A New Meme for Sunday!

First, we have to spread the blogging love with an award!

Honestly, when I started this blog, I wasn't expecting to meet so many wonderful women! For that I thank you all... This award is certainly fit to be with all of your blogs, but some do come with rules, so we will play by them. ;-)


One of my great blog buddies, the ever creative interior designer Cathy of "The Stylish House" rewarded me with this award for doing something I can't help; be grateful for all of you! It felt great of course as she is one of the nicest bloggers I know since joining in all the memes. I graciously accept and will honor the rules of sharing such a great gift. Thank you, Cathy!

The Rules of Accepting and Sharing this Award
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude.
3. Link to your nominees within your post.
4. Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award.
5. Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award.

Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude
I have always felt that if you are nice to people, they will notice it whether you want them to or not. It's also my belief that God put other people here for our benefit and happiness, so how can I not be grateful for that? I have a lot of things to be grateful for and pray every night that I never forget to say "thank you".

The 10 wonderful bloggers that I'd like to share this award with are: No particular order, these ladies have left comments, like all of you, that "puffed up" my heart. ;-)

Ann of "Three Little Ladies"
Lynn of "Lynn's Kitchen"
Marty of "A Stroll Thru Life"
Lorna of "Ivy & Lace Cottage"
Cindy of "Applestone Cottage"
Leigh of "Tales of Bloggeritaville"
Chari of "Happy To Design"
Ellen of "Mennonite Girls Can Cook"
Ceekay of "Thinkin Of Home"
Gina of "Painter's Place"

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Hosted by "Happy To Design"

How exciting is it to join in a new meme that our very own darling, Chari of "Happy To Design" is hosting! Make sure to link up if you want to join in!

Thanks Chari! You're such a sweetie for hosting!

I love a good laugh so this is one of my favorite post and I'm so glad I get to share it with all of you today!

THIS IS FROM FEBRUARY 11, 2009

A NORDIC(WARE) TALE

Have you seen these beautiful cake mold pans from Nordicware? Those castle, heart, and maple leaf ones? Especially the maple leaf ones? Those are sooooo cute! Well, I finally did last year at Walmart in one of their clearance aisles. So the stalking began...

In most places, these puppies command a retail of up to $40 (ok, $39.99), but of course Walmart, touted as the "Low Prices" King of retail, managed to slap on a decent $24.97 tag on the maple leaf molds. Did I jump at that $15 difference? Of course not! It's only close to 40% off, but not quite at 37% (Trade Secret #5), so NO, I didn't get it! (Did you think I would though, huh? Huh?)

Back to Walmart, November 2008... So right after Thanksgiving, I saw three of these Nordicware molds on clearance- $24.97 down to $19.97 ($5 off)- NO!

Almost Christmas, scoped out the last two- $19.97 down to $17.97 ($2 off)- NO! (The beautiful and smart "Brain" firmly set the "grab it" price at $12.50 and lower. I listen to her a lot!)

Yesterday... surprised to see the last one in the clearance aisle in between two badly chipped Autumn ceramic bowls-without a tag (you'll see). I quickly grabbed it ("Brain" said so) and hoped for the nearest price scanner (NONE btw, Walmart is technologically backwards from Target!). Charlie and Ian (he needed more meds, so we took him out of the house) head out to grab some windshield wipers for the van. I looked for them and found an associate.

NO, I didn't tell her that I've been stalkin' this one; I was nice and asked if they can find me a price for it so I can decide if I should buy it or not. She was very helpful. After a few minutes (ok, more like 10), another lady approached me and said, "We have no tag, but it's regularly $17.97, $18.00 regular."

("Nope, $24.97, I've been stalkin' remember?" "Shh! Brain, she'll hear you!").

She then told me that since it's clearance she'll give it to me for 50% off or $8.

("Half of $18 is 9!" "Hush Brain!")

I didn't say anything, but considered it so she asked me if I can show her where I found it. Along the way, we met up with the store manager and he was with another associate who addressed everyone as "Honey" (I later found out she was also a manager). She kept interrupting the manager and further explained that Thanksgiving items do not go lower than 50% off. That's just how it's been.

("Wrong again! Texas Walmarts (plural) shopper, I am , I am..." "Brain, shush!")

The store manager asked, "How much was the regular price? My lovely helper, replies, "$17 just like the hearts. I offered her $8, but she won't take it."

("$17? Back there, you said, $18! Which one is it?" "Brain, keep it down- shhh!")

He then says, "Oh right, those heart mold pans, they're similar. I thought they were heart shapes , but no, it's maple leaves, so yeah, it would be on Clearance."

("Hello! This is a Nordicware, don't compare those tin cans to this piece of art! How dare you?" "Brain, stop it! We know that, but they don't!")

(Faced me) "I'll give it to you 50% off, or (looking at my helper) $8, that's about right". The lady who explained things to me about their Thanksgiving clearance policy, she pipes in with, "Honey, listen. If you want to be precise, $7.50 is half of $17. So, $7.50. The store manager and the helper agreed.

("Brain" was waiting patiently for when these people would catch on. Nope, didn't happen...)

("Brain" says, if you can stop yourself from laughing, here's more...)

I said, "No, thank you. I've watched those since the day after Thanksgiving. It should've been marked down to 50% off then, and since it's February now and it's the LAST ONE, it should be marked down more." The "honey, listen" lady starts to walk away and says, "No, 50% is a good deal, I'd buy it for that or $7.50 (from her regular calculation of $17).

What did I do? (with "Brain" laughing in my head?)

I let them all walk away and then I let "Brain" kick in and declare that if they're willing to give it to me for $7.50, "I guess I'll take it." (looking like I gave in because I really want it- I did want it, but I didn't give i-iiinnnnnn...)

So off we go to get approval of the new price and said mold pan was checked out by "Honey, listen" lady, not knowing that "Brain" is celebrating up in my head.

$24.97 down to $7.50; that actually calculates to a...
70% off savings!!! Yeah!

(Thanks, "Brain" for shushing and "Mouth" for keeping quiet.)

And now... (drum roll, please) Presenting... (tan-tan-tan-tannnnnnn!) (pause for effect)

Nordicware Maple Leaf Mold Cake Pan!

(See the shmootz? That's from the missing tag)

She's a beaut, isn't she? All, 7 dollars and 50 cents of her! :-D)

(It's a little fuzzy, but you can see the new price)

Psst! (whispering) "Does this little scenario remind you of a certain TV show? If you knew which one I mean, the answer is... I am! I am!"

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TABLESCAPING IDEAS: ("Brain" loves that you read her first "published" conquer! LOL) There's nothing like using a favorite item, especially if there's a bigger sentiment behind it. Set a table that reminds you of favorite memories using food and maybe the dishes that added to that favorite.