Need to clean this place up!

The aftermath of Christmas....
The house in general....
This blog!

Maybe now that I have my new laptop I can be better about keeping this thing up.  I looked at my sidebar and it's pathetic!  Most of what is on there is outdated and needs to go.  The picture at the top is years old.  I haven't posted a recipe or a menu in AGES.  I'm going to start trying to find time to get my act together and take care of some of these things.  I miss it.  I definitely need some menu inspiration.  I need some downtime and an outlet such as this little virtual place.

The house, well, it's in need too.  I'm done with the Christmas tree.  I want it and all of it's falling needles out of the house now.  I like to look at it but it's time has passed.  The rest of the decorations can stay up for just a bit - we're having friends over to dinner on Friday so I'll leave the house all decorated at least until our guests leave.  That would so be FG and I - our guests walk out the door and we start un-decorating the house!

I'm off to a job interview in a few minutes.  For freelance work of the same nature of my former career.  I'm just not sure what I would do if  I ended up with anything "regular" that had benefits and a 401K plan.  *sigh*

Our holiday was very merry.  Mostly great gifts all around! DD got a karaoke machine from my parents.  It should have come with ear plugs.  She isn't a bad singer but she certainly likes it LOUD.  DS is thrilled with everything he received.  Yesterday, the day after all the crazy present opening, we cleaned out old toys.  I'll have to remember that timing!  They were very willing to part with so many old things.  Clearly they had outgrown them but my kids always have trouble parting with things.  DD hesitated about a few items and I made her a deal, we put the doll stroller and accessories away and if she doesn't touch them in the next few months, they are getting donated.  She was ok with that. 

My parents gave us a GoPro.  FG is all excited.  I wonder if I'll ever get to use it?!  He already uses two of them on his outdoor show shoots but now he's excited to have his own.  I think we'll use it more for the family next summer when we are on the boat & take it on the tube.  If I manage to get up to the mountain this winter, maybe we'll take it skiing.  First we need some serious snow.  No snow here - ugh!

Alrighty, wish me luck on this little interview.  I don't know how it will work out but it will be a nice change. I'll try to get back to menu planning.  I have been REALLY bad about it.  I need to take some time and get back to researching recipes.  I think that will come with updating my blogroll too - get some new blood going into this lifeless thing!

Not a full time job but still working like a mad-woman!

As usual, a lot has changed.  Really? What is consistent? I didn't get the full time job.  Oh well.  I did take the part time job and it has become more interesting than I expected.  The pay is still low but the woman I am working for is wonderful!  She is so flexible with my work.  It's just her & I and I am helping her start this new business of hers.  She already has a sucessful business and this is an off-shoot of it.  I do a lot from home, which makes up for the low pay.  Hey, I can get paid to get stuff done AND do my laundry! 
FG moved his office home for awhile until he finds a place to land.  His office situation became less than ideal and he figured why pay rent when he could move home for awhile and have the same set up.  Plus he can be here when I need him!  So far I'm liking it.  I just can't get his last dang Christmas present wrapped!!!

My kids are more excited for Christmas than I ever remember.  They are funny, they didn't ask for hardly anything.  DD got DS the Hot Wheels camera car that he wants so badly. She is the most excited about giving him his present than anything.  It is hilarious.  I thinks he gave it away too.  I'm pretty sure he knows what is in the package yet he's being a good sport and not telling.  They are both completely questioning the Santa thing too.  I'm pretty sure DS knows the truth but he's too afraid to say anything - like he won't get presents.  Really though the things they asked for were inexpensive and fairly easy.  There aren't many presents under the tree yet they are completely thrilled.  I'm praying it doesn't change on Christmas morning.  I'm praying they don't say, "where's the rest?" 

Merry Christmas!!!