I'm alive!

I don't think I've ever gone 3 weeks without a post. I've had much to post about too, but I just haven't been motivated, and none of it really seems all that significant. I can't explain it. I've been absent on Twitter and barely present on Facebook as well. Maybe Internet overload? Holiday anxiety? Who knows. I'm off from work through January 4th so I'll have much catching up to do. Pine cone wreaths were made. And our first ever from scratch gingerbread houses. Plus, estate sale goodness to share. Of course, New Year's resolutions... instead of depriving myself, I'll be doing more of something. Not less of it. Possibly a Project365 or Project52. More to come.

Can't focus

Is anyone else having a really hard time concentrating on anything other than holiday decorating, shopping or baking? I really don't want to do anything else. Well, except maybe sit in front of the fire with a big fat glass of red wine, while knitting a hat, or editing some photos, or making some crafty project that's been on my list for months, because I can't sit around and do nothing with my imaginary free time. Anyone else feeling this?

Her first wrong answer

Ella's had a perfect score on every spelling test since school started. She takes great pride in that. As do her proud parents. But it finally happened. One wrong. She cried when she realized she misspelled a word on her spelling test...her first wrong answer EVER! She tried to hide it, but I could see her eyes getting teary. I felt so sad for her. And it was our fault. Because we didn't check her homework. Horrible, neglectful parents that we are. I would have caught it then. Imagine what her teacher must think when she looks over her homework. Horrible parents that don't pay attention to their child's homework. It was just this one time too. Well, one thing's for sure. She'll never spell "second" like "secound" again.

I love an estate sale!

My latest yard sale addiction has expanded to estate sales. Lookie here! All this for just $80. At first I felt guilty walking into someone's home - going through their things and walking away with my hands full. I felt horribly guilty. I assumed someone had died. Why else would you get rid of all this great stuff? And there was a lot! Then, I found out that it was an older woman who was moving out of her large single family home to a condo. Okay, guilt be gone - let's shop!

More gifts for those that have everything...

If you want to give a gift with a little meaning, stop in the Gift Market this Monday at the Plymouth Meeting Mall, It's being held at the Church on the mall (but not affiliated in any way to the church, they are just kind enough to let them use the space).

What's different about this gift market is that there are 21 nonprofits involved...Partners for Families, ACPPA, Assets Montco, Beyond Borders, Carson Valley Children’s Aid Society, Mission to Myanmar, Cinta Baca, Food for the Hungry, From HIV to Home, Gift of Life, PAL, Habitat for Humanity, Laurel House, Messiah Now Ministries (a soup kitchen in Philly), Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines, Salvation Army, The Seeing Eye, Water for Christmas, Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association, Worldlink and Audubon YMCA. Shoppers can make a donation in a friend's name to an organization and in return will receive a token gift and card. The card, which will include information about the organization and your donation, can then be given as a holiday gift to a friend, family member or coworker. The donations range from $5-$60.

What's even better about this gift - no clutter!

The Gift Market is from 4:30-7:30, December 7th
www.GivingRealGifts.com

Little teacher

Ella is an avid reader. And now that Kyra is starting to get the hang of it, Ella's turned into a little teacher helping Kyra to pronounce new words and read! It's all very exciting.

The Book Club

So the book club won out over the knitting class. Either way you look at it, I have officially crossed the line into OLD.

Book clubs are nothing new. But, they always seem to me ... a little geeky. Getting together to talk about a book? Why? But, my neighbor thought it was a good excuse to meet people, guarantee some non-kid time and ensure that she spend time reading. I figured WTH. You all know I'm looking to meet some new friends and get to know my neighbors better. What could be a better way to do that than with wine?!

We had our first get together last night to pick a book and get things moving. Only we didn't pick a book until after 3 1/2 hours of bullshitting. I hear this is pretty standard for book clubs. Plus, there were just five of us and enough food and wine to satisfy a cocktail party. Strolling in the door at 1:30 AM it occurred to me -- I am way too old for this kind of partying on a school night. Now, anyone got the cliff notes for The Shack?