So what are YOU doing to start the New Year off right?

First and foremost, I am cleaning out my Bloglines subscriptions. Hundreds of blogs I only skim through, some of which no longer publish, languish on my bloglines feed. It can take me several hours to read all those entries if I don't read daily, and although I love the connections I've made over the interwebs, something has to give. I've started trimming the ones that don't have a full feed - I used to follow through the links of the blogs that only had a summary feed, but with very few exceptions I don't anymore. I'm also killing the subs of those that haven't updated in over a month (with a couple exceptions for friends' blogs). If you are one of those people who keep track of your subscribers and I suddenly drop off, I'm sorry - but I spend way too much time on my computer as it is.

Later today I am going to reorganize my kitchen, if I have time -- apart from meeting a friend for an errand she is running this morning, though, I think I can fit it in before we go out for First Night Austin. Oh, and I have to pack my sweater and a lap blankie into my backpack for that, too -- wouldn't do to freeze my patootie off while listening to live music on Auditorium Shores. :D :D

2008 should see a great purge of unnecessaries from my life -- stuff that I've collected for the sake of collecting, and things that I just don't need cluttering up the place. Perhaps I'll finally get my apartment organized. Perhaps I'll lose that 100 pounds I'd like to drop. Regardless of what happens, I love the ability of a new year to give you a fresh perspective on life and what is important to you - we don't always take that opportunity to change, and sometimes we get distracted on the way, but there's always a new year down the road to refocus our energies and hopes. Blessed New Year to all!

Lazy holidays

Ornaments
Originally uploaded by Cyndiva.

The problem with sitting on your bum for a while playing video games is eventually your bum gets tired.

Getting up for church this morning made me realize that getting back into the groove to go to work this week is going to be hard. I've really enjoyed the late mornings - something that I rarely take advantage of, and here I've had a whole week plus of them. Ah well, back to the grind eventually, I suppose. :D

Frozen face

Alternate title: Begin as you mean to continue.

I just got back from walking to the grocery store. It's about a half-mile walk, but the hill is a killer. Actually the hill isn't too bad, but the uphill portion comes at the end, when you have a full bag of groceries to lug up. Plus, it's cold. :D

So I am beginning as I mean to continue. I want to live a little greener in 2008 - recycling more, using less plastic bags (I used a canvas one to shop today) and walking to the store instead of driving when I can. There is actually quite a lot in my neighborhood that I can get to by walking, but it has been a while since I've done so on a regular basis. Perhaps this afternoon I'll walk down to the park on the other side of the highway.

Loving the holidays

I know that not everyone celebrates the same holidays, but to all who might be reading, Merry Christmas just the same. :) Happy Holidays - and I hope everyone has a great New Year!

I've enjoyed spending time with friends and their families and I plan to spend more time with several other friends over the next few days. I've also got to finish my grandmother's shawl, plus get some housework (the never-ending cycle) done. That ought to keep me busy...

Accidents always seem to occur in the narrowest part of the highway, in a place guaranteed to inconvenience the greatest number of people.

Random thought:
I miss Ernest P. Worrel. Know what I mean, Vern?

Not so winter weather

You know, I really truly should be used to the "winter" weather here in central Texas by now. Freezing one day, in the low 80s the next. What is killing me right now? The fact that it is warm enough for me to wear a tank top and sandals outdoors, too warm for the heater and not warm enough for the A/C inside. If I turn on my air conditioning, I get shivers in a few minutes - so I am sitting here with the heater off, wishing I weren't too warm.

No knitting tonight, I guess -- I do have a few small crochet projects to finish (like a particular hat, ahem) so perhaps I'll pull those out and pop in a DVD. My holiday vacation has (almost) officially started, so it isn't like I'm going to be late for the office tomorrow. :D

One down, two to go

Alternate title: Things you do not want to come home to.

Tonight was the first of our three big Christmas concerts for Texas Choral Consort. First, I have to say I love singing in Central Christian Church. Its interior is modeled on a cathedral in Italy (in Florence, I believe) and it is just beautiful. Plus, it has a fabulous sound. While there were the usual small snafus inherent in live performances, overall it went great. Tomorrow night and Sunday afternoon will round out our performances for the year (and tickets are still available if you're interested!).

Regarding the alternate title - I dragged my tired tail home only to see flashing blue and red lights -- an ambulance was on my side of the complex. As I drove up, the ambulance pulled away, so I assumed that they had just picked up someone who had a medical emergency. I assumed wrong. When I pulled around the building to park, the ambulance was there, along with a cop car and a fire engine.

Now, the last time we had a fire engine on the property, one of the buildings was burning. Significantly so -- and it was windy enough to think that my building was in danger of catching fire. Thankfully at that time the fire was contained to the other building. This time it looks like whatever is going on is happening in the third building, and I don't see any flames -- so at least I can go to bed now.

Nice...
There is a pizza place near campus called Mellow Mushroom. Their motto? Always stone baked.

Goth Kitty

058/265 - Goth Kitty
Originally uploaded by Cyndiva.

I want this in a plushie. I really really do. :O)

The Sanrio store clerk was able to find me a little figurine once upon a time (which actually has a skully in the bow on her head!) but so far I haven't located a stuffed version.

Crisis averted, perhaps

Well, I did locate those shoes this morning (in a flash of inspiration, I checked the trunk of my car, thinking that perhaps I left them there so I would not mispalce them).

I did NOT locate the travel steamer I use for my outfits, and instead of using the other steamer (the not-so-efficient and rather persnickety one) I decided to let the dress hang in the bathroom while I showered. I still think it looks like it could use a steaming. Perhaps I'll pop into the Tar-zhey at lunch and see what they have in the way of steamers, as I really do need to get a new one -- the first one is just old and although it works great, it is starting to rust (rusty steam BAD); the second is just a pain. If there is a plug in the bathroom of the venue we are using I can steam out the dress in under 5 minutes.

Annoying is not being able to locate your new concert shoes the evening before your performance. Oi.

Just to remind my forgetful self

Immediate to-do list:

- Finish Secret Santa gift for L (>2/3rds done)
- Make E's hat (DROPS pattern)
- Whip up a pinafore for baby Jaz (only 5 lbs - too small for newborn stuff!)
- Finish Grandma's shawl (3 of 15 motifs done, need to get cracking)
- Make sure all super secret gifts finished (not that any of the recipients read this blog...I think)

...and then MAYBE I can get back to something for me. :D

I can't wait for next year!

Ded Bob Show
Originally uploaded by Cyndiva.

Yes, 2007 is coming to a close. I have had a lot to be thankful for this year, not the least of which is finally getting an official Dx for my PCOS. Next year promises to be even better - starting with an opportunity for me to completely turn my life around. Generally I am not about making resolutions, but I do hope this opportunity comes through -- and if it does, I do resolve to see it through to the end.

The end of 2008 will hopefully see me even more blessed, and I am definitely planning to go to RenFest for my birthday to celebrate if I meet my goals. Besides, I have to see Ded Bob again. :D