Merry Chrismahanukwanzukkah!

I want to wish all of my friends and family a very Happy Holiday - no matter how you celebrate.

My son is on his way via Santa Southwest, and I am looking around at my house and it is finally done! I've finally finished holiday preparations. I made 7 1/2 dozen chocolate chip cookies, raspberry crumb bars, chocolate peanut butter bars, and peanut butter cookies.

I've pre-made the "Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole", it's in the fridge. The dishes are done, the kitchen is finally clean. All I have left to do is set the coffee pot.

May you and yours be thankful for all you have this year. I know I am.

No, I Haven't Run Away To My Own Island...Yet

I know, I know. Once again it's been a while since I've been here. Well see, right about October 15th is when the Moving Crazy started. I had to get my office cleaned out, packed and ready to be moved by October 31st. In the interim of doing that, I had contractors at the new space, cable installers, phone installers, furniture installers, and appliance delivery folks.

Then The Big Move happened. On Friday, October 31st, we relocated to newer, nicer digs. But it wasn't over. I had phone issues, and furniture issues. I had HVAC issues. I had unhappy people issues. I have since, hopefully, resolved most of those issues.

And now here it is, December 20. The time just completely got away from me. But I was forced to slow down this weekend. I realized as I was wrapping up some HR stuff at work that I had 61 hours of PTO yet to take. Granted, we have a very generous PTO policy - 4 weeks per year, but I can only carry over 40 hours. So between now and the end of the year, I had to find a way to take 21 hours of PTO.

So Friday I took a half day and the things I got accomplished were amazing! I finished up some stocking stuffer shopping, I got my oil changed on my car, I made a few phone calls I needed to make. I cleaned up my house, which had come to look like a fraternity house between my husband and I never being home. (I fired my cleaning lady - I need to find a new one STAT!)

I wrapped the rest of my gifts and quite honestly felt good about the day.

Then there's my husband. Last Sunday was my birthday. He had to leave to go to work at 11 a.m. and wound up spending the night at a hotel near the airport. Monday he worked late and then again on Tuesday. Wednesday he got stuck at the airport again and got home late Thursday. Friday he went to work super early (on like 4 hours of sleep), and came home late. This morning he woke up, packed a bag and was back at it again.

Why you ask?

THIS:


Yes, there are many people that are all "ooh" and "ahh" all about it, but not me. I want my husband to come home. We were supposed to attend our "Christmas With Friends" tonight, but I had to cancel for us. One, I can't make it up the hill to their house in my vehicle, and Two, I wouldn't go without my husband to something like this anyway.

Sigh. Effing Snow.

Only in Portland

Only in Portland can the worst - and I mean absolute WORST drivers on the road be flaunting Obama 08 stickers.

Gah!

Hunting

So this morning I packed up my husband and sent him on his merry way with two of his friends to go hunting. They will be gone for 6 days. Hopefully they have fun and bring back some meat. That would be nice.

So my plans are?

*Sleeping all over the bed, not just on my side.
*Eating whatever I want, whenever I want.
*Watching Lifetime or whatever I want until my eyes explode.
*Going out with the girls on Saturday night.
*Dinner with the boy child.
*Dinner with a girlfriend.
*A baby shower.

And now I am hungry, so I am going to go eat. Whatever I want. *wink*

It's Our Anniversary

Six years ago today, I was getting ready to go out on the town with my girls and have my bachelorette party.

Six years ago tomorrow, I was watching my in-laws transform my backyard into a beautiful scene set for my Rehearsal Dinner.

And six years ago Sunday, I married the love of my life, the man of my dreams, and my best friend.

Happy Anniversary honey!

Labor Day at the Coast

Last year we decided, along with two other couples, to rent a beach house at the Coast to have one last long weekend and say goodbye to summer. We had such a good time, that we decided then and there that we were going to make a tradition out of it. This year we rented a house that was brand spanking new, beautiful and well-appointed. It had a hot tub on the deck, and a great view of the beach. We had a fantastic time, just hanging out, cooking, playing games, and being with each other away from the stresses of our daily lives.

So big thanks to B&C, and E&J for making yet another memorable Labor Day weekend!

95% Stuck on Stupid

I have literally had my ass handed to me for the last two days. Handed. To me. And it's only Tuesday. Sweet Mary.

I won't go into too much detail, but let's just say that 95% of the world is stuck on stupid these past few days.

In related news, I went rafting down the Deschutes with some friends this weekend and what a blast!! I did manage to wrench my shoulder riding the bull through a couple of the falls, and I also brought home a nice sized bruise on my calf, but overall it was a fun weekend.

I'm sitting here vegging watching the Olympics, thanks to that wonder we call TiVo! Only mine is just a DVR. Love it!

Have a great week! I know I'm trying!