Eff

So I took all these cute little pictures of all the crafty things that I made for Christmas. I sat down to finally blog about them and ... I can't pull them up.
They are nowhere to be found... I can see the file on my computer but no image comes up... what the eff?!
My lovely husband says, "Oh, didn't you realize you took all those pictures in RAW format? You are going to have to get a program to view them..."
So.... My DIY Christmas post will have to wait.... lame

Poop Icing

So we have been taking the Wilton cake decorating classes- which have been super fun but have just shown me how far I have to go before I get my own cooking show on Food Network, watch out Rachel!

I have eaten about 4 pounds of  the  Wilton buttercream frosting and so I wanted to try the chocolate version.

Well in theory that was a wonderful idea, in reality- it looked like poop. But, since it tasted delicious I overlooked the fact that it looked like dookie. My flowers have immensely improved- the picture just doesn't do it justice... I promise :D

Roots

I found a book for Father's day for my Grandpa- it was titled "In Grandpa's Words". It was a collection of questions that were to be filled out during a session (or sessions) of the reader and Grandpa. It was such a good idea that I decided it should be inclusive of my Grandma too- sort of an oral history of their lives together and what their thoughts and memories of life are.
I am appalled to say that six months later I have finally started. I am planning on going to both sets of grandparent's every Sunday to sit and talk with them and to get their stories.
I had such a good time listening to my Grandpa Phil tell me stories about his childhood and I couldn't believe all of the things that he had to say- He had been drafted in the Korean War, was in Denver finishing up his physical when the news of his deferment hit him- he didn't have to go to war because of his new born daughter- my Godmother. I just thought to myself, This all could have gone so differently, He could have gone to war, possibly died; and none of us would exist... It made tears come to my eyes.
I regret not doing this sooner, I know hindsight is 20/20 but my Grandma hardly remembers anything since her stroke and it is hard to know what is accurate or not- Thank God my Grandpa is OCD and writes everything down (probably where I get it from :D) It breaks my heart to see her stumble over her words and not be able to express what she wants to say.
It was not as successful with the Archuleta's- I was able to get a few memories and stories out of them, they just didn't seem too into it. I'm going to try a different approach with them next time- giving specific things that I am looking for. Hopefully if I keep coming every week they will get more comfortable sharing with me and hopefully remember more things.
I hope to be able to scan a lot of their pictures and add them to the memories and stories I'm collecting. I want to make a book with everything in it for me and any of my family that might like one. I want to ask for more in depth stuff from my aunts and uncles too. I'm really excited at this project, it seems like a lot to take on but I think it will be so rewarding- I want my kids to know my grandparents too and this seems like such a wonderful way to make sure that they do.

Fertile Schmertile

I'm so excited today! I have a zit!! I know that may not be very exciting to a lot of people, but for me it could be life changing... I ovulated :D
I got off of my birth control a while back so we could 'start' trying to have kids, nice visual for ya there I'm sure. Well everything was great for one month... then shit shut down. No ovulation, no period, no nada.
So after a trial of this a trial of that I have finally ovulated! I don't even care that I'm not pregnant yet, just so happy that my body is finally at a point where I have something to work with.
It is extremely disappointing to not be able to do the ONE thing that almost all women can do, I was hoping to be pregnant by now, planning a nursery and what not- well I am on my way and couldn't be any more excited!!! I know this may be TMI for some people but I am just so happy!!1

New Christmas Traditions

Yes, I love hot chocolate and walking around Christmas Village in the park downtown, but I have added a few different traditions to my holiday routine the last few years, I will share a few with you today because I am feeling the Christmas spirit :D

Elf is my favorite holiday movie now and I must watch it at least 2-3 times in December to be happy. 

 

I also have a soft spot for the original and new The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Randy reminds me of Max.

We usually go to Christmas mass at midnight on Christmas Eve and then come home and open presents, but the last few years due to laziness/sickness we haven't done so. We have eaten Christmas Eve dinner at ABC Mandarin restaurant and then gone to my mom and dad's house to open presents. I like this for several reasons, no one has to stress out to make dinner and we have the nice relaxed pace of not having to hurry up to someone else's house like we do on Christmas Day.

My friend's favorite singer is Mariah Carey- she is obsessed! So every year, without fail; I hear All I Want for Christmas is You. Well last year I seen this video on Perezhilton.com and it is now my favorite! I spent like twenty minutes trying to find the damn thing and then spent the rest of the day singing and laughing about the awesome dance moves... please enjoy

Since we have so many family members and friends to do gifts for, I usually do a treat plate for each family, easier to plan and much cheaper than buying presents for everyone. 

Pinterest has made my life so much easier in this department... but that is a post all by itself.

I made custom plates for each family using a technique out of my Big Ass Book of Crafts book that I got for my birthday... They came out super cute and will post after the holidays so I don't ruin the surprise.

I have taken my love of crafting up a notch and have dedicated this year to being at least 50% home made. That includes presents for all and decorations. So far it has gone well, I will post some of my crafts as I go and some after Christmas... again so that I don't ruin any presents for anyone :D

Since last year was the first Christmas that Armando and I had by ourselves, we were finally married and no roomates, we took time before the hustle and bustle of Christmas day started and opened some of our presents together. It was really nice to sit and just be with him for a little bit so that we could really appreciate what the holiday was all about. I hope to make this an annual tradition.

Sick as Dogs

Oh dear. As I write this I am all greasy-haired, mismatched PJs and snotty nosed on my couch.
I thought I would be SuperWife yesterday and clean, pack, make dinner and take care of my poor husband who was feeling sick. He never, NEVER complains and had come home from work since he was not feeling well- something must be wrong.
I did my thing while he rested and when he wasn't in the mood for the awesome mac'n'cheese and fried chicken I made- I ate by myself and watched a movie... When I could hear the TV in the bedroom go on I got up to go sit with him... We watched the other good Joker, Jack Nicholson, in Batman and hung out.
Then my stomach started to feel a little queasy too... maybe too much mac'n'cheese?? Nope... I had whatever he had- All of the days food made a repeat performance soon after.
Mondo was able to snooze while I made multiple trips to the bathroom and finally just fell asleep on the bathroom floor: me, Randy, pillow and blanket on the tile.
Since I was so sore from moving boxes and stuff I felt like I was dying each time I got sick- not the best way to spend the night.
Now I am sore, empty-bellied and trying my damndest to keep this Gatorade down... Curse you stomach bug!

You'll have to imagine me like this- I was otherwise occupied and unable to take

 a picture to commemorate the situation

Road Ragin'

One thing that I do have a problem with is controlling my emotions while driving.
I hate idiots who don't use their blinker, dirtbags who won't let people in who DO use their blinkers, jerks who try to zoom to the front of the line when everyone else merged when they were supposed to... I have road rage and I am not ashamed to admit it.
The reason this comes up today is that on my way home from work today I heard sirens behind me- I looked in my rearview mirror, saw the flashing lights and PUT ON MY BLINKER and pulled over. The women behind me didn't slow down, pull over or even put on her blinker and pretend that she was going to pull over. That got me started.
Then I heard sirens again- this time a fire truck barreling down the road behind us... same thing- everyone else pulls over except Princess HasNoBrain- so this time I honked me horn, leaned out of my window, and violently jerked my thumb to the side of the road.
Now this may seem a little extreme but let me tell you it was nowhere near where I felt when she gave me the "I'm a dumb girl and I don't know what I'm doing" look and lifted her hands up towards the air. If I could have pulled her nappy head through her windshield I would have. I'm sure one day Mondo will have to bail me out of jail after seeing me beat up some old man for crossing a double yellow line- but seriously people, the lines are there for a reason!!

I also had to share this since I seen it and find it hilarious- please visit the site- download your own pdf version of this card and leave it for those a-holes that are ruining parking lots as well.