A tip...just in time for Christmas

My sister, Anna, is starting a blog. She has beautiful brown hair, but she has a tendency to act a little blonder than your average brunette-hence the name of her blog. (Apologies to all Blondie's out there!) She had a post a bit ago about opening packaging for items that are harder to get into than Fort Knox. Actually, did you know that Fort Knox is really wrapped in hard plastic and welded shut? No one can get into that place. Until now.

I remember reading and hearing that you can open that type of packaging with a can opener, I was skeptical-especially if you have seen my can opener. When Taryn got some more Story Reader books for Christmas (Thanks Auntie Anna!), I decided to try it out. Here are the results:

Scary packaging


Can opener around the edging of the packaging. It was surprisingly very easy to cut and kind of self-propelled itself along.


Ta-Da! Impenetrable force penetrated! Watch out Fort Knox! (Maybe now they will resort to wrapping it in cellophane like a c.d....those I have yet to find an easy way to open).

On another note, my mom ordered my gift online and had it shipped to my house. She asked Dan to wrap it for me. Should have known the man wasn't going to just wrap it. Thanks Dan (and Mom)!

(click on picture to enlarge)

Non-Haircut Double Dog Dare

The other night Dan and I were having a conversation and this scene from the beloved Christmas classic "A Christmas Story" came to mind.



What does this have to do with Dan and I?

What has Dan challenged me to?

Well, here is kinda how the conversation went:
Reb: I think I am going to grow my hair out.
Dan: Yeah (as he rolls his eyes)
Reb: What?! (she says incredulously)
Dan: You always say that then you go and cut your hair.
Reb: Well, this time I mean it.
Dan: Yeah.
Reb: What?!
Dan: I'll like to see you try. (I Double Dog Dare you, he thinks)
Reb: o.k. then you tell me how long I have to wait to cut my hair again
Dan: a year.
Reb: A year?
Dan: yes, a year from this date (which was on Tuesday, Dec. 15).
Reb: O.k. I'll do it.
Dan: I don't think you will. (I am sure at this point he was thinking of triple dog daring me).
Reb: That's all the incentive I need! I won't cut my hair for a year. (Says the stubborn one)

So there you have it. No cutting my hair for one year.

Here is how it looks now:

Let's see how it will look in a year...so mark your calendars! Really, I have to, otherwise I will forget. It probably won't look much different. I don't know if he thinks I will have locks like Reese Witherspoon or Penelope Cruz or someone. (Who probably all have weaves anyway!)

Finished basement

When Dan and I were house hunting back in the fall of last year, we had a list of things we were looking for in a home. One of those things was a playroom of sorts. In VA, we have friends who use their formal living rooms or dining rooms as playrooms. Because, let's admit it, at our stage of life why do we need anything formal? Formal means breakable. Not really a war I want to fight. I have had our Christmas tree up for 2 weeks and already I am ready to take it down just because of the daily battle of ornaments vs. 18 month old. So I couldn't imagine having a formal room 365 days of the year that I would have to protect.

We would walk into a home that was beautifully staged and look at the dining room or living room and say that would be a great playroom. If it had doors that was even better. Our realtor was catching on so by the 20th house she would be looking at those formal rooms and be thinking how we could convert it to a playroom. Then we walked into the home we live in now. There is a nice office on the main level that we thought would be perfect for a playroom. But, even better, this house had a finished basement. When we moved in we decided that the office would remain an office and the basement would be where all the toys would go. It was one of the best decisions we have ever made. For one, my mess of papers, lists, coupons, mail, etc. can stay behind closed doors in the office. And the kid mess, toys, toys, toys, can stay, well, in the basement...







Yep, best decision EVER!

Awkward Phase

I tried to google a definition for the term "Awkward Phase." All I got was a bunch of pictures of people in their awkward phase, not really what I was looking for. Even good ol' Wickepidi@ didn't have a definition. I suppose I could come up with one myself, but I think all you know what I mean when I talk about an "awkward phase." There is a time (perhaps a span of a few years) when you look back at those years and you just kinda cringe. Usually this occurs when you happen across a box of old pictures that really should be burned. There was the hair (especially the bangs!), the way you dressed, and most likely there were braces and glasses involved. Thankfully, when you look at those pictures you are surrounded by people who look pretty similar to you. Not that it makes it any better, but it does help a little. I went to high school in the early 90s where t-shirts, flannel, and doc martens were the bomb. Actually, I still wear these...NOT! O.k. I have to stop this. Anyway, back to the people with you in those pictures. Most likely, these were the friends who were going through this right along side of you. Perhaps, you were probably pretty unaware that you were all going through this awkward phase. At least I was, but maybe that's not saying much.

Well, this past weekend I was able to spend a fun weekend away with two of my friends who survived this phase with me. I went to school with Rachel from kindergarten all the way through high school. Stephanie, I met my Sophomore year because she was a "military brat" who just transferred to our high school. (Even though she's the farthest thing from being a brat). These gals know WAY TOO MUCH about me. They know all about my crushes, first kiss, embarrassing moments (which are too many to recall), attempts at being cool, bad hairdos, really bad outfits-you get the idea. This weekend we reminisced about all of the above plus some stuff I haven't thought about for years! Can I just say there were some tears? Thankfully, they were tears of laughter.

I think about those years and what I would tell 16 year old me if she was sitting in front of me right now. Perhaps I would tell her that boys jeans (even though they were the only ones long enough for my legs) are meant for boys. Smile big even though your mouth is full of metal. Be secure in who you are and don't take yourself too seriously. Thank your dad for teaching you how to "drive stick." Keep in touch with good girlfriends. Crushes are fun, but it's nothing compared to the crush you will have on the man you marry.

I am so glad I have friends in my life like Rachel and Steph. The "high school" stuff that we went through is a little bit of who I am today...take it or leave it. Plus, I need to keep them close, because did I mention? They know way too much!!

Steph, me and Ray in 1995...



14 years later...

Baking away

We are still baking away at Half Baked Beauties. If you are curious, you can check out my posts on Bagels and Brioche.

Hooked on Wicked

Have you ever read a book, seen a movie, watched a show, etc. where at the end you sat back and just said WOW. But then you continue to think about it and the more you think about the more you realize how much you really loved it? Last week, Dan and I had an experience like that.

To preface, around the time of my birthday, I mentioned that I would love to see the musical Wicked. It was coming into town and I thought it would be great to see. Both my sisters and my mom have seen it and said how great it was. It's only fair that I see it as well! I happened to catch a commercial while Dan was fast forwarding during one of our many DVR'd shows. I really didn't think he was listening when I casually said that I would like to see the musical. But, our husbands have a way of doing that, don't they? You think they really aren't listening and, lo and behold, they come out and do something all romantic and stuff. Well, guess what I got for my birthday? Wicked tickets. For my New England readers, that would be the musical I am referring to and not the adjective. But, yes, it was wicked. I was so very excited even though the show wasn't for another 2 months.

Anyway, Dan was looking forward to going to the show but more just because we were going out and not because of anything to do with the actual show. Plus, we were going with some friends and Dan is all about having a good time with friends. Little did he know how much he would fall in love with this musical. Serious, the man has a crush on a musical, if that's at all possible. That night as we were laying in bed he was talking about it, the next day at work he had researched the singers, he "youtubed" performances of his favorite songs, and he even convinced his mom and sisters to go see it when they were in town for Thanksgiving.

I am not sure what it was about this show. Maybe it was because the storyline is so clever and thoroughly enjoyable. The characters were done brilliantly. The music was spellbinding (pardon the witch reference). The stage and set were masterful. It was a show that you wanted to go on and on just to hear more of the incredible singing and witty references. It was appealing on all levels. I have seen a fair share of operas, plays and musicals and this one is by far my favorite. So, Mr. Ebert, we give it a 2 thumbs up! If this Musical is anywhere near you or within a 3 hour driving distance, see it. See it. See. It.

How about you? What have you seen or read or listened to that you just didn't want to stop? Or it made you think the whole next day and the next and the next because it was just. that. good. I (and my two readers-Hi mom!) would love to hear about it!