Smoking is NASTY

I can't figure out why anyone would want to smoke! It's a nasty, unhealthy, and expensive habit. Typically the people I see smoking look like people who could find a lot better use for their money than buying cigarettes.

The smoke was so bad when Chad played last weekend that we're both sick! I'd just gotten over an ear infection a few weeks before, and I was sick the day after sitting in that awful smoke for four hours two nights straight. Yuck!

I was supposed to go to the dentist on Tuesday, and had to cancel and go to the doctor instead. Chad ended up going on Wednesday.

They play again next weekend, and I'm not going to sit in all that smoke. They have a ventilation system, but won't turn it on because it sucks all the heat out of the building. Oh, shall I mention that their "heating system" is laughable? They're basically too cheap to have a heating system--or air conditioning. I'm staying at my in-laws' house and grading papers.

And here they are. . .

. . . this year's Christmas decorations.

After we got home from shopping last night, we decided to put out the Christmas decorations. We went with the skinny pre-lit tree this year. (We also have a HUGE tree and a small one.) Digging around in the garage for the plastic box with the "good" Christmas ornamants was interesting. I finally found those and the wreaths. I did discover three mice--two dead and one alive--while moving boxes. Our garage is detached and near the woods. Mice love it.

We put wreaths on the kitchen door (one we use all the time) and den door (one Chad's students use), put the tree in the living room, and decorated the mantle in the living room.

Thanksgiving

We had a nice Thanksgiving. We spend the day with my parents. Mom served the meal at noon. We stayed there all afternoon, had leftovers for supper, and watched A Christmas Story before coming home.

Black Friday

Chad and I went shopping yesterday. Jennifer and I had gone shopping bright and early several times, and I'd gone by myself a few times. This was Chad's first go-round. He did fine until we made it to the mall. . . and the crowds make him nervous. He retreated to the car while I shopped for him.

I had my game plan ready, so I knew what I needed from where, if I needed a coupon, and if there were time restrictions. I don't typically go for the hot items, so that keeps me out of the way of the crazy people. We didn't get started until 10:00 either, which helped.

Sam's Club and Wal-Mart are always the worst places. We saved Wal-Mart for last--around 4:00, and it wasn't any worse than usual! I've discovered Sam's "Click & Pull" service, so I may never actually walk the aisles again. All I had to do was go online, make a list of what I needed, give them 24 hours, and they have all my stuff waiting when I arrive. Woo-hoo!!

I got all of my shopping done, and even threw in a couple of things for myself. :-) I showed Chad a few things that I liked so he'd have some ideas when he goes shopping weekend after next.

Too many clothes!

I have way, way, way too many clothes.

Not to wear, mind you.

Clothes that I have sitting around in boxes. I've got new stuff--some with tags, old stuff--stained & torn, out of style stuff--capri pants, anyone? I've got everything from a size 10 to a size 24. I was only a size 22/24 for a few months, so much of that stuff still looks like brand new.

And how much clothing am I talking about, you ask?

I'll estimate that I have 4 boxes (55 gallon totes) in the garage, 3 boxes (55 gallon totes) in the house, 3 smaller boxes in the closet, and about 8 boxes under the bed. Oh, and did I mention that my closet is STUFFED as are all of my dresser drawers, my cedar chest, the hamper, AND two laundry baskets?

I need to have a major purge session over Christmas break.

Help us decide what to do for Christmas decorations . . .

1. all the way--HUGE (floor to ceiling) blue spruce, candles in every window, wreaths on every door, decorated mantle, and outside lights (colored icicle lights around entire house).

2. moderate--small fir tree, candles in front windows, wreath on front door, and decorated mantle

3. minimalist--no tree, decorated mantle, candles in big front window, wreath on front door

Things to consider. . .

1. We have no children.

2. No one is here for Christmas. We spend Christmas Eve with my parents and Christmas Day with Chad's parents.

3. We'll be out of town 2 of the 4 weekends until Christmas.

I need a haircut!

I'm starting to remember why I got my hair cut short in the first place!

I've always been the type to play around with my hair, but I've been pretty much going very short for the last 7 or 8 years. I'm finally trying to grow it out again, and it's driving me out of my mind! It's actually touching my shoulders, and I have no idea what to do with it. I never wore my hair up, even when I had really long hair, so that's out. I've got millions of little clips and headbands, but I'm not sure how to use them either. I have no time to experiment in the mornings before work, and I'm generally too lazy to fool with my hair otherwise.

My hair is the perfect length to get caught in my necklaces, go behind my collar, and get ruffled up by turtlenecks. :-(

I need to figure out something quick before I tell Keith to cut it off again!