{12.28.06}

notes to self

It's four in the morning and I can't sleep, yes even taking two of my pm'ers didn't do the trick. I think i've been in denial with the amount of stress that is piling up: the holidays, the house, the wedding, work and certain friendships. what gives? my health. I can't remember the last time i've been so out of shape, scratch - pregnancy. my treadmill is making a great coat rack in the garage and i have no desire what-so-ever to change its current function. so tonight adam and i have decided to bite the bullet and join the local 24hour fitness center in town. my wedding dress is in and i'm reluctant to try it on when I pick it up this week. i have less than six months to lose this holiday/stress flab and if ordering my dress two sizes smaller isn't motivation enough I don't know what is.

Christmas with my family was blissful and relaxing, as always. brenner was concerned that santa had a cold after hearing my dad outside ringing the cow bell and shouting "ho ho *cough cough* ho" as loud as he could muster. brenner and i built our traditional gingerbread bread house and fell into a sugar coma shortly after. the food was fabulous and sleeping in until 10am every morning was heavenly. i must have been a very good girl this year because santa (adam) got me a new camera. i'm having so much fun taking random snap shots and figuring out all the neato settings.

this Sunday my lauren is getting married. it seems like just yesterday we were living next door to each other, sitting outside and talking about everything for hours. i do miss those times but i look forward to our next season in life - married friends! oh what fun we will have!!!

off to bed, again...less than two hours until the alarm goes off...

***

Note to self: things to avoid 99.9% in 2007...

1. avoid - people who revel in their drama.


2. avoid - embellishers.


3. avoid - procrastinating.


4. avoid - my kitchen.


5. avoid - saying “never” and “always”.


6. avoid - java chip frapucinos.


7. avoid - compulsive organizing and cleaning.


8. avoid - assuming.


9. avoid - petty babble.


10. avoid - drinking too much wine.

{12.22.06}

my week

too much chocolate. too much red wine. not enough time. not enough sleep. crazy drivers. proud moments. stubborn moments. giving friends. white elephant gift party. chocolate thong (ew). found more gray hair. purchased hair color. considered going blonde. bell ringers bug me. i'm over my shoebox. my pharmacist tried to kill me. taking two 24 hour claritin-d daily for a month makes you feel funny and numb. excuses like socks stink. christmas bonus. new carpet. mistaken identities. need new glasses. must pack!!!!!! Merry Christmas.

Holiday cheer and giggles with Holly and Jen.

{12.20.06}

it's wednesday...

five days until christmas and here sits on my desk window greeting cards for horizontal photos and i had vertical photos printed. groovy! so either i go out and search for half way decent cards or bag the whole thing and post our photo online. the good news is that i have all my gifts purchased and wrapped, thanks to brenner. he was quite the helper this year and offered (actually begged until i caved) to help. he also thought it would be super helpful and giving to wrap all his toys to re-gift with my good wrapping paper while I was in the shower one morning. I love his heart.

the house is finally making some progress. Yesterday we had the carpets replaced in the living room and office and the work to replace the hard wood floors is scheduled to start today. Adam and I made another trip to World market last night for a few items for the house and last minute stocking stuffers. after shopping we went to the movies to see "The pursuit of happyness". Wow, what an amazing movie that made me stop, think and appreciate everything i've been blessed with.

this year we are spending the christmas holiday at my parents house. going back home has a way of grounding me and puts the stresses of life into perspective. maybe it's the simplicity of my upbringing that brings me back down to a healthy level of living. I'm also very excited that my brother will be coming, it's been far too long since I've seen him. without a doubt i will gain at least five or more pounds eating my mama's goodies and home cookin'. Oh how I love my parents and can't wait to see them.

a little holiday humor...

{12.12.06}

ugly betty flashback

my tongue hurts so much from biting it lately that i'm worried i'll just bite the darn thing off. maybe that wouldn't entirely be a bad thing; i'd lose weight and wouldn't say anything i'd eternally regret. maybe that would explain why i've been grinding my teeth at night and why i now have to wear a mouth guard. I feel like an awkward sixteen year old wearing braces - again! I wasn't fully convinced that I was grinding my teeth until I discovered bite marks on my guard only after one night wearing it.

so i've been thinking about trading in my little honda civic for an suv for quite awhile (a year) now So sunday we made a trip to the honda dealership in bend where i found and fell in love with my new mommy mobile. The new pilot you ask? no. I just couldn't justify paying over $30k for a car. here is what my new ride looks like...

 

***

How to annoy me:

• 
  
  Do a good deed for appearances.
  
  


• 
  
  Use the last q-tip in the house and don't bother to tell me.
  
  


• 
  
  use the last post-it in the office and don't bother to tell me.
  
  


• 
  
  Call me at work to inform me that my child was used as a landing pad by a nine-year-old bully that you weren't obviously watching. Super.
  
  


• 
  
  after i specifically tell you to call and leave a message with a house update, you call and tell me to call you back. what part of leave a message didn't you understand?
  
  

how to charm me:

• 
  
  Tell me that i look sexy in the morning while i'm still wearing my mouth guard.
  
  


• 
  
  Catch me going 35 mph in a 20 mph school zone, recognize me from the chamber and wave on by.
  
  


• 
  
  Give me a big fat raise. finally!
  
  


• 
  
  Make the most hideous facial expression possible that makes me laugh every time, without fail.
  
  


• 
  
  Call me just to say "hi". No favors no questions just "hi".
  
  

{12.8.06}

craziness

i've decided to start a support group for those who are addicted to lip gloss. while taking a short break from staring at my computer screen for hours and hours I decided to organize (shocking isn't it?) my desk drawer today.  I counted eight tubes of lip gloss...eight tubes that I no longer enjoy. that doesn't include the number in my purse, car, desk or bathroom at home. I know it's ridiculous. I can't help but wonder what new glosses are out there and what they can do to make my lips more plump, shiny, colorful and yummy. my all-time favorite: shiny-licious caramelia by maybelline. go figure.

this week has been indescribable. Between the flood in our new house ($$$), THE busiest week at work and dealing with flakey people - i'm done. tomorrow adam and I will attempt to conquer our long to-do list we made and fully enjoy our scheduled date night together. Hopefully john will be able to fit the three of us into his insanely busy schedule for our christmas pictures.

my new favorite picture of brenner...

{12.5.06}

dear santa,

I've been a fairly good girl this year so I've decided to send you my wish list. i'd like the following:

1. 
   
   a stress-o-meter, So when i'm tipping the scale of having a heart attack i'll know when to self medicate.
   
   


2. 
   
   an endless supply of patience.
   
   


3. 
   
   a honda pilot.
   
   


4. 
   
   new bathroom towels for our house because the old ones are ruined from the flood.
   
   


5. 
   
   our house repaired before 2007.
   
   


6. 
   
   to see a wild turkey fly because apparently they can. 
   
   


7. 
   
   to lose 20 pounds so i can ride brenner's new electric scooter you're bringing him.  
   
   


8. 
   
   the ability to multi-task efficiently.
   
   


9. 
   
   one potty trained hamster.
   
   


10. 
    
    all the new Nicholas sparks books i haven't read and the time to read them.
    
    


11. 
    
    a green thumb.
    
    


12. 
    
    good health and happiness for my family and friends.
    
    


13. 
    
    a wedding planner, preferably free.
    
    


14. 
    
    all my christmas shopping done for 2007.
    
    


15. 
    
    my brain, have you seen it?
    
    


16. 
    
    a dryer that can fold and put away my clothes.
    
    


17. 
    
    a raise at work and/or an allowance from Adam.
    
    


18. 
    
    365 dream dinners in my freezer.
    
    


19. 
    
    if #18 isn't available I'll settle for a personal chef, again free.
    
    


20. 
    
    more mommy time.
    
    

Yours truly,

Melissa (Brenner's mom)

{12.1.06}

new month, new outlook

one of my favorite things about starting a new month is flipping over my desk calendar to a new fresh white page free of coffee stains and lunch spills. soon it will be full of appointments and time lines. Boo.

This morning I stayed home for a few hours to collect my thoughts about a few things and while doing so i super cleaned my kitchen and bathroom. i've decided that i don't care much for shower doors. i absolutely can't handle that slimy goo that collects in between the doors. disgusting! a true test of my gag reflex. At least with shower curtains you can toss the liner in 6 months and be done. you'll know i'm super stressed when you find me on my hands and knees cleaning with q-tips. it's an illness.

last night i drove to bend so i could visit jen before she went in for surgery this morning. her mom called and she is doing fine. phew. i can't wait to hear her voice and find out for myself how she is doing.

this weekend should be pretty hectic with moving Adam, decorating for Christmas and standing in line to see Santa with Brenner. i'm pretty curious to hear what he'll ask for this year.