Friend Makin’ Mondays: Holiday Shopping

1. Do you like to shop? Yes
2. Have you started shopping for Christmas gifts yet? Surprisingly yes. I never start before December 1st, but shopped online starting Saturday!
3. Did you shop on Black Friday?  NEVER. I don't like dealing with the mobs.
4. List a few of your favorite stores. NY & Company, Kohls, Bed Bath & Beyond, Macys
5. What is the last thing you purchased for yourself (food and drinks excluded?) A manicure
6. Do you prefer to shop in-store or online?  I have no preference. I like both.
7. If you could purchase one thing that you don’t need at all for yourself today, what would it be?  An ice cream maker
8. Does your significant other shop with you? Do they love it/hate it? He hates shopping period. I rarely have him come with me.
9. Do you shop at thrift stores? Not really.
10. When you’re holiday shopping, do you make lists?  I have a list of who to buy for so I don't forget anyone. I don't make lists of what to buy people, I ask what people want!

Thanksgiving Plans

It's my most favorite time of the year! It's Thanksgiving Week! As much as the retailers like to rush Christmas on us right after Halloween, this is one holiday that does not get passed over in our household. I have always been a big fan of this holiday and will continue it. Naturally I enjoy having a 4-day weekend as well in addition to any overtime my husband has over this break. I also love the food! I mean, what's not to love about it?

FMM: Thanksgiving Plans

What are your plans for Thanksgiving this year? Does your family have traditions? If so, share them…(I know that some of you live outside of the US so feel free to fill us in on other holiday traditions!)

Our plans this year is hosting the holiday at our house. It will be 8 of us total - me, Ken, my mom, dad, sister, mother-in-law and grandfather. I don't really know if we have traditions, but it's something my mom always did and now when we host we do the same in our house. I always have the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV while I'm cooking. We also have food to nibble on set up on the dining room table so we can graze while the other stuff is still cooking. We usually eat aroun 1-2pm and then have plenty of leftovers for the evening.

I have always been the one to bake a pumpkin pie (since it's my favorite) and this is a tradition I think I won't ever give up!

Giving Thanks

I've been seeing a few people on my Facebook newsfeed giving daily thanks this month. Given Thanksgiving is this month, I'm sure I'll see plenty more of this next week as well. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for me to share what and who I am thankful for and why. Of course I am thankful for things like my job, my home and other material items, but there are people that deserve a big thank you.

Thank you God for giving me this life full of great friends and family. I know there have been some rough times, but you have brought me through them. Thank you for being there.

Thank you to my husband. He is amazing. He knows me very well. He has this unconditional love for me no matter what. We have built an amazing life together and I really can't imagine where I would be right now without him.

I am thankful for my family. My parents are people that I just can't express many words about. They have shown me how to live life and guided me down the right path. My sister is one of my best friends. We look out for each other. We have each other's backs (sometimes haha) and we are partners in crime. And yes, I brought her to get her first tattoo. What are big sisters for?

My extended family. We have such wonderful memories and I love continuing to make them. Thank you for making me laugh and enjoy being together. I wish we did it more often.

My husband's family. Without you crazy drama-filled folks I wouldn't feel like I'm watching a sitcom. Thank you for making me feel like part of your family when you met me 10 years ago. You are awesome and I love you all very much and thrilled to have you part of my life.

My friends. Without my friends I don't know where I would be. Sure many have come and gone throughout the last 32 years, and for the most part I am still connected to many, but without meeting each and everyone of you, my life would be so different. For the girls I talk to on a daily basis, thank you for making my days fly by, for making me laugh, for making me think, for making me consider a different opinion on things. I'm forever thankful for having you in my life.

I am thankful for my dog. He does everything to make me smile and shows me so much love. You are my little fur baby and I don't know what I would do without you. I love you Shea!

So this is my thank you. Something I mean everyday. Thank you!!

Purging

I like to purge about 2-3 times a year. My purging consists of clothing, books, kitchen gadgets, and other household chockies. I have been wanting to purge my closet for a bit and finally had the opportunity to do it last night. I had so many articles of clothing that I hadn't worn in a long time as well as items I purchased with the hope I would fit into it by a particular season. Yeah, that didn't happen. It was time to get rid of them. I am still working on my weight loss and the reason I kept so many articles of clothing was because I thought when I would wear them I wouldn't have to buy new clothes. I decided last night that holding on to them wasn't doing anything to help my progress so I eliminated them from my drawers and closet. I have a lot more space in my summer bottoms drawer and lots of space in my closet. I have a bunch of hangers that I can use for new items I get for my birthday (which is Saturday, by the way). I'm excited to add new items to my closet. I plan to donate my purged items to the Salvation Army and Vietnam Veteran's of America.

Sometimes you need to purge people from your life too. It's good for your soul!

Next up is organization of 3 closets. I hope to conquer this over the next few weekends.