12 Posts of Christmas-ish

I planned to do 12 posts of Christmas; however, that would take self discipline for 12 straight days and I procrastinated for the first 50% of the days.  Now I'm doing 12 posts of Christmas/New Year's.  I might blame Google for making me feel like an idiot when trying to log in to my Blogger account.  I can't remember my password but Goolgle handily reminds me that my "password was changed 8 months ago, Idiot."  It would be ok if it was followed by some positive reinforcement.  (This is the expectation public school has set for me.)  But, no.  I'm forced to recover on my own and press onward with logging in.

That's beside the point, though.  Here's the First Post of Christmas-ish:

Looking forward to decorating cookies, baking, opening presents, spending time with family, snacking and snow!  I'm headed to Starbucks tonight and have all my presents wrapped and under my tree.  Lights will be plugged in as soon as I leave the office and I'll snuggle up on my couch with my husband!  Ahhhhh, 'tis the season!!  Task one of getting prepared:  baking pies/goodies.  Tonight I'll head to the store and start baking.  The Second Post of Christmas-ish will detail the cooking adventures of the season.

Until then............keep it cheery.

My Little Love!

I recognize that the last time I posted I rambled on about pregnancy and Mary, during which I somehow made it sound like I got pregnant in a confusing way..........AWKWARD and just to clear things up - I was making reference to the fact that Mary was a VIRGIN and was not referencing myself.

Like I said....awkward.

Moving on.

I feel like the only thing I can do is talk about being pregnant, which I feel may be incredibly annoying but it is truly amazing!  I can't stop dreaming about this precious little girl and how great she is going to be.  It's breath-taking to know that there were people that possibly loved me THIS MUCH before I was even born.  Planning and waiting for a sweet baby is like nothing else I have ever done before.  I love it more than eating even.  But really, on a serious note, it's even better than bacon.  HAH - truly.  It's like nothing I've experienced nothing as consuming and wonderful as this!

On the flip side....pregnancy makes a wreck of me some days/moments.  Hormones are out of control.  Sometimes my goal is merely to make it through the next two months without absolutely causing my husband to never want to talk to me again!  Being a single mom would not be fun.  Especially right at first.

I don't have many shenanigans to report on as of late.  I promise to post the story about how I had to pregnant sprint across the dewy field in blustery Oklahoma over Thanksgiving break.  But not today.  My book is calling me.  And possibly a cup of hot cocoa.

Until next time!

Running Log, Pregnant Mary and Ramblings

If you paid any attention to my running log on the right you would take note that I've logged exactly 0 miles in a loooong time.  Let's face it: pregnant running is straight up AWKWARD.  Power walking has long since taken its place.  And, even sooner since, strolling has taken power walking's place.  That and lame, I mean, AWESOME, pregnancy work out videos that include bending down to pick up things as an "exercise".  Carrying another person in your abdomen turns out to actually be more of a work out than one would anticipate.

So you COULD say that I work out all the time.  Literally.  I'm winning again, which is beside the point, because my point is actually to share that I'm planning to run another half marathon at the end of the year next year.  I have always admired moms who run, but, going through a pregnancy adds to that adoration.

Also?  (not that it didn't mean anything before) but Pregnant Mary also has a lot more meaning after being pregnant.  If Matt suggested that I ride on a donkey for 80 miles, probably without snacks, I would tell him he was crazy, had no concern for my child or emotional state, which is shaky at best, because of all the confusion involving how I got pregnant and how I no longer have friends, not only on Facebook but in real life plus I'm retaining water and I look as big as a whale.

Giving birth in a cave?  That just adds a whole separate level of craziness.  But Pregnant Mary?  She rocked it like a champ.  What a strong woman!

Anyway, I'll be running a half next November with my good friend who is due right after me in March.  Go running moms!

'til next time!

Bows and Such

I recently taught myself to make wreath bows.  It's really easy, especially if you watch this YouTube video first and follow the directions.  It may also cause you to speak with an accent.  I have found this actually improves the overall appearance of the bow.  Don't think too highly of yourself, though.  It could result in gazing at the one you made and hung on your door, which is OK, that is, until someone catches you doing it.  Like, say, your student worker.

If you have a bare wreath in your house you have no excuse now.  I have done everything except provide you with ribbon.  If you aren't resourceful enough to obtain that, well, I can't help you.

Cheers!  'Til next time.

Just Put a Bird on It: Christmas Edition

Finally, the time has come:  MERRY CHRISTMAS!  Starbucks holiday cups are out, Target has Christmas decor, the holiday flags are flapping wildly on Main Street light poles.....which is how it has been since November 1, but that's neither here nor there.

I waited patiently to put up my Christmas tree, which I did, with gusto, yesterday evening.  My husband, who normally loathes the putting up of the tree, pitched in with holiday cheer.  It was either because we were delirious with the holiday spirit (not wine) or possibly because of the six hour trek home earlier that day.  OR most likely because of the bird incident.

Attic Man was falling down on the job yesterday.  Evidently, he has better things to do that keep birds from flying into the attic while the door is open to allow passage of Christmas decor from the dusty depths beneath the roof into the living room.  Also, he was still doing these better things when husband was trying to "flush out" said bird by running around Mr. Attic Man's lair in a crouched position swinging a broom and yelling.  I became involved by forming a screen with flattened boxes to force said bird down the opening after Matt "flushed" the bird from one side of the attic toward the door i.e. I was screaming and hitting the bird repeatedly as it tried in vain to fly around me into the corner to hide.  Please keep in mind that the attic does not have head space, or torso space.  Also, that I'm 7 months pregnant. (don't worry mom, I wasn't near any place I could bust through the ceiling.....)

Merry Christmas, bird.  We are about to get a bird trap for the attic.  Attic Man?  I expect you to resume my post and flush the bird into said trap.  Or you will be evicted.  You have one day.

Reflections of a Pregnant Woman

At no other point in my life would I be happy that someone told me I look huge.  Thanks, pregnancy.  You put things in prospective.  You are also cruel and prevent me from painting my toenails.  My eyebrows?  No, I can reach those.  You have nothing to do with those, Pregnancy.  You are, however, causing me to need a lot of Snickers.  (Fun size or just a regular bar, because those are the correct ratio, if you recall.  Snickers minis, I scoff in your face.  Unless you are the only option.  No.  Shame.)

At no other point in my life would I be smiling to myself while walking into work.  Nor would I cry merely at the sight of the color pink. (Unless it was the foul color of neon pink the guest room was painted when we moved in...).

At no other point in my life would I be so excited to meet this little girl!!

Cheers!  'til next time...

I Have a License to Eat Cookies

Why?  because I bought maternity pants.  These suckers are roomy.  I won't go back to regular clothes.  No.  Shan't.  (ok, don't worry.  I'm not taking "eating for two" literally.  But seriously.  Everyone should own these pants just for comfort.)

I have spent a lot of time looking for baby furniture and baby bedding....it's just all so sweet.  I can wait to hold this little baby and kiss his or her little nose.

PS - I didn't get overzealous here and post twice in one day....this is an old unpublished tidbit.

You're Welcome.