Resolutions

...don't over think this post, this is more for a personal commitment than anything else... maybe I can shed some of these extra 100+lbs this year... and maybe a little baggage too :)

Christmas is over.....

And, I am actually anxious to get the tree down. I have been considering starting a card making service. I would hand make custom greeting cards for all occasions, and sell them for very affordable pricing. Once I get the tree down, I am going to use that "dead space" in my living room for my own little project area, where I can easily watch after Scarlett at the same time.

As you may or may not know, Joe lost his job the first of this week (this is the work in CA for Yor Health). Just before Christmas. So, I am trying my best to come up with ways to make some extra green. Yes, I have applied for a couple jobs at Walgreens. We will see if I hear back. Joe is also working hard trying to arrange for more work so that he can still bring in enough income to pay the rent.

I am grateful for all of my friends and family who bought us such nice gifts for Scarlett's birthday and our Christmas. We feel like we have everything we need and mostly everything we want, and are very happy.

This is just a quick short update so you know that we are okay and still around. I will try to post some more towards the beginning of the week with pictures! :)

It was real, and it was fun, and I didn't take a single picture....

Feeling in a Poppy mood... which is a good thing. I love poppies, especially red ones....

Well, my birthday is officially over.

(image from here , what an adorable pin that is!)


I know some really great people, and I suppose it should come as no surprise, that they give EXCELLENT gifts!!

I do not think I have ever used so many exclamation points in one day, as I have today.
(image from here)

It has been a sublime day. Everything--well most everything--has been perfect, just falling into place. I feel like one of the most blessed people on the planet, truly. I had at least 30 birthday wishes on Facebook and via text message today. All people who are wonderful in their own special and unique ways, like precious stones on display for all to appreciate, though few take the time... I guess there are a lot of people, places and things which fall into this category... *pauses for a moment of contemplation*
(image from here )


My Wonderful friend Malia, and her Husband Phil, took me to Olive Garden for my birthday as was my choice of venue. She said I could eat anywhere I wanted, and that it was her treat. She is truly wonderful. I also learned, that Scarlett LOVES minestrone soup, or at least the broth, and have been again reaffirmed how much Scarlett loves broccoli She has so much to do on Thursday that I was grateful that she was willing to share some of her time with me, on my special day. She is so dear to me! 

Brook, came over just after I returned from lunch, and had put Scooby down for a nap, bringing me wonderful Oreo and whipped cream cake. It was Delicious, and even had one maraschino cherry on it. Perfect.      SIDE NOTE----I must admit, that I have also probably had more maraschino cherries today, than I have EVER had in one single day, my entire life. Thats a lot of cherries... and a lot of Diet Roy Rodgers-s (which is not an alcoholic beverage, but just diet cola with cherries and cherry syrup called grenadine). END OF SIDE NOTE---     It was also just lovely to see Brook, Ardell, and their beautiful daughters, Solana, and Audi. Audi reminds me so much of my Scarlett when she was smaller, only she has such clear and distinguishable speech, without a LICK of whining. Its amazing. I wish I could pass this trait onto Scarlett, I HATE whining. Clarification--I Love Scarlett, but hate whining. They also brought me a Christmas CD, which I am very much looking forward to listening to in my car tomorrow, and have placed it in the player already for my listening enjoyment on Scarletts special birthday. (image from here)

Because I am so giddy, I am going to post this entry WITHOUT pictures of my loot, and I will add in pictures on a separate addended post, VERY soon. Also, showcasing items purchased with said Funds alluded to in this post :) Im crafty, yes.

Everyone gave me excellent cards, which to me is a magnificent gift all on its own! (cartoon from here)

My sister Sarah gave me two beautiful cards, and money! She knows me so well, to get me just what I wanted! Also, just having her at my party was a huge gift, since her loving Husband is out of town for work, and she had to ask her in laws to watch her boys for her. It was wonderful having her come to m party though, and sit next to me.

My mom and Dad gave me a wonderful card, along with these adorable post-its that look like they were designed just for me. They are black and white with paisleys on the sides and in three different sizes and patterns. She also gave me $50! I am excited to be able to go out and maybe buy some pants, underwear, and maybe a new shirt. I feel so blessed by my parents. They really do a lot for me, and I am truly grateful.

Paul and Lizette gave me this awesome vintage purse which was entirely beaded, which has a little separate compartment inside which will work PERFECTLY for my cell phone, though everyone continued to remind me, that when the purse was made, there were no cell phones, and I would say, yeah, yeah it would'a been for a pocket watch or hand mirror or something, but its GOING to be for a cell phone :) . It also came with a strap to make the purse longer instead of just for being held on the short string. It is wonderful, and I love it. In addition she gave me a red glass vase. I love red glass. (surprise surprise, I know!) image from here

Janice Noreen gave me the most beautiful pajamas I have ever seen. They are of course, Red. They have a white embellishment on the pocket, and are 3X so they will fit me perfectly. I love these pajamas, SO MUCH, that I cannot wait to take a picture in these heavenly night clothings... She also gave me a BEAUTIFUL card, that almost made me cry!

Wendy gave me a LOVELY red sweater with big wonderful brown buttons down it, and a BEAUTIFUL black bead necklace that ties with ribbon in the back. (image from here ... I love that image) I love ribbon necklaces! They feel so classy, sophisticated, and yet modern at the same time. Not only did she give me great gifts, but She watched Scarlett after the party so that Joe and I could go see a movie.  She bathed my Scarlett and put her in a brand new blue shirt she bought her, that has a cute little hot cocoa mug with marshmallows on top. She looked so beautiful when I came to get her, and her hair was even done up in a cute, snug little pony on the top of her head :) Wendy is such a wonderful mommy, and an equally wonderful Aunt! Scarlett is very lucky to have her around, and I am positive that she knows it, too. When Joe put her in the car to go with Wendy home, he said, "You wanna go for a ride in aunt "dee dee's" car? and she said, "Okay daddy!" with no resistance. That is true love, in Scarlett form. Calm, collected, contentment, with one's company= Love.

We saw The Fantastic Mr. Fox ( a Wes Anderson film!) I loved it, I really did love the movie. (image from here ) I would recommend it to adults, and not children though. There is stealing, and a lot of death in the movie. Also, whenever the characters would have a desire to swear, they would say "cuss". IT was funny, but very apparent to any adult which words they were substituting for... And a lot of comparisons with animals to groups of people, which children would not catch, and we adults find, truly witty and hilarious. I LOVE metaphor. I am such an English nerd, it makes me giddy.

Thank you Wendy, and Everyone else, who took part in my special day, helping to make this my best birthday EVER. Thats right, ever.

But First... come to this!

Your Presence is Present enough!

again, let me know if you plan on coming.

HOPE to see you all there, let me know if you are coming!

(i used the pizza image for this invite from this  website.)

Count your many Blessings..

Name them one by one...

My Sweet sister, Wendy, watched Scarlett for us so we could go out to a movie last night. We saw "Brothers." (image from here ) It was quite the drama. The star-studded cast (Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhal, and Tobey Maguire) really bring to  light the horrific impact war can have on our soldiers, who are then expected to just come right back home to their old surroundings. Made me grateful to those who are willing to make such an ultimate sacrifice to help protect our freedoms, and the freedoms of those in foreign lands. We love movies.

When we came to pick up Scarlett, she had been bathed and was happy as a little clam. She wanted us to stay at Wendy's to play longer! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Wendy! She also watched Sarah and Matt's boys for a couple hours before we brought Scarlett, she is truly a saint. She serves until she has no faculties left, without complaint.

Joe and I did not exchange gifts this year for our anniversary. Only Hallmark cards. Each year, I, scour the section, reading every one, searching for one that holds the exact message I want to send *which often brings tears to my eyes in the middle of Walgreens*, then just add a few words and sign it. He, finds a simple card, and writes the beautiful heartfelt tribute, himself. Oh how I love him. Even more today, than yesterday.

(image from here)

In Five days, I will reach my 25th birthday! A Quarter of a century of life under my belt. Do I feel wise? I don't know... I think I once heard a saying that "The wiser you become, the more you realize just how little you know. "(i know i butchered that but you get the jidst)

Joe was telling me that a certain friend of his hates Christmas. I was like WHAT?!?!? I told him that friend needs to spend more time with ME around the Holidays. I love it. Here is a Christmas song for you, Paul, a tribute song from Oscar the Grouch: (image from here )

"I cant think of anything thats dumber

To a grouch, Christmas is a bummer.

Beaming faces everywhere, happiness is in the air,

I'm telling you it isn't fair, I hate christmas!

People loaded with goodwill, giving presents what a thrill,

That slushy nonsense makes me ill, I hate christmas.

I'd rather have a holiday like normal grouches do,

instead of getting presents, they take presents back from you.

Here comes Santa, girls and boys,

so? who needs that big red noise,

I'll tell him where to leave his toys, I hate christmas.

And if you want the truth, I ain't so crazy about Easter and Labor day either, HUH!

Christmas carols to be sung, decorations to be hung, Oh yeah?

Well I stick out my tongue, I hate christmas!

Christmas bells pay loud as throng, hurts my ears all that ding dong,

besides it goes on much too long! I  hate christmas!

I'd rather have a holiday with a lot less joy and flash

With a lot less cheerful smiling, and a lot more dirty trash! Yeah!

Christmas day is almost here, when its over, then I cheer

I'm glad its only ONCE A YEAR

I hate christmas!

And whoever hung that mistletoe over my trash can,

Well I say HOOEY and Bah HUMBUG!"

*trash can lid slams shut*

(heres a link to the youtube video )

(image from here )

Four Years ago....

...Two people fell in love, and got married.

we knew in an instant that we were meant to be together.

whatever trials might come, we were willing to face them.

as long as we have each other, we will always be able to see it through. 

our love will always find a way...

What a wild ride we have had!

Happy Anniversary, Joe. I love you to the moon and back, again, and again, and again. 

Speaking Words of Wisdom....

Here are a few gems I have heard recently...

A lady working at the Dollar store quoted her husband saying, "It isn't the dollar store unless you only buy one thing" ex: if you buy 5 things, then it's the $5 store, etc.

"No treat for you,  you already had your dessert"

(images from here and here.)

Never Judge a person until you have walked a mile in their shoes, then you will be a mile away from them, and you'll have their shoes!
image from fashionista.com

I am feeling refreshed, even if it is a rainy Monday. I got Scarlett's birthday presents today for an extremely good deal, which makes me happy, and better yet, I know she loves them all.  Walgreens has some great bargains on children's toys, you should check it out if you have toys to buy for Christmas gifts! Scarlett even loves the gift bags I picked. One has cupcakes and the other, "flutterflies".

This week, scarlett is very into the "Little Eyesteins (Einsteins)", "Dora Boots (the Explorer)", and "Manny(Handy) Manny".

Another Award! *gasps*

My sweet friend Kelsi Rose  gave me this award. And I have to admit, that I never fulfilled my responsibilities attached to my last award, so I felt like I really did have to do this one. Things like this are always difficult for me to do. 10 random honest things about myself, AHHHHH!



I voted for Obama, I support him and his politics. I don't want to hear any bashings, so If you want to do that, find someone else to listen to you, cause I am not interested. (wow I'm a not very nice person, am I? Sorry the junk email i just got telling me to "give Obama a piece of [my] mind" spurred that one. ) (image from here )

I don't think I own any socks. (image from here )

I have at least once purchased a bra from a second hand store.

It hurts me to buy something that isn't either on sale or at a discount store.

I have a hard time holding onto close friends, except for the few who have decided to stick by me no matter what I say or do, and for those few I am very very very grateful. I have been told that my "rules for the operation of friendships" is skewed which causes friction in relationship dynamics... However in my head, I am still unsure how to fix any of that... and I can't afford therapy! Ha!

I aspire to one day when I have all the money I could possibly want, to be able to go to Nordstrom and buy an expensive pair of designer shoes. Until then, I will just dream of being one of those rich people who can.
(image from here )
I also have always wanted to have a home where I could hang Christmas lights around the outside. This year, I pretty much could, except I have been advised that perhaps I shouldn't, that it might infer, "Rob me, I have expensive things inside" which is neither true, nor the message I would be trying to send. At least my friend Malia's husband put lights outside their house, like i would have wanted, so I can pretend to live vicariously through their house.

My freezer has no food in it. If we were unable to drive thru restaurants or go to stores tomorrow, I would probably starve to death. Sad story huh? I did however try freezing a galon of milk, I thought someone told me that was ok, but it sure looks gross all frozen, so I think that is probably no good, either. *sighs*
(image from here )

I bite my fingernails. Sometimes whilst biting them, i tear the end off, causing painful hangnails. It is a rare occasion when at least one of my fingers is not injured at any given time... Makes pushing car seat buttons a bit more challenging.... and turning keys, things that people truly take for granted being able to do painlessly.

Several years back in fell in a GYMBOREE, (I wrote about this when it happened, here ) and now my arm does not straighten out all the way. This is a painful and stupid injury, which really limits my ability to reach for things in the car while driving, or even just carrying my daughter at times. They had said that perhaps physical therapy could have fixed it or surgery, or both, but I had no insurance, so I went to an Urgent care twice. They wrote me two prescriptions for heavy pain killers and muscle relaxers. (here is the post from when I went to the doctor) Thanks a lot healthcare system! :)
(image from here )
Now my Nominations for this award:

Camille of www.archiveslives.com if you have ever read her blog, it speaks for itself, she always says it  how it is, and doesnt mind drama when the chips fall, as they ALWAYS do. She also has been doing really good at clicking on my blog and commenting on occasion, and I really do appreciate it!

Ratalienose- Your blog posts make me want to remember my High school years as better times. I think really it just is a testament to me, of how my days could have been, had I made different choices. Your curtain time post this week, really inspired me. It sounded like a dream, only I would have been on that piano in a smexy red dress.

Alison VP- Your writing is fabulous. Your readers love your posts not for bells and whistles, but for the content and meat you put into your posts. I love reading them, even if you are still in desperate need of a blog makeover :) xoxo

(image from here )

Once Upon a December

Ok, so you all know this is my favorite time of year. I have been blogging, for, what seems like an eternity, and have documented December 2007 , December 2008 , and  here I am in December 2009, with more pics of holiday decor.

I've scaled back on the quantity of decorations this year, but definitely not the quality :)

I could only find one stocking this year :(

I love my tree this year, Thanks Brook & Rdell for helping me assemble my artificial tree and putting on the lights and star. LOVE YOU!

when I was finished decorating, I simply laid across the couch and put my feet up to admire my handiwork. I love my new throw featured to the left of this pic. I got it at D.I for 3 dollars, the patchwork squares are all different polyester fabric squares and the inside is an old lady flower print... I love it, love it, love it! The rust colored pillow was also 3 dollars at D.I.

Washing Dishes

Sometimes, I think it takes a change, or a large series of changes, for something that once seemed TAXING to all of the sudden feel manageable or even pleasant. For me, Washing Dishes, falls under this list.
(wishing I had that apron.... image from here)
Things that have changed:

• New dishes--I love my new dishes purchased from the dollar store. They are pretty (off white and a bit modern looking) and fun to serve and eat off of. I just love how they look when they are sparkling clean. 
• No dispose-all--n this place we are renting, for the first time in my entire renting life (of 4 years) I have no Dispose-all. What this means is that NASTY, DISGUSTING food remnants, are NOT to be left sitting in dishes inside of the sink. Has this rule been fully abided by? No. But, he-- I mean WE, are making an effort to do better at scraping our plates off into the garbage at the bare minimum :)
• The Power of a scrubby-- Down at the local dollar store they sell 2-packs of those lovely O-cello sponges with the rough and soft sides on them. Mine have cute little flowers on one and plaid on the other. For years, I have wondered why my dishwashers would not clean my dishes. I swear that growing up, just like in the "Cascade does the dirty work" commercials, I could just load things in without rinsing, and they still came out spotless, but in my adult life, so has not been the case. BUT, the scrubby, takes the junk off the dishes with effortless ease. Three cheers for the scrubby. (scrubby image from here, a new favorite bloggy !)

The answer I have found is Wash it as soon as you finish with it. Then, it won't ever seem disgusting or gross. It will only be one or two things to wash instead of 100, the smell won't make you want to pass out, and your dishwasher might even have a chance at cleaning them the first time around!

Amazing discovery, in my opinion. To most of you, this is probably something you already do anyway, but for me... a breakthrough.

Next I just have to figure out how to keep up with my laundry at a similar pace, instead of just all of a sudden realizing there are mountains of dirty laundry everywhere... but baby steps, right? (image from here)