Thursday, December 27, 2012

Joys of Christmas

I was so excited to get to my parents for our Christmas Eve party that I forgot my camera and my husband was so excited to get to his parents Christmas Day that I forgot my camera.

But in my defense, I am the only one of my siblings that has yet to cross the parent threshold and the task falls to me to help mom set up (more like, I was bored and excited to be around people). And my brother and his family were here this year; they live in Virginia and only come back maybe once a year and they hadn't been to Christmas in like 7 years!

Christmas Eve has always been my family's big Christmas event and it has grown and grown much like the family... and now includes my siblings spouses and most of the in-laws! Gifts aren't a huge thing for us; the kids aka anyone high school and younger still get presents by way of drawing names usually between July or October.

Tons of food and too much drink were consumed by me. Sadly, Jon had to work on Christmas Eve and wasn't able to even just stop in for something to eat because he was so busy.  But by some miracle, Jon's weekend started on Christmas Day, so we got to spend the whole day together with Jon's family.

Jon's family's Christmas is almost a complete 180 from mine. Where mine is loud and crowded, Jon's is more quite and less people. Both are full of family and love!

This year from my parents, my mom took me to see "Wicked" at The Fox in St. Louis with my sister, Elisabeth and sister-in-law, Pam. One word: AMAZING!

Jon's parents gave Jon a punching bag and stand and I got the best gift: an ice cream maker! Can't wait to start using that. (Sadly, I am experiencing the Post-Christmas Crash: aka I'm sick). OH and probably one of the sweetest gifts, Jon's grandma, Sally, who passed away a few years before Jon and I met collected these pewter Christmas plates every year, so Jon's parents gave us the years we were born. Such a sweet gift, and I am thinking a new tradition for when we have our own children someday!

Hopefully,  I will be smart and take a few pictures of our loot to share.

Did you get something you really love, needed, or are scratching your head over?

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Christmas Classics

Everyone has their favorite Christmas movies, I am no expectation! Jon and I shockingly have a very small Christmas movie collection! *GASP*

But its true between us, we only have 4 Christmas movies:
  • It's a Wonderful Life
  • The Holiday
  • Love Actually
  • Holiday Inn
We both know we need to grow this collection to at least include these:
  • White Christmas
  • Elf
  • Christmas Vacation
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas (live action)
And as famously classic as all the claymation  movies are; they frankly scare the crap out of me. Even as a child. So, no thank you!

My favorite of all time is "Holiday Inn." It saddens me that its rarely mentioned! Because you see, without "Holiday Inn" there would be no "White Christmas." (OR "Easter Parade" as well).

You gotta tip your hat to good ol' Bing Crosby for doing 2 separate movies known for the exact same song! But "Holiday Inn" is the original and must be given its due!

What is your Christmas Classic film? Is it a tried and true favorite or more off the beaten path?

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Okay People...

Okay people,

I want feed back from those of you who have stopped in on this blog!

I want to know who you are, if you stop by regularly, how you come by One Hill of a Life, why you come back....

What would you like to see or hear more about? (I'm an opinionated person on a lot of topics...)

I know your out there! Just give me a little encouragement! I'm in total need of that these days! :)

Thursday, December 13, 2012

So Thankful

If you checked in on One Hill this past Monday, you know that I had a rough day.

I had a full-on emotional break down when I got home Monday night, and I was all alone (Jon was at work) and was supposed to go to Bible Study Fellowship (BSF, I am a leader this year, eek!) and lead a double group!

I laid on the couch sobbing (scaring Duncan, the dog), not wanting to go at all, thought about calling my TL (teaching leader) Deb and claiming to be sick. However, I pulled myself together, fixed my face with powder and mascara, got my stuff together and headed out. Only to cry in the car on the way. I admitted to another lead that the day had not been good (I'm usually the happy, perky, young leader and they could tell something was up).  Deb, found out and came in to my group and gave everyone a hug! And gave me another hug afterwards.

I didn't want to be there, I just wanted to wallow in my own self pity but I have to say that being there was the best place for me on Monday! I felt so much love, support and encouragement from the girls in my group and all the ladies there! Another leader has even offered to mentor me, which she said she's been feeling the call for a few weeks now and it couldn't have come at a more perfect time!

I felt 100 times better when I was on my way home. I cried on the way home but for a completely different reason than on the way there.

For me this just goes to show the power of God in our lives. I was ready to just avoid God on Monday night and let myself be selfish and let others down! But I choose to serve the Lord and He guided me and sent me exactly what I needed to hear. I'm still a little down but I feel far and away better than Monday.


It just goes to show that anything is possible with God (and a little ice cream)!!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Pinterest: Tried It/Nailed It! Part #3

Here is another Pinterest: Tried It/Nailed It! post. Since, it appears that most of ya like these posts!

You can check out my previous Pinterest forays HERE and HERE!

Pinned Image
The Creamy Crock Pot Hot Cocoa from Mrs. Happy Homemaker- Oh My Goodness! This was soooo good! I made it when I had the ladies from my Bible study over for a fellowship! It was so good and really just so simple! It makes a lot and is rich and filling!


Pinned Image
Just Like Lambert's "Throwed Rolls" from Tammy's Recipes - Now, these are so delish! And the shocking thing about the one's I had, is that I didn't make them, Jon did! That's right, my lovable man knows how to use our bread machine to make dough and then go on to bake the bread in the oven! (He is way more into bread and carbs than me in general; carbs/bread has never been my thing). We both loved tasting this bad boys!

I need to get back on the bandwagon of testing out these things! (And taking my own pictures too!)


Monday, December 10, 2012

Feeling Down

So, its been a full year since I really started my job search and I'm still looking for a full time job.

Its very frustrating and upsetting to me. I feel very much like a failure. I know that its all apart of God's plan for me and I that I need to turn to Him, which I am, but it still hard to not completely feel like doo doo.

All I would like is a decent paying job, that is full time, where I am not swindling people or pushing a product on those who can't afford it. I am very grateful for the job I have but I can tell the ministry is not for me in the long run.

I am also very fortunate that my husband supports me and is okay with me only working the 1-part time job. I think its a sense of letting those around me down and not really learning or growing in a career. I want this so much for my self and for my future family (aka Jon and when we start our family, which seems to feel farther out of reach than ever before to me).

I just seem to have no talents, no skills, and can't seem to sale myself to prospect employers enough to even get an interview.

I've had only 1 legit chance (a real company and not commission based) and I did not fit their personality assessment to move on for the full interviewing process. Nothing can make you feel worse than "failing" a personality assessment.

I am golden and failing "unfail-able" tests. It happened in high school with a personality/career path assessment for a class.

The worst is receiving that email while at work! Nothing like being on the verge of tears all day in an office where you are the only female! Oh well, maybe I will just eat my feelings at lunch!

I would just like some prayers that I will go to God and rest in Him right now. Thanks!

Royally Excited!

Yes, I am hopping on the "Will & Kate are Pregnant" post-bandwagon!

I am a die-hard royal family chaser! Ever since, I was about 11-years old, I knew that Prince Harry was my soul-mate, um, major crush. But alas, I live in Illinois, and grew up in a cornfield, literally! So, the chances of me and Harry ever locking eyes across a pub was never gonna happen. Though I got pretty close to England when I went to Ireland, three years ago...

However, I did get my "Harry-look-a-like," best friend, and love of my life, Jon! So, I call it a win-win! (Another Halloween costume idea, I have: me and Jon to go as Harry & Kate! Scandalous!).

I think the obsession comes from one too many fairy tales, Disney movies, and being an American! We just don't have the history of a royal family. The First Family is a good but they don't last very long....Though I would totes love to chill with the Obama's! Give me a call, Barry!

Anyway, plus this goes back to my theory on what is happening here to the world with all these new babies being born!

But seriously, Kate, can I be your bestie? (I need your clothes and hair!) Or how about your baby-nanny? Yes?

Anyway, congratulations to everyone who's recently had a baby or who is expecting!

I wander what how gorgeous this kid will be?


Monday, December 3, 2012

Holy Spring!

WHOA! Are you also having above average temps?

Seriously, its like Spring here in Central Illinois in DECEMBER! Today's high is supposed to be a record breaking 71 degrees!

The only explanation is that, "It's Illinois." We can have some crazy weather swing no matter the time of the year but this is when I get nervous!

Because you can get really sick from these rapid changes. So, do what Jon and I are doing and working on prevention!

We are taking either a Vitamin C pill or having some Airborne daily to help keep our immune system in check. Along with eating a couple clementines each day!

My sister, Maggie and her husband, Nick are both super sick right now. The worst part for them is that they are my new niece, Hattie's parents, so they have to be really carefully around her. Poor Maggie has to be careful of what she takes because it could affect Hattie!

Oh the joys to look forward to someday of having a baby!

(Speaking of babies, did you hear that Prince William and Kate Middleton are finally expecting?)

I'm a total royal fan watcher! I think Jon and I should go as Harry and Kate some year for Halloween!