- It is now official. I am the family matriarch. I have the proof:
Bam! That’s right. Not just of my own little family, but that of my parents as well. And my gramma. I win! And no, I am not relinquishing the title. So don’t even ask.
- For the wedding I decided to style Cody’s hair into a mohawk because I knew the bride and groom would think it was hilarious. They did, it was, and then all the people holding and adoring him crushed it with their hugs and smoothing hands. But it was cute while it lasted. Evidence:
Jas’s outfit wasn’t the one in that picture though. It was this:
She pretty much stole the show because she was always twirling on the dance floor. I’m pretty sure she danced with everyone. And she even danced as the new year rang in, which meant she’d been dancing for like four hours.
Apparently at the breakfast the next morning she was the talk of the party. I wouldn’t know, I was sleeping. I hadn’t done that much dancing in several months.
- All in all, it was a magnificent wedding and new years celebration. We really enjoyed ourselves. I speak for the whole family. Yes, even you (see above).
- My sisters are not used to snow and freezing temperatures since they live in coastal va. So cold to them was when the thermometer hits 36 degrees F. It was -1 degree F when we were driving back from the wedding with the wind chill making it -20. They learned what cold was. And asked why I still lived here to which I had no rational reply.
After thinking it over, my answer is that I love our house. But if our house were located in a place that did not know what winter was, I’d be okay with that.
- But I’d miss impromptu snowball fights.
Even if they do freeze up my sisters hand so she can’t take a decent picture of Andy, Jas, and I. *shakes fist* So you all get to gaze at her looking a fool. =D
- Avatar was awesome. Best picture of the year! And this will sound nerdy, but the scenery was awesome. Once you see it, you’ll understand what I mean. The lighted winterberry-looking bush was my favorite.
- I still don’t feel caught up on my thoughts. Maybe one day I will be.
- When I get off from work, all I do is nurse Cody and then crash in bed. I’m so glad we’ve passed the solstice. I need more daylight in my life. Also, Cody needs to stop leeching all my iron because I’m starting to look like a raccoon. Either that or I need more steak in my life. Maybe a little of both.
January, 2010
tidbits
cleaning house
Another great side effect of the “New Years Resolution Syndrome” is all the wonderful articles on simplifying your life. I don’t care much about them, but I know that after a few months I plan on purging my wardrobe. I’ve got a bunch of things I wore in high school that don’t work anymore and a collection of items that have been donated from well meaning folks. Time to donate them all! Actually I’ll be adding to my new fabric box, but the idea is the same.
I plan on doing the four pile thing (donate, repair, keep, reuse) and then developing my wardrobe following these sort of guidelines (Wardrobe Oxygen and Get Rich Slowly). Acquiring high quality basic pieces for improved functionality, while still maintaining my clothing style. I also plan on making a spreadsheet a la Amanda and tracking my items. Because I love the spreadsheets.
Another tip that I really liked and read somewhere in my feedreader was to buy sheets and towels in white. Easy to maintain with bleach and easy to match. Not to mention the spa-quality that they give your home. My love of colors will be kept up with comforters and blankets. =)
I only plan on adding items as I retire worn out versions though. For practical and purse related reasons.
If you know of any other tips to reduce laundry in the household and improve usability, or really any sort of organizational tips that you’ve used and have made you happy, please share them! I know I love to read about this stuff. Addictive.
google docs for the win
The excitement of a new year for me resides in making up a new spreadsheet for our finances. I’m sure parties are totally fun (and I went to a fabulous wedding for this new years celebration which will be very hard to top) but I’m not really the partying type. Break out the cards, ginger ale, invite friends over and turn on the radio. We’re good. I don’t really care about the disco ball.
I always get excited about starting fresh with my spreadsheets. I remember last year I went so far as to make a copy that people could download to use for themselves. Never got around to sharing it, but that’s how things tend to go around here. I’ll get something started, finish it, and then it’ll hang out for a while until I remember to distribute whatever it was. Technically, that should be something I resolve to fix. I really don’t have the time for that to be a priority though. Maybe later.
The thing about my spreadsheets is that I can see all the debt we’ve paid off (and unfortunately gained) as well as browse our monthly spendings on bills and other such things. It always makes me happy that each year when I make my new spreadsheet, we’re in a better place financially. We’ve made progress of some variety.
I always drag Andy into our office and cluck about the new sheet in excitement over the different organization used, where to find each thing, how it’ll be easier to track different items, whatever the latest innovation I’ve come up with for the year is. His lack of enthusiasm is made up for by the fact that mine boils over. And since finances are my arena, it makes sense.
I know the other day he spent several minutes regaling me with how our new garbage can will be placed in such a location and it’ll be easier to move blah blah blah. Ok. Just tell me where to throw my trash and you manage the rest. I don’t need sales pitch on your activities, just give me the gist. I’m sure he feels the same way about my accounting shenanigans.
We are very much like.
Also, one thing that I noted during the wedding we went to. When the pastor/preacher/man of the cloth was giving the bride and groom some advice, he described what love should be. And while he was listing all the things that love should not do, I was mentally ticking off all the things that I tend to do. Most of them, actually. Like keep score. And bring up the past. =0
What? I never said I was a great wifey. Actually, I’m really not. But I’m a damned good partner. And I make cute babies, so there. Plus, I will totally save your credit score. Just ask Andy. Credit card companies are chomping at the bit for him to sign up. S’crazy. Also, mildly troubling because the man gets ridiculous when around plastic.
But enough about that. For the great year of 2010 I have only one resolution. I want to make this. White chili.
For my digital photography final, our teacher brought in a huge crockpot with white chili and I was brave enough to try something new (a feat all by itself) and loved it. LOVED it. I ate an embarrassing amount while we watched each others final presentations. Also, that’s one reason I love art teachers. No final exams and they feed you. Can I get a hell yes? Hell yes.
That was last year and I’ve been wanting to make it ever since. Now that I’m armed with a tutorial from the Pioneer Woman, this is the year. I think.