hola again. i'm back from the holidays.

As much as I love this time of year with the holidays and ongoing festivities, I'm ready for a new year.  It's kind of like when you're on vacation and it ends, you just want to get home.  That's how I feel.  I loved it, it was a blast, but let's see what 2013 brings.

This holiday season was a great one for me.  Although I had to work a lot and miss out on some fun, I managed to squeeze my own fun in: hotel stays, chocolate bars, sparkling lights, sponge candy, glitter, and family.

Eric even surprised me with every single thing on my Christmas wishlist to Santa! He snuck onto my blog to see what had been obsessing over.  I even got a few more things I asked for, too, so all-in-all, I was pretty spoiled by him, my parents & sisters.

It's cold out, I miss having a fireplace, so I'm ready to see what this new year brings. 

I hope everyone has a great New Year's Eve.  I have to get up for work at 5, so I'll miss seeing the ball drop.  I believe it's actually the first time since I can remember that I won't witness a new year roll in.  Eh, that's life I guess.

such a busy, busy time.

via

I will be back in a few days.

The holidays have totally consumed all of my time and now I'm hitting it hard with work over the weekend and new years, so it will be sucking up all of my time.

No weekend fun or new years parties for me.....BUMMER.

Christmas seemed like it came so fast and now it's just gone.  It's just such a beautiful time of year with the feelings, celebrations, snow {if you're lucky}, sparkling lights, yummy food, trees, music, and everything else that comes along with it. 

It's also a bit depressing because there's such a huge build up for it and it leaves us even quicker.  I am going to enjoy the last bits of the music on the radio, lights on the houses, tree and decor in my house. 

I had a blast with everything and everyone.  It was definitely a great holiday!

Hope yours was as well.

See you in a few days, friends!

it can't be the end.

via

good lord, it's the friday before christmas already. 

i have a migraine going on day 3 now.  not fun, but i'm going to make the best of the day.

here i am last minute shopping again, with 3 people left to buy for.  i tell you - men are so hard to shop for.  us girls, we're easy.  anything to do with hair and makeup, clothes, crafts, food, gift cards...it comes so easy.  but men.  yeah, i'm not sure what i'll get the men in my life.  by that i mean the love, my dad, and bro-in-law.

tonite i've got a friend's birthday party to celebrate.  does this sound fun or what?  we're meeting at the casino/hotel, taking a bus, which will be stocked with drinks to a restaurant, and from there to a chocolate bar. then, back to the hotel to enjoy more drinks, play some board games, drink some more, and then hit up the slot machines. 

by the way, what time is the world supposed to end? 
i hope it's not before i get all my fun in for the day.  i watched a documentary the other nite on the history channel about 2012 apocalypse and if it goes down the way they talked, i'm just going to lay in bed under the covers while it happens.  it's not gonna happen tho.  remember they way everyone was freaked out about y2k? we're still here.

what are your evening plans? anything fun?

be safe and enjoy (:

dream more, complain less.

{source}

I figure I only have about 10 hours left in the day before it's time to hit the sack and get ready for a new work day tomorrow where another busy week begins.  Here's to hoping that I can accomplish every single one of these starting, now.  The list seems easy, but doing so is actually the hard part.

Ready, set, go.

warming up on this frosty morning...

I leave for work when it's dark and get home when it's dark.  I haven't seen sunlight in days, so this morning I finally saw frost.  Not a big fan of cold weather or frost, but I am happy to see it.  Winter is finally here.

Makes it feel more like Christmastime.  Killing viruses.  Spring will be here before we know it.  The possibility of snow.  Seeing your breath.  A few reasons I'm liking the cold this fine morning.

It's cold out.  I normally drink hot tea in the mornings, but lately I've been drinking hot Ovaltine.  Tastes just like hot chocolate.  I recently picked up this mug.  I am in love.  It's great for my hot drinks, it's handmade, and it has a peace sign.  Perfect. 

Today I've got a lot on my plate - work Christmas potluck, visit my Gramps in the hospital, buy Eric a new shirt & tie, mail my Cmas cards and a gift, and clean.  I'll definitely be enjoying this day off sipping my hot drink in my new mug, enjoying the cold + sunshine, and embracing what I've been blessed with.

Have a great Wednesday (:

{diy} Sparkle & Light Christmas Present

When I was out shopping a couple weeks ago at Hobby Lobby, an idea popped into my head when I ran across the endcap of glass boxes.  I had always seen the white lights inside of wine bottles and figured I could come up with some sort of Christmas decoration, and I did! 

I love these!

So simple and easy to create this elegant, festive box.

I have gotten so many compliments on them and have even made some for others.  They put off quite a bit of light, so I don't really need too many of them scattered throughout my house, although with the variety of lights and ribbon, the possibilities are endless.  I have made some with white lights and others with colored, but the color and pattern of ribbon really makes them pop.

You can whip one of these bad boys out in less than 10 minutes and it costs less than $20! 

1.  The supplies are minimal.  All you need is a box, lights, and some ribbon.

2.  Stuff a 20-50 strand of lights into the box.  Fluff them a bit so they don't all sink to the bottom or lay too neatly.

3.  Wrap a ribbon around the box as you would a gift you were wrapping.

4.  Viola!  The box is done so plug it in and look at the pretty, sparkling lights.

Honestly, I think the boxes are beautiful.  The ones with white lights look more clean and neat, where the colored lights give off a fun, festive look. 

Which is your favorite?

from another point of view.

Life seems easy, if you consider things from another point of view.

So my life really isn't all that bad.  I don't claim it to be, but there are days I just want to throw the towel in. 

I suffer from chronic pain, crippling anxiety, we're drowning in debt, hubs recently lost his job so we're living on one income, however we have our health, we're moving on up in life. Those pesky things are nothing compared to what some people go through.

In the last couple of days I have encountered people who have lost loved ones to horrific, freak accidents, awful diagnoses, and lots of other issues that are worse than mine.

But, sometimes I have to remind myself that others have it far worse than I do I've got it pretty good.  

As I was sitting here, I came up with a small list of things I am grateful for.  Of course there are others, but these popped into my head now. 

• Lots of education.  I have so much debt from student loans that it seriously gives me panic attacks, but no one can ever take my knowledge and education away from me.
• A patient, loyal, and loving husband.  I honestly don't know how he puts up with me, but he is what keeps me going, seriously.  Who knows where I'd be if it weren't for him. 
• Family that loves each other like no other.  We all feel that way about our families, but from the people I know, most aren't as close as I am with mine.  There's a connection that cannot be described.
• A pretty face to put makeup on.  Not to be vain, but I am happy with the face I was given.
• Traveling around.  I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to see lots of great places in my life.  My parents knew it was important and traveling is one thing I live for. 
• Getting to experience all 4 seasons.  May not seem like a big deal to some, but not everyone gets to see the changing of the seasons.  It really is a beautiful thing.
• My personality.  I wouldn't say I have a sound mind, but I'm unique, just as you.  Although I have my issues, overall I mostly like how I am.
• My dogs.  They are my babies and make my life happier and complete. 

 pictures via

hey there santa, i've been nice...

I think I've been pretty good this year, so here are a few beauty products that I'm hoping to find in my stocking or under the tree!  There are such good sales with these products right now that I have considered going ahead and buying them just in case I don't get them.  So wrong I know, but impulsive is my middle name. 

beauty christmas wishlist. by supervixen9

1.  Peachykeen blush by MAC.  Gorgeous color.  here 

2.  Foaminly clean facewash from Benefit. Amazing scent and cleans well.  here

3.  Hot Tools titanium tapered curler. I just need something besides my regular curler.  here

4.  Makeup forever foundation.  I need a good, liquid foundation for winter.  here

5.  Rising star palette from Tarte.  Love all the colors and different products.  here 

6.  Ralph Lauren Romance.  One of my favorite smells in the world.  here