Resolutions Revisited

Wishing everyone a healthy, happy, prosperous New Year [Pic Source]

Last year I was not very ambitious when it came to making New Year's resolutions.  I had an amazing 2010 where I had the wedding I always wanted, bought a house, went to Hawaii for my honeymoon and got a promotion at work.  I was still basking in the joy of 2010 and settling into everything by the time the end of 2011 rolled around!  I was rebounding from a very expensive and financially stressful 2010 but by then I was feeling good about finances as an individual and as a couple.  I had stuck with the gym marking a year of consistency after going through a pretty long I refuse to work out phase.  I was in such a good place that I wasn't wanting for much more then I already had so I only focused on three.  Having so few can either better my odds of success since there weren't that many to begin with or make me look like a total fail if I don't complete every single one.

2012 Resolutions:
1. Write a book!  SUCCESS
Well sort of.   I had never told anyone that I wanted to write a book so I put it out into the universe for the first time last year with the goal of writing 15 pages per month for the entire year.  How did I do?  There were 3 months out of the year where I failed miserably and wrote nothing because of school and then because my brain was still in la la land after we got back from Europe.  Other then that I almost met my goal.  I went from 27 pages and 6,800 words to 188 pages and 45,104 words over the course of the year.  When you do the math that's about 13 pages per month.  I consider it a success because I've come so far with it.  If I keep up the pace I will finish it by the end of 2013.  I'll probably still have a lot of fine tuning and editing to do but the bulk of it will be done.

2. Learn Spanish with Rosetta Stone. TOTAL FAIL
I planned to pick it up again after I finished my classes but that never happened.  I found that when I had extra time I wanted to devote it to writing and there just didn't seem like there was too much extra time after that.  I got far enough before to earn a certificate and I actually liked it so I know I can do it again once I really set my mind to it.  I'm filing this away as something I definitely plan to do but just haven't decided on when!

3. Get cooking.  SUCCESS
My goal was to keep it on my radar as something I need to do and get in there and do it.  I made no commitment about how often.  I'm going to count this as a success because that's exactly what I did.  I made an effort and I got in the kitchen and cooked.  Not with any regularity and there were some major gaps in between at times but for me that is better then not doing anything at all.  I think I've also come to  a realization about cooking.  It's not me and it may never be me.  My husband enjoys it and he's a hell of a lot better at it then me so why not just let that be his thing?  Whey beat myself up over it and feel like a terrible wife just because it's not something that I'm going to do that often?  We each bring something different to the table.  I clean and do laundry, he cooks and maybe that's okay.  I'm still going to make the effort to get in there because I think it's a nice thing to do for him but I need to stop feeling so guilty about not doing it a lot.

Two out of three is 66%.  Bleh!  So what about this year?  I'm not making any resolutions!  I just want to finish my book and that will be good enough for me.  And it's not like there aren't other things I want to do but even being the list maker that I am I'm not feeling the need to list them out this year.

Our NYE was very low key as usual.  We went to a gathering at friends house for dinner and then came back home a few hours before midnight.  We watched a countdown show, shared a big smootch and promptly fell asleep on the couch until about 2am.  I'm spending New Year's day relaxing at home and doing laundry.   I'm currently watching a Catfish marathon on MTV.  I DO NOT want to go back to work!  These 12 days off and getting to spend so much time with Mj have been great.  Pity it has to end.

Link up here!

Tiffany Blue

My Tiffany's collection//This year's Christmas present on the left and the necklace he gave me four years ago

I was not expecting jewelry this year based on what I saw under the tree. All the boxes were way too big but he tricked me!  I saved the largest box for last and it ended up holding the smallest present.  I unwrapped one large box only to find another smaller wrapped box. I unwrapped that box to find an oddly shaped package and inside that was a Tiffany Bag.  Inside the bag was the distinctive box in Tiffany Blue that every girl fantasizes about.  There is just something about that color and that box.  That pretty little box tied with a satin ribbon is sure to hold a beautiful treasure.  Inside was a silver necklace with a pink ballet slipper charm.  

Please return to Tiffany & Co New York

He told me right away we could take it back if I didn't like it but it's always hard to tell someone that you want to exchange their gift. The way I see it you might as well be honest about those things.  Tiffany's is not cheap and I would hate to keep something he spent his hard earned money on that hadn't totally captured my heart.  While we were getting dressed Christmas morning I told him that I liked the charm and I can see why he picked it for me.  I love how thoughtful he was in picking it out but that it just wasn't me. He was fine with it and said I could get something else which I didn't expect.  He'd gotten me other gifts so I thought we'd just return it.  When I tried this bracelet on I knew right away that it was perfect.  I'm no glamour girl.  I can't be bothered with full on make up or accessorizing every single day.  I love jewelry that is pretty but also functional and durable so I can wear it to work, to the gym, in the shower and sleep in it without even having to spend time taking it off.  Jewelry I can live in and wear every day with everything; like my wedding rings.  Both my Tiffany's pieces allow me to do that.  I was giddy with excitement before the guy even wrapped it up and I gave Mj a big kiss on the cheek and told him how much I loved it.  It worked out for him because I actually saved him some money on the deal!  He said I could pick out another thing but the bracelet was perfect and it was enough so I didn't.  It worked out for me because I have a bracelet I love from a man I love.  I can wear it every day and be reminded of what a sweet husband I have.  

So what is it about Tiffany & Co?  Well, it's only been around for 175 years.  They've even trademarked the color Tiffany Blue.  It can't be used to advertise or package anything else that is associated with or might be in direct competition.  They specialize in Silver which has always been my favorite.  Tiffany's is luxury and their jewelry is not only beautiful but very well made.  It represents the finer things in life wrapped up with a pretty bow and even us regular folks enjoy having a piece of it.  Having something from Tiffany's makes me feel special yes, but it's having something from Tiffany's that my husband bought me that means the most.

 

So This is Christmas

We started off the morning with German pancakes. In Mj's family they ate them every Christmas morning before presents. His mom was with us this year so that's what we did. He whipped them up, we ate and then it was time for presents.  Mj done good.  He's really good at surprising me by coming up with things that I like without me having asked for it.   I fully intend on getting better at that but I've always sucked at finding gifts for people.  I got him house slippers and an Apple Gift card.  He got me two NCAA Championships Gymnastics tickets.  It's a 3 day event.  He'll go as a last resort but he's really not THAT into gymnastics.  Well, he's not into it at all.  He also got me a coach clutch in my favorite color pink and that chambray shirt from Banana Republic I had my eye on.  And Tiffany's!!! There is just something about that blue box...more on that later.

I'm wearing a Christmas gift

After presents it was time to get dressed because the plan was to hit the road for my sister's house by 10am because we had a 3 hour drive to the Palm Springs.  We took the windy road scenic route, stopped for pics and made it in 2 1/2 hours so we were there by 12:30pm.

Mom in Law and Mj

When my parents and little sister finally made it a couple hours later we had a pretty early dinner because we were all starving.  The main dish was a roast with mashed potatoes and veggies on the side.  Everything was really good.  For dessert there was Chocolate Cake and Apple Pie.

My nephew playing in one of his new toys

Keurig Coffee Maker from her husband

Then we figured it was time for DJ to get started on that mountain of presents under their tree because he was falling asleep.  He woke up real quick and was in non stop play mode until he left.  I got just what I wanted from my Secret Santa (my older sister) and we all got a little something from mom because she can't help it. 

Mi Familia! My sisters and I are wearing infinity scarves from my mom

It was a really nice day with the family.  I enjoyed every second of it and as always it went by way too fast.  My mother in law is here until Sunday.  We went to the movies yesterday and saw Flight.  I got a long overdue manicure and pedicure today which was nice.  Christmas day might be over but Christmas break is still on until the New Year and I'm really enjoying my time off.

 

Christmas Eve Eve Eve

Dani, Me and Tia-Sister's!  I really am the middle child.

On the Saturday before Christmas I went up to my mom's house to spend some time with my sisters.  The younger one is in town from San Francisco and we don't get to see her as often so it was so much fun getting to hang out with her and all of us together.  My mother in law was supposed to come with me but she missed her Thursday night flight. She waited for 9 hours, the next flight was overbooked and she couldn't get another one until Monday!  Traveling on the holidays is no joke.  We spent the day at my mom's house then we went out to dinner at Claim Jumper.  My younger sister Tia got one of the biggest burgers I've ever seen.  She couldn't even eat it all. Dani and I just got salad's. We had to save room for dessert.

Trifle and many, many more desserts to choose from

Right after that we headed to my mom's friends house where we had a dessert party. I'm not sure if that was the best idea considering we've all been bombarded with sweets every which way for weeks but because its such a busy time we wanted something simple. She has two girls of her own and it's very rare for all of us to be in one place at the same time. There were soooo many desserts I couldn't even try them all. We had a really fun time chatting and hanging out before we went back to my parents house.  It got really late really fast and the next thing I knew we were all tired and it was time for me to hit the road for home.  

I had a great day with my family and was happy that we'd get to be together again on Christmas Day.

 

I'm Free!

Mj baked these sugar cookies with a dab of strawberry jelly in the center.  It's a secret recipe from his grandmother.  We packaged them up for our co workers as gifts. They are so delicious but I'm glad they are gone so I can stop trying not to eat them.

grilled chicken topped with cilantro, tomatoes and onions

Last night I made dinner.  Mj was shocked to see me making dinner AND using real plates.  He actually said, "What's going on, this never happens."  I'm sure he wondered where his wife was and what I had done with her but it was me.  I haven't cooked in a longer time then I'd like to admit so I thought I'd get in one meal before the holidays. Mj is making dinner tomorrow night and then it'll be mostly eating out after that. I actually impressed myself with how good it turned out.

You know it's time for Christmas Break when you find yourself and your co workers positively riveted by a remote control flying shark balloon. This thing was a given to my boss and it was a fun distraction from cookie munching and the slowly ticking clock counting down the last days of work.  I didn't even know these things existed but apparently they sell them at Bed Bath & Beyond of all places.  My boss was kind enough to let me leave early today.  There were only the 2 of us left.  It was the best feeling ever walking away knowing I'm done and don't have to go back until next year.  I'm free!  Let the lady of leisure lifestyle that I look forward to so much every year begin.  I had already planned to go to the gym so I went straight there and I had time to work out and still get home before I normally would.  It was nice to see daylight after work and I even beat Mj home for a change.

My mother in law will be here tomorrow and I'll be up first thing tomorrow cleaning house before she gets here.  This year I'm sharing my entire Christmas staycation with Mj.  He got tired of seeing me sleep in  every day during this time while he still has to work so he took some extra days off and his last day is tomorrow.  I had a nice long vacation in October but even still I'm plain old worn out.  I'm pretty sure the world isn't going to end so I'm looking forward to this much needed break.

Happy Holidays to you all!!

 

DSW Giveaway Winner.....

The saying goes that it is better to give then to receive and I have to say I agree.  As much as I love getting a thoughtful gift and something I didn't have to buy for myself it feels really good to give something away.  I'm pretty sure I'll do this again sometime.  Thanks to everyone who participated.   I'm not cool like all the other bloggers so I didn't use rafflecopter to set this thing up but at least I didn't pick names out of a hat.  I used an online random name selector so rest assured that the results are legit.

I really want everyone to win but we all know that's not the way it works.  Sorry to those who didn't.  I feel your pain as I haven't won a single one of the many giveaways I've entered within the last week either.  Without further ado I will announce that the winner of the $50 DSW gift card is MLMR of My Life Moments and Realities. Those extra entries you got by posting about the giveaway came in handy!  She really wanted a new pair of shoes for her Birthday so I'm glad that I can help her get them.  Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas to you!  I will be contacting you for your mailing address and get it sent ASAP so you can get your shop on.  Speaking of which I have still been getting my shop on myself even though I said I was done.  I need an intervention.