It's almost time!

For a new computer? That's for certain as I do not have enough memory left to upload one single photo or scan one more layout. That problem will be resolved later this week.

But really, it's almost time for the new year! Are you ready with your resolutions? I am going to post my list tomorrow - it's all about accountability this year. On that note, I am also embarking on two new year-long projects that are sure to provide much future blog material.

First, Justin and I are going to cook through the Nigella Express cookbook this year. Yep, that means we are going to cook every single recipe, even the 27 seafood recipes, which should be a delightful challenge as I don't eat seafood. I guess I do now!

Next, I am taking my friend Francine up on her challenge to join Project 365 - taking a photo every single day. Come to think of it, I may start a separate blog for this but that is a decision to be made tomorrow. Stay tuned! You can get more information about Project 365 here: http://photojojo.com/content/tutorials/project-365-take-a-photo-a-day/

And finally, do you have your one little word ready? I first heard about this concept on Ali Edward's blog and my friend Marci (http://makearteveryday.blogspot.com/) convinced me that I needed to try it this year. So, my word for 2008 is FOCUS. That seems a bit odd considering the scattered nature of this post doesn't it? But it's a very appropriate word this year because Justin and I very recently decided that I will not be returning to full-time work when Grace starts kindergarten in the fall. Instead, I am going to pursue a dream and as everyone knows, pursuing a dream means a lot of focus. More on this later!

So that's it! I hope you have a very fun, safe New Year's Eve. If you are making any resolutions or you have a word to share, leave a comment!

I want to live here

We went to see Chihuly at Night at the conservatory tonight. Do you think the staff would notice if I sleep under a big fern?

Merry Christmas!

Don't the days seem to speed up the closer it gets to Christmas? We spent the last few days in a whirlwind of baking and crafting and cooking and then suddenly, it was time to celebrate!

Today we have been much lazier, opening the last of the toys (and those Satan-inspired twist ties that are new and improved with TAPE on top of them), watching movies, playing with music on-line, reading and well, just generally being lazy. I love the holidays!

When good men get sick at Christmas time

it's never pretty for their wives. My dad has strep throat and Justin has a cold and my mom and I are trudging alone through the last minute to-do lists. I hope Justin is feeling better tomorrow though because I draw the line at buying my own Christmas present.

I had the brilliant idea to organize my scrapbook stuff last night after wrapping most of the presents. I spent hours (or did it only seem that way?) lugging things to the table, Justin's eyes getting a little bit bigger with every trip, until he finally had to say it. "You have a lot of scrap crap."

Well yes, yes I do. And I had bags of kits and class materials from two years just sitting in the closet - all containing even more "stuff" that needed to be sorted and integrated into my regular stash. After several hours of this, I realized two things: 1) I am going to need to get a lot of new storage containers after Christmas and 2) I never need to buy scrapbook supplies again. Ever. At about 1 am, Justin started to complain that I was keeping him up (he was sleeping on the couch because of the aforesaid cold which means he can't lie down to sleep. Are all men like this when they get sick?) so after hours of organizing, I just started throwing things back in bags and hid it all on the porch. A well conceived idea from start to finish.

Santa, if you are reading this, I really need a bookshelf for Christmas. With very tall shelves. Thank you!

Doesn't this look nice?

That speck of a human is apparently my brother. Does it look like there are any ropes up there? I can't tell. I'm told he is also in this month's issue of BackCountry Magazine, skiing in some secret location. Secret locations sound really nice. He lives in Taos. Taos sounds really nice too.

It was a rough day. This week was supposed to be calm and relaxed and instead it turned into a frenetic jumble of chaos. But tomorrow is looking good. I spent a good portion of today crying (sometimes, you just need to cry, right?) and I don't plan to spend any part of tomorrow crying.

Tonight I forgot to put sugar in the gingerbread cookies I made to decorate at Charlie's party tomorrow. But you can hardly tell and with some icing and gumdrops, who will know the difference? And Justin correctly points out that no kid is going to actually eat the gingerbread so I'm thinking I will just go with it.

So that's it. If you can string together the random threads of this post, you win a prize. Oh yeah. It was a rough day.

I guess it didn't look good

So I ended up reading Grace several books, in her room. I heard the phone ringing but I ignored it. Several times.

I finally came out to my very disgruntled looking husband walking into the house with a huge package. Apparently he was stuck behind the Fed Ex man in our driveway for quite some time. An alarming amount of time. And I wouldn't answer the phone.

And it turns out the Fed Ex man was pounding on the door for some time since he was positive someone was home. So that's why the dog was barking.

And now my husband keeps making snide comments about the Fed Ex man. Maybe I shouldn't make New Year's resolutions.

My first resolutions for 2008

because I want to write them down and I want to be accountable.

I am going to read her a story. Every. single.time. she asks.

and I am going to take $1 from my weekly scrapbook budget every time I use the words "not right now" or "just a minute" or some similarly dismissive comment.

That will do it for now. Perhaps I should keep a running list.