It's been a great week

Where to start?  Christmas was last week (duh) and I had a wonderful holiday.  First off I got some great stuff.  My brother and sister-in-law got me a BluRay player so I can watch Netflix on my TV.  You may remember this post, where I told you I canceled my cable.  But I love TV so having to watch it on my computer was a bit of a drag. Here comes #1 Brother to the rescue.   The only day I've had to work was Thursday, so I've had plenty of time to watch mindless TV on my couch.  It's been fabulous.  I've been watching Lie to Me.  

I also got a ton of UD makeup.  My bosses got me the Naked palette and I bought myself the Naked 2.  And honestly, I think I like the original Naked better.  My best friend got me the Midnight Emergency palette.  Midnight Cowboy is my all time favorite eye shadow, so this palette is perfect.  Clearly, it was a UD kinda Christmas. 

Tonight is New Year's Eve.  And ya know what?  I hate NYE.  There is always so much hype around it.  It has to be a superly awesome night that has to be the best ever.  And it never is.  Ever.  I also think it's hard to be single on NYE.  It's harder than Valentine's day. If you're single on V-day you just don't do anything.  Or you get together with your single friends and do an anti-V day thing.  Whether or not you're single on NYE, you still need to do something.  And maybe I hate NYE because most of my friends are paired up.  Last year #1 Brother had a family party.  We played games, ate too much, drank too much.  It was a lot of fun.  This year SIL didn't want to have a house full of people and her sister is having a party this year.  So I've been trying to organize a party this year.  Unfortunately my cousin's daughter is really sick and she is in the hospital.  Poor thing.  So my 2 cousins and aunt and uncle are spending NYE with her. I love my parents but I told them that I wasn't driving home just to hang out with them.  But I'm going over to m other cousin's house and we are going to have a dinner of dips and drink too much. I'll take any excuse to eat appetizers for dinner.  I honestly would do absolutely nothing on NYE, but there's that stupid pressure that tells me I shouldn't just sit home and do nothing.  That's why I hate NYE.  

a rose by any other name

While I was home for Christmas I went over to my friend's house.  She told me that she was thinking about starting blog.  And of course, since I have two blogs, I am the utmost authority on blogs in my friend's eyes.  She was stuck on what to name it.  So we talked about what she wanted to write about and what her blog's "voice" was going to be.  We brainstormed for a bit and I think we came up with a good one.  I won't, however, tell you what it is because she wants to write for a while before she "goes public"with her blog.  But this got me all thinking about my blog name.  When I first started it I was having a hard time thinking of a name.  After I started to write this, I thought of another name.  A better one.  But I didn't really want to change it, it seemed kinda wrong.  But now I think I want to change the blog name.  Instead of The Randomness of Me, I think I want to call it Short Story Long.  I think that sums up my posts pretty well.  I am incapable of telling a short story.  Y'all know this, you've read my posts.  

What are you're thoughts on this?  

New Year's Eve Eve

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This has been my motto for the past year or so

Jessica watches another movie

Last night I saw the American version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  

First off, you should know that I have read the books and saw the Swedish films and I liked them all.  Ok, with that being said, I think they did an OK job with the American one.  They did change some of the story line, but not to the point where it made me mad.  They did it for the sake of making it a shorter film (I think.  I don't actually know why they changed things since no one bothered to call me about it).  Both Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara did a wonderful job with the characters.  The books/other movies had some pretty disturbing scenes that are vital to the plot of all three books.  I was worried that they would get toned down for this version.  I was happy to see that while they did tone down the graphic-ness of the scenes, they left the content there.  My only major issue was that either the music was too loud or the voices were low, but I had a hard time understanding some conversations.  I knew what was happening because I know the story but it would have been nice to not have to stain to hear.  I think that if I hadn't read the book I might not have understood what was going on.  

So over all, I didn't leave the theater amazed but I did enjoy it and I'm not upset that I paid money to see it.  If you read and liked the books go see it.  

Happy Whatever

I hope that y'all have a wonderful holiday- whatever holiday that may be.  I'm off to my parent's for a few days and it pains me to admit it, but they still have dial up.  So clearly I won't be around to read all the wonderful things that you saw, did, made, got or realized over the holidays.  But don't fret, I'll be back and catch up.  

Until then (probably Tuesday night) be happy, be safe, & be full of sweets!

food rakes!!

*Warning: there will be several digressions/back stories.  I apologize in advance. 

How have I not been watching Parks & Rec??!!  I've seen episodes here and there but I'd never watched it on a regular basis.  Notice the past tense there because I have been on a Parks & Rec high. 

Back story #1: I have an older brother. Henceforth, he will be known as #1 Brother.  We are pretty close and a lot alike.  We both really like TV and movies so we are always discussing what we've watched, what we've been watching, and what we want to watch.  He is really one of the few people whose opinions about TV and movies I actually trust without fail.  

one of my all time favorite pics of us.  It's a few years old now. 

Back story #2:  He always texts me funny quotes from Parks & Rec and I always have to remind him that I don't watch it so I don't get them.

So when I noticed that 3 of the 4 seasons were on Netflix, I decided to catch up.  And I have to repeat, how have I not been watching this??!!  I love it.  It's not, by far, the best or funniest TV show out there, but it's awesome. There isn't a character that I don't like.  This past week I've almost completely caught up.  I'm on season 4, which is the one on TV right now.  

So if you don't watch Parks & Rec, I think you should.  And if you do- way to go, you!

Is there anything that people kept telling you to watch and when you finally did you couldn't believe what you were missing out on?

Back story #3:  This could be called future story since it is about something that I'm going to to.  I'm going to start reviewing the movies that I watch.  I'm going to call it "Jessica watches another movie."  And be aware that I watch a crazy selection of movies.  

Favorite Quotes Friday

thanks!

I hope everyone has a very happy and safe holiday!!

This always happens!

So now that I actually have spare time, I've started reading again. I just finished Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.

  

First off let me say that I really enjoyed it.  It was odd enough that couldn't put it down because I just wanted to know what was going on (!) but not so weird that I couldn't enjoy it.  However, it is the beginning of a series!!  I can't tell you how much that annoys me.  I swear there was one summer when every, and I do mean every, book I read was the start to a series.  I like series, I do.  But I like to read them all at once.  I hate having to wait for a book to come out.  I'm just not that invested in the story line or characters yet.  I didn't even get into Harry Potter until the 4th one was already out.  Then, I was four books in and was super invested.  

Whatever happened to writing just one book??!!

What's been going on

*  my semester ended last week.  Four classes down, a bazillion more to go.  Well, maybe not a bazillion but a whole lot.  I kick some grad school butt.  Three As and one A- (boo you whore).  I wanna brag about it and I think this is the perfect place to.  So there it is, I'm super duper smart.

*  I signed up for the Warrior Dash.  It's an insane 5K run with obstacles.  Did I mention it was insane?

That most insane thing about this is that I am the laziest, non-exercising person ever.  I don't really like physical stuff.  Insane, right?  But I have been trying to get motivated to work out and there is always some reason not to.  I know that once I get into the routine of running and what not, I will enjoy it and it'll be no problem.  I just have to get started.  Well this is going to do it.  There is not way I can not train for this.  And work has a treadmill I can use.  My goal is to train for 5 miles and then the 3 point whatever miles will seem easier.  I'm going to start my "training" when the holidays are over.  First I was waiting until the semester ended but what is the point of running this week when I have most of next week off and I know I'm not about to run outside in the cold.  So Jan 2nd is my starting date.  And then, hopefully, once school starts again, I'll be in a nice routine that I will maintain.  I'm going to try to post my workouts.  I know that is super boring but I think I have to "record" it somewhere in public if I'm going to be accountable.  So it's up to you guys to help me stay motivated!  A lot of pressure I know.  The only think I ask is that you not be too judgmental on how slow I am at first.  Remember, I don't exercise.  And I'm a junk food junkie.  So here is to the start of a healthier-ish Jess.

* For Christmas with my dad's side of the family we are doing something pretty awesome.  And if I can toot my own horn, I started it all (beep beep).  We are doing a Chinese Christmas, White Elephant exchange, Yankee Swap (whatever you crazy kids call it). But all the presents are As Seen on TV.  I'm pretty stoked.  We had a price range of $20-25, so unfortunately no one is getting the Forever Lazy.  Aww shucks!

I got the Slap Chop.  And it comes with a free electric grater!!!  WOW!  JACKPOT!  One of the reasons I got it was because the picture of the guy who sells it looks like a SNL parody.  It's pretty funny.  I wrote on the box so whoever gets it pays attention to his face.

*  I just bought myself the Naked 2 palette.  It was shipped this morning and I'm pretty excited because I think it might get here by Christmas.

*  It's pretty much been established that I am a book ends cook.  So for Christmas I'm making some cookies, some more peppermint bark, and some bread.  For my mom's side of the family we usually do bunch a day or two after Christmas.  That way everyone isn't rushing around on Christmas day; it works pretty nice.  It's much more relaxed and enjoyable.  So for that I am going to make a chocolate peppermint trifle.  But instead of using a trifle dish, I am going to use wine glasses so they are single serving.  I've been wanting to try this for awhile but haven't had the chance.  I will most definitely post some pictures for you.  

So that's me in a nutshell.  Whenever I say that, I think this:  

 I really like videos today huh???

Special Friday

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I have so much to tell y'all.  My semester ended last night and now I'm a free women again!!  What am I going to do with all my spare time now??  Later I'll write a proper post and tell what's been going on  in my life and what I plan on doing for the next month.

too stinkin' cute

I always forget to take pictures when I'm cooking'/baking until I'm just about done.  But the only thing that really matters with this treat is the finished product.  

Look how cute my peppermint bark is!!!!!

All I did was instead of making it bark-esque I molded it with cookie cutters.  

Peppermint bark
1 bag each of semi-sweet chips and white chocolate chips
2T, divided, canola oil (or whatever vegetable oil you use)
1t, divided, peppermint extract
crushed candy canes or peppermint candy

-line cookie sheet with wax paper and put cookie cutters on cookie sheet

-melt semi sweet chips in microwave:  I usually do 1 minute then stir and keep going in minute increments until all melted.  Add 1T oil and 1/2t extract.

- spoon or pipe into cookie cutters.  You only want to fill them halfwayish.  Tap cookie sheet gently on counter to break any air bubbles and to even out chocolate

- pop into fridge for 20ish minutes to help harden chocolate

- melt white chocolate, add oil and extract and candy canes (leave some to sprinkle on top)

- spoon or pipe into cutters.  You don't want to spread the white chocolate because the brown chocolate will start to melt and may mix in the chocolate making it smear-y

- sprinkle left over candy on top and press just a little to push it in the chocolate

- pop in fridge to harden.  They chocolate should pop right out of cutters.  You might need to play with them a bit.

-eat up...yum!!!!


UPDATE:  this was just a trial run for Christmas.  I didn't want to find out it was super hard and ruin my them.  I spooned them in for this but I'm going to pipe 'em next time.  My cookie cutters come in regular (what is there) and mini sizes.  I'm going to do both for Christmas.  I think the mini will be perfect size for the kiddos and anyone who wants just a taste.

How do I even know her??

 Tonight I am going to Buffalo to see Michelle from twentynine.  She was the first person I became friends with in college.  I had the strangest roommates my freshman year.  I lived in a suite, so there were two bedrooms, a common room and a bathroom that the four of us shared.  My actual roommate was nice enough but we soon learned that we were just roommates,  not friends.  But she was an odd bird.  She had this boyfriend from home and she had phone calls that usually contained this line:  "Boyfriend's first and middle name, I *do to* love you"  I'm assuming he was doubting her love for him.  And to this day I still remember his full name because she said it all the time.  And then after Christmas break she came back with this scary crazy looking doll. It was the size of one year old.  On the face was a picture of her as a child.  It was liked screen printed on the fabric of the face.  And it had real clothes on it. It was creepy.  One of my suite mates was also very nice and sweet.  But she had no clue.  That's the only way I can describe her.  We had a long weekend for Labor Day, which was only like the first or second weekend of school, and when I came back  she had decorated the common room. With posters of animals.  One that we all probably got in book orders from elementary school.  Oh.  My.  God.  The last suite mate was nice but she had her own things going on and didn't actually come back second semester.

Luckily for me our college had this weird class for freshman.  Basically they grouped us by major, building you lived in and class schedule.  So there were like 10 of us that had a bunch of classes together and we just kinda talked about adjusting to college.  Well in that class was a girl who is in most of my classes.  She also lived just upstairs.  So we started walking to class together.  Can you guess who it is?  So that's how I met Michelle.

Unfortunately, besides crazy dumb roommates I also had a horrible boyfriend.  We went to high school together but didn't start dating until the summer right before we left for college (we went to the same college).  Of all the things that I wished I listened to my mother about, it was dating him.  She said I wouldn't "spread my wings." Dammit she was right.   I think I missed out on a lot of college things because he was (in my mind anyways) insecure and controlling.  But anywoo...Michelle and I became friends and we were roommates our sophomore year.

Some random facts about Michelle and Me:

** she got crazy involved with her sorority sophomore and I think there were times we weren't speaking

**  even though she is the person I have lived with the shortest amount of time, she is the only person I ever refer to as Roomie

**  One time we go really freaked out over the official website of Requiem for a Dream.  I still can't some of the music without getting anxious.  That movie is freaky- if you've never seen it you should

**  We listened to the shit out of Nelly Furtado's first CD

**  She had a super duper huge crush on Lenny Kravtiz and he had some song out that showed like the top 1/4 of his butt and she loved that video

**  We use to write notes to each other in one of our super boring classes that had like 150 people in it.

**  We also use to play MASH.

** You should ask her if anyone (not us) peed in her closet

** I had the bottom bunk and if I was staying the night at my boyfriend's she use to leave my bed side lamp on.

** We use to have these bears from Hallmark.  Their noses were magnets and their hands were Velcro.  We each had a set.  We use to position them in dirty poses and see how long it took the other to see it.

** Our college also gave out a window cling that has our mascot and it was for school spirit. It was the Screamin' Eagle.  The Screamin' Eagle Fairy use to leave it in crazy places and we'd see how long it was take the other to find it.

** OMG I just remembered that we use to send  a picture back and forth to each other.  This was after college and we'd send it in Christmas and birthday cards.  It was of our sophomore suite mate's ex-BF.  One of us stole it and we use to call it "our boyfriend."  We wrote on the back every time we sent it.  It said things like "Michelle, I love you"  then it would say "Michelle I love you but not as much as Jessica" and so on. He got misplaced through a couple of moves but he would turn up sooner or later.  And I think I have him somewhere.  This makes me want to dig through some boxes to find him.

There are a bunch of other stuff, but I actually have to get ready to go! Yay!

Friday - woot woot

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I'll post an actual post about my super exciting plans tonight in a bit; I have a paper I need to finish I should probably stop procrastinating huh?

are you kidding me??!!

OMG have you guys seen this yet?

Insane, right?

scariest & favorite Christmas decoration

I don't have a lot of Christmas decorations.  Not sure why, but I don't really go all out.  I actually have more Halloween stuff then Christmas.  If I had a bigger place or if I hosted a party or something I think I would care more.  But, alas, I don't.  Awhile back, my mom was going through their Christmas stuff and was weeding out stuff that they didn't use anymore.  Most of it was junky stuff from the '80s or stuff that they had up because we (the kids) insisted they put up. She asked if there was anything that I wanted.  There was only one thing that I truly wanted.  It was a crazy table top decoration that had Santa & Mrs. Claus "ice skating."  For some reason, as a kid I *LOVED* it.  So it's mine now.  And to be honest, it's kinda creepy.  I've included a delightful video for your viewing pleasure.  

Do any of you have decorations that are from your childhood?  Is there something you won't get rid of even though it doesn't really go with anything else?

what was I thinking?

So the semester is almost over.  I have a 7ish page paper due on Tuesday and I have a whole two paragraphs written eek! I didn't really realize that I was going to have to do as much research as I need to for it.  double eek! So I had to spend the day researching but I have to use things either on the internet or that I can go get at the library tomorrow because I don't have time to do inter-library loan.  What was I thinking?  And I have another paper due the 15th. But I have a little more written for that one and it's not going to be as hard.  I have to interpret a personality test that I took awhile back.  And then I have four finals to study for.  All are multiple choice jackpot! but I still need to study for them.  So my question is: why did I do absolutely nothing all of Thanksgiving week??  I'm at the point where I am getting a little nervous that I won't be able to get it all done.  Let me rephrase that: that I won't get it done well (?) (good?). I've kicked some major grad school ass up to this point so I know I can kinda be a little slacker-ish and I'll still do well.  I mean I don't have to ace everything I order to pass.  I could probably not turn anything in, paper wise, and still get credit of for the courses.  And I'm not  bragging I'm just letting y'all know where my head is at. But I want to continue to kick grad school ass.  But right now I'm so over whelmed and I feel like I got pretty much zero work done today.

But on a happier note, next Friday I am heading out to Buffalo to see some friends, one of who you guys all know (well not all of you, but you should).  Yay Roomie Reunion!!

Hello there, Friday!!

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things that make ya go "hmmmmm"

So I was driving home from work tonight and I was at a stop light next to a pick up truck.  And I always do a quick look over to see who is next to me; ya never know when it will be a cute boy.  And since I am perpetually single. I am always on the look out for cute boys.

anyhoo....the first thing I noticed was that he had a mustache.  And I don't mean facial hair; I mean a mustache.  So I immediately knew that he was older.  Like my dad's age.  And that made me wonder: why is it that guys from my generation (Or even the generation before me and the one before that one) don't have mustaches anymore?  And don't go thinking that I like mustaches, I think they are creepy.  But why do I think they are creepy?  

Am I wrong or alone in this way of thinking?  Can you name one person that has only a mustache that is A) younger than, we'll say, 50 or B) not a pedophile or C) not in a 70s porn? 

When did mustaches turn creepy (apparently 1963)?  Who gave them this reputation??   Can someone fill me in???

Okay so in my search for "Creepy mustache" images, I found this one.  It's not creepy.  At all.  It's kinda hot.  I'll allow it

Crafty me

Last year around Christmas time, my friend's sister (who in all reality is my friend too but my friend came first) made a wreath similar to a Pottery Barn one.  It was "pine needles" and it had bulbs/ornaments throughout.  I'm not going to put a picture up because I want you to be awed my mine and not compare it to the $80 awesome one.  So after seeing some cute ornaments, I decided to steal her idea.  

I bought a cheapo wreath from Michael's for like $4 and some ornaments for, I think, $4 a tube.   

I didn't have zip ties or wire and I am the most impatient person ever, so I used black yarn to tie on the ornaments.  

It's kinda self explanatory, right?  I guess if you need a step by step then in my professional, crafty opinion you are not crafty enough to make this.

pay no attention to the door behind the wreath, the great & powerful Jess has spoken

What do you think?  Does it need more ornaments?  Do you have any holiday crafts in your future?

Thanksgiving in two parts-part 2

I went home for Thanksgiving.  My parents live an hour-ish away from me.  I did a lot of back and forth travel when I first moved back to NY from Atl- I lived with my folks for bit when I first came home (eek!) and all my friends and my job was here in Rochester- so I have a travel toiletry bag that is stocked up with everything I could possibly need.  Everything except eye makeup remover.  I had some makeup remover pads, but I guess I should check more often because they were all dried up.  I should probably tell you that I have been fiddling around with liquid eyeliner and I've gotten pretty good so I was excited to use it for Thanksgiving.  Oh, the best laid plans.  So not only did I have a horrible time putting on my eyeliner but my mascara went on clumpy and my eye lashes were all stuck together and wouldn't separate.  And this wouldn't have been a problem, but remember I was lacking in the makeup remover department.  So my only hope was to wash my face and start again.  Once again this would not have been a problem if I had makeup remover.  As soon as I got my face wet and scrubbed a little this is what I looked like:

It took me like 20 minutes to get the makeup off my face.  Because, I'm assuming you know this, liquid eyeliner is a bitch to get off.  After all this my mother says "ya know it's just family, right?"  This from the women who wears zero makeup.  So short story long, the YouTube tutorials didn't help as much I thought they did.  But I will persevere and figure out how to rock the winged liquid eyeliner look!

And then at dinner, the craziest thing happened.  I don't know exactly how it happened.  Either my aunt turned on the stove top to keep a dish warm or she turned on the wrong burner but she ended up burning the bottom of 9x13 glass baking dish.  Well we put it on the table and about 20 minutes later we are setting the rest of the food on the table and my cousin and I hear a POP and a shatter.  The glass dish busted and all the sides kinda fell apart. So then we are scooping the food out of the middle to save what we can and not have anyone eating glass.  Moral of this story: when a dish says it's not meant for stove top, it really means it.

Almost forgot Favorite Quote Friday!!

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Thanksgiving in two parts-part 1

Everyone knows that Thanksgiving Eve is one of the biggest going out nights of the year.  I, however, refuse to go out in my hometown.  I grew up in a very small town and I have absolutely no interest in going out to bars the night before Thanksgiving.  There are only one or two bars I would actually be willing to go to anyways but Thanksgiving Eve they are always packed and the cops always end up shutting them down because no one is enforcing the maximum occupancy thing. So for the past few years we always just get together at one of my friends house.  She is the only one who still lives in town and her and her husband have two kids so it's just easier to go over there and drink once the kids are asleep.  And we all live in different cities, so we never really get all together very often.  It's usually just Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas night.

Here's us in a nutshell: It's me and Awesomely Inappropriate (who I am been referring to as JG in other posts). We met on the bus ride home from kindergarten (awwwwwww).  Then there's Jer.  We became friends when we were like 12.  Mike (who wanted some crazy alias for the blog like Herb Edderstink or something like that- IDK we were drunk) and Jer grew up down the road from each other and have been friends forever.  Mike and I both lived in Rochester for four-ish years before I moved to Atl and then he moved to NYC.  Then there is  Awesomely Inappropriate's husband, Joe.  But he is seriously like one of us.  Sean and I were in the same kindergarten class and we went  to the same college too-we literally went to school together for 17 (!!) years.  So grad school is the first time I have ever (EVER!) been in an educational setting without him.  That's crazy.

So basically what happens *every time* we go over to AI's is that we end up in their shed.  Some people who are not me or AI or Joe or Mike still smoke and they have to do it outside so we all go out and hangout.  And every time we go to the shed we write with sharpie on the walls.  And every year we try to decipher what the hell we were talking about last year because it is usually an inside joke from whatever night and we have forgotten about it.  For example, one year we wrote PBHS '99 x 2.  Now PBHS is our high school (except Joe) and four of us graduated in 99.  We have two theories about this: the x2 is for the 2 people that didn't graduate with us (and why it's not +2 IDK) or we chose to ignore those 2 people and it is from two different years.  We don't really know what that means.  But it *is* in my handwriting.  If you follow me on Twitter (@RandomlyBossy) you might have noticed a lot of random Tweets from Wed night.  Yeah, that was us.

And since this is Thanksgiving I should talk about what I'm grateful for. I am so thankful for my friends.  I have known them for years and every time we get together it's so much fun.  Sometimes I don't see them or talk to them for months at a time, but when we get together it's like nothing has changed.  My favorite quote about friendship is: friends are the family you choose for yourself and it couldn't be truer for us.  I know not everyone can say that they are still friends with people from grade school.  I honestly feel blessed that I have people in my life (non-family members) who have known me for so long and that 25 years later they are still such a big part of my life.  So thanks guys, I love you


And now here is a journey through our friendship in picture form.  They are very out of order but I didn't feel like switching them- oops.  And we are drinking in almost all of them-oops again.

Jer, Me, Mike & AI circa 2003

Mike & Me 2008-ish

AI, Me Mike & Jer @ my going away party aka Jessapalooza

Me & Mike St Patty's a long time ago

last Christmas

also last Christmas

Sean, Jer, Me, AI & Mike Christmas 2009

Last Thanksgiving Eve

Joe, AI, Me & Mike 2007-ish

Jer & Me Boston this summer

Mike & Me at a friends wedding this summer

 Do you have any non-family traditions that you do around the holidays?

It's that time of year again

Sometimes I feel like the only person in the world that doesn't get psyched about the holiday season.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I love Christmas.  I love buying presents for people and knowing that I got them something that they will Capitol Ell Love.  And, if I'm being honest and I am, I like to get gifts too.  But last time I checked Christmas (or whatever winter holiday you celebrate) comes *after* Halloween and Thanksgiving.  So I do not put any decorations out until after Thanksgiving and usually I don't even do it until December.  This is actually the first year in a few years that I actually have a tree to decorate. When I lived in Atl I came home for Christmas and you can't travel with wrapped gifts (or I guess you could but they will tear them open for you at the airport). And I am also "that person" that says Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas.  I don't do it because I am worried that I will offend someone.  I do it because realize that not everyone celebrates Christmas and why *shouldn't* I wish them a happy whatever holiday?

I'm off my soapbox now.  With all that being said I am excited that this is the first year that I live alone so I can decorate however I want and I don't have to try to incorporate anyone else's taste.  I think I want to do everything in red, white, silver and glitter.  

Also for Thanksgiving I made yummy Oreo Truffles.  Yum.  I am a book-ends cook.  I can do appetizers and dessert like no body's business, but the main dish? meh.  

So about halfway through making these I realized I didn't take pictures, so here are the ones I took.  I followed this recipe.  

This is after the cream cheese and crushed Oreos are mixed.  I ended up using my hands to mix, more of a mess but easier to mix it up good.

Schweddy Balls!  LOL  

covered in melted chocolate

A few things I did to make it easier:

** I used a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of bakers chocolate

**I used my hands to mix the crushed cookies and cream cheese

** to cover the balls in the melted chocolate, I used a spoon and fork.  I rolled it around in the chocolate and then picked it up with the fork.  

** I think melting some white chocolate and piping it on the truffles would make a nice presentation but my family could care less and white chocolate chips are expensive and I didn't have another recipe to use the rest of them. 

Friday!

I can't remember where I got this. Sorry whoever's it is

some shameless promoting

Because I am a crazy internet stalker lady, I found out that one of the girls in my class has recently started a blog. And I didn't want to just "follow" her and have her realize think that I'm crazy internet stalker lady.  So today in class I told her that I saw she was blogging and told her how much fun it is and how awesome you all are.  And since I am really new to this whole (wonderful) world, I remember how it sucks to be writing and have no one reading you.   Her blog is for all of those who "have dieted, wished they dieted and laughed at dieting" and honestly who doesn't fit into one of those categories.  So feel free to read it or not, it's a free country.  But everyone could use a little encouragement when it comes to starting a blog, so I'm paying all your encouragement forward.  

Happy almost Friday!!  

a little torn

So everyone knows what is happening this weekend right?  It can't be avoided.  Breaking Dawn, part 1 is opening.  Cue the screams and squeals. 

 So I've read the books and I'm not gonna lie, I really liked them. I love vampires and werewolves, so this series was right up my alley.  But I've always loved them (vampires and werewolves) so it was nothing new to any of my family and friends. My brother particularly likes to make fun of me for it and I give him all the ammo he needs.  The other day, I texted him to let him know that I got nail polish called Vampire Kiss and Howl at the Moon and he asked me if I was getting tired of vampires and werewolves.  I told him I never would but that I was getting tired of them being so freakin' popular.  Which is so true.  I can't wait until 13 year old girls stop liking sexy vampires so I can go back to reading books about mean, blood sucking ones.  

The first time (yes that means I've read them more than once) I read them, it was like crack in word form.  And no, I don't really know what crack in any form is like, but I imagine it's really addicting.  After I finished the 2nd one I wanted to go right out and buy the 3rd one so I could start to read it on my lunch break.  This was back when I had a "real" job and actually had to work everyday.  I even contemplated getting up early and stopping at Target on my way to work.  I was that hooked.  And I've seen all the movies so far in the theaters. None of them have been great and the last one was awful.  

Needless to say, I am *so* over Twilight.  But I'm torn, should I go see the last two in the theaters for prosperity's sake?  I have a friend that was is in to the books as I was, so I have someone to go with.  But I kinda don't really care.  What's a girl to do?

My week in a nutshell

**So lately I've been meaning to really clean out my fridge.  But there is always something else I need to be doing or (if I'm being honest) I'm just too lazy.  Well, it is totally happening when I get home from work tonight.  Last night when I got home from class (at 10:30), I found out that my fridge door - which sometimes doesn't shut all the way unless you push it closed- was open.  All. Day. Long.  My fridge was a lovely 50 degrees.  That's great November weather.  For the outside.  Luckily I don't really buy tons groceries at one time.  I buy as I need.  So I got that going for me.  

**  I'm not sure if I have mentioned this to you all.  It's common knowledge to anyone I actually know in real life.  Confession: I am a movie snob. I hate it, HATE it (!!) when Hollywood remakes a foreign film.  And I really hate it when the remake is shot for shot.  Yes, I realize Hollywood is a business and it needs to make money.  But the thing annoys me.  I'll step off my soapbox now.  But because I love movies, I usually watch the American versions too.  With all that being said, I don't know how to feel about The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  I read the books and loved them.  I watched the Swedish films and they were really good.  But ya know what? the Hollywood ones look pretty good too.  Do you guys have opinions on foreign vs Hollywood movies?  Have you read the Millennium series? 

** Yesterday the line at the Dunkin' Donuts drive thru was literally like 12 cars long.  I had BabyGirl with me and she was just about asleep, so I wasn't about to unbuckle her and attempt to bring her inside.  But it annoyed me that so many people were that lazy and weren't going to get out of their car.  This is such first world problem (you should totally follow First World Problems on twitter).

it's so heavy

Tonight I went to dinner with a couple of friends.  We just went to a local bar that has some pretty awesome food; my friend had a LivingSocial coupon that was going to expire.  So before I left the house I noticed my purse was really heavy.  So I quickly cleaned it out only to discover that I have 3 (three!!!) granola bars in there.  I usually throw one in my purse in the morning to have it as my mid-morning snack (or Second Breakfast as me and Hobbits like to call it).  Apparently I haven't eaten one all week and I never remembered so I put a new one it each morning.

Yesterday was a good day

I've noticed I tend to be more productive if I get up early and get showered and go to a little cafe down the street.  So usually I do that on Saturdays, but this weekend I was really tired Saturday morning so I slept in but on Sunday I set my alarm for 7ish.  So I get up, get showered, get pretty (ya never know who you might see) and walked down the street to the cafe.  The cafe is called Starry Nites and it is super cute. Do you remember how earlier I said that I normally go on Sat?  Well turns out they don't open 'til 9 on Sun so I was too early. Oops.  And I can't remember if I saw this on my first or second trip to the cafe; but, either way, it was *awesome*. So as I'm walking down the street I see up ahead what I think is a mother and daughter.  It's kinda far up so I can't see too clearly but it looks like the daughter is either coming from or gong to soccer.  And soccer is a fall sport so this is totally plausible.  She has on red soccer shorts and a pink jersey (breast cancer awareness??) and her shin guards.  Her mom is in a hoodie and jeans.  As I get closer to them I realize "Holy crap! they're not a mom and daughter!  They're friends!"  What I thought was a pink jersey was actually a cute silky, ruffly shirt!  What I thought was shin guards were actually knee high black boots! What I thought were red gym shorts were actually red gym shorts! They both were carrying cute, smallish purses!  They were on a Walk of Shame!!!  I can't remember the last time I got to see one in the flesh.  Made getting up early soooooo worth it!!

Also I made super yummy Buffalo Mac & Cheese yesterday.  And i remembered to take pics so I can show you.  I used the Better Home & Gardens cookbook's recipe for mac & cheese and then I winged it for the rest.  But this is the second time I've made it.  

my favorite cookbook ever

2cups of dried pasta 

2 T butter
2 T flour
1/8t pepper

2 1/2 c milk

1 1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese

1 1/2 c shredded American cheese ( I don't really like American so I just sharp cheddar)

2ish cups of cut up cooked chicken (I'm lazy and used precooked frozen strips)
Wing sauce to taste ( I used 1/2 bottle)
creamy blue cheese dressing to taste
Crumbly Blue cheese if you like it

Panko or breadcrumbs for topping

 

Cook pasta, drain and set aside

 Meanwhile for cheese sauce:  in medium pan melt butter and add flour and pepper.   

Add milk all at once and cook until slightly thicker and bubbly

 Add cheese and stir until melted

Add hot sauce and creamy blue cheese

Add cooked chicken & pasta

Transfer to 2 qt baking dish and add crumbly blue cheese and gently stir.  Add Panko

bake at 350 for 25-30 min

eat it up!

TGIF!

Thanks!

** and I got a 30/30 on my presentation!!