Squeeky Clean Household

Right now, our house is a complete disaster. We've been switching rooms and moving furniture around. It's a mess. Hopefully the end is in sight...

But here's a little montage of our love of bathtime!

Layla, looking pretty in the bath!

Her pretty feet in the tub!

Close up! I don't believe in getting out of the tub until your toes are well-wrinkled!

Classic Layla picture! Always the goofball!

I think we all did this as kids! It's so fun to be Santa! And then to shave it off!

And for a little equality, here's me! I was enjoying a LUSH bath. I forget what kind it was. Wasn't my favorite though. It had a bit of jasmine in it and I'm not a fan of jasmine. But the pink was delightful!

And to prove it: here's my wrinkled toes too!

Our crazy Tom-Tom always likes to come in the washroom and hang out while we're in there. He always tries to drink the bath water too! Every time! You'd think he'd learn by now!

Wednesday is Fort Day.

We had a Fort Day in our living room today. Complete with the cat exploring it, Layla crafting to furiously that I couldn't get a non-blurry picture of her, flashlights, spooky stories by candlelight. I am grateful however, that come bedtime, she forgot that I agreed to her request of sleeping in her fort and she just hopped off to bed as usual.

By the way, Layla's 'spooky story' was 20 minutes long. I tried to record it all, but it was really, really long. Very epic. It had zombies, a dead fish, letters, caves, bears.

New Years Summary

New Year's Eve brought panic. I'd just had the second Christmas in a row without taking any pictures. Last year, it was that I couldn't find my camera. This year, it was the missing charge cord.

However, a little birdie told me that my good friend Ty was going to propose to his lovely girlfriend at the New Year's Eve Dance. I was determined to not let this event pass me by without photos.

As usual, I worked earlier in the day.

As usual, I took on an extra client.

As usual, I was running around like mad because I was running late.

In a blind frenzy, I ferociously twirled around my bedroom until I found it.

I found it alright.

In my drawer that is reserved especially for all my electronic cords.

Huh. Imagine that.

I was happy I found it. However, I still was not ready to head out the door yet, so I let my dear, neglected camera charge for a while before I left.

I was so excited to have my camera back, I took pictures while I was driving up to the City.

Eating, drinking, texting.

All very bad things to do while driving.

But taking pictures???

I know, I know. I'm an idiot. You're not the first to say so.

Despite driving like a photo-taking maniac, check out my pictures from the last day of 2009!

The trees along the highway.

The rare and ever-romantic, Blue Moon. Making it's debut of the evening.

"...you saw me standing alone..."

After meeting up with my dearies: Amanda and Leanne, for some Second Cup (actually, they were having a girly meet up and I showed up about an hour and a half into it and crashed it. What are friends for?), then Amanda and I headed to our favourite Girls' Meal Out: Joeys in South Common. Always chic, always friendly (mind you, it's a snobby friendly. You know they're snobs, but because they're being friendly to you, you feel privileged and special).

Always delicious food. Although, I must admit: I was served butter chicken there once in which the chicken was not cooked all the way through. The staff was incredibly apologetic and the manager offered me anything off the menu, on the house. But Amanda and I (told you, we love it there!) had gotten on a conversation about other bad restaurant experiences and by then, both our appetites had thoroughly flown the coup. So we declined.

But we still go back! I think that's a pretty good testament for how much we enjoy going there anyway.

Long story short. I was still excited about having my camera working, so I took pictures of their tree in the lobby. (after I had already taken pictures in their washrooms! teehee!)

The above is their tree.

My dear, lovely Amanda does not like getting her picture taken. Unfortunately, that kind of attitude is not conducive with a shutter-happy best friend. Besides, she was getting embarrassed that I kept taking pictures of everything (she's very proper that way). So, she politely asked me not to take pictures of her face anymore.

So: this is not her face.

This is her knee.

(and the hostess' calves)

I had at least turned off the flash. So I continued to take a few more pictures without so harshly humiliating my dear friend.

The above is the light fixture in the lobby.

Looks like a bunch of Mars'. (the planet, not the chocolate bar)

After a fabulous dinner with my Amanda, I drug her to the Dance at about 11pm. I figured Ty would do the deed at midnight.

Right?

Makes sense, right?

I walk in the door: "You missed it."

You've... got... to... be... kidding... me.

He planned it for 10:30pm???? Why? Who does that???

Ty does that.

So that there wouldn't be as many people around.

Including me, friend driving in from out of town, just for the special event.

Thanks for the heads up.

Anyway, upshot is: Sam said 'YES'.

And that's what matters.

Aren't they freakin' cute? I love them as a couple, they just work.

Although Mormons are a sober crowd, we do know how to party and bring in the New Year.

Truth or Dare at Denny's.

Yes, Ty miraculously grew a fabulous twirly French moustache in a few hours.

(result of a dare)

Yes, he's dancing in Denny's with another guy.

(result of a dare... ?)

So New Year's Eve was great! I got to bed at 4:30am.

And can you believe this??? I work up at 1:30pm!!!!

It was soooo fantastic! I haven't done that since my university days!!!

Nine solid hours of blissful, uninterrupted sleep. And I woke up to the mid-day sun.

Fabulous!

The Car

Well, since I can now update you about things that happened over a month ago, I'll start with my fancy-shmancy new car! The first picture below was taken by the ever talented young shutterbug, Miss Layla! She's also a techie genius at the tender age of 5. While the grown ups were busy trying to get the starter working, Layla was busy documenting the whole ordeal. Promptly after snapping this picture of me with a sad face, she skillfully added the huge tear on my pathetic cheek and a gracious cartoon band-aid on our poor Pola (the old car).

For the record, she did this in about 10 seconds. I must say, even I was impressed. And I've seen her do a lot of impressive things! Now, instead of being disappointed after the events around this photo, I usually giggle to myself about what a clever little girl I've got!

Dum-de-dah!!!!!

This is my new ride! New, as in '05. Which in the past few days already sounds older than it did in 2009. It's a Pontiac G6. A fabulously modern charcoal grey colour. I love this car! Four doors, but totally racy still! I don't feel like a matron when I'm out for a drive. I was originally thinking that I'd get something cute and fun, like a Mini or a Beetle, but I really do like my choice. I feel quite refined, polished and grown up with this vehicle.

And here is an interior shot. This will be my new Captain's chair for many a roadtrip.

*sigh* Amazing how nice it feels to have a reliable vehicle. Also with a fantastic heater too! And a remote starter! Let me tell you, those were worth all the hassle and new monthly payments I have, especially when our temperatures outside where plummeting to record lows.

So happy!

Good News!

I'm so excited! On New Year's Eve, I found the cord for my camera! I've been taking many pictures as such, and forgot how much I love, love, LOVE my dear little camera! (it's not fancy, I just love taking pictures and love the instant gratification / instant criticism of digital camera!)

So I'm sure I'll be posting many new pictures right away!