Merry Christmas everyone!

Loren tagged me for this meme.. simply show your desktop. Its a mess huh? Unlike Loren, who cleaned hers up first.. I just went ahead and grabbed mine. I got my wallpaper from helloyarn.com (just in case you'd like your very own colorful and fibery desktop!) Now.. who will I tag? Hmm... Nan, Kelly, Nancy, and Lisa (who is trying to blog more, so here is an excuse to blog Lisa!)

I was participating in NaBloPoMo. Seems I've inadvertently participated in NoBloFoMe, since I let three whole days elapse before sitting down to write anything.  Truth is though, I've been pretty busy. I've done some re-organzing here at home, swapping out warmer weather clothes from the kid's wardrobes, bagging up outgrown stuff to take to the thrifty, and getting ready for the holidays in general. I actually managed to completely unearth my sewing machine, switch it to a lesser space hogging table/desk. I'm looking forward to getting into the fabric stash very soon.

We also "celebrated" Richard's birthday on the 14th, however it sadly wasn't much of a celebration. The day was a real bummer for everyone since he didn't take the day off work, and then to make it worse, had to teach a class that night. We're planning the big celebration this weekend, when we'll make momos, and something sinfully delicious but sugar free for dessert.

Back to the lack of blogging.. by the end of the day, I'd sit here to write a post, and just stare blankly.. with absolutely nothing to write about.. nothing worth writing/reading anyway. So be grateful I just walked away.. you wouldn't have read anyway *wink*

So um, its snowing (our first of the season.) And while its pretty and all, our snow tires don't go on the van until tomorrow. Eek! And the kids have a half day today.. so its time to go hurry and do my chores before they come home. Otherwise the laundry will get put off while I referee whose turn it is to play Lego Star Wars II on the Game Cube.

I said I'd draw a name last night, but the birthday celebration lingered on through the evening. There may have been some wine. And some delicious chocolate bundt cake. Then a little tipsy spinning, finishing a bobbin of luscious blue faced leicester while watching Family Guy with Richard. I didn't have the energy to turn on the computer, nor did I want to tear myself away from the spinning wheel.

Anyway, on to the festivities...

The random number generator at mathgoodies.com came up with number FIVE, which means Vicki wins the birthday surprise. Ironically.. Vicki celebrates her birthday, tomorrow! Congrats Vicki (and Happy early Birthday!)

Birthday pictures (or rather foodie pictures,) later. But I'm not promising anything special. I have difficulty photographing food without my light box and who wants to spoil the celebration by bringing out a light box?

*phone rings*

Carla: Hello?

brief silence before recored message starts

"Hello, this is Rudy Giuliani, calling to let you know that I support my friend, Joanie Mahoney.. "

The point worth mentioning? Joanie Mahoney doesn't deserve my vote. Giuliani?... *eye roll*

I'm not exactly sure at what moment in time that I became so into shoes. Honestly, I'm struggling with this turn of events. Shoe obsession is for other women, right? But here I am surfing zappos way too often, and I can't pass a shoe department without a peek. Of course you'll never find me in anything with heels or pointy toes.. but comfortable casual? Yeah baby.

Earlier this evening we had to exchange a table cloth at TJMaxx so we thought we'd check out the new L.L. Bean outlet while we were in the neighborhood. I'm soooo glad we did. Not only did we get a real steal on a new winter coat for Cassidy, but look what I got. And I had to talk myself out of a similarly styled green pair. And you know, how I talked myself out of that second pair, was the want of another pair of shoes. I have my eyes set on a pair of Keen calistogas. Crazy huh? Carla.. shoe whore. Who woulda thunk it?

P.S. Birthday contest ends tomorrow peeps! I'll draw a name randomly sometime tomorrow evening.. so don't forget to visit that blog post and comment!

In a few days, on Sunday to be exact, I will celebrate my first annual 39th birthday. This is a big milestone, no? Well, maybe it isn't since I plan to celebrate the same birthday every year from here on out.

So I'd like to entertain a little reversal here, and have a little contest. No answering questions, no donations to charities, just leave a comment telling me about a favorite birthday present you've received. I'll pick one at random on Sunday, November 4th and put together a little surprise package for the winner. See, as much as I love receiving surprises.. I adore putting together surprises for others. If the winner is a knitter or spinner, perhaps you'll get a nice fibery surprise in the mail. If you're not, maybe an Amazon or iTunes gift certificate... I have lots of ideas!

And here, I'll get you started. What is my favorite birthday present? Cassidy! She was born just a few months shy of my 30th birthday, and I had always wanted a baby before I turned 30 (weird.. I know!) But besides all of that, Richard and I were both surprised, since we had always thought our path to parenthood would be a difficult one. We were looking at facing lengthy and heartbreaking fertility cycles.. then there it was.. a positive pregnancy test, all on our own. And after a rocky first trimester, when we were expecting the worst to happen every day, despite bed rest and progesterone supplements, we were truly blessed... just in time to fulfill my 30th birthday wish.

Now, go, and tell me all about your favorite birthday present! As you can tell, it doesn't have to be a "thing", it can be "the perfect day", a great meal... anything.

P.S. Scorpios Rule!

Apologies in advance to those who read My Little Tribe through their feed service, as full feeds will no longer be available. I recently had someone scam one of my blog entries from my feed, so I've set them to only show partial. To read the full blog entry, readers will have to visit MLT.

Thank you in advance for understanding

Update: Its not working (of course, many of you have figured this out by now) Gaaah. I'll figure it out.