2011 Review Extravaganza: Part 4

Okay, so…I’ve been entirely MIA.  That seems to happen this time of year…Too much fun stuff going on!!  But I haven’t forgotten about the final installment of the 2011 Review Extravaganza!  Today I’ll be featuring October, November & December.

Please visit Emmymom, CA Girl, Emilisq, Grumpy Grateful Mom, Impulsive Addict, Janette of Johanson Journey, MiMi Living in France, or Runner Mom – all are lovely hosts of this 2011 Recap-a-thon!!

Part 1 can be found here.

Part 2 can be found here.

Part 3 can be found here.

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In October, I reflected on all I have to be grateful for by posting My Thanksgiving List.

And then I had just about the longest day of my life waiting for my new furniture to arrive!!

October also brought my family wonderful news when my brother proposed to his girlfriend, Amanda.  We’re now looking forward to a wedding just around the corner, on February 11th!

Also in October, I posted my #NoMoreBullies tribute, and confessed to finally falling in love with Bryan Berard.  This post is one I’m very proud of, as it garnered attention from the Do It For Daron campaign, the Royal Ottawa Hospital, and CBC’s Battle of the Blades, via Twitter.  It drew more hits in one day than any of my previous posts.  Thank you all for reading!

I kicked off the month of November with a Halloween recap.  I had a BUNCH of adorable little “spooks” at my front door!

And what comes right after Halloween?  Well, Christmas, of course.  I got started early by posting my way-too-crazy Christmas Wish List.

Before I knew it, I was in the midst of Twilight Hype as my friends and I started counting down the days to the midnight premiere of Breaking Dawn.

AND THEN I MET CHRIS NEIL!!!!  I know you may have seen this picture floating around here from time to time, but just in case you missed it…here it is again.

(I put this picture in a frame and gave it to my mom for Christmas.  Told her it was a picture of me and my boyfriend for her coffee table.  And then she reminded me AGAIN that he’s a married man.  And I AGAIN had to remind her that I don’t think Chris Neil’s marriage is being jeopardized by me pretending he’s my boyfriend…Seriously.)

By the end of the month, I was lamenting, as usual, my single girl status.  Because apparently I need a boy to tell me to bring my snow tires with me when I go to get them changed.  And I also need one to put Christmas lights up for me.

And then came December.  I celebrated the beginning of my favourite time of year by giving you a tour of my house, all decked out for Christmas.

Here, I managed to incorporate reindeer into the Nativity Scene…

I also posted about a Festive weekend and what I got in the Favourite Things Christmas Swap.

I tried my hand at baking, and realized that I should always listen to Mom.  Because Mother knows best!

I reminisced on some pretty epic parties…

And we celebrated my niece’s 3rd birthday!

I took part in the Accessorize Me Swap and absolutely loved what I received!

And then, just like that…it was Christmas!

I haven’t had a chance to do my Christmas recap yet…but I thought I’d share with you some snaps of the holiday fun I’ve been up to in the past week.

It’s been a good Christmas…and I’ll be back soon to post about all the shenanigans. 

But for now, there’s movies to watch and more food to eat…and probably a couch that’s calling my name for a nap…

See y’all in 2012!! :)

Imma Be Under the Mistletoe

IT’S FINALLY THE EVE OF CHRISTMAS EVE!!

This will likely be my last time blogging before the big day, so I’d just like to take a moment to wish you all a very Merry Christmas & all the best to you and yours in 2012. 

Be safe, be merry, be BRIGHT!!! :)

Okay…so up until today, it’s been a Bieberific Christmas for me – I’ve been listening to his CD a lot, and I think I’ve watched him on every TV special that I possibly can.

But truthfully?  By tomorrow night, I won’t be singing “Mistletoe”.  I’ll be singing this…

I hope you have an equally fun, rip-roaring Christmas Eve & holiday season.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! :)

2011 Review Extravaganza: Part 3

Friday!  That means it’s time for the July-August-September installment of the 2011 Review Extravaganza!

Please visit Emmymom, CA Girl, Emilisq, Grumpy Grateful Mom, Impulsive Addict, Janette of Johanson Journey, MiMi Living in France, or Runner Mom – all are lovely hosts of this 2011 Recap-a-thon!!

Part 1 can be found here.

Part 2 can be found here.

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July has always been one of my favourite months of the year.  This year, I kicked off the month by sharing a kabillion pictures, showing off how great my Canada Day Weekend was!

Then I whined about being single.  AGAIN.  This time I bashed the whole Internet dating crap.  (And no, I haven’t tried it since!!!)

I took a moment on July 26th to reflect on the first anniversary of my cousin Jeff’s passing.

And then, two days later, I celebrated my 28th birthday by sharing with you the tale of my best birthday present ever.

Yes.  Wade Redden was DEFINITELY my best birthday present EVER!!!

In early August, I recapped the weekend of birthday celebrations.  It was tons of fun and completely made up for the fact that last year my birthday was spent amidst aching sadness.

On August 8th, I wrote another post looking back on one year ago, when my cousin Troy passed away.

I took a week’s vacation of doing nothing other than bumming around home.  I went for a walk one day and decided to show my readers around my town!  Of course, one of biggest “claims to fame” is our giant Elvis…

On August 15th, we welcomed another new baby to the family when my cousin Dillon was born!!

I told  you all about how I almost killed my fish.  I started my diet.  (Yes, the one I’m still working on!  Woo hoo!  I’ve actually stuck with this one more than a week!)  And I FINALLY (after only about six years of blogging) reached 50 followers and celebrated by throwing my very first GIVEAWAY!! :)

I finally discovered The Hunger Games – I  became completely swept up in the series, reading all 3 books in about a 2-week span - and I also fell in love with The Help.

It was also in August that I kicked off the 4-part “Meet the Flyers” series leading up to the GOFL Final Weekend Showdown, starting with the Coach, Albie, Bakeshop, & Tron.   Moving into September, I  continued on to introduce you to Timmy Ball Player, Gerv and Micksburg; Coon, Hatty and Mo; Shab, Toad, and my own little brother.  These posts garnered me favourable reviews from most of the players, although they weren’t too thrilled that I posted some of their mustache pics…

(Sorry, boys.  I just had to do it again.)

I checked in on the Labour Day Monday to share that I DIDN’T EAT ANY FAIR FOOD and to brag about my adorable baby cousins.

I wrote another Single Girl Files post, this time talking about standards.  Hey, mine might be too high, but at least it prevents me from dating Ichabod Crane.

I commemorated the 10-year anniversary of 9/11 by sharing my “Where were you?” story.

And it’s hard to believe – because it feels like it was only a few weeks ago – but CBC’s Battle of the Blades premiered it’s new season, and I threw my support behind David Pelletier and Tessa Bonhomme.  (You’ll find out in October that I quickly switched allegiances.   I’m fickle like that.)

Mainly, I just thought David was hot.  (Still do.)

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Wow.  Those were some action-packed months!!  Next Friday I will be posting my final Year in Review post…Stay tuned! :)

A Little Festive Q&A

I go to my parents’ place every morning for breakfast before going to work.  (And for those of you who are thinking, “HER MOTHER MAKES HER BREAKFAST EVERY MORNING!?!?” – Reeeelax.  It’s a friggin bowl of Special K) – and this morning, I showed up about 10 minutes earlier than my usual time.

She looked at me a little baffled.  “Did you remember today is garbage day?”

“Yeah.   I put it out.”

“Oh…well…you’re really early…”

“I know.  It’s almost friggin Christmas, I can’t sleep.”

She burst out laughing and wondered aloud what she’s going to do with me, her giant, excited kid who still gets as wound up over Christmas as I did when I was five years old.

*sigh*

FOUR DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!

How about we celebrate with a little Festive Q&A, shall we?  I’ve seen this on several of the blogs I follow, and I ripped it off directly from Jodie at Ramblings of a Fabulous Brunette.  (Go visit her, she’s awesome!)

Here we go…

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, unless it’s too awkward to be wrapped – then I go gift bag.

2. Real tree or Artificial?  I’ve never done the real tree thing…I have an artificial hand-me-down from my mother!  

3. When do you put up the tree?  When we were kids, my mom used to make us wait until around my dad’s birthday, which is December 10th.  But I love Christmas decorations, so I try to get mine up late November.

4. When do you take the tree down?  Usually after New Year’s…January 2nd-3rd.  I haaaate taking down the tree.  Don’t even want to think about it!

5. Do you like eggnog?  I seem to be in a minority, but…yeah, I really do.  I love it.  I was going to buy a carton of it last week because I love it so much, but I read the nutritional information first and put it back on the shelf.  This diet can’t afford 8 g of fat per cup…It will be an eggnog-less Christmas this year! 

6. Favorite gift received as a child?  The year we got our first computer was pretty cool.  And for some reason, the year I got my pink Puffalump stands out.  I slept with that thing for years…

7. Do you have a nativity scene?   Yes, but I’m still looking for the “perfect” one…I bought one from Avon a few years ago, it’s a white Christmas tree with three angels amongst the branches, and then Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and some animals at the foot of the tree.  I also bought a very small one in Cuba last winter.

8. Hardest person to buy for?  I struggle with good Christmas present ideas.   Buying “couples presents” for my siblings and their significant others isn’t easy.  (Especially when they give me ideas like “a two-man bicycle”.)  Dad was especially hard this year, too.   

9. Easiest person to buy for?  Caden & Danica.  He’s 6.  She’s 3.  They love toys, movies, clothes…the only problem is making sure none of the rest of the family buys them the same thing!! 

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Definitely mail!  I love getting fun mail, and I love sending out my cards!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can’t really think of anything.  When we were kids, one of our relatives used to give us presents, and I always ended up getting clothes that didn’t fit me.  (But it’s the thought that counts!   Plus, I was a large child…maybe it was a hint to lose some weight, even back then…?)

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Elf and Miracle on 34th Street. 

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?  I try to start in early November.  This year, I did some on-line, then completed it in early December at the stores.

14. Ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can recall…

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Oh God…what DON’T I like to eat at Christmas?  The snacks at Patti’s on Christmas Eve, especially the bacon-wrapped waterchestnuts.  The Wifebeater and sticky buns Christmas morning.  Turkey dinner.  All of it.  The cookies.  Oh sweet Lord, I’m salivating…

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? I go with coloured on my tree.  I like clear too, though, and I’m thinking of switching it up next year.

17. Favorite Christmas song? I love a lot of Christmas songs…especially “Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley, “Merry Christmas Baby” by Bruce Springsteen, “O Holy Night” by Martina McBride…and of course, the Bieb’s “Mistletoe” and “Home This Christmas”.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home.  I complain about it, because once the rest of the fam has departed to go off to their other parties and I’m home with Mom & Dad, it’s kind of boring.  I whine about how everyone else gets multiple turkeys, and I have to wait for mine til Boxing Day.  Boo hoo, wah wah.  But truthfully, I don’t mind laying low Christmas Day.  I don’t even mind it when my mom makes me watch A Conversation with the Prime Minister! haha!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yep!!!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I have a white, sparkly star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning.  We never had one of those “open one gift on Christmas Eve” traditions.  Always had to wait til the morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? I can’t think of anything.  Other than the Scrooges.  Just be friggin’ merry & bright, already!  It’s Christmas!!!

23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color? I don’t really have a favourite ornament, theme, or color – I have a bit of everything at my place, and I love it all!  I have a lot of snowmen, so I guess I could say they are a favourite of mine.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? My own house, a Mustang convertible, Sens season tickets, and a husband.  Not too much to ask. ;)

The Calm Before the Christmas Storm…

It’s Christmas Week.

And I know some of you are gonna want to crawl right up into your computer screens, reach out and slap me, but…

I’m ready. 

Pretty much TOTALLY ready.

Last night, I finished the wrapping.  The decorating is long done.  The baking is all stored in the freezer, waiting for me to fill the tins to take with me to holiday parties.  

I’ve listened to Bieber so much that I almost know the words to “Drummer Boy” off by heart.  That’s right.  I can rap.  (Even the Busta Rhymes parts.) 

I’ve dropped my Angel Tree gift off at the Family Centre.   I got my “Christmas hair do” on Saturday. 

My house is clean.  I did laundry last night, so all of my best Christmas socks are ready for the weekend.  (Well, that and the rest of my good clothes.) 

And the holiday specials and movies that I really wanted to see have all been viewed.  The only one left to go is Miracle on 34th Street, and I always watch it Christmas Eve day.

I have some last-minute grocery shopping to do, which I always save for Christmas Eve day as well.  Just some snacks and fun foods to have around the house for the holidays.  And truthfully, I’m not buying as much as I usually do because…well…the diet, y’know.

Seriously.  I’m almost kind of bored this week.

It’s the calm before the Christmas storm…

But it’s kind of nice.  I’m enjoying the fact that I have time in the evenings to do Yoga or go for a walk or do an exercise video.  I have time to watch whatever special or movie my little heart desires.  I have time to just lie on the couch and sip peppermint tea or hot chocolate, look at the Christmas tree, and think of all I have to be thankful for this time of year…

I keep thinking I must be forgetting something…I’m never this prepared.  There’s usually some kind of last-minute scramble this week.

But literally, the only thing I can think of that I have left to do is paint my nails.  And I’m holding off til later in the week to make sure they’re nice and “fresh”.

I’m not likely to get this fancy, but I’d LOVE to have nails like this!!!

So very, totally, amazingly ready.  Knock on wood.

Now if only I could make it snow…

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Linking up today’s post with the lovely ladies of Talk to Us Tuesday…hosted by Impulsive Addict & Shawn!!