Family Vacation

Well, right now I'm feeling a little bit like Chevy Chase in Family Vacation. You know, where he has absolutely the best intentions for his family vacation and nothing goes according to plan? So we plan this trip to Disney for months. Pretty exciting, a trip to Disney, right? Here's the breakdown so far:
Five plane tickets (We brought my mother in law, who is really an awesome travel companion)
Four nights in a hotel
One rented mini-van (Does not hold a candle to the much-loved Kia rental)
Tickets to Sea World (A hit)
Tickets to Disney
$150 off the tickets to Disney for listening to a time-share presentation
Here's where the fun begins:
Caroline HATED Disney. HATED IT. She liked the free tram ride in. And she looked really cute in her princess dress I had dry-cleaned and hiked from Ohio to Florida. Unfortunately the first thing we saw at Disney was a little play that featured a "bad person" I really can't even tell you for sure but it may have been Cruella De Vil. That was the end of our happy day at Disney. And that was really within the first half hour. So from there on out she refused to go see Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, any princesses or anyone or anything associated with Disney. She wanted to just go back to the hotel. Awesome. She did manage to pick out a $13 toy from the gift shop. Lesson learned: In the future just go to the Disney store at the mall within 10 minutes of our house. Picking out the toy was hard though because every toy was associated with the fact that each princess knows a "bad guy." Case in point per Caroline- Belle knows the Beast. She considers him to be scary. Peter Pan knows pirates. They are scary. Cinderella gifts, no thanks. She has a wicked stepmother. (Not intended to offend any stepmothers)
So, we won't be headed back for another day at Disney. Caroline has deemed Sea World as an acceptable destination though. Whew!
Oh, and when checking voice mail I had a message from my bank. I left my bank card in the machine at home. So much for the temptation of the Fendi, Dior and Barney's New York outlets here...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Every year Brian and his buddy run in our local Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. Little Max has been going along for the run with his dad for at least three years now. What a trooper!

Insight of the night...

So here is my question:

If we're all in the same boat how come sometimes it feels like we're rowing alone?

Just curious...

What I'm thankful for today...

My cocomotion. My friend Traci turned me on to this a few years ago and I loved it so much I have one at work and one at home. Yum!

Hump Day

Doesn't it just figure? The day before Thanksgiving and two days before we leave for Disney and I am sick. Sick to the point where I am losing my voice, for which I am sure is what Brian will be thankful for this Thanksgiving! I know it is terrible but I just couldn't even be bothered to dress for work today so I made it a self-appointed jeans day! Unfortunately said jeans are more than a tad wrinkled.... So, what is YOUR favorite Thanksgiving dish that you love to share with others?

Oh well... Happy Thanksgiving!

Problem solved!

Remember this? Well, check out this! Whew!

A picture is worth a thousand words

Caroline and I on the train

Caroline, Trinette and Adalynn in front of a moose with designer clothes! (Seriously, if you could see the moose had high heels and designer jeans!)

So, Adalynn had her own ideas about this one, and they did not include standing with the rest of us for this picture (Jordan, myself, Caroline and the AWESOME Jensens)

Look at that scenery! How could I not want to go back???

Utah rocks!

So, we're back from Salt Lake City and I can say I would live there. I love that place! It is so clean and easy to get around and there is so much to do! We took the train from one side of the city to the other and their public transportation system is AWESOME! We spent a day in Park City, which is AWESOME as well and I can not wait to go back. In a stroke of good (and fun) luck we wound up staying at the same hotel as BYU's football team. (Unfortunately they didn't win) The players were so nice (and big!) and hi-fived Caroline on the elevator. At the airport we continued the sports-team theme and ran into the ladies basketball team from Montana and then the Iowa wrestling team. Also, expect a post about MY new favorite sport Geocaching. This one is courtesy of Jordan's father in law Dennis and I can see myself getting hooked on it. I had never heard of this but it is fun! So, the trip was so fun, and many thanks go out to the Jensen family for being the best hosts ever, Trinette for being a great room-mate and pal to Caroline on her first all-girl getaway and to the amazingly kind staff at OC Tanner. There are not many high-end stores where you can feel comfortable with small children but they could not have been better to us! Unless they had just handed over the $12,000 pair of earrings they were kind enough to show me. Now THAT would have been GREAT customer service... So Brian- when can I purchase my next plane ticket because I really, really can't wait to go back!
*And thanks to Jordan for stopping a lady on the street in Park City to ask about her jeans. They turned out to be a brand called Sang Real. We found the store where the lady purchased them and Jordan and Trinette bought some. If you can locate someone carrying them near you let me say, they are some flattering jeans! Lots of cute styles and decent prices! (FYI-Brian, I didn't buy any.)

Travel Day- Caroline and Me!

We're headed off to Salt Lake City for a fun girls weekend. As Caroline would say "Girls Only" It's a bummer that Tessa has school and can't come with us, but it's OK because as soon as we get home it's time to turn around and go to Disney and she'll come on that trip. Just think... in a matter of hours I will have seen the Twilight movie. I can't wait! Tonight at midnight...

FYI- If you are a Twilight fan (And how could you not be???) I have to admit that I got a Stupid Shiny Volvo Owner shirt to wear to the movie! Just like the car will be, the t-shirt will be handed down to Tessa after tonight.

I hate to brag... (Not really)

We just found out that Tessa was selected for National Honor Society! Yay! The induction ceremony is tonight so expect pictures! FYI- She gets this from my side... So now in addition to my kids being cuter than your kids does this mean I get to say my kids are smarter than your kids?

The great divide (Or another installment of what to do when your husband gets on your nerves)

Or my alternate title:

A ribbon runs through it

So, depending on how long you have been reading my blog, you may remember a while back when Brian made me mad about helping out with the housework stating that he had done as much as he wanted to and was done. So I decided I had also done all I wanted to do and therefore I only made my half of the bed. Well, once again the bed has served me in my time of need. This time in a very un-Brady sort of way. And I only say this because I am pretty sure they did something similar to this on the Brady Bunch once. Anyway...

I like to read at bedtime. Brian likes to watch television. And he has been griping at me that the light keeps him from falling asleep and I should do my reading downstairs and come to bed when I am done. This coming from a guy who has fallen asleep many times over the years with the lights on. And the television. So my point is that I should be able to read if he is going to continue to watch television, being that the television prevents ME from falling asleep. Since we can't agree on this one right now I have decided to take an old piece of advice from Brian which is that sometimes you have to just agree to disagree. Which I am fine with. But I also solved the problem. I ran a ribbon down the middle of the bed. He can watch tv on his side and I will read on mine. Problem solved for now until we can come to a happy compromise. Also, I did use a VERY cute ribbon, which is orange and white polka dots. And in a much cuter though maybe not as entertaining of a picture, how cute is Caroline jumping on Tessa's bed?

A new pose for fashion blogging...

Since I haven't taken any "Look how cute I am in this outfit" pics lately I decided it was time for one. Well, it is a VERY GOOD THING I can laugh at myself because I have now used the little known "Pull my finger" pose. As soon as I looked at this pic it was the first thing I thought of. And rather than have a re-do I figured everyone can use a good laugh on a Monday, right? The unfortunate thing about this photo is that it does not do the jacket justice. I love this jacket. I love this jacket so much that it was my jacket of choice for the Barry Manilow concert earlier this year, which was a BIG DEAL. I got the jacket at Urban Outfitters (I know, grow up Katie, right?) for $19.99 I think. It was a crazy steal! So, for your Monday morning enjoyment (Since Ally abandoned Mantastic Monday) here is a little Barry for you too!

Hard lesson learned (Or- I got outsmarted by a 4 year old)

Well, I thought I was being pretty organized about the holidays. Started my shopping, feeling pretty good about things. In our dining room there is a closet. And this closet is my own special place. So I have all of my little goodies stored in there. So I thought I was alone in the room and I opened the door for something. And within seconds Caroline has whipped out the giant Care Bear I bought her for Christmas. That little stinker! Then she proceeds to carry it into the living room and ask me if I meant to give her that for her birthday. And then she offered to take the tags off for me. Well isn't she sweet? I mentioned that it was indeed intended for Christmas but yes, she might as well keep it now. By the time she got to her grandma's house with her dad (giant Care Bear in tow) she was gracious enough to call me to mention that:

A) I might want to wrap the gifts in the closet so she could not see what they were

B) On Christmas she would let me wrap the Care Bear and she would pretend not to know what it was

Well, guess what this girl spent her Saturday night doing?

Boy do I get a lot of email...

So, here is a sampling of what was in my "in" box today:
Burn off gross fat- Thank you. Are you calling my fat gross? Wait. Are you calling me fat?
From Rags to Riches- Brian thanks you
Federal Agents Needed- Really, is this how you get hired to be one of these? Intriguing...
Vehicle Trade In Manager- I have a feeling they have not really seen the Volvo...
Last but not least, one of my faves:
You can afford better breasts. (I think this one coincides with my offer for $1,500 deposited into my account if I just take a quick survey...)

Kate Spade- 30% off TODAY ONLY!

Shopping. STAT! Click here for the link to the 30% off Kate Spade but don't forget... it is TODAY ONLY!

By this time next week...

I will have seen the Twilight movie. On vacation in Salt Lake City. With a few of my girlfriends. Does it get much better than that? FYI- The soundtrack to the movie has already hit #1 on the Billboard music chart. If you had told me as I was reading page one of this book series that I would become such a fan I would never have believed you. (Jordan and Traci...)

Santa, baby? Please?

Add this to my holiday wish list.

The Limited- Buy One Get One Free!

Shop on!

FYI- If you like promo codes and deals, enjoy! As the holidays approach it seems I'm getting more and more so I'm just going to post them and maybe there will be something someone can use!

So on that note, Ann Taylor Loft- 20% off entire purchase thru December 21, 2008. Use promo code 10601436 online during checkout.

Happy Birthday Erin!

Today is Erin (One of the cutest bloggers ever in my book) birthday. 23. 23? Yes, 23! I was 23 once. Anyway, no need to dwell on that. This is Erin's day... And seeing as how I am more than 5,000 days older than she is I'm going to let her have it. So Happy Birthday Erin! (Have you ever Googled Bento Birthday Box? You should. I wanted to find you the cutest Bento ever. There are surprisingly more choices than you might think...)

Check out this hot pic from Twilight!

My friend Trinette emailed me this picture. I've been avoiding any hype over the Twilight movie because I don't want to ruin the surprise of the movie for myself but I did take a peek at this pic and I love it! Again, this is my official push- If you have not read the series, READ IT! Give it a chance and you will be hooked. The movie comes out next week so get going!

We've come Undone!

Tonight my girlfriends and I were lucky enough to have a girls night at Undone, a local lingerie and shoe boutique. We had so much fun! The people at the store could not have been more kind than to let us take over their store for the evening for our own party, so thank you to them! And while I would like to think I have that kind of clout to make a night like this happen just for us guess again. They will do it for you too! Really, if you are looking for a fun place to have a girls night gathering you can not go wrong at Undone. They will let you take over the store after business hours and host your friends. AT NO COST! Hel-lo? Ladies, pick up the phone and get dialing! Birthday? Bridal shower? Did I mention they carry shoes? Oh, and the cutest hand-crafted jewelry too?
Also, they are having their holiday open house Friday December 05th from 7-10 p.m. Remember... Undone
Thank you Leigh Ann!

My kids are cuter than your kids...

(I'm sorry) I feel kind of guilty saying that. I'm well aware of the fact that there are plenty of cute kids out there, but mine are cuter. Sorry. They just are. (FYI- So Tessa DOES NOT get hacked off at me- She is wearing her choir gown. This is not her dress of choice.)

Promo codes- Bluefly and Origins

Free standard shipping from Origins thru 1-31-09: Use code P1108 at checkout

Get $15 off of your next purchase from Bluefly thru 12-15-08- Enter HOLIDAY2 at checkout

Happy Shopping!

Zoya does it again! More awesome free stuff!

November is National Pomegranate Month, and to celebratewe are giving everyone a 10oz Qtica Pomegranate-Lime Sugar Scruband an 8oz Qtica Pomegranate-Lime Shower Gel with every orderover $30.00.Simply enter code "POM" in your shoppingcart and the itemswill be automatically added. The "POM" code is valid throughWednesday, November 14th, 2008 on http://www.qtica.com/ andhttp://www.zoya.com/ and may not be combined with any other offeror promotion.

Unfortunately, this is a true story...

As mentioned a few times in the past, I'm not really that great in the kitchen. My friend Traci has saved my skin on many occasions when I have random "How do I?" or "How long?" or "Exactly how long after an expiration date do I have?" questions. Unfortunately, Traci is out of town, and I have decided to try a new recipe. Now, the recipe calls for a dash of coriander. Huh? I honestly thought they meant a colander. I mean come on. TGFTI (Thank God for the Internet, right?) Do people REALLY know what all of these herbs ARE?

New blog I'm stalking

I have absolutely no idea how I came across this blog, but my guess is that I found it through someone else's blog. Go figure. Anyway, the blog is mostly about weddings, gorgeous things to do for your wedding and beautiful wedding dresses BUT there is a DIY section FILLED with awesome ideas. I have already started to enlist a few friends to assist me in making a few of these fun items... Right Traci? Jordan? Trinette?


Also, the photography on the site is gorgeous. You should really check it out.

Is this for real?

The president's dog gets it's own website? I never knew this. I'm not sure I wanted to or cared to either. I found out about this when I was reading an article that the "First Dog" bit a White House Staffer. If you decide to check it out, enjoy! (I had to leave the site because I was so confused. The only Barney I know is a big purple dinosaur and a retail store!)

I am a creature of habit

For years now I have started my day at Steak N Shake. (Having worked with me, my friends Traci and Jordan can vouch for me on this one. There are not many mornings where I do not show up with my plastic cup.) I do not drink coffee, but I drive through about 3 mornings a week to get my morning soda. On the days I don't go, it is usually because I am running late and I debate passing by and usually feel some regret if I don't. Yes, I understand this is more expensive than a case of soda, but it is my habit and I like it. And somehow, over the course of time the lady at Steak N Shake has become my pal. When she hears my voice over the speaker she just tells me to "Come on up honey." I was unaware of our blossoming friendship until one morning she asked me to pull up so she could run outside and show me her new Ohio State debit card, because she knew I am a fan and had one also. Then, when I had bangs cut into my hair she was the first person to notice and compliment me on them. One day she stopped me to show me her new hairstyle and told me I inspired her to do it because I made such a big change that she could too. Fun! So today I went through and she noticed my hair was lighter. And she told me how much she loved it and even went to get another girl to look through the little window at me. I know it may just be Steak N Shake but this lady has become such a part of my daily routine and offers up my first dose of kindness for the day. How about you? Do you have a morning routine? Someone you can count on (other than family) to brighten up your day?

Chanels Haute New Color

I swear, this new color is harder to get your hands on than me after Brian has ticked me off! I have called EVERY Chanel counter in town, and I even checked when I was out of town. No one has this color in stock and they have all been non-committal about when they will have it. And I am too stubborn to pay shipping so I am at a stand-still with Chanel on this one. (I think only one of us is aware of my frustration, and it isn't Chanel!) If you get a chance check out Chanel's Haute Chocolate. Fun name, fun color. I did get to try the shade at the Chanel counter, they just didn't have any to sell.

Decisions Decisions...

As I go to sleep tonight, it appears that I have a decision to make. What to wear tomorrow? My Michelle Obama pearls or my oh-so-cute neckscarf from Echo designs? In a perfect world I could wear a dress by Thakoon like Michelle did? (If you click on the picture to enlarge it you can see how cute the neckscarf really is. It is no longer available but I wouldn't be surprised to see them make another run at it.)

But wait, there's more!

Free Ben & Jerry's for voting!

I think I could update this all night long!

OK, and no joke: I got this from our local newspaper where they had voting tips and do's and dont's:

Do's and Don'ts
Do not wear campaign buttons, shirts or other partisan paraphernalia to the polls.
You can't be prevented from voting, but poll workers can ask that a political T-shirt be turned inside out or obscured with an apron, for example.

Yes, I often take an apron to vote, just in case...

Starbucks with your free Krispy Kreme?

Sounds good to me! Starbucks is also giving you a free coffee tomorrow when you stop in and tell them you voted!

(And you can say what you want about Starbucks. I love them, and I've never even had a cup of coffee. But I get their Chai Tea on a regular basis and Caroline gets apple juice. We are such regulars that on her birthday they made her a gift bag of her favorite cups from there. Now THAT was nice!)

Rock the Vote- Krispy Kreme

Take your "I voted" sticker to Krispy Kreme tomorrow for a free donut!

Weekend Wrap Up

1) Chelsea Handler was fun. And funny.

2) West Virginia surprised me. It is very pretty in the fall. Nothing happens there quickly. Man, I can not even tell you how S-L-O-W people are there. And I don't mean dim-witted. I mean not in a hurry. AT ALL. They are even slow walkers.

3) Poor Athanasia. We both learned something new about me this weekend. I am a cuddler. For all of the trips we have been on together I don't think we have ever shared a bed. Until now. And quite possibly never again. Poor Athanasia woke up basically shoved next to the wall with me spooning up against her. Ooops. (Sorry Ath!)

4) I got the mother-lode speeding ticket. The only thing that happened quickly this weekend was how fast the cop was able to turn his car around to come get me for doing 78 (ish) in a 55. Kathy advised me to cry. I was just honest. I'm not sure if they teach you this in cop school, but when you ask me "Do you know why I pulled you over?" as I sped past your sorry backwater butt which of the following answers are you looking for:

Gee sir, no. Will you please tell me?

Because I have three hot girls in my car and you were hoping for the best?

You have a weakness for Volvo S40's and you've always wanted to see one up close?

I was speeding?

So, I went with the honest answer. Yes, I was speeding. Now, can I please have my ticket so I can get back on my merry little way with your irritating roads where the posted speed limit is 55? Anyway, it is a VERY GOOD THING that guy was not around when I wanted to take pics of Athanasia and Kathy on the bridge crossing back over the border so we just completely stopped the car, got out and took pics. Anyway, we had a really fun time. If you get the chance to see Chelsea Handler in concert you should. She is just so funny!

Off to see Chelsea Handler

Here's a little clip for you to enjoy! West Virginia here we come!