Shrinkage, Overs and Smells... Oh my!

First of all...

Over or under?  That's the question.  Toilet paper should (and must) roll OVER for me.  It doesn't matter where I am, I will switch it if it's the wrong way.  My mothers house is totally wrong... I always have to correct her roll of toilet paper!  My boyfriend and I always argue about this topic, lol.  He's an 'under' man.  I'm an 'over' girl.  Total chaos in our bathrooms.  Toilet paper wars will never end here, lol.

On to something else...

My house smells like a mix of wet dog and black-cherry.  I gave the dogs a bath today and now I can't get rid of the stupid wet dog smell, lol.  It's haunting me!  I have 4 black-cherry candles lit in hopes to over power the dog smell.  It's not working all too well.  But, at least the dogs are clean.  Our big dog, Ian, decided to shake as I was bent over the tub and him... Completely soaked me.  Maybe that's what I'm smelling... Wet dog smell on my clothes, lol.  Oh well, life goes on and the dogs smell like roses now :)

And now...

When I was going out and helping my mother get firewood for her house, I was using my boyfriends long johns, lol.  They went clear up to my armpits!  So, I bought myself a pair of them in my size :)  Well, I wore them once, washed them, dried them, went to fold them and noticed that they now fit Barbie!  I guess next time, I will read the tag before I wash and dry anything!  I felt completely...stupid (to put it nicely).  And of course, Kris laughed at me!  "That'll learn ya!", he says.

To be continued...

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Why does Santa have 3 gardens?  So he can ho, ho, ho!  Silly, I know but still kinda cute :)

These are a couple of center piece tree things I made for a few gifts this year.  I made 4 total...

2 Silver
1 Green
1 Red

 

I forgot to take a picture of all the things I made (including the red tree center piece) but after people open their gifts, I will take pictures and edit this post to upload them.  I wish I could have done more for friends and family (gift wise) but this is my first year of making things.

Blood, sweat and tears went into everything I made!  Well, not the canned jellies I made and the pickles my boyfriend and I made (gifts also).

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Safe travels and happy gatherings!

Ten years from now...

Remember being asked where you thought you'd be 10 years from now?  Well, 10-11 years ago (roughly) I was asked that question.  I think it was back in high school.  I am now 27 years old.  Yeah, I have a hard time getting out of bed and I'm feeling pain in places I didn't when I was younger... Getting older is a real bitch joy!

Someone ~ "So Shannon, where do you see yourself in 10 years?"
Me ~ "I dunno... Maybe rich, un-married, kid-less and happy.  Oh yeah, and definitely NOT at my high school reunion!"

Well, I'm still un-married and kid-less and happy!  But, I'm still a part of the broke folk community!

Why am I un-married?  I'm pretty sure I will never get married.  I don't need a piece of paper and a ring to prove that I love someone.  And on the plus side, if we ever get tired of each other, we just go our separate ways!  No messy divorce and nobody going into debt paying for the divorce :)  What about common law marriage?  I don't know the rules here in the great state of Oregon for that but I'll just play dumb, lol.

Why don't I have kids or want them?  Well, don't get me wrong... I love kids so long as they aren't mine!  Growing up, I was a complete brat to my mother and that's something I DON'T want to deal with, lol.  Another me in the world?  I think not!  Although, I will admit that some kids can get under my skin... What about those kids in the store just screaming their little heads off if mom or dad won't buy them something?  Annoying?  Yeah!

Babies... Understandable.
Toddlers... I get it.
Anywhere from 5 and up... Get your kid in order!

I think a lot of 'screaming, fit-throwing, temper tantrum' kids is just a result of parenting.  Spoil them too much and they think they deserve everything they ask for.  When told "no" they get upset and throw fits.  Set boundaries and rules and kids respect parents more.  They need to earn what they get, lol.  Mow the yard for a summer (older kid, of course) and you'll get a PS3 or something like that.  Then again, maybe this is why I don't have kids, lol... I know nothing about them!

Why do I not want to go to my 10 year reunion?  Because most the kids I went to school with were... Well... They were very rude and judgmental.  I had a small count of true friends.  Preppies?  Nope.  Jocks?  Hell no!  Smart Geeks?  No.  I was in the 'Loner' group.  I hated cheerleading, sports, pep rallies, computers, video games... I liked writing, reading and hanging out with my friends.  Although, most of my friends were out of high school (I hung with the older crowd).  I always got home after my curfew, lol.

Why am I broke?  Ask Nobama!

So, right now, where to you see yourself 10 years from now?

Me?  Still un-married, kid-less, poor but still happy!  (yeah, I set my goals low so I'm not that disappointed when things don't go my way)

Smells and wounded pride...

I had a fun day today with my mother.  We got all the food shopping done for Christmas dinner and we baked goodies... We haven't done that together for a long time... It was nice :) The house smelled so good!

We made a pumpkin roll (first time to ever make one for me).  I hear they are some-what hard to make but we will see.  It looks and smells yummy!  Then, we made six loafs of Pumpkin Gingerbread.  I've never tried it before nor have I had it so when I came across it on the good ol' internet, I decided that it looks fantastic and I wanted to try to bake it, lol.  It came out looking scrumpdiddlyumptious! I can't wait to try it.  And, I hope it turns out good because I am giving some to friends (gifts).  We also made some no bake cookies... Peanut butter!  Just looking at them makes me drool, lol!  We tried her recipe because every time I've tried to make them with mine, they never turn out... Maybe it's just me :)

Anywho, all the goodies look so yummy and I can't wait to dig in!  But, I can already feel everything going to my ass!

So, after I got home, I decided I'd walk over and check our mail (it's only about 100 feet from our house).  Well, I was walking behind Kris's truck and I hit a patch of ice.  Yep, I slipped and fell right on my rump!  Too bad I didn't eat any goodies to pad my ass a little more before my fall!  Goodness, Kris was outside and he saw it... He was like "are you ok babe?"  I said "yes, I'm fine... Just wounded my pride is all" and I continue to walk over to our mailbox.  I get back home, empty handed (no mail) and my pride was crushed even more because of my fall and walking over there for nothing... Not even junk mail!  Damn ice!

Well all, I'm sure I've bored you enough!  Have a great night :)

Pet Peeves...

We all have Pet Peeves.  Some big, some small.  I'll admit that there are things that annoy the hell out of me.  But, the main reason for this post is that I think some people really bring them out of others...

Example:  Say I did or said something that really got under your skin and annoyed you.  But, maybe you didn't like me too much to begin with or you don't really know me like you do your best friend.  Yet, your best friend could do or say the same thing I did and it doesn't bother you when they do it.

What are your opinions on this?  Do you feel it's possible for a stranger or an enemy to annoy you when a close friend doesn't?  Even though they did or said the same thing?  Or is it more like... Friends and enemies both annoying you and you only target one person to get upset with?  Or do you talk to ALL the people about your pet peeve and ask them all to try to cool it?  Or... what?  How does it work with you?

Here are some of my Pet Peeves...

1 ~ Dog hair in my house (but I love my dogs and allow them into the house).
2 ~ People always asking me "What's wrong?" over and over when I say "Nothing" when it      really is nothing or because I just don't want to talk about it.
3 ~ Loud kids in a nice restaurant (I know, I'm so mean!).
4 ~ Long check-out lines at stores... Grrr!
5 ~ Company drinking my last cup of coffee and not saying anything so I can make another pot before I finish my cup, lol.
6 ~ Missing socks!  Almost every time I do laundry, I end up with a missing sock.
7 ~ People who can dish it but not take it... Seriously?  Don't joke around with me then!
8 ~ People who jump out from around a corner to scare me.  I might purposely accidently punch you in the face... Damn reflexes!
9 ~ Having a gazzilion pens in the house and not being able to find one that actually works when I need it, like, NOW.
10 ~ Going for a beer and realizing your company has drank your last one... (Next time, bring your own!)

Well, that was a nice little chat to umm... chat about, I guess, lol.  Guess I forgot what I was going to say to go along with that :)  It happens.

So tell me, what are some of your pet peeves?

Little bit of everything...

I must admit... My boyfriend is awesome!  Yesterday, he brought home a blended coffee from my favorite corner lot coffee hut... He ordered a 20 oz and the owner made too much (she always does that) so he got a 32 oz instead for the 20 oz price.  Then, he gave that big bad boy to me!  I was feeling like Hammy on Over the Hedge!!  My boyfriend hates coffee so for him to stop and get me one 'just because' is awfully sweet :)  I knew there was a reason why I love him so much!

On Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, I went to my mother's house and helped her get the place ready for Christmas and company.  Lots of coffee and giggling later, we got most of it done (E-Bay stuff organized too).  I'll go help her out again next week and get it super done :)

Kris bought a Prime Rib for Christmas dinner for us and the family.  I'm so excited about cooking it up and pigging out.  The way he cooks it is amazing!  It's so tender and scrumpdiddlyumptios!  I'm drooling now as I type this!

I've decided that my broke ass is making gifts this year for Christmas so, I will try to post pictures of the things I make (the ones that turn out looking good).  I love making things but I'm no Martha Stewart!  I sure like to try though!

Anywho, I have a lot to get done today (laundry and cleaning) so I better get my butt in gear!  Have a great day all!  :)

Triple C's

Today is going to be pretty eventful.  Or so I hope it is.  I have my list of Triple C's to get done today... And then some.

You ever feel like you are stressed out EVERY SINGLE DAY?  Well, I do (most of the time) but today, I'm going to try to find my happy place and send the stress away.  That's my goal!  "Shoo Stress, shoo!  Be gone with your bad self!"  Holidays always stress me out but there is one thing I do for Christmas that eases the stress... Send out Christmas Cards :)










To Do List:

1.  Christmas Cards ~ I have most of them ready to send.  Now, it's just a matter of deciding who to send a picture to and then seal 'em up, stamp 'em and send 'em out.  I don't know why but it's fun and relaxing for me to send them.  I find it's more personal then sending out mass e-cards for the holidays :)  And with my friends and family and Kris's friends and family, I have a LOT going out this year!

2.  Cleaning ~ That's almost an every day thing for me to do but that's the price I pay for loving a clean house.  I hate dirt and clutter.  Clutter is a fear of mine, lol.  I want to be able to see my kitchen counter tops and not have them cluttered with toasters or crock pots or anything.  When it comes to dirt, nobody can hide from it.  Where I live, it's always dusty.  I can dust every morning and still collect dust by evening.  It's kinda sad and creates a lot of stress for me, lol.

3.  Cooking ~ I need to do my timing just right for dinner to be ready tonight.  I'm going to cook corned beef, cabbage and carrots (oh look, Triple C's again, lol) in a crock pot and try to have it ready when Kris gets off work.  I have always been off on my timing.  Even when my directions give me a time.  I can't figure that one out, lol.

Two stressful things out of three chores isn't bad I guess.  There is a great chance I'll beat the stress and accomplish my goal(s) today :)  I hope everyone else has a great day and stays stress-free!

Bah! Humbug!

(Zoey)

So, We did have snow a couple days ago and now... We have a muddy mess!  The snow has already melted.  It really sucks!

Dear Old Man Winter,
Please come back and give us lots and lots of snow!?!  I know, I've complained about you throughout summer when we had chilly nights and for that, I'm sorry.  But, lets be honest, you DID hog the year a little too early and didn't give the sun her proper amount of time to shine!  I've decided that if I have to be cold, I would much rather have the beauty of white, un-touched snow to look at :)  Not a muddy mess!  So please... Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!
Your Frenemy,
Shannon :)


Seriously though, I am giving up on mopping while it's wet outside.  It's really pointless with two dogs...  Thank goodness for hardwood floors though!  Carpets would be ruined!

Well, have a Fantabulous Thursday all!  Big Bang Theory is on tonight :)  Bazinga!

(Ian)

Pink Tree

I decorated the house last Thursday for Christmas.  A little early for me but I felt that holiday spirit thing itching at my back and decided to 'itch' it.

Usually, Kris will flip when I decorate (even a week before the holidays) but this year, he walked into the house, looked everything over, shook his head, smiled and said, "Holy crap woman".  So on that note, I plugged in my fake pink tree!  I wish it was real and one of these years I WILL convince Kris to let me get one.  But until he does, Pink Tree it is, lol.

Today was a busy day for me.  I watched Desperate Housewives (last nights episode), cleaned the kitchen and living room, did laundry all day (and still working on it), shoveled snow again and re-arranged our bedroom so we can use the heater in there and to get our bed away from the window... It gets drafty.  

I actually had everything done (except laundry) by 12:34 pm.  I was quite happy with myself.  All it took was 2 pots of coffee, lol.

I hope you all are enjoying your weather (whatever it may be doing) and/or staying warm... Snow, sun, rain, wind, hot, cold... Mother Nature is a bit bipolar this year!

Good Deeds :)

I woke up this morning, made my coffee and let the dogs out to do their business and... WE HAD SNOW!  I love when the snow is pretty and white and sparkly and un-touched.  It's beautiful.  But then, the dogs went crazy running over every inch of it in our backyard and playing in it by sticking their noses in it and flipping it up and over their heads.  Then, they made it different colors... Oh well, I got to see the beauty of the snow before they went nuts, lol.

Kris and I decided to shovel our sidewalks and we ended up doing 3 of our neighbors sidewalks as well.  They are all older couples so it felt great for us to help them out.  That was our good deed for the year, lol!  Just kidding... We like helping people out with anything we can.  It's a great feeling.  :)

After shoveling, we took the dogs for a walk.  Our walk turned into a 1.97 mile walk.  What the hell were we thinking?!?  Snow on the ground and it's cold and wet outside and we're walking and walking and walking...  I was freezing by the time we got home and then I was roasting after being in the house for about 5 minutes... Once my body warmed up, I started to freeze again, lol.  (I decided a second pot of coffee was in order... *Yummy*)

That about sums up our day... We decided to call it a snow day and stay inside for the remainder of the day.  We learned how to play Gin Rummy, we ate dinner, we watched some College Football (Go DUCKS!!!) and now, we are so ready to crawl into our nice warm bed and snooze!  So, on that note, I say ta-ta and goodnight!  :)

Colorado and the Comforts of Home

I had a blast in Colorado!  The week went by super fast and I wasn't ready to come home yet, lol.  Kris and I went to a wedding (his friends) in Colorado and Kris was the best man.  It was my first time meeting the two newly weds and I was nervous but, they are awesome people and made me feel completely comfortable.

Beautiful Couple ~ Inside and Out!
(Paul and Nicole ~ Nov. 27th, 2010)







I was really scared to meet them at first, lol.  I was so afraid they wouldn't like me or approve of me but it seems they both approve.  I guess you could say I was a success!  Shy at first but they seemed to like me :)  Like I've said before, I'm not a people person but I had fun!  I met a lot of awesome people (friends/family of theirs) and hope to keep in touch and hang out with them again.

Kris seemed to be happy that I went with him.  (I almost didn't go)  It was funny... He was in the wedding and I was not.  At one point, he asked me how many times I was hit on by the guys there!  *giggles* I told him "None hit on me" lol.

As you can see, I'm not a girly-girl.  I hate dressing up and doing my hair.  Honestly, I wouldn't even know what to do with my hair besides curl it.  But, I would have tried more for this day if I had more time.  Time was a little hectic... But, I still felt pretty so it's all good :)  And now, Kris and I have a picture of us both kinda dressed up for his mother, lol.

While we were there in Denver, Kris was determined to take me to the Casa Bonita Restaurant (Beautiful House or House of Beauty... something like that).  That place is fricken nuts!  It looks so tiny on the outside (even though it sticks out like a sore peter) but it's huge on the inside with many different levels and about 500+ tables with different themes to them.  Plus, entertainment and caves for people to wander through, lol. That place was 2nd highlight of our trip... Wedding was 1st!






All in all, I had a blast and would love to go back again!  But, I was so happy to be home and sleeping in my own bed :)  You never realize the things you love till you don't have them for a while.  I love my bed, I love my pillow, I love my house, I love walking around in my panties... It's the simple things in life that bring such happiness!

Well all, I cleaned my house today and decorated for Christmas.  Now, I'm ready to tackle the laundry that is taunting me.  Have a great day and I hope everyone had a great Turkey Day!