Back to Scrappin'

Wow. All week I have really had the itch to sit down and get some scrappin' done. It finally happend! After I got Annaleese to bed for the night, I sat down at my craft table, pulled out some photo's and just started scrappin. It felt amazing, theraputic, and well worth it. I made 4 layouts in a 3 hour period, and even got some organizing done. I forgot how quickly time passes when you get lost in creativity. Before I knew it , it was 11 pm. ( late for me).

Today while Annaleese napped I churned out another 1.5 layouts. I'm super psyched! I wish I had more friends who scrapped. I have some who are interested in learning. Selfish as this will sound, I don't really want to spend my scrap time teaching. I want to scrap. Jessica - why do we live so far? I blame you for this addiction - but I thank you also.

Santa Made me Cry

I'll explain the title in a bit, but until then answer me this : Is it just me or do the holidays make you super emotional?

For a long time now, December has marked the onset of Holiday Depression for me. It turns me into a weepy, emotional, scrooge. Don't get me wrong, I love the Holidays. I love the lights, the decorations, the celebrations, the food, the spirit, abd the joyfulness it brings. I feel like the older I get, the harder it is to find the magic that Christmas held when I was a kid.

Now, as an adult I understand all the responsibilites that go in to creating that "Christmas Cheer", and all to often it comes down to money. Now, I know that Christmas really isn't supposed to be about the gifts. I understand that it's a time of the year that draws family and friends close together.I also know it to be the season of giving. And so starts the stress of wondering how to provide the perfect Christmas with what is available to you.

I'm sure I'm not alone on that feeling.

December makes me want to cry, sometimes for know reason at all. Sometimes because the season reminds me of those who are not here to celebrate with us any longer.

Sunday, my family went to cut down our Christmas trees. I look forward to this every year, I love doing it. We headed to my parents to make pizza's after the cut down, and while the guys were trying to put lights on the tree, mom and I ran to wal mart to get a new strand of lights. drivng there we got stuck behind this thing driving, what had to be, 10 mph. We soon realized it was a Christmas Float, with Santa aboard. When we got to the turning lane the float was right beside us, Santa looked at me, and waved. I looked at my mom and said " I miss Papa", and started to cry.

A new day

Well here it is, another post about losing weight. It's not a big secret that I gained about 10 pounds since my daughter's first birthday, but today I realized, while stuffing myself into pants that used to fit loosely, that I need to get back on track. I can't remember the last time I've gotten up in the morning, packed up the baby and went for a walk or jog.

So tomorrow, that will change. Exercise and eating better will again become priority.

2 Year's Married!

It's crazy to think it's been two years since we walked down the aisle and said our "I Dos", exchanged rings, danced and celebrated with our family and friends. Happy memories. I can't believe how the time has passed so quickly, on the other hand, some days it feels like it's been longer than just two years. Maybe it's because we've been together for five years.

To celebrate the occasion we opted to stay in, have dinner, take a dip in the spa, and just be together.

To make the night a little more special, I decided to make a very nice dinner. I was in the kitchen for the better part of the day, whipping out what turned out to be the best dinner I've had in a while.

The menu consisted of "Green Mozzarella" - an appitizer made with slices of bread, mozzarella, and pesto. Cheesy Mashed potatoes, asparagus drizzled with EVOO and garlic, balsamic glazed steak, and a blue cheese wedge salad.

We didn't get a chance to enjoy the cheesecake I made, it hadn't set up completely, and I think we were just too full.

I'm proud of my self because I made everything from scratch, using receipes from Emril, Alton brown, a few phone calls to mom for general questions, and my own ideas. It was fantastic.

I don't know that I could do that on a daily basis, maybe something a little less involved, but I'm willing to try.

Family Photo

I don't think words could accurately discribe the feeling I got when I saw the framed family photo of Scott, Annaleese and I. I felt a huge smile spread accross my face, my heart raced a little bit, and all I could think was that " I have my very own family photo!"

There's just something about seeing the three of us together in that picture that makes me so unbelievibly happy! I don't think anything else could have made this day any better.

Check them all out here :

http://picasaweb.google.com/tara.alarid/FamilyPhotos#

Oh what a night!!!!

Okay, first I have to tell you that I don't normally drink. My friends Norma and Serena wanted to take me out for a night, to be with girls and have a night away from mom duties. I have to say that I was a little leery about going out, because I'm not a fan of bars and don't consider my self much of a drinker. But I went with an open mind, and decided that I should just go with the flow. Norma and Serena decided that San Juan Batista was the best place to go, and figured the chances of running into some one we knew were slim to none. She just had to say it too. No sooner did I open the car door to find an acquaintance in front of me, litterally. Crazy.

We ate, then went to the Mom and Pops Saloon. It was where the fun was born. We ordered our drinks, and a shot, and well it continued like that for the remainder of the night. The bar wasn't too crowded, had lots of locals, and an older crowd. But I think the best part was karaoke. Yes, I did sing. Three times. I sang Baby Got Back with Serena, and then two other songs on my own. I'd hate to toot my own horn, but I owned that place! I got a lot of compliments. First time I've sung in front of strangers in YEARS.

We danced a little, and then went home, and that's where it got interesting. We'll leave it at that.

the night was EPIC! Thanks girls! Thanks babe for staying home for the night, and thanks for the MCDonalds the next morning!

YAY!!!

I'm so excited that Jess called today to say she's coming to Annaleese's 1st birthday!!