Best of Ought-Nine

With the end of the year now upon us, Jill had the brilliant idea of taking a look back at our favorite posts from the past 12 months.

Going through my posts from this year, trying to pick out my favorite for each month? A lot harder than I thought.

But without further ado, here's the list of what I think are the best nuts o' the bunch:

January: A girl can dream, can't she? Wishful Thinking

February: Another year older. Birthday Girls

March: Put away your books, class... it's time for a pop quiz! Have you been paying attention?

April: All I need is a tractor. And some overalls. Maybe I should really live on a farm...

May: Flip-flopitis. It's a sickness, really...

June: In case you weren't sure. You know you're a mom when...

July: Good times. Our Florida Vacation

August: I could look at this all. day. long. What a view!

September: She's destined for stardom. Conversations in the Car, Vol. V

October: We are so making plans to do this again. Best. Mom date. EVER.

November: I have no idea how this happened. Perhaps I've been neglecting my household duties...

December: Who says I'm not patient? My husband has made me happy. And it only took him six years to do so.

Hard as it was to just pick one post from each month (and not because I thought they were all great... in fact, I think some were duds!), it was also entertaining to go back through the posts from this past year.

Let's see what 2010 brings...

Nighty Night

I'd like to get a "celebrity lullaby"...

But as much as I adore Ricky Gervais, I don't want a celebrity lullaby from him.

I'm sure it's no big surprise who my answer would be...

Who would you like to receive a "celebrity lullaby" from?

Christmas 2009

Our Christmas was a good one, but it's been one heck of a week...

Shane's grandfather has been in the ICU since last Monday. It seems like he takes one step forward, two steps back... but though it may take awhile, we think he'll be ok.

Late last Wednesday night I got a phone call from my cousin, telling me our grandmother (who had just flown up from Florida on Monday) was taken to the ER because she was having a heart attack. Thankfully, she'll be fine and should be released from the hospital tomorrow.

So Christmas might not have gone as we had planned, but we managed to make the most of it! As usual, we celebrated Christmas Eve at my mom's and Christmas day at my mother-in-law's.

Hannah and Michaela must have been good this year... 'cause Santa brought them just what they asked for. Michaela got her pink sock monkey and pink two-wheeled scooter, and Hannah received a digital camera. I must have been good as well... Shane gave me the boots and wine glasses from my wish list! And Shane received saddlebags and gear for his motorcycle.

Christmas Eve with my family

Christmas morning

Christmas evening with Shane's family

Hope everyone had a happy Christmas! What was your favorite part of your holiday or your favorite gift you received?

Everything Austen Challenge Wrap-Up

Since August, I've been participating in the Everything Austen Challenge hosted by Stephanie's Written Word. Being a self-described "Jane Austen addict", this was right up my alley!

Naturally, I've waited until the end of December before I even began the item for this month. I may have gotten a tad obsessed sidetracked with reading Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series (I'm almost finished with Book 3) that I overlooked reading anything Austen related.

However, I received Jane Austen for Dummies for Christmas... woo hoo!

Not only does this book give you information on Austen's six novels, but also insight to Austen's own life... what may have inspired her writing, her childhood and family, as well as the social etiquette of the time. It's a good reference book if you want to have a better understanding of Austen the author and the world of her novels.

The other items I completed for the EAC were:

• watched the 2008 BBC miniseries "Lost in Austen" (definitely my favorite Challenge completed)
• read The Darcys and the Bingleys by Marsha Altman
• watched the 1995 BBC version of "Pride and Prejudice"
• read Colonel Brandon's Diary by Amanda Grange
• read Mr Darcy, Vampyre, by Amanda Grange

It's been fun finding so many Austen "sequels" and "spin-offs", many I had no idea were out there until I had read the reviews posted by other EAC participants. Some I didn't care for (I still have not read past Chapter 3 of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) and others I've absolutely loved. The EAC may be over, but I'm looking forward to continuing with Sharon Lathan's Darcy Saga (book 3 to be released next week!) as well as catching a 2009 adaptation of "Emma" on PBS next month.

Are you a fan of Austen's novels? Do you have a favorite Austen "sequel" or "spin-off"?

To all friends, both near and far...

wishing you a Christmas full of peace,

and happiness throughout the new year!

Sights of the Season

Last Minute Randomness

Are you ready for Christmas? (it is just two days away, from what I understand...)

I think I'm ready. I've got one more gift to buy... nothing like waiting 'til the last minute, right?

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Earlier this morning, the girls and I went out to run a few errands. We may or may not have stopped (yet again) at the cupcake shop on our way home...

(can we say, 1-800-Jenny-Craig?)

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We're leaving at the crack o' dawn tomorrow... taking another day trip to Asheville to visit Biltmore. This will be Hannah and Michaela's first time seeing the house decorated for Christmas. Their first trip to Biltmore was back in October...

Both girls enjoyed touring the house and are excited to see it all decked out for the holidays. And not only are the four of us going, but also my mom, aunt, uncle, brother, sister-in-law, nephew and niece!

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I really need to get to bed. Four a.m. will be here before I know it...

My husband has made me happy. And it only took him six years to do so.

What has Shane done, you ask?

He's built a closet in our downstairs playroom. And yes, I've been asking him to do so for six years.

When we moved into this house in August of 2003, I thought it was pretty much perfect... it had everything we were looking for. We needed at least three bedrooms, but we were hoping for a 4th bedroom or bonus room... some place we could use as a playroom for the girls.

When we looked at this house and saw that it had a finished basement, complete with den and office, we knew this was the house for us.

Of course after we moved in, I realized there are some things about this house that I don't like... the galley-style kitchen, for one.

Not having a closet in the playroom was another.

But now, I can mark that one off the "don't like" list...

Look! Isn't it pretty?

We have a door!

There's still some work left to be done... painting and replacing the baseboards. I'd also like for Shane to install some sort of closet organizer-thingy (and yes, that's the technical term), once I figure out what exactly I want.

But just having the closet there has made my day.

Christmas Vacation has officially begun!

Yesterday was Hannah and Michaela's last day of school until next year (ha ha ha). (And? My girls don't go back to school until January 6th. 19 full days of them being home. It's a good thing I'm well stocked with beer and wine. Just sayin'.)

Since there was no school today, the girls invited their cousins, Big E and Little E, to spend the night with them. We decided to take the kids out to look at Christmas lights.

Little E would "Ooooooo!" each time she saw a decorated house. Seriously, how adorable is that?!

speaking of cuteness, it makes me giggle when I hear Big E and Little E call my name. They both say "Aunt Shane-nun". I love it! I hope their sister, Baby E, follows suit.

A few of the houses we saw had their lights set to music. I think those were the favorites of the kids'.

And apparently, I do not know how to use a DSLR camera. All of the photos of houses came out blurry.

EVERY.

SINGLE.

ONE.

Oh, well.

It's a good thing this shop is on the other side of town.

Otherwise, I'd be in serious trouble.

Or specifically, my hips/thighs/waist/rear end/all of the above would be in serious trouble.

Oh, my. Heaven on a plate.

The girls seem to have inherited my love for cupcakes.

Please excuse us whilst we recover from our buttercream-induced comas...

What I *really* want for Christmas

So maybe my last wish list didn't go over very well with Shane.

I have no idea why it didn't. Hmph.

Anyway, he asked that I come up with a few more, shall we say... appropriate... items for my wish list:

• these boots

• gift cards to "the mother ship"

• or gift cards to another of my favorites places to shop

• a set of stemless wine glasses

(they don't necessarily need to be monogrammed... it would just be nice to enjoy wine out of real wineglasses for a change)

• this game

(I would so kick ass at this version.)

• this necklace

• or maybe this one

There. I think that gives him a few options, don't you think?

And what about you?

what's on your Christmas wish list this year?

I've been an awful good girl...

so maybe I'll find this, waiting for me under the tree on Christmas morning...

Hey, a girl can dream, can't she?

What they *really* want for Christmas...

Just for fun, I had my girls write down what they really wanted for Christmas (money being no object)...

In case their scribbles don't make any sense, allow me to decipher them...

Michaela's list includes:

• a TV
• a pink two-wheel scooter
• Webkinz fish, dolphin and Zumbuddy
• Izzie's brother*

On Hannah's list:

• Webkinz
• money
• Sandy (her elf) to stay for Christmas
• an electric two-wheel scooter
• Jonah*

*Jonah is, in fact, our dog Izzie's brother. When we adopted Izzie two years ago, the rescue shelter also had two of Izzie's litter mates. Jonah is still there, waiting to be adopted...

Isn't he a handsome fella?

I've asked the girls if they'd like to ask Santa to bring Jonah in lieu of presents this year. So far, they're not too keen on that idea...

Thank you.

My recent "comments for cans" post generated 30 comments! (well, technically that post had 29 comments... but Elena missed the post and asked for a can to be thrown in the pile in her name... which I was more than glad to do!)

Anyway, that means I pledged to donate 30 cans to my local food bank...

I must give props to Em, Elizabeth, and DysFUNctional Mom for linking to my "comments for cans" post. And also to Dillypoo, who not only gave me a shout out, but also has her own "comments for cans" post on her blog.

Y'all rock my socks off.

Now, as to what I did with those 30 cans...

Angie and Jane also held their own "comments for cans" posts. Yesterday the three of us met up and took our bounties to the food drive one of our local TV stations holds every year.

This was, in fact, the 25th year Channel 3 has been hosting the "Share Your Christmas" food drive... and in those 25 years, this event has brought in over 2 million pounds of food to the Chattanooga Food Bank!

Pretty awesome, if you ask me.

thanks to all who left comments and helped me support my local food bank!

Merry SITSmas!

just me and a few of my favorite SITStas... Angie, Heather, me, Tiffany,

Heather, Denise, Cara, Lula, Lizzy and Kat!

It's beginning to look a lot like SITSmas

on ev'ry blog you see!

Take a look at each card and post, of SITStas as they host

happy and warm wishes full of glee!

It's beginning to look a lot like SITSmas

a celebration is in store!

But the prettiest sight to see is the merriment to be

Comments, hourly prizes and more!

A day of shopping and blog-hopping

is the wish of JDM and Jen

Caffeine and wine (and kids that don't whine)

are the hopes of Jill and Cristin

and Lula and I can hardly wait for Lost to start again!

It's beginning to look a lot like SITSmas

soon the fun will start!

And the comment-love you'll leave, and the comments you receive

will surely warm your heart!

Merry SITSmas!

Maybe we'll get a "White Christmas" after all!

Or maybe not... seeing as how the snow had melted away by noon.

But it sure was fun while it lasted!

Countdown to Christmas Giveaway Winners!

Thanks to all who entered our "Countdown to Christmas" giveaways! Angie, Jane and I had fun putting this together. Who knows what else the three of us may come up with in the future...

Now, here are the winners!

day 1: Mimi

day 2: Megan R

day 3: Diana

day 4: Missy

day 5: Julia

Congratulations, ladies!

Countdown to Christmas: 5 Days of Giveaways! Day 5

There's no time like Christmastime to bring out the kid in you... so today's giveaways are all about the little ones!

My contribution for today's trio of giveaways is the Little Golden Books Christmas Favorites.

This three-volume book includes The Night Before Christmas, The Christmas Story, and The Animals' Christmas Eve.

To enter, all you need to do is tell me:

• what is your favorite holiday story?

• AND visit Angie and Jane to see what else is in today's giveaway!

Remember! You must comment on all three blog posts to be eligible for that day's giveaways! If you missed any of this week's giveaways, you still have time to go back and enter. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m Sunday, 12/6. Winners will be announced December 7th. Good luck... and happy holidays!

*I purchased the item for today's giveaway.

Countdown to Christmas: 5 Days of Giveaways! Day 4

The weather outside may be frightful (our local weatherman is calling for S-N-O-W on Saturday! GAH!)... but inside, we're staying warm & cozy with another giveaway!

Paper Lovely Letterpress and Design has offered a set of 3 "hot chocolate letterpress notecards" for today's giveaway!*

Each card offers an original illustration, hand printed on a vintage platen letterpress and with hand-mixed holiday red & chocolate brown ink. Also included are 3 holiday red pointed-flap envelopes.

These charming notecards are the perfect way to send "warm wishes" to a loved one this holiday!

To enter:

• Please visit Paper Lovely... then come back here and tell me another item from the shop you like.

• AND visit Angie and Jane to see what else is up for grabs today!

Remember: you must comment on all three blog posts in order to be eligible for that day's prizes! Winners will be announced December 7th. Good luck... and happy holidays!

*Paper-Lovely has generously donated the notecards for today's giveaway. I have not received any compensation from them for doing this giveaway.

Thanks again, Kim!

Countdown to Christmas: 5 Days of Giveaways! Day 3

The Countdown to Christmas continues with another giveaway!

'Tis the season for holiday baking... fruitcakes, Buche de Noel, gingerbread men and more! Here's a recipe box full of Christmas confections...

The adorable box also includes a pack of holiday recipes, blank recipe cards and recipe divider cards.

To enter:

• Leave a comment here, telling me your favorite holiday dessert.

• AND visit Angie and Jane to see what else is up for grabs today!

Remember: you must comment on all three daily blog posts to be eligible for that day's giveaway! Winners will be announced December 7th. Good luck... and happy holidays!

*The item for today's giveaway was purchased by me.

Countdown to Christmas: 5 Days of Giveaways! Day 2

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Time for another giveaway!

December has just begun, and some of you may have already decked your halls and trimmed your trees.

How about decorating yourself with this charming necklace?

Yum Yum Pendants has offered their adorable "Colorful Ornament" Scrabble tile pendant (and 18" ball chain) for today's giveaway!*

To enter:

• Visit Yum Yum Pendants... then come back here and let me know another pendant you like. And be sure to take a good look around their shop... Yum Yum Pendants is offering a "Buy 2 Get 1 Free!" sale through December 31st! Wow!

• AND visit Angie and Jane to see what else is offered for today's giveaway!

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Remember: you must comment on all three blog posts in order to be eligible for the daily prizes! Winners will be announced December 7th. Good luck... and happy holidays!

*The pendant for today's giveaway has been generously donated by Yum Yum Pendants. I did not receive any compensation from Yum Yum Pendants for this giveaway.

Many thanks, Ela!