Tangled Thoughts

And They Call This Fun!

Christina

December 11, 2013

I have written on my woes with shopping many times before. Many people just don’t seem to understand how I can NOT like shopping. I guess I could see how it might possibly fun, if it weren’t so stressful and stupid and all that. I do enjoy shopping with Amanda – shes fun and excitable, and all things girl when it comes to shopping. When she left a few years ago – I got to (somehow) fulfill the duty of grocery shopping. Yes, mom and I had a few episodes where I lost all my bearings and we just walked out of the store where I promptly burst into tears. But that’s another story. For another day.

Shopping and me just don’t see eye to eye. Now I have a list. I have my moves carefully calculated and I barrel my way through the store in record speed grabbing what I need and not an item more. It works. For me. Sometimes. And then sometimes it doesn’t. And if something I had on my list isn’t IN the store then my whole shopping trip is a bust. Its just how me and shopping go.

But there is a different kind of shopping that shivers me in a whole different way. The dreaded Christmas shopping. I hate this even more. If you have seen in the past – we tend to go all out at Christmas time for our relatives. I don’t mean ALL OUT with gifts, I mean that we try to give everyone a small something. We don’t do birthdays or anything else – so mom likes to think of Christmas as our way of keeping in touch – and that’s fine. Its…just…not….fun to shop for all billion and two relatives.

Its not even fun to shop for my immediate family!

My attempts usually fall flat. The times I do know what I want – I get the wrong thing. The times I don’t know what I want – I get nothing. The times I find what I want – its too expensive and I just cant justify spending THAT kind of money. Its hopeless, me and shopping.

This year, my Christmas spirit was HIGH. Like full tilt over the moon BUY ALL THE THINGS! Kind of high. I took advantage of it, and did some late night browsing. I ordered a few gifts, and made a list. I was feeling pretty proud of myself – having knocked just about everyone off my list, and having a general idea of what I wanted to get people who I hadn’t bought for yet. I EVEN made cookies. And baked them – and they didn’t get burnt! All was well.

And then my Christmas spirit took a dive. But that was ok! Because my shopping was done. I could relax. I decided that since I had done such a GOOD job on getting things in order, that I would reward myself by buying frosting, instead of making it.

Which is where things went south. Note the word: BUY. Buy – involves shopping.

Because when I got home, it turns out the frosting I selected? Was a not so lovely shade of green. Instead of white, like I was hoping, it was a pale pea green. Even after adding some food dye, it still resembled something from the pea factory – but I was too far in to back out.

And then last night, as I was looking through my online purchases, I noticed something. The things I bought? Were NOT the things I thought I had bought. Infact, I really have NO idea what was going through my head at the time of purchase – because I thought I was being savvy. One item? Was under a dollar. Which sounds good. Except that the shipping? Was ten. TEN DOLLARS for an item that didn’t even cost a dollar to begin with! My eyes bulged. HOW.

And then…the mail started trickling in. Ever so slowly. Because they have decided to divert our mail north for a 5 day delay before bringing it to us.

I was excited.

I ripped open the package.

And stared into the face of what was supposed to be a pajama set but instead was an…

“Oil green panel”

Say WHAT?

Now I knew that things weren’t what I thought I had bought but how does one go from pjs to a curtain panel? Closer inspection showed that what I ordered – was not sent. In its place – was a single curtain. A CURTAIN! Now I don’t know about you – but I don’t know how I was supposed to GIFT a CURTAIN! ONE panel, mind you. The product I had ordered? No longer in stock. I guess this was the closest substitute they had.

All this came crashing down ontop of my Christmas spirit, or lack there of – and led to my firm belief that shopping, no matter HOW “Wonderful” people say it is – is not, so wonderful.

Online or offline.

Which is all to say – Merry Christmas, if you receive pea green cookies, or a green curtain panel from me this year – just know. I fought VERY HARD for those items. And yes, it all involved shopping.

Until next year!

This Picture…

Christina

1 comment

December 10, 2013

Still makes me laugh.

What a dog.

Winter Frozen Land

Christina

1 comment

December 6, 2013

Three days ago, Amanda left. And with her she took David and Mr JD and also mom.

I guess you can say its been quiet around here, and in the past two days I have gotten all my paper work done, the office cleaned and redecorated, and most of my shopping done. And now? I sit here thinking of all the things I really SHOULD be doing, but not wanting to do them because cleaning? Bleh.

Mom called this morning. They are spending a week in Arizona before they all head over to England. She said it “Froze” there last night. I say “Froze” because Arizona cant really, truly, honestly – freeze. What she means is – it got “Cold” last night and now everything is hard. Here? The creeks and lakes are frozen with atleast 2 inches of ice. The snow that we had about a week ago is so hard its like cement, and there is more snow expected in a few days.

Me? I wore extra layers today, and now look somewhat similar to a marshmallow.

Im still wondering what to do for Christmas cards this year, and last night as I dug around through our old decorations – I found it. The master of ALL masters – the Christmas Card List. Its big enough to be a book people. 13 pages. I don’t even KNOW these people. A few years ago when we were introduced to one of the Christmas card people – mom introduced us, and Amanda and I smiled, knowingly. This was one of the Christmas card people!

But still.

Im debating again. Christmas cards for all 500+? Boxes? Gifts? Presents? Etc? Since no one is going to be here this year, I have a few ideas for family/friends – but nothing major. I really wanted to get something together to send to someone who will be spending the holidays in the hospital or someone who might be having a hard year…but I couldn’t think of anyone and all my leads have turned up empty. Maybe next year I will start earlier.

The dog has been especially weird lately, I think she wonders where mama is. She started this new stupid routine. Before bed she HAS to have a drink from HER cup. Her water dish will not do. Her drink has to be from her cup upstairs, and if she doesn’t have it? She will stare. Until you get it for her. Ever had a dog stare at you at night? No you cant see her – but you can feel it. Today she is restless. I think she wants more walks – but did I mention? Its COLD. No, seriously cold not Arizona cold!

Ah well. Im off to find the perfect Christmas card photo. Wish me luck, because Im going to need it. Think its hard to get a good photo? Try getting a good family photo when the family is spread out across the world! And no, we didn’t think to do a photo when they were here. Actually…we did. It just didn’t happen. Because time? Seriously flies when you are having fun.

I dont like snow, but I am partial to snow flakes.

A 4 Star Espresso

Christina

2 comments

December 4, 2013

As per apparent tradition, Dutch was awoken from his year long nap to make an espresso. Actually, I guess its been about three years now since Dutch was last awake. Either way – when Judah spotted him, there was no denying it. There was going to be espresso made that day. Judah loves all things motors, noise, and loud. The coffee grinder happens to be one of his favorite things. So Dutch + Coffee grinder = well, a REALLY fun idea, atleast for some.

No guessing about it – Dutch and JD? Best friends!

Of course, it was a family activity.

Pack those beans…

Making an espresso calls for great levels of deep concentration. On all accounts.

Push the button….

And make an espresso! Classic picture. See Here and Here.

The result? Not that great – obviously!

Judah was like “Its ok Dutch, you can do better next time.”

More deep concentration – We HAVE to get it right this time.

Anxiously awaiting…

JD warns that its “HOT HOT HOT!”

Amanda gave that one a 4! Better than the first atleast.

Judah thought it was pretty great too. Atleast until he had to turn Dutch off.

Future Barista?

Until next time….

The Great Jean Saga of 2013

Christina

2 comments

December 3, 2013

I have always had a thing with jeans. It seems I can never, underline that, NEVER get a pair that actually fit me. It would seem I am an odd size, although I have found the random few pairs that I love to death, and they die a horrible sad slow death and I feel as though I should bury them because they were just THAT good. But that is rare. Most times I am tripping over the bottoms of them, cutting the bottoms off, or rolling them up so much that I look like I have some weird abscess growing at the bottom of both my legs. The cold truth is – My jeans never fit right.

Its not like I have high standards for them – I just like them to fit! And not look like granny jeans, or like I really REALLY need to loose 100 pounds. Im on the shorter side, so that certainly doesn’t help things any – because most of the jeans are just about an inch or two too long – meaning that I am really, just an inch or two too short.

About a week after I got home, the back side of my jeans gave out. How and why I will never know. I will just forever be thankful they waited until I was HOME and not on the airplane, but all that is aside, and I began the long, tedious search for the perfect pair of jeans. There is one brand that you can get in town – a brand that I do like, but costs upwards of $70. I like to get them off eBay, and since I know the brand and size that works for me – its usually not that difficult. But it would seem that every single person who is my size (or atleast wants my sized jeans) has worn their lovelies to an end as well – because there were none to be found.

So I had to broaden my horizon and look at OTHER brands in hopes that I could find another true love. Finally I found a pair that fit the criteria in that they didn’t cost me an arm and leg, they looked decent, and were “my size.” I say that loosely because – this was a new brand and every brand size is different than the next. I figured they would be a bit long (because why wouldn’t they be) but hoped they would atleast fit around the middle.

And fit they did. A bit long, but they would work. Until I took a step, and realized that these jeans – were not going to be my best friend.

Not only was the length working against me – they waist was as well. With every step I took, they shimmied down a bit more. And since they were long, stepping on the bottoms was only increasing my problems. But since they were cute, I decided to try and give them the benefit of the doubt and make them work. I tried a belt. Which for the record – is not ever going to happen again. I tried string. I tried ribbon. I tried everything short of suspenders!

These jeans simply were not having any of it. While they fit – the waist happens to be a size (or two really) too big, thus they wont stay up. And since they are a bit loose everywhere else – well, I am constantly yanking them up or letting them ride somewhere between my waist and knees.

It really shouldn’t be this difficult – jean shopping. But it is. For me. Atleast.

Either I need to grow up a few inches, or feet really – or I need to go back to my tried and true brand, and vow to never stray again.

Tell me – am I alone in this?