Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Shopping, sewing, wrapping, crafting...Oh, how I love THANKSGIVING break!!

Mondays are normally my least favorite day of the week, but thankfully we have the WHOLE week off  for Thanksgiving break!!!  (I think we're being furloughed for two of the days, but I don't even care- I just needed a break!)  I woke up around 7:30 am, ate breakfast, and headed to the local college for a 3 mile trail run with Crissy & Jay.  This was my first time running since the marathon, and it felt good to get back out there. My joints (knees specifically) were a little tender, but I felt fresh other than that.  By the way, I decided to do the FULL in Miami, in case you were wondering. :) 

We headed to Dunkin' Donuts after our run to get my new training schedule together.  Don't worry, I just had chocolate milk- the best recovery drink EVER!!  We sent Jonathan this picture to let him know he was missing out...(we ate DD after church yesterday too.)
I headed to Mom's after DD to get my Christmas decorations out of her basement.  She and I went to Michael's Craft Store after I borrowed her printer for a few Christmas presents. I am SO itching to post all of my gift ideas for this year because they are cheap (yet classy) and have some homemade element to make them thoughtful.  BUT everyone I have presents for reads my blog, so I can't. I know my friends and family are going to love them!!!!!  Ahhhh, if only they didn't read my blog!! (But they know they better....I get my feelings hurt when they don't. I'm a LAME-O!!)  But hey, if you need some ideas, you can always e-mail me & I can share! I LOVE to give gifts and usually come up with some pretty creative & fun gift ideas.

Anyway, Mom helped me pick out some goodies to make a wreath for our front door.  We'll see how that turns out!!  This will be my first wreath. 

{I did make this ornament to break me into "crafting mode" again.}
I did a little shopping on my own when Mom & I finished up @ Michael's.  I got ALL of my shopping done for Big Jon!!!  Yep, I hooked him up as usual.  We weren't going to buy for each other, but I've worked hard to make some extra money lately, and he needed a few things, so I just had to do it. I tried talking him into no gifts and just going to NYC over Christmas break (yea, apparently he caught on the the fact a trip to NYC during the holidays would cost WAYYY more than what we normally spend on gifts....my plan failed!).  He decided it wasn't very responsible until we can really get our savings where it needs to be, and I agreed. Bummer!! Even though I was a little disappointed, I know he's right.  I have always lived by the motto "Don't spend it if you don't have it," and that's why we are debt- free other than our house.  I was hoping we could be spontaneous & splurge a little, but I'm glad he was logical & reasonable about it. We're going to save up and go next year for sure though!!!!
When I got home, I wrapped several of the gifts (and now my neck is SO sore!) in our bonus room while listening to the Mariah Carey (Holiday) station on Pandora- can't get enough! Does anyone have any tips for how to wrap presents without leaning over??  I always end up so sore after wrapping presents!!!  I need a massage from my intense gift wrapping session....haha!
 Big Jon worked late today, so he finally got home around 6. I was planning to do the Insanity DVD, but he wanted me to go to the gym with him, so I did this workout instead: (I did it 5 times)
Pinned Image
I have even more big plans tomorrow! I'm running a 4x400 track workout first thing in the morning, then meeting my yearbook staff for breakfast, and then taking some pictures for some friends who never had engagement pictures done (because her hubby had to got to Iraq!).  Tomorrow evening I'm pumped to go to Dana's mom's sewing class @ Just Sew! Studio and make this apron....
Cute, huh??  With all of these Pinterest crafts floating around, sewing is SO the new thing to do!! I definitely want to become more efficient with the sewing machine so I can make costumes & different things for my kiddos some day.

Oh, and Big Jon & I are going to get our Christmas tree tomorrow!!!!  So check back in for lots of pictures tomorrow....my camera will be put to good use fo sho.

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE a full week off from work??? 

Have you started wrapping gifts?

Do you know how to sew????

6 comments:

Leah @ Everyday Love said...

I hate wrapping gifts, but I sure love buying them! I have this week off too and I have a long list of things to get done, many of which include crafts and sewing! Happy Thanksgiving!

Stephanie said...

I would love to have some of your gift ideas. I'm a follower, though you don't know me, and have really gotten into crafting mode. With a young son, and another one on the way, I really would like to make some gifts that are going to be cheaper on the wallet, but more meaningful. If you don't mind, shoot me an e-mail. ooleybaby@aol.com

Lisa said...

I do not know how to sew, but my mom knows everything and anything. Her class in highschool even got to travel abroad and hit fashion shows in Europe. That was in the '70's. I always say i should have paid attention as a teenager.
I guess it's never too late to learn :)

Also, What is a 'burpee' on the exercise routine?

*Butler, Party of 4* said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Leah!! Hope you get your to-do list done!

Steph, I e-mailed ya this morning.

And Lisa-
Aren't moms just SO talented??
Burpees are the devil (ha!), but are a GREAT addition to any workout as a full body move. Copy and paste the following link and it'll show you how to do them. They are AWESOME for you, but it sture stinks doing them!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5oXadjFAlQ

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to let you know that I found your blog a few days ago and can not get enough of your postsI have back read through as alot of them maybe even all off them, You have such a positive attitude and I love your greatfullness for others, I am hopeing to have the confidence in my christianity ad you do you seem so knowledgeable I get completely lost and feel dumb any tips were to start, good luck on your up coming race and running in the cold is very fun just think of all the tea you can drink when you get home from the run

Sarah E said...

Hi there! New reader here! I hopped over from SkinnyRunner a few days ago. I thought I commented on this post the other day, but it looks like it never posted. I would love some of your crafty Christmas gift ideas. My husband and I usually make gifts for our family, but after 5 years we are running out of ideas. Yours would be greatly appreciated! My email is sarahe624@yahooo.com Thanks so much!