Some Resolutions I Think I Can Keep

I resolve to:

• have a Starbucks cup of coffee at least once a week (or until my gift cards run out)
  
• maintain my weight--I would hate to have to buy new clothes if I lost weight
• only run if I'm being chased
• walk a little more
• laugh more
• read more
• quit skydiving
• quit bungee jumping and all other extreme sports
• pray more
• expect less of myself
• finish the puzzle on my new card table

Puzzle anyone?

I am a bit of a puzzle addict.  I love doing puzzles but seldom allow myself the time to work on them.  Christmas is the exception though, I have three Christmas puzzles that I just love and I have done all of them this Christmas and one of them twice.  The main reason I don't always have a puzzle going is that there is no good place to do one and keep it out.  Well, for Christmas I got a card table and chairs and  new puzzle and now I can keep a puzzle out all the time if I want!  Of course, Ollie may get sick of the card table being set up.  I'm a little picky when it comes to puzzles.  I want them to be a bit of a challenge but nothing that is nearly impossible.  No 1000 piece pictures of red marbles for me.  I like about 500ish pieces and a scene with lots of distinguishable areas.  I'm partial to Mary Englebriet puzzles.  When I am on the computer I frequently go to Jigzone and do puzzles online.  The great thing about these puzzles is that the pieces are already in the proper position--no rotating, no guessing--you just move it into place and hear a satisfying click that tells you you are right.  If you want to give it a shot--try this puzzle I made of Joe.

Daddy's Helper

Grace absolutely loves to help Ollie with anything he is doing.  She is a willing participant in almost anything he asks of her.  She was the only brave soul in the house willing to go in the attic to get Christmas stuff out just recently.  We are very thankful for Grace.  Yesterday, Ollie taught her how to use the air ratchet and she singlehandedly took the running boards off the van.  She was very proud of herself and I was very impressed.  The passenger side running board was cracked and couldn't bear much weight and Ollie decided that it needed to come off.  So that the van didn't look lopsided Ollie (actually Grace) took the other one off as well.  Can I just say that the fact that there is no longer a running board on the van hasn't made it to my brain yet.  I practically fell out of the van everytime I got out yesterday.  Note to self--step down carefully when getting out of the van so as not to go sprawling through the parking lot.

We've Been Invaded

by Star Wars guys!!!  My a little on the obsessive side son absolutely loves the Star Wars Galactic Heroes.  The company that makes them is pretty smart.  There is not just one Luke, one Leia, one Han Solo, one Darth Vader and so on.  There are multiple guys of each.  All in a different outfit or with a different weapon based on what movie and scene they are from.  Joe happens to love to watch the movies and  set up the appropriate guys that go with that movie.  So, this means he wants them ALL.  Each time he gets a new set (thankfully they are not all that expensive) there are little pictures on the back showing all the other ones that YOU DON'T HAVE YET AND NEED!  He started collecting these at his birthday last February.  Since then everytime he gets $5 in his grubby little hands he wants to go to Target and get some guys.  Well, he also happens to have a mother who really wants to give him everything he could ever want and more.  I resist all year--I don't want to raise completely spoiled children nor do I have the money to just buy toys anytime--but then comes Christmas.  Well, let's just say we overdid it a smidge.  It wasn't all my doing but I definitely played an active role in procuring most of this.  I bought him about 15 guys and then a sweet aunt sent a $20 gift card to Target.  I used that to buy another big set--the Jabba set!  Then Hannah begged to spend $20 to buy him the Rescue the Princess set.  H and B made his dream come true by getting him the almost impossible to find Geonosis set on ebay.  Just today he used his Toys R Us gift card to buy 4 more.  It's out of control!  And, I'm embarassed to say--I already have his birthday present--an awesome X-wing fighter that comes with 4 more guys.  It's crazy but it sure does make my little guy happy!

Comparing

So, I haven't updated in a week or so.  First of all, my computer time has been limited.  With 4 new Webkins in the house and Joe's new computer game there has been a line for the computer.  When I do get on the computer I check e-mail, then read all the blogs.  At that point, I am too tired to post anything and/or often end up thinking that I have nothing worthwhile to post anyway.  I am falling prey to the terrible disease of comparing... this blog or that blog is much funnier (why can't I think of those witty things to write), or more spiritual, or just a much more interesting life, etc.  The list could go on and on.  Then I think, the only thing I write about is my daily (fairly unexciting) life.  Who wants to read that?  But--I think people do regularly read it even if it is boring (thank you).  I know my mom likes it.  So, with that said--here's some new posts and pictures!

Walt Disney World Christmas Parade

If anyone is checking blogs and is reading this before Christmas morning's Walt Disney World parade----look for Hannah, Grace or myself.  We watched a small portion of the taping and Hannah said that the camera was right in her face at one point.  We are planning to DVR it at my aunt and uncle's house so we can replay if we think we see ourselves.  The picture with this post is from that day--it was a neat experience!

A few pictures