I'm in total denial...

I cannot believe that Christmas is only 11 days away. Eleven. Days. You would think a certain someone who let Thanksgiving sneak up on her would be more prepared for the next holiday. Apparently not.

There's still shopping that needs to be done, treats to be made, cards to be mailed*, and presents to be wrapped. Lots and lots...and lots of presents to be wrapped.

I *finally* get our tree decorated this past weekend so I can scratch that off the list. (Please excuse the quality since it's from my cell. Add taking pics to the to-do list above.)



Have I mentioned that Christmas is only 11 days away?!

*Christmas cards did not make the cut this year. Thinking maybe I should start now on next years to ensure they make it in the mail. Ya think 375 days is enough time for a procrastinator like me?

August already?

I just cannot believe it's August. Already. I blinked and now summer is almost over.

Here's the lowdown of our happenings since the graduation & cruise:

The teen has made the decision on what his future will hold that I will reveal at a later time. He hasn't told everyone in his family yet (most notably his mother) so I won't advertise it until he does. Just in case the wrong set of eyes sees it. Ahem.

There's been a lot of working and very little playing. We haven't been on the bike once this summer. Blasphemy! I plan to rectify this next weekend...now if the weather would just cooperate.

Speaking of weather we've been sweating. A lot. The norm has been 90+ temps for this summer so it's not been ideal for any outdoor activities. So I've taken to indoor activities like shopping. Specifically Christmas shopping.**

We just got back from an impromptu trip to WV to meet up with friends for a 24 hour visit in the wild & wonderful state. Fabulous.

...and well that's it. Seems like I've been busy doing nothing. How about you?

**Christmas is only 144 days away. How's that for a reality check?!

Sadness, Glee & Fuggs

**Yesterday morning I read that James "The Rev" Sullivan had passed away. He was the drummer of my much beloved band Avenged Sevenfold.



I'm sure most of you don't know who he is and that's okay. Just imagine a member of your favorite band suddenly dying & you'll get it.

The Rev will be greatly missed.

**I'm so ready for TV to come back to life. It seems everything went on hiatus for the holidays and now there is absolutely nothing on. You would think that during this time I could find more productive things to do. If so, then you would think WRONG.

I need TV time to relax and refresh.

**S gave me the Glee Soundtrack Vol 2 for Christmas. I already had Vol 1 and LURVED it. It's one of those albums where I can sing along with every track and I fully expected to be enthralled with this one too.

I'm not. It's good, but not as good as Vol 1. There are a few songs that I belt out to but I don't love the entire cd so I find myself going back to the songs I like over & over.

**Pictures of my gifts as requested:

<--My boots. Or as I call them, my "Fuggs" aka fake Uggs.
<--Cute socks from Sis. There was a black pair too but I wore them. And now they are in the laundry.
<--It looks pink but I swear it's red. S likes to call it "hooker red". Either way I love it.
<-- My new Kathy. ♥

**I also got a cast iron pan so if you have any advice and/or recipes please let me know. I'm a cityfied girl that has never owned a cast iron pan & had to call Lula to find out if "pre-seasoned" really meant it was. Her advice: Don't believe the hype.

It's a wrap!

Another Christmas over and gone. Bah. Where does the time go?*

Christmas was great and chaotic all at the same time.

We always spend Christmas Eve at my aunt's house, crowded in her apartment, opening presents and enjoying holiday only foods. This year was no different although I do think, much like Gremlins, we multiplied because it seemed to be more of us than ever.

The more, the merrier right?!

I guess it was that phrase that led to me having 5 extra overnight house guests on Christmas Eve plus an additional 4 on Christmas morning. For the math challenged that would make 12 peeps at my house.

Everyone seemed to love their gifts, including me. S gave me some fabulous stuff including the new Glee soundtrack, The Tudors season 3 DVD(that we've already watched in it's entirety), stainless steel pans, cast iron pan, boots, purse, etc. etc.

He spoils me. And I deserve it.

Lil Sis gave me a Keurig carousel for my k-cups and my middle sis gave me knee socks that are adorable. (I'm wearing a pair today!} My aunt gave me a new Kathy Van Zeeland purse.

I'm carrying the red one that S got me today but trust me when I say it was a tough choice since they are both cute!

Okay, enough bragging. Let's just say I had a great Christmas!

As documented by the 350+ pictures I posted on FB. Woowee! Here are few of my favorites:

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

It's a wrap! Literally...

*Please tell me I'm not the only one that honestly thinks she is a year younger than she really is & catches herself trying to put the wrong age on forms. All. The. Time.

The Game Plan

Wrap, wrap and wrap. Then wrap some more.

Birthday Wishes (& other stuff)

Today this little guy...


...turns 6.


When I asked him what he wanted for his birthday he asked for a Transformer toy & a new hoodie. That crazy kid. But that's what he wanted so that's what I got him - a new hoodie & Transformer game for his DS.

Cause that's what aunties do. Spoil them and send them home.

Happy Birthday buddy!

**^^^**^^^**^^^**^^^**^^^**^^^**^^^**^^^**^^^**^^^**
As for the "other stuff"...

Thanksgiving was fab, although a little rushed. Having mixed families (boyfriends, step moms, sisters who don't talk to brothers, etc.) makes for one heckuva scheduling job.

S & I went out shopping on BF, but not super early so it wasn't too bad. The most crowded store I went into was Bath & Body Works. I literally was in line for 20 minutes before I said forget it.

The people in front of me had coupons and bought specials but got the wrong stuff so the cashiers were sending them back into a very crowded store to get the right stuff. Frankly I couldn't take it anymore.

After that we took a break to see New Moon. I'm not going to go into a big review post about it because everyone has already said it's better than Twilight. And it is. While not perfect, I didn't want the movie to end if that tells you anything.

We did a bit more shopping before going home on Friday and with the pretty spectacular deals I found online yesterday my Christmas shopping is about 60% done.

Not too shabby.

The people I have left to buy for are the ones that need nothing & are a PITA to buy for.

If everyone would just write a Santa wish list shopping would be so much easier.

Speaking of easy, or should I say NOT easy my Christmas tree is up. But not decorated. In fact the decorations are all over my living room floor because I just couldn't talk myself into "fluffing" the tree and putting it all together.

When did it become such a chore to put the tree(s) up?

It was one of my favorite things to do when I was little but now it just seems like work. Especially when I know in a month I'll be putting it all away.

Seems someone has a little bah humbug going on huh?

72 days & counting...

If you don't know what is 72 days away then you are like me - clueless. Or you might be the kind of person that was ready two months ago. That means you are now my arch nemesis. I joke. Sorta.

The event I'm talking about - CHRISTMAS.

Can you believe it?! Christmas is only 72 days away and I haven't bought the first gift.

In fact I haven't even given any thought to what gifts I need. And even worse, I've gone over my calendar and every Saturday until December is committed to something.

Every. Single One.

So I may or may not have been freaking out about it last night around the 3AM mark.



I need to get busy. In a total non-sexual way of course. (Sorry S!)

There are lists to make, numbers to crunch and much, much shopping to do in between all my other commitments.

Hold me. Please.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

I just finished decorating our second Christmas tree. Literally. Just. Now. I do a special one downstairs for S that revolves around his favorite things - Harley Davidson and sports, specifically the Hokies.

I love it so much more than my bigger, nicer, much more expensive tree upstairs. Of course the one upstairs this year just got a few balls and some bead garland, while this one got some TLC.

With the lights on...

With them off...

The tree topper...

Some of my favorites:

A little boxer in honor of Oz...







I just got this one last month and I love it!


How many Christmas trees do you put up? What kind of ornaments do you prefer? Do you think it was a waste of time to put a tree with only 10 days to go? Have you entered my GIVEAWAY yet?

In the spirit...

I've had a hard time getting in the spirit this year. It took me 5 days to finish decorating my tree. It's not even that special, just a few ornaments and beads.


Before posting yesterday I literally had the weight of the world on my shoulders but after writing it and reading it, and re-reading it I began to reassess my attitude.

I decided to take my own advice.

I was especially nice to everyone yesterday, even though it took over 2 hours for me to run 30 minutes worth of errands. Even though I was cut off in traffic multiple times. Even though I was charged the wrong price and had to stand in yet another line to receive my refund. Even though our dart hosts weren't very welcoming.

It occurred to me that these people might have the weight of the world on their shoulders. So I gave them a smile and continued on.

Then I got home and had a package at my front door. You know nothing makes me happier than getting something good in the mail. To find something great in a stack of bills puts a smile on my face. It makes me forget all about my electric bill - temporarily. I look forward to checking my mail every day knowing I might have a magazine or free sample waiting on me. Yes, I'm one of THOSE people.

I'd like to share some of that joy with you all. In the form of a Christmas card. If you would like me to send you one please email your address to me at brandyu@gmail.com.

It's a little Christmas cheer from me to you AND you get to see my messy handwriting. What could be better than that?!

BTW be on the lookout next week for a GIVEAWAY. My very first GIVEAWAY. I'm not saying what it will be, mainly cause I'm still deciding, but hopefully you'll drop in to find out.