Hey Little Birdie!

This is going to be short and sweet today, because… for one, I have a migraine, and two, my two-year old is refusing to nap. I swear if my husband wasn’t at home, I would say it was an evil trifecta cursing my household the day before the day before we celebrate the goodness that is Jesus’ birth. Oh well, at least this little lightness from Jimmy Fallon will break through the clouds I am experiencing today and bless us all with laughter that comes only from a homicidal co-worker and Christmas sweaters.

Merry Christmas Eve eve…

We moved around a lot when I was little. My dad wasn’t in the military, but he did serve faithfully. He was a pastor, and everytime he felt he had done what God had called him to do at a particular church, we would move on. Depending on my age, my feelings towards this nomad existence were mixed. But looking back, I have no regrets for the variety I was exposed to.

The longest we were at one church was in Michigan, just outside of Detroit. And I think those years occurred around the age where I began to really have and hold childhood memories. So, needless to say, it was…and is a special place and time for me.

While we were there, one winter we took a train ride to Toronto. It was amazing. Riding a train, Christmas shopping in another country… simply a magical trip. My dad is a gadget guy, and he loves to shop. (Yes, we were lucky girls.) While in Toronto, he surprised us with a portable Pac-Man game for the train ride home. It was modeled after an arcade version of the same game, but being that it was the early 80′s, to say it was compact wouldn’t be completely accurate. Either way, we loaded that thing with D batteries and played it the whole. way. home. It was mesmerizing!

So, the other day I found this…

…and the nostalgia washed over me like a wave of all that is good in childhood – unicorns, lollipops, and Kirk Cameron magazine covers. And don’t even try to tell me you weren’t a Mike Sever fan! The only explanation for a sad fact like that would be that you grew up in the 90′s, where white-boy-afros were looked down upon. And for that there is no acceptable explanation.

Anyway, since I found this gem, I am so overwhelmed with memories from that trip that now I am trying to figure out how to get one for me and my parents and my sister. Then we an all be transported back to the 80′s together. I mean, my dad sported a white-man-afro back then too! So it’s only right.

After 2 1/2 years of living in Austin, Texas my family is picking up and heading back to Arizona tomorrow morning!  We absolutely love this amazing city (it is beautiful, it’s fun, it’s centered around the arts) so the move is bittersweet.  Long story short: while we’ve been here we learned our 2 boys are on the Autism Spectrum.  They are high-functioning, but things started becoming difficult balancing therapies… needing emotional support… and chasing our youngest little girl around. We realized that we are definitely in a place in our lives where we need family support.  Hooray for family!  I also will be able to hang with my HLB cohorts, which I am very excited about!  So. very. excited!

I wish so much that there were a cool song about Arizona, but there’s not… I’ve always loved this song by Phantom Planet and I guess California is close enough, right?  I DO plan to make a trip to San Diego soon after we move, so I suppose it’s relevant.  (How I’ve missed you Coronado!)

So, wait.  Why in the world wouldn’t there be a cool song about Arizona, anyway?

Oh.

Right.

Now I remember.

Learn more about Autism

My husband’s birthday is coming up this weekend, so I’m posting this in honor of him.  Happy Birthday, Honey!

Plus, it’s just a fun, silly way this weekend, isn’t it?  ;) Hope you all have a good one!

I Found Love from Bran Dougherty-Johnson on Vimeo.

This little video just makes me happy.  Love is something I’m thankful for today!  Enjoy the video and have a great holiday weekend!

I thought maybe you needed a laugh today.

Do you watch Modern Family?  I absolutely love the show.  I laughed so hard when I saw this scene – definitely my favorite so far!

This is The Cartoon Medley and the most current FreddeGredde video.  If you haven’t heard of him, check out his YouTube page here for more creative goodness.

My other favorites:  I Still Love You and  The TV Theme Medley. Enjoy!

I don’t care who you are, this is just cool!

The making of Ephemicropolis from Peter Root on Vimeo.

Happy Friday!

That poor Charlie Brown.

Happy Trick or Treating!

The Etsy iphone app I use is Etsy Addict.

It provides the ability to view the front page featured items, browse categories, do a search, view your favorites (listings and shops) and view your account from your iphone.  The app is really straight-forward and easy to use (and definitely worth the 99 cent price tag!).

Here are some fun accessories for your iphone/ipod, while we’re at it:

Noonew || Cell Phone Purse in Gray|| $9

Uncommon Goods || Balloon Speaker || $45

blueorder || Giant Coaster || $24