Christmas Countdown

In honor of the Christmas season, the roommate and I thought we'd send out Christmas cards. Well the cards ended up being photos on Facebook and Twitter.

The photos are so jubilant we thought it would be a great way to countdown to Christmas with a new photo every day. (Go follow the roommate on Twitter @samsimp so you can see the photo a day.) Since the idea was birthed late last night, I'm a little late about advertising it on the ole blog. Don't worry I'm going to make up for it today.

So cold outside.

Joy is found in a Christmasy home.

So be on the look out for each day's Christmas cheer photo. I also have another surprise for you. Two Christmases ago, the roommate and I made a Christmas video where we sang Christmas carols. At the end of the video, the roommate made up a little Christmas ditty dedicated to Santa, and I sang back up.

Because it's Christmas and because I love you, I'm going to let you watch it.

Merry Christmas friends! Be lovin' you.

Thoughts on the song for Santa?

Jingle Bell Rockin' 5K

You are in the midst of a star. Yep, that's right. A star. Mom and I were on TV Saturday night after the Light Up the Night 5K in downtown Little Rock.

I tried to find the video, but stupid Internet Explore keeps informing me that I need to update my browser. And I can't update my browers because I don't have admin access to my work computer. #firstworldproblems

The point of the 5K was to dress up and run the downtown streets while admiring Christmas lights put up by local businesses.

So we dressed up. It was a pretty big group of us. And there was somewhere around 900 people running in the race. The only downer was the lack of Christmas lights and decor along the race track. And it was freaking freezing. So cold, in fact, that I didn't get warm until after I took the hottest shower and drank some hot tea. My body is basically without blood. (I'm kidding...Calm down.)

When I got home from the race, I put my race bib with all my other race bibs. And it made me feel really good to see them all grouped together.

My little boards are running out of room. And I haven't quite figured out what is the best way to keep up with them. I don't really want to put them in a box just yet. It's all so new to me still. The nostaglia hasn't even wore off each bib yet.

Each of the three bibs has the race name and date and my finishing time written on the back. I can't really remember if I wrote other stuff, but I know those three things are on it. Two 5Ks and a 10K. Woot Woot.

On a completely different note, I've discovered the sheer genius of what is awkwardfamilyphotos.com. While scrolling through the blog of photos, I found this and thought it was appropriate for this Christmas season.

Pretty sure I laughed until tears came out my eyes. I love everything about it. Really rings in the Christmas spirit.

What have you been up to?

Do you have any awkward family photos?
I have some old dance photos I'm sure could win awkward family photo prizes. But there is one photo in particular that would win millions...Let's just say I went through a phase with short hair, braces, glasses and sparkly blue butterfly clippies...I wish I was joking about this.

Tis the Season to be Merry

For me, Christmas parties should never be BYOB. Period. End of story. I'm still mentally recovering from a Christmas Extravaganza on Saturday night. Here's what happened.

My friend Logan and her sister Lindsay threw a Tacky Christmas Sweater Party on Saturday. The roommate, Jodi and I were thrilled to be out and about in Christmas garb.

My tacky attire consisted of a beaded sweater vest and a Christmas plaid wrap skirt that I liked to say was a kilt.

It looked more like a Christmas rug, but let's not analyze it too much.

Jodi had on neon purple pants. The roommate rocked a sweatshirt that said "Love: What Grandmas Do Best." And Logan had a huge bow on her head.

But enough about the attire. I know you want to know what happened. And I'm gonna be honest and tell you I'm probably not the best person to ask.

See here's the thing. After the Christmas party, we were all suppose to go downtown for our friend Chelsey's birthday. But after a bottle of wine, a car ride and a change of clothes, my body decided it would not be my best interest to participate in said birthday festivities.

I know what you're thinking. It was probably late. And I needed to stay home. No. It was before 11 P.M. But you are definitely right that I needed to stay home.

After much you'll-feel-better-once-we-get-you-baby-cheeseburgers-from-McDonalds talk failed, the roommate and Jodi left me at home (thank the lort). It would not have been a fun time for anyone had I left the house.

Moral to the story: Don't drink a bottle of wine at a Christmas party. Wine is the devil. And while I use to love it, now I think our relationship has moved to a love-it-a-little-less stage. Oh, and I'm never drinking again. The end.

But nobody can be sure as to how it all happened. One minute I was up and feeling great. And the next I was down for the count. We can't decide if it's the bottle of wine, my incredibly low alcohol tolerance or a combination of the two. But I do know BYOB and Christmas should never be in the same sentence.

Switching gears:

Saturday I will be running in a Jingle Bell 5K. I'm so pumped to dress up. No booze will be consumed at this party.

I can't decide if I want to make a handprint reindeer sweatshirt or a handprint Christmas tree sweatshirt. Or something completely different. Thoughts? I do think a nice quote from one of my favorite Christmas movies should be on the back. More on that later.

Speaking of running. I've sucked up over the last week. Not one run. NOT ONE. I guess after the 10K I thought I needed a break. Today and Thursday I will run. No matter how cold or gross it feels outside. I will do it. #ithinkicanithinkican

Tell me about some of your Christmas party experiences.

Have you ever done a Holiday race where you can dress up? This Saturday will be my first one, and I'm super pumped.

Christmas Has Thrown Up Everywhere...And I Love It

Last week when I said I need to be a professional Christmas tree decorator, I meant it. And now I will show you proof as to why I think I need to work in November only.

This is my cousin Ashley's Christmas tree. I started decorating her tree three years ago when I realized she had no idea what to do with deco-mesh. I basically took apart her entire tree and redid it. And I've been doing it every Christmas since then. I absolutely love the top of her tree. Deco-mesh is super fun to work with, and I love the sticks coming out of the top.

My mom and I have yet to get deco-mesh for our family Christmas tree. But we do have some pretty awesome ornaments from over the past couple of years. I'm not in love with the silver gray bow on top, but it will have to do this year. Next year, we will have puffy deco-mesh. We will.

This is the first year I've talked my mom into decorating the mantle. And I'm still not sold on the design, but we work with what we have. A Christmas cookie plate, an iron angel and a hand-painted-by-me Santa circa 1997. (P.S. I've had that pink stocking since I was born. Rocking the tradition.)

Like I said I wasn't/am not sold on the decor for the mantle. So when I got back to Little Rock and the nearest Hobby Lobby, I made the executive decision to make something new. And I came up with this.

Now I got the saying "True love was born in a stable" off Pinterest. But the design is all me. I don't do pretty, perfect art. If I can't have room for mistakes (like mixing green and red to make some icky gray), it becomes too much pressure and I don't ever like the end creation.

But I'm quite fond of the messy polka dots and icky gray. It just feels right. And that's how I know I got it. Plus my mom loved it.

Christmas at my house is quite a big deal. The roommate and I go all out. See.

Two mini Christmas trees, a Santa, Christmas balls in a bowl, a Snowman teapot and a Christmas scented candle. Not pictured is the garland around the tv, one reindeer stocking, one penguin stocking, three feather "decorative" Christmas trees on the kitchen table, a Santa on a horse figure in the computer nook, a festive Christmas tree rug in front of the kitchen sink AND umpteen Christmas inspired coffee cups.

So....Who wants me to decorate their house for Christmas? Any takers? (I can tone it down if I need to...as in your house won't look like mine.)

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

Good morning! Sorry for all the silence. I've been sick. Sick and busy. Work has been crazy the past week, and all I can think about right now is Thanksgiving dinner, which is good because I didn't want to eat for five days due to the sickness.

Let's catch up, shall we?

• I was sick. And now I'm better. Not 100% yet, but I'm on the way.
• I haven't ran in over a week due to the sickness. When you have fever off and on for 4 days and it rains like it does in London, a girl can't run.
• I have not ran 5.5 miles.
• I got my official confirmation e-mail for my race on Saturday. Yikes. See above bullet for minor freak out.
• I found this awesome wreath on Pinterest.

• So I made one for my front door and one for my mom.

• My fingers are now bruised and have slight burns from my hot glue gun. Awesome.
• I made a 96% on my third section of my PR plan. Holla.
• I have not looked or thought about school stuff since I turned that part of the plan in last week.
• Today is my last day of work for the week. I'm going home this afternoon.
• Thanksgiving food happens in a mere two days. I can't wait to gorge on delicious eats and treats until it comes out my ears. Yes I plan to be that full.
• After the 10K on Saturday, I will have reached another running goal I set a little over a month ago. What's next? Ideas? Half-marathon?
• I just had a mini panic attack when I typed half-marathon. Oh look, there is goes again. Heart palpitations everywhere. Deep breaths. Ok. I'm good.

What's new with you?

What kind of Thanksgiving traditions does your family do each year?
 My mom and I put up our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. I also put up my cousin Ashley's Christmas tree. In case you didn't know, I have a true gift for decorating Christmas trees. Like seriously, it should be my profession. I could really make a lot of people very happy with my Christmas creations.



How To Do Things You Should Already Know Wednesday: Part II

Today's topic is something we can all learn from since we all have had one at one time or another.

How To Rid Yourself of an Ice Cream Headache

As a frequent headache sufferer, I'm not trying to get headache when I eat a delicious treat such as ice cream. So I found a video to teach us the necessary precautions to take when you feel an ice cream headache on the rise.

Now I'll admit I knew about the tounge to the roof of the mouth trick, but it was never enough to stop the pain fast enough. So I'll have to take up the nose knocking and warm liquids.

So you are welcome. I have now solved the problem that causes faces and brows to squeesh up everywhere. And you can enjoy your favorite ice cream without fail.

If you want to read last week's HTDTYSAKW, go here.
********************************************

Can you believe it's already October 19? This year is flying by for realz. Before we know it, Thanksgiving will be here, and my mom and I will put up the Christmas tree. I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about that.

I watched Christmas Vacation last night and basically squealed the whole time. Joy exudes from my body when my favorite Christmas movies come on the tube. And the weird thing is I told my co-workers yesterday I wanted to start watching Christmas movies. While they didn't disagree with me, one advised me not tell anyone about it.

But now I don't have to worry about it because CMT took care of it for me. Score!

What are your favorite things about the Holiday Season?

When do you think it's appropriate to start watching Christmas movies?
The time is always right to watch a Christmas classic.

Fa la la la LA la la la la

Four more classes and then I am free of school. It will be the best day. Today we are listening to Christmas Carols at work and talking about Christmas movies we love. I have to say it makes for a great day.

Next weekend I am going home to make Christmas ornaments with my friend and her 6-year-old sister. I am so exicted. It will be the most fun. And hopefully by then school will calm down enough so I don't feel guilty about having fun.

So many things to look forward to this time of year. But most importantly, school will not be ruining anyone's life this Holiday. :)Until next time...

The Last of the Novembers

It seems like every year I get the November blues. Once Thanksgiving gets here, I just want it to be the Holidays (officially). But then we go back to school and back to work until Christmas Break, and for those who just work Christmas Eve. Thanksgiving Break makes me want to be on a longer break.

So the next two weeks of school will be unbearable. And all the big projects are due in those two weeks, so it feels like academic exhaustion has set in for me.

I can't wait for Dec. 15 when I can read for fun and hang out with my friends and family. My Wish List at barnesandnoble.com is starting to get pretty full. So I am hoping I can read a least a book or two a week because once school starts again no more reading for entertainment.

Side note---My new Food Network magazine came in the mail, and I have had a chance to look at it. I am so excited about the recipes in there. Once I look it over I will post some of my favorites.

I also have to post photos of the Christmas decorations in my house. It is so cute and jolly. Makes me feel so happy when I am home. Very exciting. Oh how I love Christmas time.

December starts tomorrow, and so start the official countdown the Christmas day. I'll keep you posted on all Holiday events and other delights throughout the next 25 days. Until next time...

Funny Target Christmas Commercial...THE BEST

The best Christmas commercial of the year. Really sums up how I feel about Christmas. Be sure to check out her face toward the end. It's really funny.

Facelift

YAY for the blog getting a new look. While it is not finished yet, I am still working to make it look like I want. MT is working on a new header for my title, which will be great because she can make anything good.

Also I put up my little baby Christmas tree at my desk. The office where I work is pretty bland and all one color. Luckily, our office has a lot of natural light. Yay for lots of windows.

As soon as I can I will be posting photos of my desk tree and all the decorations from my apartment. It is going to be a Christmas extravaganza!

I'll keep you posted. Until next time...