Offer: $10 Papa Johns Gift Card

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Read all the fine print. This deal requires a credit card number or Paypal account so that they can charge you for a subscription if you do not cancel before the trial period is over.

Have a happy and safe New Year's Eve!

Get It: Superfly Monkey

I received a Superfly Monkey for my birthday and love it! He's a sling-shot monkey that makes a hilarious screaming noise as he flies! I thought my friend said she got it at Bed, Bath & Beyond so when I was shopping there I asked where they had them and the clerks looked at me like I had horns coming out of my head. Luckily, Amazon sells a 4-pack of Superfly Monkeys so you can get one for yourself and 3 to share and have a monkey flying contest!

I might write the University of Dayton encouraging them to consider licensing its mascot for a SuperFly Rudy!

Happy Birthday, Sweet V!

Today is my niece's 4th birthday and knowing she still loves cupcakes, I used my cupcake stationery pack from Chronicle Books (I posted about the sale a few weeks ago) to send her lots of sweet birthday wishes and stickers!

I cannot wait to give her her birthday gift, which I hope she likes as much as her pretty party dress that she wore to my birthday party!

Meme: 5 Things You Don't Know About Me

Claire of Tired by Happy tagged me for this meme, which is hard considering I've already shared 100 things about myself.

1. When I was younger I wanted to grow up to be Jerry Springer's co-anchor (why I have no clue because I was very shy).

2. I don't decorate for holidays

3. I love gummi bears

4. People who jingle pocket change put me on edge

5. I have a DVD player and VCR that are not hooked up to a TV that hasn't been turned on in a couple of months

I'll do an open tag to anyone who reads this post and wants to join in the fun, leave me a comment so I can read your list!

Make It: Mint Chocoloate Chip Cookies

This are completely simple and fast to make because you use cake mix!

• 1 box devil food or chocolate fudge cake
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup oil
• 6 oz mint M&Ms or other mint chips

Mix everything
Scoop onto baking sheet
Bake at 350* for 10-12 minutes
Serve and enjoy!

I got these mitten serving dishes from last year's Christmas exchange among my high school gal pals :)

Birthday Loot: Michael's Gift Card

For $2.65, I got 96-sheets of scrapbook paper, another pack of 50 printed cards/envelopes, 2 magic grow packs, a magnetic notepad and 10 notecards/envelopes - it was those two magic grow packs I thought my nephew and niece would like that sent me over the edge of my gift card limit.

Having to write many thank you notes is a good problem to have, because it means people really like me, enough to spend this hard-earned dough on me, so always like to have a variety of notecards on hand to express my appreciation.

Use It: Gift Cards

Last winter, Best Buy Co. reported a $43 million gain in fiscal 2006 from cards that hadn't been used in two or more years. Limited Brands Inc. recorded $30 million in 2005 revenue because of unredeemed cards. [full article]

Egads! My dad, cookie tin coin saver, was about to become one who contributed to Best Buy's gain until my mom and I stepped in and spent his gift card on 2 CDs - one for him, one for granny.

Is it re-gifting if we used his gift card to buy a CD for him?! I like to think we did him a favor by spending his gift card without having to suffer the loudness that is Best Buy.

While on the topic of shopping at Best Buy, check out Improv Everywhere Mission: Best Buy video. It is my favorite mission from Improv Everywhere, although the idea behind Slo-Mo Home Depot is funny, it's just the wrong store. Enjoy!

Kitschy Kitschmas

I picked up these four kitchen towels and a vinyl tablecoth for 5 bucks! Then, I spent $5 on candy to fill up a matching candy jar (not shown) for my gram. I really like that these are pink, red and apple green Christmas-themed kitchen items since I am not really a fan of just red and green Christmas stuff.

Make It: Chessy Spinach & Antichoke Dip

Are you ready for some football?! Monday Night Football?! I am more a fan of the football snacking and bevos, so here's another dip recipe to try before the Super Sunday of Snacking.

1 can (14oz) artichoke hearts, drained, finely chopped
1 package (10oz) frozen, chopped spinach, thawed, drained
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
3/4 cup mayo
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder

• Preheat oven to 350*F
• Mix all ingredients until well blended
• Spoon into 9-inch pie plate
• Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top (optional)
  
• Bake 20 min
• Serve with tortilla chips, crackers and/or fresh cut-up vegetables

More dips:
Make It: Bagel Cheese Dip
Make It: Spicy Chicken Dip

I-75 Jesus

Last weekend as I drove my friends back to the Dayton airport, they marveled at Touchdown Jesus so I decided to take a photo with my new camera and post it for them. I think it's a pretty good shot considering I was resting the camera on the door and pushed the shutter button when I thought I was across from it.

Make It: Bagel Cheese Dip

I love this dip and my friend must have read my mind because she brought it to my party even though I told her not to bring anything!

• 1 5 oz jar of Old English cheese
• 1 package of cream cheese
• a little green onion
• 6 everything bagels
  

Blend cheeses and onions until smooth.
Cut bagels into bite size pieces.
Sprinkle leftover everything crumbs on cheese dip.
Serve.

Birthday Loot: Plain Mabel style!

I am lucky to have a very cool email pen pal in Tara from Plain Mabel and the now retired (but fun to read) Awful Cufflinks who sent me this awesome birthday package that arrived ON my birthday! I especially like the card that says "little cakes, big wishes!"

"Do you want to destroy my sweater?"

Note: no yarn was harmed in the making of these sweaters

Better than a party to celebrate my birthday and graduation is one in which guests adhere to the suggested attire of Christmas sweaters!

Grad School = DUNZO!

I passed my comprehensive final and have completed all the coursework, which means I will graduate with a Master's degree in Library Science - probably be one of the best birthday gifts I will ever give myself!

Friday night, I plan to race out of work (assuming I do not have slashed tire like last week) to meet my college friends who are flying in for the weekend. My family, friends and I are gathering Saturday, my birthday, in tacky Christmas sweaters (the tongue-in-cheek suggested attire) to celebrate all this goodness!

Hopefully within the next week, I'll get back to regular blogging and more crafting since I will only have working and finding another job on my to-do list!

Make It: Baby Rock Tee

Well, actually it is a onesie. My friend wanted a band tee for her expecting friend and they both like Aerosmith so I pulled out my fuzzy letters and ironed them on to what is the tiniest piece of clothing I have ever used - a 3-month onesie. It's so tiny I was worried the word would be too long and wrap under the baby's arms so I scrunched them in tight!

It's really a gift for the mom to enjoy since the baby is due next week and will be bundled up under holiday-themed clothing (from well-meaning gifters), I'm sure.