gotta remember this one

The holidays this year were fantastic. Thomas and I kept it very laid back and low-key when we were at our townhouse. No real decorations, no tree, and we didn’t go out of our way to watch any Christmas specials or do anything too special. It was relaxing while we were at home, because we weren’t stressed about trying to get everything done. Thomas’ hours this week have been nuts, because the restaurant is getting crazy-busy.

Christmas Eve we were at my parents’ house and we opened most of our presents there. He loved what I got him (I think!) — Beatles Abbey Road poster, new backpack from Threadless, Firefly-related T-shirt, two The Walking Dead comics, and a bottle of Wild Rose Cherry Porter. He got me a tin of my favourite tea from David’s Tea, a Matt and Nat purse, and a gorgeous ring.

That's my right hand, btw.

My brother’s girlfriend shouted out “DID WE MISS A SECRET PROPOSAL?” because the ring was inside the purse. Nope….sorry Lizzi. No proposal, secret or otherwise.

But last night we went out for dinner and an interesting tidbit was offered up. My cousin in Ottawa just got engaged, after being with her boyfriend for seven years. Thomas mentioned that everyone in my family is just waiting for that ring. I brought up my cousin, and that her and her (now) fiance were really settled and established before they got engaged, and why would my family expect me to hop on that marriage train six years younger and with less stability in my life? She has a house, they’ve been dating forever, etc.

Thomas said “Well, you know we’re not going to have a house before we get married, right?”

Whoa!

When he speaks, he chooses every word very, very carefully, so I know that wasn’t a slip of the tongue, and I know I’m not reading more into it than there is. Six months ago, that sentence would have been really scary and overwhelming, but now it just sounds right. This is my guy <3

In other news, still working on that resolution list. What do you have so far? Do you make resolutions?

I’m not a Christmas person

I know that’s a really strange statement to come out with, but I really am not much of a Christmas person.

It’s not that I have anything against it; I know some people love this time of year, and I always wish for them a happy and wonderful holiday season. But ever since my late teens, Christmas has always been kind of “meh.”

It’s always wonderful to see my family, and I love giving them gifts that I know they’ll appreciate and enjoy. But when it comes to the decorating, the television specials, the caroling, the baking…I don’t care for that at all. This year I put up exactly one string of lights, across the television. It just doesn’t capture my attention, and I don’t feel like I’m missing out by not having or not doing these things.

I look forward to New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day a lot more (trust me, I know I’m not sounding any more sane!). I love the idea of celebrating the end of the year with a party, to recognize all the achievements and accomplishments of the year, and then to usher in the new year with a fresh slate (and if you’re lucky, a kiss from the person you’ll be spending that year with). I love it! Celebrate, then welcome in the new with love and excitement.

I like New Year’s Resolutions as well. I know it’s hokey to believe that a new year = a fresh start, that the year rolling over on the calendar will make you any more likely to complete your goals as opposed to starting on any other day, etc etc. And I don’t necessarily believe that. But I like the idea of starting a new year with a new mindset, one that will make your year a much more fulfilling or interesting one.

It doesn’t always work out that way, but it’s nice to try and it’s nice to believe that it could happen.

I had a much better blog entry planned out in my head, but now I’m just rambling. I’m thinking of resolutions this week while I’m off work, and I will post them here when I have a definitive list.

What are you doing for the holidays? What are you excited for?

a lazy kind of afternoon

Today I did nothing.

Well, I organized my hair products, but I really don’t think that counts. So lets stick with nothing.

And I’m really okay with that. It’s been such a hectic month so far, and there’s not much hope of it slowing down until January, so I’ll take my breaks where I can get them.

Work was nutty this week. We had a holiday mixer, and I was the primary person in charge of that. For someone who really doesn’t like to plan events, it’s definitely not any easier to plan events for way more people with the added stress of wanting to impress my co-workers! But, it was pulled off and worked out well. I also stored some overtime hours this week as well, so I’ll be able to leave early on the 22 (my last day before the holiday closure, YES).

Over the holidays I plan on visiting with family, sleeping, and drinking lots of wine. I don’t care that it’s not the most ambitious of plans, I just want to rest and recuperate!

Going to go out tonight and meet my family for darts, beer and snacks. I haven’t seen them in awhile, so I’m really looking forward to it. My mom and her two siblings should be there, along with their spouses and maybe a few cousins. In other words, full house!

I can’t wait to show them all my new hair cut! I don’t go to the salon very often, because it’s not always a place I’m comfortable and it’s not something I was able to afford while I was in university. But I found a stylist I really like (and the salon is fab. Check out Mousy Brown’s if you haven’t already!) and I want to continue to take some time and money to spend on myself every other month or so.

Check it:

Overall, I feel like making time for me is going to be a great commitment to myself for the new year.

I’m one of those sappy people who totally believe in a new year being a new start. I love the open calendar in front of me on January 1. I don’t know what kind of resolutions I’m going to make for 2012, but I will start thinking about it pretty soon!

I have so much I want to blog about, and there are so many interesting blogs/articles/internet things that I’ve come across recently, but Thomas will be home any second and after that I’ll be going out to meet my family. So they’ll just have to wait until tomorrow!

Luckily the only plan for tomorrow is yoga at 6pm. Another nothing day, score!