This is a first for me...in previous years I would wait to put up the tree until about a week before Christmas, and although Jeff would take down tub after tub from the attic with our Christmas decorations, I would usually only choose a few items to put out. Why? It was a lot of work! No matter that my family liked how the house looked when it was all decorated, pretty much all of it fell on me, and quite frankly I just got tired of doing it - the set up, and then a month later, the take down and packing, and setting up all of the normal things back in their place.
But something clicked in me on Friday, and I actually got excited about decorating! Made a quick trip to a couple of stores for some garland, ribbon and gold ornaments, and I got started. Another interesting thing is that this continued for the next two days - I didn't get one room done and then feel all worn out and just shove all the boxes into a corner for "later." Which, for me, usually never came. And then I felt guilty, and mad at myself for not putting out more effort...which was not a great feeling to have during the holidays. We're supposed to be happy, right?!?
Well, this year I am. And I feel very pleased with what I accomplished over this long weekend - and I know my family will enjoy it, too...all except for cracking their heads on the hanging lamp that I lowered to make the "tree" on - in retrospect, this probably would have worked better on a lamp that was hanging above a dining table, but since I switched my dining and living rooms around, the lamp I needed to use is in the living room.
I got to put my "core" work to the test on Saturday when I leaned back a little too far while I was on the ladder working on this tree - lost my balance, but was able to catch myself, which is what Brad preaches to us as we workout...being able to stop a fall, etc. Another plus for body strengthening exercises!
This is in my entry - note the slightly creepy squirrel - I bought him as a gift for my former boss, but can't bear to part with it, so I ended up back at TJ Maxx getting something similar for ex-boss, whom we will finally be having dinner with on Saturday.
Dining table with an old tablecloth...it's getting there, but I need some red napkins and I also need to get my cute elf salt and pepper shakers down from a tall cabinet.On Sunday afternoon I put my favorite holiday movie, Love Actually, on the DVD player and decorated the family room. I am still amazed that everything is done, except for putting the ornaments on the tree - but that is the most fun, so I'll probably do it in the next day or so.
End table in family room.
Family room - most of the decorations (including the cowboy boot stockings) were made by my mom!
Hutch filled with everything - books, photos, kid's art - just a mishmash of fun memories!I know, I know - this is a weight-loss blog, not "Decorating Cents" - but really, I wanted to share this with y'all because this has not been the norm for me. Hmmm...what might the difference be? Oh, I'd say about 100 pounds - apparently not carrying around that much extra weight makes a huge difference...one that I am still noticing! So, to sum it up: lose a ton 0f weight, gain a ton of energy!
One last picture...as soon as I was done putting the skirt around the Christmas tree, Kip claimed his place - and slept under the tree all afternoon!
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