October 30, 2012

The Time I Won A Pumpkin Carving Contest

I’ve mentioned before that I am on my company’s activity committee.  We hold various company functions throughout the year.  Annually we host a Pumpkin Carving Contest.  You have one hour to complete your masterpiece.  You can use a template, your own tools, etc. 

This year we had 4 people volunteer to carve.  In the past we’ve always had around 10.  To make it a competition, I enlisted a few other last-minute carvers and set forth to win me a prize.

First Place – Wins $30  and   Second & Third Place – Wins $20

The entries:

Entry 1

Entry 2

Entry 3

Entry 4

Entry 5

Entry 6

Entry 7

Entry 8

After our 1-hour deadline, the entire company (about 400 people) are invited to judge the carvings while enjoying complimentary cider and donuts. 

We tallied up the votes – and they were all REALLY close – but the winners were:

winners

See that 1st Place Frankenstein? That’s mine! I was so shocked, and now I’m $30 richer! Wooo Hoooo!

Do you agree with the winners?  Would you have voted differently?

October 29, 2012

All I Have Left

Winnings

The casino trip was not a financial success.  I’m lucky I  still have those (2) $5 chips left! I don’t know if it was bad luck or just no luck, but it was bad.  Real bad. 

On the upside, I got to eat a pretty fantastic prime rib dinner, with crab corn chowder and got to drink $0.50 wine all night! 

chowder and rib

I apparently I was starving and didn’t take a photo before devouring it.  Ooops

All in all I had a fantastic time spending some time with good friends, eating good food and drinking cheap wine!

October 26, 2012

[Gurlee]Girrl Friday

Dear Halloween Inspired Nails:  Let me say that although it looks like a 1st Grader painted my you, they didn’t.  I spent about 3 hours painting and repainting and repainting!  I finally just had to accept:  1)  I’m not an artist, 2) I did not have the right tools to create my desired designs, and 3)  This is as good as it will get!

Hallow RightHallow Left

Individual Hallow

Dear Ashley: As soon as my nails were complete, you requested I do yours the EXACT same.  So I did – and they came out better and took me less than 20 minutes.  I’m a little jealous!

Ash leftAsh Right

Dear Casinos:  I’m headed your way this weekend.  PLEASE be good to me and let me go home with MORE money than I come with!

let it ride

Dear Jessica Biel (Timberlake):  Pink? Who knew?  Perfection.. 

Jessica-Biel-s-Giambattista-Valli-pink-wedding-dress

Dear Medical Bills:  I hate you.  Quit coming to my house.  I can’t afford you. 

Bill

Dear Red Robin:  Please make the Oktoberfest burger a part of your everyday menu.  It feels like it was made just for me.

RedRobin

Dear Detroit Tigers:  Pull it together boys.  We still are behind you and know you can pull this off!  Go Tigers!

World Series

Dear Blog Friends:  I hope you all have a great weekend!

The Nail Files ButtonFridays Letters 2

October 23, 2012

Eff, Marry, Kill

EffMarryKill-1

It’s been awhile by my favorite link up is back – thanks to our hosts Heather and Michelle!

After much thought and consideration, I chose the men of Parenthood. 

parenthood 2

It was extremely hard picking, because I have a strong pull to each one for different reasons BUT my choice goes like this:

EFF    Crosby Braverman

I might end up with a case of herpes, but there is no doubt he’d be fun.  Crosby definitely has commitment issues, so no reason to tie myself down to him.

MARRY    Adam Braverman 

He’s the true iconic work-hard-for-his-family Husband/Dad.  We recently learned he likes to go to “funkytown” and just seeing that man interact with his family brings tears to my eye.  He’s a keeper.

KILL        Joel Graham

Joel really loses by default here.  He doesn’t touch Adam in the husband/father department and maybe under all that flannel he could be rocking in the bedroom, but its’ just too much of a risk to pick him, so I must kill him.

Did I get it right? Let me know what YOU think!

October 22, 2012

Bowling & Mexican Food

This weekend was awesome. Friday night we took the kids to family bowling night at the local bowling alley.  For $9 each you get 2 games of bowling, 2 slices of pizza and shoe rental.  My kids L-O-V-E-D it!  They both are pretty good too!  They obviously take after their momma!

ash bowl

colton bowl

After our big bowling night, my baby sis surprised me with a birthday present – and all the items were PINK!! She knows me so well.  Of course her card made me cry.  Life gets super busy, and we don’t get to spend as much time together as I’d like, but I hope she knows I love her!  We even went out on a sister’s date for some yummy appetizers & drinks!  It was nice to catch up with her. 

bdaysis

On Saturday after my bowling league, a bunch of us headed out for Mexican and to celebrate mine and Ms. Debbie’s birthday.  The drinks were flowing and whipped cream was flying!  Apparently for your birthday – you get whipped cream smeared all over your face, and then are rewarded with a shot of tequila.  Not sure if I think it was worth it – but Ms. Debbie and I took it like pros!

laspala1

laspal2

On Sunday, Colton had a football game and their team remains undefeated.  Those boys are doing awesome!  I’m sad that it’s ending, as his last game is next week.  Fortunately (or unfortunately) basketball begins, so we will keep busy.

football

Hope you all had a great weekend!!

yolomondays200x200lightpinkFINAL

October 19, 2012

[Gurlee]Girrl Friday

In honor of breast cancer awareness jean week at work, I decided to add a little splash of fun to my manicure this week:

nails 10-19

If You Moust You Moust – OPI Minnie Mouse Colors

White On - Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear

 

 

The Nail Files Button

October 18, 2012

Things That Make Me Happy

Having this little lovebug read to me.

cole read

Seeing this beautiful sunrise on my way to work this morning.

Sunrise

Totally regretting not buying a sparkly pair of boots, and then going back one week later and getting them on clearance!  SCORE

boots clearance

When my clearance boots match my sparkly sweater perfectly.

polka dot pants

Having 2Booli for lunch – and did I mention it was free – thank you Chrissy!!

2Booli

Jenny Jenny spoiling me with hair products & nail polishes for my bday.  Thanks Jenny Jenny!

Jenny bday me

Having so many of my family and friends (IRL and Bloggy) wish me a happy birthday!  It’s been a great one!

October 17, 2012

So What Wednesday

Linking up with Shannon for this week’s:

SoWhatButton

 

  • That tomorrow begins the last year of my 30s! I look forward to growing old.
  • That the best and worst thing about my birthday is all the coupons I keep receiving for free meals! How’s a girl to stick to her diet when I keep getting free food?
  • That I get to wear jeans to work this week and it’s still hard putting together an outfit in the morning.
  • That I started the Couch to 5K this week, and I actually enjoyed it. Let’s talk about it again next week.
  • That my new phone case makes my iPhone 5 feel like a paperweight, I like having a case on it.
  • That I am excited and terrified to hit up some haunted houses this week. I don’t think I’ll ever be too old to not be afraid!

What are you saying So What to this week?

October 15, 2012

Thumbs Up Monday

GG Thumb

It’s has been a long time since I’ve had a Thumb Up Monday.  I originally started doing it to start my week off on a positive note.  I’m not sure why or when I stopped, but I felt the need to do it today. 

Thumbs 10-15

I want to give a Thumbs up to some fellow bloggers who have touched me with their loving hearts this week:

Mallory - Mallory aka Mallyscat

Marcy – Marcy’s Mazin’ Moments

Crystal – Life of  a Seed

All three of these ladies walked in their local Making Strides for Breast Cancer events this past weekend.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

It’s generous people like you that are going to help find a cure for this horrible disease. 

I also wanted to share with you all another special blogging friend who is doing her part to help spread the word about the importance of self-exams and screenings with a little giveaway.  You can check out Erin’s blog here :

 
What it's all about:
 
October is breast cancer awareness month
so I'm using this giveaway to get more women aware if this awful disease as well as attempt to raise money for breast cancer research.
 
The giveaway's primary purpose is to serve as a reminder to know your risks, perform self exams, as well as to go get screened if you're of age.
And what better way to get your attention than by attaching breast cancer information to a giveaway of pretty pink things!
 
A bunch of amazing ladies agreed to help out in the cause by giving away some pretty fantabulous prizes. But in order to get to those you're going to have to get to second base first. And I'm not talking about baseball, ladies.
 
I'm talking about boobs.
Your boobs.
And in order to keep those boobs healthy you should be informed on some breast cancer facts and preventative measures.
 
So read this:
 
Susan G. Komen for the Cure® recommends that you :
1. Know your risk
  • Talk to your family to learn about your family health history
  • Talk to your health care provider about your personal risk of breast cancer
2. Get screened
  • Ask your health care provider which screening tests are right for you if you are at higher risk
  • Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk
  • Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at age 20, and every year starting at age 40
3. Know what is normal for you and see your health care provider if you notice any of these breast changes:
  • Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area
  • Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast
  • Change in the size or shape of the breast
  • Dimpling or puckering of the skin
  • Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
  • Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
  • Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
  • New pain in one spot that doesn't go away
4. Make healthy lifestyle choices
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Add exercise into your routine
  • Limit alcohol intake
  • Limit postmenopausal hormone use
  • Breastfeed, if you can
 
And do this:
 
Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Here's what you should look for:
  • Breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color
  • Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling
If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:
  • Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
  • A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out)
  • Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling
Breast Self-Exam - Step 1
Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.
Breast Self-Exam - Steps 2 and 3
Step 3: While you're at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood). Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter. Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage. Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. This up-and-down approach seems to work best for most women. Be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts: for the skin and tissue just beneath, use light pressure; use medium pressure for tissue in the middle of your breasts; use firm pressure for the deep tissue in the back. When you've reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel down to your ribcage.
Breast Self-Exam - Step 4
Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in Step 4.
Breast Self-Exam - Step 5
 
What you could win:
 
These are all of the lovely ladies who agreed to donate something to this awesome cause.
They are all AHHmazing and I couldn't thank them enough for wanting to help out and being so generous!
 
Erin
LARGE Ad Spot ($50 value)
 
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Ashlyn
 
$40 gift card to Victoria's Secret
 
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Jen
 
An adorable handmade pink wreath 
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Molly
A Scentsy Buddy and Scent Pak
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Jenna
Pink scarf from Old Navy
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Heather
OPI nail polish
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Janna
$10 gift card to Victoria's Secret
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Amanda
 
Wine glass from Etsy
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Jenna
Pretty pedicure things
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Brie
 
$10 gift card to Starbucks
 
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Michael
Sign, key chain, lanyard, Cosmo, Notepad
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Rima
Pink Baby Lips
 
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Myself
 
XL Ad Space (worth $15)
and a loofah, mascara, eos, gum
 
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How to win it all:
 
This isn't your average giveaway.
It's for a certain purpose.
That purpose being one that will help save lives.
 
So the way that you'll gain the most entries is by blogging and/or tweeting about the giveaway so that we can get the word out to as many ladies as possible.
 
You can also rack (pun intended) up your entries by donating to the Susan G. Komen foundation.
That's how you'll get the most entires!
Any dollar amount helps, no matter how big or small - we're trying to save 'em all.
 
 
If for some (insanely strange) reason you would like to avoid the giveaway but would still like to donate then you can do so
Leave a comment with the link to your donation confirmation page and I'll send you a promo code for a free ad space!
 
Now get to entering:
a Rafflecopter giveaway