10 Things...

(I feel somewhat guilty about writing about the amazing weekend I had. One of my best friends, Mindy, had to rush one of her triplets to the hospital after performing infant CPR. Her daughter is scheduled to go to surgery tomorrow. If you do not follow her blog click HERE.)

Here are 10 Places I went this weekend:

I stopped at my two favorite places in Pella:

HERE:

and


HERE:

I ordered some dried beef and dried beef dip at Ulrichs. At Jaarsma's, I picked up some dutch letters. They now dip them in chocolate- its like they knew I was coming! Seriously, picking up treats like this for my hubby adds years to my marriage.

After our stop in Pella, we headed to see her:

On our way to see my grandma, my Uncle Don and Aunt Bonnie called. They had just closed on a new house, and we begged for a tour. My Aunt and Uncle have lived on the farm for nearly 40 years. The house they bought is on a golf course in town. Its absolutely beautiful, and I am so happy for them. It is so crazy to think that this is their new home because I have only known them to live on the farm. I could see the joy in their faces for the new home, and it was truly wonderful to see them so happy.

After we left Oskaloosa, we headed to Williamsburg. My mom needed to stop in that part of the state for business, so we decided to shop as well. I bought all of this for BGT and then some:

Actually, this doesn't include all the things I bought her. I know that seems overboard, and it was, but let me tell you how this only cost me $31.  First, I picked up a pink hooded sweat shirt with sweat pants, three piece pj set and bow shirt at Carters. My mom had a coupon for 25% off of $40. Her and I combined our orders (She was picking up things for BBA (baby boy aldridge). She picked up my part of the tab too for BGT. Then we headed to Gap. I had a 25% off of a $75 purchase. I picked up a winter coat thing, owl top, jeans and a pair of socks. My mom picked up the exact same items but in boy colors for BBA. I had a $35 store merchandise credit for my half of the tab. Then we headed to Children's Place. I had 25% off my purchase. They had on clearance summer items for $2.99 a piece. I picked up two dresses, five onsie top things (i really need to learn this baby lingo), a sweat shirt and a purple sweatsuit outfit. With my coupon it was only $31. Amazing!! For those of you concerned that I am unaware of my daughter's due date and why I have a turkey top- its not a Thanksgiving shirt. Its a short sleeved shirt that says "Spread Peace" on it. I tried to buy different sizes that will match the seasons. It was fun to pick up so much for such a great deal!

After I had done enough damage for the day, I headed home.

I had been eyeing the Nebraska Furniture Mart add all week because of my need want of some items. I called my mom at 10pm on Saturday and asked her if we would be nuts if we went to NFM on Sunday. She said we were nuts anyway so why not. I am SO GLAD I went. I did some serious damage- but I got some great things.

I had been trying to find this master bedroom set that I had seen previously. I was under the impression that they only had the bed and not the dresser. To my pleasant surprise, I found they carried the bed, dresser and night stands I had been wanting- and it was on sale. We purchased that. We also purchased a rocker for the baby's room and a baby mattress. I would post pics but most of my items aren't being delivered until December 2. Good thing because I have a mattress to purchase yet, get new carpet, and paint two bedrooms. I cant wait to post before and after pics (didn't I promise some of other rooms like last February?!).

In Omaha, we stopped at one of our favorite places to eat:

Have you ever eaten at Five Guys? Its fantastic!

I got home last night around 8pm. I could have probably used a nice calm weekend at home to catch up on some sleep. But I had a fantastic time, and I am so excited about my purchases!

And for those of you worried about whether I really went 10 places... let me count them for you: Ulrich's, Jaarsma's, Grandma's, Don and Bonnie's, Carter's, Gap, Children's Place, Home, NFM, and Five Guys.

Asian Heritage

Now that I'm Asian, I have really gotten in touch with Asian heritage. Actually, nothing Japanese.... just Chinese. That includes the Chinese Birth Chart and the Chinese Astrology.

Chinese Birth Chart:


Even though the Chart clearly states that its only for entertainment value- I believe its true. I had a little doubt when my sister reported to me her child's rapid heart rate and change in pregnancy symptoms as compared to her eldest child when the chart said my sister was having a boy. I generally relate the higher heart rate to girls as well as the fact her pregnancy was nothing like when she was pregnant with her first child, a boy. I was convinced it was a girl. I should have never doubted the birth chart because the results are now in, and it is a boy. Again, the link to the chart can be found HERE.

Chinese Astrology:


To access the information I am explaining, click HERE.

Most of you are familiar with the Chinese Astrology which has 12 distinct personalities associated with the animal of that year. The beginning of the 2012 Chinese New Year is January 23. If things go as planned- Tommy and I will be having a Dragon. (In fact, lots of people are having Dragons because last year I was spreading the news about how wonderful Dragon babies are supposed to be. There is still time people- make those Dragon babies!!!).  Anyway, I also recently learned (thanks to this website I found) that there are also "internal" personalities which dictate what motivates you (as opposed to the year which tell how you present yourself to others). Because our child is going to probably be born in February, she will present herself as a Dragon, but she will internally be motivated by the qualities of the Tiger. (Tommy's reaction when I informed him: "Oh, a Tiger, just like my dad, this is great!).  The website goes on to explain that even the hour you are born affects your personalty. This is why even though there are only 12 years, there are thousands of types of people. Anyway, since we don't know the hour our daughter will be born- I can only tell you she is a Dragon-Tiger. What I learned tonight is that I'm a Pig-Dragon and Tommy is a Rooster-Dragon. How ironic is it that Tommy and I are both internally motivated like Dragons and are now having a Dragon?! Wow- if I keep reading, I may almost have myself convinced of this Chinese Astrology!

How do you present yourself and what motivates you?!?!

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for....

- Its already Thursday!!! I have plans on going to see my grandma on Saturday with my mom. I'm excited to spend time with both her and my mom.

- My baby Nephew!! Well, he's not born yet; but he'll be here in March. My sister just found out today its a boy. I'm happy he is healthy!

- End of Quarter Bonus Pay! The funny thing about Tommy and my jobs are that we have the exact same payday. We also both get paid quarterly bonuses that get paid on the same day as well. So 4 days a year we feel rich less poor! Tomorrow is one of those days!

- Fantastic Fall Weather! I love that right now as I post this message I'm sitting in my beautifully finished basement with my fantastic husband while watching baseball shopping online and cuddled under a blanket. It almost makes me forget what a long October I have had.

- Kohls. We can always find something at Kohls we think we need. Today was no different. We ordered a something for Tommy and something for BGT (Baby Girl Takekawa). Now include a nice 30% off and free shipping, and we hardly had to tap into our bonus to pay that bill.

I hope you remember to be thankful for many things this week!

Black Friday?!

Note from Author: I had a really bad shitty week. It was busy. It was stressful. It did not go the way I wanted. I hope next week is better. I could go on and on and on about how shitty it was, but I'm moving forward.

If you have read at least three of my blog posts, you know I love a deal. We are approaching my favorite time of year as it relates to bargain shopping. Tommy and I study ads very carefully this year. In November we usually make all our large purchases for the year. The Reason: Black Friday and all the "Pre Black Friday" ads that go with it. Its become sort of an art for us. We study different black friday ads. We read the websites that speculate about the different sales. And we keep up with the evolution of the Black Friday experience.

It used to be you could go get your deal at 4am at the store. Then it shifted to being able to order your product at midnight on Friday. Then it shifted to being able to order your product online on Thursday at midnight. Now even several weeks before your items go on sale for the same as or even better prices than Black Friday.

Our purchases over the year have included:

2008: a new 40 inch Sony TV from American TV that we got for $549 (regularly $899). Side note: we were not aware of the Black Friday evolution that year and ended up purchasing this product on my blackberry outside the store at 345am when we saw we were not going to get the product inside. It was geneous. We walked right in, did instore pick up, and got just the tv we wanted.

2009: Thanksgiving Morning before boarding a plan to Houston we purchased two computers online. One Sony laptop from Bestbuy for $399 (regularly $699) and one from Sam's Club for $399 (regularly $799). We got one for my parents and one for us. I think Tommy also got another one from Best Buy that year for his mom. As it turns out, our computer has been kind of a piece of junk- but my parents and Tommy's parents have LOVED there laptops! So I think it was just the particular machine we got. Or the way we treat it. This year Tommy's parents also got us a camcorder which they got a great deal on at Best Buy. I think it was around $300 off. I think they were hinting already that they were ready for grandkids!

2010: A few weeks before Black Friday we picked up our front loading Samsung Washer and Dryer from Sears. This bad boy combination we got 50% off of both the washer and dryer. It was like 2 for 1. I haven't seen a deal on these nice of machines for quite a while. Luckily for my hubby's research skills we didn't miss out on that purchase!

Here I have only noted our major purchases. Of course we still go shop on the Friday morning with all the crazies. We do not find as good of deals as we used to, but its a good time to pick up dvds, headphones, clothes, and different fun items.

For 2011, we have BIG plans. We have lots of things that we need to buy. Tommy and I are going to have to research hard over the next week to narrow our purchases. I'm going to have to prepare myself for the large amount of money we will be spending in November. We have been wanting these items over the last year, and some items we have really held off a long time to get. Here is our list so far:

1. Camera
2. Computer
3. Snowblower

I usually like to limit it to one "big" purchase a year, but this year we need to get at least these three items above (which I consider all "big" items). Also, we are bound to probably pick up items for Baby T. This is going to be a new adventure for us as we travel into this unknown territory. Hopefully some of these baby stores run good sales because some of this baby stuff is expensive! Any tips?

Also, did I mention that Tommy and I finally purchased our baby furniture?! Of course we bought it from Nebraska Furniture Mart. It probably will not be delivered until December or January. But before it comes we still have to order new carpet for our upstairs! We also picked up the bedding and decor from pottery barn kids. Once the nursery starts coming together then I will post some pics!

Isn't it Ironic?

Today while I was at work I was starving for lunch. I looked at the clock and noticed it was 1130. I decided to keep working until 1pm to "avoid" the lunch rush. At 1, I finally left to get lunch and it was like people couldn't move fast enough. I decided to get some soup at Panera. I was third in line and there were three cashiers. In the time it took the people in front of me to order with their separate cashiers I had ordered, picked up my food and walked out the door. Seriously, Panera's menu hasn't changed much in years. These people had to have known that eventually they would need to pay for their meal which should prompt them to start opening their wallets while ordering (multi-task much?!). I thought- my God, what do these people do that they have so much time on their hands? Then I went to McDonalds to get an iced tea. Forget the drive- thru, there were no less than 10 cars in line. I opted to go inside. There was nobody in front of me. All I ordered was an iced tea, but of course they had to fill it up behind the counter rather than giving me a glass. This resulted in me waiting another five minutes for the "drink filler" person could fulfill my order while the "order taker" person stood in front of the cash register patiently waiting for his next customer! I kept telling myself to slow down. I needed to enjoy the few minutes I was away from the office- but these people were driving me nuts!!

Now Compare:

Tommy and I have not purchased our baby furniture yet. We have something in mind which we will probably order, but we just want to love it a little more than we do. I asked last night if we ordered that furniture when it would be delivered. The salesman told me end of February!! I told him the baby would be here by then and I would need it sooner than that. He told me I should have ordered it a month ago?! What?!

Tommy and I have not found a daycare provider yet. My neighbor who happens to own a daycare in Johnston reminded me at the neighborhood party (about 4 weeks ago) that the wait list for newborns at her center was end of March! What?! How do these people even know their pregnant and have signed up for daycare?! 

It seems like I need to find a happy medium for procrastinating on some things while rushing through others. 

How do you find your balance?

Thankful Thursday

Wow! Its been weeks since I have blogged about a Thankful Thursday. Here is what I am Thankful for this Thursday:

Pottery Barn Kids Friends and Family Sale. The sale runs this weekend. I am, of course, picking up some bedding for Baby Girl Takekawa. I couldn't justify buying it but now knowing I'll get it 20% off- sold!

Jimmy Johns. I have been craving Jimmy Johns so much since my pregnancy. I am enjoying a No. 5 right now as I blog.

Awesome Weather. I am loving every minute of this awesome weather. Especially waking up to the cool fall breeze in the morning while snuggled under the blankets.

Tommy. Work has been really busy right now, and Tommy has been really awesome about getting stuff done around the house that I usually do. Last night I came home to the dishes having been washed and four loads of laundry folded! I was thankful I didn't have to step over the clothes while making my way into the bedroom.

Baby Girl Takekawa

I am going through a phase right now where nothing gives me more joy than to talk about anything to do with my daughter. This varies from talking about how I want to decorate her room, to how much I can feel her move, to how I hope she doesn't want to be a dancer... You name it, I will talk your ear off about it.

Knowing this, it may come as a surprise to you how little Tommy and I have bought for her. Some it has to do with not knowing exactly what we need; it seems like we have so much time yet (really only 16 more weeks!); and the cost of some items is alarming!

Besides the Jeggings that I posted about a few weeks ago, here are the other things we have picked up for her:

I knew Tommy would LOVE these:

Maybe the front of this outfit isn't that cute, but I die for the strawberry on the butt!

Check out this blanket I picked up for her. I am seriously contemplating decorating in an owl theme. I am sure I will look back at that decision in a year or two ask ask WTF? But for now, I think I even have Tommy convinced that this is the way to go.

Speaking of owls, wouldn't this look fabulous on her wall?