and what have you done this year?

it's that time of year again. time to haul out the holly, deck the halls, trim the tree, and blissfully enter into a winter wonderland. yes, you guessed it...it's christmas!
now this christmas i was tempted to put out a nativity scene, place a symbolic star on top of my martin luther inspired tree, and attend a candlelight service on christmas eve with my friends and family, BUT why bother with all that jazz when i could be piecing together my CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER!
yes friends, the newsletter. that most important of christmas symbols. the glorious piece of paper that accompanies my festive cards and allows me an outlet for sharing all the reasons i'm cooler than you. since it is so terribly important i thought it would just be selfish of me to not share my year with all my blogging buddies. i hope you enjoy reading about my year as much as i enjoyed actually participating in it.
**please read the following anticipating my voice inflection...it will be more fun that way! and also please read with the lens of a girl who thinks this entire practice is nothing more than a platform for bragging and embellishing. i have always believed that a life worth knowing about need not advertise.**



THE PIERCE PAGES
A SEASONAL NEWSLETTER FROM THE HEART OF MY HOME TO YOURS!

2011 has been a whirlwind of a year! where has the time gone?! haha but seriously, it seems like only yesterday i was unpacking boxes in my brand new home and trying to find the perfect duvet to compliment my beautiful estate sale furniture! yes, home ownership has consumed most of my year and has directly correlated to my increased number of visits to bed, bath, and beyond!
all that aside 2011, has been a year full of blessings! one blessing is the crazy increase in miles that my frequent flyer program has seen. i have been a real jet setter! when i wasn't enjoying theology classes at Princeton Theological Seminary i made time for delicious cheesecake in New York! my sweet friend katie accompanied me in the big apple and boy did we leave our southern mark! my next adventure sent me, katie, and my dad packing for Boston! who doesn't love a Red Sox game at Fenway! really the green monster (or green monstah as the natives say) is second to none. it was just a little short trip at the end of the summer. we all needed a little baseball escape! the next trip will take katie, terri, and i to Charleston over new years to see our dear friend susan. we couldn't think of a better way to ring in the new year.
now not all my travels were for pleasure. my sweet youth girls and i had a weekend retreat to Asheville. the Biltmore is so amazing...we were like princesses for a day! i also spent two weeks doing mission work for those less fortunate. one trip took my group to Hazard, KY where we did some serious home repair and the next trip took us to Myrtle Beach where we were instrumental in starting a new church. what an amazing experience. God is good!
now, you didn't think this east tennessee gal would spend all her time away! of course i had to be home for football season! this year my vols broke my heart a little, but that didn't mean we couldn't still enjoy all the tradition of big orange football. the vol navy was out in force and the time on the water is totally worth the work it takes climbing from boat to boat. the hot dogs were perfect and coach dooley's pants were just right.
on a not so positive note my poor hip and back have been in a mess. i think that mission work and all that time on the tennessee river have caused some injury. so physical therapy is the name of the game and the outlook is good! (i hope)
in other news, i've bought a new car, a couple of new Kate Spade bags (to die for), and of course clothes that still have the tags!! it's so hard to pass up a great sale! haha
last but not least, ellie may (i know you were wondering), is doing beautifully. she is still the most impressive K9 i have ever encountered. i am concerned that she may have a faulty thyroid, but that is completely treatable. she has her stocking hung by the chimney with care and i know she is dreaming of all the dentasticks that will fill it up on christmas morning.
well, i have already said too much. this letter always gets away from me! so, until i have a chance to share with you how important i am next year--i hope you and yours have a completely MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
all my love, Sara