Weekend Wrapup - BIRTHDAY EDITION! :)

Friday

* The owner of the company called me at 1:30 & told me to sneak out & leave for the day.  Is this a joke?  Nope - he told me its "that time of year" & told me to start my weekend early. YES!  ... didnt take me but a second to grab my stuff & jet!

* Got home & snuggled on the couch to watch "Bridesmaids".... now, I've had this DVD from Netflix for literally over a year.  No joke.  I bet they just gave up on me returning it & thought, "we'll just continue to charge the monthly rate" - but HA!  I finally watched it! .... it wasnt what I expected either.... but will say, the "trying on dresses" scene had me wanting to puke & laugh all in one

* Another fun night of Tetris Links with the Hubs

Saturday

OK - for you folks that know me - I'll give you a heads up - I was in my PJ's ALL DAY LONG - only to take a shower & put on fresh PJ's!!!  ... this was a rare day for me

* Woke up to this

* Played on my new computer, learning the new Photoshop Elements 11... nice...

* Made some Banana bread... got to lick the bowl too (best part of baking)

* Had my obsession with David Tutera fulfilled.... I can watch "My Fair Wedding" on constant loop.  The one with Rachael & Brendon from Big Brother was on.  That girl is COOKY!! Love that Mr. Tutera can put her in her place :)

* Called in for pizza & watched Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire... yep - a great easy day

Sunday - MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

* Woke up to being another day older... I guess every day is like that really - but birthdays MARK it.

* The Hubs made me breakfast in bed - isnt that cute!  But I went in to get something to drink & was totally surprised.  He had me flowers, a card, a HUGE cupcake & a singing balloon on the counter.  We didnt leave the house the day before so couldnt figure out how he did it - he went out at 4:30 am to the store.... now that's love!

* He had me peek outside & see what else he did in the dark.  Across our yard was "Happy Birthday" in the snow!  Perfectly stomped out too :)  I told him I've giving him props for originality!  That's also love - stomping in snow before the sun rise in 18 degree temperatures.

* Even my watch surprised me with a birthday wish... kinda creepy when your gadgets wish you happy birthday

* The Hubs took me out & spoiled me rotten today.  We went to Kohl's & he bought me 3 new sweaters & some red sparkly house slippers.  Dorothy would just die for them.

* Left from Kohl's to have lunch in one of my favorite places...

* Left from there & the Hubs took me to go get fitted for running shoes.  I've ran for 6 years now & have never had my feet looked over for the right shoes.  Had no idea one foot is a size 8 & the other is a 8.5... & then even more confused why they put me in a size 9.  But they feel great.  They had me run up & down the side walk in a few pairs to see how they fit & to watch my ankles to see if they rolled.  ...... it wasnt fun running with someone watching right after I ate.  I wanted to barf..... but got the BOMB DIGGITY SHOES EVER!!!

* Met some friends at the movie theater... LES MISERBLES... OH MY WORD!  I enjoyed every minute of the almost 3 hours.  It flew by!  It was everything I thought it would be.. & more...  I will say, the singing in some parts arent like the play quality - but it fit in the movie.  Hugh Jackman is amazing... I seriously cried in 3 good parts & SOBBED in the end.  I didnt feel too bad because I had a friend with me sobbing as well... but had another friend on the other side laughing at us sobbing :)  
I even made myself laugh because I was sobbing so hard, my chest was doing that funny skipping thing... THATS how hard I cried... but I LOVED it...
want to go back & see it again

(Ricky got lucky - all the husbands wanted to go see another movie - so they went & saw the Tom cruise movie... they got out of the musical goodness... but Ricky will see it - I'm sure of it)

* FUN LES MISERABLES FACT - the priest - that's the original Jean Valjean in the play :)

* Went & celebrated Christmas with our friends Chasity & Ryan... we had to wait until after Christmas because I had gifts for her that had to wait until she opened her present from her husband :)  I love sneaky stuff... but it was so wonderful spending the evening with these two.  They are just so special to Ricky & I both.  (I'll have to take a picture of what they made for us for Christmas... so awesome)

(Ryan in his Joker Snuggie we got him :)  He was saying he needed a gun that said "BANG" on it )

* Got home late... worn out... but had such an amazing birthday. 

Now back to work.
Today is probably my most hectic, stressful day of the whole year....
so I'm off to work...
Everyone be safe tonight!!!

Friday Fragments

Friday... the last of the year! 

 

******

We're kicking in winter as it should be I guess
Snow this week
Snow tonight into tomorrow - another 2-4 inches
Snow Tuesday - another 1-3 inches
Why hello Mr. Snow Mizer

Source: coreycase.blogspot.com via Kelli on Pinterest

*****

Guess where I'm going this weekend?
Yep - you already know
LES MISERABLES!!!!!

I told my family they better be thankful that I love them
or on Christmas day, I woulda been in a theater.

I kept seeing posts of everyone's movie tickets going to see it
.... I have been jealous...
But Sunday - my butt will be in a seat, singing along

******

Speaking of Sunday
Guess what it is?
Me celebrating another year of life

My birthday
41 years old
I cant believe it
Well, actually I can
My body took a turn on me in literally the day after I turned 40
so praying 41 turns it back around

*****

So when do you take your tree down?
I take mine down on New Years Day.
...I'm dreading it...
my living room will look so empty & cold

& I dont want to take down my Santa picture :(

*****

Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest son is getting married today
...I thought everyone should know that...

& I'm sure my invitation got lost in the mail
Drats

*****

Laugh of the Day
My mom will appreciate this...
she keeps saying, "your phone takes better pictures then your camera" :)

Source: lightstalking.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

*****

Still battling everyone around me being sick

I honestly am thinking its my green tea.
I read yesterday a article about how its so good for your immune system.
I'm going to keep drinking away

*****

I heard this on Christmas Eve on the radio
...it blew me away...
hope you can listen to it & be as blessed as I was
(Paul Harvey - The Man & The Birds)

 

A lot better then skyping....

For Christmas, we used to have to ship all our christmas presents for the grandbabies in a box, down to Texas.

Well, here's the benefit of having them in Nashville - CHRISTMAS TIME!  So close!

Julie, Steve & the boys came up on Saturday.

Side Note - My Christmas present came in Saturday morning...

YESSSSS!!! A new dishwasher!  Isnt it the most beautiful thing?

Ok - back to grandbabies...

Saturday, we just relaxed, went shopping, watched a Santa Claus marathon on Family channel. 
I really love the Santa Claus movies.  Tim Allen is a great Santa...

But Sunday came & there was a knock knock on our bedroom door early.

The boys didnt pay much attention to the presents on Saturday, but I guess their elf, which had followed them from Nashville, told them the presents under the tree were for them.

& we had 2 excited little boys.

Time to rip into them.

I just love Isaac's smile in this picture. 
The first present of the day being opened.  Nothing like that excitement - is there?
Luke telling Pappy to hurry & get him one!

Luke was so funny because he would open one present & then want that out of the packaging to play with it... & then while he was concentrating on one package, Isaac was ripping through each one FAST.  So then Luke would want to go over & see what his brother had opened.  I think Luke finally finished opening like 2 hours into the beginning.

We coulda just put up the presents & gave him one every hour for the rest of the day...

I love how Bruno was right in the mix....
He's just like, "Can you put the presents down & hold me..... anyone?"

& the big girls had to stick with their daddy.
A lot of commotion makes them nervous.  Well, it makes Sydney nervous. 
It makes Buffy want to bark to tell them to throw something for her.  So she just lays down so she wont get in trouble.

Notice Zoe is no where to be found....
she HATES commotion more then anyone

She needs doggie Xanax


....Luke must have heard me say something about putting up his presents & that must have made him angry.... I dont like Luke when he's angry

This was the cutest moment of the day....

When we were in Nashville for Thanksgiving, on Black Friday we were in the Disney Store.  Isaac found this plane.  Its from Cars 2.... he just stood & stared at it... when Julie was taking his hand & leading him out of the store, he just kept looking back at it, not wanting to leave it in the store.

Ricky snuck back & got it.

Julie said its all he's asked for all Christmas long.
So when he opened it - his reaction was this... he just kept hugging it.
Remember feeling like that as a kid?  .... awesomeness....

We even got the boys a little 4 wheeler for them to ride in their back yard... Luke didnt care - he had a pile of presents till to play with.  & Isaac had his plane in his hands & looked up & said, "Pappy, this is still my favorite" :) 

But the BIG KID got a new toy too....

Julie & Steve got Ricky a Captain America shield...
this baby is HEAVY!!!

I love Isaac looking at it.

I need to get a picture of both Pappy & Isaac with their shields now
.... & they both make perfect "shield swishing" sounds

(I love this picture... Pappy & Isaac are buddies)

Then it was an afternoon of playing, fighting over toys, being sleep, cinnamon rolls.... & the dogs just wanting the floor cleaned off so they could lay down...

We went to Ricky's family later in the evening....
I need to check my other camera for those pictures...

& the boys left to go back home Sunday evening so they could get ready for Santa at their house...

I came home & saw what was left under my tree...

A blue hippo & a hot wheel's van...

Yep - boys were at my house

I like this kinda Christmas a lot better then Skyping it from Texas....

Day After...

Yep - its the day after christmas

... & you'd think I'd have all kinds of Christmas pictures...

well, sorry... not today...

I have no time

Because first of all, its like the Mayans were right, just a few days late.
This morning, it was raining, sleeting, thundering, & snowing - all in one.
Seriously!

When I left for work, the snow was coming down GOOD...
I could only drive 35 mph the whole way to work... so it took me about an hour to get here.
Fun

& yes, I do have days I could take off work
But nope, I cant
Because everyone else has taken off for vacation

... AND the only other person who is supposed to be working in my office just called & said she has the stomach flu

Please Jesus, make her stay home...

So the day after Christmas
... I'm just pouting & complaining....
& praying I dont get this stomach flu
& praying I can get home in the snow
& praying my head doesnt explode from stress

I feel like my Buffy
....just want to lay down in the midst of chaos....

(Had to sneak in one Christmas picture)

Merry Christmas

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

By the magical light of a small Christmas candle
A little old man tries to carefully handle

The small porcelain manger which serves as a bed
For the wee Baby Jesus to lay down His head.

In wonder he brings the manger up to his view,
Smiles at the baby and whispers, “I love you!

I love you for bringing this season of joy,
I love you for growing to a man from a boy;

For being our light and leading the way,
For being the spirit which makes Christmas Day!

You’ve been my mentor, my model, my hero and guide,
Please continue to help me and stay by my side.

I’ve tried to follow your teachings and give as you gave,
Reminding all to be kind and that it’s wise to behave.

Help me to serve others and bring them your light,
Especially the children, please bless them tonight!

Some have so very little, scarce food for their table,
You know how it feels - you were born in a stable!

Bless all their mothers and fathers with a knowledge that’s sure,
The best gift they can give is their love, strong and pure.

That’s the Spirit of Christmas when all’s said and done,
God’s gift of love, that came as His Son!”

Then back to His mother the child is returned
The Nativity glows as the candle is burned.

In a wink the little old man slips quietly away
Some say he goes up the chimney and climbs in a sleigh.

Whatever the case, His mission is clear -
Give unto others, bringing love and good cheer.

He flies into the night and bids us adieu
Doing for others what Jesus would do!

Happy Birthday...

Not to Jesus...

that's tomorrow...

Today, its The Hubs birthday!!!

Yep - a Christmas Eve Baby

I can only imagine how that was growing up.
I can slightly imagine because my birthday is 5 days AFTER Christmas.

I never minded it
... but being ON Christmas Eve?
That had to bite a little.

So I try to make Christmas Eve all about Ricky's birthday.
Try to block out Christmas

(Did anyone see "Happy Endings" this week where Jane finally told everyone how she lied about her birthday for years because she was a Christmas baby - it was hilarious.. they had JANE-mas instead... without success)

its hard to even get out to eat because everything closes early on Christmas Eve.

But we try...

So here's to my amazing husband on his day

The one who puts up with my loud laugh, my roller coaster emotions, my lack of being a great housewife  - who just puts up with me

To the one who is a great grandfather & can keep up with the kids better then most people in their 20's

To the one who puts others before himself

To the one who has the most generous heart I know

To the one who still makes me fall in love with him when he skates

To the one with the most ROCKIN' hair I know!

To the one who works himself harder then anyone I know!!!

To the one who is gonna love sitting through Les Miserables very soon! ;)
(like how I snuck that in?)

Happy Birthday to my Sweetie!!
Love you... old man! ;)

Friday Fragments

Last Friday before Christmas!

Bring on the FREAKING OUT LAST MINUTE STUFF!!!

******

 

So I took today off

& guess what?

I was up at 5:15 am

....that's just messed up...

But glad to be tucked in my warm house
because its about 20 degrees with 40 mph winds
& snow flying everywhere

 

******

 

Is the end of the world already supposed to have happened?

Well drats...

I guess I have to finish Christmas shopping now ;)

 

******

 

I watched the finale of X-Factor last night

.... never have watched any of it...

either season

That was the finals?

Wow... I wasnt super impressed with anyone

 

I will say I also watched The Voice finale

...didnt watch any of that till the end either...

(I'm finding that's the way to cut out all the nonsense)

I did like the winner

 

But I need to watch it next season just for the judges

CeeLo is hilarious... & really does have a great voice

Blake is awesome ... seems like an ordinary guy

Adam...I watch the one time he's shirtless - does that happen often?

Christina.... who doesnt love to watch a train wreck

 

******

 

So Ricky went to bed early

(he's still sick... my poor hubby)

& I thought, I'll watch a Christmas movie

 

This was on - "Noel"

 

Source: imdb.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

If you see it on anywhere - RUN
STUPIDEST MOVIE EVER!!!

 

After the first half hour, I thought, it'll get better

then an hour in, I thought, I've watched half of it, its gotta have a twist & be OK

Hour & half in, I thought, I'm gonna be ticked if it ends stupid

At the end - I was ticked

 

It was just stupid

... & it had big stars in it...

Susan Sarandon, Robin Williams, Penelope Cruz, Alan Arkin

 

I need to watch Elf to get this stupid Christmas movie out of my system

 

*****

Speaking of movies - only 4 days till Les Miserables!!!!!!

*****

I've got to stop watching Anderson Cooper.
He's been reviewing the children & teachers every day whose funerals were that day

The little boy where the firefighters came & lined the streets
because this little one wanted to grow up & be a firefighter
...yeah, tore me up...

Source: people.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

& did you hear about the little girl who fought to wear her new pink dress that day?
Her mother fought her & then finally gave in
She said she looked like perfect in her pink dress, pigtails & white boots
& then she said, "I realized that she wanted to look beautiful to go meet Jesus"
...yeah - I cry every time I think about that...

****** 

Pretty cool....
You forget about things in a year... 

 

Hope you all have a Fantastic Friday

Bruno - Mr. Worm Dog

First of all, I'm so mad right now...

I'm doing this post about my Bruno in the vet this week & I had the cutest picture of him ... & as I went to send it to my computer so I could post it... I deleted it... UGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

... this is proof my brain doesnt work before 9 am...

Anyways, some of you were wondering about my worm-boy after he threw up those worms this past weekend.

I took him to the vet & even took in a sample of the worms.

yes - when he barfed them up (isnt this fun morning conversation) we got a paper towel & scooped about 10 of the worms & put in a plastic baggie for proof.

That was fun carrying them in the vet's office

Luckily - no one was sitting in the waiting room.
If they were, I was thinking how I was going to have to try & hide them...
but I didnt want to stick it in my purse, or in my coat
& goodness knows I'm not smart enough to think of putting them in a Target bag or anything

...proof that my brain doesnt work after 4 pm either...

So they come in & check him out - take the worms in the back & I wait...

waiting is the worse...

I'm sitting there thinking, 'they dont want to tell me that my dog has aliens growing in his belly & I'm getting ready to see a reenactment of Aliens popping through his belly"

Who needs WebMD to freak you out when you have your own imagination

& insert picture I deleted.... my cute boy was so funny.  he was standing by the door to leave & kept scratching at it like, "can we please leave?  PLEASE?"

Then he started realizing there were other animals outside that door...
he'd put his nose under the door, smell them, then back up & start barking like a crazed dog.  Almost like he was saying "Dont you DARE come in here - I'm a huge 125 lb vicious dog"

his little vicious butt got put in place when the vet came back in with is rabies shot
... & he just kept crying for his momma to hold him...
(ahhh.... makes me feel wanted)

They also checked his body over & looked at his little skin tags that are growing...
then told me, "We dont want to offend your baby, but we call them "Old man warts""

... my baby has old man warts...
He's 9 years old
I just stopped for a second & thanked God that I dont have any Old Man Warts... yet...

As for the worms...

they said its nothing parasitic.  Nothing growing in his belly.
The vet said she'd never seen anything like those before so she went & asked 2 other vets... one of them said they look like tobacco worms. 
So apparently, he got some animal - probably a bird - that had ate the worms.

Its very "The old lady who swallowed a fly"...

So we left with no medicine needed... just his annual shots

& a stern talking from me about not eating any more animals... or bugs... or poop

Dogs... they just dont listen...
(& I'll refrain about comparing them to men... I'm refraining... really)

Christmas Tree Photo Link Party!!

So I'm normally doing the Hodgepodge thing on Wednesday, but my blog buddy Veronica, is doing a Christmas Tree Photo Link Party & I wanted to join in... because c'mon - who doesnt love a party? (You can click the button above & go to her blog & join in as well!)   Another  blog buddy, Kimberely is hosting a Tree Link up. Tis the season for Christmas Tree Link up FUN!

I love my Christmas tree...



This is actually a new one.

It was a wonderful compromise - without us even knowing it.

Ricky loves the chubby trees... I love the slim trees.... we found this one & its called "slim" but its not as slim as the one we had last year
(Yes, I had another slim tree last year, but it was AWFUL - it was falling apart as I was putting it together - so I took it back the day after Christmas)

This one even rotates - which the Hubs always wanted

The bad thing?
Once we put presents under the tree, it cant spin.  I tried to keep the presents low underneath, but it didnt turn out well...

& as you can see - our tree is still Disney...





we love Disney...



ornaments through the year from the Disney Store - from Hallmark - from Disney World itself, & from friends...





Mickey is tucked around everywhere



In snow globes

Our stocking hangers




Even a mini Disney tree on our foyer table




But of course, what its about - JESUS

I love our Nativity scene



Its actually a new one. 

I got this last year & it was just Mary, Joseph & baby Jesus...
The angel was seperate & didnt even go with it - but I thought it fit in perfectly... & I love it on the side table ... a lamp that shines down on it at night...beautiful

& now, our new piece
which isnt Disney
but its even better...

Santa & Jesus!!!!



My Christmas present from my parents...

I adore it...



Again, the poem that goes with it will be posted on Christmas Day here
Come check it out... it's pretty awesome

& just for the record... while taking pictures, this is the pair of eyes I had watching me



She hates getting her picture taken - she usually puts her ears back like she's in trouble... but I snuck in one... one is all that counts :)

Merry Christmas from our household to yours!
Cant wait to see everyone else's trees!