A Wiener on the Road

YES - I have now seen the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile TWO TIMES in my life! Once in Gilbert, Arizona, a few years ago and again just yesterday at Penn and Memorial in OKC. The first time I did not have my camera. This time, I just happened to have it! I was so lucky that the light stayed red long enough for me to pull into the parking lot and capture a photo before the wiener zoomed off to thrill other drivers! If I wouldn't have been driving the opposite direction, I might have even tried to follow it.

FYI - I am also the proud owner of an Oscar Mayer Wiener Whistle.

No, I don't particularly like wieners/hotdogs...but who wouldn't love to see a giant wiener driving down the road or own an adorable little wiener whistle?!?

Look at what I did today...

A few years ago, it was school picture day, and the photographer offered to show me the digital view of my picture. I was astounded at how long my hair was and how unbecoming it was on me. On my way home from school, I knew I had to have a haircut, and it hit me that it might be long enough to donate. I got home, did a behind-the-back self-measurement and called Aaron's Aunt Caralee (a fabulous hair cutting gal...). So, a few days later, the day before we left for Hawaii, Lee Lee cut off 11 inches for me to donate to Locks of Love. Aaron's grandparents were there to watch, and oddly, strangely, amazingly enough - I found out that Aaron's grandma (Mom Mom) had done the same exact thing many many years ago right before she left for Hawaii.

Fast forward to this past summer. I decided I could grow it out again. Last time it grew so fast that I hadn't noticed. Not the case this time. I was getting antsy to cut it, and I held off as long as I could. This morning I woke up, washed my hair, and declared that today was the day. I made an appointment and went. It is so funny because there are so many people who agonize over whether to cut their long locks, but both times I felt no nervousness or worry over it. It was just time. Plus, I love it that I can do it! My only sadness is that I was too far away for Lee Lee to cut it this time. Also, the hair is going to Pantene - who partners with the American Cancer Society. So at 7 months pregnant, I cut off 8+ inches, and it feels TERRIFIC!

Handmade Christmas Gifts

"When a gift is made by hand, all of that person's love is captured in it."
-Glenn Beck, The Christmas Sweater
I made...
9 Scrabble Initial rings
4 reusable vinyl mesh grocery bags
4 monogrammed pirate eye patches
4 embellished kitchen towels
1 little girl apron
1 scrapbook cookbook for Grandma

I also made myself a candy cane scarf.
*I'm working on finishing up some pillows that were started by my sweet Grandma Kusch.
*I need to place some finishing stitches on some stuffed Cabbage Patch Kids ornaments that were an unfinished project from my childhood.

Next up... SEWING FOR THE BABY!
(12 weeks to go if my due date is correct!)

My Winter Poetry

Silver trees
standing still
silently observing.
(written by me...Monarch Pass, Colorado...12/31/09)

Christmas 2009

The historic Oklahoma City Christmas Eve blizzard that changed our Christmas plans...

We did make it to my parents' house for Christmas afternoon and evening.

The day after Christmas we took off for Colorado for some time with Aaron's family. (Aaron and our adorable nephew, Brody.)


The lovely Colorado snow that didn't stop for 2.5 days.

The drive back to Oklahoma on Aaron's birthday. (He's amazing in every way, and I love him more each day!) Aaron drove us safely through the treacherous ice and snow. Thank you, Lord!

The rescheduled Christmas with my Mom's side of the family on New Year's Day.

Next year, our little baby will make it 25 stockings on the fireplace!

Grandma's Recipe Book

I had a crazy idea this past summer...
before I was pregnant.
before we moved to Oklahoma.
before...well, before a lot of things.

That idea was to put Grandma Belle's favorite recipes into a cookbook scrapbook, but then, I knew if I made one other people in my family would want one, and it is too hard to make a bunch of them. So, I offered to purchase the supplies, make the original, and put together kits so that all the women could make one. That meant supplies for 10 books. That meant cutting out 10 of everything. That meant several trips to Staples to use their paper cutters because I am no longer employed at a school where I have access to awesome paper cutters - and - I have no idea how many millions of cuts I had to make through this process, but my little scrapping paper cutter would not have "cut" it. (a joke...)

So, for my family on my Mom's side, who will put together the books in a couple of weeks - here is a sneak peek of what is to come. The photos aren't necessarily great due to the fact that this Arizona lizard isn't use to sub-freezing temperatures outside (I'm not complaining because I get to wear my cute maternity coat and my newly made Christmas scarf - photos to come...) and was not going to go outside to photograph them, and because I don't have a DSLR camera...which I'm hoping Santa can help me with at some point because there is a baby coming. Anyway, the supplies made the move with me to Oklahoma, and as I was making the book I lamented the fact that Oklahoma does not have the a.m.a.z.i.n.g. scrapbook stores that AZ has. I've been to quite a few here, and they are cute, but Phoenix's are just superior and unbelievable.

Farewell...

Dear Mr. Monk,
Thank you for all the fun years of episodes where we got to watch you use your amazing gift to solve crimes. I loved laughing at your idiosyncrasies, but I always felt sorry for you in my heart. I couldn't imagine not knowing why Trudy was murdered. I've always felt a thankfulness to Captain Stottlemeyer, Natalie, and Randy for helping you out, trusting you, and having compassion on you. (Sharona, too, but she was kind of bratty to you...)

I'm thankful you were finally able to solve Trudy's murder, that you didn't die, and that you were finally able to find some happiness. My husband, who claimed to not like your show, even rewatched last week's episode and then watched last night's conclusion with me - and - I think he is even sad that your show is now over.

As your goodbye song says, I know I'm gonna miss you since you're gone!
Sincerely,
Hayley

P.S. At least I can still laugh at Shawn and Gus and watch the well-dressed Neal Caffrey - but - they aren't you.