"Weekends Don't Count Unless You Spend Them Doing Something Completely Pointless. ~Bill Watterson

Friday night TEN and I had 2 Christmas parties to attend.  The first was a work party for TEN, and the second was an annual get together a dear friend has been having for years.

I'm not going to lie, I was a little bit nervous about meeting all of TEN's work folks.  All of them at once?  Bosses and colleagues and other department staff.  Yikes!  I have never taken TEN to my office's Christmas party for that simple reason.  It's A LOT to deal with.  And can be terribly stressful for the +1.

TEN assured me over and over that I had nothing to worry about.  That everyone would like me.  That I would like everyone.  That it would be fun.  Regardless, I must have changed outfits about 10 times.  He told me at one point that it was casual Friday in the office, and everyone would probably just be wearing jeans.  JEANS?!??!?  I was in a dress.  The party included dinner at his boss's house!  JEANS?!?!? 

You can see how this went down.  Back and forth.  Jeans with heels & jewels?  Dress w/ballet flats and no jewels?  Which would be better?

Let me just quit boring you with this and come to the point.  WE HAD THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME!  Seriously :) 

I feel like it really didn't matter what I was wearing.  The people TEN works with are amazing!  They are quirky and kind, funny & honest.  They truly enjoy each other, and were happy to be at their boss' house celebrating the Christmas holiday.  I can't say I've ever really experienced anything like that.  It was refreshing.  It was exciting.  THAT is what I want :)

I pretty much knew all was well when I saw that TEN's boss had these cocktails napkins out on the bar:

I said "Look at this TEN!" (and while pointing to the word Monolos I said...) "I want THESE for Christmas!"  TEN said "The napkins? Okay" and stuffed a few into his jacket pocket.  I thought I was going to faint.  It was most likely the funniest thing that happened all weekend :)

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Saturday was errand day for me.  I'll spare you the horrid experience that was Best Buy.  I won't tell you about the stereo I ordered online, that came in a million pieces, that the online people told me I could exchange at the store, that the Customer Service Manager in the store told me to I would have to file a claim with UPS for.

I'll just tell you that I'm shipping the whole damn thing back to Best Buy, cancelling my credit card with them and purchasing it from Sears or some other such place.

Saturday night we had fondue night.  It was relaxing and lovely, and just what I needed after quite a dramatic week.  I was so overwhelmed by life in general on Saturday, that I forgot to take pictures.  Boo hiss!  Just imagine fondue.  And wine.  And laughter.  Yep.  That's what it looked like.

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Sunday I didn't get out of my pajamas.  I cooked pancakes & turkey bacon & sausage for breakfast, with orange juice.  I wrapped all of my Christmas packages.  We made a fire.  We watched a movie.  Have you seen Win Win?  It's really good :)  I saw it for the second time yesterday, and honestly...I'd watch it again.  What a good reminder of what really matters in life.  And what really doesn't.

I'm leaving for **New York City** on Thursday for Christmas.  Between now and then I've got 2 birthday celebrations, a mani/pedi & Christmas with TEN.  It's going to be a FANTASTIC week!

T

“All Great Changes are Preceded by Chaos.” -Deepak Chopra

I hinted last week that some changes were coming for this girl, and then I said I would tell you all about it on Friday.  I didn't get a chance to, because I had some other really exciting things happening...and I got sidetracked.  I'm sorry!

In a nutshell, I'm leaving my job on December 30!  New Year.  New Career.  I'm really excited :)  It's a little scary, sure, but...I've never made a career change that hasn't been for the best (knock on wood), looking back.  AND....that tells me this is a really good thing.

What is it that you will be doing now, you ask?  And part of the excitement is that right now is that I would look a little something like this:

Because I haven't decided.  There are some great opportunities, and I'm just not sure exactly WHAT I want to do moving forward.  I do know one thing though friends.  This time around, I will NOT allow this guy:

to be the decision maker. 

So here's to a fantastic 2012!  To seeing more of the world, and letting go of all of the stress I have been carrying.  To living, loving and laughing so much more than I did in 2011.  And to the knowledge that some things, and people, will be left behind....forever.  Thank you baby Jesus.

xoxo,

T

Oops...It WAS Westie Wednesday!

Hi there!  I forgot poor Louis yesterday, but let me assure you that you will forgive me.  Once I clue you in.  But I'm not able to do that until tomorrow.  I know, I know...that's not nice of me.  Sorry.

Anyway, change it is a comin' over here at Seersucker Central.  And that's all I'll say about that right now.

In other news....

Louis had a hair appointment this week.  He looks smashing, but for some reason he refuses to pose for the camera.  This is the best I could get, and he looks like some poor abused little pups.  I promise I've done nothing but love him and feed him treats!

We also made a special ornament for Louis this year.  Daisy is the creative one, as always, and did this for her pups.  She is Louis's Auntie Daisy, and she made enough for him to have one too!

I know I will treasure this ornament always, and wanted to share Daisy's recipe & instructions should any of you have the desire to make an ornament as well.

‎1 Cup Flour

1 cup Water

1/2 cup Salt

knead together, add spices or none (we used cinnamon) 

roll out to desired thickness

shape

MAKE SURE TO PUT A HOLE IN IT IF AN ORNAMENT

bake at 250 for an hour or so until it is hard.

Super simple!!

We used a wine bottle stopper, with a pointed end, for writing.  We also used one of those little things that you stick into the end of a cob of corn.  Either will do :)  You will need a heart cookie cutter, or any other shape.  The bigger the better.

So that WAS Westie Wednesday.  I've been a day behind all week, and I've also had so much going on that I haven't had a minute to sit down to blog. 

Westie Licks,

T & Louis

This Year's Angel

Some friends and I went in to buy some prizes for a very special little baby.  This baby has some special needs, and was born to a young woman who doesn't have a lot of money.  What she does have, is a lot of love for this baby :) 

I was just saying that I wondered why someone who wasn't "settled" wouldn't give up their baby for adoption.  There are so many lovely families looking for a child of their own, and wouldn't that just make more sense?  But I've never been a mother.  I don't begin to understand that attachment you have to that little life growing inside of you.  And so I hushed up and decided that if this little baby was going to stay where he was, he probably needed some things to make him feel special.  And loved.  Because he is.

Here's what we came up with.  I think we did pretty darned good if I do say so myself!

(Dream On Me Classic 2 in 1 Convertible Stationary Side Crib - $99)

(Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams Crib Mattress, White - $52.99)

 

(J.Lamb & Friends Waterproof Fitted Crib Pad, White - $10.99)

(Luvable Friends Fitted Knit Crib Sheet, Celery - $8.69)

(Luvable Friends 6-Pack Flannel Receiving Blankets - $12.49)

(Gerber Stripe Nylon Diaper Tote - $18.39)

 

(The First Years Jet Stroller - $39.99)

(Kiddopotamus Snuzzler Complete Head and Body Support - $12.75)

 

(The First Year's Infant To Toddler Tub with Sling - $17.98)

 

(Bright Starts Fun on Safari Cradling Bouncer - $21.29)

Thanks to Amazon's free super saver shipping, we were able to get all of this for only $300.13.  Not too shabby!  Unfortunately, for anyone interested, the crib has increased to $119 as of today.  But it's still a great deal :)
 
So, for those of you mothers out there...did we do okay?  Formula & diapers are being assisted with by another group, and another friend is probably going to be donating some gently use baby boy clothes and some other little things. 
 
I sure hope this little angel feels the love this Christmas!
 
T

Aaaaaaaaand....

.....because mrs.mfc is so NOT a fan.....

My winter blog header :)

I think it makes me look like a hooker.  With a big rear.  But, truth be told...I do kindove have a big rear.  I also spell kindove wrong.

But who's counting?

Mwah!

T

Ho, Ho, Ho... No, Not You Silly!

I made some changes/updates to yesterday's post about the Virginia Tech shootings.  I'm sure everyone knows the story by now, but I like to have my facts straight.  So they are straightened.  If you are interested.

It's been a long week.  Yesterday was hard.

I still don't feel like posting about my trip to New York City for Christmas.  I'm really excited, and have lots to tell you about, but I think I'll save that until Monday.  Hopefully a cheery day :)

I will tell you that my friend The Sports-o-Nista just returned from Manhattan.  She took this photo for me: 

(photo by The Sports-o-Nista)

Apparently Macy's has been overtaken by westies.  I absolutely cannot wait!

We've got a full weekend planned.  Tonight is game night with some couples we haven't spent nearly enough time with in the last year.  Rumor has it we will be playing "The Newlywed Game".  The old school version.

(i'm totally that girl on the far left.  the blonde.  i suppose that makes TEN the guy next to me.  nice collar TEN.  hehehe)

Should make for a VERY interesting night. 

Saturday is the Young Professional's Organization that we are very involved with's annual Christmas Cocktail Crawl.  I found my jingle bell antlers last night, and they are all polished and ready to go.  Louis has his annual check up at the vet first thing in the morning, and then we're off to celebrate!

(last year's cocktail crawl.  don't mind my expression.  i'm pretty sure i'm about 3 sheets to the wind)

Sunday we plan to get my tree.  I still don't have a tree.  I know, I know.  It's abominable.  I do have a beautiful fresh Frasier Fur wreath with a big red bow on the front door.  So that kindove counts.  Kindove.  And Louis has been wearing his Christmas sweater.  That's got to count for something.

Time to Get Festive!

T

Prayers for Virginia Tech...Again

I was getting ready to post something I had written about the holidays.  But then I heard the news.

There has been another shooting at Virginia Tech.  A police officer was sitting in her cruiser, and the gunman walked up to the window and shot her.  (correction...she he was making a routine traffic stop.  and some rando - not the person stoped - walked up and shot her him.)  She He didn't make it.

And now there is another victim in The Cage parking lot.  (UPDATE - they didn't make it either)(UPDATE - he was the gunman & shot himself.)

What is going on?  Why is this happening?

Prayers for the students & faculty of Virginia Tech who were simply gearing up for exams.  Minding their own business.  Please keep them safe. 

Prayers for the family of the police officer.  I know they will miss her him terribly.  Prayers for the other victim's family as well. gunman's family as well.  (Not for him, mind you, because I'm still too angry to waste my prayers on him at the moment.  But I feel for his family.  How terrible to be associated with someone so evil.)

T