Ahhhhhhhhh.
I wish that I could stop time right now. I am really enjoying my time off so far. I've done a lot, and there's still more coming. Tonight, we're going over to my aunt's house for dinner with the rest of my family, and tomorrow, I get to go to the DMV to renew my license (woo hoo new picture!) and when that's over, it's shopping with my friends in Roseville (WOO HOO!). I'm really excited about it, as you can tell.
I'm sad that Christmas is over, but at least I get a little bit of time to ease back into normal life again before I have to go back to work.
I'm off to go enjoy the rest of my afternoon filled with nothing!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Twas the night before Christmas...
And I still feel like a kid.
I'm so happy that I get the same feeling the night before Christmas Eve, even though I have to work half a day tomorrow. Though the holidays have changed for me as I've gotten older, I now appreciate how much goes into preparing for the holidays and don't take it for granted anymore.
I did mention to a co-worker today that it would be nice for everyone if we could all, just for one Christmas, go back to how it was when we were kids. When the anticipation and excitement were all-consuming, and we were all so innocent. I wish now that I'd savored those Christmases just a little bit more.
But I'm lucky in that every Christmas Eve morning, I still wake up with the same butterflies-in-my-stomach feeling that I used to have as a child. And I really hope that never goes away.
So even though I have to head into work for a little while tomorrow, I'll have that wonderful feeling to keep me aglow all morning long. And it will carry me right through until Thursday night.
Happy holidays, everyone! Enjoy this time with your families and cherish every moment. I know I will.
I'm so happy that I get the same feeling the night before Christmas Eve, even though I have to work half a day tomorrow. Though the holidays have changed for me as I've gotten older, I now appreciate how much goes into preparing for the holidays and don't take it for granted anymore.
I did mention to a co-worker today that it would be nice for everyone if we could all, just for one Christmas, go back to how it was when we were kids. When the anticipation and excitement were all-consuming, and we were all so innocent. I wish now that I'd savored those Christmases just a little bit more.
But I'm lucky in that every Christmas Eve morning, I still wake up with the same butterflies-in-my-stomach feeling that I used to have as a child. And I really hope that never goes away.
So even though I have to head into work for a little while tomorrow, I'll have that wonderful feeling to keep me aglow all morning long. And it will carry me right through until Thursday night.
Happy holidays, everyone! Enjoy this time with your families and cherish every moment. I know I will.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Wow, I'm tired.
Christmas cookie pictures will be posted, I promise...as soon as I'm finished. Which should be Tuesday night.I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm beat. This has been a crazy few days. The end result of all of this prep work will be so worth it. Also...my vacation starts Wednesday afternoon!! Yippee! I am going to work on Christmas Eve for half a day to partake in our annual pancake breakfast that our executives graciously put on for all employees. It makes for a really fun morning.
After that, no work until January 5th. I won't know what to do with myself, except...everything. I've got a few things planned while I'm off, most of which revolves around my friends and family. And I could not be more excited about it. I've also made sure to include some me time in there somewhere, seeing as I can't take 11 days off from work without having at least one day of nothing. I'm thrilled at this rare chance of rejuvenation at home and plan to revel in it as much as possible.
Good luck to everyone in these last days of preparation for Christmas. Remember, it's really all about spending it with your family and having that wonderful cozy feeling.
Monday, December 15, 2008
The best Christmas present ever.
Isn't he just the cutest thing?
We got Chandler eight years ago today. He's always loved to sit under the Christmas tree every year. Rob thinks it's because he knows he was a Christmas gift (mine), so that's where he's most comfortable.
Here's an expanded picture of our tree. I really like it - Target was sure a lifesaver this year.
Only 9 more days until one of my favorite days of the entire year. I'm so excited.
Cookie pictures will be posted tomorrow, so stay tuned!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
I declare this weekend "cookie weekend".
The baking will be starting up again this weekend! We're doing a Christmas cookie exchange at work next week, and I've got a couple different recipes in mind. My husband has even offered to help, so of course I'm going to take him up on his offer. I signed up for Food Network's 12 Days of Cookies, so I've been getting a new cookie recipe every day for 9 days. I think one of those recipes might make it into the final cut. I'm also considering baking snickerdoodles, which I've never made before but found a recipe for on a bag of flour I recently bought. There is nothing more delicious to me than warm snickerdoodles. Nothing.
Pictures will surely follow after this weekend's bake-fest. And I will surely post those recipes that turned out the best!
Happy baking!
Pictures will surely follow after this weekend's bake-fest. And I will surely post those recipes that turned out the best!
Happy baking!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Lucky number 13.
Today marks the 13th anniversary of when my husband and I officially started dating. I cannot believe that it's been 13 years that we've known each other. We're almost at the "I've-been-with-you-half-of-my-life" milestone. And of course, I'm OK with that. Glad of that. Happy of that.
I can't wait to see what the next 13 years (and many more) hold for us.
I can't wait to see what the next 13 years (and many more) hold for us.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
I know what I'm doing on April 11th!
Today I had the unfortunate luck of being notified via e-mail that Britney Spears is coming to Arco Arena on April 11th, and guess who's opening for her?
Wait for it...
The Pussycat Dolls.
My first thought was, "Why on earth would I get this?" And my second thought was, "I would sooner stick a needle in my eye than go see either of those acts, ESPECIALLY together." And then I remembered that I signed up to get notifications from Arco Arena ever since I saw Justin Timberlake there almost 2 years ago.
Too bad it wasn't an e-mail notifying me that he was coming back. It would make me jump with glee.
A girl can dream!
Wait for it...
The Pussycat Dolls.
My first thought was, "Why on earth would I get this?" And my second thought was, "I would sooner stick a needle in my eye than go see either of those acts, ESPECIALLY together." And then I remembered that I signed up to get notifications from Arco Arena ever since I saw Justin Timberlake there almost 2 years ago.
Too bad it wasn't an e-mail notifying me that he was coming back. It would make me jump with glee.
A girl can dream!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Back from a short hiatus.
Sorry for the absence of a post - I was enjoying my vacation too much to get near a computer.
Here's a breakdown of what I did during my fantastic 4 day vacation:
1) On Thanksgiving Day, my mom and I participated in the Run to Feed the Hungry. It was my third time, my mom's first. I couldn't believe the amount of people that were there - it was pretty great seeing 27, 000 people all uniting to do one thing. After that, we headed to my grandparent's house for the usual delicious feast, complete with homemade bratwurst as an appetizer. Not to quote Rachael Ray or anything (I'm not particularly fond of her), but YUM-O. And I brought leftover pumpkin spice cake, which turned out really well. It took me three times to make the caramel for the frosting (I burned it twice), but it was worth it in the end. After that, we went to my mother-in-law's for coffee and really yummy dessert. I have never been more done with food than when we got home. I was content to never see it again, until of course, I woke up hungry the next morning. It was still a pretty great Thanksgiving, overindulgence and all.
2) Friday I went to River City Brewing Company in Downtown Plaza with Kim and Nick and my cousins Kristie and Corey. I had a delicious flank steak salad with red wine vinaigrette and then we walked over to Starbuck's where I topped it off with coffee cake and a decaf soy mocha (because it all went so well together). Thanks to Nick and Corey respectively who paid for each one - you're awesome! We also went and saw Four Christmases which was HILARIOUS. I continue to love Vince Vaughn and my love grows stronger with every movie he's in. I snorted in the theater, it was so funny. After the movie, I jetted off to Elk Grove where I met my BFF Melissa for more coffee (yum!) and much overdue girl talk. Every time I see her in person, I realize how much I miss her (she lives in Southern California). 3 hours has never gone faster.
3) Saturday night, my husband and I went over to my mom and stepdad's house for dinner with my stepbrothers and my stepsister-in-law. My mom made: 1) 2 different kinds of appetizers from Trader Joe's; 2) warm ciabatta bread with garlic butter 3) beef burgundy; and 4) homemade chicken pot pie. It was almost like another Thanksgiving. Oh, and pumpkin pie from Thanksgiving for dessert. Oy. Again, more full than I ever dreamed. I felt like I should be rolling home instead of driving.
4) Sunday afternoon was spent at Country Club lanes with Corey, Kim and Nick for some bowling. Oh, and it was my first time bowling. EVER. I've been to birthday parties at bowling alleys (Kristie had one when she was little) but never actually bowled because I was too chicken. And I was pretty much what you expected: lame. I bowled a 62 the first game (AWESOME!) and an 82 the second game (an improvement, but still not great). I did have fun, though - I got a strike in my first game and did a whole lot better in the second game. I'm hoping to go back again so I can get a little better and at least get a triple digit score.
After all of that, you can imagine how hard it was for me to get up this morning. But I took comfort in the fact that 1) most people were grumbling this morning after having 4 days off; and 2) MY 11 DAY VACATION IS ONLY 23 DAYS AWAY. So that kinda made me feel better almost immediately. Plus, having my alarm set to Christmas music is such a wonderful way to start the day. I actually smiled at 5:15 this morning. On a Monday. After having 4 days off. I am not kidding.
I am looking forward to Christmas so much that I feel like a kid again. I positively cannot wait. Compared to how I felt last Christmas, I think I'm making up for lost time.
Happy holidays! And I promise not to take such a long break next time. I know my fans miss it a great deal when I don't post.
(Crickets chirping)
Here's a breakdown of what I did during my fantastic 4 day vacation:
1) On Thanksgiving Day, my mom and I participated in the Run to Feed the Hungry. It was my third time, my mom's first. I couldn't believe the amount of people that were there - it was pretty great seeing 27, 000 people all uniting to do one thing. After that, we headed to my grandparent's house for the usual delicious feast, complete with homemade bratwurst as an appetizer. Not to quote Rachael Ray or anything (I'm not particularly fond of her), but YUM-O. And I brought leftover pumpkin spice cake, which turned out really well. It took me three times to make the caramel for the frosting (I burned it twice), but it was worth it in the end. After that, we went to my mother-in-law's for coffee and really yummy dessert. I have never been more done with food than when we got home. I was content to never see it again, until of course, I woke up hungry the next morning. It was still a pretty great Thanksgiving, overindulgence and all.
2) Friday I went to River City Brewing Company in Downtown Plaza with Kim and Nick and my cousins Kristie and Corey. I had a delicious flank steak salad with red wine vinaigrette and then we walked over to Starbuck's where I topped it off with coffee cake and a decaf soy mocha (because it all went so well together). Thanks to Nick and Corey respectively who paid for each one - you're awesome! We also went and saw Four Christmases which was HILARIOUS. I continue to love Vince Vaughn and my love grows stronger with every movie he's in. I snorted in the theater, it was so funny. After the movie, I jetted off to Elk Grove where I met my BFF Melissa for more coffee (yum!) and much overdue girl talk. Every time I see her in person, I realize how much I miss her (she lives in Southern California). 3 hours has never gone faster.
3) Saturday night, my husband and I went over to my mom and stepdad's house for dinner with my stepbrothers and my stepsister-in-law. My mom made: 1) 2 different kinds of appetizers from Trader Joe's; 2) warm ciabatta bread with garlic butter 3) beef burgundy; and 4) homemade chicken pot pie. It was almost like another Thanksgiving. Oh, and pumpkin pie from Thanksgiving for dessert. Oy. Again, more full than I ever dreamed. I felt like I should be rolling home instead of driving.
4) Sunday afternoon was spent at Country Club lanes with Corey, Kim and Nick for some bowling. Oh, and it was my first time bowling. EVER. I've been to birthday parties at bowling alleys (Kristie had one when she was little) but never actually bowled because I was too chicken. And I was pretty much what you expected: lame. I bowled a 62 the first game (AWESOME!) and an 82 the second game (an improvement, but still not great). I did have fun, though - I got a strike in my first game and did a whole lot better in the second game. I'm hoping to go back again so I can get a little better and at least get a triple digit score.
After all of that, you can imagine how hard it was for me to get up this morning. But I took comfort in the fact that 1) most people were grumbling this morning after having 4 days off; and 2) MY 11 DAY VACATION IS ONLY 23 DAYS AWAY. So that kinda made me feel better almost immediately. Plus, having my alarm set to Christmas music is such a wonderful way to start the day. I actually smiled at 5:15 this morning. On a Monday. After having 4 days off. I am not kidding.
I am looking forward to Christmas so much that I feel like a kid again. I positively cannot wait. Compared to how I felt last Christmas, I think I'm making up for lost time.
Happy holidays! And I promise not to take such a long break next time. I know my fans miss it a great deal when I don't post.
(Crickets chirping)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)