Holiday Hustle and Bustle and A New Member of the Family

Here we are, the second week into December, and I have posts I’ve planned still unwritten.  Part of this is because just trying to find time has been a challenge lately.  When I finally do have some time, I’m usually tired and don’t feel like it.  I’m seriously thinking about scheduling blog time once or twice a week and putting up the “Do Not Disturb” sign so I can get it done.

I just ordered my 2011 planner.  I looked at these, because my blog buddy Kelli posted the link and that’s what she uses.  They are admittedly cool and fancy… but I honestly didn’t want to spend $50 for a ‘life planner’ with extras I don’t want or need and my name on it.  The Dayrunner Poetica fit my needs better and it was a whopping $30 less expensive.  I’m so excited for it to get here!

One of my goals for 2011 is to improve my organization so that I can look back see everything I accomplished.  I figured I would start by basically writing things down, thus the planner.

So what’s been keeping me so busy you ask?  Well, let’s start with the annual Christmas cookie exchange I’m hosting on Monday.  Baking, cleaning, creating prizes etc. is very busy work indeed, especially when you couple this with keeping up with every day housework and working, spending time with my boys and supervising homework and other things required to run a happy domocile.

I have also been preparing for this:

I am a board member of the PTO for our school district, and we sponsored this highly successful event today.  It was a lot of work to pull it together, but with wonderful parent volunteers, National Honor Society and PRIDE volunteers, the event was fantastic.  No glitches or problems, only happy kids and parents.  Talk about a good feeling!  I probably should have taken pictures, but I didn’t.  Next year I will, because we’ll have a PTO website to post the pictures on.

So the cookie exchange is Monday, and I will have pictures of that to show you.  Last year’s party was an absolute blast, and I’m really looking forward to this year.  My dad donated two prizes, but I’m not telling what they are until after the party and my mother made every guest a lovely participation gift as well. 

After the cookie exchange, I’m hoping to have some time to just relax and play with my new Sizzix Texture Boutique.  My parents bought it for me for Christmas, along with about 15 different embossing folders and I love it already.  I made my friend Michelle a really cute “Thank You” card for inviting me to the Christmas tea, and it turned out beautifully.

I’ve been thinking about goals I’d like to set for 2011 lately.  Still mulling them over though, and will post about them as I get my plan solidified.

In other happy news, two weeks ago today we adopted this little guy:

Meet Bear, everybody!

He’s a 7 month old Pomeranian. 

Little Man has been wanting a dog for a very long time, and because dogs are so much like children, I resisted for many years.  I didn’t want to be the only one to take care of a dog.  But Little Man is older now, and is pretty responsible.  It just so happened an old friend of mine had a couple of pups that needed homes.  This little guy was supposed to go to a home with a disabled child (he’s very mellow and loves cats…good thing, in this house!) but the potential owner never bought him.  So we bought him instead, my friend giving me a very deep discount and a payment plan.  Thanks Jane, for making this possible for us!  I normally adopt from the Humane Society when  I get a pet…but Bear is the right size for my house, gets along with kids and cats, and he stole our hearts from day one. 

Did I mention he’s adorable? We got him a couple bags of treats–mini Filet Mignon steak treats and Little Beggin’ Strips…he loves them.

In fact, he loves them so much, when you offer him one, he dances with joy:

I really should video tape this and upload it to my YouTube channel, because it’s just the sweetest thing.  Like I said, he’s just stolen our hearts.  He follows Little Man every where he goes, and sleeps with him every night.  I think we made a good decision in adopting him.

I’m done with my tree, done with gift wrapping, and still making treats.  How are all of you?

S.