The Cats

We took Pierre home with us over Christmas break and I got some great pictures of him...as well as the other cats of the house.  Mickey and DoodleBug belong to Joshua's parents but they all had a great time playing together.  Here are just a few of the pictures I captured.

Handsome Pierre.

Mickey, curled up on the cat climber.

Pierre and Mickey playing.

DoodleBug..love her.

Cleaning.

Playing hide-and-go-seek with Mickey on the cat tower.

DoodleBug knocking off the flamingo.  She doesn't like it sitting up.

bahaha..happy kitty.

tired kitty about to pass out with one leg hanging off the ledge.

Cats have so much personality..glad I was able to capture a little bit of each of them.

The New Year thus far

I have been busy busy busy since returning to Dallas after our wonderful holiday break in Tennessee. Work has been pretty busy, still feel like I am playing catch up...slowly feeling like I'm getting back to normal. January is a big month for the Y, with everyone looking for a gym to support their New Year's resolutions of losing weight. But the Y is more than a gym. We are a non-profit working to strengthen the foundation of our community. So, every January we kick off our annual Partner's Campaign. The money raised goes right back into supporting our community. So, in addition to the normal work day, we work extra hard to raise money for the families, children, and seniors we serve. No one is turned away from the Y due to financial constraints.

Like all of those individuals coming into the Y to start leading a healthier lifestyle, I have some resolutions of my own. I have a pretty good handle on the workout aspect of a healthy lifestyle...it's more the dietary portion I struggle with. My goal is to cook at home more and to cook wholesome foods with more veggies. I have also committed myself to running the Nashville 1/2 marathon in April. I am currently running about 5 miles consistently so I'm well on my way.

I have two more things that I want to accomplish in 2011. I got an art easel for Christmas and I would like to be more creative and create one piece of art a month. I think that's pretty do-able.

And lastly, I want to remain more positive. Like the saying goes, "don't sweat the small stuff." I am aiming to let the little things go and focus on all the things that make me happy (Joshua, friends, family, art, running, cooking, etc).

So here is to a wonderful year. What are your goals to making the most of 2011?

-Milli

Tender Tennessee Christmas

Joshua and I have been blessed to have an extended vacation this year.  We're spending a full week back home in Tennessee and it has been absolutely glorious.  We received a light snow Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...making it a White Tennessee Christmas!  We've had the opportunity to make several drives through the country-side...something that has always been dear to our hearts.  Josh and I used to take long drives when we were dating..absorbing our surroundings and the nature just outside our windows. 

We went to Christmas Eve Service with Joshua's parents at Brentwood UMC, and the service was beautiful.  This was the church I grew up in...but prior to this year, I have only been to their Christmas Eve Service once..and that was the year my sister was born.  So...this was only the second Christmas I've ever spent in Tennessee.  Christmas day was spent with Joshua's extended family.  We had a delicious brunch at his parent's house with the family and then went over to Grandmother and Grandfather's for Christmas dinner.  I love hanging out with his family.  We all get along really well and have a good time hanging out and catching up.

We'll be here through New Year's but haven't decided yet what we'll doing.  Old Crow Medicine Show is playing at the Ryman...but obviously already sold out.  That's what we get for dealying our decision making. 

Pierre has been getting along really well with the other cats of the house (Harley, Doodlebug, and Mickey).  They have had fun getting to know one another, chasing each other, and playing.  Pierre, I'm sure, has had fun with all the extra space..and STAIRS!  It's been really fun to watch him interact.  We're just afraid he'll be depressed when we head back to Dallas with no friends for him to play with during the day.

Ok..off to relax some more.  I'll post pictures when I get back to Dallas.

Free Christmas Music

Yes..that is right.  There is free Christmas Music provided by none other than...

Target!

You get a bunch of tracks absolutely free.  Now..who doesn't love something free?  And what better free thing can there be?

.....Ok, don't answer that last question as I'm sure one could think of a lot bigger, shinier, better free things.

But with all that said, free Christmas music is always a plus.  So, get your fanny over to the Target  site and download until your heart's content.  Cheers!

(The below song is one of the featured songs on said free Christmas album.)

Holiday Tradition and Cheer

Christmas music, Caramel Apple Cider from Starbucks, and making my Christmas cards...not too much can beat that!  Friday night I got to do all of these things all at once!

I'm not going to post a picture of the final product..as I don't want to ruin the Christmas Card surprise!  But..they do incorporate the stamps in the right of the picture.  This year I learned to emboss.  I must say, the process is pretty cool.  I've been working on embossing the cards and addressing envelopes.  I'm a good 1/2 way through.  

Last year I got my card idea from Martha Stewart.  I used grosgrain ribbon to make Christmas trees on the front. Go to Martha Stewart.com for other ideas.

Mine looked similar to the one on the top  left.

This years idea came from Paper Source.  They had an embossing demonstration at the store and they had a great selection of stamps so I thought..why not! They have a lot of really cool gift ideas, on top of great card supplies.  Check them out at Paper Source.com

I guess you could say making my Christmas cards is a holiday tradition.  What is a holiday tradition that you look forward to every year?