My first irresponsible purchase...

I tell ya, you stalkers had sooo many good ideas of what to do with my bonus money.  I LOVE that you played along!  The biggest response was for clothes, shoes & jewelry.  I'm pretty much set in the jewelry department, & I'm not really a 'clothes & shoe' gal.  (Sorry Denise!)  HOWEVER.... I am going to look at the UGG boots AND some shoes called Dansko's.  Apparently they're handmade & they conform to your feet & are uber comfortable.  I'll have to check that out...

I have kicked around so many things I might like to get.  B-rad mentioned a front loader washer & dryer because the washer & dryer I have now is the old school style & we've had it since we got married.  I really do want some new ones, but don't know if I wanna blow my money on something I have to do household chores with.  Bleh.

Like I said before, B-rad had NO problem coming up with several things to put on the list!  He said I should get a new computer because my laptop is a few years old & the top is broken but I said I don't need one!  I watched some videos on the Mac computers over the long weekend.  And...oh.my.word.  They are awesome... but pricey! (Ginmommy your dad would be so proud, right?!  If I got one, would he adopt me & let me sit in on the infamous family photo 'round the table?  I would LOVE that!)  I don't know if I wanna blow THAT much on one of those just yet...

I knew what I wanted my first purchase to be.  Something I love.  Something I'm too cheap to buy.  Something that I got for Christmas that gave me the extra itch.

Without further delay...

Please, PLEASE be jealous... 

Yes, I know I just got a real, live Coach bag for Christmas, but I can't carry that everyday.  It's an over the shoulder bag so I can take that when I go on trips & stuff.   I got something I can carry everyday AND my iPad fits in it.  (That's my new requirement for purses-my iPad has to fit!)

I went to the Coach outlet in Edinburgh.  Alicia had told me they give you a 30% off coupon when you walk in the door & I like coupons.   While I was shopping around, I kept saying, "Do I really wanna spend $xxx.xx on this purse?!"  (Old habits die hard....)  Then I found the matching wallet & had to carry it around forever to decide if I wanted to pay for it!  Sheesh!

So there you have it - shocker, huh?  Jaime Mac bought a purse.  I know, I know booooooring.  I promise I will try to do better next time!

Christmas #3 is coming

Yea, yea, I still need to post about Christmas #3....  & I will.... just as soon as I can.

Here's the deal - I do a lot of blogging during my down time at work.  And this past week I've had absolutely NO down time at work.  And if someone would've bothered to ask exactly what I DO at work, you would understand - but sadly...you did not.  (I'm not bitter...)

SO, I will work on my Christmas post when I'm able (maybe over the long weekend?!) AND I have made my first 'irresponsible' purchase.  You.stalkers.are.gonna.die.when.you.see.  I LOVED all your comments about what I should buy!  Ya'll are SO fun!!!!

The other McAfee's dinner par-tay

Daniel & Alicia have a fancy pants dinner party around Christmas.  We made the cut a few years ago & snagged an invite.  This year when Alicia sent out the evite - there was a twist:

Ugly Sweaters.  Wha?

We all know I hate playing dress up.  I have no creativity.  But I knew just where to find some ugly sweaters...

The pic below is circa 1981.  It shows dad, Butterfly, mom & cutsie little me in a family pic.  Of course, Butterfly & my clothes are hideous...but look at my parents sweaters.  Ugly?  I think so...

 So I asked mom if she had any ugly sweaters we could borrow.  (Knowing full well the answer was going to be 'yes'.)  I specifically asked for the above sweaters.  I knew she'd have them in a box in the basement or attic.  I just know my mom.  And she totally came through!  When she gave them to me I was uber excited.  And then I had to hear from mom AND dad, "Those aren't ugly.  Those are very nice sweaters."   Really?  They're almost as old as me...

And here we are circa 2011 rocking out the thick, itchy, ugly sweaters.  I'm still the cutsie little gal on the right...some things never change...

 Daniel was cutting up one of the 12 (!) roasts Alicia made.  I love the 'muscle shirt' style vest. 

 Janelle & Denise were having a tough time mixing the salad.  Do you see a pattern here about food?  Look at that bowl of salad.  Alicia had so.much.food! 

 She changed it up a bit & this year instead of one big long table...

 she had 2 extra tables on the other side of the basement.  I can only assume that these tables were for the trouble makers...because we were assigned to the table in the corner with the Ellnors.

 We each had a family ornament to take home.  The troublemakers tried to figure out if these were edible.  Doesn't it look good enough to eat?  By the way...totallly not edible...

 Daniel was so kind as to have Christmas music playing/blaring in the background.  Sigh...

 I tried to plug my ears but he wanted me to enjoy the music & he even sang along...

 The boys...

Next it was time for the boys to take OUR picture.  This was quite the scene.  Guys just don't appreciate the art of taking pictures.  They were paying more attention to themselves than us.  You can see Daniel yelling at us here.  I'm not sure why?  WE weren't the problem...

He finally got his act together & even had 2 cameras...

   I'm a little disappointed I didn't get some closer pics of these sweaters.  There were some ugly ones for sure...

  Like I said, those 1981 sweaters were hot & itchy.  After the group pic B-rad was ready to get that thing off!  Daniel was glad to help.  (See what I have to put up with?!)

 Most of the couples there were also teachers with Alicia & I think all of them but me have kids.  I am not a teacher nor do I have kids so I kinda don't have anything to add.  So I stand politely & listen to conversations... about kids... & school.  Denise looked over & laughed at me because she said she could tell what the conversation was about 'just by the generic smile on my face.'   I said, "yea, I have a fake laugh too...I haven't had to break that out yet..."

After dinner (& a few drinks) we were ready for dessert.  Alicia had a great idea, 'just bring the whole pie over with a bunch of spoons.  That way we don't have to cut it.'  Genius!

Thanks again, other McAfee's, for having us & for dinner & drinks.  Always a fun time!

I'm going to be irresponsible & I want you to help...

So you know how I'm uber cheap & I like to save money while Princess spends it like it's going out of style?  Well, I get a bonus check each year from my work.  (Which you stalkers have no clue about since no one asked during the question & answer segment.  Hmph.)

Normally, I take it all & throw it directly into the savings account.  Period.  But THIS year.... I wanna blow half of it.  I don't know why - I just do.  And I'm not talking a couple of hundred dollars - I'm talking a nice pile of benjamins here.

Since I don't normally blow a nice pile of benjamins (not that any of you do either...), I need help!  I wanna know what I should buy!  Not because I NEED it, but because I just WANT it!  Feel free to live vicariously through me & comment away.  

B-rad already has list started (for himself - NOT me!) so you need to act fast before he spends it all!!!!

Christmas #2

If you remember, last year I did several posts on all the Christmases we attend.  This year is no different, people.  I'll be countin' them down.

Sunday we went to Brian & Lora's to do Christmas with them.  Erin, Eric & the girls were making the rounds this weekend for Christmas with all their families here so we just invited ourselves along too.

Lora made breakfast for the army.  This is what the boys did while we made breakfast.  Yes, I helped.  

The biscuits didn't just jump into the oven by themselves...

 It was my turn to pass out our gifts.  I gave the camera to B-rad & he started snapping pics of me.  I said, "You don't have to take only pictures of me!"  To which he replied, "then you get mad at me because 'there aren't any pics of you!'''.  Here I am with MY pointy boss lady finger telling Eric he's gotta go sit by Erin because our gift was for them to share.  

We got them a tablet.  Eric travels sometimes for work & I got them one with a camera so he can skype or whatever with the girls when he's gone.

 Brian got a blue tooth...

 And Lora got gloves...that you can text with.  Genius...

 We also got her a jacket. When she opened it she said, "Oh, a running jacket!"  I said, "you gotta look at the front!"  

 I'm having a harder & harder time finding things for the older nephews.  All the stuff they want is pretty pricey...  B-rad actually picked out Brady's gift & I think he did a good job!  It's a radio for his truck...that he can't legally drive until 2013.  Details schmetails...

 Derik got cologne.  Lora said he liked the red Polo.  I'm not up on the teenage boy cologne scene so when I went to Dillard's & said, "I would like some Polo red, please" they looked at me like I was speaking Japanese.  After a moment they said, "The number two?"  I said, "UHM...I don't know.  I just know it's red."  They drug me through the labyrinth of aisles & bring me to the Polo counter.  And there was a bottle with a huge 2 on it...& it was red.  Those assholes...

 Ah, my little man Cole.  The easiest kid to buy for (besides the great nieces).  He's 9 so he still likes toys.  Easy breezy!  Lora said he was into the K'nex.  Yes, I had to Google K'nex to find out what that was & how to spell it.  Sigh.  

 This ferris wheel is over 2' tall.  He was really excited about putting it together.  He asked me to help after everything was done.  I told him, "Sorry buddy.  That's not my thing.  I'm not patient enough!"  He's already told me next he wants the roller coaster.  I told him maybe Santa will bring it?!

 We got the girls each a little bath set & Madelyn needed pajamas so we got her some of those.  Payton got a mini etch a sketch.  We also got them each a backpack/suitcase with their favorite characters on them.   I was hoping they could use them to pack their clothes when they travel...

 So much for Eric sharing the tablet with Erin.  He was excited because 'next year I can sit in the living room with my electronic device like all the other guys'.  How true...

 My turn to get gifts next!  Eric & fam gave us (actually B-rad) some homemade candies (yum!) & me a candle.  Purple of course...  Lora got me a Coach bag cross body thingie.  UHM, yea...a real live Coach bag!!  And it's purple... When I opened it everyone was chatting & talking & when I let out a screech only dogs could hear everyone stopped & turned to look at me.  

 Then I had another gift!  A matching Coach wristlet!  I asked Lora if Brian knew about any of this?!  He's even cheaper than me!!!

Payton with her Minnie Mouse backpack.  They were stuffing all their gifts into them before they left for home.  No room for clothes!  Eh, gifts are better anyway!

'Tis the Season...

The blog off topic this installment is Christmas cards.  To send or not to send?  

Currently I do not send out Christmas cards.  I just don't see the point.  I send you a card, you send me a card.    There are no personal messages in these cards.  They are just signed & cranked out.  Very impersonal.    (This is NOT to be confused with my stance on Thank you notes...)  I used to send cards every year & I stopped the last couple of years.  They're expensive & postage is ridiculous.  

I've noticed the last few years that I don't receive as many cards either.  I attribute this to one of two reasons:

#1-I don't get a card from them because I don't send them one.

#2-They are cheap like me & don't send cards anymore...

With all that being said, I really enjoy getting the Christmas cards with pictures on them!  I love putting them on my fridge & looking at the one from last year to watch as the family grows or grows up.  Fun stuff!

Maybe I should do a picture card of me, B-rad & whatever pets we have hanging around at the time?!

Big McAfee Christmas... & most importantly-my 7 layer salad

Saturday was the BIG McAfee Christmas.  I slaved & slaved in the kitchen Friday night preparing my 7 layer masterpiece.  I was happy because it did in fact have 7 distinct layers.  I even added broccoli to the cauliflower layer.  Somebody stop me... 

So we were all supposed to be at B-rad's aunts house at 2:00...  We had some errands to run in town before we went so we left our house at 11:30.  By the time we got there a little after 2, we were starving.  We hung out at the appetizer section along with some other familiar faces.  (I love Daniel's face here... he seems perplexed as to why I'm taking a pic of them stuffing their faces.  Apparently he's not a loyal blog stalker...)

When you have 30+ people in one place, you gotta write your name on your cup!  Daniel was gracious enough to write my name for me.  Of course I mentioned (in passing, very chalantly which is my way...) "be sure you spell it correctly...."  I was sooo happy because he got the 'I' & the 'M' in the correct places & even underlined the 'I' to distinguish it was different.  Great!  

Then he added the Y.  Hmph.  (You should've seen the weird looks we got as we laughed uncontrollably...some people just don't understand!)

 I played with Nora while Alicia stuffed her face.  Don't we look cute?!  Me in my jewels, her in her signature headband & tutu.  See, I told ya I like kids...

 Yea, Alicia got hold of the camera...

 I'm VERY sorry to report that just before the camera clicked, Jake had blown a disgusting ball of snot out of his nose & Alicia missed it in the self portrait.  I got to see it in real life, up close & personal.  Good times...

Nora LOVED my bracelet.  She's quite the accessory diva & I just know that when she gets older (& can't choke on the pieces), I will have her be-jeweled.

 Nora had both fists full of Jake's hair & she.was.pulling.  Alicia was talking & didn't even notice.  Jake kinda kept saying, "mommy, ow..." but not loudly enough to drown out all the McAfee voices.  I finally pointed it out to her but not before I snapped a pic... Priorities, people...

 Looks like even the smallest McAfee's are addicted to their electronic devices.

 I have a picture of us like this from a few Christmases ago on my digital frame on my desk.  I will def have to update it with this one.

 I swear to you, my mouth does NOT have colorful polka dots.  These bows are an institution of their own. 

 Alicia & I were sitting at a table eating while B-rad sat at the counter.  Alicia zoomed the camera in & waited for just the right moment when B-rad would take a bite to click it.  

 C'mon - this is funny stuff...

 And the whole time Alicia is rolling with laughter while also saying, "Poor B-rad.  But I LOVE him!  I do!  I love B-rad!"

 Next up were the gifts for the kids.  I stay outta the general vicinity of this room while this chaos is ensuing.  And my dear friend, Alicia, didn't want me to miss a thing.  She ran into the kitchen & said, "Jaime- c'MON!  You are missing this!"  Sigh...

 I think my salad went over well.  This is all that was left.  As far as I've heard - no one got sick.  

(& if you saw my B-rad puking post on facebook no, it was NOT the salad...)

 Brady had burned some of his eyelashes off (hang on-I'll tell you in a minute...) & I wanted Alicia to take his picture.  Yea, he wasn't about cooperating...

 But us bloggers always get our shot.  I had Alicia go to the other side of the kitchen & zoom in.  He never even knew what we were doing.  Notice the red under his eye?  Uhm, yea - he burned himself...with a potato gun... welcome to the country...

 B-rad's aunt, (which is also Alicia's mother in law) had on the same scarf as me.  She's got good taste...

 The McAfee's do this Hillbilly gift exchange.  You basically bring junk from your house & then do like a white elephant exchange & you end up with someone elses junk.  I got this half burned candle.  Alicia said, 'Oh, that will go with your Rustic theme!'  Score!

 Then B-rad's aunt was up.  She got a roll of toilet paper & Milk of Magnesia.  Hi-larious...

 Until she stole my rustic candle & I got stuck with toilet paper...boo...