California is the best!

Christmas vacation is going by waaaaay to fast. I can't believe it's already FRIDAY!!! Noooooooo! Wednesday we went shopping--all day. We hit Target for after Christmas stuff but there was practically nothing left. So sad. Then we went to Pasadena and shopped Colorado Blvd and used up some gift cards. I got stuff at Lush, MAC, and H&M. The weather was beautiful which made shopping even better. Yesterday we went out to Westlake Village to see my BIL's new addition to their house, then we all went down to Hollywood to see Santa Clause 3 at El Capitan theater. The kids loved the live Disney show before the movie. "Gicky Mouse", as my nephew calls him. We walked around the new mall on Hollywood and Highland and Grauman's Chinese theater where the foot and handprints are. I love downtown Hollywood. I can never get enough of the Hollywood sign either. If I were rich enough, I'd love to live there!

Today is another beautiful day, and I think we're going to go get some local yummy food. It seems like all I've done here is eat, and I've only run ONCE. I feel like a blob. But hey, that's what Christmas break is all about, right??? At least I've covered all my fast food bases....In-n-Out, Jack in the Box, and Del Taco. YUUUUM! Now I need to hit them all again....Oh, and I've been pounding the Cactus Coolers. Why can't they just carry that soda everywhere???

My face is rebelling against me for some reason. I've never had skin this terrible before, and it's PISSING ME OFF. I don't even have a good side, it's awful all over. I don't know what to do about it. Maybe it's the climate change, I don't know. Derrick says I change my face wash too many times. But I really haven't. I just bought a huge block of Coalface from Lush so hopefully that will fix things and I can start to even out again. In the meantime, I've been using concealer like crazy and digging out the foundation. It's so sad...I just want my face back!!!

Well, I hope everyone is having a good week! Have you made your New Year's plans yet??? Only 2 days away!! You don't want to be left home alone watching Dick by yourself, do you???? No, you don't. It sucks. Not that I've ever done that...

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, y'all! Santa hooked me up! Hopefully you did too! I got LOTS of what was on my list, which I was very surpised to learn. I got the black bag I've been eyeing forever and a Brewer's T-shirt that I've been wanting, and lots of other awesome things. Derrick loved everything I got him, especially the BYU jacket that I secretly had sent courtesty of Scott. (Check's in the mail, dude!) He pretty much got clothes, except for some wireless headphones and a beard trimmer I got him. At least he can dress like a pimp now! It was so funny watching all the kids open their presents. The amount of presents they get is incredible. I have pictures....I'll post them later. Seriously, more toys than I probably got in my entire childhood of Christmases combined. They just tore one open and moved on to the next one. When they were done, I doubt they could have told you one thing they got. It was fun though.

Tomorrow all the girls are going shopping, (b/c obviously we didn't get ENOUGH stuff today). I got a lot of gift cards, so I'll be using those. Except, when we flew out here, we were over our 50 pound limit on ALL THREE of the suitcases we brought, so who the heck knows how we're going to get it all home! Maybe when we go to the Orange County Swap Meet on Saturday we can pick up some luggage...we need it anyway. One of our is rollin' on one wheel. High class.

There's all sorts of crazy family drama going on, and it makes for interesting dynamics. Everyone is very opinionated and not afraid to share it. Although, in this situation, I agree with the general population, but I just stay out of it as much as I can.

Well, I am pooped. My nephews jumped on us in bed this morning at 7am. They were soooo excited. Too cute. I can't wait until my own kids are that excited for Santa.

I need my shopping sleep! Merry Christmas!

I'm temping today. Listen to what I just overheard, between two girls talking intracubically:

"It would be worser if he did it like that."

I don't get paid enough.

6 Weird Things About Me

s1) I can only chew Spearmint gum. I can't stand Peppermint or anything else. It has to be green gum. I used to exclusively chew Trident, but now I've switched. Orbit Sweetmint is the best.

2) I love all the movies everyone else hates. Cat in the Hat, The Kid, Everybody's Hero...

3) I had gallstones at 17 and had my gallbladder removed. Who get's stones at 17???

4) I can only fall asleep on my stomach. Pregnancy's gonna be a biotch.

5) I alphabetize everything.

6) I can't go to bed without wearing socks.

I know, not very weird things. I'm sure I'll think of them later, when I'm actually doing them. Maybe there'll be an update. Lara tagged me, and I'm tagging Alexis, Sam, Antony, Shannon, Lindsey, and.....well, I only know 6 bloggers, so I guess that's it!

Oh sure, you can call me Einstein I guess....

So I was not really studying last night, I mean I was, but not very hard, and I was kind of freaking out about it, and then I did a little calculation, and it turns out I need a 64 on my Pathophysiology final today to get an A. Or a 53 to get an A-. THAT'S AWESOME!!! So, I'm sitting pretty in that class, and really shouldn't worry! As far as the pharm final yesterday, I only needed an 81 to get an A, and I think I got that, so...feeling pretty good about that class. CAN I PLEASE JUST BE DONE SO I CAN WATCH SURVIVOR??????

Drugs, drugs, drugs

Hello? Hello? Anybody still reading this thing?? Yes, I am alive. Yes, I am swamped with finals. I decided to pop in for a minute and destress before I head out to take my Pharmacology final. ZOINKS! I've studied all weekend for it, although I was suffering from MAJOR lack of desire to. I think I've got it all down though, and I really only need to get a 74% to get an A- in the class! So what's to worry about?? Getting a 102% on the last test really bumped up my average! I found out I got a 96% on the first final I took--so far, so good! After today, only two more, and then I can focus on 1) making Christmas cookies and 2) eating Christmas cookies. I haven't had time to do either! Nor have I had much time to run. I feel like a blob. Especially after 2 Christmas parties this weekend where I ate way too many foods on toothpicks.

Last night was the season finale of Survivor, but I couldn't watch it because I was studying. And now I can't read D-Listed, or listen to the radio, or anything that might spoil it for me. I bet Ozzy wins, though. Although I do hope Adam somehow managed to pull it out and win. I guess we'll see....

In case you've been waiting axiously, the rolls I made last week came out pretty good, even if the recipe did make about 5 dozen. We've been eating them constantly, and we still have a few left. The recipe is very poorly written, so as soon as I get a chance, I'll rewrite it and post it.

So Derrick ventured out all by his lonseome on Saturday to do some Christmas shopping for me. Should have been a walk in the park. He knows what I want, knows my sizes, knows everything. But he comes home frustrated and mad at ME b/c he didn't know what size to get me at this store, or at that store. Plus, he just doesn't like to go shopping alone (I love it), but heaven forbid he call up one of his dude friends and say "Hey, wanna go to the mall?" Ha.

Our Christmas tree is filling up with cards, and it's soooo pretty. I have to go pick up our cards today, and try and get started on them. I'm sure they won't make it until Christmas, but I don't feel like they have to. I'm OK with getting them by New Years. Plus, who wants all things Christmas-y to end on Christmas Day? I'll be the one sending cheer after Christmas! Anyway, if you want a card and don't think I have your address, give it to me and I'll send you one. Because we both know you want a picture of us to love and admire! ;)

Well, guess I should get ready to go....and get some last minute cramming in. Wish me luck!!!

C is also for cake!

I made this cake this afternoon for our ward Christmas party tonite. I wish I were creative enough to come up with this idea on my own, however, Kraft Magazine gets all the credit. Theirs was green, and mine is red, so I guess I did take a little creative liberties. haha.

Hopefully you are able to tell that it's an ornament. And the aerial view makes it look a little lopsided. Oh well. Hopefully it tastes good, which is all that matters. But unfortunately, most cute cakes are lacking in the taste department.

Speaking of ornaments, I saw a segment on the news the other night about PORNaments. Naughty ornaments!!! Anatomically correct gingerbread men and women, snowpeople getting busy with each other. It was pretty funny. What's funny is seeing them show the ornaments on TV with their bits and pieces blurred out. People were commenting on how outraged they were that stores would sell such things where children can see. Well, folks, tell your kids not to go in Spencer's and they won't see em. Easy enough. Although I'm pretty sure by now they've found dad's stash of secret magazines so these pornaments are nothing new to them.

I took a final yesterday, and to quote my friend Lindsay Illinois, "I kicked its ASS". Seriously. One class down, 4 to go!!

Gonna try a new roll recipe tomorrow. We're going to a friends for dinner and were put in charge of the carbs. Supposedly they're "to die for", or so my MIL says. It calls for 8 cups of flour, so I have a feeling we'll be eating these death-worthy rolls for the next two weeks. If you don't hear from me in awhile, well, you know it was the rolls that took me. If they turn out good, I'll post the recipe for you.

Well, it's after 3 pm, and I haven't showered yet. And I've been to the store twice. Yikes. What a brave soul I am. Gotta go get clean!

C is for cookie...

Well, school has been ridiculously busy, and it has been insanely cold. I'm surprised that I'm even functional at this point. I have a pharm test tomorrow, and I just need a break from studying. All I really want to do is watch America's Next Top Model, but I can't. I need to study. One more day, and then I can sit and watch all the TV I want. Except, really, I should be studying for finals. Oh well.

I was in the store the other day waiting to check out and was reading People's Sexiest Men issue. I knew Josh Duhamel was in there, (b/c I have my Tivo set to record anything he's in, and it recorded Leno, and they talked about him being in the mag) so I flipped to it and read what it said. It said his favorite ice cream is Coffee Heath Bar Crunch. AND SO IS MINE!!!! I knew it!! We are def MFEO. For those of you who have lived in a cave underground your whole life and never saw Sleepless in Seattle, MFEO means Made For Each Other. We seriously are. He needs to ditch his methpot girlfriend Fergie and realize I'm The One. :)

So, you may have guessed that I like to cook. I love to try new recipes and buy new ingredients and read cookbooks for fun. I like to think I'm a pretty good cook, too. But I'm a terrible baker. Have I already talked about this? I don't remember. Anyway, Derrick loves me cooking, but loves our friend Whitney's cookies more than any cookie I can ever make. And I'm okay with that. But I would love to be able to make a decent cookie. Our poor kids are going to come home and tell me I need to make something for the bake sale fundraiser, and I'm going to send them back with a baked 3-meat lasagna. Hey, it's baked, right?? I did get the famous recipe from her, but honestly, I'm too scared to try it, b/c I know something will go wrong. However, through the darkness shines a ray of light: I made good cookies last night! I have been searching for a good sugar cookie recipe for a long time. Nothing says Christmas like a good sugar cookie. And well, my cookies say more "I will break your teeth and you will spend the New Year at the dentist", than "Happy Holidays!". But I have finally found my HG sugar cookie recipe. (HG=holy grail. Internet dork talk....) It comes from my SIL Karalynne, but it is the Lion House Sugar Cookie recipe, and I'm in looooove. I'm not usually a cookie freak, but I've already eaten like a dozen myself. And because I love you all, I will share my joy!

Sugar Cookies
From the Lion House Cookbook

1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup butter
2 eggs, beaten

2 Tbs milk
1 tsp vanilla

3 1/4 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Cream sugar and butter. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients. Shape dough into a ball and chill for a couple of hours.
On floured board, roll out dough (about 1/3 at a time), and cut shapes. Thicker dough will make softer cookies, thinner will make crispy ones. Bake at 400 on lightly greased cookie sheet for 8 minutes, or until light brown. Cool on a rack. Decorate.

I like my cookies soft, so I cut em thick. Don't let them get brown, either. Brown is bad. They will look like they aren't cooked, but they are. Trust me.

Here is a pic of how lovely they turn out. Ignore all the extra sugar on the counter.

And here's a picture from Friday night when we were snowed in...Derrick and I made cookies. But they weren't as good as these new ones. They're a Callister family recipe, and they really only get made so he can eat the raw dough. Still, he was cute rolling out his cookie dough, and it was a lot of fun.

Well, I should get back to studying. Wish me luck!

What makes me instantly grumpy??

Waking up to this:

Pictures don't really do it justice for how bad it is outside. It's a blizzard!!! We've already gotten 7 inches. And it's supposed to be snowing for another 2-3 more hours!!! Augh!! School is closed, which sucks for me since I was actually planning on going in and practicing in the lab for my testing on Monday. Good thing I went in yesterday for a little bit! I'm supposed to work this afternoon at Waste Management. I called them and they're still open, so hopefully the roads are better around 1. I just called Derrick and he said people who live downtown were just now getting to work--at 10am. Yikes.

Gues that means I have to do some homework now. Next week is a busy one--lots of stuff due, semester wrapping up--finally. 2 more weeks!!! I registered for next semester the other day--I got pretty much what I wanted. No Monday classes, and clinicals at Froedtert. Should be a good site. It'll be an interesting semester--I'm in clinical 3 days a week, and then in class on Friday only. Sweet.

Well, I think I'm going to hit the gym and run for awhile. Pretend that I'm running to Florida, where they don't have blizzards....