Take a Look-See, With Bonus Parenthetical References!

I kept meaning and meaning to post these pictures of my PRESENTS!!! yesterday, but the pecan pie and pumpkin pie kept beckoning me to the kitchen and requesting me to eat just one more of their delectable slices. I didn’t want to disappoint my pecan pie and pumpkin pie friends, after all, it is the Christmas season.

Okay. So here are my PRESENTS!!!

(I didn’t take a picture of the digital photo keychain or calendar since those weren’t surprises.) (But! I already have my 2008 calendar updated with birthday, upcoming appointments, move dates (January 23, 24, 25…) (I can’t REST until the calendar is done and now it is done…*sigh of relief*!)

Photoshop!

(This actually wasn’t a surprise, I sorta kinda found it before Christmas since somebody (Tate) is the WORST at “hiding” presents behind cushions in rooms where I would be cleaning for our upcoming guests.) (“People” might be reading this, though, so let’s all pretend that it was a complete surprise.)

I made my new header alls by myself. Maybe it’s not the greatest, maybe you can tell that someone with no design instinct made it, but I like it and it only took me about 20 minutes to make. Don’t be surprised if every week I have a new header and that some of my headers may make you shield your eyes.

New Baby Bag! Embroidered with Ella’s real name!

Love, love, love monogramming! And! I love that this bag has lots of pockets and compartments and such. Good for having more than one child in diapers, storing snacks and two drinks. I haven’t talked about my hate-hate relationship with my old, inferior baby bag here, but it’s safe to say that I DESPISED it (with every fiber of my being). I was always losing things, important things, like spoons, keys, raisin boxes, fruit snacks…EVERYTHING I EVER PUT IN IT. Gah! I hated it! Begone crappy old bag! Hello new bag!

Diamond earrings!!!!!!

(The dangly ones, not the studs.) (Just in case you’re wondering, I did get two earrings, but didn’t think it was necessary to show you both since I’m certain you can imagine what the second earring looks like in my other ear.)

These were a complete and total surprise which makes them my most favorite gift! I didn’t even give any hint that I’d like to get jewelry, but even though Tate is a terrible gift hider, he’s a great gift giver. (And was luckily successful in making this gift a true surprise.)

I can’t wait to hear all about what PRESENTS!!! you all got for Christmas, especially the surprises. (This is the part where you tell me what you got.) (But you probably already knew that.) (Merry Christmas!)

43 Responses to Take a Look-See, With Bonus Parenthetical References!
  1. Burgh Baby's Mom
    December 27, 2007 | 8:40 am

    It looks like you had a fantabulous Christmas! I’m so very jealous of Photoshop. I must work on figuring out how to justify that expenditure.

    Me? What did I get? OH! I got a purdy pearl necklace and a brand spankin’ new Steelers jersey! I’m thinking I will wear them together. Nothing says “wear the pearls” like a football jersey.

    Burgh Baby’s Mom’s last blog post..It’s Going Home that Hurts

  2. Toni
    December 27, 2007 | 8:54 am

    What a great bunch of gifts!!! I have that diaper bag and it is awesome! I think you will love it lots and lots!

    Toni’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Before And After

  3. Annie
    December 27, 2007 | 9:18 am

    Great presents!

    I have that diaper bag and I LOVE it – it’s great when you have to cart stuff around for two kids – you’ll love it, too.

    Annie’s last blog post..Happy Christmas!

  4. Hydes Like Us
    December 27, 2007 | 9:20 am

    Wow! Sounds like you had a great day!!

    And I think your new header looks great…looking forward to seeing more :)

    Hydes

    Hydes Like Us’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen

  5. tulipmom
    December 27, 2007 | 9:21 am

    You did really well! And I LOVE the new header.

    I’m going to go check out that diaper bag on Landsend.com. The two I had with SB were totally inferior.

    tulipmom’s last blog post..Props to One and Poo on the Other

  6. Sandy
    December 27, 2007 | 9:38 am

    You know…Adobe Premier and Elements came with my new pc…and I have to say I don’t like them that much. Maybe I am just sooo used to my Photoshop 7 and now I have to relearn how to use it! LOL

    Glad you had a great Christmas!

    Sandy’s last blog post..Dah-who-dor-eh

  7. Mandie
    December 27, 2007 | 9:45 am

    Wait, Carson & Ella aren’t your kids’ real names? Where have I been???

    Lovely gifts and I dig the header. :)

  8. Cathy
    December 27, 2007 | 9:49 am

    I’m the one that found the Cabela’s box! No reindeer chandelier for me – just a really nice scarf/glove set and some super warm slippers. But the best present – had to be the necklace my hubby made for me – that’s right – he made it – all by himself (with some help from the internet). I sent a really big hint that I’d like a superhero necklace http://www.superherodesigns.com/jewelry/index.html and he decided he could make me one on his own. I love it even more than a superhero necklace because he made it!
    I love your new header! Sounds like you had a great Christmas!

    Cathy’s last blog post..Merry Christmas!

  9. janet
    December 27, 2007 | 10:15 am

    um. was i the only one who didn’t know that carson and ella aren’t your kids’ real names?????

    i got all my presents earlier in the month for my birthday and hanukkah kinda got overlooked (did someone say december birthdays suck? yeah they do), but i did post about it today.

    sounds like a good christmas in the binky bitch household!

    janet’s last blog post..Oh yeah, I can be a whore too

  10. ~JJ!
    December 27, 2007 | 10:22 am

    Gorgeous header…and earrings…and the whole thang.

    I got a ring that I have to exchange because it’s too big. I got shoes that are too big so I have to exchange them too.

    I got a washing machine.

    Surprise surprise.

    ~JJ!’s last blog post..Misc. & Meme

  11. Jean
    December 27, 2007 | 10:42 am

    Love the header..I so gave hints that I wanted some kind of better photoshopping product than what I have. It didn’t happen. I did get a mini sewing machine which is the awesome. I know I’m such a crafty nerd. That’s basiclly all I got despite some cash and some giftcards. boring!

    Jean’s last blog post..Twas The Day After Christmas…

  12. Christina
    December 27, 2007 | 10:48 am

    I love the new header! You’ve got some talent!

    Great gifts, too. I got a Starbucks gift card and a Nintendo DS game from my husband. Aaron was too nervous about money this year to buy me jewelry. Actually, I ended up getting three Starbucks gift cards in all, with a total value of $100, so I’m going to be well-caffeinated for awhile.

    Christina’s last blog post..Aunt Dot’s Last Christmas Gift

  13. tommie
    December 27, 2007 | 11:16 am

    That Photoshop program is on my wishlist Good job on the header.

    tommie’s last blog post..letter a…my 21st Thursday 13

  14. Kelly
    December 27, 2007 | 11:38 am

    I’m all home-body with my presents. I knew about the soapmaking supplies, but he surprised me with a foot bath (that, sadly, leaked all over our carpet and has been replaced with a hopefully non-leaky one) and blew me away with a new, preeeetty, dutch oven. Boring, perhaps, but I’ve never made a non-dry pot roast until last weekend. Score!

    Kelly’s last blog post..The Race is on (for Holiday Season ‘08)

  15. RWA
    December 27, 2007 | 11:41 am

    Tate is not a bad gift hider. You shouldn’t be snooping so much!!!

    Nice gifts, though. Well done.

    RWA’s last blog post..Ugh

  16. Krista
    December 27, 2007 | 1:33 pm

    I like your new header! (although I liked the old one too) Can you tell me where you got the fun quiltish image at the bottom? I’d like to try my hand at making my own!

    Krista’s last blog post..My monthly diet?

  17. Hmmmm, those earrings look MIGHTY familiar!

    I do believe the earrings are a sign that we were sisters or something in a former life.

    Heather, Queen of Shake Shake who can’t believe you are leaving me’s last blog post..You May Officially Get Your Panties Out of a Wad

  18. Miss
    December 27, 2007 | 3:03 pm

    Love all your goodies AND the new header!! I want diamond earings! *pout*

    Miss’s last blog post..All mixed up

  19. Teri
    December 27, 2007 | 3:16 pm

    Not bad loot you got! The earrings rock.

    Teri’s last blog post..Relaxing.

  20. Veronica
    December 27, 2007 | 3:29 pm

    You got great presents.

    Ummm what did I get? Not much. Nat and I don’t do gifts for each other.

    My mum is going to buy me some new clothes in the new year and that is about it actually. I did get to watch Amy have a ball though.

    Veronica’s last blog post..What I Wanted, But Didn’t Want To Hear

  21. Tessie
    December 27, 2007 | 3:34 pm

    Your new design pleases my browser in a way that the old one did not. I had fallen into the habit of not clicking through from the feed reader since it was taking so long to load! I read! I do!

    You didn’t even know you were missing my excellent and well-researched comments, did you?

    Tessie’s last blog post..Cue The Violins

  22. Anglophile Football Fanatic
    December 27, 2007 | 4:46 pm

    I’m a monogram/personalization whore, too! Congrats on the haul…even if you (like I) already knew what you were getting!

    Anglophile Football Fanatic’s last blog post..The Emergency Broadcast System

  23. mpotter
    December 27, 2007 | 4:59 pm

    sounds like you enjoyed christmas. i love surprises, too.
    i wasn’t too surprised at my garmin gps, since my new job makes me get lost in (er… go to) some rural counties.
    but by the time i opened it, i “done forgot” so it was sorta a surprise.

    nor was i surprised at my maroon 5 cd. especially since The Mr. wanted a cd of his own, so he told me he hid it at target. where did he hide it? in the maroon 5 spot!

    the dvd recorder was a surprise…. just to get some shows i’ve been hoarding on tivo onto something more permanent.

    and a nice picture frame w/ the paint-plan of the plaid wall we just finished. (he even went into ms paint to straighten some of my crooked lines!)

    mpotter’s last blog post..huh??

  24. aradia
    December 27, 2007 | 5:51 pm

    What? But I like Carson and Ella… except for that rogue uncle I have named Carson and that small yappy dog I know named Ella…

    Anywho- Happy Christmas Haul to YOU! Go girl~

    aradia’s last blog post..Stuff And More Stuff

  25. Shauna Loves Chocolate
    December 27, 2007 | 6:04 pm

    Great gifts! Great bag! I gotta check that out! Like the banner, too!

    What did I get? Nada! Seriously. Not one present had my name on it. But, I don’t do gifts with adults (family and friends) and Gavin’s gift to me was a shopping expedition, which I defered until after the holidays (no way was I going to revamp my wardrobe during the holidays when I hate holiday shopping!)

    Shauna Loves Chocolate’s last blog post..Holiday Eating Tips

  26. Alli ~Mrs. Fussypants
    December 27, 2007 | 6:45 pm

    Dude, now I am dying to know Ella’s name!

    Oh, I love the header! I love lots & lots o’ homemade headers! ;)

    Alli ~Mrs. Fussypants’s last blog post..Fussy loves Sarcastic Mom

  27. theotherbear
    December 27, 2007 | 7:03 pm

    Great pressies, and the header looks great.
    I got a photography course, and can’t wait to do it.

    theotherbear’s last blog post..My Loot

  28. amy
    December 27, 2007 | 8:21 pm

    Great header! Great presents too!

    P outdid himself, really and truly, this year. I have had to take back every bad thing I ever said about him for this surprise gift!
    Well, nearly every bad thing…

    amy’s last blog post..Random Thoughts at the Holidays

  29. Mandy
    December 27, 2007 | 9:21 pm

    Since I think I was the only one in the world without an iPod, my husband surprised me with the new video one for Christmas. He doesn’t usually get big gifts like that for me, and he could NOT wait to give it to me. I think he was more excited than I was. He gave it to me a week ago, AND – here’s the best part – had the kids go shopping with him, help him wrap it, and keep it a secret for the two weeks prior to giving to me!!!! I think THAT’S what surprised and impressed me the most!

  30. OHmommy
    December 27, 2007 | 9:49 pm

    Jewlery, bags, and software. Oh my! Sounds like you were a good girl.

    I got a portable hard drive. “It can store up to 100,000 pictures.” He said when he saw my face.

    I guess that makes me a bad girl. Yes?

    OHmommy’s last blog post..Another day, another accident

  31. melissa
    December 28, 2007 | 7:19 am

    oooo, nice presents!!! me? i got a digital camera…no clue how to use it! instruction manual is bigger than a college textbook! and, a sewing machine…bought that one, myself. haven’t taken the class to learn how to use it yet, only know how to make a basic straight-ish stitch!
    enjoy your gifts!

  32. Rachel
    December 28, 2007 | 9:37 am

    Congratulations!!! I got Photoshop Elements 6. I’m excited! Your header looks great!! I can’t wait to finally have time to play with it!!!
    That bag is darling, love monogramming!!!! The earrings are gorgeous, too!
    Glad you had a wonderful Christmas!

    Rachel’s last blog post..Haiku Friday

  33. Sarah @ Ordinary Days
    December 28, 2007 | 10:26 am

    You cleaned up! Good job, Tate!
    Here is my rundown: http://methemama.blogspot.com/2007/12/thats-righti-said-1000-thread-count.html
    Can’t wait to be your new neighbor in less than a month!! :)

    Sarah @ Ordinary Days’s last blog post..Because I Can’t Commit For Longer Than 31 Days

  34. Maggie
    December 28, 2007 | 10:45 am

    It looks like Christmas was merry at the playgroupie house!

    Tate definitely redeemed his not-the-greatest-gift-hiding-ways with those earrings…very pretty!

    Maggie’s last blog post..Off the Naughty List

  35. Erin
    December 28, 2007 | 3:00 pm

    LOVE THE NEW HEADER! Great job!! : )

    Erin’s last blog post..Post Christmas

  36. Michelle
    December 28, 2007 | 8:52 pm

    Hey! I just wanted to say that I see that you love parentheses as much as I do! I have to say that you are a true parenthetical goddess! I enjoy using the parenthetical compound sentence and the double-parentheses in my everyday writing, but your sublime mastery of the punctuation marks is inspiring!

  37. andi
    December 28, 2007 | 10:27 pm

    Wow! You cleaned up – Merry Christmas, by the way. In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been absent from the world of Internets as of late.

    I’m waiting for your first Photoshop creation – should be interesting. As for me, we didn’t exchange gifts. We decided to save our money to buy me a sweet new laptop – well, looky, I’m on it right now! And Jay bought Guitar Hero. That’s fair, right?

    andi’s last blog post..May you be as deluded as my daughter this holiday season

  38. erin
    December 29, 2007 | 2:10 am

    I’m diggin’ the earrings! Tate did good!!!

    erin’s last blog post..Last Ho Ho Ho post of 2007

  39. dragonfly
    December 29, 2007 | 3:24 am

    No surprises for me – I got my Nikon D40 the day before Thanksgiving. :)

    But I was HOME for Christmas, so that was the best. I got out of the hospital (gall bladder surgery) on Christmas Eve!!!

    dragonfly’s last blog post..friday five

  40. Y
    December 29, 2007 | 12:13 pm

    Since I’m your new Internet Best Friend, I can totally borrow your earrings, right?

    Y’s last blog post..Let’s play a game of “Which is Worse?”

  41. Phoenix
    December 30, 2007 | 2:20 am

    Ohhh purty. I like the bag, but now I’m curious about Ella’s name. Ok, I have been since the beggining, but oh well. (I am a name lover. Or obsessor. Whichever.)

    Ummm I got a new Ipod Nano, a camera, some shoes and um cashola.

    Phoenix’s last blog post..Parking

  42. Dawn
    January 2, 2008 | 7:49 pm

    whew. Okay, I thought I was the only one who thought Ella was Ella.

    Dawn’s last blog post..Post Traumatic Christmas Disorder – Wednesday/Thursday Review

  43. cate
    January 2, 2008 | 11:39 pm

    i’m jealous….i SO need to get me some PhotoShopy goodness! love the new header…purdy!

    cate’s last blog post..has it been a year already?