Oh Christmas, How I love you!

First off. for those of you who actually do read my humble little blog, I thank you- and I apologize for my frequent absenses. I have not lately been inspired to post. I dont mean, however, that I have been unhappy- of course, not at all! It's Christmas time! I am never unhappy during the month of December..I can't allow it! I simply mean that although I have been loyal to all of my regular blogs, I have not felt worthy to share any of my own thoughts.

Well, today I am inspired.

Maybe it is because Christmas is a week away

Maybe it is because it's ugly christmas sweater/ potluck day at work (good news Mom, yours wasnt the ugliest!)

Maybe it's because I know I am going to be spending lots of time with family very soon

Who knows.

But everything today has lifted my spirits, inspired me to create, to be happy, and to spread that intoxicating Christmas cheer!

Today I emailed my wonderful Husband and told him I wanted my own craft room. right now my "craft room" consists of a portion of our "office" which, since we are moving soon and we have yet to put away the empty boxes that once contained our christmas decorations..has turned into more of a storage room..

Today I also decided that I want to dye my hair again

and to cut it all off

Today I want to go find fun holiday outfits and try fun holiday hairdo's

Today I want to hang with my family and watch christmas movies

Today I want to go out and buy tons more presents for my amazing Husband- because..he IS truly truly amazing..and hes way too easy to shop for..

Today I want to take a long brisk walk around town..maybe go for a sprint. The weather is perfect!

But I'll resist...with most of this (the self indulgent, expensive part). I may accidently wander into thair hair dye section at walmart...and end up with red hair ..sorry mom..I know you hate that . and the walk is definitely on tonights schedule

I think I've made up for the few weeks I havent been around...I am such a rambler!!

So..to wrap this up, here are a few christmas pictures I've collected so far

and don't forget- The best way to spread christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!! SO lets all crank the christmas music in the car, roll down the window, smile at the person next to you and sing your heart out!

Theres so much to be thankful for

My goodness it has been a while! I dont know where I have been...!

But there is absolutely nothing to do at work today so I believe its high time for a post

and the topic of todays post..is...guess!

THANKSGIVING!!

I so love thanksgiving. I love all the family being together, helping with the cooking (I'm even making a dessert for one of my thanksgivings this year!! scary..) all the happiness..laughter..music..

I also love how thanksgiving marks the beginning of christmas season. Even though we were bad and put up our tree on sunday..and I've been listening to christmas music a bit when no one else is around ( shh!!) AND I watched elf this weekend...
Now i dont have to feel guilty about it! I intend to listen to christmas music from November 26th to january 1st. Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Josh Groban, Manheim Steamroller, Vince Guaraldi, AND Sufjan Stevens (one of THE BEST christmas compilations ever!! you must check it out if you havent)

Now that last one was a bit difficult to listen to for a while...and that comes with a story:

Last year, the saturday after Thankgsiving started so amazing. Why, you ask? it snowed! Nothing major, just some flurries on and off..and a little sleet. but it was beautiful!! It was just perfect.
And so on this particular day it snowed just a little
on and off .
all day.

snow is sneaky like that. Because no one would think that this snow would be in the least bit dangerous. nah. not this snow. its happy!

Well, friends. On this particular saturday night, we headed over to El's moms for a fantastic thanksgiving dinner. and I mean that. phoenominal ( as are all meals at the Phillips residence!) We had lots of fun, ate amazing food, listened to christmas music and got a little huskier..

and then we headed home.

As my lovely and wonderful boyfriend drove me home, I decided to stick in some sufjan to make the ride a bit more magical..it was a very peaceful drive.. still a light flurry in the air- so i say..maybe we should stay off the highway...nahhh!!

silly me

because as we drove along the highway ( going only aabout 45, mind you) holding hands and singing along to a hymn on our sufjan cd..the happy pretty snow turned a bit evil

suddenly we were skidding off the rode
flipping over
and over
and then skidding accross t he southbound lane of the highway..upside down

As I screamed I remember thinking "God please dont take him from me" because he was silent. and all i could see was the back of his head bent over..It was the most horrifying thing I had ever experienced. ever. ever. ever.

THANK GOD we both made it out alive!! I thank God ..and Nissan for building such a tough car!!! Poor little Terra...



but for the remainder of the christmas season..
I could not listen to Sufjans christmas cd
I could not drive or ride on the highway without having at least a mild panic attack
and I was super attachd ( possibly at an unhealthy level) to El... because he was almost taken from me. if he was even an inch shorter..I don't even want to think about it ..


MY POINT is
I can now listen to Sufjan again without breaking down..or getting really nervous :)

and I am soo thankful for that!

and for my health

and for my amazing-fantastic- super cool- handsome husband that has stuck with me for 4 years even though I can be ridiculous sometimes

and for my family and their support

and for christmas movies

and christmas music

and pretty lights

and hugs

and friendly people

and fuzzy sweaters

and christmas trees

and, of course, the reason for the season!!



I am so thankful for every day He has given me, and for every one He has blessed me with!


what are YOU thankful for??


Have a FANTASTIC thanksgiving!!

Getaway!

I am so so so excited to say that the boy and I are finally going to celebrate one of our anniversaries in "style"! with no tv, no central heat, no phone service..and tons and tons of gorgeous mountains!

We will be staying in this lovely cabin for a couple of nights and hiking (yes in december) all around the fantastic Boston mountains!

I predict lots of cuddling by the fire, marshmallows, stew, board games and hiking. it will be fun times for sure! Happy almost 4 years Daisy! ( and 6 months of marriage!!) I love you like Chuck Norris loves roundhouse kicks!!

Weekend Pictures( again!)

believe I am

forming a habit of this..I guess thats ok though:)

This morning I woke up happy. Reluctantly, but Happy. The sun was pouring through our window, the tree just outside was a gorgeous orangy-yellow color- all was right with the world





Until I began my commute to work


people wouldnt move as I merged onto the highway


The car in front of me decided to go 65 in the left lane


the cars behind me got mad. at me. and proceeded to pass


as soon as they realized they couldnt go anywhere..they squeezed between me ..and the slow car



the slow car STAYED in the left lane. despite multiple cars giving it plenty of indication that it was, in fact, not welcome in this lane


a fedex truck was coming up so fast behind me i was sure it would just run right over me



But no matter..I get to work..everything is happy and pretty again:)




until the phone rings. People are hateful already. Hateful and demanding. and Rude. and hateful. did I mention hateful?



I was upset. I turned to the best person to turn to when I'm upset.

this is what he says :





"All the more reason to be super nice to everyone. I think that's a great idea honey! I love you and it's my strong opinion that if the world is mean to you then you should be nice right back!"

oh I love him...

so thats what I will do! I will put on a big inviting smile, be as helpful as I can possibly be, and use a sweet, positive tone when I talk to people. And it will make them happier (or annoyed...but thats their own fault) and then..I will take their harshness and put it in my yucky jar. then throw it away at the end of the day





because I know...there will be more angry people on the high way tonight;)

Halloweekend Pictures!

Don't let the description fool you..most of these pictures have nothing to do with halloween ;)

My guilty pleasure

Meet my guilty pleasure

That's right. Josh Groban.

I. Love. Him.

I can't help it. ever since his first cd came out when I was in high school, I have loved him, his music..his hair :)

I remember the first time I ever heard his voice. My dad and I were in the music/movie section at Barnes and Noble, and this cd starts playing..and immediately stopped me in my tracks. At first I thought to my self..what is this, Andrea Boccelli? no...too good (no offense Bocelli fans..) It was enchanting- intoxicating- it was Alla Luce Dal Sole. I, of course, immediately purchased the cd. And listened to it non stop for months.

Mr Groban continues to make me swoon, most recently with his christmas cd and his song "Believe" from polar express( not so recent, I know...but it's ALMOST that time of year!) . I adore that song..Whenever we watch Polar Express( which is quite often after Thanksgiving)I always make El watch the credits so we can listen to it:) Sad? Yes. Neccecary? Yes.

My point is

Josh Groban guest starred on glee last month. This was before I had ever watched it.

And now- its nowhere to be found- not on Fox.com, not on Hulu, not on joshgroban.com ...I am so depressed rigiht now.

I had no idea

I'm sorry Josh. So sorry.

SO if any of you lovely ladies out there happen to have a recording of this particular episode for some CRAZY reason....PLEASE send it my way!!! I will give you my address, I will drive-even fly to your house to borrow it- I will give you a hug!

if not..I will just have to wait until season one comes out on dv..

until then..

I will continue to love Josh for his music.

"Cause I'm a rhinestone cowboy..and thats the end of it"

(if you know what I'm referring to...we have to talk..)

Weekend Pictures

Good morning!

I hope you all had a lovely weekend! WE certainly did :)

Here are some pictures from yesterdays "adventure"..we went on a blind search for hiking trails..and ended up at a beautiful park in a small town near where we live :)

The trees were amazing- and the color of the water was just gorgeous! we will definitely be going back soon :)

Cuddling is my favorite..:)

A tribute and a welcome

*Side note- isnt the sight of changing leaves just absolutely magical? every fall I feel as if I'm seeing it for the first time.its so exciting! one day the view out my window is all green and the next bright oranges, browns and yellows- I love LOVE love it!

First, I want to pay tribute to my silly little LG flip phone:

Almost all the photos in the last few posts (sans sickly post) were taken with that terrible, wonderful phone (the free phone that was forced upon me when we made the indevidable switch to verizon.) There was nothing special about this thing.. but goodness did it make some impressive pictures

like this





and this

aaand this


as well as my blog header :)

Now for a welcome...

Hello you pretty little thang! welcome to the family :-D

Oh how I love my brand new shiny fancy iphone. and so far, it loves me too:)

this one is my favorite so far...

(Find the dinosaur! ;) theres a story behind it, i promise!)

this one is much more impressive if you've met my dog..he'd take lovely pictuers if he would just.sit.still...

well thats it for now, Have a lovely, fantastic day and take lots of pictures to remember it by!

Sickly

Today I am facing reality: I am sick. I was in denial yesterday. but the throbbing head, sore throat, earache, coughing and constant change in temperature.. I think that equals sick

so today, since I'm stuck at work and can't climb into bed and watch silly tv shows all day... I am going post- and its going to have a theme- comfort

6 more hours and I'll be home with the guy eatin' some thai-from-a-box.. then an old movie and apple cinnamon theraflu...

then off to sleeeep

I can't wait