Birthday Girl

This might be a week late, but she's still my lil doll baby Boo!

Auntie put in piggies with her new ponytail holders

Super 'cited to open presents

Showing off her skittle mani, to be just like auntie

I have a zillion photos of her birthday but I need to work on editing them.  Plus these pretty much sum it all up.  She loved her party and getting more presents on her actual birthday.  She's just the best.  She even got to go see Dora at the Mall of America.  I can't believe she's already 3!

Go team

We've got spirit,

 yes we do,

we've got spirit,

how 'bout you?!

I'm still sad my team lost, but these beauties deserved to be shared.  I worked hard on both of them.  Time to move on to Valentine's day!

Sausage Fest

This is what happens when you send my man for a donut :)

Also he ordered a 6" round cake for 6 people

He's fired from ordering cakes.

Yep, that's a whole lotta meat

I survive meat-apalooza.  It was stinky, all our clothes smell of summer sausage.  It was hard work and a lot of rigamarole.  In the end I don't think we really came out ahead.  Based on what my dad get's charge we could have had it all processed cheaper at his meat locker.  Oh well, it's done and I have a whole year to wait until we do it again.

It was a nice weekend with the family and that's good.  We went to see American Sniper which was excellent.  I was impressed with how well it was done.  Yesterday was a lot of football and cuddles on the couch, which is the best.  Could have been better had my team won, but there's always next year.

Today has been a lot of a time online.  I have very little work to do, but I figured out some finance stuff, registered for a Valentine's cooking class with my man and signed up for a crocheting class on Wednesday night.  I know some basics but I'm self taught and I'd like to learn the proper methods so I can follow patterns a bit better.  It's all about taking advantage of the 3 nights a week my man is in class.

Ready to go back

This is Lake Superior, at a camp ground.

The lake is frozen at least 1/2 out from the shore.

Who doesn't need a 10 lb bag of beef jerky?

This was at the gas station in the town where Jack Link's is made.

My New Year's and Vegas mani!

A bulldog in the Cosmo out in Vegas.  I died!

• I am beyond ready to go back to Vegas and I've only been home 3 days.  It's cold and snowy and downright icky!
• I had a great time in Vegas.  We went to Hoover Dam, saw Cirque Zumanity (the naughty/sexy one), watched the UFC fight and laid in bed on Sunday watching football.  We didn't go to many casino's but it was the perfect 4 days for us.  Sunday and Monday were the first time I've ever seen both of us without bags under our eyes!
• I thought having the holidays and vacation done would relieve my anxiety but it hasn't.  It's lessened but it's still there.  I haven't taken any of the meds I was given and am debating going to counseling.  A lot of my "stress" is relationship related.  There is zero wrong with our relationship but I cannot get past the thought that he could leave me.  He won't, I know he won't, yet I can't shake it.  My trust issues run deep y'all.
• The other item is time.  He starts class next week.  Tues Wed and Thurs 6-9 in Minneapolis.  This means I won't get to see him any of those days unless I want it to be late, see him for about 5 min before he falls asleep and I drive to him.  I do NOT like this, but keep reminding myself it's only 1 semester.
• The other real kicker is his family.  GAH they make me crazy!  This weekend it's fixing a snowmobile and my Boo's birthday party.  Next weekend it's up to Alexandria to make brats and sausage.  The next weekend snowmobiling, oh and my man and his brother bought ice fishing crap so they want to jam that in too.  I like absolutely NONE of this.  The meat making just kills me.  None of us are broke, can we not just buy these things!  Or take it to the meat locker and have them do it.  That's what my family does.  Aint nobody got time for that!
•  I've been working all week to finish up a bunch of unfinished projects around the house.  So far I've got 3/10 done.  I should have 2 more accomplished tonight.  A couple are bigger and will take some time.
• Tomorrow is a trip to IKEA and that could help with my projects too.  I love being uber organized and with all my polishes and new life planner I need more homes for all the things.
• Tomorrow is also lunch with my Sue-Bee and some MOA shopping.  It's nice having a light work schedule this winter.

Catch UP

So I got the flu, and that was super not fun!  Then before I knew it, it was Christmas, I had work to catch up on, food to make, and bags to pack!  So here's the rest of December in a nutshell.  In 3 days I go to Vegas and I cannot wait.  Just me and my man relaxing.

Merry Cwissmas!

The gift my sissy made, it's hanging in my kitchen!

My boyfriends mom tested out her new blender at 11am!

Shower drinks always taste the best.

And that platter of cookies never emptied

This is from my man's brother's wedding in October

I'm such a polish fan and I scored the left one for a $1.50, it sells for $20 normally.

I'm putting my Christmas money to good use.

Shopping and Projects

I had such a good weekend!  Lots of dining out, good friends, shopping, craft sales, family and accomplished some projects.  My anxiety was just ok the last couple days.  My man has been hunting and didn't take his phone with.  He shut it off and left it at his parents, but never thought of telling me that.  I didn't worry that much but I rely on talking to him at night and that's really thrown me off the last couple days.  He called me as soon as he got in the car and I just hung up with him for a second time.  I think it's safe to say we both miss each other.

Projects I've accomplished include:

• painting a board and affixing clothes pins for a holiday card holder
• using nail polish to decorate the inside of some plastic clear ornaments (not dried or I'd have a photo)
• using pledge inside a clear ornament and adding glitter (I think the glitter is falling off :( )
• adding glitter to a cute Christmas sign I bought last year at Kirklands (not dry)
• painting golf tees (3 sets for each member of his family for the game that they invented)
• placing tacks, polishing tacks, and making ornaments (photos below)

• watching my 4th cheesey Hallmark Christmas movie
• cleaning glitter endlessly
• organizing my office for all the rest of my tack projects.  I've got a giant santa hat started out of a foam tree form.  I would like to make 3 small trees, a small snowman and 4 more ornaments. I've got 1/4 Cinderella themed ones done for my Boo.

Tomorrow I have an exciting drive up to Lake Superior for an inspection.  The guy has lakefront on 3 sides of his property so I'm hoping to take some cool photos.

I wish I was Oprah

I've never done this before but it seems like fun.  I present to you my list of favorite things.

Aveda is a must for dry winter hands

I ordered this Erin Condren Planner 

I'm so excited to use it and make it pretty.

My Gelish light and polishes.

Lanza haircare, best stuff ever.  

Without it I'd have a rats nest on my head

I'm not a make up person, this is my go to mascara

Louboutin Polish, this bad boy is on it's way to me.

I have no link because they are impossible to find anywhere!

This orchid is the exact one my man gave me, makes me very sentimental

World Market Mason Jar Measuring Cups

Breeze gifted them to me and I use them all the time!

Because Starbucks

Silpat baking mats, find them anywhere.

Move over Pam baking spray, these are far superior!

GBP

Overwhelmed

Yes she's painting her nails with Princess hobbitch (polish)

I am a list maker, if I don't have a list things just don't feel right.  Lately even with a list I've been out of sorts.  My sis and I did some shopping on Thanksgiving and she diagnosed me with anxiety.  I get stressed out over silly things, I have an almost constant pain in my side and a twitchy eye lid.

I'm working hard to feel better, but so far it's not working.

• my gifts are all purchased and wrapped, including stocking stuffers
• birthday presents are all purchased and the last 2 arrived today to be wrapped
• I made all kinds of appts today.  Hair, facial, massage, dentist, gutters, and most importantly the doctor for my anxiety and nerve pain when I concussed myself last year.
• I did all but 3 things on todays list and still feel awful

My man wants to be understanding but he doesn't get it.  I tried to explain it like this - I just want to relax and every time I try and let out a nice long breath i think of something else and have to get up and do it.  I'm forcing myself to just chill out tonight.  My list isn't too far away and I keep adding to it.  I have a whole week without him while he pheasant hunts and I hope to have the list down to nothing!  So far it just keeps growing.

Today my sis told me about Erin Carden planners and I think that's going to occupy tonight.  This seems like my level of organization!  I'm off to Pinterest

Thankful

Just a few blessings to be thankful for this year . . 

Double Trouble

Boo-yonce

The love of my life

My parents

and last but not least, Team Ingram

All ready for Christmas

How awesome is this chunky unicorn?

She's got one special spot on my tree!

Dress rehearsal of her new outfits!

The dress is for seeing Santa.

And I quote, "Momma, Santa's gonna be 'cited to see me!"

This one is just pure innocent childhood magic!

Trying on Shoes

This is the proper way to do it, right?!

My sis had several pairs for her try on and only made it through the first ones.

Last week a real testament to me not freaking out.  In the past 7 days I've had two crying jags because my man and I cannot communicate with each other.  Most of it is me, because I'm an emotional robot and I can't say what I really mean.  He's not a mind reader so the whole thing just ends badly.  I need to work on not relating sex as love and he's going to try an read me a bit better.

Work has a lot to do with it as well.  It's been very slow since the transition but I'm trying to get used to it.  Wednesday I spent 5 hours driving to spend 5 min taking photos of a hail damaged boat.  At least I was able to stop at the good cheese shop, butcher shop and bakery.  I kinda feel like a 50's housewife typing all of that ;)  It's all a new learning process and can be a lot to take in when you have nothing to work on.

On a positive note, all the Christmas decor was up on Tuesday and my house is very festivus!  I even have space to add some more small items AND I'm going to glitter up some things I bought last year. Not every fiber of my being is shiny from glitter so I'm going to add more!  GLITTER ALL THE CHRISTMAS THINGS!

Game Day

Double fisting before the game

Because we are just that damn cute!

He was worried we weren't close enough.

2nd Row, 30 yd line, Vikings side

I am officially hooked on attending NFL games.  I cannot wait to get tickets for next year and make my first pilgrimage to Lambeau!  We had a fantastic time, despite some rude assholes next to me and in front of us.  One guy kept saying he was "from LA and that's how they act!"  What a cop out.  He really rubbed me the wrong way.  Also, who harasses the kicker.  Come on!

Wordless Wednesday

This kid!  Her mom had just done her nails.  

Per Boo "One hand pink one hand purple, just like Auntie Libby!"

This week's mani, all colors chosen by my man.  

He's a good picker!

A boring weekend

People this child will be the death of her momma!  She was an angel at DQ then was incarnated by the devil at Toys R Us and hugged a public toilet basin.  My sister had to use bribery of a new toy to get her out of the store and to stop her demonic ways.  I had bought the same stroller for Christmas, but it's an easy return.  Baby Bingo is a Cabbage Patch Kid dressed as a a flamingo.  I think she might be saying baby Mingo, but other times it's Baby Bingo.

This kid loves some sparkles (sprinkles)

Her new stroller and baby bingo

My man and I went over to visit my sis and her family on Saturday.  That kid entertained us the whole time because she had just eaten some of my birthday cake.  Kids on a sugar high are hysterical.  She could not get enough of my man and him tickling her, hilarious!  She would also fall on purpose and crack herself up!  She loves to make people laugh and really has it down.  The highlight is when my sis asked her to tell us about her fit the night before.  Poor lil boo hung her head down and said "No Mommy, I don't want to."  She knew how naughty she had been!

After we came home we camped out on the couch for the rest of the weekend, minus my massive food prep Sunday afternoon.  Lots of football and cheesy popcorn was had by all.  I made some cookies with new caramel filled chocolate chips.  Holy crap are they some tasty lil treats. 

Happy Birthday to me

Not much has changed since this photo was taken 30 something years ago.











My man did good with this cake.  It was marble which isn't my favorite, but the taste more than made up for it!













My gift!  That light is the greatest best thing ever for an at home nail girl like myself.  It's just so amazing and fast and just the best!  Seriously go buy yourself one.














My anniversary orchid, how gorgeous is it!!!

My birthday was amazing!  I couldn't have asked for a better gift.  My man JOINED PINTEREST so he could view my "Gifts to buy for me" board.  THEN he went to the Sally's website and had his credit declined.  He had to log in and verify that it wasn't a fraudulent charge!  I find the whole thing just simply adorable.  I've never had anyone go to such great lengths to make me happy.  

Our dinner was even more amazing.  We tried out Acqua in Forest Lake and I am going to find any reason to go there again.  Lobster mac and cheese, calamari, lobster bisque and garlic shrimp and scallops.  It was a party in my mouth!  I have to go back just to try the desserts, we had cake waiting but I was so tempted to get creme brûlée anyways.  Ah Mah Zing!  If you are local, run to this eatery ASAP!