Upgraded

This image came up when I searched for "iphone 4". This lion thinks iPhone 4s are booooring.

Anyway, I got an iPhone 4 on sale at Radio Shack. My old iPhone 3G was so terribly slow, I was complaining about it every day and ready to smash it, so Robert said just go get a new one!

So I did. It's pretty sweet. It's way faster than my old phone and it actually locates me on the map. I am very scared I'm going to drop and crack it though, as I was want to do with the old phone. I better get a case stat.

Everything on this one works better than my other so far. Only thing I don't like is that it doesn't have rounded edges anymore and the back is glass. I feel like it's not as comfortable to hold and it's more slippery. Other than that, I am pleased!

Tabletops

Every year my mom participates in the women's Christmas banquet at her church and decorates several tables. I helped her this year and last, and it is quite a to-do!

The crowd favorite is my mom's gift box tabletopper. She made a structure of wood and plumbing to support 3 gift boxes bursting with green and red ornaments and dodads. It is beautiful! Next year the gift box arrangement will be auctioned off at the event.

One of the other tables was decorated in blue, silver, and brown with a reindeer theme. I love reindeer, they are what I decorate my house with for Christmas.

My mom let me make one of the two arrangements for this table. This was my first time making a centerpiece of this stature and I was nervous to do it! I worked alongside her, following along with her ideas and then just went on from there on my own. I was very pleased with the finished product and even more pleased that my mom didn't have to "fix" my work!

I could really get into this. I don't really want to pay for everything that goes into a design like this, but I wouldn't mind making one again next year with my mom's stuff.

It was great to spend time with my mom doing something fun and creating beautiful tables that her church ladies really enjoyed. I'm already looking forward to next year!

Wonderful World Wide Web

I have been doing a lot of online shopping for Christmas this year. It is not nearly as fun as going to the stores (I like to touch things, put them in carts, have the instant gratification of bringing them home) but it is quite convenient!

A lot of stores are doing free shipping right now and I've gotten a lot of "free super saver shipping" on Amazon. I think I'm warming up to this idea of browsing and buying without even having to put my shoes on!

I know I am behind the trend on this one, but what about you? How do you prefer to do your shopping?

Victory!

I ran my 5k on December 5! I didn't have to stop and I didn't feel super tired afterwards. This is a big accomplishment for me because not very long ago I couldn't even run a mile straight.

I think what helped was the energy of being at an official run, taking a few puffs of an inhaler beforehand, and it not being hot outside.

Robert of course finished before me but I'm glad because he was at the finish line cheering me on.

We want to sign up for more of these, and maybe I'll even make it to a 10k some day!

My December

Current Book(s): I'm trying to read Decision Points by GWB. It's interesting but a pretty slow read.

Current Playlist: I really need some new music. I downloaded Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant last night after hearing it at the Copperfield Christmas banquet. I guess Christmas music should be on my playlist.

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: I guess it's shameful to buy yourself stuff when you're out Christmas shopping for others?

Current Color: Red! Silver! The colors of my lovely Christmas reindeer.

Current Drink: Morning: Non-fat, no whip white mocha. Night: Margaritas or Fireman's 4 (not every night). Hmm, same as last month. I am a creature of habit.

Current Food: Chicken nuggets. Why do I love chicken nuggets so much? I think part of it is that they're a vehicle for honey mustard.

Current Wishlist: A raise! Not complaining about my salary, but a wish is a wish. I wish for a raise because I wish I could pay for shutters for my house!

Current Needs: I need earphones for running that actually stay in my ears. It's so annoying and distracting to have to put my iPhone earbuds back in every minute.

Current Triumphs: I ran the Mistletoe 5k without stopping! And I wasn't really tired afterward!

Current Bane(s) of my Existence: I WISH the current bane of my existence was Christmas cookies but since I work at home I don't have any, I have no office mates bringing goodies to work.

Current Celebrity Crush:

Current Indulgence: I sleep until about 7:50 every morning because my commute is .. down the hall.

Current #1 Blessing: Robert's company hasn't been sold (yet).

Current Outfit: Sweateverythings.

Current Excitement: Chicago! We're leaving Dec 10 for a long overdue trip to Chicago. Robert will stay the weekened, I'll stay the week to work in my old office. I am very excited to see all our Chicago friends but very, very scared about freezing to death in the December weather.

Current Mood: Cheery!

Current Link: www.amazon.com. Thank you free shipping.