Hey, if you're looking for something to buy your nephew or niece this Christmas, check out carli's Toy Review blog. Yes, all three of you that read this.
1. Hot Chocolate or apple cider?
Both
2. Turkey or Ham?
Turkey this year. My mom always had ham and my grandma often had both.
3. Do you get a fake or real-you-cut-it-yourself Christmas tree?
We've had a fake tree the past couple of years, but this year there's not room for a tree. I have a small, lighted ceramic tree on the mantle with the wrapped presents stacked next to it.
4. Decorations on the outside of your house?
No. When I was a teenager I put lights up outside our house, but that was the only time we ever had decorations outside that I remember.
5. Snowball fights or sledding?
Snow Angels
6. Do you enjoy going downtown shopping?
Why in the world would I go downtown to shop in KC?
7. Favorite Christmas song?
I don't really have a favorite Christmas song. I do have a few Christmas CDs to play on Christmas morning, but it really just depends on my mood.
8. How do you feel about Christmas movies?
I like Christmas movies as a general rule as long as they're not sappy just to be sappy.
9. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music?
Before Thanksgiving
10. Stockings before or after presents?
I remember having a stocking as a kid, but I think my parents dropped it at some point when I was still pretty young. Becky (mom-in-law) does stockings for us and they're fun. They're always before gifts.
11. Carolers, do you or do you not watch and listen to them?
Do people still go caroling?
12. Go to someone else's house or they come to you?
Usually we go to someone elses, but this year we'll be home.
13. Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when?
No
14. What do you do after presents and dinner?
The last few years - breakfast & stockings, chatting, presents, lunch
15. What is your favorite holiday smell?
Evergreen
16. Ice skating or walking around the mall?
I like ice skating, but I'm not good at it and it's been years. Walking around the mall is supposed to be fun?
17. Do you open a present or presents on Christmas Eve, or wait until Christmas Day?
My family always had a tradition of opening one on Christmas Eve with the extended family and then the rest on Christmas morning.
18. Favorite Christmas memory?
There are really too many to pick a favorite.
19. Favorite part about winter?
Clear days when the sun is shining brigtly. I like cold, gray days too, especially when I can stay warm at home and nap. I think I was a cat in another life.
20. Ever been kissed under mistletoe?
No
Stolen from liatha.
Ok, as I said in my comments, I was laid off on Friday. It hurt. I know that sounds odd. It's not that it was a personal decision. 4-5k people are being laid off and contractors are the first to go. But still, I can't help but take it somewhat personally.
Last time Sprint laid me off (yes, I came back after that, but I came back knowing it was a temporary job) I cried. It's the first time I'd ever lost a job and it sucked. This time I took it pretty well. I think most of that was knowing that I was probably going to receive a job offer soon. And the fact that they gave me until the end of the year to work. Losing a job right before Christmas would really suck.
I received a call on Friday afternoon with a job offer and it was a relief. It wasn't just any job either, but a job that I've really wanted with a good company with lots of opportunity for growth. Plus it pays a tad bit better. That made my weekend.
Sunday was Matt and my anniversary and we went out to brunch. We had a good time and it was a good day. He completely surprised me with flowers (went out in the middle of the night to get them for me) and a chair massager. I surprised him with the last Limited Edition Heroes of Might and Magic V that was available on Amazon (before it went to individual sellers) and a few miscellaneous things.
This weekend I'll be away visiting family for Christmas. I'm not sure if I'm excited or scared. Both, I think. I'm getting a hotel this time to help out with the tension and for a little privacy. I think it'll be a good time though.
