We recently bought a new bed for our room, but I have been thinking about buying new bedroom furniture.  Hillsdale furniture offers a great selection of bedroom furniture for very reasonable prices.  Hillsdale Furniture is one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of home furnishings. Taking winning ideas from the history of furniture design, Hillsdale Furniture combines the best finishes, materials and construction to bring you both beauty and value with every piece. Since its inception in 1994, Hillsdale furniture has combined the talents of both nationally recognized designers and meticulous factories to bring you furniture styling and design that add beauty to any home.

They also have a large assortment in the  Fashion Bed Group that have a 10 year warranty.
They carry a large selection of brass, iron, metal, and wood furniture.  I think this bed is really pretty!  The bed we have right now is low to the ground and pretty contemporary, but it is really nice and very comfortable.  I think we will need to get Bailey a new bed soon.  He is currently sleeping in a twin bed and he is getting so tall.  Emelia sleeps in a queen sized bed and Amanda has a full. They are both happy with their beds too.  The pillow top mattresses are nice and visitors who sleepover always comment about how good their beds are to sleep in.  

They also carry a large selection of really pretty Bar Stools.   We have a small table and two chairs in our kitchen area that I have been thinking about adding a taller table with a couple of barstools.  

This post is sponsored by Hillsdale Furniture.

Thank you all for your concern and prayers about Amanda.  Her neck is still hurting and stiff, but she will be fine.  Thank God.  She saw Heath again yesterday and he is x-raying it Monday.  Her friend who was driving also has whiplash and is seeing her doctor.  The boy that hit them doesn’t have any visible injuries and I am not sure if he or his riders have whiplash, it would seem reasonable to assume they do.  There are issues of not providing insurance information etc. that are being dealt with now.  Hopefully it will all work out fine.  I really am just so thankful that no one was injured badly.

I mentioned robot baby.  Amanda has named it after her boyfriend.  I would say it’s a he or she… it came home from school yesterday in boy clothes but she raided our baby clothes drawer and has it dressed more stylish in some of Izzy’s old clothes and shoes… and a ribbon around it’s head.  I think it is technically a boy, but oh well.  She went to her friend’s school play last night and had to take the baby.  She has a wrist band that will be cut off on Monday.  When the baby cries she has to be close enough to it to touch her wriststrap to it’s sensor.  No leaving this baby behind.   It cried hysterically a few times yesterday.  She was funny and kinda panicky … It has a bottle with a sensor and makes drinking noises until it’s finished.  they diapers have a sensor so it knows when it has been changed.  She is taking a 9 week class in family and parenting so this is one of the requirements.  I think it is a good learning experience, but I regret that she is not in school today.  She was up with baby robot all night (it was crying a lot) and her neck hurts.  The combination was too much.  

I went to Emelia’s school last night for a dinner theater fundraiser event.  They served bbq and since today is Oklahoma’s 100th year celebration it was very much like the old show “hee haw.”  It was a little long, but very entertaining and it made a great profit for her school.  

That’s all for now, I’m off to Bear (with Izzy).
Speaking of Izzy… she is doing really good!  She loves the letter of the week in school and is very consistently choosing (by looking) at the letter we tell her to identify.  She just acts so intent to learn which is very exciting.  

Well… Amanda was in a car crash yesterday during lunch hour.  She rode with a friend to get Braums for lunch and on the way back they were stopped with turn signal on turning into friend’s addition to get her basketball stuff and a car load of boys plowed into the back of her car.  They were hit pretty hard.  All the things in the back seat hit the front windshield.  The car that hit them was completely totalled, we don’t know yet if the friend’s new mustang is totalled or not.  It’s being checked today.  Amanda came home from school with a sore neck.  I took her by our chiropractor and he said she has pretty bad whiplash.  She is getting x-rayed today.  She is in school today, she didn’t want to miss trig and she gets the robot baby today for the weekend.  Just wanted to let ya’ll know …  
Hope your Thursday is blessed.  I feel so thankful that the injuries were not worse.  

I do not gamble, or go to online gambling websites. I have had lunch at Remington Park which is in the city a time or two with my older brother. He does enjoy playing the games there. I really can’t justify putting money into a machine with a very small chance of winning something. I also have beliefs that go against gambling. The website I am reviewing for this post is called pro 360 and it offers the service of reviewing all the online casino type websites for you so that you have that information on hand and can make a clear decision.

Pro360 provide you with a detailed review of such factors as the game experience, trust score and bonuses offered by each casino. These factors are important in the selection of your favorite online casino and online casino games such as online poker, craps, slots and roulette. Every player has their own preferences in game, features, bonus structures and graphics, so it’s important that Pro360 list these in detail so your gambling experience can begin with less troubles and more excitement!

As I was driving Amanda to school earlier this morning we were discussing how crazy it is that the year is almost over. It has gone so fast … we then discussed how much we’d like to be back in Florida )! She is growing up. It’s a little sad, but I’m so proud to see how she is maturing and what a good girl she is. It just goes so fast. Okay, enough nostalgia.

Izzy had a wonderful day at school yesterday. She really enjoys her friends and seems to be enjoying the letters of the week. So much so that I’m going to get some letter and number cards to work with her at home. She lights up when she goes into her pre-k class too. She did really well in vision therapy yesterday. We are seeing constant changes, although tiny changes, we see them and know that God is working in her everyday. We praise and thank Him for the miracle of Izzy.

On to some bloggy business…

Irene, the green greek, has given me a bloggy award (the color of friendship award) and I want to first say thank you to Irene. She is one of the nicest friends I have met and it amazes me that I have met her across so many miles, blogging. Just amazing. She is a constant encourager and a blessing. So, thank you Irene for such a sweet bloggy acknowledgement.

I want to pass this one on to Nancy; CoachJ; JennaG; OhAmanda; Jessica; Tori; and Haley. I could pass this to so many people but with time restraints on the computer (and Izzy ready for her breakfast) I’ll stop here, but I value each of my bloggy friend’s friendship so much.

Lori has given me the bloggers with integrity award.
Thank you so much Lori for thinking of me for this award.
This award was authored by The Little Aussie Cynic to honor those blogs with integrity.
~
Here’s Aussie’s post:
“After looking, reading and watching many many Blogs and bloggers I decided to issue some recognition to those fellow bloggers I feel maintain integrity in the Blogs. All these bloggers incorporate within their wonderful sites, an integrity not always seen. They share terrific stories, topics, discussions and images. All Well worth a look.”

I want to pass this one to Susan, Penless Writer; Sheryl, Taking the Challenge; and Irene, the Green Greek; and Karen from New Zealand.

Karen gave her entire blogroll this encouragement award. I want to pass this one not only to my blogroll (because I actually use bloglines now so my blogroll is much larger than the one on my sidebar….) but also to everyone who has been so encouraging to me during my lack of laptop time and have continued to pop by and leave such sweet messages. Thank you so much. I hope to be up and running sometime in the future )!

Karen is a wonderful friend, I’m sure you know her, but if not you should stop in and say hello. She lives in New Zealand.

Thats all the time I have for now, but I hope you all have a wonderful blessed Wednesday!!!

p.s. my washing machine is FIXED!

How many shopping days left? I haven’t a clue, but I do know that it is going fast! I can still say I have not bought one gift yet. I haven’t begun to panic yet, I reserve that emotion for the day after Thanksgiving. Not really. I know that I will be done way before Christmas day arrives and will have all my presents wrapped in coordinating paper (a different one for each child) at least a week or two before the big day. I think my lists are all in place now. I may use this Best Buy coupon for Bailey’s present, or at least a couple of them. I love buying gifts online and I also love Target. I think that this Target coupon will be great to use too! Check out the promo codes.

Birthday’s can be difficult. Milestone birthday’s can be devastating. To some more so than others, but to most people…they really seem to matter, to an extent, anyway. (How’s that for covering both sides of the fence?)

That is most people, except my wife Jill @ Who Could Ask for Anything More. Today is her 40th birthday and my co-conspirators I call BFOJ’s (Blogging Friends of Jill’s) have allowed me the distinct honor of being a guest columnist.

My hope is that wherever my wife goes within her circle of BFOJ’s today, she will see this message and know how much she means to me, not to mention how much the BFOJ’s think of her for letting a grizzled hack like me hijack their fantastic and very personal blogs.

Rather than do the traditional acronym exercise (J = Jazzy!) or the “40 Things I Love About My Wife” entry, I thought I would share the four most wonderful things about Jill — the things that make me love her more every day.

She loves my older kids – Not everyone who marries into a new family will connect with the entire crew, but Jill never missed a beat. With my older kids, she accepted them and loved them – at first simply because they were my kids – and now because of who they are. She treats them with kindness, respect, gives them guidance on chores and other responsibilities, but is very respectful of their mom and never tries to “mother” them. She educated herself about Bay’s food allergies and is very cognizant of his limitations when planning and preparing meals. Rarely a day goes by that she doesn’t make a special version of our family meal just for him. Many times Jill has invited Kendra to come along to the salon to get their nails done. At 11 years of age, Kendra has always gravitating to older girls and more mature activities and this is a special way for them to spend time together.

She loves my parents – I can’t say I was ever really “close” to my folks in the sense that I sought them out for advice about life. So I wasn’t sure how that dynamic would play into my relationship with Jill. She has such a kind heart for that generation and quickly threw her arms around my folks and loved them unconditionally. Since we first met, my Mom has passed away and my Dad has endured a mountain of health issues. Through it all, Jill has been a steady, loving partner. In fact, on the occasions when my Dad visits, we have to make some alterations to the house to accommodate him, his wheelchair, his walker and his personal needs. Jill not only goes with the flow of the décor disruption, but lovingly plans meals that my soon-to-be 82-year-old father doesn’t get as often as he would like. It’s amazing how a simple plate of fried eggs and bacon can light up a proud man. My favorite time of our visits is in the evenings. Jill typically beats me home from work and when Dad is in town, they have usually already cracked open a new bottle of wine. Dad isn’t afraid to ask for service and Jill takes great pleasure in keeping his glass full. It is a precious time.

Her patience – Full disclosure: patience is not my strong suit. In fact, it is probably my greatest weakness and barrier to volumes of peace and happiness. That said, I find myself much more patient in the last four years in so many areas of my life (hmm…coincidence?). If you look up the word PATIENCE in the dictionary, you see a picture of Jill. Despite the chaotic nature of our house, I have rarely seen her react with desperation. In fact, I just see her continuing to raise the bar. As my patience has improved, she get even MORE patience. Her thoughtfulness and patience with Adam is uncanny…not that all mothers’ don’t have that nurturing gene…but even after a solid 10 minutes of whining about something that I find unintelligible…Jill merely says (for the umpteenth time)…”Adam, use words to tell Mom what you want.” She is amazing.

She makes our house a home – Imagine buying your first home together…and it’s already 27 years old. Granted it was in good structural shape, but the majority of the décor was stuck in the 70’s. Over the past two years, Jill has developed a beautiful vision of how our house should look…how it should become a home. We started with dark wood throughout and some of the most exciting beige paint you could imagine. We’ve progressed to vibrant colors, amazing window treatments and bright open spaces. The original kitchen was hideous, but is now a show place. The powder room was engulfed in mind-altering striped wallpaper but now looks like a museum exhibit. She goes bits and pieces forward as time and budget allows and every step of the way she is filling the gaps of her master plan. We’ve both said that this home is the first, last and only one we will ever buy and we joke that our next stop is either the Retirement Home or the Funeral Home. We want a home in which we can build family traditions and memories and one that the kids will want to bring THEIR kids to. We want to grow old right here. Together.

There are obviously many more things that make Jill the woman to whom I have given my heart and want to give my life. She is the woman I dreamed of marrying. She is sweet, but tough, Honest and direct. Kind and loving. She gives without request or expectation. She nurtures with care and patience. She loves unconditionally.

Truly…I am blessed. Happy Birthday, Sweetheart.

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Hi guys.
Well… yesterday’s lunch went off very very well!  I got up very early and started peeling potatoes and got everything done just in time to get to church.  Dad came down for lunch (mom was gone out of town to see her dad) and Amanda’s friend was here too.  We had a nice quiet afternoon and then headed back to church.  
I have black beans cooking away right now for dinner… they’ll be served over rice with salsa over the top.  I have tons of leftover potato salad but it doesn’t seem too appetizing with black beans and rice ).
Tomorrow I am going to make chicken spaghetti because it’s easy.  I have Melody penciled in for lunch after I get Izzy to school.  She’s been a bit stuffy the past few days so hopefully she’ll be up to school tomorrow.  
Wednesday I think we’ll have sloppy joes with ground turkey (because we’re health nuts you know?) for supper, they are quick and a great easy before church meal.
Thursday I am thinking something mexican-ish.  Either chicken enchiladas or chicken tacos. Something like that.  I’ll have refried beans and spanish rice for sides…
Friday I hope we’ll get pizza or something like that.  
I ran to Macy’s with mom this morning and she got me the prettiest big jade ring, I’d post a pic but …  Anyway, trust me … it’s pretty!  
One last thought (before I race to stir my black beans and clean the laundry area because my washer has decided to drop water from underneath and has to be looked at (ERG!!!) … It looks like Christmas at the stores ALREADY!  

Oh… if you want to see real menus from really organized people ) go over to Org. Junkie!

Hi!
What a day!  I am sitting here in the den (on matt’s computer) listening to Matt and my daddy yell at the television.  They are watching two footballs games at once, OU and OSU  I am not sure who is winning… I’m not really into football.  Last Saturday Matt’s mom (paula) was here and was yelling at OSU… Izzy was really curious about that.  It was pretty funny.  She tried to get Izzy to hollar for OSU.  
I have spent the last three hours at the dining room table “helping” Amanda make a toothpick sculpture that had to be 8 inches high and 6 inches wide.  We built a church.  I would post a picture of it and you would be very impressed (you’ll just have to take my word for it )… because I am not sure how to load pics on this computer.  Anyway, I’m pooped… it was very tedious.  
Izzy woke up at 4:56 this morning.  I snuggled her in my bed and got a few more hours in (thank goodness).  She likes to snuggle in the mornings lately.  I made breakfast (eggs, bacon, gravy and biscuits). It was very yummy!  
Bath & Body has a seasonal lotion/spray/soap that is peppermint.  I bought a bottle of the lotion last year and realized how much I liked it after Christmas was over and they didn’t sell anymore.  I got an email coupon and then had another so I stocked up.  I love for Izzy to smell really good mostly because everyone at her school is very close to her.  Therapists and teachers etc. hold her and work with her.  I’ve always had a ‘thing’ about my babies (I know she’s not a baby) smelling good.  
I got goodmail today! Thanks Nancy Face for the sweet Thanksgiving card & stickers and yummy green apple caramel suckers.  They remind me of my old friend Mendy.  Mendy is not old.  I just mean we’ve been friends for so long (since we were 9 years old).  She loves those suckers!  Mendy finished her masters degree and had her fourth son all in the last year or so.  She’s a busy girl and I hardly get to see her.  I am trying to figure out a way to spend a day or two in Tulsa and spend some time with her and also meet Susan (Penless Writer).  Sounds fun huh?  
So, then I ran in the grocery store and got some food … I’m baking a ham for lunch tomorrow after church.  Amanda’s new friend is coming over again.  I planned to make potato salad tonight (for tomorrow) but I think I’m too sleepy tonight.  My plan is to put the ham in the crockpot tonight with pineapple and brown sugar glaze… and then put a pumpkin pie in the oven in the morning.  I guess we could have baked potatoes… but I thought baked beans and potato salad sounded perfect with the ham and hot rolls (and pumpkin pie )…

Be blessed my friends!