Christmas Tree!!

Last year, Dan and I started a tradition of putting up the Christmas tree together, while listening to Christmas music and drinking wine, and then sleeping next to the tree on an air bed. :) Cheesy and corny, yes.....but we're hopeless romantics, you know. :)

This year was no different. We got home from Olivia's birthday party, and dug out the decorations. We put the tree up, while watching the end of the Ravens and Steelers game, and listening to some Christmas tunes from Dan's extensive collection of Christmas CDs. (Seriously.) I even enjoyed some wine from the Honeymoon Trail Winery in Niagara Falls. (This was a bottle that Dan and I were saving for a milestone anniversary, however, it accidentially got opened by a guest last week.....so it was still in the fridge.) It was a port wine, so Dan had some Pinot Grigio, and some kind of German beer instead. We blew up the air mattress, and settled in for the night....... but about 3:30 a.m., we realized that we weren't on the air mattress anymore....we were on the hardwood floor. Evidentially the air mattress had somehow started leaking air..... and deflated. So, we got up and went to bed. Our actual bed. :) We had good intentions.... and we were both so exhausted from the weekend, that we didn't really care.

The tree looks great, we had an awesome time putting it up! It's safe to say that I'm now officially in the Christmas spirit. :)

P.S. The cats don't know what to think. Stay tuned for details. :)

Moment of Thankfulness

I actually took a moment this week to sit down and outline the things in my life that I am, indeed, thankful for. :) And here is the compiled list.

1. God has given me the greatest friends and family that anyone could ever ask for. Seriously.

2. My husband is everything to me. He is my best friend, my support system, my sounding board and sometimes my drinking buddy. I am lucky beyond belief to have as great a man in my life as him.

3. I still have all three of my grandmothers. I was lucky enough to get to spend 24, 25 and 26 years with my grandfathers. Some of my best memories from childhood were spent with the three of them.

4. Although sometimes it is tough, I also have a wonderful step-son, who, even though he doesn’t always act it, he loves me very much. I love him back.

5. I have a fun and exciting job, which sometimes is challenging, but during such a rough economic time, I am very lucky to have a job, period. Let alone one that is as great as mine.

6. Our house! I’m excited for our first Christmas in the new house this year, and have been tempted to get out the Christmas decorations for a month now. I vowed to wait until after Thanksgiving.

7. My past. I went through a lot of crap to get where I am today, but it made me who I am, made me stronger, and I learned a lot from my (and others’) mistakes.

8. Diet Mountain Dew. It’s the only thing that gets me going in the morning sometimes.

9. My nieces and nephew, Olivia, Gage and Savannah. I hope that they always call me “Titi”, and are never too big to give me kisses.

10. Vacation early next year! Dan and I need a long weekend to ourselves. No phones, no people, and nothing to do but lay on the beach and drink frozen cocktails.

11. Our veterans. I have an immeasurable amount of respect and honor for them for fighting for our freedom. I could go on and on and on, naming them here…..but I’ll be bound to miss someone, so I’ll just extend a big “THANK YOU” to all of them. You know who you are.

12. Kudos M & M 100 Calorie granola bars. They make their way into the cart of the Passageways employee who shops for the office every week. And I love him for it. J Thanks, Steven!

13. Did I mention that I am very thankful for my cute husband?

14. White Elephant Gift Exchanges. Every single year, I strive to have the dumbest present there. Last year, what Dan and I thought was a retarded gift, was actually fought over at my work Christmas party. I guess I’ll have to go stupider this year.

15. My paper man. While my paper box was broken (compliments of Elizabeth plowing over our mailbox and post), he put my paper by the front door so it wouldn’t get wet. Except for that one time…..

16. My Dad’s ability to fix anything. (See #15.) He’s done a number of things for us over the past couple of years, including siding our house, installing new countertops, fixing mailboxes, you name it. Oh, among other wonderful things that he can do: Be a wonderful dad and grandpa, provide for his family, pick out great perfume for his daughters, support his children, and drink Maker’s Mark.

17. My Mom. She’s okay, too. J My mom is one of the closest people in my life. I don’t know what I would do without talking to her nearly every day, even if we don’t have anything to say. She’s been there for me through thick and thin, even when I’m sure she wasn’t entirely proud to be. It is no question that my mother loves me more than anyone else in the world. (Although Dan says he loves me equal to her.)

18. My sister. She’s the mommy of my niece and nephew. She lets me buy Colts attire for her 3 year old daughter. She’s also a pretty damned good sister, and I’m sad that they moved away. L If you’re reading this, E, thank you for everything you’ve done for me all my life. I probably can’t ever repay you, but I hope that I can someday show you how truly special you are to me, and how much I love you.

19. The delivery man from Roth Flowers. He is a little old man who brings flowers to me occasionally. He’s so happy to be brightening someone’s day. And he, along with the flowers are certain to make my day, no matter how bad it is.

20. I have a very blessed life. God has given me things that I don’t deserve. He has blessed me in ways that I should sometimes be shameful of. I have the best husband in the world, wonderful family, exceptional group of friends, good job, food on the table, bills are paid, and I don’t have a worry in the world. Thank you, Jesus, for taking care of me. I suppose I’m not grateful enough sometimes. This Thanksgiving, I will take a moment to appreciate more, complain about less, and enjoy what I have.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. Love you much!
Sarah

And they say they don't like each other.....

Dan snapped this picture last night as the cats were laying together on the couch. They were "spooning"...... Freeney had his arms all wrapped around Fergie....and they were sleeping. Too cute! And to think that they HATED each other for at least a week. It appears they've gotten over that.

Their New Favorite Spot

Dan sent me this picture this morning..... We recently "re-acquired" a futon that we had given to my sister and Brent before they moved this fall. They didn't have room for it in the new house, so we got it back. Which ended up being fine, as we put it in the office. We can never have too many places to sleep in our house. :) Well......Freeney and Fergie definitely have taken a liking to the futon. They sit on it CONSTANTLY, sometimes in front of the window looking out. Looks like Dan even raised the blinds so they could look out. :) Anyway, here is a picture. Before long, Freeney and Fergie are going to be the same size, and we won't be able to tell them apart, huh? :) Dan and I can still tell them apart..... for now. :)

Happy Veteran's Day

Happy Veteran's Day! Wanted to take a quick moment to thank all of the veterans, active-duty, and retired military men and women out there for their service. Remember all those who are serving and who have served in the past to protect us and our rights and freedoms in this great country. Today and every day, we honor and respect you and thank you for your dedication and service. Take a moment today to hug and thank a veteran. (I did.....my hubby got a big hug this morning before I left for work!)

P.S. This picture is a photo that I took while visiting Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in 2007. It is the flag that is displayed on the actual memorial in the water. I've always liked this picture..... so I thought I would share. :)