Mr. S and I have hit the open road on our motorcycles for a few days. We trailered the bikes to Twin Falls and dropped Kingston off on the way at my sister’s house. From there, who knows where we will go. Well, actually I know but I’m not telling. At least not until we get back. Hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July holiday – I’m out!
It’s the first day of a new year and I guarantee you have given some thought to what kinds of goals you want to accomplish this year. I don’t necessarily set out to put on paper the standard “resolutions” because for me it is not a once a year thing. I find myself having to recommit to goals at least once a month, and sometimes even once a week. Sometimes they get written down and other times they take up much needed space in my brain, along with the guilt I get every time I don’t complete them. Who said all this beauty and talent didn’t come with a price?
But just because I don’t like traditional New Year’s goals, I would be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about some resolutions as the new year approached. On my list are the standards: work out more, finish my scrapbooks, save more money, read the complete list of Pulitzer Prize winning books, and watch less of “The Bachelor.” Okay, that last one will probably not happen, but that’s the kind of guilt I am willing to live with. They are bringing Jake, the pilot, back for Heaven’s sake!
In case you haven’t made your list yet or are looking for some inspiration I give you the New Year’s Resolution Generator. According to it, I have some coping to learn. I can only imagine the guilt I am going to feel when I fail at this one.
Five years ago I was working at Walt Disney World. I had just graduated from college the previous May and a few weeks later I had packed up my car and moved to Orlando. I stayed in Florida for just over 7 months, which was enough time to see a little dream of my fulfilled. My Christmas wish came true that year when I was cast in the Christmas show on the castle stage, called “Celebrate The Season.” At first I was just excited to get to wear such a glamorous costume for a change (love the top hat), but the two months I spent in rehearsals and then performing this show are some of my favorite memories of working for the Mouse. Recently I found this video of my show on YouTube and being Christmas and all, this is my gift to you.You’re welcome, and have a Merry Christmas!
P.S. For a good look check out those Santa girls about 2:20 in. You can also find parts 1, 3, and 4 to piece together the whole show.
I’m sure there is some quote or inspirational saying out there about how once you do a thing more than once it’s bound to become a habit. Guilty as charged. For the past couple of years I have come home from my company Christmas party with the same gift I brought to exchange.
The first time it happened, I admit, was a blatant and deliberate act. We had decided on a CD gift exchange and knowing there were a couple of cheap people working in my office I had a backup plan. I bought a CD that I knew I would enjoy and if I got stuck with the used CD I was sure someone was going to bring to get out of spending $10 I would swap for my CD and no one would be the wiser. Worked like a charm.
This year I am at a new job at a bigger office and knew my odds of coming home with something decent was much higher than in years past. I was right. Last night we had our party and there were some nice presents, including the one I brought. I liked it so much I almost bought one for Mr. S and I as well. We played the same game – everyone takes turns picking a new present or choosing one that has already been unwrapped. I’m sure you know the game I am referring to. At the end of the game I had a nice board game in my possession and would have been happy to take it home. But as luck would have it, a nearby coworker who had ended up with the gift I brought asked if I wanted to trade with him. Didn’t take me long to make that decision. I am now the proud owner of a Skookie and I didn’t have to do anything devious to get it. Merry Christmas to me!
This weekend was full of good food, family and great deals. Yup. I went shopping on Black Friday. Even though I swore to myself that I would never do it again after the torture I went through a few years ago. Then I looked through the ads. ShopKo had a Christmas tree on sale and we needed one real bad. Real bad. The kitchen knife we have been using the last couple of years to keep the tree upright is just not cutting it anymore. Though it does add some unexpected sparkle to the root of the tree if the lights hit it just right.
But don’t think I was stupid enough to get up at 3am. Here’s how my day played out. You might want to take a few notes for next year.
3:34 am - While all you fools are climbing out of bed and scrambling to find the clothes you most likely laid out the night before (can’t waste a precious minute) I’m snoozing in bed.
5:02 am - No doubt you are now busting your way through Wal-Mart to save a few bucks on the television or Xbox you could have bought online. I’m still sleeping.
6:47 am - You guessed it. Still sleeping
7: 52 am - Roll over, give Mr. S a kiss and leisurely get out of bed to go and walk the dog. What’s that you say? You’ve been up for almost 5 hours?
8:00-11:00 am - Enjoy a relaxing breakfast, read, watch some TV, and get ready for the day. I love holidays.
11:15 am - Mr. S and I decide to head into town to do some shopping. We have our eyes on a couple of things, but if they are not there no big deal.
11:31 am- First stop, Best Buy. Success. We find the last remaining external hard drive and leave happy. Mr. S even has time to open the door for someone else. Shopping after the crowds allows for both courtesy and sanity.
11:47 am - We are already to stop #2, ShopKo. The initial tree I wanted is sold out, but wait, there is another option. And for only $20 more I like this tree better than my first choice.
12:10 pm - Less than a hour after we started we are at our 3rd and final stop, Old Navy. My mom wanted me to pick up a couple of shirts for my nephews. I find shirts but then get sidetracked with all of the other great deals. So while Mr. S runs next door to another store, I try on jeans. After careful consideration I purchase jeans AND a sweater. Success.
1:13 pm- Mr. S and I meet at the car and decide we have time for lunch. We head to a local favorite of mine, Fredrico’s Pizza. We reflect on our day and high five to turning Black Friday into a positive experience.
2:30pm- Back to the parents’ house. Man, I am exhausted. Maybe I will take a nap.
This is Kingston’s new favorite spot. Now that the weather has cooled some he has taken to sitting out on the patio enjoying the pampered life he has grown accustomed to. Occasionally he starts to think of himself as a fully grown dog, who has reached a size far beyond the 30 lbs he will most likely stop growing at, and bark at passersby. We usually rebuke him. Unless he is barking at our downstairs neighbors who have been anything but neighborly. In those instances he earns a doggie treat.
And yes, those are Christmas lights. Don’t judge me.
There is a lot of pressure on Mr. S to make my birthday special. I start counting down to the darn thing 3 months in advance because I love having a birthday so much. I don’t care that I am getting older, I just focus on the good part. Cake, ice cream, an excuse to not work out all week (because I need at least a week to celebrate) and fun surprises. All things I love!
I had just purchased this fun cake pan from Williams-Sonoma and my birthday was the perfect occasion to try it out. Or in this case, Mr. S was the first to try it out since the honored guest should never have to make their own cake. I think he did a wonderful job.
And what do you get the girl who has had 14 speeding tickets throughout her young driving career? A chance to go really, really fast. By pulling a few strings I was able to do some “hot laps” at Miller Motorsports. Mr. S was so excited about his gift to me he has been trying to give it to be for over a month. Unfortunately I didn’t get to drive the car, but going 115 mph in a mustang even as a passenger was pretty sweet.
Though I don’t care about getting older each year, and sure don’t feel it, I did get a small reminder that I am not as young as I once was. After speeding around the racetrack a few times I did start to feel sick. Thankfully nothing came up, but maybe next year I will just have a party.
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