christmas

Fa la lala la…. (Lots of Pictures)

/ christmas, living in chicago, pictures

Photobooth Fun!
O Hai!

Like my hair? The lady gave me a trim with layers this time. I really like it.

Photobooth Fun! Photobooth Fun!

I haven’t written a long post in a while, and I figure it’s time. Woohoo, lucky you, right? :)

Brr.  It is COLD today.  The high is going to be a whopping 19 degrees F.  I plan to stay snuggled inside for most of the day, although Adam is talking about possibly going out for dinner tonight.  I’m also fighting a migraine, which isn’t much fun. Thankfully, it’s fairly mild.

Yesterday, I sent off packages and Christmas cards, and I have a few more cards to fill out and send tonight.  It was after they were all addressed that I remembered that I’d wanted to do the Christmas letter thing for the first time this year–the Selzers seem to like that.  I think I will still do it, but only for family and very close friends.

This is my first Chicago Christmas for real for real (I was here 10 years ago, but it wasn’t the same), and the city is so pretty during the season.  Macy’s on State Street decorates its windows.  Michigan Avenue is all lit up.  The Salvation Army bellringers seem so excited and happy even though it’s freezing outside.

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Holiday Foolishness

/ adam, christmas, lol, marriage

Last night, I took a page out of the Tiffany catalog and circled an item, and then sat the page on Adam’s computer.  His comment to that was:  You’re about as subtle as a bulldozer. HAHAHAHA.  :)

(Originally published at Anywhere Is…)

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Holiday Wishes Meme

/ christmas, meme

My favorite time of the year is here again. And in 2008, I have so much to be excited about and thankful for!

My beautiful and healthy son.
My amazing husband.
I live in one of the coolest cities ever.
I got to go to Disney World this year!
My little orange girl, Helena.
The opportunities to temp at some really cool places.
My family.
The gorgeous beach wedding I got to have in July.
My awesome friends. You guys rock!

It’s now time for the Holiday Wishes Meme. I started doing this in 2006, and I encourage you guys to do it as well.

Step One
– Make a post (public, friendslocked, filtered… whatever you’re comfortable with) to your LJ. The post should contain your list of 10 holiday wishes. The wishes can be anything at all, from simple and fun (”I’d love a Snape/Hermione icon that’s just for me”) to medium (”I wish for _____ on DVD”) to really big (”All I want for Christmas is a new car/computer/house/TV.”) The important thing is, make sure these wishes are things you really, truly want.
– If you wish for real possible things, make sure you include some sort of contact info in your post, whether it’s your address or just your email address where Santa (or one of his elves) could get in touch with you.
– Also, make sure you post some version of these guidelines in your LJ, or link to this post (it’ll be public) so that the holiday joy will spread.

Step Two
– Surf around your friendslist (or friendsfriends, or just random journals) to see who has posted their list. And now here’s the important part:
– If you see a wish you can grant, and it’s in your heart to do so, make someone’s wish come true. Sometimes someone’s trash is another’s treasure, and if you have a leather jacket you don’t want or a gift certificate you won’t use—or even know where you could get someone’s dream purebred Basset Hound for free—do it.
– You needn’t spend money on these wishes unless you want to. The point isn’t to put people out, it’s to provide everyone a chance to be someone else’s holiday elf—to spread the joy. Gifts can be made anonymously or not—it’s your call.

There are no rules with this project, no guarantees, and no strings attached. Just…wish, and it might come true. Give, and you might receive. And you’ll have the joy of knowing you made someone’s holiday special.

1. A gift card, or for you to make donations to, DonorsChoose.org. I also have a DonorsChoose registry that lists specific projects I’m interested in supporting. DonorsChoose focuses on education. Teachers ask for classroom project materials. We donate. The kids learn. Most of these schools are high poverty, and the teachers are already doing all they can. Any amount is welcome.

2. Anything from my Amazon wishlist.

3. Donations to Paws Chicago, the shelter where we got Helena. It’s a cage-free, no-kill shelter, and they are run completely on donations; they receive no city, state, or federal funding. It’s a great place. A shelter situation is stressful for the animals involved, and every animal I came in contact with there was happy and friendly. They have an extensive screening process to make sure you’re aware of your decision and commitment, and if somehow things don’t work out, the animal always has a home at PAWS.

4. Another trip to Disney World. Oh yes. :)

5. A full-time job that I love and that pays well. Just putting the energy out there.

That’s all I can think of for now. Happy Holidays. It’s December now, the season really is here! :) YAY!

(Originally published at Anywhere Is…)

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Another Christmas Survey!

/ christmas, survey

YAY!

This survey was originally two surveys. I first filled them out two years ago. This year, I am combining them and making a new survey.

Egg nog or hot chocolate?
Hot chocolate.

Does Santa wrap your presents or leave them naked under the tree?
These days, he wraps or uses gift bags.

Do you hang mistletoe?
No.

When do you put up your decorations?
Close to December, or in December. This year, I started on November 21.

Favorite holiday memory as a child?
One Christmas, a bunch of family members had come over in the evening to hang out and play and stuff. A bad snow storm hit and everyone was stranded. The cousins all got to cram into my and my sister’s bedrooms and we stayed up pretty late. That was the year I got the Lights Alive toy. Anyone remember that toy? Then another favorite was Aidan’s first Christmas–he came into the room, saw all the toys, smiled and clapped his little hands. It was adorable.

When did you learn the truth about Santa?
What, that he’s awesome? Gosh, I was a little girl.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
Lights, then beads, then the other ornaments.

Snow: love it or hate it?
I’m not into snow so much.

Can you ice skate?
Sort of.

What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Being with loved ones.

What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Dutch apple pie. Gotta have the crumblies.

What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Wow. Traditions change so much… but probably decorating everything and looking at all the other decorations. Watching How The Grinch Stole Christmas and the Christmas Story 24 hour marathon on TBS. Eating good food. Buying Christmas candy and mint M&Ms. Sending and receiving Christmas cards. :) Need I go on?

What tops your tree?
An angel. It’s been in my life for many years.

Which do you REALLY prefer: giving or receiving?
Equal preference.

Candy canes: yummy or yucky?
I’m not a fan.

Have you been naughty or nice this year?
Both. Definitely both.

Do you believe in Father Christmas?
Yes.

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?
A little bit.

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?
…about that. LOL.

What do you look forward to most at Christmas?
Gifts and food, and time off from work. Seeing people I love. Getting cards. Pretty decorations. Oh, and light traffic.

What are you doing for Christmas this year?
Visiting Aidan, giving gifts, seeing my mom, cuddling Adam…

Who do you want to kiss under the mistletoe?
Adam!

Do you take part in a secret santa?
Haven’t in a while.

Do you go to any Christmas parties?
Not really.

Have you ever had a white Christmas?
Oh yes.

How early do you wake up on Christmas morning?
I usually sleep in til about 9 or 10, but this year, we’ll have to get up pretty early–we have a flight to catch!

Do you still get a stocking?
Yes. I hope Adam gets me one this year. *hint hint*

How many Christmas cards do you normally send out?
About 30ish, I suppose.

What is your Christmas wish?
That I’ll keep being this happy.

Real update soon!

(Originally published at Anywhere Is…)

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Christmas Survey!

/ christmas, survey

My friend Cara sent this to me sometime last week. Now that it’s OFFICIALLY the Christmas season, here goes! I also found some questions in an old survey and added them to this one.

Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I like both, and the pretty boxes which I don’t bother to wrap as well.

Real tree or artificial?
Because I have cats, it has to be artificial.

When do you put up the tree?
I’m going to put it up this weekend! Maybe even today! There will be pictures.

When do you take the tree down?
January 6th, the official 12th day of Christmas.

Do you like eggnog?
No.

Favorite gift received as a child?
I got a lot of great gifts growing up. But the thing I remember most? My mom cooking all the food, and the Christmas that the extended family came over and got snowed in. Those memories are my favorite gifts.

Hardest person to buy for?
Adam’s parents, my step-father.

Easiest person to buy for?
Aidan, Adam, and Jen.

Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, it’s a Precious Moment ornament that plays Silent Night.

Mail or e-mail Christmas cards?
Mailed, for sure!

Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
N/A

Favorite Christmas movie?
A Christmas Story, followed by The Christmas List

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Mustard/turnip greens! Dressing! Mac & cheese! Honey Baked Ham! GRAVY OVER EVERYTHING!
And Christmas cookies, and those Bing chocolate cherries, and mint M&Ms and cherry cordial Hershey’s kisses and Reese’s Miniatures.

Lights on the tree?
Yes!

Favorite Christmas song?
This is a hard one. But I like:
– Parade of the Wooden Soldiers – Harry Connick Jr
– Jesus, Born on This Day – Mariah Carey
– Jingle Bells – Andrews Sisters & Bing Crosby
– Christmas Canon and Christmas Canon Rock – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
– Christmastime – Michael W. Smith
– You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch – Thurl Ravenscroft

… and many, many more.

Travel at Christmas or stay home?
This year, I’m traveling to see my little Booba! (But shhh, it’s a surprise–he doesn’t know!)

Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen. And Rudolph!

Angel on the tree top or a star?
Angel.

Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas morning is what I prefer, but it depends on the situation.

Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
When people get stressed and cranky. When families manipulate. Not having enough money to give as much as I want.

Favorite ornament theme or color?
Snow people, gingerbread people, candy canes, red, silver, green.

When do you start shopping for Christmas?
A bit before Thanksgiving.

Have you ever ‘recycled’ a Christmas present?
I may have for a white elephant thing.

Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Clear.

Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Roasted turkey or chicken, dressing, mustard/turnip greens, rolls, macaroni and cheese, Honey Baked Ham, and lots and lots of gravy!

Shopping…Mall or online?
It depends. If a sight is offering free shipping, then online, because Adam is usually home to get packages. I also don’t mind going out sometimes, because the stores are so pretty.

Do you decorate outside for Christmas or just inside (or at all?)
I have an apartment, so I only decorate inside. Adam put lights in the window, though, and I am considering decals. Also, I live in Chicago, anything outside would just get stolen.

Favorite Christmas cookie?
Sugar, and raspberry chocolate chip.

Do you own Christmassy clothing or jewelry?
I have a couple pairs of socks and a pair of earrings.

Do you believe in Santa?
Santa rocks, dude.

What do you want for Christmas this year?
To see Aidan, no bad weather, pajamas, gift cards, a trip to Disney World, a full time job.

(Originally published at Anywhere Is…)

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