Friday, December 30, 2011

Being sick sucks...

It's been a while since I've been really sick, like go to the doctor sick. LOL Well of course it would have to happen the last week of my Christmas break. /sigh... This is not my idea of a vacation. lol

I must say tho, I am glad that it isn't worse. My hubby definitely has it worse. The poor guy has full blown bronchitis. :( Both the nurse and the doctor said he had a monster in his throat, lol.

The part that aggravates me about being sick is the lack of sleep at night. My cough is worse at night so it keeps me up, stupid cough. :P

Well, that is enough complaining. I had a good Christmas, aside from the sore throat. We had some good friends over and spent the afternoon with them playing Apples to Apples, I love that game. :)

Also, I finally got the iPod touch that I have wanted for what seems like forever, lol. So, on the bright side I've spent the past few days in bed, playing with my iPod. lol I tell ya between that and my phone, I never really have to leave my bed. Well, except to find something to eat and stuff.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas! Hopefully I will blog more, this little blogger app is actually ok. I'll just have to pay attention to auto correct. ;)

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Quizzical Questions: Christmas edition ;)

Ok, so it's not my typical Quizzical Question post but I'd say it's prolly more fun ;) I saw this on a couple blogs and wanted to fill it out too!! :)
 

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? 
I like both. But I seem to be drinking more cocoa this year - atm I am drinking Stephen's Candycane cocoa...mmmmm

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? 
Santa definitely wraps it all! I love wrapped presents, what's the fun in ones just sitting there?!

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?  
Definitely, colored lights! White just seems to be really boring to me. 

4. Do you hang mistletoe?  
I didn't this year. In our other apartment we had some that just hung there all year (fake mistletoe obviously) but we haven't gotten any since we moved.  

5. When do you put your decorations up?  
Right after Thanksgiving, except this year I think my hubby actually decorated the week of Thanksgiving 

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
hmmmm, I like it all!! But I think dessert always wins. Pumpkin pie...mmmmm 

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? 
Going to see Christmas lights, Salt Lake City has some fun neighborhoods for going to see lights. 

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? 
I don't remember, not at all...lol It's been too long..  

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? 
Yes we do! Except this year, I decided that since we open presents at midnight on Christmas eve, there is no sense in opening one on Christmas eve just to open the rest of them a few hours later at midnight. So I figured we'd open one at midnight the day before Christmas eve. Which would tomorrow night...except in my excitement I thought that night was tonight... Oops! So we've already opened our Christmas Eve gift...at least my hubby has promised to stop bugging me about opening gifts...lol We'll see if that lasts ;) lol

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
Lots of colored lights, a bunch of ornaments and candy canes.
 

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? 
Snow?! What is this snow that you speak of?! In AZ we don't get snow...at least not where I live. So I actually miss the snow. I never thought I would say that...lol

12. Can you ice skate?
I... caaann... it's been a very loooong time since I have ice skated, or skated period. But I'm sure I still can, if not as long as I don't break anything, I think I'll be okay.
 

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? 
I've had plenty of amazing gifts. My friends and family always know just what to get me. :)

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Being with family and participating in traditions. It makes me so happy.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
My typical answer would be pumpkin pie...but this year I tried pecan pie for the first time and I must say, it is a very close 2nd!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Hmmmm, I love all of the traditions. I think I am growing found of our latest tradition, which is opening presents at midnight. For night owls like us staying up and opening presents late is preferred to getting up early to open them. I know once we have kids that will change...of course maybe mom and dad will still have their Christmas at midnight. ;)
 

17. What tops your tree?
We have one of those pretty glittery stars, but my hubby puts some of the lights in the points of the star to make it shine. :) 

18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving?
I LOVE giving. I am really super excited for Christmas this year, not because of what I could get but because I can't wait for my hubby to get what I got him. :)

19. Candy canes: yuck or yum? 
mmmmm candy canes.... /homer drool

20. Favorite Christmas show?
O man, too many to name!! Charlie Brown is definitely one of my favs. This year I am really wishing that my movie collection was bigger or that we at least had a video store to go rent movies from... Has anyone else noticed that they are all slowing going out of business?!
 

21. Saddest Christmas song? 
Christmas Shoes definitely http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpkI7GW2V34  

22. What’s your favorite Christmas song?
I have a whole list of favorite songs...want a copy of my mix tape?! LOL Everything from "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas to I want an Alien for Christmas. You name it, more than likely, I love it!! :)

It's OK Thursday 12.22.11


Its Ok Thursdays



My friend Julie does this "It's Ok" link up every week and I love it, but I can never really think of any witty "It's Ok" moments on Thursdays. Well, today I have a few...lol



"It's OK..."

...that I didn't get out of my PJ's today

...that I got my days mixed up and told my hubby that he could open a present today instead of tomorrow.

...that I am crazy in love with my new phone

...that I am super excited for Christmas

...that this is the first time I have turned on my computer ALL week

...that my phone is becoming my main internet source

...to put an extra scoop in your hot chocolate

...that the only reason I turned on my computer was because I felt like blogging and I needed to take pics of my new Christmas nail design :)

...that I am posting this blog post at 9 pm



Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Nail Polish Tag



The rules are very simple:
1. Answer the 10 questions.
2. Pass this tag to 5 other bloggers.
3. Make sure the bloggers that you tagged, knows that you tagged them, by sending them a comment on their blog.

Now, here are the questions:

  1. How many nail polishes do you have? I never realized how many I had because I'd never counted them until today. I have 58, but we'll just say 60 because I am sure there are two bottles lying around here somewhere. LOL
  2. What is your favorite brand of nail polish? I love ALL nail polish!! I'm not one that really compares consistency, unless it's really bad, so I usually just go and get something inexpensive. I have quite a few of the Pure Ice brand. I do love OPI... but I don't like paying $8 a bottle for it. lol
  3. Do you like crackle polish, or do you hate it? I love crackle polish!! Although I find that the black crackles are really thick and goopy - of course that may just be because it's black.
  4. What is your first nail polish brand? First ever? I don't even remember.... But more than likely it was Wet 'N Wild
  5. If you're going to have a nail polish line, what are you gonna name it? Not planning on having a nail polish line... I just plan on buying other peoples! :)
  6. What nail polish color does not compliment you? Yellow and orange are bad colors for my skin tone but I do have some for my fun nail art :)
  7. And what color does compliment you? Hmmmm, I would have to say red looks the best on me. 
  8. Name two of your best nail art friends? Hmmm, well I have one really good nail polish buddy. Her name is Julie and we get together almost every week for a homemade manicure :) I don't have any other nail polish buddies that live here in AZ. But I imagine if I lived in GA, my friend Jill and I would be nail polish buddies too! ;)
  9. What was the best nail polish gift you have ever received? I think I just got that today...my boss got me a big nail polish kit, with 14 polishes and all the fun manicure toys too!! 
  10. Make a speech about thanking the blogger who gave you this tag. No one officially tagged me for this tag, I just saw it on Polish Art Addiction and thought it looked like fun and wanted to do it. Some of the people I am tagging don't know me, but I love their blogs! :)
Pass it on to 5 bloggers:

Just for fun, here are some of my designs that I've done recently :)
Thanksgiving Nails - 

Turkey, Pilgrim Hat, Indian Corn, leaf for Fall and Newspaper print for Black Friday Sales ;)



Black Friday Nails - What I wore just to go shopping! ;)



Snowman Nails - This was last week's design and I think one of the cutest ones I've done so far, several other people agree with me...lol (not bad for no real dotting tools just really, really makeshift ones)




Christmas nails (aka this weeks design) - in honor of my last week of work for the year!!!
Santa, Rudolph, a present, a Christmas tree and a Cookie for Santa ;)

 

Friday, December 9, 2011

Holiday Blog Challenge - Day 10




Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge






Welcome to the Last day of 
Amber & Neely's Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge!



Today's topic is: New Years Eve Memories/Pictures


I unfortunately don't have any pictures of any New Years. I do have memories tho. :) My New Year's are usually pretty simple. I don't think I've ever gone out on New Year's Eve, they are usually just spent at home, watching the ball drop and drinking Champagne with my hubby at midnight. 
 
When I was little my next door neighbor would celebrate by lighting off an M-80 - loudest sound ever!! 
 
I remember that in 2000 I spent New Year's in Utah with a bunch of my friends. I don't really remember specifics about the night but I do remember that I got all dolled up and told myself that this would be my new look for the new millennium. My look has changed since then...lol I am so glad that the world didn't come to an end that night. ;)

New Year's may not be much of a Holiday, but it always reminds me that there is so much more that is coming. It's always amazing to look back at a year and remember all that has happened.This year as I look back - I never would've thought that I would be where I am today. Who would've guessed that I would be the only one with a job at the end of 2011?! No one can foresee the future but it's always amazing how everything always fits together and works out in the end. 

This blog challenge has been so much fun!!! I hope that everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. And I hope all of you have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year!!!
 


Thursday, December 8, 2011

Holiday Blog Challenge - Day 9




Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge









Welcome to the Ninth day of 
Amber & Neely's Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge!! 
 
I will be blogging about one Holiday themed topic everyday for the next 2 weeks!! (11/28 -12/9)
If you want more information, or want to join the fun click HERE for more information.


Today's topic is: 2012 Goals/Resolutions


Hmmmm, I always have a hard time with this one. I could say that I resolve to lose weight but that one never works. I go on a diet for about a month, and then lose the ambition. So I know, I have a resolution to not have any resolutions!! 

I figure you never know what is going to happen, that is something that is wonderful about the future - you get to have new experiences all the time. Of course new experiences can be scary too. I would much rather live life to the fullest and enjoy my life, than try to stick to these resolutions and maybe miss opportunities that would've made life really great! After all, you only ever live once. Why not enjoy it?!







Wednesday, December 7, 2011

It's Official....

I am a college student, Again...lol I have been a college student for 4 semesters now. And none of those semesters have been consecutive. lol The funny (or sad) thing is that I work for a college and get free tuition - you would think that I would have a degree by now. But no, I am your typical college student. I don't know my student ID number and I have NO clue what I want to be when I grow up. LOL

Honestly, I am really happy where I am at in my career right now. I have worked my way up from being a receptionist to being more of an office coordinator. (aka Go to girl/Secret Weapon) I have had help, believe me but the truth is, I love what I do. So part of me is just comfortable right where I am and doesn't see the point of pursuing a degree.

It is that part of me that is very grateful for people who encourage me to get off my butt and go back to school. And I love the fact that one of those people is one of my co-workers. We were talking about classes today and I was telling her "O yeah I have a humanities, and a communication and a science class..." and she wanted to map me to a degree. lol Just having 4 classes is a far cry from having a degree but a little nudge in the right direction is all you need sometimes.

The other part of me that wants a degree, wants to have one by the time I am 30. *big sigh*... I've got 2 years, guess I'd better get crackin'!!

So, in the Spring I will be taking English. I may take another class too since my evenings will be really free. My hubby is also taking classes in the Spring and they are all evening classes. At least my hubby knows what he wants to go for and is going after it!! (He's going into culinary btw) Maybe by the time I have my general education courses done, I will have figured out exactly what to major in. One can only hope... lol




Holiday Blog Challenge - Day 8





Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge








Welcome to the Eighth day of 
Amber & Neely's Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge!! 
 
I will be blogging about one Holiday themed topic everyday for the next 2 weeks!! (11/28 -12/9)
If you want more information, or want to join the fun click HERE for more information.


Today's topic is: Christmas Wish List


oooooo, Christmas Wish List!!!  How many presents am I allowed to have on my wish list?! Why don't I just link my Amazon wish list and you can buy me presents from there k?! No seriously, I do have a few things that I would like to get, but I really am not all that picky. Last year I didn't get what was on my wish list, but my hubby put a lot of thought into what he got me and it is afterall the thought that counts. :) 

 Here are a few things that I would like to have someday 
1. Kindle Fire
2. iPod Touch
3. Cast a Spell by Lulu Guinness - pretty perfume :)
4. Konad Nail Stamps
5. Nail Polish...lots and lots of it! lol I really want a few collections from OPI (mainly Katy Perry's and the Muppet's collections) 

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Holiday Blog Challenge - Day 7




Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge







Welcome to the Seventh day of 
Amber & Neely's Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge!! 
 
I will be blogging about one Holiday themed topic everyday for the next 2 weeks!! (11/28 -12/9)
If you want more information, or want to join the fun click HERE for more information.


Today's topic is: How do you celebrate the holidays? 
Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, etc.

Well, I only celebrate Christmas and it varies depending on the year. My hubby's mom lives 2 hours south of us so some years we go and spend the day with her and others we are just home. Either way, we are always spending time with friends and family and enjoying each others company. This year, my hubby's mom is coming up to us for Christmas so it should be a new experience. 

There is always one thing that is consistent with Christmas and that is the fact that my hubby is so excited for Christmas that we usually stay up late and open presents at midnight, as opposed to getting up early and opening them when we are groggy. Neither of us are really morning people. LOL 

When we have kids, I am sure that will change because how is Santa supposed to leave presents if we don't go to bed first eh?! ;)

 

Monday, December 5, 2011

Holiday Blog Challenge - Day 6



Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge






Welcome to the Sixth day of 
Amber & Neely's Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge!! 
 
I will be blogging about one Holiday themed topic everyday for the next 2 weeks!! (11/28 -12/9)
If you want more information, or want to join the fun click HERE for more information.


Today's topic is: Christmas dessert/treat recipe

 hmmmm, there are so many sweets but one of my favorites and probably most easiest is Peppermint Cheesecake. It is one of the yummiest desserts ever! What's that? You wanted the recipe? Wellll, I guess you can have it. ;) 




Peppermint Cheesecake, in 3 steps
2 pkg Cream Cheese
1/2 C Sugar
1/2 tsp Vanilla
2 Eggs
1 C Starlight Mints, Crushed
1 Pre-made Graham Cracker Pie Crust
1 C Cool Whip topping

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350*F. Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs; mix until blended. Stir in 1/2 cup of the crushed mints. 
2. Pour into crust; sprinkle with 1/4 cup of the remaining crushed mints.
3. Bake for 40 mins or until the center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate several hours or overnight. Top with whipped topping and the remaining 1/4 cup crushed mints just before serving. 

To crush the mints, I just unwrapped them, put them in a ziplock bag and used a rolling pin or a can of soup to crush the candies.
I hope you like it! It is very, very yummy! mmmmmm

Friday, December 2, 2011

Holiday Blog Challenge - Day 5




Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge







Welcome to the Fifth day of 
Amber & Neely's Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge!! 
 
I will be blogging about one Holiday themed topic everyday for the next 2 weeks!! (11/28 -12/9)
If you want more information, or want to join the fun click HERE for more information.


Today's topic is: Ideal outfit for Christmas


Something pretty and red and sparkly - Of Course!! I actually have a sweater that I wear around the Holidays that is just that. But of course I wouldn't just tell you about any sweater.

This particular one was my grandma's (her name is really Mom-mom). Mom-mom passed away in 2009 and when she did, I ended up with this pretty sweater of hers. It wasn't until a few years later, when I was going through some pictures, that I realized that the pretty sweater that I got was actually the same sweater that Mom-mom wore to my wedding.

So I wear my pretty, red, sparkly sweater around the holidays and remember my dear sweet Mom-mom, so in a way I still get to spend the holidays with her too. :)

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Holiday Blog Challenge - Day 4






Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge






Welcome to the Fourth day of 
Amber & Neely's Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge!! 
 
I will be blogging about one Holiday themed topic everyday for the next 2 weeks!! (11/28 -12/9)
If you want more information, or want to join the fun click HERE for more information.


Today's topic is: Favorite Holiday Movies/TV Specials

Well, I could say "Charlie Brown Christmas" but I think that is probably a lot of people's favorite shows at Christmas, so I'm going to go with the movie Prancer. For those of you who haven't seen it, the movie is about a little girl named Jessica who finds one of Santa's reindeer - you'll never guess which one ;) Of course, it's Prancer. :)

So first of all, I already relate to the character simply because she shares my name. But the Jessica in the movie is also a little girl who LOVES Christmas and could listen to Christmas music all year round. My mom used to say that the movies little girl Jessica reminded her a lot of me. 

I unfortunately don't own Prancer so I haven't actually watched this movie in years. But it is one of my favorites. My mom told me that she just bought Prancer recently so she's going to have to watch it for me this year. :)