Dear Santa....

Husband has been asking again and again what I want for Christmas. I really had no idea; there was nothing I needed and I try to steer clear of thinking about wants too often, because it gets me wanting to spend money {and I'm a saver by nature} I'm the friend people bring shopping with them to talk out of buying things. Yes, my friends will bring me shopping with them to save them money.

Anyways, that's not so helpful when the husband, family etc want to get you a gift you really want. I decided to start compiling a list, trying not to go tooo crazy. I mean, I can't think of too many people that wouldn't love their own yurt decorated to look like a genie's lamp

Source: Neiman Marcus Christmas Book

Or perhaps your very own custom built library {wouldn't that be fab?!} 

Source: Neiman Marcus Christmas Book

Never mind the tiny detail that I would need a house to build it in first, I'll just tack that on the list too. However, these are just crazy gifts that, *gasp* are simply not in the budget. Instead I searched for some budget friendly Christmas goodies and here they are. {sidenote: I put more on the list than I would ever think to receive, but I like to be surprised so I give lots of options}

Christmas List by mrsmcdancer featuring a panties thong

Zumba Fitness for Kinect, iPhone, adorable pea coat from Kohl's, new undies from Victoria's Secret, Michigan Charm, and warm wool socks for my cold tootsies

What's on your Christmas list {outrageous or realistic}??

I should mention, that after finally deciding what I wanted, husband informed me I waited too long, therefore I will be getting nothing on this list. Should be interesting to see what he came up with on his own accord ;-)

Letting Myself Splurge (just a little)

Well the tree is finally down, HB went back to work, but Christmas isn't quite over yet. We've been buying a few things with some of the gift cards we got from family (they wanted to spare us having to drag big gifts across country)

I finally got a new vacuum, that doesn't spit everything back at me!

 

The Eureka Pet Expert w/ Hair Raisers 

So far I'm really happy with it, but I want to really use it in the next few days to be sure it is the one I want. Things I like about it so far: It actually works haha. No but really, it has the different floor settings, nice long stretchy hose, and an upholstery attachment that even has a spin brush.

So far things I'm not in love with about it: definitely bigger than our cheapo vacuum, when I go to pull the hose out it often pulls the whole attachment (the neat pet brush you see on the left) with it, no retracting cord.

I think I will end up liking it. Of course a Dyson would have been amazing, but a tad out of our price range for now.

And today I am going to go buy myself a new pair of boots. I've been lusting after boots for awhile and I'm finally giving in. I'm thinking one of these two pairs, but it will depend what they look like on.

 

Both of these lovelies can be found at DSW. And Victoria's Secret Semi Annual Sale started in stores today. I don't usually like spending full price there, but their sales can be great and post baby, let's face it, the girls could use a little help. So really, that's a gift for both me and HB all in one ;) However, I will admit, I always feel awkward at the prospect of going into VS with lil Gbear, but he won't know the difference I guess. Don't judge~ A mom needs cute bras too!

And don't worry, HB got some desires too (like a year subscription to XBOX live, and yet another video game haha)

Finding My Place at the Holidays

Let me start this post by saying, I LOVE my husbands family. His mom even jokes that if anything ever happened between us, she wants me in the divorce. Also, my family isn't really that into the holidays anymore. We used to always do a huge family gathering at my Grandma's. My parents, brother and I would fly up every year and meet up with the rest of the family. Presents and food galore. But then my aunt died and the gatherings got smaller. And now, my grandma is no longer with us, so there's no real tradition to Christmas anymore (I don't even think my mom put up a tree this year) So it was exciting that I was going to get my big family Christmas this year with HB's family.

For the most part, it was wonderful. There ended up being a little drama between my mom and I, but we resolved it, after all, it is the holidays. And my MIL goes all out when decorating. I hope to have as many awesome decorations one day as she does. Everything was just how I like it, family, food, good times. And yet, when I had moments of quiet amidst the holiday hustle and bustle, I couldn't help feeling a little left out. I mean, this was a family, they had their memories, and I was the newest addition. It's amazing how just a little inkling of loneliness can turn into jealousy.

I'm embarrassed to admit, I was jealous of my BIL. Ridiculous, I know. I mean, I love that my HB is so close with his brother and I think his brother is awesome, but then the annual card games began. A team game, that I didn't know. So HB paired with his brother, and their cousin with her fiance, and I was left with no one. I think it bothered me even more because the night before, when the family friends came over, it was HB and his brother, and HB's best friend and wife as partners. Again, I was left to just sit and watch. I know realistically, no one intended for me to feel left out, but I did. And I know it's outrageous to feel this way, but I couldn't help myself.

Looking back I feel like such a whiny baby and for next year, I'll learn that card game and find myself a partner! Who knows, maybe by then the BIL will have a special someone I can claim for my partner ;)

Irish 12 Days of Christmas

The Irish version of 12 Days of Christmas. Should bring a little laughter to you all!

Whew, Busy Weekend

It has been a whirlwind weekend. I'm taking a break from packing (oh how I procrastinate) to pop in. We're headed off to the wintery Midwest to visit HB's family for the holidays. I am super excited, however bummed that we had to drive and drop off Bear with my brother and sister in law for the week. If only it wasn't so expensive (oh and if only he didn't hate planes), but $350 each way, for a week?! That would just be silly. He'll be much happier with the puppy cousins (they have 3 jack russells, talk about energy!)

We drove over yesterday afternoon, dropped Bear off, had dinner, went to bed, woke up, had breakfast and headed back. As soon as we got back I went into crazy packing mode and am just now feeling like we may actually be ready to leave tomorrow! I will try and stop in on the blog world now and again, but it may get busy. Never fear, I have a few posts scheduled already ;) But, if I don't have a chance:

Merry Christmas to you all~ Safe travels to all those traveling and a wonderful Christmas!

Weekend Recap Rambles

My mind is kind of a jumble right now, trying to think of all the things I need to do this week before we enjoy Christmas vacation, so for now I'll just to a quick recap of the weekend. It was nice with a bit of relaxation, studying, and Christmas fun.

• Finished up my final section of the Paralegal course. So I am officially finished and with nothing less than a B+ (I was really hoping for all A's, but I'm still pretty proud of myself) 
• Bought Lil GBear a birthday and a Christmas gift. (We'll get more after we see what the relatives get, so we don't double up) I was so excited to get him this:

 He's been really into balls recently, so we thought this would be awesome. (I'd also heard some great reviews)  Sadly (and rather hilariously) he's TERRIFIED of it. He loves the balls, but as soon as it's turned on he starts crying. When we turn it off he continues to yell angrily at it. It would be adorable if I didn't feel so bad for scaring him. Oh well, he'll probably grow into it, right? haha

• Had a visit from my brother's wife. She was driving through and brought by some birthday gifts from my parents and brother. He got an awesome Fisher Price Pony (it interacts with the tv) and a tug boat. Guess what his new favorite thing is. If you guessed tug boat you win (unless you want to count the wrapping paper it was in)
• Made a bunch of Christmas cookies~ they weren't the prettiest but HB loved them and when I brought some to a party I was told they reminded them of grandma's cookies. I'm going to take that as a compliment haha.
• As mentioned, went to a little holiday gathering. It was at a small art gallery run by some people I used to work with, so pretty much it was a little work reunion. They had ornament making (the ornaments were themed to go with the exhibit) and I had a really good time catching up and have a little grown up time.

A Couple of the Ornaments I Decorated :)

So that was pretty much our weekend. This week, finish making Christmas gifts and buy the last few. Mail out Christmas cards. Pack. Lil GBear's first birthday. It's a jam packed week! Happy Monday Everyone!