Yes, it is November 8, 2009 and I have already started to transform our house in Christmas Wonderland. Yes, I should be practicing, yes, I should be memorizing words but, this is WAY more fun.

Wow, seriously? I love Christmas but I have to admit, this is a little early for me. I like to celebrate the fall harvest season, too. Pumpkins, mums, grapevines, cornocopias ... not in any hurry to see those go.

But we do start putting out the Christmas stuff the day after American Thanksgiving. And we do go a little nuts. Our philosophy is the tackier, louder, and more obnoxious, the better ... for the yard. Indoors we strive for elegance and class.

So, what are you doing?

Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.

I think my goal is to get the outdoor lights up since its fairly warm today and sunny. We won't turn them on until December 1, 2009. The thing is, if we wait too long, it will get colder and then our fingers will hurt, hubby and I will argue because I am too picky and then it will not be a pretty sight.

I am mostly getting my singing angel collection out. In a way, those are just musical pieces right ?

Keep in mind, I am walking in slow motion these days and forgetting where all the stuff is, so, I better start early.

You don't have to defend yourself! When I was in Minneapolis last February, not only did people still have Christmas decorations still up, they were still turned ON. It's too darn cold and the winter is too darn long and dark to turn off the sparklies before you have to!

Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.

Every year I would watch my neighbors put their used Christmas trees out on the curb for the garbage man starting the day after Christmas. And every year around March or once - April, one lone dried-up tree would be put out!

Big T - fondly remembering Houston Christmases where we would turn up the air conditioning so that we could have a fire in the fireplace.

I think it sounds fun. No, I didn't like it when the local grocery store put Christmas items out in SEPTEMBER!!!! Seriously, a full 5 weeks before Halloween, there it all was in the seasonal corner. Grr. I don't like to see it until after Thanksgiving. But at home, sounds fun. Especially if you're someplace cold/dark.

We won't even think of Christmas decor here yet. It's still 90 degrees. Grr again.
What I AM thinking of is the fact that we are hosting Christmas at our house this year and if this place is going to be ready, I need to start deep cleaning now!! There is a lot around here that needs deep cleansing, wood polishing, closets re-organized, stuff like that. When all that's done, then we can think about dragging the boxes of shiny stuff out of the shed.

Thanks for reminding me there's something fun coming up to look forward to. (-: Seriously - deep cleaning is therapy, and decorating is pure silly fun. House full of nutcrackers and then I get all crazy with the baking. Total love.





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"What is to give light must endure burning."

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Viktor Frankl

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Never linger too long with the ignorant,
throw stones at their talk.
Walk only with the lovers.
the mirror of the soul gets rusty when
dipped in muddy water.

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Rumi

I hear you, I hired a maid a month ago because I am still sorting through clothe and a million things that I don't need anymore to make room for bambina.

I had thought I could keep some of my really large clothe for when I get bigger but, Plus Size clothe is not always perfect for maternity. I also have a million shoes that don't fit because I lost weight .....now, to make room for the baby stuff that is coming in like mad.

Don't throw away shoes that are too big for you right now. As you get closer to the end of your pregnancy, your feet will balloon and you will cry that you got rid of you your big shoes. And honestly, my feet started spreading at about 6 months. So if your feet haven't already started expanding, they likely will soon. KEEP THE SHOES!

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"The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others." ~ Bertrand Russell

There is NO way I am wearing 3-4 inches heels by the time I am 8-9 months pregnant. I know what you mean, if they were flats, yes, it would be a different thing!

I have waited and waited... but next week LO will be 4 months old, and NONE of my old shoes have a PRAYER of fitting. All of my shoes (mostly 4 inch heels) were 7.5 and 8's. Now, I need a 9. SERIOUSLY? WTF!

He was definitely worth it, but still... like kids don't cost enough!

JEM

is that your feet are going to spread and IF they return to normal, it will be several months. I finally threw away several pairs of shoes that I thought I would get to wear after Munchkin was born. Helas, my feet were never the same. So don't be so quick about getting rid of those 3-4 inch heels.

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"The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others." ~ Bertrand Russell

www.revbilly.com

A little too early for me to contemplate decorating, but I am about 85% done with my gift buying. I just hate the feeling that I've run out of time, then the shopping becomes a dreaded task rather than a pleasure.

Might even get those cards out early too.

NT