Christmas Day (2024)

 We love spending most of the holidays at home and with just us, and Christmas night and Christmas morning are no exception. It's quiet, and less stressful to just spend holidays with just the three of us. A lot of past holiday gatherings have been overwhelming for us, because we like low-key and relaxed. All three of us have busy days each week, so we like to take the holidays, especially this time of year to wind down and reset from all of the hustle and bustle from the year.

Gifts for the good boys big and small.

Socks and hats were the hot item this year. Which, of course, most of us needed anyway.

We decided this year to have a traditional Jewish meal with brisket and potato latkes.

We lit the Hanukkah candles and this year I found some great advent candles to compliment our menorah. They are from Big Dipper Wax Works and are made from beeswax. They were perfect this year!

We played a few games and went for a walk to the local park here to look at the lights. Ralston Park has local businesses decorate the different parts of the park and the businesses sponsor the lights to stay on for their company display. We always look to see what business gets the tree that we love so much.

Five Simple Things (December 20)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This place.

This week I had a hair appointment to cut most of my hair off. It's been getting long and I wanted a change. I love the salon I go to and I finally found a hair stylist that doesn't make me feel uncomfortable. This salon is filled with plants and other things that are just my vibe. At Honey Comb Salon the stylists are always so kind, understanding, and patient. It took me awhile to find a good place, and every time I go there I feel amazing when I leave. Hair salons are one of the places that give me a lot of anxiety, and they have been so understanding of that. As long as I live in the Willamette Valley, I won't go anywhere else.

2. This night.

Christmas eve we made enchiladas (beef and green chicken) and opened one gift each. Skylar opened a book on the history of Hanukah and why it's important to Jewish families. We light the menorah every year to honor our family that are Jewish. The book we got him is, "Hanukkah Pop-Up Menorah: An 8-Day Celebration of the Festival of Lights" by Lisa Rojany 

3. This box.

This month's Kiwi Eco Box was holiday-themed and I loved the socks the most. My feet are always cold, so these were perfect!

4. These bags.

Mighty Nest this month was Full Circle Compostable Food Waste Bags. We will definitely be using these. We have been trying to compost our food scraps more inside the house until we can place them into the waste recycle bin, or use in our own composting. These will come in handy to keep the smell down inside the house. We have tried so many different ways to try to compost our food scraps, but everything has always failed us. The smell, the hassle, the gnats, etc. I think these bags are perfect, because I can place them in the freezer until they are full and we can compost them properly.

5. This subscription.

Birchbox this month was a hit. I am loving the Ouai Melrose Place Body Cleanser. The smell is amazing! I also love the Dr. Brandt Oil to Foam Cleanser. With having extremely sensitive skin, it helps clean my face without drying it out, or causing more redness and breakouts.

One last thing:

These two new items are now in the shop.

This Surfy Days Coloring Book features unique hand-drawn illustrations inspired by Hawaii surf culture and lifestyle. Each page is designed by artist Sierra Rehrer in Oahu, and promotes the values of inclusion with all types of surfers featured. This Boho Sunshine Greeting Card is blank inside for your own personal message. They are hand painted by an artist in Hawaii and come with a cardstock envelope. Both of these items are under $20.

You can check out the rest of the Five Simple Things shop here.

Positive affirmations this week:

If you anxiety with tests, job applications, or just all around anxiety when put on the spot to complete something, here are some helpful strategies to soothe some of those feelings. Staying organized in a way that you understand, practice simple questions and write them out to prepare. You can also take practice tests, or do mock job questions with someone else that can help you. Get a good night's sleep, and eat before you go. The one thing that gives most people anxiety with anything is not focusing on one thing at a time and feeling overwhelmed. Practice breathing techniques and attempt to calm and slow your mind down to focus on one thing at a time in front of you. It isn't easy, but it is doable. Above all, believe in yourself that you are stronger than your brain is trying to tell you.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (December 13)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This tree.

The tree got a little bare as we boxed up gifts and mailed them to Arkansas for my family. We were glad to get them shipped out this week, though. It was one less task over the holidays we had to worry about.

2. This sign.

Jeff and I did some last minute shopping this week and Macy's is always one of the places I like to go to get a new ornament for the tree. It's become a tradition for us for the last 10 years. We also pick up ornaments when we travel, so we can relive the trip each year we decorate the tree.

3. This water.

On of our five gallon water bottles got cracked and unfortunately we didn't notice it until it leaked on the floor and the jute rug. We quickly soaked up what we could with towels, but this fan had to stay on the rug for a few days.

4. This ornament.

One of the new ornaments I picked up this year to add to the tree. I bought four of them and I just love them. They remind me of the hard candies in the tin my grandparents used to have. They are large and make a statement on the tree, too.

5. This couch.

If only we had the space for this couch. I would be falling asleep on this thing every night.

One last thing:

The courthouse in Corvallis always looks its best during the holidays.

Positive affirmations this week:

One thing I have learned being a parent is your words will become the ones that can make or break your child's confidence. I try hard to make sure that my words to Skylar are always encouraging, honest, and loving. His confidence is high and he feels he can do anything he puts his mind to because of my words to him alone. There are times when people say harsh comments, but I remind him that those are entirely their issues and to feel sorry for them that they don't have someone reminding them that they are important and loved. There is nothing worse than having to explain to my own child why adult bullies, sometimes family adult bullies say some mean comments. I remind him that they are battling their own issues and not to take it to heart. I wish that everyone could find peace in their own minds. Don't let these people steal your joy, and especially your child's.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.