New Year Baby

Today's Beautiful Thing is my Aunt Ann--she's a New Year Baby! We always get together for dinner on New Year's Eve to celebrate. Happy Birthday Aunt Ann & Happy New Year everyone!

Katie

Today's Beautiful Thing is my youngest sister, Katie. It's her 30th birthday today! I wish for her the most Beautiful decade of her life. Happy Birthday Sis!

Surprise!

Today's Beautiful Thing is a sweet surprise left in my work mailbox by an anonymous coworker. How nice to find a little treat this morning!

A Clean(er) & Tidy(ier) House

Today's Beautiful Thing is having company over. The last couple of months have been very hectic and I haven't spent as much time cleaning or tidying my house as I should. Thank heavens my in-laws came over this afternoon. It forced us to pick up, vacuum, dust, put away the Christmas clutter, and tidy the kitchen and bathrooms a bit. Hey, whatever works, right?

Gift Cards

Today's Beautiful Thing is gift cards. I'll admit, I forget I have them for months, but when I finally fish them out and use them, it's fun. Tonight we went to the Corner Bakery and had grilled panini sandwiches and salad (me) and chili (him) and split one of their insanely delicious caramel iced, banana baby bundt cakes. Thanks to whoever gave it to us for Christmas last year (told you we always forget to use gift cards!) we only had to put in a few bucks to pay for our meal.

TCB

Today's Beautiful Thing is taking care of business. (Is that a blast from the past, or what? I'm almost too young to remember that expression!) We had my car serviced today. Since the mileage is so low, it hasn't been checked in a couple of years, so we had them do a bunch of maintenance, just to be safe.

(Pictured: Our nephew and Godson, Jeff, on Christmas, holding the shirt (and wearing the fleece hat) we gave him.)

Family Pt II

Today's Beautiful Thing is another day of family. We spent today with my in-laws and had a wonderful time. I was in charge of appetizers (and they turned out great), Aunt Lucy was visiting (and she's so funny!), and Abner, Elise and I played Hide & seek, monster and looking for treasures. It was a very nice day. :) Merry-Happy to you all.

(Pictured: The cutest little girl in earth, hands down. Our niece, Elise.)

Family

Today's Beautiful Thing is getting together with extended family. I just don't get to see all my aunts, uncles & cousins enough and I really appreciate that most of us were all together today. Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

(Pictured: Our nephew, Ryan, holds up the shirt we gave him on Christmas. I forgot my camera on Christmas Eve.)

Tis The Season

Today's Beautiful Thing is that Christmas feeling. We gave the neighbors cookies (and they gave us pumpkin & banana breads!) and I'm spending the evening wrapping. As the stack of presents around me grows, my heart gets lighter. I love everything about Christmas--even this last, final, hectic crunch--I just wish I had more time to do everything that needs to be done. Oh well. I am grateful that I have so many Beautiful people to buy for, so many people to love.

Wrapping

Today's Beautiful Thing is finally getting a few presents wrapped. They look really pretty.

Good Finds

Today's Beautiful Thing is finding just the right gifts for many people on my list. Whew! I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping and I am grateful.

Sconing

Today's Beautiful Thing is having breakfast with Michele. My friend Katy and her sisters call it "sconing." Since I had the most delicious of all orange glazed scones, the title seemed appropriate here. We had a very nice time gabbing and eating. :)

Date Night

Today's Beautiful Thing is running an errand with the hubby and turning it into a date. Since we had to be in a lovely seaside city anyway, why not have dinner, shop and sip hot chocolate on the pier with my favorite guy? We had a very nice time.

Early Day

Today's Beautiful Thing is our department holiday lunch. We ate at Dave & Busters, played air hocke, and had the rest of the day to ourselves. Some of us took advantage of the location and did some Christmas shopping, some took in a movie, and some went home early. It's nice to have a couple of free hours at this busy time of year.

Warm & Cozy

Today's Beautiful Thing is coming home to a nice warm house after getting soaked on a crazy rainy night. I think I'll have some hot cocoa before bed. :)

Hot Tub

Today's Beautiful Thing is a nice hot bath on a cold evening. I soaked a good 30 minutes and read a book. Heaven!

Time Flies!

Today's Beautiful Thing is uploading old photos. The quality's not the best, but still fun to look at.

Pictured: How punk rockers do the senior prom. He's still that cute. Glad I kept him. :)

Cherry Shoe Love

Today's Beautiful Thing is this pair of shoes. I have a 20% off coupon, so the hubby's going to get them for me for Christmas. :) Yay!

Cheap Fun

Today's Beautiful Thing is watching the pups playing with an empty pudding cup. Isn't it cool? Their favorite toy comes filled with pudding that we get to eat. 6 "toys" (and puddings) to a pack for $2.50 on sale. :)

Cinnamony Goodness

Today's Beautiful Thing is the smell of cinnamon at the mall. We couldn't resist buying a packet of cinnamon sugar pretzel sticks with a sweet white frosting dip to share. Mmmm!

Pampering

Today's Beautiful Thing is getting a massage. I never thought I'd enjoy it, but I really did. So relaxing!

Being Appreciated

Today's Beautiful Thing is the annual employee appreciation luncheon. While most of the staff thinks of it as a Christmas/holiday party, our company calls it an EAL to be PC. It's fine with me because I do feel appreciated by the company and this year's luncheon was really enjoyable. :)

Bonus Beautiful Thing #1: I received my 5 year plaque today.

Bonus Beautiful Thing #2: J won one of our employee of the year awards. That was my secret from Tuesday because I cut the check. Since she cut all the other checks, she didn't suspect a thing! :)

Accomplishment

Today's Beautiful Thing is making a list and crossing things off. I've made phone calls, set appointments, did a bit o' Christmas shopping, returned some items and a bunch of other things in the last few days. It feels good. :)

Being in-the-know

Today's Beautiful Thing is a secret. Literally. I can't tell you what it is, but it's really fun knowing something good is going to happen to one of my friends very soon. :)

Blooms

Today's Beautiful Thing is my front yard. The hubby planted bunches of impatiens this weekend & it looks colorful and pretty. :)

Back on Track

Today's Beautiful Thing is my scale. Really! When I stepped on it this morning, I was pleased to find out that I weigh the least that I have since I started my diet last July 2007. Sweet!

Progress

Today's Beautiful Thing is getting this week's work done this afternoon. I was worried I'd have to work Sunday too. Now I can be off tomorrow. Yes!

Pictured: the sign I can hang on my office door. :)

Shoppin'

Today's Beautiful Thing is finally getting some Christmas shopping done. I can't believe there's only 20 days till Christmas. Eeek! At least I started. :)

Me Day

Today's Beautiful Thing is a day off during the week. Even though I spent the day going to appointments and running errands, it was still nice to have a day all to myself. :)

Warm Hands, Warmer Heart

Today's Beautiful Thing is new gloves. The hubby gifted me with a new pair before we took our nightly walk. They are perfect! :)

Namesake

Today's Beautiful Thing is learning that our pals V & P decided to name their baby, Abner. My hubby, Abner, is very pleased because he likes his name so much and now we'll get to watch little Abner grow up. :)

Bonus Beautiful Thing: Mama and baby are home from the hospital today. Welcome home C family!

Three is a Magic Number

Today's Beautiful Thing is Parker & Vicki's bouncing baby boy! Welcome, little one. You have a really awesome mom & dad. Congratulations to the three of you.

Heroes

Today's Beautiful Thing is doing something for others and expecting nothing in return. I watched CNN Heroes for the second time tonight and I am overwhelmed.

Laughter

Today's Beautiful Thing is the simple pleasure of laughter. I found a new (to me) blog that I've been enjoying all day. HERE it is. I hope you enjoy it too. (Mouse pad and other items/designs available at their Cafe Press store: HERE)

Thanksgiving Leftovers

Today's Beautiful Thing is my thoughtful aunt sending all of us home with leftovers. I was able to rest today and, when I got up, I only had to heat up dinner for the two of us. There was even an assortment of desserts. Yum yum. :)

Family

Today's Beautiful Thing is family. No matter how far away they move, or how we differ on politics or religion, I love spending time with my family. Tonight was so nice. We did the usual eating, gabbing, cleaning up, gabbing, eating, teasing, hugging... I wish I could see them more often. It was a very nice day. Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends.

Mmmm!

Today's Beautiful Thing is the way my house smells right now. I've baked a pumpkin pie and two caramel apple bread puddings. I hope they taste as good as they smell.

Undies

Today's Beautiful Thing is new undies. There's nothing like the feeling of something soft and pretty next to your skin--even if no one else knows you're wearing them. :)

Lazy Day

Today's Beautiful Thing is a lazy day with the hubby. We went to the doctor, had lunch, and checked out our new Fresh & Easy. Nothing special, but still a nice day.

Rest & Relaxation

Today's Beautiful Thing is doing nothing at all--and having a handsome man wait on me hand and foot. My hubby has been too good to me this weekend and I love him. :)

A Saturday Off

Today's Beautiful Thing is having the whole day off. It's been a while since I started my new position that I've had, not only a Saturday off, but a Sunday off too. A whole weekend. Woo-hoo.

TGIF & a Week Off Too!

Today's Beautiful Thing is the last Friday before vacation. I have to work a 12 hour shift to get all my work done, but I did it. Go me!

Facebook

Today's Beautiful Thing is Facebook. Even during these busy days, I can still check in every now and then just to get a good chuckle over everyone's silly updates and ooh over cute baby pictures. Thanks for saving my sanity, everyone!

Two to Go

Today's Beautiful Thing is three down, two to go for this week. I'm taking next week off. A Beautiful way to get a whole week off is to tack 3 vacation days onto a 4 day weekend. Yes!

Hope has Arrived

Today's Beautiful Thing is a little thing...but a very important one! Her name is Aasha, and that means Hope. Congratulations to Vaishali (and her husband) on the birth of your baby daughter. May you always be as happy as you were on Saturday November 15, 2008. With much love & affection from one of Aasha's "aunties." :)

Oh, Happy Day, Pt II

Today's Beautiful Thing is reconnecting with family. I found my half-sisters online last night, and we've been sending each other little notes all day. :)

Oh Happy Day!

Today's Beautiful Thing is J. It's her 30th birthday today! I hope she's enjoying her birthday weekend and that her 30's will have many wonderful things in store for her.

Safety

Today's Beautiful Thing is being safe. There are fires burning in many parts of Southern California right now and many people are losing their homes. We are lucky to be safe for now in our little house.

Free Lunch

Today's Beautiful Thing is the boss treating us to a free lunch. Don't ever let anyone tell you there's no such thing, because there is. :)