My sister-in-law worked on the new movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall earlier this year. Yes…most of it takes place in Hawaii, and yes…she got to live there for a few months! So lucky I know! I really wanted to go visit her, but I didn’t have any days to spare. Anyway, the trailer just came out, and I thought you’d like to check it out!
I can’t wait to model my scarf in freezing Fortuna next week. I also realized last week that I totally blew it and didn’t officially ask anyone for a scarf this year! I mentioned it to my mom a week ago, so we will see if I get another one. My ones from last year are looking a little ratty…and I don’t think John likes me dipping into his scarf stash.
Sam also made Jen an identical purple one. I know most of you may think it is odd that I did not get the purple one, but my color tastes have changed over the last 10 years, and I am more keen to pink now days. Am I reverting back to a little girl? Should I be worried? Bring me a scotch! See? I’m still mature.
So I was originally going to paste myself into the photo of Sam and Jen, and not spend a lot of time making it look legit. However…it totally looks good and I hardly did anything to it!
Jen got Sam and I the CUTEST sewing kits to hold all of our sewing supplies! I’ve never seen such a cute/modern/young sewing kit in my life and was totally worried that I’d be suck with a dorky/old ladyish one like my mom has. Sorry to be so harsh mom, but I know you will want one just like mine after you see it!
Even the handle is super cute!
Last night when I thought the gift giving was done for the day I received a package on the front door…and on the box it said Cheryl & Co.!! I could not believe it! First John accused me of ordering myself some cookies, and I had to tell him no way (as I was making cookies at the time).
Last year I tried a Cheryl & Co. cookie for the first time at work, and discovered the BEST COOKIES EVER! How had I not had one of these frosted pieces of heaven before? The cookies weren’t even in my department but I was able to steal about 3 of them. After that I sent out an email to some of you telling you that if you needed to get someone a gift and didn’t know what to get them, then get them some Cheryl & Co. cookies. I was really dropping the hint to my mom in hopes that she would order some for the family, but that did not happen. I guess I should have titled the email ‘IF YOU DO NOT BUY THESE COOKIES ONE OF YOUR DOGS MAY SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES.’
Even though my mom did not get the hint, my friend Jaymie sure did! I can’t believe she remembered from last year, and that I have a whole box to myself, AND they all have frosting! There are even peppermint ones and chocolate mint flavors in the box. Both new flavors to me! I will be taking the ones I don’t finish with me to Fortuna, so if you are lucky, I might give you one. However I think I will just give my mom a bite and then make her beg for more. Christmas brings out the best in me. What can I say?
Sorry this is so short, but I must bake! On to the kitchen!
How come I have never heard of the Apple Carmel drink at Starbucks?? I had two this past weekend and it is one of the best things I have ever tasted!!! Thank goodness it’s seasonal!
My good friend Molly received the Christmas gift I sent her last week. I saw it on Oprah’s favorite things and I knew she was the perfect person to receive the gift. She blogged about it here if you are wondering what it was.
Molly and Sarah also had their annual cookie decorating party this weekend too. Unfortunately I was not able to travel to Sacramento to attend it, but I think Sarah’s blog about it sums up what a success it was! (Plus you must see how creative they are with their cooking skills!)
I also found another LOST preview online, and this one looks much better!
Things have been so busy these last few weeks that I’ve really been behind in my normal holiday season chores…such as wrapping. However John ‘The Gift Wrapping Elf’ showed up yesterday and totally saved the day! He wrapped almost all of the gifts we have bought this year, which is a total first. I’m not saying that he hasn’t wrapped before...just maybe 10% of the gifts we buy. Needless to say I am extremely thankful for his help. I still have a few CDs to burn and some iron on transfers to make, but then I’ll be lookin’ good. Only 4 more days to get it done!
Saturday was more of a fun day than Sunday, as we went and saw No Country for Old Men…or is it Old Country for No Men? Whatever it was, it was really good. The main crazy guy was SO good! He totally creeped me out, (no, I’m not referring to his haircut, but that was also totally creepy).
In his defense, the movie did take place in the 80’s. There were only a few far-fetched items that happened in the plot, but they were minor enough not to drive me too crazy.
We also had John’s bosses holiday dinner at his house. It was pretty fun, and the food was really good, (they had it catered). We tried to show up fashionably late and were almost the last couple to arrive! Talk about a close call!
Once again, I think we were the youngest couple. It’s so weird feeling like you really shouldn't be there. I was just lucky I was able to hang close to John’s side in the beginning…I didn’t really want to chat with the rest of the ladies/moms.
It seemed as though whoever picked thee o' hor dourves was trying just a bit too hard to have unusual items…or maybe it was a little too fru-fru for me. Whatever the case was I wasn’t too fond of them...where was the guac? However…they totally made up for it in the dinner portion. They served prime rib and it was SO good. I rarely order prime rib, (because I’m cheap), but whenever I have it I always forget how much I LOVE it. I totally lucked out and got a great cut w/ a big solid meat center...unlike the poor bloke next to me who had a huge fat streak through the middle of his. But it obviously didn’t slow him down as he ATE THE WHOLE THING. So did the gentlemen to my left. This had not been the first time I had seen someone eat the FAT and all, so I wasn’t too shocked…ok I was! How can they chew that fat and get it down? EWWWW! I get nauseous just thinking about it!
My parents will be proud that I did eat some of my veggies. But the only reason I liked the veggies because they were SO sweet. I think they were coated in sugar, so I’m sure they were good for me. I actually think they were sweeter than the dessert!
I forgot to mention that there were two tables of guests. One main table and a smaller table in another room. I definitely thought we would be sitting at the smaller table, and I was actually a bit miffed when we didn’t, as I knew two of the couples sitting at that table. But instead we sat at the main table, one couple down from the boss himself! So I took that as a good sign. However they sat us man, lady, man and our spouses were sitting across from us…a total pain as I couldn't eat off of John's plate.
We actually wound up staying there until 11pm. I know! It was totally past my bedtime. I tried to make a few jokes about that, like HINT HINT I’m ready to go, but I think people actually thought I was joking! It wasn’t until I nodded off and my head fell and hit the table that I think people finally got the hint.
Growing up, I would look forward to December 24th every year. Nothing could beat going to bed at night and waking up to gifts magically appearing under the Christmas tree. I would wake up and slowly creep down the stairs to check the scene. I’d have to snoop as best I could without making it obvious that a bull didn’t come running through the living room. I always loved how there was always something partially sticking out of my stocking. Just giving me the slightest glimpse of the goodies. Our stockings would always be filled with the best stuff, until we reached the bottom. What would be in there you ask? A lump of coal? NO WAY! You know I was always a good girl. It was actually worse than that! It was an ORANGE! Can you believe it? Like I wanted fruit on Christmas? Give me candy, cookies, or rum, but not an orange! It was always such a let down as everything I would take out of the stocking would get better and better, and then it would end with the orange. EVERY YEAR! I eventually figured out that it was my parents great tactic of taking up space, and as much as I hated it, it is kind of smart.
Until last month I had always thought hat I was the one who had the evil orange giving parents…until I sent out a simple Christmas survey to my friends. One of the questions was:
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
My answer: Oranges (in my stocking as a kid)
My good friend Maggie was nice enough to fill out the survey and send it back to me. All was normal, until I reached this question:
6. Favorite gift received as a child:
Her answer: I always loved my stocking. except for the orange in the toe EVERY YEAR!
COINCIDENCE? I DON’T THINK SO! Those Fortuna Co-op moms were totally pulling an orange scam on all of us young innocent kiddies! Admit it ladies!
I also found this diaper changing video from America’s Funniest Home Videos. Even though the video is mostly of males, I know I would be right in there with them!
This weekend was my company’s holiday party. I had been looking forward to the party ALL year since it was so much fun last year. Last year they had a ‘casino’ after dinner, which was great. It had been a long time since I had gambled, and I forgot how much I loved it! At the end of the night they had a raffle for various prizes/gift cards. One prize was the birthday package that included your birthday off of work. I wanted it SO bad that I talked about winning it all night…and I did! Talk about luck! John and I made sure to take advantage of the extra three-day weekend, so we went to Tahoe. Of course I wanted to gamble some more! I had just started at the party!
This year the party was in Avila and they had hired a DJ and magician instead of having the gambling. I was pretty disappointed that I would be able to beat my co-workers at Black Jack, but it was still just as fun as last year.
How many of you have hairdressers that style your hair so perfect after you get your haircut? Well I learned last year to schedule my December haircut on the day of the party so I could take advantage of my hair lookin’ good. So I highly recommend that to all of you...be wise in the way of scheduling your hair cuts.
I also decided to get my eye make up done at Gottschalk’s. I had called Sephora, but do you know that they make up half of your face, and then instruct you on how to do the other half?? Have you ever heard of that? There is NO WAY I could match the work of a make up artist! Plus…how are you supposed to see what she is doing if you have your eyes closed? I could understand if you went with a friend and could watch them put the make up on, but who are they kidding? At least at Estee Lauder they just have a minimum purchase of two items. I think that is a way better idea to avoid people taking advantage of a free make over. Don’t you go to professionals because YOU CAN'T do it? Anyway my chick totally rocked, and I’m thinking about getting it done this weekend as well. (We have another party).
I was also lucky enough to find a new dress at the end of the week that even had red in it! What are the chances? As you can see from the photo I was also able to get John to agree to wear a matching tie. Look how nicely we match! It took maybe 10 YEARS before John would even fathom wearing something that matched. Let me tell you that I’m so glad he has matured!
The party started with cocktail hour, which was pretty good. The bartender however was a little slow. I kind of felt sorry for him because he was by himself, trying to serve maybe 80 peeps? I first ordered a cosmo (as he did not have the ingredients for a lemon drop). It was surprisingly good…well maybe that was because I couldn’t taste the alcohol! I later met up with another co-worker who tells me she got a vodka and cranberry and it was like 95% vodka! And she told me she didn’t even tip him! What the heck? I totally got the shaft! John told me that I should take off my sweater and bend over the bar to show him some goods…then maybe that way I’d get a stronger drink. I passed on that suggestion.
Here is Sam, myself and Jen pre-dinner:
Right before our main courses were served the magician came over to our table to show us some tricks. I was totally lucky as he picked me to be his semi assistant! His first trick was awesome. He had me pick a book (out of two) and then he was flipping the pages towards me and then when he was done he told me to remember one of the words. Then he told John to pick an object in the room and to think about it. He said he wasn’t going to read our minds, but he called it something else. Anyway, he asked me how many syllables my word had and then asked me about the shape of the first word. I can’t remember the questions he asked John, but needless to say the guessed my word and John’s object!!!!!! I can kind of understand how he figured out mine, because he could have just memorized the words in the book….but John’s was the Exit sign! Totally random!
He also did some really cool card tricks. He was working with one guy at our table specifically and at a table next to ours this one guy kept yelling out different cards trying to confuse the dude, and let me tell you a fight almost broke out! Well maybe not, but it could have! The magician told the heckler to ‘Shut the F*%k up.’ And it totally bruised the heckler’s ego! So then the heckler started talking about meeting him out in the back parking lot. Pretty funny.
After dinner the dancing started and it was really fun. One of the hits with the crowd was when they played YMCA. The DJ had brought out all of the different village people hats as well. Who doesn't have fun when props are involved? I didn’t think John was going to make it on the floor for that one but then all of the sudden he shows up with a sailor hat and a bottle of wine! I was trying to get him to go set it down, as that’s not the type of impression I really wanted him to make on my boss, but it didn’t work. I later realized that I think he was just using that as a prop, because he wasn’t even drinking any white wine! What a turd.
I was a little concerned that they wouldn’t play many modern songs, which they didn’t…but they did play Sexy Back. It was an all female crowd until John came out and then proceeded to dance with each lady…including my boss! It was really funny.
I think the dancing only lasted an hour because there is a noise ordinance in Avila that it needs to be quiet at 10pm! Can you believe that one? It was such a bummer because everyone was really starting to get down and dance right before the DJ quit.
The night closed with the raffle where I didn’t win ANYTHING! I am SO mad. I was totally spoiled in winning last year AND winning one of the best gifts. Jen won though, so I was happy for her. She got a baking basket that had a ton of pink kitchenware. It was really cute. I’m hoping that next year they might have a few big gifts, but also have small amount gift cards for everyone. I think it would be nice if everyone got to leave with something. It was a major bummer coming home empty handed.
Even though the 'official' party ended, a big group of us headed down the street to the one bar in town, Mr. Rick’s. I was really surprised at how nice it was in there. For some reason I thought it would be totally scummy like The John’s Club in Fortuna. (Sorry non-Humboldt peeps, there is definitely not a website for the John’s club. Maybe I’ll get a photo of it when I’m home in a few weeks).
John and I played a round of pool and won, but we only played once because you needed 5 quarters to play. Who carried quarters around with them? I almost went out side and started begging for some change, but decided to pass. My boss and her husband were even part of the after party crowd! I was totally impressed…especially when we all left after midnight because we were so tired, and they were still going strong!
I can’t wait for next year! I’ll try to get the photos on ofoto this week, but until then, here are some of my favorite dancing photos:
Isn't it realistic?A good friend of mine recently told me that her daughter might have a learning disability. I told her how lucky she is that they are going to test her while her daughter is still young. Granted it totally sucks to have a disability, but one of the best things is to diagnosis it early.
I didn’t get diagnosed until I was a junior in high school…but even after I was diagnosed it didn’t make a difference. My school didn’t have any resources for students with learning disabilities, (only physical and mental disabilities). My disability is in language comprehension, and not really debilitating. So I was able to get by until high school…until I started taking multiple-choice tests. Talk about my kryptonite!! I would fail about every test I took…even though I read the book and did all the homework associated with the subject.
It wasn’t until my junior English teacher asked my sophomore teacher if I had the same type of test results in their class, which I did. Then they brought it to my mom’s attention and I was tested. Who knows if another teacher of mine would have noticed? What if I had never gotten tested? I knew something was wrong, but I had no idea what. None of my other friends had any problems with the tests.
I didn’t get any help until I went to college, where they actually had a center for students with learning disabilities. I couldn’t believe it! I received tutoring, extra time on my exams, and early registration. The tutoring really helped me with my English classes. The paper assignments were killers. I didn’t get much help with the multiple-choice tests…I just had to pray for Cs. I would study so hard and barely pass, while other piers would kind of study and get Bs. It was really frustrating.
In one class I had a history professor who gave his students the option of either a multiple-choice test OR an essay test! I thought I’d died and gone to heaven! I know most teachers don’t give essays because they don’t like to grade them, but I think maybe 5 students out of a class of 60 opted for the essays. Guess what I got in that class? A B!! Probably one of my only B’s in my general ed classes.
Let me just tell you that my history professor was definitely not the norm. I had THE WORST astronomy teacher…Mr. Fraknoi. (Isn’t that awful that I remember the name of my BAD teacher and not the good one?) This guy gave out all multiple choice exams and quizzes…BUT he gave out the SAME exact quizzes/exams EVERY YEAR. So when it came time for me to get extra time on my test, he threw a hissy fit about giving his exam to the disability center. He was so mad and wrote on the envelope that he was giving them his exam against his will and did not think this was right. Basically a bunch of crap. I guess he thought I would be able to sneak out of the testing room…tip toe over to the copier…and make a bunch of copies…because as you know, my goal was to take down the Fraknoi Empire!
Two other wonderful facts about him…he wouldn’t let any of the students take their tests home with them…and he even had a quiz where all the answers were option C. I remember changing one of my answers to a different letter, because I thought there was no way they could all be C’s. I also met another student who failed his class the first time, but retook it and got an A because he remembered all the answers from the first time. I mean if any teacher deserves and award it sure is him!
Most of the teachers I had were understanding of my disability. Granted it’s a pain to have deal with students who need extra time, but it’s also a pain to have a disability! I hope that teachers now days know what to expect when they have students with disabilities. I’m just thankful that I was able to find a major where my grades were not based only on multiple-choice exams…and that it was something I enjoyed and was decently good at.
This is why it’s so hard for me to believe people when tell me that they enjoy my writing on this blog. I thought people were just being polite, but then I heard it more than once. Now I’m slowly starting to believe it. Well I barely believe it. It’s like all your life you’ve had small boobs, and then one day people are telling you that you have the biggest boobs ever, (sans a boob job)! Would you believe them?
Christmas is definitely in the air, and I love seeing reminders of it every day! Even though I've been in Christmas mode since the beginning of November, it's nice to have everyone caught up! I mean come on people! Tis' the mother grabbin' season!
Last week I went to my first holiday event of the season! I heard about a holiday boutique here in town from another blog that I stock, oh I mean frequent! The boutique was being held at a lady's home that was a little bit outside of town. I must say that Jen and I found it with no problem, however we heard that tons of people got lost! In fact I remember seeing some people pulling down wrong streets, and thinking that they were probably lost. Did I stop to help? No way! I just laid on the horn and yelled 'SUCKERS! I'M GOING TO BEAT YOU AND BUY ALL OF THE CUTEST ITEMS!' out the window. Ok so maybe I didn't do that as I do have some Christmas spirit. I did give the other drivers the benefit of the doubt because there weren't any streetlights around. I was just lucky to have a good co-pilot.
We knew we were close when Jen spotted the rays of a flash light up ahead with her eagle eye. As we got closer we saw this young boy, (no doubt the son of the household), out there waving the crazed shoppers in the driveway. You just know he was lovn' that job!
We parked and were then told, (by the man of the house), that a 'shuttle' would be back soon to take us up the rest of the hill! Jen and I looked at each other like 'you've got to be kidding!' Where the heck were we going? I was hoping we wouldn't be a part of 'Deliverance II: Christmas Shoppers in the Wild.' Luckily Ned Beatty was not our shuttle driver, so we were safe. The shuttle took us to this magnificent house. It was quite breathtaking and we weren't even there in the daytime!
We walked in and it was already a mad house with rich older women having the 'crazed shopper' look in their eye. One of the first places we stopped was at Lisa's jewelry, and let me tell you it looked even better in person! I could not believe it! I introduced myself to her as the blog stocker and she was very nice. Thank goodness! You never know how some might react. I guess it was good that I didn't look like a crazy person...just a crazy shopper.
There was so much to take in and so much going on. I wish I had photos to show you of the house, as I know my descriptions wouldn't do it justice. I do need to tell you that they had what looked to be like a craft room. On the wall were some cabinets with built in racks for wrapping paper and ribbons…along with family photo albums all neatly organized by year. Can you imagine having a room like that? They also had a gigantic chess set out in the back yard next to their pool. The decorating was amazing as well, and even though it was really nice and fancy, it still had the 'lived in' feeling. Or maybe that was the dirty underware I saw on the floor. Jk!
Seeing all of the different booths was very inspiring. It made me want to have my own craft business! But what would I sell? Aprons w/ the pockets sewn shut? Yeah those would sell like hot cakes! Any takers?
I bought these cute little holders that are for gift cards, and another gift for someone that I can't mention here on the blog.
Overall the stuff was really nice, but I have hard time buying things that I know I could make myself. This one lady was selling matching scarves and doggie jackets….for $55! Talk about over priced! Granted the yarn she used could have been pricey…but I know I could learn how to make those one day. (Sorry mom, you'll have to wait for those).
I'm so excited that the holiday season is upon us! I have holiday events every weekend in December and a few during the weekdays as well! Last year was my first really busy holiday season, and it was so much fun. I had John take down all of our holiday decorations last week from the attic, but were too tired to do anything with them! That is right…we are still recovering from Thanksgiving! But this weekend we got motivated and put up all the outside lights, got our tree up and decorated, (I) decorated our snowman tree, and I put out all of our other snowman decorations! I'll try to take some photos for you this week. I'm not sure how exciting they will be for you, but I've already had one request. Tis' the season!
The other night on my way home from work I heard ‘Last Christmas’ by WHAM!, which is one of my favorite holiday songs. It instantly put me in a good mood and I continued to sign it when I got home. (Even though I only know 2 lines of the chorus). John comes in the door singing PANTERA very loud an obnoxious. Granted the song probably sounded that way, but I was looking for a more peaceful tune like the one from WHAM!.
Our conversation went as follows:
“BABE! STOP SINGING THAT AWFUL SONG!’ (Yes, I had to yell because he was so loud).
“DA DUMMMMMM DA ZAPADULA DUMMMMM DA BOWWWW WOWWWWW”
“BABE! WE NEED TO BE SINGING CHRISTMAS SONGS RIGHT NOW!”
“DOOOOOBEEEEEEEE SHOOOOOO DA DUMMMMM ZAPADULA”
“BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABE!”
“RUDOLPH THE RED NOSE RAIN DEER…HAD A VERY SHINEY NOSE!”
“NO!! Not that song! The song from WHAM!”
“AND IF YOU EVER SAW IT…YOU WOULD EVEN SAY IT GLOWS.”
“BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABE!”
“Well I don’t know that song, why don’t you sing it to me?”
“No.” (By this point I was already too ticked off)
“Well at least give me the title.”
“Last Christmas.”
“LAST CHRISTMAS I GAVE YOU MY HEART...”
He totally knew it! I told him that was one of my faves and that he needed to download it for me. Then he tells me that he thought he already did last year. Whatever…I couldn’t remember.
So then he goes into our office to order me some gifts, (as I told him he needed to order them by the 30th. He is such a planner!) Two minutes later I hear the sweet sounds of WHAM! drifting out of the office along with John singing and dancing! I know deep in my heart that if John had been born 15 years earlier, was British, and had the chance to be a member of WHAM!, that they would still be touring as a threesome and John would be known as Johnny ‘Hot Pants’ Charles.
