Isn't he cute?

This years Christmas decorating is going to be all about kid stuff and I've pulled out all my musical animals and snowmen......everything that plays will be out this year and I'm hoping to have my nephews and niece over one night for something fun!!!!  Tonight I tried playing them all at once- it's childish but it's so darn fun!

I was also able to get some organizing done- this area has now turned into a holding area of items needing fixing or repair..

 Linen Closet Done- Thank goodness- it was driving us nutz~

Also made dinner - thanks to a nice little article I found on quick meals

Read it HERE

I got my little line-up going and it wasn't actually all that bad to make....

 Here's my chicken before it was cooked......it just looks so good.  Tonight I will use another recipe from on there which used pasta and combine the 2 dishes since we had chicken left over.  The past dish calls for only a couple of ingredients we all usually have on hand.

Gift wrapping area ready for some wrapping

My card writing desk is all ready

just need the cards

We have little guys waiting for batteries

And we have stuff just standing around waiting to get put

Wowza- So MUCH going on!!!!

$16 Christmas Dress

Well I had such a nice vacation away with Rob!  It was nice to get away for Our 4yr Anniversary- I can't believe it's been 4 years- that seemed to go by SO quick!  That's a long time- I've never been married that long. lol.

Getting away is probably the best Anniversary gift ever!

As soon as we got back it was Thanksgiving and I did my first 8k with my girl AMY!!!  I'm so lucky to have a friend like Amy- if it hadn't been for her I would have never done it.  I don't know if I would have even started running like I have been- had she not have posted her running on FB.  The other night when we were out she reminded me that I had run before- (because I constantly tell her I don't like running) I did run before when I was married before.  I was under a lot of stress and I would just go out side and run - fast as I could to try and get some relief.  It was no where near the running I do today- so I'm thinking that could be my reasoning behind always saying I hate running.  I need to turn that around and really think about- I couldn't possibly hate running and run like I do?  NO way - so ya know what I like running- I'm not a super star, but I like running and I honestly think if I couldn't run I would surely miss it. 

I had fun Amy!!

We had a great Thanksgiving with Family and Friends!!  I miss them all now :(

So I'm trying really hard to get a jump on things this Christmas- but first I felt the need to organize my house.  I know this sounds absolutely crazy from a slob.....well I'm not really a slob at heart....lol.

This weekend I began my kitchen cabinets and pantry.  I should have taken before pictures- but I didn't think of it.  Not only did I go through every spice and every expiration date I also made myself an excel spreadsheet so I know what I have!  So many times I buy stuff I already have.  What I really liked going over was the liquor- I like my collection and I can think of a couple things I'd like to add  :)
Rob got a good laugh at all my crazy notes and lists......I feel nutz sometimes......like obsessive compulsive in a bipolar fashion!!!!  Am I the only one who does stuff like that- like I have stuff all over and then one day I will organize like I love it?

Next - like tonight I want to deal with these 2

So another part of Christmas is Lucas' Birthday, Christmas outfits, Christmas cards, and gift wrapping.  SO I set up an area to do just cards and an area to do just wrapping- WOWZA- I'm SO excited!!!  Part of Christmas dressing is knowing what you have and what you need- I had organized a lot of my clothes a couple of months ago so I'm good there- I know have to work more on Lucas' attire.  This weekend I also cleaned my washing machine from another season of seal coating.  I'm thinking of going to the Laundromat with the dog's bed clothes- pet hair is GROSSing me out lately.  Wow was my washer dirty- yuk.

Speaking of dressing- I have my holiday dress and it's from one of my favorites- I don't think I'll even mention the store- see if you can figure it out.

Look at this adorable outfit for my little nephew Sam

and I LOVE this outfit- I already have the sweater

yeah it's Kmart....that dress was only $16- now I just have to accessorize it!  And speaking of accessorizing DON'T forget to stock up on your hose!!!  Especially if you are lucky enough to have little ladies living in your house!!!

As a young wild single girl I did many last minute runs for stockings!!!  I've learned to always have a pair to spare.  Oh and Santa panties can't hurt.

Getting Organized ~ Hair

So as I'm trying to get it together I've come across a few hair items I think make my life a little simpler and save me some time.

Well 1st off is a shower cap.  I purchased mine right at CVS, but there are all kind.  I seen one on Amazon created by the new york blow dry bar for like $18.  That's high compared to what I paid, but I believe it is terry on the inside.  Sometimes when I wear mine I feel like an old lady.  And the blow dry bar are the experts on keeping your blow out.  Check out their site:

http://blowpro.com/blowprint/

 Oh and if you have a daughter with long hair- there have to be times you would love her to just shower and skip the whole hair thing~ how cute is this cap.  I believe you can get it on Amazon for something like $4.99.

The next thing I'm loving is my Turbie Twist

I purchased mine at CVS, but I seem this two pack on Amazon for around $10.99.  Two might be nice so that when one is in the wash you aren't without.  I have been washing my hair sometimes the night before and it really does help to get a lot of the moisture out so I'm not going to bed with a wet head.

Now I still like my baby powder for a dry shampoo when I don't shampoo my hair, but I'm loving this got2b Powderful

It give such great lift to your hair- it's awesome!  I bought mine at Ulta, but I've seen it in the drugstore as well.  It isn't meant to be a dry shampoo- you can use it after you get done shampooing and blow drying and it will give you great lift at the roots!!!  I have used it at times instead of the baby powder.

Another thing that helps with time saving is the classic bun~ I will always love the bun from my days of dance lessons~ I love a classic bun.

Read more about these celeb buns at MORE

They consider it the ultimate anti-aging hairstyle

http://www.more.com/beauty/hair/ultimate-anti-aging-hairstyle?roadblock=true

Head over to Elle and check out the top hairstyles for fall

http://www.elle.com/beauty/hair/fall-2012-hair-trends?src=sem&mag=elm&dom=out#slide-1

OR if all else fails put a hat on it....OR one of these....I'm digging them

Cheers