Yum...

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Perfect Christmasy yummy goodness.

I should know. I had some last night (Diet? What diet? psh!).

Mmm, nothing like melty chocolate and festive peppermint ice cream.

What's your favorite holiday treat?

Angry Kitty Goes to Vet

Or, what happens when you capture the best picture ever....

No cats were harmed in the making of this post.

My husband just happens to rock at the whole driving to vet, letting cat out of carrier and capturing the perfect moment-ness.

Is it wrong....?

...That I was totally enamoured by the kid watching Cinderella on a mini DVD player when I got my nails done last night? Because it was awesome. (Although, a little traumatized by the fact that the mother said she herself had never seen the movie. What?!)

...That I'm beyond thrilled for our holiday luncheon today? Not because it's the holidays and all warm and fuzzy, or anything like that--no, I'm thrilled because it's free food, and a good hour away from my desk (this comes right on the heels of my full on sob fest of 'I hate my job' last night).

...That I can't stop staring at my pretty nails? And is it just me or does my ring look sparklier?

...That I had a full on freak out when I weighed myself at the gym yesterday? Let's just say, my lovely wisdom teeth diet has backfired. Stupid gelato from my boss!!

...That I'm literally freaking out about getting the 'fat talk' from step mom in t-minus 1 week? (cranberry juice diet, anyone?)

...That my intern is Muslim and I love her so much, but, I'm kind of at a loss about "holiday/Christmas" gifts for her?

...That my lovely red haircolor is fading and I just feel like a frumpy butterball?

...That next Friday cannot come soon enough?

...That I'm supposed to move offices in oh, 5 hours, and I still haven't packed a damn thing?

Yes, folks, this is SP at her finest: aka, the holidays. And it's only going to get crazier. Don't worry, I'm going to spread the cheer and make cookies and yummies for families in need (I know you're laughing, it's OK, I'm laughing too: 'undomestic klutz attempts to serve others'--the headline just writes itself). Do you think they'll actually want the more than likely deformed cookies I would make? It's the thought that counts, right?

Alright lovelies, it's Friday, I say, it's Party Day. I give you full permission to leave work early, decorate your tree, have some egg nogg and watch cheesy holiday movies. If your boss says anything, just tell them that it's a Royal Ordinance, and you can't break those kind of rules. They trump office policy any day.....

xoxo,

SP

Just hear those sleigh bells jinglin'

So, after forgetting the cookies (it's me, what did anyone expect?) and running late (as always) we made it to our Top Secret Christmas Carol Meeting Location (ok, it wasn't really top secret, but, it sounds cooler.. also, do people say 'cool' anymore? Am I just old?).

During our lovely warm-up/practice session my eyes were teary and Lord help me I couldn't get through a damn song! I was totally giving husband the "please let me go home" eye (plus, it was freezing. I don't do cold.). I wasn't allowed to leave.

We all pile our cars and head out. How I ended up in the car with boys is still a mystery. Silly teenage boys.

The end result of the night? It was fabulous. I love those buggers so much. I was so happy and proud that all these teenagers came out on a cold, cold night to sing songs, share cookies and really feel the Christmas spirit. My little heart was just overwhelmed with warm fuzzies.

Have I mentioned how awesome our youth are? Have I mentioned that I'm trying to set up SIL R with one of my youths older brothers so that they can stay in my life forever? No? Haven't mentioned that? I'm crazy? I know, let's be honest, I'm fully aware.

Capped off by a cookies, hot chocolate and a jam packed car ride home (yeah, safety first kids).

It was fantastic.

And, surprisingly, I'm kinda cheery. I even have a candy cane in my purse (not sure why, but, who cares).

But still, is it Friday yet?

Confessions of a Tarnished Tiara

1. We moved out living room furniture around to accommodate the fam when they were here for Thanksgiving. This means there is a sofa missing from the den. Thanksgiving was two weeks ago. We have no intention of moving it back.

2. I double booked myself several times yesterday and was late for basically every meeting. Why doesn't my Outlook Calendar catch these things? Does it not know I can't take care of myself?

3. We still don't have a Christmas tree. We were supposed to get it Saturday--I was even feeling semi festive--but, after a long day of vet visits and some very sad news, we weren't in the mood to do anything but stay home and snuggle our little furry ones. Monday night we were all ready to go--but, instead, picked up BFF L from airport. And last night? It was too cold. It snowed people. Snow.

4. We're supposed to go Christmas Caroling with our church youth group tonight. I soooo don't want to go it's ridiculous. Do we remember what happened last time I heard a Christmas Carol? I wonder if I can play sick?

5. I spent a good $250 online Christmas shopping last night. Because I have no desire to actually go Christmas shopping. I braved the mall last week, I think that is major.

6. I have chipped nail polish from before my birthday on. I'm too lazy to take it off and I still haven't gotten a mani pedi. So sad.

7. I am supposed to by tickets to take family to see The Nutcracker two days before Christmas. I'm hoping the tickets will just appear without $$. Santa, are you reading this?

8. I spent a good 15 minutes this morning (which may be the reason I was late to work...) laying on my guestroom bed looking at the room and thinking of how I could rearrange furniture for a nursery. You know, for the nonexistent children we might one day, in 5,000 years have.

9. My pink heels are on sale. They are still freaking $260 (I know, I know). Would it be wildly inappropriate to put them on my Christmas list? Or just buy them myself? I have been stalking them for a good 11 months now.

10. I'm supposed to be cleaning out my office, considering I'm moving offices on Friday. Ha. That's funny. My desk still looks like a tornado hit it. And my office? That's another story. I have no interns to help me! It's final exams! Damn final exams!

11. I burned myself with my curling iron yesterday. It still hurts like hell. Even classier? I'm wearing my hair in a ponytail today. I look like a hormonal teenager.

12. Is it wrong that I may have had a dream about Hugh Jackman last night? Let's just keep this between us, ladies, OK?

13. It's freakin' freezing and I have no desire to do anything. Can't I just stay home during the winter? I might need to move to somewhere tropical where it never gets cold. I tell you, my productivity would skyrocket!

14. I've already finished my "lunchtime" Diet Coke. It's 9:30. Sigh....

Have I traumatized you enough? Have you taken my tiara away? I feel so un Princess like today. Grace would never have these days....

Awww, you didn't have to

The lovely Kate has tagged me with a darling award and now I must list some o' the things that keep me sane.

Here are the rules: Copy and paste the rule instructions in your post. When posting on receiving the award, make sure you include who gave you the award and link it back to them. Post five winners and link it back to them as well. Post five of your addictions. Add the award image. Let the winners know you gave them an award by leaving them a comment on their blog.

...and here are my 5 Addictions!

1. Diet Coke (natch). Where oh where would I be without my caffeine? (the answer is not pretty, and you don't want to know. Trust this.)

2. The Office. I swear, those writers are geniuses! Nothing helps me through the week like a dose of Jim, Dwight, Pam and Michael. Sigh...

3. My fur-family (I don't think I have a picture of all of us, cause, you know, Lizzie Kitty hates the puppies). I love those puppies and that kitty like they are my own children. HRH Princess Puffy Cheeks Hanna Banana stayed right next to me no matter what when I had my teeth out, she sits and watches me put my makeup on every morning--she's just the most loving little girl ever. HRH Big Boxer Butch loves people so much. He has no idea that any of our friends aren't at the house to specifically see him. He's a big cuddle bug and gets worried when anyone is upset. Lizzer Lou has been with me since I was a little girl and she's the best little crazy cat ever. I couldn't live without any of them!

4. Italia. Although I wasn't the best student (why am I such a loser?!), I'm pretty much obsessed with anything Italian. Anyone who knows me, knows this.

5. Heels! When you're an itty bitty like me, wearing flats is just traumatic. I wore a pair to work once and all I heard was "Wow, I didn't realize you were so short"...And they don't even have to be fancy heels, just something that makes me a wee bit taller! SP doesn't usually go outside unless she's in 3 inch heels. That's how I roll.

Thanks for the lovely award, I feel very glam now!

Now, I would like to pass this along to...

The Lavender Lily

Mrs. Forever

Miss Pickle

Mrs. Mojito

Amy

Hope all you lovelies have a fabulous day!
xoxo ,
SP

Open for business!

OK, yes, yes, shameless plug, but, I don't care! SP has got to pay the bills people!! And puppy vet bills aren't cheap.

Anyways, after a lot of work on the part of BFF L, my Etsy store is finally open. Of course I don't have everything up there yet, but, I some of my favorite pieces of jewelry that I've made and want to share with the online world.

So, have a looksy, send it to your friends, or buy somethin' for you or someone on your list (OK, OK, I'm stopping).

Anyways, thanks for your support when I first posted about my jewelry. Hope you like!

www.shabbygemdesigns.etsy.com

xoxox,
SP

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming

Excuse me whilst I remove my Happy Go Lucky Glass Half Full Eating Thousands of Cinnamon Bears and Diet Coke Whilst Watching The Office usual shiny self tiara and regress into The Grinch (cue dum dum duummmm music please).

You see, every year for the last few, I have attempted to get into the Holiday Spirit. Totally doesn't work. I can't buy decorations, I can't do anything. Which usually is no problemo because we usually take off for home sweet beach in mid December. Not this year. This year, we are staying firmly planted in our house and making la familia come to us. Great idea in theory. Theory!

I lost mi madre five years ago this Christmas, which means, Christmas and I do not get along. I haven't quite sorted out if it is because I lost her three days before Christmas, or if literally all of my Christmas joys involved her and I can't do them (i.e., now I am le Grinch) because she's not here. Or both.

Last year was torture. Torture. Torture I tell you! Sitting in a courtroom day after day will cause you to shut down and want to rip out your newly highlighted hair. You will cry, you will storm around the house like an angry toddler and you will get out of decorating the Christmas tree (victory!). But, generally, will feel like Chinese water torture on a daily basis (this has nothing to do with lawyers, etc--this has to do with holy crap, being in court sucks in general. I love my lawyers, they're awesome. I also realize that saying 'my lawyers' sounds totally pretentious and rude. Apologies. They've been in my life for 4 years. We're tight like that).

As bad as last year was, I told myself that this year would be better. It would be fantastic. This was also when I thought I would have le bebe to share this Christmas with. Guess what? No le bebe. Just two dogs and a cat (who's butt is balding by the way--should I be concerned?). No bambinos for SP. And, we're in our own home. Our home. It feels so wrong to be hosting my family in my home without the all important Holiday Matriarch.

I thought I'd be OK. I don't know why I thought I could do this--hell, I get teary watching that Wal Mart commercial where they play Carol of the Bells (dude, I do. Not good).

Driving home last night our lovely theory was proved incorrect as I suddenly began balling my eyes out when O Holy Night came on the radio (note to self: stop listening to Christmas music!). Mi mama's favorite carol. And I nearly got in an accident because I was crying so hard. Yep, this Christmas will be interesting to say the least.

I better find myself some chocolate. Stat.

I now resume my tiara and go about Happy Go Lucky-ness. Who's watchin' The Office tonight? (me, me, me!).

Yep, still fat

Mainly because I'm too dang busy today to justify taking a lunch break and therefor going to the gym. So, my whole plan of losing weight and looking good by the holidays as to not have the whole "Oh, sweetie, um, have you been working out lately? Or not?" discussion would be kaput has failed, and I'm sensing a whole lot of "Really? You still think you're a size (fill in the blank)?" in my future, but, whatevs.

I'll starve myself tomorrow. It'll all counter balance, no worries.

Plus, I intend to make myself feel better by indulging in a little mani pedi work this weekend (holiday shopping, whhaatt? Psh, that's for nice happy festive people. I, personally, believe that if I am not gifting to myself, then there is no way I can gift to others. It makes total sense).

What thinks ye of this lovely color--OPI "We'll Always Have Paris"? I am buying this as part of a Christmas goodie bag for BFF A (you aren't reading this, are you?), but, man, if it isn't just the perfect holiday shade for my little nubby nails:

Yeppers, A, even if you do move back to D.C. (blast!) I will probably force you to watch one of our favorite movies over the phone with me on a regular basis.

But, I'll still be a chub. Because I eat gelato after lunch. And blog instead of going to the gym on my nonexistent lunch break.

Yup.

And now, I'm fat

My boss just brought me gelato. Because she didn't want to eat hers alone--and because she's pretty fantastic in general. Cinnamon and caramel apple. It doesn't get much more festive than that.

And, BFF L and I are going to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner tonight.

It's a good thing I went to the gym during lunch.

**Update** She got me the large size (I sense a plot going on here, hmmm...) and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't going to lick it clean. So yummy. It tastes like what I imagine those holiday candles would taste like, if they were yummy gelato and not in fact wax. Mmm... I'm already gaining those holiday pounds.

And to think I was going to "be good" and order a salad at dinner. Purf!

Cyber Monday: or how I looked like a crazed shopper

It's official: I have become one of those crazed ladies running frantically around Target trying to find the perfect gift. (seriously, I felt like the Energizer Bunny on steroids. Or speed? Something.)

At a total and complete loss of what to get for dad, step mom and half sis who will be setting up holiday shop at le humble abode in mere weeks, dear husband suggested that I get myself, the sis and the step mom matching jammies. Which is totally cheesy and makes me want to gag, but, he is certain that they will totally eat it up and my dad will be utterly pleased with my gesture. I still want to gag.

So, I start off in the kids section, but, since my sis happens to be that always understocked size Medium, I couldn't find her the exact set I wanted. So, I got matching jammies for me and the step mom and decided I would go to another Target or look online (because they sell everything online, right?).

I pay for my wares and head to the other Target--let it be known, yes, I live within 5 miles of two Target stores. I knew I bought that house for a reason! Anyways, I'm frantically running through the kids section at this point and cannot, cannot, cannot find the stupid PJ section. What? Do these kids not need sleep clothes? I should also mention that I missed lunch because a snooty alum wanted to talk right.this.second. And it was 2:30 by the time it was finished. I'm starving at this point (6ish PM). I don't do well on an empty stomach. I'm also sweating, although it is freezing outside. Because, when I'm hungry and shaky, I also sweat. Lovely.

I spy the jammies. I make a made dash (not kidding) for the red jammies and, sadly, knock down all the size XS and S along my way to grab the very last Medium. Hooray! Matching red puppy dog Christmas jammies for the three of us. I'm so excited. Can't wait to tell the husband that victory is ours! We have won the battle.

Until I get home, take the jammies out of their respective bags and realize, no, SP, no, you have not in fact been victorious. You bought two pairs of red Christmas puppy dog jammies, and one set of red Gingerbread jammies. Sister will not be pleased. This is a total fiasco.(yes, I realize that may seem a trifle dramatic--however, you haven't met my family. The sis would die if she didn't have matching jammies. Trust this. My dad used to by us matching Valentine's Day outfits. She was 10 months old. It started then. Curse the Valentine's Outfits! And Gap, for making clothing that matched a 10 month old...).

So, what does savvy SP do? Oh, she goes online and buys into the whole Cyber Monday thing, cannot find the damn red puppy dog jammies (for the love!), and settles for semi matching pink kitten jammies for all three of us. Loving husband is returning red jammies to their respective Targets for me today. Because he understands the necessity of the matching jammies.

If only they were my only gifts to buy... Nope, still owe the sis two seasons of Full House, a game for her Wii and some art stuff. The dad? No idea. Was thinking iPod Touch until I realized the new Blackberry Storm is on Verizon, which my dad has--will need to discuss with the step mom. And the step mom? Help! Gift card to Coldwater Creek (there is one in NorthPark, who is down for some shopping?), jewelry (natch), and, and, and! I don't know. Ah!!! Why am I getting so stressed out?

On the upside, I lit my "holiday" candles last night (am slowly fading out the "harvest" scents) and my house smells all festive. It's lovely.

OK, now that I've had my freak out, anyone else buy into Black Friday or Cyber Monday? Would anyone like to help me overcome my fear of jam packed shopping malls and assist me in my Christmas shopping? Cause seriously....

Musings & Monday

Happy first day of December y'all! Who would have thought we'd make it this far? Wow! Where did the time go? No, but, seriously, where did it go?? Under the coffee table, perhaps? I'm not really sure, but, it's goin'.

Hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving and got lots of rest, relaxation and turkey. Also, please come to my house if you would like to finish off a pumpkin pie, ice cream cake, almond citrus cake, and a giant loaf of delicious bread. Because seriously, we can't eat it all.

Shall we?

1. So glad I survived Thanksgiving. The dang turkey took a good 500 years to cook, but, whatever, it was mighty tasty if I do say so myself. I did not make enough potatoes or stuffing/dressing, but, we'll move past that.
2. Birthday Fantasticallness was fantastic! It began with James Bond and ended with Hugh Jackman. I cannot complain--although, I did awake to a nasty cold on my birthday, which only got worse over time, leaving me to silently wish we weren't seeing Hugh Jackman but rather that I was at home in bed. I was quickly over my illness the minute he spoke. Sigh... BFF L and Work Folk went to Indian food and BBF L treated me to the most divine necklace ever--and a cookie cake. Because what is friendship without a cookie cake?
3. My cake was hot pink and turquoise with polka dots, I can't believe the husband got it right. It was perfect.
4. I didn't get a pony (sad), but, I did get riding lessons (which, I didn't even ask for!!!), since, we can't exactly afford a pony, it's the next best thing. And yes, I need lessons considering it's been years since I've been on a horse. I'm really excited!!
5. We watched fabulous movies with the family: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and What About Bob--which are, by far holiday traditions in our house.
6. We drove to Oklahoma just so we could shout "Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Oklahoma!" and bang pots together, a la Steve Martin in DRS. Fantastic fun!
7. I've yet to set foot anywhere that sells anything other than food--which means, holy moly, Christmas shopping!! Ah!! And, I have NO gift ideas for anyone. Except my dad, maybe an iPod Touch...? I'm also thinking it could break him down and then he'd want an iPhone, which would mean it would be acceptable for me to get an iPhone.
8. Our lovely Florida Holiday Plans have been kaput, which is fine... It looks like we'll be staying here for the holidays--which is a first. I'm really excited, but, at the same time, have no idea what to do with all that time! Seriously, we usually drive home. This gives me 4 extra days (total). yay!
9. Which also means, next year = Fantastical Christmas Extravaganza. I'm pushing Hawaii.
10. It's cold outside, which means, I'm debating my desire to walk to the gym during lunch. Currently, the warmth is winning. That, and the fact that I just downed a Diet Coke.
11. I can't believe how much I miss my family, it was so nice having them here, and so sad watching them leave.... Although, taking them to Oklahoma we think helped sway their thoughts to "well, maybe we could live here" as opposed to "We're never leaving California!". So, here's hoping (it should be noted that there is a guarantee: if I ever have twins, my mother in law will move out here, no matter what. Which would be the best thing ever. I love her. Pray for twins people! But, seriously, do it.)
12. Is it really December? Are you sure? I'm not. It's still October as far as I'm concerned.
13. I understand that we're in a recession (or not, depending on who you talk to--but, let's be honest, it sucks either way), and was quite amazed at the throngs of people out shopping this weekend. Wow! Needless to say, me, not one of them.
14. Do you have your Christmas shopping lists ready? You know, I have some awesome jewelry for sale... Check out the link on my sidebar...

Sorry for the shameless plug, but, a girl's gotta pay the bills!

I sincerely hope that Thanksgiving was filled with good times and good memories for you all.

Have a fabulous Monday.

xoxo,

SP