Christmas is Coming!!

Whewww... Christmas is almost here!!

I hope for I will be able to post a Christmas card picture by tonight. Please wish me luck. It may be hard. My daughter has to work this afternoon, and I have race up to my mother's house to get Andrew. Yesterday I spent the entire day dropping off Avon orders and shopping with my mother at JcPenny. I don't know if all of you have a Penny's where you are. It's her absolute favorite store, and she doesn't have one near her, so she spent the night on Friday just to shop on Saturday. OMG..what a mad house that was. It's quite cold over here, so of course she wore her long purple overcoat, and of course the store was hotter than hell inside, so I ended up following her around with her coat over my arm. I felt like I was following the Queen mother. My mother LOVES to shop, but she refuses to wear low heeled shoes. She is 75 years old. She does not look her age, but she wears 3 to 4 inch heeled shoes! It makes me nervous, okay? Sure most 75 women wear flat shoes, or those really unattractive orthopedic shoes, and they look their age, but at least if she wore those shoes I wouldn't worry as much... Oh well. She claims wearing low shoes hurts her back. What am I to say? I can't argue with her-it doesn't work. If Grandma's not happy, NO ONE around her is happy.

Let's just say I was feeling pretty exhausted yesterday. I did get a really good deal on pillows though. Husband and I got such a nice restful sleep with our new King Sized fluffy pillows! "I just love this pillow!" Rich exclaimed in the middle of the night. It's the simple things you know..

I got a call from the furniture place. My new sofas are due to arrive next Saturday. So much is scheduled for next Saturday. My inlaws are coming, I'm going to see my niece, Bonnie dance in the Nutcracker, and now the sofas are coming.. Wheww.. Well, hopefully they will come in the morning. I'm just glad they are coming before Christmas. I have over 25 people coming over for Christmas dinner-I don't people sitting on pillows on the floor.

I'm happy to say however that I am almost completey done with shopping-thanks to the internet. I would rather shop from here than go back to the zoo at the mall. The only way I like shopping is when I'm alone; it is just so much easier-no distractions, and no dealing with parking lots, and extremely rude people. My daughter works in retail, and she says that yesterday was pretty nasty. I felt pretty bad myself yesterday-while I was knocking down various mittens and hats, while lugging my mother's enormous purple coat-or should I say her "royal robe". Can you feel my frustration? Yesterday was a very stressful day. It's Sunday, and tomorrow is already Monday... URggg... Weekends are never long enough for me..

Thanks Lisa Jo for the tag below! :)

Every morning I go next door to the gas station to get my morning coffee. I stopped going for there awhile because of the creepy guy that used to work at the register. We called him Slimy Steve. Slimy Steve brushed his teeth and picked his dirty nails with a knife over the cash register. He also made really rude and inappropriate comments to his customers, including me and my supervisor, and a number of other females in the building. When I was pregnant, I stopped going there during the last months of my pregnancy, and one day afterwards he asked me why I didn’t come by during that time. He asked me, “Were you leaking or something?” After that comment, I chose never to go next door again, until I learned that they changed his shift next door and replaced him with another cashier in the mornings.



Now I go there because of the new girl. She is nice, but really has dirty hands all the time. I don’t know if it’s because she is working with money all the time at the register (after working in retail for awhile handling money, I must say that money is DIRTY). She doesn’t pick her fingernails with a knife or anything (thank God) like Steve so this is good. I try not to think about it too much when I get my coffee. Poor girl though deals with a lot of weird and strange people at times. This particular gas station is the nearest one to the county jail. Sometimes this gas station is the first place people visit after being released from jail. You’ll see them lurking about with their jail issued paper bag filled with their belongings they were booked in with. She has a lot of stories, and a lot of gas station trivia. Here are a few fun gas facts I’ve learned today!



I asked her today how many times people drive away from the gas station with the pump still in their tank. Surprisingly, it happens quite often-with men and women-in fact it happens most of the time with men. The big difference is men are “runners”-they will speed off and just leave the pump sitting on the ground. Women stop. Now, we all know we are the more responsible sex-right? Sure, but get this: the old gas pumps generally can get fixed by an employee at the station, but with the new pumps they can’t, and you’ll be charged at least $500 on damages. Now, I’m not suggesting we women take example from the men and run off, but just wanted to put that out there. I’ve never had it happen to me fortunately. There are stations that have cameras out there at the pumps who will take pictures of your license plates, so my recommendation is to make sure to put the pump back out of your tank, or be ready to shell out some major cash! So, with the holiday rush, and all the driving over the hill to Grandma’s house we go, remember, at the gas station, remember to take that nozzle out of your tank!

Just Call Me An Avon Elf

Last night I found myself waiting in a church parking lot for a stranger to pick up their Avon.

Here I am, sitting in the family van, waiting in the dark, until a large man approached my window. If a police man was there to witness us exchange envelope and bag, you would think it was a drug sale. No, just some Skin So Soft and lipstick. My customer was in a class at the church, and her husband came out for her to pick up the goods.

I left the parking lot and lost my sense of direction. I live in a fairly large city, and I still don't know my way around the streets of San Jose. I've lived here over five years, and I still don't know my way around very well, so for the next 10 minutes I was driving in circles until I realized I where I was. Pretty sad, I know. Well, at least I saw some nice Christmas light displays! :)

Christmas is coming, and I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed right now. Thank God my cousin, Tania has volunteered to be my Christmas gift wrapper Elf. She loves to wrap presents, and I think she wrapped about 10 last night. Thank God for Tania Elf, because I was busy bagging 50 more brochures for my son Andrew to put out through the neighborhood. They are extra brochures from an older campaign that I should not keep in boxes in the closet like they have been for the last 3 weeks. I offered him $20 for him to take out. He promised me he would do it, and not just throw them in the river.

Since the Christmas Boutique extravaganza, I do have more customers-a lot more older ones. I was calling my contacts the other day, and my daughter could tell. Apparently I talk louder when I'm with an older customer. I also have some customers who just want to shoot the breeze. I found myself talking to this one woman for over 15 minutes the other day. Oh well, nothing wrong being friendly, but it can be kind of draining.

Today is Tuesday.. Still haven't gotten the kids to take the photo around the tree. I hope to do this tonight. I have cards to send overseas! Wish me luck!

Monday Drilling...Paul Bunyon...Decorating Done

Since early this morning, there has been about a half a dozen workers drilling the cement stairs in front of this run down office building. They have been drilling non-stop since, and it's slowly driving me insane. It sounds like a dentist office, but the sound is magnified 100 times. It sounds like they are drilling the teeth of Paul Bunyon.

Are you all familar with Paul Bunyon? Well, here he is---he is a tall drink of water:



When we were younger my parents used to take my brother and sister and I to the Trees of Mystery. It's a place up Northern California. Paul Bunyon and his Blue Ox was there. Their huge statues were at the entrance of the redwood tree trail. Every now and then "Paul" would talk to the tourists walking in the entrance and the parking lot. He also enjoyed answering questions to anyone willing to ask. Let's just say that "Paul" must have been pretty bored. Well, of course my siblings and I had a lot of fun with Paul. We asked him a lot of silly questions. I remember asking what sized shoe he wore, and my brother dared me to ask where his mother was. "Some big kitchen in the sky," was Paul's reply.

The next day I remember walking around in the parking lot, when suddenly I heard "Paul" shout out: "Hi, little girl in the yellow shorts!"

It caught me completely off guard, and being the shy girl I was back then, I immediatey hid behind the car. Suddenly I heard a big laugh coming from Paul... It was kind of scary to tell you the truth.

Why I got sidetracked and told you about this, I have no idea. The memory just popped in my head.

Anyway, I'm happy to say that my house is decorated, as well as most of the house. Hubby put up all the Christmas lights outside, and our home looks like a candycane house; very cute. By Saturday night however, I was exhausted. Decorating is quite a job. I'm not looking forward putting everything away any time soon. I accomplished a lot, but I still have to take that holiday picture of the kids. Wish me luck. As usual, they had "better things to do" at the time.

Back to the drilling. Oh my God..it's terrible. They are putting a ramp in front of the building. Why they aren't fixing the toilets instead is beyond me. They will probably fix the toilets when it starts raining again. That way, we can all go outside and use the Porta Poties they promised us while it's pouring rain. Lovely-I just can't wait!

Another Meme

Another Meme

I stole this Lyn -

Thank you, Lyn! :)

Four jobs I've had -


1. DATA ENTRY CLERK
2. PARKING LOT LEAF BLOWER (No, I'm not kidding.)
3. AVON LADY
4. SECRETARY

Four movies I could watch over and over -


1. LOVE ACTUALLY
2. BRIDGET JONE'S DIARY
3. MOONSTRUCK
4. DIRTY DANCING


Four places I've lived -


1. SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA
2. CAPITOLA, CALIFORNIA
3. WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA
4. SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA

Four TV shows I love -

1. AMAZING RACE
2. DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
3. LOST
4. BOSTON LEGAL


Four places I've vacationed -

1. MAUI, HAWAII
2. AZORES (PORTUGAL)
3. MASSACHUSETTES
4. NEVADA

Four of my favorite dishes -

1. CRAB CAKES
2. MY MOM'S PORTUGUESE STEWS
3. VEGGIE BURRITOS
4. EGGPLANT

Four favorite drinks -

1. STRAWBERRY MARGARITAS
2. DIET COKE
3. KAHULA & CREAM
4. LATTES

Four sites I visit daily -

1. MY EMAIL
2. BLOGGER
3. FACE BOOK
4. MY AVON WEBSITE


Four places I'd rather be right now -


1. WALKING ON THE BEACH
2. HIKING IN THE REDWOODS
3. MAKING A SNOWMAN
4. SITTING IN FRONT OF MY COMPLETELY DECORATED CHRISTMAS TREE (I need to put up the tree today!)


Today is the day I have scheduled to get all my Christmas decorations done! Wish me luck! I also have to go to the grocery store, and drop off some brochures to another Avon lady recruit. I've recruited two ladies to sell, and believe me--it has proven to be a lot of work. I have another woman who is interested, and I will call her tomorrow. Wheww...

Rich and I are going out today to the toy store to find a new bike for Nicholas. That will be fun. He is the only child I will be buying toys for this year. It is kind of sad.. The rest of the kids just want clothes and money and makeup-they are growing up. At least I still have Nicholas with years and years more of toy requests. Furthermore, he is probably going to be the only child of mine that will WANT to help me decorate the tree. Usually, Rich puts up the tree, helps with the lights, and then it's just me and Nick.

I also want to take a picture of the kids in front of the Christmas tree. That will go well. (I write this sarcastically.)

Christmas Songs

I changed the playlist on my blog quite recently, but I've noticed it doesn't always work. Oh well--I like it when does work!

They are playing Christmas songs on the radio now, and they have played two songs that I cannot stand. One of them is the Dolly Parton and Rod Stewart version of "Baby, It's Cold Outside." OMG. Could they have picked two people any more different to sing that song? It creeps me out--literally.

Another song that I cannot stand is Christmas Shoes. Don't get me wrong-it's a sweet song, but it depresses they hell out of me. Have you heard it? Here are the lyrics....it makes me cry EVERYTIME I hear it! It drives me nuts!!

It was almost Christmas time,
There I stood in another line
Trying to buy that last gift or two,
Not really in the Christmas mood.
Standing right in front of me
Was a little boy waiting anxiously,
Pacing round like little boys do,
And in his hands, he held a pair of shoes.
And his clothes were worn and old.
He was dirty from head to toe,
And when it came his time to pay,
I couldnt believe what I heard him say.

Chorus:

Sir, I wanna buy these shoes for my momma please.
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size.
Could you hurry, Sir?
Daddy says there's not much time.
You see, she's been sick for quite a while;
Know these shoes will make her smile.
Want her to look beautiful if Momma meets Jesus tonight.


He counted pennies for what seemed like years
Then the cashier said Theres not enough here.
He searched his pockets frantically
Then he turned and he looked at me.
He said Momma made Christmas good at our house
Though most years she just did without.
Tell me, Sir, what am I gonna do?
Somehow Ive got to buy these Christmas shoes!
So I laid the money down;
I just had to help him out.
And Ill never forget the look on his face
When he said Mommas gonna look so great!

Chorus

I knew that I got a glimpse of heavens love
As he thanked me and ran out.
I knew that God had sent that little boy to remind me
What Christmas is all about.
Chorus in childrens voices

Young boy:
I want her to look beautiful
If Momma meets Jesus tonight.

Where are my tissues?!! BAH WAH WAH!!!

December, Already?! Bad Boy George & Terra do Bravo!

Okay, I think I'm officially OLD. Like my father used to say, when you get older, the years just fly by, and he was right. I cannot believe it's already December. Thanksgiving caught be off guard, and in about 3 weeks it will be Christmas. Wheeww...

Have you put up your Christmas tree yet?

I haven't. I'm hoping to do it on the weekend.

Have you sent out your Christmas cards yet?

I haven't. I still have to take that photo that the kids just "LOVE" to participate in. You know the photo where I ask all the children of the house to dress decently and pose? When I say "ask" it usually involves begging. I have to beg for the kids to stop for 10 minutes from their "busy" schedules so I can take a picture of them before Father Time comes around and they leave the nest. Perhaps this year I and Rich will be in the picture..we shall see.

Are you done with your Christmas shopping?

I haven't, but I put in a big dent into it---it will happen--hopefully soon.

Santa has already granted my Christmas wish: New reclining couch and loveseat! Yay!! I love Santa! Now Rich won't have to use my son's old rocking horse as a foot stool, and I can fill the other half of my front room. I'm happy---hopefully it will get here soon so I can figure out where we are going to put the tree...

I haven't written in here for what it seems ages. My Avon selling this month has been pretty busy, and I've recruited two people to sell. It's a lot of work. They are both smart ladies and I'm sure they will get the hang of it, but it takes a lot of my time. This is the best time to start selling with the Christmas season. I wish I had made more SSS gift bags-but I don't think I have the time to make anymore---I'm just too busy!! Oh, here is where I insert my shameless plug:

Visit my Online Store! http://julielangley.avonrepresentative.com/
Order now, and get your products before Christmas!! If you want free shipping, enter this in your coupon code: REP815 (For orders $15 or more).



Well, according to the news I heard in the radio, I won't be seeing Boy George in concert anytime soon, or probably in my lifetime. To make it short, he actually confessed to kidnapping, and chained a guy to his wall because he thought the guy "hacked" his computer. Gee...that's a GREAT reason to kidnap. Sooo disappointing!!! He may go to prison for this. Boy George is a VERY BAD BOY. Sigh.... The picture above comes from a more gentle and simplier time. I am dressed as Boy and my friends are dressed in disguise. I will just have to remember those innocent years when I used to write my fan mail inviting him over for tea. Sigh..

Well, like usual, my plate is full for the day. I got to go and do stuff----

I got some exciting news yesterday--my cousin who lives in Lisbon was offered a movie deal. He wrote a novel a while back about his childhood in the Azores, and he was approached my a director who wants to make it into a movie. Very exciting... They want to film it onsite on the island!! So surreal, but yet so great!



Yep, that's written by my cousin, Carlos Enes.... (Yep, I'm feeling pretty proud.)