Happy Holidays!

Where the Lovelight Gleams

I am SOOOO excited! Blake came in town last night despite the horrible weather! I was definitely not expecting to see him sitting at my kitchen table when I got home! It was such a wonderful surprise! Now it feels like Christmas :)

Merry & Bright

As I sit hear dreaming about Christmas and all that it brings, the song "White Christmas" came on Pandora.com, and my little heart jumps with excitement. I'm not sure what it is about Bing Crosby's milky voice, but it ignites nostalgia and I find myself wishing I was lying underneath the Christmas Tree. There's just something so innocent and magical about the way Christmas was portrayed in the 1950s. I love all the tinsel, sequins, gaudy red and green decorations, extravagant costumes and sweet musical lyrics. Even though I was born in the 80s, it reminds me of my childhood and how I prayed to God every Christmas Eve for snow. I even went as far as to bargain with him! I'd say "Now God, I'll stop watching MTV and be nicer to my parents if you just give me snow on Christmas Day." My dad would always tell me that God didn't make bargains, but I can only remember 1 Christmas that didn't have snow and it was probably because I watched too much Real World that year.

Pet Snowball Poem

I made myself a snowball
Just as perfect as could be.
I thought I'd keep it as a pet
And let it sleep with me
I gave it some pajamas
And a pillow for its head.
Then, last night it ran away,
But first . . . .it wet the bed!

Oh By Golly

Christmas is 1 week away! And guess who hasn't done any Christmas shopping! Yep, you guessed it...me. What have I been doing with my life since Thanksgiving?? Christmas just kinda snuck up on me this year...one day it was my birthday and then like a day later, Christmas is right around the corner. Life is moving too fast. I remember when Christmas seemed like it couldn't get here fast enough. The days felt like months and to a kid, that's an eternity. Not too mention, a kid can only be sooo good for sooo long.

Christmas can't be in a week! I haven't watched enough Christmas movies, or made any cookies or listened to enough Christmas music! I have had enough snow, though. I think Missouri drivers hate me because I drive about 25 mph in the snow...sometimes even slower than that. Black ice is my nemesis. We don't get along. I almost cracked my elbow because of it this morning, but thanks to yoga, I kept my balance and gained my equilibrium. I swear, every time I'm driving and I have a death grip on my steering wheel, I hear on the radio "Oh the weather outside is frightful" and I think "Damn straight!" Once again, God likes to play these little pranks on me in my life to give himself a good laugh. At least he's got my back...It reminds me of the Bible Verse 'The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love..." ~ Zephaniah 3:17 Whatever makes him happy :)

Back in the saddle again

I'm off to go attempt to ride a bull...a mechanical bull that is!

Wish me luck!

Calamity J

Sweets for my Sweets

I was messing around on Etsy and found the CUTEST thing EVER! It is a cupcake stand! I have never seen this before and I loved it so much (hint, hint mother) that I had to blog about it...hehe:) This cupcake stand is made by Whitney Smith and she has some other really cool items too. I actually found her cupcake stand available, though, on Poppy Talk.

By the way, I have mustered up the courage and I am going to make the Melting Snowmen for Blake this weekend...Eek! He just had 30 hours of med school testing this week, which means he's a little delirious...SO, if the cupcakes taste like poo, I'm sure he won't notice.

Sprinkles of Deliciousness

I've had a hankering for cupcakes lately. They are so hott right now and seriously the easiest to make, or so I thought! There are blogs, sites, etc. dedicated to making gourmet cupcakes and they are sooo pretty and sound so delicious. One site I particularly like is Cupcakes take the Cake! It is a blog about cupcakes and it shows some pretty creative stuff!

I want to make the Melted Snowman Cupcakes! They look so difficult, though and I have no idea what caster sugar is! The site is Cherrapeno, which you should definitely visit should you feel so daring to attempt these. I thought the frosting would be difficult, but it is ready-to-roll frosting, which anything with the word "ready" in it means easy to me!



Blake's last med school exam is tomorrow, so I will be making him some Eggnog Spice cupcakes. I'll take some pics of them and let you know how it goes!

To: Blake

He loves Eucalyptus.

My Heart Leaps for Joy

I had an interesting thought this morning all because I stumbled upon a great Bible verse I found in Psalms 28:7 which reads...

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."

I really liked the idea of my heart leaping for joy. When I looked up verses about joy, they all had to do with not being afraid for the Lord is my strength, which really speaks to me because I've really been struggling with fear lately. Whether its driving in snow, sleeping in my apartment or life in general, fear has really been taking hold of me lately. As far back as I can remember, I recall being afraid about anything and everything. I think fear has held me back some in life and kept me from achieving some dreams. I pray that this revelation, if you will, from God will result in some chains being broken because I am free in the Lord, but I have not truly been living as such. I think God has something great in store for me and I'm excited to see what unfolds.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, "Do not fear, I will help you."
Isaiah 41:10,13

Dangerous Weather for a Car Ride together with you

Headed home! Say a little prayer for me:)

I'm Misses Green Christmas

It has been snowing all afternoon, and while most people embrace snow, I loathe it. I only enjoy it when I'm experiencing it on skis, sleds, snow mobiles, on foot or from the inside of a warm, cozy house with the fireplace on while drinking hot chocolate and watching Christmas movies.

I wholeheartedly apologize to those who love snow, but after being in a few car wrecks all caused by bad weather conditions (please note, I was driving safely in the first accident caused by rain and a bad semi-driver who caused me to hydroplane resulting in a ticket for failure to drive within one lane and in the other, I was a passenger - I just have bad luck!), one begins to appreciate sunny weather and blue skies. My heart is already beginning to thump at an increasing pace just at the thought of driving home tonight!

Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?

"First we'll make snow angels for a two hours, then we'll go ice skating, then we'll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse Cookiedough as fast as we can, and then we'll snuggle." ~ Buddy the Elf

Oh my goodness, if you thought I was crazy about the Fall, well you were sadly mistaken, my friends. I love, LOVE Christmas. I think I was actually meant to be one of Santa's elves. I mean, I've got a high pitch voice, somewhat pointy ears, cheeks you just want to pinch (the ones on my face), a rosey complexion and I love all things Christmas. I'm like Bubba on Forest Gump, but instead of loving shrimp, I love Christmas. Christmas carols, Christmas cards, Christmas presents, Christmas lights, Christmas traditions, Christmas sweaters, Christmas parties, Christmas cookies, Christmas candies, Christmas pudding, Christmas movies...you getting the picture yet? Ok, then.

I was talking to my lovely cousin, Linds, about Christmas Eve and all of its festivities. My cousin and I are a little OCDish when it comes to Christmas Eve, and this year is going to be a little different, but only in the locations. Christmas ALWAYS takes place at my parents' home, but this year, due to me working on Christmas Eve and cousins having babies (yes, plural on the cousins), Christmas has been moved, but Linds and I are expecting and will make sure of it, that the traditions remain the same. Which means, the annual Christmas picture of ridiculousness with the cousins. As long as we are all together, then Christmas Eve is complete:) But, if we have time, I'd like to eat a whole roll of Tollhouse Cookie Dough, make snow angels and then...SNUGGLE!

Happy Birthday To Me...and Britney Spears.

Happy Almost Turkey Day!

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
have never a lump.

May your yams be delicious
and your pies take the prize,
and may your Thanksgiving dinner
stay off your thighs!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

As Visions of Pumpkin Pie Danced in my Head

Last night, I dreamt I ate a whole pumpkin pie...and it was delicious. Here is a little fun fact about pumpkin pie:

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2,020 pounds and measured just over 12 feet long. It was baked on October 8, 2005 by the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in Ohio, and included 900 pounds of pumpkin, 62 gallons of evaporated milk, 155 dozen eggs, 300 pounds of sugar, 3.5 pounds of salt, 7 pounds of cinnamon, 2 pounds of pumpkin spice and 250 pounds of crust.

Thanksgiving is 10 days away. I can't believe it! When I was just a kiddo, it seemed like the holidays took FOREVER to get here. Now, I'm kinda an adult and they get here fast! I'm so excited! I love the holidays. The first thing I will do on Thanksgiving morning is watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Did you know Felix the Cat was the first balloon introduced into the parade in 1927 and was completely filled with air!

Gluttony is 2 weeks away!

"I love Thanksgiving turkey... it's the only time in Los Angeles that you see natural breasts."
~ Arnold Schwarzenegger

I've been Tagged?

My Cousin Lindsey "tagged" me...so here I go!

"8 Things"

8 TV Shows I love to watch:
1. The Office
2. Brothers and Sisters
3. Extreme Home Makeover
4. Gossip Girls
5. Heroes
6. Private Practice
7. Grey's Anatomy
8. 30 Rock

8 Favorite Restaraunts:
1. Osaka
2. Cheesecake Factory
3. P.F. Chang's
4. This little Italian restaurant in San Diego
5. This little Italian restaurant in Venice
6. This French Vietnamese Cuisine restaurant in Chicago
7. Noodles Factory
8. Abuelo's

8 Things that happened today:
1. Woke up at 6 a.m.
2. Showered
3. Drank coffee with my parents
4. Said goodbye to my parents...see you in 2 weeks!
5. Got car sick on my way into work (I carpool...enough said).
6. Talked to co-workers about the bad economy and future of the agency
7. Got depressed about no raises, possible no bonuses, possible no 401(k), possible layoffs and the thought of having to work on Christmas Eve.
8. Ate my emotions with a tasty brownie

8 Things I'm looking forward to:
1. Knitting lessons this weekend
2. Thanksgiving with my family
3. My birthday
4. Christmas with my family
5. Seeing Blake in 1 month and 1 week
6. Having 11 days off for Christmas break
7. Eating lunch
8. Sleeping in my new flannel sheets tonight

8 Things on my Wish List:
1. New tires
2. A Christmas Bonus so I can pay off my property tax
3. Contact Lenses
4. Money to buy Christmas presents for Blake, parents and family
5. License Plate Renewal stickers for 2009
6. A raise
7. A promotion
8. Time with Family

8 People I tag:
1. Blake
2. Mom
3. Dad
4. Jenny Q.
5. Mary G.
6. Julie A.
7. Janelle
8. Jeff

:)

Sigh

Movember

The following post is no joke:

Movember (the month formerly known as November) is a charity event held during November each year.

At the start of Movember guys register with a clean shaven face. The Movember participants, known as Mo Bros, then have the remainder of the month to grow and groom their Mo (Australian slang for moustache), raising money and awareness along the way for men's health and the fight against prostate cancer.

The Movember Foundation is an Australian based, not for profit, charitable organization that implements the Movember event each year across the globe.

The Movember event creates awareness around men's health issues and raises funds for carefully selected beneficiary partners in each country that are also charitable organizations, with a focus on prostate cancer.

Since its inception as a formal charity in 2004, Movember has raised over $29 million (USD) globally and is continuously working to increase awareness of prostate cancer within the community and change the attitude men have about their health.

Movember's beneficiary partner in the United States is the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), the world's largest philanthropic source of support for prostate cancer. Founded in 1993, the PCF has raised more than $350 million and provided funding for more than 1,400 research projects at nearly 150 institutions worldwide. All funds raised by Movember in the US stay in the US and go directly to the PCF.

The PCF has a simple, yet urgent goal: to find better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer.

If you want to help increase awareness for prostate cancer and grow a sweet "Mo" then go to http://www.movember.com/.

In other words, Grow a Stache, Save the Balls.

Baby, its gettin' cold outside!

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."
~ Emily Bronte

I think today might be the last of the Indian Summers we've been experiencing...It was 60 degrees and sunny when I woke up this morning, but when I drive home tonight it will be in the 50s and a possible chance of snow in the evening! Oh, dear. I've really enjoyed the 70 degree weather accompanied by sunny days, red and gold leaves and a slightly chilly breeze. But the weather man says that it will all be changing by tonight. I'm just not ready for this change in weather, so I'm putting my foot down and saying, "No!" I'll let you know how that works out.

Election Day

"Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason."

What an awesome day to be an American in a country where we have the freedom to exercise our right to vote. I am proud to say that I have voted in every election (the past 2) ever since I turned the legal age to vote. As I stood in line today at 5:30 a.m. to cast my ballot, I was touched by the long line of Americans standing with me waiting to vote. People were discussing politics in line and expressing their excitement and hope for this election. And to think that in some countries, people aren't even allowed to express their religious views let alone vote for their country's leaders.

One thing is for sure, no matter who wins this election, history will be made for either Women and African-Americans. Women fought 70 years for the right to vote! Even after the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920, some women were still arrested and jailed for attempting to exercise their right to vote! And African Americans fought long and hard for their rights. In 1869, the 15th Amendment was passed allowing all men the right to vote. It stated simply that "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."

"At all times, day by day, we have to continue fighting for freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom from want… from these are things that must be gained in peace as well as in war." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

So, get out and vote! What are you waiting for??

For your Halloween Entertainment

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

"Eat, drink and be scary."

I have been waiting and waiting and WAITING for this day! I love Halloween for so many reasons. I love carving pumpkins, making popcorn balls, seeing cute kiddos dressed up in costumes, handing out candy, Halloween parties and just all the magic that fills the day! I remember being a little kiddo on Halloween and walking around the neighborhood with my dad to collect candy from all my neighbors. Halloween night was always filled with excitement for me. I remember walking the streets, feeling the cold October air against my little, chubby cheeks, sensing some kind of mischief in the air and looking up at the moon in hopes that I might see a witch fly across it on her broomstick. Sometimes, I still find myself looking up at the moon on Halloween.

Now that I'm growing up and really shouldn't go trick or treating anymore, I have learned to love Halloween for the kiddos. Every year, my work passes out candy to children that belong to The Children's Place, which is a nurturing, caring place for the very youngest victims of abuse, neglect and other childhood traumas. I feel my heart well up just at the sight of these little children and the happiness that each piece of candy brings them. Today, I saw the cutest little 2-year-old boy dressed up as a skunk with a bow tie. I told him he stunk and he just looked at me like "Look who's talkin'." I deserved it.

I hope everyone has a magical, frightfully fun and very safe Halloween. And if you get a chance, look up at the moon and think of me.



~ Boo (My nickname given to me by my dad)

Here's to a better day

Quit Clownin' Around

"To me, clowns aren't funny. In fact, they're kind of scary. I've wondered where this started and I think it goes back to the time I went to the circus, and a clown killed my dad."
~ Jack Handy

The other night, I began thinking about other things that scare me and I can't believe that I actually forgot to mention clowns. I hate, no, LOATHE clowns. Ever since I was 4 years old I have hated clowns, and really, I bet I hated them before that. I remember watching Bozo the Clown when I was little and I always felt like something was just not quite right about that guy. Then, when I was 4 years old, I had my adenoids taken out and I was put under anesthesia. I had the most horrible dream. All the doctors and nurses were no longer human, but clowns chasing me around on a carousel with scalpels. THEN, my boyfriend heard that I had a fear of clowns so he had me watch Stephen King's "It," and then I became afraid of sewers and draining systems. "It" was Bozo on anesthesia. That clown is so happy and evil, not to mention, he has razor sharp teeth...That just ain't right!







I feel wrong posting these images...that is how much I despise "It."

Did I mention I don't like Ronald McDonald? Yuck.

Boo!

I hate scary movies and I especially hate all of the Saw movies. Saw V came out on theatres today and you can bet that I will not be going to see it. Blake has made me go to almost every movie and the last one was it for me. I don't like blood and guts, and seeing people in excruciating pain. I also don't like zombie movies, which Blake also makes me watch with him. 28 days later and 28 weeks later are two of my most hated movies ever, next to all of the Saw movies.

I would much rather watch Disney's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, which I still find scary. Ichabod Crane is one creepy and silly looking character. I'm almost disgusted by him in fact, but Ichabod Crane in Tim Burton's movie, Sleep Hollow, is Johnny Depp so I'm in love. I don't know if it's Johnny Depp's British accent, messy hair, revolutionary clothing or his pale skin that makes my heart thump, but whatever it is, I love it. I even love him in Pirates of the Caribbean when he's wearing eye liner. Anyway...scary movies. I hate them and I really hate the Japanese scary movies such as "The Ring," "The Grudge," or "Shutter." Even Hello Kitty kind of scares me.

Corn Maze & Pumpkins!

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air." ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne


I finally, finally went to a corn maze and a "pumpkin patch" this past weekend...eek! I made Blake go with me and he had fun! I think he was even suprised by how much fun he had! The corn maze was made into the shape of the White House! It was intense and had 10 checkpoints that asked trivia questions about the election, and if you found all the checkpoints and answered the questions somewhat correctly, then you were placed in a drawing to win a bike. Blake and I only had an hour, but we found 5 of the 10 checkpoints...pretty impressive, if I may say so.

Not only was the corn maze awesome, but it was also a beautiful fall day! The corn maze, Shryock's Farm, didn't have a pumpkin patch this year, due to worms (goo!), but they did have a wagon full of pumpkins. So, Blake and I both bought a pumpkin!

We went home that evening for an MU vs. Texas watch party, only to be disappointed by such a disgraceful game of football on MU's part...I'm still so frustrated that I don't even want to blog about it, let alone think about it! Thank God we had sangria to drown our sorrows:) Nothin' cures the MU Blues like a bowl of chili, pumpkin cupcakes and a glass of sangria...yummo!

Shryock's Farm & Corn Maze


Blake & I in the Corn Maze!


This is a map of the Shyrock's Farm Corn Maze we walked through! It was intense!

Good Grief!

"Charlie Brown is the one person I identify with. C.B. is such a loser. He wasn't even the star of his own Halloween special. " ~Chris Rock

38 Degrees of Coldness

"Come said the wind to the leaves one day,
Come o're the meadows and we will play.
Put on your dresses scarlet and gold,
For summer is gone and the days grow cold."

I woke up this morning to a freezing cold apartment - 55 degrees to be exact. I am against turning on my heat, especially when it suppose to get up to 70 degrees this weekend! Tip toeing across the floor and rubbing my goosebumped arms, I made it to the bathroom to catch a quick shower. I didn't want to get out...that's how cold I was! I quickly grabbed a towel, shivered for about 2 minutes and went on with my morning.

As I stepped outside, it was even colder, like 38 degrees cold! The sun was shining, the air was crisp and the smell of burning leaves filled the air. Fall has officially arrived. I am ok with mornings like this, in fact, I embrace it. But once snow starts falling, then I start to get a little pissed off. I'm cool with snow for Christmas, but then it needs to stop. Once 12 a.m. hits on December 26th, winter should be over and welcome home spring! Too bad life doesn't work that way...I bet, if God were to do it all over again, re-create the world, I bet he would make winter shorter. Unless of course, he likes the cold and snow, and then I could see him making it even longer than it already feels. All I'm sayin' is, I hope heaven has 70 degree weather and my mansion comes with its own heating and cooling unit.

Does it have sugar in it? Then, yes!

"We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup."

Speaking of candy corn, my sorority created the best candy corn mix appropriately called "Theta Mix," which consisted of candy corn, M&Ms and peanuts. If I can remember correctly, you are suppose to eat 1 candy corn, 1 peanut and 2 M&Ms together to make it taste like a Snickers. I love Theta Mix...mmm!

Groovy Pumpkins

"Witch and ghost make merry on this last of dear October’s days."

I came to a very exciting realization the other day. I am the "Buddy the Elf" of Fall. I was typing up a list of weekend plans to send to my boyfriend yesterday. The list read something a little, exactly like this:

• Walk around campus and take pictures of the fall foliage...yes, foliage
• Pumpkin patch, hay ride and corn maze
• Carve Pumpkins
• Drink Apple Cider
• Make Apple Pie
• Roast veggie dogs and smores
• Rune 5 miles - that will be by myself, I'm sure!
• Watch football and make a homemade pizza
• Haunted houses
• Winery, perhaps?
  

I could literally hear Buddy's voice in my head saying "First we'll make snow angels for a two hours, then we'll go ice skating, then we'll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse Cookiedough as fast as we can, and then we'll snuggle." I am actually ok with this and I'm flattered by my realization. In fact, I'm even worse at Christmas time. "Elf" is my favorite movie and I probably watch it every day in December. But in October, I've been watching "Practical Magic" and "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" I have come very close to purchasing "Hocus Pocus," but I just can't rationalize spending $10 on that movie, although it is a classic.

I found out yesterday, that they are bringing back the movie "A Nightmare Before Christmas" to theatres, but in 3D! I think I peed in my pants a little from the news. I then found that Marilyn Manson, who normally creeps me out to no extent, has re-made the song "This is Halloween" and it too is successful at creeping me out. Watch below and be creeped out with me!


Yikes. Moving on, I found some really "groovy" pumpkins that I felt the need to share. I think I might try these out on my pumpkins this weekend!

The Great Pumpkin

Linus! It's the Great Pumpkin...err, wait. Oh no, no. It's just a pumpkin that weighs 1,528 pounds...no big deal.


No joke...do not adjust your computer screen! Pumpkin grower Thad Starr of Oregon won this year's weigh-off in Half Moon Bay, Calif. His pumpkin weighed 1,528 pounds. It took a forklift to raise the competing pumpkins onto an industrial scale. Besides bragging rights, there's a prize of $6 a pound. That means Starr won more than $9,000. He says the secret to raising his great pumpkin: good soil and "we really pamper them."

Mmm...that pumpkin could make a whooooole lotta pie, AND pumpkin cupcakes. "Pumpkin cupcakes?" you ask. Yes, pumpkin cupcakes. It is my new invention. Spice cake mix OR carrot cake mix, 1 can of real pumpkin (not the filler) and a 1/2 cup of water. Pour into a cupcake pan, bake for 18 minutes and shizam! pumpkin cupcakes! 1 cupcake is under 100 calories, has 1 gram of fat and fiber = 2 weight watchers points...delish.

Blisters, Calluses and Candy Corn?