christmas

This Christmas

My mommy's tree!!!
my mommy’s tree

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Wait, what am I talking about? It’s technically STILL Christmas until January 6, but I know not everyone celebrates it forever like I do so yeah. πŸ™‚

Adam and I headed to Ohio early Sunday morning to visit friends and family. It was an easy enough drive, but I hadn’t slept at all the night before, and I was getting a cold, so I wanted to get there and crash as soon as possible. But that wasn’t to happen because there were loads of people to see!

I got to see people I hadn’t seen in years. It was such a blessing to get to hang out with my friends and with my family, eat good food, laugh, exchange gifts, and watch silly TV shows.

Mommy
my mommy

Aidan Likes His Gifts from Uncle Andy
aidan likes his gifts from uncle andy

Cookies!!!
peanut butter kiss cookies!

Christmas Dinner
christmas dinner: hawaiian king roll, mustard/turnip greens,
cornbread dressing, macaroni and cheese, turkey, and honey baked ham
gravy over everything!

We were worried about getting home. The big news was this nasty winter storm that was supposed to go through, then the storm was upgraded to a blizzard! I was sad. We had to cut our visit short and get the hell out of Ohio before that storm hit. So Aidan, Adam, and I headed out at this morning at 530 EST. We didn’t see a flake of snow. But then, I slept through most of the drive back. I did see salt trucks stationed every few miles while I was falling asleep, though, and I was getting texts from the people in Ohio about the snow starting to come down and snarl up traffic. I was relieved to see the Chicago skyline and get in the apartment. We got here at 1030AM CST.

Aidan was very happy to see that Santa had indeed, stopped by while we were all in Ohio. [1. I think he knows that it’s not really Santa giving him the gifts. I’ve been quizzing him to gauge his level of belief and noticing that when I ask him who got him the gifts, he lists a bunch of people but not Santa, and we talked about why he won’t be getting the King Dedede plush he wants so badly (It’s just not available anywhere. ANYWHERE.). But he still has fun with it and that’s OK by me.]

Santa Came! 2012.

Right now, he is happy building and playing with his new LEGO sets. He still has two huge sets that he needs to tackle, but he’s built all the others. I asked him if he thought my tree was pretty or if it looked like ass, and he said in between because he doesn’t like the angel’s eyes. He likes everything else on the tree. WhatEVER, Aidan. πŸ˜†

I’m very happy with all my gifts, ranging from really cool incense burners, DVDs, car kits, yoga supplies, lots of Doctor Who stuff, and loads more. We also came home with plenty of leftovers! But the best part was seeing my cousins, my aunt, my mommy, my stepdad, my friends, and of course, AIDAN!!!

Tomorrow it’s back to the real world. I’ll be working in an office the next two days. Making a bit of extra money while covering for their fulltime proofreader. This weekend is Aidan’s birthday, and I’ve got some special things planned for him. But overall, I’m going to try to take it pretty easy and enjoy my time with my family.

Life is so good and I am so thankful. πŸ™‚

Merry Christmas!!!


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Love This Time Of Year!

The Banana Ornament

The Christmas prep frenzy is kind of dying down. Oh, I still have a million presents to wrap and some Christmas cards to get out, but the shopping is just about done, and the place is (mostly) clean and decorated. Wanna see?

The Stockings Were Hung By The...er....Space Heater with Flame Simulator with Care

Here’s our new entertainment center. For years, we’d used a dresser. This is much nicer. Smaller footprint, more streamlined, cooler. The dresser is now in the bedroom, being used for clothes, as God intended. πŸ™‚

Snow People Party!

I don’t like the snow much (unless I am inside and looking at it and I don’t have to go out in it), but I think snow people are so cute. This is my collection.

Shelves

The bookcases. We don’t have an actual mantle, so I have to get creative. πŸ™‚

The Mouse King

I got this awesome mouse king nutcracker at Costco. I love him!

Ornaments

Pretty ornaments.

My birthday was really nice. I taught a yoga class, had brunch with Adam and Graham, and spent the rest of the day relaxing at home. So many people posted nice things on my Facebook timeline. It was nice hearing from people I hadn’t heard from in years, and it was nice get birthday wishes from people I’d admired or looked up to for years.

Adam got me a yoga bolster and this baby:

Big birthday present from @adamselzer! Queer As Folk complete set!!!

Why yes, that IS the Queer as Folk box set of the complete series. I am THRILLED about that, and I busted into that right away! πŸ™‚

So much more awesome things to come…. but for now I’m sleepy. So, til next time!

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Saturday 9: Christmas Carols

I haven’t done a meme in a long time and I felt like doing this Christmas one that came around. Hosted by Sam at Saturday 9!

1.) What’s the first holiday song that comes to mind?
Jingle Bells. First it was the Bing Crosby/Andrews Sisters version, then the Frank Sinatra version.

2.) Are you sending cards (either by postal service or email) this year? If so, have they gone out yet?
Yes and no. I will work on them tomorrow/today.

3.) Can you see any holiday decorations from where you’re answering these questions?
Yep! Mine!

4.) Do you wrap gifts in paper or take the gift bag route?
Both.

5.) The holidays are an important fundraising time for charities. Here’s an opportunity to do a shameless plug for your favorite. What organization or cause do you wish got more support at the holidays, and all year around?
Anything that feeds people who are hungry. Animal shelters. Literacy organizations.

6.) Andy Williams was famous for his family holiday specials. What TV family would you most like to spend Christmas with?
Hmm. Probably the Cosby Family.

7.) The holidays are a big time for travel. Where did you go on your first airplane flight?
Disney World!

8.) Does the weather have an impact on your mood?
Most definitely. When there is a lot of snow and cold and ice, I feel claustrophobic and depressed. When it’s sunny and warm with a light breeze, I feel happy and light.

9.) Snack time! You’re about to make yourself your favorite sandwich. What ingredients do you need?
Two slices of wheat bread, yellow mustard, roast beef. Maybe some raw spinach as well. Yummy!

Dang it, now I’m hungry.

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The Cutest Decorated House I Ever Did See!

I like to drive around and look at Christmas displays all over the city. I really enjoy going through neighborhoods where the people really take pride in their displays. The other night, Adam and I drove out to Rosemont and made our way into a gated community who really did it up!

A Christmas Display in Rosemont

A Christmas Display in Rosemont A Christmas Display in Rosemont

A Christmas Display in Rosemont

This was my favorite of the night, and is my favorite of ALL TIME, house out of the whole neighborhood:

A Christmas Display in Rosemont

Pictures don’t do it justice! It’s so cute and clever! πŸ™‚

I love this season!

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