Bitter Sweet...

*Christmas 2010*

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As so many families prepare for this special day and everything it represents, looking forward to spending time with family and friends, our family did the same. This year, it was a bit different though. As much as we were looking forward to being together, our thoughts were... this will be the last Christmas where it's just OUR family as we've always known it to be.. for in just a few short weeks, another will be added to the family. Don't take me wrong, we will welcome him, it's just that life has reached that phase for our family where the youngest will be married. It still seems sooo weird at times, but all so true still !

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We've attempted to take many, many pictures, while capturing moments that we will hold dearly in the years to come.

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Ash and I were also scheduled to work this Christmas holiday and were both priviledged to get clearance from having to go in. This meant the world to me, as we were able to be present for the "Myers" side Christmas in the evening.

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Love You both.. and thanks so much for all the hard work

that is put into making Christmas what it is for our family.

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My dearest sisters.. and Rumple :)

Thanks for ALL the wonderful gifts this year, and for being 2 very special people in my life that I can call... "My Sisters."

And.. Rumple.. He always enjoys opening his gifts too..:)

Here's just a few snapshots of family with one of their gifts from me this year...

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This year, Mom was in charge of hosting Christmas dinner for the Myers' clan:) and what a delicious meal that she prepared... I love Mom's home cooking and baking..

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And then... some gift giving and games.

It truly was a Merry Christmas....:)

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CDCF Christmas Party 2010

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This represents our 3rd Christmas party with the group.

Lots of food, fun times, and a Christmas movie, is usually in order, which we did. :)

We also added in a mini "Chinese Grab bag" of gift cards for whoever wanted to participate! We had 5 participants and gift cards from Starbucks, Sears/Kmart, Friendlys, Panera Bread and Golden Coralle were brought. I was actually impressed that we had no duplicates!!!

:)

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Preperations

Christmas preperations ...

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I hesitated putting this first shot up, as I know it's quite silly, but ya have to know I was extrememly excited to have bought my very own FIRST tree!!

I went with the mindset of looking for a 5-6 footer, and came home with a 7 1/2 footer :)

Since set up, I think its just the perfect size..

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Every year, by anything Ive heard, my apartment complex donates toys for children to some sort of organization. This year it happens to be for the Children at Albany Medical Hospital. I thought it was a great idea myself, and jumped on the banwaggon:) I also bought for the City Mission locally as our CDCF group did last year. It's been a real pleasure to buy, even a few things that will hopefully help make someones Christmas a bit brighter, by eleviating the financial pressure for those that truly are unable to provide for their families. Mind you, I could go on a little speal about people that technically could afford things, but rely on others for stability... Anyways, I trust they can help make a difference.



This past Tuesday, I attended a Christmas party where we each were to bring an ornament to exchange, at the minimum of 10.00, through a Chinese Grab bag. These are the 2 VERY CUTE ornaments that I recieved in return. They are "Gingerbread " ornaments..

As we continue to prepare for the holidays... lets always remember the TRUE meaning of Christmas!

I Can't Believe it...

I can't believe it!

My youngest sister is to be married in less than 2 months.

This past saturday we hosted a bridal shower for her at one of her closest friends' parents house with nearly 40 people in attendance. We had an enjoyable time with family and friends :)

SOO many snapshots to choose from..and SOO many good ones left out.

* The Bride-To -Be*

Mothers of the bride-to-be and groom-to-be!
Mom with her girls:)

Ashley's bridal party

Ash & the Martin sisters

Ash LOVES candy.. ALL sorts of candy.. so we decided to incooporate an assortment of candies into our favor boxes..M&Ms, gummy bears, starbursts, and sixlets. These are some of her favorites. With the favor boxes set behind... we allowed everyone to fill their own!

Some decorations that I did...

Cousins :)

Cousins..

these cuties will be the flower girls in the wedding!

More family..

Who can create a wedding dress out of toilet paper? We were split into teams.. and this is what each team created.. Rachel was Ashhley's winning choice!

All in all, a good time..

Thanks to each of you that came !!!

Progress & Debates

I have been extremely excited to finally have some end tables and a coffee table

to call my own.. Looks may be a bit decieving, as this weighs a TON- each and every piece.

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Bought these, but all the while doubted how they'd look with my decor.

I just cant figure out how to tweak it enough to look right.. so I've about decided to.........


....and take them back for my in store credit :( !

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Hmm... look familiar...?

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And, for curtains... Im confused as ever! I cant find "right " shades of colors.. or find there's too much of patterns in something with very similar colors. It's not just colors, but styles.. looking for the RIGHT style.

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So, thats my glimpse Im sharing...:) Im sooo far from done, but every little bit counts.

It's amazing how time passes...

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I cannot believe its been nearly 5 months since I've moved out on my own. What a journey to experience! I've learned so much about independance, managing finances, coordinating meals, organizing amd maintaining a place to call home, as much as "there is NO place like home," decorating, hosting for groups of people, etc. I truly feel that I have grown as an individual.

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This week, I have been blessed to have several days off from work, well unplanned days off, due to the decrease in census. I especially love when they are in a row.. as it was this week. I have had several projects Ive been wanting, attempting at times, to start or complete... and have been able to develop some of these during my time off. It truly has been a busy week, but well worth the time and effort.

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I've thought about giving some "under construction" sneak peeks.. but have decided to keep my snap shots to myself for now, as its hard to present something that is sooo far from done. Now, now... dont get some big ideas that Im transforming my place into something major, because thats just not the case. Im just attempting to find the perfect accents for the perfect angle and spot! Im debating some added color to walls, furniature, etc. too!

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...This is truly fun... but it all takes time.

*Liberty Ridge Farm*

Every once in a while, our CDCF group will get together and go on an outing, and tonight was to a corn maze with other activities included. We invited people from outside the group to join, all carpooling from different locations and meeting there prior to 6pm. We were told if no one was there by 6, they would be closing for the night ( especially during the week hours... as fewer people seem to show ) There are 2 corn mazes, one of which on weekends is haunted, while the other one isnt. It seems that as much as the one wouldnt be haunted, you would hear enough screams etc echoing throughout the maze regardless. Luckily, I didnt have to deal with all that..

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The corn maze was actually fairly large in size, and found that we got turned around MANY times.

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Throughout the maze you would find numbers 1 - 10 ( even though we somehow skipped over several) and at that point were given a question to answer. Depending on what was answered, depended on which direction the paper told you to go... even still with the RIGHT answer... we seems to get turned around !

Here was part of my group... attempting to read the question to determine an answer.

We all had a great time..all 12 of us, I believe.

Cider donuts, drinks, and fellowship to follow.