Awesome Mail Day!

I'm so thankful that I've been able to make so many great friends through my blog.

Maybe a year or so ago I found Michelle's blog and quickly became an avid reader.  You may remember that I hosted a giveaway from her shop that she owns with her husband. We talked on and off through comments and email, and when I found out that I was going to Arizona in October I took a chance and asked if she wanted to meet up. I feel like I'm talking about asking someone on a date but for awkward old Caitlin, that's what making new friendships is like.  I was really excited when she was totally down with hanging out, and during one of my first weeks there I met up with her and her husband Chad at a restaurant called the Raven Cafe.  We really hit it off (again with the datespeak, way to be awkward, Caitlin) and I hung out with them and their handsome beast Bodhi bunch more until I left, and now Michelle and I text almost every day.

Now that we're in the same general area (read: the Southwest) I'm hoping we'll have much more opportunities to hang out!

Yesterday I checked my mail and I received one of the sweetest care packages ever.  Michelle sent me some lip balm from her and Chad's shop, a necklace she stamped with "Caitlin and Robbit" (note: she'll soon be selling stamped necklaces in her own Etsy shop!) some lovely friendship bracelets, a wooden moose pin, a rubbery lobster pen, some bubbles, and a wicked sweet card. How sweet is that?! I can't think of a better way of being welcomed to the Southwest!

Thank you a thousand times, Michelle! I'm so glad we are friends.  And don't worry, I will send you back a badass something :)

A few notes about these photos:

1. Sorry our table is messy...it's turned into quite the dumping ground.

2. When Rob took a picture of my necklace he said, "I can see yo tittays." Just thought I'd share that with the world.

Christmasy Things

Hoo boy, Christmas is over! Did it go by far too quickly for anyone else?

After a day of rest following our vacation (post about which is forthcoming), we drove to my sister's place to have Christmas with my mom on Friday.  We bought my 2-year-old niece some of those giant cardboard blocks which was pretty awesome sauce to watch.  My mother bought me a neat piece of photographic art that spells out our last name with beautiful architectural and natural photographs.  Rob and I are always looking for new art pieces to put on our wall and I'm sure it'll look fabulous in our new place.

After Christmas #2, we drove to Rob's parents' house.  Rob got really sick due to a gross buffalo chicken wrap he had eaten earlier in the day, so suffice it to say he has somewhat of an idea what it's like to be Caitlin eating gluten.  My mother-in-law kept feeding Cypress huge bits of ham and then was wondering why she was being followed around all day:

On Christmas Eve I attended mass with Rob's parents and sister, which was a first for me but I enjoyed it regardless.  I'm not religious, nor do I believe in God, but it's interesting to me to watch and listen.  Afterward we watched "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," which is Rob's family's Christmas tradition. The temperature dropped insanely low, which on a normal day would piss me off.  But Christmas Eve is best suited for winter, am I right?

Christmas morning came and yes, I was the second or third person awake at around 7:30.  I love Christmas morning.  We opened our gifts, which included an awesome camcorder for Robbie and I and some new MST3K episodes.  The harbor was stunning and I'm amazed at how well my iPhone 4S captured it. Also, Cypress is adorable.

After a very successful Christmas morning #3, we drove to my dad's house.  It was great seeing my sisters and dad again, especially since this is one of the last times I'll see them for awhile once we move (sad face).  I got the keyboard for my iPad that I wanted, a new knife set from my younger sister, and an awesome handmade iPhone doc from an amazing book of Russian prison tattoos from my older sister:

How cool is that?  I told her she should sell them. Because she knew we'd love the book as well as the dock, she bought us a pristine version too! Extra win.

Today was Christmas hangover day, one of the roughest days of the year in my humble opinion.  We made the long drive home, and once we got home I opened Robbie's gift to me: a really nice hiking rucksack specifically made with a spot for my camera once I get it fixed.  He's magical. 

I also let him open his gift for our anniversary on Wednesday, the perfect shave kit!  Yes, we are old. 

Anyway reality begins once again tomorrow, as does all the stress of our upcoming move.  I told Rob to expect at least one all-out crying fit but hey, I guess we'll see.  

Was Santa good to you this year?

My Christmas List, Round 2

Well since we're getting closer to Christmas I've been salivating over some more consumery goodness.  Enjoy!

1. Erin Condren Planner in Peacock design...preferably green & teal. I'm huge into planners and these Erin Condren models are simply gorgeous, and amazing.  At $50 they're far too expensive for me to buy for myself, but maybe Santa can fashion one for me.

2. When the Night Comes Dress from ModCloth.  Gorgeous, but I've been too burned by ModCloth lately to go ahead and actually purchase it.

3. Animal House Ugly Sweater Tee. I already bought an ugly sweater t-shirt today but I'd love to have this one too.  Sadly they're out of stock.

4. Slipper boots from Old Navy.  I love this particular print, but it isn't available in my size currently.

5. The Twilight Zone definitive collection.  I am a huge fan of Rod Serling's Twilight Zone and despite the fact that most of the episodes are on Netflix, I would love to have this entire collection.

6. 'S Marvelous heels.  I sighed a little when I saw these.  Aren't they gorgeous?