Check one off the list!

New Year's Resolutions time once more, folks, and as you can see, I have totally succeeded from last year! My first goal was to stop procrastinating, and I'm writing this 3 days early. I saved New Years! On to 2012!

1. Fit into that one pair of pants. You know who you are, pants, aka, my Nemesis of Christmas. You caused me a lot of pain, suffering, and undignified pants-wearing habits. So, even though you aren't my pants, and I will probably never need to wear you again, this year I will defeat your evil, skinny ways!

2. Stop getting fries at Burger King. This might help with number 1. Anywho, my initial goal was to eat at BK less, but then I realized that I could still get burgers, which I really like, if I cut out their grody fries, which I totally don't.

3. Read all my church assignments during the week so I know what's going on in RS and Sunday School. Yes, this is a repeat goal from last year. And the year before. Actually, I did much better last year than I had before, so I figure if I keep making this kind of progress, I will probably be 100% on this one in about 20 years.

4. Get a passport. In case I need to quickly flee the country.

5. Read some children's classics. I finally read Winnie the Pooh last year (loved it!!), and this year, I'd like to knock out The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland.

6. Shop more at the farmer's market. First of all, it makes me feel cool. Second, they have good stuff. Third, I'm pretty sure it's good for the earth. Fourth, sometimes the people from Ace of Cakes shop there! So I'm going to do it.

I think that's enough to be going on for a while. I'd say the next year at least. Good luck with all of your resolutions, faithful readers!

'Tis the season!

I like to do it up right at Christmas, and by "it," I mean my house, and by "up right," I mean decorate it like there's no tomorrow. I've had some special requests (Hi, Mom!) to see the awesomeness, so here goes.

 

I got this nativity for $1! Awesome, yes?

 Crabs for Christmas! Yay! I live in Baltimore!

 I don't think anyone appreciates how awesome my wrapped bannister is, but it is really neat.

Jeffrey, my Christmas fish! Isn't he pretty? I will keep him, even after Christmas is over.

 Stockings hung by the chimney with care. I made the one in the middle, and I made the money that paid for the other two. Not made as in "made on my own printing press," but made as in "earned when I was working."

 Our Christmas tree! Kate cut it down herself. Very manly and tough. Plus, there's candy in all those little red boxes. :)

 Dollar store wreath! Actually, it cost more like like $5 plus labor, but I didn't charge myself for that.

 The tiny gingerbread house I made at Maren and David's.

For our last FHE at church, we also made gingerbread houses. You can't tell from the pictures, because there's nothing here for scale, but the one we made at FHE is about 5 times bigger that the one I just showed you. Anyhow, it was a group project type of thing. My group was Leah, Monica, Sabrina, and moi. I think we did a pretty good job!

 The back of our house, as decorated by me.

 Sabrina's side of the house, complete with climbing vines and a tiny snowman.

 Lean's side of the house, plus a really good view of the front porch as made by Monica.

 The front of the house, complete with stained glass windows, done by Monica. Notice the tiny snowman, plus the awesome roof done by Monica and me, and the red brick chimney (with smoke coming out).

Creepy gingerbread representation of me, as done by Leah. I made the skirt, though.

Ta da! My house, decorated for Christmas. There's a lot more, but I didn't think you'd want to see 500 more pictures. Have a Merry Christmas, y'all!