And 2008 comes to an end...

I will be on the road all day tomorrow, working remotely at a customer site and driving to and from to the tune of about 8 hours of driving. Due to this fact, I won't be able to post. A couple of thouhts about 2008 and into 2009:
My "wear more lipgloss" new years resolution was actually a good one. It was actually more about using what you have than about applying makeup. It was also about taking time for myself, which can be hard as a mom. A pleasant side effect was the fabulosity of my face, but I digress.
It was a good year. I am getting along better with my family (for the most part), and working on those relationships. I'm giving myself the freedom to say no, and working on my health.
The flylady thing has been really great. My home is cleaner and better organized. Not all the time, but most of the time. :) I'm going to keep trying to stick with it in the new year. I'm also going to try to purge some of the stuff we really don't need, and bless other people with it who are having harder times than we are.
I'm thankful we are currently employed. Thank you God for a little stability in our lives right now.
I'm going to start another frugality challenge in January. I figure, with the money I'm doling out for the trip to Maui, I'm going to need to save some serious cash to keep things in check.
I'll keep you posted on the rules(same as before) and my progress (hopefully better than before).
I'm also hoping to wear more lipgloss in 2009. wish me luck. :)
A happy and healthy 2009 to you all. And may you all avoid pood poisioning the entire year!
I'm off to unload the dishwasher. My. least. favorite. job.
*sigh*
see you next year!

Merry Merry and a Happy Happy

I had a nice Christmas. I also contracted Salmonella. I won't give all the details, but let me tell you, from about 10pm on the day after Christmas until about 5am the following day, I was not a very happy camper.
I beg you all to buy meat thermometers and use them. (WHEN YOU ARE SERVING A GUEST TURKEY, PLEASE TEST THE INTERNAL TEMPERATURE IS OVER 165 PEOPLE!)
I don't think I will be eating Turkey again for a very long time.
I saw my little sister, and it was very nice to meet her Boyfriend Magnus. He is sweet, and I am glad to see them so happy.
I'm looking forward to 2009. Let's put this holiday business behind us, shall we?
M.

So, Dangeresque...

I was so happy to receive this eiffel tower charm to add to my charm bracelet from Dan for my birthday. It's perfect for me! An EIFFEL! TOWER! CHARM! from TIFFANY'S!!



Only one problem, they do not tell you that said Eiffel tower charm is sharp and will CUT YOU every time you wear it. Oh, my beloved bracelet that I wear every day, what am I going to do?

I'll tell you what...I'm going to march my cute butt back to the Tiffany's where we purchased this item and exchange it for another charm, that's what!

Oh, man. It was a great gift, though. Sorry honey. :)
I'm SEWING like the dickens and making TWO! WHOLE! PANS! of my grandma's apple pie bars today. I'm crazy.
I can't wait for Henry to open his presents. And Erik! He is going to seriously freak out when he sees all of the cool booty we bought for him. I went a little crazy.

For Peder too. Wood Melissa and Doug baby toys all around.
A merry, merry, and a happy, happy to you all. I promise to lay off the !!!!! on the next post.

The charm is below, if you would like to see it's sharpiness and general dangerous appearance...

BTW, If the link does not show up, I'm sorry. I tried three times to insert it, and that's all I have for you today, folks. I don't have a fourth insert try in me.
XOXO, M.

http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?sku=GRP02090&cid=&search=1&search_params=s+1-p+2-c+-r+101323338+101287458-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+link&mcat==

Update

I'll stop talking about MOZ long enough to let you know what is going on here.
We had about 7 or 8 inches of snow this morning. The sun is finally peeking out, so I guess it is done. Everything is in that perfect blanket of white snow before everything gets dirty. It would be a perfect time for a picture, if I could drag my butt outside to take it.
Henry has switched from two naps to one. We're still a little shaky, but he is doing well.
We are going to Wausau to see Heather this weekend, which I am really excited about. She's such a great friend, and it will be so nice to just hug and spend some time together.
I found a great deal on a hair cut and color, so I am going tomorrow morning to get it done. I'm such a sucker for saving money. I'll go back to my regular girl after this, but I save 60 mucks with this coupon, so who can resist?
I'm almost done with all of the chocolates I am giving to Dan's employees as gifts. I ate a few while I was making them, but I bagged them all this morning so I wouldn't eat any more. That was smart thinking!
I have not really made any more progress on the Christmas presents yet, but I'll be working on that this weekend. I'll try to take pics of the finished products after I'm done so I can show you what I've been working on.
I'm really excited about Going to Hawaii! I ordered a new swimsuit, and a cute beach skirt with a gift card I had to Lands end. I hope they fit!
Dan and I are hitting the healthy food and exercise to make sure we are svelte for the beach. Always a good idea...
Ok, I had better get Henry, and get to work cleaning the house before the weekend.
Hope you are all well! Drop me an e-mail, will ya?

Suedehead

I just can't ever listen to it enough. Never ever.
I guess he's maybe my favorite artist ever. (Oh yea, I know there is Blur, and Lisa Loeb, and Cake, but there is just something about him.)
I'm always transprted by his songs.
These videos are old, and I'm not saying they don't suck, but it's the music I love.
I never even saw some of them until you tube. I just had cassette tapes of the songs. Remember those?

How soon is now? Just listening to the beginning, I am back in college, brooding about some damn thing. Instantly transported.



And, no matter what, this always makes me think of Jen Power. Shaking her head, and saying "come on! I'll be in the Bar??? With my head on the bar??!!!"
This one's for you, Jen.

Fa LA LA LA AAAARGH! LA LA LA LA

I love this time of year, don't get me wrong. It's all of the pressures I put on myself that make it hard.
Work is busy. I'm thankful, but I wish I could get caught up. My procrastination is not helping me at all on this one...
I have a lot of work to do for Christmas in a very short amount of time. Anyone want to come over and be my little elf to sew all of the projects I have cut out? I'll pay you in wine...

I thought this was so cool, but of course, my computer will not let me make one of my own right now. I'll have to try again after I reboot.

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Great.

We had an amazing time with Brian and Erin for Thanksgiving. They are so sweet. Erik is such an amazing kid, and Peder is just the cutest baby. All three boys look so much alike!
Erin and I were able to do a little shopping. The deals were not out there like the other years, but we may just be in a different place in our lives now as well. At Old Navy, the things I was interested in were undershirts and socks for Henry. Other years we have found many other items. Not this year.
We also have an uexpected little addition to our family- a 1979 International Scout. We found it unexpectedly for a good price, and we bought it within one day. We'll be selling the Volvo in the spring- anyone want a classic sports car? I'll make you a deal.
This week is going to be a blur. We need to clean the whole house, go grocery shopping (We have only wine, V-8, and miracle whip in the fridge. Seriously.)
I also need to work my little tail off. I have to have this whole list complete by the end of the week. (19 ITEMS!!!HOLY COW)
Wish me luck-
I'm going to start a month of frugality in January again. This time, I am going to go for the whole month, and I'm going to try to keep it to 20 dollars in spending a day. I'm waiting until after Christmas. Even though I am making most of our presents, I just can't blog about my spending, too. Not enough hours in the day!
How are all of you?
XOXOXoxoxox,
M.