Super-Duper Christmas Bargains!

I had some time to kill Sunday night, so I headed to Bed, Bath and Beyond to check out their clarance secions. I had a $25 gift card burning a hole in my pocket!

As I was walking the store I picked up some practical items (NO FUN!) I needed a new pair of dishwashing gloves, so I got this funky pink pair. Then I got a new shower curtain liner so that I can hang it up when I move out (seven more weeks!!!!)

I hoped to score big and find some nice ornament sets, but unfortunatly their Christmas clearance section had been pretty wiped out.... except for these babies.

It was a difficult decision, but I went for the all gold. I LOVE the look of the matted red, green and gold, but I thought that there might be times when it would not quite match whatever my theme was. Gold will match virtually anything.

My new appartment will have a mantle in the living room, so I bought two of these to sit on it next year. They are 17 inches tall and cost me about $7.00

Heck - I'm tempted to go back and buy two in the other colore now!!! lol

Awww, what a pretty tree!

Yes, what a pretty tree!

oh, wait... it looks kinda odd on the bottom. How strange.

Let's get a closer look at that....

mmmyea. Kittens gone wild, scene 28.

He was soooo good, but apparently he struggled with the temptation FAR too long. I tried playing with him every night to tire him out, but as soon as I got comfey, I'd hear clanking and jingeling.

Therefore, tonight I will begin taking down my Christmas decotrations. If I do not, I fear this is what I will be coming home to.

I cannot count how many times I yelled at him, squirted water at him and plucked him out of the tree last night. Then he turned into a sneaky littke squirt and would climb out of the tree when he heard me coming to get him... only to meet with me with a innocent look on his face as to say "what? I wasn't doing anything!!!"

The litle creap!

I am going to do it in phases, begining with the ornaments and garland around my windows tonight. I bought a new wreath holder so that I can curl up the garland nicely. This will hopefully free up a larger container that I can use for other forms of CRAP in my apartment.

...Speaking of ornaments... I bought some fun red and white bulbs at Target for 50% off. They remind me of pepermint swirl candies! I also bought wrapping papper for next year. On my way home I will stop by Jo Anne's and check out what they have remaining. They had some great stuff only a week ago on 60% off - maybe there will still be things but for even less!

So my parents reminded me just how spoiled I am today. I am very grateful, but knowing how hard times are - I feel bad that they spent so much on me... er.. not that I am complaining, I am an only child and have been spoiled my entire life... but now that I am older I am understanding what it means. I just feel bad that they spent SO much. I gave them a generous gift as well, but I must remember to save up more and do more for them next year - as much as I can.

Now I hope I don't sound too materialistic, but I sure do love my presents! And I know that they are happy knowing that I am happy.

A few wees ago my Mom asked me for some gift ideas, so I mentioned a few things that I was interested in. The literally got me everything I had mentioned with the exception of one thing. That one thing was a blue-ray player, and those are pretty pricey anyway. I want to wait for those to come down in price a bit anyway.

Curiosity piqued? Remember - really, really spoiled. Don't say I didn't warn you.

• Kuereg K-cup single serving coffee maker
• HUGE box of K-cups
• New stereo (with IPOD docking bay and CD payer)
• George Forman 360 grill
  
• humidifier (it looks like a penguin!)
• Gift cards to Target and BB&B
• New floor mats for my Jeep
  
• Whole mess of stocking stuffers and such.

I am very thankful for all the generous gifts they have given me. I've already hooked up the stereo and humidifier. I did not have enough room in my Jeep, so they are bringing the coffee maker and grill over tomorrow. I did clear off a spot in my kitchen for the coffee maker. Now I need to figure out where the grill will life - maybe on the table until I am in the new place - but I am excited about it since I have been wanting to cook heather again (and I loathe my stove.)

I said it was too much! lol

I was driving at a very late hour, listening to a local radio station which plays Christmas music around the clock. Since it was a late hour, the dj had a soft, raspy voice, and was taking dedications.

A man called in to talk about his wonderful girlfriend and how she has changed his life. It was a sweet, heart-felt message that just filled your heart with joy. He was emitting such pure, raw happiness and wanted to share his feelings with the world (er... Greater Hartford) He asked the DJ to play a special song that captured his feeling for her.

And the song began....

Feliz Navidad.

Buon Natale!

Feliz Navidad!

Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia!

OK. I'll stop that now. I am just a bit festive today. I look like a crazy lady, a green tee with a Christmas Tree on it... green bell earrings.... Santa hat.... red and green striped socks under my doc Mary Jane's'.

I told you! Crazy lady!

Anyway... got some time off coming up and some fun plans to go with them.

Today: Hoping to get out of work nice and early. Heading home to finish making my jalapeno peppers and wrap two remaining gifts. After that I will head to my aunt Cindy's house (Julie's Mom) to spend the afternoon / evening with the extended family.

Tomorrow: Christmas morning is always presents with Mom & Dad! I'll be making a fritata for them. I decided to go with a spinach infused chicken sausage as the meat. I'll be spending the entire day there - through dinner. I'll make sure to bring some more laundry over to save some more quarters!

Friday: Lunch with Sarah, the evening is still TBD.

Saturday: Heading into NY with Brenda and Cathy. Right now our plans consist of Rockefeller Center, hot toddies, lunch and an Edward fix.

Sunday: TBD / but I promised Mom I'd take her to Jo Ann's and Target for some post-Christmas sales.

Monday - Tuesday: work again. blah.

Wednesday: off for the rest of the year! I'm going to a party being hosted by Steve and Ellen. It would be nice to bring a certain someone with me - but he might be spending the night with his Mom - so it is up in the air.

The next couple of days are in the air. I will be driving down to DC to visit Jess and Olivier - but i am not sure if I am leaving on Thursday (the 1st) or Friday (the 2nd) and if I am returning on Sunday (the 4th) or Monday (the 5th) - That also depends a bit on James. He may be traveling down with me, so that he can see one of his brother's before he move to India (his bother, not him!)

Then back to work either Monday the 5th or Tuesday the 6th. Probably Monday I am guessing. But just dunno.

How about you? Whats going on in your life for the next few weeks?

It's Christmastime,

there's no need to be afraid

At Christmastime,

we let in light and we banish shade

And in our world of plenty

we can spread a smile of joy

Throw your arms around the world

at Christmastime

But say a prayer,

pray for the other ones

At Christmastime it's hard,

but when you're having fun

There's a world outside your window,

and it's a world of dread and fear

Where the only water flowing

is the bitter sting of tears

And the Christmas bells that ring there

are the clanging chimes of doom

Well tonight thank God it's them

instead of you

And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmastime

The greatest gift they'll get this year is life

Where nothing ever grows

No rain or rivers flow

Do they know it's Christmastime at all?

Here's to you raise a glass for everyone

Here's to them underneath that burning sun

Do they know it's Christmastime at all?

Feed the world

Feed the world

Feed the world

Let them know it's Christmastime again

Feed the world

Let them know it's Christmastime again

Santa baby, slip a sable under the tree, For me.

I've been an awful good girl,

Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight.

Santa baby, 54 convertible too, Light blue.

I'll wait up for you dear,

Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight.

Think of all the fun I've missed,

Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed,

Next year I could be oh, so good,

If you'd check off my Christmas list,

Boo doo bee doo.

Santa honey, I wanna yacht,

And really that's not a lot,

I've been an angel all year,

Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight.

Santa cutie, there's one thing that I really need, The deed.

To a duplex of my hand,

Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight.

Santa baby, fill my stocking with a rolex, And checks.

Sign your 'X' on the line,

Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight.

Come and trim my Christmas tree,

With some decorations bought at Tiffany's,

I really do believe in you,

Let's see if you believe in me,

Boo doo bee doo.

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, A ring.

I don't mean on the phone,

Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight,

Hurry down the chimney tonight,

Hurry down the chimney tonight

Monday evening Keri came over to temporarily donate one of her trees. She brought a beautiful seven and a half foot tall tree for me to borrow. I’ve decided to purchase a tree after Christmas, when all the trees go on sale. I am going to look for one of the same height (although I keep reminding myself that the ceilings are taller in the new apartment – once I am finally in there!)

Keri and I lugged the tree up the three floors and dragged it down the hallway to luck number seven.

Once inside the festivities began! I quickly opened up a good bottle of wine and turned on some Christmas music. One of the local radio stations plays Christmas music 24/7 throughout the month of December.

I freed up the corner which was to become the home for the tree. We chatted and put the tree together for a couple of hours. I strung in six sets of lights and I still need to run out and get one more strand. While I am at it – I might pick up a couple extra – just in case.
As we were assembling the tree, Papillion got a bit feisty and was diving into anything that would fit him. It was clearly a case of over-stimulation for him. He dove into boxes, buried himself under Styrofoam peanuts – it was quite entertaining. He did get a bit too wound up at one point, but after a stern talking to and reminder of who is the alpha kitty, he calmed down.Before we knew it, we were putting out all the ornaments. I did not put all of them up. Some of them just didn’t quite go with the pseudo-theme of red and gold (and kitty, and musical instruments, and reindeer, and Red Sox, etc…) But a lot of the ornaments are up. I also packed away a few reminders from last year. Nothing brought me down or made me sad. In fact, I was quite numb about it and didn’t feel anything. But needless to say, I packed those few items back up and will deal with them at a later time.Included with the packed-up things are my stockings. I have a pair of red and gold, velvety stockings. I remember searching high and low for two stockings that matched, that I liked, last year. I don’t have it in me to put them up. Not only are they are reminder of Daniel and last Christmas, but what makes me sad is knowing that this is the first time I am going to wake up Christmas morning with nothing in my stocking. I know, it sounds silly and trivial. But it makes me sad. I know that my stocking at my parent’s house will be overflowing, as it usually is… but not having one at my own home makes me sad.

I’m thinking of getting myself a new, special one and one that is cute for Papillion. I was originally contemplating making one for him – but I don’t think I’ll get around to it this year.
Wow – that was a tangent! lol Anyway once the tree was up, we hit up the rest of the living room. Garland and a poinsettia light set (with RED lights!) is above the window. Keri helped me vastly improve my curtains, so now it looks like a big face with blue hair and an olive wreath across its head (yea, I have a weird imagination! lol ) I’ve also learned that my teal / aqua sheer panels don’t quite match *everything* in my living room.Keri strategically placed extra tree branches around the room and accented it with ornaments and randomly sparkly stuff I had. After she left I continued to decorate and place garland around the kitchen (closet) and bedroom doors.Once everything was complete, I cleaned up and sat back on the couch with the lamps off, basking in the glow of the Christmas tree.

Papillion passed out underneath it.

Tree decorating in Papillion's eyes...

My wish for today...

that the tree is still standing and the garland is still up when I get home.

Ok, I need to put some questions aside. A few people have been asking, and I know that I have been quiet on the subject – that alone should give you your answer! Lol …anyway, yes, I did get some lovely jewelry for Christmas, it sparkles and there are diamonds involved… but it is not a ring. Daniel gave me a pair of beautiful gold earrings with diamonds and pearls. They nicely compliment the other jewelry Daniel has given me over the past (almost) year.

There were moments when I thought (hoped?) I would get that sparkly addition to my hand… but I am glad I did not. I don’t think we were ready for anything like that a few weeks ago. I am not implying that anything was wrong with our relationship, but we just weren’t there yet. Seeing that written down makes me wonder if that made sense, but I know what I mean, and isn’t that what is the most important? Lol Anyway, I think it is amazing to see how our relationship has progressed over time. It changes continuously, and in a good way. I can confidently say that even in the past two weeks out relationship has traveled leaps and bounds and we get closer to each other every day.

Any way, back to the subject at hand…

Daniel ran out to complete a few errands on Christmas Eve. Afterwards I had noticed a box under the tree that was clearly from a jewelry store, and in a shape that was about 3 x 3. Ladies, we all know that jewelry store wrapping… anyway, I thought that the box was clearly too large to be a ring of any sorts. My next thought that it was a bracelet, or a new necklace. The pearl necklace Daniel gave me for my birthday had recently broken for the 2nd time. It was in the process of being repaired and not going to be completed for Christmas. My thoughts were that my necklace was not durable enough for daily wear, thus causing a need for a new necklace.

Late Christmas night while I was sleeping, I heard the closet door quietly open and someone tip toe downstairs. Ah Ha! There was another present hidden! This made my mind race. A box, other then the 3 x 3 one under the tree, and required hiding in the closet….

Needless to say, both of us were wide awake around 4am and could no longer sleep. We both went downstairs and opened our presents. I had given him some racing pedals for the Miata and a bunch of stocking stuffers. I went light on the presents since I gave him such a generous present for his birthday just a few weeks ago.

Daniel got me a bunch of very nice things, pumpkin scented candle and candle holder, sachets that match the décor of our bedroom, frames that are in the shape of kitties lounging and a snazzy pedometer that I am sporting today (and watching like a HAWK while in the ladies room!)

What was in the 3 x 3 box you ask? My necklace, repaired and stronger then ever, just in time for Christmas. How sweet was that of him?

Going to be a quick and busy couple of days.... I've acomplished everything I need to so far... All my Christmas shopping is done, all the presents are wrapped. Cookei dough is chillin in the fridge ready to be scooped out and cooked.

Lasst load of laundry is in the wash... dining room is almost put back together. Bags are almost all packed. Ski stuff is packed up and by the door....

Anything else I am forgettting? Daniel has a big box of presents by the door as well.... We're leaving for Vermont in about an hour or so... plans are to come back last Sunday night. Monday we're going to stop by and visit my grandfather before heading to my Aunt's house for the remainger of the afternoon / evening.

Christmas morning we will be having breakfast with my parents... then dinner at Daniel's father's.... so a whole lot of running around.

Oh, and the prime rib is ordered.

If I don't get a change to post before then... have a wonderful Christmas!!!!!

HOLIDAY GETTING TO KNOW YOU....

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? In a colorie-free world, egg nog. Otherwise sugar free cocoa. Swiss Miss makes a pretty good one.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wraps of course!!!!
3. Colored or white lights on tree/house? I’m trying to decide…. But I am leaning towards white
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Sometimes. But last night I bought a pretty kissing ball for $8!!!
5. When do you put your decorations up? When I get them ;-)
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Not sure, I’ve always had ham… but I’m not a big fan of ham. Maybe I’ll do a prime rib with Mom and Dad…
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Christmas Eve with my extended family… everyone was there and it took hours to open all the presents up.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? When I was around 10. I accidentally saw something in my parents closet, then I saw that on Christmas morning that present was from Santa.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? I do with my extended family…. Not sure what Daniel and I are going to do.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Very carefully… It will probably do it bit by bit over the next few days. Tonight is going to be dedicated to buying lights, stockings and stocking holders and putting the tree together with the lights.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it, love it LOVE IT.
12. Can you ice skate? Very poorly. I’ve done it a few times and somehow lived… not my thing.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Beautiful cardigan from LL Bean from my grandparents. I still occasionally wear it, but there are a few holes sneaking in there.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with friends. The extra smile people give. An all around good feeling.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? I don’t think I have one… :/
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas eve with the extended family… dinner around 3, presents around 7.
17. What tops your tree? Don’t know… I need to find something!
18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Depends, but often I enjoy giving more.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Santa baby is pretty fun, but I like all the classics, Jingle Bell Rock, White Christmas, I’ll be Home for the Holidays…. Etc…
20. What is your favorite holiday candy? ???? Don’t know. Once we had ribbon candy – oh! I like those candy pillows as well!

ok, I think I've got it figured out. I'm leaving this afternoon to drop by Keri's house (boy would I love to sneak out early, but I have a meeting scheduled from 3-4!!!) to get a tree. Afterwards I am going to stop at TJ Maxx. I'm hoping that TJ Maxx suits my needs. While I am there I am going to look for a tree skirt, I may try to look for something traditional, so that I can have that base covered... or not. We'll see what I come home with :). I am also going to look for stockings and stocking holders. I will only buy something if I love it. If I don't liove them, I can find something at one of the other countless stores nearby... Depending on how ambitions I feel, I might also stop at AC Moore. I want to get a few wrappings items.. and while I am at it, I should just stop at Kohl's... that is right in the same plaza as AC Moore. If those don't work, there is Target and lastly another Kohl's in Canton. Lets cross our fingers I don't end up at the mall. The last thing I want to do is spend $150 on a tree skirt at Pottery Barn..... a $30 one from Kohl's or whatver is good enough for me!

I think I would like to do some nice realistic looking garland with lights... wrap that around the banister and up the stairs.... maybe a little something in the kitchen... maybe a kissing ball... who knows just what wonders I may conjure up this week!

Poor Daniel will be afraid to leave on any more business trips!

I'm seriously bummed... the tree skirt is now out of stock. Needless to say I am back on the hunt and ready to act FAST.

Here are my new possibilities. I've been going batty on ebay... what are your thoughts?




I think my two favorites are these last two... the teal and the green and gold.

What do you think? Did I find my tree skirt?

I'm excited.... Daniel and I solved the Christmas Tree dilemma. I want one... no, I *need* to have one. Daniel was stressing about our lack of room and where it would go, how it would fit... etc.

I figured it out. Let's just say that its going to involve a phone call to Mom and Dad and scrounging through their garage....