Wow, that was fast!

Hopefully all of you had a wonderful holiday!!! Mine was good, busy, but good!

The holidays flew by but that is what happens when you are busy and so exhausted (who says holidays are relaxing?!) We managed to fit almost 40 people in our tiny house, and it went off without a hitch!

The holidays are exciting enough but within a matter of a week, two of my friends (and bridesmaids and one of their fiance's was Blake's best man!) got engaged!!! I didn't see either of them coming (well, one of them i knew about) and I am super excited for them!!!!

Congrats Staci and D-rock!

Congrats to Matt and Becca (After 8 years!!!!!)

Speaking of lovers (hee hee), I think my baby, my little baby, Piper is in heat. She is such a baby to me, and is just 4 1/2 months! She kept me up a lot of last night, and i have no idea what to do for her. I have never had a cat, and never had a dog that went into heat so this is all new to me. I can't get her spayed until a month from today!!! It's going to be a looong few weeks!! Any tips or ideas? (We don't let her out but one of our neighbors lets their cat roam free, and he's been around lately!!!)

Back to the holiday, what was your favorite gift? My has to be my i-phone. It's like crack in the form of an electronic. It does everything but wipe your ass (and I'm sure in a few years it might be able to, lol!) Seriously. It's that awesome. :) Then again, i had a pos that didn't do anything but call people!

Happy freaking Christmas man.....

Well, it's turning out to be a fan-freaking-tastic holiday so far! My mom has been staying with us since, well, since Friday (the day aftter she got into a car accident). Since too long......Since she decided that the dust bunnies underneath the couch were appalling (I for one, loved those damn bunnies!), since i don't clean the windows on our french doors enough....since she won't go away.....since my husband wants to leave because she is one of those people that should only be handled in small doses (I know, horrible daughter i am, but YOU try livng with her...you'll agree in about an hour)

Anyone want her? I'm willing to make a trade (or force her upon someone.) She loves to clean....anyone?

I guess I will take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday (as in the Christmas holiday, which we are now allowed to say, as it was banned for a while, but let's still call it holiday to be on the safe side, right?)

I unfortunately have to work tomorrow and wishing right now i was at home in my comfy, warm bed snuggling with the animals (yes, i said animals not husband, come on--he's not as fun to snuggle with) I am an old woman, I realize as i sit here questioning why i decided to partake in adult beverages when I'm too old to deal with the repercussions, and to think that shots were a good idea? Ha, I laught at my self, but at least it was fun.

Oh, amy, when will you learn?

I'll learn as soon as my mom leaves.

On another note, if you haven't visited Triumph, you need to go there now! Go, run. Their Calamari is the best i have EVER tasted, as is their edamame hummus, and their stuffed mushrooms, and well, everything. If you visit on a Monday, buy two entrees and get a BOTTLE of wine for FREE! Yes, it is what i partook in and yes, there were 6 free bottles of wine!

Like i said, Have a happy and SAFE holiday! (we are hosting xmas eve, so wish me luck and sanity or that my mom leaves.....)

I swear I am going to start walking everywhere

My mom was in a car accident tonight. (if you listened to the radio right around rush hour she was the accident on 270, and you can thank her for the traffic) That makes 6 car accidents between me, my mom and brother for this year. She is OK but i think her car is most likely totalled.

I think Mexico is sounding better and better, or at least places with now cars.

I will have to admit that since my accident I have become the most paranoid driver. I thought it would have subsided by now (my accident was 8 months ago) but it hasn't. I'm usually alright until i hit traffic and then i tense up......i really don't know how else to get over it and with this new incident, it doesn't make matters any better. I have avoided the highway and high traffic areas just to get away from it.....

I had a guy last night on the way home ride my ass. These are the people that just make me so mad, and obvioulsy nervous, but we were in traffic. I wasn't going anywhere. So, i moved over to the next lane, and he turned around to give me a look of death. Like i was preventing him from getting someowhere. It is people like this that make it hard to NOT be nervous on the road.

Has anyone had any similar experiences? What alleviated the anxiety?

The good, the bad, and the downright ugly!

The Good:
The highway that has been closed (for you stl folks, 40) is finally opened! My commute home has (well, to work too) been cut down by at least 30 minutes.
Christmas is creeping up!


The bad:
We had our new dishwasher almost delivered today. I say almost because the delivery men couldn't get our old one out,. They said that the previous home owner left the old floor down, and built the new one around it, so there was no way they could get it out without taking off the counter tops, which they are not allowed to do. So, no new dishwasher for me today! :(

The downright ugly:
Best Buy (actually, I learned they contract through Best Buy) delivery people came to put in our stove, and dropped off our microwave. He went to push the stove back and it didn't fit. That was the first issue. I ran to get Blake who was still asleep. When i explained to Blake what had happened, the delivery men looked at him and said, "well, you need to measure things before you buy them." Thanks jerk. We did, and that isn't the issue. What was the issue was that when they put in the new counter tops, they built it around the stove. We measured it and it was the exact same size as the oven except for the spot in the front which was like a 1/4 of an inch more. It felt like an eternity after the delivery man said that because we all stared at each other for a while and we had no idea what to do. We expected they would give us some assistance, or give us some ideas on what to do. After they stood there and stared at us, Blake told them to just leave it, and we'll figure it out. They left and as soon as they pulled away i noticed that the counter top (which the guy was standing in front of) was missing a huge chunk. Furious Blake called Best Buy while i filled out the survey they gave us and emailed Best Buy.

Blake hangs the phone up to say that they have to see what the delivery men said and will call us back. So, a few minutes later the phone rings. Apparently, the delivery driver told them that WE PUSHED THE STOVE BACK! I was now more furious. Blake wasn't even in the same room as them until they left. and me? Do they want me to whip out my physical therapy bills??

We are having my entire family over and some of his for Christmas eve, and im just pissed. If they hadn't been so rude about it or at least admitted they did it and apologized, i wouldn't be so mad. Rude. Rude. Rude.

The weather. I hate winter. I hate snow, I hate it all. I hear Mexico is nice this time of year, I think im running away? Anyone wanna go?

Before and After

Remember back in the day, I posted about painting our cabinets? Well, i eventually finished them, and after our stove and microwave came on Saturday (and now thanks to Best Buy we have a huge chunk of counter top missing, but that is another story, lol) it looks like a totally different kitchen!

This is before (and right after the wedding, note the pink flowers on the stove). Also note, that I do not miss that stove. The handle fell off every time you opened it, and i detested it.


And here it is today! (I love it, it's clean steel i think, it doesn't show fingerprints!)

Note the light is on inside, and it is SO clean. i refused to clean the old one because i hated it so much!

If you can also remember, or if you are new, we did some more work on our living room--mainly on the fireplace. It wasn't hideous (well, the mantle was--it looked like a piece of driftwood that someone just set there) but it took up too much room, and wasn't really our style.

Here is was before we touched it:



After we removed all the bricks.......


and now......(please note, matt damon is on my tv....)

I loooove the tile, but not so sure about the trim around the fp. I hate the speakers there, but i wasn't given a choice on that part, lol. BUT--what a difference it makes to the whole room. It's feels more warm and homey. (Let me add this to say that we DO NOT USE our fireplace, nor will we ever which is why we decided to put the TV there.)

So, i will leave you with one more thing today. I bought some water from target, and this is what I found inside.....
A PIPER! :)

I don't know if i should be mad, or laugh

I had a crap-tastic day yesterday, was dead tired, and just all out had a bad day. (I will spare you the details!!) I had just got home, and usually Piper greets me. I heard some noises in the room our Christmas tree (the one i am working on becoming our PINK AND GREEN tree, no, Blake did not have a say) is in. This is what I found. (I took it with my phone-notice the awful quality)

Yep, that's her in the tree. She has managed to knock down the few ornaments we have on the tree. BUT--after looking at her cute face, I found it hard to be mad. I wish i would have had time to get my camera because this was priceless. I am sure this will happen again.

Speaking of happening again, does anyone have any tips on how to keep her OUT of the tree?

It's THURSDAY ALREADY?

And i still haven't made a post all week?

This week has been insane. Blake and i woke up Tuesday with the stomach flu!!! BOOOO!

Last night, he pulls out pieces of paper with something on them. He goes, "Here's your Christmas present." Let me first say that Blake is notorious with not holding onto gifts very well! Each birthday, Christmas or holiday i have always got my present early. The day he bought my ring, he almsot gave it to me. Then the night before he gave it to me, he ALMOST woke me up at midnight to give it to me. While I don't mind this, he is the most difficult person to buy for.
Anyway, i look at the papers in disbelief. MY FREGGIN APPLIANCES! I know, this is the first sign that i am getting old but i have been wanting new appliances for eons. We talked about getting them, but maybe waiting till we were finished with other projects first. I am pretty excited! Saturday I will be anticipating their delivery like a kid on Christmas day!

On another note, for those of you who don't know, I work with kiddos with disabilities. I have come to the realization today that this world is not yet accommodating to kids like this. I can't go into details, but the atrocity that goes on in this state, in our city is absolutely ridiculous, even at places you would think would be safe.

I'll leave today on a pleasant note---tomorrow is FRIDAY! Wooohoo! (and the 1st annual STLWED Ornament Exchange! YAY!) I'll be there with bells on (well, not really bells, but you get the idea) and my yummy Artichoke Bruchetta!

Fun places for free stuff

I have been (thank you blogger peeps) finding great blogs about saving money which some i have shared with you. I was ecstatic last night when i went grocery shopping. I spend 101 (and some change) and only paid 75+ some change last night. I saved $25.00. While part of it was a $10.00 off for the weekly Shop N' Save deal they have going, but I saved 15.00 in the coupons i had.

I had two coupons for free products which I got here at Vocalpoint. Sign up and they will send you things to try, or other fun things. I got a free coupon recently for a free box of Kashi fruit bars (they are YUMMY!) Join--you'll be happy you did. The site is chuck full of good info too! Also, when they send you coupons they send you ones to give to your friends! Your friends will love you!

The next place to check out is from General Mills. Psst. After I joined, I got a free box of chicken broth which i used to make the best chicken soup! I also got coupons and some to share! I also got free box of Macaroni Grills pasta!

Click here for Progresso coupons!

SheSpeaks is another good one as well!

Another one is Krafts First Taste

Hope you all enjoy your free and fun stuff! Next week, I will share some of my favorite freebie sites. My husband thinks it is halarious that i get stuff in the mail everday but after last nights shopping trip, he was pretty amazed.

On another note, i HAVE my proofs FINALLY! I got them two weeks ago, and have been too overwhelmed (and the files are too big so i have to upload them to photobucket or something) to post anything.

More love to share.....

Blog love that is :)

1. This first blog has me amazed, and well, a bit teary eyed. After talking about materialistic things, and how they didn't need them, a couple decided to do more meaningful gifts, and donate the money there planned on spending to a village across the world. Well, the husband created this awesome project as a gift to his wife. Here is what i found on his blog that describes what he is doing:

I am creating my wife’s Christmas present-the Mother Letter Project. Simply
stated, I am collecting a series of “open letters” from mothers, to mothers. Share your stories—no matter how raw or difficult. Share you concerns—no matter how foolish they may seem. Share your wisdom—no matter how you came by it. Share your mother story. The only request? Start the letter “Dear Mother” and sign it. I will compile all of the letters in a Christmas book for my wife. If you share a letter email(motherletter@gmail.com) before Christmas, you'll get your own copy of the letters.

Now, tell me that isn't the sweetest thing ever? I have read a few that readers have sent in and he posted links to, and they are definitely sweet, and kleenex worthy.

2. Speaking of Kleenex, remember this video (99 Balloons) I posted? Well, Eliot's parents have a blog, and they have a new addition to the fam as well! Click here. Oh, and mom has some sweet jewelry...you can see here.

The next two sites are so stalkworthy, and good ideas for xmas!!
3. IDIY--it's a DIY for weddings but good stuff in general! Check is out NOW!

4. This is one of my favorite blogs, One pretty thing, i have found a ton of good ideas here, and can't wait to try them....

Last but not least, Thrifty Jinxy.....'all the best info for living on the cheap'. Lots of giveaways, freebies, and goodies!

These cookies are the bomb.com, really!!

I found this recipe in BHG and was they were so purty, i had to make them. Turns out, they are some kick ass cookies!

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies.


2 cups flour
2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk (i used reduced fat and they turned out yummy!)
2 Tbsp. red food coloring
1 recipe Whoopie Pie Filling

1. Preheat oven to 375. Line sheeting with parchment paper (i didn't do this but recipe called for) Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt--set aside.
2. In large mixing bowl, beat butter on medium to high for 30 seconds. Beat in brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk, beating after each addition just until combined. Stir in food coloring.
3. Spoon batter in 1 or 2 inch onto baking sheet (i found they were easier when smaller)
4. Bake 7-9 minutes for 1 inch, and 9-11 for 2 inch or until tops are set. cool completely on baking sheets on rack. remove cooled cookies from baking sheets.
5. Top one cookie with Whoopie Pie filling and place other cookie on top.

To make whoopie pie filling: beat 1/4 cup softened butter and half an 8-ounce package of cream cheese until smooth.

Fold in one 7-ounce jar of Marshmallow fluff.....

and viola! The bestest cookies, EVA! seriously, they are awesome. I will tell you that they are better once refrigerated for a bit because the filling hardens up a bit.......keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days and ENJOY!

But how can they not be with Marshmallow fluff?