Thursday, December 30, 2010

I feel a change.... in me........

I’m sitting here trying to figure out what to write. This isn’t normally a problem. The problem is that there is so much going on in my mind. Deadlines, due dates, projects that I need to finish and start. My poor little mind is on over drive.  I hope you can hang in here with me.  
The big thing on my mind that is weighing hard on is the fact that I know there are so many things that are way out of my control. First being that I have a few relationships in my life that are really hard to maintain. If it was more simple I would truly walk away from both if I knew that it wouldn’t cause even more drama. Neither relationship I need, but then again if I didn't need them why am I trying to stop myself from letting go? 
My life is FULL. Full of friends, love, family, people I come in contact on a daily basis that tell me that I have made a difference in some small way of their lives. That my voice is being heard. Then there are the people that are in my “real” life that take me for granted. I hate that feeling. I am a pleaser when it comes to a hand full of people. I try hard to make them like me, to except me, to love me. I can not stand when someone is mad at me or a relationship that I have had with someone suddenly changes.  I am a fix it person, that is my role in life to take control and make things better. These are just some relationships that just can’t be fixed, Can they? More on this later........   
Next week I am going to post about all the flaws I have and what I am going to do in 2011 to change them. I have some great ideas, where to start and what to do to become the person that I need to love as much as most other love me.  To work on myself & over the next 365 days I will work on myself through tears, laughs, blowouts of emotional junk, working a little bit everyday to become that person I lost myself completely so long ago. Don’t get me wrong I am a great person to those that look at me from the outside but I do have a few cracks and I plan on fixing them this year. 
  I always feel like i am the girl spinning plates.

I hope you will stick by me, reading what I change, what I will keep and where this journey sends me.  I might switch this to a private blog and not have it be where my 
Kindle readers and people that just want to check in and read my reviews or places I have gone or things on that line... what do you think? You are my readers I write because of you and I would love to know your thoughts! 
Happy New years eve, Eve!  

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Wishful Wednesday!



The Seattle Smiths.  Is a local based blogger.  I found her blog and feel in love. A young couple doing what "Hub's" and I are doing. Family, friends & blogging is something that we also have in common. She does a blog post weekly called Wishful Wednesday and I truly want to do something weekly that is a lot of fun.  So I am going to give it a try! Do me a favor and follow her and tell her Kingstongirl sent you! :)


                                                            This week I am Wishful for.........


That I would come into a windfall of money.
 So I would not have to wait any longer to start the IVF!
So we could have a baby 0r babies sooner. 
I know that the time will go fast.
I just feel like 
I have been waiting forever. 
My one wish that I have had my entire life, 
Is to hold my beautiful baby.
So that is it for this week, I wish to be able to share 
a picture like this one with all of you!
xoxo

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Our big present.........

For the last few months the “Hubs” and I have been working on trying to have a baby. 

Now we can’t have a baby the traditional way like most people can. I was sick when I was almost twenty. Leading me to have a complete hysterectomy. The Endometriosis was so awful and after having ten DNC & fourteen Laparoscopy’s between the ages of thirteen and twenty. My poor young body and mind didn’t even know what was about to  hit me, the many things I missed most of my peers were able to enjoy. A period that lasted 297 days straight with no stopping! Truly wasn't at all what a girl in her teens and early twenty's should ever have to go through. 


That happening brought me down the road to a OBGYN "Dr. Jane." at one of the best Dr's in The USA right here is Seattle. Sadly she retired but she was a dream come true because she did one thing that none of the other Male doctors that I went to did..... she listened to me! 

Being so scared the morning at post op, my parents took me to have the surgery, holding my hand and being their every step of the way. Fear spilled all over me &  I wanted to back out.  Reminding me of the heartache and all of the pain that I had gone through, the life I haven't been able to enjoy as I should. I knew in my heart that it was the thing to do.
My mom held me while I cried and my Dad had to walk out of the room, I could see the lump in his throat a mile away. Always being the strong one I know that this broke his heart. Twenty years old and I was never going to have a grand baby for my parents to love and help me raise.  We are so close that what hurts one of us hurts us all. 
“Hub’s” and I tried to adopt but a few to many road block come knocking down our dreams to do  that one at a time. Talking to a friend that had three lovely children of her own, said that she would carry a baby for us all we would have to do is find an egg. After talking about it to her family and husband the risk was to big for them to take. 
It still means the world to us that she would even think of doing this for us. 
We started getting ready to do all the things to become certified foster parents, when all of a sudden out of a conversation that started out over a cup of coffee on a normal monday morning.  One of my sis in law’s ( I have a few) said that we should maybe go down that avenue of surrogacy. Hopeful that she could do it, but that was a dead end to....but this time it got me to start thinking and talking about it to some close family on (myside) and close friends when out of another simple conversation at a Scentsy party.

My cousin “C” said why don’t I carry the baby for you. ( Thinking that it wouldn’t be something that would happen like the times before) Something different happened this time...... She talked to her husband and her family, made a doctors appointment with her Ob and family doctor. 
Called us and gave us the green light. We then went to the PNW Fertility Clinic Seattle & saw the doctor they "C's" doctor had said we needed to see. 

"Hub's" & I were a bundle of nerves when we made our way up to the Swedish building. We walked from the ferry all the way up the big hills all the way to 11th. I was hungry, nervous and kinda bitchie...... well more then Kinda!!

We were warmly treated and they walked us through the entire process from the start to the finish. We even saw the room that our baby will be made in. I was a hot mess when we saw the flash that the Embryo's make when they connect. The feeling of hope and excitement is the first time I have ever felt in my entire life.

Then they told us the $8000.00+ price tag to start. I cried a little more, then decided that it is nothing to pay for our child to be born. So we are going to do a few things to come up with the money & we hope that "C" will be pregnant by the end of March!  & that by November will be parents.

So our greatest gift was being told that we are going to be parents and nothing is going to go wrong. We are super excited. :) That is truly the most exciting part of my life. 

Friday, December 24, 2010

The Review for the Hotel Monaco.... Seattle!

So many great things to do when you stay in Seattle.  Hub’s and I decided that we would go and spend some time in the big city.   Now if you know me you know I am a Giant Harry Potter fan. With the Part one of the final book out in theaters now this was the perfect time to go to the Hotel Monaco and enjoy their Harry Potter package. A treat for myself and for the “Hub’s”.
Located on 4th Ave in the heart of down town, just across the street from the architectural wonder the Seattle Public Library, which is a complete treat to spend a few hours wondering and exploring in.  With movie tickets in hand  for 112:00 pm showing at the movie theater. We got our popcorn and pop and settled into our seat’s.  After the movie got out we were on our way to the hotel to get settled in. 
Making our way up to the front door the bellman were there to greet us with a kind smile and immediately demonstrated that they were well trained, paying close attention to all of their guests. The front desk employees went above and beyond what they needed to do. The entire staff Provided great information at a pace that was energetic but not rushed, the positive energy they show without being insincere was very refreshing. 
Walk through the large doors from the street, into the Hotel Monaco and you feel like you are worlds away from the hussle and bussle of the city of Seattle.  Your sense’s will come back to  when you walk into the lobby. Which is full of wonderful places to sit and visit, enjoying a kissing couch if you would like, read a great book or just gaze at the fire and relax. Reminiscent of ancient Greek seaports, you'll discover large potted Palm plants,  blue accents, white Stucco, wrought iron accents, bronze light fixtures,  globes of hand-blown glass,  velvet curtains flowing from the ceiling to the floor.  Take the time to gaze up at the vaulted ceiling to see the dolphin mural, it is breathe taking.  The lobby was a highlight to our stay so much that I didn’t want to leave, excited to come back that evening for their nightly wine reception. “Hub’s” and I enjoyed it and loved the fact that the staff on hand pouring the wine and spiked cider were so friendly.
Being there during the holiday season, the tree was up and the all the halls were decked. Stockings were hung on the beautiful fireplace, it was a great pick to stay down town during the most magical time of the year.  I was told that the decor is inspired by the frescoes at the Palace of Knossos. The attention to detail is seen in every nook of this hotel. They have a business center that you are welcome to use with Mac computers. (be still my heart) On site. They have a gym with all the major things you need to get your heart rate up!  Down stairs is also where they keep the conference rooms, not skipping on beautiful bright decor they make sure top to bottom shows their best.  

Going up to our room on the 11th floor was a treat having our own elevator made us feel like we were VIP guests in this great Hotel. I was a little worried at first being that this is a Chain hotel, that it might feel to uniform and muted like a motel 6 or super 8, but to my wonderful surprise and only after ten minutes in the hotel you start to feel as if you are staying in an independent hotel. This is what Kimpton wants you to feel like when you are one of their guests. They are a
boutique hotel in all the ways that you would want it to be, along with the fact that it has all the extras a chain hotel has.  To me this is a win win, I can’t wait to check out each and every Kimpton Hotel I can. 
  This picture is one of their other rooms it is busy but so cool!
The Elevator opened and we walked past a few rooms before we made it to our room. Opening the room’s door was like opening a gift on Christmas morning. A gold fish “Peter” was there to help us to continue the adventure. The vivid colorful palate that our hotel room décor had boast of reds, bright yellows, raspberries and cream accents all around. Eye popping Layered patterns & stripped wall paper,  like the cherry on top of a sundae the luxurious furnishings and thoughtful details do just that to this fun room!  Decorated with Cherry-wood furniture, a flat screen TV coffee table, two side tables, a queen size sleeper sofa was a nice touch.  A mini fridge and small table for two,  also the complimentary high-speed Internet access & the wonderful robes that “hub’s” and I took advantage of them, to put it simple.... they were amazing. 

With a slip from the tie back the curtains separate the living area to the sleeping area, all be hidden from view from your sleeping area. A great thing if you are sharing a room and want that small bit of privacy, it is that simple attention to detail that makes this hotel so great!   The sleeping area boasts of two side tables a I-pod dock so you can listen to your music not someone else’s. A second TV is hidden in an armoire, an over stuffed reading chair sits in the corner with a floor lamp.  You can completely ignore every thing and just snuggle in the cloud of your King size bed. we also loved looking down on to the 4th Ave street watching the cars and people as they were buzzing by it was nice that we were able to be enjoying our slow paced time in our wonderful room, it was an escape that we need. 
Being a Green Girl another great thing is that this hotel, like all Kimpton hotel, they all  meet the Green Seal™ Environmental Standard for Lodging Properties for waste minimization, water and energy efficiency, hazardous substances handling, and environmentally responsible purchasing.
The reason we picked this hotel was for their  Harry Potter Package which has so much that they included.......... 
This special offer includes:
Deluxe accommodations
Reserve discounted tickets to Pacific Science Center including Mindbender Mansion and Harry Potter™ The Exhibition
Discounted round trip Monorail passes
Complimentary Valet Parking
Offer valid October 22, 2010-January 30, 2011
Exhibit closed Tuesdays, Christmas Day
Harry Potter™ The Exhibition is a time-ticketed exhibition; tickets purchased through the Hotel Monaco guarantee entrance within one hour of arrival to Pacific Science Center
For more details on Harry Potter™ The Exhibition, 
HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.  Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.
To my surprise the staff  made us reservations for us to enjoy their wonderful on site restaurant Sazerac, keeping up with the Harry Potter theme they have a special menu just for this wonderful package. it is truly the best experience for an avid Harry Potter fan like me.!! They have many packages to choose from and will do anything for you to have a memorable stay. 
When we left the next day after a late check out. I was a bit sad to leave. I know that staying at the Hotel Monaco will be a yearly event when we head to the City for our Christmas tradition, now adding this wonderful hotel to it!  
Remember to tell then that Kingstongirl sent you!! 

Thursday, December 23, 2010

A conversation with Madison & Ryan with Indi prints.



I was so impressed with my Kingstongirl tee-shirts, Madison & Ryan made. They do such great work. They were able to on many projects for the local events, festivals,  and business. Thank you Indi Prints for buying ad space! :) 

How long have you lived in the area?
Madison: I have lived in the Kitsap area my whole life (22 years) moving between Indianola, Kingston and Poulsbo. But Indianola will always be my hometown (hence the name IndiPrints :)
Ryan: has lived in Poulsbo his whole life (24 years)
How much family history do you have in the area?
Madison: My family (great-grandparents) bought their first home in Indianola in 1922. At first, it just served as a summer home but my grandparents fell in love with it and made it their permanent place of residence. Ever since then we have had great pride in calling Indianola our home. My father, his two brothers, his sister all still live in this small community and I plan to do the same when I get older and buy a home.
Ryan: Ryan's family history is on Bainbridge Island a huge part of his family lives in the Kitsap area.

 What is your favorite thing about the area?
Madison: I love the beauty of our surroundings. I tried to live in Seattle while I attended the University of Washington, and found myself coming back to Indianola every weekend. Having the water and the moutains both in such close proximity make the Kitsap Penninsula a gorgeous place to live and work. I also enjoy that we can still maintain small-town communities, walking down the street in Indianola I know almost everyone and thier families by name and it makes you feel so at home and secure.

 What would you change if you could about the area?
Madison: I would stop the huge amount development. While I'm not naive and realize the area is growing and more is needed to accomidate that growth, its so sad to see what once used to be forest turn into Wal-Mart and Home Depot. Not only that but what is being built is huge and in excess and detracting from our beautiful landscape!
Where would you like to see your business be in 5 years?
Madison: We would like to be making a profit instead of in the hole from starting this business :) We would like to have a wide variety of clients and hopefully many repeat customers!
 What is the hardest part of having your own business?
Madison: At the moment, the hardest part is putting so much into it and trying to get our name out there and as of yet, not seeing a whole lot of interest.
Where would you like our town to be in over the next five years?
Madison: Ideally I'd like it to not change too much. I would like more people to become aware of their impact on small business instead of just doing what is easy and going to a big chain store. I know its something that as a young person I wasn't even aware of until I began working at the bookstore and realized how often you hear people in the store comment that they'll just go to Barnes & Noble later or shop on Amazon.com. It's so important to support local businesses because you're supporting your own community, even if it might cost a little bit more.
What is your favorite thing to do in our town?
Madison: My favorite thing to do by far is to go to the beach! Pretty much any hot day during the summer you will find me and my family at the Indianola beach enjoying the weather and the scenery!
What is your favorite Store in town? 
Madison: I really love working and shopping in the bookstore (Liberty Bay Books). I also of course love the Indianola Country Store and Deli because of the history and the sense of community. Also, my aunt & uncle just opened an art studio in Poulsbo called Indi Studios and its full of art from Indianola artists and soon IndiPrints will have some original designs in their store!
 Do you give to any local charities you work with? 
Madison: At the moment we're so new we're just working with getting the business going, but do offer a discount to customers who are purchasing shirts for fundraisers and other charity events so that the shirts are cheaper and they can make a larger sum of money for their cause.
What is your business motto? 
M&R: Committed to giving you the best!
Tell me anything you would love to share about your business
M&R: We're just really passionate about our business and are really excited to start getting some bigger jobs and making some beautiful apparel! We will beat any competitors price quote and offer many options for discounts!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The Christmas Story Production at the 5th Ave in Seattle.

We had a great time at The Christmas story at the 5th Ave theater in Seattle. “Hub’s” and I had a wonderful night. When I found out that I was going to go see the production of my favorite Christmas movie of all time, I felt like an excited little girl. Like a child eagerly awaiting Christmas morning. That is what I felt like and my “Hub’s” did as well. 
Walking into the 5th Avenue theater you start to feel like you are about to be part of something special, this magical feeling comes over you and when you walk past the ushers down to your seats. You feel so small in this larger then life theater.  The Stage for the Christmas story the musical. from the first impression with its bright red and radio studio theme, you know your in for a great treat before the curtain comes up!
They take on a brand new adaptation of the classic 1983 film, "A Christmas Story: The Musical". The show brought back to me the fond memories of the film and left me with a wonderful sense of hope for this new family tradition I hope that it will become.  
In case you haven‘t seen the movie that is shown incessantly over the holiday season (sometimes for 24 hour periods nonstop) You live under a freaking rock!!  Here's a rundown for you anyway, I wont hold it against you too much, 
You get to follow the quest of young Ralphie Parker as he plots and schemes to convince his parents and Santa too! That the one gift to become the best Christmas present in the world, is a Red Ryder 200 Shot Carbine Action Air Rifle. The problem is he keeps running into obstacles of his Mother, his teacher and even Santa as they warn him away from the gift with the familiar, "You'll shoot your eye out." But Ralphie is tenacious and will have his prize!  
we are also able to get to know the rest of the Parkers and their neighbors as we dive into the world of story originator Jean Shepherd. Complete with bullies, major awards and triple dog dares, the story takes us back to a simpler time. A time to escape back during the few hours that the play takes to tell its delightful story. It was just what I know I needed. 
While we were there we were able to enjoy a special treat when the boy who played Ralphie Now 39, Peter Billingsley was in attendance telling all of us that this movie  "has always meant a lot [to him] personally." Billingsley switched from a successful child acting career to a successful producing one. He's is the man producing this musical version of the movie at the 5th Ave! You might have heard of some other production he has been a part of as well..... like  "Iron Man" and "Four Christmases" serving as executive producer. Being that he loves the Christmas Story like no one else can might have been the added love that made this show so wonderful!!! 


The Live show is a charmer and is over the top with talent.  the feel of the original material intact and still hits all the important parts, hitting the nail on the head in all the right spots.  that have become so familiar and a staple for most of us. The play made me truly feel like it was the start to the Christmas season.
Keeping the wonderful theme the costumes,  that look like they were transported right from the movie by Elizabeth Hope Clancy, In my mind this helped me see it as the new theatrical holiday standard by which all of the other production around the holiday Should be judged. 

The Children in every single scene that they were in all were show stoppers! The play will only help springboard their careers. They held their own and demanded you to sit up in your seats and take notice. They were a pleasure to watch. The funniest part of the entire show was the FUdddddddddggggggggggeeee part! It was wonderful to see the Children and the adults play & interact together. 


the songs "Ralphie to the Rescue" and "A Major Award" were both complete show stoppers and crucial to the story. “Sticky situation” broke out in song when the triple dog dare was thrown down. I sing it all the time and my “Hub’s” at first thought that it was cute now finds it un-bareable. I truly wish that they had the music for sale for us to buy. It is one I would love to have in my Holiday collection.

The cast was amazing, Hand Picked perfectly having amazing style for the time period. Clarke Hallum plays the scheming Ralphie an adoreable young man that I just wanted to put him in my coat pocket and bring him home. with me. His voice is right up there with any of the adults on stage. He was as intended the star of the show! 
Anne Allgood was lovely as Ralphie's Mother and her Vocal talents in the Second act where she picks up her son after his fight only to turn around and covers for Ralphie had me with a lump in my throat choking back the tears. 
Frank Corrado was the perfect narrator & when I was sitting there I truly thought it had to be the Original narrator of the movie! As he weaves this wonderful tale for us in the fun theme of a radio drama. 


Ralphies “Old man”, was played by the talented show stealer, John Bolton With his over the top antics and especially with his fun & zealous "Major Award" number! He was made for this role or maybe this role was made for him. 
You have one more week to enjoy this great Production! Do yourself a favor and buy this for a loved one and put it under the tree! 
"A Christmas Story: The Musical" plays at the 5th Avenue Theatre through December 30th. For tickets or information contact the 5th Avenue Box Office at 206-625-1900 or toll free at 888-5TH-4TIX (584-4849) or visit them online at www.5thavenue.org.
* Thank you to the 5th Ave for sharing their wonderful photos!!!!!***

Monday, December 20, 2010

I loved the bucket list! I think it was so amazing to check things off your life list. I have a copy of the places to see before you die ( both in the world & just the USA) The other day when I was watching my girl Rachel Ray there were some really cute young guys on the show and they were talking about having to host a cooking show so of course they were on Rachel’s show! Their show is on MTV ( a secret I don’t share but I have to watch most of their shows! I miss the Hill’s and LC so bad!) THis show is called Hill’s and LC so bad!) THis show is called The Buried Life. 
The show is about a group of friends who created a list of "100 things to do before you die" and they travel across the globe to fulfill each goal. AND...when they accomplish one thing on their list, they help someone fulfill something they wanted to do before they die, on their lists. . I also found many girls that blog that have done this as well. :) I am super excited to get started. 
So, wish me luck. I have 1001 days to complete this list. Cheers to my count down.....That's when this list will end and a new one will begin!
MY 101 LIST FOR 1095 DAYS: Will be done on December 18th 2013
Red means that I am working on it. Blue with a line means I have done it! 
1  Become a Mommy! 
2. Clean the Garage.
3. Build an emergency fund with at least 8 months of income in it.
4. Join the Gym. ( and go! ) 
5. Start and open a non-profit for women that have lost their fertility under the age of 30. Help them have babies through IVF.
6. Take a Yoga Class and stick with it. 
7. Order something at a restaurant that I would never order!!!
8. Learn my mom’s chocolate cherry recipe.
9. Take a cake decorating class
10. Go to movie mid day all alone.
11. Attend a wine tasting…and try to like it! ( I don’t like wine its too dry!)
12. Cook Hubs a candlelight dinner. 
13. Make Kingstongirl a household name.  
14. Volunteer at the Children’s Hospital
15. Volunteer at the Ronald McDonald house.
16. Go to the SAM and see the Picasso
17. Attend the Race for the Cure
18. Host a dinner party for a few close friends
19. Get plants for my home I don’t have them because they never live.
20. Take a photography class.
21. Order prints of all my favorite pictures
22. Find a new hobby. 
23. Join a book club
24. Take a cooking class with the hubs.
25. Backup all my pictures to an external hard drive
26. Send handwritten letters to my close friends and tell them why I love them. 
27. Write and finish my series of travel books....
28. ....then get them published.
29. Read more books
30. Master baking a cake from scratch, frosting included
31. Go to Disenyworld at Christmas time. 
32. Go down Hwy 101 through California on the coast.
33. Re-new my vows with Chris.
34. Take Hub's to San Fransico
35. Go to Paris for my 10th Anniversary.
36. Spend my birthday in Vegas
37. Go to the theater in Seattle. 
38. Get all my photos from Highschool, to 2010 in scrapbooks. 
40. Get a will made up for Chris and I. 
41. Clean out my closet and donate old clothes to charity
42. Start swimming again. 
43. Learn to sew again. 
44. Spend more time with my Grandparents and soak in their stories. 
45. Quit drinking Diet coke. 
46. plant a veggie garden
47. spend a day at the beach.
48. Take a picture of each house I have lived in and put it in a photo book.
49. Go to Mexico
50. Go more green.
51. Take Chris Kayaking on Lake Union and Lake Washington
52. carve my name in a tree ( CG+SG at the devils punch bowl OR.)
53. Drive from the west coast to the east coast.
54. Visit Hawaii
55. Road trip from Seattle to the Florida keys.
56. Throw a winter ball.
57. Drive by myself to See my friend Yvonne in Montana
58. Climb the Eiffle tower
59. Send my mom flowers. 
60.  Get a Nikkon Camera.
61. Have a weekly radio show.
62. Pick a cookbook and make something out of it everyday.
63. sit in one sitting and watch the entire Starwars series.
64.Go to Italy
65. Go on a Disney Cruise
66. Buy a VW bus van
67. Go to Mount Ranier
68. Go to Crater Lake
69. Stay at the Cresent Lodge
70.....Klaloch lodge
71. Eat dinner at the Space needle.
72. Get a farmers market tent.
73. Be a part of a Full summer season of farmers market.
74. Be on the NY Best sellers list. 
75. Meet Rachel Ray.
76. Host a New years eve Ball. 
77. Spend a weekend in Portland.
78. Take a photography class
79. See the Macy's day parade 
80. Watch the ball drop in time Square
81. Get professional pictures taken, headshots, of myself
82. Buy a new Kitchen aid. 
83. re new my vows with my hubs.
84. Build a huge blogger network.
85. Visit Uncle Tony & Aunt Mary in Texas.
86. Spend a weekend in Palm Springs.
87. Learn to bake like my Mom & Cook like my dad.
88. Knit a sweater.
89. Play the flute again.
90. Make celebration cakes kits for all the food banks in the area.
91. Become a Chamber member for 10 towns. 
92. Be the women of the year. 
93  Read all my childhood books over again.
94. Ride in 25 parades with Kingstongirl.
95. Go to my Nephews B-day party in June.
96. Let past hates in my heart go away.
97. Make and sell things on Etsy! :) 
98. Re decorate the bedrooms in our house. 
99. Save enough for a new Apple Desk top. 
100. Be happy and laugh everyday. 
101. 

Meet me Monday!


Do you regift...and if so, do you have a re-gifting horror story?
No I don’t re-gift. The reason being is that a few years back both sides of my family did a gift exchange.  My aunt (only by blood not by anything else) gave me a cookie jar, I love snowmen so I thought for the very first time in my life that she gave me a gift. I opened it with this small feeling of exceptance from the aunt that never really seemed to give a shit about me.  I almost shit my pants when I say a gift tag, and the left over cookie crumbs. The note said 
to: Shitie Aunt  From: Your secret Santa Charlie.  My mom, Dad and hubs saw it, others in my family think I was making it up, that I wasn’t being truthful. Needless to say We don’t do the gift exchange on that side of my family. 
I guess I would think about re-gifting if it was A) a great gift. B) Neither party would know one another and ever be able to trace it back to being a re-gift. 

2. Do you know what you are getting for Christmas this year?
No...but I've already received the only thing I've ever wanted in life... Tune in for my Christmas eve blog post.

one year I was totally into Twin peaks, I had asked my parents to get me the long list of Twin peaks items, The Laura Palmer diary, the 50’s pleated skirt, a sweater that would go with the skirt, all the thought my mom put into these gifts and I opened the gift bags and saw all the gifts, but that Christmas morning I had to act surprised and the empty feeling was awful..... then my mom and Dad gave me a letter and inside it said we know you peeked but we still wanted to make it special. So we are taking you to all the places that the twin Peaks show shows us! So we got the cherry pie, see the falls! It was great. :) 
I never peeked again at anything! Also I got to say I love my surprise’s!!!

Who brings the most gifts in your family, you or Santa?
Well We do one gift from Santa to each of us, most of the time it is the big gift. 
We can’t wait until the day when there are chubby cheeked babies sitting around the tree! Hub’s and I both know that  nothing will be better than rising on Christmas morning, all bleary eyed and rumpled with sleep to watch our children ooh and ahh over their Santa stuff!!
Warms my heart just thinking about it!
4. What store do you love to by jeans from?
Well if I am on a budget then I will say Old Navy, or the Gap! I love their boyfriend jeans at the Gap or the Sweetheart jeans at Old Navy, If I have a gift card or my mom and Dad tell me that they are buying me some new clothes for my birthday, we go to Nordstroms and I get the JAG jeans and they are like wearing butter! & my butt always looks great! Not like a back with a slit in it. I have the flat butt all the women have on my Dad’s side of the family have! 
5. Christmas meal: Big, All Out Meal or Snacks and Apps?
Big meal. (Yes,Daddy’ O...that's my vote!)
Our Christmas Eve is a freakin' marathon of Christmas cheer! I love it! Starts with Chris and I having a big breakfast, then we start to make the rounds this year it will go to our close friends to drop off Cinnamon Rolls for them to enjoy Christmas morning. Then to my in laws for a quick hello ( we eat snacks here!) to that side of the family. 

Then the big extended clan comes over to a hall we have to rent because our family is that big!!!! We see Santa! He makes a stop for all the kids! This is where “Hubs” asked me to marry him. :)  ( WE EAT A POT LUCK DINNER HERE!!!!) 
Then we go to my Auntie Lisa’s house ( My Dad’s sisters house) where we do my Dad’s side of the gift exchange. ( we have snacks and we eat home made cheese cake!)
Christmas Day, my “Hub’s” working on Christmas morning this year, so I’ll stay in bed for as long as I can, so I don’t get tempted for opening my gifts. I will watch the Christmas day parade eating something that is in the fridge.  Later that day we will do dinner with my Parents and exchange our gifts. That night when its just the “Hubs” and I we will open our gifts. 

Even though it is a busy two days, it is what Christmas is all about, friends, family, food, gifts of laughter and fun! 

Happy Holidays! may this week be magical and full of moments that turn into wonderful memories. :) Check in Friday for my xmas eve post.