Stupid Droid

Want one of these so super bad.

Selfless? That's Me

There is no greater love than that of a woman who will give up *one* of her pillows for her husband. That is a bond stronger than mortgage or marriage.

A Vignette Christmas

Still no Christmas tree. Probs not going to happen at this point. I have done some more decorating though.



A wreath. There's one on the front of the door also, but it's flippin' cold out there + it's dark.

Did a little something on the kitchen island.



A little breakfast table action.





For the family room, I put together a little bouquet:



Red mums with hypernisomething berries:



And my favorite Nativity in the dining room:



Last night, Lovey and I had this conversation.

Me: You know what we should do? You should take all of the dogs with you to Tennessee, and I'll stay here and have a super quiet holiday.

Lovey: How about I take Blanca and Duffy, and I leave Pullo here with you?

Me: Why do I get the Big Brown Scaredy Dog?

Lovey: Because both of you think you're super cool after you get your hair done.

Hmm. Can't argue with that logic.

This Might Do It

Since I missed the Charlie Brown Christmas Special, this might just be what gets me in the spirit:



And this one, just because:

Baby, It's Cold Outside

But not nearly as cold as Alaska. That's where my Lovey is this week. We spent the better part of Sunday looking for his snow boots. We finally found them, but they were dry-rotted from 15 years of non-use.

Lovey made me promise not to post this picture on Facebook. Technically, this isn't Facebook.



Man, I wish I had that jacket. It's 39 freaking degrees! OK, so it's -16 in Fairbanks. It's all relative, right?

I hate Alaska. I hate that it's 4 hours time difference. I miss not getting to talk to my boy as much as when he's traveling closer. I hate him flying so far away in snowy, icy weather. I'm a worrier. Can't help myself. Want him home safe and sound where he belongs. Miss him.

I planned on trying to decorate for Christmas this week, but it just isn't happening. I don't really know why. I just don't really have any desire to do the whole Big Tree Thing. Here's what I've done so far.



Yep, that's it. That's as far as the creative juices have gotten me. Embarrassing, really.

So what else is happening around The McManse?

Well, I took my BGITW's advice and went back for my purse and boots. Here they are!



The Michael Kors dark purple leather tote. Tags still on due to possible shopper's remorse.



Born black leather boots. Maybe the softest, most comfortable boots/shoes I've ever worn. And these puppies are warm! I wore them yesterday because - um, well - I had to! It's cold here, people!

Here's a picture that doesn't make them look like firemen's boots.



Sideways? Yes! Toilet and Duffy butt in the background? Yes!

Email of the Year

Today, I received the following email from my BGITW (Best Girl in the World).

Today E’s teacher sent home one of E’s assignments for us to see. She attached a note saying “In class we have been working on writing with detail. Attached is some of E’s writing :)”. Attached was a picture of a boy next to a brown circle. He wrote “Today I did a big poop. It was long. It was cool. It was gross.” Boys are such pigs…..

He's six. Priceless...


In related BGITW news, I wrote to her today to tell her what a good person I was because even though I found the perfect purple leather Michael Kors bag and the perfect black flat-heeled Born boots, I didn't buy them since Christmas is so close. I expected a "good for you" from my Financial Advisor/Logical Self. Here's what she wrote back:

You are not a good person for denying yourself those - they sound too good. Go get the boots and the purse and wrap them up to you from your furry kids. You so deserve a Christmas present from those dogs!

Uh oh.

This Week

Monday

Lele: Oh, nooooo! We can't go to Ahwee Toweeee Squeee Neeee Heeeee.

Me: If you could maybe translate that from Dolphin to English, maybe I could understand you a little better.

Tuesday

Lovey: I worked at Cape Canaveral today.

Me: Did you get to touch the shuttle?

Lovey: That's Cape Kennedy, Sweetie. I was at Cape Canaveral. It's Air Force.

Me: Oh! Like in "I Dream of Jeannie!" Where Major Nelson and Major Healey were stationed. They were astronauts, you know.

Lovey: ....That's right.

Me: Isn't it funny how I just reduced your entire workweek to a 60s sitcom?

Lovey: Maybe I should go down to the beach and see if I can find a genie bottle.

Me: Just make sure she likes to mop.

Wednesday, Part 1

I've had this naggy cough for going on 3 weeks. A box of Mucinex later, it's still hanging around. One of my girls says, "You should try Buckley's". I'd never heard of it, but she had suggested it to another friend of mine and it had completely knocked out her cold.

At lunch today, I bought a bottle. I opened the box on the way back to work and took a big swallow of it. Hmmm, that wasn't so bad.

Until I took a breath.

And then a huge wave of what felt like Liquid Vicks Vap-o-Rub hit my chest. I remembered then that two of the ingredients were menthol and camphor. Luckily, I stopped myself short of throwing up in my car.

Wednesday, Part 2

While going through client files, I realized one of them works for a local, prestigious catering company. A few weeks ago, when we attended a memorial service, this same fabulous caterer had catered the life celebration after the memorial.

Oh, my gosh! It was the best Frogmore Stew I have ever tasted. I so wanted to go back for seconds - even thirds. And the cobbler (of which there were three!), was remarkable. I had the peach (with cinnamon whipped cream - heaven), and Lovey naturally had the blackberry.

I told my ladies to let me know when he came into the office again. Coincidentally, he was in the outer office right then. I hopped up and gushed about how incredible the food that they had prepared was. I tried to lay down enough hints that maybe some leftovers could make their way into my tummy sometime. I'm afraid though that maybe he just thinks I'm some crazy food stalker now.

Eight Sticks of Butter

A few last words about Thanksgiving. Yes, I used almost 8 entire sticks of butter making everything. And you know what? It was DEElicious. Thanksgiving is no time to scrimp on ingredients.

Here's my basic theory:

• Bacon makes anything better.
• There is no such thing as low-fat mayonaisse
• Butter good.

So I didn't even use mayo, but I had to throw that in there.

Here are a few pictures of my table. I see that a lot of design bloggers showed theirs so I'm going to copycat them.







The orange votives are actually from our wedding. Packrattery sometimes pays off. Linens are from Huge Lots. Punkins are from Tuesday Morning - $4!

It was a huge amount of work, but it was worth every minute. The only non-perfect dish was the Green Bean Casserole - which was disappointing because everything I've made from The Pioneer Woman has been so excellent. I guess everyone has a down day. I will admit though.....getting sick of leftovers. Think this may be my last day of turkey for a while.

Jive Turkey

A few weeks ago...

Lovey: "Let's fry a turkey for Thanksgiving".

Me: "Good thing we live within two miles of the fire department and the hospital".

So I'm a pretty decent cook. However, I don't do turkey. I'd have to Google to figure out how to even roast one. Not my thing. So when Lovey started talking about frying the bird, I was a mite concerned. I've seen the allstate commercial. Burned down house, burned loved one! But I was trying to be a trouper. I even bought the requisite box of peanut oil. I picked out a spot for the cooker at least twenty-five feet from the house. I printed out a Paula Deen (Hey, yaww!) recipe for a fried turkey.

Last night, Lovey cleaned the pot and bought more oil.

I started assembling all the other tasty vittles at 8:30 this morning. At 10:30, Lovey comes downstairs and asks, "How long does it take to roast a turkey?"

Um, what? Have you seen the oven? Dish of dressing, dish of sweet potatoes, dish of green bean casserole???? What the heck?

So Lovey decides that we do not possess all the necessary equipment to fry said turkey. You might say I was a little peeved. My well-oiled kitchen machine was getting a little grindy.

Luckily, Mama Lovey (MIL) assembled the bird for roasting. It actually turned out well. Thanksgiving disaster diverted.

I got a text from my Best Girl in the World this afternoon asking how the frying adventure went. I assured her that with 8 gallons of peanut oil in the house, something's getting fried this weekend.

Thanksgiving Menu

Fried, er Roast Turkey*

Collards

Sweet Potato Casserole

Green Bean Casserole

Cornbread Dressing

Cranberry Sauce

Grilled Corn

Rolls

Chocolate Ricotta Pie

Blackberry Nantucket Pie

Almond Whipped Cream

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

*You know there's a story there. Check back later. It's HIlarious.

Really?

Who exactly is this news to?



Umm, men?

'Member?

Remember last summer when the a/c went out, and we laughed and laughed? Well, it ain't so funny when it's the heat. Sweatshirt. Sweatpants. Monkey slippers. At least if I keep typing, it will keep my hands warm. Er, maybe?

Confirmed.

The call came around 8:45 this morning. It was my realtor, V.

"My" house sold on Thursday, October 28th. Devastating. Maybe there was a reason I chose to dress in all black today. Monday sucks enough as it is. This....was horrible.

So in an ode to my lost "love"......



There'll never be another K's Barbie Dream House. At least until I build my own.

We Pet The Puppy

About a month ago, Lovey had Columbus Day off. Because he has one of those fancy government jobs, yo!

He calls me all excited about a house he'd just found. "Oh, my gosh! You've got to see this thing! It's awesome! It backs up to the marsh! It has a 3-car garage. You've got to see this!"

Me: "What's the address?"

Lovey: "1701 Blah Blah Street". Whut. That's the real name, for sers.

Me: "Well....the good news is it's marked down $149K. The bad news is it's still $650,000.

Lovey: "Oh.....Well, it's an awesome house".

Naturally, when I got off we went back over to the neighborhood. Naturally. Even though we can't afford it. And what do you know? A door was unlocked. Serendipity, I tell you!

So we headed in. And we looked around. And I fell in love. I pet the puppy. Now, all I can think about is the Damn Puppy!

She's beautiful.....



Omigosh. Omigosh. Omigosh. I love her like she's my own.



Here's Lovey's favorite: a 3+ car garage. And plenty of room for my Green Room projects. And an office for me on the ground floor. Squee!

And here's K's Barbie Dream Kitchen:



Could you pleeaasse look at that island? Look at all that storage for all the cookbooks I don't use!

And! And!



Here's the back. Look at all those beautiful windows! And the screened porch! And the DOUBLE DECKS! What? I'm about to hyperventilate all over again. I wouldn't even bother to cover all of those glorious windows up. See, look what kind of money I just saved. Sigh....

Seriously....I have moved every stick of furniture and clothes into this house. As far as I'm concerned, my address is now 1701 Blah Blah. Can't help it. There is Not One Thing I would change about this house. It is perfection.

Then yesterday.....Lovey looked up the listing like we do nearly everyday. It's off the market. Status unknown. Hopefully that means the nice bank has purchased it and is keeping it off the market until I can sell enough plasma and/or scratch off enough lottery tickets to buy it. Alas, my eggs are too old to sell. Because unfortunately, even if you LOOK young, your parts still are old. Bastards.

The only good news is that being the resourceful little lady I am, I found the actual floorplan. And have been compulsively studying it. So if some good-for-nothing ho bag did indeed buy my house (hope her furniture is ugly!), I can build my own Barbie Dream House. Until then, here I sit heartbroken at 424 Stupid Little House Lane. Not bitter. No, not bitter. Not me.

I've Been Busy

Long time, sweeties! Here's what I've been doing:

First weekend in Sept: Big boss was supposed to come down. Cancelled! Still missed the game.

Second weekend in Sept: "vacation" in Tennessee. Busy, busy days, not too relaxing.

Third weekend in Sept: Baby shower out of town. I don't post personal pics here but rest assured those are two of the cutest kids ever!

Fourth weekend in September: bouquet making on Friday and Saturday morning. Birthday party Saturday afternoon. Much praying Sunday morning for the rain to hold off. Wedding Sunday night.

First weekend in Oct: Homecoming! We lost and here are my legs:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Here would BE my legs, but blogger is not cooperating right now. Suffice it to say they were lobster-like to the point that I had chills all Saturday night. And I'm still peeling like a snake.

Last weekend....I cannot even remember. It's been that kind of a month. Work has been particularly frustrating. Won't bore anyone with all of that.

Right now I'm just trying to wrap my head around getting back on track. Hope to see you sooner rather than later, peeps.

Sigh......

I'm going to miss the first and second Clemson games this year. The first for work commitments and the second for Lovey and my annual trip to the Knoxville side of Tennessee. It's always so hot the first games that I rarely see the whole thing. In recent years, I've taken a book with me so when I get overheated at least I have something to do while I sit under the stands to cool down.

Then today, I read this. It's stolen from Mickey Plyler's blog:

"We started the Tiger Walk two years ago and I try not to miss this new tradition. I have to admit it is now my second favorite Clemson tradition (Howard’s Rock and the Hill are first). I can’t wait to see the team get off of those buses and greet the fans for the first time. Dabo created a sense of unity with this new Tiger tradition. If you have not seen this, try to get there about two and a half hours in advance to get your orange blood pumping.

And most importantly I get another chance to see the Tigers run down the hill Saturday. I wrote this in a blog last year about the greatest Clemson tradition, Howard’s Rock and the hill:
This is really what gets most of us going. This makes the hair stand up on your arms. This is the adrenaline pumping. This is what Clemson football is all about.

The way I see it, I am about half way through a normal life expectancy for a male. If I am lucky enough to live another 40 years and if Clemson plays seven home games a year, then I get to see this about 280 more times. Therefore, I cherish every time I get to witness.

The anticipation of seeing the video of the buses starting their journey is the first step. This is when your heart is not only a supplier of blood throughout your body, it now provides the bass beat and your chest starts to feel the energy.

Then you actually see the buses come around the corner and you start to see fans at the top of the hill get excited.

One of the most unique feelings I have ever had is the one I get every time I see the first Clemson player emerge at the top of the hill. By this point, my heart rate is between 150-190.
This is when noise becomes a feeling.

How about the first note of the Orange Bowl March? Does any single note of any song strike that kind of emotion?

Then the band makes its way towards the hill and the energy is climbs even higher.
The cannon sounds. Tigers pour down The Hill into Death Valley. Fans spell out C-L-E-M-S-O-N the loudest they do all day.

I get to see this again Saturday. Yes, I feel so blessed."

And now, I'm sad. Because it is an awesome sight. There is an incredible energy to be surrounded by so many other Solid Orange fans. Lord willing (and I don't fire anyone) I'll be there in October when the leaves begin to turn, the air is crisp and the sky is a beautiful, deep blue. Go Tigers! I'll be there in spirit.

Day 8

The Held Hostage by Heat crisis is (nearly) over. The A/C dudes are outside making sure everything is in Proper Working Order and the thermostats are set down to 70 to cool this joint down - which I'm assured will happen around 9 PM tonight.

Here's one thing I've learned yesterday and today. I was BORED not being able to do anything all day. Not that I didn't have anything to do around the house, it's just that when you sweat when you type, you tend to stay sedentary.

At one point yesterday, I was watching Amazing Wedding Cakes. A show. About high-end wedding cakes. Another thing I learned, rich people can request Uuuugly wedding cakes. I'd rather be poor and have taste than rich and .... well, I don't really have a choice in the rich part, but you get my drift.

Today, I got up at 6 AM (and it's not even football season yet!) to let the guys start work at 7 AM. Desperate times and all that. At 7 AM, I became "enthralled" with DIY channel's photography show where I learned how to take better architectural photos. Embarrassingly, it was quite informative.

I've checked and double-checked my work and personal email and flipped through some catalogs. I've watched HGTV and DIY and other channels with only letters for names. I'm actually looking forward to mopping the kitchen in an hour or so (sadly!).

The high point of the day: I scored some big, beautiful lamps off of craigslist. My first successful purchase! The little Navy guy I bought them from reminded me of Landry from Friday Night Lights. Aw, Landry.

It's dangerous to leave my mind with too much time of its hands. I've mentally rearranged every piece of furniture in this house. I've come up with three different ideas for each project I have so far.

Ah, back to a real bed tonight. Goodbye, Manland. Goodbye, Blow Up Mattress. I think I'll miss you most.

Too Cute Not To Post

Goodwill. $2.99. Love!

A/C Update

It ded. D-E-D. Like as a doornail.

R. I. P.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go google "how to sell a kidney"

Go Figs!

Yesterday, I had to get up Super Early to be at work for an 8 AM conference call (because somebody at corporate must hate me). My Lovey left for Phoenix after being home for two whole weeks which makes it harder when he has to leave.

I left work early to take my little Duffy back to the vet. He had some minor surgery last week and had been humiliated since then with his little cone hat. He's fine, by the way.

When we got back from the vet, the house was unusually...humid. Wha? I looked at the thermostat and my suspicions were confirmed. 80 degrees. Of course!

You see, since Lovey and I have been together he has had to travel with his jobs. First, 3-6 month deployments and now weekly trips.

Over the course of our relationship, I've had to deal with the following:

• a main electrical line leading to our house which had nearly burned through (which could have started a fire)
• a condensing unit fan that was split in half which made a godforsaken noise and prevented cool air from entering my abode
• a condensing unit leak in the ceiling (see cool air comment above)
  
• a defective alarm sensor that created false alarms (and scared the bejesus out of me when it went off)
• a garage door which would not open for me to get the car out

I'm sure there are more. These are the ones that stick out the most. At least Manland has a separate a/c unit. So the beasties and I are huddled in there until it can be repaired tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Hello, Beautiful!

Head over to The Green Room and see the transformation of Old Ugly. She turned out so pretty!

I Can Ride My Bike With No Handlebars

Well...not really, because all the roots would surely knock me off of it.

Here is my bike and I love him.



It is the Giant Revel 2. I call it "him" because it is a men's bike. The Revel 2 W (for WOmen) only came in pink/white, and I'm not really a pink kind of girl. Besides, it is an XS - and anything I can "wear" in an XS is OK by me.

The first two weeks Lovey and I had bikes it was Too. Blame. Hot. to ride them. That's Southernspeak, Yawll. But since then, we have ridden the heck out of these bikes. His is a Giant as well, but I can't be bothered to know its name. It's blue/white, and it's bigger, OK?

We are fortunate enough to live very near Sawmill Branch Trail. It is 6.1 miles long and keeps us off of the busy streets. It's great because the trail branches off into other neighborhoods so it's not the same boring stretch of trail each time.

I'm surprising myself at how competitive I am when we are riding. I will NOT stop pedaling or let up intensity AT ALL if Lovey doesn't. Although we both took a break when we cut across the soccer field. Chickens, it is HARD pedaling in manicured grass. Some massive leg burning going on there.

I'll be super glad when these "scattered" showers (um, scattered has meant hovered over our house for the past two nights) go away so we can get back to our riding routine.

Mad Improv Skills

What does a girl do when the Expedit bookcase is at the nearest Swedish big box store over 150 miles away?



A girl improvises her own Expedit bookcase.



And no, my iron does not wear a purple hat. My pink flamingo does. Doesn't everyone's?

Happiness Is....

a paid off car! Which is why this



is going straight into the shredder.

Junior Crewlade

Last weekend, I introduced my little niece J to the awesomeness that is the J Crew. Is J Crew overpriced? Yes! Do I love them anyway? But, of course.

Little J is so sweet. I wish she lived closer so I could spoil her more. Last weekend, we took the obligatory trip downtown. While the family walked the battery, I went to the Crew to return some things I'd ordered. (For once, I overestimated my sizing!) While I was in there, I wandered over to the Crewcuts section. Oh, my gosh! Everything was so adorable - much of it in the same patterns of the grown-up clothes.

I was able to bring J back to the store and here's what we got:



Because J has no hips to speak of yet (she's 10) this was precious on her.

Also, this cute little ruffled top.



And "the last one in my size!!". She was so excited!




How precious is this? I would want one in every color!

Loved this little dress, but J wasn't as keen on it (but it looked so good on her):




Of course, I had to take advantage of the additional 20% off sale prices. I've always said shopping for women is like hunting to men. And boy, did I bag a big one last weekend.

I got:


The vintage matchstick jean. One pair destroyed, one pair not. Originally $98, each pair for $16.

The fringed tunic:


Buy of the Day. Originally $88, got it for $8! Very cute with cut-offs.

Plain white button down. These never go on sale so a great buy. $58 down to $16.


A cute t-shirt that I can't find on-line, but seen here on Audreybella.

The seaside madras shirt:



I'm such a sucker for madras or anything patchworky. Pardon me, my '80s is showing! Originally $79.50; mine for $23. Looks cute worn with dark cut-offs - minus bowtie.

All in all, my stuff was $450 (retail) but just the original cost of one pair of jeans by the time it was all discounted. Score!

And if that little yellow tulle skirt ever is available in adult sizes, I will so rock it out with my white button down.