I Swear, People Don't Want Me to Have Nice Things...

After a near death experience a car was about 6 inches from hitting my bumper going 70 mph,  I decided people don't want me to have nice things. The reasoning behind this theory?  Said crazy driver was in a ghetto P.O.S. car (did I mention, it was yellow). No less that 5 minutes down the road, I saw a Jeep almost flip because of people driving like maniacs.
After years of extensive research watching idiots on the road, I have come up with this highly scientific list of drivers:
1. Grandmas: You know the type, the ones who go 10 miles under the speed limit and come to complete stops before turning. The type that you often find yourself honking your horn at and speeding around.  These drivers are typically older and drive a Cadillac/Buick or similar boat.
2. Brown Nosers: The drivers who drive exactly the speed limit (maybe even one mph under the speed limit), promptly stop behind the white line on YELLOW lights, and who never think of getting in the fast lane unless they repent afterwards.  These drivers can typically be found in a Focus, Cavalier, or Silverado.
3.  Daredevils: If you are a daredevil, you often find yourself going several mph over the speed limit, driving with your knees while you apply makeup/eat dinner/paint your fingernails, and get angry when people mess up your cruise control. Daredevils own cars like Mustangs, Chargers, or Corvettes. 
4. Ticking Time Bombs: Drivers who suck at merging, cut people off, come close to causing wrecks on a daily basis, and who change lanes 4 at a time. These drivers are typically in P.O.S. cars, for obvious reasons. 
I think I fall into the Daredevil category. What about you?
Also, if you're interested in swapping for the month of January, please let me know ASAP!

Giveaway!!

I'm so glad this week is over! Can I get an amen?
It might possibly have been the longest week of my entire life. I actually sat at my desk and cried the other day--I kid you not. 
But, there are a few things that helped me survive this week:
Knowing that Jacob will be here next Thursday!!
My beautiful niece

And you guys! I've said it before and I'll say it again--the blogging community is amazing.  Speaking of amazing, if you haven't entered Janna's giveaway yet, you better jump on it because today is the last day!

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

I know it's been a long time since I blogged, but I have a very good excuse (see Awesomes)!
AWKWARD

Being cut off on the highway by a truck that, according to the back door, was carrying Inmates.

Breaking out in hives

Sweater onesies. Hello 80s!

AWESOME
Cassie: "I feel like a cow." Andrew: "Technically, you feel like a heifer since you haven't had Zoe yet." Cassie: "Well regardless, you're fixing to be a steer." I love that even at 9 months pregnant, she's still quick witted! haha
Which brings me to my next point... my BEAUTIFUL niece, Zoe Christine, was born last Friday. After 19 hours in labor and Zoe blatantly refusing to turn for the doctors, they decided to do a C-section. Although it seemed like it took forever, it was a pretty quick procedure and mommy and baby (and Andrew) did great. She was born on 12/7/12 at 7:42 p.m., weighing in at 7lbs 7oz and 20 1/2 inches long.  Ironic considering Andrew's lucky number has always been 7.

I was clearly exhausted from the wait, but was SO excited to finally hold this little bundle of joy in my arms.

Andrew sent me this picture with the subtitle: "First hairbow of many." We trained him well!

Gosh, I could stare at her all day...

Headlines

via

via 

via

via 

via 

via

via

via

via

via

via

via

I Love My Online Friends 'GFC' Blog Hop

I'm so excited to be a guest host for the I Love My Online Friends 'GFC' Blog Hop this week!

For more information on the hop and guest hosting, please click HERE. 

RULES FOR THE HOP:

1. Please follow your host and the fab five on Google Friend Connect (GFC). 

Tami @ The Things We Find Inside

Melissa @ Moe talks a lot

Laura @ La Caseta De Paper

Leighanna @ Wildflowers in Bloom

Tuula @ The Thrifty Rebel

Alana @ Life & Times of the INTELLIGENT blonde

2. Link up your homepage and start hopping around. Remember, this is a blog hop, you've gotta do some hopping in order for it to truly be worth your time. When you get a new follower it's always nice to return the favor. Visit their blogs, leave them a comment and/or return the follow. 

3. You are not required to, but it would be great if you could tweet/like/pin/share this post and/or grab the button and share it on your blog. The more people that see this hop, the more blogs for us to visit and the more followers we gain. 

Have fun hopping!

<center> <br /> <a href="http://www.thethingswefindinside.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="The Things We Find Inside" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5X_QLZkKN38/UI2nkC5Pp_I/AAAAAAAAEqQ/C966VyF2XDo/s1600/fb2.jpg" alt="The Things We Find Inside"/></a></center> <br />

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

AWKWARD

Please note, this is the exact same man and exact same photo.

Now, let's take a look at the progression...

far right: no tan, no 6 pack

middle: a little tan, full 6 pack

far left: super tan, small 6 pack

It's a wonder what photoshop can do!

Here's an up close shot for your viewing pleasure

Black Friday shopping with your entire family. I mean, I can't judge them too much considering Black Friday started at 8 p.m. this year, but this is not how I would recommend shopping. 3 kids? No thanks.

Naner said he was going to take Zoe in the Baby Bjorn next year and teach her to poke people in the eyes. 

No-bake cookies. They look so gross, but taste so good.

I would consider this batch a fail...unless you like to eat cookies with a spoon.

This outfit. I mean, I'm no fashionista but last time I checked this look isn't attractive on anyone. Very Miley Cyrus-esque, no?

The mob of people surrounding the video game display on Black Friday. Nerd alert!

AWESOME

If snow on Black Friday doesn't put you in the Christmas spirit, I don't know what will.

(despite the fact that it was fake)

My mug shot for my Handgun License. I was so annoyed that they wouldn't let me smile, so I had to smirk. 

Mom (looking at the reflection on the picture): "Is that smoke from firing the gun?"

Me: "No, that's the reflection from taking a picture of a picture. Besides, I took that at Walgreens so how in the world would it be gun smoke?" 

Mom: "Oh. Yeah..."

Jacob and I at the Festival of Light. It was so great having him down for the weekend and it makes me even more excited for Christmas!

My Black Friday purchases. I was so disappointed in the sales this year, but that didn't stop me from stocking up on DVDs (for myself and a few others). 

The fact that my sister-in-law, Cassie, not only embraces my creepy picture taking but encourages it. She actually points things out now and tells me to take pictures of it. Gotta love her!

My Favorite Time of Year

I could go on and on about all that I am thankful for this year, but that would be a never-ending list, and rather boring, so instead you get this...
If you know me at all, you know that one of my favorite day of the year is quickly approaching.
No, not Thanksgiving...BLACK FRIDAY!
My Weight Watchers Point Tracker won't be the only thing getting a workout this week, that's for sure. I train all year for this day (okay, we all know that's a lie--I don't train for anything), but I do take it very seriously.
Exhibit A:

My shopping spreadsheet from last year.
Exhibit B: My post-Black Friday blog post from last year

Unfortunately, there isn't much that I want this year; in fact, the deals kind of suck. Plus, it's rather annoying that the sales start at 8 p.m. on Thursday this year because you can't consecutively hit stores (I'm going to end up with a lot of lag time between store openings).  Nevertheless, you better believe I'll be out there in the crazy crowds fighting for the best DVDs deals!
Oh, and you're crazy if you think I'm sharing my tips with you--it's taken years to perfect our attack!

I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving and an even better Black Friday!

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

AWKWARD
*Ding* new email New guy at work: "So, I was going to ask you in your office, but decided not to. I think we should go to lunch next week." Me (after waiting about 30 minutes): "Well, I have a boyfriend in Arizona, so unless you want to go as friends, I'm out." New guy at work: "Sounds like a plan!" (which is an awkward response to a rejection, anyways) Me: no response New guy at work: "Besides, I have a boyfriend in California." Me: no response New guy at work: "That last line was a joke." Me: no response
Female coworker: "Have you decided you want me to set you up yet? I have another friend." Me: "No. I have a boyfriend." Female coworker: "Oh. Fine." Me: no response Female coworker: "Do you have any certified country single friends?" Me: "No."
We've been noticing a decrease in our eggs lately, so I decided to watch one of the hens when we let her out of the chicken house. I watched her run across the lawn and crawl under the push mower. So, we moved the push mower to discover that the freaking hen has been hoarding eggs! Just so you know, this is about two weeks worth of eggs, plus a random brown egg (still not sure how that got there, because she most definitely didn't lay an egg that big). 

The model I used to make Zoe's Thunder tutu. Let's hope that my niece looks nothing like this...

This isn't awkward, but it most definitely isn't awesome--have you guys seen the Black Friday ads this year? They suck! I'm so disappointed. Looks like I will just be buying DVDs this year...

AWESOME
Not only is Jacob coming to spend Thanksgiving with me, he's also coming for Christmas!
 Zoe will be here any day now! Technically, she isn't due until 12/12/12, but I'm ready for her anytime now. Seriously, Cass, anytime now! 
Making Christmas wish lists! I will never see 90% of it, but it's still fun to dream.
The awesome diaper wreath my mom and I made for Cassie's shower:

 The diaper cake we made:

The food table:

spa water, homemade cupcakes, pink M&Ms, homemade sugar cookies, pink chocolate fondue, and hot chocolate