too bad

Sorry, I will be better about blogging after Christmas. I will post pictures of our photography hike Sunday morning but for now I MUST get some other things done...like the Christmas cards, and cheese straws, and cocoa mix.

Then we got THIS in the mail

Our first Christmas card came in the mail!!
It was from one of my best friends and her husband in Columbus (J&R as they will be known). I was so excited but it made me even more anxious to finish mine and get them out (seeing that Christmas is less than a week away now).
Mom and I got a TON of stuff done yesterday. The big one was a home made fleece sleeping bag liner to keep him warm and snuggly when he (goes crazy) and decides to camp when it is far too cold to do so (and yes, I am sure I will be right there in the tent with him, losing our minds together). We also made little treats for all the guys that Chad works with up at the forestry and took them up there to them...can't tell you what they were because some other people who might read this are getting similiar ones as well so I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise! I did make home made toffee though so I hope no one made themselves sick eating all of it...so rich!
We did some Christmas shopping too, finishing up Uncle Jay's (from me and Chad so no, it is not homemade, I am making exceptions) and Dad B's (again, not homemade because it is a joint gift). We still need to get something for Megan and I need a little something more for Danielle but I already have a plan for that one. Other than that and needing to finish a few projects, I am about done with Christmas stuff. Hopefully I will get to work some at the house on Sunday so I will finish up then.
Oh, did I mention that my fabulous, wonderful boss gave me the day before Christmas AND the day after Christmas off so I can spend more time with my family in Columbus. Can't wait!

because tomorrow I don't hafta..

I don't have to go to work.
I don't have to get up early.
I don't have to make my lunch.
I don't have to blog while eating my cereal.
I don't have to do anything I don't wanna do (except laundry).

I do get to hang out with my mom, one of the coolest women I know.
I do get to do some Christmas shopping (I WILL finish tomorrow...ok, hopefully).
I do get to work on my handmake Christmas gifts with mom and the sewing machine.
I do get to eat good food (maybe Mexican on top of Signal Mtn.)

I might even get to figure out out to get pictures off the new camera onto the computer...now wouldn't that be icing on the cake.

before I go to work

Quick post...boring too. read on if you dare...
work again today. It is the "Christmas party" which means they supply lunch. I'm ok with that because it means I save about 5 minutes packing one in the morning.
Our store manager gets his Christmas present today but he has to do a scavenger hunt to get it and I am one of the clues (they are all people in the store). So, I have a clue and a pack of peanuts in my cash register drawer, waiting for him to figure it out!
Get off at 6 tonight then dinner with Dad B and Mom S and some family friends of theirs...belated wedding congrats I think.
The best part about today is tomorrow.
My mom is coming up to see me and help with some Christmas presents. Bringing her sewing machine to help me make Chad's large gift and then leaving it with me so that I can finish up a few others that I have been wanting to make. I am SO super-duper excited that she is coming that I can barely stand it. I haven't seen my parents in a couple of months (since our reception maybe??) so I am really happy to see her. I might wait in the upstairs window and stare out like Gwendolen, expectantly waiting for someone to show up!
Much love...P

finally post the pictures

Yes, for those of you who have been patiently waiting (and will probably be very disappointed when they see them...sorry!)....here are the pictures of Christmas decor in our little place. here

(Still can't get Picasa to work so no cool captions...and new camera is sitting at the UPS warehouse and I can't get it till Monday so bear with me on the quality).

Our Apple tree

Garland on the stairs with our stocking and mini-presents!

We have two little trees outside the front door and a wreath on the door, all with matching bows (made by me!). Please note the little face looking out the window at me taking pictures.

Our "JOY" stocking holders...Chad, mine, and Gwendolen's. There has been some question what we are going to do when we get another dog...wait, who said anything about another dog? We will NOT be getting another dog. JOY will stay JOY for a quite some time, if you know what I mean. The candles were some I already had and I wanted to be able to use them again so I just tied some red and green embroidery thread around them so I can change the color later!

And finally, the tree! I painted the little signs above the tree...they say "All things merry and bright". There are currently two wrapped presents under the tree, which I did NOT wrap. Jay did them. That is my project for today.

Headed to church and lunch with Dad B and Mom S then we are coming back to get the house ready for our Survivor finale party tonight. Ok, ok, we don't actually watch Survivor on a regular basis but Boss B and Fun-Wife L are coming over tonight to hang out, eat dinner and watch the finale for a fun Sunday night. BUT, that means I need to go to the grocery store and clean up in the kitchen and living room and get those presents wrapped before then!

When I might

I might go Christmas shopping tonight to buy a gift for our Uncle Jay (I am making a handmade exception because it is from Chad and I together so it doesn't really count). Hopefully we can get him exactly what he wants because that always makes people happy.
Or I might just stay home tonight and wallow in my "I don't feel cute today and I had to go to work" misery. Its a toss up. Jess would understand. Chad just doesn't.
And that stupid dog we love so dearly has been barking incessantly (did I mention the FOR DAYS part) for no apparent reason.
I'm going crazy.

Oh a different note...Chad and I both have some opportnities at work that we need your prayers about. Life seems to always come at you fast so pray that we will make the best decisions and do what we feel God is pushing us towards (because I know I can be hard headed sometimes).

Christmas decor pictures to come later....after the wallowing.

Today's the day.

Day off...here's the plan.


Still naked tree. The lights came home with Chad from work yesterday but only one strand was entirely functional so I am keeping the HL ones until I see how many more strands I need. I WILL decorate that tree today. The whole thing. And finish my apple tree (you'll see).

Shopping with M-I-L S. For my Christmas present I think.

Clean up kitchen. It needs it. Bad.

Clean up living room. It needs it. Bad. :)

Chad vaccumed the living room, stairs and our bedroom yesterday when he got home.
He. Is. Wonderful.

Haircut and eyebrow appointment at my new fav salon...its called Salon Haven and I pay too much for a haircut but I really like the girl that cuts my hair and she did EXACTLY what I wanted last time so I am letting her do it again! and yes, finally taking care of those bushy, out-of-control eyebrows (I even have a coupon to get the brows done free with a haircut so I AM saving money!!)

Running errands with Chad when he gets off tonight. It will be so nice to be home when he gets off and be able to hang out with him. Then, only two more days before I get another one off. Happy! Maybe I will be able to post pictures tonight.

I would go as far as to say that this was my most exciting post yet....no, seriously. :)
Posted at 10 am.

Update at 4:30 pm.

I just spent five hours with S. All I have done is the tree. No lie.
And bought one Christmas present I did not intend to buy.
And got my haircut so that is a success...yea for freshly razored bangs!