Christmas stuff....

Ok, so I will oblige Amber also....

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Wrapping paper. I find something impersonal about gift bags. Also, I am the kind of person who enjoys wrapping gifts and seeing how pretty I can make them, and how funny too. But to each his own.

2. Real tree or artificial?

I have never had a real tree before so I don't have any other choice than to say artificial. I am sure their are pros and cons to both though. I would like to try a real tree someday though.

3. When do you put up the tree?

The day after Thanksgiving. I get very excited!

4. When do you take the tree down?

I try to keep it up until Newyears but for the past two years Mike has taken it down the day after Christmas un-beknownst to me. Scrooge :(

5. Do you like eggnog ?

NO! I have tried it and literally gagged. Gross and disgusting stuff.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

I don't know. I do remember playing with my My Child dolls alot. So I will go with that.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

No, nativities are really not my thing.

8. Hardest person to buy for?

Inlaws. ( I know that it isn't a "person" but whatever)

9. Easiest person to buy for?

Any of my family members. I guess I know them all well enough that I can at least guess what they would like. Plus they always give lists.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Mail. I think that emailing Christmas cards is just too impersonal, unless you are out of the country where it would cost a ton to mail out a lot of cards. Sending out cards is something I get really excited about and then end up never doing once I realize that stamps are like 58 cents each and when you send to about 100 people it gets a little pricey. Enough of me rambling on about the price of the postal system.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

I think Amber takes the cake on this one. When I was little I had a thing for gorillas. I thought that they were very cool and liked stuffed gorilla animals. Well, one Christmas Grandma Thurston thought that she was contributing to my gorilla phase. I got a stuffed animal. But not a gorilla, a chimpanzee that was huge. All I thought was, at least they are both primates.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

A Christmas Story with Ralphie or Christmas Vacation.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

They day after Thanksgiving but only if my budget permits.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Who are you talking to? Of course... I mean, of course not.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Homemade Frosted Sugar Cookies and pie. Not together though.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

Clear lights only.

17. Favorite Christmas song?

I really don't like Christmas music.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

Stay home. That is where I am luckey to have my family and Mike's family so close to eachother.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

Thanks to Amber I can. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?

Only a Star! I wouldn't even consider anything else!

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

Christmas eve you can open one present and it is always new pajamas to wear to bed for Christmas morning. Everything else must wait until Christmas!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

Traffic. Enough said.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?

I like red and silver ornaments.

24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner?

Turkey, Homemade rolls and Homemade cherry or pumpkin pie with real whip cream!

26. What do you want for Christmas this year?

An Ipod. that is all I asked for and I probably wont get it. But not a big deal. Christmas is not about receiving presents.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

This weekend was a fun one for me. Friday Brook, Dad and I went to see Apocalypto. I thought that it was very good and worth a full priced ticket. It was kind of violent but I didn't think that it took away from the story line any. On Saturday night, after a long day of shopping, Sunny and I went to see Kelli's husband Jeremy's band play at the VAC. That was really fun. I was impressed with Jeremy or JDub (which is his stage name apparently) he was very entertaining and put on a really good show. Although I didn't feel very well, so I didn't totally rock out. Sunday morning Sunny and I went and had breakfast with Diane. That is always fun. I told her that we all will have to get together when Jen gets here. I did forget to bring my camera to any of the fun things that I did this weekend so no pics this time. :( Oh well. I think that is all for now.

Pretty Little Things.

Congratulations to me!! On Friday I was pulled into the confrence room at work and was officially offered the position. Of course I accepted. I am officially an employee starting December 29th and with that comes a lot of perks. I will be recieving a huge raise, health, dental and vision insurance and a hundred dollar bonus. Needless to say I am very excited. I called and told Mike about it on my break, he was very proud of me. So I went about my business and other than a duck being shot by an arrow on the greenbelt, my day went on as usual. Until around three, when I got an email to go to the front desk. So I went and what did I find? The most gorgeous boquet of flowers waiting for me. They were from Mike as a congratulations gift. So I got to strut around my office for the rest of the day will all of the girls oohh-ing and ahh-ing about my husband who is "so on top of things". I am very fortunate to have such a loving husband who cares about me and takes care of me.

Here are pics of my flowers. They have daisies, carnations, white roses, stargazer lilies (which are my favorite) and then Christmas berries and pine leaves and sruce leaves. It has the most beautiful aroma.

So pretty. I loved it, and all the attention I got from receiving flowers at work. We all know, I love attention. :)

I set up my Christmas decorations last weekend. They are the same as last year, but last year I didn't have a blog to share them with all of you. So, I have some pics of them with and without the lights on so you get the entire effect. I love Christmas. I love the lights and the gifts and the decorations and the family and the cooking and the snow but most of all I love the smells that are associated with Christmas. I get very excited and am esspecially excited this year, as it is my first year having Christmas and being married. In the past Mike and I always have spent the holidays with each other but mostly with our own families. This year, we are starting our own traditions and will probably go see our own families together but it will be more of our holiday. I am very excited.

Our fireplace with buddah all lit up. I really like the garland, its a little scrappy but what do you expect? I made it.

We re-arranged the living room and put the fainting couch by the window. The tree fits nicely right there. Our space gets a little tight with all of our furniture but I like it. Its our style.

Close up of the tree. I know the strings of beads are a little askew but once again what do you expect?

And my favorite part........

All Lite Up! A little blury but you get the effect.

Yay!!!

I will be anxiously awaiting everyone elses decoration pics. Merry Christmas all!!

Breakfast and Eleven 11

Saturday morning Jen, Isabelle and I met Diane for our monthly breakfast at Zeppole. It was really fun being able to see them. Baby Izzy is so cute and is growing fast. She was playing the ignore Kylee game like Ella used to do. Maybe it is the age. She did let me hold her for awhile though, before she started screaming. Diane seemed very excited to see Jen. They talked most of the time, but that is good. Diane was kind enough to treat us to the meal and that is most appreciated. Some of the pics below are a little mixed up, sorry.


Little Jen and Izzy. I think I am the only one who calls Isabelle, Izzy. I think it's cute though. And easier to type.

This is me at the Cactus, more on this later. Like I said, the pix are mixed.... Please note the color coordination between my lipstick, nailpolish and drink. Very clever, I know!

Of course, I took a self portrait before going out. Hey, It's like tradition now.
Any way, back to breakfast... Here is a pic of all of us at Z. I always love getting together with Diane. She is such a special woman and I feel lucky to have met her. And to be able to still keep in touch with her.

Later Saturday night, Jen Kelli and I met up for dinner at Mai Tai. I was kind of skeptical because I had only had drinks their before, but the food was fabulous. We had the privilege of sitting at one of the tables that are in the window. So everyone on the street could see us eating. Probably because we are all hot. After dinner we decided to go and get a drink at the Cactus.

Jen told the bar tender that she wanted something with coffee and kalua in it. First of all, it took about 15 minutes and then when she did get the drink, it was just black coffee with maybe a little sugar in it. And it tasted like it had sat in the pot for a week and then they just warmed it up. Gross! So I bought her a different drink and we learned a valuable lesson. Leave ordering coffee to the coffee houses.

After the Cactus. We went over to the Eleven 11 show which Kelli's husband Jeremy was in and actually helped plan. Very cool. Ta showed up with Aitor and we saw Mike R. their too.

I was so excited to see Ta. We had been trying to get a hold of her to join us and wasn't able to. I am glad that she just got the 8 messages and decided to come.
Here I am with the man of the hour, as one of the featured artists, Jeremy Webster! I am always just stunned everytime I see his work. It is just amazing. Not only are his paintings pleasing to the eye, they are so intelligent and there just seems to be so much emotion in each piece. I don't know how he does it. I will buy one of his paintings at some point when I have the money. I would be so honored and proud to have one of my friends art work in my home.

I was very impressed with the show over all. There were eleven artists (I think) and most of them I would have purchased from. If I had hundreds of dollars just to spend that is. They had a flying trapeze artist come who was awesome. She is from Switzerland I think, about 5'2 and can move her limbs in ways you really think that no one should be able to. But there it was. I tried to get a pic but couldn't due to the crowd.

They had this car in the center of the gallery that all of the featured artists added something to. And yes, it was for sale too. Over all it was a killer night. I had so much fun hanging with the girls and doing something fun. I was very glad to be able to see so much of Jen, I miss her! Props to everyone who put so much hard work into the show it was a total success in my eyes and I loved to be able to see all of the local artists work. I must say that I am a little jealous of Kelli to be surrounded by such amazing art all the time.

So in a quick summary: I had a killer weekend with my friends.

Le Fleur

Well, Jen and Isabelle came into town on Thursday so we decided to go out on Friday night. Jen told me that one of our friends, Mike R., was playing at the Nerolux with his band Le Fleur. We thought that would be the perfect outing since Izzy was being watched by her grandparents, thus the visit. So we went down to support our friend and have a good time. Now keep in mind that Jen was pregnant for her 21st birthday so this was her first outing to a real bar. I thought it was quite entertaining. I had to explain to her "bar etiquette". I think she had a good time.


Le Fleur playing their opening number. Le Fleur is french for the flower, I always thought that was funny because their is only one girl and three boys. They are really good though. Mike R. is the guitarist on the left. Ivy is the main singer, in the middle. I don't know the other guitar guy on the right or the drummer.

Me and Mike after the their set.
This is Hilary acting totally crazy. Sunny just recently died her hair that color. I like it very much.

Jen, Me and Luke.

A nice close up of Mike R. and Ivy. Don't you dig the lit up crown in the background. I think it is awsome.

This is my friend Netsy. She is Irish and has only been here for probably 4 months or so. I love the accent. Also, I love European style. She has the cutest clothes ever. Although, she pays for them. She said once that she hadn't ever bought a pair of jeans for less than 150 dollars. I don't ever spend over 40! Other than her outrageous shopping habits, we love her.

Mike R. and Jen. This was actually right when we arrived, so they hadn't played yet. I haven't seen most of these people since I left Zeppole so it was way cool to be able to get together with everyone and have a grand ol' time.

And Jen and I. We had a very fun night, mingled with a ton of people. Hung out with basically the old Z. crew. I am way lucky to be able to spend my time with so many talented people, and to call those people friends.

Additions

Everything in my life is the same as usual. Work is going well. Three temps myself included, were chosen to have a special training. It is a training that they usually don't let you take until you are hired on, but they invited us to participate. It is a three level training system that basically teaches you everything that you need to know about the customer service side of the company. Then level two and three get more into the websites and working with the publishers and affiliates. I am excited to learn more about that.

I don't like being a temp. I haven't ever been one before and it's a little weird because I interviewed and was hired just like a regular job, but after I was hired I had to go sign up with a temp agency. I know they just do it to weed out the people who wouldn't like that kind of work. They have already gone through two other temps since I started five weeks ago. So I see their logic. But it just feels a little weird to know that you aren't really employed by your employer. I know that I will be hired on though, by Jan. 1st I think. They seem to like me and I like what I do there and all the people I work with. Everyone is really cool. This job is so different from anything that I have ever done before, I am really excited to learn more and work my way up in the company, which I know is a possability. Enough about work though.

Jenny May is schedualed to arrive tonight. I am so happy to see her and baby Isabelle. We have plans this weekend so I will be sure to take pics for you all to see.

So, in addition to Mike and I's growing "electronics" we have purchased first and foremost: cable. For those of you that know us, we haven't had TV for two and a half years. Well, we had a TV just one that only played videos and movies. We didn't even get local channels. So we decided to go ahead and watch television again. Let's just say that neither one of us has left the living room all week except to go to work. And it is even the kind with Tivo and everything. I feel so fancy.

We also bought a record player. I posted pics. I know I am a total nerd. Bear with me.

I went to the guitar center and told the clerk that I wanted to see their selection of record players. To his dismay, he informed me that they "are no longer called record players, they are now called Turn Tables." I said that I did not want to make or mix music, I just wanted to listen to music that was already made. So that guy got someone else to help me.... Ok by me.

I then went to the record exchange and bought my first very own record. (I have quite a few records, 50 to 100 or so, but they are all hand me downs from my dad.) Good thing we like the same kind of music! Anyway, I purchased Death Cab for Cutie: Plans. Partly because I love the band. Partly because it has the song that Mikey and I danced to on our wedding day. So, sort of cheesy but whatever. I thought it was cool.

Another angle of the "turn table" because I know you all are so interested.

Happy Halloween All!

So today was my work Halloween costume contest. I went as an archeologist as I mentioned in my last blog. It was fun we had a Halloween quiz which I only got 4 out of 10 right. Who knows Halloween trivia anyway? The best costume went to a guy who dressed up as Zorro, but looked exactly, and I mean EXACTLY like the "dreaded pirate Wesley" from The Princess Bride. It was really funny. The funniest costume went to a guy who had fake dreads, a hideous long curly black beard and a stuffed duck on his head. I don't know what he was going as. I don't even think he knew. But it was still pretty funny. Here are some pics...






















Everyone thought I was Laura Croft, The Tomb Raider. Or Indiana Jones's wife. I would rather be Indiana's wife. :)
















I think it was the coat and boots that looked a little Jones-ish. That's ok with me though.

Other than today, really nothing too exciting or Blog worthy happened. Maybe I will have to go cause some trouble so you all will have something to read.....

My Poor, Poor Pumpkins :(

So, Mike and I had the great idea to keep our pumpkins inside so that they wouldn't get smashed. We put them on top of the fire place to make it "eerie". Well let's just say that the next night I went to light them and they were completely rotten inside. I am not talking about just a little rotten, I am talking about when you open the lid and a mushroom cloud of mold dust explodes all over. So, although the pumpkin carving was fun, they had a short lived life and ended up in the dumpster. Lesson: Don't put carved pumpkins above a really hot fireplace.

Grand-dad (Mike's) had a heart attack a few days ago. We are still waiting to hear how he is doing. He can't go into surgery yet due to low platelette levels. We might try to fly down to Denver to be with him and Mimi. So everyone send good thoughts that he will be ok.

On a lighter note, Work is going well. We are having a halloween costume contest. I am going as an archeologist. We bought a straw "archeologist" bucket hat, some thin round glasses and a thin black mustache. Later in the day I saw this really cute dress that I thought would go perfect. I will also wear my brown cowboy boots with a mini shovel and a little paintbrush for accents. I didn't realize until I tried it all on together that apperently I will be the cross-dressing archeologist. The mustache and the dress don't really "go" together. Probably not work approriate either. So the mustache will have to go. I will post pics for that a little closer to Halloween.

I went to breakfast this morning with one of my old customers and really good friends, Diane. I felt so bad that I wasn't able to tell her that I was quiting Zeppole due to the fact that she was in Yellowstone. So when I finally ran across her phone number I was so excited to call and meet with her so we could catch up. Needless to say we had a fantastic morning and plan to get together once a month. She is just the sweetest woman, I would feel so bad if I had lost contact with her just because I changed jobs. So I am very happy that this wasn't the case.

I think that is pretty much it since my last posting. I promise that the next one will have some pics!

Hawaii

Yesterday Mike got a call from his sister Alex who lives in Hawaii, on the big island saying that there was an earthquake there. It was a 6.7 on the richter scale with aftershocks reaching up to a 6. I guess the power was out all day and they didn't even start to get it back up until the evening. Most of the bridges suffered some sort of damage as well as buildings and roads. I read that there were mud slides that in some areas were turning the ocean brown. Alex was on the beach about ten miles from the heart of the earthquake. Mike said that she was shaken up but not hurt. Who wouldn't be?? He couldn't talk with her for very long so we eagerly await another call. I am just glad that she isn't hurt. We are thinking of you Al!

H-A-double L-O-W-double E-N

I love Halloween. Michael and I carved pumpkins last night. It was really fun. We are totally nerdy. He decided to go with a traditional jack-o'-lantern, while I decided to do the grim reaper. I used one of those stencils which I haven't ever used before and it worked pretty well. We were both pleased. Here are some of the pics.

Oh, we are so cute...Like the Goodman license plate in the background. Mike said we should use this for christmas cards. I said no because this is a Halloween picture not a Christmas picture.

Ours all lit up. They are all a bit blurry, sorry.
Mine is so cool...
Mikes is pretty cool too.

I re-arranged my bedroom last night too. I like it. It is a nice change. We had to put the reading chair in the office though, there just wasn't the "perfect" place for it in the bedroom anymore. It looks good in the office. Mike has been working on the office for awhile. We got a small coffee table in there and a really nice hanging mirror. It is coming together quite nicely.

This morning I made home made pumpkin bread and pumpkin muffins. It took forever but was nice. I really like baking on Sunday mornings when I don't have anything else to do all day. It turned out really good though. I did burn the muffins on the bottom, just enough to make the fire alarm go off, so not much. :) They are still good though, and I haven't ever made pumpkin bread before so it was a learning experience.

Yesterday Brook and I went to look at Halloween costumes for work. We are having a costume contest at my work and I can't decide what I want to go as. It is a little hard because I haven't been there long enough to know if everyone will dress up or no one will. But regaurdless, It is Halloween and I will dress up. I was thinking maybe Sacajawea.
Can you tell I like this holiday?

This Weekend I Did....

So, This weekend I didn't do anything cool. Friday night Brook, Dad and I went to dinner. We went to El Gringos and Mexican food isn't my favorite but it was a really nice dinner filled with laughter. Dad left for his trip on Saturday and I am very jealous. I really wanted to go. But I have to work. He is going to all of the places that I really want to see. Next time though I guess. Brook and I went shopping Saturday afternoon. I got my eyebrows waxed and it was way passed due. I was starting to look like caterpiller eyes. Then we went to Michael's and I got a picture frame for Mikey and I's wedding photo. It looks really cool. We hung it in the living room by the front door. Then we went to the mall so that brook could get some smelly stuff for her house.
So I decided not to cut my hair. I figure that if it has been 2 weeks and I still can't decide then either I don't really want to do it, or I would hate it after I had gotten it done. So, that is the update on that.
Saturday night I went to Annette's house with Sunny. She cooked us dinner. That was nice to have a girls night and to visit.
I think that is it. Nothing too exciting, but I thought I would update anyway.

Nothing New

So nothing exciting has happened lately. I started my new job. It's ok. Not great but not miserable. We will see how it goes. I don't like sitting all day. I might acutally have to start excersing to compensate for all of the lack of motion throughout the day. That sucks.
Mikey has been working really hard lately. But he still had time to set up my Myst game for me. I helped install the hardware and the software. I am very proud of myself. Other than that, all is well and the same.
Cheers.

It's A Hell Of A Rig...

So today I helped Brook move into her new apartment. The initial way we discussed this was for me to help bring over boxes and we would find someone who had a truck to move the bed and two couches. Well that didn't go as planned. We saw that there weren't that many boxes and I thought... I bet we can fit everything in my rig because it is cool. First we tried the bed. Well that didn't fit, so I went to Home Depot and bought some rope and some bungees. We strapped that baby to the roof of my car. Shoved the smaller couch in the back and drove very carefully to her new house. The pics are from the second run. With the top matress and the larger couch.
My truck is so cool.

It was some serious work but we pulled it off and got everything into her new home. She is very excited. I was very proud of all of her hard work. She is one tough cookie. I think that her place is going to look really cozy and cute too. I am very excited to see it all put together.
Congrats on your new place Brookie.

Dude

Ok, Guys. I need your help. This is how I think I might cut my hair. I need everyone's feedback to let me know what you think. If it might look good on me. It will be a very drastic cut if I decide to do it considering my hair is to the middle of my back right now. I might have the guts to actually do it though. But I want to know what everyone will think. Thanks Guys!!

Rest In Peace

I would like to take this opportuntity to say goodbye to the little blue bird that passed away today. I am sorry little bird that no one remembers your name. You were a crazy little bird who lived a very, very, very long time. I am glad that you decided to cross over to the other side to play in peace with your other little bird friends. I am sure you will be much happier there. Everytime we look where your little brass cage used to hang we will think of you. Goodbye little bird.

My Three Things

Ok, so I will participate in Amber's three things, thing. Here we go...

Three Things That Scare Me:
1. The Apocolypse.
2. Something bad happening to the ones I love the most.
3. Spiders. Any kind any size.

Three Things I Hate:
1. Mean and bitter people.
2. People who think that they are better than you.
3. Anything rotten.

Three Things I Can't Understand:
1. People that can't let go of grudges.
2. The concept of eternity.
3. Anything above basic math.

Three Things I Want To Do Before I Die:
1. Travel all over the world. Rich and poor countries.
2. Swim in every ocean, and sea.
3. Own a ranch in the mountains, miles away from everything.

Three Things That Describe My Personality:
1. Loyal
2. Passionate
3. Quirky

Three Things I Can't Do:
1. Anything above basic math.
2. The splits.
3. Decipher encrypted codes.

Three Things You Should Never Listen To:
1. Peoples lies.
2. Anyone that tries to tear down your self esteem or aura.
3. Death Rock Heavy Metal.

Three Things You Should Listen To:
1. Your feelings or those little "hunches".
2. People you love.
3. Kick ass music

Three Things You Would Like To Learn:
1. To scuba dive.
2. Native american anthropology and archeology.
3. Latin

Three Favorite Foods:
1. Italian foods
2. Stuffed Mushrooms
3. Chocolate

Three Beverages I Drink On A Regular Basis:
1. Water
2. Diet Coke
3. Wine

Three Television Shows I Watched As A Kid:
1. He-man and She-ra
2. Seseme Street.
3. Fraggle Rock.

Camping part II

One of our favorite camping pastimes is shooting off rounds. This time we were shooting clay pidgons with the shotgun. I found out that I am not very good with a shot gun. I only got one out of six pidgons. I am much better with a hand gun. It was pretty cold up there. You could see your breath before the sun even went down. I slept in my truck with Codus. That was interesting... but fine. He is rather large but he did keep me warm. So I slept relatively well with the huge snoring monster.

Mike playing his guitar. That is always my favorite. He doesn't give himself justice. He is a very talented song writer and musician. He is so cute.
Me on the car ride up, getting all pumped up. I am ready to roll!!
Mike adjusting the ipod. We listened to Dire Straights on the way up.
Codus getting all jacked for a night of freedom. Even though he doesn't leave my side the whole time.
Jenny and Rusty. Dude cute overalls Rus.
Casey the crazy wood chewing dog. He ended up ripping that root completely out of the ground.
And this is the caterpillar that held our interest for quite a long time.
It was nice going camping with jen and rus. I like hanging out with them. Plus they have a coleman grill so we ate like real people. We had spagetti for dinner and eggs and bacon for breakfast. It was nice to not have to eat out of cans.
Overall it was a pretty fun trip.

I Like Camping.

Jenny, Rusty, Mikey and I including... Codus, Casey and Moto all went camping last Saturday. It was really fun. We all had a blast. When we got there we set up camp and then gathered the firewood. Which took quite a while but it is something that I have come to appreciate. Not only do you get to have a killer fire, I find it very rewarding to pitch in with the work. I also like the little scrapes and bruises you get like little badges of your toughness. I know, I am a little weird. Anyway, here are some pictures for you all to enjoy.

Jenny and Rusty climbed out on the log that crosses the stream to see the caterpiller that was actually kind of big. Those pics later.
Mikey and I in our full Camanche get-up. Pancho's and all.
Mike getting his mountain man on.

Codus enjoying the wilderness like a dog should. Little Moto in his sweatshirt to gaurd him from the cold. And me loving my cool self portrait style.