December 27

Honestly, I don't know why I'm surprised anymore. It's always this way. I wake up and have high expectations for the day, and then wham, it's just another day. December birthdays suck. Period.

Also, 29 is so smarmy. 29 is all "it's your last year, enjoy it!" Every day 29 just mocks you. Stupid 29. I already hate you.

Christmas Vacation

Wahoo! This week is finally over! This has been the longest, busiest, most annoying week of the year. The only highlights have been a) our team lunch at PF Chang's (thanks lettuce wraps!), b) pre-birthday lunch (thanks Melissa!), c)Tyler's cocktail party (thanks vodka!), and d) my delicious cupcakes (thanks buford betty!). I literally ate cupcakes for breakfast this morning because I could tell it was going to be that kind of day; and, it was.

Tomorrow we leave for a whirlwind tour of Bur-Vegas, Durham, and Charlotte. It'll be a busy few days off, and we're cramming every minute full with visits. We have our annual girls' Christmas gathering (plus hubbies) on Saturday night, family visits on Sunday, and a random lunch with my girls from high school on Monday. Awaiting me when we return are Brooke and Courtney, just in time for my birthday. It'll be a busy week. Oh, and I'm super excited about New Year's....but more on that when the time approaches. (Hopefully I'll have some funny photos to share!)

I am most looking forward to giving my parents their gift from us and my sis. We got the Wii! They have no clue. We told them it was sold out (not a lie), and that we couldn't find one for less than $800 (small lie). We're making them open it tomorrow so we can take full advantage of our Wii playing time. I can't wait to kick my dad's but at bowling, and knock my mom out in boxing. Good times!

Here's hoping your holidays are full of fun too!

(Next week - learn about drinking and eating way too much and how that can affect your pants. Here's the secret: they shrink and do their best to make you look fat. Damn pants!)

No Shrinking Violet

Oh yes, I'm looking at you. Aren't I just too much? I wore my fancy tiara and pearls just for the season. Who says a turtle can't come to Christmas? I'm too pretty not to be on the tree.

Guppy Love

I bought three great new ornaments this year from my favorite little store at the Lake, Anthology, and these are my favorite! Kissing bride & groom fish! They are so freaking cute, and I love the magnetic glitter lips! They are hand-painted by a local artist (supposedly), and I bought another from her collection....which you can see tomorrow. Oooh, the anticipation!

All Decked Out

So earlier when I said "So here's my tree and my wreath," I forgot the tree part. Here it is. It's much prettier in person. I think next year I'm going to add some ribbon and some purple ornaments. It needs a bright pop of color.

Pardon me while I whine....

Can I just say that I hate global warming and this stupid unseasonably warm winter we are having. It's December and the high is 79 today. Yesterday I was actually sweating. Sweating...in December...which is winter! Argh! I live in NC because I enjoy all 4 seasons....I do not want a sunny winter. I want a cold, dark, slight chance of snow winter. Where am I going to wear all the cute jackets and sweaters I bought for this season?

J and I are going to Asheville this weekend for our belated anniversary weekend, and I was hoping I'd at least get some cold weather there since it is the mountains. But no, weather.com has informed me that the highs there over the next few days are in the 60s, with a chance of cold weather on Sunday when we leave.

People let's take care of this planet so that we can wear super cute winter coats, buy fun boots, bring out the tights, and gain a layer of winter fat to keep us warm and cozy. I think that's the message Al Gore forgot in his movie. Screw the polar bears and penguins, this shit is messing with my wardrobe!

Knock, knock...

I've been remiss in posting my holiday decorations in the house. I'm actually proud that we did all of our decorating the first weekend of December, which is super early for us. We're usually very last minute with anything related to Christmas decorating! But this year I made a point to get it done the first weekend, and then forgot to post photos (duh!). So, here's our tree....and my gorgeous wreath that Angie made. It makes me happy every time I drive up to the house.

Planting the Seed

So, I have been debating with myself about whether to talk about this on the blog or not. On the one hand, this is my outlet for talking about things that I am excited about, that I am pissed about, that I am anxious about...you get the point. But, to make public my little secret, well that invites lots of commentary - and I'm not sure if I'm ready for commentary. So, as long as you all promise to keep my little secret plan a secret and not chatter too much about it, then I will share and keep you updated on..........Project Seed Pod.

**Warning: If you read ahead, be prepared for talk of girly parts.**

Technically Project Seed Pod has been going on for a few months, but my efforts are intensifying as we go into month 3. Why you say? Well, because I have finally figured out when I am ovulating. So, now I am going in with a game plan:

Step 1: Lots o' lovin over the next two weeks
Step 2: Take daily multi-vitamin
Step 3: Mention nothing to the parents, so that they do not go into over-drive

So, wish me luck! I have been so bummed the last few months when Aunt Flow came to visit. It's so funny, for most of your sex life you are so focused on NOT getting pregnant. Now that J and I have finally come to the decision to go for it, it's the only thing I can think of and of course the thing that isn't happening. It's not like I'm freaking out or anything, it's only been a few months. But I am so excited about being a mom, especially during the holidays. I seriously cannot watch most commercials right now without getting teary eyed. Everything right now is all about family, and it just makes me ache to start making memories with our own family!

37 Inches

So, I got home last night and my Christmas/Birthday present had arrived and J decided to set it up. What's my combo gift you may ask? A flatscreen television with HD TV.

*Cool gift? yes.
*A gift for me? supposedly.
*Secretly a gift for my husband? yes.
*Am I letting him think that I don't know it was a gift for him under the guise of my christmas/birthday? yes.

It's 37 inches of liquid crystal, baby! Last night he had it on football, and I immediately changed the channel to which he replied "Hey, I was watching that!" Unfortunately for him, I have the ultimate trump card - "But, I thought it was my present?" Gotcha!

There's a New Colby on the Scene

Colby was our intern at work this summer, and she's such a sweetheart. She's all of 19 years old, gorgeous, and has this amazing voice. Seriously, I just know the sky is the limit for this girl.
Sure, you haven't heard of her, but you will one day. So here is your chance to get a sneak peak. You can log on to her website by clicking on "The Amazingly Gifted Colby Bell" to the right under Say What?!?


Do yourself a favor, log on, listen to her song and then you can say "I was listening to her before she won her first Grammy."

'Tis the Season

My office has adopted a family for Christmas. I've done this the last few years at work, and it's so great. I just had so much fun shopping for our little family. It's a mom, a 5 year old girl, and a 2 year old little boy. Of course going in, I was thinking "cute clothes and toys - what fun!" But now that we've learned more about our family, it's become so much more. We found out that our family lives in an apartment and they sleep on the floors. They sleep on the floors as in they have no beds. It breaks my heart. And yet, this has given me the most joy this holiday season. I love shopping for friends and family, don't get me wrong. I love finding that perfect little gift that will make someone happy. But, this is shopping with a purpose. This is giving in the true spirit of the season. I love how our little office has banded together to get beds for the family, bedding, clothes, toys, a set of dishes, etc. It's all made me realize just how lucky I am to have such a great group of co-workers, a fantastic family, a loving husband, and a good job. I'm not one to get all hokey but it's really just inspired me. In fact, it's something I should be doing more of - good for others, that is. So, I'm going to get into volunteering again. It's something I did while I lived in RDU and loved it, so I need to get involved in CLT too. I'm thinking I'll do domestic violence and rape crisis work again, but we'll see. Maybe I should switch it up - but either way, I need to get involved and give back. Otherwise it's just so easy to get caught up in my own drama and self-pity when truly my life is good. I need to appreciate what I have, and give back throughout the year - not just Christmas.

Attack of the Bleh

So, I've been in a real funk lately. I think the time change and weather are really getting me down. I'm just so bleh all the time. I just want to sleep, eat, watch America's Next Top Model, and then sleep some more. I'm sure it's just my old friend SAD* creeping up, but it feels so much more bleh-y this year.

I hear you thinking "why is she complaining. everyone goes through this. just shut up already Ms. Whiny McWhinesalot," but really the bleh is taking control. Let me share some examples...I still have not unpacked from Thanksgiving (which was great fun by the way) so my clothes, shoes, etc. are just all over the floor, dresser, and bathroom. Speaking of bathrooms, they are filthy - heck, the whole house is filthy - and it bothers me, but I'm just too bleh to do anything about it. We need to go grocery shopping, but I just don't care. Instead, I choose to eat random mixes of crap and get fat. Seriously, I ate popcorn with 1/4 of a bag of shredded cheddar cheese poured over it for dinner last night. Odd, but filling. I need to regain focus on my kick-butt and lose weight program, but instead I just eat and sleep. So, I'm slowly but surely packing on the winter weight. Winter weight that I know is coming, and that I know I need to avoid, and that I know is making me more bleh but it's like a freight train I can't stop. Oh, and let's not even talk about work and how I need to really focus there because December, she's a bitch who's ready to fight and she's calling my name, but I'm all bleh, money who needs it.

And now I'm too bleh to try and wrap this up and make it sound less whiny and pathetic. So, there you go. I'm off to sleep for 10 hours, maybe that will help. Probably not.

*SAD is "seasonal affective disorder" for those of you not in the know.

Year One, Down...50 more to go!

I had a great anniversary weekend, even though we're officially celebrating in mid-December with a trip to Biltmore in Asheville at a little B&B. So, this weekend was just supposed to be low-key, which was great. I got a new wedding band on Friday - finally! And I love it! I also got a cute little band of diamonds and emeralds for an anniversary gift! Saturday I was feeling sick so I took some benadryl, which of course knocked me out for a few hours. When I got up J told me to stay upstairs while he made dinner. So, when I came back down, the dining room is lit with candles, fresh flowers are on the table, and there's the smell of ravioli and veggies cooking. Of course with dinner, he uncorks some champagne to celebrate. I should have guessed, he loves champagne and uses every chance to buy it! :) When we were finished with dinner, I was sent upstairs once more so he could clear the table and set out dessert. It was so cute and sweet - when I came back down there was a slice of cake for each of us with a little 1 candle in them. You know, the candles you get for kids' birthdays. It was so adorable! Of course, the cats being curious as ever jumped on the table while we weren't looking and Lucy almost burned her tail. She is so stupid sometimes - who sniffs burning candles? My cat!

Sweet Nothings

J: Hey, guess what. I never paid for your wedding band.

Me: Hunh?

J: Yeah, apparently they never charged me for it. I've checked all my records, and there's no sign of a payment for it.

Me: How the hell does that happen?

J: I guess they misplaced the paperwork and never realized it.

Me: We are so going to get me a new wedding band this weekend.

J: I figured you'd say that. I'm already posting yours on eBay.

Happy almost 1st Anniversary!

Pretty in Purple

If you know anyone that would like a beautiful, custom-designed holiday wreath...let me know. My friend, Angie, creates beautiful pieces to meet any budget.

When the World Ends

An email from my sister:

just wanted to let you know what children today can, or should i say CANNOT "be exposed to." our science teachers showed the students "An Inconvenient Truth" and have been discussing global warming, etc. There is a talk radio station that is now attacking our school....and most recently they have given out our principal's home phone number on the air and encouraged parents to call her and let her know how outraged they are that we're showing political movies....how sad-even adults are so ignorant!

It is sad. I don't know why people are so afraid of knowledge! I mean, the whole reason we go to school is to learn. Learning means hearing all points of view - not just one, but many. I know there is some debate about the truthiness of An Inconvenient Truth, but that would be a great way to start a good science discussion in class. I think it's a great way to get teenagers thinking beyond themselves and their spheres of the world. And when did saving the environment become a bad thing? Shouldn't we want to figure out how to preserve this earth we've been given?

Why do environmentalists have to be LEFT and why is the RIGHT so scared of knowledge?

On A Teacher's Salary

I'm so excited! My sister got a NEW car - finally! The child agonized over this decision for months, as if it were the only car she would ever buy in her entire life. And after complaining that she would only buy an SUV "because she needs the space dammit!" - she actually purchased a...VOLVO S40.

And I must admit, I'm jealous. This is my dream car. I was literally looking at this exact car in the Fall of 2005. But then I realized that I don't make enough money yet to be a Volvo person. And yet, the teacher does? What's up with that!

i'm so happy for you panda bear!

Naming

Why does naming your blog create such anxiety? Is it just me? I was so stressed trying to think of something clever and yet effortless. So, the nerd that I am decided to borrow from a book. I am obsessed with anything related to Henry VIII. I'm not so much interested in the King himself, but instead the craziness of that period which saw 8 Queens of England. My favorite has always been Anne Boleyn...for many reasons. But chiefly, her personal motto:

That's how it's going to be, however much people may grumble.

I think it was very appropriate for her reign, as people did grumble - all the way until her beheading. I admire her "kiss my ass" attitude. And so, a name for a blog.

Someone ate my blog!

I'm back! After a year of posting, I go to post on my blog and find it "temporarily disabled." So after many months of trying to contact the hosting site, I find out that they did not renew their contract and all of the blogs on the site were closed without warning. No email to say "Hey, come archive your posts and move them!" Nothing. I guess that's what I get for going with an "indie" blog hosting site! The internet ate my blog. So now I'm starting all over on blogger, which sucks. So happy first day back to me!