![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.110pounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/11\/dinner28.jpg\" "\\"dinner2\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nAfter dinner I decided to start decorating a bit for Yule.\u00a0 I have a confession to make: I haven’t had a Christmas tree in over 8 years. The main reason? The kitties. I knew my little fur-monsters would eat\/destroy\/conquer\/climb\/vomit on said tree so I just didn’t bother.<\/p>\n Which makes me sad because I like holiday decorations! So I’m starting small.<\/p>\n Downtown Portland<\/p><\/div>\n I also picked up some cookie cutters and Christmas sprinkles! I am VERY excited about having my first cookie party in December!<\/p>\n I enjoy the holidays. The holidays mean good food, lots of friends and family and presents of course. I like giving gifts to people. I usually do most of my shopping months before December. Whenever I see something that a friend or family member would love, I buy it and stash it away.<\/p>\n My favorite family traditions might be a bit weird…Christmas Eve my brother and parents and I would watch the movie “The Ref.” Such a good Christmas movie. A bit off-color for many people, but perfect for our family.<\/p>\n Of course, we’d also watch A Christmas Story, too (Thank you TBS for the uninterrupted loop).<\/p>\n And then on Christmas morning while we opened presents we’d watch another classic: Scrooged.<\/p>\n<\/a>It was the peak of laziness: cheese, black beans, olives, jalapenos, lettuce, tomatoes.<\/p>\n<\/a>When I moved in with Michael a year a half ago, I got rid of a LOT of clutter I’d been collecting over the years. Part of that clutter was holiday decor. I only have one small box of decorations now, so it will have to do.<\/p>\n<\/a>Michael wasn’t too keen on the idea of decorating his bike. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n<\/a>I happen to LOVE love love Christmas lights. I used to have some up inside my apartment year round because they were good mood lighting.<\/p>\n<\/a>Fat Kitty was VERY excited about the Christmas Box. He sniffed, analyzed, pawed and poked everything. He especially liked the lights. I hope they are still hanging when I get home from work!<\/p>\n<\/a>That little tinsel tree was my “Christmas Tree” for a few years. Lame, I know. I think this year I’m going to attempt a tree. I can’t just assume the cats will destroy it…I should see for myself.<\/p>\n<\/a>I hung our stockings.<\/p>\n<\/a>Portland is also getting in the mood…the trees downtown all have Christmas lights, there’s decorations and of course a bomber tried to blow up our tree<\/a>. \ud83d\ude41 Jerk.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Michael said he won’t decorate cookies with me (party pooper) so I’ll just have some girlfriends over for it. His loss! \ud83d\ude41<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Best quote ever: “You know what I’m going to get you next Christmas, Mom? A big wooden cross, so that every time you feel unappreciated for your sacrifices, you can climb on up and nail yourself to it.”<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n