December 27th - 30th, 2012

On the 27th my husband surprised me when he picked me up from work.

Beautiful roses that are still not dead and still not ravaged by the cats - it's a miracle.

On the 28th we had to take Bootstrap to the vet because he's been squatting around the house and leaving little drips of smelly cat pee. I know, it's pretty awesome. Really he was only caught twice before he was whisked to the vet who confirmed our suspicion of it being a UTI. The doctor shot him up with antibiotics and recommended we give him a heating pad. This was the only way we could get him to stay on it:

Snuggling with Ski. We thought it was going to become a complete waste of money until last night.

He passed out on it, even though the packaging says not to sit on it. I'm glad to report he did not start on fire, and it was on low with an automatic switch off feature. Pretty fancy for $11.95.

Also on the 29th, Bootstrap sat like this:

He was cleaning himself, and being a total weirdo.

And the last two pictures on the 29th are of snuggles.

Barnacle and Bootstrap made spoons all night long. They love each other.

Finally, today, we get a sneak peek of our other animal.

Here is Admiral rubbing his face all over the cabinet wall and looking like a weirdo.

December 24th - 26th, 2012

On the 24th I celebrated Christmas eve with my sister and her family and we took this picture.

It was a good night, involving Christmas movies and turkey and then Baileys. The only drawback was when my sister and brother-in-law gave Daniel a shirt that says YOLO, basically ensuring that he never stops saying that, ever. Kill me.

On the 25th I filled up a bath and went to get my book, I came back to this - in succession.

Admiral, first playing with the water and then flip-falling into it. Needless to say he freaked out. He doesn't seem to mind his paws wet, but being submerged is a whole other ballgame. A hilarious ballgame.

I guess I could've taken a picture of something Christmas-ey on Christmas, but I didn't. Instead I took another picture of the cats

Sitting side by side. Admiral is almost full grown. Sigh.

Finally, today the animals had some prison talk.

Mostly they discussed how much sun bathing they could achieve in this odd corner of the house.

December 22nd & 23rd, 2012

On the 22nd Daniel and I went on a date downtown in order to see the Christmas Market for the last time. It was rainy, but still cool.

It's hard to believe Christmas is in two days, mostly because I haven't done any of our family "Christmas stuff" for about 3 years. Oh well, new traditions are awesome, plus I get to hang out with my sister tomorrow for Christmas Eve.

Today Daniel and I did some late Christmas shopping. We got Barnacle a new bed and the cats this:

A scratching post - Bootstrap loves it. So does Admiral, but he won't stay still long enough for me to take a picture of him.

Also today, we are preparing for tomorrow's dinner.

We are brining the hell out of the turkey breasts. They're gonna taste Awesome.

December 20th - 21st, 2012

On the 20th I proved that I am sincerely impatient. I opened my Mom's Christmas present to me pretty much immediately after picking it up from our mailbox. I did this for two reasons: 1, I am a child, and 2, I wanted the towels and especially the 4 cookies, of which I have eaten 2 already. I'm sure the rest won't be here by Christmas.

Anyway, Bootstrap quickly took advantage of my present in his peculiar way.

He immediately climbed in and made himself at home, while Admiral sat idly by.

Today, after a merry-go-round of a gift being left at work, at someone's home, et cetera, I finally got my present and it's awesome.

A wax melter! It is awesome because it makes the whole apartment smell awesome, and there's no flames so my husband can't tell me I'm going to start the house on fire.

December 17th - 19th, 2012

On the 17th my coworker and I were awarded for our hard work in helping put together the holiday party.

Yep, they gave me alcohol. Actually, it's champagne so now I have something for New Years Eve. You know, to drink while I lie around on the couch all night. I am a party. animal.

Also on the 17th, this happened.

I could explain to you how this happened, but I think it's funnier this way. This is just how Bootstrap likes to hang out.

On the 18th, Bootstrap hung out like this:

In the crook of Daniel's arm, and Daniel made that weird face, because they're a bunch of weirdos.

Finally, today some Christmas cheer.

Here is our post's Christmas tree, it is very festive.

December 15th & 16th, 2012

On the 15th Daniel and I met up with my sister and her husband at the Rothenburg Christmas Market. It was really crowded and a little claustrophobic but it was still cool to see. So, here are some pictures from the day.

Here are Daniel, Emily, Matt and Fred (sleeping) at the Rothenburg Christmas market. You will see zero pictures of me because I look fat in the only picture that was taken of me. That picture has been deleted forever and I'm starting weight watchers tomorrow.

We also found an actual star at the Christmas store in Rothenburg.

It's awesome, and does not tilt to the side like the sad snowflake.

PS that snowflake is in the trash now. Sorry, snowflake.

Today we cleaned the entire house and the cats helped by doing this.

Snuggling/sleeping. They know how to pull their weight.

Then later we went to the movies to see Twilight and we didn't have dinner beforehand so I mandated this:

Extra popcorn. Not all of it was finished, but it came close.

Stop judging me.

December 10th - 14th, 2012

I missed a day, but I have about a million pictures for today, so that makes up for it. Especially since the pictures today are of our Christmas tree which has a functioning tree stand and is NOT lopsided, in case you were wondering.

Anyway, the 10th.

Those glowing eyes are Barnacle watching us after we left the house. Every time we leave, we see him in the bedroom window. It's cute/sad.

On the 11th it snowed like crazy and I saw Admiral being crazy.

He's trying to play with falling snowflakes through the window. He did this for quite awhile. Eventually, he was joined by Bootstrap who looked at him like he was nuts. Which he is.

On the 12th I had the company of my studious husband.

Here he is, diligently finishing his homework. He has become quite the honor student.

On the 13th I went downtown to run some work errands and saw this:

A bear ice sculpture. I have no idea if he was later joined by other ice animals, but it's not every day you see a 5 foot ice sculpture of a bear, that's for sure. Unless you're an ice sculptor.

Finally, today we got our Christmas tree, which is sitting merrily by the window and is not tipping over like last year. However, the cats are overly interested in it and a lot of ornaments have been rearranged. I am also arranging for a spray bottle to shoo their asses away from my tree.

Anyway, here it is pre-decorations.

It is smallish and quaint, but I like it. Notice the very sturdy tree stand, it's AWESOME. That tree isn't going anywhere. It also holds like a gallon of water and Admiral has spent a lot of time playing in that water. I don't know how we ended up with freak pets.

Anyway, here is Daniel putting the "star" on, which is really a snowflake.

It sadly lilted to the side. One day we'll find a good tree topper that is NOT an angel. Wtf happened to actual stars going on the top of the tree? I just want a star.

Here it is in all its glory.

Here are some of my favorite ornaments.

We got the Ansbach downtown ornament this year at the Christmas market. The others are favorites for various reasons, mostly that they're awesome.

My house finally feels ready for Christmas, even if my present list isn't quite finished. Oh well, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

December 7th & 8th, 2012

On the 7th, Daniel pampered the cat more than me.

Here he is, giving Bootstrap a foot massage.

The funniest part of this is that on the nights when Ski and I are home, Bootstrap will climb over to Daniel and then Daniel puts him like this and Bootstrap falls asleep immediately. It's their little snuggle routine.

This morning, on the 8th, I took a picture of Barnacle's hugemongous paw prints.

They look like bear prints. And compared to the other paw prints they're fricken huge.

Also today, Barnacle and I went on a walk at night, because I'm nuts.

We found a broken sled, this guy has seen better days. I can only imagine what it went through. At least I found it on a hill that doesn't land in the street, because there are kids on our post that go down a hill that's after a blind curve and could very well end up in the street.

I love the parenting skillz that go on in my neighborhood.

Also on the walk.

Barnacle in the snow!

We had to cut our normal route short a little after this because it's 19 degrees out and my face was starting to hurt. Right now Barnacle is crashed out on his bed and right next to the radiator. At least he got some exercise in.

December 1st - 6th, 2012

On the first I forgot to take a picture of the snow until it was dark, so you get a dark picture.

Dark snow globe!

On the 2nd I caught Barnacle trying to get the cats to play fetch with him.

Needless to say, they just looked at him like he was crazy.

On the 3rd I felt like crap most of the day, but I managed to make something for my husband's 30th birthday.

A cupcake tower! He requested double chocolate cupcakes so that's what he got, and now a quarter of them are gone.

On the 4th I revisited the evil goat.

Now you can see how sinister he is. I did not try to touch him this time, I learned my lesson.

The camel looked just as bored as last time.

On the 5th I proved how much of a rebel I am.

I eat my soup-at-hand out of the bowl. What're you gonna do Campbell's??

The real reason is - have you tried eating chicken noodle soup out of a soup-at-hand? It's a joke, all the noodles get glued to the bottom. That's poor planning, Campbell's, poor planning.

On the 6th I googled an ailment I've been having for a couple years.

Off and on I get big red welts on my ring finger and I have to stop wearing my wedding rings for a couple days. So, today I looked up if this was a thing, and it is.

Apparently it is called Wedding Ring Dermatitis and it's either because I'm allergic to the metal or that things get on the ring and irritates my skin. Apparently I should go to an allergist to see if I'm allergic to metal or not, we'll see if I make that appointment.

The sucky thing about this is I don't like not wearing my rings, especially in public, but if I wear my rings it takes that much longer for this shit to heal.

The sad thing is, I assumed it was cause I have fat fingers that this happens, but apparently it might be an allergy. I have a fat hand complex.

Stop looking at my hands.