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Good morning. Where I am it is 6:44 am, the house is quiet and the sun technically hasn’t risen yet. The picture above is the one in my head of what cold winter mornings should look like. While I am feeling warm and cozy, I have been wide awake in my bed since 5:15. Amazing how on the days I have to get up for work I can’t get up and on the days I want to sleep I’m bright eyed and bushy tailed. Cruel irony if you ask me, but here I am.

I’m awake but I am still a bit foggy, trying to organize my thoughts. I’m not a coffee drinker so it takes a little bit of time. There are a variety of studies on the benefits of early risers from health benefits to being more successful and happy in life. And though I dont always get a chance, or really make it a priority, I can see the benefit.

Right now I am taking a few extra minutes to plan out my day. I’m not being rushed out of bed by an alarm just to hop in the shower and go go go. I am setting my intentions like so many authors/speakers say and ill even add in a few minutes of meditating. Meditating is a practice truly because you have to bring back your thoughts to breathing, to calm and not let them slip into chores, tasks, work, drama etc. Reflecting or meditating is best for me at sunrise or sunset, sunset more common lol. Watching the glow and feeling the warmth and light enriches the soul.

Not needing to be anywhere til 9, I have a whole extra hour to do another lesson in an investment course I am enrolled in. Early risers can take that extra hour and better themselves. It could be any number of things from hitting the gym to self improvement reading, checking the stocks, studying etc. I have a few things I am working on. I am taking an investment class because right now the economy and our financial future isn’t looking bright. I am still reading The Magic of Thinking Big and it is giving me inspiration for where I want to be and new things I want to achieve. This time of year I am trying to focus on being thankful for the things I have. And, oh yeah, trying to make sure I keep this blog up 🙂

My flaws at this moment do include my lack of early morning work outs. So many advantages for getting up and hitting the gym or the treadmill first thing. You get that endorphin buzz after a work out that keeps you moving and feeling good for hours after. since you are awake longer you will also burn more calories throughout the day. And sometimes its really tough, when you just aren’t feeling up to it, to jut get it over and move on with your day. It’s good for your mood, your, heart and blood flow, your overall health. I struggle with work out consistency because I am at work by 6 everyday and to get up at 4 to work out is extremely hard for me. But then again trying to pump myself up for a work it after a long day when I am ready for relaxing and dinner, doesn’t always work either. So I add in Saturday workouts at 9, which is where I have to be.

Clearly I haven’t gotten it all figured out. Habits, routines, better sleeping are all things that could help put me on my early risers plan to success. But I am a real person and I have real struggles. And you know what? It’s ok. I am lucky that I have been given this day to get up with the sun and try again today to make things happen. Everyday is an opportunity whether you get up at 5 am or 2 pm. Always strive to be a better you. I promise to do that and tell you about all the bumps along the way. 🙂

I’m not going to miss a day but this is super short. I’m at a holiday party and it’s one of the busiest shopping weekends left of the year. But I was scrolling and saw this. To all of those who can only do the basic, or the little stuff. Let me remind me you it is enough!! Never feel bad or embarrassed to give your best no matter how small.

This makes my 10th post in a row. And today I have nothing but crickets bouncing around in my brain. The middle of the week is usually pretty quiet for me. I might Uber for a few hours after work or go cook dinner for the bf. I like to try to relax and read or watch some tv. But this weekend is where the fun begins.

Holiday parties have begun. I’m only going to go to two this season. A coworker has a PJ holiday party at Home Plate Bar & Grill tomorrow night. The second one is my boyfriend’s annual friend Christmas party. I was going to go for a look a bit more sexy Santa but I decided to go for cute and comfy. I bought theses on amazon of course. I showed my sister and now her and my brother in law are getting matching pjs too. One big snuggly family.

Ill get some slippers or UGG boots out, add some pigtails and some Christmasy make up and head out. Hopefully a cup of cheer (Jack Daniels shot) will be waiting for me. I’m also going to go get my toes in the holiday spirit before hand, not that they will be seen but yay for me time!

Saturday night isn’t Christmas related but it is going to be date night! Weeks in the making, we have our tickets for Avatar: The Way of Water. It’s been a long time since the first one came out. I might watch the first one tonight just as a refresher for the new one. We picked the IMAX 3D showing, I always get a bit of a headache from 3D but I’m still excited. Not to mention I am hoping for either Master Kims which is Korean BBQ or Ramen for dinner before. I’m cravin’ Asian lol

Sunday I am squeezing in some more family time to watch football and go Christmas shopping. Both of which I am looking forward to but I doubt you want all the details for that. I am hoping in my activities tomorrow Ill come up with some food fr though or something interesting to share. But for now I hope that as this slow week has finally gotten to Friday, you have some exciting things planned. And if not who knows what serendipitous activities are headed your way! Ill have a shot for you at the bar to kick things off!

No we did not go see him today but I think I might make a trip to go see him this weekend at Bass Pro Shoppes. The thing is I dont have any kids. And it might not be age appropriate for me to sit on Santa’s lap. But going on an outing to meet good ole St Nick did cross my mind today.

You see a friend of mine and I chat during work using Marco Polo. It’s an app that basically lets you send video messages. So she sends me a video that I can respond to when I have a chance. It’s basically video voicemail. Anyway, she lives inn Colorado and its our way to keep in touch about what our weeks hold. She was telling me that yesterday she took her 6 month old to see Santa. He wasn’t very impressed or amused, just kind of sat there like “now what?’. The way she explained it made me giggle.

I was thinking about kids and my mind wandered to my Boyfriend and my dog Kona. Lots of time to figure out kids for the future but right now Kona is my baby. She’s a spoiled brat of a dog, even more so now that the boyfriend and his mom are sneaking her extra treats. Boyfriend thinks he can train her not to be so barky. Lets just say its a work in progress. We are taking her out more and socializing her more so maybe in time she will be good. A good girl so we can get dressed up in our Christmas jammies and go see Santa. This is her in one of her Christmas sweaters. isn’t she cute?

I’m sure I am not the only one to take their pet to see Santa. So anyone have suggestions or tips to make it a fun, easy, happy dog process? Anyone have an fun pictures they would like to share? I am going to see if boyfriend wants to have a Santa date. Ill post if we get Kona with the big man. Could be a great photo op 🙂

WARNING! Santa pun coming. I’m writing this post about tonight’s Christmas activities and ill just finish it in the “nick” of time. I know, bad right? Lol. Moving on. Tonight I went over to my moms house for a bit of Christmas fun. I initiated it of course, mainly because I thought the 12 days of Christmas was a countdown to Christmas Day. Nope. If you are surprised too I’ll fill you in before we get to the fun.

I wanted to post a picture of a 12 day calendar, and I was doing my fact check that it starts today the 13th but in fact the 12 days of Christmas starts Christmas Day. Straight from Google “ The 12 days of Christmas is the period in Christian theology that marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men. It begins on December 25 (Christmas) and runs through January 6 (the Epiphany, sometimes also called Three Kings’ Day.” Growing up in a Christian home I feel kind f silly not knowing this. Anyway there is your fun fact for today.

This Auntie can’t miss out on an opportunity to make cookies and memories. Or maybe I just like to make messes, who knows? I stopped by Smith’s after work and grabbed two packages of pre made sugar cookie dough. I was planning to make homemade last night but as I mentioned I wasn’t feeling well. I took that, my Christmas cutters and sprinkles for decoration to moms house. My nephew is 5 and can’t focus too long on a “project” so skipping straight to roll and cut was a much better idea.

That kid got flour everywhere. So much that he kept saying he was itchy. But he sat there with me and rolled the dough out all by himself. I helped a bit with the stamped cookies. Getting them from the cutting board to the baking sheet in one piece was tricking since he made them really thin or really thick. We wont be selling them at any bake sale but we had fun sneaking bites of dough while grandma wasn’t looking. Grandma even helped.

Getting to the frosting/sprinkles will have to be a task for me later. As a whole, just getting them all cooked was a tremendous feat with a 5 year old. He had no trouble though getting popcorn and candy with all of us to sit and watch a Christmas movie. Dad made us stove top popcorn, he has to have a snack if he has to watch these movies “again”.

First we watched Santa Clause is coming to Town! Classic claymation, good old Christmas.My nephew like me loved Topper the Penguin. Definitely add it to your list if you haven’t seen it. We followed it up with Tim Allen’s The Santa Clause, which I am sure everyone has seen. I am still waiting to find out how to prevent Santa from falling off a roof. If you know you know. Lol

I am just about ready for bed. One day down of my 12 days. What will I be up to next you ask? Time will tell but I can say I do not have Christmas activities planned for the next 12. I have a party here and there but not cookies or movies every night til the big day. One night with family a week for fun is working for me right now. Cut out some time and some cookies with yours, it will be a blast!

Today I have been a bit off. Just not quite feeling myself. But rather than miss a day of my last 25 days of 2022, I will just make this a quick post.

Not exactly an avid reader, no floor to ceiling bookshelves or stacks by the bed, but I do read a good amount. I mix self help with business and romance, which I am sure some of you have heard me say before. I rotate through, sometimes needing a break from the book I am on. Distracted and all that.

At the end of the year, I always take a look and see where I started and think about where I am going. I have been moving forward but now I think it’s more than time to take it to the next level. So I grabbed and oldie but a goodie. The Magic of Thinking Big.

https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Magic-of-Thinking-Big-Audiobook/B015EXHPCI?qid=1670911685&sr=1-1&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=KSEK5A2KK2P9W4CMCZDZ

I have been listening to it on Audible while I am at work. It’s about changing the narrative in your mind and knowing that you can get to where you want to be. Attitude and belief really are the keys. Clearly I am still working on this but even as I write this blog I have started to think bigger picture. Who can I reach? What can I offer to someone? One day will me efforts in business be successful? What do I consider successful?

Anyway if it is not this book that sparks your interest, there are more out there. Be the author of your life, your story, your dreams. Don’t sit back and be a b-roll character, be the main act!!

Not sure what part of the country you guys are in but I am a home grown native in Las Vegas Nevada. Today is one of my favorite types of days, few and far between. Outside it is 54 degrees, rainy and overcast. perfect day for getting all bundled up in front of a tv football game with a blanket and some hot chocolate.

I can ever really seem to sleep in. Five day work weeks of 5 am up and at ‘em just keeps me from being able to sleep past 7. But I did take my time this morning, finally getting up at 8. Just so happens that Boyfriend was feeling like breakfast so I got my cozy sweater and we Sunday brunched. The poor waitress was all by herself with a full dining room and we made sure to tell her we were in no rush. Now, more than anytime of year, I feel for anyone in food or retail. We left a little extra even though it took some time to get everything. Spread a little love.

I am always a go, go, go type of person, but this weekend I am taking a bit of time to relax and enjoy. Yesterday the universe was working against me with my Uber and Instacart side hustles. low paying routes, difficult shops. So instead I ended up at the mall working on my Christmas list and just spending the day wandering. Still debating on presents but I did decide on little party favors.

As my dog sleeps soundly in my blanket, I am here putting together Christmas take out boxes. I stopped into Hobby Lobby (dangerous I know) and I got festive boxes. Then I went into Walmart to get cocoas and candies for each. I got Rudolph snack mix for my family and the boyfriend’s family will get mini shots of Bailey’s. Ill close the lids and add some bows and everyone will have a little cup of cheer. The idea was on the link below.

The hours are ticking away getting closer to Monday, just like the play clock on the San Fran game I am watching. But I am snuggled up and taking it easy on this winter Sunday. Probably will turn on a Hallmark after this and maybe make some warm yummy soup for dinner. Wherever you are today, hopefully you can have a bit of downtime and enjoy the cozy vibes I am putting out there for you! Cheers!

When its quiet and the chores are done and your boss has already left the building, what do you do? Head out out early, that’s what. 🙂 Now dont go thinking that I have “when the cats away…” attitude. I checked if it was ok first. But it means now that my weekend has started early. And it is a rare occasion that this particular weekend I have no plans whatsoever.

I think it might be the universe might be trying to tell me to slow down. The last two weeks have seemed to be alright but have gone by so slowly. Today was the same way. Since I really have no place to be and I’m not sleepy enough for an afternoon nap, I am going to make a batch of cookies. This the season for sweets and sweaters.

Sugar cookies are a favorite of mine of course because you can roll them out ant cut shapes, decorate and the dough is so tasty when you sneak a bit. The down side is that they take hours. Almost like you have to plan one day to make the dough, one day to cut and bake and a fun night of decorating. Today the extra Christmas fun decorating energy isn’t there for me but the sweet tooth is.

Cookie of choice today is Oatmeal Cranberry Walnut. Cranberry because it does come around this time of year and I am definitely a lover of nuts in cookies. The recipe is simple just add it all together in the right steps and bam!, you’ve got yumminess hot and fresh from the oven. I have the recipe in the link below but I have a few tips.

Oatmeal cookies are easy but I depending on your butter, rising agent and oven they could spread really thin or they can burn. So I have three steps I do to make sure I eat my cookies nice and chewy. One: I add about a 1/4 cup extra flour if the butter is softened or melted. It helps to adjust the spread of the cookie on the sheet. Two: I use a bit less of the baking powder or baking soda that make the cookies rise. If they rise or bubble too fast they can spread or burn from being uneven. And three: I always do one tester cookie before I scoop the whole batch onto the baking sheet. If the cookie stays true, meaning it cooked even and doesn’t spread all over the sheet, then I get to scooping. If not I add just a bit more flour and try gain.

I admit to not being a pastry chef. These are just my tips, not to be confused for Betty Crocker instructions. But I have mixed and baked plenty of batches that have turned a cookie into a cake as the spread from butter. And I have also had cookies that I have sold to friends that couldn’t get enough of them. So true if you dare.

Ooh ooh and I recommend listening to Christmas music or turning on a Hallmark Christmas Movie in the background so while you have cookies in the oven you are also entertained. Any Candice Cameron Bure movie works for me haha!

If you are thinking that I have won something, you would be wrong. The take away is the chicken dinner lol. You ever just get in the mood the cook? You think of a meal and if it isn’t something that you can order you got get the stuff and light the stove?

Well there have been a few different options rolling round in my mind. I caved to a craving for Shepherds pie and got on of the big ones from Costco Other than the mushrooms I would say I was satisfied. I have also been in the mood for a a real pot roast with potatoes and carrots. That one came from an Instacart shop that I was doing. Their list was for that meal.

For tonight’s dinner though I dont have a slow cooker prepping for hours or a time for a 15 step meal. So chicken is on the menu. When I have a thought about what’s for dinner, I turn to Pinterest. I found a baked chicken chicken recipe that uses Panko, bread crumbs and Parmesan. Who doesn’t like crispy chicken? The steps seem easy ad quick enough. But I can’t only serve the boyfriend chicken. We are going for a balanced meal here.

I enjoy cooking for my man. We don’t live together so when we get to have dinner its a treat and something nice to do for him. He is UPS and these days the work days are long. Anyways I was thinking along the lines of easy and he mentioned the other night that he likes red potatoes. I do too and they are so simple. Wash, boil, mash and season. I put ranch dip mix in mine for a bit of extra flavor.

Last but not least we need some green things in our diet. I am going to skip the prep and go right for a bag of frozen broccoli and cauliflower. Keep things easy where you can. I found a Pinterest recipe for roasted veggies. From the bag to the tray and on to the plate.

I’m not going to hold you up too long because I’ve also go to go enjoy the meal. But I encourage you to go search thru new recipes, or even the classics that you know and love. Find a friend, a family member, a partner and dish up some yummy goodness and have fun making a few messes along the way. Enjoy!!

It’s the season of wonder, the season of magic. Christmas and child like wonder. Who isn’t inspired or more hopeful when its this time of year? I dont know about you but.I start to feel super excited about everything. The parties, the family time, shopping and even the messes that come from the them.

This year as I am currently renting out a room from a family friend, I dont really have a place to decorate for Christmas. But with family in town, spherically Mom and Dad, I was able to chip in and DIY some Christmas decorating. For years we have been using the same family ornaments to decorate the family tree. I like the tradition of unboxing and looking at the ones we have collected over the years. But, ya know, some new and shiny wouldn’t hurt.

So my sis and I decided that we would do a themed tree this year. We chose to go with a burlap and red theme and we added in some glitter and gold. We made our bows and we even got dad in to arts and craft our new glitter bulb ornaments, like below. We all got to spend time together crafting and even my nephew helped with the cutting and filling our custom ornaments with tinsel.

I am still working on the finishing touches for the overall look and wall decoration. It took a bit of work but we also made these paper stars too hang behind the tree. Missing some more bows and some green garland at the top but this weekend we will finish the last touches. I found the stars on where else but Pinterest. The link for that is below

This is what we have so far. Our little Elf helped us add the star topper. I hope you like it and it gives you ideas for your home. Take a little time to enjoy decorating for the last little bit of the year.