Ending Christmas in the Snow!

For the first time in years (since the 1800s according to Dad), we had a WHITE Christmas. I was feeling very Scrooge-like, according to y family, in regards to the snow. I was super opposed to it, but in the end I truly enjoyed it.

My cousins and I had a pretty epic snowball fight at their house. It brought back a lot of memories from when we were kids. 

Christmas was a magical day with family, but ended on a sad note.

A family that I'm extremely close to faced a terrible hardship this Christmas. I'll be praying for them for a long time.

Several other families I know suffered this Christmas. As sad as I am for them, I'm that much more grateful for what I have. I have the best family on this planet and am so glad to be so close to all of them. :)

Thank You Santa!!!

What I got for Christmas:

From Santa
- a pink scarf.. soo soft!!
- 2 pairs of black boots: tall and short (leather), both scrunchy :)
- 2 crock pots: 1 small (1 qrt) & 1 big (6 qrts)
- Browning emblems for my car.. PINK!
- a "southern girl" long sleeve shirt, with the Browning logo
- a pink hoodless hoodie, a sweatshirt with a pocket :)
- a new pillowcase, with my name embroidered (zebra print bubble letters)
- a college kid bath kit: shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, mouthwash, toothpaste, an shaving cream
- a zebra print car kit (lined pink): 2 seat covers, 1 pair of fuzzy dice, and a steering wheel cover
- a luke bryan cd "Doin' My Thing"
- a satin hands kit
- a pink hair dryer
- a pina colada car air freshner
- a UGA plate (red with the G) signed by Mark Richt!
- $20
- Zebra Print Ugg-style boots
- a pretty gray/black dress (def wearing for New Years in Gatlinburg)

From Nanny & Papa:
- $50 bucks!

From Uncle Wade's Family:
- a hat shaped like a puppy
- a set of Winter scented body butter

This morning we got up and did Santa, then had breakfast casserole with Nanny, Papa, and Uncle Hugh. Around 5pm, we're going to do Chrismtas with Dad's side of the family.

Emily and I woke up to Santa Clause this morning. Dad was wearing his Grinch Santa coat (minus the mask) while the ladies of the family wore our awesome "Gordon Gang, est 1984" tees.

I just love Christmas, such a happy day! :)

I do feel for those servicemen and women that can't be home. I hate that they're having to sacrifice such a magical day for our freedom. But, I'm thankful for what they do. I just hope they all have safe holidays!

Hope everyone else is having happy holidays with their family and friends!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

And the Countdown is officially over. Too bad I have 5 days to catch up.. so:

21 - The Stockings!
22 - Leaving Cookies (and cheese as we do in my family) for Santa
23 - Wrapping presents. Well actually seeing them wrapped, wrapping isn't my best skill.
24 - Candy canes. I mainly only use to decorate with, but they truly represent Christmas.
25 - JESUS, and the fact that God sent him on this day to save us from our sins.

Speaking of.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!! :)

I love the holidays, but for some reason, I'm just not feeling it this year. The commercialism has really taken its toll on me. I'm over having to buy presents. Why can't we just enjoy the holiday and spending time with our families and friends.

Oh, and what's this talk about snow? I'm more of a fan of sand and sun!

5 days left!!

It's been a while since I've posted. Whoops. I've been enjoying the past few days with my family.

Tonight I cooked dinner. It was a mexican lasagna. DELICIOUS!

So, 5 days left in my countdown, and I'm 5 days behind. Here's my catch up list:

16 - Church Christmas productions.
Although mine wasn't really good this year, my family still reminisces on past ones. There's one in specific, Code Red. That we quote year round.

17 - Christmas tableware.
Specifically the set I've been collecting from The Pottery. I love the Christmas tree prints. My favorite is my "Cookies for Santa" one.

18 - Santa's Suit. aka the Super Suit (yes my family is dorky, we mix Santa and the Incredibles :) It's amazing how something so simple can be so universal.

19 - Carolers. Not that we have them in my town, but I love the idea of what carolers represent.

20 - Christmas Cards. We don't send them usually, but this year our picture features my father dressed as the Grinch. AWESOME!

Day 15...

So here we are, halway through the month of December. 10 days until Christmas. and 16 days til 2011. Where has 2010 gone? It feels like this entire year has been played in fast forward. It's so strange. I've made some amazing memories this year, and I just can't believe it's almost over.

So I'm behind, yet again, on my Christmas Countdown.

14 - The lights.
In my family, we have a Christmas Eve tradition of riding around looking for houses decorated with Christmas lights. I love it so much.

Christmas lights are so wonderful to me. They lighten up my mood no matter how down I am.

15- Pictures with Santa
It's on my to do list this Christmas season. The last time I had my picture made with Santa, I was in Atlanta with my boyfriend and another couple. This year I have no boyfriend, so I'd love to have my picture made with my roommates. Or my best friend, or little sister. I would be happy with anyone at this point. lol.

So moving forward..

I haven't been very exciting lately. School's out, I finished finals on Monday. Last night I went out with some of my girl friends, and a couple of great guys. We went to a few bars and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It was a rather sober evening for myself. But it was also sad, I had to say goodbye to a couple of great friends. One's moving to Disney for an internship, another is moving to DC. I hate growing up. Saying goodbye is no fun.

Enough sad though. I''m home enjoying a night with my family. So goodnight bloggers.

o lucky 13..

December 13th was a very uneventful day..

Literally I sat on my couch ALL day. I was supposed to be studying but Falcons Football, A mini One Tree Hill marathon, and a movie night with my roommate Lex were way more interesting. We watched Charlie St. Cloud, Eat Pray Love, and The Hangover. Honestly I think the Hangover was my favorite. It's just funny. EPL was great when she was in Italy, the rest was rather blah and boring. It was also extremely predictable. Charlie St. Cloud was extremely disappointing. The book was soo much better.

Okay so countdown item 13, Santa Hats. They're the perfect Christmas accessory. Starting the Friday after Thanksgiving, there's NEVER an inappropriate time to wear a Santa Clause hat. Personally, I love wearing one over my pig tails while I'm working. My customers get a kick out of it. We have millions in our house at home. They're everywhere, including on top of our mailbox post. And in my apartment, I'm using one as my tree topper.

Oo Christmas, I love it!

HO HO HO

Day 12

I changed my mind on writing a letter to Juliet. Why bother? I'm not looking for love, not right now.

In other news, last two finals are tomorrow. yay! Hello Christmas Break, hello end of the semester! I'm so excited. However, I've failed at the whole studying for my finals. I've spent my study day watching football, Gilmore Girls, and One Tree Hill. And my non nagging roommate and I are going to have another movie night with Charlie St. Cloud and Eat Pray Love. It's going to be awesome! :)

Okay, so countdown day 12. The item today is Christmas Villages. You know the light up ceramic houses people use to decorate with. I have my own personal collection going, I'm trying to make it huge. I put one up in my apartment every year, and my mom lets me put one up in her house using fake snow and little ceramic people and everything. I adore them. My grandmother has a huge collection, we bought her a pretty amazing case to keep it in. Hers stays up all year round. It's gorgeous. It's on my post-it lis! :)

(Post It List: that list of things you know you're going to want when your relatives leave this life for the next)

December Day 12

My countdown item of the day today is Christmas sweaters. I love seeing women walk around in their "tacky" Christmas sweaters. I love seeing my Nanny's beaded shirts and cardigans with shapes of Santa, Snowmen, and Reindeer. I will definitely be that lady one day. And that is absolutely fine with me.
**
In other news, today was the Army Navy Game. The 111th meeting between the Midshipmen and the Black Nights. Navy came out on top for the 9th year in a row with a score of 31-17. It was a historical game, with Navy making historical plays (against Army and in Academy history)! I only got to watch the first half but it was a wonderful game.

I missed the second half because I had to go to work. Which is fine, I got to see the 4th quarter while behind the bar. But tonight was DEAD! I made $10, and all my tips came from employees of Gnat's Landing. I was like, really? But oh well, it was very fun. It was a rather entertaining evening.

Then I came home. My roommate Alexis and I ordered Choo Choos (really cheep but yummy "asian" food) and watched Letters to Juliet. My next post will be my own letter to Juliet. :)

Venting..

Item 1:
I'm sick of my roommates already. They're a little too OCD for me. I'm sorry, but there's a reason I don't spend a lot of time in my apartment. One has been real obnoxious lately. When she gets stressed or depressed (which happens a lot) she takes it on whoever is around her! And she is such a freaking NAG!! She's worse than my mother growing up. I'm sorry, I'm an adult.

Item2:
I need more fun single friends. I'm sick of girls making plans with me then choosing their boyfriends over me. I don't care if you're in a relationship, but don't become a flake because of it. There's nothing more annoying to me than people who constantly bail on plans already made.
I also hate it when people ditch out early. If you're gonna leave after being somewhere 5 minutes, why'd you go in the first place?

Finally:
I'm so over people feeling you have to be with someone to make you happy. I got into a debate last night with a guy friend, Diego, about wether or not I will be okay being alone. He thinks I should be actively trying to find someone, while I could care less. Granted he's 30, and a father. So I understand he wants someone, but I don't. Sure, I'll take a boyfriend, but I do not NEED one. Guy's complicate life. And I'm really picky. Also, my future is so uncertain. After I join the military, I don't know what will happen. So I'm not looking to drag a boyfriend through all that mess. It's not easy on a relationship. Especially a young one (I graduate in June, so that's like a max relationship life of what, 8 months?). I never want to feel tied down to someone or some place. Yes, I will certainly miss my family if I leave for a long time, so I don't need to add a boy to that. I have a lot of exploring to do in this world, and I don't need a boy to do it. Diego says that I won't want to go alone, but I can if I want. Or, I have friends. I have options, so I'm happy with that. Why can't people understand that?

***

Anyway, so I had this dream last night. A very odd one. It was a combination of Twilight-Breaking Dawn, Beauty & the Best, Rednecks, and maybe some Pocahontas. I mean it was WEIRD!

From the Twilight perspective, I played the role of Bella, but as myself. We were somewhere in the middle of Breaking Dawn. Only, I was not a vampire. I was with Edward (Rob Pattinson) but didn't like him. I certainly wanted Jacob (Taylor Lautner) more. I remember walking into a trailer (a 5th wheel, which served as someone's house, IDK who's) and seeing the wolfpack (played by the movie characters of course) sitting at the table. Then there was the Cullen clan (all the movie orginals), including Renesmee. Go figure the one time I get to change the story line I still have to have the vampire baby. And of course Edward was right by my side as soon as he could be. Jacob approached me too. I hugged the werewolf first. :)

So later I went walking in the woods with some small children, I think they may have been mine. So we were walking until we come up on this.. thing. It says we need a password to open. So we spent the afternoon trying to figure out the password, using 3-B's. So once we did, the thing melted away leaving a Barbie. The Barbie came to life then morphed into me. The children asked her what she was looking for, then she caught site of me. Her eyes went wide with fire, and she started getting bigger. So we started running. The site we ran back to was a hill with a fence surrounding the top. Beyond the hill was the trailer, surrounded by trucks. We had to jump the fence to get to the trailer. I knew in my lack of grace this was going to end badly. The kids went first and landed safely. I jumped and luckily fell into Jacob's arms (Alice had of course seen my decision and sent the boys to catch me). I kissed him on the cheek jumped down and ran inside. The boys followed, as I locked the door I collapsed to my knees. It was hard to breathe. After my panic attack was over I looked up to the concerned faces of children, werewolves, and vampires. I explained what happened but had no idea who the lady was.

At another point I was tramped in a basement somewhere (very Belle style) and there was a fire blazing around me. The tea cups were freaking out and I had no idea what to do. Luckily my ice husband came to my rescue. I was finally grateful for the cold vampire.

At some point, I saw through something (crystal ball esque) a vision of the two children I was with in the forest. They were in or near a body of water, talking to a frog on a lily pad. The frog was telling them that their Mom didn't like their Dad, and was kissing another man. For some reason I think I was supposed to be the Mom, but I'm not sure.

And then I woke up. I wish I could explain the Alice in Wonderland, Twilight, Beauty & the Beast Redneck dream. But I can't. I have no clue where that came from.

***

Countdown Day 11

I gotta say, I love snowmen.  I know they're not really Christmas, but we use them in our home decorations. They make me so happy. And I love the Frosty the Snowman movie.

First Final Today

So today is my first final. Intro to Sociology. As a senior sociology major, I feel like this isn't one I'm worried about. No offense to my awesome professor (Krohn) but I just don't stress about this class when I'm 1 class shy of being done with the major.

I am so glad to be done with this class, but I will miss Krohn. He's def my fave UGA professor. His humor is hilarious.

Anyway, I'm like 3 days behind on my countdown. So here's the past three in short:

8 - EGGNOG!!! It's great alone, with whiskey, or in coffee. IDK about this McDonald's milkshake though.
9 - Poinsettias. They're just pretty.
10 - Santa. Not because of his bag of toys, but for the magic he allows little children to believe in. :)

Well, I guess I should get back studying.

Over and Out!

Weird Dream

So last night I had one of the weirdest dreams ever. It was of my wedding!

So I was getting married to my friend Anthony (who in real life is married to my friend Michelle, and has a baby). It was a small wedding with many of my close friends. I think I was drunk. Prior to the wedding, I was in my dressing room telling someone that this felt wrong. In my sleep I knew Anthony was married to Michelle, and I knew I wasn't in love with him. While walking down the aisle (in a blue dress I wore to formal 2 years ago) my best friend Matt handed me a note. I couldn't do much with it at the time so I stuck it in the back of my dress. The ceremony was super short. After the ceremony I never really saw my new husband. At one point some bridesmaid (no clue who she was) shimmied off a garder and gave it to me. Not sure why this happened, but the garder was purple, and really thick. I stuck it in my dress next to my note from the ceremony.

People kept hugging me and telling me congratulations. I kept looking for Anthony, I didn't wanna be alone in this torment.

I remember running into Matt, and sitting with him at his table. He asked me how I felt about being married, and I told him "I'm not in love with him." He looked disappointed and asked why I'd gone through with the wedding. For that, I had no answer. I never read his note from the ceremony but I'm assuming it was advice to not get married.

Later, I was in the bathroom with a girl from high school, Hannah, and a former co-worker, Madison. Another girl, who's name I do not know, was sitting in a sink (in her dress). Madison told us about how she'd used that sink for a sexual evening a few nights before. Exact quote "I met a guy who is into extended sex positions. I don't think I can make babies anymore." Then I started crying, realizing I'd be giving up my virginity that night to a guy I didn't wanna be married to.

I pulled myself together and went back to my reception, still without seeing my husband. I found my mother and embraced her in the biggest hug ever. I said "I'm married. I'm a wife?" She didn't respond. I asked where my husband was, I asked for him, and again, no response.

The party was winding down and then OPRAH came in! I ran up and wrapped my arms around her. All I could say was Oprah..Oprah... Eventually I pulled off and she said "I hear you just married!" We talked a minute, and she addressed the room some, but I became distracted in looking around for Anthony. Then Jaidam, one of my coworkers, walks up and tells me that I need to start boxing up the leftover food so my guest can take something with them. I was like "I have to do it?" So of course, there I go boxing up food from the buffet. Then I begin cleaning the room. Picking up plates and glasses, etc. I remember feeling like this is wrong and exclaiming "It's my wedding, why am I doing this?" Then it was time for me to make my exit. But first I wanted to look in the mirror.  I had food all in my teeth. I began crying as I was cleaning out my mouth. Hannah came back and helped fix me up for my big exit to the limo. I ran through the rice alone to find Anthony in the car. As the door was shut behind me I just looked at him. There were no I love yous, or anything of the like. We just kinda looked at each other for a second. Then he kissed me.

Flash forward and I'm alone, yet again, in our hotel room I think. I'm nervous about what to do. Wedding night cold feet. I took my dress off and put my wedding night outfit on. I left the bathroom but Anthony wasn't out in the room. I asked someone (think the Narrator. I couldn't see this person) to take me to him. I was lead through the air to a building top, where I found Anthony naked in a hot tub. A huge hot tub. He was swimming laps around it. I approached him and he looked at me adoringly. He asked me to join him.

Then I woke up. Weird right??

I had to get that out, I just didn't know what to think about it.

Anyway, so today is "reading day." It's a day UGA gives students to study before finals commence tomorrow. I will be using it for social activity. I do need to study some, and do some laundy. But I'm also lunching at Blind Pig, then heading to Dahlonega to see Matt (the one from the dream) and some of his frat brothers for dinner. I'm quite excited.

Homeless and taking Finals

Several things to discuss today:

1- My Christmas countdown's 7th item: Traditions. Specifically the ones in my family. We start by decorating the house, putting up the tree, etc all together (me, mom, dad, and little sister). We toast egg nog before either my sister or I (depending on the year, odd or even) place the Angel on the tree (Was Emily's year this year). We lay out our Santa bags, yes my sister and I get our Christmas presents in giant red "Santa" bags with gold strings (labelled with our names).  We then spend the next few weeks watching Christmas movies, eating "Christmas tree cakes" -think Little Debbies-, drinking egg nog, and listening to Christmas music 24/7!

On Christmas Eve we distribute matching Christmas/Winter themed pajamas. Then, my sister and I exchange our gifts to each other. We go upstairs to sleep (rare because as college students  we usually just sleep on couch) and watch Santa Clause is coming to town before going to bed.

Christmas morning we wake up and open up the Santa bags. Then the four of us go through our stockings. Then the grandparents (mom's folks) arrive (sometimes her older brother also) and we eat Breakfast Casserole and Cheese Danish (each prepared the night before). Then the parents open their gifts. After grandparents leave, we play or nap. We spend the afternoon/evening at my Dad's parents' house doing Christmas there.

It's a wonderful two days. I look forward to Christmas every year. I just hate the stress of presents. I wish there were none.

2 - Skype

I don't think I like it. I get to use it to talk to a friend in Iraq which is nice, but other than that, it's not fun. I get random people skype chatting me (not video, just IM) and IDK how, and I'm not usually camera ready for video chats. I only got it for my Iraq friend, and best friend in London. But her schedule never meshes with mine. :(

3 - My interesting day today.

So I went to Gainesville with my sister today to do some "solar system walk." I had heard "oh it's cool, takes you around the square, etc.." I was not prepared for a 1.8 mile walk around the town, that ended with yet another 1.8 mile walk back to the car. I know that doesn't sound like a great distance, but when it's 30 degrees outside, and you're limited on time, it's an issue. Luckily Emily's "big" was driving through and picked us up walking down some highway. We looked so "homeless."

It was fun though. The "walk" is set up to educate people about the actual size of the solar system.  The scale of the path is disclosed early on, so by the end you have a better understanding of how far each planet is from the next. It's a really cool concept, I just wish it wasn't sooo cool outside.

4 - Finals.

I have failed miserably as a student this semester. Mainly because, well the classes I'm in are just boring. I'm taking electives I don't need, just for the sake of fulfilling "hour" requirements.

I do not know how well I'm going to do on my finals. I'm quite nervous actually. But I'm going to start studying tomorrow, and I'll be praying. A LOT! :)


Well that's all I really have to say today!

Counting down the days..

As part of my Christmas countdown, I'm counting down the things I love about the holiday. Here's the list so far:

1. I get to spend a week at home with my wonderful family
2. The DECORATIONS!! :)
3. The parades! So magical!
4. Christmas carols!
5. The movies. 
6. The end of fall semester. No school, no grades, no problem! :)

All of the above were a part of this past weekend (#6 is today/tomorrow)!!! 

Thursday was Athens' Christmas Parade, and Saturday was Winder's. I heard carols all day Saturday. I decorated my apartment Friday & Saturday, then decorated my Parents' house Sunday. Sunday night I watched like 5 Christmas movies while spending time with the best parents and little sister on the planet.

As much as I despise the commercialism that surrounds Christmas, the stress of holiday spending, and worrying about getting the right present for ever person, the holiday remains magical for me. Seeing everyone's homes decorated, feeling the love of family, and celebrating the true reason for the season all mean so much to me. I very rarely talk about my religion, but I do sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS every year. It's so funny how a baby can change so much!