chapter 20

Rupert says, "Happy Xmas!!!"


I'm sitting here, watching my little brother play a video game that involves shooting and killing as many people as possible. haha... why these games are so addictive, I'll never know.

So yes, my little brother is here in TX visiting from MI. It's so great to have him here. I've missed him so much and having family here with us for xmas means so much to us. It's my first xmas away from our parents and aunts and uncles. So having my brother here to distract us from that fact is great, haha!

It was strange for me specifically, because while I'm a total feminist and don't usually go along with the stereotypical nonsense expected of women, I felt the need to get all Holly Homemaker for xmas. I took charge of xmas dinner for the three of us and needless to say....I didn't ruin it! In fact, it turned out pretty flippin' awesome! I had to take pictures of the occasion because who knows when this will happen again. haha.





I made crispy chicken, my mom's cheesy potatoes with a southern flair (I bought the mexican mix cheese so it had a little taco seasonings in it), corn, cookies, and rolls. Then we had French Silk pie for dessert! I was so proud of myself!

Here's me, trying to be cute:



Please note the Cupcake Apron. My parents got me that adorable apron and an amazing mixer for xmas. I was so excited about it. I've never been in charge of cooking anything let alone a holiday meal, so the apron was much needed! Also, while I did all the cooking, the guys took care of the dishes and cleanup! Such good guys I have in my life!

With my brother visiting, we've done quite a lot of video game playing. My brother has just about every sweet game and system worth having, and he brought them all down here. Here's my Hubby and little brother playing Rockband. They're dorks, hence the silly faces.



Today was the first day since he's been here that stores and attractions have been open (due to the holidays), so we took advantage of it and went to a few museums and cool places around the Houston area. Here are some photos from that:









All in all, it's been a good couple of days with my little brother. And while I'm sad to see him go, it will make it all the better when I see him next.

xo

chapter 19

We are made of star stuff. How CRAZY is that?

chapter 18

I sent out my xmas gifts yesterday. It felt really great to be able to send personal things to the people I love.

My brother will be here in a few days visiting from MI. I'm still trying to figure out what we're going to do while he's here. I want to go to some museums but I'm thinking they might be closed due to the holidays. It's hard to think about what to do here in TX when we've barely gone further than 10 minutes away from our apartment in any direction. It'll be a learning process for us I guess.

I just hope he has a good time here.

I'm watching My Sister's Keeper, and I'll just say, this is a good movie, but a really sad one. I'm a sucker.

I had the intention of painting tonight, but I'm just not feeling it I guess.

I had all these ideas of things I was going to write about, and now my mind is blank.

chapter 17

My xmas Etsy wishlist for everyone:

Because it's a good motto to live by: Keep Calm, and Carry On

A Love Birds painting

Cute little Elf Hats for the kids!

In reference to the nickname I had as a baby.

For the book lovers.

Cute shelving unit to decorate for any holiday.

Puddy Tat Condo Deluxe.

Sparkly snowman necklace.

Personalize your xmas tree with your pet's face!

For the hot metal chicks I know and love.

Amazing metal wall art.

Handmade knit newsboy cap for the chilly MI weather!

For the mythological believers out there.

To go with the knit cap, from earlier, buttoned shawl.

For Abby, and all owl lovers.

To keep your earth-lovin' hands warm.

Hope you enjoyed it!!!

chapter 16

Listening to my hubby learning how to play Every Time I Die guitar riffs is sexy.

I've received so many lovely xmas cards from friends and family. I'm so grateful for all of you guys.

I want to vacation at Dunton Hot Springs at some point in my life. It looks beautiful and I want to be there.

I want to have a cute little house to decorate. I want it to be a little cottage sort of home and I want it to be rustic but near a decent-sized city. I can see it in my head. Maybe someday I'll paint it...then when I'm a millionaire, I can build it.

We went to a coworker's home the other night for their housewarming party. It's their first home, and you could tell how jazzed they were about it. They gave us the tour and showed us all of the ways they've redecorated it and made it their own. You could see the pride in their faces for their beautiful home. I swear to you, their bedroom was straight out of Trading Spaces on TLC. It was lovely. It's the perfect starter home, and I cannot wait for the day that Jim and I can say that we have a home, not an apartment.

Well, I know this is short, but I've got some paintings to work on. So I'm gonna get working on that.

xo
M.

chapter 15

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted! I've been a busy gal. I got a second job, and really, you might as well count Clever Characters as a 3rd job because I've been THAT busy painting for xmas! And I'm SO grateful for it!

As much time I've been putting in, I know that the universe is working in ways that are in my favor. I've been working SO much and SO hard that karma has been sending nice little bonuses my way. For example, I've been stressing out so much about bills so I got this other job. Well, today I went into work (on my day off) and found out that our company had gifted us $25 to spend at the store, which was perfect timing because that meant that I could buy all of the xmas gifts that I want to send back to MI, when I was worrying about how I was going to do in the first place.

I feel like, religion is one thing, but my belief in karma isn't so off. If you're good to yourself and to others, the universe will be good to you. If you're bad to yourself and others, you'll get that negative energy back times three. It's really just, you know, the golden rule. Treat others the way you'd want to be treated. I don't see what's so wrong with that.

Thanksgiving this year was good. I was worried since we're so far from home, and so far from our families that it'd be terrible and depressing. Thankfully, we have our dear friends who are going through the same thing. We met up with them and a few more folks who were missing their families, and had a fantastic thanksgiving meal. We each brought traditional things from our family's thanksgivings, and shared with one another. It felt good. It felt like we belonged. We might be doing it for xmas as well! I wish I had taken pictures of it though.

I finally sent out my xmas cards today. They were kind of boring and unoriginal, but I just don't have the time at the moment to handmake them all like I usually would. Ugh!

It snowed today in Texas. I had to document this.


Sorry this will be a little short, but hopefully I'll update again soon!

chapter 14

So....the holidays are coming up! I used to be like, I hate christmas and blah blah blah. And now, I'm more along the lines of....where do I jump on the holiday train!? As I've grown up a little more and have become more crafty, I've realized that the holidays are just a fun time to spend time making things for your family and friends.

Every year I make something that I can give to everyone I know and love. This year I've decided I'm going to make personalized bookmarks! Just about everyone I know loves to read, so this seems perfect. Even better though, since I'm working at a totally amazing bookstore...I want everyone to pick one book that they'd like for xmas. So this year you'll get a handcrafted bookmark AND a book!

So, if you're on the list below, please leave a comment and let me know what book you'd like (give me 3 or so, so in case the store doesn't have one, I can look for the others) and you'll receive a personalized gift from me!

If you're not on the list, I apologize. I only have so much $ to spend on gifts and really, my family and closest friends are the only people who'll get presents. I don't expect gifts from anyone, so please don't be offended if you're not on the list!

(Hey moms, if you know that our grandparents won't be reading this, please think of a book they might like? Help me out!)


The List:
1. Sally & Dan
2. Debbie & Mike
3. Barbara & Irv
4. Ellyn & Ed
5. Mikaela & Sullivan
6. Mandie
7. Claire
8. Abby, Ava, and Adrian
9. Tony Hell
10. Dirty or Jorge

love you guys!