Easter Hunting at Target

I actually thought I wanted this blog to stop featuring shopping trips, as it was sort of boring me.  A LOT.  And I wanted this blog to be more about my writing and my thoughts, and less all that petty stuff.  I know you probably disagree, and that's your right.  But it's MY blog.  And that's what is really important.




But, if you can't tell, I haven't exactly been sharing as many of my thoughts as I was hoping, as I've been distracted working on other things and pinning me down in a chair is harder than one might think.  But shopping isn't.  And as a creature of habit, I did indeed go chasing Easter merchandise 90% off.  It happened a day we had a softball game, so I didn't go out first thing that morning, as I thought The Redhead's game was far more a priority.  So once we gathered ourselves from the game, had lunch, we did manage to head to our red bulls-eye (or a few of them).

And please keep in mind that my shopping trips aren't about buying things.  Or even taking pictures of such finds.  Or the cat.  It's all about that glorious hunt.  And this time, The Redhead and Mister Man joined me.

And I suppose you might say we found some items.

Even the cat was interested.

I also stocked up on plastic Easter eggs.  Just in case.  We *might* be in Hawaii next Easter, so we might not have an Easter party next year, but in case we do....I'm prepared.

I also bought some baskets if we should indeed have an Easter hunt/party in the future.  They were only a quarter each, so if we don't have a party next year, no big deal.

I love stocking up on dog toys when they're so cheap.  We had an abundance of dog toys, and then suddenly we didn't.  And I'm about to pitch even more of them, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to pick up some spares.

I really, really, really wish I had picked up more crayons.  I had the opportunity and I didn't.  I'm so ashamed.  I'm still kicking myself for that.

That stupid Olaf head brought me SO much joy.  I laughed so hard as I was carrying his head by the handle throughout the store like I had beheaded him or something.  Gosh, I'm still cracking up.

I didn't actually need anymore wreaths...but that didn't stop me from hanging this on my front door.  In fact, it's there now.

Only one store didn't go to 90% off that Saturday, so I had the pleasure of hitting it the next morning.  And I was the ONLY person shopping in the clearance so I had everything to myself.  I felt oh, so guilty, but not guilty enough to not enjoy myself.

 Keep in mind, not all of these came from one store.  And we use these for classroom prizes.

Yeah, still kicking myself over the crayons.  Darn it.

I didn't actually find any cat toys this time around, but the cat is crazy about those wind up bunnies and chicks.

The cat was obsessed with my haul this time around.

I was really excited about that banner!

I think my hunting expedition paid off.

2014's Christmas Newsletter

While I'm figuring out what to type up for the blog, here's our 2014 Christmas Newsletter that was sent out with our Christmas cards in early December.  In case you hadn't read it, you can find last year's here.

Dearest Reader--

     After last year’s four page monstrosity of a letter, I’m not sure if anyone’s willing to ever read a newsletter of mine again.  But just in case you are still willing, and able, I will continue with our 2014 version.  I promise you, I will do my best to keep it shorter.

     We had fewer changes than last year, which is worth reporting, as that alone brings me the most comfort this year.  We did manage to continue with our house projects.  I painted the guest room, hallway, and the exterior of the house (no more fecal brown paint or stripes!) all by May.  Before February, the guest room was just a mess of craft supplies stacked on a bed we didn’t use.  But now, it’s a travel-themed room and we have managed to keep it fairly organized and it’s ready for company.  Just don’t tell our cat Alexandra it’s a guest room; she thinks it’s hers.

      We have spent most of this year continuing to get acquainted with our new state. We finally made it to San Francisco in January and have been several more times since.  We’ve hung out in Chinatown, Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, an aquarium, and I’ve posted many photos on my blog at www.evolutionfromkansas.blogspot.com.  We continue to enjoy our trips to the shore and saw elephant seals in February.  We also made it to Santa Cruz and had lunch while watching the sea lions from our table.  In April, we headed to L.A. and hung out in Venice Beach, Santa Monica, both Disney parks, and had a lot of fun during Bailey’s spring break.  We had never been to Disney’s California Adventure park and had so much fun.  In May, we made it to Lake Tahoe and marveled at the giant pine cones.  In September, we made it to Napa and saw the aftermath from the earthquake.  So far, California doesn’t seem to lack adventure.

      In May, Rob’s parents joined our adventures.  We toured San Francisco with them on top of a double-decker bus.  We loved showing them some of our favorite restaurants and locations and then as soon as Bailey got out of school for the summer, we joined them at Bass Lake near Yosemite.  We had so much fun together seeing the giant trees, the waterfalls, a bear running across the road, and everything else we could squeeze in while in Yosemite.  We’re already anxious for them to come back to visit.

      Bailey has been our busy little B.  In June, she started a drama summer camp.  It was for three weeks, 9-2, and then they put on Seussical the Musical for a month’s worth of weekend shows.  Every Saturday and Sunday at 1, you could find us watching our little redhead on stage.  For her tenth birthday, we spent the day at Six Flags.  Her tenth birthday party was science-themed.  We had our fifth annual Halloween party in October.  She just finished up her first soccer season in California and is currently taking vocal classes.  She’s also in the school choir and seems to love her Fifth grade teacher.  She continues to flourish in school.  She still loves to read and is currently in the middle of the Hunger Games series.  Science is her favorite subject and she’s excited to start working on sixth grade math here shortly at school (certain students were invited to jump ahead while keeping up their fifth grade studies as well).  Other hobbies include Minecraft, sleepovers, Pokemon, stuffed animals, art, and Doctor Who.

     Other happenings have included doing all sorts of fun activities with The Redhead during her summer break, replacing the clutch in Rob’s car, buying a new fridge (for the Kansas house), my recent visit to Kansas to check on the rental house (a special thanks to my best friend A and her family for allowing me to stay in her home), continuing to blog, and all the other fun that comes with living on the west coast.  Fortunately, Rob still loves his job (like he has a choice, heh), and I’ve adjusted to my surroundings.  I hope everyone else has had just as blessed of a year. 

                                                                             With tidings of joy,

                                                                                    The Hudson Family

                                                                                Rob, Terra, & Bailey

                                                                             & Fudge, Stitch, & Alexandra

A New New Year

I've been vacant from my blog.  I suppose I have started 2015 blog-free.  Not intentionally, these things just work out that way.  I won't offer any excuses because it's my blog.  I can post when I want.



I've learned I can't do just everything I want though.  World domination appears to be out.





Also.....so was this card.

I told The Redhead I would be using a baby photo I took a decade ago.  She kept saying, "BURN IT," and I used it anyway.  That wasn't what she found so appalling though.  She actually liked the baby photo after all.  But she hated the card.  Apparently, it's okay to make psychotic faces when your mother is forcing you to pose for New Year's photos.  However, it is not okay to then use those psychotic faces for the actual cards.  She said, "You could have told ME."  

Told her what?

That she looked insane?  Oh please.  She enjoys sabotaging photo sessions.  That's most of her fun.  But I suppose it's all fun and games until your crazy faces are staring back at you...knowing full well they're going to print and mailed to your family and teachers.

So, I made a second version all the while she kept saying, "I'm sorry I'm making you make a new one, but yeah, thank you."  It was difficult since most of the photos from New Year's were crazy-mouthed.  I finally unearthed something.  This version had The Redhead's approval.

So here's hoping the rest of 2015 goes well, even if it takes at least two versions.

Home for the Holidays

People started asking this question last year: "Are you coming home for the holidays?"



I think they were asking if we were coming back to Kansas and Missouri for Christmas.  That must be it.  Because we were home for the holidays.  California is now home.  Our house is our home.  And yes, we stayed home.  No crazy holiday schedules.  No rushing around.  None of it.  No eating things I'm allergic to while people shrug.  No family forgetting to invite me to a Christmas party on my father's birthday.  No snide remarks.  No rushing out the door on Christmas morn as soon as we shoved pancakes down our throats. We were home. In California.  For the holidays.


It was peaceful.



And while we do miss family from time to time, we're not even going to pretend that the peace isn't nice.  Oh no.  We love it.  All of it.  Every little bit of it.  And we do feel a wee bit guilty for enjoying it that much, but don't knock it until you try it.  Seriously.

I had these Nestle cookie cut out sheets from the 99 cent store, so My Favorite Two put them to good use for Santa.

Meanwhile, the cat moved into another box.

That's what she does.  She can cram herself into anything.  She's a cat.

The big furry beast and I have had some chats about this tree.  Not only did she eat a bowl full of baked orange slices, but ever since, I have come home to this.  And this being a mess of ribbon and jingle bell twine.

At this point, it's a good time to tell you how the two of them set up a card table in the living room so they could watch A Christmas Story on television while decorating their cookies for Santa.  They also watched their traditional Christmas movie, Gremlins.  Because nothing says Christmas quite like little monsters running around a town terrorizing people.

Luckily, I remembered to stock up on some sprinkles after our baking party.  The girls went through a lot of them, so I replenished our supply that afternoon at Michael's.

She was decorating a cockroach cookie.

We bought a gingerbread house set, a fancy one, but she decided to use the leftovers from our gingerbread village sets from the party instead.

Opening our standard one present on Christmas Eve.

And yes, that spot on her shirt in the photos is bugging me even more than it could possibly bug you.

She gave us these odd looks.  And it was because she thought it was a dress, and not the typical pajamas we get her for Christmas.  Nope, a night gown.  Not a dress.

We almost forgot to put Santa's cookies and milk out.  And the reindeer's carrots too.

We left out a cookie for Kirby too.

You will only understand what she's hugging if you're familiar with the game, Portal.  Which is a geek thing.

But it's an inflatable turret.

 A Manga drawing book.

Although she's read all of them from the library, she really wanted her own set of Minecraft books.

She wanted this game most.

She's obsessed with the Would You Rather...? books.

She had really been wanting this game.

And Mister Man had this fabulous little book given to him.

Not all of the presents would fit in the house.

She was incredibly excited over her basketball goal.    It was on her Christmas list last year too.  And now she finally has one.  Video games. Basketball goal.  Robots.  Minecraft books.  Inflatable Turret.  And Monster High Dolls.  She is such an interesting child, isn't she?