2012 Review Extravaganza: Part 1

It’s that time of year again!  Every Friday in December, I will be linking up for the 2012 Review Extravaganza with these lovely ladies:  Emmy-Emmy Mom; Lourie-CA Girl; MiMi-Living in France; Nicole-Life's a Beach; Mrs. Match-Date Girl Diaries; Janette-Johanson Journey.

So…here we go!!

I kicked off 2012 by sharing my holiday recap, filled with many great times with family & friends…Including making a gingerbread house with these two cuties… I love those “cheese” faces!! 

I then followed that up by sharing a list of things that I hoped to see happen in the New Year.  (They were apparently very lofty goals, because I don’t know that ANY of them happened…except maybe Ashton Kutcher got rid of his facial hair?  Can someone please confirm? lol)

From there on in, things got rather quiet on the blog for the rest of January and into February, as my life was turned upside down when my dad’s surgery on January 10th didn’t go as planned, and he spent the next month in ICU.

My dad passed away on February 8th, just three days before my brother’s wedding.  I can’t begin to put into words what a rollercoaster of a week that was.  All I can say is that I’m so very grateful to be surrounded by wonderful friends and family, who were there with us to celebrate Luke & Amanda’s wedding day, and then to celebrate my father’s life.  They all made a very difficult time  a little easier to get through.

I shared the eulogy my mom wrote in my Tribute to Dad post.

I was deeply touched by the comments and emails I received from my blog friends during this time.  Thank you all for being there for me!  It really made me appreciate this blogging community even more than I already did.  I love you all! xo

In the weeks that followed, I decided to take comfort in food – and I particularly craved Montana’s!

I also took comfort in Adam Levine (and together with my mom, we became big fans of The Voice!)

Moving in to March, I had the opportunity to host my book club group, and I took inspiration from Pinterest in creating a line-up of snacks to share with everyone.

I also shared a funny story from my brother’s wedding day, which had me splitting the ass of my bridesmaid’s dress after trying to kick him on the dance floor.  (Thank God the lining of the dress didn’t rip!!)

On March 10th, our little town took the opportunity to toast one of our finest ladies, Mrs. Mae McCann, with an event that also raised money to go towards a much-needed new community centre.  In listening to all the speeches that evening, I decided I had a few things I wanted to say to Mae myself.  So I wrote her a letter, and shared it here on my blog.

I closed out the month of March by writing a review of The Hunger Games movie, which I so enjoyed!

So there we have it – the first installment of the 2012 Review Extravaganza, in the books!

Looking forward to recapping April, May, and June next Friday :)

Before I sign off…Don’t miss out on your chance to enter my eos giveaway!

Five lucky winners will be chosen at random on Monday, and each winner will receive two Alice in Wonderland-inspired eos spheres.  Don’t miss out!  All you have to do is visit the giveaway post and tell me how much you love me (or eos.)

Go!  Do it!!

Happy Friday, everyone :)

Refusing to let this cold take me down…

Good news, folks.  Last night I was able to stay awake until at least 9 PM!

I consider that a big step up from the evening before, when I pretty much slept off and on all late afternoon and evening (and then went to bed and slept right through til morning).

I know.  I’ve declared before how much I love sleep.  But that was excessive.  Even for me.

This cold has knocked the stuffing out of me this week, but I couldn’t let it take me down for another whole night.  I had too much to do.

When I got home from work, my first order of business was to repair my little outdoor light-up snowman, which had been blown over by wind and lay in several pieces on my front step.  It was a horrible reminder of the decrepit old deer that I used to have.  He came to me second-hand, so his head never did light up, and then one morning I came out to find him tipped over in a snowbank, having convulsions.

My neighbour Shannon still laughs at me over killing that deer.  I refused to give her any reason to mock me and my snowman!

So I found the little pins that hold the snowman together - (I didn’t think I needed them – apparently they ARE important.  who knew.) - and got him put back together in a more solid fashion, returning him to the front step.  He was still standing this morning.  Victory #1!

My next project was to get my potluck dishes prepared and throw them in the freezer, ready to go for the weekend.  I made one of my favourite new recipes, Cream Cheese Spaghetti Bake from the lovely Kelly’s Kitchenaids & Cookbooks blog for our book club Christmas potluck on Friday night…

…and then I threw together my own pasta/meat sauce/cheese concoction for our friends’ Christmas Potluck and Gift Exchange on Saturday!

After grabbing a quick bite to eat for supper, I resisted the urge to curl up on the couch with my quilt, because I knew that would lead to zonking out.  So, what venture could I tackle next?

I know, I know!  Christmas Cards!!

I had bought a new package of Christmas cards over a month ago, along with a Christmas Card recorder book (to keep track of who I send cards to each year), so I threw Home Alone on the DVD player and settled in to start tackling the Christmas Card project.

It took almost the full length of the movie for me to accomplish this task, and when the cards were finished and the envelopes addressed, I considered this a successful evening.

I popped Home Alone 2 in the DVD player, and finally allowed myself to hunker down with my quilt and a mug of Timothy’s White Hot Chocolate.  I’m not exactly sure when I fell asleep, but I know it was well before young Mr. McAllister took on the bad guys in his uncle’s under-renovations-townhouse in NYC…

 

Feeling so much better today.  Tonight, the goal is to make it through Zumba, and then somehow manage to stay awake for The Vampire Diaries… maybe even Grey’s.

It could happen.

Oh, and I almost forgot!  There’s still time to enter my eos giveway!

Contest is open until Monday, so make sure you leave me a comment telling me you love me (and/or eos.) 

This is really important right now, because I have actually LOST A FOLLOWER since opening this contest.  I had 131.  Now I only have 130.  Seriously?!?  Aren’t contests supposed to DRAW IN new followers?

*sigh*  Only me, I tell ya.

What I’m Loving Wednesday

Before I get into what I’m loving this Wednesday… have you entered my eos giveaway yet?

 

You really should.  Tell your friends, your neighbours, your enemies.  eos rocks.  It’s a super-easy contest, all you have to do is leave me a comment telling me you love me.  (or eos.)  Thank you to those of you who have already commented and told me you love me.  You all follow orders so well!! ;)

Contest closes Monday morning – you don’t want to miss out!!  Five winners will be chosen, so the odds are fantastic :)

OK.  So.  As I eluded to yesterday, I feel like a bag of crap.  What started out as a sort-of-sore-throat on Monday night has blown up into a terrible cold/flu thingy, leaving me feeling stuffed up, coughy, and achy all over.

BUT!  Despite the sickness, there’s still a lot to love this Wednesday…

• My Christmas Tree.  I was allowed to leave work early yesterday (it was so dark and rainy, and because I was feeling tougher as the day went on, they let me go home) – and as I slipped in and out of sleep on my couch, I took the time to admire the twinkling lights on my little tree.  I think it’s beautiful.

• Grand-Santa from the movie Arthur Christmas.  I bought the movie a few weeks ago, hoping to have Caden & Danica over for a pre-Christmas sleepover to watch it.  Due to the kids’ busy December schedule, it doesn’t look like that’s going to be possible, so I went ahead and watched it last night.  Grand-Santa literally had me laughing out loud.  I loved him!

• Hearing all the positive feedback about the Christmas House Tour.   I was one of the organizers of our church’s Christmas Home Tour on Monday night, and it was a huge success!   The four homes were decorated so beautifully and we sold more tickets than ever, I believe.  Thank you once again to Randy & Patti, Jack & Anne, Ryan & Lindsay, and Erwin & Kathy for all their hard work and the amazing decorating!!
• Chicken noodle soup.  It soothes my sore throat and warms me up.  I have a container of it for lunch today, and it’s all I can do not to go heat it up right now.

• Sleep.  The fact that pretty much all I did yesterday afternoon, evening, and night, was lie on my couch and sleep, has allowed me to get up and be functional today.
• Blake Shelton and his new Christmas album.  I listen to it a lot.  Like, even more than Bieber.

• Timothy’s White Hot Chocolate K-cups.  They are my favourite.

• Thinking about the weekend.  OK, yes, I always love thinking ahead to the weekend.  But this one is going to be so jam-packed with Christmas fun, and I just can’t wait.  Tonight I’m going to be preparing my dishes for two potlucks, one Friday night and one Saturday night.  Here’s hoping this cold hits the road by then!!
• Cheesy Christmas movies on the W network.  So I kind of fell asleep in the middle of one last night, but I love that they have a few on pretty much every night, and despite the cheesiness…they usually feature a handsome dude, so it’s all good with me!

What are you loving this Wednesday??

Tuesday 10: My favourite Christmas tunes… + A Giveaway!

Happy Tuesday, kids!

I have to admit…I’m feeling rather cruddy this morning.  I seem to have come down with a dose of cold over night – sore throat, sore head, achy body, the whole nine yards.  Ugh.

But!  That’s not gonna stop the excitement on the blog today.  Today, Lena B., Actually’s Tuesday 10 is all about Favourite Holiday Songs, so I just can’t resist. 

The holiday tunes have been rollin’ at my place for a few weeks now, and here are 10 of my favourites this time of year.

10. Christmas Day – Dido

9. There’s a New Kid In Town – Blake Shelton ft. Kelly Clarkson

8. White Christmas – Bing Crosby

7. New York City Christmas – Rob Thomas

6. O Holy Night – Martina McBride

5. What a Miracle – Gail Gavan

4. Mistletoe – Justin Bieber

3. Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley ft. Martina McBride

2. Merry Christmas Baby – Bruce Springsteen

1. The Coconut Song

For those of you wondering how this got to #1 on my list… Trust me.  It’s a Christmas Eve Young family tradition, and it is amazing.  My Uncle Garry is the best.

What songs top your list of favourites??  Go link up with Lena and let us know!

***

Now…the fun doesn’t stop there on the blog this morning, folks.  A few weeks ago I was contacted to see if I’d be interested in running a giveaway on my blog for eos spheres.  I LOVE eos (evolution of smooth), so I jumped at the opportunity to share them with a few of my readers!

Introducing eos’ first ever branded collaboration - a limited edition lip balm collection inspired by the whimsy and wonder of Disney’s timeless tale, Alice in Wonderland.

Why Alice?
We wanted to choose a character that embodied our ideal ‘eos Girl’—fun, smart, stylish…and with a healthy dose of curiosity.  Alice in Wonderland has been brought back to life and reinterpreted for multiple generations, but is still a timeless tale of imagination and discovery.

Each of this collection’s Smooth Sphere Lip Balms are:
•100% natural and USDA certified organic
•Revolutionary smooth sphere applies directly on lips, so it’s more hygienic than pot lip balms
•Soft-touch, ergonomic, recyclable packaging is easy to to find in even the largest of bags
•Filled with moisturizing shea butter and jojoba oil
•Paraben-free
•Gluten-free
•Not tested on animals
•Recyclable

Delightful Design and “Hidden” Mickey
•Sophisticated, consumer loved packaging colors inspired by the characters in Alice
•Our Spheres grew ears! Since this is our first collaboration with another brand, we thought we’d commemorate the occasion with a distinct design update: our eos ‘dimple’ grew ears! We’ve added Mickey Ears to the imprint of our Smooth Spheres to symbolize our partnership with Disney and their iconic character for this special limited edition collection.

Five of my lucky readers will be chosen at random – each winner will receive not one, but TWO! eos spheres - in these delectable Alice-inspired flavours:  Sweet Vanilla Nonsense   and Watermelon Wonderland.

I received a sample of each of the spheres, and I think they are fantastic.  I struggle with dry lips (and my tendency to pick them), and I’ve found since discovering eos that my lips are softer, smoother, and I love the non-greasy feel.

These spheres would make great stocking stuffers, or keep them and treat yourself!

So…I’m going to run this contest the “Old-School” way.  The contest starts NOW, and it will end on Monday morning at 8 AM.  How to enter?  Simply leave me a comment!  Tell me you love me.  OR tell me you love eos.  Whatever.

Easy peasy, right?

Next Monday morning, I will throw all your names in a hat and draw FIVE winners.  Contest is open to residents of Canada and the US only.

Good luck, everyone!!

Linking up also with Impulsive Addict and Shawn for Talk To Us Tuesday!

Festive Friday Confessions

It’s November 30th.  Almost December.   And, also, it’s the company Christmas Party today – officially the day the guys in the office let me start singing Christmas Carols without telling me to shut my festering gob!  Woo Hoo!! ;)

But before this busy, fun, festive weekend begins… let’s Confess.

I confess…that I have a lot to do tomorrow, so I’m intending on actually behaving tonight at the Christmas Party.  I need to finish up my shopping, and the last thing I want to do is tackle Wal-Mart…hungover.  So tonight, I shall prove that I can still have fun without releasing Sadie from her cage.  I love a challenge! ;)

I confess… that I am, once again, in credit card debt.  How the HECK did this happen?!?  We drew names this year.  There was a spending cap.  It’s never been so easy to stick to a damned budget, and yet somehow… I’m way, way over my limit.

I confess… that it *may* be because I bought a few too many “presents” for myself.  Oops.  Oh, and ALSO… DAMN the License Bureau and my last name starting with “Y” because I have to pay my vehicle registration every year at the end of November.  Perfect time to take $250 out of my bank account, License Bureau.  Thanks a lot.  *sigh*

I confess… that I get mild panic attacks when I look ahead to the busy weekends coming up in the first half of December.  I’m not entirely sure how I’m going to cram everything in, but I keep reminding myself it’s all fun stuff.  Deep breaths, be grateful for so many family & friends…and enjoy it.

I confess… that I kind of fell asleep on the couch around 8:30 last night.  In the middle of The Vampire Diaries.  I never fall asleep during The Vampire Diaries!!!  I slept through Grey’s too, and was sure I’d be awake all night thanks to my impromptu nap, but actually konked out again when my head hit the pillow at 10 PM, and slept right through to my alarm.  Apparently I needed that?

I confess… that I haven’t watched a Christmas movie yet.  This is unusual for me.  Hopefully I can keep my eyes open long enough to watch one or two this weekend.  I’m itching to start watching them.

I confess… that as my on-line orders keep rolling in each day this week, I get a little thrill.  Each new parcel that arrives makes me so excited to cross a name off my list and get wrapping!!

I confess… that I really think my true calling in life was to be one of Santa’s elves.  There is nothing I love more than this time of year – the decorations and lights, the treats and food, the music and Christmas specials, the wrapping and the presents, the festive drinks, the friends, and the family… :)

And so, seeing how it’s almost December, allow me to say, for the first time this holiday season… Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals!!! ;)

…And have great weekend, too.

Thursday thoughts.

It’s Thursday.  And it’s SNOWING!!! :) :) :)

And I’m thinking about random stuff.  Shall we?

• I love the snow.  So very very much.  But I work with many, many people who do not love the snow.  Because they have to plow it and shovel it.  It’s okay, I understand.  However, I was downstairs moments ago making my mid-morning cup of tea, and I was singing softly to myself, “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…”  And one of my co-workers roars down, “SHUT YOUR FESTERING GOB, SHUT YOUR FESTERING GOB, SHUT YOUR FESTERING GOB”.  Then he stomped out of the office and slammed the door behind him, to really drive his point home.  I’m sorry, but that just doesn’t have a nice ring to it at all.

• Another reason I’m loving the snow??  Because tomorrow is our company Christmas Party!  It just puts everyone in a more festive mood.  Or… well, at least it puts me in a more festive mood.  The rest of them might be a bit cranky, actually.
• I have a goal to accomplish on Saturday.  And that goal is:  finishing my Christmas shopping.  I have the kids done.  I have my Secret Santa gifts bought.  Now I just need stocking stuffers, and a few hostess gifts, and my baking supplies, and that’ll be all she wrote.  A week ago, I didn’t know if I’d be even close to being done by the first of December.  Thanks to Black Friday and on-line shopping, it’s now pretty much a guarantee.  Sweet deal.
• My Saturday afternoon/evening plans:  Baking and making bark.  You can bet that Justin Bieber’s Christmas CD will be making a guest appearance in my kitchen.  Imma be under the mistletoe.

• I got my flu shot yesterday, and holy mother of GOD, it hurt.  I don’t have issues with needles, and often when I get them it’s over and I don’t even realize it.  Yesterday, I felt the needle going in.  I felt the burn of the stuff being dispersed into my shoulder.  I felt it being pulled back out.  And it frigging hurt.  My arm has been aching every since.  I’m not 100% sure, but I’m thinking they may have done it wrong.
• Last night, my sister-in-law Amanda and the little babes came for a visit while Daddy was gone to play hockey.  I was so thrilled to have some solid quality time with Neve.  She is sooo cute right now, full of smiles and squeals.  I couldn’t help but think of how fun Christmas will be this year with her, Caden & Danica in our midst. :)
• I must take a moment to thank my sister and brother for being such good little elves yesterday.  I had a Top Secret Elf Mission for them yesterday, and they stepped up to the plate admirably.  I had to giggle when I sent them both an email first thing yesterday morning to make sure they knew what their missions were, and to ensure that they were co-ordinating with each other.  My bro emailed me back, saying, “I’ve already been in contact with the other elf.  Leave us alone Santa!”

• Can you guys tell I’m excited for Christmas?  And it’s not even December yet.  Lord help us all. ;)

Happy Thursday, kids.

The Single Girl Files: A trip down memory lane, back to that very first boy…

It’s been awhile since I’ve written a Single Girl Files post – no, not because my “single girl status” has changed in any way,  shape, or form – oh Lord, don’t I know it. 

No.  Mainly, I’ve been steering clear of these posts for two reasons:  a) I honestly felt like I had nothing worth sharing, entertainment-wise (it’s rather dry here in Single Girl Land these days, I’m afraid).  and b) Because the last time I posted, I think it was about how pissed off I was at people jumping in front of me in line,  and my mom lectured me, saying, “You’re going to scare any eligible men away writing about bitter, angry stuff like that!!”

I think I’m doing an effective job of scaring them away, even without my blog posts, but whatever.

In any case.  I had a thought this morning.

I decided it might be fun to tell you about my very first “boyfriend”.  (I haven’t had many over the years, so I remember the first one quite well!)

My friend Stacy will probably laugh reading this, considering that I believe he might have been her first boyfriend too (the selection of boys in our class was small; we kind of all bounced around between three or four of them for most of our elementary school days. haha!)

Up until I started school, I don’t think I had any crushes on “real” boys, if you know what I mean.  Like, I adored Chachi from Happy Days, and I vaguely recall having a little crush on a teenaged boy who I used to see at swimming lessons when I was about four.  (I’d only get in the pool if he took me in – oh, I knew how to work it back then, let me tell you).

But other than that, “real” boys didn’t exist until I started Kindergarten.  (I spent too much time crying in Pre-K to notice any of those boys, apparently).

Kindergarten was a rough year for ol’ Jill.  I hated school, I hated leaving my mom and little brother each morning to get on my bus, and I cried pretty much every.single.day.

But one of the bright spots in my day was him.

A little boy with jet-black hair, dark skin, and the biggest brown eyes.  In my mind, I think of him as a little teddy bear.  He was such a sweet, kind, friendly boy, and he immediately became one of my best friends.

And oh, how I loved him.  As only a little 5-year-old girl can love a little 5-year-old boy.

That’s right.  We held hands at recess.

I don’t think we actually really officially called ourselves “boyfriend & girlfriend” until Grade 2, maybe Grade 3.  And of course, it was only for a few weeks at a time; we’d always end up “breaking up” over something silly (like the time he called me “baby” in front of everyone and it embarrassed me, or the time I wouldn’t share my snack with him.  Surprising, I know.)  I imagine that’s usually how elementary school courtships go, though, right?

We had a lot of fun times during those growing-up years.

His family moved away from our town, I think when we were in Grade 6, and I honestly recall it as one of the biggest devestations of my life up to that point.  I cried real tears over him.  Though he’d only moved about a half-hour away, to me it might as well have been half a world away.

I think I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen him since, and I honestly don’t think we’ve ever spoken to each other.

When I saw him earlier this fall at a function in my town, it was the first time I’d seen him in years.  Oddly enough, he still struck me as being teddy-bear-like, although a much bigger teddy bear.  So tall, so big.  And yet still, the softest, kindest brown eyes I’ve ever seen.

I believe he’s married now, and has children; and yet, when his sister (who I still run into quite often) tried to drag me over to say hi to him, he turned away shyly, and so did I.  When I saw her out a few weeks later, she said to me, “I don’t get you guys!  He was so happy to see you, he was like, ‘Oh my God, there’s Jillian!!”… and then you both ran and hid from each other!  You were his first little girlfriend, you know.”

Oh, I know.  I remember.  And I honestly don’t know why I got so nervous about saying hi and catching up with an old friend.  Maybe because it’s been so long – too long?  You know one of those situations, where you think to yourself, “Where would we even begin?  I wouldn’t know what to say.”

In my chatting that night with his sister and laughing over childhood memories, she mentioned something about her brother’s birthday, and without even really thinking, I said, “October 6th, right?”

Her jaw dropped, and I turned red as she exclaimed, “You remember his birthday?!  You really DID love him, didn’t you?!?”

I laughed it off, and joked, “No!!  It’s because your mom used to always bring in the BEST cupcakes on his birthday!!!”

(Fat girls remember these things, yo.)

But truthfully, I don’t think we ever forget those first “true” loves, do we?  The first time a boy makes your heart go pitter-patter?  The first time your stomach flips with nervousness and excitement?  The first time the phone rings, and your mom says, “It’s for youuuuu,” in that sing-songy voice, and then your head starts pounding with euphoria when you realize it’s not your grandmother on the line wanting to say hi, it’s him…

I think we spend the rest of our lives trying to find the man who will do all of those things to us.  Those of you who have found yours?  I envy you.  I really do.  Because I haven’t found mine yet.

I treasure that very first boy. 

Probably more than he will ever know.

Tuesday 10: Favourite Holiday Movies

Oh my God, guys.  OH. MY. GOD.

The Internet is SUCH A JERK here these days.  It was down last Thursday all day, and most of Friday too.  Yesterday, I was just too  busy to post.  And now, here it is, Tuesday again, and the interwebs have been up and down like a yo-yo AGAIN.

fjaglh#&(!Y#$(*#&!~!!!

I was going to go random on your asses, because I thought I had so many important things to say after not posting in what feels like for.ev.errrr.  But then I realized it was mostly just about LOST again, and how pissed off I am at the people in TO for booing Bieber at the Grey Cup halftime show on Sunday.

(Buncha classless assholes, in my honest opinion.)

ANYways… then I realized that today is the Tuesday 10 over at Lena B, Actually, and this week’s theme is Favourite Holiday Movies.  Um, yes.  One of my favourite things to talk about this time of year! 

So – here we go…

10.

Christmas just isn’t Christmas without Tim Allen gettin’ all fat & bearded, y’know?

9.

I couldn’t actually watch this movie last year.  I don’t think I’ll be able to this year, either.  Hits a little too close to home.  But I really do love it.  Maybe next year.

8.

This one always seems to be on TV around the holiday season, and I always try to catch it.  It makes me think of Christmas.

7.

I’m not sure there’s a holiday cartoon out there that can make me laugh at one moment, and cry at the next, like this one can.  I mean, c’mon.  It’s Adam Sandler!  And the Hannukah Song!

6.

This one has become a staple in my holiday movie viewing.  I love Vince.  I love Reese.  I discovered this weekend that I actually have two copies of this movie on my DVD shelf. (?!?)  So yeah…I must really like it.

5.

 

You know what?  I hated this one as a kid.  But then I borrowed it from my friend Sara last year, and discovered a new appreciation for it.  In fact, I even bought my own copy this year.  The tunes in this one are AWESOME!! And…there are Muppets. ‘Nuff said.

4.

 

I know, it’s not a full-length movie, but it’s awesome, and many of the kids who visit my place ask to watch this all year long.  It really is my favourite version of “A Christmas Carol”.

3.

Nothing says “Christmas” like McCauley Culkin getting left behind while his family goes on vacation for the holidays…I get so excited to watch this each year!  (And the sequel too – Lost in New York is also a fun ride!)

2.

I remember the day my mom brought this one home to us on VHS when I was a kid.  It was in black & white, and I think I rolled my eyes, like, “Yeah, right”…I ended up falling in love with the story, and I have a tradition of watching it on Christmas Eve day every year.

1.

Yep.  Elf is my all-time favourite.  I mean, I just think of Buddy grabbing the phone and saying, “Buddy the Elf!  What’s your favourite colour?!”  and it makes me smile.  I sometimes watch this one more than once in the weeks leading up to Christmas… I love it so much!

***

So there you have it!  My Top 10 Favourite Holiday Movies.  What’s on your must-see list for the month of December?  Go link up with Lena!

Also linking up with Impulsive Addict and Shawn for Talk To Us Tuesday!

Now…everyone pray for me that the interwebs are still working when I hit POST…

If it makes you happy…

You guys know what time of year it is.

It’s that in-between time of year.  For those of us up here in the Great White North, our Thanksgiving is a distant memory.  (Seriously.  It felt like it was way early this year, like it was a million years ago now.)  Our neighbours to the South will be giving thanks (and gearing up for Black Friday) tomorrow.

Halloween was a few weeks ago, and the ghosts and skeletons have long since been put away.  (Though a bucket of candy still sits on my dining room table, and I still have mini chocolate bars abound.  Don’t judge.)

Yes.  It’s that time of year.  I still have out my gourds and fall leaves and little pumpkins, but they just don’t feel right anymore.  I’m getting the itch, more and more with each passing day, to bust out the holly and the snowmen and the jingle bells.

And yet, there’s a part of me that feels it’s still just a teensy bit early.

It’s been a common topic of discussion over the past few weeks on my Facebook newsfeed.  Slowly, my friends’ statuses are rolling around to the Christmas theme…

“Is it too early to start listening to Christmas music?”  “I’m putting up my Christmas tree today!!”  “My shopping is allllmost done…”  “Going to watch Elf tonight!  Yipee!”

There’s a part of me that bubbles with excitement and yearns to join them.  And also a part of me that wants to cry out, “RELAX dudes.  It’s not time yet!!!”  There’s also a clear divide in the people who comment out there – the ones who cry, “Go for it!!”, and the ones who lament, “It’s way too frigging early.”

Yesterday, I even saw my cousin Bucky write on a friend’s enthusiastic Christmas post:  “You’re making me hate Christmas.”

Honestly, I giggled when I saw this post from The Bloggess (aka Jenny) last week, where she’s outraged by her neighbour taking down the Halloween decorations and putting up the Christmas ones all on the same day.  But she’s kind of right.  Doesn’t it feel like everyone’s taken their healthy dose of Holiday Pills maybe just a *wee* bit early this year?

I’d say at least half my little town has their Christmas lights up and on already.  When I went for my walk last night - (yes, I’m braving the mean streets of Q-town in the dark this week, because…well…I need to.  I’ll risk my life for exercise, that’s how damned dedicated I am.) – I was surprised to see so many Christmas trees were already up and on display in front windows.

It feels really frigging early.

Maybe that’s because growing up, my parents never decorated early.  My Dad’s birthday was December 10th, and the weekend closest to his birthday was usually the time my mom would let us drag out the tree and get the decorations out.  Dad always had the outside lights up when it was semi-warm in November, but refused to turn them on until the first of December.

Now, as an adult decorating on my own, I do like to get the holiday cheer rolling just a little bit earlier at my joint.  I generally put my decorations up in late November/early December.  And that feels acceptable to me.   I love how my house looks when Christmas has puked all over it.  And I must confess… I’ve already listened to my Bieber Christmas CD several times.  (but not much because Dallas Smith is still reigning supreme on my jukebox.)

On the flip side, I’ve been thinking quite a bit about happiness these days. To be fair, that’s probably because my book club is reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  But it also ties in with this way-too-early explosion of Christmas spirit being displayed by so many this year (and it feels like more and more are catching on to it every year.)

Really, are they causing any harm?  Is putting up your tree on the third of November a crime?  Is busting out your Bieber Christmas CD two months in advance going to hurt anyone?

In the wise words of Sheryl Crow, if it makes you happy…it can’t be that bad.

There’s a lot of things to worry about each and every day, a lot of bad news on our TV screens and newspaper pages, a lot of reasons to cry and feel sad.

So I say, if putting up your decorations and getting in the festive spirit brings you joy, and eases some of the stress that often comes with the holiday season, then just go for it. 

There will always be the Grinches and Scrooges of the world who say, “It’s too soon!!  You people are nuts!!  Calm the F down!!!”

I say if it makes your days a little merrier, and a little more bright…then it’s never too soon.

On Friday evening, I’m going to see the “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” Cabaret production in our neighbouring town, and I’m hoping it puts me in the mood, because I’m planning to decorate on Saturday.  I’m pretty sure that will be the earliest I’ve ever decorated before, but hell…

Everybody’s doing it.

I have so many things to say today.

I feel like I have a MILLION things to talk about with you guys this morning.  Brace yourselves. ;)

• I was off on Friday, and the interwebs were not functioning here yesterday, so I feel like I have been cut off from the world for, like, ever.  There is nothing worse than a non-functioning interwebs.  Seriously.
• So.  Let’s start at the beginning.  Where my last post left off…  And that was with a sexy picture of RPattz.  Yes, I saw Breaking Dawn Part 2 at 10 PM on Thursday night with two of best Twihard pals, and we loved it.  LOVED IT.  I can’t think of a better or more fitting way for it all to come to a close, and I was so very satisfied with the conclusion.  Honestly, I was beaming as the credits started to roll.  And I already can’t wait to see it again.  Just not quite ready to let it all go yet…

• I can’t really discuss the movie in great detail, because I don’t want to give it away for anyone who hasn’t had a chance to see it yet.  But let’s just say…  Bella rocked it as a newborn vampire; Renesmee was so cool, even when she was a creepy CGI baby; Jacob taking his shirt off was, of course, a highlight; Edward was his usual sexy sparkly self; and they took us all on a rollercoaster ride of emotions that had us all gasping and shouting out loud…all of us.

• I’ve only heard of one person who didn’t like the movie, and it was a boy, so I don’t think that opinion counts.  The boys don’t get it.  I remember forcing my brother to watch the first one with me many many moons ago, and when it was over, he looked at me, totally stone-faced, and said, “That movie just combined the three things I hate most in movies.  Love.  Vampires.  And sparkling.”  Nope.  The boys just don’t get it.
• Last week, I talked a lot about how I was trying to learn how to play Euchre because I had agreed to play in a tournament with Lindsay at our friend Sharon’s on Saturday afternoon.  My mom ran through a few “fake” hands with me last Sunday, and then I had a lesson with the office ladies on Monday.  I had also downloaded a Euchre app to my Blackberry and had been playing it all week on my phone.  Still, I figured I was considered a complete rookie at best, and had absolutely no hope of doing well.   It’s a tricky game to learn, and there was no way I could become a pro in one week’s time.  But dudes, guess what?  We totally frigging won.  The WHOLE tournament!  I admit, Lindsay carried most of the weight and she pulled out the big Euchre to win our final hand in the finals, but I like to think I contributed in some small way – at least by not totally screwing it all up.  Big thanks to Sharon for having us, and a big congrats to my partner!  Can’t wait to defend out title next year. ;)

• A funny thing about this picture.  It was taken right after our big win, and when I jumped up to high-five Linds, I farted.  I just prayed that we were shouting and squealing enough that nobody heard it.
• Another cool thing?  I decided Sunday morning at church to put some of my winnings in the celebration jar that is passed around at the start of each service.  (The money collected goes to Mission & Service Fund.)  As I put my money in the jar, I explained that a week before, I didn’t even know how to play Euchre, and that on Saturday I’d won a tournament - and the congregation cheered for me.  Seriously.  How awesome are they?!
• The winning doesn’t stop there… I was so excited to find an email waiting for me this morning telling me I’d won the Poppy Seed Projects giveaway offered by Mrs. Match over at The Date Girl Diaries!  I can’t wait to pick something out with my gift certificate :)  Thank you so much, Mrs. Match!
• And… I’m on a friggin’ roll here!  Remember a few weeks ago when I asked you all to head over to Nathan’s blog Life & Everything Else In Between because he had nominated me for his Hall of Fame, and I was hoping you’d all toss me some votes?  YOU GUYS!!  You all ROCK!!  I was so surprised to find out that I received 34% of the vote, officially coming in second place of the five nominees, and I’ve been inducted into the LEEIB Hall of Fame!   Go read my acceptance speech (and continue to show Nathan some bloggy love, of course!) – because basically I gush about all of you and how awesome you are!!!  It made my heart just glow this morning as I read the comments Nathan posted from the people who voted for me.  I love you all, I really do. :)

I feel like I have so much more to tell you.  But this has already gotten long and rambly, so I think I’d better cut it off here.  I hope you’re all having a great week.

Happy Tuesday! :)

Linking up today with Impulsive Addict and Shawn for Talk To Us Tuesday…

…as well as Stacy Uncorked for Random Tuesday!