Oh Christmas Cards, Oh Christmas Cards

It seems like everyone in Blog Land is talking Christmas cards today.

So this is me, jumping on the bandwagon.

In my attempt to find something new and fun this year, I asked my friends via facebook about some of their favorite places to order Christmas cards from. Because while I love Snapfish, Shutterfly, and TinyPrints, I wanted something unique this year.

Here are five new sites I'd never heard of us that I now can't wait to explore:

http://www.cardstore.com/

www.papercoterie.com

www.mixbook.com

www.mpix.com

http://www.minted.com/

I'd be lying if I said looking at them all didn't make me wish I could send more than one card this year.

I'm such a sucker for paper goods.

And in case you're wondering, we ordered from www.mixbook.com this year. A friend sent me a 40% off coupon that I just couldn't say no to; they came in yesterday (late. Story of my life.), and I LOVE THEM! They are super thick, and the colors are great! My only complaint: shipping is a killer.

Where is YOUR favorite place to order cards from?

Oh, and check back in a bit. I'll be posting about the monster that was yesterday.

Peppermint Body Scrub: Yummy, Yummy Stuff

SOOOOOOOO......I realize I'd said I'd be back before now.

Forgive me for keeping you waiting.

However, I can report that since we last met here, I've baked cookies with Libby, regained my throne as the Uno champion in this house, graded what feels like a thousand research papers, and finished my Christmas shopping.

{Did you hear that? That, my friends, was the sound of me breathing a sigh of relief.}

I also took some time to make some of this good stuff with Libby.

Today I give you peppermint body scrub:

As you can clearly see, this is very exciting stuff.

It's also very, very easy and makes a great little happy.

Here's what you'll need:

- one cup of sugar

-1/2 cup of olive oil

-some peppermint extract or peppermint scented oil (I got mine at Bath and Body Works forever ago...)

-five or six regular sized peppermint candy canes

First, chop the candy canes into itty bitty pieces. I highly recommend using a food processor or paying someone to do it for you. Done by hand, it takes what will feel like forever.

Second, mix the sugar, oil, and candy cane pieces. This part is easy; it mixes very quickly. Then add some extract or scented oil until your scrub smells delicious.

NOTE: I packaged mine in glass jars, and I'm regretting it-- probably not the most shower-safe idea. I suggest finding something cute and plastic instead.

I also recommend making several batches all at once. Because once you see for yourself how uh-may-zing it makes your skin feel, you're gonna want a truckload.

Here's hoping all your  Christmas ends are all tied up, and that you can sit back and enjoy the rest of this Holiday Season!

P.S. Today I'm linking here, here, and here. Show some linky love and check out these wonderful sites!

All I've Got Left

This week has been exhausting.

 I've made three exams (two of which have three different versions-- no cheating in my class),

created seven answer keys,

 graded one set of tests,

and scored close to fifty research papers.

And I'm not even close to being done.

{Three more works days.

I think I can, I think I can......}

All that combined with wrapping presents, making treats for Libby's class,

and , I dunno,

doing all the things I regularly do,

and I am one tired kiddo.

 Exhausted might be a better word.

So today, I simply give you these:

This is me and my big girl.....

...and this is my little girl saying candy canes are where it's at, yo.

I'm linking at my favorite blog. You should too, or you should at least go and peek at her newest peanut. She's so stinkin' cute.

Tomorrow there will be an update on the twenty-five days of Christmas and a cute Christmas happy idea.

See you then, k?

The Hardest Part

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

I HAVE BEEN VERY BLESSED IN THE FRIEND DEPARTMENT.

Seriously, I have some of the most wonderful girlfriends a person could ever hope to find.

And as a mom, a woman, and a person in general,
 I believe friends are one of the most important things in life.

In our friends, we find support, encouragement, and wisdom.

We have fun, we laugh, and a we comfort one another.

I go to my friends when I need to gripe, complain, or simply ask, 'WHY ME?'.

My friends are the ones I seek out when I need reassurance that I'm doing the right thing, or more importantly, when I need someone to tell me that I'm doing wrong.

And while I could not be more thankful for my friends, I have a problem.

For you see, while I have all of these wonderful friends, they all live far away. We're talking hours.  And while I've met some new friends since moving, there's just something about having someone in your life who knows your history, your in's and out's, and your quirks that is so very comforting. And right now, I have to do without it, at least in the physical sense, for months at a time.

We've moved twice in the last three years, and both times I've essentially had to start over in the local friend department. And while I hate the packing and labeling and taping and heavy lifting that comes with moving, it's the new friend mission that I dread the most.

I am not a shy person, nor do I consider myself an introvert. However, I believe that good, true friends are not easily found. It's also something that doesn't happen over night. Not to mention, now that I'm a mom with a full time job at work and a full time job at home, 'free time' to mingle and visit with my girlfriends is in short supply. But I need it. I am a better person when I have regular grown up girl time. And while I talk and text and facebook my friends often, it's just not the same as face to face, giggling til the wee hours of the morn kinda girl time.

If only I'd known in college what I know now, I would have told those boys 'see ya later' and spent every waking moment with my girls. And I'll keep on praying for a close friend of the local variety, one with an equal need for regular girl time, an equal understanding of what it's like to be a working mom, and perhaps an equally strong love of coffee......

A Big, Hot Mess

The title of this post basically describes my life right now.

I feel like I can't catch up, can't catch a break, and have forgotten what getting ahead even looks like.

This morning my students turned in their research papers, you know, the ones I now have to grade....all eighty of them. And with two rubrics each (one on content and one on mechanics), I'm essentially grading each paper twice. Can someone please remind me why I do these things to myself?

Moving on:

This weekend consisted of:

-seeing good friends

-attending two Christmas shows

-eating out a total of THREE times (adios, skinny jeans. Hopefully we can reconnect this spring...)

-Christmas shopping (online. Word to your mother; it's the greatest thing ever.)

-watching Christmas movies

-cleaning my homestead from top-o to bottom-o

-a Junior Auxillary meeting to work on Angel Tree (LOVE ANGEL TREE)

-and some of this:

Lee and I rarely take the girls shopping. By that I mean, we rarely take Libby shopping. Let's just say sitting quietly while we get things done is not her forte. However, we ventured out Saturday evening in search of a new oven. I wish I could say it went well, but not only did we NOT find an oven, but we were also reminded why we don't take the girls shopping.

Have you finished all of your shopping?

Wrapping?

Ordering and addressing?

I, my friends, have done none of the above.

So, to all of you who say things to me like,

"How do you get it all done? You must be superwoman."

Well, this Christmas this super woman has turned super slacker. But, at least I'm not stressed.

It's the little things, right?

A Christmas Happy {An Idea for You}

I told you earlier this week that I LOVE s'mores.

Did you know I also love giving gifts?

It's true.

Giving gifts is one of my all time favorite things to do.

And here's an idea for a good one:

(Thanks again for this too cute idea, Kelle Hampton.)

It's a s'more making kit!

Included:

-bag of marshmallows

-a chocolate bar

-graham crackers

-some skewers

-jelled chafing fuel

Libby gave this one to a new friend here in town who brought over some happies while Libby was in the dumps post tonsil removal.

To show her thanks, Lib brought this to her last night:

What's YOUR favorite happy to give or receive?

I'm always on the hunt for some good ones....

Today I'm linking here. Care to join me?

Family Pics {A Sneak Peek}

Family pics.

That's what we were doing Saturday in what felt like the wee hours of the morn.

My goal was simple: I wanted one good picture.

Just one.

I feel like so many families avoid capturing precious moments together because it's often nothing more than a big ole' headache. But seeing as how we literally have ZERO pictures of us as a family of four, I was putting my foot down.

I was proud of myself for two reasons:

1. We took our photos locally. We simply took a stroll downtown. The end. Nothing fancy. No traveling. This way, when (not if, because it was bound to happen) someone got grumpy or had had enough, we would be close to home.

2. I bought not one new thing for any of us to wear; I simply used what we had. The only thing new you see here is Hollyn's bow, which I made in about fifteen minutes during Thanksgiving break.

The results?

Oh. My. Lanta.

I think I might be in love.

Here are four of my favorites:

So even though we only had fifteen (yes, fifteen) minutes of no grumpies and all smiles, the result is one I am more than pleased with, and I'm ready to do it again.

So, if you've been putting it off, stop that!

 Have those pictures made and capture your memories.

 Just keep in mind: simple is better,

 and kids will not stop being kids simply because there is a camera present.  

Here's hoping it's warm and toasty where you are. Tonight there will be Christmas music playing at my house whilst I attempt to make a new tree skirt. The key word here is attempt.

Happy Tuesday to you and you and you, and look for more of our photos to be making an appearance here in the weeks to come.