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Weekend Shenanigans – The One With Christmas

I am still having the hardest time believing that Christmas has really come and gone!!! Perhaps it was the mild and rainy weather we had, but it sure doesn’t feel like Christmas was just a few days ago! And just like that, the tree was taken down, ornament by ornament and the stockings are no longer hung on the fireplace with care.

I will say, I try to put a positive spin on the end of such a joyous time by thinking of the new year as a clean slate. Those goals I didn’t quite finish this year can become goals for the next. All of the bad foods I ate last week, and the cookie I am nibbling on now will be a thing of the past as I have a fresh look on my health and fitness for the new year.

Until then, let’s take a look at the last few days, shall we?!

Christmas Eve I worked until, about 1:00 pm, and was so kindly told to go home. Why thank you, I think I shall! Chris met me back at our house shortly after, and we headed to his parents house for Christmas Eve festivities. We had a great dinner and got to spend some time with Chris’s parents, his grandma and  my sister in law and her family as well.

We came back home that evening where I forced Chris to watch The Grinch. He likes the cartoon version, but not so much the Jim Carey version but he kindly obliged. I just love that movie!!!

Christmas morning Chris and I woke up and exchanged presents, fed the dogs a surprise bowl of wet food…then headed to his sisters for Christmas Breakfast as we do every year. After breakfast, we came home and played some Mario Kart and watched some TV then headed to my mom’s for Christmas dinner. I got to see my mom, step dad, step sisters, and my sister and her family.

Chris and I, don’t mind the loss of shoes. Those things happen when you wear heels and sit on the floor!

Me, my mom and my sister 🙂 🙂

My niece Berkley along with my step sister’s Emily, Savannah and Annabeth (my my brother in law Mike in the background)

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My sister’s clan! You should have seen how many pictures we had to take to get them to all smile and behave themselves. And my sister and oldest niece are picture Nazi’s and must approve it which meant even more pictures!

imageMy sister and Mike <3

Oh and did I mention that I got to finally meet Maggie and Molly?!?!?! I forgot how soft puppies are! These two are just so sweet!!!

Be still my heart….

The day after Christmas, Chris and I headed back over to his parents house for the day because his brother came in to town with two of our nieces. We hung out, ate food and that evening we played some serious Mario Kart! I got to have my O’Fallon Cherry Chocolate Beer too! It is only brewed two months out of the year so I had to pick up a case!

Over the weekend, we took it easy for the most part. It was rainy on Saturday and we went to Catina Laredo for an early dinner appetizer of Queso Laredo (cheese dip with taco meat). We would have stayed longer and watched the South Carolina game but the bartender was awful. Chris’s soda went empty twice and stayed empty for several minutes without being refilled and the guy had zero personality and came off as an ass. So we decided to head to Publix and pick up the stuff for Cajun Chicken Pasta. Yum!

Sunday was meal planning and grocery shopping. We also played a game of Monopoly on the xbox last night and it was so fun!

I hope that everyone had a fabulous holiday and weekend! It is another short week for me at work. I hope to recap my fall goals and have my winter ones up tomorrow. Winter? Can you believe it? It sure doesn’t feel like winter around these parts. We had our AC on yesterday. Boo! Happy Monday! (We can say happy since it is a short week, right?!)

Weekending

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Things I Learned From the Grinch

One of my favorite Christmas movies that I have to watch every year is The Grinch. Both the Jim Carey version as well as the cartoon! I mean, you learn a lot of life lessons from that wise hairy guy!

Scheduling and Time Management – You always need to make time for yourself, even if it is for self wallowing.

Have all of the feelings!

It’s ok to not like everything

That sometimes I eat because I am bored…

That even the Grinch himself has wardrobe problems from time to time

And the true meaning of Christmas….

I hope that each and every one of you has a very Merry Christmas!!!!

Christmas

The Magic of Christmas

I was ten when I learned who Santa really was. Deep down I had known for a few years, but remained in denial because I didn’t want to let go of the magic that surrounds Christmas. My classmates were so rude to come to school and talk about how their parents told them “the truth.” Why would you ruin that for someone else?

Luckily, my sister Tracy is four and a half years younger than me, and I had to keep believing for her. And that is when I realized, I will never stop believing in the magic of Christmas. Even though Santa might be a made up character, the magic and true meaning behind Christmas will never die. It is never fake or make believe.

Maybe some might think it is silly that I get so excited about the holiday. I find complete joy in putting up the Christmas tree. Each and every ornament holds a story or memory. As I hang our stockings, I remember picking them out after looking at hundreds several different ones and wondering if we will ever add more to them for more animals or even kids. As the garland is strung along the fireplace, I bask in the beauty of nature and how something so simple is so beautiful. All the while Christmas music is playing in the background and egg nog fills my Christmas mug.

The magic of Christmas isn’t in your belief of Santa or how many presents you receive. The magic is in your heart. It is your memories of the past, your enjoyment of the present, and your hopes and dreams for the future. The magic of Christmas can only be as strong as you let it be.

This season, and for years to come…why don’t you just embrace it. Don’t let the holidays stress you out. Who cares if that batch of cookies didn’t get baked, or all of your cards didn’t go out. Enjoy all the little moments of the season, the company of your loved ones, and the true spirit of Christmas.

Uncategorized, weekend shenanigans

Weekend Shenanigans

 

It’s the week of Christmas!!!!!  I’ve been a little scarce around these parts lately. Let’s take a look at what I have been up to!

Thursday night we hosted the Magic City Bloggers Food Drive at World of Beer. We had a great turn out and there were lots and lots of cans donated to the Firehouse Shelter!!! Here are a few of the girls….
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Friday evening we ordered Chinese food and stayed in. We watched Home Alone 🙂

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Saturday – We finished up our Christmas shopping, had lunch at Cantina Laredo in Uptown and spent the evening watching Home Alone 2 and Harold and Kumar’s Christmas. Also, some weird Hot Tub Time Machine movie that was oddly rather tolerable and border line good, despite the weird name and concept.

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Sunday – I woke up super early and wrapped all of the presents. When Chris got up, we decided to head out early to do our grocery shopping. When we got to the Pinnacle we realized some shops had opened early and Belk was giving away $10 gift cards to the first 300 people in the door. Score! We picked up some stuff for Chris, then headed to Best Buy. We got the Nintendo Amiibo’s (Chris chose Yoshi and I got Peach) then we proceeded to Target where we spend way too much money. As always.

That afternoon I made flat bread pizza’s and we also had homemade hot chocolate. (Not together, because ewe.)

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My sister sent me a picture of Maggie and Molly with the caption “Jealous?” Bitch!!! How dare she visit the puppies without me! I mean, look how freaking cute these two are…

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I might have puppy fever after seeing that picture!!!

In other news, I got the iPhone 6 Plus last Wednesday. I haven’t really had the chance to actually play with it yet, hence why there was no post on Friday. I didn’t have WordPress set up to import my pictures and what kind of Friday Favorites post can you have with no pictures? I am also super behind on my own Instagram challenge because I fail at life. Prepare for Barbie overload this week.

Who else is super excited about two short work weeks in a row? The last few months have been crazy, and honestly…I am looking forward to a little break to rejuvenate and relax. We stay in state for Christmas, luckily both of our immediate families live in Alabama. There might be a 30 minute to hour drive between some houses…but I am thankful for the closeness.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, and even though it is Monday….I think it is going to be a quick day 🙂

Weekending

 

 

confessions

Confessions

Hey there Wednesday! Why does this week seem so long? I feel like we had three Monday and at least four Tuesdays. Tuesdays is my least favorite day of the week if I am being honest. Melissa is bringing back the Hump Day Confessions link up! I have been in denial that it ever went away, so this is great news!

–I made an appointment to get my hair cut on Tuesday. I have been looking at this picture for awhile for the color. Thoughts?

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And I have been looking at this picture because I really love this cut but I haven’t had my hair that short in a really long time and I dont know that I want it that short. Ahhhh! Help!

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–Sometimes when you are a blogger, you have to sacrifice yourself for the greater good. And by sacrifice I mean indulge in the most tastiest cheesecakes that have ever touched my mouth!

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I mean you guys, red velvet cake WITH cheesecake on top. I can’t even describe how freaking amazing this is!!!

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I will be reviewing all of these soon! Alabama peeps, this guy is local, uses great ingredients and freaking delivers! PERFECT for those last minute gifts or parties!!!

–When I haven’t been shoving my face with bites of cheesecake, I have been on a veggie soup kick. Even those noodles are veggie noodles. Trying to keep myself in check this time of year, ya know?!

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The recipe is so easy, basically I buy the lowest sodium broth I can find, add frozen veggie mix and black pepper and call it a day! I do throw in a whole peeled onion to add some flavoring and when I cant find low sodium veggie broth I will use chicken and add a low sodium bullion cube. I cook the noodles separate and add them when I am ready to eat so they aren’t soggy. I paired it with pretzel crisps one week, celery last week and whole wheat pita bread this week. Delish!

–This is how crafting looks around these parts. The damn letters wont stay!!! Why can’t the glitter cooperate with my jam??? Time to whip out the glue gun!

IMG_4341-0.JPG–I am so excited for our #feedthefirehouse food drive tomorrow night at World of Beer at 6 pm! I hope to see all you local folks coming out and supporting this great cause. And beer. And their appetizers. And friends. Duh!

–I am so behind on blog reading and getting my posts scheduled out. One day I will have my life together. Today isn’t that day!

Confessions in ecards

Random Funny Pictures – 70 Pics

So true.

Funny Pictures Of The Day – 69 Pics

Office job.... true words.

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