Retold

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I got something awesome by mail recently.  That awesome thing just happened to be a crystal Christmas tree from Collectibles Today!  It came the day I was running chronically late and the UPS idiots left it on the steps so I couldn’t get my door open.  Rather than going to class that morning, I just stayed home and opened my package.  I hadn’t seen it before, so I was eager to get the box open and see what was inside.  I was, and still am, really excited to have gotten it.

This picture is the pic from collectibles today’s website.  The tree comes in two parts, the base with the little houses that construct the tree’s core and the crystal tree that covers the whole thing.  It takes AA batteries, lights up and sings Christmas carols, and has a little train that actually circles the base!  It’s just so fantastic, it’s been sitting on the top of my TV since I got it.  I was a bit worried at first that Galileo would knock it off, he’s notorious for breaking things around here, but it’s really very heavy so I’m almost certain he couldn’t push it off if he tried.  I took this picture, which didn’t come out remarkably well, but it shows the tree in two parts.  Yes, that’s my kitchen and yes, I realize now seeing it that I really need to scrub the walls in the kitchen, but that’s the only place I could put it where it wouldn’t be surrounded by clutter.

When I was taking the picture, I accidentally broke the cross off the very top.  I have no idea where it went, or I’d have glued it back on.  I’m not terribly upset about it since it really isn’t apparent when it’s all put together.  Anyway, The tree retails for $149 and I’m willing to say, without reservation, that it’s worth every penny.  Lucky me, I got it for free!

I think I was most excited to get it because I don’t have a lot in the way of Christmas decorations.  Decorating for Christmas has been a tradition with my family.  We put up the tree, the garlands on the fireplace, the nativity.  My parents house always looked like a winter wonderland at Christmas time.  Unfortunately, since I’ve grown up I’ve moved a lot and lost things along the way.  I have a little Christmas tree, it’s only 3′ tall, but it fits nicely on the dining room table.  I have ornaments, but not many that’re of any sentimental value.  I do have a huge tree-skirt, which is actually way, way too big for my little tree, but I love it so much I put it out anyway.  We have stockings that match the tree-skirt, which we hang from pretty stocking hangers on the curio cabinet (for lack of a fireplace).  That’s it.  Until now!  Now, I have this and I absolutely love it!

I’d really like to start collecting little Christmas village houses, but they’re expensive and I don’t really have anywhere to put them.  I suppose if I had some, I could make room, but I really don’t have the space.  So, on Thanksgiving, I’m going to be putting up my tree and I can’t wait!   We have absolutely no money this year (this is not an exaggeration), but it seems like it’ll be a nice Christmas anyway.  The only thing that could make it better is to be able to see my family, but that’s not going to be possible.  It’s a family tradition to decorate for Christmas on Thanksgiving and I’m going to enjoy it!  When I get my tree up, I’ll post some pictures.

An early Happy Holidays to you and yours!

**This review is a result of a feedback campaign by Collectibles Today. I was asked to give an honest opinion about the product I received. Good reviews are not incentivized and poor reviews will not be censored for the opinion of the product. **

…(¨`·.·´¨)
…..`·.¸.·Kristyn

Someone please explain to me why graduation announcements are so freaking expensive?!  The only answer I can come up with, and believe me when I say I’ve been thinking about it, is that they’re expensive because they can be.  The same reason class rings are $900.  They’re $55 for 25 announcements.  Why do they need to be this much?  They’re just paper with a little gold and purple foiling.

I mean, birthday and Christmas party invitations are like $5 for 10 or something.  Even if you get them personalized, they’re not that much!  I got personalized Christmas cards a few years ago, which I never sent, but they were only $20 for a box of 25 and I felt like that was splurging!  So, why do things need to be so expensive when it really matters?

I’d really like to send announcements, but I can’t afford them.  Then, of course, there’s this problem where announcements are more like invitations.  I’m not walking, so there’s no reason for me to invite anyone anywhere.  Announcements never just announce, they say when the grad is and where.  It’s just so frustrating!

So I’m passing on all that extraneous stuff and in January, I’m getting myself one of those ridiculously HUGE degree frames because, well, I feel like I earned it!

/end rant!

…(¨`·.·´¨)
…..`·.¸.·Kristyn

I’ve been thinking I might buy a box of nice cigars for Matt as part of our 10th anniversary present.  The problem is, I don’t know anything about cigars!  He enjoys them on occasion, but usually buys them one or two at a time.  I’ve been looking around and am considering Padron.  They’re a little pricy, about $105 for 26, so I want to make sure if I do get him cigars that I get good ones.  Then, of course, I’m a little worried that they wouldn’t stay fresh in the time it takes him to smoke 26 cigars.  Would he need a humidor?  If so, then that adds to the expense.

Advice?

…(¨`·.·´¨)
…..`·.¸.·Kristyn

Have you seen the Kettlebell?  I was doing more research this morning on workout programs because I want to be sure to get the best possible thing.  I’m very obsessive like that.  When I get something in my head, I beat it to death before I’m tired of thinking about it.  Anyway, I ran across this Kettlebell thing, which is a part of the KettleWorx program.  The Kettlebell is a kettle shaped weight thing that is incorporated into a series of workouts that are meant to shape certain parts of the body.  From what I can tell, it comes in 5 lb., 10 lb., 15 lb., and 20 lb. sizes and with a bunch of DVD’s.  It’s an entire workout routine.

It’s also $90 and up depending on the program.

This sort of thing is actually how I ended up with Zumba, too.   I also learned my lesson with Zumba.  If you don’t know, Zumba is a dance workout and though it looks like a LOT of fun, it’s really not easy.  If it were not easy because it wears you out, that’s one thing, but I’ve found that it’s hard because I have no rhythm and it’s a latin dance workout.  So, it requires coordination and it wears you out.  That’s too much for me.

Honestly, I think this sort of thing spawns from the same place as things like the swiss ball and all those other workout routine things.  People get tired of the traditional work out videos (though Sweatin’ to the Oldies is awesome!!) and they try to divert and incorporate props.  The only thing I’ve gotten that I’ve enjoyed is yoga.  I ordered a yoga mat, block, strap and video kit thingy and I really enjoy it.  When it’s quiet and I can focus on breathing and stretching and how it makes me feel, it’s amazing.  If you’ve never done yoga, I recommend it!  There are some of the moves I can’t do, like anything that requires me to put pressure on the knees, but that’s less my weight and more my weak knees.  I really enjoy it.  Hopefully when we get the office floor fixed, I can take a TV in there and have space to do yoga where no one will see me.  That would be amazing!

Anyway, I’m off to resume my hunt for the perfect workout, even though I’ve settled on the Wii Fit!

…(¨`·.·´¨)
…..`·.¸.·Kristyn