Books, Books, Books

A goal I had for myself for 2011 was to read more books -which I am doing! I really enjoy spending time reading, and I didn't have any time in 2010 to read much for fun.

So far in 2011, I've read these three books:

Storyline:

They say you can't have your cake and eat it too. But who would want a cake they couldn't eat? Just ask Emma Rae Travis about that. She's a baker of confections who is diabetic and can't enjoy them. When Emma meets Jackson Drake, the escapee from Corporate America who is starting a wedding destination hotel to fulfill a dream that belonged to someone else, this twosome and their crazy family ties bring new meaning to the term "family circus." The Atlanta social scene will never be the same!

Kayla's Rating:

3.5 out of 5

It was a good chicky-lit read, but I could have stopped reading at any point and not felt the need to finish it. The storyline never really went much of anywhere, and when it did, it was stuff you were expecting to happen eventually.

Storyline:

(I seriously didn't know this was being made into a Katherine Heigl movie when I picked it out at the library ... I'll for sure go see it!)

Workaholic attorney Samantha Sweeting has just done the unthinkable. She's made a mistake so huge, it'll wreck any chance of a partnership. Going into utter meltdown, she walks out of her London office, gets on a train, and ends up in the middle of nowhere. Asking for directions at a big, beautiful house, she's mistaken for an interviewee and finds herself being offered a job as housekeeper. Her employers have no idea they've hired a lawyer-and Samantha has no idea how to work the oven. She can't sew on a button, bake a potato, or get the #@%# ironing board to open. How she takes a deep breath and begins to cope-and finds love-is a story as delicious as the bread she learns to bake. But will her old life ever catch up with her? And if it does…will she want it back?

Kayla's Rating:

3.5 out of 5

Same with this book, it was entertaining, but not "amazing." It was an unbelievable storyline; there is no way the Samantha from the beginning of the book would turn into the domestic Samantha. It happened too quickly to be believable. Same with her and Nathaniel's romance.

Storyline:

Maddie Faraday's life would be perfect--if it weren't for — her cheating husband — her suspicious daughter — her gossipy mother — her secretive best friend — her nosy neighbors, — and that guy she lost her virginity to twenty years ago... — If you think small-town life can be boring--think again. There are complex social rules: there are certain people with whom you fraternize and those you don't, and, of course, there is the all-powerful gossip. Everyone knows everything about everyone else. Don't they? That's what Maddie Farraday thinks until she finds a pair of black crotchless panties in her husband's car that don't belong to her. That's it; Maddie's had it. She's ready for change, and the first thing she's going to do is divorce her no-good, philandering husband Brent. But then everything goes haywire: Brent turns up dead, Maddie's daughter wants a dog, her best friend is suddenly acting very strange, and Maddie's secret boyhood crush, bad boy C. L. Sturgis, arrives in town after a 20-year hiatus--and he's as sexy as ever.

Kayla's Rating:

5 out of 5

I absolutely loved this book. I was expecting a light chick-lit book, but it was heavy, deep, and made me think. It's filled with so many emotions, heavy situations, has mystery, and at times, humor! A good, good, GOOD read.

In The Process...

of making these envelopes to start doing the "cash-only" purchases as recommended by Dave Ramsey. I told you I was serious about this!

Here's the link to the envelope download. It's kind of a hassle to download (even though it's FREE), because you have to "order" it thru the online store, sign up for an account, etc ... but it downloads as a PDF when it's done ... so the actual printing isn't so bad.

http://kelleighratzlaff.com/featured/free-envelope-template-and-a-tutorial/

I cut my patterned paper down to 8 1/2" x 11" and then just ran it thru the printer. You will want to print on the BACK side of the paper, so keep that in mind!

I selected the lowest quality print, since I'm just using the printed lines to cut on.

Enjoy!

Here We GO!

I'm usually pretty skeptical.

And you would think I would be after reading this book, front to back, in less than 24 hours and coming away with a life-changing revelation.

But I am not skeptical - at all.

I am 100% confident in our financial future, something I was NOT a mere 24 hours ago.

I am taking the Baby Steps seriously, and I am so excited to do this!

The Baby Steps:

Step 1: $1,000 in an emergency fund.
Step 2: Pay off all debt except the house utilizing the debt snowball.
Step 3: Three to six months of savings in a fully funded emergency fund.
Step 4: Invest 15% of your household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement plans.
Step 5: College Funding
Step 6: Pay off your home early.
Step 7: Build wealth and give.

We have Step 1 done. We have Step 3 half done. We started Step 2 today. I learned that we HAVE TO TAKE THE STEPS IN ORDER, even if it doesn't make sense. Thus, Step 3's funds we already have will go towards Step 2, but I am confident Step 3 will be done in no time at all. I am hoping 18 months.

Now, I wouldn't say we are in total NEED of a money makeover - we do not live paycheck to paycheck, and already have a good amount in savings. However, I learned that we are doing it all wrong! OF COURSE it's good that we have savings, but the book made me realize how dumb we've been to be SAVING when we could be using some of that money to pay off our debt and student loans (the student loans make up 75% of the debt). And to help with some minor marital issues, the book has taught me that our debt is debt, no matter who acquired it. My new frame of mind is, "Let's just get this stuff all paid off for good and start making money from our money!"

Inside the book is filled with stories of everyday people, most couples who are making less than $70,000 a year combined, many of them far less than that...who are debt-free and who are investing and on their way to being millionaires 20-40 years from now. MULTI-millionaires.

My Total A-Ha We Have To Do This Moment:

One story hit me hard, and was so unbelievably inspiring, because the people are my age, and they've already made huge, huge, HUGE, gains. A young married couple, ages 22 & 24, a pastor and a nurse, who now have no debt (besides their mortgage) who are already investing ... and at the age of 65 ... their investments will have reached $12 million dollars if they continue to contribute as much as they are now ... and of course they'll end up making more and investing even more - UM HELLO! ... we CAN and we WILL do this!

It's so simple!

(Side Note: I am not completely blind to the fact that our money situation will change a lot when kids some some day, but at least we'll be more prepared financially, and can start preparing and making our goals happen NOW!)

We might not make the income to reach $12 million in investments by age 65, but we sure are going to try! We have advantages, still being young and starting our investments early. I'd be happy retiring with $2 million.

I do not ever need to be RICH/WEALTHY/etc, that is not why I am choosing to take this journey ... but what I do need is financial security for my myself, husband, and future kiddos. All I desire is enough funds to design a life where finances don't hold me back, or cause trouble. And, of course, I'd like to have a LITTLE FUN!

I seriously, seriously, seriously cannot wait to take part in this journey! And I guess I already have started, because Step 2 is already started. As in, a check for the full amount of what we owe on one item of debt is sitting in a sealed envelope, with a stamp on it, ready to be mailed and officially paid off forever...FOREVER! AND in the next week or so, we'll get our monthly Best Buy statement. We have a great purchase plan for our TV, and only have to pay $X a month to pay off $Z until December 2012. Weellll, since I am on a roll, I'm just going to write a check for that full amount too!

LOVE IT! THE DEBT SNOWBALL HAS BEGUN!

More Questions about 2010

Although the questions I answered already are similar to the ones I found on Nicole's blog, there were a few on her question list that weren't on mine. And since I LOVE looking back on my previous years' Yearly Q+A's, I'm going to answer the ones that weren't found on my original list.

What was the single most challenging thing that happened? I know a lot of my responses have to do with the house, but that's what is sticking out in 2010. I would say the challenging part was with getting all HUD work done on the house BEFORE we could actually buy it. We invested about $1,000 and endless hours on a house that wasn't even ours ... while having to keep a deadline for the inspection. Looking back, it really wasn't that terrible, and we got through it with help from our amazing friends and family, but at the moment, it was a big stressful deal.

What was an unexpected joy this past year? Dare I say it!? Our dog! It took me awhile to really bond with her because I honestly wasn't too fond of the idea of having a dog. It meant more responsibility for me. But, now that I'm not so crazy busy and the fact that she's settling down, I can't imagine her not being here! Love her.

What was an unexpected obstacle? Work. I became salaried this year, and was told I'd work 37.5 hours per week. I was soooo used to getting paid hourly, that it was a HUGE adjustment to work 50+ hours per week and only get paid for 37.5 hours ... it was a mind over matter thing, and now that I've adjusted to that, it's ok.

What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year? Hmm....good question. I guess I am not totally sure on this one. Nothing sticks out, but I guess I have begun to "really" settle into adulthood. The past couple years have been this transition of feeling like "grown-up" one day, and then totally feeling like I'm still a kid the next. (Gosh darn it, I'm going to be 25 this year, hopefully I have more grown up days than kid days, hey!?). I think with the house, and then the dog, I've really begun to think about the "bigger" things in life ... the idea of having kids has become more of a reality now than it would have been back in January.

What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home? Hmm ... I planted a very small garden this summer, and it was really fun to watch it and take care of it. Looking forward to that this coming spring ... I learned a lot from my little patch of zucchini, summer squash, and tomatoes!

What was your most challenging area of home management? Oh, lots of things. I guess just general organization. With a house, there is more area to set stuff down and forget about it...aka the dining room or the table right where we come in as we get home. And this is kind of funny, but my last two living spaces (apartments) were "open concept," so the living space was directly open to the kitchen. There, I cleaned up the kitchen right away, so I didn't have to see the mess. But at the house, the rooms are separate, and I tend to forget about the dinner mess if I head to the living room after we eat. I know, how silly, right? So yeah ... hopefully I can get on that kitchen thing right away in 2011. (But I just want to sit and chill after work, lol!)

What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year? Ironically, the Internet! Must get off of this thing ...

What was the best way you used your time this past year? Makin' moola! I was SO stressed out when I had my 50+ hours a week school job PLUS 50+ hours a week photography work to do! BEYOND STRESSED! However, my bank account was nice and full ... and got replenished very nicely every Saturday as payments would come in. Totally stressful, but it really was worth it.

That's it! Happy 2011!

Bathroom Reno Inspiration

I'm in renovation dream land. Our upstairs bathroom is in need of some help.

We'll see what happens this new year. Possibly a reno?

The photo below is what the room looked like before we moved in. I'm too lazy right now to take a picture of it's current condition, but the difference now is that the walls are a dark latte color, all the trim has been ripped off, curtain down, flying fish down. We planned to replace the base after painting, but hubby decided not to put fresh trim on because "we're going to just rip it apart anyway." One sentence description it's current state?

--> Not much better, perhaps worse.

No, this room doesn't APPEAR to be in need of a complete re-do. And I agree with that partially...it's not a "must do right now" type of thing. However, I have a few points to make:

• The door you see leads to an upper deck. It's an old door, and if the wind blows hard enough, the door flies open. Not good if we aren't home. To replace the door, we would need to re-frame the door. Behind that wall is plaster. Plaster doesn't come off nicely...so we figure if we're going to make a mess, let's just make a BIG mess at all at once and get this room taken care of for good.
• The tub and surround needs replacing ... again, doesn't look bad in the pic, but its old and the paint is chipping away. The previous owners decided to paint (PAINT!?) the old tub instead of replacing. (Why OH why!?)
• Moving forward, those lights are hideous. Once we take those down, there will have to be lots of repair to that bulkhead, and from what we discovered in regards to the other bathroom's electrical situation, I'd say we have some electrical work to do under there, too.
• More lighting, there is a light/fan unit on the ceiling that you can't see in this picture. Again, from the condition the other bathroom was in, I'm sure this needs full-out replacing as well. I wonder if this one even vents outside? The last one just vented into the ceiling. NICE.
• The floor. After moving in, we found drip pans full of water in the drop ceiling of our kitchen. EEK. Which is directly below this bathroom. So, I'm willing to bet the floor underneath the nasty vinyl is not in very good condition. We wonder if the water came from A) The door blowing open and water getting in and leaking thru the floor, or B) The toilet, which we had a heck of a time getting to work because of leaking issues. Either way, my money is on the floor being just nasty under there.
• Lastly, can a girl just ask for a pretty bathroom? Marble or granite counter? Yes please! Double hung mirrors instead of an out-dated full mirror? YES PLEASE! New plumbing to accommodate double sinks? HECK YES! Open linen closet? Wooo hoo, see below for inspiration!

Hello, Inspiration:

And in case you're at all interested, this is our lower level full bath reno project from this past summer:

Ready for Another Year

I can't believe it's already been a year! I feel as if I just answered these questions!

2010 ---> 2011

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

Earned a new job with benefits (March), bought a house (April), got a puppy (July), went to Washington DC (June), celebrated a 1 year wedding anniversary (July).

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I'm not sure if I made one - so there wasn't one to keep. I'm not really planning to make a huge deal about a "resolution," but I do plan to be more of a tight-wad this year. A penny pincher! I love seeing my savings grow. However, these are a few things I will glady spend money on, if they happen: vacations, 2nd full bath renovation. Picture is our main level full bath renovation that we completed this year:

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My friend Alanna brought Zayden into this world! My other friend Ashley is due any day now, so we'll see if she gets a '10 baby or an '11 baby.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries and states did you visit?
Sad ... no new countries this year. I did visit two new "states:" DC (does that count?) & Virginia ... Virginia was only for about two hours or so, when I went to Arlington.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

Relaxation....haha, I said this last year too! BUT, I booked a certain number of weddings this year, which is 10 less than last year ... SO, I definitely will have a less-chaotic year - I hope!

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Hmm...is it sad that none stick out?

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting through all 24 weddings! Pic is of me working at a wedding:

9. What was your biggest failure?
Having a negative attitude a lot of the time.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My house!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Nobody I can think of.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Home improvements.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Gosh 2010 sure was lacking in the excitement department! I can't think of anything! I think I worked too much and didn't have enough "me" time to have fun! Lesson learned!

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

Miranda Lambert - "House That Built Me"

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? fatter...the scale says I'm the same, but I feel fatter.
c) richer or poorer? the same


18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Vacationed

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Spending money, working

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Christmas Eve: my mom's in the morning, and my dad came over in the afternoon. On Christmas Day: to Chris' parents during the day, and to my dad's side of the family in the evening. The week before Christmas is when we went to my mom's side:

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
I'm still in love.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Two and a Half Men, Everyday with Rachael Ray, Paula Deen, Get It Sold with Sabrina Soto, & Sarah Palin's Alaska

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No.

24. What was the best book you read?
I'm not sure I read many this year. This is definitely on the to-do list for 2011. I love reading. I have a few checked out from the library, and I can't wait to dig in!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
These weren't live changing or anything, but some new peeps on my playlist include: Katy Perry, David Gray, One Republic, Bruno Mars

26. What did you want and get?
A house.

27. What did you want and not get?
A house.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Valentine's Day, The Ugly Truth (saw it in 2010) ... and ANYTHING with Gerard Butler ...!!!

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I went to the Iron Ridge Inn (I think??? Why can't I remember anything about this year?) with my family.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
This is minor, because I really have had a really good, satisfying, and happy year ... but I'd say getting the house remodel projects done ... some are half finished and they're driving me nuts. I need to learn how to use power tools.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
I pretty much wear a cardigan every day.

32. What kept you sane?
Coffee and those tiny bits of blissful free time (exact same thing I said last year).

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None!

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
None! I'm smart and stay out of that stuff now ;-)

35. Who did you miss?
Alanna who lives in Washington state. I missed seeing her at Christmastime this year, which has always been a tradition.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Maggie (who has worked some weddings with me)

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Life is too short & valuable to be a work-a-holic.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"The years go by and time just seems to fly, but the memories remain."

39. Will you be looking for a new job?

Nope! :-)

40. Will you be looking for a new relationship?
No way!

41. New house?
No! New stuff in this house though!

42. What will you do different in 2011?
I think you already know - enjoy life more!

43. Any trips planned?
Darn it, no! :-(

44. Wedding plans?
I will attend (at least) 15 weddings this year - 14 clients, 1 family!

45. What's on your calendar?
Spending time with hubby, weddings, work, weddings, work! :-)

46. What can't you wait for?

Some type of vacay - even if it's just somewhere close. Any get-a-way will do!

47. Do you plan on having a child?
Maybe.... ;-)

48. Wish for 2011?

Continued happiness.

49. Where did you go on New Years?

Out to dinner, and then home. I feel asleep before 11.

50. Did you change at all this year?

Not really.

51. Did you dye your hair?
I dyed my own hair to save money ... it doesn't look terrible, just a little more reddish than usual. I don't plan on doing it often - there are people I'll gladly pay to make me look good!


52. Were you in school?
Of course, school is my life! I was never a student, but I was a sub at the beginning of the year, and then in March, I got a new job, which is the Site Manager of 21st Century Community Learning Centers. I am the site manager for all of Jefferson Junction's program, and the AM Site Manager for Lincoln Station's program. That means two schools in one day (1.5 hours at one, and then 6 hours at another).


53. Did you have a job?

See above, and all of the answers that involved being a wedding photographer. :-)

54. Did you move at all?
We moved from our Knaup Drive apartment to our HOUSE on 615 Declark!

55. Did you go on any vacations?
No...boo!! I did go to Washington DC though for work. It was a neat experience. Also, we did go camping in White Lake, WI. Not exactly a vacation, but it was some good away time.

56. Did you break up with anyone?
No.


57. Did you drink Starbucks?

Yes! A few grande Pike's roasts, tall Java Chips, and 1 peppermint mocha could be found in my hand throughout the year.


58. What are your plans for new years eve this year?
We WERE going to the Dells to stay overnight and see a band at a casino, but I decided I wanted to save some money and stay in town (remember that penny pinching thing??). So, we are going to go out to dinner with Katelyn and Josh, and then probably come back to our house for some serious "festivity" time! Bring on the wine! Pic is from last year!

*2010* Christmas Baking

Strawberry Pecan Thumbprints, Classic Cut Outs, and Chocolate Toffee Shortbread ... recipes below for two of them! These are recipes from Taste of Home's Simple & Delicious dating back various years, and give them my own twist!

Strawberry Pecan Thumbprints

• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/8 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups flour
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 cup ground pecans
• strawberry jam
• powdered sugar

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Put everything in my mixer - besides the pecans, jam, & powdered sugar. Mix. Add pecans. Mix again. Grease a baking sheet. Form 1 inch balls of dough in your hands. Press down on each with your thumb to make a hole to place the jam. Using a small spoon, fill hole halfway with jam. Bake for 6 minutes, take out of oven, use butter knife to flatten jam so it's not all just one clump. Bake again for 2 minutes - they will seem uncooked, but that's what you want! Cool for 5 mins and then sprinkle on powdered sugar. They taste best when fully cooled!

Classic Cut Outs

I wasn't a huge fan of the recipe I tried this year, so I don't feel the need to type it out if I don't ever use it again! (Sorry)

Chocolate Toffee Shortbread

1.25 cups butter

1.5 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

3 cups flour

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

1 reg size bag chocolate chips

1/2 bag Heath toffee bits

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix everything together in a mixer - besides chocolate chips and Heath. Spread batter onto a cookie sheet and smooth until even. Bake 12-15 mins or until lightly browned. Immediately after removing from oven, sprinkle all chocolate chips on top. Let melt for 5 mins, then spread over shortbread with a butter knife. Then sprinkle with Heath bits. Let cool before cutting.

Mmm Enchiladas

Tried a new recipe and put my own twist on it, too ... it was WONDERFUL and easy, so I have to "write this down" somewhere so I don't forget about it! My first time making enchiladas!

Recipe on this can + my own twist:

Ingredients:

0.75 lb top ground beef

8 oz cream cheese, cubed

1/4 packet taco seasoning

1 pack 6 (or 8) inch tortillas

1 can green chile enchilada sauce

3/4 cup shredded mild cheddar

1. Preheat oven to 400. Spray 9x13 pan with Pam.

2. Cook beef, add cream cheese until melted, add in 1/4 packet taco seasoning.

3. Spoon beef mixture into tortillas, roll, place in pan with seam side down.

4. Pour can of enchilada sauce over the top, sprinkle with cheese.

5. Bake 20 mins.

6. EAT! (I served mine with Spanish rice and sides of sour cream)

It's Almost Christmahanukwanzaakah!

Happy Sunday, everyone!

A few more photos of the decor to remember our 1st Christmas in our new house:

Up first, our puppy-proof tree - notice I didn't say "Chew-Free" because I'm sure that will still happen sometime between now and the 25th!

I had to get all new (mostly) ornaments this year because, well, I wasn't about to put glass/breakables on a tree with a puppy! (Or with a cat who was a kitten last year, who thinks he still fits IN the tree...LOL...when clearly, he is just too big now).

I wanted some more sparkle to my tree anyway, and I wanted to keep up the red/silver theme I have in my house for the rest of the Xmas decor. $15 of Kohls Cash got me 8 new sparkly ornaments, and $3.50 at Walgreens got me 24 other sparklers! The 'F' was my $1 WalMart score (just let me tell you ... how HARD it is to find anything monogrammed in the letter F! Seriously! Look next time, and there will be almost every other letter ... besides F ... so needless to say, WalMart made me happy!)

Also, I wanted a tree skirt this year...but I'm also super cheap. All the pretty ones were $30-$60, and I wasn't going to waste money on an ugly one. So, my friends, this is a round table cloth from Target ... yep, a table cloth AND I got it on SALE for $7.99, originally $12.99 --- SCORE! Yes, it's a little gathered-looking, but I LOVE it! (I also have the matching pillow, but darn, that was full price ;-)

Here's the tree:

Some of my favorite new ornaments...

And the last "festive" feature in our house (so far anyway) is my 'X-Mas Cookie 2010' to do list! Just some ideas jotted down on my DIY interior cabinet chalkboard - listing what I all want to get baked up this year. I usually use the chalkboard to jot down what I'm out of, so I don't forget to pick something up at the store!

I answered these on June 24, 2009 and I'm doing it again ....

because I have nothing else to blog about right now. ;-)

Outside my window... Hold on, I have to open the blinds (I'm in my office). They always stay shut because I'm usually up here when it's dark out - and it's just creepy when people can look in the windows at you! Ok, outside my window, it is getting dark. I see the street - we live on a corner. Across the street is a city athletic field ... 4 baseball fields, food stands, 2 tennis courts, and a small playground.

I am thinking... a lot about life lately. My husband is a huge fan of "the end of the world" type of movies. In those movies, loved ones die a lot. And I just watched 'P.S. I Love You' last night. Sometimes hubby and I fight ... and I wonder why in the world we ever decided to get married any way. Then those kind of movies remind us how good we really have it, and that we wouldn't want to have it any other way. Thank you, scary and sad movies! ;-)

I am thankful for... a full time job with great benefits. Even though I don't "love" it as much as I love teaching, I'm trying to look at it from a different perspective. In case you're wondering, I work for a school district as the Site Manager for a 21st Century Community Learning Center, funded by the federal government. Also thankful for so many wonderful clients in my photog business.

From the kitchen... Lasagna in the oven tonight. Romaine lettuce salad and garlic bread are waiting to be prepared as well.

I am wearing... a black tank top, jeans, and black socks. And sparkley fake diamond earrings.

I am creating... nothing at the moment, in the crafting world. I haven't scrapped in a long time. Wondering if I'll ever get back into it. Maybe when I have something substantial to actually scrap about ... like kids.


I am going... hmmm - nothing planned currently. SAD! We might do a last minute vacation between Christmas and New Years if Chris can get off of work, and if we can get a good deal. I REALLY want a get away before the kiddos start coming, and that week will be our last chance. I can't take off of work and either can Chris any other time. (The kiddo thing, by the way, hopefully that'll happen sometime in the next year or so).

I am reading... Aw, man. Does peering thru the Pottery Barn catalog count?! Answering these questions really makes me realize how crazy busy I have been lately with work and my photography business! No free time the last 3-4 months ... yuck! I have one more session to work on, and then I have NO photography commitments to do until May! Looking forward to enjoying the simple things again, like reading. Don't gag, but I want to read the 4th Twilight book.

I am hoping... this weird stomach ache I have isn't going to turn into the stomach flu. Yikes - sure feels like thats what it is.

I am hearing... Chris playing XBox downstairs and my dog pouncing on my cat.

Around the house... things are slowly coming around. A recent improvement has been putting in a new garage door and opener. We also just spent what seems like a life savings on a new John Deer snowblower ... hard to pay that much for something like that, but we'll be thankful when it snows and we don't have to shovel.

One of my favorite things... Quiet mornings when I can sit on my couch & drink coffee while watching 'Sell This House' on HGTV ... I work a split shift everyday, first from 6:45-8:30 at one school, and then from 11:15-5:15 at my main school. Every morning I get home at 8:35, heat up a cup of coffee, and watch one episode. Then I get to work on my photography stuff til I leave at 11. So, that half hour of quietness and relaxation is awesome.

A few plans for the rest of the week... School job work: Get registration completed and entered into the database for the 2nd semester & get confirmation letters sent out to parents; Photography work: finish editing my last session; Personal life: get this house super cleaned up & tidy, get/put up/decorate Christmas tree