2014: The Year in Painful Review

In full disclosure, I've been absolutely dreading this post.

For me (and most of the people I know), 2014 has been rough. Like really terrible. For months, my mom and I have been talking about how we can't wait to kiss this year goodbye. But as I sat here, reminiscing on the last 365 days and compiling a list of the high(and low)lights, I actually started to feel weirdly grateful. This year, with all of its challenges and hardships, taught me some pretty valuable lessons. It showed me how strong I am, brought my family closer together (albeit not in a physical sense), and most importantly, it reminded me to cherish the time I have with those I love.

That's not to say that I took that time for granted before. I didn't. But when you're faced with the worst news you've received in your life, horrifying statistics, hospital visits, and more tears than I thought were humanly possible to shed by one person, it just internalizes in a way that I simply can't explain via blog post. Suddenly, weekends don't need to be filled to the brim with back-to-back plans. They are just as easily spent on the couch with family, friends, food, and a movie.

It's okay for me to say that 2014 sucked. By most standards, it did. My mom was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer after being misdiagnosed with ovarian cancer. She underwent two major operations, spent a few weeks in the hospital, lost her hair for no reason, got a colostomy bag, went through 12 rounds of chemotherapy, got painful blood clots in her lungs and a case of the shingles for good measure. My brother was deployed overseas, my sister moved to Arizona, and Wheat's grandmother passed away. I settled for a job outside of sports, underwent thousands of dollars' worth of my own medical exams, started taking antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication, and gained 20 pounds.

But you know what? We're still here...and I'm filled with more love than I've felt in my entire life. When faced with this battle, my parents seemed to fall in love with each other all over again. My dad quit drinking completely, shaved his head to match my mom, and for the first time in a long time, I'd spy them holding hands. My sister followed her heart to Arizona to be with Denny and though I miss her everyday, I'm so happy that she's making a life for herself. My brother moved back home and reminded me how much better life is with him around. It's incomprehensible the amount of encouraging texts, emails, phone calls, and blog comments I got from amazing friends and family around the country.

...and don't even get me started with Wheat. His patience and unfaltering love and support have single-handedly gotten me through this year. He has loved me at my lowest low, pulled me from the brink of insanity, and instead of leaving or getting frustrated, he embraced me and carried me through it...all while praying, loving my family, and calling me beautiful when I felt anything but. He is my greatest source of strength, the reason I love looking back, and the reason I'm excited to move forward.

Though this year is easily clouded by the bad times, it's amazing how many awesome things I've done. I've traveled - to New Orleans, Las Vegas, Nashville, Gatlinburg, Wisconsin, Iowa, Alabama, Louisville, Chicago, Oxford, and Columbus. I've grown professionally - I had a story published in the Cincinnati Enquirer, improved my interview skills, wrote for a professional hockey team, learned database support, and worked as an editor. I've explored Indy, had several visitors, and moved back downtown to an apartment we love. I've celebrated love - weddings for TJ and Tasha, Corbin and Andrea, and Blake and Ryan. I've enjoyed live sports - Bengals, Reds, Cyclones, Pacers, Fever, Penguins, Predators, Buckeyes, Redhawks - and concerts and plays - Dave Matthews Band (twice), CCR, The Sing Off Tour, Michael Franti, Cirque de la Symphonie, Nick + Knight Tour, Phillip Phillips, The Book of Mormon. See? It's been a pretty awesome year when you read that paragraph.

So, I suppose that's how life works. Things are never entirely good, but they're never entirely bad, either. If you choose to learn from the bad moments, they make the good ones even better. That's what I'm taking away from 2014. It's the sweet up and down, my friends. Until next year...

Festivity Roundup

You know that lazy, post-Christmas funk/depression that sets in when the holiday is finally over and the anticipation is gone? The moment you realize that January and February are coming with their snow, cold wind, and grey skies? When it hits you that the trees are coming down and no radio stations will be playing Christmas songs anymore? Yeah, it's happening. So, I'm going to distract myself with a nice, festive holiday recap because that's what bloggers do.

On Tuesday night, I rushed home from Indianapolis to host our annual girls' gift exchange. We were missing Hannah this year, but I'd still deem the night a resounding success. We ordered pizza, decorated snickerdoodle cookies and gingerbread men, exchanged gifts, and did some overdue catching up. I gave each of the girls a box to take home their treats with festive cookie cutters attached.

For my gift, Morgan brought me Garrett's Popcorn straight from Chicago, along with EOS chapstick, a Bath & Body Works vanilla-scented candle, a cute Christmas bag, and blue fingernail polish. In other words, I hit the jackpot. Of course, the actual jackpot is having these three as best friends.

For the most part, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day followed the trend of 2014, which means they were unfortunate, humbling reminders that life doesn't always go according to plan. We did our family tradition of steak fondue on Christmas Eve, finished wrapping presents, and spent time together, but it felt really strange without Jamie there. I couldn't help but think that this is the second year in a row where someone was missing. Despite watching Frozen while unwrapping presents, Christmas Day was rough because Mommles felt miserable and was in and out of sleep. We have no extended family in the area, so the day went as quickly as it came and suddenly, Christmas was over.

Of course, there were many glimmers of happiness throughout the week: a pedicure with Mommles, quality time with LP and Elizabeth, pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, a Christmas night viewing of Unbroken. We didn't get any snow, but I admired our lovely tree, sat by the fireplace, and felt ridiculously spoiled by my awesome gifts. I slept in, finished Bossypants (which I highly recommend, by the way), and spent time with a couple great friends who don't mind doing absolutely nothing at my house.

LP visited me in Indianapolis and I took him to his first NBA game. We had suite seats with an awesome view, enjoyed delicious concessions food, and watched the Pacers come back from a 21-point deficit against the Bulls, only to miss a last-second shot at the buzzer and lose 92-90. We still had a great time and even got on the massive video board at Bankers Life.

So, as you can see, even when I'm feeling down, I never really have it all that bad. Here's to my mood reflecting my reality in 2015, but more on that to come...

Merry Christmas!

I just want to thank everyone for all the sweet comments and encouragement I've received on this space over the last year. It's been the toughest time of my life and I can't explain how much it means to me that people actually read my blog and care enough to reach out. I hope you relax and spend today with loved ones as you celebrate the reason for the season. Maybe, just maybe, you even got a little snow. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas!

Merry Clinchmas!

How do people with full-time jobs, clean homes, dinner in the oven, attention-seeking pets, and a couple children running around have time to blog? Seriously, I want the answer. Because I'm having a hard time balancing my 30-hour work week, unpacking my new apartment, ordering Chinese takeout, and watching Ellen.

Last weekend was an early Christmas of sorts for the Johnson family. Jamie and Denny were in town from Tucson, LP was finally settled back into Ohio life, and all of us were together for two short days. On Saturday, an attempt to surprise LP with a birthday/welcome home-hybrid party completely failed. Somehow, he figured out the plans early...and by somehow, I mean my mom told him.

Gold Star Chili, which has always been our Cincinnati chili of choice, hosted an incredible homecoming party for LP. They made an amazing banner that read Welcome Home, CPL Lewis Johnson, closed off a section of the Lebanon location, and fed 15 of us...for FREE! There really was no better way to welcome him home than some coneys at our favorite hometown restaurant. The servers and manager all took time to thank him for his service and it truly meant the world to us. We couldn't be more proud of him (or thankful to Gold Star!).

After dinner, the party moved to our house, where we celebrated with some NFL action and a massive rice krispie treat that posed as a birthday cake.

Despite my begging and pleading, no one but my mom agreed to accompany me to the Christmas Ranch in nearby Morrow. I ended up dragging Wheat there against his will because Christmas spirit reigns. We bundled up, waited in the long line of traffic, paid the $15 per carload fee, and wandered around the gorgeous light displays that were synched with yuletide songs. This place is intense - I have never seen so many lights in my life. It's no wonder it has been mentioned by HGTV, The New York Times, and Good Morning America.

We admired the Christmas trees and light arches, perused several shops, fawned over the live lambs at the nativity scene, and warmed ourselves by the massive bonfire. Most importantly, we drank peppermint hot cocoa and ate funnel cake amidst the twirling Santa Clauses in the dining area.

Sunday flew by, a whirlwind of early gift exchanging, more NFL games, Christmas shopping, and burritos. And just like that, Jamie was on her way back to Arizona. Bah humbug. In an effort to cheer me up, the Bengals broke their primetime curse and clinched a spot in the playoffs by defeating Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football. It kinda worked. Merry Clinchmas, ya filthy animals.

Friday Fun!

It's Friday. My brain is sufficiently fried. I'm hungry, sleepy, and ready to head back to Ohio for the weekend. I use the term 'ready' loosely because I haven't packed yet. In other words, the best I can offer you today is a fun, little quiz I found at BMJ. Narcissism at its best!

Four names people call me other than my real name:
1. Bibbles
2. Charles - Don't ask.
3. BJ
4. Britter

Four jobs I’ve had:
1. Database support for the Indiana Business Research Center
2. Beat writer for the Cincinnati Cyclones
3. Sports clerk at the Indianapolis Star
4. Communications intern at USA Football

Four books I’d recommend:
1. Harry Potter by JK Rowling - All day, every day.
2. Choke by Chuck Palahniuk
3. Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto by Chuck Klosterman
4. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

Four movies I’ve watched more than once:
1. The Sandlot
2. Jurassic Park
3. The Departed
4. Swingers

Four places I’ve lived:
1. Lebanon, Ohio - *swoon*
2. Oxford, Ohio - *double swoon* and the best college town in the US
3. Landen, Ohio
4. Indianapolis, Indiana

Four places I’ve visited:
1. Machu Picchu, Peru
2. Venice, Italy
3. London, England
4. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Four places I’d rather be right now:
1. Greece with Wheat
2. Oxford with all of Derailed
3. San Francisco with Mommles
4. Snuggled on a couch with a book and hot chocolate

Four things I don’t eat:
1. Bananas - I die.
2. Shrimp or any kind of seafood
3. Coffee - Technically, I don't eat it, but yuck.
4. Eggs

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Raisin Bran
2. Asparagus
3. Chips and guacamole
4. Cookies 'n Cream ice cream

Four TV shows I watch:
1. The Walking Dead
2. Top Chef
3. The Voice, American Idol
4. Scandal

Four things I’m looking forward to next year:
1. Weddings galore - TJ and Tasha, Bryan and Ali, hopefully a couple others
2. Beauty and the Beast in Chicago
3. Visiting Jamie and Denny in Tucson - I better.
4. Warm weather walks and Italian ice on the canal

Four things I’m always saying:
1. “How about Chipotle?" - Sorry, Wheat.
2. “Are you okay?" - Sorry, everyone.
3. “WHO-DEY?!"
4. “I'm too tired."

Bundle up and have a fantastic pre-Christmas weekend, lovelies!

Happy Thoughts Thursday

Sorry for yet another extended absence around here. In the last two weeks, my life has exploded in tons of paperwork, Christmas shopping trips, and unmarked boxes. May I make it up to you with some happy thoughts?

+ Family. First of all, my amazing little brother finally finished his service in the U.S. Marine Corps. Last week, he packed all of his belongings into the trunk of his car and drove from Camp Pendleton (CA) to Ohio with his darling girlfriend in the passenger seat. We are so unbelievably proud of him, but there's more to come on that next week. Despite a missed flight, my sister is also in town for the week from Tucson. She won't be sticking around for Christmas, so I'm going to soak up every second with her this weekend.

+ Our new apartment. After months of debate, Wheat and I finally took the plunge and moved this weekend. I'm ecstatic because we live downtown again. This time, we parked ourselves on the gorgeous canal, walking distance from my job and the coolest Marsh I've ever seen. I'm also in love with our dreamy apartment. We have so much closet space, a fireplace, a dishwasher, and even an ice cube dispenser! The luxuries abound in the new place. I'll show you around if when we finally finish unpacking. Come visit, pretty please?

This is basically our backyard now. Rough, eh?

+ Pacers games. As much as I complain about the Pacers stealing my boyfriend from me, I actually really love that he works there. In the last week, I watched the Blue-and-Gold fall to the Clippers (oh hey, Blake Griffin) and demolish the Lakers (sorry, Kobe). I realize how lucky I am to be a season-ticket holder of an NBA team, even if I can't stand how long it takes for games to end once the fouling begins.

+ "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. Are you kidding me? So much James Brown-style goodness that I feel like I just ingested a fistful of uppers when I hear the clapping and bass voice in the beginning. Needless to say, this has been the soundtrack for my unpacking sessions.



+ My mom. I saved the best for last. My mom had a colonoscopy on Tuesday and they found no evidence of cancer. In other words, my mom went from stage four cancer to NO SIGN OF CANCER in nine months. Words can't explain how excited and grateful we are. She is scheduling the reversal surgery for her colostomy bag this week and we can't wait. Although I'm so grateful to the doctors and nurses that helped her along the way, I know this miracle came from a higher power. More to come on this later...

Will you please come visit us? I'll buy you a cupcake.
Is it possible to hold still while listening to "Uptown Funk?"
What's making YOU happy this week?

My Thoughts on the Treadmill

Thanks to a combination of laziness, Thanksgiving, and my antidepressant, I've gained 20 pounds...in three months. It's not easy to read or write that sentence.

Weight has always been my greatest struggle, the Roger Klotz to my Doug Funnie, the eternal enemy I'm destined to battle for the rest of my life. Over the years, I've begrudgingly accepted that fact. I've even used my inability to lose weight as a convenient excuse to be even lazier: I'll just walk one mile today because that's better than nothing, right? It's not like eating this red velvet cupcake is going to make a difference. I mean, I can't lose that much weight because I don't have the money to buy a new wardrobe. These are actual thoughts that have crossed and continue to cross my mind.

When I realized that I'd never be skinny (and that was sometime during second grade), I immediately got to work on other aspects of my personality. I read a ton, started piano lessons, and refined my sense of humor and quick wit. Surely being strong in these areas would compensate for the number on the scale and my inability to fit in small roller coasters!

It didn't take more than one elementary school bully and the lack of attention from guys in middle school to realize I was wrong. You mean, you aren't attracted to my ability to spell?! But I can explain the metaphors in The Great Gatsby (aka let you copy my homework)! Sure, I'm not a cheerleader, but I actually know the hand signals used by referees to indicate which penalty you just received!

And though my weight and the embarrassing scolding sessions from my pediatrician served as the source of many childhood tears, I gradually came to accept my lot in life.  My very large lot.

In fact, I've even sort of found ways to embrace my slightly-more-than-chubby figure. Sure, my thighs are huge, but look at that butt! I can pinch roughly seven inches around my waist, but my boobs sure do look awesome when properly hoisted. I'm fat, so I certainly don't need to spend any money on summer dresses, pencil skirts, or ten different colored bathing suits. I'm perfectly fine with my closet of graphic t-shirts, jeans, and cardigans, thank you very much.

But when I step on the scale at the doctor's office and it tells me I've put on 19 pounds in a shorter amount of time than it took for me to finish Insurgent (in my defense, that series is truly horrible), I know something has to change. It can't be healthy to gain almost one-seventh of my boyfriend in three months. Side note: This is how I've been gauging weight since fall of 2012.

I know I'm not going to lose 100 pounds, but I can certainly lose 20, right? So, I've made it my goal to go from whale-sized Brittany to the familiar porpoise-sized Brittany that I've come to know, love, and accept. How do I plan to accomplish this? Lots and lots of time on the treadmill.

That is a human being. The same species as me!

So, in honor of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show last night (low self-esteem for the win!), I will now share with you the thoughts that crossed my mind while on the treadmill last night:

- There is only one other person in here, so it's probably okay if I pick my wedgie.

- What should I eat for dinner tonight?

- Is he seriously running at 9.5 speed? Treadmills go that fast? Get out of here with that Usain Bolt stuff.

- Okay, I've burned off exactly one can of Dr. Pepper.

- Oh, no. Are belts of treadmills slippery? Because I just spilled at least a mouthful of water on this one.

- One more mile and then you can sit on the couch and watch Ellen.

- As Usain Bolt moves onto the weight lifting portion of his workout Please don't drop the weights on the rack so loudly. My heart is already strained enough as it is.

- No, but seriously, what's for dinner?

O-H!

As always, this weekend was an absolute whirlwind. Fortunately for me, it was a whirlwind of happiness, loved ones, Christmas, and Ohio State football.

Saturday afternoon, Mommles, Wheat, and I attended the largest horse-drawn carriage parade in the U.S. Where you ask? Oh, just my precious little hometown. Every year, Lebanon plays host to the most charming Christmas parade you could ever imagine. I haven't been in several years, so I was extra excited to take Wheat for his first time. I wish we could have gone to the candlelit night parade, but we avoided the massive crowds by going in the afternoon.

We bought some hot chocolate from an antique shop downtown, staked out a spot on Town Hall, and watched over 100 carriages parade past pulled by gorgeous horses, including Clydesdales and my personal favorite, miniature horses! Among the riders in the parade, we spotted Santa and Mrs. Claus, our hometown mayor, and The Grinch. Something about it just fills me with such happiness. My mom, too, apparently. Check out her face of child-like glee at the end of that video.

After the parade, we ate a quick lunch at Bob Evan's before heading back to Indy for the Big Ten Championship Game. Wheat was offered free tickets from work and despite his SEC elitism favoritism, he agreed to take me. Before the game, we checked out the massive tailgate on Georgia Street, in hopes of finding competitive eater Joey Chestnut. Chestnut won the St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail-Eating Championship earlier in the day, devouring 10.4 pounds of shrimp in eight minutes. Unfortunately, he was nowhere to be found, so we made our way to Lucas Oil Stadium.

Stranger photobombed my picture in front of B1G sign with an O. I didn't mind.

Our seats were in the Wisconsin end zone, so we received Badger rally towels (yuck!) for the game. Ohio State completely blew out Wisconsin, 59-0. Third-string quarterback Cardale Jones, who was also named the game's MVP, threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns and defensive lineman Joey Bosa had a four-yard fumble return for a touchdown. It was nothing short of glorious.

The atmosphere in downtown Indianapolis felt like Columbus on game day. The crowd, which was clad in varying shades of red, white, and gray, was overwhelmingly in favor of the Buckeyes and it was refreshing to finally be the one responding, "I-O!" rather than initiating the "O-H!" In complete honesty, the game was such a rout that it actually got boring. Poor Wisconsin.

Another highlight of the game was seeing the best damn band in the land. I admitted to Wheat that I almost love the Ohio State marching band as much as I love the football team. Seeing the script Ohio and the dotting of the I is always so exciting for me, no matter how many times I've seen it. The halftime show was a compilation of songs from West Side Story and throughout the performance, the band formed beating hearts, a jet and a shark, and a dancing man. Unbelievable.



On the way back to the car, we took a quick stroll along Monument Circle, admiring the gorgeous lights and decorations, massive Nutcrackers, and a mailbox specifically made for letters to Santa.

Yes, folks. Five years ago, I never thought I'd say this, but Indianapolis is a pretty cool place to live. Come visit?

That one time my boyfriend put every other guy to shame...

After the amazing birthday gift Wheat gave me last year, I kind of figured there was no way he could top himself this time around. I should have known better, though. My romantic guy always seems to prove me wrong.

Last Tuesday at promptly midnight, he paused our late-night showing of the American Music Awards, sprang off the couch, and fished through his work bag. He handed me an envelope with the word Tuesday scrawled on the front. Confused, I opened it and found the following poem:

Beary - 

For your birthday this year,
I've had a major fear.
How on earth can I top
What I did last year?

But then it hit me - 
Don't just do it in one day.
The occasion is so special
It deserves extended play.

So this year is different.
We'll celebrate all week!
You'll find treasures every day.
Some big, some small - just seek.

For your first surprise - get ready!
I know how much you love to read. 
You'll find this off the presses
And where I keep my tweed!

I instantly burst into tears. After somewhat composing myself, I tracked down his tweed jacket to find my prize: Lena Dunham's new book Not That Kind of Girl.

The gig continued all week. At a predetermined time each day, he would hand me an envelope that contained a swoon-worthy poem. On Wednesday, he waited until I finished the poem before stepping into our bedroom with a gorgeous bouquet of pink-orange roses. The waterworks started again on Thursday when his poem directed me to a YouTube video he had made.



Side note: We recorded ourselves dancing around to One Direction a few days before, but I had no idea he was planning to make a video with it.

On Friday night, he blew my mind with a subscription to NHL GameCenter, so I can watch every Penguins game. He even drew a stick figure Sidney Crosby underneath the accompanying poem. Saturday night's verse brought with it a gift card to a Cincinnati favorite, Montgomery Inn. He's never been and I've spent two years trying to convince him that good barbeque exists above the Mason-Dixon line.

On Sunday, he gave me all three Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies and season one of Community for us to start together. Then, for my actual birthday, he bought us tickets to see Beauty and the Beast in Chicago in March. If you're wondering how I got so lucky, you're not alone. I pinch myself every morning when I wake up next to him.

As if that wasn't enough, he also took me to dinner on Monday night at Brugge Brasserie, an awesome Belgian restaurant in Broad Ripple. We sat next to a festive Christmas tree and feasted on delicious frites with a variety of dipping sauces while I fantasized about an actual trip to Bruges.

Who am I kidding? I already have everything I could ever want.

I know Wednesday is too late for a Thanksgiving recap...

Heading back to work on Monday was tough on everyone, right? Not just me? I, however, had a little bonus incentive to get out of bed: That dreaded, back-to-reality Monday doubled as my 27th birthday. But before I get ahead of myself, I present you with all things Thanksgiving break. You know the deal around here.

Thanks to the holiday and a recent visit from my grandparents, aunts, and uncles, I've been going home a lot lately. Fortunately, trips home often result in time well-spent with my parents, home-cooked meals, and lots of sleep. In honor of my mom's last chemo session (yay!), my aunts helped her create the cutest, Pinterest-worthy Thanksgiving treats to give to her nurses. Since they have souls and taste buds, they absolutely loved them.

For Thanksgiving weekend, Wheat and I returned to Ohio for more relaxation and face-stuffing. Over the course of the next five days, I hung out with dear high school friends at local bars, finished one book and started another, slept until noon on more than one occasion, addressed Christmas cards, and ate two Thanksgiving feasts. The first feast, which included my beloved sweet potato puffs and broccoli cheese casserole, took place at my house with Jenn and our family friend, Grace. My mom even made us Thanksgiving-themed puzzle packets for the occasion. Yes, I'm a giant child.

Thanksgiving day was spent watching the Macy's Parade, the AKC dog show, and football. The next day, I indulged yet again at Jenn's family Thanksgiving, complete with pumpkin nut crunch and broccoli slaw. I melt. The rest of the weekend was filled with bonfires, the Walking Dead midseason finale, early birthday presents, a turkey made completely of butter, plenty of couch snuggling, a Buckeye victory over that school up north, and an unchallengeable challenge that left me wondering if Marvin Lewis is actually a mad genius.

I didn't take part in any Black Friday shopping because I value my sanity. Wheat and I tried to use our Groupon for snowtubing at the Beach, but the place was unexpectedly closed on Sunday. Instead, we celebrated my birthday a day early with cheesecake, a nice deposit in my bank account, and a Google Chromecast that has quickly become one of my favorite possessions. Thanks, Mom and Dad.

I'm sure you can tell by my extended absence recently that I've needed some time to unplug...and the last two weekends certainly fit the bill. Next up? The ridiculously amazing and thoughtful week-long birthday gift I got from Wheat. Grab the tissues, ladies.

Winter Bucket List

I'm pretty pumped because Wheat and I actually accomplished nine of the ten things on my fall bucket list. We didn't make it to Brown County, but I'll settle for a solid B+ on the season. I think the trick to our success was limiting the list to ten things, so I'm going to do that again with my second annual winter bucket list.

- Go snowtubing
- See a Christmas show, play, ballet, or musical
- Have a gift exchange with friends - Complete!
- Make snow angels
- Check out Veal's Ice Tree - Complete!
- Take a drive to admire the lights - Complete!
- Go to the Lebanon Christmas parade - Complete!
- Make a handmade gift - Complete!
- Watch The Polar Express
- Send out Christmas cards - Complete!

I know it's sad to be writing a WINTER bucket list in November, but I'm just keeping it real. This gives me more time to get things done and with three inches of snow on the ground already, I think it's safe to say that fall has left town early this year. Ugh.

What are you planning to do this winter?

Christmas is coming...

I'm one of those rare people that actually feel bad about widespread Thanksgiving neglect. Starting the day after Halloween, radio stations are infiltrated by Christmas songs, decorations and yuletide decor pop up in Target, and Thanksgiving falls by the wayside. Don't get me wrong - I love all that December brings, but I try my best every year to keep Christmas cheer at bay until after my birthday. This weekend, however, made that goal a serious struggle for me.

We turned up the heat in our apartment, snuggled into the couch, watched football, and ate pumpkin pie cupcakes and homemade chili. We also tried out Broad Ripple Brewpub for the first time and loved the tasty food and comfy atmosphere. I had the chicken nachos and Wheat did his best impression of a European and ordered the bucket of mussels.

After dinner, we spotted a new French-inspired bakery in Broad Ripple called The Cake Bake Shop. Unbeknownst to us, it was opening day for the bakery, which had its cupcakes prominently featured in Dumb and Dumber To recently.

I couldn't have resisted the place if I tried. The gorgeous cottage-turned-bake-shop was decorated for Christmas and the beautiful white tree beckoned me from inside. Upon entry, we were overwhelmed by the smell of gingerbread, the gorgeous French chandeliers, and the crackling of the fireplace. Small groups of people lined the walls, sipping champagne, wine, and French-pressed coffee while enjoying pieces of cake, cookies, or scones. Every inch of the place was the perfect combination of France and Christmas and I practically melted into the floor with excitement.

We ordered two ginger molasses cookies and a slice of red velvet cake (topped with a macaron!) from an attendant wearing an authentic French apron. We sat on a bench lined with pillows at a table topped with a candle and devoured our dessert. It was a perfect little French retreat. We closed the night by seeing St. Vincent, which was both funny and heartwarming and featured Bill Murray at his very best...and that's saying a lot.

Sunday afternoon, Wheat and I bundled up and headed to Crown Hill Cemetery for some exploring. The cemetery, which is the final resting place of several notable people, was absolutely gorgeous. About halfway through our trip, it started to snow that light, fluffy, snow globe-like snow, so we ambled through the empty cemetery as it gently fell on the tombstones. We stopped at the graves of John Dillinger, President Benjamin Harrison, poet James Whitcomb Riley, Dr. Richard Gatling (the inventor of the Gatling gun), Robert Irsay (owner of the Indianapolis Colts), author Booth Tarkington, and Eli Lilly.

I suppose this was all a long-winded way of saying that I feel like blasting Michael Buble's Christmas CDs, eating candy canes, and hanging our stockings. Bah, humbug.