New Beginnings & Holiday Recap::.

I'm feeling a little naked in the street after that last post. It's not really like me to lay it completely out there for the world to see. Sure. I bitch and complain in my own right, but I sorta keep it to myself or within a tight circle. So whether it was a psychotic rant or not, maybe baring myself was good for me? I didn't lose any readers, so I guess I didn't frighten anyone. And, honestly....I feel loads better. Like I threw up a night's worth of tequila into what I thought was a toilet. So I guess I'll do what any classy drunk would do....swish my mouth out and move on. A little input would be appreciated though...even if you go the whole anonymous route. I'm cool with that.

Surprise! Aside from yesterday's rant, I've been missing. I've been a little lazy relaxed I guess. I obviously gave up on the 31 day photo challenge. I fail. Looks like I can't even finish a challenge where I participate on my ass. Nice. Ha.

What's been happening? The Holidays of course! I spent a lot of time baking...I had forgotten that I can get Betty Crocker with it. I stole a lot of recipes I found in the blog world, because obviously you people know how to sex a person with food. Especially  Jocelyn over at  Inside Brucrew Life. 

Remember me boasting an UUUH-MAZING Oreo Truffle Cupcake recipie? Well It's Jocelyn's creation! She claimed the glory yesterday and I'm so glad she did! I wanted to know where I had found them so I could stalk her other treats and share of course! I was kind of a tease with these babies since I couldn't give credit. Mystery solved...so here you go: Jocelyn's Oreo Truffle Surprise Cupcakes. Do it. These pictures I took are my version. I don't know why I snapped the photo on the decorating tray instead of the cute little Santa tray we served them on. 

I added a glaze for a 3rd layer. It's a combo of vanilla icing, honey and cream cheese. I melted and then drizzled on top of the chocolate layer after chilling in the refrigerator for a few. I'm having withdrawals right now just thinking about them. 

The non-food stuff? Was good, too. We did have an amazing Christmas. We spent way too much money and will be playing catch up for the next few months. Not cool. I can't help it. Something sparks inside of me about a week before Christmas, and I just go nuts. Even though I know the money is needed elsewhere, I shop. And shop some more. BUT they were pretty excited and extremely thankful. 

Haven asked for "a really tiny and cute aquatic turtle." A facebook friend saved  the day when she gave me turtle shack's website. And lucky me, they were having a "buy 1 get 2 free" sale--it was around $16 before shipping. S-C-O-R-E. She got all females and named them: Taya, Olivia, and Angel. So fruggin cute.  

 Ashton was deadset on one toy: "a walking, talking, remote control IronMan. Nothing stands in his way and he saves the day." That's the whole bit. He would recite that anytime someone asked him what he was wishing for. He kills me :) 

So Santa delivered that, too. And it's pretty totes. The reviews were HORRIBLE on it, but it was the ONLY thing he wanted. I'm glad I got it, because it works great for him. We have wood floors, and I would say that has a lot to do with it. 


After Christmas, was my birthday. It was an amazing day. I went into it with a different approach this year and I felt good all day. Normally I dread birthdays. I'm not a fan of getting older. I've seen old people. I don't think I wear wrinkles well. Thank you photoshop. Anyways, this year I decided I was going to be positive and appreciate the breath in my lungs. I made it another year. I'm luckier than some. Haven and I went shopping and had lunch, which was her pick. She chose subway...that's my girl! We talked and really just laughed and had fun. That evening I met with some of my favorites and we had ate infamous local Mexican food and hit a small bar for some drinks.

I had a GeorgiaPeach. OhhhEmmGee. Did I say one? I meant 3. We laughed and did girl talk, which I've lacked for a few months. It's was nice. After drinks, I met The Husband for a nice, kid-less night at home. 26 has been the best birthday I've had for awhile.





 For New Year's Eve, The Husband and I threw a party with the kiddos here at home. We ordered Applebees appitizers,  painted our faces, made "science lab coats" with our 2011 goals listed, played bored games, dressed up, watched a movie, and counted down to 2011! It was such a good time! 

I probably could have split this post up a little, but I wanted to get 2010 out of my system so I can start fresh. 


Did everyone have a good Holiday Season? How did you guys bring in the New Year? Is anyone doing the resolution thing?? Jocelyn (Oreo Truffle Surprise...get to know her for taste's sake!!!) posted something interesting yesterday that she does as an alternative to resolutions. She chooses a "word of the year." One word that represents the year's goals. I've decided to do something similar, BUT that's a different post........

 

Musings of a Delinquent::This Santa is a FAKE!!!::.

I've been missing again. No worries. I'm alive. I've been keeping up on everyone's blog and commenting when I can think of something witty. I just haven't been in the writing spirit--probably because the Christmas spirit finally hit me. I've been Martha Stewart-ing it up in my house:
1. chocolate truffles--thanks Sara!<---she's muther chucking hilarious. Visit her, I command you.
2. oreo truffle cupcakes (I saw these in the blog world somewhere and CANNOT remember where I found them...If these amazing mouthgasms are your creation, comment and claim your thunder for the sake of Baby Infant Jesus.)
3.  homemade mistletoe
4. homemade ornaments for Haven's classmates, teacher, and principal. (kiss-ass.)
5. Haven's Christmas party where......are you ready for this?? This is good. I mean it's REALLY good......

This Santa?? Recognize him??? Yea. That's The Husband! He was the star of "Santa Says." See the block headed kid to the right of him?? This kid gave him the HARDEST time. "YOU'RE A FAKE!! I see the strings to your fake beard!!!" Followed by the "I've got my eyes on you" hand signal. He continued harassing him. Fucking hilarious! Haven knew it was her dad right away. "DAD! I know it's you. I can tell by your BIG, DARK eyebrows!" Ahhh! I love it. The Mr. is Cherokee Indian and Portuguese...and rather dark complected--they weren't buying it. Most were cool with it though, and others, like said punk, I encouraged Santa to whisper traumatizing slurrs. He didn't. Wuss. 

Speaking of Santa--I don't know what in the hell has gotten into me, but I've had ninja Christmas moves. I mean I'm the Jackie Chan of deals, UPS luck and wrapping this year. Shizz be done. Well... two packages arrive tomorrow. I could wrap those in my sleep by now. I locked myself in the bedroom tonight  with some wine after The Husband pissed me off. I turned on the 90s on satellite radio and wrapped my happy little ass to Christmas cheer. Not only did I pounce, spank, choke the whole Christmas present wrapping thing--I also got all of my kickass shutterfly Christmas cards out in time apparently. I got all kinds of FB messages today about how cute they are---and Dude...they are. This was the first Christmas card we have ever sent out. I mean that wasn't your general Ho Ho Ho! shizz--they're personalized with pictures...and I used pictures I took, so double whipped cream spankings. You can see it here. Inside is their picture with Santa printed in B&W on the upper flap. Totes. 

I'll catch up on the 31 Day Photo Challenge in a few days--probably the 24th. Slacker...I know.

A Few Shots::.

 I just want to share these adorable shots I got of the kids tonight. Is it wrong that I dress my kids up and take countless photos of them even though they hate most of it? If there wasn't a tv behind me, I would get nowhere. Here are a few of my favorite:

 I love this one of Ashton. He looks so innocent. :)

I adore this photo of Haven...even if she was being a smartass at the time this was snapped :)

  This photo will always be one of my favorite. It's only hours old, but I promise I will cherish it.

<3 <3 <3 <3

This last photo I'll be linking up with the following:

• The theme for Happy Monday is Bokeh. I didn't pull as much of the effect as desired, but I still love this photo :)

• Them theme over at Simplicity is 'favorite shot.' This is easily my favorite of the week.

• Over at the Trendy Treehouse the theme is dreaming. No one is sleeping, but when I look at this photo, I MUST be dreaming. No way would reality grant me not one, but two amazing, talented, beautiful little humans <3

Shutterfly && Sweet Rewards

Do you remember awhile back when I posted to win 50 FREE holiday cards through Shutterfly? Well....I FINALLY got the babies to take a few pictures tonight and this is the design I came up with. I'm in love with Shutterfly right now....and this card! :) Can't wait to send them!

With Love Blue Christmas 5x7 folded card

Customize your Christmas cards with Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Paper Mama Photo Challenge::Holiday Colors/Holiday Bokeh Party

I think it's obvious how I feel about the Paper Mama--she's amazing...if you haven't, please do yourself a favor and CHECK HER OUT. Right now there's a holiday colors themed photo challenge going on. I went with this photo I took tonight. I love this little snowman. Truth be told I LOVE little snowmen. They're my favorite holiday symbol.

Head over a visit The Paper Mama and check out the other amazing photos.


While I'm at it, I'm going to enter a bokeh I tried tonight. Not awesome, but it could have gone worse :) This is for the Bokeh Party over at Life With My 3 Boybarians.

Head over to Life With My 3 Boybarians to check out the other photos. If you want to enter you better hurry my bloggy friends--linky closes tomorrow!

Black (Like Evil) Friday

Black Friday. More like Black Hearted Friday.

We set out for two specific items: a trampoline on sale for $168, and 2 Leapster Touch Pad gamer things... We got to an area Walmart around 11:00PM, got the Leapsters and a few extra things also found their way into the cart. We had it all. All but the trampoline. The main joint gift. They were out. Shit. I say, "Well, we can just drive the 20 minutes to Osage Walmart for the trampoline. We have time. We'll check out now, and  head that way for the trampoline." Easy. Painless. We head to check out where we hear, "I can't check you out at sale price until midnight." Fuck. So we abandon our cart and haul ass to the next Walmart.

The Husband dropped me off and I high tail to the door. He parked and we would meet inside. My cell had just died, but I had his. He was phoneless, but we just knew we would find each other. (HA.) I'm convinced that all nuts of the Earth gathered at the same exact time, on this night, at this Walmart. Funny, I was there, too. Coincidence, I swear.

I get inside. People are everywhere. I practically crawl through the waves of people to the Lawn and Garden section where I hear that the trampolines are hanging out. The line is probably 100+ people long. The assertive person I am, I walk out of line straight to the front to talk to the desperate employee. She looked like she wanted to die. It wasn't even midnight yet. I found out that they had 18 trampolines left and that she was just getting ready to hand out tickets for the trampolines. She says, "Lucky you, you get ticket 1. Get a cart." YES! My "the world revolves around me" attitude paid off for once! Right. A cart. So I find a cart holding a couple bags of soil just 2 rows down...I empty it and it is now mine. MUAHAHA! I get a couple of Dads to help me load the massive box onto my cart. Not an easy steer project, but I head to the middle of the store where I just knew Husband would be waiting for me.

Instead? Instead I find nothing but a crowd. Boxes, people, aisle obstructions--everywhere. No husband. Here I am weaving through it all. I'm thinking about how I'm not going to get the rest of my list and how Husband better hope he's taking care of at least SOME items. I'm panicking to be honest. I lugged that massive box around for a good hour before I found Husband delightfully chatting it up in a side aisle with some familiar faces. Lovely. Thankfully, he got a few things, but not everything. So I shoved my cart at him, told him to get in line and took off with his cart to finish. So I nicely switched him carts and asked him to find us a spot in line while I finished up. (While we are in fantasy land, I'll add that my hair and make-up looked amazing by this point. Ha!)

I weaved in and out of hateful shoppers finishing my list. I headed back toward Husband. Waiting in line to get in line, I was in the middle of a 70+ yr old man and a younger couple. The geezer had two carts full of multiples of junk. He was in the middle of his two carts guarding his space like a pack of dogs guarding a knocked over trash can. He looked over at the couple with just a few things in their cart as they inched up--ya know, because the people in front of them moved up. Grandpa grumbles to them, "I hope you don't think you're going to cut me!" They were a little shocked. The dude asks, "What?" Grandpa repeats himself. Me being the peace maker I am, intervene of course. "I really don't think they're trying to cut you being as this isn't kindergarten." At this point he tries to peep in to explain himself. "I saw. We are all in a 3-way line for 1 cash register. Hate on Walmart for only opening 6 lanes on the busiest night of the year, not these people. There's no need to get grouchy with each other. We've all been in line, we all want to check out, we all want to go home." A few people clapped. I felt awesome. Little did they know that I was seconds from blowing up instead. Anyways, Gramps apologized, the couple laughed and all was merry.

For a minute.

We ended up in line for 3 hours. I'm not kidding-- 3 hours! Husband and I started chatting up other customers for fun. We made shopping line friends and took our frustrations out on the poor inexperienced, elderly woman that was on the register. Good times.

By the time we did check out, I was done. No target. No mall. No more. We went home, unloaded and crashed.

Until next year!

Thanksgiving Photos

For your viewing pleasure:

These are my weirdos, and I <3 them.