Tis' the Season

The wonder of Christmas can be seen in the eyes of children.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper! I really love choosing fun colourful paper for kids and nice christmas-ey paper for others

2. Real tree or Artificial? REAL! We always had a real tree growing up and my husband and I have gone to a tree farm and tagged our tree and then return closer to Christmas to cut it down (just got yours today!)

3. When do you put up the tree? its up now, usually 3 weeks before Christmas

4. When do you take the tree down? After New Years Day

5. Do you like eggnog? Love it, but can't drink it :( I have to make it myself with Soy milk

6. Favorite gift received as a child? a stuffed bunny with a little frilly dress that my mom made me and each of my sisters

7. Do you have a nativity scene? No but would love to get one, Christmas gift maybe?

8. Hardest person to buy for? My in-laws

9. Easiest person to buy for? My sister Mandy

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, shh I'm only finishing them tonight

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? a jacket/sweater thing that it not really me, worn it twice

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Santa Claus and the cartoon Grinch

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? early for some people if i see a gift i like, usually October

14. Ever recycled a Christmas present? probrably

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? all the baked goods only around Christmas -gingerbread men, shortbreads, PB balls, cherry winks

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? depends on the decorations, we have multi-coloured

17. Favorite Christmas song? hehe, all of them! I love Christmas music.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? stay home and only travel in our town

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? most of the time I can, Prancer, Dasher, Dancer, Donner, Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Vixen and Rudolph

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? angel at my parents but Im thinking a start this year for us

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? we open 1 on Christmas Eve (usually our jammies) and the rest early Christmas morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? people who are Grinches

23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color? traditional Christmas reds and greens.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? New shoes, clothes and a balance ball

Questions from Simply Sunshine and Daisies

My Baby C.

* I refer to all of my friends babies as "my" babies but I dont have any of my own yet just friends who have wonderful bundles of joy and love.

Baby C. - Chloe is my best friend v.'s baby girl

v. is over at The Best Days of your Life

I love this baby girl so much, from the first time I held her in my arms.

I wasnt there when she was born :( even though I called and tried to get around the hospital rules. This is something I will always regret.

When I first met her, my heart filled with love.

She is a sweet tiny baby girl (she will prob be small like her momma) and I am trilled to watch her grow. I wish we lived closer and that I could see her and v. more but I plan to be there for every big event in her life.

Sometime in the New Year they will be coming to visit me and my family (who love v. like she is our family) and I can not wait to show off my little niece to everyone.

I may not always have money to shower Chloe with gifts but I can ALWAYS shower her with love and that is more important.

I want to be as good an auntie as I possibly can!

How I have changed...

Since changes are coming in other areas, I decided to look back to 1 year ago from right now and where I was, and then look at where I am today. I took this from the fabulous v. over at The Best Days of Your Life and adapted it to see where I was 1 year ago.

1 year ago - 2010:

I was Ashley C.

My age 25

I lived with my fiance, renting my grandfathers house

Some of my obsessions were wedding planning for the day off, wedding parties etc. Christmas decorating and online shopping for gifts

I really enjoyed just moving out of my parents, watching the kids and dog across the street play in the snow, skate on the hockey rink

I was watching Man vs. Food (my fiances idea), Cake Boss, Greys'

What made me happiest was being engaged to a wonderful man, wedding planning and details, crafty wedding things

I really hated living too far out of town where my friends were, having to keep the house spotless because it was for sale and not mine.

My excitement was the Wedding!


Today 2011:

I am Ashley P.

My age is almost 26 and a half (eek!)

I live with my husband in our own condo apartment

Some of my obsessions are my babies! well not mine but my friends babies, Brody and Chloe and my friend B.s 3 kids and S. little girl and another on the way. Babies and kids everywhere and my hubby and I are auntie and uncle to all of them!

I really enjoy shopping for kids, my French class (even when it doesnt seem like it), going to Chapters and getting a latte at Starbucks, making our house a home, receiving and looking at pics of ma babies.

I'm currently watching Gossip Girl, Greys, Desperate Housewife, The Vampire Diaries, Dawson's Creek(when I'm making supper).

What would make me happiest is getting a long term supply contract, supply teaching more, and being financial secure.

I really hate that my best friends live away and I dont see them as much as I wish, the current situations for teachers in NB.

My current excitement is Christmas parties every weekend until Christmas day! K. and her bf coming home in less than 2 weeks

By the time I do this again in 4 months I hope someone reminds me to do this haha! to be a fitter, healthier me, start painting or scrapbooking more.

Check out the original at

Changes ahead

This morning, I went to watch my sister and friend run in the Miss Movember run here in our home town. I was at the finish line waiting for them to finish and felt a pinch of regret and sadness. I was suppose to run in another 5km but my doctor advise me not to because of the pressure on my knees and that I should lose 30lbs and then can consider running.

I have problem with my knees and it sucks and i twisted my ankle last month and the again this month I sprained my ankle and broke a bone in my foot, so I am having more problems.

My goal is to run both races next fall and maybe one sooner. I have started with a dietician and personal trainer to lose weight and change my life.

Changes are ahead and for the better. I am commited to be a healthier, more active person for myself and my future.

Couponing

While watching Extreme Couponing on TLC, I was wondering how many people coupon.
It seems to be easier in the US than in Canada because we don't receive many coupons in the paper/flyers, but lots of people still use coupons.
Do you use coupons?
I do! I have really just started using coupons and I think its great if you can save money but i could never see myself spending the hours upon hours couponing as they do on Extreme Couponing or the amount of stock they have. When something is on sale or I have coupons and we use that product alot then I may get a few but never 20 at a time. I sometimes wonder about the expiry dates and whether people on the show check for that.

I use coupons because its not much work on my part. I have noticed that coupons are not available or perhaps just not common for healthier foods. The most common coupons I receive or use are for cleaning, health and beauty products. For food items, it is usually things like granola bars, puddings, crackers, cereals.
I'll continue to use coupons but will not start obsessing or devoted hours on end to it.