Day 30: Gift Wrapping Fun

I can't believe it is the last day of November already. The month has completely flown by! I have become so used to posting every day that I might accidentally keep doing so (but probably not). Takes a lot of time, effort and thought to blog every day!

Here you can see what I did tonight--wrap gifts! I have all of our gifts for the nieces and nephew purchased and almost on their way out the door. Yippee! I have almost all of the gifts purchased for my family, and the ones I don't have I at least know what I plan on buying. I do still need to get my doggy niece and nephew something fun, but that should be a no-brainer. The hard part is Jason--he is tough to shop for! This year, he actually has a list, which will help. Anyone else have troubles buying for their husband?

Before--can you pick out your gift?

After--the finished products

Jason wanted me to do all my shopping on-line this year, but I love shopping for and especially wrapping Christmas gifts. It is so joyful! But I am excited to (hopefully) get it done a little earlier this year.

We are looking forward to a fun-filled weekend. Tomorrow night, we are joining some friends downtown for Denver's annual Christmas Parade of Lights. Then Saturday, we are heading up to Breckenridge to SKI! This will be our first time on our new equipment, so we are super excited!

Please keep Jason's sister Sharla in mind, as she is having surgery to have her gallbladder removed tomorrow. She has had several rough times this year healthwise, so feel free to click on her link at the side and send her get-well wishes!

Winter Wonderland!

Well, as I posted last night, the storm that is moving across the country hit Denver last night! It snowed throughout the night and all morning today. Sadly, Jason and I both had to work, so we didn't get to enjoy it much, but it was very beautiful. The snow stopped around noon, and now it is a cold 11 degrees. We ended up with about 4 inches in our area, but other areas of Colorado received much more.

And all of this new snow in time for weekend fun! Guess what we have planned this weekend! Here's a hint--swoosh, swoosh, swoosh. What kind of winter fun makes that sound?!

Jason's wonderful lighting work--he worked very hard to get all the lights lined up along the roof. We are still looking for some lighted yard art to add more variety and color. I was SO nervous when Jason was up on the roof. I was out there at one point but started to get queasy so went inside. The pugs sure wanted out on the roof with him--they kept standing at the window waiting for their turn! I think Oscar would be okay, but Daisy has been known to jump from high things before, so it wouldn't be shocking if she tried to jump off the roof. Silly dog.

Let it snow!

It is snowing in Denver! I guess we are now getting the storm that moved through the Northwest yesterday. It started snowing this afternoon and is forecasted to continue through the night and most of the day today. They are forecasting between 3-7 inches in Denver, and it is putting me in such a Christmas spirit! I came home from work and put my Christmas t-shirt on, then watched Charlie Brown's Christmas special. Good times! I am so excited about Christmas, and it isn't even December. Good grief.

Daisy's Duck

Okay, I am such a copy cat. Miko and Meimei's momma posted today about Meimei's "MooCow" which made me think of Daisy's duck.

When we purchased Daisy, it was kind of a spur-of-the-moment, on a whim kind of purchase, so we had no dog supplies or toys. I had purchased bowls in anticipation of getting a puppy but nothing else. So we picked her up and headed straight to PetSmart. One of the first things we purchased was a squeaky duck. Daisy loved the duck and played with it often. But once we adopted Oscar, the duck had to go. I couldn't bear for them to tear it up, since it was her first toy, so I have it in a place for special keeping.

I am glad to hear that I am not the only crazy pug lover who is attached to their dog's first toy!

Pug Lover

Do any of you pug lovers have pug stickers on your car? I have the two below and love them! I am surprised, though, that Jason will still ride in the car with these two stickers on the back. Oh, true love!

We found this one in a doggie boutique in Breckenridge called "The Breckenridge BARKery." Very cute, and the man working there was super nice!

In Dillon, Colorado, which is also up in the mountains, there is a brewery/restaurant called "Pug Ryan's Brewery," and they have these stickers there!

Finally done (well, almost)!

Well, I think we are almost done with our Christmas decorating. I think our tree is leaning a little to the left, but we can't seem to make it lean any other way. Probably no one else would notice, but since I put it up it is really obvious to me. Jason has a little more to do outside but the inside is just about finished. I purchased some new items for our mantle and am pleased with the way it turned out. I really want to buy all of the Christmas decor at Pottery Barn (my favorite store!) but the budget won't allow it, so Hobby Lobby, Target and Linens 'N Things were the second choices. But I like it! The picture didn't turn out great, but I purchased new stocking holders that spell "noel." I really wanted "peace" but Hobby Lobby didn't have "peace."

Daisy and Oscar have new Christmas items to wear. Neither are very excited about them, but I think they are cute! I put this t-shirt on Oscar and he just laid down. Poor puggies!

We also did quite a bit of our Christmas shopping this weekend--yay! I want to get as much done and wrapped and shipped ASAP. We don't have much to buy really but I still want to get it done.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week back at work or whatever else you may be doing!

It's beginning to...

...look a lot like Christmas! We spent a good part of today putting up our Christmas decor, and I am exhausted. It is a lot of work! But our house looks so fun and festive now.

I am too tired to take pictures tonight, so I will share with you tomorrow.There is still more to do, but it will have to wait. It's off to bed for me!

Has anyone seen "March of the Penguins?" I just watched it tonight on TV for the first time and really liked it! Those little penguins are amazing creatures!

Churrascaria, anyone?

Have any of you been to a churrascaria? It is a Brazilian steakhouse, and it is so good! I first learned of a churrascaria when I was in Brazil one summer. They have an incredible salad bar, and once you are done with your salad, here comes the meat! They have servers walking all over the dining carrying spits of different types of grilled meat. Not the place for meat haters! It is so good, and you can try so many different things! In Brazil, they even served chicken hearts (not something I was willing to try!).

Jason and I went to a new churrascaria in our neighborhod tonight, and it was really good. It was called Texas de Brazil and has several restaurants throughout the country. We weren't really hungry, so it was a bit overwhelming, but it was very tasty. I love going to these places, because I loved Brazil, and it reminds me so much of the restaurant I went to several times there. Good times!

Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful and blessed Thankgiving! We had a really, really good day. Jason worked this morning, but this afternoon, we went over to some friends' house from church to share a Thanksgiving meal. And boy did we eat--it was so, so good! We had all of the "traditional" Thanksgiving items--turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes AND sweet potato cassarole (my favorite!), rolls, cranberry stuff--all the works! And pumpkin pie for dessert, of course! I feel like a stuffed pig, but it was sooo yummy I could not stop eating!
And we have leftovers to enjoy tomorrow!


When we sat down at the table, before we started our meal, we went around the table and shared what we are thankful for and then said a chain prayer. It was very, very special and a wonderful time to pause and remember what the holiday is really all about. All too often I get caught up in the food, but Thanksgiving is really all about what we are thankful for and about being with those whom we love and are special to us. I think I will make my family do that every year, to make the holiday even more meaningful!

After dinner and clean-up, we played a game of cards and then headed home. I am so thankful for wonderful Christian friends who are generous enough to share their home and holiday with us when we are far from home and unable to be with family.

Tomorrow, we will start our Christmas decorating. Hooray!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy thanksgiving! We are planning to have an afternoon meal with a sweet older couple from church tomorrow. Should be a good time! What do you all have planned? Is anyone else in shock that it is thanksgiving already? It completely snuck up on me this year!

I found this survey on Miko and Meimei's mama's blog. I love all things Christmas, so here goes!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Sets them under the tree, of course
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White on the tree and house, colored other places
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Not at my house but my mom does
5. When do you put up your decorations? the day after Thanksgiving
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? sweet potatoes! YUM!
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: having a slumber party with my siblings and then using the baby monitor to wake our parents up REALLY early
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I would say late elementary school. My classmates told me before but I never believed them. I always told my friends my parents could never afford all the gifts that Santa left!
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, one at home and one at my grandma's house
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? a mixture of ornaments, I love the Starbucks ones
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it, especially if I don't have to go anywhere or am planning to ski
12. Can you ice skate? Yes, and it is so fun! I love the outdoor rink at Cherry Creek!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Hmmmmm, I am not sure
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Seeing family
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? pumpkin pie
16 What is your favorite holiday tradition? opening gifts together on Christmas morning
17. What tops your tree? An angel
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? White Christmas by Bing Crosby
20. Candy Canes - yuck or yummy? Mostly yuck--I am not a hard candy kind of girl. Give me chocolate!

Hope you all have a wonderful and blessed holiday season!

Oscar joins the crowd

Now Oscar has his Puppia harness, too! He looks pretty snazzy in his as well, although I am already beginning to rethink the color, as it is covered in fawn-colored pug fur. Oh well.



Daisy tried to choke herself yesterday by pulling really hard while we were walking. Hopefully it will get better.

We're baaack

Whew--what a week it has been. Jason and I arrived home LATE last night after a four day stay in Phoenix for Jason's grandmother's funeral. What a whirlwind trip--exciting to see the entire family all in the same place at the same time but so emotionally draining.

I have many, many pictures to share with you but am at work now so will have to do so later. It is very good to be home and sleep in our own bed and kiss on my pugs.

Help!

Okay, any of you Dancing with the Stars fans....who won tonight? I had to work late tonight and forgot to record, so now I need to know!

Daisy's New Harness!

Well, Daisy was jealous of many of her friends, so she now has her own Puppia harness!


I found one for her on-sale for $9.99, and I just couldn't pass up the deal. She looks so cute in it! The website on which I found Daisy's Puppia did not have Oscar's size in the color I wanted, so I have ordered his from a different website but not yet received it. It just seems so much more comfy that the traditional style harness.

Question for those of you who have Puppia harnesses--do they hold up pretty well? Daisy is quite the puller and seemed to pull harder this morning when I walked her for the first time in her Puppia. It is definitely stretchy and seemed to be better for her when she pulled, but I just don't want her to bust out of it one day. Thanks!

Christmas List

Okay, I think I will jump on the bandwagon and ask about Christmas cards. I can't believe it is already time to think about them, but I better get started. If you would like to be added to my Christmas list, please send your address to jasonleah03 "at" gmail "dot" com. Thanks!

Jason's Grandma

Please keep us and Jason's family in your prayers, as his grandmother passed away this morning. She was a very sweet woman who loved God, and we celebrate that she is now in a better place with no pain and suffering. Loss is never fun but is easier when you know the person is now home with God and reunited with those who have gone before.

Weekend Retreating

We spent the weekend at a retreat with our young adult group from church. It was in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and it was a great time! The building we stayed in was formerly a Korean bible college, so is much like living in a college dorm. Here is the building we stayed in.

Saturday afternoon, we had some free time so we took a hike. Here we are on the hike (don't look too closely at the no-makeup, yucky hair look.)

Parts of our hike took us through some snow.

The pond, which was the destination of our hike

We woke up this morning to a snow storm! It was so beautiful and peaceful. In these pictures, there wasn't much acculumation, but by the time we left it was starting to pile up on the ground and our cars. Thank goodness the roads were okay! You can see some of the flakes in front of the trees in the pictures.

All in all, a great weekend in a beautiful setting! Now back to reality.

Lion King and Starbucks

Well, I must tell you that Lion King was AMAZING! The costumes and sets were incredibly beautiful, the best that I have ever seen (not that I have seen that many). I would say if you ever have the chance to go, GO! You will not regret it! I just wish they would start musicals an hour earlier. I am NOT a night person and get so sleepy during the second act and usually doze off for a few minutes. But I still love musicals--Les Miserables is my all-time favorite!

This morning I had a pleasant surprise that made my day. I haven't been to Starbucks in a few days, and when I went in this morning for my pumpkin spice latte, they had their CHRISTMAS cups--YIPPEE! And they had tons of fun Christmas items for sale as well, including their fun Christmas ornaments. I love Starbucks at Christmastime (well, actually ALL the time, but especially Christmastime).

I am feeling better, thanks to all of you for asking. It seemed to linger most of the week, and the old stomach still feels a little funny at times, but today I was able to eat something other than mashed potatoes and pudding for lunch. It makes me feel very thankful for my help and more empathetic for those with chronic illnesses.

I have to break my NaBlPoMo tomorrow, as Jason and I will be out of town for a young adults retreat and unable to access the internet there. But I will be back at it on Sunday. Hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed weekend!

Night on the Town

So, we are headed out to see "The Lion King" which I am very excited about. Will let you all know tomorrow how it is!

I really love...

my job. Sure, at times it is REALLY frustrating, but overall it's very rewarding and fulfilling. So many people need help with their nutrition, and it is very rewarding when you help others and they are appreciative. Being a dietitian definitely has challenges, but I am very thankful that I chose this profession.

Another Dog Scare

Good grief, weird things are happening around here. Every morning, Jason gets up early to get ready for work, so I stay in bed until after he leaves. After he is ready, he lets the dogs out and then feeds them. He always lets them back in before he leaves, and they come back upstairs and go back to bed. Well, this morning, everything seemed to go as normal. They all went downstairs, Jason left and Oscar came back up and got into bed with me. I couldn't go back to sleep, so I decided to get back up. I noticed Daisy wasn't in her bed, so I called for her, but she didn't come, which is very unusual. I got up and looked all over the house, but she was no where to be found. Finally, I opened the side door, and she came running in! It really wasn't a big deal (since all the gates were closed this time), but it was still a little weird and unsettling. She probably had a blast outside by herself! I usually go out with them, in case they do escape, so she probably had a good time by herself, eating all the yucky stuff she wanted. But it worried me when I couldn't find her! Thank goodness for another happy ending!

If only I was a dog...

Do you ever feel like this?

"Man is troubled by what might be called the Dog Wish, a strange and involved compulsion to be as happy and carefree as a dog." James Thurber

On more than one occasion, when things are bad around our house, I tell Jason "I just wish I were a pug." Life just seems so perfect for our little dogs.

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Thank you for all of your get-well wishes--I am doing much better today and can be counted among the living once again.

Soooo Sick

I hate being sick. I got up this morning with a horrible stomach ache and a bad case of Montezuma's revenge. I thought it must just have been something I ate, but I just took my temperature and it is high. Poor me. I tried to go into work but only stayed about an hour--should have just stayed home. But my wonderful husband brought me home some Gatorade and crackers, which taste soooooo yummy. I hate eating those things when I am well, because it reminds me of being sick, but they always taste so good when you are sick. And he even brought me a home a get well card with a pug on the front. I think I will keep him!

Scary

I just had the biggest scare I have had in a while. Our fence has two gates, one in the front and one in the back. The latches don't latch well, so if you aren't careful, the gates will not close properly. Tonight, I was on the phone with my mom and just opened the side door and let the pugs out in the yard. Jason left to go to the grocery store, and a few minutes later Daisy came back in. I went out to get Oscar, and he was no where to be found. I quickly ended my phone call, slipped on some of Jason's sandals and ran around the neighborhood calling for Oscar. Luckily, he hadn't gone far. One of the neighbors on the other side of the courtyard had her front door open, and Oscar went right on in. They have a small dog as well, so I guess he wanted to visit them. Thankfully she knew who he was, so was on her way back to our house when I went out to look for him. Whew. Happy ending this time--hopefully it will never happen again!


I would hate to lose this face!

Cleaning and Party

So Jason and I cleaned the entire house this weekend, about which I am very excited, but I do have a question for those of you who have been married longer than I have--why is it that, no matter what, the husband's side of the sink/mirror are about a thousand times grosser than mine? All I have to say is YUCK! But he is a good husband, and much cleaner than most guys, so I can't talk too badly about him.
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The doggie costume party on Saturday night was very fun. Our pugs were, of course, not on the best of behavior, but what else is new?! There were lots of little dogs there, and one big dog, and they were so cute! I only got a few pictures, and most didn't turn out well, but here are a couple of the cuties.

This is Bill dressed as Superman. He hated his costume, but it was so cute and funny. Bill's mom, Erin, has a dog-walking business and often takes care of our pugs when we are gone. Bill's mom thinks he is part lhasa apso and part shih tzu. He looks like an Ewok from Star Wars to me!

And this is Emma, dressed as an angel (SO cute!). She is the tiniest little Yorkie and was there with her sister Megan, who was dressed as a witch.

All in all, it was a great party! We are so blessed to have great, fun friends.

Doggie Costume Party

Tonight we are headed out the door to a doggie costume party. I had planned to dress the pugs up in their Star Wars attire, but they REALLY hate it and have a hard time walking in it. I tried to get some good pictures to share with you, but this is the best I could catch before they ran around and wiggled out of their costumes.

Yoda

Princess Leia

Guess we will go dressed up as a prisoner and lady bug again. Oh well!

NaBloPoMo: Day #3

Well, it is only day three, and I am feeling blah--nothing much to write about. I do have new pictures on my camera, as well as a quote to share with you, but they are all downstairs, and I am currently too lazy to walk all the way down there and all the way back up.

Good news on the work front. The hospital group I work for, which is the larget healthcare provider in the Denver metro area, recently lost our contract with United Healthcare. What this meant for us was that any patients with United or Pacificare insurance were not allowed to use our facilities. This impacted us dramatically, as large number of patients in our area have United or Pacificare. Our patient load dropped significantly and caused many to worry about their jobs.

After months of negotiations, United finally gave up and agreed to renew their contract. Yippee! Now we are hoping that things return to normal in our little hospital world.

Will share some puggy pictures with you all tomorrow. Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Post #2:World's Cutest Pug

Okay, so I am a little biased. The past few days, Oscar has been jumping in bed with me after Jason goes to work. I love cuddling with him, and he just looks so stinkin' cute all wrapped up in the covers.

Here is a question for all of you dog lovers out there: how do you improve your dog's breath? Daisy has the WORST breath on the planet--we have tried brushing her teeth, but it doesn't seem to help. Part of the problem is her poop-eating habit, but even when she goes a while without eating any, her breath is super bad. Any suggestions? They would be much appreciated!

National Blog Posting Month

So, according to Punchbugpug's blog, it is National Blog Posting Month, which means blogging every day, even if it is just a little. So I am going to try it!

So, I have been trying to post pictures and am not able to, so here's a question for you: are any of you watching "Dancing with the Stars," and if so, who are you rooting for to win?