My Favorite Things

I always look forward to Oprah's Favorite Things episode each year. This year was definitely one of the best.....I hope you didn't miss it. I often think about how wonderful it would be to share my favorite luxuries with others. If only I had a billion dollars, then I would most definitely give better gifts. I thought it would be fun to share a list of my favorite things, the items every woman should own. Unfortunately, I can only rarely afford to shower myself with my favorite luxuries.........

1. The Marcus Collection Bath Sheet from Neiman Marcus
    I love the bath sheet! It is like wrapping up in a big, fluffy blanket......definitely one of my favorite things!

2. Ann Taylor gift card  
    I can always find beautiful, professional outfits at Ann Taylor. It is one of my favorite stores!

3. La Mer "The Eye Concentrate"

    I love this! It is a miracle in a bottle!

4. Paula Deen Cookbooks
    I love Southern food & I love Paula Deen. I would love to go on the Paula Deen cruise, departing January  30, 2011.

5. Chanel Chance Parfum

    I have used Chance for years. I can't find anything I like better.

6. J. Crew Perfect-Fit Tee
    It really is the perfect tee.

7. J. Crew Boot-Cut Jean
    I am short, but most petite jeans are too short. J. Crew makes the perfect petite jean.

8. Retin-A cream
    I never go to bed without covering my face in Retin-A. It is a miracle wrinkle killer!

9. Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector
    I have only recently discovered this product, but I love it! I apply to my chest morning and night to improve the years of sun damage. This product really does deliver amazing results. I am very impressed!

10. Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara
      No other cosmetics company can compete with Lancome mascara. It is simply the best.

So.....these are just a few of my favorite things. Do you have any ultimate luxuries you can't live without?







   



Bunco Christmas Party

We battled the risk of an ice storm to meet at La Pena's, a local Mexican restaurant, for our annual Bunco Christmas Party. Thank goodness, no ice..........yet! We had such a nice time and I did remember to take my camera, but no one was in the mood for pictures. I really can't understand why.....everyone looked so pretty tonight. I, of course, was dressed in my usual velour warm-up with Uggs while everyone else looked great. I don't know what is wrong with me.....but it is 28 degrees outside and I have a horrible sinus infection...so I was just not into the effort tonight. Chas had drawn my name and she bought the most perfect gift...a bottle of wine...and a heart attachment for my "Happy Everything" plate. I just loved it! You can never go wrong with wine......it really is the gift that keeps on giving. Thanks Chas!

Now, I am lying on the couch with Robby, watching Smoky Mountain Christmas. The night just keeps getting better!

2011

I know it is hard to believe, but the New Year is quickly approaching and I am already starting to think about my resolutions for 2011....

1. Delete my Facebook account. I know almost everyone in the world uses Facebook, but it is so addictive and TIME CONSUMING. I feel the need to simplify my life. I also feel bad if I decline anyone and now I have all these friends I have never met and would possibly be afraid to meet.

2. Take a Risk. There are so many things I want to accomplish, but fear is an overwhelming obstacle I have never been able to defeat. I want to take a chance in the New Year and do something I have always wanted to do.

3. Post daily on my blog. I started this blog as a means to pour out my emotions and create an online diary. However, time constraints have prevented me from posting very often. I also find myself hiding my true feelings at times. After reading other blog posts, I often compare my life to others. There are so many bloggers who paint the picture of a perfect life, which fosters my desire to post light or happy thoughts in effort to gain acceptance. No one wants to read about a sad, boring day, but I have decided to be completely honest in my future blogs and post the truth no matter how pathetic it may be. I apologize in advance....

4. Exercise daily and tone my abs for the first time ever.  In my younger years, I was actually somewhat athletic and never really had to struggle with my weight or staying fit. However, after a hysterectomy at the age of 25 and the inevitable ugliness of the aging process, I have had a very difficult time controlling abdominal weight gain (I also have a large ass if I am going to be completely honest). I really want to commit to exercising everyday in the new year in effort to be healthier and to tone the ASS and ABS.

5. Make more time for friends and family. I always find it depressing when I realize how long it has been since I have seen or spoken to someone I care about. It is so easy to become enveloped in work, home, marriage, and LIFE. I really want to make a commitment to make more time for others.


So.......these are just a few of my ideas for possible New Year's Resolutions. Have you thought about any changes for 2011?

CHRISTMAS TOUR OF HOMES

I am participating in the Christmas Tour of Homes at Kelly's Korner .

I have already posted most of my Christmas decorating pics, but I thought it would be fun to participate in this week's Show Us Your Life......so......This is my Christmas Decor for 2010.

The Front Entrance

The Staircase

 The Living Room Tree

The Dining Room

The Kitchen

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Grateful For Monday

Let it SNOW! Let it SNOW! Let it SNOW!

We woke up to a Christmas Wonderland this morning and I am so grateful because they actually closed the clinic today! NO WORK! It's a Christmas Miracle!

I am also grateful for my husband. Sometimes, I forget how kind he truly is. Yesterday, he told me he had taken another child's name from the Christmas tree at his work. He said there was only one name left on the tree and he couldn't allow this child to be left out. Robby said he just wanted to get a few things from the child's Christmas wish list. Needless to say, there is now a lucky little boy who will have a new Spider-Man bicycle under his tree. I just wanted to cry when I saw the little bike. I guess that is what Christmas should be about....bringing a smile to someone who needs hope.

Merry Christmas!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas........

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Kentucky! This is the view from outside my front door tonight.......

It is the perfect night for Christmas movies, but my husband is forcing me to watch football! I usually love football, but I am just not in the mood......I am craving Smoky Mountain Christmas. Don't you just love Dolly Parton?

We had a great time last night at my brother and SIL's home. They hosted a "Sip and See" for my beautiful niece, Carsyn. Of course, I forgot my camera. I just hate that I don't have any pictures of Carsyn in her cute, red Christmas dress. I am sure my SIL will post pics soon, so check out her blog at Southern Blonde . My SIL gave me a wonderful gift from Carsyn, a new ornament for my Christmas tree! I added the ornament to my tree as soon as I returned home last night.

The Best Gift Ever!

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I hope everyone is staying warm tonight!......and......I hope you are lucky enough to watch Christmas movies instead of FOOTBALL!!!!!