No Spoilers!

Well, I did it. I managed to avoid any spoilers before seeing The Force Awakens.  Have no fear...there will be no spoilers here.

I didn't see the original Star Wars movies when they first came out. I wasn't really interested in the prequels - I saw them, but didn't like them. I honestly don't remember my first Star Wars experience. However, I will remember this one. I am now married to a full on Star Wars nerd. My husband was so excited. and I LOVED that. Maybe this is how people with children feel. I totally got swept up in his excitement. I had found these window clings and started a countdown on the bathroom mirror for him.

 

If he saw the mirror before I had a chance to put up the next cling there was "gentle" reminder. And I knew he loved it the day he Snapchatted me this picture.

 

We pre-ordered the tickets almost two months ago. Then Monday I went by the theater and had the actual tickets printed. I confess I was a bit anxious about the whole process. Would there be a stampede at the theater? Would we get stuck in the front row?

We arrived at 4:20 p.m. for our 8 p.m. show. There were only 6 people in line ahead of us. All the people in the picture behind us were waiting for the 7 p.m. IMAX showing.

It was 32 degrees while we were in line. It was cold but not miserable. They ended up letting us in around 6 p.m. (and we got to go straight to our warm seats - not another line).

My husband was super excited to have primo seats - back row, dead center. Ironically, these empty seats stayed open until some people came in about 7 p.m. and took them. I teased him a bit that we could have rolled in at 7 p.m. instead of 4:20 :)  No costumes for us, but you can see Boba Fett was represented.

Waiting.....

These two were not the only ones gaming on their phones while they waited.

Guess who sat in front of us!  The lady had crocheted a yoda hat for herself.

My husband kept busy Snapchatting my niece while we waited. How cute is he??

And that is all I can tell you about the movie.

I had hoped to see more people dressed up. There were a few. A helmet-less Vader swept by me on the way to the restroom. His costume was great - lights and a cape that would make Mary at Runs to Get Waisted swoon :) There was a girl dressed as Rey and a guy as a Jedi Knight. She didn't have a costume, but I saw the cutest little blond girl with Leia buns.

In health related news....I did not eat ALL my Milk Duds (or Milk Dudes as we call them) during the movie. This is what I found in my purse this morning. I really don't know what made them warm enough to melt. And yes, I know what it looks like, but it didn't stop me from breaking off a piece this morning.

We didn't make these Star Wars gingerbread men cookies, but I had to share. I saw them on Facebook (made by a friend of a friend). How cute are they?

With a the movie viewed and 100 days of streaking and I am wrapping up the the Jedi Challenge. The packet of star stickers I bought for my chart only had 98 stickers. At the time, I didn't think that would be a problem because I am not known as "The Finisher."  I suspected there would be at least two days missed and I wouldn't need all the stars anyway. Yet, here I am at the end and two stickers short. Truth is, I didn't do the last day because we were swept away by movie day. I will do the last day today and I am good with that.

I am proud of myself for finishing. I am proud of myself for all the days I did it even when I didn't want to. Thank you again to Desiree at Finding the Skinny Geek Within for such a fun idea. And, as always, a shout out to my Lovely Ladies and my husband for all their encouragement (and kicks in the hiney)  :)  Now I am looking ahead for ways to keep this good habit going.

Finally, for those who have ever wondered what is up Millie's nose.... I do kinda love this picture. Millie is a bit standoffish about having her picture taken (especially with my cell phone). This time she was a poser and I love her little eyes peeking over her snout.

One week until Christmas....are you ready?  I have made some progress, but have a ways to go.

Old Friends...New Friends

And suddenly December is half over. Christmas is next week and I am NOT ready...not even close.  

Instead of Christmas shoppingm we have been car shopping.  I have a crazy tendency to personify inanimate objects. Don't get my husband started on the mostly dead plant I had to have him throw away in the middle of winter cause I just couldn't do it myself. Incidentally, he stashed the plant behind the shed because it wasn't trash day. I found it the next spring after the snow had melted away. I admit, I shed a tear or two over letting go of Frank..so many memories. Have you seen the insurance commercial where the girl describes how she "loved Brad" then he got totaled? Well, I loved Frank.

After 10 years of service, my beloved Frank cost way to much to repair - timing chain, oil leak in the engine, etc. It was especially frustrating because he looked to be in great condition, otherwise, and it is actually our other car that looks hideous, but runs great.

We tossed around several ideas and decided to pursue a Toyota. How about this old truck displayed at the dealership? I would drive that.

We finally made a decision and traded in poor Frank. Please don't tell him he was traded for a back up camera that I am pretty excited about :)

While Frank was having his plates removed we noticed this car in the parking lot. Apparently, it was part of the dealership's Halloween parade float. How fun!

 A final goodbye. The salesman probably thought we were ridiculous when we asked for a picture...and maybe we are :)

A new (to us) car to love...2012 Toyota Camry. It has way more bells and whistles that we ever planned to get. We had our eye on a much more basic model 2015 Corolla with about 5000 miles on it. But they couldn't get it to our price range. When they offered this one for a really good price we couldn't resist.

Now what to name it..... Someone told my husband it looks like a Stormtrooper, so he is lobbying for names like Lefty, Trooper, Stormy. I am currently thinking Pearl. Time will tell.

Our trees are finally decorated...so many ornaments. Between now and Christmas there will be many pictures. My ornaments are my obsession.

I bought this one to commemorate a fun PowerPoint contest my oldest niece and I had. I think she was in junior high at the time and just learning how to use PowerPoint. I honestly didn't know anything about it either at the time. We each taught ourselves how to use it by each creating a presentation about swans. Then we projected them on the big tv and made our family vote which was best. Not surprisingly, we BOTH won :)

I couldn't believe when I saw this ornament in the store. A perfect replica of my SuperMixer. I can't even think about why they decided to make them...I guess for people like me.

I love flamingos...and from my tree I am thinking I must love pigs too (I counted 5 or 6).

This is one of my new ones - a flat owl face we found on our little trip to my husband's hometown a couple of weeks ago. You will notice another pig at the bottom of the picture.

 I loved the ornaments made from recycled soda cans - here is my Mello Yello puppy.

And a Dr. Pepper reindeer. The starburst ornament is iconic of my Grandma's Christmas tree. It always takes me back.

One of my absolute favorites is from a road trip to New England not long after college. One day I will tell you the story of a guy who had a complete fit that I would even consider putting a lobster Christmas ornament on my tree. And that was the very least of his problems.

 My niece made me this flamingo and palm tree. The drum was my grandmother's.

I used to have tree trimming parties and would make an ornament for each of my guests. This pearl star is one of my all time favorites.

 Chickens are cute - that is all.

I am working on letting my husband into the collection. We have several Star Wars ornaments. I am on the hunt for a Millennium Falcon.

 I bought this one on a cruise to the Bahamas.

I have a few Hallmark ornaments. I loved when they did Fisher Price toy replicas. I loved my school bus and school house as a kid...and I love my bus and school house ornaments as an adult :)

One of my co-workers got this ornament for us at Disney as a wedding present. Sadly Mickey has lost one of his ears. I admit it is probably indicative of how I have talked my husband's ear off :)

My sister and I have matching bowling penguins commemorating the years we bowled on our church league. I still can't believe I was on a bowling league - I think my average was about 112.

It is hard to see in the picture, but this panda is designed to look like origami. It is one of two panda ornaments I got at the San Diego zoo the first (and only time) I have seen pandas.

So long ago my mom bought this from a teacher at a school where she substitute taught. The body is made of clay then decorated. The sings are made from maple helicopters (seeds). It is one of my most prized ornaments and would love more.

Thank you for indulging me. And unless I see "STOP" in the comments I am sure I will share more between now and Christmas :)

P.S. Regarding my December goals. It is true I am completely off track, but I have not completely given up and have actually lost a pound or so...

Keep Walking

I had an extra burst of energy at work the other day. I was putting together packets for a meeting. Instead of sitting back down at my desk as each part copied, I was a marching fool (there might even been a dance move or two). Thankfully, I was in the office alone. I don't mind sharing my wacky with you all, but not so eager to share with the co-workers.

After packets were done I ate my lunch. This is my Mostly Leftovers Soup. I started with my homemade broth (made from leftover chicken bones), rice (leftover from homemade General Tso's), broccoli (leftover from another dinner) and butternut cubes (fresh from the squash). I added some curry powder to round out the flavors. It was good. Not the best soup ever, but lots of veggies and a good use-up of leftovers. A couple of Cuties completed the meal.

After I ate at my desk, I headed out into the work neighborhood for a walk. Most times when I walk at work I like to eat my lunch first. If I wait until after my walk, I am thinking about how hungry I am the whole time, instead of enjoying the walk. I also like to walk a bit later because it helps me get through the long afternoon.

I hope my walking posture is a little better than this guy's posture. And I am thankful for hands and feet. But like this guy I seriously wonder sometimes if my head is attached :)

I thought this decoration was cute. I am not a the biggest fan of nutcrackers, but I really liked them as sentries on each side of the door - a charming tableau. I also thought the ornaments in the flower box was creative. Now I think I need flower boxes.

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday (I will spare you the details). I just thought this waiting room decor had an interesting look. Chairs that were not against a way had a burlap and floral swag on the back (like you would see at a wedding.)

I have been out of the groove on morning walks lately. However, today is going to be a busy day. During my lunch hour I have a couple of errands to run ('tis the season). This evening is my office Christmas party. I really wanted to get my walk in, so I wasn't fretting all day about when I was going to do it. I didn't do my usual morning household chores, but at least I walked :)

It looks like my neighborhood is all about the inflatables this year.

"I'm melting...I'm melting". Oh wait, wasn't that was the Wicked Witch of the West who said that, right? Perhaps this guy is just bowing to a princess as she passes :)

This guy was fully inflated when I walked by the first time but it was too dark for a picture. He is a super cute dino with animation that moves his head from side to side as though he is looking for lunch...perhaps a tasty walker.

I was surprised to see the greenery in this section. It looked a bit more like spring than winter.

This lawn reminded me of my southern friends who are still moving their yards. My husband would probably have a stroke if I asked him to mow in December. It sure looks like a freshly mowed yard under that frost.

I was happy to be out and walking this morning. Having a workout done and out of the way feels great physically and mentally!

Our weekend plans include car shopping, a trip for my husband and hopefully some productive Christmas shopping. What are your plans?

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DECEMBER GOAL ACCOUNTABILITY

December 9

5 Fruits/Veggies - 1 c. spinach, banana, 1 c. butternut/broccoli, 2 clementines. 2 c lettuce
100 oz. water - 80+
Next best choice - I made lasagna for dinner.I ate a salad first, then enjoyed a small piece of the lasagna.

December 10

5 Fruits/Veggies - 1 c. spinach, banana, asparagus
100 oz. water - 52
Next best choice - I ate breakfast at home even though I had early doctor's appointment and didn't think I had time.