Happy New Year's Eve

I'm off to a comfy casual NYE celebration with my friend Colleen.  She's hosting me this year and I'm sure they'll be lots of laughs and card playing tonight!  Tomorrow I'll start to unveil my resolutions, several of them will be taken care of ASAP as my settlement check came in today.  I just have to sign it and get my disbursement after my attorney's fees are taken.  Yay for kicking off 2013 in a positive way!

Dreams

So last night I had two very weird and not related to each other dreams.  I did not eat either of my trigger foods, cheese or frosting.  This is the 3rd night in a row with the weirdness.

1st night cannot remember anything of the dream, but I had trouble shaking myself of it when I woke up.  It was very realistic and a bunch of people I know were in it.

2nd night: recurring dream of getting married.  I've had this dream several times over the last year.  I'm in my parents back yard, I'm standing at the make shift altar with my husband (whom I cannot see clearly).  The groom's side is just his parents.  My side is my parents in the first row holding MY/OUR baby!!  The second row is Mandy and Darren with Chelsea.  No other guests, no BFF or Sue Bee.  Very very odd.  I wake up from this with a weird sense of calm and panic at the same time.  Like I know I'm ok and taken care of, but deep down WHAT THE HELL!!

3rd Night:  The first:  I dream I'm walking up a hill.  I see all these people coming down the hill.  Most are of the white trash persuasion, and the moms are all young and wearing Disney Princesses costumes, pushing their kids in cheap umbrella strollers.  I keep trying to go up the hill but get disgusted at the sight and stop and people watch.  Eventually I make it to the top, only to tell my sister, walk back down with her and people watch some more.

The second dream is work related.  I am at a house with a lovely woman showing me around at the damages.  I climb up and look at the roof, while on the back extension, which looks onto the patio, I see Rebel Wilson.  She immediately starts talking to me, telling me how brave I am to climb a roof.  Then she offers me Cheetos, I decline and tell her how lovely I think she is.  Then she climbs on a chair and takes a photo with me as I hang off the edge of the roof.

Definitions per Dreammoods.com

Hill

To dream that you are climbing a hill signifies your struggles in achieving a goal. You need to focus your energies on the prize. To dream that you are standing on top of a hill suggests that you have succeeded in your endeavors. You have the necessary resources to complete the task at hand.

To see a princess in your dream represents the object of your affections or desires

To dream that you are on top of a roof symbolizes boundless success.

One last Christmas

Fancy Baby!

Cozy Coupe a la Duke of Hazzard style

Yesterday was a nothing day.  Worked, cleaned up the Christmas decorations and went to Target with Sissy.  Nothing too important happened.

Today was my last Christmas celebration for the year.  Headed up to my parents house to celebrate with my mom's twin brothers.  It was a great time.  Excellent food, good gifts for the exchange, and lots of laughs.  Chelsea was adorable and put on a good show for her great aunts and uncles.  As sissy and I were leaving we kept taking food out of the fridge, off the table, off the counter whatever we could manage.  My dad called us vultures, we said we were taking advantage of all the excess food.  He didn't agree, he just wants ham to make soup with!

Tonight I've been working on my SMASH book and catching up on my blog reading.  I also reviewed my goals/resolutions for 2013.  I think I've got a good list and will work on changing the blog over to reflect those changes that I want to make.  I'll still keep my focus on photos and some of my daily life, but for the most part 2013 is all about changes and challenges.  Sissy has already declared 2013 my year for romance/love so I'ver really got to get going on making that happen.

Those A-ha moments

New Shoes!  Target 50% off

Officially addicted to Duck Dynasty

 I would put all my coffee in a donut mug

Today I was finally feeling I had hit a groove in work.  My co-workers are back so I can IM them questions, claims were easy and then I needed to talk to a manager.  THIS is tricky and it happened twice to me today.  Here's hoping it all works out tomorrow.  If not, well too bad.  I'm new, I've gotta learn somehow.

Tonight I had to make a trip to Goodwill and Target.  Target was pretty picked over but I got a couple of good things, like shoes and horoscope coffee mugs.  I still have to think of a gift for family Christmas on Saturday.  I think I'm going to do Fandago gift card with a bucket of popcorn and some movie treats.  I'd love a gift like that, and we do the dice game so I could feasibly take my own gift back!  

I also decided to try a Pin project.  I took an old pair of flannel pants and made them into a scarf!  I love how it turned out.  I just have to find my favorite scarf and even out the length and maybe add some fringe.  I'm watching the Mindy Project and them I'm off to finish it up.  I really like this Christmas episode so it's a project time out ;)

Making it work Wednesday

It's part of my tiny lil black heart being happy

Every morning I do this

TRUTH!

Today started off rough.  More problems, this time with phones.  By 1pm I thought I had it all resolved, but then I started talking to a co-worker and I'm doing so many things wrong.  BUT I figured out how to take some vacation and some other fun little tricks about not working too hard.

This afternoon was all kinds of fun.  Sissy and the BooBoo stopped by for a visit, then Sissy and I went out to dinner.  Afterwards we went to Slumberland and I may have found the couch of my dreams!  It's a sectional with more cup holders than my car, 3 power recliners, and the non chaise recliners have heat massage and pulse.  It's on sale for $3500 and I WANT it.  If I could ever get all my settlement money figured out that baby could land itself in my living room.  It was so lush and lovely and just dreamy.  I don't think I'd ever sleep in my bed again.  I know my friends and family would never leave, as it is they love my current couch a little too much ;)

Tonight it's time for some ELF.  I love love love this movie.  So many quotable moments to use throughout the year.  Don't be a cottonheaded ninny muggins.  The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.  SSAAAANNNNTTTAAAA -  I know him!  Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Playing Cornhole in the loft of my Dad's shed

He built the boards just for me :)

A little quiet time with Auntie on the couch

Today was a great Christmas!  My mom made a wonderful lunch, presents were opened and loved, and games were played in my dad's heated shed.  Chels even got to try out her new scoot scoot and she loves it, and she got some swing time.  I cannot wait to go up on Saturday to celebrate with my mom's brothers and take some more photos.

I've had a pretty boring evening, ate some leftovers and did my nails.  Now I'm watching one of my favorite movies: Christmas Vacation.  Pure joy to me!  Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas Eve

Tonight I hosted Christmas Eve for the family.  Food Fun and a cute baby = a bunch of full and exhausted adults.  As BooBoo gets older it's only going to get better.  Tomorrow we go up to my parents house for proper dinner and presents.  For now it's a Duck Dynasty marathon and early bed time.  I am so lucky and blessed this year.  It really is the most wonderful time of the year!!

First Christmas

Lunch with Auntie!

Texting, knee up -  he may have learned to drive from me :)

Just hangin out in the Coupe

MOM -  car for one, not two.  Get her OUT!

I would call this a Christmas present success.  Sara's eyes were bulging out of her head before I even got in the door.  I'm pretty sure she was in the Cozy Coupe before I even fully set it down inside the house.  To say they love it is in understatement.  The BFF and I were very careful to make sure turns taken were of the same length of time, after naps though all bets were off.  I guess a certain Buddy Bear took quite the long turn and his sister decided she'd just scoot in too.  Who can blame her?  It's a fun fun toy, she even figured out how to use the cup holders in the back window area.  I think a secondary one purchased at Easter will be a must, this summer will be lots of outside time and sharing will be nearly impossible.

This afternoon I finally got my lists cleared out, well almost.  I need to make the stuffed mushrooms so they are ready to go in the oven tomorrow afternoon, and I'm still debating about making a new Sugar Cookie Chex Mix.  Both would be really easy but I need a little break.  I was baking, cooking and cleaning for almost 3 straight hours.  I need to eat some dinner and catch my breath.  Plus I have a looming list of work things to get done tomorrow, on top of actually working.  I've got to put up some good numbers this week to make up for last weeks goose egg!

Now it's time to watch a little football and sort out some work stuff, and maybe a little more baking/cooking.  Tomorrow is going to be delicious!

Short on time, long on lists

Auntie's Butt = great bongos

Playing my Puppy Piano with my face

Twins Christmas gift, Little Tikes you are my Everest

Siamese Twins?

Today did not go as planned.  I slept 12 hours!  Which meant I had 5 hours to get done about 12 hours of stuff.  I succeeded in about 4 of my 10 tasks for today.  I need to go get more groceries so I can accomplish at least two more.  Then tomorrow night it's baking central in my house.  Gotta bake the cookies I made today, cover peanut butter balls in white chocolate and bake my Christmas Eve Cake.

Tonight I got to babysit BooBoo.  She's just such a good little girl, never cries, except when she was faking me out about sleeping.  She's been asleep for 45 min when the whimpering started, then fake crying to real crying!  We had a cuddle and she's been back out for 30 min.  I think she's afraid of missing out on fun with Auntie, but her dad thinks it's cause she saw Santa today.  How bout we call it a tie?

Now I'm organizing all my recipes off Pinterest so I can make a quick trip for more supplies and then rock and roll when I get home.  Who needs sleep?  I'm gonna live off peppermint mochas for the next couple days.  I'll sleep over New Years :)

More Traveling

Sassy Claus

Today was yet another long day of driving.  Today I chose to go up through IA, into SD and then MN.  I am so happy to be home, but it was short lived.  I immediately changed and went to see my lil BooBoo.  I'm babysitting tomorrow night and want to not have any stranger danger.  I'm happy to report she was just fine.  She reached out to me and gave me a wave and a head tilt aka an I love you.  She's just so much fun!  I'm excited to hang out with her tomorrow night.

After that I headed out to get some errands done.  I went to Target and the grocery stores.  That's right stores, because I can only get certain things at the fancy pants one.  After mad dashing through the stores I have everything except sausage to make sausage balls with.  Smooth huh!  Good thing I'll be out on Sunday and can quick pick some up.  Tomorrow will be a busy day as I really need to wrap presents, clean and sort all my new and old work equipment, and make dips, cookies and a cake!  I have a delightful habit of finding great food, BUT it tastes better after a couple days.  Thankfully this year I was smart enough to remember I need to assemble some of it tomorrow.

I need to share how things with Clint are going, well to be exact, aren't going.  He never called me last night when he got home.  This really didn't shock me, I assumed after the day he had of driving he had to be exhausted.  AND then I put together the pieces.  He texted me at 9:45 a.m today. asking if I was in town still, I had already left and told him so.  Nothing since then.  Later today I was playing our game of Words and it said he'd played 11 hrs ago, which equated to 3am.  So my guess is he was out last night or he fell asleep on his couch, woke up, played his game and went back to bed.  He's done that on more than one occasion.  Either way I realized I was going all CSI WI on him and why?  It doesn't really matter anymore.  He's not my one, he's not going to make some grand gesture to win my affection.  We get drunk and have sex.  That's it.  A majority of our conversations are work related, the personalization they used to have has really started to wane.  His actions have certainly gotten a reaction from me.  I'm sure I'll see him next month when I go back to Lincoln, but I'll be surrounded by my new co-workers most of the time.  Plus I'm sure he'll have added more girls to his harem by then and I'm really not in the mood to start the new year with an STD.

THIS is my goal fro 2013!

Not a fan of Nebraska

DUCKIES!

Well work was not canceled today, but the roads were horrible.  It was cold, sunny, and super windy today.  It took me almost 45 min just to clean off my car and even then the driver's door was still frozen shut.  I attempted to leave the parking lot and got stuck, so I had to get out once again and scoop out snow with my window scraper.  Ridiculous.  I decided I'd earned a Starbucks and that was a 30 min adventure that I'm sure with normal roads would have only been 10min.  OH well, I get to leave tomorrow.  BUT not with my new van.  Turns out it really did have some extensive problems and they can't finish it until next week sooooo I'm driving home a pool car.  I'm pretty sure I now have 4 cars in my name.  I think that has to be some kind of record!  I also struggled with work today and getting things all sorted out.  I'm pretty sure I have to go in tomorrow to get my phone and wireless card, hardly anyone was in the office so I'm not sure if they arrived today or not.  I'm so ready to put this place in my taillights.  This trip did not turn out the way I had planned.  Tomorrow I even have to go home a different way because I do not trust the IA DOT to have cleared the roads enough.  Less than 24 hours to HOME!

Working Wednesday

Say CHEEEEEESSSSEEE!!!

Facetime style!

I've had the hardest time remembering today is Wednesday.  I am so confused as to my days of the week!  It was a crazy day meeting people and going on tours and things not working and equipment not found.  Oh and I have another vehicle checked out to me while my newer van is in the shop.  My new boss freaked out when he heard about the exhaust being busted!  Guess he wants me alive and not brain damaged.  Now it's time to wait out winter storm Draco or as I like to call it a Snow-nami or a Blizzacane!

Tonight I face timed with the BFF and the kids.  Sometimes it just makes it all better to talk in person!  I love how crazy the kids can be and all the cute things they say.  I really hope Mommy can find duckie, she will have one sad baby girl if she can't.  AND we may say "no way" too much as my magpie nephew picked that one right up.  I cannot wait to spend my Sunday with them.

Now I'm going to read the list of closings and storm warnings and make some dinner.  Good thing I went to the store last night.  I'm all prepared to hunker down.

More traveling

Today I drove to Lincoln.  I'm so over driving, especially in winter weather through Iowa.  My new van isn't new!  It has 71k miles, is filthy, and I'm pretty sure it's giving me carbon monoxide poisoning.  At 35mph it sounds like it has a hemi in it.  The check engine light is on and so is the oil change light.  I can hardly wait to take it in for repairs.  I just hope it can make it the 400 miles back home, in one piece.

Tonight it's about chilling out and ignoring all the blizzard warnings on TV.  Tomorrow is going to be a big mess down here.  I got some groceries and Sonic is in walking distance so I should be good.  Now here's hoping the satellite signal stays.  I can be without TV but not internet!  Now it's time to crawl into bed and watch some Big Bang.

Disappointment

My mother's voice has been echoing in my head all afternoon.  "I love you, but I'm very disappointed in you right now."  Clint will be home on Thursday, my last day in Lincoln.  When I mentioned going out he said he didn't think I'd want to, since I have to drive home the next day.  Then he gave me a BS line about his other 2 girls needing attention.  I mentioned I should pull rank, since I don't LIVE in Lincoln and he changed the subject.

So I've been stewing about it all day.  I've got a wicked case of PMS and have been eating cheetos and writing scathing text messages in my head all afternoon.  I had a feeling that this would all happen and I'm relieved it's sooner rather than later.  I wanted him to be different and not take this path, but I knew being on his home turf would ruin that.  There are always things you know will be true and yet you choose to ignore them.  Much like 15 min of fame, I wanted 15 min of attention.  Now I have to be strong and keep my resolve.  Maybe with both of us being at home, things will cool off again.  Or maybe I just work really hard to focus on home and family and the happiness I have here.

Chelsea's new theme, put a bow on it!

Sunday served up family style

Do NOT like this bow!

BUT I wore this one forever

Sometimes you mess with a cat when he's being an asshole.

Today was super duper fun.  Family lunch at my sister's house and then fun time with the baby.  She's just the best.  I know I keep saying it, but she really is.  She only cried at the bow and that was cause we were laughing so hard at her.  After a delicious lunch, made by mom, sissy and I did a little Christmas shopping.  I realized everything I had ordered for my mom may not make it.  I still haven't received a confirmation of my order and that terrifies me.  Back up gifts have been purchased.  

Tonight I got a little more one on one time with BooBoo.  She's just so fun!  We said hi to the kitties, tilted our head to the side which means "I love you", played with bows, and danced to all the singing toys.  Just the best!  I'm so happy next week is the last time I should have to leave for a while.  I don't want to miss anymore fun with her.

Executive decisions

No socks ever!  Except at Aunties house.  Left them on the whole time, got in the car, off they went!

Ahh the love of siblings!

So last night I hadn't even made it out of Chicago and I made the decision to drive all the way through to home.  It was a 20 hr day, 18 of it spent in the van.  I was exhausted when I pulled in at 1am, but I was out like a light by 2am!  I got a glorious 10 hrs of sleep in my own bed.  It was super super worth it.

Today I spent the time unpacking, doing laundry and catching up on the DVR.  Team Ingram came over for a bit and I got to play with Booboo.  She's so freaking cute, I cannot believe how much she's changed in just 2 weeks.  I'm happy I get to go see her tomorrow too.  Apparently my mom's making lunch and bringing it to my sis's house (side note no one told me until about an hour ago).  I love this arrangement!  1/10th of a mile from home and I get my mom's home cooking.  And we get to celebrate sissy's birthday!  Good times all around.

Tonight it's more DVR time and I'm going to work on printing some of my photos for my SMASH book.  I brought it with to NY but never touched it.  Time to get moving on it.

Wasting Away

My Daddy dressed me today!

Today was a waste of day work wise, but it doesn't matter.  New job, don't have to work 6 hours minimum.  I've already worked 40 hrs this week so it's all OT.  Yay me.  Christine and I went to the mall, had a lovely lunch at PF Changs.  Came back and worked a couple hours, then a trip to Target, a failed attempt at mailing home her ladder and then Mexican for dinner.  We had to hit up Target because it's cheaper to buy new socks than do laundry around here!

I already loaded up the van so I have a nice evening of chillin out ahead of me.  Big Bang was pretty funny and I'm sure all my other shows are re-runs, but that's ok, might just go to bed early.  I have to be to the office by 7am.  My boss has me lined up first to check out and I really really want to be first in line for tech support check out.  I've got 12 hours to drive after I get done in the office, it's a long drive but only 6 hours to home the next morning.  The sooner I get out the sooner I get through Chicago and to my hotel room!  

Now it's time for some pinning.  I've got to get some new recipes for Christmas.

Worry some Wednesday

Her response when you say "Love you Chelsea!"

mmmmm coooookie

Today was not the greatest of days.  Yesterday no traffic, today 45 min late.  Just threw my whole day off.  Then I found out I can leave early.  Yay, but not until Friday.  I asked to leave today and was given a very politically correct answer and was told no.  Soooo I'll go shopping and pack tomorrow.  I plan on being to the office on Friday by 7am and first in line to check out at 8am.  Then it's a 12 hour drive to Rockford IL.  I figure it best to get around Chicago later in the evening than to risk a morning.  Although it's Saturday when I hit it, so maybe not.  I need to some more mapping before I decide for sure.  All this is great, but I still have to be gone next week, heading to Lincoln to hang out with the boss and get all my new equipment.  Then hopefully a little quiet time over the holidays!

Last night my goal was 10am bedtime but of course that didn't happen.  The men in my life are stressing me out!  Clint decides he's maybe an alcoholic and the ex starts in on me driving to Long Island to drink with him and spend the night.  When I said no he started in on me not spending any time with him blah blah blah.  Clint hit the nail on the head when he said most men go back to what they know.  I'm what he knows and he knows I don't say no.  Thank goodness I'm 1.5 hrs away from him because last night I wanted to punch him!

I talked to the BFF today and I think she's ready to fly out here and punch the ex.  I can't blame her, but for some reason I cannot find it in me to tell him off.  This is very uncharacteristic of me, I really don't have a problem expressing myself.  After much discussion I think it's because I know it won't do any good.  He won't listen, or he'll just let me cool off and start back in acting like nothing happened.  I just have to let it be and get out of here ASAP.  He's very much out of sight out of mind for me!  I'm ready to go home and start my new life of being normal.

Testing my resolve

Ready to see Santa!

Alfie began to wonder if something was wrong with this zoo

Last night I went out with some co-workers to watch some football.  It was a good time.  Lots of beers, good food and a blow out of a game.  Earlier that afternoon we had a meeting where we were told some of us who were going to be done early in the week may be able to go home.  I fall into that category!  AND after the meeting tonight nothing has been decided and I'm out of claims tomorrow.  I could be leaving on Thursday but right now I'm not getting my hopes up.  Clint thought he was out early too, but he was told not until next Wednesday.  Either way I'm not going to see him, on the road or in Lincoln.  BOOOO!

Today was a fun day in the office, what would normally take me 20 min took almost 3 hours thanks to socializing.  I finally got to see all of my friends who are working there.  It's great to catch up and I was starting to think maybe I made the wrong choice to leave.  THEN The BFF sent me video of the Twins at their Christmas concert.  Nope, right decision made!  I'm so sad I had to miss it.  They were adorable!!!  They both danced along to their songs, and Sara had blankie on stage.  They are just the cutest toddlers around!  AND I missed their trip to see Santa.  The photos are too precious, thank goodness for Gaga and a momma who never put their phones away ;)

Tonight it's time to relax and go to bed early.  Shows are on soon, and I'm already tucked into bed.  Lights out at 10am sharp tonight.

Secret Sunday Funday

Today I made it to the outlet and the fancy mall by my hotel.  It was raining and the fog moved in so I nixed my plans to go to the Hamptons.  I'm sad I was so close but didn't go.  Oh well, maybe someday I'll be rich enough to afford a house out there.

I had a great time catching up with my friend JJ.  She's just as crazy as me, but from Iowa, so she's special ;)  We shared some secrets about who we've been dating and I was a bit shocked by her choice. I vaguely know him and don't really care for him.  He has a reputation that proceeds him, and it's not all good.  He seems to be making her happy and that's all that matters!

It's been snowing buckets at home and I'm so happy I'm not there and stuck inside!  It may be yucky here, but nothing like home.  Although I do get to miss out on someone in her lamby hat!

Enjoying the first snow of the year

AND

watching Mommy and Daddy shovel

Pottery Barn outlet (pillow cover)

BooBoo outfits from Old Navy

 My Christmas Gift froms Tori Burch