Who writes about blankets on their blog.... This mommy does!

Laugh all you want but...

 let's talk for a minute about a little invention that has changed my life for.ev.er...

The

 Beautyrest Dual Control Luxury Heated Blanket.

End of story. 

Okay maybe not really end of story.

Does this really need that much explaining??

Okay maybe it does.

But I do know for a fact I am not alone in my love for this blanket. 

Heated blanket might I add. 

This was actually sent to me as a gift from my wonderful cousin Kristi.

After having a brief discussion about it on Facebook one night,

she decided to not only spoil me but 2 of our other cousins as well with this amazing present. 

As weird as it may sound this little/big thing has simplified and complicated my life.

Since becoming a stay at home mom I have dealt with a terrible case of insomnia. 

I just can't seem to fall asleep at a decent hour. 

It sucks. 

And as much as I love Pinterest I know how unhealthy it is to stay up half the night "pinning".

Back to the topic at hand. 

Upon receiving this blanket in the mail (I believe I squealed)

I hooked er' right on up and didn't move for the rest of the day. 

I recall telling Nathan I was just going to sleep on the couch because that is where I set up shop.

I am not that crazy of a person so I did end up moving to bed.

Seriously though this thing has me wanting to go to bed earlier and sleeping in late. 

It is hard to part with in the mornings. 

This blanket is magical, and...

Bonus: it is also so huge you could fit a family of 6 under it. 

no jokes.

Unless your like me and don't like sharing. 

:)

-Merinda

trying harder

Hey Everyone!

Long time no talk. 

You all should know by now that I am not very good about keeping up my blog. 

Life always seems to get in the way. 

If any of you have blogs you know that it takes a lot of time, dedication, and hard work.

Which is something I did not know when I signed up for this.

I don't know about other bloggers but it takes me forever to write a post.

Usually around an hour if not longer. 

I love my blog and I am so glad I have it.

but, I really wish I was more passionate about it to keep it up. 

I might do really good for about a week and then I start going back down hill and never posting. 

It kind of reminds me of facebook. 

ha.

I get in my moods where I really love facebook and I post pictures and statuses frequently.

Then out of the blue I am just kind of over it and want to keep my life private. 

 It's crazy that I even wanted a blog in the first place.

Especially a public blog that is about me, my family, and our life. 

I want my blog to be good and I want people to stick around and read it

but Ive noticed that sometimes I try so hard my personality isn't even visible in my post's

It's just a bunch of words and its bland and boring.

That is not what I want my blog to be.

I really want to try harder and put myself out there so everyone can get to know me.

I know this is going to take a lot of work.

But I hope over time my blog can turn into something great.

Here's to trying! :)

p.s please ignore my header. :) It is a work in progress. I hopefully will have new one in the next 2 weeks if not sooner. It's all up to the hubs!

Christmas Questionnaire

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate all the way. My favorite is my Grandma Strickland's, no one can make it like she does!
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa does not wrap presents. He sits them under the tree.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White lights are my color of choice. Nathan likes colored.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No. But I keep telling Nathan I wish we did. :)
5. When do you put your decorations up? Not usually till the first weekend in December but this year we did it the day before Thanksgiving.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? This is a toughy. But, I think my favorite was all the appetizers we had at my grandparents house on Christmas eve growing up. A tradition we will continue to do in Texas!
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Watching A Christmas Story with my dad on Christmas Eve. 8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I really don't remember. But I do remember telling my cousin Santa was real because the things he gives me my parents couldn't afford. lol oops.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Occasionally my mom let me. With Harlow we plan to let her open up her Christmas Pajamas on Christmas Eve.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? A very simple theme. Glittery snow flakes, green, red, gold and black ball ornaments. Harlow has her own tree that is all pink and we will put all of her girly pink ornaments on her tree.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it. I just hope it doesn't snow till Christmas night since my parents will be traveling.
12. Can you ice skate? Yes, not very gracefully though.
13. What is on your Christmas list this year? Absolutely nothing, I can't think of anything I need. Even though I see a Victoria Secret bag under the tree! But, It's all about Harlow now. :)
14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Spending it with my family and making each year memorable for Harlow.
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Christmas cookies!!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Same as above. Watching A Christmas Story on Christmas eve with my daddy. :)
17. What tops your tree? We had a star a few years ago but it got lost in one of our moves. I will be picking up a new topper this year. Hopefully for half off!
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Definitely giving!
19. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? Yum!
20. Favorite Christmas movie? I love all Christmas movies. I even record the random ones on our DVR.
21. Weirdest Christmas song? Anything that says "Shawty" in it. AHEM Justin Bieber- mistletoe
22. What is your favorite Christmas song? Well I love Silent Night because the Pampers commercial. But Harlow loves Jingle Bells she always dances when I sing it.

Nom nom nom

Who can eat a whole plate of sugar cookies in 2 days?

via

Nathan and I can!

P.s. These are not my cookies.

But how adorable are they?

Thank you Pinterest.

Once again for the "pinspiration"

Tis' the season!

Changes

Did you notice my new beautiful buttons right above this post??

Yayyy!

I pink puffy heart love them.

Being married to a graphic designer sure does have it perks.

Believe you me there is no way I could have made those.

I just requested for them to be girly and then played on facebook the whole time.

:/

I did ever so often ask why he had to click so many buttons.

Confusing I tell ya!

Hopefully more changes to come soon.

Nay had to do a lot of work tonight so it might be a while before he agrees to any more jobs from me.

He was a trooper through it all though...

and occasionally reminded me that he usually charges for these types of design jobs.

:)

insomni-ahhh

It was 12:30 a.m this morning and I could not sleep!

 I usually stay up till 1130 and wake up around 8 but last night I was wide awake.

I was even awake by 7 this morning.

My sleep clock must be all sorts of messed up.

Crazy.

I didn't feel like getting out of bed to get my laptop last night.

In fear that my typing would wake the very asleep and snoring hubby.

So alas I stayed in bed and decided to activate my mobile blogging.

I really thought it would be similar to writing the way I do on my computer.

But no.

They had to make it all weird where you type it like a text and send it to your designated" blogger number."

So I typed and typed.

Finally decided to hit send.

What do you know it shows up as 5 completely different blog posts.

Say whaaa??

So I deleted them out of pure embarrassment.

But I am pretty sure if you follow me it will show in your blog reader.

 So my failed attempt at mobile blogging is still out there for some of you to see.

smh.

I really had high hopes that it would work.

I even tried my hardest to format it as best I could.

I also just realized I say "so"  a lot.

annoying.

:)

Have a good weekend everyone.

I am glad I could share my mobile blogging fail with you guys.

:)

You want to know whats crazy...

There is just a little over 2 weeks till Christmas!

Whoa wait... this month is flying.

Of course it would be since I have hardly made a dent in any

of my Christmas shopping.

You want to know how many times I have went shopping

in the last 5 months....

Probably not.

1.

once.

uno.

Believe me it is driving me crazy.

So I told Nathan we are getting out this weekend

and finishing up our Christmas shopping.

Luckily, in that one amazing shopping trip I bought all of Harlow's

big gifts.

Santa will defiantly be making a stop at our house. :)

Via

Really the only people we need to buy gifts for is each other.

And stocking stuffers!

Nathan and I both love Christmas.

Especially these last 2 years,

 since it's just another reason to spoil our baby girl.

So I really want there to be ton of presents under that

beautifully lit tree.

I am also feeling extremely blessed,

because my parents will be coming down on Christmas day.

I am so excited to cook my 2nd Christmas day dinner.

This will be my first time cooking a turkey though so wish me luck!

I love these new traditions we are starting.

I hope they are ones Harlow remembers

 and looks forward to year after year.

Happy holidays everyone!

From my family to yours!!