All I Want For Christmas

I hope all of you had a fantastic Thanksgiving and were able to be with friends, family, and loved ones. My Thanksgiving was quiet, but that is what I really needed this year. Just a few family members and my son to fill my day with peace, love and GOOD food!

I have decided to make a list of what I would love for Christmas, just in case Santa is reading my blog!!! LOL

Okay, here it is...
I would love to have two working bathrooms.
I would love to have new insulation so this house wasn't always so cold.
I would love to have a car that actually works when you need it.
I would love to have storage from IKEA so I can put all those boxes away.
I would love to have new steps up to the house that are not falling apart.
I would love to have a brand new bedding set for my bed...now that it's just me in it!!! :)
Oh and I want to win the Lotto...one of those HUGE jackpots! (But I guess you have to play to win right? LOL JK)

But what I really want the most is for my son to grow up happy, cared for, healthy, and strong and know that his mommy loves him more than anything in this world. I want my mom to be happy and comfortable and get paid back for all the wonderful things she does for everyone BUT herself! She deserves the world and more!

I would like my son to appreciate that we WILL have food on the table and that their are many many others who have nothing.
I want all the soldiers serving this country to know that we appreciate them and all of their families who miss them so much during the Holidays!
And I want all of you to have the "Best" Holiday ever!!! Spend it with family, with friends, with neighbors and co-workers, just enjoy every minute. And don't forget the reason we celebrate Christmas....


Life is so short, it changes so quickly. And after going thru what I have the last month or so I have come to realize that more so than before. I guess you have to live it to understand it!

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, Today is a Gift...That's why it's called the Present!"


Oh and remember if you need anything at all for the Holidays and have a tight budget...AVON is for you. I'm a Rep and would be glad to have you head on over to my website and check out all the really great Holiday bargains!!!
www(dot)youravon(dot)com/ddavid-patrick

or click HERE to go there now!

Have a great day blogging buddies....and enjoy decorating for Christmas!!!
Danielle

It's A Beautiful Day....

Hi everyone. I must say that the response I got from so many was overwhelming and I cannot "thank you" all enough for the lovely messages you left me!!!

It really is amazing that people who hardly know you at all can offer their advice or support in such a kind and caring way! (Really when I think back, it was all of you who left me the kindest thoughts that got me through that 1st, 2nd, or 3rd day when I just needed to read that I CAN make it!)

And on a happy note...I AM feeling a wee bit better! Yay! It's nice to be able to say that. And one of the reasons is that I have decided to be an AVON rep...can you believe it? Yes, me...LOL

AVON is a great company, they provide you with all the tools necessary to basically start your own business for very little money. And being a new single mom in my situation, that looks pretty darn good!

Also, they ARE advocates for women, breast cancer and domestic violence....not bad!

It's a comfort to know that I am working with all kinds of women, and we all have a chance to make this business grow as big as we want it too!

So, in these tough times when many of us are feeling the pinch of the economy, I would like to let you know that AVON has some of the best and most reasonable prices around. (And come on...I don't know about all of you, but I NEED my make up, and my lotion, and my perfume, and my.....LOL)
Please take a moment if you will and click on my website to check out some of the products AVON has to offer. And the Holiday items are available now as well! :)

YOUR AVON REPRESENTATIVE

Thank you all again for your support! Divorce is never an easy thing to go through and It's wonderful family and friends that really will pull you into a new life! I know now that it is going to be a tough climb with many obstacles, but I CAN do it!

And someday my son will realize how much his mommy loves him and that even though he came from a divorced home, it certainly isn't a broken one!!! :)

Love You ALL....
Danielle

(BTW...I will put an AVON link up on my blog so when you get the urge to shop you can always find me!!!)

I Never Thought This Day Would Come...

Well folks, I wish I had better happier news to report. I always enjoy sharing uplifting thoughts or ideas with you, but today is not so bright or happy, at leased not for me.
I recently found out my husband had decided to move on and as of now we are starting the process of divorce. Needless to say I was a bit surprised, but more so saddened, hurt, and a bit terrified. (Was everything wine and roses? NO. But I did expect some participation in counseling or therapy, something to show that you still want things to work! That your family was important enough to try.)

I'm just at a point of shock really. I wanted to ask any of you reading this for a word of advice, support, or maybe just wanted to get it off my chest somewhat as well. I am raising a son as a single parent, running a household on my own, and well...I am in desperate need of a job. (I figure a part time one is a good place to start seeing I have been out of the work force for oh, six years now! I'm not even sure where to go or what to look for....Yikes!)

Ya know, to be totally honest I never thought I would be writing this kind of news. When I married it was for better or worse, sickness and health, and even richer or poorer...and Lord knows I've seen the poorer much more during these years!!! I've been cheated out of my family life, of sharing time with a man I loved so much, and the dreams we once had together.

Where do I go from here and how do I begin to pick up the pieces? That is what I have been thinking about for the last 2 weeks. It takes a lot out of someone. The gal I once knew that liked to sneak a cookie or two at night has been avoiding food like the plague. The woman that waited for her husband to come home after work has been turned into someone who stands around and looks at the door...

Does it get any easier? Lord I hope so.

Thank you all for listening.....
Danielle

Some Halloween Fun and other stuff....

My son went to a local city Halloween/Autumn gathering on Saturday and had the most fun. For $10 he got to paint a pumpkin, go on a hayride, eat cider and doughnuts, trick or treat, and just be a crazy kid! His favorite was the face painting and he chose to be a tiger.....ROAR!!! :)

And in other news...this is the hubby and adorable kitty lounging after a hard day of ah, hmmmm....I'm not sure what they did! LOL

I just had to take this pic...look at that leg stretched WAY out. My kitty really thinks she is queen of the castle! :)

Costume FUN...How PURRfect!

Well, here we are at that time of year again...Halloween! My son is six years old now but really ever since he was three years old, he has decided on his own costume. First it was a Fireman, then a Doctor, and last year he chose a Race Car Driver. And this year, for whatever reason...he wants to be a cat. And not just a cat, but a Brown Cat. I have no idea why, but it is his choice. (My mom seems to have a problem with this and I'm not sure why? Any thoughts?) I think it's cute...He's a quiet, kind, light-hearted, smart and fun little boy! And if he wants to be a Brown Cat...well, that is fine with me!

Do you all let your children choose their own costume for Halloween?

Well, whether you do or not, here are some cute costume ideas for ya.

The cutest little Ladybug. Just buy a black sweatsuit, shoes, headband or hat and then do a little gluing and sewing and...voila, done!

My personal favorite this year is the LEGO boy/girl. This one is just amazing and original. Just get a box and and matching clothes and you have a a pretty cute one folks!!! What's your favorite color?

I think any little girl would LOVE to be a butterfly. Isn't this costume precious? And the best part is you could do this one for a baby, toddler, or little girl.

Okay...this has to be the most creative one yet. My son LOVES cars and he would go bonkers for this one. How cool? There isn't much to it, but hey...I'm not complaining! LOL

How funny is this costume? I got such a kick out of it...I had to post it. The Sushi Roll...LOL. Now this one would get some laughs and turn some heads I'm sure! :)

Well, no matter what your kids decide...it's all about having FUN and being SAFE right?

Well, I'm off to make a cat costume myself. Anyone have any ideas for the cutest kitty on the block? It's simple, but there has to be a way to make it original. Hmmm, I'm thinking "CATS" on Broadway....lots of fur and a painted face....LOL (Naw, just some whiskers, ears, a tail...anything else?)

Meooooow!!! :)

(BTW...You can go to www.familyfun.go.com for more costume fun and directions for all the costumes seen above. They have some fabulous ideas! Enjoy.)

Autumn Decor and Dinner

Being Autumn now, I wanted to share one of my favorite recipe's that just screams "warm and comfy"! This is such a great treat for the whole family and you can serve it with a salad, homemade salsa and chips or guacamole, and margaritas...OLE'.

Enjoy....
Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas
Ingredients:
1 small red onion, halved
1 1/2 pounds tomatillos, husked and rinsed
1 to 2 serrano chile peppers, stemmed and seeded
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Kosher salt
Pinch of sugar
8 corn tortillas
3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella and/or Monterey Jack cheese
1/3 cup fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
3/4 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese


Directions
Preheat the broiler. Slice half of the onion into thin rings and set aside. Place the other onion half, tomatillos and serranos on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil until the vegetables are soft and slightly brown, 7 to 10 minutes, turning as needed. Transfer the vegetables and any liquid to a blender, add the broth and puree. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and the sugar.
Meanwhile, stack the tortillas, wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave just until warm and soft, 1 minute; keep covered. Toss the chicken with 2 cups shredded cheese in a bowl. Spoon a portion of the chicken mixture down the middle of each tortilla. Add a few cilantro leaves and roll up. Place the enchiladas side by side in a lightly oiled 9-by-13-inch baking dish and brush with the 2 tablespoons olive oil. Broil until crisp and golden, 3 minutes.
Pour the tomatillo sauce over the enchiladas and top with the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Return to the oven and broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Garnish with the onion rings, queso fresco and any remaining cilantro.
Per serving: Calories 626; Fat 32 g (Saturated 13 g); Cholesterol 98 mg;
Sodium 1,056 mg; Carbohydrate 46 g; Fiber 6 g; Protein 47 g
Photograph by Antonis Achilleos, and courtesy of Food Network Magazine.

And now some inspiring Autumn Tablescape ideas...I don't know about you all, but I love decorating for each new Season or Holiday. It just inspires my creativity and my family loves the change as well. Even if it is just a different or new type of fresh flower and vase on your table, it will still bring you joy and happiness....and boy, we could all use some of that these days right? :)

Happy Decorating.....

(Pictures are from Pottery Barn.com)

Have a Wonderful Day... Danielle

Today's Gonna Be A Good Day!!!

Hi everyone...It has certainly been awhile since I've posted and to welcome you all back I posted a video that I think will wake you up, make you jump up and dance...all while putting a smile on your face! (Remember that when you click, it will start music so be prepared if you have your speakers blasting, and it is PG as well for those that have kids...LOL)

I guarantee you will LOVE this just as much as I did...so sit back, enjoy and it's GOOD to be back to posting! Today's Gonna Be A Good Day!!! (I will be visiting you all soon too. Yay!)


Click here for your FABULOUS and FUN Video...


Good things to you and yours...
Danielle