*CLOSED* What have been up to? I think I'll post a giveaway!

Holy guacamole...December is busy.

And it hasn't calmed down AT ALL.

I'm just got off work.  I kicked Paige off the computer to write to you.  Write to you and post a giveaway that I've needed to do.  Since forever ago...

My brain is mush.  Forgive the dryness in my words.  Really.  I'm having a hard time remembering where all of the keys are on the keyboard.  Backspace is getting a real workout.  That key's a little bigger than the others anyway - its just a jump start on the big B's 2011 resolution.  There it goes again...nice workout today.

Hamburger Helper through MyBlogSpark, however, needs to tell you something.  Whether the big B gets overworked while this post is written or not...just sayin'.

All kidding aside now, time to be serious.

Have you ever been hungry?  (Now, I'm not talking about going to the cabinet and saying "no" the the 874 different options that you have to shove something in your mouth out of sheer boredom, okay...)

5.7 million people receive emergency food assistance from Feeding America any given week.

Wow.

Hamburger Helper has teamed up with Tim McGraw (yes, you know Tim McGraw - married to Faith Hill...the Grammy winner Tim McGraw) to deliver millions of meals to local food banks through the Show Your Helping Hand campaign.  Click here to view the PSA.

You can support the campaign by submitting codes from specially marked boxes of Hamburger Helper at www.showyourhelpinghand.com or by logging on to make a donation.

By participating in this giveaway - Hamburger Helper has donated $10 to Show Your Helping Hand.

And, they gave me a pretty cool prize pack, too.

Yes, that's food.  And a foam hand for the kids.  And a Tim McGraw CD for...well, for you.  Because here's your chance to win an identical prize.

Leave a comment - How are you going to encourage others to submit codes and help feed all of the hungry people out there?

This contest will begin today, December 30, 2010 and run until 11:59 pm Central time, January 3, 2011. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be notified on January 4, 2011 by me via email and posted as a winner on this blog. After confirmation of the offer and a valid mailing address and phone number is received, I will send your information to MyBlogSpark to be shipped directly.  Thanks again to Hamburger Helper through MyBlogSpark for this great giveaway! Good Luck!!!

Okay big B button - time for a water break.  Or a nap.  I'm sorry you've been overworked, but I had to do it.  Its good for you.

Bradley Family Photos 2010

Included in most of our Christmas cards this year - enjoy!

Quick Christmas Tour 2010

I finally got a few pics together today - they aren't the best quality, but just some quick snapshots!!  HA!

I hope you enjoy - and check out the other homes at The Nester and at Kelly's Korner Blog.

Our tree (FULL of Christmas magic of all kinds!!)

A quick little wreath that I did up for our front door (bow gets smashed every.single.night)

Lamp

Santa checking up on the kids...well, in pictures anyway (this is a brief "good" moment for them both)

Living room

The Advent calendar - first thing the kids do when they get home is turn today's box around

Our stockings

The dining room (AKA my office - the messy desk on the left of the pic)

Justin did this for me, isn't it BE-AUTIFUL?

I picked up this book at a garage sale...and filled my punch bowl with cheap-o ornaments

Lights in the main bathroom

Also in the main bathroom - I say this is Paige & Marshall :)

The only touch of Christmas in our bedroom...

Well, almost the only touch - I'll be glad to clear this all out!!

Our bathroom - I was trying to hide, can you find me?

Paige's little tree

Marshall's tree - complete with singing Elmo, and a random clown - his addition!!

Hope you enjoyed a brief look at our house - make sure you check out all of the absolutely beautiful homes at The Nester and Kelly's Korner Blog!

Happenings

Wow, I haven't blogged in a while.

I changed by template last night, though.  Did you notice?  And, I'm trying to get a new header & button - a little less amateur looking.

I've been reading and reading blogs since I've been on my little hiatus.  I actually started working in a new position and its taking some getting used to.  My blog schedule has completely been sidetracked and put on the back burner.  I'm off this week and I have SO much to do.  I wanted badly to participate in all of the Christmas Home Tour linky's all over the blogosphere, but its just not going to happen...on schedule anyway.  We finished up our shopping today and Justin has been off.  I have 2 & 1/2 days all to myself for the rest of the week.  I have a lot that I wish to accomplish!!!

I bought my first bottle of Mod Podge today.  I know, I know...its amazing that I've relied so much on the "stuff" that I can pick up for $20 at Hob Lob or Trees & Trends and never attempted to do my own.  This bottle has a specific use planned - Ashley over at Our Happily Ever Afters posted pics, and I fell in love with this:

(Photo Courtesy of Our Happily Ever Afters)

Isn't it just the sweetest?  Ours will be a little different and Justin actually cut a board for me and I cannot wait to get started.  After this past week, we need rules posted.  I don't know if its the anticipation of Christmas or what, but my kids have been little monsters...

BUT....I have come to a realization that I'm very happy to have.

I really like being domestic.

Do I confuse you?  Because probably, my post about the Manhattan lifestyle makes you think otherwise.  I just realized after this weekend that I don't like living fast.  Does that make sense?  I actually would rather curl up on my couch than be out until 1 in the morning.  I would rather wear an apron instead of high heels (that may not actually be 100% true, because I don't own an apron and do LOVE heels, but you get the point).  I baked all day yesterday.  I missed spending that time in my kitchen.

And you know what?

Justin said that he likes me best this way, too.

So I will try my HARDEST...not to complain about not having time to keep up with laundry, housework, and meals...and just make the time.  Yes, hunny, I love you.

Now, if I can just survive the next 2 weeks...

Show Me Your Stockings!

Abby over at Little Miss Martha is hosting a Link Party - Show Me Your Stockings!

I wanted to participate in this one since I missed out yesterday, we don't have a mantle (and how much does that SUCK for me??).

This is the first year with our TV cabinet - usually we hung stockings on the windowsill or from the top of our book cabinet.  I actually really like them here, but it can interfere with the remote (we watch too much TV anyway, right hunny?)

Do you want to show off your own stockings?  Head on over to Little Miss Martha and join the par-tay!  Her linky is open December 1st-5th!