Resolutions

I quit making New Year's Resolutions years ago.

I mean, seriously - - - if you want to change something about yourself - - - then change it. Why wait for a day marked significant by a calendar?

I hope everyone is exactly where they want to be this New Year's Eve - and spending it however they want to be spending it. Whether that be at a bar, a house party, dinner, or home - surrounded by friends, family, alone, or with your loved one.

We will be spending this New Year's Eve, as we've spent [almost] every year before - together, no distractions, no big parties, just us ringing in the New Year. Alone - yet together.

Making the start to 2011 - - - perfect.

We've holidays and happy days,

and memory days galore.

And when we've toasted every one,

I offer just one more

So let us lift our glasses high,

And drink a silent toast

To the day, deeply buried in each heart

that each one loves the most.

Holiday Bowl

At the beginning of the season - I purchased a purple Washington shirt. The colors are purple - and they're the Huskies - and, and... well... it really upsets certain people when I don't wear Husker attire. I cannot convince these people that me wearing the opposing team's shirt does not mean that the Huskers will lose. Plus, it's a super cute shirt. And I'm all about super cute shirts...

And then I bought a Husker shirt. A cute one. And every time I wore it - the Huskers lost. So I'm not wearing my Husker shirt tonight because I really do want the Huskers to win this game. I do. I like to antagonize my little Husker friends to no end - but I want the Huskers to have a victory.

Go Big Red!

Sit. Stay. Smile. Wait...

I received a puppy dog ornament for Christmas - it's super cute. It's a photo frame - so I thought - I'll put the girls in this frame together, so I don't play favorites.

Easy enough, right?

Right.

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to put the girls together and have them pose for a picture? Downright impossible.

You would think they could sit next to each other and get along for 30 seconds...

This is the best I could get out of these two little troublemakers.

I'm considering putting in the frame one of them fight/playing - it's what they do best. Or... at least what they do the most.

A New Tradition

Last Christmas, B & I decided to skip the gift exchange (due to the upcoming wedding) - and this year, we decided to do the same thing. The gift giving isn't necessary, if we really want something - we go get it.

Sooooooooo...... we agreed that instead of going overboard with gifts (like we've been known to do) - we would start a new tradition, and purchase each other an ornament (and a card). But the ornament had to have meaning. (This was my idea - I know, surprising...) It had to somehow signify the year that we had just spent together.

It had to have thought put into it. Depth. Did I mention meaning?

I'm going to start another Christmas tree - in addition to the one we already have. The one we already have will be filled with ornaments from our lives before 'the wedding' and the one [that I have yet to purchase] will be filled with ornaments from 'the wedding' going forward.

Christmas 2010

We spent the holiday's with family - there are several people that don't have that same luxury - so I find myself very fortunate.

The overview: Christmas Eve - 5:00 Mass with the Ball family, followed by dinner, a gift exchange, and spending time with the family. Some of the highlights...

Christmas morning - gift opening for the pups. Callie & Chloe each had their stockings stuffed, and when I gave them their respective stocking - Chloe grabbed the first toy out of it and took off running top speed down the hallway to play with it in the bedroom uninterrupted. She eventually was coaxed back for a picture, after Callie had taken everything out of both stockings.

I would also like to state that as of today - December 27th - all of those toys have been destroyed. Squeakers properly de-squeaked. Stuffing removed from all stuffed toys. The yellow - torn off of the tennis balls. They didn't even last two days...

And then it was off to the Reed's for dinner, a gift exchange, and spending time with the family. Again, highlights...

It was a good holiday... I hope yours was too!

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Here's hoping you get to spend Christmas Day exactly how you want to.

Unfortunately overlooked

With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season - let us all try to take a moment and remember the true meaning of the season - and what we are really celebrating...

I have looked forward to this all year

Today, at precisely 3:00 - my vacation started.

I will not be going back to work until 2011 - I have no special plans - I can do whatever I want to on a daily basis - I guess this is what one would call a STAY-cation.

It's going to be wonderful... :)

Just A Dog

Please don't ever use the phrase 'Just A Dog' around, or directly towards me - I can't be held responsible for what I may say, or action I may take - if you do.

There's no such thing as 'Just A Dog' (or 'Just A Cat' for that matter) Chances are - I probably like my dog just as much, or more than you...

Yay!!!

Today marks the day, that each day, for the next 6 months, the days last a little bit longer...

To Bloom or Not to Bloom?

My Mom told me to take my Christmas cactus and put it in a closet about 5 or 6 weeks ago. (or so I believe that's the time frame, I honestly don't remember)

I asked her why...

Apparently this is how one gets a Christmas cactus to bloom in time for Christmas.

I thought she was nuts.

But, I took it out today, and there are a TON of little tiny pink wanna-be blooms all over this cactus. Turns out, she may know a thing or two about Christmas cactus. (I hope so anyway...)

I'll let you know in a little less than a week.

Huh. Who knew?

I received a phone call from... (doesn't matter who) telling me that they would take Trey if I still wanted to get rid of him.

I stated that this was a 'family' decision and I would call them back the next day...

Isn't this what I've been waiting for? What I've wanted? What I've been complaining about for years?

Yeah. It is.

Or so one would have thought. (including me)

But when push comes to shove... I'm not getting rid of Trey. Does that dog try my patience? Absolutely. Does he drool beyond the normal realm of [what should be] allowable drooling for all dogs? Without a doubt.

In fact, I could list a dozen (or more) reasons of what I would like that dog to either stop, or start doing. But the fact of the matter remains - that I had an 'out' - and I didn't take it. Because I like Trey. The girls like Trey. Brian likes Trey. And, most importantly - Trey likes us. He loves the little ones, and they love him. They need each other.

Not to mention, Trey's had enough trauma in his life, and for the past 5 years that I have had him - he has found stability. And happiness. He's going to be 11 this next May, who am I to throw his life into disarray again? He deserves better.

In the past I have said that I hate Trey - but... turns out I don't. I love him.

Kenny G

I won tickets to the Kenny G concert Saturday night. Now, keep in mind, that I had heard of Kenny G at the time I entered this random drawing - but I couldn't really place anything that he sang. Or did. And let's be honest, I entered the contest because they were free.

Ok, ok, ok... I had NO clue who this guy was - only that he was in concert at The Orpheum and the cheapest tickets were $5o.00 a piece. And - what are the odds that I would win tickets?

Only... I did win.

And, I have to tell you, the most common response I got from people was, "OMG. I effing hate that guy. There is not a chance that I would ever go see that guy." Or, my all-time favorite response when I asked if they would go see Kenny G in concert. "EFF NO!" (spoken emphatically, and without remorse)

Everyone's response was very passionate. Or adament. Whatever you want to call it - no matter who it was, male or female - they felt strongly about Kenny G, and how much they hated him.

So apparently I'm the only person that doesn't know who he is.

No matter - I'm still going.

It's a Holiday concert - how bad can it be?

Mimosa's!

There's nothing better than Mimosa's with great friends

after doing a good deed.

Tis the Season - - to give!

Every year, our floor participates in the Adopt-A-Family (which I believe is sponsored by The Salvation Army - but I can't be sure - and I don't want to misspeak).

The family is going to have a wonderful Christmas this year thanks to the generosity of my co-workers. It is humbling to be a part of something so awesome. I volunteered to be one of the people to help deliver the gifts to the family tomorrow - I am honored to be a part of something so special.

Christmas cookies & candies

There are only ten days until Christmas.

**Insert BIG smile here**

I'm so excited for Christmas, the gatherings, the time we get to spend with family, and everything that it means and stands for.

I was going to do some pre-Christmas baking tonight, but... turns out I don't have some [most] of the essentials to make what I wanted to bake.

And... have you looked outside?

It's cold outside! Not to mention it's sleeting and snowing!

Plus... I've already got my slippers on...

The baking is just going to have to wait until another day.

Celebrating our Heritage

The awesome Christmas tree @ The Durham Museum. Actually, it was a little crooked this year - but still impressive!

One of the displays was Christmas Around The World. I thought it was very interesting.

Brian's Heritage:

My heritage:

And.... our heritage.

More December fun!

Saturday night was our Team Reed Christmas Party - which really meant that we all just needed an excuse to get together for a few cocktails! We braved the weather and gathered together for an evening with friends. Not even a blizzard will stop us!

There was a small gift exchange, so it totally counts as a Christmas party!

Sunday, B & I had a 'date day' - we started with morning mass, stopped in at Lauritzen Gardens for a quick photo op, and to see the pretty poinsettia's:

These were my favorites - I've never seen poinsettia's like this.

The awesome poinsettia tree.
Then some fun, new exhibits @ the Durham. There were various Christmas carolers there singing in front of the famous tree - so we watched them for a while to bring ourselves fully into the Christmas spirit. It was a lot of fun!

Followed by lunch downtown - a quick stop at the Homy for a beer (love the Homy...) - and then closer to home to watch the Bears/Patriots game over a few beers.

It was a good weekend.

Attitude..... adjusted!

I met the girls for Happy Hour Friday after work @ Clancy's. It is a centrally located bar for everyone, and they had a decent Happy Hour.

My intention was to go to Happy Hour, and be home by 7:30ish.

Yeah.... about that... Happy Hour turned into regular hour, which became reverse Happy Hour, and then late night.

So much for 7:30.

It was a fun night. Thanks to everyone for coming out!

My attitude adjustment

Yesterday, when I left work, I told myself that I was going to go home and do nothing. A nice quiet evening at home. Sitting on my behind, doing nothing.

I had been doing so much running around, that I was starting to get a bad attitude. Cranky if you will. Quick to snap. I haven't been working out like I want to - I haven't had the 'me' time like I love (and need) so much...

It just always seemed to be one thing after another.

So... Wednesday, December 8th... there was nothing that I had to do - so, I did... n-o-t-h-i-n-g.

Well... that's not entirely true. I checked e-mail, I toodled around on Facebook, I caught up on some planning and organizing, (and re-organizing) that I have needed to do, but have been putting off for quite some time now. I thumbed through a magazine, I played fetch with the babies for a good hour or more, I watched old reruns of the sitcom 'How I Met Your Mother', I planned the baking of cookies & candies that I would do for Christmas.

In other words - I did what I wanted to do - not what I had to do.

It. Was. Wonderful.

I hope I get to do it all over again tonight.

As promised...

Madisen, Lily & Elliott with Santa!

Aversion to throw blankets

I literally had just put this blanket down on the bed seconds before.

She does this every. single. time.

Don't ask me why.

Totally bummed

We received a letter in the mail today informing us that our parish priest is leaving.

The priest that married Brian & I...

The same priest that was going to baptize our future babies...

I'm so sad... but I wish the best to Father O'Donnell on his new endeavors!

He will definitely be missed!

It was a good day

We had my brothers, Marty & Jim - and B's sister and nephew, Lisa & Shane, over to watch the game. It was so. much. fun. After the football game was over - we played a few different board games. I'm not sure what time Lisa & Shane left - - - but it was reasonable, I'm sure of it.

The rest of us, on the other hand, went to bed after 4:00. In the morning. And we drank right up until then...

I got up at 9:00 am - went to 12:00 mass - picked up Madisen (10), Lily (6), and Elliott (3) - and took them to my company's 'family' Christmas party. They do it every year - it's held in the office, there are several crafts set up for the kids, games, cookies, and Santa Claus! It's all about the kids - and I have to hand it to the people that organize this and put it on. It is phenomenal. Everyone had a great time - and was so excited to do and see everything.

Plus they got to see where their Aunt Michele works.

So it's their turn to see Santa - I have to walk them up to Santa for the photo op. The pictures should be available tomorrow - I'll be sure to post one. Madisen wasn't sure she wanted to sit with Santa, so she stood behind him. Elliott and Lily were all over it. And boy oh boy, did they talk Santa's ear off.

Lily tells Santa that she wants to be magic.

Santa says, 'oh, you want a magic kit?'

'No Santa. I want to BE magic. Just like you.'

'Well... I'm only magic one day a year. So... maybe you can be magic one day a year too. But, it won't be the same day as me - so remember to try every day to do something magic, to make sure you don't miss it.'

She was the happiest little girl ever.

And kudos to Santa - I thought he was very quick on his feet.

Gimme a W-I-N!!!

Hey. I'm actually wearing Husker attire, and I'm rootin' and tootin' for a win against Oklahoma tonight for the final Big XII Championship game.

Go Big Red.

Friendship

I got a phone call from my longest friend. Everytime I talk to her, it brightens my day. So much so - that I don't know why I don't call and talk to her more often.

So... because things have been fairly uneventful (which is a good thing, I'm not complaining) - and... prior to this phone call, I was wondering what on Earth I was going to write about tonight - but now...

The story of my friend Amy.

I was twelve. I don't remember the date. I want to say it was fall... I was reading TEEN magazine (is that magazine still around? I assume yes) and in this magazine, between the pictures of Scott Baio & John Stamos - is this article, it was actually more like an ad - that you could send in your name and address and they will connect you with someone, and you can become pen pals.

Seriously.

I don't remember who wrote who first - but we wrote every single week. I anticipated getting those letters each week - and I couldn't wait to sit down and immediately write back. We shared school stories, how our parents didn't understand us, how our brothers were awful people, stories of boyfriends, girlfriends, prom dates, etc. We shared everything.

I think the first time we spoke on the phone - we were 15. She called me. I remember that... There is NO way my Mom would have let me make a long distance phone call. We didn't call much - but we continued to write.

When I was... I believe 27 years old, I hopped on a plane and flew to Salt Lake City to spend a long week-end with a woman that I had never met - but had grown up with.

I had never been more nervous than I was the night before my flight. When I get nervous, I have a very distinctive action that I do. Nonstop. Without even realizing that I am doing it... People close to me know what this is. If you don't know, well, you're not that close to me are you? And I'm certainly not going to share.

Why was I nervous? I don't know. What if she was awful? What if I hated her? What if I was stuck in a strange city by myself?

I went. I saw. Eh - it wasn't the greatest first impression visit I had ever had - but... I knew why. Apparently I wasn't the only person that was nervous. We talked about it. We agreed that it was stupid. And next time... it would be better.

Don't think I don't bring this back up from time to time, just to antagonize her. Oops. Sorry Amy, I promised I would never mention it again. I guess I was wrong. This is the last time, I swear.

The visits became more frequent. There was no more awkwardness - only awesomeness. We may not talk often - but when we do - it's like no time has passed at all. We pick up exactly where we left off.

The love is unconditional.
The respect, mutual.
We don't judge each other - we accept one another for who we are. Faults and all.

And that is why, 28 years later, she is still my BFF.

I found my best friend in the US Mail - compliments of TEEN magazine.

Who wudda thunk?

Covering all of our bases

In case we missed anyone... Merry Christmas!!!

Fall Festival

Greatest Yankee Candle scent ever made.

And then discontinued...