Christmas With Brandon

This Christmas was wonderful! I was FINALLY able to spend Christmas with Brandon, and let me just tell you, it was amazing.

Brandon and I decided that we were going to have OUR Christmas on the 23rd. We figured that way we could have our own time to exchange presents, without our families all around. It was so nice (I think that we might do that every year). Well, I gave him a quilt that I made (with help from my mom). I had been planning on making him one for almost 3 years now, and I finally made it. It's black and white, with pictures of he and I on it. I also got him a new pair of jeans, slippers, and TONS of stocking stuffers. Brandon gave me a digital camera, a pink fleece tie blanket (that he and Jared made for me), and also plenty of stocking stuffers. We spent that evening with Jared and Hayley, so it was a nice relaxing night for us.

On Christmas Eve, Brandon and I spent the day at the house, then that night went over to Brandon's parents house. We had dinner with them and then walked around Old Town and looked at the lights. It was so pretty, I almost wish that Brandon and I had gone and done that on our own, sooner. After looking at the lights, we went back to his parents house to open up some gifts. Brandon got kitchen supplies from his sister Ashley. That was pretty cool. And, I am more than likely going to end up using them more than he is, cuz let's be honest, Brandon doesn't cook. lol. I went home to my mom's that night, and was greeted very nicely by my brother. I think he was really happy that I was home, and not leaving him alone with mom anymore. lol.

Christmas Day, Nathan and I woke up around 8:30 and opened up presents with my mom and Nana. I got some new dishes, pj's, and lots of other stuff. I don't even know what Nathan got. hahaha. We then had our traditional Christmas morning breakfast, breakfast burritos. Mmmm... they were so good! The 4 of us played dominoes, and then Brandon got there. Brandon opened up his present from mom, and he got matching pj's to me, and then we opened up our presents from Nana. We got a 72 piece tool kit, 2 LED flashlights, and an extension cord (all great stuff for our house). Then, it was off to dad's. Brandon and I got gift cards to places for our house, and I got some CUTE pink pj's. (My dad knows that I LOVE pink, so he always gets me something pink.) We played pinball with my dad for about 45 mins, and then it was back to mom's. When we got back to mom's, she had a few "family" presents for us to open. We got a Wii! And Wii fit! We had a wonderful family dinner, and then played Apples to Apples.

All in all, it was probably one of the greatest Christmas' I've ever had. It was seriously wonderful to get to spend it all with Brandon. And, I look forward to getting to wake up with him Christmas morning, instead of with Nathan. lol.

Christmas Shopping

So, I forgot how much fun Christmas shopping could be. I mean, everyone always talks about how stressful it is to go Christmas shopping, and how no one looks forward to it. But, that was not me this year. This year I was so excited to go Christmas shopping for Brandon and everyone else in my family.
Last Wednesday, I started my Christmas shopping at Kohl's and found Nathan's gift and the last half of Brandon's gifts. Let me just tell you, pretty much AMAZING bargains. Then today, I went to Wal-Mart and got even more bargains. I finished up shopping for my dad and Nathan, and was able to get the gifts for all of the parents. Jo-Ann Fabrics wasn't really shopping for Christmas gifts, but I found some more BARGAINS there, 70% off of all of their Christmas stuff. I got some ADORABLE stockings and ornaments. Also I got our invitations today (obviously not a Christmas gift... but very exciting)! We ended at the Dollar Tree, to get stocking stuffers. I pretty much HOOKED BRANDON UP! I'm not kidding either. The guy who was checking me out at the register (cashier guy) told me that he wished he was my boyfriend (let me tell you, it was an awkward moment) and he said that my boyfriend was a lucky guy, that I HOOKED HIM UP! lol. (It was very awkward cuz I'm just standing there looking at him, and he has this creepy look on his face like, OMG I've never had a girl this pretty at my check stand!)
So, basically, I LOVED Christmas shopping this year. Maybe it's because I found AMAZING deals, and nothing I got was "ghetto". But either way, it was fun!
I wish everyone a VERY merry Christmas! I hope that you enjoy your time with your friends and family!

Letter to the Big Guy

Dear Santa,

First, I would like to start out by apologizing for being the naughty person I have been this year. I haven't been bad, per say, but I don't know that I have always been the nicest of people.

I know that I can try harder, but, I still feel like I am deserving of some presents, rather than just a lump of coal.

I was granted I guess an amazing gift, and the happiness that it has brought me should last me the whole year, but there are still a few more things that I could use. If you decide that I have been nice enough to make it on that list, could you please help me out with these things?

Just think of all the fun I've missed, think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed. Next year I could be just as good, if you'll check off my Christmas list. I really do believe in you, let's see if you believe in me. So, hurry down the chimney tonight!

Before I give you this list, might I give you a few helpful hints or suggestions for yourself? 1. Eat less cookies this year. They're loaded with tons of sugar and that can't be good for your figure. So, eat less cookies (unless they're from like the 100 calorie pack, because one of those from each house is ok). 2. Give Mrs. Claus a little bit more credit. I'm sure that she does plenty of work around the shop, and I know that you wouldn't be the man you are today, without her, so give her a little more credit. On the 26th, treat her to a spa day or something. 3. During the off season, maybe you could call up Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers or something, you really should be taking better care of yourself, we want you to be around for a long long time.

-Money (cash works, as do checks and all major credit cards)
-a new laptop (I'm not picky as to which kind, just something that will help me to make more annoying posts on my blog)
-a digital camera (preferably a Canon or a Kodak, but anything would do... I hear that Target is having some great deals right now)
-candles (I love things that smell good, and that make things feel more homey)
-a hair straightener (maybe Mrs. Claus could help you out with this one, I think she has more luck in this department)
-pots and pans (I want to be able to cook better for Brandon, I don't want him to end up like you... no offense)
-slippers... fuzzy ones with rubber on the bottom
-footy pajamas (come on Santa, these have been on my list for like 5 years now)
-pretty much any DVD will do
-board games (you know me, I love to play games)
-kitchen utensils... wire whisk, ladle, wooden spoons.... the whole shebang
-new shirts (another thing Mrs. Claus might be able to help you out on)
-crock pot
-a '54 convertible too, light blue... and I'll wait up for you
-I want a yacht... and really that's not a lot, I've been an angel all year
-there's something I really do need, the deed... to a platinum mine
-fill my stocking with a duplex, and checks... sign your X on the line
-decorations bought at Tiffany's

Thank you, and Merry Christmas!
Yours Truly,
Terri

My how the times have changed

I was reading some of my old blog posts, from last year. From last December until April of this year. It was crazy to read and see the difference that a year has brought. And, I'm truly grateful of all of the changes that this year has brought me.

I was reading my 2009 resolutions, and realized that I think I might have reached half of my goals. And, honestly, I'm ok with that. Because, the half that I completed were the important ones to me. Who cares if I didn't lose the 20 lbs. that I had hoped for (Brandon keeps telling me that there's nowhere to lose it from). I didn't buy myself a new car, but Brandon and I are in the process of buying his. I am just proud of myself for the things that I did accomplish.

I love my life, and I'm happy for the things that will be coming in the near future of my life. The times are changing. But, they're changing for the BETTER.

The House

These pictures are from a good friend of mine and Brandon, Alden Domingo. We love him to death, and we were very glad that he got to come over and see the house. Especially because now it means that you all get to see pictures of the house!

This is the Front Room

Basically, when you walk in the front door, you see this.

Then you step to your right and up a little step and this is the living room.

To your right when you walk into the living room. The nice comfy leather couches.

And basically, right when you walk into the living room, you see our beautiful, wonderful fireplace. This is me in front of the fire that I built in our fireplace.

Here's Brandon with his bag of popcorn, ready for the movie, staying warm by the fire.

Hayley, Jared, Brandon and my stockings.

A far away view of the fireplace.

Here is the entertainment center. Hayley, Jared, Brandon and I have started filling it with pictures of us. It's pretty fun.

Ok, so then you go across the hall, and you're in the kitchen. Here's Brandon and Richard in the kitchen. While cooking, there is only room for one person in the kitchen (especially when I'm cooking, I don't like people in my way).

Me and Alden in the kitchen.

The antique stove. It actually works pretty well. I've cooked a few meals on it already.

One of the MANY cupboards with all my dishes in it.

Above the refrigerator. We're using that for storage, until I get all of the drawers and cupboards cleaned out. And, I got BRAND NEW pans and Pyrex... SOOO excited!

Here is the full view of the kitchen. As of now, it is EVEN CLEANER, because I LOVE things clean, as does Brandon. And, I spent the day yesterday cleaning while Brandon was at work. On the other side of the door on the right (you can kind of see the door) is the laundry room. It's not done yet, that's why there are no pics.

Here's a picture of the bathroom. It's not done yet, but we figured we needed to show a picture of it.

Here's me standing in the bathroom. See how tiny it is... only one person fits at a time, unless you're standing next to each other.

We also don't have any pictures of the bedroom yet, because I didn't want people to see that until it was cleaned. I mean, there are 2 boys living there, I'm sure you can imagine how messy the bedroom is. But, it is to the right of the bathroom.

So, here's a mini virtual tour of the house. When Brandon and I are both living there, you'll have to come for a real tour.

LOVED THIS!

I saw this the other night, and I absolutely LOVED it. Glee has become my new favorite show. Unfortunately it won't be back till January. Enjoy this music video from it though!