Good Things

I still have Christmas errands to run, bows to tie, cookies to bake, and antlers to find! Did I mention laundry to wash? Thanks to the Works-For-Me Wednesday series I learned about unhooking my dryer from the wall. Long story short, my builder is a complete and utter moron and my dryer vent takes too many 90* turns from the dryer to the exterior wall where it should vent. So... for the last 7 years my dryer has run ohhh about 8-10 cycles (yes, that's almost 11 hours) to dry ONE load of laundry because the dryer can't (no dryer can...) push the heat out so the condensation builds and thus the clothes stay wet in the dryer. Thankfully mom lives close by and I've been carting wet clothes to her house to dry them. But that's a pain when it's freezing or pouring down rain. (But thanks Mom!)

Thanks to Christine's brilliant post, I went to Lowe's, bought a bucket, patched the sides with pantyhose and made my own vent. And guess what, it makes my laundry room really cozy! So, thanks Christine!

I made sure to put lots and lots of duct tape around the hole in the wall though. We all remember the Mr. Squeakers incident. And by the way, I am not sure he really existed. I bought a live capture trap and filled it with cheese and peanut butter but no Mr. Squeakers. Never heard of again, no left over droppings, no more squeaking, nada. So... we're still on the look out but I'm hoping he left when he heard me scream. :) And that's okay with me. I like him better when he's away.

Be sure to think of me when you're washing and drying your clothes. You just don't know how good you have it. Meanwhile, I'm having to run the dehumidifier while the dryer vents in the house because I have poorly installed windows so the moron builder had to buy me a dehumidifier so mold wouldn't grow.... don't even get me started there. Just know that my house is super warm from the dryer vent and the huge dehumidifier that is running nonstop. If you're chilly, stop by, we'll warm you up in no time! And bring your dirty clothes while I'm still on the laundry high!

Til tomorrow...

PS, send some up and keep your fingers crossed... Caveman's flight is due tomorrow evening but an awfully big snow storm is heading its way to Boston so his flight may be bumped to Saturday (boo!).

Peace out!

Works-For-Me Wednesday - Crocs

So, I'm trying something new and am going to contribute to Shannon's Works-For-Me Wednesday carnival! I had so much fun with the Christmas Tour of Homes I thought this might be just as fun!

I'll start with something totally and ridiculously simple!

.... you know those shoes Crocs? If you're like most people (which you may not be, but if you are...) you either love them or hate them. Since I'm not actually like most people (haha) I am impartial. But if I had to choose a side, I'd say love. But only because of my use for them. I bought them because they were popular and everyone had a pair. Really, I hated them. They were too wide, too big, and no, they were not the "most comfortable things I'd ever put on" my tootsies. AND I tripped over them because of the material they're made of...

So why do I love them? Because, if you have a dog and don't have a fenced in backyard (like me!), these shoes make the best outdoor bedroom slippers ever!

They're perfect because I can wear my big comfy wool socks that don't fit into any regular sized shoes, they slip on and off easily, and they are easy to rinse off if I accidentally step into any doggy piles that someone didn't pick up. I wear my crocs when I take Nola out in the morning and evening so they stay by the door. Also, in case you're interested, they now have crocs with a winterized lining of fluffy fleecy stuff. I don't recommend the wool socks and the fluffy fleecy stuff, but maybe that's another Wednesday! :)

Next Wednesday is Christmas Eve... Merry Christmas!

Capt. Caveman!

In about half an hour (well, 15 minutes now), Caveman will officially be Captain Caveman!

(for the record,I heart Tony Blair!!!)

(in case we have any Toby Keith fans...TK performed in Iraq)

Voila!

I used to keep my hair short (short as in just under the ears)... then went through a three-year stint of long hair. But when it's long I have to straighten it in the morning or else it's just a big frizzy, messed up mess. I like it long and straight. Problem was, it was getting in my arm pit (gross, I know) when I dried it. So... after a long month of thinking about it, I finally did it. I took the plunge... Here's the before shot:

And the after shots:

Which is better???? I like both... apparently, I look thinner when it's short, go figure.

Decorations...most of them anyway

So I know I've posted my tree, but now I'm showing you ALL of my Christmas pretties. Well, most of them. I left out my giant stone Saint Nick and my soapstone nativity because they just didn't photograph too well... I'll try the nativity again because it's gorgeous and I got it in Africa several years ago... and I keep it out year round because yes, it's THAT gorgeous. Anywho...

To the left is my Charlie Brown tree I told you about. It's so sad but oh so cute! This photo had to be cropped since Nola's "waste" bags are kept here temporarily and it was cold yesterday (too cold to walk 30 feet to the dumpster... don't give me that, we've all been there!).

Finley didn't want to feel left out... this is his Christmastime hiding spot.

One of my favorite ornaments, no idea where it came from...

Nola's stocking

Luka and Finley's stocking

Be sure to check out some other great decorations! You're sure to see some beautiful sights!

Deer Antlers, yum?

Nola got an antler when we went to The Pet Cabaret in Boston last month. I wasn't sure if she'd like them but clearly, she does! I'll include this in our favorite dog toy post (that really is coming soon!). 'Til then, here are some pictures of my little beast eating her antler. She hid it yesterday and I have no idea where it is.

Christmas is when?!

Christmas is almost here! Happy Birthday Jesus! I think I will bake Him a cake this year. Why don't we do that? When it's tradition to bake a cake for someone on their birthday, why do we leave Jesus out? This year I will make Him a lovely cake and I'll make it a tradition. I like that. I think my friends will like that too! :)

My tree is purple. Well, it's green, duh -- but I realized that I have a lot of purple on it.

Last night I kept the lights on the tree plugged in while I was waiting for Britt to arrive. It was such a pretty glow from my bedroom with the sparkly ornaments. I loved seeing it in the dark. Britt's flight was due around 11:30 PM so I decided it would be a little after 1:00 AM before I saw her... it wasn't until 2 that she showed up. Geez. After we took the dogs out and chatted we finally collapsed at 3 in the morning. I got up around 6:45, took Nola out, came back in, and slept 'til 9:00. Oh it was so nice!

Nicer than that was having a single dog house again! I finally have my house back! It wasn't that bad but oh man are those doggies demanding! If they're not whining, they're eating something, if they're not eating something, they're pooping. Everyone is tired and happy!

I picked up my Christmas cards this morning and can't wait to get them out. Meanwhile, I'm freaking a little bit because it occured to me that Christmas is a little more than a week away. How on EARTH did that HAPPEN?! I ordered the last online ordering bit of my gifts yesterday and am just about done. NO idea what I'll get for the parents but I'm sure I'll think of something.

Did I mention I got my hair cut yesterday? Uh-huh, about 7 inches off! Our conversation went like this:

Hair person: "How much did you want taken off?"

Me: "About three inches."

Me: "Um, are you done cutting?"

Hair person: "Yes, did you want to go a little shorter?"

Me: "Could you?"

Me: "Hmm... "

Hair person: "More off?"

Me: "Yes please."

So... that's how 3" turned into 7" ... it's cute. A lot more layer than I'd anticipated but that's okay. It will grow. I keep forgetting that I've had it cut so when I go to look in the mirror for whatever reason I'm still a little surprised to see my reflection. This makes me laugh. But I understand if no one else does. :)