Movie (16/365)

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Mike and I went to see Les Mis (as the cool kids call it).

I had no expectations as I've never seen the stage production. Mike has not only seen the stage production, but has performed in the stage production twice. We both enjoyed it.

Except the casting of Russel Crowe as Javert. 

*SPOILER* 

Russel Crowe cannot sing.

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Oconomowoc (15/365)

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Mike and I made a quick road-trip north today, making our destination just before sunset.

I looked over at the lake and said, "That would make a great picture for today."

And it did!

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Radar (14/365)

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I've not yet gotten into the habit of purposely taking a photo each day.

That means that sometimes what you'll find here is a photo from my phone that happened to be taken on that day.

This is one of those.

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Coffee (13/365)

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My favorite meal to eat out - by far - is breakfast.

Mike took me to Burnt Toast (a breakfast and lunch only restaurant) this morning before going grocery shopping.

It made one of my least favorite chores a bit better!

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McRib (12/365)

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Mike and I did laundry today, and a trip to the laundromat is often rewarded with a visit to McDonald's during the wash cycle.

Mike had his first McRib of the season.

I am not so brave, but I did have a bite of of his - my first taste of chopped, pressed, pork parts.

I am not a fan.

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Cash (11/365)

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My mom always sends Cam a check for Christmas, which means I have to have him endorse the check over to me, then deposit it in the bank and get cash for him.

It also means I get to STRESS over my 16-year old son having far too much cash at his disposal.

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Tradition (10/365)

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We started a new family tradition this year - Chinese buffet for Christmas dinner.

Actually, the one we went to is a Sushi, Mongolian Grill, Chinese Buffet and was quite busy.

*SIDE NOTE* Cam chastised me for taking pictures of this partition between tables as he was concerned people would think I was secretly trying to take pictures of them.

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

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Christmas Eve (9/365)

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Christmas Eve has always been THE BIG celebration for my family.

For some reason, not being a part of that hit me hard this year.

I think there were several factors in this:

• I assumed I would be a part of Mike's family celebration this year (an assumption that I should not have made)
• I felt a tremendous amount of guilt for Cam's lack of ties to my family
• There are several significant life issues hovering over my head right now

My uncle did send me this invitation to the event, including us as much as he could.

I was thrilled to not be forgotten.

I was terribly sad to know I'd be missing out on memories.

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Lights (8/365)

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After much deliberation, I drug Mike to Menard's and picked up the tackiest, 3-1/2 foot tall, metallic, fiber-optic lit tree I could find.

Then I did one of those long exposure, wiggle the camera shots that seem so popular.

The firework setting on my PAS surprised me!

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Snow (7/365)

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I don't know when or if we'll get any more.

I mean, we should get more, but you just never know.

Expect snow photo spam until it melts.

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Coffee Pot (6/365)

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I bought myself a Christmas present.

I was still using the coffee pot I purchased for under $10 when I first moved into the apartment.

Although it was still working, brewing had gotten EXTREMELY slow.

So while I was picking up stocking stuffers, I picked up a new coffee pot too!

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First Snow (5/365)

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It had been 290 days since our last measurable snow.

A new record.

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Ollie (4/365)

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We have an annual Christmas party for the Accounting/IT departments at work. I know - odd combination - but we all sit together.

We do this party Secret Santa style, and in my second year with the company I learned that the person I had drawn had a strange aversion to olives.

What did I do? I included a can of olives with his gift.

That can of olives turned into Ollie - a Christmas legend. This year, I was the recipient of Ollie ... along with a copy of the Ollie legend and instructions ...

Hello!
I am Ollie the forgotten reindeer.
Display me in your cubicle for the year for good luck and good cheer.
However, in 365 days a new owner I will go to stay.
So enjoy your time with me right now and feel free to take a bow.
You're lucky to have me by your side so display me with great pride.


A new tradition has been started with Ollie. Please enjoy your time with him and then pass him on to your Secret Santa recipient next year.
Yours Sincerely,
Santa

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Ninja Ginger (3/365)

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One of my co-workers posted on Facebook that she had spent the weekend making Ninja Gingerbread Men.

Another of my co-workers bragged on Facebook about how she secured on of said Ninja Gingerbread Men.

Well, I might be naive at times, but even I figured out that this was prime breeding grounds for a guilt trip.

Which secured me this Ninja Gingerbread Man!

He sat on my desk for a week.

Then I bit his head off.

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Monday's Child (2/365)

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Today was our Secret Santa exchange at work.

We each list three gift ideas within a $15 budget, then draw names.

I got to give a collector's edition of The Hobbit (found a great deal on Amazon).

And I received all THREE of the items I listed - a 2-quart pitcher, a Pyrex 2-cup measuring cup, and a silicone oven mitt.

SCORE!!

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Sunday Sundae (1/365)

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You just never know when you are going to get behind a banana split.

We drove south to visit Chicago Premium Outlets today. We got to follow an ice cream truck from Colonial Cafe (home of the Kitchen Sink).

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There is nothing better

Than a fresh start

Project 365

My rules this time