Holidays Past & Present

My oh my, how time does fly! I cannot believe that Christmas has already come and gone...another one for the books! It was amazing to be able have Christmas in our new home with our families. However, I could not (can not) help but to think of the two people with whom we should be celebrating with this year: Papa and my Dad.

Christmas always has been, and always will be, my absolute favorite Holiday and time of year! However, for the past seven years, it just hasn't been quite the same. It has been a little tough each year, but gets a little bit better each year as well. After all, Papa was our Santa! And this year, I was hoping to be able to make new Holiday memories & traditions with my Dad...

But on Christmas day I found a little piece of them both literally fall into my lap! I recently found my baby photo album during our move, and choose to take it out and show my Mother-In-Law some pictures. As soon as I opened it up, a list that my Papa had written years ago (regarding our old family cabin) feel into my lap. I of course read it, started laughing and my eyes got a little watery. Then while flipping through the old, weathering pages, there were of course pictures of my Dad and I, when I was a child.

To me, these memories could quite have possibly been the best Christmas gifts that I received!

 

With that said, and off of my chest, our Christmas was filled with Love and Laughter! Just the way it should be! Emma's favorite gift is her new bicycle from Santa! She has taken to it like a fish in water. For never being on a bike before, she only needed one day to learn! She zooms all over the place, and it seems to be her main source of transportation! 

A Merry Christmas & A Material Girl

We want to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, and the Happiest of New Years! We hope that 2011 brings you nothing but Joy & Happiness!

 

This time of year, it's hard not to get caught up with material items. In fact, most of the time it's impossible! Watching all the Holiday shoppers grab stuff off of the shelves, makes me wish that Howard and I could afford to give more. And for someone like me, who LOVES to give more than anything, it's a pretty tough realization. 
We never exchange gifts with each other for any occasion. Maybe a card, or something little. But that's about it. And that's fine. After all, life isn't about material items, right? Well, that's a nice thought. But they certainly make you feel better! I would be lying to myself if I said that wasn't true...
I would also be lying to myself if I said that seeing the bottom of our Christmas tree empty each year didn't bother me. We, of course, buy something for Emma, but the buck stops there. I keep telling myself that as long as she has a little something to open on Christmas morning, it will all be good. And it always is!
These last few days leading up to Christmas Day always makes me think like this! Pathetic and shallow, I know! But there WILL be a day when we will have the means to buy our families gifts. And maybe someday, each other!
This year, we told ourselves that our present IS under the tree, literally! That present being our house! :)

Link-up Party

As I was surfing around Blogger, I noticed a friend of mine had a posting about a link-up party hosted by Little Miss Momma. It is called "Things you should know about me if we're gonna be BFF". So I thought I'd join in, and give it a shot! So here it goes;

• Obviously my daughter, husband, and family are the loves of my life!
• I am an only child - don't believe everything you hear about us!
• I prefer Chap stick over lip gloss or lipstick, any day!
• I am new to blogging and photography, but I figure that everyone has to start somewhere...right?
• Music is literally my savior. My version of Religion.
• I despise being cold, and being sticky. If they were to be combined, it would send me over the edge!
• Sun RISE is my favorite time of day. Although I usually miss it!
• I am a jeans and t-shirt kinda girl. Although, who doesn't enjoy fashion from time to time?
• I have never waxed anything in my entire life.
• I believe that I may have a slight case of OCD, when it comes to organizing and cleaning!
• I have a bag & purse fetish. However unfortunate for me, I cannot afford to indulge in it.
• I am addicted to my iPhone (Sad, I know).
• I start listening to my Christmas music right after Halloween!
• I am a "day" person, not a "night owl". I enjoy my sleep too much!
• I have a serious addiction to coffee! I tell myself that this is better than some other things I can think of...
• I wish I were more crafty, handy and creative.
• No matter how hot it is outside, I have to sleep with a blanket!
• I love all things shabby-chic and rustic.
• I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason.
• I love to read, and I believe that the books are always better than the movies!
• My favorite color is green. In almost all shades.
• I love tattoos! I am addicted to those as well! But again, sadly, I cannot afford to indulge anymore.
• I am one of the only "Morning People" that I know of!
• I love road trips! To anywhere!
• I consider myself extremely fortunate to have a hubby who works on vehicles for a living.
• I used to have my belly button pierced, before I got pregnant!
• I hate grocery shopping!!
• I get irritated knowing that I have to get dressed, and "ready" everyday..Ugh!
• I miss my Volkswagen.
• I wish I lived in Europe. Everything about that place - the language, the landscape, the art and the food - are all unbelievably beautiful to me!
• I believe that if you are having a bad day, that you should turn on a good song and get lost in it! It will make you feel better, if only for 2-4 minutes. I promise!

Now that you know all about me...check out Little Miss Momma and get to know her!

Mother Natures Housewarming Gift

This past Saturday Howard & I were supposed throw our very first Holiday Party in our new home - a Snuggie Party. Great idea, right? Well that was why we were so excited to host it! But apparently Mother Nature had other plans for us this past weekend...

Friday night brought us 70 mph+ winds at our house, which we knew would lead to a power outage. Since we figured it would come back on within the day, we didn't think it would be a big deal. But oh man! Were we in for a surprise when we woke up on Saturday!

Not only did we not have power, but it was snowing!!The weather head (attached to our house) had ripped off of our house, and the line was laying across the top of my car. This was caused by two of the neighbors trees falling down, and pulling the lines down with them. Between the trees, and the wind, our streets lines were torn down. However, our driveway held the worst carnage!

The telephone poll in our driveway split in half, which caused the transformer to fall, and pull down the remaining lines. Also, the neighbor behind us had a tree fall over our fence on the top of our property. Mother Nature obviously decided that our property was the one that should be blessed with these events!



Our street



Our driveway



In the midst of all of this, our water (which is on a community well) stopped working. Luckily Emma was already staying with my Mom & Kathy at their new place, but I needed to get there! I didn't feel like being stranded in a freezing cold house, so Kathy was so kind to come pick me up, and let Emma and I stay the night at her place! Thank goodness for the kindness of others! Howard on the other hand, felt like getting his "Hillbilly" on and decided to stay behind and help out.

PSE worked all night, and got our power running around 5am on Sunday morning. Our water came back around noon on Sunday, so now all we have to wait on is our cable to be hooked back up tomorrow afternoon. We are also obviously on the hunt for a killer generator!

So needless to say, our Holiday Party never happened! However, Mother Nature decided to give us one HELL of a housewarming gift! 



Wish List!

After some research, and a little help from a good friend (Mandy), I have found the camera that I want! Now who knows how long it will take me to get it...In all reality, I probably won't. But at least now I know what I'm looking for!
At first, I had looked at a camera that was a little too...serious for what I need. And way out of my price range! In other words, I am not a professional and need to start smaller and simpler. This one is more realistic, and better equipped for what I want to use it for:

EOS Rebel T2i EF-S 18-55mm IS Kit
Item Code: 4462B003 Estimated Retail Price: $899.99
Price includes lens.



Here's to hoping that someday I can treat myself to this ultimate of gifts!

Paintings & Photographs

Around this time last year, I decided to take up acrylic painting. I am a devoted lover of the arts, and thought that I would try my own hand at it. And I gave it a good try. But alas, as fun and therapeutic as it was (as it is) I believe that I just don't posses the talent to continue. I also feel as if I lack the creativity to come up with anything worth painting. As you can see, I tend to lean towards the abstract images.  Here are a few examples of what I had created...

In an earlier posting I had mentioned how I have always wanted to do photography. And since I am unable to afford the type of camera that I want, I use apps on my phone to transform the simplest things into something stunning! I have found that with my simple little point and shot camera, and my phone, the inspiration is already there! I don't need to sit down and think about what to paint. There are so many beautiful, simple, elegant things surrounding me that I can capture! There is something a little...easier, about taking a photo. Something a little more peaceful. I have found myself truly addicted! Here are some current examples...

So until I am able to afford one of those super fancy, super expensive cameras that I want (so bad), I will be using the tools that I have. As unfavorable as they are, with their extremely poor quality, I will use what I have. That's what I do. It's what I've always done. Instead of buying myself what I want to pursue a passion that I have always dreamt of, I will buy my daughter Christmas presents! And I will continue to bury my 'wants' into the back corner of my mind. So for those of you who may think that I am 'silly' because I am using my camera phone, please don't laugh out loud! I am already laughing at myself! But above all, I am trying... 

Entertainment

So, as I am feeling slightly un-inspired to write about anything of actual value today, I thought about mentioning a few of my all time favorite movies and television shows...just because I can! In no particular order here are some movie titles;

                                           

Also in no particular order, here are my favorite television titles (all of which I have followed since their start);

Two Down!

Tomorrow will mark our second wedding anniversary! We have officially been married for two years, but together for ten...Time sure does fly while your living life! We have been through a lot together (more than people our age should experience), and have seen each other at our bests and our worsts. It is because of this, and so many other reasons, that I could not imagine a better man to spend my life with.
Here are a few photos to chronicle the years;

Our first year together

My high school graduation (with Papa in the background!)

The year Emma was born

Our wedding reception at the Museum of Flight - January 2009

Now I knew from day one that Howard was not exactly the "romantic" type, so I usually fill in those blanks. Such as this - I recently found a song that reminds me of us. Give or take a few words, the lyrics match us pretty well.

The song title is "Without You", by none other than the fabulous Mr. Keith Urban who wrote this for his wife Nicole Kidman:

"I've loved you since the very first day
When I caught you looking my way
Smiled, and I just knew it.

And up until you came along
And no one ever heard my song
Now it's climbing with a bullet

It's nice to have someone so honestly devoted
But when it's said and done
Girl, I hope you know that

The traveling, the singing, it don't mean nothing without you
The fast cars, the guitars, they are all just second to
This life, this love that you and I have been dreaming of for so long
Would all be as good as gone. Without you.

Along comes a baby girl
And suddenly my little world
Just got a whole lot bigger. Yes it did

And people that I barely knew
Who loved me 'cause I'm part of you
Man, it's tough to figure

How two souls can be
Miles from one another
But still you and me
Have somehow found each other

The traveling, the singing, it don't mean nothing without you
The fast cars, the guitars, they are all just second to
This life, this love that you and I have been dreaming of for so long
Would all be as good as gone. Without you.

Without you I'd survive
But I'd have to have the notion
That I could live this life
Just going through the motions

The traveling, the singing, it don't mean nothing without you
The fast cars, the guitars, they are all just second to
This life, this love that you and I have been building up so high
It's never going to touch the sky. Without you."

Love you Babe! Happy Anniversary!
XoXo

Quotations

From two of my favorite television shows I have heard some pretty inspiring quotes. These two in particular, have struck something in me that makes them worth repeating.
This first one is about you, and how you view yourself.
It is an excerpt from 'One Tree Hill';

"When you look in the mirror, who do you see looking back? Is it the person you want to be?
Is there someone else you were meant to be? The person you should have been but feel short of?
Is someone telling you you can't, or you won't? Because you can.
Believe that Love is out there. Believe that dreams come true everyday. Because they do.
Sometimes, happiness doesn't come from money, or fame, or power. Sometimes happiness comes from good friends and family. And the quiet nobility of leading a good life.
So take a look in that mirror and remind yourself to be happy. Because you deserve to be. Believe that.
And believe that dreams come true everyday. Because they do."

Now this next one, is in remembrance of my Papa and my Father. I would like to dedicate this excerpt to them both. Raymond Harold Pinz, and Thomas Paul Wilkinson, I love you and miss you both dearly, with all of my heart.
It is an excerpt from 'Grey's Anatomy';
"Grief may be a thing we all have in common, but it looks different on everyone...
It isn't just death we have to grieve, it is life. It is loss. It is change.
And when we wonder why it has to suck so much, sometimes has to hurt so bad, the thing we have to try to remember is that it can turn on a dime.
That is how you stay alive. When it hurts so much you cannot breath. That is how you survive.
Grief comes in it's own time, for everyone. In it's own way.
So the best we can do, the best anyone can do, is try for honesty.
The best we can try to let ourselves do, is to feel it when it comes, and to let it go when we can.
The very worst part is that when you think you're past it, it starts all over again.
And always, every time, it takes your breath away."

For many reasons, both personal and philosophical, these two quotes stand out to me.

25 Things

For some of you who may be reading this, you probably know most of this information. And for others, in case you were wondering, here are 25 completely random facts and what-nots about me;

1. I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason.
2. As cliche as it may sound, my daughter truly IS my life, and I am proud to announce it to the world!
3. I am constantly a work in progress.
4. If only I had more confidence in myself, I can only imagine what I could accomplish in life.
5. I am one of the only people I know that is a morning person!
6. I hate thunder and lightning! In fact, I am a down-right wuss when it storms!
7. I am, and always will be, directionally challenged!
8. I am incredibly grateful for my upbringing. It has taught me self-Independence and the true value of all things, material or not.
9. I still do not know what I want to be when I grow up. Does anybody?
10. Sometimes I think I have too big of a heart.
11. My favorite part of the day is sunrise. I look at it as a brand new start. A clean slate.
12. I have only a very small handful of people I can truly trust, and tell anything to.
13. There are people in my life that I want to help, but it is outside of my means, and it kills me.
14. I am an only child, and I love it! Please don't believe everything you hear about us...
15. Music is my savior!
16. I am convinced that I can make a difference. I am not entirely sure how, but it can be done!
17. Two of my favorite smells are; fresh, clean laundry, and the smell of new rain on the ground.
18. Single Mothers are my heroes, and I believe that they are under-rated!
19. I have been amazed at what I can do, when I have to do it.
20. I still, often, reminisce about my childhood. The good and the bad.
21. I have a different belief system than most people I know.
22. My hubby and I, often get frustrated that we cannot provide a better life for our daughter. But we're working on it!
23. I have friends who are Military Wives, and I tell them quite often that they are the strongest women I know. I know that I would not have the strength to do what they do...they truly amaze me!
24. I am slowly, beginning to accept who I am and what I have become.
25. I truly believe that Peace can be accomplished.

Flashback Friday

Okay, so I am stealing this title from another blog. What can I say, I am original?! Not to mention that my idea for this post comes from Facebook. But I gotta get inspiration from somewhere, right? Right!
Well, I saw this posting today: "Change your facebook profile picture to a cartoon from your childhood and invite your friends to do the same. Until Monday (Dec. 6), there should be no human faces on Facebook, but an invasion of memories. This is in protest for violence against children. Please spread the word! STAND UP AGAINST CHILD ABUSE and all other forms of violence." So I did. I changed my picture to this -

Being a child of the 1980's, I saw this and couldn't resist! I totally remember this cartoon, but had forgotten all about it. And not to mention, yesterday I think I may have gotten my kid hooked on one of my all time favorite movies - "Labyrinth" (circa 1986)! She has been watching it repeatedly! Can't say that I mind...

I have noticed that some cartoons and characters from my childhood have been coming back as well. With somewhat of a make-over, of course! For instance - Strawberry Shortcake (which Emma loves). Here she was then -

And here she is now -



I could make a list that goes on for days! Who doesn't remember Heathcliff, Rainbow Bright, He Man, She Ra, Duck Tales, Fraggle Rock, Thunder Cats, T.M.N.T., The Smurfs, and so on! What memories those silly little shows hold for me!

Why not Flash Back every once and awhile, and remember the FUN of your youth! The pure JOY of being a child again! I know I miss it...don't you?!