I pretty much hate Christmas, I always have...yes, I know, I'm a horrible, HORRIBLE person. I am a product of divorced parents and I have lots and lots of extended family all over the place so Christmas to me has always been very hectic, lots of moving from place to place and house to house (a lot of times by myself), never being able to spend enough time with anyone I really wanted to and lots of guilt. So, needless to say, this have never been my favorite holiday. Plus the whole money thing stinks. I always feel like I have NO money around the holidays and that stresses me out. This year is no different in that regard!

BUT, I have to say that I am really excited about decorating the house and getting all into it this year. I always like decorating, etc but I am kind of pumped about getting the tree, putting up lights and hunkering down to celebrate the birth of our lord, Jesus Christ...he he. I have been listening to Christmas music since Sunday and I'm digging it. It's really getting me into the "spirit" you could say.

Maybe this Christmas will be different...? Doubt it.

I've decided to be a good wife and change my name. Sort of...I'm making my last name my middle name and then adding on the hubby's last name. Anyway, I finally went on-line yesterday and got the form from the Social Security web site. I filled it out and went there this morning since oddly there's a social security office close to my house.

By appearances alone the Social Security "office", if that's what you want to call it - it was in a semi-strip mall area, had to be the saddest, most pathetic place on earth. It was smaller by far than the DMV but had just as many, or maybe more, people packed in waiting to be called from line to line. Everyone there just had this look of defeat on their faces.

I went up to the extremely large women dressed as, I guess, officers of some sort. The social security police perhaps? Anyway, I told them why I was there and they printed out a little receipt type thing with a number printed on it and told me to wait until I was called. Okay, sounds easy enough. Then I had the brilliant idea to ask about how long it might take. The heavier of the two Social Security Police replied, "oh, about two hours or so". TWO HOURS? two fucking hours? for me to drop off a piece of paper, show them my i.d. and my marriage certificate? TWO HOURS? No wonder people go postal at these types of places and now the look of defeat on all of the patron's faces made perfect sense. My optimism had now changed to defeat itself. I asked if I could leave and come back and she said, "oh sure". But in all honesty there was no way I was going to make it back. I guess I have to try again by maybe standing outside before they open one day. Man, I can tell this is gonna be a fun one!

Wow - it's been a long time. It feels like forever actually. I hope that everyone had a nice holiday. Hubby and I spent our first married Thanksgiving in sunny Florida. And wouldn't you know it, they were experiencing record low's while we were there! Well, thankfully we only experienced a couple of days of "cold" weather but in the grand scheme of things it was warmer and dryer than it was at home so I'm not complaining. AND we got to lay on the beach and come home with a tan so it all worked out.

Hubby and I did the majority of the cooking/prep. The turkey turned out really juicy and yummy and I'm kind of proud of us. It was the first turkey I've ever cooked alone for Thanksgiving to feed to other people and it was a success! We spent the majority of Thanksgiving day out on the beach so the turkey didn't get as much love as it probably should have. You know, not as much basting and turning, uncovering and covering, that sort of thing. That's my only regret. I think it could have been even better if I were home to tend to it. I also made my own gravy from the drippings and it was rad! Cooking for a crowd is some how really rewarding!

Now...on the other hand...nothing makes you appreciate the little amount of time you spend with your family than a whole week together. A long, long week together. I love my family and I do enjoy hanging out with them but trips like this make me realize why it doesn't happen that often.

We were with my mom, step dad, younger brother, older bro & sister-in-law and their kids = niece (6) and nephew (just turned 4). My older bro is a loud talker. He and SIL like to smoke cigarettes...like, at every chance they get - think every time we stop the car and get out. My niece is an angel. She's quiet, artistic, sweet and very smart. I'm still not quite convinced that she belongs to my bro and SIL. My nephew on the other hand is my brothers son! He's loud and he's whiney! I don't mean that he whines every now and then. I mean that he whines CONSTANTLY. There is no better form of birth control than spending 7 days with a child that whines at all times for every reason you can think of. And the problem is that his parents don't tell him to stop. They yell at him and then he whines more and louder. It took my husband to ask him in a calm, adult voice why he was whining and to calm down and stop it. It took a toll on our nerves and needless to say we were actually happy to get home! Oh well, it's one of those labors of love I suppose. We'll forget again next holiday season when we plan another long trip with family then thank god once we're home...

I hope everyone had a nice week. I've missed you all!!!

So I watched "House of Sand and Fog" yesterday and FUCK, I mean, I knew it was gonna be sad and all but I am so sick of being sad. I refuse to watch any more sad movies. For a while anyway. I mean, I can blame no one but myself. I've had this movie in my possession for months and just from the title I knew it wasn't gonna be a comedy but it was really depressing. Don't get me wrong, it was a great film. And yes, I know this is an old movie, I am making my way through my Blockbuster.com list of movies that I haven't seen...

So I was up until 1:30am and I only made 7 bags. I really need to step it up. I was hoping to have all of the fabric that I've cut up sewn and made into bags by Friday so it looks like I'll be up really late tonight. The Hubby and I are leaving for Florida on Saturday morning. My mom and step dad decided we should spend Thanksgiving there this year (we used to every year when my grandparents lived there but now my grandma lives back up here and my grandad is no longer living). Anyway I got my Spanish Grandma's recipe for Turkey and I can't wait to try it out. She is a damn good cook so I'll let you know how it turns out. As a mother of 11 and grandmother to many, many more I think you have to know how to cook, don't you?

Anyway, today is rainy and oddly warm out. Just need to get through today and tomorrow and it's off to Florida. Can you believe that next week is Thanksgiving? I feel like it came so quickly this year and it just doesn't even feel like the "holidays" to me...?

I got to visit the baby last night and she is freakin adorable! I don't want one just yet...still practicing thankyouverymuch, but damn, babies are kind of amazing. Until they start crying and then they're just scary and mean!

SO - has anyone switched to the new version on Blogger? And if so should I do it? I'm scared. Hold me mommy...

That whole, "you can't go back to the old Blogger" thing kind of freaked me out. Change causes me anxiety...Please, someone tell me what to do here. Thanks!

I got nothing else...still working my arse off on bags for an upcoming show and my web site. Check my site next week for pic's of all my new bags!

Workin' Girl

So Last night the hubby went to play cards with the boys so I stayed in and worked my little fingers to the bone. This is the living room with all of my fabrics and supplies strewn about. That little spot of carpet is where I stayed until about 1am and today my back is paying for it. I wish there was a more ergonomic way to sit while cutting purse patterns.

After a while I decided to be fancy and break out the new champagne glasses, we haven't used them yet. And, since yesterday was our two month anniversary I decided to celebrate! Here is my single glass of champagne. It was tasty! And celebrating alone isn't as sad as it sounds ;O)



My bestest friend is currently in the hospital having her first baby!!! She should deliver around 1pm. She was at 7-8 cm's around 9:30 this morning so it could be any time now! I am so excited and I can't wait to meet her new baby girl. She thinks she's having a boy - they didn't find out ahead of time - but I am SURE it's a girl, I just know it...

Updates later...

UPDATE:

It's a GIRL! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! Ava was 8lb's 11 oz's 21" - she was like a little Turkey! I can't wait to meet her!!!!

RandomNation

So a few weeks back, after a long hiatus, I triumphantly made a trip to the gym. I jokingly made a remark about not getting back to the gym for another three months after that. Well, I haven't been back since and it's quite disturbing that I might "jokingly" be writing my miserable fate...It's just been a combination of things that have kept me from going. Number one being that it's obviously not top priority. Then comes laziness, making things for the web site, it's so dark and cold when I get off work, more important invitations like drinking and eating, and so on and so forth...

The bad (and good) part of it is that I'm going to Florida in about two weeks and it's with my mom and step dad. You know, the one's who help me remember that I'm fat, or at least don't let me forget that I am not skinny. I had the huge blow up with my mom months ago and we (I) decided we would never speak of this touchy subject again. The other day my mom, in all of he subtlety says, "If I came to you every morning to work out, would you work out with me?". Hmmm, I wonder what she meant by that? My mother lives at least 45 minutes away from me. She would have to be here at 7am every day and battle rush hour traffic so that would put her at an hour - hour and a half drive. She's impossible some times!

I'm going to try to not worry about it. It's winter time for God's sake, right? Plus I can still wear a bikini, I just won't look like the Hawaiian Tropic model I once was (HA!)

IN OTHER NEWS...
I need a new pair of high boots. I really want to buy some on-line and spare my self a visit to that horrible place called the mall but it's too risky. I have what I like to call calves and that means that I have to actually try on every pair of high boots before I can buy them. It's quite annoying. I have a pair that I bought a few years ago in Vegas but it's time for an upgrade, and dammit I deserve it!

I am currently preparing for a show at the end of November. I've completed all of the lingering orders from my web site and I am now working on building up my inventory to get ready to sell, sell, sell for the holidays. I expect to be up all hours for the next month or so getting all of my new bags, toy chests, piggy banks, etc made. Looks like the gym is really gonna get pushed off the radar...shocker!

Hope everyone is having a nice day. It is unseasonably warm here today and I plan to go enjoy the 70 degree weather, Brittney's impending deevorce from Fedderfuck (there may be hope for her yet) and the fact that the republicans are the big LOOSAH's! YAYY

So, my company was offering flu shots yesterday for just $10. So, I figured, why not? There is always such a big deal about people not being able to get them so if I have the opportunity I should go for it, right? Well, BIG mistake. I don't know if the nurse didn't know what she was doing or what but that shit HURT. I've had flu shots every year for the last few years and it's never hurt, not like this. It hurt going into my arm and my arm is STILL sore now. I feel like I have the limp arm. I'm all tingly and it hurts to just move. Although I am a big baby when it comes to needles and all that crap, I am not being a wuss. I am bruised and pissed. Nurses should know better, don't you think?

Anyway, I voted this morning. I am very proud of myself. I will admit that I've never voted for anyone other than the President of the United States. And I will admit after the last two elections I have had a very bad taste in my mouth about the whole electoral system. I really, really believed, and still harbor a little of these feelings today, that my vote really does not count. BUT, I have turned over a new leaf. I am counting on "the system" to make my vote count and make me see the results that I really expect in this election. We'll see what happens.

Last night hubby, Bro in law, our friend S and a few of the BIL's friends and I all went to see The Black Keys at the 9:30 Club here in D.C. It was a great show. If you have the opportunity to see them I highly recommend it! They are White Stripes-ish in the sense that they have only two band members - a drummer and a basist. BUT they are more blues-ie, soulful. They pretty much rock! The only bad part is the guy next to me was a chain smoker. I mean, I know when I am in for a smoke filled night but this dude was an exception to the rule. I could not breathe two songs in. SO, my friend S switched spots with me. Two songs later (and he's a smoker) he looked over at me and said, "damn, you weren't kidding". We were gagging half way through. I can't wait until the smoking ban goes into effect in 2007 in DC! It will make going out so much more enjoyable. Anyway, that's all folks!

The Weekend

So, I had a fabulous weekend. On Friday The Sweet One, otherwise known as Mr. Funky, told me that he had planned a fun day for us on Saturday. He didn't tell me where we were going. He just told me to dress warm and wear comfortable shoes...

I truly have the best husband ever! He went on line, he did research, and he planned everything to the tee! We got up at about 8am and dressed "warmly and comfortably" and headed out. Mr. Funky packed the car and the cooler up and we hit the road. After about an hour and a half we arrived at our destination. He took me to the Shenandoah area of Virginia, also known as Skyline Drive. We stopped at the visitor center and got a more detailed map, had some mimosas and Entenmann's Raspberry Danish (YUM) that hubby packed for us. Then, we made our way to the different overlooks that hubby had mapped out to be the best ones. We checked out the beautiful colors of the changing leaves and the amazing scenery. THIS, my friends, is something I am pleased to say our tax dollars go towards. Visit any national park and you will feel good about paying taxes...

A couple of hours later Hubby got out the gourmet cheeses and sausages and crackers that he prepared and packed up for us. We had a little snack then headed on a 4.5 mile hike to some water falls. The hike down to the falls was surprisingly difficult. It's kind of amazing how hard it is to walk down hill on rocks and leaves but it was. It was kind of cold but we definitely kept warm with our many layers. We got to the falls after about an hour and it was beautiful. We relaxed on the rocks for a while then decided to head back up the trail. As difficult as we thought hiking down hill was, the way up was a million times harder. My calves will attest to it today! It was steeper than we remembered and we really booked up the hill. We were sweating and out of breath by the time we got back to the car. It was an exhilarating hike and a wonderful day.

Once we left the hiking trails we headed into one of the small towns and had a great meal at a local Pub/restaurant. It was a wonderful day and I am so grateful to have such a spontaneous, fun hubby!

Here are some pic's of our day:

www.flickr.com

On Sunday I went to the Washington Redskins vs Dallas Cowboys game. I know that many of you are not into the whole football thing but as you may remember I AM! I am a huge Redskins fan and I try not to talk about it on this blog because I know it bores the hell out of most people. All I want to say is that yesterday's win feels really good. I won't talk smack and I won't rub it in. I just hope the Cowboys and T.O. had a really fun ride home...he he he...OH and I have to share this. Someone in the parking lot was selling a shirt that said "The Cowboys Suck and T.O. Swallows...PILLS". If you know anything about this sport, this rivalry and the T.O. situation you can appreciate the humor in this. If not, then sorry for boring you again.

Okay, that's all for me. I hope you all had as good of a weekend as I did!

So, we had some really good trick or treaters the other night. Some had great costumes on. I LOVE the little super hero's with the built in muscles. Those got me every time. As a matter of fact, looks like one of our bloggie's kids had a similar costume.

We had some princesses, some scary masked kids, the cutest little bumble bee EVER, a soccer player, one of the ladies from Deal or no Deal, and my favorite, the group of about 5 little girls who sang "Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat. If you don't, we don't care, we'll pull down your underwear". I'm not kidding. And their parents just looked on and smiled/laughed. The girls were pretty young. I would say that the oldest was about 8. Now, I am not easily offended. I can't say I was offended by this really either. I mean, at their age I'm sure I was singing the same song. For goodness sakes we made up a new "diarrhea" song every time I was in the car with my brothers, BUT, if I were a parent I would have been a little embarrassed. I mean, I'll give your kids candy, the good stuff too, but please tell them not to tell me that they'll pull down my underpants. That is kind of scary!

Anyway, the night ended fine. We had some candy left over and no one toilet papered or egged out house so we're all good.

NOW, onto LOST. Did anyone watch last night? Well, if you did then you know that A) There are two new characters - apparent castaways that we are just now meeting. They are annoying and I hate them. I hope they get eaten by something on the island. And B) That Eko, my dear, dear Eko was killed off. I am so saddened by this. He was my favorite character on the show. I even told Mr. Funky at the beginning of the season that if he dies I'm not watching the show anymore. Well, the combination of A & B above really make me not want to watch, BUT the preview for next week pulls me right back in. That and the fact that Eko was on Regis and Kelly this morning and said that he knew right from the beginning that he would be killed off and that he is currently working on a screen play that would not give him ample time for television anyway. SO, if he's okay with it then I guess I will be too. It was a really great episode!

Anyway, that's all I got. Hope everyone is having a lovely day!