Create in 2008

In a few short hours, we will be headed to our New Year's party destination which is an Orlando hotel with room service, board games and a pool. No driving, cleaning or cooking; but plenty of reading, writing and playing. I can think of no better way to ring in 2008...

A year that I am looking forward to.

I have a good feeling about this one. I am excited about more than a few opportunities in the coming weeks, as well as those I make myself. Surrounded by a supportive family and wonderful friends, I am kind of excited for potential change or amazing sameness.

So I hope you all have a safe and happy New Year tonight, and I'll see you in 2008!

I am typing this from my new desk, does it look more organized?

I actually started my New Year's Resolutions in November to avoid the holiday rush.

In that spirit, this should be relatively easy to keep the cookies out of my mouth, and my thighs on the treadmill. I should have no problem becoming an anal organized writer/mother in the next few days.

Ha! However, I have just finished emptying the contents from my card table/cardboard box makeshift desk, into my brand-spanking new Pottery Barn Bedford mahogany desk with hutch. It is such a dramatic change from my former chaotic work conditions, I felt the inspiration to write nearly two pages of novel this afternoon. I am hoping to keep up this pace and then some so as to complete said project by my birthday.

There. I said it out loud.

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And in contest news, I am giving away that last HP Photsmart Compact Photo printer in a drawing. So, If your New Year's Resolution list includes printing more of your digital photos, email me at Divamail@SuburbanDiva.com to be entered into a drawing to win.

But now, I am off to a football viewing party. On my way, I will be stopping by the office supply store for paper clips and pens to load up my new drawers with desk-like things.

12/26/07

I kinda like December 26th...at least this one.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were wonderful. Beautiful days of joy, family and friends. Always a whirlwind of peppermint activity, but at the same time a pleasant quiet of soul.

So today was spent testing out new presents, clearing paths and installing batteries, but tonight I find myself with a singular hour of peace in which ice cream is being prepared in the new electric maker, a rack of lamb is roasting away, and the baby sleeps soundly from happy exhaustion. I read a few chapters of a great book on the treadmill, played board games with my Dad, husband, and kids, and even cajoled a solid page of my novel from hiding.

Not bad for the 26th of December. Not bad at all.

Santa's coming tonight

Happy Christmas, Yoko.

Happy Christmas, John.

And Happy Christmas to all of you.

TGIF I guess

I am waiting on those pictures from last night's festivities, but she was wonderful as Baby Jesus. Albeit a little big.

I got that column out today, as well as posted a new contest:

And just in time for all of those Christmas parties over the weekend, next week's winner will be that person who sends me a picture of the ugliest Christmas sweater.

Email me at Divamail@Suburbandiva.com by December 27. And again, my house--and my person--are ineligible.


So feel free to enter and make me laugh at the same time.

I have my last remaining babysitter hours before CHristmas later this afternoon before a party. I have my last couple of errands and then a decision: work out or pedicure? Or should I say thighs or toes?

Dang. Thighs.

I'll wear closed-toed shoes but cuter pants. :)

Merry Christmas.

Jessica: Princess of Peace

The shipping department at Casa de la Diva is officially closed...I sent out the last card/present this morning.

I also gave Jessie a bath and laid her down for a long nap because in mere hours, she will be starring as Baby Jesus in the Christmas program.

We've been working on her lines all morning...

The 500th Non-Xmas Blog

In honor of the one week before Christmas mark and my 500th blog entry!, I have decided to spare us all any more "I'm busy with Christmas" postings because 1) I am, and 2) you are as well so you are probably not here to read any more about it. So, for the next week, you have my promise that we'll talk about something other than that. It is my gift to you.

So whattya wanna talk about? The only other thing of note besides the Thing That Shall Not be Named is a literary epiphany of sorts. That last little piece of inspiration/entire idea for a project I've been working on for, oh? my entire life.

Maybe 2008 is the year for it. I hope.

Unless you are an email confirmation on my recent order or a cashier at Toys R Us, I can't talk to you right now

Great parties this weekend, not so great cleanup today. Because this is crunch week, folks, and this is one gal who needs some serious crunch.

So don't expect much else than shopping, wrapping, shipping, cleaning, baking, cooking and more shopping this week from me. In dirty clothes and from unmade beds.

I'm too tired to title this

Dudes, this cat is beat.

I am sitting here writing a book review (due tomorrow of course) getting ready for a party I've been looking forward to, and coming off a huge week of Christmas prep while readying the house with food and drink for our annual holiday soiree on Sunday, and I am whipped. Last night's field trip to the ER sapped me hard. I really need to rally in the next few hours. There are nogs to egg and toes to mistle.

yuck

And what would our week be without a trip to the ER?

I can write about it now, but I was terrified for a bit last night, I tell you.

We were getting into bedtime gear, which in our house takes no less than 3 hours by the time everyone has eaten, bathed, homeworked, desserted, procrastinated, watched hockey or equivalent sporting event. So were in the middle of that exercise when Amy started choking on something. I couldn't figure out what, and did my best to extract whatever it was. Although nothing came up, she threw up and kept screaming, "mouth!" So I rushed her to the ER where they did an X-ray and couldn't find anything. They surmised it may have been soap or shampoo. I don't know.

She is okay now, but we are still shaking. These are the times that her speech difficulties are really a handicap.

More than just having me for a mother.

I wear my sunglasses at night

Sean added a few more pieces to the outdoor light display this on Saturday.

On Sunday, I suffered my first Grand mal seizure.

Have you entered yet?

We need some more entries on our weekly contest to win the HP Photosmart compact photo printer!

The question is: What is the oldest picture you have on your camera card right now?

Email me at Divamail@suburbandiva.com with the answer before midnight Monday for the big prize!

Friday

I'm a wee bit pleased with the yuletide progress o' the week. While I am not by any means done, many of my tougher recipients are taken care of, so that is a big relief. Wrote a column, organized the house, made it to the gym a few times and ordered the Christmas cards from Snapfish. (For that free shipping when you enter in "DIVAHOLIDAY") I might even get them out at a reasonable time this year...

And from the shipping department of Sub Diva, Inc, I have managed to send my first contest winner her prize, so that's good. You local winners should get some of your goodies this weekend. And to know what I'm talking about here, you have to sign up over at SuburbanDiva.com for free stuff.

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We got the tree last night, and the house smells wonderful. A gajillion pine needles everywhere, but it smells heavenly. Amy is particularly enamored with that tree. It is precious. There will not be a single unbroken ornament from her decorating efforts, but what are you going to do? It's Christmas.

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And finally, this is the only time of year when Jingle's name makes sense. Which ends up to be little consolation because having a 1 year old puppy eating ornaments, lights, toys, and my patience still makes no sense at all.

Clean the Halls with Boughs of Clorox

Before one can fully deck the halls, one must wash them. So, that's what I did today.

I cleaned those things that don't get my daily attention. Like the laundry room, for instance. I washed the washing machine in an ironic twist. The carpets got cleaned. I cleaned 1/2 of my closet. And then I went to the grocery store to stock back up on all of the crap I just threw away.

But all is not lost today. I got my column almost written and Amy is singing "the Snow Miser" song, and keeps repeating, "icicle," which is a beautiful sound in all of its 3-syllable glory.

We might have to take a Christmas light tour tonight to celebrate Wednesday...

Planning for tomorrow already

Even Jessie is having a weird hair day. She looks like Dr. Suess styled it this morning.

So if I don't get an appointment to cut my freakishly long hair tomorrow, I'm going to go to the fancy-schmancy Mall tomorrow on Diva Tuesday. Sean is traveling and there is no December meeting this month, so that means I can use this Tuesday to shop like the fool that I am.

Anyone wanna go? There is a Girl's Night Out planned for Wednesday I hear tell, but I can't afford babysitter time this month for mindless drinking--only mindless shopping.

I hate that.

We need a little Christmas

It is time...

It is December now, it is time to get this whole Christmas frenzy appropriately frenzied.

So yesterday I shopped my fingers off. Meaning anything that could be bought online, was. I memorized my Amex #, and 3 hours and 17 order confirmation emails later, I found myself at the 50% mark done. With every copuon, free shipping offer and diva discount I could find.

50%!

That is a huge number for me on December 2.

Now I'm waiting for Sean to return from Target with the rest of the decorations and the lights. Yeah, you know because we buy a full set of lights every year because he takes them down like Tarzan.