It's beginning to look a lot like

I got my tree done!  That is all I've gotten done so far, but it is a start and Madelyn will be so happy!

 I still need to get the stockings hung and the wreaths up.  Another day, another day....

We have been out running around like crazy.  I've gotten several things done, some presents purchased, and I guess I'll get started wrapping tomorrow.  (after I get the stockings and wreaths done).
We always have a such a wonderful Christmas, but I am really looking forward to this year.  All of  Brian's family will be here Christmas Eve and then Christmas day will be with my side of the family.  Not all of us, unfortunately, but most of us.

We are going to keep things fairly simple and just enjoy our time together and I think that is why I am looking forward to it so much!

Tonight we are going out with friends for dinner and to look at Christmas lights.  I hope that we find some good ones to look at. 

I'll be sure to take a lot of pictures to share with you.

Remember to keep eating clean, doing your workouts and you will sail through to the new year without all the extra holiday weight most people gain.

Feeling Fit Holiday Gift Guide

I am almost done with my Christmas shopping.  I just have a few more things to pick up, these are the people that I find hard to buy for, so I'm not really sure what I am going to get them!

So, I decided that I would post a few of my favorite holiday gifts for this year!

These are all things that I have a love and know that anyone would love to have them:

I absolutely LOVE my kindle.  I use it every day, and the only thing I would change about it is I would get the 3G one.  Mine is just wi-fi and while that is not a problem, after playing around with my mom's new touch with 3G, I recommend it.  The best thing about it - they are not as expensive as they once were.  AND, with Pixelofink.com, you can get all kinds of wonderful books for FREE!! 

Skullcandy earbuds - these are great because they do not fall out of my ears, they are truly noise-canceling and I found them at TJ Maxx for under $10 - score!  They come in a wide variety of colors too!

One thing I have found that I was VERY skeptical about at first, but it works like a charm is the Sticky Pad.  Mom got one of these and told me I needed one, so I broke down and spent the $4 to try it.  I LOVE this thing.  I can put my cell phone on it in the car and it works perfectly.  Just like they say it does.  Brian had to have 2 of them for the car dashboard - one for his phone and one for his sunglasses or the pike pass.  We got ours at Bed Bath and Beyond.

 I definitely recommend the Fitbit for anyone that wants to work on your health and fitness.  This keeps me more aware of how much I am moving.  You also get access to the website for free and can keep track of your calorie intake as well as your sleep!  The new one ( I covet it ), even tracks your climbs (think hills and stairs). It is $99.  I promise you, you won't regret getting it for yourself or anyone on your list!

Scarves - I have many and wear them all - all the time. I tend to freeze and have been known to wear my scarf and hat in the house.... yes, I'm that much of a nerd!  I really like the infinity or circle scarves this year, but my favorite is the pashmina scarves.  I have about 5 different ones in different colors.  Goes with anything.

Something that a lot of people won't splurge on for themselves is makeup/hair products.  As corny as it sounds, I love getting a good shampoo and conditioner or cool makeup.

Naked eyeshadow palette

Alterna Bamboo shampoo/conditioner and shine mist!

Nerium Holiday Gift sets.  You can only get these until Dec 11 - so definitely add this to your list.  I am seeing AMAZING results for so many people in my family, myself included.  We have found that it is a GREAT acne treatment as well. (Can't wait to show you my nephew's before/after photos!)

I could go on and on...... ipods, ipads ( my wish list) kindle fire ( my wish list), sunglasses, fingerless gloves, cookbooks,  pink diamond ring ( my wish list)  I never said I didn't have expensive tastes LOL!!

But I'll stop for now.  If you have a great gift idea, please share it with us!  I am going to try and get my tree decorated today.  We need a new one, the lights on our pre-lit tree don't work anymore, but I'm going to wait until the after Christmas sales are going to purchase one.  So, I'm stringing lights and going to get the decorating done.  TODAY!

Happy Shopping, let me know if you have any questions about the things I posted.  Most of them are in my amazon store - one click shopping and delivered to your door - I LOVE that!

New Year's Eve already?

It was a whirlwind couple of days for me.  Quick trip to Oklahoma City and Tulsa and I got to spend some time with my mom and Aunt Connie!  Best thing!!

Got home and Miss Madelyn came to visit me, she was in a good mood yesterday. Just not in the mood to get her photo taken...  We had some errands to run, met up with the accountant and then came home and played kitchen, read some books, colored and ran.  Yes, we ran up and down the hall.  She loves it!  "Run with me Nona!"  How can you say no?

As she was leaving, the Fedex man pulled up with a large box that contained my P90X2!  YIPPEE!!  It's here!  Merry Christmas to me!

I barely had time to get things out of the box before Brian came in and we had to run out again.  We were chatting while running errands about what our New Year's Eve plans are.  I sent a text message to a couple of friends, little did I know that NYE would be mistaken for NOW.  Our friend called and told us that he was there, no band was playing and we weren't there.  After I got done laughing, we met up for a drink and they had dinner ( we had already eaten!)  So, Happy New Year, just a little early!!!  I'm still giggling about this one.  I guess I have had too many texts with mis-spelled words go out!

I got some Kaeng Raeng and am planning on doing a 3 day "cleanse" soon.  Thinking that I will start this weekend or on Monday of next week.  I'm ready to get going again, it's been a while since I have been really on track.  It's time!

Another good day in the books!

We had the best of intentions yesterday to get a LOT accomplished.  However, it didn't really happen.

We headed over to 17th St. to paint the doors.  Started out at Lowe's getting the paint and supplies needed and went over.  I was prepared for the colder weather - wore my stocking cap, heavy sweatshirt and jacket and layers, ipod was loaded and ready to go WITH my new skullcandy earbuds.  I was ready to paint.

BUT, the wind was blowing like craaaaazy.

  Dust particles were everywhere, they even showed up in the picture. 

So, we decided to paint another day.

 We really wanted to beat the weather that they say is coming - have I mentioned that I do NOT like cold weather and snow and ice are NOT my friends....

After we got home and got a few things done around the house, Madelyn came over to stay the night.

 Chase and Meredith had their tacky Christmas Sweater party last night and we got to have Mads for the night.

She is potty training and doing fantastic!  Not one accident and she is so funny!  Every time she potty's she holds her arm up and shouts "I did it!" 

We watched Jungle Book,

 read some books

 made roads out of beads (who knew...)

Then it was bedtime - jammies on and books read and time to sleep

Nona and Bumpy were worn out!  She got up in a GREAT mood this morning, we had our shakeology and then got her ready for church!  Another great day in the books!

We had to!

Another good day yesterday - went shopping with Julie in Rogers AR, we had a lot of fun.

Of course, we had to try on the tiara's....

we had to eat at PF Chang's

we had to get our photo in front of the large Christmas tree with the huge Christmas ornaments.

we had to get a green tea latte and a cupcake ( we HAD to!)

then we had to come home....

BUT, it was time for Robin, Lisha, Denisa and Mendy and Megan to come over and eat portabello chili (recipe here) and watch a chick flick.  We watched Crazy, Stupid Love and we all enjoyed it!

 The camera was put away and we just had a good time laughing and chatting!  Perfect end to a "had to" kind of day!

Much needed GIRL time!

Things are always fun in my house, but I have lived with boys. A LOT of them.

We've had a lot of no-shirt time, cars and boys things all over the house,   worms and dirt, not a lot of pink to say the least.  Things are better since the Chase and Nick are now married - but....

  There just isn't much girly about living at my house, so I TREASURE my girl time!

Brian and Jake are gone hunting in Kansas, so I made sure to take advantage of the extra time on my hands and planned some fun things with my girls.  I am so blessed to have such great friends.  Girls from high school as well as "newer" friends (for lack of a better word!) 

Yesterday, I met up with some of my girls and we started out at Starbucks with a little somethin',somethin'  ( I had a green tea - delish!) and then we got down to business - SHOPPING!  I'm not a huge shopping fan, but it is always more fun with friends!

We shopped until we were starving and made a lunch break and then went right back to it.  I got some wonderful things and really good bargains.  Shopping for Christmas is one of the times I enjoy shopping! 

Then I met up with another friend and we let the pampering begin.  Reflexology and a massage and then dinner and the casino for a little fun.  I didn't win any money this time, but we had a blast!!!  I forgot to get a photo of me and Julie, but I will be sure to get plenty today!

The best part is that I get to do it all again today! 

I talked with Brian last night and he said the weather is not very good out in Kansas.  Ice and snow and that may mean that the boys come home sooner than planned.  While that is not a bad thing, I have some good plans for today.....

Question-po-looza!!

Yesterday was a busy day (my usual), but I got to start my day off right with Miss Madelyn stopping by!  I was our Wednesday together.  We had a little time to play and then we had to take the car to the shop.  Madelyn was a chatty Kathy on the way and wanted to know about everything she could think about or even that she saw.  Especially the other people.  Nona, where is that red car going?  Who is in that blue car?  What are their names?  It was a question-po-looza!  She did make up a few stories about the people.  One car evidently contained a kitty-cat and 2 doggies and a boy.  There was a guy named David walking down the road, she thought he was going to school.  I was glad when Bumps got in the car with us and he could answer a few of her questions.  BUT, the big news on the Madelyn front is that she has decided to start using the big girl potty!  YAY!  There is nothing cuter than her smiling face telling me she did it!

After visiting Uncle Nick at work and making a quick stop in Wal-Mart, we headed back home for some food - applesauce and Nutella and bread sticks were needed!!! 

Brian and Jake have gone hunting, I have a feeling that they are going to FREEZE this weekend.  I can only hope they have a good time. 

I'm off to spend the day with the girls and have some girly fun.  I get to watch what I want on TV while BP is gone.  I'm thinking this may be a nice break :)