HAPPY THANKSGIVING BACK.

Merci, Grazie, Gracias, Danke, Arigato, Thanks

Every Thanksgiving, my family goes around the dinner table and says what they are thankful for. (I am sure most families do this.) I think it's important to remember how much we have, and to remember to be humble and grateful. So..

This year, I give thanks for..

- freedom (of religion.. of speech.. freedom)

- a husband who I can't help fall in love with more and more every day

- family (every last one of them)

- friends (new and old)

- a tiny little "elf apartment"

- my experiences (bad and good)

- a job (even though it gets annoying)

- my health and the health of those i love

- a sense of humor (life would be a lot harder without it)

- a closet full of clothes, a kitchen full of food, and a shelter over head

- that i get to hold lot's of new babies soon! (elle belle, spud, george, and a little bon bon or jon jon)


- that i get to eat entirely too much food tomorrow when i know some people will go without


- that i get to snuggle up to my other half every night and quietly chat and laugh about our day

the 'rents

So if you know my parents, you know they love to travel. They just got back from a three week trip to India and China. They even flew over Mt. Everest. They have definitely instilled the love of travel in me. Though I couldn't go with them, they brought me back three gorgeous necklaces, among other things. (including an ear picker.. don't ask)

We went to pick them up at the airport and while Bob was parking I waited and watched all the flights come in and the people reuniting. I love how happy the airport is. Just in the 15 minutes I waited for my parents, I saw a teeny tiny girl come running out of the terminal and tackle her grandma. I saw a family (with a sign the size of one of the planes) cheering when they saw their loved one. And I saw the most sickeningly sweet embrace between a 17 (ish) year old boy and girl. He twirled her, he clung to her, he nearly impregnated her. (did I just say that on my blog?!)

I couldn't help but smile just watching. It reminded me of when Bob and I were dating and I would take him to the airport to see his family and we would hug like it might be the last time we saw each other.

Anyway, then I spotted my parents. And for just a second, a little lump crept into my throat, and my eyes got slightly misty (don't tell Bob, he would make fun) and I realized how thankful I was to have my parents back safe and sound. I just don't know what I would do if I had to live without the late night domino games, the random visits from my dad while I am at work, my mom's sweet compliments.

They even took the time (and money) to read my blog while they were away. What? I have the best parents ever? Well, I would have to agree. They are included in my prayers nightly. Just thought it would be a good time with the holiday that is tomorrow, to let them know I am thankful for them.

Weekend Wrap Up

Sunday it was nice to sneak out onto the front porch, watch the sun set, paint my toe nails, and flip through the J Crew holiday catalog..

It got me a tad excited about Christmas. Now, I don't allow myself to get too into Christmas until Thanksgiving is over.. (see here) But thought I would dab a bit of green polish on my nails..

And maybe even wrap a present or two..

So I may be getting a wee bit antsy for Christmas. But am very excited to be a day closer to eating my body weight in potatoes. Anyone else getting a little excited for Santa Claus to get his jolly bee-hind into town?

Many Thanks

I was overwhelmed by the support from friends and family on Friday night for the Holga Show. It made me realize how lucky I am to have such good people in my life. Not only did my husband bring me flowers to show how proud of me he was, but he was a trooper and hung out with me all night while I chatted with everyone. He didn't even complain about not eating until nine! He wins best husband award.

I didn't get a chance to take a picture with everyone who came. But wanted to! I couldn't believe the distances some people drove just to come and support little old me. Thanks to everyone who offered kind words and comments as well. For those of you who didn't get a chance to check out the show, the photo's will be up until January. You should really check it out, a lot of them are a-m-a-z-i-n-g. Some of them made me feel a tad out of my league. These are my three images, in case you don't get a chance to see the rest..

Midnight Madness

Thursday night my cousin Ami and I joined the Twilight fanatics for the midnight show. It started out as such a normal night..

We ate yummy pizza and pasta at California Pizza Kitchen..


What I didn't realize was that the mall closed at nine, and we weren't able to shop like we had originally planned. I figured they would for sure keep the stores open later. It was freezing cold and we didn't know what to do for the next two hours. Until we got a flier for Hot Topic. Yes, the same Hot Topic that we all went to when we were going through that weird punk phase at age 12. It was the only store open until midnight (mainly because they were selling all the Twilight paraphernalia you could think of) Since we had time to kill, we killed it in Hot Topic. That's when things started getting silly..


Then it was back to the theatre to watch all of the crazies that dressed up and to wait in a very intense line to get drinks. Let's just say there was plenty of shoving and butting in line. We even had a girl offer to buy our drinks if we would let her get in front of us in line. By the time 12:00 rolled around, we were starting to get a little tired and a little loopy. We decided to pull out the trusty camera and pose. We wanted to keep with the Twilight theme. But somehow Vampire Karate resulted..





We wanted to pose like vampires, but were at a loss. So this is what we came up with..




Then we actually got into the movie, and it started. Now, I know some people really liked this movie, unfortunately we just weren't those people. In fact we laughed the whole way through. Here are some of our reactions to Twilight..



It was still one of the funnest nights. I don't remember the last time I laughed that hard. I am sure some of the Twilight enthusiast hated us by the end of it. But keep in mind we left at 3 am, and were so tired that we cannot be held responsible.

Twilight (according to Caitlin)

Twilight in my mind looks more like this.. (and yes, I know some are a little older, that's just how I imagined them)

Little help.

Am on the hunt for a lovely new fragrance, for our lovely little apartment. Any suggestions? (p.s. I promise i will post pictures of the "elf apartment" after I do a little more organizing this weekend.)

Cell Phone Courtesy

A while back, I was at a movie with a friend. Halfway through the movie, a phone rang. Not a shock, that happens. But what usually is avoided, is actually answering the phone. Not only did this person answer, they used there "outside" voice with a big "Hulla?" then a "Yeah, he's right here!" (passes the phone to idiot #2) "HULLA?" "No, not much, just watching a movie.." (this goes on for another 5 minutes)

The whole theatre was angry and seriously considering launching popcorn and juju's directly at these two. My friend and I were laughing uncontrollably at these two people who had the audacity to yell into their cell phone in the middle of a movie. And the movie just kept on playing. Unfortunately the only thing we could hear was the stimulating and all too important cell phone conversation.

But I think I have found a solution. Maybe this would discourage people from using their cell phones at the inappropriate times..

I don't know about you, but I would have to find a bigger purse.

Shopping in my mind..

If I had extra money to spend for the holiday's, I would gift myself one of these dresses for the holiday parties that are coming..

And would pair it with one of these..

Anthropologie sure knows what I like.. well except this..

I think this was a joke. I'm sorry, but I could find something cuter at the DI and it sure wouldn't cost me $328.00!

It's true, I got a little trim..

So a funny little tidbit about me is this..

I never plan a hair cut. Never. Ask Jessica, I will call her at work at like 5 pm and be like, I am thinking about cutting my hair, and then the next day she sees me and my hair is different. I think it's the only way I can do it. The funny thing is, I am usually a big planner. But when it comes to my hair, I have to do it spur of the moment, or I never get around to it. I just space it.

So on Friday at 5 p.m. I was looking at old pictures of myself, and my bangs from about six months ago, and thought. "What the heck." I figured my hair needed a trim (a five inch trim) and thought bangs would be fun for the holiday's. I told myself if they couldn't get me in, I would hold off. I called two places who basically laughed at me and told me they didn't have any openings and then I called Lunatic Fringe on 11th (love the lunatic fringe) and they got me in forty five minutes later. I loved the stylist! If you need a good recommendation for one, I have her card. Awesome. Plus a perfect way to end the week with a scalp massage. Now my hair is a bit shorter (She said I had the longest hair she had ever cut. I never really look at it, but it was almost down to my bee-hind.) and I cut me some bangs again.

So here it is. Sorry about the silly picture, I am at work and it's the best I could do.

Happy Birthday Jon! (15th)

This Saturday we hung out with some friends and celebrated Jon's birthday. We went to Red Robin and Quantum of Solace. It was so much fun. Oh and I really liked the movie. But how can you go wrong with Daniel Craig?

Iron Chef Caitlin

Last night I started having delusions of grandeur. It all started with me watching the Food Network. (How does anyone have a t.v. without this station!?) Rachael Ray was showing how to make a Thanksgiving dinner in an hour. She was making it look so easy and incredibly tasty that I started planning in my head. The next show was Iron Chef America. As I watched the chefs prepare and plate their dishes, I started thinking, I should start making my food look pretty on the plate like they do. Then to finish it up, Ace of Cakes came on and by that point I was sure I was a master chef and I could make fondant cakes like that. After all, it looked so easy. (Don't judge me for watching 3 hours of t.v. The Food Network sucks you in!!)

So when Bob got back from studying, I informed him that I was going to make us a turkey dinner with herbs stuffed in it, potatoes with reggiano parmesan cheese, an onion and apple stuffing.. (the list goes on) I informed him that I learned how to do on t.v. and people were going to be amazed at my mad skills. Bob (being the supportive husband he is) said, "Yeah, you should do it, I'm sure it would be awesome."

Then Bob said, "Why don't you get started now, and make us a turkey sandwich." I nuzzled up to him, gave him a kiss on the cheek, and said "But you make them better." ~ "But, I thought you were going to be an awesome chef with mad skills." (me) "Eh, I'll be an Iron Chef tomorrow."

cake > apple

I think it should be illegal to bake any time after 10 p.m. Let me explain.. when someone (we won't say who) is trying to eat healthy and a little less, not to mention hop on over to the gym daily, is going to bed (a little hungry) and smells the aroma of cake cooking.. (it might make her a little crazy)

So please upstairs neighbors cook broccoli at ten, not yummy smelling baked goods. It makes (this person) roll over in the middle of the night, nudge her husband and offer him a million dollars to get her a donut. (and that husband may have groggily told her to go eat an apple.)