Happy Monday....I think

I've been so off on my days lately, I thought yesterday was Saturday for most of the day.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I got a lot of great gifts and was glad to be able to spend time with family but I'm so glad it's all over. I was lacking in Christmas spirit this year. We had our last family Christmas on Saturday. As soon as we got home I started putting the decorations away. Normally I feel a little sad once everything is down but this year I kind of felt a sense of relief that it was gone. Hopefully family issues will be sorted out next year and I'll be back to my Christmas overloaded self.

Anyway, I worked on a few small projects last night. I've been seeing cute little canvas paintings like these around blog world lately. They're all very cute, but don't really fit into my budget right now so I thought I'd try to make my own. So I went to Walmart and picked up this 10x10 canvas for $3.79.

Here's the end result. It's not as cute as the ones I've seen online but the money saved makes up for it.
I also dyed our bedroom curtains in our kitchen sink last night. What a job that was! I think I'll try the washing machine method if I ever do it again.

Pink Christmas

This was my first year participating in Pink Christmas. I had so much fun getting my package ready for my Pink Christmas girlfriend! And it was so fun to get a package in the mail filled with goodies just for me!! Here's a peek at what I received from my Pink Christmas gf that received my name:

I've never had any of these cute Good Mail labels but I've wanted them for so long!
Really cute handmade cards.
A cute pink, glittery snowflake.
Yummy M&Ms in the Pink Christmas spirit.
Pictures loaded in reverse order, so first up are the awesome Peppermint flavored sugar crystals that came in my hot chocolate kit. I didn't even know they made flavored sugar crystals. Very cool!
A peek inside my hot chocolate kit.
The outside of the hot chocolate kit.
Two of my favorite things: Ritter Sport candy bars and Orbit Sweet Mint gum.
Cute little notebook to take Christmas shopping with me next year. It even has a little receipt keeper inside the front cover.
And a look at all the loot.
Thank you so much Carolynn!!

Weekend Recap

Well we had more yucky weather this weekend but we did manage to get out and get our Christmas shopping finished (yay!). We also picked out this year's Christmas ornament. I didn't do a whole lot as far as projects go over the weekend. I did make a notebook to keep track of each year's Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, etc.

Ok, so I didn't make the notebook, I just took a composition notebook and covered it with some scrapbook paper. I also decided to make my idea binder look a little more attractive. I've kept all the pages I tear out of magazines and print off blogs in a plain black binder for awhile now. No before picture, but you all know what the cheapy black binders look like.

It was a pretty simple project. I bought some fabric, ribbon, and Elmer's Spray Adhesive. I cut the fabric a little larger than the cover, sprayed some adhesive on, then pressed the fabric onto the binder, wrapping the overhang over the edges. Next I cut pieces that were the same size as the flaps on the inside and glued them down. I added some ribbon and voila - a prettier version of my idea binder.

Last night David suggested that we play a game so we decided to play this Christmas game that we received from my sister-in-law and family.

It was really fun! We played three times before I decided that I couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to play another game.

Do you know the answers?

------------------

This will most likely be my only post for the week. We will be heading to my mom's on Christmas Eve. We will come back here on Christmas day and have our Christmas. I'll be out looking for some deals the day after Christmas and doing a lot of baking in preparation for my husband's side of the family's Christmas on Saturday.

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!!

A Little of Nothing...

I don't have much to tell ya all today. We have a half day of school tomorrow then Christmas break begins! I'm planning to go to Goodwill tomorrow and maybe Walmart to try to find some projects for the weekend. We are suppose to get another blizzard this weekend so I'll need something to keep my busy. That's about it I guess....

I'll leave you with my favorite SNL Christmas skit:

Two fer Tuesday

I had a surprise waiting for me in my inbox when I got home tonight. Lisa from Adventures in JujuBoo gave me two awards!

The first is a Christmas Spirit award.

The Rules are simple:

*You must be a true Christmas lover to receive this award.

*The person to whom you give the award must also be in love with Christmas.

*You must link back to the person who gave you the award.

*You must list 5 things that you love about Christmas.

*Pass the award along to as many people as you like. That can be 1 or 45; it's up to you. But, you must pass it on to at least one person in order to keep the Christmas cheer going!

*Let your recipients know that you have tagged them by leaving them a comment on their blog.

Things I Love About Christmas:
1. I love the warm, cozy feeling it brings.
2. I love putting up the Christmas decorations.
3. I love baking the special treats I only make during the season.
4. I love spending the day with my husband's larger, louder (in a good way) family and I love spending the day with my small, quiet family.

5. I love remembering the Christmas pasts when I would watch my grandma make a ton of cut-out cookies and watch my grandpa sit at the kitchen table frosting them.

The blogs I would like to pass this award on to are:

Beautifully Imperfect

Just a Girl

I received this award from Lisa too.

The "rules" for this one:
*List six things that make you happy.
*Pass the award on to 5 other bloggers
*Link back to the person who gave you the award.
*Link to the people you are passing it on to and leave them a comment to let them know.

6 things that make me happy:
1. My husband
2. My family
3. Hobby Lobby
4. Blogging
5. Finding good deals
6. Crafting/redoing pieces

I'm passing this one on to:
Heaven's Gift
Lulaville
House of Whimsey
Living a Dream
Our Cozy Nest




Thanks for passing these awards on to me Lisa!!

Baby It's Cold Outside

source

Ok, it's not cold..... it's freakin' freezing. We are currently under a blizzard warning and wind chill warning. The temp is -6 degrees and the wind chill is -47. Yeah you read that right, it feels like it is 47 degrees below zero. I went outside to try to move our car that is stuck in the snow once the parking lot was cleared only to find that the battery is about dead. It was plugged in, but into the wrong outlet. So I got it plugged into ours and came inside and waited for my face to thaw. I am SO over winter.

I made some cut-out cookies yesterday. I used my Grandma H's recipe, it's my favorite cut-out cookie recipe. We had planned to take some to my brother-in-law's house today but couldn't make it over there since there our car got stuck early this morning.

It has been a pretty quite weekend overall. I have four and a half days of school this week then Christmas break begins! Sixteen glorious days to do with as I please. Can't wait! Hope ya all have a great week!

50 Tidbits About Me

I saw this on Frizzy's blog last night....

50 random things about you! If you read this, FILL IT OUT! Learn 50 things about your friends, and let them learn 50 things about you!

1. Do you like cheese? Yes, most of 'em anyway
2. Have you ever smoked? Tried it once when I was in high school and thought I was going to die because it tasted so bad....so NO!!
3. Do you own a gun? No.
4. Do you like listening to Christmas music? Love it!!!
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Sometimes, and if I know they are going to draw blood I do all but panic, ok maybe I do panic
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I like them once in awhile, til I take a bite and get a hard piece
7. Favorite Christmas song? All I Want For Christmas (Is You), Happy XMas (War is Over)
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? water or milk
9. Can you do push ups? Not many
10. Who is your favorite Grey's Anatomy Character? Don't watch it
11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding ring and my diamond necklace David gave me on our first Christmas together
12. Favorite hobby? Crafting and baking
13. Do you eat "exotic" foods? Not unless I know exactly what it is before I put it in my mouth
14. Do you have A.D.D.? Sometimes I am positive I do
15. What one trait do you hate about yourself? Lately....lack of ambition
16. Middle Name? Ann....after my mom
17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I really hope the blizzard hits on Sunday so we don't have school on Monday. My nose is freezing. I should have eaten supper instead of all those peanut M&Ms.
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday? I don't think I bought anything yesterday.
19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water, pop, milk
20. Current worry right now? Wonder when we'll get the car window to roll up so I can drive it again.
21. Current hate? My cold nose.
22. Favorite place to be? home
23. How did you bring in the New Year? with David
24. Where would you like to go? somewhere warm
25. Name three people who will complete this? No idea
26. Do you own flip flops? Yes, lots
27. What shirt are you wearing? A purple T-shirt from the daycare I used to work at
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I don't think I ever have
29. Can you whistle? yup, two ways - lips and teeth
30. Favorite color? blue and green
31. Would you be a pirate? Hmmm....I would like not having to take showers but wouldn't like having a peg leg
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing in the shower
33. Favorite girl's name? not sure
34. Favorite boy's name? don't have one
35. What's in your pocket right now? nothing
6. Last thing that made you laugh? I was at home sick Thursday. When I returned on Friday, one of my students gave me a big hug and said, "Mrs. L. I missed you yesterday!" I said, "I missed you too." to which he said, "I know" with such sympathy in his voice that it seemed like he was certain that I had had a very hard time being away from him for a day, it was cute
37. Best bed sheets as a child? Can't remember
38. Worst injury you've ever had? Back and head injury when rear ended a couple years ago
39. Do you love where you live? The town is nice....the apartment sucks
40. How many TVs do you have in your house? 3
41. Who is your loudest friend? Hmmm...Candy?
42. How many dogs do you have? 0
43. Does someone have a crush on you? Well, I hope my husband still does.
44. Do you get embarrassed easily? YES! and I hate it
45. What is your favorite book? Twilight series
46. What is your favorite candy? Chocolate
47. Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince theme song? yup
48. What song do you want played at your funeral? One Sweet Day - Mariah Carey & Boys II Men
49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? sleeping
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I can sleep in tomorrow!!

My Husband Rocks

This will be David and my first Christmas as a married couple. I'm hoping that we start some traditions this year that we can carry throughout our marriage. One tradition that we started last year (as an engaged couple) was picking out ornaments for our tree. We picked out these two last year.

We haven't chosen our ornament(s) yet this year. Hopefully we will get that done next weekend.

We also have the new tradition this year of putting up a photo ornament containing a photo from the year. This year's:

Ornaments may not seem to be a way "my husband rocks" but I love that he will take the time to go shopping for such things with me and to put thought into it. He rocks all the way around when it comes to Christmas. He walks through the Christmas aisles with me, starting in October, every time we go to the store. Things don't change much but I have to walk through the aisles every time we go. He helps me with the Christmas shopping, which is a huge help! He doesn't complain when I listen to only Christmas music starting on Thanksgiving Day until Christmas day. He says nothing when I watch the same 4 or 5 Christmas movies over and over during the month of December. He willingly drives me around town a few times during the month so I can look at the Christmas lights. There are so many little things that mean a lot because he does them to add a little more magic into Christmas for me.

One more reason......this is David making homemade tortillas this past week for our chicken tacos. They were so good, and he made it all himself :o)

Want to tell everyone why your husband rocks? Visit Katy Lin for more information.

Welcome to South Dakota

Welcome to everyone stopping in from Blog Around the World! Please bear with me if the layout is all wonky. I had a hard time with blogger while writing the post and I won't be home til this afternoon to fix it if needed. Thank you :o)

Have you ever said – South Dakota? I’ve never met anyone from South Dakota. Well...now you have. :o) Yes, people do live here, and yes South Dakota and North Dakota are two very different states.

South Dakota has a population of approximately 780,000. So if you’ve never been to SD that’s probably why you’ve never met a South Dakotan. South Dakota is ranked 17th in the US for area, but 46th for population so we have lots of room to spread out. Oh, and our state capital is Pierre (say peer, not the French name).

One big plus about living in SD is that driving is pretty relaxed. You can tell how long it will take to get somewhere based on how many miles you’re driving. Going 30 miles? Takes 30 minutes. 75 miles? 75 minutes. Of course this isn’t necessarily the case in the winter.

We get to experience each of the 4 seasons in SD. Sometimes the seasons kind of run together and we have a blizzard in the spring (like the day before our wedding), a fall-like day in the middle of winter, etc. etc. And, if it's above 40 degrees in the winter you're almost guaranteed to see a handful of people wearing shorts. For example, it is currently 5 degrees outside and my husband wore shorts to work and he's not the only person I saw wearing shorts today. Sometimes we even get to experience winter and summer in the same day. This is a weather advisory map taken from a local news station. I believe this is from the last day of April this year.

A few pictures taken from around South Dakota in various seasons. source for all pictures

People often say east river or west river when describing a location, or where they grew up. The Missouri River cuts the state (almost) in half. East river grows crops, west river has more ranches but no we don’t all live on farms. I’ve been a town girl all my life.

Want to know how South Dakotans sound? I’d say we east river residents have a cross between a Sarah Palin and a “Fargo” sound but not as northern. We just have a little twang. We tend to stress the long “o” sound and say it more like “oh” than “o” – say South Dakooohhta. I think west river residents have less of an “accent”.

Some touristy places that you've probably heard about:
Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, and the Black Hills.

Some you may not heard of or know much about:

Deadwood The town of Deadwood attained notoriety for the murder of Wild Bill Hickok, and remains the final resting place of Hickok and Calamity Jane. Deadwood was the third city in the United States (after Las Vegas and Atlantic City) to legalize gambling.

source

Sturgis Sturgis is home to the Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The Rally is held each first full week of August. The first rally was held in 1938 and now hosts over 500,000 visitors during the week.

source

Corn Palace The Corn Palace (AKA the World's Largest Bird Feeder) is located in Mitchell. The murals displayed on the outside and inside of the building are made using SD corn, grasses, and wheat. I wouldn't make a special trip to see it but if you're passing by it's an ok stop.

source

De Smet You may have read the Little House series or watched Little House on the Prairie when you were younger. Author Laura Ingalls Wilder spent part of her life in De Smet. You can visit the Ingalls Homestead just outside town and the Ingalls home in De Smet. Since 1971, De Smet has hosted a pageant, held over several weekends in July, to honor Laura Ingalls Wilder. Five of the Little House books were based on her experiences in and around De Smet.

TV Ingalls:

source

Real Ingalls:

source

Other notables from South Dakota include Bob Barker, Tom Brokaw, Cheryl Ladd, Catherine Bach, Brock Lesnar, Mike Miller, Chad Greenway, and Adam Vinatieri.

I hope you enjoyed your visit and thanks for stopping by!

Weekend Recap

So we finally made it out to see Twilight this weekend. My review:

source

From left to right (for those who haven't read the book or seen the movie)
Emmet - very cute
Rosalie - beautiful
Esme - perfect
Edward - could have been cuter
Carlisle - perfect and cute
Alice - good choice, love the hair
Jasper - cute, though he looked painfully constipated throughout the movie

source
Bella - hmm...not really sure, sometimes I just wanted to give her a swift kick in the butt and tell her to smile, she's way more serious in the movie than I pictured her to be while reading

source

Jacob - way cute, bad wig (as my husband noticed), but cute

And that's about all I have to say. I was neither impressed nor disappointed.

.

We visited my brother-in-law and his family Saturday evening. We got some more Christmas gifts taken care of on Sunday. That was about it for the weekend.

.

I took off for work this morning about 10 minutes late. It was raining (though it was below freezing, that still gets me) which made for a wonderful drive. I got about 3 blocks from the apartment and realized that I had a flat tire. Wonderful! Called David, he brought me his car and took mine to get the tire fixed. Got to school and the parking lot was full due to a 5th grade band concert. Raced another car (as well as I could on the ice/snow covered parking lot) to the only available parking spot, and won. The school day went pretty well except some sort of stomach bug is going around so I'm hoping I miss out on that one. Left work at 4, went out to the car only to have to pry the car door because it was frozen shut; the whole car was an ice cube. Turned on the defrost and looked around for a scraper and couldn't find one. Called David and asked him if there was a scraper in his car, to which he said no. Told him I'd be home in an hour because the windows were completely frozen and snowed over. He told me he'd bring a scraper. About 15 minutes later he showed up, scraped the windows, and traded cars. So he saved me twice today. I'm really tired of winter already. Ok, so it's kind of fun to sit here and watch the snow fall but I hate it when I'm out in it.

My Husband Rocks!

Top 10 things that attracted me to David (and still do):

1. His dimples. Oh how I hope our children have his dimples!

2. His eyes. He has very kind eyes.

3. His big heart.

4. His intelligence. He’s a very smart man and has a ton of useless knowledge in his head. I used to think I was good at Trivial Pursuit until I played him. Now it’s not so fun anymore :o)

5. His musical talent. He used to say, “Hey, I wrote you a song today.” Then he’d start playing Layla by Eric Clapton on his guitar and substitute Nichole for Layla. Pretty cute.

6. His way with words. I have a box full of notes and letters he has written me.

7. He is very romantic.

8. He is very close with his family.

9. His sense of humor. He’ll do anything to make me laugh.

wearing some sexy glasses he found at his mom and dad's house

10. He’s a good cook :o)

To find out more about My Husband Rocks! visit Katy Lin at the great adventure

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

In the hat they go...
And the winner is...

Carrie at Unmatched Socks! Thank you to everyone who entered my 100th post giveaway. :o)

100th Post & a Giveaway

Hey everbody! I made it to my 100th post!! Time flies when you're having fun. :o)

When I started this blog I never dreamt that people outside of my friends and family would be reading. It's been so fun to see people from all over the country and the world stop by for a visit (gotta love FEEDJIT!). I've met some really fun people and gotten so many great ideas from other bloggers.

In honor of my 100th post I'm having a little giveaway. If you'd like to enter, simply leave a comment on this post. If you don't have a blog please leave an email address, or a way to get ahold of you in case you are the winner. All comments received by 6pm on Thursday (12/4) will be entered in the drawing. I'll announce the winner either Thursday evening or Friday.

A Few of My Favorite Things

ETA: I added my Christmas music (as you can tell). I put the player at the top for those of you who don't like to hear music while reading or for those who just don't like Christmas music. :o)

Today I'm joining in on Thrifty Decor Chick's "These are a few of my favorite things" linky party.

I already mentioned that I have a small addiction to Martha Stewart glitter. LOVE that stuff!!


Love the Sierra Mist Free Cranberry Splash.

I was a little afraid to try these when I first saw them but they are so good!


I'm lovin' our new Christmas stockings from Dollar Tree.

























Some other favorites include:
TV show: Ghost Whisperer, The Biggest Loser, Ghost Hunters
Favorite song: Single Ladies-Beyonce
Favorite Christmas songs: All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey, Happy XMas (War is Over) - John Lennon, Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Bruce Springsteen, It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Santa Baby, White Christmas, Silver Bells, Silent Night
Home decor: New comforter set
Home activity for the month: Christmas baking!!

Come back tomorrow for my 100th post giveaway!