Survey Says...

Wrapping paper or gift bags?

I use both, but prefer wrapping paper!

Real tree or Artificial?
It's been real up to this point. I told the hubs that I'm investing in artificial during the sales this year.

When do you put up the tree?
After Thanksgiving, typically within the first week of December.
When do you take the tree down?
After new years

Do you like eggnog?
Not so much....
Favorite gift received as a child?
Barbie's Dream House
Hardest person to buy for?
Father in Law

Easiest person to buy for?
Husband or nephews and nieces
Do you have a nativity scene?
No...
Mail or email Christmas cards?
Neither. I don't partake in Christmas cards
Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Pot and pans - that's house stuff
Favorite Christmas Movie (not cartoon)?
Toss up between National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story
When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Late August/ Early September
Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Any and all appetizers

Lights on the tree (colored or clear)?
Clear

Favorite Christmas song? Carol of the Bells

Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Home
Angel, star or ribbon on top of tree?
I like stars!
Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Both!!
Turkey or ham on Christmas day?
Prime rib

What do you want for Christmas this year?
Besides the obvious of a happy, healthy family, I'd love an upholstered headboard, a new camera, matching desks for Matt and I, and a trip to Florida!
Eggnog, hot chocolate, or apple cider?
Hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps mixed in!
How does Santa get into your house? Chimney or magic key?
Chimney

Christmas Memories

I have fond memories of Christmas. Every year was the same, but different. Here is a sampling of some Christmas memories that I have and treasure....

*When I was five, my Uncle Chuck got me the blond kid sister doll. She had lavender, striped overalls and long hair in braids. I named her Patsy. I think she's still in my Mom's attic somewhere.

*My favorite ornament is a glass Care Bear sitting on a cloud. It plays a little tune at the press of a button. Apparently, this ornament was gifted to me by the neighbor on my first Christmas.

*Growing up, my Mom always had an artificial tree. I think this is why going "tree hunting" isn't an important tradition to me. I'd much rather haul a tree out of storage, still decorate it and enjoy it, and then pack it back up without tracking needles everywhere and ruining my vacuum.

*The Christmas when I was 8, I wanted a puppy sooooooooo bad. We had two dogs, and my parents were not budging. On Christmas morning, there was no puppy. I went into the kitchen to get something and heard my five year old brother calling to me that there was one more present. I ran in, expecting my beloved pup to be there. Upon walking in the room, our German Shepherd, Sadie, popped out from under some left over gift wrap. At the time, I didn't think much of it. Looking back, it makes me feel special to know that my brother knew how much I wanted a puppy, and that he acknowledged that at the age of 5 in his own little way : )

*I have always, always looked at presents under the tree in the weeks leading up to opening them. Even still, when I walk into my Mom's house, I head straight for the tree to see if there's any new presents.

*One year for Christmas, I wanted Western Barbie. I spied a gift under the tree that was the size and shape of a Barbie box. I proceeded to tear the corner of the package ever so slightly, and got caught red handed. I didn't get that gift until my birthday in March. And it was, indeed, Western Barbie.

*I have wonderful memories of family on Christmas Eve and Morning. For a long time, we would eat clam chowder from a local restaurant called Morrison's on Christmas Eve. My parents, brother and Papa were always there. Then, when Papa and Dad passed away, we continued to be together. Now, traditions have changed slightly, but we still spend time and cherish it. Love that.

What are your Christmas Memories???

Midweek Confessions

E over at E, Myself, and I is starting a new link up party!! Go over to her page and check it out along with all of her other awesome posts about everything from decorating to her adorable son : )



Here are my confessions this week.....

• I'm pissed that our house isn't decorated for Christmas. And I'm also pissed that it probably won't be at all this year. The remodel has taken it's toll in all aspects of life, and even though I know it will be worth it, I miss my tree and exterior lights and mantel decor. Dang it!!!
• I didn't take the final for my pathophysiology class. And I'm not sorry. You see, we're allowed to drop our lowest test score. I chose to not take the final, and drop the "zero" grade. This made my semester end an entire week earlier. That's why I'm not sorry.
• I have not run since the half marathon in October. I'm a little sorry about that, but not enough to actually run (yet).
• There are only 11 more days after today that I will coming to my office. This = big excitement!
• All I want for dinner tonight is nachos and movie theatre popcorn. Depending on the condition of my tummy after eating that, I might throw in some sour patch kids. No wonder a year ago I had 40 pounds to lose (half way there!!)
• On that note, I haven't counted Weight Watcher points since July. AT ALL. However, I haven't gained any weight. 'Tis good. 'Tis not good that I fell off the wagon. Will climb back on soon (notice the intentional non-commitment to a date?)
• I could have easily stayed in bed until noon today.

What are your confessions this week???

House Stuff

The house is coming along. I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Here's what we have left to do:

• Finish installing wood flooring
• Finishing painting trip (living, dining, kitchen, hallway), doors (French doors, laundry room door, and front door) and window trim (21 windows in all, some big, some small)
• Tear old siding off of garage
• Hang new siding and paint it (this will definitely be something we tackle AFTER we move in)
• The tile in the master bath needs to be finished (we hired someone else to do this, thank goodness) Should be all done by Christmas
• Get the bathroom vanities and entertainment center cabinets installed. This is going to be after Christmas. We're having 3 bathroom cabinets built and painted and an entire wall of cabinets, uppers and lowers, built and painted. From what I hear, they're all built, just not painted. And our cabinet makers close the entire week of Christmas. Goody, goody gumdrops. Oh well. The final product is going to be amazing!
• Get concrete flooring installed in powder room along with a matching counter top.
• Install closet systems - this is really only a big deal for the master closet because it's HUGE and it's going to be a pretty intricate little built in system.

Here's some pictures of the progress (cell phone ones, so bear with me on the quality!):

This is when the drywall was being installed. It was so exciting to not see bare studs anymore!

Texture, paint AND light switches!!!

My wonderful husband installing the toilet in the upstairs bathroom.

Carpet went in this last weekend. It looks amazing.

Matt began installing our laminate. We're having this type of flooring in the laundry room (as seen above), kitchen, dining room, living room, and hallway. I am in LOVE with it : )

So.....I'm kind of done trying to estimate when we will move back in. I think I've finally convinced Matt that it's better to wait until the inside is completely done - with the exception of window trim and the powder room. Basically, I want to be able to stand at a bathroom vanity and brush my teeth, do my hair and makeup, wash my face, etc. I would also like to hang my clothes in the master closet and sleep in the master bedroom. Is that too much to ask? I'm optimistic that we will be able to move back in between Christmas and New Year's....

Manic Monday

My weekend didn't start out so great. You see, I was supposed to go to Scottsdale to see my amazing friend, Bonnie, and her family. Thursday afternoon, about 16 hours before my plane was to leave, I got a phone call. Bonnie's son had been puking since that morning. We decided it would be best to postpone my trip, so as to make sure I wouldn't get sick and also that she would be able to adequately care for her sons without being in a martini induced haze as is the case with most of my visits. It's a good thing I decided not to go. Bonnie was sick herself by Friday night, and her other son got it the following day. I'm sad to have not gotten to see them, but am very much looking forward to my new trip in January.

Aside from the above, my weekend included lots of painting (almost there, some baseboard and doors and window trip left to do!). I'll have a post with a couple of pictures soon.

It also included a fight with the husband. We're fine now, but I just have to say I DESPISE being mad at Matt and fighting with him. Especially when it's his doing, and HE needs to be the one to apologize. At least when I'm the "bad guy", once I get over fuming I can be the one to go to him and eat crow when I'm ready. But, it's really shitty when you have no control over how or when an apology (that is very much deserved!!!) is handed out. Talk about a waste of a Sunday morning. BLAH!!

That's all for now. Sorry for the lack of pictures. I'm boring, I know.

Arizona Trip!

Currently, I'm in Scottsdale enjoying some much needed quality time with my dear friend Bonnie and her family!! More updates to come when I return. I promise I won't let the month of November be a pre-cursor to how this blog will be maintained : )

Christmas Wish List

Midweek confessions

E is holding another episode of midweek confessions, which I love. Plus, there's a button now : ) Hopefully soon there will be a link up too!!

• I should feel guilty about leaving my husband alone to work on our unfinished home for 3 days, but I don't. I'm really looking forward to my trip to Arizona to see one of my besties and her family.
• Sometimes, I think it will be weird to not live with someone. We've been out of our home since June 6th, and are currently at my father in laws house. It's wonderful. People like to make us dinner and take our fresh laundry out of the dryer and fold it for us. Read: I'm getting spoiled and may want to move back home.
• Christmas spirit seems non-existent this year. I'm really looking forward to next year.
• I will not have a job in January. I'm excited.

Guess that's it for this week!!

Jury Duty

On November 7th, I had to appear for jury selection. Guess what? They selected me. Yes, me. Out of 122 people, I became juror number 9. And the last 3 weeks have been me juggling everything that I was already trying to keep together plus now this.

I don't really care to discuss the actual trial. I will say that it was interesting, that I learned some things, and that I have a new respect for the judicial system. Aside from that, at this point in time I'm, frankly, sick of it.

Back to regularly scheduled programming!! Here's a bullet recap of what's been going on since my disappearance:

• I only have two weeks left of school = happiness
• I will more than likely only be at my current job until January = scary, exciting, wondrous
• The house is still coming along. Paint is done, hopefully tile and carpet will be complete within the next couple of weeks. Maybe even our laminate flooring!
• Thanksgiving was good this year. We have a lot to be very thankful for.
• Matt and I both have colds right now = misery

That's it for now. Hopefully I can get some pictures of the house progress up before too long : )