Gobble Gobble

A few weeks ago I had a conversation with one of my girlfriends about the holidays. The conversation started with religion, and digressed into the holiday season (at that time it was still in the ‘quickly approaching’ stages) Religion aside, I started thinking about what makes the holidays so special for me. It didn’t take me long to come to the conclusion that spending time with good friends and family is what the holidays are really all about. I think it’s one of those things that you really understand when you get older. When I was a kid, everyone always told me that spending time with family was the most important part of the holiday season, I think I finally realize how important it really is.

That being said, this holiday season is going to be different then many past years. Due to some ‘little’ developments, Christine and family will not be spending the holidays with us. This makes me sad, but then I see Oscar’s little face, and all that sad just melts away…how can an adorable blonde haired child not make you smile?! This will also be our first holiday without Ms. Vicki. Although it is going to be tough, that’s one of the great things about our family, we’ll be there for each other, and I’m sure we’ll have a good time reminiscing about silly Vicki moments.

Ah the joys of growing up. Although some things are changing, there are certainly plenty of new memories and traditions to be made. After all, this is our first holiday season of Mr. & Mrs…

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving!!

What a Week

Just a quick apology for my lack of blogging this week. It's really been "one of those weeks," if you know what I mean. I'm just glad the weekend has finally arrived. Although Matt is working (boo!!) I have some time to catch up on house chores and get some Christmas shopping done, which is nice. Believe it or not, I'm actually almost done my shopping this year. Just a few more things to cross off the list. Oh, and of course I made time for a nice long run this morning, and managed to sign up for a 5K tomorrow w/ Shelly...ahhh.

So, is everyone ready for Turkey Day? Next week is going to be crazy. Working Monday - Wednesday...headed to moms Wednesday night for Thanksgiving, Turkey Trot 5K with lots of great people (Me, dad, Mr. Sam, Megan and Tasha) on Thursday morning, celebrating Thanksgiving, back to work on Friday (boo!! who needs money on Black Friday anyhow?! pshhhh), then headed to WVA for Brogan/Brown family early Christmas. Busy, busy. I love the holidays!

Reminiscing about High School

I know high school was a tough time for most people, but I have to admit, high school was pretty fabulous for me.  Over the weekend, Hope and I went to see the remake of Footloose (it was actually pretty good!) and it got me really thinking about my high school days.  I made a list of things I really miss about high school.  I wonder if I knew then, what I know now, if I would have done things any differently?

Homemade Dinner, Every Night

Every night, I would come home from school and my mom would have dinner ready for my dad and me.  Over the past several years, I’ve really come to appreciate it when someone else cooks for me.  Cooking dinner after a long busy day is not always fun, I miss the days when I came home every day and it was already hot and ready!

Life w/o Technology

For those of you who knew me through my college days, I spent a lot of time dealing with rejection and heartache.  Looking back, I blame a lot of my long nights on technology.  In the movie He’s Just Not That Into You, Drew Barrymore points out that in today’s day and age, you can be rejected by about 27 different kinds of technology.  Not that I don’t love my smartphone and my facebook, but back in highschool, if a boy didn't call you, or you weren’t invited to a party, there wasn’t a way to stalk online and be hurt over and over again.

Short Pleated Skirts

Man do I love short pleated skirts! Unfortunately, I’m just too old for them. I have tried to wear one and I looked silly. Also I would like to lump Super Low Rise Jeans into this category.  I just look bad in them.  For the record, I used to look really cute in both items.

Field Hockey

I miss being able to have designated time for organized sports.  Instead of having exercise or sports as a part of my regular schedule, I find myself trying to squeeze in my exercise when I have a few free minutes.  I miss being part of a sports team, and I miss that feeling I used to get when we had a really great win.

Spirit Week

What’s cooler than dressing up like a goofball and parading around all day?! (nothing, duh!) 

Ice Cream w/o Consequences

Before I hit age 20, I used to eat ice cream and not even think about the calories. (that would explain my freshman 15)….but while I was in high school, I could pretty much eat whatever I wanted and always stayed the same weight.  Maybe that was directly related to my designated time for organized sports…

The Bus

Can you imagine how fantastic it would be, to have a vehicle pick you up at your house and drop you right off at work?  And even cooler, if you were late it was the drivers fault, and not your own?! Oh wait, that was the bus in high school.  Why wasn’t it cooler to ride the bus?  I hated it then, I wish I had it now!

Sleepovers

I still occasionally do sleepovers, but usually that is because I’m far away from home, or because I’ve had too much wine and can’t drive.  I wish it were still socially acceptable to drive 10 minutes across town and watch chick flicks all night and then just crash on your girlfriends floor. Living with boys makes it a tad awkward now!

Summer Vacation

Why on earth did I want to work during my Summer vacations?!  I should have learned to be broke and have more fun instead of working.  I would give anything to have off the three warmest months of the year, now!

Lunch

Lunch in an office is either boring or expensive.  Nothing is more fun than sitting in a quiet staff lunch room (not!) and when you go out of the office for lunch, it gets really expensive!  Wouldn’t it be great to have lunch with all your best girlfriends, everyday? And furthermore, wouldn’t it be great, if you forgot your lunch, to have a kitchen full of inexpensive options waiting for you?

Ahhhh nostalgia.  As much as I loved high school, sitting here in my own house, with my own family is pretty awesome too – don’t think I’d trade it.

"The County"

View from the side yard.

St. Mary’s County is such an ascetically pleasing place. Although it is somewhat remote, Mr. Sam’s house, where Matt grew up, is simply beautiful, especially this time of year!

Pier off the back.

Dear Summer, I miss you already.

Don’t get the wrong idea, I usually love the changes in the seasons. Watching the leaves turn to vibrant shades of orange and yellow always brings a smile to my face. For some reason though, I’m just not feeling it this year. Typically, by the time Halloween rolls around, I’m excited to bring out the sweaters and blue jeans. Not this year. In fact, if we could skip right to next Spring, I wouldn’t complain at all.

I’ve been stuck debating my thoughts on Day Light Savings. On one hand, I can’t stand driving to work and looking at the stars. I mean really, that’s just telling me the world thinks it’s still time to be sleeping…but on the other hand, I don’t want to come home in the dark either. Why can’t the days stay long when the temperature changes? Maybe that’s the issue. I miss the sunlight.

I’m also very frustrated with my Fall clothing. Why do jeans hate me so much?! I recently was out shopping w/ a girlfriend, and she commented that she had given up on jeans altogether. I mean really, I’m not overweight, but somehow, jeans give me an ugly fat roll on my stomach. Maybe I just need to really invest in one good pair of jeans. I have a hard time spending more than $30 on a pair of them, but it might be worth it, just for the self esteem boost!

Anyone have any great ideas for getting into the Fall spirit? After re-reading this post, I think I need a pick-me-up!