Wednesday, December 26, 2012

It's Resolution Time!

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas. I'm sad it is all over. Just 364 days until we do it again! Soon, I will be sure to share all of the Christmas fun that the Ross-Spencer household had!

But let's get back to the subject at hand... New Year's Day is close. 

So, start cooking your black eyed peas; put some heat on the collards and get your pen and paper out.

Let's talk resolutions, shall we?

A little google research pulled up some of the most common resolutions. And here they are:
  • Getting Organized
  • Spend Less, Save More
  • Enjoy Life to the Fullest
  • Quit Smoking
  • Spend More Time with Family
  • Lose Weight and Get Fit
  • Quit Smoking
  • Learn Something New
  • Eat Healthier and Diet
  • Travel to New Places
  • Be Less Stressed
  • Volunteer


A New Year's Resolution board idea for all of those teachers out there.



We all know that just because you make a resolution doesn't mean you're going to keep it. I found a Times article with the 10 most commonly broken New Year's Resolutions. This list is almost identical to the list above. It looks like the people of the world are having a littler trouble making things happen. So, let's see if we can figure out a way to make those resolutions permanent!

Here are 6 tips to help you keep your New Year's Resolution:
  • Check yo' self! You know what I'm talking about... be realistic. Willpower is in short supply. Research has recently shown that willpower is not indefinite. Know this going into it and make your resolution something that you feel confident you can stick to but still challenges you.


Yay! Get your resolution on!! photo from here.
  • Write out your goals and put them somewhere that you will see often. Put them all over the place. You want to make sure that you are reminded of your goal often. So, load up on sticky notes and get to stickin'.
  • Get someone else involved in your resolution. This will help make you more accountable. Or if you know someone with the same resolution as you- even better! You can talk about tips for your resolution or maybe even work on it together.
Fireworks just for you! You can do it! You are about to teach that resolution a lesson.

  • Get detailed. Don't just make a resolution. Make a plan for how you're going to stick to it. Make it as easy as you can. Break your resolution down into as many parts as you can and work at it little by little.
  • Accept it when you mess up. If you get super upset when you go a little off your resolution you are much more likely to give up on the whole thing. Realize that you aren't perfect and think of it as a bump on the road rather than a car wreck.
  • Start right now! This is about the only time I am going to tell you to stop reading this blog and exercise/ organize/ call your mom/ eat some broccoli.


Woo woo! One more 2013 is coming firework party for you! 

There you have it... 6 tips for you. I have a few more things to let you in on before it is time for you to get to resolutin'.

My New Year's Resolution is to have less piles around my house. I'm pretty organized except for my darn piles! When I clean up I gather up all of the random things in each room and send them to the master bedroom to be sorted later. Later rarely happens and random piles abound! But, come 2013 I am going to be all over those random piles like Cora on Big Bear.



I am not a big fan of Cora's adorable face being right above the photo I am about to show you. But it is happening because I have something funny to share with you.

Apparently, Zach Galifianakis' New Year Resolution was to stop saying "you go girl."
That was it. I shared it. You go girl image from here.


There are quizzes you can take to find out what your New Year's Resolution should be. I took one and it said "self improvement."
Why, thank you, quiz! I could make myself a bit better. I can't really imagine what other answers this resolution-generating quiz could come up with since self improvement is pretty much the whole idea of a New Year's Resolution. But if you want to give it a whirl, here is the quiz.


Believe it or not, people, it is Wednesday. And that means that it is time for Wednesday's Weekly Would You Rather question:
WYR...
have a completely unbelievable memory
or
have a so-so memory and the ability to rewind time by 2 seconds whenever you want?



Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas, Everyone!!!



Merry Merry Christmas! I hope you are enjoying a wonderful day with the ones you love!

Today, I'm just going to give you a few photos from Christmases passed.

Christmas tree cutting down with dad.
Good idea giving a 3 year old a saw.

Another Christmas tree cutting expedition. This time with mama! 

Apparently, Kelly and I decided to ignore Santa and talk to each other. 

Snow on Christmas!  

A little sisterly TV watching love to celebrate Christmas. 

I got a ballerina outfit and a Cabbage Patch Doll! ...and one million other toys in the background. 
Sheesh! I was majorly spoiled compared to Cora.

My mom put on her best 80s outfit to pose in front of the Christmas tree. 

My dad was celebrating Festivus with "Feats of Strength"! 

I know no better way to end a Christmas day post! 



Monday, December 24, 2012

Awesome And Over The Top Christmas Lights

The plan was to show you some awesome Christmas lights and some over the top lights. It turns out there may not be a difference between the two. Even the tackiest of decorations are still awesome in their own way. So, I am just going to present them to you in one giant massively-electrified list and hope that you enjoy! Make sure to say your awww baahs out loud.

So pretty! It almost looks like fireworks!

 So.Much.Going.On.

 FREE CANDY! The better not be pulling my leg with that sign!

 Where do you possibly store all of this?

A Christmas-Light-Dinosaur! AWESOMEEEEE!!! 

Beautiful in such a tacky way! 

Unique! 

Their neighbors love them. 

I'm pretty sure these blow ups are making the house fall down. 

This one makes me smile.  Seriously, I just found myself sitting here and smiling at it like a creep for a solid minute.

Oh my goodness. 

I love the hanging lantern-like lights. 

It looks like computer animation from the 80s. 

This one makes the major dose of 3rd grader that I have in me very happy! 

This house may or may not be on fire. 

Happy Christmas Eve!!! Now, go get your hot chocolate brewing, pull up your holiday playlist and get yourself ready for the big day!

sources: decoration overload, over the top in a good way, house-breaking-decorations, lots of outlining, gingerbread, lighting up the world, every inch is covered, santa towing trees, free candy, train, peacock roof, so many things

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Interview With Santa & Creepy Santa Photos, Part 2

Earlier today I showed you the first half of my much anticipated interview with Santa. I know you have been sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for the conclusion. 

So, without further ado:


NL: What do you tell the kids who are scared of you?

Santa: Chill. I'm the real deal.


NL: How long is an anteater's tongue?
Santa: It is pretty long. It depends on the size of the anteater. Is it a fully grown one?
NL: Yes
Santa: 3 feet 2 and a half inches. [Laughs] That was a prehistoric anteater. It was the size of a car.




NL: What did you bring R Kelly for Christmas last year?
Santa: I can't remember. Come on man, my elves take care of all that crap. Everything comes prepackaged. I just drop it down the chimney. The elves take care of it all. What do you think, I'm magic.



NL: I have heard reports that you drugged the Grinch. Is that true?
Santa: I didn't have to drug him. That Grinch is totally high all the time.



NL: Is Cora the best behaved little girl that you've ever seen? What is she getting for Christmas?
Santa: Once again, the elves handle that and they didn't give me any bad reports so I have to think that she's pretty good.



NL: What was the last thing you watched on TV?
Santa: Amazing Race. I like that show.



NL: If you could live anywhere, where would you live?
Santa: Somewhere warmer. This cold is getting to my bones.



NL: What are the kids asking for this year?
Santa: Cabbage Patch dolls, Tickle Me Elmo. I don't know. The elves handle that. I don't get into those details.



NL: What is your favorite kind of cookie?
Santa: Milk-chocolate chocolate-chip

NL: Do you have any advice for children on Christmas day?
Santa: My advice is: even if you aren't totally happy, fake it. It will put you in better stead for next year's Christmas.



NL: How do you do it?
Santa: Delegation. I've got the elves working hard. Mrs. Claus is doing her part. I pretty much just oversee the whole deal and have to work hard on Christmas Eve. Even the reindeer are working hard.



NL: Do you use a GPS or any modern technology to help you?
Santa: Rudolph's nose is all I need.





NL: Do any of your reindeer have nicknames?
Santa: I'm busy. I've got work to do. You can ask the rest of the questions to my elves.

Two more days until Christmas! You better start baking your cookies for Santa Claus!


Santa photo sources: Chicago Tribune, CreepySantaPhotos.com, Funny Or Die, The Distraction Network, Fail Blog

Interview With Santa & Creepy Santa Photos, Part 1

Is everyone getting excited? You are about to hear the one and only voice of Santa Claus. Actually, you won't actually get to hear his voice. But lucky for you, I heard it. And I am hear to relay the whole conversation to you!

No, I am not talking about my next door neighbor, Klaus, here. I had an interview with THE REAL SANTA!

For your viewing pleasure, I included some creepy/funny Santa Fakers in between the questions.

Here goes:

NL: Which reindeer is your favorite?
Santa: I like Prancer. He really gives it his all. Dancer and Vixen- they are just slackin'. Prancer is pulling his heart out. Dancer is a big fraud.



NL: Do you have anything to say to this Santa?
[NL shows Santa the photo below]
Santa: THAT is a SCARY Santa. I would NEVER let my kids sit on that Santa's lap.

NL: Does your sleigh have keys?
Santa: Don't be ridiculous. I'm not even going to answer any more of these questions if you're just going to be stupid. Why would I have reindeer if I have to use keys.


NL: What do you have to say about all the fake Santas out there?
Santa: Most of them don't capture my true good looks. They don't even come close!

NL: Do you mind them pretending to be you?
Santa: No, of course not!



NL: Bear claw or croissant?
Santa: Bear claw, of course


NL: What is your middle name?
Santa: Simon


NL: What did you get Mrs. Claus for your wedding anniversary?
Santa: It was our 40th and 40th is rubies. So, I got her a ruby necklace.


NL: What's your favorite food?
Santa: Cookies and milk. I live on cookies and milk.


NL: Are you afraid of spiders in the chimney?
Santa: No
NL: Is there anything you're afraid of?
Santa: Mrs. Claus. When I leave my dirty clothes on the floor she freaks out on me


NL: Do you remember what you were doing when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon?
Santa: I didn't have cable then. So, I didn't get to see it. Someone sent me a a Beta Max so I got to watch it about a month later. Now we have satellite and I can watch anything real time.
NL: Do you remember your thoughts when you heard he landed on the moon?
Santa: What's the world coming to? Now, I'm not going to be the only one flying around in outer space!

NL: UNC or Duke?
Santa: UNC- give me a break. I hate the Dukies.
NL: Do Dukies get presents?
Santa: I put coal in Mike Krzsszszszsszs's stocking.


Be sure to check back later this afternoon to read more of Santa's wisdom!

Santa photo sources: Chicago Tribune, CreepySantaPhotos.com, Funny Or Die, The Distraction Network, Fail Blog