Can't Sleep

Hours at work have been extended for the holiday season and I just got home.  (Yeah... it's 12:58 am).
I can't sleep.  It made me think of this song from White Christmas:

What a wonderful way to end a busy day.... counting my blessings.

Dear Santa... Any of these would be nice. :)

I have helped each of my girls make Christmas lists.  I have made lists of gifts to get my family, friends, and neighbors.  So... I thought it would be fun to put my own Christmas wishlist together.  I don't think I will be getting anything from this list because I have it on good authority that my Christmas present is presently sitting in the trunk of our car.  (Oh it is tortuous not being able to peek).  Anyways, this list is just for fun.  (Online shopping is the best kind!)

In no particular order... here is my 2011 Christmas wishlist.

She & Him Christmas Album 

A hooded bathrobe.

via

Or one like this:

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An Extender Slip:

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An Audrey Hepburn DVD Collection:

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A Good Book (Any book will do, as long as it's good):

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A Great Pair of Ankle Boots:

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A new throw for my couch:

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Some fun new earrings:

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Santa... if your listening....   :)

Melody

No matter what, I can't seem to get this melody out of my head.  But I don't mind...

I kind of love it.

The Beginning of a New Christmas Tradition

The snow is here.  The tree is up.  Family Stone and A Christmas Story have both already been watched.  Santa letters are written.  Christmas parcels started arriving 2 days ago.  And the basement is off limits to little ones.  It really is starting to feel like Christmas around here.
Needless to say, for some reason this year I have embraced the whole Christmas season a little early.  And, in doing so, I have decided to start a new Christmas tradition for our girls.  (I actually got the idea from Dana).

A Christmas Book Advent.
I started collecting Christmas books a couple of weeks ago.  Since I didn't want this project to cost much, I went to Value Village and searched their hundreds of children's books.  It was actually quite fun.  I would get all excited when I found a good Christmas book.  I collected some about Santa, the Nativity, giving gifts, and I even found a Dora one for Lexi.  I also knew we had a few at home, so I searched around and found 8.  So, I only had to get 17 more.  It took a few trips, but I did it.  The whole thing cost under $15.  I thought that was awesome.  Each year I hope to collect some more Christmas books and switch them out for some of the books that the girls will grow out of.  I looked for How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but I didn't find it.

Here they are..

I made sure each one had something to do with Christmas.  There are some awesome vintage copies in there as well.  Do you spot the Nutcracker?  (Not the Berenstain Bears version). 

It only took about the length of 3 Friends episodes to wrap them all.

Here they are wrapped...

We start tonight.  They are sitting under the tree just waiting to be opened.  Right before bed the girls will pick one and we will read it together.  I am so excited!  I hope the girls love it as much as I do.

Oooohhhh yeah, I still got it.

True story...  As I walked to my car after work today, a grown man howled at me...  I didn't know what to do/say, so I walked the last few steps and got into my sweet mini van.  I thought after being married for seven years, I had lost my "mystery".  Apparently not.  

To the animal man....  I offer some friendly advice...  To catch a woman, you must first speak her language... (meaning human).  Just a suggestion.

Practically Perfect in Every Way

I have been in a major creative funk....  I have had no desire to blog, sew, create, or even cook.  BUT...  I am thinking that if I had a tube of this stuff, that funk just might disappear.

*Picture found here.

No Excuses

I won't make any excuses for my absence.

I have been using all my energy just to live.

I have felt warm sunshine on my face.

I have played until it hurt.

I have eaten until my pants are a little tight.

I have soaked in the summer.

In fact, I have had no motivation to do anything else.

And it's a good thing the weather forecast predicts hot weather for the next 5 days, or I would be really bummed!  (I promise to post First Day of School pics.... when I can get over the fact that fall is almost here). 

 Until then....