Halloween Hatas

It has come to my attention recently in my adult life that not everyone loves Halloween. I know. This came as a shock to me too. Like oh really, you don't like magic and chili and laughter and candy? Do you hate Santa, puppies and babies too?

I've decided to take a proactive approach and convert all of you HHs (Halloween Haters) into lovers.  

Love >> Hate

I'm a nerd.

Anyway.

Reasons why Halloween deserves your love

1) Food. Food is pretty much all I can think about these days, so no wonder it's first. While I grew up eating pizza on Halloween, I have since adopted the Chili tradition. I support both, although this year my chili will probably have to be preceded by an entire bottle of extra stength tums. Don't you dare tell me to skip it. Seriously though, who says no to Chili? Same person who hates Santa right? It's especially irresistable when paired with some fresh cornbread.

2) It's magical. As a kid I never thought of Halloween as gory and evil, it was magic. Dressing up and getting paid (in candy) to do so=MAGIC. You can be anything you want. Actually, that's a whole other point.

3) AWESOME costumes. Clever costumes are my favorite kind. Would you like to see my costumes from the last 3 years?

Goose and Maverick with muh homegirl Brittany

nerds wit muh BFF Brittany

[will I EVER be that skinny again?!]

DR. PEPPER!!!!!!! Still patting myself on the back about this one

This years has fair competition though. Sometimes I run into someone who thinks it's weird I still get so excited to get dressed up. To them I say, go back to spending your time hating babies. I plan on always dressing up.

4) Caramel Apples. This deserves it's own point. Have you ever met someone who was like "oh, I don't like carmel apples and I hate puppies also." Me either. Everyone loves them. Did you know they're flippin delicious with M&Ms on them? GO MAKE SOME.

5) The weather. I live in Arizona. I grew up in Tucson. The weather is perfect! We never had to cover up our costumes with coats! The weather was just right for running up and down the neighborhood. It was the welcoming of Fall.

6) Hocus Pocus. I would say Halloween movies in general, but really what I would mean is Hocus Pocus. I just ordered it. $6.99 with free shipping from Amazon. Half of my friends think I'm a nerd, half think I'm awesome. I can live with that ratio. I already have plans to watch it twice. I don't like scary movies, which means kid halloween movies are perfect for me. They're...wait for it.....magical.

7) It's the start of the holiday season which really, just adds further to the magic.

8) Decorations. Go ahead and try to tell me something that could be cuter than my witch.

(by the time I'm old, I plan to have collected a plethora of Halloween decorations. No take-backs on wives, Clint!)

I love the decor. Also, that you can make awesome decor by gutting a gourd.

Mine and Clint's first date :) [Thank heavens he married into a family with a talented hair stylist. Hair is meant to be cut]

9) It could by my nieces favorite holiday. She loves pumpkins and skeletons and the "spooky tree" decoration they have in their house. Really, can you argue with that face?

10) CANDY. Whenever I cross paths with a bag of candy, I have to smell it. It's nostalgic. Brings me right back to Halloween of '96 (I don't actually remember the year) dressed up in my Cinderella costume my mom hand-made while my brothers and I traded candy. I don't really ever eat candy the rest of the year, but there's something magical about it during Halloween time. It tastes better too.

It worked didn't it? You all love Halloween now.

[p.s. THANK YOU for the support from my last post. I really wish I could reply to all of you! I want to eventually :)]

Hard work, yo!

Since this little angel has made her home my body, I've noticed a lot of things.

One of those things?

It's expensive.

I'm not talking diapers, cribs, etc...I'm talkin some good ol momma care!

So, I've taken the liberty to decide what insurance should pay for when pregnancy is involved. I'm debating mailing this list to them. Thoughts?

1) Comfortable shoes- doesn't even need an explanation. Go ahead and add new clothes and underpants while you're add it.

2) Constant easy access to a restroom. We're talking 3 minutes away, at most.

3) An endless supply of sweet and savory snacks

4) A minimum $100 gift card to the nearest pizza joint- this one could possibly be the most important

5) Barf bags- really, this one is just for the courtoesy of others because I'm nice like that

6) Massages- yeah, I'm in pain. This should be a given, paid for by all the men of the world

7) Someone to follow you around and carry stuff for you and pick stuff up off the ground- this one is important. I didn't realize how hard it is to try and bend over when your belly is the size of a soccer ball. It's a similar feeling to getting punched in the gut. Also, because of my sciatica, my doctor told me I should stop using a backpack (rolling ones don't help, fyi). Basically, I can't not bring anything to school, therefore I need a sidekick to carry those heavy textbooks. It would also be nice if this person could scratch my back (which itches all the time) and paint my toes.

8) An unlimited supply of Miralax and similar products. TMI? It needed to be said!

9) A personal, portable air conditioner. The season is irrelevant.

10) A personal make-up artist so you can actually achieve that "glow" which is really just a myth and they  REALLY mean, welcome back to puberty pimple town.

 11) A therapist to help you deal with things like seeing a numbers on that lovely scale so high you could never dream would happen (I've only gained about ten pounds and I almost cried during my last visit!). The therapist can also help with other things like soothing you while you cry during an episode of Parks & Rec

12) A copy of your wedding ring a few sizes bigger- not wearing mine makes me depressed. Good thing I would have a therapist.

13) a pull string doll that says things like "Dang girl, you look good", "look how tiny you are, hot stuff!!" "Have you lost weight?!". "You are glowing!" "You're 7 months along?! You don't look a day past 4!"

14) Photoshop- this is essential so you can edit all photos taken during the blessed 9 month time period.

15) A handicapped parking sticker.

I could easily go on for another 15, but I think I'll leave it there...for today.

I did what I always said I wouldn't

How are you guys doing?

I've had a massive cold lately. Let me tell you, sore throats/coughing/sinus drainage AND mad heartburn/acid reflux are bad news. I think my throat is about as thin as a piece of saran wrap now.

Anyway! Do you guys remember when I posted this picture a few weeks ago?

My hilarious big sister sent it to me. Well, you guys. I think It's time for me to retract that statement and apologize to all those magical plastic shoe wearers.

I bought some, with the convincing and encouragement of my sweet husband.

HEY. Stop. Please don't roll your eyes at me. Croc wearers have feelings too.

Swelling in pregnancy is a serious problem my friends. It's really hot here. Plus, I walk several miles a day (I know, I had to wear a pedometer for one of my classes last week) in the heat. As a result, my feet look like marshmallows (which swell over my shoes) at the end of the day and feel like they got beat up by mini leprechauns using great force. They hurt. If feet aren't happy ain't nobody happy!

As fashionably as I normally am (not), I threw away all of the "looks" concerns and was only interested in comfort this shopping trip. [it was on labor day. How appropriate] Guys, these shoes are really comfortable. While no one has complimented my shoes thus far, no one has pointed, screamed, and ran away. Therefore, I'm counting this as a success.

Not SO bad right?

Technically, I didn't have my crocs at the time, but I count myself as defying the statistics for Crocs being 100% birth control. Anyone have the number to Ripleys? 

The Great Debate

Last night Clint and I went to bed before 10pm. That turned into talking which turned into laughing until we cried. At least, I had tears. It was too dark to see Clint. One of the main topics we covered?

DOGS.

I'm a huge dog lover.
Clint likes them pretty well.

But ME, I'm borderline obsessed with dogs. All growing up I wanted to be a "dog doctor"... until my dad told me the harsh reality that I would see dogs die and even have to put them to (the very permanent) sleep. Then I decided I couldn't handle that. Dog loving would have to be a part-time affair.

In my life I have read tons of picture books on dogs. My dad works with dogs. I have a dog, which I also named. I'm practically an expert on dogs.

Now that we've established my credentials,
Here is my choice of K-9

AREN"TTHEYSOCUTE!!!! That's a border collie, in case you're not as expert as I am.

Plus, they make the CUTEST puppies.

I just died. Will someone please buy me one ten minutes ago?!

A small part of my love for boarder collies may come from when, in my younger days, I took a very reliable quiz online that matched my personality up with a dog breed. So basically, we're kindred spirits. They're the perfect size-not too big or too small. They're known for being good natured which is nice because I'd like to keep my carpet and couch stuffing right where it is. They're soft and adorable. It's pluses all around.

Some close runner-ups may include, but are not limited to: golden retrievers, labs, and siberian huskys.

We've established I have excellent taste in dogs.

Now let's move to Clint's furry child of choice.

Jack russle Terrier. It's cute enough I GUESS. I mean....if I HAD to love it, I could probably find a way. If I had to. But I have a thing against dogs that can fit in a purse. [Clint says it wouldn't fit in a purse. I say, have you SEEN how ginormica purses are these days? They can fit at least two.] I say they're sissy dogs. Clint says they're manly. I'm struggling to see anything manly about a dog who is slightly taller than my ankles. Do you think they would last 5 minutes hiking? They couldn't even keep up with me on a run. Especially on the beach. Like in those movies. Which will be a reality in my life someday. Until I get tired and stop for a burger. They'd also have no chance hearding sheep, which is super important to me.

There's really no other point in telling you this other than sharing what gave Clint and I a good laugh discussing . Do you and your other half have the same taste in dogs? And more importantly, who wins?

Boarder Collie, or Jack Russle Terrier?  

p.s. I'm debating making shirts that say "Team Boarder Collie". It'd have a picture of that puppy on it somewhere. I'd wear it under all my clothes.

pps I don't hate JRT or any dog for that matter. I do, however, have a high preferance to dogs that can't fit in purses. Even the ginormica ones these days.