Back from AZ

It was just lovely, the temperature was in the high 70's to low 80's.  I was planning on sending a gloating email to a friend, but was thwarted by the lovely weather that Denver was having as well.

We had a blast going to the Casa Grande National Monument, which while small is still pretty awesome.  The buildings and irrigation systems were amazing considering the tools they had to work with.

We had a wonderful time sitting around the fire pit in my parents back yard and watching the feral cats bounce around and play.  Went thrifting with Mom one day while Dad and Sweetie worked on a storage bench.  And of course there was the traditional trips to Ikea and Fry's Electronics.

Meatballs from Ikea were substituted for the Grandma's traditional Norwegian meatball recipe.  It was getting late and we had a 45 minute drive before we made it home and we didn't want Mom killing herself making meatballs.  They were a very good substitute even if they were lacking the nutmeg we're used to.  If and when the Ikea in Denver becomes a reality I'm so stocking up and I think a sprinkling of nutmeg on top would be stellar.

Much stuff was purchased and given to the folks and many presents came home.  

IN:  46

Christmas and other Pressies from Mom and Dad:  32

   Snippit Bag Opener

   2 Chinese Boxes

   Package of Hello Kitty pens

   Book Light

   LED wind up flashlight

   Sewing pattern that Mom had used for a present last year and that I really wanted to try out

   3 small notebooks - Hello Kitty of Course

   7 handmade gnomes - Mom is so cool!

   Martha Stewart Tablecloth - technically christmas but we decided it could be used year round

   Snowmen Coasters

   Table Runner - very fall, all microsuede and appliqued leaves

   2 mini Owl Paintings done by Mom's Aunt Helma

   Amber Pendant and Earring Set - just gorgeous

   Kokeshi Ornament

   4 jewelry charms - featuring Hindu gods - so much fun

   can opener 

   Hello Kitty book bag

   gift wrap slicer

   Rachel Ray cookbook

   Silver Buddha statue - this is so awesome

Stuff I bought for me:  14

  Everyday Food Mag

  4 Scrub brushes from Ikea

  3 small plush rats, also from Ikea - they go nicely with Lemmy, the large plush rat from a previous trip to Ikea

  1 book - One of the Cat Who... mysteries

  Owl plate

  Nova documentary about Vikings

  2 round rugs off of ebay for under the living room recliners

  1 used cookbook from alibris

In and Right Back Out Again:  16 

Stuff I bought for Mom and Dad - (separate from what I sent down there earlier) and one silly thing for Sweetie!

    3 Books - 2 Romance for Mom and GoldFinger for Dad - from the thrift visit

    2 pirate action figure things for Dad

    1 moose action figure for Mom

    2 dust cloths for Mom

    red Norwegian sardine dish for Mom

    Cat toys for the indoor cats

    sparkly pom-poms for the outdoor cats

    2 christmassy rubber duckies for Dad

   Pedi-Egg for Mom - and she saw it and thought it was cool before I bought it

   Blanket for the outdoor cats - odd and fantastically ugly and from the thrift

   Static Charge eliminator keychain weird thing - Because Sweetie is alway zapping me but good - I'm hoping that this helps with that.  

Shake it all about:

January Totals:

In:  93

Total out as of today:  327

Net total out for January:  234 - I so need to clean out a closet this weekend, and maybe tackle the tupperware drawer in the kitchen.  But then it's double xp weekend in COH and.....