[ day #35 - journal your christmas ]

Today's journal is about what I want to remember for next year.

Let's see...we've got the baking thing down to the bare minimum and we could reduce even that. One cheesecake instead of two.

Forego Secret Santa at work again (it made life a lot easier!).

Decide whether or not to exchange gifts at work earlier than the week before Christmas.

Buy a gift certificate for Family Gift Exchange - huge hit!

Commit to making homemade Christmas gifts and actually follow through with it.

Begin shopping in October and actually finish by the beginning of December. For real.

Focus more on the meaning of Christmas.

Spend more time with family.

Relax...breathe...take everything in.

[ day #34 - journal your christmas ]

day #34 - your single most favorite moment of this holiday season

I have a lot of favorites during the Christmas season that I've shared previously.

For example, I love singing Christmas hymns in church and the first sight of red Starbucks cups excites me to no end.

But, I think my favorite tradition that adds up to many moments is getting coffee and driving around looking at Christmas lights while listening to Christmas music. I did this a lot in college when I needed to get away from my dorm room or take a break from studying for finals. I have great memories of finding new neighborhoods in Spokane, dragging friends along, and discovering the tackiest of all tacky decorated homes (envision lots of blow up decorations in the front yard, millions of strings of lights in all different colors, wooden cut out reindeer and Santas next to a wooden cut out Nativity...those are the hidden jewels of Christmas light looking).

Something like this, perhaps. (I got this randomly from Google, but it's a great example of what I'm talking about!)

[ 2008 in Review ]

2008 in Review

What did you do in 2008 that you had never done before?

go to Las Vegas, spend 34 days at Priest Lake, complete 50+ scrapbook pages, coached basketball cheerleaders, go on a mission trip, played a Wii

Did you keep any New Years resolutions? Are you making any for 2009?

nope and nope.

(See previous post about resoluations and goals for 2009)

Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes! Todd and Jessica received the beautiful blessing of Emersyn Leigh

Did anyone close to you die?

Unfortunately, many people close to me passed away in 2008. I'd list them here, but I'm afraid I would miss someone. My aunt Vicky's dad Vic passed away, some of my student's parents, some family friends, and a high school classmate

What vacations did you take?

Vegas, baby! and Priest Lake and Chelan and Salt Lake City

What would you like to have in 2009 that you didn't in 2008?

More time to craft. Less obligations.

What date from 2008 will be etched in your mind and why?

Probably November 4th. It was a big day in our family and in our country.

Did you suffer illness or injury?

The stomach flu for three days in December. The typical common cold a time or two. Nothing huge, thankfully!

What was the best thing you bought?

My iPhone!! :)

Whose behavior merited celebration?

My Dad made me proud the way he campaigned during his re-election. When he could have chosen to lower himself to others' standards, he took the high road.

Also - I received the 2007-2008 CHS Teacher of the Year Award!

Whose behavior made you apalled and or depressed?

There are certain people in my life that surprise me by the way they act and treat others. I hope for them that 2009 will bring them more happiness than they have seen in previous years.

Where did most of your money go?

Student Loans. Blah. I am thankful for the education I received, but my monthly reminder hurts a little bit!

What did you get really really really excited about?

Sarah Palin running for VP, Tina Fey playing Sarah Palin on SNL, organizing a scrapbook retreat

What song will always remind you of 2008?

Maybe "Home" by Daughtry.

Compared to last year are you much happier, richer, nicer?

All three? I am happy - my life is good - I am blessed by my job - and I'm nicer because of it. I hope this is true.

What do you wish you'd done more of?

Craft. Spend time with friends.

What do you wish you'd done less of?

Waste time. Be anxious.

How did you spend Christmas?

With family here at home.

Did you fall in love in 2008?

I fell more in love with Priest Lake and Sam-dawg!

What was your favorite tv show?

Unfortunately, I have a lot of favorite TV shows! I'll limit my top three favorites to Grey's Anatomy, The Real Housewives of Orange County, and Private Practice.

What was the best book you read this year?

I just finished "The 19th Wife" and really enjoyed it. I also loved "Eat, Pray, Love."

What was your greatest musical discovery?

Brooke White (well, American Idol discovered her).

What did you want and get?

A sewing machine!

What was your favorite film this year?

Juno

What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?

I worked and had our Youth Group Christmas Party and then went to Michael Jay's with my family. I turned 28. A few days earlier, we celebrated at PF Changs with Nick and Kate.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? What kept you sane?

Not sure what would have made it more satisfying...but I agree with Jamie on blogging keeping me sane. I developed a love for blogging and for reading my friends' blogs.

What political issue stirred you most?

The Presidential Election (go McCain!) and the Franklin County Commissioner Election. It was a tough fall.

Who did you miss?

My friends that live far away from here.

Who was the best new person you met?

Well, not necessarily met - but got reacquainted to - Jennifer B(s)! :)

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

Don't lower yourself to other people's standards.

Quote a song lyric that sums up 2008.

Oh hot damn! This is my jam!

[ days #30-32 - journal your christmas ]

Day # 30 -

Looking back at 2008. I have a few ideas of how to do this rolling around in my head. I don't think I'm going to do it just right now since this will already be a long post. Watch for my 2008 Wrap-Up tonight or tomorrow.

Day #31 -

New Year's Eve. I typically don't really care much about New Year's Eve. I think there is a lot of pressure to go to a fun party (or host one) or to do something really spectacular. Really. New Year's Eve is just another day. January 1 is just another day. I do love to go to a fun party and for the last two years, we've gotten to do just that. While in Chelan, we go to a fun dinner with the whole Connell crew that is there. It's a lot of fun - we're noisy, rowdy, and having an all around good time.

Day #32 -

Resolutions. I'm not big on resolutions. Again, I think it sets people up for disappointment when they don't follow through on their resolutions. I'd rather list things I want to accomplish...so...

1. Learn to sew.

2. Make a fun project to prove I've learned to sew.

3. Spend time at Priest Lake

4. Be the best I can be

[ day #29 - journal your christmas ]

For today's journal, I get to share my favorite picture with you from this season:

I haven't had a chance to write about this yet, but I was so excited to spend some time on Saturday with some friends from high school - Kelli, Shannon, and Sora. I love hanging out with them - especially since they all live far away (Kelli in Alabama, Shannon in Utah, and Sora in Arizona) and I don't get to see them often. In fact, it had been well over a year since I'd seen any of them. When we're together...it's like no time has passed. I love friends like that!

Also - we're leaving today to spend a few days in Chelan. Here's what it looks like there:

Hmm...not a whole lot different than it looks here, although the snow did melt quite a bit yesterday. I've been looking forward to going to Chelan for a few weeks now. Last year was our first year going with the Connell gang (Vanderbilts, Mauseths, Hogaboams, Nobles, Smiths, Walkers, etc.). It was a lot of fun! I'd never been to Chelan before, but I love that little town! We enjoyed doing a little shopping downtown, wine tasting, playing Rumoli, watching movies, and just chill-ax-ing. :) Hopefully it will be a lot of the same.

I'm taking my computer, but not sure about wireless options there, so I may or may not post while I'm there. I'll be back Friday and will catch up then if I don't get to in the meantime.

[ sewing on Sunday ]

I got thread in the Tri-Cities yesterday (maybe the wrong kind? I ended up with nylon...didn't realize it until I opened the package today.) and attempted to do something with my machine this afternoon.

It's just a little overwhelming...

Success Story #1 - putting the spool of thread on the spindle

Success Story #2 - winding the bobbin

Success Story#3 - putting the bobbin in the under thing-y

Non Success Story #1 - attempted to sew a straight line on a scrap piece of fabric

I think something is wrong with the tension.

And, I quit...for today...that's all I could handle.

Millions of people sew - it can't be that difficult, right?

[ day #28 - journal your christmas ]

Holiday Weaknesses:

• Red Starbucks Cups
• Little girls in Christmas dresses
• White Almond Bark covered pretzels
• Sweet Potatoes
• the smell of evergreen
• Christmas Lights
• a well decorated Christmas Tree
• Samson in a Santa suit
• Candy Cane Hershey Kisses
• Christmas Break
• shopping after Christmas sales
• Christmas Cards from friends
• pretty packages
• Packages in the mail
• Hershey Chocolate Mint Candy Canes
• Lefse
• Games with the family
• Christmas music
• Yards that are full of tacky Christmas decorations
• Christmas Hymns
• Delivering Christmas to our Adopt-a-Families
• Gold and White
• Online Shopping
• Decorations on Main Street
• Gift Exchange Game (I played it three times this year!)
• a great New Year's Party

[ day #27 - journal your christmas ]

Sleep.

Today, I slept in until 8:20am. That's pretty good for a girl that's been having trouble sleeping. This week, I've been up at 5am, 6am, and 6:30am. Not fun when everything in me wants to sleep in while I can!

Samson is now sleeping on my lap while I mess around on the internet. Dogs are so lucky to sleep whenever and wherever they want. :)

[ just about the saddest thing I've seen... ]

This is my favorite Vera Bradley pattern...

so sad...

so very sad...

This Garment Bag is what I asked for...and received an IOU for a Christmas gift...

but now, it's not available online...

Boo. Hoo.

[ Merry Christmas ] (and days #25 & #26)

Ok - I've been slacking the last few days, so here are a lot of pictures to catch up with our Christmas festivities...

Dad coming home from the liquor store with our loot...oh my!

These are the ranch pretzels that Dad makes every year...

"frosting pretzels"

my very favorite treat at Christmastime...or anytime...

Decorating sugar cookies....thanks for the idea Kim! :)

Zeke hard at work in the craft room making Christmas cards...

On Christmas Eve Eve, we watched my favorite Christmas movie - "White Christmas"

On Christmas Eve, we spent a fairly relaxing day - watched a few movies, took a nap, and enjoyed the day.

Then, we went to Mark and Kim's for our Lefse dinner before church.

Here are the Lefse chefs:

Craig - Melissa - Karlye

Marcie - Amber

Karlye - Paige - Melissa - David - Amber

After church, everyone came up to our house for our gift exchange...

Dad with the lazy dogs...

We all gave our gifts to Grandma before our exchange game.

Here's this rockin' picture of Melissa and Grandma dancing at a wedding reception!

Of course, we had to take family pictures - apparently there was a lot of *attitude* in the room!

Craig - Doug - Vicky - Paige - David

Baby Rein's Grandparents...poor baby!

Wow ah wee ah!

Amber - Karlye

David - Paige - Craig - Melissa - Marcie - Grandma - Karlye - Amber

I *heart* this picture!!

Melissa & I

Karlye & Craig with the gifts they won!

Lucky dogs...

Karlye - Nordstrom Gift Card

Craig - PF Changs Gift Card

On Christmas Day, we spent the morning opening our stockings and presents...

We are all very blessed...

In the afternoon, the Heiders came for dinner...we enjoyed a wonderful Prime Rib dinner with Mashed Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes (remember the love affair with sweet potatoes?!). We then all vegged in the living room and watched the Lakers game - or slept.

After the game, we had dessert (yum! Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie, Peppermint Cheesecake, and Mocha Almond Toffee Cheesecake!) and played Bingo! Freda plays Bingo at the Rose Garden, where she lives, so we thought we'd make her feel at home and play Bingo...she was so cute!!!

Freda

Mark - Karlye - Mom

Amber - dang photo bomber!

Freda looked radiant yesterday!

Enjoying a laugh...so fun!

Whoop Whoop!!! I won!! 2 in a row!!!

Marcie & Amber enjoying a rousing Bingo game!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were a lot of fun...great family, great food, great memories.
We're going to get together again tonight to eat leftovers...and probably more games...more food...more memories!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!