So I’ve had off since last Tuesday and aside from a little bit of shopping and wrapping I’ve been doing nothing. When I say I’ve been doing nothing I mean literally sitting in the same chair, watching television and maybe on a good day hopping on to check out Perez…This is why I can’t stay at home–it’s like the more time I have the LESS I do!
What I’m trying to say is I’m sorry for being lazy and not returning blog visits and blah blah blah…But today I’m turning over a new leaf. On top of sitting, watching television and visiting Perez I will visit you all!
(The television adds such a lovely touch of Christmas ambiance)
So how was everyone’s holidays? Mine was great! My husband got me Photoshop Elements 7 and after about 20 minutes on it I’m pretty much an expert. If you want any tips just ask away. Ok, that’s a complete lie. But I do know how to make my pictures look BETTER so that’s a step. My parents got me a wireless scanner/printer/copier so I plan to find some GREAT old pictures and put them up on here! Lucky you all!
So, I have a question:
What was your favorite thing you GAVE??
I think mine is a tie between the calendar I made for my dad of the dogs or what we got hubby’s mother which she hasn’t received yet so it’s a secret. hehe, hahaha…
I thought I’d save my bitter rant when I’m not talking about the magic of Christmas so I’ll spare you the vile and hate til tomorrow! Instead I’ll leave you with some pictures of the dogs.
Lexi’s back side–probably her best side!
I think Sadie was worried that she wasn’t getting anything from Santa.
Santa did visit them! And unfortunately these were polished off in about an hour. They were actually supposed to last at least two days. Needless to say the next day was a smelly one. Have a great Monday everyone!
Hi Everybody! I'm Angela. I love my dogs, adore my husband and try to make the best out of everyday! 
I put my christmas tree up next to the TV this year, so I could actually SEE the tree when I was in the room. I’m not alone! lol
The best gift I gave this year? That would have to be the gifts that I bought for the Secret Santa Swaps that I was in. Since I didn’t know these folks, it was a lot more effort to think about each purchase and it made it more satisfying somehow.
The hardest gift to give was the one for my mother. I found this handmade dish with an Obama quote on it. The dish was Gorgeous! I knew my mother would LOVE it, even though I didn’t vote for him or necessarily believe the quote, I bought it. But then again, this was a gift for her – about her – and about her likes. So I bought it, and I gave it. That was hard, but she did indeed love it.
Too funny! I was never good at being a stay-at-home-wife on my school breaks when I was teaching, but now that I am a stay-at-home-mom, I have to get off my hiney or we are unable to walk through the family room!
My favorite given gift(s):
Doll quilt I made for my girl
Knife I gave to my husband to replace his favorite that he lost
Toy sewing machine I gave to my niece Punky
Sorry–that was more than one, but really, I was thrilled with the reactions from all three!
Amazing they ate those in one day!
I want photoshop! Can’t wait to see what you come up with! ENJOY! Fifi
Yeah!! So glad you’re back in the blogging world.
My favorite gift I gave?? Probably some calendars with my photos on them that I’m making for my mom and sisters. They aren’t actually made yet…and I haven’t actually given them yet…but I still love them. 
Ah yes, PE7. My son is better at it than I am. Actually, I can’t use it at all!
I’m excited to see your pictures evolve!
The best thing we gave was a digital picture frame to my mother-in-law. We preloaded it with a ton of pix so she could put it out right away. We also included pix of her mom/my husband’s grandma that passed away. It got emotional for a minute!
ha ha ha! I am laughing because that is exactly how I feel – I wish I could be a stay at home wife but I realize that I’d probably weigh 400 pounds and my brain would rot from all of the terrible tv I’d watch.
The favorite thing I gave? Hmmm. I gave my dad the soundtrack to Jersey Boys which he really liked. My dad is from New Jersey, likes the music, and also, when I was little and would cry, he’d sing “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and I’d cry harder, ha ha! I am hoping the show comes back to Baltimore because I’d love to take him to see the show.
Favorite thing I gave…either Kody’s Kung Fu Panda Calendar (yes, he is 26 and LOVED it) or the coasters I made for my dad via Shutterfly with pictures of him and the dogs. He loved them!
If I didn’t have kids who were constantly needing something, I would of sat on my hindend too! Our dogs got the same treats for Christmas and finished them off in a day also.
Ok, so I am a stay-at-home-SINGLE-mom, and yes there are times when I wish I could just lay around and do nothing. BUT, since I have a business here too, I have to keep things going. I like not having to answer to a boss though, that is nice, since I am the boss. Thanks for visiting my blog, I had a great Christmas with my boys, and now they are off with their dad for 10 days. NOW I don’t know what I am going to do with myself. I only have to work 2 of those days, the rest is fun time for me,a new years trip tomorrow. YEAH!
My favorite gift I gave was: the bike to my youngest son Hayden-he’s 3 and he calls his old bike a baby bike, and I feel bad about that. So now he has a big boy bike. And the middle boy Owen got a new bike too. Both of them were outside riding as soon as we were done unwrapping gifts. It was great, blogging soon about it.
the best gift i gave — my sister hinted that she tried her husband’s aunt’s coffee bean grinder and that it was the best. she raved about how much better the coffee was. she only had a little 2 cup coffee pot and i knew she wouldn’t upgrade. so i got her a cuisinart grind and brew coffee pot and a few kinds of coffee beans. she was so excited and loved it.
so glad santa didn’t forget the girls. they look very happy.
have fun with photoshop. you’ll love it.
the best gift I gave?? that has to be my LOVE and presence. ha! Everyone thought it was the best gift also.
I am exactly the same way at home. But I am lazy and don’t care. I gave my mom a laptop and now she can email me and her grandkids! She is so darn cool now.
You sound like me…had Friday off and laid on the couch almost all day!! I need a dog though!
Glad you had a wonderful (relazing) holiday and time off from work.
I know what you mean, though. I am a stay-at-home Mom (most of the time) and…well…very little can get done some days…
I took a week off and also ended up doing nothing. I still need to do some post-holiday clean up. Ugh.
LOL! The more I have to do the more I panic and accomplish nothing. It’s infuriating.
Your choc. lab makes me miss my Anya soooo much – she stayed w/ ex-hubby *sniffle*.
Those bones are twice the size of Butch, he’d still give it his best attempt, though.
Glad you’re having a happy holidays – and waiting patiently for the vile & hate,
Nat
(what? after all this good cheer I could use a good dose of venting
)
I know what you mean!!! I have been off since Tuesday and I still have a pile of laundry to do. I just took a shower and had to dry off with hand towels because all of my bath towels are waiting patiently in the hamper for me to wash them. And even though I know I have stuff to do, I still plan on not doing anything tonight except cuddling with my husband and our dog.
My favorite gift I gave was a tattoo for my husband, though that was a birthday gift. Because he has a Christmas birthday, I always try to give him the best gifts for his birthday.
I’m glad you’ve been a blog slacker too…it makes me feel better about my own neglect. I’ve haven’t done hardly any visiting and minimal posting…but hey it’s the holidays right! My favorite gift I gave…..has to be the iron I bought for my hubby…He really LOVES it…no seriously…he really LOVES it. Go figure.
Yeah, I always hate when I’ve had time off and I then afterwards I realize that I accomplished absolutely nothing. Oh well.
I made a teddy bear for my baby nephew that I was pretty proud of, that’s probably the favorite thing I gave.
Favorite thing I gave was a 25 piece wooden pirate ship I had to assemble myself on Christmas Eve for Hailey. She loved it.
You don’t like my Morbid Monday worms??
How come??
Hallie
So are you saying it takes shear boredom on your part to get you to come visit our blogs?
Best gift I gave has to be this really cool art portfolio/storage thingy that I bought my husband. He normally looks like a huge dork carrying all of his painting supplies to class in a reusable Costco bag. Now he looks cool and official.
Are your doggies having as much fun with the discarded wrapping and bows as my kitty cats are? I think Christmas was invented for animals!
I’m with you on this one… I learned over the holiday break that there are only so many hours I can take lying around in my p.j.’s watching a COPS marathon
The best gift I gave this year…probably the handmade scarves I gave out to a few close friends–they turned out very cool, if I do say so myself and I LOVE giving home made gifts!
We gave Marley one of those bones for Christmas too…I agree, the day after is THE WORST. It was freezing outside but we still have to open the windows.
I’m glad that you had a great Christmas. I was reading “my husband bought me Photoshop Elements 7″ out loud to my husband…I’m not jealous, I swear.
I hear you on the lazy…I’m back too! We’re in business baby!
Hi!!! Your photos are FABU!!! I’m lovin’ it
I hope you had a great holiday! We’re home from Glamis and gearing up for the New Year over here (it’s good to be home)!
I hope you and your family (the two~legged & 4 legged ones) have a wonderful New Year!! Best wishes your way! I can’t wait to read more of your incredible posts in the new year!!!
xoxo
Judith~
I would LOVE to be able to own a copy of PE7! Have to either get my computer running or a new computer though first.
I would be like you if I were a SAHM or even if I worked from home. Just not disciplined enough. Glad you had a great holiday though. My favorite gift I gave was a watch to my hubby but also my homemade goodies. Happy New Year!!!
The bones shaped like candy canes are ADORABLE! My sweet Annie polishes off bones rather quickly also. It’s amazing.
The more free time I have the less I get done also.
I gave my mom a kitchen aid mixer. She used it immediately.
We gave my parents a custom photobook of our kids. So awesome.
merry Christmas to all
and a happy new year too!
Angela – why the flip are Sadie and Lexi not wearing collars? What happens if they get out? Don’t make me start preaching!
hehe i’m like that too when i don’t have anything that HAS TO get done i’d sit around. i’m supposed to be working from home and that is hard!
Ha ha. That’s what I used to think about stay at home wives before I became one. There’s a whole world of activities, classes and networks you get involved with. I have never been so busy since I have been home. But, I do remember the days when I would be home on vacation during my teaching days and wonder the same thing. It’s just a totally different world.
hahah- that last picture got me!!! i answered your christmas gift question on my blog today- great question!! and ooooh- vile and hate- uh-oh!!
How could you possibly return all of these blog visits?? You have so many!!! My goodness! You put my blog to shame, you wild and crazy thing!
Happy New Year to you and your wonderful crew!
Lots of love,
Lacy & kids
OMgosh those are HUGE LOL
the best I gave was a photobook for my mom-very emotional gift
You are going to LOVE Elements! I took a class at a local photography store on how to use it. It was a six week class one night a week. I need to take it again. There’s just that much to learn.
I think my favorite gift every year that we give is giving to someone less fortunate. My parents don’t need or want anything so what they have asked of the kids and the grand-kids that are old enough is that we something (doesn’t have to be monetarily) for someone else and then write about it in a Christmas card. Then on Christmas Eve when we all get together we each take turns getting up and sharing about how we helped someone else out. j
Glad you had a nice Christmas!! As always, your dogs are too cute!
Our dogs have those walking stick rawhide thingies but Georgie’s tummy’s been a bit rough so haven’t dared give them out. Maybe tonight . . . but as you say, the next day we all suffer!
BTW, I’m sharing some Linky Love with you this morning! Why? ‘Cause You’re a Winner, that’s why!
You are excused. It was your vacation day…you’re supposed to do nothing.
ok, I am officially jealous of what you got for Christmas, I did not even know that they made a wireless scanner, that totally rocks my face off…. photoshop, what an awesome present, your hubby did a good job…..
BTW, I’ve got a Giveaway goin’ on at my place…please drop by and put some POP! in your New Year!
It was so hard becoming a SAHM, I remember the first week, I was really good because I was so excited to have time to get things done! Then it went downhill fast. The next week I didn’t even get out of bed till NOON! Then the only thing I managed to do was drag Chloe and myself onto the couch to get the remote. Now I’m somewhere in the middle and always vowing to do better the next day.
The favorite gift I gave was to my parents and in-laws. I made books on Shutterfly of the big trips we took (Disneyland and Yellowstone). They LOVED them!
Glad you could take the time to relax and veg a little. We gave our kids a Wii this year, and they could hardly believe it! Very fun. But the best gift of all was travelling to spend Christmas with our parents. We have never done this, and they LOVED having all the family there.
Happy new year!
AHAHA. I am imagining the poop scoop that must have taken…..
OMG – one hour?! That’s impressive. I kind of overdid on my dog just a little since his stocking was overflowing with goodies, and he ate almost all of it on Christmas day. He was eating grass the next two days to help clean himself out.
The best present I gave was to all of the Grandparents. I took a bunch of old school work, and sent it off to each Grandparent with the latest school picture of the kids and a HAND WRITTEN letter from me.
Thank you for making me think about this since I was lamenting that I didn’t spend a lot on Christmas this year, but I can see that cost didn’t really matter.
By the way, if you want to see a picture of my pup, you can check him out over at AllThingsBD her January 2nd post titled “So Here’s How It Went”.
Angela,
I received photoshop 7 also and haven’t even worked on anything! It seems so hard – probably just me. If you have any secrets, please share them. I know DH is wondering why he even got it for me now. HeeHee
Cheryl