This Unfamiliar Road

December 17, 2010

It's Christmas Time...in the Suburbs

Andrea 4:30 PM 1 Comments

It's cold. Traffic is awful. Work is super busy. Hmmm...I think it's about to be Christmas!

Picking out our tree-it was coooold!

Ben got it in the stand all by himself!

Add the lights!

Our ornament collection- we got one from each Honeymoon destination

Hanging ornaments

Mustang wants to help!

Putting the angel on the tree

Finished product!

I am still working on the rest of the house. I know...it's December 17th. Aaaand, I've barely started my Christmas shopping. FUN!

# Christmas

December 15, 2010

OK...I changed my mind

Andrea 12:18 PM 1 Comments

So, I have been really struggling to keep up with this 12 Days of Christmas business. Between my work schedule and family in town, I have had no time for blogging! Now, I am super far behind and really don't feel like playing catch up. A lot has happened lately that is actually pertinent in my life...and I haven't blogged about it yet! Plus, Ben said, "Your blog is getting really boring.' All things considered...I have changed my mind! So, the 12 Days of Christmas (blog & Ellen-style) can stay where they are. If you want to keep up with Ellen's Giveaways (because they really are pretty awesome gifts), you can follow here.
To get back in to the swing of things, I will play along with Lists of Four.

1. Four shows that you watch:

-Modern Family

-Grey's Anatomy

-Private Practice

-Glee

2. Four things you are passionate about:

-My job- you have to be passionate about nursing, or you will crash and burn!

-My Marriage- it takes a lot of work and compromise...I love every minute of it!

-My family & friends- I would be a mess without their love and support

-Access to education- I think it is so important for people to have the opportunity for

higher learning. It's not really about the degree you earn, but life lessons along the

way.

3. Four words/phrases you say a lot: (these sound strange out of context)

-Really?...Really

-You need to feed the baby every 2-3 hours (haha..I repeat this a lot at work)

-Ok then

-That's enough outta you (usually directed @ Ben when he is tormenting me)

4. Four things you have learned from the past:

-You get out of it what you put into it (applicable to school, work, marriage, friendships)

-It is so important to make time for family & friends

-You have to do what you love. If you don't love it, change it

-You should start Christmas shopping before December 13

5. Four places you would like to go:

-Italy: I loved it the first time, and I am dying to take Ben!

-China/Kazakhstan: My parents plan on taking my sisters on a "Heritage Trip" when they

get older. I would love to go with them.

-Washington D.C.: I've always wanted to go! The White House & Holocaust Museum

-Bora Bora: OK, this is really just symbolic for a tropical vacay that is perfect

6. Four things you did yesterday:

-Watched my hubby graduate from KSU...and sobbed like a baby

-Went to Hudson's to celebrate-saw LOTS of family & friends there

-Read some blogs and avoided writing on mine

-Had an awesome chat with my mother in law

7. Four things you are looking forward to:

-Medieval Times with Ben, Christa, and David on Sunday (at 1/2 off!)

-My first Christmas with Ben...and seeing my sisters' joy that afternoon!

-The New Year: I have lots of life changes I am excited about

-Long term-advancing my career. Going back to school-fun!

8. Four things you love about winter:

-No bathing suits

-Curling up on the couch under a warm blankie with Mustang

-Holiday: food, music and decorations

-Christmas cards (mine will be going out soon-promise!)

December 12, 2010

My List

Andrea 11:34 PM 2 Comments

I don't typically make lists for Christmas. My Mom has always been awesome at gift giving, so there was never a need for a list. She passed along ideas to my Dad, and then to Ben.

I will drop a hint every now and then, and hope that someone is listening. Most of the things that I want are for my home-it's hard to start from scratch! However, I never spend money on myself. I can always find something for my home.

However, my family always knows what I want better than I know what I want, so the best gifts are from them!

Gift Ideas for Me

A tropical vacation-maybe Tahiti?

Some new boots

James Avery ring

Rug for our living room

A Kindle- I think (haven't researched this vs. A Nook)

# Christmas

December 08, 2010

Christmas Movies

Andrea 9:49 PM 1 Comments

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

This Unfamiliar Road

December 17, 2010

It's Christmas Time...in the Suburbs

December 15, 2010

OK...I changed my mind

December 12, 2010

My List

December 08, 2010

Christmas Movies

Dinero

December 06, 2010

When I Was a Kid...

December 03, 2010

I Loathe Shopping

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