A Year In Review

This year has been great. The great significant things that happened in my life this year were:

Going back to ND to visit family and friends
My dad getting remarried
Going to Mexico
Starting a new job
Seeing John Mayer on my birthday
Moving to Queen Anne
Celebrating a year of absolutely wonderful friendship
Finding an amazing boyfriend who makes me laugh
My aunt visiting me for a week

I am looking forward to what the year ahead will hold. To all who read this:

May the coming year bring you joy, love, happiness and excitement. I love you all!

Hello Lover

If you understand the title of this posting, you understand the importance of this day. Yes ladies and gentleman, today is the release of the second part of the sixth and final season of Sex and the City. Tonight Elaine, Heather and I will be watching the episodes live from my living room as we've been anticipating the release for months.

Part of my Christmas list was this DVD set to be preordered and delivered by Amazon today. It was ordered for me, but the delivery date is January 3rd. Are you kidding me? I can't possibly wait another week to see the final episodes!! How will it all end, Big, Carrie....AHHHH!

Some of my favorite quotes from the show are:

"He broke up with me on a post-it"
"I think I have monogamy. I must have caught it from you people."
"I like my money right where I can see it: hanging in my closet."
"I can't believe I'm back here again."
"You can't leave New York! You're the Chrysler Building! The Chrysler Building would be all wrong in a vineyard!"
"If you're tired you take a napa, you don't move to Napa!"

Of course, I love every minute of that show...I can't believe these are the last episodes....

The importance of safety

I heard about he tsunami last night on the news, and was absolutely horrified at the devastation it is causing. Thousands of people have dies, countless thousands of others are missing, without housing and still enduring. It is truly amazing to think that that could happen here in Seattle. I'm proud that our country is always ready to help aid in the assistance of countries in need of help. We immediately shipped out people to help feed and shelter those affected by the tsunami.

I heard on CNN this morning that Oprah's designer Nate was vacationing there when it happened and survived, although when I first heard the report I thought they said he died and I was like "Not Nate! He's an awesome designer and he's Oprahs friend!" It is always amazing how putting a face to a tradgedy can affect your view on it.

On a side note, my step-brother Ryan bought me pepper spray for Christmas. Of course, thats probobly a logical choice considering he did all of his holiday shopping at a sporting goods store. I've never felt unsafe in this city, certainly not enough to warrant carrying pepper spray in my purse, but maybe if I decide to take on NYC again, I'll bring it along.

Piles of paper and bows

Last night my dad, step-mom, brother, his girlfriend and I opened our presents to each other. Our family doesn't just buy each other one gift, but many gifts. It takes hours for us to open them all up, but by the end of the night, we've given and gotten lots of wonderful things. We went to midnight mass last night, which is something I love because of all of the candlelight and Christmas carols. This morning I came over to my dads house to make breakfast for everyone and we opened our stockings to each other. Now maybe you think I'm too old for a stocking, but I say NEVER. Stockings are by far the most fun part of Christmas. I repeat...it is the MOST fun part of Christmas, I don't know why, it just is.

Some of the highlights from my Christmas goodies so far are a pink mini Apple iPod, the new lock T&CO Tiffany necklace, a pink tweed jacket w/ velvet trim and a beaded silver and pink bracelet with a charm of the Eiffel Tower on it. There are a few more presents left to open with my step-brothers, but so far this Christmas has been awesome!! I can't wait to use all my gifts!

I know this post has been a lot about gifts, but the biggest gift is getting to spend time with my family. I'm so lucky that we could all be together to share the holiday together. Merry Christmas everyone!

(Pictures of the holiday goodies to come!)

The First Gift

'Tis the Season...and one of the best parts (apart from shopping to find the perfect presents) is opening and giving the first present of the year. Tonight Heather, Elaine, Marisa and I will be having dinner and exchanging gift...I can hardly wait!! I'm heading home early to get some things done around the house before I head over to Elaine's for the fun...Christmas here I come!

Count Yourself Lucky

If you are fortunate enough to receive one of my Christmas cards this year, count yourself lucky. I had been thinking about a couple of different ideas, but after a lot of thought, finally decided on one. Of course, the one I decided on includes endless amounts of time and hand glittering letters...and let's just say, thats not a quick process. I've only made 4 so far, but maybe I'll get a bunch more made tonight.

More holiday fun coming your way here.

Many thanks to Tim for going shopping with me today...all day...for work. It wouldn't have been near as much fun without you. Happy ChrismaKwanzakkuh...and thanks for listening to Kelly Clarkson in the car, even though I know you wanted to run away screaming as fast as your legs would carry you.

Over and Over Again

Last night during Elaine's b-day celebration, we were discussing the 10 things in our life we would do over a hundred times if given the chance. Below are my 10, in no particular order.

1. Front row at the U2 concert, and Bono kneeling down to sing to me
2. Seeing the Eiffel Tower at night
3. Holding an octopus while diving in Hawaii
4. Falling asleep with someone you love next to you
5. Watching the snow fall outside, with a fire roaring inside
6. Laying on the trampoline at our lake cabin at night watching the stars
7. Kissing someone you really like for the first time
8. Sunday afternoon movies with my dad
9. Hugging Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20
10. Late afternoon naps on a rainy day

I. CAN'T. STOP.

Two new addictions this week:

Spider Solitare on the computer....

Crocheting scarves...if all you get are 5 scarves for Christmas...don't complain, I can't help myself.

Holiday Fun

Just a little mid-afternoon holiday fun to keep you going!

Dress up Santa!

Christmas is in the air

First off...sorry the funny picture hasn't been posted yet. I haven't been feeling too well and I've been forgetting my camera at home. It will be here this week I promise.

So last night I called my professer and didn't go to class because of the following reasons:

A) I'm sick (which is true)
B) There was no test or quiz (a first in 9 weeks)
C) I needed a break

So, I was preparing to go home at 5:30 as normal, but had a quick meeting with my boss around 3:30 to discuss some projects we were working on. At the end of the meeting, she mentioned that she had a conversation with her boss about our Christmas decorations needing updating, so she said because I had great taste, would I mind going shopping... Would I mind? I'd LOVE IT! So, instead of going home (since I was skipping class), I spend 4 hours shopping...a lot of shopping...with the company's money...and how FUN IS THAT?! I bought a ton of christmas decorations, and the tree looks beautiful (picture to come), and my boss's boss, who is a FANATIC about Christmas told me more than once how wonderful it looks!

Tonight I am getting my permanent crown put in, so I'm sure that'll be buckets of fun. My mom is going to come over after and bring me to dinner, although I'm sure I won't be able to eat much with a sore mouth, but it'll be good to see her. I'm going to try to get some more crafts done as well since Christmas will be here soon. Last night I got another scarf done..it's amazing how fast they come together. The one I did last night was cool because I used 2 different yarns together to get a fun look. I need to get my Christmas cards done too, I have all of the materials bought, but haven't sat down to construct them yet...maybe tonight.

Crazy/Beautiful Week

This past week was awesome. I had my favorite aunt from back home and uncle in town, and had the entire week off from work. We spend endless hours shopping, talking and learning how to crochet (me, not my aunt). After learning how to crochet, I highly doubt I will ever knit again, it is just so much easier and quicker to crochet, and I'm hooked on it!

I am about 80 percent done Christmas shopping, although the closer we get to the actual holiday the more I'll buy out of sheer love of buying presents. I already have some people done with, but am having to restrain myself from buying more when I keep finding great stuff!! No one this year wanted any big item, it was more little things, or no ideas at all, so I'm sort of winging it, but I think it will be good. I'm trying to add some home made gifts into everyone presents this year because I have been doing so many project I've been loving and want to share them with everyone!! Only 20-some days left until THE day!!!

Last night we watched the tv movie Noel, with Susan Sarandon and Penolope Cruz. Now, I haven't been such a big fan of Penelope, as sometimes a thick accent just bugs me, but her accent didn't bother me so much, as the fact is she's absolutely perfect! Seriously, the woman is gorgeous, and it's hardly fair for the rest of the women on this plant to have to compare to that! Oh well, I guess she must have her flaws, she couldn't keep Tom Cruise happy....he he.

Tomorrow I'm posting a hilarious picture from the past week...all I can say is I'm holding an animal...with a dirty name.

Gobble Gobble

I'm so blessed to be able to have my family and friends close to me today. It's been rough to have so many people I love so far away, but today some of them will be closer, and I am thankful for that. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

It's nearly vacation

I have all next week off, but I have to work on Monday until noon. I shouldn't say have to, I could have taken the entire day off, but I didn't. Mondays are like hell in my office. I get to work at 7:30 in order to prepare for an 8am meeting. That lasts until about 9:15 at which point I have to print a couple of reports and start tracking down the people that weren't here at 8 for their info. Then at 10 I have a meeting that lasts until about 11:45, and which point I have to start working on a project that easily can take me until 3:00, but I force myself to lunch by 2. I come back, finish the project, start a couple of other random projects and before you know it 6 o'clock is here and I haven't had time to go to the bathroom or anything! So, if I wasn't here on Monday, it would only mean that the following monday was 1000% busier because I would have to do 2 Monday's worth of work in one...and it's so not worth it. I feel efficient and effective on Mondays and sometimes I wonder if everyone around me sees how hard I work sometimes, but when I was telling my boss I was going to be here for half a day on Monday she said "Good, because I'd DIE if you weren't here on Monday to get everything done." Hurray for me.

It has begun

CHRISTMAS!

Ok, so it's not here yet, but my enthusiasm for it is! I'm seriously considering decorating my house tonight. I bought a couple of presents today and I absolutely cannot wait for the holiday to get here! If you know me, you know how much I love Christmas. It's not quite as nice to open presents without the snow falling outside like it did when I was back in North Dakota, but I can deal...because I'm still opening presents.

Bridget Jones

Elaine and I went to see Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason last night...and although it wasn't as good as the first, it was still pretty funny. Maybe I didn't notice before, but did Bridget walk so strangely in the first movie?? The one-liners in the movie are awesome...plus, watching Hugh Grant and Colin Firth for 2 hours doesn't hurt a girls eyes either.

Sleepover

I haven't had a 'sleepover' in about 10 years. But I remember they were fun and exciting and exhausting, and they gave you the opportunity to just have a good time with your friends. Tonight I will have one of those nights with my friends. Tonight's 'sleepover'; however, will be vastly different than those I had in high school for 1 reason: BOOZE. Not only will there be chocolate and movies and pizza and pajamas and laughing, but there will be booze...and to make that even sweeter, there is a bar directly across the street...life doesn't get any better than that!

Yeah for me!

I've always considered myself skilled when it comes to computer programs. I can sit down in front of something I have no clue how to use and within a couple of hours I've got a big portion of it figured out and under control. It's just easy for me. So today I was starting to get frustrated by Bloggers limited templates which don't allow for things to be added unless you know html, which I don't. So after about 10 minutes of research on the web and about 10 minutes of playing with code, I have now added 'Blogs I Love' to the right side of this page....yeah for me!

Um... YUM! Um... GROSS!

Um...YUM!

This pastry chef has more talent working with desserts than all of the pastry chef's in Seattle combined!! Just check out the watermelon bombe in a sugar BUBBLE!!!

Um... GROSS!

Jones Soda Co., who makes a damn good soda, has come out with a Thanksgiving variety. You must see it to believe.

F-R-I-E-N-D-S

My friends and I went to dinner last night to celebrate our friendship over the past year. Over sangria, margaritas and quite possibly the yummiest mexican food in the city we had a fabulous evening. After taking lots of pictures where either one or more of us came off looking like either a whore or a lesbian, we then moved our hilarity over to El Diablo for dessert. Below are some of the more normal pictures from the evening.

Heather, Marisa & Elaine - Thanks for being such great friends over the past year. I love you girls!

This is me. I've been trying for days to find a program that will allow me to post photos on my blog and now I've found one. I'm not trying to be self-loving, but this is the only shot I had of work. More photos to come now that I know I can put them online!!