Great Christmas Without Presents!

A flat broke Chrismas is not really a bad thing after all. This year Tom and I were not able to buy gifts for each other or for our family members. It just was not possible. I could have charged up a storm and participated in the sham that is the affording the American Dream but instead we just said we were not going to accept or give gifts this year. I have to tell you it was great. To be honest a few small gifts were bought for co-workers and my parents but I think I spent a total of 1 hour in the stores this year. Instead of shopping this year I cooked and baked, and it was scruptious! It was not weird at all, in fact I don't think Tom and I will buy for each other again. It is kind of stupid because we buy for each other all year long, Christmas just stresses us out and we can't keep secrets anyway.
Christmas is for children, and since we don't have any yet I think we will respectfully decline the consumer free-for-all in the future. I think everyone should try it. And what is really wonderful is that I wont be opening any horrible credit card statements next month!

My Mom did not adhear to the edict completley she found some Mexican tiles I have wanted for the risers of our steps. It going to look so cool. You can never trust Mom's to follow rules, thank goodness.

Christmastime is Here!

Well, I am sitting here on a Saturday morning before Christmas. Here is picture of our Christmas tree. Tom did most of the decorating this year! I bought this tree for $40 about 7 year ago. I think it is the last year for this tree but I say that every year. I want to get real tree next year. I really love our house, it is cozy but open at the same time. We are very lucky to have found it. Merry Christmas and Happy Festivus!

Leaf It To Me...

It's beginning to look a lot like...we have a lot of raking to do.
Raking leafs is one outdoor chore I don't really mind. The sound of crunching leafs and the smell of burning fires is always a joy. Raking is my kind of task because you can stand back and look at all you accomplished in the giant piles you've made. And then one day someone just comes by and sucks them up, never to be seen again. Don’t you wish that life was like that? You rake up your problems and someone comes and take them away.

This time of year is always a time to reflect on what one has accomplished in the past year. I don't feel very satisfied but being in graduate school helps give me a feeling I am moving toward a goal. I know I will always need to be moving toward something, feeling content is not a natural state for me.

I set out to undertake a lot in a day. I make lists and plow through tasks until they are done. As the Holidays arrive there is added stress on what I have to get done in a day. There are decorations to display, shopping to do, people to see. So much has to be put in, in order to have a Merry Christmas. I would love to just show up and enjoy. Every year I toy with idea of not participating in Christmas. I am not particularly religious and I try not to be materialistic, so why bother? I celebrate my friends and family everyday; I hope I show my appreciation for them all year long. I hope I will find the Christmas Spirit eventually and not just the day before.

My To Do List for this Weekend:

• Write 3 Research Article Reviews Due Monday (I’ve had two months to do this)
• Clean House, Laundry, Fold Laundry
• Go to Grocery Store (My Least Favorite Shopping to Do)
• Complete Tech Project Due Thursday
• Complete Lesson Plans for this Week
• Grade Papers (A lot of them)
• Put Up Christmas Tree
• Baked Goods for Bake Sale on Tuesday

I will let you know what happens. Stay Tuned...

Seinfeld, Timeless!

Let me just state the obvious! Seinfeld does not get old! Even though the clothes and hair are hideous the stories are timeless!

Summer Vacation Pics!