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Swazzle
member
What are you looking forward to this month?
What are you dreading about this month?
Do you decorate for the holidays?
Do you have any December/holiday traditions?
Is it cold where you live?
Are you taking any time off work this month?
How's your shopping coming along?
Any holiday or winter-specific things you like to eat/drink?
DECEMBER
What are you looking forward to this month?
What are you dreading about this month?
Do you decorate for the holidays?
Do you have any December/holiday traditions?
Is it cold where you live?
Are you taking any time off work this month?
How's your shopping coming along?
Any holiday or winter-specific things you like to eat/drink?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: DECEMBER
-Devils game Friday night with friends
-Brunch on Sunday with @cu97tiger and @Hummingbird125
-Trans-Siberian Orchestra next Saturday with H
-10 straight days off work
-CHRISTMAS!!!!!
What are you dreading about this month?
-Cold weather
-Cranky people
-Wrapping presents
-Any/all Eagles games
Do you decorate for the holidays?
Yes! The outside is mostly finished but the inside's looking a bit sparse. I'm hoping to get that handled this week and I want to get our Christmas tree soon!
Do you have any December/holiday traditions?
None that I can think of.
Is it cold where you live?
It was REALLY cold yesterday but this week it'll be in the 50s. It's raining today.
Are you taking any time off work this month?
Yes! I'm off starting on the 18th and come back to work on the 28th.
How's your shopping coming along?
I've made a lot of progress! I just have to make photo albums for my mom and MIL and get a small, additional gift for my dad, SFIL, my aunt, and my cousin. H has to figure something out for BIL.
Any holiday or winter-specific things you like to eat/drink?
I've switched over to peppermint mocha coffee at Dunkies and bought the creamer to have at work. I like egg nog but in small quantities and I need to pick up another bottle of Amarula to add to hot chocolate! I also plan on making mulled wine. Food-wise... I really just want to eat ALL the things.
What are you looking forward to this month?
CHRISTMAS
What are you dreading about this month?
All the money I'm gonna spend buying people things... also alternate side rules go in effect today making parking in my neighborhood a pain in the ass.
Do you decorate for the holidays?
Yessss we are getting our Christmas tree today I think!
Do you have any December/holiday traditions?
Not at the moment but I think it's becoming going to see the tree at Rockefeller Center... We've been doing it the last few years anyway.
Is it cold where you live?
Eh... It's more rainy than cold today. High is 52.
Are you taking any time off work this month?
Nope but my store is closed Christmas day so at least I know I'll have that day off lol
How's your shopping coming along?
Not well... I got BF something but I need to add on to his, and I have take care of the rest of his family too... his brothers and dad are IMPOSSIBLE to shop for.
Any holiday or winter-specific things you like to eat/drink?
EGG NOG!!! Though I am probably giving that up this year. I could drink a whole carton of that stuff.
-Finding out if we're moving to CO or staying here in MD
Still here and still fabulous!
@swazzle - Trans-Siberian Orchestra sounds amazing. I've never seen them (other than on TV). Is this your first time?
@untouchablets - I need to get back at the gym too. Its been a month of slacking almost...hopefully today but maybe not because of my infection.
@cu97tiger - I love the idea of lobster for dinner on Christmas eve and I don't even like seafood. Mmmm melted butter. I'm jealous of your office being closed that long!
What are you looking forward to this month?
-Christmas. Time with family. The start pretty soon of 2016 and a promising year ahead. Both dreading and looking forward to Rajah getting better this month with his surgery. Looking forward to starting our bathroom remodel...the last major project for our house.
What are you dreading about this month?
-This conference I have to go to in a few days. The conference itself will be great but my ex-boss will be there (I saw him on the list of attendees) and I'm not looking forward to running into him. He was like a father figure to me and he completely stabbed me in the back a few years ago (the kind of stab in the back that forces you to completely reevaluate your career...its one of the reasons I moved states). He was there at my wedding, at my Dad's funeral, and we worked together every day for 8 years. I never got over the betrayal and never got answers from him on why he did it and the whole experience left me more than a little jaded.
-I'm also both dreading and looking forward to Rajah's surgery this month. I know the vet does these surgeries all the time but I'm nervous about it. His recovery is going to be tough too for any guard dog but especially for an active one...6-8 weeks of little movement. Toys don't do much for him so keeping him occupied without hurting himself is going to be a challenged.
Do you decorate for the holidays?
-Yes, tree is up but outside decorations are not.
Do you have any December/holiday traditions?
-We usually eat the same Danish desert for Christmas but that is about it.
Is it cold where you live?
-Very, its Wisconsin.
Are you taking any time off work this month?
-Maybe a day before Christmas eve? Depends on work.
How's your shopping coming along?
-Horribly. I don't have anyone's present other than my SS. I don't know what to get anyone this year!!!
Any holiday or winter-specific things you like to eat/drink?
-Just my Danish Christmas desert and peppermint everything.
ETA - Its early and I need coffee.
@untouchablets - Add me to the list of slackers when it comes to going to the gym.
@cu97tiger - Pumpkin Kahlua?! How have I never heard of this...
@minskat30 - Hopefully Raj's surgery and recovery will go smoothly. I know how worried you are for him, but I bet he'll be back to normal in no time!
What are you looking forward to this month? CHRISTMAS!
What are you dreading about this month? Whether or not to have our carpet replaced now, or after the holidays. We should hear more today about their timeline and be able to make a decision this week.
Do you decorate for the holidays? Yes, almost done decorating, just need to put up the tree and outdoor lights.
Do you have any December/holiday traditions? Spending time with our families and my BFF and I have a "baking day" where we bake ALL THE COOKIES.
Is it cold where you live? Nah, 50's-ish.
Are you taking any time off work this month? 2 glorious weeks! And everyone in our office is also given a free "shopping day" where we don't have to use any vacation time.
How's your shopping coming along? I was freaking out last week that I didn't even have a list, but after Black Friday and Cyber Monday I think I'm in a good place!
Any holiday or winter-specific things you like to eat/drink? Anything pumpkin, peppermint, etc. There is a peppermint ice cream I really like that comes out every year but is sometimes hard to find.
- Mexico
- Time with family
- Christmas
- Decorating
- all the food
What are you dreading about this month?
- snow
- freezing cold
- tourists who don't know how to drive in the winter
- end of year bills
Do you decorate for the holidays?
- usually not much, I would like to get a few things for our house. We're still debating on a tree.
Do you have any December/holiday traditions?
- lots of beige polish food for Christmas
- find the pickle: a pickle ornament is hidden in the Christmas tree, first to find it gets to open gifts first -- we also have a golden spider, and whoever finds that opens gifts last
- making Christmas cookies with my mom
- my bf and I have started a tradition of giving each other our gifts at or around midnight Christmas Eve because we get too excited to wait
Is it cold where you live?
- ugh
Are you taking any time off work this month?
- next week for Mexico!!!!
- I still have a day I have to use before the end of the year, so I may do a half day the 23rd and 29th
How's your shopping coming along?
- almost done, all I have is to get something for the giving tree and something for my boyfriend
Any holiday or winter-specific things you like to eat/drink?
- spiced apple wine (straight or mulled)
- champagne
- hot chocolate
- peppermint tea
What are you looking forward to this month?
- Visiting one of my college friends this weekend.
- Christmas in Mystic next weekend.
- Going home to Maine for Christmas!
What are you dreading about this month?
- Shopping. I hate people.
Do you decorate for the holidays?
A little. We don't get a tree because I don't trust my animals, so I put a garland & lights up on the mantle and hang stockings. I want to get a pretty wreath for the front of the house.
Do you have any December/holiday traditions?
My family has a specific present-opening schedule. We get up, my dad makes crepes, we open stockings, then presents. With the presents, we get them passed out, and then we go around the room and all open one at a time. We never got a lot of gifts because we didn't have much money, so it prolonged the present opening time, and we all ooh and ahh over everyone's gifts. I love it.
Is it cold where you live?
SO cold.
Are you taking any time off work this month?
I don't have many days left to take, but I will take a couple around Christmas for traveling.
How's your shopping coming along?
What is this "shopping" you speak of? I need to get my SS gift out ASAP. Like, yesterday. Oops.
Any holiday or winter-specific things you like to eat/drink?
Peppermint hot chocolate & egg nog with white chocolate liquor (my mom's specialty).
What are you dreading about this month? Just the stress of making sure everything is purchased, wrapped, baked, etc. in time for all the different holiday events we have planned. There's very little down time in December.
Do you decorate for the holidays? Yes!
Do you have any December/holiday traditions? I try to watch a bunch of Christmas movies, and H and I like to watch the Nightmare Before Christmas on Christmas Eve. I'm trying to make the David's Tea Advent Calendar a personal tradition. This is my second year doing it, and I'm really excited about it.
Is it cold where you live? It's cold for this area, yes. Compared to you guys up north, it's quite toasty.
Are you taking any time off work this month? I may take 12/23 off, but I haven't decided. Since I took 3 weeks off very recently, I feel bad requesting more time off during a time of year when many people like to take off.
How's your shopping coming along? 75% done
Any holiday or winter-specific things you like to eat/drink? ALL the hot cocoa! I have so much cocoa in my kitchen cabinet that it's a little ridiculous.
I am actually looking forward to Christmas this year. Last year I was just going through the motions for Bean's sake, but this year I'm actually looking forward to it myself. I can feel my mom pulling me into the spirit of the season.
Also looking forward to the kitchen being done and making a turkey and a post Thanksgiving Day meal soon.
What are you dreading about this month?
Also dreading Christmas and the feels it brings.
Do you decorate for the holidays?
Yep! Last year I couldn't get it together and do the outdoor decorations until a few days before Christmas. This year, I'm pulling them out this weekend!
Do you have any December/holiday traditions?
Decorating, lots of Starbucks with Bean, listening to the Christmas station with him, cursing Michael Buble for ruining Christmas music, Midnight mass, and my mom's tamales on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.
Is it cold where you live?
Cold and rainy and yuck.
Are you taking any time off work this month?
Yes, I'm taking the whole week from Christmas eve through New Years Day. So, 11 straight days away from this hell!
How's your shopping coming along?
Ummmm...not at all. Except for my SS(s)
Any holiday or winter-specific things you like to eat/drink?
Tamales tamales tamales...and mole. And Mexican hot cocoa. And tamales.
"His farts smell like Satan's asshole mixed with a skunk's vagina. But it's okay, because I love him." -CSousa
I am not a Christmas person and I really thought I got lucky when I married an atheist .... I apparently did not lol
What are you looking forward to this month?
For it to be over.
What are you dreading about this month?
Honestly? Christmas. This is a rough month on my family
Do you decorate for the holidays?
We are this year. I found decorating compromise with Matt - more winter theme {snowflakes, etc}
Do you have any December/holiday traditions?
Just holiday tv shows now. Trying to make new traditions
Is it cold where you live?
Very much so. December usually isn't terrible, but January/February is
Are you taking any time off work this month?
No, but work is closed a few days
How's your shopping coming along?
Done except 2 things, which are gift cards. Oh and just gotta print stuff
Any holiday or winter-specific things you like to eat/drink?
I'm big on hot chocolate or tea at home. Starbucks Creme Brulle Latte is my holiday drink of choice if I'm out.
The resort was very nice. We had a "platinum" upgrade, so we got a super special part of the beach with comfy padded beach chairs/loungers, all the drinks, snack bar, etc. The beds in the room SUCKED, it was like sleeping on concrete. The food was terrible. And yet, I still managed to get the shits, which began on Sunday and are still ongoing. H & I didn't even get to have much vacation sex because I was too worried about actually shitting everywhere. (That might have actually been grounds for divorce.)
A bunch of us went deep sea fishing one day. SOMEONE got seasick and spent the entire day literally hanging off the side of the boat. The whole family went out on a snorkeling trip on another day, which was really fun, except there was a photographer so there is photographic evidence that shows how much I looked like Barney the dinosaur (I wore a purple swimsuit), especially next to my supermodel SIL.
Overall it was a good trip, but I was VERY ready to get home and snuggle my puppies!! And I have absolutely ZERO desire to ever return to the Dominican Republic.
@minskat30 - This is my first time seeing them! I'm really looking forward to it!
@beachyone15 - I looooove peppermint stuff too! That ice cream sounds divine.
@speakeasy14 - I bought this sweater yesterday to wear on Christmas Day:
Edited because I posted too soon!
@goldenpenguin oh no! That does not sound relaxing at all! At least you didn't get sunburn
ETA: Everyone in the family had some issues at some point during the week, but I'm the only one that had them all week and have lingering problems.
What are you dreading about this month? Visiting my parents can be stressful, I'm hoping its a relaxing trip home but sometimes my mom is kind of a nightmare to deal with
Do you decorate for the holidays? No, I'm not home for Christmas so I don't bother
Do you have any December/holiday traditions? My family has SO many traditions! We go chop down a tree together every year, make cookies to give to friends, watch Its a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story on Christmas Eve and go to the Christmas Eve service
Is it cold where you live? Yes! Its 14 today which actually is warmed up from the past few days and kind of nice
Are you taking any time off work this month? Well, I'm off from teaching from Dec. 17 to Jan. 6 and I'm taking a week off from my other job to visit my family in Idaho
How's your shopping coming along? So far I only have FI's present
Any holiday or winter-specific things you like to eat/drink? I love hot apple cider
@untouchablets - Don't give up egg nog. Give up everything else instead!
@minskat30 - I am so sorry that you're going to have those stressful events this month. I can't believe someone did something so bad that you literally moved away. I can definitely understand why you're not looking forward to the conference.
@beachyone15 - Holy shit, a shopping day? That sounds amazing!
@beanbot2002 - Why does everyone hate Michael Buble so much?!? I love his Christmas music. It's nothing over the top, but that's kind of how Christmas music is supposed to be. Everyone else makes it way too over the top, and the really impressive singers add so many runs that the tune is barely recognizable!
@MissKittyDanger - Why is Christmas so rough for you? I'm sorry that you're not able to enjoy the holiday. I'm an atheist and Christmas is my absolute favorite!
-------------------
I didn't get enough sleep last night, but I miraculously look pretty incredible today. Winning Tuesday! Plus, I now think it's acceptable to leave my car radio on a Christmas station, so I was singing my heart out on the way to work this morning.
What are you looking forward to this month? Christmas and seeing my family. Taking a ton of time off.
What are you dreading about this month? I'm not necessarily dreading it, but I hope that the fact that BF and I are taking 11 days off together doesn't mean that he's expecting to spend every minute of it together. I really want to get some good relaxing and reading done, which I prefer to do alone.
Do you decorate for the holidays? This is my first year! And I don't have nearly enough stuff. I know I'll build up my collection, but it's so hard not to just go out and spend a thousand dollars up front, haha.
Do you have any December/holiday traditions? My little sister and I open our presents to each other on Christmas eve, but we weren't together for it last year. Other than that, just watching a ton of Christmas movies.
Is it cold where you live? Cold, yes. Snowy, no.
Are you taking any time off work this month? 11 days off in a row! But it only requires me to use 5 days of vacation, thanks to the holidays.
How's your shopping coming along? I'm almost done! Although my dad wants some pouring spout thing that he can install on his brewing pot, but I have no freakin clue what would be best. That's about all that's left though.
Any holiday or winter-specific things you like to eat/drink? Egg nog punch. Desserts with cranberry.
@beachyone15 We have a baking too! My sisters and my mom and I all spend a day baking all the things!
@minskat30 For Christmas presents I like wine, and chocolate, and scarves. There, all your shopping is done!
I'm really jealous of all of you who get to take time off for the holidays or whose offices close for Christmas! So unfair!
Today I went with @southernpeach89 to take Callie to her two month appointment. She got her first round of vaccines and was NOT happy but both her and mommy still did amazing in spite of some tears! Otherwise I'm stuck in meetings all day and work just really sucks as usual. I want to quit my job.
We also changed up our financial plan this week. When we bought my car we were offered an interest rate of 0.99% so rather than buy it outright, we decided to go with a car payment and then put that cash towards H's remaining student loan balance. Soooooooooooo as of last night, our student loans are completely, officially GONE! We are DONE! Now we have a car payment...but since the interest rate is like 4 percentage points lower than his student loans, we're actually saving a significant amount of money. Anyway, the plan is to get the car paid off in a year and then we'll be completely debt free with the exception of the mortgage.
What are you looking forward to this month?
What are you dreading about this month?
Work. It's going to be soooooo stressful and awful.
Do you decorate for the holidays?
Um....is this a real question? ABSOLUTELY!!! I have a long ways to go with outside decorations but the inside is nearly done. Need to put out my Christmas potpourri and place the trimmings from the tree on my mantle and some other places/
Do you have any December/holiday traditions?
On Christmas Eve we have a traditional German dinner and it's fucking delicious. On Christmas Day we have monkey bread for breakfast, then we open gifts, sometimes we go see a movie, and then we have standing rib roast for dinner. We also have a baking day early in the month where my mom and sisters and I make a ton of different cookies and other sweets!
Is it cold where you live?
Umm, nope, not really. It's in the 50s today and gross and rainy out.
Are you taking any time off work this month?
No, I actually have a negative vacation balance right now. Luckily I get Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off of work so FOUR DAY WEEKEND!
How's your shopping coming along?
I still need to buy for my BIL, Callie, my dad, H's BIL, H's youngest sister, and finish the gift for his parents. My SS is done and I need to mail it like today...
Any holiday or winter-specific things you like to eat/drink?
Everything pretty much. I love Peppermint Mochas, gluwein, spiked hot apple cider, cookies, candy canes, leibkuchen
@TwoDimes - I WILL HAVE ALL THE EXCITE IN ALL CAPS WITH YOU BECAUSE NEPHEWS ARE THE BEST EVERRRRRRR YAY!
@Minskat30 - Do you have to talk to your old boss, or can you just ignore him? There's no reason you should have to still deal with the fact he was a jerk.
I'm sitting here at the airport waiting for my first flight...it's delayed by an hour, but I should still make my connection. I'm glad I built-in lots of time, though! I'm in such a good mood because of the knowledge that I get to see BF in under 24 hours. I let two old women and a flight attendant cut in front of me in the security line! They had a local high school orchestra playing Christmas music in the lobby of the airport, which was lovely.
What are you looking forward to this month?
ISTANBUL and SEEING BF for the first time since August! (And also getting laid for the first time since August...probably TMI but very important!)
What are you dreading about this month?
I will be perfectly honest: I am dreading the 3-4 days before my brother's wedding. There have been a lot of issues here, but the best way to summarize it is that my mom has planned both the rehearsal dinner the reception and that she, my sisters and I will be executing it. And by "executing it," I mean making the food, baking the cupcakes, setting up, decorating, tearing down, etc. The catch is that none of us were asked to do any of it...we just are expected to. (My mom's exact words were "Well apparently I'm doing the reception.") It's frustrating, and so I'm trying to be excited and celebrate their marriage, but it's hard when we all feel a little taken advantage of. I am looking forward to the wedding itself, it's the prep that I'm not. But it will be okay...I'll drink lots of wine and bake cupcakes and, I mean, how could that possibly be bad?
Do you decorate for the holidays?
Not at my apartment, but I'll probably help my parents decorate their house when I'm back in Oklahoma.
Do you have any December/holiday traditions?
We always eat pancakes and bacon on Christmas morning. And we open presents in reverse age order (Which has gotten very complicated as we've added spouses and children to the mix!)
Is it cold where you live?
Ugh, no. Coastal Georgia apparently has three seasons: hot, stupid hot, and raining.
Are you taking any time off work this month?
I am taking ALL the time off work this month...in part because it's Christmas break and so I'm not actually cancelling any classes.
How's your shopping coming along?
Everyone is getting Turkish things...so...soon it will be finished!
Any holiday or winter-specific things you like to eat/drink?
You mean besides all the wine my mom, sisters, and I consume when we're together? I'm obsessed with Starbucks gingerbread lattes.
@AlPacina H absolutely understands that I need my alone time. I hope you get the you time you need during your vacation! Do you have a beer brewing store somewhere near you? They can probably recommend something for your dad.
What would you guys get for a close sibling or friend who loves to travel, but who won't have a job in a month and doesn't have much money?
I really would like to give her a travel voucher...but our budget is $50 and that certainly won't go a long way towards a ticket.
Still here and still fabulous!
@labro - I think THESE are really cool. And/or how about a nice passport holder?
@futuremrshistorian - I'd have trouble looking forward to a wedding where I was basically staff instead of a guest - hopefully it will all go smoothly!
@labro - Yay for student loans being paid!! That's awesome!