Synopsis of our Christmas break

• Didn't get my Christmas shopping finished until Dec. 22 - my goal of being finished by Dec. 1st just didn't happen
• Procrastinated on sending out Christmas cards, therefore, sent out store-bought cards at the last minute (not the cute, hand-made cards with pictures of my kids, postmarked at the North Pole, that I had hoped to send)
• Ate a lot of peanut butter fudge
• Discovered that I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want an iPod of my very own
• Got some great gifts: hubby gave me a new, programmable coffeemaker and a heated throw blanket (love them!); sister gave me an awesome Longaberger basket filled with pie-baking goodies and a pie cookbook (I guess I've been mouthing off about how I want to learn to bake homemade pies and be the designated pie-baker of the family. Ooops, now I will really have to follow through with it); from mother-in-law, some nice things for the house, a little table, and a pretty, round mirror to hang on the wall; and a gift card to Archivers from my niece (Whoo Hoo! I love that store!)
• Finally bought daughter some glasses (I really feel bad that we took so long, she was constantly squinting. She now looks so cute in her uber-stylish blue, rectangular frames!
• Watched several really good movies (The Kingdom, Deja Vu, Knocked Up, The Ex, Eastern Promises) and took the kids to see Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (it was ok)
• Hubby has been working on oldest son's room in the basement and is almost finished drywalling. YAH! It's not a pleasant thing when a 14 yr. old boy is sharing a room with a 9 yr. old boy and a 7 yr. old boy. He can't wait to get his own room in the basement. We are finishing the basement a little at a time. Hopefully, my craft room will be next.
• We joined a gym. I have yet to go. I hope this is not an indication of how dedicated I will be to working out at said gym. On the other hand, hubby has been almost every day. That is irksome.
• Spent New Years eve at home with the kiddos (hubby was on duty at firehouse). Barely stayed awake to see the ball drop.
• 9 yr. old son started guitar lessons (Santa brought him a brand new guitar). The teacher is a young guy with a college degree in music. We were a little freaked out that he has long, fake fingernails (I'm talking the kind that you go to the salon to get) on his "strumming" hand. I am assuming these are his built-in "picks" but it's a little odd-looking. He comes to our house for the lessons, which is great. One of my friends is bringing her son over for lessons, too, so I think it will be more fun for them to take lessons together.
• Made some simple 'resolutions' in my head -- eat healthy, exercise more, get my butt in gear and get the house organized, try to do a better job getting out of debt this year....blah blah blah. All the usual stuff. Let's hope this year is the year that I will actually stick with them.

That's about it, I guess. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. I've so enjoyed discovering all you people and your blogs, and look forward to the new year with you.

~K