Friday, November 19, 2010

BECAUSE I LIKE YOU TO KNOW EVERY DETAIL OF MY LIFE!

Have I told you how much I love the Hallmark store I am shopping at. I had worked at a Hallmark store for 7 years but when we moved into our new home 4 years ago I only continued to work there for a year after the move. It was silly to continue working there when it was a 25 miles ride for part time work, however I did continue to shop there since I was in the area on Tuesday's for bowling and my daughter was still working there. Also the other reason was that after I left they offered me a 20% discount on anything I purchased. I was the number one customer when I worked there, even with my 25% off discount and they didn't want to lose me! I know what you are thinking and the answer is yes, I never made a cent because it all went right back into their store!

Well that Hallmark store closed last March so I was in search of a new one. I visited several stores closer to my house because being the ornament collector that I am I had to make sure someone was going to pre-pull and hold my ornaments before the big events. Well I hit the jackpot with this one. The manager and employee's are wonderful and they meet my every need. I can even say that they go above and beyond in their customer service. I do miss my discount but I am a firm believer that "when one door closes another door opens" even for the small things in life. I couldn't be happier with my decision.

I have been to each event since July when the ornaments first come out. (well except when I was in Florida helping my dad out but I called and paid for my items that day) I remember when I was working at Hallmark and people would come in asking for an ornament that they saw at some friends house. They were always disappointed and very surprised when they found out that each year the whole line is new! Okay I got off track there but I wanted you to know that. So this store offers a little card that you get stamped at each event and when it is completed you get $50. to spend in the store before the end of the year, hooray for me! So I purchased a few items that I had my eye on and a few additional things to make up the $50. dollars. Here are the two things I had my eye on:

This adorable reindeer

And this sweet piece to add to my Willow Tree collection.

It's called Surrounded by Love.

So if you have been reading my post it notes on Tuesday you know it's been a bit of a roller coaster ride about Thanksgiving. Well here is the plan, our daughter & SIL are going to his families house, our son is going out to dinner with his best girls family (which I wanted to go to) and my husband and I will be home alone! We will be making a small turkey because he gets one from work and their is no room in the freezer. (Speaking of that you would think that a $7,000. built in refrigerator would be awesome, right? No! because it's only as deep as the cabinets!!!) We will have a few fixings with it but very low key day which is okay with me. Then on Friday we are all going to our sons/girlfriend condo in Los Angeles for a turkey dinner. Then on Monday it's off to Vegas for 3 nights/4days!

In the meantime I will be working on my tree which is going up tomorrow when the kids are over to celebrate my husbands birthday. We are having Lou Malnati pizza that I ordered from Chicago, making Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Sheet Cake and we are going to try to take a family pictures. We haven't had one in years and I would love to include one in our Christmas cards this year. (if we get a good one I will post it even though the kids never want me to)

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

New post over at Debby's Tree....

Guess what? Are you thinking really hard? My daughter got a job at the fabulous Hallmark that I shop at. It's just for the Christmas Holiday but isn't that awesome! She will fit right in having already worked for over six years at the store that closed. Believe me she needs to get out of the house, it's really good for her and it will help them with their Christmas shopping. Praise God. (of course she still needs to find time to clean for me, I so depend on her for that)

33 comments:

Christina Lee said...

YAY for Hallmarks!!! I have some Willow Trees but I haven't seen THAT one-- love it!

Kristie said...

I love the new decorations you picked up! That reindeer is super cute! :-)

I'm so glad you found another awesome Hallmark. Sounds perfect...especially now that you daughter has a job there! :-) It'd be great if they decide to keep her on after Christmas too!!!

Amy said...

Yeah for the job. Love the willow figure. Have a great weekend. Hugs..

Brandy@YDK said...

I love that reindeer. adorable. and that willow tree figure is too sweet. YAY for your daughter getting a job there - can you use her discount?

nancygrayce said...

So glad you found another Hallmark you like! And glad your daughter gets to "get out of the house" :)

Love the reindeer! He's precious.

nancygrayce said...

Oh, and I LOVE the willow tree figure!

purejoy said...

oh, that reindeer is too precious! and i LOVE willow tree ANYTHING! surrounded by love… how sweet is that. i can think of about a dozen people i could give that to!
so thankful for your daughter getting a job for the holidays. it'll come in handy (and maybe you'll get to take advantage of her discount!)
your thanksgiving sounds delightfully low key, and you'll still be able to spend time with everyone. and to cap it off with a trip to vegas sounds deeeeevine!

Rochelle@AFamilyofLooneys said...

Love the Willow Tree. My husband has gotten me a few. Hope you get a wonderful family photo.
Sounds like you are going to have a wonderful weekend :-)

Mara said...

Good thing we don't have a shop like that anywhere near: I would be over there every single day!

Randi Troxell said...

woooooosh!!!
sounds like some great times and holidays coming up for you-- still a tad crazy though.. always is!!!!

can't wait to see pics of your trees!!

have a wonderful wkend!!

jayayceeblog said...

My Granddaughter has mentioned probably 3 times now that she wants the Hallmark Christmas Countdown ornament they keep showing in the commercials. Better get myself to the store soon! That reindeer is completely adorable. Love the Willow Tree figurines. I have 4 of them. We used to sell them in our gift shop/stationery store that we closed last year.

Thena said...

Cooking, or Vegas. I think Vegas would definetly be much more fun.
Enjoy your time with family.

Liz Mays said...

Hallmark runs in the blood of your family!

I have a Willow Tree girl too!

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you are going to be busy for the next few days! Enjoy yourself!!!
I'm glad that you found a new Hallmark store--and that you still get a deal after filling up your card.
I'd be like you..I'd never bring home any money if I worked at Hallmark...and now I'm off to your other blog to see what's up!

trennia said...

Wonderful posting!

Alexis AKA MOM said...

He works in mysterious ways leading you to the new shop that lead to an income for her too :). Plus $50 is great. LOVING the reindeer and the Willow Tree is always a favorite!

Loves my dear you have a wonderful time decorating and time with the family. I can't wait to see a pic of you all. Reminds me I need to get my family shot so I can send off my cards soon.

Kerri said...

aww love the reindeer! :)
and VEGAS! VEGAS! awesome! i want to go soo bad never been and everytime i make plans something goes wrong :(
happy thanksgiving!

Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. B said...

Well..it sound as if you will be having a grand time, what with all the activities! And "horray" for you in finding a retail establishment that actually believes in customer service! See?? You are a lucky one! Now, go out there and have a fabulous couple of weeks!

Sandra said...

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and I love that adorable reindeer!

Nikki (Sarah) said...

My teen loves Hallmark and woo hoo to Vegas.

Empty Nester said...

I love Hallmark. We have a good one here in town. I send a family picture every year in our Christmas 'newsy' letter/card but this year, Deanie (DD2) will be photoshopping herself into the picture...the first time we are not all together on Thanksgiving. She is going to the boyfriend's family gathering. Not sure how I like that! LOL

Anonymous said...

Hallmark is awesome. I make sure to stop by quite often. They have some amazing things. Glad you found another one, and they treat you wonderful:) Love the reindeer. I have just started purchasing WIllow Tree items for my mom, she loves them.

Laura said...

I love Hallmark! Our ornaments are all Hallmark it seems (or home-made from kids and students) on our 'family' tree! I smiled reading this! When I was first teaching I had a second job at Marshal Fields (or perhaps it was Hudson's- can't remember) in the shoe department. I had LOADS of shoes because of the discount and I could wear the floor models because the size of my foot! I think I actually LOST money at that job! tee hee hee!
Going to check out the tree now!
Hugs-
L

betty said...

awesome your daughter will be working at the store!! Love the reindeer and the willow tree figurine! I think a quiet Thanksgiving with you and your husband sound good! and how exciting a trip to Las Vegas so shortly after!

good for you getting your tree up too this weekend!! The jazz ratio station is playing Christmas music already.....I am just not ready to be in the mood yet.........'

betty

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Sounds like you are going to have a very busy week!
Have a great Thanksgiving holiday and drive safely!

Together We Save said...

I love Hallmark!! I wish I had one closer!!

Putting up your tree already?! I am so impressed.

Caroline said...

I love Hallmark and what a great post.

Caroline

Holly said...

They should make you president of Hallmark!!!

Amy said...

Happy Saturday.. I do not think you would want me to sing for you. I may scare you.. Ha..

Lynn said...

I have The Hallmark ornament of Han Solo! I have always been afraid to begin collecting H. ornaments, given my OCD personality! I do come home with an ornament when I travel, though!

BALLET NEWS said...

ADORE that reindeer. Lucky you !

Trish said...

I just received my first piece from the Willow Tree collection...an angel ornament and I love it! Enjoy your new purchases and adding them to your decor.

Mary said...

Your new Willow Tree is so sweet. When I worked at Target part-time (to pay off my credit card), it was amazing what people found in that store. Yes, I spent probably at least 1/2 of what I made!

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