#AskAwayFriday With Mrs Tee

Good day everyone, this week I'm participating in #AskAwayFriday, started by Penny at The Real Housewife of Caroline County.  From what I can tell this is the 18th week of #AskAwayFriday and I'm really glad that I was ask to take part in this.

This week I have had the extreme pleasure of connecting with Tiffany from Mrs Tee Love Life Laughter
and I have loved connecting with her and learning about her family, which happens to be big like mine.  She has four children at home and two outside of the home, and the younger three are very close in age to my younger three which I think is very funny.  It's nice meeting more moms like myself.  I hope you find some interest in the responses I have given to her Christmas questions.  I was a little nervous doing this so we picked a topic to make things a little easier for me.
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What is your favorite Christmas tradition that you have passed to your children?
I am not sure how to answer this, we have many traditions around Christmas.  Family gatherings are always important to us because for some it is the only time they see everyone, and I think that’s a big deal.  But I would have to say the one thing I am happy to continue with my children is the belief in Santa.  I have always taught them that Santa is a spirit that consumes those of a kind heart at Christmas.  Doing kind acts for those who need them is especially important around Christmas.  The children all take non perishable food items for the food bank and we donate to coats for kids, as well as toys for tots. 
We don’t have much and we don’t get much but we do give a lot.  That’s what Christmas is all about in my house.  So maybe that should be my answer.  I am very proud that my children will carry on the tradition of “giving is more important than getting”.  They don’t ask for much, they only get three things from Santa so they make them good.  But in the end even they can be given to those who need it more.  For example My Boo (13) asked for a camera for Christmas from Santa (because she knows mom and dad can’t afford one) then a couple of weeks ago her Grandad told her that he was getting her a camera for Christmas.  She turns around and tells me that if Santa brings her a camera she wants to give it to me for my reviews so I can have a better camera for that.  I have told her that I’m sure Santa knows and will bring her a gift more substitute for herself but I am very thankful and love that she thought of me.

How would you describe your Christmas decor taste in 2 words?  
Joyous Children

Do you prefer colorful or all white lights?
I personally love multi colored lights, the more colorful the better.  My husband likes white but of course I win.  As he always says “happy wife, happy life” he’s such a smart man. As time goes by I have been thinking of doing solid colors but with all the lights turning to LED I don’t like the white lights at all.

Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions or do you celebrate everything on Christmas day?
We usually spend most of the day outdoors, we watch a Christmas movie with Hot Cocoa and then allow each of the children to open one present before bed on Christmas Eve.  It’s something that started when I was little.  With age my brother and I got to stay up later and eventually we would open all of our gifts at midnight.  Shhh don’t tell my children.

Do you play Holiday music?  If so, when does it start for you?  Mine is playing as I type...LOL
Yes, we play Christmas music.  We love Christmas music.  I get the bug in November but don’t start singing it until after Remembrance Day…and of course by singing I mean playing heehee.

How do you shop for your children? Do they make lists or do you shop according to what you know they like?
I just shop.  With four of them and only a little bit of money I shop all year round.  I also shop for the future.  For example I purchased something for My Boo when she would have been 5 that I kept for her Christmas when she was ten.  Depends on what it is and the price, but I usually try not to spend a lot on Christmas and when I do it’s done over the course of 12 months it doesn't seem like a lot.  By the time November comes I don’t really have to buy anything but Advent knick knacks to cover the days that I didn't get done yet.  The only list they make is to Santa.

Do you have a big Christmas Dinner or is it just a lazy day at home with family?
We have a big dinner at my parents, we also have one at home and then we go to Dexter to visit my husband’s Grandmother and share dinner with her at Ponderosa.  Christmas is a big deal to me… it’s a season of its own in my house.  This year we are having dinner at my Brother’s instead of our parents and I’m not so sure how I feel about that but Christmas isn't about me it’s about giving and sharing with those you love.  So, I will give it a shot.

Do you top your tree with a star, angel or....?
I have an Angel on the top of my tree.  She is a white angel with fiber optic lights that chase down her skirt, it’s actually very pretty.  I purchased it 12 years ago when I sold Avon and she’s been my faithful tree topper ever since then.

Does your decor carry to the inside of your home?
Yes.  My husband likes to string lights around the inside of the house along the molding.  We are very festive people.  I love Christmas and if I had the money for hydro we would likely have a ton of those outdoor blow up things and decorations in every room but I don’t have that much money, we like to make a lot of decorations which is nice to do with the family and even nicer to display for everyone else.

Signature Questions (Christmas Edition): Hot Chocolate or Egg Nog?
Hot Chocolate.  To be honest I've never had Egg Nog, to my knowledge, I just don’t think it would taste very good.  One day maybe I will try it but I doubt it.  I like to stick to the things I know I like to drink.  If it was food I would at least try it but I don’t like to change my drink lol.
  Well, that's it for this week and this round of questions, don’t forget to go visit Tiffany at Mrs Tee Love Life Laughter to see the questions that I asked her and read her replies to them.  I really hope you've enjoyed learning a little more about my family and our Christmas.

Once you've check out my answers be sure to go by Penny at The Real Housewife of Caroline County to check out the LinkUp and all the awesome Bloggers who are also telling a little bit about themselves today, 10 questions at a time.

If you are interested in joining for the the next #AskAwayFriday, feel free to contact Penny or any of the other Bloggers already involved.  You will get to know some pretty awesome Bloggers each and every week!

Do you have a question for me that Tiffany didn't ask?  Feel free to ask me in the comments and I will try my best to keep up with them and answer.  A huge thank you goes out to Tiffany again, not only for introducing me to this awesome opportunity to get to know some great Bloggers but also for being my #AskAwayFriday partner this week.

This has been a great experience, I have had so much fun!

20 comments:

  1. wonderful job! you had a great partner this week! I enjoyed reading your questions & answers!

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    1. Thanks Penny, This was really fun, I enjoyed getting to know Tiffany, she's awesome.

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  2. Sally you did amazing! I would never guess this was your first #AskAwayFriday! i loved your answers...I am also a colorful light gal...they always seemed to signify Christmas to me but my Hubby prefers all white so we compromised this year. He got his white (well LED Cool White) on the outside and I have all my colorful on the inside! I will probably post pics soon :)

    I love having a big family...it makes Holidays so much fun! I'm glad you teach your kids the importance of giving over receiving. I admit we spoil ours a bit but I still try to make sure they know how to bless others.

    Thanks so much for swapping with me...it has been so much fun meeting you and doing this. I hope you stay with us next week...I'm sure someone among the other Ladies will swap with you!

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    1. It has definitely been fun. Thank you for inviting me.

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  3. Loved your holiday color theme you have going with the questions!
    So nice to meet you through #AAF, and learn about you.
    The spirit that consumes those of a kind heart at Christmas, is the best Santa explanation ever!

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    1. Thank you Wendy. That's very nice of you to say. I do honestly believe that, and it's a lot easier to explain than a big red guy coming down a chimney that we don't even have. :)

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  4. Wonderful to meet you and get to know your through #AAF! That is such a wonderful Christmas tradition to share with your children. I have always told mine something similar with regards to Santa...He doesn't have to be a jolly dude in a red suit...Santa comes in many forms! My favorite are the colored lights, too! But funny thing is I don't care for them to blink. LOL! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. It's very nice to meet you as well, Stacey. I would have to agree about the blinking lights. I am just not a flashy person hehe.
      I am also very happy to hear that I'm not the only one who has not expressed that Santa is one man. I think it's harder for my children, when their friends ask if they believe and they say yes. Especially for my 13 year old, when my friends say "she's only saying yes to make you feel good" <-- I don't believe that for a minute. I honestly think she believes but not in the way young children do, referring to the main in the suit, she believes in the Spirit I have always taught her about. The way I look at it, if I'm honest with my children now they won't be made at me later for deceiving them and with any luck, they won't lie to me in the future.

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  5. Your daughter is so sweet to want to give you her camera. It was nice reading your answers and getting to know you.

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    1. Thank you Sonya. My daughter is a wonderful girl and her heart is definitely in the right place, we're very proud of her. Nice to meet you as well.

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  6. Love getting to read about you through the link up!!! I love the Christmas themed questions!!!

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    1. Nice to meet you as well Carissa! The Christmas theme made this so much easier for me to get into :) I was nervous lol.

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  7. Nice to meet you via Ask Away Friday! You are totally right about the LED lights. We bought outdoor lights for the first time last year and i HATED them. It was "cool white" but really ended looking like a dim blue. We tried putting them up again this year (maybe it was in my head), but I still hated them. My dear husband took them down and put up different ones.

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    1. They say it's because of the process that the LED lights go through, they can't actually "get the blue out". I really don't like them, I feel they are very irritating to the eye, not pleasing at all.. BUT I do like that they are supposed to use less hydro.. money saving is always welcome.

      Very nice to meet you as well. I look forward to reading about what you've been up to in the future. Have a wonderful day.

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  8. Welcome to the link up! Loved reading about your traditions and holidays! :)

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    1. Thanks Beth, I feel so welcomed, I'm very happy that Tiffany asked me to take part in this, and I'm also very lucky that she agreed to themed questions to ease me in.

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  9. I really need to start buying gifts throughout the year. That is a great idea. I did that one year when I happened to stumble upon some great deals over the summer. We don't go over board at Christmas time either. I like the idea of teaching the kids about giving, I wish that I was in a position to help others but maybe one day I can do it again.

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    1. Nice to meet you Christy. I'm not really in the position to help others either. We live pay cheque to pay cheque, like pretty much everyone that I know, that's why we love the dollar store. I'm also married to a very cheap man so that helps me not go overboard as well. I wish you many success in the future so that you will be able to help others. Start small... drop money off to the Salvation Army in the kettle, one toy to a shelter (even something from the dollar store), or better than all those, volunteer TIME... that's the most important thing you could give to some people. But I don't know your situation so none of those may be possible right now but you never know.

      Again, very nice to meet you :) Have a wonderful day.

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  10. Sounds like your Christmases are always filled with joy, family and fun! I love hot chocolate and all types of lights. It's nice that you have a tradition to help your kids know that its more about giving than receiving. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Countdown in Style! Don't forget to stop by on Friday to see if you are featured! xo

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  11. If you like rum, you'll love Egg Nog (just kidding). I prefer hot chocolate myself as well. Sounds like your Christmases are great! I like white lights because they accentuate the color scheme you have. Even though lights are pretty cheap, they are a pain to store, so I don't want a bunch of lights in the house. Thanks for sharing and linking up with Countdown in Style! Don't forget to come back on Friday to see if you were featured!

    ~~April~~
    100lbCountdown.com

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