Opening Early - Cha Ching!

Luis and I have been blessed with some great friends here in California.  We especially love that the Mohlman family lives here in our apartment complex.  Being able to walk over and spend hours at their house has been fabulous for me and has helped with the lonely issue when Luis is off at school. 

About a week ago, we exchanged Christmas gifts, but despite my pleas, we DID NOT open them.  However, I knew it wouldn't be long before Brandi, BJ, and Luis would become desperate to open the gifts early.  Sure enough, on Sunday, the Mohlmans convinced us to make them Oreo cookies, come over to their house, and open gifts together.  (You would think our gift would be enough, but NO...they had the gall to ask for cookies too!  Can you believe some people?)

After slaving away for hours, we finished the cookies and headed over.  We got to open ours first. Brandi had asked for an assortment of pictures from us and with them, made mini calendar cards through a site called Shabby Princess.   Then, we can use a CD case to prop them up and display them through the year.  They are really adorable!

For the Mohlmans, I used Shutterfly to create a book of their son, Bennett.  It was really fun to do.  I love Shutterfly!

We decided next year, it would be our husbands' turn to make the gifts.  Yeah right.

Later that night, we decided to play some games.  We admitted that when we helped the Mohlmans move into their apartment, we caught a glimpse of their Wii games, which motivated us to become friends with them:)  Although Guitar Hero and Mario cart MAY not be ideal Sabbath Day activities, we had a good time.

(By they way Mohlmans, I just consulted with spell check and your last name is wrong.  Which would you prefer?  Milkmans, Mailmans, or Oilmans.)

D -ECO- RATIONS

Hello Friends,

Although I felt like putting up my decorations the 2nd week of November, I refrained until the week 3.  Since we'll be in Utah during Christmas (hoot hoot), I wanted some time to enjoy the holiday glamour.  I picked a Saturday when Luis had to study so I could fill up my time with fun fun fun!  Since my mommy gave me her hand-me-down tree, we were able to put one up.  Unfortunately, the tree is a bit "special" looking.  No wonder she handed it down.  We call it our Charlie Brown tree.  There are a total of 13 ornaments.  We have no tree topper.  We have no tree skirt.  And my favorite part is how realistic the inner-pole makes our tree look.

I was sent the new ornaments my sisters and mom made, but then 1/3 of our lights went out. No matter how much I twist the bulbs, nothing happens.  Poor pathetic tree.

In true hoarding fashion, I've been collecting decorations through the years even though "I still lived with my mom."  (Some of you know that story.  The rest of you I'll leave to wondering.)  After this post hits the web, I'm looking forward to hearing from Better Homes & Garden.  My undiscovered decorating skills are pretty much through the roof.  Just look at those groupings!

Oh yeah, and I also bought this adorable Nativity Set for our household of kids to play with.  Luis did happen to point out that Joseph is holding a staff, when in fact he is a carpenter.  And there's no shepherd.

When Luis saw all the decorations up in November, he started singing that Anastasia hit "In a Sweet November."  You mean "Once Upon a December," Lu?  Oh yeah. 

It's okay, you can laugh at him too.

And now I would like to end with an issue Luis and I have been debating.  Which requires more energy usage: one strand of Christmas lights or one light bulb?  Feedback on this important issue would be great, although I'll probably be googling it as soon as I've posted.

merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

Naturally, I've been planning our Thanksgiving meal since before Halloween.  This was my very first shot at creating my first Thanksgiving meal.  Now that I have tackled THAT turkey, I would like to share a startling discovery.  For some evil, dark, reason, companies tied to Thanksgiving wanted me to fail.

It began with the turkey, which the entire meal is centered around.  Without warning, a gizzard bag was stuffed up the turkey where it is hidden from view, hoping that some unsuspecting newbie like myself will NOT know of its existence, NOT take out the bag, and NOT end up with an edible turkey.

Then, there was the gravy.  Yes, I could have purchased nasty gravy packets, but on Thanksgiving, that's just wrong.  For a truly groovy gravy, one must make it from scratch.  And do you suppose there are recipes for said gravy.  Of course.  Start with 3 heaping spoonfuls (how heaping?), add water until thickened but not gloopy (how thickened?), pour in strained turkey juices (I don't have a strainer.), and don't forget the KEY ingredient: potato water...but not too much (I added too much).

Of course, what about the timing of everything?  In order for everything to be hot and ready at precisely the right time, I should have secured 3 ovens and 7 arms.

The pies?  Unless you're an expert (which I'm not), you will not know to puncture the crust with a fork to prevent the crust from sinking.  And do the recipes tell you this?  Of course not.

Thankfully, after only 10 minutes of crying over my ruined gravy, dry turkey, and cold potatoes, Luis was able to calm me down and we had a very nice Thanksgiving meal (after warming everything up in the microwave). 

Beautiful, wonderful, Black Friday ads.

My helper who stayed home from a football game to be with his clingy wife.

Luis spending time with his family.

My fabulously, buttery rolls.

An example of our place settings.

Our feast.



I would like to dedicate this holiday to the many people who gave us platters and bowls for our wedding, my mother who assisted me via cell phone, my husband who probably should've chosen a stronger woman, the Mohlmans who lent us their gravy boat, Chevron the carrier of LA Times with Black Friday ads, Winco for selling me our turkey for $3.00, Dawn Dish Soap for containing biodegradable surfactants whilst cleaning our dishes, Martha Stewart and Studio 5 for inspirational tips, and pumpkins everywhere.

Laptop Revival

Out of the blue, Luis gets this sheepish look in his eyes and says to me, "Ashley, you're wonderful.  I love so much."  Not that I don't love that, but I knew something was up.  We can't mask things very well at our home.  He then tells me a little story about my laptop that I have so generously allowed him to take to school every day.  One morning, he was at school using his computer when he realized he had to book-it to class.  He flipped the lid shut, grabbed his gear, and headed off...clueless to the fact that he had done something very wrong.  Can you guess?  Once he arrived at said destination, he took out his laptop, pried it open, and "Oh no."  He had accidentally left his pen cap on the keyboard when he shut the lid, which resulted in a cracking of the screen pigments...or whatever (the screen broke).  Apparently, Lu was worried about the reaction of his occasionally emotionally unstable woman.  Well, I'm proud to say, that I reacted very sweetly and calmly (right after I threw a chair out the window - he he he). 

Instead of deciding to buy a new laptop, he chose to get it fixed.  However, after talking to a Best Buy associate, and finding out they would charge $300, he opted to do the fixing himself.  Since he is the wrong kind of nerd (science, not electronics), he began by watching some online tutorials.  He then purchased a new screen, a few tools, and we went to work.

As you can see, I was his assistant.  So of course, the outcome was successful!  We're pretty much experts at laptop screen transplants now, so if you ever leave a pen cap on the keyboard, shut the lid, and crack the pigments...give us a call!

Rainbow Brites

A few months ago we received notice that our entire complex was going to be painted.  We got a sneak peek of possible color options when they tried out some of the possibilities on one of our neighboring buildings.  I was really excited for the new look.  That was until I saw the paint color winners.  Here are two shots of the BEFORE look.

 And here are the AFTER shots.  I really hated these new colors.  Every time we walked by Luis got to hear me murmur, "ugly ugly ugly!"  It was one of my main topics of choice whenever I saw a friend from the complex.  "Don't you just HATE the new paint?"  I must say though, I am getting used to the new look.

And this is my black door.

Speaking of paint, here's a paint job I don't think I've blogged about yet.  It's very possible I have posted this, but since I can't remember and am too lazy to check, I thought I'd just throw it in here.  When Luis and I got married, we needed a table.  Since none of my siblings would "hand-me-down" their tables (which I thought was quite selfish of them), I had to buy my own.  So, mom, Luis, and I began to frequent DI.  Fabulously, we happened upon a pretty junky-looking table which we were able to FIX UP with paint.  One move later, it looked like this.

Since we brought the paint with us to California, I decided to fix it up so it wasn't so disgraceful.  Isn't she pretty now?  The bad news is that the finish we put on it isn't great.  Some of the paint has already peeled off again.  Drat!



(By the way, if you're wondering what my title has to do with this post, you're not alone.  I myself am quite confused.)

My New Job

It feels like I haven't had much to blog about lately.  I guess things have been pretty quiet around here...literally.  Luis studies all the time and so I TRY to be quiet.  (Let's face it - I can't.  I usually end up asking Lu questions and telling him story after story.) 

Well, one thing I DO have to blog about is my new job.  I mentioned it on a previous post, but let me give you some details.  It is only 3 hours a day, but let me just say, I'm loving those hours.  After not working since MAY when I finished teaching, it's killing me to stand again for hours at a time.  It is a before/after school child care (K-5 grades) at a nearby elementary.  What do I do?  Beats me.

My first day was Tuesday.  I was told I would be working in the K-1st grade room, which I knew would be traumatizing.  I got there plenty early to beat the end-of-school-day madness.  You would think someone would be there to tell me what I would be doing BEFORE I had to start.  Nope.  The bell rang, kids came in, and I stood there not knowing what to do.  One worker finally asked me to "check their homework."  What does that mean?  Do I check to see if it's there?  Check to see if it's done?  Check to see if they're doing it?  After "checking," I sort of just wandered around the rest of the night.  I pretty much felt like an idiot. 

People always say it takes a special kind of person to be a kindergarten teacher.  I am finding out why.  First of all, everywhere I look, noses are being picked.  Whiny voices never stop informing me who is cutting in line.  Every second, someone needs to go to the bathroom.  There's the kid in the corner sobbing because he can't remember where to put the feathers on his turkey hat.  It's simply past these darlings to remember my name, so instead I get the never ending tapping accompanied with "um...um...um...um...um...um" until my attention turns to said tapper.  Oh boy, let's hope I can survive this.

Here was the most awkward part of the night.  So, I'm outside with the kids and a couple other assistants.  Wanting to be friendly, I walk up to one  and ask her how long she's worked at the elementary.  She tells me, "Oh, I've been here since August, but now you're replacing me so I'm out of a job."

WHAT DO I SAY TO THAT?  Awkward!

The next day, I was given more direction so it ended up being much better.  I have hopes that I'll enjoy it more and more as I get to know the routine, kids, and co-workers.  And hopefully I won't put anyone else out of a job.

Crafty Crafty Part 2

So I craft a lot.  I can't help it.  Not only am I wired up for the holidays, but let's face it - I do have oodles of time AND love crafting.  Every year, the women in our family exchange ORNAMENTS.  We have a new theme every year and the goal is to create an ornament that fits the theme, which usually translates to purchasing the ornament due to laziness. 

Not this year! 

The theme?  Christmas Balls. 

Usually, our ornaments are secrative until the big reveal, but since I won't be present at the exchange, I thought I'd let my family get a sneak peek at just how inadequate THEIR ornaments will be compared to my masterpieces.  My perfection is hard to duplicate though, so I hope they don't even attempt to copy me.

  First, I had to buy clear ornaments, paint, and ribbon from Joann's.

After removing the "lids," I took 2 paint colors and poured some paint into a ball.  I immediately started turning the ball and adding more paint to help the colors blend.  It took a lot of navigation to completely coat the ball.  Since I have little patience for such things, I tried shaking the balls.  Not a good idea unless you have the hole in the top covered.  Let's just say, I had to stop immediately and remove paint from my table, placemats, and walls.  Unfortunately, Wobbles the Thankful Turkey was beyond help.

Next, I let the balls dry upside down in paper cups.  This step GREATLY changed the look of the ornaments.  I found that letting them sit like this caused even more blending, which was okay with me.

After 1 day of drying I took the ornaments out of the cups and let them finish drying right side up.  The next day I replaced their tops and tied on some ribbon.

Here's my crafty crafty masterpiece! 

(This idea was not mine...I borrowed it from a google search)