How retailers rate?

I have been introduced to a new website, Standforchristmas.com, and I am excited to share it with you. This is a website that rates retailers on how they present Christmas and how Christmas friendly they are. We the shoppers can rate and review our shopping experiences. Then as we prepare to shop we can choose where to spend our dollars.....check it out see what you think.
When you look at these numbers they are as follows according to Christmas... Friendly, Negligent, Offensive. Take a look see what you think....

American Eagle Outfitters 33% 0% 67%
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Banana Republic 18% 0% 82%
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Barnes & Noble 18% 45% 36%
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Bass Pro Shops 93% 7% 0%
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Bed, Bath & Beyond 60% 33% 7%
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Best Buy 9% 16% 75%
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Borders 13% 38% 50%
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Crate and Barrel 40% 40% 20%
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Dick's Sporting Goods 33% 50% 17%
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Dillard's 75% 25% 0%
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Eddie Bauer 33% 50% 17%
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GAP 2% 17% 81%
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Home Depot 62% 33% 5%
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JCPenney 56% 40% 4%
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Kmart 81% 15% 4%
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Kohl's 61% 30% 9%
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L.L. Bean 55% 36% 9%
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Lands' End 93% 0% 7%
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Lane Bryant 0% 100% 0%
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Lowes 80% 10% 10%
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Macy's 41% 47% 12%
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Nordstrom 20% 60% 20%
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Old Navy 8% 29% 63%
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Pier 1 Imports 25% 50% 25%
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Sears, Roebuck and Co. 81% 10% 10%
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Target 79% 12% 9%
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Toys 'R' Us 13% 75% 13%
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Wal-Mart 64% 20% 16%
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Five on Friday

1. Count down to Turkey day....is on! My girls are loving counting down....
2. My coffee pot is officially on the fritz and we all know that is not allowed in this house....I am on the hunt for a new one....
3. Rumor is Target will have a 3.00 coffee pot next Friday....The question is can I make it till next Friday with just a not so good working coffee pot...????
4. I love to go out shopping before dawn on Black Friday(anyone else???)...so I am on the hunt for the deals this year!
5. Speaking of Black Friday I found this website...it helps you find all the ads and deals for retailers and all in one spot...I have found it very useful in devising a plan this year!!!

Snow has come to Kolchugino, Russia

The snow is sticking!

Britny's kids (right to left) Mickey, Joshua, Jonny

I was sent this pic from my sister. She and her family live in a village called Kolchugino in Russia. This is what they woke up to this morning. The snow that was on the ground when they landed a few weeks ago quickly melted and then the rain came....which she said just makes no fun with all the mud. So here is the snow that is now coming back. Winter has arrived. It is dark for them until 8 in the morning and dark again for nighttime by 4pm. So they are adjusting. The dark vs. light will continue to change as they get deeper into winter. This photo was taken from their window in their flat. Please pray for them for their health as the winter and cold brings sickness and pray for protection while they are there in Russia. Thanks....

Wipeout!

After we washed all the dirt off of her face...it looks much better now without all the dirt. And a little ointment...which was another battle....but battle won!

We went on a bike ride/ family run in Kit Carson Park this afternoon.....you see we did this about 3 weeks ago or so and it was a great success....so we decided it would be great again....well I was wrong! Rory cried the whole way afraid to do anything she did last time....holy cow...and Abi was great until she decided to run with the dog and of course it was on the gravel part of the trail...wipeout....but she was determined she wanted to keep charge of the leash and dog....then I talked her into getting back into the stroller and off we went...so it was an on again off again run...but it was a good one....the kids are tired, the dog is tired and mommy is tired. So it was a great ride. Abi was a trooper and wants to go back again so perfect she was not scared away by her little spill.

Five on Friday

1. Christmas music has been playing my house since last Friday!
2. I know I am crazy....I just love Christmas Music it really keeps you happy!
3. I ponder how else to explain to my girls that they need to clean up one mess before making another....because what I am saying now is not getting thru to them.
4. We have been enjoying a fire each evening that it has been cool and I am loving it....so nice and it warms up the house! perfect!
5. The drier buzzer keeps going off and I am really not liking it...those clothes keep calling me to fold them...how many times can I keep ignoring it? Laundry is not my friend today!

Happy Friday Friends!

In these tough times...

We are not immune in these tougher times. I am finding each day that we can say we have a roof over our heads a blessing and each day that my husband has work a miracle...when so many out there are hurting and loosing their homes and loosing so much including hope. I was telling myself last night that we have so much to be thankful for....not only our family and friends but the home we are in, the cars we own, the "stuff" we have been able to acquire over the years and most importantly the country we live in. America is a nation unlike any other and to live here and enjoy her is a privilege and we must be thankful everyday that the Lord put us here! But as I say these things of finding hope and blessings in my own life I know there are others hurting....our church and other sites around the nation are joining up for Treasure Box. If you have not heard of it I encourage you to click on this link and check it out....pass it on. This is one of two organizations I know of that are doing "food box" programs. For a set fee of 30.00 you get a box filled with food for your family. No paperwork, no questions, no income guidelines....even those of us that have jobs are still hurting. Check it out. I know I plan on trying it out. I am also including another link for a local company(san diego) that is doing the same thing but its a weekly box...a little different. To those of us working yet not making enough to support our families this will make a difference because I know you can agree...groceries have become so expensive. The cost of milk, bread, cheese and meat are rising everyday! This will help take some of the strain off of grocery shopping.

First Wipeout!

Well I am here to report Rory's first fall on her bike. She got to go on a special bike ride just her and Papa today....and there are a few hills so we even went a couple of weeks ago to practice so she could be confident in her riding ability outside of our street.....and she was great! But today she hit the dirt! But since I was not there I think it was great....honestly I think it would have been harder for me than her since she was so excited to be having this special time with just the two of them....and she knew she had to finish the ride....so she did and I am proud to report (if it is allowed) that her chin is a little scratched....and I told her it lets her tell others about her story....and that she got back on her bike and kept riding! She liked that idea.....first wipe out...check!

Last week at Kit Carson park...practicing.

This is her doing the hill where she fell today...look at the look of concentration on her face today....