Christmas Movie Checklist

If you celebrate Christmas, you have a favorite (or two) Christmas movie. There are so many movies to watch in such little time; only 15 days till Christmas and some much holiday viewing to check off the list.

Checklist:
Prancer
All I want for Christmas
Christmas Carol (Jim Carey version)
White Christmas
Holiday Inn
Christmas Vacation
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Santa Claus
Little Women (not really a "Christmas" movie, but appropriate)
While You Were Sleeping
Charlie Brown Christmas
Miracle on 34th Street
Fred Claus
It's a Wonderful Life
Elf
Home Alone
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Grinch
Polar Express
Frosty the Snowman
The Holiday
Love Actually
Harry Potters (even though they are "Christmas"- I like to watch a few)
The Saint
Pride and Prejudice 
Lord of the Rings- watched all but The Return of the King


I think I might have to double-up! I'm probably missing some of my favorites, but this will have to do. Do you have any favs to add to the list? Let me know.

Fashion Resolutions

When I look at my cluttered closet and see impulse buys I know that I must make some major changes!

I often go with the standard black or brown color scheme. But I have seven black skirts of different varieties hanging in my closet. Where's the risky salmon colored skinny jeans or electric blue heels I have been lusting over? Instead of purchasing another "safe" black piece, why not go for the splash of color ? Color can liven up an old outfit or make a statement.

My husband would agree that there's a good possibility that my closet has a black hole. Sweaters, cardigans, summer tank tops go missing for months, even a year. Suddenly that shirt comes back into my life and I think, "I survived this long without it…but can I really throw it out?" So, I'll say goodbye to my black hole clothes. If I haven't missed an item of clothing during two seasons it will go in the donation bag. Why hold on to something for the "just in case" when another could wear it today? I'm sure my husband will be happy to remind me of this resolution.

I will not buy something just because it is on sale! I'm a huge sucker for the sale rack, the 20%, and the buy one get on ½ off, etc. Don't get me wrong, sales are heavenly. However, I often find myself purchasing simply for the sole reason that it is a good deal and not because I need it or even really want it. In 2012, I will only go to said sales when I need something. Otherwise, it will probably be sucked into that black hole.

Instead of roaming sales and blowing my budget on less needed items, I will do two things to satisfy that desire for a new look. First, update my outfit with accessories. I could go cheap or hit the sales to find that perfect new necklace or clutch to bring new life into an old look. Second, I will use that saved money from untraveled sales to purchase one pair of fabulous shoes I have been coveting. Shoes don't go unnoticed and a fun, risky pair only makes you feel sexy and trendy.

I hereby resolve to follow these simple, yet realistic fashion goals so that 2012 will be a much happier year for me, my closet, and my wallet.

Dallas/Ft Worth Christmas Guide

As we recover from Black Friday and our glutinous ways, thoughts of Christmas will come to mind. The Dallas/Fort Worth area has plenty to offer those seeking to fulfill the Christmas spirit- whether it be a desire to view spectacular Christmas lights, participate in Christmas activities, or watch Christmas shows. Whether young or old, there is something for you this holiday season.

Holiday checklist item #1- View Christmas lights and participate in Christmas activities :

If you do not want to travel far for a good display of lights you may want to consider cruising through these neighborhoods:

1. The city of Farmers Branch welcomes visitors from 6:30-9:30 each evening beginning at I-35E and Valley View. The 300,000 light show is free, but donations are gladly accepted (http://www.ci.farmers-branch.tx.us/).

2. The 4th annual Christmas in the Square in Frisco allows you to enjoy the outside ice rink which is open now through January 8, 2012 for only $10 with skate rental in addition to viewing the dazzling lights (http://www.lightsonice.com/home for more information).

3. The kids will love the interactive window displays outside of downtown Dallas' Neimann Marcus. Call 214-741-6911 for more details.

4. Holiday in the Park at Six Flags over Texas is always a fun way to spend an evening with family or friends. Head over to Arlington and take a walk through a Texan style winter wonderland.

If you want to provide the full Christmas experience for your child, or the child within, take a short ride to Lindale, TX just north of Tyler where you can travel through 24 acres of Santa's Land for $20 a car starting at 6 PM (http://www.santalandtexas.com/).

Holiday checklist item #2- Christmas shows

1. Fair Park Music Hall will perform the classic, A Christmas Carol for three days, December 16, 17, 18. Tickets range from $17-$59 (http://www.liveatthemusichall.com/index.shtm).

2. You don't want to miss The Nutcracker this season. The Texas Ballet Theatre will perform at the Winspear Opera House from November 25- December 4 and Fort Worth's beautiful Bass Performance Hall from December 9-24 (http://www.texasballettheater.org/?q=node/2). Dallas Children's Theater will bring Tchaikovsky's masterpiece to life with puppets and special effects that the children will be sure to love. Performances run from November 26- December 22 at the Robyn Flatt Studio Theater off Skillman Street in Dallas. Check the Dallas Children's Theater website for more information (https://www.dct.org/info/info_master.php).


Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Keep Calm and Write On

Luke recently went on a trip, leaving me at home alone for 4 nights and 3 days. I love my husband, but I was a little excited about all the time I would have to accomplish the many projects I wanted to tackle. One of these things was to write more. But I should have known better. Two things prevented this fantasy from occurring. First, other things came up throughout the day that seemed more important than writing and once the sun goes down, it seems my brain does too. Secondly, I seemed to have forgotten a little 3 week training I had in June which focused on writing. During the class, I found that it is important to write for yourself. It can be fruitless if you write about a topic you have no interest in. When I opened up my Word document and tried to think of what to write, I thought in terms of "What should I write to fit ____." I wasn't sitting to write for myself but another entity. It just didn't work. I stared at the screen with that little flashing line teasing me. So, I turned on Netflix and selected a show I thought might light something magical within my brain. That didn't work. Frustrated, I shut my computer down and drown my sorrows in the show on my TV.

I know that I am not a fantastic writer, but I do love to write. Ever since I was little, I have written stories (mostly unfinished which is a bit of a problem) and poems simply because it feels freeing. Somewhere along the way my love for writing turned into a dream to be published. This dream has taken over the freeing aspect and now rules my writing. Finally I realized that I cannot write for publication. It's too much pressure to write FOR someone else and give the publishing company what they are looking for. When I read about authors explain how they wrote a certain story, they never say, "Well, I wanted to write and so I picked Little Brown Books and wrote a novel based on what they published." How could I, then, write a story this way? This was not even a thought when I was little and back then I seemed to write little stories every month. It was all because I loved it. I wrote for myself. 

When I left my class in June, I made a promise to myself that I would share what I learned with my students. Now after my own experience with the frustration of writing, I have renewed that promise. 

So, I will just breath and tell myself (and my students): Keep Calm and Write On

The Big Bowl

Dallas been counting down the days until Super Bowl 2011. Each morning as a I drink my coffee, the news shares some piece of information about the sacred event. I admitted to my husband that I didn't know why it was such a huge deal. Yes, it is pretty cool that I live in the city (well, technically the game is in Arlington) who is hosting celebrities, football players, and fans from around the nation. However, I fail to realize the extent of the importance this game has on my life.

Police and security services will be increasing due to the fact that prostitution and drug rings will be out in full force. Thanks Super Bowl! Oh, so crime will rise and us natives will have to resort to staying home a few days prior to the game to prevent ourselves from going crazy with the idiots on the road and tourists crowding our best hot-spots.

You are probably thinking, "Wow, she is a poor hostess. Not to mention a bit of a pessimist." I will not deny it. But think about this: Our "precious" Dallas Cowboys had an embarrassing start to their 2010 season and failed to fully recover. It would mean something different if Dallas had had a shot to play in the Super Bowl. It would be a party for us, too. Instead, we have to sit back and allow the fans of another football club take over our city as we try not to let ourselves go crazy.

bye-bye bloating

Success! I completed my 4 day anti-bloating regime. Now on to "real" food containing more enjoyable items! Even though I do not have to drink my 2 quarts of "sassy water," I am doing my best to drink the same amount of water (and keep it up). It is a little more difficult now that school has start back up (having to pee every 45 minutes simply is not possible). In case you are curious as to my menu, here it is:

Breakfast:

1 slice whole wheat toast with 1 Tbsp natural peanut butter topped with half of a banana, sliced and I washed it down with 1 cup of almond soy milk.

lunch:

2 cups spinach with 1/4 cup mushrooms, 1 Tbsp reduced fat feta cheese, 3 oz. grilled chicken, and 1 apple. (It was muy delicioso!!)

snack:

fat free vanilla yogurt with cinnamon and 1 Tbsp almonds

Dinner:

1/3 cup whole wheat penne pasta, 3 oz. grilled chicken, 1 Tbsp pesto sauce sprinkled with some chopped tomatoes and parmesan cheese. One the side, 3/4 cup blueberries.

It might seem like alot of food (which helps trick the mind when consuming) but the portions are much smaller than I am used to. It is sad to say that I probably used to eat twice (or three) times as much pasta. But what can I say, I'm Italian?? Due to the anti-bloat 4 day diet, my mind is prepared for not overeating and it's semi-comfortable with the fact that I don't have to have that dip that someone brought it to work or the left-over Christmas cookies sitting in the teachers lounge. I'm not saying I was an overindulgent eater ALL the time, but I did (and still working on it) have the problem of thinking, "Eh, I won't eat that much" or "It's not really gonna hurt me." Before I realized it though, I would have eaten many 2-3 extra 300 calorie snacks each day. As I am learning to eat better and create smaller portions for myself, I am truly trying to prepare my body for a new lifestyle or healthy snacking with the right portions and the right amount.

I am lucky enough to have an amazing husband who has decided to use a lot of his paycheck to go toward groceries just for my healthy eating diet. Since we have not always had the money we were not able to eat healthy all the time. So, Luke suggested that I get what I need and he would get separate food that would cost less. He is sacrificing a lot for me!! But it has given me more motivation because I have someone so invested in my personal goal. Yay to the husband!

Day 2

Flat Belly Diet: Day 2, January 2, 2011

Much better day! Not nearly as hungry or tired, although I did lounge around quite a bit again. I packed away all evidence of Christmas and replaced it with spring. The afternoon was spent creating a weeks worth of meals! It took much longer than antcipated, but oh well : )

While looking through my book, I was reminded once again that this 4 day anti-bloating regime will come to an end. Reading about real food was refreshing and I cannot wait to go shopping!

I will keep in mind that my new season will be THINNER!

Day 1

Flat Belly Diet: Day 1, January 1, 2011

Here's to another year! Started my 4 day anti-bloating diet. I toted around my "sassy water" in a 2 liter pitcher and pre-proportioned meals to Kamille's apartment. My (in)famous dancing skillz got me a high score on the Wii, I renewed my love to the Disney Channel, and laughed about silly putty with my little sis and our niece.

After a long day of peeing every 45 minutes, I am exhausted! However, it is well worth the effort (right?) and despite feeling a tad lethargic all day due to no coffee, it will pay off! So when I took my last swig of "sassy water" for the night I rejoiced in the fact that I only have 3 more days of madness!!