On The Second Day Of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me...

Yet again this monring, I was up and about when Justin was showering. I had known for awhile that I wanted to put this gift card (to Wholesale Sports) in his wallet, and luckily he had left it out the night before on the counter. I really wanted to see his reaction, so when he was getting his lunch ready, I ate my cereal. Because I knew he couldn't spend eleven dollars there without needing a lot more money (or more gift cards), so I got a card for $110. You see the eleven in there, just take off that added zero! Justin was really surprised by this gift.

On my way home, I was talking to Justin. All of a sudden he asked if I thought I had been good enough to get an early Christmas present. Why, yes I have been! Now, I sometimes manage to guess what a present is, even before seeing it. This was one of those cases. When he had first mention it, I instantly thought jewellery (I've been wanting something with a black diamond in it - that's the stone in Justin's wedding ring). But on my drive, while listening to Garth Brooks, I figured it out; it was when I was pulling into my parking spot - it's a concert DVD of GB. When I got home he was still wrapping it up, and I accidentally thought he said "yes" when I asked if I could come in the room, and saw a nice little DVD-sized box being wrapped. Yup, my suspicions have been re-inforced.

When he was done, we went downstairs so I could unwrap it, and look at it (what a waist of the time and paper that went into wrapping it up, just seconds prior). My suspicions were then confirmed. Justin was upset that I didn't have a huge reaction to it, and kept asking if I liked it. I think when we went to watch it, all his worries were put to rest. I had a huge smile from ear to ear! I kept pausing it to say something that I had noticed (like how he talked at the concert, like he was forming his thoughts on the fly, is really how he is), or how I love that his songs aren't grouped into categories (The Dance, If Tomorrow Never Comes, The Change, Unanswered Prayers - serious songs compared to live-it-up party songs like - Friends In Low Places, Two Of A Kind Working On A Full House, Ain't Going Down (Til The Sun Comes Up), American Honky Tonk Bar Association).

Garth is my favorite artist, and will always be. I think I have all (except for all the live ones) his albums now, and most I have on both cassette tape and CD. The first two discs were really great to watch, watching him play songs that I'd never heard or seen live. The third disc is his concert from Dublin; this is the one that made the whole experience for me. Whatever Justin bought the set for, it was worth his money after I watched this. The beginning is him singing The Old Stuff, the first verse of Ireland (how appropriate) during the concert, and a special treat of him singing That 'Ol Wind with only the fiddle player and his guitar accompanying his voice. That one made me cry - I simply love that beautiful song.

Our First Christmas Present

This morning was a bit crazy! When the alarm went off, the announcer was talking about the Twelve Days of Christmas. He said that it starts today - this makes it good that Justin didn't leave the house, and didn't open gift twelve yesterday then! While he was in the shower (he's feeling a lot better today, and went to work), I got some jeans on (I slept in a hoodie) and went downstairs to disarm our house alarm. I went outside to put the surprise on the Hewie's dash. When Justin got out of the shower he immediately started questioning me: why do you have jeans on, and why is the alarm disarmed? Well, I was not prepared for his questions: when did he suddenly become so observant? I watched from the window as he got into the vehicle: I saw him stand there for a second when he opened the door and he waved the package to me before he got inside. Then he called me and asked if it was for the Twelve Days of Christmas. He said the big "12" on it was a dead give away (darn it - glad it wasn't an actual bet with my mum - I didn't think he would have caught on until about day six!).

I looked at my phone when I was eating my cereal, and there was a nice text from my mum: I'm a celebrity! Had no idea the photos were for your blog. This was the only time that I had the bright idea to go back & buy something. I knew I had to get you to make me to see. We made me get it! You're amazing & you're always right. I have a top that you didn't want me to get & never wear! I kept thinking of that shirt in the closet. Gary like the clothes. Did my sweater fit? Gary's really enjoying your wedding blog. I hear "I didn't know that." Love you. This made my day! Two favorite parts: the fact that she admitted that I'm always right, and my dad learning a bit more about me, my thoughts and feelings on the best day of my life!

Justin only ate one of his cheeseburgers last night, so I had the other one while I was at work today. I heated it up, and while I ate it I was reminded of when my mum would have a supply of frozen McDonald's burgers in the freezer for when I was sick. Specifically it was the onions that gave me this flash back; I used to hate onions and always asked for burgers without them. When they forgot this while making them, we had to scrape them off, and most of the time it happened when the burger was partially frozen; most of the ketchup went with the onions. (When I'm sick this is my comfort food - it has been as long as I can remember. We lived in a small town without a McDonald's, so whenever we were in a town with one, we'd stock up.)

We got another couple cards: from Amanda and Lincoln and from Grandpa and Yvonne.

Corey and Nicole stopped by to deliver a big box, with a wonderful teal card attatched.

Justin already got to unwrap a present this morning, so I got to open this one. It's a beautiful Grandfather clock that matches the colour of wood in our house perfectly. We love it; there was some assembly required. Now that it's set up in the corner, and looks perfect - it makes me want to add more stuff, and decorate more of our house. It's still miles away from being done, our house looks really empty still and my mum keeps saying we have an echo (I just had to ask Justin how to spell that - normally he's the one asking me how to spell words!). I know it will take some time, and this is something we hope to accomplish this next year.

I knew darn well that we were having mushroom soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for supper tonight, but I swear the house smelled like hot dogs. I kept asking Justin why he was cooking them, and when he had bought them. He thought I was off my rocker. I then saw the light was on for the oven, and my sense of smell made me think Pilsbery cresent rolls were in the oven. When I looked, I saw it was Justin's beef jerky recipe slowly cooking. It is by far the best I've tasted (sorry dad), and in fact I'm snacking on it while I write up this post; the good thing about Justin's stomach hurting him - he's not fighting me for the jerky - I only hope there's some left for work tomorrow!

My Husband Is Sick

Last night Justin was up getting sick six times from the hours of midnight until about five this morning. And once last night before we went to bed. Augh, the noise woke me up every time. Then I'd hop out of bed, ask if he was okay, and if he was puking blood. I was really tired when we woke up this morning, and finally crawled out of bed at 7:30. Justin was seriously considering going to work, while he was laying there dying. I looked at him like he had an extra head; give your head a shake, you were throwing up most of the night, are still sick, and you barely got any sleep - you are staying home today!

I was still planning on keeping up with my plan, you know - the one I've been keeping secret?! I put twelve in his wallet just in case he managed enough strength to go get something from the store. (If you haven't figured it out yet - I'm doing the 12 Days of Christmas for Justin. Small, well some not-so-small gifts for each day counting down until the big day!)

When I left the house this morning, it was really slick out. It's slowly been getting warmer, and on my drive to work it was seven degrees. When I got to work and took the picture, it had warmed up a degree. That was at about 8:30am. And it wasn't windy thankfully!

I had decided in the morning, before I left the house, that I'd come home at lunch to check on Justin. I was going to stop at Sobey's to get him some gaterade, and he wanted raspberry gingerale and robaxacet. Then he called and left a message wanting raspberry jam and bread. While I was on my way to the store, I passed Booster Juice and thought I'd surprise him - it should be something his stomach will tolerate. He called while I was parking; when he asked if I was at Sobey's, I answered that I was just getting him a little something to brighten his spirits. I brought in the groceries first, then went back to get the Booster Juices from the Blazer. Justin said he figured thats what I was getting him, either that or McDonald's cheeseburger. Yeah, he's starting to catch on to my sneaky ways!

Since Justin still wasn't up for eating when I was leaving work, I went to Superstore to get some sushi for myself for supper. I passed by Shopper's Drug Mart on my way to see how long the line-up was for stamps for the Christmas cards. I've never seen so many cars in the parking lot, and decided to go to the postoffice in Sobey's and hope for a short line. When I got to Superstore, I phoned Justin, and he wanted some peptol bismol. When I got to Sobey's there wasn't very many vehicles in the lot, and I was the third person in line. While I was there Justin called me, and asked where I was at. It sounded like he wanted something to eat, and I finally got McDonald's as his answer. I asked if he wanted chicken nuggets with his two cheeseburgers, but immediately said no (he thinks this sickness all started while he was slicing the chicken up that we had last night), and he's not sure when he'll be able to eat chicken again.

While we ate supper, we watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (I watched it by myself in November already I had wanted to see it so badly). I started falling asleep on the couch, while watching the movie at about nine, and started getting up; Justin asked if I was headed to bed, and said he was on his way. Another day has passed, we're closer to Christmas, and we still have not decorated our tree. Maybe tomorrow, depending on how we feel.

Hot Chocolate in a Christmas Cup Anyone?

What a day today has been! It kind of started last night when my mum asked if I was up for being her fasion consultant - she needed to buy a few suits. It's kind of funny that she's taken up a like, well maybe not a like for shopping - maybe more of an appreciation for it now. (She lost a lot of weight, and had kept it off for over a year now). I'm there to make sure she doesn't buy anything that she doesn't like, and that she doesn't look amazing in. I feel kind of like a drill sargent when we're out shopping. I know what I have in mind for her most of the time, and immediately tell her "no" when it doesn't work the minute she puts it on. Then, of course there are the times when I'm a bit wishy-washy on an item; but generally we end up deciding not to gete the item: if you don't love it, there's no point in having it in your closet taking up space and wasting money!

These next two are my favorites, the first one especially, and the two that she purchased. It was the first one she tried on, and the jacket fit her so perfectly - I really compared all the other ones against it.

When I saw this one on the rack, I knew she'd be liking it. It reminds me of something else that she has worn. Apparently Grandma had something that was similar, but "misplaced" it during a move - I said that she must have thought it didn't look good, and decided to not let you have it anymore. I couldn't figure out exactly what I didn't like about it, but I knew it did nothing for her (we then realized the "slimming" diagonal rotation band of fabric didn't fall at the right place). I had to convince her that it wasn't right, and I noticed she tried really hard with this picture (notice the big smile) to make it look good! If I hadn't finally made her understand why it didn't work, she said she'd have come back and bought it when I wasn't with her. Hrmmmm... clearly I need to keep this in mind for our next shopping trips! I made her put it back.

We then went to a couple stores to get a few more Christmas presents bought, and we stopped at Tim Hortons and I had lunch. Seriously, the turkey wild rice soup was so yummy, and I love the Christmas cups! I used all the change I had in my wallet for my $4.21 lunch purchase, paying eleven cents in pennies. After, when we were walking around Walmart, I felt my good-luck quarter in my right shoe, and thought it would have been funny to pull it out.

Got home, and started wrapping presents in Santa's workshop. I wrapped presents one, six, seven, eight, eleven and the part of five that I have (I forgot to take a picture of them). And I need to buy a different three since the one I have works better for five!

And seriously, Lowie is really the most handsome cat in the world! He was lounging on the foot stool and I couldn't resist snapping some pics of his cuteness!

Justin decided to make some jerky out of the deer tenderloin that we had in the freezer. And with my coaxing, he made his own recipe and wrote it down in case we really like it. This is just the marinating stage.

Justin cooked a chicken, made mashed potatoes with gravy, and "filth" carrots. At the Christmas party last night, when a co-worker asked what was on the carrots they heard filth when I answered dill. Now, they will forever be re-named to me!

I then decided I wanted the tree up - tomorrow is twelve days 'til Christmas after all! And I want it set up really badly, so I hauled the decoration boxes and tree upstairs from the way basement. I set up the tree, then decided it might be a smarter idea to get the cards completed, and left the box in the family room. Justin was telling me to come downstairs and see what was happening, but I was too engrossed in what I was making to leave; he got a few (about ten - who says he doesn't love our baby) pictures of Lowie in the empty tree box.

I completed the last three cards. Then took some photos of the stack of them on my desk (notice another Timmy's cup in the background!). I got them filled out and addressed. Tomorrow I'll mail them, then be able to check that off my December goal list!

Let The Christmas Celebrations Begin

I was invited out Friday night with Nicole. She had a friend that was in town that wanted to get together, and asked if I wanted to go out with them for the night. Not one to say no to dancing, drinking and a good time - I said yes and we went to Bos Hogs.

I found this sign hilarious. When Nicole and I ordered our second drink, I ordered two of the special shots. Made with cherry whisky and raspberry sour puss, they're a really good drink. Festive too, with the red colour - something I'll have to keep in mind for our next drink club meeting.

I was up requesting songs from the DJ: "Hey Baby Let's Go To Vegas" by Faith Hill, "Pour Some Sugar On Me" by Def Leppard and I think maybe some Journey "Don't Stop Believing," but I could be wrong; I do remember it playing, just not sure if it was my request! We danced a lot, got up on the bar (they don't serve drinks on this one - it's just meant for dancing), and had a good time.

I really enjoyed Nicole's friends, Catherine and Vicky. With the news out about Nicole and Corey getting married while we were in Vegas, she let her friends in on her new "Mrs" status. It threw both her friends for a loop when Nicole annouced it to them that night, which made us feel the need to celebrate even more (and the reason "Hey Baby Let's Go To Vegas" was requested). It's kind of funny to be classed into that "old married lady" category after it being only a few months. I remember someone saying, "and you're married too?"

Justin and Corey went to buy Justin's shirt for the Mexico ceremony. And Nicole and I asked numerous times which coloured shirt they bought (it turned out they both tried to trick us seperately). Apparently they can be trusted to make the right decision, we just need to be prepared for trickery!

Justin picked Nicole and I up at the bar since Corey had to work early Saturday morning, and we were in no shape to drive (or walk - and it was far too cold for another of those nights!). We dropped Nicole off at her house, then headed to McDonald's for some good 'ol chicken nuggets. I had them with my usual sweet and sour sauce, not wanting to stray to the seasonal dippers: cranberry or green apple. On our drive back home, there was a check stop. "Licence and registration please," Justin handed it over. "Where are you coming from tonight," and gave a quizical look when he was told McDonald's. Then Justin said he picked his wife and her friend up at the bar, dropped the friend off, now we're just headed home. I still find it funny to here "wife" come out of Justin's mouth, not sure when that will start to sound normal! One of the cards that made me cry from the wedding said: the moment when you know you're married is not when you say "I Do." It's when you first say "My Husband," "My Wife," and suddenly you realize it's wonderfully true. I never would have understood how true that statement is until we started using these titles for one another.

Saturday morning I awoke to a cramp in my leg. When I realized that I'd be okay, I had a look around the room. Why am I downstairs? Why am I sleeping on the couch? I was a little confused. Justin said I had fallen asleep on the couch, and he could not wake me up, so he left me there (hey, I do the same thing to him). The only weird thing - I woke up on the opposite couch, not the one I had fallen asleep on!

We picked Nicole up to get her car Saturday morning. She had texted me the same thought I had a second to recieving her message: Booster Juice. It really does seem they are the answer to the inevitable headache that follows a night of drinking!

Justin and I decided to make the most of the day, and not lounge around the house. We went to the mall for a few gifts, booked the Mexico trip (March 5-12, 2011), went to Wholesale Sports where he fell in love with another gun, had lunch at BP's, and went to Sobey's to pick up desserts for my Christmas party that was in a few hours.

On our way home we stopped to get the mail. It was funny to see "Julie and Justin Keller" written on the envolopes - again, something that will take some time to get used to seeing. We got cards from Brittany and Sheldon, and Tanya.

When we got home we both had little naps, then it was time to get ready for the party. Now, this is the first Christmas party of the new social club. The new social club chair person is me. I (mostly by myself) organized this shin-dig. It came with a lot of stress; figuring out what to do, budgetting, getting ideas thrown at me. Basically, what I've learned is to go with my instincts: we didn't need dessert - hardly anybody ate it, and the DJ was really not needed - we could have just listened to the music that was played at the pub. All in all though, I think everyone had a good time.

For all of my previous Christmas parties, there's been a hystarical me, changing into everything I own, and nothing feeling/looking right. This year (thankfully) that didn't happen. I only tried on one other shirt before deciding that this top (it's actually a dress that has a tight band at the bottom - I simply flip it up to my waist and it makes itself into a top!) was what I wanted to wear.

I had a stomach ache and only had one drink, and one shot (it was my choice - and I chose my new favorite shot: cherry pussy. I do think if it was mixed with a little bit of cranberry juice, maybe a splash of orange juice, it could be a really good martini). I mostly drank water, which worked out well - Justin could drink, use my five remaining drink tickets, and I could drive us home safely. It is one of Justin's hunting buddies birthdays, so we went over to another buddies house to celebrate with them and watch the UFC fight. After the fight was over, I wasn't feeling any better and went home.