Out with the old

I’ve been searching for a while for a new look for our room. We’ve had our bedspread for {ahem} several years. Can you tell?? Yes, I started having to wash in hot water because of allergies. The good news is that the allergies aren’t as bad, but the poor fabric just can’t hack it. . .

So the other day I saw a room in BHG and did something that I never do—I looked up in the back of the magazine to find where to buy the bedspread. It is beautiful, no?

Here’s the catch. Yes, did you see the price on that puppy?? Three hundred and fifty smackeroos. {!!!} Seriously, that’s still ninety bucks even if by some miracle I found it for *seventy*five*percent*off* {{Sigh}} Needless to say, it was back to the drawing board for me. So then I began searching for similar fabric to piece together a quilt {or more realistically a duvet cover…}
This one is a possibility:

I could even fork out the 8 bucks a yard. Sure sounds reasonable next to $350!
But I’m not ready to stop looking yet…

Games

The other night we went over to dinner with some of our good friends from Kansas. They introduced us to the game Ticket to Ride. It was great fun!
Actually, games have been on my mind recently as I've been thinking of Christmas gifts. I saw a blurb on a morning show the other day about the best new games of the year. They mentioned Ruckus, Sorry Sliders, Qwirkle, Pictureka and Quelf.
So I've been compiling a list of games to get for our family.
But I'm wondering, what are your favorite games??

Cabin Fever

I realized today that we are about to have two full weeks of no school. Uh oh. Having no school during the winter is a little tricky for us non-skiers. I better make some plans... {And yes, my coat is *still* in storage!}

Nutritionally Dense

I was leafing through a magazine from the library this weekend and one of the articles was about parents making a difference in their kids’ schools. Oo, I thought that sounded great, so I started reading…One of the examples was about a group of parents who decided that they didn’t want junk food in the vending machines anymore. Great Idea, thought I. Then they explained how they were able to get it changed from having candy bars to having potato chips and fruit snacks….???!!!??? HUH?? Since when are potato chips and fruit snacks healthy? Sounds like somebody’s parents need to go back to school!

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown

Recently I’ve been having fun browsing blogs of perfect strangers and looking at all their Christmas Decorating ideas and what not. {I started out looking for ideas for our new house. Maybe I’ll post about that later.} A bunch of them are having little “tours of homes” today where people can post pictures of their decorations {blogs really are the epitome of narcissism}. So, in the spirit of the season, I thought I would post some of mine for your enjoyment and inspiration… Just keeping it real, people.

First, don't you love what I've done with our Christmas Garland? This is the second time I have tried to put it up. . .

Here are some lights I bought this weekend. They were 75% off. Still in the bag.

Here are some ornaments the kids got at Primary. On top of the TV, since there is no room in this inn for a tree.

OK, lest you think I am wallowing in self-pity or seeking sympathy, I will mention that we have had some Christmas Cheer around here. The kids had fun at the big faculty & staff family party in the WILK. And we had a fun time the other night at The Professor’s department Christmas Party. {Not to mention some delicious salmon!}

But I can’t help but feel like this year our Christmas is just a little bit Charlie Brown. “Isn’t there anyone who can tell me what Christmas is all about?!?!”

Decisions, Decisions

Today I can either do laundry to avoid doing dishes. OR I can wash dishes and avoid doing laundry. Oh, whatever shall I do??

Is it just me?

So here is my dilemma {well, one of them...}: If I stay home, I end up eating. If I leave the house, I end up spending money.
Which is worse??