Card Swap

See the beautiful cards I received from my friends at MHH.  I love these guys!

Post Christmas

Well Christmas is over!

Usually the day after Christmas is kind of a let down for many. Including me.  Months of planning and prepping and then just like that it's over.  Well not this year.  Not for me.  I have already started planning for 2014 (God willing I'm around to see it).

Since Thursday I have been making lists and printing new forms for my notebook.  First thing I did was start a 'To Do' list: Gifts recipients/ideas, update address book, plan holiday menus, etc.   So far I made a list of persons whom I want to get gifts for.  Even have a few gift ideas written down. Like for my brother I want to get him a new ratchet set. When he worked on my truck last month I noticed the set he has is so old and rusty.  Although they worked fine, I think he would be happy to have a new set.   I also started a master shopping list which I've already started ticking off items from, like Christmas cards, more ornaments, lights, and such.  Yup, I want to be on top of things next year.  No more dragging my feet.

I even have a menu written up for next year's Christmas Eve family dinner though I think some things may change as the months pass.  It always does.

And for the first time, I did not make it out for Black Friday.  I always go out on that day.  It's the day I find really great gifts for me. Heehee.  There are a few things I want like an Ipod. Yes people, I do not own one. I also want a portable hd tv to keep at work.  A new high memory disk drive. The one I want costs a pretty penny but holds more than I will ever need.  A digital camera as I broke the on/off button to my HP digital camera.  That's what I get for leaving it in my handbag for weeks on end.  I never do that. As well as several other things I want.

What I don't get for myself as birthday gifts in July will go on my Christmas Wish List.

Guess I will end here.  I've had several glasses of Ovebrook Eggnog and I'm feeling mighty jolly.

Enjoy your day!!!

Wishing you and your loved ones a Very Merry Christmas!  

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.