Random Thoughts

This should be a lovely, random flow of thoughts right now. I need to update you on my life, and it's been so busy that I'm overflowing with 'stuff', so I'll start with the laundry list and try to go go into detail in future posts.

-My Christmas was wonderful! Kids were great. Big Brother super surprised, etc. My parents were able to come (in-laws backed out--previous post if you are interested) and stayed at the condo on SSI, so it was perfect. They watched the kids a lot and I got to work and shop!

-Have had to work and have Daddy watch kids. Have a little guilt over it. 20 hours is more than you think it is! And if you saw my paycheck you'd think I worked about 10! Working for God does not pay you back monetarily! ha

-Shopped in Jacksonville and found some smoking deals--best one I will share with you--Pottery Barn kids rug 3x5 normally priced at $129.00. I got it for $29.97! I can't even express to you how incredibly exciting that was for me! LOVE THE DEALS when I can get them from PBK.

-Went a little overboard and bought a 5x8 rug from Pottery Barn that was on sale, but still price-y. We had an 8x10 rug that is Pottery Barn that we've had for 5 years and it has been thoroughly abused by all--from small children to the dog--and I saw that it was on sale and so pretty. I'm pretty picky when it comes to a lot of things--including rugs--and it is really pretty. We didn't need the 8 x 10 size, and the 5x8 fits well, it just looks SO small compared to the 8x10. It shows off our hardwood floors, but I'm not 100% convinced it is 'the one'. Damn you Pottery Barn for being so freaking expensive and beautiful! We still have the wrapper and might return it. It's on a trial run right now. I just have a hard time with change, of any kind obviously! I'm such a weird-o.

-Miss Bug is walking---not 100% --but a lot! It is too funny. I forgot how cute they look when they stumble around like drunk old men. Love it!

-My husband's older sister--who we aren't very close to--that's a longgggg story--is getting married for the 3rd time. This time she's having a wedding--in Feb. I thought we were going to be able to avoid the in-laws for several months now that the holidays are over, but nope. Sucks. But we can't punish his sister and not go b/c we are so frustrated by his parents. And no, we still aren't talking to the parents.

-I have a bazillion thank-you cards to write.

-We had Big Brother's 5th birthday party this time last Saturday. It was so fun! That boy has so many toys!

-I have been eating like it is my job--birthday cake, twice-baked potatoes, banana pudding (homemade Martha Stewart meets Paula Dean style), candy, homemade fudge, cookies. I'm salivating just thinking about it! Not. Good.

-I'm mad at Ann Taylor Loft. Their return policy sucks. Beware.

Must go. Have a baby with a dirty diaper and a child that needs a snack.

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

And a Happy New Year!

Re-Giftedness

I've got a good one for you.

Big Brother's class had a book exchange for Christmas. Of course I'm still running around daily like a chicken with my head cut off trying to make sure I've got everything done while taking care of kids because Daddy is traveling for business.

The night before I sneak in to Big Brother's room to grab the book. I know I have two copies of the book and so I just tiptoe into his room while he is sleeping. I scan the book to make sure it's the one that is blank inside, then sneak back out and wrap it up all cutes-y for his little classmate, Emma.

The next day his teacher tells me she has something to tell me as a friend, not as a teacher. She tells me that Emma's book was signed, "To: Big Brother With Love from Mamaw & Papaw"!!!! I guess I didn't check it hard enough. She had an extra book and tried to get her to take that one, but she was IN LOVE with the book from Big Brother.

So I call Emma's Mommy and sound like an ever-loving fool explaining to her my tiptoe-ing into Big Brother's room, scanning the book to make sure it was the right one, yadda yadda yadda.

See, Hallmark has a deal if you spend so much money you get a hardcover book for $3.95. We get those. I just gave her the one from last year, obviously.

There you have it...Mad About Plaid Girl's Re-Giftedness. ta-da!

Bizzzeeeee!

Ladies, are we all running around like chickens with our heads cut off or is it just ME? Jeez-oh-Pete, I'm about worn out! And this girl needs sleep! It's after 10PM, past my bedtime, but I'll give you a quick run-down of what the Plaid family has been up to (in no particular order):

-One 40th bday party for Hubby
-Two relatives, Uncle Adolf & Aunt Tootsie (Hub's fav family) surprised him by showing up to his bday party (I pulled it off --YESSSS! :))
-preparing for Big Brother's 5th birthday
-buying the typical presents for family and then remember I need to get others for people like Big Brother's teachers and Miss Bug's Babysitter
-trying to keep our house stocked with food for crying out loud--these children are bottomless pits!
-cookie exchange at Big Brother's school
-Big Brother had Christmas Cantata and a speaking part (I was a proud parent)
-Miss Bug is ALMOST walking--Lord help us all
-Still email feuding w/Inlaws but it is getting better. We are standing tough and staying strong
-Trying to keep Big Brother OUT of our bedroom at night
-Reminding myself to eat--something healthy and not just cookies (see 'cookie exchange' above)
-Ordering second round of Christmas cards b/c I didn't get enough the first time-duh
-Still in search of Interactive WallE (he's $34.99 in real life, but a bazillion dollars on Amazon) because that is on Big Brother's list.......from Santa. Damn Santa.
-Giving to the needy---and doing it again and again--for school for work, for church, etc.
-needing to give the dog a second bath after she rolled in doggie doo-doo (love that)

Ok. So that's me. For now. Here's a pic from Bday party. We had a babysitter to take care of all kids for a while, but when it was time to sing and blow out candles, we invited them back! Here's Daddy with his babies (I think Miss Bug might've already been having a taste?):

Sneak Peek

So here is one of the pictures that were made over Thanksgiving. It is one of two pictures I used for our Christmas card. It is so sweet. And it is so fitting for our family--he is the one giving the sweetness and kisses--and she is the one receiving them. Read: He gives me life & she sucks the life out of me. Just kidding. Not really.

Can't wait to see pictures of your little ones, or furry ones, or your significant other! Please do let me know when you post some pics!

And the Winner is...

Vista Print. Thanks so much for your comments! I got 100 cards, envelopes, return address labels and shipping for under $50! I don't think you can beat that! Now I just hope they are good quality like everyone says. I'm so excited to see them! Can't wait. I'm a dork. I can't help it.

You have yours done?
I got my first Christmas card of the season today, Dec. 3rd. I can't believe it!

Christmas Card Opinions...

Lucky for me, my cousin is an up-and-coming photographer. Lucky for me she gives me a discount. Lucky for me she actually got one of Daddy smiling! (That's for another post.)

I'm in search of the most reasonably priced, yet oh-s0-cute Christmas photo card. I've compared Snapfish and Shutterfly. You can pick up Snapfish at Walgreens and Shutterfly at Target. Do you think they are of the same quality if you pick them up from one of those places rather than having them shipped directly from their warehouse?

Am I missing another great company who does them for a reasonable price?

Let me know what's on your mind....