My Favorite Gift

Other than the awesome tv my darling husband gave me, my favorite Christmas gift is this book from my sister:

Back in the day, I was quite the cross stitcher. My grandma taught me many crafty things, cross stitch being one of them. I did butterflies, rainbows, etc. I haven't done it in a really long time but with patterns like these, I'm starting this weekend. I'm making this one for my sister (at her request):

And this one for me:

And just a few more of my favorites:

There are so many other hilarious patterns, I can't wait to get started. There's something about the combination of surly phrases and cute borders and images that is so funny to me. You can find more patterns on the website that aren't in the book, like this one and this one. These are going to be my best work ever.

Mommy Like

I kinda knew what I was getting this year, but I had no idea it was going to be so BIG. No, get your heads out of the gutter. I got this:

Oh yeah. 45 inch flat screen. I LOVE it. That was Clay Aiken's debut on Days. He's so girly.

Let's see, my kitty got kitty uggs for Christmas:



Hee hee, not really. That's just from the surgery.

And here's one of our poor dogs who didn't get anything for Christmas. Oooops, mommy forgot. With simple pleasures like this, who cares? (Disregard the paint can, dog towels and general mess. I'm sick and haven't cleaned up):


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We had a nice day at my parent's house, then ate lunch/dinner at Katz's. It was great! We're going to have Christmas at my MIL's on Wednesday since my SIL was in St. Louis for Christmas.

Happy Holidays to You

I hope you and your families have a wonderful holiday!!!

Junk in a Box - NSFW

OMG, this is THE BEST. It's from SNL and I find it utterly hilarious. NSFW, though:

Merry Whatever-You-Celebrate

Just a little something to make you laugh:

Merry Christmas! Yes, I'm the happy looking child on the right with the blue sheet on her head (the sheet really resembles a nun's habit, don't you think?). I know we were playing the nativity at my grandparents house, and I suspect my sister made me be Joseph which would explain my surly facial expression.

How is your holiday season coming along? I painted my kitchen (it was orange...see the new fridge? And that row of tile is what will be going in soon):


I'm about to cry because my cat is spending the night at the specialty hospital after having surgery on her knee (that's her sitting in my lap):


She dislocated her knee and she tore her ACL (ligament), to the tune of $1300. She's fine and will come home tomorrow, but I'm having a delayed reaction, and just NOW feel like crying. Poor thing has to be confined to a room for 6-8 weeks, and that is NOT going to go over well. One day at a time, I suppose.

UPDATE: Here's my poor kitty. At least she's eating, that's a good sign. She's already trying to get out of her room, which doesn't bode well for the next 6 weeks.


I finally got the tree up:


and have all our cards hanging up with the stockings:

and now, I guess I'm just tired. I'm finished buying all my gifts, and this year I tried really hard not to get caught up in the horrid "perfect gift" trap. I give what I give, and if people don't like it then they can take it back. I put thought into it, sure, but I'm just done worrying about it. I made beaded ornaments for my coworkers. Here's one that I think a few people might appreciate:
If I don't talk to you before Christmas, have a wonderful whatever-you-celebrate. Oh, and thanks to those of you who sent cards. I LOVED seeing your families and children!!

Bet You Weren't Expecting a Post!

That is, if you still read this. I need to get back in the groove of blogging. I just seemed to have lost my mojo when the whole job switch thing happened. I actually think I did most of my blogging from my old job, and I can't blog from my new job. It's just not going to happen.

So here's what's happening with me. We have a contractor coming over today to give us a bid on flooring (same guy that did TxMom's family room). My parents are going to lend me the money for wood if it's not too expensive. We desperately need new floors. In fact, the carpet was so bad, we just did this:


We ripped that shit right up. I can't tell you how much better it made me feel. He's also going to tell me how much it would be to replace that tile in the left of that photo and put tile in the kitchen. In addition, some of you might remember this antique window I bought last year:


I'm going to see if he can replace my bathroom window with it.

We also have a new refrigerator coming today to replace this piece of crap:

It came with the house, and it's probably from the 80s. The ice thingy on the front doesn't work, and you can't fit anything in the freezer side. I HATE side by sides. Here is what we are getting:


I CANNOT wait. It's not stainless, but "Ultra Satin" which is more of a matte finish so it doesn't show all the smudges like a Target bathroom door (have you seen how nasty those are?).

Other than that, I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping, although I don't have our tree up. This is about all I've done in the way of decorating:



Nice. The screen serves as our mantle and card holder every year since we don't have a fireplace/mantle.

And last but not least, I did my nakey photos! Of course, you'll never see them unless you come to my house. You can ask TxMom, Molly, Cara or Jackie what they really think. They all got to see them at girl's night!!!