Monthly Archives: December 2010

2010…It was a very good year!

So, today is the last day of the year. When I think back in reflection, 2010 was a pretty rad year for us. Not only because Olivia Lily was born this year, but I really think 2010 was pretty awesome overall. I remember going through stress-hell having our garage roof/deck repaired for 2 months but now that it’s been raining like someone left the sprinklers on in the clouds, I am so relieved we didn’t have to worry about a flooded garage.

Our puddle deck in April 2010

Just finished in May 2010
Withstanding the rain December 2010

This year was pretty huge for our house. We did more projects this year than the whole 4 years we’ve lived here. It’s like I finally grasped the concept of design, remodel and DIY instead of just living in a house.

Fireplace remodel

Nursery Remodel

Front stairs tile repair

New Stove *it’s no wonder I never cooked before*

I learned to cook and bake this year which is crazy because I am a self proclaimed non-chef *I haven’t made edible food for the past 14 years* It’s funny how when I was younger, when I thought of the year 2010, I imagined there would be flying cars and robots walking around. I think the best part of 2010 is how genuinely happy I am. I am usually a happy *albeit, potty-mouth, complaining* girl but I found true happiness and fulfillment in my life this year. Despite our lame neighbors, wanting to move to Atwater Village so bad it hurts, bad plumbing, our stinky dog, my lovely double-chin and typical everyday drama, I can’t remember *well, maybe my wedding day and when we traveled to Europe* a time when I was truly happy.

2010 has definitely been my year of Enlightenment. I have so many awesome things happening in my life, I don’t want ever take them for granted. I have a beautiful, considerate, smart, clever, talented and fantastic husband. He is a Godsend, I couldn’t ask for a better soulmate, our relationship feels fresh, new, exciting, and he still gives me butterflies in my tummy when I look at him.
I have the most amazing daughter in the world, I feel like I am still dreaming about her like I did for 3 long years. Her big toothless grin, her soft narrow, little feet, her curly hair, big brown eyes with long gorgeous lashes, the yummy way she smells, when she pulls herself up to sit up, the little squeaks she makes, all the ingredients of perfection. Her birth was the best moment in my life. Nothing can top it. She is such a joy to my life. I am so grateful for her.
I have the most incredible Mommy and Mother-in-law ever. I am so lucky to have such support and encouraging people in my life. I have reached a new level of friendship with my BFF. We aren’t just friends, we are sisters, I feel so much closer to Aimee now than I ever have. She is such a loyal, funny, sweet, loving, witty girl, I love her to death!
I have good friends/family that make me laugh until I cry and I feel loved. I have so much radness in my life, I can’t see how things could get any better. As always, we must pay tribute to those we lost in the past year.
In Memorium…2010
I am glad to see this old relic go, sayanara!!

We lost the laundry curtains in an tragic paint spill
So sad, I accidently decapitated my Groom Calvera.
The mold in our garage from years of water damage, you won’t be missed
The popcorn ceiling in the office/nursery. I’m hoping the popcorn in the hallway and living room go next year
Our delicious surf n turf Anniversary meal at Dukes

truly pathetic!
I’m kicking my addiction, so long Cn’C!!
Well, it turns out our neighbors *on our left side* moved over Christmas weekend. That’s surprising because they told me they would be moving/selling in February. Now they are selling in January and they are renting a townhouse in Ventura. I am sad to see them go. They were awesome neighbors, they had sweet
girls *playmates for Liv* and they kept their house well maintained which helped the blocks value *not like there is much* I do want to know how they do selling in this market. It will help when we sell to know what type of traffic they get at their open house and how many *if any* offer they get. The neighbors *the Jones’s* are coming by this weekend to see Liv and say proper goodbyes *and I can grill them about their house*
I would like to go to The Nutcracker ballet today at the Pasadena Playhouse but Liv is too chatty and it may not be appropriate to bring her to the show. So we don’t have a plan for tonight yet. I would like to drive up the coast *it’s so beautiful and sunny after the rain* but I have to convince Antz to go out. We are hanging with our awesome niece & nephew, Evelyn & Dion tomorrow *I’m considering going on our favorite hike in Malibu, if it’s not to chilly, and then go to our favorite Indonesian restaurant in Westwood*
Nouvelle Année Heureuse, Belles!!!!

I speak fluent whale

We had such a super fun, fishy day. I ended up being late as always because I took the wrong freeway *nimrod* and we got stuck in traffic. Luckily, I didn’t make Aura wait too long. We had such a blast! Liv really liked watching the fish. I can’t wait until Liv is old enough to run around and play with Elina *Aura’s awesome daughter*

Awesome Mummies

That is one huge sea bass

This is my absolute favorite photo of Liv & her Papa

We could’ve watched the otters all day

I LOVE this guy soooo much!!

Liv rocked her fishy cardi from Anthropologie *even though it’s a wee bit large*

After about 50 jumps, Antz finally got one!

Creepy crabs
So as you can see, Liv was quite enthralled by the fish. We definitely have to go back soon. I was so surprised there were no penguins. I really want to go to the Monterey Aquarium *I took Antz there for his 30th birthday* Now, sleepytime for me.
Nighty Night lovelies!

It’s begining to look a lot like New Years!

Christmas was lovely, our little girl destroyed the wrapping paper and was only slightly amused with her presents.

 

She really enjoyed eating her phone

We went to Aimee’s house to hang out and a torriental storm came from nowhere. We ordered some gross thai food *Boo* We drove past the Venice Canals but it was too rainy to enjoy the houses.

Yesterday we returned from visiting my Mommy and Antz & I discussed my resolutions *and my likeihood of achieving them* I feel very motivated and positive about them all with the exception of Francais!! I have some sort of mental block that will not allow me to retain *and correctly pronounce* le French. I have an app I downloaded on my iphone and I listen to the words but I can’t pick up the accent. I also have a Nintendo DS game but I am much better at written French than spoken. I seem to be the only one who thinks I’ll learn using Rosetta Stone. I even made about 50 flash cards a year ago but I have to find them….sigh! Well, we spent the past 3 day at my Mom’s and I did something that is so random yet amazing! I cooked! I not only cooked but I cooked a complicated recipe and it was super yummy. Antz couldn’t get over how delicious it turned out.

 

Lizzie’s Louisiana Gumbo
It’s funny because this was not only my first time cooking gumbo, but also my first time eating it. The roux was pretty tricky and I cooked it much longer than 30 minutes as the recipe stated but it somehow turned out perfecto.

We had a rad time at my Mom’s, we played Scattergories *hilarious* and I got to sit by the fire *makes me wish our fireplace worked* Early Tuesday morning guess what woke me up?? An owl!! It was hooting right outside our window. It was too dark to see it but that’s pretty gnarly. We went to Target *I like the one by my Mom’s house* and I was looking for some good deals on clearance Christmas decor but I didn’t find anything. It wasn’t too cold in Apple Valley but it is supposed to snow so much today that the freeway to get to there will be closed. I did take this lovely shot on the drive.

All the surrounding mountain peaks were covered in snow. I really wanted to drive to Lake Arrowhead *40 minutes from my Moms* but Antz needed to have snow tires and Liv didn’t have any super warm clothes and shoes *Gah, I must buy her Uggs!!* When we came home yesterday I did some cleaning but I need to take apart all the kitchen cabinets, the laundry nook, linen closet and my closet and organize, donate and clear out all our clutter. I have a big problem with saving boxes but we sell so much of our stuff that I like to have the original box, but they take up so much space. I wanted to start a project while Antz is off but painting or sanding the cabinets may have to wait until March when it’s not rainy. I started a bathroom mood board but it isn’t finished yet *still searching for new paint*

I was pleasantly surprised at how inexpensive the floor tile is. I am pretty confident that we can install it ourselves but I’ll have to rent a wet saw for cutting. My total bathroom budget is under $5k. We should be starting in March because we have to clear out the garage first so we have space for storing the tools. I feel so Design on a Dime!!
Our lovely ball of sunshine is 29 weeks
I couldn’t get one pic without her chewing her shoe
I must get dressed *Lizzie BE ON TIME!!* we are meeting my friend Aura at the Long Beach Aquarium today!!

Mix Tape Fridays Vol. 7

Hark, the Mix tape has made it’s triumphant return and this week I’m bringing you my Christmas Edition

I have a pretty kick-ass itunes playlist playing that has inspired today’s Mix Tape Friday. Let’s go…..

I’ll start with an old classic *I totally love the 60s and cutie pie Doris Day* I used to watch all her movies when I was little *I had no clue of what was going on in those movies* but I loved Doris’s voice and how bright and cheery she always seemed.

“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” Bing Crosby & Doris Day

Here’s another Golden oldie that instantly sets the mood. I adore Rat Pack!!

“I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” Dean Martin

Since we’re on a Rat Pack Swinging set

“Mistletoe & Holly” Frank Sinatra

Ella has an amazing Christmas Album “Ella Wishes you a Swingin’ Christmas” I would post every single song here but I am only going to choose one, my absolute favorite of hers. She is so major!!!

“Santa Claus is Coming to Town” Ella Fitzgerald

If you’re gonna make a Christmas playlist, you must include an old favorite but with a modern twist. I love this version of a timeless classic.

“Carol of the Bells” The Bird & the Bee

Anyone born before 1985 knows that Christmas is not complete without A Charlie Brown Christmas. I adore the Vince Guaraldi Trio , but I’m way into composers. I was happily surprised to hear it featured on The Royal Tenenbaums soundtrack *one of my favorite movies*

Christmas songs has one King *his name is not Elvis*, I’ll let you hear who I am talking about.

“Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” Nat King Cole

If Nat is the King, I would crown Mr. Kitt, the queen. Her playful Christmas songs are so rad, I totally get excited to bake cookies for Santa while dancing to this tune.

“Santa Baby” Eartha Kitt

And now my last, yet random Christmas tune of the day. This song totally reminds me of my grammar school days, singing in our Christmas Pageant and then heading out to look at the neighborhood lights with my Mom *unknown fact: Antz and I didn’t grow up in the same neighborhood, but we went to see the same neighborhood Christmas lights as children* Here’s an unlikely band you may not relate to Christmas but I wanted to close with a rocking song.

“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” Weezer

Please have a safe Christmas, we’ll be hanging around the casa tomorrow, eating Cinnabons, *Liv is loving her new organic pear juice* taking pics of Liv’s 1st Christmas and we’re crafting, I’ll be mood board-ing to our heart’s delight. We’ll be heading out to my Mommy’s house for a couple of days, so hopefully Olivia may have a White Christmas!!

Giving up the Olympic Dream

In reflection to yesterday’s post, I was quite aware that when I made my resolutions, they would come with some level of sacrifice. I had to pretend I was a grown-up, and even remember, I am someones Mother, so I have an obligation to Olivia’s best interest. So, alas, the decision has been made. I shall forgo our big trip to the London Olympics in 2012 in an effort to save for our Dream House. As painful as this may be, the pros definitely outweigh the cons.

*Mind the Gap, in London 2003*

Cons *the sucky part about not going to the London Olympics*

Duh, missing out on one of the most historic summer Olympic opening ceremonies.
No longer Fulfilling #23 & #5 on my Life List *lame*
Not being able to travel internationally with Olivia *I am so very desperate to fill my empty passport before it expires in 2017*
I really wanted to stay at the W London – Leicester Square, another goal on my Life List #18
I would like to give Liv a well-travelled childhood *similar to my own*
I’ll miss out on all the lovely photos of our family in London *one of my favorite cities*
It may be a hard pill to swallow, but I’d take getting into a better neighborhood for Liv over anything!!

Pros *let’s look at the brighter side of forgoing the trip*

I can save the money for a down payment for our Dream House *see, I am looking at the bigger picture*
London is terribly expensive *the trip would cost $7000 anywhere else but it’s over $15k in GBP*
It will be ridiculously crowded with annoying tourists
Liv will be too young to remember the trip *not like this has ever stopped me before*
I checked the London2012 site this morning and the opening ceremony price is £995 each *converted into USD that is $4,773!!* also, these tickets are only available to British citizens, I would have to buy tickets through the US National Olympic Committee and I have no idea how expensive or if I would even get tickets.
We can always travel to London at another time *less expensive + less crowds = better vacation*

I think that alone shows my commitment to my New Year’s Resolutions. The money I was going to spend on booking our hotel in March will now fix our *badly needed* plumbing. I am pretty bummed about it, but the Olympics are every 4 years, so in the future, when we’ve moved to Atwater Village, I can look back and say I did what was necessary for the long term. Now, for paying off that credit card debt….

Happy Christmas 2010!!!

New Years Shmeshalutions 2011!!!

Nothing sucks more than making a bunch empty promises to yourself on January 1st *only to pig out by January 15th*, stop going to the gym by January 29th *because it’s too cold to work out* and stop saving by February 1st *you were going to save when you got your tax refund, but you needed that new purse, shoes, jeans, etc… Don’t give me that look, we are ALL guilty of it!!

So I refuse to set myself up for failure this year. I want to promote a new year, a new attitude *finger snap* new thinking, new living! Sounds good right? Herein lies the rub, I am an excellent starter. If there was an award for being motivated, starting off with enthusiasm and being organized and proactive, I win that bitch!! But, I quickly lose interest, energy and will-power so I move on to the next big scheme. Prime example, Mix Tape Fridays, 30 days of Thanks *what the hell happened to them?* How do I conquer this vicious cycle?? Well, I am asking you, lovelies, to help gently nudge, subtly remind and kick my ass if I fall of the wagon!! I am going to keep my goals realistic, and sensible, just kidding, I just need any and everything I do must contribute to getting into my Dream Home by 2014 *so I can shut up about it already!!* Deep breathe, let’s begin….

1. Here’s the most obvious one…I must stop eating like a meth-tweaker!! I resolve to stop ordering anything in Large portions. Large food = Large Liz!! Start eating fruits and veggies *gag, I know* and I will only drink water Monday through Friday. Please give me lemonade on weekends. I also have to kick my cookies & cream chocolate bars addiction. I know how wrong it is on so many levels and that fact that I looked smaller when I was preggers speaks volumes!! I really have to kick start my fitness regime *like going from zero fitness to moving my lazy blob* Weekly walks *in Atwater Village, yay!* volleyball of course, hikes on weekends, start Rock toddler classes at HeartBeat House and get back to using my Wii Fit, which Antz loves to remind me how I had to have it and I never use it.

SO NOT CUTE!!!

2. Manage my money like I’m Oprah *meaning, think rich, save rich!* If I stop spending $68 on frames and Hello Kitty MAC eyeshadows *that I never wear* I would have a down payment by the time Olivia starts kindergarten in 2014. I need to send a cyborg into the future to stop me from my poor spending habits and shake myself when I make poor financial decisions *$337 to see a horse show, WTF??!!* I know it’s as likely as Lindsay Lohan to get clean and sober, but all I need to do to give myself an intervention is look across the street at those loud, trash, ignorant fucktards!! Those bastards even ruined my rainbow yesterday

eye sore of a satellite on top of their crack house

3. I would like to eliminate all my plastic debt by next Christmas. Yep, I said it here, get off the crack/plastic by 12/25/2011 I should have a $0 balance. It’s time for me to put my money where my mouth is. I really, really want to move to Atwater Village *duh, you never shut up about it* and if I want my Dream house, I need to be ready when the opportunity presents itself. I can do anything I put my mind to *I met Björk, won the Price is Right, had a bebe, married the man of dreams, I even went to London and Paris with $200* so selling this house and buying a new one shouldn’t be that difficult. I would like to invest any profits from our Etsy shop into stocks. Savings accounts and CDs are a joke *I’m earning like 1% for every $1,000 we have in savings* and Money magazine tells rich people to invest in stocks so I need to start behaving like rich folks so *lifts pinky finger* Keep my eye on the prize!!

4. STOP THE PROCRASTINATION!! Now, generally, I am organized, I have never been guilty of not planning ahead and I consider myself as thoughtful. It’s all lies! I need a vast improvement in so many areas. I am so last minute, I never call people back, totally forget *or apply a DADT policy* for my friend’s birthdays, appointments, I stay up all night trying to come up with a last second gift and I will stand for it no longer. In the year 2011…I shall have presents, not only ahead of time but wrapped beautifully *no longer re-using old gift bags* or giving gift cards to anyone *how impersonal, I may as well write them a check for $20, Grandma-style* I will think of others when I’m in a cute store and instead of just thinking….so and so would like that. I will actually follow through and buy nice things for my amazingly rad friends and family. I will also stop flaking on plans. I’m not as guilty as Antz is on this one but I’ve got a serious issue with being on-time. I have a mental defect that somehow prevents me from getting showered, hair/makeup and fully dressed BEFORE I need to leave the house. I know it takes me over an hour to get decent, and yet I fuck around until 15 minutes before we have to leave and then I’m all grouchy because Antz is rushing me. I also end up returning to the house *often more than once* because I forgot something *usually sunglasses, coupons, my wallet, my phone, Liv’s coat, etc.* Stop the insanity!! I resolve to manage my time much better!!

5. Fix this house so we can sell the hell out of here!! I could have all the money *Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton & Snookie {our society can stoop no lower} have *tell me again why they have money when they are obviously lacking brains* and still be stuck with this house. It’s a cute house, has great curb appeal *if you turn a blind eye to the dungeon across the street* but we need to make some serious improvements. I need to stop going for the cosmetic changes and get some big issues resolved *I’m talking plumbing, paint the hallway, remove the popcorn in the hallway and living room, replace broken electrical outlets, replace our *Prehistoric* water heater, fix the broken light in Liv/Antz closet and the floodlight on the front deck, either replace or repair the back door, remodel the garage, kitchen and bathroom* basically get this house Designed to Sell. I could sell, donate and trash about 40% of our belongings and not really miss anything. With such small footage, I need to create the illusion of large, efficient space. If we took as much time, money and effort as we did in Olivia’s nursery, our house would be majorly awesome, I wouldn’t want to move. I would love to invite our realtor, Debora over to get her professional assessment of where we should spend our money and how we can market our house for sale. The last time I spoke to her, she told me to wait until the market stabilizes. Our neighbors on our right side are listing their house in February and I am soo anxious to see how quickly their house sells and for how much. They do have an advantage because they just spent $100k getting their foundation repaired, brand new chimney and retaining wall and they have a guest house over their garage which gives them much more value than our house. The good news for us is if they sell for over $500k that will increase the neighborhood’s value. I really would like to apply the countless hours of HGTV and DIY network I have been watching and actually do a 48 hour renovation. I desperately want to redo our bathroom floors and refinish our kitchen cabinets *both projects should be under $500* Time to get this house in Angelina Jolie shape *without the husband-stealing and army of minority children*

*Sand/paint cabinets white, new knobs, new backsplash and NEW PLUMBING!!*

Hexagon tile floors, new pedestral sink, new storage cabinet, new paint and replaster the tub/shower walls

6. LEARN FRENCH!! If I had a dollar for every New Year’s resolution I have vowed to learn French I’d have $10 *which I would spend on hair bows, wait!! that’s old Lizzie talking, I would invest it into a blue chip stock* This must be the year that I can say more than Bonjour or Merci. I have been going on and on about sending Olivia to a French speaking school, what kind of looney am I to send our kid to a school to learn a language that when she comes home she wouldn’t have anyone to speak to with? *EYE ROLL* I have bought books, iphone apps, computer programs, and only used them once. I am going to have a big craigslist sale *purge my closet, get rid of my beauty school textbooks, once and for all, and sell all my preggo stuff I no longer need {Liz, you are a HOARDER!!} and buy Rosetta Stone {well, maybe go halfsies with Aimee} and learn French once and for all, Sacre Bleu!!! *I only know that from Pepé Le Pew {who is obviously based on Hugh Hefner} on Looney Tunes*

So there it is dear friends, short and sweet. It’s all about quality not quantity. I am stoked to get this list knocked out. See how I begin with gusto, check in on me in April. Who’s taking bets?
New Years in Las Vegas 2005

Most Likely to Succeed??

Possibly Maybe!!

So, Antz and I are embarking on a new venture that I am super excited about!! After much deliberation we are opening our own Etsy shop *All is Full of Love*. Björk’s probably gonna sue my ass because I am constantly using her song titles because my brain isn’t clever enough to be original. I like to think of it as a sincere form of flattery. I would have loved to name it Tout est plein de l’amour *French translation of All is Full of Love* but it’s not catchy enough. So, you must be on pins and needles with wonder of what we shall be selling in our new fabulous shoppe??!!

 

So far we have our glitter name banner listed but once we get our marketing campaign started, we may add customized mobiles like this one Antz made for Liv.
I am hoping I priced the banner competively enough, yet affordable. I’m going to Michaels tomorrow to buy more foam board to make some more samples. Antz is working on a shop header and I still have some editing to do but I am MAJORLY STOKED!! Hopefully we’ll really have a prosperous New Year. Please check our shop out.

The Notcracker?

Sorry I didn’t post yesterday, I’m fighting, cough, sneeze, *hoping Liv doesn’t catch it* a nasty cold and I felt gross yesterday. Feeling a bit better today.

SOOO, I’m torn…I am about to buy tickets for our Christmas outing whilst Antz is on vacation and I was pretty sold on seeing The Nutcracker at the Pasadena Playhouse *although a tiny venue* the price was totally right $45 for both of us on Goldstar for a December 31st matinee. Antz is a bit concerned with bringing Olivia to a ballet because he’s worried she’ll be noisy. I’m not worried about her crying *she seldom does in public *yay* however, she loves to squeal and shriek loudly so I wouldn’t want her to interrupt the dancers. Well…we were out driving in Burbank this Sunday and we saw a giant circus tent, so we assumed it was a Cirque du Soleil show but it’s called Cavalia, it’s pretty identical to Cirque du Soleil *they are from Montreal too* but this a horse/circus show. Now I generally don’t patronize shows that feature animals *I don’t like the way the animals are treated* however reading up on this show, the treatment seems to be more than humane. Now I am obsessed with seeing this show BUT the seating/package I want to buy is $337 and the show doesn’t start until January 27th. BOO! The package I want is seating in the first 5 rows and access to the horse stables after the show and this show is much more child-friendly. Antz is like, are you mad? *of course I am* but even if we did buy the tickets for Cavalia, we still want to do something over his Christmas break. We are going to my Mom’s Sunday till Tuesday. Wednesday we are meeting *our new awesome friend* Aura *from Disneyland* at the Long Beach Aquarium and no plans for New Years Eve so far *not too keen on taking Liv to any of our friend’s parties* I am once again, conflicted…follow my instinct and buy tix for the show I really want to see *horses!* but break the bank and have to wait until January? Be practical and see The Nutcracker on New Years Eve *and get my ballet fix* yet risk that Liv may be chatterbox? I’m sure we’ll go with the latter just because I’ve been wanting to see a ballet since I saw Black Swan, it’s next Friday, it’s under $50 and the Nutcracker is my favorite classical music *we played it during our wedding ceremony*. I just realized I totes forgot to post Liv’s 28th photo last Wednesday *Bad Mummy!!*

I am super excited for the New Year, already we are starting the year off with a huge bang!! We got tickets to see Conan live on January 13th. YAY!! Liv and I are starting a dance class called Rock Toddler and next trip to Disneyland with Sarah taking our photos is February 10th. So in perspective, if I don’t go to the Cavalia show, I won’t cry into my pillow.

It’s the most wonderful time…

Wow, Christmas certainly came early. Antz brought home a sack full of presents so we couldn’t help but rip them open immediately. Liv was awesome at tearing *and eating* the wrapping paper, it was hilarious, she loved the paper more than the actual presents. Our friends are so super rad, Story & Chris gave Liv an adorable onesie *I need to take pics* Dave went overboard and bought us all gifts; Liv got the sweetest Raggedy Anne doll

He also got her a cute bear nightlight which is perfect for her nursery *it’s bright enough to give her a nightly feeding but ambient so she can sleep* and some cute army men for Antz. We got some yummy chocolate  from Warren & Kim and Antz got Scott Pilgrim vs the World *just what he/I wanted* from his Secret Santa. Turns out my cookies were a mega hit! So Antz was all ready to head out to meet friends to see Tron when he hit a few snags, first the theater they planned to see it at didn’t have any 3-D showings until 10:30 and he didn’t want to go out that late, so they tried to find a 3-D showing at another theater that was earlier and it turned out to be practically sold out *only seats available in the first 3 rows* so he didn’t go out. I was a wee bit happy since he was able to put together the highchair just in time for me to give Liv her dinner.

Soooo much better than holding her in my lap while I juggle the bowl and try to keep her fingers out of her mouth. The boon bowl has suction on the bottom that won’t budge while I feed her *so awesome*

I love this highchair, it’s sleek and modern, sturdy and inescapable! It has hidden wheels so we can move it around easily. It’s definitely worth the price, I’ll move it to the kitchen once we get our new dining table in  March *fingers crossed for a fat tax refund!!* These are my next home projects for the Spring.
There are a couple of items I still need to buy for Liv. I mentioned to Dr. Wang that we want to get Liv a walker but she suggested an activity walker because the kind I was thinking of buying have been known to flip over *I didn’t love the one I had in my shopping cart but I was trying to stay under $50*
I found this rad walker on Amazon for only $47.99 *free shipping/no tax* so it’s a much better purchase!

I also need to get her convertible car seat sometime in January. Liv is outgrowing her infant car seat months ahead of time but that’s what happens when you have a tall bebe. Maybe in another month, this Clek Booster seat will have gone down in price. It’s regularly priced at $299 but it’s $273.31 on Amazon so maybe I will get it for about $250.

So Saturday was gloomy, cold and rainy and to make things worse I am fighting a cold *and losing the battle*. I’ve got a sore throat, sneezy, coughing, aching feeling majorly gross but I was still excited because like I said before it was a Big Day. I don’t know how I was able to keep my big mouth shut but we were going to a surprise party for my awesome friend’s Kim & Warren. I am not sure how to describe it so here’s what we were doing…The Accomplice here’s some videos. It’s similar to Michael Douglas movie The Game and I was super stoked to play *I adore all things pop culture and everyone knows I’m the Queen of Tabloids*. We had a group of 10 of us and Antz and I went through a nightmare of finding a babysitter *Weird because EVERYONE has been joking with us that we never call to ask them to babysit, yet when we did call, noone seemed to be available* We finally got Leslie to babysit and an hour before we were going to take Liv to Leslie’s house wouldn’t you know we got a call from Warren saying the game was cancelled due to the stupid rain. Mind you, we live in LA, it was raining consistently but nothing torrential or freezing. BOO! Since Liv was all dressed up we still went to visit Leslie & Stephen. Liv was super Miss Chatterbox and trying to crawl on Les’s rug *not quite but she was moving around*. Liv opened her Christmas gift from them and check it out….!!

My reaction is classic, I am such a dork!!

//www.youtube.com/get_player

I am so glad I didn’t buy these a month ago, she still needs her narrow little feet to grow but I’m sure she’ll be rocking these in a month! After visiting her Godparents, we decided despite the rain we would go for a drive. With no destination in mind, we ended up in the Valley and I found the Woodland Hills Christmas Cane Lane so we showed Liv all the lights/decorated houses. It was very impressive *massive homes with thousands of lights but I saw a special about this neighborhood on HGTV and I was disappointed that every house on the block didn’t have lights. Liv really liked it, she was squealing and her eyes were huge. We got home and I still felt like crap so I vegged out on the couch and Antz worked in his office. I am trying to come up with some loose plans for the week of Christmas *Antz is off until New Years* so I would love to take Liv to the Long Beach Aquarium, maybe go out to my Mom’s for a weekend *hoping for snow*, take a road trip up north *Big Sur or Monterrey* and meet our new friend from Disneyland, Aura *if she hasn’t gone into labor yet* I’m so looking forward to the new year. I am working on my list of resolutions and planning every detail of Olivia’s first birthday.

A Christmas Cookie

More of a Christmas Tale, I was having visions of Sugar cookies, decorated beautifully dancing in my head and all I ended up with was oddly shaped cookies with a drizzle of sprinkles and a headache. This morning when we came home from dropping off Antz Mom I noticed I had a sore throat *BOO*, now I’m sniffling, sneezing, coughing, achy, stuffy head and pretty sure I have a fever. I, of course, took some Dayquill but I am not feeling the love. I had to watch a youtube video to figure out how to use my cookie press and even after watching it 5 or 6 times, I was still not getting the hang of it. Meanwhile, I was on a tight deadline because Antz was coming home to pick up the cookies to pass out at his Secret Santa party. I ended up using what I determined to be the best results *nowhere near Martha approved* but I did have fun using my Kitchenaid Mixer for the first time. I still have no idea on how to detach the wisk to wask it but I’m in no mood to read instruction manuals. I made close to 60 cookies/30 bags of cookies. I am praying I didn’t forget anyone…*I made one extra bag without a nametag* so Antz will give me feedback when he passes them out. So far Antz is Mr Popular at work, this is his office.

A bunch of these are for me and Liv too! Love our amigos!!
So I started out with all my ingredients which….left me no counter space to prep. I really need to figure out a new space for Lola *maybe move the dish rack, and give Lola that counter?* so I can fit the mixer in the corner to free up more room.
I only used 2 of the 5 bags of cookie mix and that was more than plenty. Here’s the first batch
Pretty wonky-looking!
While I was waiting for them to bake, I tested what the cover of my new baker’s cookbook would look like and I thumbed throught my cookie book
Yuck!
See! They look decent going in but coming out they spread out. I had a vision of glitterly snowflakes and this….not so much
I adjusted how much dough I used and made sure the press was working properly
I was still bagging when Antz got home to pick them up but he was totally happy with the cookies. I guess I’m proud being that I didn’t burn them and despite the lack of prettiness, they do taste yummy!

 

I suppose he’s getting a good return on his investment *and I am happy we have something to give our friends*
So, I was totes gonna post an all new Mixtape Friday *I know it’s been MIA for weeks* however you must forgive me. I am illing and I have a BIG day tomorrow, so I need to rest and fight this headache. Antz is going out with a bunch of our friends to see Tron * Lame to the max* so I’m babysitting while he nerds out.
Sayanara