It's a Wrap!

In the past few years, I've become quite obsessed with "wrapped" gifts. I know that it is much easier to toss a gift into the gift bag, and add some tissue paper. I just think that opening a wrapped present makes it much more special. I agree that there are some gifts that can't be wrapped due to their size, dimensions, etc. But I try and wrap every gift that I give.

I think Container Store is my favorite store to buy gift wrap. It is a little pricey, but it is truly beautiful. They have matching bows and other accessories also.

Family Fun has a great idea using a sprig of greenery and white paint to make plain wrapping paper, a decorative spark.

HGTV shows that recycled brown Kraft paper is a great anytime gift wrap. Tie with twine and embellish.

Gift boxes from Holiday theme scrapbooking papers.

I usually buy most of my wrapping paper from Sally Foster. It is a company that usually sells through the schools for fundraisers. I became addicted to Sally Foster wrap a few years ago, when a co-worker was pimping, I mean selling it for their child's school. I love the paper, because it is thick, cuts easy, and is usually reversible.

Tips:
Gift Wrap and Bow Videos from the Container Store
7 Gift Wrapping tips and Tricks from Good Housekeeping
How To Create A Wired Bow from Living with Lindsay

Holiday Traditions for the Angry Family

It seems that the Holidays bring around family, and lots of traditions. The two sometimes don't always agree with each other, that is, families and traditions. In the past fifteen years, well give or take a few, I've had to arrange the Holidays between Angry Husband's and my family.

Thanksgiving-Always with my family. Arguing over what to eat. We ended up with a pre-made meal from Claim Jumper. My parents came over, and we relaxed. The food prep took a little less than two hours, organizing etc. I realized yet again, we need more serving utensils and bowls.

Day After Thanksgiving-Black Friday, of course. Shopping. My mom and I go shopping. Probably 80% of the things that we buy on Black Friday are not gifts. We really go for the sales, and to window shop. I think we are crazy like that. My mom also loves to frustrate me every year too. I tell her to be at my house at a certain time, she arrives like an hour later. What a way to start the day.

Pictures with the Kids-Stacey, my BFF, and I torture our kids with photos every year. Or least we try too..I'm sure in a year or so, they will hate each other and refuse to do this. We are going to try and enjoy it as long as we can. See photo above. I added some snow with Picnik.com's help. I got a little creative.

Christmas Eve-We used to go to my Grandma's (my dad's mom), when I was a kid. I would hide in the corner and read the latest book I was into, Sweet Valley High, or something similar. I could not stand all the attention that my cousin's got. They were awful too. We then started going to my mom and dad's friend's house. And the past few years, we've gone to other family friends. This year, Angry Husband's grandparents will be here for the Holidays. I have no clue on what the agenda is...oh, and that's Angry Husband's Birthday too!!! Happy 36 Angry Husband on December 24th.

Christmas Day-We hang out at our house, and Santa arrives the night before. My parents will come over for dinner and then we will unwrap gifts. We usually have ham, and I bitch about it all day long. I hate ham. Thankfully, we are having Turkey this year. YAY! We usually watch some choice movies like Christmas Vacation, and A Christmas Story. Angry Toddler will get over-stimulated by toys, and pass out. Good times!

Day after Christmas-Angry Husband and I hit Target for after-Christmas sales. In reality, we need nothing, no more decorations, no more lights, no more boxes-NOTHING. Yet we always go, because really, we need another lawn deer, right?

But really, we do give to Charity and participate in events for the less fortunate. I volunteered with the Junior League and The Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center to deliver presents to needy families last year. We also donate to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

The Angry Family tries to give a little back each year. I hope to contribute more this year. My friend, Shannon, is also having a Holiday Challenge to Feed a Family. Be sure and check the info on her blog.

I try and make a new Holiday tradition or memory every year. I'm still looking for the "perfect Christmas Tree topper", still haven't found that diamond... I hope everyone makes new Holiday memories and traditions this year. Even if it means something like, "refusing to go to your relatives because they really annoy you, and you are finally putting your foot down". It took years before my parents realized I hated go to my Grandmother's for Christmas Eve.

The Magical Holiday Season at Disneyland

On Saturday, we went to Disneyland for my birthday. It was the second day of the "Holiday Season" at the Disneyland Resort. Stacey, the BFF, wanted to experience everything "Holiday" related while we were there. She doesn't go very often, and she wanted the "Disney Experience" sans child. We decided to sit down and wait for the Christmas Fantasy Parade. We never wait for the parades, because honestly, Angry Toddler won't sit still. We waited about fifteen minutes, and the Parade was great, it really put you in the Holiday mood.

Stacey and I headed towards Space Mountain after the parade. We were very eager, like little kids, giggling. We waited in line for about 45 minutes. Stacey made me laugh, because she told a teenager off. He was being quite annoying, and she told him that she left her 4 year old at home. Angry Husband called us while we were in line, he was on his way to join us.

After getting off Space Mountain, we met up with Angry Husband. We headed toward the Matterhorn. It was a quick 15 minute wait. We saw some interesting people. You can fit two people in the seats on the Matterhorn. It's a pretty tight fit, when I'm in Angry Husband's lap area. It was even more interesting to a see a large teenager, think 400 lbs., try to squeeze another person in his lap. They stopped the ride and made them get out before it made it too far. CRAZY and sad at the same time. We then headed over to It's a Small World. I'm sure you've seen those fabulous commercials. Well, it is beautiful. The exterior of the ride was covered in multi-color lights. The actual ride was closed down due to the fireworks show which was in less than an hour. But we were able to snap a few pictures while there.

After playing with my camera for umm, about 20 minutes, we headed towards Main St. USA, to prepare, ok more like stake out, our spot for the "Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks" show. People were everywhere. We were lucky that we didn't have strollers as we could pretty much squish in. The fireworks show was amazing, and ended with snowflakes....how cool is that! Well the uncool part, was the people were stopping dead in their tracks and making out on Main St. Ok, people move along now, there are children here, we do not want to see your tongue kissing. It's fake snow...this is not Central Park.

After the Fireworks, we headed over to The Haunted Mansion, we got on that relatively easy. Stacey had never seen it decorated for the Holidays. After the ride, we parked our butts down to prepare for Fantasmic. We had never scene the show with the new dragon.

After all was said and done, it was almost midnight, and we were freezing. Angry Husband didn't have a jacket with him. But we got to see everything that we wanted too. Next time we go, I'm totally hitting up the Holiday desserts. Oh yes, there will be a next time. We are Annual Passholders. And yes, you can go to Disneyland without your children. It's not weird. You have to be able to enjoy the Magic of Disney, as an adult before you can enjoy it with your children. I mean really, I would not go as much as we do, if I didn't like the place. Who tortures themselves that much?

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!

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!

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.

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.

Tote and Tee

I'm a BIG Fan of Amy at Tote and Tee. She does a fabulous job. I've slowed down on buying tees for Angry Toddler in the past year or so. He's been a pain in the butt about what he wears. He is getting alot better though.

Well my BFF Stacey and I, decided that we should once again, torment our children. She ordered Stella and Angry Toddler these Naughty and Nice tees. I think you can figure out which one Angry Toddler will be wearing.

Anywho, this would be a great brother/sister set. Amy has all kinds of goodies on her site. She even has the cutest Christmas colored knee socks for girls.

Londie is also a big fan of Amy's work. Londie is the one who got me hooked!

Holiday Pictures

I keep forgetting to post these. I'm such a total slacker. Working nights the past 4 months has cost me some brain cells. Here are some pictures of Angry Toddler during the Holidays. Maybe next year, I can actually get some photos of Angry Husband and myself.

The Christmas Card Picture



Reading a book he received from my Secret Santa (notice the backwards pj's, the kid is still stripping)

Christmas Eve, with my Friend's Daughter, Madison


Attacking dessert on Christmas Eve


Santa's Loot




Opening some presents

The Aftermath

Well for me, the Holiday Season is officially over. I'm so glad, really I am.

Last week, Caden came home from school with a slight runny nose. Uh oh, the sickies have come home for the Holidays. Saturday night before Christmas, boom, he had another febrile seizure. The kid's temperature was 104 when we took it. Where do these fevers come from? I swear the kid can't regulate his body temps. So we drag him the ER, to get him checked out. They run a ton of tests, doing a breathing treatment (he was kinda wheezy), and send us on home.

Throughout the next two days, we battled his fever. Seriously, I think we went through 4 bottles of Motrin and Tylenol. Finally on Monday, I took him to the Dr. She diagnosed him with yet, another, ear infection, and sent me home with a prescription for antibiotics. We gave him the antibiotics and they stopped the fevers.

We went to a family friend's house for Christmas Eve and Angry Husband's Birthday. It was a great time. Caden loved playing with my friend's kids, whom are 5 and 8. We then went home and anticipated the arrived of SANTA!

Santa came and all the goodness that comes along with Santa. Caden came out of his room on Christmas morning, and was quite delighted. He unwrapped all of his presents, yet kept asking for "more presents peas"! Thankfully, my parents showed up a few hours later with some more goodies for him.

Angry Husband and I unwrapped some gifts from my parents. I got a new Louis Vuitton make-up bag (yippee), some pajamas, and some perfume. Angry Husband got a HUGE gift certificate to the local fish store, and some Bettie Page collectible crap. He loves Bettie Page. I will NEVER be Bettie Page.

Caden seemed to get sicker on Christmas Eve, Caden's sickness was up and down. He was really weak still and all of the excitement wore him out. He took 2 naps that day.

We had a great dinner of turkey, stuffed, mashed potatoes, and some salad. Poor Caden missed dinner cause he was taking one of his naps.

Since Christmas, we've been trying to organize the house. We keep stepping on little Hot Wheels and Cars toys. Ouch, those little Cars hurt!

Mike and I hit the after-Christmas Target extravaganza. Mike went a little overboard on the lights. I'm sure you will be able to see our house from space next year.

I've been a really bad blogger lately. I will and try to blog more in the upcoming year. It's been soo hectic with work, preschool, holiday shopping, food, sickness, cleaning, and sleeping! I will do another post later and include some Holiday pictures!

Secret Santa-ism

It's the time of year for gift giving.

Angry Julie loves to participate in the Spirit of Christmas and all this gift giving. I'm on several message forums. Going along with these forums, are several types of Secret Santa events. Silly me, has four people to buy for. I have a problem of taking too much on.

So I went shopping today. I really need to get all of these things in the mail. I'm sure with the weather acting up all over the U.S., it's going to slow the mail down. I of course, over spent, yet again. I'm such a perfectionist. I make a list, I really try to stick to it, but I never do.

For example, I'm participating in an ornament exchange. We are supposed to buy one ornament. Do I buy one? No, I buy two, plus candy. That's how I roll. Then, I have to wrap them all cute. Plus, I need to add in one of my personalized cards with a little note. This is how it begins, with one little ornament.\

Then Angry Husband is participating in a Secret Santa, on his Saltwater Fish Forum. He actually went and bought the gift himself. I was very proud of him. But then, I have to step in and take over. I asked him last night, "Oh, do you want me to wrap it up and package it to mail tommorrow?" He gave me that look, the "why are you taking over my project", look~ So I'm sitting here, looking at his Secret Santa gift right now. I think I'm going to wrap it anyway. He can sign the card, right?

Well, I hope everyone enjoys their Secret Santa goodies from me. I went totally overboard. Why can't I follow the simple rules? The funny thing is, I'm in charge of one of the ornament exchanges. I made the rules, which I can't even follow properly.

Christmas Countdown

Get a Christmas Countdown for your page!

This means that I have this many days left to shop.

What Santa's Reindeer Am I?

You Are Dancer

Carefree and fun, you always find reasons to do a happy dance. Why You're Naughty: That dark stint you had as Santa's private dancer. Why You're Nice: You're friendly. Very friendly.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

I swear people, I did not fix this. I just filled out the little questionaire thingy. I mean really, wow, it's soo true. I am a Dancer. Wink Wink!

The Dreaded Christmas Shopping

I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. I love buying all the presents, but I hate spending all the money. It doesn't help things when the property taxes, car registration, mortgage, and preschool tuition are all due at the same time. Having your husband's birthday fall on December 24th, is probably not the best either.

I went shopping with my mom on Friday, after she finally showed up at my house. We ventured to Toys R' Us first. It was quite calm there, and not crowded. We got a basketball hoop for Angry Toddler. My mom bought some random Anniversary Edition Care Bear. She buys random things like that.

We then ventured on to the mall. We started at Sak's Fifth Avenue. Usually, I don't shop at Sak's, because it's a little rich for my blood. But, when they have a sale, they have an awesome sale. We got 5 shirts, 1 pair of pants, and 1 pair of shorts for Caden. They were all Ralph Lauren. We paid around $60 with tax.

We then ventured around the rest of the mall. It was crowded, but not to full capacity. I think we beat the early shoppers, since they had already gone home. My mom bought a shirt for my dad.

We then went to one of my mecca stores. I don't know why I get soo excited, but I love love love Pottery Barn Kids. I walked in and saw the bed that I've been eyeing for Caden. It's a twin size bed with storage drawers underneath. Caden is getting really restless in his toddler bed. He barely sleeps in there the entire night. I think that he likes to spread out. My mom bought the bed for Caden on Friday. I'm repaying her when we get our taxes back, or hit the lottery, whichever comes first.

That was a really big purchase, and I think we were done shopping after that. I'm soo excited. But, now I have to clean up the Angry Toddler's current furniture and put it on Craig's List. It is in almost mint condition, except for some teeth marks.

Throughout the weekend, I have come across some deals. I ordered a Wii game on Buy.com (for my non-functioning Wii), and I bought one of my holy grail items tonight for Caden (a Step 2 slide).

I still have tons of shopping to do, plus all my Secret Santa items.

We need to take some pictures of the Angry Toddler this week for Christmas Cards. It's going to be a busy week.