Happy Hanukkah

No, I'm not Jewish. I was born and raised Catholic, but there may be some Jew in me down the line. I have celebrated Hanukkah before (well sort of) b/c my ex in Cali is Jewish. I have a dreidle from when I was a kid (no idea where I got it but I do remember I used to know the symbols on the sides and would play with it using chocolate coins). Living in a predominate Jewish town now, it's funny seeing blue lights instead of the colorful lights and white lights I grew up seeing. Where you see menorahs from the windows instead of Christmas trees. The other day I was out in my living room and had the curtains open with the Christmas tree lights on and I heard a girl walking by with her friend say "ohhh a Christmas tree!" So clearly, I've been noted as being a gentile among the Jews (or so it feels).

This Advent calendar I have had since I was a kid. Every year my mom would hang it up so the 3 of us could take turns putting the plastic Christmas figures up on the Christmas tree to countdown the days left 'til Christmas. The felt has thinned over the years and faded, we still have all put one piece (for the 25th) and to be honest, I do not even remember there being a 25th figure. So 25 stays blank and we open presents when it gets to that day. A few years back I had to put Velcro on the tree because the felt was too thin to hold the Velcro-backed figures. Since I am the first born and it holds more sentimental value to me, I brought it with me last year. This is the first time I've had it up in my own place, a touch of "home" is proudly displayed in my dining room. Tonight I placed the elf on the tree. For those who are counting...24 more days until Christmas and I hope you all take time to enjoy these 24 days because they are going to whiz by.

Free!!

The day dragged. I waited in line at the post office to see if my insurance reimbursement for my gym membership had enough postage because they didn't have a self serve spot. Of course it had enough postage, and wasted my lunch unable to hit the gym. I got free screening ticket to see "The Fighter" about a boxer from Lowell (a MA town I'm familiar with). So, I had to rush to bowl 2 games (did it in 30 minutes) before waiting for the screening. I had the entire bowling alley to myself, and guess what? I won another free bowling party. I'm nicknaming myself "Striker" because I strike when it counts. :) So now, I have 2 parties to set up. Go me!

The movie was good. Chatted with one of the leaders of the group that come to all these movie screenings. I am seeing quite a few movies I normally wouldn't see b/c of these screening passes (thanks Kim!). I like Mark Wahlberg and now I know more about the sport. Free bowling party + free movie before it hits theaters = great night.

In other news, after last nights blog about boots and comments about UGGS, I read that my man, Mr. Tom Brady is teaming up with UGGS to promote their new man boots. Ugh! Seriously?! I'll save my rant on this for another blog.

We Three Boots of Orient Are

It may have taken me a year to figure this out, but I have learned that tennis shoes will not cut it once the temperature dips to freezing. In Boston, one needs 3 pairs of boots. 1.) Rain boots. These are for those rainy days, but not warm enough to wear when it snows. Mine have leaks so if it’s raining too hard my feet get wet (unless I wrap my feet in plastic bags before sticking them in the boots). 2.) Snow boots. I had a pair of snow boots (or so I thought) last year. They were warm enough, but they too leaked when it got all slushy. At the end of the winter season earlier this year, I bought myself some actual snow boots and am looking forward to wearing them this year. However, I learned the hard way yesterday that there is a third boot one needs and that leads me to…3.) Cold weather boots. So, rain boots aren’t warm enough and are quite uncomfortable to wear unless it rains. And you don’t want to look funny walking around in snow boots when it’s not snowing. So, you need cold weather boots to wear when it’s dry but freakin’ cold out! (Wearing tennis shoes with those air holes in them froze my feet walking around the city yesterday!) My first pair of “snow boots” I bought last year I think were actually meant to be cold weather boots and not made to wear all winter long, but they did keep my feet warm and I learned after my first mild New England winter that I really needed true snow boots. So, these black ones (old snow boots) are going to be my new “cold weather boots” as they will keep my feet nice and warm when its cold out and I can wear them commuting to work since they are black. It is time to pull out the boots and probably put my sandals away (also my shorts and t-shirts that I wont wear until Spring so I have room in my drawers for my cold weather gear). So my 3 Boston boots will last me the season, but have made a note to put “cold weather boots” on my end of season shopping list so I am prepared for next year now that I understand winter footwear a bit better. Boots weren’t too popular in sunny San Diego, so it took this transplant a while to catch on :)

Pumpkin Pie Pancakes

First day of Advent and I made it to church. I always sit in the front few pews and from time-to-time I compare my Irish priest from back home and his church with my current church. I miss Latin mass (or having parts of mass said in Latin). I miss the accent because it was nice to listen to him talk. However, my current priest says mass in 45 minutes and his homily he always brings something current into it, which somehow ties into the readings. Like today he talked about that rock-climbing movie, 104 or something Hours. After church, my friend and I went to the Pour House for some brunch. I've been wanting to go for their pumpkin pie pancakes and was so satisfied after ordering them with a scoop of ice cream. I nearly forgot to take a picture, but managed to before I demolished the rest of my plate. To work off what we ate, we walked around the city for a while. A cold day, about 40 degrees, but wore my new extra warm gloves (my finger tips didn't get cold!!), my new scarf and a coat. It's wintertime for sure. Kids were ice-skating on Frog Pond, something I cannot wait to do this year since I didn't go last year. It was a nice afternoon to spend with a friend and catch up.

Thank Goodness for an Extra Pay Day in December!

OMG! Today the mom of my "family away from home" and I went to a craft fair in Sturbridge, MA. We drove through Ayers (where the Army base has been converted to a civilian community) and I got to see parts of Worcester (which has a very old New England town look to it). Remember the 500 tread count sheets I stayed up past midnight to get the other day? Well, they had 1500 tread count sheets for $25. They were so soft, I couldn't resist, even though they probably counted the piles (fibers) that make up the actual piece of thread, thus inflating the number, but they are so soft, it was still a good deal. I also bought some potpourri that smells of Christmas. There was so much stuff there, stuff made in China and stuff that was handmade. There was one booth that made ornaments out of old fashion salt & pepper shakers. They were so neat, but pricey. We had a nice lunch in town before she drove me back to Boston. I put all my stuff under the tree and son of a nutcracker, it looks like Santa already came! Thank goodness I have an extra pay day in December... sure going to need it to pay off all my Christmas credit card purchases. I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening putting things away, decorating, hanging up my new curtains (I'll post my photos on FB soon), washing all my holiday entertaining dishes and hanging lights. I left the presents that I need to wrap under the tree, I'll get to those later. My apartment finally feels like a home, it's amazing what the right window dressings can do to a room. I also understand how those rich housewives feel when they get their mansions all decorated for the holidays. I so want to show my apartment off! You spend so much time decorating, it feels like a waste if no one comes around to see it. I'm definitely going to enjoy it and am looking forward to hosting activities in December. 28 more days to Christmas!

12:01am - Black Friday Shopping

So this was the first Black Friday that I actually shopped before going to bed. I hit up Walmart at 12:01 and as they were pulling off the wrapping for the good deals, I ran into my friend who had grabbed a bunch of the 500 thread count sheets I've been trying to get 2 years in a row ($19.88). They had no more on the shelf by the time I got there, but thankfully my friend picked me up one. So I made my way through the crowded (think traffic jam) aisles and picked up my first Blu-ray disk, a Wii game ($7) and a few movies (under $2) before checking out and driving back to go to bed. Hit some rain and light snow, but nothing stuck. Got back around 2am and slept until 10:30. Hit up Kohls for some things, then overdid it at the Christmas Tree Shop, Target and then Costco. Ugh... spent way too much...like over $500 and most of it was for myself (well the apartment and for entertaining, cables for the TVs and boxes). So I am done shopping for the year. Now it's time to wrap stuff up and stick them under my tree :)

Thanksgiving

I'm thankful for having my family away from home here in Groton, MA. Took the train in this morning. It's such an easy ride up to North Billerica. It was a small Thanksgiving this year, just the immediate family and me. I can't believe I used to babysit these guys. So much good food. Two pies bought from a bakery and one homemade. Let me tell you, the homemade pumpkin pie stood way in front of the store bought apple and chocolate pies. Next time I'll bring my homemade apple pie as we have decided no more bakery pies, from now on they will be homemade. Watched the Pats beat the Lions next to the fireplace with the fire going (it's freezing up here...mix of snow and rain expected over night). Planning on hitting up Walmart at midnight to get some blu-ray discs and Wii games and 500 thread count sheet sets. I plan on coming back in, sleeping and then head out a little later Friday morning. It's been a fun night. Watching the second game and watching Phil get creamed in the face with whipped cream his son put on his hand while he was sleeping on the couch. It's officially Christmas in my world, for the next 42 days (until the Epiphany). I've already started having mild anxiety attacks (they started last night) regarding holiday shopping. I just want to get in and get out and get the stuff I need and want.

Happy Thanksgiving my American friends. I'm thankful for my family and my brother in Afghanistan sacrificing his family for the country. I am thankful for a job, a place to stay, food in my fridge and for my dearest friends who are always there for me no matter what. I'm thankful for realizing that some people aren't worth fighting for, while others are definitely worth it. I'm thankful for finally feeling better. I am thankful for being able to support our economy. I am thankful for the Pats win today and for Tom Brady who brought me here to Boston.