For auld lang syne

It's late and I should be asleep. Instead, I find myself alternately browsing between websites- searching for a fabulous turtle cheesecake recipe for tomorrow night and then switching back to the the site where I've ordered about half of my cloth diapers from in the past- trying to decide how to spend my gift certificate. Yep. Yours truly actually won something for what just might be the first time ever. Not kidding (about the certificate or about never winning.) I mean- some people claim they never win anything, but for real! I never do. Until now. Last week, I won a $25 gift certificate to their store. The best part is, the babes doesn't need any diapers right now and they carry plenty of other things besides diapers. PLUS- they have free shipping on everything all the time. So I don't have to feel like I'm wasting half of it just to get it here. Which makes the decision incredibly hard. Blow it all on an adorable set of sweet little socks or be responsible and buy something like laundry detergent? Ah, it's so hard to decide. But, I'll carry on. Much of the fun lies in the browsing.

As far as the cheesecake goes- I'm dreaming of something rich and gooey and chocolaty with toasted pecans. Mmm. I think I might have found a recipe on allrecipes.com, but I may have to alter it a bit. My hubby works tomorrow evening so I assumed I'd be sitting home, but my dear sister felt pity on me and invited me over. I'm giddy with excitement. I just love when I have somewhere to go in the evenings. The afternoon shift can sometimes get long. Ah, who am I kidding? The afternoon shift always gets long. Thankful, so very, very thankful for his job... But not so crazy about the 3 to 11 shift. But we make do. We make it work the best we can. And, we were so glad to have him home for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year (he actually had a four day break surrounding Christmas!) So, anyways, I'm anticipating getting out tomorrow night- even if it is just the kids and I.

My track record for blogging has been sporadic at best these past months. Four days in a row... and then nothing for four weeks straight. I've been debating about making this blog private. I get self-conscious, if you will, about what I post here, how it might be interpreted, and so on and so forth. And I think- no one wants to read this anyways! But then I waver. See, people have different opinions about the Internet. Some are paranoid about having their identities stolen, about the bad information that's out there- and with every right reason to be. It's a crazy world. One can never be too safe. But then, I look at this blog, other's blogs, and facebook as a way to connect in a way I otherwise would not be able to. I've gotten to know friends and relatives who live states away better through the Internet. It's not going anywhere- embrace it for what it is. So there I sit- back at the starting block- continue blogging for all the world to see (potentially- not literally- I'm well aware my meager audience does not encompass such massive populations) or make it private and continue this for what it was always meant to be- a record for my children. I think I've debated this before. I think with the new year now would be a time to make a decision.

Anyways. I hope you enjoyed your Christmas; we spent ours happily surrounded by family, good food, fun surprise gifts given and received in anticipation. And now, looking forward to 2011 I'm trying to wonder if I have any resolutions this year. I love to make resolutions- I love to make lists- it comes with the territory. The key is (or so I've read) is to make attainable resolutions. Hm. I think I'll need to ponder this one a bit. I will be sure to let you know, though.

And lastly, after years of listening to it played over the radio at midnight on New Years Eve, I finally looked up the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne and discovered it means literally "days long since" or days gone by... or the good old days... So with a reflective look at the days passed and a hope for those to come... Happy New Year! Ring it in with joy & laughter for a beautiful 2011!

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear...

For auld lang syne!

We'll take a cup of kindness, yet

For auld lang syne!...

-Robert Burns

Merry Christmas!

With only a few days to go before Christmas, this house has about maxed out on the excitement level. We've already gone to two of our family parties with two more we've yet to attend.

I love this time of year. I love the get togethers, the visits with family and friends we don't see sometimes for an entire year at a time. I love the Christmas cards in the mail every day, the kind hearted way a complete stranger in the store wished me a Merry Christmas after I almost ran him over with my cart while lost in shopping-list-trance.

I love the way the children count down with a paper chain until Santa arrives, the decorating cookies, the kitchen warm and our faces flushed from all day baking that produces our favorites: truffles, and ginger snaps, and iced sugar cookies. I love the excitement, the tree glowing in the corner, the way my two year old points out each and every house that has lights with such enthusiasm you would think each one she sees is the very first.

I love remembering often why we celebrate Christmas and hearing that message spoken by the little children at their Sunday School program. I love gathering close with my family on Christmas Eve- all of us crowding into my parent's house because moving that party to a larger place just wouldn't feel quite right. I love singing carols, hearing the children hum along over the parts they don't know yet, and just feeling content and blessed in my heart.

I love all the moments I've put into the little presents I'm making for my children, imagining the delight on their faces when they tear open the paper on Christmas Eve. I love the traditions we are creating and building upon in our own little family while continuing with the traditions we've been brought up on for as long as we can remember.

So, wherever you are this season and in whatever way you are carrying out your own traditions, my wish for you is a wonderfully happy Christmas and joy in great abundance.

Merry Christmas!