Hit & Run

Highlights from our Carolina trip:

Jason hit someone's dog a couple days before Christmas (eeew! Remind me to tell you the story)

Isaac got hit by a shetland pony

Georgia is on the run from potty training AGAIN!!!! @!&%*$

We hit the road for the mountains of NC- Beautiful!

Mae's nose has been running every morning since we left home

We've been hit with 70 degree weather (Now that's how Christmas is done!)

Santa was a hit even with just 1 present each (here, the rest are in Utah), and filled stockings

Isaac's hitting everyone with nerf bullets from his "Long Shot" (that's what he's named it)

I've got to run. See you on the 1st!

Xmas Blues

I finally got the entire work of art on audio (thanks to the hubby)...

I have listened to this piece nearly every Christmas since I met Jason. Touching, isn't it?

Carolina Christmas

We'll have a blue (Tarheel Blue, of course), Christmas without you.

Got here Sunday after two plane trips that have officially made me aviophobic. The man across from me got a kick out of my death grip on the arm rest, I'm sure. But, never let them see you sweat (and boy did I).

George is almost half a decade now. The big 0-4! Felt like she was 3 for half a decade, so it's kind of hard to believe. Rest assured Cowboy Grandpa, SHE HAD A PARTY. We ate at Fuller's, (check out the price on that side of fatback!), the greatest thing since sliced Merita. Plates full of mac n cheese, collards, butter beans, chicken and pastry, and fried chicken and cornbread. mmmm....hmmmm!!!! I only made it through 2 plates, so I told Jason he owed me another visit. Lastly, we watched The Tale of Desperaux (please don't read the book if you see the movie, you'll be so sad).

Tomorrow we leave for Boone, to Jason's Dad's cabin. I hear it's beautiful.

Santa comes to The Cowboy Grandparents this year. I'll have to tell you what he brought in January. Don't show up and play with our toys before we do, please.

P.S. enjoy the generic pics for a while. I don't have access to a card reader. ;(

And So It Begins

Let's face it, I'm getting plump. I'm not a self-loather, but it's taken me an unreasonable amount of time to admit this.

Yesterday I started my diet* officially and this arrived on the doorstep.

Thanks Claudia (my cooking diva neighbor).

You can see I didn't snap the picture within the first 8 seconds of the plate landing, so this is what's left.

*See...(pause so you can imagine the air sucking in through the sides of my teeth), I don't do diets. This just means 1 less Cherry Coke/day and I'll eat an orange, apple, or clump of broccoli before every meal so I don't pig out.

Gift Basket Frenzy

I create gift baskets for all of Jason's business associates (if they've been good), for Christmas. It takes over our home every year around Dec. 13ish.

It is such a pleasure to spend money on things I'd never spend for.

I'm too cheap to go this far for me.

Oh, how I wish I was one of Jason's business associates.

Building a New House

While we're in the midst of yet another dust storm emanating from our upstairs bath, we're deciding what to do in terms of real estate. Do we add on that precious 1 room that we have to have in order to deal in our current digs, or do we take advantage of this crazy market and shift households?

Here's your answer: We build.

Big Trouble

Oh Heavens above, what will I do if she doesn't behave?

Look at this child. Just look at her.

How in heaven's name could you send her to her room? Maybe if I don't look at her while I shout, "Go put your nose in the corner!"

New DollFace Pics

I've added a few pics to the DollFace Blog (see link to your right).

You might just know a baby there.

Thanks to Luann for bringing up textures in her blog (to link or not to link? I don't want to infringe). I did A LOT of playing around with them on these kids' pics.

Teaser:

She's just as fun as she looks!

You Shouldn't Have

I happily skipped outside to load my mom's little "green" white Prius with the items necessary for a photo shoot. I got even skippier when I saw someone had left me a prize (my mom and my Grandma Mary's word for anything good), on my front steps.

"Oh, how sweet," I thought. Someone thought of us.

Then it hit me. Can you see it? What is it?

Oh yes. Miss Sandie Talbot left me a mashed potatoe snowman. She warned me. I can't say she didn't. Maybe it was the trouble I gave her for trying to serve the gravy perfectly enveloped in the mashed potatoes to the women of the ward (congregation). Maybe it was because I didn't push her crockpot-full to the women in the cafeteria-like assembly line. I know it had something to do with the fact that I didn't accept her offer of a crockpot full of potatoes since I HAD ONE OF MY OWN!

Well Miss Sandie, game on!

Cooking for One is FUN FUN FUN

If you are so unfortunate as not to read (?) Cjane, then you haven't seen this...




I laughed 'til I cried. What the?

OR

this... ILOVEIT!

I did it

I got that perm and I used it. I went with short spaghetti. hmm. Not sure I like it. Don't completely hate it. It looks best when I hide half of it behind cute Georgia's face.

Hey, notice that George and I have the same jaw line and close mouths. Too bad from there on up I'm not a look-a-like.

Pick your Pasta

Fusilli

Or

Spaghetti?

And What about the

Long

and

Short of it?

What do you think? Since the invention of the Chi (I saw one in action on Naloni this week and WOW!), I think I could pull off a straight (but short), doo (not like poo, maybe do?). But, I sometimes feel like a traitor to the cause of curls everywhere when I straighten things out. HOWEVER, the top of my hair has pulled some treachery of its own lately.

As we speak I have a perm solution sitting in a Sally bag on my bathroom floor. This could go either way folks.

Let me talk this through with you.
1. I want to pull off a hairstyle. Not blow-dry-it-and-see-what-happens.
2. I want to own said hairstyle just like Kate on John and Kate Plus Eight (thought I'm not sure anyone else could own that hairstyle.
3. I am a total control freak when it comes to my hair. Nothing flowing.
4. I need to draw attention away from my ever-protruding gut of horror. Maybe I should add some lime Kool-Aid dye to this mix. (that's another conversation).
5. I have a gut and I'm getting a hair cut. AAAAHGGGHHH! I'm a housewife! (and no wonder I chose a pasta analogy).
6. I know, go to the gym and get extensions.

Now really, what do you think? I'm stuck.

'Tis the Season

You know how I love Halloween. Well, Christmas is a close second cousin. Here's what we got.

Vintage house=Vintage decor.

Psssst...Don't tell anyone on E-bay or at the antique shops that I'm collecting. I've gotten some great deals this year to add some starbursts and santas to the bunch.

Jason loves hitting his head on this chandelier in the living room.

Don't you love a flocked tree? I had to splurge on this Black Friday $25.00 getup at Wallie's.

Yes, that's a styrofoam plate. They've finally won. It's 4 against one though. I just don't have time to do everything right.

OOOOH OOOOOH OOOOH! Check this out! I got this from the lady we sat next to on the plane home from Alaska. Isn't is festive? She jingles all the way.

Delivered, Signed, Sealed

We are a bit mixed up in this family, but this is how it goes...

Mae had a busy week. Wednesday, finalization, Thursday, Thanksgiving, Friday, Sealing, Sunday, Blessing.

Our time in the temple was precious. The sweet little ladies working that day dressed the kids in beautiful white clothing. They came into the sealing room looking like little angels. Little Mae sat quietly cooing while the sealer performed the ordinance that would bind her to our famliy through eternity. He explained that no matter what happened in the lives of the parents, children who are sealed to their families will have the blessings of eternal parentage. He also remembered each one of our names (which is a feat because as Isaac said, "Mom, that guy was all white. He had white hair in his nose and white hair and his close was white!").

My mother-in-law, the Carvajal's, The Standifird's, and the Gurney's were able to attend with us.

What a blessing that Isaac and Liv will remember the temple. One more reason why being adopted is soooo cool.

We are a "peculiar people". If you want more info on the sealing and blessing ceremonies, see the church website.

What Goes Around...

Sometimes it sucks to get what you deserve.

Now, they didn't dance to "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go", "Billy Jean", or "Hungry Eyes", (in fact they had no music at all), but it was a "program" all the same.

For moi, first it was my best friend, Jewell. We jammed to Wham and Michael Jackson. We invited the neighborhood. Then it was Robbie (my cousin) and I. My grandma only had a record player with a radio on it, so we jammed to whatever happened to be on the radio. Do you know how hard it is to make up a dance to one song and perform it to another? We got mad skills.

A Thanksgiving Visit

Helen and Naloni popped in this week for a Thanksgiving visit... Here are some of our Temple Square high"lights"...

Shiny, Happy People

Here comes a blaring generalization, but people who shop at Sam's Club are happier than people who shop at Costco. OOOOhHH I can just hear the comments coming! I love starting something.

So. I generally shop at Costco for my industrial sized box of spanikopita, because, you know as my husband says, "cooler people shop at Costco," (and he could take back his tv up to 3 years after he bought it and say, "I don't want it" and they will take it back faster than you can say, "I really need the money right now"). I honestly don't care who shops where, but he pays the membership and I hitch a ride on the free spouse card express.

So, he got off his high horse and got one of those snazzy $10 for the rest of the year Sam's memberships. Today Mae and I ventured in (because I am in charge of the turkey for Olivia's class feast and never even strolled down that aisle?). Anywho, as we meandered along the enormous aisles I caught smiles and winks (just kidding), and the man who took my picture for the free spouse card was kind and efficient.

When I got to the end of my trip with only a gallon of 1% and a ready-made chicken (hey!? **just had a thought** can 1-3rd graders tell the difference between turkey and rotisserie chicken?), the couple in front of me (who looked like they were re-stocking their food storage), asked me to go first. When I fumbled for my Sam's card the Mrs. even placed my items on the belt. I totally caught the spirit of Christmas.

But before that came the Grandpa. You know, one of those grandpas who peaks at all the babes (the ones under 3)? He peaked over at Mae as we walked by. I almost sped up just to play hard to get, but he was too cute. She was wearing her super-cool knit cap, so I promptly removed it so he could see her curls. He looked at her and touched her hand and then, I'm sure noticing her almondy round, black eyes and carmel-colored skin, said, "She's very lucky." I said thank-you and proceeded to turn when he said, "...and you are too." He took the words right out of my mouth.

Sam's Club rocks the house! Take that you introverted, self-absorbed or just plain mean Costo shoppers. If you write a mean comment I'll just know you shop at Costco.

Grub Day

Well, I know my kids aren't the only poorly dressed at school today. I saw all their mom's at the Twilight premiere.

Why were we all so worried about Edward? Jacob was the ugly one (and I'm pretty sure not Indian). And the white make-up? That estetician (sp?) will never work in Hollywood again!

That movie could have been in another language starring the old Nick Nolte as Edward (see previous post) and I would have had fun. There was electricity in the air, the chicks behind us eating an entire Costco coffee cake they'd smuggled in, conversations about "levi loving", dodging the flash from every teen's digital as they pressed their heads together and smiled, and a 44 oz Cherry Coke. I don't know what it is about this story.? Had the time of my life.

Ladies, I had a DELIGHTFUL time! Let's do it again July 17 for Harry Potter.

Hot to Not

On my msn.com homepage was this story. See it and then proceed with the following commentary...

I laughed, I cried.

I don't care what you say, Vince Vaughn is still hot- funny men are hot.

And my beloved Jude. Oh Jude, a mustache? Ewww. I will always have my copy of The Holiday to keep me warm at night and erase the trauma of the mustache picture.

Can you believe I have an entry labeled "hot men"?

SHHhh, I need a cLuE

I have a secret (and it's not "GooGoo GaaGaa Fishes", or "Talk to me, Talk to me beh beh", those are Georgia's).

Well, I really don't have a secret (!!I NEED THAT CLUE!!), it's the local radio station I listen to that does. It's driving me crazy. They have a secret sound (!!FIRST CLUE, FIRST CLUE, SOMEONE PLEEEEASE) (you can hear it on their site...and hey, they do play the best mix of the 80's, 90's and today, so don't start). I've been the 13th caller twice. Is that a bad sign?

I picture myself winning a-la The Secret. Every time I dial I say out loud, "They're going to answer" and I can hear the voice of the dj on the other end of the line saying, "You're the twentieth caller!" and me on the opposite end wondering if I should use an alias or if that might void my prize.

It just so happens that they play the secret sound at 8:10 (while I'm driving Isaac & Liv to school), 11:10 (while I'm picking up Isaac), and 3:10 (when I go back to pick up Liv). I was sure I knew what it was. Then they started giving out clues. (OH THAT @#$@!%$ CLUE!) I've only got two (and I don't think it's fair if I share them with you here.) One of the clues fits my guess. The other one not so much. I missed Monday's clue !!!I GOT TO HAVE THAT CLUE!!!(and don't bother trying, they're not posted on anyone's blog or anywhere Google searches, I just tried). !!!I GOTTA HAVE THAT CLUE!!!

OK, so here's the deal. Call me if you think you know what it is. I'll tell you what I know, CIA style, and if we win I'll split the $$ with you, but the hot tub's mine. But, time is of the essence. Three dummies tried to guess today after the clue was given this morning so tomorrow is probably it.

PSSST...tHe eAglE hAS lANdEd

They only guessed wrong because the pot has been getting larger so I could pay cash for my next car. and give some to charity, of course

Enrichment

I ran across this book at Michael's (and incidently found it at least $5.00 cheaper on Amazon after I bought it). Doesn't it look wonderful? It's even better inside. The best part? There are printable pages inside the book in color in case you don't want to hunt down your own paper for the project!

I am in charge of Enrichment for church. I think I'm going to add to the list of meetings/classes to include a monthly "craft" including, but not limited to:

Chunky Wood hearts with raffia loops painted with the saying of your choice (as long as you put dots on the ends of every line in every letter)

A "Yule Log", cut from my neighbor's tree with fir and pine tree branches, pinecones, silk poinsettias, and ribbon hot glued to the top

One of these...

And a few of these

How 'bout some of this action?

(maybe even some of the bi-racial dolls as seen on either side of this jar)

Last, but not least, anything that says, "Back Door Friends are Best"

Now ladies, it is Church policy that you attend the ward in your geographic area, so you may suggest these to your Enrichment leader, but this is soley for my girls.

P.S. Do any of your husbands have a jigsaw and would be willing to make us some shelves with heart cutouts to stage our crafts on?

Home James

First of all, I consider myself so lucky that after having spent 5 hours in Seattle, and 6 days in Anchorage, I am so in love with my home that I am ecstatic to be here. My adorable sailor-mouthed neighbor devotedly collected my mail every day and when, last week, the wind "howled like the dickens", she place my pumpkins in front of the screen door so it wouldn't be blown off the hinges. My other neighbor called me to ask help in rearranging furniture. I drove only 3 minutes down the road to Walmart to restock, and while holding a conversation on my cel, a kind woman reprimanded my children right in front of me for touching the produce. Ok, well maybe not the last one so much. (Another entry you've got to read from the "bloggity blog"). I've been smiling all day as I clean up and unpack. What a wonderful thing to be home.

Here is my equivalent of a slideshow of my vacation. Look, if you do it here you won't have to do it at the next dinner party. (Like I have dinner parties!)

**I just received a text with an invitation to come back to Alaska** how nice**

P.S. Does that include Georgia?