For Christmas this year...

For Christmas this year..

Thankfully my husband & I will have Christmas day off work. It  pays to work for an organization that pays you to enjoy the day off with your family. We also get a half day off for Christmas Eve. Since we live in Florida, we are blessed to have sunshine but on that day, it doesn't feel like Christmas. I was born in Ohio so I used to have snowy or at least cold Christmas weather so it felt more like a holiday. I can wish all I want for snow but alas, it just won't happen here. So I live vicariously through my inlaws who live where snow is happening & will. 

Next month, my mom will be snapping our Christmas pictures of us and this year I am trying to find the right template to make a newsletter. Usually we do a Snapfish or Groupon deal for cutesy Christmas cards but it just got too expensive & I enter loan repayment right after Christmas. *What a fun gift to me from the Dept of Education.*

This year, I got reaallly excited for Christmas in September. I started buying gifts then and it didn't make my husband too happy with me. While its mid November, and nice to say I am 95% done shopping for others; I really wish I had just waited. Last year, I got everyone's Christmas presents for $50 and FREE SHIPPING. I was so proud of myself, and it was a great feeling. Next year, when I get the Christmas shopping bug -- I am going to push hard to wait. (My greatest joy is the Amazon black Friday sale or the other online ones).

I agree with Laura -- now that I am older -- I don't really have a flowing list of what I want for Christmas. People will ask but I am happy with gift-cards to Target. or Starbucks.  Give me a day at Target, with my wad of coupons, & the Cartwheel app -- I could wow you with the savings I find & all that I will end up getting. I will say, this year I am doing more homemade and trying to get into that as much as I can going forward because while its nice to get gifts -- that is not the underlining reason I celebrate Christmas. I celebrate it because of Jesus being born. I do get excited to go to the Christmas Eve services, seeing how churches decorate with candles, wreaths & Christmas trees -- that makes my day, or night rather. 

As far as I can remember, I had an real tree growing up. But my husband & I bought ours from Walmart at 70% off and its beautiful. My thing is finding ornaments from all the places we've gone that year or go to - this year I get to add our ornaments from our Disney Bahama cruise and from the Bahamas originally. I think it'd be beautiful to have a real Christmas tree, to breathe in the smell but with my pups out while I am at work, I'm afraid they'd try to eat the tree. 

But I think what I am most excited for -- is the cooking/baking involved & the reactions from family when they open their gifts. Also the big meal involved later that day with my mom's infamous homemade potatoes. Mmm. Deeelish. I'd rather spend the entire day with family than anywhere else. I will probably bring a dessert but I cannot wait to just celebrate the day with those I love most. 

Still a few weeks away but I am excited for Christmas THIS year. 

So What, Wednesday! :)

1. I should be embarrassed to be seen in public with this massive bun on top of my head from this morning. I felt pretty stylish at work.
2. I've watched One Tree Hill on Netflix for the past 3 days & I'm not ashamed. 
3. I made brownies last night & they've disappeared. In fact, I had a brownie for breakfast. At least they're gone & my weight loss can continue.
4. Despite #3, my hubby is making us turkey bacon for dinner. Fave meal hands down.
5. The number one reason my printer runs out of ink: coupons. That night is tonight!
6. We're not trying for our first baby til this fall but my Amazon baby registry is all updated per ideas I found on Pinterest.
7. With #6 in mind, I'm shopping the big baby sale at Target daily. I think I just like adding items to my cart.
8. While at work today, I made a pre-baby bucket & that kept me occupied for 7 hours. 

So What! Wednesday...

This week I'm saying SO WHAT IF...

1. I'm in the midst of losing weight but I love looking at Pinterest's food & drink section.
2. I had 3 skinny cows today, but I did 85 minutes of Zumba after work. Booyah!
3. I have an unofficial marathon of 'Hart of Dixie' & Parenthood on weekends,
4. I hate driving in Orlando traffic so much that I wish I could do that 'Bruce Almighty' effect would he divided the traffic into two-- especially on late nights.
5. I quote more Family Guy lines than I ever did before I met my hubby.
6. I love shopping in the maternity section of stores because the clothes look cuter than what I can fit into. Why not, it's cozier.
7. I already made my baby registry on Amazon & love to re-do it every couple of months. Still a year away from trying for baby #1.
8. I use Ebates to do my shopping at times just to make a 5 cent contribution to the check I will get. I live on the edge.

**For those who are unaware of what a Skinny Cow is- it's an amazing way to enjoy chocolate while losing weight!**

Skinny Cow <3