Happy New Year

Happy New Year to my readers.

It is New Year's Eve. Where has the year gone? I don't remember much. It's been a long year. I am ready to start new.

I am currently alone in my New Year celebrating. Splitcat has gone to his sister's to be with his family. I was also invited, but I would have no fun because I would spend the whole time chasing the twins and trying to avert meltdowns. So here I am, home, the kids all in bed. I've got the Morningstar New year's conference on God Tv playing and I've caught up on all my favorite blogs. I don;t know when Splitcat will be home.

We had a very nice Christmas. The girl got her American Girl Doll(Felicity). Then she also got a wardrobe for all her doll clothes from Grandma J, I also got her a tea table and chairs for her dolls, My mom and Grandmother gave her doll clothes, and my dad made all the girls beds for their dolls. My nieces got bunk beds and E. got a four poster with a trundle. He made them from the crib all 4 of my sister's children slept in. Splitcat got his little girl her first real jewelry-a necklace with her birthstone--it will live in my jewelry box to be worn on special occasions.

The boy got a camera. I looked at just about every camera out there. I wanted to spend about the same amount as I did for the girl. There were a few cameras in my price range, then when I went to the American Girl store to get the girl's doll, I wandered into Wolf Camera. They had a bunch of cameras on clearance, and I was able to get him a Canon Powershot. It is an older one, but is still selling online for quite a bit more than I paid. He loves it. I was a little worried. He really likes that he can take movies with it. I am hoping to start him a photo blog to encourage his creativity. It's been a rough school year for him. He also got some other random things.

The twins got a little kitchen set and their own vacuum cleaners (from grandma J) and some other toys from my family

Then, in a fit of madness, I bought a Wii. I shouldn't have. But I did. My mil got me the Wii fit. We all are enjoying it.

Since splitcat bought his camera and that was part of his Christmas, I bought him a few random things.

When he asked what I wanted I told him I didn't really need much. Some new striped knee hi socks would be nice. Or just some money so I could decide later(I want to get new dishes). And I wouldn't mind some diamond earrings. I have very sensitive ears, and I can't really wear earrings more than a few hours unless they are gold or silver. So I have always wanted a pair of simple diamond earrings I could wear all the time. I think I've been telling him this since we had our first Christmas 13 years ago. So I guess you know where I am going with this. He bought me diamond earrings. I was very surprised. They are princess cut(square) in white gold. And large enough that you can see them, but not too big. They are just right. He didn't know I bought the Wii(and a bunch of games). In a fit of buyer's remorse I offered up my earrings for return. After all, I was the one who overspent this Christmas. But I think I've changed my mind. I'm not giving them up :). For many various reasons they are nearly as meaningful to me as my engagement ring. But there's going to be a bit of belt-tightening around here for the next few months. Which is good, because I really need to stop eating out. Oh, and I also got a pack of Twizzlers, Fun-Dip, and Chocolate Covered Cherries(all my favorite candies). I got a little bit of cash from my mom and grandmother I am going to save for my dishes if I can ever find some we both like.

So that was Christmas

So what about this New Year. What are my hopes and dreams for me? In no particular order:

To have a clean house. All the time.
To leave the wilderness, or at least see the light at the end of the tunnel.
To attend the Blue Ridge Writer's Conference
To finish revising my novel
To spend more time with my daughter
To read and study my bible more consistently
To be a better wife
To be a better mother
To learn at least one new thing
To get new dishes(I really want these, but I've been told we are too old)

But what I want most is to be a Light.

I do not know what this new year holds. I know some struggles from the past year will roll forward with the clock tonight, but that's okay. But I am choosing to leave some of my own personal struggles behind. Some are not worth the attention and others can only be solved by letting them go. I choose to look forward at this new year with hope. I know that no matter what happens in the world this year, I can say, "It is well with my soul."

Edit: Splitcat came home around 11. When we went up to bed around 12:02, the girl came stumbling from her room wondering what all the noise was for. People were setting off fireworks in our neighborhood.

Singing Saturday

Because I have nothing better to do, I am starting a new tradition of posting new songs I like, thus, Singing Saturday. This may only happen once, since I have a terrible time remembering anything past 2 seconds ago.

So for the inaugural edition here is a new band from Sweden called First Aid Kit singing a cover of Tiger Mountain Peasant Song by Fleet Foxes. First Aid Kit is comprised of 2 sisters who are both still in their teens. I stumbled across this totally randomly one day and was struck by their voices and harmonies.

No Soliciting

Would it be rude to put a sign in my front window that said

NO SOLICITING
Please do not knock on my door or ring my doorbell unless I am personally acquainted with you. Chances are, someone in this house is asleep right now, and it won't make them very happy if you wake them up, especially if it's the lady of the house. I have no desire to buy a vacuum cleaner, or any magazine subscriptions. I really have no desire to become a Mormon or Jehovah's Witness. I don't need any free estimates or brochures about free estimates. Please, don't waste my time or yours.
Have a Nice Day.

Splitcat recently purchased photoshop elements. I feel like I have a new toy. Here is one of my first experiments. I changed the background, took out all the color, then colored parts of it. Don't look too close, it's a little messy. But it looks okay if you keep it small. :) I have always wanted to be able to colorize b/w photos. So I am experimenting alot.