It’s almost Christmas time, and once again it feels that this year has flown by. It really isn’t all in your imagination that time goes by faster when you’re an adult. I think it has do to with working 5 days a week, and constantly wishing it were the weekend. Maybe that’s a clue we should slow down and enjoy each day as it comes along, even if it does involve working 12 hour days 4 months of the year.

This is going to be a bit of a different year for me. As my friend Elizabeth pointed out, it’s the first year that I won’t be wondering if Josh is going to get me an engagement ring for Christmas. Thankfully, we’ve already taken care of that this year. It’s also the first time I’ll be traveling to Cincinnati to meet some of Josh’s very extended family members. I’m nervous about flying in what might be bad weather, but I’m sure once I’m there it will be nice to see his family again.

This Christmas, Josh and I had a lot more people to buy for since we’re combining our gift-giving lists and had to include the Kentucky family in our list this year, but I must say that I really do enjoy picking out gifts for people…even if they are people I’ve never met before. Luckily I started really early, and even though I missed many of the super great Christmas sales, I feel I was still able to get good value for my money….without having to risk life and limb on Black Friday sales. I just don’ do well with shopping when I have to be in crowds. I’m far too efficient for that!

In other Almost Christmas news, we were lucky enough to get to attend Josh’s sister’s graduation from UH. She’s taking her first steps off into the real world, and I just hope its’ everything she’s dreamed of!

I’ve spent the past week spending time with friends in Houston and making cookies with my mom. We decorated cut-out cookies yesterday, and every year they turn out better and better. My mom is so well equipped now after taking her cake decorating classes. I’m quite fond of my penguins and reindeer this year and I always like doing the Christmas trees.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and gets plenty of time to spend with their family!

Even though almost everyone we know is married by now (as evidenced by the 6 weddings we attended this past year) I thought it might help some other Houston brides out there to see which vendors we’re using for our big day.

Venue: Paraiso Maravilla
Catering: Bailey Connor Catering
Wedding Boutique: Weddings By Debbie
Bridesmaids Dresses: Jim Hjelm
Brides Dress: Sottero & Midgley
Flowers: Whole Foods Market
Wedding Cupcakes & Chocolate Mousse: Ooh La La Bakery
Hair & Makeup: Your Beautiful Face Co
Photography: Erin Anderson Photography
Ceremony Musicians: Chamber Music Unlimited
Reception Entertainment: Luxury Trio
Invitations: weddingpaperdivas.com
Accessories: Nordstroms
Shoes: My Glass Slipper
Fascinator: PowderBlueBijoux
Garter: Peterene Design
Cake Topper: SugarRushCakes
Cupcake Forks: Beadz2Pleaz

I know it looks like I’ve abandoned Kathrynocity lately, but truly I haven’t. Things have been pretty busy lately, but that’s no excuse not to keep updating. After getting caught up on Angela’s blog, it recently came to my attention that it’s National Blog Posting Month, and although I can’t promise to write something every day for a month, maybe a few posts this month will suffice.

Let’s see…to get caught up on all things in the world. Our wedding planning is going well. I haven’t had much to do lately, but we’re just getting ramped up to do all the things that have to be done before tax season starts again. I’m finalizing dates and arrangements with people I haven’t hired yet. At the moment, it seems that getting out hair done will be the most painful process of them all since it will probably involve getting started way early in the morning. Oh well.

My whole family came to Austin a few weeks ago for what has been come to be known as Alfredson Family weekend. We had a really fun time and the weather was beautiful. Just a word of caution to anyone planning on taking the Austin Steam Train to Burnet, Texas: please don’t plan on eating in a restaurant there. Bring a picnic lunch and find a park. This is not a quaint hill country town with a nice historic square with restaurants and shops. It’s the distant third-cousin to that concept. I think we’re just spoiled by Fredericksburg.

Josh just bought himself a new toy. It’s a Z4 M Roadster. It’s very fast. It took him a long time to find the exact one he wanted, and I’m glad he finally did since he really loves this new car. I’m getting lessons from the very patient Josh on how to drive a manual transmission, but as much as I like to think of myself as the Stig, I’m pretty bad at hills…although I do pretty well on flat ground.

Work is okay. November and December are our slowest months, so we’ll take a lot of time off between now and the end of the year. I’ll start on the tax organizers any day now and as soon as we get those my boss will literally want them done as soon as possible. Seriously, if I were working at super human speeds for two days straight with no breaks, that would not be fast enough. I’m always very amused by this though, considering we don’t mail them out until January. But at least I’m prepared this year. Next year will by my fifth tax season, and I’m fairly certain I’ve learned a thing or two in the past five years.

Like many other people, I’ve recently become obsessed with Glee on Fox. It’s awesome! I’m not at all ashamed to say I’ve downloaded several of the songs from iTunes and sing along to them loudly with the roof open and the windows down. Yes, people do look at me funny…but once I did get applause!

By next month, Josh and I will have attended a total of six weddings. I can’t believe how many of our friends got married this past year! They will all be great resources when I need help with our wedding next year. Josh and I have always moved at a different pace I guess. I had the pleasure of being a bridesmaid at Ashley and Greg’s wedding exactly one month ago today! That was a beautiful day! In two week’s we will attend the wedding of Chelsea and Bryan, some Texas friends I met at KU. I have gotten really good at buying gifts off registries!

I will work on getting back on track with blog posting. However, I do update my Twitter account almost all the time and you can find me @kathrynocity.