Saturday, December 27, 2014

I'm pretty sure the last time I did this, it was in the month of March. Sad. I'd like to be more mmm.... what's the word....regular with these posts because I think they're fun. And I'm not trendy. These are just things I pretend are trendy and I plan on making trendy with my far reaching popularity. Oh wait. Haha.


Anyway December was easy peasy because I received a gift certificate for my Birthday to Sephora and therefore bought All the Trendy Things. Well some of them. The others are just things I like. Here we go, 7 of the Things of 2014 slash 2015

1) Sephora Age defy eye cream


First on my list was an eye cream. I think back through my childhood and although I think I did a pretty good job at protecting my skin for a young person (11-14 years old) living in Mesa Arizona with a pool in her back yard, I wish I would have done just a little better. With that being said, my skin is not as resilient as it used to be and I'm looking for products to ease the pain of age. Therefore I'm trying out what makes the number one spot on my list. 

2) Buxom lip everything.

I got a pack of several but that's because this was my pent-up desire for them, exploding in the form of a box of 6. I've wanted some of these for years. Not only did my bestie send me 2, I also got 6 more and they weren't even the same color, I'm pretty sure I can die happy. My lips are as plump as ever. Or at least they feel that way. And that's good enough. I'm digging the nudest pink that has color but doesn't appear as if it does. Best.



3) Poncho's.
I live in Germany. It's winter. I'm always hot. As in temperature wise. Therefore a poncho is the perfect pick for a person like me. Easy on, easy off, I can flap it around and get some air circulation. Perfectomundo.

img cred


4) My boot, or boots in general. Ha

my boot, Kind of. My Style is better.

my other boots. Cute! 

Specifically moto's. Did you even know those were a thing? I didn't. I had to ask a girl what they were called. I just know I've been eyeing them since forever and although they may be going out of season, they're not going out of my season. Bring on January and February Germany. I just hope by then I'll be able to wear both. And not just one.

5) L'oreal's Infallible Eye Color. I purchased this a bit ago but didn't show it a lot of love until today. And David already commented on how he liked my eye makeup and asked if that's how I always do it. I guess I've never given an all over shimmer the time of day. I also purchased another Sephora pallete (see number 6) which includes a shimmer they suggest putting as a top coat kind of thing. I guess it's' back!


I took a picture you guys. And this is after over 9 hours of wear. And obviously my everything else has worn off. I'm impressed. Cause I tend to get creasing if I don't use a primer. 



6) The Sephora All Access Glam gold and silver eye and face palette. It's a mouthful. It's kind of a great mix and the mirror is big and awesome although I won't be needing it as much since my main man got me a vanity for Christmas. How thoughtful right? Considering my condition. ha!





7)The Casual Vacancy



Because I'm behind the times. David got me this for my birthday. I can't believe I've never read it. I have read her Robert Galbraith book (the first one) but not this one. Have you read it? Did you like it?

What else are you loving right now?

Friday, December 26, 2014

Taking it back a few months to when we hit up my homie Ludwig's castle. 

Neuschwanstein is most famous for its likeness to Disney's castle. That's because Walt Disney used it as one of his inspirations to for his Sleeping Beauty Castle. 

Enough of that, let's get to the pictures! 

We took a bus to the top. Well most of us did. David took Jackson and Sadie and made the arduous hike to the top. My mom and Dare, Chelsi, Nevie and I took the bus. It was a small fee and WAY worth the ride even if we were smashed like sardines on a rocky ride to the top. While we waited in line, there were some girls who spoke Chinese who could not get over Nevie's hair. They kept touching it and smiling and laughing. 


The bus dropped us off at the fork in the road. One led to the castle, the other led to Marion Bridge which is famous for this view: 


It's pretty gorgeous right? All of the pictures did NOT turn out like this though. Because that's not real life. Ha. Here are some of the other really good ones. 







It was in the courtyard of the castle that we met up with the Chinese girls from the bus line and asked made David go talk to them. Yeah, don't forget he speaks Mandarin. I think they were pretty thrilled the very blonde girl's very blonde Dad spoke Chinese.

See my fam down there? 

After we did Marion Bridge and then walked to the castle itself, we decided to be fun and ride the carriage down. I'm not all about animal cruelty, and I kind of feel like that's what those carriage rides are. I can't imagine the horses and how bad it must be on their hooves. Hoofs? I Googled it and it says both are correct. :-)  The good news is, I think they switch out the horses a bunch. Because it happened while we were on our ride.









A Princess and her Castle! 



I also would like to note that we were kind of famished after all of this so we went to the grocery store hoping for some bratwurst or something. But David and Dare came out with bananas and cheese? Oh yeah, and some salami. ha. Men. No but really, men. Just kidding. I love them. 

Monday, December 22, 2014

It's Christmas card time of year! Its that stressful, gotta-get-it-done period where you're not sure if writing that letter comes before wrapping presents and making sugar cookies, or after. Well fear not! I've got the only list you need and it's going to help you get out of the stress of writing, designing, sending, printing, addressing, and stamping the dreaded Christmas card.

1) "I've decided I care about the environment. I don't want to waste paper." 

It's true right? The 2.65 billion Christmas cards sold each year in the U.S. could fill a football field 10 stories high. If we each sent one card less, we’d save 50,000 cubic yards of paper. Pass that on to your friends and family!

2) "I'm going digital." 

Although sales of cards from popular greeting card companies have remained pretty stable, digital seems to be the way a lot of people are headed this year. This articled titled "Is 2014 the year the Christmas card died" proved to be a good read and validates my point a little further. On both sides.

3) "They're not done yet."  Otherwise known as "I'm working on them." 

You're totally working on it. At least in your head. Well I am at least. Ha.

4) "I ordered them from *insert popular printing company name here* and they aren't here yet." 

This is totally a legit excuse especially if you live in Germany. I've read from peoples pages that it has taken between 6 weeks and two months for their cards/prints to arrive. Eek. If you live in the United States, then this reason still works for you. You can add in a "The printing company messed up my card." or "The company lost my cards."

5) "I didn't have your address." 

You conveniently lost your address book. The dog ate it. Your baby threw it in the toilet. It got lost in the move. Your phone "lost it's contacts". Therefore, you have NO addresses and NO way to get a hold of people in time. Fortunately, there's an excuse/reason you can use to fix this one. See #6.

And as a bonus

6) "I'll send you one next year!" 




Souces:

#1

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

As a parent, you run into certain dillemas especially at Christmas time. Like whether you should count down or up on the advent calendar, or when to get the Elf on the Shelf out. And when to place presents under the tree... you dont wanna put them out too early because wandering hands can be a dangerous thing.

Other timing issues are more serious. Especially for me. I'm on crutches. I think that's pretty established based on my really loud mouth about it. Anyway, I travel upstairs now to sleep in my bed at night. And i have to maneuver very carefully as to avoid missteps and being off balance. The first night i went up the stairs i accidentally dropped a crutch and it slid very loudly down the stairs probably as i did the night this all happened. It hurt because i tried to over-correct the perceived threat of falling again. It was totally scary. Balance involves timing. And since that night there have been a few other instances where I've been a little off kilter and it's either really hurt or scared the crap out of me. Not fun. As a side note, I'm wondering why people in my house have places large piles of items on the stairs. Rood. There's a pile of crap on the staircase where i broke my ankle and i blame it for this happening. I had my slippery socks on and because the pile was there i had to step around it and onto the slidy wood stair part. Germany peeps you know what i'm talking about. Anyway, i have a rush of anxiety everytime i pass it. And its now been what? 3 weeks and its still there. Taunting me. Believe me, I'd clean it up if i had two hands free. Or two well working legs.

Timing.

I took a mini bath today. I took off the half cast and looked at my itty bitty calf muscle on the left side. There's nothing left! 3 weeks of no weight bearing and its gone. Instagone. My right calf is super buff. But 3 weeks makes a big difference!

We got elfed today. And yesterday and the day before. I also wonder if that too is a cruel joke because the elves know I'm  not gonna run to the door very quickly. Ha. Finally we have a sign to put up so we don't keep benefiting from peoples awesomeness. Cookies and chocolate and stickers. Everywhere.

The big thing I wanted to bring up was the timing of it all. It's become very apparent to me that there are lessons to be learned in these experiences. Its Christmastime afterall and someone out there knows i get a little OCD during the holidays. I like everything to be just right.

So tonight while wrapping presents I was hit with a giant dose of reality. As I sat on the concrete floors of government housing, i realized it wasn't very comfortable after about 30 minutes. I tried to be smart and use pillows and stuff but alas, the concrete won and I had to get up to take a break. In years past i could easily sit on dat floor for hours watching my favorite holiday movies and wrap to my hearts content. Not this year. Im afraid im going to have to relegate my duties to my servants. Its stressful! Because i love wrapping paper. And wrapping. And bows and ribbons and gift tags. I succumbed to none of that tonight. Its almost a nightmare to me. I had two rolls of wrapping paper  (one for Santa gifts), and i didn't use a single bow or a gift tag. It was strictly permanent marker on the one red roll of wrapping paper. Because guess what else? Timing. 

I ordered a bunch of gorgeous colored wrapping paper from a catalog. And guess what? Not here. And it should have been. Jacksons favorite toys aren't going to be here either. Hating Germany today Although guess what? I think I have finally crossed the threshold into loving Germany in general. It only took what? 8 months to get here! But I'm here! And I love Germany. And Europe! Timing!

Anyway, I think this all comes together all in the right timing to teach me things. To teach me at Thanksgiving (the day I was released from the hospital) that I have really truly good people in my life who love me. And then on my birthday that more people love me. I honestly think this was the most thoughtful birthday I've had in awhile. And then with Christmas coming up, that presents and wrapping paper and gifts are not that important (even if that lesson was taught very unkindly. I'm still mad at postal services). And really in general, how I really have to learn to ask for help. I hate it. It's probably the thing I am worst at. I think I would rather just not. But I'm having to. Because I can't carry a lot of items when I'm on two crutches. 

My sister is the bomb. I really haven't given her enough credit. Honestly, she is the lifeline of our house right now. My kids eat because of her. I am able to be clean because of her. I had a nice birthday and will have a nice party because of her. My house is clean, my kids have clothes (so do I) because of her. I'm thankful. 

What lessons have you learned lately? Do you love wrapping paper as much as I do? David is convinced I have a problem. Also, can you totally tell which part of this post was typed on my phone (the first half with bad spelling and grammar) and which was not (the end with capital letters)? 

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

It feels like a good spot on the couch. The one everyone knows is yours.

It feels like numbness in your toes when the cast cuts off circulation for a minute until you shift into a new position.

It feels like pillows everywhere. Not really, but there ARE pillows everywhere. Because well, elevation!

It feels like shopping on the internet. And being frustrated because the things you ordered aren't arriving quickly enough.

It feels like a weird sensation when you move around the wrong (or right?) way and you feel the foreign things inside your leg angle move. Heeby Jeeby style.

It feels like so much love from people around you.

It feels like having to learn how to ask for, and depend on people for help.

It feels like trusting your servants to feed, clothe and bathe you. haha.

It feels like a lot of possibly good solid reading time which you spend playing Candy Crush. Don't judge me.

It feels like watching kids interact so much more than you do when you aren't compelled to sit and watch them interact.

It feels like a jaunt to the bathroom is a 5K and going upstairs to sleep is a marathon.

It feels like wearing the same clothes for a few days in a row which is fine because, elevation! That's all you're doing.  Don't worry, I change my shirt and my other stuff. Just not my pants. There are only so many stretchy pants to go around!

It feels like marathons of smutty TV show with my main man.

It feels pretty painless actually. Unless I'm standing or sitting up or walking for extended periods of time without well, elevation!

In other news, I went to the doctor today. I got my stitches out which was actually a little grody to watch because it was my own skin. I love that kind of stuff but it felt weird to watch it. I still can't put weight on it which means more awesome crutch time for me and more jokes from Katie and Chelsi. I got a prescription for a more removable boot but I don't know where or how to get it. Germany. Remember when I was in a boot before? Oh wait guys, It's happened twice. Once this time, and another this time.  I guess I'm meant to make these a fashion trend or something. I also think I deserve my own hashtag, Any ideas?

Thanks for being supportive of me on my journey to freedom.

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