Crafty Tuesday

I am pleased to report that, for the first time EVER, I have something to share for Crafty Tuesday! Something that *I* actually crafted! With my own hands! Seriously!

I really like to do crafty things...I am just not so good at making time to do it...but here is what I've been working on this week -- baby gifts!

For more crafty goodness, see what everyone has to share at Carrie's!

Serious Skill

Once upon a time, I taught gymnastics. For many years, in fact -- 10 years. Which, I think, is a long time to do anything when it isn't your profession. But anyway...

I taught non-competitive gymnastics, for little ones in parent child classes all the way up to grade school girls. While I am not flexible by any stretch of the imagination (we can all remember the bag game, right?), I am fairly strong. Which means that, while not incredibly graceful, I am not too bad at tumbling.

But even I wouldn't dare to try and do things over concrete. At least not if I wanted to survive without a head injury...

These were some of the street performers at Venice Beach. And while I am not a huge fan of crowds (do you SEE all of those people?!) and tend not to be attracted to the incredibly strange eclectic individuals to be found around Venice Beach, these tumblers were not only incredibly entertaining but seriously skilled.

Not to mention nuts brave...do you have any idea how much it would HURT to fall on that concrete?!

Views from the Boulevard

I'm pretty sure looking at vacation photos on the internet still constitutes torture, so I'm trying to spread it out a bit... :)

You're welcome.

My sisters and mom are celebrity crazy. They read People and US Weekly and watch Entertainment Tonight and The Oscars and whatever else. They know who is dating who, who is wearing what, and all about the latest trends.

I, however, am tragically uncool. I have no idea what's hot and what's not, I couldn't tell you what was nominated for the Oscars, let alone who won anything, and I have no idea who is married to who. I don't pretend to be cool...but even I was somewhat amazed at all the hustle and bustle on Hollywood Boulevard. There were A LOT of people...and it was the middle of a weekday! Seriously, does no one in LA work? I know, I know - it was probably people on vacation, but still...the crowds! Sheesh!

See, I told you! Look at all these people!












My sister got us tickets to Jimmy Kimmel Live, so the first night we were in LA we saw a taping of the show. Which I had to drive to. In rush hour traffic. In LA. When I had no idea where I was going. Which, as you can imagine, was quite the experience. But we got to see a taping, which was interesting. And see a celebrity -- the show had Zac Efron on. Who my sisters say is very famous.



You could even see the Hollywood sign from the outdoor mall. And let me tell you -- even the mall is fancy in LA!

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

Fleece Jackets. I have 15. Think I have a slight problem?



Scented Candles. I almost always have one burning. And I refuse to count them...I don't want to know how many I have. The one is Amber Cream...it smells amazing...



My label maker. LOVE. IT.



My DVR. I'd never get to watch anything without it.


What can't you live without these days?

Santa Monica Pier

Another little bit of warmth for everyone else who still living in a frozen tundra...

The Getty

I don't think that I ever managed to write about it, but over the summer I took a trip to LA for a little vacation. It was quick, but I had never been there, so it was nice to see new things. One of the things that we did while we were there was go to The Getty Center. While I'm not a huge art museum person, there was a ton of interesting stuff to see, including a photography exhibit (which didn't allow photos in it) and some beautiful gardens.

Not to mention the views were nice. And seeing the pictures reminds me of warm weather...a big contrast to the current sub-zero weather outside my window...

Another Reason To Join The Family

Just in case The Bag Game wasn't enough of a reason for you to want to join my family (or at least my family gatherings), allow me to give you another:

Jello shots.
Or, as I like to call them, Jello shots for Jesus.
Festively done in holiday colors!

Several years ago my mom got the idea that she wanted to take Jello Shots to the family holiday. Why? No idea. But I can only assume that she saw them somewhere and thought it was fun. Which makes me also assume that she never experienced this little alcohol filled wonder before adulthood. But like a good little jello shot maker she went to a party supply store and bought little cups and lids and everything, selected festive colors (red and green for christmas, more pastel colors for Easter...hey, our Jesus really likes his Jello Shots!) and made the family some shots.

See, and here you thought that you might not want to join in on The Bag Game.... Believe me -- a few of these little shots and you'll join in on just about anything...

And yes, this post did go out twice - once on Tuesday night (when I was too tired to pay attention to what I was doing) and once now -- when it was supposed to show up :)

A Little of This, A Little of That

I think that one of my biggest problems with not posting more often is that I don't feel like my day to day life is that exciting. And that if nothing earth shattering happens that it isn't worth a post. But if I subscribe to that theory, I won't have a post more often than every six months.

But I just read Kimberly's most recent post and decided that I rather liked the little snippets. So here's my own version. I'm such a follower. But at least I follow in the footsteps of awesome people. :)

This is what I will be doing for the next six months. Studying for boards. And doing regular school. And working. Because obviously I have a death wish. But seriously...the thought of studying for a test for six months makes me want to throw up just a little. Okay, sometimes a lot.

My sister got me this mug for Christmas, and I find it absolutely hilarious. I laugh every time I see it. And since it makes me laugh, I haven't actually used it yet. I just keep laughing every time I see it in my bag and then I don't want to use it and get it dirty, so I use a different mug. I'm also just a little afraid I'll drop it and break it. And yes, I have heard of that crazy invention that you call dish soap...I've even heard that you could use it to make things that are dirty (like said mug) clean again. Don't ask me why I haven't looked into this further, perhaps by actually using the mug...

I bought myself this little beauty. And I have to admit...I love it. I use it every day. I bought it for two main reasons. The first (and probably largest) was because I wanted one. Hey - at least I can admit it. And second, to study with -- it's small enough that I can fit it in my purse and carry it with me, making board studying able to fill even the smallest snippets of time. Or to use to check my google reader or facebook with...

This is how far I've gotten taking down my Christmas decorations. They are (mostly) boxed up. And stacked in the living room. I just can't bear to take them to store in the garage...okay, or to take down the naked tree. I love Christmas, and I am seriously sad that it's over. I'm not turning on the lights anymore though...I don't want the neighbors to know what a slacker I am...

We have FINALLY gotten our first snow of the year! I don't really like cold weather -- at least not frigid cold weather -- but I LOVE snow. I just think it's so pretty and peaceful. I really don't even mind driving in it, although I don't go out and drive around in it just for fun. But I've never gotten snow days from work, so it isn't like I hide in the house. Okay, so I did stay home from school on Monday and said it was because of the snow. But it was really because I wanted to sleep in and not go to lecture. It's not my fault the people that they had scheduled to lecture weren't any good! Besides, I studied at home, so I think that still counts...right?!

Best Shot Monday: All Good Things

All good things must come to an end...and so it goes with Best Shot Monday. Tracey has said this is the last one, and I wouldn't dream of missing it!

May the start to 2011 be filled with some time to relax for all of you!

For the rest of this week's best shots, see what everyone else has to share at Tracey's!