First things first: Jason is typing a post as we speak... Oh my god, he's being involved. Be amused. ;)
Anyway, I encourage you all to do something as simple as buy a card and send it off to this little girl. She is so stinkin' cute. :) If I can retain this information for long, I think I may send her a card every month until I forget... or they get returned because she is sent home clean and clear of cancer. :)
More about her:
Ok, so where did I leave off?
So last night, I spent the majority of the night experimenting with peppermint bark. I made a double chocolate batch, and cinnamon bark, which came out… just not really as I had planned. We could not find cinnamon candy canes anywhere, so Jason suggested I try cinnamon imperials and break them up by blending them. That worked great until the blending part, which turned them into cinnamon powder, and I went ahead with it anyway. It was an “interesting” batch to say the least, and I don’t think I will be sending any of it out. I think next time I will keep them whole, they are about the size that the candy canes should be when you put them in, but then again, the candy canes, which are easy to break when you don’t want to, I had to end up wrapping in a double Ziploc bag, and then a towel, and smashing them with a hammer. The cooking life is not easy, let me tell you.
This brings me to my next item on the agenda, the cooking site. I’ve already posted a few recipes that I had from way back when, and some of the new things I’ve tried. It’s been very active as of late, but once the holidays are over, it will probably slow down a ton. But you should check some of them out. I think they are pretty tasty. :) (And they all come with a picture that isn’t all fancy-schmancy-cookbook-beautified!) There is also a list of the most recent posted recipes off to the right.
Tonight, Jason and I went to Souper Salad, because they are cheap, give unlimited food, and provided us with a nice non-distracting environment to do Jason’s midterm (that he finally got the access code to.) We were there for about an hour, and I helped him with notes and picking out the parts he had to include in his project. It brought back bad memories, because I only took that horrible midterm two months ago. Good riddance!
We were also slightly celebrating. Because my boss is so awesome, and we are getting short-handed soon, and super busy (like really busy, like I actually want people to stop dying, we’re getting in 3-6 cases in a DAY, and have 20+ concurrent, which means super busy workload) and he said that he would hire Jason for odd jobs, but basically wanted him in the system so that he is ready to go when we need him. Jason just has to take the drug test tomorrow, and I think he’s set. He will be doing a lot of work for me, because I am currently doing two and a half jobs because no one else has time to do them (and I’m not sure why they think I do) so my paperwork has been so behind. I probably have about 50 files sitting on my desk, and the pile grows larger daily, of files that need to be finalized and filed away. We also had a HUGE project a few weeks ago which included pulling files from a specific insurance policies and a specific casket company to get rebates on caskets, which was a huge profit (well maybe not in their eyes, but it was over twenty-thousand dollars worth, so I’ve heard) so all those files (probably 100+) need to be filed away in various storage locations as well. And then there’s running. I will lose my runner, Fred, at the end of December because he is taking two weeks off, and while the job has already been asked upon someone else, she is probably going to be put on services (as we are losing a Funeral Director for surgery) and then Jason could be my runner. I don’t really know how it’s all going to work out, but at least it will be something for him to do, he’s already going stir crazy at home. Plus, haha I just can’t stop, my boss wants him to be on the payroll for future computer issues that may arise. So hopefully he will be kept busy, and I will have a load off.
[/caption]The other day, I met my dream phone on TV. Tonight, before dinner, we went in to the Sprint Store, and looked at it. It is so beautiful, I could cry. It is a purple PDA flip. Since I’ve had my MotoQ for almost a year, I can’t imagine going back to a normal phone. The one thing I don’t like about my phone (well the main thing) is that I have to lock it every time I put it down, or I end up calling Guatemala! Pain in the ass, but that’s where the flippy awesomeness comes in. Santa, if you want to drop one of those beauties in my stocking, I won’t mind. ;) Did I mention it’s purple? Yeah, its purple, metallic purple, even the keys illuminate purple. I love it!
I don’t know why, because our Christmas shopping is pretty much complete, but I have been looking at home-made gifts a lot, and I’ve found a few that I thought we’re just too good to keep to myself. The first one, is more kid oriented, and is a Pocket Advent Calendar. It’s simple, it’s cheap, and it’s so adorable. I wish I had someone to make it for… although it’s a little late now. Another thing I came across was Homemade Gifts in a Jar, things like brownie or muffin mixes prepared in a jar so all you have to do is mix and bake. I’ve always thought these were cute, and very simple ideas, but again, it’s kind of late for me to do it for Christmas, especially this year, but some of them could be year-round type gifts. I am definitely bookmarking these for next year.
And lastly, something I haven’t posted about in a while: The Wedding! This Friday (well, hopefully) we are starting to look at locations. The one I am trying to set up an appointment for is the Waterfront. I found a list of wedding vendors online. The list had everything from reception sites to wedding cakes, and this one was ranked as $ versus the rest of Phoenix which was $$-$$$$ and Jason and I both really liked it. There were a few other places, but I wasn’t so big on their pictures, so we are checking this place out first. Also, I’m kind of bum on the whole wedding deal not only because of the financial situation but because of my “wedding court”. My Maid of Honor, whom I still haven’t asked, has been kind of giving me the brush off and unless I plan on asking her through MySpace, I don’t know when I’d get the “chance” to ask her in real-life time. One of the other people that I was going to ask has decided that she hates me, and until I have my Maid of Honor set, I don’t want to go any further in the asking process anyway. Ugh, I just hate this. This is supposed to be one of the most exciting times in my life, and so far, it’s been nothing but trouble. Even according to The Knot, I am behind. This is their to-do list:
The crossed out, is N/A and the bold is what we have done. Pretty sad. : ( Also, should I actually have bridesmaids, although the outlook is currently grim, this is the dress I liked for them.
Anyway, I think this is quite long enough for now, its bed time.
Nope, not Gingerbread Men... Actually, they are dog treats that I've been slaving over the oven for. :P I hope the dogs like them, they did last year, but I couldn't find the same recipe that I had. They seemed to like the dough, I had a huge ball of it in my hand and Lucy opened her mouth like she was going to take the entire thing, so we gave them each a pinch or two. They are currently cooling right now, so no taste testing until tomorrow.
This weekend has been far too short, probably due to the fact that I didn't have a weekend, I had a weekday, for half of it.
Saturday, woke up at almost the same time I normally do for a regular work week, got in the shower, and then messed around for a bit. Headed over to work to burn the CD that I couldn't the night before. Got there, and got accosted to do 3 different things, then I made my CD, and skedaddled, as I had an important date with Santa! Came home, and Jason was working on his homework after only 4 hours of sleep. He showers, and we head to Petsmart. Dogs are being hellions, as per usual. It sucks, in private settings, we can usually get them to behave (for the most part) but once Petsmart comes around, they spaz out. We took Landon into the grooming station as his nails were the only ones that needed to be clipped. That was an agonizingly traumatic experience in itself. I'm guessing that due to the fact that he's lost a leg, he thinks that anyone who is touching his feet is going after them all. He yelped, and screamed, and howled and even nipped at me, Jason, and the 3 different people who were trying to cut his nails, and this was before they had even cut anything. Eventually, the put him in a noose looking collar/leash thing, and put him on a grooming table. His dewclaws were the only really bad part, so Jason, another guy, and another girl had to wrestle with him (even tied up, he was not letting this happen) to get his dew claws cut, and apparently they went in fast and furious as he got cut twice. I can't really say that I blame them, because he was being a brat, but I also understand that. However, we've always wondered why his nails have never seemed trimmed after a grooming session, and I guess now we know. After that he wasn't letting anyone touch him, and then he saw Santa, and literally ran up and started giving him (er... her) kisses. It was the cutest thing ever, he was soooo excited, but the people running the thing were kind of flaky. They should have just snapped the picture when he was busy licking her face, but then they started squeaking toys, and wanted him on the couch, and it was literally 15 minutes to get one good picture. Lucy, on the other hand, was having NO part in this crazy tradition. Jason ended up having to get in the picture with her and even then, she was trying to run away. The pictures came out kinda blah, and when I scanned them to get some reprints, the reprints came out horrible. This whole thing just did not turn out well. Even the Santa, who was a woman, a tiny woman, wasn't that great. She was wearing lipstick and blush, both of which you could see as her beard would not stay on. I guess I can't expect much for $10. :/ Next year, I think I am going to bring my own camera, tell them I will pay for the photos just let me take it with my own good camera so I can have many pics. Haha, I don't even really care about the frame that is part of the package deal. I guess I'm just a photo-snob. Anyway, here are the scanned versions, which look a ton better than the reprints:
Ack, I just realized that I have sooo much more to say, but I got off-track with the whole Santa fiasco... I will be back tomorrow... need to get ready for bed... 20 minutes ago... whoops.
I am so exhausted right now it's not even funny. Jason is diligently working on his homework so he can get the validation code to do his mid-term and finish it by tomorrow. He's basically told me that he is going to stay up until it's done. Trying to be dedicated, I tried to stay up with him, but I think that after I am done typing this, I am giving up because it will be well past midnight, and that is well past my bed time. I have a good excuse though, I have a super busy day tomorrow! (That's a good one, right?)
Anyway, tomorrow I have to go to work to burn a CD, because I tried to burn it at home, and I can't get any computer here to do it. It's pretty ridiculous, but I was going to have to go to work tomorrow morning anyway to drop it off before 10 am. Such is life. Then, I am going to run back home and pick up the dogs, take them to get their nails clipped (for free, YAY coupons!) and then to see Santa (check your mail soon :D) and bring them back home. Then I will be going into work to actually work this time because I am soooo behind because we have been SLAMMED these past few weeks. I haven't had time to slack off and sit up front and chat for a LONG time, and I used to get 2-3 sessions (30-60 minutes long each) in a day. I don't think I've even taken a full lunch this entire week because I've been interrupted every step of the way. That part really sucks because I am working on something during my lunch, so I take the time to scarf my food down first, and spend the rest working on my "project" which has now been cut short, and I have 3ish weeks to finish it because it's a Christmas present. :/ After I work for about half a day, I will be helping to set up our yearly Christmas party for all those who have lost someone that past year. It's a really nice celebration, and afterward, my cool boss man is taking those who helped out for pizza and beer. I can't think of a better way to reward your employees. :P Pending the homework situation, Jason will be coming to my work around 5 to help out, and then he will also get the above mentioned reward. I really hope he does finish because, you can never complain about a free meal, and at this point in our life, we REALLY can't complain, especially when it is something as delicious as pizza!
As for Jason, today was his last day at work. I guess his old job has all but confirmed that he can have his old job back as of January 1st, but he's not looking forward to it, and neither am I, but at least its a paycheck if he doesn't get one before then. He also finally is getting rid of his car! Yay! Good bye Big Brown Boat. It took forevvvvvver, but we found a place to donate it to, and they are picking it up Monday. That will also (hopefully) be a nice tax deduction for next year, and one some of their paperwork, they even talked about a hotel or vacation voucher if it was "worth" enough. I doub't it will be, but wouldn't those be nice?
I have soooo much more to say, but I am so beat, so here are my reminders for tomorrow today later:
(it will all make sense later, I promise!)
Ok, so with Jason being completely tied up, I am sooooo bored. I can't sew, or practice sewing because I have no fabric or (cheap) thread to waste, I can only knit so long before my fingers feel like they are going to fall off, and I don't have the expansion for WoW (or the paid account) to be able to play with anyone. I registered for school for next semester, watched some TV and knitted tonight, but I am still soooo bored. I think I am going to start dinner for tomorrow night just to kill some time... someone helppppp me, I need ideas of what I can do that will keep me occupied while Jason does his hours upon hours of homework.
