Just Remember

Yes, I AM going to die someday.

However, work today makes me want to find a bridge to jump off.

To make that someday, today. :P

Just super stressed, so I'm not up to regular posting.

Love you all!

Sunday Citar: Reptiles

"I've always liked reptiles. I used to see the Universe as a mammoth snake, and I used to see all the people and objects, landscapes, as little pictures in the facets of their scales. I think peristaltic motion is the basic life movement. Swallowing."

-Jim Morrison

Totally never thought I'd be a reptile person, but I officially love snakes.

I still haven't found mine yet (fingers crossed that I do soon!)

Today I'm on my way to pick up another little girl, and then I'll have two when I find Tess.

I think I'll call this one Nessie, like the Loch Ness Monster? Fun yes?

Hope you all had a marvelous Christmas!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

{ took this photo at my mom's last night as the kitten sat under the tree.}

Be Naughty!

 Wow, Christmas day kind of snuck right up on me there...

It might be because I haven't had a moment to sit back and breath in weeks.

Two-six day weeks in a row, and a 102 hours of work later and I'm headed straight to the parents after work today.  I'll go down about 7pm-ish, and then do Christmas morning with them, have breakfast, go to work again at 11am, work til 3, have dinner at the grandparents at 3:30ish, dinner at Heather's around 5ish, and then hopefully over to my god-kid's house to take them their present... Whew! I'm exhausted already.

It'll all be worth it though.

I really went all out this year.

(That's code for spent WAY too much money, but ended up with some really cool gifts)

I can't wait to see everyone open what I got them! :)

 ***

I bought myself too many Holiday gifts this year too...

Including a new wii and the most expensive... erm... "Male substitute" ever. 

But it's amazing, I may never need a man again! LOL!

***

On another note-I lost my snake :(

It must not have been latched strong enough and she pushed her way out.

I've looked and looked and she hasn't come out yet. It's been 3 or more days now.

She was supposed to be a Christmas gift from Santa for Matt's kids.  So we  had to go and buy another one (he's equally as cute) and so now when/if I find Tess she's mine to keep.  I'm worried about her though-there's a small chance that she got down into the flooring through the holes where the pipes go through in the furnace closet.  That is no bueno.  Hopefully she'll get hungry and come back out. I left her lamp on to draw her to the warm spot.  Also, all the doorways are lined with flour, so I'll know if she goes through any of them!

I'm also picking up another little one for free from a lady in Helper on Sunday. 

Who knew I'd become such a lover of snakes?  I love the Ball Pythons.

I just keep praying Tess will turn up. :(

Can that be my Christmas Miracle?

***

Anyway, Happy Holidays my lovely readers!

I want you to all know how loved and appreciated you are!

CSN Winner!

Hello Lovelies!

I wish I could choose more than one of you to win.

You all had such wonderful things you still needed to pick up.

Unfortunately I only have one prize this giveaway.

(Look for more soon.)

I first listed you all out:

(click to enlarge)

And then I used Random.org to choose the winner!

And that winner is...

#37 Silver Bella!

She said she still needed to pick up a learning puzzle for her son.

She also had some other toy ideas she'd like.

Congratulations Silver Bella! 

Sounds like you'll make good use of your prize!

I'll send you all the details you need to claim your prize.

Wordless Wednesday: Cupcakes

These are the double chocolate chip and cranberry cookies I made for my family party.

They came from the recipe book that Beth sent me for the 12 Days of Christmas Swap, and I used the cupcake papers she sent too!   Aren't they cute?  They were very rich.

A Single Candle

weheartit

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”

-Buddha 

***

Go out and spread your happiness lovelies.

Not only for Christmas, Yule, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, etc. 

But every single moment of your beautiful lives. 

Especially those moments when it hurts the most.

When you feel like your own candle is about to be extinguished.

Because when you light someone else's candle

Yours burns brighter than it ever will.

I love you all

May your candles burn brightly!

Musical Mondays: Mistletoe

<a href="http://www.mysocalledchaos.com"><img src="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww257/agofish/For%20Blog/musicalmondays.jpg"></a>

This week's choice:

Mistletoe - Colbie Callet

It's a little strange that all my favorite holiday songs are melancholy.  Oh well, I guess they express that old familiar longing that Christmas time brings around.  Holiday parties with all your siblings and their spouses, cousin's with brand new babies, and wonderful homes... Reminds us single people of all of the things we're missing out on...

Oh well, here's to another year and hopefully next Christmas I'll be more on my way to having all that.

We'll see.  I say that every year.

***

Link Up!

Goodbye DADT, and JM-It Get's Worse.

I love John Stewart.

I kind of want to marry the man sometimes.

Just sometimes...

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
It Gets Worse PSA
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook

It's a little long, but stick with it-the last minute or so is the BEST.

DADT is all but dead, and I feel like celebrating.

It's a step in the right direction.

So here's my little celebration.

Be who you are.

Let others be who they are.

If you follow

Jesus: Love one another.

The golden rule: Do unto others as you would have done unto you.

The Beatles: All you need is love.

If you feel like celebrating with me, wherever you are, raise a glass.

I love you all dearly.

I Seriously Heart Hair Straigheners

♥ We're talking big big puffy hearts here. ♥

I still remember the first hair straightener I ever got.  It was this dinky little barbie looking thing that doubled as a crimper (crimped hair? Yeah it was the 90s) and I used it all the time.  As I grew older I got my first more professional one, and have used it nearly every day since.  Yes, I really mean every day.   I straighten my bangs with nearly every hair style, use it to puff up when I'm pinning the bangs back, straighten my naturally crinkly curls with it, and use it to make ringlets that are quick and easy.  It's one of my most important beautifying tools, and I'm addicted to it.

Well, my sweet little straightener I've had over the last few years just isn't doing it for me.  It's starting to lose it's oomph, and I find myself having to go over a section of hair several times before it looks right.  Guess it's time to get a new one.

So after reviewing some Hair Straightener Reviews, I have to say, I really want a Karmin Hair Straightener.

I'm even seeing people saying that it is the best hair straightener.  So I'll be getting one, and even telling you what I think about it after it comes in the mail and I give it a try! 

 

Plus, wouldn't this be one of the greatest Christmas or birthday gifts for your favorite girlfriend?  Your sister, mother, or your teenage daughter?  I know my little honorary niece would LOVE one! 

Is it totally wrong that I geeked out over the pink one?  How cute is this?

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Well, you didn't win a chicken dinner.
I'm not even sure how I'd ship that...

It'd be all gross and moldy by the time you got it...

But...

Some of you did win one of my homemade beanies!

Are you excited?

To be fair, I first listed you all out with your own numbers.

Then uploaded those numbers to this blog before even choosing winners.

(click on it to see where you were)

And then I used Random.org to decide who won.

Drumroll please?

Winner #1:

Jenny 

from Clete and Jenny's Clan

Winner #2:

Jessica Warrick

From Punk Rock Momma

Winner #3

Brandy @YDK

From You Don't Know...

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnd........

Because I love your faces-I decided to throw in a bonus winner!

Fe

From The Webb Chronicles

***

Super congrats winners! 

Don't forget to enter to win $35 for CSN Stores, closes 12/21

Also, I will be doing another handmade giveaway in February as part of the Handmade with Love Winter Giveaway Blog Hop.  You can run over there if you want to participate, it looks like so much fun! 

The winners should be getting emails very soon, and will have 48 hours to respond and claim their prizes.

$35 CSN Store Giveaway

CSN Stores has everything- from cookware, to shoes, to TV stands for flat screens for that nice new TV you bought your significant other, kids, parents or even yourself for Christmas! How fantastic is that?  I mean look how pretty this thing is-I want one for my flatscreen!  (especially the fireplace one)

Also, with only a week until Christmas, you know you can get your last minute shopping done from the comfort of your own home rather than going out and fighting the hustle and bustle of last minute shoppers.  (In your PJs no less with a good cup of hot cocoa at your side!) You know the stores are going to be crazy.  

I love CSN Stores, and you should too-they're giving one of you a $35 gift card just because you love me and are reading this right now! :) How fun does that sound?

To qualify for this giveaway, you must be a follower.   US & Canada only.

For your first entry, leave me a comment telling me one thing you still need to pick up to complete your Christmas shopping.  What do you have left to put under the tree?

You can check out csnstores.com for ideas and that last minute shopping!

(Please don't forget to leave me your email address or some way to get in touch with you easily.)

For Additional Entries:  (leave a comment for each entry)

• Follow me on Networked Blogs (the widget is in the side bar.) (1 entry)
• Follow me on Twitter. (the widget is in the side bar.) (1 entry)
• Like my Facebook Fan Page (the widget is in the side bar.) (1 entry)
• Add my button to your blog! (code is in the upper left) (2 entries)
• Refer a friend who enters (have them leave your name and email) (3 entries)

So go ahead and enter! It wont be ready for Christmas, but it will be perfect for that after-Christmas treat for yourself! :) You know you'll want it by then. :)  

Giveaway will end midnight 12/21 and will be announced 12/23.

Good luck!

Wordless Wednesday: Beanie!

Here's me wearing one of my own handmade beanies.

What do you think?

***

While you're here, you can enter to win one!
Giveaway ends tonight at midnight, so get your entries in!
Click the button below:



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RTT: Giveaways, Snakes & Bad Coffee

It's a little crazy today, so here's a muddled mess of random thoughts.

Brought to you by Keely over at The Un Mom.

***

First, while you stop by to read over my randomosity-
Don't forget to enter my giveaway!
It ends tomorrow (Wednesday) at Midnight!



***
That giveaway is the result of hitting over 200 of you lovely followers.

It is also the result of me crocheting all the time now.
Which Kristi says is because I'm not having sex.
Kind of depressing...

But HEY-Benefit for my readers right?
My lack of love life is giving 3 of you a hand crocheted beanie in the color of your choosing.
I hope you all love me! :P

***
The coffee at work is gross.
Just had to add that in here.

***
I still have a bit of Christmas shopping to do, but all in all I've got quite a bit done.

However, I'm totally ashamed that I don't have any Christmas decorations up yet.
How sad is that?

***

This is my new buddy.
I'm so crazy about here.
I'm trying to convince Matt (who bought her for his kids for xmas) to let me buy another snake and switch them out. I love this snake, and I never thought I'd want one before-but she's such a sweetie!

***
I've been doing the 12 days of christmas swap hosted by Sami.
My partner was the lovely Beth.
Click HERE to see what she's opened from me so far.

I have received a Witch Hat Spatula, a book about cupcakes (LOVE love love) and a coffee cup.  So far I am completely and utterly happy with all my gifts. I'm sure I will continue to be, Beth is AMAZING!

***

So what about you guys?
Tell me something random!

Musical Mondays: December Never Felt So Wrong...

<a href="http://www.mysocalledchaos.com"><img src="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww257/agofish/For%20Blog/musicalmondays.jpg"></a>

This week's choice:

Wintersong
Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles

***

I am so completely in love with this song right now.  I love both of these artists individually, but together they're even more brilliant. The music, the voices, the video (awesome video) and especially the lyrics.  You know me by now, I'm a lyrics girl. 

This song has the ability to make me simultaneously feel warm and fuzzy (because I love it so much) and to feel desolate and deeply saddened.  It's another December for me.. Another cold and snowy winter with no one by my side... No one to sit and cuddle by the tree and watch the snow fall.  Family parties where everyone is with someone, and more questions that I dread, especially the "When are you going to settle down and start a family?" question that extended relatives are so fond of.  I do not look forward to these inquisitions.

Is love alive?  I have no idea... But part of me hopes so.  I hope by next Christmas I have found that special someone, and they'll be right where they belong-inside my arms. 

***

What song did you pick this week?

Link Up!

While you're here, don't forget to check out my giveaway.

Only 3 days left to enter!

Sunday Citar: Peace In Your Heart

"May you have warmth in your igloo, oil in your lamp, and peace in your heart!"

-Eskimo Proverb

***

While you're here, don't forget to check out my giveaway!

Handmade by me, stay warm and cute all winter!

Click on the button below:

Luck!

"Good luck needs no explanation."

-Shirley Temple

Try your luck, don't forget about my giveaway still going on! 

I'm also thinking I might change the end date of the giveaway.

How does this coming Thursday sound?

That might mean I can get some of them out before Christmas?

Please let me know what you think. :) 

If you haven't entered yet, you could be one of the lucky winners!

Click on the button below!

Cold Hands, Warm Hearts Swap.

What a wonderful little swap, handled by some lovely ladies!
Sandi a la Mode and Much Love, Illy
Thank you both for putting together such a fabulous swap!
I enjoyed every bit of it!

Plus, I got partnered up with one of the sweetest people.
Alison over at aPearantly Sew
Not only is she sweet, but has impeccable taste!

See what I sent her here!

See how pretty the package was?

All cute and tidy!

Contents included:

* A pretty multicolored scarf

* A pair of fingerless handmade gloves

* A Coffee Cozy (made by Alison!)

* A gift card to Starbucks

Did I mention I really love Starbucks?

Alison and I listed so many things in common in the questionnaire.

But my favorite part has to be the gloves.

I am SO in love with them!

See, I'm even wearing them today!

Thanks so much Alison!
I really love it all!

***

While you're here, don't forget my giveaway!

Be Bold

Bold

What a word with so many enticing things synced up with it.

We go to a coffee shop and order bold coffee.

Strong and rich and dark.

We bold letters to draw ones attention to it.

We stop before speaking, and start with

"If I may be so bold..."

Is asking permission to be bold, actually bold?

Merriam-Webster defines it as follows:

* Fearless before danger/showing or requiring a fearless daring spirit 

* Assured, Confident

* Adventurous, Free bold thinker>

* Standing out prominently 

* Being or set in boldface  

The word bold makes it's appearance in many of history's quotes...

"Fortune favors the bold." - Virgil

"Freedom lies in being bold." - Robert Frost

Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful." - William Shakespeare

"How bold one gets when one is sure of being loved." - Sigmund Freud

I want to live boldly. 

To no longer want to be afraid to go out and be myself.

Speaking my mind with honesty, and skill.

Standing out and living fiercely.

Bright.

Beautiful.

Bold.

All images via we♥it

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Don't forget to check out my giveaway!

Handcrafted by ME!

Go ahead and boldly click on the button below!