Christmas Don't Be Late

 "Christmas Don't Be Late" - The Chipmunks

(note - this post contains a little bit of everything.  is cat-tastic.  and is breaking in december's playlist with a little "alvin and the chipmunks.")

Before I truly welcome December...

I want to THANK YOU all so incredibly much for your well wishes, kind words and thoughtful prayers.

There's a lot I want to say. There's a lot I need to say. And today, I'm too busy being a mix of awkwardly calm.  Still, somewhat hyper. A little sappy. And kinda goofy.

In the coming weeks and months, I know time will do its thing. I know each day will grant me more ease and understanding with my emotions.  And I will be ready to put it all in words.

I will say this for now....
Our appointment went well. Of course, I was antsy beforehand. I contemplated going on a run and settled for this instead...

It was the better choice.  It helped.

And this notebook full of questions galore...
That nifty 50 cent kitten pen attached to it - filled out every single answer.  It felt so good.  I've looked through it a handful of times since.  I'm grateful for that piece of peace...
                                         For a supportive and involved husband...

Grateful for an awesome and down to earth doctor.

Grateful that its contents will continue to heal our wounds.

For now, I guess this is the best way to describe Monday...

It took a lot out of me.  But what it took out of me, it also replaced with such hope.

It invigorated me.  And is going to help me heal these scars.

***

And now, it's time to get in the Christmas spirit.

A few hours after the appointment, I got to spend the night with Jessica and Kelly.  We had the whole restaurant to ourselves.

Remember those darn yetis that were chasing me back in November??

Well, they're back.  This one was watching me check out at the grocery store on Saturday night.

I knew something had to be done.

(I gotta say though, I'm likin' the $50 price tag on this one compared to the $80 one I saw last month.  If I find one for $30, I just might spring for it.)

Monday night, during a quick run to Target, there in the always addicting dollar bins, was the perfect piece to ward off those evil yetis...

Yep, you guessed it...

Yeti chapstick.

Would ya just look at those smiles on their faces!?

Smack some on your lips and watch as those stinkin' yetis get sent to the land of abominable snow land.

Kelly and I

Jessica and I

***

Excuse me while I backtrack to last week and weekend.

The page has been turned. Welcome December.

Welcome Christmas music.  I love this song - "Christmas Dont Be Late."

I do.  Yea, I know...it's a trio of little furry chipmunks singing with obnoxiously high pitched voices.  But it reminds me of being young.  Our old record player.  And me singing it as a little girl.

It makes me smile. 

And I can't help but see a slight resemblance to 3 very dear fluffy loves....

In my imagination, Twinkie, Muffin and Krimpet sound just like Alvin, Simon and Theodore.

***

I babysat for this sweet little charmer last Wednesday. 

Noah.  He loves taking pictures.  And even breaks out the poses.

He's SO stinkin' adorable.  We had fun playing trains all afternoon.

I met up with this "newlywed bug" for some catching up and chicken nachos.

I found Twinkie exactly like this Friday afternoon.  I rushed for my camera.  Is he serious?  He totally is.  King Twinkie, we call him.

Muffin reunited with her long long friend - Fast food cup and straw.  She was determined.

She succeeded.

Yep, she's a happy girl!

***

Me and the Mr had a little date night planned with...

These two lovely people.  Alex and Kelly.

We're trouble.  Don't let these faces fool you. 

And our men made friends with the nice young bus boy.  They insisted he get in the photo.

Kelly and I got a minor case of whiplash from turning so many times to gaze through the door.  There was some major booty shakin' going on.  That lady in the red shirt had some priceless moves.

We SO shoulda joined em', Kelly!

It was the perfect photo opportunity.  I matched the tiles in the ladie's room.  And the baby changing station added a nice touch.

Me and the Mr

I love this photo.  And according to Kelly, it was the better of the two because my arm looked like a T-rex/dinosaur arm in the other.  Thanks for lookin' out, gf!

A wonderful night we hope to repeat sooner than later.

***

Saturday, Steve woke me up with flowers and pancakes.  My first thoughts were, "What did you do? What do you want?" 

So far, it is still, "just because."

Just kidding, hunny.

We spent a comfy day lounging.

Muffin kept me company.

And pretty soon, Miss Krimpet joined.

We watched Christmassy type shows and were L-A-Z-Y for a few hours.

Speaking of lazy...

I found the kitties an early Christmas present.  Another bed. 

Within seconds of bringing it in, Twinkie plopped right down and was lovin' it. 

Muffin was envious and wanted to desperately join in.

She got her way.  Just look at her waving goodbye to Twinkie.

But Twinkie wasn't in the sharing mood.  He was ready to claim back his throne.

The best way he knew how to.

While the kitties enjoyed their new bed...

We Steve made tacos.

Hey, I opened the can of beans and mixed the salad kit.

King Twinkie and Krimpet scored first dibs on the beds.

And poor lil' generous Muffin was left with only this paper towel to get comfy on.  She totally walked right over to it and got cozy. We were cracking up.  Good lil' Mins.

Sunday, we went on a hunt for our Christmas tree.  And this was the sky.  Very dark.

That's Steve turning on his handy dandy flashlight app on his phone.

We walked up and down and up and down the rows of trees.  Finally, the lights from a car heading home shined it's lights on this big boy. (the tree, not Steve.)

I took on the tough task of holding the "flashlight" while Mr. sawed (and grunted) his way through the tree.

There she goes! 

We picked a prickly one.  Let me tell you! WOOO WEEE! It had some spiky needles.  Steve began heave ho'ing it back while I made sure to snap 538 more pictures.

It was at this point Steve shouted, "Maria, put the damn camera away and get in front with some light!"

This is where I usually start laughing and snorting (and take 15 more photos.)

With the help of a burly man and some twine, she was ready to go.

With a few more heave ho's, the tree found its home in our living room and was ready to have it's netting cut off.  I promise you.  Steve told me to take his picture.  He said I had one chance and one chance only to snap his ever so awesome get up! So of course, I did.

Krimpet has been enjoying it since. 

And at the end of the week, the tree will be gettin' jazzy n' snazzy.

***

UMMM, so I kid you not, just as I was setting up the song for this post on playlist.com...
Look (at the bottom left corner) what just popped up!!
AHHH! Yetis are everywhere. Must. Get. More. Chapstick.

Muffin

and I wish you a very Happy Wednesday!!

Wednesday Lovin',