Archive for December 2012

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Celebratory Christmas

I was having a hard time writing a Christmas wrap-up post that would be interesting to everyone and not for just those who were there. I kept writing and re-writing but now it's New Years Eve and I want to write about that but feel I need to get Christmas over with, so for a quick summary I came up with this. 

I looked back and what stuck out in my head were a few minutes on Christmas morning. The kids had already checked out what Santa had brought and we were almost done handing out gifts to everyone so we could begin opening. Santa had brought my niece a microphone and speaker that connects with her iPod and Flo Rida's Good Feeling was playing. I stood in the middle of it all and took it all in. Those whom I love most were in the same room singing, dancing, and just being. The presents could have magically disappeared and I wouldn't have even noticed. 

We had a week full of those moments. We continued old traditions and made new memories. We celebrated with friends, family, and I feel fortunate to be completely saturated with great wine and champagne. 

This holiday has seemed more celebratory than others in the past and I'm not sure why. Maybe because we all know how fragile life is. Maybe we all struggled a bit in one way or another and are looking forward to a fresh start. Maybe we all have learned to live in the moment and to take nothing for granted. Or maybe we were all just in a partying mood. What ever the answer may be, I loved and enjoyed every minute of it. 

I hope you all had a great holiday as well. Now, on with the celebrating! See you next year! 



   


  


Sunday, December 23, 2012

Merry Christmas!




I hope you are happy. 

I hope you are healthy. 

I hope you are surrounded by the ones you love most. 

I am feeling very blessed to have all three. 

Merry Christmas! 



Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Wednesday in Numbers

1 bottle of wine that I broke at the liquor store. I was trying to Rachel Ray it to the check-out counter. Next time I'll use a cart. 

2 attempts at the drive-thru Christmas light place. Took us 42 minutes and 29 seconds from the beginning of the line to the end of the lights. Not bad. The kids loved it. 

3 items that were in the shipment that Amazon finally deemed lost. P.S. their customer service is great. 

4 Christmas cookies that I ate after mentally limiting myself to just one because I ate too many the day before. I can't stop.  

5 is the number of the ex-Cardinal player that was seen at lunch. Good to know that we're not the only ones who enjoy cheap Mexican food. 

6 days until Christmas. Are you ready? I'll be done when the above mentioned 'lost' package makes it my way.

On tomorrow's to do list? 2 words. Rum Balls. Because I've never made them and I'm convinced Christmas will be better with them around. 

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

New Christmas Traditions

I am always looking for new Christmas traditions to start with the family. The kids brought a Christmas book home from the library on the subject so I took a look and wanted to share them with you. Because they're pretty strange and if you're like me you enjoy that sort of stuff. 


On Christmas Eve all animals can speak. However, it is considered bad luck to test this superstition. (We will have 2 dogs in the house on Christmas Eve. Do I dare risk bad luck and ask them if it's true?)

To have good health throughout the next year, eat an apple on Christmas Eve. Easy enough. Consider that one done.  

Eat plum pudding on Christmas and avoid losing a friend before next Christmas. I've never eaten plum pudding. Would a pudding pop count? Pudding cup?

Shout "CHRISTMAS GIFT!" to the first person knocking on your door on Christmas Day and expect to receive a gift from the visitor. This may be my favorite one. Consider this one also done.  

Place shoes side by side on Christmas Eve to prevent a quarreling family. We already do this with our cellular devices on a normal basis (I have no idea why this happens. The phones just all land on the counter soldier style) I guess adding shoes to the line up would be NBD.

Wearing new shoes on Christmas Day will bring bad luck. I'm so sorry, Charity. 

There you go! 6 more ways to bring in the good luck! 

Happy Tuesday!


Monday, December 17, 2012

Midwest 12 Days of Christmas

I'm excited to be part of this year's Midwest 12 Days of Christmas craft exchange. 

It took me awhile to decide what I'd make - it had to be something I could make 12 of, something that could be mailed somewhat inexpensively, and most importantly something I could make well!

Yes it added a little more stress to the season but being included with such a talented group of women makes it all worthwhile! 

The gift I made does not get opened until day #9 so I can't ruin the surprise and reveal what I made. You'll just have to wait! 



To see what gifts have been opened so far check out the 12 Day's blog: midwest12days.blogspot.com

***I had to update with the amazing gift that Day 4 brought. A beautiful clay ornament and soap dish! Thanks Kristi!





Tuesday, December 11, 2012

It Caught Me

I'm happy to say the Christmas Spirit has caught up with me. It snuck in over the weekend and knocked me on the head yesterday. 


Fa la la la la. 

The highlight of our weekend was Justin graduating from his master's program. It was a big deal so we took the kids out from school to go to the ceremony and they deserve medals for outstanding behavior. It was such a great day for all of us. We had so much fun celebrating all of his hard work!   



Graduation being over, along with a bunch of other projects, cleared some mental space and I now have room for some cheer.

Who's ready to bake some cookies? I still need a wreath though!

***************

Also to be noted and talked about later, we started Insanity three days ago (it lives up to its name), Tilles Park is not open for vehicular traffic on Saturday nights (we learned the hard way), and Justin is growing a beard.


  








Friday, December 07, 2012

Friday 5: Celebrating Simplicity

5 simple noteworthy and toast worthy happenings from the week. 


Thank goodness for technology. We all love to chat face-to-face when the Mr. is traveling. The kids have seen the world through computer and phone screens. 

I shipped out 11 handmade projects this week. More on this later, but it feels great to have them done!

We moved in to our new house one year ago today. Since then? Our quality of life has tripled. Happy, happy, happy.

This was me, celebrating Justin's last day of class. 
He graduates from his master's program today and I couldn't be more proud.

I know that's only four but graduation should count for two...or really even all 5. Our house is buzzing with excitement and we're  ready to get our cap and gown on! 

Lots to celebrate today! 
What are you toasting to? 

Cheers! 




Monday, December 03, 2012

Thank You, La Nina

Today was a great day. 

Windows open, breeze flowing through, birds chirping, and...the Christmas tree lights a blazing? 

It was 77 degrees today where I live and that's just not the norm. We broke a record yesterday for the temperature hitting 75. 

It is messing with my head. It's December 3rd and it smells like springtime in the house. Vance was happy because he could wear shorts to school and it's amazing how much faster I can buckle/un buckle Vaughn and maneuver through errands without puffy winter coats. 

I know it won't last. In fact, there's a cold front coming in later this week. But this has been a huge sign that the older I get the less I like to be cold or deal with the cold weather. I've always said that I could move back to Wisconsin and be happy - snow and all. Until today. I think I've officially changed my mind.

How about you? Do you prefer hot or cold?


  

 

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