Hi, My Name Is Emily...

... and I'm a wrapaholic..

I'm told the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.  I'm aware of my sickness, but I don't know that there is a cure.  In fact I think it might be some sort of genetic disorder... like premature balding or something.

I just love wrapping paper so much.  It's so shiny and pretty and happy.  This time of year is so special to me.  I go to the store and they have whole entire aisles dedicated to different wrapping paper!  Can you say dream come true?!  It takes every fiber of strength and will power not to blow all my life savings.  I just feel like I need a lot of different options available to me at all times.

Oh and my problem doesn't end with wrapping paper.

I also collect gift bags.

And ribbons, bows, and other decorative toppings.

I couldn't leave tissue paper out of the equation.

I would be lying if I said I didn't have a secret stash of cards and tags and labels as well.

Ok now you know my dirty secret and I'm not ashamed!  Who are you going to go running to next time you have a gift giving emergency?  Me, that's who!

You need something for a baby shower...I got it.

Wedding... check.

Birthday... I gotcha covered

Easter... you know it.

Christmas... duh.

Congratulations... for sure.

Condolences... sad but true.

Just Because... yep.

Martin Luther King Day... I'm all over it.

I think you get the point.  So try not to judge me because someday you'll need me, and when you do my gift wrap and I  will be waiting with open arms.

Xoxo,

Emily

Jillian Michaels Can Go To Hell

There I said it.  That is exactly what I think every time I do her workout video the 30 Day Shred.  The next logical question would be why are you doing it if you feel that way?  Because.  Because I am not the same since having a baby.  My body is a lot more...gelatinous if you will.  My clothes do not fit the same and I am tired of forcing my butt and thighs into jeans that I can practically hear moaning when I pull them out.

I know that I am very fortunate that all my baby weight has come off and I haven't been one of those poor women that seriously struggle post pardom.  Ok and by all of my baby weight I mean most of my baby weight.  Who knew that 5 lbs (give or take) could make such a big difference in your love handles?  The point is if I can't get back my smooth stretch mark free stomach shouldn't I at least be able to get back my pant size?  Speaking of "stretchies" as I like to call them, what a freaking rip off!  I know, I know, once again I am lucky and only have a handful of small light "stretchies" that didn't even show up until after I had Ryder and my stomach deflated.  Who am I to complain when some come out of pregnancy looking like they just experienced hand-to-hand combat with Wolverine.  But I digress, the point is I knew going into this I wouldn't come out the same but that doesn't mean I'm not going to try!

So back to the subject (and yes I am going somewhere with this rambling and complaining).  I hate Jillian, I hate her so much.  She's so mean to me.  And she hurts me.  And she's mean!  It's only a freaking 30 minute workout, but somehow during that time she looks at me through the TV and she is judging me.  She knows that I'm secretly thinking about cake.  She knows that I watch The Biggest Loser and eat cookies at the same time.  How she does it I will never know, but I'm certain that she does.  So even though I loath and despise her I also secretly love her and know that if anyone can pry some results out of me she can.  I am making this my End of Year resolution.  Not to be confused with a New Year resolution, which in my experience rarely pan out.

If you see me on the street ask me about Jillian and if I'm still working out.  And when I say "Why yes I am, thank you for asking" then you should ask me if I'm lying to you.  At which point I'll say"Ughhhh  how did you know?!"  I'm not making any promises but I am going to make a valiant effort so I'll let you know how it goes.  Wish me luck.

Xoxo,

Emily

Let's Talk Turkey

As you all know last Thursday was Thanksgiving, and oh what a day it was!  Mike and I are blessed enough to live near both sides of our families so we are able to see them all on the holidays.  Let's start with Mike's family rendezvous at his aunt Kelly's house.

Here are the Ottley's talking about Ottley related things.

Here's that handsome devil Grampy.  Oh and Mike's not too shabby either.

This is Ryder with her Grandpa Kenny.  Kenny has been working out of town for 3 months and hadn't seen Ryder since she was but a wee lass.  The minute they locked eyes it was like no time had passed.  It was actually really weird, as soon as Kenny picked Ryder up the song Reunited started playing.  You know..."reunited and it feels so good".  Those are the only words I know, sorry.  And just kidding about the song playing, but wouldn't that have been awesome?

Here is what's left of the tasty morsels they prepared.

Our niece Riley made this fantastic pumpkin cake.  Isn't she crafty?  Sam said at 8 years old she's already done more baking than her mother Mindi.  Hmmm I wonder if that was something he wanted me to repeat...

Poor Zig (Chloe) was exhausted.  I can relate kiddo, I can relate.

Ok now let's move on to the Chavez family.

This is my brother Nate casually stirring gravy.  Isn't he handsome and natural looking?  He's single ladies!

Here are the men doing men related things.

Mmmm.  These are some of the fixins' being fixed.  Hey mom you know how every year you say you're not going to this again next year and we're on our own?  Yeah that's not going to work for me.

Post carnage.

In closing I would like to list some things I am thankful for in no particular order.

• Frosting
• Mike & Ryder
• Tivo  (remember back when you had to watch commercials?  Me either.)
• Sugar Ray Leonard Chavez-Mendenhall
• Roxy Balboa Chavez-Mendenhall
• A roof over my head
• Nasal spray
• Stephen King
• Food on my table
• All of my immediate and extended family
• University of Utah football (next year is our year!)
• Hot water

Speaking of hot water, our worthless piece of crap water heater hasn't been working the past few days and I find it really inconvenient.  Thank the lord above I was not born a pioneer because I am not meant to go without gloriously warm water whenever my little heart desires.  And another thing, is it required that you have a mustache to be in the repair man business?  The guy that came by today was rocking an awesome 'stache and when I think back on it I could swear that any other repair guy that's ever came over also had a mustache.  Just a little something for you to think about.

Xoxo,

Emily