled with my progress and, while I still have some weight to lose, my tests are coming back solid, numbers-wise. Good stuff. Doc has told me not to worry - these last 30-40 lbs will take far longer to lose than the first 40 did. That kind of encouragement means the world. With the start of November, I'm doing my yearly "30 days of thankfulness" on my personal facebook page. Not only does it keep me mindful of the many, many things I have to be thankful for, it's fun seeing friends pop on and comment with their blessings in their lives. Today I re-shared what I first wrote six years ago because I truly believe it is even more true today than it was then: "I am thankful for my friends. I have many that are so close as to be called my "extended family". Some of them I've known for many years. Others, I never would have imagined I'd be that close to - my brothers from another mother that work on NASCAR's pit road. Much love and many thanks to all of you, my friends. You are all special to me in your own ways." As the years go by, the bonds get stronger. I've moved from calling my NASCAR guys "brothers from another mother" (though that definitely still applies) to calling them my "track family" because they truly are. One, I even know most of his family. Heck, I'm closer to his older brother than I am to him these days. Crazy how life shakes out. Truly. This applies to many of you here in GD-land as well. Thank you for all the fun and joy you bring into my life. We are as much a family here bonded by love (and love of SALES! Ha!) as just about any other community I find myself in. To say I am incredibly blessed is an understatement.

Agreed on both counts. Don't get less than 8GB of RAM.

Stalking my mailbox daily!

Only takes one post to be a winner. You never know!

Bring it!!!!!!!

Before & after. [emoji39]

Always up for new recipes that I can enjoy without having to "cheat" too much, especially around the holidays. Will share any I find and gladly try one or two from here too. Honestly, one of my favorite things to make right now, side dish-wise, is brussels sprouts roasted in the oven with high quality bacon. Total time: ~25 mins, including prep. (max. 20 mins cook time) Ingredients: ~ 3/4 - 1 lb of sprouts (enough to fill a large cookie sheet with space between them) 2-3 slices of thick cut bacon, chopped into 1/2"-3/4" pieces (add an extra slice if you're a bacon fiend like I can be sometimes!) ~ 2 tbsp your choice of oil, suitable for a 400* oven temp Salt and pepper to taste Grated parmesan (optional, to taste) Directions: 1) Preheat oven to 400*. 2) Spread the brussels sprouts out on the cookie sheet, cutting larger sprouts in half to help with even cooking (for easier cleanup, I cover my cookie sheet in foil first) 3) Drizzle oil over the sprouts. 4) Dust the sprouts with salt and pepper to taste (I also occasionally add some garlic powder) 5) Scatter the chopped bacon pieces over the entirety of the sheet. 6) Place sheet in preheated oven on middle rack for 10 minutes 7) After 10 minutes, stir sprouts, using wooden spatula (or other oven temp-appropriate utensil). 8) Return sprouts to the oven for an additional 7-10 minutes (depending on your oven and how well done you prefer your sprouts). [i usually check mine after 7 minutes and add more time if needed.] 9) Once sprouts are to your desired done-ness, remove from the oven. 10) If using parmesan, sprinkle on the sprouts when you first remove them from the oven. 11) Stir sprouts and pour into serving dish (for nice presentation) and/or just let the fam dig in with a serving spoon (if just a casual family dinner). Store any leftovers in whatever handy airtight container you have available. I usually reheat mine in a skillet on the stove top to get some crispness in them.

Agreed! This is always such a fun one every year!

No RedCard, actually. So with RedCard, it would've been cheaper still.

I came close with that Target deal on the Sunday before BF last year. Cleared the Sharp 55", taxes and all, for less than $225.

Yay! Can't wait to get mine! Thanks, Brad! Congrats to all the other winners, as well!

Thanks! Hoping we can work around the day job well enough for me to make good use of a part time gig, assuming they decide they like me well enough to give me a shot. (And yes, I made clear on the application that I do have a "day job" that requires my primary attention, so no surprises for them if/when that comes up in discussion.)

Likewise! Need to know if they'll have the best deal on kitty litter again this year or if PetSmart will retake the crown. Also, they usually do a baking supply sale on Saturday of BF weekend that stocks me for Christmas!

I actually *am* working on getting a part time job at Torrid (women's clothing, for those who may not be aware) so I can freshen up my now "much smaller-size required" (went from a 26 down to a 10/12) wardrobe. All my previous fall/winter clothing is too big!!! Employees get 30 or 40% off (can't recall which). Killer. My interview is next Wednesday!

Yes come join us, folks! Good times over on Discord!

No need for DVR. I've never had one before and don't watch enough, really, to make it worth investing in one now. Mostly just want to be able to once again have NASCAR on my big screen TV now that I've cut cable. As far as shows I like to watch, the only one I actually watch with any sort of intention (NASCAR races aside) is Deadliest Catch. I'm otherwise a sucker for marathons (binges?) of things like Law & Order/Criminal Minds/etc. but can truly take or leave them. I have iPhone and iPad already "in residence", so to speak, which is why the Apple TV is on my radar along with the others, in spite of its higher price point.

Welcome to the fun!

Likewise... Luckily not much I'm looking for this year. Had some unexpected bills that have really put a dent in my "fun money", almost to the point of non-existence. Oof.

I'm keenly interested in this discussion, as I am looking to get a streaming device for my TV now that I've cut my cable cord. I'm finding I really am not missing my TV nearly as much as I thought I might (proof of how it WAS just "background noise" for the most part). I'm considering all 3 major players (Roku, Amazon Fire stick, Apple TV), as I have heard good things about each one for various aspects. Good to know about Apple TV remote. I will definitely keep that in mind as I work through the decision making process.

#1 - "I said I wanted a baby SITTER, not a baby SISTER! Ugh. Mom never listens." #2 - Guy in red grabbing box - "Samsung??? This isn't the one I want! Where's my Sony?!?!?!?" #3 - "Hmmm... I don't see jaymacfla... Did he sneak by or is he still out here in the crowd?"

My step dad put my mom's engagement ring in a box in a box in a box (you get the idea - along with bricks inside the largest couple of boxes) when he proposed to her. My brother and I knew. She didn't. Such fun.

I'm in! SS 2019, here I come!

Such fun to be back here for another BF season! Thanks for this annual shot at some really amazing prizes, Brad!

Wish I could've kept myself in the club this year, but so glad folks are having fun with the kits. Hoping Brad will do this again next year and that I can actually stay IN this time... *makes note to put monthly posting reminders in phone*