As I’m starting to write this blog post, the first thing I want to do is ask you if you really thought that I *wouldn’t* find a picture of a pink cell phone with Santa on it. Of course I would. All I had to do was search for Christmas phone and it magically appeared on the first row of the first page of results. Interestingly enough though, without context, you’re probably still wondering why the hell I decided to search for Christmas phone to begin with. But alas, never fear, I am here to explain and calm all your fears. Also, I’d just like to add that I don’t know where to purchase said phone. My apologies in advance to all those that wanted to give me one for Christmas.

So, to the point. As I was sitting here tonight researching some things for work, this grand idea popped into my head to surprise people with phone calls for Christmas. I don’t get much time but even 10-15 minutes might be nice. Then I decided, why just leave it at that. Why not make 12 phone calls. On 12 days. And hell, while we’re at it, let’s make those 12 days the same as the 12 days of Christmas. What a grand idea.

And so thus the idea has been born and put into place. I call it Project 12 Days of Christmas. When are these 12 days you ask? Well, for all those uneducated folk, the 12 days start on Christmas Day, December 25th and go until the day before the Epiphany, which is on January 6th.

What will this entail? I am contemplating two strategies. One involves taking every contact with a phone number in my BlackBerry and randomly picking 12. Another involves pre-picking 12 people listed in my BlackBerry and then randomly drawing them for days.  Either way, no one will know until they are called.

I think this will be fun. I am going to try my best to stick to this plan. Of course, I can’t set my schedule, and calls may be impossible some days or at a time that is really convenient for those behind GMT

My mom is awesome. Let’s just say that right now. She is the care package queen. Ever since I’ve been in grade school, long before I even was the recipient of care packages or that I would be getting them, I knew how awesome she was. She loves finding cute little ways to celebrate the holidays and buy gifts for people that they would enjoy. So it was no surprise when I received not one box for Christmas but two yesterday afternoon.

I received some presents including a magazine to read, some Christmas cards (in case I wanted to give some out), the candy/baked good item my dad makes every year (a family recipe) and my favorite photo of my family on the big oak tree that had to be taken down in their yard in a gorgeous frame.

It was so nice to have that piece of Christmas here and we were elated to start decorating. It is officially the time to bring out the Christmas song playlist in iTunes.

We spent last night with the lights on and the angel glowing and just happy that we have some small reminder of the holiday season. When every day goes by the same as the one before, and you start to lose track of the meaning, little things matter so much.

Here are some more photos:

Dave and Busters wasn’t the only fun aspect of this week. I can easily tell it’s the onset of the holiday season.

Wednesday my community had a holiday party. It wasn’t as amazing as the event to celebrate the opening of our community center, but it was close. The day was sadly ruined when Applebees charged us out the ass for our beer afterwards. Still, the wine and people were great!

Friday, we had a fabulous visit to Delux for our holiday lunch at work. I had a nice flight of fruit inspired beers and an interestingly good white chocolate ale.

After work there was a meet up at Papago Brewing. This was my first time at Papago. I loved the selection of items on tap as well as the selection of bottles. The atmosphere is nice as well. Unsure of what to have, I asked for a pale ale suggestion from the bartender. I ended up having Stone’s Pale Ale and upon thanking the bartender for the wonderful selection, I was informed by the gentleman next to me that women with good taste in beer, such as myself, are in high demand. I should’ve mentioned that I am addicted to watching NFL games as well and that I enjoy Rock Band, Mortal Kombat, and I still dress up unlike a tomboy. I guess I really am just that amazing

Last night I went with friends to see the holiday production of the Phoenix Neutrino Project at Space 55. It was a great production and I even donated my Starbucks coffee cup (empty of course) as a prop. Afterwards we attended the “cast” after party for a bit. I won a fabulous glass tray in multiple shades of purple in an auction to benefit the Phoenix Improv Festival but sadly left before the karaoke began.

I also would like to comment that I received all my Christmas presents from my parents and I have only opened one.. and only because I thought it was a piece for my nativity set. It ended up being a gorgeous scarf though that I am seriously in love with and cannot wait to wear!

My plans for today? Watching some football (go figure) and then who knows.

I spent awhile this year hoping I could find a live tree for Christmas. I came to the realization that I would have to travel a distance if I would want to cut one down like I normally do, and settled for the fact that I would realistically have to pick one out of a parking lot.

It came down to the weekend after Thanksgiving, when I usually pick out my tree. It was warm and sunny and beautiful out. It just didn’t feel like Christmas. I tried to put on some Christmas music. . . that didn’t help. Then I attempted to dress like it was Christmas, and that didn’t help either. Finally I decided I might just try a new tradition here, and while that seems slightly bittersweet, it’s also a little exciting.

One of my friends offered me a small (4 ft) pink tinsel tree. This tree is incredible. It even has a pink electrical cord. I opted to run with it. I found my older small snowman angel tree topper as my Rainbow Brite angel would more than likely cause the tree to topple over. I put on some of my favorite ornaments. Once it was up it was just too low to the ground so I put it on top of a rubbermaid bin that contained my decorations. Over that I put my enormous tree skirt which due to the size of the tree looks like a piece of fabric I bought to cover the bin. My nativity scene and other items are all up as well.. everything except my typical household decorations (those will come in the next week or so).

Alas, here are some pictures of the tree and of my house (don’t mind the random boxes and clutter and lack of items on the wall).