I am so psyched!  I had the day off so I got up early and went gift shopping.  It was so nice and peaceful...not many people in the stores yet.  Plus the fact that it was still a work day for many, helped.  I found a lot of great deals too.  In Macy's I found a nice watch for $10, a pretty sweater for $12, a bath robe (purple - my girlfriend's favorite color) for $14, a men's sweater for $20 and a really nice blouse for a cousin for $5.  Yes I said $5 smackaroonies.  The blouse was originally $19.98.  It had been reduced to $9.99 but when I got to the counter it rung up $4.99.  Talking about a happy camper...

Next I went to Five Below where I picked up several craft kits, games, and a skateboard for the younger family members at $5 each.  When I was done I had only spent a little over $50.

I was done shopping and on my way home by 10:00.  Once home, I wrapped the gifts and placed them under the tree.

I placed my gifts on one side of the tree so that there will be room for family to come place their gifts when they arrive Christmas Eve.  I love when we exchange gifts.  It's always so much fun.

Any who, I just need to pick up 7 more gifts and I will be done.  Considering that I had 30 to get, that's a major accomplishment on my part. LOL

I had also planned to start my baking today but I just could not get motivated.  If I can't start early in the day, it's pretty much not going to happen.  I'm also off tomorrow and don't have any plans to go out, which means I can start first thing.

Tonight I am going to finish making the dvd's for the gang I watch football with, along with a copy of  mixed Christmas CD.  I need to have them finish before this Sunday's game.  I'm also going to add in their gift bags, beaded football necklaces. This is what they look like (click here).  They come in black, purple and gold.  I wanted to get the ones with the Ravens charm but the cost is little out of my league.

Better get started. My Christmas lights just came on which means it will be dark soon.  TTFN!

Only 10 Days Left

Christmas is in ten days.  My annual Christmas Eve family dinner is in nine and I am so behind.  I still have gifts to buy.  The good thing is I do finally have ideas of what I am giving everyone this year.  I'm only working three days this week, yipee!  That will give me time to go out and get my shopping done.  My plan is to go out before daybreak to beat the crowds as I know I am not the only one who has last minute Christmas shopping to do.

Not only do I need to get my gift shopping done, I also need to go grocery shopping for the holiday meal. and I have not done any baking.  In spite of all I have to do, for some reason I feel really calm.

This year I may finally get my wish for a white Christmas. We got a good amount of snow last weekend. It hung around the entire week.  Then it snowed again last night.  Not as much as last week but enough to make everything look so nice again.

Everythings All Christmasy

Oh the weather outside is frightful. We've had snow for the past two weekends.  But everything inside is so delightful.

  

I made this wreath a few years ago with a grapevine wreath and ribbon bought from #DollarTree.  It usually hangs on the armoire but this year I decided to use it on the front door.

Bought this, this year at the dollar store.  Could not resist.  Isn't it cute?

Finally bought a new tree.  It's nice...tall, yet slender. 

Santa hat chair covers courtesy of #DollarTree.

This centerpiece is just a wreath that I wrapped with berry garland and a couple of pinecones.  Then I added a hurricane lantern in the center. 

Buffet in the dining room.

I just love my kitchen...98% of the decorations come from #DollarTree.

I think this is my favorite tree out of the ten I have.  #DollarTree

I had gingerbread ornaments left so I used them on this little tree which sits on top of the fridge.

Found this tree magnet set in the dollar store.  So cute I just had to get it.  The little gingerbread village and people were also from... you guessed it, the Dollar Tree.  

Guess what's hiding under this little dress?

LOL.  Not sure how long ago I bought this but it only cost me $1.  

This tree sits in the guest bedroom.  

This tree sits in the master bedroom.  I bought these ceramic ornaments from Dollar Tree about 8 or 9 years ago.  I had more than this but over the years many of them broke. 

I even have a tree in the bathroom.  The nutcracker was a gift from my neighbor.  They know how much I love the holidays. LOL

Now that my little palace is all decked out for the holidays, it's time for me to get moving on my annual Christmas Eve family dinner.

It's The Holiday Season

Yes the holiday season is in full effect!!!

Since Friday I have been decorating my little palace from top to bottom.  Only thing left for me to do is get a new Christmas tree for the living room and all will be complete.

I am working real hard to enjoy this holiday season.  Last year ended on extremely sad circumstances with the loss of loved ones.  But instead of feeling down and walking around depressed, I have decided to celebrate with them, in spirit, by remembering all the great times we've had together.

Last night I turned on the Christmas lights and hung out on the sofa watching Hallmark and ABC Family channels while eating leftover apple pie (wishing I had ice cream to go with it).

Tonight after work I need to finish writing up my Christmas cards and put them in the mail.

I'll post pictures this weekend.

My First Christmas Card

I have this bad habit of not checking my mail box daily.  Not really sure why that started. Probably because it's mostly junk mail.

Anyway today I decided I'd better go empty my mailbox (I know the mailman screams every time he opens that box lol).  Not to my surprise, it was packed with junk mail.  What was surprising was I received my first Christmas card for the year from one of my friends over at Magical Holiday Home, Snowey.  I don't want to open it yet so I have a basket to place it in for now.  After Thanksgiving, when I start decorating for Christmas, the basket will sit on my coffee table.  I have a special day set aside to open all my cards.

So excited.  Thanks Snowey!!!

Gift Idea

Every Sunday since football season began I have been gathering with friends to watch our Ravens.  Over the course of the season we have taken so many pictures of all the good times we have.  Which gave me a great idea!

I thought about a few years ago when I made dvds for family members.  I gathered pictures from all the past Christmas Eve dinners and burned them on dvd to music.  Then at the end of the dvd was the invitation to that years' Christmas Eve dinner.  They were well received.  So that's what I plan to do for my friends...put together a collection of pictures from all the football Sundays so far and burn them on a dvd to music.  And I have the perfect song to use.  It's the Ravens fans' chant song - Oooh, oh-oh-oh, oooh, oh!

First I had to find out the name of the song and who sung it (Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes). I honestly did not know it was a real song. I just thought it was some chant the fans started. It wasn't until we won the superbowl earlier this year and I heard the actual song playing in the background when the City of Baltimore held a huge parade for the team.

Anyway, I know my friends will get a kick out of that.  They can play it over and over and over again when they want to.

Catching Up

Today, I made the decision to spend the entire day in the house.  I have been running rampant since the summer with friends and family. Every weekend (and sometimes weekdays) there has been something going on. I need to get focused or else Christmas this year will be a disaster.  So here I am, sitting at the dining room table, in my pajamas, watching the Hallmark channel and fighting the urge to put up my Christmas decorations. Later I'll going over my Thanksgiving shopping list and maybe pin more holiday decor and food ideas.

My friends over at Magical Holiday Home have been busy following the Christmas Countdown and I need to catch up.

I have all of my lists started: gift ideas, holiday menus, shopping lists, addresses for Christmas cards, etc.  I created and printed an events calendar.  I've gone through my decorations making note of what I need to get or replace.  Even took inventory of the pantry and discarded any expired spices, herbs, and so forth.  Next week I'll hit the grocery store to restock.

For gifts this year I am having difficulty coming up with ideas.  Out of 30 gifts I will be giving, I only have 12...gift cards, couple movie baskets, and something for a cousin of his favorite NFL team.  This is bumming me out. Sure hope things turn around as I don't have much time.