Countdown To Christmas Day 20: Packing

Hey, Lovelies

This is how packed I am at the moment. My suitcase is full and I am only about halfway done packing. Houston, I think we have a problem. Oh, yes. considering I leave in a few hours or sooner. Goodness.

On the up side, I got my passport in the mail two days ago. I was so excited.

Oh, well time is not on my side at the moment. Got to go. Hope you have a very good Christmas and New Year. I will talk to you in two weeks time. Until then. : )

HW<3

Countdown To Christmas Day 19: The Rundown

Hello, Lovelies

There is only one day until: cuteness, cousins, travel, East Coast, pep band, first doubleheader basketball game, pep assembly, fun times, memories, packing, unpacking, long car rides, sitting, reading, playing games, history learning, *snow day*, family, Christmas, no school, no friends, presents, sweater wearing, no sleep, toothpick bridge building, winter weather storm mix, weather advisory, babysitting, "Are you kidding me?!?!", funny moments, good food, sweets, the beach, touristy places, photos, journal writing, road trip, music, church going, Christmas play, new places, Nathan's birthday, New Year's, still no boyfriend, no new posts for two weeks, warmer weather, I'm not in Michigan, Virginia, movie marathons, light gazing, crazy kids, smiles, laughs, sleeping in, and so on.

This is the rundown; the basics and what I know or hope will happen. The list was a lot longer in my anatomy notebook, but I forgot it at school yet again. So, this is what I could remember and a few new. This is it, Lovelies. Only one more post in the Countdown to Christmas mini collection. Talk to you tomorrow. Merry Christmas!
: )

HW<3

Countdown To Christmas Day 17: Music

I like non traditional Christmas music. The music bands play instead of the plain old radio repeats. I like Gaudete.

I like the Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride.

What I'm getting at is to explore the different types of Christmas music there is, even if it is in another language. Just because the watered down, repetitive songs are played on the radio doesn't mean that it is what you have to listen to. This goes with any kind of music any times of the year!

HW<3

Countdown To Christmas Day 16: Concert +

Hey, Lovelies.

So sorry for the lack of a new post yesterday, but I'm back. I'm back with things to blog about and give you the rundown on. 

First things first, my school's Christmas concert was yesterday afternoon. This included performances by the sixth, seventh, and eight grade bands (middle school), the high school jazz band, high school concert band, and the high school winter drum line (the newly called  Viking Hammer Squad). Today the high school bands played for the elementary kids and will be doing this again tomorrow. It's always great to see them excited. 
Here is a picture of my brother and I before the concert (I play saxophone, brother plays trumpet).

Pretty nice I'd say. Notice our tree and presents.

I'd also like to say some of the other ideas for this Countdown to Christmas mini collection and other post ideas. I have so many ideas, but you guys don't get to see or know about them. I would definitely like your feedback on posts to do or not to do. So, here goes.
I would like to do a winter outfits post, a Look at Winter post, an on vacation weekly entry from the time I will be on VaCa and not be able to post here. I plan on posting about my outlook for my future, and the winter school dance. I wouldn't mind doing a Winter Take That post since I haven't done one in a while and want to let you know what I have been loving. I have thought of doing a 'Favorite Every Bodies' post and a 'Fave Song Lines' post in the near future. 
Few days are left in the Countdown to Christmas series and I would like to do a post on lights, Christmas songs, and that is pretty much where I stand for the moment. There are a few other ideas I had, but am not so sure about. But, what do you think? Yay or nay to these post ideas?

Friday night my family and I leave for Virginia. Hopefully the weather will not be too terrible on the way down. Friday is also the first double header basketball game. Technically I have pep band that I have to be at, but I can miss one since I will be gone for Christmas break. Because of the games, there is supposed to be a pep assembly in the afternoon. The teachers are banking on a snow day though. Freezing rain and a half foot of snow on the way. Who knows what will happen. 

Anyways, have a good day or night where ever you are. Talk later, Lovelies.  : )

HW<3

Countdown To Christmas Day 14: Traditions

My family has lots of traditions for the holiday season. First off, my grandma gets us kids (my sister, brother, and I) a new ornament every Christmas. In the past I've received a penguin, saxophone, and name ornaments. This year, I was given a name ornament with a bow, a cute, little cupcake for my sister, and a my brother got a Santa ornament. They were all very nice.

That is one of our traditions. Another tradition my family has it to put the tree and decorations up the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I have posted about this before and you can find it under December titled Countdown to Christmas Day 1: Decorations if you are interested.

Yet another holiday tradition for me is to drink hot chocolate as I ring in the New Year. No kissing, just hot chocolate drinking. This tradition started when I was about ten years old. 

Every year my grandma and I make Christmas/winter themed sugar cookies and frost them in festive colors, too. Might have to skip this since I will be out of state in 6 days.

With that said, I have a lot of posts still coming for you guys. Some are holiday themed while others are not. Nonetheless, I don't know how I am going to fit in all the holiday posts. No clue when I will be posting anything else. Not any time soon. Most likely will be posting new, non-holiday themed content (except journal entries) after the break. 

Enough of me for now. Hope you like these Christmas posts. More to come. 
Bye : )

HW<3

Countdown To Christmas Day 12: Secret Santa

The 'lunch crew' has a little Secret Santa going on. The whole exchange is happening tomorrow, but almost everyone (6 people) knows who has who and who got what. Fun? I guess you could call it that if you wanted. Surprise filled? No, definitely not. Not even close.

In the meantime, I'm nowhere close to making it to the UK next summer. Fundraising isn't going as great as I would like and the money's just not there. I don't know what to do. I'm still trying though. This trip is something that would definitely change my summer; I am looking forward to it so much. I just don't know how I'm going to make it there at this point in time. I'm not even able to go on the trip to Mackinac Island with the school band because I'm funding for this instead. I will be really upset if I can't make it to either. If you have any ideas for raising money, you can email me at hollysays17@gmail.com or tweet me @hollysays17. All ideas are welcome and appreciated. 

Lastly, there is only eight days til I leave for Virginia. Eight! That's exciting. It will be really nice for me to get away for a while. I need to so badly get away from everything. I'm so stressed out. Of course, it's not really going away. It will most definitely still be in the back of my mind at all times. 

Have a good night, Lovelies : )

HW<3

Countdown To Christmas Day 11: Trip Plans

9 days and counting down. That is the last day before winter break, and that is the day I leave for Virginia.
Not that I'm counting or anything. I'm just really excited, okay?

While I'm gone and don't have internet access to post here, I will be kicking it old fashioned like and writing in a journal. I don't have a problem against that. I hope you don't either because I will post some of my journal entries on this blog. After I get back of course. 

I will also be snapping pictures of the places we go and what we do. 
Oh, just had an amazing idea. I will do a collection of posts, kind of like this Countdown to Christmas, and post one every week on a designated day. What a perf idea. Indeed.

Well, that's just something to look forward to. Trip to Virginia and blog posts. Good deal. 

Now, I want your feedback. Do you like these daily Countdown to Christmas posts? Do you have and suggestions? Please leave a comment below. I promise to read them; your feedback is important.

Have a good day : )

HW<3

Countdown To Christmas Day 10: Wishlist

Hi, Lovelies

So a couple days ago I shared with you Countdown to Christmas: Presents. It has just occurred to me that I hadn't shared what I wanted. That post was about the potential gifts you could get for the people who mean the most to you. This post is about a present or two I could get myself, because you deserve to get yourself something small too. So here it is. My wishlist.

5SOS Jumper

Shakespeare 

Austin Jones CD

Long board

Marc Jacobs Watch

These are just a few of the items on my wishlist. Some are more expensive than others and I don't expect to get any of these items at all. That is why they call it a WISHlist. Right? What is on your wishlist, Lovelies?

Bye : )

HW<3

Countdown To Christmas Day 9: Winter Chores

What's up, Lovelies

In my area for the last 24 hours it has been snowing, snowing, snowing. Therefore, it was time to pull on the coat and boots and take out the snow shovel. My brother and I shoveled the driveway this afternoon. Surprisingly, it was almost fun and relaxing. Except for the blisters on my hand. It was something that had to get done and I didn't mind doing it.

As the winter season goes on, I have no doubt I will be out there, with or without my brother, to shovel the driveway. I might even get payed for it. Maybe, but no promises.

So, Lovelies. What winter chores do you have to do?
Talk tomorrow.
: )

HW<3

Countdown To Christmas Day 8: Presents

Hey, Lovelies

Just saw the cutest pin for gift buying for kids:

Isn't it cute and true! I will definitely be following this when I am older and have kids.

Anyways, here is a mini gift guide for buying presents this year.

Young Boys: super heroes and Star Wars themed items
Young Girls: Barbies and stuffed animals
Older Boys: remote control cars and sports anything
Older Girls: drawing stuff and books
Teens: books and gift cards to their favorite place
College Age: gift cards and homemade treats
Married: household items and decor, family board games
Parents: gift card for a date night at their favorite restaurant

Mind you this is just what I would get these groups of people. What you get them is totally up to you and I encourage you to make a mini gift guide for yourself instead of asking for gift lists. Totally easier this way. Just think of the types of things the people in your life like the most, and there you go! Done and done.

Happy shopping!

HW<3

Countdown To Christmas Day 7: Shopping Day

Hello, Lovelies!

First and foremost, sorry for no post yesterday. Time got away from me and I completely forgot about publishing a post for you all. I will save that particular post for another day.

Now, down to business. Today I went shopping with my dad and I picked up my brother and my sister's Christmas gifts. I would share what they are on here, but shh! I don't want them to find out, so my lips are sealed. 

Meanwhile, I also got myself a new sweater (if you know me at all, you know I love sweaters and almost can't resist buying a dozen every time I go shopping). 

Unfortunately, I couldn't find what I needed for my dad's present on this trip, so I will have to go shopping again next weekend to different stores in hopes of finding it.

I had a good day spending time with my dad and I hope you had a good day, too! I will definitely talk later. 
: )

HW<3

Countdown To Christmas Day 5: Giving

Christmas is the season of giving. But, it seems like so many forget this, instead getting caught up in receiving gifts. I am not pointing fingers because I know that even despite my efforts, I forget too. 

That has got this girl thinking though. I want to help people more and I want to do what I can for my community. I think you should, too! Here are a couple of ways to do this:

1. Donate to Toys for Tots. This time of year Toys for Tots collects presents for kids in families with little or no money for presents. Just imagine the face of a child who gets a toy Christmas morning compared to a child who gets nothing. This is enough to make me give a gift.

2. Donate food items to your local helping hands organization. My school has a lot of food drives for the local food pantry, but your school or workplace may be different. Maybe you have never had an organized food drive at your school. It is the perfect chance to give back this holiday season. This way, everyone as food to eat over the holidays. 

3. Visit with the elderly. Spending a bit of time at a retirement home could make an elderly person's whole day or Christmas if they don't have anyone to visit them. I bet they would also appreciate a treat or decoration if allowed. My school's volunteer group that I am part of is making crafts for a local retirement home. Maybe you could do the same in your area.

These ideas are a few of many. Even the smallest gesture could mean the world to someone around you. I hope this post gives you something to think about. I hope you go out and help someone of your community. Talk later, Lovelies.... : )

HW<3

Countdown To Christmas Day 4: No-Snow Day

Hello, People of the Internet.

Today, of all days, I got to sleep in. I lounged around my house all day doing absolutely nothing. Today there was a snow day. 

Mini Snowmen! How cute!

Let me clarify: there was no snow storm or snow on the ground. Instead of below freezing, the snow is melting and it is raining a lot. But, school was cancelled. It may be the fog that caused it or maybe the back roads were icy. It is a mystery to me.

Just let me be clear. There was no going outside to build mini snowmen or taking pictures in the falling snow.
There just wasn't. There was reading, sleeping, and watching T.V., but none of the other.
But, there will be other days. 
: )

HW<3

Countdown To Christmas Day 3: Pinterest Favorites

I love pinterest. Really, I do. I can pin for hours on end and not get bored. Is that bad?

Here are some of the pins I have been loving for the holiday season.

Paper Mache Ornaments

Cute Holiday Gift Art

DIY: Penguin Ornament

Pretty, Festive, Winter Nails

Countdown To Christmas: Daily Presents

Pretty Lights And Park Bench

Those are just a few of my favorite pins for the holidays. To see the rest of my winter pins and my other boards, click here. I hope you liked this post and my pins. See you tomorrow. Bye : )

HW<3

Countdown to Christmas Day 2: Books

Happy day, Lovelies!

 

The Christmas Doll is a book I will never forget. I read it for the first time in fourth grade (about 9 years old), coincidentally, around Christmas time. To sum it up pretty quick, it is about two orphaned sisters who live on the streets of London and find a magical doll that gives them hope and teaches life lessons. I know that it sounds a little bit of a cliche, but don't knock it til you try it!

If this isn't the book for you, I bet that it would make a really great Christmas present for a sister, niece, or cousin, instead. Here is the link to the Goodreads review and here is the link to Amazon to buy.

If all else fails, Harry Potter is an option almost everybody loves!

Have a good day! More Countdown to Christmas tomorrow! : )

HW<3

Countdown to Christmas Day 1: Decorations

Hello, All!

It is a tradition in my family to always put up our Christmas decorations the Sunday after Thanksgiving. We (my brother) get the tree from the basement, I bring the decorations down from upstairs, and away I go making a masterpiece. For the past five years or so I have taken full control up putting the decorations up, but I refuse to be part of the tear down committee.  

This year is no different. 

I have come up with a general theme for the tree decor and finally our house is in full fledged Christmas mode. Here's what I've come up with:

The ultimate tree decor theme was handmade ornaments, name ornaments, and a few timeless pieces. 

Also, thanks must go to my grandma who of course cleaned the house spotless and nitpicked everything. :)

HW<3