My New Years Week

Last NYE was crazy. This time last year I was stressed out and planning details, rentals, food, tickets, outfits. It was a lot. And the night was amazing. Seriously, amazing. And this year will be perfect as well. Last year was almost a rite of passage. I had gotten sick, laid off and changed my living situation. I survived and threw one hell of a prom. This year, life is stable and normal and the night will be too.

Friends, drinks, food, local bar. Done. However, this week is my celebration. The night is just the night. I only work a couple hours today, exchange a Christmas present for something cute and new at a local fav boutique, go for 2 hours of total spa relaxation, and then come home to my absolutely favorite meal of pepperocini pot roast in the crock pot. Today is close to perfect. Except tomorrow is my last day of work this week and we're having an in-store event, which is always a lot of fun. Followed by mimosas on The Boulevard my alma mater in a bowl game the next day and three days off! Throw in another spa appointment in those three days and a little shopping with Christmas money and this, my friends, is a perfect week.

Cheers to ending 2010 relaxing and enjoying the great things in my life: my store, shopping, football, family and Boo. So happy to relax and enjoy Boo this week.

Things that make me smile today

1. Winter candle from Bath & Body Works

2. Manheim Steamroller "Carol the Bells" (always been a fav since I was little)

3. Glee Christmas "Welcome Christmas"

4. Cold weather

5. A weekend off

6. Shopping this weekend for presents

7. My mom's present: Christmas tea at the Arboretum next week

8. My ET "Spencer" boots

9. My SMU baseball tee

10. Painting my nails red

11. Our Christmas tree at home and in-store

12. My seat warmers

13. Working with Nicole

14. Champagne with Molls last night and at the store today

15. Upcoming bowl games!

16. White Cheddar Rice Cakes

17. Cherry Almond Zone Bars

18. Lunch just the family girls next week at Seasons

19. Having so many things that make me smile

20. Scotty's Bday party tomorrow night!

21. Baking a cake and making appetizers (and having the time to do so) tomorrow

22. Misty at work with me today

23. Having a Friday night off to be with Boo

Welcome Christmas

I found my Christmas spirit. It was hiding in the Glee Christmas song "Welcome Christmas" from the Grinch. The music sinks into the background and I never truly listen. This song has probably played over a dozen times and I've never truly heard it. But this morning, it came on and with the first harmony I found myself frozen, listening, smiling and almost teary-eyed.

It's Christmas.

The New Christmas

It's Christmas, y'all. Are you ready? I, most definitely, am not. What in the world do you get for an ESL Venezuelan missionary brother-in-law that lives in Kentucky? Que? And I'm fairly certain what I've picked out (not yet purchased) for my sister is exactly what I gave her last year. Not such a good thing. Especially since I can't remember.

One week to go. Do you have all your presents? Waiting for a sale? Or just no time to buy? I think as adults Christmas isn't so much a season as another thing on the to do list. And if you have kids, something you create for your children to experience. But the "experience" of Christmas I remember for so long, hasn't existed in my life in years.

Living in NYC, the weather dropped, it snowed and Christmas decor was everywhere. People were on vacation, "experiencing" the Holidays. That made it actually easier to feel being up there. But here, where it's 70-degrees one day and life is so busy I can't find time to let nail polish dry, it just doesn't feel like a festive season for family, friends, fireplaces and hot chocolate.

So what is Christmas to an adult? I'm still searching for that answer. Any help out there? I'll keep my Winter candle lit (which smells divine!) and Christmas music on the IPod, turn on the tree lights every time I'm home and maybe attempt some hot cinnamon tea for special effect. I'll let you know if it starts to work before next week.