New Year's...

What a year it has been.

I believe the end of the year is a time to reflect over the past year. There is no such thing as a perfect year. I definitely had my share of ups and downs... what about you guys? In September, if you remember, I took a big step and moved out of my parent's house and into my own apartment. That I have slowly made my own. I love it. The job front is still a little shaky but I am staying positive while keeping my head up because I know the Lord has a plan for me. I have started doing more yoga and studying the subject of yoga. It has brought a lot more peace to my life but it is something that I am still working on. With that and attending church on a regular basis I believe 2015 will be a good year.

Now it is time to talk about resolutions. I do not believe in them because of course they always get broken. For anyone who thinks they do not you are kidding yourself. Although I do not believe in making New Year's Resolutions I do believe in making goals. There are a few on my list that I hope to accomplish this year. And throughout the year I hope to be sharing those with you. You may even see a few changes on the blog... who knows *wink*

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful new year. Please if you are going out make sure you have a DD to get you safely home. Start off 2015 well.

XO

*Shine like Glitter*
Go out and shine like glitter this year.
Let your inner self out.
Live your life for you.
For your family.
Stop living it to impress other people.
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
Love you guys.

My Christmas Decor

Christmas is my most favorite time of the year so when I say that it looks like Christmas threw up in my apartment I am not joking. There are quite a few photos so settle yourself into a nice cozy spot with a cup of hot coco and be prepared.

As soon as you walk into my apartment you are greeted with a warm glow of twinkling lights and the fresh smells of Christmas.

 

Once you take your shoes off you have a sit on the couch where you are greeted with more twinkling lights and a comfy place to sit and cuddle with a Christmas movie and a glass of mulled wine.

It is hard not to gaze at my glowing tree while you are seated on the couch. It will capture your attention for a few minutes, put you in sort of a trance of twinkling lights before you are snapped back to reality.

I put some lights up in my bedroom and hung some ornaments from my boards.

Now for the decor in the day light.

Doesn't the hanging ornament chandelier look great? 

 

Of course I have an Elf on the Shelf, his name is Neville.

My beautifully decorated kitchen table!

My stack of Christmas movies! Yes I know I have a lot and there are still a few more I'd like to get *wink*

 This nativity set was given to me by my great aunt. I know it is not a traditional one but I love it and I set it up every year. I have a traditional one, that my mother gave me, on top of the bookshelf in my living room.

  

I absolutely love my coffee table. 1. because it is stack of old suitcases and 2. it looks great in Christmas decor. 

Just look at it up close. The book A Special Christmas Blessing... Just for You. Is a very inspiring book. The author writes little poems of inspiration. Like the title says he shares blessings with you that he hopes will make your day, week, year much better; your Christmas better. 

 

My tree in the day time!!

 

My beautiful tree up close with penguins and Peter Pan ornaments galore.

If you haven't noticed I really like penguins.

 

I love this mini tree that my mother bought me at an antique shop. 

Well that is the end of my tour. I hope you have enjoyed and it brought you a little Christmas joy.

*Shine like Glitter*
My decor has been up since the first of December. I apologize it took me so long to get it posted.
Christmas is a time of joy and peace. Every time I walk into my apartment I am reminded of that joy and it brings me peace to be here.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Helicopter rides and Snow...

In Florida you say? Why, yes!!

But first a helicopter ride over the Orlando attractions with mom. She and I have been wanting to take a ride for a couple of years now, but never seemed to get around to it. Until today that is! 

Matt, the pilot, of course getting in the picture *grin*

After our flight I took mom to Celebration, FL. a town that is owned by Disney... imagine being in the Stepford Wives or the Truman Show. This is something we have also been wanting to do for a couple of years and since it is 5 minutes from the Helicopter place I figured it was a great time to go. They sure do know how to do Christmas in this town though.

At 6, 7, 8, and 9pm it "snows" on Market Street. Of course it is Disney snow so it is not real but it is still very fun and a sight to see.

We played in the snow for a little bit and then ventured off to have dinner!

 

Dinner was at a diner style restaurant right on Market Street in Celebration... since it was mom's night I let her choose. She loves home cooking so she went with the pot pie. I love home cooking as well but decided to go for the herb crusted chicken. Both washed down with IBC rootbeer in the bottle.

After dinner we took a drive around the town to look at all of the beautifully lit houses. I told you these people know how to do Christmas just look at the house below...

These folks were playing A Christmas Story on the side of their house, had a life size Ralphy cut out in his pink bunny suit, and A Christmas Story themed Christmas tree topped with of course the leg lamp. The houses were all gorgeous in their own way and really lit up the town. The rest you will just have to go see for yourselves *wink*

xo

*Shine like Glitter*
This was an early Christmas gift for mom.
We both had a wonderful time. I could not ask for a better mom.
Christmas is a time for giving. I wanted to give her a nice time out while doing something we both have been wanting to do.
We finally got to mark two things off our list.
The *snow* is sort of a soapy foam, yet still fun!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Mount Dora Lights

Every year the city of Mount Dora lights up their downtown with a million... no probably a billion little Christmas lights and it brings such joy to me. This year I missed the Light Up Mount Dora event because I had to work *sigh* however on Sunday I managed to drag my parents downtown to see the lights...

Now I am dragging you along as well, so grab a cup of cheer... or coco and snuggle up with a blanket there are a lot of lights to see *grin*

This is my favorite tree! It is made from books and is located in a book store that sells used and new books along with games and other trinkets. Oddly enough the name of the store is Barrel of Books and Games. You can find store info here. I love going in here and finding a new book to read.

Anyways sorry back to the lights...

 

The beautiful Mount Dora Christmas tree. The lights on the tree play along to the music, such a beautiful sight to see.

 

 

 

Santa and his eight reindeer are getting ready for December 24th... which is only 13 days away *eek* I am so excited! Christmas is my favorite time of year. It is the most wonderful time of the year. It is a time to be happy. It is a time to want to give more than receive. I know I know I still need to post my holiday decorations, soon. I promise!

The lights are a sight to see. They always bring joy to my Christmas season (I just wish there was snow on the ground).

There are more lights located down by the marina. I wasn't able to get pictures because I was driving and we had just eaten dinner so no one wanted to get out of that car.

xo

*Shine like Glitter*
Now I have been contemplating a  name for this section for forever... months and months of going over a "slogan" if you will to use for the title of this section and then out of the blue the current title pops into my head. Shine like Glitter. I love glitter. And pretty much anything that sparkles. Does that make me a "typical" girl. YES it does.
One of my favorite blogs to read is Pen and Paper Flowers by the lovely Jessica Kirkland. Jessica uses a section like this to share the real thoughts behind her posts. The behind the scenes parts. I love that. I got the inspiration from her to have my own section like it.
Everyone has their own personality, flaws, and beauty. I believe it is important to love yourself for who you are no matter what. Be yourself, everyone else is already taken. Or in the famous words of Kurt Cobain "trying to be someone you're not, is a waste of who you are."
Embrace and love yourselves.
Shine like glitter every day.
Remember that I am just like you; sitting on my couch sharing my life with you.
And I will be real with you.