This Unfamiliar Road

December 08, 2010

Christmas Movies

I love Christmas movies. Not only are they entertaining, but they bring the family together. I can experience something that my parents loved when they were kids. It would be difficult to choose just one "favorite" Christmas movie because so many of them have some type of significance to me. So, here is a list of the movies I always watch during the Holiday season.

Day 5: Favorite Holiday Movies

(In no particular order)

1. Pee Wee's Christmas Special. We typically kick off the Holiday season with a night of peppermint mochas and this classic movie at Christa's house. This annual tradition allows us to gather as friends and laugh.

2. A Christmas Story. I was completely appalled a few years ago when I found out that Ben had *never* seen this movie! Whaaaat? Can you guess what my parents got him for Christmas that year? ; ) This is truly a classic and I use quotes from this movie all the time. "Fragile...must be Italian!"

3. A Charlie Brown Christmas. My Dad loves this movie. He created a Charlie Brown Christmas tree in the yard this year. Cute.

4. Christmas Vacation. I love the characters in this movie. Clark Griswold always puts me in the spirit!

There are so many others that I am overwhelmed just thinking about it! Time to go watch one.

# Christmas

Dinero

Andrea 8:31 PM 1 Comments

It's difficult to keep things in check around the Holiday season. There is always some reason why we rationalize spending more money than we should. This year, Ben and I decided to 'go light" for Christmas. However, it is difficult to go light when we have to start from scratch for Holiday decor. We raided my parents' attic, collected the few things we already had, and I made a trip to The Dollar Store and Michael's for some craft items for DIY decorations. So far, the house looks great!

Day 4: Tips to a Budget-Friendly Holiday

1. Buy things throughout the year and hide them away for Christmas. There are many times that I see something in a store (in July) and think "Oh, my Mom would love that!", so I buy it. That way, you aren't spending a ton all at once. The trick here is to make sure you remember where you put it 6 months later.

2. Buy online. As I mentioned in a previous post, I love shopping online. I am able to search multiple sites for the best price of an item. I have also recently discovered a great discount website that allows you to search for online coupons.

Disclaimer: I do not buy clothing items or shoes online. It's too much hassle to return these things if they don't fit. The store is the best place for these things.

3. Ross, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, DSW, Home Goods. These stores have great items (some name brand) without crazy prices.

4. Buy after the Holiday season. Especially for wrapping paper and decor. Most of these items will be greatly reduced to get them off the shelves.

Now, if I could just take my own advice, I would be all set for this season. Oh well...maybe next year!

December 06, 2010

When I Was a Kid...

Andrea 11:00 PM 0 Comments

I grew up as an only child. I always wanted a baby sister or brother. I was always very maternal. I couldn't wait to be old enough to babysit. As such, I loved baby dolls. To me, they were real. I took them everywhere I went-fed them, changed them, and rocked them to sleep. Sounds a little creepy, I know. What can I say? I was a bit lonely and I had to find a way to entertain myself.
I've received some awesome Christmas gifts in my life, but there is one that I recall being so happy I cried.

Day 3: My Favorite Gift

Yes, it's a doll

My most memorable gift was my Lee Middleton doll. As a collector's doll, they cost about $150. I saved up my allowance for months, and was not even close! So, I was thrilled when I received one on Christmas morning Actually...it was after we had opened up all of our gifts and were settling in for a Christmas nap. My Mom pointed her out at the last minute a la A Christmas Story. I named her Amy Marie, and loved when people asked me if it was a real baby when I took her places. I don't think I have any pictures of her (she now lives in my closet at my parents' house) but the Lee Middleton look is unmistakable. I think this obsession with babies and my maternal instinct has played quite a large role in my current career- a mother/baby nurse. I truly think our childhood obsessions give a lot of insight into our life passions.
(Of course, the real gift came years later when I heard the exciting news that I would be getting a real baby sister!)

December 03, 2010

I Loathe Shopping

Andrea 5:20 PM 0 Comments

It's sad, I know...I hate shopping. I don't really know why. Maybe it's that I really don't like to spend money. I'm not cheap, but I am frugal. And it bothers how much stuff costs. Take curtains, for example. I bought some curtains for our bedroom recently at Bed, Bath & Beyond. Nothing special-just some fabric with a nice hem sewn in-basic. $50 for ONE panel. Really? Why? I am now starting to regret that I never had an interest in sewing when I was younger. Maybe I should learn. With that being said...Day 2 of my "12 Days of Christmas"

Day 2: Shopping Tricks

Am I even qualified to write about this? Well, I do a lot of my shopping online. I like Overstock, Amazon, and Ebay. I have recently discovered Amazon's trade in account. I sent in old school books and video games to Amazon to receive a credit to my account. A total of $200 so far! LOVE IT. Online shopping is great because I can shop for the best price from my comfy home.

I do enjoy going to the mall during the holiday season...maybe once. The Christmas music, decor, and hustle & bustle of it all is super exciting. Walking from one end of the mall to the other with bags so heavy that my fingers are losing feeling. Yep, it's all part of the experience. Happy Shopping folks!

# Christmas

December 02, 2010

Ho Ho Hum

Andrea 5:18 PM 0 Comments

I always have a difficult time getting into the Holiday spirit. I really don't know why, considering I grew up in a home with Clark Griswold himself. My Dad starts playing Christmas music around Halloween; our Christmas decorations (although classy) are abundant. Although nothing beats the grin on his face when it's all done..or maybe that's the eggnog.

This is the first year that I will not be waking up in my parents' house on Christmas morning. In fact, I won't be "waking up" at all on Christmas morning because I have to work on Christmas Eve night. Bummer. I decided to join in on the "12 Days of Christmas' blog challenge to hopefully spark my interest. Maybe I will even go shopping or decorate my home this weekend. Maybe.

Day One: Christmas Traditions

My family has lots of Christmas traditions, usually starting around the time we get our tree. We all go together to pick out our Christmas tree, load it on the roof of the car, and head home where Dad fights for at least an hour to get the thing into the stand. We all stand by for moral support and to make sure it's not crooked. Finally, the tree is straight (mostly) and sturdy. Dad's hands are covered in sap and we call it a day.
A few days later, we get started on decorating the tree. Dad takes care of most of the lights-untangling, finding the burnt out bulbs, and trimming the tree! Then we all gather (Christmas music on and eggnog in hand) to hang the ornaments. This is one of my favorite parts everrrr. I love going through all the old ornaments that I made when I was 2 years old.

Reindeer Food

On Christmas Eve, my baby sisters begin to get sooo excited as they put out cookies for Santa, dog food for the reindeer, and get into Christmas jammies. We spend the evening tracking Santa's progress on the internet (technology, eh?) and watching Christmas movies-all in front of a fire, of course! Off to bed-Twas the Night Before Christmas (my Mother's 1960's version) and sleep.

On Christmas morning, we always have to wait for my parents "to make sure Santa came" then sneak downstairs. I love watching my sisters' joy & excitement as they turn the corner. We pass out gifts and always take turns opening gifts. I love that my family does this because it allows you to truly cherish the gift you received and thank the person properly. Plus, I get to watch others open gifts I have given them.

Well...I would call this success- I am feeling much better about this Christmas season. I am looking forward to making new memories and traditions with my hubby. : )

# Christmas

November 29, 2010

Turkey Leftovers?

Andrea 8:28 PM 1 Comments

I am over turkey sandwiches. So, I decided to seek out a new recipe to use the rest of my turkey. I ended up with Turkey Tetrazzini. This is the first time I have made it, so I followed the recipe exactly. Ben and I decided that it was good, but not great. It has a lot of potential. Next time, I will add a lot more goody. And more garlic. It's the Italian answer to everything. More garlic. I will be sure to post my next attempt. Hopefully I won't wait until next Thanksgiving to try again : )

# Food

Gobble Gobble

Andrea 12:12 AM 0 Comments

Ben and I had a *great* first Thanksgiving as Mr and Mrs! I had to work Monday and Tuesday night, and I was scheduled to work Thursday (Thanksgiving) night as well. Bummer. I was struggling with this because it's the first year that I've actually had to deal with being away from my family for the first real holiday. I knew our census would be low because patients typically try to have their baby before the holiday (decided by the patients & doctors). Our cancellation policy for the Holidays is on a lottery system. So...at 5pm on Thursday (just as I was sitting down to eat), I get the magical phone call that I was cancelled for the night! Hooray...what a special gift! Dinner was delish, and we even got to watch The Polar Express with the fam afterwards. I love that movie.

On Friday, we all gathered at Christa's house for our annual tradition of Peppermint Mocha's and Pee Wee's Christmas Special. Every time I watch this movie, I laugh more and more. It's completely ridiculous and hilarious. We got to spend lots of time with friends and celebrating Christa & David's engagement! Eeeee- I am super excited for them!!

On Saturday, we held our 3rd Annual The Ciwcle Thanksgiving dinner. "The Ciwcle" is our group of work colleagues from the country club. (The name comes from the movie Chuck & Larry) We all have great fun together-summers include pool parties, Braves games, and Taco Mac. I think we are going to start a new "PJ Party" tradition this Christmas. Our <other> Thanksgiving dinner was awesome. I love sampling dishes from all different families. We had to bring in our patio table to accommodate everyone, and the seating arrangement was...umm, unique. One day, we will have a nice dining room and table : ) It was loud, hectic, and we all laughed a lot. Exactly what a family should be. I loved every minute of it. : )

Our Menu

Sitting down to eat

Ladies : )

Poor Keenan had to sit in a small chair

This Unfamiliar Road

December 08, 2010

Christmas Movies

Dinero

December 06, 2010

When I Was a Kid...

December 03, 2010

I Loathe Shopping

December 02, 2010

Ho Ho Hum

November 29, 2010

Turkey Leftovers?

Gobble Gobble

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