Him and Lincoln went off hunting coyotes (and anything else that moves I imagine), so he was making himself a lunch. He looked pretty funny cutting up pickles and cheese in camo with his call around his neck!
I had a busy day planned for myself (which is why Justin decided to leave the house): got my hair trimmed, went to the mall for a little Christmas shopping, bought my parents lunch at Arbys, had a massage, went back to the mall for a look at my bridesmaid dress, and did a little bit of secretive-ness!While I was at the mall the first time, I bought our 2010 Christmas ornament. In 2006 I was on a training course in Calgary with a guy from my work, we finished the class early and ended up shopping at the mall before coming home. He stopped at one of the card stores and picked up an ornament for his tree that had the date on it; since it was buy one get one 50% off, he asked me to pick one out and we'd split the bill. Since his wife and him have been together they've bought a new decoration each year. That got my mojo going, and I immediately started the tradtion also. Since Justin and I had started going out in 2005 it made me a little disappointed that I didn't have an ornament from the first year. But while shopping at London Drugs one Chrstmas, I found at TY 2005 holiday bear; my collection would be complete! Now every year I venture out to get a new decoration. This one was an obvious choice!
I made another couple Christmas cards. Now only ten more to make. I really enjoy making all the cards different and unique, which also makes it more of a challenge!
This morning Justin was off to High River with Dave to look at a big job at Cargill Foods. It's one that he's in charge of, and is going to be working at a lot in January (he'll be up there at one point for nine days straight). I took the opportunity to get some things done around the house: I searched the house for things to throw out, and ended up with a full garbage bag; did a lot of laundry (my mountain is starting to look a lot more like a hill now); cleaned the bathrooms; and made three more cards.
When Justin got home, we went over to my parents to draw names for secret santa. I decided we needed a new budget, you know - inflation! So we went through the process of writing down what we thought was an acceptable amount. We ended up averaging out, and our budget is $117.60. Then it was time to draw names. Last year was the first time we've attempted this, and someone drew their own name - which is against the rules and we had to re-draw. This year we only drew names once. Just like last year, Justin wanted to know who's name I had drawn and was digging in my pockets to try and get my peice of paper. I enjoy the secrecy, and do not tell anyone (well, maybe Amanda!) who's name I got.
These numbers have something to do with what I've got up my sleeve. I cannot wait until the 13th to get this plan underway!
Fall, but especially winter means comfort food. For us its all about the soups. I created a soup we call Sausage Corn Chowder while I was off healing from appendicitis (I was watching the cooking channel a lot during my days off). I thought about what I could put in a soup that would be perfect: cream corn, corn niblets, mushroom slices, red peppers, onion, sausage and cream. When Justin got home that night, supper was all made and he said the soup was the best thing I had ever made!
After cardmaking, I made some popcorn and watched Big Bang Theroy (my all time favorite show - it's hillarious - I'd love DVDs of the show for Christmas). Justin got to baking some banana bread. He just took the last of it with him this morning, on his big hunt - and I didn't even get a piece of it at all. It's okay though, it doesn't have chocolate chips, and everyone knows it's the chocolate that makes the banana bread!
Last night we went over to Amanda and Lincoln's for a bit. Lincoln put in a new thermistat in my Blazer. The drive out to their place was freezing, even with the heater cranked all the way up. On the way home, I was too hot; I had the fan speed and temperature turned right down. It used to be we'd take Hewie (93 Ford Explorer) everywhere in the winter because his heat works so good, now I think we'll be taking the Blazer; I can't believe how much of a difference that made - thanks Lincoln!
Oh, and then there was watching Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer. I LOVE Burl Ives. Again, I feel closer to Grandma when I hear him singing. When Bradley and I used to watch it, she'd come into the living room and watch it for a bit; although I'm pretty sure she was just listening to Burl singing. It's nice to have someone that appreciates the fine things in life, like snuggling up on the couch, watching kids movies and falling asleep less than twenty minutes into the show! It's just something that Amanda and I have come to expect when we sit down to watch a movie on her couches, or it could just be Burl singing us to sleep while laying beside the Christmas tree!
The past couple days I've felt like the Grinch, but I think last night my heart grew three sizes bigger! I can feel the ice melting, and me getting into the magic of the holiday!
I did manage (in between the lay-downs on the couch) to get a few loads of laundry done. I'm doing pretty good going up the stairs now, but going down is a different story. You know how little kids go down the stairs? Thats how I do it now, otherwise I bend my ankle too much and it's hurting again.
2. Rest my foot. I went public skating for the first time in five years last Saturday, now I'm stuck with an achilles tendon with tendenitis. I go for an ultra sound today to make sure it's not torn, and also rule out a blood clot. This is what happens when you try and show off to hockey players and prove that figure skaters are much better!
4. Make, fill out and send all my Christmas cards.
6. Get to the bottom of my laundry pile. Because of my foot pain, it's pretty hard to lug a laundry basket full of clothes up and down two flights of stairs. I need to work on the pile this weekend though (with Justin's help) as I'm running out of clothes!
8. Jump on board of the December Dailies train, take a picture, write a blurb about each day then make it into it's own mini-album.
11. Set up our Christmas tree.
12. Make a snowman! (I'm good with this size of a snowman, but maybe out of snow, and without the bottle of Crown Royal!)
Now for November's update: 7/11 completed to what I see as successful. Amanda came over one night, and we baked; we had planned to make a lot, but only ended up making pumpkin pie and fudge - now I know this isn't peanut butter cookies - but I'm counting this as complete! We had a fantastic time in Vegas with Corey and Nicole, and would do it all over again in a heart beat. While we were there, we helped them out with some wedding arrangements; and Nicole and I set up an assembly line one night to get a good start on the invitations. I've started this little book, and my plan is to write down things that I did that made me a better fill-in-the-blank; I like that it keeps me having contious thought about this continuously throughout the day. Nicole and I made it to aqua fit one night right before Vegas, and my skating was another plan to get more exercise, but now it's looking like it'll be awhile before my foot can handle these activities; as for eating better - I think I'm on track with this - I'm not even really craving sweets at all! Two weeks ago I pulled out $40, and told myself it needed to last me for the week - I've been a lot better with not using my debit card lately. Although not spectacular photos, I was able to get a few that I liked while we were out at the farm moving cows this past weekend. Success all around!
I think the cows were all ready to come home, and Brent said there had already been a few that had somehow broke loose, and made the trek home all by themselves. Which made it really simple this time. There weren't any problems, only a few times did a couple cows try to go off in their own direction - but Justin was there on the quad to sheep-dog them back to the right path.
The next morning, we stopped at JB's for the breakfast buffet, then off to the mall. Corey and Justin looked around Scheels, and after Nicole and I looked around there for a bit, we headed over to Bath and Body Works for hand soap, sanitizer and lip gloss.
Off we went in a cab to the Wynn. If you're ever in Vegas - eat at the Wynn buffet. It might be a little bit pricier, but you pay for what you get. Ever since our honeymoon, I've been craving clam chowder (and before the honeymoon I didn't like the stuff, Justin made me try it - and now I'm hooked). I was in my glory to see it, and I wish I would have had more that just one bowl. Now, let me tell you about the desserts - we were all sitting there stuffed, but decided we had to find a way to put more into our bellies. I think we all made two the dessert room - yes - room, not table!
We walked over to the Bellagio after the concert to see the fountain show. On our way, we spotted a line of police cars on the strip. Everytime Justin and I watch cops, and it's filmed in Vegas we get excited. So when we saw about ten cars with lights flashing, we thought for sure there'd be a film crew; we walked past, but didn't see any cameras, so we crossed the road and watched the fountains.
We started walking back, towards the Wynn, past the Mirage. The first time Justin and I went to Vegas, we stayed there - the volcano was under repair. When we went down with Sandy and Brent - it was too cold for the volcano (from what I can remember). Three months ago when we were there for our honeymoon - we were barely on the strip at all, and didn't have a chance to see it. This time, walking up to the base of the vocano I was thrilled that finally we'd get to see it, then I read the sign - the last "show" is at 11pm, and it was past midnight already. I have finally accepted this will be something we'll never get to see!
Saturday we had planned to sleep in late, after finally getting to be around two. We got up around 11:30 and got ready. We walked to the Sahara, stopping at the Nascar Cafe to go to the gift shop, see one of Dale Ernhardts cars, and check out video of this huge barrito Corey had told us all about. I can't remember the size of it, 16 pounds rings a bell; if you can eat it in an hour it's free, but they won't tell you the price until you can't finish it. 
