Turkey Day

I have so much to be thankful for, including having a wonderful Thanksgiving with John's family. We hosted this year (our second time) and everything went smoothly, the food was tasty and I even had extra time to decorate the table with homemade place cards...

Not to mention, one thing I'm most grateful for, time spent with our niece Vickie. I just love her. Here she is helping me dry the dishes...

I don't think it gets much better than that.

Carded

As our Christmas card list grows larger each year, I decided to try to save my hand the cramping and devote time to other holiday traditions we love before our trip out west this December. So this year friends and family, you will be receiving personalized postcards from us. I found some affordable ones online at Hallmark that I'm excited to send out.

And for all the lovely cards that we enjoy receiving, what I am really wanting for the house is a nice way of displaying them, like this tree-shaped Christmas card holder from Pottery Barn...

I saw it a few years back, actually, but never bit the bullet, as it's a little on the pricey side. Maybe I'll start the hunt for a knock-off.

Chim-Chiminey

This morning we had a chimney sweeper come to the house for a fireplace cleaning. This was the first time this has ever happened, and truthfully, I had no idea it had to be done at all.

The whole time I was waiting for the guy to show, I kept picturing Dick Van Dyke...

He wasn't close to that at all, but was friendly, did a nice job, and I did hear him whistle a few times.

The Dark Side

Last week on Oprah I saw an interview with Stephenie Meyer, the author of the 'Twilight' books, and I must say, she struck me as a very nice and normal person. I couldn't get over how a simple dream she had created this huge phenomenon and that she had never written anything in her life before these books.

I haven't read them, but have thought about it. So many of my friends and family are obsessed with them, but they seemed a little out of character for me since I don't like reading horror/fantasy or much fiction for that matter. Plus, it kinda strikes me as young.

Right now all I have time for is studying about Pennsylvania real estate practices, but after next month it might do me some good to escape from all of that for awhile and give it a try. I definitely draw the line at Harry Potter, though.

She's Got The Look

I'd like to go on the record as stating that I am not a make-up person. I don't really like to buy it and I can't say with certainty that I truly know how to apply it the right way. That, and I have a husband who thankfully believes I look great without it (love you Dear).

That's why the night of my birthday a few weeks back, I knew I had to enlist the help of my wonderful cousin, Olivia, for assistance with the make-up needed to do the complete Betty Boop transformation.

Needless to say, she must have done a more than spectacular job or I must do a terrible one in everyday life, because all night long people kept telling me how great I looked, specifically with this make-up. Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming. Even I started thinking maybe I was on to something. So, I went shopping with Liv and she helped me pick up the stuff she had used. It's called Bare Escentuals and I have to say, I'm really happy with how easy it goes on. It's mineral based so not heavily applied, which means I still feel like myself, but can definitely see the difference in how I look more 'awake'.

Hopefully now I won't have people so shocked by the sight of me.

Now Playing

One extreme plus about cable, is our ability to catch IFC Films On Demand from our provider. It allows you to watch independent films the day they hit theaters, from the comfort of your own home. We've seen some surprisingly good movies from tuning in this way.

On Saturday we watched "Brief Interviews with Hideous Men" which I was immediately sold on, because not only was it directed by John Krasinski from 'The Office' fame (whom I love) but it starred him as well. Not to mention acting from Ben Gibbard, frontman of the fantastic Death Cab for Cutie.

I'm not going to go so far as to recommend it to you readers, because as much as I wanted to, it was late and I only made it half-way through the movie and I'm not sure I was 'getting' it. But alas, it's definitely worth checking out the features if you have this ability courtesy of your cable box.

You Don't Say

I'm pretty sure I have one of those faces. You know, the kind where people just look at you and think they can trust you with intimate details of their lives? I like this in friendships, but not in instances where I'm minding my own business and strangers unload on me. It's not only weird, but awkward.

Last night I had just entered real estate class and was taking off my jacket to sit down, when the lady next to me unprompted blurts out, 'I got to see my mom in the nursing home today. She actually didn't cry this time when I left." Um, I'm glad? What does one say to this?

Then this morning I was sitting in the waiting room at at Tires Plus when the Pepsi guy who was loading new bottles into the vending machine turns to me and says, "My kids are driving me nuts. My ex-wife has turned them against me." Good heavens man!

I swear I'm in the wrong line of work.

Remembering

I am the very proud sister and sister-n-law of three former Marines, two of whom served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I don't think I could ever thank them enough for their bravery, courage and strength.

While I'm fortunate enough to still have them close, there are many families out there that can't say the same. We should all take some time today to think about what it means to have people willing to fight for the freedoms we often take for granted and be grateful.

Lovin' Spoonful

I love Thanksgiving, but really, who doesn't? It's a holiday based solely on eating and gathering as a family. To me, every holiday should be just like that.

This year we get to host Thanksgiving dinner for John's family and I'm pretty excited about it. I don't especially like a hectic kitchen, but I do enjoy decorating the table.

While browsing one of my favorite sites, Paper Source, I came across the most adorable place cards...

Not to mention their 'I'm thankful for' cards which I think are a must have or great idea for making my own. It's a part of the meal I really look forward to.

Now let's hope my in-laws don't barf from a 'cuteness' overload. I sometimes can't help myself.

Wear It Well

Who doesn't love gift cards? Especially when you get to spend all weekend cashing them in at various stores. I found some great bargains while shopping at Banana Republic and Old Navy...

Can't wait for Christmas!

Party Time

I had one of those amazing weekends that I will always cherish.

It started off with a much needed visit from my brother Matt and his boyfriend Nick. Every time I'm around Matt I laugh so hard my stomach hurts. We had a great time Friday morning at the NBC studios in Philadelphia, where he taped a segment for 'The 10 Show' that we got to watch from the studio audience. We then headed into town to do some site-seeing at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, topped off with shopping and eating cheese steaks of course.

Saturday, John threw me a super fun Halloween/30th birthday party that was truly great. So many of my friends and family turned out and it felt wonderful. The Betty Boop costume was a hit, and well worth the nearly 2 hours I spent at the hairdresser getting her signature hairdo perfected. Phew!

Here are a few more pics from the party...