No-Key Valentine's Day

This year, I made Mr. RH swear that we would have a low-key Valentine's Day.  As it turned out, we were working opposite shifts on the day itself... but as I was getting ready to leave work, Mr. RH told me there was a surprise for me - which turned out to be him.

That sentence was potentially a grammar sin, but the point is:  Mr. RH switched his work shifts, thus resulting in me not spending my night alone eating Ramen noodles and clearing out my DVR.  Which, I'm not gonna lie, I was actually really looking forward to.

Instead, I got a night of Grey's Anatomy episodes and a chicken quesadilla.  WITH guac.  Ahh, romance.

In a move surprising both of us, we actually ended up only exchanging cards this V-day, no gifts or sweets of any kind.  Although... SOMEONE in the house bought a bunch of clothes that they didn't need and someone ELSE bought themselves a Wii.  Although it was sort of a delayed "wedding" gift, so technically that someone else actually got a "media tower" which is man-speak for an ugly shelf to put the 85 electronic gadgets we don't need to own on...

Bitter, party of wife none.

Actually, I can say that we each did ONE romantic thing during the month of love:  we both, on the same day, bought each other TWO boxes of Red Velvet oreos.

Which means my thighs are 4x as big as they should be and he hasn't gained an ounce.  As per usual.

All in all, I would say it was a successful Valentine's Day.  I got a card on a greeting card holiday, and all is right with the world.

December in a Nutshell

So you blog about how you're getting back to blogging and then you let 21 days go between blog posts.  AHEM.

I want to blog, and I've been mentally composing blog posts for weeks... but I feel awkward about that big blog pause from November to... now.  I feel like I need to explain the days away, ya know??

Anyway, things hit the fan somewhere around the 2nd week of November.  My boss and I were working on the Big Black Friday schedule (approximately a billion hours of work, for those of you not in retail), and then she mentioned (on my day off) that I should probably stop by the store.  No big thing, so I stopped by in my sweats and she dropped a big bomb on me: she was leaving the following week for a temporary assignment in the Mall of America.

So along with losing a huge chunk of ground on a massive schedule... I also become the sole authoritiy within our four walls, which meant that I don't think I spent more than 3-4 hours at a time between November and the last week of December away from actually working or calling and texting the team in my store.  It was fun, it was a TON of work, and I can't say that I was sad to see December end. 

That being said... I think I've been feeling a little blue because Mr. RH and I "missed'" Christmas.  We never watched It's a Wonderful Life, we didn't drive around and look at Christmas lights, I baked only a few cookies when I really felt like I had to...  so yeah, I've got a little post-Christmas hangover.

Luckily, the time I spent away from this blog allowed me to carve out a little time to do some fun things, and even though I barely got my camera out all through Christmas... I managed to capture just enough photos so I've got a few memories to look back on.

Mr. RH and I went with his family to see the lights the week after Thanksgiving.  I'm glad we took the time then, cause we didn't end up with any better opportunities closer to Christmas.

We got one decent-ish photo of the two of us....

And I re-created a favorite photo of Mr. RH from way back in 2012. 

(I can barely click the link to that old photo.  Where did that long hair and baby face go?!)

We made it to Christmas mass with my dad, and he managed to get probably the only good photo of the two of us during Christmas.  I think if 2015 had a resolution, it would be MORE PHOTOS!!!

Right after Christmas I was able to make some time for my BFFs, and I got to snuggle #BFFbaby in her cozy PJs.  I don't like that she's growing up, but I love that she let me snuggle me long enough for her mom to snap a picture.

And we managed to get a so-so picture of the BFFs.  I was having camera issues.  

And then I took another afternoon and managed to get a couple pics of Miss Maeven in rare, sassy form.  This girl does not like to have a photo taken and she is a sass for my camera.  Love it!

Although if she smiled once in a while on command I wouldn't cry either.

So... it was a good Christmas.  A busy, chaotic Christmas that went by in the blink of any eye... but apparently I also had fun in between all of the craziness.  The proof is in the pictures!

Now... back to 2015!

All Quiet on the Blogging Front

I have been burning to get a post out of my fingertips for days... but unfortunately, work hit the fan over the past week and I feel like all I've done for the past 11 days is eat, sleep, and go back to work.  With a side of online shopping.

So I've been a bit of a zombie lately, but in the midst of the crazy I have been fixating on something that happened during Halloween.  I had been wanting to dress up as Rosie the Riveter for over a year now, ever since I had a cute headscarf in my Forever 21 cart a million years ago and it got away from me.  RIP F21 HEADSCARF.

Etsy to the rescue.

Bonus points to everyone who didn't think I was Lucille Ball.... which was approximately almost everyone.

Side note:  That pic was taken with my husband's brand spankin new iPhone 6 plus, which apparently besides being super ridiculous takes extremely sharp and focused pictures.  I mean, I can see every stray hair and forehead scrunch wrinkle.  Dang.  Luckily I should be the proud owner of a contract that's ready to be renewed on... Black Friday.

So I wore the scarf, loved the scarf, became obsessed with the scarf.  (Bandana?  Headband?)

Either way, one of my customers nominated this to be my "holiday look" for the year, and I'm pretty much obsessed.

I already have the red polka dot on the bottom left... and I need the red/white/blue because I'm American... but I'm just overwhelmed with possibilities for the other ones I need.

I mean.... the possibilities are endless when you think of clipping on a little pin, sparkly hairbow, etc.  I seriously don't know which ones to order.  (All these pics are from SandChica's etsy shop.)

I think I'm going to try to limit myself to maybe 5 head scarves.  That's not excessive, right? 

And damn if the shop isn't having a sale.  What's a girl to do?

Post-Valentine Letdown

I may have taken a little Post-Valentine hiatus.  Photos of my sweet babe Valentine were so fun and adorable to me I just couldn't bear to cover them up with another blog post!

Mr. RH and I had an extremely low-key first married Valentine's Day.  We exchanged cards and a small gift - and maybe I'll share mine when it comes in the mail.  Ooops, dang slow Etsy.

We hunkered down at home, made ourselves delicious cocktails, and basically had an extremely low key day.

Complete with heart-shaped pizza, no less.

Mmmm.

I had to work all day, so my sweet husband surprised me when I arrived home with a big heart of candles.

I may have had a mini-meltdown because these were all nearly-brand-new candles and some were destined for gifting. 

However, I am a good wife so I would never throw a hissy fit about that fact.

Especially since I have several dozen brand new candles that can be gifted anytime.  Ahem.

It felt a little depressing on Monday - post-Valentine's Day, in the middle of another small winter storm, and I in fact got my car stuck in our parking lot on Monday night after work, which resulted in an epic meltdown on my part. Can't take any more winter!

But since that happened - it's solidly in the 30 degree temps, we are supposed to hit FIFTY tomorrow and some of the ice mountains might even melt to the degree that you can actually see before you turn out onto the major roads.  Hallelujah!

They're calling for thunderstorms here tomorrow... and I swear if we have another tornado like we had in November - I'm going to bed for a week.  Fair warning.

Happy Wednesday! 

More wedding pics tomorrow!  (Are you sick of them yet?)

My Sweet Valentine(s)

As a married woman, I'm pretty sure I'm contractually obligated to take my husband as my Valentine, right?  At least I'm pretty sure that's how it was worded in the wedding vows.

I'll just have to beg for his forgiveness though.  When your BFF has a baby this chubby, adorable, and deliciously happy - I mean, what else am I supposed to do?

She thought this entire photo shoot was hilarious.  She isn't quite old enough to giggle yet - but she definitely gave me the "what on EARTH?!" face at least a dozen times.  She likes Aunt Sarah's kisses, and she totally wanted to smear them on my face while I was trying to smooch her elsewhere. 

When Mr. RH saw the photos, he asked how I got the kisses all over her chubby self.  And then declared me "disgusting" because I applied them in the normal way - my lips and lipstick.  He apparently thought I got a stamp of some sort.  Aww, is someone jealous?  Haha, tonight I'll smooch up Mr. RH and post photos of that.  Or NOT. 


And I guess my other Valentine is also one of my favorites.  I mean, he wouldn't look nearly as cute smudged with red lipstick, but I guess that's not a requirement.
 

Happy Valentine's Day, lovers!

Christmas 2013

 Twelve days ago, I blogged.  I feel like I have been on the move every minute since then.  We had a wonderful "First Married Christmas", and I'm not sure I can ever put into words how warm and fuzzy I felt about this Christmas!

Mr. RH and I were engaged last year, and we spent the majority of the holiday apart or running between Christmases.  This year, it was interesting to be together for the whole of the holiday - it should have felt longer, but it somehow seemed to go faster than ever!

We started our holiday celebrating on Sunday night at a Pacers game.  It had been years since I've seen a Pacers game, and it was really nice being out and about in downtown Indy.  Note to self:  I need to get out more often.

I may or may not ever tell you the story about how I sneak-ed a refillable drink cup under that hat to get a free $8 refill on my soda.  I'll never tell!

The next night we had a a big Christmas Eve Eve dinner with my dad and brother.  I redeemed my horrible dumpling-debacle from Thanksgiving with perfect dumplings (not pictured, because dumplings don't photography particularly well). 

We snapped a photo in front of my dad's tree.... Mr. RH was wearing his favorite Christmas accessory of the season - a leopard-print Santa hat that I had to wrestle out of his hands at every opportunity.

We had dinner with my men again on Christmas Eve before late Christmas Eve mass at church.  And I even got all of them to (mostly) smile for a photo.  Yay!

For Christmas Day, we headed north to be with the RH family.  There were lots of adorable babies in the house and even more incredible presents.

Cutest Santa's Helpers EVER

I got many wonderful gifts (including wine and Friends seasons on DVD), but probably my most prized gift was a new cheese slicer.  It was a pretty legit gift, and one I really needed!

Mr. RH and I exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve in the middle of the night and stockings on Christmas morning.  It makes me wonder what Christmases will look like in the future, but it was a few fun tradition, regardless.

Modeling Mr. RH's Christmas Hats

All-in-all, it was a VERY Merry Christmas (although very stressful and insane at work - in good ways and bad!) and it went far too quickly for my liking.  I kinda can't believe it's over, and I'm not looking forward to taking down my Christmas tree anytime soon.  Especially since I bought some fun new decor at Target today for 70% off that I had been eyeing all season.    SCORE!!!!!!!!

I think in the next couple days you may see some posts back-dated for the last week or two... there's just too much I need to catch up on before 2014 starts!

Hope your Christmas was just as merry as mine was!! 

Santa, I've Been Really Good This Year...

It's that time of year again.... when Santa starts bothering me to make a list because I am notoriously impossible to shop for.

I've already informed Santa (ahem my dad and husband) of most of my wishes, but if you're anything like me and had an epic struggle for ideas.... maybe I can help you.  Or not.  It's really a toss-up.

My list is pretty boring and domestic this year... but I tried to add a couple of fun items just for me.

1.  A new vacuum.  We had picked out this one, and I've really only wished for it for Mr. RH.  So he can help keep up with my tornado of destruction.  Good man.
2.  A pastry cutter.  So I can make delicious biscuits.
3.  A potato masher.  Because I have a new-age potato masher and it's totally weird.

4.  A new trilogy, Legend by Marie Lu.  I love me a good series! 
5.  More measuring spoons and cups!  I told Santas that any old cups would do... but since I found this set on Amazon last night... I'm finding it hard to settle on any old set. 

6.  These gorgeous Gatsby-inspired earrings that I found during my Great Wedding Earring Hunt of 2013.  I just think I would wear them All. The. Time!!!

 

7.  And last but not least, I really need a new coffee table to match the couch I got for my birthday.  My dad was all set to order this one on Monday night when I realized it's too tall for my couch.  Think I could saw the legs off and move that shelf up?  I realize it probably isn't worth it for a Target coffee table, but I'm a sucker for that gray color and the 2 drawers to hold all of my crap inside.

There are some other items I could add - new uggs, new sweat pants, a beautiful red coat like the girl from Love Actually.... but I think the items above would make my Christmas most merry this year.

What are YOU hoping for Santa to bring you?

Happy Halloween 2013

Happy Halloween!!

We don't have big plans for Halloween this year, both Mr. RH and I will be at work during trick-or-treating tonight.

Luckily, there is trick-or-treating in my mall tonight and nasty weather means I'll be seeing plenty of little ghosts and goblins in the mall.... I hope we see some creative costumes!

My co-worker and I have planned costumes for tonight, and I just found out Chipotle has $3 meals if you're in costume.  So you know what I'm going to be doing tonight!

Mr. RH and I celebrated a little early with pumpkins... and boy do we look different than 2 years ago! 

I was pretty proud of our pumpkin effort... although I didn't realize that my girly skeleton was a Monster High character. 

And last but not least... it wouldn't be our First Married Halloween if I didn't make a big deal out of it.  Such as declaring we would be divorced if we didn't have carved pumpkins on our first married Halloween.

Happy Halloween!!  Hope you have a fun and spooky day!

Big 2013 Easter Weekend

You guys, it was a BIG weekend around here.  On Saturday night, Mr. RH got baptized into the Catholic Church.

It has been a long, long road to get us to this day.  Back when we got engaged, we had spoken about various options involving weddings and churches, but neither of us was completely prepared for how extensive of a process it was to join the Catholic church here.

Because we got engaged right as the 9 months of classes were starting, we (and by we I mean Mr. RH) had to make a split-second decision as to whether or not he would join the Catholic church... and once we made the decision, it wasn't easy to stick to.

I grew up in the Catholic Church (and Catholic schools), so I have always felt entitled to take the teachings of the church with a grain of salt.  I rationalize that the very human people who run the Church make mistakes - like the condemning of gay persons, which I refuse to agree with.  I do believe change has to come from within - and like any huge organization, in the church it's going to take a long while.

All that back story to say - Mr. RH got baptized on Saturday night, during the longest mass that I've ever been to ever.  In over three hours, there were 7 readings, many prayers, and baptism of a small group of people and the confirmation of a large group of people.

Mr. RH's parents and grandmother attended, which meant a lot to both of us.  His mom had terrible church experiences growing up, and I was most nervous going in because I didn't know how she would react.

She, as usual, was amazing and I know now more than ever how lucky I am to have such a supportive mother-in-law.  I know not everyone is so lucky.

Unfortunately, I have zero pics from Saturday night.  I was too wound up and it was so late - we didn't leave until nearly 1 am.  And I am no night owl.

We celebrated with root beer floats from Steak n Shake.  I gave up all soda for Lent and I am happy to report that, for the first time in a LONG while, I actually stuck to my resolution!

Unfortunately, I was slightly disappointed by my store-bought root beer float.  No worries, I bought supplies and might have to make one myself this morning.  Happy April 1st to me!

I forced Mr. RH to pose for a selfie after I realized we had no pictures all weekend.  It's not the best photo I've ever taken, but it at least proves we were together!  For more than 6 minutes!  Woohoo!

 

Yesterday, we spent the day with some of Mr. RH's family at his parents house.  We had the nicest 45 minute drive to get there together.  The sun started peeking through the clouds (it was supposed to rain most of the day), and I can't remember feeling that peaceful in a long, long time.

Of course, then we arrived and I couldn't remember being happier in a long, long time.  Baby!!!!!

Remember this little chicken leg from December?   So tiny she could get shoved in a Christmas stocking?

Not anymore!  At 4 months old, Savannah is quite the ham and the happiest baby I've seen in a good long time!

Girl was cracking up at anything and everything all afternoon - after she dozed in my arms for over an hour while I stared at her.  It was a good time, despite Mr. RH mocking my baby fever.  It's real, people!
 

 I mean, HELLO?!  Look at those sweet cheeks and that big smile!

 

It was a big Easter for Mr. RH and I.  Probably one of the biggest and most noteworthy we'll ever have. 

After some tumultuous and hard few months of trying to figure out if we were making the right decision or making a huge mistake, I think we both finally have peace.

I can't help but think of Easter as a time for fresh starts and new beginnings, and I for one am ready to leave the dreary winter behind and look forward to fresh starts.

Happy April 1st!!  I hope your Easter was just as blessed as mine was.

My Sweet Valentine

You know, I sometimes worry that Mr. RH and I (mostly I, to be honest) are becoming an old couple before our time.  On our second Valentine's Day together, we have no plans. 

No gifts to be exchanged, nothing much out of an ordinary day.

However, unlike last year, SOMEONE will probably remember to get me a card for said Valentine's Day.  Because honestly, if there is ONE holiday that necessitates a greeting card - this is probably it.

And that's a good thing, right, Mr. RH?

Isn't it funny, the things that stick out in your memory?  It never even occurred to me that Mr. RH would need guidance that Valentine's Day necessitates the giving of  a card. 

I spent many a moment in every store in a 5 mile radius selecting the perfect card.  As usual, I think I nailed it.

 

I don't make New Year's Resolutions, but I'd like to make a Valentine's Day resolution - take more pictures with everyone.  I hate looking for a picture only to find the most recent picture I have of someone is months and months old.

As I mentioned, I'm playing it pretty low-key this year with my Valentine.  Hot lunch date, then off to work... then up at the crack of dawn to head to Pennsylvania to squeeze some babies.

Happy Valentine's Day, my loves.  Hope you get to squeeze some people you love today, be it friends or loves or babies (lucky ducks!).

xxo

My Christmas List

Sooo, I swear I didn't intend to let this place grow crickets.  I feel like I've missed so many fun little occasions in my life!

I had a nice Thanksgiving - I actually spent time with Mr. RH's family at home.  It was low-key and fun and I got in plenty of quality niece snuggles.

And then there was Black Friday - the weirdest Black Friday I can ever remember having.  The store opened at midnight and was madness for about 2 hours.  Then completely dead until afternoon.  It was a weird-weird day.  To top it all off, it got so busy in the evening that I felt like I couldn't leave. 

The rest of the weekend I did a bunch of online shopping and many more hours at work.

So here's the dilemma, friends.

I have no idea what I want for Christmas. 

I spent three hours last night brainstorming ideas.  Three hours!  And the list is kinda lame.

First up, a cheap rose gold watch.  I bang up all my jewelry at work, so anything too nice will get ruined and therefore I won't wear it.  So how about this cheap and sassy little number?

And while we're at Target, I need another pair of moccasins because I'm typically too lazy to put shoes on unless I'm leaving the house.   I have a pair from Lands End that were around $50 and I don't think they're any more special than the $20 Target ones.

I'm not sure if it's because I'm engaged or what... but I feel like I need ALL THE HOUSEWARES this year.  Is it awkward to ask for housewares for Christmas before I even do a wedding registry?  I feel like it is but I don't even care.

I want a 12" cast iron skillet.  I know that the enameled Le Creuset cast iron is all the rage.... but it's SO expensive and eventually chips.  So plain cast iron wishlist it is.

Mr. RH's family has been bugging for a list, so maybe I'll put that on their?  I think I'll have to ask my dad
 for the dutch oven cause it's more expensive.

I put a large glass measuring cup on my wishlist because I need one for Mr. RH's apartment.  I can't live without a giant measuring cup, for real. 

I put a couple books on my list too - Thumped by Megan McCafferty and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.

So, friends.  I know you love your stuff as much as I do... and I'm as shallow as it comes.  Surely I need something else on my wish list, right?

Maybe I should add a fancy high-thread-count set of sheets to my list?

Help me kids, I'm boring myself.

What's on YOUR wish list this Christmas?

Happy Easter, Indeed.

After not having a weekend off for what feels like ages.... I went and had this weekend off too.  It was, I must admit, pretty glorious. 

On Saturday, Mr. RH and I spent some quality time with his family.  I haven't seen all the babies (and by babies they are really toddlers and Big Kids!) since Christmas, so I was beyond excited to see everyone.

We dyed Easter eggs and ate too much food and generally had a nice, relaxing day.  I was all worked up because I hadn't seen Mr. RH's family in a while, especially his sisters.  I'd definitely be lying if I said that I wasn't nervous that they wouldn't like me (again).

Thankfully, the weekend went smoothly and I got to snuggle some sweet cheeks for hours and hours.

I die.

Baybeeeeeee.

Speaking of babies... Mr. RH has two sisters.  His oldest sister has 3 little girls, including the sweetie pie pictured above.  She's.... eep, about 9 months old.  I need to update my calender, I can't keep all these birthdays straight.

His 2nd sister is just a year older than me.  She got married right when Mr. RH and I started dating.  She has two darling step-daughters who are about 7 and 5 years old.  And adorable.

On Saturday, she told Mr. RH that he was going to be an uncle again, to her first baby.

I was a little surprised but mostly just extremely excited.

Another baby in the family by Christmas!  Can't get enough of them!  Especially if his sisters are the ones having the babies... :)

A very happy Easter, indeed.

Happy Leap Day!!

May your Leap Day be filled with calories that don't count....

Shopping that never shows up on your credit cards....

{Photo: see entire blog contents}

and laundry that magically folds itself and puts itself away.

{Photo: see embarrassing bedroom floor disaster/tornado}

Forever and ever, amen.



Can you see where my brain's at today?

Happy Leap Day!

First-Time Valentines

First of all, Happy Belated Valentine's Day!  I swear I had all intentions of posting a sappy Valentine post yesterday but unfortunately I used all my computer time yesterday doing scheduling for work.  Yuck!

Going into February, I think I was a little stressed about Valentine's Day.  Not for any specific reason, but mostly because I know that Mr. RH and I have many, many Valentines ahead of us and I wanted to start the traditions out on a good foot.

Also, why am I so neurotic?  Can I not just enjoy things for once?

And, due to lots of crazy stress and general busy-ness at work... I did just that.

Mr. RH had a super-early work shift so I had the early morning to prepare my Valentine and attempt to shower and dress myself before I saw Mr. RH.

Finally, after 3 years, I had a reason to use this Valentine wrapping paper!! (Yes, there was and still is glitter absolutely everywhere.)

Mr. RH showed up bright and early in the day with flowers and kisses and a new pair of earrings.  Actually, two pairs that are surprisingly identical.  

Poor Mr. RH, I think I need to return one of the pairs - they're too similar.  

Actually, poor everyone.  I return everyone's gifts.  They call me the return queen....

 

I forced Mr. RH to sit for a self-portrait because we never have enough pictures together.  As usual, I'm wearing sweats and a sweatshirt.  Good lord, I need a makeover.

You can kinda see the earrings he got me in this picture.  I love them, they are stunning.  I predict I will be wearing them all summer.

As for the rest of our Valentine's Day, we went out for a quick lunch, went apartment hunting (for him), got some amazing snacks at our fav junk food joint, went to Lowe's for the 92nd time in the past month, and ended up grocery shopping for a quiet night in with wine and green velvet cake.

Yes, I said green velvet cake.  As in red velvet but green instead.

I know, weird.

Happy Valentine's Day, loves.  As I said last year... I love you almost as much as online shopping. 

Except, I think I was wrong.  You all are way more awesome than online shopping.

Although... I did have 5 boxes show up in the last few days that I haven't opened.  We'll see what happens after I open them up.

xxoo!

Scenes from Christmas 2011

Not pictured:  Food, food, and more baked goods.  OMG, so full. 

 My Family

O Christmas Tree

 

The Best Gift

Ok, fine, I didn't take the last one on Christmas.  But it'd be a crime not to post it because I love it so much.

Merry Christmas!! 

I hope you are all enjoying your families (as I go into work and whine the whole time)....

 

I Suck at Christmas

This year, I was bound and determined to have The Bestest Christmas Ever.

Yeah, hasn't happened so far.  It's been good, don't get me wrong - but I'm lacking on baked goods, hot chocolate, and perfectly fireplace-lit memories. 

Either way, it's ok.  Because the one thing I've had this year is making me so incredibly happy - Christmas lights.

Mr. RH had told me a house near his apartment had a cool Christmas lights show and that I needed to see it.  I wasn't sold.

And then we went one night.  And I've been back at least 5 times since then.

The show is timed to music and is amazing. Even more amazing than the "legendary" Christmas lights that are 10 miles from here.  And they are right around the corner from his apartment. SCORE.

And then I remembered a local Christmas display that raises money for a local charity.  A guy in the community lights up his house and the empty lot next door to bring Christmas cheer to everyone who sees it.

I took some of my mom's out-of-town family to see it this week and they were Blown. Away.

One million Christmas lights in less than one square block.  Probably smaller than that.

I wish I could better explain to you how much I love Christmas lights... but let's just say I've blown through several tanks of gas lately driving between Christmas displays.

I'm obsessed.

Anyone else feeling Christmas-cheery this year?

Nix the Gloom & Doom

Sooo... that was a debbie downer of a post yesterday.  What the heck is wrong with me?  I think I just let the anxiety get the best of me... and it actually got worse after I wrote that post.

I tried to get a bunch of stuff done before work at noon yesterday... ran across town 3 different times (like a chicken with my head cut off!) and just as I was settling in to get to work - I ran my car into a curb in my neighborhood.  HARD.

I jacked up the 3rd wheel on my car (yes, I've done this 3 times before but the past 2 were on hard snowbanks instead of curbs) and this time I believe I may have thrown my car out of alignment, since it won't run straight anymore.  And now 3 of my wheels are sporting these hideous plastic wheel-cover things (that you can take off but then your car looks like a jalopy) that are cracked and smashed. 

(I looked into having them replaced a year or two ago but they were $75 each.  And now online they are $25 each.  I'll think about it, wouldn't I rather spend $75 on makeup?)

After that little incident, I was hysterical.  Just a hot mess.  Could ONE. MORE. THING. go wrong?  Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

Let's just say work was an exercise in NOT banging my head against a wall.  Repeatedly.  Until I passed out.

I got off work, ran to quickly say goodnight to Mr. RH, and on the way home, on a road I take daily - I was a hair away from running a red light.  Right into a huge black truck that was most definitely speeding.  Slammed on the brakes, backed up my car, and hyperventilated the whole way home.

Got home, 9 pm, ate 4 bites of my now-cold dinner (Chipoltle, not my favorite but then again I have no fridge at work so I'm stuck eating fast food or something non-perishable.  Blech.)  Was in bed by 10 pm tweeting all "woe-is-me" style. 

Slept for 4 hours and then was wide awake, worrying about work and Mr. RH.  Just because I can.

Took 2 sleeping pills at 3 am which gave me approximately 2 more hours of sleep, after 2 hours of tweeting and ceiling-staring.

Deep breaths, lovlies.  It's a new day.  Despite the fact that I got a pile of crap handed to me at work (nobody's fault, just normal retail-at-Christmas-type stuff), today is a new day.  Most of the rest of my Christmas gifts will arrive today.  I will bake.  I will go into work after I finish this post and get caught up on paperwork... then come home and relax until my 4p-midnight shift.

(Ok, can I complain about that shift a little bit?  Anytime I have to work past my preferred bedtime of 10:30 pm, it's not gonna be a good night.  Whatever.)

Deep, festive breaths.  I got this.

Eight days till Christmas!

A Christmas Tree

For the past million Christmases, I have been dying to cut down a live Christmas tree.  Unfortunately for me, I have never been in the position to pay/bribe a man to come with and do the heavy chopping/lifting for me. 

Enter Mr. RH.

I told him several weeks ago that I had a loong list of Christmas-y Activities that I wanted to complete this year and then I might have cried into my wine saying that we never get enough time together. 

I had the flu on Monday so our original tree-cutting plans got scrapped - but fortunately, yesterday was the perfect day!  It had snowed 6 inches the night before, but for an odd twist of fate there was no snow at the tree-cutting-farm.  (Which turned out to be a stroke of GREAT luck.)

We hiked ourselves to the middle of nowhere to Miller's Tree Farm (Idaville, IN).  The place was recommended by one of my dad's coworkers and I can't say I was disappointed.  The people were nice and they had a TON of trees for the choosing. 

I can't believe I picked one and we got it down in under an hour.  I could have browsed for days!

When it came time to do the actual cutting.... I realized that this Christmas tree business was not all fun and games.   Rookie mistake!

Poor Mr. RH, he definitely did... all of the work.  It was hard!  I could barely hold the saw straight!  (Also, thank you to Mr. RH for only taking one photo of my ass.  I was in a vulnerable position!)

We finally got the tree down and then I dragged it to the car.

Ok, FINE.  I posed for this photo and then Mr. RH threw the dang thing over his shoulder and marched off into the wilderness while I contemplated how handsome he is.  WHATEVER.

We browsed the gift shop for delicious snacks and I was jealous of all the cute Christmas paraphernalia.   

I thought the sign above was pretty much destined for me, unfortunately it wasn't for sale.

And then Mr. RH and I packed the 7 foot tree into the Jetta and drove home with the trunk open.  A perfect adventure for our first Christmas together.

In all seriousness though, how could it have been that six months ago I didn't even know his name?  I feel so completely excited for Christmas this year, and for once I don't even care about the presents. 

Can't wait to get busy trimming that tree!  I feel like I'm behind, it's already December 1st!