Bless my BFF, Momma Stacey

We've always had Angry Toddler call my BFF, Stacey, "Momma Stacey". Momma Stacey is doing a wonderful thing for me today. She is taking Angry Toddler and her daughter, Stella, to the snow today. This is his first time seeing snow. I think it's about a 2 hour drive.

Angry Husband and I have been working alot this past week. Plus, Angry Toddler has been out of preschool also. It's been soo hard to get simple things done, like the laundry, dishes and stuff.

Stacey volunteered to take the kids along with her husband. YAY!!! She's a crazy woman though. Two 3 year olds? NUTS!! But then again, she does own a kid's gym.

Oh and sure enough, Angry Toddler had his asthma-bronchitis cough going on today. I was sure to give him all his meds. He even requested a breathing treatment. I hate these weather transitions, we are having. It's soo hard on his system.

Christmas Day

We got up around 8am on Christmas. Angry Toddler ran out to the front room and saw all the toys. He was very excited. He liked his Batman items, Lincoln Logs, and Pirate Ship.

My parents came over late in the afternoon and we upwrapped more gifts. Angry Toddler loved Spike the Ultra Dinosaur. He also received a Razor scooter. He rode that scooter around our tiny house all day long.

Angry Toddler then crashed out on the floor near the front door and took a nap. He was soo tired.

We had ham and chicken for dinner. Yea, I know the chicken was kind of random. I loathe ham.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was Angry Husband's 35th Birthday. He was quite cranky all day. I finally asked him what was wrong with him. He said, "You can be bitchy and pissed off on your birthday, but I can't." Yea, let's just say good times.

Angry Toddler went to preschool for 1/2 day, and then we went and picked my mom up from work, at the fricken mall. My mom refuses to park in that special "Holiday Employees Only" parking in Egypt. So she either has someone drop her off, or she drives my dad's truck. She thinks she is very sneaky. I had to drop her off that morning and now, I was driving 15 minutes from my house, to pick her up. I took Angry Toddler in the mall with me, the kid loves shopping.

After shopping and a nap, it was time to drive to a family friend's house. We've know these people since I was like 5. I've grown up with them. We found with Angry Toddler about his outfit choice. He wants to wear a Spiderman shirt. I fought with him about it. Angry Hsuband told me to leave him alone. My mom then fought with Angry Toddler about the shirt, he refused. Finally, Angry Husband advised Angry Toddler that everyone else was wearing red, and that he had to wear red. The kid put on that red shirt, a button-up, his first button-up shirt in 2 YEARS. We then hopped in the car, and sat in some lovely Southern California traffic for 1.5 hours.

We had some good food and good times. Angry Toddler really likes playing with the older kids. He behaves very well around them. Note to self, have them around more often.

Madison, Miley, Angry Toddler, and Jacob chillaxing at the Kid's Dinner Table

The kids watching "A Nightmare Before Christmas" upstairs. We all thought it was very quiet, so I went upstairs to check on them. This photo was taken in the dark, but my flash is so bright...

The kids opening gifts.

Angry Husband and Angry Toddler (wearing that lovely red shirt)

How Not To Decorate Your Home for Christmas

I was at my mom's last night, trying to help her with her computer. My mom is pretty computer illiterate. She was trying to open a PDF file sent to her via e-mail. While I was there, I was looking at her e-mail inbox.

So my crazy Aunt Bonnie always sends her these random e-mails. Aunt Bonnie is on my Dad's Whiskey Tango (White Trash) side of the family. She always sends these random e-mails. She's been doing it for years. Thankfully, I changed my e-mail address, so I don't get her spam.

My grandma passed away last year, and somehow a last minute will was written. My Aunt Bonnie inherited everything. Yea, can you say all my Dad's siblings are pretty pissed off. So anywho, my Grandma's house was sold off, cause there was a reverse mortgage on it. What does my Aunt do with the money....she bought a trailer!

So she writes this e-mail to all the relatives. This was her exact wording.

"When I applied to live in this Mobile Home Park, the "rules" said, "No potted plants aloud, we take pride in our Mobile Home park and want it to be presentable."

Yea, umm, anyway, I didn't misspell any words. I typed them exactly as she wrote them. So she included these pictures in her e-mail. They are pictures of her neighbors, ah, ahem trailer.

I have nothing against trailers. I promise. I just don't think this is the proper way to decorate for Christmas. I can't imagine what those all look like now. It's been raining soo much lately in Southern California.

P.S. Click the photos. You get a much better look at them, that way!

Text Messages from Angry Husband

I love parenting by text message. It's quite entertaining. So I'm at a local hospital on a call from work. I'm standing there waiting with my co-workers. I suddenly feel my Blackberry vibrate and see that the text is from Angry Husband.

Angry Husband: I think we need a new rug soon... he just barfed a pile of crap like 5 times in a row...

Me: Why?

Angry Husband: no clue, he told me he was sick and gonna throw up, I told him to run to the bathroom but he stopped and threw up a ton..

Me: Ewwwww

Angry Husband: it stinks like hell too

Me: Ohhh I'm soo sorry :(

Me: 2 more days, ugh, we only need him at school 2 more days...

Angry Husband: it will be fine, hes chillin now...no milk 2 nite

Me: Yea umm gross

Angry Husband: goin to bed, lets hope for no more pukin...sorry for the smell. i did my best

Angry Toddler was a reflux baby. He has always had a real easy gag reflux. If his stomach starts hurting, even a tiny bit, he pukes. Then he feels fine. Our poor family room furniture is trashed because of this. I think we've washed the cushions on our couch at least ten times. We vow to get a new couch when he is like 5, because he still hasn't learned to run to the bathroom or ask for a bucket to puke in. He probably ate too much or something...

I can only imagine how it will smell at 3am, when I get home.

I'm a Winner!!!

Woo-hoo!!! Sarah from In the Trenches of Mommyhood, did a 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Contest.

On Day 6, she posted a contest to win a $10 iTunes giftcard. Well, I found out on December 14th, that I won the giftcard.

I got the giftcard in the mail earlier this week.

I really haven't been in the Christmas-y mood lately, but I decided to purchase this album from itunes, The Hotel Cafe Presents: Winter Songs.



I am soo in love with this album now.

Anyway, thanks for the giftcard Sarah!!!

Metallica Concert

On, Wednesday, I posted a picture of the cover of Metallica's new album, Death Magnetic.

Well on Wednesday night, Angry Husband, his best friend, Eric, my pal, Monique, and I all went to see Metallica in Los Angeles. It was pouring rain. It actually poured rain all day. We were very skeptical and concerned about the traffic. We actually got there pretty fast and were all very hungry. We were not in the very best area of town, and started looking for somewhere to eat. Our only options seemed to be, IHOP and McDonalds. We settled with IHOP, and all squished into a booth there.

After eating we left to go to the concert arena. We paid $22 to park, yes twenty-two fricking dollars. We then waiting in line, in the rain, while we all got patted down and searched. Good times. We then entered the sea of black, black t-shirts that is. Everyone seemed to be wearing black.

The Sword and MachineHead opened up for Metallica. We weren't impressed. Actually, we were just trying to stay warm. The place was the temperature of an ice rink inside. Thankfully, I had my thicker jacket on.

Metallica came on stage in a blaze. They had lasers and fire in their stage show. It was quite awesome, actually. They played a ton of songs for about 2 hours. It was an awesome show. It really brought me back to the times, before Angry Toddler was born. Angry Husband and I saw Metallica together, three times before AT was born. The last time that we saw them in concert was 2004.

I went to my first Metallica concert in 8th grade. Metallica's music has been part of my life for a long time, and it has been a constant. I can recite the words to their songs, and I'm pretty sure, I have all of their albums.

I may be somewhat of a prep most of the time, but Angry Julie has her other dark side too.

And for people interested, here was the play list from the concert!

"That Was Just Your Life"
"The End of The Line"
"Creeping Death"
"Harvester of Sorrow"
"One"
"Broken, Beat & Scarred"
"Cyanide"
"Sad But True"
"Unforgiven"
"All Nightmare Long"
"The Day That Never Comes"
"Master of Puppets"
"Damage, Inc."
"Nothing Else Matters"
"Enter Sandman"

Encore:
"Last Caress/Green Hell" (Misfits cover)
"Seek and Destroy"

Free Shipping Day

Today is Free Shipping Day!!!

Check out this list of online merchants participating in it. There are lots of them. Including Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids, who never do this!

Participating Merchants

Wordless Wednesday

Discounts During This Holiday Shopping Season

With the way the economy is right now, we are all out there looking for the best deal possible. I know that I am. A co-worker recently asked me about buying a TV for his bedroom. I forwarded the e-mail to Angry Husband, who is in the TV biz. Angry Husband then responded back with several models that he suggested. I put the model numbers into Google and did a search for the best prices. After all my Google-ing, I found that Amazon had the best price every time, by a few hundred dollars.

I use a couple of different sites when looking for deals. I thought that I would share them with you!

Fishing for Deals

Slick Deals

Retail Me Not

Oh, and don't forget to sign-up for e-bates for money back. At the end of every quarter, you get the money deposited into your Paypal account. They also have discount codes listed on the site!

Just click on this LINK, and sign up now for e-bates!

Preschool Language

Angry Toddler goes to preschool five days a week. He loves it, we love it. It's a perfect match. But over the past month, the things that come out of his mouth are just plain awful.

This is how our night usually goes.

AT: Smell my butt.
Us: No
AT: Smell my feet.
Us: No
AT: Ewwww, smell my poopy butt.
Us: Umm, we don't talk like that. You do not use those words.
AT: Smell my eyeball.

He has become quite obnoxious. It's almost like we are living with a 7 or 8 year old boy in this 3.5 year old's body. One of his teachers even warned me. She said that the boys in the class have been awful with language lately.

I think one or some of these kids have older brothers or sisters. This was such a sweet group of kids during the summer. They have now turned into stinky, talking about their butt boys.

Oh, and can't leave this one out. The key word for last week was "pussy", yes "pussy". The teacher advised me that Angry Toddler wasn't one of the kids saying it though. That's all we need.

Sale at Tote and Tee

Amy, from Tote and Tee, sent me a little Tweet on Twitter that she's having a sale on her site. She's got these great Naughty and Nice tees on sale. I love Angry Toddler's tee. You can see the cute pictures of him in it, I took these a couple of weeks ago!

Amy is offering these Naughty and Nice tees for $15. They are regularly priced at $24. She has all sizes in stock. If she runs out of a size, she will give an immediate refund. She will also ship them out ASAP. You can also order these ahead and use them for next Christmas' pictures too!

You can also use the code SANTA, which will take 20% off your entire order. She has lots of cute things under $10. Unfunately, she won't be able to ship out any custom tees until after Christmas. But she can ship out Naughty and Nice tees or other small goods, asap!

Digital Pictures and Picture Frames

We've decided to give digital picture frames to the grandparents this year for Christmas gifts. So that meant that I needed to organize my digital photos. We have a ton, except, I think they are on three or four computers. We've had several computers die on us. I don't think Angry Husband got the photos off some of those computers, we have a void of pictures from November of 2006 to mid 2007.

I went through and deleted all the crappy photos and flipped the ones that weren't right. I also noticed there is barely any photos of Angry Husband and I. It truly makes me very sad. Angry Husband always pressures me to take the camera when we go places. I don't mind, but seriously we have thousands of pictures of Angry Toddler but none of us. That's really sad.

We have never even taken a family picture either. I asked Angry Husband to take a family picture about a year ago and he agreed. But, we still don't have that picture.

So hopefully, Angry Husband will get the old photos off the other computers this weekend so I can finish these digital frames. This is one thing he can't blame on me for not getting it done. I'm at a stopping point and can't go any further with this project.

Revamping My Workout Routine

So I have been on this night shift aka swing shift for 3 months now, almost 4. Luckily I go back to day shift in early January. It has really wrecked my metabolism and work out routine. I tell everyone that I gain weight on nights and no one believes me. Luckily,I've managed to maintain my weight loss. BUT, I haven't lost anything either.

My treadmill will finally be fixed on Wednesday, aka tomorrow. It took a really long time to get the parts. It's probably the warranty issues with Precor. I'm going to try and rely on my treadmill for bad weather and/or cold days.

I'm a member of 24 Hour Fitness. I have been for quite some time. I really started using my membership last January. I've kinda got bored with my routine at the gym though. My friend, Lindsay, who is a super tri-athlete type chick recently recommended a class to me. She said that I needed to try the 24Lift class at 24 Hour Fitness.

I haven't done a fitness class since I was in college. I took some of those 1 credit classes to beef up my units so I could graduate. But, I said, what the heck, I will try it. So last Thursday, I attended my first 24Lift class. 24Lift is a class that "utilizes barbells and hand weights to strengthen and sculpt all muscle groups".

I got to the class as a newbie not knowing what to expect. Luckily there was a very nice woman to help me out. I asked her what a need. She told me that I need to set up a step bench, load the barbell with some weights, and grab (3) different sizes of hand weights. So I set up all the equipment and was ready to go. The instructor was very informative. It was very easy to keep up with the class as someone who had never done one. I hate that jumping into a class, where everyone knows everything and everyone type feeling. It was really one of the hardest workouts I've ever done. I laugh because one of her quotes during the class was, "On Friday morning, you are going to wake up and your hamstrings are going to say, Hello, It's Friday." I definitely felt that way on Friday and all throughout the weekend.

I re-evaluated myself on Monday. I realized that I loved this class and want to try and do it at least two times a week. I figured Tuesday and Thursday were the best days for me, since they are my days off until 2010. I don't want to go at night, because the gym is EXTREMELY crowded then. So I got up at 5am today, and went to a 5:30am class. Yes, I'm crazy.

I went through the class and came home in time to take Angry Toddler to preschool. I went to breakfast and then came home. I was sooo tired from the class, that I took a 4 hour nap. Working out really tires me out.

Boden: End of Season Sale

I've been shopping at Boden for about 2 years now. It's a great company based out of the UK that makes quality clothing.

Their end of season sale started today. The prices are up to 60% off. There are some great deals!

You can also shop their preview site for Spring 2009. Everything will be shipped in January. You won't be charged until them either. Plus, they are giving 10% off with free shipping and returns.

The Housewife's Holiday Gift Guide

I've been trying to read some new blogs lately. I found some great new ones. I will be talking about them in the next couple of days. I just wanted to share a great site, The Housewife's Holiday Gift Guide, from the author of Musings of a Housewife. She's got some great items on her guide. You can even add her button to your blog to be entered in a contest to win some great prizes.

Ok, Finally Got our Christmas Card done

I've been playing with our Christmas card on Shutterfly for at least a week now. Of course, I wanted to have the perfect Christmas card. Is that wrong?

I always procrastinate on getting photographs done for Christmas. Angry Toddler's First Christmas, I had photos taken in November. His second Christmas, November, yet again. Ya, the past two years, not soo much.

We were going to take Christmas photos last night. I had an appointment with Sears. I was even going to meet up with a friend. But, unfortunately, Angry Toddler had the puke monster going on inside his stomach, and well, ya ruined my plans.

So frustrated. I headed to Shutterfly. I found a collage card that had 8 slots for photographs. I took 4 photographs of Angry Toddler and each of us parents, then 4 seperate ones of Angry Toddler by himself. I have sooooo many cards to send out. I had to order 50. Yikes, very expensive. This is what I get for waiting. I should know better. I've missed out on a ton of discount codes. I did use a free shipping code, so that will save me a little money.

I would show you all the card, my all my internetz tricks aren't working today.

Naughty and Nice

Stacey, my BFF, and I took the kiddos to the local outdoor mall last weekend. We bought them coordinating shirts from Amy at Tote and Tee. I also had some custom bows made by one of my mommy friends, Becky, Allybug Bowtique. Oh, and I borrowed the red pettiskirt from another friend, Stacie. I'm such a planner.

We never know how the kids are going to be. We promised them a train ride if they were good and took pictures. I took over 200 pictures. Alot of them were craptastic, due to lighting, etc. But I thought I would share some of the better ones. Even though, I take photographs at work 40+ hours a week....my photography hasn't improved. Learning to work my camera is one of my New Year's Resolutions among other things.

Tis' the Season Meme

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know me. I got this e-mail from Angry Husband's cousin, Jackie. I love her like a sister. Instead of forwarding this as an e-mail, I'm doing a Blog Meme. Feel free to cut & paste this for your blog. I'm not going to tag anyone, but if you feel like you're in the Spirit, copy it!

Happy Holidays!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I flipped out a couple of years ago and now I try and wrap everything. It seemed to me like everyone was being lazy by just throwing the gift in a bag. I love all the pretty wrapping paper out there. It takes a little more time to wrap stuff, but I love it.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Artificial unfortunately. I have pretty bad asthma. Angry Husband bought a real one a couple of years ago. I was a complete snot monster until it was gone from the house. He told me the other night, he wanted to try and buy a real tree again. I gave him that look, you know the look.

3. When do you put up the tree?
We just put ours up Thursday. I would really like to put it up Thanksgiving night.

4. When do you take the tree down?
We took it down Christmas night last year. Usually before New Year's though.

5. Do you like eggnog?
No!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I think it was probably my first Cabbage Patch Kid. My best friend and I got them the first Christmas that they were out.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My mom. She has everything or she buys everything for herself.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
Angry Husband. He's always wanting something, so I pay attention.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
We are really not religious type of people.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail. Reminds me, I need to do mine.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Can't think of any.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Christmas Vacation.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Usually Novemberish. Although I bought Angry Husband a gift in October this year.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I can't recall of any.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
I love peppermint bark. Especially the homemade kind.

16. Lights on the tree?
Our tree is pre-lit with white lights. We added colors ones too.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
No favorite. But I kinda secretly like when the Rock Stars re-do classic songs.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
At home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?
Yep.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Nothing right now. I'm still looking for the perfect topper.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas Day.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
The crowds at the mall and people all looking for the same gift.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
All of our ornaments are from my childhood. Alot of them are handmade, or made especially for me.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Nothing particular.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
To instantly lose 25 lbs. Can Santa bring me that? No, just to see Angry Toddler's eyes light up when he opens his presents.

My New Design

Don't you just love it? I do!!!!

I've waited a long time for this new design. I am now able to post bigger pictures and You Tube videos. I liked my 3-column but really really really needed some change.

Courtney from Judith Shakes Designs came up with this AWESOME design for me. She is the greatest. I sent her some ideas and she ran with it.

I need to add some things to my widgets in the next couple of days. If you want to be added to the blogroll, stop on by, give me some comments. I love reading new blogs.

Earthquake

So my mom calls me freaking out tonight. I'm at work, eating my lunch, or dinner, whatever you want to call it. She says, "Oh my god, did you feel it, did you?" Umm, yea what was I supposed to feel. She tells me, that there was an earthquake centered in Barstow, California.

Well, we were eating lunch at the mall. The same mall that is built on rollers for when these types of things happen. We felt nothing.

Tweaking

The blog is current in the process of being tweaked. I'm trying not to make any posts, because of the tweaks. Believe me, it will be worth it. So I'm aimlessly sitting on my hands while this occurs. I have soo many things to write about....

A Miracle Happened Today

I usually lounge around on Sundays and try to sleep in. Angry Husband is home so I don't have to get up with Angry Toddler. BUT, they are both kinda loud and keep me up anyway. I hear Angry Toddler in the bathroom around 6:45am this morning. I then heard the kitchen cabinets opening, along with Angry Toddler's little voice.

I grabbed my blanket and knew it was time to move to the "big bed" a.k.a. the master bedroom. Yep, I was sleeping in Angry Toddler's bed. I went into the bedroom and Angry Husband was still asleep. I casually mentioned, "Oh, ya Angry Toddler is in the kitchen hunting for food." Angry Husband was still out of it and didn't quite believe me. I said, "Ya, umm, he's probably been up for about 10 minutes. He went potty and must have hopped the baby gate".

Angry Husband then got up. But, about 30 minutes later, I received no peace. I could hear Angry Toddler talking loud and the sound of Angry Husband's DeWalt drill. Angry Husband was taking the baby gates down. Angry Toddler knows how to get over them and it's more of a hazard having them up now. We have some massive kid proofing to do this week.

After I was finally awake and showered, Stacey and Stella came over. We headed over to the Irvine Spectrum to take some photographs of the kids. We went to lunch at Wahoo's while we were there. I took the pictures while they were being silly in their cute x-mas outfits.

Then, Stacey and I had an idea. What if we tried to take the kids to see Santa. I have tried every year to take Angry Toddler to visit Santa. He always flips out and runs away. I only have one photo from 2005, when AT was an infant. Somehow Stacey and Stella persuaded AT to go and chat with Santa. The photo turned out quite good. I call this a miracle cause AT has seriously refused the past few years.

I'm still editing the photographs from earlier, I will try and post them tomorrow.