Whew

I built a fence!

I feel like I've been hit by a truck, but the darn thing is up.

1st day o' the year

I know I left you all with a cliffhanger yesterday that probably kept you up all night.

And the answer is (drum roll, please) - Golden Twilight! Yesss ....

Happy New Year! Hope you didn't forget to eat your black-eyed peas! :)

(And, tomorrow, I am putting up a fence. Lord, help me!)

Buh-bye '09

Well, another year is a-comin'! Can't believe we are already saying goodbye to 2009 ... it's been a fast year. I always heard that time speeds up as time goes on (nicer way to say, "as you get older"), but I never could have known it would pass this quickly.

It's been a good year, though. I have nothing to complain about in my life - I am truly a blessed person. I have a great partner, a great family, great friends, a great puppy, and in general just a really nice existence.

I pretty much gave up on resolutions when I realized the start of a new year means little else than the end of one chapter and the starting of a new. Sure, you can aspire to change your life, or yourself, or your situation ... but resolutions are not going to be the ways to do those things.

January 1st is nice because it kind of does feel like a new slate, with one year in the past and whole new one to look forward to - but January 1st doesn't have to be "the day." Usually, for me, it isn't. Mine usually come before that specific day in any given year.

My point is, don't use the first of a new year as a scapegoat for not doing what you should have done before then. And I'm not saying that to anyone in particular, just a random pouring of thoughts on the last day of the year.

I always feel nostalgic around the holidays. I'm not sure why, but today could have to do with the snow. I also find Christmas lights mighty enchanting, and mine are all lit up nice and bright today. I think I'll start taking them down tomorrow ... I hear it is tacky to leave them up much longer than this.

So, what did I learn in 2009? Hmmmm ... I learned a lot about commitment and how fantastic it can be with the right person ... I learned that I can successfully put together a desk that is in a hundred tiny pieces all by myself ... I learned a puppy doing a happy dance can literally make my day ... I learned how to cook ... I learned that skiing is not as easy as it looks, nor is raking and bagging leaves ... I learned that quality time is not the same as all the time ... I learned how to take a compliment ... I learned how to make the most awesome blueberry muffins I've ever tasted ...

I'm sure there is a ton more, but that's all I can think of at the moment.

And, what do I know about 2010? I know I will still have the best partner, family, puppy, and friends anyone could ever hope for, and I know that I be teaching 11th grade English at Monterey.

The rest is a complete and total mystery - just as it should be.

As for right now, I have the very daunting task of choosing between Onyx Rush, Golden Twilight, and Bolting Blue ... nail color for my New Year's Eve dinner, of course! I feel a little game of "inny meeny miny moe" in my very near future.

Hope everyone has a delightful New Year's Eve! Be safe out there.

Christmastime

I can't believe it is already Christmas week! Where in the world has 2009 gone?! I feel like last week was last Christmas. Golly!

I am just happy that my entire family is either in town now or coming into town very shortly. My cousins (Melanie & Crystal) and niece (Corinne) and aunt (Charlotte) came into town on Sunday and will be here until the day after Christmas. My other cousin and his girlfriend (Mark & Chrissy) and my cousin-in-law (Scott) will all be here a little later this week.

The holidays are fabulous for me for that reason alone ... family!

Christmas Vacation

One of my very best memories for all time happened last night.

Alex and I were watching Christmas Vacation snuggled up on the couch with the Christmas lights on, feeling very warm and cozy, him propped up, me in my nook ... when the little dog (who cannot be left out) waddled her way up onto the couch with us, stretched completely across our two laps, put her chin on my leg, and snored for the remainder of the movie.

Perfect night.

SYTYCD

Fine, I admit it ... I love So You Think You Can Dance!

Quote of the Day

I added a neat-o little gadget today. Check out the "Quote of the Day" to the right. It changes daily without me having to do anything at all ... just like magic.