Christmas Happenings

Merry Christmas from Kristina & Calee and our adorable blog!! Weee! Here are some high quality photos from my blackberry which document some of our Christmas frivolities. Enjoy.

Here's Tucker eating wrapping paper, tape, stocking candies and pretty much everything else he shouldn't be eating all while wearing ridiculously cute doggie pajamas and trying to snuggle while we wrap presents for Bear, Bug & Mo.

(p.s. thanks Mom for the cute Paul Frank pj's!)

I walked out into the living room and heard Kristina laughing really hard. Apparently Tucker had climbed onto her chest while she was reclining on a quick present-wrapping-break and was just standing there staring at her. He didn't move as I walked past to grab my phone, knelt down to take the picture, laughed, called him...he just stood there. Staring at her. I think someone needed some attention...
Shaun and I were playing Wii and Tucker thought it would be a good idea to use Shaun's shoulder as a pillow. He fell into such a deep slumber, however, that he started slowly sliding down his chest...this is him 100% unconscious...front legs dangling off the couch, little puppy head and chest on Shaun. Haha I wish I would've gotten a side shot, too - it was so funny.

I thought I'd include a picture of my mortal nemesis - the dreaded DESK CANDY. We currently have some raspberry creme Hershey Bliss squares (these taste every so subtely like crayons smell...delicious), mint Hershey kisses, and peanut butter, fudge and carmel filled Christmas bell chocolates. I won't even begin to guess how many of these I've consumed today alone. ick/yum.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas & have a GREAT New Years! I can't wait for my family to be together again in a few weeks for Nikki & Sam's wedding! Yay yay yay!!!

Title-less.

I'm just about finished with my Christmas shopping - although Calee's present still requires some work/thought. It started as a good idea but I'm concerned it won't end that way. 

Today I went to Fry's and stared at the fish. Then to Nordstrom Rack where I waited 30 minutes to buy one little thing. Which I just typed but then deleted because the recipient reads this, and it is not Christmas yet. The lady kept apologizing and apologizing for making me wait so long but I wasn't angry at all. Why do we get angry at waiting in line, or sitting in traffic? I don't really know. I've been that person before, though, and my non-angry waiting was a much more pleasant experience today. 

Target was nice, too. Although I bought something I was really happy about only to find that it was the wrong size for what it's for. Yet another return before present-opening even begins! Disappointing.

Did you know that 7 sweet potatoes cooked and mashed will only yield about 5 cups? I learned that today. For some reason it was surprising to me. Nobody at the ward party noticed - they gobbled up my sweet potatoes so fast that I didn't even get any. We sang, too. And Calee hit the high note that she was scared of and I was happy for her, and again, not surprised.

I want to sleep but my insides hurt. Literally and figuratively. I am jealous of Ashley's happy pregnant state because she doesn't have to deal with this for another 9 months. 

and I haven't heard from you. And I haven't reached out, either. Because I'm really tired of you. I bet you didn't think that could happen, huh? Me neither. Falling out of love sucks.

Our blog is in desperate need of a make over. It is too too busy. It makes my head hurt. I don't know how to fix it though.

I'm not going to sleep but the laptop sitting on my body is not pleasant right now. At least Mom will have something to read at 3 in the morning when she can't sleep. Hi Mom. See you bright and early for choir practice. I hope I don't mess up on the piano. 

7 more sleeps till Christmas.

-Kristina

Dear Day:

Please stop dragging. I understand that you have to keep to a schedule (the whole 24-hour rule or whatever) but HONESTLY...you cannot tell me that I've only been awake for two hours?! You're OBVIOUSLY prolonging yourself. Have you forgotten what tomorrow is??

I'm only going to ask you one more time, and then we're going to be in a fight: start flying by. Whizzing, even. These past couple weeks have been crazy and full of bizarre stressful things, and I need equilibrium restored. I need to remember what it feels like to feel normal, and have things in their proper order. If you could talk Life into making sense again, I'd appreciate that, too. (I'm pretty sure you and Life hang out, right?)

Anyways. If you and Life and Fate could come together to make tomorrow get here faster, I'd appreciate it. I need a little more of this guy in my life:

Scratch that. I need a LOT more of him in my life. Right. Now.

Think you can handle that?

Thanks :)

xoxo - Calee

Excuse me while I gouge my eyes out

Dating is so ridiculous. Remember that phase a while ago where I was wanting a knight in shining armor really badly? The lonely part of me still wants a husband. But I would honestly rather hurl my body off a cliff than start looking for one right now.

I think it's kind of funny that mr. football is a dating machine up in Provo and I am avoiding it like the plague. That probably sums up our two varying experiences with our relationship.

Anyway. I have a story about how annoying dating is. I hope this poor kid doesn't read my blog: 

I was set up by a friend. Actually a friend of my sister's. And she didn't even really know this boy very well, or me very well - but she thought it would be a good match. It was right during all of the Jan-drama, so it took a while for us to actually start talking. But start talking we did - mainly via facebook.  

After quite a bit of planning, we finally figured out a time to go out. He knew I was pretty fragile from the whole situation, and was pretty open about being okay with that. We went out. It was fine. A little forced and uncomfortable sometimes, but welcome to first dates, right? Right. I patted myself on the back for actually going out.

Texting ensued, which was nice. Sometimes you just need somebody to say nice things to you every once in a while! I appreciated it. Then he wanted to hang out again but things just kept not working out. We finally made tentative plans... but my sister came into town unexpectedly. I canceled. He FREAKED out. Like, called me on the phone to "talk about things." It was a smidge confrontational. I was more than a smidge confused of why on earth we were having this conversation when we had only gone on one date, and my sister was here. Is there really a question there of who I'm going to hang out with? 

... A few weeks pass. We text here and there, but I am busy with the stresses of things here and I'm already forcing myself to try and be social as it is, so not a lot of other plans are made. 

Then last night he tells me on facebook that I didn't answer his text he sent me this weekend. I apologized, and figured it was probably during one of the many hours that my mother was feverishly playing bejeweled on my phone. Did I tell him that? No. Why do I have to explain things like that to somebody I barely know? 

Then instead of asking how my day was, or whats new, he asks if I am "ready to date". Um whooa. Really? I say "No." Ha ha. This is my 'cool-dating' filter I was telling you guys about earlier. If you can't handle the truth, don't ask the question. 

He kind of laughs it off, tells me he appreciates my honesty, and then asks "Do you like talking to me?" Um. How do I answer that? I told him he was a little too intense for me sometimes and our conversations tend to stress me out. Haha seriously I did. 

He proceeds to freak out at me some more. Uh, bro, didn't you just tell me you appreciate honesty? No...? Oh okay.

He even at one point went on a tirade and then said "BYE" right in the middle of it. I said, I'm so sorry if I hurt your feelings. I'll talk to you later. ..hoping that was the end.

But no.

He comes back and wants to have a normal conversation after that, now that I am still talking to him after the fit he threw. What in the world? I told him that having conversations like this was weird to me when we've only been on one date. And that he stresses me out. And I'm sorry if that bothers him. 

So then he asks about work, and chats like things are normal. Tells me he has to go and says "sorry for the creeper status earlier. i'll work on it. night night!"

...uh. Night?

........................................................... I am going to stay single forever. It's decided.

-Kristina

we will, we will, stalk you.

Dear Friends:

Please start blogging more frequently. IMMEDIATELY. I'm really starting to question whether we're on the same level of commitment to blogging or not, people. Do you want me to start out-blogging you? How embarrassing.

I hate to make demands, but more pictures of your adorable babies would really spice things up. I'd also like to read more stories about your holiday plans, your ridiculous husbands (or wives), in-laws, out-laws, pets, etc.

I'm getting tired of no new posts. Working over time? Family in town? STOP MAKING EXCUSES.

Sorry if I sound harsh - but tough love is in order. I only say these things to help you become the bloggers I knew you can be.

Soooo I'll be ramping up my stalkerage starting tomorrow. Don't disappoint me.

Love, Calee

we are here We Are Here WE ARE HEEEERE

Haha terrifying animated film trivia.

And Kristina - Missy Elliot. Shameful. And to think you're being published in the New Era. Tsk TSK!

haha jk I love Missy.

Anyways. I just thought I'd blog real quick and let you all know that I am still alive. I know, you were worried about it weren't you. It's 7:30pm on Monday night and I'm NOT AT FHE. Go ahead, judge me. I had to come back to the office to make sure I had turned off my space heater so my maintenance man wouldn't chop me into tiny bits tomorrow morning for leaving it on. (Our candle heater was accidently left on over the weekend and I thought his brain might explode this morning as he related how irate it made him. wow.)

The good news is - I remembered to turn it off before I left :) The bad news? I'm not sure I have enough gas to get to the station anymore. At least the office won't burn down. I could always just hitch hike. There are all kinds of friendly drivers on the I-15, right?

Tucker has horrendous gas and has been throwing up today. Poor guy. It's really not his fault that we all feed him whatever we're eating. I think he actually eats the majority of every meal I eat at home. (I bet Kristina is REALLY offended right now reading this and is probably yelling at the screen "I DON'T FEED HIM ANYTHING! I LOVE HIM MORE THAN EVERYONE ELSE IN THIS FAMILY DOES! ::to Tucker:: Don't I, buddy? Yeah...we're friends." Seriously. I bet someone $100.00 that she just said that EXACT phrase. I win. Send me your money.)

Other than that...I love Ashlynd Wilson. She's my new assistant in the office. Well, not NEW new anymore...but she's great. I love how sweet she is. Maybe the sweetest person I've ever met. Not a mean bone in that girl's body.

And I wish someone would buy my truck without me having to work on selling it. Haha. But seriously. Anyone want a 2001 Nissan Frontier? It's really cute...yellow, super clean, with a rack thing on the top and four doors...runs great. I'm the second owner. Non smoker. 100+ miles. Blue books for $6000....I'd sell it for $5500...obo...leave the B.O. at home, though please... :)

looooooooooooooooooove xoxo Caleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaw!

Copywritten, so... don't copy me.

Song trivia. Actually it's a super inappropriate song. Let's forget I said anything. ((How did we listen to that stuff in high school and not get how bad the lyrics were? Or was that just me? Oblivious, much?))

Last week I got home and there was a fat letter for me from the church sitting on the counter. I was feeling a little confused/scared/excited/idon'tevenknowwhatemotionitwas. My mom pointed it out and asked me if I had been working on mission stuff without telling her. Of course not! Actually for all of you waiting on a mission update, I really don't think it is going to happen. A lot a lot went into that... but the bottomline is that I just feel really hesitant to make that decision. So. That's that. Maybe it will change in the future. I'm definitely going with the hubby one day, but possibly the single-sister mission isn't out of reach just yet. 

Anyway, the answer was no. Which brought me no closer to understanding the contents of this letter. Are you dying of suspense right now? This is what it said:

"Dear Kristina:

We have an Instant Message on file from you entitled "Standing up in History." We would like to print your article in the March 2010 issue of the New Era. A check for $25.00 will be mailed to you upon return of the attached agreement. If this is acceptable, please return the agreement within 30 days."

And then it continues on to explain copyright laws and publication regulations. 

Bahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!

This instant message they are talking about? A two-paragraph story I wrote for a mutual activity - TEN YEARS AGO. I still have it actually, because it was all scrap-booked and cute. I remember having my feelings pretty hurt that they didn't publish it! But I figured our leaders never actually sent them in, they just told us that. The date on it? Seriously - 1999. 

Way to be on top of that, guys. 

They sent me a copy of the story and it is maybe 8 sentences long. Not cool in any little tiny way. It is so lame and boring. They want me to send pictures for when they publish it. 

Ha ha. Oh man. I am still laughing about it. For some reason it just tickled my funny bone. I think it's hilarious. 

So make sure to look for a picture of my 12-year-old self next year in the magazine. I'm definitely not sending a current photo, you can bet your bum. Walking out of class when the teacher turned on an R rated movie probably won't go over so well when they realize I'm a BYU student. Oh my BYU-grad. I am old. And $25 richer. And published. 

-Kristina

P.s. I'll sign your New Era next March, if you're lucky.

This week

I had an unfortunate event happen with a coworker. I'm not angry with her, nor angry at my boss. But sadly, some personal boundaries of mine were crossed and I will not subject myself to further abuse by continuing to work with her.

We had a mediation yesterday, where my boss sat down with the two of us and tried to work things out. It's sad to see a fully-grown woman maintain such nastiness and stubbornness that she can't even participate in an exercise to find a solution without resorting to name-calling and finger-pointing. My boss was trying to be neutral beforehand, but the blatant bad behavior and mistreatment that happened in front of her own eyes changed that. She was in total shock at the way things happened, especially right in front of her. She could only imagine how it was the day she was gone. She gave me a hug, apologized for nasty lady's behavior, and told me to go home so I didn't have to deal with it anymore.

I feel very sad that it all had to happen at all, and bewildered thinking of what I possibly could have done to avoid such a run-in. 

It's not really part of my nature to just say someone is a nasty person and leave it at that. I don't think she is a nasty person. But she has a very nasty way of handling stress and of treating people. 

Since we planned on this position being temporary at the start of it, I volunteered to be the one to leave so we didn't have to leave this poor woman job-less right before Christmas. Do I still think it would be best for the practice to no longer have her as an employee? Yes, I do. But that's the doctor's decision and I'll be interested to see what they end up doing.

Either way, I will no longer be working there.

Sad week, right? I know. Very draining. I think I will just sleep this whole weekend. And play the piano. I would say a manicure/pedicure/massage... but I'm currently out of a job. So that isn't exactly in my budget. 

-Kristina

Rain rain go away

but do not come again another day. 

I have had WAY too much rain this week. I can't handle much more of it. Seriously.

-Kristina

I just got in my car

and this is what I saw:








I'm so sorry, sweet Tucker. I'm sure you are a very sad puppy today without your best bud. We never should've taken him with us yesterday to run errands!


I hope your new squirrel friend is keeping you good company while cow-pig is away.


We will be home soon.


-- Post From My iPhone

Holler.

Hi friends. I'm glad you missed me. Calee, I wanted to give your post the maximum amount of face-time before I blogged over it. I almost blogged over it that day as a joke, but figured you wouldn't think it was funny. :)

Life is terribly wonderful right now. I am super happy and busy but my down moments are getting the tiniest bit longer as the days go on and holidays come and go. I think I've figured out my plan and what I'm doing, but I'll hold off a few weeks before sharing it. Some things are in the works and we will see what happens with that. As a side-note, I may be looking for work! If you know of any openings, (I'm even okay with a little secretary job somewhere - prefer it, actually), then let me know. Either in San Diego or Utah.

Here are some recent iPhone photos for your enjoyment:

I seriously took this because her bum looked cute and I wanted to send a picture to Shaun. Ha ha :) This is in the dressing room at the Poway Performing Arts center before my mom's big show. We sang and it was not as terrible as I thought it would be. So that's something.

We took tucker to Balboa Park for my mom's show, and he started FREAKING out for no reason at one point. I turned around, feeling confused, until I saw this guy. He is oddly similar-looking to somebody.
... haha. :)Tucker was so excited and on sensory-overload that day at the park. He saw so many people and smelled so many smells and barked at so many other dogs. It was such a fun day for him. After we got home, he plopped on the couch and slept ALL DAY. Seriously! Our little ball of energy. He is so cute.

The beautiful stage with the cute little kids singing! They were awesome and adorable. Every year Balboa park has a huge event during December with all sorts of booths, food, performers, etc. You also get into museums for free on certain nights! It is sweetness. You should really check it out if you're in SD.

Kara's hair, as I was sitting behind her at the multi-stake choir practice last night. I want mine to do this, but Calee says I need lots of layers. Is my hair too thin for this? I want it. What do you think??
(P.s. The choir is LEGIT. Seriously. The show is going to be so incredible this year. For tickets, go to the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. They are $6 each, there will be two shows on 12/22. I hear there are still good seats available for the 8 o'clock show.)

That's all really. (Calee you need to put up pics of Tuck's bday party.) I don't have much going on right now, besides Christmas presents prep and work, and church stuff. Blah did you see that the vegas bowl is on the 22nd? So much for that. :( Same night as the multi-stake Christmas concert. Bah. I wanted to go.
I can't get this to stop doing center-alignment and it's bothering me.
Anyway. Good to catch up. I missed you. I am in serious need of a distraction or two - so if you have any distractingly-good-looking men, please send them my way. For real.

Thanks.

-Kristina

Dear Kristina

Our blog misses you. It's been almost a week! wth.

Thank you for letting me eat your PF Chang's leftovers (even if I did eat more than you originally intended...).

I think you might have died of hypothermia in the other room...this house is realllllly cold right now. I'm going to go check.

Love, Calee

I'M IN LOVE I'M IN LOVE AND I DON'T CARE WHO KNOWS IT!

First of all, MOVIE TRIVIA!

Second, I am. And I don't :) I want everybody in on it!!! This post is about to get LENGTHY people. Consider yourselves warned.

Want to hear an adorable story about how I got ENGAGED over Thanksgiving?? READ ON.

Once upon a time, a young man named Shaun Reed decided to ask his sweet (extremely good looking) girlfriend to accompany him to Montana to meet his family for Thanksgiving. She was excited aaaand a little bit nervous about the snow situation...buuuut, ultimately willing to brave the snowy weather for a little R&R with her man. They'd been dating since summer and figured it was about time to get cozy with some extended fam.

Had they talked about getting engaged? Yes. BUT he was in school (and, as most of us know, being a full time student doesn't exactly lend itself to tons of time/money for ring searching/buying/etc...). So she was expecting a proposal would come to fruition ~ January or February-ish.

Shaun's 30th birthday was on the Saturday after Thanksgiving - BUT his grandma forgot and came in with a birthday card on Friday morning that had a cute little poem about him as a little kid -AND- a clue for a scavenger hunt to find his birthday present!

OK ENOUGH OF THE WEIRD TENSE/THIRD PERSON NONSENSE.

I LOVE scavenger hunts (especially when they end with presents!) so I pulled on my boots & coat and went dashing out into the misty Montana morning (aka FREEZING) after Shaun. We went to the garage first (clue #2), which directed us down to the playground (yes - they have a playground [cute!] - clue #3), which lead us to the dock/fishing rock (their house is right on Flathead Lake [amazingly beautiful] - clue #4), which landed us *finally* in the playhouse (complete with electricity and folding bunk beds - also directly on the lake - beaaauuuutiful).

There, on the playhouse table, was a big box wrapped in birthday paper. He'd been asking me the entire time what his gift was, and accusing me of being behind the whole thing! I told him I had NO idea and that I WISHED someone would've clued me in because it was such a great idea and I would've LOVED to have been a part of it. He opened the box and found another box - also wrapped.

He unwrapped it. Another wrapped box was inside. Then another. He was getting REALLY excited and kept saying - 'It's car keys! I just know it! They bought me a car!!' - which made me super excited for him! The smallest box was in his hands, and was just big enough to carry a set of car keys...

...or, a small jewelry box.

When I saw the shiny wood box inside the final gift wrapped box, I thought to myself, "Oooh...sad...he REALLY wanted car keys, and they bought him cuff links instead!!!" (haha, wow, Calee). He looked at it...then looked at me...and turned the box toward me.

"Open it! Open it!" I said. As he did, he got down on one knee. I thought I was going to pass out. What the heck?!?! How the?! What the?!?! THAT is NOT a CUFF LINK!!

He choked up a little bit as he asked me to marry him. I couldn't believe it!! What a sneaky, wonderful, perfect surprise!!! I'm looking at my beautiful engagement ring RIGHT NOW as I type this post!! I love it. And I love him. And we're getting married!!

Here are some pictures from the day after he asked...

I have no idea why the I is blue...BUT this is where he knelt in the playhouse and asked :) Tender.

This is my ring :) He picked it out himself! And I l.o.v.e. it.

This is the diving board on his grandparent's dock - the water was so clear and pretty! And it was freakishly cold outside. This is my sweet, thoughtful Shaun.

(p.s. check the hair length! woot! what did I tell you, people?!)
Photo credits to Joe Johnson. Good eye, my friend.

I absolutely love this shot. Isn't it sweet? Haha we are really ridiculous.
Not sure if you gleaned this from the rest of the post, but I am so so happy and in love with Shaun Robert Reed. Just thought I'd throw it out there in case you missed it.

p.s. are you still wondering if I purposely made a specific typo earlier? hahahahaha

for pickle

This is the video I told you about Nik. I am not a cat fan but I wouldn't mind having this one.