Hallelujah, everybody say cheese. Merry Christmas from the Family

Can you believe it's only 3 months until Christmas?? Seriously. Where does the time go?

If you're like me, you promise every year to buy early AND have your gifts wrapped and ready to be placed under the tree before the last of the Thanksgiving turkey and green bean casserole is eaten. Perfect gifts that are, without a doubt, wrapped so creatively (handmade tags, perfectly executed bows, maybe even a theme!) that Martha herself would be jealous.

Now if you are really like me, you will do a little Windows shopping early, but not order anything because you want to purchase everything at once to save on shipping. Or you may see something at the mall and decide to wait because it will surely go on sale in three months, right? Next thing you know, it's December 23rd and you're paying to valet at the mall because you can't find a space to park and you almost get into a knock down drag out fight over the last roll of crappy poinsettia gift wrap at Target.

So I'm putting this out there now, so I will be accountable to all of you:

I will shop early. Wrap early. And find perfect gifts for everyone on my list.

And, as luck would have it. I came across my first purchase this morning, and it's SO CUTE I have to share it with all of you:

Is that not the cutest place mat ever?? DoodleBug isn't super into pirates, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. And this is so darn cute that I HAVE to get it for him!

They have super-cute ones for little girls, too:


Check out the selection at Two Sisters Ink*. They'll even do custom orders! Just don't wait until the last minute....I know how you are.

*In the interest of full disclosure, my friend and former boss is one of the two sisters. But I would totally buy these even if I didn't adore her. It's not like she signs my paychecks anymore.

Today's title selection: Merry Christmas from the Family - Robert Earl Keen

...just too good to be true

Or is it???

The other day I was "Windows shopping*" - you know, browsing online retailers, with nothing particular in mind - and I found some super-cute magenta pumps at Dolce Vita. They were on sale, but the price said something funky like "$125...with $81.09 off" or something like that. Anyway, if you know me, you know I am not a mathematical wiz. And if you read my blog, you know I am lazy, which means I have absolutely no desire to try to figure out that complicated math.

So...I added the shoes to my shopping cart, but then had to go through the whole "fill in shipping info" process. I know it would've been easier just to do the math. But I didn't have to get off the couch to hunt for pen and paper and/or calculator, which is how I rationalized the extra typing.

Anyway, once I did all this, the price came up. It was $0.00. WTF? I mean, I'm no Charlie Epps, but this just didn't seem right. So I click "ok" and am taken to the shipping screen. Standard shipping was...wait for it...$0.00, bringing my grand total to $0.00. AND It didn't even ask for a credit card.

So the order goes through and I get a confirmation number via email about 15 minutes later. I checked today and the order hasn't yet shipped, but they haven't sent me an email telling me they screwed up either. I guess I just sit and wait now for my super cute shoes to arrive. Unless they are smarter than I think, in which case I'll be wearing boring black peep toes all summer.


* - I totally made that up. God. I am so clever it hurts sometimes.

Home Sweet Home

Wed-cation '08 was an absolute blast. However, I will admit that after four straight days of drinking and sunning, I was ready to get home. It's hard work keeping up with SuperHusband and his friends. On the plus side, I did get to wear the super-cute dress that I got for a steal at Nordstrom Rack.

The photo doesn't do it justice (although cropping out SuperHusband and Cowboy makes me look skinny, which is awesome) - it has amazing beading at the top and is long and flowy at the bottom. Plus, it was regularly $399 and I got it for $99. Score!

Another plus is, that after years of soul-searching, I finally decided what I want to be when I grow up. My new career goal is to be a traveling English/grammar consultant for Mexican resorts. I'm a pretty good writer/editor (in my real-life...not so much in the blogosphere when I'm tired, having a cocktail, not caring...possibly all three). But let me tell you...these resorts need someone like me. It would lend so much more credibility to the establishment. Plus I could wear flip flops to work, buy cheap sterling silver jewelry on my lunch break and have maid service during my stay. Not a bad gig.

I decided this would be a good career choice for me after seeing all of the hilarious misuses of the English language during our stay. I know, I know...it's Mexico. Whatever. I guarantee most of their revenue comes from the English-speaking traveler (well, except for that 70-year-old guy in the speedo and his wife in the thong...you know the ones). But you get the picture.

Anyway, I don't recall most of the examples (the cocktails, you know), however, here are a few of my favorites:

On the menu: Swizz cheese, peckels
Activities: "Your chance to be a really American Idol," riffle shooting

I am one of those people who is amused by such things...so I guess it would suck for all those like me who come to Mexico expecting some Engrish-type humor. They'll have to resort to being entertained by such mundane things as the antics of other guests (ex. SuperHusband trying to be a really American Idol by singing the Carpenters). Still, I think I've found my calling.

I just need to remember to stay away from the swizz cheese. It totally sucked.

Home Alone

SuperHusband is going out of town to a bachelor party this weekend and I hate staying home by myself. Not only because I have sole responsibility for DevilDog, but also because it's pretty boring. This weekend, it will be even more so because I'm on an antibiotic (from last week's battle with the evil sinus headaches) and can't meet the girls for drinks (or drink by myself for that matter). So, the plan is to clean, shop for our upcoming trip to Mexico (more on that later) and get a little work done. Of those, shopping is the only one I'll actually accomplish. If I even do that. But I have tons of birthday gift cards that REALLY need to be spent, so I'll try to find the motivation. Wish me luck!