Farewell, Christmas!

So I finally took down the Christmas decorations today. Yes, I know it's January 14 and Christmas has been over for 3 weeks. This is how I roll. Every year I avoid this task as long as possible. Inevitably MLK weekend appears, and I am provided with the extra day I need to tackle this terrible chore.
It's time-consuming, exhausting, and depressing. Yes, I'm lazy, but ultimately I hate to see all of the sparkle leave my living room. 


I know you know what I mean. Just look at this tree in all it's glittery goodness:

That picture is way more happy to look at than this one:

And this scene is just plain dismal:

I wish I could just leave it up (at least my tree), but then I'd be that "crazy lady who has her Christmas stuff up all year". I might as well fill my condo with cats and call it a day. 
No, thank you.


It seriously took me all day to take everything down. I started at 11:00 a.m. and just finished putting it away at 10:00 p.m. Ridiculous. Okay, okay, I may have taken some breaks to watch basketball and eat...and check Facebook and Pinterest. But for real-what a beast. And what do I have to show for all of this hard work? A bare living room, that's what. I swear everything is echoing up in here now. The only bright spot is that my (nerd alert) storage closet got cleaned up and organized.


Stay with me here, people, 'cause I'm about to start talking to Christmas...


Dear Christmas, 
As always, my family and I had a great time with you! I am sad to see you go, but I look forward to your visit this upcoming December. I have some exciting things planned for you! I'm going to recycle all of this year's Christmas cards so that I can use them for gift tags.

I'm also going to make a scrapbook with all of the adorable photo Christmas cards of my fabulous friends and family (including the ones I've saved for like 7 years).

Christmas, with all of the preparations that I have to make, I know you will be here again before I know it! Take care and get some rest, you crazy holiday, you.
Love always,
Jackie

Getting MORE Out of the New Year

"For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning."
~T.S. Eliot


Time to give 2012's words a voice...


I hope that your new year is off to a great start! Mine has been a little rocky, mostly because my sleep schedule has been jacked up. I get so used to staying up late and sleeping in for the two glorious weeks that I'm off work, but then I always pay the price when my alarm goes off at 5:30 a.m. that first day back. I'm happy to report that this weekend has helped me recharge and I feel ready to tackle what twenty-twelve has in store.


I'm not one to usually make "resolutions" but I do like the opportunity to refresh that a new year grants. I do like to set goals-some daily, some weekly, and some yearly. This year, is all about doing MORE: more water, more exercise, more sleep, more home-cooked meals, more fruit, more volunteer work, and more fun (alright I already have a lot of fun but it doesn't hurt to aim for more).


Each day, my goal is to drink at least 8 cups of water. I like water, but I love Coke. I'm not saying I'm never going to drink a Coke again (that's crazy talk), but I know that my body needs more water than what I've been giving it lately. My aids in this quest will be my Brita pitcher and my insulated 17 oz. red polka dot cup that comes fully equipped with a red straw (it's the little things that make me happy).


My other daily goals include getting at least 7 hours of sleep and eating at least one more serving of fruit a day. I am a night person and I could stay up past midnight every day, but having to be at work by 7:30 a.m. just doesn't jive with that bedtime. Looks like it's gonna be "goodnight" by 10:30.
I'm love fruits, but I don't eat enough of them. Smoothies are going to be my new best friend. I gotta get me some antioxidants, y'all!


Each week, my goal is to work out at least every other day, or 4 times a week. I found this quote on Pinterest: "The most important weight-loss muscle is the brain. Change your mind, change your body." Amen!  I also came across this regimen on Pinterest and I'm loving the results (aka soreness): 

My other weekly goal is to eat home-cooked dinners at least 4 nights a week. Living alone, I have grown so accustomed to eating take out. Cooking for one sucks, 'cause I always end up throwing food away. And let's face it, picking something up is way easier than cooking. But my body and my bank account are both looking for some more home-cooked meals. I've been collecting yummy recipes on Pinterest and planning to make them on Sundays to have for the week. Here are the recipes I'm looking forward to making soon:
White Chicken Cheddar Pasta
Light Enchiladas
Pepperoni Rolls (I'm planning on using wheat bread and turkey pepperoni btw)

My goals for the year are to volunteer more and to feel better in my own skin. Last year I took part in a couple volunteer opportunities through my alma mater and I plan to do even more this year. Achieving each of the above-mentioned goals will help with the last one. Stay tuned for progress updates throughout the year. ;)
I know that there are going to be days and weeks where I may not reach my goals, but that won't be a reason to give up on them. I'm looking forward to what the year has to bring and I hope that 2012 is good to each of you!

Auld Lang Syne

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot, 
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!"

With a new year on the horizon, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on the past 365 days. I must say, 2011 was very good to me! Here are a few of the highlights:


Bellarmine's National Championship: As a Bellarmine student from 1999-2003 I attended many a basketball game in Knights Hall; never could I have then imagined that 8 years later I would be watching my alma mater win the Division II National Championship. It was even sweeter to watch it alongside my siblings, each of whom graduated from Bellarmine as well. Go Knights!

Teacher of the Year: It was a pleasant surprise to even be nominated, but then to be voted Teacher of the Year by my colleagues was a true honor! My sweet partner teacher, Ashley held a party at her house before the award ceremony. The entire experience was amazing, and it was even more special to be honored alongside my friend Danielle (Volunteer of the Year)!

Angie & Ruthie Became Mamas: It was wonderful to see my best friend, Ruthie and my cousin, Angie become mothers this year-something they had both been yearning to do for years. The journey was not easy, but the reward was well worth it-for the new mommies and for "Aunt Jackie"!

Charleston: I had been on vacation with Erin, and I had been on vacation with Jenny. But in all our years of friendship, the three of us had never been on a trip together. So in July we decided to remedy that and headed to Charleston, South Carolina. In one word: beautiful! I can't wait to go back one day!

Train & Maroon 5: Matt Nathanson, Train, and Maroon 5 came to the KY State Fair and I made sure I was there to see and hear all of the deliciousness!

My Parents' 35th Anniversary: On August 7th Mom and Dad celebrated 35 years of marriage! I made them a little video to commemorate the occasion:  http://vimeo.com/34309029. 

My Surprise 30th "Wig Out" Birthday Party: My family completely surprised me for the big 3-0 and it was amazing: http://vimeo.com/34312434.  It's the best birthday I've had yet, in fact! Such a lucky girl to be blessed with this group of family and friends!

Straight No Chaser: As I previously blogged, it was such a treat to see these gents for the first time! 

The World Series: In the final days of the regular season it seemed highly unlikely that St. Louis would even make it to the playoffs. But the stars aligned and I was fortunate to see my Cardinals not only win their Division but amazingly win the World Series! I literally cried tears of joy as they received the trophy...

Hannah's First Communion: I swear it was just yesterday that my goddaughter was getting baptized and yet here we are celebrating her First Communion. So special!

Lady Gaga: I put on my poker face and joined a group of girls from work to see Gaga in action. It was quite an experience, to say the least!

Cincinnati Trip: Several firsts on this trip: Mom's first visit to Cincy, our first visit to IKEA, and our first time seeing the St. Louis Cardinals play in Cincy. Why it all took so long to happen, I have no idea! But 'twas a good time indeed.

Jill's Graduation: Talk about feeling old-I could have sworn I was just in my little sister's shoes, walking to get my Bellarmine diploma. But in fact 8 years had passed, and it was with longing for the good ol' days and great pride for Jill that I watched her graduate.

NBCTs in Frankfort: It was a fabulous experience to be honored alongside my fellow Kentucky National Board Certified Teachers in our state capital! 

Four Years Cancer-Free: And perhaps the greatest highlight of the entire year came in June when my family celebrated Mom's 4th year being cancer-free! So thankful for the health of my whole family this year!

"You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one."
Thank you for the great times, 2011....and here's to you, 2012-I can't wait to see what the next chapter brings!


Happy New Year, y'all!

Oreo Balls

When visiting my Grandma in Illinois a few years ago for Christmas, she taught me how to make Oreo Balls. Little did I know, it would become the recipe I'm known for around these parts. Seriously, I've gone to parties and before even being greeted I've had people ask, "Did you bring the Oreo Balls?" So at this point, I never go to a party without them-it's for my own good. If you think you're ready for the commitment, check out the recipe...

You will need: 1 package Oreo cookies, 1 8oz. Package cream cheese*, 1 package white chocolate bark or vanilla candy coating.

*Sometimes I use reduced fat cream cheese because you can't taste the difference, and let's face it: the more calories we can save, the better.

1. Sit the cream cheese out as you are working to soften it a bit.

2. Crush entire package of Oreo cookies (I recommend using a food processor) and pour into a large mixing bowl.

3. Mix crushed Oreos with cream cheese until you no longer see ‘white’.

4. Melt entire package of vanilla candy coating-follow the microwave instructions on the package.

5. Line a large cookie sheet with wax paper.

6. Roll the Oreo mixture into balls (size of a gumball) and dip into the candy coating (a spoon will work for this); place on wax paper.

       7. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy!

Christmas Memories

It's hard to believe that Christmas has already come and gone. But rather than dwell on the sadness, I'm going to reflect on the happy memories of the holiday...


1. Cheering on my Cardinals to a share of the Big East Football Championship the day after Thanksgiving as I decorated the house for Christmas.
2. Shopping with my mom on Monday nights (beginning with Halloween, mind you). It seemed at almost every store I'd see something I loved and she'd say, "Put it in the cart". She spoils me silly every year!
3. My students surrounding my desk, anxiously awaiting to see what present I would open from them next (speaking of getting spoiled).
4. Seeing Andy open his "Get Your Jingle On" underwear was amazing and sitting next to my grandma as she opened her "Bah Humbug" underwear was priceless!

5. Listening to my Aunt Gretchen laugh as she watched "Christmas Vacation" for the first time.

6. "Oohing" and "Ahhing" over the light displays at Kalightoscope with Erin and Jenny.

7. Watching "Claymation Christmas" with Deanna for the 10th year in a row.

8. Sitting at the Irish Rover for lunch with Ruthie, Jen, and Mom, laughing about my horrible dating record.

9. Christmas Eve Mass: my sister and I were sitting there innocently people-watching when all of the sudden an old woman stood up and shouted "The choir is singing-please be quiet!" Well of course that just created more noise as people turned to one another to say, "Did that just happen?" Mind you the choir was practicing; they had not yet started the prelude. But obviously no one told the woman that, and so then she made us all feel welcome and in the Christmas spirit by shouting, "Shut up!" Jill and I looked at each other in shock. And then we did what we do best, and started laughing. Classic!

10. Sitting around my parents' living room retelling my aunts about the crazy lady at church, and then breaking into song. We all clapped along as Joey sang "Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child".

11. Hearing Dad, Aunt Mary, and Aunt Terry tell stories from their childhood.

12. Watching Pete stick his whole head inside his gift bag to retrieve his rawhide candy canes from me.

13. Seeing Micah's face as he opened a gag gift from Jill: a porcelain cloud holding a stack of post-it notes that say "Lord Help Me" with an angel paper weight. He wasn't sure what to make of it and I could not keep a straight face.

14. Losing my breath and crying from laughing so hard when my dad fell off the bench he was sitting on. One second he was bending over to put his present on the ground and the next, he was falling forward in a leap-frog fashion. It took me several minutes to recover.

15. Falling asleep with Pete at my feet on the couch Christmas Day...the whole family stayed in our PJs all day and it was glorious!

I said it on Facebook and I'll say it again: the best gift that my family gives me every Christmas is the gift of laughter. Even though Christmas is over, the memories we made will be the gifts that keep on giving! 

I hope that you made some wonderful holiday memories with your family and friends too!

Traditions

I am a girl who loves traditions, and this past weekend was jam-packed with them. 
On my mom's side of the family, it's tradition to give one unsuspecting person a gag gift, and this year that person was my sister's boyfriend, Andy. My Aunt Gretchen, Uncle Gary, and Grandma came down from Illinois to celebrate Christmas with us. As is another tradition, we open gifts in order form youngest to oldest. My sister went first and then Andy was next. Gretchen gave him a small gift bag, and each of us, none the wiser, watched to see what he would open. When he pulled out his "gift", it was glorious.

I don't think I've ever seen his face so red! 

Little did we know, the gag gift-giving wasn't over...

...Granny and I were also "lucky" recipients! Gotta love tradition.

On Monday, I kept the rituals rolling with my friends Erin and Jenny. Since college (which means 8 years-gulp), the three of us have gathered to celebrate Christmas together. And that is where the tradition stops, honestly, because although we always get together, we rarely do the same thing year to year. We've done ornament exchanges, cookie baking, movie nights, slumber parties, Salvation Army shopping, and more. This year, Jenny suggested we tour Kalightoscope, so we kept our tradition of changing it up, and did just that. The giant light displays at Kalightoscope did not disappoint; in fact they made this 30 year-old feel very much like a kid again.

The greatest thing about these girls is that no matter what we're doing, we're having a good time. I can't wait to see what we'll think of next year!


Monday night capped off the tradition trifecta with "Claymation Christmas". My friend Deanna and I have been getting together for 10 years to watch what is, in our opinion, one of the greatest Christmas specials ever created.
We started this ritual in my college dorm room when I was a junior and D was a sophomore. She brought her family's VHS copy (recorded from television, mind you) and I supplied the popcorn and VCR. Ten years later and the same is true, except for the popcorn has been replaced with booze.

If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and visit Amazon to score a copy. Here's one of my favorite clips:
California Raisins: Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer


Classic. 


On a side note, I was afraid to eat raisins as a child because I thought they were the actual California Raisins. 


Nevertheless, Christmas is 5 days away, and the traditions of the season are alive and well. I find comfort in tradition, but mostly I love the way it brings me together with the people that mean the most!


What are some of your holiday traditions?