Christmas in Toledo

As told in pictures...with my new camera!

Fiona curled up in my bed-yes, I've been staying in Sofa City all week.

mmmm...Deviled Eggs!

Isn't she such cutie!? (Fi that is ;) )

The prettiest ornaments on the tree!

Merry Christmas!

3 degrees, really?

Brrrr. It's all I can say. My hands still feel numb from the walk into work AND I have the space heater pumping. I am dreading the walk across the street at lunch to deposit a check.

Christmas is 3 days away! Are you ready??

I love the South.

Yes, my pants are wet from walking into the office in the rain. Yes, my dog was running around the apartment like a wild thing trying to get the rain out of her fur. Yes, my 5 mile run turned into a 3 mile sprint due to a heavy downpour. Yes, my umbrella is a piece of junk.

But....it isn't snow!

My parents are snow and iced in up North in Toledo. Detroit and Chicago and New York City are in the midst of a nasty storm. But, not us down here in the South!!

Nope, it's going to be 60 degrees today. Nevermind that tomorrow it will be only a high of 34 degrees.

Sure, snow is pretty when you're sitting by the fire, reading a book with no place to go. But, it can be quite unfriendly when you're trying to get to work. Since we only close if there is a level 3 snow emergency-unless it's a true, full fledged blizzard-keep that snow up North!

Christmas Delicious-ness

Do you like chocolate? Do you like mint? Do you adore chocolate and mint together?

Then you will love these brownies. And they are suuuuper easy. I made them last night for a work deal on Friday. Here is the "recipe". (I use that term loosely because I didn't exactly follow a recipe).

Ingredients:

1 13x9 brownie mix (use a box or use your own favorite "from scratch" brownies)

(Don't forget the ingredients for the brownie mix like eggs!)

2 boxes Andes Creme de Menthe thins

Bake brownies. While they are baking, unwrap all those mints. This is the worst part because inevitably the chocolate from the mints will get under your fingernails-and that is annoying.

Once the brownies are done by the "toothpick test," immediately put the unwrapped mints on top. Set the timer for 5 minutes. Once timer dings, take a knife (or if you have a fancy frosting spatula, use that) and spread the now melted mints across the brownies. Make it look pretty-it's easy. Let the topping harden.

Variation: Place half brownie batter in bottom of pan. Place unwrapped mints in a layer and pour remaining batter on top. Then bake. I have not tested this--do not blame me if it turns out like junk.

DONE.

Delicious and easy. What could be better?

(Don't judge by the picture...you know my cell camera is fantastic)

Gift-giving and shopping locally.

Every year I promise myself I won't go overboard with Christmas presents-and every year I fail. Part of it is because I really enjoy buying presents that I think people will enjoy. Part of it is that I like shopping, period. And a big part of it is that I grew up in a family where gift giving was the way we showed each other love.

Birthdays were always big, with lots of toys, clothes, etc. Christmas was always huge. Now, I know many of you would love to scold my parents for being materialistic and instilling improper values-but just relax. I appreciate what my parents sacrificed to make holidays memorable for me. And not just in presents-my family always hosted a huge Christmas Eve party, with lots of food (which is also very expensive-just like presents). They took us to see Santa, built snowmen (ok my Mom never did that!) and drove around to see Christmas lights. We went to the Nutcracker (ok my Dad never did that!) and watched Christmas movies. My parents sacrificed every New Years' Eve and spent it with their kiddies playing games and making hats out of newspapers.

Those things (including the gifts) were and are, how my family shows each other love. So, I always struggle between wanting to "cut back" on presents and not wanting my family to feel slighted. I know they wouldn't care per se, but holidays are a big deal to them.

Anyway, in light of that, I tried this year to think of ways to purchase presents, but not concurrently buy into all the materialism advertisers drive us to. I decided upon trying to shop locally (i.e. at locally owned stores) as much as possible. And I did pretty well.

I subscribe to Buy Cincy, a blog about buying stuff in Cincinnati. They've done some great pieces recently about buying Christmas presents locally. So, one evening I hit up Ludlow Ave. and found some really cool stuff that I probably never would've thought to get. Plus, I like supporting businesses in the Gaslight District where I live.

I also went to some local stores in Hyde Park and picked up some things for people on my list who like wine. Which is most everyone.

I have actually not set foot in a mall. I will on Christmas Eve because I enjoy getting a Peppermint Mocha and watching the madness and it's a tradition with my sister and myself. I also have not set foot in Wal-Mart. (And as an aside, if I see one more commercial by Wal-Mart advertising its low prices in these tough economic times, I am going to puke. Supporting companies like Wal-Mart does NOT help America or American workers. Sure, maybe you saved $200 bucks this holiday, but big deal. Shopping at stores like that who do not support unions or their local communities is quite a hurt on our economy.)

Anyway, no I didn't do all my shopping locally-but I think that will be my goal next year. It was fun to walk around the different shops and talk to real store owners. Plus, I bought some very unique gifts for people-which is so fun!

The good, the bad, the ugly.

Update: The good, the bad AND the ugly all rolled into one-my secret santa gave me a HUGE bag of m&ms today. Good in that they are amazingly delicious. Bad in that it will take everything in me to not eat them ALL day long. Ugly is my addiction to these treats... ugh.

The Good: I somehow lost my coffee card that gets a daily punch from Kitty @ Kitty's coffee in my office. Kitty let me off the hook! No punch and no 1.95 charge. How sweet, no? (Unfortunately I was also going to get one for my secret santa...but she is SOL!)


The Bad: At my 6am spinning class this morning, we had the option to have a "christmas" ride-meaning the workout would be done to upbeat Christmas music. OF COURSE, I voted yes. But since only 3 other people in the class (out of about 40) voted yes, we were voted down and had to listen to a mix that actually featured a song by Hanson. Good God. Those Scrooges deserved it I suppose...


The Ugly: The roads in Cincinnati! All that white snow everywhere made the commute treacherous! Oh wait... Good thing we wasted all that salt when we have a salt shortage in Hamilton County!! Can't wait til we have a blizzard in March with no salt. One more ugly-Ms. Barky McBarkerton who awoke me at 4:30a.m. because the dog in the upstairs apartment was barking. Lovely. Maybe they should have an apartment together where they just bark all day long.

Anyone looking for a last minute Christmas gift for yours truly-how about Be the Pack Leader: Use Cesar's Way to Transform Your Dog...and Your Life by Cesar Millan.


I'm not even joking.

only in Ohio...

Can I awake to it being a balmy 58 degrees outside and understand that by the time I leave work it will be 25 degrees and snowy.

Crazy. It's going to be in the 50s again by the end of the week. Unlike some people, I don't mind a non-white Christmas.

In fact, a waking up to a sandy beach on Christmas morning sounds fantastic. Too bad I do not have the funds for that. My only hope is Santa.

hmm

Is it bad to eat yogurt that hasn't been refrigerated for 4 hours?

I just did. And now I am nervous.

I also just noticed its expiration date was December 10, 2008.

Oh man.

faith like Mary

During this Advent season, I've been doing some reading of the more "traditional" Christmas passages. It's always this time of year I long to attend a traditional church. Anyway, I think my favorite passage in the Christmas story is when Gabriel visits Mary and tells her of her upcoming pregnancy. 

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her own age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.

I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." The angel left her.

Luke 1:34-38

Her response strikes me in so many ways. First, her immense faith in God. Her quick acceptance of her fate illustrates her complete trust in God. Additionally, obviously God knew of her great faith as he entrusted her with perhaps the most important calling He could entrust to any human-the mother of His son. Second, her willingness to sacrifice in order to be obedient to God. She sacrificed her reputation among her peers (just imagine what people were saying when this so-called virgin was 6 months pregnant). Not to mention-she ultimately sacrificed her son and watched him die on the cross. Can you imagine?

A few short verses with such intense meaning. When God calls me to do something, how willing am I to do it? And more importantly, what am I willing to sacrifice to follow that call-my reputation? My friends? My everything? 

I want the kind of faith Mary had-the kind of faith that without hesitation obeyed God and the kind of faith that was so obviously big that God would entrust her with BIG things.

toy assistance.

Is Thomas the Train cool? I had to get a toy for our office party in order to be entered for the door prizes. I hit up TJMaxx hoping for a Barbie doll (my favorite), but they had nothing...except for some Thomas trains.

I purchased something called "Rocky." I guess he is a friend of Thomas?

Hopefully Toys for Tots doesn't ask me for a gift receipt so they can return it. :-/

insomnia

There is not much worse than not being able to sleep. About two times a year I can't sleep. I LOVE sleep. I generally have no issue sleeping. But, last night when I went to bed around 10:15p.m. I just sat there and thought, and thought, and then heard my dog barking like a maniac, and thought some more.

I could NOT get to sleep. But I was exhausted. I have 84,000 things to do between now and Christmas (just like everyone else) and it just got to me last night. Plus, Fiona has taken it upon her ratty-self to turn into a newborn baby and wake me up on the hour to tell me that the wind is making the tree blow outside. I really don't know how people have little babies who wake up all night long and go to work/function during the day. That is an amazing feat. I woke up feeling like I hadn't slept ALL WHILE FIONA CURLED UP SLEEPING IN MY BED.

Lovely. I am jealous of a dog. I have reached a new low. :)

Anyway...today I will make lots of lists and that should give me enough comfort to get some sleep. My mom used to wake my sister and I up at the crack of dawn and say "you'll sleep when you're dead."

Well, I'd like to sleep right now, thank you. Instead, I will get started on this 20 oz. of coffee.

ALSO-can someone please, pretty please, suggest an umbrella that can withstand rain and wind? I have gone through 3 umbrellas this year and I really need a decent one that isn't a gigantic golf umbrella. It's the only thing on my Christmas list! :)

Note to self

Dear self,

While the hummus appetizer plate at Mythos is a delicious lunch, should you decide to partake in eating the hot pepper that comes on the side, do not then rub your eye. Stinging, throbbing pain will ensue. For a long time. It will not be pretty when it's all red, watery, and your mascara is smudged. Not pretty at all.

Sincerely,
Your smarter self

it's that time of year...

When people start getting sick. Sneezing, coughing, and the like. I hate being sick. I feel like that didn't get my point across-I HATE BEING SICK. So, I do everything in my power to prevent coming down with the cold or flu.

This time of year is when my neuroses are in full swing. I've developed some sure-fire ways to prevent getting ill from someone else. (And some tips for getting rid of it if you do someone contract a cold!) *Lawler-ly disclaimer-I am not a doctor. If you are listening to a doctor for medical advice, you might want to re-think that.

1. Hold your breath. As often as possible. Getting on the elevator and someone is hacking away? Hold your breath and don't let it out until you are 5 seconds off the elevator. This can be difficult if you are on the 12th floor like I am. But, it's better than being sick!

2. Slide away from people who are sick. They say that germs can jump (or something) if you are closer than 3 ft away. Someone comes by your desk to chit chat with a runny nose? Slide your wheeled desk chair over to your file cabinet and pretend you are getting something really important. Not only will it keep you more than 3 ft away, it's likely the person will think you're really busy and get their germ-y self out.

3. Wash your hands. Duh. I can't believe I even had to say that. If you aren't washing your hands, that is nasty.

4. Learn to blow away germs. This was a tactic I developed in high school. Let's say you're chatting with someone and they begin hacking away. If you don't have time to hold your breath-simply exhale. Blow those nasty germs AWAY and don't inhale until you are safely 3 ft. away. You may want to accompany this with a death glare if someone is coughing without covering his/her mouth...just sayin'

5. IF you get sick-shun over the counter antihistamines and go exercise. Antihistamines dry up whatever is in there that needs to come out. I'd rather be blowing my nose/coughing up some phlegm all day for 2 days and get the evil disease out than drag a cold out for 5-7 days because my symptoms are mildly better. Tough it out. On that note-I am a firm believer that if you feel semi-ok and are just dragging because of a cold, go for a run. It will loosen up all that evil-phlegm and move it on out much faster than lying around on the couch watching Top Chef reruns-though that does sound kind of nice too!

Anyway, good luck not getting sick. It's been just over one year since I had the flu and it was the first time I've had it since I can remember. It was horrible and I do not want to repeat. So if you see me and I am slowly backing away because you've just wiped your snotty nose with your hand-don't be offended. And for God's sake go wash your hands!

It worked!

This afternoon I did some shopping. I wore a grey fleece with a pink tank top. I came home at 5PM-missing the first 45 minutes of the Steelers' game. It wasn't going so well.

I settled into doing work and 30 minutes later realized just why the Steelers were looking terrible. I WASN'T WEARING MY LUCKY SHIRT. 

I quickly changed and so did the Steelers' luck. Once my shirt was on, Steelers scored a touchdown to tie with Dallas and then scored another with only 1:44 left in the game. Ahhhh...fantastic. 

What a great game to watch, was it not? My Dad immediately texted me:

"Here we go Steelers again! I'm starting to get a feeling of destiny."

Me too, Dad. Me too.

(You can believe that shirt is NOT getting washed this week.)

The Tree

Pretty, is it not?

(My silly cell phone camera does not do it justice.) Real Christmas trees smell amazing. There is nothing like it. Steve even bought me a pretty wreath so that I can have that same smell in my apartment. :-)

I'm off to Cleveland for the weekend to play with my college roommates. It will probably involve some wine, some food, some shopping, and some more wine. Should be fantastic! Have a great weekend!

I still live in an apartment.

So about a week ago, I went to look at a condo for sale in Clifton. It's been for sale for a while, actually went through a foreclosure, and was again on the market-for a deeply discounted price. It was going for about $90K less than its appraised value. So I called a realtor, had a look, and began this endless mind-debate on whether or not to put an offer on it.

I made Steve look at it. I made Jana look at it. I reviewed my lease to see what kind of penalty would ensue for terminating it early. I think I was about 65% sure I wanted it when I discovered someone else's offer was accepted.

Then I really wanted it. 100% sure. HAD to have it-with its fancy bathrooms, gourmet kitchen and huge closets.

Steve mentioned how funny it was that only when someone else had it did I know I wanted it. Funny, indeed.

I woke up this morning glad I didn't buy a condo-particularly glad I didn't rush into a gigantic financial decision and commitment. And it confirmed that I am human-and want what other people have!

So, when I could have it-I didn't want it, but when I couldn't have it-I wanted it. Interesting.

Why do we so covet the things which are unavailable to us? Funny.

I just love this Christmas-y time of year.

I know there are lots of you Grinches out there-I hear you complaining. Cynics who loathe the holidays and the decorating and the shopping and the music and the peppermint mochas at Starbucks. Well, I think you are crazy! What's not to love about this magical time of year?

There's something fun about standing in a line at the GAP with your future presents in hand, while humming along to "jingle bell rock" playing throughout the store. It's exciting to play "secret Santa" at work and surprise fellow co-workers with little treats. Driving home in traffic doesn't seem quite as annoying when you get the chance to witness all the pretty, twinkling lights people have strung on their homes. (I have a soft spot for those big, fat colored lights-sorry!)

Not to mention the food...Graeter's has peppermint ice cream as its seasonal flavor-YUM. Add their delicious bittersweet chocolate sauce and you have perhaps my favorite dessert. I love it all. Pretty packages, tasty cookies, parties, family, friends...it's all quite fantastic.

Steve and I are going to see A Christmas Carol at Playhouse in the Park in Mt. Adams next week...and he's even going to brave getting another real Christmas tree tomorrow after last year's bug debacle. That takes courage!

It's a season full of anticipation and excitement...

Anyway, to all you Grinches out there-get with it! It's more fun to enjoy the season that gripe at it!

brrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Thanks to Jana my ears were warm on the way to court with these fantastic things that keep my ears warm without messing up my pretty hair!

However, the same cannot be said about my feet. Walking nearly a mile to court and nearly a mile back in 3 inch heels made my feet feel anything but warm and cozy.

I wish it were appropriate to wear these with suits:

They are black after all... ;-)

Back at it

What a fantastic break! 4 days off work felt great. I spent my time doing the following:

-eating (a lot)

-shopping (Rookwood was the only "mall" I hit up on Black Friday. And I waited until 2PM.)

-getting a new gym membership at Urban Active (this morning at the gym I ran into a girl who lived in my hall freshman year AND in my house my sophomore year of college-nuts!)

-meeting Steve's family (15 months is just the right time to meet your significant other's family ;) )

-reading (my Dad brought me 2 new books from Toledo)

-watching movies on TV (which may be the most annoying thing ever due to commercials, but I sat through Braveheart and The Way We Were...yes, I was veeerrry lazy)

-cooking (two apple pies and one green bean casserole-what's the big to do about that? Green bean casserole is gross. Mostly because mushrooms are sick.)

-sleeping (on Thursday night and last night I went to bed before 10PM. Amazing)

-wrapping presents (yes, I'm so neurotic that I like to wrap them as I buy them! This proved to be a bad move when I wrapped my Dad's gift only to learn he already bought it for himself.)

-watching THE STEELERS... wearing my lucky shirt. I have not washed the shirt now for 3 (or is it 4?) games. Don't judge-I wear a long sleeve under it, so that makes it clean, right? he he he

The lucky shirt...(pretty isn't it?)