Monthly Faves...

It is that time of the month again.  Time to round up the monthly faves.  Let's begin shall we.

1. Chuck the Chiweenie

 

Really look at that little strange thing.  He is an adorable little freak.  Rumor has it that he maybe popping in for a guest post on Life in the Sack sometime.

 

2.  Surprises

And these little guys have finally graced our prescence this month.

 

3.   Smartical Phones

 

And an awesome new way to irritate my hubbie with it. 

 

4. These boys....

They are just super awesome.

 

5.  Squirrel

An evil little squirrel at that.

 

Thats all for the monthly faves. Short and sweet today.

 

xoxo

Dawn Marie



These are a few of my favorite things {Stocking Stuffers}

 

Linking up for favorite things stocking stuffers.  Now this could get rather almost expensive.  If the key here is that they just need to fit in a stocking.  Since we really don't want too much jaw dropping, gasping for air going on here, we will try to keep to items under $10.





That was quite a bit harder then what I thought it would be.  Managed to find four that were under $10.  Not sure if that means I have officially fallen into the high maintenance category.  No, it is just that with inflation everything I think should be $10 is actually $15.  Poop.

Until Next week, when we link up for gifts for anyone less than $100.

xoxo, Dawn Marie

This or That

Stuffing or Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes all the way.  Especially when you add some garlic, sour cream and cheese.  Oh heaven.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce or store bought cranberry sauce

Neither. Not a huge fan of cranberry sauces.  The hubbie and I just discussed that over the phone moments ago.  His comment something along the lines of: oh yeah I would take a scoop of that stuff out of the can. 

Pumpkin Pie or Pecan Pie

Pecan Pie all the way.  Add in some chocolate and cover in whip cream.  Tr la la...again close to heaven.

Cooking all day or cleaning all night

Cooking all day.  Completely due to the fact that I love a glass (or bottle of wine) while cooking. 

Thanksgiving Day Parade or Football Game

Thanksgiving Day parade.  One day I will finally see one of those huge balloons just float away.  Could you imagine ?!?  What if it hit a plane?  Would they dispatch the air force to take the thing down?  Hey balloon holders...it is ok just let go. Please.

And that wraps it up for today's this or that.

xoxo, Dawn Marie

November Fix...Number 4

And it was that time of the month again.  Time to get my fix on.  Awesome fun clothes delivered right to my door handpicked by a stylist, now who could pass that up.

Now if you are unaware what it is, here are some details. Go online here: Stitchfix. Fill out a style profile, pay $20 to have the sylist pick out and send you clothes. Once you receive them you have three days to choose which ones you will keep and which ones you will return. You make notes online also regarding what you liked or didn't like to help out the stylist on your next fix.

Now in this one I asked for items catered towards the holiday season and in particular, something to wear to the Trans Siberian Orchestra Concert that my hubbie and I will be attending.

Here we go

#1                                                          #2       

 

#3                                                   #4 

 

 #5

 

1. Regina Belted Geo Print Cowl Neck Dress - The print on this one was rather fun.  The top part was awesome.  The bottom not so much.  Think the hubbie referred to me as a little church lady.
2. Esten Printed Stripes Sleeveless blouse - Now if this would have been a little more form fitting, maybe.
3. Dellora 3/4 Sleeve Zig Zag Blouse - This made me feel like a clown.
4. Orlando Abstract Tie-Neck Blouse - The print on this one was very fun.  The weird tie thing, not so much.  The puffy shoulder area made me feel like the 80's were back.
5. Dita Sleeveless Ponte Dress - The picture should speak for itself.

 

And the one I picked.  The Dita Sleeveless Ponte Dress.  It will be absolutely perfect for the concert coming up in December.

 

Now to sit back and wait until the next fix, which will be in January.  Tick tock.

xoxo, Dawn Marie

Weekend Shenigans

Oh Monday, you just had to show your ugly face again.  Weekends really should be one more day.  Of course the minute they give you one more day, you need another and another.  Then pretty soon you wouldn't be working at all.  Which would be just fine if someone was stilling paying me my current salary with annual raises.  Since this is not the case, our weekends are two days and it is Monday. 

Now time to wrap up the two days called the weekend.  Saturday = shopping.  This girl is not a black friday shopper. And let me tell you, I think that this whole starting black Friday crap on Thursday is a bunch of BS.   Wasn't the whole point to get up really early (or leave the bar) and go stand in line at like 3:00 in the morning.  Which at that time would put you right behind the people who decided that winter camping in Best Buys parking lot is like the most awesome thing ever. Genius they are.  Because unlike people who decided to roll out there at 3:00 in the morning, the overnight campers were nice and toasty prepared for the elements.  Thats why the major rush for the door people.  Not the great tv deal.  People are just tired of standing out there freezing their hinders off.  Running equals warmth.  Anyways, not a black Friday shopper. And quite honestly I hate, loathe going into any stores between now and Chrismas.  Master plan for Saturday was to get all the shopping done I needed to enable me to not go into a store until January. Yes, January.

The wrinkle in my master plan of a quiet shopping trip.  Deer hunter widows. Yep.   Completely forgot while the boys head to the north woods, the ladies go out and spend the money.  Not as crazy as black Friday, but ranks right up there.  I survived though. 

Since I basically spent from 9:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon shopping you would think that there was going to be some amazing haul pictures. Nope sorry.  Number One...a few peoples'  (is that a word) Christmas presents were purchased during the trip.  Number 2...do you really need to see the amazing amount of toilet paper I purchased to last us until January.  Yeah, there are a lot of boys in the house.  They poop. Not like us ladies. Poop free the way to be. 

A couple if gems I did find though:

Sorry to disappoint they did not come home with me.  The hubbie was just gave a "no".  And then a new drool item.

Look at all that warm fuzziness going on there.

 

Then there was getting behind like the slowest truck on the planet on the way home.

Sunday.  Can you feel the fire. Whoot.  Family day at the movies.  Went to see Catching Fire.  Super exciting.  It was exactly like the books. Loved it.  Can not wait for Mockingjay.  Also attempted to embrace my inner Katniss with some funky eye makeup. 

 

People may think I am crazy, but whatever.  Given the opportunity to theme out...I am in.

Afterwards a last minute decision to hit La Tapatia.  One of our fave mexican restaurants.  It was so crazy.  Main goal of the evening was to get the little bro's gf to spit margarita.  Of course, I was the poor soul sitting across from her.  Thankfully (I guess) it did not occur.  Then at some point in the evening we decided that a pitcher of margarita would be a good idea. Did I mention it was Sunday. We're geniuses.  Tequila equals love.

Margarita though led to a very rough Monday for me.  At some point, I decided it would be a great idea to run on Monday mornings.  Let's just say, I stepped on the treadmill hungover going "hell yeah let's do this". Positive attitude people.  No better way to cure it then to sweat it out right.  Everyone knows that smelling the tequila that you overindulged on at mile 2-6 is the greatest thing on the planet.  Or even better, your body letting you taste chimis again.  Oh yeah pure joy.  You have the brief moment of I will never do that again.  Key word there brief.  Given the opportunity, I am in.

And I can not forget to mention that I some point during the weekend the hubbie worked very hard on his list to Santa.  Found this hanging on the fridge.

There you have it another crazy weekend checked off and in the record books.

Adios amigos, Dawn Marie

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Bittersweet

Once upon a time many years ago (about 13 to be exact) I made the decision to move into a newly developing department at my company.  They were creating a corporate purchasing department. A few weeks ago, I made a rather bittersweet decision to move on from purchasing to distribution in a new role.  With the closing of a chapter, it is time for some reflection, memories and stories.

 

Here we are back in the day.  The official group of purchasing.  Aside from myself, there are only two others left from the picture in the purchasing department.  Purchasing for a large company is hard bruttle work. When you work with great people, it makes it worth it.

 

A reflection of my time in purchasing.  I defined my time in purchasing into various sections based on where we were as a department.

 

First was the birth of purchasing.   This was by far the hardest time in the history of the department.  Trying to change a whole companies way of thinking.  Proving that we had something to offer and were beneficial. My boss at that time taught me so much about negotiating.  Took me under his wing.  Made me the hard ass I needed to be. Our director was amazing though. Stood by us and brought down the hammer on people when we needed it. He made sure we had some fun along the way too.  Lunches and cocktails were pretty common.  It far outweighed the times when you would just leave and go home in tears from being called various words to not be mentioned.  Finally there was the point were people didn't hate us...completely.

 

This led into what I like to refer to as the customer service years.  By the obvious title this time was all about treating, working with our internal customers.  Polishing some of the roughness we acquired.  It was a tough job.  The director at that time came from a customer service background.  He taught us a lot about working with people and diffusing situations.  Not just laying down the hammer.

 

After all of this, we decided to buy another company.  Which led us into the nickel and dime era.  This was all about how much money you could save.  The director during this period was from the company we acquired and a woman.  She is one of the smartest woman I know.  I am very grateful of the things I learned from her.  She was tough.   One of my fave sayings of her's to this day is "shits-n-bits".  My boss during this time was also pretty awesome.  He taught me about leases,, bankruptcy and various items we as a company never worried about before.  His saying "row well and live".

 

And the final era that was just starting...the bullshit era.  This is why I decided to leave.  When you are told to be quiet when telling someone the truth versus what they want to hear. Someone lies directly to your face, it is time to move on.  At least it was in my books.  There are a few values I will always stand by: truth and honesty.  Those I do not break.  I will miss the people in my department who have been my friends and coworkers thru the years.  Of course, like I said, it was not like I died.  I will still be around and we know where to find each other. And those wonderful people, where the ones who surprised me with a glorious lunch in true company tradition.

Look at all that glorious food.  We definetly know how to party.  Then one of the girls I sit near gave me the best going away present.....

Kleenex.   Yeah I was excited.

Today I sit in my new position. I work with an amazing group of people. Even though it was a little scary at first, it feels completely right.  Time for the start of a new chapter.

 

 

xoxo, Dawn Marie

These are a few of my favorite things....

 

Now onto my favorite things Christmas list...or something along those lines.  How about we just say random things I am drooling over at the current time.

 

1. Marc Jacobs Daisy

 

2. Micheal Kors watch

 

3. Cards against humanity game

 

 

4. Trader Joes Cookie Butter - So many people have been talking about the glory of this.  And now this girl wants to try.  Goodness I love trying new foods.

 

5. Fancy Camera Strap for the big girl camera

 

And there we have it.  Just a few things I am currently drooling over.  Oh and of course there is this....

Yeah this girl is completely wishing for some swagtime!

 

Sandbar and Cocktail Dreams

 

xoxo,  Dawn Marie 

 

 

 

 

This or That...

This week is Fears, so here are the questions.

Heights or deep water: Heights.  Completely heights.  Maybe it is my blindness.  Heights freak me out.  Love being in the water.

Snakes or Spiders: Snakes. All the way.  Spiders, at least where I live are tiny and can be squished.

Losing all your teeth, or losing all your hair: I would rather lose all my hair. This girl likes food too much to lose my teeth.  And then think of all the wigs you could buy.

No voice or No hearing: No voice. As much as I was leaning towards no hearing (you know that peace and quiet), voice won.  After all how would you be able to hear me echo.

Eating a bug, or eating intestines: Eating a bug.  For some reason I have in my mind that you maybe able to disguise intestines as like a sausage.  So that is what I am going with.

 

Little bit of this and a little bit of that for the day.

xoxo, Dawn Marie

Weekend Shenigans

Rainy, icky and actually pretty warm over the weekend in wonderful Wisconsin.  Let's start off with my new found talent.  Did you know that a belly button ring serves multiple purposes?   Aka makeup brush holder.  Really I had no idea. What, why or otherwise that I would decide to stick a makeup brush thru my belly button ring, no idea.  Of course, I did it though.  Plus documented and texted the hubbie the picture.  That just increased my position in the crazy race.  Whoot.

 

Friday evening, we decided to rent the movie "The Heat".  It had it's funny parts. 

 

Now on a cold, wet, rainy day in Wisconsin nothing better to do then go shopping. And at some point in the morning, we had a conversation about make up.  Which in turn led me to doing my make up like a hot mess sex pot.  Yeppers that if the official name of the makeup look of the day.  Better seen a few photos down.  Back to the shopping.   We ended up finally getting cases for our new smartical phones.  Huge difference and makes keeping them a little easier.  Otherwise I seriously couldn't tell you what we got.   Enjoy some pictures of the day...

 

You know if you have the feature why not.  Ha.  You would think we were going to crash based my face on that in the car picture.

Since we were out and about with no teenagers, glorious idea to stop for some mexican and maragaritas.

Snuggling with my Chuck later in the day.  And a much better picture of the Hot Mess Sex Pot look of the day.

 

Sunday morning it was off to babysit the two most adorable boys on the planet.  And plus one has been working on going on the pottie.

Of course Auntie Dawn had to document this.  Will this be hidden in the archives forever, doubtful. Bring on the bribery.

Poptarts and Sesame Street.  And if the little bro happens to be viewing this, no you do not see us eating poptarts in the living room.   And an updated turtle picture since they are a few days old.  We now have 8.

 

Now pardon the lack of pictures for the remainder of Sunday.  We had a "family" dinner night.  Basically everyone converges on the house for dinner (obvious, I know).  Honestly this should (or will be if I have anything to say about it) be an every week thing.  It is just so much fun eating, drinking and hanging with the family.  

 

Menu was chicken breast, maggots aka gnocchi, and balsamic roasted carrots.  Think we may have slightly scared the little bro's new gf.  Since we were continously referring to the gnocchi as maggots.  He also brought over some of the pheasant that he just happened to shoot that morning.  For rmy first time having pheasant, it really wasn't that bad.  Next time, need to do a better job with the pictures.

 

Just an everyday weekend in the sack....and don't forget to find a way to utilize the hot mess sex pot term thourghout your day.

 

Peace Out, peeps.

xoxo

Dawn Marie

 

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