Nashville, TN: I got an email from a friend the other day that said, "I hope you're enjoying your break!" Luckily I wasn't drinking something because if I had been, I would have definitely spit it out on my computer... which I was working on... because I am FAR from being on a break. I am not currently traveling, however, I feel like I am a hamster in a wheel. Wrapping up this year's paperwork, prepping next year's travel, trying to do marketing stuff for Thistle Farms, go to the gym, spend time with the boy, get Christmas presents, not lose my mind... the last one I'm just BARELY able to do. And I'm not making any promises that it's not going to happen.
However, in between the madness that this time of year seems to provide, there have been a few fun goings on in my world that I want to take a few minutes out of my day to share. Because they are awesome. And even though I swear I am NEVER going to get ahead in this game of life, hopefully I'll be able to look back at this time someday and remember there was some shining sparkles of light...
starting with -
Lisa Loeb Eyeglasses! It seemed that it took forever, but finally the singer-songwriter with the signature cat-eye glasses (hey! wait a minute...) released her own line so people would stop asking her where she got hers. My favorite part is that they are named after her songs, though it was actually hard because I'm a big fan of "Snow Day," the song, but not as much in the frame. However, when I went to Specs (the BEST eye boutique in Nashville!), I knew immediately I would be next seen in "All The Stars" -- in cookies & creme.
They finally arrived a week later, complete with a Lisa Loeb custom case...
and now, pair #8 seems to be a perfect fit.
And next, a Christmas day date with little Lennox. Goddaughter #2 is now almost 2, so I thought it was time to do our first Auntie outing. I had a gift certificate to Build-A-Bear and considering I doubt I would use that myself, I thought this would be the perfect treat for this sweet (but very energetic) little one.
Building the bear (which is actually a bunny)
The finished product (meet BunnyBear)
A ride on the ferris wheel (guess I should have done that before lunch?)
A little note from mom, just in case she took off somewhere else when I was looking at shoes...
Two girls having so much fun!
A quiet car ride home. (I'm exhausted! How do parents actually do this every day!?)
And finally, the beloved Santa Rampage, where people dress up and dreams come true. This year, it was pouring rain and the boy and I were on the fence about going. It has special meaning to us, but do we really have to prove it by schlepping in the rain? After hemming & hawing about it for a good part of the evening, I decided to put on my big girl panties (under my Mrs. Santa suit), add a new santa hat/scarf combo (made me look a little Russian, but I was warm!) and made our way downtown. We were wet, but damn, we made the right decision.
The Clauses
A sea of Santas
A think this is a one horse open sleigh, but I'm not 100% sure.
JRob making another year even more fun!
Santa down.
So there you have it -- a quick summary to what's going on in my world. And now, back to the wheel.
