Secret Santa

Hey everyone!

The countdown is on...

ONE WEEK TILL CHRISTMAS!

I hope all you little elves are done shopping.

I live very close to the mall and the traffic is out of control.

I would not want to still have stuff on your list with only a week left

The mall isn't the only place that is packed....

I had to go to the post office this week and mail some packages...

I thought i would be strategic and I went at 4 since most people don't get off for another hour...

WRONG!!!!

I had to wait in line 45 mins just to use the self-service machine! NUTS

Onto better news...

We recently had a Christmas party and I said I would post pics because I thought Jared looked so cute!

We even match! lol 

This was not acutally intended but just came out that way.

Turns out it worked pretty well together.

We went to the party with steve and annie

Well it turns out that Steve got my name in the secret Santa drawing.

NOW GET THIS..

he was not sure what to get me so he got on my BLOG!!!

How awesome is this!

He read my thirty for thirty list and saw that I wanted to learn how to make PHO (Asian soup)

He found me several recipes and then got me the authentic dishes to serve the soup in.

I  was so impressed! I thought that was so thoughtful.

I was speechless....love it.

I will be learning to make the soup soon and be sure to share it with all my followers.

In other news..

I really love hole in the wall dinners.

I think there is something special about it.

Well I found one called "Eats and Sweets" when I was in a little town for work this week.

I walked in and there was maybe 3 customers.

It was a huge piece of bologna and I eat like 1/3 of this sandwich.

SO CHEAP...all of this for $4.69...crazy

Super fast too.

Love little dinners!

Have a great last week of work before Christmas!!

The countdown to christmas begins!!

So excited!

This week is my last full week of work.

Next week since high schools are on shortened schedules...so am I

Cant wait!

I don't know about you but I've got lots of baking to do

I'm looking for some great cookie recipes.

If you all have some staples that people use please please please pass the recipes along

I plan plan to make cookie jars out of old pringles cans

found this on pinterest

Thought I would take a minute to brag on my wonderful husband.

I was out of town recently for work and my hubby had a giant surprise waiting for me when I got home.

before I tell you the surprise...I have to tell you the story leading up to this

So...this summer I found a old school solid wood giant desk on craigslist.

Someone had started sanding it to restore it but lost interested in the project.

They wanted 70 bucks and I ended up losing out of purchasing the desk.

Then...to my surprise two weeks later I got a call that they buyer fell through and if I still wanted the desk for 40 bucks they would sell it to me.

I agreed without even thinking.

Did I mention that it was a giant solid wood desk and we don't have a truck?

With much convincing I got Jared on board to do whatever it takes to pick up the desk

We borrowed a van from his work and went across town to pick it up.

We went tried to lift it into the van we realized it was solid wood and like 200 lbs!

Jared was not a happy camper

Then we got it home and since it was not finished it had to be in the garage till I could finish the project

Jared...again not happy since he values his manly garage space

well I got it like 95 percent sanded and have gone and got wood filler and was working on it very slowly...again Jared not happy still in the garage.

He was also convinced that we would not be able to get this upstairs into our office.

I was starting to consider finishing it and selling it but it seemed like that would be such a waste considering how in love with it I was.

Up until two weeks ago this is where that story has been stalled....

While I was away my husband finished my beautiful desk, got it upstairs and had it waiting with a super sweet note for my arrival

I almost cried I was so happy and it looked so great!!

Needless to say I HAVE THE BEST HUSBAND EVER!!

We also went to Jared's Christmas party this weekend.

Here's a quick shot from my phone...more pics to come

We were voted best dressed...but I think it was because we matched ;)

Have a great week everyone!

Don't forget to make time for family this holiday!

Christmas Season

Two weeks ago we helped build a Habitat for Humanity house. 

It was a pretty interesting experience. 

I thought it would be fluff work but that is not the case. 

I painted and ripped siding off the house.

This is us grabbing some quick lunch at panera.

Don't ask...why is Jared suck a goof in all our pictures!?

sweet painting action

The guys worked on this porch all day!

This is the font of the house...pretty nice. I think I need to get hooked up with habitat too!

We also went out and picked our Christmas tree.

They always smell so amazing.

so we strapped it to my car and wrapped it in an old blanket so it wouldn't scratch anything.

Well we totally pulled an idiot move.

We tied the tree to the top of the car though the windows....NOT SMART.

We wrapped the doors closed! IDIOTS!

So we just went with it and climbed in and out of the windows

Not our brightest moments!

Totally worth it thought.... I think this is the best job we have ever done decorating a Christmas tree!

Looks so good and makes me happy!

We are almost ready for Christmas now... got our firewood delivered! YES

On a non-Christmas related note... I went to a Columbus blogger meet up!

Big thanks to Katie and Holly for putting it together!

Everyone seemed super nice and I think there were like 20 people there.

Maybe you recognize these girls.

Dancing with Sunshine

In this beautiful life

To Columbus and Beyond

These were the girls I spent the majority of my evening with. 

check out Katie over at Keep Calm and Carry on....

I'm sure she posted the group pictures of all of us together. 

I hope you all are having a great few weeks leading into this holiday season.

I challenge you all to do something unexpectedly kind for a stranger or someone who would never expect it. Its is the time of year to bless someone if you have been blessed.

Happy Tuesday Everyone!