Stock up!

Don't forget that most of your coupons will expire on 12/31.

Go through your stockpile and use up the ones soon to expire!

Happy Holidays!

Today is the last day of my Christmas vacation from the blogosphere. As of tomorrow, I will be back in action blogging great deals.

During the holidays, it's really important for me to devote my time to my family and friends especially this most recent Christmas.  Not even the Publix Penny Item lured me away!

Every year since 1997, I have spent Christmas Eve with a very special family, not of my own.  I was a young girl fresh out of high school struggling to figure out what I wanted to do with my life and learning about the kind of person I wanted to be when I grew up.  I know the Hazelwood family helped to shape my cast even if they don't know it, but I'm pretty sure they have a good idea.  I was brought to them like most of their other "children," through a friend.  I became friends of their blood children and I nanny for their grandchildren now, which I consider a wonderful compliment. 

The Hazelwood's had an open door policy and always made room for one more at their table on Sunday (or any other night) so it's no surprise that I was introduced to my husband at the Hazelwood's house.  There are many couples that met their loved ones there.  My husband and I have two children now and Mrs. H pointed out recently that both of my little ones have spent all of their Christmas Eve's, even in utero, at her house.  That is something very special.  Special indeed, when I know how the Hazelwood's family values have shaped my values and therefore shape the values of my children.  I love that we primarily exchange homemade or handmade gifts.  Gifts from the heart, not the wallet.  Which reminds me...don't wash your hands with the pretty soap in  my bathroom.  Mrs H's granddaughter made my hot sauce, loving hubbie Red Pepper Flake Soap.  Too cute!

A few days before this Christmas Eve, we lost Mrs. H to cancer.  The hospital staff tried to make her comfortable, but it was hard to watch her suffer.  Even harder to watch her loved ones pace the room and hallway waiting.  A few years ago, my own grandmother was in the same situation, the same hospital floor, and my family treading the same anxious path.  Mrs. H, who was a life long nurse, was a great comfort to me during that time.  I tried to repay the favor to her family and will try to do so in the future, keeping tabs on Mr. H as I do my own grandfather.  I know I won't be the only one.

Over the years, my family and friends not acquainted with the Hazelwoods would try to make plans on Christmas Eve and my husband and I would accept, but on the condition that we would only go if it was before or after the Hazelwood's Christmas Eve dinner.  We wouldn't dare be late for the grand feast and show disrespect to Mr. and Mrs. H.  Even though Mrs H. passed a few days before, Mr. H decided to soldier on and hold the annual Christmas Eve dinner, but with a little bit of help from everyone including Mrs. H.  She made her yummy sausage balls the previous week from her bed at home and froze them for us to enjoy later!  It was a very bittersweet evening.

It's so easy to get lost in our own selfish desires or problems and our busy schedules, especially during the holiday season it seems.  Please remember to stop every once in a while to breathe.  Visit with your neighbors, call someone you haven't spoken to in a while to say hi, or write a letter to an elderly relative.  Let people know you care about them.  I promise the five minutes this will take won't completely throw your crammed schedule out of sync.

I hope you truly took the time this holiday season to enjoy your family and friends.

Nan Hazelwood

1944-2009

You are missed and loved by many