Not a Resolution

So here's the deal. Winter. No sun. Lots of cold. No snow.

This means I am spending waaaaaaaay too much time indoors and noticing everything that is "wrong" with my house. I am busy doing nothing. Nothing but bitchin' and snarkin'. So in an attempt to organize and motivate this is my list.

1. PURGE...get rid of anything in the house that serves no purpose. If it is not worn, used, or enjoyed in some way, it MUST go.
2. FINISH...finish any project that has been abandoned. This will range from the numerous UFOs in the knitting room to the unpainted ceiling in the kid's bath. If it something that is not worth the trouble of or beyond my skills to finish, out it goes. I believe the knitting guild will be very grateful for all the yarn and pattern books they will receive for the auction this year.
3. FIX...fix all things that have been ignored from a few days to several years. This covers the master bath shower to the unusable antique spinning wheel in the corner. If it cannot be fixed, it will be purged.
4. CREATE...move in a deliberate fashion to create an environment that is fulfilling. Focus on friends, enjoy my family, dance in public, sing along to the musak in the grocery store. Eat more whole foods, walk more, smile more.

I think this is a doable list. Wish me luck!

Grrrrrrrrrr......

What would you suggest one do to a husband who put his spankin' brand new Alpaca Christmas socks in the laundry bin to be sent through the washer and dryer?

Holiday Hangover

The New Year has yet to arrive and already the itch to purge my house of Christmas has begun. It came. It went. Stick a fork in it; it's done. So yesterday the Santa collection flew back to the North Pole. The Snowmen will remain for a bit, but I have a feeling they will miss the old guy and ask to leave within the next week or so. The "Charlie Brown" tree with the colored lights and tinsel - "Mom, that is sooooo cheesey!" is already in the basement.

Once I saw my oldest packing her suitcase to go "home" (HOME? Home is here! What does she mean home?) I felt it was time to call the holiday quits.

But have you checked out Mary Ellen's craftiness? Looks like she is getting ready for next Christmas already. Her awesome ideas come from this crazy ass talented woman. My green eyes are glowing...

Yesterday was a good day. Smarty Mags, P, and I hit Daft Dames to score some goodies for our looms. Mags being the talented freak she is, went from a rigid heddle to an 8 harness loom in less than two months! Me? Not so good. Hubbie gifted me the Kromski rigid heddle last Christmas. I have yet to complete one project. I did take a class at EGLFC in the fall, and was devastated when I realized I did NOT love it. So, I hope that some of Mags' enthusiasm is contagious and that she will push me to get something done. So I have the makings of some red and navy blue placemats for the lake house. May the weaver's force be with me.

The Home Stretch

We are now at the home stretch of Christmas frenzy. It is time to take stock, check the list, and check it again. The gifts have been purchased, wrapped, and placed under the tree. The grocery list is done, the stockings are hung.

I believe I can relax.

I am so relaxed I have faith that two hats can be knit between now and the big day. That I can make a few "unscheduled" social calls.

I believe that I shall be able to follow the little Christmas tot's advice and spread some 'cheerful looks and words'.

And the reason for the change? I have taken Christmas "off" this year. For at least the last TEN years I was under the impression that it was my job to make merry for both sides of the family for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Each year I decorated, shopped, cooked, and cleaned.

And last year as I watched everyone else laughing and drinking after walking into my home empty handed, fully expecting me to make it happen, I had an epiphany. I was invisible. I was being taken for granted. And so this year it is not my turn. It is not my responsibility. Holidays will happend with or without me. I am not indispensible. And if taking a year or two off makes others appreciate my past efforts, then I must say this is a good thing.

23 Days and Counting or Still Not Time to Panic

Where is this guy when I need him? Each and every year this slacker of a man forces me to do his dirty work. And he gets all the credit. Typical man. The eternal optimist in me keeps thinking, "This year will be different." So I wait. And wait. And wait. Then I PANIC.

Let it never be said you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. I am making a public announcement that I began my Christmas shopping more than two weeks prior to the actual event. I mean real presents. The big ones that family members actually requested. And despite the fact that today is a Saturday, I found parking spots close to the door. That all my sought after items were in stock AND found for me by nice, not yet stressed out sales people. Huh. Do you think it's like this every year?

Now, I am by no means finished. But after having lunch with my brother and wonderful wife (yes, I even went out for lunch:), we knocked off all our ideas for the rest of the family.

You know, I may even enjoy Christmas this year. But don't tell Smarty Mags ;)

Having Fun, eh?

Have you noticed that little "eh?" at the end of questions is slowly disappearing when you head north of the border? Do you think it has something to do with the fact that their dollar is now tromping ours?

Yesterday was so fun!

First we met at ME's house to get treat #1. And because I was driving, I could not figure out how to pin it on, and never seemed to remember when I stopped. If you check out ME's tutorial on the poppy, you will realize I will be a tradition breaker. I plan on pinning it to my dark gray wool flannel coat. It shall be a lovely addition.

Next, drive the car:) First stop: Whole Foods. As this was my first visit, you know I was like a wonderstruck child looking from one case to another. It was the first time in my life when I actually thought the meat case even looked good!

Next...a place I have been trying to get family to visit each time we go to Toronto. The indigo exhibit at the Textile Museum of Canada was wonderful. Dye is one area where science and art truly meet.

Have you ever had a sticky rice ball? Well, eating them fresh from the bakery shelf was not the experience I thought it would be. But picking through every shelf of every (ok, not every, but after two of them...you get the idea) one maybe nothing tastes as it should. China Town is fun. It has a bustle all its own. And the smells from the outdoor stands are nothing like a trip to your local grocery store!

The last stop of the day was Little India on the east end of the city. Yesterday was the last night of Dwali. We so wished we had our camera! On of the store windows was ful of red saris that were stunning! My nose was in heaven between the spices and incense. And would you believe it did not start to rain until we hit downtown area on our way home.

All in all - a great success! Good friends, a few laughs, and one or two secrets :) What more can a girl ask for?

Things Daughters Should Not Do Again, and Again, and Again...

1. Spend your entire allowance on things like getting your nails done? When you are 14! And then asking your mom for money two days later.
2. Stay after school without telling your mother, and then DEMAND a ride immediately and get angry because your mother cannot as she is still at work so that you can receive an allowance so that you can get your nails done.
3. Promise you will do the load of towels "in a minute".
4. Invite five of your friends over for a dinner they will cook and then not clean the kitchen.
5. Invite five of your friends over for dinner and have them all show up with overnight bags.
6. Invite five of your friends over for dinner and then have five BOYS ring the doorbell.
7. Tell your now 10 friends you have it "covered" and then assume your mother is going to let the boys in the house.
8. Go outside to tell the boys that your mother is some kind of moron and then hold a 15 minute conversation in the street.
9. Drive your brother and his friend out of the family room because you and your five friends are obviously more important than his one friend.
10. Send your sick father to the other end of the house because his stuffy nose is embarrassing.