Reflections and Ruminations 2012

Every year I like to take a second to reflect on some of the things I've done in the last year. This is going to be a really long, boring, and narcissistic post about how all-consuming my wedding was this year so feel free to move on to other things if posts like this annoy you.

Five for Friday: Week of December 22nd

1. You drove all over creation on Sunday to visit my friends and family.
2. You remembered how much I loved the coffee on our honeymoon, found the exact same kind and gave it to me as a Christmas gift. Amazing.
3. You let your sense of humor show through when you bought "Das Boot" for me.
4. You cuddled with me on Thursday night. We both know how much you hate that...
5. You cooked an amazing and healthy dinner for us when I was too tired to cook anything.

We're Gonna Party Like It's... 2013?

I am either a complete masochist or am just unable to learn from my mistakes because I somehow found myself inviting people over for a New Year's Eve celebration. In the past, Jason and I have held a few holiday parties... Most of which involved ordering a few pizzas and drinking copious amounts of liquor. Unfortunately the creation of Pinterest just won't allow me to act like a college freshman anymore so in an attempt to act like a classy adult for once in my life I've been putting together a fun menu of hors d'oeuvres for our little soiree. Good lord, I sound like an asshole.

Five for Friday: Week of December 15th

1. We survived yet another weekend in Philadelphia and you were super suave at your holiday party, even though I was bored to tears.
2. You were forgiving when I forgot to tell you that we were driving my brother back to NY and letting him crash at our apartment. Whoops!
3. You bought wrapping paper!
4. You were very kind and only a teeny bit patronizing when I forgot how to use a coffee pot. ;)
5. I had a great time just hanging out in the hotel room watching terrible Animal Planet shows with you. You always know how to make me laugh.

Simplify: Two of Thirty

Okay, so I am totally cheating on this simplify my life thing, but whatever. I did something even more liberating than canceling my gym membership. I deleted my Facebook account. 

Five for Friday: Week of December 8th

1. You cleaned practically the entire apartment on Saturday by yourself.
2. You went and picked up a pizza when we had company over so I wouldn't have to miss a second of the Giants game.
3. You let me buy a ridiculous Santa hat for Luna even though you knew it would be a waste of money.
4. You planned a special dinner for us and you weren't upset when I had to cancel because I was sick. 
5. You brought home and cooked dinner for us on Thursday.

Making a Run For It

So Monday's post was basically a lead up to this one. As I mentioned, I recently purged myself of my gym membership and have decided to start running with my husband. If you've been keeping track, this poses a slight problem for me right now due to the climate and my allergy to the cold. I did a serious amount of research on running gear and I've managed to find a few pieces that protect me fairly well from the cold and discomfort. But you should know that this is not the only beast I'm up against. I've got three words for you.

Exercise. Induced. Anaphylaxis.

Allergic to... Well, Everything!

Welcome to the first installation of "New, Unique and Frankly Unexplainable Ways My Body Tries to Sabotage Itself." I intended this to be one post, but in order to truly describe the hilarious depths of my suffering I decided to break it up a bit.

Growing up, I was always proud of myself for not having any allergies. Peanuts? Love 'em. Shellfish? Can't get enough of the stuff. Dust and dander? Bring it on. Shit, I'm not even allergic to poison ivy. This was always surprising considering the myriad of health problems I am constantly suffering from. The running joke is that my body is constantly finding new, unique and, frankly, unexplainable ways to sabotage itself. Except it's not really a joke and it's definitely not funny.

Five for Friday: Week of December 1st

Most days I love my husband. But some days are obviously harder than others and I think it's important to keep things in perspective by remembering and celebrating the good. I am known for taking things for granted and in an effort to be more aware of the great parts of my relationship I would like to take a few moments each week to talk about the simple, everyday gestures my husband does to make me feel happy and loved.

1. You went to the craft beer festival with me this weekend, even though we both know you would much rather have been home playing video games.
2. You went to the grocery store and picked up some food when I was sick. 
3. You missed over an hour of work to take me to doctor without complaint (even though you will have to make up the time this weekend).
4. You let me into the apartment when I locked myself out. Oops.
5.  You charged my laptop for me when I just left it on the floor to die.

Christmas Decorations and Obsessions

Since we decided to forego a Christmas tree this year I went above and beyond with the rest of the decorations. I prefer subtle touches over in-your-face lights and tinsel so I spread just a little bit of holiday decor throughout the apartment. 

I started with the foyer. The dresser, which usually accumulates mail, sweaters and other various junk was adorned with a small basket filled with ornaments that weren't being used. I also picked up two candle holders from The Christmas Tree Shop and filled them with pine-scented candles to make up for not having a tree.

The Year Without a Christmas Tree

It's December so I feel like I am allowed to start talking about this now.

I love Christmas.

I hate winter, I hate snow and I hate the cold, but Christmas?! Ah, Christmas is the one little ray of happiness that keeps me going during these long, awful months. I love the music, the movies and the cookies. But most of all, I love Christmas trees and I have no one but my father to blame.