Help!

I need help! So, my mom is in charge of her family's christmas party this year and we are trying to come up with ideas that would be fun for the party.... We have been doing white elephants forEVER and really, after the year I got a hamster, they just aren't fun anymore. We are trying to find some sort of service project we could do instead of gift exchanges. An ideal project would be something that included shopping before the party (which would be mainly me and my mom) and then having everyone come to help giftwrap or organize the gifts... I am having THE hardest time finding an organization though!!! Our party isn't until the 19th of December so part of the problem is that we're cuttin' it close to christmas.

Do any of you have any ideas?? I would love any suggestions! thanks!

Thanksgiving "Thankful" list

This week for one of my classes I had to make a list... a list of whatever we wanted, just as long as it was list. I decided that since Thanksgiving was coming up, I would write a list of what I am thankful for (cliche, I know.) so I thought I would do the same thing here!

Thankful list:

1. Steven.
2. All of my family and friends.
3. This chocolate mousse I am eating right now...
4. Pottery Barn
5. Christmas
6. Music
7. Broadway Musicals
8. Yoplait Yogurt
9. the church!
10. funeral potatoes
11. books
12. Target
13. Shabby Apple
14. My mom's cake
15. harry potter
16. Lord of the rings
17. spider killer spray
18. my honda civic
19. Doris Brunatti (best voice teacher EVER, and my therapist at times)
20. Dr. Napoles (for getting me into the music program at the U, and for putting me in Women's Chorus)
21. The snow outside!!!! yay!
22. animals
23. all of my YWs leaders.
24. our 54" table that was given to us for free.... except... I'm sure who gave it to us...
25. my job. It's rough at times, but at least I have one I suppose
26. Tums

If Grandpa Was Black

Nothing else needs to be said

Halloween!

Last night we had some friends over for Halloween. I didn't realize how small our place is until we put 11 people in here. Space was limited, but we still had lots of fun and ate really good food! We ate chili, cupcakes, finger sugar cookies, chips and salsa (thanks heather!) and lots of candy. Holly made Pumpkin Black Bean Soup and Russell brought Pumpkin bread bowls for the soup and chili. It was all very delicious and we had lots of fun!

yum.

russ

heather

a hot dog and annie

and holl doll.

CHAIRS!

We have REAL dining chairs at last!!! no more folding chairs for us! I found these at a really cute antique and consignment shop in the avenues, and they were only $20!


Before.....



and now!!!!!

We will probably paint them all the same color eventually... once I work up the energy to do so.