Day 30: The End of the Road

My Favorite Holiday Albums

Vince Guaraldi Trio: A Charlie Brown Christmas (classic, classic, classic)

Jack Johnson (Brushfire Holidays vol. 1): This Warm December (Someday at
Christmas is my favorite track off of this one.)

Taylor Swift: The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection (I love her version of Last
Christmas, as well as Christmases When You Were Mine)

Elvis Presley: Elvis' Christmas Album (Blue Christmas is classic, but I adore Santa Claus is Back in Town)

Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas (I'm in not in the proper holiday mood until I've heard Mariah belt out All I Want for Christmas is You)

Jackson 5: The Ultimate Jackson 5 Christmas Collection (funny that such great Christmas songs come from a family of Jehovah's Witnesses. My favorite Santa Claus is Coming to Town is from the mouth of baby Michael.)

Hanson: Snowed In (my absolute favorite, nothing beats their Merry Christmas Baby and Christmas, Baby Please Come Home. The throwback to The Beach Boys with Little Saint Nick is superb.)

A Very Special Christmas (1987): featuring numerous artists in a holiday album to benefit The Special Olympics (Christmas in Hollis, Run DMC. Santa Baby, Madonna. I rest my case.)

Beach Boys: Christmas with the Beach Boys (I can't like the Hanson album without enjoying the inspiration.)

Dream Christmas Album Artist: John Mayer. Just saying he should think about that.

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I can't believe I've made it to the end of NaBloPoMo without skipping any days. I know my posts were not monumental and sometimes didn't contain many words. But who's to judge that lack of words somehow means that what I'm doing isn't blogging? Stories get told in a variety of ways. And I certainly feel, looking back on this month, that I have a perfect snapshot of what November 2009 was like for me. While I don't plan to continue posting daily I do hope to continue offering vignettes here and there so I have something to look back on. Thanks for reading and thanks to those who commented. I appreciate it.

Day 29: Tree Trimming

And so they are done. And there are even presents under one. And the outside is decorated. And I downloaded Lady Gaga music. The point is...lots of things happened during Thanksgiving break.

And now it's over. And I'm never eating turkey again.

The end.

Day 28: With Flare

I spent a few minutes this evening as the sun was setting to test out a little sun flare photography. I had only just read a tutorial on it and I definitely need to read more and practice. But out of the 20 or so shots I really liked this one:

Day 27: Black Friday

My mother and I went out like three years ago or so for the first Black Friday of either of our lives. It was the easiest most stress free experience ever. No lines, empty parking lots, not terrible crowds, nothing at all like what I'd always heard about it. We were in and out of Walmart, Kmart and Target in no time at all. It was enough to make us do it again. And again, like last year when we easily picked up a new tv with no hassle. We could never understand people who complained about how crazy Black Friday was, because it'd have never been that way for us.

Apparently our Black Friday years were really recession years. And if this year's experience is any indication at all the recession is really over.

It was insane.

We arrived at Walmart at 4:30am, which in the past had been an adequate amount of time before the sales began. This year people were parking in the lots of restaurants that were quite a distance away and walking to the store. We left there and headed to Target instead. Which, while easier to park, left much to be desired in the moving checkout line department. Afterward we hit up JoAnn's, Best Buy (very organized chaos there, I'll give them that) and finally, Home Depot.

I'm thankful for a few deals. A cookware set we needed, a Cricut for my Mom, a new microwave for the kitchen (over the oven for only $68) and several presents for Jonathan (which I won't name in case he snoops around here).

But mostly I'm never doing that again. I'll stay home and shop from the comfort of the internet next year.

Til' the next recession, Black Friday. It was nice knowing you.

Day 26: Thankful

It's not big or fancy. There are no more grandparents. Aunts and uncles are non existent. Cousins aren't running around. Just four seats at a modest table, plus one for the chihuahua. Too much food for the quartet. We all eat until we're stuffed and then push ourselves just a little bit more. Dessert is met with groans, we all agree not yet. Afterward we disperse. Store ads are scattered about and lists are made for morning shopping. Eventually the youngest one goes back for more turkey and the rest of us are left wondering where in the heck he's putting it.



It isn't big. And it isn't fancy. But it's perfect.

For that, I am thankful.

Day 25: Pre Thanksgiving

I started baking today. And as any good baking day goes it involved lots and lots of butter and some cream cheese thrown in for good measure.

I mean, it's my patriotic duty to commit such gluttonous crimes. I can't be held accountable.



I also can't be held accountable for the mess that ensued. For the record: I HATE this part. I hate cleaning but I hate for things to be messy. There is no happy medium in that kind of situation.


I managed to make pumpkin pies that were not from a can of Libby's easy pie mix.


But my favorite thing from today remains these Pumpkin Whoopie Pies. Seriously, I cannot endorse a dessert enough. These things are magic.

Day 24

I don't really feel like updating tonight. But I'm soldiering on so I don't break my NaBloPoMo streak.

Good luck tomorrow to Cassie who will be bringing her precious little boy into the world. I can't wait to hear his name!

Molly can't wait to hear it either. We'll be anxiously refreshing Twitter all day. :)


I'll be back tomorrow with Turkey talk or something at least a smidge more tangible.

Day 23: Photo of the Day

I have 76 of these, so forgive me if I don't have a favorite.





























It turns out if a cat lays down on your blue light covered Christmas wreath you're going to want to take a picture. And you'll get the brilliant idea to use a string of clear lights as an extension cord to light up the blue wreath. And once you find out how well she is going to cooperate you'll want to string those clear lights over her body.

Yes. This is my life.

Day Ventidue

In the midst of my meltdown this past week my brother brought a bag of Rolos to me. I don't eat much candy and I hadn't had one of this in years. But oh my was I hooked. And I stayed hooked, until sometime yesterday when I finally calculated the total number of calories in a bag of them and decided to give away what I had left in mine.

It was a good run, me and Rolos, I'll miss them.

Day 21: The Elusive Flu Vaccine

My Dad gets a 4 inch needle inserted in his abdomen for a good 3 to 4 minute period, once to drain and once to reinsert medication...every 3ish months. I don't think it needs to be said that he handled this shot thing better than I did.

Day Twenty: Survival

After sleeping with my box of kleenex last night from the crying and then getting over this Italian oral exam hurdle today with my partner. Tonight is decidedly less stressful.

My weekend plans include that elusive hair cut and shopping for Thanksgiving food. (and working on my history paper...but we'll forget about that part for now)

I'm all out of things to vent about today. For that, I am thankful.

I took shots of my mom Wednesday as she sat in my room talking to Jonathan. Not talking about photo quality or anything like that, but for real...how awesome of an idea were my grey walls? The perfect picture taking neutral, no?



Bonus: it's really me and check out my new camera!

Day Nineteen: It Sucked Again

Feel free to skip over the following:

I got into a huge tiff with my Dad before I even left the driveway this morning. I'm completely overwhelmed with the history group project, an English paper, and the Italian Oral Exam. I have to meet with my partner for Italian tomorrow (a non commute day) and I'm too EXHAUSTED to even contemplate that at this point. I meet her at 2pm. But before that I have to get myself, the brother and the Dad down to the health department for H1N1 shots at 12:30 and back home before I leave. And I only have 500 miles left on my car before I have to get the oil changed or my warranty is null and void...and I just got around to making an appointment today when I should have done it days ago (thankfully my service tech squeezed me in on Monday). My flu shot site is a huge bump that itches and my whole arm hurts. My head has been paining me for days. And I had to walk all over campus so now my feet (lacking the new shoes I had to return this past weekend because they were messed up) are hurting SO BAD. And I've still had no time to make a hair appointment.

Long story short: I'm so ready for Thanksgiving break to begin right now. I'm definitely in need of a holiday to reflect upon what I'm thankful for instead of what I'm overwhelmed by.

Day Eighteen: Needle Phobic

I played with my camera while my mom gave me my seasonal flu shot. I was the last one of the family to get it and Friday we're all going to get the H1N1 vaccine. Which is cool. I've taken an almost political stance on vaccinations over the last few months. But oh my word am I needle phobic. I cannot deal. My mom asked after she'd given it if I felt like passing out and I told her there was more risk of that happening BEFORE she gave it to me. I was fa-reaking.

This where I should probably mention I've avoided needles for at least the last decade. I was in middle school the last time I was vaccinated. All you needed in high school was an updated tetanus shot and guess what?! I'm super allergic to those.

Two shots in one week after such a long hiatus? K-i-l-l-i-n-g me.

Day Seventeen: It Arrived

Too much? I mean, I know the subject matter of all of these is just thrilling and so fun to look at. ;)

Once I figure it all out and the sun makes its return I'm certain this thing is going to be a ton of fun. I'm salivating just thinking about it.

Day Sixteen: Umm, yeah...

Can I borrow a line from Heather Armstrong? Yes, okay.

Today sucked and then I cried.

So how about some Molly?



Lame.

Day Fifteen: Send Pain Meds

Degenerative Disc Disease and Spinal Stenosis run in my family, which is a fancy way of saying I come from a long line of effed up spines (my Dad being our most famous example with two low back surgeries and a neck laminectomy). And despite this and the low back and neck pain I sometimes deal with I continue to do things I shouldn't. Like carry in a million grocery bags at one time, lift the lab into the tub at bath time or in Friday night's case: pick up the world's heaviest backpack at an awkward angle and hoist it onto my bed.

Shortly after a nerve under my left arm began twitching to the point I was in tears over the sensation. I woke up in the middle of the night over it and by morning the pain was throbbing and radiating down to my very numb and cold fingertips.

In short, I should have remembered what my 7th grade science teacher used to tell us: don't do dumb stuff.

The point of this story is there is no point. Just a little bit of what I've been up to this weekend. I won't deny enjoying the excuse to curl up with a heating pad last night and rest for a few hours. During which I took the opportunity to watch UP and bawl my stinkin' eyes out. And then my Dad came and gave me the you-do-too-much-stuff-you-shouldn't-don't-end-up-like-me talk about my 'issues'...it was a real bonding moment. ;)

The remainder of my weekend has been but a blur of boredom. Grocery store visits, coupon clipping, movie watching, chicken salad making and reading wonderful chick lit (so not a book snob this weekend).

My camera should be here Tuesday! And Jon's first Christmas present arrives tomorrow! I feel all Christmas spirit-y already.

Day Fourteen: hey Mama, are you listening?

A Wish List: camera stuff
Canon 50mm 1.8 lens
a Lensbaby selective focus SLR lens
and to go with: a Lensbaby Macro Kit and a Lensbaby Aperture Kit (so I can't make bokeh stars)
an SLR backback, perhaps like THIS ONE
and one of these pretty camera straps

A Wish List: other stuff
an LL Bean Tote
a new iPod
Apples to Apples

Today I'm thankful for my new Kroger store. If I can't have Publix, Kroger is for real the next best thing. I'm also thankful that once upon a time my parents moved to Mt. Washington and not Shepherdsville. I don't think any other Kentucky city evokes as much rage from me as that one does. And I'm thankful for weekends away from Italian. Amen.

Day Thirteen: Oh My God

I ordered a camera.

Like for real. Let's just hope I don't get buyer's remorse this time.

Very long story short: I've almost bought a Canon Rebel XS for the last several weeks. Meaning I almost paid $500 for just the XS with the 18-55mm lens. But as you all know, I couldn't stop searching for a deal.

So! Behold what I just snagged.

Canon Rebel XS with 18-55mm- $499.00
Canon EF 75-300mm lens- $154.95
subtract $-100.00 lens deal
subtract $-49.95 from a code I found for a percentage off DSLRs
no tax

Total: $504.04

I recall writing last night that I was going to sleep in today. But I couldn't make it through Real Housewives of Orange County last night and I've been wide awake since like 6:30. I can't decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Or if I was lucid enough to be crunching deal numbers just a little while ago. At any rate, prepare for lots of photos around these parts!

Day 12: Still Not Quitting

But I do have a terrible headache, so in the interest of brevity:

Italian went SO much better today. Thank you god.

My breakfast consisted of a can of the Big Red my brother had stashed and doritos. So healthy!

I didn't eat, eat, until just a little while ago. During which I had tylenol as a side dish.

I kicked ass in history discussion today. Close readings of primary documents is surprisingly my thing.

Tomorrow: my coats arrive, I need to exchange the tennis shoes I bought last weekend, and finish a craft project I've been working on. First I shall sleep in.

I'll blog better tomorrow. Promise.

Day Eleven: A Rant

I've hit a wall so to speak in the semester. The last two periods of Italian have been the worst for my fragile little ego. I've felt like the biggest idiot in the world. I'm not always right, it doesn't come easy to me and I worry about getting completely lost in the language. Not to mention our midterm was 2 weeks ago and my confidence level on what that grade will be has gone from I probably didn't bomb it completely to omg, I'm certain I failed and I'll never get to leave UK. Not to mention we have an oral exam the day before Thanksgiving break and not only do I not have a partner yet, I'm also kinda stressed about the whole thing anyway.

It's kind of ridiculous.

Then over in history is a group project that is sucking my soul with busy work. A bibliography. Then another paper on what we found and how we're going to research the paper. And so on and so forth. The assignment is really quite nutty.

Yesterday I had to skip history because I needed to register for classes. There were only 4 spots left in a history writing course that I have to have to graduate so I needed to be on it. Thankfully I got in. And got in the next level of Italian (ugh) so it all worked out. But I do worry about what I missed in history yesterday. And that will weigh on my mind until I go back tomorrow and find out it was nothing.

It goes without saying I'm an extreme worrier who spends most of her days filled with anxiety.

Anyways, I think the point of this whole post is venting. Which is what my blog would have been filled of the last few months and probably the sole reason it's been so quiet around here. The best I can think of to do is step back, take a deep breath, approach one thing at a time and just kick ass to the best of my abilities. Effort is worth something, right?