Tis the Season

It's that time of year again... Ornament-laden trees, garland, tinsel, Christmas lights, fancy cookies... It's Christmas time!

This has always been my favorite time of year. I love the lights, the decorations, the spirit. And yes, I'm still a big kid inside and I love getting presents!

This year I'm experiencing an extra big helping of Christmas Spirit. I am so freaking excited for Christmas!! We are going to have a full house this year; Jason's sister is coming up from Las Vegas (with husband and toddler in tow), and his parents are coming over from Yakima. My sister-in-law and her family will be staying with us, and the parents will be 2 minutes away at Quest Resort. MY parents will be joining us for Christmas dinner, and M1 and M2 will be here through Christmas morning.
This will be the first time the girls get to meet their new aunt, uncle, and cousin, and they couldn't be more excited.

The girls and I put up the decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving, and looking at the twinkling lights every night makes me so happy.

I hope that everyone out there has a wonderful Christmas. Peace and love to you, one and all.

Thus It Begins...

So Friday brought the first snow of the 2017 winter season, and can I just say YUCK!!

I get that snow is simply a matter of fact when you live in this area. I really do. But did it have to start SO damn early this time around??

I know there is no point whatsoever in bitching about something that is completely and utterly out of my control, but that doesn't mean bitching doesn't make me feel just a tiny bit better, because it does.

I GOT A DOG!!!!!!

So I have wanted a dog all my own for my entire adult life. Something that I picked out and raised from a puppy. Some 4-legged canine that I could be there for and love and take care of for its entire life. I've been bringing this up to Jason for months and he's repeatedly shot me down for several valid, logical reasons. But last month something changed and he gave in and took me to get a puppy!!!

His name is Bosco, and he's about 4 months old now...

He is a purebred beagle, and he is the 4-legged love of my life. He is SO CUTE and SO SWEET and SO PLAYFUL and I am SO FREAKING HAPPY!!!

He is also my new snuggle buddy...

And did I mention how much better my naps are these days?

This little love bug is my baby boy, and I look forward to so many happy years of walks, playtime, puppy kisses and companionship.
Oh, and did I mention the fact that he thinks he's a shoulder dog??

Vacation!

Today is the first day of my first real and proper vacation in a very long time. A vacation where I am actually GOING somewhere. In this case I am going to visit my best friend and soul sister in Los Angeles.

I am of course very excited for this trip, although I'll be more excited when the plane I haven't boarded yet lands safely in LA. Assuming the plane doesn't crash and my severe fear of flying doesn't cause me an aneurysm, I'll have many adventures to write about as the week goes on.

Fingers crossed!

Making Changes

Well hello there 2017, I didn't see you come in. How are you? Have you been briefed on what happened with your predecessor? Are you ready for what's ahead?
Yeah, me neither. But all we can do is try.

I'll tell you what I'm going to do this year 2017, I'm going to make myself better. Not in a great big, grandiose way, but in several small ways that, given enough time, will eventually become greater than the sum of the parts. I'm going to start by giving up sweets. Not forever, but definitely for now. Over the last several months I have developed a physical addiction to chocolate, and that's not an addiction my health or my waistline can afford to keep up. I'm also going to start walking. 30 minutes on the treadmill every evening will not only get me into a more active state of mind, but will also help get my waistline back down to a more reasonable size.

Now I want to make it very clear 2017 that these are not resolutions. These are changes that I am making to my lifestyle. These are some little things I am doing to make me a better version of myself.

I'm going go and relax for a while. I hope you're able to handle things 2017. Let me know if there's anything I can do for you.