Just wanted to say ...

I just wanted to stop in and wish y'all a VERY Merry Christmas! I hope that your holidays are filled with love, laughter, family, friends, and everything good. I may or may not be blogging next week (we're going to visit my in-laws, and I'm not sure how long we're staying, nor do I know what my internet/time situation will be), so just in case, I also want to wish y'all a Happy New Year! Be safe! I hope that 2012 brings only good things - for all of us!

2012 Goals

Christin summed it up best when she said that "resolutions" somehow never seem to make it, but if you call them goals, they're more likely to happen. So I'm making a list of my goals for 2012 and putting them here on the blog so I feel more accountable.

1) Run a 5K.
2) Meet Ashley IRL (and any other bloggers that are interested in a blate!)
3) Limit eating out to once per week.
4) Make and stick to a grocery budget.
5) Get back to a "happy" weight
6) Make at least one new recipe every month.
7) Read at least one new book a month.

So what are YOUR goals for 2012?

True story ...

True story ... I've been a bad blogger this week. I apologize, and I hope to be back to normal next year! Here's just a little of what my days have entailed ...

... spending the last 3 weeks rushing testing to get it finished before the holiday so that we can get OE (Original Equipment - customers like Honda, Suzuki, Bombardier, etc) approval on some new equipment.

... running 3 production trials in the beginning of this week.

... having 6 (yes, 6) different projects that need my attention right away.

... being a little sickie and crashing as soon as I get home.

... I have a vacation day scheduled for tomorrow, but it's looking like I need to come in for at least 2 hours.

... Oh, and I have to come in for an hour or so on Christmas day because I have stuff that HAS to get done and frankly, I don't trust anyone else to do it right.

Hopefully I'll be motivated to blog tomorrow! I am still reading blogs, even if I don't comment. I promise.

Sometimes and Always!

My favorite link-up!

Sometimes ... I try to wash my hair every day.

Always ... it ends up being every other day. LOVING dry shampoo and the fact that I'm *supposed* to have my hair up at work at all times.

Sometimes ... I wish my husband was more romantic.

Always ... he surprises me and does something super sweet.

Sometimes ... I run in to Walmart for something.

Always ... I regret it. My Walmart is super trashy and dirty, and I'm just skeeved out when I go in there.

Sometimes ... I get annoyed with my kitties when they want to play when I'm doing something, like cooking dinner.

Always ... I stop and play and act the protective momma, because they're my babies and that's how I am!

Head over to Megan's blog and link up with her!

Ham BBQ

Ham BBQ is a Pittsburgh thing, and one of my husband's favorite meals. It is quick and easy to make, and it's a yummy change from pork or hamburger BBQ.

Chipped ham is a PA thing. "Chipping" lunch meat is like a very very fine slice, sometimes called "shaved".

Ingredients:
14 oz Heinz ketchup (and it MUST be Heinz ... After all, Heinz IS a Pittsburgh company$
1T cider vinegar
1T worchestershire sauce
1T water
2T yellow mustard
2T brown sugar
1 lb chipped ham, roughly chopped

1. Mix first 6 ingredients over medium, simmer 10 minutes.
2. Add ham and heat through.
3. Serve on hamburger buns with dill pickle chips.

If you try it, let me know what you think of it!

Need your help ...

Ladies, I need your help with my hair.

My hair is a little longer than shoulder length. Fine. Stick straight (but can sometimes get a little frizzy). Dyed darker than my natural color. Gets oily if I don't wash it (or use dry shampoo) daily. Not heat-treated (unless you count using the heater in my car to blow it dry in the morning on my way to work - blowing my hair dry at 5 AM or earlier during the week just is not happening).

This picture is from last year, but my hair is about the same length and a little darker.

Now that you have my description, the problem:

The ends of my hair get all tangled and knotted when I wear my hair down, which makes me not want to wear it down.

Can you recommend any good shampoo and conditioners? Can you recommend anything else that might help me deal with my hair? Even any cute hair styles ...

Time flies ...

I have been up since 3 AM, and at work since 5 AM. This is the first Monday I've worked since October. This is going to be a long week, even though I  work 4 days then I am off until 1/3/12.

2012. Wow how time flies ...

I have to pick up the last of my Christmas presents today (they're out being personalized) and I am DONE Christmas shopping! If you have to go out shopping this week, you have more patience than I do.

Are you ready for the holidays?

Happy Monday ...

Not here ... but

You can find me here today, guest posting for Kasey, the Domesticated Hygenist, while she is in Las Vegas. Lucky chica!

Happy Friday! :)

 Oh, and help Michelle get to 1000 followers ... go follow her blog!

It's OK ...

It's been a couple weeks, and I've really missed doing this ... so here we go! :)

It's OK ...

... that the 4 gift cards that I have to buy for Christmas gifts for my in-laws has taken me 2 weeks to get ... and I still haven't gotten them. Really, I should just make hubby get them. :)

... that ALL of my Christmas cards are in the mail, and a Christmas present to a very special blogger, my newest BFF. :)

... that I have been seriously unmotivated to work since December started. I swear, I'm like a child ... this close to Christmas, I'm basically useless.

... that I know some of the things that hubby has gotten me for Christmas ... he knows some of what I got him, so its fair.

... that I am SO excited for him to open his REALLY big present because I know he'll love it. And I can tell y'all what it is because he doesn't read my blog. I got him a framed panoramic print of Pittsburgh. He was born and raised in Pittsburgh and moved out to this side of the state about a year before we met, and I know he misses it, so I thought that a print of his favorite city (which will hang in the living room above the TV) was perfect!

... to be REALLY hoping for THESE under the tree on Christmas morning ...

... and to not care that having those shoes would make me a total nerd. :) I think we've proven that I am a nerd already.

... to be incredibly thankful for all of the blog friends that I have made this year. So many of you have touched my life, and I like to think that we've become good friends! :)

So go link up with Neely and Amber and tell them what's OK with you! :)

Dear 14 year old me ...

Dear 14-year-old me ...

... that boy that you are "so in love" with? he's not the one for you. after a lot of pain (physical and emotional), you will realize it and be better off.

... being smart is cool.

... take school seriously - it is the only way to get ahead in life

... once you graduate, you won't talk to most of the people that are your "best friends" in high school

... no matter what you do in life, you MUST remember that on 11/4/2003, you MUST go back to CWHS and meet the Physics teacher. (see here)

... be true to yourself and never let anyone change you.

... the world does not revolve around boys

... nor does it revolve around cheerleading/gymnastics

... STOP doing gymnastics NOW. Your 27-year-old self would appreciate if you would stop BEFORE you get 4 stress fractures.

Love,
Me! (in 13 years)

More swaps!

I got a little "blog swap" happy this season, and signed up for a BUNCH of swaps. So below are my goodies from 3 more swaps!

First up, Megan and Julie's Ornament Swap! I was paired with Amy from Oh So Charming, who is an absolute sweetheart!

This adorable ornament, with a sweet saying in it.

an "S" ornament, since my last name starts with "S". I don't know about y'all, but I hardly have any "S" ornaments because "S" is apparently a VERY popular letter!

A candy cane. Already gone. Lasted no lie like 3 minutes. (oh, and see all the cat claw scratches on our nice wood table?)

Cute picture holder.

Head over to her blog to see what I got her! And if you don't already, go follow Megan, Julie, AND Amy!

Second swap was the Cold Hands, Warm Heart swap by Much Love, Illy and Sandy a la Mode. I was paired up with Yvonne from Simply Yvonne, who is ALSO a sweetheart. I swear, I am so lucky to get paired with the best people!

a sweet hand-written note!

Hello Kitty socks! because we all know how obsessed I am with her!

adorable gloves - that I can still use my iPhone with!

and even though it's hard to see, a super cute pink scarf! Love Love Love it!

So head over to Yvonne's blog and check out what I got her, and be sure to follow her, Ilene, and Sandy!

Last, but certainly not least, is another ornament swap. This one was held by Elizabeth. I was paired with the super sweet Amanda, who is one of my newest Twitter and Blog friends, and my Words With Friends competitor. ;) She was recently in France and Spain and brought me back this GORGEOUS hand painted ornament. Thank goodness USPS decided to be gentile that day and it arrived safely and intact!

So go check out Amanda's blog and Elizabeth's blog and follow them too!

Sometimes and Always ... 2

This is my new favorite link-up and I hope y'all join! :)

Sometimes ... I get bored when I'm home all day.

Always ... I get back to work and I'm miserable, hating my job, and wanting to quit.

Sometimes ... I get really stressed out.

Always ... I obsess over things and I'm convinced it's going to make me sick.

Sometimes ... I get a one-track mind and all I can think about is what is making me angry or upset.

Always ... I eventually get over it.

Sorry this one is such a bummer ... but I just got back to work after a 3-day weekend and NO ONE did anything I asked them to do AND I found out that I am one of the lowest paid people here. Like the people in manufacturing with the high school diplomas make more than me, in a management/engineering position with a BS and a few months away from my MS. Yeah, pretty upset about that.

How the Glitz Stole Christmas Swap Goodies!

For Lindsey and Raven's blog swap, How The Glitz Stole Christmas, I was paired up with Katie from Heart Like Mine. They are ALL sweethearts, and if you don't already follow them, you really need to go do it now. Seriously. I'll wait here. You go follow.

Ok. You're back. Now we can continue.

I'm writing this like a week early because I just received the package, and I wanted to get it ready because a) I wanted to record my true feelings right after opening them and b) some things will be used before the post date.

This is what I pulled out of the box. A big wrapped present. Excited already!

Inside that big wrapped present were smaller wrapped presents. It reminded me of Christmases when my dad got my mom jewelry and I wrapped it in a bigger box, inside a bigger box, inside an even bigger box, etc.

First thing I opened - nail polish! I love the glittery nail polish! In fact, just a couple hours before opening the package, I had just gotten my nails done in a different glittery polish. Can't wait to try this ... maybe on my toes tonight.

Next was this pretty picture frame. Right now it is on my book case, because I don't know what pictures I should put in it, but I'm thinking that since it came from a blogger, I should put blate pictures in it! :)

A pretty snowflake ornament. The cats are going to have fun trying to take this off of the tree. ;)

A pink sparkly pen. :) At least the guys at work won't steal my pens anymore. :)

And last but certainly not least, a Hello Kitty ornament! Finally! Some HK for my tree! :)

So a BIG Thank you goes to Katie for my package, it was amazing and I love it all! Go check out her blog to see what I got her ...

And 2 more BIG Thank yous go to Lindsey and Raven for hosting this swap! Love you ladies!

Cookie swap

I recently did a cookie swap with some food bloggers. I made my great grandmother's snickerdoodles, which are a family holiday tradition.

Ingredients:
1 c softened butter
2 c sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 c AP flour
4 T sugar
2 T cinnamon

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375F (350F if convection).
2. Beat butter, add 2 cups sugar, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Beat until combined.
3. Add egg and vanilla, beat until combined.
4. Add flour, mix well.
5. Cover and chill 1 hour.
6. Roll dough in 1" balls.
7. Mix 4 T sugar and 2 T cinnamon.
8. Roll dough balls in cinnamon sugar mixture.
9. Place 2" apart on ungreased sheet and bake 10 to 11 minutes or until edges are golden.
10. Let cool on wire rack.

5K?

It's semi-official. I'm thinking about running the 5K during the Pittsburgh Marathon weekend, May 5th.

Currently, I am not a runner. So I will literally be going from couch to 5K in 5 months.

I haven't registered yet because
a) I'm afraid I'll chicken out and/or my back won't be able to handle it.
b) I haven't confirmed our visit with my in-laws - we'll probably do that at Christmas.

So wish me luck, and send lots of encouragement ... I'm going to need it! :)

That time I got nerdy ...

When I walked out of my house at 5:45 AM for work this morning, I looked up at the sky like I do every morning. See, I live in the middle of nowhere. For those of you that live in cities, you can't imagine the beauty that I can see from my backyard every clear night. I look up and see a sky full of stars and planets and the moon, and I am just in awe of the beauty.

Hubby and I LOVE Astronomy. We both have backgrounds in Physics, I did undergrad research in Astronomy and he taught Physics and Earth Science and Astronomy before changing his career to IT. We visit planetariums, science centers, and observatories on vacations. We went to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on our honeymoon. We have a small telescope but want to get a bigger one. We are nerds, through and through.

So I thought I'd share some information about my loves with you. After all, I just realized that I have never actually gotten "nerdy" on this blog, so now is a perfect time to start! :)

1) When you look up at the sky on a clear night, not everything that you see is a star. The easiest way to tell the difference between a star and a planet? If it "twinkles", it is a star. If it is solid, it is a planet. The reason behind this is that stars emit light, which gets distorted in our atmosphere, so it twinkles. Planets reflect light, and reflected light does not get distorted in our atmosphere. (The reason we don't notice the twinkling effect with the sun is because it is so large and so close and you're not supposed to stare directly at the sun).

no, this is not my picture. but yes, I can almost see this many stars.

2) Winter nights are the easiest nights to see a sky full of stars and planets because there are generally less clouds. In the summer, clouds help trap heat so while it is warmer, it is also harder to see the stars.

3) Most of the planets can be seen with the unaided eye on a clear night. Mars always presents itself as orange-tinted. Jupiter is the largest planet in the sky, and Saturn is a close second. Pluto cannot be seen with the unaided eye (and yes, I still consider it a planet - don't even get me started on that!). Mercury is very difficult to see with the unaided eye because of its close proximity to the sun. It can usually only be seen right before sunrise or right after sunset.

Mars

Venus (left) and Jupiter (right)

4) Tonight is a lunar eclipse. Did you know that lunar eclipse can only occur at a full moon because the moon must be directly across from the sun? Lunar eclipses do not occur at every full moon because the Earth's orbit around the sun is slightly inclined, so while there is always a full moon, the Earth does not always block the light. If you want to see the lunar eclipse in your area, check out this website to see when you can see it.

For the iPhone at least, I know that there are apps that you can point up at the sky and the app will show you what the stars and planets in the skies are.

Do YOU like anything that is considered nerdy?

Welcome to all my new followers! Hope you stick around and enjoy! :)

Christmas Village

Monday night, hubby and I went to Christmas Village. I have not been there since I was a child, and he's never been there. It's just one more thing on the list of "Things I want to do before baby, because it will be a completely different experience after baby".

Just a small part of the lights display. They use almost exclusively the big C9 light bulbs. I can't even IMAGINE their electric bill.

More light display.

About 1/4 of the big train display. There's actually another one inside one of the gift shops.

Throughout all of the walkways are little wooden paintings. This grouping was Charlie Brown. There was just about everything you can imagine. I liked the Grinch ones, Garfield, and the Twas the Night Before Christmas ones.

Also on the pathways were little buildings. Each one had a different theme. This one was the Reindeer stable.

And of course, we HAD to go on the Kissing Bridge! ;)

Some nice man offered to take our picture because the "self-picture" just doesn't work. Yes, I'm ghostly pale. I'm not wearing any makeup. and it was cold. After all, this is PA in the winter!

So we finally made it to Christmas Village. It's surprising that it took so long, considering it is a 6 minute drive from our house. None the less, we did it. and I'm happy we did. :)

Sometimes ... Always ...

Linking up with the lovely Megan over at Mackey Madness for her 1st Linkup for Sometimes and Always. She started "Sometimes and Always" on her own, and people loved the idea, so she made it a linkup! How awesome is that??

Sometimes ... I can't stand checking Facebook because I'm SO tired of seeing all the babies and pregos.
Always ... I do it anyway, and make myself insanely jealous.

Sometimes ... I like my job.
Always ... I can't stand some of my coworkers. Especially one certain douche. And THAT'S putting it nicely.

Sometimes ... I get frustrated when people try to force their beliefs on other people.
Always ... I stick to my beliefs.

Sometimes ... I want a new job/career.
Always ... I don't want to give up my seniority here and the flexibility I'll have when we have babies.

Sometimes ... I try to bring up the "babies" conversation with hubby.
Always ... I get super excited when HE brings it up, even if it is a casual mention while we're at Christmas Village about how "the strollers with the big wheels seem to be much easier to maneuver than the other ones. we'll definitely need one of those." (am I pathetic for getting excited about that?)

So check out Megan's blog and linkup with us! :)

Nail Polish Swap

I did a nail polish swap hosted by Tara at Fabulous but Evil and Celia at Finding My Way.

I was paired with Sarah at Shades for E.V.E.R.Y. Adventure who sent:

Some yummy tea bags. Sorry I didn't snap a picture of them - I used them up so quickly, I forgot!

Sally Hansen nail polish. Yes, I'm sure you think the colors are plain, but I like to wear more neutral colors on my hands because a) they match with more outfits and I have acrylics and don't do my own nails and b) if I wear bright colors on my hands, all the guys at work make fun of me - and I just don't want to deal with that.

This A-DORABLE Penguin. I have along history of Penguin love. 1) I love Pittsburgh, and the hockey team is the Penguins. 2) The night before my wedding, I watched "Happy Feet" for the first time with my mom and my bridesmaids. 3) They're just so freaking cute!

Thirty-One

Do you or someone you know need a lunch bag? My friend Abbey, who is a Thirty-One consultant, is running a special on the thermal totes, including a new one! These are GREAT totes for lunch bags! The zip tote is $10 and the new cinch tote is $15, and they are available in all the colors shown below.  The zip tote is regularly $15 and the cinch tote will not be available to the public until January and will regularly be $20, so it's $5 off of each!

If you are interested in ordering one or want more information, just send me an e-mail.

The zippered tote can be personalized for $7 - your choice of words or initials and color. There is a shipping and handling charge and PA sales tax (because technically she's selling them to me).

I love Thirty-One products - they are high quality and they really stand behind their products and support their consultants. My friend does this so that she can be a SAHM to her 3 handsome little boys, and Thirty-One supports her in everything she does. After all, the name Thirty-One comes from the verses of Proverbs 31. From the Thirty-One website:

The Proverbs 31 woman is dearly loved and respected by him and her children, yet she is an individual in her own right. She manages the home and property with kindness and integrity. Her savvy business skills are partly brought about by her desire to serve others, to do good deeds and prosper.

The Vet

I totally had another post planned for today ... until I had to take little Miss Mittens to the vet. My sweet little girl had a tooth become abscessed.

So I took her to the vet last night. THAT was an ordeal in itself. First of all, Mittens weighs about 14 lbs and is the "protector" and "momma cat" to all of the other cats. So when I tried to put her in the carrier, she freaked out because she's never been separated from her twin Callie in the almost 5 years that we've had them. So there were claws flying, growling, hissing, howling, etc. Blood was drawn (my hand, 2 places). But after lots of tears, I got her in the carrier. I felt like a horrible Momma. So I drove her to the vet. She cried and howled the whole time. I think she was searching for the other cats to make sure they were OK. I felt so bad. I cried on the way to the vet, I cried while I was at the vet, and I cried on my way home from the vet.

The vet says it'll be a quick surgery and they should be calling me before lunch to let me know how she's doing, and I'll be picking her up after work today, but I missed her last night. She usually snuggles up with me in bed. So I'll be thinking of my oldest baby girl today while she's in surgery, and while I'm sure everything will be fine, I certainly would appreciate any prayers or thoughts you want to put out there for her.

Have a good weekend!

Three Cheese Manicotti

Last night I tweeted about my 3 Cheese Manicotti, and some of you asked for the recipe. No lie, it is super easy. There are only 2 of us, so I make the full batch but freeze half. That way I have a nice homemade meal in my freezer for nights I don't feel like cooking.

Ingredients:
1 lb manicotti, cooked to package directions and cooled (you can also use jumbo shells for stuffed shells)
1 lb ricotta cheese
8 oz shredded mozzarella
1/2 c grated Parmesan
1 egg
Salt, pepper, oregano to taste
1 jar of your favorite sauce (I make my own)

1. cook and cool the manicotti
2. Put a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of your baking dish.
3. Mix cheeses, egg, and spices in a large bowl.
4. Transfer to gallon sized ziploc bag. Cut off the corner.
5. Pipe cheese into manicotti (I usually do half in each end).
6. Arrange manicotti in baking dish. Top with additional sauce and cheese if desired.
7. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.