Fi-Fi-Fo-Plum

As many of you may know, I love getting pedicures. In the summer I am rarely without painted toes. Since I am a new homeowner and need to be fiscally responsible, I have had to forgo some unnecessary expenses...pedicures. Well, Deb came in town for Thanksgiving so as a special treat we decided to treat our feet to some pampering. I found my new favorite holiday color, Fi-Fi-Fo Plum by OPI. So cute but I haven't been able to find the actual color and the salon didn't have a bottle to sell. Boo! I do have cute toes though!

Besides a pedicure, Deb and I hung out with Jake and Brian at my new pad! We drank wine and played cards while Brian kept the fireplace going...it was so cozy! We spent thanksgiving dinner at Jake's aunt and uncles house in Raleigh. It was very fun but I was SO FULL. Jake made some homemade macaroni and cheese that was to die for. I think it had about a pound of cheese in it! I made Stacey's yummy scalloped corn which was fabulous!

The rest of the weekend was uneventful until I bought my Christmas tree!!! It is so cute and my house smells so lovely. It is a tradition in the Range family that every year we each get a new ornament. When we lived at home, my mom would give them to us when we put up the tree. Our tree would be full of all the ornaments from Christmas' past. Well, about 10 years ago my ornament box was misplaced and assumed lost so the only ornaments I had were the ones form the last 10 years. Well, when my parents came up for my birthday they surprised me with my lost ornament box. My dad cleaned out their storage unit and found them. It was such a treat to not only put up my tree but fill it with ornaments from my childhood. I have decided to share a few highlighted selections of my favorite or most interesting ornaments:

One of my oldest and obviously made with a pipe cleaner, glitter and part of an egg container. Very artistic!

This was purchased for me during my unicorn phase.

Another classic...gold spray paint and noodles...this beauty could be yours!

This Santa is actually an ornament of my mom's when she was a little girl. It's a bell, too!

Probably my most favorite ornament. I love my Paddington Bear! (He was in the "lost" box)

These next few illustrate that my parents think I enjoy the taste of alcohol.

One more "homemade" ornament. Noodles, fabric and a pantyhose egg!

Finally, my 2008 Christmas tree!!! It looks a little crooked...oops!

Always a bridesmaid...

I am always honored to be asked to stand up for my friends in their wedding. I love the planning and the showers and the parties...I just don't like the dress buying. This will be wedding number 7 for me...I am giving Katherine Heigl a run for her money.


I have been in every style and color you can imagine. From teal green with puffy sleeves (thanks sis) to a simple, re-wearable black (thanks Angie...your dress worked for two weddings). I've been in a short, strapless periwinkle number (this person will remain nameless*) and a long midnight evening gown (NY wedding...go figure!) Well, now I have been asked by a college roommate to be in her wedding. I am so excited! She is fun and hip and just a blast to be around. She is allowing us to pick our dress from four different styles. The only problem I have encountered is that I think she believes I belong in "Sex in the City". I wish I did, and I wish I could pull them off but...no way!

My options can be viewed below:

MS 128

MS 215

PB217

PB104

Feel free to vote and let me know which one you think is best!!!


Since I have some "being a wedding attendant" experience, I have also learned that designers want you to feel horrible about yourself. They not only size dresses way higher than your normal size but if you are over a size 12, they like to charge you more...all those extra bolts of fabric, you know. Well, I phoned a salon today to talk to someone about my measurements for ordering purposes, extra charge, etc.


Melissa Sweet (I chose MS 128) actually runs close to one's actual size compared to other designers. The girl on the phone told me that she is a size zero (of course she is) and with another designer she had to order a size 8 (gasp). Given my current measurements, I am one size in my bust and TWO sizes larger in my hips..UGH. Of course, I have to order the larger size...grrr. The two saving graces were 1) they only charge $10 if you are over a certain size and 2) the dress I picked tailors easily due to the side seams :) Bonus!


Now that changes in my life are coming to a close (I think changing jobs, moving and buying a home are enough for this year) this wedding is excellent motivation for me to get moving. Isn't life grand!

* A special thank you to Jessica for going with me to the salon run by 16 year olds to check out these dresses AND for trying them on. You are the best!

A Homeowner's First

So as you may have heard, NC has had some chilly weather...for this time of year. From what I am told, we usually do not get this chilly weather until January. So, due to this weather I was able to experience a homeowner first...a fire in my fireplace.

It was so warm and cozy!!!

Reflections

So this is very belated in coming but its been a bit of a crazy week at work. Lots of referrals, lots of people without insurance, etc. As this weekend approaches (or is here) I started thinking of last weekend in Cincinnati. I instantly started laughing and here are some highlights:

And last but certainly not least....

Medical Dictionary

So, I learned a new word today. A coworker told me that at 'rounds' this morning(when the doctors, nurses, social workers, etc. report on patients), a patient was referred to as a "tackle box." I do not condone using such slang terms to define a patient but I thought this one was pretty creative.


A tackle box is not this...

but this....

It refers to a person (in this case a woman) with multiple piercings. I thought that was pretty creative. Apparently, it is a pretty common slang term but I am old and out of the loop!!

A New Day!

I don't think I have words for the overwhelming emotions I am feeling right now. All I know is that I am excited for our future. Thank you for all of those who worked, donated, and volunteered to support our new President.

Change is here.

Election Day 2008

My top 5 favorite Obama buttons:

Birthday Weekend

So, I worked on Friday but my co-workers made my birthday very special. One brought me breakfast, one made me cookie cake (I don't like most real cakes) and of course, everyone was dressed up for Halloween. My parents came in for a visit and although it wasn't the normal intoxicated birthday I am used to, it was very fun.

My parents, co-worker Elizabeth and I went to my favorite Mexican place for dinner. Unbeknownst to me, a neighbor was at the restaurant and told them it was my birthday so I was forced to wear a giant sombrero as I was treated to fried ice cream...YUM!

The rest of the weekend was spent doing home improvements with my pops. My birthday present was a new ceiling fan and my handy dad installed it for me. I don't think he realized it was going to be a 8 hour project since we had some minor issues finding and installing the power switch. Poor dad spent most of the weekend in my attic and crawlspace above my room. The end result was a beautiful fan, although I don't think dad wants to come back for an home improvements anytime soon. I spent most of the weekend running tools back and forth from one crawl space to the other. I also schooled my mom in about 6 games of Scrabble which was fun too!!