A Christmas Meme

I came across this fun little Christmas meme over at Alas Three Lads and I thought I would play along...

1. Have you started your Christmas shopping? Yes, I shop all year. When I see something that I know is perfect for that certain someone, I pick it up and it goes into a spreadsheet and then into a bin.

2. Tell me about one of your special traditions. The boy and I celebrate Christmas Eve with my family. We usually do this at my parents house, for the first year, we will do it at my house this year. We open all of our presents from one another, with breaks for a smorgasbord of appetizers, soups and treats in-between. We go to a children's service around 5 and the midnight candlelit mass with just my mom and dad and a couple of family friends. Christmas morning we usually go to my parents (in our pajamas) to get our stockings from Santa and see what Santa brought the kids at my parents house. Then we have breakfast, the boy and I head out, get ready for the day and then spend Christmas day with his family.

3. When do you put up your Tree? Usually a day or so after Thanksgiving

4. Are you a Black Friday shopper? Sometimes, if there is something specific or special that I need or want. This year we got a new big, tv.

5. Do you travel at Christmas or stay home? Don't go far.

6. What is your funniest Christmas memory? Finding my Jordache jeans with the horse on the back pocket in 6th grade. I was SO excited!

7. What is your favorite Christmas movie of all time? The Grinch. The key party always cracks me up.

8. Do you do your own Christmas baking, what’s your favorite treat? I do a big cookie baking with a bunch of girlfriends, its coming up on Sunday. One of my girlfriends and her husband own a pizza parlor on the U of M campus, they are closed on Sunday's. So about 20 of us get together, bring champagne, snacks, cookie cutters, sprinkles and decorations, and work together to bake a TON of cookies!

9. Fake or Real Tree? Fake pre-lit tree, I love it.

10. What day does the actual panic set in to get it all done? I just go with the flow. In the past I have rushed to get it all done.

11. Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve? Sometimes.

12. What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas? The day that the boy and I pick to have a nice dinner together and open our presents from one another in peace and quiet once the hub bub has died down.

13. What Christmas craft do you like the best? I am not GG, not so crafty.

14. Christmas music? (Yes or No) If yes, what is your favorite song? Heck yeah, as much as possible. I don't have just one favorite, I love them all.

15. When do you plan to finish all of your shopping? Probably within the next week or so. . .I did do some online shopping as well.

I tag you!

One Word

Miss GG posted this and since I am uninspired at the moment and overworked, I borrowed it from her!

So here are the rules:

You Can Only Use One Word!
Pass this along to 6 of your favorite bloggers!

Have Fun!



1. Where is your cell phone? desk

2. Your hair? long

3. Your mother? nuts

4. Your father? strong

5. Your favorite food? pasta

6. Your dream last night? strange

7. Your favorite drink? wine

8. Your dream/goal? success

9. What room are you in? office

10. Your hobby? wine :)

11. Your fear? sickness

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? retired :)

13. Where were you last night? home

14. Something that you aren’t? tall

15. Muffins? cranberry

16. Wish list item? Vacation

17. Where did you grow up? Minnie

18. Last thing you did? Worked

19. What are you wearing? clothes

20. Your TV? off

21. Your pets? none

22. Friends? awesome

23. Your life? fun

24. Your mood? reflective

25. Missing someone? yes

26. Vehicle? SUV

27. Something you’re not wearing? Headband

28. Your favorite store? Melly

29. Your favorite color? Pink

30. When was the last time you laughed? yesterday

31. Last time you cried? Monday (sick)

32. Your best friend? the boy

33. One place that I go to over and over? bathroom

34. One person who emails me regularly? the boy

35. Favorite place to eat? Pierre's

What I Mean. . .

Too much to fill you all in on and catch you up on, and I only have a moment. I had a wonderful weekend, a wonderful birthday, I was in four states in one day, having breakfast in MN, lunch in NYC, dinner and drinks in CT and then finally made it to Boston. I am back in CT for the weekend, then back to Boston Monday, then back here again Thursday for the weekend, and then possibly back up to Boston the following week, but we will see what happens this week. In the mean time, I thought this was pretty cool (thanks Kerry) and thought I would share!

What Jill Means

You are fair, honest, and logical. You are a natural leader, and people respect you. (I definitely seem to be a natural leader and enjoy taking charge of things) You never give up, and you will succeed... even if it takes you a hundred tries. (very true, I HAVE to get it right) You are rational enough to see every part of a problem. You are great at giving other people advice. (oh if you only knew how true this was) You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. (yep) You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. (I am not sure if mine fades, I tend to be pretty enthusiastic) You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. (I like to get it done, and I love to finish things) You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. (definitely laid back, easy going) You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. (definitely, describes me to a tee) Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. (I wonder if this is true, but I am definitely on the happy side)

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

This or That Christmas Meme!

I am swamped with work, so this is real quick, I had fun doing it, I hope you do too! Would love to know if you posted this on your blog too!

This or That Christmas Meme

Candy cane or peppermint patties? I like the new flavored candy canes, Swee’tart flavored?
Sugar or gingerbread cookies? I think sugar, but neither is tops on my list.
Tinsel or beaded strands? Oh, beaded strands on my tree, tinsel on the boys.
Multi-colored or same-colored lights? Same, just white.
Flashing or still lights? Still.
Wreaths or mistletoe/holly? A little of both, but definitely mistletoe, more kissing is always good.
Rudolph or Frosty? Tough call, but I am going with Frosty, I always thought Rudolph was a little whiny.
Sledding or snowball fights? Sledding, definitely
Snow or ice/icicles? Snow, especially big flakes coming down
Snow hat or earmuffs? Hat, are you kidding me? Do you know how many I have?
Getting or giving? Giving, LOVE picking out the perfect gift and watching the reaction!
Snow days or plow trucks? Snow days, but what does this question mean?
Stockings or presents? Stockings are harder and more challenging to shop for!
Cookies & milk or letter to Santa? Cookies and milk (and carrots for Rudolph!)
Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Not even fair, Christmas Eve is with my family and Christmas Day with the boys, but if I had to pick I would say Christmas Eve, I have the fondest memories.
Log Burning Channel or real thing? Real thing of course!
Cards or emails? Cards, hands down.
Shoveling or cleaning off the car? Neither. . .but if I have to pick, cleaning off the car.
The Inn’s manger or the animals? Animals.
Mary & Joseph or The Wise Men? I like the song about the three wise men.
Jack Frost or Little Drummer Boy? Jack Frost.

Favorite Christmas Meme

Kinda cheating today guys, no post yesterday and now this but I am swamped with work! Promise a better post tomorrow, here is a meme, what are some of your favorites?

Favorite Christmas…

• Non-Jesus-related song? “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”
• Jesus-related song? “Little Drummer Boy”
• Santa-related song? “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause”
• Fictional character? Frosty
• Dinner’s main course? Turkey
• Dinner’s dessert? Banana Split Cake
• Scent (pine, gingerbread, candles…)? Apple Cider with cinnamon
• Animated movie? Polar Express
• Non-animated movie? There are so many, but I would have to say, It’s a Wonderful Life
• Personal memory? Having family and friends together every Christmas Eve.
• Story/Fairy Tale? ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

Tagged!

Muffy tagged me. . . .so here goes.

Five random/weird facts about me. In no particular order mind you. Some people think that I am weirder than others. . .

1. I change the table settings on my dining room table monthly (if not weekly) according to the season, my mood or dinners and guests. This includes center pieces and fresh flowers.
2. My parents were divorced for a short period of time when I was younger. Ages about 12 to 14, you know those really fun pre-teen years. I was a wonderful child. . . My parents have been back together since I was 14 and I am very glad.
3. I like to match. My outside coat, my shoes, pocketbook, socks, jewelry and yes, undergarments.
4. I have a hard time doing only one thing at a time, it makes me feel like I am doing nothing and makes me feel unproductive. If I am watching TV or a movie I need to be reading or writing or working. If I am cooking, I am on the phone, doing laundry or cleaning.
5. I had both of my top two ribs on each side removed when I was younger (much younger) due to gymnastics, building up muscles in my neck and shoulders and not enough room in my body for my veins to get to my hands so I would lose circulation to my hands when I would fall asleep with my arms above my head. I still have scars and I don't like them.

The rules for this:

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
5. Don’t break the chain!


Tagging:
Libby
Lisagh
Chloe
Tulip Mom and
Tres Posh

My house, in the middle of the street, across from the church.

A meme about your house. Well, about my house. This is from E.

1. What kind of SOAP is in your bathtub right now?
Aveda Calming.

2. Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator?
No, but E does, and I wish I did.

3. What would you change about your living room?
I need to paint my entertainment center. I wish I had a nicer mantle and fireplace screen, otherwise I really like it.

4. Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty?
My dishwasher is the boy, but I do have a wine glass and one plate in my sink. I promise I will wash them in the morning. First thing.

5. What is in your fridge?
A little milk, lots of bottled water, some cokes for the boy, pomegranate juice, sparkling lemonade, about 12 different types of cheeses, 9 types of olives, 5 different salad dressings , 3 types of salami, strawberries, grapes, hummus, baby carrots, pickles, caramel, strawberry-rhubarb jelly, eggs, brown sugar, cream cheese, sour cream, 3 different types of mayonnaise, 3 different types of mustard, soy sauce, worsteshire sauce, teriyaki sauce and I think that is about it I need to do a shop, but I am home alone at the moment, just got back last night and will not be here for a couple of nights.

6. White or wheat bread?
None really but if I must maybe wheat.

7. What is on top of your refrigerator?
Half a case of bottled water.

8. What color or design is on your shower curtain?
White eyelet.

9. How many plants are in your home?
None, but I have four different vases full of fresh flowers, does that count?

10. Is your bed made right now?
If I wasn’t in it, it would be.

11. Comet or Soft Scrub?
Soft Scrub if I must, but I am Clorox wipes kinda gal.

12. Is your closet organized?
YES! Wait until you see it!

13. Can you describe your flashlight?
Ummm, do I have one? Add that to the list of things I need.

14. Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home?
I don’t think I own plastic.

15. Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now?
I also do not think I own a pitcher, oh wait I do, but I think it has flowers in it.

16. If you have a garage, is it cluttered?
Nooooo, it has wood stacked and bins, but my SUV will not fit in it, too small. The garage that is.

17. Curtains or blinds?
Oh a little mixture, but a lot of blinds which I hate, but I am working on that.

18. How many pillows do you sleep with?
There are 13 on the bed when made. I sleep with two, the boy, MAYBE one.

19. Do you sleep with any lights on at night?
In the bathroom I have a nightlight so that I can find it.

20. How often do you vacuum?
Once or twice a week.

21. Standard toothbrush or electric?
Standard

22. What color is your toothbrush?
Lime Green

23. Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch?
I think so.

24. What is in your oven right now?
Two frying pans. Only place to store them.

25. Is there anything under your bed?
Bunnies, dusty ones.

26. Chore you hate doing the most?
Scrubbing the toilet.

27. What retro items are in your home?
Oh geez, have you seen my estate sale treasures, where do I start? At this point I think I am considered retro.

28. Do you have a separate room that you use as an office?
Yes. There are three bedrooms, one master, one guest and one office (the guest and the mater are the same size do not be fooled)

29. How many mirrors are in your home?
Three, one is retro even.

30. Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home?
Good question and I bet you would like to know where it is. . .

31. What color are your walls?
Wallpaper in living room and dining room, greenish in kitchen, grayish blue in office, yellow in master, wallpaper in guest room, white in bathroom.

32. Do you keep any kind of protection weapons in your home?
The boy, when he is here.

33. What does your home smell like right now?
I blew out a candle before I crawled into bed. I think it was called merlot or something like that.

34. Favorite candle scent?
Oh geez, I don’t know, nothing too strong or flowery and depends on the season. I do like lilac in the spring though.

35. What kind of pickles (if any) are in your refrigerator right now?
Dill. I like baby gherkins though.

36. What color is your favorite Bible?
I only have one, black..

37. Ever been on your roof?
No

38. Do you own a stereo?
Kinda, my iPod with speakers.

39. How many TVs do you have?
Oh geez, three, maybe four.

40. How many house phones?
House phones? I have a mobile. What is a house phone, I thought that was what they had in the lobby of a hotel.

41. Do you have a housekeeper?
The boy when he helps, which is most of the time.

42. What style do you decorate in?
Whatever I like and whatever is comfortable. Kinda shabby chic, traditional, vintage, cottagey.

43. Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints?
Depends.

44. Is there a smoke detector in your home?
Yes, two. I have heard the one near the kitchen from time to time, but I plead the fifth on the reason why.

45. In case of fire, what are the items in your house which you’d grab if you only could make one quick trip?
Pictures, my laptop since most of them are on there?