Marley and Me

What a WONDERFUL movie. Take the girls, your sweetie, or family to see it! Its one of the best I've seen in a while.....

I've had my fix.....

Oh, I love my girls!!! They keep me grounded, real, SANE!
We usually have happy hours weekly, or monthly (aka, whenever works) girls nights, but lately, its been non existant!!!
Now, we've seen each other out and about here and there over the past few months, but no "real" girl time! I NEED my girl time! Hubby wants me to have my girl time!!! Really!
SO, one of the girls was in town for the holidays and we had Christmas Cocktails last Monday, and it was wonderful! Then, a few of us went out on Friday night to a local Bar and had a mini reunion with friends in from out of town! Last night was a quiet, low key dinner with a small group and TONIGHT we went to see a movie - Marley and Me!
First of all, I love my girls nights....did you get that? BUT, more than that, I LOVE Hubby for agreeing to all the nights out!!! He's picked up all the slack and not whined or complained about it one bit!!!! Loving it! I think I'm done for a bit....there is some major football to watch coming up in the next few days, and I seriously doubt he'll be so willing to let me run amok with the girlies!
So, I've had my fix......it should last me a couple weeks!

The House!

New Curtains!
New Bedding!

New Towels!

New Shower Curtain!

Christmas Tree (New Rug)

Pictures from Christmas

Little Hauss' new "game center" from Mauggie and Papa

Little Hauss, Mauggie, Papa and Cousin

My Little Line Backer!!!

Look what I got?? So much fun!

Kung Fu Panda from Minisoda Anderson

Little Hauss got daddy some gel odor eaters! He was THRILLED!

A new board game!

Doggies enjoying their new bones!

Binoculars - goes along with his new magazine "My Big Backyard"

Loot from Santa - rest was wrapped under the tree from Mommy and Daddy!

Just about done....

With the redecorating...well, decorating.
Really, it shouldn't take 3 years to get it all done, but I've had other things going on and just have done stuff bit by bit....
In the last house, we were only there 3 years, and I knew that we would move sooner than later, so I did bare minimum!

Ok, so, no pics yet, but they are coming soon...TONIGHT!!! Its my goal!

Some of the things I've DONE:

New Chocolate Brown Shower Curtain, Turquois/Aqua towels, New Bath accessories (brown/beige/turquoise stripe)

New bed linens (ice blue) including pillows, shams, bedskirt, chocolate brown curtains and valances (excuse the ugly curtain rod!!! - didn't know that I needed decorative until we were in the midst of hanging)

Moved old bedroom curtains into office, but then took out desk and will turn into a craft room or possibly a spare room?? still comtimplating that one! HOPEFULLY one day it could be a nursery - but don't hold your breath!!!

New rug for living room/den

New light fixtures for kitchen - not up yet, but bought them yesterday.

Next on the TO DO LIST:

Paint vanity base in bathroom dark brown/black, new mirror in bathroom - have really old framed mirror from my great mammy, but mirror will need to be replaced and frame is brass so will paint that too, and new light fixture (since the one we have now is attached to the hideous medicine cabinet - YUCK!)

Install hood vent in kitchen (way overdue) and tile backsplash

Get new carpet for upstairs!!!

Paint shutters and front door and pressure wash deck then stain (0bviously spring/summer projects)

So, hopefully by late summer, I'll have most of the projects done and then I'm sure I'll find something else I'll want to do!!! Hubby will LOVE that. We only got divorced about 4 times over the weekend - hehe.....

Merry Christmas and Happy Almost New Year!

So, it was a whirlwind.....but very enjoyable!

The festivities started on Christmas Eve. Gigi and Pop were here and we all had a great breakfast at a local diner (aka DIVE) but it was delish! I think 5 of us ate for about $20!!! We made the annual trip to Walmart to get last minute stocking stuffers and then I visited with friends in town for the holidays. Little Hauss and I made some yummy sugar cookies with icing for Santa (um....yeah, right out of a bag!!! NOW, I can do that) that Hubby and I ate most of before they made it to the plate!
We headed to my in-laws for the Christmas Eve Open House. They have a few family and friends over every year and we eat til we are stuffed and just enjoy each other's company. So, off to Church we went....late service of course because I have to sing in the Choir!!! I'm not really sure how much longer I'll do it on Christmas Eve only because it is getting harder and harder to fanagle with Little Hauss.
Ok, now for the big day!!! We got to sleep in until 7:15!!!!!! This is late in case you didn't get that!!! Usually we are up at 6am! Santa was good to him....lots of games and fun things to play with. Then gifts between the 3 of us~ OUR FIRST TIME!!!! It hasn't worked out in the last 4 years to have a Christmas with just us! It was wonderful. So, we then headed over to Gigi and Pop's for a great breakfast and TONS of presents!!!! It really was a wonderful Christmas for everyone. BUT, just crazy busy!!!
We headed home for a 3 hour nap...yes, we all took one! And then up we were, off to Christmas dinner!!! By the time we got home, poor Little Hauss hadn't had a chance to play with one toy!!!! Busy day!
Then, it started over again with Mauggie and Papa and Hubby's family! Big breakfast and the boys running nutso! TONS more presents to open! There was a little scuffle over sharing but its because this is the FIRST Christmas they haven't gotten identical gifts. Mostly the same, but a few things were different....they have to learn sometime! The BEST gift was a personalized dvd for each boy! Little Hauss was Spiderman....it was really neat. I'll find out the website and post the link....he loved that he was a super hero!
After all the celebrations, mom and I went shopping!!! I usually shop after Christmas, but not after Thanksgiving! I want decorations, wrapping paper, etc....but this year, I was on a mission for curtains and housewares! Great Sales!!!
Well, I promise to post pictures!!!! pinky swear!

Whew!

Its almost here! I'm worn out!
I feel like every year, I am busier and busier. This year I had more craft orders than normal and so I guess that had an affect on this already chaotic time! I love it don't get me wrong, but I'm ready for a long break.
This weekend really won't be a break just yet because of all the hustle and bustle with family, friends, and the holiday festivities, but NEXT weekend is what I'm waiting for!!!
Hubby is OFF, read that, OFF, for four long days!!!!!! This never happens and its very rare that when we are all off together, we are at home, with NOTHING planned!!!!! But this time is different.
We considered going to ATL to visit my parents, but really just don't want to make the drive for just a few days. I think we are planning a trip there in February anyway, so we are going to park it at home.
We will not have a sitter for New Year's, so we will not be heading out on the town, but we are going to have a great time!!! Little Hauss got an early gift from Papa and it is an outdoor adventure kit. TENT, binoculars, net, etc..... Well, this will fit perfectly into our plan for a "campout" in the basement on New Year's Eve! I doubt Little Hauss will be able to stay up til midnight, but at least it'll be fun trying!
We will have hotdogs, popcorn, smores, and all kinds of fun "camping" snacks. We will turn downstairs into the wilderness!!! I can't wait. I don't love the outdoors, so this is right up my alley!!!
That will just be the start of our long and hopefully relaxing weekend at home!

They know me so well....

We did our gift exchange at work this morning and I was like a five year old! If you could have seen me....hilarious!
I LOVE Christmas. I'm up at the crack of dawn, ready to go on Christmas morning. My family's rule is not before 6AM!!!! This is for me! After my brother and I were old enough, the rule was only after 6am AND coffee was made! So, knowing that we were exchanging at work today, I was all giddy!
The other part timer and I are always get to work around 7am, but my boss is usually here a little before 8! I was hoping she'd be in a little earlier so we could go ahead and swap!!! BUT, she came in at 8, which I really don't blame her - it is Monday afterall!
We ate our breakfast and had our coffee, yeah, we work real hard that early in the morning!!!! AND waited to swap gifts.
The girls know me sooooooooooooo well. Its amazing how close we've become in just a few short months and I love that we are such good friends.
So here are a few things that I got from them....AWESOME!!!!!

They loved their gifts as well....something personalized of course!!!! A painted plate (stick figure design) for my boss and her gift card to Lowes, and a painted olive oil dispensing bottle which will be used for dish soap and jewelry set for the other part timer.

Thanks so much for the wonderful and thoughtful gifts! I love them!!!!

I'm close...

With painting....
I only have to finish the pilsners and an ornament, then I'm D.O.N.E!

So, here's what I've been up to:

I'm pretty sure the snowman is my favorite! I might have to do one of those for myself!

So, to follow up on my to do list from earlier:

I DID NOT clean the bathroom...but got to run to the store Little Hauss free, got to the pagent, where he was fabulous (might of had some help from some special candy), hubby worked on laundry....YAY!, I got the painting done, well, almost, made snacks for tomorrow girl's night, and made soup and cornbread for potluck at work! Whew, I'm worn out!!!!

Finally

This is our first photo as a family at Christmas....well, a good one anyway! Hubby didn't even flinch when I laid out his outfit this morning!!! He just knows better with me!

Ok, signing off......really!!!!

All the things....

That I shouldn't be doing but am....

Going OUT to lunch after church
taking a NAP
Facebook
Blogging
NOT going to the grocery store.

Hmmmmmm, I guess I'll be up into the wee hours tonight getting all the stuff I should be doing done....

Going to the grocery store
Making snacks for tomorrow night's Girl's group gathering
Making soup for our office potluck lunch tomorrow
Painting 3 plates, set of pilsners and one other gift...can't mention it just yet or she might know what it is if she reads this
Cleaning the bathroom
Figuring out something for dinner
Laundry...(remember I dont' do that, but it still needs to be done - will talk to hubby about that!)
Christmas Pagent at church at 5:30

So, I guess the one thing that might get done before the pagent is the bathroom....off I go!!!

Tag You're It!

The rules are simple.
1. Show the icon on your blog.
2. Tag people to partake in the fun times.
3. List 10 random things about yourself.

Ok, 10:

1. I'm not that exctited about Christmas just yet! Still have way too much to do and no time to do it!

2. I've had 1 cup of coffee, 3 diet dr. peppers, grande christmas blend at starbucks, and a homemade chocolate cupcake with peanut butter icing and I don't feel the least bit guilty! I'm gonna be in caffiene detox for a bit I'm positive!

3. I wear Britney Spears perfume and LOVE it - it was a gift!

4. I am so OCD, that I organize my pantry, cabinets, fridge, freezer ....you name it , with labels out, grouped with the same, etc....crazy I know.

5. I hardly ever leave the house without mascara on. EVEN if I haven't showered, going to the gym, or just dropping of Little Hauss at school!

6. I eat cold pizza for breakfast.

7. I hate feet. Don't like to look at them, touch them, or even have mine massaged.

8. I put garlic and onion in almost everything I cook....It makes it all taste better, I'm sure of it!

9. I don't watch the news, read the paper or like talking about current events. I rely on Hubby for most of that information.

10. I don't do laundry. SERIOUSLY!

Tag, You're It!

THANKS POP!

It's a-m-a-z-i-n-g what you can get done without a 3 year old aka Little Hauss running around!!! My dad, POP, is in town on business, and graciously offered to take Little Hauss out to a healthy dinner (Denny's) so I could get something, anything done! Who really cares where they went....it wasn't here in my hair (and remember previous post about me slipping - he's lucky he got fed at all)!
I was soooooooo productive. I painted 2 plates, set of 4 pilsers, and an ornamet. This was all done in a matter of an hour and a half or so! Now, I think that leaves about 3 plates and some wine glasses! OH, and the wrapping. The wrapping is kind of low on my list of priorities. It WILL get done before Christmas, guaranteed!
Now, in the midst of all this painting, there was some cooking, with the help of Hubby of course. He did some prep work so all I did was add some spices and canned tomatoes to make some spaghetti sauce. AFTER all that hard work he didn't even eat it. He went back to sleep while he had the chance. I really don't blame him!!! REMEMBER, no Little Hauss!! At least he'll have something other than sandwiches to eat for dinner tonight!!!
Now, I did partake in a beer.....it helps me relax. Tis the Season!!! Lately though, there has been mention by a few people that maybe I don't need to drink a beer or glass of wine EVERY night. A few people being Hubby and maybe one other person. WELL, I like it and I'll do it. Normally I join the girls for the weekly happy hour and possibly some cocktails (very possibly) on the weekend, but as of late, happy hour isn't so much and I'm a little cranky, so I enjoy the occassional (daily) bevy to relax. MIND you, Hubby was telling me this realization he's had as he was trotting himself downstairs to fetch me a cold one!!! So sweet! I think he's just jealous that he can't join me. Ya know, because that work thing gets in the way!!! Hehe.

Side note: Very sorry to all who did read this post before this morning. I was in the middle of composing, and set the laptop down and walked away (um, note to self: don't leave laptop unattended with a 3 yr. old nearby) and when I came back, I just closed it so I could work on this later. Um, Yeah, apparently, he finished my post and then published it for me!!!

Happy Thursday!!!

AS PROMISED

Photos from the Concert! Little Big Town was AWESOME! Now, you can see just how good my seat was!!!!

LOVED Carrie Underwood!

Can't wait to see SugarLand next!

Slacker!

I'm done shopping!!! That is ALL I've accomplished. I still haven't worked much (aka - at all) on my projects. I'm pretty sure that I need to stop slacking and get moving on that because they are SOMEONE'S Christmas presents!!!! I just feel so worn out by the time Little Hauss goes to bed that I don't want to get all the supplies out and paint. Hopefully tonight will be better beacause Hubby is home to help! Might even persuade him to cook dinner and do bath time!

I've been told a few times in the last week that I'm slipping! By whom, you might ask? Hubby!! He woke up to get ready for work las night and went to get his dinner out of the fridge to take to work, and all I heard was, "Mac and Cheese?, Really?" with Salmon, no less!!!!! Well, Little Hauss wanted mac and cheese. I had salmon on the menu. I prepared it with a balsamic and honey dijon glaze! Sounds fancy right? Well, it kind of was. I LOVE to cook and usually have a whole meal planned with complimentary side dishes! I'm getting lazy! After this week, I PROMISE to cook a great meal - without "kid" food!!!! Ok, maybe next week, AFTER Christmas! At least he's not taking peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He should be thanking me!!!!

I have nothing....

Any Ideas?

Think I'll mull it over and see what I come up with??? Hmmmmm!

NO TOYS.....

WAS my motto for Christmas. Little Hauss is 3. He's really starting to understand that Santa will bring him a few things on Christmas morning to play with and he's asking for things! Things that I'm a little confused about but oh well. He is relentless! OVER AND OVER AND OVER! Don't worry, I won't forget! I promise. He tells Nelson, our Elf, what he would like, so Nelson can tell Santa.
He's been mentioning drums for a while. Um, yeah right! I want him to have a great Christmas, but I also want to hear myself think! No brainer!!!! Well, Mauggie (Mother in-law) might get him some "drums". If not, we are considering it. They are ELECTRONIC!!!!!! It has VOLUME control! SWEET! I can deal with that!
Here are a few things that Santa will be bringing him. Also is a handheld Diego game that we can take with us on trips in the car and places that he'll have to wait (Dr. or restaurants) as well as Spiderman watch, the Bee Movie, and Cat in the Hat Movies. It really isn't much, but he's 3!!! We have toys coming out the arse! In fact, I need to some "cleaning" soon. I try to go through his stuff and get rid of old, broken or beat up toys and then put the ones that he's growing out of and sick of in storage. I'm pretty sure I can open a used toy an clothes store in my attic!

Electronic Drums! They have VOLUME control!

Transformer Toy

Now, all I have left is to get a few stocking stuffers! I really am looking for spiderman or some character body foam!!! I have a few little things like a slinky, crayons, card games, and some candy, but still need some stuff! Hopefully I'll get that done tomorrow and then I can concentrate on wrapping!!!

Magic!

I would just like to let you know that I did in fact sleep well last night. I still was up until midnight or so, but didn't stir until the alarm went off! Thanks to my little friend, the beer (or 2 or 3)!

Oh, and I usually don't work Fridays, but due to my long weekend, I am working today - not - happy - about - that!!!!!!

PROMISE

To post the CLOSE UP pic I got of Carrie Underwood at the concert I went to with all the cousins!!! Great concert and great seats!

ONE

The number of wrapped gifts under my tree!
Now, you may thing that I'm getting on the ball after my previous post about not having anything done, but don't be fooled! The gift under the tree is MINE! Yep, Hubby took advantage of my trip out of town to purchase and wrap one of my presents. Must be nice being him! He only has to worry about me. He tells everyone he got married so he didn't have to remember birthdays, cards, gifts, anniversaries, etc. That's what I'm supposed to do!!! I don't mind, but this year I'm swamped!!!
Little Hauss wants me to open it really bad!!! He asks everyday if its Christmas yet so I can open it. I wonder what he'll do when they multiply??? That's if I get it all done!! HA!! At this point, everything might just be from "Santa" and laid out when he wakes up Christmas morning (they are unwrapped if they are from Santa).
I'm so busy these days, you'd think I'd just fall out at night, but no, I'm wide awake until at least midnight!!!! AND, you'd think if I'm that awake, I'd make good use of my time and work on the many painting projects I have to get to people for gifts to their loved ones before Christmas, but no, I don't! In fact, tonight, I'm spending my night with this:


and a great friend. Hopefully it will make me sleep better!!!

Anything!

"Anything" is what Little Hauss says to EVERYTHING! If he's got something he's not supposed to or is doing something he's not supposed to, I ask "what are you doing?" and he says with a cute little face and side glancing eyes, "anything"! WHICH translates into "nothing"!!!!! He's too cute. At least I know this is what he means to say, but still hasn't caught on and I know thahe's totally in trouble!!! Or will be soon!

Bought, Wrapped, and under the tree!!!

Oh, did you think I meant me??? NO. Now, I am a planner, I thrive on it and LOVE to have my calander full and know what's happening next, but this year, I'm a little behind on the buying, (pretty much just stocking stuffers left), wrapping, and such! I DO have all of my cards addressed and stamps bought, but just not quite ready to send. THIS will happen today! I hope.
I am giving a shout out to a friend of mine who is usually at the mall on Christmas Eve!!! NOW, in her defense, most of the time its to help her dad finish (or start) his shopping. THIS year though, she is WAY ahead of the game. I was over there yesterday and was shocked by all the cute wrapped gifts under her tree! I was more shocked that she was done before me. She's not the planner like me....in fact it drives her crazy if I ask her plans for the weekend on Wednesday of that week!!! She's just a little more laid back than me....oh well, we mesh well!
Now, maybe she can be my inspiration and I'll have all my stuff done this week!!!!

By the way....

I normally don't have this much time to post, but remember I said I was substituting!!! YEAH, translation = babysitting tenth graders while they do busy work!!!
Good for you , huh?

I think I'm done for a while...I don't know if I can come up with anything else!

The Recipe....DUH!

So, I gave you such a great idea about cookie mixes in the mason jars, but I neglected to give you a recipe to FIT into the jar!!!! I know, its been a helluva week! There are tons of recipes of cookies, brownies, soups, and hot chocolate!
So, here are some recipes (including printable recipe cards) I think I will try:

Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
* chocolate chips
Filling the Jar:
Layer the ingredients in a quart size canning jar in the order listed. I used a small funnel and it worked pretty good for most of the ingredients! Use enough chocolate chips so the jar is full to the top. I used semi-sweet chocolate chips. Pack down all indredients, especially the brown sugar!
***Decorate jar and include the following***
ADD:
1 cup butter or margarine softened
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Thoroughly blend together the butter or margarine, the egg, and the vanilla. Empty jar of cookie mix into the butter mixture. Mix until completely blended. Drop teaspoons full of batter about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Brownies:
Ingredients:
1 1/8 cup flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2/3 cup white sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vanilla chips
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
walnuts
Filling the Jar:
Layer the ingredients in a quart size canning jar in the order listed. I used a small funnel and it worked pretty good for most of the ingredients! The walnuts are optional. If you use the walnuts, use enough to fill the jar to the top. If you do not use the walnuts, use extra chocolate and vanilla chips so the jar is full to the top. Pack down all indredients, especially the brown sugar!
***Decorate and include the following***
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease one 9x9 inch square baking pan.
3. Pour the contents of the jar into a bowl and mix well.
4. Add 1 tsp vanilla, 2/3 cup vegetable oil, and 3 eggs.
5. Beat just until combined.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Its All About Me......Christmas!

Some of you might have seen this going around via email, and might have already received it from me, but oh well, I thought I would post it anyway!!

I got this off of The Pink Clutch:



1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapped! I try to come up with a new "theme" each year! Usually base is brown paper then either fun and festive ribbons, homemade gift tags, or I've even used the paper as a canvas creating unique drawings on them!
2. Tree--Real or Artificial? 7 ft. prelit! I would love to have real, but we got a great deal on this a few years ago!!! Plus, we have a woodstove, and with my luck, I'd kill it before Christmas by forgetting to water the dang thing!
3. When do you put Christmas tree up? usually around Thanksgiving weekend, but this year we were ahead of the game! We put it up the weekend BEFORE Thanksgiving because with all the family and traveling, the next available time would have been NEXT weekend!
4. When do you take the tree down? After New Years
5. Like eggnog? YUMMY
6. Do you have a nativity scene? Not yet, but I'm looking for one during the After Christmas Sales
7. Favorite gift received as a child? I really can't think of anything.....
8. Hardest person to buy for? Either my father-in law or brother-in law. I think about them ALL year just for the one gift that I THINK they might like!!!! Its TORTURE!
9. Easiest person to buy for? Little Hauss or any of the women in my family....
10. Worst Christmas gift? Bathroom Scale.......um, what the hell????
11. Mail or E-mail Christmas Cards? MAIL......really, how hard is it ONCE a year to actually use the US post office!!!
12. Favorite Christmas movie? The Grinch (new one) and A Christmas Story
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I really try to shop all year long, but usually it ends up being around Sept/Oct before things start happening
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Hmmmmmm............maybe? (psst...look for a post on that later!)
15. Favorite food to eat on Christmas? honey baked ham....and breakfast casserole while opening gifts
16. Lights on tree? see number 2!! OH, and ALWAYS white lights!!!
17. Favorite Christmas Song? O Holy Night and This Christmastide
18. Travel during Christmas or Stay home? stay home...especially now with Little Hauss! They come to us! Its wonderful!
19. Can you name Santa's reindeer's? Donner, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Blitzen and Rudolf....did I miss any?
20. Angel or Star on Tree top? Star...haven't found an angel I like yet
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning....but we do Christmas Eve with hubby's fam
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? crowds and bad moods.....its a happy time, don't stress so much!!!
23. Favorite ornament? anything Little Hauss has made....and all the ones we've collected over the years as a family..they all mean something!
24. What do you want for Christmas this year? tile backsplash in my kitchen, paint the vanity in the bathroom, replace mirror/med cabinet, and replace light fixtures...Oh, and paint shutters and get new front door.....My house is in need of some TLC!!! Oh, and one of these!

Your turn!

So much for a day off!

I work part time, usually M-Th and take Fridays off! I also substitue teach, when needed! I'm obviously only available on Fridays, and get called fairly often, but I was really hoping to have tomorrow OFF!!! I have sooooooooo much to do, as I'm sure you understand this time of year! They got lucky by calling me TODAY and not at 6am tomorrow!!!! I might not have had the gumption to actually say yes. IF you say NO by the way, they rarely call you back!!!! With the pay, it is SO worth my time. I think it works out to be about 8ish hours or so. I'm usually done by 3 which makes it very nice. Well, I have A LOT of orders for ornaments and glasses, a DOZEN (ornaments) of which are for this weekend and I've done THREE! So, you see my problem here!
I really had planned to work on them tomorrow along with running about 1,200 errands!! Now, you might say, well, you're done at 3, so why not do it all then! Yes, that seems logical, however, I have a standing meeting that I just cannot miss!!! Its a little thing called HAPPY HOUR!!!! The girls haven't been able to get together in ages it seems, so we'll be doing it tomorrow around 4! So, that hour I have in between will be spent running to the store to pick up my bevy of choice and some sort of snack!
Now, with Little Hauss and the Hubby, our Friday nights are not at all glamorous, which would leave plenty of time for the painting, except tomorrow night is the Christmas Parade! And YES, we will be attending, even though it will be FRIGID! I mean, really, its in the 50s all week, and tomorrow it'll be a high of 39 or something ridiculous like that! Seriously!
So, now we're onto Saturday, which will be filled by a birthday party AND Christmas party! I have no idea when I'll find the time, but I WILL get these done!
Oh, and did I mention, that with all this going on, I still need to get laundry done, pack (for me and Little Hauss), make some meals for my men, and clean this nasty house! Oh, and run those 1,200 errands too!!!
The upside to ALL of this chaos is that I will be heading out of town Sunday am to meet my mom, aunts and cousins for a few days of Mommy/Daughter bonding and NO Little Hauss!!! I really do LOVE him dearly, but I need a break!!!!!

My version of Home Made Cookies!

I love to cook! Read, COOK, not bake! In fact, I'm not a very good baker. Believe me, I've tried. I attempt to make chocolate chip cookies from scratch about twice a year and it never fails, they don't rise! Now, I didn't say they don't taste really good, because they do, but they look horrible! They are flat and flimsy! Your best bet is to just roll them up into a ball and pop 'em in your mouth! If you try to hold one, it just falls apart!
I have no idea what I'm doing wrong. I MEASURE everything and have all the ingredients room temperature! Oh well, not my thing, but I'm sure that won't stop me from trying again!
So, instead of MAKING the actual cookies, which ends up stressing me out, I'm going to be giving the mix in a cute mason jar with the recipe attached to teachers, mail carrier, paper girl, etc. for the holiday season! This way, they can attempt to bake it for themselves and I don't ruin them all and have to come up with something else!
I love to give edibles and things that will be USED as gifts! I'm NOT a fan of gift cards. EVEN if you ask for one, it is my absolute last resort! Our gift giving list is shorter now and we draw names with Hubby's family, with a limit, so I refuse to give a gift card. I love to make gifts, food included, but I know when I've been beat, so I'll just give them all the beginnings of a baked good!!

A Lesson Learned

In the car on the way to pre school today, I was asking Little Hauss what they did in school yesterday and he told me about his hat he made. It had a reindeer head on it and some foam dye cuts for decoration.
I said oh, a reindeer hat, how neat. He said "rein", paused "mommy, say rein", I said "rein", then he said "deer", I repeated, then he said "reeeiindeeeerr" really drawn out and very slowly. I repeated the word! "Good Job mommy!!"
Well, thanks for my lesson for the day!

Ginia Tech!

That's what Little Hauss says! We are working on VIRginia Tech, but he gets the idea! Even though he said he liked the man on the horse!!!!! Don't worry Hokie Fans, we are going to set him straight! The mind of a 3 year old just doesn't understand some things!!!
So, how nice was that win??? I would have loved to have SEEN it for myself!!! HAHA....I really did just pass out on the couch before the 1st quarter was over. Hubby woke up to watch the game and after I fed Little Hauss I just laid on the couch and got really comfy.....2 hours later, I was woken up by Little Hauss wanting a snack!!!! I obliged and sent him to the man cave to spend some much needed time with his daddy! I then made my one and only outing for the day to the grocery store! What an exciting life I lead!!! I know you're jealous!

Our Black Friday....or not!

The Fam at dinner (Pop, Sherry, Uncle Zach, Mammaw, Gigi, Mommy and Little Hauss)













Mommy and Little Hauss

Our Chef.....hilarious!

Little Hauss ready for his shrimp!!!

Shery and Uncle Zach

Well, what does everyone do the day after Thanksgiving??? Shop, eat leftovers??? Notsomuch!!! I do NOT frequent ANY retail establishment on Black Friday! EVER! The last time I step foot inside a mall on that particular day was when I was working at Victoria's Secret in college. It is insane and just not worth it to me. If you really think about it, the cost of gas you waste sitting in traffic, the time to stand in line and not to mention, getting up at the butt crack of dawn doesn't justify getting a good sale. Now, I love a good sale, but not with all that work! I'll just keep shopping early (ya know, a few months in advance) and check out coupons and sale ads just the same as I always have!

So, we spent our day after Thanksgiving in the comfort of our home hanging out with family and napping! It was wonderful! I did a little painting and we (little hauss and me) went to visit Hubby while he was playing cards with the guys for a little bit. Then, my parents, grandmother, brother and his girlfriend took us to a Japenese Steak House for dinner, because, naturally, we were sick of the bird!!! Everyone else must have been too, because it was packed! Hubby couldn't go because he had to work, but we enjoyed ourselves!!!

Little Hauss LOVED the chef, one of the best we've ever had, and even caught his first shrimp!!! It only took 2 tries. I even caught one too!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Enjoy the bird - which I don't eat by the way! Love the rest of it though!

I really do have a lot to be thankful for, especially this year!

Gobble Gobbble!

Thank you!

Thanks to my swap partner for the wonderful Christmas decorations! I will be sending my gift to my swap partner on Monday! I had every intention of doing it today, but I got to sleep in until 9am!!!!!! and just didn't get out of the house in time!

So, it was perfect timing of my package beacause we got all the Christmas stuff out this morning and started decorating!!!! I really am in the spirit now. I've even started listening to Christmas music! So, the tree is up (but not decorated yet), the stockings are hung, and my Dicken's houses are in place. We didn't want to hang the ornaments without Little Hauss and he had to take a much needed nap, so we will do that tomorrow along with hanging the lights and garland outside.

I'm a little bummed because earlier this year we got new curtains and I went with reds for the kitchen, which I love, however, the red was too dark for my Christmas tablecloth and napkins!!!! Oh well, maybe I'll have to get new stuff???? Hmmmm, I'm sure Hubby would LOVE that.

Well, off to clean up the mess I've made and get ready to go watch the HOKIES!!!!!! Happy Saturday!

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Just a note, I found out that my swap partner MADE the trees!!!! So creative and festive! LOVE IT!

Elf on the Shelf!

So, I'm really in the spirit these days! I just went to the biggest "craft" fair that our town has and they had such great stuff! Its almost wrong to call it a craft fair because it offers such a variety of products: jewelry, clothes, decorations, baby gifts, etc....WONDERFUL stuf! Now, I did get a few things for others on my list, but I did snatch up this wonderful book set:

Elf on the Shelf
This is an elf sent from Santa (yes, it comes with an actual elf doll and a shelf) that lives in your house throughout the holidays! He reports your behavior to Santa each night so he knows if you've been naughty or nice. When he returns each morning, he's hiding in a new spot so you have to search for him!!! It just seems really fun and I think Little Hauss will enjoy it this year now that he's getting a litte more into Christmas!
I really want to put it out now, but I think I'll wait until after Thanksgiving!

Feeling Crafty!

So, I love love love to paint, craft, create!!! I've been on kick lately with ideas realing through my brain!!! I haven't had much time to do these things in the last few years because of one little monster I am trying to keep up with! Well, he's becoming quite independent these days and can entertain himself (or a movie can entertain him too) for a little longer than he used to which gives me a little more time to do some things! I guess I'm in the spirit and am getting excited about the Holidays coming up! More so because I LOVE to give handmade or personalized gifts to the people I am close to. I just think it says something so much more than a gift card or other gifts! Well, we have an event this weekend here in my hometown that draws a big crowd of very crafty vendors and I like to go to scope out what the new trends are and to search for new ideas that I can try to recreate with my own spin on it! Well, Here is a little taste of one of my new creations! Monogrammed Christmas Ornament!!

I also paint glasses....wine glasses, pilsners, mugs, vases, etc! Here are a few samples of things I've done for clients in the past!

With the Holidays fastly approaching, I will be taking orders! If you or someone you know would like anything, please let me know!

The Swap is ON!!!

I'm so excited! I am participating in my first swap among the blogworld!! It is hosted by Clemsongirl and is going to be so much fun!
It is a Preppy Christmas Decorations Swap! I just found out who my swap partner is tonight and I've already check out her blog!!! I was already concocting ideas of things that could be included in my swap package before I had a partner! She's a cute young mom to be (litearlly in about weeks or less) and I couldn't be more thrilled!
Thanks Clemsongirl for hosting!

Never too late!

Well, even though we didn't get to go trick or treating, we did get to carve a pumpkin!

A Happy Pumpkin at that!