MANY FIRSTS ACCOMPLISHED THIS YEAR!

Succeeded in initiating a new weight loss regime in my life--including regular workout schedules and participating in 5K races. Succeeded in losing 30 lbs, prior to Thanksgiving of course, and becoming the mom of a high school student.

Believe it or not I will have to say my greatest accomplishment may have to be that I have 85 percent of Christmas purchased. As of this morning, everything purchased has been wrapped. You must understand that I normally procrastinate until a day or two before Christmas! This is a MAJOR acomplishment.

My secret pal, at work, bought me a really neat candy bouquet for Thanksgiving. Based off its design I had decided to create a treat bouquet of my own for my secret pal. I purchased a bunch of really cool, non-cheesy looking gifts at the Dollar Tree. Affixed them all to wooden shish-ka-bob skewers and arranged them inside a wicker basket w/ floral foam in the bottom.

It really turned out looking really neat. This year's secret pal has been my most difficult b/c she is allergic to chocolate! Aack! it is hard to be very imaginitive w/o using chocolate. Life w/o chocolate...the only fate I can imagine worse than that is a kid my brother grew up with who couldn't taste. Now that I think about it he was always a very skinny kid--maybe this wouldn't have been such a terrible fate afterall.

In between cleaning house, decorating presents, and baking cookies I have discovered new online games. Two of which I would highly recommend: MCF:Ravenhearst and Travelogue Paris 360. Unfortunately they are too new for me to download on my Real Arcade account so I have only been allowed one hour of free demo time thru Big Fish. I can't wait to be able to do unlimited play. Hopefully it will be available to me on a nice snowy day--tucked into the corner of my couch w/ big comfy socks and lotsa hot chocolate w/ lotsa marshmallows and Il Divo or Jersey Boys playing in the background.

Plans for the holidays are slowly taking shape. Unfortunately we won't be able to spend time with the folks b/c they came home in October. I know it is best for all involved to not attempt to travel during the winter but I am really beginning to miss them. Aunt Eva called to remind us about brunch at my cousin Annie's Christmas Day. It is an awesome tradition that her family has done for years. Once the folks moved to FL they were gracious enough to extend an open invitation to us. This will be Nat's first year at Annie's b/c he has been with his dad's family in years past.

Best Wishes to you and yours during this season of reflection--the celebration of a birth that brought me everlasting life. Take the time, slow down, close your eyes. In your minds eye picture yourself in a stable, feel the hay below you, as you sit on a bale of hay a flawless, innocent infant is placed in your arms. Get lost in staring into the eyes of the son of God. Worship Him. Give thanks to the Father. Give thanks for the obedience of Mary, Joseph, and the Magi. Worship and Adore Him, Christ the Lord.