Feel Me Up Friday: I spit out eggs and fall down stairs. I'm a freakin' catch.

Merry baby-Jesus's-birthday-bash-eve-or-whatever-you-celebrate!

Yesterday I offered a little sunshine. But I've noticed something amongst the good fortune that has surrounded the blorld (blog+world), in real life, there seems to be a dark cloud looming. A friend had her cat put to sleep, another friend's grandpa died, my MIL had long-time dog/fur son put to sleep, the hubs injured his leg and has been LAID up for days (and he NEVER misses work), and more craptastic happenings. Though I try to stay positive, one thing after another has cursed the circle around me. Encased me, almost.

So, friends, I need you.

Tomorrow, when you think of me, and I magically send that bit of faith to you, I ask that maybe you'll do the same in return. I don't normally ask for prayers, faith, belief, but something tells me I need it right now as the storm closes in.

There's never been a better time for a BR80-related story, but I have none. So I leave you with this, friends.

Random Fact: OMG I fell down the stairs AGAIN. The offspring was in the tub and yelled "what was that?" Just your dear, old mother. Don't get up, nono. I'll find my dignity somewhere.

Random Fact: I have such a sensitive stomach, I rarely eat breakfast. I also go through a few cans of Sprite/7Up/day (you'd think I was rail thin...but alas...). I'm constantly nauseated (which means I complain a lot), and sometimes I take a bite of eggs only to spit them out.

Sexy, yesyes.

I will be incognito next week, stalking blogs, posting a short something each day, though, I'm technically on hiatus (much like most of you). I hope you have a wondiferous holiday where you miss me lots and lots and I promise to do the same.

In the meantime, some winners of J2W Part TWO! I almost forgot! Thank you to everyone who donated. Seriously. You helped me surpass my goal. Despite what the contest page says, the prizes have changed a bit, so if you've won, email me and we'll discuss. candace ganger [at] yahoo [dot] com
1st Place: Jessica Bell
2nd: Shannon O'Donnell
3rd: Jamie Burch

Until next time tell me, any weirdo food issues or am I the only goon?
Have a fantastic holiday weekend, open presents, think of others (me) and eat a ton.
Candylandlovesyou. OUT.

If you don't love this, I'll jolly your face

Dudes, so even after a CRAP-filled weekend, it's time for Jen's Be Jolly By Golly Blogfest and lucky for you, Candyland loves everything sweet, so this was a breeze. The jolly part, meh. You can visit the other delicious entries (the recipes, not the entrants) HERE.

But before you go, take off your shoes, stay awhile. Wait, do your feet smell? Maybe you should keep your shoes on. But kick them up, relax. Wait, do you have snow on your shoes? Keep them on the floor. Lean back, take a breath. Wait,...okay nevermind. Yesterday I made the motherloadeth of treat baskets for some sweet peeps.

One of those creations was my every-occasion AFTER P-P-P-PARTY POPCORN!

To make this super sweet treat, here's what you need:
-1 bag of popcorn, popped (obvs)
-1/2 large bag peanut M&Ms
-About 2 cups of mini marshmallows
-10-12 Hersheys kisses (you can substitute with any of your favorite candy for this one. Sometime sI use Reese Pieces)
-1 package of white baking chocolate (preferably the microwavable kind
-Super-sized bowl (not to be confused with the Superbowl) (that would be weird)

Here's whatcha do:
Melt the white chocolate according to package directions.
Shake out half of the popcorn into the bowl.
Place 1 cup mini marshmallows, 1/4 of the M&Ms and half of whatever other candy you use on top.
Drizzle liberally with white chocolate (you'll use a good amount)
Follow with the 2nd layer of everything.
Drizzle with white chocolate again.
Let harden (tee-hee).
When hard (tee-hee) break apart with a knife and ration into Ziplock bags or your mouth. I prefer my mouth.

It's so easy, my mom could do it. *insert thunderous laughter* I don't have any sweet pics of my decorations, or tree or really anything else. Nor do I favor any particular bev(erage). I sacked this crap up and put it in my baskets. I'm pretty sure they'll love it. If they don't, I've been polishing up on my king-fu.

There you haves it. Tell me, new friends, friends of old, do you have a favorite holiday recipe?
Candylandstuffed. OUT.

Feel Me Up Friday: I spray my eyes with nonstick spray...so they don't stick to things

Wow, one week until Jesus's birthday bash, can you believe it?<--I can't. Where did December go and more importantly, has anyone figured out where the missing socks disappear to when washed? There's a vortex in the universe, I swearz.

Anywho, I've yet to get absolutely anything worth a crap done but am determined to, this weekend. And note to my loyal readers: The week of December 27th, Candyland will be on a much-needed hiatus from just about everything interwebrelated. I will miss you, yesyes, but I will make sure there is something absofreakinhilarious (or something like it) (okay, maybe they won't be the funniest things you've ever seen) (I'll try) each day for your eyes to bathe in.

Random Fact: Whilst opening the non-stick spray, I squeezed the lid a bit too tight as it unhinged and the butter-flavored spray shot me in the eye. Now my eyes are in a constant state of blur.
Random Fact: I am, apparently, the mother who drops a kid's cookie at snack time, dusts it off and puts it back on his or her plate at the offspring's Christmas party...it seems normal until I notice other mother's eyes. Whoopsi.

After the way this week started, I'm surprised we made it to Friday! But let me tell you, IT WAS WORTH IT! I think I love you all more than every, if that's even possible. This weekend, I...er...uhh...Santa will be doing the present making crap. If only he could give everyone New Meds stickers, posters and CDs, all would be right with the world.


Tell me friends, is Santa done in your hood or does he need to crack the whip on the elves?
Candylandfeelsnormalagain (ifsheeverwas). OUT.

Taco Time is the best time

Dear friends,

Mondays are not my favorite day for a number of reasons.
1. The weekend is gone.
2. Five working days until the next weekend.
3. I'm mourning the aftereffect of Friday's show.
4. I desperately want a Keurig because my coffee maker makes crap coffee + I'm sleepy.
5. The word MONDAY makes me cringe. It even has the sound UHHH in it.
6. I have to wash my hair.
7. WORK.
8. It's the day my cat is voted most likely to spew. Seriously.
9. I think eight reasons is good but my OCD said create nine.

But, there's always a silver lining. Mine comes in the form of a slender, bass-playing, taco-eating, Ghana-traveling, John Irving loving machine.

Oh and did I mention he gives good hugs? :) And he has mad drawing skilllzzz, too...

So tell me friends, what do you think of MUUUHHHndays?
CandylandmissingMB. OUT.

Feel Me Up Friday: Can't. Think. Straight

SO, thank you, my beautiful friends, for giving Candyland a little lift yesterday. We all need one sometimes, and I really appreciate it. To those of you who missed it, YAY YOU! I'm going to make this short because all I can think right now is...
TONIGHT IS NEW MEDS! TONIGHT IS NEW MEDS! TONIGHT IS NEW MEDS!

And if the weather isn't stupid, I get to meet Kelly P in West Dundee at another New Meds show-WOO!

Random Fact: I have holes in every pair of socks I own. My feet are always cold.
Random Fact: I obsessively rearrange furniture in our house. Every few months, I have to.

Boring, yes. All I've got this week, yes. Thinking of New Meds, YESYESYESYES. They are my oxygen.

So here's to breathing. Tell me friends, what is one thing you do compulsively every so often (or everyday)?
Candyland. OUT.
P.S. If you're in need of editing services, give Jessica a shout.

Candyland is a place for the cheerful and a-holes alike

The holidays are a funny time of year. They bring out the best, and the worst in people. Of course it's a time of giving, but it's also a time for a-holes and Debbie-downers. No judgment here (unless you're an a-hole), because the winter weather, as much as I love thee, sometimes makes me blue. I've noticed in the past week my level of crankiness, sluggishness and overall Candyness has been on a downward slope.

Which is why I'm a big believer in giving back.

If you ever wonder why I talk (talk, talk, talk, talk) so much about donating time or money or blood, or bone marrow or a smile, it's because I truly think focusing attention on someone else when you're feeling down, helps. And there's going to be some of you saying BAHUMBUG. And depending on what time of the day (like morning...grrr), I'm right there with you.

And though it's not widely known outside of my beautiful blog community, the holidays have been REALLY hard ever since I found out about my father. The details are many, and make no difference to you, but the politics revolving around him, his death, and his mother who won't speak to me (even at Christmas), kind of make this is heart-wrenching time in Candyland.

But then I remember there's always someone who has it worse off.

Today, friends, I'm just having one of those BAHUMBUG days. So I encourage you to slap me around in the comments a little. Go ahead. Tell me a joke. A limmerick (Linda...). A Christmas story with a HAPPY ending. Or literally, just write *SLAP*


Candylandhastheblues.OUT.<---should totally be a country song

In Candyland, grace is something to be earned, not expected

So, we had a little accident here in Candyland.

Let me preface this by saying I am:
a) clumsy
b) overly anxious all the time
c) feels rushed 99.9% of my life
d) not the best with sharp objects

The night started as any other. The little one laid down to sleep, the hubs was in the front room fiddling with his iPhone and Candyland was preparing for a relaxing bubble bath to lull her to sleep. Okay, so this isn't a typical night, obviously, but it was set to be a good one.

I enjoy baths. A lot. And yaaknow, ladies sometimes rid themselves of excess hair with something called a razor. I ran out of the good ones. I only had a thin double-bladed piece of shizz. But I thought, what the hey.

Do you see where this is headed...

Fast forward ten minutes and a bloodied towel later.

Yes, I'm that girl. The one who can't be trusted with sharp, metal objects. It didn't hurt as bad as it looks, but (and not to gross you out) my leg still bleeds as I type this. It just won't stop. It's NAST. So with that, friends, tell me...any household accidents lately? I can't be the only spazz.

Candyland. OUT.

Eat a lot, give a little, dream of puppies. Because I said so.

It's that time of year again. You know, the suck-your-wallet-dry-because-baby-wants-another-Barbie-thingy-and-hubby-wants-another-snowboard-thingy time of year. Yes, Christmas. This year, while stuffing your face and *not* fitting into your stretch pants (yes, I'm talking to me), in the middle that gift list, consider giving to someone in need. There's so many great charities, like Joy 2 the World, that could benefit from your monies.

Today, I want to thank everyone who's contributed thus far. In fact, this post is for YOU. Change starts with one person. Sure, my holiday list has a Keurig on it. And some makeup (because I leave the house SO much), and socks and crap, but I will also go through the offspring's toys and donatedonatedonate.

If you're wondering why I'm so effing joyous, it's because yesterday, I received my Be The Match donor card in the mail. After months of processing, I am officially a bone marrow donor and let me tell ya, it feels GOOD.

So this holiday season, when you're listening to your New Meds CD (btw, I have like 500 promo stickers, so if you want some, hollaaa) and thinking about Candyland, give a couple buckeroos to one of these amazing organizations and your (metaphorical) stocking will be hung with care (not innuendo...meh...maybe it is).
-Joy 2 the World
-Be The Match Registry
-St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
-ASPCA
-Susan G. Komen for the Cure
-Shriner's Hospitals for Children


Give, and you'll feel as awesome as this:

So until tomorrow friends, with 18 days until Jesus's big birthday bash<--and presents-->what is ONE thing you will do to make someone's day brighter?

Feel Me Up: Letting it all hang out. Whoopsi.

Good Friday, friends. Thanks for all the input re: yesterday's post. It's good to know there's peeps in the same boat, and we all experience the same doubts. For the record, friends, Candyland doesn't know how to quit. I'm way too OCD to let go of something I've started. Especially if I'm sort of in love with it. Hence the hubs, the offspring, NM, and pretty much everything I touch.

Which is why we're going for a quicky today. I've gots me some work to do. Wash your hands with the new caramel apple soap I bought. It makes me want to eat my hands. Mmm.

Random Fact: Word of advice...don't use the bathroom with the door open, even if you think no one is home and/or no one can see you. This is nothing but problems.

Random Fact: I ordered the most amazing cinnamon French toast from Cracker Barrel, but couldn't finish so I got a box. It's possible when I got out of the car, in the rain, said French toast fell from the box and into the driveway...then went into the microwave and into my mouth. Just sayin'.

Okay, friends, tell me: Anyone ever walk in on you in the bathroom? Whoopsi.
Candyland. OUT.