Best of 2011

As the end of this year approaches, and as a new year begins, I took a look back at all that happened in 2011. We worked as hard as we played, and it will go down in the books as one, really great year.

And now ... the Best of 2011, in iPhone-365 fashion.

Celebrated a milestone with My Father In Law as he turned 60.

Spent some quality time with Ma, Pa, and the Hubby in GA.

6 years worth of hopes, dreams and pinched pennies = new wood flooring.

And carpet.

Our annual ski trip with our awesome, amazing friends (Marky, Mike & Jen!)

I opened my own company! I'm CEO biatches!

Surprised both our Moms for Mother's Day.

Celebrated our first year of wedded bliss.

Took our anniversary trip to Alaska!

The most annoying cat ever turned 5.

My BFF has her first child, and I become Aunite Ebowski.

My little girl becomes a little ol' lady.

After months sleeping on the mattress on the floor, and using wine
boxes as night stands, we finally got new furniture.

My banana bread is a hit, and I actually sell some loaves.

A whirlwind trip to the NE for a wedding, and a bike ride from hell.

We learned how to coupon.

I won an antique dresser at an auction thanks to my Mom.

We helped make the world a little better.

I turned 30 ... and licked a Moosen.

Rang in my 30's by dressing up as a Blow Up Doll.

His backside looks as good as his front side, and he cooks.
I'm one lucky gal.

It's the gift that keeps on giving.

Looking forward to all that 2012 has to offer. Happy New Year!

Oh Shtick!

Imagine yourself driving in your car on a beautiful, sunny day ...

Then someone cuts you off and you question their driving skills ...

With no gesture of their apology, you show them your gratitude ...

And then send them off on their merry way ...

But not before reminding them what they truly are deep down inside ...

Drive safely, otherwise you might get Shticked.

This message is brought to you by Shticks, courtesy of my sister Kimbo.

King Richie

"Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened."  Jennifer Yane

Happy Birthday Dad.

Love,

Your Kiddo

I Insist

I clearly don't know how to talk to Siri. 

I can understand how insist and incest sound very similar, but not insist and "anal slash". Oh Siri.

The 80's Called. They Want Their Hair Back.

Yes, I did the unthinkable. I permed my hair. But the more important question is how many hair stylists does it take to perm one's hair?

I had a body wave put in my hair about a year ago and I really loved it so I was ready to graduate to a real perm this time. Unfortunately I had to plead my case to my hair stylist and give her moral support. Seriously the girl thought she was going to make my hair fall out.

I know you must wonder why I would stay with a stylist who wouldn't do want I wanted. The first answer is that I am loyal to my peeps and secondly because she knows my hair. I have baby fine hair and a lot of stylists don't know how to deal with it so they pretend and then I end up with no so great looking hair.

Although Lissette has a ton of experience, knowledge and uses bomb diggity products, this didn't seem to give her the boost of confidence she needed. That probably is also due to the fact that she hasn't permed someone's hair since beauty school which was like eons ago.

See, last time when I got the body wave she, ever so slyly, pawned me off to another stylist. Well, this time around she wasn't as lucky. She started with the first row of curlers with help/instruction/moral support from another stylist in the salon. Just when I thought she was about to give up and throw in the towel, another stylist came in and saved the day by wrapping the rest of my hair in curlers. Yes, it took not one, not two, but three stylists to perm my hair.

Apparently perming is not something ladies, or gents (you never know), request that often since none of the three had done perms since beauty school. I'm just glad that it all worked out and I got me my Jheri Curl back.

So in conclusion, if you find that your hair stylists is a wee timid about perming, don't fret. They probably haven't done it since beauty school. And stylists, brush up on those skillz. The perm is making a come back, one head at a time or just one head, period.

The end result. (Just kidding)

Siri Doesn't Do Hangovers Either

We've Been Elfaed

Chad is a semi-horder and I am a full blown organizational-holic. I should also note my other half has double the stuff I have and obviously isn't as tidy as I am. Due to his larger than Erica-sized clothing and semi-hording tendencies he began to slowly take over MY side of the closet. During the selling of the furniture/ new carpet phase our of Home Improvement Plan of 2011, our closet became a friggin' mess and I was starting to have minor panic attacks over this unsightly mess.

Please note open area and see photo below.

The rest of the stuff that was in our closet that was temporarily relocated during the carpet switcheroo.

We eventually moved most of this stuff back into our closet after the new carpet was put in but it was recently taken out to make room for Part 1 of our Elfa Closet.

We filled an entire bedroom. Holy snikes!

The Old Closet

Freshly Painted

The Men hard at work.

Hello Elfa ... wink, wink.

Before

After

Next up .. Elfa Part 2! I can't wait!!

Going Once, Going Twice, SOLD!

The other month the Hubbers and I traveled South to visit my parental units. It ended up being a very expensive trip.

We arrived on a Friday afternoon, early enough for Ma and Pa to take us to their favorite Friday Night Hot-Spot. Their newest thing to do is auction hunting. It isn't like the stuff you see on television though. It is more like an estate sale but either way they have a ton of fun going to these things.

The Auction

So we perused the items being auctioned and settled then in to watch the games. We all were guessing at what amount some items would end up selling for, such as the leather turtle ottoman. That baby sold for $300. Don't ask, I don't know either.

In addition to the turtle they sold vases, a baker's rack, a dining room table, a hutch, some dishes and a bunch of other chotchkies. There wasn't anything that I wanted so after about an hour I was ready to hit the road. Just as we were getting ready to leave I heard the auctioneer say the next item to be auctioned was this vintage chest. I put the breaks on since I really wanted to find out how much this piece would sell for.

And the bidding starts at $100. Do I hear $100?

Ma to Me: You like that?
Me: Yeah, it's neat, although I don't need it.
Ma: But you like it, right?
Me: Yeah.
Ma to Auctioneer: $100!
Another Bidder: $150!
Me to Ma: Don't go over $200.
Bidder: $200!
Auctioneer: Do I hear $250?
----Silence----
Auctioneer: Do I hear $225?
Ma: $225!
Auctioner: Going once, twice, sold!
Me to Ma: Now what?
Ma: Well, you take your credit card over there and you pay for it.

And that is how I became the proud owner of a 1950's John Stuart Mahogany Chest, courtesy of my Mother.

So what is the moral of this story? Don't go auctions with my mother. She likes spending other people's money and boy is she good at it.

Ma's 1st Auction Win: $7

Erica's 1st Auction Win, Courtesy of Ma: $225

Happy Halloween!

Oh yeah. I sure was.