Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all!

There's so many things to be thankful for...and not just for the day, but for every day. Below is an email I received and I have sent it out for the last three years. I love reading it because it's so true. There are so many things that we may take for granted and it's always nice to be reminded of 'the bigger picture.'


I AM THANKFUL:

FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.


FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.


FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM EMPLOYED.


FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.


FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.


FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE


FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS
WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH..

FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.


FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM WARM.


FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS
I CAN HEAR.


FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.


FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.


FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

Deep in the Heart of...SC?

We're back from SC and we had a...

really great time!! Belfair is awesome and time really seemed to stand still. It was such a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of NYC. We hope y'all had a very Merry Christmas! :-)

Headed Down South!

Hi Y'all!! Hubby and I are...

headed to spend Christmas with his family in (Belfair) Hilton Head, South Carolina today!! We haven't seen Mom and Dad de Leon's new house yet and hear it is beautiful. Hubby is going to get some good golf time in at Belfair and we are going to squeeze in some time to spend our very 1st Christmas as a married couple in Savannah, Georgia. We are both looking forward to heading down South and to get away from this cold weather. If we don't speak to you, Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

ps - we hope y'all got your Christmas cards!!

Love,
the de Leon's

A New York State of Mind

J and I decided to run around the city last Saturday to...

finish some Christmas shopping and also to see the Tree at Rockefeller Center. It has been snowing every week here and this particular day was actually somewhat warm. After lunch at Outback (lol shocker!), we headed to the Tree. We also stopped by the newly open NHL store and then braved Toys R Us in Times Square...which was a HUGE mistake! We lost each other in the store because it was so hectic!! We definitely knew better than to go there at 2:00 in the afternoon on a Saturday during Christmas season, but we really thought we could handle it. We were wrong. Sometimes we forget how touristy this city is! Even though it was hectic, we both agreed that one day we will look back and laugh at all the mini adventures we have. Hey, you know what they say - once you've lived in NYC, it stays with you forever!

My friend Jen and I saw the Kite Runner yesterday and it was pretty good! The movie did a great job of capturing the meat of the book. I was impressed! After the movie, we met up with J and decided to eat dinner at Hooters. But, before that I had to quickly get a bang trim. I had gotten a haircut earlier that morning at a salon in Brooklyn and Yes, you heard me right - I got bangs again! AND, I also cut my hair 4 inches! It's still long, but it was definitely time to say bye bye to some of the length. I grew it out so long for the wedding and now it's time to go back to a much easier to handle length. I had side swept bangs at first, but it wasn't cut correctly - or maybe not just the way I really wanted, so I had the bang trimmer at Aveda Salon and Spa (on 72nd and Columbus) fix it. I got Reese Witherspoon bangs and I think I like them!

Today after Church, we went to breakfast and have been stuck at home all day. We had a Noreaster come through last night and it literally feels like you are walking through a snow cone outside. It's very slushy!

Well, we're gonna sit down for dinner and wait for the Amazing Race to come on.

Love and miss y'all!!!

Our First Thanksgiving

We spent our first Thanksgiving...

sick with the cold/flu, trying to get some rest in between our coughing fits. I didn't end up cooking (WAH! I really was looking forward to this) and we ended up going to Boston Market instead. The experience at BM on Thanksgiving Day is not a very pleasant one...and to experience this at a NYC BM probably makes it a tad more unpleasant. The food was good though and we enjoyed eating it at home - even though I don't think either one of us could taste what we were eating! This might have been a good thing, but then again BM is pretty tasty. We spent the rest of the long weekend indoors playing the Wii, watching DVD's and I managed to read The Kite Runner in one day from start to finish (the book was A.MA.ZING. by the way). We thought we were feeling better on Friday night and decided to cure ourselves of cabin fever. We headed out to dinner and found ourselves at Pete's Downtown. We've been to Pete's a few times before and you know, we don't go there nearly enough! Much to our surprise, we ended up having one of the most memorable nights ever!! Dinner was very romantic - full of conversation, laughter and good food (the ravioli is go yummy!). It's always the times you least expect that turn out to be the greatest, isn't it?

So anyway, this was our first Thanksgiving as a married couple. It was a good weekend...difficult at times, but good overall. We have a lot to be thankful for, so even though we are both sick...at least we were together.


Alka Seltzer cold medicine is NOT fun to take - YUCK!


Our first Thanksgiving dinner in our (very small but cozy) NYC kitchen


J ready to 'carve' the turkey LOL


You are what you eat - turkey!


Thanksgiving on the Pottery Barn plates we registered for! :-)


We're sick, but at least we're together!

Hope y'all had a great long weekend! XOXO!

....And.....We're Down

Apparently this cold weather has really gotten to both of us because...

we both came down with some type of cold/flu sickness! Poor hubby barely has a voice. If you want to get a hold of us, we will be at home...resting. Our first Turkey Day as a married couple hopefully won't be spent in the pile of Puffs Plus. We cancelled our reservation at the Waldorf because I was actually going to make Thanksgiving dinner...but we shall see how we feel tomorrow. Anyway, we hope y'all are feeling great and if we don't speak to you - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

ps - HAPPY ONE MONTH ANNIVERSARY TO US!! We've been married for a month today, can you believe it?!? Time sure does fly by fast!

Happy Shopping!

Holiday shopping has already begun so here's some coupons which might help you find that perfect present!

BANANA REPUBLIC:

http://www.lifetakesvisa.com/pdf/BR_Offer.pdf

or online:
Use BRHOLIDAY for 20% off (no minimum) Expires 12/24/07
and stack with
CODE: MYRBRGIFT for an additional 15% off Expires 12/24/07
(Must use a VISA card for this one to work)
Total Savings of 35% off

Gucci
10% off online (NEVER HAPPENS)

http://www.gucci.com/us/holidayshoppingday.html

Sephora.com 20% off (NEVER HAPPENS)

Use code: FF2007

PRINTABLE COUPONS!!!

Victoria's Secret - $10 off!
http://www2.victoriassecret.com/onlineemail/?c=27676_45AF0C6212479C57B3C
3A3F6B33F1545&cm_mmc=di-_-071106BRA-_-V01-_-27676&e

OshKosh
http://wl2.peer360.com/b/oj86Z79yj91245HqSKv0/main.asp?hl=-1

Talbots
http://www1.talbots.com/emails/071107_15P_Balance.htm

Bath and Body works
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Stila cosmetics warehouse sale:

http://www.stilacosmetics.com/special_vws_signup_2007.asp

Illuminations
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Aldo
http://www.aldoshoes.com/frontEndComponents/specificComponents/vip/coupo
nAldo.cfm?ckey=US

Lord and Taylor

http://www.lordandtaylor.com/common/coupons/lt_110807_coupon.pdf

Barnes and Noble - 25% , 10%
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/email/nonav.asp?PID=20422

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/email/nonav.asp?PID=20007

Linens & Things
http://lnt.imageg.net/graphics/coupon/LNT_email_signup_9%2019%202007.pdf

CVS
http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/cvs/gateway/promotion?pid=6051&step_nbr=160

Children's Place
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Yankee candle
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WebNEW.html

Aeropostale
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H&M
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Footaction: 40% off clearance
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Kohls
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Puma- 30% OFF!!!
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amily.jpg

Nine West
http://usa.visa.com/personal/student/detail/all/detail/NineWest_5_F07/vr
o_details.jsp?offerName=NineWest_5_F07&offerId=13786&pageId=165

Calvin Klein
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Dicks Sporting Goods
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Carters
http://wl2.peer360.com/b/Uoratz52iYJbfvp6xS8w/main.asp?hl=-1

Sharper Image
http://www.sharperimagesavings.com/beyond/

Banana Republic
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/info.do?cid=35127

Best Buy
http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/en_US/images/external/emailpdf/1107
07_nov_ese_coupons.pdf

Gymboree
http://recp.rm05.net/servlet/MailVie...Dc4MjUgS0&mt=1

FREE FOOD!!! (After you burn all those calories shopping!!)

Baskin Robbins (buy one sundae, get one free)
http://www.baskinrobbins.com/coupon/bogosundae1107.html

Johnny Rockets (free hamburger)
http://www.johnnyrockets.com/rockete-club/index.php

Pizzeria Uno (Free appetizer)
http://insidersclub.unos.com/insiders/

On the Border (free Appetizer)
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Watch a movie to relax from all the shopping

Buy one ticket, get one free at Fandango when you use Discover (Starts
Nov
16)
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or FLY AWAY!!!

Orbitz
http://www.orbitz.com/App/PerformMDLPDealsContent?deal_id=07nov1372hours
ale&cnt=OVI&siteID=isIkAyUyNbM-rvPCreY%2AonvG5Ms1PiMrew


BURBERRY PRIVATE SALE

http://www.burberryusaonline.com/cat...goryId=2284855
Free shipping for orders over $195.


Restoration Hardware Friends and Family

20% off all non-sale items.
Use Code: H07FAF02

RalphLauren.com

When: 11/15/07 - 11/19/07
Enjoy generous reductions of up to 40% off.
Also, receive an additional 15% off already reduced prices online by
using
code NOV15 upon checkout!


Old Navy-Friends & Family on line code good from Nov 27-Dec 3---20% off
code
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Banana Republic Friends & Family on line code- 30% off Dec 1-3
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Gap Friends & Family on line code-30% off Nov 30-Dec 3
D1L36GG596NL

Is That A Penguin I See?

The buzz about town right now is...

the temperature is going to drop...and not drop it like it's hot either. So, Winter is here and we're both not happy about it! Hubby is nearing the point where he takes a break from golf, but starts playing raquetball again. I am about to start living in my Uggs and re-introduce myself to my hot chocolate addiction. Tonight we are going to a surprise retirement party for one of Hubby's colleagues. We are very excited because a lot of the Company people from Houston are in town - including that really tall funny guy from our wedding. Remember him? He kept the table he was sitting at in stitches! The best part about tonight is that there will be an Elvis impersonator - Mr. Retiree is obsessed with Elvis so it should be a lot of fun! Thanksgiving is almost here and we are staying put in the NYC. We did make reservations to have Thanksgiving dinner at the Waldorf, but we were talking last night and Hubby challenged me to actually cook Thanksgiving dinner. That being said, we might actually stay home and I might be slaving over a hot stove. I think I might have to throw a clause in here though - I will cook Thanksgiving dinner, but Hubby has to actually eat it! As for the rest of the holiday season, well we will be heading down to Hilton Head, SC to spend it with the dL side. We are both excited to go, Hubby especially since he hasn't been to the new house. As for me, I am definitely excited...but of course a little sad since this will be my first Christmas away from my family. It should be an interesting Christmas, but I'm glad to be spending it with my 'new' family...all the while never forgetting mine. So that whole compromise and marriage thing really wasn't a rumor?? Ha ha, just kidding!

Talk to y'all soon!