HELLO JANUARY

Well. it is Monday and the first official back to normal day since the holidays. Now is when I could really use a list of resolutions or even a To Do list. I feel a little lost without all the rush and buzz of the holidays...that destination point. I feel as if all I do now is turn corners and find myself in the same place. I'm doing laundry, cleaning out a few drawers, defrosting food for dinner, letting the dogs in and out...exciting stuff, eh? It is hard to get motivated to do more...I still feel like I could use a little rest after the past 4 weeks. So...does anyone else have the 'After Holiday Blahs'?

Last week I said I was going to stay away from the after Christmas sales, but once in my car I was magically driven to Target. I bought a new saute pan and replenished some of my candles and then my cart magically took me to the clearance section. Wow...I really thought there wouldn't be too much left but there was gobs of stuff. Wrapping paper, you can never go wrong with that and I am reaching for that sometimes before it is even out in the stores. Ornaments. 50% off. How do you like my owls and squirrels? Yes, my tree is still up. It is so darn healthy, I just can't imagine flinging it out to the curb. The branches have not even fallen. At this rate we may have it until spring. I am still loving the glow of the lights and seeing the pretty decorations here and there...I'm not ready for the starkness of January yet.

I have been collecting mercury glass for awhile now and I have decided that I will leave some I use for Christmas out for the year. I found these faux pieces at Target for $1.50. So...I did what I said I wasn't going to do, but actually I had fun and that is what counts.

New Years Eve was a little quiet. We snacked a lot on cheese, sausage, assorted crackers and artisan bread and some fresh shrimp. I was falling asleep on the couch so I went to bed at 9:30, thinking I'd get up later, but it was more like 9:30 the next morning. Around here, people blow off fireworks at midnight and I never even heard that. I'm normally a fun person. Honest.

I am leaving you with a picture of our chandelier over the dining table. As you can see, it is in terrible shape. Only one light works. We have always called it the "Disco Ball", that is, everyone except for The Husband who bought it before we were married. Anyway, I have a story coming up
for you, hopefully soon.

Well, I am going back to my laundry. I hope all of you are up to something more invigorating. Have a great week! :-)