Anyone need a FANTASTIC Babysitter?

If any of y'all are looking for an amazing babysitter, please give me a call and I can give you her information.

Thanks,

Christine G.

A Fun Idea for Today

I don't know if any of y'all have been to or heard of Hoots Party Zone, but it is a really fun place (warm and indoors :0) to take kids to get their wiggles out, and it's big enough to have adults running through it too.  The first room has a mini arcade, then the second room has a MASSIVE play gym kind of like the one at the zoo and the third room is full of inflationary slides, obstacle courses, etc.  It's super fun and it's an open bounce day, and if you go here you can print out coupons good for today for $3 entrance per person (that's over 1/2 off) Oh, and adults get in FREE!!! (that's normal) :0)

For more info, their website is hootspartyzone.com

Group ice skating Thursday

I wanted to get a group of families together from the ward to go ice skating. It would be Thursday Dec. 31st from 1-3pm at Blades ice arena at 801 Loma Colorado in Rio Rancho. The group rate would have to be all together in one payment $6.42 a person including skate rental and tax. We would need at least 10 people to get this rate. Please call me at 899-9108 to tell me you're coming.

A Good Laugh

Hey all! I know that many of you like to laugh. And I know many of you like to read blogs. Well, here are two blogs that I have run into that make me laugh out loud...(as opposed to laughing inside, or under my breath). They are written by moms and are stories and posts that ANY mother can relate to. Enjoy!
http://themeanestmom.blogspot.com/
http://mom2my6pack.blogspot.com/
stef

Coat Drive Update

So a few things about the coat drive. I didn't realize that we can't have boxes in the foyer at church so they will actually be in the relief society room this Sunday. Also, the boxes will be at the Christmas party tonight at the Stake Center so if you want to bring your donations tonight that would be great! If you forget tonight, there is always Sunday or I'll pick them up from you house!

Thanks!
~Rochelle

Disney's G-Force Movie Coupon

Here is a coupon for $10 off Disney's G-Force movie. Expires 12-22-09.

Coat and Winter Clothing Drive!

Calling for all un-used new or gently used coats, sweatshirts, jackets, sweaters, hats, glove, scarfs and other items to keep others warm that might be hiding in your closets! It's time to shake out the dust and donate them to those in need! Infant, Totddler, Child, Teenager and Adult sizes needed!

Sam and I have decided this year we wanted to donate coats and other items to keep others warm to the Burlington Coat Factory Warm Hearts & Warm Coat Drvie! We thought that there are probably other families in our ward that have too many coats and other winter clothing not being used in their closets, or that there might be families that would like to donate new coats to those in need, so we decided to start our own mini coat drive! I know there are a lot of you out there that have items to donate but find it hard to make the time to go and drop them off so we are going to help you out! Sam and I will have boxes in the north and south foyers at church for you to put your donated clothing in this Wednesday night during mutual as well as this Sunday during church. Please bring your coats and other items mentioned above to church this week and put them in the boxes. Sam and I will take care of taking them to Burlington.

If you forget to bring your coats and winter clothing to church or have too many to bring, no problem! Just give me or Sam a call and we will come and pick them up from your house! How neat is that? You don't even have to leave your house and can still help those in need!

We are planning on taking all the items donated to Burlington on the 23rd of December so this is the only week the boxes will be out so don't put this off! Take a few minutes to go through your closets and pull the items you don't use anymore, and donate them to help keep others warm this winter season. We will be willing to pick items up from your house through the 23rd of December as well.

We are so excited to have everyone take part in this great service project with us! Thank you in advance for you donations!

Rochelle D.

Cutting Tools Needed

Does anyone have a cutting mat, rotary cutter, and a straight edge that I could use for 2 days? I'm working on a last-minute project, and it sure would make it go a lot more quickly if I could use one!

Christmas Party Help

Friends, I'm in charge of the music for the ward Christmas party, and since the sound guy I know, Abe Sego will be out of town, wondered if any of you, or if you know of anyone that has some sort of sound system (c.d. player, speakers...) that could be our sound person just for like 15 minutes of the music program (everything else is played by the piano, guitar, keyboard, etc.) at the party this Friday, Dec. 18th. We will have two mics and 2 stands, just something. All I have is a small karoake machine. Thanks so much!

Andrea

Great new cooking ideas

If your dinners have been getting a little blah-ish I would recommend checking out Rebecca Bell's family blog-

http://www.peachtreecooking.blogspot.com

I know she wouldn't toot her own horn but this site is too good a secret to keep.
Rebecca has 8 sisters and including her Mom, they are a family of 10 amazing "foodies" who scour the internet for great recipes. They try them, tweak them to their tastes, then post them on their site.

I think I've tried 12 of the recipes they've posted and they have ALL BEEN GOOD. Chelsie Larson can vouch for this site as well. How often do you try a new recipe and then chuck it in the recycling bin the second you taste the meal? I doubt that will happen with these recipes.

Happy cooking.

needed: plastic containers

My friend volunteers for Project Share, they feed homeless & those in financial need. They are looking for butter, cool whip, cottage cheese or any other container with a lid to put the leftovers in for the people they feed to take with them. If you get them to me, I will pass them along. Call or e-mail if you have any questions.

Kara F.
rkfalkner12@msn.com

Real Deals on Home Decor

I had a few requests today to post information about my moms store on the blog. My mom owns Real Deals on Home Decor. The Address is: 9131 4th Street NW,Albuquerque NM 87114. If you are not receiving the store emails and would like to you can sign up at the store or you could email me with your name email and or snail mail address and I will have my mom sign you up. The emails usually have coupons in them for at least 20% off or $10.00 - $20.00 off on furniture. I have this months email if you would like me to forward it to you, just let me know. kimbiebop (AT) gmail (Dot) com

This is the latest information:
HOLIDAY SAVINGS!
HOLIDAY DECOR 30% OFF!
DEC. 16 - EVENING SHOPPING PARTY!
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS CLEARANCE SALES!
HOLIDAY HOURS & EVENTS!

Hours Open:
Thursdays 10-6pm & Saturdays 10-5pm also instead of (or in addition to) our regular hours:

WEDS. DEC. 16, 5pm-8pm
EVENING SHOPPING PARTY!

FRI. DEC. 18, 10am-6pm
SPECIAL SHOPPING DAY!

THURS. DEC. 24, 10-3
OPEN FOR LAST MINUTE SHOPPERS

SAT. DEC. 26, 10am-3pm
STOREWIDE SALE

THURS. DEC. 31 10am-3pm

SAT. JAN. 2, 10am-5pm
INVENTORY CLEARANCE SALE!

(Please read through to the end so you don't miss the coupons!)

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT GIFT IDEA!!
Have you been looking for a special sign or vinyl wall message & can't find it?
BRANDI SEADER
will be at the store to take your orders for signs or vinyl wall lettering.
SHE WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE ON THURSDAY 12/17 from 4:00PM-6:00PM
We have blank metal signs available in various colors for your unique sign!

FREE Used Clarinet

Wendy R. has a free clarinet up for grabs. It hasn't been used in a long time, since her kids were in elementary school, so about 12 years. I am sure it would clean up nicely. Just give her call and her number is in the ward directory.

Free "A Christmas Carol" Audio Book

For those of you that are planning on coming to book club next week (or those who just need a little extra Christmas spirit), there's a free audio book of "A Christmas Carol" available at LearnOutLoud.com.
This is a great way to pass the time while you're getting ready for Christmas!

Don't forget to join us next Thursday at Renee W.'s house!

Christmas Tree

Kristie just made a post about this but in case you weren't able to go last week here is another opportunity. Taylor and I are taking our family up to the Jemez Mountains this Saturday, the 12th, to get a Christmas tree. If anyone is interested in joining us please let us know by 8:00pm tonight and I will have Taylor get you a permit, or you can purchase one on our way up there on Saturday. They cost around $8.00. Also, we usually stop at the cafe up there and get hot chocolate afterwards to defrost our bodies! Let us know if you would like to come with us.

Stephanie Haught

Protect Marriage

You Can Help Protect Marriage In New Mexico

Dear Fellow New Mexicans,

Marriage in New Mexico is at risk! The nation-wide legal assault battering the institution of marriage between a man and a woman now threatens to bring same-sex marriage to New Mexico. As supporters of marriage we must rise up now to protect this important institution by passing an amendment to the New Mexico Constitution defining and protecting marriage.
We call on all responsible New Mexico citizens and government officials to promote measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society. It is time for all New Mexicans, including members of the legislature, to be as proactive as possible in protecting marriage and the institution of the family in the face of the rushing tide of extremism intent on devaluing New Mexico's families.
The most profound statement a free people can make in support of any issue or principle is to place it in their constitution. Thirty states now have constitutional provisions protecting marriage and defining it as between a man and a woman. A constitutional amendment defining marriage in New Mexico as between one man and one woman has been prepared for introduction in the upcoming legislative session. Similar bills have been killed in committee by radical supporters of same-sex marriage. These same radicals are preparing a bill to create same-sex marriage in our state.
Clearly New Mexico is the next target of homosexual advocates seeking to destroy marriage nation-wide. They are committed to win here because their radical agenda has been rejected by voters all over America. In November, the people of Maine voted down radical attempts by their legislature and governor to create same-sex marriage. And in New York, the state senate just overwhelmingly defeated a bill to create same-sex marriage.
To protect marriage in New Mexico you must act now!
Please sign the New Mexico Petition to Defend Marriage online here.
Forward this message to others that value traditional marriage.
Download and print a copy of the petition here to gather signatures of friends and family.
Ask your friends, neighbors, and family to sign and return it to the listed address by January 1, 2010.
Time is of the essence! All successful societies have encouraged marriage because it is essential to promoting and protecting strong families. It is the key to providing a secure future for our children and generations of New Mexicans to come. Please join us.
Sincerely,
Angela Bentley
Director, United Families New Mexico

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borrow book?

Hi
Please does anyone have a copy of Catching Fire that they are not reading right now? Mine is due back at the library and I can't renew. I just have a hundred pages left. Thanks if I can please borrow.

Wii

Hi friends. Is anyone out there looking for a Wii for Christmas? This last weekend Walmart had a really sweet deal on their Wii consoles. They were $199 (the price just about everywhere), but then you got a $50 gift card to Walmart. So, I was there getting one for our family and ended up getting two. If you would like to buy the second one, the total was $213 (with tax) and then you could use the gift card to buy extra controllers, games, or groceries! :) Email (timp56@msn.com) or call (ward list) if you are interested . Otherwise, I will return it Thursday morning. Shelley

If you love the smell of real christmas trees...

Try cutting one down yourself this year! The permits only cost about $7-8 dollars for up to a 12 ft. tree, which is significantly cheaper than buying a real one at the store. We do it every year as our christmas tradition, and the kids LOVE it. Especially if there is snow, then you can go sledding too! There really is nothing better than the smell of a real christmas tree, and it's fresh so you don't get the needle mess so much.
We go up to the Jemez mountains. It's about 1 1/2 hr. drive up there. There is a building you stop at on your way into the mountains where you buy your permit and they give you a map of where to cut the trees down. Make sure you bring a saw, tarp, cash/check for the permit, and a way to secure the tree to your car. If you want to go with us, we are going up this Sat. morning. Let me know if you want to join in the fun! foreverfamilee@gmail.com

Babysitting Swap Saturday??

Hey, Brian and I have an appointment at 12pm this Saturday. (Okay, it is a work party.) I am looking to swap with someone. If you watch our 5 kids....gulp....we will watch yours so you can go have a fun date, go Christmas shopping, drag your hubby to New Moon, or just hang out without kids around. If you want to do a swap this week, and don't mind watching five cute kids, let me know.
stef(dot)burns(at)gmail.com
stef

Dec Craft Night

I have been hearing from so many people that they would love to do this for craft night so for this month's craft night we are doing it--a "finish your craft" night.  It will be held on DEC 15th @ 7:30pm at Rochelle D.'s house.  Just send her an e-mail  rdivett[at]gmail[dot]com so she knows how many to plan for.  See you then!
 

Jenny Ch.

Sipapu Ski Resort

$10-15 this weekend. Not much snow, but it will still be fun!
4th graders (report card required), guests ages 6 and younger, 40-year-olds and seniors 70 and better ski or ride FREE everyday at Sipapu!

Bridal Breakfast for Candace McGovern

For those of you who know or remember Candace McGovern, you are invited to a breakfast in honor of her forthcoming marriage. Candace was investigating the church in our ward for a few months this summer, but now lives in another ward's boundaries. She remembers a lot of you from our ward, and she has said many times that she misses all the wonderful ladies she met here. If you can come, I know Candace would be thrilled to see you at this breakfast.

When: This Saturday, Dec. 5th, 9:30 a.m.
Where: Lori Mortenson's home (directions below)
What: Bridal Breakfast...very casual drop-in. We will not be doing a "gift opening ceremony," and presents are not expected. For anyone who wants to bring something anyways, she is registered at Target.

Directions to Lori Mortenson's home:

At the Alemeda and Coors intersection, take Coors toward Corrales which turns into Corrales Road. At 4.5 miles down the road you will see a sign with apples on it that says Rome Lane. Turn left here. The Mortenson's home is the 1st house and has a white pipe fence around it. Her phone number is 898-3372.

Please call Sacha Bikhazi (792-4385) with any questions you may have. Hope to see you there!

LDS Christmas Advent Calendar

I used this Christmas Advent Calendar several years ago and just came across it again...thought I'd share. Each day is represented by a puzzle piece and has a scripture and an activity. It is originally from the December 2000 friend, but you can find and print it here.