Peace, Love & Happiness

Once again, this is the first day of a new year. The neighborhood is about as quiet as my house. Diva and Shrugs went back to his house after a dinner party here last night and Elvis just left for work.

I did a personal year-in-review for 2011, all in all, I am happy with everything that happened. We paid off both cars, booked a cruise for later this year, took Diva on a fantastic vacation, I started knitting more, made scarves for the Special Olympics, got to spend some time with friends, and a lot of hugs and kisses. I love my beautiful and artistic daughter. I love my hard working other-half. Heck, I even like my ex-husband!

I decided that 2012 will be the year of "Peace, Love & Happiness" (I know, the title may have been a give away). The Yule gifts this year will come from one (or more) of those categories. I am also aiming for a 100% Homemade Holiday - since I plan on homeschooling Diva for 6th grade starting in September, I had better get moving!

To start things out, I made the first gift of the year - a peace sign dishcloth. I will make the heart and the smiley face ones later today... as soon as the coffee is done perking. Priorities. Those 3 dishcloths, along with complimentary dish towels, and later some homemade cookies will be given to my Mother.

Reclaiming the condo is also on the to-do list for 2012. We got some things done throughout 2011, but the bigger things still need to be done, such as moving the living room furniture around so the sofa isn't near the draft slider anymore. I am not going to buy anything for the condo, other than what is needed for finishing the remodeling (carpets, molding, spackle & paint) We would like to eventually sell this condo and buying things for this place is low on the list.

We may be heading south this year too, literally. Elvis' mom said she really misses him and would like us to meet at his Grandmothers this spring. It's something we are hoping to do this year, even if it has to wait a few months past that. Diva is excited about getting on a plane and seeing them. She hasn't seen any of them since she was 5. Elvis is just about as excited. He doesn't say it much, but I know he's homesick, and being 900+ miles away from family doesn't help. I'm looking forward to it, mostly because I get to tease Elvis about him having to sleep on the sofa while we are at her house. After almost 9 years of being together, sometimes we may forget that we aren't legally married... but she doesn't.

It's going to be an interesting peaceful, loving and happy year ... OR ELSE!