Abbie in a Nutshell

This is a short video clip I took over break when Lucy and I went to visit my buddy Abbie and her family. You may remember Abbie from our very serious Obama vs. McCain debates this past November. Very serious stuff, people.

Anywho, Abbie is a very best friend of mine, but I have to say, she is a bit insane. For one, she tells knock-knock jokes on a rather constant basis. They are usually not that funny, yet she will laugh (at herself) for a solid 5 minutes after telling one. Also, she is a bit of a baby. She has an uncanny ability to whine until she gets exactly what she wants. When I whine, people tell me to shove it up my behind. When Abbie whines, she gets 2 Coach bags and suite-level Britney Spears tickets. Not that I’m one to complain, as she does usually share the spoils of her whining (thanks for the Britney tickets, Abbs!).

While taping Lucy and Abbie’s niece painting with watercolors, we came upon a quintessential Abbie moment. She decided she wanted to paint too, only she felt the need to totally outdo the 2 and 3-year-old at the table.

You think I’m joking, but she was very proud of that “stellar apple tree.” Later, she painted a duck that she also made me film for her. In fact, her painting was even hung on the refrigerator after the paint dried.

But I love her. And she’s taking me to see Britney Spears in March. It’s called trickle down economics. So keep up the nagging and whining Abbie, and tell your in-laws I’m in desparate need of a Coach bag.

Vacation Chronicles – Merry, Merry Thursday

Trying Out the Karekoke Machine

Trying out the kareoke machine….

The Band the Day After

The world famous rock band…the day after their biggest gig ever….

Peters Christmas

A tired crew….

Happy, merry, feliz….today from all of us at casa de loco bananas.

I’m Out

With the holiday upon us I will be taking my leave from this lovely bloggity blog to spend time eating, drinking, drinking, drinking and playing Rock Band 2. I took a WHOLE WEEK off from work, so by Wednesday I just may be legally comatose. Don’t you worry about me.

But you, my lovelies, I will worry about you. What shall you read while I’m away? Well, I may try and post a picture or two of our festivus miracle, or maybe some video of the family talent show that is threatening to eat my brain. But if that’s not enough, here are some options for next week:

Monday: Read this, then watch the video below. If I ever get married again (I mean, renew vows, not get married to someone else, seriously) I would want to do it like this. All brides-to-be should take notice [Mikayla, this one’s for you].

Tuesday: Read the Adventures of RPAZZ. For those Twilight fans who love the books, but think Robert Pattison is a little icky, this site will crack you up. I particularly like this post. Oh, Rob, I will never “stop believin’.”

Wednedsay: Stop freaking out about the decorations and the presents and the family and all of the things that are stressing you out. If you need help, read this article from Real Simple dot come on 5 Reminders to Keep You Balanced this Holiday Season. Also, wish Trent a happy birthday with me!!! HAAAAPPPYYYYY BIIIIRRRRTTHHDAAAAAY!

Thursday: Celebrate the birth of Jesus with some gift giving and drunken family time. Add this song (it will start streaming when the page loads) to your Christmas soundtrack, and maybe it will drown out the sound of your Uncle Joe puking in the bathroom after one too many bourbon and cokes.

Friday: Recover. Sleep. Maybe go see a movie. I may go see this one. Take some of that holiday gift money and make a donation to Kiva dot org. Remember last year when I received Kiva gift certificates for both my birthday and for Christmas (click here to jog your memory)? Well, the fabulous women that I donated to have both repaid huge portions of their loans, giving me money back that I could either take for myself, or redonate. Guess which one I chose?

My goal is to donate to a woman entrepreneur in all of the regions offered, and so far I have donated in Asia and Africa. Yesterday I used my repaid money to give a loan to another woman, this one starting a clothing sales business in Peru.

After all the excess of the holidays, it will feel good to give a little back. Karma, baby. Pure karma.


Kiva - loans that change lives

Roadtripping

In a few short days I will be packing up the kid and the dog and the bearded husband to head to my hometown for the holidays. I have been promised by one red bearded man that this is the last year we will travel over Christmas, so I’m making the most of it. If you need to find me, I’d check any of the bars in Manhattan, Kansas between Moro Street and Blumont Street. Yes, Aggieville, where 21-year-olds drink their sorrows away and I can attempt to breakdance with the thrilling possibility that the guy who sat next to me in my freshman earth science class will see me. And probably post pictures on Facebook. Yipee.

If you can’t find me there, try looking at Vista. I’m known to frequent that establishment as well.

I’ve been looking for some new music to take with me on the drive (though, if it was up to me I’d listen to Paramore the entire time…too bad Trent’s not in to girlie emo-rock) and have found some great stuff. First up, my favorite mix tape maker, Bobby of Kitsune Noir. He’s put up quite a few mixes since the last time I downloaded, but my current favorite is one called Sweedish Fish. You can download it here. Bobby always posts the most amazing art pieces, design, architecture, entertainment tidbits (he recommends this amazing movie here, I can’t wait to see it, incredible), and Kitsune Noir is a site you should definitely check out.

Friends, if I get my crap together before the holidays, you may get Sweedish Fish on CD….but I wouldn’t count on it. I’m not to good at getting my crap together these days.

Here are a few of the songs included on the Sweedish Fish mix tape, just a sample to encourage you to go over to Kitsune Noir and download it for yourself.


And as it is the holiday season, once more my good buddy Bob Boilen over at NPR’s All Songs Considered has completed their show’s listing of the Top 100 Albums of 2008. The bands were chosen by the show’s listeners, and going through the top 25 picks I realized I must be their main demographic. Quite a few of the bands have been featured on my previous playlists (Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend, Coldplay, Kings of Leon, Sigur Ros, Death Cab, TV on the Radio), but I’m very happy to share them with you again. Because they are totally awesome.


One of the songs on this playlist is also my featured song of the week. It’s called “Manhattan” by the Kings of Leon, and you can bet I’m currently sitting at my desk, rocking out way too loud, and daydreaming of summer beers with friends and eating the best beans and rice I’ve ever had.

Happy holidays!

Who Says I’m Totally Random?

Last week I was on the phone with a good friend and when I mentioned how frazzled I’d been lately, she stated “Yeah, I was wondering. Your posts on Crazybananas have been all over the place lately.” Well, harumph! I’ll prove you wrong, missy!

The theme of this Monday’s post is What I Did on Sunday. See, themed! Totally not random!

First I decided that I wanted to make treats for all of our new neighbors. Since we moved here during the crappiest time of year (today it was NINE degrees when I left the house, NINE DEGREES) we don’t see much of anyone on our street. By the time we get home from work in the evening, it’s dark and I’m crabby, so we hibernate. Weekends have been alternately packed with family stuff and work stuff, so other than a few waves and hellos yelled across the street, we haven’t had much contact with anyone living near us. So I decided to continue my tradition from our old house and make holiday treats for our neighbors to deliver with Lucy.

Cookies

Look homemade cookies!

Kitchen Before

Here is a shot of my fabulous kitchen. Everyone has been asking me for new pictures of the house, so for those of you who care, here it is. The arrows are pointing to some household staples like a.) Open drawers full of crap, b.) Open beer bottles, c.) Stacks of dirty towels, d.) Packages of baby wipes [opened of course], and e.) Wrapper from Costco-sized tube of cookie dough.

Wait, scratch that last one. The cookies were totally homemade, I swear!

Kitchen After

Here is the picture I took of my kitchen after I looked at the first one and realized how gross it was. This is what my kitchen actually looks like on a daily basis.

Speaking of my kitchen, it’s the only part of our new house that is somewhat finished. We’re still missing some things (like curtains), but at least we have a place to eat, right? This is my favorite part of the house so far, the family wall.

Orange Family Wall

Also, Santa, I’d like a new flash for my camera. Mine sucks. Yours, Megan.

Living Room

This is our living room. There is a matress in it. The dogs sleeps on it. We are high class.

Red Clock

This is a clock my friend Inger got me from IKEA because she is totally awesome. I love it. It opens to give you storage for keys, wallets and all of the other random crap I can never find. Now if only I had time to hang it.

Reindeer Treats

This is where we keep our reindeer treats. What are reindeer treats, you ask?

Treats for the Adult Reindeer

Why, Bailey’s and hot chocolate mix, of course! Drunk reindeer are the best!

Hmmm…what else have I been up to? I made these books.

Peters Reunion Blurb Book

They are photo books that I compiled with all of our family’s photos from the Peters Family Reunion this past August. It took FOREVER to put together, but they are great Christmas gifts for everyone.

My Favorite Photo Part 2

My favorite photo has to be a tie between the one above of the boys watching their dad play pinball, and the one below.

My Favorite Picture Part 1

Dorks. [Both photos by Product E.]

This is the extent of my Christmas decorations. It’s all I had the energy to do. And yes, that is the same fake tree that belonged to my friend in college. I didn’t have time to get a new one. Lame, I know. Especially since I use that excuse every year.

Also, any ideas on colors for these walls? I’m stumped, but I hate the beige.

Decorations

I think the decorations look better like this, don’t you?

Abstract Tree

As long as I’m being totally not random, have I mentioned how much I love this measuring spoon? It’s like four measuring spoons in one. Which means I only have to clean one item instead of four. Yipee!

My Favorite Measuring Spoon

And finally, here are the cookies for my neighbors, all wrapped up and ready to go.

Cookie Boxes for Neighbors

See, the most totally not random post ever! Now I’m off to eat some cookies. God knows I need more sugar.

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