I want for Christmas....

A clean and decorated house and the ability to have company...

These are gifts I can give to myself. So I started today cleaning house. You would think, in such a small space that this would be a quick task, but it's not. I accumulate STUFF! It was time to get rid of STUFF so that I could put away the GOOD STUFF. This involved thinning out the closets (I have some garb to dispose, of if anyone is interested) and putting the guest/sewing/storage/scrapbooking/craft room back together in some semblance of neat.

My old leaky tent went into the trash. There are 4 garbage bags for good will and a box of books for the used book store (mostly text books). The stuff that was accumulating on the kitchen table got put back into the craft/etc room. I found the floor in that room. And although it's still got piles, they are neat piles. I have a few things to finish off to make the room habitable...mostly vacuuming and figuring out where to put all the picture frames that are currently residing on the bed. Since it's likely that any over night company will get my room, I'm not too worried about the piles in the guest/etc room.

I pulled the decorations down out of the closet for the first time in 4 years. I actually have a place to put a tree this year; once I finish up the cleaning, I'm going out looking for a tree. I've been meaning to have my boss and his wife over for dinner and I'm aiming to do it this month when the house looks it's best (minus the yarn strewn everywhere).

Unfortunately, having a clean house means putting the Christmas projects on hold for a few hours. I feel guilty but I think I will go much faster once I have everything in order. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Shopping madness

So I spent a great deal of money this weekend but I don't think I spent frivolously.

I went to Lane Bryant and hit their buy one get one sale. I got two sweaters, two tanks and I ordered two bras. I actually saved more money than I spent. If the bras work out, I'll hit the next sale and get 4 more.
I went to Fred Meyer and bought tights and a pair of sketchers (shoes).
I went online to Current and bought cards so I have a supply for sending birthday and anniversary cards this coming year.
I bought stamps.
I bought address labels from Colorful Images online.
I bought party decorations for my brother and Tami's reception and left them with mom for the holiday season.
I bought a number of odds and ends for health and beauty. (tooth brush, vitamins etc.)
I splurged and bought Reeds Ginger brew for my own enjoyment.

I also paid all the bills and paid off one of my medical bills. Next month I should pay off the last of them. Thank goodness.