That is the question.  Especially at this time of year.  This is also the time you find the best and worst of . . . lists.  And everyone seems to be in that "out with the old, in with the new" kind of mood.  At this blog you will get a little of everything.

For some reason Honey updates his four spy and ad sweeper programs along with the anti virus software right before the New Year.  Last year he had to uninstall then reinstall the anti virus software because it didn't want to update to the new version.  This year everything loaded but we lost our wireless connection to the internet.  After two weeks of talking to a foreigner we can occasionally connect to the internet if we can remember the super secret, obsessive compulsive, level four security, rhythmic pattern of entering the maze of programs and passwords that connects us to the special access point that might connect us to the internet.  God only knows what we'll have to do to get the printer/scanner working again.  So at the top of this years "out with the old, in with the new, best of, worst of" list is updating those must have computer security programs.  In case I've confused you, this is not in the "best of" column.  It's right next to root canal and crown in the "out" and "worst" column.

So right off the bat, my intentions to blog more have been compromised.  Just look at all those dates on January's calender that don't have posts.  This is why I don't really make New Year's resolutions.  They never seem to work. 

I have two imaginary "lists" going.  The first is the "a girl can dream" resolutions list.  You'll find totally unrealistic resolutions like, I resolve to be: 5 feet, 7 inches tall;  independently wealthy overnight; a rock star and supermodel.  I balance the fantasy list with the "underachiever's attainable goals" list.  It looks like this, I resolve to:  blink more when I'm looking at the computer screen so my eyes don't get so dry; complain about needing a new job when something makes me mad at my current job; think about and possibly turn my dirty clothes right side out before I throw them in the hamper.

Somewhere in between those two lists is what I really do, not so much because I resolve to do them, but more because this is the pattern I've established over the years.  I quickly remove the offending Christmas items from my view.  Then while I'm cleaning up that mess, I wash curtains, cabinets, corners, what people used to call spring cleaning.  Then because I've overeaten during the holidays I start cooking healthier.  I just can't eat all that rich food for very long.  I start the video workouts because I have the extra time when I come home from work and the weather doesn't allow me to procrastinate in the garden.  I was going to start them today but I was tired and I managed to get through the process to connect to the internet.  So tomorrow will work out better for working out, if not, the next day.  As you can see I'm wracked with guilt over it.  I think I'll just resolve not to resolve.  That takes care of the resolutions.

I actually had an enjoyable Christmas last year even though Honey spent way too much on me, but then I did the same for him.  We even spent an extra day with my family in Cleveland over the New Year because it fell on Tuesday.  We did one of those gift exchanges where everyone brings something valued at about $30 and then you get to steal stuff you like better from one of the other guests.  I got a coffee basket that got stolen, then a Kohl's gift card that got stolen, I ended up with a couple of MAG Lights that will be put to good use in my new nightstand and car.  I got to eat Turkey with gravy that didn't come from a box.  I even made Honey things that he loves to eat with ingredients that he hates.  2008 is starting off pretty good.

2007 almost permanently ended for us.  When I got out of the shower before work one day, I was greeted by Honey's cat.  That's not so unusual.  He usually hangs out in the sink while I get ready for work.  This time I opened the door and he stopped in the doorway, sat down, and stared at the light switch.  That's the unusual part.  I went in the bedroom to get my hearing aids and told Honey there was something wrong with the cat.  He's just staring at the wall.  Honey, being the curious cat guy that he is, got up to investigate.  He stepped over the cat and followed his gaze up to the light switch then yelled, "Oh my God!  I can't believe you don't hear that!"  By now I have my hearing aids in and I'm still shrugging my shoulders and saying, "What???"  Then I notice the switch is sparking.  Honey asks, "You don't hear that electrical snapping and zipping?"  I turn up my hearing aids and say, "Nnnooooo."  So he turns off the switch and the breaker until he can replace it.  Now my cohorts at work think this is the best part of the story.  Honey's cat is named . . . . . . .Sparky!  Here's my new hero even if Honey thinks the breaker would have tripped before the house burned down.

super sparky.

If you happen to be unable to connect to the internet and want to amuse yourself on the computer, go visit http://oberon-media.com and download their free Jigsaw 365 (this would be before you can't connect to the internet).  I spent the $20 dollars and received the loaded version.  You will get 365 beautiful pictures, one for each day, to turn into a jigsaw puzzle right on your own computer.   With the full version you have the ability to change the difficulty of the puzzle by changing the piece shapes, the number of pieces, even the rotation of the pieces.  You can also make puzzles out of your own pictures.  You will never have to worry about being one piece short or spending extra time to make sure your pieces are all right side up before you begin.  If you like puzzles, you will like this.

I'll be including some new recipes (soon) should you want to go the route of my Mom's New Year's Eve soirée, a table of tasty dips and hors d'oeuvres to graze upon until the magic moment of the New Year unfolds.  Look . . . .

and this wasn't even everything.  We were still opening the fridge the next day and saying, "Oh look we forgot to put this out."  We had about 20 people show up with food for 40 or 50.  Hence the diet and workout phase of 2008.

  This is what Honey received in the steal a gift game.  Luckily no one stole it from him because I really liked this.  This is what it looks like with Stove Top Cheesy Chicken bake in it:

 This past Christmas Honey went all out and got me a bread machine, a pasta machine, and a smoothie blender with a spigot on the front.  This is the bread machine with my first attempt "French loaf".  For some reason it caved in.  The trouble shooting section said it may have needed more flour, or less water, or fresher special "bread" flour.  

This is the second attempt with "special" bread flour and whole wheat.  I decided to bake it in the oven so it would be more loaf-like.  Of course we had to try it while it was warm.  It was yummy with margarine from a tub, or as I call it bread lube.  Honey deprived me of the crusty end piece, and yet he lives.

Have you noticed all the food themed Christmas gifts?  Did I mention the new diet and exercise?  Luckily I also received (from Honey) a gift card to the book store.  When I've eaten myself bedridden I'll have a good book to read, which I will then be able to place on my new nightstand.  This is one of the set I bought for Honey.  He likes to share.

What about all of you?  Any resolutions?  How about memorable Christmas gifts?

tags: christmas  new year  resolutions  gifts  presents  family  food  fun  travel  2008  old  new  humor  cats  

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