Birthday Surprise!

Want to know what will keep you from blogging? Life.

Between major shake ups and changes (And stress) at work, to increased responsibilities in my volunteer work, and Nate being gone, I've barely had a chance to breathe. 

Fact: My Christmas tree is down. However it is in the storage bag in my living room still. I finally got it put up!


For some reason this separation has been more stressful than the others. I've been super busy at work, and that hasn't really given me a chance to get into a clear cut system down like I'd want to.

Sami has had a rough year emotionally. I'm hoping we can get her off her meds soon to see if that will give her a better grasp on her emotions.

Needless to say, she (and I) both deserve a break. I've not had a vacation since Dragon*Con in September, and that wasn't really much of a break.


A couple weeks ago, I was at work thinking up ideas to celebrate her birthday. I really didn't want to throw another party. Last year she loved her birthday party, but it was exhausting planning and putting together and I really didn't feel like I got to really enjoy it.

My friend Elizabeth and I had been discussing meeting for months. We were going to meet up in Colorado when she was there for a camping trip, but for some reason it didn't pan out.

We tried meeting up when I was down in Georgia for Dragon*Con, but again something came up and I was busy with the con so it didn't happen.

I had thought about having her come visit. But then I remembered that I live in South Dakota and that's just not the ideal vacation spot.

So I decided to plan a vacation around Sami's birthday.

Photo Courtesy: Tom Bricker

Photo Courtesy: Tom Bricker

Oh yeah! We're going to Disney World!

We're going to fly into Tampa International and stay with Elizabeth for the weekend. Hit up the beach, shop and just relax.

I get to finally meet this girl:

Photo courtesy: Elizabeth Parrish

(Yes, you can hate her gorgeous face.) 

AND 

Visit this (Im not even sure this is anywhere near her place)

Photo courtesy: Elizabeth Parrish

WAVES. REAL WAVES

Photo courtesy: Elizabeth Parrish

Do you see that white stuff?? It's SAND. Sami's never played in real sand. 

Photo courtesy: Elizabeth Parrish

The Birds!! These birds are awesome!!! I don't even know what they are but they are awesome and I want to see them. 

Photo Courtesy: Elizabeth Parrish

That's the Gulf! 

Here's a peek into our friendship. Aren't we cool??

Then, on Sunday, we're getting up super early to drive in to Orlando.

 I chose not to stay at Shades of Green for several reasons. (Shades of Green is an Armed Forces Recreation Center on Disney property. It is open to Armed Forces and their families, Retired Armed Service members, and Dept of Defense employees and some other government agencies) While a Disney property, with most of the amenities of a Disney resort, it doesn't offer the Disney Dining Plan and it doesn't have as much Disney theming. However, it is a very nice resort and I would recommend it to any of my military followers. It's incredibly inexpensive. 

Since it is just me and Sami going, I didn't do a Disney Vacation Club stay either.

People book their stays months and months in advance, so I was at a disadvantage there. They were already filling up. So my first choice of Art of Animation a Value level Resort was booked for the dates of our trip. I also was hesitant because Art of Animation is EXTREMELY themed. I'm talking Ariel shower curtains and carpet and a 60 ft tall Ariel on the side of the building. A bit extreme for my taste. And this trip is for both of us.

However, the quote I got for the Value resort was much lower than I had budgeted, so I asked about a somewhat nicer resort.

The amazingly friendly Reservations cast member suggested the Royal Guest Rooms at Disney's Port Orleans-Riverside.  Which are Princess themed rooms. Which sound perfect. So I booked it along with the Deluxe Dining Plan so I don't have to worry about meals. As well as Photopass Plus. 

Photo Courtesy: Tom Bricker

Disney's Port Orleans-Riverside Resort

Here is an awesome walkthrough the Royal Guest rooms courtesy of Inside The Magic

I booked dinner on her birthday at Cinderella's Royal Table

Before dinner, we also have reservations at Bibidi Bobbidi Boutique for a princess makeover.

I'm still finalizing some plans. But I think its all coming together well!

So give me your Disney tips!!!

***I forgot to add. Sami knows NOTHING AT ALL about this. So if you know her, don't say anything!!!! And help me come up with ideas to surprise her with!****

Dressember Week 1!

I made it!!!

I made it an entire week.

With actual dresses!!!!

Are you as shocked as I am?


You should be.

It's Saturday, so I'm linking up with Joanna again at ModaMama for Dressember link up.


This week was challenging. It is definitely getting into the groove of thinking things through.

"Do these tights go with this?" "Will anyone notice if I wear identical leggings?" "Why do I have 4 pairs of brown leggings????" "Why are all of my tights gray? Was I high when I bought 4 pairs of gray tights from Ann Taylor Loft??"

Saturday:

Lace Top - Vanity -Similar Here  //  Dress - Vanity - Similar Here  //  Leggings - Charlotte Russe

Ring- Target - Similar Here //  Shoes - Toms  //  Necklace - Gift from my awesome husband

Sunday: 

Dress: Charlotte Russe // Coin Bracelet: Target probably // Saint Jude bracelet: Etsy  // cocoon sweater:Vanity // Boots: ShoeDazzle 

I felt like a teacher. All day long. 

Monday:

Dress: Charlotte Russe (duh) // Tights: Charlotte Russe // Boots: JustFab

I ended up wrapping a silver sequin belt around my waist over the cardigan and tossed on a silver satin trench coat. 

It was a windy day and the skirt was awfully short. Also, I have no idea what my boobs are doing. 

 Tuesday:

 Dress: Charlotte Russe // Boots: ShoeDazzle

I really didn't care this day. It was a long day at work and I spent most of the day working. And obviously one of the downfalls of being petite is that arm holes for everything are meant for proportionate people. 

Wednesday:

Dress: Charlotte Russe (of course) // Cami: The Buckle // Tights: Target

This is one of the more daring outfits I tried. This dress is older so the silhouette is slightly outdated. I'm also not well versed in brightly colored tights. These were a pretty bright mustard. It worked. Definitely different though! 

 Thursday:

Dress: American Eagle (Shocked? I was too) // Cami: American Eagle // Tights: Target // 

Flats: No idea

I was pleasantly surprised with how this one turned out. The dress I bought in the spring and didn't think it would hold up well in the South Dakota winter, but it didn't do too bad. I love the ribbon ties on the sides instead of back and it was super comfortable. It took several times to find the right pair of shoes. I tried some slouch boots but the dress was too long. I tried some sweater knit flats and it looked weird and finally fished these out from the bottom of my closet. They're made of some sort of silk and are pretty comfortable. 

Friday

Dress: Charlotte Russe (For I apparently single handedly keep them in business it seems!) // Cami: The Buckle // Lace Blouse: Vanity // Boots: no idea I've had them since I was 19, a Christmas gift from an ex.

I think this was my favorite of the week. The dress is about a size too big so it felt like I wasn't wearing a huge tee. The skirt is very twirly and it's surprisingly warm. And made me feel skinny. 

That was MY Dressember week!!! How was yours??? Which is your favorite so far?

Dressember!

Have you heard of Dressember? I hadn't either.

My friend, Joanna from ModaMama made a post about it yesterday and was kind enough to gently motivate me to join!

That's nice, Christina. Now get to the point.


 What is it? 
It's where you wear a dress every day for the month of December. Some do it for a challenge, some do it to try to re-style different dresses for an entire month and some do it for charity like Joanna. If you buy ad space on her blog before December 10th, she will donate the proceeds to a charity. 


I'm not going to be that brave yet. I will say this first that I may very well not finish the entire month, because that involves thinking in the morning when choosing clothes. Thinking is not my strong point. 

That also involves wearing dresses. Which I've never thought were my sartorial strong point. I suck at accessorizing them and I suck at finding dresses that flatter my figure. (And don't get me started on the Sweater dress breakdowns I've had)

So maybe this will get me to work on this area of my wardrobe. Especially as a majority of my dresses are summer dresses. 

I'm going to link up with Joanna on Saturdays to post my photos from the week. I may even break out my actual camera and tripod to take some instead of my iPhone.  hahaha No. I'm just going to use my iPhone...because that is the easiest way to be lazy. 

Join us!!!! Check out Joanna's blog at ModaMama

Here is Day One:

Lace Top - Vanity -Similar Here  //  Dress - Vanity - Similar Here  //  Leggings - Charlotte Russe

Ring- Target - Similar Here //  Shoes - Toms  //  Necklace - Gift 

This Weekend I...

This weekend was intentionally quiet. Sami and I are still getting into the swing of things so I didn't plan much for the weekend.

Thanksgiving was a quiet affair. I originally had no intention of cooking and was going to take up the local restaurants that are open for those that didn't feel like cooking.

That was until Sami and I went to the commissary and she was freaking out about needing to see the turkeys. So I took her to see the turkeys, and she realizes that it is just dead poultry. (Mom, why do they look like chickens??)

When she realized I had no intention of purchasing dead poultry she had a melt down about the significance of Thanksgiving and how we must give thanks by breaking bread together. I told her that was all well and good and we could do it over steak at Ruby Tuesday, but alas she would have none. So I spent 15 minutes digging through the cold poultry-sicles to find the smallest one possible.

Last year I bought just a turkey breast and roasted that. This year I bought what I thought was a turkey breast similar to last years, but was more dismembered turkey body than breast.

I was able to bribe Sami into going out for Thanksgiving, but the bribe fell through when she woke up begging for a traditional turkey dinner after our Thanksgiving day nap. So I caved, like I do, and made turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce and rolls. A whole lot of work for a meal for two. But she enjoyed it and I guess that's what matters.


Friday there was no Black Friday shopping for me, as I had to work bright and early. Sami and I spent the evening watching movies and reading. Because that's what you do.

Saturday was a quiet day of cuddling on the sofa and reading. Capped off with another long nap. (Sensing a trend yet?) I was also able to text an old friend a majority of Saturday. Which is always nice.

I miss friends.


Sunday was supposed to be my day of action. I had a long list of things I wanted to get done for the upcoming week.

But I stayed in bed all morning reading with Sami and spent the afternoon reading and watching movies. No cleaning was accomplished. Nothing.

It was definitely needed. The last few weeks have been hectic and I needed time to unwind and catch up with loved ones.

But now my to-do list is a mile long, I definitely do not have my holiday shopping done, nor are my Holiday cards addressed.

Next weekend is going to be super busy now.


How was your weekend?? Were you productive? Did you do something besides sit around with your nose stuck in a book??

share!

Sunday Social

So Im linking up with Ashley at Ashley's Carnival Ride this week for the Sunday Social. 

(It's still Sunday here!)

Check out her blog and the other people linking up! Great way to meet some new bloggers! 

This Week’s Questions:

1. Name 4 jobs you’ve had in your life: Nanny, Hostess, Bear Builder, and now Social Media Specialist. 

By far my fav is my current job. Social Media all day?? Bring it. 

2. Name 4 movies you would watch over and over:

 Love Actually, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, any of the Harry Potter movies, and Cool Runnings. 

Have I dated myself yet? I was in love with this movie since it came out. So amazing. The accents are horrible, and it's super cheesy. But Alan Rickman is so hot in it. 

Uhhh How can you NOT watch this and smile? It's the ultimate in Feel Good Disney crap. 

Even if it's historically inaccurate, I don't care! And no one can resist John Candy and Doug E. Doug. 

Shockingly, I just watched this for the first time some time last year. I've been living in a cave for the last decade. And the fact it's an Alan Rickman movie? Be still my beating heart. Plus, it backs up what I've always claimed that. Love is actually all around. It's not just romantic love. It's not always perfect. And it's not always textbook. 

(Yes, yes it is an Alan Rickman movie. I'm a stalker. Deal with it)

Any and all of the Harry Potter movies. I own them all, I've DVRed the ABC Family ones, but every time it comes on (Which is all the freakin time) I absolutely must watch it. 

3. Name 4 places you have lived:

Uhhh Abilene, Texas; Fayetteville, Arkansas, Dyess AFB, TX and Ellsworth AFB, SD. Boring life I lead. 

4. Name 4 of your favorite foods:

I go through strange cravings. One month all I want are french fries. Another it's cheese puffs. But I can almost never pass up cheese, pretzels, fresh fruit, and steak. I love steak. I could never be a vegetarian  because I am addicted to steak. 

5. Name 4 things you always carry with you:

my iPhone (Even though I rarely ever make calls on it or even receive them) my Dept of Defense ID so that I can get home and exist on base, my keys (which I constantly lose) and lip balm. Even if I don't use it I have to have some nearby. I have three or four in my bedroom, 2 in my office, and 3 in my car. It's an addiction and I am AOK with that!

6. Name 4 places you have been on vacation: 

uhhh I've not really been on many vacations. Atlanta, GA has been my favorite. Even if I never did much sightseeing. The friendship and the places I did go were always happy times. I feel recharged when I go to Atlanta. For some reason, just stepping out of the airport, lowers my blood pressure, relieves all the stress in my shoulders and gives me a huge sense of calm and relief. 

An ex and I went with his family on vacation to Dowagiac, Michigan. It was an old resort that reminded me greatly of Dirty Dancing. If that resort had been a ghost town. It wasn't a great vacation. His family was dramatic and there were a lot of people there. But it wasn't horrible at least. 

One of my favorite escapes, was one weekend when my ex, Matt, woke me up and said "Since we can't go to your family reunion, let's go to Arkansas!" we loaded up the car, and drove the 9 hours to Arkansas from Texas. It was amazing talking through the drive and being back in our hometown for a bit. Even if we were only there for a day. It was definitely worth it. 

When my grandmother died when I was 16, my parents, brother and I went to Ft Lauderdale/Hollywood area for the funeral. My mother was already there and would be driving back with us. It was a long drive. And one of the firsts my father allowed me to drive by myself. On the way home after the funeral, my father decided to take us to Disney World. Which, nothing says I'm sorry about your loss like going to the Happiest Place on Earth!

In all actuality, it was a great trip. I hadn't been to Disney World since I went on a school trip a few years before. It was the last time we spent time together as a family. My parents had been divorced for a few years at that point. But it was the last time we were all together in a positive place without drama.