ahh...the holidays are quickly approaching...

I have to say, I'm not a very festive person. I hate Christmas shopping and I always wait until last minute. We didn't put up any decorations this year since we're going home for the holidays. And once you start receiving gift cards as gifts, it's just not fun anymore. It's a good thing there's a better reason to celebrate Christmas than just trees and presents because otherwise I probably wouldn't participate at all. Bah humbug...

My parents were in town all last week. I enjoyed their visit. I had classes during the day so my mom did a little bit of cleaning every day. My toaster and microwave are spotless! Well, they were a week ago at least. I got to show off some of my culinary skills and learn some from them. We had real Chinese food in Atlanta. We've been here for 6 months and have only been able to find one good Chinese restaurant. My parents were here for 3 days and apparently found all of them. It's pretty amazing to walk into a restaurant I've never been to before in a city my parents have only been in for a few days and have them greet my parents like they were old buddies. I guess my parents had eaten there once already.

I don't know how much fun my parents had since we had zero time to spend with them but I know my dogs enjoyed their company. My dad keeps telling me how much he misses the dogs. I don't think he's ever told me he's missed ME before! Scout remained faithfully by his side the whole time. I'm pretty sure she thought he was a walking treat machine. Denny was a little more timid. He's never been chased by a seventy something year old screaming "why don't you like me" before. My dad has issues with dogs and small children not liking him. Whatever he has to do...they will like him before his visit is through.

Since my parents were in town, I got no Christmas shopping done. I decided to make stockings for my nieces and nephews. I have 2 done so far...much more time consuming than I first thought. My sewing machine is also giving me all kinds of grief. Hubby really wants to get me a new one for Christmas but I can't see spending money on a new machine when I have one that works. It doesn't work great but it works. I also ran into problems with ideas to fill stockings with for a 17 and 18 year old. I still haven't bought anything for the hubby yet.

Just a few more days until we fly home for Christmas. I addressed all my Christmas cards yesterday. I was excited to finally do photo cards but we were rushed and I made some poor decisions with them. The photos turned out soo tiny that you have to squint to see our faces. But alas I ordered 50 of them, the 1 hour photo machine at Walmart is broken and I just want to get them out before I give up on sending Christmas cards all together. I'll think smarter for next year. Hopefully next year's card will be set in Hawaii!

Alright, I've put off finishing the stockings for long enough. I have 4 out of 8 projects that must be completed done and 10 more projects I'd like to do. Wish me luck!