Good morning everyone. I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. I'm counting down the days - not until Christmas but until school is out. I'm so done with homework.....

Just a reminder to everyone, we are having our 3rd annual holiday card exchange for the "Veteran" parents. If you'd like to exchange cards, please drop me a line at s a f e t y p a t r o l @ c o m c a s t . net (take out the spaces). Kim, drop me you new email since I tried last year's and it was returned.

Post your deals here for the holiday season. I've had great success with coupons at JC Penney. Deep discounts and then sale coupons are a great combo. Around here, it's quite sad to see the malls. I was at our local mall today picking up a photo t-shirt for my dad. It was almost noon and there was plenty of parking. No crowds anywhere.

Here are a few questions for this week.

1. With the many store closings that are being announced, are you giving gift cards this season?

2. What are some of your childrens' must haves for this holiday season?

3. Who is exhausted? Having multiples is exhausting but throw in the holiday madness....

4. How has the economy downturn affected you? Do you know anyone in the auto industry or related businesses that are affected by a possibly loan/bailout?

5. Are you schools affected by the recession? Have you felt any cutbacks yet?

Have a great day!

Sharon
11 year old b/b/b + 15 year old son

4.

1. With the many store closings that are being announced, are you giving gift cards this season? Nope, but I don't give store cards anyway, I usually buy Visa gift cards that can be used anywhere.

2. What are some of your childrens' must haves for this holiday season? Crayola glow station, and Nintendo DS are high on their lists, but I haven't gotten them yet, don't know if the budget will stretch that much

3. Who is exhausted? Having multiples is exhausting but throw in the holiday madness.... I'm actually doing okay

4. How has the economy downturn affected you? Do you know anyone in the auto industry or related businesses that are affected by a possibly loan/bailout? We own a construction business and things are very tight. We have some investments that we were living off of but with the stock market crashing they have been drastically reduced. I'm looking at having to go back to work again.

5. Are you schools affected by the recession? Have you felt any cutbacks yet? Nothing yet, but we just had a bond issue passed in our district which will help out.

Kim
Nate, Nick & Noel(36w4d)and Nia.

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Hi Sharon- thanks for doing this and the card exchange I am also looking forward to the kids being out of school and no homework !

1. With the many store closings that are being announced, are you giving gift cards this season?

Don't usually give gift cards except for Target and Visa cards so not affected by it

2. What are some of your childrens' must haves for this holiday season?

lift tickets to Copper Mountain- my daughter Taylor
model rockets for Braden
a few wii games for Alec
they have reminded me at least 100 times each about what they want

3. Who is exhausted? Having multiples is exhausting but throw in the holiday madness....

I'm almost always running on empty but mostly because of medical issues- including a few of my own lately..I am always optimistic about my future looking well rested and calm..well it doesn't hurt to to dream right ?

4. How has the economy downturn affected you? Do you know anyone in the auto industry or related businesses that are affected by a possibly loan/bailout?

no auto industry here...the economy has put more pressure on my husband to do whatever it takes (on top of the 70 + hrs a week he already works..heavy sigh) to keep his job.

5. Are you schools affected by the recession? Have you felt any cutbacks yet?

No affects that we have felt yet on our school.

Lorraine

Reach for the heart of God and not just His hands.
Organ donation saves lives!
Life happens when love is given.


http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bradenwild

1. With the many store closings that are being announced, are you giving gift cards this season? I'm only giving one, and that is a gas card for my nephew who just turned 16yo

2. What are some of your childrens' must haves for this holiday season? Nintendo Ds's and cellphones.

3. Who is exhausted? Having multiples is exhausting but throw in the holiday madness....I am beyond exhaustion. I am not sleeping well at all and cannot manage to choke down breakfast until around 10am. Katie's upcoming surgery is really starting to affect me emotionally.

4. How has the economy downturn affected you? Do you know anyone in the auto industry or related businesses that are affected by a possibly loan/bailout? Not yet. When spending, we are focusing more on our needs than our wants.

5. Are you schools affected by the recession? Have you felt any cutbacks yet? Not yet, but I am sure they are in the future.

I am 99.9% finished with Christmas shopping! Dsil, myself and a friend went shopping Friday night and we all managed to finish. Afterward, we went to a martini bar. OMG! I got plowed! So not like me! I only had 1 1/2! I got home at 2:00am! It was fun but boy, did I have a headache Saturday! Not doing that again!

Weds night our whole family is going to see Trans-siberian Orchestra. I have seen them a few times before and I am really looking forward to the kids seeing them for the first time (oldest dd has seen them twice). We will be getting home at around midnight so the kids are taking naps when they get home from school.

A major snowstorm is headed our way. Supposed to start tonight and last until midnight Tuesday. Apparently we could get about 14inches when all is said and done. The kids are praying for a snow day and so am I.

Have a great week everyone!

Hi all!

1. The good news is that with the economy, I'm not giving much of anything this year -- much less "gift cards." But, you raise a valid point about gift cards under these conditions!

2. My children have not been inundated with any television advertising, poor babies. They haven't asked for much of anything, and I've bought the things that look like what they'd want. My dd wanted a playhouse for her dolls, and that will be under the tree. My son wanted a race track and that will be under the tree. I personally wanted to buy them bicycles, but instead I've turned that into an incentive for good behavior when we're in the office and I have a client in during the weekend -- they know that when one of my big cases pays off, they'll get a bicycle.

3. I'm about to drop. I've been working overnights between 2 and 3 nights a week, and also working on the weekends. None of the clients are paying their bills and it just seems like I'm pushing harder and harder for less and less. Uplifting, huh??

4. The economy means that no one is paying their bills, and my business costs just continue. It's horrible and stressful. I keep wondering when they're going to do a "bail-out" for law offices? Yeah, right, like that one's gonna happen, huh??

5. I'm getting ready to pull the kids out of Jr. Kindergarten. The school now has a rule about being current each month, and not getting paid doesn't help me to pay them. I'm signing them up for Virtual Academy Kindergarten and hoping that the socialization isn't as important as it seems it may be... Yikes!!

'Hope everyone else is doing well and somehow surviving. These really are tough times, aren't they?

If you have room on your prayer list, please keep me there!

Cat w/3 Kittens
Caidan, Carina and Caeleigh
Born at 31 weeks, 1/8/04.
It is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all. In memory of Carina, who was greatly loved.

http://b3.lilypie.com/bDA

I have never posted on the Monday Updates, but I thought this might be a good time to start... So hello all....

1. With the many store closings that are being announced, are you giving gift cards this season? I don't really give many store gift cards, but because of the closings, I will be giving Visa cards this year.

2. What are some of your childrens' must haves for this holiday season? They are really into the Smurfs and TMNT (even thought I keep telling Dan they shouldn't be watching TMNT).

3. Who is exhausted? Having multiples is exhausting but throw in the holiday madness.... I don't know why but I can't get to sleep before 2am and then I am up at 8, so I am not getting enough sleep. Pack that onto, my house is a mess, my mother has been here since the beginning of November, and my husband (as much as I love him) is a PITA!!! I feel that I need to sleep for a month!!!!

4. How has the economy downturn affected you? Do you know anyone in the auto industry or related businesses that are affected by a possibly loan/bailout? My brother has a car hauling business that he is trying to get off the ground. With no one buying cars, that means no one is shipping cars. When they do ship cars, they don't want to pay much because no one has any money....Because of all of this, he can't pay me for the work I do for him

5. Are you schools affected by the recession? Have you felt any cutbacks yet? My kids are not in school yet, so I haven't felt anything with the school. I read the principals letter every month, and there hasn't been anything in it about any cut backs.

Dawn

Mom to Samantha, Jeremy, Paige and Christian

Born 12/12/03 @ 31w 2d



http://lovinglifewithquads.blogspot.com

A couple of the boys and I went out into the woods and cut our tree yesterday. Our new house has 10 foot ceilings, so it is a rather large tree...I might have to get some more lights! Not as full as a plantation tree, but it looks good. I got the lights up on the house today -- not too bad for the first year in a home. We'll start decorating the tree in the next couple of days. Dw picked a rather weird spot for the tree to stand...seems pretty set on it, so I ama am getting use to it before starting to decorate it.

1. gift cards? Really have never given them before and probably will not this year. Might give a gift certificate or two for local businesses, though.

2. childrens' must haves...I don't really believe in "must haves". After viewing TV at my parents over Thanksgiving with all the slick ads, I can see why many believe in "must haves". I guess I am just an old sourpuss, but it is saddening to see our economy and well-being depend on people buying a bunch of unneeded cr*p.

3. Who is exhausted? Not yet...or at least not more than normal...LOL!

4. How has the economy downturn affected you? One advantage of living in a rural county well behind the "Redwood Curtain" is that our economic situation is always a little depressed, so there is not too far to fall. One stays more focused on needs rather than wants.

5. Are you schools affected by the recession? Have you felt any cutbacks yet? Yes, and more to come. I work for the university and we are seeing lots of cuts. Hopefully I will hang onto my job.

Vaughn and the ABC Boys
Alex, Bryce, & Calder
3-31-97 @ 28.5 weeks
http://s515.photobucket.com/albums/t356/vaughn3abc/

1. With the many store closings that are being announced, are you giving gift cards this season?
We have never been big on gift cards but will 2 of my husband's nieces want cards to Starbucks. We have so many in this area, I feel safe with that.

2. What are some of your childrens' must haves for this holiday season?
They do have "must-haves" but not based on TV ads. Peer pressure is WAY more influential in the teen years. They all think they need ipods and mostly cellphones (Mom, save the money and get us iphones instead of an ipod and cellphone). Not happening. Still, they will be thrilled with what they do get.

3. Who is exhausted? Having multiples is exhausting but throw in the holiday madness....
I have been working a bit more this month to help with Christmas costs and because I don't work the week after Christmas. I have 3 overnights this week, finishing painting Frankie's room, buy more gifts, and wrap what we have.

4. How has the economy downturn affected you? Do you know anyone in the auto industry or related businesses that are affected by a possibly loan/bailout?
We feel very lucky with the security of our jobs (Husband works for post office, I am a nurse) but one of our good friends works at a company that makes pistons for large engines. His company closed for a month (no paycheck the month before Christmas) and is prepared to take a cut when he returns. They have 4 kids, one of whom is to start college next year.

5. Are you schools affected by the recession? Have you felt any cutbacks yet?
I was at a meeting last night about trying a new scheduling system for our high schools. How sad that tho' most of us could agree the best schedule for the students was a Block 8 but the budget didn't allow this. Thanks Mitch Daniels for cutting our property taxes at the expense of our schools (very sarcastically)

Big hugs to everyone affected by the economy.


1. With the many store closings that are being announced, are you giving gift cards this season? I am giving gift cards but only to big-name places like Starbucks that I know will be here - for the next few months!

2. What are some of your childrens' must haves for this holiday season? Each of my boys wants different things. Of course, my 15 year old wants an IPOD. He has never had one so we are getting him this. My trio don't have any must haves but lots of little things. Nothing too extravagant.

3. Who is exhausted? Having multiples is exhausting but throw in the holiday madness.... I'm tired. Between school work, volunteering, shopping, cleaning, etc. I'm exhausted. Takes some of the joy out to the season when you are running all the time.

4. How has the economy downturn affected you? Do you know anyone in the auto industry or related businesses that are affected by a possibly loan/bailout? My husband is in the high tech industry and companies are cutting their budgets, which affects his sales. We'll see what 2009 brings us.

5. Are you schools affected by the recession? Have you felt any cutbacks yet? We are in a very good school district but the budget cuts have been felt for years. They have already cut art and music out of the budget for the entire district. Parents at our school donate money to hire a music and arts teacher. Parents contribute a lot of money ($60,000 per year total) to pay for various programs at our school. Otherwise, our students would suffer like those elsewhere. However, we are hearing rumors of staff cuts that would mean larger classes for our kids taking place in early spring. That would be devastating, especially for the little kids that would lose their favorite teacher and be put in a larger classroom.

Sharon
11 year old b/b/b + 15 year old son

Hi all - sounds like everyone is busy as ever and feeling the pinch a bit. It does help that we are all in this together.

1. With the many store closings that are being announced, are you giving gift cards this season?
Do not give gift cards much - did get Barnes and Noble cards for teachers and the boys stockings

2. What are some of your childrens' must haves for this holiday season?
They know we are keeping it simple so only asked for one small thing each - drum sticks, toy arrows and a picture. No TV really helps

3. Who is exhausted? Having multiples is exhausting but throw in the holiday madness....
I am not as exhausted as I could be - the holidays give me energy - I will feel beat in January!

4. How has the economy downturn affected you? Do you know anyone in the auto industry or related businesses that are affected by a possibly loan/bailout?
We are hurting as dh has not been paid for summer construction work. Our regular jobs are semi secure though, so I am thankful for that.

5. Are you schools affected by the recession? Have you felt any cutbacks yet?
They are tightening up - no lay offs yet but small things cut.

Have a good week!
Suzanne
Proud mommy to Seamus, Brendan and Casey 4/17/0

Hi everyone.

1. I have decided to only give one gift card this year. It was a special request, so I hope Victoria Secret stays open. I am giving the rest of that kind of gift in cold hard cash!

2. My kid's must haves this year are all cash. They are all broke due to paying back students loans and trying to live on their own. My son who doesn't have student loans was unemployed for 10 months. (thank you UPS, who laid him off at the end of his shift last Christmas Eve).

3. I am exhausted because work is keeping me going more than usual. I am shopping less this year though, due to the cash gifts.

4. My best friend's dh was forced to retire from Ford last year. Now they are hoping he doesn't lose his retirement benefits. He had to take a pretty small buy out package from them.

5. We are going to be getting hit by really big cuts in the next two years. MN is in deep debt and will be cutting funding to school districts next year. Also, our district has a levy that is running out after this school year. My contract is in negotiations right now and things aren't looking too good. But for me, I guess I am high enough on the seniority list, that I should be ok once the cuts come through. I just hope I don't have to change schools. I love where I am.

mom to:
Ryan 32 The Lawyer
Jason 30 The Chief Meteorologist
Chris 30 The College Student
Tim 30 The college grad

I love hearing their versions of their childhood memories!!

Hi Sharon and Everyone,

1. No...but giving some restaurant cards.

2. Money. They are all teenagers.

3. It's worse when they are older, because they all have so many different interests and friends, so I feel like a chauffeur most of the time. But it's better than having to be on diaper duty 24/7!

4. I have to spend the money I've put away for the kids on my own education...We teachers have to spend TONS of money just to keep our licenses current.

5. Just got an email from my department head...he said, send in your requests for materials for the next year and a half NOW! We should expect that our budget will be practically nothing after the next few months.

That's it. HI EVERYONE!!!!!
Mare

Hi Mare! How ya' doing? Gosh, your kids must be practically driving already (except Lea)!
You have to budget for materials 18 mo. in advance? How on earth is that possible?
Have a great holiday season.

MErry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Tracey
Homeschooling Mom to:
Michael, Soccer Dude (12)
Francesca, Classical Guitarist (11)
Matthew, Slide Tackle Soccer Dude (9)
Alexis, Sweet Gymnast (9)
Gabrielle, Sassy Gymnast (9)

Host mom to:
Johannes, German exchange student (18)
Torunn, Norwegia