Follow Up...

Well, after a few pleading phone calls, we found a jewelry store that does in house sizing (the one we bought the ring from did not)and that might have time to work on it. I took the ring to Zales this morning and the girl at the counter added my precious ring to the hundred others waiting to be sized. She charged me $60 to resize it. I'll gladly pay that to keep Erik smiling today. She wrote down that I needed it by the end of the day on the 30th...just to hurry the job up a little. I'm really hoping it gets done, but at this point I'm not holding my breath. We're preparing for our New Year's Eve party just as before...no matter what happens, engagement or not, it's going to be a great night.

As for the store we originally bought the ring from, we will never buy from it again. Not only did he speak with the local jewelry department manager yesterday, but Erik also spoke with the Customer Service Manager at the home office. The home office people were very nice, but our local store was awful. When they realized what our problem was, they kept transferring Erik to other departments to avoid dealing with him. At different points, he was transferred to the automotive and then shoe departments. It was so unprofessional. Erik filed a complaint with the home office. As far as I know, that's all we can do.

Cross your fingers that everything goes well when we pick up the ring tomorrow!

Best Laid Plans...

I could cry for my sweet boyfriend right now. We picked out an engagement ring several months ago and Erik put it in layaway. When he set up the account, I remember our saleswoman asking what size I needed and it was a size larger than what they had in stock. She wrote down the size I needed...filled out a long form about it and we went on our happy way. Nothing has been said since then about the ring because I knew Erik was waiting until the perfect time to propose. He wanted it to be a surprise.

On Christmas Day, Erik asked me to get his keys out of his coat pocket. The ring was in there in it's box. He had paid it out of layaway the day before but forgot and left it in his pocket. Being the girl I am, I tried it on before I put it back where I got it. It did not fit. The store had never sized it.

I debated letting him know about it, my sister told me not to say anything. But I finally told him today when I found out he was planning on proposing in front of all our friends and family on New Year's Eve. I didn't realize he would take it so badly. He called the store...they admitted they never sized it, the manager apologized but said he wouldn't do anything about it. The only option we have is to return the ring and wait 10 days for it to be sized. Erik is devastated...I've never seen him this upset. I feel bad for telling him I tried it on, but he says he's glad I did so that we could find out before the party that it doesn't fit. He says it would've embarrassed him if he had not known.

I tried explaining that the ring isn't the important thing...we can just tell our friends that the store messed up...he can still propose...but his plans are shot. The surprise is gone. It's a huge deal to him and I feel awful that I (and the stupid store) ruined it for him.

Now I don't know what to do. I wish I could lose about 30 pounds between now and Wednesday so that it would fit. I hate disappointing him like this.

Our Christmas in Pictures

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Remember this time last year, Jean? Cubbs? Becca? Do you remember how miserable I was? I cried every day...I barely shopped for Christmas...we ate snack food instead of the usual Christmas spread...Bailey was so unhappy. We didn't sleep at night. It was horrible. I just wanted Christmas over with. I promised myself that this year would be different. I had no idea how different it would be.

This year has been like a dream come true. I am truly blessed. Not just because of Erik coming into my life and Bailey's happiness (and my own), but because of all you awesome people. I'm so happy I moved over to blogger. You guys are great! I had forgotten how fun blogging could be. I hope to be right here this time next year...reading about your lives and enjoying your friendship.

Have a Merry Christmas everybody! :)

Christmas Swap 2008!!!

This was so much fun!! My box came from the great state of Texas from Mizangie and it was filled with all kinds of goodies from the Lone Star State. (Oh, and if I had known I was supposed to send along items unique to Arkansas to my swap partner, poor Dory would have the whole Jim Bob Duggar family in her house right now).

Anyway, my favorite thing is this horseshoe and star Christmas ornament. I hope we do this swap forever so that I can get an ornament from everyone's state.


And here is my cocoa and snowman tin...I have to hide the cocoa from Bailey. Notice the Texas flag in the background. Erik has decided this is his new bandanna for our river trips next summer. I don't know about that...not sure Angie would approve.


I love, love, love this patch from Texas! Now I need a leather jacket to sew it onto.


Here is my silver picture frame and mulberry good smelling candle from Tyler Candle Company. Erik keeps his nose in this candle most of the time. It smells divine!


Last but not least, here is the box. I'm just showing it because Erik and Bailey got a kick out of saying "frageeelaaaay" when they saw it...lol. We love A Christmas Story obviously...


So there you have it! Thank you Angie!!!

What a night...

My oldest niece (Junior) had an emergency appendectomy tonight...at around 1am. I just got home from the hospital. I will update when I'm more coherent...that could be awhile.

Cats are weird...

We have three cats in the family. Stormy-the oldest and crankiest, Sophie-my beautiful Calico, and our youngest cat Shorty-less than a year old, slightly mentally challenged. Shorty lives outside because we could never litter box train him. He would poop anywhere...the litter box, the couch, the living room floor. So we had to move him outside.

We noticed today that Shorty has not been "doing his business" in the yard (or my flower bed) like he usually does. Apparently he doesn't like to squat in the icy grass. Instead, he's been pooping in our driveway and on our porch...on the ice covered concrete.

Someone explain this cat to me...please?

Snow Day tomorrow!!!

Yay! School is canceled tomorrow! I get to sleep late and then clean my house...yes, I'm happy about that for some reason. Tonight I made taco soup. Tomorrow I'm making chili...unless my son balks because he hates chili. Then it's chicken nuggets...either way, I'm going to be home! Yippee!

Welcome to my World...

We interrupt this blog to bring you Arkansas winter weather. There is a 30% chance of light sleet forecasted for later tonight, therefore every school, business, church and doctor's office should cease all activities and people should run panicked to their cars immediately. At this point, hightail it to the nearest grocery store. Every attempt should be made to wipe clean the shelves at Walmart Supercenter. No gallon of milk must be left when you are finished. Seriously, you may be stranded for up to a day in your home. You will starve unless you buy at least $100 worth of bread,eggs and toilet paper. Then commence to your vehicles and drive one of two ways: slow as Christmas or faster than a speeding bullet. Make sure to use absolutely no common sense while driving. Finally, cloister yourself in your home...turn on the Weather Channel...and wait for your children to be hastily let out of school amid widespread chaos and panic (but only after 1pm, so that the school board can count it as a full day and get their money). Enjoy your time off by attempting to make a snowman using only a 1/8 inch layer of ice from your driveway, since that's all you have. Do not leave your home until the temperature warms up to 50 degrees...which is forecasted tomorrow. Thank you for tuning in and be sure to watch the continuous scroll of closings at the bottom of your screen...

Saturday 9: 'Tis the Season

1. Do you enjoy receiving or giving presents more?
I LOVE giving presents to Bailey. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled about every gift I open and I love giving gifts to others...but it just makes me happy to find the perfect thing for him.

2. What is you favorite holiday film?
It's a Wonderful Life...it has a wonderful message, even if it makes me sad.

3. Have you started or finished your gift shopping?
Pretty much finished...just looking for a few things for Mom.

4. What does this time of year mean to you?
A well deserved break from school!!! I know that sounds like it's not all that important, but it is.

5. What is your favorite holiday song?
Traditional-O Holy Night, Contemporary-Jingle Bell Rock

6. What do you love about the holiday season?
Everything!

7. What do you hate about the holiday season?
People take the gifts too seriously. I'm guilty of this too.

8. Do religious ceremonies play a part in your holiday traditions? If yes, how?
Yes. My church includes Christmas music in our December services. We also have potlucks and skits and a lot of community service projects. My church rocks...

9. Who will you spend the holidays with?
My boys...my mom...my sis and her family...all the usual suspects

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Ingrid!

You are an Ingrid -- "I am unique"

Ingrids have sensitive feelings and are warm and perceptive.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Give me plenty of compliments. They mean a lot to me.


• * Be a supportive friend or partner. Help me to learn to love and value myself.


• * Respect me for my special gifts of intuition and vision.


• * Though I don't always want to be cheered up when I'm feeling melancholy, I sometimes like to have someone lighten me up a little.


• * Don't tell me I'm too sensitive or that I'm overreacting!

What I Like About Being an Ingrid

• * my ability to find meaning in life and to experience feeling at a deep level


• * my ability to establish warm connections with people


• * admiring what is noble, truthful, and beautiful in life


• * my creativity, intuition, and sense of humor


• * being unique and being seen as unique by others


• * having aesthetic sensibilities


• * being able to easily pick up the feelings of people around me

What's Hard About Being an Ingrid

• * experiencing dark moods of emptiness and despair


• * feelings of self-hatred and shame; believing I don't deserve to be loved


• * feeling guilty when I disappoint people


• * feeling hurt or attacked when someone misundertands me


• * expecting too much from myself and life


• * fearing being abandoned


• * obsessing over resentments


• * longing for what I don't have

Ingrids as Children Often

• * have active imaginations: play creatively alone or organize playmates in original games


• * are very sensitive


• * feel that they don't fit in


• * believe they are missing something that other people have


• * attach themselves to idealized teachers, heroes, artists, etc.


• * become antiauthoritarian or rebellious when criticized or not understood


• * feel lonely or abandoned (perhaps as a result of a death or their parents' divorce)

Ingrids as Parents

• * help their children become who they really are


• * support their children's creativity and originality


• * are good at helping their children get in touch with their feelings


• * are sometimes overly critical or overly protective


• * are usually very good with children if not too self-absorbed

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

I'm so lonely...nah, just kidding!

Can you believe I'm alone on a Friday night and happy about it? This is unusual for me, but I think I just needed some time off from being the mom and friend and girlfriend. Bailey is with his dad and Erik is at work...so it's just me, a book, and the gorgeous Christmas tree. Oh, and the lights are working outside again, thanks to my honey! He's awesome! (And if he had not fixed them, I think Yellow would have yelled at him...lol.)

I'm reading some fluffy vampire romance book tonight. I think I got so wrapped up in Twilight-mania that I just can't give the vamps up yet. I've moved on to the Sookie Stackhouse books (which are great, but freak me out a little) and now a book about a girl wanting a vampire for Christmas. I'm sick, I know...you don't have to tell me. I have more vampire novels in my bookshelf than anything else. Seriously...Maggie Shayne...Laurell K. Hamilton...Stephenie Meyer...Charlaine Harris...Anne Rice...I need professional help here. Maybe I should switch to werewolves for awhile...

Speaking of Christmas, I have one more week of school left until the two week break! I'm excited. I have way too much Christmas spirit this year...I'm bordering on obnoxious. It's so unlike me! Until this year, I was feeling like the month of November was cursed. The worst days of my life have nearly all happened in November, so the end of the year holidays were always miserable. Last year at this time, I was devastated because of a breakup...I refused to cook for Christmas...I barely bought presents for Bailey. It was truly a low point in my life. Now look at me...I'm probably annoying you all with my happiness. Sorry, but I deserve it. Really, ask anyone...I deserve it...lol.

Have a great weekend!

Bummer

Well, after ONE night of having a beautiful, festive Christmas-lit house...a large portion of the lights stopped working. After an attempt to fix the problem, Erik finally just turned them all off a few minutes ago. The lights aren't brand new, but they worked fine last year (we borrowed them from Erik's mom who didn't want to mess with them again).

I've never had Christmas lights on my house...single mom, deathly afraid of ladders here...so I was really excited to finally have some. Damn...

How could I forget??

Well, duh. I didn't mention my nieces in the last entry. It's not like I forgot them.

For Junior...the oldest: Two books, one about her fave band My Chemical Romance, and a graphic novel...written by a guy from My Chemical Romance. See a pattern here? Yes, she is obsessed (and I'm an enabler).

For Shorty...the youngest: Makeup...lots of makeup. I'm always at a loss with her. It's not like she's picky, but in a way that makes it harder to buy for her. I have no idea how to narrow it down. She's 12. Does anyone have any advice?

Shhhh! Don't Tell...

Okay, I'll let you guys in on what I bought everyone for Christmas. I'm almost done shopping...all that's left is a couple of little gifts for my mom. Also, I need to buy for Erik's mom, but I'm clueless there. I have no idea what she would want now that she's laid up after her car accident.

Anyway, here is the list of my Christmas shopping craziness this year. Maybe if I see it in print, I will be discouraged from adding to it...

For Bailey: Dark Knight action figures, Club Penguin playset, a couple of movies, a few video games, and the all important Wii. This boy now officially owns everything. Wal*Mart needs to close it's doors.

For Erik: He has been so much fun to buy for! He loves everything, and he's really easy going and not picky at all. I bought him a camo coat (he did pick this out), a Blu-Ray player...which I bought on Black Friday for almost nothing, Guitar Hero for the new Wii, a bunch of scary movies because he loves them, a couple of board games, and CDs' he's been asking for.

My sis: She is IMPOSSIBLE to buy for. I'm giving her a gift card to Dress Barn and Mamma Mia when it's released on DVD. She just wants money.

My brother in law: I bought him movies. He's always happy with movies.

My mom: On Black Friday, I picked up a digital picture frame for her and now I just have to think of something else she might like. She needs a book to help her figure out the internet...she's hopeless with it. I don't know if she would read it though.

It's so strange not to have my grandma to buy for this year. I miss her, and I'm sure I will miss her terribly on Christmas. Even though she had been in the nursing home these last couple of Christmases, at least we could still visit her. For those who don't know me, my grandma died in October. She was an amazing person. I wish you all could have known her.

So that sums up all I've bought so far. I'm going shopping next week for other gifts...for work friends...and for a certain Christmas swap. Pray for me that my bank account survives...lol.

Have a great rest of the weekend!

I like this place...

I have no clue what I'm doing on here, but it does seem easier to maneuver around than on MSN. I had fun setting up my profile, although I drew a blank on the "About Me" section. I've blogged about myself for four years now ad nauseum, but couldn't think of one sentence to describe me for my profile. Sheesh.

Here I am!

Okay, I have no time to work on this now, but hi! I switched over. It's like a divorce from MSN, but I'm tired of being neglected. Anyway, talk to you later!