Tag: life

Episodes

Merry Christmas Happy Tuesday

themuglytruth
Santas and Jack
Part Kris’ Santa and Snowman collection with Jack Skellington playing the part of Elf on a Shelf

Happy Tuesday everyone! And MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Today Kym and Kris talk about personal Christmas traditions, and also announce THE WINNER OF OUR CONTEST!

The winner is FERN ROUINTREE! Check out our photos from our last blog to see the contents, and here’s latest addition to the box:

The TMT mug!
We got the coffee and we get THE MUG! We like the mug! The gift box is almost complete! Just waiting on the TMT coaster.

Today we dive into our personal traditions at Christmas time. There’s the annual ornament purchase:

A glass Santa, the London callbox, the Ron and Harry ornaments and one of the peacock ornaments from last year.
Hayley’s 2018 ornament choice

As well as what to get as stocking stuffers (and when we open them), Christmas Eve pajamas, special feasts, the songs, the movies, and the activities, like making snowflakes to hang around the house, and collecting our favorite Christmas icons (Kris gets a new Santa every year, and Kym is partial to Tomtes).

Snowflakes
It’s snowing in Kris’ household! There’s flakes (of glitter) EVERYWHERE!! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
ITOMTE
Kym’s FAVORITE! A classic Swedish gnome called Tomte.
Santa & Snowman Collection
Part Kris’ Santa and Snowman collection, including her latest tin Santa drummer (bottom right corner).

But one of our favorite traditions both of our families celebrate is to look at Christmas lights in Orange County. There are neighborhoods all over Orange County that go absolutely over the top, but two in our area are Olwyn Dr. in Tustin, CA (Olwyn Dr. and Redhill Ave.), and the historic section of Orange, CA (the Old Towne Orange Holiday Decoration Contest  held by the Old Town Orange Preservation Association).

In Orange, this year’s theme was the Stories and Songs of the Season. Awards are given for various categories, including Most Beautiful, Best Use of Lights, Most Whimsical, etc. And while it’s something residents throughout historic Orange participate in, it seems that one of the awards (Best Block) consistently goes to Pine St. (and deservedly so). Parking and walking (or driving very slowly) is something both our households look forward to participating in every year. If you’re interested in leaving the driving to someone else, you can ride on the trolley to see the lights in style.

Some of the families in both neighborhoods even offer up candy canes, hot cocoa, and bags of popcorn to go with the music, lights, and lots and lots of happy people oohing and aahing all over the place. If you’re in the area definitely check out these neighborhoods.

Some highlights from Pine Street:

Old Orange Decorations 5
One of the more fantastic homes (even without decorations) on Pine Street in historic Orange, CA
Old Orange Decorations 7
ITOMTE! Kym’s FAVORITE!!
Old Orange Decorations 1
The theme on Pine Street in historic Orange, CA was Stories and Songs of the Season, and this family chose “Elf”
IMG_1654
One of the many award-winning home decorations on Pine Street in the historic area of Orange, CA. This family always decorates with bears, and they had Winnie the Pooh to tie in with the theme.

Old Orange CA Decorations 8

Old Orange Decorations 3
One of the many award-winning home decorations on Pine Street in the historic area of Orange, CA. This celebrates the song “Winter Wonderland”.
Old Orange Decorations 2
One of the many award-winning home decorations on Pine Street in the historic area of Orange, CA. This family did a bang up job with their “Home Alone” theme.
Old Orange Decorations 1
This place. Unbelievably cool. Amazingly so. Don’t know what their theme was. Doesn’t matter. Winner winner chicken dinner you get the trophy because SPECTACULAR.
Old Orange Decorations 4
The lovely gentlemen still participated with decorations (he and his wife lovingly decorated with the rest of Pine Street in historic Orange, CA every year), even with a broken heart. 

Check out our MERRY CHRISTMAS HAPPY TUESDAY episode on  iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Libsyn, Pocket Cast, Stitcher or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Then all you need to do is 1) subscribe 2) download and 3) listen! AND!!! 4) If you enjoy what you hear, please leave a rating and a review (pretty please?). The more subscribers and reviews we get, the more opportunities we get to grow this podcast and bring you richer content.

And don’t forget to follow us here at themuglytruth.com (click that blue WordPress Follow button on the right side of your screen) so you get notifications every time we post an episode blog! You can also follow The Mugly Truth on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

© The Mugly Truth 2018 and © The Mugly Truth Podcast 2018. All rights reserved.
Intro and outro music, “Clever as a Fox”  by Espresso Music through premiumbeats.com
Episodes

Worldwide Christmas Traditions

themuglytruth
TMT IG Photo
OOOH thar’s some great shutff in that giveaway box!! It can be yours! Enter the contest today!

Happy Tuesday! Today Kris and Kym do a full 180-turn from last week’s episode and focus FULLY on all the things you can do to celebrate Christmas all around the world. Kym tackles how to say Merry Christmas and Santa in multiple languages and proves Kris is not the only one struggling to pronounce words. But when all’s said and done, Kym knocked it out of the park in about 15 (give or take) different languages. Well done Kym!

They go on to discuss the history behind some of the most iconic Christmas songs you are probably sick of hearing by now. Do you know the oldest known Christmas song? Can you guess who wrote “O Come All Ye Faithful”? Would you believe “Deck the Halls” has Pagan origins? And that “Jingle Bells” wasn’t even intended to be a Christmas song?

They tackle fun (and weird) traditions throughout the world, and you are NOT going to believe the level of odd some of the activities reach. Kris also has an epiphany that all these shenanigans might somehow have something to do with aliens.  (Blinking. Staring.)

Kris and Kym also shout out a happy birthday to Hayley for her 14th birthday, to Nate and Kayla for their 2nd wedding anniversary, and brand new listener Katie (welcome to The Mugly Truth family!!)

IMG_1533
Kris’ daughters, Hayley (left) and Sami (right) on Hayley’s 14th birthday (and the day we recorded this episode).
IMG_1581
Kayla and Nate on their wedding day. Happy 2nd Anniversary!

And, of course, there’s The Mugly Truth Christmas 2018 Gift Giveaway UNBOXING live on Instagram, but you can see the photos of what is in the gift box so far:

IMG_1537
Just (((some))) of the stuff we’re sending to the lucky winner of our gift giveaway contest! There’s more to be added! UNBELIEVABLE!
IMG_1538
Really cool vintage winter dishtowels
IMG_1539
Really cool vintage-style canvas winter tote
IMG_1540
Close up of some of the contents of the gift giveaway. YES that’s an 80’s trivia game! BOOM.
IMG_1542
Close up of some of the contents of the gift giveaway. Disclaimer: If the sea salt caramels are MISSING from the box, Kris did NOT EAT THEM. She has NO IDEA WHERE THEY ARE. Do NOT ask her.
IMG_1541
Some more close ups. We are so excited to give this to one of our listeners!

Check out our WORLDWIDE CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS episode on  iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Libsyn, Pocket Cast, Stitcher or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Then all you need to do is 1) subscribe 2) download and 3) listen! AND!!! 4) If you enjoy what you hear, please leave a rating and a review (pretty please?). The more subscribers and reviews we get, the more opportunities we get to grow this podcast and bring you richer content.

And don’t forget to follow us here at themuglytruth.com (click that blue WordPress Follow button on the right side of your screen) so you get notifications every time we post an episode blog! You can also follow The Mugly Truth on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

© The Mugly Truth 2018 and © The Mugly Truth Podcast 2018. All rights reserved.
Intro and outro music, “Clever as a Fox”  by Espresso Music through premiumbeats.com
Location photo by Kimberly Sickel, @riverdeer at 500px

 

Episodes

Worst Gift Ever?

themuglytruth
Kris and Kym Discuss Worst Gifts Ever
If you ever wanted a drum-set for Christmas and got socks instead you’ll know the pain of this week’s episode as we talk about the worst gifts we’ve received (and acknowledge that some aren’t horrible at all when it comes down to it). Photo by Kimberly Sickel, please follow @riverdeer at 500px.

Remember that one morning long ago (or maybe it was a month ago yesterday) you woke up KNOWING you were getting the best gift ever? The one you told everyone what you wanted (You covered all the bases man. We know. We applaud your exhaustive efforts. Especially the good old fashioned sticky notes on all the mirrors. Well done). You waited for what seemed forever, then the day finally came and you just knew as you pulled ribbon and ripped paper you were mere seconds away from The. Most. Epic. Present. IN. THE. WOOOOOORLD!!!!! (WORLD WORLD WORLD WORLD WORLD)…

(The stadium roars with approval).

…which actually turned out to be a box of commemorative carved toothpicks of all 50 states from Odd Uncle Vern? Remember? Mm-hmm.

We know your pain. We too have some Odd Uncle Vern memories.

Those toothpicks are in a junk drawer somewhere to this day, we’re pretty sure. Except for North Dakota. That one disappeared years ago. Shame, really, to have an incomplete set.

Sometimes intentions are good but the disconnect with reality is a wee bit off. (Wood block puzzle for 13 year old Dax? Aunt Pru, we need to talk.) Maybe appropriate isn’t a word in your Cousin Dave’s vocabulary. Maybe – just maybe – gag gifts are the nectar of life to your sister Sarah. To be fair, not all “worst gifts” are actually that horrible. Perhaps it’s just bad timing, or current lack of usefulness, or it could be that it’s just so bad it’s inadvertently the most hilarious present you’ve ever received.

Yes, it was awkward but most likely that gift was given with love. Eventually what seemed blisteringly awful so long ago becomes a moment we recall with new perspective, filtered by years of experience and wisdom, revealing the true meaning of such exchanges. Hopefully, the true meaning is a poignant one.

Orrrrrr, maybe it happened two years ago when that asshole Erwin in sales drew your name for Secret Santa, KNEW you hate Pumpkin Spice Lattes (who are you? You are dead to us. *folding arms, looking away*) and bought you two bags of seasonal PS beans from Starbucks. Oooooooh, such passive aggressiveness can shred festive spirit like so many cats on toilet paper!! (Cat owners: You know.)

So, how did you handle your worst gift? Laugh? Cry? Manage a polite thanks? Pout? Stomp around? Throw it across the room? Chuck it at Erwin’s head? Fill Erwin’s desk drawer with ground coffee beans? Pour burnt coffee on Erwin’s keyboard and stuff the empty coffee bag into Erwin’s car exhau…aahhahahahammm.

Staring. Blinking. Staring again. 

Did you exchange? Regift? Did you do what Kris does and make it your newest closet rock? She’s got a wall of those things in the back of her closet. A fortress of awkward, if you will.

Deep sigh.

Never fear. Before the pain (or tears of wheezy laughter) overcome you, Kym shares another childhood stunt that makes all the other stories pale in comparison, with a cameo by “Captain Looseass” Grandpa himself. Kris never met Kym’s grandparents but wishes she did. And don’t worry, we’re sure Kym has more stories up her sleeve so really you just need to keep tuning in every week.

Oh, and if you’re wondering what Kris’ plushy Wookie – which she got from her most awesome friend at work  – looks like, well, here you go:

Chewbacca Plush Toy
Toy Yorkie? Bear in a lion costume? Nope. It’s Kris’ tiny Chewbacca in a stocking! Ready to give you a hug. ***Sniff***

YOU’RE WELCOME.

Reverb.com Sale Listing
Photo from reverb.com sale listing (no longer available) of a Synsonic drum set from the 80s. This may even be Kym’s old one. Probably not, but that would be cool, yeah?

Check out our WORST GIFT EVER? episode on  iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Libsyn, Pocket Cast, Stitcher or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Then all you need to do is 1) subscribe 2) download and 3) listen! AND!!! 4) If you enjoy what you hear, please leave a rating and a review (pretty please?). The more subscribers and reviews we get, the more opportunities we get to grow this podcast and bring you richer content.

And don’t forget to follow us here at themuglytruth.com (click that blue WordPress Follow button on the right side of your screen) so you get notifications every time we post an episode blog! You can also follow The Mugly Truth on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

© The Mugly Truth 2018 and © The Mugly Truth Podcast 2018. All rights reserved.
Intro and outro music, “Clever as a Fox”  by Espresso Music through premiumbeats.com
Location photo by Kimberly Sickel, @riverdeer at 500px

 

 

Episodes

Gratitude

themuglytruth
Kym and Kris and Gratitude
Kris and Kym discuss various gratitude practices and all the things they are grateful for, this week of Thanksgiving! Photo by Kimberly Sickel, @riverdeer at 500px

Happy Tuesday and welcome to Gratitude week! Today’s blog post is going to be short and sweet. In this week’s episode Kym and Kris catch up on Kris’ gallbladder surgery (it was moved up a few days and she’s recovering well) and discuss this week’s big holiday in America: Thanksgiving. We avoid the controversial history and focus instead on the  symbolism of Thanksgiving by discussing our personal beliefs about practicing gratitude, and list all the things we are verrrrry grateful for. From our homes to yours, we hope your Thanksgiving goes well and brings immense happiness and joy.

But if you are struggling with this time of year, reach out. There are people who love and care for you and you don’t need to be alone (unless you prefer to be!)

But most of all we want to say we are SO THANKFUL for all our listeners, all our friends and family who have supported us in this podcast adventure and who encourage us to keep talking on. And on and on and on… Thank you all. 

Thank you to all our listeners
Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

Check out our GRATITUDE episode on  iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Libsyn, Pocket Casts, Stitcher or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Then all you need to do is 1) subscribe 2) download and 3) listen! AND!!! 4) If you enjoy what you hear, please leave a rating and a review (pretty please?). The more subscribers and reviews we get, the more opportunities we get to grow this podcast and bring you richer content.

And don’t forget to follow us here at themuglytruth.com (click that blue WordPress Follow button on the right side of your screen) so you get notifications every time we post an episode blog! You can also follow The Mugly Truth on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

© The Mugly Truth 2018 and © The Mugly Truth Podcast 2018. All rights reserved.
Intro and outro music, “Clever as a Fox”  by Espresso Music through premiumbeats.com
Location photo by Kimberly Sickel, @riverdeer at 500px

 

 

Episodes

Wii Be 50

themuglytruth
Kym and Kris feel FINE!
There is a lot of stuff captured in today’s episode, but the real takeaway is Kym and Kris feel FINE AT FIFTY! Photo by Kimberly Sickel, @riverdeer 500px

Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone’s election day went…well. But enough about politics.  Today Kym and Kris get into a series of discussions ranging everywhere from the latest California wildfires to teenagers strangling their mom’s (FLORIDA KNOCK YOUR SH*T OFF) to Kym’s shopping for sub-zero temperatures clothing, how Xboxes and Wiis can be completely heartless, cruel and insensitive, and then Kris recounts her harrowing trip to the ER in the middle of the night. (Ok. NOT harrowing, but eventful). Oh, and Kym is CLEAR OF CANCER! All her tests came back and she is a clean, clear, cancer-free slate. We could not be happier! There’s so much to be grateful for!

Rocky the Podcat
Rocky the Podcat hasn’t left Kris’ side since she got home from the hospital. She loves her hooman. Kris swears this is true.

And then there’s the discussion about our total obsession with bullet journaling (aka, bujo) and exactly how it is NOT just for women. In fact, it was started by a guy named Ryder Carroll, who explains it all in this video. So, if you need a little organization, focus, tracking, spaces for ideas, doodles, lists, or anything else you can think of to keep your life running a little more smoothly – and have it all in one place – we highly recommend trying this personalized planner system that you can keep as simple or as embellished as you want!

Kym's Bullet Journal
Here’s Kym’s bullet journal week at a glance done in a very creative, yummy way!
Kris' Bullet Journal
A really washed out Habit Tracker for Kris to track how many days in the month of November she cusses out people in traff**k. Considering today is the 13th, we’re thinking Kris has a lot to think about. Just sit there and think about what you’ve done Kris.

Check out the Wii BE 50 episode on  iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Libsyn, Pocket Casts, Stitcher or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Then all you need to do is 1) subscribe 2) download and 3) listen! AND!!! 4) If you enjoy what you hear, please leave a rating and a review (pretty please?). The more subscribers and reviews we get, the more opportunities we get to grow this podcast and bring you richer content.

And don’t forget to follow us here at themuglytruth.com (click that blue WordPress Follow button on the right side of your screen) so you get notifications every time we post an episode blog! You can also follow The Mugly Truth on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

© The Mugly Truth 2018 and © The Mugly Truth Podcast 2018. All rights reserved.
Intro and outro music, “Clever as a Fox”  by Espresso Music through premiumbeats.com
Location photo by Kimberly Sickel, @riverdeer at 500px