O Christmas Tree!

Trying to stay devoted to the blog, so here are some more pics of the Christmas decor.

This is our Christmas tree. This was a relic from mom's auctioning days and I love it. I don't have to kill any real trees, its recycled from years past, and I think its pretty. I even found one of those colored disk lights that you use to make it sparkle.

Aaron is thoroughly ready for Christmas break. All the kids are on his last nerve as they get crazy. Every night I come home to him whining - even I can't take it any more...he only has a week left! Aaron also started taking classes towards his masters. He decided to take them through one of CMU's satellite classes at an army base about an hour away. He only registered for one this semester and due to some scheduling issues he only has to meet two weekends to complete the course. The weekend before last was his first. It was slightly disappointing. The cohort he joined is a class of about 12, with only a few actually having teaching backgrounds (the rest it seems are making a career move). It also seems that the classmates are not the brightest of people so the discussions leave a lot to be desired. I am hoping that this last weekend goes a little better and that he decides to give it one more chance and register for a couple more classes next semester.

As for me I have a big deadline coming up. The State Implementation Plan that I have been working on for the last few months is due to the EPA on Monday. I am sure that will mean lots of work for me this weekend.

All else is going well. I can't believe it is almost Christmas. Today we hit a record high of 81 degrees - just doesn't seem right for December!

Thanksgiving '07

This year Aaron and I spend Thanksgiving in SC with friends. A few couples from work (who have family elsewhere) decided to spend Thanksgiving together. We all helped make the food and just spent the day playing games and enjoying each other's company.

Here are our hosts playing Wii.

The rest of the weekend was either spend working or relaxing. We watched lots of movies, including Blood Diamond, Bridge to Tarabithia, and The Departed...all good. We also managed to decorate the house (inside and out) for Christmas.

Here are the outside lights and the mantel complete with stockings.

Also spent so time reading and being inspired to read more...firs, let me say that I will, I repeat, I will have Atlas Shrugged read by January 1st! I am determined!

A friend recently posted a blog about creating a reading list for all those books you have been meaning to read, but never have - I subsequently also have a movie list that I will post another time...The idea is to pick a book a month. Here are mine - feel free to help me fill in the blanks by suggesting books that you think I would like, or like yourself.

January: Desert Solitaire - Edward Abbey

February: Crash - Jerry Spinelli

March: Angela's Ashes - Frank McCurt

April: Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut

May: Hoot - Carl Hiaasen

June:

July: How to Live Well Without Owning a Car - Chirs Balish

August: The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands (for Aaron and our anniversary) - Dr. Laura

September:

October: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain

November: Profiles in Courage - John F. Kennedy

December: The Catcher and the Rye - J D Salinger

On another note...I am going to be an aunt again! The new addition, scheduled to arrive in August brings the Denja tribe to a total of 7 (mom and dad) and 5 nieces and nephews! No need for Aaron and I to have any of our own, we have enough fun with the family.

Looking forward to Christmas in just a few short weeks...