The Bike Has Arrived

Remember THIS and THIS awesome story about me winning a bike.

Well yesterday this big truck showed up in front of my house!

Inside was this really big box

I couldn't open it up fast enough

 Charlie and I love this new bike. I wrapped Charlie in a blanket so he would stay warm, but he squirmed out of it.

Jack even wanted to go for a ride.  I also made Paul (my husband) take Charlie and me for a ride. What a comfortable trip I think I will make Paul take me around all the time.

Madsen Cycles designed this awesome middle seat insert so that Charlie wont fall down in the bucket. Isn't that so thoughtful and awesome?

Charlie loves his new bike- he likes to just sit in the back when the bike is in the house. Isn't that funny?  He even growls at Jack when Jack gets near it cause Charlie knows it is his bike.

Thank You Madsen Cycles! We are so happy. I will add more photos soon.

A Christmas Surprise

After much discussion and battling Paul and I decided to surprise our families and come home for Christmas.  My dad ruined the surprise for my mom cause when I called him to tell him we were coming home (I had to ask him a question regarding our trip) he loudly shouted "YOU ARE COMING HOME!" really loudly through his house and my mom overheard and within 10 minutes all of my siblings had called me to tell me they were excited.  At least I know who is the leaker of important information.

We did succeed at surprising Paul's mom and that was worth all the cost of the trip.  We snuck up on her at Costco and her face was priceless and she started freaking out.  It was so much fun.

Anyways I am so happy to be home. I get to see my family today and I can not wait.  We had dinner and games with Paul's family last night and it was so much fun. 

I hope everyone this year has a fun Christmas Surprise.  This picture above is so cool.  I took it at Macy's in NYC and I want to make one of these. They are styrofoam balls wrapped in yarn. So clever.

Merry Christmas Eve.

Christmas In NYC-Window Displays II

The Fendi Store...isn't this awesome?



 above is part of Barney's foodie window display and click HERE for more.

Macy Window Displays HERE  

Also I finally fulfilled my long long wish. Well first it was to see NYC at Christmas and also to ice skate in Central Park. It was so much fun and worth every expensive penny.

Christmas In NYC-Window Displays

NYC: Bergdorf Goodman's 2010 Holiday Windows - Wish You Were Here - Scenic Route

I went to NYC this past weekend and saw so much fun stuff. Here I will share with you these beautiful window displays at Bergdorf Goodman.

The 2010 Holiday Windows at Bergdorf Goodman, entitled "Wish You Were Here", had David Hoey and his visual team taking customers on a journey through fantasy travel, sly visual wit and far-flung places. With an array of wild mash-ups of unexpected arrivals and departures, each window features visual influences as diverse as Roman mythology, 1940s Hollywood musicals, the original Penn Station, and the very first science fiction film.

New Blog I Am Loving Right Now

If you want to dress hot and stylish but not look like a totally hussie check out this fabulous blog authored by the fabulous Desirae Brown Luch (of the 5 Browns piano rock stars).
Thread Ethic

Vote For My Student

My student rocks and I would love see her win this contest.  Click on this link
http://vote.lovefromthesoundstage.com

and vote for Enellshii.  Votes are due Wednesday December 15, so do it now.

You can click on her picture to hear her sing or on link below.
http://vote.lovefromthesoundstage.com/enellshii.php

I Survived Arts Policy

I am sitting here in bed-it is 1:36 AM-and I still have terminology and definitions running through my head from my final this past evening. How do you stop the study buzz? I had been studying nonstop for the last 10 days and flipping through my flashcards in bed every night and falling to sleep with my phone in my hands. (did you know there is a wicked cool flash card ap on the iphone? Get it. It is called Gflash+ and every student should get it) I also think I should make a shirt that says "I Survived Arts Policy" and wear it with pride and ever time I see another fellow student they will "Amen Sister" me cause they know the brain power and stamina this class required.

So now that the final is over, I am lost on ways to fall asleep. Maybe I should just do the flashcards so that I can get to sleep tonight. On a positive note, I think I did fine on the final, I felt confident. Only one more test/paper to go. Thank heavens.

Now I am off to counting sheep. Anyone have any good ways  to help me fall asleep and reading the bible does not count.

Please Come Home For Christmas Part II

Alright thanks for the comments and opinions. The verdict says I should stay here, I will tell you what the judge (me cause we all know it isn't Paul) decides.  I guess I better hurry.  I watched the movie "The Family Stone" last night and it was all about everyone being together at Christmas. Seriously awkward movie, but I like it anyway.  I may take my brother-in-law's advice and head to the beach. I like that idea.  Also, I want Paul to get a job that moves us to the beach.  He is looking. Does anyone know of any jobs preferably West Coast? Something that deals with conflict resolution.  I would move tomorrow to the beach if I could. Alas, I will stay here with the 30 degree temperatures and windy air.

Okay lets talk Christmas Presents. I have no idea what to get anyone this year. I am wondering if I can take the "I am a poor grad student and have had no time" approach.  I desperately want to send out Christmas Cards this year.  Is it tacky if I just send out a virtual Christmas card? You know-save the trees and all that jazz.  Also, any thoughts on inexpensive but rocking Christmas gifts that I can buy online so they will ship easily to Utah?

Want to know something I want for Christmas-Paul does not want me to get one of these and I can understand why.  I am sick and tired of having to carry Charlie everywhere in a blanket in the winter because despite my best efforts of making him wear sweaters and coats he is still freezing (he has no undercoat). So I want to get a dog stroller.  I know ridiculous.  But I want one anyways- as long as I don't look like her. That is ridiculous.  Maybe I want this blue one below.

Please Come Home For Christmas

 

 So I am battling with the decision about going home to Utah this year for Christmas.  Last year Paul and I spent a lovely Christmas in a cabin secluded in the middle of nowhere West Virginia and loved every bit of it.  No expectations, no places to be, no big gifts or over commercialization.  This year I know our families would really love it if we came home to spend the holidays with them. The problems I am dealing with are these...

1. If we drive home it will take us 3 days just to get there and 3 days to get home, which means only 3 days home. Plus driving will cost like $800.
2. If we fly we have no car when we are home, plus it costs about $650 a ticket, plus we have to deal with the crazy holiday travel rush and annoying people.
3. If we stay here we save money, can work more, and do whatever we want (except go skiing which I really really really want to go do this Christmas break) and but we don't get to be with our family.

 So what would you do if you were Paul and I? I am going to take a vote. Should we go home and if so should we fly cause I need to buy the tickets, or should we just stay here and piss off our family?  Please vote and I want a sound argument as to why you think what you do.  If no one votes then I guess I will just be more confused.

Check This OUT

Please click here to read an awesome flying with a dog on a plane story.  If Charlie did this I would die.


Click HERE.

Glove Animals

Happy 3rd of December everyone! I think today is going to be a beautiful day. I am mostly spending it doing homework, but the way I see it, every day I spend doing homework is one day closer to being done with the semester.  Note to anyone curious if they should take 12 graduate credits in a semester...my answer is HELL NO! I always took 16 undergraduate credits every semester, but this is way different. What was I thinking.

Okay, on to better things and cute Christmas gift ideas. How would you like to make a cute gift using only a sock and a glove?  Try these little creatures out. I think they are adorable.  Tutorial HERE.
 Have a HAPPY Weekend.
image and tute by Martha Stewart

Happy First of December

Okay lets take a vote. Who has already put their Christmas tree up? Who put their tree up a week ago? If you answered yes to the second question you are not alone. I love Christmas decorations and so I have posted some pictures (crappy iphone quality) of my house right now.  Last year my mom-in-law helped me design this tree and wreaths and I was sad she wasn't here to help me put them up.

PS. The Snowman Sweater is already back. Paul wore it all day. Seriously.

Happy Being Me-Last Day of Gratitude 2010

I am grateful and happy to be me. Can I say that without sounding conceited? I am not saying I am amazing or extra cool or even special, I am just saying I am happy and grateful for my life.

There have been times where I wasn't grateful at all to be me, but as I have matured and grown-up (well kind of grown-up) and gone through some hard times (seizures) and I guess I have learned the importance of loving myself.

There are definitely things about myself I would like to change (become a morning person, always put things away right after I use them, count to ten before I explode out of anger at my husband, have bigger boobs, enjoy running, be a concert cellist or pianist or maybe even a conductor) but ultimately I am happy with who I am.  Although I get embarrassed at times, I am grateful that I cry over almost anything-a sad movie, a not so sad movie, a sappy moment, a bird flying into my window and I tried to desperately help it back to life in a Snow White kind of way. I am a cancer through and through.

I am also grateful that I want to do good in life.  I try to be honest, work hard, and get good grades (even though right now I think to Hell with it) and I try to always help old people when I am out in public and I can see they need help crossing the street or pushing their shopping carts.  Wow don't I sound like a saint.  I guess what I am trying to say is that I am grateful and happy for my life and the opportunities I have right now and have had in the past.  I realize lots of people have it rough and I am just grateful that I can give back in whatever way I can. 

Does anyone feel the same? Are you happy being you?  What would you change about yourself or what do you love that is unique to you?


Check out these 17 tips on the secrets of happiness.

Thanksgiving Weekend

I have been partially on a STAYCATION and also on a real vacation this past Thanksgiving weekend, so I apologize for not posting on what I am grateful for. I am still grateful for things even if I didn't post everyday like I said I would this month. So here are my past grateful moments ...

Friday- I think we pretty much did nothing but hit up a few stores and then got in the car and drove down south.  We did stop at Williamsburg in the evening, which was decorated so beautifully for Christmas. Today I was grateful for just spending time with Paul and having no exact schedule. I think this was the first time in several weeks we were able to just hang out.


Saturday- We went to the Outer Banks, North Carolina. I had never been there before and wanted to go and see the beach.  We saw the Wright Brothers Memorial where they took their first flights at Kitty Hawk.  This was so much fun and so cool and if you ever get the chance I totally recommend that you go.  Paul was in heaven. So I am grateful for their perseverance so that now I can fly home to visit my family whenever I want.

Sunday- I saw the house from the Nights in Rodanthe movie. It was so awesome.
 
Then we drove home, hung out and pretended like we had no responsibilities.

I am grateful for getting this nice break in my crazy world.

Don't be fooled I wrote about 7 pages of homework and read a book for school during my break- so sadly it wasn't all fun.

Today I am grateful that I made it through another day of lectures at school and now only have one more Monday of lectures left.  Yeah Me.

To celebrate lets look at pretty pictures of snowy scenes cause I am in the mood for a White Christmas.

Thanksgiving Football With the Boys

 

I have always wanted to play Thanksgiving football.  It just looks like so much fun.  Sadly, I have never had anyone to play with. Usually it is a bunch of guys grunting and scratching and they think "Not a chance are we letting a girl play with us. She will probably break a nail and cry."

But today was different.  Today I actually got to play football with the boys. I was the only girl and I did a pretty good job. I had to guard Paul, which was really fun and I even tagged (ok maybe pushed) him just in front of the end zone which caused him to slide on his face and he was covered from head-to-toe in mud. Yeah me!  He didn't score though.  My team was proud that not only am I tough but that I can run pretty fast.  I was also laid out flat. I was chasing Paul and he weaved between two guys and we all colided. That hurt a bit-but I shook it off. Also,  I was even thrown the ball-and I caught it.  Yeah me for not looking like a totally "girl".

So today I am grateful for all the guys who let me play football. You made my Thanksgiving. 

Christmas Wreaths

Yesterday I didn't post. Oops sorry.  So for yesterday I am grateful that I finished my huge Marketing and Advertising project and that my teacher thought it was really creative.

Today I am grateful for making fun projects. Soon (come December 16) when school isn't making me want to rip my hair out, I want to make one of these cute Christmas Wreaths.

Images and tutorials via Martha Stewart

click HERE to see more wreaths and how to make them.