Three Things

1. I got booted from my office today after 6 months of four walled goodness. Now, I am at a desk. Like Pam. Only, my boss isn't Michael. I'm only slightly bitter. Plus, now everyone can see that I'm blogging. Yikes.

2. I signed up for WW online last night because I realized that I won't have time to go to meetings and if it doesn't work, then I will re-evaluate and maybe not take classes this semester so that I can go to the meetings. But, anyway, I went to bed hungry last night because I had exceeded my Point total for the day. That's a first (yay!).

3. Over the holidays, I found out that my dad's best friend's new step-son is a favorite character of mine from The Office (as in, our family friend married the cast member's mother, thus, making my dad's best friend Annonymous CastMember's step dad--am I making sense?). The hubs and I were hysterical and forced my non sitcom watching dad to understand the goodness that is The Office--as we aimlessly shouted "That's xxx's step son! We're practically family!". Don't worry, I am going to find a way to get invited to the next family event. I missed the wedding--if I had only known! And Annonymous CastMember would have been there--after all, it was his mother's wedding! (and no, I can't tell you who it is, but, I trust that you could figure it out if you used a little Wikipedia and IMDB--and thought about how well you know your dear SP...like where she's from, etc... )

I'm off to warm up my Lean Cuisine Fettuccine Alfredo--very glam.

Happy Wednesday!

Edit/Update: My word, I tempt you with The Office and y'all get so excited. No one as guessed correctly yet. As of 4:40 Central Time. There are still some cast members you've missed. I'll just tell you that when I found out about this guy being my dad's best friends wife's son (whew!) it made him rise about 10 points on my scale. Come on, I know you can do it! I might have to break down and give hints tomorrow.... Hmm... Think.. Hmm.. (every hint I can think of will give it away!).

Le Merry Royal Abode

Because I am lazy, and totally unable to remove the photos from my camera in a timely manner, I now share with you le Royal Adobe in Holiday Form (and, I know you really want to see this). Enjoy!

I told you we had a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. And yes, it's blurry. Blurry is the new artsy, don't you know?

(please ignore the sad amount of gifts)

My entryway all holiday-ed up. Kind of. I'm cheap (why i still have pumpkins will always be a mystery. Although, that pumpkin painting on the bottom shelf? My aunt made that for me, so, it stays up year round).

My fireplace. Yes, yes, I will eventually replace this sad mantel, but, it worked perfectly for hanging stockings with care, so, we decided to not replace it before Christmas. (why did I take pictures when my house is so messy?)

And the present stack after my parents got here...

My faux mistletoe ball hanging in the entryway doorway.

Did you miss us?

And, I leave you with a very tired Hanna pup (isn't she the cutest?). She was over it. Too much Christmas for her.

Musings & Monday: 2009 Edition

Happy New Year, all! Let's hope 2009 will be the best year yet. And you know what? I'm doing my very best to make it that way. I got to work early (can you believe it?), I'm picking up lovely friends from airport tonight (although, I despise solos airport pick ups, but, since we bought le royal abode, we don't have the $$ for new le royal chariot, and the Honda is just gonna have to fit us all. Ha!), and feel like this year can and will be fantastic. First, I have to fix up my upstairs bathroom (and rip out smelly carpet). Once that's done, we'll be in good shape.

What was I saying? Oh, right....

1. After fifteen thousand million bagillion attempts at losing the chub and keeping it off, I have decided to start Weight Watchers. I realize that I don't have a ton of weight to lose, and that at my height (5 feet, 5'1" on a good day), I probably am at a pretty OK weight, but, I will go bonkers, lose a bunch of weight, work out every day and then fizzle out, gaining it all back (thanks, wisdom teeth!). I want to be able to stay at a "happy weight" if you will, and be prepared to be a healthy mother if you know, we ever have kids. Apparently, my day planner missed this memo and I am packed literally every night this week, so, I'll have to start next week, but, hallelujah, the gym is open today, so, SP will be bustin' a sweat at lunch.
2. We had a lovely New Years mini vacation. I'll post pictures soon. I was officially relaxed for exactly 2.5 days. Now, I'm back at work. And a frazzled mess.
3. I have a new found obsession with getting rid of the "fine lines" around my eyes. I blame it on the whole laughing/smiling thing that I occasionally do. I must get rid of them. I am too young for this nonsense! Anyone have a miracle product??
4. One of my dearest most wonderful-est friends had a baby last week--and he's so yummy. I made them blueberry muffins (which is what I do for all my friends who have had babies. I'm not sure why. Maybe because I'm obsessed with blueberry muffins and hope someone will make them for me?) and sugar cookies cut out in his first initial. They were not superb. I remembered why I don't make sugar cookies that often. But, I frosted those babies up, and, well, after all, it is the thought that counts, right? Hopefully I'll have the sugar cookies letters mastered before anyone else has a baby .
5. I'm no Martha.
6. Not that anyone would have confused us, but, you know.
7. I've been having bizarre dreams lately. Exhibit A: I dreamt that I was at the movies with Debra Messing and Isla Fisher (like, sitting in between them) and I wanted a picture with them, but, was too scared to ask. But, I was sitting with them.... Exhibit B: I dreamt my mommy was alive. As in, came back to life. But, not in a creepy zombie way. And it was Christmas. And she thought my Hanna pup was actually my previously dead Muffin pup. And, she was pretty dang pissed off when she found out that skeezy step dad (aka, the man she married) was engaged (which, was kind of awesome in my dream. Because I was pretty pissed in real life).....Possible meaning(s)? Any dream analysts out there?
8. Last night, Cheapie McCheaperson (aka, me) was attempting to paint her little piggies because pedis cost $$, and, well, I dropped the bottle of OPI and, of course, it broke and spilled all over my bathroom floor. On the lovely tile floor. In the only bathroom in my house that doesn't need a major facelift. After 30 minutes, ten hundred paper towels, all the cotton pads I own and a bottle of nail polish remover, you can hardly tell. Although, the grout does have a slightly pick hue, but, we're moving past that. Ah, nothing like huffing nail polish remover to bond a marriage.
9. I was slightly shaky for the rest of the night.
10. Sure.
11. I'm on deadline, why am I blogging?
12. I better go.

Happy Monday, y'all! Make it fabulous!

xoxo,

SP

In 2009

I will....

...Lose 10-ish pounds (bonus points if it's before family Florida trip in February... I can do it... I think)

...Feel better about me (because, let's be honest, I'm pretty awesome, right?).

...Finally re-do the upstairs bathroom (it's the bane of my existence. I pretend it doesn't exist. Until we have overnight guests. Then I remember that I'm schlepping them up to a 1990s ghetto bathroom and I feel bad.)

...Write more (and, more often. And, maybe, you know, send out a manuscript or two).

...Grow professionally.

...Actually speak in Italian on a semi-regular basis (this scares me).

...Hopefully add to le royal family.

...Become more crafty.

...Be happy.

What will you do in 2009?

(you will of course, keep me honest and help me stick to these, no?)

Happy New Year lovelies! Hope you have a magical New Year's Eve!

I will probably be in bed by 9:30. (don't judge) I'm a tired little girl. Family entertaining for a week is hard work.

xoxo,
SP

When I'm having a bad day, I ....

Eat loads of Indian food, drown my senses with Trish McEvoy # 9, and smear my mascara with big crocodile tears.

Yup, it's been that kind of day kids.

You ever have those days where you feel all snappy, you slept well, and you're going to kick a** at work, maybe even leave early to go for a run and test out your new shoes (because boss is gone and so is big boss man)?

And then you get to work and it all comes crashing down around you?

Yup. Yup. Yup.

And, I ate to much lunch. Who knew that there was such a thing as too much curry?

But, it's not all bad: I get to go to Target after work. I feel that I deserve it.

And, I smell delish, so, that helps.

What do we do on a boring Monday?

Besides paint our nails at our desk, eat chocolate croissants and not go to the gym (it's closed, kids)? Nothing. No work. Noope (not really, I've got a stack of papers I'm proof reading).

Yup, I ate a chocolate croissant that my boss force fed me (OK, she force fed it to me as much as she force fed me the gelato). And it was soooo good. And, when I lamented about "I'm trying to lose weight" she replied "That's what January is for. It's December."

I love her.

I love my Nike Plus iPod and new running shoes too (thanks, Santa!). They'll help me determine how many calories of that lovely croissant I burn when I go running. Key word: when. Ha. funny. They're still in the box. They look so pretty. I can't get them dirty!

How was your Christmas? What did you get?

Buon Natale!

That's Merry Christmas in Italian! Slacker SP has not signed up for next semesters class because she's kinda sorta shy on the $$ and waiting until pay day. I have always been good with $$, but, this holiday has done me in. Entertaining is expensive!

Anyways, I have been busy shopping, decorating, watching movies, running (yay!), trying to avoid missing my mama, not thinking about December 22nd and being a semi festive little elf.

I'm sure everyone else is busy too!

I just wanted to wish all my bloggy friends a very Merry Christmas. I enjoy you all so much and have loved "getting to know" you all via your blogs. Thank you for your kind comments and amazing friendship. Thank you all for so much.

I hope this holiday finds you with joy, happiness, family and love. And may 2009 be a blessed year for you.


Merry Christmas!

xoxo,
SP

Can I keep it?

I am currently holding hostage* darling M family's carseat in hopes that a le bambino will magically appear in it (Santa?).

If not, I am willing to babysit darling baby Z and her furry sister Minnie at any time.

(*And, I'm not really holding the carseat hostage. They're visiting family and I get to pick them up from the airport after Christmas, thus necessitating the use of a carseat. )

Or, I could just strap it in my car and drive around and feel all cool because my kid is at daycare. Or something.

I haven't had any caffeine. And, it's Friday. I have issues.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Did I just make you start humming that song? Cause I am. Stuck in my head. That, and that song about sleigh bells. I swear. And, I'm le grinch. Who woulda thought?

Preppy Pettit tagged me for this lovely holiday meme, which is quite timely since I spent a good 3 hours wrapping presents last night (and I'm not done! --this explains why I am broke!). So, happy holidays y'all (and you thought I was going to stay all Grinch-y....wait until next week kids, I'll go back to grumpy. Family + no sleep + the 22nd = no bueno):

1. What is/are your favorite Christmas Movie(s)?: Christmas Vacation is pretty fabulous. But, my favorite "Christmas movie" isn't really a Christmas movie, we just always watched it while making cookies and whathaveyou-- Little Women (I love Christian Bale). I can't bring myself to watch it anymore, but, I do love that movie. And, clearly, Love Actually is one of my all time favorite best feel good happy movies ever.

2. Favorite Christmas Song?: Umm.. I don't know. Probably Jingle Bell Rock. Or Oh Come all Ye Faithful because I know parts of it in l'italiano, which makes me feel awesome. I'm also a big fan of What Child if This--or, if you're Dwight--"That was Greensleeves, an English folk song about the beheaded Anne Boleyn" (sorry, can't resist an Office quote). All Christmas songs are fantastic. I'm totally the person who would listen to Christmas songs in July.

3. Favorite Holiday Memory?: Making cookies, popcorn balls, fudge (!) and various other treats with my mom while watching Little Women and laughing. Good times...

4. What is your favorite cookie/treat to make?: Spritz cookies mean Christmas. I lost my spritz press, so, I'm a wee bit peeved about that because SP wanted to make them this weekend. Sad.

5. Have you ever made an igloo?: Negatory. I'm a beach dweller! Although, I have always wanted a white Christmas--just once, that's all I'm asking for!

6. Do you love Starbucks?: Not a coffee drinker. And we all know that SP is cheap, so, she ain't spending $4 on hot chocolate.

7. What makes the perfect Snowman?: All snowmen (and women) are perfect.

8. Not sure what happened to #8 so we'll move on..

9. Best gift you have ever received?: Ohh, Remy, my llama. That's right, I had a llama.

10. What is the snowman's name on Rudolph?: Would you judge me if I told you I've never actually seen Rudolph?

11. Silver or Gold?: Why are we getting so picky here? Can't we have both?

12. What is your favorite Christmas decoration?: Lights! Greenery! Presents! (wait, do presents not count?)

13. What's your Christmas decorating style?: It's funny that anyone thinks I would have a "style"

14. Do you hang stockings?: Yes, but we're waiting for my fam to bring the stockings. We don't have our own because we've always been home at Christmas. Oh, and, first house with a fireplace (yahoo!).

15. How many days do you celebrate Christmas?: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day.

16. What was your favorite ornament on the tree as a child?: I don't remember.... I know that there was this moose ornament that I thought was the coolest. He had a wreath around his neck. But, was he my favorite? I don't know.

17. Where will you be spending this Christmas?: At home! In Texas. Yay!

18. When do you open presents?: We open a few on Christmas Eve, but, we open everything else on Christmas morning--after Santa comes and all.

19. Real tree or artificial?: Well, if husband and I had our way, we'd have a fake one (we're low maintenance types), but, since the fam is coming, it's real. And it's a total Charlie Brown tree.

20. Is there any chance you'll have a white Christmas?: That would be fantastic!!! But, doubtful...

21. Who do you have the hardest time finding a gift for?: My dad. So, solution? He's getting like 2 gifts. If he's not going to tell us his wish list, he ain't gettin' anything. We're non discriminatory like that.

See, I'm not so much of a Grinch after all! Can you believe it?

Is it Friday yet?

What are your favorite holiday traditions??

Current Clothing Lust

Please, Santa, please??

(yes, that's what we've come to at le Royal Abode seeing as SP is low on the $$ this holiday season--thanks hot water heater explosion!... Maybe, just maybe I'll find a stash of $118 + tax hidden somewhere....)

Frosted Sigh Blouse (Anthro, natch)

But isn't it so cute? Don't you just want me to have it? Any fairygodmothers out there?

(What? I can beg and plead. It's not below me. You'd think it is, but, it totally isn't.)

Tuesday Thoughts

(this will have to do since yesterday was a disaster filled busy day, and today, well, I'll be honest, I'm just avoiding anything that is actual work. I have "winter fever" if you will. No.Desire.To.Work.At.All. Shall we?)

1. I woke up to a layer of ice and then, some more ice! Everything was blanketed in white. It was literally a winter wonderland. It was so beautiful. What's not beautiful? Having to go to work on such a fabulously wintery day. The puppies weren't havin' it--they insisted we stay in bed and snuggle. Although, the fuzzy one did brave the outdoors to drink out of the pool. And then eat ice off the cement. Is it weird that I was scared to death that her little tongue was going to get stuck? No, but, seriously, I'm at work. I'm cold. I.Want.To.Go.Home!

2. So, as SP has recently gone to red hair and prided herself in her new locks (and look) everytime dear gelato wielding boss says to her (or someone else)--"I can't believe how much SP looks like Borat's girlfriend". Which, means, Isla Fisher. Did I mention I love her? So, petty, and small and self-centered as it may be, I loves me a compliment like that. I have a point, I swear.

3. Point is: red hair (when you aren't a natural) can be a bit tricky. This means, fading color (getting a gloss on Thursday, lovelies!), and, if you're me, roots. Which are the devil. The exact opposite of how a Princess should look. I nearly considered coloring it myself last weekend when I couldn't get in to my hair stylist (seriously, even have the color in my bathroom). But, the roots! So tacky! I braved the store bought nonsense and tried the Clairol Root Touch Up. My.Heavens. I'm in love. I have no idea how that magical little product works--especially considering I purchased some sort of golden brown versus red (store did not have red and I have braved the cold. I wasn't coming home empty handed). Seriously, works wonders. I am considering stocking up. Now, I'm sure this won't apply to you lovelies, since roots are such a tacky subject, but, should you find yourself in need, this will not disappoint.

4. How am I supposed to wrap the husband's Christmas presents when he's home? Finals are over, so, he's home. And I am not good at being sneaky. And I got really good presents this year!

5. Am fairly certain I accidentally (seriously, I'm not a snooper, I like the surprise) spotted an Anthropologie bag in the guestroom (!), am hoping there is lovely goodness inside for me.

6. Need to mail Christmas gifts today. I loathe going to the Post Office. Such an ordeal.

7. I have soooo much to do before la familia comes into town this weekend, but, at the same time, I so desperately want this weekend to hurry up and get here--um, mainly because I need a freaking break, kids!!

8. I haven't been good about going to the gym, and man, that is not good. It's been so cold out that I can't walk to the gym at lunch (and if I drive I lose my parking spot, believe me, it's a daily battle).... There was the time I went to yoga last week, but, yoga was cancelled and there I was in my flip flops--not really ready to hop on the treadmill. SP needs to lose the chub y'all!!

9. I don't think the hot chocolate is helping.

10. I don't care.

11. Yes, I do.

12. I still want to go home.

13. I told you that I am just not productive during the cold. It is a good thing I don't live in Alaska. I wouldn't get a dang thing done. Ever.

I hope that wherever you are, you are toasty and warm! Can't believe it's the holiday season again. Have a fabulous Tuesday and be safe!

xoxo,

SP

Yum...

+
=

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?