Happy New Year

Have a Happy New Year and all that follows!

-Frost

Dec 24th.

Dec 24th - 
A day....oddly spent.

Spent the day with my eldest sibling and nephew. It was quite interesting and fun.

The usual holiday bickering of "When are we getting together with _____" and "When are they coming over to do the whole 'holiday thing' again??" is a common noise on the airwaves of my house. You learn to tune it out I suppose.

With nothing much else to say:

Merry Christmas Eve to all out there that celebrate it.

Fortunately, I had been planning on doing some sort of Terraria Advent during this month (as you can see, I didn't get around to actually doing any of it), so here is a Merry Holiday Tree, complete with presents for all our wonderful viewers:

Dec 23

My Christmas tree fell over earlier. Only two ornaments broke, but I got in trouble for it.
Why on earth it was my fault the tree fell is beyond me, my dad's just a jerk.
I'm also in super duper extra trouble for having a candle burning in the same room as the Christmas tree, heaven forbid. He broke the whole candle holder and my candle.
But I'm sorry that the tree fell, since it was obviously my fault. The tree definitely fell because the front of it was far too heavy with ornaments and not because it shifted in the base, no. Because then it'd be his fault. And nothing's ever his fault.
It's also dandy that my mom's just blaming his jerky-ness on the time of the year. It's not that he's just a jerk or a mean person, no, it's that it's Christmas time and Christmas stress is getting to him.
Except that it's not, because all of yesterday the decorations that I brought up from the basement two Thursdays ago were finally unpacked and put around the living room and staircase by my mother and myself. What did he do? Vacuum. That's it. The only "assistance" to the decorating of our home this year was helping me bring the Christmas tree in and vacuuming.
Who decorated the tree? Me.
Who waters the tree every day? Me.
Who put up lights outside? Me.
Who put decorations up in the living room? My mom.
Who decorated the stairs? Me.
Who put up her abundant amount snowmen around? My mom.
Who did most of the cleaning yesterday for the small group of my dad's friends coming over? Me and my mom.
And who's making all the cookies today? Me!
So it's definitely the Christmas stress.
Literally my mom just walked in, asked if I'd watered the tree since it'd fallen down, and since I hadn't, that was also a cause for the tree falling. It's all my fault.
And all I can ever do is sigh. Despite that I do argue it as of late, it never gets through her head. She's just living in a fantasy that she did marry a nice man and "there were always worse."
If there were worse, she must be seeing her old boyfriends on the FBI's most wanted list.
I love how that's always her excuse too. There were always worse. Mother, you are not a terrible person, you've just taught yourself to be blind. You could've found better. I know it.

And now we leave. To show him what? How a few hours of nice silence will affect his life? This is why I wouldn't mind if after they reached retiring time he decided to kick the bucket. After college, I'm never seeing them again. Mother's in a fantasy and father's an absolute jerk. If he died then I'd be pleased to visit every once in a while, but as long as he lives I'm never coming back.
So yeah, Merry Eve of Christmas Eve.

Dec. 22nd

Dec. 22nd -

It's beginning to look like Christmas!


Snow! There's snow! Beautiful snow! 
These are the days I like; where the sky is grey, there's a light dusting of delicate snowflakes and there's a crisp snap to the air. This kind of weather can make for wonderfully dreary photography and lets you know that winter is here but not fully.

Then again...this weather causes most drivers to lose all sense of what they're doing. A light dusting of snow suddenly means go 15 miles per hour in a 35 mph section of road. A sudden sprinkling of sleet (icy rain) somehow means their cars have turned into  traction-less death trap that can't possibly take up less than 2 lanes. 

Yes, conditions can get dangerous but when the road is completely clear of snow, water, ice and all else you do not have to act like you've never seen rain or snow falling from the sky. 

Keep these in mind while traveling this holiday:

1. If you have a rear-wheel drive vehicle make sure there is enough weight over your back end. This will reduce your chances of sliding and provide more traction over tough sections of road.
2. Brush snow and ice off of your vehicle. Large chucks of snow or ice can hit other cars and be potentially dangerous.
3. Brake gently to avoid skidding on icy roads. 
4. Do not pass plows or salt trucks, they have limited visibility.
5. If you are uncomfortable with driving in these conditions it is probably best to avoid traveling until roads are more clear and you are more comfortable with the driving conditions.

Dec 21

Happy end of the world! And winter solstice! Or summer solstice in the southern hemisphere.
Since today is actually winter, the clouds decided it would be a great time to snow! And it has perfect snowflakes! They're beautiful!
We also delivered jaffas to some of our old high school teachers. Twas very fun and the jaffas were much appreciated.  And delicious.
It's getting closer and closer to Christmas and I tend to be getting more and more sleepy. My brain doesn't want to be moving. It wishes to snuggle up with warm hot cocoa under my moose blanket and watch Christmas specials, like the Polar Express, Olive the Other Reindeer, and many other awesome ones. Thank you abc family.
Though my mother's getting more tired and my father's getting more and more  jerky...
Well it's six months till my birthday! And the summer solstice! Or the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere. Another reason I plan on living in the northern hemisphere for the rest of eternity.
And considering the Mayans weren't one day off, we should be pleased to see tomorrow.

Dec. 20th.

Dec 12th -
Craft Hell is back with a fury.

I've found my worst nightmare of current time : No it's not the supposed apocalypse, it's flat woven friendship bracelets.
These devilish little things take a bit of your soul with every knot when you attempt making one with more than 10 strings.

A friend likes that boy band One Direction and I found a good pattern for a flat woven bracelet with their logo thing. It has 22 fricken strings. I've restarted the beginning of this bracelet 2 times now. IT'S TAKEN ME 3 HOURS TO EVEN START. 

Once again, I'm restarting the bracelet which is a tedious task. Each knot of the bracelet has to be undone and hopefully the strings don't tangle during the process. 

Why am I making the bracelet instead of buying something similar, you may be asking. The reason is simple. I like the Holidays to be personal. If I'm able to make something for someone that they'll have a use for or enjoy, it makes it that much more meaningful. Rather than going out and buying something that someone else made, I enjoy the look on peoples faces when they get something handmade. It means more because you put forth time and effort just for them. Even if it's just a handmade card, things made by hand usually get better responses than any old knick-knack from Walmart.

Dec 19

Fun fact! Blogger is difficile!
Another fun fact! Jaffa cakes are interesting to make!
We made Volcanic* Jaffa cakes today (though now yesterday...thanks publish button) Why are they volcanic you ask? it's because they were baked upon the bubbling lava of Mount Saint Helens, jello from the jello master (who is similar to a jedi master but instead of the force uses the jello...physics....or something along that lines) covered in melted chocolate from the Aztecs (and I hear you going, "The Aztecs are gone!" Exactly, we went back in time to get this delicious chocolate. Do not ask what we had to go through) and frozen at the North Pole as we chilled with Santa.
We sure went through a lot to make these Jaffas. So much I'm super sleepy and out of energy.
Also half of the Christmas lights on my tree went out because my mom wanted me to switch all of the white lights with colorful ones from another set, and it broke half of them because one doesn't want to get in so well. 
So now, if fire were water!

*They are not called Volcanic Jaffas because we burnt them! That's a guarantee!
  

Dec 18th

Dec 18th-
One Week (roughly) until Christmas!

Perhaps its due to doing this advent, but this December has gone much faster than Decembers past.

I believe it is around this time that people start their holiday baking yes?

Well here is a simple and yummy recipe :

Ingredients needed:
about 15-18 Oreo Cookies
10 oz. Chocolate chips- white or milk chocolate works best, but any type can be used

How to:

1. Chop up your oreos into good sized pieces, you don't want them too small, but you don't want huge chucks of cookie either.
2. Melt the chocolate to a smooth consistency in a double boiler over low heat. 
3. Let the chocolate cool for a few minutes, it should still be liquid but not too warm.
4. Add in your oreos and mix lightly so all the oreo pieces are covered with chocolate.
5. Pour the mix into a pan and place in your fridge until completely solid.
6. Break the slab into generous sized pieces and enjoy.

To make removing the chocolate oreo slab from the pan easier - use baking parchment or similar in the bottom of the pan, let some of it hang out of the pan and just lift the slab out!

 

Dec 17

For the 17th of December I'm going to give you 17 gift ideas you didn't think you need.








1. Drumbrella

If this really does exist, I want it. Who needs music to walk around to when there's a rain-made drumset above your head?

2. Balloon Lamps

Look at those. Just look at those. I'd have many more house guests over more often if I had these. Plus, imagine the crazy amount of pictures you could take using those! And the pretty ways you could decorate rooms! The possibilities are endless!

3. Giant Googly Eyes

For those days you just want to freak other people out by putting giant googly eyes on their couch or waste bin or door...

I'm pretty fond of that Mr. Mailbox one. Good morning Mr. Mailman! Here's that mailbox you always grab mail from, just staring at you! :D

4. Mischief Managed Transforming Cup

I solemnly swear that I am up to no good... unless there's coffee in the cup. Coffee to a tired addict is good. Very good.

5. Trampoline diving board

This has mixed two of my favorite things: swimming and jumping on a trampoline. I'd get this in a second dare I had the chance.

6. Floating couch/bed/comfy place to chill

Not entirely sure exactly what this is but it says "magnetic" so... a magnetic thing that hovers which you can chill on. I'm not entirely sure why you wouldn't want one of these.

7. Fishy litter box

I'd get this...but then my cat would never use the litter box again.

8. Quack muzzle for your unruly dog

I'd put this on my cat.

9. T-Rex Radiator

It's a dinosaur that keeps things warm. Scratch that, it's a T-REX that keeps things warm. This almost fulfills my dream of owning a real T-Rex.

10. Smart USB Plug

Would be exceedingly useful for college.

11. Cat Tunnel Couch

I'd get this to see if my dog would try to climb through it. Or, most likely, get stuck.

12. Knight Hoodie

An excuse to use medieval speak. Thou shall not smoke in thou building!

13. Magic Wand Remote Controller

Yelling "Expelliamus!" at the TV would never get boring.

14. Shark Sleeping bag

You're sleeping in a shark.

15. Wooden Ballista

Ballistae are cool already, now you can take this one in your pocket and ambush random people and they'll never know what/who did it. You could also launch more than just those wooden pellets.

16. Blood Bath Mat

Just to freak out those overnight house guests. And see how well you can draw with your feet!

17. Head Wound knife holder

If they're wondering whether you're crazy or not. :D

Dec 16th.

Dec 16th-
Living in Craft Hell.

Sure, making gifts for family and friends when you have no ideas of what to get them can save money and guarantee a good response...but the road to get there sure can be painful. 

If you have little ones)that also like crafting (or you know...if you just want to do this for fun)here's a recipe to make that will be sure to be hours of fun :

Salt/flour dough:
1/4 cup salt
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup luke warm water.

Mix and mush the ingredients together until everything is combined. 

Sculpt, build, and mold to your hearts content.
When youre done making your creations, pop them into an oven at 200 degrees ( different sized projects (depending on how thick or thin) will vary in how long to bake).
Once completely baked and cool, paint as desired!

Dec 15

The Hobbit is excellent. Enough said.

(Though if you're someone who doesn't really "see" the 3D, don't see it in 3D. The motion blur is terribly annoying and gave me a headache.)

Also, livestreams are ending me.

First the Yogscast livestream for charity. Tonight was just too much. J'aime.

Then there's Jesse's constant completion stream of FF6. I've been watching that since the Yogscast stream ended and before we went to see The Hobbit.

And then there's these guys, who's Christmas specials have been on all day.

They're my favorite though. Especially the Snow Miser. I find myself singing his song a lot and randomly. :D

Dec 14th.

Dec 14th-
Happy Friday!

Happy day for Hobbits, Dwarves, Wizards an the like!The long awaited movie The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is now out!

So what is Frost doing to get ready to see it? Endless marathon of the trilogy as well as continuing to pack! 

It's always grand when you see the actors faces light up during the world premier due to seeing everyone gathered. For as much love and dedication Tolkien put into the books, we can only hope that they have continued to put forth their best effort to put the same feelings into the movie.

The road goes ever on and on...

Dec 13

Next year this will be Friday the 13th.

Today we went to Sam's Club to 1: gain a new battery for my mom's car which I just learned she's had since I was in first grade, and 2: gain foodstuff.

That's a pretty funny word. Foodstuff. Food+stuff=foodstuff. And people tell me angervate isn't a word. At least it's not foodstuff!

While we were there drifting around for food, there was the old lady we kept coming upon. And for some weird reason she hated my guts.
She would just glare at me and sneer, looking genuinely displeased with my existence. It was uncomfortable, but became nearly unbearable when I kept seeing her. Her glare got worse and worse the more she saw me.
It didn't help that she looked like Snape's motion-deprived mother. Riding around in one of those automatic carts, an oblivious old man following her...
I was pretty happy that in the long run, she couldn't run.
She still seemed to hate me for no reason. I don't know if there was some way I was antagonizing her or if she just was an unpleasant person.
Even when we were checking out, there was a line to leave the store and she was waiting in it, glaring back at me. Her husband--I'm assuming--finally took awareness of her innate hatred for me and gave me this terrified and confused look.
I was happy that by the time we got over there there was no line and no demon lady.
But now being home I've found this nice song by nice singing people that makes me happy. Seems like good music to type to.

Enjoy!

Dec 12th.

Dec. 12th-
Merry 12/12/12 !


So here's 12  facts about 12:

• A total of 12 men have walked on the moon.
• There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves in humans
• the Duodenum (the first part of the small intestine)is about 12 inches long.
• AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) has 12 steps
• 12 is a composite number
• 12 Pennies = 1 shilling
• In criminal cases there are normally 12 jurors
• King Arthurs' round table had 12 knights including himself
• The Beatles had a total of 12 studio albums
• 1 Gross = 12 dozen
• In English, 12 is the largest number with one syllable
• The Dozenal Society of America is a nonprofit educational corporation that is entirely dedicated to 12. ( Here it is. )

12.12.12 is also the last repetitive date in our life times!

Dec 11

Finishedfinalfinallifeisgood.

Man this thing is buggy today.

You know what's delicious? Green apple licorice. Taking some home with me it's so good.

Today was my final final. Tomorrow I leave to go home and configure my camera and such, hide my newly bought microphone, and succeed at life.

Yes, I understand there's a saving problem. As of late there's always been a saving problem. Please stop moving the page.
Not having college internet Will be very welcomed.
Yes, ignore warning. Pop up. Pop down. Pop up. Pop down. Make a choice interwebs... are you going to save my writing or not?
Roommate left today. Room is kinda bare. Her blanket's overhanging my bed and is pretty ominous, making this feel even more like the orange cave it is.
Got a big "Take what you need" pumpkin just sitting on our heater...not really knowing what to do.
Tis also Christmas card making time. Got one more to make for here and then I have to deliver the final three and my card giving time will be done!
I love making Christmas cards.
Wow interwebs you're going extremely slow. What's going on? People are leaving already so... I'd think less people would be using the internet?
I've been addicted to BebopVox's "Don't Mine At Night" parody of Katy Perry's Last Friday Night. The harmony makes me so happy, even if according to the lovely comment argument it's actually wiser.
What the hell? An ice cube just materialized in the fridge and flipped out! What? How? But... we don't even have an ice maker!!
First the ice pick appears out of bloody nowhere, just launching itself out of the freezer, and now a random ice cube freaks out in the fridge??? What on earth is going on???!
I am happy I'm leaving for a month. I'm curious if when we return Mister or Miss Ghosty here will have done something.
Really, what the hell? We do not have an ice maker. Or an ice tray. Everybody else does. We don't. We didn't think we had an ice pick either until it randomly launched out of the freezer and made me think I broke something.
Merry Christmas Psych! Here's random ghost activity!
It's December! Calm down! I'll wish you Merry Christmas on Christmas from my home, okay? But I'm not staying! Even if you tempt me with ice cubes!
Or just wanted to throw in one last terror so I'm up till past midnight and suffer upon having to get up tomorrow.
Geez... if I wasn't awake then I am now. Random ice cubes of doom. That's a lovely way to end this.

Enjoy.

Dec 10th.

Dec. 10th -
Of meltdowns, mice and moving....again.

There's a mouse in the house!...Not that it's posing any real threat..but my sister has taken the opportunity to go a tad crazy. The big mean hunting dog (who actually only chases shadows and the occasional squirrel) simply cannot be left to his own devices whilst she is at work, for fear he might not be able to get away from the mouse. Poor dog, his human mommy doesn't believe he has enough brain power to get away from a wee-little mousey.

That being said...I am moving! Again! ..."Joy". It's a bit hard to put sarcasm into text...Here's to another rousing game of "How much crap do I actually own".

Switching subjects, I've grown to be confused by several people in the last few days. All of which had some sort of meltdown, breakdown, tantrum, all sorts of various things. That isn't the confusing part. Rather it's this : Why am I the person to come to to talk to about it? 
I'm not complaining about it, I'm pretty used to it and I'm glad they trust me enough to come to me when it happens. It's just that...my advice kind of sucks and sure I listen, but that's not exactly a hard thing to come by. Or at least it's not in my small circle of friends. Oh well...

Dec 9

Smallest cousin had birthday party today. She turned two. We got her the best gift (due to the amount of love both she and the many other children at the party gave it. Guess what it was. A drum~) The party was fairly fun. Pretty big house full of children and old people and one cocky kids who's a model and actually looks more like a sunfish.

Mraaaah! Sunfish!

But hey, at least small child enjoyed her birthday.
I also decided that today was the day I was giving my friends their Christmas presents, since I'm only at college for three more days.

Can't you feel the festivity? :D

Yeah....

My crudely made Christmas tree and presents beneath it really pleased the two of them. I also love making Christmas cards, so that always pleases. Roommate loved the Simon's Cat book too. And I knew friend was going to love the glowy spiky ball that lights up. We're planning a "rave" tonight using it and the rave-like Christmas lights we have in our room.
Got my first "difficult" final tomorrow. Then a sucky math thing after it. After that, my last final is Tuesday evening. Then I may leave, Wednesday morning that is.
Welp, now to go study.

I agree Ryan, I agree.