GPOYW

Clearly our attempt to recreate the Grey's Anatomy scene failed. We just look like two dead girls and a dog under a Christmas tree. Ha. Whatever.

Dear Santa...

I'd like Jared Leto for Christmas. Oh and also the new 30 Seconds to Mars album. But mostly just him. K? Thanks, bye.

GPOYW

This is me. Forgetting about GPOYW. But as you can see I did not forget to decorate for Christmas on Nov 1st as promised. The tree isn't quiet finished, but everything else is up! Woo!

Good Mojo

Hmm..Well this weekend started off with some poetic justice through the mail. Friday, my unemployment was approved, which is a huge relief off of my mind. I will have some (albeit very small) amount of income coming in weekly and with a little help I am going to be able to stay in my apartment and on my feet for the foreseeable future. AWESOME news.

I am so grateful that my claim was approved, it was such a huge relief, I can't even explain. I am even more grateful to finally be able to make headway with what I want to do from here. I am going to be able to make Nov rent and get back on my feet financially. While on unemployment, I can make up to 30% of my weekly earnings in addition to and still earn the full unemployment benefit amount, so that means I can go get a part time job doing something to fill in the gap until I find a much more permanent occupation. So that is the plan for right now. Find part time employment to fill in gaps and pay off bills that have stacked up over the last month. As far as progress there, I applied for two clerical type jobs this evening, one of which has the potential to be more than a part time gig. I am also open to doing anything else really, I wouldn't mind cashiering at a craft store or even like stocking shelves at Target or wherever during the evenings. Just something part time that allows me the time to interview for more permanent jobs, and go to doctors appointments to figure out my continuing ears and knee issue. So if anyone hears of anything let me know.

On the cash front, I am still selling my iMac ($650), enV cell phone ($75), and iPod Classic with accessories ($100). Please leave a comment or email me if you are interested. I've linked the items with pictures in past posts or you can see all of them on my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/meagenridley.

With that good news brightening my outlook, I think I may do something a little crazy. No, I'm not getting a 2nd tattoo (but that may be a good idea, I know what/where I want it and I'm in sort of a transitional phase right now....) Anyway! Nov 1st I am putting up my Christmas tree and all my decorations! I went shopping with my Mom today and we went though all the Christmas sections and I just really got into the spirit. I just rearranged my living room and I have the perfect spot for it. And I have all this free time on my hands...I just want to put them out! Screw the day after Thanksgiving. Mine are going up November 1 baby! Woo!

While I'm updating - I started the book Escape by Carolyn Jessop. It's the story of the woman that escaped the FLDS church. Wow. The book is incredible. It's crazy that people seriously live the lives she did. It's a very interesting read and I am thinking I will finish it quickly. It will definitely get a book review on my blog once I'm finished - so look forward to that.

On the book front, don't forget to become a follower of my blog so you can be entered to win this giveaway! The giveaway ends Oct 29th so don't forget! Just become a follower and then leave me a comment on that post! My goal is to get to 100 followers before the end of the year so spread the word! Have a happy Sunday everyone. I know I will, John, my Mom and Dad are making pot roast and potatoes for dinner. I'm pretty excited, I've been crazing it since you FB about it a few days ago! Woo! Also, Mom I'm making the deviled eggs (as I type this actually, so I'll be there at 4PM with them. I don't know if Holli will be there or not, she hasn't felt well the passed few days.)

Christmas Eve Games

Christmas Eve this year was really fun! We had our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of prime rib, baked potatoes, salad, rolls, etc. It was so yummy! Then we had treats with the chocolate fountain and played games for presents. This was really fun! Each person had $25 to spend on 3 gifts to be used as prizes, and we had to come up with one of our favorite fast games that everyone could play. The winner of each game could pick out any prize from the pile.

We played Uno, Indian Chief, Light Bulbs, Apples to Apples, 250, and Egyptian Rat Screw. After we did a raffle for the remainder of the prizes and played 500 for the $50. It was a new tradition and it was a lot of fun. After we watched Christmas movies on Dad's new t.v.

Christmas Cards

So each year Doba gets an abundance of Christmas cards from our suppliers, partners, and other service providers. Some are addressed to specific people, but most are addressed just to "Doba". So they end up in my pile of mail, delivered to my desk by Jayni. I tape them to my door so the whole office can enjoy them throughout the holiday season. My question is what does everyone else do with these?

My Mom, the creative queen, used to save them, take them apart and make scrapbook pages, new cards, or other various things out of them. I don't want to sound like a Scrooge, (my sisters would argue that not only do I sound like him but I am in fact, Scrooge himself) but I'm guessing most look at the card and then immediately put it in the garbage. Is this true? And if it is why on earth do we even send them?

I did some research and according to what I found the first Christmas card was created and sent in 1843. John Calcott Horsely painted the first Christmas card for Sir Henry Cole, a British businessman who had so many Christmas greetings to send hand writing them seemed impossible. The card depicted a typical English family drinking wine together and said "Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to You". 1000 cards were printed and sold for 1 shilling each. Eventually the trend was set and now the whole world sends them.

Anyway, despite what my sisters think, I am not Scrooge and one day when I have a family of my own we'll send out Christmas cards with pictures to everyone! And none of you better throw them away! ....until New Year's, then you have my permission.

Mountain Dew Tree

I found this on YouTube. It's pretty sweet. You can see more pictures of how they made it here. Moe. This is for you.

Secret Santa

Ruth Ann started the Secret Santa tradition with all of the girls at Doba. Even though Ruthy moved home we kept the tradition alive! Today was our gift exchange! Everyone gathered in Jill's office and brought food and their gifts. I had Ashlee Toney and I helped her Disney DVD collection with Tarzan. Jayni gave me Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and a chocolate orange!!! I LOVE my presents, thanks Jayni!!!

All of the girls

My presents!


Me and J

Amazing Christmas Tree

So I was at the cake/candy store yesterday buying the chocolate for my chocolate popcorn and they had these tree kits on the counter. I am a sucker for stupid, slightly amusing things so I bought one. The Amazing Christmas Tree kit comes with a little tree that stands in a petri dish, magic water, red garland, glitter, and a star. You separate the branches, add the garland, and then pour the "magic" water in the dish and it grows to a Christmas tree in 1 hour. Even though Jayni and I did the whole process backwards it still turned out really cute. Yay! Now my office is festive. PS. The "magic" water reaks.

Before...

During...

Finished!

Doba Christmas Party

The Doba Christmas party was up at Sundance last night. Here are a few cute pictures of the girls courtesy of Jayni. The party was really fun and I won a one year Netflix subscription in the raffle. That's all I need, more movies.

Jill, Ashley, Jayni, and Me

Chocolate Oranges

Okay, so in an attempt to eat healthier (I know, right. Nice time of year to attempt that goal.) I went to the grocery store at lunch today. I put enough lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, peppers, carrots, apples, and bananas in my cart to have really good salads for lunch and fruit for breakfast all week. Then I made the mistake of going down the Christmas candy isle. What was I thinking!? I have one weakness when it comes to Christmas junk food. Chocolate Oranges. I L.O.V.E them. They melt in your mouth like no other candy (well Dove Promises may give the orange a run for it's money), and you have to smack them on a table to break the "orange" into slices. They are perfection. So naturally I had to get one. So much for eating healthy. What is your favorite Christmas treat?

Trans Siberian Orchestra

So we (my family and I) jumped into the Doba truck last night and headed up to SLC for Trans Siberian Orchestra. I was so excited that it was finally here I almost peed my pants! YAY! Anyway, so we are driving up for the concert and its snowing the entire way. Boo. I hate driving in the snow; it's slickery and you can't see the lines for the lanes, no beuno. Much to my surprise the traffic wasn't too bad and we made it to the E Center right at 7pm - show starts at 7:30pm. We parked the truck and walked up the stairs to the doors. Mean while, Moe and Dad are asking "Why aren't there any other cars in the lot?" "I don't see any workers inside." We get to the doors and try to go in. The doors are locked. Madi and Holli look at the tickets and point out that I'd taken us to the wrong venue! We were supposed to be at the Energy Solutions Arena! Ooops!! My bad. Apparently, I thought that the E Center was the Engergy Solutions Arena, and according to my family I will never live this mix up down. So we got back in the truck, Dad played navigator and we eventually got to the Energy Solutions Arena. Lucky for us the concert started a few minutes late so we didn't miss anything.

We had pretty good floor seats, middle section, 19th row. Except for the crazy guy in the Santa hat that gave every song a standing ovation in the row in front of us. And the lady sitting directly in front of me who decided it would be a good idea to poof and rat her hair as big as she possibly could and then attend a concert where the floor does not have stadium seating. I could smell her hairspray. I seriously thought her hair might catch on fire when they have the big flames at the end.

ANYWAY, all in all the show was AMAZING! TSO puts on the greatest show! They had new lights this year, and they were really good. The remainder of the show was the same and it was just as good as ever! I LOVE TSO! This was my 2nd time attending and the 1st for everyone else. We took a few pictures before we left, unfortunately, Madi didn't get into any of them because she was primping. We had a fun night and I'm glad everyone enjoyed the concert. Here are some cute pictures of us.

Holli & Jesse

Me & Dad

Mom & Dad

Holli & Dad

Mom is Santa

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

So I have a few Christmas decorations, but this year I decided to go big. I got a tree. It's perfect! Here's a picture-

Christmas List

Christmas is kind of a big deal in my family. We wake up early (and by early I mean 4-5am) Christmas morning and open presents and usually eat orange rolls warm from the oven. Around Thanksgiving ever since I can remember, we make Christmas Lists. No matter how old you are in my family, you make a list of presents you'd like to see under the tree with your name. Every year the parentals go out with our lists and get what they can from them. So here's mine.

Misc:

Travel neck pillow
Shutterfly photo package
Mets Jacket
This bookcase
These sheets
40'' Blue Metal Star
This pearl ring
MicroSD card
Coat Rack
Ice cube makers
New speakers for the Jeep
DVD player

Books:
Love in the Time of Cholera
Eat, Pray, Love
Two Little Girls in Blue
I Heard That Song Before
Harry Potter Book Set 1-7
Visually Knitting
The Complete Beginners Guide to Knitting


Movies:
CSI: Season 6
CSI: Season 7
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Cars
Prison Break: Season 1