{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

Originally posted last week, but reposting again since there is an actual link up this time. Click the button to visit the other ladies at Like Mother, Like Daughter! :)

{pretty}

Look who got all crafty and finally did this project off of Pinterest! I'm seriously so proud of myself. I actually got my butt in gear and completed something - and it really does look Pinterest worthy!

I made two (one on each side of my fall flowers). Here is the price breakdown and where I got the supplies from:

Vases from Joann's $6.99 x 2 = $13.98

Pumpkin Spice candle from Joann's $4.99 x 2 = $9.98

4ply jute/twine from Joann's = $3.99

Yellow corn kernels from Walmart $1.19 x 2 = $2.38

Small Red Beans from Walmart $1.19 x 2 = $2.38

Green Split Peas from Walmart $1.19 x 2 = $2.38

20% Off Coupon at Joann's = -$5.59

TOTAL for 2 Seasonal DIY Decor = $29.50

Or $14.75 for each Seasonal Vase

It's amazing how something as simple as beans in a vase can brighten your dining room. I can't wait to do a variation of this for every season. 

{happy}

I generally stick to a lactose free diet as it is easier on my ulcerative colitis. I drink lactose free milk, have soy milk with my Starbucks drinks, avoid yogurt and all soft cheeses, etc. Of course, I let myself indulge every once in awhile.

12 pack at Walmart for $5? Yes please. Nothing makes this pregnant mama happy like a can of chocolate gold.

{funny}

 I succumbed to the pressure and bought that damn giraffe everyone harps on about.  Don't get me wrong, I love me some eco friendly baby toys (or really eco anything, since I'm generally pretty crunchy) but $20 for something my baby is going to suck on? We had a gift card to Babies R Us so I felt justified in splurging.

You should have heard the sales lady.

Me: "So do you have that giraffe thing-"

Sales Lady: "Oh, you mean Sophie? She has her own section right over here, and there's only one left! She's really popular."

I'm sorry...are we still talking about the giraffe teether?

Just look at her, with her big eyes and rosy cheeks...I know she's plotting something.

{real}

While taking a bubble bath the other night, there were strange rattling sounds coming from the ceiling. I texted my husband (because that's how we do things around here) and he came to investigate... 

By spring boarding off the tub rail and onto the bathroom counter. BECAUSE THAT'S SAFE. First I'm freaked out that some creature has gotten into the air ducts, and NOW I'm freaked out that he's going to slip and fall, kill himself, and I'll be a pregnant widow. With no one to help me out of the tub.

No small mammals or husbands were harmed in the making of this post. Turned out to just be windy outside.

- - -

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

Wordless Wednesday

I voted with my baby parts on Tuesday.

Wordless Wednesday

Music time.

Happy tummy.

Wordless Wednesday

The baby does not need a 53" Teddy Bear. Sorry honey.

Rated G for Everyone

This rating does not accurately represent my real life. Not even close.

New Mass Translation

Thanks Katie for helping me put this into perspective! :)

What I've Been Doing With My iPhone 4S

I'd blog about my real life, but it's nowhere near as entertaining.

Yosemite

Pleasantly surprised to find champagne waiting for us to celebrate our anniversary. Thanks Tenaya!

Is that a spa tub? OH YES IT IS.

Rockin the new boots.

Entering Yosemite Valley

Bridal Veil Falls

Yosemite Falls. No we didn't go rafting, don't be ridiculous!

Bangin some beats and eatin some beef jerky. You know how I do.

Half Dome

I look like a bean pole with hips. Anyway, Brian made me hike Sentinel Dome - don't even get me started.

I swear I almost died. Here I am trying not to pass out at 8,000 feet.

Turns out I made it to the top. I'm a survivor!

I tried to convince Brian these were dinosaur footprints.

This tree needed a good deep cleaning. You don't wanna know what was in there.

Apparently turning your barn into a giant flag is really fancy in rural America.

All joking aside, we had a great time and it was pretty rough going back to the real world. Friday was the end of the quarter at work, so for the past two weeks I've barely had time to eat lunch. It has definitely affected my blogging schedule as you can see, most days I was just coming hope and taking naps after work.

We've been making some changes in our life around here which I hope to be able to blog about soon. Until then - I'll be reading all of your blog entries and kicking my feet up. I mean, more than I already do.

WARNING: Do Not Recline

It was just another average day on the computer, reading blogs, news, etc. I was leaning back in our reclining sofa when Brian called me to dinner, and as I quickly sat forward and kicked the recliner back into position, the BIGGEST SPARK I have ever seen in my life shot 2 feet across the floor with a loud crack.

For the longest time Brian and I just looked at each other with our mouths open. Then we smelt smoke and burnt rubber. At this point, we still had no idea what had happened. Our first idea was to check the surge protector, but that was fine. We looked at the power brick to my laptop charger, but that was fine too. There didn't seem to be any damage to my computer either.

Scratching our heads, unable to locate the source and just writing it off as some kind of fluke, I reached down to move my computer and power cord out of the way, and then I saw it.

That, my friends, is the remains of the cord that connected from the power brick to the prongs. Whoops. Looks like I managed to get the cord caught in the inner workings of my metal reclining apparatus. My bad.

To be honest I'm surprised this hasn't happened before...we've had this couch for more than 3 years and I use my laptop on it all the time. At first I was really bummed out, since this was about one week after HP had announced it would no longer make personal computers. Great time to need a replacement cord. I tried to assure my husband that it just needed some duct-tape, but he wasn't buying what I was selling. But then I had a brilliant idea.

I work at a robotic manufacturing company. I work with engineers. I work with engineers who have a whole lot of crap that they don't throw away. Surely they must have a power cord thingy-ma-bob!

And so, this story ends happily ever after, as my friendly engineers were able to get me a replacement part the next day, no cost to me. In fact, they had a whole plastic crate labeled "power chargers." So if you ever happen to cut your power cord in half with your reclining chair, I can hook you up.

The Ramble

I stink. I really need to get my act together and write. I have just not been in the mood! Returning to work, where I write emails ALL DAY, zaps me of energy and creativeness. It took me 10 minutes just to finish these measly sentences. Yikes!

Update: As I was composing this not-so-thought-out entry, I got really nauseous and had to go lay down for about 2 hours. Things just keep happening, but I'm determined to hash this out!

The easiest way I'm able to chronicle what I've done in the past couple of weeks is through photos:

Mmm...homemade pizza by husband. Except the dough is from Trader Joe's. Thank you Joe. This version is pepperoni, pineapple, bell peppers and black olives on garlic dough.

Another trip to our lovely small town zoo. This is our baby giraffe, Daniel! Except you can't really tell he's a baby when he's not standing next to the other ginormous giraffes. (Wow! Check out my alliteration!)

I was starting to think the zoo was playing a joke on everyone. I've been to the zoo 30+ times in 2 years and I have never seen the leopard. I managed to catch it's hind end as we were walking toward the exhibit. It does exist! Though I cannot confirm it has a head.

Awwww....baby otter!

We had a great time at the wedding we attended! Here's the beautiful bride and groom - how gorgeous is her dress!?

My "big sis" and I dancing. I'm a little too tall with heels on I think...haha, I didn't want to dance with the groom :)

For those of you who don't know, this is a dresser. We have gone more than a year without one in our apartment because my husband thought it was unnecessary. The piles of clothes on the floor spilling out of the closet said otherwise. The clothing gods have spoken! All hail the beautiful antique dresser!

Coming up next...how I almost caught the apartment on fire.

Buried Alive

After being on medical leave for two and a half months, I returned to work on Thursday.

Sometimes pictures really are worth a thousand words.

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

My husband arrived home one week ago today. We've only argued 273 times since then. Just kidding honey! In all honesty, it is a wonderful feeling to wake up in the middle of the night, see that he is there next to me, and feel comforted.

— 2 —

Catalina was fun - we stayed at Hamilton Cove which had awesome amenities including a small beach, tennis courts, volleyball, putting green, pool and spa, etc...it was like a city unto itself. Oh, and the chili cheese fries are still downright amazing at Coney Island Burgers. You know it's a good vacation when all I care about was the food. We took our camera with us...and then took no pictures. Because that would have been to easy.

— 3 —

We arrived home to our apartment and surprisingly cool weather on Monday (cool as in the mid to high 70's here in Southern California). Usually this apartment gets up to a degree I like to refer to as Hell, so I've been pretty grateful. Still, I'd like to relocate to someplace more ritzy, the kind with a dishwasher and a community pool. And is it too much to ask for AC!?

— 4 —

We went to the Zoo today. I brought my camera. We also did not take any pictures. But we go to the zoo all the time so feel free to just look at some old zoo photos I've posted. The animals are still there.

— 5 —

Ready to laugh your pants off? Go visit Simcha and her Seven Decorating Tips from House Horrible Magazine post. Try not to pee on yourself. I was laughing so hard my husband thought there was something wrong with me.

— 6 —

I have found so many new Catholic blogs that I am enjoying I don't know what to do with myself. I mean, besides read all of these blogs. My social life is definitely suffering...except for all these new friends I have online! Sweet! I'd like to personally recommend Working to be Worthy, Catholic Newlywed, A Woman's Place, and A Catholic Country Girl just to name a few. I think I'm up to about 35+ blogs that I read consistently now. Got any recommendations?

— 7 —

My "big sis" Lindsay (she is the older sister of my Maid of Honor, who I grew up with) is getting married to her longtime significant other this Saturday! Lindsay was the typical older sister, always bossing us around and making us play school with her in the Garage while she "taught" us. Any wonder she grew up to be a teacher? Looking forward to a fun beach inspired wedding in Redondo Beach, filled with a night of drink and dancing! Then our niece's (my Husband's niece to be exact) birthday celebration is on Sunday. She will be 15 years old! I met her when she was 9...I'm starting to feel old at 23. Why do people keep doing this to me!? 

Please head over to Conversion Diary to get your fill of 7 Quick Takes and discover great blogs!

Wordless Wednesday

Catholic Bender

The Colbert Report

Lessons in Yucky

While doing some reading comprehension exercises today I asked Cameron if he would rather learn about algae or guinea pigs. His response:

"Algae because its gross, and I like to learn about things that are yucky!"

Well, as long as you're learning.

Wordless Wednesday

Funny Conversations

This occured on Friday when Cameron and Camille were eating Valentines sweethearts in the car.

Camille: This one says "Love Her." That's silly.
Cameron: That's not silly. Daddy loves you!

And later...

Cameron: This one says "Call Me." Now that's silly.
Camille: Nuh huh, mom calls us all the time.

Ah, to be young and innocent!

Superbowl Sunday Favs

As usual, we had a great time at Sarkis and Jenn's Super Bowl party eating WAY too much. Seriously...are there any brownies left? The game was excellent, I would have been happy with either team winning (they were exactly who I wanted in the super bowl). Of course, my other favorite part about the Super Bowl are the commercials.

Here's my TOP 7 (cause honestly, there weren't that many good ones, and I couldn't reach a top 10):

1. Brett Favre for Hyundai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVzXVHOlAFc

2. Betty White and Abe Vigoda for Snickers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rauK4fBjkI

3. Troy "Punxatawney" Palomalu for TruTV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLJuoi2OeWA

4. Doritos - Play Nice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0EVSP_6XZA

5. Google - Parisian Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnsSUqgkDwU

6. Kids' Toys for Kia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJqs3D2vv4I

7. Letterman, Oprah, and Leno
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcEx767TIas

And as a runner up, Brian's personal favorite, the Fiddling Beaver from Monster - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyD2aG2jMwI

Hope everyone enjoyed them as much as I did, and congratulations to the Saints! No on expected you to win, but you proved us all wrong!

The Flood

Sorry about the lame title...I need to work on those. Anyway, last week we had some crazy weather in the Southern California area. I decided to visit Brian one day for lunch only to be told his entire street was flooded and it was impossible to get anywhere near his street. This of course intrigued me so I came anyway. Our street has never flooded before, but apparently this is a common occurrence in Brian's neighborhood.

I had to take some different side streets to get to his house, but I did. And here's what I found! And remember, this was AFTER it had gotten better.

Brian introduces me to the new lakefront property!


The water was higher than the sidewalk.


Brian's car being attacked by trashcans that someone decided to put out. No trash man today!


Brian heads out into the deep to pick up the trash cans.


We could have sailed or kayaked!



Thank goodness I had my cute polka dot rain boots. I was able to make it safely for lunch. It's supposed to rain tomorrow as well, and I say bring it on!

Funny Conversations

They may not be my kids, but as a nanny I tend to have just as many cute/funny conversations with the kids as any parent. I wish I was better at remembering them all! Here was Monday's conversation with Cameron, age 6.

Cameron: So did you do anything special this weekend? (After telling me about his weekend trip skiing).
Me: Not really, why?
Cameron: You didn't go anywhere?
Me: Well I went to Brian's house Friday and Saturday.
Cameron: That's special!
Me: It is?
Cameron: Yeah, going to Brian's house is special because you're getting married so it is special when you are together.
Me: You're right, it is special.

I love kids, they really have a neat perspective on life.