The good, bad and ugly!

Christmas is over, the crap's been put away, family parties are DONE and could I been any more thankful? I love, love, LOVE Christmas but the last 2 weeks have been LONG! Last week I refused to do another post until I got my laptop (which I still don't have but hopefully this week) but realized I have a lot to say so I might as well get sayin' it!

1. Let's talk a little more about Christmas. I was really excited this year -- perhaps more excited than Ella. It's fun having a school aged kid during Christmas time. Christmas programs and projects seem to bring out more of the Christmas spirit.

Christmas morning was fun. We didn't have to stay up too late and luckily the kids slept until 7:30 (unheard of!). Ella got the hang of unwrapping gifts real quick and we had to reign her in a couple of times. Everybody got great stuff -- we all must have been extra good this year. Other than Jack crying from the minute he woke up, we had a nice, relaxing day.

2. Christmas gifts -- what was my favorite? Earplugs. Seriously! Gator got me a pair while he was at the gun store and I'm pretty sure I love him even more for it. I've used them a couple of times already and they have absolutely saved my sanity. Although they don't block the kids out completely, the really take the edge off. Oh, I know what you're thinking and yes, I understand this probably makes me a bad mom but you know what? Take Jack for a couple of days and you'll be beating down my door for a pair!

3. Worst Christmas gift? How about the stomach flu! Oh, it was miserable! Two days after Christmas a couple of us woke up feeling crappy and it didn't go away for an entire week! When Ella is throwing up, she's old enough to know you throw-up in a toilet, bowl, or some other container. When an 18-month old throws-up, they just stop in their tracks and let it loose. Fortunately, Jack didn't throw-up on anything that required a steam cleaner, but the panic I felt with every cough, sneeze, or gag was enough to multiply my symptoms! I'm considering removing the rest of the carpet in my house!

4. Gator finally got his gun! You can't image the guilt I've felt over this gun! As some of you are aware, I had to have a little surgery done on my mouth a few months ago. We found out that it was going to cost a lot of money and the insurance would only cover a tiny portion of it. To help pay for it, Gator pulled a wad of cash out of his drawer and told me to put it toward my surgery. Turns out it was the money he had been saving from past birthdays and Christmases to pay for the gun. Oh, the sadness of it! I felt horrible! Luckily, by some twisted piece of luck, we got a random check in the mail for $1700!! Gator bought his gun and I am relieved!!

5. Speaking of my mouth surgery, remember how I said it cost a lot of money? Well, turns out the statement they gave me included a procedure that can't be done until later this year. We didn't have to pay as much this year and ended up with extra money in Flex Spending! Good news is that we had $600 left! Bad news is that on December 31st, we had $600 left. We hadn't been keeping receipts to turn in because we figured it would all go towards my surgery so we had a lot of money to burn through in a day! Need contact solution? I've got loads of it! Need Tylenol? Come on over!

6. HAIR IS THE PITS! (no, not hairy pits, although that sucks too.) I finally broke down and got a new flat iron. Over the last couple of months my hair has been a disaster! I have some funky hair, plus I'm growing it out which always adds some extra funk, so I didn't think much about the feathered/flip do I was sporting. I finally saw a picture of myself and realized I was in a really bad way and it finally dawned on me that my flat iron wasn't pulling it's weight. I did a little research and found the iron I wanted was only 125 bones (I'm talking a lot about money, aren't I? Yuck!). However, I hopped on ebay, went through some nerve-wracking minutes and spent $65 on the same iron! I love good deals and I love ebay! I'm feeling much better about my hair ...

...except for this - ENJOY Shine and Smooth. I love this stuff. I have used this on my hair for the last couple of years. I went to my favorite hair supply store (good old Classy Chassy!) to replenish my supply and the price has doubled. DOUBLED!!! How is this possible?? $33 for a small bottle of serum? I've been going without for the last couple of weeks and honestly, I might as well have saved my flat iron money because without the combination of the two, I'm doomed! Any suggestions? Do you use anything on your hair that you love? Something that smooths and shines and would protect my hair from my brand new 6000 degree flat iron? Help!

Also, the girl that does my hair and eyebrows decided to head off to Florida for a year without telling me. I have been loyal to her for years and she didn't tell me!! I'm ticked she left and I'm ticked I had to push my appointment back 2 weeks with someone who doesn't know my funky hair! I'm a mess!

7. Did you all see that Utah game? Go Utes!

8. Did you all make resolutions? I'm currently drafting a post on this. Stay tuned!

9. I've got some major house projects that are going to be starting soon. I'll talk about this later too.

10. My new church schedule starts at 8:30 am. Church was done at 11:30 this morning and it was fabulous! Only 8 1/2 hours left to rip each other's throats apart!

* I have some pictures to post but I ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to venture to the dungeon to load them onto my computer. It's -40 degrees down there! Maybe later.