Because Life is Just that Exciting

This started out as another one of those misc. update posts because not a lot has been going on recently, just the same old routine. But, I decided to break out of the routine and give it a snazzier title!

This weekend we have stayed around the house. I cleaned, lamented how closely related to pigs we really are, and Reid and I got fall/Halloween decorations out. We only decorated the sitting area around the fireplace since the dining room is going to be a reconstruction zone starting this week. We also put our light up ghost in the kitchen window and some Halloween decorations in each of the kids' room.

Damon and I bought the paint and supplies for the dining room on Thursday and, this week, my goal is to get all of the glassware packed up and get the room cleared out. Damon is going to start on the ceiling next weekend. I gave him a deadline of November 5, which will give me two weeks to get Christmas decorations out and ready for a holiday party I am hosting on November 22.

I started Christmas shopping this weekend - looking at options and starting a list. Since we got out of debt last year, my goal has been to pay cash, whenever, wherever possible, Christmas especially. We can plan for it, save for it, instead of waiting to figure it out at the last minute. This year, I have done pretty well about putting $100 into a Christmas savings account every month. I skipped one month - July - because we really needed the money on our vacation. But, other than that, we will have the money to pay cash for Christmas. I feel pretty good about that.

I also wanted to get a jump on Christmas so I could figure out what we are going to do for teacher gifts. That is my challenge every year - what do I do that is creative, inexpensive and not the teacher mug or hot chocolate everyone else gives. I don't worry about keeping up with the Jones', I want to out create the Jones'! This year, I am leaning toward similar gifts to what I gave the 40th Birthday girls - a customized Yankee Candle and customized M&Ms. We have at least 27 gifts in that category...I think I am going to order 50 and then we will have enough for all of those little gifts that come up at the last minute.