the holidays: illustrated and annotated CliffNotes edition

Felt gratitude to celebrate Thanksgiving with close friends and niece Claire, since family was more sparse than usual. Contrary to premonition of “lame” Thanksgiving, it was not.


Tortured myself perusing “Handmade Holiday” blogs (see Narrating Life: Here We Go and Call Me Badger), remembering a time when I used to do that sort of thing and feeling left out because I’m in a different place now. Managed to make one homemade gift: a scrapbook of memorabilia from my mother’s funeral, for my dad.

Started new part-time job for the City of Wheat Ridge in the Purchasing Department. Lament that shoe shopping is not on my list of purchasing responsibilities, but rejoice in the direct deposit made to my account every two weeks.

Made cinnamon rolls, butterscotch pecan rolls, sugar cookies, pies, toffee pretzels and the best roasted turkey of my lifetime. Hosted Donut Night for John’s choir friends. Rejoice that I have overcome PTPCS: Post-Traumatic-Pie-Crust Syndrome.

Made more taffeta skirts with tulle underskirts than I care to count. (see A Square with Flair: sweat shop) Lament that I have neglected to return Miranda’s email with pattern questions (see Vogue 8315 and Butterick 5032 and I'll talk to you later, Miranda).

Nursed Sarah through tonsillectomy and recovery (see photo, A Square with Flair). Very glad to have Emily and John home as nursing assistants. Fight sadness that BYU only grants students a two-and-a-half-week Christmas vacation.

Concede that wonders never cease; enjoy reading Mark’s newest blog incarnation and enjoy his attractive layout. (see Crisis? What Crisis?) Yearn for an updated blog banner myself. Yearn to return to blogging world myself. Agonize over number of unread Google Reader subscriptions.

Enjoy all-too-quick visit from Josh and Charlotte. Still getting used to using the word “son-in-law” in conversation. Really glad they didn’t die or total their car in accident on return trip to Portland (see minutiae, road tripping ).

Celebrated two birthdays in early January: John's 17th and my Dad's 91st. Can't decide which is more unbelievable to me.

Made it through the holidays with only two bouts of major missing-my-mom grief: one the night before Thanksgiving when faced with pies to make, and the other when taking down Christmas decorations and coming across some sentimental figurines from my childhood.

Laughter returned, however, upon finding this Happy Meal gem hidden in my Christmas tree by Charlotte.

Finally finished reading Mockingjay, the third book of The Hunger Games series (see minutiae, operation superhuman reader). Wondered if Katniss Everdeen would ever emerge from catatonic state in front of her District 12 fireplace.

Stifle urge to swear while 10-year-old computer is in throes of death. Check email when I can at my dad’s house. Leap for joy when Mark orders new 21” iMac! Wonder in astonished amazement at the new computer’s unprecedented speed. Wonder how often I’ll actually get to use it with John around. . . .

Gear up for new year--2011 here I come! . . . that is, after I put away the Christmas dishes and the rest of the holiday bins. . . .

FAQs

No, I have not died.

Yes, I could really use another twelve hours in each day.

No, I am not dying of the heat this summer because we finally got an awesome A/C window unit the cools the main floor of the house!

No, the A/C in my car hasn't been fixed yet.

Yes, I am now driving Mark's truck and he is driving the sweltering car.

Yes, I love Mark for trading cars with me.

No, we have not been able to boot-up our family computer since an electrical glitch last week.

Yes, I am thankful to get a turn using Charlotte's laptop.

No, I hardly ever have an answer to the ever-present "What's for dinner tonight?" question.

Yes, I often feel like I'm caught in a wild current, barely able to gasp for air now than then.

Yes, I am already dreading the girls' return to Utah in August.

No, I didn't even get half of my to-do list crossed off today.

Yes, I often wonder if I'll ever blog, scrapbook, or sew regularly again.

Yes, despite it all, I'm still glad to be me.

the dog ate my homework

Okay, my internet has been down for four days now and I feel completely lost to the world! I'm back online now, however, with many things on my mind about which to blog--including, but not limited to:

• Our ward was dissolved on Sunday and we now find ourselves in a new one.
• I made cute Easter dresses for Sarah and I.
• Charlotte and Emily will be home in less than two weeks!
• My right hand is crippled from all the spray-painting I've been doing.
• Things are finally falling into place for a fun family get-away in May.
• I have an appointment with our new bishop tonight.
  
• My niece Claire is coming to stay overnight tonight on her way to BYU-I!
• I'm beginning to get quite a few little "side jobs," sewing, interior design work, etc., which is good for the money's sake, but not-so-good for my sanity/time's sake.
• I'm in a sewing mood--that is, I would like to sew summer clothes for my kids.
• Did I mention my crippled hand?--for real.
• I was so excited about my powder room re-do that I haven't yet blogged about the other awesome gifts I received for my birthday last month, including a new red Blackberry!
• I need to get caught up on reading everyone else's blogs!

So there you have it--a blogging brain dump. Funny how things that used to seem like luxuries, such as high-speed internet access, are now absolute necessities. Thank heaven mine is up and running again!